Design and Test of an Event Detector and Locator for the ReflectoActive Seals System

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Stinson, Brad J

2006-06-01

The purpose of this work was to research, design, develop and test a novel instrument for detecting fiber optic loop continuity and spatially locating fiber optic breaches. The work is for an active seal system called ReflectoActive{trademark} Seals whose purpose is to provide real time container tamper indication. A Field Programmable Gate Array was used to implement a loop continuity detector and a spatial breach locator based on a high acquisition speed single photon counting optical time domain reflectometer. Communication and other control features were added in order to create a usable instrument that met defined requirements. A host graphicalmore » user interface was developed to illustrate system use and performance. The resulting device meets performance specifications by exhibiting a dynamic range of 27dB and a spatial resolution of 1.5 ft. The communication scheme used expands installation options and allows the device to communicate to a central host via existing Local Area Networks and/or the Internet.« less

16 CFR 260.6 - Certifications and seals of approval.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... benefit being asserted. To avoid deception, marketers should use clear and prominent qualifying language... marketer accompanied the seal with clear and prominent language: (1) indicating that the marketer awarded... that have been developed and maintained by a voluntary consensus standard body.45 An independent...

16 CFR 260.6 - Certifications and seals of approval.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... benefit being asserted. To avoid deception, marketers should use clear and prominent qualifying language... marketer accompanied the seal with clear and prominent language: (1) indicating that the marketer awarded... that have been developed and maintained by a voluntary consensus standard body.45 An independent...

Stapedectomy technique.

PubMed

House, J W

1993-06-01

This article reviews the evolution of the author's stapedectomy technique from total footplate removal with single loop wire prosthesis and Gelfoam seal to small fenestra stapedectomy with platinum ribbon piston prosthesis and blood seal. The author concludes that the microdrill is effective, safe, and cost effective for performing this procedure. Since using this technique, the author has had no cases of sensorineural hearing loss and few complaints of dizziness or vertigo.

Novel application of polyelectrolyte multilayers as nanoscopic closures with hermetic sealing.

PubMed

Marcott, Stephanie A; Ada, Sena; Gibson, Phillip; Camesano, Terri A; Nagarajan, R

2012-03-01

Closure systems for personnel protection applications, such as protective clothing or respirator face seals, should provide effective permeation barrier to toxic gases. Currently available mechanical closure systems based on the hook and loop types (example, Velcro) do not provide adequate barrier to gas permeation. To achieve hermetic sealing, we propose a nonmechanical, nanoscopic molecular closure system based on complementary polyelectrolyte multilayers, one with a polycation outermost layer and the other with a polyanion outermost layer. The closure surfaces were prepared by depositing polyelectrolyte multilayers under a variety of deposition conditions, on conformable polymer substrates (thin films of polyethylene teraphthalate, PET or polyimide, PI). The hermetic sealing property of the closures was evaluated by measuring the air flow resistance using the dynamic moisture permeation cell (DMPC) at different humidity conditions. The DMPC measurements show that the polyelectrolyte multilayer closures provide significantly large resistance to air flow, approximately 20-800 times larger than that possible with conventional hook and loop type closure systems, at all humidity levels (from 5 to 95% relative humidity). Hence, from the point of view of providing a hermetic seal against toxic gas permeation, the polyelectrolyte multilayer closures are viable candidates for further engineering development. However, the adhesive strength of the multilayer closures measured by atomic force microscopy suggests that the magnitude of adhesion is much smaller than what is possible with mechanical closures. Therefore, we envisage the development of a composite closure system combining the mechanical closure to provide strong adhesion and the multilayer closure to provide hermetic sealing. © 2012 American Chemical Society

Improvement of mechanical performance for vibratory microgyroscope based on sense mode closed-loop control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiao, Dingbang; Su, Jianbin; Chen, Zhihua; Hou, Zhanqiang; Wang, Xinghua; Wu, Xuezhong

2013-04-01

In order to improve its structural sensitivity, a vibratory microgyroscope is commonly sealed in high vacuum to increase the drive mode quality factor. The sense mode quality factor of the microgyroscope will also increase simultaneously after vacuum sealing, which will lead to a long decay time of free response and even self-oscillation of the sense mode. As a result, the mechanical performance of the microgyroscope will be seriously degraded. In order to solve this problem, a closed-loop control technique is presented to adjust and optimize the sense mode quality factor. A velocity feedback loop was designed to increase the electric damping of the sense mode vibration. A circuit was fabricated based on this technique, and experimental results indicate that the sense mode quality factor of the microgyroscope was adjusted from 8052 to 428. The decay time of the sense mode free response was shortened from 3 to 0.5 s, and the vibration-rejecting ability of the microgyroscope was improved obviously without sensitivity degradation.

Fuel cell stack arrangements

DOEpatents

Kothmann, Richard E.; Somers, Edward V.

1982-01-01

Arrangements of stacks of fuel cells and ducts, for fuel cells operating with separate fuel, oxidant and coolant streams. An even number of stacks are arranged generally end-to-end in a loop. Ducts located at the juncture of consecutive stacks of the loop feed oxidant or fuel to or from the two consecutive stacks, each individual duct communicating with two stacks. A coolant fluid flows from outside the loop, into and through cooling channels of the stack, and is discharged into an enclosure duct formed within the loop by the stacks and seals at the junctures at the stacks.

Reusable, tamper-indicating seal

DOEpatents

Ryan, Michael J.

1978-01-01

A reusable, tamper-indicating seal comprises a drum confined within a fixed body and rotatable in one direction therewithin, the top of the drum constituting a tray carrying a large number of small balls of several different colors. The fixed body contains parallel holes for looping a seal wire therethrough. The base of the drums carries cams adapted to coact with cam followers to lock the wire within the seal at one angular position of the drum. A channel in the fixed body -- visible from outside the seal -- adjacent the tray constitutes a segregated location for a small plurality of the colored balls. A spring in the tray forces colored balls into the segregated location at one angular position of the drum, further rotation securing the balls in position and the wires in the seal. A wedge-shaped plough removes the balls from the segregated location, at a different angular position of the drum, the wire being unlocked at the same position. A new pattern of colored balls will appear in the segregated location when the seal is relocked.

Modulations of Driven Nonlinear Surface Waves on Water and Liquid Helium-4.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-06-01

loop to control drive amplitude. 63 CHAPTER III. DATA AND INTERPRETATION. Section 5. Cockscombs. 25. Cockscomb in water at f/30. 67 26. Double...annular trough, sealed and then partially filled with normal or superfluid helium, is oscillated vertically and supported 6 . . ... . . . . . 41 700...44 0 .0 0 00 loudspeaker surface wave sealed trough transducer shel oo •Figure 3. Schmatic of the helium experiment. 8 r

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Smartt, Heidi A.; Romero, Juan A.; Custer, Joyce Olsen

Containment/Surveillance (C/S) measures are critical to any verification regime in order to maintain Continuity of Knowledge (CoK). The Ceramic Seal project is research into the next generation technologies to advance C/S, in particular improving security and efficiency. The Ceramic Seal is a small form factor loop seal with improved tamper-indication including a frangible seal body, tamper planes, external coatings, and electronic monitoring of the seal body integrity. It improves efficiency through a self-securing wire and in-situ verification with a handheld reader. Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), under sponsorship from the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administrationmore » (NNSA) Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research and Development (DNN R&D), have previously designed and have now fabricated and tested Ceramic Seals. Tests have occurred at both SNL and SRNL, with different types of tests occurring at each facility. This interim report will describe the Ceramic Seal prototype, the design and development of a handheld standalone reader and an interface to a data acquisition system, fabrication of the seals, and results of initial testing.« less

DEVELOPMENT OF A CERAMIC TAMPER INDICATING SEAL: SRNL CONTRIBUTIONS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Krementz, D.; Brinkman, K.; Martinez-Rodriguez, M.

2013-06-03

Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) are collaborating on development of a Ceramic Seal, also sometimes designated the Intrinsically Tamper Indicating Ceramic Seal (ITICS), which is a tamper indicating seal for international safeguards applications. The Ceramic Seal is designed to be a replacement for metal loop seals that are currently used by the IAEA and other safeguards organizations. The Ceramic Seal has numerous features that enhance the security of the seal, including a frangible ceramic body, protective and tamper indicating coatings, an intrinsic unique identifier using Laser Surface Authentication, electronics incorporated into the seal that providemore » cryptographic seal authentication, and user-friendly seal wire capture. A second generation prototype of the seal is currently under development whose seal body is of Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) construction. SRNL has developed the mechanical design of the seal in an iterative process incorporating comments from the SNL vulnerability review team. SRNL is developing fluorescent tamper indicating coatings, with recent development focusing on optimizing the durability of the coatings and working with a vendor to develop a method to apply coatings on a 3-D surface. SRNL performed a study on the effects of radiation on the electronics of the seal and possible radiation shielding techniques to minimize the effects. SRNL is also investigating implementation of Laser Surface Authentication (LSA) as a means of unique identification of each seal and the effects of the surface coatings on the LSA signature.« less

Space nuclear system volume accumulator development (SNAP program)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitaker, W. D.; Shimazaki, T. T.

1973-01-01

The engineering, design, and fabrication status of the volume accumulator units to be employed in the NaK primary and secondary coolant loops of the 5-kwe reactor thermoelectric system are described. Three identical VAU's are required - two for the primary coolant loop, and one for the secondary coolant loop. The VAU's utilize nested-formed bellows as the flexing member, are hermetically sealed, provide double containment and utilize a combination of gas pressure force and bellows spring force to obtain the desired pressure regulation of the coolant loops. All parts of the VAU, except the NaK inlet tube, are to be fabricated from Inconel 718.

Tamper indicating seal

DOEpatents

Romero, Juan A [Albuquerque, NM; Walker, Charles A [Albuquerque, NM; Blair, Dianna S [Albuquerque, NM; Bodmer, Connie C [Albuquerque, NM

2012-05-29

Seals have a flexible wire that can be looped through a hasp-like device. The seals include a body having a recess, a plug insertable into the recess and a snap ring for fastening the plug to the body. The plug and/or body can have access holes for inserting the wire into the recess. "Teeth" on the outer diameter and through-holes through the thickness of the snap ring allow for passing the ends of the flexible wire from the recess through the snap ring. The ends of the wire can be folded back over the snap ring and into engagement with the teeth. Assembly of the seal causes the ends of the wire to be securely fastened between the teeth of the snap ring and the sidewall of the recess. Seals can include a plug and/or body made of a frangible material such as glass, ceramic, glass-ceramic or brittle polymer.

Face-Sealing Butterfly Valve

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tervo, John N.

1992-01-01

Valve plate made to translate as well as rotate. Valve opened and closed by turning shaft and lever. Interactions among lever, spring, valve plate, and face seal cause plate to undergo combination of translation and rotation so valve plate clears seal during parts of opening and closing motions.

Eversion-Inversion Labral Repair and Reconstruction Technique for Optimal Suction Seal.

PubMed

Moreira, Brett; Pascual-Garrido, Cecilia; Chadayamurri, Vivek; Mei-Dan, Omer

2015-12-01

Labral tears are a significant cause of hip pain and are currently the most common indication for hip arthroscopy. Compared with labral debridement, labral repair has significantly better outcomes in terms of both daily activities and athletic pursuits in the setting of femoral acetabular impingement. The classic techniques described in the literature for labral repair all use loop or pass-through intrasubstance labral sutures to achieve a functional hip seal. This hip seal is important for hip stability and optimal joint biomechanics, as well as in the prevention of long-term osteoarthritis. We describe a novel eversion-inversion intrasubstance suturing technique for labral repair and reconstruction that can assist in restoration of the native labrum position by re-creating an optimal seal around the femoral head.

Study of Fluid Cooling Loop System in Chinese Manned Spacecraft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Jun; Xu, Jiwan; Fan, Hanlin; Huang, Jiarong

2002-01-01

change. To solve the questions, a fluid cooling loop system must be applied to Chinese manned spacecraft besides other conventional thermal control methods, such as thermal control coatings, multiplayer insulation blankets, heat pipes, electro-heating adjustment temperature devices, and so on. The paper will introduce the thermal design of inner and outer fluid loop including their constitution and fundamental, etc. The capability of heat transportation and the accuracy of control temperature for the fluid loop will be evaluated and analyzed. To insure the air temperature of sealed cabins within 21+/-4, the inlet liquid temperature of condensing heat exchanger needs to be controlled within 9+/-2. To insure this, the inlet liquid temperature of middle heat exchanger needs to be controlled within 8+/-1.8. The inlet temperature point is controlled by a subsidiary loop adjusting: when the computer receives feedbacks of the deviation and the variety rate of deviation from the controlled temperature point. It drives the temperature control valve to adjust the flow flux distribution between the main loop through radiator and the subsidiary loop which isn't through radiator to control the temperature of the mixed fluid within 8+/-1.8. The paper will also introduce thermal designs of key parts in the cooling loop, such as space radiators, heat exchangers and cooling plates. Thermal simulated tests on the ground and flight tests have been performed to verify correctness of thermal designs. rational and the loop system works order. It realizes the circulation of absorbing heat dissipation to the loop and transferring it to radiator then radiating it to space. (2) loop control system controls inlet temperature of middle heat exchanger within 8+/-1.8 under various thermal cases. Thermal design of the middle heat exchanger insures inlet temperature of condensing heat within 9+/-2. Thereby, the air temperature of sealed cabins is controlled within about 21+/-4 accurately. (3) The thermal designs of the key heat exchanging parts (such as radiator, heat exchangers and cooling plates) in the cooling loop are rational and effective, they meet the requirements of heat exchanging and assure the entire system work order.

40 CFR 146.68 - Testing and monitoring requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... stream; or (ii) Routing the waste stream through a loop constructed with the material used in the well... mechanical integrity testing as follows: (1) The long string casing, injection tube, and annular seal shall...

40 CFR 146.68 - Testing and monitoring requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... stream; or (ii) Routing the waste stream through a loop constructed with the material used in the well... mechanical integrity testing as follows: (1) The long string casing, injection tube, and annular seal shall...

40 CFR 146.68 - Testing and monitoring requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... stream; or (ii) Routing the waste stream through a loop constructed with the material used in the well... mechanical integrity testing as follows: (1) The long string casing, injection tube, and annular seal shall...

High temperature corrosion of cold worked YUS409D bellows of bellow-sealed valve in LBE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mustari1, A. P. A.; Irwanto1, D.; Takahashi, M.

2017-01-01

Lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) loop test is highly contributes to the lead-alloy-cooled fast breeder reactor (LFR) and accelerator driven system (ADS) research and development by providing comprehensive results of both corrosion and erosion phenomenon. Bellows-sealed valve is a crucial part in the LBE loop test apparatus, due to its capability of preventing corrosion on valve spring, thus improves the operation time of the system. LBE is very corrosive to stainless steel by formation of oxide layer or elemental dissolution, e.g. Ni. Thus, new type of bellows for bellows-sealed valve made of nickel free material, i.e. YUS409D, is proposed to be used in the LBE. Bellows material undergo heat treatments for mechanical improvement including cold working and annealing. The thickness reduction by the heat treatments is about 90% of initial condition. Corrosion behavior of the bellows has been studied in stagnant LBE at 500 and 600 °C for 500 hours. The oxygen concentration was controlled at about 10-7 wt%. Typical oxide layers were developed on the surface. Oxidation rate was sharply increased at 600°C.

Split and sealing of dislocated pipes at the front of a growing crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gutkin, M. Yu.; Sheinerman, A. G.

2004-07-01

A model is suggested for the split of dislocated pipes at the front a growing crystal. Within the model, the pipe split occurs through the generation of a dislocation semi-loop at the pipe and crystal surfaces and its subsequent expansion into the crystal interior. The strain energy of such a dislocation semi-loop as well as the stress field of a dislocated pipe perpendicular to a flat crystal surface are calculated. The parameter regions are determined at which the expansion of the dislocation semi-loop is energetically favorable and, thus, the pipe split becomes irreversible. A mechanism is proposed for the formation of a stable semi-loop resulting in the split and possible subsequent overgrowth of the dislocated pipe.

High speed shutter. [electrically actuated ribbon loop for shuttering optical or fluid passageways

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcclenahan, J. O. (Inventor)

1974-01-01

A shutter element is described which is formed by a loop of an electrically conductive ribbon disposed adjacent to the end of a passageway to be shuttered. The shuttered end of the passageway is cut at an acute angle. The two leg portions of the ribbon loop are closely spaced to each other and disposed in a plane parallel to the axis of the passageway. A pulse of high current is switched through the loop to cause the current flowing in opposite directions through adjacent leg portions of the ribbon. This produces a magnetically induced pressure on one of the legs of the ribbon forcing the leg over the end of the passageway in gas tight sealing engagement, and thereby blocking passageway.

Annular honeycomb seals: Test results for leakage and rotordynamic coefficients; comparisons to labyrinth and smooth configurations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Childs, Dara W.; Elrod, David; Hale, Keith

1989-01-01

Test results are presented for leakage and rotordynamic coefficients for seven honeycomb seals. All seals have the same radius, length, and clearance; however, the cell depths and diameters are varied. Rotordynamic data, which are presented, consist of the direct and cross-coupled stiffness coefficients and the direct damping coefficients. The rotordynamic-coefficient data show a considerable sensitivity to changes in cell dimensions; however, no clear trends are identifiable. Comparisons of test data for the honeycomb seals with labyrinth and smooth annular seals show the honeycomb seal had the best sealing (minimum leakage) performance, followed in order by the labyrinth and smooth seals. For prerotated fluid entering the seal, in the direction of shaft rotation, the honeycomb seal has the best rotordynamic stability followed in order by the labyrinth and smooth. For no prerotation, or fluid prerotation against shaft rotation, the labyrinth seal has the best rotordynamic stability followed in order by the smooth and honeycomb seals.

Surface Roughness: Its Effects on the Performance of a Two-Dimensional Compressor Cascade.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-12-01

Outside air was dLawn into a sealed containment room where the option existed to mix it with recirculated warmer room air in order to stabilize the...by " applying different grades of carborundum grit to the surface and sealing them in place with an acrylic adhesive. This procedure had a number of...U. at the Ong" start of the loop . If it was different, the process was re- -38- peated with the new value until such time the new and old U Is were

Ferrite core coupled slapper detonator apparatus and method

DOEpatents

Boberg, Ralph E.; Lee, Ronald S.; Weingart, Richard C.

1989-01-01

Method and apparatus are provided for coupling a temporally short electric power pulse from a thick flat-conductor power cable into a thin flat-conductor slapper detonator circuit. A first planar and generally circular loop is formed from an end portion of the power cable. A second planar and generally circular loop, of similar diameter, is formed from all or part of the slapper detonator circuit. The two loops are placed together, within a ferrite housing that provides a ferrite path that magnetically couples the two loops. Slapper detonator parts may be incorporated within the ferrite housing. The ferrite housing may be made vacuum and water-tight, with the addition of a hermetic ceramic seal, and provided with an enclosure for protecting the power cable and parts related thereto.

Ferrite core coupled slapper detonator apparatus and method

DOEpatents

Boberg, R.E.; Lee, R.S.; Weingart, R.C.

1989-08-01

Method and apparatus are provided for coupling a temporally short electric power pulse from a thick flat-conductor power cable into a thin flat-conductor slapper detonator circuit. A first planar and generally circular loop is formed from an end portion of the power cable. A second planar and generally circular loop, of similar diameter, is formed from all or part of the slapper detonator circuit. The two loops are placed together, within a ferrite housing that provides a ferrite path that magnetically couples the two loops. Slapper detonator parts may be incorporated within the ferrite housing. The ferrite housing may be made vacuum and water-tight, with the addition of a hermetic ceramic seal, and provided with an enclosure for protecting the power cable and parts related thereto. 10 figs.

Suppression of span in sealed microcavity Fabry-Perot pressure sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mishra, Shivam; Rajappa, Balasubramaniam; Chandra, Sudhir

2017-01-01

Optical microelectromechanical system pressure sensors working on the principle of extrinsic Fabry-Perot (FP) interferometer are designed and fabricated for pressure range of 1-bar absolute. Anodic bonding of silicon with glass is performed under atmospheric pressure to form FP cavity. This process results in entrapment of gas in the sealed microcavity. The effect of trapped gas is investigated on sensor characteristics. A closed-loop solution is derived for the deflection of the diaphragm of a sealed microcavity pressure sensor. Phenomenon of "suppression of span" is brought out. The sensors are tested using white light interferometry technique. The residual pressure of the trapped gas is estimated from the experiments. The developed model has been used to estimate the deflection sensitivity of the free diaphragm and the extent of suppression of span after bonding.

A Study on Sealing Process of Anodized Al Alloy Film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsujita, Takeshi; Sato, Hiroshi; Tsukahara, Sonoko; Ishikawa, Yuuichi

Since sealing is an important process to improve the corrosion resistance in practical application of anodized aluminum, we prepared anodic oxide films on A5052 alloy in an oxalic acid bath and a sulfuric acid bath, sealed them at various conditions, and analyzed them by scanning electron microscopy, acid-dissolution examination, admittance measurements and infrared spectroscopy. The pore radius of the oxalic acid anodized film was about 5 times larger than that of sulfuric acid anodized film, while the corrosion resistance of the former showed about 2 times higher value than the latter with the same sealed state and amount of hydroxide formed by sealing process of the former was 6 times larger than the latter, respectively. Steam sealing formed dense hydroxide and boiling water sealing formed big coral-like hydroxide, whereas the corrosion resistance of the film sealed by the former showed about 1.5 times higher value than that sealed by the latter, respectively. Thus microstructure of anodic oxide films and their surface morphology after sealing process clearly depended on their anodizing solution and the sealing condition and showed obvious relation to electric and corrosive properties.

Entanglement of Australian sea lions and New Zealand fur seals in lost fishing gear and other marine debris before and after Government and industry attempts to reduce the problem.

PubMed

Page, Brad; McKenzie, Jane; McIntosh, Rebecca; Baylis, Alastair; Morrissey, Adam; Calvert, Norna; Haase, Tami; Berris, Mel; Dowie, Dave; Shaughnessy, Peter D; Goldsworthy, Simon D

2004-07-01

In recent years, Australian governments and fishing industry associations have developed guiding principles aimed at reducing the impact of fishing on non-target species and the benthos and increasing community awareness of their efforts. To determine whether they reduced seal entanglement in lost fishing gear and other marine debris, we analysed Australian sea lion and New Zealand fur seal entanglement data collected from Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Contrary to our expectations, we found that entanglement rates did not decrease in recent years. The Australian sea lion entanglement rate (1.3% in 2002) and the New Zealand fur seal entanglement rate (0.9% in 2002) are the third and fourth highest reported for any seal species. Australian sea lions were most frequently entangled in monofilament gillnet that most likely originated from the shark fishery, which operates in the region where sea lions forage--south and east of Kangaroo Island. In contrast, New Zealand fur seals were most commonly entangled in loops of packing tape and trawl net fragments suspected to be from regional rock lobster and trawl fisheries. Based on recent entanglement studies, we estimate that 1478 seals die from entanglement each year in Australia. We discuss remedies such as education programs and government incentives that may reduce entanglements.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Frost, K.J.; Lowry, L.F.

In the weeks following the Exxon Valdez oil spill (EVOS) harbor seals, Phocavitulina richardsi, swam through oil and inhaled aromatic hydrocarbons as they breathed at the air/water interface. Concentrations of fluorescent aromatic compounds in bile clearly indicated that most seals from oiled areas had been exposed to hydrocarbons. Before the EVOS, harbor seals in Prince William Sound were declining at an average annual rate of 12% in both oiled and unoiled areas. Aerial surveys in 1989 indicated a 43% decline at oiled sites versus an 11% decline at unoiled sites. By 1992, there were still 34% fewer seals at oiledmore » sites than before the spill.« less

75 FR 36064 - Marine Mammals; File No. 14186

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-24

... World LLC, 9205 South Park Center Loop, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32819 [Brad Andrews, Responsible Party...)713-2289; fax (301)713-0376; and Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach.... 14186 authorizes Sea World LLC to maintain up to six (6) non-releasable stranded Guadalupe fur seals...

Turbomachine rotor with improved cooling

DOEpatents

Hultgren, Kent Goran; McLaurin, Leroy Dixon; Bertsch, Oran Leroy; Lowe, Perry Eugene

1998-01-01

A gas turbine rotor has an essentially closed loop cooling air scheme in which cooling air drawn from the compressor discharge air that is supplied to the combustion chamber is further compressed, cooled, and then directed to the aft end of the turbine rotor. Downstream seal rings attached to the downstream face of each rotor disc direct the cooling air over the downstream disc face, thereby cooling it, and then to cooling air passages formed in the rotating blades. Upstream seal rings attached to the upstream face of each disc direct the heated cooling air away from the blade root while keeping the disc thermally isolated from the heated cooling air. From each upstream seal ring, the heated cooling air flows through passages in the upstream discs and is then combined and returned to the combustion chamber from which it was drawn.

Turbomachine rotor with improved cooling

DOEpatents

Hultgren, K.G.; McLaurin, L.D.; Bertsch, O.L.; Lowe, P.E.

1998-05-26

A gas turbine rotor has an essentially closed loop cooling air scheme in which cooling air drawn from the compressor discharge air that is supplied to the combustion chamber is further compressed, cooled, and then directed to the aft end of the turbine rotor. Downstream seal rings attached to the downstream face of each rotor disc direct the cooling air over the downstream disc face, thereby cooling it, and then to cooling air passages formed in the rotating blades. Upstream seal rings attached to the upstream face of each disc direct the heated cooling air away from the blade root while keeping the disc thermally isolated from the heated cooling air. From each upstream seal ring, the heated cooling air flows through passages in the upstream discs and is then combined and returned to the combustion chamber from which it was drawn. 5 figs.

SSME seal test program: Test results for smooth, hole-pattern and helically-grooved stators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Childs, Dara W.

1987-01-01

All of the listed seals were tested in a liquid Halon test facility at high Reynolds numbers. In addition, a helically-grooved-stator seal was tested in an air seal facility. An analysis of the test results with comparisons to theoretical predictions supports the following conclusions: (1) For small seals, the Hirs' friction-factor model is more restricted than had been thought; (2) For smooth seals, predictions of stiffness and damping improve markedly as the radical clearance is reduced; (3) Friction-factor data for hole-pattern-seal stators frequently deviates from the Hirs model; (4) Predictions of stiffness and damping coefficients for hole-pattern-stator seals is generally reasonable; (5) Tests for the hole-pattern stators at reduced clearances show no clear optimum for hole-pattern seals with respect to either hole-area ratio or hole depth to minimum clearance ratios; (6) Tests of these hole-pattern stators show no significant advantage in net damping over smooth seals; (7) Tests of helically-grooved seal stators in Halon show reasonable agreement between theory and prediction for leakage and direct stiffness but poor agreement for the net damping coefficient.

Space nuclear system expansion joints

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitaker, W. D.; Shimazki, T. T.

1973-01-01

The engineering, design, and fabrication status of the expansion joint unit (EJU) to be employed in the NaK primary coolant piping loop of the 5-kwe Reactor thermoelectric system are described. Four EJU's are needed in the NaK primary coolant piping loop. The four EJU's which will be identical, utilize bellows as the flexing member, are hermetically sealed, and provide double containment. The bellows are of a nested-formed design, and are to be constructed of 1-ply thickness of 0.010-in. Inconel 718. The EJU's provide a minimum piping load margin of safety of +0.22.

The protective activity of tea catechins against experimental infection by Vibrio cholerae O1.

PubMed

Toda, M; Okubo, S; Ikigai, H; Suzuki, T; Suzuki, Y; Hara, Y; Shimamura, T

1992-01-01

Tea catechins inhibited the fluid accumulation induced by cholera toxin in sealed adult mice. The catechins also reduced fluid accumulation by Vibrio cholerae O1 in ligated intestinal loops of rabbits. These findings suggest that tea catechins may possess protective activity against V. cholerae O1.

Effect of Aging Treatment on the Compressibility and Recovery of NiTi Shape Memory Alloys as Static Seals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Xiaofeng; Li, Gang; Liu, Luwei; Zhu, Xiaolei; Tu, Shan-Tung

2017-07-01

The improvement of the compressibility and recovery of the gaskets can decrease the leakage occurrence in bolted flange connections. In this study, the effect of aging treatment on the compressibility and recovery of NiTi shape memory alloys is investigated as static seals together with thermal analysis. The experimental results indicate that different phase transformations of NiTi alloys are exhibited in the DSC curves during aging treatment. The recovery coefficient of NiTi alloys aged at 500 °C for 2 h is quite low accompanied with a large residual strain. With increasing aging time at the aging temperature of 400 °C, the residual strain and area of hysteresis loop of NiTi alloys are both increased, whereas the recovery coefficient is decreased. Since the deformation associates the phase transformation behavior, aging treatment could improve the compressibility and recovery of NiTi alloys as static seals.

Arthroscopic labral repair of the hip, using a through-labral double-stranded single-pass suture technique.

PubMed

Ye, Ken; Singh, Parminder J

2014-10-01

The normal labrum is crucial to the biomechanical function of the hip joint, not only increasing the surface area and depth of the acetabulum but also maintaining a suction seal to assist in normal synovial fluid flow from the peripheral to the central compartment. Simple loop suture repairs of the labrum may evert the labrum, thus losing the optimal seal, as well as causing abrasion of the articular cartilage. Vertical mattress suture and labral base fixation techniques aim to leave the free edge of the labrum intact and undisturbed, therefore improving the contact of the labrum to the femoral head and neck to improve the seal of the acetabulum. We aim to describe a double-stranded single-pass vertical mattress suture technique that may allow greater versatility to the surgeon in repairing thinner labrums while still achieving a free and continuous free edge.

Design of a unit to produce hot distilled water for the same power consumption as a water heater

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bambenek, R. A.; Nuccio, P. P.

1973-01-01

Unit recovers 97% of water contained in pretreated waste water. Some factors are: cleansing agent prevents fouling of heat transfer surface by highly concentrated waste; absence of dynamic seals reduces required purge gas flow rate; and recycle loop maintains constant flushing process to carry cleansing agent across evaporation surface.

Radiofrequency-induced small bowel thermofusion: an ex vivo study of intestinal seal adequacy using mechanical and imaging modalities.

PubMed

Arya, Shobhit; Hadjievangelou, Nancy; Lei, Su; Kudo, Hiromi; Goldin, Robert D; Darzi, Ara W; Elson, Daniel S; Hanna, George B

2013-09-01

Bipolar radiofrequency (RF) induced tissue fusion is believed to have the potential to seal and anastomose intestinal tissue thereby providing an alternative to current techniques which are associated with technical and functional complications. This study examines the mechanical and cellular effects of RF energy and varying compressive pressures when applied to create ex vivo intestinal seals. A total of 299 mucosa-to-mucosa fusions were formed on ex vivo porcine small bowel segments using a prototype bipolar RF device powered by a closed-loop, feedback-controlled RF generator. Compressive pressures were increased at 0.05 MPa intervals from 0.00 to 0.49 MPa and RF energy was applied for a set time period to achieve bowel tissue fusion. Seal strength was subsequently assessed using burst pressure and tensile strength testing, whilst morphological changes were determined through light microscopy. To further identify the subcellular tissue changes that occur as a result of RF energy application, the collagen matrix in the fused area of a single bowel segment sealed at an optimal pressure was examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). An optimal applied compressive pressure range was observed between 0.10 and 0.25 MPa. Light microscopy demonstrated a step change between fused and unfused tissues but was ineffective in distinguishing between pressure levels once tissues were sealed. Non uniform collagen damage was observed in the sealed tissue area using TEM, with some areas showing complete collagen denaturation and others showing none, despite the seal being complete. This finding has not been described previously in RF-fused tissue and may have implications for in vivo healing. This study shows that both bipolar RF energy and optimal compressive pressures are needed to create strong intestinal seals. This finding suggests that RF fusion technology can be effectively applied for bowel sealing and may lead to the development of novel anastomosis tools.

Liquid hyperpolarized 129Xe produced by phase exchange in a convection cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, T.; Samuelson, G. L.; Morgan, S. W.; Laicher, G.; Saam, B.

2004-09-01

We present a method for the production of liquid hyperpolarized Xe129 that employs spin-exchange optical pumping in the gas phase and subsequent phase exchange with a column of xenon liquid. A convection loop inside the sealed glass cell allows efficient transfer of magnetization between the gas and liquid phases. By condensing to liquid a large fraction of the sample, this scheme permits the polarization of many more Xe129 atoms in a given sealed-cell volume than would otherwise be possible. We have thus far produced a steady-state polarization of 8% in 0.1mL of liquid with a characteristic rise time of ≈15min.

Development of a contact heat exchanger for a constructable radiator system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Howell, H. R.

1983-01-01

A development program for a contact heat exchanger to be used to transfer heat from a spacecraft coolant loop to a heat pipe radiator is described. The contact heat exchanger provides for a connectable/disconnectable joint which allows for on-orbit assembly of the radiator system and replacement or exchange of radiator panels for repair and maintenance. The contact heat exchanger does not require the transfer of fluid across the joint; the spacecraft coolant loop remains contained in an all welded system with no static or dynamic fluid seals. The contact interface is also "dry' with no conductive grease or interstitial material required.

Testing of active heat sink for advanced high-power laser diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vetrovec, John; Copeland, Drew A.; Feeler, Ryan; Junghans, Jeremy

2011-03-01

We report on the development of a novel active heat sink for high-power laser diodes offering unparalleled capacity in high-heat flux handling and temperature control. The heat sink employs convective heat transfer by a liquid metal flowing at high speed inside a miniature sealed flow loop. Liquid metal flow in the loop is maintained electromagnetically without any moving parts. Thermal conductance of the heat sink is electronically adjustable, allowing for precise control of diode temperature and the laser light wavelength. This paper presents the principles and challenges of liquid metal cooling, and data from testing at high heat flux and high heat loads.

A silicon micromachined resonant pressure sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Zhangyang; Fan, Shangchun; Cai, Chenguang

2009-09-01

This paper describes the design, fabrication and test of a silicon micromachined resonant pressure sensor. A square membrane and a doubly clamped resonant beam constitute a compound structure. The former senses the pressure directly, while the latter changes its resonant frequency according to deformation of the membrane. The final output relation between the resonant frequency and the applied pressure is deducted according to the structure mechanical properties. Sensors are fabricated by micromachining technology, and then sealed in vaccum. These sensors are tested by open-loop and close-loop system designed on purpose. The experiment results demonstrate that the sensor has a sensitivity of 49.8Hz/kPa and repeatability of 0.08%.

77 FR 33235 - Notice of Realty Action: Modified Competitive Sale of Public Lands in Becker County, MN

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-05

... bid is received or the sale is cancelled. Sealed bid envelopes must be clearly marked on the front lower left-hand corner with ``SEALED BID BLM LAND SALE, MNES-056512''. The bid envelope must contain a... of Land Management. Personal checks will not be accepted. Failure to submit the remainder of the full...

Electronic security device

DOEpatents

Eschbach, E.A.; LeBlanc, E.J.; Griffin, J.W.

1992-03-17

The present invention relates to a security device having a control box containing an electronic system and a communications loop over which the system transmits a signal. The device is constructed so that the communications loop can extend from the control box across the boundary of a portal such as a door into a sealed enclosure into which access is restricted whereby the loop must be damaged or moved in order for an entry to be made into the enclosure. The device is adapted for detecting unauthorized entries into such enclosures such as rooms or containers and for recording the time at which such entries occur for later reference. Additionally, the device detects attempts to tamper or interfere with the operation of the device itself and records the time at which such events take place. In the preferred embodiment, the security device includes a microprocessor-based electronic system and a detection module capable of registering changes in the voltage and phase of the signal transmitted over the loop. 11 figs.

Electronic security device

DOEpatents

Eschbach, Eugene A.; LeBlanc, Edward J.; Griffin, Jeffrey W.

1992-01-01

The present invention relates to a security device having a control box (12) containing an electronic system (50) and a communications loop (14) over which the system transmits a signal. The device is constructed so that the communications loop can extend from the control box across the boundary of a portal such as a door into a sealed enclosure into which access is restricted whereby the loop must be damaged or moved in order for an entry to be made into the enclosure. The device is adapted for detecting unauthorized entries into such enclosures such as rooms or containers and for recording the time at which such entries occur for later reference. Additionally, the device detects attempts to tamper or interfere with the operation of the device itself and records the time at which such events take place. In the preferred embodiment, the security device includes a microprocessor-based electronic system (50) and a detection module (72) capable of registering changes in the voltage and phase of the signal transmitted over the loop.

Seal Technology for Liquid Oxygen (LOX) Turbopumps

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shapiro, Wilbur; Hamm, Robert

1985-01-01

Two types of advanced seals for liquid oxygen (LOX) turbopumps were investigated. One was a spiral-groove face seal whose function is to seal high-pressure LOX at the impeller end of the turbopump. The other was a floating-ring, Rayleigh-step, helium buffered seal used to prevent LOX ingress to the turbine side of the unit. For each seal type, two sizes were investigated (50 and 20 mm). A turbine-driven test rig was designed and manufactured, and a test program was completed on the 50 mm floating-ring, Rayleigh-step, helium buffered seal. Significant results were: vaporization in the flow path could cause failure by overheating; therefore, the spiral-groove pumping portion of the seal that provides the fluid film must circulate fluid without disruption if vaporization occurs in the sealing dam. This is successfully accomplished by a pressure-balanced spiral-groove concept that is described. The spiral-groove configuration is affected by turbulence in the fluid film and pressure drops due to fluid inertia at sudden contractions. The net results of these effects are deep grooves, large operating films, and high power loss when compared against seals operating with laminar films. Turbulence and inertia are induced by the high-density and low-viscosity characteristics of LOX. The program clearly pointed out the need to consider system environmental factors such as thermal and centrifugal distortions and rotor vibrations in the seal design.

Simulation of a small cold-leg-break experiment at the PMK-2 test facility using the RELAP5 and ATHLET codes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ezsoel, G.; Guba, A.; Perneczky, L.

Results of a small-break loss-of-coolant accident experiment, conducted on the PMK-2 integral-type test facility are presented. The experiment simulated a 1% break in the cold leg of a VVER-440-type reactor. The main phenomena of the experiment are discussed, and in the case of selected events, a more detailed interpretation with the help of measured void fraction, obtained by a special measurement device, is given. Two thermohydraulic computer codes, RELAP5 and ATHLET, are used for posttest calculations. The aim of these calculations is to investigate the code capability for modeling natural circulation phenomena in VVER-440-type reactors. Therefore, the results of themore » experiment and both calculations are compared. Both codes predict most of the transient events well, with the exception that RELAP5 fails to predict the dryout period in the core. In the experiment, the hot- and cold-leg loop-seal clearing is accompanied by natural circulation instabilities, which can be explained by means of the ATHLET calculation.« less

Reciprocating Magnetic Refrigerator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, D. L.

1985-01-01

Unit cools to 4 K by adiabatic demagnetization. Two porous matrices of paramagnetic material gadolinium/gallium/garnet held in long piston called displacer, machined out of Micarta (phenol formaldehyde polymer). Holes in side of displacer allow heat-exchange fluid to flow to and through matrices within. Piston seals on displacer prevent substantial mixing of fluid in two loops. Magnetic refrigerator provides continuous rather than "one-shot" cooling.

Accidental entrapment of an endo-bronchial blocker tip by a surgical stapler during selective ventilation for lung lobectomy in a dog.

PubMed

Levionnois, Olivier L; Bergadano, Alessandra; Schatzmann, Urs

2006-01-01

To describe the use of an endobronchial blocker (EBB) and to perform selective ventilation during pulmonary lobe resection via thoracotomy in a dog and report its accidental stapling in the resection site. Clinical case report. One female dog with a suspected abscess or neoplasia of the right caudal pulmonary lobe. One-lung ventilation was performed using a wire-guided EBB to seal the contaminated parenchyma and facilitate surgical access. The affected lung parenchyma was resected and the resection site was closed with staples. Lobar resection was performed successfully, but the loop of the EBB guide wire was inadvertently entrapped in the staple line of the lobectomy. Staples were removed to release the wire loop, and the resulting air leak caused loss of ventilation control until the parenchyma was re-sealed. We recommend removing the wire guide associate with the EBB after successful lung separation to avoid accidents that could have life-threatening consequences if not recognized. One-lung ventilation is useful to isolate healthy parenchyma from diseased parenchyma during lobectomy. Anesthesiologists and surgeons need to be aware of the potential complications associated with use of EBB.

RNA repair: an antidote to cytotoxic eukaryal RNA damage.

PubMed

Nandakumar, Jayakrishnan; Schwer, Beate; Schaffrath, Raffael; Shuman, Stewart

2008-07-25

RNA healing and sealing enzymes drive informational and stress response pathways entailing repair of programmed 2',3' cyclic PO(4)/5'-OH breaks. Fungal, plant, and phage tRNA ligases use different strategies to discriminate the purposefully broken ends of the anticodon loop. Whereas phage ligase recognizes the tRNA fold, yeast and plant ligases do not and are instead hardwired to seal only the tRNA 3'-OH, 2'-PO(4) ends formed by healing of a cyclic phosphate. tRNA anticodon damage inflicted by secreted ribotoxins such as fungal gamma-toxin underlies a rudimentary innate immune system. Yeast cells are susceptible to gamma-toxin because the sealing domain of yeast tRNA ligase is unable to rectify a break at the modified wobble base of tRNA(Glu(UUC)). Plant andphage tRNA repair enzymes protect yeast from gamma-toxin because they are able to reverse the damage. Our studies underscore how a ribotoxin exploits an Achilles' heel in the target cell's tRNA repair system.

Method and apparatus for dispensing small quantities of mercury from evacuated and sealed glass capsules

DOEpatents

Grossman, Mark W.; George, William A.; Pai, Robert Y.

1985-01-01

A technique for opening an evacuated and sealed glass capsule containing a material that is to be dispensed which has a relatively high vapor pressure such as mercury. The capsule is typically disposed in a discharge tube envelope. The technique involves the use of a first light source imaged along the capsule and a second light source imaged across the capsule substantially transversely to the imaging of the first light source. Means are provided for constraining a segment of the capsule along its length with the constraining means being positioned to correspond with the imaging of the second light source. These light sources are preferably incandescent projection lamps. The constraining means is preferably a multiple looped wire support.

Pretest analysis of natural circulation on the PWR model PACTEL with horizontal steam generators

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kervinen, T.; Riikonen, V.; Ritonummi, T.

A new tests facility - parallel channel tests loop (PACTEL)- has been designed and built to simulate the major components and system behavior of pressurized water reactors (PWRs) during postulated small- and medium-break loss-of-coolant accidents. Pretest calculations have been performed for the first test series, and the results of these calculations are being used for planning experiments, for adjusting the data acquisition system, and for choosing the optimal position and type of instrumentation. PACTEL is a volumetrically scaled (1:305) model of the VVER-440 PWR. In all the calculated cases, the natural circulation was found to be effective in removing themore » heat from the core to the steam generator. The loop mass flow rate peaked at 60% mass inventory. The straightening of the loop seals increased the mass flow rate significantly.« less

Operations-Focused Optimized Theater Weather Sensing Strategies Using Preemptive Binary Integer Programming

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-03-01

8217 Clear old problem data Do While Trim(Sheets("Campaign").Range("AF" & CStr (LOOP_COUNTER))) <> "" LOOP_COUNTER = LOOP_COUNTER + 1 Loop Do While...Trim(Sheets("Campaign").Range("A" & CStr (LOOP_COUNTER))) <> "" ’ Loop through all problem instances Sheets("Campaign").Range("R1:AF1").Rows...total number of locations M = Sheets("Campaign").Range("F" & CStr (LOOP_COUNTER)) ’ Record total number of sensor types N

Label-free fluorescence strategy for sensitive detection of adenosine triphosphate using a loop DNA probe with low background noise.

PubMed

Lin, Chunshui; Cai, Zhixiong; Wang, Yiru; Zhu, Zhi; Yang, Chaoyong James; Chen, Xi

2014-07-15

A simple, rapid, label-free, and ultrasensitive fluorescence strategy for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) detection was developed using a loop DNA probe with low background noise. In this strategy, a loop DNA probe, which is the substrate for both ligation and digestion enzyme reaction, was designed. SYBR green I (SG I), a double-stranded specific dye, was applied for the readout fluorescence signal. Exonuclease I (Exo I) and exonuclease III (Exo III), sequence-independent nucleases, were selected to digest the loop DNA probe in order to minimize the background fluorescence signal. As a result, in the absence of ATP, the loop DNA was completely digested by Exo I and Exo III, leading to low background fluorescence owing to the weak electrostatic interaction between SG I and mononucleotides. On the other hand, ATP induced the ligation of the nicking site, and the sealed loop DNA resisted the digestion of Exo I and ExoIII, resulting in a remarkable increase of fluorescence response. Upon background noise reduction, the sensitivity of the ATP determination was improved significantly, and the detection limitation was found to be 1.2 pM, which is much lower than that in almost all the previously reported methods. This strategy has promise for wide application in the determination of ATP.

Improved reproducibility of unit-cell parameters in macromolecular cryocrystallography by limiting dehydration during crystal mounting.

PubMed

Farley, Christopher; Burks, Geoffry; Siegert, Thomas; Juers, Douglas H

2014-08-01

In macromolecular cryocrystallography unit-cell parameters can have low reproducibility, limiting the effectiveness of combining data sets from multiple crystals and inhibiting the development of defined repeatable cooling protocols. Here, potential sources of unit-cell variation are investigated and crystal dehydration during loop-mounting is found to be an important factor. The amount of water lost by the unit cell depends on the crystal size, the loop size, the ambient relative humidity and the transfer distance to the cooling medium. To limit water loss during crystal mounting, a threefold strategy has been implemented. Firstly, crystal manipulations are performed in a humid environment similar to the humidity of the crystal-growth or soaking solution. Secondly, the looped crystal is transferred to a vial containing a small amount of the crystal soaking solution. Upon loop transfer, the vial is sealed, which allows transport of the crystal at its equilibrated humidity. Thirdly, the crystal loop is directly mounted from the vial into the cold gas stream. This strategy minimizes the exposure of the crystal to relatively low humidity ambient air, improves the reproducibility of low-temperature unit-cell parameters and offers some new approaches to crystal handling and cryoprotection.

Improved reproducibility of unit-cell parameters in macromolecular cryocrystallography by limiting dehydration during crystal mounting

PubMed Central

Farley, Christopher; Burks, Geoffry; Siegert, Thomas; Juers, Douglas H.

2014-01-01

In macromolecular cryocrystallography unit-cell parameters can have low reproducibility, limiting the effectiveness of combining data sets from multiple crystals and inhibiting the development of defined repeatable cooling protocols. Here, potential sources of unit-cell variation are investigated and crystal dehydration during loop-mounting is found to be an important factor. The amount of water lost by the unit cell depends on the crystal size, the loop size, the ambient relative humidity and the transfer distance to the cooling medium. To limit water loss during crystal mounting, a threefold strategy has been implemented. Firstly, crystal manipulations are performed in a humid environment similar to the humidity of the crystal-growth or soaking solution. Secondly, the looped crystal is transferred to a vial containing a small amount of the crystal soaking solution. Upon loop transfer, the vial is sealed, which allows transport of the crystal at its equilibrated humidity. Thirdly, the crystal loop is directly mounted from the vial into the cold gas stream. This strategy minimizes the exposure of the crystal to relatively low humidity ambient air, improves the reproducibility of low-temperature unit-cell parameters and offers some new approaches to crystal handling and cryoprotection. PMID:25084331

Nonazeotropic Heat Pump

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ealker, David H.; Deming, Glenn

1991-01-01

Heat pump collects heat from water circulating in heat-rejection loop, raises temperature of collected heat, and transfers collected heat to water in separate pipe. Includes sealed motor/compressor with cooling coils, evaporator, and condenser, all mounted in outer housing. Gradients of temperature in evaporator and condenser increase heat-transfer efficiency of vapor-compression cycle. Intended to recover relatively-low-temperature waste heat and use it to make hot water.

cDNA cloning and characterization of an aryl hydrocarbon receptor from the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina): a biomarker of dioxin susceptibility?

PubMed

Kim, Eun-Young; Hahn, Mark E

2002-07-01

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and related planar halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (PHAHs) are found at high concentrations in some marine mammals. Species differences in sensitivity to TCDD and PHAHs are a major limitation in assessing the ecological risk to these animals. Harbor seals accumulate high levels of PHAHs and are thought to be highly sensitive to the toxic effects of these compounds. To investigate the mechanistic basis for PHAH toxicity in harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), we sought to characterize the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), an intracellular protein that is responsible for PHAH effects. Here we report the cDNA cloning and characterization of a harbor seal AHR. The harbor seal AHR cDNA has an open reading frame of 2529 nucleotides that encodes a protein of 843 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 94.6 kDa. The harbor seal AHR protein possesses basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) and Per-ARNT-Sim (PAS) domains. It is most closely related to the beluga AHR (82%) and human AHR (79%) in overall amino acid identity, indicating a high degree of conservation of AHR structure between terrestrial and some marine mammals. The ligand binding properties of the harbor seal AHR were determined using protein synthesized by in vitro transcription and translation from the cloned cDNA. Velocity sedimentation analysis on sucrose gradients showed that the harbor seal AHR exhibits specific binding of [(3)H]TCDD. The [(3)H]TCDD-binding affinity of the harbor seal AHR was compared with that of the AHR from a dioxin-sensitive mouse strain (C57BL/6) using a hydroxylapatite assay. The equilibrium dissociation constants of seal and mouse AHRs were 0.93+/-0.19 and 1.70+/-0.26 nM, respectively. Thus, the harbor seal AHR bound TCDD with an affinity that was at least as high as that of the mouse AHR, suggesting that this seal species may be sensitive to PHAH effects. The characteristics of the AHR potentially can be used as a biomarker of susceptibility to dioxin-like compounds, contributing to the assessment of the risk of these compounds to marine mammals and other protected animals.

Advanced Hybrid Spacesuit Concept Featuring Integrated Open Loop and Closed Loop Ventilation Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Daniel, Brian A.; Fitzpatrick, Garret R.; Gohmert, Dustin M.; Ybarra, Rick M.; Dub, Mark O.

2013-01-01

A document discusses the design and prototype of an advanced spacesuit concept that integrates the capability to function seamlessly with multiple ventilation system approaches. Traditionally, spacesuits are designed to operate both dependently and independently of a host vehicle environment control and life support system (ECLSS). Spacesuits that operate independent of vehicle-provided ECLSS services must do so with equipment selfcontained within or on the spacesuit. Suits that are dependent on vehicle-provided consumables must remain physically connected to and integrated with the vehicle to operate properly. This innovation is the design and prototype of a hybrid spacesuit approach that configures the spacesuit to seamlessly interface and integrate with either type of vehicular systems, while still maintaining the ability to function completely independent of the vehicle. An existing Advanced Crew Escape Suit (ACES) was utilized as the platform from which to develop the innovation. The ACES was retrofitted with selected components and one-off items to achieve the objective. The ventilation system concept was developed and prototyped/retrofitted to an existing ACES. Components were selected to provide suit connectors, hoses/umbilicals, internal breathing system ducting/ conduits, etc. The concept utilizes a lowpressure- drop, high-flow ventilation system that serves as a conduit from the vehicle supply into the suit, up through a neck seal, into the breathing helmet cavity, back down through the neck seal, out of the suit, and returned to the vehicle. The concept also utilizes a modified demand-based breathing system configured to function seamlessly with the low-pressure-drop closed-loop ventilation system.

Destabilization of the metal site as a hub for the pathogenic mechanism of five ALS-linked mutants of copper, zinc superoxide dismutase.

PubMed

Mera-Adasme, Raúl; Erdmann, Hannes; Bereźniak, Tomasz; Ochsenfeld, Christian

2016-10-01

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a lethal neurodegenerative disease, with no effective pharmacological treatment. Its pathogenesis is unknown, although a subset of the cases is linked to genetic mutations. A significant fraction of the mutations occur in one protein, copper, zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1). The toxic function of mutant SOD1 has not been elucidated, but damage to the metal site of the protein is believed to play a major role. In this work, we study the electrostatic loop of SOD1, which we had previously proposed to work as a "solvent seal" isolating the metal site from water molecules. Out of the five contact points identified between the electrostatic loop and its dock in the rest of the protein, three points were found to be affected by ALS-linked mutations, with a total of five mutations identified. The effect of the five mutations was studied using methods of computational chemistry. We found that four of the mutations destabilize the proposed solvent seal, while the fifth mutation directly affects the metal-site stability. In the two contact points unaffected by ALS-linked mutations, the side chains of the residues were not found to play a stabilizing role. Our results show that the docking of the electrostatic loop to the rest of SOD1 plays a role in ALS pathogenesis, in support of that structure acting as a solvent barrier for the metal site. The results provide a unified pathogenic mechanism for five different ALS-linked mutations of SOD1.

Chemical Looping Autothermal Reforming at a 120 kW Pilot Rig

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bofhàr-Nordenkampf, Johannes; Pröll, Tobias; Kolbitsch, Philipp; Hofbauer, Hermann

Chemical looping with selective oxygen transport allows two step combustion or autothermal reforming without mixing of fuel and air. The reactor system consists of two reactors, an air reactor and a fuel reactor with a suitable oxygen carrier that transports the necessary oxygen for operation. In the present study, a highly active nickel based oxygen carrier is tested in a novel dual circulating fluidized bed (DCFB) system at a scale of 120 kW fuel power. The mean particle size of the oxygen carrier is 120 μm and the pilot rig is fueled with natural gas. For the investigated oxygen carrier high CH4 conversion is achieved. Air/fuel ratio is varied at three different fuel reactor temperatures. For chemical looping reforming one can observe synthesis gas composition close to thermodynamic equilibrium. In spite of the fact that no additional steam has been added to the fuel besides the one present through steam fluidization of the loop seals, coke formation does not occur at global stoichiometric air/fuel ratios above 0.46.

Brush seal numerical simulation: Concepts and advances

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Braun, M. J.; Kudriavtsev, V. V.

1994-01-01

The development of the brush seal is considered to be most promising among the advanced type seals that are presently in use in the high speed turbomachinery. The brush is usually mounted on the stationary portions of the engine and has direct contact with the rotating element, in the process of limiting the 'unwanted' leakage flows between stages, or various engine cavities. This type of sealing technology is providing high (in comparison with conventional seals) pressure drops due mainly to the high packing density (around 100 bristles/sq mm), and brush compliance with the rotor motions. In the design of modern aerospace turbomachinery leakage flows between the stages must be minimal, thus contributing to the higher efficiency of the engine. Use of the brush seal instead of the labyrinth seal reduces the leakage flow by one order of magnitude. Brush seals also have been found to enhance dynamic performance, cost less, and are lighter than labyrinth seals. Even though industrial brush seals have been successfully developed through extensive experimentation, there is no comprehensive numerical methodology for the design or prediction of their performance. The existing analytical/numerical approaches are based on bulk flow models and do not allow the investigation of the effects of brush morphology (bristle arrangement), or brushes arrangement (number of brushes, spacing between them), on the pressure drops and flow leakage. An increase in the brush seal efficiency is clearly a complex problem that is closely related to the brush geometry and arrangement, and can be solved most likely only by means of a numerically distributed model.

Package architecture and component design for an implanted neural stimulator with closed loop control.

PubMed

Bjune, Caroline K; Marinis, Thomas F; Brady, Jeanne M; Moran, James; Wheeler, Jesse; Sriram, Tirunelveli S; Parks, Philip D; Widge, Alik S; Dougherty, Darin D; Eskandar, Emad N

2015-08-01

An implanted neural stimulator with closed loop control requires electrodes for stimulation pulses and recording neuron activity. Our system features arrays of 64 electrodes. Each electrode can be addressed through a cross bar switch, to enable it to be used for stimulation or recording. This electrode switch, a bank of low noise amplifiers with an integrated analog to digital converter, power conditioning electronics, and a communications and control gate array are co-located with the electrode array in a 14 millimeter diameter satellite package that is designed to be flush mounted in a skull burr hole. Our system features five satellite packages connected to a central hub processor-controller via ten conductor cables that terminate in a custom designed, miniaturized connector. The connector incorporates features of high reliability, military grade devices and utilizes three distinct seals to isolate the contacts from fluid permeation. The hub system is comprised of a connector header, hermetic electronics package, and rechargeable battery pack, which are mounted on and electrically interconnected by a flexible circuit board. The assembly is over molded with a compliant silicone rubber. The electronics package contains two antennas, a large coil, used for recharging the battery and a high bandwidth antenna that is used to download data and update software. The package is assembled from two machined alumina pieces, a flat base with brazed in, electrical feed through pins and a rectangular cover with rounded corners. Titanium seal rings are brazed onto these two pieces so that they can be sealed by laser welding. A third system antenna is incorporated in the flexible circuit board. It is used to communicate with an externally worn control package, which monitors the health of the system and allows both the user and clinician to control or modify various system function parameters.

Molecular biomarkers in grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) to evaluate pollutant exposure, health and immune status.

PubMed

Lehnert, K; Müller, S; Weirup, L; Ronnenberg, K; Pawliczka, I; Rosenberger, T; Siebert, U

2014-11-15

Grey seals as top-predators bioaccumulate contaminants and can be considered as sentinels of eco-system health. Pups are weaned after a short nursing period, characterised by an enormous lipid transfer and exposure to contaminants. This study established molecular biomarkers of the xenobiotic metabolism and immune system to help assess health and immune status. mRNA transcription of AHR, ARNT, PPARα and cytokine IL-2 and heat-shock-protein HSP70 was measured in blood of grey seal pups and adults in rehabilitation and permanent care using RT-qPCR and compared to rehabilitating harbour seal pups and haematology values. In pups highest levels at admission in xenobiotic biomarker, HSP70 and cytokine transcription may show contaminant exposure via lactation, stress during abandonment and dehydration. The significant decrease may be linked to diet, health improvement and adaptation. Adults showed higher levels and more variation in biomarker transcription and clear species-specific differences between harbour and grey seal pups were found. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Behavioral responses by grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) to high frequency sonar.

PubMed

Hastie, Gordon D; Donovan, Carl; Götz, Thomas; Janik, Vincent M

2014-02-15

The use of high frequency sonar is now commonplace in the marine environment. Most marine mammals rely on sound to navigate, and for detecting prey, and there is the potential that the acoustic signals of sonar could cause behavioral responses. To investigate this, we carried out behavioral response tests with grey seals to two sonar systems (200 and 375 kHz systems). Results showed that both systems had significant effects on the seals behavior; when the 200 kHz sonar was active, seals spent significantly more time hauled out and, although seals remained swimming during operation of the 375 kHz sonar, they were distributed further from the sonar. The results show that although peak sonar frequencies may be above marine mammal hearing ranges, high levels of sound can be produced within their hearing ranges that elicit behavioral responses; this has clear implications for the widespread use of sonar in the marine environment. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Long-term ageing and materials degradation of hybrid mica compressive seals for solid oxide fuel cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chou, Y. S.; Stevenson, Jeffry W.

2009-06-15

Hybrid phlogopite mica seals with silver interlayers were evaluated in long term isothermal ageing tests in a dual environment consisting of dilute hydrogen vs. air at 800 degrees C. High-temperature leak tests with helium showed very stable leakage of 0.01-0.02 sccm/cm for 28366 hrs under a low applied compressive stress of 82 kPa (12 psi). Post-mortem SEM and EDS analyses of the mica showed minimum degradation in terms of changes in microstructure and chemical composition, although there appeared to be some Ag migration and segregation at interstices between mica flakes. Fluorine was also found to be released from mica. Overall,more » the low, constant leakage through the hybrid mica/Ag seals clearly demonstrated a very promising candidate for SOFC sealing.« less

Tight junctions of the proximal tubule and their channel proteins.

PubMed

Fromm, Michael; Piontek, Jörg; Rosenthal, Rita; Günzel, Dorothee; Krug, Susanne M

2017-08-01

The renal proximal tubule achieves the majority of renal water and solute reabsorption with the help of paracellular channels which lead through the tight junction. The proteins forming such channels in the proximal tubule are claudin-2, claudin-10a, and possibly claudin-17. Claudin-2 forms paracellular channels selective for small cations like Na + and K + . Independently of each other, claudin-10a and claudin-17 form anion-selective channels. The claudins form the paracellular "pore pathway" and are integrated, together with purely sealing claudins and other tight junction proteins, in the belt of tight junction strands surrounding the tubular epithelial cells. In most species, the proximal tubular tight junction consists of only 1-2 (pars convoluta) to 3-5 (pars recta) horizontal strands. Even so, they seal the tubule very effectively against leak passage of nutrients and larger molecules. Remarkably, claudin-2 channels are also permeable to water so that 20-25% of proximal water absorption may occur paracellularly. Although the exact structure of the claudin-2 channel is still unknown, it is clear that Na + and water share the same pore. Already solved claudin crystal structures reveal a characteristic β-sheet, comprising β-strands from both extracellular loops, which is anchored to a left-handed four-transmembrane helix bundle. This allowed homology modeling of channel-forming claudins present in the proximal tubule. The surface of cation- and anion-selective claudins differ in electrostatic potentials in the area of the proposed ion channel, resulting in the opposite charge selectivity of these claudins. Presently, while models of the molecular structure of the claudin-based oligomeric channels have been proposed, its full understanding has only started.

Positive social behaviours are induced and retained after oxytocin manipulations mimicking endogenous concentrations in a wild mammal

PubMed Central

Twiss, Sean D.; Hazon, Neil; Moss, Simon; Pomeroy, Patrick P.

2017-01-01

The neuropeptide hormone oxytocin modulates numerous social and parental behaviours across a wide range of species, including humans. We conducted manipulation experiments on wild grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) to determine whether oxytocin increases proximity-seeking behaviour, which has previously been correlated with endogenous oxytocin concentrations in wild seal populations. Pairs of seals that had never met previously were given intravenous injections of 0.41 µg kg−1 oxytocin or saline and were observed for 1 h post-manipulation. The dose was designed to mimic endogenous oxytocin concentrations during the observation period, and is one of the lowest doses used to manipulate behaviour to date. Seals given oxytocin spent significantly more time in close proximity to each other, confirming that oxytocin causes conspecifics to seek others out and remain close to one another. Aggressive and investigative behaviours also significantly fell after oxytocin manipulations. Despite using a minimal oxytocin dose, pro-social behavioural changes unexpectedly persisted for 2 days despite rapid dose clearance from circulation post-injection. This study verifies that oxytocin promotes individuals staying together, demonstrating how the hormone can form positive feedback loops of oxytocin release following conspecific stimuli, increased motivation to remain in close proximity and additional oxytocin release from stimuli received while in close proximity. PMID:28539519

Positive social behaviours are induced and retained after oxytocin manipulations mimicking endogenous concentrations in a wild mammal.

PubMed

Robinson, Kelly J; Twiss, Sean D; Hazon, Neil; Moss, Simon; Pomeroy, Patrick P

2017-05-31

The neuropeptide hormone oxytocin modulates numerous social and parental behaviours across a wide range of species, including humans. We conducted manipulation experiments on wild grey seals ( Halichoerus grypus ) to determine whether oxytocin increases proximity-seeking behaviour, which has previously been correlated with endogenous oxytocin concentrations in wild seal populations. Pairs of seals that had never met previously were given intravenous injections of 0.41 µg kg -1 oxytocin or saline and were observed for 1 h post-manipulation. The dose was designed to mimic endogenous oxytocin concentrations during the observation period, and is one of the lowest doses used to manipulate behaviour to date. Seals given oxytocin spent significantly more time in close proximity to each other, confirming that oxytocin causes conspecifics to seek others out and remain close to one another. Aggressive and investigative behaviours also significantly fell after oxytocin manipulations. Despite using a minimal oxytocin dose, pro-social behavioural changes unexpectedly persisted for 2 days despite rapid dose clearance from circulation post-injection. This study verifies that oxytocin promotes individuals staying together, demonstrating how the hormone can form positive feedback loops of oxytocin release following conspecific stimuli, increased motivation to remain in close proximity and additional oxytocin release from stimuli received while in close proximity. © 2017 The Authors.

Method and apparatus for dispensing small quantities of mercury from evacuated and sealed glass capsules

DOEpatents

Grossman, M.W.; George, W.A.; Pai, R.Y.

1985-08-13

A technique is disclosed for opening an evacuated and sealed glass capsule containing a material that is to be dispensed which has a relatively high vapor pressure such as mercury. The capsule is typically disposed in a discharge tube envelope. The technique involves the use of a first light source imaged along the capsule and a second light source imaged across the capsule substantially transversely to the imaging of the first light source. Means are provided for constraining a segment of the capsule along its length with the constraining means being positioned to correspond with the imaging of the second light source. These light sources are preferably incandescent projection lamps. The constraining means is preferably a multiple looped wire support. 6 figs.

Food webs and carbon flux in the Barents Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wassmann, Paul; Reigstad, Marit; Haug, Tore; Rudels, Bert; Carroll, Michael L.; Hop, Haakon; Gabrielsen, Geir Wing; Falk-Petersen, Stig; Denisenko, Stanislav G.; Arashkevich, Elena; Slagstad, Dag; Pavlova, Olga

2006-10-01

Within the framework of the physical forcing, we describe and quantify the key ecosystem components and basic food web structure of the Barents Sea. Emphasis is given to the energy flow through the ecosystem from an end-to-end perspective, i.e. from bacteria, through phytoplankton and zooplankton to fish, mammals and birds. Primary production in the Barents is on average 93 g C m -2 y -1, but interannually highly variable (±19%), responding to climate variability and change (e.g. variations in Atlantic Water inflow, the position of the ice edge and low-pressure pathways). The traditional focus upon large phytoplankton cells in polar regions seems less adequate in the Barents, as the cell carbon in the pelagic is most often dominated by small cells that are entangled in an efficient microbial loop that appears to be well coupled to the grazing food web. Primary production in the ice-covered waters of the Barents is clearly dominated by planktonic algae and the supply of ice biota by local production or advection is small. The pelagic-benthic coupling is strong, in particular in the marginal ice zone. In total 80% of the harvestable production is channelled through the deep-water communities and benthos. 19% of the harvestable production is grazed by the dominating copepods Calanus finmarchicus and C. glacialis in Atlantic or Arctic Water, respectively. These two species, in addition to capelin ( Mallotus villosus) and herring ( Clupea harengus), are the keystone organisms in the Barents that create the basis for the rich assemblage of higher trophic level organisms, facilitating one of the worlds largest fisheries (capelin, cod, shrimps, seals and whales). Less than 1% of the harvestable production is channelled through the most dominating higher trophic levels such as cod, harp seals, minke whales and sea birds. Atlantic cod, seals, whales, birds and man compete for harvestable energy with similar shares. Climate variability and change, differences in recruitment, variable resource availability, harvesting restrictions and management schemes will influence the resource exploitation between these competitors, that basically depend upon the efficient energy transfer from primary production to highly successful, lipid-rich zooplankton and pelagic fishes.

Inflation and deflation pressure-volume loops in anesthetized pinnipeds confirms compliant chest and lungs

PubMed Central

Fahlman, Andreas; Loring, Stephen H.; Johnson, Shawn P.; Haulena, Martin; Trites, Andrew W.; Fravel, Vanessa A.; Van Bonn, William G.

2014-01-01

We examined structural properties of the marine mammal respiratory system, and tested Scholander's hypothesis that the chest is highly compliant by measuring the mechanical properties of the respiratory system in five species of pinniped under anesthesia (Pacific harbor seal, Phoca vitulina; northern elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris; northern fur seal Callorhinus ursinus; California sea lion, Zalophus californianus; and Steller sea lion, Eumetopias jubatus). We found that the chest wall compliance (CCW) of all five species was greater than lung compliance (airways and alveoli, CL) as predicted by Scholander, which suggests that the chest provides little protection against alveolar collapse or lung squeeze. We also found that specific respiratory compliance was significantly greater in wild animals than in animals raised in an aquatic facility. While differences in ages between the two groups may affect this incidental finding, it is also possible that lung conditioning in free-living animals may increase pulmonary compliance and reduce the risk of lung squeeze during diving. Overall, our data indicate that compliance of excised pinniped lungs provide a good estimate of total respiratory compliance. PMID:25426080

Effect of water turbidity on the visual acuity of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina).

PubMed

Weiffen, Michael; Möller, Bettina; Mauck, Björn; Dehnhardt, Guido

2006-05-01

The underwater visual acuity (the angle subtended by the minimal resolvable line width of high contrast square wave gratings at a viewing distance of 2m) of two male harbor seals was determined at different levels of water turbidity. Starting with visual acuity angles of 5.5' and 12.7' in clear water we found visual acuity to decrease rapidly with increasing turbidity at rates of 7.4' and 6.0' per formazin nephelometric unit (FNU). Besides the individual differences in visual performance of the harbor seals tested, our results reveal a dramatic loss of visual acuity even at moderate levels of turbidity. At sites in the German Wadden Sea, where harbor seals are known to roam and forage, we measured turbidity levels exceeding 40FNU. These data suggest that turbidity has to be considered as an important factor in the sensory ecology of pinnipeds.

Small synthetic peptides homologous to segments of the first external loop of occludin impair tight junction resealing.

PubMed

Lacaz-Vieira, F; Jaeger, M M; Farshori, P; Kachar, B

1999-04-01

This study shows that resealing of opened tight junctions (TJs) is impaired by interaction with oligopeptides homologous to the external domain of chick occludin. The experiments were carried out with confluent A6 cell monolayers grown on collagen supports under stable transepithelial electrical resistance (TER). The monolayers were bathed on the apical side with a 75 mm KCl solution and on the basolateral side by NaCl-Ringer's solution. TJ opening was induced by basolateral Ca2+ removal and was characterized by a marked drop of TER. The reintroduction of Ca2+ triggered junction resealing as indicated by an elevation of TER to control values. Custom-made peptides SNYYGSGLSY (corresponding to the residues 100 to 109) and SNYYGSGLS (residues 100 to 108), homologous to segments of the first external loop of chick occludin molecule, impaired junction resealing when the peptides were included in the apical bathing fluid (concentrations in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 mg/ml). Peptide removal from the apical solution usually triggered a slow recovery of TER, indicating a slow recovery of the TJ seal. Changes in localization of ZO-1, a cytoplasmic protein that underlies the membrane at the TJs, were evaluated immunocytochemically following Ca2+ removal and reintroduction. The presence or absence of the oligopeptides showed no influence on the pattern of change of ZO-1 localization. These observations support the hypothesis that the TJ seal results from the interaction of specific homologous segments of occludin on the surface of adjacent cells. Additionally, our results show that small peptides homologous to segments of the occludin first external loop can be used as specific reagents to manipulate the permeability of tight junctions.

A method and the results of loop colostomy.

PubMed

Browning, G G; Parks, A G

1983-04-01

A technique of loop colostomy which avoids a sutured skin wound, employs a deep tension suture with retained polythene sleeve as a bridge, and permits routine use of standard terminal colostomy appliances is described. The clinical results in 51 patients are reported and the advantages of this method of construction discussed. All patients were able to use standard, terminal colostomy appliances routinely from the time of construction. There were no immediate postoperative complications. Delayed complications occurred in 5 (10 per cent) patients. Intraperitoneal closure was performed in 43 patients and was complicated by 1 (2.3 per cent) transient fecal leak and 4 (9.3 per cent) would infections. The absence of a sutured skin wound, the small bridge size, and the circular shape of the stoma facilitate use of accurately fitting, standard terminal colostomy appliances rather than the usual loop colostomy apparatus. This results in an improved skin seal, reduced fecal leakage, easier nursing and stoma care, and better patient morale.

Hydrodynamic perception in true seals (Phocidae) and eared seals (Otariidae).

PubMed

Hanke, Wolf; Wieskotten, Sven; Marshall, Christopher; Dehnhardt, Guido

2013-06-01

Pinnipeds, that is true seals (Phocidae), eared seals (Otariidae), and walruses (Odobenidae), possess highly developed vibrissal systems for mechanoreception. They can use their vibrissae to detect and discriminate objects by direct touch. At least in Phocidae and Otariidae, the vibrissae can also be used to detect and analyse water movements. Here, we review what is known about this ability, known as hydrodynamic perception, in pinnipeds. Hydrodynamic perception in pinnipeds developed convergently to the hydrodynamic perception with the lateral line system in fish and the sensory hairs in crustaceans. So far two species of pinnipeds, the harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) representing the Phocidae and the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) representing the Otariidae, have been studied for their ability to detect local water movements (dipole stimuli) and to follow hydrodynamic trails, that is the water movements left behind by objects that have passed by at an earlier point in time. Both species are highly sensitive to dipole stimuli and can follow hydrodynamic trails accurately. In the individuals tested, California sea lions were clearly more sensitive to dipole stimuli than harbour seals, and harbour seals showed a superior trail following ability as compared to California sea lions. Harbour seals have also been shown to derive additional information from hydrodynamic trails, such as motion direction, size and shape of the object that caused the trail (California sea lions have not yet been tested). The peculiar undulated shape of the harbour seals' vibrissae appears to play a crucial role in trail following, as it suppresses self-generated noise while the animal is swimming.

Hydrological balance and water transport processes of partially sealed soils

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Timm, Anne; Wessolek, Gerd

2017-04-01

With increased urbanisation, soil sealing and its drastic effects on hydrological processes have received a lot of attention. Based on safety concerns, there has been a clear focus on urban drainage and prevention of urban floods caused by storm water events. For this reason, any kind of sealing is often seen as impermeable runoff generator that prevents infiltration and evaporation. While many hydrological models, especially storm water models, have been developed, there are only a handful of empirical studies actually measuring the hydrological balance of (partially) sealed surfaces. These challenge the general assumption of negligible infiltration and evaporation and show that these processes take place even for severe sealing such as asphalt. Depending on the material, infiltration from partially sealed surfaces can be equal to that of vegetated ones. Therefore, more detailed knowledge is needed to improve our understanding and models. In Berlin, two partially sealed weighable lysimeters were equipped with multiple temperature and soil moisture sensors in order to study their hydrological balance, as well as water and heat transport processes within the soil profile. This combination of methods affirms previous observations and offers new insights into altered hydrological processes of partially sealed surfaces at a small temporal scale. It could be verified that not all precipitation is transformed into runoff. Even for a relatively high sealing degree of concrete slabs with narrow seams, evaporation and infiltration may exceed runoff. Due to the lack of plant roots, the hydrological balance is mostly governed by precipitation events and evaporation generally occurs directly after rainfall. However, both surfaces allow for upward water transport from the upper underlying soil layers, sometimes resulting in relatively low evaporation rates on days without precipitation. The individual response of the surfaces differs considerably, which illustrates how important process orientated studies for different types of sealing material are.

Enabling two-phase microfluidic thermal transport systems using a novel thermal-flux degassing and fluid charging approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh Dhillon, Navdeep; Pisano, Albert P.

2014-03-01

A novel two-port thermal-flux method has been proposed and demonstrated for degassing and charging two-phase microfluidic thermal transport systems with a degassed working fluid. In microscale heat pipes and loop heat pipes (mLHPs), small device volumes and large capillary forces associated with smaller feature sizes render conventional vacuum pump-based degassing methods quite impractical. Instead, we employ a thermally generated pressure differential to purge non-condensable gases from these devices before charging them with a degassed working fluid in a two-step process. Based on the results of preliminary experiments studying the effectiveness and reliability of three different high temperature-compatible device packaging approaches, an optimized compression packaging technique was developed to degas and charge a mLHP device using the thermal-flux method. An induction heating-based noninvasive hermetic sealing approach for permanently sealing the degassed and charged mLHP devices has also been proposed. To demonstrate the efficacy of this approach, induction heating experiments were performed to noninvasively seal 1 mm square silicon fill-hole samples with donut-shaped solder preforms. The results show that the minimum hole sealing induction heating time is heat flux limited and can be estimated using a lumped capacitance thermal model. However, further continued heating of the solder uncovers the hole due to surface tension-induced contact line dynamics of the molten solder. It was found that an optimum mass of the solder preform is required to ensure a wide enough induction-heating time window for successful sealing of a fill-hole.

Long-Term Durability Test for the Left Ventricular Assist System EVAHEART under the Physiologic Pulsatile Load.

PubMed

Kitano, Tomoya; Iwasaki, Kiyotaka

The EVAHEART Left Ventricular Assist System (LVAS) was designed for the long-term support of a patient with severe heart failure. It has an original water lubrication system for seal and bearing and wear on these parts was considered one of its critical failure modes. A durability test focusing on wear was designed herein. We developed a mock loop, which generates a physiologic pulsatile flow and is sufficiently durable for a long-term test. The pulsatile load and the low fluid viscosity enable the creation of a severe condition for the mechanical seal. A total of 18 EVAHEART blood pumps completed 2 years of operation under the pulsatile condition without any failure. It indicated the EVAHEART blood pump had a greater than 90% reliability with a 88% confidence level. The test was continued with six blood pumps and achieved an average of 8.6 years, which was longer than the longest clinical use in Japan. The test result showed that no catastrophic, critical, marginal, or minor failures of the blood pump or their symptoms were observed. The seal performance was maintained after the test. Moreover, the surface roughness did not change, which showed any burn or abnormal wear occurred. The original water lubrication system equipped in EVAHEART LVAS prevent severe wear on the seal and the bearing, and it can be used in the bridge to transplant and destination therapy.

Installing fiber insulation in tight spaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Patel, B. C.; Wang, D. S.; Warren, A. D.

1978-01-01

Two techniques using organic resin binders or thin clear-burning plastic film have been successfully used to simplify, and facilitate handling of aluminum/zirconia fiber batting as insulation material for high temperature seals.

NASA Tech Briefs, December 2013

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2013-01-01

Topics include: Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detector With; Selective Polarization Coupling; Flexible Microstrip Circuits for; Superconducting Electronics; CFD Extraction Tool for TecPlot From DPLR Solutions; RECOVIR Software for Identifying Viruses; Enhanced Contact Graph Routing (ECGR) MACHETE Simulation Model; Orbital Debris Engineering Model (ORDEM) v.3; Scatter-Reducing Sounding Filtration Using a Genetic Algorithm and Mean Monthly Standard Deviation; Thermo-Mechanical Methodology for Stabilizing Shape Memory Alloy Response; Hermetic Seal Designs for Sample Return Sample Tubes; Silicon Alignment Pins: An Easy Way To Realize a Wafer-to-Wafer Alignment; Positive-Buoyancy Rover for Under Ice Mobility; Electric Machine With Boosted Inductance to Stabilize Current Control; International Space Station-Based Electromagnetic Launcher for Space Science Payloads; Advanced Hybrid Spacesuit Concept Featuring Integrated Open Loop and Closed Loop Ventilation Systems; Data Quality Screening Service.

Watertight cataract incision closure using fibrin tissue adhesive.

PubMed

Hovanesian, John A; Karageozian, Vicken H

2007-08-01

To determine whether a simple method for applying fibrin tissue adhesive to a clear corneal cataract incision can create a watertight seal. Laboratory investigation. Clear corneal cataract incisions were simulated in 8 eye-bank eyes. In 4 eyes, fibrin adhesive was applied to the incision in a simple manner; the other 4 eyes were controls with no adhesive. Each eye was tested under low pressure conditions to detect fluid ingress of India Ink on the eye's surface. The eyes were tested again with external compression to distort the incision to detect fluid egress. In the eyes with fibrin adhesive, there was no egress of fluid with incision distortion and no ingress of India Ink. In the 4 eyes without adhesive, there was ingress and egress of fluid. A simple method of applying fibrin adhesive to cataract incisions created a watertight seal.

Scaling considerations for a multi-megawatt class supercritical CO2 brayton cycle and commercialization.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fleming, Darryn D.; Holschuh, Thomas Vernon,; Conboy, Thomas M.

2013-11-01

Small-scale supercritical CO2 demonstration loops are successful at identifying the important technical issues that one must face in order to scale up to larger power levels. The Sandia National Laboratories supercritical CO2 Brayton cycle test loops are identifying technical needs to scale the technology to commercial power levels such as 10 MWe. The small size of the Sandia 1 MWth loop has demonstration of the split flow loop efficiency and effectiveness of the Printed Circuit Heat Exchangers (PCHXs) leading to the design of a fully recuperated, split flow, supercritical CO2 Brayton cycle demonstration system. However, there were many problems thatmore » were encountered, such as high rotational speeds in the units. Additionally, the turbomachinery in the test loops need to identify issues concerning the bearings, seals, thermal boundaries, and motor controller problems in order to be proved a reliable power source in the 300 kWe range. Although these issues were anticipated in smaller demonstration units, commercially scaled hardware would eliminate these problems caused by high rotational speeds at small scale. The economic viability and development of the future scalable 10 MWe solely depends on the interest of DOE and private industry. The Intellectual Property collected by Sandia proves that the ~10 MWe supercritical CO2 power conversion loop to be very beneficial when coupled to a 20 MWth heat source (either solar, geothermal, fossil, or nuclear). This paper will identify a commercialization plan, as well as, a roadmap from the simple 1 MWth supercritical CO2 development loop to a power producing 10 MWe supercritical CO2 Brayton loop.« less

Propellant Residues Deposition from Firing of AT4 Rockets

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-12-01

and 254 nm (cell path 1 cm), and a Finnigan SpectraSYSTEM AS300 autosampler. Samples were introduced with a 100-μL sample loop . Separations were...analytical laboratory. The remaining particle samples were left in sealed jars and stored on site in a refrigerator, and the snow sample was stored in a...Ranney. 1998. Characterization of antitank firing ranges at CFB Valcartier. WATC Wainwright, and CFAD Dundurn. DREV-R-9809. Val- Bélair, QC: DRDC

Finding a Cold Needle in a Warm Haystack: Infrared Imaging Applied to Locating Cryocooled Crystals in Loops

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Snell, E. H.; vanderWoerd, M. J.; Miller, M. D.; Deacon, A. M.

2004-01-01

We demonstrate the use of inbred imaging to locate crystals mounted in cryoloops and cryopreserved in a nitrogen gas stream at 100K. In the home laboratory crystals are clearly seen in the infrared images with light transmitting through the sample while irradiating the crystal from behind, and with illumination from a direction perpendicular to the direction of view. The crystals transmit and reflect infrared radiation differently from the surrounding mother liquor and loop. Because of differences in contrast between crystals and their surrounding mother liquor, it is possible to clearly identify the crystal position. In use at the synchrotron, with robotically mounted crystals the small depth of field of the lens required the recording of multiple images at different focal points. Image processing techniques were then used to produce a clear image of the crystal. The resulting infrared images and intensity profiles show that infrared imaging can be a powerful complement to visual imaging in locating crystals in cryocooled loops.

Modeling the rubbing contact in honeycomb seals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fischer, Tim; Welzenbach, Sarah; Meier, Felix; Werner, Ewald; kyzy, Sonun Ulan; Munz, Oliver

2018-03-01

Metallic honeycomb labyrinth seals are commonly used as sealing systems in gas turbine engines. Because of their capability to withstand high thermo-mechanical loads and oxidation, polycrystalline nickel-based superalloys, such as Hastelloy X and Haynes 214, are used as sealing material. In addition, these materials must exhibit a tolerance against rubbing between the rotating part and the stationary seal component. The tolerance of the sealing material against rubbing preserves the integrity of the rotating part. In this article, the rubbing behavior at the rotor-stator interface is considered numerically. A simulation model is incorporated into the commercial finite element code ABAQUS/explicit and is utilized to simulate a simplified rubbing process. A user-defined interaction routine between the contact surfaces accounts for the thermal and mechanical interfacial behavior. Furthermore, an elasto-plastic constitutive material law captures the extreme temperature conditions and the damage behavior of the alloys. To validate the model, representative quantities of the rubbing process are determined and compared with experimental data from the literature. The simulation results correctly reproduce the observations made on a test rig with a reference stainless steel material (AISI 304). A parametric study using the nickel-based superalloys reveals a clear dependency of the rubbing behavior on the sliding and incursion velocity. Compared to each other, the two superalloys studied exhibit a different rubbing behavior.

Carbon sources and trophic relationships of ice seals during recent environmental shifts in the Bering Sea.

PubMed

Wang, Shiway W; Springer, Alan M; Budge, Suzanne M; Horstmann, Lara; Quakenbush, Lori T; Wooller, Matthew J

2016-04-01

Dramatic multiyear fluctuations in water temperature and seasonal sea ice extent and duration across the Bering-Chukchi continental shelf have occurred in this century, raising a pressing ecological question: Do such environmental changes alter marine production processes linking primary producers to upper trophic-level predators? We examined this question by comparing the blubber fatty acid (FA) composition and stable carbon isotope ratios of individual FA (δ¹³CFA) of adult ringed seals (Pusa hispida), bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus), spotted seals (Phoca largha), and ribbon seals (Histriophoca fasciata), collectively known as "ice seals," sampled during an anomalously warm, low sea ice period in 2002-2005 in the Bering Sea and a subsequent cold, high sea ice period in 2007-2010. δ¹³C(FA) values, used to estimate the contribution to seals of carbon derived from sea ice algae (sympagic production) relative to that derived from water column phytoplankton (pelagic production), indicated that during the cold period, sympagic production accounted for 62-80% of the FA in the blubber of bearded seals, 51-62% in spotted seals, and 21-60% in ringed seals. Moreover, the δ¹³CFA values of bearded seals indicated a greater incorporation of sympagic FAs during the cold period than the warm period. This result provides the first empirical evidence of an ecosystem-scale effect of a putative change in sympagic production in the Western Arctic. The FA composition of ice seals showed clear evidence of resource partitioning among ringed, bearded, and spotted seals, and little niche separation between spotted and ribbon seals, which is consistent with previous studies. Despite interannual variability, the FA composition of ringed and bearded seals showed little evidence of differences in diet between the warm and cold periods. The findings that sympagic production contributes significantly to food webs supporting ice seals, and that the contribution apparently is less in warm years with low sea ice, raise an important concern: Will the projected warming and continuing loss of seasonal sea ice in the Arctic, and the associated decline of organic matter input from sympagic production, be compensated for by pelagic production to satisfy both pelagic and benthic carbon and energy needs?

Circular, explosion-proof lamp provides uniform illumination

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1966-01-01

Circular explosion-proof fluorescent lamp is fitted around a TV camera lens to provide shadowless illumination with a low radiant heat flux. The lamp is mounted in a transparent acrylic housing sealed with clear silicone rubber.

Experimental Results of Performance Tests on a Four-Port Wave Rotor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, John; Welch, Gerard E.; Paxson, Daniel E.

2007-01-01

A series of tests has been performed on a four-port wave rotor suitable for use as a topping stage on a gas turbine engine, to measure the overall pressure ratio obtainable as a function of temperature ratio, inlet mass flow, loop flow ratio, and rotor speed. The wave rotor employed an open high pressure loop that is the high pressure inlet flow was not the air exhausted from the high pressure outlet, but was obtained from a separate heated source, although the mass flow rates of the two flows were balanced. This permitted the choice of a range of loop-flow ratios (i.e., ratio of high pressure flow to low pressure flow), as well as the possibility of examining the effect of mass flow imbalance. Imbalance could occur as a result of leakage or deliberate bleeding for cooling air. Measurements of the pressure drop in the high pressure loop were also obtained. A pressure ratio of 1.17 was obtained at a temperature ratio of 2.0, with an inlet mass flow of 0.6 lb/s. Earlier tests had given a pressure ratio of less than 1.12. The improvement was due to improved sealing between the high pressure and low pressure loops, and a modification to the movable end-wall which is provided to allow for rotor expansion.

Cooling scheme for turbine hot parts

DOEpatents

Hultgren, Kent Goran; Owen, Brian Charles; Dowman, Steven Wayne; Nordlund, Raymond Scott; Smith, Ricky Lee

2000-01-01

A closed-loop cooling scheme for cooling stationary combustion turbine components, such as vanes, ring segments and transitions, is provided. The cooling scheme comprises: (1) an annular coolant inlet chamber, situated between the cylinder and blade ring of a turbine, for housing coolant before being distributed to the turbine components; (2) an annular coolant exhaust chamber, situated between the cylinder and the blade ring and proximate the annular coolant inlet chamber, for collecting coolant exhaust from the turbine components; (3) a coolant inlet conduit for supplying the coolant to said coolant inlet chamber; (4) a coolant exhaust conduit for directing coolant from said coolant exhaust chamber; and (5) a piping arrangement for distributing the coolant to and directing coolant exhaust from the turbine components. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the cooling scheme further comprises static seals for sealing the blade ring to the cylinder and flexible joints for attaching the blade ring to the turbine components.

Trends of perfluorochemicals in Greenland ringed seals and polar bears: indications of shifts to decreasing trends.

PubMed

Rigét, Frank; Bossi, Rossana; Sonne, Christian; Vorkamp, Katrin; Dietz, Rune

2013-11-01

Time-series of perfluorinated alkylated substances (PFASs) in East Greenland polar bears and East and West Greenland ringed seals were updated in order to deduce whether a response to the major reduction in perfluoroalkyl production in the early 2000s had occurred. Previous studies had documented an exponential increase of perfluorooctane sulphonate (PFOS) in liver tissue from both species. In the present study, PFOS was still the far most dominant compound constituting 92% (West Greenland ringed seals), 88% (East Greenland ringed seals) and 85% (East Greenland polar bears). The PFOS concentrations increased up to 2006 with doubling times of approximately 6 years for the ringed seal populations and 14 years in case of polar bears. Since then a rapid decrease has occurred with clearing half-lives of approximately 1, 2 and 4 years, respectively. In polar bears perfluorohexane sulphonate (PFHxS) and perfluorooctane sulphonamide (PFOSA) also showed decreasing trends in recent years as do perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA). For the West Greenland ringed seal population perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), PFDA and PFUnA peaked in the mid 2000s, whereas PFNA, PFDA and PFUnA in the East Greenland population have been stable or increasing in recent years. The peak of PFASs in Greenland ringed seals and polar bears occurred at a later time than in Canadian seals and polar bears and considerably later than observed in seal species from more southern latitudes. We suggest that this could be explained by the distance to emission hot-spots and differences in long-range transport to the Arctic. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influence of calcium hydroxide debris on the quality of endodontic apical seal.

PubMed

Contardo, L; De Luca, M; Bevilacqua, L; Breschi, L; Di Lenarda, R

2007-10-01

The aim of the study was to study investigate the influence of calcium hydroxide used as intermediate medication on the quality of apical seal of a silicon based and an experimental resin based endodontic sealer. Eighty endodontic canals were prepared and divided in four groups. Calcium hydroxide was applied in groups 2 and 4. After 7 days, medication was removed and canals were filled with gutta-percha and RoekoSeal Automix (groups 1 and 2) or Scotchbond MP+C&B cement B (groups 3 and 4). Specimens were placed into India ink, cleared and analyzed under a stereomicroscope to investigate apical leakage. Specimens that received calcium hydroxide medication showed leakage means higher than the corresponding untreated ones (i.e. group 1< group 2 and group 3< group 4; P<0.001). Calcium hydroxide interferes with the sealing ability of silicon based sealer, since it frequently remains entrapped within the endodontic space even after careful removal procedures.

Integral glass encapsulation for solar arrays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Young, P. R.

1977-01-01

Electrostatic bonding has been used to join silicon solar cells to borosilicate glass without the aid of any organic binders or adhesives. The results of this investigation have been to demonstrate, without question, the feasibility of this process as an encapsulation technique. The potential of ESB for terrestrial solar arrays was clearly shown. The process is fast, reproducible, and produces a permanent bond between glass and silicon that is stronger than the silicon itself. Since this process is a glass sealing technique requiring no organics it makes moisture tight sealing of solar cells possible.

Sources and control of instrumental drift in the surface forces apparatus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heuberger, M.; Zäch, M.; Spencer, N. D.

2000-12-01

Instrumental drift in the surface forces apparatus (SFA) has been carefully scrutinized. A diversity of different contributions with different characteristic time constants could be distinguished. The face seal of the functional attachment was identified as a potential weak point in the mechanical loop of the instrument. We compared drift in three different design variants and found that the drift rate may vary over four orders of magnitude. We believe that the presented results are applicable to a number of different SFA types.

Demand-type gas supply system for rocket borne thin-window proportional counters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Acton, L. W.; Caravalho, R.; Catura, R. C.; Joki, E. G.

1977-01-01

A simple closed loop control system has been developed to maintain the gas pressure in thin-window proportional counters during rocket flights. This system permits convenient external control of detector pressure and system flushing rate. The control system is activated at launch with the sealing of a reference volume at the existing system pressure. Inflight control to plus or minus 2 torr at a working pressure of 760 torr has been achieved on six rocket flights.

The protective activity of tea against infection by Vibrio cholerae O1.

PubMed

Toda, M; Okubo, S; Ikigai, H; Suzuki, T; Suzuki, Y; Shimamura, T

1991-02-01

Extracts of black tea exhibited bactericidal activity against Vibrio cholerae O1. The tea extract inhibited the haemolysin activity of V. cholerae O1, El Tor and the morphological changes of Chinese hamster ovary cells induced by cholera toxin. Tea extract also reduced fluid accumulation induced by cholera toxin in sealed adult mice and by V. cholerae O1 in ligated intestinal loops of rabbits. These findings suggest that tea has protective activity against V. cholerae O1.

22 CFR 92.8 - Compliance with request for notarial services.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... care to prevent the use of his official seal in furthering any unlawful or clearly improper purpose. (See § 92.9 regarding refusal to perform notarial services in certain cases.) [22 FR 10858, Dec. 27...

22 CFR 92.8 - Compliance with request for notarial services.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... care to prevent the use of his official seal in furthering any unlawful or clearly improper purpose. (See § 92.9 regarding refusal to perform notarial services in certain cases.) [22 FR 10858, Dec. 27...

Fuel Cell Thermal Management Through Conductive Cooling Plates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Colozza, Anthony J.; Burke, Kenneth A.

2008-01-01

An analysis was performed to evaluate the concept of utilizing conductive cooling plates to remove heat from a fuel cell stack, as opposed to a conventional internal cooling loop. The potential advantages of this type of cooling system are reduced stack complexity and weight and increased reliability through the reduction of the number of internal fluid seals. The conductive cooling plates would extract heat from the stack transferring it to an external coolant loop. The analysis was performed to determine the required thickness of these plates. The analysis was based on an energy balance between the thermal energy produced within the stack and the heat removal from the cooling plates. To accomplish the energy balance, the heat flow into and along the plates to the cooling fluid was modeled. Results were generated for various numbers of cells being cooled by a single cooling plate. The results provided cooling plate thickness, mass, and operating temperature of the plates. It was determined that utilizing high-conductivity pyrolitic graphite cooling plates can provide a specific cooling capacity (W/kg) equivalent to or potentially greater than a conventional internal cooling loop system.

Factors Affecting Haul-Out Behavior of Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina) in Tidewater Glacier Inlets in Alaska: Can Tourism Vessels and Seals Coexist?

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Large numbers of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) use habitat in tidewater glaciers in Alaska for pupping, breeding, and molting. Glacial fjords are also popular tourist destinations; however, visitation by numerous vessels can result in disturbance of seals during critical life-history phases. We explored factors affecting haul-out behavior of harbor seals at a glacial site frequented by tourism vessels. In 2008-10, we deployed VHF transmitters on 107 seals in Endicott Arm, Alaska. We remotely monitored presence and haul-out behavior of tagged seals and documented vessel presence with time-lapse cameras. We evaluated the influence of environmental and physical factors on the probability of being hauled out, duration of haul-out bouts, and as factors associated with the start and end of a haulout. Location, season, hour, and interactions of location by year, season, hour, and sex significantly influenced haul-out probability, as did ice, weather, and vessels. Seals were more likely to be hauled out with greater ice availability during the middle of the day, and less likely to be hauled out if vessels were present. Cruise ships had the strongest negative effect; however, most vessel types negatively affected haul-out probability. Haul-out duration was longest in association with starting on incoming tides, clear skies, no precipitation, occurring in the middle of the day, and ending in the late afternoon or evening. End of haulouts was associated with increasing cloud cover, low ice availability, and vessel presence; large-sized tourism vessels or all-vessel-types combined were significant predictors of ending a haul-out bout. Probability of being hauled out was highest in June, during pupping season. Potential disturbances of harbor seals could be reduced, enabling longer resting times for seals and fewer interruptions for nursing pups, if vessels focused the majority of visits to glacial habitat to before or after the hours of 08:00-17:00 or, less optimally, 09:00-16:00. PMID:26017404

Factors Affecting Haul-Out Behavior of Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina) in Tidewater Glacier Inlets in Alaska: Can Tourism Vessels and Seals Coexist?

PubMed

Blundell, Gail M; Pendleton, Grey W

2015-01-01

Large numbers of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) use habitat in tidewater glaciers in Alaska for pupping, breeding, and molting. Glacial fjords are also popular tourist destinations; however, visitation by numerous vessels can result in disturbance of seals during critical life-history phases. We explored factors affecting haul-out behavior of harbor seals at a glacial site frequented by tourism vessels. In 2008-10, we deployed VHF transmitters on 107 seals in Endicott Arm, Alaska. We remotely monitored presence and haul-out behavior of tagged seals and documented vessel presence with time-lapse cameras. We evaluated the influence of environmental and physical factors on the probability of being hauled out, duration of haul-out bouts, and as factors associated with the start and end of a haulout. Location, season, hour, and interactions of location by year, season, hour, and sex significantly influenced haul-out probability, as did ice, weather, and vessels. Seals were more likely to be hauled out with greater ice availability during the middle of the day, and less likely to be hauled out if vessels were present. Cruise ships had the strongest negative effect; however, most vessel types negatively affected haul-out probability. Haul-out duration was longest in association with starting on incoming tides, clear skies, no precipitation, occurring in the middle of the day, and ending in the late afternoon or evening. End of haulouts was associated with increasing cloud cover, low ice availability, and vessel presence; large-sized tourism vessels or all-vessel-types combined were significant predictors of ending a haul-out bout. Probability of being hauled out was highest in June, during pupping season. Potential disturbances of harbor seals could be reduced, enabling longer resting times for seals and fewer interruptions for nursing pups, if vessels focused the majority of visits to glacial habitat to before or after the hours of 08:00-17:00 or, less optimally, 09:00-16:00.

Assessment of a simple, novel endoluminal method for gastrotomy closure in NOTES.

PubMed

Lee, Sang Soo; Oelschlager, Brant K; Wright, Andrew S; Soares, Renato V; Sinan, Huseyin; Montenovo, Martin I; Hwang, Joo Ha

2011-10-01

A reliable method for gastrotomy closure in NOTES will be essential for NOTES to become viable clinically. However, methods using existing and widely available endoscopic accessories have been ineffective. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a new simple method for gastric closure (retracted clip-assisted loop closure) that uses existing endoscopic accessories with minor modifications. The retracted clip-assisted loop closure technique involves deploying 3-4 Resolution(®) clips (modified by attaching a 90-cm length of suture to the end of each clip) along the margin of the gastrotomy with one jaw on the serosal surface and the other jaw on the mucosal surface. The suture strings are threaded through an endoloop. Traction is then applied to the strings causing the gastric wall to tent. The endoloop is secured below the tip of the clips, completing a full-thickness gastrotomy closure. The main outcome measures were feasibility, efficacy, and safety of the new retracted clip-assisted loop closure technique for NOTES gastrotomy closure. An air-tight seal was achieved in 100% (n = 9) of stomachs. The mean leak pressure was 116.3 (±19.4) mmHg. The retracted clip-assisted loop closure technique can be used to perform NOTES gastrotomy closure by using existing endoscopic accessories with minor modifications.

40 CFR 59.401 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... appurtenances, to portable buildings, to pavements, or to curbs. This definition excludes adhesives and coatings... for roofing, pavement sealing, or waterproofing that incorporates bitumens. Bitumens are black or...-component product. Conversion varnishes produce a hard, durable, clear finish designed for professional...

40 CFR 59.401 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... appurtenances, to portable buildings, to pavements, or to curbs. This definition excludes adhesives and coatings... for roofing, pavement sealing, or waterproofing that incorporates bitumens. Bitumens are black or...-component product. Conversion varnishes produce a hard, durable, clear finish designed for professional...

40 CFR 59.401 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... appurtenances, to portable buildings, to pavements, or to curbs. This definition excludes adhesives and coatings... for roofing, pavement sealing, or waterproofing that incorporates bitumens. Bitumens are black or...-component product. Conversion varnishes produce a hard, durable, clear finish designed for professional...

40 CFR 59.401 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... appurtenances, to portable buildings, to pavements, or to curbs. This definition excludes adhesives and coatings... for roofing, pavement sealing, or waterproofing that incorporates bitumens. Bitumens are black or...-component product. Conversion varnishes produce a hard, durable, clear finish designed for professional...

40 CFR 59.401 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... appurtenances, to portable buildings, to pavements, or to curbs. This definition excludes adhesives and coatings... for roofing, pavement sealing, or waterproofing that incorporates bitumens. Bitumens are black or...-component product. Conversion varnishes produce a hard, durable, clear finish designed for professional...

Vacuum/compression valving (VCV) using parrafin-wax on a centrifugal microfluidic CD platform.

PubMed

Al-Faqheri, Wisam; Ibrahim, Fatimah; Thio, Tzer Hwai Gilbert; Moebius, Jacob; Joseph, Karunan; Arof, Hamzah; Madou, Marc

2013-01-01

This paper introduces novel vacuum/compression valves (VCVs) utilizing paraffin wax. A VCV is implemented by sealing the venting channel/hole with wax plugs (for normally-closed valve), or to be sealed by wax (for normally-open valve), and is activated by localized heating on the CD surface. We demonstrate that the VCV provides the advantages of avoiding unnecessary heating of the sample/reagents in the diagnostic process, allowing for vacuum sealing of the CD, and clear separation of the paraffin wax from the sample/reagents in the microfluidic process. As a proof of concept, the microfluidic processes of liquid flow switching and liquid metering is demonstrated with the VCV. Results show that the VCV lowers the required spinning frequency to perform the microfluidic processes with high accuracy and ease of control.

Vacuum/Compression Valving (VCV) Using Parrafin-Wax on a Centrifugal Microfluidic CD Platform

PubMed Central

Al-Faqheri, Wisam; Ibrahim, Fatimah; Thio, Tzer Hwai Gilbert; Moebius, Jacob; Joseph, Karunan; Arof, Hamzah; Madou, Marc

2013-01-01

This paper introduces novel vacuum/compression valves (VCVs) utilizing paraffin wax. A VCV is implemented by sealing the venting channel/hole with wax plugs (for normally-closed valve), or to be sealed by wax (for normally-open valve), and is activated by localized heating on the CD surface. We demonstrate that the VCV provides the advantages of avoiding unnecessary heating of the sample/reagents in the diagnostic process, allowing for vacuum sealing of the CD, and clear separation of the paraffin wax from the sample/reagents in the microfluidic process. As a proof of concept, the microfluidic processes of liquid flow switching and liquid metering is demonstrated with the VCV. Results show that the VCV lowers the required spinning frequency to perform the microfluidic processes with high accuracy and ease of control. PMID:23505528

The role of glycogen, glucose and lactate in neuronal activity during hypoxia in the hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) brain.

PubMed

Czech-Damal, N U; Geiseler, S J; Hoff, M L M; Schliep, R; Ramirez, J-M; Folkow, L P; Burmester, T

2014-09-05

The brains of diving mammals are repeatedly exposed to hypoxic conditions during diving. Brain neurons of the hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) have been shown to be more hypoxia tolerant than those of mice, but the underlying mechanisms are not clear. Here we investigated the roles of different metabolic substrates for maintenance of neuronal activity and integrity, by comparing the in vitro spontaneous neuronal activity of brain slices from layer V of the visual cortex of hooded seals with those in mice (Mus musculus). Studies were conducted by manipulating the composition of the artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF), containing either 10 mM glucose, or 20 mM lactate, or no external carbohydrate supply (aglycemia). Normoxic, hypoxic and ischemic conditions were applied. The lack of glucose or the application of lactate in the aCSF containing no glucose had little effect on the neuronal activity of seal neurons in either normoxia or hypoxia, while neurons from mice survived in hypoxia only few minutes regardless of the composition of the aCSF. We propose that seal neurons have higher intrinsic energy stores. Indeed, we found about three times higher glycogen stores in the seal brain (∼4.1 ng per μg total protein in the seal cerebrum) than in the mouse brain. Notably, in aCSF containing no glucose, seal neurons can tolerate 20 mM lactate while in mouse neuronal activity vanished after few minutes even in normoxia. This can be considered as an adaptation to long dives, during which lactate accumulates in the blood. Copyright © 2014 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of an Active Clearance Control System Concept

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinetz, Bruce M.; Lattime, Scott B.; DeCastro, Jonathan A.; Oswald, Jay; Melcher, Kevin J.

2005-01-01

Reducing blade tip clearances through active tip clearance control in the high pressure turbine can lead to significant reductions in emissions and specific fuel consumption as well as dramatic improvements in operating efficiency and increased service life. Current engines employ scheduled cooling of the outer case flanges to reduce high pressure turbine tip clearances during cruise conditions. These systems have relatively slow response and do not use clearance measurement, thereby forcing cold build clearances to set the minimum clearances at extreme operating conditions (e.g., takeoff, reburst) and not allowing cruise clearances to be minimized due to the possibility of throttle transients (e.g., step change in altitude). In an effort to improve upon current thermal methods, a first generation mechanically-actuated active clearance control (ACC) system has been designed and fabricated. The system utilizes independent actuators, a segmented shroud structure, and clearance measurement feedback to provide fast and precise active clearance control throughout engine operation. Ambient temperature performance tests of this first generation ACC system assessed individual seal component leakage rates and both static and dynamic overall system leakage rates. The ability of the nine electric stepper motors to control the position of the seal carriers in both open- and closed-loop control modes for single and multiple cycles was investigated. The ability of the system to follow simulated engine clearance transients in closed-loop mode showed the system was able to track clearances to within a tight tolerance (0.001 in. error).

Evaluation of an Active Clearance Control System Concept

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinetz, Bruce M.; Lattime, Scott B.; Taylor, Shawn; DeCastro, Jonathan A.; Oswald, Jay; Melcher, Kevin J.

2005-01-01

Reducing blade tip clearances through active tip clearance control in the high pressure turbine can lead to significant reductions in emissions and specific fuel consumption as well as dramatic improvements in operating efficiency and increased service life. Current engines employ scheduled cooling of the outer case flanges to reduce high pressure turbine tip clearances during cruise conditions. These systems have relatively slow response and do not use clearance measurement, thereby forcing cold build clearances to set the minimum clearances at extreme operating conditions (e.g., takeoff, reburst) and not allowing cruise clearances to be minimized due to the possibility of throttle transients (e.g., step change in altitude). In an effort to improve upon current thermal methods, a first generation mechanically-actuated active clearance control (ACC) system has been designed and fabricated. The system utilizes independent actuators, a segmented shroud structure, and clearance measurement feedback to provide fast and precise active clearance control throughout engine operation. Ambient temperature performance tests of this first generation ACC system assessed individual seal component leakage rates and both static and dynamic overall system leakage rates. The ability of the nine electric stepper motors to control the position of the seal carriers in both open- and closed-loop control modes for single and multiple cycles was investigated. The ability of the system to follow simulated engine clearance transients in closed-loop mode showed the system was able to track clearances to within a tight tolerance ( 0.001 in. error).

The hip fluid seal--Part II: The effect of an acetabular labral tear, repair, resection, and reconstruction on hip stability to distraction.

PubMed

Nepple, Jeffrey J; Philippon, Marc J; Campbell, Kevin J; Dornan, Grant J; Jansson, Kyle S; LaPrade, Robert F; Wijdicks, Coen A

2014-04-01

The acetabular labrum is theorized to be important to normal hip function by providing stability to distraction forces through the suction effect of the hip fluid seal. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative contributions of the hip capsule and labrum to the distractive stability of the hip, and to characterize hip stability to distraction forces in six labral conditions: intact labrum, labral tear, labral repair (looped vs. through sutures), partial resection, labral reconstruction with iliotibial band, and complete resection. Eight cadaveric hips with a mean age of 47.8 years (SD 4.3, range 41-51 years) were included. For each condition, the hip seal was broken by distracting the hip at a rate of 0.33 mm/s while the required force, energy, and negative intra-articular pressure were measured. For comparisons between labral conditions, measurements were normalized to the intact labral state (percent of intact). The relative contribution of the labrum to distractive stability was greatest at 1 and 2 mm of displacement, where it was significantly greater than the role of the capsule and accounted for 77 % (SD 27 %, p = 0.006) and 70 % (SD 7 %, p = 0.009) of total distractive stability, respectively. The relative contribution of the capsule to distractive stability increased with progressive displacement, providing 41 % (SD 49 %) and 52 % (SD 53 %) of distractive stability at 3 and 5 mm of distraction, respectively. The maximal distraction force required to break the hip seal in the intact labral state (capsule removed) varied from 124 to 150 N. Labral tear, partial resection, and complete resection resulted in average maximal distraction forces of 76 % (SD 34 %), 29 % (SD 26 %), and 27 % (SD 22 %), respectively, compared to the intact state. Through type labral repairs resulted in significantly greater improvements (from the labral tear state) in maximal negative pressure generated, compared to looped type repairs (median increase; +32 vs. -9 %, p = 0.029). Labral reconstruction resulted in a mean maximal distraction force of 66 % (SD 35 %), with a significant improvement of 37 % compared to partial labral resection (p < 0.001). The acetabular labrum was the primary hip stabilizer to distraction forces at small displacements (1-2 mm). Partial labral resection significantly decreased the distractive strength of the hip fluid seal. Labral reconstruction significantly improved distractive stability, compared to partial labral resection. The results of this study may provide insight into the relative importance of the capsule and labrum to distractive stability of the hip and may help to explain hip microinstability in the setting of labral disease.

Further Exploration of Post-Flare Giant Arches

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

West, Matthew; Seaton, Daniel B.; Dennis, Brian R.; feng, Li

2017-08-01

Recent observations from the SWAP EUV imager on-board PROBA2 and SXI X-ray observations from the GOES satellite have shown that post-flare giant arches and regular post-flare loops are one and the same thing. However, it is still not clear how certain loop systems are able to sustain prolonged growth to heights of approximately 400000 km (>0.5 solar-radii). In this presentation we further explore the energy deposition rate above post-flare loop systems through high-energy RHESSI observations. We also explore the difference between the loop systems through a multi-wavelength epoch analysis.

Air-soil exchange of organochlorine pesticides in a sealed chamber.

PubMed

Yang, Bing; Han, Baolu; Xue, Nandong; Zhou, Lingli; Li, Fasheng

2015-01-01

So far little is known about air-soil exchange under any sealed circumstances (e.g., in plastic and glass sheds), which however has huge implications for the soil-air-plant pathways of persistent organic pollutants including organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). A newly designed passive air sampler was tested in a sealed chamber for measuring the vertical concentration profiles of gaseous phase OCPs (hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs)). Air was sampled at 5, 15, and 30 cm above ground level every 10th day during a 60-day period by deploying polyurethane foam cylinders housed in acrylonitrile butadiene styrene-covered cartridges. Concentrations and compositions of OCPs along the vertical sections indicated a clear relationship with proximity to the mixture of HCHs and DDTs which escapes from the soils. In addition, significant positive correlations were found between air temperatures and concentrations of HCHs and DDTs. These results indicated revolatilization and re-deposition being at or close to dynamic pseudo-equilibrium with the overlying air. The sampler used for addressing air-soil exchange of persistent organic pollutants in any sealed conditions is discussed. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nekoogar, Faranak; Reynolds, Matthew; Lefton, Scott

A secure passive RFID tag system comprises at least one base station and at least one passive RFID tag. The tag includes a fiber optic cable with the cable ends sealed within the tag and the middle portion forming an external loop. The loop may be secured to at least portions of an object. The tag transmits and receives an optical signal through the fiber optic cable, and the cable is configured to be damaged or broken in response to removal or tampering attempts, wherein the optical signal is significantly altered if the cable is damaged or broken. The tagmore » transmits the optical signal in response to receiving a radio signal from the base station and compares the transmitted optical signal to the received optical signal. If the transmitted optical signal and the received optical signal are identical, the tag transmits an affirmative radio signal to the base station.« less

In Vitro Microbiological Analysis of Bacterial Seal in Hybrid Zirconia Abutment Tapered Connection.

PubMed

Harlos, Maurício Marcelo; Bezerra da Silva, Thiago; Peruzzo, Daiane C; Napimoga, Marcelo H; Joly, Julio Cesar; Martinez, Elizabeth F

2017-04-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the bacterial seal at the implant-hybrid zirconia abutment interface and Morse taper-type connections through in vitro microbiological analysis. Sixteen implants and their respective abutments were divided into 3 groups: test (10 sets), positive control (3 sets), and negative control (3 sets). In the test group, 10 implants were contaminated with Escherichia coli using a sterile inoculating loop to the inner portion of the implants, followed by torque application to the abutment (30 N·cm). The positive controls were also contaminated, but no torque was applied to the abutment screw. The negative control consisted of uncontaminated sets. All specimens were immersed in test tubes containing 5 mL brain heart infusion (BHI) broth, maintained in a microbiological incubator for 14 days at 37°C under aerobic conditions, and monitored every 24 hours for evidence of bacterial growth. During the 14 days of incubation, no significant increase in the number of cloudy culture media was observed in the test group (P = 0.448). No significant difference in broth turbidity ratio was observed (P > 0.05). Hybrid zirconia abutments can create an effective seal at the tapered abutment-implant interface with a 30-N·cm installation torque.

Acoustic evaluation of the Helmholtz resonator treatment in the NASA Lewis 8- by 6-foot supersonic wind tunnel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heidelberg, Laurence J.; Gordon, Elliot B.

1989-01-01

The acoustic consequences of sealing the Helmholtz resonators of the NASA Lewis 8- by 6-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel (8x6 SWT) were experimentally evaluated. This resonator sealing was proposed in order to avoid entrapment of hydrogen during tests of advanced hydrogen-fueled engines. The resonators were designed to absorb energy in the 4- to 20-Hz range; thus, this investigation is primarily concerned with infrasound. Limited internal and external noise measurements were made at tunnel Mach numbers ranging from 0.5 to 2.0. Although the resonators were part of the acoustic treatment installed because of a community noise problem their sealing did not seem to indicate a reoccurrence of the problem would result. Two factors were key to this conclusion: (1) A large bulk treatment muffler downstream of the resonators was able to make up for much of the attenuation originally provided by the resonators, and (2) there was no noise source in the tunnel test section. The previous community noise problem occurred when a large ramjet was tested in an open-loop tunnel configuration. If a propulsion system producing high noise levels at frequencies of less than 10 Hz were tested, the conclusion on community noise would have to be reevaluated.

Ability of New Obturation Materials to Improve the Seal of the Root Canal System – A Review

PubMed Central

Zhang, Wei; Olsen, Mark; De-Deus, Gustavo; Eid, Ashraf A.; Chen, Ji-hua; Pashley, David H.; Tay, Franklin R.

2014-01-01

Objectives New obturation biomaterials have been introduced over the past decade to improve the seal of the root canal system. However, it is not clear whether they have really produced a three-dimensional impervious seal that is important for reducing diseases associated with root canal treatment. Methods A review of the literature was performed to identify models that have been employed for evaluating the seal of the root canal system. Results and Significance In-vitro and in-vivo models are not totally adept at quantifying the seal of root canals obturated with classic materials. Thus, one has to resort to clinical outcomes to examine whether there are real benefits associated with the use of recently-introduced materials for obturating root canals. However, there is no facile answer because endodontic treatment outcomes are influenced by a host of other predictors that are more likely to take precedence over the influence of obturation materials. From the perspective of clinical performance, classic root filling materials have stood the test of time. Because many of the recently-introduced materials are so new, there is not enough evidence yet to support their ability to improve clinical performance. This emphasizes the need to translate anecdotal information into clinically relevant research data on new biomaterials. PMID:24321349

Effects of Polypropylene Orientation on Mechanical and Heat Seal Properties of Polymer-Aluminum-Polymer Composite Films for Pouch Lithium-Ion Batteries.

PubMed

Zeng, Fangxinyu; Chen, Jinyao; Yang, Feng; Kang, Jian; Cao, Ya; Xiang, Ming

2018-01-16

In this study, polyamide-aluminum foil-polypropylene (PA-Al-PP) composite films with different orientation status of the PP layer were prepared, and their morphology, tensile, peeling and heat seal behavior were studied. The comparative study of tensile and fracture behaviors of single-layer film of PA, Al and PP, as well as the composite films of PA-Al, PP-Al and PA-Al-PP revealed that in PA-Al-PP composite film, the PA layer with the highest tensile strength can share the tensile stress from the Al layer during stretching, while the PP layer with the lowest tensile strength can prevent further development of the small cracks on boundary of the Al layer during stretching. Moreover, the study of heat seal behavior suggested that both the orientation status and the heat seal conditions were important factors in determining the heat seal strength ( HSS ) and failure behavior of the sample. Four failure types were observed, and a clear correspondence between HSS and failure types was found. The results also elucidated that for the composite film, only in the cases where the tensile stress was efficiently released by each layer during HSS measurement could the composite film exhibit desired high HSS that was even higher than its tensile strength.

Pre-Partum Diet of Adult Female Bearded Seals in Years of Contrasting Ice Conditions

PubMed Central

Hindell, Mark A.; Lydersen, Christian; Hop, Haakon; Kovacs, Kit M.

2012-01-01

Changing patterns of sea-ice distribution and extent have measurable effects on polar marine systems. Beyond the obvious impacts of key-habitat loss, it is unclear how such changes will influence ice-associated marine mammals in part because of the logistical difficulties of studying foraging behaviour or other aspects of the ecology of large, mobile animals at sea during the polar winter. This study investigated the diet of pregnant bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus) during three spring breeding periods (2005, 2006 and 2007) with markedly contrasting ice conditions in Svalbard using stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) measured in whiskers collected from their newborn pups. The δ15N values in the whiskers of individual seals ranged from 11.95 to 17.45 ‰, spanning almost 2 full trophic levels. Some seals were clearly dietary specialists, despite the species being characterised overall as a generalist predator. This may buffer bearded seal populations from the changes in prey distributions lower in the marine food web which seems to accompany continued changes in temperature and ice cover. Comparisons with isotopic signatures of known prey, suggested that benthic gastropods and decapods were the most common prey. Bayesian isotopic mixing models indicated that diet varied considerably among years. In the year with most fast-ice (2005), the seals had the greatest proportion of pelagic fish and lowest benthic invertebrate content, and during the year with the least ice (2006), the seals ate more benthic invertebrates and less pelagic fish. This suggests that the seals fed further offshore in years with greater ice cover, but moved in to the fjords when ice-cover was minimal, giving them access to different types of prey. Long-term trends of sea ice decline, earlier ice melt, and increased water temperatures in the Arctic are likely to have ecosystem-wide effects, including impacts on the forage bases of pagophilic seals. PMID:22693616

Pre-partum diet of adult female bearded seals in years of contrasting ice conditions.

PubMed

Hindell, Mark A; Lydersen, Christian; Hop, Haakon; Kovacs, Kit M

2012-01-01

Changing patterns of sea-ice distribution and extent have measurable effects on polar marine systems. Beyond the obvious impacts of key-habitat loss, it is unclear how such changes will influence ice-associated marine mammals in part because of the logistical difficulties of studying foraging behaviour or other aspects of the ecology of large, mobile animals at sea during the polar winter. This study investigated the diet of pregnant bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus) during three spring breeding periods (2005, 2006 and 2007) with markedly contrasting ice conditions in Svalbard using stable isotopes (δ(13)C and δ(15)N) measured in whiskers collected from their newborn pups. The δ(15)N values in the whiskers of individual seals ranged from 11.95 to 17.45 ‰, spanning almost 2 full trophic levels. Some seals were clearly dietary specialists, despite the species being characterised overall as a generalist predator. This may buffer bearded seal populations from the changes in prey distributions lower in the marine food web which seems to accompany continued changes in temperature and ice cover. Comparisons with isotopic signatures of known prey, suggested that benthic gastropods and decapods were the most common prey. Bayesian isotopic mixing models indicated that diet varied considerably among years. In the year with most fast-ice (2005), the seals had the greatest proportion of pelagic fish and lowest benthic invertebrate content, and during the year with the least ice (2006), the seals ate more benthic invertebrates and less pelagic fish. This suggests that the seals fed further offshore in years with greater ice cover, but moved in to the fjords when ice-cover was minimal, giving them access to different types of prey. Long-term trends of sea ice decline, earlier ice melt, and increased water temperatures in the Arctic are likely to have ecosystem-wide effects, including impacts on the forage bases of pagophilic seals.

Demonstrating Phase Changes.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rohr, Walter

1995-01-01

Presents two experiments that demonstrate phase changes. The first experiment explores phase changes of carbon dioxide using powdered dry ice sealed in a piece of clear plastic tubing. The second experiment demonstrates an equilibrium process in which a crystal grows in equilibrium with its saturated solution. (PVD)

Solar Coronal Loop Dynamics Near the Null Point Above Active Region NOAA 2666

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Filippov, B.

2018-06-01

We analyse observations of a saddle-like structure in the corona above the western limb of the Sun on 2017 July 18. The structure was clearly outlined by coronal loops with typical coronal temperature no more than 1 MK. The dynamics of loops showed convergence towards the centre of the saddle in the vertical direction and divergence in the horizontal direction. The event is a clear example of smooth coronal magnetic field reconnection. No heating manifestations in the reconnection region or magnetically connected areas were observed. Potential magnetic field calculations, which use as the boundary condition the SDO/HMI magnetogram taken on July 14, showed the presence of a null point at the height of 122 arcsec above the photosphere just at the centre of the saddle structure. The shape of field lines fits the fan-spine magnetic configuration above NOAA 2666.

Genetic distance of Malaysian mousedeer based on mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and D-loop region sequences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bakar, Mohamad-Azam Akmal Abu; Rovie-Ryan, Jeffrine Japning; Ampeng, Ahmad; Yaakop, Salmah; Nor, Shukor Md; Md-Zain, Badrul Munir

2018-04-01

Mousedeer is one of the primitive mammals that can be found mainly in Southeast-Asia region. There are two species of mousedeer in Malaysia which are Tragulus kanchil and Tragulus napu. Both species can be distinguish by size, coat coloration, and throat pattern but clear diagnosis still cannot be found. The objective of the study is to show the genetic distance relationship between T. kanchil and T. napu and their population based on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and D-loop region. There are 42 sample of mousedeer were used in this study collected by PERHILITAN from different locality. Another 29 D-loop sequence were retrieved from Genbank for comparative analysis. All sample were amplified using universal primer and species-specific primer for COI and D-loop genes via PCR process. The amplified sequences were analyzed to determine genetic distance of T. kanchil and T. napu. From the analysis, the average genetic distance between T. kanchil and T. napu based on locus COI and D-loop were 0.145 and 0.128 respectively. The genetic distance between populations of T. kanchil based on locus COI was between 0.003-0.013. For locus D-loop, genetic distance analysis showed distance in relationship between west-coast populations to east-coast population of T. kanchil. COI and D-loop mtDNA region provided a clear picture on the relationship within the mousedeer species. Last but not least, conservation effort toward protecting this species can be done by study the molecular genetics and prevent the extinction of this species.

Heat transfer system

DOEpatents

Not Available

1980-03-07

A heat transfer system for a nuclear reactor is described. Heat transfer is accomplished within a sealed vapor chamber which is substantially evacuated prior to use. A heat transfer medium, which is liquid at the design operating temperatures, transfers heat from tubes interposed in the reactor primary loop to spaced tubes connected to a steam line for power generation purposes. Heat transfer is accomplished by a two-phase liquid-vapor-liquid process as used in heat pipes. Condensible gases are removed from the vapor chamber through a vertical extension in open communication with the chamber interior.

Heat transfer system

DOEpatents

McGuire, Joseph C.

1982-01-01

A heat transfer system for a nuclear reactor. Heat transfer is accomplished within a sealed vapor chamber which is substantially evacuated prior to use. A heat transfer medium, which is liquid at the design operating temperatures, transfers heat from tubes interposed in the reactor primary loop to spaced tubes connected to a steam line for power generation purposes. Heat transfer is accomplished by a two-phase liquid-vapor-liquid process as used in heat pipes. Condensible gases are removed from the vapor chamber through a vertical extension in open communication with the chamber interior.

Passively mode-locked tunable fiber laser in a soliton regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Endo, Michiyuki; Ghosh, Gorachand

1999-04-01

A stable, passively mode-locked erbium-doped fiber resonator is developed to generate tunable optical pulses with durations of 270 - 325 fs in the soliton regime. The lasing wavelength is tuned continuously over a wavelength range of 60 nm by rotating a bulk band-pass filter inserted in the resonator with a repetition frequency of 45.4 MHz. We reduced the timing jitter by minimizing the intensity fluctuation of the pump source using a feedback loop and by controlling the influence of airflow and temperature fluctuation of the resonator in a sealed box.

Cold Background, Flight Motion Simulator Mounted, Infrared Scene Projectors Developed for use in AMRDEC Hardware-in-the-Loop

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-01-01

cooled below –40ºC with the ultra low temperature chiller operating at –50ºC. At these low temperatures, elastomer compounds (i.e. nylon hose and o...projector hardware. Consideration of steel braided Teflon hose or even a thin wall flexible steel hose will be made for future operation of the YUGO...Cajon VCR vacuum port on the bottom of the array using a metal gasket. This change eliminated one elastomer seal that was most likely to fail at low

Exploring new technologies to facilitate laparoscopic surgery: creating intestinal anastomoses without sutures or staples, using a radio-frequency-energy-driven bipolar fusion device.

PubMed

Smulders, J F; de Hingh, I H J T; Stavast, J; Jackimowicz, J J

2007-11-01

Intestinal anastomotic healing requires apposition of the collagen containing submucosal layers of the opposing intestinal walls, which is traditionally achieved by staples or sutures. Recently, a feedback-controlled bipolar sealing system (LigaSure) has been successfully introduced to seal and transect vessels. Since this technology depends on fusion of collagen fibres which are abundantly present in the intestinal wall, the possibility to create intestinal anastomoses using this technology was investigated in the present study. For this purpose a new-generation radiofrequency (RF) generator and a prototype of the Ligasure Anastomotic Device (LAD) have been developed. The generator incorporates a closed loop control system which monitors tissue fusion, compares it with a mathematical model of ideal fusion based on the density and compliance of intestinal tissue and adjusts energy output accordingly. In total 8 anastomoses were created in a porcine model (4 pigs, 2 anastomoses each) and healing was assessed by macroscopic and histological examination. All seals were macroscopic intact both immediate after creation and at sacrifice at the 7th postoperative day. Between operations, pigs appeared healthy and had normal intestinal passage. Histological examination of the anastomoses revealed undisturbed healing with granulation tissue, newly synthesised collagen in the submucosa and re-epithelialization at the borders of the seals. These results confirm the feasibility to create experimental intestinal anastomoses using LigaSure technology. This may be an important step towards the development of new laparoscopic equipment combining dissecting and reconstructive properties within one single instrument.

Functional role of a mobile loop of Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase in transition-state stabilization.

PubMed

Li, L; Falzone, C J; Wright, P E; Benkovic, S J

1992-09-01

The function of a highly mobile loop in Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase was studied by constructing a mutant (DL1) using cassette mutagenesis that had four residues deleted in the middle section of the loop (Met16-Ala19) and a glycine inserted to seal the gap. This part of the loop involves residues 16-20 and is disordered in the X-ray crystal structures of the apoprotein and the NADP+ binary complex but forms a hairpin turn that folds over the nicotinamide moiety of NADP+ and the pteridine moiety of folate in the ternary complex [Bystroff, C., & Kraut, J. (1991) Biochemistry 30, 2227-2239]. The steady-state and pre-steady-state kinetics and two-dimensional 1H NMR spectra were analyzed and compared to the wild-type protein. The kinetics on the DL1 mutant enzyme show that the KM value for NADPH (5.3 microM), the KM for dihydrofolate (2 microM), the rate constant for the release of the product tetrahydrofolate (10.3 s-1), and the intrinsic pKa value (6.2) are similar to those exhibited by the wild-type enzyme. However, the hydride-transfer rate declines markedly from the wild-type value of 950 s-1 to 1.7 s-1 for the DL1 mutant and when taken with data for substrate binding indicates that the loop contributes to substrate flux by a factor of 3.5 x 10(4). Thus, the mobility of loop I may provide a mechanism of recruiting hydrophobic residues which can properly align the nicotinamide and pteridine rings for the hydride-transfer process (a form of transition-state stabilization).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

PRESENT CONDITION OF FOOD WASTE RECYCLING LOOP BASED ON RECYCLING PROJECT CERTIFICATION OF THE FOOD WASTE RECYCLING LAW

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kita, Tomoko; Kanaya, Ken

Purpose of this research is to clear present condition of food waste recycling loops based on recycling project certification of the Food Waste Recycling Law. Method of this research is questionnaire survey to companies constituting the loops. Findings of this research are as follows: 1. Proponents of the loop is most often the recycling companies. 2. Food waste recycling rate is 61% for the food retailing industry and 81% for the food service industry. These values are higher than the national average in 2006. The effect of the revision of recycling project certification is suggested.

Management of Necrotizing Fasciitis and Fecal Peritonitis following Ostomy Necrosis and Detachment by Using NPT and Flexi-Seal.

PubMed

Yetışır, Fahri; Şarer, Akgün Ebru; Acar, H Zafer

2015-01-01

Management of necrotizing fasciitis and severe faecal peritonitis following ostomy in elderly patient with comorbid disease is challenging. We would like to report management of frozen Open Abdomen (OA) with colonic fistula following ostomy necrosis and detachment in an elderly patient with comorbid disease and malignancy. 78-year-old woman with high stage rectum carcinoma was admitted to emergency department and underwent operation for severe peritonitis and sigmoid colonic perforation. Loop sigmoidostomy was performed. At postoperative 15th day, she was transferred to our clinic with necrotizing fasciitis and severe faecal peritonitis due to ostomy necrosis and detachment. Enteric effluent was removed from the OA wound by using the Flexi-Seal Fecal Management System (FMS) (ConvaTec) and pesser tube in deeply located colonic fistula in conjunction with Negative Pressure Therapy (NPT). Maturation of ostomy was facilitated by using second NPT on ostomy side. After source control, delayed abdominal closure was achieved by skin flap approximation.

INTEGRITY OF VOA-VIAL SEALS

EPA Science Inventory

Preservation of soil samples for the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) requires both the inhibition of VOC degradation and the restriction of vapor movement in or out of the sample container. Clear, 40,mL glass VOA vials manufactured by the four major U.S. glass manu...

Solar-powered turbocompressor heat pump system

DOEpatents

Landerman, A.M.; Biancardi, F.R.; Melikian, G.; Meader, M.D.; Kepler, C.E.; Anderson, T.J.; Sitler, J.W.

1982-08-12

The turbocompressor comprises a power turbine and a compressor turbine having respective rotors and on a common shaft, rotatably supported by bearings. A first working fluid is supplied by a power loop and is expanded in the turbine. A second working fluid is compressed in the turbine and is circulated in a heat pump loop. A lubricant is mixed with the second working fluid but is excluded from the first working fluid. The bearings are cooled and lubricated by a system which circulates the second working fluid and the intermixed lubricant through the bearings. Such system includes a pump, a thermostatic expansion valve for expanding the working fluid into the space between the bearings, and a return conduit system for withdrawing the expanded working fluid after it passes through the bearings and for returning the working fluid to the evaporator. A shaft seal excludes the lubricant from the power turbine. The power loop includes a float operable by liquid working fluid in the condenser for controlling a recirculation valve so as to maintain a minimum liquid level in the condenser, while causing a feed pump to pump most of the working fluid into the vapor generator. The heat pump compressor loop includes a float in the condenser for operating and expansion valve to maintain a minimum liquid working fluid level in the condenser while causing most of the working fluid to be expanded into the evaporator.

Ross Sea Ecosystem Responses to Climatic Changes during the Mid-to-Late Holocene as Indicated by Bulk Stable Isotope Analyses of Antarctic Seals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brault, E.; Koch, P. L.; McCarthy, M. D.; Hall, B. L.; Hoelzel, A. R.; Welch, A. J.; Nye, J. W.; Rosenfield, A. P.

2016-02-01

Substantial environmental changes occurred in the Ross Sea during the Holocene, with sea ice likely significantly increasing around 1,000 years before present (YBP). We are investigating the effects of these environmental changes on the biological community. Previous work demonstrates that the southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) colonies in the region began to collapse 1,000 YBP and disappeared from the area by 250 YBP. Ecosystem shifts are also evident in isotopic records. Carbon and nitrogen isotope data from Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) differ from animals in the region today, and our isotopic values of fossil southern elephant seals are inconsistent with foraging in the current Ross Sea ecosystem. The dating of these isotopic shifts is uncertain, ranging from 1,000 to 250 YBP. We examined trends in the bulk carbon and nitrogen isotope values of Weddell (Leptonychotes weddellii) and crabeater (Lobodon carcinophagus) seals over the last 5,500 years to clarify the timing of the ecosystem shift, and further explore its effects on top predators. Crabeater seals have stable mean carbon and nitrogen isotope values through the late Holocene period, suggesting stable foraging behavior. However, isotopic data from this species are more variable before 750 YBP, indicating a more diverse foraging ecology. Weddell seals show a clear transition in isotopic values around 500 YBP, similar to that previously observed in penguins. This shift may indicate a change in Weddell seal diet (to lower trophic level prey in more recent times), a changed ecosystem (with the Ross Sea becoming less productive later in the Holocene), or both. Overall, our data shows that the ecology of top predators shifted substantially in response to changes in the Ross Sea around 1,000-500 years ago.

Local contamination, and not feeding preferences, explains elevated PCB concentrations in Labrador ringed seals (Pusa hispida).

PubMed

Brown, Tanya M; Iverson, Sara J; Fisk, Aaron T; Macdonald, Robie W; Helbing, Caren C; Reimer, Ken J

2015-05-15

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in high trophic level species typically reflect the contributions of myriad sources, such that source apportionment is rarely possible. The release of PCBs by a military radar station into Saglek Bay, Labrador contaminated the local marine food web. For instance, while heavier (higher chlorinated) PCB profiles in some ringed seals (Pusa hispida) were previously attributed to this local source, differences in feeding preferences among seals could not be ruled out as a contributing factor. Herein, similar fatty acid profiles between those seals with 'local' PCB profiles and those with 'long-range' or background profiles indicate little support for the possibility that differential feeding ecologies underlay the divergent PCB profiles. Ringed seals appeared to feed predominantly on zooplankton (Mysis oculata and Themisto libellula), followed by the dusky snailfish (Liparis gibbus), arctic cod (Boreogadus saida), and shorthorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius). Principal components analysis (PCA) and PCB homolog profiles illustrated the extent of contamination of the Saglek food web, which had very different (and much heavier) PCB profiles than those food web members contaminated by 'long-range' sources. Locally contaminated prey had PCB levels that were higher (2- to 544-fold) than prey contaminated by 'long-range' sources and exceeded wildlife consumption guidelines for PCBs. The application of multivariate analyses to two distinct datasets, including PCB congeners (n=50) and fatty acids (n=65), afforded the opportunity to clearly distinguish the contribution of locally-released PCBs to a ringed seal food web from those delivered via long-ranged transport. Results from the present study strongly suggest that habitat use rather than differences in prey selection is the primary mechanism explaining the divergent PCB patterns in Labrador ringed seals. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dissolved oxygen control and monitoring implementation in the liquid lead bismuth eutectic loop: HELIOS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nam, Hyo On; Lim, Jun; Han, Dong Yoon; Hwang, Il Soon

2008-06-01

A 12 m tall LBE coolant loop, named as HELIOS, has been developed by thermal-hydraulic scaling of the PEACER-300MWe. Thermo-hydraulic experiment and materials test are the principal purposes of HELIOS operation. In this study, an yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) based oxygen sensor that was hermetically sealed for long-term applications using the electromagnetically swaged metal-ceramic joining method, have been developed for high temperature oxygen control application over a long period of time. The rugged electrode design has been calibrated to absolute metal-oxide equilibrium by using a first principle of detecting pure metal-oxide transition using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). During the materials tests in HELIOS, dissolved oxygen concentration was administered at the intended condition of 10 -6 wt% by direct gas bubbling with Ar + 4%H 2, Ar + 5%O 2 and/or pure Ar while corrosion tests were conducted for up to 1000 h with inspection after each 333 h. During the total 1000 h corrosion test, oxygen concentration was measured by oxygen sensor. The result confirmed that the direct gas bubbling method is a viable and practical option for controlling oxygen concentration in large loops including HELIOS.

A Self-Circulating Heat Exchanger for Use in Stirling and Thermoacoustic-Stirling Engines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Backhaus, Scott; Reid, Robert S.

2005-02-01

A major technical hurdle to the implementation of large Stirling engines or thermoacoustic engines is the reliability, performance, and manufacturability of the hot heat exchanger that brings high-temperature heat into the engine. Unlike power conversion devices that utilize steady flow, the oscillatory nature of the flow in Stirling and thermoacoustic engines restricts the length of a traditional hot heat exchanger to a peak-to-peak gas displacement, which is usually around 0.2 meters or less. To overcome this restriction, a new hot heat exchanger has been devised that uses a fluid diode in a looped pipe, which is resonantly driven by the oscillating gas pressure in the engine itself, to circulate the engine's working fluid around the loop. Instead of thousands of short, intricately interwoven passages that must be individually sealed, this new design consists of a few pipes that are typically 10 meters long. This revolutionary approach eliminates thousands of hermetic joints, pumps the engine's working fluid to and from a remote heat source without using moving parts, and does so without compromising on heat transfer surface area. Test data on a prototype loop integrated with a 1-kW thermoacoustic engine will be presented.

Structure of GlnK1 with bound effectors indicates regulatory mechanism for ammonia uptake.

PubMed

Yildiz, Ozkan; Kalthoff, Christoph; Raunser, Stefan; Kühlbrandt, Werner

2007-01-24

A binary complex of the ammonia channel Amt1 from Methanococcus jannaschii and its cognate P(II) signalling protein GlnK1 has been produced and characterized. Complex formation is prevented specifically by the effector molecules Mg-ATP and 2-ketoglutarate. Single-particle electron microscopy of the complex shows that GlnK1 binds on the cytoplasmic side of Amt1. Three high-resolution X-ray structures of GlnK1 indicate that the functionally important T-loop has an extended, flexible conformation in the absence of Mg-ATP, but assumes a compact, tightly folded conformation upon Mg-ATP binding, which in turn creates a 2-ketoglutarate-binding site. We propose a regulatory mechanism by which nitrogen uptake is controlled by the binding of both effector molecules to GlnK1. At normal effector levels, a 2-ketoglutarate molecule binding at the apex of the compact T-loop would prevent complex formation, ensuring uninhibited ammonia uptake. At low levels of Mg-ATP, the extended loops would seal the ammonia channels in the complex. Binding of both effector molecules to P(II) signalling proteins may thus represent an effective feedback mechanism for regulating ammonium uptake through the membrane.

First Experiences with the New Chalmers Gasifier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thunman, H.; Seemann, M. C.

During summer 2007 a 2-6 MWth indirect gasification section was integrated into the loop of the existing 82➀2 MWth circulating fluidized bed boiler at Chalmers University. With help of a particle distributor the gasification unit is connected to the loop after the cyclone. Hot bed material entrained from the boiler is so transferred to the gasifier providing the heat for the production of a nearly nitrogen free product gas. Non-gasified char is returned together with the bed material into the boiler and converted. Biomass can be fed into both sections; the boiler and the gasifier. The gasification is separated from the boiler via two loop seals and a particle distributer, directing particles either back to the boiler or into the gasification section. For that reason the CFB boiler can be operated even after the retrofit independently, just like before, or in combined combustion/gasification mode. This possibility keeps the risk for a retrofit low. As, furthermore, the investment costs for the integration are considerably lower than standalone gasification units of that size, the retrofit is an easy way to extend the potential of a CFB Boiler towards bi- and tri-generation (heat, power, fuel) and enter new markets.

Sequence-structure relationships in RNA loops: establishing the basis for loop homology modeling.

PubMed

Schudoma, Christian; May, Patrick; Nikiforova, Viktoria; Walther, Dirk

2010-01-01

The specific function of RNA molecules frequently resides in their seemingly unstructured loop regions. We performed a systematic analysis of RNA loops extracted from experimentally determined three-dimensional structures of RNA molecules. A comprehensive loop-structure data set was created and organized into distinct clusters based on structural and sequence similarity. We detected clear evidence of the hallmark of homology present in the sequence-structure relationships in loops. Loops differing by <25% in sequence identity fold into very similar structures. Thus, our results support the application of homology modeling for RNA loop model building. We established a threshold that may guide the sequence divergence-based selection of template structures for RNA loop homology modeling. Of all possible sequences that are, under the assumption of isosteric relationships, theoretically compatible with actual sequences observed in RNA structures, only a small fraction is contained in the Rfam database of RNA sequences and classes implying that the actual RNA loop space may consist of a limited number of unique loop structures and conserved sequences. The loop-structure data sets are made available via an online database, RLooM. RLooM also offers functionalities for the modeling of RNA loop structures in support of RNA engineering and design efforts.

Summing the strokes: energy economy in northern elephant seals during large-scale foraging migrations.

PubMed

Maresh, J L; Adachi, T; Takahashi, A; Naito, Y; Crocker, D E; Horning, M; Williams, T M; Costa, D P

2015-01-01

The energy requirements of free-ranging marine mammals are challenging to measure due to cryptic and far-ranging feeding habits, but are important to quantify given the potential impacts of high-level predators on ecosystems. Given their large body size and carnivorous lifestyle, we would predict that northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) have elevated field metabolic rates (FMRs) that require high prey intake rates, especially during pregnancy. Disturbance associated with climate change or human activity is predicted to further elevate energy requirements due to an increase in locomotor costs required to accommodate a reduction in prey or time available to forage. In this study, we determined the FMRs, total energy requirements, and energy budgets of adult, female northern elephant seals. We also examined the impact of increased locomotor costs on foraging success in this species. Body size, time spent at sea and reproductive status strongly influenced FMR. During the short foraging migration, FMR averaged 90.1 (SE = 1.7) kJ kg(-1)d(-1) - only 36 % greater than predicted basal metabolic rate. During the long migration, when seals were pregnant, FMRs averaged 69.4 (±3.0) kJ kg(-1)d(-1) - values approaching those predicted to be necessary to support basal metabolism in mammals of this size. Low FMRs in pregnant seals were driven by hypometabolism coupled with a positive feedback loop between improving body condition and reduced flipper stroking frequency. In contrast, three additional seals carrying large, non-streamlined instrumentation saw a four-fold increase in energy partitioned toward locomotion, resulting in elevated FMRs and only half the mass gain of normally-swimming study animals. These results highlight the importance of keeping locomotion costs low for successful foraging in this species. In preparation for lactation and two fasting periods with high demands on energy reserves, migrating elephant seals utilize an economical foraging strategy whereby energy savings from reduced locomotion costs are shuttled towards somatic growth and fetal gestation. Remarkably, the energy requirements of this species, particularly during pregnancy, are 70-80 % lower than expected for mammalian carnivores, approaching or even falling below values predicted to be necessary to support basal metabolism in mammals of this size.

19 CFR 24.13a - Car, compartment, and package seals; and fastenings; standards; acceptance by Customs.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

..., manufacturer, or carrier), it must be clearly and legibly marked with a unique company name (or logotype) and..., Headquarters, U.S. Customs Service, Washington DC 20229. [T.D. 81-185, 46 FR 36842, July 16, 1981, as amended...

Global and local molecular dynamics of a bacterial carboxylesterase provide insight into its catalytic mechanism

PubMed Central

Yu, Xiaozhen; Sigler, Sara C.; Hossain, Delwar; Wierdl, Monika; Gwaltney, Steven R.; Potter, Philip M.; Wadkins, Randy M.

2013-01-01

Carboxylesterases (CEs) are ubiquitous enzymes responsible for the detoxification of xenobiotics. In humans, substrates for these enzymes are far-ranging, and include the street drug heroin and the anticancer agent irinotecan. Hence, their ability to bind and metabolize substrates is of broad interest to biomedical science. In this study, we focused our attention on dynamic motions of a CE from B. subtilis (pnbCE), with emphasis on the question of what individual domains of the enzyme might contribute to its catalytic activity. We used a 10 ns all-atom molecular dynamics simulation, normal mode calculations, and enzyme kinetics to understand catalytic consequences of structural changes within this enzyme. Our results shed light on how molecular motions are coupled with catalysis. During molecular dynamics, we observed a distinct C-C bond rotation between two conformations of Glu310. Such a bond rotation would alternately facilitate and impede protonation of the active site His399 and act as a mechanism by which the enzyme alternates between its active and inactive conformation. Our normal mode results demonstrate that the distinct low-frequency motions of two loops in pnbCE, coil_5 and coil_21, are important in substrate conversion and seal the active site. Mutant CEs lacking these external loops show significantly reduced rates of substrate conversion, suggesting this sealing motion prevents escape of substrate. Overall, the results of our studies give new insight into the structure-function relationship of CEs and have implications for the entire family of α/β fold family of hydrolases, of which this CE is a member. PMID:22127613

Turbine blade tip and seal clearance excitation forces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Martinez-Sanchez, M.; Jaroux, B.

1992-01-01

Experimental and theoretical work done as Phase 3 of a program sponsored by MSFC to investigate the magnitude, origin, and parametric variations of destabilizing forces which arise in high power turbines due to blade-tip leakage effects are described. The two facilities which were built for this purpose are first described. The larger one is a closed, 2 atm pressurized Freon-12 flow loop in which is installed a 1:1 replica of the SSME first stage hydrogen turbine, which can be driven by the flow, and which generates about 14 KW of power into a load-absorbing DC generator. The smaller facility is used to measure the forces on labyrinth seals of the same type as those used in our turbine tests with a shrouded turbine. The seals can be kinematically whirled and spun (independently), and the inlet swirl can be set to a variety of values. Air is the working fluid (with atmospheric discharge) and the data are real-time pressure distributions in the seal glands. The five different unshrouded turbine configurations were tested with static offsets, plus one with a shroud band and a two-ridge seal. Theoretical models of various degrees of complexity were developed to help interpreting and extrapolating the data. The notion of partial work done by the fluid leaking through the tip gaps was put on a quantitative basis by examining the leakage vortex roll-up dynamics. This was used to obtain a theory of the work loss due to a uniform gap. Perturbation and multiple scale arguments were then used to extend this to the case of an eccentric turbine. This yields an unsteady, 3-D theory which can predict the distribution of the approach flow, and its effect on work defect, cross-forces, pressure patterns, and dynamic damping. The predictions agree qualitatively with the data and exhibit the correct trends, but the cross-forces are generally under-predicted.

A comparative approach to closed-loop computation.

PubMed

Roth, E; Sponberg, S; Cowan, N J

2014-04-01

Neural computation is inescapably closed-loop: the nervous system processes sensory signals to shape motor output, and motor output consequently shapes sensory input. Technological advances have enabled neuroscientists to close, open, and alter feedback loops in a wide range of experimental preparations. The experimental capability of manipulating the topology-that is, how information can flow between subsystems-provides new opportunities to understand the mechanisms and computations underlying behavior. These experiments encompass a spectrum of approaches from fully open-loop, restrained preparations to the fully closed-loop character of free behavior. Control theory and system identification provide a clear computational framework for relating these experimental approaches. We describe recent progress and new directions for translating experiments at one level in this spectrum to predictions at another level. Operating across this spectrum can reveal new understanding of how low-level neural mechanisms relate to high-level function during closed-loop behavior. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Haul-Out Behaviour of the World's Northernmost Population of Harbour Seals (Phoca vitulina) throughout the Year

PubMed Central

Hamilton, Charmain D.; Lydersen, Christian; Ims, Rolf A.; Kovacs, Kit M.

2014-01-01

The harbour seal population in Svalbard occurs at the northernmost limit of the species' range. It experiences environmental extremes far beyond the norm for this species, including an extended period of polar night and extensive sea ice cover. In 2009 and 2010, 60 harbour seals (30 pups + 30 immature/mature seals) from this population were equipped with Satellite-Relay Data Loggers (SRDLs) to study their haul-out behaviour, with a special focus on the winter period. Using a combination of Generalized Additive Mixed Models and Cox Proportional Hazard models, the influences of sex, maturity, temporal, spatial and environmental factors on haul-out behaviour were explored. All of the seals continued to haul out even through the coldest periods during the polar night, though clear seasonality in the time spent hauled out daily was displayed by both immature and mature seals. Time spent hauled out daily decreased from ∼5.2 hrs in September to ∼1.2 hrs in February in these age groups, while pups displayed less seasonality (∼2.4 hrs/day throughout most of the year). The average at-sea period also exhibited seasonality, increasing to a maximum of ∼1.6 days in February (monthly maxima for individual animals ranged from 7 to 19 days). The seals showed a strong preference to haul out at low tide when hauling out on land but not when using sea ice as a haul-out platform. A diel rhythm in haul-out behaviour was present during the months with day–night cycling and midnight sun but not during the polar night. Haul-out behaviour was impacted to a greater extent by air pressure, through its effect on wind speed, than by absolute temperature values. The extreme environment in Svalbard likely causes some physiological challenges that might impact survival rates negatively, particularly among pups. Climate warming is likely to have positive effects on Svalbard's harbour seal population. PMID:24465867

Effects of Polypropylene Orientation on Mechanical and Heat Seal Properties of Polymer-Aluminum-Polymer Composite Films for Pouch Lithium-Ion Batteries

PubMed Central

Chen, Jinyao; Yang, Feng; Kang, Jian; Cao, Ya; Xiang, Ming

2018-01-01

In this study, polyamide-aluminum foil-polypropylene (PA-Al-PP) composite films with different orientation status of the PP layer were prepared, and their morphology, tensile, peeling and heat seal behavior were studied. The comparative study of tensile and fracture behaviors of single-layer film of PA, Al and PP, as well as the composite films of PA-Al, PP-Al and PA-Al-PP revealed that in PA-Al-PP composite film, the PA layer with the highest tensile strength can share the tensile stress from the Al layer during stretching, while the PP layer with the lowest tensile strength can prevent further development of the small cracks on boundary of the Al layer during stretching. Moreover, the study of heat seal behavior suggested that both the orientation status and the heat seal conditions were important factors in determining the heat seal strength (HSS) and failure behavior of the sample. Four failure types were observed, and a clear correspondence between HSS and failure types was found. The results also elucidated that for the composite film, only in the cases where the tensile stress was efficiently released by each layer during HSS measurement could the composite film exhibit desired high HSS that was even higher than its tensile strength. PMID:29337881

An Outcome-Based Assessment Process for Accrediting Computing Programmes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harmanani, Haidar M.

2017-01-01

The calls for accountability in higher education have made outcome-based assessment a key accreditation component. Accreditation remains a well-regarded seal of approval on college quality, and requires the programme to set clear, appropriate, and measurable goals and courses to attain them. Furthermore, programmes must demonstrate that…

77 FR 59081 - Technical Amendments Due to Change of Agency Name

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-26

... to the District of Columbia Pretrial Services Agency (``PSA''), an independent federal agency within... Columbia. Additionally, the description of PSA's seal is being amended. The regulations are also being amended to clearly state that either CSOSA's Director or PSA's Director or designee has the authority to...

Quasi-passive heat sink for high-power laser diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vetrovec, John

2009-02-01

We report on a novel heat sink for high-power laser diodes offering unparalleled capacity in high-heat flux handling and temperature control. The heat sink uses a liquid coolant flowing at high speed in a miniature closed and sealed loop. Diode waste heat is received at high flux and transferred to environment, coolant fluid, heat pipe, or structure at a reduced flux. When pumping solid-state or alkali vapor lasers, diode wavelength can be electronically tuned to the absorption features of the laser gain medium. This paper presents the heat sink physics, engineering design, performance modeling, and configurations.

Development of a J-T Micro Compressor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Champagne, P.; Olson, J. R.; Nast, T.; Roth, E.; Collaco, A.; Kaldas, G.; Saito, E.; Loung, V.

2015-12-01

Lockheed Martin has developed and tested a space-quality compressor capable of delivering closed-loop gas flow with a high pressure ratio, suitable for driving a Joule- Thomson cold head. The compressor is based on a traditional “Oxford style” dual-opposed piston compressor with linear drive motors and flexure-bearing clearance-seal technology for high reliability and long life. This J-T compressor retains the approximate size, weight, and cost of the ultra-compact, 200 gram Lockheed Martin Pulse Tube Micro Compressor, despite the addition of a flow-rectifying system to convert the AC pressure wave into a steady flow.

Effects of Geometric Details on Slat Noise Generation and Propagation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Khorrami, Mehdi R.; Lockard, David P.

2006-01-01

The relevance of geometric details to the generation and propagation of noise from leading-edge slats is considered. Typically, such details are omitted in computational simulations and model-scale experiments thereby creating ambiguities in comparisons with acoustic results from flight tests. The current study uses two-dimensional, computational simulations in conjunction with a Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings (FW-H) solver to investigate the effects of previously neglected slat "bulb" and "blade" seals on the local flow field and the associated acoustic radiation. The computations clearly show that the presence of the "blade" seal at the cusp significantly changes the slat cove flow dynamics, reduces the amplitudes of the radiated sound, and to a lesser extent, alters the directivity beneath the airfoil. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that a modest extension of the baseline "blade" seal further enhances the suppression of slat noise. As a side issue, the utility and equivalence of FW-H methodology for calculating far-field noise as opposed to a more direct approach is examined and demonstrated.

Solid oxide fuel cell power plant having a bootstrap start-up system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lines, Michael T

The bootstrap start-up system (42) achieves an efficient start-up of the power plant (10) that minimizes formation of soot within a reformed hydrogen rich fuel. A burner (48) receives un-reformed fuel directly from the fuel supply (30) and combusts the fuel to heat cathode air which then heats an electrolyte (24) within the fuel cell (12). A dilute hydrogen forming gas (68) cycles through a sealed heat-cycling loop (66) to transfer heat and generated steam from an anode side (32) of the electrolyte (24) through fuel processing system (36) components (38, 40) and back to an anode flow field (26)more » until fuel processing system components (38, 40) achieve predetermined optimal temperatures and steam content. Then, the heat-cycling loop (66) is unsealed and the un-reformed fuel is admitted into the fuel processing system (36) and anode flow (26) field to commence ordinary operation of the power plant (10).« less

Simulating nanostorm heating in coronal loops using hydrodynamics and non-thermal particle evolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Migliore, Christina; Winter, Henry; Murphy, Nicholas

2018-01-01

The solar corona is filled with loop-like structures that appear bright against the background when observed in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV). These loops have several remarkable properties that are not yet well understood. Warm loops (∼ 1 MK) appear to be ∼ 2 ‑ 9 times as dense at their apex as the predictions of hydrostatic atmosphere models. These loops also appear to be of constant cross-section despite the fact that the field strength in a potential magnetic field should decrease in the corona, causing the loops to expand. It is not clear why many active region loops appear to be of constant cross-section. Theories range from an internal twist of the magnetic field to observational effects. In this work we simulate active region loops heated by nanoflare storms using a dipolar magnetic field. We calculate the hydrodynamic properties for each loop using advanced hydrodynamics codes to simulate the corona and chromospheric response and basic dipole models to represent the magnetic fields of the loops. We show that even modest variations of the magnetic field strength along the loop can lead to drastic changes in the density profiles of active region loops, and they can also explain the overpressure at the apex of these loops. Synthetic AIA images of each loop are made to show the observable consequences of varying magnetic field strengths along the loop’s axis of symmetry. We also show how this work can lead to improved modeling of larger solar and stellar flares.

39 CFR 3007.10 - Submission of non-public materials under seal.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

...-public materials shall submit two copies consisting, where practicable, of two paper hard copies as well... available PC application. Each page of any paper hard copy non-public materials submitted shall be clearly... submitted in a searchable electronic format, but need not be submitted in its native format. As part of its...

Researching Society and Culture. Third Edition

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Seale, Clive, Ed.

2012-01-01

Clear, coherent and trusted, this book is the perfect guide to the main social research methods in use today. The much anticipated Third Edition of Clive Seale's bestselling title further expands its coverage to provide an authoritative introduction to all of the social research methods used to analyze qualitative and quantitative data. Written by…

Stent recanalization of carotid tonsillar loop dissection using the Enterprise vascular reconstruction device.

PubMed

Rahal, Jason P; Gao, Bulang; Safain, Mina G; Malek, Adel M

2014-07-01

Although advances in endovascular techniques have permitted reconstruction of intimal dissections and related pseudoaneurysms of the extracranial cervical internal carotid artery, highly tortuous tonsillar loop anatomic variants still pose an obstacle to conventional extracranial self-expanding carotid stents. During a 12 year period, nine of 48 cases with cervical carotid dissections were associated with a tonsillar loop. Five patients required endovascular treatment, which was performed using a microcatheter-based technique with the low-profile Enterprise vascular reconstruction device (Codman Neurovascular, Raynham, MA, USA). Technical, radiographic, and clinical outcomes were analyzed for each patient. Dissection etiology was spontaneous in three patients, iatrogenic in one, and traumatic in one. Four near-occlusive tonsillar loop dissections were successfully recanalized during the acute phase. Dissection-related stenosis improved from 90±22% to 31±13%, with tandem stents needed in three instances to seal the inflow zone. There were no procedure-related transient ischemic attacks (TIA), minor/major strokes, or deaths. Angiographic follow-up for a mean of 28.0±21.6 months showed all stents were patent, with average stenosis of 25.2±12.2%. Focal ovalization and kinking of the closed-cell design was noted at the sharpest curve in one patient. Clinical outcome (follow-up of 28.1±21.5 months) demonstrated overall improvement with no clinical worsening, new TIA, or stroke. Tonsillar loop-associated carotid dissections can be successfully and durably recanalized using the low-profile Enterprise stent with an excellent long-term patency rate and low procedural risk. The possibility of stent kinking and low radial force should be considered when planning reconstruction with this device. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Doctor, where is my iris?

PubMed

Sophocleous, Sophocles

2016-05-05

Phacoemulsification cataract surgery with small clear corneal incision (CCI) is the standard of care for cataract treatment. Self-sealing, clear corneal wounds have been found to be stable and able to withstand high pressures. Nevertheless, there are a few cases published describing patients with previous cataract surgery and manually performed CCI who sustained blunt trauma with associated wound dehiscence, iris disinsertion and expulsion through the wound. The case described here demonstrates an eye that had traumatic aniridia post-blunt trauma, while the intraocular lens and the rest of the ocular structures remained intact. 2016 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

Magnetic Roots and the Driving of Extended Coronal Heating

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Porter, Jason G.; Falconer, D. A.; Moore, Ronald L.; Harvey, Karen L.; Rabin, Douglas M.; Shimizu, T.

1998-01-01

We report results from a continuation of a previous study, in which we found large bright coronal loops within active regions and extending from active regions that have one end rooted near an island of included magnetic polarity that is a site of enhanced coronal heating and microflares. This suggested that magnetic activity such as microflaring results in enhanced heating in both the compact core field around the island and in the large loops extending from it. We might expect that the intensity variations due to enhanced heating in the compact and extended structures would be correlated. However, although some ex- tended loops do respond to the largest events taking place in the core fields near their feet, they do not show a clear response to most smaller individual events nor to the overall envelope of coronal heating activity in the core fields at their feet as determined from longer-term observations. Thus, while it is clear that the extended loops' heating is being driven from their ends at the magnetic islands, much of this heating is apparently by some form of footpoint activity that is not strongly coupled to the heating in the footpoint core fields. One possibility is that the remote heating in the extended loops is driven by reconnection at the magnetic null over the island, and that this reconnection is driven mainly by core-field activity that produces little coronal heating within the core field itself, perhaps in the manner of the numerical simulations by Karpen, Antiochos, and DeVore.

Leaching of mercury from seal carcasses into Antarctic soils.

PubMed

Zvěřina, Ondřej; Coufalík, Pavel; Brat, Kristián; Červenka, Rostislav; Kuta, Jan; Mikeš, Ondřej; Komárek, Josef

2017-01-01

More than 400 seal mummies and skeletons are now mapped in the northern part of James Ross Island, Antarctica. Decomposing carcasses represent a rare source of both organic matter and associated elements for the soil. Owing to their high trophic position, seals are known to carry a significant mercury body burden. This work focuses on the extent of the mercury input from seal carcasses and shows that such carcasses represent locally significant sources of mercury and methylmercury for the environment. Mercury contents in soil samples from the surrounding areas were determined using a single-purpose AAS mercury analyzer. For the determination of methylmercury, an ultra-sensitive isotopic dilution HPLC-ICP-MS technique was used. In the soils lying directly under seal carcasses, mercury contents were higher, with levels reaching almost 40 μg/kg dry weight of which methylmercury formed up to 2.8 % of the total. The spatial distribution implies rather slow vertical transport to the lower soil layers instead of a horizontal spread. For comparison, the background level of mercury in soils of the investigated area was found to be 8 μg/kg dry weight, with methylmercury accounting for less than 0.1 %. Apart from the direct mercury input, an enhanced level of nutrients in the vicinity of carcasses enables the growth of lichens and mosses with accumulative ability with respect to metals. The enhanced capacity of soil to retain mercury is also anticipated due to the high content of total organic carbon (from 1.6 to 7.5 %). According to the results, seal remains represent a clear source of mercury in the observed area.

A calibration loop to test hot-wire response under supercritical conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Radulović, Ivana; Vukoslavčević, P. V.; Wallace, J. M.

2004-11-01

A calibration facility to test the response of hot-wires in CO2 flow under supercritical conditions has been designed and constructed. It is capable of inducing variable speeds at different temperatures and pressures in the ranges of 0.15 - 2 m/s, 15 - 70 deg. C and 1 - 100 bar. The facility is designed as a closed loop with a test section, pump, electrical heater, DC motor and different regulating and measuring devices. The test section is a small tunnel, with a diffuser, honeycomb, screens and a nozzle to provide a uniform flow with a low turbulence level. The speed variation is created by a sealed, magnetic driven gear pump, with a variable rpm DC motor. Using the electrical heater and regulating the amount of CO2 in the facility, the desired temperature and pressure can be reached. The dimensions of the instalation are minimized to reduce the heat, pump power required, and CO2 consumption and to optimize safety. Preliminary testing of a single hot-wire velocity sensor at constant pressure (80 bar) and variable speed and temperature will be briefly described. The hot-wire probes calibrated in this loop will be used to measure turbulence properties in supercritical CO2 in support of improved designs of nuclear reactors to be cooled by supercritical fluids.

The Ndc80 internal loop is required for recruitment of the Ska complex to establish end-on microtubule attachment to kinetochores.

PubMed

Zhang, Gang; Kelstrup, Christian D; Hu, Xiao-Wen; Kaas Hansen, Mathilde J; Singleton, Martin R; Olsen, Jesper V; Nilsson, Jakob

2012-07-01

The Ndc80 complex establishes end-on attachment of kinetochores to microtubules, which is essential for chromosome segregation. The Ndc80 subunit is characterized by an N-terminal region that binds directly to microtubules, and a long coiled-coil region that interacts with Nuf2. A loop region in Ndc80 that generates a kink in the structure disrupts the long coiled-coil region but the exact function of this loop, has until now, not been clear. Here we show that this loop region is essential for end-on attachment of kinetochores to microtubules in human cells. Cells expressing loop mutants of Ndc80 are unable to align the chromosomes, and stable kinetochore fibers are absent. Through quantitative mass spectrometry and immunofluorescence we found that the binding of the spindle and kinetochore associated (Ska) complex depends on the loop region, explaining why end-on attachment is defective. This underscores the importance of the Ndc80 loop region in coordinating chromosome segregation through the recruitment of specific proteins to the kinetochore.

Folding of the natural hammerhead ribozyme is enhanced by interaction of auxiliary elements

PubMed Central

PENEDO, J. CARLOS; WILSON, TIMOTHY J.; JAYASENA, SUMEDHA D.; KHVOROVA, ANASTASIA; LILLEY, DAVID M.J.

2004-01-01

It has been shown that the activity of the hammerhead ribozyme at μM magnesium ion concentrations is markedly increased by the inclusion of loops in helices I and II. We have studied the effect of such loops on the magnesium ion-induced folding of the ribozyme, using fluorescence resonance energy transfer. We find that with the loops in place, folding into the active conformation occurs in a single step, in the μM range of magnesium ion concentration. Disruption of the loop–loop interaction leads to a reversion to two-step folding, with the second stage requiring mM concentrations of magnesium ion. Sodium ions also promote the folding of the natural form of the ribozyme at high concentrations, but the folding occurs as a two-stage process. The loops clearly act as important auxiliary elements in the function of the ribozyme, permitting folding to occur efficiently under physiological conditions. PMID:15100442

Tracheal tube cuff inflation guided by pressure volume loop closure associated with lower postoperative cuff-related complications: Prospective, randomized clinical trial.

PubMed

Almarakbi, Waleed A; Kaki, Abdullah M

2014-07-01

The main function of an endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff is to prevent aspiration. High cuff pressure is usually associated with postoperative complications. We tried to compare cuff inflation guided by pressure volume loop closure (PV-L) with those by just to seal technique (JS) and assess the postoperative incidence of sore throat, cough and hoarseness. In a prospective, randomized clinical trial, 100 patients' tracheas were intubated. In the first group (n = 50), ETT cuff inflation was guided by PV-L, while in the second group (n. = 50) the ETT cuff was inflated using the JS technique. Intracuff pressures and volumes were measured. The incidence of postoperative cuff-related complications was reported. Demographic data and durations of intubation were comparable between the groups. The use of PV-L was associated with a lesser amount of intracuff air [4.05 (3.7-4.5) vs 5 (4.8-5.5), P < 0.001] and lower cuff pressure than those in the JS group [18.25 (18-19) vs 33 (32-35), P ≤ 0.001]. The incidence of postextubation cuff-related complications was significantly less frequent among the PV-L group patients as compared with the JS group patients (P ≤ 0.009), except for hoarseness of voice, which was less frequent among the PV-L group, but not statistically significant (P ≤ 0.065). Multiple regression models for prediction of intra-cuff pressure after intubation and before extubation revealed a statistically significant association with the technique used for cuff inflation (P < 0.0001). The study confirms that PV-L-guided ETT cuff inflation is an effective way to seal the airway and associates with a lower ETT cuff pressure and lower incidence of cuff-related complications.

The effects of pressure on the water permeability of the descending limb of Henle's loops of rabbits.

PubMed

Stoner, L C; Roch-Ramel, F

1979-10-01

Descending limbs of Henle's loops from rabbits were perfused in vitro. Using techniques where the collecting pipets permitted cannulation of the tubule, we were able to maintain reasonable flow rates at lower perfusion reservoir heights than are required with a conventional "Sylgard seal" pipet. The bath was either isosmotic to the perfusate, or was made 300 mOsm hyperosmotic using urea. Net water reabsorption did not occur in tubules perfused at low pressure (average reservoir height = 26 cm H2O) even when the bath was hyperosmotic: delta Jv = -0.06 +/- 0.18 nl/min (n = 7). Observed increases in sodium concentration and osmolality of collected fluid, when the bath was made hyperosmotic, were 16 +/- 8 mM (n - 7) and 254 +/- 38 mOsm (n = 7), respectively. Presumably the large increase in osmolality of the collected fluid was due to entrance of urea. When the "Sylgard seal" collecting end was utilized higher perfusion reservoir heights had to be used to maintain flow (mean height 66 cm H2O). These tubules were highly permeable to water as reported by others for this tubule segment. In the presence of a hyperosmotic bath water extrusion resulted in a dramatic increase in the osmolality of the collected fluid (312 +/- 5 mOsm; 7 tubules) which was almost completely accounted for by an increase in sodium concentration (153 +/- 8 mmole/l; 6 tubules). The 14C urea permeability (measured lumen to bath) of descending limbs in a 300 mOsm bath was 0.64 x 10(-7) cm2 . s-1 +/- 0.23 x 10(-7) (11 tubules). When the bath was made hyperosmotic using urea or raffinose the 14C urea permeability increased significantly.

High-speed wavefront control using MEMS micromirrors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bifano, T. G.; Stewart, J. B.

2005-08-01

Over the past decade, a number of electrostatically-actuated MEMS deformable mirror devices have been used for adaptive control in beam-forming and imaging applications. One architecture that has been widely used is the silicon device developed by Boston University, consisting of a continuous or segmented mirror supported by post attachments to an array of parallel plate electrostatic actuators. MEMS deformable mirrors and segmented mirrors with up to 1024 of these actuators have been used in open loop and closed loop control systems to control wavefront errors. Frame rates as high as 11kHz have been demonstrated. Mechanically, the actuators used in this device exhibit a first-mode resonant frequency that is in the range of many tens of kilohertz up to a few hundred kilohertz. Viscous air damping has been found to limit operation at such high frequencies in air at standard pressure. Some applications in high-speed tracking and beam-forming could benefit from increased speed. In this paper, several approaches to achieving critically-damped performance with such MEMS DMs are detailed, and theoretical and experimental results are presented. One approach is to seal the MEMS DM in a full or partial vacuum environment, thereby affecting air damping. After vacuum sealing the device's predicted resonant behavior at tens of kilohertz was observed. In vacuum, the actuator's intrinsic material damping is quite small, resulting in considerable oscillation in step response. To alleviate this problem, a two-step actuation algorithm was employed. Precise control of a single actuator frequencies up to 100kHz without overshoot was demonstrated using this approach. Another approach to increasing actuation speed was to design actuators that reduce air damping effects. This is also demonstrated in the paper.

California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) and Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina richardii) Bites and Contact Abrasions in Open-Water Swimmers: A Series of 11 Cases.

PubMed

Nuckton, Thomas J; Simeone, Claire A; Phelps, Roger T

2015-12-01

To review cases of bites and contact abrasions in open-water swimmers from California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) and harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii). Open-water swimmers from a San Francisco swimming club were questioned about encounters with pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) that resulted in bites or contact abrasions. When possible, wounds were documented with photographs. Medical follow-up and treatment complications were also reviewed. From October 2011 to December 2014, 11 swimmers reported bites by a sea lion (n = 1), harbor seal (n = 7), or unidentified pinniped (n = 3). Ten of the encounters occurred in San Francisco Bay; 1 occurred in the Eld Inlet, in Puget Sound, near Olympia, WA. None of the swimmers were wearing wetsuits. All bites involved the lower extremities; skin was broken in 4 of 11 bites and antibiotics were prescribed in 3 cases. One swimmer, who was bitten by a harbor seal, also had claw scratches. A treatment failure occurred with amoxicillin/clavulanate in another swimmer who was bitten by an unidentified pinniped; the wound healed subsequently with doxycycline, suggesting an infection with Mycoplasma spp. There were no long-lasting consequences from any of the bites. The majority of cases occurred at low tide, and bumping of the swimmer by the animal before or after a bite was common, but no clear tide or attack pattern was identified. Bites and contact abrasions from sea lions and harbor seals are reported infrequently in open-water swimmers and typically involve the lower extremities. Because of the risk of Mycoplasma infection, treatment with a tetracycline is recommended in pinniped bites with signs of infection or serious trauma. Attempting to touch or pet sea lions or seals is inadvisable and prohibited by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Swimmers should leave the water as soon as possible after a bite or encounter. Copyright © 2015 Wilderness Medical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Characterization of Fast-Scan Cyclic Voltammetric Electrodes Using Paraffin as an Effective Sealant with In Vitro and In Vivo Applications.

PubMed

Ramsson, Eric S; Cholger, Daniel; Dionise, Albert; Poirier, Nicholas; Andrus, Avery; Curtiss, Randi

2015-01-01

Fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) is a powerful technique for measuring sub-second changes in neurotransmitter levels. A great time-limiting factor in the use of FSCV is the production of high-quality recording electrodes; common recording electrodes consist of cylindrical carbon fiber encased in borosilicate glass. When the borosilicate is heated and pulled, the molten glass ideally forms a tight seal around the carbon fiber cylinder. It is often difficult, however, to guarantee a perfect seal between the glass and carbon. Indeed, much of the time spent creating electrodes is in an effort to find a good seal. Even though epoxy resins can be useful in this regard, they are irreversible (seals are permanent), wasteful (epoxy cannot be reused once hardener is added), hazardous (hardeners are often caustic), and require curing. Herein we characterize paraffin as an electrode sealant for FSCV microelectrodes. Paraffin boasts the advantages of near-immediate curing times, simplicity in use, long shelf-life and stable waterproof seals capable of withstanding extended cycling. Borosilicate electrode tips were left intact or broken and dipped in paraffin embedding wax. Excess wax was removed from the carbon surface with xyelenes or by repeated cycling at an extended waveform (-0.4 to 1.4V, 400 V/s, 60 Hz). Then, the waveform was switched to a standard waveform (-0.4 to 1.3V, 400 V/s, 10 Hz) and cycled until stable. Wax-sealing does not inhibit electrode sensitivity, as electrodes detected linear changes in dopamine before and after wax (then xylenes) exposure. Paraffin seals are intact after 11 days of implantation in the mouse, and still capable of measuring transient changes in in vivo dopamine. From this it is clear that paraffin wax is an effective sealant for FSCV electrodes that provides a convenient substitute to epoxy sealants.

Characterization of Fast-Scan Cyclic Voltammetric Electrodes Using Paraffin as an Effective Sealant with In Vitro and In Vivo Applications

PubMed Central

Ramsson, Eric S.; Cholger, Daniel; Dionise, Albert; Poirier, Nicholas; Andrus, Avery; Curtiss, Randi

2015-01-01

Fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) is a powerful technique for measuring sub-second changes in neurotransmitter levels. A great time-limiting factor in the use of FSCV is the production of high-quality recording electrodes; common recording electrodes consist of cylindrical carbon fiber encased in borosilicate glass. When the borosilicate is heated and pulled, the molten glass ideally forms a tight seal around the carbon fiber cylinder. It is often difficult, however, to guarantee a perfect seal between the glass and carbon. Indeed, much of the time spent creating electrodes is in an effort to find a good seal. Even though epoxy resins can be useful in this regard, they are irreversible (seals are permanent), wasteful (epoxy cannot be reused once hardener is added), hazardous (hardeners are often caustic), and require curing. Herein we characterize paraffin as an electrode sealant for FSCV microelectrodes. Paraffin boasts the advantages of near-immediate curing times, simplicity in use, long shelf-life and stable waterproof seals capable of withstanding extended cycling. Borosilicate electrode tips were left intact or broken and dipped in paraffin embedding wax. Excess wax was removed from the carbon surface with xyelenes or by repeated cycling at an extended waveform (-0.4 to 1.4V, 400 V/s, 60 Hz). Then, the waveform was switched to a standard waveform (-0.4 to 1.3V, 400 V/s, 10 Hz) and cycled until stable. Wax-sealing does not inhibit electrode sensitivity, as electrodes detected linear changes in dopamine before and after wax (then xylenes) exposure. Paraffin seals are intact after 11 days of implantation in the mouse, and still capable of measuring transient changes in in vivo dopamine. From this it is clear that paraffin wax is an effective sealant for FSCV electrodes that provides a convenient substitute to epoxy sealants. PMID:26505195

Clearing the Air: New Approaches to Life Support in Outer Space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Knox, J.; Howard, D.

2008-01-01

This article reports on research into atmospheric revitalization systems for long-term space travel and the use ofCOMSOL Multiphysics to understand how structured sorbents can be used to improve the performance of adsorption processes via thermal management. We are developing the next generation of atmosphere revitalization systems, which will reach for new levels of resource conservation via a high percentage of loop closure. For example, a high percentage of carbon dioxide, exhaled by crew, can be converted via reaction to drinking water, closing the loop from human metabolic waste to supply. Adsorption processes play a lead role in these new/closed loop systems.

75 FR 17382 - Small Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Russian River Estuary Water...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-06

..., but not limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering [Level B... management events require the use of heavy equipment (e.g., bulldozers, excavators) on Goat Rock State Beach.... Hence, this data clearly show the actions of the Agency are resulting in more seals hauling out on Goat...

39 CFR 3007.10 - Submission of non-public materials under seal.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... available PC application. Each page of any paper hard copy non-public materials submitted shall be clearly... both public and non-public information. For example, the Postal Service may not identify a whole page or a whole table as non-public materials if the page or table contains both public and non-public...

39 CFR 3007.10 - Submission of non-public materials under seal.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... available PC application. Each page of any paper hard copy non-public materials submitted shall be clearly... both public and non-public information. For example, the Postal Service may not identify a whole page or a whole table as non-public materials if the page or table contains both public and non-public...

39 CFR 3007.10 - Submission of non-public materials under seal.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... available PC application. Each page of any paper hard copy non-public materials submitted shall be clearly... both public and non-public information. For example, the Postal Service may not identify a whole page or a whole table as non-public materials if the page or table contains both public and non-public...

RtcB is the RNA ligase component of an Escherichia coli RNA repair operon.

PubMed

Tanaka, Naoko; Shuman, Stewart

2011-03-11

RNA 2',3'-cyclic phosphate ends play important roles in RNA metabolism as substrates for RNA ligases during tRNA restriction-repair and tRNA splicing. Diverse bacteria from multiple phyla encode a two-component RNA repair cassette, comprising Pnkp (polynucleotide kinase-phosphatase-ligase) and Hen1 (RNA 3'-terminal ribose 2'-O-methyltransferase), that heals and then seals broken tRNAs with 2',3'-cyclic phosphate and 5'-OH ends. The Pnkp-Hen1 repair operon is absent in the majority of bacterial species, thereby raising the prospect that other RNA repair systems might be extant. A candidate component is RNA 3'-phosphate cyclase, a widely distributed enzyme that transforms RNA 3'-monophosphate termini into 2',3'-cyclic phosphates but cannot seal the ends it produces. Escherichia coli RNA cyclase (RtcA) is encoded in a σ(54)-regulated operon with RtcB, a protein of unknown function. Taking a cue from Pnkp-Hen1, we purified E. coli RtcB and tested it for RNA ligase activity. We report that RtcB per se seals broken tRNA-like stem-loop structures with 2',3'-cyclic phosphate and 5'-OH ends to form a splice junction with a 2'-OH, 3',5'-phosphodiester. We speculate that: (i) RtcB might afford bacteria a means to recover from stress-induced RNA damage; and (ii) RtcB homologs might catalyze tRNA repair or splicing reactions in archaea and eukarya.

Impact of induced seismic events on seal integrity, Texas Gulf Coast

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nicot, Jean-Philippe; Meckel, Timothy A.; Carr, David A.

Recent publications have suggested that large-scale CO 2 injection could trigger earthquakes and that even small- to moderate-sized earthquakes may threaten the seal integrity of the injection zone, and potentially damage buildings and other surface structures. In this study, we compared seal thickness to estimated fault displacement due to a single hypothetical seismic event in a selected area of the Texas Gulf Coast comprising an offshore strip of state waters along two Texas counties. To evaluate the slip generated by a single seismic event, we compiled well log information on shale/sand sequences and seismic information on fault geometric characteristics ofmore » a section of Lower Miocene age. The section is thousands of feet thick and is overlain and underlain by marine shales (Amph. B and Anahuac, respectively) that are relatively easy to correlate between wells. The Amph. B. shale is the secondary and ultimate seal for all injection intervals in the Lower Miocene. Given its thickness, no realistic seismic event or small series of seismic events will offset it significantly. However, this may not be true of smaller local primary seals. An analysis of geophysical logs of a total of 71 wells yielded a total of 2,871 sand / shale binary intervals. An analysis of the dedicated 3D seismic survey counted 723 fault traces at five roughly horizontal horizons within the Lower Miocene Fault displacement estimated using the product of the fault length times an uncertain multiplier coefficient assumed to follow a triangular distribution with a 10 -3 to 10 -5 range and a mode of 8 × 10 -5. We then compared estimated single-event fault displacements to seal thicknesses by means of a Monte-Carlo analysis. Only 1.8% of thickness/displacement pairs display a displacement greater than 20% of the seal thickness. Only 0.26% of the pairs result in a displacement of half the seal thickness and only 0.05% of thickness/displacement pairs result in a clear seal rupture. The next step was to compare the magnitude of the event generated by such a displacement to documented magnitudes of “large” earthquakes generated by waterflooding and fluid disposal. Based on this analysis, we conclude that seismicity that may arise from CO 2 injection appears not to be a serious complication for CO 2 storage integrity, at least in the Gulf Coast area.« less

Impact of induced seismic events on seal integrity, Texas Gulf Coast

DOE PAGES

Nicot, Jean-Philippe; Meckel, Timothy A.; Carr, David A.; ...

2014-12-31

Recent publications have suggested that large-scale CO 2 injection could trigger earthquakes and that even small- to moderate-sized earthquakes may threaten the seal integrity of the injection zone, and potentially damage buildings and other surface structures. In this study, we compared seal thickness to estimated fault displacement due to a single hypothetical seismic event in a selected area of the Texas Gulf Coast comprising an offshore strip of state waters along two Texas counties. To evaluate the slip generated by a single seismic event, we compiled well log information on shale/sand sequences and seismic information on fault geometric characteristics ofmore » a section of Lower Miocene age. The section is thousands of feet thick and is overlain and underlain by marine shales (Amph. B and Anahuac, respectively) that are relatively easy to correlate between wells. The Amph. B. shale is the secondary and ultimate seal for all injection intervals in the Lower Miocene. Given its thickness, no realistic seismic event or small series of seismic events will offset it significantly. However, this may not be true of smaller local primary seals. An analysis of geophysical logs of a total of 71 wells yielded a total of 2,871 sand / shale binary intervals. An analysis of the dedicated 3D seismic survey counted 723 fault traces at five roughly horizontal horizons within the Lower Miocene Fault displacement estimated using the product of the fault length times an uncertain multiplier coefficient assumed to follow a triangular distribution with a 10 -3 to 10 -5 range and a mode of 8 × 10 -5. We then compared estimated single-event fault displacements to seal thicknesses by means of a Monte-Carlo analysis. Only 1.8% of thickness/displacement pairs display a displacement greater than 20% of the seal thickness. Only 0.26% of the pairs result in a displacement of half the seal thickness and only 0.05% of thickness/displacement pairs result in a clear seal rupture. The next step was to compare the magnitude of the event generated by such a displacement to documented magnitudes of “large” earthquakes generated by waterflooding and fluid disposal. Based on this analysis, we conclude that seismicity that may arise from CO 2 injection appears not to be a serious complication for CO 2 storage integrity, at least in the Gulf Coast area.« less

Finding the Cold Needle in a Warm Haystack: Infrared Imaging Applied to Locating Cryo-cooled Crystals in Loops

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Snell, Edward; vanderWoerd, Mark

2003-01-01

Thermally imaging the cryocooling processes of crystals has been demonstrated showing the progression of a cold wave through a crystal from the face closest to the origin of the coldstream ending at the point furthest away. During these studies large volume crystals were clearly distinguished from the loop holding them. Large volume crystals, used for neutron studies, were chosen deliberately to enhance the imaging. The different infrared transmission and reflectance properties of the crystal in comparison to the cryo-protectant are thought to be the parameter that produces the contrast making the crystal visible. As an application of the technology to locating crystals, more small crystals of lysozyme and a bFGF/dna complex were cryo-protected and imaged in large loops. The crystals were clearly distinguished from the vitrified solution. In the case of the bFGF/dna complex the illumination had to be carefully manipulated to enable the crystal to be seen in the visible spectrum. These preliminary results will be presented along with advantages and disadvantages of the technique and a discussion of how it might be applied.

High-sensitivity temperature sensor based on highly-birefringent microfiber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Li-Peng; Li, Jie; Jin, Long; Gao, Shuai; Tian, Zhuang; Ran, Yang; Guan, Bai-Ou

2013-09-01

We demonstrate an ultrasensitive temperature sensor by sealing a highly-birefringent microfiber into an alcoholinfiltrated copper capillary. With a Sagnac loop configuration, the interferometric spectrum is strongly dependent on the external refractive index (RI) with sensitivity of 36800nm/RIU around RI=1.356. As mainly derived from the ultrahigh RI sensitivity, the temperature response can reach as high as -14.72 nm/°C in the range of 30.9-36.9 °C. The measured response time is ~8s, as determined by the heat-conducting characteristic of the device and the diameter of the copper capillary. Our sensor is featured with low cost, easy fabrication and robustness.

[Magnetic closure for ileostomy (author's transl)].

PubMed

Loygue, J; Salmon, R; Bloch, P

1980-09-20

The Maclet magnetic stoma seal already used by the authors for colostomies was applied to the closure of permanent terminal ileostomies. A reservoir is constructed upstreams of the closure with the last loop of ileum, so that the faeces accumulate and can be evacuated by intermittence. Patients empty the reservoir by removing the cap which blocks the intestinal lumen and introducing a probe into it. The technique was used on 2 patients who had undergone total proctocolectomy for familial polyposis of the colon. One patient has now been followed up for 3 years and the other for 6 months. The perfect continence obtained by this method favourably compares with Kock's continent ileostomy.

An open-structure sound insulator against low-frequency and wide-band acoustic waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Zhe; Fan, Li; Zhang, Shu-yi; Zhang, Hui; Li, Xiao-juan; Ding, Jin

2015-10-01

To block sound, i.e., the vibration of air, most insulators are based on sealed structures and prevent the flow of the air. In this research, an acoustic metamaterial adopting side structures, loops, and labyrinths, arranged along a main tube, is presented. By combining the accurately designed side structures, an extremely wide forbidden band with a low cut-off frequency of 80 Hz is produced, which demonstrates a powerful low-frequency and wide-band sound insulation ability. Moreover, by virtue of the bypass arrangement, the metamaterial is based on an open structure, and thus air flow is allowed while acoustic waves can be insulated.

Comparison of mandibular first molar mesial root canal morphology using micro-computed tomography and clearing technique.

PubMed

Kim, Yeun; Perinpanayagam, Hiran; Lee, Jong-Ki; Yoo, Yeon-Jee; Oh, Soram; Gu, Yu; Lee, Seung-Pyo; Chang, Seok Woo; Lee, Woocheol; Baek, Seung-Ho; Zhu, Qiang; Kum, Kee-Yeon

2015-08-01

Micro-computed tomography (MCT) with alternative image reformatting techniques shows complex and detailed root canal anatomy. This study compared two-dimensional (2D) and 3D MCT image reformatting with standard tooth clearing for studying mandibular first molar mesial root canal morphology. Extracted human mandibular first molar mesial roots (n=31) were scanned by MCT (Skyscan 1172). 2D thin-slab minimum intensity projection (TS-MinIP) and 3D volume rendered images were constructed. The same teeth were then processed by clearing and staining. For each root, images obtained from clearing, 2D, 3D and combined 2D and 3D techniques were examined independently by four endodontists and categorized according to Vertucci's classification. Fine anatomical structures such as accessory canals, intercanal communications and loops were also identified. Agreement among the four techniques for Vertucci's classification was 45.2% (14/31). The most frequent were Vertucci's type IV and then type II, although many had complex configurations that were non-classifiable. Generally, complex canal systems were more clearly visible in MCT images than with standard clearing and staining. Fine anatomical structures such as intercanal communications, accessory canals and loops were mostly detected with a combination of 2D TS-MinIP and 3D volume-rendering MCT images. Canal configurations and fine anatomic structures were more clearly observed in the combined 2D and 3D MCT images than the clearing technique. The frequency of non-classifiable configurations demonstrated the complexity of mandibular first molar mesial root canal anatomy.

One hundred cases of laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy using the PK and Lap Loop systems.

PubMed

Erian, John; El-Toukhy, Tarek; Chandakas, Stefanos; Theodoridis, Theo; Hill, Nicholas

2005-01-01

To evaluate the safety and short-term outcomes of laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy using the PK and Lap Loop systems. Prospective observational study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Princess Royal University and Chelsfield Park Hospitals, Kent, UK. One hundred women who underwent laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy for menorrhagia from February 2003 through July 2004. The procedure was performed using the Plasma Kinetic (PK) system to seal the vascular pedicles and the Lap Loop system to separate the uterus at the level of the internal os. The uterus was removed from the abdominal cavity mainly by morcellation or posterior colpotomy. Of 100 patients, 59 were operated on as outpatients. Mean patient age was 44.6 years, median parity was 2, mean body mass index was 26.8, and mean duration of symptoms was 4 years. Clinically, the uterus was enlarged in 70 patients, and preoperative ultrasound scanning suggested the presence of uterine myomas in 42 patients. In addition to hysterectomy, 47 patients had concomitant pelvic surgery. The mean total operating time was 45.5 minutes, and mean estimated blood loss was 114 mL. The overall major complication rate was 2%; two patients required blood transfusion after surgery. There were no bowel or urinary tract injuries, unintended laparotomy, return to operating room, or anesthetic complications. At follow-up, all patients were satisfied with surgery. Laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy using the PK and Lap Loop systems for treatment of therapy-resistant menorrhagia is safe, can be performed as an outpatient procedure, and is associated with reduced operating time and high patient satisfaction.

Explaining Warm Coronal Loops

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Klimchuk, James A.; Karpen, Judy T.; Patsourakos, Spiros

2008-01-01

One of the great mysteries of coronal physics that has come to light in the last few years is the discovery that warn (- 1 INK) coronal loops are much denser than expected for quasi-static equilibrium. Both the excess densities and relatively long lifetimes of the loops can be explained with bundles of unresolved strands that are heated impulsively to very high temperatures. Since neighboring strands are at different stages of cooling, the composite loop bundle is multi-thermal, with the distribution of temperatures depending on the details of the "nanoflare storm." Emission hotter than 2 MK is predicted, but it is not clear that such emission is always observed. We consider two possible explanations for the existence of over-dense warm loops without corresponding hot emission: (1) loops are bundles of nanoflare heated strands, but a significant fraction of the nanoflare energy takes the form of a nonthermal electron beam rather then direct plasma heating; (2) loops are bundles of strands that undergo thermal nonequilibrium that results when steady heating is sufficiently concentrated near the footpoints. We present numerical hydro simulations of both of these possibilities and explore the observational consequences, including the production of hard X-ray emission and absorption by cool material in the corona.

Dislocation dynamics simulations of interactions between gliding dislocations and radiation induced prismatic loops in zirconium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Drouet, Julie; Dupuy, Laurent; Onimus, Fabien; Mompiou, Frédéric; Perusin, Simon; Ambard, Antoine

2014-06-01

The mechanical behavior of Pressurized Water Reactor fuel cladding tubes made of zirconium alloys is strongly affected by neutron irradiation due to the high density of radiation induced dislocation loops. In order to investigate the interaction mechanisms between gliding dislocations and loops in zirconium, a new nodal dislocation dynamics code, adapted to Hexagonal Close Packed metals, has been used. Various configurations have been systematically computed considering different glide planes, basal or prismatic, and different characters, edge or screw, for gliding dislocations with -type Burgers vectors. Simulations show various interaction mechanisms such as (i) absorption of a loop on an edge dislocation leading to the formation of a double super-jog, (ii) creation of a helical turn, on a screw dislocation, that acts as a strong pinning point or (iii) sweeping of a loop by a gliding dislocation. It is shown that the clearing of loops is more favorable when the dislocation glides in the basal plane than in the prismatic plane explaining the easy dislocation channeling in the basal plane observed after neutron irradiation by transmission electron microscopy.

An ATR-dependent function for the Ddx19 RNA helicase in nuclear R-loop metabolism.

PubMed

Hodroj, Dana; Recolin, Bénédicte; Serhal, Kamar; Martinez, Susan; Tsanov, Nikolay; Abou Merhi, Raghida; Maiorano, Domenico

2017-05-02

Coordination between transcription and replication is crucial in the maintenance of genome integrity. Disturbance of these processes leads to accumulation of aberrant DNA:RNA hybrids (R-loops) that, if unresolved, generate DNA damage and genomic instability. Here we report a novel, unexpected role for the nucleopore-associated mRNA export factor Ddx19 in removing nuclear R-loops formed upon replication stress or DNA damage. We show, in live cells, that Ddx19 transiently relocalizes from the nucleopore to the nucleus upon DNA damage, in an ATR/Chk1-dependent manner, and that Ddx19 nuclear relocalization is required to clear R-loops. Ddx19 depletion induces R-loop accumulation, proliferation-dependent DNA damage and defects in replication fork progression. Further, we show that Ddx19 resolves R-loops in vitro via its helicase activity. Furthermore, mutation of a residue phosphorylated by Chk1 in Ddx19 disrupts its interaction with Nup214 and allows its nuclear relocalization. Finally, we show that Ddx19 operates in resolving R-loops independently of the RNA helicase senataxin. Altogether these observations put forward a novel, ATR-dependent function for Ddx19 in R-loop metabolism to preserve genome integrity in mammalian cells. © 2017 The Authors.

Formation of chromosomal domains in interphase by loop extrusion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fudenberg, Geoffrey

While genomes are often considered as one-dimensional sequences, interphase chromosomes are organized in three dimensions with an essential role for regulating gene expression. Recent studies have shown that Topologically Associating Domains (TADs) are fundamental structural and functional building blocks of human interphase chromosomes. Despite observations that architectural proteins, including CTCF, demarcate and maintain the borders of TADs, the mechanisms underlying TAD formation remain unknown. Here we propose that loop extrusion underlies the formation TADs. In this process, cis-acting loop-extruding factors, likely cohesins, form progressively larger loops, but stall at TAD boundaries due to interactions with boundary proteins, including CTCF. This process dynamically forms loops of various sizes within but not between TADs. Using polymer simulations, we find that loop extrusion can produce TADs as determined by our analyses of the highest-resolution experimental data. Moreover, we find that loop extrusion can explain many diverse experimental observations, including: the preferential orientation of CTCF motifs and enrichments of architectural proteins at TAD boundaries; TAD boundary deletion experiments; and experiments with knockdown or depletion of CTCF, cohesin, and cohesin-loading factors. Together, the emerging picture from our work is that TADs are formed by rapidly associating, growing, and dissociating loops, presenting a clear framework for understanding interphase chromosomal organization.

Atomistic study of the hardening of ferritic iron by Ni-Cr decorated dislocation loops

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonny, G.; Bakaev, A.; Terentyev, D.; Zhurkin, E.; Posselt, M.

2018-01-01

The exact nature of the radiation defects causing hardening in reactor structural steels consists of several components that are not yet clearly determined. While generally, the hardening is attributed to dislocation loops, voids and secondary phases (radiation-induced precipitates), recent advanced experimental and computational studies point to the importance of solute-rich clusters (SRCs). Depending on the exact composition of the steel, SRCs may contain Mn, Ni and Cu (e.g. in reactor pressure vessel steels) or Ni, Cr, Si, Mn (e.g. in high-chromium steels for generation IV and fusion applications). One of the hypotheses currently implied to explain their formation is the process of radiation-induced diffusion and segregation of these elements to small dislocation loops (heterogeneous nucleation), so that the distinction between SRCs and loops becomes somewhat blurred. In this work, we perform an atomistic study to investigate the enrichment of loops by Ni and Cr solutes and their interaction with an edge dislocation. The dislocation loops decorated with Ni and Cr solutes are obtained by Monte Carlo simulations, while the effect of solute segregation on the loop's strength and interaction mechanism is then addressed by large scale molecular dynamics simulations. The synergy of the Cr-Ni interaction and their competition to occupy positions in the dislocation loop core are specifically clarified.

FINE STRUCTURES AND OVERLYING LOOPS OF CONFINED SOLAR FLARES

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yang, Shuhong; Zhang, Jun; Xiang, Yongyuan, E-mail: shuhongyang@nao.cas.cn

2014-10-01

Using the Hα observations from the New Vacuum Solar Telescope at the Fuxian Solar Observatory, we focus on the fine structures of three confined flares and the issue why all the three flares are confined instead of eruptive. All the three confined flares take place successively at the same location and have similar morphologies, so can be termed homologous confined flares. In the simultaneous images obtained by the Solar Dynamics Observatory, many large-scale coronal loops above the confined flares are clearly observed in multi-wavelengths. At the pre-flare stage, two dipoles emerge near the negative sunspot, and the dipolar patches aremore » connected by small loops appearing as arch-shaped Hα fibrils. There exists a reconnection between the small loops, and thus the Hα fibrils change their configuration. The reconnection also occurs between a set of emerging Hα fibrils and a set of pre-existing large loops, which are rooted in the negative sunspot, a nearby positive patch, and some remote positive faculae, forming a typical three-legged structure. During the flare processes, the overlying loops, some of which are tracked by activated dark materials, do not break out. These direct observations may illustrate the physical mechanism of confined flares, i.e., magnetic reconnection between the emerging loops and the pre-existing loops triggers flares and the overlying loops prevent the flares from being eruptive.« less

Hot Views on Cold Crystals: The Application of Thermal Imaging in Cryo-crystallography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Snell, E. H.; vanderWoerd, M. J.; Deacon, A.

2003-01-01

In the past we have used thermal imaging techniques to visualize the cryocooling processes of macromolecular crystals. From these images it was clear that a cold wave progresses through a crystal starting at the face closest to the origin of the cold stream and ending at the point furthest away. During these studies we used large volume crystals, which were clearly distinguished from the loop holding them. These large crystals, originally grown for neutron diffraction studies, were chosen deliberately to enhance the imaging. As an extension to this work, we present used thermal imaging to study small crystals, held in a cryo-loop, in the presence of vitrified mother liquor. The different infrared transmission and reflectance properties of the crystal in comparison to the mother liquor surrounding it are thought to be the parameter that produces the contrast that makes the crystal visible. An application of this technology may be the determination of the exact location of small crystals in a cryo-loop. Data from initial tests in support of application development was recorded for lysozyme crystals and for bFGF/dna complex crystals, which were cryo-cooled and imaged in large loops, both with visible light and with infrared radiation. The crystals were clearly distinguished from the vitrified solution in the infrared spectrum, while in the case of the bFGF/dna complex the illumination had to be carefully manipulated to make the crystal visible in the visible spectrum. These results suggest that the thermal imaging may be more sensitive than visual imaging for automated location of small crystals. However, further work on small crystals robotically mounted at SSRL did not clearly visualize those crystals. The depth of field of the camera proved to be limiting and a different cooling geometry was used, compared to the previous, successful experiments. Analysis to exploit multiple images to improve depth of field and experimental work to understand cooling geometry effects is ongoing. These results will be presented along with advantages and disadvantages of the technique and a discussion of how it might be applied.

Hot Stuff? Thermal Imaging Applied to Cryocrystallography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Snell, E. H.

2004-01-01

In the past we have used thermal imaging techniques to visualize the cryocooling processes of macromolecular crystals. From these images it was clear that a cold wave progresses through a crystal starting at the face closest to the origin of the cold stream and ending at the point furthest away. During these studies we used large volume crystals, which were clearly distinguished fiom the loop holding them. These large crystals, originally grown for neutron diffiaction studies, were chosen deliberately to enhance the imaging. As an extension to this work, we present used thermal imaging to study small crystals, held in a cryo-loop, in the presence of vitrified mother liquor. The different d a r e d transmission and reflectance properties of the crystal in comparison to the mother liquor surrounding it are thought to be the parameter that produces the contrast that makes the crystal visible. An application of this technology may be the determination of the exact location of small crystals in a cryo-loop. Data fkom initial tests in support of application development was recorded for lysozyme crystals and for bFGF/dna complex crystals, which were cryocooled and imaged in large loops, both with visible light mad with h i k e d rdi&tion. The crystals were clearly distinguished from the vitrified solution in the infiared spectrum, while in the case of the bFGF/dna complex the illumination had to be carefully manipulated to make the crystal visible in the visible spectrum. These results suggest that the thermal imaging may be more sensitive than visual imaging for automated location of small crystals. However, further work on small crystals robotically mounted at SSRL did not clearly visualize those crystals. The depth of field of the camera proved to be limiting and a different cooling geometry was used, compared to the previous, successful experiments. Analysis to exploit multiple images to improve depth of field and experimental work to understand cooling geometry effects is ongoing. These results will be presented along with advantages and disadvantages of the technique and a discussion of how it might be applied.

Hot Views on Cold Crystals: The Application of Thermal Imaging in Cryocrystallography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Snell, Eddie H.

2003-01-01

In the past we have used thermal imaging techniques to visualize the cryocooling processes of macromolecular crystals. From these images it was clear that a cold wave progresses through a crystal starting at the face closest to the origin of the cold stream and ending at the point furthest away. During these studies we used large volume crystals, which were clearly distinguished from the loop holding them. These large crystals, originally grown for neutron diffraction studies, were chosen deliberately to enhance the imaging. As an extension to this work, we used thermal imaging to study small crystals, held in a cryo- loop, in the presence of vitrified mother liquor. The different infrared transmission and reflectance properties of the crystal in comparison to the mother liquor surrounding it are thought to be the parameter that produces the contrast that makes the crystal visible. An application of this technology may be the determination of the exact location of small crystals in a cryo-loop. Data from initial tests in support of application development was recorded for lysozyme crystals and for bFGF/dna complex crystals, which were cryo-cooled and imaged in large loops, both with visible light and with infrared radiation. The crystals were clearly distinguished from the vitrified solution in the infrared spectrum, while in the case of the bFGF/dna complex the illumination had to be carefully manipulated to make the crystal visible in the visible spectrum. These results suggest that the thermal imaging may be more sensitive than visual imaging for automated location of small crystals. However, further work on small crystals robotically mounted at SSRL did not clearly visualize those crystals. The depth of field of the camera proved to be limiting and a different cooling geometry was used, compared to the previous, successful experiments. Analysis to exploit multiple images to improve depth of field and experimental work to understand cooling geometry effects is ongoing. These results will be presented along with advantages and disadvantages of the technique and a discussion of how it might be applied .

Head-to-cervix force: an important physiological variable in labour. 1. The temporal relation between head-to-cervix force and intrauterine pressure during labour.

PubMed

Allman, A C; Genevier, E S; Johnson, M R; Steer, P J

1996-08-01

To investigate the relation between the rise in intrauterine pressure and rise in fetal head to cervix force in normal, slow and induced labour. Prospective observational study. The labour ward of a London teaching hospital. Forty patients were recruited from the antenatal clinic and labour ward of a West London Hospital. Five had normal onset and progression of labour, 14 had slow progression of labour and 21 had induced onset of labour. Intrauterine pressure and head-to-cervix force was measured simultaneously using an intrauterine pressure catheter and a specially designed four sensor head-to-cervix force probe. For each contraction of each labour, scattergrams of force by pressure were plotted. Three patterns were observed. When the rise in pressure preceded the rise in force, a positive 'loop' was generated. When the rise in pressure and force occurred simultaneously a linear pattern was generated (a neutral 'loop'). When the rise in pressure lags the rise in force, a negative 'loop' was generated. In normally progressive labour the distribution of loops was 29.1%, 22.6% and 48.3%, respectively, in slow labour the distribution was 26.1%, 14.1% and 59.8% and in induced labour the distribution was 33.8%, 14.4% and 51.8%. These distributions were not statistically different. However, a higher proportion of negative loops was observed in labours augmented with oxytocin compared to those receiving no oxytocin (MW-U = 87, P = 0.036). No differences were observed comparing parity, use of PGE2, epidural analgesia, or mode of delivery. Contraction frequency (number/10 minutes) was inversely correlated to the percentage of negative loops (rs = -0.34, P = 0.033) and positively correlated with percentage of positive loops (rs = 0.36, P = 0.027). This is the first report of the temporal relation between intrauterine pressure and head-to-cervix force in labour. The most common pattern is that the rise in pressure lags the rise in force, suggesting that a seal has to be created between the fetal head and cervix before a rise in pressure can occur. When oxytocin is given in labour, a higher proportion of loops are negative indicating that there is poor application of the fetal head and cervix in a greater proportion of contractions.

Improved insect emergence trap for stream community population sampling

Treesearch

Eric. H. LaGasa; Stamford D. Smith

1978-01-01

A sealed-edge pyramidal trap to sample total insectemergence from a segment of a small stream has been designed and tested in northeastern Oregon. The trap is approximately 10 by 10 feet at the base, and is constructed of wood, clear plastic, and galvanized screening. It is efficient and readily used, and can yield significant data on seasonal population changes and on...

Enzyme-adenylate structure of a bacterial ATP-dependent DNA ligase with a minimized DNA-binding surface.

PubMed

Williamson, Adele; Rothweiler, Ulli; Leiros, Hanna Kirsti Schrøder

2014-11-01

DNA ligases are a structurally diverse class of enzymes which share a common catalytic core and seal breaks in the phosphodiester backbone of double-stranded DNA via an adenylated intermediate. Here, the structure and activity of a recombinantly produced ATP-dependent DNA ligase from the bacterium Psychromonas sp. strain SP041 is described. This minimal-type ligase, like its close homologues, is able to ligate singly nicked double-stranded DNA with high efficiency and to join cohesive-ended and blunt-ended substrates to a more limited extent. The 1.65 Å resolution crystal structure of the enzyme-adenylate complex reveals no unstructured loops or segments, and suggests that this enzyme binds the DNA without requiring full encirclement of the DNA duplex. This is in contrast to previously characterized minimal DNA ligases from viruses, which use flexible loop regions for DNA interaction. The Psychromonas sp. enzyme is the first structure available for the minimal type of bacterial DNA ligases and is the smallest DNA ligase to be crystallized to date.

Concentration by centrifugation for gas exchange EPR oximetry measurements with loop-gap resonators.

PubMed

Subczynski, Witold K; Felix, Christopher C; Klug, Candice S; Hyde, James S

2005-10-01

Measurement of the bimolecular collision rate between a spin label and oxygen is conveniently carried out using a gas permeable plastic sample tube of small diameter that fits a loop-gap resonator. It is often desirable to concentrate the sample by centrifugation in order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), but the deformable nature of small plastic sample tubes presents technical problems. Solutions to these problems are described. Two geometries were considered: (i) a methylpentene polymer, TPX, from Mitsui Chemicals, at X-band and (ii) Teflon tubing with 0.075 mm wall thickness at Q-band. Sample holders were fabricated from Delrin that fit the Eppendorf microcentrifuge tubes and support the sample capillaries. For TPX, pressure of the sealant at the end of the sample tube against the Delrin sample holder provided an adequate seal. For Teflon, the holder permitted introduction of water around the tube in order to equalize pressures across the sealant during centrifugation. Typically, the SNR was improved by a factor of five to eight. Oxygen accessibility applications in site-directed spin labeling studies are discussed.

Concentration by centrifugation for gas exchange EPR oximetry measurements with loop-gap resonators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Subczynski, Witold K.; Felix, Christopher C.; Klug, Candice S.; Hyde, James S.

2005-10-01

Measurement of the bimolecular collision rate between a spin label and oxygen is conveniently carried out using a gas permeable plastic sample tube of small diameter that fits a loop-gap resonator. It is often desirable to concentrate the sample by centrifugation in order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), but the deformable nature of small plastic sample tubes presents technical problems. Solutions to these problems are described. Two geometries were considered: (i) a methylpentene polymer, TPX, from Mitsui Chemicals, at X-band and (ii) Teflon tubing with 0.075 mm wall thickness at Q-band. Sample holders were fabricated from Delrin that fit the Eppendorf microcentrifuge tubes and support the sample capillaries. For TPX, pressure of the sealant at the end of the sample tube against the Delrin sample holder provided an adequate seal. For Teflon, the holder permitted introduction of water around the tube in order to equalize pressures across the sealant during centrifugation. Typically, the SNR was improved by a factor of five to eight. Oxygen accessibility applications in site-directed spin labeling studies are discussed.

The use of interleaving for reducing radio loss in trellis-coded modulation systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Divsalar, D.; Simon, M. K.

1989-01-01

It is demonstrated how the use of interleaving/deinterleaving in trellis-coded modulation (TCM) systems can reduce the signal-to-noise ratio loss due to imperfect carrier demodulation references. Both the discrete carrier (phase-locked loop) and suppressed carrier (Costas loop) cases are considered and the differences between the two are clearly demonstrated by numerical results. These results are of great importance for future communication links to the Deep Space Network (DSN), especially from high Earth orbiters, which may be bandwidth limited.

Long-Term Seasonal and Interannual Patterns of Marine Mammal Strandings in Subtropical Western South Atlantic

PubMed Central

Prado, Jonatas H. F.; Mattos, Paulo H.; Silva, Kleber G.; Secchi, Eduardo R.

2016-01-01

Understanding temporal patterns of marine mammal occurrence is useful for establishing conservation strategies. We used a 38 yr-long dataset spanning 1976 to 2013 to describe temporal patterns and trends in marine mammal strandings along a subtropical stretch of the east coast of South America. This region is influenced by a transitional zone between tropical and temperate waters and is considered an important fishing ground off Brazil. Generalized Additive Models were used to evaluate the temporal stranding patterns of the most frequently stranded species. Forty species were documented in 12,540 stranding events. Franciscana (n = 4,574), South American fur seal, (n = 3,419), South American sea lion (n = 2,049), bottlenose dolphins (n = 293) and subantarctic fur seal (n = 219) were the most frequently stranded marine mammals. The seasonality of strandings of franciscana and bottlenose dolphin coincided with periods of higher fishing effort and strandings of South American and subantarctic fur seals with post-reproductive dispersal. For South American sea lion the seasonality of strandings is associated with both fishing effort and post-reproductive dispersal. Some clear seasonal patterns were associated with occurrence of cold- (e.g. subantarctic fur seal) and warm-water (e.g. rough-toothed dolphin) species in winter and summer, respectively. Inter-annual increases in stranding rate were observed for franciscana and South American fur seal and these are likely related to increased fishing effort and population growth, respectively. For subantarctic fur seal the stranding rate showed a slight decline while for bottlenose dolphin it remained steady. No significant year to year variation in stranding rate was observed for South American sea lion. The slight decrease in frequency of temperate/polar marine mammals and the increased occurrence of subtropical/tropical species since the late 1990s might be associated with environmental changes linked to climate change. This long-term study indicates that temporal stranding patterns of marine mammals might be explained by either fishing-related or environmental factors. PMID:26814667

Long-Term Seasonal and Interannual Patterns of Marine Mammal Strandings in Subtropical Western South Atlantic.

PubMed

Prado, Jonatas H F; Mattos, Paulo H; Silva, Kleber G; Secchi, Eduardo R

2016-01-01

Understanding temporal patterns of marine mammal occurrence is useful for establishing conservation strategies. We used a 38 yr-long dataset spanning 1976 to 2013 to describe temporal patterns and trends in marine mammal strandings along a subtropical stretch of the east coast of South America. This region is influenced by a transitional zone between tropical and temperate waters and is considered an important fishing ground off Brazil. Generalized Additive Models were used to evaluate the temporal stranding patterns of the most frequently stranded species. Forty species were documented in 12,540 stranding events. Franciscana (n = 4,574), South American fur seal, (n = 3,419), South American sea lion (n = 2,049), bottlenose dolphins (n = 293) and subantarctic fur seal (n = 219) were the most frequently stranded marine mammals. The seasonality of strandings of franciscana and bottlenose dolphin coincided with periods of higher fishing effort and strandings of South American and subantarctic fur seals with post-reproductive dispersal. For South American sea lion the seasonality of strandings is associated with both fishing effort and post-reproductive dispersal. Some clear seasonal patterns were associated with occurrence of cold- (e.g. subantarctic fur seal) and warm-water (e.g. rough-toothed dolphin) species in winter and summer, respectively. Inter-annual increases in stranding rate were observed for franciscana and South American fur seal and these are likely related to increased fishing effort and population growth, respectively. For subantarctic fur seal the stranding rate showed a slight decline while for bottlenose dolphin it remained steady. No significant year to year variation in stranding rate was observed for South American sea lion. The slight decrease in frequency of temperate/polar marine mammals and the increased occurrence of subtropical/tropical species since the late 1990s might be associated with environmental changes linked to climate change. This long-term study indicates that temporal stranding patterns of marine mammals might be explained by either fishing-related or environmental factors.

Laboratory evaluation of the particle size effect on the performance of an elastomeric half-mask respirator against ultrafine combustion particles.

PubMed

He, Xinjian; Grinshpun, Sergey A; Reponen, Tiina; Yermakov, Michael; McKay, Roy; Haruta, Hiroki; Kimura, Kazushi

2013-08-01

This study quantified the particle size effect on the performance of elastomeric half-mask respirators, which are widely used by firefighters and first responders exposed to combustion aerosols. One type of elastomeric half-mask respirator equipped with two P-100 filters was donned on a breathing manikin while challenged with three combustion aerosols (originated by burning wood, paper, and plastic). Testing was conducted with respirators that were fully sealed, partially sealed (nose area only), or unsealed to the face of a breathing manikin to simulate different faceseal leakages. Three cyclic flows with mean inspiratory flow (MIF) rates of 30, 85, and 135 L/min were tested for each combination of sealing condition and combustion material. Additional testing was performed with plastic combustion particles at other cyclic and constant flows. Particle penetration was determined by measuring particle number concentrations inside and outside the respirator with size ranges from 20 to 200 nm. Breathing flow rate, particle size, and combustion material all had significant effects on the performance of the respirator. For the partially sealed and unsealed respirators, the penetration through the faceseal leakage reached maximum at particle sizes >100 nm when challenged with plastic aerosol, whereas no clear peaks were observed for wood and paper aerosols. The particles aerosolized by burning plastic penetrated more readily into the unsealed half-mask than those aerosolized by the combustion of wood and paper. The difference may be attributed to the fact that plastic combustion particles differ from wood and paper particles by physical characteristics such as charge, shape, and density. For the partially sealed respirator, the highest penetration values were obtained at MIF = 85 L/min. The unsealed respirator had approximately 10-fold greater penetration than the one partially sealed around the bridge of the nose, which indicates that the nose area was the primary leak site.

Appearance of the bona fide spiral tubule of ORF virus is dependent on an intact 10-kilodalton viral protein.

PubMed

Spehner, D; De Carlo, S; Drillien, R; Weiland, F; Mildner, K; Hanau, D; Rziha, H-J

2004-08-01

Parapoxviruses can be morphologically distinguished from other poxviruses in conventional negative staining electron microscopy (EM) by their ovoid appearance and the spiral tubule surrounding the virion's surface. However, this technique may introduce artifacts. We have examined Orf virus (ORFV; the prototype species of the Parapoxvirus genus) by cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) and cryo-negative staining EM. From these studies we suggest that the shape and unique spiral tubule are authentic features of the parapoxviruses. We also constructed an ORFV mutant deleted of a gene encoding a 10-kDa protein, which is an orthologue of the vaccinia virus (VACV) 14-kDa fusion protein, and investigated its ultrastructure. This mutant virus multiplied slowly in permissive cells and produced infectious but morphologically aberrant particles. Mutant virions lacked the spiral tubule but displayed short disorganized tubules similar to those observed on the surface of VACV. In addition, thin extensions or loop-like structures were appended to the ORFV mutant particles. We suggest that these appended structures arise from a failure of the mutant virus particles to properly seal and that the sealing activity is dependent on the 10-kDa protein.

Control of adaptive optic element displacement with the help of a magnetic rheology drive

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deulin, Eugeni A.; Mikhailov, Valeri P.; Sytchev, Victor V.

2000-10-01

The control system of adaptive optic of a large astronomical segmentated telescope was designed and tested. The dynamic model and the amplitude-frequency analysis of the new magnetic rheology (MR) drive are presented. The loop controlled drive consists of hydrostatic carrier, MR hydraulic loop controlling system, elastic thin wall seal, stainless seal which are united in a single three coordinate manipulator. This combination ensures short positioning error (delta) (phi)

Scaling of Loop-Erased Walks in 2 to 4 Dimensions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grassberger, Peter

2009-07-01

We simulate loop-erased random walks on simple (hyper-)cubic lattices of dimensions 2, 3 and 4. These simulations were mainly motivated to test recent two loop renormalization group predictions for logarithmic corrections in d=4, simulations in lower dimensions were done for completeness and in order to test the algorithm. In d=2, we verify with high precision the prediction D=5/4, where the number of steps n after erasure scales with the number N of steps before erasure as n˜ N D/2. In d=3 we again find a power law, but with an exponent different from the one found in the most precise previous simulations: D=1.6236±0.0004. Finally, we see clear deviations from the naive scaling n˜ N in d=4. While they agree only qualitatively with the leading logarithmic corrections predicted by several authors, their agreement with the two-loop prediction is nearly perfect.

A proof for loop-law constraints in stoichiometric metabolic networks

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Constraint-based modeling is increasingly employed for metabolic network analysis. Its underlying assumption is that natural metabolic phenotypes can be predicted by adding physicochemical constraints to remove unrealistic metabolic flux solutions. The loopless-COBRA approach provides an additional constraint that eliminates thermodynamically infeasible internal cycles (or loops) from the space of solutions. This allows the prediction of flux solutions that are more consistent with experimental data. However, it is not clear if this approach over-constrains the models by removing non-loop solutions as well. Results Here we apply Gordan’s theorem from linear algebra to prove for the first time that the constraints added in loopless-COBRA do not over-constrain the problem beyond the elimination of the loops themselves. Conclusions The loopless-COBRA constraints can be reliably applied. Furthermore, this proof may be adapted to evaluate the theoretical soundness for other methods in constraint-based modeling. PMID:23146116

Structure of force networks in tapped particulate systems of disks and pentagons. II. Persistence analysis.

PubMed

Kondic, L; Kramár, M; Pugnaloni, Luis A; Carlevaro, C Manuel; Mischaikow, K

2016-06-01

In the companion paper [Pugnaloni et al., Phys. Rev. E 93, 062902 (2016)10.1103/PhysRevE.93.062902], we use classical measures based on force probability density functions (PDFs), as well as Betti numbers (quantifying the number of components, related to force chains, and loops), to describe the force networks in tapped systems of disks and pentagons. In the present work, we focus on the use of persistence analysis, which allows us to describe these networks in much more detail. This approach allows us not only to describe but also to quantify the differences between the force networks in different realizations of a system, in different parts of the considered domain, or in different systems. We show that persistence analysis clearly distinguishes the systems that are very difficult or impossible to differentiate using other means. One important finding is that the differences in force networks between disks and pentagons are most apparent when loops are considered: the quantities describing properties of the loops may differ significantly even if other measures (properties of components, Betti numbers, force PDFs, or the stress tensor) do not distinguish clearly or at all the investigated systems.

Northern elephant seals adjust gliding and stroking patterns with changes in buoyancy: validation of at-sea metrics of body density.

PubMed

Aoki, Kagari; Watanabe, Yuuki Y; Crocker, Daniel E; Robinson, Patrick W; Biuw, Martin; Costa, Daniel P; Miyazaki, Nobuyuki; Fedak, Mike A; Miller, Patrick J O

2011-09-01

Many diving animals undergo substantial changes in their body density that are the result of changes in lipid content over their annual fasting cycle. Because the size of the lipid stores reflects an integration of foraging effort (energy expenditure) and foraging success (energy assimilation), measuring body density is a good way to track net resource acquisition of free-ranging animals while at sea. Here, we experimentally altered the body density and mass of three free-ranging elephant seals by remotely detaching weights and floats while monitoring their swimming speed, depth and three-axis acceleration with a high-resolution data logger. Cross-validation of three methods for estimating body density from hydrodynamic gliding performance of freely diving animals showed strong positive correlation with body density estimates obtained from isotope dilution body composition analysis over density ranges of 1015 to 1060 kg m(-3). All three hydrodynamic models were within 1% of, but slightly greater than, body density measurements determined by isotope dilution, and therefore have the potential to track changes in body condition of a wide range of freely diving animals. Gliding during ascent and descent clearly increased and stroke rate decreased when buoyancy manipulations aided the direction of vertical transit, but ascent and descent speed were largely unchanged. The seals adjusted stroking intensity to maintain swim speed within a narrow range, despite changes in buoyancy. During active swimming, all three seals increased the amplitude of lateral body accelerations and two of the seals altered stroke frequency in response to the need to produce thrust required to overcome combined drag and buoyancy forces.

Bio-physical characterisation of polynyas as a key foraging habitat for juvenile male southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) in Prydz Bay, East Antarctica

PubMed Central

Bestley, Sophie; Corney, Stuart; Welsford, Dirk; Labrousse, Sara; Sumner, Michael; Hindell, Mark

2017-01-01

Antarctic coastal polynyas are persistent open water areas in the sea ice zone, and regions of high biological productivity thought to be important foraging habitat for marine predators. This study quantified southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) habitat use within and around the polynyas of the Prydz Bay region (63°E– 88°E) in East Antarctica, and examined the bio-physical characteristics structuring polynyas as foraging habitat. Output from a climatological regional ocean model was used to provide context for in situ temperature-salinity vertical profiles collected by tagged elephant seals and to characterise the physical properties structuring polynyas. Biological properties were explored using remotely-sensed surface chlorophyll (Chl-a) and, qualitatively, historical fish assemblage data. Spatially gridded residence time of seals was examined in relation to habitat characteristics using generalized additive mixed models. The results showed clear polynya usage during early autumn and increasingly concentrated usage during early winter. Bathymetry, Chl-a, surface net heat flux (representing polynya location), and bottom temperature were identified as significant bio-physical predictors of the spatio-temporal habitat usage. The findings from this study confirm that the most important marine habitats for juvenile male southern elephant seals within Prydz Bay region are polynyas. A hypothesis exists regarding the seasonal evolution of primary productivity, coupling from surface to subsurface productivity and supporting elevated rates of secondary production in the upper water column during summer-autumn. An advancement to this hypothesis is proposed here, whereby this bio-physical coupling is likely to extend throughout the water column as it becomes fully convected during autumn-winter, to also promote pelagic-benthic linkages important for benthic foraging within polynyas. PMID:28902905

Comparative in vivo analysis of the sealing ability of three endodontic sealers in post-prepared root canals.

PubMed

Kopper, P M P; Figueiredo, J A P; Della Bona, A; Vanni, J R; Bier, C A; Bopp, S

2003-12-01

To compare the sealing ability of the endodontic sealers AH Plus, Sealer 26 and Endofill in premolar teeth of dogs exposed to the oral cavity after post-preparation. Forty teeth with two canals each underwent root canal cleaning and shaping. Before filling, the canals were randomly distributed into three groups according to the sealer to be used: Group 1 - AH Plus; Group 2 - Sealer 26; and Group 3 - Endofill (Dentsply, Indústria e Comércio Ltda.). Immediately after filling, the gutta percha and sealer were partially removed from the canals, leaving material only in the apical third of the root. The teeth were temporarily sealed with glass ionomer sealer for 72 h to ensure setting. The coronal seal was then removed and the canals were exposed to the oral cavity for 45 days. The animals were euthanased and their mandibles and maxillae were removed. After abundant irrigation with distilled water, the canals were dried and filled with India ink. The teeth were sealed again for 96 h before extraction. The roots of the extracted premolars were separated and stored in labelled test tubes. The roots were cleared and the extent of dye penetration was measured with a 20x stereoscopic magnifying lens. Statistical analysis revealed that there were significant differences between the sealers studied (P < 0.001). Means for the extent of dye penetration for AH Plus, Endofill and Sealer 26 were, respectively, 0.13, 2.27 and 3.08 mm. After 45 days exposure to the oral cavity, none of the sealers was capable of preventing leakage and coronal dye penetration. There were significant differences between the sealers studied, in terms of mean dye penetration.

Method and apparatus for controlling fluid flow

DOEpatents

Miller, J.R.

1980-06-27

A method and apparatus for precisely controlling the rate (and hence amount) of fluid flow are given. The controlled flow rate is finely adjustable, can be extremely small (on the order of microliter-atmospheres per second), can be adjusted to zero (flow stopped), and is stable to better than 1% with time. The dead volume of the valve can be made arbitrarily small, in fact essentially zero. The valve employs no wearing mechanical parts (including springs, stems, or seals). The valve is finely adjustable, has a flow rate dynamic range of many decades, can be made compatible with any fluid, and is suitable for incorporation into an open or closed loop servo-control system.

Apparatus for establishing flow of a fluid mass having a known velocity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Price, P.; Veikins, O.; Bate, E. R., Jr.; Jones, R. H. (Inventor)

1974-01-01

An apparatus for establishing a flow of fluid mass, such as gas, having a known velocity is introduced. The apparatus is characterized by an hermetically sealed chamber conforming to a closed-loop configuration and including a throat and a plurality of axially displaceable pistons for sweeping through the throat a stream of gas including a core and an unsheared boundary layer. Within the throat there is a cylindrical coring body concentrically related to the throat for receiving the core, and a chamber surrounding the cylindrical body for drawing off the boundary layer, whereby the velocity of the core is liberated from the effects of the velocity of the boundary layer.

Fluidics platform and method for sample preparation and analysis

DOEpatents

Benner, W. Henry; Dzenitis, John M.; Bennet, William J.; Baker, Brian R.

2014-08-19

Herein provided are fluidics platform and method for sample preparation and analysis. The fluidics platform is capable of analyzing DNA from blood samples using amplification assays such as polymerase-chain-reaction assays and loop-mediated-isothermal-amplification assays. The fluidics platform can also be used for other types of assays and analyzes. In some embodiments, a sample in a sealed tube can be inserted directly. The following isolation, detection, and analyzes can be performed without a user's intervention. The disclosed platform may also comprises a sample preparation system with a magnetic actuator, a heater, and an air-drying mechanism, and fluid manipulation processes for extraction, washing, elution, assay assembly, assay detection, and cleaning after reactions and between samples.

View from southwest to northeast of warhead handling building. Note ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

View from southwest to northeast of warhead handling building. Note earth embankment. The personnel entrance (left) and equipment entrance can clearly be seen in center of photograph. To the right is the emergency exit tunnel constructed of corrugated metal pipe. This building was salvaged and sealed after site inactivation - Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex, Warhead Handling Building, Within Exclusion Area, Nekoma, Cavalier County, ND

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kumar, Pankaj; Innes, D. E.; Inhester, B., E-mail: pankaj@kasi.re.kr

We report high resolution observations from the Solar Dynamics Observatory/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (SDO/AIA) of intensity oscillations in a hot, T ∼ 8-10 MK, loop. The AIA images show a large coronal loop that was rapidly heated following plasma ejection from one of the loop's footpoints. A wave-like intensity enhancement, seen very clearly in the 131 and 94 Å channel images, propagated ahead of the ejecta along the loop, and was reflected at the opposite footpoint. The wave reflected four times before fading. It was only seen in the hot, 131 and 94 Å channels. The characteristic period and the decaymore » time of the oscillation were ∼630 and ∼440 s, respectively. The phase speed was about 460-510 km s{sup –1} which roughly matches the sound speed of the loop (430-480 km s{sup –1}). The observed properties of the oscillation are consistent with the observations of Dopper-shift oscillations discovered by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory/Solar Ultraviolet Measurement of Emitted Radiation and with their interpretation as slow magnetoacoustic waves. We suggest that the impulsive injection of plasma, following reconnection at one of the loop footpoints, led to rapid heating and the propagation of a longitudinal compressive wave along the loop. The wave bounces back and forth a couple of times before fading.« less

Heterogeneous dislocation loop formation near grain boundaries in a neutron-irradiated commercial FeCrAl alloy

DOE PAGES

Field, Kevin G.; Briggs, Samuel A.; Hu, Xunxiang; ...

2016-11-01

FeCrAl alloys are an attractive materials class for nuclear power applications due to their increased environmental compatibility over more traditional nuclear materials. Preliminary studies into the radiation tolerance of FeCrAl alloys under accelerated neutron testing between 300-400 °C have shown post-irradiation microstructures containing dislocation loops and Cr-rich ' phase. Although these initial works established the post-irradiation microstructures, little to no focus was applied towards the influence of pre-irradiation microstructures on this response. Here, a well annealed commercial FeCrAl alloy, Alkrothal 720, was neutron irradiated to 1.8 dpa at 382 °C and then the role of random high angle grain boundariesmore » on the spatial distribution and size of dislocation loops, dislocation loops, and black dot damage was analyzed using on-zone scanning transmission electron microscopy. Results showed a clear heterogeneous dislocation loop formation with dislocation loops showing an increased number density and size, black dot damage showing a significant number density decrease, and an increased size of dislocation loops in the vicinity directly adjacent to the grain boundary. Lastly, these results suggest the importance of the pre-irradiation microstructure on the radiation tolerance of FeCrAl alloys.« less

Statistical evidence for the existence of Alfvénic turbulence in solar coronal loops

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, Jiajia; McIntosh, Scott W.; Bethge, Christian

2014-12-10

Recent observations have demonstrated that waves capable of carrying large amounts of energy are ubiquitous throughout the solar corona. However, the question of how this wave energy is dissipated (on which timescales and length scales) and released into the plasma remains largely unanswered. Both analytic and numerical models have previously shown that Alfvénic turbulence may play a key role not only in the generation of the fast solar wind, but in the heating of coronal loops. In an effort to bridge the gap between theory and observations, we expand on a recent study by analyzing 37 clearly isolated coronal loopsmore » using data from the Coronal Multi-channel Polarimeter instrument. We observe Alfvénic perturbations with phase speeds which range from 250 to 750 km s{sup –1} and periods from 140 to 270 s for the chosen loops. While excesses of high-frequency wave power are observed near the apex of some loops (tentatively supporting the onset of Alfvénic turbulence), we show that this excess depends on loop length and the wavelength of the observed oscillations. In deriving a proportional relationship between the loop length/wavelength ratio and the enhanced wave power at the loop apex, and from the analysis of the line widths associated with these loops, our findings are supportive of the existence of Alfvénic turbulence in coronal loops.« less

Suppression of Heating of Coronal Loops Rooted in Opposite Polarity Sunspot Umbrae

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tiwari, Sanjiv K.; Thalmann, Julia K.; Moore, Ronald L.; Panesar, Navdeep K.; Winebarger, Amy R.

2016-01-01

EUV observations of active region (AR) coronae reveal the presence of loops at different temperatures. To understand the mechanisms that result in hotter or cooler loops, we study a typical bipolar AR, near solar disk center, which has moderate overall magnetic twist and at least one fully developed sunspot of each polarity. From AIA 193 and 94 Å images we identify many clearly discernible coronal loops that connect plage or a sunspot of one polarity to an opposite-­polarity plage region. The AIA 94 Å images show dim regions in the umbrae of the spots. To see which coronal loops are rooted in a dim umbral area, we performed a non-linear force-free field (NLFFF) modeling using photospheric vector magnetic field measurements obtained with the Heliosesmic Magnetic Imager (HMI) onboard SDO. The NLFFF model, validated by comparison of calculated model field lines with observed loops in AIA 193 and 94 Å, specifies the photospheric roots of the model field lines. Some model coronal magnetic field lines arch from the dim umbral area of the positive-polarity sunspot to the dim umbral area of a negative-polarity sunspot. Because these coronal loops are not visible in any of the coronal EUV and X-ray images of the AR, we conclude they are the coolest loops in the AR. This result suggests that the loops connecting opposite polarity umbrae are the least heated because the field in umbrae is so strong that the convective braiding of the field is strongly suppressed.

Buoyancy Driven Coolant Mixing Studies of Natural Circulation Flows at the ROCOM Test Facility Using ANSYS CFX

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hohne, Thomas; Kliem, Soren; Rohde, Ulrich

2006-07-01

Coolant mixing in the cold leg, downcomer and the lower plenum of pressurized water reactors is an important phenomenon mitigating the reactivity insertion into the core. Therefore, mixing of the de-borated slugs with the ambient coolant in the reactor pressure vessel was investigated at the four loop 1:5 scaled ROCOM mixing test facility. Thermal hydraulics analyses showed, that weakly borated condensate can accumulate in particular in the pump loop seal of those loops, which do not receive safety injection. After refilling of the primary circuit, natural circulation in the stagnant loops can re-establish simultaneously and the de-borated slugs are shiftedmore » towards the reactor pressure vessel (RPV). In the ROCOM experiments, the length of the flow ramp and the initial density difference between the slugs and the ambient coolant was varied. From the test matrix experiments with 0 resp. 2% density difference between the de-borated slugs and the ambient coolant were used to validate the CFD software ANSYS CFX. To model the effects of turbulence on the mean flow a higher order Reynolds stress turbulence model was employed and a mesh consisting of 6.4 million hybrid elements was utilized. Only the experiments and CFD calculations with modeled density differences show a stratification in the downcomer. Depending on the degree of density differences the less dense slugs flow around the core barrel at the top of the downcomer. At the opposite side the lower borated coolant is entrained by the colder safety injection water and transported to the core. The validation proves that ANSYS CFX is able to simulate appropriately the flow field and mixing effects of coolant with different densities. (authors)« less

Preventing Cracking of Anodized Coatings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

He, Charles C.; Heslin, Thomas M.

1995-01-01

Anodized coatings have been used as optical and thermal surfaces in spacecraft. Particulate contamination from cracked coatings is a concern for many applications. The major cause for the cracking is the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the oxide coatings and the aluminum substrate. The loss of water when the coating is exposed to a vacuum also could induce cracking of the coating. Hot-water sealing was identified as the major cause for the cracking of the coatings because of the large temperature change when the parts were immersed in boiling water and the water was absorbed in the coating. when the hot-water sealing process was eliminated, the cracking resistance of the anodized coatings was greatly improved. Also, it was found that dyed black coatings were more susceptible than clear coatings to cracking during thermo-vacuum cyclings.

Cool transition region loops observed by the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Z.; Xia, L.; Li, B.; Madjarska, M. S.

2015-12-01

An important class of loops in the solar atmosphere, cool transition region loops, have received little attention mainly due to instrumental limitations. We analyze a cluster of these loops in the on-disk active region NOAA 11934 recorded in a Si IV 1402.8 Å spectral raster and 1400Å slit-jaw (SJ) images taken by the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph. We divide these loops into three groups and study their dynamics, evolution and interaction.The first group comprises geometrically relatively stable loops, which are finely scaled with 382~626 km cross-sections. Siphon flows in these loops are suggested by the Doppler velocities gradually changing from -10 km/s (blue-shifts) in one end to 20 km/s (red-shifts) in the other. Nonthermal velocities from 15 to 25 km/s were determined. The obtained physical properties suggest that these loops are impulsively heated by magnetic reconnection occurring at the blue-shifted footpoints where magnetic cancellation with a rate of 1015 Mx/s is found. The released magnetic energy is redistributed by the siphon flows. The second group corresponds to two active footpoints rooted in mixed-magnetic-polarity regions. Magnetic reconnection in both footpoints is suggested by explosive-event line profiles with enhanced wings up to 200 km/s and magnetic cancellation with a rate of ~1015 Mx/s. In the third group, an interaction between two cool loop systems is observed. Mixed-magnetic polarities are seen in their conjunction area where explosive-event line profiles and magnetic cancellation with a rate of 3×1015 Mx/s are found. This is a clear indication that magnetic reconnection occurs between these two loop systems. Our observations suggest that the cool transition region loops are heated impulsively most likely by sequences of magnetic reconnection events.

Robotic Seals as Therapeutic Tools in an Aged Care Facility: A Qualitative Study

PubMed Central

Bodak, Marie; Barlas, Joanna; Harwood, June; Pether, Mary

2016-01-01

Robots, including robotic seals, have been used as an alternative to therapies such as animal assisted therapy in the promotion of health and social wellbeing of older people in aged care facilities. There is limited research available that evaluates the effectiveness of robot therapies in these settings. The aim of this study was to identify, explore, and describe the impact of the use of Paro robotic seals in an aged care facility in a regional Australian city. A qualitative, descriptive, exploratory design was employed. Data were gathered through interviews with the three recreational therapists employed at the facility who were also asked to maintain logs of their interactions with the Paro and residents. Data were transcribed and thematically analysed. Three major themes were identified from the analyses of these data: “a therapeutic tool that's not for everybody,” “every interaction is powerful,” and “keeping the momentum.” Findings support the use of Paro as a therapeutic tool, revealing improvement in emotional state, reduction of challenging behaviours, and improvement in social interactions of residents. The potential benefits justify the investment in Paro, with clear evidence that these tools can have a positive impact that warrants further exploration. PMID:27990301

An Allosteric Cross-Talk Between the Activation Loop and the ATP Binding Site Regulates the Activation of Src Kinase

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pucheta-Martínez, Encarna; Saladino, Giorgio; Morando, Maria Agnese; Martinez-Torrecuadrada, Jorge; Lelli, Moreno; Sutto, Ludovico; D'Amelio, Nicola; Gervasio, Francesco Luigi

2016-04-01

Phosphorylation of the activation loop is a fundamental step in the activation of most protein kinases. In the case of the Src tyrosine kinase, a prototypical kinase due to its role in cancer and its historic importance, phosphorylation of tyrosine 416 in the activation loop is known to rigidify the structure and contribute to the switch from the inactive to a fully active form. However, whether or not phosphorylation is able per-se to induce a fully active conformation, that efficiently binds ATP and phosphorylates the substrate, is less clear. Here we employ a combination of solution NMR and enhanced-sampling molecular dynamics simulations to fully map the effects of phosphorylation and ATP/ADP cofactor loading on the conformational landscape of Src tyrosine kinase. We find that both phosphorylation and cofactor binding are needed to induce a fully active conformation. What is more, we find a complex interplay between the A-loop and the hinge motion where the phosphorylation of the activation-loop has a significant allosteric effect on the dynamics of the C-lobe.

Transient Characteristics of Free Piston Vuilleurnier Cycle Heat Pumps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsue, Junji; Fujimoto, Norioki; Shirai, Hiroyuki

A dynamic analysis of a free piston Vuilleumier cycle heat pump was performed using a time-stepping integration method to investigate transient characteristics under power controlling. The nonlinear relationship between displacement and force for pistons was taken into account for the motion of reciprocating components. The force for pistons is mainly caused by the pressure change of working gas varying with piston displacements; moreover nonlinear viscous dissipative force due to the oscillating flow of working gas in heat exchangers and discontinuous damping force caused by solid friction at piston seals and rod seals are included. The displacements of pistons and pressure changes in the Vuilleumier cycle heat pump were integrated by an ideal isothermal thermodynamic relationship. It was assumed that the flow friction was proportional to the kinematic pressure of working gas, and that the solid friction at the seals was due to the functions of the working gas pressure and the tension of seal springs. In order to investigate the transient characteristics of a proposed free piston Vuilleumier cycle heat pump machine when hot-side working gas temperatures and alternate force were changed, some calculations were performed and discussed. These calculation results make clear transient characteristics at starting and power controlling. It was further found that only a small amount of starter power is required in particular conditions. During controlling, the machine becomes unstable when there is ar elatively large reduction in cooling or heating power. Therefore, an auxiliary device is additionally needed to obtain stable operation, such as al inear motor.

Purine nucleoside phosphorylase and xanthine oxidase activities in erythrocytes and plasma from marine, semiaquatic and terrestrial mammals.

PubMed

López-Cruz, Roberto I; Pérez-Milicua, Myrna Barjau; Crocker, Daniel E; Gaxiola-Robles, Ramón; Bernal-Vertiz, Jaime A; de la Rosa, Alejandro; Vázquez-Medina, José P; Zenteno-Savín, Tania

2014-05-01

Purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) and xanthine oxidase (XO) are key enzymes involved in the purine salvage pathway. PNP metabolizes purine bases to synthetize purine nucleotides whereas XO catalyzes the oxidation of purines to uric acid. In humans, PNP activity is reported to be high in erythrocytes and XO activity to be low in plasma; however, XO activity increases after ischemic events. XO activity in plasma of northern elephant seals has been reported during prolonged fasting and rest and voluntary associated apneas. The objective of this study was to analyze circulating PNP and XO activities in marine mammals adapted to tolerate repeated cycles of ischemia/reperfusion associated with diving (bottlenose dolphin, northern elephant seal) in comparison with semiaquatic (river otter) and terrestrial mammals (human, pig). PNP activities in plasma and erythrocytes, as well as XO activity in plasma, from all species were quantified by spectrophotometry. No clear relationship in circulating PNP or XO activity could be established between marine, semiaquatic and terrestrial mammals. Erythrocytes from bottlenose dolphins and humans are highly permeable to nucleosides and glucose, intraerythrocyte PNP activity may be related to a release of purine nucleotides from the liver. High-energy costs will probably mean a higher ATP degradation rate in river otters, as compared to northern elephant seals or dolphins. Lower erythrocyte PNP activity and elevated plasma XO activity in northern elephant seal could be associated with fasting and/or sleep- and dive-associated apneas. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Place Atrium to Water Seal (PAWS): Assessing Wall Suction Versus No Suction for Chest Tubes After Open Heart Surgery.

PubMed

Kruse, Tamara; Wahl, Sharon; Guthrie, Patricia Finch; Sendelbach, Sue

2017-08-01

Traditionally chest tubes are set to -20 cm H 2 O wall suctioning until removal to facilitate drainage of blood, fluid, and air from the pleural or mediastinal space in patients after open heart surgery. However, no clear evidence supports using wall suction in these patients. Some studies in patients after pulmonary surgery indicate that using chest tubes with a water seal is safer, because this practice decreases duration of chest tube placement and eliminates air leaks. To show that changing chest tubes to a water seal after 12 hours of wall suction (intervention) is a safe alternative to using chest tubes with wall suction until removal of the tubes (usual care) in patients after open heart surgery. A before-and-after quality improvement design was used to evaluate the differences between the 2 chest tube management approaches in chest tube complications, output, and duration of placement. A total of 48 patients received the intervention; 52 received usual care. The 2 groups (intervention vs usual care) did not differ significantly in complications (0 vs 2 events; P = .23), chest tube output (H 1 = 0.001, P = .97), or duration of placement (median, 47 hours for both groups). Changing chest tubes from wall suction to water seal after 12 hours of wall suction is a safe alternative to using wall suctioning until removal of the tubes. ©2017 American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.

Winter habitat predictions of a key Southern Ocean predator, the Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arthur, Benjamin; Hindell, Mark; Bester, Marthan; De Bruyn, P. J. Nico; Trathan, Phil; Goebel, Michael; Lea, Mary-Anne

2017-06-01

Quantification of the physical and biological environmental factors that influence the spatial distribution of higher trophic species is central to inform management and develop ecosystem models, particularly in light of ocean changes. We used tracking data from 184 female Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) to develop habitat models for three breeding colonies for the poorly studied Southern Ocean winter period. Models were used to identify and predict the broadly important winter foraging habitat and to elucidate the environmental factors influencing these areas. Model predictions closely matched observations and several core areas of foraging habitat were identified for each colony, with notable areas of inter-colony overlap suggesting shared productive foraging grounds. Seals displayed clear choice of foraging habitat, travelling through areas of presumably poorer quality to access habitats that likely offer an energetic advantage in terms of prey intake. The relationships between environmental predictors and foraging habitat varied between colonies, with the principal predictors being wind speed, sea surface temperature, chlorophyll a concentration, bathymetry and distance to the colony. The availability of core foraging areas was not consistent throughout the winter period. The habitat models developed in this study not only reveal the core foraging habitats of Antarctic fur seals from multiple colonies, but can facilitate the hindcasting of historical foraging habitats as well as novel predictions of important habitat for other major colonies currently lacking information of the at-sea distribution of this major Southern Ocean consumer.

INTEGRITY OF VOA-VIAL SEALS | Science Inventory | US ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Preservation of soil samples for the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) requires both the inhibition of VOC degradation and the restriction of vapor movement in or out of the sample container. Clear, 40,mL glass VOA vials manufactured by the four major U.S. glass manufacturers were tested for seal integrity. Visual inspection revealed a variety of imperfections ranging from small indentations, bumps, and scratches on vial threads or lips, through obvious defects, such as large indentations or grooves in the vial lips and chipped or broken glass. The aluminum plate vacuum test proved to be unreliable in identifying potentially leaky vials. The septa-seal vacuum test was conducted twice on the 80 selected vials.Mean VOC concentrations after 14 days storage generally were within +- 20% of the known concentration with a majority of the concentrations within +- 15% of their known values. There were no statistically significant differences in VOC concentrations between vials in the potentially leaky and control group for any of the manufacturers. Only 1 vial lost VOCs and that was due to a large chip in the vial's lip and neck. These findings indicate that the silicone septa are flexible enough to overcome most vial imperfections and form a complete seal against VOC loss. A careful inspection of the VOA vials prior to use to remove any vials with large and obvious imperfections should be sufficient to screen out vials that are subject to VOC losses.

A note on the Poisson bracket of 2d smeared fluxes in loop quantum gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cattaneo, Alberto S.; Perez, Alejandro

2017-05-01

We show that the non-Abelian nature of geometric fluxes—the corner-stone in the definition of quantum geometry in the framework of loop quantum gravity (LQG)—follows directly form the continuum canonical commutations relations of gravity in connection variables and the validity of the Gauss law. The present treatment simplifies previous formulations and thus identifies more clearly the root of the discreteness of geometric operators in LQG. Our statement generalizes to arbitrary gauge theories and relies only on the validity of the Gauss law.

Center for Dielectric Studies at the Pennsylvania State University,

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-05-01

microstructure. The permittivity shows a weak peak near 100K which also has clear relaxation character and closely duplicates the behavior of higA purity...departures from the expected Curie-Weiss made by Demurov and Venevtsev.1 both hysteresis loops in P(E) behavior . Clearly. from the frequency response and...dielectric measurements, an powderl had second phase KzTa.O,,; powder II was completely anomalous behavior was observed by inelastic neutron scattering

The School Adjustment of Students in Distinct Risk Configurations: Considerations for the Development of Selected and Indicated Interventions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Petrin, Robert A.

2011-01-01

As indicated in papers 2 and 3 of this symposium and in published research from Project REAL, there is clear evidence that the SEALS model has a general positive impact on the school context during the early adolescent years. The purpose of this study was to identify key process factors that support gains to academic outcomes in general, but…

50. SOUTHEAST TO SOUTHEAST CORNER OF WELLSERVICE SHED ADDITION ON ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

50. SOUTHEAST TO SOUTHEAST CORNER OF WELL-SERVICE SHED ADDITION ON REAR OF FACTORY BUILDING. HANGING FROM AND LEANING AGAINST THE WALL ARE TOOLS USED IN WATER WELL SERVICE, SUCH AS BAILER, CHAINS, WRENCHES, PULLEYS, ROPE, SAFETY BELT, CHAIN TONGS, AND LEATHER SEALS FOR PISTON DISPLACEMENT PUMPS. CLEARLY VISIBLE ON RAFTERS IS HISTORIC ELECTRICAL WIRING. - Kregel Windmill Company Factory, 1416 Central Avenue, Nebraska City, Otoe County, NE

Sealing Penetrating Eye Injuries Using Photo-activated Bonding

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-09-01

block this light from reaching the iris. The human iris contains melanin in the stromal layer and in a pigmented epithelial layer on the...posterior surface. When the melanin absorbs green light, the light (electromagnetic) energy is converted into thermal energy. If the rate of light energy...varies the standard is not clear. The distribution and amount of melanin and vasculature in the iris differs from that of the retina; consequently

Conversion from mutual helicity to self-helicity observed with IRIS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, L. P.; Peter, H.; Chen, F.; Zhang, J.

2014-10-01

Context. In the upper atmosphere of the Sun observations show convincing evidence for crossing and twisted structures, which are interpreted as mutual helicity and self-helicity. Aims: We use observations with the new Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) to show the conversion of mutual helicity into self-helicity in coronal structures on the Sun. Methods: Using far UV spectra and slit-jaw images from IRIS and coronal images and magnetograms from SDO, we investigated the evolution of two crossing loops in an active region, in particular, the properties of the Si IV line profile in cool loops. Results: In the early stage two cool loops cross each other and accordingly have mutual helicity. The Doppler shifts in the loops indicate that they wind around each other. As a consequence, near the crossing point of the loops (interchange) reconnection sets in, which heats the plasma. This is consistent with the observed increase of the line width and of the appearance of the loops at higher temperatures. After this interaction, the two new loops run in parallel, and in one of them shows a clear spectral tilt of the Si IV line profile. This is indicative of a helical (twisting) motion, which is the same as to say that the loop has self-helicity. Conclusions: The high spatial and spectral resolution of IRIS allowed us to see the conversion of mutual helicity to self-helicity in the (interchange) reconnection of two loops. This is observational evidence for earlier theoretical speculations. Movie associated with Fig. 1 and Appendix A are available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org

Optical frequency stabilization in infrared region using improved dual feed-back loop

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ružička, B.; Číp, O.; Lazar, J.

2007-03-01

Modern technologies such as DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplex) need precise stability of laser frequencies. According to this fact, requirements of new etalons of optical frequencies in the telecommunication band is rapidly growing. Lasers working in near infrared telecommunication band (1500-1600 nm) can be stabilized to 12C IIH II or 13C IIH II (acetylene) gas absorption lines. The acetylene gas absorption has been widely studied and accepted by international bodies of standardization as a primary wavelength reference in the near infrared band around 1550 nm. Our aim was to design and develop a compact fibre optics laser system generating coherent light in near-IR band with high frequency stability (at least 1.10 -8). This system should become a base for realization of a primary frequency standard for optical communications in the Czech Republic. Such an etalon will be needed for calibration of wavelengthmeters and spectral analysers for DWDM communication systems. We are co-operating with CMI (Czech Metrology Institute) on this project. We present stabilized laser system based on a single frequency DFB (Distributed Feedback) laser diode with a narrow spectral profile. The laser is pre-stabilized by means of the FM-spectroscopy on a passive resonator. Thanks to a fast feed-back loop we are able to improve spectral characteristics of the laser. The laser frequency is locked by a relatively slow second feed-back loop on an absorption line of acetylene vapour which is sealed in a cell under the optimised pressure.

Complete nucleotide sequence of pig (Sus scrofa) mitochondrial genome and dating evolutionary divergence within Artiodactyla.

PubMed

Lin, C S; Sun, Y L; Liu, C Y; Yang, P C; Chang, L C; Cheng, I C; Mao, S J; Huang, M C

1999-08-05

The complete nucleotide sequence of the pig (Sus scrofa) mitochondrial genome, containing 16613bp, is presented in this report. The genome is not a specific length because of the presence of the variable numbers of tandem repeats, 5'-CGTGCGTACA in the displacement loop (D-loop). Genes responsible for 12S and 16S rRNAs, 22 tRNAs, and 13 protein-coding regions are found. The genome carries very few intergenic nucleotides with several instances of overlap between protein-coding or tRNA genes, except in the D-loop region. For evaluating the possible evolutionary relationships between Artiodactyla and Cetacea, the nucleotide substitutions and amino acid sequences of 13 protein-coding genes were aligned by pairwise comparisons of the pig, cow, and fin whale. By comparing these sequences, we suggest that there is a closer relationship between the pig and cow than that between either of these species and fin whale. In addition, the accumulation of transversions and gaps in pig 12S and 16S rRNA genes was compared with that in other eutherian species, including cow, fin whale, human, horse, and harbor seal. The results also reveal a close phylogenetic relationship between pig and cow, as compared to fin whale and others. Thus, according to the sequence differences of mitochondrial rRNA genes in eutherian species, the evolutionary separation of pig and cow occurred about 53-60 million years ago.

Quantitative analysis of multiple biokinetic models using a dynamic water phantom: A feasibility study

PubMed Central

Chiang, Fu-Tsai; Li, Pei-Jung; Chung, Shih-Ping; Pan, Lung-Fa; Pan, Lung-Kwang

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT This study analyzed multiple biokinetic models using a dynamic water phantom. The phantom was custom-made with acrylic materials to model metabolic mechanisms in the human body. It had 4 spherical chambers of different sizes, connected by 8 ditches to form a complex and adjustable water loop. One infusion and drain pole connected the chambers to an auxiliary silicon-based hose, respectively. The radio-active compound solution (TC-99m-MDP labeled) formed a sealed and static water loop inside the phantom. As clean feed water was infused to replace the original solution, the system mimicked metabolic mechanisms for data acquisition. Five cases with different water loop settings were tested and analyzed, with case settings changed by controlling valve poles located in the ditches. The phantom could also be changed from model A to model B by transferring its vertical configuration. The phantom was surveyed with a clinical gamma camera to determine the time-dependent intensity of every chamber. The recorded counts per pixel in each chamber were analyzed and normalized to compare with theoretical estimations from the MATLAB program. Every preset case was represented by uniquely defined, time-dependent, simultaneous differential equations, and a corresponding MATLAB program optimized the solutions by comparing theoretical calculations and practical measurements. A dimensionless agreement (AT) index was recommended to evaluate the comparison in each case. ATs varied from 5.6 to 48.7 over the 5 cases, indicating that this work presented an acceptable feasibility study. PMID:27286096

The cell pole: the site of cross talk between the DNA uptake and genetic recombination machinery.

PubMed

Kidane, Dawit; Ayora, Silvia; Sweasy, Joann B; Graumann, Peter L; Alonso, Juan C

2012-01-01

Natural transformation is a programmed mechanism characterized by binding of free double-stranded (ds) DNA from the environment to the cell pole in rod-shaped bacteria. In Bacillus subtilis some competence proteins, which process the dsDNA and translocate single-stranded (ss) DNA into the cytosol, recruit a set of recombination proteins mainly to one of the cell poles. A subset of single-stranded binding proteins, working as "guardians", protects ssDNA from degradation and limit the RecA recombinase loading. Then, the "mediators" overcome the inhibitory role of guardians, and recruit RecA onto ssDNA. A RecA·ssDNA filament searches for homology on the chromosome and, in a process that is controlled by "modulators", catalyzes strand invasion with the generation of a displacement loop (D-loop). A D-loop resolvase or "resolver" cleaves this intermediate, limited DNA replication restores missing information and a DNA ligase seals the DNA ends. However, if any step fails, the "rescuers" will repair the broken end to rescue chromosomal transformation. If the ssDNA does not share homology with resident DNA, but it contains information for autonomous replication, guardian and mediator proteins catalyze plasmid establishment after inhibition of RecA. DNA replication and ligation reconstitute the molecule (plasmid transformation). In this review, the interacting network that leads to a cross talk between proteins of the uptake and genetic recombination machinery will be placed into prospective.

The cell pole: The site of cross talk between the DNA uptake and genetic recombination machinery

PubMed Central

Kidane, Dawit; Ayora, Silvia; Sweasy, Joann; Graumann, Peter L.; Alonso, Juan C.

2012-01-01

Natural transformation is a programmed mechanism characterized by binding of free double-stranded (ds) DNA from the environment to the cell pole in rod-shaped bacteria. In Bacillus subtilis some competence proteins, which process the dsDNA and translocate single-stranded (ss) DNA into the cytosol, recruit a set of recombination proteins mainly to one of the cell poles. A subset of single-stranded binding proteins, working as “guardians”, protect ssDNA from degradation and limit the RecA recombinase loading. Then, the “mediators” overcome the inhibitory role of guardians, and recruit RecA onto ssDNA. A RecA·ssDNA filament searches for homology on the chromosome and, in a process that is controlled by “modulators”, catalyzes strand invasion with the generation of a displacement loop (D-loop). A D-loop resolvase or “resolver” cleaves this intermediate, limited DNA replication restores missing information and a DNA ligase seals the DNA ends. However, if any step fails, the “rescuers” will repair the broken end to rescue chromosomal transformation. If the ssDNA does not share homology with resident DNA, but it contains information for autonomous replication, guardian and mediator proteins catalyze plasmid establishment after inhibition of RecA. DNA replication and ligation reconstitute the molecule (plasmid transformation). In this review, the interacting network that leads to a cross talk between proteins of the uptake and genetic recombination machinery will be placed into prospective. PMID:23046409

Accommodation and vergence latencies in human infants

PubMed Central

Tondel, Grazyna M.; Candy, T. Rowan

2008-01-01

Purpose Achieving simultaneous single and clear visual experience during postnatal development depends on the temporal relationship between accommodation and vergence, in addition to their accuracies. This study was designed to examine one component of the dynamic relationship, the latencies of the responses. Methods Infants and adults were tested in three conditions i) Binocular viewing of a target moving in depth at 5cm/s (closed loop) ii) monocular viewing of the same target (vergence open loop) iii) binocular viewing of a low spatial frequency Difference of Gaussian target during a prism induced step change in retinal disparity (accommodation open loop). Results There was a significant correlation between accommodation and vergence latencies in binocular conditions for infants from 7 to 23 weeks of age. Some of the infants, as young as 7 or 8 weeks, generated adult-like latencies of less than 0.5 s. Latencies in the vergence open loop and accommodation open loop conditions tended to be shorter for the stimulated system than the open loop system in both cases, and all latencies were typically less than 2 seconds across the infant age range. Conclusions Many infants between 7 and 23 weeks of age were able to generate accommodation and vergence responses with latencies of less than a second in full binocular closed loop conditions. The correlation between the latencies in the two systems suggests that they are limited by related factors from the earliest ages tested. PMID:18199466

Accommodation and vergence latencies in human infants.

PubMed

Tondel, Grazyna M; Candy, T Rowan

2008-02-01

Achieving simultaneous single and clear visual experience during postnatal development depends on the temporal relationship between accommodation and vergence, in addition to their accuracies. This study was designed to examine one component of the dynamic relationship, the latencies of the responses. Infants and adults were tested in three conditions (i) binocular viewing of a target moving in depth at 5 cm/s (closed loop) (ii) monocular viewing of the same target (vergence open loop) (iii) binocular viewing of a low spatial frequency Difference of Gaussian target during a prism induced step change in retinal disparity (accommodation open loop). There was a significant correlation between accommodation and vergence latencies in binocular conditions for infants from 7 to 23 weeks of age. Some of the infants, as young as 7 or 8 weeks, generated adult-like latencies of less than 0.5 s. Latencies in the vergence open loop and accommodation open loop conditions tended to be shorter for the stimulated system than the open loop system in both cases, and all latencies were typically less than 2 s across the infant age range. Many infants between 7 and 23 weeks of age were able to generate accommodation and vergence responses with latencies of less than a second in full binocular closed loop conditions. The correlation between the latencies in the two systems suggests that they are limited by related factors from the earliest ages tested.

Heterogeneous dislocation loop formation near grain boundaries in a neutron-irradiated commercial FeCrAl alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Field, Kevin G.; Briggs, Samuel A.; Hu, Xunxiang; Yamamoto, Yukinori; Howard, Richard H.; Sridharan, Kumar

2017-01-01

FeCrAl alloys are an attractive class of materials for nuclear power applications because of their increased environmental compatibility compared with more traditional nuclear materials. Preliminary studies into the radiation tolerance of FeCrAl alloys under accelerated neutron testing between 300 and 400 °C have shown post-irradiation microstructures containing dislocation loops and a Cr-rich α‧ phase. Although these initial studies established the post-irradiation microstructures, there was little to no focus on understanding the influence of pre-irradiation microstructures on this response. In this study, a well-annealed commercial FeCrAl alloy, Alkrothal 720, was neutron irradiated to 1.8 displacements per atom (dpa) at 382 °C and then the effect of random high-angle grain boundaries on the spatial distribution and size of a〈100〉 dislocation loops, a/2〈111〉 dislocation loops, and black dot damage was analyzed using on-zone scanning transmission electron microscopy. Results showed a clear heterogeneous dislocation loop formation with a/2〈111〉 dislocation loops showing an increased number density and size, black dot damage showing a significant number density decrease, and a〈100〉 dislocation loops exhibiting an increased size in the vicinity of the grain boundary. These results suggest the importance of the pre-irradiation microstructure and, specifically, defect sink density spacing to the radiation tolerance of FeCrAl alloys.

RELAP5 Analyses of OECD/NEA ROSA-2 Project Experiments on Intermediate-Break LOCAs at Hot Leg or Cold Leg

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takeda, Takeshi; Maruyama, Yu; Watanabe, Tadashi; Nakamura, Hideo

Experiments simulating PWR intermediate-break loss-of-coolant accidents (IBLOCAs) with 17% break at hot leg or cold leg were conducted in OECD/NEA ROSA-2 Project using the Large Scale Test Facility (LSTF). In the hot leg IBLOCA test, core uncovery started simultaneously with liquid level drop in crossover leg downflow-side before loop seal clearing (LSC) induced by steam condensation on accumulator coolant injected into cold leg. Water remained on upper core plate in upper plenum due to counter-current flow limiting (CCFL) because of significant upward steam flow from the core. In the cold leg IBLOCA test, core dryout took place due to rapid liquid level drop in the core before LSC. Liquid was accumulated in upper plenum, steam generator (SG) U-tube upflow-side and SG inlet plenum before the LSC due to CCFL by high velocity vapor flow, causing enhanced decrease in the core liquid level. The RELAP5/MOD3.2.1.2 post-test analyses of the two LSTF experiments were performed employing critical flow model in the code with a discharge coefficient of 1.0. In the hot leg IBLOCA case, cladding surface temperature of simulated fuel rods was underpredicted due to overprediction of core liquid level after the core uncovery. In the cold leg IBLOCA case, the cladding surface temperature was underpredicted too due to later core uncovery than in the experiment. These may suggest that the code has remaining problems in proper prediction of primary coolant distribution.

Suppression of heating of coronal loops rooted in opposite polarity sunspot umbrae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tiwari, Sanjiv K.; Thalmann, Julia K.; Moore, Ronald L.; Panesar, Navdeep; Winebarger, Amy R.

2016-05-01

EUV observations of active region (AR) coronae reveal the presence of loops at different temperatures. To understand the mechanisms that result in hotter or cooler loops, we study a typical bipolar AR, near solar disk center, which has moderate overall magnetic twist and at least one fully developed sunspot of each polarity. From AIA 193 and 94 A images we identify many clearly discernible coronal loops that connect plage or a sunspot of one polarity to an opposite-polarity plage region. The AIA 94 A images show dim regions in the umbrae of the spots. To see which coronal loops are rooted in a dim umbral area, we performed a non-linear force-free field (NLFFF) modeling using photospheric vector magnetic field measurements obtained with the HMI onboard SDO. After validation of the NLFFF model by comparison of calculated model field lines and observed loops in AIA 193 and 94, we specify the photospheric roots of the model field lines. The model field then shows the coronal magnetic loops that arch from the dim umbral areas of the opposite polarity sunspots. Because these coronal loops are not visible in any of the coronal EUV and X-ray images of the AR, we conclude they are the coolest loops in the AR. This result suggests that the loops connecting opposite polarity umbrae are the least heated because the field in umbrae is so strong that the convective braiding of the field is strongly suppressed.We hypothesize that the convective freedom at the feet of a coronal loop, together with the strength of the field in the body of the loop, determines the strength of the heating. In particular, we expect the hottest coronal loops to have one foot in an umbra and the other foot in opposite-polarity penumbra or plage (coronal moss), the areas of strong field in which convection is not as strongly suppressed as in umbra. Many transient, outstandingly bright, loops in the AIA 94 movie of the AR do have this expected rooting pattern. We will also present another example of AR in which we find a similar rooting pattern of coronal loops.

The Effect of Various Finish Line Configurations on the Marginal Seal and Occlusal Discrepancy of Cast Full Crowns After Cementation - An In-vitro Study.

PubMed

Nemane, Vaishali; Akulwar, Ravikumar Suryakanth; Meshram, Suresh

2015-08-01

The marginal fit of crowns is of clinical importance. It is found that marginal and occlusal discrepancies are commonly increased following cementation. The resistance of cementing materials is a factor that prevents cast restorations from being correctly seated. Different finish lines behave differently in facilitating the escape of the cement. When the escape path of the cement decreases, the crown fails to seat further. This study was planned with an aim to evaluate the effect of various finish lines on the marginal seal and occlusal seat of full crown preparations. Six stainless steel metal dies were machined to simulate molar crown preparations. The diameter was 10 mm and height was 6mm. The occlusal surface was kept flat and a small circular dimple was machined for reorientation of the wax pattern and metal copings, margins of various designs were machined accurately. The margins prepared were Group A- 90(0)C shoulder, Group B- Rounded shoulder, Group C- 45 degree sloped shoulder, Group D- Chamfer, Group E- Long chamfer, Group F- Feather edge. Full cast metal crowns of base metal alloy were fabricated over the metal dies. Zinc phosphate luting cement was used for the cementation. After twenty four hours, the cemented crown and die assembly were embedded in clear acrylic resin so as to hold the assembly together while sectioning. Twenty four hours later, all the samples were sectioned sagitally. The sectioned halves were focused under a stereomicroscope and the cement spaces were measured to the nearest micron. The cement thickness was measured at two points on the occlusal surface and one at each margin. Significant differences were observed in the occlusal seat and marginal seal of all the finish line configurations. The rounded shoulder had the best occlusal seat, followed by 90(0)C shoulder. The occlusal seat and marginal seal afforded by the shoulder finish lines were similar whereas there was a vast difference in the seating and sealing of long chamfer and feather edged preparations. They showed the worst occlusal seat. It was found that the finish lines like shoulder preparations which exhibit poor sealing prior to complete cementation allow good seating whereas margins which seal earlier do not allow escape of cement and hence do not seat completely.

The Effect of Various Finish Line Configurations on the Marginal Seal and Occlusal Discrepancy of Cast Full Crowns After Cementation - An In-vitro Study

PubMed Central

Nemane, Vaishali; Meshram, Suresh

2015-01-01

Background The marginal fit of crowns is of clinical importance. It is found that marginal and occlusal discrepancies are commonly increased following cementation. The resistance of cementing materials is a factor that prevents cast restorations from being correctly seated. Different finish lines behave differently in facilitating the escape of the cement. When the escape path of the cement decreases, the crown fails to seat further. Materials and Methods This study was planned with an aim to evaluate the effect of various finish lines on the marginal seal and occlusal seat of full crown preparations. Six stainless steel metal dies were machined to simulate molar crown preparations. The diameter was 10 mm and height was 6mm. The occlusal surface was kept flat and a small circular dimple was machined for reorientation of the wax pattern and metal copings, margins of various designs were machined accurately. The margins prepared were Group A- 900C shoulder, Group B- Rounded shoulder, Group C- 45 degree sloped shoulder, Group D- Chamfer, Group E- Long chamfer, Group F- Feather edge. Full cast metal crowns of base metal alloy were fabricated over the metal dies. Zinc phosphate luting cement was used for the cementation. After twenty four hours, the cemented crown and die assembly were embedded in clear acrylic resin so as to hold the assembly together while sectioning. Twenty four hours later, all the samples were sectioned sagitally. The sectioned halves were focused under a stereomicroscope and the cement spaces were measured to the nearest micron. The cement thickness was measured at two points on the occlusal surface and one at each margin. Results Significant differences were observed in the occlusal seat and marginal seal of all the finish line configurations. The rounded shoulder had the best occlusal seat, followed by 900C shoulder. The occlusal seat and marginal seal afforded by the shoulder finish lines were similar whereas there was a vast difference in the seating and sealing of long chamfer and feather edged preparations. They showed the worst occlusal seat. Conclusion It was found that the finish lines like shoulder preparations which exhibit poor sealing prior to complete cementation allow good seating whereas margins which seal earlier do not allow escape of cement and hence do not seat completely. PMID:26436039

Endonasal Suturing of Nasoseptal Flap to Nasopharyngeal Fascia Using the V-Loc™ Wound Closure Device: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

PubMed

Zwagerman, Nathan T; Geltzeiler, Mathew N; Wang, Eric W; Fernandez-Miranda, Juan C; Snyderman, Carl H; Gardner, Paul A

2018-05-30

We present a case of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak after endoscopic endonasal resection of a large clival chordoma in an obese patient. The leak was at the lower reconstruction at the craniocervical junction and had failed repositioning. Using the V-Loc™ wound closure device (Covidien, New Haven, Connecticut) to suture the nasoseptal flap to the nasopharyngeal fascia, a water-tight seal was created and, along with a lumbar drain, the patient healed successfully.CSF leak after an endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) to intradural pathologies remains one of the more common complications.1-4 Various closure techniques have been developed5-8 with success in mitigating this risk, but all have their limitations and rely on multiple layers including vascularized flaps like the nasoseptal flap.9-11 Endonasal suturing of graft materials offers the advantage of creating a water-tight seal. We present the use of the V-Loc™ wound closure device (Covidien) to successfully seal a postoperative CSF leak. The absorbable V-Loc™ wound closure device does not require the surgeon to tie knots, which is the most challenging step in a deep, 2-dimensional corridor. The suture is barbed and is anchored by threading the needle through a prefabricated loop at the end of the suture which locks in place. Each throw of the suture through tissue maintains the suture line as the barbs catch the tissue and prevent retraction. After successful closure, the needle can simply be cut off.The V-Loc™ wound closure device (Covidien) is a safe and effective adjunct to reconstruction after endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery as it provides an option for graft/flap suturing.A written release from the patient whose name or likeness is submitted as part of this Work is on file.

Coupling Molecular Beacons to Barcoded Metal Nanowires for Multiplexed, Sealed Chamber DNA Bioassays

PubMed Central

Stoermer, Rebecca L.; Cederquist, Kristin B.; McFarland, Sean K.; Sha, Michael Y.; Penn, Sharron G.

2010-01-01

We have combined molecular beacon (MB) probes with barcoded metal nanowires to enable no-wash, sealed chamber, multiplexed detection of nucleic acids. Probe design and experimental parameters important in nanowire-based MB assays are discussed. Loop regions of 24 bases and 5 base pair stem regions in the beacon probes gave optimal performance. Our results suggest that thermodynamic predictions for secondary structure stability of solution-phase MB can guide probe design for nanowire-based assays. Dengue virus-specific probes with predicted solution-phase ΔG of folding in 500 mM buffered NaCl of approximately −4 kcal/mol performed better than those with ΔG > −2 or < −6 kcal/mol. Buffered 300–500 mM NaCl was selected after comparison of several buffers previously reported for similar types of assays, and 200–500 mM NaCl was found to be the optimal ionic strength for the hybridization temperatures (25 and 50 °C) and probe designs used here. Target binding to the surface as a function of solution concentration fit a Sips isotherm with Kd = 1.7 ± 0.3 nM. The detection limit was ∼100 pM, limited by incomplete quenching. Single base mismatches could be discriminated from fully complementary targets. Oligonucleotide target sequences specific for human immunodeficiency, hepatitis C, and severe acute respiratory viruses were assayed simultaneously in a no-wash, sealed chamber, multiplexed experiment in which each of three probe sequences was attached to a different pattern of encoded nanowires. Finally, we demonstrated that probe-coated nanowires retain their selectivity and sensitivity in a triplexed assay after storage for over 3 months. PMID:17177440

Forces on intraocular lens haptics induced by capsular fibrosis. An experimental study.

PubMed

Guthoff, R; Abramo, F; Draeger, J; Chumbley, L C; Lang, G K; Neumann, W

1990-01-01

Electronic dynamometry measurements, performed upon intraocular lens (IOL) haptics of prototype one-piece three-loop silicone lenses, accurately defined the relationships between elastic force and haptic displacement. Lens implantations in the capsular bag of dogs (loop span equal to capsular bag diameter, loops underformed immediately after the operation) were evaluated macrophotographically 5-8 months postoperatively. The highly constant elastic property of silicon rubber permitted quantitative correlation of subsequent in vivo haptic displacement with the resultant force vectors responsible for tissue contraction. The lens optics were well centered in 17 (85%) and slightly offcenter in 3 (15%) of 20 implanted eyes. Of the 60 supporting loops, 28 could be visualized sufficiently well to permit reliable haptic measurement. Of these 28, 20 (71%) were clearly displaced, ranging from 0.45 mm away from to 1.4 mm towards the lens' optic center. These extremes represented resultant vector forces of 0.20 and 1.23 mN respectively. Quantitative vector analysis permits better understanding of IOL-capsular interactions.

Observable Signatures of Energy Release in Braided Coronal Loops

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pontin, D. I.; Janvier, M.; Tiwari, S. K.

We examine the turbulent relaxation of solar coronal loops containing non-trivial field line braiding. Such field line tangling in the corona has long been postulated in the context of coronal heating models. We focus on the observational signatures of energy release in such braided magnetic structures using MHD simulations and forward modeling tools. The aim is to answer the following question: if energy release occurs in a coronal loop containing braided magnetic flux, should we expect a clearly observable signature in emissions? We demonstrate that the presence of braided magnetic field lines does not guarantee a braided appearance to themore » observed intensities. Observed intensities may—but need not necessarily—reveal the underlying braided nature of the magnetic field, depending on the degree and pattern of the field line tangling within the loop. However, in all cases considered, the evolution of the braided loop is accompanied by localized heating regions as the loop relaxes. Factors that may influence the observational signatures are discussed. Recent high-resolution observations from Hi-C have claimed the first direct evidence of braided magnetic fields in the corona. Here we show that both the Hi-C data and some of our simulations give the appearance of braiding at a range of scales.« less

Sealing ability of cermet ionomer cement as a retrograde filling material.

PubMed

Aktener, B O; Pehlivan, Y

1993-03-01

An in vitro dye leakage study was performed to compare the sealing ability of high copper amalgam with cavity varnish and cermet ionomer cement with and without varnish when used as retrofilling materials. The root canals of 54 maxillary anterior teeth were instrumented and obturated with gutta-percha and sealer. The apical 3 mm of the roots were resected and apical class I cavity preparations were made. The roots were then randomly divided into three groups and retrofilled with one of the experimental materials. After 72 h of immersion in India ink, the roots were cleared and evaluated for leakage with a stereomicroscope. Statistical analysis indicated that the cermet ionomer cement with varnish group had significantly less leakage than the amalgam group (P < 0.0014) and the cermet ionomer cement without varnish group (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the other two groups (P > 0.05).

Fiber-coupled THz spectroscopy for monitoring polymeric compounding processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vieweg, N.; Krumbholz, N.; Hasek, T.; Wilk, R.; Bartels, V.; Keseberg, C.; Pethukhov, V.; Mikulics, M.; Wetenkamp, L.; Koch, M.

2007-06-01

We present a compact, robust, and transportable fiber-coupled THz system for inline monitoring of polymeric compounding processes in an industrial environment. The system is built on a 90cm x 90cm large shock absorbing optical bench. A sealed metal box protects the system against dust and mechanical disturbances. A closed loop controller unit is used to ensure optimum coupling of the laser beam into the fiber. In order to build efficient and stable fiber-coupled antennas we glue the fibers directly onto photoconductive switches. Thus, the antenna performance is very stable and it is secured from dust or misalignment by vibrations. We discuss fabrication details and antenna performance. First spectroscopic data obtained with this system is presented.

A Hydrodynamic Characteristic of a Dual Fluidized Bed Gasification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sung, Yeon Kyung; Song, Jae Hun; Bang, Byung Ryeul; Yu, Tae U.; Lee, Uen Do

A cold model dual fluidized bed (DFB) reactor, consisting of two parallel interconnected bubbling and fast fluidized beds, was designed for developing an auto-thermal biomass gasifier. The combustor of this system burns the rest char of the gasification process and provides heat to the gasifier by circulating solids inventory. To find an optimal mixing and circulation of heavy solid inventory and light biomass and char materials, we investigate two types of DFB reactors which have different configuration of distributor and way-out location of the solid inventory and char materials in the gasifier. To determine appropriate operating conditions, we measured minimum fluidization velocity, solid circulation rate, axial solid holdup and gas bypassing between the lower loop seal and the gasifier.

Successful embolization of a enterocutaneous fistula tract with Onyx 34 following low anterior resection for rectal cancer.

PubMed

Rahimi, Hamza; Venbrux, Anthony C; Obias, Vincent

2018-06-01

Enterocutaneous fistulas (ECFs) can be one of the complications found after surgical intervention for rectal cancer. Interventional modalities consisting of surgical, endoscopic, and radiological methods are often implemented to treat postoperative symptomatic complications. We present the case of 61-year-old Caucasian man who presented to us with a recent diagnosis of rectal cancer that had invaded the levators as well as anteriorly into the prostate, and who underwent low anterior resection with a diverting loop ileostomy. The patient was found to have a persistent presacral abscess due to an ECF tract. This case highlights the off-label use of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (Onyx 34) to seal an ECF.

Post-Test Analysis of 11% Break at PSB-VVER Experimental Facility using Cathare 2 Code

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sabotinov, Luben; Chevrier, Patrick

The best estimate French thermal-hydraulic computer code CATHARE 2 Version 2.5_1 was used for post-test analysis of the experiment “11% upper plenum break”, conducted at the large-scale test facility PSB-VVER in Russia. The PSB rig is 1:300 scaled model of VVER-1000 NPP. A computer model has been developed for CATHARE 2 V2.5_1, taking into account all important components of the PSB facility: reactor model (lower plenum, core, bypass, upper plenum, downcomer), 4 separated loops, pressurizer, horizontal multitube steam generators, break section. The secondary side is represented by recirculation model. A large number of sensitivity calculations has been performed regarding break modeling, reactor pressure vessel modeling, counter current flow modeling, hydraulic losses, heat losses. The comparison between calculated and experimental results shows good prediction of the basic thermal-hydraulic phenomena and parameters such as pressures, temperatures, void fractions, loop seal clearance, etc. The experimental and calculation results are very sensitive regarding the fuel cladding temperature, which show a periodical nature. With the applied CATHARE 1D modeling, the global thermal-hydraulic parameters and the core heat up have been reasonably predicted.

Body-freedom flutter of a 1/2-scale forward-swept-wing model, an experimental and analytical study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chipman, R.; Rauch, F.; Rimer, M.; Muniz, B.

1984-01-01

The aeroelastic phenomenon known as body-freedom flutter (BFF), a dynamic instability involving aircraft-pitch and wing-bending motions which, though rarely experienced on conventional vehicles, is characteristic of forward swept wing (FSW) aircraft was investigated. Testing was conducted in the Langley transonic dynamics tunnel on a flying, cable-mounted, 1/2-scale model of a FSW configuration with and without relaxed static stability (RSS). The BFF instability boundaries were found to occur at significantly lower airspeeds than those associated with aeroelastic wing divergence on the same model. For those cases with RSS, a canard-based stability augmentation system (SAS) was incorporated in the model. This SAS was designed using aerodynamic data measured during a preliminary tunnel test in which the model was attached to a force balance. Data from the subsequent flutter test indicated that BFF speed was not dependent on open-loop static margin but, rather, on the equivalent closed-loop dynamics provided by the SAS. Servo-aeroelastic stability analyses of the flying model were performed using a computer code known as SEAL and predicted the onset of BFF reasonably well.

First Human Testing of the Orion Atmosphere Revitalization Technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lin, Amy; Sweterlitsch, Jeffrey

2009-01-01

An amine-based carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor sorbent in pressure-swing regenerable beds has been developed by Hamilton Sundstrand and baselined for the Orion Atmosphere Revitalization System (ARS). In two previous years at this conference, reports were presented on extensive Johnson Space Center (JSC) testing of the technology in a representative environment with simulated human metabolic loads. The next step in developmental testing at JSC was to replace the simulated humans with real humans; this testing was conducted in the spring of 2008. This first instance of human testing of a new Orion ARS technology included several cases in a sealed Orion-equivalent free volume and three cases using emergency breathing masks connected directly to the ARS loop. Significant test results presented in this paper include comparisons between the standard metabolic rates for CO2 and water vapor production published in Orion requirements documents and real-world rate ranges observed with human test subjects. Also included are qualitative assessments of process flow rate and closed-loop pressure-cycling tolerability while using the emergency masks. Recommendations for modifications to the Orion ARS design and operation, based on the test results, conclude the paper.

First Human Testing of the Orion Atmosphere Revitalization Technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lin, Amy; Sweterlitsch, Jeffrey

2008-01-01

An amine-based carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor sorbent in pressure-swing regenerable beds has been developed by Hamilton Sundstrand and baselined for the Orion Atmosphere Revitalization System (ARS). In two previous years at this conference, reports were presented on extensive Johnson Space Center (JSC) testing of the technology in a representative environment with simulated human metabolic loads. The next step in developmental testing at JSC was to replace the simulated humans with real humans; this testing was conducted in the spring of 2008. This first instance of human testing of a new Orion ARS technology included several cases in a sealed Orione-quivalent free volume and three cases using emergency breathing masks connected directly to the ARS loop. Significant test results presented in this paper include comparisons between the standard metabolic rates for CO2 and water vapor production published in Orion requirements documents and real-world rate ranges observed with human test subjects. Also included are qualitative assessments of process flow rate and closed-loop pressure-cycling tolerability while using the emergency masks. Recommendations for modifications to the Orion ARS design and operation, based on the test results, conclude the paper.

Dynamic and Static High Temperature Resistant Ceramic Seals for X- 38 re-Entry Vehicle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Handrick, Karin E.; Curry, Donald M.

2002-01-01

In a highly successful partnership, NAS A, ESA, DLR (German Space Agency) and European industry are building the X-38, V201 re-entry spacecraft, the prototype of the International Space Station's Crew Return Vehicle (CRV). This vehicle would serve both as an ambulance for medical emergencies and as an evacuation vehicle for the Space Station. The development of essential systems and technologies for a reusable re-entry vehicle is a first for Europe, and sharing the development of an advanced re-entry spacecraft with foreign partners is a first for NASA. NASA, in addition to its subsystem responsibilities, is performing overall X-38 vehicle system engineering and integration, will launch V201 on the Space Shuttle, deliver flight data for post-flight analysis and assessment and is responsible for development and manufacture of structural vehicle components and thermal protection (TPS) tiles. The major European objective for cooperation with NASA on X-38 was to establish a clear path through which key technologies needed for future space transportation systems could be developed and validated at affordable cost and with controlled risk. Europe has taken the responsibility to design and manufacture hot control surfaces like metallic rudders and ceramic matrix composites (CMC) body flaps, thermal protection systems such as CMC leading edges, the CMC nose cap and -skirt, insulation, landing gears and elements of the V201 primary structure. Especially hot control surfaces require extremely high temperature resistant seals to limit hot gas ingestion and transfer of heat to underlying low-temperature structures to prevent overheating of these structures and possible loss of the vehicle. Complex seal interfaces, which have to fulfill various, tight mission- and vehicle-related requirements exist between the moveable ceramic body flaps and the bottom surface of the vehicle, between the rudder and fin structure and the ceramic leading edge panel and TPS tiles. While NASA concentrated on the development, qualification and manufacture of dynamic seals in the rudder area, the responsibility of MAN Technologie focused on the development, lay-out, qualification and flight hardware manufacture of static and dynamic seals in ceramic hot structures' associated gaps and interfaces, dealing with re-entry temperatures up to 1600°C. This paper presents results for temperature and mechanical stability, flow, scrub (up to 1000 cycles) and of arc jet tests under representative low boundary conditions and plasma step/gap tests, conducted during the development and qualification phases of these different kind of ceramic seals. Room temperature seal compression tests were performed at low compression levels to determine load versus linear compression, preload, contact area, stiffness and resiliency characteristics under low load conditions. Flow tests with thermally aged seals were conducted at ambient temperature to examine leakage at low compression levels and in as-manufactured conditions. Seal scrub tests were performed to examine durability and wear resistance and to recommend surface treatments required to maximize seal wear life. Results of arc jet/plasma tests under simulated re-entry conditions (pressure, temperature) verified seal temperature stability and function under representative assembly and interface conditions. Each of these specifically developed seals fulfilled the requirements and is qualified for flight on X-38, V201.

Industrial hygiene walk-through survey report of E. I. Dupont de Nemours and Company, Inc. , Chocolate Bayou Plant, Alvin, Texas

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fajen, J.M.

1985-05-01

A walkthrough survey of EI duPont deNemours and Company, Incorporated, Alvin, Texas was conducted in November, 1984. The purpose of the survey was to obtain information on the 1,3-butadiene monomer manufacturing process and the potential for exposure. The facility manufactured a crude product stream containing 1,3-butadiene as a coproduct of its ethylene process. The crude was refined to a 99.5% 1,3-butadiene product. The refining process occurred in a closed system, tightly maintained for economic, fire, and health-hazard reasons. The product was transferred by way of a pipeline to storage spheres for later transport off site. The facility used an open-loopmore » cylinder (bomb) technique for quality control sampling. All pumps were equipped with single mechanical seals, which were in the process of being replaced by tandem seals. Since 1962, the facility had experienced process changes and three changes of ownership. Because of these changes, records from previous owners of industrial hygiene monitoring were not available. Job titles identified as having potential exposure were processors, wage employee supervisors, production engineers, and laboratory technicians. The author concludes that a closed-loop manual quality-control sampling system should be installed to reduce exposure from this source.« less

Advanced measurement techniques to characterize thermo-mechanical aspects of solid oxide fuel cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malzbender, J.; Steinbrech, R. W.

Advanced characterization methods have been used to analyze the thermo-mechanical behaviour of solid oxide fuel cells in a model stack. The primarily experimental work included contacting studies, sealing of a model stack, thermal and re-oxidation cycling. Also an attempt was made to correlate cell fracture in the stack with pore sizes determined from computer tomography. The contacting studies were carried out using pressure sensitive foils. The load to achieve full contact on anode and cathode side of the cell was assessed and applied in the subsequent model stack test. The stack experiment permitted a detailed analysis of stack compaction during sealing. During steady state operation thermal and re-oxidation cycling the changes in open cell voltage and acoustic emissions were monitored. Significant softening of the sealant material was observed at low temperatures. Heating in the thermal cycling loop of the stack appeared to be less critical than the cooling. Re-oxidation cycling led to significant damage if a critical re-oxidation time was exceeded. Microstructural studies permitted further insight into the re-oxidation mechanism. Finally, the maximum defect size in the cell was determined by computer tomography. A limit of maximum anode stress was estimated and the result correlated this with the failure strength observed during the model stack testing.

A PDI-catalyzed thiol-disulfide switch regulates the production of hydrogen peroxide by human Ero1.

PubMed

Ramming, Thomas; Okumura, Masaki; Kanemura, Shingo; Baday, Sefer; Birk, Julia; Moes, Suzette; Spiess, Martin; Jenö, Paul; Bernèche, Simon; Inaba, Kenji; Appenzeller-Herzog, Christian

2015-06-01

Oxidative folding in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) involves ER oxidoreductin 1 (Ero1)-mediated disulfide formation in protein disulfide isomerase (PDI). In this process, Ero1 consumes oxygen (O2) and releases hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), but none of the published Ero1 crystal structures reveal any potential pathway for entry and exit of these reactants. We report that additional mutation of the Cys(208)-Cys(241) disulfide in hyperactive Ero1α (Ero1α-C104A/C131A) potentiates H2O2 production, ER oxidation, and cell toxicity. This disulfide clamps two helices that seal the flavin cofactor where O2 is reduced to H2O2. Through its carboxyterminal active site, PDI unlocks this seal by forming a Cys(208)/Cys(241)-dependent mixed-disulfide complex with Ero1α. The H2O2-detoxifying glutathione peroxidase 8 also binds to the Cys(208)/Cys(241) loop region. Supported by O2 diffusion simulations, these data describe the first enzymatically controlled O2 access into a flavoprotein active site, provide molecular-level understanding of Ero1α regulation and H2O2 production/detoxification, and establish the deleterious consequences of constitutive Ero1 activity. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Resonant acoustic measurement of vapor phase transport phenomenon in porous media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schuhmann, Richard; Garrett, Steven

2002-05-01

Diffusion of gases through porous media is commonly described using Fick's law and is characterized by a gas diffusion coefficient modified by a media-specific tortuosity parameter. A phase-locked-loop resonance frequency tracker [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 108, 2520 (2000)] has been upgraded with an insulated copper resonator and a bellows-sealed piston instrumented with an accelerometer. Average system stability (temperature divided by frequency squared) is about 180 ppm. Glass-bead-filled cores of different lengths are fitted into an o-ring sealed opening at the top of the resonator. The rate at which the tracer gas is replaced by air within the resonator is controlled by the core's diffusion constant. Mean molecular weight of the gas mixture in the resonator is determined in real time from the ratio of the absolute temperature to the square of the fundamental acoustic resonance frequency. Molecular weight of the gas mixture is determined approximately six times per minute. Changes in the gas mixture concentration are exponential in time (within 0.1%) over nearly two decades in concentration. We will report diffusion constants for two different sizes of glass beads, in samples of five different lengths, using two different tracer gases, to establish the validity of this approach. [Work supported by ONR.

Evidence of suppressed heating of coronal loops rooted in opposite polarity sunspot umbrae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tiwari, Sanjiv K.; Thalmann, Julia K.; Winebarger, Amy R.; Panesar, Navdeep K.; Moore, Ronald

2015-04-01

Observations of active region (AR) coronae in different EUV wavelengths reveal the presence of various loops at different temperatures. To understand the mechanisms that result in hotter or cooler loops, we study a typical bipolar AR, near solar disk center, which has moderate overall magnetic twist and at least one fully developed sunspot of each polarity. From AIA 193 and 94 A images we identify many clearly discernible coronal loops that connect opposite-polarity plage or a sunspot to a opposite-polarity plage region. The AIA 94 A images show dim regions in the umbrae of the spots. To see which coronal loops are rooted in a dim umbral area, we performed a non-linear force-free field (NLFFF) modeling using photospheric vector magnetic field measurements obtained with the Heliosesmic Magnetic Imager (HMI) onboard SDO. After validation of the NLFFF model by comparison of calculated model field lines and observed loops in AIA 193 and 94 A, we specify the photospheric roots of the model field lines. The model field then shows the coronal magnetic loops that arch from the dim umbral area of the positive-polarity sunspot to the dim umbral area of a negative-polarity sunspot. Because these coronal loops are not visible in any of the coronal EUV and X-ray images of the AR, we conclude they are the coolest loops in the AR. This result suggests that the loops connecting opposite polarity umbrae are the least heated because the field in umbrae is so strong that the convective braiding of the field is strongly suppressed.From this result, we further hypothesize that the convective freedom at the feet of a coronal loop, together with the strength of the field in the body of the loop, determines the strength of the heating. In particular, we expect the hottest coronal loops to have one foot in an umbra and the other foot in opposite-polarity penumbra or plage (coronal moss), the areas of strong field in which convection is not as strongly suppressed as in umbrae. Many transient, outstandingly bright, loops in the AIA 94 A movie of the AR do have this expected rooting pattern.

Flow Through Cement Fracture Under Geological Carbon Sequestration Conditions: Critical Residence Time as a Unifying Parameter for Fracture Opening or Self-Sealing Behavior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, L.; Brunet, J. P. L.; Karpyn, Z.; Huerta, N. J.

2016-12-01

During geological carbon sequestration (GCS) large quantities of CO2 are injected in underground formations. Cement fractures represent preferential leakage pathways in abandoned wells upon exposure to CO2-rich fluid. Contrasting self- healing and fracture opening behavior have been observed while a unifying framework is still missing. The modelling of this process is challenging as it involves complex chemical, mechanical and transport interactions. We developed a process-based reactive transport model that explicitly simulates flow and multi-component reactive transport in fractured cement by reproducing experimental observations of sharp flow rate reduction during exposure to carbonated water. Mechanical interactions have not been included. The simulation shows a similar reaction network as in diffusion-controlled systems without flow. That is, CO2-rich water induced portlandite dissolution, releasing calcium that further reacted with carbonate to form calcite. This created localized changes in porosity and permeability inducing large differences in the long term response of the system through a complex positive feedback loop (e.g., a decrease in local permeability induces a decrease in flow that in turn amplifies the precipitation of calcite through a reduced acidic brine flow). The calibrated model was used to generate 250 numerical experiments of CO2-flooding in cement fractures with varying initial hydraulic apertures (b) and residence times (τ) defined as the ratio of fracture volume over flow rate. A long τ leads to slow replenishment of carbonated water, calcite precipitation, and self-sealing. The opposite occurs when τ is small with short fractures and fast flow rates. Simulation results indicate that a critical residence time τc - the minimum τ required for self-sealing -divides the conditions that trigger the diverging opening and self-sealing behavior. The τc value depends on the initial aperture size (see figure). Among the 250 simulated fracture cases, significant changes in effective permeability - self-healing or opening - typically occurs within hours to a day, thus providing a supporting argument for the extrapolation of short-term laboratory observations (hours to months) to long-term predictions at relevant GCS time scales (years to hundreds of years).

The Duration of Energy Deposition on Unresolved Flaring Loops in the Solar Corona

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reep, Jeffrey W.; Polito, Vanessa; Warren, Harry P.; Crump, Nicholas A.

2018-04-01

Solar flares form and release energy across a large number of magnetic loops. The global parameters of flares, such as the total energy released, duration, physical size, etc., are routinely measured, and the hydrodynamics of a coronal loop subjected to intense heating have been extensively studied. It is not clear, however, how many loops comprise a flare, nor how the total energy is partitioned between them. In this work, we employ a hydrodynamic model to better understand the energy partition by synthesizing Si IV and Fe XXI line emission and comparing to observations of these lines with the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS). We find that the observed temporal evolution of the Doppler shifts holds important information on the heating duration. To demonstrate this, we first examine a single loop model, and find that the properties of chromospheric evaporation seen in Fe XXI can be reproduced by loops heated for long durations, while persistent redshifts seen in Si IV cannot be reproduced by any single loop model. We then examine a multithreaded model, assuming both a fixed heating duration on all loops and a distribution of heating durations. For a fixed heating duration, we find that durations of 100–200 s do a fair job of reproducing both the red- and blueshifts, while a distribution of durations, with a median of about 50–100 s, does a better job. Finally, we compare our simulations directly to observations of an M-class flare seen by IRIS, and find good agreement between the modeled and observed values given these constraints.

Closed-loop endo-atmospheric ascent guidance for reusable launch vehicle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Hongsheng

This dissertation focuses on the development of a closed-loop endo-atmospheric ascent guidance algorithm for the 2nd generation reusable launch vehicle. Special attention has been given to the issues that impact on viability, complexity and reliability in on-board implementation. The algorithm is called once every guidance update cycle to recalculate the optimal solution based on the current flight condition, taking into account atmospheric effects and path constraints. This is different from traditional ascent guidance algorithms which operate in a simple open-loop mode inside atmosphere, and later switch to a closed-loop vacuum ascent guidance scheme. The classical finite difference method is shown to be well suited for fast solution of the constrained optimal three-dimensional ascent problem. The initial guesses for the solutions are generated using an analytical vacuum optimal ascent guidance algorithm. Homotopy method is employed to gradually introduce the aerodynamic forces to generate the optimal solution from the optimal vacuum solution. The vehicle chosen for this study is the Lockheed Martin X-33 lifting-body reusable launch vehicle. To verify the algorithm presented in this dissertation, a series of open-loop and closed-loop tests are performed for three different missions. Wind effects are also studied in the closed-loop simulations. For comparison, the solutions for the same missions are also obtained by two independent optimization softwares. The results clearly establish the feasibility of closed-loop endo-atmospheric ascent guidance of rocket-powered launch vehicles. ATO cases are also tested to assess the adaptability of the algorithm to autonomously incorporate the abort modes.

Smart lighting using a liquid crystal modulator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baril, Alexandre; Thibault, Simon; Galstian, Tigran

2017-08-01

Now that LEDs have massively invaded the illumination market, a clear trend has emerged for more efficient and targeted lighting. The project described here is at the leading edge of the trend and aims at developing an evaluation board to test smart lighting applications. This is made possible thanks to a new liquid crystal light modulator recently developed for broadening LED light beams. The modulator is controlled by electrical signals and is characterized by a linear working zone. This feature allows the implementation of a closed loop control with a sensor feedback. This project shows that the use of computer vision is a promising opportunity for cheap closed loop control. The developed evaluation board integrates the liquid crystal modulator, a webcam, a LED light source and all the required electronics to implement a closed loop control with a computer vision algorithm.

Assessment of neurotoxic effects of mercury in beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas), ringed seals (Pusa hispida), and polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from the Canadian Arctic.

PubMed

Krey, Anke; Ostertag, Sonja K; Chan, Hing Man

2015-03-15

Marine mammals are indicator species of the Arctic ecosystem and an integral component of the traditional Inuit diet. The potential neurotoxic effects of increased mercury (Hg) in beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas), ringed seals (Pusa hispida), and polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are not clear. We assessed the risk of Hg-associated neurotoxicity to these species by comparing their brain Hg concentrations with threshold concentrations for toxic endpoints detected in laboratory animals and field observations: clinical symptoms (>6.75 mg/kg wet weight (ww)), neuropathological signs (>4 mg/kg ww), neurochemical changes (>0.4 mg/kg ww), and neurobehavioral changes (>0.1mg/kg ww). The total Hg (THg) concentrations in the cerebellum and frontal lobe of ringed seals and polar bears were <0.5mg/kg ww, whereas the average concentration in beluga whale brain was >3mg/kg ww. Our results suggest that brain THg levels in polar bears are below levels that induce neurobehavioral effects as reported in the literature, while THg concentrations in ringed seals are within the range that elicit neurobehavioral effects and individual ringed seals exceed the threshold for neurochemical changes. The relatively high THg concentration in beluga whales exceeds all of the neurotoxicity thresholds assessed. High brain selenium (Se):Hg molar ratios were observed in all three species, suggesting that Se could protect the animals from Hg-associated neurotoxicity. This assessment was limited by several factors that influence neurotoxic effects in animals, including: animal species; form of Hg in the brain; and interactions with modifiers of Hg-associated toxicity, such as Se. Comparing brain Hg concentrations in wildlife with concentrations of appropriate laboratory studies can be used as a tool for risk characterization of the neurotoxic effects of Hg in Arctic marine mammals. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Large loop excision of the transformation zone for treating cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: a 12-year experience.

PubMed

Paraskevaidis, E; Koliopoulos, G; Malamou-Mitsi, V; Zikopoulos, K; Paschopoulos, M; Pappa, L; Agnantis, N J; Loli, D E

2001-01-01

Although the existing evidence suggests that there is no obviously superior conservative method for treating cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), one of the most widely used is the large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ). A total of 897 women who were treated with LLETZ at our colposcopy clinic from 1989 to 2000 were retrospectively studied. Forty women did not have significant cervical pathology (4.5% over-treatment rate). Clear margins of excision were obtained in 748 (88.5%) of the 845 cases of CIN or microinvasive cancers. Treatment failure rates were 4.7% for clear margins and 26.8% for involved or uncertain. LLETZ is a fast and reliable method of treating CIN and microinvasive carcinoma. Generalized cauterization of the resulting crater should be avoided and satellite HPV lesions ablated. Involved margins have a higher treatmentfailure rate, therefore a larger excision is recommended as cervical craters regenerate. Treatment in pregnant women can be delayed until postpartum provided they have adequate surveillance during pregnancy.

Life begins when the sea lion is ashore: microhabitat use by a louse living on a diving mammal host.

PubMed

Leonardi, M S; Crespo, E A; Vales, D G; Feijoo, M; Raga, J A; Aznar, F J

2012-08-01

Among Anoplura, the family Echinophthiriidae includes species that infest pinnipeds and otters. Previous evidence obtained from pinnipeds infested by echinophthiriids, specifically from seals, indicates that flippers are the preferred infestation sites, while lice from fur seals select areas in the pelage. We studied habitat selection of Antarctophthirus microchir on South American sea lion pups (Otaria flavescens Shaw, 1800) from Patagonia, Argentina, during the austral summer of 2009. We found a clear pattern of habitat selection: eggs are laid on the dorsal surface; nymphs 1 hatch there and then migrate to the belly, where they develop into adults and copulate; and then ovigerous females return to the dorsal surface. On the one hand, nymphs 1 are characterised by their low locomotory ability; therefore, the fact that they migrate as soon as they hatch suggests a clear pressure leading to microhabitat restriction. On the other hand, the described pattern of microhabitat selection seems to respond to the physiological requirements of each stage, which vary according to the physiological process considered, e.g. oviposition, morphogenesis, hatching and development. Accordingly, it appears that A. microchir would prefer the host's ventral area for development and copulation and the dorsal area for oviposition. However, the causes of this pattern are not clear, and many factors could be involved. Considering that sea lion pups periodically soak at high tides, and that prolonged immersion and very high humidity are known to be lethal for lice eggs, selecting the dorsal area would be advantageous for oviposition because it dries much faster. Furthermore, because humidity should be retained for longer periods on the ventral surface of the pup, wetter conditions on the sea lion would prevent desiccation of the nymphs in the very arid environment where O. flavescens breeds.

Seals Having Textured Portions for Protection in Space Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Daniels, Christopher (Inventor); Garafolo, Nicholas (Inventor)

2016-01-01

A sealing construct for a space environment includes a seal-bearing object, a seal on the seal-bearing object, and a seal-engaging object. The seal includes a seal body having a sealing surface, and a textured pattern at the sealing surface, the textured pattern defining at least one shaded channel surface. The seal-engaging object is selectively engaged with the seal-bearing object through the seal. The seal-engaging object has a sealing surface, wherein, when the seal-engaging object is selectively engaged with the seal-bearing object, the sealing surface of the seal-engaging object engages the sealing surface of the seal, and the seal is compressed between the seal-bearing object and the seal-engaging object such that at least one shaded channel surface engages the sealing surface of the seal-engaging object.

GLOBAL SAUSAGE OSCILLATION OF SOLAR FLARE LOOPS DETECTED BY THE INTERFACE REGION IMAGING SPECTROGRAPH

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tian, Hui; He, Jiansen; Young, Peter R.

An observation from the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph reveals coherent oscillations in the loops of an M1.6 flare on 2015 March 12. Both the intensity and Doppler shift of Fe xxi 1354.08 Å show clear oscillations with a period of ∼25 s. Remarkably similar oscillations were also detected in the soft X-ray flux recorded by the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites ( GOES ). With an estimated phase speed of ∼2420 km s{sup −1} and a derived electron density of at least 5.4 × 10{sup 10} cm{sup −3}, the observed short-period oscillation is most likely the global fast sausage mode ofmore » a hot flare loop. We find a phase shift of ∼ π /2 (1/4 period) between the Doppler shift oscillation and the intensity/ GOES oscillations, which is consistent with a recent forward modeling study of the sausage mode. The observed oscillation requires a density contrast between the flare loop and coronal background of a factor ≥42. The estimated phase speed of the global mode provides a lower limit of the Alfvén speed outside the flare loop. We also find an increase of the oscillation period, which might be caused by the separation of the loop footpoints with time.« less

Spectroscopic Study of a Dark Lane and a Cool Loop in a Solar Limb Active Region by Hinode/EIS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Kyoung-Sun; Imada, S.; Moon, Y.-J.; Lee, Jin-Yi

2014-01-01

We investigated a cool loop and a dark lane over a limb active region on 2007 March 14 using the Hinode/EUV Imaging Spectrometer. The cool loop is clearly seen in the spectral lines formed at the transition region temperature. The dark lane is characterized by an elongated faint structure in the coronal spectral lines and is rooted on a bright point. We examined their electron densities, Doppler velocities, and nonthermal velocities as a function of distance from the limb. We derived electron densities using the density sensitive line pairs of Mg VII, Si X, Fe XII, Fe XIII, and Fe XIV spectra. We also compared the observed density scale heights with the calculated scale heights from each peak formation temperatures of the spectral lines under the hydrostatic equilibrium. We noted that the observed density scale heights of the cool loop are consistent with the calculated heights, with the exception of one observed cooler temperature; we also found that the observed scale heights of the dark lane are much lower than their calculated scale heights. The nonthermal velocity in the cool loop slightly decreases along the loop, while nonthermal velocity in the dark lane sharply falls off with height. Such a decrease in the nonthermal velocity may be explained by wave damping near the solar surface or by turbulence due to magnetic reconnection near the bright point.

Structure-function analysis of the DNA translocating portal of the bacteriophage T4 packaging machine.

PubMed

Padilla-Sanchez, Victor; Gao, Song; Kim, Hyung Rae; Kihara, Daisuke; Sun, Lei; Rossmann, Michael G; Rao, Venigalla B

2014-03-06

Tailed bacteriophages and herpesviruses consist of a structurally well conserved dodecameric portal at a special 5-fold vertex of the capsid. The portal plays critical roles in head assembly, genome packaging, neck/tail attachment, and genome ejection. Although the structures of portals from phages φ29, SPP1, and P22 have been determined, their mechanistic roles have not been well understood. Structural analysis of phage T4 portal (gp20) has been hampered because of its unusual interaction with the Escherichia coli inner membrane. Here, we predict atomic models for the T4 portal monomer and dodecamer, and we fit the dodecamer into the cryo-electron microscopy density of the phage portal vertex. The core structure, like that from other phages, is cone shaped with the wider end containing the "wing" and "crown" domains inside the phage head. A long "stem" encloses a central channel, and a narrow "stalk" protrudes outside the capsid. A biochemical approach was developed to analyze portal function by incorporating plasmid-expressed portal protein into phage heads and determining the effect of mutations on head assembly, DNA translocation, and virion production. We found that the protruding loops of the stalk domain are involved in assembling the DNA packaging motor. A loop that connects the stalk to the channel might be required for communication between the motor and the portal. The "tunnel" loops that project into the channel are essential for sealing the packaged head. These studies established that the portal is required throughout the DNA packaging process, with different domains participating at different stages of genome packaging. © 2013.

Observations of Reconnection Flows in a Flare on the Solar Disk

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Juntao; Simões, P. J. A.; Jeffrey, N. L. S.

Magnetic reconnection is a well-accepted part of the theory of solar eruptive events, though the evidence is still circumstantial. Intrinsic to the reconnection picture of a solar eruptive event, particularly in the standard model for two-ribbon flares (CSHKP model), are an advective flow of magnetized plasma into the reconnection region, expansion of field above the reconnection region as a flux rope erupts, retraction of heated post-reconnection loops, and downflows of cooling plasma along those loops. We report on a unique set of Solar Dynamics Observatory /Atmospheric Imaging Assembly imaging and Hinode /EUV Imaging Spectrometer spectroscopic observations of the disk flaremore » SOL2016-03-23T03:54 in which all four flows are present simultaneously. This includes spectroscopic evidence for a plasma upflow in association with large-scale expanding closed inflow field. The reconnection inflows are symmetric, and consistent with fast reconnection, and the post-reconnection loops show a clear cooling and deceleration as they retract. Observations of coronal reconnection flows are still rare, and most events are observed at the solar limb, obscured by complex foregrounds, making their relationship to the flare ribbons, cusp field, and arcades formed in the lower atmosphere difficult to interpret. The disk location and favorable perspective of this event have removed these ambiguities giving a clear picture of the reconnection dynamics.« less

Liquid metal heat sink for high-power laser diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vetrovec, John; Litt, Amardeep S.; Copeland, Drew A.; Junghans, Jeremy; Durkee, Roger

2013-02-01

We report on the development of a novel, ultra-low thermal resistance active heat sink (AHS) for thermal management of high-power laser diodes (HPLD) and other electronic and photonic components. AHS uses a liquid metal coolant flowing at high speed in a miniature closed and sealed loop. The liquid metal coolant receives waste heat from an HPLD at high flux and transfers it at much reduced flux to environment, primary coolant fluid, heat pipe, or structure. Liquid metal flow is maintained electromagnetically without any moving parts. Velocity of liquid metal flow can be controlled electronically, thus allowing for temperature control of HPLD wavelength. This feature also enables operation at a stable wavelength over a broad range of ambient conditions. Results from testing an HPLD cooled by AHS are presented.

Lateral migration of the Middle Sacramento River, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Brice, James Coble

1977-01-01

Rates and processes of lateral erosion were studied for the middle Sacramento River between Chico Landing and Colusa, Calif. , a river distance of about 50 miles which is bordered by valuable agricultural land. The study is based on comparison of maps made during 1867-1949 and on aerial photographs made during 1924-74. Meander loops migrate by downstream translation in a direction nearly perpendicular to the loop axis. Loops are cut off by straight or diagonal chutes across the meander neck. The sinuosity of the river has gradually decreased from a value of 1.56 in 1896 to 1.35 in 1974. The morphology and curvature of meander loops cut off before white settlers came to the area indicate that the river was more stable, as well as more sinuous , then than now; subsequent morphologic changes are attributed mainly to the clearing of riparian vegetation and the effects of levees in reducing the area of overflow. The bank-erosion is 1.82 acres per year per stream mile or about 15 feet per year per stream foot for the period 1896-1974. (Woodard-USGS)

Study of a Simulation Tool to Determine Achievable Control Dynamics and Control Power Requirements with Perfect Tracking

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ostroff, Aaron J.

1998-01-01

This paper contains a study of two methods for use in a generic nonlinear simulation tool that could be used to determine achievable control dynamics and control power requirements while performing perfect tracking maneuvers over the entire flight envelope. The two methods are NDI (nonlinear dynamic inversion) and the SOFFT(Stochastic Optimal Feedforward and Feedback Technology) feedforward control structure. Equivalent discrete and continuous SOFFT feedforward controllers have been developed. These equivalent forms clearly show that the closed-loop plant model loop is a plant inversion and is the same as the NDI formulation. The main difference is that the NDI formulation has a closed-loop controller structure whereas SOFFT uses an open-loop command model. Continuous, discrete, and hybrid controller structures have been developed and integrated into the formulation. Linear simulation results show that seven different configurations all give essentially the same response, with the NDI hybrid being slightly different. The SOFFT controller gave better tracking performance compared to the NDI controller when a nonlinear saturation element was added. Future plans include evaluation using a nonlinear simulation.

Protective fibrin-sealed plication of the small bowel in recurrent laparotomy.

PubMed

Holland-Cunz, S; Boelter, A V; Waag, K L

2003-09-01

Adhesions after recurrent abdominal operations remain extremely common and are sources of severe morbidity. Fibrin-glued plication of the small gut in a meander-like formation is supposed to guarantee a decreased risk of intestinal obstruction postoperatively. This retrospective study analyses the clinical outcome after recurrent laparotomy in children treated with bowel plication by fibrin sealant. The surgical technique of performing the fibrin-glued plication is rather simple and quick: after taking off all adhesions two to four loops of the small gut are positioned so that they lie side by side. Beginning proximal fibrin [Tissucol fibrin sealant (Baxter)] is applied between the loops; approximately 20-30 s are needed to keep the loops in position until the fibrin dries. This manoeuvre is continued until all of the small gut is fixed in one block. The gut is brought back into the abdominal cavity without loosening the loops. This fixed formation by sero-serosal adhesions or mesenterial plications is supposed to guarantee postoperative free passage. The charts of 60 children who had undergone a fibrin plication of the small bowel between 1991 and 1999 were evaluated. Additionally, questionnaires were sent to all patients, and they were invited for an examination. Sixty patients (38 boys and 22 girls) received a fibrin sealant plication because of recurrent laparotomies with heavily serosal defects or recurrent ileus because of adhesions. The youngest baby was 10 days. Since 23 patients were premature the oldest patient was 11 years old. There were no intraoperative complications attributed to the method. In the postoperative period 7/60 (12%) patients had a recurrent ileus or subileus, leading in three (5%) patients to an early relaparotomy. The fibrin-glued plication of the small bowel decreases the risk of recurrent ileus or subileus considering the high figures in the literature concerning this issue. The time-saving method is very simple and easily feasible. No side effects after the treatment with fibrin glue were observed.

LINE-OF-SIGHT SHELL STRUCTURE OF THE CYGNUS LOOP

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Uchida, Hiroyuki; Tsunemi, Hiroshi; Katsuda, Satoru

We conducted a comprehensive study on the shell structure of the Cygnus Loop using 41 observation data obtained by the Suzaku and the XMM-Newton satellites. To investigate the detailed plasma structure of the Cygnus Loop, we divided our fields of view into 1042 box regions. From the spectral analysis, the spectra obtained from the limb of the Loop are well fitted by the single-component non-equilibrium ionization plasma model. On the other hand, the spectra obtained from the inner regions are well fitted by the two-component model. As a result, we confirmed that the low-temperature and high-temperature components originated from themore » surrounding interstellar matter (ISM) and the ejecta of the Loop, respectively. From the best-fit results, we showed a flux distribution of the ISM component. The distribution clearly shows the limb-brightening structure, and we found out some low-flux regions. Among them, the south blowout region has the lowest flux. We also found other large low-flux regions at slightly west and northeast from the center. We estimated the former thin shell region to be approx1.{sup 0}3 in diameter and concluded that there exists a blowout along the line of sight in addition to the south blowout. We also calculated the emission measure distribution of the ISM component and showed that the Cygnus Loop is far from the result obtained by a simple Sedov evolution model. From the results, we support that the Cygnus Loop originated from a cavity explosion. The emission measure distribution also suggests that the cavity-wall density is higher in the northeast than that in the southwest. These results suggest that the thickness of the cavity wall surrounding the Cygnus Loop is not uniform.« less

Vascular compression as a potential cause of occipital neuralgia: a case report.

PubMed

White, J B; Atkinson, P P; Cloft, H J; Atkinson, J L D

2008-01-01

Vascular compression is a well-established cause of cranial nerve neuralgic syndromes. A unique case is presented that demonstrates that vascular compression may be a possible cause of occipital neuralgia. A 48-year-old woman with refractory left occipital neuralgia revealed on magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomographic imaging of the upper cervical spine an atypically low loop of the left posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA), clearly indenting the dorsal upper cervical roots. During surgery, the PICA loop was interdigitated with the C1 and C2 dorsal roots. Microvascular decompression alone has never been described for occipital neuralgia, despite the strong clinical correlation in this case. Therefore, both sectioning the dorsal roots of C2 and microvascular decompression of the PICA loop were performed. Postoperatively, the patient experienced complete cure of her neuralgia. Vascular compression as a cause of refractory occipital neuralgia should be considered when assessing surgical options.

Duration of inflation and conditions at the bounce as a prediction of effective isotropic loop quantum cosmology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Linsefors, Linda; Barrau, Aurelien

2013-06-01

Loop quantum cosmology with a scalar field is known to be closely linked with an inflationary phase. In this article, we study probabilistic predictions for the duration of slow-roll inflation, by assuming a minimalist massive scalar field as the main content of the Universe. The phase of the field in its “prebounce” oscillatory state is taken as a natural random parameter. We find that the probability for a given number of inflationary e-folds is quite sharply peaked around 145, which is consistent with the most favored minimum values. In this precise sense, a satisfactory inflation is therefore a clear prediction of loop gravity. In addition, we derive an original and stringent upper limit on the Barbero-Immirzi parameter. The general picture of inflation, superinflation, deflation, and superdeflation is also much clarified in the framework of bouncing cosmologies.

Small-scale thermal studies of volatile homemade explosives

DOE PAGES

Sandstrom, Mary M.; Brown, Geoffrey W.; Warner, Kirsten F.; ...

2016-01-26

Several homemade or improvised explosive mixtures that either contained volatile components or produced volatile products were examined using standard small-scale safety and thermal (SSST) testing that employed differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques (constant heating rate and standard sample holders). KClO 3 and KClO 4 mixtures with dodecane exhibited different enthalpy behavior when using a vented sample holder in contrast to a sealed sample holder. The standard configuration produced profiles that exhibited only endothermic transitions. The sealed system produced profiles that exhibited additional exothermic transitions absent in the standard configuration produced profiles. When H 2O 2/fuel mixtures were examined, the volatilizationmore » of the peroxide (endothermic) dominated the profiles. When a sealed sample holder was used, the energetic releases of the mixture could be clearly observed. For AN and AN mixtures, the high temperature decomposition appears as an intense endothermic event. Using a nominally sealed sample holder also did not adequately contain the system. Only when a high-pressure rated sample holder was used the high temperature decomposition of the AN could be detected as an exothermic release. The testing was conducted during a proficiency (or round-robin type) test that included three U.S. Department of Energy and two U.S. Department of Defense laboratories. In the course of this proficiency test, certain HMEs exhibited thermal behavior that was not adequately accounted for by standard techniques. Further examination of this atypical behavior highlighted issues that may have not been recognized previously because some of these materials are not routinely tested. More importantly, if not recognized, the SSST testing results could lead to inaccurate safety assessments. Furthermore, this study provides examples, where standard techniques can be applied, and results can be obtained, but these results may be misleading in establishing thermal properties.« less

Biomagnification of polybrominated diphenyl ether and hexabromocyclododecane flame retardants in the polar bear food chain in Svalbard, Norway.

PubMed

Sørmo, Eugen Gravningen; Salmer, Maria Pettersvik; Jenssen, Bjørn Munro; Hop, Haakon; Baek, Kine; Kovacs, Kit Maureen; Lydersen, Christian; Falk-Petersen, Stig; Gabrielsen, Geir Wing; Lie, Elisabeth; Skaare, Janneche Utne

2006-09-01

Concentrations of brominated flame retardants (BFRs), including polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), were investigated in an arctic marine food chain consisting of four invertebrate species: polar cod (Boreogadus saida), ringed seals (Pusa hispida), and polar bears (Ursus maritimus). The most abundant BFR, brominated diphenyl ether (BDE)-47, was found in detectable concentrations even in zooplankton, the lowest trophic level examined in this study. Most of the investigated BFRs biomagnified as function of tropic level in the food chain. A noticeable exception occurred at the highest trophic level, the polar bear, in which only BDE-153 was found to increase from its main prey, the ringed seal, indicating that polar bears appear to be able to metabolize and biodegrade most BFRs. In contrast, lower-brominated PBDEs, particularly BDE-47, showed clear signs of bioaccumulation in zooplankton, polar cod, and ringed seals. We suggest that this discrepancy in the fate of BFRs among the different species may be related to greater induction of oxidative detoxification activities in the polar bear. Absorption and debromination rates may be more important for bioaccumulation rates of BFRs in zooplankton, polar cod, and ringed seals. Lipid weight-based concentrations (LWCs) and whole body-based concentrations (WBCs) of BFRs were used to assess biomagnification factors (BMFs). Whole-body concentrations gave the most realistic BMFs, as BMFs derived from LWCs seem to be confounded by the large variability in lipid content of tissues from the investigated species. This study demonstrates that PBDEs and HBCD have reached measurable concentrations even in the lower trophic levels (invertebrates and fish) in the Arctic and biomagnifies in the polar bear food chain.

Performance of different PEEP valves and helmet outlets at increasing gas flow rates: a bench top study.

PubMed

Isgrò, S; Zanella, A; Giani, M; Abd El Aziz El Sayed Deab, S; Pesenti, A; Patroniti, N

2012-10-01

Aim of the paper was to assess the performance of different expiratory valves and the resistance of helmet outlet ports at increasing gas flow rates. A gas flow-meter was connected to 10 different expiratory peep valves: 1 water-seal valve, 4 precalibrated fixed PEEP valves and 5 adjustable PEEP valves. Three new valves of each brand, set at different pressure levels (5-7.5-10-12.5-15 cmH(2)O, if available), were tested at increasing gas flow rates (from 30 to 150 L/min). We measured the pressure generated just before the valves. Three different helmets sealed on a mock head were connected at the inlet port with a gas flow-meter while the outlet was left clear. We measured the pressure generated inside the helmet (due to the flow-resistance of the outlet port) at increasing gas flow rates. Adjustable valves showed a variable degree flow-dependency (increasing difference between the measured and the expected pressure at increasing flow rates), while pre-calibrated valves revealed a flow-independent behavior. Water seal valve showed low degree flow-dependency. The pressures generated by the outlet port of the tested helmets ranged from 0.02 to 2.29 cmH(2)O at the highest gas flow rate. Adjustable PEEP valves are not suggested for continuous-flow CPAP systems as their flow-dependency can lead to pressures higher than expected. Precalibrated and water seal valves exhibit the best performance. Different helmet outlet ports do not significantly affect the pressure generated during helmet CPAP. In order to avoid iatrogenic complications gas flow and pressure delivered during helmet CPAP must always be monitored.

Synthetic beta-solenoid proteins with the fragment-free computational design of a beta-hairpin extension

PubMed Central

MacDonald, James T.; Kabasakal, Burak V.; Godding, David; Kraatz, Sebastian; Henderson, Louie; Barber, James; Freemont, Paul S.; Murray, James W.

2016-01-01

The ability to design and construct structures with atomic level precision is one of the key goals of nanotechnology. Proteins offer an attractive target for atomic design because they can be synthesized chemically or biologically and can self-assemble. However, the generalized protein folding and design problem is unsolved. One approach to simplifying the problem is to use a repetitive protein as a scaffold. Repeat proteins are intrinsically modular, and their folding and structures are better understood than large globular domains. Here, we have developed a class of synthetic repeat proteins based on the pentapeptide repeat family of beta-solenoid proteins. We have constructed length variants of the basic scaffold and computationally designed de novo loops projecting from the scaffold core. The experimentally solved 3.56-Å resolution crystal structure of one designed loop matches closely the designed hairpin structure, showing the computational design of a backbone extension onto a synthetic protein core without the use of backbone fragments from known structures. Two other loop designs were not clearly resolved in the crystal structures, and one loop appeared to be in an incorrect conformation. We have also shown that the repeat unit can accommodate whole-domain insertions by inserting a domain into one of the designed loops. PMID:27573845

Oblique view of the Orbiter Discovery from ground level in ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Oblique view of the Orbiter Discovery from ground level in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Note that the Forward Reaction Control System Module has been removed from the forward section. The void left behind by the removal of the reaction control system has been sealed with a clear flexible barrier and kept under positive pressure to reduce the contaminant infiltration potential. - Space Transportation System, Orbiter Discovery (OV-103), Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX

Surface Treatments to Minimize Concrete Deterioration. Report 2. Laboratory Evaluation of Surface Treatment Materials

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-09-01

Hydrocarbon 4 Moderate to severe scaling W-CS-58 Methyl 0+ No scaling--sealer’s color methacrylate changed from clear to cloudy white W-CS-59 Polyurethap 0+ No...years ago a manufacturer of polynmers introduced a high molecular-weight methacrylate (HMWM) monomer for sealing cracks by topical application. The...followed. Material Safety Data Sheets ( MSDS ) should be obtained from the manufacturers of such materials. In cases where the effects of a chemical

Visualizing Entropy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lechner, Joseph H.

1999-10-01

This report describes two classroom activities that help students visualize the abstract concept of entropy and apply the second law of thermodynamics to real situations. (i) A sealed "rainbow tube" contains six smaller vessels, each filled with a different brightly colored solution (low entropy). When the tube is inverted, the solutions mix together and react to form an amorphous precipitate (high entropy). The change from low entropy to high entropy is irreversible as long as the tube remains sealed. (ii) When U.S. currency is withdrawn from circulation, intact bills (low entropy) are shredded into small fragments (high entropy). Shredding is quick and easy; the reverse process is clearly nonspontaneous. It is theoretically possible, but it is time-consuming and energy-intensive, to reassemble one bill from a pile that contains fragments of hundreds of bills. We calculate the probability P of drawing pieces of only one specific bill from a mixture containing one pound of bills, each shredded into n fragments. This result can be related to Boltzmann's entropy formula S?=klnW.

A gas trapping method for high-throughput metabolic experiments.

PubMed

Krycer, James R; Diskin, Ciana; Nelson, Marin E; Zeng, Xiao-Yi; Fazakerley, Daniel J; James, David E

2018-01-01

Research into cellular metabolism has become more high-throughput, with typical cell-culture experiments being performed in multiwell plates (microplates). This format presents a challenge when trying to collect gaseous products, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), which requires a sealed environment and a vessel separate from the biological sample. To address this limitation, we developed a gas trapping protocol using perforated plastic lids in sealed cell-culture multiwell plates. We used this trap design to measure CO2 production from glucose and fatty acid metabolism, as well as hydrogen sulfide production from cysteine-treated cells. Our data clearly show that this gas trap can be applied to liquid and solid gas-collection media and can be used to study gaseous product generation by both adherent cells and cells in suspension. Since our gas traps can be adapted to multiwell plates of various sizes, they present a convenient, cost-effective solution that can accommodate the trend toward high-throughput measurements in metabolic research.

A sealed optical cell for the study of lithium-electrode|electrolyte interfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Howlett, P. C.; MacFarlane, D. R.; Hollenkamp, A. F.

A sealed, symmetrical, lithium optical cell, which enables optical images of lithium surface deposits and in situ Raman spectra to be obtained simply and conveniently during charge-discharge cycling of lithium metal electrodes, has been designed and tested. A conventional aprotic liquid, 1 M lithium hexafluorophosphate in propylene carbonate, and an experimental ionic liquid, 20 mol% lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide in 1-ethyl 3-methyl imidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide, are investigated as electrolyte solutions. Images obtained from the cell with the former electrolyte solution demonstrate the problems associated with cycling lithium metal electrodes. Images obtained with the latter electrolyte solution provide clear evidence that continued investigation of ionic liquids for use with lithium metal electrodes is warranted. Operation of the cell with the conventional electrolyte yields Raman spectra of good quality. The spectra display vibrational modes which arise from the electrolyte, as well as several additional modes which are associated with the deposits formed during cycling.

A mononuclear iron(II) complex: cooperativity, kinetics and activation energy of the solvent-dependent spin transition.

PubMed

Bushuev, Mark B; Pishchur, Denis P; Logvinenko, Vladimir A; Gatilov, Yuri V; Korolkov, Ilya V; Shundrina, Inna K; Nikolaenkova, Elena B; Krivopalov, Viktor P

2016-01-07

The system [FeL2](BF4)2 (1)-EtOH-H2O (L is 4-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-2-(pyridin-2-yl)-6-methylpyrimidine) shows a complicated balance between the relative stabilities of solvatomorphs and polymorphs of the complex [FeL2](BF4)2. New solvatomorphs, 1(LS)·EtOH·H2O and β-1(LS)·xH2O, were isolated in this system. They were converted into four daughter phases, 1(A/LS), 1(D/LS), 1(E/LS)·yEtOH·zH2O and 1(F/LS). On thermal cycling in sealed ampoules, the phases 1(LS)·EtOH·H2O and β-1(LS)·xH2O transform into the anhydrous phase 1(A/LS). The hysteresis loop width for the (A/LS) ↔ (A/HS) spin transition depends on the water and ethanol contents in the ampoule and varies from ca. 30 K up to 145 K. The reproducible hysteresis loop of 145 K is the widest ever reported one for a spin crossover complex. The phase 1(A/LS) combines the outstanding spin crossover properties with thermal robustness allowing for multiple cycling in sealed ampoules without degradation. The kinetics of the 1(A/LS) → 1(A/HS) transition is sigmoidal which is indicative of strong cooperative interactions. The cooperativity of the 1(A/LS) → 1(A/HS) transition is related to the formation of a 2D supramolecular structure of the phase 1(A/LS). The activation energy for the spin transition is very high (hundreds of kJ mol(-1)). The kinetics of the 1(A/HS) → 1(A/LS) transition can either be sigmoidal or exponential depending on the water and ethanol contents in the ampoule. The phases 1(D/LS) and 1(F/LS) show gradual crossover, whereas the phase 1(E/LS)·yEtOH·yH2O shows a reversible hysteretic transition associated with the solvent molecule release and uptake.

Characterization of Runella slithyformis HD-Pnk, a bifunctional DNA/RNA end-healing enzyme composed of an N-terminal 2',3' -phosphoesterase HD domain and a C-terminal 5' -OH polynucleotide kinase domain.

PubMed

Munir, Annum; Shuman, Stewart

2016-11-28

5' and 3' end healing are key steps in nucleic acid break repair in which 5' -OH ends are phosphorylated by a polynucleotide kinase and 3' -PO 4 or 2',3' -cyclic-PO 4 ends are hydrolyzed by a phosphoesterase to generate the 5' -PO 4 and 3' -OH termini required for sealing by classic polynucleotide ligases. End healing and sealing enzymes are present in diverse bacterial taxa, often organized as modular units within a single multifunctional polypeptide or as subunits of a repair complex. Here we identify and characterize Runella slithyformis HD-Pnk as a novel bifunctional end-healing enzyme composed of an N-terminal 2',3' -phosphoesterase HD domain and a C-terminal 5' -OH polynucleotide kinase P-loop domain. HD-Pnk phosphorylates 5' -OH polynucleotides (9-mers or longer) in the presence of magnesium and any NTP donor. HD-Pnk dephosphorylates RNA 2',3' -cyclic phosphate, RNA 3' -phosphate, RNA 2' -phosphate, and DNA 3' -phosphate ends in the presence of a transition metal cofactor, which can be nickel, copper or cobalt. HD-Pnkp homologs are present in genera from eleven bacterial phyla and are often encoded in an operon with a putative ATP-dependent polynucleotide ligase. The present study provides insights to the diversity of nucleic acid repair strategies via the characterization of Runella slithyformis HD-Pnkp as the exemplar of a novel clade of dual 5' and 3' end-healing enzymes that phosphorylate 5' -OH termini and dephosphorylate 2',3' -cyclic-PO 4 , 3' -PO 4 , and 2' -PO 4 ends. The distinctive feature of HD-Pnk is its domain composition: a fusion of an N-terminal HD phosphohydrolase module to a C-terminal P-loop polynucleotide kinase module. Homologs of Runella HD-Pnk with the same domain composition, domain order, and similar polypeptide size are distributed widely among genera from eleven bacterial phyla. Copyright © 2016, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

A subsumptive, hierarchical, and distributed vision-based architecture for smart robotics.

PubMed

DeSouza, Guilherme N; Kak, Avinash C

2004-10-01

We present a distributed vision-based architecture for smart robotics that is composed of multiple control loops, each with a specialized level of competence. Our architecture is subsumptive and hierarchical, in the sense that each control loop can add to the competence level of the loops below, and in the sense that the loops can present a coarse-to-fine gradation with respect to vision sensing. At the coarsest level, the processing of sensory information enables a robot to become aware of the approximate location of an object in its field of view. On the other hand, at the finest end, the processing of stereo information enables a robot to determine more precisely the position and orientation of an object in the coordinate frame of the robot. The processing in each module of the control loops is completely independent and it can be performed at its own rate. A control Arbitrator ranks the results of each loop according to certain confidence indices, which are derived solely from the sensory information. This architecture has clear advantages regarding overall performance of the system, which is not affected by the "slowest link," and regarding fault tolerance, since faults in one module does not affect the other modules. At this time we are able to demonstrate the utility of the architecture for stereoscopic visual servoing. The architecture has also been applied to mobile robot navigation and can easily be extended to tasks such as "assembly-on-the-fly."

Improvement of the activity of the anti-HIV-1 integrase aptamer T30175 by introducing a modified thymidine into the loops.

PubMed

Virgilio, Antonella; Amato, Teresa; Petraccone, Luigi; Esposito, Francesca; Grandi, Nicole; Tramontano, Enzo; Romero, Raquel; Haider, Shozeb; Gomez-Monterrey, Isabel; Novellino, Ettore; Mayol, Luciano; Esposito, Veronica; Galeone, Aldo

2018-05-10

In this paper, we report our investigations on analogues of the anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) integrase (IN) aptamer T30175 in which the individual thymidines forming the loops were replaced by 5-hydroxymethyl-2'-deoxyuridine residues (H). Circular dichroism, nuclear magnetic resonance and gel electrophoresis investigations clearly indicated that all the modified aptamers preserve the ability to form the original 5'-5' end-stacked head-to-head dimeric G-quadruplex structure, in which each G-quadruplex adopts a parallel arrangement and is characterized by three G-tetrads, three propeller loops and one bulge-loop. All the modified aptamers were tested in an IN inhibition LEDGF-independent assay. While the modified aptamers INTB-H13 and INTB-H17 showed IC 50 values comparable with that of the parent aptamer (INTB-nat), analogues INTB-H2, INTB-H5 and, to a lesser extent, INTB-H9 showed a higher ability to inhibit the HIV IN than the unmodified aptamer. Molecular modelling studies evaluating the aptamer/HIV IN interaction highlighted the ability of the modified thymidines to establish several contacts with the target protein. All the data point to the importance of loops in the aptamer/target interaction and suggest that the site-specific replacement of loop residues with commercially available analogues can be considered a straightforward strategy to improve the biological activities of several G-quadruplex aptamers.

Design and Evaluation of a Water Recirculation Loop Maintenance Device for the Advanced Spacesuit Water Membrane Evaporator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steele, John W.; Rector, Tony; Bue, Grant C.; Campbell, Colin; Makinen, Janice

2011-01-01

A dual-bed device to maintain the water quality of the Advanced Spacesuit Water Membrane Evaporation (SWME) water recirculation loop has been designed and is undergoing testing. The SWME is a heat rejection device under development at the NASA Johnson Space Center to perform thermal control for advanced spacesuits. One advantage to this technology is the potential for a significantly greater degree of tolerance to contamination when compared to the existing Sublimator technology. The driver for the development of a water recirculation maintenance device is to further enhance this advantage through the leveraging of fluid loop management lessons-learned from the International Space Station (ISS). A bed design that was developed for a Hamilton Sundstrand military application, and considered for a potential ISS application with the Urine Processor Assembly, provides a low pressure drop means for water maintenance in a recirculation loop. The bed design is coupled with high capacity ion exchange resins, organic adsorbents, and a cyclic methodology developed for the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Transport Water loop. The bed design further leverages a sorbent developed for ISS that introduces a biocide in a microgravity-compatible manner for the Internal Active Thermal Control System (IATCS). The leveraging of these water maintenance technologies to the SWME recirculation loop is a clear demonstration of applying the valuable lessons learned on the ISS to the next generation of manned spaceflight Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) hardware.

Spectroscopic study of a dark lane and a cool loop in a solar limb active region by Hinode/EIS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee, Kyoung-Sun; Imada, S.; Moon, Y.-J.

2014-01-10

We investigated a cool loop and a dark lane over a limb active region on 2007 March 14 using the Hinode/EUV Imaging Spectrometer. The cool loop is clearly seen in the spectral lines formed at the transition region temperature. The dark lane is characterized by an elongated faint structure in the coronal spectral lines and is rooted on a bright point. We examined their electron densities, Doppler velocities, and nonthermal velocities as a function of distance from the limb. We derived electron densities using the density sensitive line pairs of Mg VII, Si X, Fe XII, Fe XIII, and Femore » XIV spectra. We also compared the observed density scale heights with the calculated scale heights from each peak formation temperatures of the spectral lines under the hydrostatic equilibrium. We noted that the observed density scale heights of the cool loop are consistent with the calculated heights, with the exception of one observed cooler temperature; we also found that the observed scale heights of the dark lane are much lower than their calculated scale heights. The nonthermal velocity in the cool loop slightly decreases along the loop, while nonthermal velocity in the dark lane sharply falls off with height. Such a decrease in the nonthermal velocity may be explained by wave damping near the solar surface or by turbulence due to magnetic reconnection near the bright point.« less

Seal assembly with anti-rotation pin for high pressure supercritical fluids

DOEpatents

Wright, Steven A.; Fuller, Robert L.

2014-08-05

A seal assembly for sealing a machine with a first chamber and a second chamber is provided. A rotating shaft extends through the first and second chambers, and rotates therein. The seal assembly has a seal housing, a seal ring and a seal pin. The seal housing is positionable in the machine housing. The seal housing has a seal pocket extending into a fluid side thereof, and a housing receptacle extending into an inner diameter thereof at the seal pocket. The seal ring is positionable in the seal pocket of the seal housing for forming a seal therewith. The seal ring has a ring receptacle extending into an outer diameter thereof. The ring receptacle is positionable adjacent to the housing receptacle for defining a pin hole therebetween. The seal pin is loosely positionable in the pin hole whereby movement about the seal ring is accommodated while preventing rotation thereof.

Design guide for helicopter transmission seals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hayden, T. S.; Keller, C. H., Jr.

1974-01-01

A detailed approach for the selection and design of seals for helicopter transmissions is presented. There are two major types of seals presently being used and they are lip type seals and mechanical type seals. Lip type seals can be divided in conventional lip seals and hydrodynamic lip seals. Conventional lip seals can be used for slow-speed, low-pressure, low-temperature sealing. Hydrodynamic lip seals although they are as pressure and temperature limited as conventional lip seals, can operate at a higher speed. Mechanical types seals are comprised of face seals and circumferential seals. Face seals are capable of high speed, high pressure, and high temperature. Circumferential seals can be used in high-speed and high-temperature applications, but will leak excessively at moderate pressures. The performance goals of transmission seals are a life that is at least equal to the scheduled overhaul interval of the gearbox component and a leakage rate of near zero.

33 CFR 154.2104 - Pigging system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 2 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Pigging system. 154.2104 Section... Facilities-Vcs Design and Installation § 154.2104 Pigging system. (a) If a pigging system is used to clear... system (VCS), the pigging system must be designed with the following safety features: (1) A bypass loop...

Turbine with radial acting seal

DOEpatents

Eng, Darryl S; Ebert, Todd A

2016-11-22

A floating brush seal in a rim cavity of a turbine in a gas turbine engine, where the floating brush seal includes a seal holder in which the floating brush seal floats, and a expandable seal that fits within two radial extending seal slots that maintains a seal with radial displacement of the floating brush seal and the seal holder.

Surface conforming thermal/pressure seal. [tail assemblies of space shuttle orbiters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stevens, M. L. (Inventor)

1981-01-01

An assembly is disclosed for sealing a variable gap between the surface of element and a second element in movable relation to it. A seal housing is attached to the second element for movement therewith and has a sealing surface. At least one elongated seal member carried by the housing has first and second conjugate sealing surfaces. The first sealing surface is for rubbing and sealing engagement with the first element surface and the second sealing surface is for sliding and sealing engagement with the housing sealing surface. A biasing assembly may be carried by the housing for biasing the first and second conjugate sealing surfaces of the sealing member toward sealing engagement with the first element surface and housing sealing surface, respectively.

Fuel cell manifold sealing system

DOEpatents

Grevstad, Paul E.; Johnson, Carl K.; Mientek, Anthony P.

1980-01-01

A manifold-to-stack seal and sealing method for fuel cell stacks. This seal system solves the problem of maintaining a low leak rate manifold seal as the fuel cell stack undergoes compressive creep. The seal system eliminates the problem of the manifold-to-stack seal sliding against the rough stack surface as the stack becomes shorter because of cell creep, which relative motion destroys the seal. The seal system described herein utilizes a polymer seal frame firmly clamped between the manifold and the stack such that the seal frame moves with the stack. Thus, as the stack creeps, the seal frame creeps with it, and there is no sliding at the rough, tough to seal, stack-to-seal frame interface. Here the sliding is on a smooth easy to seal location between the seal frame and the manifold.

Method for producing a fuel cell manifold seal

DOEpatents

Grevstad, Paul E.; Johnson, Carl K.; Mientek, Anthony P.

1982-01-01

A manifold-to-stack seal and sealing method for fuel cell stacks. This seal system solves the problem of maintaining a low leak rate manifold seal as the fuel cell stack undergoes compressive creep. The seal system eliminates the problem of the manifold-to-stack seal sliding against the rough stack surface as the stack becomes shorter because of cell creep, which relative motion destroys the seal. The seal system described herein utilizes a polymer seal frame firmly clamped between the manifold and the stack such that the seal frame moves with the stack. Thus, as the stack creeps, the seal frame creeps with it, and there is no sliding at the rough, tough to seal, stack-to-seal frame interface. Here the sliding is on a smooth easy to seal location between the seal frame and the manifold.

Structure-Function Analysis of the DNA Translocating Portal of the Bacteriophage T4 Packaging Machine

PubMed Central

Padilla-Sanchez, Victor; Gao, Song; Kim, Hyung Rae; Kihara, Daisuke; Sun, Lei; Rossmann, Michael G.; Rao, Venigalla B.

2013-01-01

Tailed bacteriophages and herpesviruses consist of a structurally well conserved dodecameric portal at a special five-fold vertex of the capsid. The portal plays critical roles in head assembly, genome packaging, neck/tail attachment, and genome ejection. Although the structures of portals from phages φ29, SPP1 and P22 have been determined, their mechanistic roles have not been well understood. Structural analysis of phage T4 portal (gp20) has been hampered because of its unusual interaction with the E. coli inner membrane. Here, we predict atomic models for the T4 portal monomer and dodecamer, and fit the dodecamer into the cryoEM density of the phage portal vertex. The core structure, like that from other phages, is cone-shaped with the wider end containing the “wing” and “crown” domains inside the phage head. A long “stem” encloses a central channel, and a narrow “stalk” protrudes outside the capsid. A biochemical approach was developed to analyze portal function by incorporating plasmid-expressed portal protein into phage heads and determining the effect of mutations on head assembly, DNA translocation, and virion production. We found that the protruding loops of the stalk domain are involved in assembling the DNA packaging motor. A loop that connects the stalk to the channel might be required for communication between the motor and portal. The “tunnel” loops that project into the channel are essential for sealing the packaged head. These studies established that the portal is required throughout the DNA packaging process, with different domains participating at different stages of genome packaging. PMID:24126213

Structure of the periplasmic adaptor protein from a major facilitator superfamily (MFS) multidrug efflux pump.

PubMed

Hinchliffe, Philip; Greene, Nicholas P; Paterson, Neil G; Crow, Allister; Hughes, Colin; Koronakis, Vassilis

2014-08-25

Periplasmic adaptor proteins are key components of bacterial tripartite efflux pumps. The 2.85 Å resolution structure of an MFS (major facilitator superfamily) pump adaptor, Aquifex aeolicus EmrA, shows linearly arranged α-helical coiled-coil, lipoyl, and β-barrel domains, but lacks the fourth membrane-proximal domain shown in other pumps to interact with the inner membrane transporter. The adaptor α-hairpin, which binds outer membrane TolC, is exceptionally long at 127 Å, and the β-barrel contains a conserved disordered loop. The structure extends the view of adaptors as flexible, modular components that mediate diverse pump assembly, and suggests that in MFS tripartite pumps a hexamer of adaptors could provide a periplasmic seal. Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Extraterrestrial surface propulsion systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ash, Robert L.; Blackstock, Dexter L.; Barnhouse, K.; Charalambous, Z.; Coats, J.; Danagan, J.; Davis, T.; Dickens, J.; Harris, P.; Horner, G.

Lunar traction systems, Mars oxygen production, and Mars methane engine operation were the three topics studied during 1992. An elastic loop track system for lunar construction operations was redesigned and is being tested. A great deal of work on simulating the lunar environment to facilitate traction testing has been reported. Operation of an oxygen processor under vacuum conditions has been the focus of another design team. They have redesigned the processor facility. This included improved seals and heat shields. Assuming methane and oxygen can be produced from surface resources on Mars, a third design team has addressed the problem of using Mars atmospheric carbon dioxide to control combustion temperatures in an internal combustion engine. That team has identified appropriate tests and instrumentation. They have reported on the test rig that they designed and the computer-based system for acquiring data.

Extraterrestrial surface propulsion systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ash, Robert L.; Blackstock, Dexter L.; Barnhouse, K.; Charalambous, Z.; Coats, J.; Danagan, J.; Davis, T.; Dickens, J.; Harris, P.; Horner, G.

1992-01-01

Lunar traction systems, Mars oxygen production, and Mars methane engine operation were the three topics studied during 1992. An elastic loop track system for lunar construction operations was redesigned and is being tested. A great deal of work on simulating the lunar environment to facilitate traction testing has been reported. Operation of an oxygen processor under vacuum conditions has been the focus of another design team. They have redesigned the processor facility. This included improved seals and heat shields. Assuming methane and oxygen can be produced from surface resources on Mars, a third design team has addressed the problem of using Mars atmospheric carbon dioxide to control combustion temperatures in an internal combustion engine. That team has identified appropriate tests and instrumentation. They have reported on the test rig that they designed and the computer-based system for acquiring data.

Measurement of the differential pressure of liquid metals

DOEpatents

Metz, H.J.

1975-09-01

This patent relates to an improved means for measuring the differential pressure between any two points in a process liquid metal coolant loop, wherein the flow of liquid metal in a pipe is opposed by a permanent magnet liquid metal pump until there is almost zero flow shown by a magnetic type flowmeter. The pressure producing the liquid metal flow is inferred from the rate of rotation of the permanent magnet pump. In an alternate embodiment, a differential pressure transducer is coupled to a process pipeline by means of high-temperature bellows or diaphragm seals, and a permanent magnet liquid metal pump in the high-pressure transmission line to the pressure transducer can be utilized either for calibration of the transducer or for determining the process differential pressure as a function of the magnet pump speed. (auth)

Monitoring of bacteria growth using a wireless, remote query resonant-circuit sensor: application to environmental sensing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ong, K. G.; Wang, J.; Singh, R. S.; Bachas, L. G.; Grimes, C. A.; Daunert, S. (Principal Investigator)

2001-01-01

A new technique is presented for in-vivo remote query measurement of the complex permittivity spectra of a biological culture solution. A sensor comprised of a printed inductor-capacitor resonant-circuit is placed within the culture solution of interest, with the impedance spectrum of the sensor measured using a remotely located loop antenna; the complex permittivity spectra of the culture is calculated from the measured impedance spectrum. The remote query nature of the sensor platform enables, for example, the in-vivo real-time monitoring of bacteria or yeast growth from within sealed opaque containers. The wireless monitoring technique does not require a specific alignment between sensor and antenna. Results are presented for studies conducted on laboratory strains of Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli JM109, Pseudomonas putida and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Current Concepts in Labral Repair and Refixation: Anatomical Approach to Labral Management.

PubMed

Kollmorgen, Robert; Mather, Richard

Arthroscopic labral repair and refixation have garnered much attention over the past several years. Restoration of suction seal and native labral function has been an evolving focus for achieving excellent results in hip preservation surgery. Authors have reported using several labral management techniques: débridement, labralization, looped suture fixation, base stitch fixation, inversion-eversion, and reconstruction. The optimal technique is yet to be determined. Absolute indications for labral repair are symptomatic intra-articular pain, joint space >2 mm, and failed conservative management. Extreme attention is given to identifying and addressing the cause, whether it be acute or repetitive trauma, instability, or femoroacetabular impingement. In this article, we discuss indications for labral repair; describe Dr. Mather's preoperative planning, labral repair technique, and postoperative care; and review published outcomes and future trends in labral repair.

A magnetic fluid seal for rotary blood pumps: effects of seal structure on long-term performance in liquid.

PubMed

Mitamura, Yoshinori; Takahashi, Sayaka; Amari, Shuichi; Okamoto, Eiji; Murabayashi, Shun; Nishimura, Ikuya

2011-03-01

A magnetic fluid (MF) seal enables mechanical contact-free rotation of the shaft and hence has excellent durability. The performance of an MF seal, however, has been reported to decrease in liquids. We developed an MF seal that has a "shield" mechanism, and a new MF with a higher magnetization of 47.9 kA/m. The sealing performance of the MF seal installed in a rotary blood pump was studied. Three types of MF seals were used. Seal A was a conventional seal without a shield. Seal B had the same structure as that of Seal A, but the seal was installed at 1 mm below liquid level. Seal C was a seal with a shield and the MF was set at 1 mm below liquid level. Seal A failed after 6 and 11 days. Seal B showed better results (20 and 73 days). Seal C showed long-term durability (217 and 275 days). The reason for different results in different seal structures was considered to be different flow conditions near the magnetic fluid. Fluid dynamics near the MF in the pump were analyzed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software. We have developed an MF seal with a shield that works in liquid for >275 days. The MF seal is promising as a shaft seal for rotary blood pumps.

Height Dependence of Plasma Properties of a Dark Lane and a Cool Loop in a Solar Limb Active Region Observed by Hinode/EIS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, K.; Imada, S.; Moon, Y.; Lee, J.

2013-12-01

We investigate spectral properties of a cool loop and a dark lane over a limb active region on 2007 March 14 by the Hinode/EUV Imaging Spectrometer. The cool loop is clearly seen in the spectral lines formed at the transition region temperature. The dark lane is characterized by an elongated faint structure in coronal spectral lines and rooted on a bright point. We determine their electron densities, Doppler velocities, and non-thermal velocities with height over the limb. We derived electron densities using the density sensitive line pairs of Mg VII, Si X, Fe XII, Fe XIII and Fe XIV spectra. Under the hydrostatic equilibrium and isothermal assumption, we determine their temperatures from the density scale height. Comparing the scale height temperatures to the peak formation temperatures of the spectral lines, we note that the scale height temperature of the cool loop is consistent with a peak formation temperature of the Fe XII and the scale height temperatures of the dark lane from each spectral lines are much lower than their peak formation temperatures. The non-thermal velocity in the cool loop slightly decreases along the loop while that in the dark lane sharply falls off with height. The variation of non-thermal velocity with height in the cool loop and the dark lane is contrast to that in off-limb polar coronal holes which are considered as source of the solar wind. Such a decrease in the non-thermal velocity may be explained by wave damping near the solar surface or turbulence due to magnetic reconnection near the bright point.

Predictive equations for the estimation of body size in seals and sea lions (Carnivora: Pinnipedia)

PubMed Central

Churchill, Morgan; Clementz, Mark T; Kohno, Naoki

2014-01-01

Body size plays an important role in pinniped ecology and life history. However, body size data is often absent for historical, archaeological, and fossil specimens. To estimate the body size of pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, and walruses) for today and the past, we used 14 commonly preserved cranial measurements to develop sets of single variable and multivariate predictive equations for pinniped body mass and total length. Principal components analysis (PCA) was used to test whether separate family specific regressions were more appropriate than single predictive equations for Pinnipedia. The influence of phylogeny was tested with phylogenetic independent contrasts (PIC). The accuracy of these regressions was then assessed using a combination of coefficient of determination, percent prediction error, and standard error of estimation. Three different methods of multivariate analysis were examined: bidirectional stepwise model selection using Akaike information criteria; all-subsets model selection using Bayesian information criteria (BIC); and partial least squares regression. The PCA showed clear discrimination between Otariidae (fur seals and sea lions) and Phocidae (earless seals) for the 14 measurements, indicating the need for family-specific regression equations. The PIC analysis found that phylogeny had a minor influence on relationship between morphological variables and body size. The regressions for total length were more accurate than those for body mass, and equations specific to Otariidae were more accurate than those for Phocidae. Of the three multivariate methods, the all-subsets approach required the fewest number of variables to estimate body size accurately. We then used the single variable predictive equations and the all-subsets approach to estimate the body size of two recently extinct pinniped taxa, the Caribbean monk seal (Monachus tropicalis) and the Japanese sea lion (Zalophus japonicus). Body size estimates using single variable regressions generally under or over-estimated body size; however, the all-subset regression produced body size estimates that were close to historically recorded body length for these two species. This indicates that the all-subset regression equations developed in this study can estimate body size accurately. PMID:24916814

Redox Regulation of Cell Contacts by Tricellulin and Occludin: Redox-Sensitive Cysteine Sites in Tricellulin Regulate Both Tri- and Bicellular Junctions in Tissue Barriers as Shown in Hypoxia and Ischemia.

PubMed

Cording, Jimmi; Günther, Ramona; Vigolo, Emilia; Tscheik, Christian; Winkler, Lars; Schlattner, Isabella; Lorenz, Dorothea; Haseloff, Reiner F; Schmidt-Ott, Kai M; Wolburg, Hartwig; Blasig, Ingolf E

2015-11-01

Tight junctions (TJs) seal paracellular clefts in epithelia/endothelia and form tissue barriers for proper organ function. TJ-associated marvel proteins (TAMPs; tricellulin, occludin, marvelD3) are thought to be relevant to regulation. Under normal conditions, tricellulin tightens tricellular junctions against macromolecules. Traces of tricellulin occur in bicellular junctions. As pathological disturbances have not been analyzed, the structure and function of human tricellulin, including potentially redox-sensitive Cys sites, were investigated under reducing/oxidizing conditions at 3- and 2-cell contacts. Ischemia, hypoxia, and reductants redistributed tricellulin from 3- to 2-cell contacts. The extracellular loop 2 (ECL2; conserved Cys321, Cys335) trans-oligomerized between three opposing cells. Substitutions of these residues caused bicellular localization. Cys362 in transmembrane domain 4 contributed to bicellular heterophilic cis-interactions along the cell membrane with claudin-1 and marvelD3, while Cys395 in the cytosolic C-terminal tail promoted homophilic tricellullar cis-interactions. The Cys sites included in homo-/heterophilic bi-/tricellular cis-/trans-interactions contributed to cell barrier tightness for small/large molecules. Tricellulin forms TJs via trans- and cis-association in 3-cell contacts, as demonstrated electron and quantified fluorescence microscopically; it tightens 3- and 2-cell contacts. Tricellulin's ECL2 specifically seals 3-cell contacts redox dependently; a structural model is proposed. TAMP ECL2 and claudins' ECL1 share functionally and structurally similar features involved in homo-/heterophilic tightening of cell-cell contacts. Tricellulin is a specific redox sensor and sealing element at 3-cell contacts and may compensate as a redox mediator for occludin loss at 2-cell contacts in vivo and in vitro. Molecular interaction mechanisms were proposed that contribute to tricellulin's function. In conclusion, tricellulin is a junctional redox regulator for ischemia-related alterations.

Global Pressure and Temperature Surface Measurements on a NACA 0012 Airfoil in Oscillatory Compressible Flow at Low Reduced Frequencies

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-01-01

clc close all clear all% tic %% for looping for dateN= 1:2 %% pick a date if dateN==1 date=󈧏.21.11’ runS=2; runE =28...else date=󈧏.23.11’ runS=1; runE =32; end %% for looping for run=runS:runE %% Number of images per run ImageE...date=󈧏.21.11’ runS=2; runE =28; ImageE=[0 100 59 59 59 59 100 59 59 59 59 59 100 59 59 59 59 100 59 59 59 59 100 59 59 59 59 100 0 0 0 0

A Multiwavelength Study of Coronal Structure: A Simultaneous Observation from NIXT and YOHKOH

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Golub, Leon

1998-01-01

Solar soft X-ray images taken simultaneously by the Yohkoh and the Normal Incidence X-ray Telescope (NIXT) reveal significantly different coronal structures. Coronal loops are more clearly seen in the Yohkoh images, and the isolated island-like structures seen in the NIXT image have been found to correspond to the footpoints of the Yohkoh loops. The difference is due to the difference in the temperature response of the telescopes: NIXT is sensitive to temperatures ranging from 0.9 to 3 MK, while Yohkoh is more sensitive to temperatures above 2.5 MK. The morphological differences reflect the multi-temperature (1-5 MK) nature of the solar coronal plasmas.

Continued Investigation of Leakage and Power Loss Test Results for Competing Turbine Engine Seals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Delgado, Irebert R.; Proctor, Margaret P.

2007-01-01

Seal leakage decreases with increasing surface speed due to reduced clearances from disk centrifugal growth. Annular and labyrinth seal leakage are 2-3 times greater than brush and finger seal leakage. Seal leakage rates increase with increasing temperature because of seal clearance growth due to different coefficients of thermal expansion between the seal and test disk. Seal power loss is not strongly affected by inlet temperature. Seal power loss increases with increasing surface speed, seal pressure differential, mass flow rate or flow factor, and radial clearance. The brush and finger seals had nearly the same power loss. Annular and labyrinth seal power loss were higher than finger or brush seal power loss. The brush seal power loss was the lowest and 15-30% lower than annular and labyrinth seal power loss.

Analysis of dead zone sources in a closed-loop fiber optic gyroscope.

PubMed

Chong, Kyoung-Ho; Choi, Woo-Seok; Chong, Kil-To

2016-01-01

Analysis of the dead zone is among the intensive studies in a closed-loop fiber optic gyroscope. In a dead zone, a gyroscope cannot detect any rotation and produces a zero bias. In this study, an analysis of dead zone sources is performed in simulation and experiments. In general, the problem is mainly due to electrical cross coupling and phase modulation drift. Electrical cross coupling is caused by interference between modulation voltage and the photodetector. The cross-coupled signal produces spurious gyro bias and leads to a dead zone if it is larger than the input rate. Phase modulation drift as another dead zone source is due to the electrode contamination, the piezoelectric effect of the LiNbO3 substrate, or to organic fouling. This modulation drift lasts for a short or long period of time like a lead-lag filter response and produces gyro bias error, noise spikes, or dead zone. For a more detailed analysis, the cross-coupling effect and modulation phase drift are modeled as a filter and are simulated in both the open-loop and closed-loop modes. The sources of dead zone are more clearly analyzed in the simulation and experimental results.

Coexistence of ΘI I-loop-current order with checkerboard d -wave CDW/PDW order in a hot-spot model for cuprate superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Carvalho, Vanuildo S.; Pépin, Catherine; Freire, Hermann

2016-03-01

We investigate the strong influence of the ΘI I-loop-current order on both unidirectional and bidirectional d -wave charge-density-wave/pair-density-wave (CDW/PDW) composite orders along axial momenta (±Q0,0 ) and (0 ,±Q0) that emerge in an effective hot-spot model departing from the three-band Emery model relevant to the phenomenology of the cuprate superconductors. This study is motivated by the compelling evidence that the ΘI I-loop-current order described by this model may explain groundbreaking experiments such as spin-polarized neutron scattering performed in these materials. Here, we demonstrate, within a saddle-point approximation, that the ΘI I-loop-current order clearly coexists with bidirectional (i.e., checkerboard) d -wave CDW and PDW orders along axial momenta, but is visibly detrimental to the unidirectional (i.e., stripe) case. This result has potentially far-reaching implications for the physics of the cuprates and agrees well with very recent x-ray experiments on YBCO that indicate that at higher dopings the CDW order has indeed a tendency to be bidirectional.

Decoupled systems on trial: Eliminating bottlenecks to improve aquaponic processes.

PubMed

Monsees, Hendrik; Kloas, Werner; Wuertz, Sven

2017-01-01

In classical aquaponics (coupled aquaponic systems, 1-loop systems) the production of fish in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and plants in hydroponics are combined in a single loop, entailing systemic compromises on the optimal production parameters (e.g. pH). Recently presented decoupled aquaponics (2-loop systems) have been awarded for eliminating major bottlenecks. In a pilot study, production in an innovative decoupled aquaponic system was compared with a coupled system and, as a control, a conventional RAS, assessing growth parameters of fish (FCR, SGR) and plants over an experimental period of 5 months. Soluble nutrients (NO3--N, NO2--N, NH4+-N, PO43-, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, SO42-, Cl2- and Fe2+), elemental composition of plants, fish and sludge (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, C), abiotic factors (temperature, pH, oxygen, and conductivity), fertilizer and water consumption were determined. Fruit yield was 36% higher in decoupled aquaponics and pH and fertilizer management was more effective, whereas fish production was comparable in both systems. The results of this pilot study clearly illustrate the main advantages of decoupled, two-loop aquaponics and demonstrate how bottlenecks commonly encountered in coupled aquaponics can be managed to promote application in aquaculture.

Turbine interstage seal with self-balancing capability

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mills, Jacob A; Jones, Russell B; Sexton, Thomas D

An interstage seal for a turbine of a gas turbine engine, the interstage seal having a seal carrier with an axial extending seal tooth movable with a stator of the engine, and a rotor with a seal surface that forms the interstage seal with the seal tooth, where a magnetic force produced by two magnets and a gas force produced by a gas pressure acting on the seal carrier forms a balancing force to maintain a close clearance of the seal without the seal tooth contacting the rotor seal surfaces during engine operation. In other embodiments, two pairs of magnetsmore » produce first and second magnetic forces that balance the seal in the engine.« less

Experimental design for three-color and four-color gene expression microarrays.

PubMed

Woo, Yong; Krueger, Winfried; Kaur, Anupinder; Churchill, Gary

2005-06-01

Three-color microarrays, compared with two-color microarrays, can increase design efficiency and power to detect differential expression without additional samples and arrays. Furthermore, three-color microarray technology is currently available at a reasonable cost. Despite the potential advantages, clear guidelines for designing and analyzing three-color experiments do not exist. We propose a three- and a four-color cyclic design (loop) and a complementary graphical representation to help design experiments that are balanced, efficient and robust to hybridization failures. In theory, three-color loop designs are more efficient than two-color loop designs. Experiments using both two- and three-color platforms were performed in parallel and their outputs were analyzed using linear mixed model analysis in R/MAANOVA. These results demonstrate that three-color experiments using the same number of samples (and fewer arrays) will perform as efficiently as two-color experiments. The improved efficiency of the design is somewhat offset by a reduced dynamic range and increased variability in the three-color experimental system. This result suggests that, with minor technological improvements, three-color microarrays using loop designs could detect differential expression more efficiently than two-color loop designs. http://www.jax.org/staff/churchill/labsite/software Multicolor cyclic design construction methods and examples along with additional results of the experiment are provided at http://www.jax.org/staff/churchill/labsite/pubs/yong.

Demonstration of a vectorial optical field generator with adaptive close loop control.

PubMed

Chen, Jian; Kong, Lingjiang; Zhan, Qiwen

2017-12-01

We experimentally demonstrate a vectorial optical field generator (VOF-Gen) with an adaptive close loop control. The close loop control capability is illustrated with the calibration of polarization modulation of the system. To calibrate the polarization ratio modulation, we generate 45° linearly polarized beam and make it propagate through a linear analyzer whose transmission axis is orthogonal to the incident beam. For the retardation calibration, circularly polarized beam is employed and a circular polarization analyzer with the opposite chirality is placed in front of the CCD as the detector. In both cases, the close loop control automatically changes the value of the corresponding calibration parameters in the pre-set ranges to generate the phase patterns applied to the spatial light modulators and records the intensity distribution of the output beam by the CCD camera. The optimized calibration parameters are determined corresponding to the minimum total intensity in each case. Several typical kinds of vectorial optical beams are created with and without the obtained calibration parameters, and the full Stokes parameter measurements are carried out to quantitatively analyze the polarization distribution of the generated beams. The comparisons among these results clearly show that the obtained calibration parameters could remarkably improve the accuracy of the polarization modulation of the VOF-Gen, especially for generating elliptically polarized beam with large ellipticity, indicating the significance of the presented close loop in enhancing the performance of the VOF-Gen.

Effects of Compression, Staging, and Braid Angle on Braided Rope Seal Performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinetz, Bruce M.; Adams, Michael L.

1997-01-01

Future turbine engines and industrial systems will be operating at increased temperatures to achieve more demanding efficiency and performance goals. In the highest temperature sections of the engine new material systems such as ceramics and intermetallics are being considered to withstand the harsh thermal environment. Components constructed of these low expansion-rate materials experience thermal strains and a resulting reduction of life when rigidly attached to high expansion-rate, superalloy support structures. Seals are being designed to both seal and to serve as compliant mounts allowing for relative thermal growths between high temperature but brittle primary structures and the surrounding support structures. Previous seal research yielded several braided rope seal designs which demonstrated the ability to both seal and serve as a compliant mount. The hybrid seal was constructed of an all-ceramic (alumina-silica) core overbraided with a superalloy wire sheath (cobalt based superalloy). The all ceramic seal was constructed of an all-ceramic (alumina-silica) core overbraided with multiple ceramic (alumina-silica) sheath layers. Program goals for braided rope seals are to improve flow resistance and/or seal resilience. To that end, the current report studies the test results of: baseline and modified hybrid seals; two stage hybrid and two stage all-ceramic seal configurations; and single stage hybrid and single stage all-ceramic seal configurations for a range of seal crush conditions. Hybrid seal modifications include increasing the sheath braid angle and core coverage. For the same percent seal cross-sectional crush, results show that increasing the hybrid seal braid angle increased seal stiffness and seal unit load, resulting in flows approximately one third of the baseline hybrid seal flows. For both hybrid and all-ceramic seals, two stage seal configurations significantly outperformed single stage configurations. Two stage seal flows were at least 30% less than the single stage seal flows for the same seal crush. Furthermore, test results of single stage seals indicate that for both all-ceramic and hybrid seals, a specific seal crush condition exists at which minimum flows are achieved (i.e. increasing seal crush beyond a certain point does not result in better flow performance). Flow results are presented for a range of pressures and temperatures from ambient to 1300 F, before and after scrubbing. Compression tests results show that for both all-ceramic and hybrid seals, seal preload and stiffness increase with seal crush, but residual seal interference remains constant.

Overview of LIDS Docking and Berthing System Seals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Daniels, Christopher C.; Dunlap, Patrick H., Jr.; deGroh, Henry C., III; Steinetz, Bruce M.; Oswald, Jay J.; Smith, Ian

2007-01-01

This viewgraph presentation describes the Low Impact Docking System (LIDS) docking and berthing system seals. The contents include: 1) Description of the Application: Low Impact Docking System (LIDS); 2) LIDS Seal Locations: Vehicle Undocked (Hatch Closed); 3) LIDS Seal Locations: Mechanical Pass Thru; 4) LIDS Seal Locations: Electrical and Pyro Connectors; 5) LIDS Seal Locations: Vehicle Docked (Hatches Open); 6) LIDS Seal Locations: Main Interface Seal; 7) Main Interface Seal Challenges and Specifications; 8) Approach; 9) Seal Concepts Under Development/Evaluation; 10) Elastomer Material Evaluations; 11) Evaluation of Relevant Seal Properties; 12) Medium-Scale (12") Gask-O-Seal Compression Tests; 13) Medium-Scale Compression Results; 14) Adhesion Forces of Elliptical Top Gask-o-seals; 15) Medium-Scale Seals; 16) Medium-Scale Leakage Results: Effect of Configuration; 17) Full Scale LIDS Seal Test Rig Development; 18) Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE 6A and 6B); and 19) Schedule.

Overview of NASA Glenn Seal Program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinetz, Bruce M.; Proctor, Margaret P.; Dunlap, Patrick H., Jr.; Delgado, Irebert; DeMange, Jeffrey J.; Daniels, Christopher C.; Lattime, Scott B.

2003-01-01

The Seal Team is divided into four primary areas. These areas include turbine engine seal development, structural seal development, acoustic seal development, and adaptive seal development. The turbine seal area focuses on high temperature, high speed shaft seals for secondary air system flow management. The structural seal area focuses on high temperature, resilient structural seals required to accommodate large structural distortions for both space- and aero-applications. Our goal in the acoustic seal project is to develop non-contacting, low leakage seals exploiting the principles of advanced acoustics. We are currently investigating a new acoustic field known as Resonant Macrosonic Synthesis (RMS) to see if we can harness the large acoustic standing pressure waves to form an effective air-barrier/seal. Our goal in the adaptive seal project is to develop advanced sealing approaches for minimizing blade-tip (shroud) or interstage seal leakage. We are planning on applying either rub-avoidance or regeneration clearance control concepts (including smart structures and materials) to promote higher turbine engine efficiency and longer service lives.

Rotary shaft sealing assembly

DOEpatents

Dietle, Lannie L; Schroeder, John E; Kalsi, Manmohan S; Alvarez, Patricio D

2013-08-13

A rotary shaft sealing assembly in which a first fluid is partitioned from a second fluid in a housing assembly having a rotary shaft located at least partially within. In one embodiment a lip seal is lubricated and flushed with a pressure-generating seal ring preferably having an angled diverting feature. The pressure-generating seal ring and a hydrodynamic seal may be used to define a lubricant-filled region with each of the seals having hydrodynamic inlets facing the lubricant-filled region. Another aspect of the sealing assembly is having a seal to contain pressurized lubricant while withstanding high rotary speeds. Another rotary shaft sealing assembly embodiment includes a lubricant supply providing a lubricant at an elevated pressure to a region between a lip seal and a hydrodynamic seal with a flow control regulating the flow of lubricant past the lip seal. The hydrodynamic seal may include an energizer element having a modulus of elasticity greater than the modulus of elasticity of a sealing lip of the hydrodynamic seal.

Rotary shaft sealing assembly

DOEpatents

Dietle, Lannie L.; Schroeder, John E.; Kalsi, Manmohan S.; Alvarez, Patricio D.

2010-09-21

A rotary shaft sealing assembly in which a first fluid is partitioned from a second fluid in a housing assembly having a rotary shaft located at least partially within. In one embodiment a lip seal is lubricated and flushed with a pressure-generating seal ring preferably having an angled diverting feature. The pressure-generating seal ring and a hydrodynamic seal may be used to define a lubricant-filled region with each of the seals having hydrodynamic inlets facing the lubricant-filled region. Another aspect of the sealing assembly is having a seal to contain pressurized lubricant while withstanding high rotary speeds. Another rotary shaft sealing assembly embodiment includes a lubricant supply providing a lubricant at an elevated pressure to a region between a lip seal and a hydrodynamic seal with a flow control regulating the flow of lubricant past the lip seal. The hydrodynamic seal may include an energizer element having a modulus of elasticity greater than the modulus of elasticity of a sealing lip of the hydrodynamic seal.

Continued Investigation of Leakage and Power Loss Test Results for Competing Turbine Engine Seals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Delgado, Irebert R.; Proctor, Margaret P.

2006-01-01

Secondary seal leakage in jet engine applications results in power losses to the engine cycle. Likewise, seal power loss in jet engines not only result in efficiency loss but also increase the heat input into the engine resulting in reduced component lives. Experimental work on labyrinth and annular seals was performed at NASA Glenn Research Center to quantify seal leakage and power loss at various temperatures, seal pressure differentials, and surface speeds. Data from annular and labyrinth seals are compared with previous brush and finger seal test results. Data are also compared to literature. Annular and labyrinth seal leakage rates are 2 to 3 times greater than brush and finger seal rates. Seal leakage decreases with increasing speed but increases with increasing test temperature due to thermal expansion mismatch. Also seal power loss increases with surface speed, seal pressure differential, mass flow rate, and radial clearance. Annular and labyrinth seal power losses were higher than those of brush or finger seal data. The brush seal power loss was 15 to 30 percent lower than annular and labyrinth seal power loss.

Analysis of Influence of Goaf Sealing from Tailgate On the Methane Concentration at the Outlet from the Longwall

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tutak, Magdalena; Brodny, Jaroslaw

2017-12-01

One of the most common and most dangerous gas hazards in underground coal mine is methane hazard. Formation of dangerous, explosive concentrations of methane occurs the most often in the region of crossing of longwall with the ventilation gallery. Particularly it applies to longwalls ventilated in „U from bounds” system. Outflow of gases from the goaf to the tailgate takes place through the boundary surfaces of this sidewalk with goaf. Main cause of this process is a phenomenon of air filtration through the goaf with caving. This filtration is a result of migration of the part of ventilation air stream supplied to the longwall. This air is released into the goaf on the entire longwall length; however, its greater amount gets to the goaf with caving space at the crossing of maingate with exploitation longwall. Albeit, the biggest outflow of air mixture and gases from the goaf occurs in top gate in upper corner of the longwall. This is a result of pressure difference in this region. This phenomenon causes that to the space of heading besides the air also other gases present in the goaf, mainly methane, are released. Methane is an explosive gas. Most often boundaries of explosive mixtures of methane, air and inert gases are described by the so-called Coward triangle explosion. Within the limits of the occurrence of the concentration of explosive methane explosion initials may be endogenous fire, blasting or sparks arising from friction of moving lumps of rock. Therefore, in order to decrease its concertation in this region, by limiting its outflow from the goaf with caving different actions are taken. One of such action is sealing of goaf from top gate side. Analysis of impact of sealing of these goaf on the methane concentration at the outlet of longwall is main aim of studies researches. Model of tested region, together with boundary conditions (including parameters of flowing air and the methane content) was developed on the base of real data from one of the exploitation longwalls. In the studies it was assumed that measurement of sealing of goaf (their isolation) will be permeability coefficient of sealing layer. Based on this impact of this coefficient value on methane concertation at outlet from the longwall was determined. As a result of performed analysis also other physical parameters of air stream flowing through the tested region were determined, also dependent on the degree of sealing of goaf. Simulation tests were carried out with use of finite volume method. Obtained results clearly indicate, that by a proper selection of degree of sealing of goaf with caving, one can have significant influence on the air stream parameters in the region of upper corner of longwall.

Triple acting radial seal

DOEpatents

Ebert, Todd A [West Palm Beach, FL; Carella, John A [Jupiter, FL

2012-03-13

A triple acting radial seal used as an interstage seal assembly in a gas turbine engine, where the seal assembly includes an interstage seal support extending from a stationary inner shroud of a vane ring, the interstage seal support includes a larger annular radial inward facing groove in which an outer annular floating seal assembly is secured for radial displacement, and the outer annular floating seal assembly includes a smaller annular radial inward facing groove in which an inner annular floating seal assembly is secured also for radial displacement. A compliant seal is secured to the inner annular floating seal assembly. The outer annular floating seal assembly encapsulates the inner annular floating seal assembly which is made from a very low alpha material in order to reduce thermal stress.

Analysis of open loop higher harmonic control at high airspeeds on a modern four-bladed articulated rotor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kottapalli, Sesi; Leyland, Jane

1991-01-01

The effects of open loop higher harmonic control (HHC) on rotor hub loads, performance, and push rod loads of a Sikorsky S-76 helicopter rotor at high airspeeds (up to 200 knots) and moderate lift (10,000 lbs) were studied analytically. The analysis was performed as part of a wind tunnel pre-test prediction and preparation procedure, as well as to provide analytical results for post-test correlation efforts. The test associated with this study is to be concluded in the 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel of the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex (NFAC) at the NASA Ames Research Center. The results from this analytical study show that benefits from HHC can be achieved at high airspeeds. These results clear the way for conducting (with the requirement of safe pushrod loads) an open loop HHC test a high airspeeds in the 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel using an S-76 rotor as the test article.

Observational Signatures of Magnetic Reconnection in the Extended Corona

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Savage, Sabrina; West, Matthew J.; Seaton, Daniel B.; Kobelski, Adam

2016-01-01

Observational signatures of reconnection have been studied extensively in the lower corona for decades, successfully providing insight into energy release mechanisms in the region above post-flare arcade loops and below 1.5 solar radii. During large eruptive events, however, energy release continues to occur well beyond the presence of reconnection signatures at these low heights. Supra-Arcade Downflows (SADs) and Supra-Arcade Downflowing Loops (SADLs) are particularly useful measures of continual reconnection in the corona as they may indicate the presence and path of retracting post-reconnection loops. SADs and SADLs have been faintly observed up to 18 hours beyond the passage of coronas mass ejections through the SOHO/LASCO field of view, but a recent event from 2014 October 14 associated with giant arches provides very clear observations of these downflows for days after the initial eruption. We report on this unique event and compare these findings with observational signatures of magnetic reconnection in the extended corona for more typical eruptions.

Observational Signatures of Magnetic Reconnection in the Extended Corona

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Savage, Sabrina; West, Matthew J.; Seaton, Danial B.; Kobelski, Adam

2016-01-01

Observational signatures of reconnection have been studied extensively in the lower corona for decades, successfully providing insight into energy release mechanisms in the region above post-flare arcade loops and below 1.5 solar radii. During large eruptive events, however, energy release continues to occur well beyond the presence of reconnection signatures at these low heights. Supra-Arcade Downflows (SADs) and Supra-Arcade Downflowing Loops (SADLs) are particularly useful measures of continual reconnection in the corona as they may indicate the presence and path of retracting post-reconnection loops. SADs and SADLs have been faintly observed up to 18 hours beyond the passage of corona mass ejections through the SOHO/LASCO field of view, but a recent event from 2014 October 14 associated with giant arches provides very clear observations of these downflows for days after the initial eruption. We report on this unique event and compare these findings with observational signatures of magnetic reconnection in the extended corona for more typical eruptions.

Observational Signatures of Magnetic Reconnection in the Extended Corona

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Savage, Sabrina; West, Matthew J.; Seaton, Daniel B.; Kobelski, Adam

2017-01-01

Observational signatures of reconnection have been studied extensively in the lower corona for decades, successfully providing insight into energy release mechanisms in the region above post-flare arcade loops and below 1.5 solar radii. During large eruptive events, however, energy release continues to occur well beyond the presence of reconnection signatures at these low heights. Supra-Arcade Downflows (SADs) and Supra-Arcade Downflowing Loops (SADLs) are particularly useful measures of continual reconnection in the corona as they may indicate the presence and path of retracting post-reconnection loops. SADs and SADLs have been faintly observed up to 18 hours beyond the passage of corona mass ejections through the SOHO/LASCO field of view, but a recent event from 2014 October 14 associated with giant arches provides very clear observations of these downflows for days after the initial eruption. We report on this unique event and compare these findings with observational signatures of magnetic reconnection in the extended corona for more typical eruptions.

Complete analog control of the carrier-envelope-phase of a high-power laser amplifier.

PubMed

Feng, C; Hergott, J-F; Paul, P-M; Chen, X; Tcherbakoff, O; Comte, M; Gobert, O; Reduzzi, M; Calegari, F; Manzoni, C; Nisoli, M; Sansone, G

2013-10-21

In this work we demonstrate the development of a complete analog feedback loop for the control of the carrier-envelope phase (CEP) of a high-average power (20 W) laser operating at 10 kHz repetition rate. The proposed method combines a detection scheme working on a single-shot basis at the full-repetition-rate of the laser system with a fast actuator based either on an acousto-optic or on an electro-optic crystal. The feedback loop is used to correct the CEP fluctuations introduced by the amplification process demonstrating a CEP residual noise of 320 mrad measured on a single-shot basis. The comparison with a feedback loop operating at a lower sampling rate indicates an improvement up to 45% in the residual noise. The measurement of the CEP drift for different integration times clearly evidences the importance of the single-shot characterization of the residual CEP drift. The demonstrated scheme could be efficiently applied for systems approaching the 100 kHz repetition rate regime.

Biomolecular and structural analyses of cauliflower-like DNAs by ultraviolet, circular dichroism, and fluorescence spectroscopies in comparison with natural DNA.

PubMed

Gill, Pooria; Ranjbar, Bijan; Saber, Reza; Khajeh, Khosro; Mohammadian, Mehdi

2011-07-01

Cauliflower-like DNAs are stem-loop DNAs that are fabricated periodically in inverted repetitions from deoxyribonucleic acid phosphates (dNTPs) by loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). Cauliflower-like DNAs have ladder-shape behaviors on gel electrophoresis, and increasing the time of LAMP leads to multiplying the repetitions, stem-loops, and electrophoretic bands. Cauliflower-like DNAs were fabricated via LAMP using two loop primers, two bumper primers, dNTPs, a λ-phage DNA template, and a Bst DNA polymerase in 75- and 90-min periods. These times led to manufacturing two types of cauliflower-like DNAs with different contents of inverted repetitions and stem-loops, which were clearly indicated by two comparable electrophoresis patterns in agarose gel. LAMP-fabricated DNAs and natural dsB-DNA (salmon genomic DNA) were dialyzed in Gomori phosphate buffer (10 mM, pH 7.4) to be isolated from salts, nucleotides, and primers. Dialyzed DNAs were studied using UV spectroscopy, circular dichroism spectropolarimetry, and fluorescence spectrophotometry. Structural analyses indicated reduction of the molecular ellipticity and extinction coefficients in comparison with B-DNA. Also, cauliflower-like DNAs demonstrated less intrinsic and more extrinsic fluorescence in comparison with natural DNA. The overwinding and lengthening of the cauliflower-like configurations of LAMP DNAs led to changes in physical parameters of this type of DNA in comparison with natural DNA. The results obtained introduced new biomolecular characteristics of DNA macromolecules fabricated within a LAMP process and show the effects of more inverted repeats and stem-loops, which are manufactured by lengthening the process.

Multiwavelength observations of a flux rope formation by series of magnetic reconnection in the chromosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Pankaj; Yurchyshyn, Vasyl; Cho, Kyung-Suk; Wang, Haimin

2017-07-01

Using high-resolution observations from the 1.6 m New Solar Telescope (NST) operating at the Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO), we report direct evidence of merging and reconnection of cool Hα loops in the chromosphere during two homologous flares (B and C class) caused by a shear motion at the footpoints of two loops. The reconnection between these loops caused the formation of an unstable flux rope that showed counterclockwise rotation. The flux rope could not reach the height of torus instability and failed to form a coronal mass ejection. The HMI magnetograms revealed rotation of the negative and positive (N1/P2) polarity sunspots in the opposite directions, which increased the right- and left-handed twist in the magnetic structures rooted at N1/P2. Rapid photospheric flux cancellation (duration 20-30 min, rate ≈3.44 × 1020 Mx h-1) was observed during and even after the first B6.0 flare and continued until the end of the second C2.3 flare. The RHESSI X-ray sources were located at the site of the loop coalescence. To the best of our knowledge, such a clear interaction of chromospheric loops along with rapid flux cancellation has not been reported before. These high-resolution observations suggest the formation of a small flux rope by a series of magnetic reconnections within chromospheric loops that are associated with very rapid flux cancellation. Movies attached to Figs. 2, 7, 8, and 10 are available at http://www.aanda.org

Solar heated rotary kiln

DOEpatents

Shell, Pamela K.

1984-01-01

A solar heated rotary kiln utilized for decomposition of materials, such as zinc sulfate. The rotary kiln has an open end and is enclosed in a sealed container having a window positioned for directing solar energy into the open end of the kiln. The material to be decomposed is directed through the container into the kiln by a feed tube. The container is also provided with an outlet for exhaust gases and an outlet for spent solids, and rests on a tiltable base. The window may be cooled and kept clear of debris by coolant gases.

Solar-heated rotary kiln

DOEpatents

Shell, P.K.

1982-04-14

A solar heated rotary kiln utilized for decomposition of materials, such as zinc sulfate is disclosed. The rotary kiln has an open end and is enclosed in a sealed container having a window positioned for directing solar energy into the open end of the kiln. The material to be decomposed is directed through the container into the kiln by a feed tube. The container is also provided with an outlet for exhaust gases and an outlet for spent solids, and rests on a tiltable base. The window may be cooled and kept clear of debris by coolant gases.

Compliant high temperature seals for dissimilar materials

DOEpatents

Rynders, Steven Walton; Minford, Eric; Tressler, Richard Ernest; Taylor, Dale M.

2001-01-01

A high temperature, gas-tight seal is formed by utilizing one or more compliant metallic toroidal ring sealing elements, where the applied pressure serves to activate the seal, thus improving the quality of the seal. The compliant nature of the sealing element compensates for differences in thermal expansion between the materials to be sealed, and is particularly useful in sealing a metallic member and a ceramic tube art elevated temperatures. The performance of the seal may be improved by coating the sealing element with a soft or flowable coating such as silver or gold and/or by backing the sealing element with a bed of fine powder. The material of the sealing element is chosen such that the element responds to stress elastically, even at elevated temperatures, permitting the seal to operate through multiple thermal cycles.

Gain equalization in cascaded optical amplifiers using short-period Bragg gratings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rochette, Martin; Cortes, Pierre-Yves; Guy, Martin; LaRochelle, Sophie; Trepanier, Francois; Lauzon, Jocelyn

2000-12-01

Gain equalization of an amplifier is performed by introducing spectrally designed Bragg gratings in the mid-stage of a dual-stage erbium-doped fiber amplifier. The long-haul performances of the amplifier are evaluated using a 50 km recirculating loop. The results show a clear improvement of the transmission quality when equalizing the gain.

Seal Related Development Activities at EG/G

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Greiner, Harold F.

1991-01-01

Seal related development activities including modeling, analysis, and performance testing are described for several current seal related projects. Among the current seal related projects are the following: high pressure gas sealing systems for turbomachinery; brush seals for gas path sealing in gas turbines; and tribological material evaluation for wear surfaces in sealing systems.

Pressure Actuated Leaf Seals for Improved Turbine Shaft Sealing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grondahl, Clayton

2006-01-01

This presentation introduces a shaft seal in which leaf seal elements are constructed from slotted shim material formed and layered into a frusto-conical assembly. Limited elastic deflection of seal leaves with increasing system pressure close large startup clearance to a small, non-contacting, steady state running clearance. At shutdown seal elements resiliently retract as differential seal pressure diminishes. Large seal clearance during startup and shutdown provides a mechanism for rub avoidance. Minimum operating clearance improves performance and non-contacting operation promises long seal life. Design features of this seal, sample calculations at differential pressures up to 2400 psid and benefit comparison with brush and labyrinth seals is documented in paper, AIAA 2005 3985, presented at the Advanced Seal Technology session of the Joint Propulsion Conference in Tucson this past July. In this presentation use of bimetallic leaf material will be discussed. Frictional heating of bimetallic leaf seals during a seal rub can relieve the rub condition to some extent with a change in seal shape. Improved leaf seal rub tolerance is expected with bimetallic material.

A Comparison of Candidate Seal Designs for Future Docking Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dunlap, Patrick, H., Jr.; Steinetz, Bruce, M.

2012-01-01

NASA is developing a new docking system to support future space exploration missions to low Earth orbit, the Moon, and other destinations. A key component of this system is the seal at the main docking interface which inhibits the loss of cabin air once docking is complete. Depending on the mission, the seal must be able to dock in either a seal-on-flange or seal-on-seal configuration. Seal-on-flange mating would occur when a docking system equipped with a seal docks to a system with a flat metal flange. This would occur when a vehicle docks to a node on the International Space Station. Seal-on-seal mating would occur when two docking systems equipped with seals dock to each other. Two types of seal designs were identified for this application: Gask-O-seals and multi-piece seals. Both types of seals had a pair of seal bulbs to satisfy the redundancy requirement. A series of performance assessments and comparisons were made between the candidate seal designs indicating that they meet the requirements for leak rate and compression and adhesion loads under a range of operating conditions. Other design factors such as part count, integration into the docking system tunnel, seal-on-seal mating, and cost were also considered leading to the selection of the multi-piece seal design for the new docking system. The results of this study can be used by designers of future docking systems and other habitable volumes to select the seal design best-suited for their particular application.

Twist seal for high-pressure vessels such as space shuttle rocket motors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

von Pragenau, George L. (Inventor)

1989-01-01

Seals for sealing clevis and flange joints (14) of a solid rocket booster motor, and more particularly to a seal (30) which is twisted upon application of expansion forces to an edge seal (36). This twisting motion initially causes a leading edge seal (44) to be urged into sealing engagement with a surface (48) of an adjacent member (20) and thereafter, increasing fluid pressure on a pressurized side (64) of a seal (30) drives a broad sealing region (46) into sealing engagement with a surface (48).

Hypersonic engine seal development at NASA Lewis Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinetz, Bruce M.

1994-01-01

NASA Lewis Research Center is developing advanced seal concepts and sealing technology for advanced combined cycle ramjet/scramjet engines being designed for the National Aerospace Plane (NASP). Technologies are being developed for both the dynamic seals that seal the sliding interfaces between articulating engine panels and sidewalls, and for the static seals that seal the heat exchanger to back-up structure interfaces. This viewgraph presentation provides an overview of the candidate engine seal concepts, seal material assessments, and unique test facilities used to assess the leakage and thermal performance of the seal concepts.

Brush seals for turbine engine fuel conservation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sousa, Mike

1994-07-01

The program objective is to demonstrate brush seals for replacing labyrinth seals in turboprop engines. The approach taken was to design and procure brush seals with assistance from Sealol, modify and instrument an existing T407 low pressure turbine test rig, replace inner balance piston and outer balance piston labyrinth seals with brush seals, conduct cyclic tests to evaluate seal leakage at operating pressures and temperatures, and evaluate effect of seal pack width and rotor eccentricity. Results are presented in viewgraph format and show that brush seals offer performance advantages over labyrinth seals.

Development of advanced seals for space propulsion turbomachinery

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hendricks, R. C.; Liang, A. D.; Childs, D. W.; Proctor, M. P.

1992-01-01

Current activities in seals for space propulsion turbomachinery that the NASA Lewis Research Center sponsors are surveyed. The overall objective is to provide the designer and researcher with the concepts and the data to control seal dynamics and leakage. Included in the program are low-leakage seals, such as the brush seal, the 'ceramic rope' seal, low-leakage seals for liquid oxygen turbopumps, face seals for two phase flow, and swirl brakes for stability. Two major efforts are summarized: a seal dynamics in rotating machinery and an effort in seal code development.

Hypersonic engine seal development at NASA Lewis Research Center

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steinetz, Bruce M.

1994-07-01

NASA Lewis Research Center is developing advanced seal concepts and sealing technology for advanced combined cycle ramjet/scramjet engines being designed for the National Aerospace Plane (NASP). Technologies are being developed for both the dynamic seals that seal the sliding interfaces between articulating engine panels and sidewalls, and for the static seals that seal the heat exchanger to back-up structure interfaces. This viewgraph presentation provides an overview of the candidate engine seal concepts, seal material assessments, and unique test facilities used to assess the leakage and thermal performance of the seal concepts.

76 FR 43266 - Marine Mammals; File No. 16472

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-20

... (Lobodon carcinophagus), leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx), Ross seals (Ommatophoca rossii), and Weddell... monitoring program established in 1986. The applicant also requests permission to import tissue samples... seals, 100 crabeater seals, 100 leopard seals, 200 Weddell seals, and 5 Ross seals would be taken...

Comparative axial morphology in pinnipeds and its correlation with aquatic locomotory behaviour

PubMed Central

Pierce, S E; Clack, J A; Hutchinson, J R

2011-01-01

Regional variation in the axial skeleton of pinnipeds (seals and walruses) and its correlation with aquatic locomotory behaviour is examined using vertebral functional profiles. The results demonstrate clear morpho-functional differences in the thoracolumbar region of modern pinnipeds (Phocidae, Otariidae, Odobenus) that can be strongly linked to swimming style. Phocid seals have a rigid thoracic region attached to a highly flexible lumbar region with long muscular lever arms providing the necessary mobility and leverage to perform pelvic oscillations. Conversely, otariid seals have extremely flexible inter-vertebral joints along the length of the column which should enhance manoeuvrability and turning performance. They also have greater muscular leverage in the anterior thoracic region to support pectoral oscillations. Odobenus (walrus) shows vertebral characteristics most similar to phocids, but with some otariid qualities, consistent with an intermediate or mixed form of aquatic locomotion, with pelvic oscillation dominating over pectoral oscillation. Comparison of the vertebral functional profiles in the fossil taxon Allodesmus kernensis with those of modern pinniped clades reveals that this extinct pinniped may also have used a combination of pectoral and pelvic oscillatory movements during swimming, but in a manner opposite to that of Odobenus, with pectoral oscillatory movements dominating. This study raises questions about the evolution and diversification of pinniped locomotory behaviours, but also provides the necessary framework to begin to examine axial mechanics and locomotory stages in other fossil pinnipedimorphs and their relatives in more detail. PMID:21668895

2003 NASA Seal/Secondary Air System Workshop. Volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinetz, Bruce M. (Editor); Hendricks, Robert C. (Editor)

2004-01-01

The following reports were included in the 2003 NASA Seal/Secondary Air System Workshop:Low Emissions Alternative Power (LEAP); Overview of NASA Glenn Seal Developments; NASA Ultra Efficient Engine Technology Project Overview; Development of Higher Temperature Abradable Seals for Industrial Gas Turbines; High Misalignment Carbon Seals for the Fan Drive Gear System Technologies; Compliant Foil Seal Investigations; Test Rig for Evaluating Active Turbine Blade Tip Clearance Control Concepts; Controls Considerations for Turbine Active Clearance Control; Non-Contacting Finger Seal Developments and Design Considerations; Effect of Flow-Induced Radial Load on Brush Seal/Rotor Contact Mechanics; Seal Developments at Flowserve Corporation; Investigations of High Pressure Acoustic Waves in Resonators With Seal-Like Features; Numerical Investigations of High Pressure Acoustic Waves in Resonators; Feltmetal Seal Material Through-Flow; "Bimodal" Nuclear Thermal Rocket (BNTR) Propulsion for Future Human Mars Exploration Missions; High Temperature Propulsion System Structural Seals for Future Space Launch Vehicles; Advanced Control Surface Seal Development for Future Space Vehicles; High Temperature Metallic Seal Development for Aero Propulsion and Gas Turbine Applications; and BrazeFoil Honeycomb.

High Pressure Rotary Shaft Sealing Mechanism

DOEpatents

Dietle, Lannie; Gobeli, Jeffrey D.

2001-05-08

A laterally translatable pressure staged rotary shaft sealing mechanism having a seal housing with a shaft passage therein being exposed to a fluid pressure P1 and with a rotary shaft being located within the shaft passage. At least one annular laterally translatable seal carrier is provided. First and second annular resilient sealing elements are supported in axially spaced relation by the annular seal carriers and have sealing relation with the rotary shaft. The seal housing and at least one seal carrier define a first pressure staging chamber exposed to the first annular resilient sealing element and a second pressure staging chamber located between and exposed to the first and second annular resilient sealing elements. A first fluid is circulated to the first pressure chamber at a pressure P1, and a second staging pressure fluid is circulated to the second pressure chamber at a fraction of pressure P1 to achieve pressure staging, cooling of the seals. Seal placement provides hydraulic force balancing of the annular seal carriers.

Skew resisting hydrodynamic seal

DOEpatents

Conroy, William T.; Dietle, Lannie L.; Gobeli, Jeffrey D.; Kalsi, Manmohan S.

2001-01-01

A novel hydrodynamically lubricated compression type rotary seal that is suitable for lubricant retention and environmental exclusion. Particularly, the seal geometry ensures constraint of a hydrodynamic seal in a manner preventing skew-induced wear and provides adequate room within the seal gland to accommodate thermal expansion. The seal accommodates large as-manufactured variations in the coefficient of thermal expansion of the sealing material, provides a relatively stiff integral spring effect to minimize pressure-induced shuttling of the seal within the gland, and also maintains interfacial contact pressure within the dynamic sealing interface in an optimum range for efficient hydrodynamic lubrication and environment exclusion. The seal geometry also provides for complete support about the circumference of the seal to receive environmental pressure, as compared the interrupted character of seal support set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,873,576 and 6,036,192 and provides a hydrodynamic seal which is suitable for use with non-Newtonian lubricants.

Seals Flow Code Development 1993

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liang, Anita D. (Compiler); Hendricks, Robert C. (Compiler)

1994-01-01

Seals Workshop of 1993 code releases include SPIRALI for spiral grooved cylindrical and face seal configurations; IFACE for face seals with pockets, steps, tapers, turbulence, and cavitation; GFACE for gas face seals with 'lift pad' configurations; and SCISEAL, a CFD code for research and design of seals of cylindrical configuration. GUI (graphical user interface) and code usage was discussed with hands on usage of the codes, discussions, comparisons, and industry feedback. Other highlights for the Seals Workshop-93 include environmental and customer driven seal requirements; 'what's coming'; and brush seal developments including flow visualization, numerical analysis, bench testing, T-700 engine testing, tribological pairing and ceramic configurations, and cryogenic and hot gas facility brush seal results. Also discussed are seals for hypersonic engines and dynamic results for spiral groove and smooth annular seals.

Low-leakage and low-instability labyrinth seal

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rhode, David L. (Inventor)

1997-01-01

Improved labyrinth seal designs are disclosed. The present invention relates to labyrinth seal systems with selected sealing surfaces and seal geometry to optimize flow deflection and produce maximum turbulent action. Optimum seal performance is generally accomplished by providing sealing surfaces and fluid cavities formed to dissipate fluid energy as a function of the geometry of the sealing surfaces along with the position and size of the fluid cavities formed between members of the labyrinth seal system. Improved convex surfaces, annular flow reversal grooves, flow deflection blocks and rough, machined surfaces cooperate to enhance the performance of the labyrinth seal systems. For some labyrinth seal systems a mid-cavity throttle and either rigid teeth or flexible spring teeth may be included.

Fundamentals of fluid sealing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zuk, J.

1976-01-01

The fundamentals of fluid sealing, including seal operating regimes, are discussed and the general fluid-flow equations for fluid sealing are developed. Seal performance parameters such as leakage and power loss are presented. Included in the discussion are the effects of geometry, surface deformations, rotation, and both laminar and turbulent flows. The concept of pressure balancing is presented, as are differences between liquid and gas sealing. Mechanisms of seal surface separation, fundamental friction and wear concepts applicable to seals, seal materials, and pressure-velocity (PV) criteria are discussed.

Sealing device for providing a seal in a turbomachine

DOEpatents

Lacy, Benjamin Paul; Kottilingam, Srikanth Chandrudu; Porter, Christopher Donald; Schick, David Edward; Weber, David Wayne

2016-08-16

Sealing device for providing seals between adjacent components, and turbomachines utilizing such sealing devices, are provided. A sealing device includes a seal plate insertable between the adjacent components, the seal plate comprising a first face and an opposing second face. The sealing device further includes a plurality of pins extending from one of the first face or the second face, the plurality of pins configured to space the one of the first face or the second face from contact surfaces of the adjacent components.

Heartworm (Acanthocheilonema spirocauda) and seal louse (Echinophthirius horridus) infections in harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) from the North and Baltic Seas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lehnert, Kristina; Schwanke, Eva; Hahn, Kerstin; Wohlsein, Peter; Siebert, Ursula

2016-07-01

The seal louse (Echinophthirius [E.] horridus) and the heartworm (Acanthocheilonema [A.] spirocauda) are parasites of harbour seal (Phoca vitulina). Little is known about the role of the seal louse as a potential vector and its role for the development and transmission of heartworm larvae to their final host, the harbour seal. The life-cycle of the heartworm is still not fully understood. For the presented study, findings of 1191 stranded harbour seals collected along the North- and Baltic Sea coast between 1996 and 2013 were examined. 4.4% (n = 53) of these harbour seals were infected with adult heartworms and 3.4% (n = 40) harbour seals carried seal lice. The highest prevalence and level of infection with adult heartworms (A. spirocauda) (9.3%) and seal lice (E. horridus) (8.9%) were found on yearling harbour seals (7-18 months) compared to neonate and adult seals. Investigating seal lice (n = 35) for larval heartworm stages one larvae was encountered in an ethanol-fixated seal louse. During a health monitoring survey of live harbour seals, 109 animals were captured and examined during spring and autumn between 2008 and 2014. Blood samples were taken and microfilariae were discovered in blood smears in 41% (n = 45) of the examined harbour seals. Yearling seals (n = 21) showed higher prevalence (86%) and level of infection with microfilariae than adults. Microfilariae were identified as A. spirocauda by sequencing the species-specific COI gene in 24 blood samples. The high prevalence of microfilariae of A. spirocauda in blood samples (41%) is in contrast to the low prevalence of mature infections/adult specimens in stranded seals (4.4%) investigated. Although rare parasites of seals, the recent increase in prevalence of heartworm and seal lice in stranded seals and the relatively high occurrence of microfilaria in the free-ranging population underscore the importance of further studies investigating the immunology of infections and their transmission pathways, as well as the epidemiology of both species.

Debulking Surgery for Clear Cell Carcinoma of the Ovary - A Case Report and Literature Review.

PubMed

Bacalbasa, Nicolae; Balescu, Irina; Filipescu, Alexandru

2017-10-01

Ovarian clear cell carcinoma represents a distinct histopathological subtype of epithelial ovarian cancer, with poor outcomes, especially in cases diagnosed in advanced stages of disease. However, even in these cases, it seems that the most effective treatment remains debulking surgery to no residual disease. We present the case of a 56-year-old patient diagnosed with a large pelvic mass invading the rectosigmoidal colon, and ileal loop who was successfully submitted to cytoreductive surgery to no residual disease. The histopathological studies demonstrated the presence of a well-differentiated clear cell ovarian carcinoma of the ovary. At 1-year follow-up there is no evidence of residual disease. Copyright© 2017, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.

Spectroscopic Study of a Dark Lane and a Cool Loop in a Solar Limb Active Region by Hinode/EIS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, K.; Imada, S.; Moon, Y.; Lee, J.

2012-12-01

We investigate a cool loop and a dark lane over a limb active region on 2007 March 14 by the Hinode/EUV Imaging Spectrometer (EIS). The cool loop is clearly seen in the EIS spectral lines formed at the transition region temperature (log T = 5.8). The dark lane is characterized by an elongated faint structure in coronal spectral lines (log T = 5.8 - 6.1) and rooted on a bright point. We examine their electron densities, Doppler velocities, and non-thermal velocities as a function of distance from the limb using the spectral lines formed at different temperatures (log T = 5.4 - 6.4). The electron densities of the cool loop and the dark lane are derived from the density sensitive line pairs of Mg VII, Fe XII, and Fe XIV spectra. Under the hydrostatic equilibrium and isothermal assumption, we determine their temperatures from the density scale height. Comparing the scale height temperatures to the peak formation temperatures of the spectral lines, we note that the scale height temperature of the cool loop is consistent with a peak formation temperature of the Mg VII (log T = 5.8) and the scale height temperature of the dark lane is close to a peak formation temperature of the Fe XII and Fe XIII (log T = 6.1 - 6.2). It is interesting to note that the structures of the cool loop and the dark lane are most visible in these temperature lines. While the non-thermal velocity in the cool loop slightly decreases (less than 7 km {s-1}) along the loop, that in the dark lane sharply falls off with height. The variation of non-thermal velocity with height in the cool loop and the dark lane is contrast to that in off-limb polar coronal holes which are considered as source of the fast solar wind. Such a decrease in the non-thermal velocity may be explained by wave damping near the solar surface or turbulence due to magnetic reconnection near the bright point.

Occludin confers adhesiveness when expressed in fibroblasts.

PubMed

Van Itallie, C M; Anderson, J M

1997-05-01

Occludin is an integral membrane protein specifically associated with tight junctions. Previous studies suggest it is likely to function in forming the intercellular seal. In the present study, we expressed occludin under an inducible promotor in occludin-null fibroblasts to determine whether this protein confers intercellular adhesion. When human occludin is stably expressed in NRK and Rat-1 fibroblasts, which lack endogenous occludin and tight junctions but do have well developed ZO-1-containing adherens-like junctions, occludin colocalizes with ZO-1 to points of cell-cell contact. In contrast, L-cell fibroblasts which lack cadherin-based adherens junctions, target neither ZO-1 nor occludin to sites of cell contact. Occludin-induced adhesion was next quantified using a suspended cell assay. In NRK and Rat-1 cells, occludin expression induces adhesion in the absence of calcium, thus independent of cadherin-cadherin contacts. In contrast, L-cells are nonadhesive in this assay and show no increase in adhesion after induction of occludin expression. Binding of an antibody to the first of the putative extracellular loops of occludin confirmed that this sequence was exposed on the cell surface, and synthetic peptides containing the amino acid sequence of this loop inhibit adhesion induced by occludin expression. These results suggest that the extracellular surface of occludin is directly involved in cell-cell adhesion and the ability to confer adhesiveness correlates with the ability to colocalize with its cytoplasmic binding protein, ZO-1.

Internal hydraulic loss in a seal-less centrifugal Gyro pump.

PubMed

Makinouchi, K; Ohara, Y; Sakuma, I; Damm, G; Mizuguchi, K; Jikuya, T; Takatani, S; Noon, G P; Nosé, Y

1994-01-01

A new index "loss factor Z" defined by Eq. 1 was introduced as the absolute expression of the mock loop resistance for testing a nonpulsatile pump. [formula: see text] where gamma is specific gravity of the fluid, g is the acceleration of gravity, delta P is total pressure head, and Q is flow. Z is expected to be constant, regardless of the pumping parameters. Z values obtained in the same mock loop but with different rotary blood pumps were almost identical and were defined as Z0. New methods of analysis of the flow-restrictive conditions of various rotary blood pumps are proposed in this paper: namely, differential loss factor delta Z, and loss factor sensitivity delta Z/delta A. The proposed Z-Q curves demonstrated better performance mapping than the conventional delta P-Q curves. Delta Z is the difference between the Z-Q curves of two different pumps. A is a design parameter of the pump; therefore delta Z/delta A is a quantitative expression of the effect of the design change on the hydraulic performance. These various indices were used to analyze the internal hydraulic loss of a centrifugal pump (Gyro pump). The relationship between its gap size (rotor casing) and hydraulic performance was assessed quantitatively by these indices. In this paper, the derivation processes and above-mentioned indices are described.

RM-10A robotic manipulator system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

White, J.R.; Coughlan, J.B.; Harvey, H.W.

1988-01-01

The REMOTE RM-10A is a man-replacement manipulator system that has been developed specifically for use in radioactive and other hazardous environments. It can be teleoperated, with man-in-the-loop, for unstructured tasks or programmed to perform routine tasks automatically much like robots in the automated manufacturing industry. The RM-10A is a servomanipulator utilizing a closed-loop, microprocessor-based control system. The system consists of a slave assembly, master control station, and interconnecting cabling. The slave assembly is the part of the system that enters the hostile environment. It is man-like is size and configuration with two identical arms attached to a torso structure. Eachmore » arm attaches to the torso using two captive screws and two guide pins. The guide pins position and stabilize an arm during removal and reinstallation and also align the two electrical connectors located in the arm support plate and torso. These features allow easy remote replacement of an arm, and commonality of the arms allow interchangeability. The water-resistant slave assembly is equipped with gaskets and O-ring seals in the torso and arm and camera assemblies. In addition, each slave arm's elbow, wrist, and tong are protected by replaceable polyurethane boots. An upper camera assembly, consisting of a color television (TV) camera, 6:1 zoom lens, and a pan/tilt unit, mount to the torso to provide remote viewing capability.« less

Seal Joint Analysis and Design for the Ares-I Upper Stage LOX Tank

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Phillips, Dawn R.; Wingate, Robert J.

2011-01-01

The sealing capability of the Ares-I Upper Stage liquid oxygen tank-to-sump joint is assessed by analyzing the deflections of the joint components. Analyses are performed using three-dimensional symmetric wedge finite element models and the ABAQUS commercial finite element software. For the pressure loads and feedline interface loads, the analyses employ a mixed factor of safety approach to comply with the Constellation Program factor of safety requirements. Naflex pressure-assisted seals are considered first because they have been used successfully in similar seal joints in the Space Shuttle External Tank. For the baseline sump seal joint configuration with a Naflex seal, the predicted joint opening greatly exceeds the seal design specification. Three redesign options of the joint that maintain the use of a Naflex seal are studied. The joint openings for the redesigned seal joints show improvement over the baseline configuration; however, these joint openings still exceed the seal design specification. RACO pressure-assisted seals are considered next because they are known to also be used on the Space Shuttle External Tank, and the joint opening allowable is much larger than the specification for the Naflex seals. The finite element models for the RACO seal analyses are created by modifying the models that were used for the Naflex seal analyses. The analyses show that the RACO seal may provide sufficient sealing capability for the sump seal joint. The results provide reasonable data to recommend the design change and plan a testing program to determine the capability of RACO seals in the Ares-I Upper Stage liquid oxygen tank sump seal joint.

A randomized clinical trial comparing mandibular incisor proclination produced by fixed labial appliances and clear aligners.

PubMed

Hennessy, Joe; Garvey, Thérèse; Al-Awadhi, Ebrahim A

2016-09-01

To compare the mandibular incisor proclination produced by fixed labial appliances and third generation clear aligners. Patients underwent a course of orthodontic treatment using either fixed labial appliances or clear aligners (Invisalign). Mandibular incisor proclination was measured by comparing pretreatment and near-end treatment lateral cephalograms. Eligibility criteria included adult patients with mild mandibular incisor crowding (<4 mm) and Class I skeletal bases (ANB, 1-4°). The main outcome was the cephalometric change in mandibular incisor inclination to the mandibular plane at the end of treatment. Eligible patients picking a sealed opaque envelope, which indicated their group allocation, was used to achieve randomization. Data was analyzed using a Welch two-sample t-test. Forty-four patients (mean age, 26.4 ± 7.7 years) were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either the fixed labial appliance or the clear aligner group. Baseline characteristics were similar for both groups: Fixed appliance mean crowding was 2.1 ± 1.3 mm vs clear aligner mean crowding, 2.5 ± 1.3 mm; pretreatment mean mandibular incisor inclination for the fixed appliance group was 90.8 ± 5.4° vs 91.6 ± 6.4° for the clear aligner group. Fixed appliances produced 5.3 ± 4.3° of mandibular incisor proclination. Clear aligners proclined the mandibular incisors by 3.4 ± 3.2°. The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (P > .05). There was no difference in the amount of mandibular incisor proclination produced by clear aligners and fixed labial appliances in mild crowding cases.

Experimental Research and Analysis of Rotordynamic Characteristics for a New Kind of Tilting-pad Gas Seal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Hao; Cao, Xiaoyu; Chen, Fei; Li, Ming; Zhang, Bolin; Wei, Jilong

2017-12-01

This paper presents a new kind of tilting-pad gas seal. This design is introduced to reduce the tangential seal force and to improve the stability of rotor system finally. A seal test rig is set up. The paper compares the leakage between tilting-pad seal and fixed pad seal. The result shows that the leakage ratio of the tilting-pad seal is close to the leakage ratio of the fixed pad seal. The work done by seal force on the cylinder system is calculated as an index of comparison between these two seals. Result shows that the work done by the fixed pad seal is greater than the work done by the tilting-pad seal. Moreover, system damping factor is used to compare the stabilities of these two seals. The impact tests on the cylinder system are done under different conditions. The system damping factors are calculated from the damped waves of system vibration. Test results show that the damping factor of the tilting pad seal is higher than that of the fixed pad seal in both the vertical and the horizontal directions.

40 CFR 61.275 - Periodic report.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... internal floating roof, or there are holes, tears or other openings in the seal or seal fabric; or (ii... has defects, the primary seal has holes, tears, or other openings in the seal or the seal fabric, or the secondary seal (if one has been installed) has holes, tears, or other openings in the seal or the...

Performance of a shaft seal system for the LE-7 rocket engine oxidizer turbopump

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oike, Mamoru; Nosaka, Masataka; Kikuchi, Masataka; Watanabe, Yoshiaki

An experimental study on a rotating-shaft seal system for a high-pressure liquid oxygen (LOX) turbopump has been conducted to develop the LE-7 engine for the Japanese H-II launch vehicle. The LOX turbopump rotating-shaft seal system, which prevents LOX (4.9 MPa) and the high-pressure turbine-drive gas (16.6 MPa, 970 K) from mixing during high-speed operations (18,000 to 20,000 rpm), consists of the following seals: an LOX seal comprising a floating-ring and a wear-ring, a turbine gas seal comprising two floating-rings, and a helium purge seal comprising two segmented circumferential seal-rings. This report describes experimental and observational results concerning the rotating-shaft seal system obtained in the LOX turbopump operations and the seal tests. Based on comparisons between the measurements and the analytical results, sealing characteristics of the seal system are discussed. Inspections of the sealing surfaces after the engine firing tests demonstrated that the LOX turbopump rotating-shaft seal system has sufficient durability for use in the LE-7 engine for the H-II launch vehicle.

Performance of the coned-face end seal with regard to energy conservation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sehnal, J.; Sedy, J.; Zobens, A.; Etsion, I.

1982-01-01

The effects of face coning on seal performance are evaluated with particular regard to the energy saving potential of convex conedface end seals as indicated by torque reduction. Experiments were conducted using a conventional carbon flat-face pusher-type seal, a coned-face pusher-type seal, coned-face bellows-type seal, and a modified coned-face pusher-type seal intended for dynamically unstable operation, with shaft rotation at up to 8000 rpm, pressures of up to 2758 kPa, and a petroleum-based turbine oil as lubricant. Torque at the seal interface is found to be reduced by 42% when the standard flat-face seal is replaced by a coned seal, although the leakage of the cone-face seal was 11 times greater. Reduction of seal balance from 76.1 to 51.3% resulted in an additional 44% reduction in torque, although at the expense of excessive leakage, but did not produce unstable operation. Face temperatures were reduced by 33-56 C and wear was also reduced greatly on the cone face seals. Seal performance is noted to be in agreement with analytical calculations.

Ultrastable laser array at 633 nm for real-time dimensional metrology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lawall, John; Pedulla, J. Marc; Le Coq, Yann

2001-07-01

We describe a laser system for very-high-accuracy dimensional metrology. A sealed-cavity helium-neon laser is offset locked to an iodine-stabilized laser in order to realize a secondary standard with higher power and less phase noise. Synchronous averaging is employed to remove the effect of the frequency modulation present on the iodine-stabilized laser. Additional lasers are offset locked to the secondary standard for use in interferometry. All servo loops are implemented digitally. The offset-locked lasers have intrinsic linewidths of the order of 2.5 kHz and exhibit a rms deviation from the iodine-stabilized laser below 18 kHz. The amplitude noise is at the shot-noise limit for frequencies above 700 kHz. We describe and evaluate the system in detail, and include a discussion of the noise associated with various types of power supplies.

Effect of working fluids on thermal performance of closed loop pulsating heat pipe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kolková, Zuzana; Malcho, Milan

2014-08-01

Improving the performance of electrical components needs higher heat removal from these systems. One of the solutions available is to use a sealed heat pipe with a throbbing filling, where development meets the current requirements for intensification of heat removal and elimination of moving parts cooling systems. Heat pipes operate using phase change working fluid, and it is evaporation and condensation. They have a meandering shape and are characterized by high intensity of heat transfer, high durability and reliability. Advantage of these tubes is that it is not necessary to create the internal capillary structure for transporting liquid and they need any pump to the working fluid circulation. They have a simple structure, low cost, high performance, and they can be used for various structural applications. The choice of working fluid volume and performance affects thermal performance. Distilled water, ethanol and acetone were used in the performance ranges 0-80%.

Synthesis, anisotropy, and superconducting properties of LiFeAs single crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Yoo Jang; Ghim, Jin Soo; Min, Byeong Hun; Kwon, Yong Seung; Jung, Myung Hwa; Rhyee, Jong-Soo

2010-05-01

A LiFeAs single crystal with Tconset˜19.7 K was grown in a sealed tungsten crucible using the Bridgeman method. The electrical resistivity experiments revealed a ratio of room temperature to residual resistivity of approximately 46 and 18 for the in-plane and out-of plane directions, respectively. The estimated anisotropic resistivity, γρ=ρc/ρab, was approximately 3.3 at Tconset. The upper critical fields had large Hc2∥ab and Hc2∥c values of 83.4 T and 72.5 T, respectively, and an anisotropy ratio is γH=Hc2∥ab/Hc2∥c˜1.15. The high upper critical field value and small anisotropy highlight the potential use of LiFeAs in a variety of applications. The calculated critical current density (Jc) from the M-H loop is approximately 103 A/cm2

Value contamination avoidance devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Endicott, D. L.

1975-01-01

Mechanical redesign methods were used to minimize contamination damage of conventional fluid components and a contamination separator device was developed for long term reusable space vehicles. These were incorporated into an existing 50.8 mm poppet valve and tested for damage tolerance in a full size open loop flow system with gaseous and liquid nitrogen. Cyclic and steady flow conditions were tested with particles of 125 to 420 micrometers aluminum oxide dispersed in the test fluids. Nonflow life tests (100,000 cycles) were made with two valve configurations in gaseous hydrogen. The redesigned valve had an acceptable cycle life and improved tolerance to contamination damage when the primary sealing surfaces were coated with thin coatings of hard plastic (Teflon S and Kynar). Analytical studies and flow testing were completed of four different versions of the separator. overall separation efficiencies in the 55-90% range were measured with these non-optimum configurations.

X-38 Seal Development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Curry, Donald M.; Lewis, Ronald K.; Hagen, Jeffrey D.

2002-01-01

An X-38 Crew Return Vehicle Seal Development is presented. The contents include: 1) X-38 Crew Return Vehicle; 2) X-38 TPS Configuration; 3) X-38 Seal Locations; 4) X-38 Rudder/Fin Seal Assembly; 5) Baseline X-38 Rudder/Fin Seal Design; 6) Rudder/Fin Seal to Bracket Assembly; 7) X-38 Rudder/Fin Vertical Rub Surface Inconel-0.10 inches; 8) X-38 Rudder/Fin Seal Analysis; 9) Seal Analysis Model; and 10) Governing Differential Equations for Equilibrium Thermal Assumption. The X-38 Rudder/Fin Seal temperature and pressure properties are also given.

Integrated seal for high-temperature electrochemical device

DOEpatents

Tucker, Michael C; Jacobson, Craig P

2013-07-16

The present invention provides electrochemical device structures having integrated seals, and methods of fabricating them. According to various embodiments the structures include a thin, supported electrolyte film with the electrolyte sealed to the support. The perimeter of the support is self-sealed during fabrication. The perimeter can then be independently sealed to a manifold or other device, e.g., via an external seal. According to various embodiments, the external seal does not contact the electrolyte, thereby eliminating the restrictions on the sealing method and materials imposed by sealing against the electrolyte.

Spring loaded compliant seal for high temperature use

DOEpatents

Memmen, Robert L; Fedock, John A; Downs, James P

2013-10-15

A flexible seal having an X-shaped cross section that forms four contact points on four contact surfaces of two opposed seal slots. The flexible seal is used for a component in which the two seal slots undergo a large deflection such that the opposed slots are not aligned and a rigid seal will not form an adequate seal. The flexible seal can be used in a component of a combustor or a turbine in a gas turbine engine where opposed seal slots undergo the large deflection during operation.

In vivo architectural analysis of 3.2 mm clear corneal incisions for phacoemulsification using optical coherence tomography.

PubMed

Torres, Luis F; Saez-Espinola, Fidelia; Colina, Juner M; Retchkiman, Myriam; Patel, Milan R; Agurto, Ricardo; Garcia, Gerardo; Diaz, Jose L; Huang, David; Schanzlin, David J; Chayet, Arturo S

2006-11-01

To analyze in vivo the architecture of clear corneal incisions (CCIs) for phacoemulsification using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Anterior Segment Department, Asociacion Para Evitar la Ceguera en Mexico, Hospital Dr Luis Sanchez Bulnes, Mexico. A prospective masked study analyzed 20 unsutured CCIs placed superiorly and created in a uniplanar fashion with a 3.2 mm slit-angled metal keratome. All wounds were evaluated with a retinal OCT model 1, 3, and 30 days postoperatively. Intraocular pressure (IOP) and incision leakage were checked. The architecture was described according to the angle of incidence, apposition of the epithelial and endothelial margins, and wound sealing. No leakage was detected. The angle varied from 33 to 85 degrees; angles greater than 75 degrees were done by a surgeon in training. Wound apposition at the epithelial margin was achieved in all cases. In contrast, imperfect apposition of the endothelial margin was seen in 45% of incisions on day 1 and in 15% on day 30. Incomplete sealing of the wound was seen by OCT in 25% of cases at 24 hours and persisted in 10% of all cases at 1 month. This gaping occurred on the endothelial side and never translated to the epithelial margin. No statistical correlation was found between gaping and the angle of the incision, IOP variations, or surgeon experience. Although in vivo CCIs caused minor anatomic imperfections, they were clinically stable independent of incision angle, IOP variation, and surgeon experience. Incision stability may be related to careful wound construction, epithelial viability, stromal edema, and efficient endothelial pumping.

Respiration and heart rate at the surface between dives in northern elephant seals.

PubMed

Le Boeuf, B J; Crocker, D E; Grayson, J; Gedamke, J; Webb, P M; Blackwell, S B; Costa, D P

2000-11-01

All underwater activities of diving mammals are constrained by the need for surface gas exchange. Our aim was to measure respiratory rate (fb) and heart rate (fh) at the surface between dives in free-ranging northern elephant seals Mirounga angustirostris. We recorded fb and fh acoustically in six translocated juveniles, 1.8-2. 4 years old, and three migrating adult males from the rookery at Año Nuevo, California, USA. To each seal, we attached a diving instrument to record the diving pattern, a satellite tag to track movements and location, a digital audio tape recorder or acoustic datalogger with an external hydrophone to record the sounds of respiration and fh at the surface, and a VHF transmitter to facilitate recovery. During surface intervals averaging 2.2+/-0.4 min, adult males breathed a mean of 32.7+/-5.4 times at a rate of 15. 3+/-1.8 breaths min(-)(1) (means +/- s.d., N=57). Mean fh at the surface was 84+/-3 beats min(-)(1). The fb of juveniles was 26 % faster than that of adult males, averaging 19.2+/-2.2 breaths min(-)(1) for a mean total of 41.2+/-5.0 breaths during surface intervals lasting 2.6+/-0.31 min. Mean fh at the surface was 106+/-3 beats min(-)(1). fb and fh did not change significantly over the course of surface intervals. Surface fb and fh were not clearly associated with levels of exertion, such as rapid horizontal transit or apparent foraging, or with measures of immediately previous or subsequent diving performance, such as diving duration, diving depth or swimming speed. Together, surface respiration rate and the duration of the preceding dive were significant predictors of surface interval duration. This implies that elephant seals minimize surface time spent loading oxygen depending on rates of oxygen uptake and previous depletion of stores.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Leigh, Christi D.; Hansen, Francis D.

This report summarizes the state of salt repository science, reviews many of the technical issues pertaining to disposal of heat-generating nuclear waste in salt, and proposes several avenues for future science-based activities to further the technical basis for disposal in salt. There are extensive salt formations in the forty-eight contiguous states, and many of them may be worthy of consideration for nuclear waste disposal. The United States has extensive experience in salt repository sciences, including an operating facility for disposal of transuranic wastes. The scientific background for salt disposal including laboratory and field tests at ambient and elevated temperature, principlesmore » of salt behavior, potential for fracture damage and its mitigation, seal systems, chemical conditions, advanced modeling capabilities and near-future developments, performance assessment processes, and international collaboration are all discussed. The discussion of salt disposal issues is brought current, including a summary of recent international workshops dedicated to high-level waste disposal in salt. Lessons learned from Sandia National Laboratories' experience on the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant and the Yucca Mountain Project as well as related salt experience with the Strategic Petroleum Reserve are applied in this assessment. Disposal of heat-generating nuclear waste in a suitable salt formation is attractive because the material is essentially impermeable, self-sealing, and thermally conductive. Conditions are chemically beneficial, and a significant experience base exists in understanding this environment. Within the period of institutional control, overburden pressure will seal fractures and provide a repository setting that limits radionuclide movement. A salt repository could potentially achieve total containment, with no releases to the environment in undisturbed scenarios for as long as the region is geologically stable. Much of the experience gained from United States repository development, such as seal system design, coupled process simulation, and application of performance assessment methodology, helps define a clear strategy for a heat-generating nuclear waste repository in salt.« less

Bimodal Winter Haul-Out Patterns of Adult Weddell Seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) in the Southern Weddell Sea

PubMed Central

Fedak, Mike; Årthun, Marius; Nicholls, Keith; Robinson, Patrick; Costa, Dan; Biuw, Martin

2016-01-01

Hauling out is an essential component of pinniped life-history. Haul-out behaviour may be affected by biological (e.g. sex, age and condition) and physical factors (e.g. food availability and environmental conditions), and identifying these factors may help explain the spatio-temporal distribution and habitat use of pinnipeds. The aim of this study is to describe observed winter haul-out patterns of adult Weddell seals in the Weddell Sea and investigate the role of potential predictors to gain insight into the way these animals interact with the physical environment in this region. We examined the haul-out behaviour in relation to available biological (i.e., diving effort, sex) and physical information (i.e., sun angle). Thirty-three satellite telemetry tags were deployed on adult Weddell seals in the southern Weddell Sea during February 2007, 2009 and 2011, following their annual moult recording information on the behavioural mode of the animal: at surface, hauled out or diving. At the end of the austral summer Weddell seals spent, on average, more than 40% of their time hauled out on the ice. Under constant light conditions, it appears that physiological factors drive sex differences in the timing and duration of haul-out behaviour, with females spending on average more time hauled out than males during daylight hours. This time spent hauled-out declined to around 15% in both sexes by the beginning of autumn and remained at this level with a clear nocturnal haul-out pattern during the winter. The time spent diving increased during this period, indicating an increase in foraging effort during the winter months, and led to a common haul-out pattern in both sexes over winter. We found a positive relationship between haul-out duration and the percentage of time spent diving prior to a haul-out in both sexes, with the exception of female daytime haul-outs early in the year. PMID:27196097

Mapping of Technological Opportunities-Labyrinth Seal Example

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clarke, Dana W., Sr.

2006-01-01

All technological systems evolve based on evolutionary sequences that have repeated throughout history and can be abstracted from the history of technology and patents. These evolutionary sequences represent objective patterns and provide considerable insights that can be used to proactively model future seal concepts. This presentation provides an overview of how to map seal technology into the future using a labyrinth seal example. The mapping process delivers functional descriptions of sequential changes in market/consumer demand, from today s current paradigm to the next major paradigm shift. The future paradigm is developed according to a simple formula: the future paradigm is free of all flaws associated with the current paradigm; it is as far into the future as we can see. Although revolutionary, the vision of the future paradigm is typically not immediately or completely realizable nor is it normally seen as practical. There are several reasons that prevent immediate and complete practical application, such as: 1) Some of the required technological or business resources and knowledge not being available; 2) Availability of other technological or business resources are limited; and/or 3) Some necessary knowledge has not been completely developed. These factors tend to drive the Total Cost of Ownership or Utilization out of an acceptable range and revealing the reasons for the high Total Cost of Ownership or Utilization which provides a clear understanding of research opportunities essential for future developments and defines the current limits of the immediately achievable improvements. The typical roots of high Total Cost of Ownership or Utilization lie in the limited availability or even the absence of essential resources and knowledge necessary for its realization. In order to overcome this obstacle, step-by-step modification of the current paradigm is pursued to evolve from the current situation toward the ideal future, i.e., evolution rather than revolution. A key point is that evolutionary stages are mapped to show step-by-step evolution from the current paradigm to the next major paradigm.

Bimodal Winter Haul-Out Patterns of Adult Weddell Seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) in the Southern Weddell Sea.

PubMed

Boehme, Lars; Baker, Amy; Fedak, Mike; Årthun, Marius; Nicholls, Keith; Robinson, Patrick; Costa, Dan; Biuw, Martin; Photopoulou, Theoni

2016-01-01

Hauling out is an essential component of pinniped life-history. Haul-out behaviour may be affected by biological (e.g. sex, age and condition) and physical factors (e.g. food availability and environmental conditions), and identifying these factors may help explain the spatio-temporal distribution and habitat use of pinnipeds. The aim of this study is to describe observed winter haul-out patterns of adult Weddell seals in the Weddell Sea and investigate the role of potential predictors to gain insight into the way these animals interact with the physical environment in this region. We examined the haul-out behaviour in relation to available biological (i.e., diving effort, sex) and physical information (i.e., sun angle). Thirty-three satellite telemetry tags were deployed on adult Weddell seals in the southern Weddell Sea during February 2007, 2009 and 2011, following their annual moult recording information on the behavioural mode of the animal: at surface, hauled out or diving. At the end of the austral summer Weddell seals spent, on average, more than 40% of their time hauled out on the ice. Under constant light conditions, it appears that physiological factors drive sex differences in the timing and duration of haul-out behaviour, with females spending on average more time hauled out than males during daylight hours. This time spent hauled-out declined to around 15% in both sexes by the beginning of autumn and remained at this level with a clear nocturnal haul-out pattern during the winter. The time spent diving increased during this period, indicating an increase in foraging effort during the winter months, and led to a common haul-out pattern in both sexes over winter. We found a positive relationship between haul-out duration and the percentage of time spent diving prior to a haul-out in both sexes, with the exception of female daytime haul-outs early in the year.

Dynamic response of film thickness in spiral-groove face seals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dirusso, E.

1985-01-01

Tests were performed on an inward- and an outward-pumping spiral-groove face seal to experimentally determine the film thickness response to seal seat motions and to gain insight into the effect of secondary seal friction on film thickness behavior. Film thickness, seal seat axial motion, seal frictional torque, and film axial load were recorded as functions of time. The experiments revealed that for sinusoidal axial oscillations of the seal seat, the primary ring followed the seal seat motion very well. For a skewed seal seat, however, the primary ring did not follow the seal seat motion, and load-carrying capacity was degraded. Secondary seal friction was varied over a wide range to determine its effect on film thickness dynamics. The seals were tested with ambient air at room temperature and atmospheric pressure as the fluid medium. The test speed ranged from 7000 to 20,000 rpm. Seal tangential velocity ranged from 34 to 98 m/sec (113 to 323 ft/sec).

Toward an Improved Hypersonic Engine Seal

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dunlap, Patrick H., Jr.; Steinetz, Bruce M.; DeMange,Jeffrey J.; Taylor, Shawn C.

2003-01-01

High temperature, dynamic seals are required in advanced engines to seal the perimeters of movable engine ramps for efficient, safe operation in high heat flux environments at temperatures from 2000 to 2500 F. Current seal designs do not meet the demanding requirements for future engines, so NASA s Glenn Research Center (GRC) is developing advanced seals to overcome these shortfalls. Two seal designs and two types of seal preloading devices were evaluated in a series of compression tests at room temperature and 2000 F and flow tests at room temperature. Both seals lost resiliency with repeated load cycling at room temperature and 2000 F, but seals with braided cores were significantly more flexible than those with cores composed of uniaxial ceramic fibers. Flow rates for the seals with cores of uniaxial fibers were lower than those for the seals with braided cores. Canted coil springs and silicon nitride compression springs showed promise conceptually as potential seal preloading devices to help maintain seal resiliency.

Industrial Computer Codes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shapiro, Wilbur

1996-01-01

This is an overview of new and updated industrial codes for seal design and testing. GCYLT (gas cylindrical seals -- turbulent), SPIRALI (spiral-groove seals -- incompressible), KTK (knife to knife) Labyrinth Seal Code, and DYSEAL (dynamic seal analysis) are covered. CGYLT uses G-factors for Poiseuille and Couette turbulence coefficients. SPIRALI is updated to include turbulence and inertia, but maintains the narrow groove theory. KTK labyrinth seal code handles straight or stepped seals. And DYSEAL provides dynamics for the seal geometry.

Sealing performance of a magnetic fluid seal for rotary blood pumps.

PubMed

Mitamura, Yoshinori; Takahashi, Sayaka; Kano, Kentaro; Okamoto, Eiji; Murabayashi, Shun; Nishimura, Ikuya; Higuchi, Taka-Aki

2009-09-01

A magnetic fluid (MF) for a rotary blood pump seal enables mechanical contact-free rotation of the shaft and, hence, has excellent durability. The performance of a MF seal, however, has been reported to decrease in liquids. We have developed a MF seal that has a "shield" mechanism and a new MF with a higher magnetization of 47.9 kA/m. The sealing performance of the MF seal installed in a rotary blood pump was studied. Under the condition of continuous flow, the MF seal remained in perfect condition against a pressure of 298 mm Hg (pump flow rate: 3.96 L/min). The seal was also perfect against a pressure of 170 mm Hg in a continuous flow of 3.9 L/min for 275 days. We have developed a MF seal that works in liquid against clinically used pressures. The MF seal is promising as a shaft seal for rotary blood pumps.

Closure head for a nuclear reactor

DOEpatents

Wade, Elman E.

1980-01-01

A closure head for a nuclear reactor includes a stationary outer ring integral with the reactor vessel with a first rotatable plug disposed within the stationary outer ring and supported from the stationary outer ring by a bearing assembly. A sealing system is associated with the bearing assembly to seal the annulus defined between the first rotatable plug and the stationary outer ring. The sealing system comprises tubular seal elements disposed in the annulus with load springs contacting the tubular seal elements so as to force the tubular seal elements against the annulus in a manner to seal the annulus. The sealing system also comprises a sealing fluid which is pumped through the annulus and over the tubular seal elements causing the load springs to compress thereby reducing the friction between the tubular seal elements and the rotatable components while maintaining a gas-tight seal therebetween.

Rim seal arrangement having pumping feature

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee, Ching-Pang; Myers, Caleb

A rim seal arrangement for a gas turbine engine includes a first seal face on a rotor component, and a second seal face on a stationary annular rim centered about a rotation axis of the rotor component. The second seal face is spaced from the first seal face along an axial direction to define a seal gap. The seal gap is located between a radially outer hot gas path and a radially inner rotor cavity. The first seal face has a plurality of circumferentially spaced depressions, each having a depth in an axial direction and extending along a radial extentmore » of the first seal face. The depressions influence flow in the seal gap such that during rotation of the rotor component, fluid in the seal gap is pumped in a radially outward direction to prevent ingestion of a gas path fluid from the hot gas path into the rotor cavity.« less

Coaxial twin-shaft magnetic fluid seals applied in vacuum wafer-handling robot

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cong, Ming; Wen, Haiying; Du, Yu; Dai, Penglei

2012-07-01

Compared with traditional mechanical seals, magnetic fluid seals have unique characters of high airtightness, minimal friction torque requirements, pollution-free and long life-span, widely used in vacuum robots. With the rapid development of Integrate Circuit (IC), there is a stringent requirement for sealing wafer-handling robots when working in a vacuum environment. The parameters of magnetic fluid seals structure is very important in the vacuum robot design. This paper gives a magnetic fluid seal device for the robot. Firstly, the seal differential pressure formulas of magnetic fluid seal are deduced according to the theory of ferrohydrodynamics, which indicate that the magnetic field gradient in the sealing gap determines the seal capacity of magnetic fluid seal. Secondly, the magnetic analysis model of twin-shaft magnetic fluid seals structure is established. By analyzing the magnetic field distribution of dual magnetic fluid seal, the optimal value ranges of important parameters, including parameters of the permanent magnetic ring, the magnetic pole tooth, the outer shaft, the outer shaft sleeve and the axial relative position of two permanent magnetic rings, which affect the seal differential pressure, are obtained. A wafer-handling robot equipped with coaxial twin-shaft magnetic fluid rotary seals and bellows seal is devised and an optimized twin-shaft magnetic fluid seals experimental platform is built. Test result shows that when the speed of the two rotational shafts ranges from 0-500 r/min, the maximum burst pressure is about 0.24 MPa. Magnetic fluid rotary seals can provide satisfactory performance in the application of wafer-handling robot. The proposed coaxial twin-shaft magnetic fluid rotary seal provides the instruction to design high-speed vacuum robot.

Numerical Analysis of a Flexible Dual Loop Coil and its Experimental Validation for pre-Clinical Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Rodents at 7 T

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solis-Najera, S.; Vazquez, F.; Hernandez, R.; Marrufo, O.; Rodriguez, A. O.

2016-12-01

A surface radio frequency coil was developed for small animal image acquisition in a pre-clinical magnetic resonance imaging system at 7 T. A flexible coil composed of two circular loops was developed to closely cover the object to be imaged. Electromagnetic numerical simulations were performed to evaluate its performance before the coil construction. An analytical expression of the mutual inductance for the two circular loops as a function of the separation between them was derived and used to validate the simulations. The RF coil is composed of two circular loops with a 5 cm external diameter and was tuned to 300 MHz and 50 Ohms matched. The angle between the loops was varied and the Q factor was obtained from the S11 simulations for each angle. B1 homogeneity was also evaluated using the electromagnetic simulations. The coil prototype was designed and built considering the numerical simulation results. To show the feasibility of the coil and its performance, saline-solution phantom images were acquired. A correlation of the simulations and imaging experimental results was conducted showing a concordance of 0.88 for the B1 field. The best coil performance was obtained at the 90° aperture angle. A more realistic phantom was also built using a formaldehyde-fixed rat phantom for ex vivo imaging experiments. All images showed a good image quality revealing clearly defined anatomical details of an ex vivo rat.

A ferrofluidic seal specially designed for rotary blood pumps.

PubMed

Mitamura, Y; Fujiyoshi, M; Yoshida, T; Yozu, R; Okamoto, E; Tanaka, T; Kawada, S

1996-06-01

One of the key technologies required for rotary blood pumps is sealing of the motor shaft. A ferrofluidic seal was developed for an axial flow pump. The seal body was composed of a plastic magnet and two pole pieces. This seal was formed by injecting ferrofluid into the gap between the pole pieces and the motor shaft. To contain the ferrofluid in the seal and to minimize the possibility of ferrofluid making contact with blood, a shield with a small cavity was provided on the pole piece. Sealing pressure of the seal was measured. The sealing pressure was maintained at more than 23.3 kPa (175 mm Hg) for a motor speed up to 11,000 rpm. The specially designed ferrofluidic seal for sealing out liquids is useful for axial flow blood pumps.

Contracting/expanding self-sealing cryogenic tube seals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jia, Lin X. (Inventor)

1997-01-01

Contracting/expanding self-sealing cryogenic tube seals are disclosed which use the different properties of thermal contraction and expansion of selected dissimilar materials in accord with certain design criteria to yield self-tightening seals via sloped-surface sealing. The seals of the subject invention are reusable, simple to assemble, and adaptable to a wide variety of cryogenic applications.

Contracting/expanding self-sealing cryogenic tube seals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jia, Lin X. (Inventor)

1997-01-01

Contracting/expanding self-sealing cryogenic tube seals are disclosed which use the different properties of thermal contraction and expansion of selected dissimilar materials in accord with certain design criteria to yield self-tightening seals via sloped-surface sealing. The seals of the subject invention are reusable, simple to assemble, adaptable to a wide variety of cryogenic applications.

Post-Flare Giant Arches - Unanswered Questions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

West, M. J.; Seaton, D. B.; Dennis, B. R.; Palmerio, E.; Savage, S. L.

2017-12-01

Recent observations from the SWAP EUV imager on-board PROBA2 and SXI X-ray observations from the GOES satellite have shown that post-flare giant arches and regular post-flare loops are one and the same thing. However, it is still not clear how certain loop systems are able to sustain prolonged growth to heights greater than half a solar-radii. In this presentation we further explore the energy deposition rate above post-flare loop systems through high-energy RHESSI observations. We also explore the difference between the growth of different loop systems through an epoch analysis. The epoch analysis is initially performed over the period when the STEREO satellites were in quadrature with PROBA2 allowing us to assess the difference between their on-disk and on-limb signatures. Giant arches are generally characterised by their height of growth when observed close to the solar limb, but due to the optically thin nature of the EUV solar atmosphere, projection effects and the scarcity of events occurring within 5 degrees of the limb it is not understood how common these events are. Using the analysis during the quadrature period we gain a better understanding of how rare these events are, and by determining characteristic on disk signatures we can combine our data set with magnetogram observations to better understand their magnetic evolution.

A study of two-phase flow in a reduced gravity environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hill, D.; Downing, Robert S.

1987-01-01

A test loop was designed and fabricated for observing and measuring pressure drops of two-phase flow in reduced gravity. The portable flow test loop was then tested aboard the NASA-JSC KC135 reduced gravity aircraft. The test loop employed the Sundstrand Two-Phase Thermal Management System (TPTMS) concept which was specially fitted with a clear two-phase return line and condenser cover for flow observation. A two-phase (liquid/vapor) mixture was produced by pumping nearly saturated liquid through an evaporator and adding heat via electric heaters. The quality of the two-phase flow was varied by changing the evaporator heat load. The test loop was operated on the ground before and after the KC135 flight tests to create a one-gravity data base. The ground testing included all the test points run during the reduced gravity testing. Two days of reduced gravity tests aboard the KC135 were performed. During the flight tests, reduced-gravity, one-gravity, and nearly two-gravity accelerations were experienced. Data was taken during the entire flight which provided flow regime and pressure drop data for the three operating conditions. The test results show that two-phase pressure drops and flow regimes can be accurately predicted in zero-gravity.

Decoupled systems on trial: Eliminating bottlenecks to improve aquaponic processes

PubMed Central

Kloas, Werner; Wuertz, Sven

2017-01-01

In classical aquaponics (coupled aquaponic systems, 1-loop systems) the production of fish in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and plants in hydroponics are combined in a single loop, entailing systemic compromises on the optimal production parameters (e.g. pH). Recently presented decoupled aquaponics (2-loop systems) have been awarded for eliminating major bottlenecks. In a pilot study, production in an innovative decoupled aquaponic system was compared with a coupled system and, as a control, a conventional RAS, assessing growth parameters of fish (FCR, SGR) and plants over an experimental period of 5 months. Soluble nutrients (NO3--N, NO2--N, NH4+-N, PO43-, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, SO42-, Cl2- and Fe2+), elemental composition of plants, fish and sludge (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, C), abiotic factors (temperature, pH, oxygen, and conductivity), fertilizer and water consumption were determined. Fruit yield was 36% higher in decoupled aquaponics and pH and fertilizer management was more effective, whereas fish production was comparable in both systems. The results of this pilot study clearly illustrate the main advantages of decoupled, two-loop aquaponics and demonstrate how bottlenecks commonly encountered in coupled aquaponics can be managed to promote application in aquaculture. PMID:28957357

Seroprevalence of Antibodies against Seal Influenza A(H10N7) Virus in Harbor Seals and Gray Seals from the Netherlands.

PubMed

Bodewes, Rogier; Rubio García, Ana; Brasseur, Sophie M; Sanchez Conteras, Guillermo J; van de Bildt, Marco W G; Koopmans, Marion P G; Osterhaus, Albert D M E; Kuiken, Thijs

2015-01-01

In the spring and summer 2014, an outbreak of seal influenza A(H10N7) virus infection occurred among harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) off the coasts of Sweden and Denmark. This virus subsequently spread to harbor seals off the coasts of Germany and the Netherlands. While thousands of seals were reported dead in Sweden, Denmark and Germany, only a limited number of seals were found dead in the Netherlands. To determine the extent of exposure of seals in the Netherlands to influenza A/H10N7 virus, we measured specific antibody titers in serum samples from live-captured seals and seals admitted for rehabilitation in the Netherlands by use of a hemagglutination inhibition assay and an ELISA. In harbor seals in 2015, antibodies against seal influenza A(H10N7) virus were detected in 41% (32 out of 78) pups, 10% (5 out of 52) weaners, and 58% (7 out of 12) subadults or adults. In gray seals (Halichoerus grypus) in 2015, specific antibodies were not found in the pups (n = 26), but in 26% (5 out of 19) of the older animals. These findings indicate that, despite apparent low mortality, infection with seal influenza A(H10N7) virus was geographically widespread and also occurred in grey seals.

Kinks, loops, and protein folding, with protein A as an example

PubMed Central

Krokhotin, Andrey; Liwo, Adam; Maisuradze, Gia G.; Niemi, Antti J.; Scheraga, Harold A.

2014-01-01

The dynamics and energetics of formation of loops in the 46-residue N-terminal fragment of the B-domain of staphylococcal protein A has been studied. Numerical simulations have been performed using coarse-grained molecular dynamics with the united-residue (UNRES) force field. The results have been analyzed in terms of a kink (heteroclinic standing wave solution) of a generalized discrete nonlinear Schrödinger (DNLS) equation. In the case of proteins, the DNLS equation arises from a Cα-trace-based energy function. Three individual kink profiles were identified in the experimental three-α-helix structure of protein A, in the range of the Glu16-Asn29, Leu20-Asn29, and Gln33-Asn44 residues, respectively; these correspond to two loops in the native structure. UNRES simulations were started from the full right-handed α-helix to obtain a clear picture of kink formation, which would otherwise be blurred by helix formation. All three kinks emerged during coarse-grained simulations. It was found that the formation of each is accompanied by a local free energy increase; this is expressed as the change of UNRES energy which has the physical sense of the potential of mean force of a polypeptide chain. The increase is about 7 kcal/mol. This value can thus be considered as the free energy barrier to kink formation in full α-helical segments of polypeptide chains. During the simulations, the kinks emerge, disappear, propagate, and annihilate each other many times. It was found that the formation of a kink is initiated by an abrupt change in the orientation of a pair of consecutive side chains in the loop region. This resembles the formation of a Bloch wall along a spin chain, where the Cα backbone corresponds to the chain, and the amino acid side chains are interpreted as the spin variables. This observation suggests that nearest-neighbor side chain–side chain interactions are responsible for initiation of loop formation. It was also found that the individual kinks are reflected as clear peaks in the principal modes of the analyzed trajectory of protein A, the shapes of which resemble the directional derivatives of the kinks along the chain. These observations suggest that the kinks of the DNLS equation determine the functionally important motions of proteins. PMID:24437917

Advanced Seal Development for Large Industrial Gas Turbines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chupp, Raymond E.

2006-01-01

Efforts are in progress to develop advanced sealing for large utility industrial gas turbine engines (combustion turbines). Such seals have been under developed for some time for aero gas turbines. It is desired to transition this technology to combustion turbines. Brush seals, film riding face and circumferential seals, and other dynamic and static sealing approaches are being incorporated into gas turbines for aero applications by several engine manufacturers. These seals replace labyrinth or other seals with significantly reduced leakage rates. For utility industrial gas turbines, leakage reduction with advanced sealing can be even greater with the enormous size of the components. Challenges to transitioning technology include: extremely long operating times between overhauls; infrequent but large radial and axial excursions; difficulty in coating larger components; and maintenance, installation, and durability requirements. Advanced sealing is part of the Advanced Turbine Systems (ATS) engine development being done under a cooperative agreement between Westinghouse and the US Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy. Seal development focuses on various types of seals in the 501ATS engine both at dynamic and static locations. Each development includes rig testing of candidate designs and subsequent engine validation testing of prototype seals. This presentation gives an update of the ongoing ATS sealing efforts with special emphasis on brush seals.

Enhanced limbic/impaired cortical-loop connection onto the hippocampus of NHE rats: Application of resting-state functional connectivity in a preclinical ADHD model.

PubMed

Zoratto, F; Palombelli, G M; Ruocco, L A; Carboni, E; Laviola, G; Sadile, A G; Adriani, W; Canese, R

2017-08-30

Due to a hyperfunctioning mesocorticolimbic system, Naples-High-Excitability (NHE) rats have been proposed to model for the meso-cortical variant of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Compared to Naples Random-Bred (NRB) controls, NHE rats show hyperactivity, impaired non-selective attention (Aspide et al., 1998), and impaired selective spatial attention (Ruocco et al., 2009a, 2014). Alteration in limbic functions has been proposed; however, resulting unbalance among forebrain areas has not been assessed yet. By resting-state functional Magnetic-Resonance Imaging (fMRI) in vivo, we investigated the connectivity of neuronal networks belonging to limbic vs. cortical loops in NHE and NRB rats (n=10 each). Notably, resting-state fMRI was applied using a multi-slice sagittal, gradient-echo sequence. Voxel-wise connectivity maps at rest, based on temporal correlation among fMRI time-series, were computed by seeding the hippocampus (Hip), nucleus accumbens (NAcc), dorsal striatum (dStr), amygdala (Amy) and dorsal/medial prefrontal cortex (PFC), both hemispheres. To summarize patterns of altered connection, clearly directional connectivity was evident within the cortical loop: bilaterally and specularly, from orbital and dorsal PFCs through dStr and hence towards Hip. Such network communication was reduced in NHE rats (also, with less mesencephalic/pontine innervation). Conversely, enhanced network activity emerged within the limbic loop of NHE rats: from left PFC, both through the NAcc and directly, to the Hip (all of which received greater ventral tegmental innervation, likely dopamine). Together with tuned-down cortical loop, this potentiated limbic loop may serve a major role in controlling ADHD-like behavioral symptoms in NHE rats. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A magnetic fluid seal for rotary blood pumps: Behaviors of magnetic fluids in a magnetic fluid seal.

PubMed

Mitamura, Yoshinori; Yano, Tetsuya; Nakamura, Wataru; Okamoto, Eiji

2013-01-01

A magnetic fluid (MF) seal has excellent durability. The performance of an MF seal, however, has been reported to decrease in liquids (several days). We have developed an MF seal that has a shield mechanism. The seal was perfect for 275 days in water. To investigate the effect of a shield, behaviors of MFs in a seal in water were studied both experimentally and computationally. (a) Two kinds of MF seals, one with a shield and one without a shield, were installed in a centrifugal pump. Behaviors of MFs in the seals in water were observed with a video camera and high-speed microscope. In the seal without a shield, the surface of the water in the seal waved and the turbulent flow affected behaviors of the MFs. In contrast, MFs rotated stably in the seal with a shield in water even at high rotational speeds. (b) Computational fluid dynamics analysis revealed that a stationary secondary flow pattern in the seal and small velocity difference between magnetic fluid and water at the interface. These MF behaviors prolonged the life of an MF seal in water.

Stabilizing geometry for hydrodynamic rotary seals

DOEpatents

Dietle, Lannie L.; Schroeder, John E.

2010-08-10

A hydrodynamic sealing assembly including a first component having first and second walls and a peripheral wall defining a seal groove, a second component having a rotatable surface relative to said first component, and a hydrodynamic seal comprising a seal body of generally ring-shaped configuration having a circumference. The seal body includes hydrodynamic and static sealing lips each having a cross-sectional area that substantially vary in time with each other about the circumference. In an uninstalled condition, the seal body has a length defined between first and second seal body ends which varies in time with the hydrodynamic sealing lip cross-sectional area. The first and second ends generally face the first and second walls, respectively. In the uninstalled condition, the first end is angulated relative to the first wall and the second end is angulated relative to the second wall. The seal body has a twist-limiting surface adjacent the static sealing lip. In the uninstalled condition, the twist-limiting surface is angulated relative to the peripheral wall and varies along the circumference. A seal body discontinuity and a first component discontinuity mate to prevent rotation of the seal body relative to the first component.

A Ferrofluidic Seal Specially Designed for Rotary Blood Pumps.

PubMed

Mitamura, Yoshinori; Fujiyoshi, Masayoshi; Yoshida, Toshiobu; Yozu, Ryohei; Okamoto, Eiji; Tanaka, Takashi; Kawada, Shiaki

1996-05-01

One of the key technologies required for rotary blood pumps is sealing of the motor shaft. A ferrofluidic seal was developed for an axial flow pump. The seal body was composed of a plastic magnet and two pole pieces. This seal was formed by injecting ferrofluid into the gap between the pole pieces and the motor shaft. To contain the ferrofluid in the seal and to minimize the possibility of ferrofluid making contact with blood, a shield with a small cavity was provided on the pole piece. Sealing pressure of the seal was measured. The sealing pressure was maintained at more than 23.3 kPa (175 mm Hg) for a motor speed up to 11,000 rpm. The specially designed ferrofluidic seal for sealing out liquids is useful for axial flow blood pumps. © 1996 International Society for Artificial Organs.

Mechanical seal assembly

DOEpatents

Kotlyar, Oleg M.

2001-01-01

An improved mechanical seal assembly is provided for sealing rotating shafts with respect to their shaft housings, wherein the rotating shafts are subject to substantial axial vibrations. The mechanical seal assembly generally includes a rotating sealing ring fixed to the shaft, a non-rotating sealing ring adjacent to and in close contact with the rotating sealing ring for forming an annular seal about the shaft, and a mechanical diode element that applies a biasing force to the non-rotating sealing ring by means of hemispherical joint. The alignment of the mechanical diode with respect to the sealing rings is maintained by a series of linear bearings positioned axially along a desired length of the mechanical diode. Alternative embodiments include mechanical or hydraulic amplification components for amplifying axial displacement of the non-rotating sealing ring and transferring it to the mechanical diode.

Mechanical seal assembly

DOEpatents

Kotlyar, Oleg M.

2002-01-01

An improved mechanical seal assembly is provided for sealing rotating shafts with respect to their shaft housings, wherein the rotating shafts are subject to substantial axial vibrations. The mechanical seal assembly generally includes a rotating sealing ring fixed to the shaft, a non-rotating sealing ring adjacent to and in close contact with the rotating sealing ring for forming an annular seal about the shaft, and a mechanical diode element that applies a biasing force to the non-rotating sealing ring by means of hemispherical joint. The alignment of the mechanical diode with respect to the sealing rings is maintained by a series of linear bearings positioned axially along a desired length of the mechanical diode. Alternative embodiments include mechanical or hydraulic amplification components for amplifying axial displacement of the non-rotating sealing ring and transfering it to the mechanical diode.

Emergency sacrificial sealing method in filters, equipment, or systems

DOEpatents

Brown, Erik P

2014-09-30

A system seals a filter or equipment component to a base and will continue to seal the filter or equipment component to the base in the event of hot air or fire. The system includes a first sealing material between the filter or equipment component and the base; and a second sealing material between the filter or equipment component and the base and proximate the first sealing material. The first sealing material and the second seal material are positioned relative to each other and relative to the filter or equipment component and the base to seal the filter or equipment component to the base and upon the event of fire the second sealing material will be activated and expand to continue to seal the filter or equipment component to the base in the event of hot air or fire.

Turbine blade platform seal

DOEpatents

Zagar, Thomas W.; Schiavo, Anthony L.

2001-01-01

A rotating blade group 90 for a turbo-machine having an improved device for sealing the gap 110 between the edges 112,114 of adjacent blade platforms 96,104. The gap 110 between adjacent blades 92,100 is sealed by a seal pin 20 its central portion 110 and by a seal plate 58,60 at each of the front 54 and rear 56 portions. The seal plates 58,60 are inserted into corresponding grooves 62,64 formed in the adjacent edges 112,114 of adjoining blades 92,100 and held in place by end plates 40,42. The end of the seal plates 58,60 may be chamfered 78,80 to improve the seal against the end plate 40,42. The seal pin 20 provides the required damping between the blades 92,100 and the seal plates 58,60 provide improved sealing effectiveness.

Seals Research at AlliedSignal

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ullah, M. Rifat

1996-01-01

A consortium has been formed to address seal problems in the Aerospace sector of Allied Signal, Inc. The consortium is represented by makers of Propulsion Engines, Auxiliary Power Units, Gas Turbine Starters, etc. The goal is to improve Face Seal reliability, since Face Seals have become reliability drivers in many of our product lines. Several research programs are being implemented simultaneously this year. They include: Face Seal Modeling and Analysis Methodology; Oil Cooling of Seals; Seal Tracking Dynamics; Coking Formation & Prevention; and Seal Reliability Methods.

Controlled-force end seal arrangement for an air press of a papermaking machine

DOEpatents

Beck, David A.

2003-07-08

An air press for pressing a fiber web includes a plurality of rolls and a pair of end seal arrangements. Of the plurality of rolls, each pair of adjacent rolls forms a nip therebetween. Further, each roll has a pair of roll ends, the plurality of rolls together forming two sets of roll ends. Each end seal arrangement coacts with one set of roll ends, the plurality of rolls and the pair of end seal arrangements together defining an air press chamber having an air chamber pressure. Each end seal arrangement is composed of at least one roll seal, including a first roll seal, and an adjustable bias mechanism. Each roll seal forms a seal with at least one roll end, and one side of the first roll seal being exposed to the air chamber pressure. The adjustable bias mechanism is configured for controlling a position of each roll seal relative to a respective at least one roll end and for adjusting a seal force between the roll seal and the respective at least one roll end.

Development of Advanced Seals for Industrial Turbine Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chupp, Raymond E.; Aksit, Mahmut F.; Ghasripoor, Farshad; Turnquist, Norman A.; Dinc, Saim; Mortzheim, Jason; Demiroglu, Mehmet

2002-10-01

A critical area being addressed to improve industrial turbine performance is reducing the parasitic leakage flows through the various static and dynamic seals. Implementation of advanced seals into General Electric (GE) industrial turbines has progressed well over the last few years with significant operating performance gains achieved. Advanced static seals have been placed in gas turbine hot gas-path junctions and steam turbine packing ring segment end gaps. Brush seals have significantly decreased labyrinth seal leakages in gas turbine compressors and turbine interstages, steam turbine interstage and end packings, industrial compressor shaft seals, and generator seals. Abradable seals are being developed for blade-tip locations in various turbine locations. This presentation summarizes the status of advanced seal development for industrial turbines at GE.

Method and system to facilitate sealing in gas turbines

DOEpatents

Morgan, Victor John; Foster, Gregory Thomas; Sarawate, Neelesh Nandkumar

2017-09-12

A method and system for sealing between components within a gas turbine is provided. A first recess defined in a first component receives a seal member. A second recess defined in a second component adjacent the first component also receives the seal member. The first and second recesses are located proximate a hot gas path defined through the gas turbine, and define circumferential paths about the turbine axis. The seal member includes a sealing face that extends in a direction substantially parallel to the turbine axis. The seal member also includes a plurality of seal layers, wherein at least one of the seal layers includes at least one stress relief region for facilitating flexing of the first seal member.

Mechanical seal having a single-piece, perforated mating ring

DOEpatents

Khonsari, Michael M [Baton Rouge, LA; Somanchi, Anoop K [Fremont, CA

2007-08-07

A mechanical seal (e.g., single mechanical seals, double mechanical seals, tandem mechanical seals, bellows, pusher mechanical seals, and all types of rotating and reciprocating machines) with reduced contact surface temperature, reduced contact surface wear, or increased life span. The mechanical seal comprises a rotating ring and a single-piece, perforated mating ring, which improves heat transfer by controllably channeling coolant flow through the single-piece mating ring such that the coolant is in substantially uniform thermal contact with a substantial portion of the interior surface area of the seal face, while maintaining the structural integrity of the mechanical seal and minimizing the potential for coolant flow interruptions to the seal face caused by debris or contaminants (e.g., small solids and trash) in the coolant.

Superimposed Fungal Ulcer after Fibrin Glue Sealant in Infectious Corneal Ulcer

PubMed Central

Byun, Yong-Soo

2011-01-01

A healthy 27-year-old woman with a corneal ulcer underwent fibrin gluing with a bandage contact lens twice, due to an impending perforation. The ulcer lesion slowly progressed, unresponsive to topical antibiotics and amphotericin B. We removed the gluing patch and performed a corneal or scraping or biopsy with multiple amniotic membrane grafts to seal the thinned or perforated cornea. Three days after the surgery, the corneal cultures grew Fusarium, as well as Enterococcus faecalis. Three weeks after surgery, the outermost layer of amniotic membranes, serving as a temporary patch, was removed. The anterior chamber was clear without cells. The signs of infection clinically and symptomatically cleared up four weeks later. Two months after surgery, the lesion became enhanced by amniotic membranes. The use of fibrin glue in infectious keratitis should be avoided, because it not only masks the underlying lesion, but it also interferes with drug penetration into the underlying lesion. PMID:22131784

Development of Advanced Carbon Face Seals for Aircraft Engines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Falaleev, S. V.; Bondarchuk, P. V.; Tisarev, A. Yu

2018-01-01

Modern aircraft gas turbine engines require the development of seals which can operate for a long time with low leakages. The basic type of seals applied for gas turbine engine rotor supports is face seal. To meet the modern requirements of reliability, leak-tightness and weight, low-leakage gas-static and hydrodynamic seals have to be developed. Dry gas seals use both gas-static and hydrodynamic principles. In dry gas seals microgrooves are often used, which ensure the reverse injection of leakages in the sealed cavity. Authors have developed a calculation technique including the concept of coupled hydrodynamic, thermal and structural calculations. This technique allows to calculate the seal performance taking into account the forces of inertia, rupture of the lubricant layer and the real form of the gap. Authors have compared the efficiency of seals with different forms of microgrooves. Results of calculations show that seal with rectangular form of microgrooves has a little gap leading to both the contact of seal surfaces and the wear. Reversible microgrooves have a higher oil mass flow rate, whereas HST micro-grooves have good performance, but they are difficult to produce. Spiral microgrooves have both an acceptable leakages and a high stiffness of liquid layer that is important in terms of ensuring of sealing performance at vibration conditions. Therefore, the spiral grooves were chosen for the developed seal. Based on calculation results, geometric dimensions were chosen to ensure the reliability of the seal operation by creating a guaranteed liquid film, which eliminates the wear of the sealing surfaces. Seals designed were tested both at the test rig and in the engine.

Resilient Flexible Pressure-Activated Seal

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinetz, Bruce M. (Inventor); Dunlap, Patrick H., Jr. (Inventor)

2009-01-01

A resilient, flexible, pressure-activated, high-temperature seal is adapted to be interposed between high and low pressure regions to provide sealing between opposing surfaces of adjacent relatively movable structures. The seal comprises at least one C-shaped sheet element. The C-shaped element design enables the seal to be pressure-activated to provide a radially outward biasing force, responsive to a seal-activating pressure differential acting across the seal thereby increasing resiliency. A centrally-located, resilient core structure provides load bearing and insulating properties. In an exemplary embodiment where at least two seal elements are used, each layer has a cutout slot pattern and the remaining strip material pattern. The slots provide flexibility to the seal, enabling the seal to be manually contoured to seal around corners and curves. The strip material of each layer covers the slots in each adjacent layer to minimize leakage through the slots. Attached barrier strips can block interface leakage between the seal and the opposing surfaces.

Numerical Investigation of the Effect of Radial Lip Seal Geometry on Sealing Performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tok, G.; Parlar, Z.; Temiz, V.

2018-01-01

Sealing elements are often needed in industry and especially in machine design. With the change and development of machine technology from day to day, sealing elements show continuous development and change in parallel with these developments. Many factors influence the performance of the sealing elements such as shaft surface roughness, radial force, lip geometry etc. In addition, the radial lip seals must have a certain pre-load and interference in order to provide a good sealing. This also affects the friction torque. Researchers are developing new seal designs to reduce friction losses in mechanical systems. In the presented study, the effect of the lip seal geometry on sealing performance will be examined numerically. The numerical model created for this purpose will be verified with experimental data firstly. In the numerical model, shaft and seal will be modeled as hyper-elastic in 2D and 3D. NBR (Nitrile Butadiene Rubber) as seal material will be analyzed for the rotating shaft state at constant speed by applying a uniform radial force.

Airfoil seal system for gas turbine engine

DOEpatents

None, None

2013-06-25

A turbine airfoil seal system of a turbine engine having a seal base with a plurality of seal strips extending therefrom for sealing gaps between rotational airfoils and adjacent stationary components. The seal strips may overlap each other and may be generally aligned with each other. The seal strips may flex during operation to further reduce the gap between the rotational airfoils and adjacent stationary components.

Combat Ration Network for Technology Implementation (CORANET II) Knurled Seal Heat Bar

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-08-01

bench top comparison of ultrasonic sealing technology that included the participation of five ultrasonic sealing equipment manufacturers . Project...packaging journals • On-line web search yielded no useful research results • Contact with machine manufactures produced anecdotal evidence of improved...seal characteristics without documentation or research results • One manufacturer suggested rounded seal bars or seal rubbers for improved sealing

A hybrid floating brush seal (HFBS) for improved sealing and wear performance in turbomachinery applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lattime, Scott Byran

A conceptually new type of seal has been developed for gas turbine applications which dramatically reduces wear and leakage associated with current labyrinth and brush seal technologies. The Hybrid Floating Brush Seal (HFBS) combines brush seal and film riding face seal technologies to create a hybrid seal that allows both axial and radial excursions of the sealed shaft, while simultaneously eliminating interface surface speeds (friction and heat) between the rotor and the brush material that characterize standard brush seal technology. A simple test rig was designed to evaluate feasibility of the HFBS under relatively low pressures and rotational speeds (50psig, 5krpm). A second test stand was created to study the effects of centrifugal force on bristle deflection. A third test facility was constructed for prototype development and extensive room temperature testing at moderate pressures and fairly high rotational speeds (100psig, 40krpm). This test rig also allowed the evaluation of the HFBS during axial movement of a rotating shaft. An analytical model to predict the effects of centrifugal force on the bristles of a rotating brush seal was developed. Room temperature analysis of the HFBS proved successful for relatively high operating rotational velocities at moderate pressures with very acceptable leakage rates for gas turbine engines. Brush seals were able to track rotor speeds up to 24krpm while maintaining sealing integrity. The HFBS's ability to function under axial shaft displacement and synchronous dynamic radial loading was also proven successful. Hydrodynamic performance of the face seal was proven to provide adequate stiffness and load carrying capacity to keep the brush seal from contacting the face seal at pressure drops across the brush of up to 100psi. Leakage performance over standard brush seal and labyrinth technology was quite dramatic. The HFBS showed its sealing advantage using much higher radial interference between the rotor and the bristle bore over standard brush seal designs. Experimental results of the HFBS showed leakage reductions of 6 to 7 times that of a standard brush seal at the same operating pressure ratios and rotational speed and an order of magnitude less than numerical predictions of a standard labyrinth seal. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Brucella Antibodies in Alaskan True Seals and Eared Seals-Two Different Stories.

PubMed

Nymo, Ingebjørg H; Rødven, Rolf; Beckmen, Kimberlee; Larsen, Anett K; Tryland, Morten; Quakenbush, Lori; Godfroid, Jacques

2018-01-01

Brucella pinnipedialis was first isolated from true seals in 1994 and from eared seals in 2008. Although few pathological findings have been associated with infection in true seals, reproductive pathology including abortions, and the isolation of the zoonotic strain type 27 have been documented in eared seals. In this study, a Brucella enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the Rose Bengal test (RBT) were initially compared for 206 serum samples and a discrepancy between the tests was found. Following removal of lipids from the serum samples, ELISA results were unaltered while the agreement between the tests was improved, indicating that serum lipids affected the initial RBT outcome. For the remaining screening, we used ELISA to investigate the presence of Brucella antibodies in sera of 231 eared and 1,412 true seals from Alaskan waters sampled between 1975 and 2011. In eared seals, Brucella antibodies were found in two Steller sea lions ( Eumetopias jubatus ) (2%) and none of the 107 Northern fur seals ( Callorhinus ursinus ). The low seroprevalence in eared seals indicate a low level of exposure or lack of susceptibility to infection. Alternatively, mortality due to the Brucella infection may remove seropositive animals from the population. Brucella antibodies were detected in all true seal species investigated; harbor seals ( Phoca vitulina ) (25%), spotted seals ( Phoca largha ) (19%), ribbon seals ( Histriophoca fasciata ) (16%), and ringed seals ( Pusa hispida hispida ) (14%). There was a low seroprevalence among pups, a higher seroprevalence among juveniles, and a subsequent decreasing probability of seropositivity with age in harbor seals. Similar patterns were present for the other true seal species; however, solid conclusions could not be made due to sample size. This pattern is in accordance with previous reports on B. pinnipedialis infections in true seals and may suggest environmental exposure to B. pinnipedialis at the juvenile stage, with a following clearance of infection. Furthermore, analyses by region showed minor differences in the probability of being seropositive for harbor seals from different regions regardless of the local seal population trend, signifying that the Brucella infection may not cause significant mortality in these populations. In conclusion, the Brucella infection pattern is very different for eared and true seals.

A study of leakage rates through mine seals in underground coal mines

PubMed Central

Schatzel, Steven J.; Krog, Robert B.; Mazzella, Andrew; Hollerich, Cynthia; Rubinstein, Elaine

2015-01-01

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health conducted a study on leakage rates through underground coal mine seals. Leakage rates of coal bed gas into active workings have not been well established. New seal construction standards have exacerbated the knowledge gap in our understanding of how well these seals isolate active workings near a seal line. At a western US underground coal mine, we determined seal leakage rates ranged from about 0 to 0.036 m3/s for seven 340 kPa seals. The seal leakage rate varied in essentially a linear manner with variations in head pressure at the mine seals. PMID:26322119

SEALING MEANS FOR RELATIVELY ROTATABLE MEMBERS

DOEpatents

Skarstrom, C.S.

1960-10-25

A sealing means is offered for maintaining a seal between a pair of relatively rotatable members, panticularly between a rotating shaft and a stationary member surrounding the shaft. The sealing is accomplished by means of a flange extending outward radially on each of a plurality of sealing rings mounted on the rotating member which fit into annular grooves in the stationary member and are held in sealing relation therewith by means of spring rings. In addition, means are provided for passing a sealing gas through the seal sunfaces to prevent accumulation of lubricant and for scavenging any gas which may have leaked from the internal member into the seal area.

Gas Turbine Engine Carbon Oil Seals Computerized Assembly

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Robert

2006-01-01

In a bearing compartment there are a series of parts when assembled determine the location of the bearing and seal as related to the centerline of rotation. We see part datums that do not establish A coincident path from the bearing to the seal. High engine vibration can cause severe oil leakage. The inability of the seal to respond fast enough to the rotating element Radial Seal: Sensitive to housing air pressure Sensitive to seal runout ? Axial Seal: Very sensitive to seal perpendicularity to shaft. Goals include: 1) Repeatable assembly process; 2) Accurate assembly process; 3) Minimize seal runout; 4) Design to engine centerline of rotation, i.e. bearings.

Multilayer compressive seal for sealing in high temperature devices

DOEpatents

Chou, Yeong-Shyung [Richland, WA; Stevenson, Jeffry W [Richland, WA

2007-08-21

A mica based compressive seal has been developed exhibiting superior thermal cycle stability when compared to other compressive seals known in the art. The seal is composed of compliant glass or metal interlayers and a sealing (gasket) member layer composed of mica that is infiltrated with a glass forming material, which effectively reduces leaks within the seal. The compressive seal shows approximately a 100-fold reduction in leak rates compared with previously developed hybrid seals after from 10 to about 40 thermal cycles under a compressive stress of from 50 psi to 100 psi at temperatures in the range from 600.degree. C. to about 850.degree. C.

Application study of magnetic fluid seal in hydraulic turbine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Z. Y.; Zhang, W.

2012-11-01

The waterpower resources of our country are abundant, and the hydroelectric power is developed, but at present the main shaft sealing device of hydraulic turbine is easy to wear and tear and the leakage is great. The magnetic fluid seal has the advantages of no contact, no wear, self-healing, long life and so on. In this paper, the magnetic fluid seal would be used in the main shaft of hydraulic turbine, the sealing structure was built the model, meshed the geometry, applied loads and solved by using MULTIPHYSICS in ANSYS software, the influence of the various sealing structural parameters such as tooth width, height, slot width, sealing gap on the sealing property were analyzed, the magnetic fluid sealing device suitable for large-diameter shaft and sealing water was designed, the sealing problem of the hydraulic turbine main shaft was solved effectively which will bring huge economic benefits.

The SSME seal test program: Leakage tests for helically-grooved seals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Childs, D. W.

1983-01-01

Helically grooved annular seal configurations were tested in highly turbulent flow to determine if reduced leakage and enhanced stability would result from the pumping action of the seal. It was found that: (1) leakage of a helically grooved seals decreases with running speed; (2) leakage reduction due to increased running speed is greater at lower values of R sub a; (3) an asymptote for leakage reduction is indicated with increasing running speed; (4) leakage is reduced by reducing the ridge (minimum) and average clearances; (5) leakage increases with increasing pitch angles and with increasing groove depth. Plain seals with smooth rotors and stators will leak more than a helically grooved seal. It was also found that plain seals with a rough rotor and a rough stator leak less than a properly designed helically grooved seal. A properly designed helically grooved seal consumes at least twice as much power as a conventional annular seal.

Investigations of Shuttle Main Landing Gear Door Environmental Seals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Finkbeiner, Joshua; Dunlap, Pat; Steinetz, Bruce; DeMango, Jeff; Newswander, Daniel

2005-01-01

The environmental seals for the main landing gear doors of the Shuttle Orbiters were raised by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board as a potential safety concern. Inspections of seals installed on the Shuttle Discovery revealed that they were permanently deformed and no longer met certified seal compression requirements. Replacement of the seals led to the inability to fully close the main landing gear doors. Johnson Space Center requested that Glenn Research Center conduct tests on the main landing gear door environmental seals to assist in installing the seals in a manner to allow the main landing gear doors to fully close. Further testing was conducted to fill out the seal performance database. Results from the testing indicated that the method of bonding the seals was important in reducing seal loads on the main landing gear doors. Also, the replacement seals installed in Shuttle Discovery were found to have leakage performance sufficient to meet the certification requirements.

Status of Understanding for Seal Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, P. F.

1984-01-01

Material selection for mainshaft face and ring seals, labyrinth seals, accessory gearbox face seals, and lip seals are discussed in light of tribology requirements and a given seal application. Carbon graphite has been found to be one of the best sealing materials and it is widely used in current gas turbine mainshaft and accessory gearbox seals. Its popularity is due to its unique combination of properties which consists of dimensional stability, corrosion resistance, low friction, good self lubricating characteristics, high thermal conductivity and low thermal expansion, the latter two properties combining to provide good thermal shock resistance. A brief description of the seals and the requirements they must meet are discussed to provide insight into the limitations and advantages of the seals in containing the lubricant. A forecast is made of the operational requirements of main shaft and gearbox seals for advanced engines and candidate materials and coatings that may satisfy these advanced engine requirements.

Mechanical seal having a double-tier mating ring

DOEpatents

Khonsari, Michael M.; Somanchi, Anoop K.

2005-09-13

An apparatus and method to enhance the overall performance of mechanical seals in one of the following ways: by reducing seal face wear, by reducing the contact surface temperature, or by increasing the life span of mechanical seals. The apparatus is a mechanical seal (e.g., single mechanical seals, double mechanical seals, tandem mechanical seals, bellows, pusher mechanical seals, and all types of rotating and reciprocating machines) comprising a rotating ring and a double-tier mating ring. In a preferred embodiment, the double-tier mating ring comprises a first and a second stationary ring that together form an agitation-inducing, guided flow channel to allow for the removal of heat generated at the seal face of the mating ring by channeling a coolant entering the mating ring to a position adjacent to and in close proximity with the interior surface area of the seal face of the mating ring.

Emergency sacrificial sealing method in filters, equipment, or systems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Brown, Erik P.

A system seals a filter or equipment component to abase and will continue to seal the filter or equipment component to the base in the event of hot air or fire. The system includes a first sealing material between the filter or equipment component and the base; and a second sealing material between the filter or equipment component and the base and proximate the first sealing material. The first sealing material and the second seal material are positioned relative to each other and relative to the filter or equipment component and the base to seal the filter or equipment componentmore » to the base and upon the event of fire the second sealing material will be activated and expand to continue to seal the filter or equipment component to the base in the event of hot air or fire.« less

A dynamic analysis of rotary combustion engine seals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Knoll, J.; Vilmann, C. R.; Schock, H. J.; Stumpf, R. P.

1984-01-01

Real time work cell pressures are incorporated into a dynamic analysis of the gas sealing grid in Rotary Combustion Engines. The analysis which utilizes only first principal concepts accounts for apex seal separation from the crochoidal bore, apex seal shifting between the sides of its restraining channel, and apex seal rotation within the restraining channel. The results predict that apex seals do separate from the trochoidal bore and shift between the sides of their channels. The results also show that these two motions are regularly initiated by a seal rotation. The predicted motion of the apex seals compares favorably with experimental results. Frictional losses associated with the sealing grid are also calculated and compare well with measurements obtained in a similar engine. A comparison of frictional losses when using steel and carbon apex seals has also been made as well as friction losses for single and dual side sealing.

Brush Seals for Improved Steam Turbine Performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Turnquist, Norman; Chupp, Ray; Baily, Fred; Burnett, Mark; Rivas, Flor; Bowsher, Aaron; Crudgington, Peter

2006-01-01

GE Energy has retrofitted brush seals into more than 19 operating steam turbines. Brush seals offer superior leakage control compared to labyrinth seals, owing to their compliant nature and ability to maintain very tight clearances to the rotating shaft. Seal designs have been established for steam turbines ranging in size from 12 MW to over 1200 MW, including fossil, nuclear, combined-cycle and industrial applications. Steam turbines present unique design challenges that must be addressed to ensure that the potential performance benefits of brush seals are realized. Brush seals can have important effects on the overall turbine system that must be taken into account to assure reliable operation. Subscale rig tests are instrumental to understanding seal behavior under simulated steam-turbine operating conditions, prior to installing brush seals in the field. This presentation discusses the technical challenges of designing brush seals for steam turbines; subscale testing; performance benefits of brush seals; overall system effects; and field applications.

Regenerator seal design

DOEpatents

Eckart, Francis H.

1982-01-01

A rotary regenerator disc matrix has a face seal with a cross arm and arcuate rim segments joined by prestress clamps to prestrain the arcuate rim seals so as to compensate seal rim twisting or coning and resultant disc face seal leakage as produced by operating thermal gradients across the seal.

An Overview of Advanced Elastomeric Seal Development and Testing Capabilities at NASA Glenn Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dunlap, Patrick H., Jr.

2014-01-01

NASA is developing advanced space-rated elastomeric seals to support future space exploration missions to low Earth orbit, the Moon, near Earth asteroids, and other destinations. This includes seals for a new docking system and vehicle hatches. These seals must exhibit extremely low leak rates to ensure that astronauts have sufficient breathable air for extended missions. Seal compression loads must be below prescribed limits so as not to overload the mechanisms that compress them, and seal adhesion forces must be low to allow the sealed interface to be separated when required (e.g., during undocking or hatch opening). NASA Glenn Research Center has developed a number of unique test fixtures to measure the leak rates and compression and adhesion loads of candidate seal designs under simulated thermal, vacuum, and engagement conditions. Tests can be performed on fullscale seals with diameters on the order of 50 in., subscale seals that are about 12 in. in diameter, and smaller specimens such as O-rings. Test conditions include temperatures ranging from -238 to 662degF (-150 to 350degC), operational pressure gradients, and seal-on-seal or seal-on-flange mating configurations. Nominal and off-nominal conditions (e.g., incomplete seal compression) can also be simulated. This paper describes the main design features and capabilities of each type of test apparatus and provides an overview of advanced seal development activities at NASA Glenn.

An Overview of Advanced Elastomeric Seal Development and Testing Capabilities at NASA Glenn Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dunlap, Patrick H.

2014-01-01

NASA is developing advanced space-rated elastomeric seals to support future space exploration missions to low Earth orbit, the Moon, near Earth asteroids, and other destinations. This includes seals for a new docking system and vehicle hatches. These seals must exhibit extremely low leak rates to ensure that astronauts have sufficient breathable air for extended missions. Seal compression loads must be below prescribed limits so as not to overload the mechanisms that compress them, and seal adhesion forces must be low to allow the sealed interface to be separated when required (e.g., during undocking or hatch opening). NASA Glenn Research Center has developed a number of unique test fixtures to measure the leak rates and compression and adhesion loads of candidate seal designs under simulated thermal, vacuum, and engagement conditions. Tests can be performed on full-scale seals with diameters on the order of 50 in., subscale seals that are about 12 in. in diameter, and smaller specimens such as O-rings. Test conditions include temperatures ranging from -238 to 662 F (-150 to 350 C), operational pressure gradients, and seal-on-seal or seal-on-flange mating configurations. Nominal and off-nominal conditions (e.g., incomplete seal compression) can also be simulated. This paper describes the main design features and capabilities of each type of test apparatus and provides an overview of advanced seal development activities at NASA Glenn.

High-Speed, High-Temperature Finger Seal Test Evaluated

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Proctor, Margaret P.

2003-01-01

A finger seal, designed and fabricated by Honeywell Engines, Systems and Services, was tested at the NASA Glenn Research Center at surface speeds up to 1200 ft/s, air temperatures up to 1200 F, and pressures across the seal of 75 psid. These are the first test results obtained with NASA s new High-Temperature, High-Speed Turbine Seal Test Rig (see the photograph). The finger seal is an innovative design recently patented by AlliedSignal Engines, which has demonstrated considerably lower leakage than commonly used labyrinth seals and is considerably cheaper than brush seals. The cost to produce finger seals is estimated to be about half of the cost to produce brush seals. Replacing labyrinth seals with fingers seals at locations that have high-pressure drops in gas turbine engines, typically main engine and thrust seals, can reduce air leakage at each location by 50 percent or more. This directly results in a 0.7- to 1.4-percent reduction in specific fuel consumption and a 0.35- to 0.7-percent reduction in direct operating costs . Because the finger seal is a contacting seal, this testing was conducted to address concerns about its heat generation and life capability at the higher speeds and temperatures required for advanced engines. The test results showed that the seal leakage and wear performance are acceptable for advanced engines.

50 CFR 218.230 - Specified activity, level of taking, and species.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

...), northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris), northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus), ribbon seal... seal (Arctocephalus australis), South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens), southern elephant seal...

50 CFR 218.230 - Specified activity, level of taking, and species.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

...), northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris), northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus), ribbon seal... seal (Arctocephalus australis), South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens), southern elephant seal...

50 CFR 218.230 - Specified activity, level of taking, and species.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

...), northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris), northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus), ribbon seal... seal (Arctocephalus australis), South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens), southern elephant seal...

Characterization of Runella slithyformis HD-Pnk, a Bifunctional DNA/RNA End-Healing Enzyme Composed of an N-Terminal 2′,3′-Phosphoesterase HD Domain and a C-Terminal 5′-OH Polynucleotide Kinase Domain

PubMed Central

Munir, Annum

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT 5′- and 3′-end-healing reactions are key steps in nucleic acid break repair in which 5′-OH ends are phosphorylated by a polynucleotide kinase (Pnk) and 3′-PO4 or 2′,3′-cyclic-PO4 ends are hydrolyzed by a phosphoesterase to generate the 5′-PO4 and 3′-OH termini required for sealing by classic polynucleotide ligases. End-healing and sealing enzymes are present in diverse bacterial taxa, often organized as modular units within a single multifunctional polypeptide or as subunits of a repair complex. Here we identify and characterize Runella slithyformis HD-Pnk as a novel bifunctional end-healing enzyme composed of an N-terminal 2′,3′-phosphoesterase HD domain and a C-terminal 5′-OH polynucleotide kinase P-loop domain. HD-Pnk phosphorylates 5′-OH polynucleotides (9-mers or longer) in the presence of magnesium and any nucleoside triphosphate donor. HD-Pnk dephosphorylates RNA 2′,3′-cyclic phosphate, RNA 3′-phosphate, RNA 2′-phosphate, and DNA 3′-phosphate ends in the presence of a transition metal cofactor, which can be nickel, copper, or cobalt. HD-Pnk homologs are present in genera from 11 bacterial phyla and are often encoded in an operon with a putative ATP-dependent polynucleotide ligase. IMPORTANCE The present study provides insights regarding the diversity of nucleic acid repair strategies via the characterization of Runella slithyformis HD-Pnk as the exemplar of a novel clade of dual 5′- and 3′-end-healing enzymes that phosphorylate 5′-OH termini and dephosphorylate 2′,3′-cyclic-PO4, 3′-PO4, and 2′-PO4 ends. The distinctive feature of HD-Pnk is its domain composition, i.e., a fusion of an N-terminal HD phosphohydrolase module and a C-terminal P-loop polynucleotide kinase module. Homologs of Runella HD-Pnk with the same domain composition, same domain order, and similar polypeptide sizes are distributed widely among genera from 11 bacterial phyla. PMID:27895092

A New Fast, Reliable Technique for the Sampling of Dissolved Inorganic Carbon in Sea Ice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Y.; Wang, F.; Rysgaard, S.; Barber, D. G.

2015-12-01

For a long time, sea ice was considered to act as a lid over seawater preventing CO2 exchange between the atmosphere and ocean. Recent observations suggest that sea ice can be an active source or a sink for CO2, although its magnitude is not very clear. The direct measurements on CO2 flux based on the chamber method and eddy covariance often do not agree with each other. It is therefore important to measure the dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) stock in sea ice precisely in order to better understand the CO2 flux through sea ice. The challenges in sea ice DIC sampling is how to melt the ice core without being exposed to the air gaining or losing CO2. A common practice is to seal the ice core in a self-prepared gas-tight plastic bag and suck the air out of the bag gently using a syringe (together with a needle) through a valve mounted on one side of the bag. However, this method is time consuming (takes up to several minutes to suck the air out) and very often there is large headspace found in the bag after the ice melts due to the imperfect bag-preparation, which might affect the DIC concentration in melt ice-water. We developed a new technique by using a commercially available plastic bag with a vacuum sealer to seal the ice core. In comparison to syringe-based method, this technique is fast and easy to operate; it takes less than 10 seconds to vacuum and seal the bag all in one button with no headspace left in the bag. Experimental tests with replicate ice cores sealed by those two methods showed that there is no difference in the DIC concentration measured after these two methods, suggesting that there is no loss of DIC during the course of vacuum sealing. In addition, a time series experiment on DIC in melt ice-water stored in the new bag shows that when the samples were not poisoned, the DIC concentration remains unchanged for at least 3 days in the bag; while poisoned by HgCl2, there is no change in DIC for at least 21 days, indicating that this new bag is impermeable to CO2. Therefore, this new technique offers a convenient yet reliable method for DIC sampling of sea ice.

30 CFR 57.8535 - Seals.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Seals. 57.8535 Section 57.8535 Mineral....8535 Seals. Seals shall be provided with a means for checking the quality of air behind the seal and a means to prevent a water head from developing unless the seal is designed to impound water. ...

30 CFR 57.8535 - Seals.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Seals. 57.8535 Section 57.8535 Mineral....8535 Seals. Seals shall be provided with a means for checking the quality of air behind the seal and a means to prevent a water head from developing unless the seal is designed to impound water. ...

Acoustic Seal

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinetz, Bruce M. (Inventor)

2006-01-01

The invention relates to a sealing device having an acoustic resonator. The acoustic resonator is adapted to create acoustic waveforms to generate a sealing pressure barrier blocking fluid flow from a high pressure area to a lower pressure area. The sealing device permits noncontacting sealing operation. The sealing device may include a resonant-macrosonic-synthesis (RMS) resonator.

Acoustic seal

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinetz, Bruce M. (Inventor)

2006-01-01

The invention relates to a sealing device having an acoustic resonator. The acoustic resonator is adapted to create acoustic waveforms to generate a sealing pressure barrier blocking fluid flow from a high pressure area to a lower pressure area. The sealing device permits noncontacting sealing operation. The sealing device may include a resonant-macrosonic-synthesis (RMS) resonator.

Numerical analysis on the action of centrifuge force in magnetic fluid rotating shaft seals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zou, Jibin; Li, Xuehui; Lu, Yongping; Hu, Jianhui

2002-11-01

The magnetic fluid seal is suitable for high-speed rotating shaft seal applications. Centrifuge force will have evident influence on magnetic fluid rotating shaft seals. The seal capacity of the rotating shaft seal can be improved or increased by some measures. Through hydrodynamic analysis the moving status of the magnetic fluid is worked out. By numerical method, the magnetic field and the isobars in the magnetic fluid of a seal device are computed. Then the influence of the centrifuge force on the magnetic fluid seal is calculated quantitatively.

Method and apparatus for detecting flaws and defects in heat seals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rai, Kula R. (Inventor); Lew, Thomas M. (Inventor); Sinclair, Robert B. (Inventor)

1993-01-01

Flaws and defects in heat seals formed between sheets of translucent film are identified by optically examining consecutive lateral sections of the seal along the seal length. Each lateral seal section is illuminated and an optical sensor array detects the intensity of light transmitted through the seal section for the purpose of detecting and locating edges in the heat seal. A line profile for each consecutive seal section is derived having an amplitude proportional to the change in light intensity across the seal section. Instances in the derived line profile where the amplitude is greater than a threshold level indicate the detection of a seal edge. The detected edges in each derived line profile are then compared to a preset profile edge standard to identify the existence of a flaw or defect.

Aspirating Seal Development: Analytical Modeling and Seal Test Rig

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bagepalli, Bharat

1996-01-01

This effort is to develop large diameter (22 - 36 inch) Aspirating Seals for application in aircraft engines. Stein Seal Co. will be fabricating the 36-inch seal(s) for testing. GE's task is to establish a thorough understanding of the operation of Aspirating Seals through analytical modeling and full-scale testing. The two primary objectives of this project are to develop the analytical models of the aspirating seal system, to upgrade using GE's funds, GE's 50-inch seal test rig for testing the Aspirating Seal (back-to-back with a corresponding brush seal), test the aspirating seal(s) for seal closure, tracking and maneuver transients (tilt) at operating pressures and temperatures, and validate the analytical model. The objective of the analytical model development is to evaluate the transient and steady-state dynamic performance characteristics of the seal designed by Stein. The transient dynamic model uses a multi-body system approach: the Stator, Seal face and the rotor are treated as individual bodies with relative degrees of freedom. Initially, the thirty-six springs are represented as a single one trying to keep open the aspirating face. Stops (Contact elements) are provided between the stator and the seal (to compensate the preload in the fully-open position) and between the rotor face and Seal face (to detect rub). The secondary seal is considered as part of the stator. The film's load, damping and stiffness characteristics as functions of pressure and clearance are evaluated using a separate (NASA) code GFACE. Initially, a laminar flow theory is used. Special two-dimensional interpolation routines are written to establish exact film load and damping values at each integration time step. Additionally, other user-routines are written to read-in actual pressure, rpm, stator-growth and rotor growth data and, later, to transfer these as appropriate loads/motions in the system-dynamic model. The transient dynamic model evaluates the various motions, clearances and forces as the seals are subjected to different aircraft maneuvers: Windmilling restart; start-ground idle; ground idle-takeoff; takeoff-burst chop, etc. Results of this model show that the seal closes appropriately and does not ram into the rotor for all of the conditions analyzed. The rig upgrade design for testing Aspirating Seals has been completed. Long lead-time items (forgings, etc.) have been ordered.

A composite thin vacuum window for the CLAS photon tagger at Jefferson lab

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matthews, S. K.; Crannell, Hall; O'Brien, J. T.; Sober, D. I.

1999-01-01

The construction of a thin vacuum window, currently in use on the CLAS photon tagging system at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, is described. A layer of woven Kevlar cloth supports a much thinner membrane of aluminized Mylar. Notable features of this particular window include its overall length (9.6 m), and the fact that the entire load is supported by the epoxy seal with no mechanical clamping around the edges. Results from a diverse program of materials testing, including a clear dependence of leak rate on relative humidity, are also reported.

2000 NASA Seal/Secondary Air System Workshop. Volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinetz, Bruce M. (Editor); Hendricks, Robert C. (Editor)

2001-01-01

The 2000 NASA Seal/Secondary Air System Workshop covered four main areas: (1) overviews of NASA-sponsored Ultra-Efficient Engine Technology (UEET) and Access to Space Programs, with emphasis on program goals and seal needs; (2) review of turbine engine seal issues from the perspective of end users such as United Airlines; (3) reviews of sealing concepts, test results, experimental facilities, and numerical predictions; and (4) reviews of material development programs relevant to advanced seals development. The NASA UEET overview illustrates for the reader the importance of advanced technologies, including seals, in meeting future engine system efficiency and emission goals. GE, Pratt & Whitney, and Honeywell presented advanced seal development work being performed within their organizations. The NASA-funded GE/Stein Seal team has successfully demonstrated a large (3-ft. diam) aspirating seal that can withstand all anticipated pressures, speeds, and rotor runouts anticipated for a GE90 L.P. turbine balance piston location. GE/Stein Seal are fabricating a full-scale seal to be tested in a GE-90 ground test engine in early 2002. Pratt & Whitney and Stein Seal are investigating carbon seals to accommodate large radial movements anticipated in future geared-fan gearbox locations. Honeywell presented a finger seal design being considered for a high-temperature static combustor location incorporating ceramic finger elements. Successful demonstration of the braided carbon rope thermal barriers to extreme temperatures (5500 F) for short durations provide a new form of very high temperature thermal barrier for future Shuttle solid rocket motor nozzle joints. The X-37, X-38, and future highly reusable launch vehicles pose challenging control surface seal demands that require new seal concepts made from emerging high temperature ceramics and other materials.

An in vitro evaluation of the apical sealing ability of new polymeric endodontic filling systems.

PubMed

Onay, Emel Olga; Ungor, Mete; Unver, Saadet; Ari, Hale; Belli, Sema

2009-08-01

The objective of this study was to compare the short-term sealing abilities of recently introduced polymeric endodontic filling systems. Root canals of 120 extracted and decoronated human single-rooted teeth were instrumented using crown-down technique with HERO Shaper rotary instruments. The roots were divided randomly into 8 groups (6 experimental and 2 control groups of 15 roots each) and filled with different combinations of core and sealer as follows: group 1, RealSeal/Resilon; group 2, RealSeal/Herofill; group 3, Hybrid Root Seal/Resilon; group 4, Hybrid Root Seal/Herofill; group 5, MM-Seal/Resilon; group 6, MM-Seal/Herofill; group 7, positive controls (Herofill only); group 8, negative controls. Apical leakage quantity was evaluated after 1 week by using a fluid filtration model. For each sample, measurements of fluid movement were recorded at 2-minute intervals for a total of 8 minutes, and then averaged. The data were calculated and analyzed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the Tukey test. Significance was set at P less than .05. Multiple paired comparisons (Tukey test) showed that, of all the groups, MM-Seal/Herofill combination exhibited the least microleakage, and RealSeal/Herofill combination ranked second in this regard. The mean leakage values for the RealSeal/Resilon and MM-Seal/Resilon combinations were both significantly higher than the means for the other 4 experimental groups (P < .01). Hybrid Root Seal combined with Resilon resulted in significantly less microleakage than Hybrid Root Seal combined with Herofill (P = .001). The results suggest that the sealing properties of epoxy-resin-based sealer (MM-Seal) combined with gutta-percha (Herofill) are superior to those of methacrylate-based sealers (Hybrid Root Seal and Realseal) combined with Resilon.

A magnetic fluid seal for rotary blood pumps: image and computational analyses of behaviors of magnetic fluids.

PubMed

Mitamura, Yoshinori; Yano, Tetsuya; Okamoto, Eiji

2013-01-01

A magnetic fluid (MF) seal has excellent durability. The performance of an MF seal, however, has been reported to decrease in liquids (several days). We have developed an MF seal that has a shield mechanism. The seal was perfect for 275 days in water. To investigate the effect of a shield, behaviors of MFs in a seal in water were studied both experimentally and computationally. (a) Two kinds of MF seals, one with a shield and one without a shield, were installed in a centrifugal pump. Behaviors of MFs in the seals in water were observed with a video camera and high-speed microscope. In the seal without a shield, the surface of the water in the seal waved and the turbulent flow affected behaviors of the MFs. In contrast, MFs rotated stably in the seal with a shield in water even at high rotational speeds. (b) Computational fluid dynamics analysis revealed that a stationary secondary flow pattern in the seal and small velocity difference between magnetic fluid and water at the interface. These MF behaviors prolonged the life of an MF seal in water.

Hinge Moments of Sealed-Internal-Balance Arrangements for Control Surfaces I : Theoretical Investigation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murray, Harry E.; Erwin, Mary A.

1945-01-01

The results of a theoretical analysis of the hinge-moment characteristics of various sealed-internal-balance arrangements for control surfaces are presented. The analysis considered overhands sealed to various types of wing structure by flexible seals spanning gaps of various widths or sealed to the wing structure by a flexible system of linked plates. Leakage was not considered; the seal was assumed to extend the full spanwise length of the control surface. The effect of the developed width of the flexible seal and of the geometry of the structure to which the seal was anchored was investigated, as well as the effect of the gap width that is sealed. The results of the investigation indicated that the most nearly linear control-surface hinge-moment characteristics can probably be obtained from a flexible seal over a narrow gap (about 0.1 of the overhang chord), which is so installed that the motion of the seal is restricted to a region behind the point of attachment of the seal to the wing structure. Control-surface hinge moments that tend to be high at large deflections and low or overbalanced at small deflections will result if a very narrow seal is used.

Seal Investigations of an Active Clearance Control System Concept

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinetz, Bruce M.; Taylor, Shawn; Oswald, Jay; DeCastro, Jonathan A.

2006-01-01

In an effort to improve upon current thermal active clearance control methods, a first generation, fast-acting mechanically actuated, active clearance control system has been designed and installed into a non-rotating test rig. In order to harvest the benefit of tighter blade tip clearances, low-leakage seals are required for the actuated carrier segments of the seal shroud to prevent excessive leakage of compressor discharge (P3) cooling air. The test rig was designed and fabricated to facilitate the evaluation of these types of seals, identify seal leakage sources, and test other active clearance control system concepts. The objective of this paper is to present both experimental and analytical investigations into the nature of the face-seal to seal-carrier interface. Finite element analyses were used to examine face seal contact pressures and edge-loading under multiple loading conditions, varied E-seal positions and two new face seal heights. The analyses indicated that moving the E-seal inward radially and reducing face seal height would lead to more uniform contact conditions between the face seal and the carriers. Lab testing confirmed that moving the balance diameter inward radially caused a decrease in overall system leakage.

Hydrodynamically Lubricated Rotary Shaft Having Twist Resistant Geometry

DOEpatents

Dietle, Lannie; Gobeli, Jeffrey D.

1993-07-27

A hydrodynamically lubricated squeeze packing type rotary shaft with a cross-sectional geometry suitable for pressurized lubricant retention is provided which, in the preferred embodiment, incorporates a protuberant static sealing interface that, compared to prior art, dramatically improves the exclusionary action of the dynamic sealing interface in low pressure and unpressurized applications by achieving symmetrical deformation of the seal at the static and dynamic sealing interfaces. In abrasive environments, the improved exclusionary action results in a dramatic reduction of seal and shaft wear, compared to prior art, and provides a significant increase in seal life. The invention also increases seal life by making higher levels of initial compression possible, compared to prior art, without compromising hydrodynamic lubrication; this added compression makes the seal more tolerant of compression set, abrasive wear, mechanical misalignment, dynamic runout, and manufacturing tolerances, and also makes hydrodynamic seals with smaller cross-sections more practical. In alternate embodiments, the benefits enumerated above are achieved by cooperative configurations of the seal and the gland which achieve symmetrical deformation of the seal at the static and dynamic sealing interfaces. The seal may also be configured such that predetermined radial compression deforms it to a desired operative configuration, even through symmetrical deformation is lacking.

The cool seal system: a practical solution to the shaft seal problem and heat related complications with implantable rotary blood pumps.

PubMed

Yamazaki, K; Mori, T; Tomioka, J; Litwak, P; Antaki, J F; Tagusari, O; Koyanagi, H; Griffith, B P; Kormos, R L

1997-01-01

A critical issue facing the development of an implantable, rotary blood pump is the maintenance of an effective seal at the rotating shaft. Mechanical seals are the most versatile type of seal in wide industrial applications. However, in a rotary blood pump, typical seal life is much shorter than required for chronic support. Seal failure is related to adhesion and aggregation of heat denatured blood proteins that diffuse into the lubricating film between seal faces. Among the blood proteins, fibrinogen plays an important role due to its strong propensity for adhesion and low transition temperature (approximately 50 degrees C). Once exposed to temperature exceeding 50 degrees C, fibrinogen molecules fuse together by multi-attachment between heat denatured D-domains. This quasi-polymerized fibrin increases the frictional heat, which proliferates the process into seal failure. If the temperature of the seal faces is maintained well below 50 degrees C, a mechanical seal would not fail in blood. Based on this "Cool-Seal" concept, we developed a miniature mechanical seal made of highly thermally conductive material (SiC), combined with a recirculating purge system. A large supply of purge fluid is recirculated behind the seal face to augment convective heat transfer to maintain the seal temperature below 40 degrees C. It also cools all heat generating pump parts (motor coil, bearing, seal). The purge consumption has been optimized to virtually nil (< 0.5 cc/day). An ultrafiltration unit integrated in the recirculating purge system continuously purifies and sterilizes the purge fluid for more than 5 months without filter change. The seal system has now been incorporated into our intraventricular axial flow blood pump (IVAP) and newly designed centrifugal pump. Ongoing in vivo evaluation of these systems has demonstrated good seal integrity for more than 160 days. The Cool-Seal system can be applied to any type of rotary blood pump (axial, diagonal, centrifugal, etc.) and offers a practical solution to the shaft seal problem and heat related complications, which currently limit the use of implantable rotary blood pumps.

An Update on Structural Seal Development at NASA GRC

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dunlap, Pat; Steinetz, Bruce; Finkbeiner, Josh; DeMange, Jeff; Taylor, Shawn; Daniels, Chris; Oswald, Jay

2006-01-01

A viewgraph presentation describing advanced structural seal development for NASA exploration is shown. The topics include: 1) GRC Structural Seals Team Research Areas; 2) Research Areas & Objective; 3) Wafer Seal Geometry/Flow Investigations; 4) Wafer Seal Installation DOE Study; 5) Results of Wafer Seal Installation DOE Study; 6) Wafer Geometry Study: Thickness Variations; 7) Wafer Geometry Study: Full-Size vs. Half-Size Wafers; 8) Spring Tube Seal Development; 9) Resiliency Improvement for Rene 41 Spring Tube; 10) Spring Tube Seals: Go-Forward Plan; 11) High Temperature Seal Preloader Development: TZM Canted Coil Spring; 12) TZM Canted Coil Spring Development; 13) Arc Jet Test Rig Development; and 14) Arc Jet Test Rig Status.

Investigations of Shuttle Main Landing Gear Door Environmental Seals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Finkbeiner, Joshua; DeMange, Jeff; Dunlap, Pat; Steinetz, Bruce; Newswander, Daniel

2006-01-01

The Columbia Accident investigation Board (CAIB) requested an investigation into the MLG door seals. Initially, the MLG door seals were thought to have been a potential contributor to the loss of Columbia. These suspicions were later found to be untrue, but the seals remained as a cause for concern in future flights. MLG door seals comprised of thermal barrier and environmental seal. This study focuses on the environmental seal for the MLG door.

Antipilferage Seal User’s Guide

DTIC Science & Technology

1997-10-01

seal is properly installed, ensure that there is no free play between the seal body and the wire. Verify and record the serial number. During post...and Record - Once the seal is properly installed, ensure that there is no free play between the seal body and the wire. During post-mortem...seal is properly installed, ensure that there is no free play between the seal body and the wire. Verify and record the serial number. During post

Degradation pattern of photosystem II reaction center protein D1 in intact leaves. The major photoinhibition-induced cleavage site in D1 polypeptide is located amino terminally of the DE loop.

PubMed

Kettunen, R; Tyystjärvi, E; Aro, E M

1996-08-01

Photoinhibition-induced degradation of the D1 protein of the photosystem II reaction center was studied in intact pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) leaves. Photoinhibition was observed to cause the cleavage of the D1 protein at two distinct sites. The main cleavage generated an 18-kD N-terminal and a 20-kD C-terminal degradation fragment of the D1 protein. this cleavage site was mapped to be located clearly N terminally of the DE loop. The other, less-frequent cleavage occurred at the DE loop and produced the well-documented 23-kD, N-terminal D1 degradation product. Furthermore, the 23-kD, N-terminal D1 fragment appears to be phosphorylated and can be detected only under severe photoinhibition in vivo. Comparison of the D1 degradation pattern after in vivo photoinhibition to that after in vitro acceptor-side and donor-side photoinhibition, performed with isolated photosystem II core particles, gives indirect evidence in support of donor-side photoinhibition in intact leaves.

Glomerular Lesions in Proteinuric Miniature Schnauzer Dogs.

PubMed

Furrow, E; Lees, G E; Brown, C A; Cianciolo, R E

2017-05-01

Miniature Schnauzer dogs are predisposed to idiopathic hypertriglyerceridemia, which increases risk for diseases such as pancreatitis and gallbladder mucocele. Recently, elevated triglyceride concentrations have been associated with proteinuria in this breed, although it is difficult to determine which abnormality is primary. Retrospective review of renal tissue from 27 proteinuric Miniature Schnauzers revealed that 20 dogs had ultrastructural evidence of osmophilic globules consistent with lipid in glomerular tufts. Seven of these dogs had lipid thromboemboli in glomerular capillary loops that distorted their shape and compressed circulating erythrocytes. Triglyceride concentrations were reported in 6 of these 7 dogs, and all were hypertriglyceridemic. In addition, glomerular lipidosis (defined as accumulation of foam cells within peripheral capillary loops) was identified in a single dog. The remaining 12 dogs had smaller amounts of lipid that could only be identified ultrastructurally. Neither signalment data nor clinicopathologic parameters (serum albumin, serum creatinine, urine protein-to-creatinine ratio, and blood pressure) differed among the various types of lipid lesions. During the time course of this study, all dogs diagnosed with glomerular lipid thromboemboli were Miniature Schnauzers, underscoring the importance of recognizing these clear spaces within capillary loops as lipid.

36 CFR 1200.4 - How does NARA use its official seals?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... official seals? 1200.4 Section 1200.4 Parks, Forests, and Public Property NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION GENERAL RULES OFFICIAL SEALS How are NARA's Official Seals and Logos Designed and Used? § 1200.4 How does NARA use its official seals? NARA uses its three official seals to authenticate various...

36 CFR 1200.4 - How does NARA use its official seals?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... official seals? 1200.4 Section 1200.4 Parks, Forests, and Public Property NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION GENERAL RULES OFFICIAL SEALS How are NARA's Official Seals and Logos Designed and Used? § 1200.4 How does NARA use its official seals? NARA uses its three official seals to authenticate various...

75 FR 58365 - Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Missile Launch...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-24

... governing the taking of Northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), Pacific harbor seals (Phoca... during missile launches at SNI. Northern elephant seals, Pacific harbor seals, and California sea lions... incidentally taken by Level B harassment annually: 474 Northern elephant seals; 467 Pacific harbor seals; and 1...

Effect of CrO3 Sealing Time on Anodized A12024-T3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Korda, Akhmad A.; Hidayat, R. Z.

2016-08-01

The effect of CrO3 sealing time on anodized aluminum alloy has been investigated. A1 2024-T3 were used as substrate. Anodizing was carried out using chromic acid. CrO3 sealing was conducted in CrO3 solution for 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 minutes. As comparison, other specimens were also prepared as anodized and boiled water sealing. Thickness of the coating was observed by optical microscope. Anodized and sealing layer was analyzed by X- ray diffraction. The hardness of as anodized, boiled water sealing and CrO3 sealing were compared. The highest hardness is achieved by CrO3 sealed specimen and followed by boiled water sealing and as anodized specimens. The longer the processes of CrO3 sealing the higher layer thickness and therefore the higher hardness of the oxide layer. The best resistance to electrolyte penetration is achieved by the CrO3 sealed specimen followed by boiled water sealed and as anodized specimens. The higher thickness of oxide layer, the higher the resistance against electrolyte penetration.

Rotary kiln seal

DOEpatents

Drexler, Robert L.

1992-01-01

A rotary seal used to prevent the escape of contaminates from a rotating kiln incinerator. The rotating seal combines a rotating disc plate which is attached to the rotating kiln shell and four sets of non-rotating carbon seal bars housed in a primary and secondary housing and which rub on the sides of the disc. A seal air system is used to create a positive pressure in a chamber between the primary and secondary seals to create a positive air flow into the contaminated gas chamber. The seal air system also employs an air inlet located between the secondary and tertiary seals to further insure that no contaminates pass the seal and enter the external environment and to provide makeup air for the air which flows into the contaminated gas chamber. The pressure exerted by the seal bars on the rotating disc is controlled by means of a preload spring. The seal is capable of operating in a thermally changing environment where the both radial expansion and axial movement of the rotating kiln do not result in the failure of the seal.

Double angle seal forming lubricant film

DOEpatents

Ernst, William D.

1984-01-01

A lubricated piston rod seal which inhibits gas leaking from a high pressure chamber on one side of the seal to a low pressure chamber on the other side of the seal. A liquid is supplied to the surface of the piston rod on the low pressure side of the seal. This liquid acts as lubricant for the seal and provides cooling for the rod. The seal, which can be a plastic, elastomer or other material with low elastic modulus, is designed to positively pump lubricant through the piston rod/seal interface in both directions when the piston rod is reciprocating. The capacity of the seal to pump lubricant from the low pressure side to the high pressure side is less than its capacity to pump lubricant from the high pressure side to the low pressure side which ensures that there is zero net flow of lubricant to the high pressure side of the seal. The film of lubricant between the seal and the rod minimizes any sliding contact and prevents the leakage of gas. Under static conditions gas leakage is prevented by direct contact between the seal and the rod.

Seal assembly

DOEpatents

Johnson, Roger Neal; Longfritz, William David

2001-01-01

A seal assembly that seals a gap formed by a groove comprises a seal body, a biasing element, and a connection that connects the seal body to the biasing element to form the seal assembly. The seal assembly further comprises a concave-shaped center section and convex-shaped contact portions at each end of the seal body. The biasing element is formed from an elastic material and comprises a convex-shaped center section and concave-shaped biasing zones that are opposed to the convex-shaped contact portions. The biasing element is adapted to be compressed to change a width of the seal assembly from a first width to a second width that is smaller than the first width. In the compressed state, the seal assembly can be disposed in the groove. After release of the compressing force, the seal assembly expands. The contact portions will move toward a surface of the groove and the biasing zones will move into contact with another surface of the groove. The biasing zones will bias the contact portions of the seal body against the surface of the groove.

Development of a new seal for use on large openings of pressurized spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weddendorf, B.

1994-01-01

The goal of this project was to design, build, and test an example of the seal invented by the author for use on Space Station Freedom and patented in 1991. The seal features a metallic spring core and replaceable elastomeric sealing elements. The metallic spring is designed to retain the sealing force of the elastomeric element against both sides of face seal gland for any specified amount of waviness or separation of the glands. A seal able to tolerate at least 1.3 mm (0.05 in) of flange distortion or separation and a test fixture of this seal which allowed direct comparison testing of O-rings were built. These designs were tested to compare leakage at different amounts of flange deflection. Results of the testing show the development seal exceeded its requirement to seal 1.3 mm of flange separation by 1 mm. This compared with the O-ring leakage, increasing dramatically at 0.5 mm of separation. The development seal also leaked at a lower rate than the O-ring seals in all tests.

The Application of LOGO! in Control System of a Transmission and Sorting Mechanism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Jian; Lv, Yuan-Jun

Logic programming of general logic control module LOGO! has been recommended the application in transmission and sorting mechanism. First, the structure and operating principle of the mechanism had been introduced. Then the pneumatic loop of the mechanism had been plotted in the software of FluidSIM-P. At last, pneumatic loop and motors had been control by LOGO!, which makes the control process simple and clear instead of the complicated control of ordinary relay. LOGO! can achieve the complicated interlock control composed of inter relays and time relays. In the control process, the logic control function of LOGO! is fully used to logic programming so that the system realizes the control of air cylinder and motor. It is reliable and adjustable mechanism after application.

Seals and Sealing Techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

Developments by the aerospace industry in seals and sealing techniques are announced for possible use in other areas. The announcements presented are grouped as: sealing techniques for cryogenic fluids, high pressure applications, and modification for improved performance.

Solid oxide fuel cell having a glass composite seal

DOEpatents

De Rose, Anthony J.; Mukerjee, Subhasish; Haltiner, Jr., Karl Jacob

2013-04-16

A solid oxide fuel cell stack having a plurality of cassettes and a glass composite seal disposed between the sealing surfaces of adjacent cassettes, thereby joining the cassettes and providing a hermetic seal therebetween. The glass composite seal includes an alkaline earth aluminosilicate (AEAS) glass disposed about a viscous glass such that the AEAS glass retains the viscous glass in a predetermined position between the first and second sealing surfaces. The AEAS glass provides geometric stability to the glass composite seal to maintain the proper distance between the adjacent cassettes while the viscous glass provides for a compliant and self-healing seal. The glass composite seal may include fibers, powders, and/or beads of zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), or mixtures thereof, to enhance the desirable properties of the glass composite seal.

Advanced helium purge seals for Liquid Oxygen (LOX) turbopumps

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shapiro, Wilbur; Lee, Chester C.

1989-01-01

Program objectives were to determine three advanced configurations of helium buffer seals capable of providing improved performance in a space shuttle main engine (SSME), high-pressure liquid oxygen (LOX) turbopump environment, and to provide NASA with the analytical tools to determine performance of a variety of seal configurations. The three seal designs included solid-ring fluid-film seals often referred to as floating ring seals, back-to-back fluid-film face seals, and a circumferential sectored seal that incorporated inherent clearance adjustment capabilities. Of the three seals designed, the sectored seal is favored because the self-adjusting clearance features accommodate the variations in clearance that will occur because of thermal and centrifugal distortions without compromising performance. Moreover, leakage can be contained well below the maximum target values; minimizing leakage is important on the SSME since helium is provided by an external tank. A reduction in tank size translates to an increase in payload that can be carried on board the shuttle. The computer codes supplied under this program included a code for analyzing a variety of gas-lubricated, floating ring, and sector seals; a code for analyzing gas-lubricated face seals; a code for optimizing and analyzing gas-lubricated spiral-groove face seals; and a code for determining fluid-film face seal response to runner excitations in as many as five degrees of freedom. These codes proved invaluable for optimizing designs and estimating final performance of the seals described.