Impact of defective pixels in AMLCDs on the perception of medical images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kimpe, Tom; Sneyders, Yuri

2006-03-01

With LCD displays, each pixel has its own individual transistor that controls the transmittance of that pixel. Occasionally, these individual transistors will short or alternatively malfunction, resulting in a defective pixel that always shows the same brightness. With ever increasing resolution of displays the number of defect pixels per display increases accordingly. State of the art processes are capable of producing displays with no more than one faulty transistor out of 3 million. A five Mega Pixel medical LCD panel contains 15 million individual sub pixels (3 sub pixels per pixel), each having an individual transistor. This means that a five Mega Pixel display on average will have 5 failing pixels. This paper investigates the visibility of defective pixels and analyzes the possible impact of defective pixels on the perception of medical images. JND simulations were done to study the effect of defective pixels on medical images. Our results indicate that defective LCD pixels can mask subtle features in medical images in an unexpectedly broad area around the defect and therefore may reduce the quality of diagnosis for specific high-demanding areas such as mammography. As a second contribution an innovative solution is proposed. A specialized image processing algorithm can make defective pixels completely invisible and moreover can also recover the information of the defect so that the radiologist perceives the medical image correctly. This correction algorithm has been validated with both JND simulations and psycho visual tests.

Mega-earthquakes rupture flat megathrusts.

PubMed

Bletery, Quentin; Thomas, Amanda M; Rempel, Alan W; Karlstrom, Leif; Sladen, Anthony; De Barros, Louis

2016-11-25

The 2004 Sumatra-Andaman and 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquakes highlighted gaps in our understanding of mega-earthquake rupture processes and the factors controlling their global distribution: A fast convergence rate and young buoyant lithosphere are not required to produce mega-earthquakes. We calculated the curvature along the major subduction zones of the world, showing that mega-earthquakes preferentially rupture flat (low-curvature) interfaces. A simplified analytic model demonstrates that heterogeneity in shear strength increases with curvature. Shear strength on flat megathrusts is more homogeneous, and hence more likely to be exceeded simultaneously over large areas, than on highly curved faults. Copyright © 2016, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Microfabricated Ion Beam Drivers for Magnetized Target Fusion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Persaud, Arun; Seidl, Peter; Ji, Qing; Ardanuc, Serhan; Miller, Joseph; Lal, Amit; Schenkel, Thomas

2015-11-01

Efficient, low-cost drivers are important for Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF). Ion beams offer a high degree of control to deliver the required mega joules of driver energy for MTF and they can be matched to several types of magnetized fuel targets, including compact toroids and solid targets. We describe an ion beam driver approach based on the MEQALAC concept (Multiple Electrostatic Quadrupole Array Linear Accelerator) with many beamlets in an array of micro-fabricated channels. The channels consist of a lattice of electrostatic quadrupoles (ESQ) for focusing and of radio-frequency (RF) electrodes for ion acceleration. Simulations with particle-in-cell and beam envelope codes predict >10x higher current densities compared to state-of-the-art ion accelerators. This increase results from dividing the total ion beam current up into many beamlets to control space charge forces. Focusing elements can be biased taking advantage of high breakdown electric fields in sub-mm structures formed using MEMS techniques (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems). We will present results on ion beam transport and acceleration in MEMS based beamlets. Acknowledgments: This work is supported by the U.S. DOE under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231.

Mega-supramolecules for safer, cleaner fuel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kornfield, Julie

Guided by the statistical mechanics of ring-chain equilibrium, we designed and synthesized polymers that self-assemble into ``mega-supramolecules'' (>=5,000 kg/mol) at low concentration (<=0.3%wt) in hydrocarbon liquids. Experimental results accord with model predictions that end-functional polymers, which distribute among cyclic and linear supramolecules, can form a significant population of mega-supramolecules at low total polymer concentration--if, and only if , the backbones are long (>400 kg/mol) and end-association strength is optimal (16-18kT). Hydrocarbon liquid fuels are the world's dominant power source (34% of global energy consumption). Transportation relies heavily on such liquids, presenting the risk of explosive post-impact fires. The collapse of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 inspired us to revisit polymers for mist control to mitigate post-impact fuel explosions. Rheological and both light and neutron scattering measurements of long end-functional polymers having polycyclooctadiene backbones and acid or amine end groups verify formation of mega-supramolecules. Post-impact flame propagations experiments show that mega-supramolecules control misting. Turbulent flow measurements show that mega-supramolecules reduce drag like ultra-long covalent polymers. With individual building blocks short enough to avoid hydrodynamic chain scission (400

Predictors of certification in infection prevention and control among infection preventionists: APIC MegaSurvey findings.

PubMed

Kalp, Ericka L; Harris, Jeanette J; Zawistowski, Grace

2018-06-06

The 2015 APIC MegaSurvey was completed by 4,078 members to assess infection prevention practices. This study's purpose was to examine MegaSurvey results to relate infection preventionist (IP) certification status with demographic characteristics, organizational structure, compensation benefits, and practice and competency factors. Descriptive statistics were used to examine population characteristics and certification status. Bivariate logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships between independent variables and certification status. Variables demonstrating statistical significance (P <.05) were included in multivariable logistic regression analyses. Forty-seven percent of survey respondents had their CIC. IPs were less likely certified if their educational attainment was less than a bachelor's degree, they were aged 18-45 years, they worked in rural facilities, they had <16 years' experience in health care before becoming an IP, and the percentage of job dedicated to infection prevention was <75%. However, certification was associated with CIC benefit paid fully by employer, self-rating as proficient and expert-advanced, and surveillance and epidemiologic investigation competency obtained via professional development and training. CIC attainment was associated with IP characteristics. Additional research should focus on identifying strategies to increase certification among noncertified IPs because CIC is a measure of proficiency that should be a goal for all IPs. Copyright © 2018 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Progress and prospects for an FI relevant point design

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

Key, M; Amendt, P; Bellei, C

The physics issues involved in scaling from sub ignition to high gain fast ignition are discussed. Successful point designs must collimate the electrons and minimize the stand off distance to avoid multi mega-joule ignition energies. Collimating B field configurations are identified and some initial designs are explored.

Membrane electrode gasket assembly (MEGA) technology for polymer electrolyte fuel cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pozio, A.; Giorgi, L.; De Francesco, M.; Silva, R. F.; Lo Presti, R.; Danzi, A.

A new technology for the production of a membrane electrode gasket assembly (MEGA) for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) is defined. The MEGA system was prepared by sealing a previously prepared membrane electrode assembly (MEA) in a moulded gasket. For this aim, a proprietary silicone based liquid mixture was injected directly into the MEA borders. Gaskets obtained in different shapes and hardness grades are stable in a wide temperature range. The MEGA technology shows several advantages with respect to traditional PEFCs stack assembling systems: effective membrane saving, reduced fabrication time, possibility of quality control and failed elements substitution. This technology was successfully tested at the ENEA laboratories and the results were acquired in laboratory scale, but industrial production appears to be simple and cheap.

Nonblocking Clos networks of multiple ROADM rings for mega data centers.

PubMed

Zhao, Li; Ye, Tong; Hu, Weisheng

2015-11-02

Optical networks have been introduced to meet the bandwidth requirement of mega data centers (DC). Most existing approaches are neither scalable to face the massive growth of DCs, nor contention-free enough to provide full bisection bandwidth. To solve this problem, we propose two symmetric network structures: ring-MEMS-ring (RMR) network and MEMS-ring-MEMS (MRM) network based on classical Clos theory. New strategies are introduced to overcome the additional wavelength constraints that did not exist in the traditional Clos network. Two structures that followed the strategies can enable high scalability and nonblocking property simultaneously. The one-to-one correspondence of the RMR and MRM structures to a Clos is verified and the nonblocking conditions are given along with the routing algorithms. Compared to a typical folded-Clos network, both structures are more readily scalable to future mega data centers with 51200 racks while reducing number of long cables significantly. We show that the MRM network is more cost-effective than the RMR network, since the MRM network does not need tunable lasers to achieve nonblocking routing.

Urnaloricus gadi nov. gen. et nov. sp. (Loricifera, Urnaloricidae nov. fam.), an aberrant Loricifera with a viviparous pedogenetic life cycle.

PubMed

Heiner, Iben; Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg

2009-02-01

A new species of Loricifera, Urnaloricus gadi nov. gen. et nov. sp., is described from the Faroe Bank, located Southwest of the Faroe Islands, North Atlantic. The new species does not fit into any known families of Loricifera and therefore it is grouped into a new family Urnaloricidae nov. fam. The new species is characterized by having a very complicated life cycle that involves a large cyst-like mega-larva, two reduced larval instars and the Higgins-larvae eating their maternal stage from within. An adult stage is missing. This form of reproduction is called viviparous pedogenesis and normally is found only in nematodes and insects. In the life cycle of Urnaloricidae nov. fam., there are two types of free-living larval stages: a Higgins-larva and a mega-larva. The latter is found in two different forms, a pre- and a cyst-forming mega-larva. Additionally, there are two reduced life history stages, the reduced larval stage (probably a postlarva) and the ghost-larval stage inside the cyst-forming mega-larva. The external morphology of the two forms of mega-larvae is much reduced, e.g., the introvert has only a few rows of scalids when compared with the Higgins-larva. The pre mega-larva is free-living and can sometimes be covered with coccoliths. Internally, a large ovary with a few oocytes, a digestive system, and an internal armature with retracted scalids are present. The pre mega-larva presumably molts into a cyst-forming mega-larva and thereby the ovary is now seen inside the cyst-forming mega-larva. The cyst-forming mega-larva has the same structures as in the pre mega-larva though here the scalids are protruded and there is a gonopore. Inside the cyst-forming mega-larva the ovary produces more oocytes and begins to fill out the entire lumen. At this stage the cyst-forming mega-larva molts first to the presumed postlarval stage, and then this stage molts to a ghost-larva. Hence, the ovary now matures inside the ghost-larva, which is surrounded by both the cuticle of the reduced postlarval stage and the cuticle of the cyst-forming mega-larva. The oocytes mature into eggs, and then into embryos and finally into Higgins-larvae while reabsorbing all the tissue of their maternal stage, the ghost-larva. During this maturation the cuticle of the cyst-forming mega-larva starts to harden and become cyst-like. The fully developed Higgins-larvae emerge through the gonopore of the cyst-forming mega-larva by penetrating the thin cuticles of the ghost-larva and the postlarva. The embryos have holoblastic radial cleavage and later a fluid-filled blastocoel is formed. The eggshells are extremely elastic; hence, they can become very elongated as the embryos mature into Higgins-larvae. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Two-dimensional studies of relativistic electron beam plasma instabilities in an inhomogeneous plasma

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

Shukla, Chandrasekhar; Das, Amita, E-mail: amita@ipr.res.in; Patel, Kartik

Relativistic electron beam propagation in plasma is fraught with several micro instabilities like two stream, filamentation, etc., in plasma. This results in severe limitation of the electron transport through a plasma medium. Recently, however, there has been an experimental demonstration of improved transport of Mega Ampere of electron currents (generated by the interaction of intense laser with solid target) in a carbon nanotube structured solid target [G. Chatterjee et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 235005 (2012)]. This then suggests that the inhomogeneous plasma (created by the ionization of carbon nanotube structured target) helps in containing the growth of the beammore » plasma instabilities. This manuscript addresses this issue with the help of a detailed analytical study and 2-D Particle-In-Cell simulations. The study conclusively demonstrates that the growth rate of the dominant instability in the 2-D geometry decreases when the plasma density is chosen to be inhomogeneous, provided the scale length 1/k{sub s} of the inhomogeneous plasma is less than the typical plasma skin depth (c/ω{sub 0}) scale. At such small scale lengths channelization of currents is also observed in simulation.« less

Sea floor morphology of the Ebro Shelf in the region of the Columbretes Islands, Western Mediterranean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muñoz, A.; Lastras, G.; Ballesteros, M.; Canals, M.; Acosta, J.; Uchupi, E.

2005-12-01

Widespread volcanism off eastern Spain in the western Mediterranean is associated with Cenozoic crustal attenuation and sinistral motion along the Trans-Moroccan-Western Mediterranean-European mega shear, extending from northern Morocco to the North Sea via the Alboran Basin, eastern Iberia, the Valencian and Lyons basins, France and Germany. The Quaternary Columbretes Islands volcanic field is the most prominent example of this volcanism associated with this mega shear. The islands are located in the Ebro continental shelf on top of a structural horst probably made of Paleozoic metamorphic rocks. Surrounding the emerged islands are volcanic structures and associated flows partially mantled by a sediment drift whose morphology is controlled by the southwestward flowing Catalan Current. This association is rather unique and appears to have never been described from a continental shelf in the Mediterranean Sea or outside the sea. The morphology of both kinds of structures, obtained by means of swath bathymetry data and very-high resolution seismic profiles, is presented in this study. They provide striking images of this previously unstudied part of the western Mediterranean seafloor. These images suggest that the volcanic structures are intruded into the surficial Holocene sediments indicating that volcanism in the Columbretes has extended into Holocene.

High-resolution seismic sequence stratigraphy and history of relative sea level changes since the Late Miocene, northern continental margin, South China Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhong, G.; Wang, L.

2013-12-01

The northern South China Sea (SCS) margin is suggested as one of the ideal sites for documenting the late Cenozoic sea level changes for its characteristics of rapid sedimentation and relatively stable structural subsidence since the Late Miocene. In this study, high-resolution seismic profiles acquired by the Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey, calibrated by well control from the ODP sites 1146 and 1148, were utilized to construct a time-significant sequence stratigraphic framework, from which the history of relative sea level changes since the Late Miocene on the northern SCS margin was derived. Our study area is situated in the middle segment of the margin, between the Hainan Island to the west and the Dongsha Islands to the east. This region is to a certain degree far away from the active structural zones and is suggested as the most stable region in the margin. Totally 4000 km seismic profiles were used, which controls an area of about 6×104 km2. The seismic data have a vertical resolution of 5 to 15 m for the Upper Miocene to Quaternary interval. Three regional seismic sequence boundaries were identified. They subdivide the Late Miocene to Quaternary into three mega-sequences, which correspond to the Quaternary, Pliocene and Late Miocene, respectively by tying to well control. The Late Miocene mega-sequence, including 13 component sequences, is characterized with a basal incised canyon-developed interval overlain by three sets of progradational sequences formed in deep-water slope environments. The Pliocene mega-sequence consists of four sets of progradational sequences. Each sequence set contains one to three component sequences. At least 7 component sequences can be identified. The Quaternary mega-sequence consists of five sets of progradational sequences, in which the lower two constitute a retrogressive sequence set and the upper three a progradational sequence set. At least 9 component sequences can be recognized. Most of the component sequences within the Pliocene and Quaternary mega-sequences occur adjacent to modern shelf margin, and therefore were interpreted as shelf-marginal progradational deltaic sequences. A relative sea level curve since the Late Miocene was compiled by integrating the shift trajectory of onlap points, the stacking pattern of component sequences, and the chronostratigraphic diagrams. The curve contains about 29 cycles of relative sea level changes, showing a much higher resolution than the previous results in the region. These cycles constitute three large relative sea level rise and fall cycles. General trend of sea level variations is rising since the Late Miocene, which is opposite to the global sea level changes and is in accordance with the previous regional researches. This deviation is ascribed to the combined effects of very rapid regional subsidence and relative deficiency of sediment supply. This research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 91028003 and 41076020).

Wireless Laser Range Finder System for Vertical Displacement Monitoring of Mega-Trusses during Construction

PubMed Central

Park, Hyo Seon; Son, Sewook; Choi, Se Woon; Kim, Yousok

2013-01-01

As buildings become increasingly complex, construction monitoring using various sensors is urgently needed for both more systematic and accurate safety management and high-quality productivity in construction. In this study, a monitoring system that is composed of a laser displacement sensor (LDS) and a wireless sensor node was proposed and applied to an irregular building under construction. The subject building consists of large cross-sectional members, such as mega-columns, mega-trusses, and edge truss, which secured the large spaces. The mega-trusses and edge truss that support this large space are of the cantilever type. The vertical displacement occurring at the free end of these members was directly measured using an LDS. To validate the accuracy and reliability of the deflection data measured from the LDS, a total station was also employed as a sensor for comparison with the LDS. In addition, the numerical simulation result was compared with the deflection obtained from the LDS and total station. Based on these investigations, the proposed wireless displacement monitoring system was able to improve the construction quality by monitoring the real-time behavior of the structure, and the applicability of the proposed system to buildings under construction for the evaluation of structural safety was confirmed. PMID:23648650

Mini-MegaTORTORA Wide-Field Monitoring System with Subsecond Temporal Resolution: Observation of Transient Events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karpov, S.; Beskin, G.; Biryukov, A.; Bondar, S.; Ivanov, E.; Katkova, E.; Orekhova, N.; Perkov, A.; Sasyuk, V.

2017-06-01

Here we present the summary of first years of operation and the first results of a novel 9-channel wide-field optical monitoring system with sub-second temporal resolution, Mini-MegaTORTORA (MMT-9), which is in operation now at Special Astrophysical Observatory on Russian Caucasus. The system is able to observe the sky simultaneously in either wide (˜900 square degrees) or narrow (˜100 square degrees) fields of view, either in clear light or with any combination of color (Johnson-Cousins B, V or R) and polarimetric filters installed, with exposure times ranging from 0.1 s to hundreds of seconds.The real-time system data analysis pipeline performs automatic detection of rapid transient events, both near-Earth and extragalactic. The objects routinely detected by MMT include faint meteors and artificial satellites.

Topographic and road control of mega-gullies in Kinshasa (DR Congo)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Makanzu Imwangana, Fils; Dewitte, Olivier; Ntombi, Médard; Moeyersons, Jan

2014-07-01

Diachronic mapping (1957, 1967, 2007 and 2010) shows an exponentially growing mega-gully network since roads were constructed through in the forests and plantations which occupied the sandy soils of the high town of Kinshasa. We found that the spatial occurrence of the mega-gullies (width ≥ 5 m) in this newly urbanized environment is controlled by two factors. First, there is a topographic control, given by the relation S = 0.00008A- 1.459, with S being the slope gradient (m m- 1) of the soil surface at the gully head and A the drainage area (ha) above the head. There is also a ‘road’ control, expressed by S = 22.991Lc- 1.999, with Lc being the cumulated length of roads in the basin above the gully head. The co-existence of both controls reflects the fact that the local sands are highly permeable and hence roads are more important generators of continuous runoff. The S-A relation noted above should not be applied outside the town where the road network is less dense. In contrast, the S-Lc relation may be used in both the town and rural areas underlain by porous soils where roads are the only generators of continuous runoff. We further conclude that the high town of Kinshasa is one of the most vulnerable places for gullying, and gullying can potentially transform the town into a badland. ‘Artisanal’ gully treatment is more successful than generally believed and the S-Lc relation can be a tool for mega-gully prevention.

Mega Tsunamis of the World Ocean and Their Implication for the Tsunami Hazard Assessment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gusiakov, V. K.

2014-12-01

Mega tsunamis are the strongest tsunamigenic events of tectonic origin that are characterized by run-up heights up to 40-50 m measured along a considerable part of the coastline (up to 1000 km). One of the most important features of mega-tsunamis is their ability to cross the entire oceanic basin and to cause an essential damage to its opposite coast. Another important feature is their ability to penetrate into the marginal seas (like the Sea of Okhotsk, the Bering Sea) and cause dangerous water level oscillations along the parts of the coast, which are largely protected by island arcs against the impact of the strongest regional tsunamis. Among all known historical tsunamis (nearly 2250 events during the last 4000 years) they represent only a small fraction (less than 1%) however they are responsible for more than half the total tsunami fatalities and a considerable part of the overall tsunami damage. The source of all known mega tsunamis is subduction submarine earthquakes with magnitude 9.0 or higher having a return period from 200-300 years to 1000-1200 years. The paper presents a list of 15 mega tsunami events identified so far in historical catalogs with their basic source parameters, near-field and far-field impact effects and their generation and propagation features. The far-field impact of mega tsunamis is largely controlled by location and orientation of their earthquake source as well as by deep ocean bathymetry features. We also discuss the problem of the long-term tsunami hazard assessment when the occurrence of mega tsunamis is taken into account.

Femtosecond mega-electron-volt electron microdiffraction

DOE PAGES

Shen, X.; Li, R. K.; Lundstrom, U.; ...

2017-09-01

To understand and control the basic functions of physical, chemical and biological processes from micron to nano-meter scale, an instrument capable of visualizing transient structural changes of inhomogeneous materials with atomic spatial and temporal resolutions, is required. One such technique is femtosecond electron microdiffraction, in which a short electron pulse with femtosecond-scale duration is focused into a micron-scale spot and used to obtain diffraction images to resolve ultrafast structural dynamics over a localized crystalline domain. In this letter, we report the experimental demonstration of time-resolved mega-electron-volt electron microdiffraction which achieves a 5 μm root-mean-square (rms) beam size on the samplemore » and a 110 fs rms temporal resolution. Using pulses of 10k electrons at 4.2 MeV energy with a normalized emittance 3 nm-rad, we obtained high quality diffraction from a single 10 μm paraffin ( C 44 H 90) crystal. The phonon softening mode in optical-pumped polycrystalline Bi was also time-resolved, demonstrating the temporal resolution limits of the instrument. In conclusion, this new characterization capability will open many research opportunities in material and biological sciences.« less

Femtosecond mega-electron-volt electron microdiffraction

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

Shen, X.; Li, R. K.; Lundstrom, U.

To understand and control the basic functions of physical, chemical and biological processes from micron to nano-meter scale, an instrument capable of visualizing transient structural changes of inhomogeneous materials with atomic spatial and temporal resolutions, is required. One such technique is femtosecond electron microdiffraction, in which a short electron pulse with femtosecond-scale duration is focused into a micron-scale spot and used to obtain diffraction images to resolve ultrafast structural dynamics over a localized crystalline domain. In this letter, we report the experimental demonstration of time-resolved mega-electron-volt electron microdiffraction which achieves a 5 μm root-mean-square (rms) beam size on the samplemore » and a 110 fs rms temporal resolution. Using pulses of 10k electrons at 4.2 MeV energy with a normalized emittance 3 nm-rad, we obtained high quality diffraction from a single 10 μm paraffin ( C 44 H 90) crystal. The phonon softening mode in optical-pumped polycrystalline Bi was also time-resolved, demonstrating the temporal resolution limits of the instrument. In conclusion, this new characterization capability will open many research opportunities in material and biological sciences.« less

Localised Effects of a Mega-Disturbance: Spatiotemporal Responses of Intertidal Sandy Shore Communities to the 2010 Chilean Earthquake.

PubMed

Sepúlveda, Roger D; Valdivia, Nelson

2016-01-01

Determining the effects of unpredictable disturbances on dynamic ecological systems is challenged by the paucity of appropriate temporal and spatial coverage of data. On 27 February 2010, an 8.8 Mw mega-earthquake and tsunami struck central Chile and caused coastal land-level changes, massive damage to coastal infrastructure, and widespread mortality of coastal organisms. Wave-exposed sandy beaches showed significant changes of species abundances from before to after the earthquake, but the highly dynamic biotic and abiotic conditions of these habitats make difficult to draw clear-cut conclusions from these patterns. Here, we analysed a beyond-BACI (Before-After Control-Impact) sampling design to test whether the effects of the Maule earthquake on sandy-shore species diversity, abundance, and structure were heterogeneous along the shore. Invertebrate species abundances were quantified before (i.e. February 2010) and after (i.e. March 2010, September 2010, and March 2011) the earthquake at three sandy shores randomly located within the earthquake rupture area and three sites within a "control" area located >400 km southward from epicentre. Immediately after the earthquake took place, the three sites located in the rupture area showed anomalous beach-profile uplifts that did not comply with the erosion (i.e. "negative" uplifts) that regularly occurs during late summer in the region. Species richness, abundance, and community structure significantly varied from before to after the strike, but these patterns of change varied among sites within both areas. Only the site with the strongest and persistent beach-profile uplift within the rupture area showed significant concomitant changes in species richness and community structure; after 13 months, this community showed a similar multivariate structure to the before-disturbance state. This site, in particular, was located in the section of the rupture area that received most of the impact of the after-earthquake tsunami. Therefore, our results suggest that the effects of the Maule mega-earthquake on the ecological communities were spatially heterogeneous and highly localised. We suggest that high mobility and other species' adaptations to the dynamic environmental conditions of sandy beaches might explain the comparatively high resilience of these assemblages. With this work we hope to motivate further experimental research on the role of individual- and population-level properties in the response of sandy-beach communities to interacting sources of disturbances.

Decommissioning of the High Flux Beam Reactor at Brookhaven National Laboratory.

PubMed

Hu, Jih-Perng; Reciniello, Richard N; Holden, Norman E

2012-08-01

The High Flux Beam Reactor (HFBR) at the Brookhaven National Laboratory was a heavy-water cooled and moderated reactor that achieved criticality on 31 October 1965. It operated at a power level of 40 mega-watts. An equipment upgrade in 1982 allowed operations at 60 mega-watts. After a 1989 reactor shutdown to reanalyze safety impact of a hypothetical loss of coolant accident, the reactor was restarted in 1991 at 30 mega-watts. The HFBR was shut down in December 1996 for routine maintenance and refueling. At that time, a leak of tritiated water was identified by routine sampling of ground water from wells located adjacent to the reactor's spent fuel pool. The reactor remained shut down for almost 3 y for safety and environmental reviews. In November 1999, the United States Department of Energy decided to permanently shut down the HFBR. The decontamination and decommissioning of the HFBR complex, consisting of multiple structures and systems to operate and maintain the reactor, were complete in 2009 after removing and shipping off all the control rod blades. The emptied and cleaned HFBR dome, which still contains the irradiated reactor vessel is presently under 24/7 surveillance for safety. Details of the HFBR's cleanup performed during 1999-2009, to allow the BNL facilities to be re-accessed by the public, will be described in the paper.

Formation of Multi-Layer Structures in Bi3Pb7 Intermetallic Compounds under an Ultra-High Gravitational Field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mashimo, T.; Iguchi, Y.; Bagum, R.; Sano, T.; Sakata, O.; Ono, M.; Okayasu, S.

2008-02-01

Ultra-high gravitational field (Mega-gravity field) can promote sedimentation of atoms (diffusion) even in solids, and is expected to form a compositionally-graded structure and/or nonequilibrium phase in multi-component condensed matter. We had achieved sedimentation of substitutional solute atoms in miscible systems (Bi-Sb, In-Pb, etc.). In this study, a mega-gravity experiment at high temperature was performed on a thin-plate sample (0.7 mm in thickness) of the intermetallic compound Bi3Pb7. A visible four-layer structure was produced, which exhibited different microscopic structures. In the lowest-gravity region layer, Bi phase appeared. In the mid layers, a compositionally-graded structure was formed, with differences observed in the powder X-ray diffraction patterns. Such a multi-layer structure is expected to exhibit unique physical properties such as superconductivity.

Comparison of typical mega cities in China using emergy synthesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, L. X.; Chen, B.; Yang, Z. F.; Chen, G. Q.; Jiang, M. M.; Liu, G. Y.

2009-06-01

An emergy-based comparison analysis is conducted for three typical mega cities in China, i.e., Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, from 1990 to 2005 in four perspectives including emergy intensity, resource structure, environmental pressure and resource use efficiency. A new index of non-renewable emergy/money ratio is established to indicate the utilization efficiency of the non-renewable resources. The results show that for the three mega urban systems, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, the total emergy inputs were 3.76E+23, 3.54E+23, 2.52E+23 sej in 2005, of which 64.88%, 91.45% and 72.28% were imported from the outsides, respectively. As to the indicators of emergy intensity involving the total emergy use, emergy density and emergy use per cap, three cities exhibited similar overall increase trends with annual fluctuations from 1990 to 2005. Shanghai achieved the highest level of economic development and non-renewable resource use efficiency, and meanwhile, lower proportion of renewable resource use and higher environmental pressure compared to those of Beijing and Guangzhou. Guangzhou has long term sustainability considering an amount of local renewable resources used, per capita emergy used, energy consumption per unit GDP and the ratio of waste to renewable emergy. It can be concluded that different emergy-based evaluation results arise from different geographical locations, resources endowments, industrial structures and urban orientations of the concerned mega cities.

A Discussion of Aerodynamic Control Effectors (ACEs) for Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wood, Richard M.

2002-01-01

A Reynolds number based, unmanned air vehicle classification structure has been developed which identifies four classes of unmanned air vehicle concepts. The four unmanned air vehicle (UAV) classes are; Micro UAV, Meso UAV, Macro UAV, and Mega UAV. In a similar fashion a labeling scheme for aerodynamic control effectors (ACE) was developed and eleven types of ACE concepts were identified. These eleven types of ACEs were laid out in a five (5) layer scheme. The final section of the paper correlated the various ACE concepts to the four UAV classes and ACE recommendations are offered for future design activities.

Single-shot mega-electronvolt ultrafast electron diffraction for structure dynamic studies of warm dense matter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mo, M. Z.; Shen, X.; Chen, Z.; Li, R. K.; Dunning, M.; Sokolowski-Tinten, K.; Zheng, Q.; Weathersby, S. P.; Reid, A. H.; Coffee, R.; Makasyuk, I.; Edstrom, S.; McCormick, D.; Jobe, K.; Hast, C.; Glenzer, S. H.; Wang, X.

2016-11-01

We have developed a single-shot mega-electronvolt ultrafast-electron-diffraction system to measure the structural dynamics of warm dense matter. The electron probe in this system is featured by a kinetic energy of 3.2 MeV and a total charge of 20 fC, with the FWHM pulse duration and spot size at sample of 350 fs and 120 μm respectively. We demonstrate its unique capability by visualizing the atomic structural changes of warm dense gold formed from a laser-excited 35-nm freestanding single-crystal gold foil. The temporal evolution of the Bragg peak intensity and of the liquid signal during solid-liquid phase transition are quantitatively determined. This experimental capability opens up an exciting opportunity to unravel the atomic dynamics of structural phase transitions in warm dense matter regime.

How fault geometry controls earthquake magnitude

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bletery, Q.; Thomas, A.; Karlstrom, L.; Rempel, A. W.; Sladen, A.; De Barros, L.

2016-12-01

Recent large megathrust earthquakes, such as the Mw9.3 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake in 2004 and the Mw9.0 Tohoku-Oki earthquake in 2011, astonished the scientific community. The first event occurred in a relatively low-convergence-rate subduction zone where events of its size were unexpected. The second event involved 60 m of shallow slip in a region thought to be aseismicaly creeping and hence incapable of hosting very large magnitude earthquakes. These earthquakes highlight gaps in our understanding of mega-earthquake rupture processes and the factors controlling their global distribution. Here we show that gradients in dip angle exert a primary control on mega-earthquake occurrence. We calculate the curvature along the major subduction zones of the world and show that past mega-earthquakes occurred on flat (low-curvature) interfaces. A simplified analytic model demonstrates that shear strength heterogeneity increases with curvature. Stress loading on flat megathrusts is more homogeneous and hence more likely to be released simultaneously over large areas than on highly-curved faults. Therefore, the absence of asperities on large faults might counter-intuitively be a source of higher hazard.

An observational pre-post study of re-structuring Medicine inpatient teaching service: Improved continuity of care within constraint of 2011 duty hours.

PubMed

Cheung, Joseph Y; Mueller, Daniel; Blum, Marissa; Ravreby, Hannah; Williams, Paul; Moyer, Darilyn; Caroline, Malka; Zack, Chad; Fisher, Susan G; Feldman, Arthur M

2015-09-01

Implementation of more stringent regulations on duty hours and supervision by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education in July 2011 makes it challenging to design inpatient Medicine teaching service that complies with the duty hour restrictions while optimizing continuity of patient care. To prospectively compare two inpatient Medicine teaching service structures with respect to residents' impression of continuity of patient care (primary outcome), time available for teaching, resident satisfaction and length-of-stay (secondary endpoints). Observational pre-post study. Surveys were conducted both before and after Conventional Medicine teaching service was changed to a novel model (MegaTeam). Academic General Medicine inpatient teaching service. Surveys before and after MegaTeam implementation were completed by 68.5% and 72.2% of internal medicine residents, respectively. Comparing conventional with MegaTeam, the % of residents who agreed or strongly agreed that the (i) ability to care for majority of patients from admission to discharge increased from 29.7% to 86.6% (p<0.01); (ii) the concern that number of handoffs was too many decreased from 91.9% to 18.2% (p<0.01); (iii) ability to provide appropriate supervision to interns increased from 38.1% to 70.7% (p<0.01); (iv) overall resident satisfaction with inpatient Medicine teaching service increased from 24.7% to 56.4% (p<0.01); and (v) length-of-stay on inpatient Medicine service decreased from 5.3±6.2 to 4.9±6.8 days (p<0.03). According to our residents, the MegaTeam structure promotes continuity of patient care, decreases number of handoffs, provides adequate supervision and teaching of interns and medical students, increases resident overall satisfaction and decreases length-of-stay. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Future of African terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystems under anthropogenic climate change

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Midgley, Guy F.; Bond, William J.

2015-09-01

Projections of ecosystem and biodiversity change for Africa under climate change diverge widely. More than other continents, Africa has disturbance-driven ecosystems that diversified under low Neogene CO2 levels, in which flammable fire-dependent C4 grasses suppress trees, and mega-herbivore action alters vegetation significantly. An important consequence is metastability of vegetation state, with rapid vegetation switches occurring, some driven by anthropogenic CO2-stimulated release of trees from disturbance control. These have conflicting implications for biodiversity and carbon sequestration relevant for policymakers and land managers. Biodiversity and ecosystem change projections need to account for both disturbance control and direct climate control of vegetation structure and function.

Single-shot mega-electronvolt ultrafast electron diffraction for structure dynamic studies of warm dense matter

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

Mo, M. Z., E-mail: mmo09@slac.stanford.edu; Shen, X.; Chen, Z.

We have developed a single-shot mega-electronvolt ultrafast-electron-diffraction system to measure the structural dynamics of warm dense matter. The electron probe in this system is featured by a kinetic energy of 3.2 MeV and a total charge of 20 fC, with the FWHM pulse duration and spot size at sample of 350 fs and 120 μm respectively. We demonstrate its unique capability by visualizing the atomic structural changes of warm dense gold formed from a laser-excited 35-nm freestanding single-crystal gold foil. The temporal evolution of the Bragg peak intensity and of the liquid signal during solid-liquid phase transition are quantitatively determined.more » This experimental capability opens up an exciting opportunity to unravel the atomic dynamics of structural phase transitions in warm dense matter regime.« less

Single-shot mega-electronvolt ultrafast electron diffraction for structure dynamic studies of warm dense matter

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

Mo, M. Z.; Shen, X.; Chen, Z.

We have developed a single-shot mega-electronvolt ultrafast-electron-diffraction system to measure the structural dynamics of warm dense matter. The electron probe in this system is featured by a kinetic energy of 3.2 MeV and a total charge of 20 fC, with the FWHM pulse duration and spot size at sample of 350 fs and 120 µm respectively. We demonstrate its unique capability by visualizing the atomic structural changes of warm dense gold formed from a laser-excited 35-nm freestanding single-crystal gold foil. The temporal evolution of the Bragg peak intensity and of the liquid signal during solid-liquid phase transition are quantitatively determined.more » This experimental capability opens up an exciting opportunity to unravel the atomic dynamics of structural phase transitions in warm dense matter regime« less

Single-shot mega-electronvolt ultrafast electron diffraction for structure dynamic studies of warm dense matter

DOE PAGES

Mo, M. Z.; Shen, X.; Chen, Z.; ...

2016-08-04

We have developed a single-shot mega-electronvolt ultrafast-electron-diffraction system to measure the structural dynamics of warm dense matter. The electron probe in this system is featured by a kinetic energy of 3.2 MeV and a total charge of 20 fC, with the FWHM pulse duration and spot size at sample of 350 fs and 120 µm respectively. We demonstrate its unique capability by visualizing the atomic structural changes of warm dense gold formed from a laser-excited 35-nm freestanding single-crystal gold foil. The temporal evolution of the Bragg peak intensity and of the liquid signal during solid-liquid phase transition are quantitatively determined.more » This experimental capability opens up an exciting opportunity to unravel the atomic dynamics of structural phase transitions in warm dense matter regime« less

MEGA-CC: computing core of molecular evolutionary genetics analysis program for automated and iterative data analysis.

PubMed

Kumar, Sudhir; Stecher, Glen; Peterson, Daniel; Tamura, Koichiro

2012-10-15

There is a growing need in the research community to apply the molecular evolutionary genetics analysis (MEGA) software tool for batch processing a large number of datasets and to integrate it into analysis workflows. Therefore, we now make available the computing core of the MEGA software as a stand-alone executable (MEGA-CC), along with an analysis prototyper (MEGA-Proto). MEGA-CC provides users with access to all the computational analyses available through MEGA's graphical user interface version. This includes methods for multiple sequence alignment, substitution model selection, evolutionary distance estimation, phylogeny inference, substitution rate and pattern estimation, tests of natural selection and ancestral sequence inference. Additionally, we have upgraded the source code for phylogenetic analysis using the maximum likelihood methods for parallel execution on multiple processors and cores. Here, we describe MEGA-CC and outline the steps for using MEGA-CC in tandem with MEGA-Proto for iterative and automated data analysis. http://www.megasoftware.net/.

The antioxidant effect of Green Tea Mega EGCG against electromagnetic radiation-induced oxidative stress in the hippocampus and striatum of rats.

PubMed

Ahmed, Nawal A; Radwan, Nasr M; Aboul Ezz, Heba S; Salama, Noha A

2017-01-01

Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) of cellular phones may affect biological systems by increasing free radicals and changing the antioxidant defense systems of tissues, eventually leading to oxidative stress. Green tea has recently attracted significant attention due to its health benefits in a variety of disorders, ranging from cancer to weight loss. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of EMR (frequency 900 MHz modulated at 217 Hz, power density 0.02 mW/cm 2 , SAR 1.245 W/kg) on different oxidative stress parameters in the hippocampus and striatum of adult rats. This study also extends to evaluate the therapeutic effect of green tea mega EGCG on the previous parameters in animals exposed to EMR after and during EMR exposure. The experimental animals were divided into four groups: EMR-exposed animals, animals treated with green tea mega EGCG after 2 months of EMR exposure, animals treated with green tea mega EGCG during EMR exposure and control animals. EMR exposure resulted in oxidative stress in the hippocampus and striatum as evident from the disturbances in oxidant and antioxidant parameters. Co-administration of green tea mega EGCG at the beginning of EMR exposure for 2 and 3 months had more beneficial effect against EMR-induced oxidative stress than oral administration of green tea mega EGCG after 2 months of exposure. This recommends the use of green tea before any stressor to attenuate the state of oxidative stress and stimulate the antioxidant mechanism of the brain.

Subcortical brain volume differences in participants with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adults: a cross-sectional mega-analysis.

PubMed

Hoogman, Martine; Bralten, Janita; Hibar, Derrek P; Mennes, Maarten; Zwiers, Marcel P; Schweren, Lizanne S J; van Hulzen, Kimm J E; Medland, Sarah E; Shumskaya, Elena; Jahanshad, Neda; Zeeuw, Patrick de; Szekely, Eszter; Sudre, Gustavo; Wolfers, Thomas; Onnink, Alberdingk M H; Dammers, Janneke T; Mostert, Jeanette C; Vives-Gilabert, Yolanda; Kohls, Gregor; Oberwelland, Eileen; Seitz, Jochen; Schulte-Rüther, Martin; Ambrosino, Sara; Doyle, Alysa E; Høvik, Marie F; Dramsdahl, Margaretha; Tamm, Leanne; van Erp, Theo G M; Dale, Anders; Schork, Andrew; Conzelmann, Annette; Zierhut, Kathrin; Baur, Ramona; McCarthy, Hazel; Yoncheva, Yuliya N; Cubillo, Ana; Chantiluke, Kaylita; Mehta, Mitul A; Paloyelis, Yannis; Hohmann, Sarah; Baumeister, Sarah; Bramati, Ivanei; Mattos, Paulo; Tovar-Moll, Fernanda; Douglas, Pamela; Banaschewski, Tobias; Brandeis, Daniel; Kuntsi, Jonna; Asherson, Philip; Rubia, Katya; Kelly, Clare; Martino, Adriana Di; Milham, Michael P; Castellanos, Francisco X; Frodl, Thomas; Zentis, Mariam; Lesch, Klaus-Peter; Reif, Andreas; Pauli, Paul; Jernigan, Terry L; Haavik, Jan; Plessen, Kerstin J; Lundervold, Astri J; Hugdahl, Kenneth; Seidman, Larry J; Biederman, Joseph; Rommelse, Nanda; Heslenfeld, Dirk J; Hartman, Catharina A; Hoekstra, Pieter J; Oosterlaan, Jaap; Polier, Georg von; Konrad, Kerstin; Vilarroya, Oscar; Ramos-Quiroga, Josep Antoni; Soliva, Joan Carles; Durston, Sarah; Buitelaar, Jan K; Faraone, Stephen V; Shaw, Philip; Thompson, Paul M; Franke, Barbara

2017-04-01

Neuroimaging studies have shown structural alterations in several brain regions in children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Through the formation of the international ENIGMA ADHD Working Group, we aimed to address weaknesses of previous imaging studies and meta-analyses, namely inadequate sample size and methodological heterogeneity. We aimed to investigate whether there are structural differences in children and adults with ADHD compared with those without this diagnosis. In this cross-sectional mega-analysis, we used the data from the international ENIGMA Working Group collaboration, which in the present analysis was frozen at Feb 8, 2015. Individual sites analysed structural T1-weighted MRI brain scans with harmonised protocols of individuals with ADHD compared with those who do not have this diagnosis. Our primary outcome was to assess case-control differences in subcortical structures and intracranial volume through pooling of all individual data from all cohorts in this collaboration. For this analysis, p values were significant at the false discovery rate corrected threshold of p=0·0156. Our sample comprised 1713 participants with ADHD and 1529 controls from 23 sites with a median age of 14 years (range 4-63 years). The volumes of the accumbens (Cohen's d=-0·15), amygdala (d=-0·19), caudate (d=-0·11), hippocampus (d=-0·11), putamen (d=-0·14), and intracranial volume (d=-0·10) were smaller in individuals with ADHD compared with controls in the mega-analysis. There was no difference in volume size in the pallidum (p=0·95) and thalamus (p=0·39) between people with ADHD and controls. Exploratory lifespan modelling suggested a delay of maturation and a delay of degeneration, as effect sizes were highest in most subgroups of children (<15 years) versus adults (>21 years): in the accumbens (Cohen's d=-0·19 vs -0·10), amygdala (d=-0·18 vs -0·14), caudate (d=-0·13 vs -0·07), hippocampus (d=-0·12 vs -0·06), putamen (d=-0·18 vs -0·08), and intracranial volume (d=-0·14 vs 0·01). There was no difference between children and adults for the pallidum (p=0·79) or thalamus (p=0·89). Case-control differences in adults were non-significant (all p>0·03). Psychostimulant medication use (all p>0·15) or symptom scores (all p>0·02) did not influence results, nor did the presence of comorbid psychiatric disorders (all p>0·5). With the largest dataset to date, we add new knowledge about bilateral amygdala, accumbens, and hippocampus reductions in ADHD. We extend the brain maturation delay theory for ADHD to include subcortical structures and refute medication effects on brain volume suggested by earlier meta-analyses. Lifespan analyses suggest that, in the absence of well powered longitudinal studies, the ENIGMA cross-sectional sample across six decades of ages provides a means to generate hypotheses about lifespan trajectories in brain phenotypes. National Institutes of Health. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Where are the mini Kreutz-family comets?

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

Ye, Quan-Zhi; Wiegert, Paul A.; Hui, Man-To

The Kreutz family of sungrazing comets contains over 2000 known members, many of which are believed to be under ∼100 m sizes (mini comets) and have only been studied at small heliocentric distances (r {sub H}) with space-based SOHO/STEREO spacecraft. To understand the brightening process of mini Kreutz comets, we conducted a survey using CFHT/MegaCam at moderate r {sub H} guided by SOHO/STEREO observations. We identify two comets that should be in our search area but are not detected, indicating that the comets have either followed a steeper brightening rate within the previously reported rapid brightening stage (the brightening burst),more » or the brightening burst starts earlier than expected. We present a composite analysis of the pre-perihelion light curves of five Kreutz comets that cover to ∼1 AU. We observe significant diversity in the light curves that can be used to grossly classify them into two types: C/Ikeya-Seki and C/SWAN follow the canonical r{sub H}{sup −4} while the others follow r{sub H}{sup −7}. In particular, C/SWAN seems to have undergone an outburst (Δm > 5 mag) or a rapid brightening (n ≳ 11) between r {sub H} = 1.06 AU and 0.52 AU, and shows hints of structural/compositional differences compared to other bright Kreutz comets. We also find evidence that the Kreutz comets as a population lose their mass less efficiently than the dynamically new comet, C/ISON, and are relatively devoid of species that drive C/ISON's activity at large r {sub H}. Concurrent observations of C/STEREO in different wavelengths also suggest that a blueward species such as CN may be the main driver for brightening bursts, instead of sodium as previously thought.« less

Density Variations in the NW Star Stream of M31

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carlberg, R. G.; Richer, Harvey B.; McConnachie, Alan W.; Irwin, Mike; Ibata, Rodrigo A.; Dotter, Aaron L.; Chapman, Scott; Fardal, Mark; Ferguson, A. M. N.; Lewis, G. F.; Navarro, Julio F.; Puzia, Thomas H.; Valls-Gabaud, David

2011-04-01

The Pan Andromeda Archeological Survey (PAndAS) CFHT Megaprime survey of the M31-M33 system has found a star stream which extends about 120 kpc NW from the center of M31. The great length of the stream, and the likelihood that it does not significantly intersect the disk of M31, means that it is unusually well suited for a measurement of stream gaps and clumps along its length as a test for the predicted thousands of dark matter sub-halos. The main result of this paper is that the density of the stream varies between zero and about three times the mean along its length on scales of 2-20 kpc. The probability that the variations are random fluctuations in the star density is less than 10-5. As a control sample, we search for density variations at precisely the same location in stars with metallicity higher than the stream [Fe/H] = [0, -0.5] and find no variations above the expected shot noise. The lumpiness of the stream is not compatible with a low mass star stream in a smooth galactic potential, nor is it readily compatible with the disturbance caused by the visible M31 satellite galaxies. The stream's density variations appear to be consistent with the effects of a large population of steep mass function dark matter sub-halos, such as found in LCDM simulations, acting on an approximately 10 Gyr old star stream. The effects of a single set of halo substructure realizations are shown for illustration, reserving a statistical comparison for another study. Based on observations obtained with MegaPrime / MegaCam, a joint project of CFHT and CEA/DAPNIA, at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) which is operated by the National Research Council (NRC) of Canada, the Institute National des Sciences de l'Univers of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique of France, and the University of Hawaii.

Temperate and boreal forest mega-fires: characteristics and challenges

Treesearch

Scott L. Stephens; Neil Burrows; Alexander Buyantuyev; Robert W. Gray; Robert E. Keane; Rick Kubian; Shirong Liu; Francisco Seijo; Lifu Shu; Kevin G. Tolhurst; Jan W. van Wagtendonk

2014-01-01

Mega-fires are often defined according to their size and intensity but are more accurately described by their socioeconomic impacts. Three factors - climate change, fire exclusion, and antecedent disturbance, collectively referred to as the "mega-fire triangle" - likely contribute to today's mega-fires. Some characteristics of mega-fires may emulate...

Understanding the current state of infection preventionists through competency, role, and activity self-assessment.

PubMed

Kalp, Ericka L; Marx, James F; Davis, James

2017-06-01

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) MegaSurvey, administered in 2015, was completed by approximately 4,079 APIC members. The survey sought to gain a better understanding the current state of 4 components of infection prevention practice: demographic characteristics, compensation, organizational structure, and practice and competency. The data for this analysis come from the APIC MegaSurvey Practice and Competency domain. Descriptive statistics and χ 2 analyses were conducted to examine differences in infection preventionist (IP) competency, roles, and activity self-assessments. The majority of IPs self-assessed their competency as Proficient compared with Novice or Expert for each of the 8 IP core competency activities. Forty percent of IPs self-rated their competency as Expert in the Preventing/Controlling the Transmission of Infectious Agents/HAIs component. IPs reported Novice competency in Employee/Occupational Health (29%); Cleaning, Sterilization, Disinfection, and Asepsis (23%); and Education and Research categories (22%). Differences in self-rated competency among IPs by discipline type (public health, nurse, and laboratory) were identified. Differences in self-rated competency were identified for each of the 8 IP core competency activities. IPs report using various resource types to gain competency. Future research is needed to identify opportunities to increase competency levels in the weakest-rated competency activities. Copyright © 2017 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Measuring Polycentricity of Mega-City Regions in China Based on the Intercity Migration Flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mu, Xiaoyan; Yeh, Anthony G. O.

2016-06-01

This paper uses the intercity migration flows to examine relations between Chinese cities, identify the important mega-city regions and measure each region's polycentricity from an interaction perspective. Data set contains the long-term residential migration trajectories of three million Sina weibo users across 345 cities. Cities with close connectivity deployed around one or several mega cities are identified as mega-city regions. Features of the mega-city regions are characterized by the strength of migration flows, density of connections, and regional migration patterns. The results show that the disparities exist in different mega-city regions; most mega-city regions are lack of polycentricity.

Tunable mega-ampere electron current propagation in solids by dynamic control of lattice melt

DOE PAGES

MacLellan, D.  A.; Carroll, D.  C.; Gray, R.  J.; ...

2014-10-31

The influence of lattice-melt-induced resistivity gradients on the transport of mega-ampere currents of fast electrons in solids is investigated numerically and experimentally using laser-accelerated protons to induce isochoric heating. Tailoring the heating profile enables the resistive magnetic fields which strongly influence the current propagation to be manipulated. This tunable laser-driven process enables important fast electron beam properties, including the beam divergence, profile, and symmetry to be actively tailored, and without recourse to complex target manufacture.

MEGA X: Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis across Computing Platforms.

PubMed

Kumar, Sudhir; Stecher, Glen; Li, Michael; Knyaz, Christina; Tamura, Koichiro

2018-06-01

The Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis (Mega) software implements many analytical methods and tools for phylogenomics and phylomedicine. Here, we report a transformation of Mega to enable cross-platform use on Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems. Mega X does not require virtualization or emulation software and provides a uniform user experience across platforms. Mega X has additionally been upgraded to use multiple computing cores for many molecular evolutionary analyses. Mega X is available in two interfaces (graphical and command line) and can be downloaded from www.megasoftware.net free of charge.

Mechanisms for increased soil C storage with increasing temporal and spatial plant diversity in Agroecosystems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tiemann, L. K.; Grandy, S.; Marin-Spiotta, E.; Atkinson, E. E.

2012-12-01

Generally, there are positive relationships between plant species diversity and net primary production and other key ecosystem functions. However, the effects of aboveground diversity on soil microbial communities and ecosystem processes they mediate, such as soil C sequestration, remain unclear. In this study, we used an 11-y cropping diversity study where increases in diversity have increased crop yields. At the experimental site, temporal diversity is altered using combinations of annual crop rotations, while spatial diversity is altered using cover crop species. We used five treatments ranging in diversity from one to five species consisting of continuous corn with no cover crop or one cover crop and corn-soy-wheat rotations with no cover, one cover or two cover crop species. We collected soils from four replicate plots of each treatment and measured the distribution of mega- (>2 mm), macro- (0.25-2 mm), and micro- (0.053-0.25 mm) aggregates. Within each aggregate size class, we also measured total soil C and N, permanganate oxidizable C (POXC), extracellular enzyme activities (EEA), and microbial community structure with phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis. We use these data to address the impacts of both rotational and cover crop diversity on soil physical structure, associated microbial community structure and activity and soil C storage. As spatial diversity increased, we found concurrent increases in mega-aggregate abundance as well as increasing soil C in the mega- and micro-aggregates but not macro-aggregates. The proportion of total soil C in each aggregate size class that is relatively labile (POXC) was highest in the micro-aggregates, as was enzyme activity associated with labile C acquisition across all levels of diversity. Enzyme activity associated with more recalcitrant forms of soil C was highest in the mega-aggregate class, also across all diversity levels; however, the ratio of labile to recalcitrant EEA increased with increasing diversity in the mega- and micro-aggregates. In addition, soil N increased with diversity such that microbial C:N EEA simultaneously decreased in mega-aggregates. We also found that cropping diversity has created distinctive soil microbial communities, highlighted by variation in the abundance of gram positive bacteria and Actinomycetes. Further research will help us determine how these changes in community structure with increasing diversity are related to concomitant changes in aggregation and enzyme activities. We suggest that the additional organic matter inputs from cover crops in the high diversity treatments have increased aggregation processes and C pools. While microbial activity has also increased in association with this increased C availability, the activity of recalcitrant and N-acquiring enzymes has declined, suggesting an overall decrease in SOM mineralization with possible increased SOM stabilization. The addition of crop species in rotation (temporal diversity) had minimal influence on any of the measured parameters. We thus conclude that spatial diversity is a more important driver of soil structure and microbial activity, likely due to the high quality organic matter inputs derived from the leguminous cover crops; however, spatial diversity alone did not lead to the same level of C storage potential as mixtures of temporal and spatial diversity.

Molluscan mega-hemocyanin: an ancient oxygen carrier tuned by a ~550 kDa polypeptide

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background The allosteric respiratory protein hemocyanin occurs in gastropods as tubular di-, tri- and multimers of a 35 × 18 nm, ring-like decamer with a collar complex at one opening. The decamer comprises five subunit dimers. The subunit, a 400 kDa polypeptide, is a concatenation of eight paralogous functional units. Their exact topology within the quaternary structure has recently been solved by 3D electron microscopy, providing a molecular model of an entire didecamer (two conjoined decamers). Here we study keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH2) tridecamers to unravel the exact association mode of the third decamer. Moreover, we introduce and describe a more complex type of hemocyanin tridecamer discovered in fresh/brackish-water cerithioid snails (Leptoxis, Melanoides, Terebralia). Results The "typical" KLH2 tridecamer is partially hollow, whereas the cerithioid tridecamer is almost completely filled with material; it was therefore termed "mega-hemocyanin". In both types, the staggering angle between adjoining decamers is 36°. The cerithioid tridecamer comprises two typical decamers based on the canonical 400 kDa subunit, flanking a central "mega-decamer" composed of ten unique ~550 kDa subunits. The additional ~150 kDa per subunit substantially enlarge the internal collar complex. Preliminary oxygen binding measurements indicate a moderate hemocyanin oxygen affinity in Leptoxis (p50 ~9 mmHg), and a very high affinity in Melanoides (~3 mmHg) and Terebralia (~2 mmHg). Species-specific and individual variation in the proportions of the two subunit types was also observed, leading to differences in the oligomeric states found in the hemolymph. Conclusions In cerithioid hemocyanin tridecamers ("mega-hemocyanin") the collar complex of the central decamer is substantially enlarged and modified. The preliminary O2 binding curves indicate that there are species-specific functional differences in the cerithioid mega-hemocyanins which might reflect different physiological tolerances of these gill-breathing animals. The observed differential expression of the two subunit types of mega-hemocyanin might allow individual respiratory acclimatization. We hypothesize that mega-hemocyanin is a key character supporting the adaptive radiation and invasive capacity of cerithioid snails. PMID:20465844

Glutamate quantification by PRESS or MEGA-PRESS: Validation, repeatability, and concordance.

PubMed

van Veenendaal, Tamar M; Backes, Walter H; van Bussel, Frank C G; Edden, Richard A E; Puts, Nicolaas A J; Aldenkamp, Albert P; Jansen, Jacobus F A

2018-05-01

While PRESS is often employed to measure glutamate concentrations, MEGA-PRESS enables simultaneous Glx (glutamate and glutamine) and GABA measurements. This study aimed to compare validation, repeatability, and concordance of different approaches for glutamate quantification at 3T to aid future studies in their selection of the appropriate sequence and quantification method. Nine phantoms with different glutamate and glutamine concentrations and five healthy participants were scanned twice to assess respectively the validation and repeatability of measurements with PRESS and MEGA-PRESS. To assess concordance between the different methods, results from 95 human participants were compared. PRESS, MEGA-PRESS (i.e. difference), and the MEGA-PRESS OFF spectra were analyzed with both LCModel and Gannet. In vitro, excellent agreement was shown between actual and measured glutamate concentrations for all measurements (r>0.98). In vivo CVs were better for PRESS (2.9%) than MEGA-PRESS (4.9%) and MEGA-PRESS OFF (4.2%). However, the concordance between the sequences was low (PRESS and MEGA-PRESS OFF, r=0.3) to modest (MEGA-PRESS versus MEGA-PRESS OFF, r=0.8). Both PRESS and MEGA-PRESS can be employed to measure in vivo glutamate concentrations, although PRESS shows a better repeatability. Comparisons between in vivo glutamate measures of different sequences however need to be interpreted cautiously. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Temperate and boreal forest mega-fires: characteristics and challenges

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stephens, Scott L.; Burrows, Neil; Buyantuyev, Alexander; Gray, Robert W.; Keane, Robert E.; Kubian, Rick; Liu, Shirong; Seijo, Francisco; Shu, Lifu; Tolhurst, Kevin G.; Van Wagtendonk, Jan W.

2014-01-01

Mega-fires are often defined according to their size and intensity but are more accurately described by their socioeconomic impacts. Three factors – climate change, fire exclusion, and antecedent disturbance, collectively referred to as the “mega-fire triangle” – likely contribute to today's mega-fires. Some characteristics of mega-fires may emulate historical fire regimes and can therefore sustain healthy fire-prone ecosystems, but other attributes decrease ecosystem resiliency. A good example of a program that seeks to mitigate mega-fires is located in Western Australia, where prescribed burning reduces wildfire intensity while conserving ecosystems. Crown-fire-adapted ecosystems are likely at higher risk of frequent mega-fires as a result of climate change, as compared with other ecosystems once subject to frequent less severe fires. Fire and forest managers should recognize that mega-fires will be a part of future wildland fire regimes and should develop strategies to reduce their undesired impacts.

The Design of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle for Water Quality Monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yulong; Liu, Rong; Liu, Shujin

2018-01-01

This paper describes the development of a civilian-used autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) for water quality monitoring at reservoirs and watercourses that can obtain realtime visual and locational information. The mechanical design was completed with CAD software Solidworks. Four thrusters—two horizontal and two vertical—on board enable the vehicle to surge, heave, yaw, and pitch. A specialized water sample collection compartment is designed to perform water collection at target locations. The vehicle has a central controller—STM32—and a sub-coordinate controller—Arduino MEGA 2560—that coordinates multiple sensors including an inertial sensor, ultrasonic sensors, etc. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and the inertial sensor enable the vehicle’s localization. Remote operators monitor and control the vehicle via a host computer system. Operators choose either semi-autonomous mode in which they set target locations or manual mode. The experimental results show that the vehicle is able to perform well in either mode.

Size Matters: The Contribution of Mega-Infauna to the Food ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Large-bodied, invertebrates are common to infaunal communities of NE Pacific estuaries (e.g., bivalves, polychaetes, burrowing shrimps), but their contribution to the ecological structure, function and ecosystem services of most estuaries has been poorly characterized because they are difficult to sample and quantify. In a study of Yaquina estuary (Oregon) food webs, particular effort was made to quantify intertidal and subtidal mega-infauna using suction-excavated 40-cm diameter corers in addition to conventional sampling of macro-infauna. Additionally, the abundance and biomass of all floral and other faunal guilds (except microbial and mammalian guilds) were directly quantified or estimated from published studies, carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes were measured for abundant species, and inverse analysis was used to generate models of carbon flow within food webs of the lower and upper reaches of Yaquina estuary. Benthic invertebrates dominated the biomass and respiration among faunal guilds in both estuarine reaches, whereas biomass and respiration of birds and fish were two orders-of-magnitude smaller. Mega-infauna, particularly intertidal burrowing shrimps and bivalves, constituted most of the benthic invertebrate biomass, respiration and secondary production in both reaches, although only a small fraction of the total infaunal abundance. Mega-infauna were dominant consumers of phytoplankton, major contributors of carbon to sediment organic matter, a

Mega-geomorphology: Mars vis a vis Earth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sharp, R. P.

1985-01-01

The areas of chaotic terrain, the giant chasma of the Valles Marineris region, the complex linear and circular depressions of Labyrinthus Noctis on Mars all suggest the possibility of large scale collapse of parts of the martian crust within equatorial and sub equatorial latitudes. It seems generally accepted that the above features are fossil, being perhaps, more than a billion years old. It is possible that parts of Earth's crust experienced similar episodes of large scale collapse sometime early in the evolution of the planet.

Weak gravitational lensing effects on the determination of Omega_mega_m and Omega_mega Lambda from SNeIa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Valageas, P.

2000-02-01

In this article we present an analytical calculation of the probability distribution of the magnification of distant sources due to weak gravitational lensing from non-linear scales. We use a realistic description of the non-linear density field, which has already been compared with numerical simulations of structure formation within hierarchical scenarios. Then, we can directly express the probability distribution P(mu ) of the magnification in terms of the probability distribution of the density contrast realized on non-linear scales (typical of galaxies) where the local slope of the initial linear power-spectrum is n=-2. We recover the behaviour seen by numerical simulations: P(mu ) peaks at a value slightly smaller than the mean < mu >=1 and it shows an extended large mu tail (as described in another article our predictions also show a good quantitative agreement with results from N-body simulations for a finite smoothing angle). Then, we study the effects of weak lensing on the derivation of the cosmological parameters from SNeIa. We show that the inaccuracy introduced by weak lensing is not negligible: {cal D}lta Omega_mega_m >~ 0.3 for two observations at z_s=0.5 and z_s=1. However, observations can unambiguously discriminate between Omega_mega_m =0.3 and Omega_mega_m =1. Moreover, in the case of a low-density universe one can clearly distinguish an open model from a flat cosmology (besides, the error decreases as the number of observ ed SNeIa increases). Since distant sources are more likely to be ``demagnified'' the most probable value of the observed density parameter Omega_mega_m is slightly smaller than its actual value. On the other hand, one may obtain some valuable information on the properties of the underlying non-linear density field from the measure of weak lensing distortions.

Urban Renewal Mega Projects and Residents' Quality of Life: Evidence from Historical Religious Center of Mashhad Metropolis.

PubMed

Forouhar, Amir; Hasankhani, Mahnoosh

2018-04-01

Urban decay is the process by which a historical city center, or an old part of a city, falls into decrepitude and faces serious problems. Urban management, therefore, implements renewal mega projects with the goal of physical and functional revitalization, retrieval of socioeconomic capacities, and improving of quality of life of residents. Ignoring the complexities of these large-scale interventions in the old and historical urban fabrics may lead to undesirable consequences, including an additional decline of quality of life. Thus, the present paper aims to assess the impact of renewal mega projects on residents' subjective quality of life, in the historical religious district of the holy city of Mashhad (Samen District). A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods of impact assessment, including questionnaires, semi-structured personal interviews, and direct observation, is used in this paper. The results yield that the Samen Renewal Project has significantly reduced the resident's subjective quality of life, due to its undesirable impacts on physical, socio-cultural, and economic environments.

Localised Effects of a Mega-Disturbance: Spatiotemporal Responses of Intertidal Sandy Shore Communities to the 2010 Chilean Earthquake

PubMed Central

Sepúlveda, Roger D.; Valdivia, Nelson

2016-01-01

Determining the effects of unpredictable disturbances on dynamic ecological systems is challenged by the paucity of appropriate temporal and spatial coverage of data. On 27 February 2010, an 8.8 Mw mega-earthquake and tsunami struck central Chile and caused coastal land-level changes, massive damage to coastal infrastructure, and widespread mortality of coastal organisms. Wave-exposed sandy beaches showed significant changes of species abundances from before to after the earthquake, but the highly dynamic biotic and abiotic conditions of these habitats make difficult to draw clear-cut conclusions from these patterns. Here, we analysed a beyond-BACI (Before-After Control-Impact) sampling design to test whether the effects of the Maule earthquake on sandy-shore species diversity, abundance, and structure were heterogeneous along the shore. Invertebrate species abundances were quantified before (i.e. February 2010) and after (i.e. March 2010, September 2010, and March 2011) the earthquake at three sandy shores randomly located within the earthquake rupture area and three sites within a “control” area located >400 km southward from epicentre. Immediately after the earthquake took place, the three sites located in the rupture area showed anomalous beach-profile uplifts that did not comply with the erosion (i.e. “negative” uplifts) that regularly occurs during late summer in the region. Species richness, abundance, and community structure significantly varied from before to after the strike, but these patterns of change varied among sites within both areas. Only the site with the strongest and persistent beach-profile uplift within the rupture area showed significant concomitant changes in species richness and community structure; after 13 months, this community showed a similar multivariate structure to the before-disturbance state. This site, in particular, was located in the section of the rupture area that received most of the impact of the after-earthquake tsunami. Therefore, our results suggest that the effects of the Maule mega-earthquake on the ecological communities were spatially heterogeneous and highly localised. We suggest that high mobility and other species’ adaptations to the dynamic environmental conditions of sandy beaches might explain the comparatively high resilience of these assemblages. With this work we hope to motivate further experimental research on the role of individual- and population-level properties in the response of sandy-beach communities to interacting sources of disturbances. PMID:27383744

Morphologic and morphometric evaluation of pancreatic islets in chronic Chagas' disease.

PubMed

Saldanha, J C; dos Santos, V M; dos Reis, M A; da Cunha, D F; Antunes Teixeira, V P

2001-01-01

Hyperglycemia and abnormal glucose tolerance tests observed in some patients with chronic Chagas' disease suggest the possibility of morphological changes in pancreatic islets and/or denervation. The purpose of this study was to describe the morphology and morphometry of pancreatic islets in chronic Chagas' disease. Morphologic and computerized morphometric studies were performed in fragments of the head, body, and tail regions of the pancreas obtained at necropsies of 8 normal controls and 17 patients with chronic Chagas' disease: 8 with the digestive form (Megas) and 9 with the congestive heart failure form. The Megas group had a larger (p < 0.05) pancreatic islet area in the tail of the pancreas (10649.3 +/- 4408.8 micrometer2) than the normal control (9481.8 +/- 3242.4 micrometer2) and congestive heart failure (9475.1 +/- 2104.9 micrometer2) groups; likewise, the density of the pancreatic islets (PI) was greater (1.2 +/- 0.7 vs. 0.9 +/- 0.6 vs. 1.9 +/- 1.0 PI/mm2, respectively). In the tail region of the pancreas of patients with the Megas form, there was a significant and positive correlation (r = +0.73) between the area and density of pancreatic islets. Discrete fibrosis and leukocytic infiltrates were found in pancreatic ganglia and pancreatic islets of the patients with Chagas' disease. Trypanosoma cruzi nests were not observed in the examined sections. Individuals with the Megas form of Chagas' disease showed increased area and density of pancreatic islets in the tail of the pancreas. The observed morphometric and morphologic alterations are consistent with functional changes in the pancreas, including glycemia and insulin disturbances.

SiO and CH3OH mega-masers in NGC 1068

PubMed Central

Wang, Junzhi; Zhang, Jiangshui; Gao, Yu; Zhang, Zhi-Yu; Li, Di; Fang, Min; Shi, Yong

2014-01-01

Maser is an acronym for microwave amplification by stimulated emission of radiation; in astronomy mega-masers are masers in galaxies that are ≥106 times more luminous than typical galactic maser sources. Observational studies of mega-masers can help us to understand their origins and characteristics. More importantly, mega-masers can be used as diagnostic tracers to probe the physical properties of their parent galaxies. Since the late 1970s, only three types of molecules have been found to form mega-masers: H2O, OH and H2CO. Here we report the detection of both SiO and CH3OH mega-masers near the centre of Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 1068 at millimetre wavelengths, obtained using the IRAM 30-m telescope. We argue that the SiO mega-maser originated from the nuclear disk and the CH3OH mega-maser originated from shock fronts. High-resolution observations in the future will enable us to investigate AGN feedback and determine the masses of central supermassive black holes in such galaxies. PMID:25386834

THE PHOTOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF A VAST STELLAR SUBSTRUCTURE IN THE OUTSKIRTS OF M33

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

McConnachie, Alan W.; Ferguson, Annette M. N.; Irwin, Michael J.

2010-11-10

We have surveyed approximately 40 deg{sup 2} surrounding M33 with Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope MegaCam/MegaPrime in the g and i filters out to a maximum projected radius from this galaxy of 50 kpc, as part of the Pan-Andromeda Archaeological Survey (PAndAS). Our observations are deep enough to resolve the top {approx}4 mag of the red giant branch population in this galaxy. We have previously shown that the disk of M33 is surrounded by a large, irregular, low surface brightness substructure. Here, we quantify the stellar populations and structure of this feature using the PAndAS data. We show that the stellar populations ofmore » this feature are consistent with an old population with ([Fe/H]) {approx} -1.6 dex and an interquartile range in metallicity of {approx}0.5 dex. We construct a surface brightness map of M33 that traces this feature to {mu}{sub V} {approx_equal} 33 mag arcsec{sup -2}. At these low surface brightness levels, the structure extends to projected radii of {approx}40 kpc from the center of M33 in both the northwest and southeast quadrants of the galaxy. Overall, the structure has an 'S-shaped' appearance that broadly aligns with the orientation of the H I disk warp. We calculate a lower limit to the integrated luminosity of the structure of -12.7 {+-} 0.5 mag, comparable to a bright dwarf galaxy such as Fornax or Andromeda II and slightly less than 1% of the total luminosity of M33. Further, we show that there is tentative evidence for a distortion in the distribution of young stars near the edge of the H I disk that occurs at similar azimuth to the warp in H I. The data also hint at a low-level, extended stellar component at larger radius that may be an M33 halo component. We revisit studies of M33 and its stellar populations in light of these new results and discuss possible formation scenarios for the vast stellar structure. Our favored model is that of the tidal disruption of M33 in its orbit around M31.« less

Comparative evolutionary diversity and phylogenetic structure across multiple forest dynamics plots: a mega-phylogeny approach

PubMed Central

Erickson, David L.; Jones, Frank A.; Swenson, Nathan G.; Pei, Nancai; Bourg, Norman A.; Chen, Wenna; Davies, Stuart J.; Ge, Xue-jun; Hao, Zhanqing; Howe, Robert W.; Huang, Chun-Lin; Larson, Andrew J.; Lum, Shawn K. Y.; Lutz, James A.; Ma, Keping; Meegaskumbura, Madhava; Mi, Xiangcheng; Parker, John D.; Fang-Sun, I.; Wright, S. Joseph; Wolf, Amy T.; Ye, W.; Xing, Dingliang; Zimmerman, Jess K.; Kress, W. John

2014-01-01

Forest dynamics plots, which now span longitudes, latitudes, and habitat types across the globe, offer unparalleled insights into the ecological and evolutionary processes that determine how species are assembled into communities. Understanding phylogenetic relationships among species in a community has become an important component of assessing assembly processes. However, the application of evolutionary information to questions in community ecology has been limited in large part by the lack of accurate estimates of phylogenetic relationships among individual species found within communities, and is particularly limiting in comparisons between communities. Therefore, streamlining and maximizing the information content of these community phylogenies is a priority. To test the viability and advantage of a multi-community phylogeny, we constructed a multi-plot mega-phylogeny of 1347 species of trees across 15 forest dynamics plots in the ForestGEO network using DNA barcode sequence data (rbcL, matK, and psbA-trnH) and compared community phylogenies for each individual plot with respect to support for topology and branch lengths, which affect evolutionary inference of community processes. The levels of taxonomic differentiation across the phylogeny were examined by quantifying the frequency of resolved nodes throughout. In addition, three phylogenetic distance (PD) metrics that are commonly used to infer assembly processes were estimated for each plot [PD, Mean Phylogenetic Distance (MPD), and Mean Nearest Taxon Distance (MNTD)]. Lastly, we examine the partitioning of phylogenetic diversity among community plots through quantification of inter-community MPD and MNTD. Overall, evolutionary relationships were highly resolved across the DNA barcode-based mega-phylogeny, and phylogenetic resolution for each community plot was improved when estimated within the context of the mega-phylogeny. Likewise, when compared with phylogenies for individual plots, estimates of phylogenetic diversity in the mega-phylogeny were more consistent, thereby removing a potential source of bias at the plot-level, and demonstrating the value of assessing phylogenetic relationships simultaneously within a mega-phylogeny. An unexpected result of the comparisons among plots based on the mega-phylogeny was that the communities in the ForestGEO plots in general appear to be assemblages of more closely related species than expected by chance, and that differentiation among communities is very low, suggesting deep floristic connections among communities and new avenues for future analyses in community ecology. PMID:25414723

Distinct subcortical volume alterations in pediatric and adult OCD

PubMed Central

Boedhoe, Premika S.W.; Schmaal, Lianne; Abe, Yoshinari; Ameis, Stephanie H.; Arnold, Paul D.; Batistuzzo, Marcelo C.; Benedetti, Francesco; Beucke, Jan C.; Bollettini, Irene; Bose, Anushree; Brem, Silvia; Calvo, Anna; Cheng, Yuqi; Cho, Kang Ik K.; Dallaspezia, Sara; Denys, Damiaan; Fitzgerald, Kate D.; Fouche, Jean-Paul; Giménez, Mònica; Gruner, Patricia; Hanna, Gregory L.; Hibar, Derrek P.; Hoexter, Marcelo Q.; Huyser, Chaim; Ikari, Keisuke; Jahanshad, Neda; Kathmann, Norbert; Kaufmann, Christian; Koch, Kathrin; Kwon, Jun Soo; Lazaro, Luisa; Liu, Yanni; Lochner, Christine; Marsh, Rachel; Martínez-Zalacaín, Ignacio; Mataix-Cols, David; Menchón, José M.; Minuzzii, Luciano; Nakamae, Takashi; Nakao, Tomohiro; Narayanaswamy, Janardhanan C.; Piras, Fabrizio; Piras, Federica; Pittenger, Christopher; Reddy, Y.C. Janardhan; Sato, Joao R.; Simpson, H. Blair; Soreni, Noam; Soriano-Mas, Carles; Spalletta, Gianfranco; Stevens, Michael C.; Szeszko, Philip R.; Tolin, David F.; Venkatasubramanian, Ganesan; Walitza, Susanne; Wang, Zhen; van Wingen, Guido A.; Xu, Jian; Xu, Xiufeng; Yun, Je-Yeon; Zhao, Qing; Thompson, Paul M.; Stein, Dan J.; van den Heuvel, Odile A.

2016-01-01

Objective Structural brain imaging studies in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) have produced inconsistent findings. This may be partially due to limited statistical power from relatively small samples and clinical heterogeneity related to variation in disease profile and developmental stage. Methods To address these limitations, we conducted a meta- and mega-analysis of data from OCD sites worldwide. T1 images from 1,830 OCD patients and 1,759 controls were analyzed, using coordinated and standardized processing, to identify subcortical brain volumes that differ in OCD patients and healthy controls. We additionally examined potential modulating effects of clinical characteristics on morphological differences in OCD patients. Results The meta-analysis indicated that adult patients had significantly smaller hippocampal volumes (Cohen’s d=−0.13; p=5.1x10−3, % difference −2.80) and larger pallidum volumes (d=0.16; p=1.6x10−3, % difference 3.16) compared to adult controls. Both effects were stronger in medicated patients compared to controls (d=−0.29; p=2.4x10−5, % difference −4.18 and d=0.29; p=1.2x10−5, % difference 4.38, respectively). Unmedicated pediatric patients had larger thalamic volumes (d=0.38, p=2.1x10−3) compared to pediatric controls. None of these findings were mediated by sample characteristics such as mean age or field strength. Overall the mega-analysis yielded similar results. Conclusion Our study indicates a different pattern of subcortical abnormalities in pediatric versus adult OCD patients. The pallidum and hippocampus seem to be of importance in adult OCD, whereas the thalamus seems to be key in pediatric OCD. This highlights the potential importance of neurodevelopmental alterations in OCD, and suggests that further research on neuroplasticity in OCD may be useful. PMID:27609241

West African monsoon dynamics inferred from abrupt fluctuations of Lake Mega-Chad

PubMed Central

Armitage, Simon J.; Bristow, Charlie S.; Drake, Nick A.

2015-01-01

From the deglacial period to the mid-Holocene, North Africa was characterized by much wetter conditions than today. The broad timing of this period, termed the African Humid Period, is well known. However, the rapidity of the onset and termination of the African Humid Period are contested, with strong evidence for both abrupt and gradual change. We use optically stimulated luminescence dating of dunes, shorelines, and fluviolacustrine deposits to reconstruct the fluctuations of Lake Mega-Chad, which was the largest pluvial lake in Africa. Humid conditions first occur at ∼15 ka, and by 11.5 ka, Lake Mega-Chad had reached a highstand, which persisted until 5.0 ka. Lake levels fell rapidly at ∼5 ka, indicating abrupt aridification across the entire Lake Mega-Chad Basin. This record provides strong terrestrial evidence that the African Humid Period ended abruptly, supporting the hypothesis that the African monsoon responds to insolation forcing in a markedly nonlinear manner. In addition, Lake Mega-Chad exerts strong control on global biogeochemical cycles because the northern (Bodélé) basin is currently the world’s greatest single dust source and possibly an important source of limiting nutrients for both the Amazon Basin and equatorial Atlantic. However, we demonstrate that the final desiccation of the Bodélé Basin occurred around 1 ka. Consequently, the present-day mode and scale of dust production from the Bodélé Basin cannot have occurred before 1 ka, suggesting that its role in fertilizing marine and terrestrial ecosystems is either overstated or geologically recent. PMID:26124133

Evaluating success levels of mega-projects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kumaraswamy, Mohan M.

1994-01-01

Today's mega-projects transcend the traditional trajectories traced within national and technological limitations. Powers unleashed by internationalization of initiatives, in for example space exploration and environmental protection, are arguably only temporarily suppressed by narrower national, economic, and professional disagreements as to how best they should be harnessed. While the world gets its act together there is time to develop the technologies of such supra-mega-project management that will synergize truly diverse resources and smoothly mesh their interfaces. Such mega-projects and their management need to be realistically evaluated, when implementing such improvements. This paper examines current approaches to evaluating mega-projects and questions the validity of extrapolations to the supra-mega-projects of the future. Alternatives to improve such evaluations are proposed and described.

Dynamic Simulations for the Seismic Behavior on the Shallow Part of the Fault Plane in the Subduction Zone during Mega-Thrust Earthquakes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsuda, K.; Dorjapalam, S.; Dan, K.; Ogawa, S.; Watanabe, T.; Uratani, H.; Iwase, S.

2012-12-01

The 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake (M9.0) produced some distinct features such as huge slips on the order of several ten meters around the shallow part of the fault and different areas with radiating seismic waves for different periods (e.g., Lay et al., 2012). These features, also reported during the past mega-thrust earthquakes in the subduction zone such as the 2004 Sumatra earthquake (M9.2) and the 2010 Chile earthquake (M8.8), get attentions as the distinct features if the rupture of the mega-thrust earthquakes reaches to the shallow part of the fault plane. Although various kinds of observations for the seismic behavior (rupture process and ground motion characteristics etc.) on the shallow part of the fault plane during the mega-trust earthquakes have been reported, the number of analytical or numerical studies based on dynamic simulation is still limited. Wendt et al. (2009), for example, revealed that the different distribution of initial stress produces huge differences in terms of the seismic behavior and vertical displacements on the surface. In this study, we carried out the dynamic simulations in order to get a better understanding about the seismic behavior on the shallow part of the fault plane during mega-thrust earthquakes. We used the spectral element method (Ampuero, 2009) that is able to incorporate the complex fault geometry into simulation as well as to save computational resources. The simulation utilizes the slip-weakening law (Ida, 1972). In order to get a better understanding about the seismic behavior on the shallow part of the fault plane, some parameters controlling seismic behavior for dynamic faulting such as critical slip distance (Dc), initial stress conditions and friction coefficients were changed and we also put the asperity on the fault plane. These understandings are useful for the ground motion prediction for future mega-thrust earthquakes such as the earthquakes along the Nankai Trough.

KIC 12557548 and Similar Stars as SETI Targets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Star Cartier, Kimberly Michelle

2015-01-01

This project aims to construct a robust information theoretic metric to quantify anomalous transit light curves and compare regular and irregular transits in a reproducible way. Using this metric we can distinguish natural transits from predicted extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI) communication that utilizes transiting mega-structures to alter the transit shape and depth in a measurable way. KIC-12557548b (KIC-1255b) is such an anomalous planet, with highly variable consecutive transit depths and shapes that have been explained by Rappaport et al. (2012) and Croll et al. (2014) as due to a disintegrating sub-Mercury sized planet with a debris tail encompassing the planetary orbit. However, Arnold (2005) and later Forgan (2013) presented models showing that planet-sized, non-circular artificial structures transiting their host star could be identified as non-natural by light curves anomalous in their duration and asymmetry, as in the case of KIC-1255b. If such mega-engineering structures were able to alter their aspects on orbital timescales, the resulting transit depths could be used to transmit information at low bandwidth. We use KIC-1255b as a benchmark case for separating anomalous transit signals that resemble ETI predictions but are naturally occurring. To do this, we use the Kullback-Leibler (KL) divergence of the KIC-1255b transit depth time series to quantify the entropy of the transit depth series. We calibrate our relative entropy metric by calculating the KL divergence of the Kepler-5b transits, which are markedly constant compared to KIC-1255b. Artificially generated transit depth time series data using Arnold's beacons allow us to calculate the KL divergence of predicted ETI communications and show that while KIC-1255b might match ETI predictions of shape and depth variations, the entropy content of the datasets are distinct by our metric. Thus we can use the entropy metric to test other cases of anomalous transits to separate out those transiting planets that can be explained through natural models and those for which an ETI hypothesis might be entertained.

[Pathological anatomy of chagasic megaesophagus].

PubMed

Adad, S J; Andrade, D C; Lopes, E R; Chapadeiro, E

1991-01-01

Systematized study was made in 56 esophagi of chronic chagasics (17 with and 39 without megas) aiming to: 1) to evaluate the esophageal caliber and thickness ranges; 2) analyse qualitative and quantitatively, the myenteric plexuses, trying to evaluate the relation of their lesions and the development of megaesophagus (ME); 3) study the lesions of the muscularis propria to verify if they contribute or not to the beginning of the process; 4) search for T. cruzi and its eventual relationship with the inflammation; 5) identify the principal mucosal alterations. It was confirmed that the severest lesions were found in the muscularis propria and in the plexures of Auerbach ganglia. In the former, the main alterations were myositis and fibrosis. The myentric plexuses showed inflammation and neuronal depopulation when compared with non-mega chagasic esophagi and even more when compared with the controls. On the other hand, there were normal caliber esophagi with severe denervation. It is possible that several factors may lead to the esophagopathy, especially to the ME. The search for T. cruzi was found positive in four out of eight esophagi with mega and in none of eight chagasic esophagi without mega. Mucosal and submucosal lesions were unremarkable and do not seem to be involved with the development of the process.

MegaMiner: A Tool for Lead Identification Through Text Mining Using Chemoinformatics Tools and Cloud Computing Environment.

PubMed

Karthikeyan, Muthukumarasamy; Pandit, Yogesh; Pandit, Deepak; Vyas, Renu

2015-01-01

Virtual screening is an indispensable tool to cope with the massive amount of data being tossed by the high throughput omics technologies. With the objective of enhancing the automation capability of virtual screening process a robust portal termed MegaMiner has been built using the cloud computing platform wherein the user submits a text query and directly accesses the proposed lead molecules along with their drug-like, lead-like and docking scores. Textual chemical structural data representation is fraught with ambiguity in the absence of a global identifier. We have used a combination of statistical models, chemical dictionary and regular expression for building a disease specific dictionary. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach, a case study on malaria has been carried out in the present work. MegaMiner offered superior results compared to other text mining search engines, as established by F score analysis. A single query term 'malaria' in the portlet led to retrieval of related PubMed records, protein classes, drug classes and 8000 scaffolds which were internally processed and filtered to suggest new molecules as potential anti-malarials. The results obtained were validated by docking the virtual molecules into relevant protein targets. It is hoped that MegaMiner will serve as an indispensable tool for not only identifying hidden relationships between various biological and chemical entities but also for building better corpus and ontologies.

GABA editing with macromolecule suppression using an improved MEGA-SPECIAL sequence.

PubMed

Gu, Meng; Hurd, Ralph; Noeske, Ralph; Baltusis, Laima; Hancock, Roeland; Sacchet, Matthew D; Gotlib, Ian H; Chin, Frederick T; Spielman, Daniel M

2018-01-01

The most common γ-aminobutyric-acid (GABA) editing approach, MEGA-PRESS, uses J-editing to measure GABA distinct from larger overlapping metabolites, but suffers contamination from coedited macromolecules (MMs) comprising 40 to 60% of the observed signal. MEGA-SPECIAL is an alternative method with better MM suppression, but is not widely used primarily because of its relatively poor spatial localization. Our goal was to develop an improved MM-suppressed GABA editing sequence at 3 Tesla. We modified a single-voxel MEGA-SPECIAL sequence with an oscillating readout gradient for improved spatial localization, and used very selective 30-ms editing pulses for improved suppression of coedited MMs. Simulation and in vivo experiments confirmed excellent MM suppression, insensitive to the range of B 0 frequency drifts typically encountered in vivo. Both intersubject and intrasubject studies showed that MMs, when suppressed by the improved MEGA-SPECIAL method, contributed approximately 40% to the corresponding MEGA-PRESS measurements. From the intersubject study, the coefficient of variation for GABA+/Cre (MEGA-PRESS) was 11.2% versus 7% for GABA/Cre (improved MEGA-SPECIAL), demonstrating significantly reduced variance (P = 0.005), likely coming from coedited MMs. This improved MEGA-SPECIAL sequence provides unbiased GABA measurements with reduced variance as compared with conventional MEGA-PRESS. This approach is also relatively insensitive to the range of B 0 drifts typically observed in in vivo human studies. Magn Reson Med 79:41-47, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

Different impacts of mega-ENSO and conventional ENSO on the Indian summer rainfall: developing phase

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Lei; Wu, Zhiwei; Zhou, Yefan

2016-04-01

Mega-El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a boarder version of conventional ENSO, is found to be a main driving force of Northern Hemisphere summer monsoon rainfall including the Indian summer rainfall (ISR). The simultaneous impacts of "pure" mega-ENSO and "pure" conventional ENSO events on the ISR in its developing summer remains unclear. This study examines the different linkages between mega-ENSO-ISR and conventional ENSO-ISR. During the developing summer of mega-El Niño, negative rainfall anomalies are seen over the northeastern Indian subcontinent, while the anomalous rainfall pattern is almost the opposite for mega-La Niña; as for the conventional ENSO, the approximate "linear opposite" phenomenon vanishes. Furthermore, the global zonal wave trains anomalous are found at mid-latitude zones, with a local triple circulation pattern over the central-east Eurasia during mega-ENSO events, which might be an explanation of corresponding rainfall response over the Indian Peninsula. Among 106-year historical run (1900-2005) of 9 state-of-the-art models from the Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5), HadGEM2-ES performs a promising skill in simulating the anomalous circulation pattern over mid-latitude and central-east Eurasia while CanESM2 cannot. Probably, it is the models' ability of capturing the mega-ENSO-ISR linkage and the characteristic of mega-ENSO that make the difference.

Heterochronicity of white matter development and aging explains regional patient control differences in schizophrenia.

PubMed

Kochunov, Peter; Ganjgahi, Habib; Winkler, Anderson; Kelly, Sinead; Shukla, Dinesh K; Du, Xiaoming; Jahanshad, Neda; Rowland, Laura; Sampath, Hemalatha; Patel, Binish; O'Donnell, Patricio; Xie, Zhiyong; Paciga, Sara A; Schubert, Christian R; Chen, Jian; Zhang, Guohao; Thompson, Paul M; Nichols, Thomas E; Hong, L Elliot

2016-12-01

Altered brain connectivity is implicated in the development and clinical burden of schizophrenia. Relative to matched controls, schizophrenia patients show (1) a global and regional reduction in the integrity of the brain's white matter (WM), assessed using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) fractional anisotropy (FA), and (2) accelerated age-related decline in FA values. In the largest mega-analysis to date, we tested if differences in the trajectories of WM tract development influenced patient-control differences in FA. We also assessed if specific tracts showed exacerbated decline with aging. Three cohorts of schizophrenia patients (total n = 177) and controls (total n = 249; age = 18-61 years) were ascertained with three 3T Siemens MRI scanners. Whole-brain and regional FA values were extracted using ENIGMA-DTI protocols. Statistics were evaluated using mega- and meta-analyses to detect effects of diagnosis and age-by-diagnosis interactions. In mega-analysis of whole-brain averaged FA, schizophrenia patients had lower FA (P = 10 -11 ) and faster age-related decline in FA (P = 0.02) compared with controls. Tract-specific heterochronicity measures, that is, abnormal rates of adolescent maturation and aging explained approximately 50% of the regional variance effects of diagnosis and age-by-diagnosis interaction in patients. Interactive, three-dimensional visualization of the results is available at www.enigma-viewer.org. WM tracts that mature later in life appeared more sensitive to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and were more susceptible to faster age-related decline in FA values. Hum Brain Mapp 37:4673-4688, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Measurement of the Michel parameter {rho} in normal muon decay

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

Tu, X.; Amann, J.F.; Bolton, R.D.

1995-07-10

A new measurement of the Michel parameter {rho} in normal muon decay has been performed using the MEGA positron spectrometer. Over 500 million triggers were recorded and the data are currently being analyzed. The previous result has a precision on the value of {rho}{plus_minus}0.0026. The present experiment expects to improve the precision to {plus_minus}0.0008 or better. The improved result will be a precise test of the standard model of electroweak interactions for a purely leptonic process. It also will provide a better constraint on the {ital W}{sub {ital R}}{minus}{ital W}{sub {ital L}} mixing angle in the left-right symmetric models. {copyright}more » {ital 1995} {ital American} {ital Institute} {ital of} {ital Physics}.« less

A mega-nourishment creates novel habitat for intertidal macroinvertebrates by enhancing habitat relief of the sandy beach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Egmond, E. M.; van Bodegom, P. M.; Berg, M. P.; Wijsman, J. W. M.; Leewis, L.; Janssen, G. M.; Aerts, R.

2018-07-01

Globally, sandy beaches are subject to coastal squeeze due to erosion. Soft-sediment strategies, such as sand nourishment, are increasingly applied to mitigate effects of erosion, but have long-term negative impacts on beach flora and fauna. As a more ecologically and sustainable alternative to regular beach nourishments, a mega-nourishment has been constructed along the Dutch coast by depositing 21.5 Mm3 of sand, from which sand is gradually redistributed along the coast by natural physical processes. The 'Sand Motor' mega-nourishment was constructed as a long-term management alternative for coastal protection and is the first large-scale experiment of its kind. We evaluated the development of intertidal macroinvertebrate communities in relation to this mega-nourishment, and compared it to species composition of beaches subject to regular beach or no nourishment. We found that a mega-nourishment resulted initially in a higher macroinvertebrate richness, but a lower macroinvertebrate abundance, compared to regular beach nourishment. As there was no effect of year after nourishment, this finding suggests that colonization and/or local extinction were not limiting macroinvertebrate richness at the mega-nourishment. In addition, a mega-nourishment does not converge to an intertidal macroinvertebrate community similar to those on unnourished beaches within a time scale of four years. Beach areas at the mega-nourishment sheltered from waves harbored a distinct macroinvertebrate community compared to typical wave-exposed sandy beach communities. Thus, a mega-nourishment temporally creates new habitat for intertidal macroinvertebrates by enhancing habitat relief of the sandy beach. We conclude that a mega-nourishment may be a promising coastal defense strategy for sandy shores in terms of the macroinvertebrate community of the intertidal beach.

Quasielastic neutron scattering with in situ humidity control: Water dynamics in uranyl fluoride

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

Miskowiec, A., E-mail: miskowiecaj@ornl.gov; Trowbridge, L.; Anderson, B.

2016-03-07

The structural phase diagram of uranyl fluoride (UO{sub 2}F{sub 2}), while incomplete, contains at least one anhydrous crystal structure and a second, zeolite-like structure with the formula [(UO{sub 2}F{sub 2})(H{sub 2}O)]{sub 7} ⋅ (H{sub 2}O){sub 4} that can be produced by adding water to the anhydrous structure. While traditional diffraction measurements can easily differentiate these crystals, additional aqueous structures (in general of the form UO{sub 2}F{sub 2} + xH{sub 2}O) have been proposed as well. We present results using a novel sample environment setup to intercalate water during a quasielastic neutron scattering measurement over the course of 86 h. Our sample environment allows low-pressure (<2 atm)more » humid air flow across the sample coupled with a system to control the relative humidity of this air flow between 10% and 70%. The water dynamics in UO{sub 2}F{sub 2} and [(UO{sub 2}F{sub 2})(H{sub 2}O)]{sub 7} ⋅ (H{sub 2}O){sub 4} are sufficiently different to distinguish them, with water in the latter executing a restricted diffusion (D = 2.7 × 10{sup −6} cm{sup 2}/s) within the structure's accessible pores (r = 3.17 Å) such that the dynamics can be used as a fingerprinting tool. We confirm that water vapor pressure is the driving thermodynamic force for the conversion of the anhydrous structure to [(UO{sub 2}F{sub 2})(H{sub 2}O)]{sub 7} ⋅ (H{sub 2}O){sub 4}, and we demonstrate the feasibility of extending this approach to aqueous forms of UO{sub 2}F{sub 2} + xH{sub 2}O. This method has general applicability to systems in which water content itself is a driving variable for structural or dynamical phase transitions.« less

Cardiovascular diseases in mega-countries: the challenges of the nutrition, physical activity and epidemiologic transitions, and the double burden of disease

PubMed Central

Barquera, Simon; Pedroza-Tobias, Andrea; Medina, Catalina

2016-01-01

Purpose of review There are today 11 mega-countries with more than 100 million inhabitants. Together these countries represent more than 60% of the world's population. All are facing noncommunicable chronic disease (NCD) epidemic where high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases are becoming the main public health concerns. Most of these countries are facing the double burden of malnutrition where undernutrition and obesity coexist, increasing the complexity for policy design and implementation. The purpose of this study is to describe diverse sociodemographic characteristics of these countries and the challenges for prevention and control in the context of the nutrition transition. Recent findings Mega-countries are mostly low or middle-income and are facing important epidemiologic, nutrition, and physical activity transitions because of changes in food systems and unhealthy lifestyles. NCDs are responsible of two-thirds of the 57 million global deaths annually. Approximately, 80% of these are in low and middle-income countries. Only developed countries have been able to reduce mortality rates attributable to recognized risk factors for NCDs, in particular high cholesterol and blood pressure. Summary Mega-countries share common characteristics such as complex bureaucracies, internal ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic heterogeneity, and complexities to implement effective health promotion and education policies across population. Priorities for action must be identified and successful lessons and experiences should be carefully analyzed and replicated. PMID:27389629

Structure and method for controlling band offset and alignment at a crystalline oxide-on-semiconductor interface

DOEpatents

McKee, Rodney A.; Walker, Frederick J.

2003-11-25

A crystalline oxide-on-semiconductor structure and a process for constructing the structure involves a substrate of silicon, germanium or a silicon-germanium alloy and an epitaxial thin film overlying the surface of the substrate wherein the thin film consists of a first epitaxial stratum of single atomic plane layers of an alkaline earth oxide designated generally as (AO).sub.n and a second stratum of single unit cell layers of an oxide material designated as (A'BO.sub.3).sub.m so that the multilayer film arranged upon the substrate surface is designated (AO).sub.n (A'BO.sub.3).sub.m wherein n is an integer repeat of single atomic plane layers of the alkaline earth oxide AO and m is an integer repeat of single unit cell layers of the A'BO.sub.3 oxide material. Within the multilayer film, the values of n and m have been selected to provide the structure with a desired electrical structure at the substrate/thin film interface that can be optimized to control band offset and alignment.

A KINEMATIC STUDY OF THE ANDROMEDA DWARF SPHEROIDAL SYSTEM

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

Collins, Michelle L. M.; Martin, Nicolas F.; Chapman, Scott C.

We present a homogeneous kinematic analysis of red giant branch stars within 18 of the 28 Andromeda dwarf spheroidal (dSph) galaxies, obtained using the Keck I/LRIS and Keck II/DEIMOS spectrographs. Based on their g - i colors (taken with the CFHT/MegaCam imager), physical positions on the sky, and radial velocities, we assign probabilities of dSph membership to each observed star. Using this information, the velocity dispersions, central masses, and central densities of the dark matter halos are calculated for these objects, and compared with the properties of the Milky Way dSph population. We also measure the average metallicity ([Fe/H]) frommore » the co-added spectra of member stars for each M31 dSph and find that they are consistent with the trend of decreasing [Fe/H] with luminosity observed in the Milky Way population. We find that three of our studied M31 dSphs appear as significant outliers in terms of their central velocity dispersion, And XIX, XXI, and XXV, all of which have large half-light radii ({approx}> 700 pc) and low velocity dispersions ({sigma}{sub v} < 5 km s{sup -1}). In addition, And XXV has a mass-to-light ratio within its half-light radius of just [M/L]{sub half}=10.3{sup +7.0}{sub -6.7}, making it consistent with a simple stellar system with no appreciable dark matter component within its 1{sigma} uncertainties. We suggest that the structure of the dark matter halos of these outliers have been significantly altered by tides.« less

Accessing the mega-region : evaluating the role of livable community patterns in Gulf Coast mega-region planning.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-03-01

This research analyzes both the need and mechanisms for integrating livability components such as : transit and active transportation into a broader mega-regions transportation framework. The research : builds a conceptual framework for understanding...

Physical insight into the simultaneous optimization of structure and control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jacques, Robert N.; Miller, David W.

1993-01-01

Recent trends in spacecraft design which yield larger structures with more stringent performance requirements place many flexible modes of the structure within the bandwidth of active controllers. The resulting complications to the spacecraft design make it highly desirable to understand the impact of structural changes on an optimally controlled structure. This work uses low structural models with optimal H(sub 2) and H(sub infinity) controllers to develop some basic insight into this problem. This insight concentrates on several basic approaches to improving controlled performance and how these approaches interact in determining the optimal designs. A numerical example is presented to demonstrate how this insight can be generalized to more complex problems.

Enhancer Activation Requires Trans-Recruitment of a Mega Transcription Factor Complex

PubMed Central

Liu, Zhijie; Merkurjev, Daria; Yang, Feng; Li, Wenbo; Oh, Soohwan; Friedman, Meyer J.; Song, Xiaoyuan; Zhang, Feng; Ma, Qi; Ohgi, Kenneth; Krones, Anna; Rosenfeld, Michael G.

2014-01-01

Summary Enhancers provide critical information directing cell-type specific transcriptional programs, regulated by binding of signal-dependent transcription factors and their associated cofactors. Here we report that the most strongly activated estrogen (E2)-responsive enhancers are characterized by trans-recruitment and in situ assembly of a large 1-2 MDa complex of diverse DNA-binding transcription factors by ERα at ERE-containing enhancers. We refer to enhancers recruiting these factors as mega transcription factor-bound in trans (MegaTrans) enhancers. The MegaTrans complex is a signature of the most potent functional enhancers and is required for activation of enhancer RNA transcription and recruitment of coactivators, including p300 and Med1. The MegaTrans complex functions, in part, by recruiting specific enzymatic machinery, exemplified by DNA-dependent protein kinase. Thus, MegaTrans-containing enhancers represent a cohort of functional enhancers that mediate a broad and important transcriptional program and provide a molecular explanation for transcription factor clustering and hotspots noted in the genome. PMID:25303530

Research on Trypanosoma cruzi and Analysis of Inflammatory Infiltrate in Esophagus and Colon from Chronic Chagasic Patients with and without Mega

PubMed Central

Côbo, Eliângela de Castro; Silveira, Thales Parenti; Micheletti, Adilha Misson; Crema, Eduardo; Adad, Sheila Jorge

2012-01-01

To compare parasitism and inflammatory process in esophagus and colon from chronic chagasic patients, immunohistochemistry was carried out to research for T. cruzi and to evaluate the inflammatory infiltrate in the muscular and myenteric plexus in 39 esophagi (20 with and 19 without megaesophagus) and 50 colons (25 with and 25 without megacolon). The frequency of T. cruzi in megaesophagus was 20%, and in megacolon it was 4%. No amastigotes were found in organs without mega; considering the total of esophagi (with and without mega), the frequency of T. cruzi would be 10% and 2% in the colon. Myositis and ganglionitis were more frequent and intense in organs with mega compared to those without mega, and in esophagus compared to colon. Qualitatively, inflammatory infiltration in esophagus and colon, with or without mega, was similar, consisting predominantly of T lymphocytes (CD3+), scarce macrophages (CD68+), and rare B lymphocytes (CD20+). PMID:22131997

The size and structure of the spheroid of IC 1613

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Battinelli, P.; Demers, S.; Artigau, É.

2007-05-01

Context: Nearby galaxies, spirals as well as irregulars, have been found to be much larger than previously believed. The structure of the huge spheroid surrounding dwarf galaxies could give clues to their past gravitational history. Thanks to wide field imagers, nearby galaxies with diameter of dozens of arcmin can be effectively surveyed. Aims: We obtain, from the CFHT archives, a series of i' and g' MegaCam images of IC 1613 in order to determine the stellar surface density of the field and determine the shape of its spheroid. Methods: From the colour magnitude diagram we select some 36 000 stars, in the first three magnitudes of the red giant branch. The spatial distribution of these stars is used to establish the structure of the spheroid. Results: The position angle of the major axis of the stellar spheroid is found to be ≈90°, some 30° from the major axis of the HI cloud surrounding IC 1613. The surface density profile of the spheroid is not exponential over all the length of the major axis. A King profile, with a core radius of 4.5' and a tidal radius of 24' fits the data. The tidal truncation of the spheroid suggests that IC 1613 is indeed a satellite of M 31. Based on observations obtained with MegaPrime/MegaCam, a joint project of CFHT and CEA/DAPNIA, at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) which is operated by the National Research Council (NRC) of Canada, the Institute National des Sciences de l'Univers of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique of France, and the University of Hawaii.

THE M33 GLOBULAR CLUSTER SYSTEM WITH PAndAS DATA: THE LAST OUTER HALO CLUSTER?

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

Cockcroft, Robert; Harris, William E.; Ferguson, Annette M. N., E-mail: cockcroft@physics.mcmaster.ca, E-mail: harris@physics.mcmaster.ca, E-mail: ferguson@roe.ac.uk

2011-04-01

We use CFHT/MegaCam data to search for outer halo star clusters in M33 as part of the Pan-Andromeda Archaeological Survey. This work extends previous studies out to a projected radius of 50 kpc and covers over 40 deg{sup 2}. We find only one new unambiguous star cluster in addition to the five previously known in the M33 outer halo (10 kpc {<=} r {<=} 50 kpc). Although we identify 2440 cluster candidates of various degrees of confidence from our objective image search procedure, almost all of these are likely background contaminants, mostly faint unresolved galaxies. We measure the luminosity, color,more » and structural parameters of the new cluster in addition to the five previously known outer halo clusters. At a projected radius of 22 kpc, the new cluster is slightly smaller, fainter, and redder than all but one of the other outer halo clusters, and has g' {approx} 19.9, (g' - i') {approx} 0.6, concentration parameter c {approx} 1.0, a core radius r{sub c} {approx} 3.5 pc, and a half-light radius r{sub h} {approx} 5.5 pc. For M33 to have so few outer halo clusters compared to M31 suggests either tidal stripping of M33's outer halo clusters by M31, or a very different, much calmer accretion history of M33.« less

The Supernova Legacy Survey: Measurement of Omega_M, Omega_Lambda, and w from the First Year Data Set

DOE R&D Accomplishments Database

Astier, P.; Guy, J.; Regnault, N.; Pain, R.; Aubourg, E.; Balam, D.; Basa, S.; Carlberg, R. G.; Fabbro, S.; Fouchez, D.; Hook, I. M.; Howell, D. A.; Lafoux, H.; Neill, J. D.; Palanque-Delabrouille, N.; Perrett, K.; Pritchet, C. J.; Rich, J.; Sullivan, M.; Taillet, R.; Aldering, G.; Antilogus, P.; Arsenijevic, V.; Balland, C.; Baumont, S.; Bronder, J.; Courtois, H.; Ellis, R. S.; Filiol, M.; Goncalves, A. C.; Goobar, A.; Guide, D.; Hardin, D.; Lusset, V.; Lidman, C.; McMahon, R.; Mouchet, M.; Mourao, A.; Perlmutter, S.; Ripoche, P.; Tao, C.; Walton, N.

2005-10-14

We present distance measurements to 71 high redshift type Ia supernovae discovered during the first year of the 5-year Supernova Legacy Survey (SNLS). These events were detected and their multi-color light-curves measured using the MegaPrime/MegaCam instrument at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT), by repeatedly imaging four one-square degree fields in four bands. Follow-up spectroscopy was performed at the VLT, Gemini and Keck telescopes to confirm the nature of the supernovae and to measure their redshift. With this data set, we have built a Hubble diagram extending to z = 1, with all distance measurements involving at least two bands. Systematic uncertainties are evaluated making use of the multiband photometry obtained at CFHT. Cosmological fits to this first year SNLS Hubble diagram give the following results: {Omega}{sub M} = 0.263 {+-} 0.042 (stat) {+-} 0.032 (sys) for a flat {Lambda}CDM model; and w = -1.023 {+-} 0.090 (stat) {+-} 0.054 (sys) for a flat cosmology with constant equation of state w when combined with the constraint from the recent Sloan Digital Sky Survey measurement of baryon acoustic oscillations.

Synthesis and characterization of hollow mesoporous BaFe{sub 12}O{sub 19} spheres

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

Xu, Xia; Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487; Park, Jihoon

2015-02-15

A facile method is reported to synthesize hollow mesoporous BaFe{sub 12}O{sub 19} spheres using a template-free chemical etching process. Hollow BaFe{sub 12}O{sub 19} spheres were synthesized by conventional spray pyrolysis. The mesoporous structure is achieved by alkaline ethylene glycol etching at 185 °C, with the porosity controlled by the heating time. The hollow porous structure is confirmed by SEM, TEM, and FIB-FESEM characterization. The crystal structure and magnetic properties are not significantly affected after the chemical etching process. The formation mechanism of the porous structure is explained by grain boundary etching. - Graphical abstract: Hollow spherical BaFe{sub 12}O{sub 19} particlesmore » are polycrystalline with both grains and grain boundaries. Grain boundaries have less ordered structure and lower stability. When the particles are exposed to high temperature alkaline ethylene glycol, the grain boundaries are etched, leaving small grooves between grains. These grooves allow ethylene glycol to diffuse inside to further etch the grains. As the grain size decreases, gaps appear on the particle surfaces, and a porous structure is finally formed. - Highlights: • Two-step synthesis method for hollow mesoporous BaFe{sub 12}O{sub 19} spheres is proposed. • Porosity of the product can be regulated by controlling the second step of chemical etching. • The crystal structure and magnetic properties are examined to be little affected during the chemical etching. • The mesoporous structure formation mechanism is explained by grain boundary etching.« less

Modulation of long-term potentiation-like cortical plasticity in the healthy brain with low frequency-pulsed electromagnetic fields.

PubMed

Premi, Enrico; Benussi, Alberto; La Gatta, Antonio; Visconti, Stefano; Costa, Angelo; Gilberti, Nicola; Cantoni, Valentina; Padovani, Alessandro; Borroni, Barbara; Magoni, Mauro

2018-06-13

Non-depolarizing magnetic fields, like low frequency-pulsed electromagnetic fields (LF-PEMFs) have shown the ability to modulate living structures, principally by influencing synaptic activity and ion channels on cellular membranes. Recently, the CTU Mega 20 device was presented as a molecular accelerator, using energy up to 200 J and providing high-power (2 Tesla) pulsating fields with a water-repulsive (diamagnetic) action and tissue biostimulation. We tested the hypothesis that LF-PEMFs could modulate long-term corticospinal excitability in healthy brains by applying CTU Mega 20 ® . Ten healthy subjects without known neurological and/or psychiatric diseases entered the study. A randomized double-blind sham-controlled crossover design was employed, recording TMS parameters (amplitude variation of the motor evoked potential as index of cortical excitability perturbations of the motor system) before (pre) and after (post + 0, + 15, + 30 min) a single CTU Mega 20 session on the corresponding primary right-hand motor area, using a real (magnetic field = 2 Tesla; intensity = 90 J; impulse frequency = 7 Hz; duration = 15 min) or sham device. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA with TIME (pre, post + 0, + 15, + 30 min) and TREATMENT (real vs. sham stimulation) as within-subjects factor was applied. A significant TIME × TREATMENT interaction was found (p < 0.001). Post hoc comparisons showed a significant effect of TIME, with significant differences at + 0, + 15 and + 30 min compared to baseline after real stimulation (all p < 0.05) but not after sham stimulation (all p < 0.05) and significant effects of TREATMENT, with significant differences at + 0, + 15 and + 30 min for real stimulation compared to sham stimulation (all p < 0.005). No significant depolarizing effects were detected throughout the (real) stimulation. Our proof-of-concept study in healthy subjects supports the idea that non-ionizing LF-PEMFs induced by the CTU Mega 20 diamagnetic acceleration system could represent a new approach for brain neuromodulation. Further studies to optimize protocol parameters for different neurological and psychiatric conditions are warranted. Trial Registration The present work has been retrospectively registered as clinical trial on ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03537469 and publicly released on May 24, 2018.

Size matters: The contribution of mega-infauna to the food webs and ecosystem services of an Oregon estuary - ESA

EPA Science Inventory

Background/Questions/Methods Large-bodied invertebrates (bivalves, polychaetes, burrowing shrimps) are common to infaunal communities of NE Pacific estuaries, but their contribution to estuarine community structure, function and ecosystem services is poorly understood because ...

Mega trends in business create mega changes for training and education

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

Shealy, R.E.; Moore, N.E.

1996-12-31

Four mega-trends for business organizations are clearly emerging: globalization, computerization, information economy, and management. These mega-trends will have a profound impact on the human resources of business organizations, particularly related to new skill requirements that will be more complex, more in-depth, and broader in scope. New skill requirements, coupled with new technological advances in the delivery of employee development programs, will have significant ramifications for internal training departments and educational institutions. This paper explores the ramifications for those involved in the training and education of employees in business organizations.

Controllable preparation of flower-like brookite TiO{sub 2} nanostructures via one-step hydrothermal method

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

Zou, Yunling; College of Science, Civil Aviation University of China, Tianjin 300300; Tan, Xin

Highlights: • Flower-like brookite TiO{sub 2} structures were prepared by hydrothermal method. • PVP not only acted as a dispersant but also stabilized the layered structure. • The resulted brookite TiO{sub 2} showed high photocatalytic activity under UV irradiation. - Abstract: Flower-like brookite TiO{sub 2} nanostructures were controllable prepared by a one-step hydrothermal method by changing experimental conditions, such as hydrothermal temperature, reaction time and the amount of polyvinylpyrrolidone. The photocatalytic activities of the samples were investigated by degradation of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution under UV light irradiation. It was found that the formation of brookite TiO{sub 2}more » nanostructures with various morphologies could be well controlled by the adjustment of hydrothermal temperature, reaction time and the amount of surfactant, and the morphology of the products changed from spindle-like structures to flower-like structures with the increase of hydrothermal temperature, reaction time and the amount of surfactant. The photocatalytic tests indicate that the flower-like brookite TiO{sub 2} nanostructures shows high photocatalytic activity in degradation of methylene blue (MB) under UV light irradiation. The formation mechanism of flower-like brookite TiO{sub 2} nanostructures was also discussed in detail based on the above investigations.« less

Multi-wavelength characterisation of z ~ 2 clustered, dusty star-forming galaxies discovered by Planck

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flores-Cacho, I.; Pierini, D.; Soucail, G.; Montier, L.; Dole, H.; Pointecouteau, E.; Pelló, R.; Le Floc'h, E.; Nesvadba, N.; Lagache, G.; Guery, D.; Cañameras, R.

2016-01-01

We report the discovery of PHz G95.5-61.6, a complex structure detected in emission in the Planck all-sky survey that corresponds to two over-densities of high-redshift (I.e. z> 1) galaxies. This is the first source from the Planck catalogue of high-z candidates (proto-clusters and lensed systems) that has been completely characterised with follow-up observations from the optical to the sub-millimetre (sub-mm) domain. Herschel/SPIRE observations at 250, 350, and 500 μm reveal the existence of five sources producing a 500 μm emission excess that spatially corresponds to the candidate proto-clusters discovered by Planck. Further observations at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope in the optical bands (g and I) with MegaCam, and in the near infrared (NIR) (J, H and Ks), with WIRCam, plus mid-infrared observations with IRAC/Spitzer (at 3.6 and 4.5 μm), confirm that the sub-mm red excess is associated with an over-density of colour-selected galaxies (I - Ks ~ 2.3 and J - K ~ 0.8 AB-mag). Follow-up spectroscopy of 13 galaxies with VLT/X-Shooter establishes the existence of two high-z structures: one at z ≃ 1.7 (three confirmed member galaxies), the other at z ≃ 2.0 (six confirmed members). The spectroscopic members of each substructure occupy a circular region of comoving radius that is smaller than 1 Mpc, which supports the existence of a physical bond among them. This double structure is also seen in the photometric redshift analysis of a sample of 127 galaxies located inside a circular region of 1'-radius. This contains the five Herschel/SPIRE sources, where we found a double-peaked excess of galaxies at z ≃ 1.7 and z ≃ 2.0 with respect to the surrounding region. These results suggest that PHz G95.5-61.6 corresponds to two accreting nodes, not physically linked to one another, embedded in the large scale structure of the Universe at z ~ 2 and along the same line-of-sight. In conclusion, the data, methods and results illustrated in this pilot project confirm that Planck data can be used to detect the emission from clustered, dusty star-forming galaxies at high z, and, thus, to pierce through the early growth of cluster-scale structures.

Advanced Shutter Control for a Molecular Beam Epitaxy Reactor

DTIC Science & Technology

An open-source hardware and software-based shutter controller solution was developed that communicates over Ethernet with our original equipment...manufacturer (OEM) molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) reactor control software. An Arduino Mega microcontroller is the used for the brain of the shutter... controller , while a custom-designed circuit board distributes 24-V power to each of the 16 shutter solenoids available on the MBE. Using Ethernet

Controllable synthesis of Ce{sub 1-x}Zr{sub x}O{sub 2} hollow nanospheres via supercritical anti-solvent precipitation

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

Jiang Haoxi; Post-Doctor Station for Science and Technology of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072; Post-Doctor Workstation for Science and Technology, Shandong Haihua Group Co. Ltd, Weifang, Shandong 262737

2012-01-15

Nanocrystalline Ce{sub 1-x}Zr{sub x}O{sub 2} hollow nanospheres were successfully synthesized via supercritical anti-solvent precipitation using supercritical CO{sub 2} as the anti-solvent. It was found that the as-produced samples exhibited hollow spherical structures with uniform diameters ranging from 30 to 50 nm and the sphere walls were composed of various oriented nanocrystallites, with sizes of 3-7 nm. The results of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy showed that the formation of the hollow structures could be controlled by adjusting the solution concentration. The results of temperature-programmed reduction and oxygen storage capacity measurements showed that the hollow nanospheres had enhanced redox properties. A possiblemore » mechanism for the formation of Ce{sub 1-x}Zr{sub x}O{sub 2} hollow nanospheres has also been proposed and experimental investigated.« less

Tuning the Curie temperature of L1{sub 0} ordered FePt thin films through site-specific substitution of Rh

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

Xu, Dongbin, E-mail: dongbin.xu@seagate.com; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117576; Sun, Cheng-Jun, E-mail: cjsun@aps.anl.gov, E-mail: msecgm@nus.edu.sg

2014-10-14

In structurally ordered magnetic thin films, the Curie temperature (T{sub C}) of ferromagnetic films depends on the exchange integral of the short range ordered neighboring atoms. The exchange integral may be adjusted by controlling the elemental substitutional concentration at the lattice site of interest. We show how to control the T{sub C} in high anisotropy L1{sub 0} Fe{sub 50}Pt{sub 50} magnetic thin films by substituting Rh into the Pt site. Rh substitution in L1{sub 0} FePt modified the local atomic environment and the corresponding electronic properties, while retaining the ordered L1{sub 0} phase. The analysis of extended x-ray Absorption Finemore » Structure spectra shows that Rh uniformly substitutes for Pt in L1{sub 0} FePt. A model of antiferromagnetic defects caused by controlled Rh substitution of the Pt site, reducing the T{sub C,} is proposed to interpret this phenomenon and its validity is further examined by ab initio density functional calculations.« less

Simultaneous detection of valine and lactate using MEGA-PRESS editing in pyogenic brain abscess.

PubMed

Lange, Thomas; Ko, Cheng-Wen; Lai, Ping-Hong; Dacko, Michael; Tsai, Shang-Yueh; Buechert, Martin

2016-12-01

Valine and lactate have been recognized as important metabolic markers to diagnose brain abscess by means of MRS. However, in vivo unambiguous detection and quantification is hampered by macromolecular contamination. In this work, MEGA-PRESS difference editing of valine and lactate is proposed. The method is validated in vitro and applied for quantitative in vivo experiments in one healthy subject and two brain abscess patients. It is demonstrated that with this technique the overlapping lipid signal can be reduced by more than an order of magnitude and thus the robustness of valine and lactate detection in vivo can be enhanced. Quantification of the two abscess MEGA-PRESS spectra yielded valine/lactate concentration ratios of 0.10 and 0.27. These ratios agreed with the concentration ratios determined from concomitantly acquired short-T E PRESS data and were in line with literature values. The quantification accuracy of lactate (as measured with Cramér-Rao lower bounds in LCModel processing) was better for MEGA-PRESS than for short-T E PRESS in all acquired in vivo datasets. The Cramér-Rao lower bounds of valine were only better for MEGA-PRESS in one of the two abscess cases, while in the other case coediting of isoleucine confounded the quantification in the MEGA-PRESS analysis. MEGA-PRESS and short-T E PRESS should be combined for unambiguous quantification of amino acids in abscess measurements. Simultaneous valine/lactate MEGA-PRESS editing might benefit the distinction of brain abscesses from tumors, and further categorization of bacteria with reasonable sensitivity and specificity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Multiple cortical thickness sub-networks and cognitive impairments in first episode, drug naïve patients with late life depression: A graph theory analysis.

PubMed

Shin, Jeong-Hyeon; Um, Yu Hyun; Lee, Chang Uk; Lim, Hyun Kook; Seong, Joon-Kyung

2018-03-15

Coordinated and pattern-wise changes in large scale gray matter structural networks reflect neural circuitry dysfunction in late life depression (LLD), which in turn is associated with emotional dysregulation and cognitive impairments. However, due to methodological limitations, there have been few attempts made to identify individual-level structural network properties or sub-networks that are involved in important brain functions in LLD. In this study, we sought to construct individual-level gray matter structural networks using average cortical thicknesses of several brain areas to investigate the characteristics of the gray matter structural networks in normal controls and LLD patients. Additionally, we investigated the structural sub-networks correlated with several clinical measurements including cognitive impairment and depression severity. We observed that small worldness, clustering coefficients, global and local efficiency, and hub structures in the brains of LLD patients were significantly different from healthy controls. We further found that a sub-network including the anterior cingulate, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and superior prefrontal cortex is significantly associated with attention control and executive function. The severity of depression was associated with the sub-networks comprising the salience network, including the anterior cingulate and insula. We investigated cortico-cortical connectivity, but omitted the subcortical structures such as the striatum and thalamus. We report differences in patterns between several clinical measurements and sub-networks from large-scale and individual-level cortical thickness networks in LLD. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Macrofaunal community structure in Bahía Concepción (Chile) before and after the 8.8 Mw Maule mega-earthquake and tsunami.

PubMed

Cárcamo, Paula J; Hernández-Miranda, Eduardo; Veas, Rodrigo; Quiñones, Renato A

2017-09-01

Faunal assemblages of subtidal sedimentary environments are key components of coastal ecosystems. Benthic communities inhabiting the coastal zone near urban centers in Concepción Bay (Chile) have been described as highly disturbed (i.e. impoverished in diversity and species richness). This is due to the frequent presence of hypoxic conditions at the bottom due to the intrusion of low oxygen Equatorial Subsurface Water, high natural productivity and the high load of organic matter generated by several anthropogenic activities. A mega-earthquake (8.8 Mw) and subsequent tsunami occurred on the coast of south-central Chile on February 27, 2010 (27F), heavily impacting Concepción Bay, which is located 30 km south of the epicenter. The objectives of the present study are: (i) to evaluate the effect produced by the mega-earthquake and tsunami on the benthic community, and (ii) to assess dissimilarity in macrofauna composition and abundance in Concepción Bay at an inter-decadal time scale based on a comparison between our sampling conducted between 2010 and 2013 and information published since 1969. Our results show that the benthic macrofauna of Concepción Bay was disturbed by the 27F (i.e. high community dissimilarity in 2010). Changes in community structure were observed at an inter-annual scale (i.e. diminished community dissimilarity in 2013), suggesting a recovery post-27F. At an inter-decadal scale, community structure post-27F was dissimilar to the structure described for the 1980's and 1990's but more similar to that reported for 1969. The reducing conditions of the sediments due to the high input of organic matter that took place in the 1980's and 1990's may explain this dissimilarity. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mega-Analysis of School Psychology Blueprint for Training and Practice Domains

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burns, Matthew K.; Kanive, Rebecca; Zaslofsky, Anne F.; Parker, David C.

2013-01-01

Meta-analytic research is an effective method for synthesizing existing research and for informing practice and policy. Hattie (2009) suggested that meta-analytic procedures could be employed to existing meta-analyses to create a mega-analysis. The current mega-analysis examined a sample of 47 meta-analyses according to the "School…

Applicability of "MEGA"[Eighth Note] to Sexually Abusive Youth with Low Intellectual Functioning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miccio-Fonseca, L. C.; Rasmussen, Lucinda A.

2013-01-01

The study explored the predictive validity of "Multiplex Empirically Guided Inventory of Ecological Aggregates for Assessing Sexually Abusive Children and Adolescents (Ages 4 to 19)" ("MEGA"[eighth note]; Miccio-Fonseca, 2006b), a comprehensive developmentally sensitive risk assessment outcome tool. "MEGA"[eighth note] assesses risk for coarse…

MEGA7: Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis Version 7.0 for Bigger Datasets.

PubMed

Kumar, Sudhir; Stecher, Glen; Tamura, Koichiro

2016-07-01

We present the latest version of the Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis (Mega) software, which contains many sophisticated methods and tools for phylogenomics and phylomedicine. In this major upgrade, Mega has been optimized for use on 64-bit computing systems for analyzing larger datasets. Researchers can now explore and analyze tens of thousands of sequences in Mega The new version also provides an advanced wizard for building timetrees and includes a new functionality to automatically predict gene duplication events in gene family trees. The 64-bit Mega is made available in two interfaces: graphical and command line. The graphical user interface (GUI) is a native Microsoft Windows application that can also be used on Mac OS X. The command line Mega is available as native applications for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. They are intended for use in high-throughput and scripted analysis. Both versions are available from www.megasoftware.net free of charge. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

More Intense Mega Heat Waves in the Warmer World

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, G.; Robinson, D. A.

2017-12-01

In this study, changes in the occurrences of heat waves on the globe since the mid- 20th century and the synoptic characteristics of mega heat waves at regional scales in the warmer climate are examined. The NCEP-NCAR reanalysis surface data show that there have been no obvious linear changes in the heat wave frequencies at the continental scales since the mid-20th century, but amplified interdecadal variations led to unprecedented intense heat waves in the recent decades at the regional scales. Such mega heat waves have been more frequently observed in the poleward subtropical climate belts as well as in the interior region of continents. According to the analyses of upper tropospheric data, the occurrences of more intense mega heat waves since the late 20th century may be associated with the expansion of subtropical high pressures. These results suggest that populous cities near the subtropical climate zones should provide proactive mega heat wave warning systems for residents due to their vulnerability to the sudden attack of human lives harvest by mega heat waves in the warmer 21st century.

Growth behavior of LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4} particles formed by solid-state reactions in air and water vapor

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

Kozawa, Takahiro, E-mail: t-kozawa@jwri.osaka-u.ac.jp; Yanagisawa, Kazumichi; Murakami, Takeshi

Morphology control of particles formed during conventional solid-state reactions without any additives is a challenging task. Here, we propose a new strategy to control the morphology of LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4} particles based on water vapor-induced growth of particles during solid-state reactions. We have investigated the synthesis and microstructural evolution of LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4} particles in air and water vapor atmospheres as model reactions; LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4} is used as a low-cost cathode material for lithium-ion batteries. By using spherical MnCO{sub 3} precursor impregnated with LiOH, LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4} spheres with a hollow structure were obtained in air, while angulated particlesmore » with micrometer sizes were formed in water vapor. The pore structure of the particles synthesized in water vapor was found to be affected at temperatures below 700 °C. We also show that the solid-state reaction in water vapor is a simple and valuable method for the large-scale production of particles, where the shape, size, and microstructure can be controlled. - Graphical abstract: This study has demonstrated a new strategy towards achieving morphology control without the use of additives during conventional solid-state reactions by exploiting water vapor-induced particle growth. - Highlights: • A new strategy to control the morphology of LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4} particles is proposed. • Water vapor-induced particle growth is exploited in solid-state reactions. • The microstructural evolution of LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4} particles is investigated. • The shape, size and microstructure can be controlled by solid-state reactions.« less

Development of a Prototype Algal Reactor for Removing CO2 from Cabin Air

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Patel, Vrajen; Monje, Oscar

2013-01-01

Controlling carbon dioxide in spacecraft cabin air may be accomplished using algal photobioreactors (PBRs). The purpose of this project was to evaluate the use of a commercial microcontroller, the Arduino Mega 2560, for measuring key photioreactor variables: dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, light, and carbon dioxide. The Arduino platform is an opensource physical computing platform composed of a compact microcontroller board and a C++/C computer language (Arduino 1.0.5). The functionality of the Arduino platform can be expanded by the use of numerous add-ons or 'shields'. The Arduino Mega 2560 was equipped with the following shields: datalogger, BNC shield for reading pH sensor, a Mega Moto shield for controlling CO2 addition, as well as multiple sensors. The dissolved oxygen (DO) probe was calibrated using a nitrogen bubbling technique and the pH probe was calibrated via an Omega pH simulator. The PBR was constructed using a 2 L beaker, a 66 L box for addition of CO2, a micro porous membrane, a diaphragm pump, four 25 watt light bulbs, a MasterFiex speed controller, and a fan. The algae (wild type Synechocystis PCC6803) was grown in an aerated flask until the algae was dense enough to used in the main reactor. After the algae was grown, it was transferred to the 2 L beaker where CO2 consumption and O2 production was measured using the microcontroller sensor suite. The data was recorded via the datalogger and transferred to a computer for analysis.

Combined effects of Bi deficiency and Mn substitution on the structural transformation and functionality of BiFeO{sub 3} films

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

Chen, Jingyi; Wang, Yao, E-mail: wang-yao@buaa.edu.cn; Deng, Yuan, E-mail: dengyuan@buaa.edu.cn

2014-11-07

Mn-doped BiFeO{sub 3} films with Mn contents of 5 and 10 mol. % were prepared via a chemical route. A carefully controlled amount of Bi deficiency was introduced to further tune the lattice structure and the functionality of multiferroic BiFeO{sub 3}. The crystal structure of Bi{sub 1−δ}Fe{sub 1−x}Mn{sub x}O{sub 3} films was investigated by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectra; a rhombohedral-to-orthorhombic phase transition was revealed. The observed double hysteresis loops and two capacitance maxima from polarization vs electric field and capacitance-voltage measurements indicate an antiferroelectric-like behavior. Additionally, the coexistence of ferroelectric (FE) and antiferroelectric (AFE) phases in Bi{sub 1−δ}Fe{sub 1−x}Mn{sub x}O{submore » 3} films was revealed from the domain structures obtained by piezoelectric force microscopy. The effects of Mn substitution in conjunction with Bi deficiency on the FE-AFE phase transition and electrical behavior of BiFeO{sub 3} films are discussed in detail. Meanwhile, magnetic and photoluminescence measurements on the films illustrate that Mn substitution gives rise to the net magnetic moment and the defects induced by both Bi deficiency and Mn substitution influence the electronic structure of BiFeO{sub 3} films. This study thus shows a simple and effective way to control the functionalities of BiFeO{sub 3} films.« less

Morphology and phase transformations of tin oxide nanostructures synthesized by the hydrothermal method in the presence of dicarboxylic acids

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

Zima, Tatyana, E-mail: zima@solid.nsc.ru; Novosibirsk State Technical University, 20 K. Marx Prospect, Novosibirsk 630092; Bataev, Ivan

A new approach to the synthesis of non-stoichiometric tin oxide structures with different morphologies and the phase compositions has been evaluated. The nanostructures were synthesized by hydrothermal treatment of the mixtures of dicarboxylic acids ― aminoterephthalic or oxalic ― with nanocrystalline SnO{sub 2} powder, which was obtained via the sol-gel technology. The products were characterized by Raman and IR spectroscopy, SEM, HRTEM, and XRD analysis. It was shown that the controlled addition of a dicarboxylic acid leads not only to a change in the morphology of the nanostructures, but also to SnO{sub 2}–SnO{sub 2}/Sn{sub 3}O{sub 4}–Sn{sub 3}O{sub 4}–SnO phase transformations.more » A single-phase Sn{sub 3}O{sub 4} in the form of the well-separated hexagonal nanoplates and mixed SnO{sub 2}/Sn{sub 3}O{sub 4} phases in the form of hierarchical flower-like structures were obtained in the presence of organic additives. The effects of concentration, redox activity of the acids and heat treatment on the basic characteristics of the synthesized tin oxide nanostructures and phase transformations in the synthesized materials are discussed. - Graphical abstract: The controlled addition of aminoterephthalic or oxalic acid leads not only to a change in the morphology of the nanostructures, but also to SnO{sub 2}–SnO{sub 2}/Sn{sub 3}O{sub 4}–Sn{sub 3}O{sub 4}–SnO phase transformations. - Highlights: • A new approach to the synthesis of non-stoichiometric tin oxide structures is studied. • Tin oxide structures are synthesized via hydrothermal method with dicarboxylic acids. • Morphology and phase composition are changed with redox activity and dosage of acid. • The redox activity of acid has an effect on ratio of SnO and SnO{sub 2} in crystal structure. • A pure phase Sn{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoplates and SnO{sub 2}/Sn{sub 3}O{sub 4} hierarchical structures are formed.« less

New method of metallization for silicon solar cells. Final report, December 1978-September 1979

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

Macha, Milo

1979-12-01

Research on a new metallization process based on the Mo-Sn system is described. MoO/sub 3/ is used as the source of Mo, since its relatively low melting point and ease of reduction to metallic molybdenum. The tasks performed during this study include: (1) establishing the reduction cycle for MoO/sub 3/; (2) determining the reaction mechanism for MoO/sub 3/-Sn mixture; (3) establishing the ratio of MoO/sub 3/-Sn for the ink composition; (4) formulation of screenable ink; (5) evaluation of photovoltaic cells metallized with the ink; (6) comparison of the Mo-Sn metallization with nickel plated and silk screened silver contacts; (7) environmentalmore » test of metallized cells; (8) metallization of N/P cells with BSF and comparison with cells metallized with evaporated Ti-Ag contact; and (9) cost analysis of the process. The reaction mechanism study of MoO/sub 3/ and its mixture with Sn was conducted in an experimental station consisting of a graphite strip-heater and a Pyrex belljar under close control of temperature-atmosphere-time while allowing visual observations of the reactions. The metallization of the cells was done in a diffusion tube furnace. In order to obtain a low ohmic contact to the cell, the basic ink composition was modified with a small addition of titanium in the form of titanium resinate. The electrical characteristics of the cells were comparable with the existing metallization processes. The cost analysis was based on projected production output of one MegaWatt per year, using 2''diam. Silicon crystal wafers and the current material costs. In comparison with the standard processes using silver as the contacting metal, the saving obtained by the use of this new process is a direct result of the price difference between silver and molybdenum oxide with tin.« less

High-Speed Scanning Interferometer Using CMOS Image Sensor and FPGA Based on Multifrequency Phase-Tracking Detection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ohara, Tetsuo

2012-01-01

A sub-aperture stitching optical interferometer can provide a cost-effective solution for an in situ metrology tool for large optics; however, the currently available technologies are not suitable for high-speed and real-time continuous scan. NanoWave s SPPE (Scanning Probe Position Encoder) has been proven to exhibit excellent stability and sub-nanometer precision with a large dynamic range. This same technology can transform many optical interferometers into real-time subnanometer precision tools with only minor modification. The proposed field-programmable gate array (FPGA) signal processing concept, coupled with a new-generation, high-speed, mega-pixel CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) image sensor, enables high speed (>1 m/s) and real-time continuous surface profiling that is insensitive to variation of pixel sensitivity and/or optical transmission/reflection. This is especially useful for large optics surface profiling.

Lead(II) coordination polymers based on rigid-flexible 3,5-bis-oxyacetate-benzoic acid: Structural transition driven by temperature control

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

Chen, Yong-Qiang, E-mail: chenjzxy@126.com; Tian, Yuan

2017-03-15

Three Pb(II) complexes ([Pb{sub 3}(BOABA){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O)]·H{sub 2}O){sub n} (1), ([Pb{sub 4}(BOABA){sub 2}(µ{sub 4}-O)(H{sub 2}O){sub 2}]·H{sub 2}O){sub n} (2), and [Pb{sub 3}(BOABA){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O)]{sub n} (3) (H{sub 3}BOABA=3,5-bis-oxyacetate-benzoic acid) were obtained under the same reaction systems with different temperatures. Complexes 1 and 2 are two dimensional (2D) networks based on Pb-BOABA chains and Pb{sub 4}(µ{sub 4}-O)(COO){sub 6} SBUs, respectively. Complex 3 presents an interesting three dimensional (3D) framework, was obtained by increasing the reaction temperature. Structural transition of the crystallization products is largely dependent on the reaction temperature. Moreover, the fluorescence properties of complexes 1–3 have been investigated. - Graphicalmore » abstract: Three Pb(II) coordination polymers were obtained under the same reaction systems with different temperatures. Both of complexes 1 and 2 are 2D network. 3 presents a 3D framework based on Pb–O–C rods SBUs. The 2D to 3D structures transition between three complexes was achieved successfully by temperature control. - Highlights: • Three Pb(II) complexes were obtained under the same reaction systems with different temperatures. • Structural transition of the crystallization products is largely dependent on the reaction temperature. • The luminescence properties studies reveal that three complexes exhibit yellow fluorescence emission behavior, which might be good candidates for obtaining photoluminescent materials.« less

Vibration attenuation of the NASA Langley evolutionary structure experiment using H(sub infinity) and structured singular value (micron) robust multivariable control techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Balas, Gary J.

1992-01-01

The use is studied of active control to attenuate structural vibrations of the NASA Langley Phase Zero Evolutionary Structure due to external disturbance excitations. H sub infinity and structured singular value (mu) based control techniques are used to analyze and synthesize control laws for the NASA Langley Controls Structures Interaction (CSI) Evolutionary Model (CEM). The CEM structure experiment provides an excellent test bed to address control design issues for large space structures. Specifically, control design for structures with numerous lightly damped, coupled flexible modes, collocated and noncollocated sensors and actuators and stringent performance specifications. The performance objectives are to attenuate the vibration of the structure due to external disturbances, and minimize the actuator control force. The control design problem formulation for the CEM Structure uses a mathematical model developed with finite element techniques. A reduced order state space model for the control design is formulated from the finite element model. It is noted that there are significant variations between the design model and the experimentally derived transfer function data.

Global mega forces: Implications for the future of natural resources

Treesearch

George H. Kubik

2012-01-01

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of leading global mega forces and their importance to the future of natural resource decisionmaking, policy development, and operation. Global mega forces are defined as a combination of major trends, preferences, and probabilities that come together to produce the potential for future high-impact outcomes. These...

Population Growth and Policies in Mega-Cities. Sao Paulo.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

United Nations New York, NY. Dept. of Economic and Social Information and Policy Analysis.

This document is one in a series of studies that focus on the population policies and plans of a number of mega-cities in developing countries. The object of the series is to examine the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of the population policies of mega-cities from a broad perspective, emphasizing the reciprocal links between…

Teacher Counter Stories to a Citizenship Education Mega Policy Narrative. Preparing for Citizenship in Chile

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cavieres-Fernández, Eduardo

2017-01-01

The present article focuses on the counter stories of two Chilean social studies high school teachers. Counter stories describe how teachers use their professional experience to confront those mega narratives composed of dominant educational policies that impinge upon their pedagogical practices. The mega narrative described in this study as a…

Size matters: The contribution of mega-infauna to the food webs and ecosystem services of an Oregon estuary - 9-30-12

EPA Science Inventory

Large-bodied invertebrates (bivalves, polychaetes, burrowing shrimps) are common to infaunal communities of NE Pacific estuaries, but their contribution to estuarine community structure, function and ecosystem services is poorly understood because they are difficult to sample and...

Size Matters: The Contribution of Mega-Infauna to the Food Webs and Ecosystem Services of an Oregon Estuary

EPA Science Inventory

Large-bodied, invertebrates are common to infaunal communities of NE Pacific estuaries (e.g., bivalves, polychaetes, burrowing shrimps), but their contribution to the ecological structure, function and ecosystem services of most estuaries has been poorly characterized because the...

Frankfurt, Germany: 1030/1090 MegaHertz Signal Analysis

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1996-07-01

The Data Link Test Analysis System (DATAS) was used in the Frankfort, Germany : to collect data in the frequency band used by Air Traffic Control Radar : Beacon (ATCRBS), Mode Select (Mode S), and Traffic Alert and Collision : Avoidance (TCAS). Data ...

Precursor routes to quaternary intermetallics: Synthesis, crystal structure, and physical properties of clathrate-II Cs{sub 8}Na{sub 16}Al{sub 24}Si{sub 112}

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

Wei, Kaya; Dong, Yongkwan; Nolas, George S., E-mail: gnolas@usf.edu

A new quaternary clathrate–II composition, Cs{sub 8}Na{sub 16}Al{sub 24}Si{sub 112}, was synthesized by kinetically controlled thermal decomposition (KCTD) employing both NaSi and NaAlSi as the precursors and CsCl as a reactive flux. The crystal structure and composition of Cs{sub 8}Na{sub 16}Al{sub 24}Si{sub 112} were investigated using both Rietveld refinement and elemental analysis, and the temperature dependent transport properties were investigated. Our results indicate that KCTD with multiple precursors is an effective method for the synthesis of multinary inorganic phases that are not easily accessible by traditional solid-state synthesis or crystal growth techniques. - Graphical abstract: Quaternary Cs{sub 8}Na{sub 16}Al{sub 24}S{submore » 112} clathrate–II was synthesized for the first time by kinetically controlled thermal decomposition (KCTD) employing a NaSi+NaAlSi precursor mixture with CsCl as the reactive flux, and the structural and transport properties were investigated. Our approach demonstrates a new synthetic pathway for the synthesis of multinary inorganic compounds. This work reports the exploration of a new clathrate composition as this class of materials continues to be of interest for thermoelectrics and other energy-related applications.« less

Ancestral European roots of Helicobacter pylori in India

PubMed Central

Devi, S Manjulata; Ahmed, Irshad; Francalacci, Paolo; Hussain, M Abid; Akhter, Yusuf; Alvi, Ayesha; Sechi, Leonardo A; Mégraud, Francis; Ahmed, Niyaz

2007-01-01

Background The human gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori is co-evolved with its host and therefore, origins and expansion of multiple populations and sub populations of H. pylori mirror ancient human migrations. Ancestral origins of H. pylori in the vast Indian subcontinent are debatable. It is not clear how different waves of human migrations in South Asia shaped the population structure of H. pylori. We tried to address these issues through mapping genetic origins of present day H. pylori in India and their genomic comparison with hundreds of isolates from different geographic regions. Results We attempted to dissect genetic identity of strains by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of the 7 housekeeping genes (atpA, efp, ureI, ppa, mutY, trpC, yphC) and phylogeographic analysis of haplotypes using MEGA and NETWORK software while incorporating DNA sequences and genotyping data of whole cag pathogenicity-islands (cagPAI). The distribution of cagPAI genes within these strains was analyzed by using PCR and the geographic type of cagA phosphorylation motif EPIYA was determined by gene sequencing. All the isolates analyzed revealed European ancestry and belonged to H. pylori sub-population, hpEurope. The cagPAI harbored by Indian strains revealed European features upon PCR based analysis and whole PAI sequencing. Conclusion These observations suggest that H. pylori strains in India share ancestral origins with their European counterparts. Further, non-existence of other sub-populations such as hpAfrica and hpEastAsia, at least in our collection of isolates, suggest that the hpEurope strains enjoyed a special fitness advantage in Indian stomachs to out-compete any endogenous strains. These results also might support hypotheses related to gene flow in India through Indo-Aryans and arrival of Neolithic practices and languages from the Fertile Crescent. PMID:17584914

Continuous Monitoring of Mobility, Burial and Re exposure of Underwater Munitions in Energetic Near Shore Environments

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-01-01

parameters on Wasque Shoals ..................................................... 22 Figure 19. Rotary sonar imagery showing migrating mega- ripples and the...shown by the green and yellow lines reveals the convergence and divergence of the migrating mega- ripples ...26 Figure 24. Succesive rotary sonar images showing transient burial and reexposure of a surrogate UXO by migrating mega- ripples

Mega-pockmarks surrounding IODP Site U1414: Insights from the CRISP 3D seismic survey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nale, S. M.; Kluesner, J. W.; Silver, E. A.; Bangs, N. L.; McIntosh, K. D.; Ranero, C. R.

2013-12-01

Visualization of neural network meta-attribute analyses reveals fluid migration pathways associated with mega-pockmarks within the CRISP 3D seismic volume offshore southern Costa Rica, near site U1414 of IODP Expedition 344. A 245km2 field of mega-pockmarks was imaged on the Cocos Ridge using EM122 multibeam bathymetry, backscatter and 3D seismic reflection aboard R/V Marcus G. Langseth during the 2011 CRISP seismic survey. We utilize the OpendTect software package to calculate supervised neural network meta-attributes within the 3D seismic volume, in order to detect and visualize probable faults and fluid-migration pathways within the sedimentary section of the incoming Cocos plate [see Kluesner et al., this meeting]. Pockmarks imaged within the 3D volume near the trench commonly show a two-tier structure with upper pockmarks located above the steep walls of deeper, older pockmarks. The latter appear to truncate surrounding strata, including widespread high-amplitude reverse polarity reflectors (RPRs), interpreted as trapping horizons. In addition, RPRs are also truncated by positive polarity crosscutting reflections (CCRs), most of which form the base and sides of lens-like structures below the RPRs that are frequently located next to imaged pockmarks. Site U1414 intersects one of these lens-like structures and this appears to correlate to a sharp density and porosity swing observed at ~255 mbsf. In addition, preliminary geochemical analyses from site U1414 show evidence of lateral fluid flow through sediments below the RPR [Expedition 344 Scientists, 2013]. Thus, we interpret the 3D lens-like structures to be pockets of trapped gas and/or over-pressured fluid. Based on 3D imaging we propose a 3-stage pockmark evolution: (1) Overpressure and blowout along RPRs, resulting in pockmark formation, (2) sustained seepage along pockmark walls, resulting in preferential deposition near the center of the pockmark, and (3) rapid burial as pockmarks near the trench axis. On the seafloor, small high-backscatter mounds are found near the walls of a subset of pockmarks, suggesting recent or active seafloor seepage. Further geochemical analyses are needed to determine the source of fluid/gas migration associated with the pockmark structures.

Mega-pixel PQR laser chips for interconnect, display ITS, and biocell-tweezers OEIC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kwon, O'Dae; Yoon, J. H.; Kim, D. K.; Kim, Y. C.; Lee, S. E.; Kim, S. S.

2008-02-01

We describe a photonic quantum ring (PQR) laser device of three dimensional toroidal whispering gallery cavity. We have succeeded in fabricating the first genuine mega-pixel laser chips via regular semiconductor technology. This has been realized since the present injection laser emitting surface-normal dominant 3D whispering gallery modes (WGMs) can be operated CW with extremely low operating currents (μA-nA per pixel), together with the lasing temperature stabilities well above 140 deg C with minimal redshifts, which solves the well-known integration problems facing the conventional VCSEL. Such properties unusual for quantum well lasers become usual because the active region, involving vertically confining DBR structure in addition to the 2D concave WGM geometry, induces a 'photonic quantum ring (PQR)-like' carrier distribution through a photonic quantum corral effect. A few applications of such mega-pixel PQR chips are explained as follows: (A) Next-generation 3D semiconductor technologies demand a strategy on the inter-chip and intra-chip optical interconnect schemes with a key to the high-density emitter array. (B) Due to mounting traffic problems and fatalities ITS technology today is looking for a revolutionary change in the technology. We will thus outline how 'SLEEP-ITS' can emerge with the PQR's position-sensing capability. (C) We describe a recent PQR 'hole' laser of convex WGM: Mega-pixel PQR 'hole' laser chips are even easier to fabricate than PQR 'mesa' lasers. Genuine Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) beam patterns of PQR holes are very promising for biocell manipulations like sorting mouse myeloid leukemia (M1s) cells. (D) Energy saving and 3D speckle-free POR laser can outdo LEDs in view of red GaAs and blue GaN devices fabricated recently.

Scaling Relations of Earthquakes on Inland Active Mega-Fault Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murotani, S.; Matsushima, S.; Azuma, T.; Irikura, K.; Kitagawa, S.

2010-12-01

Since 2005, The Headquarters for Earthquake Research Promotion (HERP) has been publishing 'National Seismic Hazard Maps for Japan' to provide useful information for disaster prevention countermeasures for the country and local public agencies, as well as promote public awareness of disaster prevention of earthquakes. In the course of making the year 2009 version of the map, which is the commemorate of the tenth anniversary of the settlement of the Comprehensive Basic Policy, the methods to evaluate magnitude of earthquakes, to predict strong ground motion, and to construct underground structure were investigated in the Earthquake Research Committee and its subcommittees. In order to predict the magnitude of earthquakes occurring on mega-fault systems, we examined the scaling relations for mega-fault systems using 11 earthquakes of which source processes were analyzed by waveform inversion and of which surface information was investigated. As a result, we found that the data fit in between the scaling relations of seismic moment and rupture area by Somerville et al. (1999) and Irikura and Miyake (2001). We also found that maximum displacement of surface rupture is two to three times larger than the average slip on the seismic fault and surface fault length is equal to length of the source fault. Furthermore, compiled data of the source fault shows that displacement saturates at 10m when fault length(L) is beyond 100km, L>100km. By assuming the fault width (W) to be 18km in average of inland earthquakes in Japan, and the displacement saturate at 10m for length of more than 100 km, we derived a new scaling relation between source area and seismic moment, S[km^2] = 1.0 x 10^-17 M0 [Nm] for mega-fault systems that seismic moment (M0) exceeds 1.8×10^20 Nm.

On meta- and mega-analyses for gene-environment interactions.

PubMed

Huang, Jing; Liu, Yulun; Vitale, Steve; Penning, Trevor M; Whitehead, Alexander S; Blair, Ian A; Vachani, Anil; Clapper, Margie L; Muscat, Joshua E; Lazarus, Philip; Scheet, Paul; Moore, Jason H; Chen, Yong

2017-12-01

Gene-by-environment (G × E) interactions are important in explaining the missing heritability and understanding the causation of complex diseases, but a single, moderately sized study often has limited statistical power to detect such interactions. With the increasing need for integrating data and reporting results from multiple collaborative studies or sites, debate over choice between mega- versus meta-analysis continues. In principle, data from different sites can be integrated at the individual level into a "mega" data set, which can be fit by a joint "mega-analysis." Alternatively, analyses can be done at each site, and results across sites can be combined through a "meta-analysis" procedure without integrating individual level data across sites. Although mega-analysis has been advocated in several recent initiatives, meta-analysis has the advantages of simplicity and feasibility, and has recently led to several important findings in identifying main genetic effects. In this paper, we conducted empirical and simulation studies, using data from a G × E study of lung cancer, to compare the mega- and meta-analyses in four commonly used G × E analyses under the scenario that the number of studies is small and sample sizes of individual studies are relatively large. We compared the two data integration approaches in the context of fixed effect models and random effects models separately. Our investigations provide valuable insights in understanding the differences between mega- and meta-analyses in practice of combining small number of studies in identifying G × E interactions. © 2017 WILEY PERIODICALS, INC.

Seed dispersal potential of Asian elephants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harich, Franziska K.; Treydte, Anna C.; Ogutu, Joseph O.; Roberts, John E.; Savini, Chution; Bauer, Jan M.; Savini, Tommaso

2016-11-01

Elephants, the largest terrestrial mega-herbivores, play an important ecological role in maintaining forest ecosystem diversity. While several plant species strongly rely on African elephants (Loxodonta africana; L. cyclotis) as seed dispersers, little is known about the dispersal potential of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). We examined the effects of elephant fruit consumption on potential seed dispersal using the example of a tree species with mega-faunal characteristics, Dillenia indica L., in Thailand. We conducted feeding trials with Asian elephants to quantify seed survival and gut passage times (GPT). In total, 1200 ingested and non-ingested control seeds were planted in soil and in elephant dung to quantify differences in germination rates in terms of GPT and dung treatment. We used survival analysis as a novel approach to account for the right-censored nature of the data obtained from germination experiments. The average seed survival rate was 79% and the mean GPT was 35 h. The minimum and maximum GPT were 20 h and 72 h, respectively. Ingested seeds were significantly more likely to germinate and to do so earlier than non-ingested control seeds (P = 0.0002). Seeds with the longest GPT displayed the highest germination success over time. Unexpectedly, seeds planted with dung had longer germination times than those planted without. We conclude that D. indica does not solely depend on but benefits from dispersal by elephants. The declining numbers of these mega-faunal seed dispersers might, therefore, have long-term negative consequences for the recruitment and dispersal dynamics of populations of certain tree species.

Expeditious organic–free assembly: morphologically controlled synthesis of iron oxides using microwaves

EPA Science Inventory

A microwave hydrothermal method is developed for the synthesis of iron oxides, α-Fe₂O₃, β-FeOOH, and the junction of α-Fe₂O₃–β-FeOOH. This method is absolutely organic-free, and various structures could be obtained simply by changing th...

Mega-electron-volt ultrafast electron diffraction at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

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

Weathersby, S. P.; Brown, G.; Chase, T. F.

Ultrafast electron probes are powerful tools, complementary to x-ray free-electron lasers, used to study structural dynamics in material, chemical, and biological sciences. High brightness, relativistic electron beams with femtosecond pulse duration can resolve details of the dynamic processes on atomic time and length scales. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory recently launched the Ultrafast Electron Diffraction (UED) and microscopy Initiative aiming at developing the next generation ultrafast electron scattering instruments. As the first stage of the Initiative, a mega-electron-volt (MeV) UED system has been constructed and commissioned to serve ultrafast science experiments and instrumentation development. The system operates at 120-Hz repetition ratemore » with outstanding performance. In this paper, we report on the SLAC MeV UED system and its performance, including the reciprocal space resolution, temporal resolution, and machine stability.« less

Mega-electron-volt ultrafast electron diffraction at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.

PubMed

Weathersby, S P; Brown, G; Centurion, M; Chase, T F; Coffee, R; Corbett, J; Eichner, J P; Frisch, J C; Fry, A R; Gühr, M; Hartmann, N; Hast, C; Hettel, R; Jobe, R K; Jongewaard, E N; Lewandowski, J R; Li, R K; Lindenberg, A M; Makasyuk, I; May, J E; McCormick, D; Nguyen, M N; Reid, A H; Shen, X; Sokolowski-Tinten, K; Vecchione, T; Vetter, S L; Wu, J; Yang, J; Dürr, H A; Wang, X J

2015-07-01

Ultrafast electron probes are powerful tools, complementary to x-ray free-electron lasers, used to study structural dynamics in material, chemical, and biological sciences. High brightness, relativistic electron beams with femtosecond pulse duration can resolve details of the dynamic processes on atomic time and length scales. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory recently launched the Ultrafast Electron Diffraction (UED) and microscopy Initiative aiming at developing the next generation ultrafast electron scattering instruments. As the first stage of the Initiative, a mega-electron-volt (MeV) UED system has been constructed and commissioned to serve ultrafast science experiments and instrumentation development. The system operates at 120-Hz repetition rate with outstanding performance. In this paper, we report on the SLAC MeV UED system and its performance, including the reciprocal space resolution, temporal resolution, and machine stability.

Profile measurements in the plasma edge of mega amp spherical tokamak using a ball pen probe

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

Walkden, N. R., E-mail: nrw504@york.ac.uk; Department of Physics, York Plasma Institute, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD; Adamek, J.

The ball pen probe (BPP) technique is used successfully to make profile measurements of plasma potential, electron temperature, and radial electric field on the Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak. The potential profile measured by the BPP is shown to significantly differ from the floating potential both in polarity and profile shape. By combining the BPP potential and the floating potential, the electron temperature can be measured, which is compared with the Thomson scattering (TS) diagnostic. Excellent agreement between the two diagnostics is obtained when secondary electron emission is accounted for in the floating potential. From the BPP profile, an estimate ofmore » the radial electric field is extracted which is shown to be of the order ∼1 kV/m and increases with plasma current. Corrections to the BPP measurement, constrained by the TS comparison, introduce uncertainty into the E{sub R} measurements. The uncertainty is most significant in the electric field well inside the separatrix. The electric field is used to estimate toroidal and poloidal rotation velocities from E × B motion. This paper further demonstrates the ability of the ball pen probe to make valuable and important measurements in the boundary plasma of a tokamak.« less

Urban Agglomeration and Extension in Northern Coast of West Java: A Transformation into Mega Region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Octifanny, Y.; Hudalah, D.

2017-07-01

In the past decade, at least three neighbouring metropolitan areas in the northwestern part of the island have been merging with each other: Jakarta Metropolitan Area (Jabodetabek), Bandung Metropolitan Area (Bandung Raya), and Cirebon Metropolitan Area (Ciayumajakuning). It is expected to be the first island-based mega-conurbation. This paper explores the potential emergence of mega region as a ground study, where mega region can be used for economic, logistic, transportation development. Authors use scoring analysis from economic and demographic indicators. The outcomes found a new and larger formation of city-region in the northern coast road networks (Pantura) - specifically western part of Java Island.

Ligand bound structures of a glycosyl hydrolase family 30 glucuronoxylan xylanohydrolase

Treesearch

Franz St. Johns; Jason C. Hurlbert; John D. Rice; James F. Preston; Edwin Pozharski

2011-01-01

Xylanases of glycosyl hydrolase family 30 (GH30) have been shown to cleave β-1,4 linkages of 4-O-methylglucuronoxylan (MeGXn) as directed by the position along the xylan chain of an α-1,2-linked 4-O-methylglucuronate (MeGA) moiety. Complete hydrolysis of MeGXn by...

MEGA5: Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis Using Maximum Likelihood, Evolutionary Distance, and Maximum Parsimony Methods

PubMed Central

Tamura, Koichiro; Peterson, Daniel; Peterson, Nicholas; Stecher, Glen; Nei, Masatoshi; Kumar, Sudhir

2011-01-01

Comparative analysis of molecular sequence data is essential for reconstructing the evolutionary histories of species and inferring the nature and extent of selective forces shaping the evolution of genes and species. Here, we announce the release of Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis version 5 (MEGA5), which is a user-friendly software for mining online databases, building sequence alignments and phylogenetic trees, and using methods of evolutionary bioinformatics in basic biology, biomedicine, and evolution. The newest addition in MEGA5 is a collection of maximum likelihood (ML) analyses for inferring evolutionary trees, selecting best-fit substitution models (nucleotide or amino acid), inferring ancestral states and sequences (along with probabilities), and estimating evolutionary rates site-by-site. In computer simulation analyses, ML tree inference algorithms in MEGA5 compared favorably with other software packages in terms of computational efficiency and the accuracy of the estimates of phylogenetic trees, substitution parameters, and rate variation among sites. The MEGA user interface has now been enhanced to be activity driven to make it easier for the use of both beginners and experienced scientists. This version of MEGA is intended for the Windows platform, and it has been configured for effective use on Mac OS X and Linux desktops. It is available free of charge from http://www.megasoftware.net. PMID:21546353

Effect of synthesis conditions on the nanopowder properties of Ce{sub 0.9}Zr{sub 0.1}O{sub 2}

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

Zimicz, M.G.; Fabregas, I.O.; Lamas, D.G.

Graphical abstract: . The synthesis of nanocrystalline Ce{sub 0.9}Zr{sub 0.1}O{sub 2} powders via the gel-combustion method, using different fuels, and following either stoichiometric or non-stoichiometric pH-controlled routes is investigated. Research highlights: {yields} All samples exhibited the fluorite-type crystal structure, nanometric average crystallite size and negligible carbon content. {yields} Synthesis conditions strongly affect the average crystallite size, the degree of agglomeration, the specific surface area and the pore volume. {yields} Our results indicate that, by controlling the synthesis conditions it is possible to obtain solids with custom-made morphological properties. -- Abstract: In this work, the synthesis of nanocrystalline Ce{sub 0.9}Zr{sub 0.1}O{submore » 2} powders via the gel-combustion method, using different fuels, and following either stoichiometric or non-stoichiometric pH-controlled routes is investigated. The objective is to evaluate the effect of synthesis conditions on the textural and morphological properties, and the crystal structure of the synthesized materials. The solids were characterized by nitrogen physisorption, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XPD), and Carbon-Hydrogen-Nitrogen Elemental Analysis (CHN). All the powders exhibited nanometric crystallite size, fluorite-type structure and negligible carbon content. Synthesis conditions strongly affect the average crystallite size, the degree of agglomeration, the specific surface area and the pore volume. Our results indicate that, by controlling the synthesis conditions it is possible to obtain solids with custom-made morphological properties.« less

The tectonometamorphic evolution of the Apuseni Mountains (Romania): Geodynamic constraints for the evolution of the Alps-Carpathians-Dinaride system of orogens

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reiser, Martin; Schuster, Ralf; Fügenschuh, Bernhard

2015-04-01

New structural, thermobarometric and geochronological data allow integrating kinematics, timing and intensity of tectonic phases into a geodynamic model of the Apuseni Mountain, which provides new constraints for the evolution of the Alps-Carpathians-Dinaride system of orogens. Strong differences in terms of deformation directions between Early and Late Cretaceous events provide new constraints on the regional geodynamic evolution during the Cretaceous. Geochronological and structural data evidence a Late Jurassic emplacement of the South Apuseni Ophiolites on top of the Biharia Nappe System (Dacia Mega-Unit), situated in an external position at the European margin. Following the emplacement of the ophiolites, three compressive deformation phases affected the Apuseni Mountains during Alpine orogeny: a) NE-directed in-sequence nappe stacking and regional metamorphic overprinting under amphibolite-facies conditions during the Early Cretaceous ("Austrian Phase"), b) NW-directed thrusting and folding, associated with greenschist-facies overprinting, during the early Late Cretaceous ("Turonian Phase") and c) E-W internal folding together with brittle thrusting during the latest Cretaceous ("Laramian Phase"). Major tectonic unroofing and exhumation at the transition from Early to Late Cretaceous times is documented through new Sm-Nd Grt, Ar-Ar Ms and Rb-Sr Bt ages from the study area and resulted in a complex thermal structure with strong lateral and vertical thermal gradients. Nappe stacking and medium-grade metamorphic overprinting during the Early Cretaceous exhibits striking parallels between the evolution of the Tisza-Dacia Mega-Units and the Austroalpine Nappes (ALCAPA Mega-Unit) and evidences a close connection. However, Late Cretaceous tectonic events in the study area exhibit strong similarities with the Dinarides. Thus, the Apuseni Mountains represent the "missing link" between the Early Cretaceous Meliata subduction (associated with obduction of ophiolites) and the Neotethys subduction during Late Cretaceous times.

[The fiscal position of medical specialists].

PubMed

Stevens, S; Moors, M

2013-01-01

Independent medical specialists in the Netherlands are treated as entrepreneurs for tax purposes and therefore enjoy tax benefits. A change in the legal relationship between medical specialists and hospitals is foreseen in 2015. Independent medical specialists will then no longer be considered to be entrepreneurs. This could negatively affect their tax position. The Dutch government has adopted a policy aimed at controlling expenses arising from medical specialists' fees. According to this policy, the formation of regional practices or mega-practices of specialists will be discouraged. In contrast, the current fiscal legislation encourages medical specialists to incorporate their practice into regional practices or mega-practices or to become shareholders of their hospitals. It has been proposed that fiscal benefits be linked to certain aspects of entrepreneurship, such as investing in medical equipment or employing medical personnel.

Influence of Cu-doping on the structural and optical properties of CaTiO{sub 3} powders

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

Oliveira, L.H.; Moura, A.P. de; La Porta, F.A., E-mail: felipe_laporta@yahoo.com.br

2016-09-15

Highlights: • Ca{sub 1−x}Cu{sub x}TiO{sub 3} powders were successfully synthesized via a polymeric precursor method. • Effects of Cu incorporated on the Ca-site into the CaTiO{sub 3} lattice as host matrix has been investigated. • The optical behavior reveals that the Ca{sub 1−x}Cu{sub x}TiO{sub 3} powders have potential applications in emerging technologies. - Abstract: Here, we report on the effect of chemical substitution on the structural and optical properties of Cu-doped CaTiO{sub 3} (CTO) polycrystalline powders synthesized by the polymeric precursor method. Our findings are discussed based on the structural order-disorder effects originating from the modification of the Ca{sub 1−x}Cu{submore » x}TiO{sub 3} microcrystal matrix. These results may elucidate the compositional modulation and methods of controlling the structural design, as well as reveal the changes in the optical behavior of this system at an atomic level.« less

Discovery of human inversion polymorphisms by comparative analysis of human and chimpanzee DNA sequence assemblies.

PubMed

Feuk, Lars; MacDonald, Jeffrey R; Tang, Terence; Carson, Andrew R; Li, Martin; Rao, Girish; Khaja, Razi; Scherer, Stephen W

2005-10-01

With a draft genome-sequence assembly for the chimpanzee available, it is now possible to perform genome-wide analyses to identify, at a submicroscopic level, structural rearrangements that have occurred between chimpanzees and humans. The goal of this study was to investigate chromosomal regions that are inverted between the chimpanzee and human genomes. Using the net alignments for the builds of the human and chimpanzee genome assemblies, we identified a total of 1,576 putative regions of inverted orientation, covering more than 154 mega-bases of DNA. The DNA segments are distributed throughout the genome and range from 23 base pairs to 62 mega-bases in length. For the 66 inversions more than 25 kilobases (kb) in length, 75% were flanked on one or both sides by (often unrelated) segmental duplications. Using PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization we experimentally validated 23 of 27 (85%) semi-randomly chosen regions; the largest novel inversion confirmed was 4.3 mega-bases at human Chromosome 7p14. Gorilla was used as an out-group to assign ancestral status to the variants. All experimentally validated inversion regions were then assayed against a panel of human samples and three of the 23 (13%) regions were found to be polymorphic in the human genome. These polymorphic inversions include 730 kb (at 7p22), 13 kb (at 7q11), and 1 kb (at 16q24) fragments with a 5%, 30%, and 48% minor allele frequency, respectively. Our results suggest that inversions are an important source of variation in primate genome evolution. The finding of at least three novel inversion polymorphisms in humans indicates this type of structural variation may be a more common feature of our genome than previously realized.

Riparian vegetation structure under desertification scenarios

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosário Fernandes, M.; Segurado, Pedro; Jauch, Eduardo; Ferreira, M. Teresa

2015-04-01

Riparian areas are responsible for many ecological and ecosystems services, including the filtering function, that are considered crucial to the preservation of water quality and social benefits. The main goal of this study is to quantify and understand the riparian variability under desertification scenario(s) and identify the optimal riparian indicators for water scarcity and droughts (WS&D), henceforth improving river basin management. This study was performed in the Iberian Tâmega basin, using riparian woody patches, mapped by visual interpretation on Google Earth imagery, along 130 Sampling Units of 250 m long river stretches. Eight riparian structural indicators, related with lateral dimension, weighted area and shape complexity of riparian patches were calculated using Patch Analyst extension for ArcGis 10. A set of 29 hydrological, climatic, and hydrogeomorphological variables were computed, by a water modelling system (MOHID), using monthly meteorological data between 2008 and 2014. Land-use classes were also calculated, in a 250m-buffer surrounding each sampling unit, using a classification based system on Corine Land Cover. Boosted Regression Trees identified Mean-width (MW) as the optimal riparian indicator for water scarcity and drought, followed by the Weighted Class Area (WCA) (classification accuracy =0.79 and 0.69 respectively). Average Flow and Strahler number were consistently selected, by all boosted models, as the most important explanatory variables. However, a combined effect of hidrogeomorphology and land-use can explain the high variability found in the riparian width mainly in Tâmega tributaries. Riparian patches are larger towards Tâmega river mouth although with lower shape complexity, probably related with more continuous and almost monospecific stands. Climatic, hydrological and land use scenarios, singly and combined, were used to quantify the riparian variability responding to these changes, and to assess the loss of riparian functions such as nutrient incorporation and sediment flux alterations.

Mega wildfire in the World Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO), Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia - Chile 2012: Work experience in extreme behavior conditions in the context of global warming

Treesearch

René Cifuentes Medina

2013-01-01

Mega wildfires are critical, high-impact events that cause severe environmental, economic and social damage, resulting, in turn, in high-cost suppression operations and the need for mutual support, phased use of resources and the coordinated efforts of civilian government agencies, the armed forces, private companies and the international community. The mega forest...

A Pair Production Telescope for Medium-Energy Gamma-Ray Polarimetry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hunter, Stanley D.; Bloser, Peter F.; Depaola, Gerardo; Dion, Michael P.; DeNolfo, Georgia A.; Hanu, Andrei; Iparraguirre, Marcos; Legere, Jason; Longo, Francesco; McConnell, Mark L.;

Digitally controlled chirped pulse laser for sub-terahertz-range fiber structure interrogation.

PubMed

Chen, Zhen; Hefferman, Gerald; Wei, Tao

2017-03-01

This Letter reports a sweep velocity-locked laser pulse generator controlled using a digital phase-locked loop (DPLL) circuit. This design is used for the interrogation of sub-terahertz-range fiber structures for sensing applications that require real-time data collection with millimeter-level spatial resolution. A distributed feedback laser was employed to generate chirped laser pulses via injection current modulation. A DPLL circuit was developed to lock the optical frequency sweep velocity. A high-quality linearly chirped laser pulse with a frequency excursion of 117.69 GHz at an optical communication band was demonstrated. The system was further adopted to interrogate a continuously distributed sub-terahertz-range fiber structure (sub-THz-fs) for sensing applications. A strain test was conducted in which the sub-THz-fs showed a linear response to longitudinal strain change with predicted sensitivity. Additionally, temperature testing was conducted in which a heat source was used to generate a temperature distribution along the fiber structure to demonstrate its distributed sensing capability. A Gaussian temperature profile was measured using the described system and tracked in real time, as the heat source was moved.

Structural studies of TiC{sub 1−x}O{sub x} solid solution by Rietveld refinement and first-principles calculations

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

Jiang, Bo, E-mail: youqin5912@yahoo.com.cn; Hou, Na; Huang, Shanyan

2013-08-15

The lattice parameters, structural stability and electronic structure of titanium oxycarbides (TiC{sub 1−x}O{sub x}, 0≤x≤1) solid solution were investigated by Rietveld refinement and first-principles calculations. Series of TiC{sub 1−x}O{sub x} were precisely synthesized by sintering process under the vacuum. Rietveld refinement results of XRD patterns show the properties of continuous solid solution in TiC{sub 1−x}O{sub x} over the whole composition range. The lattice parameters vary from 0.4324 nm to 0.4194 nm decreasing with increasing oxygen concentration. Results of first-principles calculations reveal that the disorder C/O structure is stable than the order C/O structure. Further investigations of the vacancy in Ti{submore » 1−Va}(C{sub 1−x}O{sub x}){sub 1−Va} solid solution present that the structure of vacancy segregated in TiO-part is more stable than the disorder C/O structure, which can be ascribed to the Ti–Ti bond across O-vacancy and the charge redistributed around Ti-vacancy via the analysis of the electron density difference plots and PDOS. - Graphical abstract: XRD of series of titanium oxycarbides (TiC{sub 1−x}O{sub x}, 0≤x≤1) solid solution prepared by adjusting the proportion of TiO in the starting material. Highlights: • Titanium oxycarbides were obtained by sintering TiO and TiC under carefully controlled conditions. • Rietveld refinement results show continuous solid solution with FCC structure in TiC{sub 1−x}O{sub x}. • The disorder C/O structure is stable than the order C/O structure. • Introduction of vacancy segregated in TiO-part is more stable than disorder C/O structure. • Ti–Ti bond across O-vacancy and the charge redistributed around Ti-vacancy enhance structural stability.« less

Synthesis and photoluminescence control of Ca{sub 10.5–1.5x}La{sub x}(PO{sub 4}){sub 7}:Eu{sup 2+} phosphors by aliovalent cation substitution

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

Fan, Yanting; Tang, Miao; Qiu, Zhongxian

A range of Ca{sub 10.5-1.5x}La{sub x}(PO{sub 4}){sub 7}:Eu{sup 2+}phosphors were synthesized by high temperature solid state method. Subsequently we studied the crystal structures and luminescent properties through X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence and photoluminescence excitation, diffuse reflection spectra, Raman spectra and decay curves systematically. Based on the special crystal structure ofβ-Ca{sub 3}(PO{sub 4}){sub 2}:Eu{sup 2+}, its emission undergoes a variation from violet–blue to cyan through introducing La{sup 3+}. The substitution of La{sup 3+} for Ca{sup 2+} could form some cation vacancies in Ca(4) sites according to the scheme 3Ca{sup 2+}= 2La{sup 3+}+ □ due to the different ion valence, which compels Eu{supmore » 2+} to migrate from Ca(4) site to other sites. Additionally, the formation of the cation vacancies can further reduce the thermal stability of phosphors. - Highlights: • Realizing photoluminescence control of Eu{sup 2+} by introducing relatively larger La{sup 3+} ion to replace the Ca{sup 2+} in β-Ca{sub 3}(PO{sub 4}){sub 2}:Eu{sup 2+} phosphor. • The mechanism of spectral control is proposed to be due to emptying of Ca{sup 2+} and migration of Eu{sup 2+}. • The thermal stability reduction is related to the formation of vacancies.« less

A mega-analysis of genome-wide association studies for major depressive disorder.

PubMed

Ripke, Stephan; Wray, Naomi R; Lewis, Cathryn M; Hamilton, Steven P; Weissman, Myrna M; Breen, Gerome; Byrne, Enda M; Blackwood, Douglas H R; Boomsma, Dorret I; Cichon, Sven; Heath, Andrew C; Holsboer, Florian; Lucae, Susanne; Madden, Pamela A F; Martin, Nicholas G; McGuffin, Peter; Muglia, Pierandrea; Noethen, Markus M; Penninx, Brenda P; Pergadia, Michele L; Potash, James B; Rietschel, Marcella; Lin, Danyu; Müller-Myhsok, Bertram; Shi, Jianxin; Steinberg, Stacy; Grabe, Hans J; Lichtenstein, Paul; Magnusson, Patrik; Perlis, Roy H; Preisig, Martin; Smoller, Jordan W; Stefansson, Kari; Uher, Rudolf; Kutalik, Zoltan; Tansey, Katherine E; Teumer, Alexander; Viktorin, Alexander; Barnes, Michael R; Bettecken, Thomas; Binder, Elisabeth B; Breuer, René; Castro, Victor M; Churchill, Susanne E; Coryell, William H; Craddock, Nick; Craig, Ian W; Czamara, Darina; De Geus, Eco J; Degenhardt, Franziska; Farmer, Anne E; Fava, Maurizio; Frank, Josef; Gainer, Vivian S; Gallagher, Patience J; Gordon, Scott D; Goryachev, Sergey; Gross, Magdalena; Guipponi, Michel; Henders, Anjali K; Herms, Stefan; Hickie, Ian B; Hoefels, Susanne; Hoogendijk, Witte; Hottenga, Jouke Jan; Iosifescu, Dan V; Ising, Marcus; Jones, Ian; Jones, Lisa; Jung-Ying, Tzeng; Knowles, James A; Kohane, Isaac S; Kohli, Martin A; Korszun, Ania; Landen, Mikael; Lawson, William B; Lewis, Glyn; Macintyre, Donald; Maier, Wolfgang; Mattheisen, Manuel; McGrath, Patrick J; McIntosh, Andrew; McLean, Alan; Middeldorp, Christel M; Middleton, Lefkos; Montgomery, Grant M; Murphy, Shawn N; Nauck, Matthias; Nolen, Willem A; Nyholt, Dale R; O'Donovan, Michael; Oskarsson, Högni; Pedersen, Nancy; Scheftner, William A; Schulz, Andrea; Schulze, Thomas G; Shyn, Stanley I; Sigurdsson, Engilbert; Slager, Susan L; Smit, Johannes H; Stefansson, Hreinn; Steffens, Michael; Thorgeirsson, Thorgeir; Tozzi, Federica; Treutlein, Jens; Uhr, Manfred; van den Oord, Edwin J C G; Van Grootheest, Gerard; Völzke, Henry; Weilburg, Jeffrey B; Willemsen, Gonneke; Zitman, Frans G; Neale, Benjamin; Daly, Mark; Levinson, Douglas F; Sullivan, Patrick F

2013-04-01

Prior genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of major depressive disorder (MDD) have met with limited success. We sought to increase statistical power to detect disease loci by conducting a GWAS mega-analysis for MDD. In the MDD discovery phase, we analyzed more than 1.2 million autosomal and X chromosome single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 18 759 independent and unrelated subjects of recent European ancestry (9240 MDD cases and 9519 controls). In the MDD replication phase, we evaluated 554 SNPs in independent samples (6783 MDD cases and 50 695 controls). We also conducted a cross-disorder meta-analysis using 819 autosomal SNPs with P<0.0001 for either MDD or the Psychiatric GWAS Consortium bipolar disorder (BIP) mega-analysis (9238 MDD cases/8039 controls and 6998 BIP cases/7775 controls). No SNPs achieved genome-wide significance in the MDD discovery phase, the MDD replication phase or in pre-planned secondary analyses (by sex, recurrent MDD, recurrent early-onset MDD, age of onset, pre-pubertal onset MDD or typical-like MDD from a latent class analyses of the MDD criteria). In the MDD-bipolar cross-disorder analysis, 15 SNPs exceeded genome-wide significance (P<5 × 10(-8)), and all were in a 248 kb interval of high LD on 3p21.1 (chr3:52 425 083-53 822 102, minimum P=5.9 × 10(-9) at rs2535629). Although this is the largest genome-wide analysis of MDD yet conducted, its high prevalence means that the sample is still underpowered to detect genetic effects typical for complex traits. Therefore, we were unable to identify robust and replicable findings. We discuss what this means for genetic research for MDD. The 3p21.1 MDD-BIP finding should be interpreted with caution as the most significant SNP did not replicate in MDD samples, and genotyping in independent samples will be needed to resolve its status.

Trans-ethnic meta-regression of genome-wide association studies accounting for ancestry increases power for discovery and improves fine-mapping resolution

PubMed Central

Mägi, Reedik; Horikoshi, Momoko; Sofer, Tamar; Mahajan, Anubha; Kitajima, Hidetoshi; Franceschini, Nora; McCarthy, Mark I.; Morris, Andrew P.

2017-01-01

Abstract Trans-ethnic meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) across diverse populations can increase power to detect complex trait loci when the underlying causal variants are shared between ancestry groups. However, heterogeneity in allelic effects between GWAS at these loci can occur that is correlated with ancestry. Here, a novel approach is presented to detect SNP association and quantify the extent of heterogeneity in allelic effects that is correlated with ancestry. We employ trans-ethnic meta-regression to model allelic effects as a function of axes of genetic variation, derived from a matrix of mean pairwise allele frequency differences between GWAS, and implemented in the MR-MEGA software. Through detailed simulations, we demonstrate increased power to detect association for MR-MEGA over fixed- and random-effects meta-analysis across a range of scenarios of heterogeneity in allelic effects between ethnic groups. We also demonstrate improved fine-mapping resolution, in loci containing a single causal variant, compared to these meta-analysis approaches and PAINTOR, and equivalent performance to MANTRA at reduced computational cost. Application of MR-MEGA to trans-ethnic GWAS of kidney function in 71,461 individuals indicates stronger signals of association than fixed-effects meta-analysis when heterogeneity in allelic effects is correlated with ancestry. Application of MR-MEGA to fine-mapping four type 2 diabetes susceptibility loci in 22,086 cases and 42,539 controls highlights: (i) strong evidence for heterogeneity in allelic effects that is correlated with ancestry only at the index SNP for the association signal at the CDKAL1 locus; and (ii) 99% credible sets with six or fewer variants for five distinct association signals. PMID:28911207

Nucleation process and dynamic inversion of the Mw 6.9 Valparaíso 2017 earthquake in Central Chile

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruiz, S.; Aden-Antoniow, F.; Baez, J. C., Sr.; Otarola, C., Sr.; Potin, B.; DelCampo, F., Sr.; Poli, P.; Flores, C.; Satriano, C.; Felipe, L., Sr.; Madariaga, R. I.

2017-12-01

The Valparaiso 2017 sequence occurred in mega-thrust Central Chile, an active zone where the last mega-earthquake occurred in 1730. An intense seismicity occurred 2 days before of the Mw 6.9 main-shock. A slow trench ward movement observed in the coastal GPS antennas accompanied the foreshock seismicity. Following the Mw 6.9 earthquake the seismicity migrated 30 Km to South-East. This sequence was well recorded by multi-parametric stations composed by GPS, Broad-Band and Strong Motion instruments. We built a seismic catalogue with 2329 events associated to Valparaiso sequence, with a magnitude completeness of Ml 2.8. We located all the seismicity considering a new 3D velocity model obtained for the Valparaiso zone, and compute the moment tensor for events with magnitude larger than Ml 3.5, and finally studied the presence of repeating earthquakes. The main-shock is studied by performing a dynamic inversion using the strong motion records and an elliptical patch approach to characterize the rupture process. During the two days nucleation stage, we observe a compact zone of repeater events. In the meantime a westward GPS movement was recorded in the coastal GPS stations. The aseismic moment estimated from GPS is larger than the foreshocks cumulative moment, suggesting the presence of a slow slip event, which potentially triggered the 6.9 mainshock. The Mw 6.9 earthquake is associated to rupture of an elliptical asperity of semi-axis of 10 km and 5 km, with a sub-shear rupture, stress drop of 11.71 MPa, yield stress of 17.21 MPa, slip weakening of 0.65 m and kappa value of 1.70. This sequence occurs close to, and with some similar characteristics that 1985 Valparaíso Mw 8.0 earthquake. The rupture of this asperity could stress more the highly locked Central Chile zone where a mega-thrust earthquake like 1730 is expected.

Pollen-based evidence of extreme drought during the last Glacial (32.6-9.0 ka) in coastal southern California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heusser, Linda E.; Kirby, Matthew E.; Nichols, Jonathan E.

2015-10-01

High resolution pollen analyses of sediment core LEDC10-1 from Lake Elsinore yield the first well-dated, terrestrial record of sub-centennial-scale ecologic change in coastal southern California between ˜32 and 9 ka. In the Lake Elsinore watershed, the initial, mesic montane conifer forests dominated by Pinus, and Cupressaceae with trace amounts of Abies and Picea were replaced by a sequence of multiple, extended severe mega-droughts between ˜27.5 and ˜25.5 ka, in which halophytic and xerophytic herbs and shrubs occupied an ephemeral lake. This prolonged and extended dry interval, which corresponds with warm waters offshore, imply strengthening of the North Pacific High and persistent below-average winter precipitation. The subsequent, contrasting monotonic occurrence of montane conifers reflects little variation in cold, mesic climate until ˜15 ka. Postglacial development of Quercus woodland and chaparral mark the return to more xeric, warmer conditions at this time. A brief reversal at ˜13.1-˜12.1 ka, as reflected by an expansion of Pinus, is correlative with the Younger Dryas and interrupts development of warm, postglacial climate. Subsequent gradual expansion of xeric vegetation post - Younger Dryas denotes the establishment of a winter hydroclimate regime in coastal southern California that is more similar to modern conditions. Pollen-based reconstructions of temperature and precipitation at Lake Elsinore are generally correlative with pollen-based paleoclimatic reconstructions and foraminifera-based sea surface temperatures from Santa Barbara Basin in marine core ODP 893. The conspicuous absence of the ˜27.5-˜25.5 ka glacial "mega-drought" in the Santa Barbara Basin pollen record highlights the sensitivity of Lake Elsinore to hydroclimate change, and thus, the importance of this new record that indicates that mega-drought can occur during the full glacial when climatic boundary conditions and forcings differed substantially from the present.

Active member control of a precision structure with an H(infinity) performance objective

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fanson, J. L.; Chu, C.-C.; Smith, R. S.; Anderson, E. H.

1990-01-01

This paper addresses the noncollocated control of active structures using active structural elements. A top level architecture for active structures is presented, and issues pertaining to robust control of structures are discussed. Controllers optimized for an H sub inf performance specification are implemented on a test structure and the results are compared with analytical predictions. Directions for further research are identified.

Enhanced sheet carrier densities in polarization controlled AlInN/AlN/GaN/InGaN field-effect transistor on Si (111)

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

Hennig, J., E-mail: jonas.hennig@ovgu.de; Dadgar, A.; Witte, H.

2015-07-15

We report on GaN based field-effect transistor (FET) structures exhibiting sheet carrier densities of n = 2.9 10{sup 13} cm{sup −2} for high-power transistor applications. By grading the indium-content of InGaN layers grown prior to a conventional GaN/AlN/AlInN FET structure control of the channel width at the GaN/AlN interface is obtained. The composition of the InGaN layer was graded from nominally x{sub In} = 30 % to pure GaN just below the AlN/AlInN interface. Simulations reveal the impact of the additional InGaN layer on the potential well width which controls the sheet carrier density within the channel region of the devices.more » Benchmarking the In{sub x}Ga{sub 1−x}N/GaN/AlN/Al{sub 0.87}In{sub 0.13}N based FETs against GaN/AlN/AlInN FET reference structures we found increased maximum current densities of I{sub SD} = 1300 mA/mm (560 mA/mm). In addition, the InGaN layer helps to achieve broader transconductance profiles as well as reduced leakage currents.« less

Subaqueous Sediment Remobilization and Development of Syndepositional Deformational Structures on Mars: A Kinematic Approach from the Noachian Terby Crater

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarkar, R.; Das, P.; Basu Sarbadhikari, A.

2017-12-01

A 2 km thick layered sequence within the Noachian Terby crater ( 174 km diameter, 28.0°S - 74.0°E), located at the Northern rim of Hellas basin, has been re-classified here into three major categories, i.e. mega-slump, debris flows, and turbidites based on sedimentation process. A wide spectrum of deformation structures, such as large scale isoclinal moderately inclined fold, pinch and swells, disharmonic folds, sediment loading structure, normal faults and thrust duplexes, suggest that amplitude of the syndepositional deformation spanned from hydroplastic to brittle domains. These structures provide ample evidences of sediment remobilization in Terby. The dominance of such mass-flow deposits in different stratigraphic horizons indicates that the basin was reactivated in frequent intervals during the filling process. However, an undeformed thinning-up sequence of beds, well exhibited at the basinal-lows, identified as ponded/confined turbidites, indicates that the basin experienced a stable bathymetric condition at the up-dip areas of the mega-slumps. An overall enrichment of phyllosilicates and scarcity of large boulders at the basin margins indicates that the provenance materials were deposited under stable and low-energy condition before being transported and re-deposited within the crater during the Terby impact. We presume that the inter-crater layered terrain of Hellas acted as a provenance of Terby's mass-transport deposits.

Development of microheaters for gas sensor with an AT-Mega 8535 temperature controller using a PWM (pulse width modulation) method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Megayanti, Meti; Panatarani, Camellia; Joni, I. Made

2016-03-01

Microheater is the main component in gas sensor characterized by their sensitivity, selectivity, and time response of gas sensor which is depend on the microheater temperature stability. A Cu microheater was developed and utilized AT-Mega 8535 controller using a PWM (pulse width modulation) method. This control system is interfaced to the PC to observe the real time temperature response of the microheater. Three initial resistance (R0) variations of microheater were developed in an open loop control system. The power characteristic of designed microheater depends on the specified microheater initial resistance. The smaller R0, the less power required to reach a temperature setting value. The developed microheater was designed to reach a temperature setting value of 250°C having resistance 0.531 Ω for 1.979 Watt and 0.265 Ω for 1.072 Watt respectively. The results of the investigation on the control performances shows microheater-control system achieved operating temperature up to 250°C. The response of the temperature control shows smallest R0 resulted in a high stability with short settling time, short delay time and small ripple for temperature setting values higher than 150°C. The obtained error of microheater temperature with R0 = 0.265 is 8.596 %. It is concluded that the developed microheater can be utilized as a component of a gas sensor.

Childhood adversity impacts on brain subcortical structures relevant to depression.

PubMed

Frodl, Thomas; Janowitz, Deborah; Schmaal, Lianne; Tozzi, Leonardo; Dobrowolny, Henrik; Stein, Dan J; Veltman, Dick J; Wittfeld, Katharina; van Erp, Theo G M; Jahanshad, Neda; Block, Andrea; Hegenscheid, Katrin; Völzke, Henry; Lagopoulos, Jim; Hatton, Sean N; Hickie, Ian B; Frey, Eva Maria; Carballedo, Angela; Brooks, Samantha J; Vuletic, Daniella; Uhlmann, Anne; Veer, Ilya M; Walter, Henrik; Schnell, Knut; Grotegerd, Dominik; Arolt, Volker; Kugel, Harald; Schramm, Elisabeth; Konrad, Carsten; Zurowski, Bartosz; Baune, Bernhard T; van der Wee, Nic J A; van Tol, Marie-Jose; Penninx, Brenda W J H; Thompson, Paul M; Hibar, Derrek P; Dannlowski, Udo; Grabe, Hans J

2017-03-01

Childhood adversity plays an important role for development of major depressive disorder (MDD). There are differences in subcortical brain structures between patients with MDD and healthy controls, but the specific impact of childhood adversity on such structures in MDD remains unclear. Thus, aim of the present study was to investigate whether childhood adversity is associated with subcortical volumes and how it interacts with a diagnosis of MDD and sex. Within the ENIGMA-MDD network, nine university partner sites, which assessed childhood adversity and magnetic resonance imaging in patients with MDD and controls, took part in the current joint mega-analysis. In this largest effort world-wide to identify subcortical brain structure differences related to childhood adversity, 3036 participants were analyzed for subcortical brain volumes using FreeSurfer. A significant interaction was evident between childhood adversity, MDD diagnosis, sex, and region. Increased exposure to childhood adversity was associated with smaller caudate volumes in females independent of MDD. All subcategories of childhood adversity were negatively associated with caudate volumes in females - in particular emotional neglect and physical neglect (independently from age, ICV, imaging site and MDD diagnosis). There was no interaction effect between childhood adversity and MDD diagnosis on subcortical brain volumes. Childhood adversity is one of the contributors to brain structural abnormalities. It is associated with subcortical brain abnormalities that are relevant to psychiatric disorders such as depression. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Synthesis of α-MoO{sub 3} nanoplates using organic aliphatic acids and investigation of sunlight enhanced photodegradation of organic dyes

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

Kumar, V. Vinod; Gayathri, K.; Anthony, Savarimuthu Philip, E-mail: philip@biotech.sastra.edu

Graphical abstract: Thermodynamically stable α-MoO{sub 3} nanoplates and nanorods were synthesized using organic structure controlling agents and demonstrated sun light enhanced photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine blue (Rh-B) dyes in aqueous solution. - Highlights: • α-MoO{sub 3} hexagonal nanoplates using organic structure controlling agents. • Tunable optical band gap of MoO{sub 3}. • Demonstrated strong sun light mediated enhanced photodegradation of methylene blue and rhodamine blue. • Photodegradation did not use any other external oxidizing agents. - Abstract: Thermodynamically stable α-MoO{sub 3} nanoplates were synthesized using organic aliphatic acids as structure controlling agents and investigated photocatalytic degradationmore » of methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine blue (Rh-B) in presence of sun light. Three different organic aliphatic acids, citric acid (CA), tartaric acid (TA) and ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA), were employed to control morphologies. CA and TA predominantly produced extended hexagonal plates where EDTA gave nanorods as well as nanoplates. PXRD studies confirmed the formation of α-MoO{sub 3} nanoparticles. HR-TEM and FE-SEM reveal the formation of plate morphologies with 20–40 nm thickness, 50–100 nm diameter and 600 nm lengths. The different morphologies of α-MoO{sub 3} nanoparticles lead to the tunable optical band gap between 2.80 and 2.98 eV which was obtained from diffused reflectance spectra (DRS). Interestingly, the synthesized α-MoO{sub 3} nanoplates exhibited strong photocatalytic degradation of MB and Rh-B up to 99% in presence of sun light without using any oxidizing agents.« less

Stress compensation for arbitrary curvature control in vanadium dioxide phase transition actuators

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

Dong, Kaichen, E-mail: dkc12@mails.tsinghua.edu.cn, E-mail: wuj@berkeley.edu; Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720; State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Department of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084

2016-07-11

Due to its thermally driven structural phase transition, vanadium dioxide (VO{sub 2}) has emerged as a promising material for micro/nano-actuators with superior volumetric work density, actuation amplitude, and repetition frequency. However, the high initial curvature of VO{sub 2} actuators severely obstructs the actuation performance and application. Here, we introduce a “seesaw” method of fabricating tri-layer cantilevers to compensate for the residual stress and realize nearly arbitrary curvature control of VO{sub 2} actuators. By simply adjusting the thicknesses of the individual layers, cantilevers with positive, zero, or negative curvatures can be engineered. The actuation amplitude can be decoupled from the curvaturemore » and controlled independently as well. Based on the experimentally measured residual stresses, we demonstrate sub-micron thick VO{sub 2} actuators with nearly zero final curvature and a high actuation amplitude simultaneously. This “seesaw” method can be further extended to the curvature engineering of other microelectromechanical system multi-layer structures where large stress-mismatch between layers are inevitable.« less

Adhesive plasters. [Patent application; coatings for crucibles, control rods, etc

DOEpatents

Holcombe, C.E. Jr.; Swain, R.L.; Banker, J.G.; Edwards, C.C.

1975-09-26

Adhesive plaster compositions are provided by treating particles of Y/sub 2/O/sub 3/, Eu/sub 2/O/sub 3/, Gd/sub 2/O/sub 3/, or Nd/sub 2/O/sub 3/ with dilute acid solutions. The resulting compositions were found to harden spontaneously into rigid reticulated masses resembling plaster of Paris. Upon heating, the hardened material is decomposed into the oxide, yet retains the reticulated rigid structure. 1 table.

CCHF virus variants in Pakistan and Afghanistan: Emerging diversity and epidemiology.

PubMed

Khurshid, Adnan; Hassan, Mukhtiar; Alam, Muhammad Masroor; Aamir, Uzma Bashir; Rehman, Lubna; Sharif, Salmaan; Shaukat, Shahzad; Rana, Muhammad Suleman; Angez, Mehar; Zaidi, Syed Sohail Zahoor

2015-06-01

Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) has been reported from more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Middle East. The disease is considered endemic in Pakistan and neighboring countries like Iran and Afghanistan. This study aimed to explore the genetic diversity of CCHF virus (CCHFV) detected in Pakistan and Afghanistan based on analysis of partial S-segment sequences. During 2011, one hundred samples satisfying the CCHF case definition were tested by (ELISA) and RT-PCR for detection of IgM antibodies and viral RNA, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis was carried out on partial S-segment nucleotide sequences using MEGA 5.0. Out of one hundred collected during 2011, 49 (49%) were positive for CCHF either by ELISA/RT-PCR or both. The mean age of the CCHFV positive cases was 30.32 years (range 18-56 years) and overall mortality rate was 20.4%. All CCHF virus isolates from this study clustered with strains previously reported from Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan within the Asia-1 genogroup. Four distinct sub-clades were found circulating within Asia-1 genogroup. Six CCHFV strains found in Pakistan and Afghanistan grouped into a new sub-clade-D. Data from this study shows that endemic foci of CCHFV span the international border between Pakistan and Afghanistan with genetically diverse variants circulating in this region. Our findings emphasize to establish a laboratory based surveillance program and devise health policy measures to control CCHF infection especially in Baluchistan. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Bandgap engineering in van der Waals heterostructures of blue phosphorene and MoS{sub 2}: A first principles calculation

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

Zhang, Z.Y.; Si, M.S., E-mail: sims@lzu.edu.cn; Peng, S.L.

2015-11-15

Blue phosphorene (BP) was theoretically predicted to be thermally stable recently. Considering its similar in-layer hexagonal lattice to MoS{sub 2}, MoS{sub 2} could be an appropriate substrate to grow BP in experiments. In this work, the van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures are constructed by stacking BP on top of MoS{sub 2}. The thermal stability and electronic structures are evaluated based on first principles calculations with vdW-corrected exchange-correlation functional. The formation of the heterostructures is demonstrated to be exothermic and the most stable stacking configuration is confirmed. The heterostructures BP/MoS{sub 2} preserve both the properties of BP and MoS{sub 2} butmore » exhibit relatively narrower bandgaps due to the interlayer coupling effect. The band structures can be further engineered by applying external electric fields. An indirect–direct bandgap transition in bilayer BP/MoS{sub 2} is demonstrated to be controlled by the symmetry property of the built-in electric dipole fields. - Graphical abstract: An indirect-direct band gap transition occurs in van der Waals heterostructure of MoS{sub 2}/BP under external electric fields which is demonstrated to be controlled by the symmetry of the built-in electric dipole fields. - Highlights: • The stacking of heterostructures of BP/MoS{sub 2} is demonstrated to be exothermic. • This suggests that it is possible to grow BP using MoS{sub 2} as the substrate. • The band structures of the heterostructures are exploited. • It realizes an indirect–direct gap transition under external electric fields. • The symmetry of the built-in electric dipole fields controls such gap transition.« less

Cortical and Subcortical Brain Morphometry Differences Between Patients With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Healthy Individuals Across the Lifespan: Results From the ENIGMA ASD Working Group.

PubMed

van Rooij, Daan; Anagnostou, Evdokia; Arango, Celso; Auzias, Guillaume; Behrmann, Marlene; Busatto, Geraldo F; Calderoni, Sara; Daly, Eileen; Deruelle, Christine; Di Martino, Adriana; Dinstein, Ilan; Duran, Fabio Luis Souza; Durston, Sarah; Ecker, Christine; Fair, Damien; Fedor, Jennifer; Fitzgerald, Jackie; Freitag, Christine M; Gallagher, Louise; Gori, Ilaria; Haar, Shlomi; Hoekstra, Liesbeth; Jahanshad, Neda; Jalbrzikowski, Maria; Janssen, Joost; Lerch, Jason; Luna, Beatriz; Martinho, Mauricio Moller; McGrath, Jane; Muratori, Filippo; Murphy, Clodagh M; Murphy, Declan G M; O'Hearn, Kirsten; Oranje, Bob; Parellada, Mara; Retico, Alessandra; Rosa, Pedro; Rubia, Katya; Shook, Devon; Taylor, Margot; Thompson, Paul M; Tosetti, Michela; Wallace, Gregory L; Zhou, Fengfeng; Buitelaar, Jan K

2018-04-01

Neuroimaging studies show structural differences in both cortical and subcortical brain regions in children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared with healthy subjects. Findings are inconsistent, however, and it is unclear how differences develop across the lifespan. The authors investigated brain morphometry differences between individuals with ASD and healthy subjects, cross-sectionally across the lifespan, in a large multinational sample from the Enhancing Neuroimaging Genetics Through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) ASD working group. The sample comprised 1,571 patients with ASD and 1,651 healthy control subjects (age range, 2-64 years) from 49 participating sites. MRI scans were preprocessed at individual sites with a harmonized protocol based on a validated automated-segmentation software program. Mega-analyses were used to test for case-control differences in subcortical volumes, cortical thickness, and surface area. Development of brain morphometry over the lifespan was modeled using a fractional polynomial approach. The case-control mega-analysis demonstrated that ASD was associated with smaller subcortical volumes of the pallidum, putamen, amygdala, and nucleus accumbens (effect sizes [Cohen's d], 0.13 to -0.13), as well as increased cortical thickness in the frontal cortex and decreased thickness in the temporal cortex (effect sizes, -0.21 to 0.20). Analyses of age effects indicate that the development of cortical thickness is altered in ASD, with the largest differences occurring around adolescence. No age-by-ASD interactions were observed in the subcortical partitions. The ENIGMA ASD working group provides the largest study of brain morphometry differences in ASD to date, using a well-established, validated, publicly available analysis pipeline. ASD patients showed altered morphometry in the cognitive and affective parts of the striatum, frontal cortex, and temporal cortex. Complex developmental trajectories were observed for the different regions, with a developmental peak around adolescence. These findings suggest an interplay in the abnormal development of the striatal, frontal, and temporal regions in ASD across the lifespan.

Non-linear feedbacks drive strain partitioning within an active orogen, southern Alaska

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hooks, B.; Koons, P. O.; Upton, P.

2011-12-01

Temperature plays a very important role in the partitioning of deformation within an active orogen. Local variations in the thermal structure of actively uplifting areas can reinforce focused partitioning of strain locally, whereas regional variations can alter deformation patterns on a much broader scale resulting in the re-organization of an entire orogen. Within southern Alaska, the Yakutat micro-terrane has been subducting beneath North America over the previous ~10 Ma. Early deformation related to this event drove uplift of the Alaska Range, as evidenced by stratigraphic and thermochronologic datasets. This was followed by a southerly discontinuous spatial jump in the deformation front to the coastal St. Elias Range. Here we present 3D numerical models that simulate deformation of Earth materials given assigned applied velocity boundary conditions and mechanical and thermal constitutive relationships on a macro- (plate boundary) and meso-scale (<50-km). The goal is to reproduce first-order strain and uplift patterns within this evolving orogen. The macro-scale model undergoes a spatial and temporal reorganization of deformation as strain is progressively shifted to a trench-ward orogenic wedge, the inlet orogen. Subduction related cooling of the fore-arc (i.e. tectonic refrigeration) provides control on the location of the inlet orogen. This control is based upon the creation of a thin sliver of cold, strong material along the mega-thrust interface. The stronger mega-thrust facilitates more efficient transfer of strain, driving the formation of the inlet orogen and determining the location of its frontal toe. This toe is further stabilized by upward displacement of the upper crust over the refrigerated section. This upward motion causes thermal weakening of the upper crust as a tectonic aneurysm with the location controlled by the thermally strengthened lower crust. The net result is an ever weakening upper crust that focuses strain creating dramatic topography, extreme rates of erosion and uplift, and fast exhumation.

GHOSTS IN THE ATTIC: MAPPING THE STELLAR CONTENT OF THE S0 GALAXY NGC 5102

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

Davidge, T. J.

2010-02-15

The spatial distribution of stars in the nearby S0 galaxy NGC 5102 is investigated using images obtained with WIRCam and MegaCam on the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope. With the exception of gaps between detector elements, the entire galaxy is surveyed in r' and i', while the J and Ks data extend out to R {sub GC} {approx} 6 kpc, which corresponds to almost 7 disk scale lengths. A modest population of main-sequence stars with M{sub V} < -3.5 and ages {approx}70 Myr are detected throughout the disk, with the majority located in the southern half of the galaxy. The stellar disk inmore » the northern half of the galaxy is warped, following structure that is also seen in H I. Objects with photometric properties that are consistent with those of bright asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars are seen throughout the disk, and the ratio of C stars to bright M giants is consistent with an overall increase in the star formation rate within the past 1 Gyr. Star-forming activity during the interval 0.1-2 Gyr was more centrally concentrated than during the past {approx}100 Myr. The structure of the disk changes near R {sub GC} {approx} 5 kpc (5.5 disk scale lengths), in the sense that the radial surface density profile defined by red supergiants (RSGs) and bright AGB stars levels off at larger radii. RSGs and bright AGB stars are traced out to a radius of 14 kpc (15.6 scale lengths) along the southern portion of the major axis, while a tentative detection is also made of bright AGB stars at a projected distance of {approx}16 kpc along the southeast minor axis. A large clump of AGB stars that subtends {approx}1 arcmin is identified to the west of the galaxy center. It is argued that this is the remnant of a companion galaxy that triggered past episodes of elevated star-forming activity.« less

Discrete-time infinity control problem with measurement feedback

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stoorvogel, A. A.; Saberi, A.; Chen, B. M.

1992-01-01

The paper is concerned with the discrete-time H(sub infinity) control problem with measurement feedback. The authors extend previous results by having weaker assumptions on the system parameters. The authors also show explicitly the structure of H(sub infinity) controllers. Finally, they show that it is in certain cases possible, without loss of performance, to reduce the dynamical order of the controllers.

[Frequency of diabetes mellitus and hyperglycemia in chagasic and non-chagasic women].

PubMed

dos Santos, V M; da Cunha, S F; Teixeira, V de P; Monteiro, J P; dos Santos, J A; dos Santos, T A; dos Santos, L A; da Cunha, D F

1999-01-01

Medical records of > or = 40 years old female seen at University Hospital from June/93 to July/95 were submitted to a cross-sectional study. According to Chagas' disease tests, patients were divided into chagasic (n = 362) and controls (n = 285). Diabetes mellitus was defined on the basis of two fasting blood glucose levels > or = 140 mg/dl and hyperglycemia as fasting blood glucose > 110 mg/dl. Chagasic patients were divided into groups with the cardiac form of the disease (n = 179), with megas (n = 58), and asymptomatic (n = 125). Groups were compared by the chi 2 test, analysis of variance, Student's "t" test, and Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. A significant difference was assumed when p < 0.05. Chagasic and control groups were matched for age, white color and body mass index. Diabetes mellitus was more prevalent in patients with the cardiac form of Chagas' disease than in controls, or patients with the megas or the asymptomatic form (15.1%, 7.4%, 7.4%, and 5.6%, respectively); the same was observed for hyperglycemia (37.4%, 26.7%, 25.9%, 27.2%), in agreement with the hypothesis that the reduced parasympathetic activity caused by Trypanosoma cruzi leads to relative sympathetic hyperactivity.

Integrated Flight/Structural Mode Control for Very Flexible Aircraft Using L1 Adaptive Output Feedback Controller

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Che, Jiaxing; Cao, Chengyu; Gregory, Irene M.

2012-01-01

This paper explores application of adaptive control architecture to a light, high-aspect ratio, flexible aircraft configuration that exhibits strong rigid body/flexible mode coupling. Specifically, an L(sub 1) adaptive output feedback controller is developed for a semi-span wind tunnel model capable of motion. The wind tunnel mount allows the semi-span model to translate vertically and pitch at the wing root, resulting in better simulation of an aircraft s rigid body motion. The control objective is to design a pitch control with altitude hold while suppressing body freedom flutter. The controller is an output feedback nominal controller (LQG) augmented by an L(sub 1) adaptive loop. A modification to the L(sub 1) output feedback is proposed to make it more suitable for flexible structures. The new control law relaxes the required bounds on the unmatched uncertainty and allows dependence on the state as well as time, i.e. a more general unmatched nonlinearity. The paper presents controller development and simulated performance responses. Simulation is conducted by using full state flexible wing models derived from test data at 10 different dynamic pressure conditions. An L(sub 1) adaptive output feedback controller is designed for a single test point and is then applied to all the test cases. The simulation results show that the L(sub 1) augmented controller can stabilize and meet the performance requirements for all 10 test conditions ranging from 30 psf to 130 psf dynamic pressure.

Implications of a class of grand unified theories for large scale structure in the universe

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shafi, Q.; Stecker, F. W.

1983-01-01

A class of grand unified theories in which cosmologicaly significant axion and neutrino energy densities arise naturally is discussed. To obtain large scale structure three scenarios are considered: (1) an inflationary scenario; (2) inflation followed by string production; and (3) a non-inflationary scenario with density fluctuations caused solely by strings. Inflation may be compatible with the recent observational indications that mega 1 on the scale of superclusters, particularly if strings are present.

Computing Optic Flow with ArduEye Vision Sensor

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-01-01

processing algorithm that can be applied to the flight control of other robotic platforms. 15. SUBJECT TERMS Optical flow, ArduEye, vision based ...2 Figure 2. ArduEye vision chip on Stonyman breakout board connected to Arduino Mega (8) (left) and the Stonyman vision chips (7...robotic platforms. There is a significant need for small, light , less power-hungry sensors and sensory data processing algorithms in order to control the

Aggressiveness of contemporary self-etching adhesives. Part II: etching effects on unground enamel.

PubMed

Pashley, D H; Tay, F R

2001-09-01

The aggressiveness of three self-etching adhesives on unground enamel was investigated. Ultrastructural features and microtensile bond strength were examined, first using these adhesives as both the etching and resin-infiltration components, and then examining their etching efficacy alone through substitution of the proprietary resins with the same control resins. For SEM examination, buccal, mid-coronal, unground enamel from human extracted bicuspids were etched with either Clearfil Mega Bond (Kuraray), Non-Rinse Conditioner (NRC; Dentsply DeTrey) or Prompt L-Pop (ESPE). Those in the control group were etched with 32% phosphoric acid (Bisco) for 15s. They were all rinsed off prior to examination of the etching efficacy. For TEM examination, the self-etching adhesives were used as recommended. Unground enamel treated with NRC were further bonded using Prime&Bond NT (Dentsply), while those in the etched, control group were bonded using All-Bond 2 (Bisco). Completely demineralized, resin replicas were embedded in epoxy resin for examination of the extent of resin infiltration. For microtensile bond strength evaluation, specimens were first etched and bonded using the self-etching adhesives. A second group of specimens were etched with the self-etching adhesives, rinsed but bonded using a control adhesive. Following restoration with Z100 (3M Dental Products), they were sectioned into beams of uniform cross-sectional areas and stressed to failure. Etching patterns of aprismatic enamel, as revealed by SEM, and the subsurface hybrid layer morphology, as revealed by TEM, varied according to the aggressiveness of the self-etching adhesives. Clearfil Mega Bond exhibited the mildest etching patterns, while Prompt L-Pop produced an etching effect that approached that of the total-etch control group. Microtensile bond strength of the three experimental groups were all significantly lower than the control group, but not different from one another. When the self-etching adhesives were replaced with the control adhesive after etching, bond strengths of NRC/Prime&Bond NT and Prompt L-Pop were not significantly different from that of the control group, but were significantly higher than that of Clearfil Mega Bond. Both etching efficacy and strength of the resins are important contributing factors in bonding of self-etching adhesives to unground enamel.

Synthesis and characterization of novel barium iron phosphates: Insight into new structure types tailored by hydrogen atoms

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

Sun, Li-Zhi, E-mail: tslz2007@163.com; Sun, Wei, E-mail: 421221789@qq.com; Ren, Wei-Jian, E-mail: 935428502@qq.com

A significant gap in our knowledge of phosphate crystal chemistry is the lack of understanding of what controls the depolymerization of [PO{sub 4}] tetrahedra. A new route using phosphoric acid without any added water at 240 °C has been developed to synthesize two new compounds Ba{sub 2}Fe{sub 2}[H(PO{sub 3}OH){sub 2}][H(P{sub 2}O{sub 7}){sub 2}] and Ba{sub 2}Fe[H(P{sub 2}O{sub 7}){sub 2}], as well as a new polymorph β-BaFe{sub 2}(P{sub 2}O{sub 7}){sub 2} from annealing the former at ≥500 °C. Structural characterizations show that Ba{sub 2}Fe{sub 2}[H(PO{sub 3}OH){sub 2}][H(P{sub 2}O{sub 7}){sub 2}] features a novel 2D {sup 2}{sub ∞}([Fe{sub 2}[H(PO{sub 3}OH){sub 2}][H(P{sub 2}O{submore » 7}){sub 2}

On meta- and mega-analyses for gene–environment interactions

PubMed Central

Huang, Jing; Liu, Yulun; Vitale, Steve; Penning, Trevor M.; Whitehead, Alexander S.; Blair, Ian A.; Vachani, Anil; Clapper, Margie L.; Muscat, Joshua E.; Lazarus, Philip; Scheet, Paul; Moore, Jason H.; Chen, Yong

2017-01-01

Gene-by-environment (G × E) interactions are important in explaining the missing heritability and understanding the causation of complex diseases, but a single, moderately sized study often has limited statistical power to detect such interactions. With the increasing need for integrating data and reporting results from multiple collaborative studies or sites, debate over choice between mega- versus meta-analysis continues. In principle, data from different sites can be integrated at the individual level into a “mega” data set, which can be fit by a joint “mega-analysis.” Alternatively, analyses can be done at each site, and results across sites can be combined through a “meta-analysis” procedure without integrating individual level data across sites. Although mega-analysis has been advocated in several recent initiatives, meta-analysis has the advantages of simplicity and feasibility, and has recently led to several important findings in identifying main genetic effects. In this paper, we conducted empirical and simulation studies, using data from a G × E study of lung cancer, to compare the mega- and meta-analyses in four commonly used G × E analyses under the scenario that the number of studies is small and sample sizes of individual studies are relatively large. We compared the two data integration approaches in the context of fixed effect models and random effects models separately. Our investigations provide valuable insights in understanding the differences between mega- and meta-analyses in practice of combining small number of studies in identifying G × E interactions. PMID:29110346

Accuracy and stability of measuring GABA, glutamate, and glutamine by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy: A phantom study at 4 Tesla

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Henry, Michael E.; Lauriat, Tara L.; Shanahan, Meghan; Renshaw, Perry F.; Jensen, J. Eric

2011-02-01

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy has the potential to provide valuable information about alterations in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate (Glu), and glutamine (Gln) in psychiatric and neurological disorders. In order to use this technique effectively, it is important to establish the accuracy and reproducibility of the methodology. In this study, phantoms with known metabolite concentrations were used to compare the accuracy of 2D J-resolved MRS, single-echo 30 ms PRESS, and GABA-edited MEGA-PRESS for measuring all three aforementioned neurochemicals simultaneously. The phantoms included metabolite concentrations above and below the physiological range and scans were performed at baseline, 1 week, and 1 month time-points. For GABA measurement, MEGA-PRESS proved optimal with a measured-to-target correlation of R2 = 0.999, with J-resolved providing R2 = 0.973 for GABA. All three methods proved effective in measuring Glu with R2 = 0.987 (30 ms PRESS), R2 = 0.996 (J-resolved) and R2 = 0.910 (MEGA-PRESS). J-resolved and MEGA-PRESS yielded good results for Gln measures with respective R2 = 0.855 (J-resolved) and R2 = 0.815 (MEGA-PRESS). The 30 ms PRESS method proved ineffective in measuring GABA and Gln. When measurement stability at in vivo concentration was assessed as a function of varying spectral quality, J-resolved proved the most stable and immune to signal-to-noise and linewidth fluctuation compared to MEGA-PRESS and 30 ms PRESS.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: Photometric Calibration of SNLS (Regnault+, 2009)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Regnault, N.; Conley, A.; Guy, J.; Sullivan, M.; Cuillandre, J.-C.; Astier, P.; Balland, C.; Basa, S.; Carlberg, R. G.; Fouchez, D.; Hardin, D.; Hook, I. M.; Howell, D. A.; Pain, R.; Perrett, K.; Pritchet, C. J.

2009-08-01

This is the photometric calibration of the SuperNova Legacy Survey (SNLS) three year dataset. The SNLS corresponds to the DEEP component of the larger Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Legacy Survey (CFHTLS). The SNLS repeatedly monitors four one square degree fields (labeled D[1-4]) with the MegaCam wide-field imager, in the g, r, i and z bands. u-band observations of the same fields are also available, although not formally part of the SNLS dataset. The non-uniformities of the MegaCam imager photometric response have been mapped as a function of the position on the focal plane. The fluxes, measured on the survey images processed with the CFHT Elixir pipeline, have been corrected for these non-uniformities in order to obtain measurements that are uniform at the ~1% level. The MegaCam passband transmissions were found to be non-uniform, the filters being 3 to 6 nanometers bluer on the edges of the camera than on the center. This result agrees with the filter scans provided by the filter manufacturer (Sagem/REOSC). This has important consequences on the definition of the MegaCam magnitudes: the natural magnitude system depends on the focal plane location where the observations were made. In order not to break the connection between calibrated magnitudes and their physical flux counterparts, we chose to report the *natural magnitudes* of each object, measured in the MegaCam passbands, at the focal plane location where the object was observed. We call this system, "Local Natural Magnitudes". The non-uniformities of the MegaCam effective passbands are small and, for main sequence stellar objects, they may be accounted for using linear color corrections. The relation between the Local Natural Magnitudes of a given star, observed at two locations x_0 and x of the focal plane are: g|x = g|x0 + dkggr(x) * ( (g-r)|x0 - (g-r)BD+17|x_0 ) ... z|x = z|x0 + dkziz(x) * ( (i-z)|x0 - (i-z)BD+17|x_0 ) where the dk(x) are (position dependant) color terms. We provide dk(x) maps for each MegaCam band (see below). The SNLS 3 year calibration relies on the (Landolt, 1992AJ....104..340) standard star catalog. Landolt fields are observed during each photometric night along with the SNLS fields. Zero-points are derived from these observations. Stable and isolated stars are detected on the SNLS fields and selected as "tertiary standards". The calibrated magnitudes of each tertiary standard obtained under photometric conditions are combined to produce a calibration catalog for each SNLS field. To interpret the tertiary standard magnitudes as physical fluxes, we need a primary standard, i.e. a star with known MegaCam magnitudes and whose spectral energy distribution has been measured absolutely. The SNLS uses BD+17 4708 whose SED has been measured in Bohlin & Gilliland, 2004, Cat. using the HST STIS and NICMOS spectrographs. BD+17 4708 has not been directly observed by SNLS, however, its MegaCam magnitudes were inferred from its known Landolt magnitudes (this paper, table 7). The tertiary star Local Natural Magnitudes are defined so that the associated physical broadband flux f|x is given by: f|x = 10{-0.4*(m|x-mref)}*{int}[Sref(l)*T(l;x)]dl where m|x is the tertiary star magnitudes at location x on the focal plane, mref is the MegaCam magnitude of BD+17 4708 (at the center of the focal plane, see table 7 of this paper), Sref(l) is the SED of BD+17 4708 measured in 2004AJ....128.3053B, and T(l;x) is the effective passband of MegaCam at location x. Attached is all the necessary information to tie MegaCam observations to this system. We provide (a) the griz magnitudes of the SNLS tertiary standards for all four SNLS fields (b) the MegaCam open transmission and the ugriz MegaCam filter scans at various position along a diagonal (c) the final uncertainty budget in the form of 3 covariance matrices. The u-band observations of the SNLS DEEP fields are not formally part of the SNLS. Nevetheless we give u-band magnitudes for a subset of the SNLS tertiary stars. (22 data files).

Diatom ooze as weak layer for submarine mega-slides off Northwest Africa: Evidence from core-seismic integration in the Cap Blanc Slide area

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Urlaub, Morelia; Geersen, Jacob; Krastel, Sebastian; Schwenk, Tilmann

2017-04-01

The continental slope off Northwest Africa has experienced at least four mega-landslides, each affecting over 20,000 km2 of seafloor. Although the landslides lie more than 400 km apart, they have many similar characteristics, including stepped headwall patterns and several bedding-parallel glide planes at slope angles of <2°. This morphology suggests that failures took place along multiple mechanically weak sedimentary layers that are present at different stratigraphic depths. From all Northwest African mega-landslides the Cap Blanc Slide, situated off the coasts of Mauretania and West Sahara, offers an unprecedented possibility to advance our understanding of landslide causes. ODP site 658 (Leg 108) was drilled within the evacuation area of the slide, recovering its glide plane. In addition, site 658 also recovered the glide plane and the overlying undisturbed sedimentary sequence of a younger slope failure, which took place within the evacuation are of the main Cap Blanc Slide at some distance to the borehole. We use core-seismic integration to characterize the glide planes as well as to determine the timing of slope failures. The sediments just above both glide planes have particularly high biogenic opal contents owing to the presence of large amounts of diatom microfossils. Diatoms are hollow structures of microfossil skeletons, which contain large amounts of bound and intraskeletal water. When a critical stress level is exceeded during compaction, the microfossil shells break. The stored water is released causing a sudden increase in pore pressure, which may facilitate slope failure. We therefore suggest that diatom oozes acted as weak layers in the case of the Cap Blanc Slide. Pronounced biogenic opal maxima occur during glacial terminations and are expected all along the Northwest African continental margin. We thus hypothesize that mega-slides off Northwest Africa, and potentially also at other continental margins, are preconditioned by episodically high deposition of biogenic opal.

Low-cost spray-processed Ag{sub 1−x}Cu{sub x}InS{sub 2} nano-films: Structural and functional investigation within the Lattice Compatibility Theory framework

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

Gherouel, D.; Yumak, A.; Znaidi, M.

Highlights: • Cu{sub x}Ag{sub 1−x}InS{sub 2} with a minimal lattice mismatch between absorbers and buffers. • The lattice compatibility for understanding silver–copper kinetics. • Controlled and enhanced spray pyrolisis method as a low-cost synthesis protocol. - Abstract: This work deals with some structural and optical investigations about Cu{sub x}Ag{sub 1−x}InS{sub 2} alloys sprayed films and the beneficial effect of copper incorporation in AgInS{sub 2} ternary matrices. The main purpose of this work is to obtain the band gap energy E{sub g} as well as different lattice parameters. The studied properties led to reaching minimum of lattice mismatch between absorber andmore » buffer layers within solar cell devices. As a principal and original finding, the lattice compatibility between both silver and copper indium disulfide structures has been proposed as a guide for understanding kinetics of these materials crystallization.« less

The Magellan Evolution of Galaxies Spectroscopic and Ultraviolet Reference Atlas (MegaSaura). I. The Sample and the Spectra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rigby, J. R.; Bayliss, M. B.; Sharon, K.; Gladders, M. D.; Chisholm, J.; Dahle, H.; Johnson, T.; Paterno-Mahler, R.; Wuyts, E.; Kelson, D. D.

2018-03-01

We introduce Project MEGaSaURA: the Magellan Evolution of Galaxies Spectroscopic and Ultraviolet Reference Atlas. MEGaSaURA comprises medium-resolution, rest-frame ultraviolet spectroscopy of N = 15 bright gravitationally lensed galaxies at redshifts of 1.68 < z < 3.6, obtained with the MagE spectrograph on the Magellan telescopes. The spectra cover the observed-frame wavelength range 3200 < λ o < 8280 Å the average spectral resolving power is R = 3300. The median spectrum has a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) = 21 per resolution element at 5000 Å. As such, the MEGaSaURA spectra have superior S/N and wavelength coverage compared to what COS/HST provides for starburst galaxies in the local universe. This paper describes the sample, the observations, and the data reduction. We compare the measured redshifts for the stars, the ionized gas as traced by nebular lines, and the neutral gas as traced by absorption lines; we find the expected bulk outflow of the neutral gas, and no systemic offset between the redshifts measured from nebular lines and the redshifts measured from the stellar continuum. We provide the MEGaSaURA spectra to the astronomical community through a data release.

Implantation of Martian Materials in the Inner Solar System by a Mega Impact on Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hyodo, Ryuki; Genda, Hidenori

2018-04-01

Observations and meteorites indicate that the Martian materials are enigmatically distributed within the inner solar system. A mega impact on Mars creating a Martian hemispheric dichotomy and the Martian moons can potentially eject Martian materials. A recent work has shown that the mega-impact-induced debris is potentially captured as the Martian Trojans and implanted in the asteroid belt. However, the amount, distribution, and composition of the debris has not been studied. Here, using hydrodynamic simulations, we report that a large amount of debris (∼1% of Mars’ mass), including Martian crust/mantle and the impactor’s materials (∼20:80), are ejected by a dichotomy-forming impact, and distributed between ∼0.5–3.0 au. Our result indicates that unmelted Martian mantle debris (∼0.02% of Mars’ mass) can be the source of Martian Trojans, olivine-rich asteroids in the Hungarian region and the main asteroid belt, and some even hit the early Earth. The evidence of a mega impact on Mars would be recorded as a spike of 40Ar–39Ar ages in meteorites. A mega impact can naturally implant Martian mantle materials within the inner solar system.

Synthesis of Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} nanoparticles and controlling the morphology with polyethylene glycol

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

Rawat, Kusum; Department of Electronic Science, University of Delhi South Campus, Delhi 110021; Kim, Hee-Joon

Highlights: • Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} nanoparticles were synthesized by wet chemical technique. • First report on the effect of using polyethylene glycol as a structure directing agent on Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} nanoparticles. • The morphology of Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} nanoparticles changes into nanoflakes and nanorods structures with polyethylene glycol concentration. • Polyethylene glycol assisted Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} nanoparticle film exhibits optical bandgap of 1.5 eV which is suitable for the application in solar cells. - Abstract: Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} nanoparticles were synthesized by wet chemical technique using metal thiourea precursor at 250 °C. The structural and morphological properties of asmore » grown nanoparticles have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The influence of different concentration of polyethylene glycol as structure directing agent on the morphologies of Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} nanoparticles are investigated on thin films deposited by spin coating technique. The mean crystallite size of the Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} nanoparticles was found to improve with polyethylene glycol concentration. Scanning electron microscopy images of Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} revealed aggregated spherical shaped nanoparticles whereas the polyethylene glycol assisted Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} nanoparticle films show nanoflakes and nanorods structures with increasing concentration of polyethylene glycol. Transmission electron microscopy analysis has also been performed to determine the size and structure of nanorods. UV–vis absorption spectroscopy shows the broad band absorption with optical bandgap of 1.50 eV for polyethylene glycol assisted Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} films.« less

Earthquake and Volcanic Hazard Mitigation and Capacity Building in Sub-Saharan Africa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ayele, A.

2012-04-01

The East African Rift System (EARS) is a classic example of active continental rifting, and a natural laboratory setting to study initiation and early stage evolution of continental rifts. The EARS is at different stages of development that varies from relatively matured rift (16 mm/yr) in the Afar to a weakly extended Okavango Delta in the south with predicted opening velocity < 3 mm/yr. Recent studies in the region helped researchers to highlight the length and timescales of magmatism and faulting, the partitioning of strain between faulting and magmatism, and their implications for the development of along-axis segmentation. Although the human resource and instrument coverage is sparse in the continent, our understanding of rift processes and deep structure has improved in the last decade after the advent of space geodesy and broadband seismology. The recent major earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and mega dike intrusions that occurred along the EARS attracted several earth scientist teams across the globe. However, most African countries traversed by the rift do not have the full capacity to monitor and mitigate earthquake and volcanic hazards. Few monitoring facilities exist in some countries, and the data acquisition is rarely available in real-time for mitigation purpose. Many sub-Saharan Africa governments are currently focused on achieving the millennium development goals with massive infrastructure development scheme and urbanization while impending natural hazards of such nature are severely overlooked. Collaborations with overseas researchers and other joint efforts by the international community are opportunities to be used by African institutions to best utilize limited resources and to mitigate earthquake and volcano hazards.

Trypanosoma mega (Kinetoplastida) from Bufo viridis in Siwah Oasis, Egypt.

PubMed

Ashour, A A; Gaafar, N A

1997-04-01

A large pleomorphic trypanosome, identified as Trypanosoma mega, is described from the toad Bufo viridis collected from Siwah Oasis at the Western Desert of Egypt. The prevalence of the trypanosome is 83.3%. Three trypanosome forms are described, small, intermediate and large stumpy form. Observations were also made on the lysed (diffused) trypanosomes. This is the first record of T. mega from B. viridis in Egypt which represents a new host and new geographical location. The measurements of the present trypanosome are given and compared with related forms previously described from Egypt.

The nature of intermediate-range order in Ge-As-S glasses : results from reverse Monte Carlo modeling.

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

Soyer-Uzun, S.; Benmore, C. J.; Siewenie, J. E.

2010-01-01

The experimental neutron and x-ray diffraction data for stoichiometric and S-deficient Ge{sub x}As{sub x}S{sub 100-2x} glasses with x = 18.2, 25.0, and 33.3 at.% have been modeled simultaneously using the reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) technique. Nearest-neighbor coordination environments, as obtained in previous x-ray absorption spectroscopy and diffraction experiments, have been employed as short-range order constraints in these simulations. The large scale three-dimensional structural models thus obtained from RMC simulation are used to investigate the nature and compositional evolution of intermediate-range structural order in these ternary glasses. The intermediate-range structural order is controlled by (1) a corner-shared three-dimensional network of AsS{submore » 3} pyramids and GeS{sub 4} tetrahedra in the stoichiometric Ge{sub 18.2}As{sub 18.2}S{sub 63.6} glass, (2) a heterogeneous structure that consists of homopolar bonded As-rich regions coexisting with a GeS{sub 2} network in the S-deficient Ge{sub 25}As{sub 25}S{sub 50} glass, and (3) a homogeneous structure resulting from the disruption of the topological continuity of the GeS{sub 2} network and As-rich clusters regions due to the formation of Ge-As bonds in the most S-deficient Ge{sub 33.3}As{sub 33.3}S{sub 33.3} glass. This scenario of the compositional evolution of intermediate-range structural order is consistent with and provides an atomistic explanation of the corresponding evolution in the position, width and intensity of the first sharp diffraction peak and the magnitude of small angle scattering in these glasses.« less

Ultra-high enhancement of light focusing through disordered media controlled by mega-pixel modes (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Hyeonseung; Lee, KyeoReh; Park, YongKeun

2017-02-01

Developing an efficient strategy for light focusing through scattering media is an important topic in the study of multiple light scattering. The enhancement factor of the light focusing, defined as the ratio between the optimized intensity and the background intensity is proportional to the number of controlling modes in a spatial light modulator (SLM). The demonstrated enhancement factors in previous studies are typically less than 1,000 due to several limiting factors, such as the slow refresh rate of a LCoS SLM, long optimization time, and lack of an efficient algorithm for high controlling modes. A digital micro-mirror device is an amplitude modulator, which is recently widely used for fast optimization through dynamic biological tissues. The fast frame rate of the DMD up to 16 kHz can also be exploited for increasing the number of controlling modes. However, the manipulation of large pattern data and efficient calculation of the optimized pattern remained as an issue. In this work, we demonstrate the enhancement factor more than 100,000 in focusing through scattering media by using 1 Mega controlling modes of a DMD. Through careful synchronization between a DMD, a photo-detector and an additional computer for parallel optimization, we achieved the unprecedented enhancement factor with 75 mins of the optimization time. We discuss the design principles of the system and the possible applications of the enhanced light focusing.

Probability Assessment of Mega-thrust Earthquakes in Global Subduction Zones　-from the View of Slip Deficit-

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ikuta, R.; Mitsui, Y.; Ando, M.

2014-12-01

We studied inter-plate slip history for about 100 years using earthquake catalogs. On assumption that each earthquake has stick-slip patch centered in its centroid, we regard cumulative seismic slips around the centroid as representing the inter-plate dislocation. We evaluated the slips on the stick-slip patches of over-M5-class earthquakes prior to three recent mega-thrust earthquakes, the 2004 Sumatra (Mw9.2), the 2010 Chile (Mw8.8), and the 2011 Tohoku (Mw9.0) around them. Comparing the cumulative seismic slips with the plate convergence, the slips before the mega-thrust events are significantly short in large area corresponding to the size of the mega-thrust events. We also researched cumulative seismic slips after other three mega-thrust earthquakes occurred in this 100 years, the 1952 Kamchatka (Mw9.0), the 1960 Chile (Mw9.5), the 1964 Alaska (Mw9.2). The cumulative slips have been significantly short in and around the focal area after their occurrence. The result should reflect persistency of the strong or/and large inter-plate coupled area capable of mega-thrust earthquakes. We applied the same procedure to global subduction zones to find that 21 regions including the focal area of above mega-thrust earthquakes show slip deficit over large area corresponding to the size of M9-class earthquakes. Considering that at least six M9-class earthquakes occurred in this 100 years and each recurrence interval should be 500-1000 years, it would not be surprised that from five to ten times of the already known regions (30 to 60 regions) are capable of M9 class earthquakes. The 21 regions as expected M9 class focal areas in our study is less than 5 to 10 times of the known 6, some of these regions may be divided into a few M9 class focal area because they extend to much larger area than typical M9 class focal area.

Fabrication of glass-ceramics containing spin-chain compound SrCuO{sub 2} and its high thermal conductivity

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

Terakado, Nobuaki, E-mail: terakado@laser.apph.tohoku.ac.jp; Watanabe, Kouki; Kawamata, Takayuki

2015-04-06

High thermal conductivity materials are in great demand for heat-flow control and heat dissipation in electronic devices. In this study, we have produced a glass-ceramics that contains spin-chain compound SrCuO{sub 2} and have found that the glass-ceramics yields high thermal conductivity of ∼5 W K{sup −1} m{sup −1} even at room temperature. The glass-ceramics is fabricated through crystallization of inhomogeneous melt-quenched oxides made from SrCO{sub 3}, CuO, Li{sub 2}CO{sub 3}, Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3}, and Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray and electron diffraction reveal that SrCuO{sub 2} crystallites with a size of 100–200 nm are precipitated in the glass-ceramics. Themore » highness of the thermal conductivity is attributable to two sources: one is elongation of phonon mean free path due to the crystallization of the inhomogeneous structure or structural ordering. The other is emergence of the heat carriers, spinons, in the SrCuO{sub 2}. This highly thermal conductive glass-ceramics is expected to be utilized as base materials for heat-flow control devices.« less

Development of microheaters for gas sensor with an AT-Mega 8535 temperature controller using a PWM (pulse width modulation) method

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

Megayanti, Meti; Panatarani, Camellia; Joni, I. Made, E-mail: imadejoni@phys.unpad.ac.id

Microheater is the main component in gas sensor characterized by their sensitivity, selectivity, and time response of gas sensor which is depend on the microheater temperature stability. A Cu microheater was developed and utilized AT-Mega 8535 controller using a PWM (pulse width modulation) method. This control system is interfaced to the PC to observe the real time temperature response of the microheater. Three initial resistance (R0) variations of microheater were developed in an open loop control system. The power characteristic of designed microheater depends on the specified microheater initial resistance. The smaller R0, the less power required to reach amore » temperature setting value. The developed microheater was designed to reach a temperature setting value of 250°C having resistance 0.531 Ω for 1.979 Watt and 0.265 Ω for 1.072 Watt respectively. The results of the investigation on the control performances shows microheater-control system achieved operating temperature up to 250°C. The response of the temperature control shows smallest R0 resulted in a high stability with short settling time, short delay time and small ripple for temperature setting values higher than 150°C. The obtained error of microheater temperature with R0 = 0.265 is 8.596 %. It is concluded that the developed microheater can be utilized as a component of a gas sensor.« less

What would happen if the Mississippi River changed its course to the Atchafalaya?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Y. J.

2017-12-01

The Mississippi River Delta faces an uncertain future as sea level keeps rising while the land continues to subside. In its latest Master Plan draft of 2017, the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has outlined a $50 billion investment for 120 projects designed to build and maintain coastal Louisiana. These projects are all developed under the assumption that the Mississippi River (MR) would remain on its current course, which is artificially maintained through a control structure built in 1963 (also known as the Old River Control Structure, or ORCS) after it was realized that the river attempted to change its course back to its old river channel - the Atchafalaya River (AR). Since the ORCS is in operation of controlling only about 25% of the MR flow into the AR, little attention has been paid to the importance of possible riverbed changes downstream the avulsion node on the MR course switch. As one of the largest alluvial river in the world, the MR avulsed every 1,000-1,500 years in the past. Alluvial rivers avulse when two conditions are met: a sufficient in-channel aggradation and a major flood. In our ongoing study on sediment transport and channel morphology of the lower Mississippi River, we found that the first 30-mile reach downstream the ORCS has been experiencing rapid bed aggradation and channel narrowing in the past three decades. A mega flood could be a triggering point to overpower the man-made ORCS and allow the river abandon its current channel - the MR main stem. This is not a desirable path; however, nature has its own mechanism of choosing river flows, which do not bow to our expectation. The Missisippi River's flow is projected to increase in the future as global temperature continues to rise and hydrologic cycle intensifies. Additionally, rapid urbanization in the river basin will create conditions that foster the emergence of mega floods. It would be impractical to spend considerable resources for a river delta without assessing the future avulsion risk of the river upstream. My presentation will discuss the possibility of a Mississippi River avulsion, its consequences, as well as what assessment data we need to develop rational strategies.

June 2017: The Earliest European Summer Mega-heatwave of Reanalysis Period

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sánchez-Benítez, A.; García-Herrera, R.; Barriopedro, D.; Sousa, P. M.; Trigo, R. M.

2018-02-01

This paper examines the characteristics of the heatwave that affected western and central Europe in June 2017. Using a novel algorithm, we show that its extension, intensity, and persistence were comparable to those of other European mega-heatwaves, but it occurred earlier in the summer. The most affected area was Iberia, which experienced devastating forest fires with human casualties and the warmest temperatures of the reanalysis period from daily to seasonal scales. The peak of the mega-heatwave displayed an unprecedented warm air intrusion due to a record-breaking subtropical ridge with signatures closer to those of July and August. The atmospheric circulation was the main triggering factor of the event. However, thermodynamical changes of the last decades made a substantial contribution to the event, by increasing the likelihood of surpassing high-temperature thresholds. This episode could be a good example of a coming future, with high-summer mega-heatwaves occurring earlier.

Performance Evaluation of Engineered Structured Sorbents for Atmosphere Revitalization Systems On Board Crewed Space Vehicles and Habitats

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Howard, David F.; Perry, Jay L.; Knox, James C.; Junaedi, Christian; Roychoudhury, Subir

2011-01-01

Engineered structured (ES) sorbents are being developed to meet the technical challenges of future crewed space exploration missions. ES sorbents offer the inherent performance and safety attributes of zeolite and other physical adsorbents but with greater structural integrity and process control to improve durability and efficiency over packed beds. ES sorbent techniques that are explored include thermally linked and pressure-swing adsorption beds for water-save dehumidification and sorbent-coated metal meshes for residual drying, trace contaminant control, and carbon dioxide control. Results from sub-scale performance evaluations of a thermally linked pressure-swing adsorbent bed and an integrated sub-scale ES sorbent system are discussed.

Controls on gold deposits in Hoggar, Tuareg Shield (Southern Algeria)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aissa, Djamal-Eddine; Marignac, Christian

2017-03-01

The Hoggar shield belongs to the 3000 km-long Pan-African Trans-Saharan belt that was formed in the Neoproterozoic, between 750 and 500 Ma by continental collision between the converging West African craton, Congo craton and Saharan Metacraton. More than 600 gold occurrences have been identified by ORGM, which are confined along North-South Pan-African megashear zones stretching some hundreds of kilometres long. Until now, no global classification and mineral paragenesis characterisation have been proposed for the Hoggar's gold mineralization. In this paper, we briefly review the main gold mineralization, in order to classify them and to highlight their characteristics and controls. According to field work, spectral, microscopic and microthermometric studies, these mineralization can be globally classified asorogenic type shear zone, which can subdivided into three main sub-types according to the degree of their relationships with the major Pan-African shear zones: (i) Ultramylonite-mylonite hosted including Tirek and Amesmessa, world class deposits; (ii) Granite hosted, including Tekouyat occurrence (iii) Volcano-sediment hosted including Tiririne and In Abbegui deposits. All the deposits are coeval and were formed at the end of the post-collisional stage (530-520 Ma). InHoggar, gold mineralization depend on a double control, first order giant sub-meridian shear zone control and the gold districts disposed in N40°-50°E corridors that may be interpreted as extensional. Indeed, the Hoggar gold province appears to have been controlled at all scales by the late transtensive reactivation of the Pan-African mega-shear zones, and by the correlative heat flux associated with the linear lithospheric delamination processes accompanying this reactivation; which are also responsible for the very lateHoggar magmatic events. At Amesmessa, gold deposition was promoted by the mixing of metamorphic fluids issued from the In Ouzzal Archean-Proterozoic basement with magmatic, basinal and meteoric-derived water. These deposits and occurrences contains variable minerals and trace elements in order of decreasing importance: Pb, Zn, Cu, Ag, Bi, W, Te,Co, Cr, Mo, Ni, Nb, Ta, U, Hf, REE, PGE.

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

Barty, C J

A renaissance in nuclear physics is occurring around the world because of a new kind of incredibly bright, gamma-ray light source that can be created with short pulse lasers and energetic electron beams. These highly Mono-Energetic Gamma-ray (MEGa-ray) sources produce narrow, laser-like beams of incoherent, tunable gamma-rays and are enabling access and manipulation of the nucleus of the atom with photons or so called 'Nuclear Photonics'. Just as in the early days of the laser when photon manipulation of the valence electron structure of the atom became possible and enabling to new applications and science, nuclear photonics with laser-based gamma-raymore » sources promises both to open up wide areas of practical isotope-related, materials applications and to enable new discovery-class nuclear science. In the United States, the development of high brightness and high flux MEGa-ray sources is being actively pursued at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore (LLNL), California near San Francisco. The LLNL work aims to create by 2013 a machine that will advance the state of the art with respect to source the peak brightness by 6 orders of magnitude. This machine will create beams of 1 to 2.3 MeV photons with color purity matching that of common lasers. In Europe a similar but higher photon energy gamma source has been included as part of the core capability that will be established at the Extreme Light Infrastructure Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP) facility in Magurele, Romania outside of Bucharest. This machine is expected to have an end point gamma energy in the range of 13 MeV. The machine will be co-located with two world-class, 10 Petawatt laser systems thus allowing combined intense-laser and gamma-ray interaction experiments. Such capability will be unique in the world. In this talk, Dr. Chris Barty from LLNL will review the state of the art with respect to MEGa-ray source design, construction and experiments and will describe both the ongoing projects around the world as well some of the exciting applications that these machines will enable. The optimized interaction of short-duration, pulsed lasers with relativistic electron beams (inverse laser-Compton scattering) is the key to unrivaled MeV-scale photon source monochromaticity, pulse brightness and flux. In the MeV spectral range, such Mono-Energetic Gamma-ray (MEGa-ray) sources can have many orders of magnitude higher peak brilliance than even the world's largest synchrotrons. They can efficiently perturb and excite the isotope-specific resonant structure of the nucleus in a manner similar to resonant laser excitation of the valence electron structure of the atom.« less

Mega numbers, lobbying and providing care for individuals with autism.

PubMed

Waldman, H Barry; Perlman, Steven P

2009-10-01

Lobbying is a competitive effort directed to reaching legislators who are attempting to balance the demands of individuals, organized groups, political parties, and the complex economic realities of our times. Unfortunately, the use of all-inclusive "mega numbers" (whether it is the millions of individuals with disabilities or the billions of dollars for needed services) is difficult for any person to place in proper perspective. As a result, the estimated 1.5 million children and adults with autism spectrum disorders and their families in the United States become just "numbers" - not actual people. The need is to somehow personalize these numbers if we are to bring increased attention to these individuals with special needs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and private research foundation data are used to illustrate an approach to better personalize the information for individual politicians and health practitioners.

Accuracy and stability of measuring GABA, glutamate, and glutamine by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy: A phantom study at 4 Tesla

PubMed Central

Henry, Michael E.; Lauriat, Tara L.; Shanahan, Meghan; Renshaw, Perry F.; Jensen, J. Eric

2015-01-01

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy has the potential to provide valuable information about alterations in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate (Glu), and glutamine (Gln) in psychiatric and neurological disorders. In order to use this technique effectively, it is important to establish the accuracy and reproducibility of the methodology. In this study, phantoms with known metabolite concentrations were used to compare the accuracy of 2D J-resolved MRS, single-echo 30 ms PRESS, and GABA-edited MEGA-PRESS for measuring all three aforementioned neurochemicals simultaneously. The phantoms included metabolite concentrations above and below the physiological range and scans were performed at baseline, 1 week, and 1 month time-points. For GABA measurement, MEGA-PRESS proved optimal with a measured-to-target correlation of R2 = 0.999, with J-resolved providing R2 = 0.973 for GABA. All three methods proved effective in measuring Glu with R2 = 0.987 (30 ms PRESS), R2 = 0.996 (J-resolved) and R2 = 0.910 (MEGA-PRESS). J-resolved and MEGA-PRESS yielded good results for Gln measures with respective R2 = 0.855 (J-resolved) and R2 = 0.815 (MEGA-PRESS). The 30 ms PRESS method proved ineffective in measuring GABA and Gln. When measurement stability at in vivo concentration was assessed as a function of varying spectral quality, J-resolved proved the most stable and immune to signal-to-noise and linewidth fluctuation compared to MEGA-PRESS and 30 ms PRESS. PMID:21130670

Effects of Land Use Change on Tropical Coastal Systems are Exacerbated by the Decline of Marine Mega-Herbivores

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lamers, L. P.; Christianen, M. J.; Govers, L. L.; Kiswara, W.; Bouma, T.; Roelofs, J. G.; Van Katwijk, M. M.

2011-12-01

Land use changes in tropical regions such as deforestation, mining activities, and shrimp farming, not only affect freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems, but also have a strong impact on coastal marine ecosystems. The increased influx of sediments and nutrients affects these ecosystems in multiple ways. Seagrass meadows that line coastal marine ecosystems provide important ecosystem services, e.g. sediment trapping, coastal protection and fisheries. Based on studies in East Kalimantan (Indonesia) we have shown that seagrass meadow parameters may provide more reliable indicators of land use change than the sampling of either marine sediments or water quality chemical parameters. Observations of changes in ecosystem functioning are particularly valuable for those areas where flux values are lacking and rapid surveys are needed. Time series of estuarine seagrass transects can show not only the intensity, but also the radius of action of land use change on coastal marine systems. Marine mega-herbivores pose a strong top-down control in seagrass ecosystems. We will provide a conceptual model, based on experimental evidence, to show that the global decline of marine mega-herbivore populations (as a result of large-scale poaching) may decrease the resilience of seagrass systems to increased anthropogenic forcing including land use changes. These outcomes not only urge the need for better regulation of land use change, but also for the establishment of marine protected areas (MPA's) in tropical coastal regions.

The influence of time dependent flight and maneuver velocities and elastic or viscoelastic flexibilities on aerodynamic and stability derivatives

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

Cochrane, Alexander P.; Merrett, Craig G.; Hilton, Harry H.

2014-12-10

The advent of new structural concepts employing composites in primary load carrying aerospace structures in UAVs, MAVs, Boeing 787s, Airbus A380s, etc., necessitates the inclusion of flexibility as well as viscoelasticity in static structural and aero-viscoelastic analyses. Differences and similarities between aeroelasticity and aero-viscoelasticity have been investigated in [2]. An investigation is undertaken as to the dependence and sensitivity of aerodynamic and stability derivatives to elastic and viscoelastic structural flexibility and as to time dependent flight and maneuver velocities. Longitudinal, lateral and directional stabilities are investigated. It has been a well established fact that elastic lifting surfaces are subject tomore » loss of control effectiveness and control reversal at certain flight speeds, which depend on aerodynamic, structural and material properties [5]. Such elastic analyses are extended to linear viscoelastic materials under quasi-static, dynamic, and sudden and gradual loading conditions. In elastic wings one of the critical static parameters is the velocity at which control reversal takes place (V{sub REV}{sup E}). Since elastic formulations constitute viscoelastic initial conditions, viscoelastic reversal may occur at speeds V{sub REV<}{sup ≧}V{sub REV}{sup E}, but furthermore does so in time at 0 < t{sub REV} ≤ ∞. The influence of the twin effects of viscoelastic and elastic materials and of variable flight velocities on longitudinal, lateral, directional and spin stabilities are also investigated. It has been a well established fact that elastic lifting surfaces are subject to loss of control effectiveness and control reversal at certain flight speeds, which depend on aerodynamic, structural and material properties [5]. Such elastic analyses are here extended to linear viscoelastic materials under quasi-static, dynamic, and sudden and gradual loading conditions. In elastic wings the critical parameter is the velocity at which control reversal takes place (V{sub REV}{sup E}). Since elastic formulations constitute viscoelastic initial conditions, viscoelastic reversal may occur at speeds V{sub REV<}{sup ≧}V{sub REV}{sup E}, but furthermore does so in time at 0 < t{sub REV} ≤ ∞. This paper reports on analytical analyses and simulations of the effects of flexibility and time dependent material properties (viscoelasticity) on aerodynamic derivatives and on lateral, longitudinal, directional and spin stability derivatives. Cases of both constant and variable flight and maneuver velocities are considered. Analytical results for maneuvers involving constant and time dependent rolling velocities are analyzed, discussed and evaluated. The relationships between rolling velocity p and aileron angular displacement β as well as control effectiveness are analyzed and discussed in detail for elastic and viscoelastic wings. Such analyses establish the roll effectiveness derivatives (∂[p(t)])/(V{sub ∞}∂β(t)) . Similar studies involving other stability and aerodynamic derivatives are also undertaken. The influence of the twin effects of viscoelastic and elastic materials and of variable flight, rolling, pitching and yawing velocities on longitudinal, lateral and directional are also investigated. Variable flight velocities, encountered during maneuvers, render the usually linear problem at constant velocities into a nonlinear one.« less

Best Practices from WisDOT Mega and ARRA Projects

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-03-01

Since 2004 WisDOT has developed a number of new techniques, methods, processes and procedures for management of two new : types of transportation projects: Mega projects and projects funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of ...

Best practices from WisDOT mega and ARRA projects.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-03-01

Since 2004 WisDOT has developed a number of new techniques, methods, processes and procedures for management of two new types of transportation projects: "Mega projects" and projects funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (...

Bridge Approach Remedies Implemented at Western Mega Site

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-09-01

As part of the heavy axle load (HAL) revenue service mega site testing program, the Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI) has worked closely with the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) to address bridge approach problems under HAL operations. The te...

Mega-precovery and data mining of near-Earth asteroids and other Solar System objects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Popescu, M.; Vaduvescu, O.; Char, F.; Curelaru, L.; Euronear Team

2014-07-01

The vast collection of CCD images and photographic plate archives available from the world-wide archives and telescopes is still insufficiently exploited. Within the EURONEAR project we designed two data mining software with the purpose to search very large collections of archives for images which serendipitously include known asteroids or comets in their field, with the main aims to extend the arc and improve the orbits. In this sense, ''Precovery'' (published in 2008, aiming to search all known NEAs in few archives via IMCCE's SkyBoT server) and ''Mega-Precovery'' (published in 2010, querying the IMCCE's Miriade server) were made available to the community via the EURONEAR website (euronear.imcce.fr). Briefly, Mega-Precovery aims to search one or a few known asteroids or comets in a mega-collection including millions of images from some of the largest observatory archives: ESO (15 instruments served by ESO Archive including VLT), NVO (8 instruments served by U.S. NVO Archive), CADC (11 instruments, including HST and Gemini), plus other important instrument archives: SDSS, CFHTLS, INT-WFC, Subaru-SuprimeCam and AAT-WFI, adding together 39 instruments and 4.3 million images (Mar 2014), and our Mega-Archive is growing. Here we present some of the most important results obtained with our data-mining software and some new planned search options of Mega-Precovery. Particularly, the following capabilities will be added soon: the ING archive (all imaging cameras) will be included and new search options will be made available (such as query by orbital elements and by observations) to be able to target new Solar System objects such as Virtual Impactors, bolides, planetary satellites, TNOs (besides the comets added recently). In order to better characterize the archives, we introduce the ''AOmegaA'' factor (archival etendue) proportional to the AOmega (etendue) and the number of images in an archive. With the aim to enlarge the Mega-Archive database, we invite the observatories (particularly those storing their images online and also those that own plate archives which could be scanned on request) to contact us in order to add their instrument archives (consisting of an ASCII file with telescope pointings in a simple format) to our Mega-Precovery open project. We intend for the future to synchronise our service with the Virtual Observatory.

Report of the sensor readout electronics panel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fossum, Eric R.; Carson, J.; Kleinhans, W.; Kosonocky, W.; Kozlowski, L.; Pecsalski, A.; Silver, A.; Spieler, H.; Woolaway, J.

1991-01-01

The findings of the Sensor Readout Electronics Panel are summarized in regard to technology assessment and recommended development plans. In addition to two specific readout issues, cryogenic readouts and sub-electron noise, the panel considered three advanced technology areas that impact the ability to achieve large format sensor arrays. These are mega-pixel focal plane packaging issues, focal plane to data processing module interfaces, and event driven readout architectures. Development in each of these five areas was judged to have significant impact in enabling the sensor performance desired for the Astrotech 21 mission set. Other readout issues, such as focal plane signal processing or other high volume data acquisition applications important for Eos-type mapping, were determined not to be relevant for astrophysics science goals.

PAndAS' PROGENY: EXTENDING THE M31 DWARF GALAXY CABAL

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

Richardson, Jenny C.; Irwin, Mike J.; Chapman, Scott C.

2011-05-10

We present the discovery of five new dwarf galaxies, Andromeda XXIII-XXVII, located in the outer halo of M31. These galaxies were discovered during the second year of data from the Pan-Andromeda Archaeological Survey (PAndAS), a photometric survey of the M31/M33 subgroup conducted with the MegaPrime/MegaCam wide-field camera on the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope. The current PAndAS survey now provides an almost complete panoramic view of the M31 halo out to an average projected radius of {approx}150 kpc. Here we present for the first time the metal-poor stellar density map for this whole region, not only as an illustration of the discovery spacemore » for satellite galaxies, but also as a birds-eye view of the ongoing assembly process of an L{sub *} disk galaxy. Four of the newly discovered satellites appear as well-defined spatial overdensities of stars lying on the expected locus of metal-poor (-2.5 < [Fe/H] < -1.3) red giant branch stars at the distance of M31. The fifth overdensity, And XXVII, is embedded in an extensive stream of such stars and is possibly the remnant of a strong tidal disruption event. Based on distance estimates from horizontal branch magnitudes, all five have metallicities typical of dwarf spheroidal galaxies ranging from [Fe/H] =-1.7 {+-} 0.2 to [Fe/H] =-1.9 {+-} 0.2 and absolute magnitudes ranging from M{sub V} = -7.1 {+-} 0.5 to M{sub V} = -10.2 {+-} 0.5. These five additional satellites bring the number of dwarf spheroidal galaxies in this region to 25 and continue the trend whereby the brighter dwarf spheroidal satellites of M31 generally have much larger half-light radii than their Milky Way counterparts. With an extended sample of M31 satellite galaxies, we also revisit the spatial distribution of this population and in particular we find that, within the current projected limits of the PAndAS survey, the surface density of satellites is essentially constant out to 150 kpc. This corresponds to a radial density distribution of satellites varying as r{sup -1}, a result seemingly in conflict with the predictions of cosmological simulations.« less

Study of current-voltage characteristics of ferromagnetic α-Fe{sub 1.64}Ga{sub 0.36}O{sub 3} oxide under magnetic fields

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

Vijayasri, G., E-mail: vsvijiguna.physics@gmail.com; Bhowmik, R. N.

We report the influence of magnetic field on I-V characteristics of α-Fe{sub 1.64}Ga{sub 0.36}O{sub 3} sample. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction pattern and Raman Spectroscopy have confirmed rhombohedral structure with space group R3C in the sample. The sample exhibits ferromagnetic feature at room temperature and non saturation of magnetization up to 7Tesla suggests the effect of non-collinear structure (canting) of the spins on the ferromagnetic properties. We have recorded I-V characteristics of the sample under magnetic field to study the effect of non-collinear spin structure on the electrical properties. Space charge limited current mechanism controlled the nature of non-linear I-V curves andmore » the curves are significantly affected by magnetic field.« less

It's time to reinvent the general aviation airplane

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stengel, Robert F.

1988-01-01

Current designs for general aviation airplanes have become obsolete, and avenues for major redesign must be considered. New designs should incorporate recent advances in electronics, aerodynamics, structures, materials, and propulsion. Future airplanes should be optimized to operate satisfactorily in a positive air traffic control environment, to afford safety and comfort for point-to-point transportation, and to take advantage of automated manufacturing techniques and high production rates. These requirements have broad implications for airplane design and flying qualities, leading to a concept for the Modern Equipment General Aviation (MEGA) airplane. Synergistic improvements in design, production, and operation can provide a much needed fresh start for the general aviation industry and the traveling public. In this investigation a small four place airplane is taken as the reference, although the proposed philosophy applies across the entire spectrum of general aviation.

Morphology-controlled synthesis of Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} by one step template-free hydrothermal method

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

Zhou, Keqing; Liu, Jiajia; Wen, Panyue

2015-07-15

Highlights: • Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} crystals had been synthesized by one step template-free hydrothermal method. • The H{sub 2}O{sub 2} plays a crucial role in morphological control of Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanostructures. • The morphology has significant effect on the optical property of Co{sub 3}O{sub 4}. - Abstract: We had developed a facile synthetic route of Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} crystals with different morphologies via one step template-free hydrothermal method. The phase and composition of the Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction and Raman spectrum. The morphology and structure of the synthesized samples were characterized by scanning electronmore » microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The H{sub 2}O{sub 2} played a crucial role in morphological control of Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanostructures. It only obtained Co-based precursor in the absence of H{sub 2}O{sub 2}. On the contrary, the Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} with different morphologies including nanoparticles, nano-discs and well-defined octahedral nanostructures were synthesized in the presence of H{sub 2}O{sub 2}. In addition, the optical property of the obtained Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} samples was investigated by UV–vis spectra.« less

Using in-process measurements of open-gate structures to evaluate threshold voltage of normally-off GaN-based high electron mobility transistors

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

Hou, Bin; Ma, Xiao-Hua, E-mail: xhma@xidian.edu.cn, E-mail: yhao@xidian.edu.cn; Chen, Wei-Wei

The parameters of open-gate structures treated with different etching time were monitored during the gate recess process, and their impacts on the threshold voltage (V{sub th}) of final fabricated AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) based on open-gate structures were discussed in this paper. It is found that V{sub th} can exceed 0 V when channel resistance in the recessed region (R{sub on-open}) increases over ∼275 Ω mm, maximum current (I{sub Dmax}) decreases below ∼29 mA/mm, or recessed barrier thickness (t{sub RB}) is below ∼7.5 nm. In addition, t{sub RB} obtained by atomic force microscopy measurements and C-V measurements are also compared. Finally,more » theoretical common criteria based on the experimental results of this work for t{sub RB} and R{sub on-open} were established to evaluate the V{sub th} of a regular normally-off AlGaN/GaN HEMTs. The results indicate that these parameters of open-gate structure can be utilized to achieve normally-off HEMTs with controllable V{sub th}.« less

The force required to fracture endodontically roots restored with various materials as intra-orifice barriers.

PubMed

Yasa, E; Arslan, H; Yasa, B; Akcay, M; Alsancak, M; Hatirli, H

2017-10-01

To evaluate the effect of various materials as intra-orifice barriers on the force required fracture roots. One hundred-thirty five mandibular premolars were decoronated and prepared up to size #40. The root canals were filled and randomly divided into two control and seven experimental groups (n = 15), as follows: Positive control group (the intra-orifice barrier cavity was not prepared), negative control group (the intra-orifice barrier cavity was prepared, but not filled), filling using glass ionomer cement, nano-hybrid composite resin, short fiber-reinforced composite, bulk-fill flowable composite, MTA Angelus, Micro Mega MTA or Biodentine. A fracture strength test was performed, and the data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests. Nano-hybrid composite, short fiber-reinforced composite, bulk-fill flow able composite, and glass ionomer cement increased the force required fracture the roots compared to the positive and negative control groups (P < 0.05). While MTA groups did not increase the force required fracture the roots compared to the control groups, Biodentine increased significantly. Within the limitations of the present study, the use of nano-hybrid composite, short fiber-reinforced composite, bulk-fill flowable composite, and glass ionomer cement as an intra-orifice barrier may be useful in reinforcing roots. MTA placement (MTA Angelus or Micro Mega MTA) did not significantly increase the fracture resistance of endodontically treated roots compared to the control groups, however Biodentine did.

Flexible Friction Stir Joining Technology

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

Feng, Zhili; Lim, Yong Chae; Mahoney, Murray

2015-07-23

Reported herein is the final report on a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO) project with industry cost-share that was jointly carried out by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company (ExxonMobil), and MegaStir Technologies (MegaStir). The project was aimed to advance the state of the art of friction stir welding (FSW) technology, a highly energy-efficient solid-state joining process, for field deployable, on-site fabrications of large, complex and thick-sectioned structures of high-performance and high-temperature materials. The technology innovations developed herein attempted to address two fundamental shortcomings of FSW: 1) the inability for on-site welding andmore » 2) the inability to weld thick section steels, both of which have impeded widespread use of FSW in manufacturing. Through this work, major advance has been made toward transforming FSW technology from a “specialty” process to a mainstream materials joining technology to realize its pervasive energy, environmental, and economic benefits across industry.« less

Skin penetration and antioxidant effect of cosmeto-textiles with gallic acid.

PubMed

Alonso, C; Martí, M; Barba, C; Lis, M; Rubio, L; Coderch, L

2016-03-01

In this work, the antioxidant gallic acid (GA) has been encapsulated in microspheres prepared with poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) and incorporated into polyamide (PA) obtaining the cosmeto-textile. The topical application of the cosmeto-textile provides a reservoir effect in the skin delivery of GA. The close contact of the cosmeto-textile, containing microsphere-encapsulated GA (ME-GA), with the skin and their corresponding occlusion, may be the main reasons that explain the crossing of active principle (GA) through the skin barrier, located in the stratum corneum, and its penetration into the different compartments of the skin, epidermis and dermis. An ex vivo assessment was performed to evaluate the antioxidant effect of the ME-GA on the stratum corneum (SC) using the thiobarbituric acid-reactive species (TBARS) test. The test is based on a non-invasive ex vivo methodology that evaluates lipid peroxides formed in the outermost layers of the SC from human volunteers after UV radiation to determine the effectiveness of an antioxidant. In this case, a ME-GA cosmeto-textile or ME-GA formulation were applied to the skin in vivo and lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the horny layer were determined after UV irradiation. This methodology may be used as a quality control tool to determine ex vivo the percentage of LPO inhibition on human SC for a variety of antioxidants that are topically applied, in this case GA. Results show that LPO formation was inhibited in human SC when GA was applied directly or embedded in the cosmeto-textile, demonstrating the effectiveness of both applications. The percentage of LPO inhibition obtained after both topical applications was approximately 10% for the cosmeto-textile and 41% for the direct application of microspheres containing GA. This methodology could be used to determine the effectiveness of topically applied antioxidants encapsulated in cosmeto-textiles on human SC. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Multidecadal stability in tropical rain forest structure and dynamics across an old-growth landscape

PubMed Central

Clark, Deborah A.; Oberbauer, Steven F.; Kellner, James R.

2017-01-01

Have tropical rain forest landscapes changed directionally through recent decades? To answer this question requires tracking forest structure and dynamics through time and across within-forest environmental heterogeneity. While the impacts of major environmental gradients in soil nutrients, climate and topography on lowland tropical rain forest (TRF) structure and function have been extensively analyzed, the effects of the shorter environmental gradients typical of mesoscale TRF landscapes remain poorly understood. To evaluate multi-decadal performance of an old-growth TRF at the La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica, we established 18 0.5-ha annually-censused forest inventory plots in a stratified-random design across major landscape edaphic gradients. Over the 17-year study period, there were moderate differences in stand dynamics and structure across these gradients but no detectable difference in woody productivity. We found large effects on forest structure and dynamics from the mega-Niño event at the outset of the study, with subdecadal recovery and subsequent stabilization. To extend the timeline to >40 years, we combined our findings with those from earlier studies at this site. While there were annual to multiannual variations in the structure and dynamics, particularly in relation to local disturbances and the mega-Niño event, at the longer temporal scale and broader spatial scale this landscape was remarkably stable. This stability contrasts notably with a current hypothesis of increasing biomass and dynamics of TRF, which we term the Bigger and Faster Hypothesis (B&FHo). We consider possible reasons for the contradiction and conclude that it is currently not possible to independently assess the vast majority of previously published B&FHo evidence due to restricted data access. PMID:28981502

Color tunable monolithic InGaN/GaN LED having a multi-junction structure.

PubMed

Kong, Duk-Jo; Kang, Chang-Mo; Lee, Jun-Yeob; Kim, James; Lee, Dong-Seon

2016-03-21

In this study, we have fabricated a blue-green color-tunable monolithic InGaN/GaN LED having a multi-junction structure with three terminals. The device has an n-p-n structure consisting of a green and a blue active region, i.e., an n-GaN / blue-MQW / p-GaN / green-MQW / n-GaN / Al₂O₃ structure with three terminals for independently controlling the two active regions. To realize this LED structure, a typical LED consisting of layers of n-GaN, blue MQW, and p-GaN is regrown on a conventional green LED by using a metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) method. We explain detailed mechanisms of three operation modes which are the green, blue, and cyan mode. Moreover, we discuss optical properties of the device.

Testing of wide-gap welds at eastern mega site.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-08-01

In 2005, Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI) and Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) began a test of wide-gap welds (WGWs) at the eastern mega site near Bluefield, WV. : WGWs enable the repair of weld or railhead defects with a single weld instea...

Magnetic properties and coercivity mechanism of Sm{sub 1-x}Pr{sub x}Co{sub 5} (x=0-0.6) nanoflakes prepared by surfactant-assisted ball milling

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

Xu, M. L.; Yue, M., E-mail: yueming@bjut.edu.cn; Wu, Q.

2016-05-15

Sm{sub 1-x}Pr{sub x}Co{sub 5} (x=0-0.6) nanoflakes with CaCu{sub 5} structure were successfully prepared by surfactant-assisted high-energy ball milling (SAHEBM). The crystal structure and magnetic properties of Sm{sub 1-x}Pr{sub x}Co{sub 5} (x=0-0.6) nanoflakes were studied by X-ray diffraction and vibrating sample magnetometer. Effects of Pr addition on the structure, magnetic properties and coercivity mechanism of Sm{sub 1-x}Pr{sub x}Co{sub 5} nanoflakes were systematically investigated. XRD results show that all the nanoflakes have a hexagonal CaCu{sub 5}-type (Sm, Pr){sub 1}Co{sub 5} main phase and the (Sm, Pr){sub 2}Co{sub 7} impurity phase, and all of the samples exhibit a strong (00l) texture after magneticmore » alignment. As the Pr content increases, remanence firstly increases, then slightly reduced, while anisotropy field (H{sub A}) and H{sub ci} of decrease monotonically. Maximum energy product [(BH){sub max}] of the flakes increases first, peaks at 24.4 MGOe with Pr content of x = 0.4, then drops again. Magnetization behavior analysis indicate that the coercivity mechanism is mainly controlled by inhomogeneous domain wall pinning, and the pinning strength weakens with the increased Pr content, suggesting the great influence of H{sub A} on the coercivity of flakes.« less

Comparison of low-light nonmydriatic digital imaging with 35-mm ETDRS seven-standard field stereo color fundus photographs and clinical examination.

PubMed

Silva, Paolo S; Walia, Saloni; Cavallerano, Jerry D; Sun, Jennifer K; Dunn, Cheri; Bursell, Sven-Erik; Aiello, Lloyd M; Aiello, Lloyd Paul

2012-09-01

To compare agreement between diagnosis of clinical level of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME) derived from nonmydriatic fundus images using a digital camera back optimized for low-flash image capture (MegaVision) compared with standard seven-field Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) photographs and dilated clinical examination. Subject comfort and image acquisition time were also evaluated. In total, 126 eyes from 67 subjects with diabetes underwent Joslin Vision Network nonmydriatic retinal imaging. ETDRS photographs were obtained after pupillary dilation, and fundus examination was performed by a retina specialist. There was near-perfect agreement between MegaVision and ETDRS photographs (κ=0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.73-0.89) for clinical DR severity levels. Substantial agreement was observed with clinical examination (κ=0.71, 95% CI 0.62-0.80). For DME severity level there was near-perfect agreement with ETDRS photographs (κ=0.92, 95% CI 0.87-0.98) and moderate agreement with clinical examination (κ=0.58, 95% CI 0.46-0.71). The wider MegaVision 45° field led to identification of nonproliferative changes in areas not imaged by the 30° field of ETDRS photos. Field area unique to ETDRS photographs identified proliferative changes not visualized with MegaVision. Mean MegaVision acquisition time was 9:52 min. After imaging, 60% of subjects preferred the MegaVision lower flash settings. When evaluated using a rigorous protocol, images captured using a low-light digital camera compared favorably with ETDRS photography and clinical examination for grading level of DR and DME. Furthermore, these data suggest the importance of more extensive peripheral images and suggest that utilization of wide-field retinal imaging may further improve accuracy of DR assessment.

ICESpy009, a Conjugative Genetic Element Carrying mef(E) in Streptococcus pyogenes.

PubMed

Del Grosso, Maria; Camilli, Romina; Rizzi, Ermanno; Pietrelli, Alessandro; De Bellis, Gianluca; Pantosti, Annalisa

2016-07-01

Efflux-mediated macrolide resistance due to mef(E) and mel, carried by the mega element, is common in Streptococcus pneumoniae, for which it was originally characterized, but it is rare in Streptococcus pyogenes In S. pyogenes, mega was previously found to be enclosed in Tn2009, a composite genetic element of the Tn916 family containing tet(M) and conferring erythromycin and tetracycline resistance. In this study, S. pyogenes isolates containing mef(E), apparently not associated with other resistance determinants, were examined to characterize the genetic context of mega. By whole-genome sequencing of one isolate, MB56Spyo009, we identified a novel composite integrative and conjugative element (ICE) carrying mega, designated ICESpy009, belonging to the ICESa2603 family. ICESpy009 was 55 kb long, contained 61 putative open reading frames (ORFs), and was found to be integrated into hylA, a novel integration site for the ICESa2603 family. The modular organization of the ICE was similar to that of members of the ICESa2603 family carried by different streptococcal species. In addition, a novel cluster of accessory resistance genes was found inside a region that encloses mega. PCR mapping targeting ICESpy009 revealed the presence of a similar ICE in five other isolates under study. While in three isolates the integration site was the same as that of ICESpy009, in two isolates the ICE was integrated into rplL, the typical integration site of the ICESa2603 family. ICESpy009 was able to transfer macrolide resistance by conjugation to both S. pyogenes and S. pneumoniae, showing the first evidence of the transferability of mega from S. pyogenes. Copyright © 2016, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

ICESpy009, a Conjugative Genetic Element Carrying mef(E) in Streptococcus pyogenes

PubMed Central

Camilli, Romina; Rizzi, Ermanno; Pietrelli, Alessandro; De Bellis, Gianluca; Pantosti, Annalisa

2016-01-01

Efflux-mediated macrolide resistance due to mef(E) and mel, carried by the mega element, is common in Streptococcus pneumoniae, for which it was originally characterized, but it is rare in Streptococcus pyogenes. In S. pyogenes, mega was previously found to be enclosed in Tn2009, a composite genetic element of the Tn916 family containing tet(M) and conferring erythromycin and tetracycline resistance. In this study, S. pyogenes isolates containing mef(E), apparently not associated with other resistance determinants, were examined to characterize the genetic context of mega. By whole-genome sequencing of one isolate, MB56Spyo009, we identified a novel composite integrative and conjugative element (ICE) carrying mega, designated ICESpy009, belonging to the ICESa2603 family. ICESpy009 was 55 kb long, contained 61 putative open reading frames (ORFs), and was found to be integrated into hylA, a novel integration site for the ICESa2603 family. The modular organization of the ICE was similar to that of members of the ICESa2603 family carried by different streptococcal species. In addition, a novel cluster of accessory resistance genes was found inside a region that encloses mega. PCR mapping targeting ICESpy009 revealed the presence of a similar ICE in five other isolates under study. While in three isolates the integration site was the same as that of ICESpy009, in two isolates the ICE was integrated into rplL, the typical integration site of the ICESa2603 family. ICESpy009 was able to transfer macrolide resistance by conjugation to both S. pyogenes and S. pneumoniae, showing the first evidence of the transferability of mega from S. pyogenes. PMID:27067338

Role of atomistic structure in the stochastic nature of conductivity in substoichiometric tantalum pentoxide

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

Bondi, Robert J., E-mail: rjbondi@sandia.gov; Fox, Brian P.; Marinella, Matthew J.

2016-03-28

First-principles calculations of electrical conductivity (σ{sub o}) are revisited to determine the atomistic origin of its stochasticity in a distribution generated from sampling 14 ab-initio molecular dynamics configurations from 10 independently quenched models (n = 140) of substoichiometric amorphous Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5}, where each structure contains a neutral O monovacancy (V{sub O}{sup 0}). Structural analysis revealed a distinct minimum Ta-Ta separation (dimer/trimer) corresponding to each V{sub O}{sup 0} location. Bader charge decomposition using a commonality analysis approach based on the σ{sub o} distribution extremes revealed nanostructural signatures indicating that both the magnitude and distribution of cationic charge on the Ta subnetwork havemore » a profound influence on σ{sub o}. Furthermore, visualization of local defect structures and their electron densities reinforces these conclusions and suggests σ{sub o} in the amorphous oxide is best suppressed by a highly charged, compact Ta cation shell that effectively screens and minimizes localized V{sub O}{sup 0} interaction with the a-Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5} network; conversely, delocalization of V{sub O}{sup 0} corresponds to metallic character and high σ{sub o}. The random network of a-Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5} provides countless variations of an ionic configuration scaffold in which small perturbations affect the electronic charge distribution and result in a fixed-stoichiometry distribution of σ{sub o}; consequently, precisely controlled and highly repeatable oxide fabrication processes are likely paramount for advancement of resistive memory technologies.« less

Mega-Containerships and Mega-Containerports in the Gulf of Mexico: A Literature Review and Annotated Bibliography

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2000-05-01

Original Report Date: May 1999/Revised October 1999. Container shipping plays a key role in international transshipments and is currently the system of choice for most global shippers handling non-bulk commodities. In the competitive maritime industr...

Streaks of Aftershocks Following the 2004 Sumatra-Andaman Earthquake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Waldhauser, F.; Schaff, D. P.; Engdahl, E. R.; Diehl, T.

2009-12-01

Five years after the devastating 26 December, 2004 M 9.3 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake, regional and global seismic networks have recorded tens of thousands of aftershocks. We use bulletin data from the International Seismological Centre (ISC) and the National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC), and waveforms from IRIS, to relocate more than 20,000 hypocenters between 1964 and 2008 using teleseimic cross-correlation and double-difference methods. Relative location uncertainties of a few km or less allow for detailed analysis of the seismogenic faults activated as a result of the massive stress changes associated with the mega-thrust event. We focus our interest on an area of intense aftershock activity off-shore Banda Aceh in northern Sumatra, where the relocated epicenters reveal a pattern of northeast oriented streaks. The two most prominent streaks are ~70 km long with widths of only a few km. Some sections of the streaks are formed by what appear to be small, NNE striking sub-streaks. Hypocenter depths indicate that the events locate both on the plate interface and in the overriding Sunda plate, within a ~20 km wide band overlying the plate interface. Events on the plate interface indicate that the slab dip changes from ~20° to ~30° at around 50 km depth. Locations of the larger events in the overriding plate indicate an extension of the steeper dipping mega thrust fault to the surface, imaging what appears to be a major splay fault that reaches the surface somewhere near the western edge of the Aceh basin. Additional secondary splay faults, which branch off the plate interface at shallower depths, may explain the diffuse distribution of smaller events in the overriding plate, although their relative locations are less well constrained. Focal mechanisms support the relocation results. They show a narrowing range of fault dips with increasing distance from the trench. Specifically, they show reverse faulting on ~30° dipping faults above the shallow (20°) dipping plate interface. The observation of active splay faults associated with the mega thrust event is consistent with co- and post-seismic motion data, and may have significant implications on the generation and size of the tsunami that caused 300,000 deaths.

Tropical climate and vegetation changes during Heinrich Event 1: comparing climate model output to pollen-based vegetation reconstructions with emphasis on the region around the tropical Atlantic Ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Handiani, D.; Paul, A.; Dupont, L.

2011-06-01

Abrupt climate changes associated with Heinrich Event 1 (HE1) about 18 to 15 thousand years before present (ka BP) strongly affected climate and vegetation patterns not only in the Northern Hemisphere, but also in tropical regions in the South Atlantic Ocean. We used the University of Victoria (UVic) Earth System-Climate Model (ESCM) with dynamical vegetation and land surface components to simulate four scenarios of climate-vegetation interaction: the pre-industrial era (PI), the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), and a Heinrich-like event with two different climate backgrounds (interglacial and glacial). The HE1-like simulation with a glacial climate background produced sea surface temperature patterns and enhanced interhemispheric thermal gradients in accordance with the "bipolar seesaw" hypothesis. It allowed us to investigate the vegetation changes that result from a transition to a drier climate as predicted for northern tropical Africa due to a southward shift of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). We found that a cooling of the Northern Hemisphere caused a southward shift of those plant-functional types (PFTs) in Northern Tropical Africa that are indicative of an increased desertification, and a retreat of broadleaf forests in Western Africa and Northern South America. We used the PFTs generated by the model to calculate mega-biomes to allow for a direct comparison between paleodata and palynological vegetation reconstructions. Our calculated mega-biomes for the pre-industrial period and the LGM corresponded well to the modern and LGM sites of the BIOME6000 (v.4.2) reconstruction, except that our present-day simulation predicted the dominance of grassland in Southern Europe and our LGM simulation simulated more forest cover in tropical and sub-tropical South America. The mega-biomes from the HE1 simulation with glacial background climate were in agreement with paleovegetation data from land and ocean proxies in West, Central, and Northern Tropical Africa as well as Northeast South America. However, our model did not agree well with predicted biome distributions in Eastern South America.

Feedback of Erosional-Depositional Processes Generating Anabranching Patterns in a Mega-River the Case of the PARANÁ River, Argentina

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Latrubesse, E. M.; Pereira, M.; Ramonell, C. G.; Szupiany, R. N.

2011-12-01

A new category of "very large" rivers was recently proposed and defined as mega-rivers, which are those rivers with a Qmean of more than ~17,000m3/s. This category includes the nine largest rivers on Earth and the Parana River is one of the selected members of that peculiar group. The planform adjustment of mega-rivers is a variety of anabranching patterns characterized by the existence of alluvial islands. The processes and mechanisms involved in the generation of the different anabranching styles, however, are not well understood. The Paraná channel pattern has been classified as a low to moderate anabranching, low sinuosity with tendency to braided and having a meandering thalweg. We analyzed a reach of the middle Paraná in Argentina applying a combined multitemporal, hydraulic, sedimentologic and geomorphologic approach. Multitemporal geomorphologic maps, sedimentary descriptions of bars, islands and banks, volumetric calculations using multitemporal bathymetric charts, measurements with ADCP and bathymetric surveys with echosound, sediment transport estimations and the hydrological analysis of available data from gauge stations were some of the tools used in our research. The evolution of the reach was studied from 1908 to present. The reach is subdivided in two sub-reaches (named Chapeton and Curtiembre) which are comprised between nodal points. Chapeton has been in a more mature quasi-equilibrium state through the XX Century but the main channel in Curtiembre evolved from a single pattern to anabranching pattern since 1950s. We conclude that the generation of the anabranching pattern in the studied reach depends of a combination of factors such as the architecture of the floodplain and islands, the main role played by the morphodynamics and shifting of the thalweg, the availability and path of sandy sediments bedforms architecture and the temporal variability of the effective discharge among other secondary factors. A feedback system coupling erosional/depositional processes at the decadal scale seems to be the main responsible for the generation of the complex anabranching pattern in such subreaches.

The IUE Mega Campaign. Modulated Structure in the Wind of HD 64760 (B0.5 Ib)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prinja, Raman K.; Massa, Derck; Fullerton, Alexander W.

1995-01-01

We highlight systematic variability in the stellar wind of the early B type supergiant, HD 64760, whose UV line profiles were monitored for almost 16 days in 1995 January as part of the IUE 'MEGA Campaign.' The extensive coverage reveals a pattern of rapidly evolving discrete optical depth changes which typically migrate from approx. - 200 km/s to approx. -1500 km/s in less than 12 hr. These features coexist with more slowly evolving structures lasting several days. Time-series analysis of the Si(IV), Si(III), and N(V) profile variations presents a clear 1.2 day periodicity, which is a quarter of the estimated maximum rotation period of HD 64760. The line profile changes are consistent with an interpretation in terms of a set of corotating wind features which occult the stellar disk at least 3 times during the observing run. These data are combined with UV observations collected in 1993 March to argue in favor of rotationally modulated wind variations in HD 64760. The basic result of very regular, large-scale optical depth variations points to a 'clock' whose origin is on the stellar surface, rather than a mechanism that is entirely intrinsic to the stellar wind.

Widespread Mega-Pockmarks Imaged Along the Western Edge of the Cocos Ridge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gibson, J. C.; Kluesner, J. W.; Silver, E. A.; Bangs, N. L.; McIntosh, K. D.

2012-12-01

A large field (245km2) of 31 seabed mega-pockmarks was imaged between the Cocos ridge and the Quepos plateau on ~16.5 Ma oceanic crust generated at the Cocos-Nazca spreading center. The imaged pockmarks represent only a fraction of the much larger pockmark field evident in 100 m grid cell bathymetry data secured from MGDS. The pockmarks are clustered around 1800-2100 mbsl and were mapped using EM122 multibeam sonar, a 3.5 kHz sub-bottom profiler, and 3D Multi-Channel Seismic (MCS) aboard R/V Marcus G. Langseth during the CRISP seismic survey (2011). Using a constrained swath width of 1.4 km, the increased sounding density facilitated bathymetry/backscatter to be gridded at 10m and 8m respectively. The diameter of the pockmarks varies from ~1 km to ~2 km with a relief range of ~30-80 m, and average slopes of 15°. The MCS data also reveal older buried pockmarks in trench adjacent sediments. Small high-backscatter mounds occur within a subset of the pockmarks, which may indicate bioherms or carbonate banks above focused fluid flow conduits. Based on drilling results of DSDP Site 158 and ODP Site 1381, the pockmarks appear to be the result of paleo-differential advancement of a silica diagenetic front (opal-A to opal-CT). Although, the pockmarks may be erosional features sourced at depth from dewatering of sediments inter-bedded with igneous layers.

Construction and performance of MEGAs low-mass, high-rate cylindrical MWPCs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cooper, M. D.; Armijo, V.; Black, J. K.; Bolton, R. D.; Carius, S.; Espinoza, C.; Hart, G.; Hogan, G. E.; Gonzales, A.; Kroupa, M. A.; Mischke, R. E.; Sandoval, J.; Schilling, S.; Sena, J.; Suazo, G.; Whitehouse, D. A.; Wilkinson, C. A.; Stantz, K.; Szymanski, J. J.; Jui, C. C.; Gagliardi, C. A.; Tribble, R. E.; Tu, X.-L.; Fisk, R. J.; Koetke, D. D.; Manweiler, R. W.; Nord, P. M.; Stanislaus, S.; Piilonen, L. E.; Zhang, Y. D.

A design for extremely low mass, high-resolution multiwire proportional chambers (MWPC) was achieved by the MEGA collaboration in its experiment to search for the lepton family number violating decay μ→eγ. To extend the present branching ratio limit by over an order of magnitude, these MWPCs were operated in high particle fluxes. They showed minimal effects of aging, and evidenced spatial and energy resolutions for the orbiting positrons from muon decay which were consistent with our design parameters. The unique features of these chambers, their assembly into the MEGA positron spectrometer, and their performance during the experiment are described in this paper.

Oxygen deficiency induced deterioration in microstructure and magnetic properties at Y{sub 3}Fe{sub 5}O{sub 12}/Pt interface

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

Song, Dongsheng; Zhu, Jing, E-mail: jzhu@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn; Ma, Li

2015-07-27

Transport efficiency of pure spin current across the ferromagnetic films adjacent with a nonmagnetic metal is strongly dependent on the spin mixing conductance, which is very sensitive to atomic-level interface conditions. Here, by the means of advanced electron microscopy techniques, atomic structure, electronic structure, and magnetic properties at Y{sub 3}Fe{sub 5}O{sub 12} (YIG)/Pt interface are detailed characterized to correlate the microstructure and magnetic properties with interfacial transport properties. It is found that the order-disorder structure transformation at the interface is accompanied with oxygen deficiency, thus the reduced iron valence and the break of magnetic atom-O-magnetic atom bridges, which is responsiblemore » for superexchange interaction and magnetic order. It is also found that the magnetic moment of interfacial iron ions is decreased. The disorder interfacial layer with suppressed magnetism finally contributes to the declined spin transport efficiency. Our results provide the knowledge to control and manipulate the interfacial structure and properties in order to obtain higher spin transport efficiency.« less

Structured catalyst bed and method for conversion of feed materials to chemical products and liquid fuels

DOEpatents

Wang, Yong , Liu; Wei, [Richland, WA

2012-01-24

The present invention is a structured monolith reactor and method that provides for controlled Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis. The invention controls mass transport limitations leading to higher CO conversion and lower methane selectivity. Over 95 wt % of the total product liquid hydrocarbons obtained from the monolithic catalyst are in the carbon range of C.sub.5-C.sub.18. The reactor controls readsorption of olefins leading to desired products with a preselected chain length distribution and enhanced overall reaction rate. And, liquid product analysis shows readsorption of olefins is reduced, achieving a narrower FT product distribution.

Magnetic field role on the structure and optical response of photonic crystals based on ferrofluids containing Co{sub 0.25}Zn{sub 0.75}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles

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

López, J., E-mail: javier.lopez@correounivalle.edu.co; González, Luz E.; Quiñonez, M. F.

2014-05-21

Ferrofluids based on magnetic Co{sub 0.25}Zn{sub 0.75}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} ferrite nanoparticles were prepared by co-precipitation method from aqueous salt solutions of Co (II), ZnSO{sub 4}, and Fe (III) in an alkaline medium. Ferrofluids placed in an external magnetic field show properties that make them interesting as magneto-controllable soft photonic crystals. Morphological and structural characterizations of the samples were obtained from Scanning Electron Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy studies. Magnetic properties were investigated with the aid of a vibrating sample magnetometer at room temperature. Herein, the Co{sub 0.25}Zn{sub 0.75}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} samples showed superparamagnetic behavior, according to hysteresis loop results. Takingmore » in mind that the Co-Zn ferrite hysteresis loop is very small, our magnetic nanoparticles can be considered soft magnetic material with interesting technological applications. In addition, by using the plane-wave expansion method, we studied the photonic band structure of 2D photonic crystals made of ferrofluids with the same nanoparticles. Previous experimental results show that a magnetic field applied perpendicular to the ferrofluid plane agglomerates the magnetic nanoparticles in parallel rods to form a hexagonal 2D photonic crystal. We calculated the photonic band structure of photonic crystals by means of the effective refractive index of the magnetic fluid, basing the study on the Maxwell-Garnett theory, finding that the photonic band structure does not present any band gaps under the action of applied magnetic field strengths used in our experimental conditions.« less

Virtual sensors for active noise control in acoustic-structural coupled enclosures using structural sensing: robust virtual sensor design.

PubMed

Halim, Dunant; Cheng, Li; Su, Zhongqing

2011-03-01

The work was aimed to develop a robust virtual sensing design methodology for sensing and active control applications of vibro-acoustic systems. The proposed virtual sensor was designed to estimate a broadband acoustic interior sound pressure using structural sensors, with robustness against certain dynamic uncertainties occurring in an acoustic-structural coupled enclosure. A convex combination of Kalman sub-filters was used during the design, accommodating different sets of perturbed dynamic model of the vibro-acoustic enclosure. A minimax optimization problem was set up to determine an optimal convex combination of Kalman sub-filters, ensuring an optimal worst-case virtual sensing performance. The virtual sensing and active noise control performance was numerically investigated on a rectangular panel-cavity system. It was demonstrated that the proposed virtual sensor could accurately estimate the interior sound pressure, particularly the one dominated by cavity-controlled modes, by using a structural sensor. With such a virtual sensing technique, effective active noise control performance was also obtained even for the worst-case dynamics. © 2011 Acoustical Society of America

Applications of a micro-pixel chamber (μPIC) based, time-resolved neutron imaging detector at pulsed neutron beams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parker, J. D.; Harada, M.; Hattori, K.; Iwaki, S.; Kabuki, S.; Kishimoto, Y.; Kubo, H.; Kurosawa, S.; Matsuoka, Y.; Miuchi, K.; Mizumoto, T.; Nishimura, H.; Oku, T.; Sawano, T.; Shinohara, T.; Suzuki, J.-I.; Takada, A.; Tanimori, T.; Ueno, K.; Ikeno, M.; Tanaka, M.; Uchida, T.

2014-04-01

The realization of high-intensity, pulsed spallation neutron sources such as J-PARC in Japan and SNS in the US has brought time-of-flight (TOF) based neutron techniques to the fore and spurred the development of new detector technologies. When combined with high-resolution imaging, TOF-based methods become powerful tools for direct imaging of material properties, including crystal structure/internal strain, isotopic/temperature distributions, and internal and external magnetic fields. To carry out such measurements in the high-intensities and high gamma backgrounds found at spallation sources, we have developed a new time-resolved neutron imaging detector employing a micro-pattern gaseous detector known as the micro-pixel chamber (μPIC) coupled with a field-programmable-gate-array-based data acquisition system. The detector combines 100μm-level (σ) spatial and sub-μs time resolutions with low gamma sensitivity of less than 10-12 and a rate capability on the order of Mcps (mega-counts-per-second). Here, we demonstrate the application of our detector to TOF-based techniques with examples of Bragg-edge transmission and neutron resonance transmission imaging (with computed tomography) carried out at J-PARC. We also consider the direct imaging of magnetic fields with our detector using polarized neutrons.

Overview on the Air Pollution Issues of the City Clusters in China and its Control Strategies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, X.

2007-12-01

Mega-cities in China, such as Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Shanghai are located in three large city clusters, Bo-Hai Bay surrounding area, Pearl River Delta (PRD) and Yangtze River Delta. Like the rest of the coastal regions in China, these mega-cities have been experiencing fast economic developments and consequently serious environmental pollution. Air pollution in those areas is characterized by concurrent occurrence of high concentrations of multiple primary pollutants and secondary pollutants, which lead to the development of "air pollution complex" (perhaps typically Chinese) problem. Several campaigns of field experiments covering the regions such as PRD and Beijing City with surrounding areas have been conducted critically to understand the chemical and physical processes leading to the formation of regional scale air pollution since 2004. Some policy-relevant suggestions for air quality attainment have been made after these campaigns, specially the attainment of air quality during 2008 Beijing Olympic game, which has been attracted as an important concern worldwide. A scientific field campaign was conducted during August of 2007 for testing the control strategies suggested for air quality attainment in 2008-Olympic. An overview of the results of PRD and Beijing Campaigns will be presented.

Structural, electronic and chemical properties of metal/oxide and oxide/oxide interfaces and thin film structures

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

Lad, Robert J.

1999-12-14

This project focused on three different aspects of oxide thin film systems: (1) Model metal/oxide and oxide/oxide interface studies were carried out by depositing ultra-thin metal (Al, K, Mg) and oxide (MgO, AlO{sub x}) films on TiO{sub 2}, NiO and {alpha}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} single crystal oxide substrates. (2) Electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) oxygen plasma deposition was used to fabricate AlO{sub 3} and ZrO{sub 2} films on sapphire substrates, and film growth mechanisms and structural characteristics were investigated. (3) The friction and wear characteristics of ZrO{sub 2} films on sapphire substrates in unlubricated sliding contact were studied and correlated with filmmore » microstructure. In these studies, thin film and interfacial regions were characterized using diffraction (RHEED, LEED, XRD), electron spectroscopies (XPS, UPS, AES), microscopy (AFM) and tribology instruments (pin-on-disk, friction microprobe, and scratch tester). By precise control of thin film microstructure, an increased understanding of the structural and chemical stability of interface regions and tribological performance of ultra-thin oxide films was achieved in these important ceramic systems.« less

Conventional chemotherapy (CHOEP-14) with rituximab or high-dose chemotherapy (MegaCHOEP) with rituximab for young, high-risk patients with aggressive B-cell lymphoma: an open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial (DSHNHL 2002-1).

PubMed

Schmitz, Norbert; Nickelsen, Maike; Ziepert, Marita; Haenel, Mathias; Borchmann, Peter; Schmidt, Christian; Viardot, Andreas; Bentz, Martin; Peter, Norma; Ehninger, Gerhard; Doelken, Gottfried; Ruebe, Christian; Truemper, Lorenz; Rosenwald, Andreas; Pfreundschuh, Michael; Loeffler, Markus; Glass, Bertram

2012-12-01

High-dose therapy (HDT) followed by transplantation of autologous haemopoietic stem cells is frequently done as part of first-line therapy in young patients with high-risk aggressive B-cell lymphoma. We investigated whether HDT with cytotoxic agents identical to those used for conventional therapy followed by autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) improved survival outcome compared with conventional chemotherapy when rituximab was added to both modalities. We did an open-label, randomised trial comparing conventional chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, etoposide, prednisone) and rituximab (R-CHOEP-14) with dose-escalated sequential HDT and rituximab (R-MegaCHOEP) followed by repetitive ASCT in high-risk (age-adjusted International Prognostic Index [IPI] 2 or 3) patients aged 18-60 years with aggressive B-cell lymphoma. Eligible patients received radiotherapy for bulky, extranodal disease, or both. Randomisation (1:1) used the Pocock minimisation algorithm; patients were stratified by age-adjusted IPI factors, bulky disease, and centre. The primary endpoint was event-free survival. All analyses were done on the intention-to-treat population. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00129090. 136 patients were randomly assigned to R-CHOEP-14 and 139 to R-MegaCHOEP. 130 patients in the R-CHOEP-14 group and 132 in the R-MegaCHOEP group were included in the intention-to-treat population. After a median of 42 months (IQR 29-59), 3-year event-free survival was 69·5% (95% CI 61·3-77·7) in the R-CHOEP-14 group and 61·4% (52·8-70·0) in the R-MegaCHOEP group (p=0·14; hazard ratio 1·3, 95% CI 0·9-2·0). All 128 evaluable patients treated with R-MegaCHOEP had grade 4 leucopenia, as did 48 (58·5%) of 82 patients with documented blood counts in the R-CHOEP-14 group. All 128 evaluable patients in the R-MegaCHOEP group had grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia, as did 26 (33·8%) of 77 patients in the R-CHOEP-14 group with documented blood counts. The most important non-haematological grade 3 or 4 adverse event was infection, which occurred in 96 (75·0%) of 128 patients treated with R-MegaCHOEP and in 40 (31·3%) of 128 patients treated with R-CHOEP-14. In young patients with high-risk aggressive B-cell lymphoma, R-MegaCHOEP was not superior to conventional R-CHOEP therapy and was associated with significantly more toxic effects. R-CHOEP-14 with or without radiotherapy remains a treatment option for these patients, with encouraging efficacy. Deutsche Krebshilfe. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Application of the advanced engineering environment for optimization energy consumption in designed vehicles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Monica, Z.; Sękala, A.; Gwiazda, A.; Banaś, W.

2016-08-01

Nowadays a key issue is to reduce the energy consumption of road vehicles. In particular solution one could find different strategies of energy optimization. The most popular but not sophisticated is so called eco-driving. In this strategy emphasized is particular behavior of drivers. In more sophisticated solution behavior of drivers is supported by control system measuring driving parameters and suggesting proper operation of the driver. The other strategy is concerned with application of different engineering solutions that aid optimization the process of energy consumption. Such systems take into consideration different parameters measured in real time and next take proper action according to procedures loaded to the control computer of a vehicle. The third strategy bases on optimization of the designed vehicle taking into account especially main sub-systems of a technical mean. In this approach the optimal level of energy consumption by a vehicle is obtained by synergetic results of individual optimization of particular constructional sub-systems of a vehicle. It is possible to distinguish three main sub-systems: the structural one the drive one and the control one. In the case of the structural sub-system optimization of the energy consumption level is related with the optimization or the weight parameter and optimization the aerodynamic parameter. The result is optimized body of a vehicle. Regarding the drive sub-system the optimization of the energy consumption level is related with the fuel or power consumption using the previously elaborated physical models. Finally the optimization of the control sub-system consists in determining optimal control parameters.

Micro-Masonry: Construction of 3D Structures by Mesoscale Self-Assembly

PubMed Central

Fernandez, Javier G.; Khademhosseini, Ali

2010-01-01

A general method for construction of three dimensional structures by directed assembly of microscale polymeric sub-units is presented. Shape-controlled microgels are directed to assemble into different shapes by limiting their movement onto a molded substrate. The capillary forces, resulting from the presence of a liquid polymer, assemble the microgels in close contact with the rest of the units and with the free surface, the latter imposing the final geometry of the resulting construct. The result is a freestanding structure composed of one or multiple layers of sub-units assembled in a tightly packed conformation. The applicability of the technique for the construction of scaffolds with cell-laden sub-units is demonstrated. In addition, scaffolds formed by the sequential aggregation of sub-units are produced. PMID:20440697

Growth of L1{sub 0}-ordered crystal in FePt and FePd thin films on MgO(001) substrate

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

Futamoto, Masaaki, E-mail: futamoto@elect.chuo-u.ac.jp; Nakamura, Masahiro; Ohtake, Mitsuru

2016-08-15

Formation of L1{sub 0}-oredered structure from disordered A1 phase has been investigated for FePt and FePd films on MgO(001) substrates employing a two-step method consisting of low temperature deposition at 200 °C followed by high-temperature annealing at 600 °C. L1{sub 0}-(001) variant crystal with the c-axis perpendicular to the substrate grows preferentially in FePd films whereas L1{sub 0}-(100), (010) variants tend to be mixed with the L1{sub 0}-(001) variant in FePt films. The structure analysis by X-ray diffraction indicates that a difference in A1 lattice strain is the influential factor that determines the resulting L1{sub 0}-variant structure in ordered thinmore » films. Misfit dislocations and anti-phase boundaries are observed in high-resolution transmission electron micrographs of 10 nm-thick Fe(Pt, Pd) film consisting of L1{sub 0}-(001) variants which are formed through atomic diffusion at 600 °C in a laterally strained FePt/PeFd epitaxial thin film. Based on the experimental results, a nucleation and growth model for explaining L1{sub 0}-variant formation is proposed, which suggests a possibility in tailoring the L1{sub 0} variant structure in ordered magnetic thin films by controlling the alloy composition, the layer structure, and the substrate material.« less

Ultrafast non-radiative dynamics of atomically thin MoSe 2

DOE PAGES

Lin, Ming -Fu; Kochat, Vidya; Krishnamoorthy, Aravind; ...

2017-10-17

Non-radiative energy dissipation in photoexcited materials and resulting atomic dynamics provide a promising pathway to induce structural phase transitions in two-dimensional materials. However, these dynamics have not been explored in detail thus far because of incomplete understanding of interaction between the electronic and atomic degrees of freedom, and a lack of direct experimental methods to quantify real-time atomic motion and lattice temperature. Here, we explore the ultrafast conversion of photoenergy to lattice vibrations in a model bi-layered semiconductor, molybdenum diselenide, MoSe 2. Specifically, we characterize sub-picosecond lattice dynamics initiated by the optical excitation of electronic charge carriers in the highmore » electron-hole plasma density regime. Our results focuses on the first ten picosecond dynamics subsequent to photoexcitation before the onset of heat transfer to the substrate, which occurs on a ~100 picosecond time scale. Photoinduced atomic motion is probed by measuring the time dependent Bragg diffraction of a delayed mega-electronvolt femtosecond electron beam. Transient lattice temperatures are characterized through measurement of Bragg peak intensities and calculation of the Debye-Waller factor (DWF). These measurements show a sub-picosecond decay of Bragg diffraction and a correspondingly rapid rise in lattice temperatures. We estimate a high quantum yield for the conversion of excited charge carrier energy to lattice motion under our experimental conditions, indicative of a strong electron-phonon interaction. First principles nonadiabatic quantum molecular dynamics simulations (NAQMD) on electronically excited MoSe 2 bilayers reproduce the observed picosecond-scale increase in lattice temperature and ultrafast conversion of photoenergy to lattice vibrations. Calculation of excited-state phonon dispersion curves suggests that softened vibrational modes in the excited state are involved in efficient and rapid energy transfer between the electronic system and the lattice.« less

Ultrafast non-radiative dynamics of atomically thin MoSe 2

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

Lin, Ming -Fu; Kochat, Vidya; Krishnamoorthy, Aravind

Non-radiative energy dissipation in photoexcited materials and resulting atomic dynamics provide a promising pathway to induce structural phase transitions in two-dimensional materials. However, these dynamics have not been explored in detail thus far because of incomplete understanding of interaction between the electronic and atomic degrees of freedom, and a lack of direct experimental methods to quantify real-time atomic motion and lattice temperature. Here, we explore the ultrafast conversion of photoenergy to lattice vibrations in a model bi-layered semiconductor, molybdenum diselenide, MoSe 2. Specifically, we characterize sub-picosecond lattice dynamics initiated by the optical excitation of electronic charge carriers in the highmore » electron-hole plasma density regime. Our results focuses on the first ten picosecond dynamics subsequent to photoexcitation before the onset of heat transfer to the substrate, which occurs on a ~100 picosecond time scale. Photoinduced atomic motion is probed by measuring the time dependent Bragg diffraction of a delayed mega-electronvolt femtosecond electron beam. Transient lattice temperatures are characterized through measurement of Bragg peak intensities and calculation of the Debye-Waller factor (DWF). These measurements show a sub-picosecond decay of Bragg diffraction and a correspondingly rapid rise in lattice temperatures. We estimate a high quantum yield for the conversion of excited charge carrier energy to lattice motion under our experimental conditions, indicative of a strong electron-phonon interaction. First principles nonadiabatic quantum molecular dynamics simulations (NAQMD) on electronically excited MoSe 2 bilayers reproduce the observed picosecond-scale increase in lattice temperature and ultrafast conversion of photoenergy to lattice vibrations. Calculation of excited-state phonon dispersion curves suggests that softened vibrational modes in the excited state are involved in efficient and rapid energy transfer between the electronic system and the lattice.« less

Reactive Nitrogen in Asian Continental Outflow over the Western Pacific: Results from the NASA Transport and Chemical Evolution over the Pacific (TRACE-P)Airborne Mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Talbot, R.; Dibb, J.; Scheuer, E.; Seid, G.; Russo, R.; Sandholm, S.; Tan, D.; Blake, D.; Blake, N.; Singh, H.

2003-01-01

We present here results for reactive nitrogen species measured aboard the NASA DC-8 aircraft during the Transport and Chemical Evolution over the Pacific TRACE-P) mission. The large-scale distributions total reactive nitrogen (NO(sub y,sum) = NO + NO2 + HNO3 + PAN + C(sub 1)-C(sub 5) alkyl nitrates) and O3 and CO were better defined in the boundary layer with significant degradation of the relationships as altitude increased. Typically, NO(sub y,sum) was enhanced over background levels of approx.260 pptv by 20-to-30-fold. The ratio C2H2/CO had values of 1-4 at altitudes up to 10 km and as far eastward as 150degE, implying significant vertical mixing of air parcels followed by rapid advection across the Pacific. Analysis air parcels originating from five principal Asian source regions showed that HNO3 and PAN dominated NO(sub y,sum). Correlations of NO(sub y,sum) with C2Cl4 (urban tracer) were not well defined in any of the source regions, and they were only slightly better with CH3Cl (biomass tracer). Air parcels over the western Pacific contained a complex mixture of emission sources that are not easily resolvable as shown by analysis of the Shanghai mega-city plume. It contained an intricate mixture of pollution emissions and exhibited the highest mixing ratios of NO(sub y,sum) species observed during TRACE-P. Comparison of tropospheric chemistry between the earlier PEM-West B mission and the recent TRACE-P data showed that in the boundary layer significant increases in the mixing ratios of NO(sub y,sum)species have occurred, but the middle and upper troposphere seems to have been affected minimally by increasing emissions on the Asian continent over the last 7 years.

Re-centering variable friction device for vibration control of structures subjected to near-field earthquakes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ozbulut, Osman E.; Hurlebaus, Stefan

2011-11-01

This paper proposes a re-centering variable friction device (RVFD) for control of civil structures subjected to near-field earthquakes. The proposed hybrid device has two sub-components. The first sub-component of this hybrid device consists of shape memory alloy (SMA) wires that exhibit a unique hysteretic behavior and full recovery following post-transformation deformations. The second sub-component of the hybrid device consists of variable friction damper (VFD) that can be intelligently controlled for adaptive semi-active behavior via modulation of its voltage level. In general, installed SMA devices have the ability to re-center structures at the end of the motion and VFDs can increase the energy dissipation capacity of structures. The full realization of these devices into a singular, hybrid form which complements the performance of each device is investigated in this study. A neuro-fuzzy model is used to capture rate- and temperature-dependent nonlinear behavior of the SMA components of the hybrid device. An optimal fuzzy logic controller (FLC) is developed to modulate voltage level of VFDs for favorable performance in a RVFD hybrid application. To obtain optimal controllers for concurrent mitigation of displacement and acceleration responses, tuning of governing fuzzy rules is conducted by a multi-objective heuristic optimization. Then, numerical simulation of a multi-story building is conducted to evaluate the performance of the hybrid device. Results show that a re-centering variable friction device modulated with a fuzzy logic control strategy can effectively reduce structural deformations without increasing acceleration response during near-field earthquakes.

From QTL to variety-harnessing the benefits of QTLs for drought, flood and salt tolerance in mega rice varieties of India through a multi-institutional network.

PubMed

Singh, Renu; Singh, Yashi; Xalaxo, Suchit; Verulkar, S; Yadav, Neera; Singh, Shweta; Singh, Nisha; Prasad, K S N; Kondayya, K; Rao, P V Ramana; Rani, M Girija; Anuradha, T; Suraynarayana, Y; Sharma, P C; Krishnamurthy, S L; Sharma, S K; Dwivedi, J L; Singh, A K; Singh, P K; Nilanjay; Singh, N K; Kumar, Rajesh; Chetia, S K; Ahmad, T; Rai, M; Perraju, P; Pande, Anita; Singh, D N; Mandal, N P; Reddy, J N; Singh, O N; Katara, J L; Marandi, B; Swain, P; Sarkar, R K; Singh, D P; Mohapatra, T; Padmawathi, G; Ram, T; Kathiresan, R M; Paramsivam, K; Nadarajan, S; Thirumeni, S; Nagarajan, M; Singh, A K; Vikram, Prashant; Kumar, Arvind; Septiningshih, E; Singh, U S; Ismail, A M; Mackill, D; Singh, Nagendra K

2016-01-01

Rice is a staple cereal of India cultivated in about 43.5Mha area but with relatively low average productivity. Abiotic factors like drought, flood and salinity affect rice production adversely in more than 50% of this area. Breeding rice varieties with inbuilt tolerance to these stresses offers an economically viable and sustainable option to improve rice productivity. Availability of high quality reference genome sequence of rice, knowledge of exact position of genes/QTLs governing tolerance to abiotic stresses and availability of DNA markers linked to these traits has opened up opportunities for breeders to transfer the favorable alleles into widely grown rice varieties through marker-assisted backcross breeding (MABB). A large multi-institutional project, "From QTL to variety: marker-assisted breeding of abiotic stress tolerant rice varieties with major QTLs for drought, submergence and salt tolerance" was initiated in 2010 with funding support from Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, in collaboration with International Rice Research Institute, Philippines. The main focus of this project is to improve rice productivity in the fragile ecosystems of eastern, northeastern and southern part of the country, which bear the brunt of one or the other abiotic stresses frequently. Seven consistent QTLs for grain yield under drought, namely, qDTY1.1, qDTY2.1, qDTY2.2, qDTY3.1, qDTY3.2, qDTY9.1 and qDTY12.1 are being transferred into submergence tolerant versions of three high yielding mega rice varieties, Swarna-Sub1, Samba Mahsuri-Sub1 and IR 64-Sub1. To address the problem of complete submergence due to flash floods in the major river basins, the Sub1 gene is being transferred into ten highly popular locally adapted rice varieties namely, ADT 39, ADT 46, Bahadur, HUR 105, MTU 1075, Pooja, Pratikshya, Rajendra Mahsuri, Ranjit, and Sarjoo 52. Further, to address the problem of soil salinity, Saltol, a major QTL for salt tolerance is being transferred into seven popular locally adapted rice varieties, namely, ADT 45, CR 1009, Gayatri, MTU 1010, PR 114, Pusa 44 and Sarjoo 52. Genotypic background selection is being done after BC2F2 stage using an in-house designed 50K SNP chip on a set of twenty lines for each combination, identified with phenotypic similarity in the field to the recipient parent. Near-isogenic lines with more than 90% similarity to the recipient parent are now in advanced generation field trials. These climate smart varieties are expected to improve rice productivity in the adverse ecologies and contribute to the farmer's livelihood. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

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

Tian, Yue; College of Life Science, Dalian Nationalities University, Dalian, Liaoning 116600; Chen, Baojiu, E-mail: chenmbj@sohu.com

Tb{sup 3+}, Eu{sup 3+} codoped YF{sub 3} nano- and micro-crystals with the morphologies of ellipsoid-like nanoplate, spindle, sandwich-structural rhombus and nanoaggregate were synthesized through a solvothermal method. The morphologies of the prepared products can be tailored by controlling the volume ratio of ethylene glycol (EG) to H{sub 2}O, solvent type or the reaction time. A possible formation mechanism of the sandwich-structural rhombus like YF{sub 3} phosphor was proposed. The emitting colors of YF{sub 3}:Tb{sup 3+},Eu{sup 3+} phosphors can be easily tuned from yellowish green, yellow to orange by increasing Eu{sup 3+} concentration. The energy transfer from Tb{sup 3+} to Eu{supmore » 3+} in YF{sub 3} phosphors was studied. It was found that the interaction type between Tb{sup 3+} and Eu{sup 3+} is electric dipole-dipole interaction. - Graphical abstract: Sandwich-structural rhombus like YF{sub 3}:Tb{sup 3+}, Eu{sup 3+} phosphors were synthesized through a solvothermal process. The formation mechanism of the sandwich-structural rhombus like YF{sub 3}:Tb{sup 3+}, Eu{sup 3+} phosphors was studied. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer YF{sub 3} nano- and micro-crystals were synthesized through solvothermal route. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer A formation mechanism of the sandwich-structural rhombus like YF{sub 3} was proposed. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The emitting colors of YF{sub 3}:Tb{sup 3+},Eu{sup 3+} phosphors can be tuned. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Energy transfer from Tb{sup 3+} to Eu{sup 3+} is confirmed as electric dipole-dipole interaction.« less

Enhancement of thermoelectric figure of merit in β-Zn{sub 4}Sb{sub 3} by indium doping control

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

Wei, Pai-Chun, E-mail: pcwei68@gmail.com, E-mail: cheny2@phys.sinica.edu.tw; Hsu, Chia-Hao; Chang, Chung-Chieh

2015-09-21

We demonstrate the control of phase composition in Bridgman-grown β-Zn{sub 4}Sb{sub 3} crystals by indium doping, an effective way to overcome the difficulty of growing very pure β-Zn{sub 4}Sb{sub 3} thermoelectric material. The crystal structures are characterized by Rietveld refinement with synchrotron X-ray diffraction data. The results show an anisotropic lattice expansion in In-doped β-Zn{sub 4}Sb{sub 3} wherein the zinc atoms are partially substituted by indium ones at 36f site of R-3c symmetry. Through the elimination of ZnSb phase, all the three individual thermoelectric properties are simultaneously improved, i.e., increasing electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient while reducing thermal conductivity. Undermore » an optimal In concentration (x = 0.05), pure phase β-Zn{sub 4}Sb{sub 3} crystal can be obtained, which possesses a high figure of merit (ZT) of 1.4 at 700 K.« less

Development of a decision support system for monitoring, reporting and forecasting ecological conditions of the Appalachian Trail

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wang, Yeqiao; Nemani, Ramakrishna; Dieffenbach, Fred; Stolte, Kenneth; Holcomb, Glenn B.; Robinson, Matt; Reese, Casey C.; McNiff, Marcia; Duhaime, Roland; Tierney, Geri; Mitchell, Brian; August, Peter; Paton, Peter; LaBash, Charles

2010-01-01

This paper introduces a collaborative multi-agency effort to develop an Appalachian Trail (A.T.) MEGA-Transect Decision Support System (DSS) for monitoring, reporting and forecasting ecological conditions of the A.T. and the surrounding lands. The project is to improve decisionmaking on management of the A.T. by providing a coherent framework for data integration, status reporting and trend analysis. The A.T. MEGA-Transect DSS is to integrate NASA multi-platform sensor data and modeling through the Terrestrial Observation and Prediction System (TOPS) and in situ measurements from A.T. MEGA-Transect partners to address identified natural resource priorities and improve resource management decisions.

Nitrogen dioxide-induced alterations in ganglioside content and structure of pulmonary artery endothelial cell plasma membranes

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

Sekharam, M.; Patel, J.M.; Block, E.R.

1990-02-26

Nitrogen dioxide (NO{sub 2}), an environmental oxidant, is known to cause injury to the surface of pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC). Because gangliosides are present in the outer leaflet of plasma membranes, the authors hypothesize that NO{sub 2} exposure may alter the ganglioside content and structure of PAEC plasma membranes. To test this, confluent porcine PAEC were exposed to 5 ppm NO{sub 2} containing 5% CO{sub 2} for 48 hours at 37 C in a CO{sub 2} incubator. Controls were exposed to air containing 5% Co{sub 2} under identical conditions. After exposure: (1) total lipids were extracted and ganglioside basesmore » were separated and estimated by fluorescamine, (2) the sialic acid content of intact cells was measured by the resorcinol method, and (3) freeze-fracture analysis of the intact cell plasma membrane was done by propane jet freezing and shadowing with platinum and carbon to form a replica. The ganglioside and sialic acid/{mu}g protein, respectively. In No{sub 2}-exposed cells, ganglioside content was reduced by 45% and sialic acid content was increased by 30%. Freeze-fracture analysis of the plasma membrane of control cells showed the presence of 160{+-}12 particles/cm area at 45000x. In contrast, the number of particles on the No{sub 2}-exposed plasma membrane was reduced to 68{+-}5 particles/cm at 45000x (p < 0.05). These results demonstrate that NO{sub 2} causes structural changes in the surface of PAEC plasma membranes, and these are temporally associated with a reduction in the number of gagliosides in these cells.« less

Surfzone vorticity in the presence of extreme bathymetric variability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clark, D.; Elgar, S.; Raubenheimer, B.

2014-12-01

Surfzone vorticity was measured at Duck, NC using a novel 5-m diameter vorticity sensor deployed in 1.75 m water depth. During the 4-week deployment the initially alongshore uniform bathymetry developed 200-m long mega-cusps with alongshore vertical changes of 1.5 m or more. When waves were small and the vorticity sensor was seaward of the surfzone, vorticity variance and mean vorticity varied with the tidally modulated water depth, consistent with a net seaward flux of surfzone-generated vorticity. Vorticity variance increased with incident wave heights up to 2-m. However, vorticity variance remained relatively constant for incident wave heights above 2-m, and suggests that eddy energy may become saturated in the inner surfzone during large wave events. In the presence of mega-cusps the mean vorticity (shear) is often large and generated by bathymetrically controlled rip currents, while vorticity variance remains strongly correlated with the incident wave height. Funded by NSF, ASD(R&E), and WHOI Coastal Ocean Institute.

Deep sea mega-geomorphology: Progress and problems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bryan, W. B.

1985-01-01

Historically, marine geologists have always worked with mega-scale morphology. This is a consequence both of the scale of the ocean basins and of the low resolution of the observational remote sensing tools available until very recently. In fact, studies of deep sea morphology have suffered from a serious gap in observational scale. Traditional wide-beam echo sounding gave images on a scale of miles, while deep sea photography has been limited to scales of a few tens of meters. Recent development of modern narrow-beam echo sounding coupled with computer-controlled swath mapping systems, and development of high-resolution deep-towed side-scan sonar, are rapidly filling in the scale gap. These technologies also can resolve morphologic detail on a scale of a few meters or less. As has also been true in planetary imaging projects, the ability to observe phenomena over a range of scales has proved very effective in both defining processes and in placing them in proper context.

Narrow linewidth picosecond UV pulsed laser with mega-watt peak power.

PubMed

Huang, Chunning; Deibele, Craig; Liu, Yun

2013-04-08

We demonstrate a master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) burst mode laser system that generates 66 ps/402.5 MHz pulses with mega-watt peak power at 355 nm. The seed laser consists of a single frequency fiber laser (linewidth < 5 KHz), a high bandwidth electro-optic modulator (EOM), a picosecond pulse generator, and a fiber based preamplifier. A very high extinction ratio (45 dB) has been achieved by using an adaptive bias control of the EOM. The multi-stage Nd:YAG amplifier system allows a uniformly temporal shaping of the macropulse with a tunable pulse duration. The light output from the amplifier is converted to 355 nm, and over 1 MW peak power is obtained when the laser is operating in a 5-μs/10-Hz macropulse mode. The laser output has a transform-limited spectrum with a very narrow linewidth of individual longitudinal modes. The immediate application of the laser system is the laser-assisted hydrogen ion beam stripping for the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS).

In vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy measurement of gray-matter and white-matter gamma-aminobutyric acid concentration in sensorimotor cortex using a motion-controlled MEGA point-resolved spectroscopy sequence.

PubMed

Bhattacharyya, Pallab K; Phillips, Micheal D; Stone, Lael A; Lowe, Mark J

2011-04-01

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Understanding the GABA concentration, in vivo, is important to understand normal brain function. Using MEGA point-resolved spectroscopy sequence with interleaved water scans to detect subject motion, GABA level of sensorimotor cortex was measured using a voxel identified from a functional magnetic resonance imaging scan. The GABA level in a 20×20×20-mm(3) voxel consisting of 37%±7% gray matter, 52%±12% white matter and 11%±8% cerebrospinal fluid in the sensorimotor region was measured to be 1.43±0.48 mM. In addition, using linear regression analysis, GABA concentrations within gray and white matter were calculated to be 2.87±0.61 and 0.33±0.11 mM, respectively. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Structural chemistry and magnetic properties of Nd{sub 18}Li{sub 8}Fe{sub 4}M′O{sub 39} (M′=Al, Ga) and La{sub 18}Li{sub 8}Fe{sub 4.5}In{sub 0.5}O{sub 39}

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

Thammajak, Nirawat; Battle, Peter D., E-mail: peter.battle@chem.ox.ac.uk; Brown, Catherine

Polycrystalline samples of Nd{sub 18}Li{sub 8}Fe{sub 4}M′O{sub 39} (M′=Al, Ga) and La{sub 18}Li{sub 8}Fe{sub 4.5}In{sub 0.5}O{sub 39} have been prepared by the ceramic method and characterised by neutron diffraction and magnetometry. All three compounds adopt a cubic structure (space group Pm3{sup ¯}n, a ∼12 Å) based on intersecting 〈1 1 1〉 chains of cation sites with alternating octahedral and prismatic coordination geometry. These sites are occupied by Li, Fe and M′ or In; Nd or La cations occupy sites between the chains. The cation distribution over the octahedral and prismatic sites within the chains is disordered in all three compounds.more » The Nd-containing compositions show spin-glass behaviour below ∼4.5 K whereas small, weakly-ferrimagnetic domains form in La{sub 18}Li{sub 8}Fe{sub 4.5}In{sub 0.5}O{sub 39} below 7.60 K. The dependence of the magnetic properties on the nature of the lanthanide cation is discussed. - Graphical abstract: At low temperatures Nd{sub 18}Li{sub 8}Fe{sub 4}M′O{sub 39} (M’=Al, Ga) behave as spin glasses whereas small ferrimagnetic domains form in La{sub 18}Li{sub 8}Fe{sub 4.5}In{sub 0.5}O{sub 39}. Display Omitted - Highlights: • p-Block cations can be accommodated in the La{sub 18}Li{sub 8}Rh{sub 5}O{sub 39} structure. • Small ferrimagnetic domains in La{sub 18}Li{sub 8}Fe{sub 4.5}In{sub 0.5}O{sub 39}. • Magnetic behaviour controlled by the lanthanide cation.« less

Thermotropic nanostructured gels with complex hierarchical structure and two gelling components for water shut-off and enhance of oil recovery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Altunina, L. K.; Kuvshinov, I. V.; Kuvshinov, V. A.; Kozlov, V. V.; Stasyeva, L. A.

2017-12-01

This work presents the results of laboratory and field tests of thermotropic composition MEGA with two simultaneously acting gelling components, polymer and inorganic. The composition is intended for improving oil recovery and water shut-off at oilfields developed by thermal flooding, and cyclic-steam stimulated oil production wells. The composition forms an in-situ "gel-in-gel" system with improved structural-mechanical properties, using reservoir or carrier fluid heat for gelling. The gel blocks water breakthrough into producing wells and redistribute fluid flows, thus increasing the oil recovery factor.

Mega-Universities and Knowledge Media: Technology Strategies for Higher Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Daniel, John S

This book explores the essentials of distance education and reviews issues facing large open universities (mega-universities) worldwide. It uses examples from industry and the knowledge media, to show how technology-based learning can be made attractive both to students and to institutions. The book's eight chapters, including 10 figures and 5…

Unemployment, Entrepreneurial Education and Mega Universities: Challenges to Expanding Access in Education in Nigeria University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Undie, John Atewhoble; Okafor, Victor

2014-01-01

In fundamental economics, individuals acquired education for two broad reasons, as an investment and as consumption. The investment function of education has continued to create tension for job search leading to cases of unemployment. Entrepreneurship education and establishment of mega universities have been identified as panaceas. This paper…

Mega-Planning in Population

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Clark, Sarah C.; Murray, Margo

2005-01-01

Clark and Murray examine the six Critical Performance Factors for Mega planning in an example drawn from the five-year history of the population program of a major west coast philanthropy. In this article, the authors describe the salience and scope of the population issue as it is relates to other global trends; the steps the foundation took to…

From Teacher to Teacher: A True School and Home Collaboration that Works.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brim, Judy

1998-01-01

MegaSkills are attitudes, behaviors, and habits that determine a child's achievement in school and throughout life. This paper describes the MegaSkills Parent Workshops and Classroom Essentials Programs, which empower parents, and introduce, develop, and reinforce crucial living skills for success in and out of school. The paper also offers…

Nurturing the Educational Leader within You! Knowing, Building, and Using Your Adult MegaSkills.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rich, Dorothy

This handbook is designed to identify, build, maintain, and expand teachers' personal and professional effectiveness using "MegaSkills." Section 1, "Knowing Your Leadership Strengths," focuses on identifying strengths, exploring how adults learn, and considering new dimensions for successful education. It also discusses seven habits of good…

Can interpreting sediment toxicity tests a mega sites benefit from novel approaches to normalization to address batching of tests?

EPA Science Inventory

Sediment toxicity tests are a key tool used in Ecological Risk Assessments for contaminated sediment sites. Interpreting test results and defining toxicity is often a challenge. This is particularly true at mega sites where the testing regime is large, and by necessity performed ...

Ground-level air pollution changes during a boreal wildland mega-fire

Treesearch

Andrzej Bytnerowicz; Yu-Mei Hsu; Kevin Percy; Allan Legge; Mark E. Fenn; Susan Schilling; Witold Frączek; Diane Alexander

2016-01-01

The 2011 Richardson wildland mega-fire in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) in northern Alberta, Canada had large effects on air quality. At a receptor site in the center of the AOSR ambient PM2.5, O3, NO, NO2, SO2, NH3, HONO, HNO3...

Communicating mega-projects in the face of uncertainties: Israeli mass media treatment of the Dead Sea Water Canal.

PubMed

Fischhendler, Itay; Cohen-Blankshtain, Galit; Shuali, Yoav; Boykoff, Max

2015-10-01

Given the potential for uncertainties to influence mega-projects, this study examines how mega-projects are deliberated in the public arena. The paper traces the strategies used to promote the Dead Sea Water Canal. Findings show that the Dead Sea mega-project was encumbered by ample uncertainties. Treatment of uncertainties in early coverage was dominated by economics and raised primarily by politicians, while more contemporary media discourses have been dominated by ecological uncertainties voiced by environmental non-governmental organizations. This change in uncertainty type is explained by the changing nature of the project and by shifts in societal values over time. The study also reveals that 'uncertainty reduction' and to a lesser degree, 'project cancellation', are still the strategies most often used to address uncertainties. Statistical analysis indicates that although uncertainties and strategies are significantly correlated, there may be other intervening variables that affect this correlation. This research also therefore contributes to wider and ongoing considerations of uncertainty in the public arena through various media representational practices. © The Author(s) 2013.

A wireless laser displacement sensor node for structural health monitoring.

PubMed

Park, Hyo Seon; Kim, Jong Moon; Choi, Se Woon; Kim, Yousok

2013-09-30

This study describes a wireless laser displacement sensor node that measures displacement as a representative damage index for structural health monitoring (SHM). The proposed measurement system consists of a laser displacement sensor (LDS) and a customized wireless sensor node. Wireless communication is enabled by a sensor node that consists of a sensor module, a code division multiple access (CDMA) communication module, a processor, and a power module. An LDS with a long measurement distance is chosen to increase field applicability. For a wireless sensor node driven by a battery, we use a power control module with a low-power processor, which facilitates switching between the sleep and active modes, thus maximizing the power consumption efficiency during non-measurement and non-transfer periods. The CDMA mode is also used to overcome the limitation of communication distance, which is a challenge for wireless sensor networks and wireless communication. To evaluate the reliability and field applicability of the proposed wireless displacement measurement system, the system is tested onsite to obtain the required vertical displacement measurements during the construction of mega-trusses and an edge truss, which are the primary structural members in a large-scale irregular building currently under construction. The measurement values confirm the validity of the proposed wireless displacement measurement system and its potential for use in safety evaluations of structural elements.

Effect of basement structure and salt tectonics on deformation styles along strike: An example from the Kuqa fold-thrust belt, West China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neng, Yuan; Xie, Huiwen; Yin, Hongwei; Li, Yong; Wang, Wei

2018-04-01

The Kuqa fold-thrust belt (KFTB) has a complex thrust-system geometry and comprises basement-involved thrusts, décollement thrusts, triangle zones, strike-slip faults, transpressional faults, and pop-up structures. These structures, combined with the effects of Paleogene salt tectonics and Paleozoic basement uplift form a complex structural zone trending E-W. Interpretation and comprehensive analysis of recent high-quality seismic data, field observations, boreholes, and gravity data covering the KFTB has been performed to understand the characteristics and mechanisms of the deformation styles along strike. Regional sections, fold-thrust system maps of the surface and the sub-salt layer, salt and basement structure distribution maps have been created, and a comprehensive analysis of thrust systems performed. The results indicate that the thrust-fold system in Paleogene salt range can be divided into five segments from east to west: the Kela-3, Keshen, Dabei, Bozi, and Awate segments. In the easternmost and westernmost parts of the Paleogene salt range, strike-slip faulting and basement-involved thrusting are the dominant deformation styles, as basement uplift and the limits of the Cenozoic evaporite deposit are the main controls on deformation. Salt-core detachment fold-thrust systems coincide with areas of salt tectonics, and pop-up, imbricate, and duplex structures are associated with the main thrust faults in the sub-salt layer. Distribution maps of thrust systems, basement structures, and salt tectonics show that Paleozoic basement uplift controlled the Paleozoic foreland basin morphology and the distribution of Cenozoic salt in the KFTB, and thus had a strong influence on the segmented structural deformation and evolution of the fold-thrust belt. Three types of transfer zone are identified, based on the characteristics of the salt layer and basement uplift, and the effects of these zones on the fault systems are evaluated. Basement uplift and the boundary of the salt deposit generated strike-slip faults in the sub-salt layer and supra-salt layers at the basin boundary (Model A). When changes in the basement occurred within the salt basin, strike-slip faults controlled the deformation styles in the sub-salt layer and shear-zone dominated in the supra-salt layer (Model B). A homogeneous basement and discontinues salt layer formed different accommodation zones in the sub- and supra-salt layers (Model C). In the sub-salt layer the thrusts form imbricate structures on the basal décollement, whereas the supra-salt layer shows overlapping, discontinuous faults and folds with kinds of salt tectonics, and has greater structural variation than the sub-salt layer.

Dependences of the density of M{sub 1-x}R{sub x}F{sub 2+x} and R{sub 1-y}M{sub y}F{sub 3-y} single crystals (M = Ca, Sr, Ba, Cd, Pb; R means rare earth elements) on composition

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

Sorokin, N. I., E-mail: sorokin@ns.crys.ras.ru; Krivandina, E. A.; Zhmurova, Z. I.

2013-11-15

The density of single crystals of nonstoichiometric phases Ba{sub 1-x}La{sub x}F{sub 2+x} (0 {<=} x {<=} 0.5) and Sr{sub 0.8}La{sub 0.2-x}Lu{sub x}F{sub 2.2} (0 {<=} x {<=} 0.2) with the fluorite (CaF{sub 2}) structure type and R{sub 1-y}Sr{sub y}F{sub 3-y} (R = Pr, Nd; 0 {<=} y {<=} 0.15) with the tysonite (LaF{sub 3}) structure type has been measured. Single crystals were grown from a melt by the Bridgman method. The measured concentration dependences of single crystal density are linear. The interstitial and vacancy models of defect formation in the fluorite and tysonite phases, respectively, are confirmed. To implement themore » composition control of single crystals of superionic conductors M{sub 1-x}R{sub x}F{sub 2+x} and R{sub 1-y}M{sub y}F{sub 3-y} in practice, calibration graphs of X-ray density in the MF{sub 2}-RF{sub 3} systems (M = Ca, Sr, Ba, Cd, Pb; R = La-Lu, Y) are plotted.« less

Light-stimulated cargo release from a core–shell structured nanocomposite for site-specific delivery

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

Cai, Yun; Ling, Li; Li, Xiaofang

This paper reported a core–shell structured site-specific delivery system with a light switch triggered by low energy light (λ=510 nm). Its core was composed of supermagnetic Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles for magnetic guiding and targeting. Its outer shell consisted of mesoporous silica molecular sieve MCM-41 which offered highly ordered hexagonal tunnels for cargo capacity. A light switch N1-(4aH-cyclopenta[1,2-b:5,4-b′]dipyridin-5(5aH)-ylidene)benzene-1, 4-diamine (CBD) was covalently grafted into these hexagonal tunnels, serving as light stimuli acceptor with loading content of 1.1 μM/g. This composite was fully characterized and confirmed by SEM, TEM, XRD patterns, N{sub 2} adsorption/desorption, thermogravimetric analysis, IR, UV–vis absorption and emissionmore » spectra. Experimental data suggested that this composite had a core as wide as 150 nm and could be magnetically guided to specific sites. Its hexagonal tunnels were as long as 180 nm. Upon light stimuli of “on” and “off” states, controllable release was observed with short release time of ~900 s (90% capacity). - Graphical abstract: A core–shell structured site-specific delivery system with a light switch triggered by yellow light was constructed. Controllable release was observed with short release time of ~900 s (90% capacity). - Highlights: • A core–shell structured site-specific delivery system was constructed. • It consisted of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} core and MCM-41 shell grafted with light switch. • This delivery system was triggered by low energy light. • Controllable release was observed with short release time of ~900 s.« less

Studies of the structural and magnetic properties of an unsymmetrical ligand 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic acid based chiral 3-D trinickel coordination polymer as an alkali base-influenced hydrothermal reaction product

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

Peng, Yi-Ru; Chien, Po-Hsiu; Chung, Huey-Ting

2014-04-01

The reaction of 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic acid (H{sub 3}btc), as a ligand, under pH-controlled hydrothermal conditions with nickel salts leads to the formation of a coordination polymer of (CsNi{sub 3}(OH)(H{sub 2}O){sub 3}[C{sub 6}H{sub 3}(CO{sub 2}){sub 3}]{sub 2}·3H{sub 2}O){sub n} (1). The subunit of compound 1 contains a hydroxide- and carboxylate-bridged trinickel clusters that are linked by an unsymmetrical organic carboxylate spacer to form a chiral three-dimensional anionic framework, in which cesium cations and guest water molecules are located in one-dimensional channels. The presence of a hydroxide ion serves both as a deprotonation agent and a cation source during the hydrothermal reaction, thusmore » permitting the extent of deprotonation of the unsymmetrical ligand H{sub 3}btc to be controlled, which is essential for the successful formation of compound 1. The magnetic properties of compound 1 were analyzed. Both dc and ac magnetic susceptibility as well as reduced magnetization measurements confirmed the spin-frustration nature of 1. - Graphical abstract: A chiral three-dimension MOF compound and its magnetic properties are described. - Highlights: • A new chiral three-dimension coordination polymer were made. • An un-symmetric bridging ligand was used. • Alkali metal ion Cs{sup +} was incorporated in the structure. • Magnetic properties were studied.« less

Air-water exchange of PAHs and OPAHs at a superfund mega-site.

PubMed

Tidwell, Lane G; Blair Paulik, L; Anderson, Kim A

2017-12-15

Chemical fate is a concern at environmentally contaminated sites, but characterizing that fate can be difficult. Identifying and quantifying the movement of chemicals at the air-water interface are important steps in characterizing chemical fate. Superfund sites are often suspected sources of air pollution due to legacy sediment and water contamination. A quantitative assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and oxygenated PAH (OPAHs) diffusive flux in a river system that contains a Superfund Mega-site, and passes through residential, urban and agricultural land, has not been reported before. Here, passive sampling devices (PSDs) were used to measure 60 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 22 oxygenated PAH (OPAHs) in air and water. From these concentrations the magnitude and direction of contaminant flux between these two compartments was calculated. The magnitude of PAH flux was greater at sites near or within the Superfund Mega-site than outside of the Superfund Mega-site. The largest net individual PAH deposition at a single site was naphthalene at a rate of -14,200 (±5780) (ng/m 2 )/day. The estimated one-year total flux of phenanthrene was -7.9×10 5 (ng/m 2 )/year. Human health risk associated with inhalation of vapor phase PAHs and dermal exposure to PAHs in water were assessed by calculating benzo[a]pyrene equivalent concentrations. Excess lifetime cancer risk estimates show potential increased risk associated with exposure to PAHs at sites within and in close proximity to the Superfund Mega-site. Specifically, estimated excess lifetime cancer risk associated with dermal exposure and inhalation of PAHs was above 1 in 1 million within the Superfund Mega-site. The predominant depositional flux profile observed in this study suggests that the river water in this Superfund site is largely a sink for airborne PAHs, rather than a source. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Natural analogue studies as supplements to biomineralization research

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

McNeil, M.B.

1995-09-01

Chemical reactions can alter the chemistry and crystal structure of solid objects over archeological or geological times, while preserving external physical shapes. The reactions resulting in these structures offer natural analogues to laboratory experiments in biomineralization and to biologically influenced alteration of nuclear waste packages, and thus, they offer the only available way of validating models that purport waste package behavior over archaeological or geological times. Potential uses of such analogues in the construction and validation of hypothetical mechanisms of microbiological corrosion and biomineralization are reviewed. Evidence from such analogues suggests that biofilms can control materials alteration in ways usuallymore » overlooked. The newly hypothesized mechanisms involve control by biofilms of the cation flow near the solid surface and offer plausible mechanisms for the formation of mixed-cation minerals under conditions that would lead to dealloying in abiotic experiments; they also account for the formation of unusual minerals [such as posnjakite, Cu{sub 4}SO{sub 4}(OH){sub 6{center_dot}}H{sub 2}O] and mineral morphologies unusual in corrosion [malachite, Cu{sub 2}CO{sub 3}(OH){sub 2}, rarely forms botryoidally under corrosion conditions and its occasional presence on archaeological objects that appear to have undergone microbiological corrosion may be related to biofilm phenomena].« less

Adaptive control of base-isolated buildings using piezoelectric friction dampers against near-field earthquakes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bitaraf, Maryam; Ozbulut, Osman E.; Hurlebaus, Stefan

2010-04-01

This paper investigates the effectiveness of two adaptive control strategies for modulating control force of piezoelectric friction dampers (PFDs) that are employed as semi-active devices in combination with laminated rubber bearings for seismic protection of buildings. The first controller developed in this study is a direct adaptive fuzzy logic controller. It consists of an upper-level and a sub-level direct fuzzy controller. In the hierarchical control scheme, higher-level controller modifies universe of discourse of both premise and consequent variables of the sub-level controller using scaling factors in order to determine command voltage of the damper according to current level of ground motion. The sub-level fuzzy controller employs isolation displacement and velocity as its premise variables and command voltage as its consequent variable. The second controller is based on the simple adaptive control (SAC) method, which is a type of direct adaptive control approach. The objective of the SAC method is to make the plant, the controlled system, track the behavior of the structure with the optimum performance. By using SAC strategy, any change in the characteristics of the structure or uncertainties in the modeling of the structure and in the external excitation would be considered because it continuously monitors its own performance to modify its parameters. Here, SAC methodology is employed to obtain the required force which results in the optimum performance of the structure. Then, the command voltage of the PFD is determined to generate the desired force. For comparison purposes, an optimal controller is also developed and considered in the simulations together with maximum passive operation of the friction damper. Time-history analyses of a base-isolated five-story building are performed to evaluate the performance of the controllers. Results reveal that developed adaptive controllers can successfully improve seismic response of the base-isolated buildings against various types of earthquakes.

Orientation control and domain structure analysis of {100}-oriented epitaxial ferroelectric orthorhombic HfO{sub 2}-based thin films

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

Katayama, Kiliha; Shimizu, Takao; Sakata, Osami

2016-04-07

Orientation control of {100}-oriented epitaxial orthorhombic 0.07YO{sub 1.5}-0.93HfO{sub 2} films grown by pulsed laser deposition was investigated. To achieve in-plane lattice matching, indium tin oxide (ITO) and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) were selected as underlying layers. We obtained (100)- and (001)/(010)-oriented films on ITO and YSZ, respectively. Ferroelastic domain formation was confirmed for both films by X-ray diffraction using the superlattice diffraction that appeared only for the orthorhombic symmetry. The formation of ferroelastic domains is believed to be induced by the tetragonal–orthorhombic phase transition upon cooling the films after deposition. The present results demonstrate that the orientation of HfO{sub 2}-based ferroelectricmore » films can be controlled in the same manner as that of ferroelectric films composed of conventional perovskite-type material such as Pb(Zr, Ti)O{sub 3} and BiFeO{sub 3}.« less

Highly Al-doped TiO{sub 2} nanoparticles produced by Ball Mill Method: structural and electronic characterization

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

Santos, Desireé M. de los, E-mail: desire.delossantos@uca.es; Navas, Javier, E-mail: javier.navas@uca.es; Sánchez-Coronilla, Antonio

2015-10-15

Highlights: • Highly Al-doped TiO{sub 2} nanoparticles were synthesized using a Ball Mill Method. • Al doping delayed anatase to rutile phase transformation. • Al doping allow controlling the structural and electronic properties of nanoparticles. - Abstract: This study presents an easy method for synthesizing highly doped TiO{sub 2} nanoparticles. The Ball Mill method was used to synthesize pure and Al-doped titanium dioxide, with an atomic percentage up to 15.7 at.% Al/(Al + Ti). The samples were annealed at 773 K, 973 K and 1173 K, and characterized using ICP-AES, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, FT-IR, TG, STEM, XPS, and UV–vis spectroscopy.more » The effect of doping and the calcination temperature on the structure and properties of the nanoparticles were studied. The results show high levels of internal doping due to the substitution of Ti{sup 4+} ions by Al{sup 3+} in the TiO{sub 2} lattice. Furthermore, anatase to rutile transformation occurs at higher temperatures when the percentage of doping increases. Therefore, Al doping allows us to control the structural and electronic properties of the nanoparticle synthesized. So, it is possible to obtain nanoparticles with anatase as predominant phase in a higher range of temperature.« less

Magnetic interactions in La0.7Sr0.3Mn1-xMexO3 (Me=Ga, Fe, Cr) manganites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Troyanchuk, I. O.; Bushinsky, M. V.; Karpinsky, D. V.; Tereshko, N. V.; Dobryansky, V. M.; Többens, D. M.; Sikolenko, V.; Efimov, V.

2015-11-01

Magnetic properties and crystal structure of La0.7Sr0.3Mn1-xMexO3 (Me=Ga, Fe, Cr; x≤0.3) have been studied by neutron powder diffraction and magnetization measurements. It is shown that substitution of manganese ions by chromium or gallium ions (x=0.3) leads to phase separation into antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic phases whereas replacement by Fe ions stabilizes spin glass state (x=0.3). Ferromagnetic interactions in Cr-substituted compounds are much more pronounced than in Fe- and Ga-doped ones. Magnetic properties are discussed in the model assuming a dominance of superexchange interactions. It is considered that ferromagnetism in the Cr-substituted compositions is associated with nearly equal contributions from positive and negative components of the superexchange interaction between Mn3+ and Cr3+ ions as well as to mixed valence of chromium ions. The spin glass state observed for the Fe-doped sample (x=0.3) is associated with strong antiferromagnetic superexchange between Fe3+-O-Fe3+ and Fe3+-O-(Mn3+, Mn4+).

Design, implementation and stabilization of a Bipedal robot

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nath, Alok; Das, Goutam; Mallick, Anik; Chowdhury, Shovan

2017-12-01

In this paper, we have presented the mechanical design and fabrication of a Bipedal walking robot as well as control strategies to be implemented for walking and balance recovery. For this robot, we considered Six Degree of Freedom (D.O.P) in the lower body one at each hip, one at each knee and one at each ankle. Each degree of freedom is powered by a RC servo motor and this robot is controlled by Arduino Mega 2560 micro controller. By balancing center of mass (C.O.M) it walks in rhythmic way as like as human one.

High Performance Piezoelectric Thin Films for Shape Control in Large Inflatable Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neurgaonkar, R. R.; Nelson, J. G.

1999-01-01

The objective of this research and development program was to develop PbZr(1-x)Ti(x)O3 (PZT) and Pb(1-x)Ba(x)Nb2O6 (PBN) materials with large piezoelectric response which are suitable for shape control in large inflatable structures. Two approaches were to be considered: (1) direct deposition of PZT and PBN films on flexible plastic or thin metal foil substrates, and (2) deposition on Si followed by fabrication of hybrid structures on mylar or kapton. Testing in shape control concepts was carried out at JPL and based on their results, the required modifications were made in the final film compositions and deposition techniques. The program objective was to identify and then optimize piezoelectric materials for NASA shape control applications. This involved the bulk piezoelectric and photovoltaic responses and the compatibility of the thin films with appropriate substrate structures. Within the PZT system, Rockwell has achieved the highest reported piezoelectric coefficient (d(sub 33) greater than 100 pC/N) of any ceramic composition. We used this experience in piezoelectric technology to establish compositions that can effectively address the issues of this program. The performance of piezoelectric thin films depends directly on d(sub ij) and Epsilon. The challenge was to find PZT compositions that maintained high d(sub ij) and Epsilon, while also exhibiting a large photovoltaic effect and integrate thin films of this composition into the system structure necessary to meet shape control applications. During the course of this program, several PZT and PLZT compositions were identified that meet these requirements. Two such compositions were successfully used in electrical and optical actuation studies of thin film structures.

High Performance Piezoelectric Thin Films for Shape Control in Large Inflatable Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neurgaonkar, R. R.; Nelson, J. G.

1999-01-01

The objective of this research and development program was to develop PbZr(1-x)Ti(x)O3 (PZT) and Pb(1-x)Ba(x)Nb2O6 (PBN) materials with large piezoelectric response which are suitable for shape control in large inflatable structures. Two approaches were to be considered: (1) direct deposition of PZT and PBN films on flexible plastic or thin metal foil substrates, and (2) deposition on Si followed by fabrication of hybrid structures on mylar or kapton. Testing in shape control concepts was carried out at JPL and based on their results, the required modifications were made in the final film compositions and deposition techniques. The program objective was to identify and then optimize piezoelectric materials for NASA shape control applications. This involved the bulk piezoelectric and photovoltaic responses and the compatibility of the thin films with appropriate substrate structures. Within the PZT system, Rockwell has achieved the highest reported piezoelectric coefficient (d(sub 33) greater than 100 pC/N) of any ceramic composition. We used this experience in piezoelectric technology to establish compositions that can effectively address the issues of this program. The performance of piezoelectric thin films depends directly on d(sub ij) and epsilin. The challenge was to find PZT compositions that maintained high d(sub ij) and epsilon, while also exhibiting a large photovoltaic effect and integrate thin films of this composition into the system structure necessary to meet shape control applications. During the course of this program, several PZT and PLZT compositions were identified that meet these requirements. Two such compositions were successfully used in electrical and optical actuation studies of thin film structures.

Patterns of Gray Matter Abnormalities in Schizophrenia Based on an International Mega-analysis.

PubMed

Gupta, Cota Navin; Calhoun, Vince D; Rachakonda, Srinivas; Chen, Jiayu; Patel, Veena; Liu, Jingyu; Segall, Judith; Franke, Barbara; Zwiers, Marcel P; Arias-Vasquez, Alejandro; Buitelaar, Jan; Fisher, Simon E; Fernandez, Guillen; van Erp, Theo G M; Potkin, Steven; Ford, Judith; Mathalon, Daniel; McEwen, Sarah; Lee, Hyo Jong; Mueller, Bryon A; Greve, Douglas N; Andreassen, Ole; Agartz, Ingrid; Gollub, Randy L; Sponheim, Scott R; Ehrlich, Stefan; Wang, Lei; Pearlson, Godfrey; Glahn, David C; Sprooten, Emma; Mayer, Andrew R; Stephen, Julia; Jung, Rex E; Canive, Jose; Bustillo, Juan; Turner, Jessica A

2015-09-01

Analyses of gray matter concentration (GMC) deficits in patients with schizophrenia (Sz) have identified robust changes throughout the cortex. We assessed the relationships between diagnosis, overall symptom severity, and patterns of gray matter in the largest aggregated structural imaging dataset to date. We performed both source-based morphometry (SBM) and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analyses on GMC images from 784 Sz and 936 controls (Ct) across 23 scanning sites in Europe and the United States. After correcting for age, gender, site, and diagnosis by site interactions, SBM analyses showed 9 patterns of diagnostic differences. They comprised separate cortical, subcortical, and cerebellar regions. Seven patterns showed greater GMC in Ct than Sz, while 2 (brainstem and cerebellum) showed greater GMC for Sz. The greatest GMC deficit was in a single pattern comprising regions in the superior temporal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, and medial frontal cortex, which replicated over analyses of data subsets. VBM analyses identified overall cortical GMC loss and one small cluster of increased GMC in Sz, which overlapped with the SBM brainstem component. We found no significant association between the component loadings and symptom severity in either analysis. This mega-analysis confirms that the commonly found GMC loss in Sz in the anterior temporal lobe, insula, and medial frontal lobe form a single, consistent spatial pattern even in such a diverse dataset. The separation of GMC loss into robust, repeatable spatial patterns across multiple datasets paves the way for the application of these methods to identify subtle genetic and clinical cohort effects. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Mechanisms of the self-organization of star-shaped polymers with a varied structure of branching center based on fullerene C{sub 60} in solutions

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

Lebedev, V. T., E-mail: vlebedev@pnpi.spb.ru; Toeroek, Gy.; Vinogradova, L. V.

The self-organization of star-shaped polymers in toluene has been studied by small-angle neutron scattering. Polystyrene stars with a mono-C{sub 60} branching center are ordered into globular clusters ({approx}1700 nm in diameter), whereas stars with a double (C{sub 60}-C{sub 60}) center are ordered into anisotropic structures (superchains), which are linked (depending on the concentration) into triads (chain clusters {approx}2500 nm in diameter). On the contrary, heteroarm polystyrene and poly-2-vinylpyridine stars with a C{sub 60} center are weakly associated into dimers. Moderately polar stars with arms composed of polystyrene and diblock copolymer (poly-2-vinylpyridine-poly-tret-butyl methacrylate) form short chains composed of four macromolecules, whilemore » stars of higher polarity based on polystyrene and poly-tret-butyl methacrylate form clusters containing {approx}12 macromolecules {approx}50 nm in diameter. Thus, by varying the structure of the center and the arm polarity, one can control the modes of star structuring.« less

The annealing temperature dependences of microstructures and magnetic properties in electro-chemical deposited CoNiFe thin films

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

Suharyadi, Edi, E-mail: esuharyadi@ugm.ac.id; Riyanto, Agus; Abraha, Kamsul

2016-04-19

CoNiFe thin films with various compositions had been successfully fabricated using electro-chemical deposition method. The crystal structure of Co{sub 65}Ni{sub 15}Fe{sub 20}, Co{sub 62}Ni{sub 15}Fe{sub 23}, and Co{sub 55}Ni{sub 15}Fe{sub 30} thin films was fcc, bcc-fcc mix, and bcc, respectively. The difference crystal structure results the difference in magnetic properties. The saturation magnetic flux density (Bs) of Co{sub 65}Ni{sub 15}Fe{sub 20}, Co{sub 62}Ni{sub 15}Fe{sub 23}, and Co{sub 55}Ni{sub 15}Fe{sub 30} thin films was 1.89 T, 1.93 T, and 2.05 T, respectively. An optimal annealing temperature was determined for controlling the microstructure and magnetic properties of CoNiFe thin films. Depending onmore » annealing temperature, the ratio of bcc and fcc structure varied without changing the film composition. By annealing at temperature of T ≥ 350°C, the intensity ratio of X-ray diffraction peaks for bcc(110) to fcc(111) increased. The increase of phase ratio of bcc(110) to fcc(111) caused the increase of Bs, from 1.89 T to 1.95 T. Coercivity (Hc) also increased after annealing, from 2.6 Oe to 18.6 Oe for fcc phase thin films, from 2.0 Oe to 12.0 Oe for fcc-bcc mix phase thin films, and 7.8 Oe to 8 Oe for bcc phase thin films. The changing crystal structures during annealing process indicated that the thermal treatment at high temperature cause the changing crystallinity and atomic displacement. The TEM bright-field images with corresponding selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns showed that there are strongly effects of thermal annealing on the size of fcc and bcc phase crystalline grain as described by size of individual spot and discontinuous rings. The size of crystalline grains increased by thermal annealing. The evolution of bcc and fcc structures of CoNiFe during annealing is though to be responsible for the change of magnetic properties.« less

Medial frontal GABA is lower in older schizophrenia: a MEGA-PRESS with macromolecule suppression study.

PubMed

Rowland, L M; Krause, B W; Wijtenburg, S A; McMahon, R P; Chiappelli, J; Nugent, K L; Nisonger, S J; Korenic, S A; Kochunov, P; Hong, L E

2016-02-01

Gamma-butyric acid (GABA) dysfunction has been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and its cognitive deficits. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to test the hypothesis that older participants with schizophrenia have lower anterior cingulate GABA levels compared with older control participants. One-hundred forty-five participants completed this study. For detection of GABA, spectra were acquired from the medial frontal/anterior cingulate cortex using a macromolecule-suppressed MEGA-PRESS sequence. Patients were evaluated for psychopathology and all participants completed neuropsychological tests of working memory, processing speed and functional capacity. GABA levels were significantly lower in the older participants with schizophrenia (n=31) compared with the older control (n=37) group (P=0.003) but not between the younger control (n=40) and schizophrenia (n=29) groups (P=0.994). Age strongly predicted GABA levels in the schizophrenia group accounting for 42% of the variance, but the effect of age was less in the control group accounting for 5.7% of the variance. GABA levels were specifically related to working memory but not processing speed performance, functional capacity, or positive or negative symptom severity. This is the largest MRS study of GABA in schizophrenia and the first to examine GABA without macromolecule contamination, a potentially significant issue in previous studies. GABA levels more rapidly declined with advancing age in the schizophrenia compared with the control group. Interventions targeted at halting the decline or increasing GABA levels may improve functional outcomes and quality of life as patients with schizophrenia age.

Medial Frontal GABA is Lower in Older Schizophrenia: A MEGA-PRESS with Macromolecule Suppression Study

PubMed Central

Rowland, Laura M; Krause, Benjamin W.; Wijtenburg, S. Andrea; McMahon, Robert P.; Chiappelli, Joshua; Nugent, Katie L.; Nisonger, Sarah J.; Korenic, Stephanie A.; Kochunov, Peter; Hong, L. Elliot

2015-01-01

Gamma-butyric acid (GABA) dysfunction has been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and its cognitive deficits. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to test the hypothesis that older participants with schizophrenia have lower anterior cingulate GABA levels compared to older control participants. One-hundred and forty-five participants completed this study. For detection of GABA, spectra were acquired from the medial frontal/anterior cingulate cortex using a macromolecule-suppressed MEGA-PRESS sequence. Patients were evaluated for psychopathology and all participants completed neuropsychological tests of working memory, processing speed, and functional capacity. GABA levels were significantly lower in the older participants with schizophrenia(n=31) compared to the older control(n=37) group (p=0.003) but not between the younger control(n=40) and schizophrenia (n=29) groups (p=0.994). Age strongly predicted GABA levels in the schizophrenia group accounting for 42% of the variance, but the effect of age was less in the control group accounting for 5.7% of the variance. GABA levels were specifically related to working memory but not processing speed performance, functional capacity, or positive or negative symptom severity. This is the largest MRS study of GABA in schizophrenia and the first to examine GABA without macromolecule contamination, a potentially significant issue in previous studies. GABA levels more rapidly declined with advancing age in the schizophrenia compared to the control group. Interventions targeted at halting the decline or increasing GABA levels may improve functional outcomes and quality of life as patients with schizophrenia age. PMID:25824298

Start-Up Mega Planning--A Case History

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Forbes, Ronald; Forbes, Dylan; Hoskins, Peter

2005-01-01

Social Responsibility is becoming a key issue for organizations today. They talk about it and they make social contributions, but how do we know if anything is being achieved? A framework is required and has existed at least since 1992. Roger Kaufman's Mega Planning has slowly gathered momentum in organizations worldwide. For a faster take-up we…

Treasure Chase: Mega Gifts Are Down--But Are They out?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mayer, Caroline E.

2010-01-01

Just a few years ago, the University of Notre Dame averaged about six mega gifts--$10 million or more--a year. Last year, however, the Fighting Irish received only one such donation. "That multimillion donation has become more difficult to obtain," says Lou Nanni, vice president for university relations at the Indiana institution.…

Mega Thinking and Planning: An Introduction to Defining and Delivering Individual and Organizational Success

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kaufman, Roger

2009-01-01

All organizations are means to societal ends, and thus Mega thinking and planning starts with a primary focus on adding value for all stakeholders, including our shared society. It is pragmatic, realistic, practical, and ethical. Defining and achieving continual organizational success is possible. It relies on three basic elements: (1) a societal…

Defining and Delivering Measurable Value: A Mega Thinking and Planning Primer

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kaufman, Roger

2005-01-01

Mega planning has a primary focus on adding value for all stakeholders. It is realistic, practical, and ethical. Denning and then achieving sustained organizational success is possible. It relies on three basic elements: (1) "A societal value-added "frame of mind" or paradigm": your perspective about your organization, people, and our world. It…

OER on the Asian Mega Universities: Developments, Motives, Openness, and Sustainability

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Farisi, Mohammad Imam

2013-01-01

The OER movement originated and integrated into ODE developments. Mega Universities (MUs) are among the most important of ODE providers worldwide should be to be the primary organizations for providing access to OER. So far, however, in-depth studies on OER developments in the Asian MUs were very limited. This study focuses on the developments,…

Why Academics Choose to Publish in a Mega-Journal

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shopovski, Jovan; Marolov, Dejan

2017-01-01

With their broad scope, high publishing volume, a peer review process based on the scientific soundness of the content, and an open access model, mega journals have become an important part of scholarly publishing. The main aim of this paper is to determine the most important factor that influenced researchers' decisions to submit their academic…

Subcortical brain volume differences of participants with ADHD across the lifespan: an ENIGMA collaboration

PubMed Central

Hoogman, Martine; Bralten, Janita; Hibar, Derrek P.; Mennes, Maarten; Zwiers, Marcel P.; Schweren, Lizanne; van Hulzen, Kimm J.E.; Medland, Sarah E.; Shumskaya, Elena; Jahanshad, Neda; de Zeeuw, Patrick; Szekely, Eszter; Sudre, Gustavo; Wolfers, Thomas; Onnink, Alberdingk M.H.; Dammers, Janneke T.; Mostert, Jeanette C.; Vives-Gilabert, Yolanda; Kohls, Gregor; Oberwelland, Eileen; Seitz, Jochen; Schulte-Rüther, Martin; di Bruttopilo, Sara Ambrosino; Doyle, Alysa E.; Høvik, Marie F.; Dramsdahl, Margaretha; Tamm, Leanne; van Erp, Theo G.M.; Dale, Anders; Schork, Andrew; Conzelmann, Annette; Zierhut, Kathrin; Baur, Ramona; McCarthy, Hazel; Yoncheva, Yuliya N.; Cubillo, Ana; Chantiluke, Kaylita; Mehta, Mitul A.; Paloyelis, Yannis; Hohmann, Sarah; Baumeister, Sarah; Bramati, Ivanei; Mattos, Paulo; Tovar-Moll, Fernanda; Douglas, Pamela; Banaschewski, Tobias; Brandeis, Daniel; Kuntsi, Jonna; Asherson, Phil; Rubia, Katya; Kelly, Clare; Di Martino, Adriana; Milham, Michael P.; Castellanos, Francisco X.; Frodl, Thomas; Zentis, Mariam; Lesch, Klaus-Peter; Reif, Andreas; Pauli, Paul; Jernigan, Terry; Haavik, Jan; Plessen, Kerstin J.; Lundervold, Astri J.; Hugdahl, Kenneth; Seidman, Larry J.; Biederman, Joseph; Rommelse, Nanda; Heslenfeld, Dirk J.; Hartman, Catharina; Hoekstra, Pieter J.; Oosterlaan, Jaap; von Polier, Georg; Konrad, Kerstin; Vilarroya, Oscar; Ramos-Quiroga, Josep-Antoni; Soliva, Joan Carles; Durston, Sarah; Buitelaar, Jan K.; Faraone, Stephen V.; Shaw, Philip; Thompson, Paul; Franke, Barbara

2017-01-01

BACKGROUND Neuroimaging studies show structural alterations in several brain regions in children and adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Through the formation of the worldwide ENIGMA ADHD Working Group, we addressed weaknesses of prior imaging studies and meta-analyses in sample size and methodological heterogeneity. METHODS Our sample comprised 1713 participants with ADHD and 1529 controls from 23 sites (age range: 4–63 years; 66% males). Individual sites analyzed magnetic resonance imaging brain scans with harmonized protocols. Case-control differences in subcortical structures and intracranial volume (ICV) were assessed through mega-and meta-analysis. FINDINGS The volumes of the accumbens (Cohen’s d=−0.15), amygdala (d=−0.19), caudate (d=−0.11), hippocampus (d=−0.11), putamen (d=−0.14), and ICV (d=−0.10) were found to be smaller in cases relative to controls. Effect sizes were highest in children, case-control differences were not present in adults. Explorative lifespan modeling suggested a delay of maturation and a delay of degeneration. Psychostimulant medication use or presence of comorbid psychiatric disorders did not influence results, nor did symptom scores correlate with brain volume. INTERPRETATION Using the largest data set to date, we extend the brain maturation delay theory for ADHD to include subcortical structures and refute medication effects on brain volume suggested by earlier meta-analyses. We add new knowledge about bilateral amygdala, accumbens, and hippocampus reductions in ADHD, and provide unprecedented precision in effect size estimates. Lifespan analyses suggest that, in the absence of well-powered longitudinal studies, the ENIGMA cross-sectional sample across six decades of life provides a means to generate hypotheses about lifespan trajectories in brain phenotypes. FUNDING National Institutes of Health PMID:28219628

Introduction for "Reiki at University Medical Center, Tucson, Arizona, a magnet hospital": Mega R. Mease is interviewed by William Lee Rand.

PubMed

Vitale, Anne

2011-01-01

There is a sustained interest in the use of Reiki among US consumers and health care providers and lay practitioners alike. As a result, hospitals and other health care institutions are incorporating Reiki into patient care services toward the promotion of caring-healing environments. Variations in hospital-based program structures with Reiki are possible and can enhance the use of Reiki into traditional care settings.

Urban structure analysis of mega city Mexico City using multisensoral remote sensing data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taubenböck, H.; Esch, T.; Wurm, M.; Thiel, M.; Ullmann, T.; Roth, A.; Schmidt, M.; Mehl, H.; Dech, S.

2008-10-01

Mega city Mexico City is ranked the third largest urban agglomeration to date around the globe. The large extension as well as dynamic urban transformation and sprawl processes lead to a lack of up-to-date and area-wide data and information to measure, monitor, and understand the urban situation. This paper focuses on the capabilities of multisensoral remotely sensed data to provide a broad range of products derived from one scientific field - remote sensing - to support urban managing and planning. Therefore optical data sets from the Landsat and Quickbird sensors as well as radar data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) and the TerraSAR-X sensor are utilised. Using the multi-sensoral data sets the analysis are scale-dependent. On the one hand change detection on city level utilising the derived urban footprints enables to monitor and to assess spatiotemporal urban transformation, areal dimension of urban sprawl, its direction, and the built-up density distribution over time. On the other hand, structural characteristics of an urban landscape - the alignment and types of buildings, streets and open spaces - provide insight in the very detailed physical pattern of urban morphology on higher scale. The results show high accuracies of the derived multi-scale products. The multi-scale analysis allows quantifying urban processes and thus leading to an assessment and interpretation of urban trends.

Mysterious eclipses in the light curve of KIC8462852: a possible explanation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neslušan, L.; Budaj, J.

2017-04-01

Context. Apart from thousands of "regular" exoplanet candidates, Kepler satellite has discovered a small number of stars exhibiting peculiar eclipse-like events. They are most probably caused by disintegrating bodies transiting in front of the star. However, the nature of the bodies and obscuration events, such as those observed in KIC 8462852, remain mysterious. A swarm of comets or artificial alien mega-structures have been proposed as an explanation for the latter object. Aims: We explore the possibility that such eclipses are caused by the dust clouds associated with massive parent bodies orbiting the host star. Methods: We assumed a massive object and a simple model of the dust cloud surrounding the object. Then, we used the numerical integration to simulate the evolution of the cloud, its parent body, and resulting light-curves as they orbit and transit the star. Results: We found that it is possible to reproduce the basic features in the light-curve of KIC 8462852 with only four objects enshrouded in dust clouds. The fact that they are all on similar orbits and that such models require only a handful of free parameters provides additional support for this hypothesis. Conclusions: This model provides an alternative to the comet scenario. With such physical models at hand, at present, there is no need to invoke alien mega-structures for an explanation of these light-curves.

Solar Array Structures for 300 kW-Class Spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pappa, Richard; Rose, Geoff; Mann, Troy O.; Warren, Jerry E.; Mikulas, Martin M., Jr.; Kerslake, Tom; Kraft, Tom; Banik, Jeremy

2013-01-01

State-of-the-art solar arrays for spacecraft provide on the order of 20 kW of electrical power, and they usually consist of 3J solar cells bonded to hinged rigid panels about 1 inch in thickness. This structural construction allows specific mass and packaging volumes of up to approximately 70 W/kg and 15 kW/m3 to be achieved. Significant advances in solar array structures are required for future very-high-power spacecraft (300+ kW), such as those proposed for pre-positioning heavy cargo on or near the Moon, Mars, or asteroids using solar electric propulsion. These applications will require considerable increases in both W/kg and kW/m3, and will undoubtedly require the use of flexible-substrate designs. This presentation summarizes work sponsored by NASA's Game Changing Development Program since Oct. 2011 to address the challenge of developing 300+ kW solar arrays. The work is primarily being done at NASA Langley, NASA Glenn, and two contractor teams (ATK and DSS), with technical collaboration from AFRL/Kirtland. The near-tem objective of the project is design, analysis, and testing of 30-50 kW solar array designs that are extensible to the far-term objective of 300+ kW. The work is currently focused on three designs: the MegaFlex concept by ATK, the Mega-ROSA concept by DSS, and an in-house 300-kW Government Reference Array concept. Each of these designs will be described in the presentation. Results obtained to date by the team, as well as future work plans, for the design, analysis, and testing of these large solar array structures will be summarized.

A MegaCam Survey of Outer Halo Satellites. III. Photometric and Structural Parameters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muñoz, Ricardo R.; Côté, Patrick; Santana, Felipe A.; Geha, Marla; Simon, Joshua D.; Oyarzún, Grecco A.; Stetson, Peter B.; Djorgovski, S. G.

2018-06-01

We present structural parameters from a wide-field homogeneous imaging survey of Milky Way satellites carried out with the MegaCam imagers on the 3.6 m Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope and 6.5 m Magellan-Clay telescope. Our survey targets an unbiased sample of “outer halo” satellites (i.e., substructures having galactocentric distances greater than 25 kpc) and includes classical dSph galaxies, ultra-faint dwarfs, and remote globular clusters. We combine deep, panoramic gr imaging for 44 satellites and archival gr imaging for 14 additional objects (primarily obtained with the DECam instrument as part of the Dark Energy Survey) to measure photometric and structural parameters for 58 outer halo satellites. This is the largest and most uniform analysis of Milky Way satellites undertaken to date and represents roughly three-quarters (58/81 ≃ 72%) of all known outer halo satellites. We use a maximum-likelihood method to fit four density laws to each object in our survey: exponential, Plummer, King, and Sérsic models. We systematically examine the isodensity contour maps and color–magnitude diagrams for each of our program objects, present a comparison with previous results, and tabulate our best-fit photometric and structural parameters, including ellipticities, position angles, effective radii, Sérsic indices, absolute magnitudes, and surface brightness measurements. We investigate the distribution of outer halo satellites in the size–magnitude diagram and show that the current sample of outer halo substructures spans a wide range in effective radius, luminosity, and surface brightness, with little evidence for a clean separation into star cluster and galaxy populations at the faintest luminosities and surface brightnesses.

Stereochemical and electronic control of M-SO/sub 2/ bonding geometry in d/sup 6/ molybdenum and tungsten SO/sub 2/ complexes: novel n/sup 1/reverse arrown/sup 2/ SO/sub 2/ linkage isomerization in Mo(CO)/sub 2/(PPh/sub 3/)/sub 2/(CNR)(SO/sub 2/) and structures of Mo(CO)/sub 3/(P-i-Pr/sub 3/)/sub 2/(SO/sub 2/) and (Mo(CO)/sub 2/(py)(PPh/sub 3/)(. mu. -SO/sub 2/))/sub 2/

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

Kubas, G.J.; Jarvinen, G.D.; Ryan, R.R.

1983-04-06

New complexes, mer,trans,M(CO)/sub 3/(PR/sub 3/)/sub 2/(SO/sub 2/) (M = Mo,W; R = Ph,Cy,i-Pr) (I), cis,trans-Mo(CO)/sub 2/-(PPh/sub 3/)/sub 2/(SO/sub 2/)(L) (L = NCMe,py,CNCy,CN-t-Bu and CN(p-tolyl))(II), and (Mo(CO)/sub 2/(py)(PPh/sub 3/)(..mu..-SO/sub 2/))/sub 2/, have been prepared and characterized by infrared spectroscopy, /sup 17/O and /sup 31/P NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. Syntheses for fac-Mo(CO)/sub 3/(n/sup 2/-SO/sub 2/)(LL) (LL = dppe,bpy,phen,2 py) have also been developed. Depending upon L, II has been found to coordinate SO/sub 2/ either in the S-bonded (n/sup 1/ planar) or O,S-bonded (n/sup 2/) geometries. Remarkably, for L = CNCy or CN-t-Bu, II has been found to contain, in themore » solid state, an apparent equimixture of both coordination types. Isomerization of fac-M(CO)/sub 3/(dppe)(n/sup 2/-SO/sub 2/) (M=Mo,w; dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) to an n/sup 1/-planar SO/sub 2/ form, mer-M(CO)/sub 3/(dppe)(SO/sub 2/), has also been found to occur. Thus, control of the SO/sub 2/ coordination geometry has been achieved by varying either the electronic properties of the ancillary ligands or their disposition with respect to the SO/sub 2/. The X-ray crystal structure of mer,trans-Mo(CO)/sub 3/(P-i-Pr/sub 3/)/sub 2/(SO/sub 2/) revealed n/sup 1/-planar SO/sub 2/ binding, the first example of this geometry for group 6 metals. The M-S distance, 2.239 (3) angstrom, is the longest such distance for this geometry recorded to date. Crystal data: Pbca, Z=8, a=24.712(8) angstrom, b=16.033(6) angstrom, c=14.058(5) angstrom, R=0.079 for 2934 reflections with Igreater than or equal to2sigma(I). The structure of (Mo(CO)/sub 2/(py)(PPh/sub 3/)(..mu..-SO/sub 2/))/sub 2/ showed a novel SO/sub 2/ bridging geometry in which all three atoms of SO/sub 2/ are metal coordinated. Crystal data: P1, Z=1, a=14.883(4) angstrom, b=9.264(2) angstrom, c=10.808(2) angstrom, R=0.039 for 3282 reflections with Igreater than or equal to2sigma(I).« less

Sapphire substrate-induced effects in VO{sub 2} thin films grown by oxygen plasma-assisted pulsed laser deposition

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

Skuza, J. R., E-mail: jrskuza@nsu.edu, E-mail: apradhan@nsu.edu; Scott, D. W.; Pradhan, A. K., E-mail: jrskuza@nsu.edu, E-mail: apradhan@nsu.edu

2015-11-21

We investigate the structural and electronic properties of VO{sub 2} thin films on c-plane sapphire substrates with three different surface morphologies to control the strain at the substrate-film interface. Only non-annealed substrates with no discernible surface features (terraces) provided a suitable template for VO{sub 2} film growth with a semiconductor-metal transition (SMT), which was much lower than the bulk transition temperature. In addition to strain, oxygen vacancy concentration also affects the properties of VO{sub 2}, which can be controlled through deposition conditions. Oxygen plasma-assisted pulsed laser deposition allows favorable conditions for VO{sub 2} film growth with SMTs that can bemore » easily tailored for device applications.« less

Multi-type Tectonic Responses to Plate Motion Changes of Mega-Offset Transform Faults at the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, F.; Lin, J.; Yang, H.; Zhou, Z.

2017-12-01

Magmatic and tectonic responses of a mid-ocean ridge system to plate motion changes can provide important constraints on the mechanisms of ridge-transform interaction and lithospheric properties. Here we present new analysis of multi-type responses of the mega-offset transform faults at the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge (PAR) system to plate motion changes in the last 12 Ma. Detailed analysis of the Heezen, Tharp, and Udintsev transform faults showed that the extensional stresses induced by plate motion changes could have been released through a combination of magmatic and tectonic processes: (1) For a number of ridge segments with abundant magma supply, plate motion changes might have caused the lateral transport of magma along the ridge axis and into the abutting transform valley, forming curved "hook" ridges at the ridge-transform intersection. (2) Plate motion changes might also have caused vertical deformation on steeply-dipping transtensional faults that were developed along the Heezen, Tharp, and Udintsev transform faults. (3) Distinct zones of intensive tectonic deformation, resembling belts of "rift zones", were found to be sub-parallel to the investigated transform faults. These rift-like deformation zones were hypothesized to have developed when the stresses required to drive the vertical deformation on the steeply-dipping transtensional faults along the transform faults becomes excessive, and thus deformation on off-transform "rift zones" became favored. (4) However, to explain the observed large offsets on the steeply-dipping transtensional faults, the transform faults must be relatively weak with low apparent friction coefficient comparing to the adjacent lithospheric plates.

Widespread Forest Vertebrate Extinctions Induced by a Mega Hydroelectric Dam in Lowland Amazonia

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Mega hydropower projects in tropical forests pose a major emergent threat to terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity worldwide. Despite the unprecedented number of existing, under-construction and planned hydroelectric dams in lowland tropical forests, long-term effects on biodiversity have yet to be evaluated. We examine how medium and large-bodied assemblages of terrestrial and arboreal vertebrates (including 35 mammal, bird and tortoise species) responded to the drastic 26-year post-isolation history of archipelagic alteration in landscape structure and habitat quality in a major hydroelectric reservoir of Central Amazonia. The Balbina Hydroelectric Dam inundated 3,129 km2 of primary forests, simultaneously isolating 3,546 land-bridge islands. We conducted intensive biodiversity surveys at 37 of those islands and three adjacent continuous forests using a combination of four survey techniques, and detected strong forest habitat area effects in explaining patterns of vertebrate extinction. Beyond clear area effects, edge-mediated surface fire disturbance was the most important additional driver of species loss, particularly in islands smaller than 10 ha. Based on species-area models, we predict that only 0.7% of all islands now harbor a species-rich vertebrate assemblage consisting of ≥80% of all species. We highlight the colossal erosion in vertebrate diversity driven by a man-made dam and show that the biodiversity impacts of mega dams in lowland tropical forest regions have been severely overlooked. The geopolitical strategy to deploy many more large hydropower infrastructure projects in regions like lowland Amazonia should be urgently reassessed, and we strongly advise that long-term biodiversity impacts should be explicitly included in pre-approval environmental impact assessments. PMID:26132139

A MegaCam Survey of Outer Halo Satellites. I. Description of the Survey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muñoz, Ricardo R.; Côté, Patrick; Santana, Felipe A.; Geha, Marla; Simon, Joshua D.; Oyarzún, Grecco A.; Stetson, Peter B.; Djorgovski, S. G.

2018-06-01

We describe a deep, systematic imaging study of satellites in the outer halo of the Milky Way. Our sample consists of 58 stellar overdensities—i.e., substructures classified as either globular clusters, classical dwarf galaxies, or ultra-faint dwarf galaxies—that are located at Galactocentric distances of R GC ≥ 25 kpc (outer halo) and out to ∼400 kpc. This includes 44 objects for which we have acquired deep, wide-field, g- and r-band imaging with the MegaCam mosaic cameras on the 3.6 m Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope and the 6.5 m Magellan-Clay telescope. These data are supplemented by archival imaging, or published gr photometry, for an additional 14 objects, most of which were discovered recently in the Dark Energy Survey (DES). We describe the scientific motivation for our survey, including sample selection, observing strategy, data reduction pipeline, calibration procedures, and the depth and precision of the photometry. The typical 5σ point-source limiting magnitudes for our MegaCam imaging—which collectively covers an area of ≈52 deg2—are g lim ≃ 25.6 and r lim ≃ 25.3 AB mag. These limits are comparable to those from the coadded DES images and are roughly a half-magnitude deeper than will be reached in a single visit with the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope. Our photometric catalog thus provides the deepest and most uniform photometric database of Milky Way satellites available for the foreseeable future. In other papers in this series, we have used these data to explore the blue straggler populations in these objects, their density distributions, star formation histories, scaling relations, and possible foreground structures.

Widespread Forest Vertebrate Extinctions Induced by a Mega Hydroelectric Dam in Lowland Amazonia.

PubMed

Benchimol, Maíra; Peres, Carlos A

2015-01-01

Mega hydropower projects in tropical forests pose a major emergent threat to terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity worldwide. Despite the unprecedented number of existing, under-construction and planned hydroelectric dams in lowland tropical forests, long-term effects on biodiversity have yet to be evaluated. We examine how medium and large-bodied assemblages of terrestrial and arboreal vertebrates (including 35 mammal, bird and tortoise species) responded to the drastic 26-year post-isolation history of archipelagic alteration in landscape structure and habitat quality in a major hydroelectric reservoir of Central Amazonia. The Balbina Hydroelectric Dam inundated 3,129 km2 of primary forests, simultaneously isolating 3,546 land-bridge islands. We conducted intensive biodiversity surveys at 37 of those islands and three adjacent continuous forests using a combination of four survey techniques, and detected strong forest habitat area effects in explaining patterns of vertebrate extinction. Beyond clear area effects, edge-mediated surface fire disturbance was the most important additional driver of species loss, particularly in islands smaller than 10 ha. Based on species-area models, we predict that only 0.7% of all islands now harbor a species-rich vertebrate assemblage consisting of ≥80% of all species. We highlight the colossal erosion in vertebrate diversity driven by a man-made dam and show that the biodiversity impacts of mega dams in lowland tropical forest regions have been severely overlooked. The geopolitical strategy to deploy many more large hydropower infrastructure projects in regions like lowland Amazonia should be urgently reassessed, and we strongly advise that long-term biodiversity impacts should be explicitly included in pre-approval environmental impact assessments.

Non-Invasive Evaluation of the GABAergic/Glutamatergic System in Autistic Patients Observed by MEGA-Editing Proton MR Spectroscopy Using a Clinical 3 Tesla Instrument

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harada, Masafumi; Taki, Masako M.; Nose, Ayumi; Kubo, Hitoshi; Mori, Kenji; Nishitani, Hiromu; Matsuda, Tsuyoshi

2011-01-01

Amino acids related to neurotransmitters and the GABAergic/glutamatergic system were measured using a 3 T-MRI instrument in 12 patients with autism and 10 normal controls. All measurements were performed in the frontal lobe (FL) and lenticular nuclei (LN) using a conventional sequence for n-acetyl aspartate (NAA) and glutamate (Glu), and the…

The Church Mountain Sturzstrom (Mega-Landslide), Glacier, Washington

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

Carpenter, M.R.; Easterbrook, D.J.

1993-04-01

Detailed investigation of an ancient sturzstrom or mega-landslide near Glacier, Washington has revealed it areal extent, approximate volume, age, geomorphology, source area, and possible causes. Stratigraphic and lithologic investigations indicate Church Mountain as the source area; therefore, this mega-landslide has been named the Church Mountain Sturzstrom (CMS). The CMS deposit is approximately 9 km in length, averages about 1 km in width, and has an estimated volume of 3 [times] 10[sup 8] m[sup 3]. Characteristics of the morphology and stratigraphy of the CMS deposit are suggestive of a sturzstrom origin, and may be indicative of sturzstrom elsewhere in the world.more » The overall stratigraphy of the deposit mimics the stratigraphy of the source area. The deposit is very compact, poorly sorted, matrix supported, and composed of highly angular clasts. Over steepening of the mountain due to glacial erosion may have contributed to the cause of failure, although the age of the CMS is at least 7,000 years younger than deglaciation. Four trees were C[sup 14] dated, yielding ages of about 2,700 B.P. for the CMS. Several other mega-landslides have been identified within 5--30 km of the CMS. The close proximity of these mega-landslides to the CMS suggests the possibility that they may have been triggered by an earthquake, although the ages of the other slides are currently unknown. The age of the CMS correlates approximately with age ranges of co-seismic events occurring along the west coast of Washington, further suggesting the possibility of an earthquake triggering mechanism.« less

Mega-analysis of Odds Ratio: A Convergent Method for a Deep Understanding of the Genetic Evidence in Schizophrenia.

PubMed

Jia, Peilin; Chen, Xiangning; Xie, Wei; Kendler, Kenneth S; Zhao, Zhongming

2018-06-20

Numerous high-throughput omics studies have been conducted in schizophrenia, providing an accumulated catalog of susceptible variants and genes. The results from these studies, however, are highly heterogeneous. The variants and genes nominated by different omics studies often have limited overlap with each other. There is thus a pressing need for integrative analysis to unify the different types of data and provide a convergent view of schizophrenia candidate genes (SZgenes). In this study, we collected a comprehensive, multidimensional dataset, including 7819 brain-expressed genes. The data hosted genome-wide association evidence in genetics (eg, genotyping data, copy number variations, de novo mutations), epigenetics, transcriptomics, and literature mining. We developed a method named mega-analysis of odds ratio (MegaOR) to prioritize SZgenes. Application of MegaOR in the multidimensional data resulted in consensus sets of SZgenes (up to 530), each enriched with dense, multidimensional evidence. We proved that these SZgenes had highly tissue-specific expression in brain and nerve and had intensive interactions that were significantly stronger than chance expectation. Furthermore, we found these SZgenes were involved in human brain development by showing strong spatiotemporal expression patterns; these characteristics were replicated in independent brain expression datasets. Finally, we found the SZgenes were enriched in critical functional gene sets involved in neuronal activities, ligand gated ion signaling, and fragile X mental retardation protein targets. In summary, MegaOR analysis reported consensus sets of SZgenes with enriched association evidence to schizophrenia, providing insights into the pathophysiology underlying schizophrenia.

Rip currents, mega-cusps, and eroding dunes

USGS Publications Warehouse

Thornton, E.B.; MacMahan, J.; Sallenger, A.H.

2007-01-01

Dune erosion is shown to occur at the embayment of beach mega-cusps O(200 m alongshore) that are associated with rip currents. The beach is the narrowest at the embayment of the mega-cusps allowing the swash of large storm waves coincident with high tides to reach the toe of the dune, to undercut the dune and to cause dune erosion. Field measurements of dune, beach, and rip current morphology are acquired along an 18 km shoreline in southern Monterey Bay, California. This section of the bay consists of a sandy shoreline backed by extensive dunes, rising to heights exceeding 40 m. There is a large increase in wave height going from small wave heights in the shadow of a headland, to the center of the bay where convergence of waves owing to refraction over the Monterey Bay submarine canyon results in larger wave heights. The large alongshore gradient in wave height results in a concomitant alongshore gradient in morphodynamic scale. The strongly refracted waves and narrow bay aperture result in near normal wave incidence, resulting in well-developed, persistent rip currents along the entire shoreline. The alongshore variations of the cuspate shoreline are found significantly correlated with the alongshore variations in rip spacing at 95% confidence. The alongshore variations of the volume of dune erosion are found significantly correlated with alongshore variations of the cuspate shoreline at 95% confidence. Therefore, it is concluded the mega-cusps are associated with rip currents and that the location of dune erosion is associated with the embayment of the mega-cusp.

Basic features of the STS/Spacelab vibration environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baugher, Charles R.; Ramachandran, N.

1994-01-01

The Space Shuttle acceleration environment is characterized. The acceleration environment is composed of a residual or quasi-steady component and higher frequency components induced by vehicle structural modes and the operation of onboard machinery. Quasi-steady accelerations are generally due to atmospheric drag, gravity gradient effects, and rotational forces. These accelerations tend to vary with the orbital frequency (approx. 10(exp -4) Hz) and have magnitudes less than or equal to 10(exp -6) g(sub 0) (where 1 g(sub 0) is terrestrial gravity). Higher frequency g-jitter is characterized by oscillatory disturbances in the 1-100 Hz range and transient components. Oscillatory accelerations are related to the response of large flexible structures like antennae, the Spacelab module, and the Orbiter itself, and to the operation of rotating machinery. The Orbiter structural modes in the 1-10 Hz range, are excited by oscillatory and transient disturbances and tend to dominate the energy spectrum of the acceleration environment. A comparison of the acceleration measurements from different Space Shuttle missions reveals the characteristic signature of the structural modes of the Orbiter overlaid with mission specific hardware induced disturbances and their harmonics. Transient accelerations are usually attributed to crew activity and Orbiter thruster operations. During crew sleep periods, the acceleration levels are typically on the order of 10(exp -6) g(sub 0) (1 micro-g). Crew work and exercise tend to raise the accelerations to the 10(exp -3) g(sub 0) (1 milli-g) level. Vernier reaction control system firings tend to cause accelerations of 10(exp -4) g(sub 0), while primary reaction control system and Orbiter maneuvering system firings cause accelerations as large as 10(exp -2) g(sub 0). Vibration isolation techniques (both active and passive systems) used during crew exercise have been shown to significantly reduce the acceleration magnitudes.

Replication fidelity assessment of large area sub-μm structured polymer surfaces using scatterometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Calaon, M.; Madsen, M. H.; Weirich, J.; Hansen, H. N.; Tosello, G.; Hansen, P. E.; Garnaes, J.; Tang, P. T.

2015-12-01

The present study addresses one of the key challenges in the product quality control of transparent structured polymer substrates, the replication fidelity of sub-μm structures over a large area. Additionally the work contributes to the development of new techniques focused on in-line characterization of large nanostructured surfaces using scatterometry. In particular an approach to quantify the replication fidelity of high volume manufacturing processes such as polymer injection moulding is presented. Both periodic channels and semi-spherical structures were fabricated on nickel shims used for later injection moulding of Cyclic-olefin-copolymer (COC) substrate were the sub-μm features where ultimately transferred. The scatterometry system was validated using calibrated atomic force microscopy measurements and a model based on scalar diffraction theory employed to calculate the expected angular distribution of the reflected and the transmitted intensity for the nickel surfaces and structured COC and, respectively.

Stochastic strong motion generation using slip model of 21 and 22 May 1960 mega-thrust earthquakes in the main cities of Central-South Chile

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruiz, S.; Ojeda, J.; DelCampo, F., Sr.; Pasten, C., Sr.; Otarola, C., Sr.; Silva, R., Sr.

2017-12-01

In May 1960 took place the most unusual seismic sequence registered instrumentally. The Mw 8.1, Concepción earthquake occurred May, 21, 1960. The aftershocks of this event apparently migrated to the south-east, and the Mw 9.5, Valdivia mega-earthquake occurred after 33 hours. The structural damage produced by both events is not larger than other earthquakes in Chile and lower than crustal earthquakes of smaller magnitude. The damage was located in the sites with shallow soil layers of low shear wave velocity (Vs). However, no seismological station recorded this sequence. For that reason, we generate synthetic acceleration times histories for strong motion in the main cities affected by these events. We use 155 points of vertical surface displacements recopiled by Plafker and Savage in 1968, and considering the observations of this authors and local residents we separated the uplift and subsidence information associated to the first earthquake Mw 8.1 and the second mega-earthquake Mw 9.5. We consider the elastic deformation propagation, assume realist lithosphere geometry, and compute a Bayesian method that maximizes the probability density a posteriori to obtain the slip distribution. Subsequently, we use a stochastic method of generation of strong motion considering the finite fault model obtained for both earthquakes. We considered the incidence angle of ray to the surface, free surface effect and energy partition for P, SV and SH waves, dynamic corner frequency and the influence of site effect. The results show that the earthquake Mw 8.1 occurred down-dip the slab, the strong motion records are similar to other Chilean earthquake like Tocopilla Mw 7.7 (2007). For the Mw 9.5 earthquake we obtain synthetic acceleration time histories with PGA values around 0.8 g in cities near to the maximum asperity or that have low velocity soil layers. This allows us to conclude that strong motion records have important influence of the shallow soil deposits. These records correlate well with our structural damage observations.

SiO{sub 2} nanospheres with tailorable interiors by directly controlling Zn{sup 2+} and NH{sub 3}.H{sub 2}O species in an emulsion process

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

Liao Yuchao; Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049; Wu Xiaofeng

2011-07-15

SiO{sub 2} nanospheres with tailorable interiors were synthesized by a facile one-spot microemulsion process using TEOS as silica source, wherein cyclohexane including triton X-100 and n-octanol as oil phase and Zn{sup 2+} or NH{sub 3}.H{sub 2}O aqueous solution as dispersive phase, respectively. The products were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy and X-ray Powder Diffraction. It was suggested that the as-synthesized silica nanospheres possessed grape-stone-like porous or single hollow interior, and also found that the ammonia dosage and aging time played key roles in controlling the size and structure of silica nanospheres. Furthermore, the comparative results confirmed thatmore » in-situ zinc species [ZnO/Zn(OH){sub 2}] acted as the temporary templates to construct grape-stone-like interior, and a simultaneously competing etching process occurred owing to the soluble Zn(NH{sub 3}){sub 4}{sup 2+} complex formation while the additional excessive ammonia was introduced. With the aging time being extended, the in-situ nanocrystals tended to grow into bigger ones by Ostwald Ripening, producing single hollow interior. - Graphical Abstract: Formation process of SiO{sub 2} nanospheres with porous and single hollow interior. Highlights: > ZnO/Zn(OH){sub 2} nanocrystals as the temporary templates shape the interior structures of SiO{sub 2} nanospheres. > Fabrication of porous and single hollow interiors needs no additional processes such as roasting or dissolving. > Tailorable interiors can be easily obtained through adjusting the aging time of temporary templates.« less

Field effect in an n-GaAs metal-anodic oxide-film injunction

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

Tikhov, S.V.; Karpovich, I.A.; Martynov, V.V.

1986-10-01

In this paper the authors present results attained in parallel investigations of mobility ..mu../sub F/ in the field effect, capacitance C, and the active conductance component G for a wide range of frequencies and controlling voltages, as well as of the capacitor saturation photoelectron-motive force phi/sub sat/(V) in an n-GaAs metal-AO-epitaxial film structure. A new combined method is offered for the determination of separation-boundary parameters, based on an analysis of the relationships between ..mu../sub F/, C, and G and the controlling voltage and the test frequency

Responsiveness to a Prospective Student E-Mail Inquiry by Community Colleges in the Nine Mega-States

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shadinger, David A.

2014-01-01

This quantitative study investigated e-mail responsiveness by community colleges in the nine mega-states to an inquiry from a prospective student. Noel-Levitz (2006b) reported that prospective students want to receive an e-mail with information about an institution prior to applying for admission. Specifically, high school juniors and seniors want…

Student Engagement and Completion in Precalculus Precalculus Mega Section: Efficiently Assisting Student Engagement and Completion with Communications and Information Technology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brusi, Rima; Portnoy, Arturo; Toro, Nilsa

2013-01-01

The Precalculus Mega Section project was developed with the main purpose of improving the overall performance of the student body in Precalculus, an important gatekeeper course that affects student engagement and completion, with typical drop/failure rates of over 50 percent. Strategies such as integration of technology and additional practice…

The Open Education System, Anadolu University, Turkey: E-Transformation in a Mega-University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Latchem, Colin; Ozkul, Ali Ekrem; Aydin, Cengiz Hakan; Mutlu, Mehmet Emin

2006-01-01

Anadolu University in Turkey is one of the world's largest and least known mega-universities. Well over one million students in Turkey, the European Union and Northern Cyprus are enrolled in its Open Education System and yet few accounts of this dual-mode provider appear in the international literature. This article describes the evolution of the…

Educational Planning and Social Responsibility: Eleven Years of Mega Planning at the Sonora Institute of Technology (ITSON)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Guerra, Ingrid J.; Rodriguez, Gonzalo

2005-01-01

The Instituto Tecnologico de Sonora (ITSON), a public and autonomous university in Cuidad Obregon, Sonora in Mexico has, since its inception, maintained a commitment to society and public service. To transform this commitment into valued results, it has used Mega Planning as its framework over the last eleven years. This article illustrates the…

New mechanism of structuring associated with the quasi-merohedral twinning by an example of Ca{sub 1–x}La{sub x}F{sub 2+x} ordered solid solutions

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

Maksimov, S. K., E-mail: maksimov-sk@comtv.ru; Maksimov, K. S., E-mail: kuros@rambler.ru; Sukhov, N. D.

Merohedry is considered an inseparable property of atomic structures, and uses for the refinement of structural data in a process of correct determination of structure of compounds. Transformation of faulty structures stimulated by decreasing of systemic cumulative energy leads to generation of merohedral twinning type. Ordering is accompanied by origin of antiphase domains. If ordering belongs to the CuAu type, it is accompanied by tetragonal distortions along different (100) directions. If a crystal consists of mosaic of nanodimensional antiphase domains, the conjugation of antiphase domains with different tetragonality leads to monoclinic distortions, at that, conjugated domains are distorted mirrorly. Similarmore » system undergoes further transformation by means of quasi-merohedral twinning. As a result of quasi-merohedry, straight-lines of lattices with different monoclinic distortions are transformed into coherent lattice broken-lines providing minimization of the cumulative energy. Structuring is controlled by regularities of the self-organization. However stochasticity of ordering predetermines the origin areas where few domains with different tetragonality contact which leads to the origin of faulty fields braking regular passage of structuring. Resulting crystal has been found structurally non-uniform, furthermore structural non-uniformity permits identifying elements and stages of a process. However there is no precondition preventing arising the origin of homogenous states. Effect has been revealed in Ca{sub 1–x}La{sub x}F{sub 2+x} solid solution, but it can be expected that distortions of regular alternation of ions similar to antiphase domains can be obtained in non-equilibrium conditions in compounds and similar effect of the quasi-merohedry can falsify results of structural analysis.« less

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

Righettoni, Marco; Pratsinis, Sotiris E., E-mail: sotiris.pratsinis@ptl.mavt.ethz.ch

Highlights: • Flame-made WO{sub 3} nanoparticles with closely controlled crystal and grain size. • Dynamic phase transition of annealing of pure and Si-doped WO{sub 3} by in situ XRD. • Irreversible evolution of WO{sub 3} crystallinity by heating/cooling during its annealing. • Si-doping alters the WO{sub 3} crystallinity dynamics and stabilizes nanosized WO{sub 3}. • Flame-made nano-WO{sub 3} can sense NO at the ppb level. - Abstract: Tungsten trioxide is a semiconductor with distinct applications in gas sensors, catalysis, batteries and pigments. As such the transition between its different crystal structures during its annealing are of interest, especially for sensormore » applications. Here, WO{sub 3} nanoparticles with closely controlled crystal and grain size (9–15 nm) and phase composition are made by flame spray pyrolysis and the formation of different WO{sub 3} phases during annealing is investigated. Most notably, the dynamic phase transition and crystal size evolution of WO{sub 3} during heating and cooling is monitored by in situ X-ray diffraction revealing how metastable WO{sub 3} phases can be captured stably. The effect of Si-doping is studied since it is used in practise to control crystal growth and phase transition during metal oxide synthesis and processing. Finally the influence of annealing on the WO{sub 3} sensing performance of NO, a lung inflammation tracer in the human breath, is explored at the ppb-level.« less

Controlling hollow relativistic electron beam orbits with an inductive current divider

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

Swanekamp, S. B.; Richardson, A. S.; Angus, J. R.

2015-02-15

A passive method for controlling the trajectory of an intense, hollow electron beam is proposed using a vacuum structure that inductively splits the beam's return current. A central post carries a portion of the return current (I{sub 1}), while the outer conductor carries the remainder (I{sub 2}). An envelope equation appropriate for a hollow electron beam is derived and applied to the current divider. The force on the beam trajectory is shown to be proportional to (I{sub 2}-I{sub 1}), while the average force on the envelope (the beam width) is proportional to the beam current I{sub b} = (I{sub 2} + I{sub 1}). Themore » values of I{sub 1} and I{sub 2} depend on the inductances in the return-current path geometries. Proper choice of the return-current geometries determines these inductances and offers control over the beam trajectory. Solutions using realistic beam parameters show that, for appropriate choices of the return-current-path geometry, the inductive current divider can produce a beam that is both pinched and straightened so that it approaches a target at near-normal incidence with a beam diameter that is on the order of a few mm.« less

Oligomeric domain structure of human complement factor H by X-ray and neutron solution scattering

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

Perkins, S.J.; Nealis, A.S.; Sim, R.B.

1991-03-19

Factor H is a regulatory component of the complement system. It has a monomer M{sub r} of 150,000. Primary structure analysis shows that the polypeptide is divided into 20 homologous regions, each 60 amino acid residues long. These are independently folding domains and are termed short consensus repeats (SCRs) or complement control protein (CCP) repeats. High-flux synchrotron x-ray and neutron scatteriing studies were performed in order to define its solution structure in conditions close to physiological. The M{sub r} of factor H was determined as 250,000-320,000 to show that factor H is dimeric. The radius of gyration R{sub G} ofmore » native factor H by X-rays or by neutrons in 0% or 100% {sup 2}H{sub 2}O buffers is not measurable but is greater than 12.5 nm. Two cross-sectional radii of gyration R{sub XS-1} and R{sub XS-2} were determined as 3.0-3.1 and 1.8 nm, respectively. Analyses of the cross-sectional intensities show that factor H is composed of two distinct subunits. This model corresponds to an actual R{sub G} fo 21-23 nm. The separation between each SCR/CCP in factor H is close to 4 nm. In the solution structure of factor H, the SCR/CCP domains are in a highly extended conformation.« less

On the “alpha-phase” of Ca{sub 2−x}Sr{sub x}MnO{sub 4} and extending the chemistry of Sr{sub 7−y}Ca{sub y}Mn{sub 4}O{sub 15} to y>1

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

Craddock, Sarah; Senn, Mark S.

There has been renewed interest in the Ruddlesden-Popper phase (n=2) of composition Ca{sub n+1}Mn{sub n}O{sub 3} {sub n+1} in the light of recent research that has highlighted the nature of the improper ferroelectric ground state, which arises due to the couplings between specific combinations of MnO{sub 6} octahedral rotations and tilts. A fruitful route to control these octahedral degrees of freedom, and hence such desired physical properties, is through chemical substitution on the A–site cation i.e. Ca{sub 2−x}Sr{sub x}MnO{sub 4} for n =1, and in light of this, we have reinvestigated the chemistry of this solid solution. Here we focusmore » on a common impurity phase observed during this synthesis which has been termed the “alpha-phase” in the literature. We show that this impurity phase is actually comprised mainly of a structure related to Sr{sub 7}Mn{sub 4}O{sub 15} but is found here with significantly higher Ca substitution than previously believed possible. Sr{sub 7}Mn{sub 4}O{sub 15} is an interesting structural type in its own right, but has been mainly overlooked to date, exhibiting interesting physics related to low dimensional magnetic ordering and dimer interactions, and we show here that the structural type is a likely candidate for exhibiting a multiferroic ground state. The prospect of being able to tune the lattice and the exchange interactions through further chemical substitution is likely to lead to a renewed interest in this material. - Graphical abstract: Extending the chemistry of Sr{sub 7−y}Ca{sub y}Mn{sub 4}O{sub 15} beyond y>1, revealing highly anisotropic cation ordering and tunable magnetic properties. - Highlights: • Chemistry of the unique structural type Sr{sub 7}Mn{sub 4}O{sub 15} is extended to high Ca concentrations. • Cation occupancy model is determined, showing highly anisotropic solubility of Ca on the 7 unique Sr crystallographic sites. • Anomalies in the magnetic susceptibility data are discussed with reference to symmetry arguments pointing towards a possible novel multiferroic mechanism in this material.« less

Synthesis and characterization of zinc borophosphates with ANA-zeotype framework by the microwave method

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

Song, Yu, E-mail: songyu@dlpu.edu.cn; Ding, Ling; An, Qingda

2013-06-15

Zinc borophosphate (NH{sub 4}){sub 16}[Zn{sub 16}B{sub 8}P{sub 24}O{sub 96}] (denoted as ZnBP-ANA) with ANA-zeotype structure has been synthesized by employing microwave-assisted solvothermal synthesis in the reaction system ZnCl{sub 2}∙6H{sub 2}O-(NH{sub 4}){sub 2}HPO{sub 4}–H{sub 3}BO{sub 3} using ethylene glycol as a co-solvent. The influences of various experimental parameters, such as reaction temperature, solvent ratio, zinc precursors and reactive power, have been systematically investigated. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and so on. Small and homogeneous ZnBP-ANA single crystal with regular cube morphology are crystallized by using microwave solvothermal synthesis method withinmore » a shorter time, and its grain size decreases with power. - Graphical abstract: Tailor-made ANA zeolites with varied size can be prepared by simply changing the reaction power. - Highlights: • Zinc borophosphate zeolites with ANA-zeotype structures were prepared by microwave technique. • The size of crystals could be controlled by tuning power. • Synthesis period can be significantly reduced by raising reaction temperature.« less

Sub-10 nm lanthanide doped BaLuF{sub 5} nanocrystals: Shape controllable synthesis, tunable multicolor emission and enhanced near-infrared upconversion luminescence

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

Rao, Ling; Lu, Wei; Wang, Haibo

2015-04-15

Highlights: • Sub-10 nm cubic phase BaLuF{sub 5} nanocrystals were synthesized by a hydrothermal method for the first time. • Tunable multicolor from yellow to yellow-green was achieved by controlling Gd{sup 3+} content in BaLuF{sub 5}:Yb/Er system. • Intense near-infrared upconversion luminescence in BaLuF{sub 5}:Gd/Yb/Tm nanocrystal. • The enhancement near-infrared luminescence can be realized by adjusting the content of Gd{sup 3+} in BaLuF{sub 5}:Gd/Yb/Tm system. - Abstract: In this study, sub-10 nm BaLuF{sub 5} nanocrystals with cubic phase structure were synthesized by a solvothermal method using oleic acid as the stabilizing agent. The as-prepared BaLuF{sub 5} nanocrystals were characterized bymore » transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and analyzed by the upconversion (UC) spectra. The TEM results reveal that these samples present high uniformity. Compared with Gd-free samples, the size of BaLuF{sub 5}:Yb/Er doped with 10% Gd{sup 3+} decreased to 5.6 nm. In addition, BaLuF{sub 5}:Yb/Tm/Gd upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) presented efficient near-infrared (NIR)-NIR UC luminescence. Therefore, it is expected that these ultra-small BaLuF{sub 5} nanocrystals with well-controlled shape, size, and UC emission have potential applications in biomedical imaging fields.« less

Hygroscopic La[B{sub 5}O{sub 8}(OH)]NO{sub 3}·2H{sub 2}O: Insight into the evolution of borate fundamental building blocks

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

Zhao, Biao-Chun, E-mail: zhaobiaochun@sohu.com; Sun, Wei, E-mail: 421221789@qq.com; Ren, Wei-Jian, E-mail: 935428502@qq.com

2013-10-15

Borates have exceptionally diverse fundamental building blocks (FBBs), but factors controlling the formation of borate FBBs are poorly understood. The title compound La[B{sub 5}O{sub 8}(OH)]NO{sub 3}·2H{sub 2}O crystallizes in the space group P2{sub 1}/n with a=6.5396(12) Å, b=15.550(3) Å, c=10.6719(19) Å, β=90.44(1)° and Z=4 at 173(2) K. Its structure has been refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data to R{sub 1}=0.049 (for 2465) and wR{sub 2}=0.173 (for 2459 I>2σ(I)). This structure analysis and first-principles calculations show that the change of the FBB from 3Δ2□ in the title compound to 2Δ3□ in La[B{sub 5}O{sub 8}(OH)(H{sub 2}O)]NO{sub 3}·2H{sub 2}O is accompanied by amore » rotation of the NO{sub 3} group. FTIR, Rietveld and thermal analysis results show that the hygroscopic title compound is partially changed to La[B{sub 5}O{sub 8}(OH)(H{sub 2}O)]NO{sub 3}·2H{sub 2}O, with the conversion of [BO{sub 3}] to [BO{sub 3}(H{sub 2}O)] by water absorption. - Graphical abstract: The change of fundamental building blocks from La[B{sub 5}O{sub 8}(OH)]NO{sub 3}·2H{sub 2}O to La[B{sub 5}O{sub 8}(OH)(H{sub 2}O)]NO{sub 3}·2H{sub 2}O is accompanied by a rotation of the NO{sub 3} group . Display Omitted - Highlights: • Synthesis of a new hydrous lanthanum polyborate nitrate. • Single-crystal XRD structure with the 3Δ2⎕ FBB and an oriented NO{sub 3} group. • DFT calculations locate the H positions in three lanthanide polyborate nitrates. • Rietveld, FTIR and DFT results show hygroscopicity changes the FBBs.« less

Mode structure of planar optical antennas on dielectric substrates

DOE PAGES

Word, Robert C.; Konenkamp, Rolf

2016-08-08

Here, we report a numerical study, supported by photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM), of sub-micron planar optical antennas on transparent substrate. We find these antennas generate intricate near-field spatial field distributions with odd and even numbers of nodes. We show that the field distributions are primarily superpositions of planar surface plasmon polariton modes confined to the metal/substrate interface. The mode structure provides opportunities for coherent switching and optical control in sub-micron volumes.

High-frequency response and the possibilities of frequency-tunable narrow-band terahertz amplification in resonant tunneling nanostructures

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

Kapaev, V. V., E-mail: kapaev@sci.lebedev.ru; Kopaev, Yu. V.; Savinov, S. A.

2013-03-15

The characteristics of the high-frequency response of single- and double-well resonant tunneling structures in a dc electric field are investigated on the basis of the numerical solution of a time-dependent Schroedinger equation with open boundary conditions. The frequency dependence of the real part of high frequency conductivity (high-frequency response) in In{sub 0.53}Ga{sub 0.47}As/AlAs/InP structures is analyzed in detail for various values of the dc voltage V{sub dc} in the negative differential resistance (NDR) region. It is shown that double-well three-barrier structures are promising for the design of terahertz-band oscillators. The presence of two resonant states with close energies in suchmore » structures leads to a resonant (in frequency) response whose frequency is determined by the energy difference between these levels and can be controlled by varying the parameters of the structure. It is shown that, in principle, such structures admit narrow-band amplification, tuning of the amplification frequency, and a fine control of the amplification (oscillation) frequency in a wide range of terahertz frequencies by varying a dc electric voltage applied to the structure. Starting from a certain width of the central intermediate barrier in double-well structures, one can observe a collapse of resonances, where the structure behaves like a single-well system. This phenomenon imposes a lower limit on the oscillation frequency in three-barrier resonant tunneling structures.« less

Meta-Leadership in a Mega Disaster: A Case Study of Governor Haley Barbour’s Leadership During Hurricane Katrina

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-12-01

bales of cotton were destroyed by Katrina with a market value of over $108 million.119 In addition , crops as far north as the Mississippi Delta were...killed 6.2 million birds valued at over $15 million. Additionally , the storm destroyed 2,400 poultry barns with a replacement cost of over $6 million...existing leadership literature assumed a hierarchical leadership structure.1 Additionally , the authors discovered that many leadership theories dealt with

Casper W. Weinberger to be Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare: Hearings Before the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare. United States Senate, Ninety-Third Congress. Part 2: Appendix--Comprehensive HEW Simplification and Reform "MEGA Proposal".

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Congress of the U.S., Washington, DC. Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare.

A proposal up for consideration before the United States Senate is discussed. The program suggested is a redesign of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in keeping with the principles of the New Federalism. The proposal touches every major area of HEW policy: it simplifies the Department's program structure; it narrows and focuses the…

American Peptide Symposium Proceedings (13th) Held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on June 20-25, 1993. Peptides: Chemistry, Structure and Biology

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-06-20

La Roche, Inc. Vydac/The SEP/A/RA/IIONS Group, Inc. DONORS BioChem Pharma , Inc. Biomeasure Incorporated Boehringer Mannheim GmbH Bristol-Myers Squibb...Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation Astra Pharma , Inc. Bio-Mega, Inc. Ciba-Geigy Canada, Inc. CSPS Cytogen Edmonton Convention and Tourist Authority...Van der Walle, C. Toomey and L Toth Design and synthesis of poly-tricosapeptides to enhance hydrophobic- induced pKa shifts 940 D.C. Gowda, T.M

Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} nanoflakes prepared by one step microwave irradiation technique: Effect of Cu concentration

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

Kandare, S. P.; Dhole, S. D.; Bhoraskar, V. N.

Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} (CZTS) nanoflakes were synthesized in one step by microwave irradiation method. Controlling the secondary phases in Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide (CZTS) material is critical, but it is necessary to control secondary phases in order to achieve the high efficiency solar cells made from CZTS. In the recent years, CZTS has shown its growing importance in thin film photovoltaic application because of its favorable optical and electrical properties. In this work, a systematic study has been carried out by properly controlling the copper concentration to get the pure phase of CZTS. X-ray diffraction shows the CZTS kesterite structure.more » Optical band gap estimated from UV-Visible spectroscopy was around 1.37eV. Systematic Raman study reveals the suppression of Cu{sub 2}S peak with variation in copper concentration which otherwise was not clear from XRD and UV-visible data.« less

Enhancing Treatment Outcome of Patients at Risk of Treatment Failure: Meta-Analytic and Mega-Analytic Review of a Psychotherapy Quality Assurance System

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shimokawa, Kenichi; Lambert, Michael J.; Smart, David W.

2010-01-01

Objective: Outcome research has documented worsening among a minority of the patient population (5% to 10%). In this study, we conducted a meta-analytic and mega-analytic review of a psychotherapy quality assurance system intended to enhance outcomes in patients at risk of treatment failure. Method: Original data from six major studies conducted…

Field-Deployable Video Cloud Solution

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-03-01

78 2. Shipboard Server or Video Cloud System .......................................79 3. 4G LTE and Wi-Fi...local area network LED light emitting diode Li-ion lithium ion LTE long term evolution Mbps mega-bits per second MBps mega-bytes per second xv...restrictions on distribution. File size is dependent on both bit rate and content length. Bit rate is a value measured in bits per second (bps) and is

FACT, Mega-ROSA, SOLAROSA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spence, Brian; White, Steve; Schmid, Kevin; Douglas Mark

2012-01-01

The Flexible Array Concentrator Technology (FACT) is a lightweight, high-performance reflective concentrator blanket assembly that can be used on flexible solar array blankets. The FACT concentrator replaces every other row of solar cells on a solar array blanket, significantly reducing the cost of the array. The modular design is highly scalable for the array system designer, and exhibits compact stowage, good off-pointing acceptance, and mass/cost savings. The assembly s relatively low concentration ratio, accompanied by a large radiative area, provides for a low cell operating temperature, and eliminates many of the thermal problems inherent in high-concentration-ratio designs. Unlike other reflector technologies, the FACT concentrator modules function on both z-fold and rolled flexible solar array blankets, as well as rigid array systems. Mega-ROSA (Mega Roll-Out Solar Array) is a new, highly modularized and extremely scalable version of ROSA that provides immense power level range capability from 100 kW to several MW in size. Mega-ROSA will enable extremely high-power spacecraft and SEP-powered missions, including space-tug and largescale planetary science and lunar/asteroid exploration missions. Mega-ROSA's inherent broad power scalability is achieved while retaining ROSA s solar array performance metrics and missionenabling features for lightweight, compact stowage volume and affordability. This innovation will enable future ultra-high-power missions through lowcost (25 to 50% cost savings, depending on PV and blanket technology), lightweight, high specific power (greater than 200 to 400 Watts per kilogram BOL (beginning-of-life) at the wing level depending on PV and blanket technology), compact stowage volume (greater than 50 kilowatts per cubic meter for very large arrays), high reliability, platform simplicity (low failure modes), high deployed strength/stiffness when scaled to huge sizes, and high-voltage operation capability. Mega-ROSA is adaptable to all photovoltaic and concentrator flexible blanket technologies, and can readily accommodate standard multijunction and emerging ultra-lightweight IMM (inverted metamorphic) photovoltaic flexible blanket assemblies, as well as ENTECHs Stretched Lens Array (SLA) and DSSs (Deployable Space Systems) FACT, which allows for cost reduction at the array level.

Metal ion displacements in noncentrosymmetric chalcogenides La{sub 3}Ga{sub 1.67}S{sub 7}, La{sub 3}Ag{sub 0.6}GaCh{sub 7} (Ch=S, Se), and La{sub 3}MGaSe{sub 7} (M=Zn, Cd)

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

Iyer, Abishek K.; Yin, Wenlong; Institute of Chemical Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900

The quaternary Ga-containing chalcogenides La{sub 3}Ag{sub 0.6}GaS{sub 7}, La{sub 3}Ag{sub 0.6}GaSe{sub 7}, La{sub 3}ZnGaSe{sub 7}, and La{sub 3}CdGaSe{sub 7}, as well as the related ternary chalcogenide La{sub 3}Ga{sub 1.67}S{sub 7}, were prepared by reactions of the elements at 950 °C. They adopt noncentrosymmetric hexagonal structures (space group P6{sub 3}, Z=2) with cell parameters (a=10.2 Å, c=6.1 Å for the sulfides; a=10.6 Å, c=6.4 Å for the selenides) that are largely controlled by the geometrical requirements of one-dimensional stacks of Ga-centered tetrahedra separated by the La atoms. Among these compounds, which share the common formulation La{sub 3}M{sub 1–x}GaCh{sub 7} (M=Ga, Ag,more » Zn, Cd; Ch=S, Se), the M atoms occupy sites within a stacking of trigonal antiprisms formed by Ch atoms. The location of the M site varies between extremes with trigonal antiprismatic (CN6) and trigonal planar (CN3) geometry. Partial occupation of these sites and intermediate ones accounts for the considerable versatility of these structures and the occurrence of large metal displacement parameters. The site occupations can be understood in a simple way as being driven by the need to satisfy appropriate bond valence sums for both the M and Ch atoms. Band structure calculations rationalize the substoichiometry observed in the Ag-containing compounds (La{sub 3}Ag{sub 0.6}GaS{sub 7}, La{sub 3}Ag{sub 0.6}GaSe{sub 7}) as a response to overbonding. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy supports the presence of monovalent Ag atoms in these compounds, which are not charge-balanced. - Graphical abstract: Partial occupation of metal atoms in multiple sites accounts for versatility in Ga-containing chalcogenides La{sub 3}M{sub 1–x}GaCh{sub 7} with noncentrosymmetric hexagonal structures. - Highlights: • La{sub 3}M{sub 1–x}GaCh{sub 7} (M =Ga, Ag, Zn, Cd; Ch =S, Se) adopt related hexagonal structures. • Large displacements of M atoms originate from partial occupation of multiple sites. • Bond valence sum arguments give a simple explanation for site preference. • XPS studies confirm presence of monovalent Ag in La{sub 3}Ag{sub 0.6}GaCh{sub 7}. • Substoichiometry in La{sub 3}Ag{sub 0.6}GaCh{sub 7} avoids occupation of Ag–Ch antibonding levels.« less

On an LAS-integrated soft PLC system based on WorldFIP fieldbus.

PubMed

Liang, Geng; Li, Zhijun; Li, Wen; Bai, Yan

2012-01-01

Communication efficiency is lowered and real-time performance is not good enough in discrete control based on traditional WorldFIP field intelligent nodes in case that the scale of control in field is large. A soft PLC system based on WorldFIP fieldbus was designed and implemented. Link Activity Scheduler (LAS) was integrated into the system and field intelligent I/O modules acted as networked basic nodes. Discrete control logic was implemented with the LAS-integrated soft PLC system. The proposed system was composed of configuration and supervisory sub-systems and running sub-systems. The configuration and supervisory sub-system was implemented with a personal computer or an industrial personal computer; running subsystems were designed and implemented based on embedded hardware and software systems. Communication and schedule in the running subsystem was implemented with an embedded sub-module; discrete control and system self-diagnosis were implemented with another embedded sub-module. Structure of the proposed system was presented. Methodology for the design of the sub-systems was expounded. Experiments were carried out to evaluate the performance of the proposed system both in discrete and process control by investigating the effect of network data transmission delay induced by the soft PLC in WorldFIP network and CPU workload on resulting control performances. The experimental observations indicated that the proposed system is practically applicable. Copyright © 2011 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fabrication of luminescent SrWO{sub 4} thin films by a novel electrochemical method

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

Chen Lianping; Gao Yuanhong

2007-10-02

Highly crystallized SrWO{sub 4} thin films with single scheelite structure were prepared within 60 min by a cell electrochemical method. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that SrWO{sub 4} thin films have a tetragonal structure. Scanning electron microscopy examinations reveal that SrWO{sub 4} grains grow well in tetragonal tapers and grains like flowers or bunches, which can usually form by using the electrolysis electrochemical method, have disappeared under cell electrochemical conditions. X-ray photoelectron spectra and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis examinations demonstrate that the composition of the film is consistent with its stoichiometry. These SrWO{sub 4} films show a single blue emission peakmore » (located at 460 nm) using an excitation wave of 230 nm. The speed of cell electrochemical method can be controlled by changing temperature. The optimum treatment temperature is about 50-60 deg. C.« less

Graduating Organizations and Communities as a Unique Approach for Higher Education: Creating Value for an Institution and All in Its Ecosystem

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kaufman, Roger; Villanueva, Gonzalo Rodriguez; Bernardez, Mariano

2011-01-01

A university can decide to react to the ebb and flow of worldwide economies or set out to better secure its future by controlling its own destiny and helping make itself more secure as it contributes to learners, faculty, and staff while also adding value to external stakeholders. Following a Mega focus on adding value to society, universities can…

Loss Control and Collimation for the LHC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burkhardt, H.

2005-06-01

The total energy stored in the LHC is expected to reach 360 Mega Joule, which is about two orders of magnitude higher than in HERA or the Tevatron. Damage and quench protection in the LHC require a highly efficient and at the same time very robust collimation system. The currently planned system, the status of the project and the expected performance of the collimation system from injection up to operation with colliding beams will be presented.

Micro and sub-micron surface structuring of AZ31 by laser re-melting and dimpling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Furlan, Valentina; Demir, Ali Gökhan; Previtali, Barbara

2015-12-01

In this work, the use of ns-pulsed fibre laser for surface structuring of AZ31 Mg alloy is investigated. Surface re-melting was employed to change surface morphology, especially in terms of surface roughness. Dimpling by percussion microdrilling was investigated to control the hole geometry.. With surface remelting mono-directional and homogeneous surfaces were obtained with Fl<500 J/cm2. Above 500 J/cm2 particle generation was observed, which induced sub-micron structure growth with nano-fibrous features. Moreover, surface roughness could be controlled below the initial value and much higher. With dimpling, transformation from gentle to strong ablation was observed at F0=10.3 J/cm2. XRD analysis was employed to link oxide growth to the surface morphology. Tensile tests were carried out to assess the damage on the mechanical properties after surface structuring.

(Sn)DICE: A Calibration System Designed for Wide Field Imagers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Regnault, N.; Barrelet, E.; Guyonnet, A.; Juramy, C.; Rocci, P.-F.; Le Guillou, L.; Schahmanèche, K.; Villa, F.

2016-05-01

Dark Energy studies with type Ia supernovae set very tight constraints on the photometric calibration of the imagers used to detect the supernovae and follow up their flux variations. Among the key challenges is the measurement of the shape and normalization of the instrumental throughput. The DICE system was developed by members of the Supernova Legacy Survey (SNLS) , building upon the lessons learnt working with the MegaCam imager. It consists in a very stable light source, placed in the telescope enclosure, and generating compact, conical beams, yielding an almost flat illumination of the imager focal plane. The calibration light is generated by narrow spectrum LEDs selected to cover the entire wavelength range of the imager. It is monitored in real time using control photodiodes. A first DICE demonstrator, SnDICE has been installed at CFHT. A second generation instrument (SkyDICE) has been installed in the enclosure of the SkyMapper telescope. We present the main goals of the project. We discuss the main difficulties encoutered when trying to calibrate a wide field imager, such as MegaCam (or SkyMapper) using such a calibrated light source.

Giant dielectric constant dominated by Maxwell-Wagner relaxation in Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}/TiO{sub 2} nanolaminates synthesized by atomic layer deposition.

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

Li, W.; Auciello, O.; Premnath, R. N.

2010-01-01

Nanolaminates consisting of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} and TiO{sub 2} oxide sublayers were synthesized by using atomic layer deposition to produce individual layers with atomic scale thickness control. The sublayer thicknesses were kept constant for each multilayer structure, and were changed from 50 to 0.2 nm for a series of different samples. Giant dielectric constant ({approx}1000) was observed when the sublayer thickness is less than 0.5 nm, which is significantly larger than that of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} and TiO{sub 2} dielectrics. Detailed investigation revealed that the observed giant dielectric constant is originated from the Maxwell-Wagner type dielectric relaxation.

Effect of lanthanide contraction on the mixed polyamine systems Ln/Sb/Se/(en+dien) and Ln/Sb/Se/(en+trien): Syntheses and characterizations of lanthanide complexes with a tetraelenidoantimonate ligand

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

Zhao Jing; Liang Jingjing; Pan Yingli

Mixed polyamine systems Ln/Sb/Se/(en+dien) and Ln/Sb/Se/(en+trien) (Ln=lanthanide, en=ethylenediamine, dien=diethylenetriamine, trien=triethylenetetramine) were investigated under solvothermal conditions, and novel mixed-coordinated lanthanide(III) complexes [Ln(en){sub 2}(dien)({eta}{sup 2}-SbSe{sub 4})] (Ln=Ce(1a), Nd(1b)), [Ln(en){sub 2}(dien)(SbSe{sub 4})] (Ln=Sm(2a), Gd(2b), Dy(2c)), [Ln(en)(trien)({mu}-{eta}{sup 1},{eta}{sup 2}-SbSe{sub 4})]{sub {infinity}} (Ln=Ce(3a), Nd(3b)) and [Sm(en)(trien)({eta}{sup 2}-SbSe{sub 4})] (4a) were prepared. Two structural types of lanthanide selenidoantimonates were obtained across the lanthanide series in both en+dien and en+trien systems. The tetrahedral anion [SbSe{sub 4}]{sup 3-} acts as a monodentate ligand mono-SbSe{sub 4}, a bidentate chelating ligand {eta}{sup 2}-SbSe{sub 4} or a tridentate bridging ligand {mu}-{eta}{sup 1},{eta}{sup 2}-SbSe{sub 4} to the lanthanide(III) center depending on themore » Ln{sup 3+} ions and the mixed ethylene polyamines, indicating the effect of lanthanide contraction on the structures of the lanthanide(III) selenidoantimonates. The lanthanide selenidoantimonates exhibit semiconducting properties with E{sub g} between 2.08 and 2.51 eV. - Graphical Abstract: Two structural types of lanthanide(III) selenidoantimonates are formed in both en-dien and en-trien mixed polyamines across lanthanide series, indicating the lanthanide contraction effect on the structures of the lanthanide(III) selenidoantimonates. Highlights: > Two structural types of lanthanide selenidoantimonates are prepared across the lanthanide series in both Ln/Sb/Se/(en+dien) and Ln/Sb/Se/(en+trien) systems. > The [SbSe{sub 4}]{sup 3-} anion acts as a mono-SbSe{sub 4}, a {eta}{sup 2}-SbSe{sub 4} or a {mu}-{eta}{sup 1},{eta}{sup 2}-SbSe{sub 4} ligand to the Ln{sup 3+} ions. > The soft base ligand [SbSe{sub 4}]{sup 3-} can be controlled to coordinate to the Ln{sup 3+} ions with en+dien and en+trien as co-ligands.« less

Note: Novel trigger pulse feed method for mega-volt gas switch.

PubMed

Yin, Jiahui; Sun, Fengju; Jiang, Xiaofeng; Wang, Zhiguo; Liang, Tianxue; Jiang, Hongyu; Qiu, Aici

2017-07-01

It is difficult to feed the trigger pulse into an electrically triggered mega-volt switch, and the present note presents a novel trigger pulse feed method. The trigger pulse is introduced via a damping resistor, which is mounted between the inner and outer cylindrical electrodes of the pulse transmission line. The mega-volt pulse is damped because the voltage is resistively divided by the resistor and trigger cable arrangement. Both the complex breakdown processes of the switch and its insulation issues are experimentally studied. The function and the beneficial effects of the damping resistor, installed together with an additional inductor, are discussed. Finally, the parameters of these two damping components are set to 500 Ω and 2 μH values for which the switch has been demonstrated to work successfully at over 2.3 MV.

Assessing twenty-first century skills through a teacher created video game for high school biology students

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Annetta, Leonard A.; Cheng, Meng-Tzu; Holmes, Shawn

2010-07-01

As twenty-first century skills become a greater focus in K-12 education, an infusion of technology that meets the needs of today's students is paramount. This study looks at the design and creation of a Multiplayer Educational Gaming Application (MEGA) for high school biology students. The quasi-experimental, qualitative design assessed the twenty-first century skills of digital age literacy, inventive thinking, high productivity, and effective communication techniques of the students exposed to a MEGA. Three factors, as they pertained to these skills, emerged from classroom observations. Interaction with the teacher, discussion with peers, and engagement/time-on-task while playing the MEGA suggested that students playing an educational video game exhibited all of the projected twenty-first century skills while being engrossed in the embedded science content.

Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of CuO nanostructures templated by cotton fibers

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

Zou, Yunling, E-mail: zouyunling1999@126.com; Li, Yan; Guo, Ying

Highlights: ► Flower-like and corn-like CuO nanostructures were synthesized by a simple method. ► Cotton fibers purchased from commercially are used as template. ► The concentration of Cu(NO{sub 3}){sub 2} solution is an important parameter. -- Abstract: Flower-like and corn-like CuO nanostructures composed of CuO nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via ultrasound-assisted template method, respectively, by controlling the initial concentration of Cu(NO{sub 3}){sub 2} solution. Here, cotton fibers were used as template agent. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), respectively. The results demonstrated that the initialmore » concentration of Cu(NO{sub 3}){sub 2} solution was an important parameter for determining whether CuO nanoparticles assembled into flower-like structures or corn-like structures. The mechanism of forming different nanostructures of CuO was discussed.« less

Effective work function engineering for a TiN/XO(X = La, Zr, Al)/SiO{sub 2} stack structures

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

Lee, Dongjin, E-mail: dongjin0710.lee@samsung.com; Lee, Jieun; Jung, Kyoungho

In this study, we demonstrated that work function engineering is possible over a wide range (+200 mV to −430 mV) in a TiN/XO (X = La, Zr, or Al)/SiO{sub 2} stack structures. From ab initio simulations, we selected the optimal material for the work function engineering. The work function engineering mechanism was described by metal diffusion into the TiN film and silicate formation in the TiN/SiO{sub 2} interface. The metal doping and the silicate formation were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy line profiling, respectively. In addition, the amount of doped metal in the TiN film depended on the thickness ofmore » the insertion layer XO. From the work function engineering technique, which can control a variety of threshold voltages (Vth), an improvement in transistors with different V{sub th} values in the TiN/XO/SiO{sub 2} stack structures is expected.« less

Hall effect and fine structures in magnetic reconnection with high plasma {beta}

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

Jin, S.P.; Yang, H.A.; Wang, X.G.

2005-04-15

Magnetic reconnection with various plasma {beta} (the ratio of plasma pressure to the magnetic pressure) is studied numerically using a 2.5 dimensional Hall magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) code developed from a multistep implicit scheme. The initial state of the Hall MHD simulation is an equilibrium Harris sheet with L{sub c}=0.5d{sub i} (where L{sub c} is the half-width of the equilibrium current layer and d{sub i} is the ion inertial length) and a zero guide field (i.e., B{sub y0}=0 at t=0). Driven by a constant boundary inflow a quasisteady fast reconnection occurs in the plasma with a low uniform resistivity. The out-of-plane magneticmore » field component B{sub y} is then spontaneously generated and its quadrupolar structure is shown around the X point. It is demonstrated by the comparing studies that the reconnection dynamics is controlled by the Hall effect and the effect of scalar electron pressure gradient is negligible in the generalized Ohm's law. It is also found that the openness of the magnetic separatrix angle and associated quadrupolar B{sub y} structure is enlarged as {beta} increases. When {beta}>2.0 fine structures of B{sub y} contours with reversed sign emerge. The numerical results indicate that the variations in electron velocity V{sub e} are greater than those in ion velocity V{sub i} and the decoupling of electron and ion occurs in larger scale lengths than d{sub i} as {beta} increases. Clearly, the reserve current, which is associated with the relative motion between electrons and ions, generates the fine structures of B{sub y} contours in the outflow region. Then the corresponding profile of B{sub y} component exhibits a static whistler wave signature. Enhanced wave activities observed during a Cluster crossing of the high-{beta} exterior cusp region [Y. Khotyaintsev, A. Vaivads, Y. Ogawa, B. Popielawska, M. Andre, S. Buchert, P. Decreau, B. Lavraud, and H. Reme, Ann. Geophys. 22, 2403 (2004)] might be related to the Hall effects of magnetic reconnection shown in the present simulation.« less

Experimental evaluation of active-member control of precision structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fanson, James; Blackwood, Gary; Chu, Cheng-Chih

1989-01-01

The results of closed loop experiments that use piezoelectric active-members to control the flexible motion of a precision truss structure are described. These experiments are directed toward the development of high-performance structural systems as part of the Control/Structure Interaction (CSI) program at JPL. The focus of CSI activity at JPL is to develop the technology necessary to accurately control both the shape and vibration levels in the precision structures from which proposed large space-based observatories will be built. Structural error budgets for these types of structures will likely be in the sub-micron regime; optical tolerances will be even tighter. In order to achieve system level stability and local positioning at this level, it is generally expected that some form of active control will be required.

Type of Violence, Age, and Gender Differences in the Effects of Family Violence on Children's Behavior Problems: A Mega-Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sternberg, Kathleen J.; Baradaran, Laila P.; Abbott, Craig B.; Lamb, Michael E.; Guterman, Eva

2006-01-01

A mega-analytic study was designed to exploit the power of a large data set combining raw data from multiple studies (n=1870) to examine the effects of type of family violence, age, and gender on children's behavior problems assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Our findings confirmed that children who experienced multiple forms of…

The Nation's Report Card: Mega-States--An Analysis of Student Performance in the Five Most Heavily Populated States in the Nation. NCES 2013-450

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Center for Education Statistics, 2013

2013-01-01

California, Florida, Illinois, New York, and Texas enroll close to 40 percent of the nation's public school students. The importance of these "Mega-States" goes beyond the sheer size of their population. They now serve more than half of the nation's English language learners (ELL), as well as some of the largest concentrations of…

On the frequency-magnitude distribution of converging boundaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marzocchi, W.; Laura, S.; Heuret, A.; Funiciello, F.

2011-12-01

The occurrence of the last mega-thrust earthquake in Japan has clearly remarked the high risk posed to society by such events in terms of social and economic losses even at large spatial scale. The primary component for a balanced and objective mitigation of the impact of these earthquakes is the correct forecast of where such kind of events may occur in the future. To date, there is a wide range of opinions about where mega-thrust earthquakes can occur. Here, we aim at presenting some detailed statistical analysis of a database of worldwide interplate earthquakes occurring at current subduction zones. The database has been recently published in the framework of the EURYI Project 'Convergent margins and seismogenesis: defining the risk of great earthquakes by using statistical data and modelling', and it provides a unique opportunity to explore in detail the seismogenic process in subducting lithosphere. In particular, the statistical analysis of this database allows us to explore many interesting scientific issues such as the existence of different frequency-magnitude distributions across the trenches, the quantitative characterization of subduction zones that are able to produce more likely mega-thrust earthquakes, the prominent features that characterize converging boundaries with different seismic activity and so on. Besides the scientific importance, such issues may lead to improve our mega-thrust earthquake forecasting capability.

Potential climatic mechanisms associated with the mega drought at 4200 cal yr BP: linking proxy data with modern climate analogues

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carter, V.; Shinker, J. J.

2017-12-01

Roughly 4200 years ago, a 150-year long mega drought occurred in the central Rocky Mountains, as indicated by pollen evidence from lake sediments from Long Lake, south-eastern Wyoming. However, pollen evidence does not record the climate mechanisms that caused the drought; they only provide evidence that the drought occurred. A modern climate analogue technique using North American Regional Reanalysis data was applied to the sedimentary data in order to identify possible synoptic and dynamic patterns that may have caused the mega drought at 4200 cal yr BP. Our results suggest warm and dry conditions were a result of anomalously higher-than-normal geopotential heights that were centred over the Great Plains beginning in the spring and persisting through the fall. Drought conditions during the growing seasons was the result of the anomalous high-pressure ridge, which suppressed moisture transport via the low level jet from the Gulf of Mexico, as well as brought in dry continental air from in the interior region of North America. The conditions associated with modern analogues offer a potential climate mechanism that caused the mega drought 4200 years ago, and likely led to the changes in vegetation composition as evidenced by the pollen record from Long Lake, Wyoming.

Efficient Modification of the CCR5 Locus in Primary Human T Cells With megaTAL Nuclease Establishes HIV-1 Resistance

PubMed Central

Romano Ibarra, Guillermo S; Paul, Biswajit; Sather, Blythe D; Younan, Patrick M; Sommer, Karen; Kowalski, John P; Hale, Malika; Stoddard, Barry; Jarjour, Jordan; Astrakhan, Alexander; Kiem, Hans-Peter; Rawlings, David J

2016-01-01

A naturally occurring 32-base pair deletion of the HIV-1 co-receptor CCR5 has demonstrated protection against HIV infection of human CD4+ T cells. Recent genetic engineering approaches using engineered nucleases to disrupt the gene and mimic this mutation show promise for HIV therapy. We developed a megaTAL nuclease targeting the third extracellular loop of CCR5 that we delivered to primary human T cells by mRNA transfection. The CCR5 megaTAL nuclease established resistance to HIV in cell lines and disrupted the expression of CCR5 on primary human CD4+ T cells with a high efficiency, achieving up to 80% modification of the locus in primary cells as measured by molecular analysis. Gene-modified cells engrafted at levels equivalent to unmodified cells when transplanted into immunodeficient mice. Furthermore, genetically modified CD4+ cells were preferentially expanded during HIV-1 infection in vivo in an immunodeficient mouse model. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of targeting CCR5 in primary T cells using an engineered megaTAL nuclease, and the potential to use gene-modified cells to reconstitute a patient's immune system and provide protection from HIV infection. PMID:27741222

ES1 is a mitochondrial enlarging factor contributing to form mega-mitochondria in zebrafish cones.

PubMed

Masuda, Takamasa; Wada, Yasutaka; Kawamura, Satoru

2016-03-01

Total mass of mitochondria increases during cell proliferation and differentiation through mitochondrial biogenesis, which includes mitochondrial proliferation and growth. During the mitochondrial growth, individual mitochondria have been considered to be enlarged independently of mitochondrial fusion. However, molecular basis for this enlarging process has been poorly understood. Cone photoreceptor cells in the retina possess large mitochondria, so-called mega-mitochondria that have been considered to arise via the enlarging process. Here we show that ES1 is a novel mitochondria-enlarging factor contributing to form mega-mitochondria in cones. ES1 is specifically expressed in cones and localized to mitochondria including mega-mitochondria. Knockdown of ES1 markedly reduced the mitochondrial size in cones. In contrast, ectopic expression of ES1 in rods significantly increased both the size of individual mitochondria and the total mass of the mitochondrial cluster without changing the number of them. RNA-seq analysis showed that ERRα and its downstream mitochondrial genes were significantly up-regulated in the ES1-expressing rods, suggesting facilitation of mitochondrial enlargement via ERRα-dependent processes. Furthermore, higher energy state was detected in the ES1-expressing rods, indicating that the enlarged mitochondria by ES1 are capable of producing high energy. ES1 is the mitochondrial protein that is first found to promote enlargement of individual mitochondria.

Impact of nutrition education and mega-dose vitamin A supplementation on the health of children in Nepal.

PubMed Central

Pant, C. R.; Pokharel, G. P.; Curtale, F.; Pokhrel, R. P.; Grosse, R. N.; Lepkowski, J.; Muhilal; Bannister, M.; Gorstein, J.; Pak-Gorstein, S.; Atmarita; Tilden, R. L.

1996-01-01

The impact on vitamin A deficiency (VAD), wasting malnutrition, and excessive childhood mortality of two alternative approaches-nutrition education and mega-dose capsule distribution (6-12-month-olds: 100,000 IU; 1-5-year-olds: 200,000 IU)-in communities in Nepal are compared. Approximately 40,000 children from 75 locations in seven districts in two ecological settings (lowland and hills) took part in the study and were randomly allocated to intervention cohorts or a control group. At 24 months after the implementation of the project the reduction of risk for xerophthalmia was greater among children whose mothers were able to identify vitamin-A-rich foods (relative risk (RR) = 0.25; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.10-0.62) than among the children who received mega-dose capsules (RR = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.41-0.84). The risk of mortality at 2 years was reduced for both the nutrition education (RR = 0.64; 95% Cl = 0.48-0.86) and capsule distribution (RR = 0.57; 95% CI = 0.42-0.77) cohorts. The nutrition education programme was, however, more expensive to deliver than the capsule distribution programme. High rates of participation for children in the supplementation programme were achieved quickly. The nutrition education messages also spread rapidly throughout the study population (regardless of intervention cohort assignment). Practices, however, were slower to change. In communities where maternal literacy was low and channels of communication were limited the capsule distribution programme appeared to be more economical. However, there are economies of scale for nationwide education programmes that do not exist for capsule distribution programmes. Although nutrition education provides economies of scale and the promise of long-term sustainability, a comprehensive national programme requires both dietary supplementation and nutrition education components. PMID:9002334

A facile arrested precipitation method for synthesis of pure wurtzite Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} nanocrystals using thiourea as a sulfur source

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

Li, Chunya; Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan 430074; Ha, Enna

2012-11-15

Graphical abstract: High-resolution TEM image of wurtzite Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} nanocrystals. Highlights: ► Wurtzite Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} nanocrystals were synthesized by arrested precipitation method. ► XRD, EDX, TEM demonstrate that the CZTS nanocrystals are purely wurtzite structure. ► The average diameter of the bulk CZTS products is found to be 10 ± 1.1 nm. ► The estimated direct bandgap energy is 1.56 eV for wurtzite CZTS nanocrystals. ► The electrical resistivity of the wurtzite CZTS nanocrystals is low. -- Abstract: A facile route for the synthesis of wurtzite Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} (CZTS) nanocrystals was developed by an arrested precipitation methodmore » at 240 °C under simple reaction conditions with diethanolamine as the solvent and thiourea as sulfur source. The structure and morphology of the CZTS nanocrystals were characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Control experiments demonstrated that CZTS nanocrystals which are purely wurtzite structure are readily obtained. The average diameter of the bulk CZTS products is found to be 10 ± 1.1 nm. The estimated direct bandgap energy is 1.56 eV, which indicates that the CZTS nanocrystals produced by this method possess promising applications in photovoltaic devices.« less

Eight cm technology thruster development. [structurally integrated ion thruster for attitude control and stationkeeping of synchronous satellites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hyman, J., Jr.

1974-01-01

A structural integrated ion thruster with 8-cm beam diameter (SIT-8) was developed for attitude control and stationkeeping of synchronous satellites. As optimized, the system demonstrates a thrust T=1.14 mlb (not corrected for beam V sub B = 1200 V (I sub sp = 2200 sec) total propellant utilization efficiency nu sub u = 59.8% (is approximately 72% without auxiliary pulse-igniter electrode), and electrical efficiency n sub E 61.9%. The thruster incorporates a wire-mesh anode and tantalum cover surfaces to control discharge chamber flake formation and employs an auxiliary pulse-igniter electrode for hollow-cathode ignition. When the SIT-8 is integrated with the compatible SIT-5 propellant tankage, the system envelope is 35 cm long by 13 cm flange bolt circle with a mass of 9.8 kg including 6.8 kg of mercury propellant. Two thrust vectoring systems which generate beam deflections in two orthogonal directions were also developed under the program and tested with the 8-cm thruster. One system vectors the beam over + or - 10 degrees by gimbaling of the entire thruster (not including tankage), while the other system vectors the beam over + or - 7 degrees by translating the accel electrode relative to the screen electrode.

The effects of Venus' thermal structure on buoyant magma ascent

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sakimoto, S. E. H.; Zuber, M. T.

1992-01-01

The recent Magellan images have revealed a broad spatial distribution of surface volcanism on Venus. Previous work in modeling the ascent of magma on both Venus and Earth has indicated that the planetary thermal structure significantly influences the magmatic cooling rates and thus the amount of magma that can be transported to the surface before solidification. In order to understand which aspects of the thermal structure have the greatest influence on the cooling of ascending magma, we have constructed magma cooling curves for both plutonic and crack buoyant ascent mechanisms, and evaluated the curves for variations in the planetary mantle temperature, thermal gradient curvature with depth, surface temperature gradient, and surface temperature. The planetary thermal structure is modeled as T/T(sub 0) = 1-tau(1-Z/Z(sub 0)(exp n), where T is the temperature, T(sub 0) is the source depth temperature, tau = 1-(T(sub s)/T(sub 0)) where T(sub s) is the planetary surface temperature, Z is the depth, Z(sub 0) is the source depth, and n is a constant that controls thermal gradient curvature with depth. The equation is used both for mathematical convenience and flexibility, as well as its fit to the thermal gradients predicted by the cooling half-space models. We assume a constant velocity buoyant ascent, body-averaged magma temperatures and properties, an initially crystal-free magma, and the same liquidus and solidus for both Venus and Earth.

Particle-in-cell simulations of electron beam control using an inductive current divider

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

Swanekamp, S. B.; Angus, J. R.; Cooperstein, G.

2015-11-15

Kinetic, time-dependent, electromagnetic, particle-in-cell simulations of the inductive current divider are presented. The inductive current divider is a passive method for controlling the trajectory of an intense, hollow electron beam using a vacuum structure that inductively splits the beam's return current. The current divider concept was proposed and studied theoretically in a previous publication [Swanekamp et al., Phys. Plasmas 22, 023107 (2015)]. A central post carries a portion of the return current (I{sub 1}), while the outer conductor carries the remainder (I{sub 2}) with the injected beam current given by I{sub b} = I{sub 1} + I{sub 2}. The simulations are in agreement withmore » the theory which predicts that the total force on the beam trajectory is proportional to (I{sub 2}−I{sub 1}) and the force on the beam envelope is proportional to I{sub b}. Independent control over both the current density and the beam angle at the target is possible by choosing the appropriate current-divider geometry. The root-mean-square (RMS) beam emittance (ε{sub RMS}) varies as the beam propagates through the current divider to the target. For applications where control of the beam trajectory is desired and the current density at the target is similar to the current density at the entrance foil, there is a modest 20% increase in ε{sub RMS} at the target. For other applications where the beam is pinched to a current density ∼5 times larger at the target, ε{sub RMS} is 2–3 times larger at the target.« less

Femtosecond MeV Electron Energy-Loss Spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, R. K.; Wang, X. J.

2017-11-01

Pump-probe electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) with femtosecond temporal resolution will be a transformative research tool for studying nonequilibrium chemistry and electronic dynamics of matter. In this paper, we propose a concept of femtosecond EELS utilizing mega-electron-volt electron beams from a radio-frequency (rf) photocathode source. The high acceleration gradient and high beam energy of the rf gun are critical to the generation of 10-fs electron beams, which enables an improvement of the temporal resolution by more than 1 order of magnitude beyond the state of the art. In our proposal, the "reference-beam technique" relaxes the energy stability requirement of the rf power source by roughly 2 orders of magnitude. The requirements for the electron-beam quality, photocathode, spectrometer, and detector are also discussed. Supported by particle-tracking simulations, we demonstrate the feasibility of achieving sub-electron-volt energy resolution and approximately 10-fs temporal resolution with existing or near-future hardware performance.

Controlled synthesis of BiVO{sub 4} with multiple morphologies via an ethylenediamine-assisted hydrothermal method

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

Qi, Xuemei, E-mail: qixuemei@shiep.edu.cn; School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University of Electric Power, Shanghai 200090; Zhu, Xinyuan

2014-11-15

Graphical abstract: BiVO{sub 4} samples with various morphologies were synthesized via a simple ethylenediamine (EN) assisted hydrothermal route. One of the mixed crystal phase with spherical and porous morphology showed excellent photocatalytic activity and about 90% Rhodamine B was degraded after 140 min visible light irradiation. - Highlights: • BiVO{sub 4} samples with various morphologies were synthesized by hydrothermal method. • Ethylenediamine mainly acts as alkaline source to adjust pH values of precursor. • BiVO{sub 4} with spherical morphology has excellent photocatalytic activity. - Abstract: In this work, BiVO{sub 4} particles with different crystal structures and morphologies including hexahedral, sphericalmore » porous and hyperbranched ones were fabricated in the presence of ethylenediamine by hydrothermal process. The as-fabricated samples were well characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy. The results showed that the morphology and crystal structure of BiVO{sub 4} particles could be well controlled by only changing the ethylenediamine content in the deionized water solution. Photocatalytic activity of the samples was evaluated by the degradation of Rhodamine B under visible-light irradiation. It was shown that BiVO{sub 4} sample with spherical porous morphology and mixed crystal phase exhibited the best photocatalytic performance after optimizing the ethylenediamine content. The best degradation ratio of Rhodamine B could reach about 87% after 140 min visible-light irradiation.« less

X-ray combined analysis of fiber-textured and epitaxial Ba(Sr,Ti)O{sub 3} thin films deposited by radio frequency sputtering

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

Remiens, D.; Ponchel, F.; Legier, J. F.

2011-06-01

A complete study is given in this paper on the structural properties of Ba(Sr,Ti)O{sub 3} (BST) thin films which present various preferred orientations: (111) and (001) fiber and epitaxial textures. The films are deposited in situ at 800 deg. C by sputtering on Si/SiO{sub 2}/TiO{sub x}/Pt substrates and the orientation is controlled by monitoring the concentration of O{sub 2} in the reactive plasma or by prior deposition of a very thin TiO{sub x} buffer layer between BST films and substrates. The epitaxial films are obtained on (001)-alpha-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} substrates covered with TiO{sub x} buffer layers. In order to analyzemore » finely the preferred orientations, the texture, the microstructural features, and the anisotropy-related quantities such as residual stresses in the films, the conventional Bragg-Brentano {theta} - 2{theta} x-ray diffraction diagrams is shown not to be sufficient. So, we systematically used x-ray combined analysis, a recently developed methodology which gives access to precise determination of the structure (cell parameters and space group) of the films, their orientation distributions (texture strengths and types) and mean crystallite sizes, their residual stresses. This fine structural analysis shows important modifications between the film qualities which induce differences in BST films electrical behavior, permittivity, loss tangent, and tunability.« less

CubeSat Attitude Determination and Helmholtz Cage Design

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-01

4.2.2. 3.6 CubeSat Components The CubeSat used in this experiment is commanded and controlled via the Arduino Mega board that is based on the ATmel...UNIVERSITY AIR FORCE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Wright-Patterson Air Force Base , Ohio APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE; DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED The views...ENY/12-M03 Abstract A method of 3-axis satellite attitude determination utilizing six body-fixed light sensors and a 3-axis magnetometer is analyzed. A

Mega-Amp Opening Switch with Nested Electrodes/Pulsed Generator of Ion and Ion Cluster Beams.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-07-01

i.e., noncollisiona].) resistivity which controls the "~switch opening" function (specifically, the rate of disintergration of the PF pinch where...unaffected the pinch field Be and then disassemble in a light (D) component and other heavy components. Production and propagation of-neutrals (from...emission, production and - evaporation would imply a distorsion of the pinholeimage-because of B -which is not p.-.. observed (our pinhole resolution is 150

Polyacetylene, (CH){sub x}, as an Emerging Material for Solar Cell Applications. Final Technical Report, March 19, 1979 - March 18, 1980

DOE R&D Accomplishments Database

Heeger, A. J.; MacDiarmid, A. G.

1980-06-05

Despite great theoretical and technological interest in polyacetylene, (CH){sub x}, the basic features of its band structure have not been unambiguously resolved. Since photoconductivity and optical absorption data have frequently been used to infer information on the band structure of semiconductors, such measurements were carried out on (CH){sub x}. The main results of an extensive study of the photoconductivity (..delta.. sigma{sub ph}) and absorption coefficient (..cap alpha..) in (CH){sub x} are presented. The absence of photoconductivity in cis-(CH){sub x}, despite the similarity in optical properties indicates that ..delta.. sigma/sub ph/ in trans-(CH){sub x} is induced by isomerization. It is found that isomerization generates states deep inside the gap that act as safe traps for minority carriers and thereby enhance the photoconductivity. Compensation of trans-(CH){sub x} with ammonia appears to decrease the number of safe traps, whereas acceptor doping increases their number. Thus, chemical doping can be used to control the photoconductive response. The energy of safe traps inside the gap is independent of the process used to generate them; indicative of an intrinsic localized defect level in trans-(CH){sub x}. A coherent picture based on the soliton model can explain these results, including the safe trapping.

Soil heating during the complete combustion of mega-logs and broadcast burning in central Oregon USA pumice soils

Treesearch

Jane E. Smith; Ariel D. Cowan; Stephen A. Fitzgerald

2016-01-01

The environmental effect of extreme soil heating, such as occurs with the complete combustion of large downed wood during wildfires, is a post-fire management concern to forest managers. To address this knowledge gap, we stacked logs to create ‘mega-log’ burning conditions and compared the temperature, duration and penetration of the soil heat pulse in nine high...

The Moses, mega-Moses, and Armstrong illusions: integrating language comprehension and semantic memory.

PubMed

Shafto, M; MacKay, D G

2000-09-01

This study develops a new theory of the Moses illusion, observed in responses to general knowledge questions such as, "How many animals of each kind did Moses take on the Ark?" People often respond "two" rather than "zero" despite knowing that Noah, not Moses, launched the Ark. Our theory predicted two additional types of conceptual error demonstrated here: the Armstrong and mega-Moses illusions. The Armstrong illusion involved questions resembling, "What was the famous line uttered by Louis Armstrong when he first set foot on the moon?" People usually comprehend such questions as valid, despite knowing that Louis Armstrong was a jazz musician who never visited the moon. This Armstrong illusion was not due to misperceiving the critical words (Louis Armstrong), and occurred as frequently as the Moses illusion (with critical words embedded in identical sentential contexts), but less frequently than the mega-Moses illusion caused when Moses and Armstrong factors were combined.

Transitional lumbosacral vertebrae and low back pain: diagnostic pitfalls and management of Bertolotti's syndrome.

PubMed

Almeida, Daniel Benzecry de; Mattei, Tobias Alécio; Sória, Marília Grando; Prandini, Mirto Nelso; Leal, André Giacomelli; Milano, Jerônimo Buzzeti; Ramina, Ricardo

2009-06-01

Bertolotti's syndrome is a spine disorder characterized by the occurrence of a congenital lumbar transverse mega-apophysis in a transitional vertebral body that usually articulates with the sacrum or the iliac bone. It has been considered a possible cause of low back pain. We analyzed the cases of Bertolotti's syndrome that failed clinical treatment and reviewed the literature concerning this subject. Five patients in our series had severe low back pain due to the neo-articulation and two of them were successfully submitted to surgical resection of the transverse mega-apophysis. Taking into account the clinical and surgical experience acquired with these cases, we propose a diagnostic-therapeutic algorithm. There is still no consensus about the most appropriate therapy for Bertolotti's syndrome. In patients in whom the mega-apophysis itself may be the source of back pain, surgical resection may be a safe and effective procedure.

Stoichiometry as key to ferroelectricity in compressively strained SrTiO{sub 3} films

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

Haislmaier, R. C.; Engel-Herbert, R.; Gopalan, V.

2016-07-18

While strain is a powerful tuning parameter for inducing ferroelectricity in thin film oxides, the role of stoichiometry control is critical, but far less explored. A series of compressively strained SrTiO{sub 3} films on (001) (LaAlO{sub 3}){sub 0.3}(Sr{sub 2}AlTaO{sub 6}){sub 0.35} substrates were grown by hybrid molecular beam epitaxy where the Ti cation was supplied using a metal-organic titanium tetraisopropoxide molecule that helps systematically and precisely control Sr:Ti stoichiometry in the resulting films. A stoichiometric growth window is located through X-ray diffraction and in-situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction measurements, which show a minimum out-of-plane lattice parameter as well as constantmore » growth rate within the stoichiometric growth window range. Using temperature dependent optical second harmonic generation (SHG) characterization, a ferroelectric-to-paraelectric transition at T ∼ 180 K is observed for a stoichiometric SrTiO{sub 3} film, as well as a higher temperature structural transition at T ∼ 385 K. Using SHG polarimetry modeling, the polar point group symmetry is determined to be tetragonal 4mm with the polarization pointing out-of-plane of the film. The SHG coefficients, d{sub 31}/d{sub 15}=3 and d{sub 33}/d{sub 15}=21, were determined at 298 K. The ferroelectric transition disappears in films grown outside the growth window, thus proving the critical role of stoichiometry control in realizing strain-induced ferroelectricity.« less

Influence of nickel doping on oxygen-ionic conductivity of the n = 1 Ruddlesden-Popper Phases La{sub 1.85}Ca{sub 0.15}(Cu{sub 1−x}Ni{sub x})O{sub 4−δ} (δ = 0.0905)

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

Midouni, Adnene; Université de Tunis El Manar, Campus Universitaire Farhat Hached, B.P. No 94- Rommana, 1068 Tunis; Houchati, Mohamed Ikbal, E-mail: ikb_med@yahoo.fr

2016-08-15

The results of the synthesis and characterization of the optimally doped La{sub 1.85}Ca{sub 0.15}(Cu{sub 1−x}Ni{sub x})O{sub 4-δ} solid solution with x = 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 are reported. The versatility of these La{sub 1.85}Ca{sub 0.15}(Cu{sub 1−x}Ni{sub x})O{sub 4−δ} materials is explained on the basis of structural features and the ability to accommodate oxygen nonstoichiometry. According to powder X-ray and neutron diffraction data, La{sub 1.85}Ca{sub 0.15}(Cu{sub 1−x}Ni{sub x})O{sub 4−δ} adopts the tetragonal structure with oxygen vacancies occurring preferentially at the O{sub ap} sites within the {(La/Ca)O} layers of the perovskite blocks and the oxygen deviation from stoichiometry δ was foundmore » to be δ=0.0905(6). The bulk conductivity indicated an Arrhenius-type thermally activated process and oxygen vacancies are the possible ionic charge carriers at T=270 °C. An increase of the conductivity was detected when Ni was introduced. With nickel ratio variation, a strong correlation was observed between the Cu(Ni)-O{sub ap} apical bond length variation and the conductivity variation through controlling the O{sup 2−} ion migration. - Highlights: • We report the synthesis and structure of the La{sub 1.85}Ca{sub 0.15}(Cu{sub 1−x}Ni{sub x})O{sub 4−δ} (0≤x≤0.3; δ=0.0905) compounds. • La{sub 1.85}Ca{sub 0.15}(Cu{sub 1−x}Ni{sub x})O{sub 4−δ} (x=0.0, 0.2, 0.3) doped with Ni{sup 2+} have a higher conductivity than undoped La{sub 1.85}Ca{sub 0.15}CuO{sub 4−δ}. • At T=270 °C, sample x=0.3 has the highest conductivity (0.2915 sm{sup −1}).« less

Influence of bias voltage on structural and optical properties of TiN{sub x} thin films

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

Singh, Omveer, E-mail: poonia.omveer@gmail.com; Dahiya, Raj P.; Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal – 131039

In the present work, Ti thin films were deposited on Si substrate using DC sputtering technique. Indigenous hot cathode arc discharge plasma system was used for nitriding over these samples, where the plasma parameters and work piece can be controlled independently. A mixture of H{sub 2} and N{sub 2} gases (in the ratio of 80:20) was supplied into the plasma chamber. The effect of bias voltage on the crystal structure, morphology and optical properties was investigated by employing various physical techniques such as X-ray Diffraction, Atomic Force Microscopy and UV-Vis spectrometry. It was found that bias voltage affects largely themore » crystal structure and band gap which in turn is responsible for the modifications in optical properties of the deposited films.« less

Characteristics of the 2011 Tohoku Tsunami and introduction of two level tsunamis for tsunami disaster mitigation

PubMed Central

SATO, Shinji

2015-01-01

Characteristics of the 2011 Tohoku Tsunami have been revealed by collaborative tsunami surveys extensively performed under the coordination of the Joint Tsunami Survey Group. The complex behaviors of the mega-tsunami were characterized by the unprecedented scale and the low occurrence frequency. The limitation and the performance of tsunami countermeasures were described on the basis of tsunami surveys, laboratory experiments and numerical analyses. These findings contributed to the introduction of two-level tsunami hazards to establish a new strategy for tsunami disaster mitigation, combining structure-based flood protection designed by the Level-1 tsunami and non-structure-based damage reduction planned by the Level-2 tsunami. PMID:26062739

Characteristics of the 2011 Tohoku Tsunami and introduction of two level tsunamis for tsunami disaster mitigation.

PubMed

Sato, Shinji

2015-01-01

Characteristics of the 2011 Tohoku Tsunami have been revealed by collaborative tsunami surveys extensively performed under the coordination of the Joint Tsunami Survey Group. The complex behaviors of the mega-tsunami were characterized by the unprecedented scale and the low occurrence frequency. The limitation and the performance of tsunami countermeasures were described on the basis of tsunami surveys, laboratory experiments and numerical analyses. These findings contributed to the introduction of two-level tsunami hazards to establish a new strategy for tsunami disaster mitigation, combining structure-based flood protection designed by the Level-1 tsunami and non-structure-based damage reduction planned by the Level-2 tsunami.

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

Li Linzhi; Zhao Jingzhe, E-mail: zhaojz@hnu.edu.cn; Wang Yi

Tungsten oxide hydrate (WO{sub 3}.H{sub 2}O) nanoplates and flower-like assemblies were successfully synthesized via a simple aqueous method. The effects of reaction parameters in solution on the preparation were studied. Nanoplates and nanoflowers can be selectively prepared by changing the amount of H{sub 2}C{sub 2}O{sub 4}. In-situ assembly of nanoplates to nanoflowers was also proposed for the formation of assembled nanostructures. In addition, the reaction time and temperature have important effects on the sizes of the as-obtained samples. Crystal structure, morphology, and composition of final nanostructures were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Optical properties ofmore » the synthesized samples and the growth mechanism were studied by UV-vis detection. Degradation experiments of Rhodamine B (RhB) were also performed on samples of nanoplates and nanoflowers under visible light illumination. Nanoflower sample exhibited preferable photocatalytic property to nanoplate sample. - Graphical abstract: The oxalic acid has a key role for the structure of WO{sub 3}.H{sub 2}O evolution from plates to flowers and the dehydration process of WO{sub 3}.2H{sub 2}O to WO{sub 3}.H{sub 2}O. Highlights: > Tungsten oxides hydrate was synthesized via a simple aqueous method. > The size of WO{sub 3}.H{sub 2}O was controlled by the reaction time and temperature. > The assembly of WO{sub 3}.H{sub 2}O nanoplates to nanoflowers was achieved with higher H{sub 2}C{sub 2}O{sub 4}/Na{sub 2}WO{sub 4} ratio. > Oxalic acid has a key role in the dehydration process of WO{sub 3}.2H{sub 2}O to WO{sub 3}.H{sub 2}O.« less

Robust controller design for flexible structures using normalized coprime factor plant descriptions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Armstrong, Ernest S.

1993-01-01

Stabilization is a fundamental requirement in the design of feedback compensators for flexible structures. The search for the largest neighborhood around a given design plant for which a single controller produces closed-loop stability can be formulated as an H(sub infinity) control problem. The use of normalized coprime factor plant descriptions, in which the plant perturbations are defined as additive modifications to the coprime factors, leads to a closed-form expression for the maximum neighborhood boundary allowing optimal and suboptimal H(sub infinity) compensators to be computed directly without the usual gamma iteration. A summary of the theory on robust stabilization using normalized coprime factor plant descriptions is presented, and the application of the theory to the computation of robustly stable compensators for the phase version of the Control-Structures Interaction (CSI) Evolutionary Model is described. Results from the application indicate that the suboptimal version of the theory has the potential of providing the bases for the computation of low-authority compensators that are robustly stable to expected variations in design model parameters and additive unmodeled dynamics.

Impact of microstructure on the thermoelectric properties of the ternary compound Ce{sub 3}Cu{sub 3}Sb{sub 4}

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

Witas, Piotr, E-mail: pwitas@us.edu.pl

We present detailed structural and thermoelectric studies of the ternary compound Ce{sub 3}Cu{sub 3}Sb{sub 4}. This material is of interest due to previously reported considerable thermopower above room temperature (∼ 100 μV/K) and low thermal conductivity (2 W/(m K)). Here, we present detailed studies concerning microstructural and thermoelectric data, their variation across the samples and possible explanations for the observed behaviour. We have used X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) for microstructural analysis. The thermoelectric properties were examined using a physical property measurement system (PPMS). We analyse the impact of the sample qualitymore » on the thermoelectric properties. The most unstable parameter is the material resistivity which varies between 1.5 and 15 mΩ cm at room temperature. The properties variability is mainly due to structural defects caused by stresses during material preparation and also due to formation of foreign phases CeCuSb{sub 2} and CeSb. The figure of merit ZT is also strongly dependent on the quality of the sample. The largest value ZT ≈ 0.15 at 400 K is determined for the almost stoichiometric sample with small amounts of a impurity phases. - Highlights: •The Ce{sub 3}Cu{sub 3}Sb{sub 4} has considerable thermoelectric properties and potential for further chemical and/or structural modification. •The control over foreign phases formation is challenging. •The defects arising during arc melting process highly deteriorate ZT of material.« less

Sub-fossil beetle assemblages associated with the "mammoth fauna" in the Late Pleistocene localities of the Ural Mountains and West Siberia.

PubMed

Zinovyev, Evgeniy

2011-01-01

The distribution of beetles at the end of the Middle Pleninglacial (=terminal Quaternary) was examined based on sub-fossil material from the Ural Mountains and Western Siberia, Russia. All relevant localities of fossil insects have similar radiocarbon dates, ranging between 33,000 and 22,000 C14 years ago. Being situated across the vast territory from the southern Ural Mountains in the South to the middle Yamal Peninsula in the North, they allow latitudinal changes in beetle assemblages of that time to be traced. These beetles lived simultaneously with mammals of the so-called "mammoth fauna" with mammoth, bison, and wooly rhinoceros, the often co-occurring mega-mammalian bones at some of the sites being evidence of this. The beetle assemblages found between 59° and 57°N appear to be the most interesting. Their bulk is referred to as a "mixed" type, one which includes a characteristic combination of arcto-boreal, boreal, steppe and polyzonal species showing no analogues among recent insect complexes. These peculiar faunas seem to have represented a particular zonal type, which disappeared since the end of the Last Glaciation to arrive here with the extinction of the mammoth biota. In contrast, on the sites lying north of 60°N, the beetle communities were similar to modern sub-arctic and arctic faunas, yet with the participation of some sub-boreal steppe components, such as Poecilus ravus Lutshnik and Carabus sibiricus Fischer-Waldheim. This information, when compared with our knowledge of synchronous insect faunas from other regions of northern Eurasia, suggests that the former distribution of beetles in this region could be accounted for both by palaeo-environmental conditions and the impact of grazing by large ruminant mammals across the so-called "mammoth savannas".

Effects of Zr/Ce molar ratio and water content on thermal stability and structure of ZrO{sub 2}–CeO{sub 2} mixed oxides prepared via sol–gel process

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

Huang, Wenzhi; Yang, Jili; Wang, Chunjie

2012-09-15

Highlights: ► Tetragonal t″ phase was stabilized in Zr{sub 0.5}Ce{sub 0.5}O{sub 2} solid solution at temperature as high as 1000 °C. ► Specific surface area of powders decreased with the increase of water addition and the Ce content. ► The single stable phase was controlled by adjusting the volume ratio of water and ethanol. ► Tetragonal (t″) phase dissociated into cubic and tetragonal (t′) phases at 1200 °C. -- Abstract: ZrO{sub 2}–CeO{sub 2} mixed oxides were synthesized via sol–gel process. Thermal stability, structure and morphology of samples were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction, FT-Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanningmore » electron microscopy. In this approach, the solvent composition and Zr/Ce molar ratio have great influences on the structure and morphology of final products. With decreasing water content in the mixed solvent, specific surface area of powders increased and the single tetragonal phase was obtained. Only when the volume ratio of water and ethanol and the Zr/Ce molar ratio were 1:1, tetragonal t″-Zr{sub 0.5}Ce{sub 0.5}O{sub 2} could be stabilized in powders at temperature as high as 1000 °C. Meanwhile, tetragonal (t′) and (t″) phases coexisted in Zr{sub 0.5}Ce{sub 0.5}O{sub 2} solid solution without peak splitting after calcination at 1100 °C, further transforming into cubic and tetragonal (t′) phases at 1200 °C. The effective activation energy for Zr{sub 0.5}Ce{sub 0.5}O{sub 2} nanocrystallite growth during annealing is about 5.24 ± 0.15 kJ/mol.« less

The role of SO{sub 4}{sup 2−} surface distribution in arsenic removal by iron oxy-hydroxides

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

Tresintsi, S.; Simeonidis, K., E-mail: ksime@physics.auth.gr; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Thessaly, 38334 Volos

2014-05-01

This study investigates the contribution of chemisorbed SO{sub 4}{sup 2−} in improving arsenic removal properties of iron oxy-hydroxides through an ion-exchange mechanism. An analytical methodology was developed for the accurate quantification of sulfate ion (SO{sub 4}{sup 2−}) distribution onto the surface and structural compartments of iron oxy-hydroxides synthesized by FeSO{sub 4} precipitation. The procedure is based on the sequential determination of SO{sub 4}{sup 2−} presence in the diffuse and Stern layers, and the structure of these materials as defined by the sulfate-rich environments during the reaction and the variation in acidity (pH 3–12). Physically sorbed SO{sub 4}{sup 2−}, extracted inmore » distilled water, and physically/chemically adsorbed ions on the oxy-hydroxide's surface leached by a 5 mM NaOH solution, were determined using ion chromatography. Total sulfate content was gravimetrically measured by precipitation as BaSO{sub 4}. To validate the suggested method, results were verified by X-ray photoelectron and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy. Results showed that low precipitation pH-values favor the incorporation of sulfate ions into the structure and the inner double layer, while under alkaline conditions ions shift to the diffuse layer. - Graphical abstract: An analytical methodology for the accurate quantification of sulfate ions (SO{sub 4}{sup 2−}) distribution onto the diffuse layer, the Stern layer and the structure of iron oxy-hydroxides used as arsenic removal agents. - Highlights: • Quantification of sulfate ions presence in FeOOH surface compartments. • Preparation pH defines the distribution of sulfates. • XPS and FTIR verify the presence of SO{sub 4}{sup 2−} in the structure, the Stern layer the diffuse layer of FeOOH. • Chemically adsorbed sulfates control the arsenic removal efficiency of iron oxyhydroxides.« less

Crystal structures and magnetic properties of magnetite (Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4})/Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) ribbon

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

Ardiyanti, Harlina; Suharyadi, Edi, E-mail: esuharyadi@ugm.ac.id; Kato, Takeshi

2016-04-19

Ribbon of magnetite (Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4})/Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) nanoparticles have been successfully fabricated with various concentration of PVA synthesized by co-precipitation method. Particle size of nanoparticles Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} sample and ribbon Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/PVA 25% sample is about 9.34 nm and 11.29 nm, respectively. The result of Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) showed that saturation magnetization value decreased from 76.99 emu/g to 15.01 emu/g and coercivity increased from 49.30 Oe to 158.35 Oe as increasing concentration of PVA. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) analysis showed that encapsulated PVA given decreasing agglomeration, controlled shape of nanoparticles Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} more spherical and dispersed. Surfacemore » roughness decreased with increasing concentration of PVA.« less

Improvements in the order, isotropy and electron density of glypican-1 crystals by controlled dehydration

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

Awad, Wael; Cairo University, Cairo; Svensson Birkedal, Gabriel

The anisotropy of crystals of glypican-1 was significantly reduced by controlled dehydration using the HC1 device, allowing the building of previously disordered parts of the structure. The use of controlled dehydration for improvement of protein crystal diffraction quality is increasing in popularity, although there are still relatively few documented examples of success. A study has been carried out to establish whether controlled dehydration could be used to improve the anisotropy of crystals of the core protein of the human proteoglycan glypican-1. Crystals were subjected to controlled dehydration using the HC1 device. The optimal protocol for dehydration was developed by carefulmore » investigation of the following parameters: dehydration rate, final relative humidity and total incubation time T{sub inc}. Of these, the most important was shown to be T{sub inc}. After dehydration using the optimal protocol the crystals showed significantly reduced anisotropy and improved electron density, allowing the building of previously disordered parts of the structure.« less

Ligand-controlled assembly of Cd(II) coordination polymers based on mixed ligands of naphthalene-dicarboxylate and dipyrido[3,2-d:2',3'-f]quinoxaline: From 0D+1D cocrystal, 2D rectangular network (4,4), to 3D PtS-type architecture

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

Liu Guocheng; Chen Yongqiang; Wang Xiuli

Three novel Cd(II) coordination polymers, namely, [Cd(Dpq)(1,8-NDC)(H{sub 2}O){sub 2}][Cd(Dpq)(1,8-NDC)].2H{sub 2}O (1), [Cd(Dpq)(1,4-NDC)(H{sub 2}O)] (2), and [Cd(Dpq)(2,6-NDC)] (3) have been obtained from hydrothermal reactions of cadmium(II) nitrate with the mixed ligands dipyrido [3,2-d:2',3'-f]quinoxaline (Dpq) and three structurally related naphthalene-dicarboxylate ligands [1,8-naphthalene-dicarboxylic acid (1,8-H{sub 2}NDC), 1,4-naphthalene-dicarboxylic acid (1,4-H{sub 2}NDC), and 2,6-naphthalene-dicarboxylic acid (2,6-H{sub 2}NDC)]. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the three polymers exhibit novel structures due to different naphthalene-dicarboxylic acid. Compound 1 is a novel cocrystal of left- and right-handed helical chains and binuclear complexes and ultimately packed into a 3D supramolecular structure through hydrogen bonds and {pi}-{pi} stacking interactions. Compoundmore » 2 shows a 2D rectangular network (4,4) bridged by 1,4-NDC with two kinds of coordination modes and ultimately packed into a 3D supramolecular structure through inter-layer {pi}-{pi} stacking interactions. Compound 3 is a new 3D coordination polymer with distorted PtS-type network. In addition, the title compounds exhibit blue/green emission in solid state at room temperature. - Graphical abstract: Three novel Cd(II) compounds have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions exhibiting a systematic variation of architecture by the employment of three structurally related naphthalene-dicarboxylate ligands.« less

Mechanism of formation of the response of a hydrogen gas sensor based on a silicon MOS diode

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

Gaman, V. I.; Balyuba, V. I.; Gritsyk, V. Yu.

2008-03-15

Experimental data on the dependence of the flat-band voltage and relaxation time for the capacitance of the space-charge region in an MOS diode (Pd-SiO{sub 2}-n-Si) on the hydrogen concentration in a hydrogen/air gaseous mixture are discussed. It is assumed that variation in the flat-band voltage U{sub fb} in an MOS structure with the thickness d = 369 nm subjected to a hydrogen/air gaseous mixture can be accounted for by the formation of dipoles in the Pd-SiO{sub 2} gap due to polarization of hydrogen atoms (H{sub a}). An analytical expression describing the dependence of variation in the flat-band voltage {Delta}U{sub fb}more » on the hydrogen concentration n{sub H{sub 2}} was derived. In MOS structures with d {<=} 4 nm (or MOS diodes), the value of {Delta}U{sub fb} is mainly controlled by passivation of the centers responsible for the presence of the surface acceptor-type centers at the SiO{sub 2}-n-Si interface by hydrogen atoms. Analytical expressions describing the dependences of {Delta}U{sub fb} and the capacitance relaxation time in the space-charge region on n{sub H{sub 2}} are derived. The values of the density of adsorption centers and the adsorption heat for hydrogen atoms at the Pd-SiO{sub 2} and SiO{sub 2}-n-Si interfaces are found.« less

The Next Generation Virgo Cluster Survey. IV. NGC 4216: A Bombarded Spiral in the Virgo Cluster

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paudel, Sanjaya; Duc, Pierre-Alain; Côté, Patrick; Cuillandre, Jean-Charles; Ferrarese, Laura; Ferriere, Etienne; Gwyn, Stephen D. J.; Mihos, J. Christopher; Vollmer, Bernd; Balogh, Michael L.; Carlberg, Ray G.; Boissier, Samuel; Boselli, Alessandro; Durrell, Patrick R.; Emsellem, Eric; MacArthur, Lauren A.; Mei, Simona; Michel-Dansac, Leo; van Driel, Wim

2013-04-01

The final stages of mass assembly of present-day massive galaxies are expected to occur through the accretion of multiple satellites. Cosmological simulations thus predict a high frequency of stellar streams resulting from this mass accretion around the massive galaxies in the Local Volume. Such tidal streams are difficult to observe, especially in dense cluster environments, where they are readily destroyed. We present an investigation into the origins of a series of interlaced narrow filamentary stellar structures, loops and plumes in the vicinity of the Virgo Cluster, edge-on spiral galaxy, NGC 4216 that were previously identified by the Blackbird telescope. Using the deeper, higher-resolution, and precisely calibrated optical CFHT/MegaCam images obtained as part of the Next Generation Virgo Cluster Survey (NGVS), we confirm the previously identified features and identify a few additional structures. The NGVS data allowed us to make a physical study of these low surface brightness features and investigate their origin. The likely progenitors of the structures were identified as either already cataloged Virgo Cluster Catalog dwarfs or newly discovered satellites caught in the act of being destroyed. They have the same g - i color index and likely contain similar stellar populations. The alignment of three dwarfs along an apparently single stream is intriguing, and we cannot totally exclude that these are second-generation dwarf galaxies being born inside the filament from the debris of an original dwarf. The observed complex structures, including in particular a stream apparently emanating from a satellite of a satellite, point to a high rate of ongoing dwarf destruction/accretion in the region of the Virgo Cluster where NGC 4216 is located. We discuss the age of the interactions and whether they occurred in a group that is just falling into the cluster and shows signs of the so-called pre-processing before it gets affected by the cluster environment, or in a group which already ventured toward the central regions of Virgo Cluster. In any case, compared to the other spiral galaxies in the Virgo Cluster, but also to those located in lower density environments, NGC 4216 seems to suffer an unusually heavy bombardment. Further studies will be needed to determine whether, given the surface brightness limit of our survey, about 29 mag arcsec-2, the number of observed streams around that galaxy is as predicted by cosmological simulations or conversely, whether the possible lack of similar structures in other galaxies poses a challenge to the merger-based model of galaxy mass assembly. Based on observations obtained with MegaPrime/MegaCam, a joint project of Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) and CEA/DAPNIA, at the CFHT which is operated by the National Research Council (NRC) of Canada, the Institut National des Sciences de l'Univers of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique of France, and the University of Hawaii.

A design of LED adaptive dimming lighting system based on incremental PID controller

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Xiangyan; Xiao, Zexin; He, Shaojia

2010-11-01

As a new generation energy-saving lighting source, LED is applied widely in various technology and industry fields. The requirement of its adaptive lighting technology is more and more rigorous, especially in the automatic on-line detecting system. In this paper, a closed loop feedback LED adaptive dimming lighting system based on incremental PID controller is designed, which consists of MEGA16 chip as a Micro-controller Unit (MCU), the ambient light sensor BH1750 chip with Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C), and constant-current driving circuit. A given value of light intensity required for the on-line detecting environment need to be saved to the register of MCU. The optical intensity, detected by BH1750 chip in real time, is converted to digital signal by AD converter of the BH1750 chip, and then transmitted to MEGA16 chip through I2C serial bus. Since the variation law of light intensity in the on-line detecting environment is usually not easy to be established, incremental Proportional-Integral-Differential (PID) algorithm is applied in this system. Control variable obtained by the incremental PID determines duty cycle of Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM). Consequently, LED's forward current is adjusted by PWM, and the luminous intensity of the detection environment is stabilized by self-adaptation. The coefficients of incremental PID are obtained respectively after experiments. Compared with the traditional LED dimming system, it has advantages of anti-interference, simple construction, fast response, and high stability by the use of incremental PID algorithm and BH1750 chip with I2C serial bus. Therefore, it is suitable for the adaptive on-line detecting applications.

Syntheses, crystal structures, and properties of four complexes based on polycarboxylate and imidazole ligands

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

Qiao, Rui; Chen, Shui-Sheng, E-mail: chenss@fync.edu.cn; Coordination Chemistry Institute, State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093

2015-08-15

Four metal–organic coordination polymers [Zn(HL)(H{sub 2}O)]·4H{sub 2}O (1), [Zn(HL)(L{sub 1})]·4H{sub 2}O (2), [Cu(HL)(H{sub 2}O)]·3H{sub 2}O (3) and [Cu(HL)(L{sub 1})]·5H{sub 2}O (4) were synthesized by reactions of the corresponding metal(II) salts with semirigid polycarboxylate ligand (5-((4-carboxypiperidin-1-yl)methyl)isophthalic acid hydrochloride, H{sub 3}L·HCl) or auxiliary ligand (1,4-di(1H-imidazol-4-yl)benzene, L{sub 1}). The structures of the compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The use of auxiliary ligand L{sub 1} has great influence on the structures of two pairs of complexes 1, 2 and 3, 4. Complex 1 is a uninodal 3-connected rare 2-fold interpenetrating ZnSc net with a Point (Schlafli) symbolmore » of (10{sup 3}) while 2 is a one-dimensional (1D) ladder structure. Compound 3 features a two-dimensional (2D) honeycomb network with typical 6{sup 3}-hcb topology, while 4 is 2D network with (4, 4) sql topology based on binuclear Cu{sup II} subunits. The non-covalent bonding interactions such as hydrogen bonds, π···π stacking and C–H···π exist in complexes 1–4, which contributes to stabilize crystal structure and extend the low-dimensional entities into high-dimensional frameworks. And the photoluminescent property of 1 and 2 and gas sorption property of 4 have been investigated. - Graphical abstract: Four new coordination polymers have been obtained and their photoluminescent and gas sorption properties have also been investigated. - Highlights: • Two pairs of Zn{sup II}/ Cu{sup II} compounds have been synthesized. • Auxiliary ligand-controlled assembly of the complexes is reported. • The luminescent properties of complexes 1–2 were investigated. • The gas sorption property of 4 has been investigated.« less

Etching radical controlled gas chopped deep reactive ion etching

DOEpatents

Olynick, Deidre; Rangelow, Ivo; Chao, Weilun

2013-10-01

A method for silicon micromachining techniques based on high aspect ratio reactive ion etching with gas chopping has been developed capable of producing essentially scallop-free, smooth, sidewall surfaces. The method uses precisely controlled, alternated (or chopped) gas flow of the etching and deposition gas precursors to produce a controllable sidewall passivation capable of high anisotropy. The dynamic control of sidewall passivation is achieved by carefully controlling fluorine radical presence with moderator gasses, such as CH.sub.4 and controlling the passivation rate and stoichiometry using a CF.sub.2 source. In this manner, sidewall polymer deposition thicknesses are very well controlled, reducing sidewall ripples to very small levels. By combining inductively coupled plasmas with controlled fluorocarbon chemistry, good control of vertical structures with very low sidewall roughness may be produced. Results show silicon features with an aspect ratio of 20:1 for 10 nm features with applicability to nano-applications in the sub-50 nm regime. By comparison, previous traditional gas chopping techniques have produced rippled or scalloped sidewalls in a range of 50 to 100 nm roughness.

Ion energy distributions in a pulsed dual frequency inductively coupled discharge of Ar/CF{sub 4} and effect of duty ratio

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

Mishra, Anurag; Seo, Jin Seok; Kim, Tae Hyung

2015-08-15

Controlling time averaged ion energy distribution (IED) is becoming increasingly important in many plasma material processing applications for plasma etching and deposition. The present study reports the evolution of ion energy distributions with radio frequency (RF) powers in a pulsed dual frequency inductively discharge and also investigates the effect of duty ratio. The discharge has been sustained using two radio frequency, low (P{sub 2 MHz} = 2 MHz) and high (P{sub 13.56 MHz} = 13.56 MHz) at a pressure of 10 mTorr in argon (90%) and CF{sub 4} (10%) environment. The low frequency RF powers have been varied from 100 to 600 W, whereas the high frequency powers frommore » 200 to 1200 W. Typically, IEDs show bimodal structure and energy width (energy separation between the high and low energy peaks) increases with increasing P{sub 13.56 MHz}; however, it shows opposite trends with P{sub 2 MHz}. It has been observed that IEDs bimodal structure tends to mono-modal structure and energy peaks shift towards low energy side as duty ratio increases, keeping pulse power owing to mode transition (capacitive to inductive) constant.« less

Stabilization of the Ti{sub 3}Co{sub 5}B{sub 2}-type structure for Ti{sub 3−x}Si{sub x}Ru{sub 5}B{sub 2} through Si–Ti substitution

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

Xie, Weiwei, E-mail: weiweix@princeton.edu; Fuccillo, M.K.; Phelan, B.F.

2015-07-15

We report a route for designing and synthesizing Ti{sub 3}Co{sub 5}B{sub 2}-type compounds in the Ti–Ru–B system by using chemical substitution of Si for Ti to decrease the d-electron-based antibonding interactions that it is argued would otherwise drive an instability in this structure for unsubstituted Ti{sub 3}Ru{sub 5}B{sub 2}. Ti{sub 3−x}Si{sub x}Ru{sub 5}B{sub 2} with x=0.75, 1.00 and 1.25 nominal compositions crystalizes in the Ti{sub 3}Co{sub 5}B{sub 2} structure type using arc melting methods, whereas at lower doping levels (x=0.0, 0.25 and 0.50) the more complex Zn{sub 11}Rh{sub 18}B{sub 8}-type structure is stable. Electronic structure calculations show that in hypothetical,more » unsubstituted Ti{sub 3}Ru{sub 5}B{sub 2} with the Ti{sub 3}Co{sub 5}B{sub 2}-type structure, the antibonding interactions are strong around the Fermi level between the Ti and Ru in the structure that form tetragonal prisms. We propose that weakening these strong interactions through the partial substitution of isovalent Si for Ti leads to the observed stability of the Ti{sub 3}Co{sub 5}B{sub 2}-type structure for Ti{sub 3−x}Si{sub x}Ru{sub 5}B{sub 2} for x≈1. - Graphical abstract: We present the designing and synthesizing of Ti{sub 3}Co{sub 5}B{sub 2}-type compounds in the Ti–Ru–B system by using chemical substitution of Si for Ti to decrease the d-electron-based antibonding interactions that would otherwise drive an instability in this structure for unsubstituted Ti{sub 3}Ru{sub 5}B{sub 2}. Electronic structure calculations show that in hypothetical, unsubstituted Ti{sub 3}Ru{sub 5}B{sub 2} with the Ti{sub 3}Co{sub 5}B{sub 2}-type structure, the antibonding interactions are strong around the Fermi level between the Ti and Ru in the structure that form tetragonal prisms. We propose that weakening these strong interactions through the partial substitution of isovalent Si for Ti leads to the observed stability of the Ti{sub 3}Co{sub 5}B{sub 2}-type structure for Ti{sub 3−x}Si{sub x}Ru{sub 5}B{sub 2} for x≈1. - Highlights: • New quaternary phase Ti{sub 3−x}Si{sub x}Ru{sub 5}B{sub 2} in Ti{sub 3}Co{sub 5}B{sub 2}-type structure is reported. • Chemical substitution of isovalent Si for Ti is used to stabilize the phase. • Decreasing the d-electron-based antibonding interactions is proved by calculation. • Physical properties of Ti{sub 3−x}Si{sub x}Ru{sub 5}B{sub 2} are presented down to 0.4 K.« less

Phase diagram, chemical stability and physical properties of the solid-solution Ba{sub 4}Nb{sub 2-x}Ta{sub x}O{sub 9}

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

Dunstan, Matthew T., E-mail: m.dunstan@chem.usyd.edu.au; Southon, Peter D.; Kepert, Cameron J.

Through the construction of the Ba{sub 4}Nb{sub 2-x}Ta{sub x}O{sub 9} phase diagram, it was discovered that the unique high-temperature {gamma} phase is a thermodynamic intermediate between the low-temperature {alpha} phase (Sr{sub 4}Ru{sub 2}O{sub 9}-type) and a 6H-perovskite. Refined site occupancies for the {gamma} phase across the Ba{sub 4}Nb{sub 2-x}Ta{sub x}O{sub 9} solid-solution indicate that Nb preferentially occupies the tetrahedral sites over the octahedral sites in the structure. When annealed in a CO{sub 2}-rich atmosphere, all of the phases studied absorb large amounts of CO{sub 2} at high temperatures between {approx}700 and 1300 K. In situ controlled-atmosphere diffraction studies show thatmore » this behaviour is linked to the formation of BaCO{sub 3} on the surface of the material, accompanied by a Ba{sub 5}(Nb,Ta){sub 4}O{sub 15} impurity phase. In situ diffraction in humid atmospheres also confirms that these materials hydrate below {approx}1273K, and that this plays a critical role in the various reconstructive phase transitions as well as giving rise to proton conduction. - Graphical abstract: Thermodynamic phase diagram of Ba{sub 4}Nb{sub 2-x}Ta{sub x}O{sub 9}. Highlights: > {gamma}-Ba{sub 4}Nb{sub 2}O{sub 9} phase is a structural intermediate between the {alpha} and 6H-perovskite phases. > Ba{sub 4}Nb{sub 2}O{sub 9} and Ba{sub 4}Ta{sub 2}O{sub 9} decompose at high temperatures in the presence of CO{sub 2}. > These materials all absorb between 5% and 6% of CO{sub 2} by mass between {approx}800 and 1200 K.« less

Cryogenic Wind Tunnels.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-07-01

CRYOGENIC ENGINEERING - II by R.G.Scurlock 3 PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS: THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF METALS AND NON- METALS by D.A.Wigley 4 REAL GAS EFFECTS - i...atmosphere. Examples include plastics and synthetic polymers in solid, foam, woven or sheet form, lubricating oils and metal powders. DO NOT think that...obtained with non- metals . TABLE 5 Ultimate Yield Thermal Figure Material tensile stress cond strength mega od.t _ i t y of mega N/m 2 N/m 2 Wm K Merit

Multiple-endpoints gene alteration-based (MEGA) assay: A toxicogenomics approach for water quality assessment of wastewater effluents.

PubMed

Fukushima, Toshikazu; Hara-Yamamura, Hiroe; Nakashima, Koji; Tan, Lea Chua; Okabe, Satoshi

2017-12-01

Wastewater effluents contain a significant number of toxic contaminants, which, even at low concentrations, display a wide variety of toxic actions. In this study, we developed a multiple-endpoints gene alteration-based (MEGA) assay, a real-time PCR-based transcriptomic analysis, to assess the water quality of wastewater effluents for human health risk assessment and management. Twenty-one genes from the human hepatoblastoma cell line (HepG2), covering the basic health-relevant stress responses such as response to xenobiotics, genotoxicity, and cytotoxicity, were selected and incorporated into the MEGA assay. The genes related to the p53-mediated DNA damage response and cytochrome P450 were selected as markers for genotoxicity and response to xenobiotics, respectively. Additionally, the genes that were dose-dependently regulated by exposure to the wastewater effluents were chosen as markers for cytotoxicity. The alterations in the expression of an individual gene, induced by exposure to the wastewater effluents, were evaluated by real-time PCR and the results were validated by genotoxicity (e.g., comet assay) and cell-based cytotoxicity tests. In summary, the MEGA assay is a real-time PCR-based assay that targets cellular responses to contaminants present in wastewater effluents at the transcriptional level; it is rapid, cost-effective, and high-throughput and can thus complement any chemical analysis for water quality assessment and management. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

When is a Tsunami a Mega-Tsunami?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chague-Goff, C.; Goff, J. R.; Terry, J. P.; Goto, K.

2014-12-01

The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami is commonly called a mega-tsunami, and this attribute has also been linked to the 2011 Tohoku-oki tsunami. However, since this term was first coined in the early 1990's there have been very few attempts to define it. As such it has been applied in a rather arbitrary fashion to a number of tsunami characteristics, such as wave height or amplitude at both the source and at distant locations, run-up height, geographical extent and impact. The first use of the term is related to a tsunami generated by a large bolide impact and indeed it seems entirely appropriate that the term should be used for such rare events on geological timescales. However, probably as a result of media-driven hyperbole, scientists have used this term at least twice in the last decade, which is hardly a significant portion of the geological timescale. It therefore seems reasonable to suggest that these recent unexpectedly large events do not fall in the category of mega-tsunami but into a category of exceptional events within historical experience and local perspective. The use of the term mega-tsunami over the past 14 years is discussed and a definition is provided that marks the relative uniqueness of these events and a new term, appropriately Japanese in origin, namely that of souteigai-tsunami, is proposed. Examples of these tsunamis will be provided.

Weak tectono-magmatic relationships along an obliquely convergent plate boundary: Sumatra, Indonesia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Acocella, Valerio; Bellier, Olivier; Sandri, Laura; Sébrier, Michel; Pramumijoyo, Subagyo

2018-02-01

The tectono-magmatic relationships along obliquely convergent plate boundaries, where strain partitioning promotes strike-slip structures along the volcanic arc, are poorly known. Here it is unclear if and, in case, how the strike-slip structures control volcanic processes, distribution and size. To better define the possible tectono-magmatic relationships along strike-slip arcs, we merge available information on the case study of Sumatra (Indonesia) with field structural data. The Sumatra arc (entire volcanic belt) consists of 48 active volcanoes. Of these, 46% lie within 10 km from the dextral Great Sumatra Fault (GSF), which carries most horizontal displacement on the overriding plate, whereas 27% lie at >20 km from the GSF. Among the volcanoes at <10 km from GSF, 48% show a possible structural relation to the GSF, whereas only 28% show a clear structural relation, lying in pull-aparts or releasing bends; these localized areas of transtension (local extensional zone) do not develop magmatic segments. There is no relation between the GSF along-strike slip rate variations and the volcanic productivity. The preferred N30°-N40°E volcano alignment and elongation are subparallel to the convergence vector or to the GSF. The structural field data, collected in the central and southern GSF, show, in addition to the dextral motions along NW-SE to N-S striking faults, also normal motions (extending WNW-ESE or NE-SW), suggesting local reactivations of the GSF. Overall, the collected data suggest a limited tectonic control on arc volcanism. The tectonic control is mostly expressed by the mean depth of the slab surface below the volcanoes (130±20 km) and, subordinately, local extension along the GSF. The latter, when WNW-ESE oriented (more common), may be associated with the overall tectonic convergence, as suggested by the structural data; conversely, when NE-SW oriented (less common), the extension may result from co- and post-seismic arc normal extension, as supported by the 2004 mega-earthquake measurements. Overall, the strike-slip arc of Sumatra has intermediate features between those of extensional and contractional arcs.

Optical waveguiding properties into porous gallium nitride structures investigated by prism coupling technique

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

Alshehri, Bandar; Dogheche, Elhadj, E-mail: elhadj.dogheche@univ-valenciennes.fr; Lee, Seung-Min

2014-08-04

In order to modulate the refractive index and the birefringence of Gallium Nitride (GaN), we have developed a chemical etching method to perform porous structures. The aim of this research is to demonstrate that optical properties of GaN can be tuned by controlling the pores density. GaN films are prepared on sapphire by metal organic chemical vapor deposition and the microstructure is characterized by transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscope analysis. Optical waveguide experiment is demonstrated here to determine the key properties as the ordinary (n{sub 0}) and extraordinary (n{sub e}) refractive indices of etched structures. We report heremore » the dispersion of refractive index for porous GaN and compare it to the bulk material. We observe that the refractive index decreases when the porous density p is increased: results obtained at 0.975 μm have shown that the ordinary index n{sub 0} is 2.293 for a bulk layer and n{sub 0} is 2.285 for a pores density of 20%. This value corresponds to GaN layer with a pore size of 30 nm and inter-distance of 100 nm. The control of the refractive index into GaN is therefore fundamental for the design of active and passive optical devices.« less

Fabrication and independent control of patterned polymer gate for a few-layer WSe{sub 2} field-effect transistor

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

Hong, Sung Ju; Park, Min; Kang, Hojin

We report the fabrication of a patterned polymer electrolyte for a two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor, few-layer tungsten diselenide (WSe{sub 2}) field-effect transistor (FET). We expose an electron-beam in a desirable region to form the patterned structure. The WSe{sub 2} FET acts as a p-type semiconductor in both bare and polymer-covered devices. We observe a highly efficient gating effect in the polymer-patterned device with independent gate control. The patterned polymer gate operates successfully in a molybdenum disulfide (MoS{sub 2}) FET, indicating the potential for general applications to 2D semiconductors. The results of this study can contribute to large-scale integration and better flexibilitymore » in transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD)-based electronics.« less

Studies on omnidirectional enhancement of giga-hertz radiation by sub-wavelength plasma modulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fanrong, KONG; Qiuyue, NIE; Shu, LIN; Zhibin, WANG; Bowen, LI; Shulei, ZHENG; Binhao, JIANG

2018-01-01

The technology of radio frequency (RF) radiation intensification for radio compact antennas based on modulation and enhancement effects of sub-wavelength plasma structures represents an innovative developing strategy. It exhibits important scientific significance and promising potential of broad applications in various areas of national strategic demands, such as electrical information network and microwave communication, detection and control technology. In this paper, laboratory experiments and corresponding analyses have been carried out to investigate the modulation and enhancement technology of sub-wavelength plasma structure on the RF electromagnetic radiation. An application focused sub-wavelength plasma-added intensification up to ∼7 dB higher than the free-space radiation is observed experimentally in giga-hertz (GHz) RF band. The effective radiation enhancement bandwidth covers from 0.85 to 1.17 GHz, while the enhanced electromagnetic signals transmitted by sub-wavelength plasma structures maintain good communication quality. Particularly, differing from the traditional RF electromagnetic radiation enhancement method characterized by focusing the radiation field of antenna in a specific direction, the sub-wavelength plasma-added intensification of the antenna radiation presents an omnidirectional enhancement, which is reported experimentally for the first time. Corresponding performance characteristics and enhancement mechanism analyses are also conducted in this paper. The results have demonstrated the feasibility and promising potential of sub-wavelength plasma modulation in application focused RF communication, and provided the scientific basis for further research and development of sub-wavelength plasma enhanced compact antennas with wide-range requests and good quality for communication.

Association Between Substance Use Disorder and Polygenic Liability to Schizophrenia.

PubMed

Hartz, Sarah M; Horton, Amy C; Oehlert, Mary; Carey, Caitlin E; Agrawal, Arpana; Bogdan, Ryan; Chen, Li-Shiun; Hancock, Dana B; Johnson, Eric O; Pato, Carlos N; Pato, Michele T; Rice, John P; Bierut, Laura J

2017-11-15

There are high levels of comorbidity between schizophrenia and substance use disorder, but little is known about the genetic etiology of this comorbidity. We tested the hypothesis that shared genetic liability contributes to the high rates of comorbidity between schizophrenia and substance use disorder. To do this, polygenic risk scores for schizophrenia derived from a large meta-analysis by the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium were computed in three substance use disorder datasets: the Collaborative Genetic Study of Nicotine Dependence (ascertained for tobacco use disorder; n = 918 cases; 988 control subjects), the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (ascertained for alcohol use disorder; n = 643 cases; 384 control subjects), and the Family Study of Cocaine Dependence (ascertained for cocaine use disorder; n = 210 cases; 317 control subjects). Phenotypes were harmonized across the three datasets and standardized analyses were performed. Genome-wide genotypes were imputed to the 1000 Genomes reference panel. In each individual dataset and in the mega-analysis, strong associations were observed between any substance use disorder diagnosis and the polygenic risk score for schizophrenia (mega-analysis pseudo-R 2 range 0.8-3.7%; minimum p = 4 × 10 -23 ). These results suggest that comorbidity between schizophrenia and substance use disorder is partially attributable to shared polygenic liability. This shared liability is most consistent with a general risk for substance use disorder rather than specific risks for individual substance use disorders and adds to increasing evidence of a blurred boundary between schizophrenia and substance use disorder. Copyright © 2017 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

High gamma-aminobutyric acid level in cortical tubers in epileptic infants with tuberous sclerosis complex measured with the MEGA-editing J-difference method and a three-Tesla clinical MRI Instrument.

PubMed

Taki, Masako Minato; Harada, Masafumi; Mori, Kenji; Kubo, Hitoshi; Nose, Ayumi; Matsuda, Tsuyoshi; Nishitani, Hiromu

2009-10-01

The purpose of this study was to estimate the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate plus glutamine (Glx) concentrations in the cortical tubers of patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) using the MEGA-editing J-difference method and a stimulated echo-acquisition mode with a short echo time, and to determine which abnormality was more dominant between GABA and Glx in patients with TSC with epilepsy. This study included six patients with TSC (mean age, 4.3 years) and seven control subjects (mean age, 4.8 years). Measurements were obtained with a three-Tesla apparatus and postprocessing was conducted with an LCModel. The GABA level in the cortical gray matter (cgGABA) was calculated as a result of segmentation in voxels and from the literature values for gray and white matter ratios for GABA. Increased GABA and myo-inositol (mI) concentrations and a decreased N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) concentration were observed in the cortical tubers. The cgGABA level, and cgGABA/NAA and cgGABA/Glx ratios were also higher in patients with TSC than in control subjects. No significant difference was found in Glx concentration between patients with TSC and control subjects. Although the number of patients with TSC in this study was small, the increase in GABA and no significant change in Glx were consistent with previous neurochemical studies and support the hypothesis that brain GABA plays a key role in the pathophysiology of epilepsy during the process of neuronal development.

Ionothermal synthesis and structural transformation targeted by ion exchange in metal-1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate compounds

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

Xu, Qing-Qing; State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002; Liu, Bing

Ionothermal reactions of 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate acid (H{sub 3}BTC) and Ni(NO{sub 3}){sub 2}, Co(NO{sub 3}){sub 2} and Cu(NO{sub 3}){sub 2} gave two discrete 32-membered ring-like allomers, [M{sub 2}(HBTC){sub 2}(NH{sub 2}CONH{sub 2}){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O){sub 4}]·3H{sub 2}O (M=Ni(1), Co(2)) and one layered [Cu{sub 2}(BTC)Cl(H{sub 2}O){sub 4}] (3). The weak interactions in 1 can be deconstructed to some degree in ion exchange by exploring the factors of divalent and trivalent metal species, metal concentration and soaking time, which are demonstrated by PXRD and N{sub 2} absorption. Cu{sup 2+} has the highest N{sub 2} adsorbance when soaking with 1, and 1 can keep structure stable whenmore » Cu{sup 2+} below 0.16 mol L{sup −1} and the soaking time within 24d. As Cu{sup 2+} beyond 0.16 mol L{sup −1} and the soaking time beyond 24d, the structure of compound 1 starts to transform with the crystal morphology from clear pale green to opaque blue. Ionothermal reactions of compound 1 with different Cu{sup 2+} amounts obtained Ni{sup 2+}-Cu{sup 2+} hetero complexes, whose PXRD patterns are similar to that of 3 and EDS indicates Cu{sup 2+}% increases with Cu{sup 2+} additions and close to 100% as Cu{sup 2+} being 1.6 mmol. It suggests that 3 is a controlled product and Cu{sup 2+} can transform discrete compound 1 into 2D compound 3. - Graphical abstract: Three compounds were synthesized through ionothermal reactions. The weak interactions in compound 1 can be deconstructed by ion exchange and discrete compound 1 can be transformed into layered compound 3. - Highlights: • Two discrete ring-like and one layered compounds were ionothermally synthesized. • Metal species, metal concentration and soaking time deconstruct the H-bondings in 1. • 1 can be transformed to 3 through ionothermal reaction, otherwise forbidden.« less

Characterization of CeO{sub 2} crystals synthesized with different amino acids

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

Atla, Shashi B.; Wu, Min-Nan; Pan, Wei

We investigated the relationship between the structures of the CeO{sub 2} products (particle size, morphology and their characteristics) prepared using different amino acids. Cerium hydroxide carbonate precursors were initially prepared by a hydrothermal method and were subsequently converted to CeO{sub 2} by its thermal decomposition. Various amino acids were used as structure-directing agents in the presence of cerium nitrate and urea as precursors. The results indicate morphology selectivity using different amino acids; CeO{sub 2} structures, such as quasi-prism-sphere, straw-bundle, urchin-flower like and polyhedron prisms, indeed could be produced. Raman and photoluminescence studies indicate the presence of oxygen vacancies in themore » CeO{sub 2} samples. Photoluminescence spectra of CeO{sub 2} with L-Valine exhibit stronger emission compared with other amino acids utilized under this study, indicating the higher degree of defects in these particles. This study clearly indicates that the degree of defects varied in the presence of different amino acids. Improved precision to control the crystal morphology is important in various material applications and our study provides a novel method to achieve this specificity. - Highlights: • We used urea hydrolysis of process for synthesis of CeO{sub 2}. • Structures have been directed using various amino acids. • We obtained straw bundle-like, quasi prism-sphere, polyhedron prisms and urchin flower-like based on amino acids. • We have found that amino acids could achieve the specificity of different degrees of defects. • This could provide the “tailor-make” of cerium crystals.« less

Regulation of AR and (beta)-Catenin Signaling by Pin 1 in Prostate Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-10-01

hrs. cells were harvested for Luciferase reporter Assay. C, CV-1 cells were transfected with Renilla (2.5ng), G5-Luc (10ng), pBIND-LBD (50ng), pACT-AR...stimulation, cells were cultured in 5 to 10% CDS-FBS. Firefly and internal control Renilla lucif- erase activities were determined using a dual luciferase...reporter assay kit (Pro- mega, Madison, WI), and Renilla activities were not consistently affected by any of the cotransfected vectors. The firefly

Uncrackable code for nuclear weapons

ScienceCinema

Hart, Mark

2018-05-11

Mark Hart, a scientist and engineer in Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's (LLNL) Defense Technologies Division, has developed a new approach for ensuring nuclear weapons and their components can't fall prey to unauthorized use. The beauty of his approach: Let the weapon protect itself. "Using the random process of nuclear radioactive decay is the gold standard of random number generators," said Mark Hart. "You’d have a better chance of winning both Mega Millions and Powerball on the same day than getting control of IUC-protected components."

Uncrackable code for nuclear weapons

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

Hart, Mark

Mark Hart, a scientist and engineer in Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's (LLNL) Defense Technologies Division, has developed a new approach for ensuring nuclear weapons and their components can't fall prey to unauthorized use. The beauty of his approach: Let the weapon protect itself. "Using the random process of nuclear radioactive decay is the gold standard of random number generators," said Mark Hart. "You’d have a better chance of winning both Mega Millions and Powerball on the same day than getting control of IUC-protected components."

Chip-Scale Controlled Storage All-Optical Memory

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-02-01

half width at half maximum KHZ kilo Hertz KK Kramers-Kronig LH light hole MBE molecular beam epitaxy MHz mega Hertz MZI Mach-Zehnder...waveguide geometry. The sample used in experiments 1 and 2 consists of 15 GaAs (135Å)/Al0.3Ga0.7As(150 Å) QWs grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE...We developed the capability to grow GaAs QWs on (110)-oriented substrates using molecular beam epitaxy in a very short amount of time. The very

Green density variations in relation to colloidal packing in SiC/Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} composites

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

Crimp, M.J.; Oppermann, D.A.

1995-12-31

Composites of SiC/Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}, were produced using the processing conditions established in Stable Suspension{copyright}. This program utilizes Hogg, Healy and Furstenau`s modifications to DLVO theory to predict the stability conditions for composite suspensions. By altering the suspension pH, the conditions for SiC to SiC and Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} to Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} (homostability) attractions and the SiC to Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} (heterostability) attractions have been manipulated to obtain different green packing structures. The degree of homo- versus heterostability was controlled and the distribution of the Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} within the SiC determined. Additionally, this distribution was related to themore » green density of the composite. Results from density measurements versus the degree of homo- and heterocoagulation are presented along with SEM photomicrographs indicating the microstructural packing in the green body.« less

Nanoscale morphology of Ni{sub 50}Ti{sub 45}Cu{sub 5} nanoglass

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

Śniadecki, Z., E-mail: sniadecki@ifmpan.poznan.pl; Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, D-76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen; Wang, D.

2016-03-15

Nanoglasses are noncrystalline solids with a granular nano-/microstructure. In contrast to their nanocrystalline analogs, typically constituted of grains and grain boundaries, nanoglasses consist of glassy regions with a structure corresponding to melt-quenched glasses and amorphous interfaces characterized by a reduced density. Their unique properties can be controlled by modifying size and chemical composition of the granular and interfacial regions. Ni{sub 50}Ti{sub 45}Cu{sub 5} amorphous films were obtained by magnetron sputtering and analyzed to determine their nanoscale morphology and the formation mechanisms. The nanoglasses were noted to have a hierarchical nano-columnar structure with the smallest Ni-rich (Ni:Ti ratio of ca. 5:3)more » amorphous columns with diameters of about 8 nm and Ti-rich glassy interfacial regions with a substantially lower density. The results were obtained utilizing X-ray diffraction and different microscopic methods, e.g., atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. A detailed analysis indicates the complexity of the formation mechanisms of topologically and chemically distinguishable structural units with curvature driven surface diffusion, surface mobility, self-shadowing and internal stresses as the most important parameters. Common and simple synthesis method and the possibility for easy modification of the morphology and, consequently, the physical properties offer an opportunity for intensive studies of this new class of materials, opening the way towards possible applications. - Highlights: • Ni{sub 50}Ti{sub 45}Cu{sub 5} thin film nanoglasses were synthesized by magnetron sputtering. • Ti amorphous interfacial phase with reduced density is observed. • Stabilization of interfaces by specific local thermodynamic conditions.« less

Structural covariance of neostriatal and limbic regions in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

PubMed

Subirà, Marta; Cano, Marta; de Wit, Stella J; Alonso, Pino; Cardoner, Narcís; Hoexter, Marcelo Q; Kwon, Jun Soo; Nakamae, Takashi; Lochner, Christine; Sato, João R; Jung, Wi Hoon; Narumoto, Jin; Stein, Dan J; Pujol, Jesus; Mataix-Cols, David; Veltman, Dick J; Menchón, José M; van den Heuvel, Odile A; Soriano-Mas, Carles

2016-03-01

Frontostriatal and frontoamygdalar connectivity alterations in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have been typically described in functional neuroimaging studies. However, structural covariance, or volumetric correlations across distant brain regions, also provides network-level information. Altered structural covariance has been described in patients with different psychiatric disorders, including OCD, but to our knowledge, alterations within frontostriatal and frontoamygdalar circuits have not been explored. We performed a mega-analysis pooling structural MRI scans from the Obsessive-compulsive Brain Imaging Consortium and assessed whole-brain voxel-wise structural covariance of 4 striatal regions (dorsal and ventral caudate nucleus, and dorsal-caudal and ventral-rostral putamen) and 2 amygdalar nuclei (basolateral and centromedial-superficial). Images were preprocessed with the standard pipeline of voxel-based morphometry studies using Statistical Parametric Mapping software. Our analyses involved 329 patients with OCD and 316 healthy controls. Patients showed increased structural covariance between the left ventral-rostral putamen and the left inferior frontal gyrus/frontal operculum region. This finding had a significant interaction with age; the association held only in the subgroup of older participants. Patients with OCD also showed increased structural covariance between the right centromedial-superficial amygdala and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. This was a cross-sectional study. Because this is a multisite data set analysis, participant recruitment and image acquisition were performed in different centres. Most patients were taking medication, and treatment protocols differed across centres. Our results provide evidence for structural network-level alterations in patients with OCD involving 2 frontosubcortical circuits of relevance for the disorder and indicate that structural covariance contributes to fully characterizing brain alterations in patients with psychiatric disorders.

Optical properties of group-3 metal hexaboride nanoparticles by first-principles calculations

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

Yoshio, Satoshi; Maki, Koichiro; Adachi, Kenji, E-mail: kenji-adachi@ni.smm.co.jp

2016-06-21

LaB{sub 6} nanoparticles are widely used as solar control materials for strong near-infrared absorption and high visible transparency. In order to elucidate the origin of this unique optical property, first-principles calculations have been made for the energy-band structure and dielectric functions of R{sup III}B{sub 6} (R{sup III} = Sc, Y, La, Ac). On account of the precise assessment of the energy eigenvalues of vacant states in conduction band by employing the screened exchange method, as well as to the incorporation of the Drude term, dielectric functions and various physical properties of LaB{sub 6} have been reproduced in excellent agreement withmore » experimental values. Systematic examinations of dielectric functions and electronic structures of the trivalent metal hexaborides have clarified the origin of the visible transparency and the near-infrared plasmon absorption of R{sup III}B{sub 6} nanoparticles.« less

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

Iyer, Abishek K.; Rudyk, Brent W.; Lin, Xinsong

The quaternary rare-earth chalcogenides RE{sub 3}CuGaS{sub 7} and RE{sub 3}CuGaSe{sub 7} (RE=La–Nd) have been prepared by reactions of the elements at 1050 °C and 900 °C, respectively. They crystallize in the noncentrosymmetric La{sub 3}CuSiS{sub 7}-type structure (hexagonal, space group P6{sub 3}, Z=2) in which the a-parameter is largely controlled by the RE component (a=10.0–10.3 Å for the sulfides and 10.3–10.6 Å for the selenides) whereas the c-parameter is essentially fixed by the choice of Ga and chalcogen atoms within tetrahedral units (c=6.1 Å for the sulfides and 6.4 Å for the selenides). They extend the series RE{sub 3}MGaCh{sub 7}, previouslymore » known for divalent metal atoms (M=Mn–Ni), differing in that the Cu atoms in RE{sub 3}CuGaCh{sub 7} occupy trigonal planar sites instead of octahedral sites. Among quaternary chalcogenides RE{sub 3}MM′Ch{sub 7}, the combination of monovalent (M=Cu) and trivalent (M′=Ga) metals is unusual because it appears to violate the condition of charge balance satisfied by most La{sub 3}CuSiS{sub 7}-type compounds. The possibility of divalent Cu atoms was ruled out by bond valence sum analysis, magnetic measurements, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electron deficiency in RE{sub 3}CuGaCh{sub 7} is accommodated through S-based holes at the top of the valence band, as shown by band structure calculations on La{sub 3}CuGaS{sub 7}. An optical band gap of about 2.0 eV was found for La{sub 3}CuGaSe{sub 7}. - Graphical abstract: The chalcogenides RE{sub 3}CuGaCh{sub 7} contain monovalent Cu in trigonal planes and trivalent Ga in tetrahedra; they are electron-deficient representatives of La{sub 3}CuSiS{sub 7}-type compounds, which normally satisfy charge balance. - Highlights: • Quaternary chalcogenides RE{sub 3}CuGaCh{sub 7} (RE=La–Nd; Ch=S, Se) were prepared. • Bond valence sums, magnetism, and XPS data give evidence for monovalent Cu. • Crystal structures reveal high anisotropy of Cu displacement. • Electron deficiency is accommodated by S-based holes in valence band.« less

Bilateral cartilage T2 mapping 9 years after Mega-OATS implantation at the knee: a quantitative 3T MRI study.

PubMed

Jungmann, P M; Brucker, P U; Baum, T; Link, T M; Foerschner, F; Minzlaff, P; Banke, I J; Saier, T; Imhoff, A B; Rummeny, E J; Bauer, J S

2015-12-01

To evaluate morphological and quantitative MR findings 9 years after autograft transfer of the posterior femoral condyle (Mega-OATS) and to correlate these findings with clinical outcomes. Quantitative MR measurements were also obtained of the contralateral knee and the utility as reference standard was investigated. Both knees of 20 patients with Mega-OATS osteochondral repair at the medial femoral condyle (MFC) were studied using 3T MRI 9 years after the procedure. MR-sequences included morphological sequences and a 2D multislice multiecho (MSME) spin echo (SE) sequence for quantitative cartilage T2 mapping. Cartilage segmentation was performed at the cartilage repair site and six additional knee compartments. Semi-quantitative MR observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) scores and clinical Lysholm scores were obtained. Paired t-tests and Spearman correlations were used for statistical analysis. Global T2-values were significantly higher at ipsilateral knees compared to contralateral knees (42.1 ± 3.0 ms vs 40.4 ± 2.6 ms, P = 0.018). T2-values of the Mega-OATS site correlated significantly with MOCART scores (R = -0.64, P = 0.006). The correlations between MOCART and Lysholm scores and between absolute T2-values and Lysholm scores were not significant (P > 0.05). However, higher T2 side-to-side differences at the femoral condyles correlated significantly with more severe clinical symptoms (medial, R = -0.53, P = 0.030; lateral, R = -0.51, P = 0.038). Despite long-term survival, 9 years after Mega-OATS procedures, T2-values of the grafts were increased compared to contralateral knees. Clinical scores correlated best with T2 side-to-side differences of the femoral condyles, indicating that intraindividual adjustment may be beneficial for outcome evaluation. Copyright © 2015 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Impacts of Mega-droughts on Water and Food Security in the Indo-Gangetic Plains: A Paleoclimate Scenario Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, T.; Pitois, G.; Ringler, C.; Wang, D.; Rosegrant, M. W.

2014-12-01

Spanning over Pakistan, northern India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) is the home of several hundred million people and the "bread basket" for much of South Asia. The flat terrain, fertile soils, and favorable climate of the IGP make it agriculturally productive. However prolonged droughts caused by consecutive monsoon failures can seriously affect crop production and social wellbeing, in particular for the eastern part of the plains where agriculture remains largely rain-fed. Severe droughts were observed in the IGP historically, and recent paleoclimate studies reveal that more severe and long-lasting "mega-droughts" had happened in the distant past. Agricultural losses from major droughts can dramatically affect food systems and increase the vulnerability of resource-poor people given the delicate balance between food supply and demand under growing natural resource scarcity. To estimate the potential impacts of "mega-droughts" on the water and food systems in the IGP, we develop worst-case drought scenarios through inverse modeling of tree-ring-based PDSI reconstruction that covers the period 1300-1899 (A.D.), and analyze these historic mega-drought scenarios using IFPRI's IMPACT global water and food projections model. The base year of the IMPACT model is parameterized using socioeconomic and engineering data that reflect today's water management and infrastructure, agricultural technologies, population, income, and market institutions. The base year simulation is validated against observations to ensure model fidelity. Anticipated changes of the above factors in the future out to 2050 are specified using demographic and economic growth projections and literature data. Model simulation results represent the consequences of mega-droughts in the IGP given technological and socioeconomic conditions of today and in the future. We also explore policy options for increasing the resilience of water and food systems in the IGP, through scenario analysis, and recommendations are made concerning investment in water infrastructure and agricultural technologies, in addition to trade policies.

Quality of life of residents living in a city hosting mega-sport events: a longitudinal study.

PubMed

Pfitzner, Rebecca; Koenigstorfer, Joerg

2016-10-21

It remains unknown whether and when the hosting of mega-sport events increases quality of life of host city residents. The aim of this study is to assess the changes in quality of life of host city residents over the course of hosting a mega-sport event until three months after the event, depending on residents' perception of the atmosphere during the event. The study was conducted in Rio de Janeiro, one of the host cities of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in soccer. Participants were recruited from a Brazilian market research agency's panel and surveyed online. The WHOQOL-BREF was used to measure quality of life of residents of Rio de Janeiro (n = 281) in three waves in the context of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Perceived atmosphere at the event was measured via an established scale. Piecewise latent growth models were used to analyze individual changes in the four domains of quality of life per se and depending on perceived atmosphere. There was no change in quality of life with respect to physical, social, psychological, and environmental health for all participants during the course of the event. However, residents who perceived a positive atmosphere rated the social and environmental domains of quality of life more positively right after the end (vs. at the beginning) of the World Cup. This increase sustained until three months after the event. Physical health (particularly at high levels of perceived atmosphere) and psychological health decreased from right after the event until three months after. There was no positive effect of the hosting of the mega-sport event on the four quality of life domains of the panel members (who were residents of a city hosting a mega-sport event) per se. The individual changes in quality of life vary by perception of atmosphere and by domain of quality of life.

Non-climatic signal in ice core records: Lessons from Antarctic mega-dunes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ekaykin, Alexey; Eberlein, Lutz; Lipenkov, Vladimir; Popov, Sergey; Schroder, Ludwig

2015-04-01

We present the results of glaciological investigations in the mega-dune area located 30 km to the east from Vostok Station (central East Antarctica) implemented during the 58th and 59th Russian Antarctic Expedition (January 2013 and January 2014). Snow accumulation rate and isotope content (δD and δ18O) were measured along the 2-km profile across the mega-dune ridge accompanied by precise GPS altitude measurements and GPR survey. It is shown that the spatial variability of snow accumulation and isotope content covaries with the surface slope. The accumulation rate regularly changes by 1 order of magnitude within the distance < 1 km, with the reduced accumulation at the leeward slope of the dune and increased accumulation in the hollow between the dunes. At the same time, the accumulation rate averaged over the length of a dune wave (25 mm w.e.) corresponds well with the value obtained at Vostok Station, which suggests no additional wind-driven snow sublimation in the mega-dunes comparing to the surrounding plateau. The snow isotope content is in negative correlation with the snow accumulation, which could be explained by post-depositional snow modification and/or by enhanced redistribution by wind of winter precipitation comparing to summer precipitation. Using the GPR data, we estimated the dune drift velocity (5.5 ± 1.3 m yr-1). The full cycle of the dune drift is thus about 340 years. Since the spatial anomalies of snow accumulation and isotope content are supposed to drift with the dune, an ice core drilled in the mega-dune area would exhibit the non-climatic 340-yr cycle of these two parameters. We made an attempt to simulate a vertical profile of isotope content with such a non-climatic variability in a virtual ice core, using the data on the dune size and velocity. The obtained results are discussed in terms of real ice core data interpretation.

“Ba{sub 6}Nb{sub 4}RuO{sub 18}” and “LaBa{sub 4}Nb{sub 3}RuO{sub 15}” – The structural consequences of substituting paramagnetic cations into A{sub n}B{sub n−1}O{sub 3n} cation-deficient perovskite oxides

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

Kamil, Elynor L.; Morgan, Harry W.T.; Hayward, Michael A., E-mail: michael.hayward@chem.ox.ac.uk

The B-cation deficient perovskite phases Ba{sub 6}Nb{sub 4}RuO{sub 18} and LaBa{sub 4}Nb{sub 3}RuO{sub 15} were prepared by ceramic synthesis. Neutron powder diffraction analysis indicates that rather than the 6-layer and 5-layer cation-deficient perovskite structures expected for these phases (by analogy to the known structures of Ba{sub 6}Nb{sub 4}TiO{sub 18} and LaBa{sub 4}Nb{sub 3}TiO{sub 15}) they adopt 5-layer and 4-layer B-cation deficient perovskite structures respectively, and are better described as Ba{sub 5}Nb{sub 3.33}Ru{sub 0.81}O{sub 15} and Ba{sub 3.16}La{sub 0.84}Nb{sub 2.36}Ru{sub 0.72}O{sub 12}. The factors that lead to the compositionally analogous Nb/Ru and Nb/Ti phases adopting different structures are discussed on themore » basis of the difference between d{sup 0} and non-d{sup 0} transition metal cations. - Graphical abstract: The ruthenium-containing B-cation deficient perovskite phases, Ba{sub 5}Nb{sub 3.33}Ru{sub 0.81}O{sub 15} and Ba{sub 3.16}La{sub 0.84}Nb{sub 2.36}Ru{sub 0.72}O{sub 12}, adopt 5-layer and 4-layer structures respectively, rather than the 6-layer and 5-layer cation-deficient structures adopted by the analogous titanium-containing phases Ba{sub 6}Nb{sub 4}TiO{sub 18} and LaBa{sub 4}Nb{sub 3}TiO{sub 15}. Display Omitted - Highlights: • B-cation deficient perovskite containing paramagnetic cations. • B-cation deficient structure determined by neutron powder diffraction. • Low ‘solubility’ of BaRuO{sub 3} in Ba{sub 5}Nb{sub 4}O{sub 15} leads to novel structure.« less

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

Pei, Dr. Yong; Shao, Nan; Li, Prof. Hui

Using ab initio methods, we investigate the structural evolution of a family of gold-sulfide cluster anions (Au{sub m}S{sub n}{sup -}). We show that this family of clusters exhibits simple size-evolution rules and novel hollow polyhedron structures. The highly stable Au{sub m}S{sub n}{sup -} species such as Au{sub 6}S{sub 4}{sup -}, Au{sub 9}S{sub 5}{sup -}, Au{sub 9}S{sub 6}{sup -}, Au{sub 10}S{sub 6}{sup -}, Au{sub 11}S{sub 6}{sup -}, Au{sub 12}S{sub 8}{sup -}, and Au{sub 13}S{sub 8}{sup -} detected in the recent ion mobility mass spectrometry experiment of Au{sub 25}(SCH{sub 2}CH{sub 2}Ph){sub 18} (Angel et al. ACS Nano2010, 4, 4691) are found tomore » possess either quasi-tetrahedron, pyramidal, quasi-triangular prism, or quasi-cuboctahedron structures. The formation of these polyhedron structures are attributed to the high stability of the S-Au-S structural unit. A unique 'edge-to-face' growth mechanism is proposed to understand the structural evolution of the small Au{sub m}S{sub n}{sup -} cluster. A 3:2 ratio rule of Au/S is suggested for the formation of a hollow polyhedron structure among small-sized Au{sub m}S{sub m} clusters.« less

Bismuth zinc vanadate, BiZn{sub 2}VO{sub 6}: New crystal structure type and electronic structure

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

Eliziario Nunes, Sayonara; Department of Materials Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos, 13565-905 São Carlos, SP; Wang, Chun-Hai

2015-02-15

We report a combined experimental and computational study of the crystal structure and electronic properties of bismuth zinc vanadate, BiZn{sub 2}VO{sub 6}, known for its visible light photocatalytic activity. The crystal structure has been solved from laboratory powder X-ray diffraction data using the repeated minimisations from random starting values method. BiZn{sub 2}VO{sub 6} adopts a new structure type, based on the following building blocks: corner- and edge-sharing ZnO{sub 4} tetrahedra, ZnO{sub 6} octahedra and VO{sub 4} tetrahedra, and Bi{sub 2}O{sub 12} dimers. It is the only known member of the BiM{sub 2}AO{sub 6} (M=Pb, Ca, Cd, Mn, Zn, Mg, Cu;more » A=V, P, As) family which does not appear to be structurally closely related to others. The electronic structure of BiZn{sub 2}VO{sub 6}, calculated by DFT methods, shows that it is an indirect gap semiconductor with a calculated band gap of 1.6 eV, which compares favourably to the experimentally measured value of 2.4 eV. - Graphical abstract: The crystal structure of BiZn{sub 2}VO{sub 6}, a new structure type in the BiM{sub 2}AO{sub 6} (M=Mg, Ca, Cd, Cu, Pb, Mn, Zn; A=V, P, As) family. - Highlights: • Structure solution from PXRD data by repeated minimisations from random starting values. • New structure type in the BiM{sub 2}AO{sub 6} (M=Pb, Ca, Cd, Mn, Zn, Mg, Cu; A=V, P, As) family. • Electronic structure calculation.« less

Hydrogen Bond Induces Hierarchical Self-Assembly in Liquid-Crystalline Block Copolymers.

PubMed

Huang, Shuai; Pang, Linlin; Chen, Yuxuan; Zhou, Liming; Fang, Shaoming; Yu, Haifeng

2018-03-01

Microphase-separated structures of block copolymers (BCs) with a size of sub-10 nm are usually obtained by hydrogen-bond-induced self-assembly of BCs through doping with small molecules as functional additives. Here, fabrication of hierarchically self-assembled sub-10 nm structures upon microphase separation of amphiphilic liquid-crystalline BCs (LCBCs) at the existence of hydrogen bonds but without any dopants is reported. The newly introduced urethane groups in the side chain of the hydrophobic block of LCBCs interact with the ether groups of the hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) block, leading to imperfect crystallization of the PEO blocks. Both crystalline and amorphous domains coexist in the separated PEO phase, enabling a lamellar structure to appear inside the PEO nanocylinders. This provides an elegant method to fabricate controllable sub-10 nm microstructures in well-defined polymer systems without the introduction of any dopants. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Structural organization of the inactive X chromosome in the mouse

PubMed Central

Giorgetti, Luca; Lajoie, Bryan R.; Carter, Ava C.; Attia, Mikael; Zhan, Ye; Xu, Jin; Chen, Chong Jian; Kaplan, Noam; Chang, Howard Y.; Heard, Edith; Dekker, Job

2017-01-01

X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) involves major reorganization of the X chromosome as it becomes silent and heterochromatic. During female mammalian development, XCI is triggered by upregulation of the non-coding Xist RNA from one of the two X chromosomes. Xist coats the chromosome in cis and induces silencing of almost all genes via its A-repeat region1,2, although some genes (constitutive escapees) avoid silencing in most cell types, and others (facultative escapees) escape XCI only in specific contexts3. A role for Xist in organizing the inactive X (Xi) chromosome has been proposed4–6. Recent chromosome conformation capture approaches have revealed global loss of local structure on the Xi chromosome and formation of large mega-domains, separated by a region containing the DXZ4 macrosatellite7–10. However, the molecular architecture of the Xi chromosome, in both the silent and expressed regions, remains unclear. Here we investigate the structure, chromatin accessibility and expression status of the mouse Xi chromosome in highly polymorphic clonal neural progenitors (NPCs) and embryonic stem cells. We demonstrate a crucial role for Xist and the DXZ4-containing boundary in shaping Xi chromosome structure using allele-specific genome-wide chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) analysis, an assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with high throughput sequencing (ATAC–seq) and RNA sequencing. Deletion of the boundary disrupts mega-domain formation, and induction of Xist RNA initiates formation of the boundary and the loss of DNA accessibility. We also show that in NPCs, the Xi chromosome lacks active/inactive compartments and topologically associating domains (TADs), except around genes that escape XCI. Escapee gene clusters display TAD-like structures and retain DNA accessibility at promoter-proximal and CTCF-binding sites. Furthermore, altered patterns of facultative escape genes in different neural progenitor clones are associated with the presence of different TAD-like structures after XCI. These findings suggest a key role for transcription and CTCF in the formation of TADs in the context of the Xi chromosome in neural progenitors. PMID:27437574

Method for making glass-ceramic articles exhibiting high frangibility

DOEpatents

Beall, George H.; Brydges, III., William T.; Ference, Joseph; Kozlowski, Theodore R.

1976-02-03

This invention is concerned with glass-ceramic articles having compositions within a very narrowly-delimited area of the MgO-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 -B.sub.2 O.sub.3 -SiO.sub.2 field and having alpha-quartz and sapphirine as the principal crystal phases, resulting from nucleation through a combination of TiO.sub.2 and ZrO.sub.2. Upon contacting such articles with lithium ions at an elevated temperature, said lithium ions will replace magnesium ions on a two Li.sup.+-for-one Mg.sup..sup.+2 basis within the crystal structures, thereby providing a unitary glass-ceramic article having an integral surface layer wherein the principal crystal phase is a lithium-stuffed beta-quartz solid solution. That transformation of crystal phases results in compressive stresses being set up within the surface layer as the articles are cooled. Through the careful control of composition, crystallization treatment, and the parameters of the replacement reaction in the crystal structures, a tremendous degree of stored elastic energy can be developed within the articles such that they will demonstrate frangibility when fractured but will not exhibit undesirable spontaneous breakage and/or spalling.

A high resolution 3D velocity model beneath the Tokyo Metropolitan area by MeSO-net

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakagawa, S.; Sakai, S.; Honda, R.; Kimura, H.; Hirata, N.

2015-12-01

Beneath the Tokyo metropolitan area, the Philippine Sea Plate (PSP) subducts and causes devastating mega-thrust earthquakes, such as the 1703 Genroku earthquake (M8.0) and the 1923 Kanto earthquake (M7.9). An M7 or greater (M7+) earthquake in this area at present has high potential to produce devastating serious loss of life and property with even greater global economic repercussions. The Central Disaster Management Council of Japan estimates that an M7+ earthquake will cause 23,000 fatalities and 95 trillion yen (about 1 trillion US$) economic loss. We have launched the Special Project for Reducing Vulnerability for Urban Mega Earthquake Disasters in collaboration with scientists, engineers, and social-scientists in nationwide institutions since 2012. We analyze data from the dense seismic array called Metropolitan Seismic Observation network (MeSO-net), which has 296 seismic stations with spacing of 5 km (Sakai and Hirata, 2009; Kasahara et al., 2009). We applied the double-difference tomography method (Zhang and Thurber, 2003) and estimated the velocity structure and the upper boundary of PSP (Nakagawa et al., 2010). The 2011 Tohoku-oki earthquake (M9.0) has activated seismicity also in Kanto region, providing better coverage of ray paths for tomographic analysis. We obtain much higher resolution velocity models from whole dataset observed by MeSO-net between 2008 and 2015. A detailed image of tomograms shows that PSP contacts Pacific plate at a depth of 50 km beneath northern Tokyo bay. A variation of velocity along the oceanic crust suggests dehydration reaction to produce seismicity in a slab, which may related to the M7+ earthquake. Acknowledgement: This study was supported by the Special Project for Reducing Vulnerability for Urban Mega Earthquake Disasters of MEXT, Japan and the Earthquake Research Institute cooperative research program.

Supply chain management of health commodities for reducing global disease burden.

PubMed

Chukwu, Otuto Amarauche; Ezeanochikwa, Valentine Nnaemeka; Eya, Benedict Ejikeme

Reducing global disease burden requires improving access to medicines, thus the need for efficient and effective supply chain management for medicines. The Nigerian government came up with new policies on Mega Drug Distribution Centres and National Drug Distribution Guidelines to improve access to quality medicines with pharmacists having a key role to play. However, pharmacists in Nigeria seem not to be aware and adequately equipped to handle the medicines supply chain. This article aimed at assessing the awareness and readiness of Nigerian pharmacists on supply chain management practices for improving access to medicines. Pharmacists in Nigeria's Capital were randomly sampled. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered. Descriptive statistics was used in data analysis. P values less than 0.05 were considered to be significant. 29.3%, 20.7% and 53.7% were not aware of supply chain management, National Drug Distribution Guidelines and Mega Drug Distribution Centres, respectively. 85.46% do not have a copy of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines. 78% were not aware that Mega Drug Distribution Centres are already operational. 35.4% have never been involved in any supply chain management practice. 69.5% often experience stock out of vital and essential medicines, of which 85.2% were in hospitals. 15.9% were successful in managing their facility's supply chains. 84.1% opined that pharmacists in Nigeria are not yet ready to handle the medicines supply chain. Findings showed limited awareness and readiness on supply chain management of medicines. This may be due to inadequate supply chain management skills and infrastructure, poor financing, lack of accountability and poor management. Tackling these as well as pharmacists showing more interest in the country's health policies and obtaining necessary postgraduate certifications will lead to improvements. This will improve access to quality medicines and thus help in the fight to reduce disease burden both locally and globally. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Synthesis and structural characterization of the hexagonal anti-perovskite Na{sub 2}CaVO{sub 4}F

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

Green, Robert L., E-mail: rgreen@flpoly.org; Avdeev, Maxim; School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006

The structural details of the ordered hexagonal oxyfluoride Na{sub 2}CaVO{sub 4}F prepared by solid-state synthesis using stoichiometric amounts of V{sub 2}O{sub 5}, CaCO{sub 3}, Na{sub 2}CO{sub 3} and NaF were characterized using high-resolution neutron powder diffraction. The structural changes between 25 °C and 750 °C revealed that the two structural subunits in this material behave different when heated: there is an expansion of the face-shared FNa{sub 4}Ca{sub 2} octahedra while the VO{sub 4} tetrahedra due to increased thermal disorder reveal marginal bond contractions. Bond valences and the global instability index point to significant structural disorder at 750 °C. - Graphicalmore » abstract: The structure of the novel oxyfluoride Na{sub 2}CaVO{sub 4}F is studied at room temperature and high-temperatures. The structure can be viewed as layers of compression and elongation of polyhedral subunits, which change as a function of temperature. - Highlights: • The novel oxyfluoride, Na{sub 2}CaVO{sub 4}F, is synthesized via solid-state method. • High-resolution neutron diffraction data is used to analyze the structure of Na{sub 2}CaVO{sub 4}F. • Structural subunits exhibit expansion and contraction with increasing temperature. • Higher temperatures increase instability within the structure of Na{sub 2}CaVO{sub 4}F.« less

The Li–Si–(O)–N system revisited: Structural characterization of Li{sub 21}Si{sub 3}N{sub 11} and Li{sub 7}SiN{sub 3}O

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

Casas-Cabanas, M.; Santner, H.; Palacín, M.R., E-mail: rosa.palacin@icmab.es

2014-05-01

A systematic study of the Li–Si–(O)–N system is presented. The synthetic conditions to prepare Li{sub 2}SiN{sub 2}, Li{sub 5}SiN{sub 3}, Li{sub 18}Si{sub 3}N{sub 10}, Li{sub 21}Si{sub 3}N{sub 11} and Li{sub 7}SiN{sub 3}O are described and the structure of the last two compounds has been solved for the first time. While Li{sub 21}Si{sub 3}N{sub 11} crystallizes as a superstructure of the anti-fluorite structure with Li and Si ordering, Li{sub 7}SiN{sub 3}O exhibits the anti-fluorite structure with both anion and cation disorder. - Graphical abstract: A systematic study of the Li–Si–(O)–N system is presented. Li{sub 21}Si{sub 3}N{sub 11} crystallizes as a superstructuremore » of the anti-fluorite structure with Li and Si ordering, Li{sub 7}SiN{sub 3}O exhibits the anti-fluorite structure with both anion and cation disorder. - Highlights: • Li{sub 2}SiN{sub 2}, Li{sub 5}SiN{sub 3}, Li{sub 18}Si{sub 3}N{sub 10}, Li{sub 21}Si{sub 3}N{sub 11} and Li{sub 7}SiN{sub 3}O are prepared. • The structures of Li{sub 21}Si{sub 3}N{sub 11} and Li{sub 7}SiN{sub 3}O are presented. • Li{sub 21}Si{sub 3}N{sub 11} exhibits an anti-fluorite superstructure with Li and Si ordering.« less

Diffusion of Innovation: Factors Promoting Interest in Solar Photovoltaic Generation Systems Within Air Force Installations

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-03-01

KMO Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin KW Kilo-watts KwH Kilo-watt-hour MAJCOM Major Command MSR Million Solar Roofs MW Mega-watts MWH/yr Mega-watt...direct oblimin rotation and factor restriction for each analysis. A Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin ( KMO ) value of .315 was calculated for the items related to...knowledge, experience, and familiarity, while a KMO value of .389 was calculated for the items related to the two variables of motivation and interest

Mega-Amp Opening Switch with Nested Electrodes/Pulsed Generator of Ion and Ion Cluster Beams

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-07-30

The use of a plasma focus as a mega-amp opening switch has been demonstrated by two modes of operation: (a) Single shot mode; (b) Repetitive Mode...energy level and under the same voltage and filling-pressure conditions but without field distortion elements. Misfirings of the plasma focus machine...are also virtually eliminated by using FDE at the coaxial electrode breech. The tests (based on about 10000 shots and five plasma focus machines

Could binary mixture of Nd-Ni ions control the electrical behavior of strontium-barium M-type hexaferrite nanoparticles?

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

Iqbal, Muhammad Javed, E-mail: mjiqauchem@yahoo.com; Farooq, Saima

2011-05-15

Research highlights: {yields} Strontium-barium hexaferrites (Sr{sub 0.5}Ba{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 12}O{sub 19}) in single magnetoplumbite phase solid structure are synthesized by the co-precipitation method. {yields} Structural and electrical properties of Nd-Ni substituted ferrites are investigated. {yields} These ferrite materials possess high electrical resistivity (108 {Omega} cm) that is essential to curb the eddy current loss, which is pre-requisite for surface mount devices. -- Abstract: Cationic substitution in M-type hexaferrites is considered to be an important tool for modification of their electrical properties. This work is part of our comprehensive study on the synthesis and characterization of Nd-Ni doped strontium-barium hexaferrite nanomaterials ofmore » nominal composition Sr{sub 0.5}Ba{sub 0.5-x}Nd{sub x}Fe{sub 12-y}Ni{sub y}O{sub 19} (x = 0.00-0.10; y = 0.00-1.00). Doping with this binary mixture modulates the physical and electrical properties of strontium-barium hexaferrite nanoparticles. Structural and electrical properties of the co-precipitated ferrites are investigated using state-of-the-art techniques. The results of X-ray diffraction analysis reveal that the lattice parameters and cell volume are inversely related to the dopant content. Temperature dependent DC-electrical resistivity measurements infer that resistivity of strontium-barium hexaferrites decreases from 1.8 x 10{sup 10} to 2.0 x 10{sup 8} {Omega} cm whereas the drift mobility, dielectric constant and dielectric loss tangent are directly related to the Nd-Ni content. The results of the study demonstrate a relationship between the modulation of electrical properties of substituted ferrites and nature of cations and their lattice site occupancy.« less

Cross-shore stratified tidal flow seaward of a mega-nourishment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meirelles, Saulo; Henriquez, Martijn; Reniers, Ad; Luijendijk, Arjen P.; Pietrzak, Julie; Horner-Devine, Alexander R.; Souza, Alejandro J.; Stive, Marcel J. F.

2018-01-01

The Sand Engine is a 21.5 million m3 experimental mega-nourishment project that was built in 2011 along the Dutch coast. This intervention created a discontinuity in the previous straight sandy coastline, altering the local hydrodynamics in a region that is influenced by the buoyant plume generated by the Rhine River. This work investigates the response of the cross-shore stratified tidal flow to the coastal protrusion created by the Sand Engine emplacement by using a 13 h velocity and density survey. Observations document the development of strong baroclinic-induced cross-shore exchange currents dictated by the intrusion of the river plume fronts as well as the classic tidal straining which are found to extend further into the nearshore (from 12 to 6 m depth), otherwise believed to be a mixed zone. Estimates of the centrifugal acceleration directly after construction of the Sand Engine showed that the curvature effects were approximately 2 times stronger, suggesting that the Sand Engine might have played a role in controlling the cross-shore exchange currents during the first three years after the completion of the nourishment. Presently, the curvature effects are minute.

It's not the pixel count, you fool

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kriss, Michael A.

2012-01-01

The first thing a "marketing guy" asks the digital camera engineer is "how many pixels does it have, for we need as many mega pixels as possible since the other guys are killing us with their "umpteen" mega pixel pocket sized digital cameras. And so it goes until the pixels get smaller and smaller in order to inflate the pixel count in the never-ending pixel-wars. These small pixels just are not very good. The truth of the matter is that the most important feature of digital cameras in the last five years is the automatic motion control to stabilize the image on the sensor along with some very sophisticated image processing. All the rest has been hype and some "cool" design. What is the future for digital imaging and what will drive growth of camera sales (not counting the cell phone cameras which totally dominate the market in terms of camera sales) and more importantly after sales profits? Well sit in on the Dark Side of Color and find out what is being done to increase the after sales profits and don't be surprised if has been done long ago in some basement lab of a photographic company and of course, before its time.

Mechanism of formation of the response of a hydrogen gas sensor based on a silicon MOS diode

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

Gaman, V. I.; Balyuba, V. I.; Gritsyk, V. Yu.

2008-03-15

Experimental data on the dependence of the flat-band voltage and relaxation time for the capacitance of the space-charge region in an MOS diode (Pd-SiO{sub 2}-n-Si) on the hydrogen concentration in a hydrogen/air gaseous mixture are discussed. It is assumed that variation in the flat-band voltage U{sub fb} in an MOS structure with the thickness d = 369 nm subjected to a hydrogen/air gaseous mixture can be accounted for by the formation of dipoles in the Pd-SiO{sub 2} gap due to polarization of hydrogen atoms (H{sub a}). An analytical expression describing the dependence of variation in the flat-band voltage {delta}U{sub fb}more » on the hydrogen concentration n{sub H2} was derived. In MOS structures with d {<=} 4 nm (or MOS diodes), the value of {delta}U{sub fb} is mainly controlled by passivation of the centers responsible for the presence of the surface acceptor-type centers at the SiO{sub 2}-n-Si interface by hydrogen atoms. Analytical expressions describing the dependences of {delta}U{sub fb} and the capacitance relaxation time in the space-charge region on n{sub H2} are derived. The values of the density of adsorption centers and the adsorption heat for hydrogen atoms at the Pd-SiO{sub 2} and SiO{sub 2}-n-Si interfaces are found.« less

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

Masubuchi, Tsugunosuke; Iwasa, Takeshi; JST, ERATO, Nakajima Designer Nanocluster Assembly Project, 3-2-1 Sakado, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki 213-0012

One end open V{sub n}Bz{sub n}{sup −} (n = 1–5; Bz = benzene) and both ends open V{sub n}Bz{sub n−1}{sup −} (n = 2–5) vanadium–benzene cluster anions were studied using anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional calculations. The smaller (n ≤ 3) V{sub n}Bz{sub n} and V{sub n}Bz{sub n−1} clusters and corresponding anions were found to have structural isomers, whereas full-sandwiched V{sub n}Bz{sub n+1} clusters preferred to form multiple-decker sandwich structures. Several isomeric V{sub 2}Bz{sub 2} structures were identified theoretically and the anion photoelectron spectra of V{sub 2}Bz{sub 2}{sup 0/−} were explained well by the coexistence of two isomeric structures:more » (1) a V{sub 2}-core structure sandwiched between benzene molecules and (2) an alternating sandwich structure with the spin state strongly dependent on the structure. The adiabatic electron affinity of both V{sub n}Bz{sub n} and V{sub n}Bz{sub n−1} was found to increase with the cluster size at larger sizes (n = 4 or 5) and approaches to that of V{sub n}Bz{sub n+1}. The evolution of the structural and electronic properties of V{sub n}Bz{sub m} and V{sub n}Bz{sub m}{sup −} (m = n and n − 1) with size is discussed in comparison with V{sub n}Bz{sub n+1} and V{sub n}Bz{sub n+1}{sup −}.« less

Cosmological baryonic and matter densities from 600000 SDSS luminous red galaxies with photometric redshifts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blake, Chris; Collister, Adrian; Bridle, Sarah; Lahav, Ofer

2007-02-01

We analyse MegaZ-LRG, a photometric-redshift catalogue of luminous red galaxies (LRGs) based on the imaging data of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) 4th Data Release. MegaZ-LRG, presented in a companion paper, contains >106 photometric redshifts derived with ANNZ, an artificial neural network method, constrained by a spectroscopic subsample of ~13000 galaxies obtained by the 2dF-SDSS LRG and Quasar (2SLAQ) survey. The catalogue spans the redshift range 0.4 < z < 0.7 with an rms redshift error σz ~ 0.03(1 + z), covering 5914 deg2 to map out a total cosmic volume 2.5h-3Gpc3. In this study we use the most reliable 600000 photometric redshifts to measure the large-scale structure using two methods: (1) a spherical harmonic analysis in redshift slices, and (2) a direct re-construction of the spatial clustering pattern using Fourier techniques. We present the first cosmological parameter fits to galaxy angular power spectra from a photometric-redshift survey. Combining the redshift slices with appropriate covariances, we determine best-fitting values for the matter density Ωm and baryon density Ωb of Ωmh = 0.195 +/- 0.023 and Ωb/Ωm = 0.16 +/- 0.036 (with the Hubble parameter h = 0.75 and scalar index of primordial fluctuations nscalar = 1 held fixed). These results are in agreement with and independent of the latest studies of the cosmic microwave background radiation, and their precision is comparable to analyses of contemporary spectroscopic-redshift surveys. We perform an extensive series of tests which conclude that our power spectrum measurements are robust against potential systematic photometric errors in the catalogue. We conclude that photometric-redshift surveys are competitive with spectroscopic surveys for measuring cosmological parameters in the simplest `vanilla' models. Future deep imaging surveys have great potential for further improvement, provided that systematic errors can be controlled.

Synthesis, crystal structures, and physical properties of the new Zintl phases A{sub 21}Zn{sub 4}Pn{sub 18} (A=Ca, Eu; Pn=As, Sb)—Versatile arrangements of [ZnPn{sub 4}] tetrahedra

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

Suen, Nian-Tzu; Wang, Yi; Bobev, Svilen, E-mail: bobev@udel.edu

Four new Zintl phases, Ca{sub 21}Zn{sub 4}As{sub 18}, Ca{sub 21}Zn{sub 4}Sb{sub 18}, Eu{sub 21}Zn{sub 4}As{sub 18} and Eu{sub 21}Zn{sub 4}Sb{sub 18} have been synthesized by metal flux reactions. Their structures have been established from single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Despite the similar chemical makeup and the identical formulae, the structures of the four compounds are not the same—Ca{sub 21}Zn{sub 4}As{sub 18}, Ca{sub 21}Zn{sub 4}Sb{sub 18} and Eu{sub 21}Zn{sub 4}As{sub 18} crystallize in the monoclinic space group C2/m (No. 12, Z=4) with the β-Ca{sub 21}Mn{sub 4}Sb{sub 18} structure type, while Eu{sub 21}Zn{sub 4}Sb{sub 18} adopts the Ba{sub 21}Cd{sub 4}Sb{sub 18} structure type withmore » the orthorhombic space group Cmce (No. 64, Z=8). Both structures are based on ZnAs{sub 4} or ZnSb{sub 4} tetrahedra, linked in slightly different ways, and Ca{sup 2+} and Eu{sup 2+} cations that fill the space between them. The structural relationships between the title compounds and other known ternary phases with intricate structures are discussed. Electrical resistivity measurement on single-crystalline Eu{sub 21}Zn{sub 4}Sb{sub 18} suggests an intrinsic semiconductor behavior with a band gap of ca. 0.2 eV. The temperature dependent DC magnetization measurement on the same material indicates Curie–Weiss paramagnetism in the high-temperature regime, and a spontaneous antiferromagnetic ordering below 8 K. The calculated effective moments of Eu confirm the divalent Eu{sup 2+} ground state, as expected from the Zintl–Klemm concept. - Graphical abstract: The four new Zintl phases—Ca{sub 21}Zn{sub 4}As{sub 18}, Ca{sub 21}Zn{sub 4}Sb{sub 18}, Eu{sub 21}Zn{sub 4}As{sub 18}, and Eu{sub 21}Zn{sub 4}Sb{sub 18}—crystallize in two structure types, showing the versatility in the arrangements of ZnAs{sub 4} and ZnSb{sub 4} tetrahedra. - Highlights: • Ca{sub 21}Zn{sub 4}As{sub 18}, Ca{sub 21}Zn{sub 4}Sb{sub 18}, Eu{sub 21}Zn{sub 4}As{sub 18}, and Eu{sub 21}Zn{sub 4}Sb{sub 18} are new compounds in the respective ternary phase diagrams. • They form with structure types, showing the versatility in the arrangements of ZnAs{sub 4} and ZnSb{sub 4} tetrahedra. • For both structures, the valence electron count follows the Zintl–Klemm rules.« less

Synthesis and crystal structure analysis of uranyl triple acetates

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

Klepov, Vladislav V., E-mail: vladislavklepov@gmail.com; Department of Chemistry, Samara National Research University, 443086 Samara; Serezhkina, Larisa B.

2016-12-15

Single crystals of triple acetates NaR[UO{sub 2}(CH{sub 3}COO){sub 3}]{sub 3}·6H{sub 2}O (R=Mg, Co, Ni, Zn), well-known for their use as reagents for sodium determination, were grown from aqueous solutions and their structural and spectroscopic properties were studied. Crystal structures of the mentioned phases are based upon (Na[UO{sub 2}(CH{sub 3}COO){sub 3}]{sub 3}){sup 2–} clusters and [R(H{sub 2}O){sub 6}]{sup 2+} aqua-complexes. The cooling of a single crystal of NaMg[UO{sub 2}(CH{sub 3}COO){sub 3}]{sub 3}·6H{sub 2}O from 300 to 100 K leads to a phase transition from trigonal to monoclinic crystal system. Intermolecular interactions between the structural units and their mutual packing were studiedmore » and compared from the point of view of the stereoatomic model of crystal structures based on Voronoi-Dirichlet tessellation. Using this method we compared the crystal structures of the triple acetates with Na[UO{sub 2}(CH{sub 3}COO){sub 3}] and [R(H{sub 2}O){sub 6}][UO{sub 2}(CH{sub 3}COO){sub 3}]{sub 2} and proposed reasons of triple acetates stability. Infrared and Raman spectra were collected and their bands were assigned. - Graphical abstract: Single crystals of uranium based triple acetates, analytical reagents for sodium determination, were synthesized and structurally, spectroscopically and topologically characterized. The structures were compared with the structures of compounds from preceding families [M(H{sub 2}O){sub 6})][UO{sub 2}(CH{sub 3}COO){sub 3}]{sub 2} (M = Mg, Co, Ni, Zn) and Na[UO{sub 2}(CH{sub 3}COO){sub 3}]. Analysis was performed with the method of molecular Voronoi-Dirichlet polyhedra to reveal a large contribution of the hydrogen bonds into intermolecular interactions which can be a reason of low solubility of studied complexes.« less

Interspecific differences in the effects of sulfur dioxide on angiosperm sexual reproduction

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

DuBay, D.T.

1981-01-01

The major objective of this study was to test the potential direct effects of SO/sub 2/ on sexual reproduction in several plant species with different reproductive structures and processes. In marked contrast to the sensitivity to SO/sub 2/ reported by other investigators for pollen germination and pollen tube growth in vitro, and recorded for Lepidium virginicum in this study, 4 of 5 species tested were tolerant with respect to fruit and seed set after exposure to 0.6 ppm SO/sub 2/ for 8 hours during flowering. Seed set in the one sensitive species, Geranium carolinianum, was reduced 40% from the controlmore » after exposure to SO/sub 2/, but only when relative humidity (RH) was at or above 90%. The effect of SO/sub 2/ on Lepidium pollen germination in vitro was greater than the effect of SO/sub 2/ on sexual reproduction in vivo. Sulfur dioxide reduced pollen germination in vitro 94% from the control. The same concentration of SO/sub 2/, at 90% Rh, reduced pollen germination in vivo 50% from the control, but had no effect on seed set. Predictions of effects of SO/sub 2/ on reproduction in vivo based on effects of SO/sub 2/ on pollen germination and pollen tube growth in vitro are not valid.« less

Pituitary gland volumes in bipolar disorder.

PubMed

Clark, Ian A; Mackay, Clare E; Goodwin, Guy M

2014-12-01

Bipolar disorder has been associated with increased Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis function. The mechanism is not well understood, but there may be associated increases in pituitary gland volume (PGV) and these small increases may be functionally significant. However, research investigating PGV in bipolar disorder reports mixed results. The aim of the current study was twofold. First, to assess PGV in two novel samples of patients with bipolar disorder and matched healthy controls. Second, to perform a meta-analysis comparing PGV across a larger sample of patients and matched controls. Sample 1 consisted of 23 established patients and 32 matched controls. Sample 2 consisted of 39 medication-naïve patients and 42 matched controls. PGV was measured on structural MRI scans. Seven further studies were identified comparing PGV between patients and matched controls (total n; 244 patients, 308 controls). Both novel samples showed a small (approximately 20mm(3) or 4%), but non-significant, increase in PGV in patients. Combining the two novel samples showed a significant association of age and PGV. Meta-analysis showed a trend towards a larger pituitary gland in patients (effect size: .23, CI: -.14, .59). While results suggest a possible small difference in pituitary gland volume between patients and matched controls, larger mega-analyses with sample sizes greater even than those used in the current meta-analysis are still required. There is a small but potentially functionally significant increase in PGV in patients with bipolar disorder compared to controls. Results demonstrate the difficulty of finding potentially important but small effects in functional brain disorders. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Characterization of sodium phenytoin co-gelled with titania for a controlled drug-release system

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

Lopez, T.; Instituto Nacional de Neurologia y Neurocirugia 'MVS', Av. Insurgentes Sur 3877. Col. La Fama. P.O. Box 14269 Mexico D. F.; Quintana, P.

2007-08-15

Sodium phenytoin, C{sub 15}H{sub 11}N{sub 2}NaO{sub 2}, in several concentrations was co-gelled with titania (TiO{sub 2}), by a sol-gel process. This technique is a promising method to encapsulate several drugs, in this case, phenytoin is an anticonvulsant used to control epileptic seizures. Samples were prepared by adding different concentrations (X = 50, 100, 200 and 250 mg per 20 g of titania matrix) of sodium phenytoin (Ph) to a solution of titanium n-butoxide. The resulting titania-Ph-X materials were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) surface areas. The porous nanomaterialsmore » showed a wide range of particle size, from 10 to 210 nm, with a mean pore diameter of 5 nm. X-ray diffraction showed an amorphous structure of the prepared samples.« less

Roles for Cardiac MyBP-C in Maintaining Myofilament Lattice Rigidity and Prolonging Myosin Cross-Bridge Lifetime

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

Palmer, B.M.; Sadayappan, S.; Wang, Y.

2011-10-06

We investigated the influence of cardiac myosin binding protein-C (cMyBP-C) and its constitutively unphosphorylated status on the radial and longitudinal stiffnesses of the myofilament lattice in chemically skinned myocardial strips of the following mouse models: nontransgenic (NTG), effective null for cMyBP-C (t/t), wild-type cMyBP-C expressed into t/t (WT{sub t/t}), and constitutively unphosphorylated cMyBP-C (AllP{sub -t/t}). We found that the absence of cMyBP-C in the t/t and the unphosphorylated cMyBP-C in the AllP{sub -t/t} resulted in a compressible cardiac myofilament lattice induced by rigor not observed in the NTG and WT{sub t/t}. These results suggest that the presence and phosphorylation ofmore » the N-terminus of cMyBP-C provides structural support and radial rigidity to the myofilament lattice. Examination of myofilament longitudinal stiffness under rigor conditions demonstrated a significant reduction in cross-bridge-dependent stiffness in the t/t compared with NTG controls, but not in the AllP{sub -t/t} compared with WT{sub t/t} controls. The absence of cMyBP-C in the t/t and the unphosphorylated cMyBP-C in the AllP{sub -t/t} both resulted in a shorter myosin cross-bridge lifetime when myosin isoform was controlled. These data collectively suggest that cMyBP-C provides radial rigidity to the myofilament lattice through the N-terminus, and that disruption of the phosphorylation of cMyBP-C is sufficient to abolish this structural role of the N-terminus and shorten cross-bridge lifetime. Although the presence of cMyBP-C also provides longitudinal rigidity, phosphorylation of the N-terminus is not necessary to maintain longitudinal rigidity of the lattice, in contrast to radial rigidity.« less

Influence of the resin on interlaminar mixed-mode fracture

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, W. S.; Mangalgiri, P. D.

1987-01-01

Both literature review data and new data on toughness behavior of seven matrix and adhesive systems in four types of tests were studied in order to assess the influence of the resin on interlaminar fracture. Mixed mode (i.e., various combinations of opening mode 1, G sub 1, and shearing mode 2; G sub 2) fracture toughness data showed that the mixed mode relationship for failure appears to be linear in terms of G sub 1 and G sub 2. The study further indicates that fracture of brittle resins is controlled by the G sub 1 component, and that fracture of many tough resins is controlled by total strain-energy release rate, G sub T. Regarding the relation of polymer structure and the mixed mode fracture: high mode 1 toughness requires resin dilatation; dilatation is low in unmodified epoxies at room temperature/dry conditions; dilatation is higher in plasticized epoxies, heated epoxies, and in modified epoxies; modification improves mode 2 toughness only slightly compared with mode 1 improvements. Analytical aspects of the cracked lap shear test specimen were explored.

Influence of the resin on interlaminar mixed-mode fracture

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, W. S.; Mangalgiri, P. D.

1985-01-01

Both literature review data and new data on toughness behavior of seven matrix and adhesive systems in four types of tests were studied in order to assess the influence of the resin on interlaminar fracture. Mixed mode (i.e., various combinations of opening mode 1, G sub 1, and shearing mode 2; G sub 2) fracture toughness data showed that the mixed mode relationship for failure appears to be linear in terms of G sub 1 and G sub 2. The study further indicates that fracture of brittle resins is controlled by the G sub 1 component, and that fracture of many tough resins is controlled by total strain-energy release rate, G sub T. Regarding the relation of polymer structure and the mixed mode fracture: high mode 1 toughness requires resin dilatation; dilatation is low in unmodified epoxies at room temperature/dry conditions; dilatation is higher in plasticized epoxies, heated epoxies, and in modified epoxies; modification improves mode 2 toughness only slightly compared with mode 1 improvements. Analytical aspects of the cracked lap shear test specimen were explored.

Fabricating specialised orthopaedic implants using additive manufacturing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Unwin, Paul

2014-03-01

It has been hypothesised that AM is ideal for patient specific orthopaedic implants such as those used in bone cancer treatment, that can rapidly build structures such as lattices for bone and tissues to in-grow, that would be impossible using current conventional subtractive manufacturing techniques. The aim of this study was to describe the adoption of AM (direct metal laser sintering and electron beam melting) into the design manufacturing and post-manufacturing processes and the early clinical use. Prior to the clinical use of AM implants, extensive metallurgical and mechanical testing of both laser and electron beam fabrications were undertaken. Concurrently, post-manufacturing processes evaluated included hipping, cleaning and coating treatments. The first clinical application of a titanium alloy mega-implant was undertaken in November 2010. A 3D model of the pelvic wing implant was designed from CT scans. Novel key features included extensive lattice structures at the bone interfaces and integral flanges to fix the implant to the bone. The pelvic device was implanted with the aid of navigation and to date the patient remains active. A further 18 patient specific mega-implants have now been implanted. The early use of this advanced manufacturing route for patient specific implants has been very encouraging enabling the engineer to produce more advanced and anatomical conforming implants. However, there are a new set of design, manufacturing and regulatory challenges that require addressing to permit this technique to be used more widely. This technology is changing the design and manufacturing paradigm for the fabrication of specialised orthopaedic implants.

Study of TiO{sub 2} nanotubes as an implant application

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

Hazan, Roshasnorlyza, E-mail: roshasnorlyza@nm.gov.my; Sreekantan, Srimala; Mydin, Rabiatul Basria S. M. N.

Vertically aligned TiO{sub 2} nanotubes have become the primary candidates for implant materials that can provide direct control of cell behaviors. In this work, 65 nm inner diameters of TiO{sub 2} nanotubes were successfully prepared by anodization method. The interaction of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) in term of cell adhesion and cell morphology on bare titanium and TiO{sub 2} nanotubes is reported. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analysis proved interaction of BMSC on TiO{sub 2} nanotubes structure was better than flat titanium (Ti) surface. Also, significant cell adhesion on TiO{sub 2} nanotubes surface during in vitro study revealed thatmore » BMSC prone to attach on TiO{sub 2} nanotubes. From the result, it can be conclude that TiO{sub 2} nanotubes are biocompatible to biological environment and become a new generation for advanced implant materials.« less

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

Mi, Yuwei; Zeng, Suyuan, E-mail: drzengsy@163.com; Li, Lei

Graphical abstract: The morphologies of the Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} nanostructures can be easily tuned by altering the solvent composition during the reaction, which will yield flower-like, pancake-like and tubular nanostructures, respectively. Highlights: ► The morphologies of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} can be controlled by tuning the solvent composition. ► The effects of solvent on the morphologies of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} were carefully investigated. ► The growth mechanisms for the as-prepared samples were investigated. ► The morphologies of the samples greatly affect their photocatalytic activities. -- Abstract: In this work, Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} with complex morphologies, namely, flower-like, pancake-like, and tubular shapesmore » have been controllably synthesized by a facile solvothermal process. The as-obtained samples are systematically investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The effects of solvents on the morphologies of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} nanostructures are systematically investigated. According to the time-dependent experiments, a two-step growth mode basing on Ostwald ripening process and self-assembly has been proposed for the formation of the flower-like and pancake-like Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} nanostructures. The photocatalytic properties of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} nanostructures are strongly dependent on their shapes, sizes, and structures for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible-light irradiation. The deduced reasons for the differences in the photocatalytic activities of these Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} nanostructures are further discussed.« less

(Pt{sub 1–x}Cu{sub x}){sub 3}Cu{sub 2}B and Pt{sub 9}Cu{sub 3}B{sub 5}, the first examples of copper platinum borides. Observation of superconductivity in a novel boron filled β-Mn-type compound

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

Salamakha, Leonid P.; Sologub, Oksana, E-mail: oksana.sologub@univie.ac.at; Stöger, Berthold

New ternary copper platinum borides have been synthesized by arc melting of pure elements followed by annealing at 600 °C. The structures have been studied by X-ray single crystal and powder diffraction. (Pt{sub 1−x}Cu{sub x}){sub 3}Cu{sub 2}B (x=0.33) forms a B-filled β-Mn-type structure (space group P4{sub 1}32; a=0.6671(1) nm). Cu atoms are distributed preferentially on the 8c atom sites, whereas the 12d site is randomly occupied by Pt and Cu atoms (0.670(4) Pt±0.330(4) Cu). Boron is located in octahedral voids of the parent β-Mn-type structure. Pt{sub 9}Cu{sub 3}B{sub 5} (space group P-62m; a=0.9048(3) nm, c=0.2908(1) nm) adopts the Pt{sub 9}Zn{submore » 3}B{sub 5–δ}-type structure. It has a columnar architecture along the short translation vector exhibiting three kinds of [Pt{sub 6}] trigonal prism columns (boron filled, boron semi-filled and empty) and Pt channels with a pentagonal cross section filled with Cu atoms. The striking structural feature is a [Pt{sub 6}] cluster in form of an empty trigonal prism at the origin of the unit cell, which is surrounded by coupled [BPt{sub 6}] and [Pt{sub 6}] trigonal prisms, rotated perpendicularly to the central one. There is no B–B contact as well as Cu–B contact in the structure. The relationships of Pt{sub 9}Cu{sub 3}B{sub 5} structure with the structure of Ti{sub 1+x}Os{sub 2−x}RuB{sub 2} as well as with the structure families of metal sulfides and aluminides have been elucidated. (Pt{sub 1–x}Cu{sub x}){sub 3}Cu{sub 2}B (x=0.3) (B-filled β-Mn-type structure) is a bulk superconductor with a transition temperature of about 2.06 K and an upper critical field μ{sub 0}H{sub C2}(0){sup WHH} of 1.2 T, whereas no superconducting transition has been observed up to 0.3 K in Pt{sub 9}Cu{sub 3}B{sub 5} (Pt{sub 9}Zn{sub 3}B{sub 5–δ}-type structure) from electrical resistivity measurements. - Highlights: • First two copper platinum borides, (Pt{sub 0.67}Cu{sub 0.33}){sub 3}Cu{sub 2}B and Pt{sub 9}Cu{sub 3}B{sub 5} were obtained. • (Pt{sub 0.67}Cu{sub 0.33}){sub 3}Cu{sub 2}B forms a B-filled β-Mn-type structure. • Pt{sub 9}Cu{sub 3}B{sub 5} adopts a Pt{sub 9}Zn{sub 3}B{sub 5–δ}-type structure. • Boron atoms exhibit octahedral and trigonal prismatic coordination. • (Pt{sub 1–x}Cu{sub x})3Cu{sub 2}B (x=0.3) is a bulk superconductor with T{sub c} 2.06 K.« less

Large enhancement of Blocking temperature by control of interfacial structures in Pt/NiFe/IrMn/MgO/Pt multilayers

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

Chen, Xi; Wang, Shouguo, E-mail: sgwang@ustb.edu.cn; Han, Gang

2015-09-15

The Blocking temperature (T{sub B}) of Pt/NiFe/IrMn/MgO/Pt multilayers was greatly enhanced from far below room temperature (RT) to above RT by inserting 1 nm thick Mg layer at IrMn/MgO interface. Furthermore, the exchange bias field (H{sub eb}) was increased as well by the control of interfacial structures. The evidence for a significant fraction of Mn-O bonding at IrMn/MgO interface without Mg insertion layer was provided by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The bonding between Mn and O can decrease the antiferromagnetism of IrMn film, leading to lower value of T{sub B} in Pt/NiFe/IrMn/MgO/Pt multilayers. Ultrathin Mg film inserted at IrMn/MgO interface actingmore » as an oxygen sinking layer can suppress the oxidation reactions between Mn and O and reduce the formation of Mn-O bonding greatly. The oxidation suppression results in the recovery of the antiferromagnetism of IrMn film, which can enhance T{sub B} and H{sub eb}. Furthermore, the high resolution transmission electron microscopy demonstrates that the Mg insertion layer can efficiently promote a high-quality MgO (200) texture. This study will enhance the understanding of physics in antiferromagnet-based spintronic devices.« less

Solvent-controlled preparation and photocatalytic properties of nanostructured TiO{sub 2} thin films with different morphologies

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

Ao, Yanhui, E-mail: andyao@hhu.edu.cn; Gao, Yinyin; Wang, Peifang

2014-01-01

Graphical abstract: Low-temperature growth of nanostructured TiO{sub 2} thin films was presented by a solvent-controlled method. Nanoparticle structured films in anatase phase have been successfully fabricated with some adjustment. The effects of the solvent were investigated and the formation mechanism was proposed. - Highlights: • Nanostructured TiO{sub 2} thin films with different morphologies were obtained at low temperature. • The effects of the solvent on the morphologies of the products were investigated. • The effects of the solvent on the phtocatalytic activity were investigated. - Abstract: A low-temperature growth method of nanostructured TiO{sub 2} thin films with different morphologies wasmore » reported. Rod-like, grass-like and nanosheet structured films have been successfully fabricated just by adjusting the ratio of different solvents. The effects of the solvent on the morphologies of the TiO{sub 2} nanostructures were investigated. The formation mechanism of different morphologies was proposed based on the experiment results. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The photocatalytic activity of as-prepared samples for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) in water was evaluated under UV illumination. Results showed that the solvents exhibited important effect on the morphologies and photocatalytic activity of as-prepared nanostructured titania films.« less

Tsunami Hazard Assessment of Coastal South Africa Based on Mega-Earthquakes of Remote Subduction Zones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kijko, Andrzej; Smit, Ansie; Papadopoulos, Gerassimos A.; Novikova, Tatyana

2018-04-01

After the mega-earthquakes and concomitant devastating tsunamis in Sumatra (2004) and Japan (2011), we launched an investigation into the potential risk of tsunami hazard to the coastal cities of South Africa. This paper presents the analysis of the seismic hazard of seismogenic sources that could potentially generate tsunamis, as well as the analysis of the tsunami hazard to coastal areas of South Africa. The subduction zones of Makran, South Sandwich Island, Sumatra, and the Andaman Islands were identified as possible sources of mega-earthquakes and tsunamis that could affect the African coast. Numerical tsunami simulations were used to investigate the realistic and worst-case scenarios that could be generated by these subduction zones. The simulated tsunami amplitudes and run-up heights calculated for the coastal cities of Cape Town, Durban, and Port Elizabeth are relatively small and therefore pose no real risk to the South African coast. However, only distant tsunamigenic sources were considered and the results should therefore be viewed as preliminary.

Tsunami Hazard Assessment of Coastal South Africa Based on Mega-Earthquakes of Remote Subduction Zones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kijko, Andrzej; Smit, Ansie; Papadopoulos, Gerassimos A.; Novikova, Tatyana

2017-11-01

After the mega-earthquakes and concomitant devastating tsunamis in Sumatra (2004) and Japan (2011), we launched an investigation into the potential risk of tsunami hazard to the coastal cities of South Africa. This paper presents the analysis of the seismic hazard of seismogenic sources that could potentially generate tsunamis, as well as the analysis of the tsunami hazard to coastal areas of South Africa. The subduction zones of Makran, South Sandwich Island, Sumatra, and the Andaman Islands were identified as possible sources of mega-earthquakes and tsunamis that could affect the African coast. Numerical tsunami simulations were used to investigate the realistic and worst-case scenarios that could be generated by these subduction zones. The simulated tsunami amplitudes and run-up heights calculated for the coastal cities of Cape Town, Durban, and Port Elizabeth are relatively small and therefore pose no real risk to the South African coast. However, only distant tsunamigenic sources were considered and the results should therefore be viewed as preliminary.

The IUE Mega Campaign: Wind Variability and Rotation in Early-Type Stars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Massa, D.; Fullerton, A. W.; Nichols, J. S.; Owocki, S. P.; Prinja, R. K.; St-Louis, N.; Willis, A. J.; Altner, B.; Bolton, C. T.; Cassinelli, J. P.;

HRTEM and neutron diffraction study of Li{sub x}Mo{sub 5}O{sub 17}: From the ribbon (x=5) structure to the rock salt (x=12) structure

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

Lebedev, O.I.; Caignaert, V.; Raveau, B.

2011-04-15

Structure determination of the fully intercalated phase Li{sub 12}Mo{sub 5}O{sub 17} and of the deintercalated oxide Li{sub 5}Mo{sub 5}O{sub 17} has been carried out by electron microscopy and neutron powder diffraction. The reversible topotactic transformation between the ordered rock salt structure of the former and the ribbon structure of the latter (closely related to that of Li{sub 4}Mo{sub 5}O{sub 17}) is explained on the following basis: both structures can be described as strips built up as an assembly of infinite ribbons of MoO{sub 6} octahedra that are five octahedra thick, and that differ by slight displacements of the octahedral ribbons.more » We show that the electrochemical behavior of the Li{sub x}Mo{sub 5}O{sub 17} system is based on two sorts of Li{sup +} sites; those that are located within the strips between the ribbons, and those that are located at the border of the strips. The high rate of Li intercalation in this oxide and its reversibility are discussed in terms of its peculiar structure. -- Graphical abstract: Structure determination of the fully intercalated phase Li{sub 12}Mo{sub 5}O{sub 17} and of the deintercalated oxide Li{sub 5}Mo{sub 5}O{sub 17} has been carried out by electron microscopy and neutron powder diffraction. The reversible topotactic transformation between the ordered rock salt structure of the former and the ribbon structure of the latter is explained on the following basis: both structures can be described as strips built up as an assembly of infinite ribbons of MoO{sub 6} octahedra that are five octahedra thick, and that differ by slight displacements of the octahedral ribbons. We show that the electrochemical behavior of the Li{sub x}Mo{sub 5}O{sub 17} system is based on two sorts of Li{sup +} sites; those that are located within the strips between the ribbons, and those that are located at the border of the strips. The high rate of Li intercalation in this oxide and its reversibility are discussed in terms of its peculiar structure. Research highlights: {yields} Electron microscopy and neutron powder diffraction structure determination {yields} We have explained the reversible topotactic transformation between an ordered rock salt structure and a ribbon structure {yields} We show that the electrochemical behavior of the Li{sub x}Mo{sub 5}O{sub 17} system is based on two sorts of Li{sup +} sites {yields} The high rate of Li intercalation in this oxide and its reversibility are discussed in terms of its peculiar structure.« less

Phase equilibria in the La–Mg–Ge system at 500 °C and crystal structure of the new ternary compounds La{sub 11}Mg{sub 2}Ge{sub 7} and LaMg{sub 3−x}Ge{sub 2}

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

De Negri, S., E-mail: serena.denegri@unige.it; Solokha, P.; Skrobańska, M.

2014-10-15

The whole 500 °C isothermal section of the La–Mg–Ge ternary system was constructed. The existence and crystal structure of three ternary compounds were confirmed: La{sub 2+x}Mg{sub 1−x}Ge{sub 2} (τ{sub 2}, P4/mbm, tP10–Mo{sub 2}FeB{sub 2}, 0≤x≤0.25), La{sub 4}Mg{sub 5}Ge{sub 6} (τ{sub 3}, Cmc2{sub 1}, oS60–Gd{sub 4}Zn{sub 5}Ge{sub 6}) and La{sub 4}Mg{sub 7}Ge{sub 6} (τ{sub 4}, C2/m, mS34, own structure type). Five novel compounds were identified and structurally characterized: La{sub 11}Mg{sub 2}Ge{sub 7} (τ{sub 1}, P4{sub 2}/ncm, tP88-8, own structure type, a=1.21338(5), c=1.57802(6) nm), LaMg{sub 3−x}Ge{sub 2} (τ{sub 5}, P3{sup ¯}1c, hP34-0.44, own structure type, x=0.407(5), a=0.78408(4), c=1.45257(7) nm), La{sub 6}Mg{sub 23}Gemore » (τ{sub 6}, Fm3{sup ¯}m, cF120–Zr{sub 6}Zn{sub 23}Si, a=1.46694(6) nm), La{sub 4}MgGe{sub 10−x} (τ{sub 7}, x=0.37(1), C2/m, mS60-1.46, own structure type, a=0.88403(8), b=0.86756(8), c=1.7709(2) nm, β=97.16°(1) and La{sub 2}MgGe{sub 6} (τ{sub 8}, Cmce, oS72–Ce{sub 2}(Ga{sub 0.1}Ge{sub 0.9}){sub 7}, a=0.8989(2), b=0.8517(2), c=2.1064(3) nm). Disordering phenomena were revealed in several La–Mg–Ge phases in terms of partially occupied sites. The crystal structures of La{sub 11}Mg{sub 2}Ge{sub 7} and LaMg{sub 3−x}Ge{sub 2} are discussed in details. The latter is a √3a×√3a×2c superstructure of the LaLi{sub 3}Sb{sub 2} structure type; the symmetry reduction scheme is shown in the Bärnighausen formalism terms. - Graphical abstract: La–Mg–Ge isothermal section at 500 °C and group–subgroup relation between the LaLi{sub 3}Sb{sub 2} (parent type) and LaMg{sub 3−x}Ge{sub 2} (derivative) structures. - Highlights: • Novel La−Mg−Ge compounds structure determination from X-ray single crystal data. • Disordering phenomena as common features of the studied germanides. • Bärnighausen formalism as a useful tool for accurate structure determination. • Full isothermal section of the La–Mg–Ge ternary system at 500 °C.« less

Exploring the functional side of the Ocean Sampling Day metagenomes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Antonio, F. G.; Kottmann, R.; Wallom, D.; Glöckner, F. O.

2016-02-01

The Ocean Sampling Day (OSD) is a simultaneous, collaborative, standardized, and global mega-sequencing campaign to analyze marine microbial community composition and functional traits. 150 metagenomes were sequenced from the first OSD in June 2014 including a rich set of environmental and oceanographic measurements. Unlike other ocean mega-surveys such as Global Ocean Sampling (GOS) or the TARA expedition that mostly sampled open ocean waters most of the OSD samples are from coastal sampling sites, an area not previously well studied in this regard. The result is that OSD adds more than three million new genes to the recently published Ocean Microbial-Reference Gene Catalog (Sunawaga et al., 2015). This allows us to significantly increase our knowledge of the ocean microbiome, identify hot-spots of novelty in terms of function and investigate the impact of human activities on oceans coastal areas where there is the largest interaction between dense human populations and the marine world. Additionally, these cumulative samples, related in time, space and environmental parameters, are providing insights into fundamental rules describing microbial diversity and function and contribute to the blue economy through the identification of novel ocean-derived biotechnologies. References: Sunagawa, Coelho, Chaffron, et al. (2015, May). Structure and function of the global ocean microbiome. Science, 348(6237), 126135.

Structural and elastic properties of La{sub 2}Mg{sub 17} from first-principles calculations

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

Luo, Tao-Peng; Ma, Li; Pan, Rong-Kai

2013-10-15

Structural and elastic properties of La{sub 2}Mg{sub 17} with layer structure have been investigated within framework of the density functional theory. Different from the general layer-structured materials, the obtained c/a is less than unity. The calculated elastic constants C{sub 33} is larger than C{sub 11}, being novel in comparison with other alloys with layer structure. The calculated bulk, shear and Young’s modulus of La{sub 2}Mg{sub 17} are higher than other Mg–La alloys with higher La content, implying the stronger covalent bonding. Moreover, the elastic isotropies of La{sub 2}Mg{sub 17} are more excellent. The electronic structure within basal plane is highlymore » symmetric, and the electronic interaction within basal plane is slightly weaker than one between basal planes, which reveal the underlying mechanism for the structural and elastic properties of La{sub 2}Mg{sub 17}. - Graphical abstract: The crystal structure (a) and the atomic positions for (b) (0 0 0 2), (c) (0 0 0 4) and (d) (1 2{sup ¯} 1 0) plane of La{sub 2}Mg{sub 17}. Display Omitted - Highlights: • The c/a of La{sub 2}Mg{sub 17} is anomalously less than unity. • It is novel that for La{sub 2}Mg{sub 17} the elastic constants C{sub 33} is larger than C{sub 11}. • The elastic modulus of La{sub 2}Mg{sub 17} is higher than other Mg–La alloys. • The elastic isotropy of La{sub 2}Mg{sub 17} is excellent. • The electronic structure within basal plane is highly symmetric.« less

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

Chen, Wen-Hua; Yan, Hao-Jie; Chen, Hui

Dipyridyl sulphide ligands 4-(pyridin-4-ylmethylthio)pyridine (abbreviated as L1) and 3-(pyridin-4-ylmethylthio)pyridine (abbreviated as L2) have been designed and used as μ-{sub N},{sub N}-bridging linkages to construct coordination polymers with free –S–CH{sub 2}– groups as secondary donor sites. By use solvent control method, coordination polymers ([Ag{sub 3}SO{sub 4}(L1){sub 3}](Cl)·4.5H{sub 2}O){sub ∞}(1), ([Ag{sub 2}SO{sub 4}(L1){sub 2}]·6H{sub 2}O·2CH{sub 3}OH){sub ∞}(2), ([Ag{sub 2}SO{sub 4}(L2){sub 2}]·H{sub 2}O){sub ∞}(3) and ([Ag{sub 4}(SO{sub 4}){sub 2}(L2){sub 4}]·5H{sub 2}O){sub ∞}(4) with different architectures were obtained. Complexes 1, 3 and 4 feature 1D channel with different sizes and structures. Complex 1 exhibits guest exchange by THF and 1,4-dioxane, and Hg{sup 2+} sorptionmore » ability from solution due to its relative larger channel and available bonding sites of –S– exposed to the channel region. All complexes have been characterized through single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), FT-IR spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), elemental and thermogravimetric analyses. The guest exchange and Hg{sup 2+} sorption were monitored and identified, and the structure-property relationship of coordination polymers 1–4 are discussed. - Graphical abstract: Coordination polymers of silver(I) sulfate with secondary donor sites are shown guest exchange property and Hg{sup 2+} absorb ability from solution. This work provides a new method to construct functional materials with potential application. - Highlights: • New example of constructing functional coordination polymer with secondary donor methylthio group. • Guest exchange and interesting Hg(II) absorb ability from solution are investigated. • New method to construct functional materials with potential application.« less

Ionization in liquids. Progress report, September 1, 1977-April 30, 1981

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

Bakale, G.

1980-12-19

Quasifree electrons simulate the behavior of unsolvated or dry electrons in aqueous media including the special case of biological systems. A model of direct radiosensitization was developed based on dry charge-carriers having an extended lifetime in the sheath of structured water that surrounds polar biomolecules. In this model, the pre-solvation lifetimes of dry electrons increased with an increase in the rotational times of solvent molecules. During the development of this model, an increasing number of radiosensitizers were found to be carcinogenic. Measurement of the k/sub e/'s of known carcinogens and noncarcinogens revealed that carcinogens attached quasifree electrons at diffusion-controlled rates,more » whereas the k/sub e/'s of noncarcinogens were significantly less. To explore the k/sub e/-carcinogenicity correlation further, a study of quasifree electron attachment to the water pools of reversed micelles was conducted. The degree of structuredness of the water pools which determines the k/sub e/ of the reversed micellar systems was also controlled. Another approach to controlling the microenvironment of quasifree electrons in biological systems was done in studies of radiation-induced damage to DNA in concentrated DNA solutions. The high concentration of DNA introduces more structure into the solutions than that occurring in typical in vitro experiments. The structural enhancement by DNA extends the lifetime of unsolvated charge-carriers. The DNA-damaging effects of radiolyticaly produced charge-carriers were also determined in studies of synergistic mutagenesis in bacteria simultaneously exposed to ionizing radiation and electrophilic chemical carcinogens. The attachment-detachment equilibrium of nicotine in hexane solutions was also studied. Both the kinetics and the thermodynamics of electron reactions were studied. (ERB)« less

Structures for capturing CO.sub.2, methods of making the structures, and methods of capturing CO.sub.2

DOEpatents

Jones, Christopher W; Hicks, Jason C; Fauth, Daniel J; McMahan, Gray

2012-10-30

Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure, among others, include carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) sorption structures, methods of making CO.sub.2 sorption structures, and methods of using CO.sub.2 sorption structures.

Structural characterization of a new vacancy ordered perovskite modification found for Ba{sub 3}Fe{sub 3}O{sub 7}F (BaFeO{sub 2.333}F{sub 0.333}): Towards understanding of vacancy ordering for different perovskite-type ferrites

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

Clemens, Oliver, E-mail: oliver.clemens@kit.edu; Karlsruher Institut für Technologie, Institut für Nanotechnologie, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen

2015-05-15

The new vacancy ordered perovskite-type compound Ba{sub 3}Fe{sub 3}O{sub 7}F (BaFeO{sub 2.33}F{sub 0.33}) was prepared by topochemical low-temperature fluorination of Ba{sub 2}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 5} (BaFeO{sub 2.5}) using stoichiometric amounts of polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF). The vacancy order was found to be unique so far for perovskite compounds, and the connectivity pattern can be explained by the formula Ba{sub 3}(FeX{sub 6/2}) (FeX{sub 5/2}) (FeX{sub 3/2}X{sub 1/1}), with X=O/F. Mössbauer measurements were used to confirm the structural analysis and agree with the presence of Fe{sup 3+} in the above mentioned coordination environments. Group–subgroup relationships were used to build a starting model for themore » structure solution and to understand the relationship to the cubic perovskite structure. Furthermore, a comparison of a variety of vacancy-ordered iron-containing perovskite-type structures is given, highlighting the factors which favour one structure type over the other depending on the composition. - Graphical abstract: The crystal structure of Ba{sub 3}Fe{sub 3}O{sub 7}F in comparison to other perovskite type ferrites. - Highlights: • The crystal structure of Ba{sub 3}Fe{sub 3}O{sub 7}F in comparison to other perovskite type ferrites. • Ba{sub 3}Fe{sub 3}O{sub 7}F was synthesized by low temperature fluorination of Ba{sub 2}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 5}. • Ba{sub 3}Fe{sub 3}O{sub 7}F shows a unique vacancy order not found for other perovskite type compounds. • The structure of Ba{sub 3}Fe{sub 3}O{sub 7}F was solved using group–subgroup relationships. • A systematic comparison to other ferrite type compounds reveals structural similarities and differences. • The A-site coordination of the cation is shown to play an important role for the type of vacancy order found.« less

Crystalline mesoporous tungsten oxide nanoplate monoliths synthesized by directed soft template method for highly sensitive NO{sub 2} gas sensor applications

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

Hoa, Nguyen Duc, E-mail: ndhoa@itims.edu.vn; Duy, Nguyen Van; Hieu, Nguyen Van, E-mail: hieu@itims.edu.vn

2013-02-15

Graphical abstract: Display Omitted Highlights: ► Mesoporous WO{sub 3} nanoplate monoliths were obtained by direct templating synthesis. ► Enable effective accession of the analytic molecules for the sensor applications. ► The WO{sub 3} sensor exhibited a high performance to NO{sub 2} gas at low temperature. -- Abstract: Controllable synthesis of nanostructured metal oxide semiconductors with nanocrystalline size, porous structure, and large specific surface area is one of the key issues for effective gas sensor applications. In this study, crystalline mesoporous tungsten oxide nanoplate-like monoliths with high specific surface areas were obtained through instant direct-templating synthesis for highly sensitive nitrogen dioxidemore » (NO{sub 2}) sensor applications. The copolymer soft template was converted into a solid carbon framework by heat treatment in an inert gas prior to calcinations in air to sustain the mesoporous structure of tungsten oxide. The multidirectional mesoporous structures of tungsten oxide with small crystalline size, large specific surface area, and superior physical characteristics enabled the rapid and effective accession of analytic gas molecules. As a result, the sensor response was enhanced and the response and recovery times were reduced, in which the mesoporous tungsten oxide based gas sensor exhibited a superior response of 21,155% to 5 ppm NO{sub 2}. In addition, the developed sensor exhibited selective detection of low NO{sub 2} concentration in ammonia and ethanol at a low temperature of approximately 150 °C.« less

Evaluating the potential of the MegaSIMS for nuclear forensics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boehnke, P.; McKeegan, K. D.; Coath, C. D.; Hutcheon, I. D.; Steele, R. C.; Harrison, M.

2013-12-01

Nuclear forensics investigates the illicit movement of nuclear materials. Measurements of uranium isotopic compositions are an important key as they permit provenance tracing and determination of intended use. Traditional secondary ion mass spectrometers (SIMS) are incapable of resolving 235UH from 236U due to the high mass resolving power (MRP ~38,000) needed, significantly limiting their ability to accurately measure 236U/235U, particularly for highly enriched uranium. This limitation can significantly inhibit the ability to establish details about enrichment processes. The MegaSIMS is a unique combination of SIMS and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) and allows for molecular interference free measurements, while retaining the spatial resolution and ease of sample preparation common in SIMS analyses. The instrument was primarily designed to measure the oxygen isotope composition of the solar wind [1] and its capability for measuring high mass elements has not been evaluated previously. We evaluated the potential of the MegaSIMS by measuring 236U/235U without hydride interference. While preliminary results show abundance sensitivity of ~E-9 and an MRP of ~1,200 at the high mass side of 238 amu, precision is limited by the detector geometry and slow magnet switching. Future work will include developing electrostatic peak switching as well as refining the measurement precision and abundance sensitivity of the MegaSIMS for nuclear forensics. [1] McKeegan, Kallio, Heber, Jarzebinski, Mao, Coath, Kunihiro, Wiens, Nordholt, Moses Jr., Reisenfeld, Jurewicz, and Burnett, 2011. Science. 332, 1528-1532.

Beyond the exchange--the future of B2B.

PubMed

Wise, R; Morrison, D

2000-01-01

Using the Internet to facilitate business-to-business commerce promises many benefits, such as dramatic cost reductions and greater access to buyers and sellers. Yet little is known about how B2B e-commerce will evolve. The authors argue that changes in the financial services industry over the past two decades provide important clues. Exchanges, they say, are not the primary source of value in information-intensive markets; value tends to accumulate among a diverse group of specialists that focus on such tasks as packaging, standard setting, arbitrage, and information management. Because scale and liquidity are vitally important to efficient trading, today's exchanges will consolidate into a relatively small set of mega-exchanges. Originators will handle the origination and aggregation of complex transactions before sending them on to mega-exchanges for execution. E-speculators, seeking to capitalize on an abundance of market information, will tend to concentrate where relatively standardized products can be transferred easily among a large group of buyers. In many markets, a handful of independent solution providers with well-known brand names and solid reputations will thrive alongside mega-exchanges. Sell-side asset exchanges will create the networks and provide the tools to allow suppliers to trade orders among themselves, sometimes after initial transactions with customers are made on the mega-exchanges. For many companies, traditional skills in such areas as product development, manufacturing, and marketing may become relatively less important, while the ability to understand and capitalize on market dynamics may become considerably more important.

Microstructure evolution and electrical characterization of Lanthanum doped Barium Titanate (BaTiO{sub 3}) ceramics

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

Billah, Masum, E-mail: masum.buet09@gmail.com; Ahmed, A., E-mail: jhinukbuetmme@gmail.com; Rahman, Md. Miftaur, E-mail: miftaurrahman@mme.buet.ac.bd

2016-07-12

In the current work, we investigated the structural and dielectric properties of Lanthanum oxide (La{sub 2}O{sub 3}) doped Barium Titanate (BaTiO{sub 3}) ceramics and established a correlation between them. Solid state sintering method was used to dope BaTiO{sub 3} with 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7 mole% La{sub 2}O{sub 3} under different sintering parameters. The raw materials used were La{sub 2}O{sub 3} nano powder of ~80 nm grain size and 99.995% purity and BaTiO{sub 3} nano powder of 100 nm grain size and 99.99% purity. Grain size distribution and morphology of fracture surface of sintered pellets were examined by Field Emission Scanningmore » Electron Microscope and X-Ray Diffraction analysis was conducted to confirm the formation of desired crystal structure. The research result reveal that grain size and electrical properties of BaTiO{sub 3} ceramic significantly enhanced for small amount of doping (up to 0.5 mole% La{sub 2}O{sub 3}) and then decreased with increasing doping concentration. Desired grain growth (0.80-1.3 µm) and high densification (<90% theoretical density) were found by proper combination of temperature, sintering parameters and doping concentration. We found the resultant stable value of dielectric constant was 10000-12000 at 100-300 Hz in the temperature range of 30°-50° C for 0.5 mole% La{sub 2}O{sub 3} with corresponding shift of curie temperature around 30° C. So overall this research showed that proper La{sup 3+} concentration can control the grain size, increase density, lower curie temperature and hence significantly improve the electrical properties of BaTiO{sub 3} ceramics.« less

Controllable synthesis of mesoporous Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoflake array and its application for supercapacitor

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

Xiao, Anguo, E-mail: hixiaoanguo@126.com; Zhou, Shibiao; Zuo, Chenggang

Graphical abstract: Electrodeposited mesoporous Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoflake arrays exhibit porous structure composed of mesoporous nanoflakes and high supercapacitor performance. - Highlights: • Mesoporous Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoflake arrays are prepared via electrodeposition method. • Mesoporous nanowall arrays are favorable for fast ion/electron transfer. • Mesoporous Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoflake arrays show excellent supercapacitor performance. - Abstract: A mesoporous Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoflake array grown on carbon cloth is prepared by a facile electrodeposition method with a following annealing process. The as-prepared Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoflake possesses a continuous mesopores ranging from 2 to 5 nm and grows tightly onmore » the substrate forming a porous net-like structure with macropores of 20–200 nm. The electrochemical performance of the mesoporous Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoflake arrays as pseudocapcitor electrode are investigated by cyclic voltammograms and galvanostatic charge/discharge tests in 2 M KOH. The as-prepared Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} array exhibits a high discharge capacitance and excellent rate capability with 450 F g{sup −1}, 436 F g{sup −1}, 408 F g{sup −1}, 380 F g{sup −1}and 363 F g{sup −1} at 1, 2, 4, 10, and 20 A g{sup −1}, respectively. The specific capacitance of 81% is maintained from 1 A g{sup −1} to 20 A g{sup −1}. The electrode also shows rather good cycling stability and exhibits a specific capacitance of 414 F g{sup −1} after 5000 cycles.« less

Crystal structures and magnetic properties of polyethylene glycol (PEG-4000) and silica-encapsulated nickel ferrite (NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}) nanoparticles

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

Shofiah, Siti, E-mail: esuharyadi@ugm.ac.id; Muflihatun,; Suharyadi, Edi

2016-04-19

Crystal structures and magnetic properties of polyethylene glycol (PEG-4000) and silica encapsulated nickel ferrite (NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}) nanoparticles comparable sizes have been studied in detail. NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} were prepared by co-precipitation methods. Crystalline size is 4.8 ± 0.2 nm became 1.6 ± 0.1 nm and 10.6 ± 0.3 nm after encapsulated PEG-4000 and silica, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that encapsulated PEG-4000 and silica decreased agglomeration, controlled shape of nanoparticles more spherical and dispersed. Coercivity of NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} was 46.2 Oe and then increased after encapsulated PEG-4000 to 47.8 Oe can be related to the multi-domains of NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}more » as influence the crystalline size was decreased. Meanwhile, after encapsulated silica, coercivity of NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} became 93 Oe as influence the crystalline size was increased at single-domains due to its strong shape anisotropy. Magnetization value decreased from 5.7 emu/g to 5.3 emu/g and 3.6 emu/g after encapsulated PEG-4000 and silica, respectively. The remanent magnetization showed decreasing when saturation magnetization decreased, and conversely. However, it also depends on presence of α-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} phases and their material non magnetic of encapsulating. Based on the result, The magnetic properties exhibit a strong dependence on the crystalline size as influence PEG-4000 and silica encapsulated NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles.« less

Structure/function relationships in ligand-based SO{sub 2}/O{sub 2} conversion to sulfate as promoted by nickel and palladium thiolates

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

Darensbourg, M.Y.; Tuntulani, T.; Reibenspies, J.H.

1995-12-06

The dithiolate complex [1,5-bis(mercaptoethyl)-1,5-diazacyclooctane]Pd(II), (bme-daco)Pd{sup II} or Pd-1 whose structure was determined by X-ray crystallography; has been added to a group of metal thiolates which form sulfur-site SO{sub 2} adducts. Exposure of the Pd-1 complex to SO{sub 2} in methanol results in the precipitation of yellow/orange crystalline Pd-1{center_dot}SO{sub 2}. Analogous thiolate-SO{sub 2} adducts based on (bme-daco), Ni-1{center_dot}SO{sub 2}, (Ph{sub 2}PCH{sub 2}CH{sub 2}S){sub 2}Ni{sup II}, Ni-2{center_dot}SO{sub 2}, and (bme*-daco)Ni{sup II}, Ni-1*{center_dot}SO{sub 2}, also precipitate from methanol. To explore the transformation of SO{sub 2} to SO{sub 4}{sup 2-} in these adducts, the following three factors expected to control the sulfate-forming reaction havemore » been examined: (i) the stability of SO{sub 2} adducts; (ii) the oxidizability of the metal thiolate or its tendency to generate disulfide produces on oxidation; and (iii) the ability of the metal thiolates to react with O{sub 2} and produce sulfur-oxygenated products. The studies indicate that the last factor is the most important influence on SO{sub 2} oxygenation. A possible mechanism involves the transient formation of an SO{sub 2}-stabilized sulfperoxide intermediate, which behaves as a nucleophile and further reacts with SO{sub 2} to produce SO{sub 4}{sup 2-}. The use of the aforementioned metal thiolate complexes as catalysts for SO{sub 2} oxygenation in the presence of a sacrificial electron donor has also been explored; simple salts such as NiCl{sub 2} and NiSO{sub 4} are more efficient than the complexes.« less

Large-area high-performance SERS substrates with deep controllable sub-10-nm gap structure fabricated by depositing Au film on the cicada wing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiwei, Qi; Yudong, Li; Ming, Yang; Qiang, Wu; Zongqiang, Chen; Wudeng, Wang; Wenqiang, Lu; Xuanyi, Yu; Jingjun, Xu; Qian, Sun

2013-10-01

Noble metal nanogap structure supports strong surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) which can be used to detect single molecules. However, the lack of reproducible fabrication techniques with nanometer-level control over the gap size has limited practical applications. In this letter, by depositing the Au film onto the cicada wing, we engineer the ordered array of nanopillar structures on the wing to form large-area high-performance SERS substrates. Through the control of the thickness of the Au film deposited onto the cicada wing, the gap sizes between neighboring nanopillars are fine defined. SERS substrates with sub-10-nm gap sizes are obtained, which have the highest average Raman enhancement factor (EF) larger than 2 × 108, about 40 times as large as that of commercial Klarite® substrates. The cicada wings used as templates are natural and environment-friendly. The depositing method is low cost and high throughput so that our large-area high-performance SERS substrates have great advantage for chemical/biological sensing applications.

Infection prevention staffing and resources in U.S. acute care hospitals: Results from the APIC MegaSurvey.

PubMed

Pogorzelska-Maziarz, Monika; Gilmartin, Heather; Reese, Sara

2018-06-01

Given the changing nature of infection prevention and control (IPC), appropriate infection preventionist (IP) staffing needs to be established. In this study, we aimed to describe current IP staffing levels and IPC department resources in U.S. acute care hospitals. These data came from the 2015 MegaSurvey conducted by the Association of Professionals in Infection Prevention and Epidemiology. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were conducted to examine differences in respondent, facility, and department characteristics by facility size (average inpatient census ≤100 vs >100). Data from 1623 respondents were included. Most (72%) had single-site responsibilities and dedicated 76%-100% of their job to IPC (68%). The overall median IP staffing was 1.25 IPs per 100 inpatient census (interquartile range = 1.81). Almost half (46%) represented facilities with daily inpatient census ≤100; the average number of IPs in these facilities was 1.1 (standard deviation = 0.7). The reported number of IPs increased steadily with higher patient census. Significant differences were observed in IP staffing, responsibilities, and support to the IPC department between smaller and larger hospitals. This study represents the current snapshot of IP staffing and IPC resources in acute care hospitals. Findings indicate important differences between large and small facilities in staffing and IPC resources. The field of infection prevention would benefit from a comprehensive assessment of IPC department staffing and resource needs. Copyright © 2018 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3}–Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}–Sb{sub 2}O{sub 5} system phase diagram refinement, Bi{sub 3}FeSb{sub 2}O{sub 11} structure peculiarities and magnetic properties

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

Egorysheva, A.V., E-mail: anna_egorysheva@rambler.ru; Ellert, O.G.; Gajtko, O.M.

2015-05-15

The refinement of the Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3}–Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}–Sb{sub 2}O{sub 5} system phase diagram has been performed and the existence of the two ternary compounds has been confirmed. The first one with a pyrochlore-type structure (sp. gr. Fd 3-barm) exists in the wide solid solution region, (Bi{sub 2−x}Fe{sub x})Fe{sub 1+y}Sb{sub 1−y}O{sub 7±δ}, where x=0.1–0.4 and y=−0.13–0.11. The second one, Bi{sub 3}FeSb{sub 2}O{sub 11}, corresponds to the cubic KSbO{sub 3}-type structure (sp. gr. Pn 3-bar) with unit cell parameter a=9.51521(2) Å. The Rietveld structure refinement showed that this compound is characterized by disordered structure. The Bi{sub 3}FeSb{sub 2}O{sub 11} factor groupmore » analysis has been carried out and a Raman spectrum has been investigated. According to magnetization measurements performed at the temperature range 2–300 K it may be concluded that the Bi{sub 3}FeSb{sub 2}O{sub 11} magnetic properties can be substantially described as a superposition of strong short-range antiferromagnetic exchange interactions realizing inside the [(FeSb{sub 2})O{sub 9}] 3D-framework via different pathways. - Graphical abstract: The refinement of the Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3}–Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}–Sb{sub 2}O{sub 5} system phase diagram has been performed and the existence of the solid solution with a pyrochlore-type structure (sp. gr. Fd 3-barm) and Bi{sub 3}FeSb{sub 2}O{sub 11}, correspond of the cubic KSbO{sub 3}-type structure (sp. gr. Pn 3-bar has been confirmed. The structure refinement, Raman spectroscopy as well as magnetic measurements data of Bi{sub 3}FeSb{sub 2}O{sub 11} are presented. - Highlights: • The Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3}–Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}–Sb{sub 2}O{sub 5} system phase diagram refinement has been performed. • The Bi{sub 3}FeSb{sub 2}O{sub 11} existence along with pyrochlore structure compound is shown. • It was determined that the Bi{sub 3}FeSb{sub 2}O{sub 11} is of disordered cubic KSbO{sub 3}-type structure. • Factor group analysis of Bi{sub 3}FeSb{sub 2}O{sub 11} vibrational spectrum has been performed. • Short-range antiferromagnetic interactions govern Bi{sub 3}FeSb{sub 2}O{sub 11} magnetic behavior.« less

Structural studies of the rhombohedral and orthorhombic monouranates: CaUO{sub 4}, α-SrUO{sub 4}, β-SrUO{sub 4} and BaUO{sub 4}

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

Murphy, Gabriel; Kennedy, Brendan J., E-mail: kennedyb@chem.usyd.edu.au; Johannessen, Bernt

The structures of some AUO{sub 4} (A=Ca, Sr, or Ba) oxides have been determined using a combination of neutron and synchrotron X-ray diffraction, supported by X-ray absorption spectroscopic measurements at the U L{sub 3}-edge. The smaller Ca cation favours a rhombohedral AUO{sub 4} structure with 8-coordinate UO{sub 8} moieties whilst an orthorhombic structure based on UO{sub 6} groups is found for BaUO{sub 4}. Both the rhombohedral and orthorhombic structures can be stabilised for SrUO{sub 4}. The structural studies suggest that the bonding requirements of the A site cation play a significant role in determining which structure is favoured. In themore » rhombohedral structure, Bond Valence Sums demonstrate the A site is invariably overbonded, which, in the case of rhombohedral α-SrUO{sub 4}, is compensated for by the formation of vacancies in the oxygen sub-lattice. The uranium cation, with its flexible oxidation state, is able to accommodate this by inducing vacancies along its equatorial coordination site as demonstrated by neutron powder diffraction. - Graphical abstract: Diffraction studies of AUO{sub 4} (A = Ca, Sr, or Ba) oxides reveal the importance of the bonding requirements of the A site cation in determining whether the structure is rhombohedral or orthorhombic. - Highlights: • Structures of AUO{sub 4} ( A = Ca Sr, Ba) refined against X-ray and Neutron diffraction. • The alkali cations size has a dramatic effect on the crystal structure. • Smaller cations favouring a rhombohedral structure. • Oxygen vacancies to stabilise the rhombohedral structure in SrUO{sub 4}.« less

Investigation into the effect on structure of oxoanion doping in Na{sub 2}M(SO{sub 4}){sub 2}·2H{sub 2}O

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

Driscoll, L.L.; Kendrick, E.; Sharp Laboratories Europe, Oxford Science Park, Edmund Halley Road, Oxford OX4 4GB

2016-10-15

In this paper an investigation into the effect of transition metal ion and selenate/fluorophosphate doping on the structures of Na{sub 2}M(SO{sub 4}){sub 2}·2H{sub 2}O (M=transition metal) materials is reported. In agreement with previous reports, the monoclinic (Kröhnkite) structure is adopted for M=Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, while for the smallest first row divalent transition metal ion, M=Ni, the triclinic (Fairfieldite structure) is adopted. On selenate doping there is a changeover in structure from monoclinic to triclinic for M=Fe, Co, Cu, with the larger Fe{sup 2+} system requiring the highest level of selenate to complete the changeover. Thus the results suggest thatmore » the relative stability of the two structure types is influenced by the relative size of the transition metal: oxoanion group, with the triclinic structure favoured for small transition metals/large oxoanions. The successful synthesis of fluorophosphate doped samples, Na{sub 2}M(SO{sub 4}){sub 2−x}(PO{sub 3}F){sub x}·2H{sub 2}O was also obtained for M=Fe, Co, Cu, with the results showing a changeover in structure from monoclinic to triclinic for M=Co, Cu for very low levels (x=0.1) of fluorophosphate. In the case of M=Fe, the successful synthesis of fluorophosphates samples was achieved for x≤0.3, although no change in cell symmetry was observed. Rather in this particular case, the X-ray diffraction patterns showed evidence for selective peak broadening, attributed to local disorder as a result of the fluorophosphate group disrupting the H-bonding network. Overall the work highlights how isovalent doping can be exploited to alter the structures of Na{sub 2}M(SO{sub 4}){sub 2}·2H{sub 2}O systems. - Graphical abstract: Partial substitution of sulfate in Na{sub 2}M(SO{sub 4}){sub 2}0.2H{sub 2}O (M=Co, Cu) by selenate or fluorophosphate leads to a structural change from the monoclinic Kröhnkite to the triclinic Fairfieldite structure. - Highlights: • The successful synthesis of Na{sub 2}M(SO{sub 4}){sub 2}·2H{sub 2}O (M=transition metal) phases doped with selenate and fluorophosphate. • A change in structure is observed on selenate doping for M=Fe, Co, Cu. • This change in structure is also observed on fluorophosphate doping for M=Co, Cu. • The work highlights how isovalent doping can be exploited to alter the structures of Na{sub 2}M(SO{sub 4}){sub 2}·2H{sub 2}O systems.« less

Lattice parameters and electronic structure of BeMgZnO quaternary solid solutions: Experiment and theory

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

Toporkov, M.; Avrutin, V.; Morkoç, H.

2016-03-07

Be{sub x}Mg{sub y}Zn{sub 1−x−y}O semiconductor solid solutions are attractive for UV optoelectronics and electronic devices owing to their wide bandgap and capability of lattice-matching to ZnO. In this work, a combined experimental and theoretical study of lattice parameters, bandgaps, and underlying electronic properties, such as changes in band edge wavefunctions in Be{sub x}Mg{sub y}Zn{sub 1−x−y}O thin films, is carried out. Theoretical ab initio calculations predicting structural and electronic properties for the whole compositional range of materials are compared with experimental measurements from samples grown by plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy on (0001) sapphire substrates. The measured a and c latticemore » parameters for the quaternary alloys Be{sub x}Mg{sub y}Zn{sub 1−x} with x = 0−0.19 and y = 0–0.52 are within 1%–2% of those calculated using generalized gradient approximation to the density functional theory. Additionally, composition independent ternary BeZnO and MgZnO bowing parameters were determined for a and c lattice parameters and the bandgap. The electronic properties were calculated using exchange tuned Heyd-Scuseria-Ernzerhof hybrid functional. The measured optical bandgaps of the quaternary alloys are in good agreement with those predicted by the theory. Strong localization of band edge wavefunctions near oxygen atoms for BeMgZnO alloy in comparison to the bulk ZnO is consistent with large Be-related bandgap bowing of BeZnO and BeMgZnO (6.94 eV). The results in aggregate show that precise control over lattice parameters by tuning the quaternary composition would allow strain control in Be{sub x}Mg{sub y}Zn{sub 1−x−y}O/ZnO heterostructures with possibility to achieve both compressive and tensile strain, where the latter supports formation of two-dimensional electron gas at the interface.« less

Dysprosium complexes with mono-/di-carboxylate ligands—From simple dimers to 2D and 3D frameworks

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

Zhang, Yingjie, E-mail: yzx@ansto.gov.au; Bhadbhade, Mohan; Scales, Nicholas

2014-11-15

Four dysprosium (Dy) single carboxylates, a formate, a propionate, a butyrate and an oxalate have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The structure of Dy(HCO{sub 2}){sub 3} (1) contains nine-fold coordinated Dy polyhedra in perfect tricapped trigonal prisms. They are linked through trigonal O atoms forming 1D pillars which are further linked together through tricapped O atoms into a 3D pillared metal organic framework. The network structure is stable up to 360 °C. The structure of [Dy{sub 2}(C{sub 2}O{sub 4}){sub 3}(H{sub 2}O){sub 6}]·2.5H{sub 2}O (2) contains nine-fold coordinated Dy polyhedra linking together through μ{sub 2}-bridging oxalate anions into a 2D hexagonalmore » layered structure. Both [Dy{sub 2}(Pr){sub 6}(H{sub 2}O){sub 4}]·(HPr){sub 0.5} (3) [Pr=(C{sub 2}H{sub 5}CO{sub 2}){sup −1}] and [Dy{sub 2}(Bu){sub 6}(H{sub 2}O){sub 4}] (4) [Bu=(C{sub 3}H{sub 7}CO{sub 2}){sup −1}] have similar di-nuclear structures. The Raman vibration modes of the complexes have been investigated. - Graphical abstract: Four dysprosium (Dy) complexes with formate, propionate, butyrate and oxalate ligands have been synthesized and characterized. The Dy formato complex has a 3D pillared metal organic framework and the structure is stable up to 360 °C whilst the complexes with longer alkyl chained mono-carboxylates possess similar di-nuclear structures. The Dy oxalato complex has a 2D hexagonal (honeycomb-type) structure. Their Raman vibration modes have been investigated. - Highlights: • New Dysprosium complexes with formate, propionate, butyrate and oxalate ligands. • Crystal structures range from dimers to two and three dimensional frameworks. • Vibrational modes have been investigated and correlated to the structures. • The complexes are thermal robust and stable to over 300 °C.« less

Synthesis, structure and optical properties of two isotypic crystals, Na{sub 3}MO{sub 4}Cl (M=W, Mo)

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

Han, Shujuan; Bai, Chunyan; Zhang, Bingbing

Two isotypic compounds, Na{sub 3}MO{sub 4}Cl (M = W, Mo) have been obtained from the high temperature solution, and their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Both of them crystallize in the space group P4/nmm of tetragonal system with the unit cells: a=7.5181(15), c=5.360(2) for Na{sub 3}WO{sub 4}Cl and a=7.4942(12), c=5.3409(18) for Na{sub 3}MoO{sub 4}Cl. The structure exhibits a 3D network built up by the ClNa{sub 6} groups, and the MO{sub 4} groups reside in the tunnels of the 3D network. The structural similarities and differences between Na{sub 3}MO{sub 4}Cl (M=W, Mo) and Sr{sub 3}MO{sub 4}F (M=Al, Ga) havemore » been discussed. Meanwhile, detailed structure comparison analyses between Na{sub 3}MO{sub 4}Cl (M=W, Mo) and Na{sub 3}MO{sub 4}F (M=W, Mo) indicate that the different connection modes of ClNa{sub 6} and FNa{sub 6} make Na{sub 3}MO{sub 4}Cl and Na{sub 3}MO{sub 4}F crystallize in different structures. The IR spectra were used to verify the validity of the structure. The diffuse reflectance spectra show that the UV absorption edges are about 249 nm (4.99 eV) and 265 nm (4.69 eV) for Na{sub 3}WO{sub 4}Cl and Na{sub 3}MoO{sub 4}Cl, respectively. In addition, the first-principles theoretical studies are also carried out to aid the understanding of electronic structures and linear optical properties. - Graphical abstract: Two isotypic compounds, Na{sub 3}MO{sub 4}Cl (M=W, Mo) have been obtained from the high temperature solution. Both of them crystallize in the space group P4/nmm of tetragonal system. The structure exhibits a 3D network built up by the ClNa{sub 6} groups, and the MO{sub 4} groups reside in the tunnels of the 3D network. - Highlights: • Structure and properties of Na{sub 3}MO{sub 4}Cl (M=W, Mo) are reported for the first time. • They show a 3D network built by ClNa{sub 6}, and WO{sub 4} lies in the tunnels of the network. • IR spectra were used to verify the validity of the structure. • Band structures and density of states have been calculated.« less

Structure determination of {alpha}-La{sub 6}W{sub 2}O{sub 15}

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

Chambrier, M-H., E-mail: marie-helene.chambier.etu@univ-lemans.f; Ibberson, R.M.; Goutenoire, F., E-mail: francois.goutenoire@univ-lemans.f

2010-06-15

The structure of the high temperature alpha form of La{sub 6}W{sub 2}O{sub 15} has been determined ab-initio from high temperature laboratory X-ray and neutron time-of-flight data. This tungstate crystallizes in the non-centrosymmetric orthorhombic space group (No. 20) C222{sub 1}, with Z=2, a=12.6250(2) A, b=9.1875(1) A, c=5.9688(1) A. The structure comprises [O{sub 2}La{sub 3}] infinite ribbons and is better described by the structural formula [O{sub 2}La{sub 3}]{sub 2}[WO{sub 5.5}]{sub 2}. Using this description we can understand the strong structural similarity of the present compound with compounds of the general composition BiM{sub 2}AO{sub 6} (M=Cu, Mg, Zn, Mn, Cd, Ca, Pb; A=P,more » As, V) described as [O{sub 2}M{sub 2}Bi][AO{sub 4}]. The [WO{sub 5.5}] entity implies oxygen disorder in the material. - Graphical abstract: Projection of the polyhedra around the tungsten atom. Atoms labelled in grey are occupied at 50%. Short oxygen-oxygen distances are marked. The polyhedra represents WO{sub 5.5} that is related to the structural unit W{sub 2}O{sub 11} unit. Alpha-La{sub 6}W{sub 2}O{sub 15} could be described as [O{sub 2}La{sub 3}]{sub 2}[WO{sub 5.5}]{sub 2}.« less

Solvothermal indium fluoride chemistry: Syntheses and crystal structures of K{sub 5}In{sub 3}F{sub 14}, beta-(NH{sub 4}){sub 3}InF{sub 6} and [NH{sub 4}]{sub 3}[C{sub 6}H{sub 21}N{sub 4}]{sub 2}[In{sub 4}F{sub 21}

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

Jayasundera, Anil C.A.; Goff, Richard J.; Li Yang

2010-02-15

The solvothermal syntheses and crystal structures of three indium fluorides are presented. K{sub 5}In{sub 3}F{sub 14} (1) and beta-(NH{sub 4}){sub 3}InF{sub 6} (2) are variants on known inorganic structure types chiolite and cryolite, respectively, with the latter exhibiting a complex and apparently novel structural distortion. [NH{sub 4}]{sub 3}[C{sub 6}H{sub 21}N{sub 4}]{sub 2}[In{sub 4}F{sub 21}] (3) represents a new hybrid composition displaying a unique trimeric metal fluoride building unit. - Graphical abstract: Solvothermal synthesis has been used to prepare three indium fluorides, including a novel hybrid material containing a unique [In{sub 3}F{sub 15}] trimer templated by tren.

The enhancing performance of (Ba{sub 0.85}Ca{sub 0.15}Ti{sub 0.90}Zr{sub 0.10})O{sub 3} ceramics by tuning anatase–rutile phase structure

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

Chao, Xiaolian, E-mail: chaoxl@snnu.edu.cn; Wang, Juanjuan; Wang, Zhongming

2016-04-15

Graphical abstract: Titanium dioxide (TiO{sub 2}) with different phase structure had interesting influence on the crystal structure, microstructure, the sintering temperature and electrical properties. - Highlights: • BCZT ceramics were prepared using either anatase or rutile structures as Ti source. • Orthorhombic and tetragonal mixture structure was exhibited by adjusting Ti source. • The optimal properties were observed in BCZT ceramics with rutile titanium dioxide. - Abstract: To research effect of raw materials TiO{sub 2} with the phase structures on the crystal structure, microstructure and electrical properties of lead-free (Ba{sub 0.85}Ca{sub 0.15})(Ti{sub 0.90}Zr{sub 0.10})O{sub 3} (BCZT) ceramics, BCZT ceramics usingmore » either anatase or rutile as Ti source were synthesized by solid-state reaction. Titanium dioxide (TiO{sub 2}) with anatase/rutile phase structures had interesting influence on the crystal structure, microstructure and the sintering temperature by the X-ray diffraction and SEM, which also played an important role in improved electrical properties. The BCZT ceramics with rutile titanium dioxide demonstrated optimal piezoelectric and dielectric properties: d{sub 33} = 590 pC/N, k{sub p} = 0.46, ε{sub r} = 2810, tanδ = 0.014 and T{sub c} = 91 °C, which was obviously superior to BCZT ceramics with anatase titanium dioxide.« less

The Photometric Properties of a Vast Stellar Substructure in the Outskirts of M33

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McConnachie, Alan W.; Ferguson, Annette M. N.; Irwin, Michael J.; Dubinski, John; Widrow, Lawrence M.; Dotter, Aaron; Ibata, Rodrigo; Lewis, Geraint F.

2010-11-01

We have surveyed approximately 40 deg2 surrounding M33 with Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope MegaCam/MegaPrime in the g and i filters out to a maximum projected radius from this galaxy of 50 kpc, as part of the Pan-Andromeda Archaeological Survey (PAndAS). Our observations are deep enough to resolve the top ~4 mag of the red giant branch population in this galaxy. We have previously shown that the disk of M33 is surrounded by a large, irregular, low surface brightness substructure. Here, we quantify the stellar populations and structure of this feature using the PAndAS data. We show that the stellar populations of this feature are consistent with an old population with lang[Fe/H]rang ~ -1.6 dex and an interquartile range in metallicity of ~0.5 dex. We construct a surface brightness map of M33 that traces this feature to μ V ~= 33 mag arcsec-2. At these low surface brightness levels, the structure extends to projected radii of ~40 kpc from the center of M33 in both the northwest and southeast quadrants of the galaxy. Overall, the structure has an "S-shaped" appearance that broadly aligns with the orientation of the H I disk warp. We calculate a lower limit to the integrated luminosity of the structure of -12.7 ± 0.5 mag, comparable to a bright dwarf galaxy such as Fornax or Andromeda II and slightly less than 1% of the total luminosity of M33. Further, we show that there is tentative evidence for a distortion in the distribution of young stars near the edge of the H I disk that occurs at similar azimuth to the warp in H I. The data also hint at a low-level, extended stellar component at larger radius that may be an M33 halo component. We revisit studies of M33 and its stellar populations in light of these new results and discuss possible formation scenarios for the vast stellar structure. Our favored model is that of the tidal disruption of M33 in its orbit around M31.

Crystallographic isomorphism in the structural type of α-HgI{sub 2} by example of KHgI{sub 3} · H{sub 2}O, β-Ag{sub 2}HgI{sub 4}, and β-Cu{sub 2}HgI{sub 4}

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

Borisov, S. V., E-mail: borisov@niic.nsc.ru; Magarill, S. A.; Pervukhina, N. V.

The structure of KHgI{sub 3} · H{sub 2}O is assigned to the family of crystal structures having the three-layer cubic packing of iodine anions with cations in the tetrahedral voids (the structures of α-HgI{sub 2}, β-Ag{sub 2}HgI{sub 4}, and β-Cu{sub 2}HgI{sub 4} among them). Crystallographic analysis shows that the nodes of the three-layer close packing are populated by iodine anions and K cations in the ratio 3/4: 1/4. Transformation of the structure of α-HgI{sub 2} into the structure of KHgI{sub 3} · H{sub 2}O can be formally represented as the replacement of (HgI){sub n}{sup +} fragments by (KH{sub 2}O){sub n}{supmore » +} fragments: (Hg{sub 2}I{sub 4})–(HgI){sup +} + (KH{sub 2}O){sub n}{sup +} = KHgI{sub 3} · H{sub 2}O. Perforated layers of vertex-sharing HgI{sub 4} tetrahedra break down into parallel isolated chains. Channels formed in place of I–Hg–I–Hg–fragments are occupied by–H{sub 2}O–K–-H{sub 2}-O-K-H{sub 2}O-chains weakly bound to neighbors.« less

Polymorph (C{sub 2}N{sub 2}H{sub 10}){sub 0.5}RE{sub 3}F{sub 10}·xH{sub 2}O (RE = Ho-Lu, Y) and REF{sub 3} nanocrystals: Hydrothermal synthesis, characterization and luminescence

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

Jia, Li-Ping; Zhang, Qiang; Yan, Bing, E-mail: byan@tongji.edu.cn

Graphical abstract: A hydrothermal system is developed to prepare one new polymorph of (C{sub 2}N{sub 2}H{sub 10}){sub 0.5}RE{sub 3}F{sub 10}·xH{sub 2}O and known rare earth fluorides involving REF{sub 3} nanocrystals under mild condition. Highlights: ► A new polymorph of (C{sub 2}N{sub 2}H{sub 10}){sub 0.5}RE{sub 3}F{sub 10}·xH{sub 2}O has been synthesized. ► The RE{sup 3+} radius decides the shape evolution and phase control for REF{sub 3} NCs. ► The RE{sup 3+} radius has influence on the microstructure and morphology of REF{sub 3} NCs. -- Abstract: In this paper, a solvents-thermal system is developed to prepare one new polymorph of (C{sub 2}N{submore » 2}H{sub 10}){sub 0.5}Ho{sub 3}F{sub 10}·xH{sub 2}O and rare earth fluorides REF{sub 3} nanocrystals under mild condition. It is found that the ionic radius of RE{sup 3+} is the key factor responsible for the shape evolution and phase control for rare earth fluorides nanocrystals at selected temperatures, which has an influence on the microstructure and morphology of the products to some extent. With the increase of the atomic number, the shape of fluoride changes from hexagonal REF{sub 3} phase (RE = La, Sm) to orthorhombic REF{sub 3} phase (RE = Eu-Dy), and finally to diamond structure (C{sub 2}N{sub 2}H{sub 10}){sub 0.5}Ho{sub 3}F{sub 10}·xH{sub 2}O (RE = Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Y). In addition, the characteristic energy level transition {sup 5}D{sub 0}–{sup 7}F{sub 1} of Eu{sup 3+} splits into 585 and 591 nm emission peaks, and the dominant peak is the orange emission at 591 nm.« less

Atomic and electronic structure of the silicon and silicon-metal Si{sub 20}, Si{sub 20}{sup -}, NaSi{sub 20}, KSi{sub 20} nanoparticles

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

Borshch, N. A., E-mail: ssd18@phys.vsu.ru; Pereslavtseva, N. S.; Kurganskii, S. I.

The results of atomic-structure optimization and calculation of the electronic structure of the Si{sub 20}, Si{sub 20}{sup -}, NaSi{sub 20}, and KSi{sub 20} clusters are reported. The PM3 and AM1 semiempirical methods were used in the calculations. It is shown that the Na and K atoms stabilize the fullerene-like silicon structure. The effect of configuration of the clusters on their electronic structure is analyzed.

Syntheses and structural characterization of non-centrosymmetric Na{sub 2}M{sub 2}M'S{sub 6} (M, M′=Ga, In, Si, Ge, Sn, Zn, Cd) sulfides

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

Yohannan, Jinu P.; Vidyasagar, Kanamaluru, E-mail: kvsagar@iitm.ac.in

Seven new non-centrosymmetric Na{sub 2}M{sub 2}M’S{sub 6} sulfides, namely, Na{sub 2}Sn{sub 2}ZnS{sub 6}(1){sub ,} Na{sub 2}Ga{sub 2}GeS{sub 6}(2), Na{sub 2}Ga{sub 2}SnS{sub 6}(3-α), Na{sub 2}Ga{sub 2}SnS{sub 6}(3-β){sub ,} Na{sub 2}Ge{sub 2}ZnS{sub 6}(4){sub ,} Na{sub 2}Ge{sub 2}CdS{sub 6}(5){sub ,} Na{sub 2}In{sub 2}SiS{sub 6}(6) and Na{sub 2}In{sub 2}GeS{sub 6}(7), were synthesized by high temperature solid state reactions and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. They crystallize in non-centrosymmetric Fdd2 and Cc space groups and their three-dimensional [M{sub 2}M′S{sub 6}]{sup 2-}framework structures consist of MS{sub 4} and M′S{sub 4} tetrahedra corner-connected to one another in either orderly or disordered fashion. Sodium ions residemore » in the tunnels of the anionic framework. Compounds 1, 2 and 3-α have the structure of known Li{sub 2}Ga{sub 2}GeS{sub 6}, whereas compounds 6 and 7 are isostructural with known Li{sub 2}In{sub 2}GeS{sub 6} compound. Isostructural compounds 4 and 5 represent a new structural variant. Compounds 3-α and its new monoclinic structural variant 3-β have disordered structural framework. All of them are wide band gap semiconductors. Na{sub 2}Ga{sub 2}GeS{sub 6}(2), Na{sub 2}Ga{sub 2}SnS{sub 6}(3), Na{sub 2}Ge{sub 2}ZnS{sub 6}(4) and Na{sub 2}In{sub 2}GeS{sub 6}(7) compounds are found to be second-harmonic generation (SHG) active. Compounds 1, 2 and 3-α melt congruently. - Graphical abstract: Na{sub 2}Ga{sub 2}GeS{sub 6}, Na{sub 2}Ga{sub 2}SnS{sub 6}, Na{sub 2}Ge{sub 2}ZnS{sub 6}, Na{sub 2}In{sub 2}GeS{sub 6}, Na{sub 2}Sn{sub 2}ZnS{sub 6}, Na{sub 2}Ge{sub 2}CdS{sub 6} and Na{sub 2}In{sub 2}SiS{sub 6} have non-centrosymmetric structures and the first four compounds are SHG active. Display Omitted - Highlights: • Seven new Na{sub 2}M{sub 2}M′S{sub 6} compounds with non-centrosymmetric structures were synthesized. • They are wide band gap semiconductors. • Na{sub 2}Ga{sub 2}GeS{sub 6}, Na{sub 2}Ga{sub 2}SnS{sub 6}, Na{sub 2}Ge{sub 2}ZnS{sub 6} and Na{sub 2}In{sub 2}GeS{sub 6} are SHG active.« less

Synthesis, structure, and characterization of two new bismuth(III) selenite/tellurite nitrates: [(Bi{sub 3}O{sub 2})(SeO{sub 3}){sub 2}](NO{sub 3}) and [Bi(TeO{sub 3})](NO{sub 3})

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

Meng, Chang-Yu; Wei, Ming-Fang; Geng, Lei, E-mail: lgeng.cn@gmail.com

Two new bismuth(III) selenite/tellurite nitrates, [(Bi{sub 3}O{sub 2})(SeO{sub 3}){sub 2}](NO{sub 3}) and [Bi(TeO{sub 3})](NO{sub 3}), have been synthesized by conventional facile hydrothermal method at middle temperature 200 °C and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, powder diffraction, UV–vis–NIR optical absorption spectrum, infrared spectrum and thermal analylsis. Both [(Bi{sub 3}O{sub 2})(SeO{sub 3}){sub 2}](NO{sub 3}) and [Bi(TeO3)](NO3) crystallize in the monoclinic centronsymmetric space group P2{sub 1}/c with a=9.9403(4) Å, b=9.6857(4) Å, c=10.6864(5) Å, β=93.1150(10)° for [(Bi{sub 3}O{sub 2})(SeO{sub 3}){sub 2}](NO{sub 3}) and a=8.1489(3) Å, b=9.0663(4) Å, c=7.4729(3) Å, β=114.899(2)° for Bi(TeO3)(NO3), respectively. The two compounds, whose structures are composed of three different asymmetricmore » building units, exhibit two different types of structures. The structure of [(Bi{sub 3}O{sub 2})(SeO{sub 3}){sub 2}](NO{sub 3}) features a three-dimensional (3D) bismuth(III) selenite cationic tunnel structure [(Bi{sub 3}O{sub 2})(SeO{sub 3}){sub 2}] {sup 3}{sub ∞} with NO{sub 3}{sup −} anion group filling in the 1D tunnel along b axis. The structure of [Bi(TeO{sub 3})](NO{sub 3}) features 2D bismuth(III) tellurite [Bi(TeO{sub 3}){sub 2}]{sup 2}{sub ∞} layers separated by NO{sub 3}{sup −} anion groups. The results of optical diffuse-reflectance spectrum measurements and electronic structure calculations based on density functional theory methods show that the two compounds are wide band-gap semiconductors. - Graphical abstract: Two novel bismuth{sup III} selenite/tellurite nitrates [(Bi{sub 3}O{sub 2})(SeO{sub 3}){sub 2}](NO{sub 3}) with 3D tunnel structure and [Bi(TeO{sub 3})](NO{sub 3}) with 2D layer structure have been firstly synthesized and characterized. Display Omitted - Highlights: • Two novel bismuth{sup III} nitrates [(Bi{sub 3}O{sub 2})(SeO{sub 3}){sub 2}](NO{sub 3}) and [Bi(TeO{sub 3})](NO{sub 3}) were firstly synthesized. • The two compounds were wide band-gap semiconductors.« less

Ce{sub 2}PdIn{sub 8}, Ce{sub 3}PdIn{sub 11} and Ce{sub 5}Pd{sub 2}In{sub 19}—members of homological series based on AuCu{sub 3}- and PtHg{sub 2}-type structural units

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

Tursina, A.; Nesterenko, S.; Seropegin, Y.

Crystal structures of three members of a unique homological series with the general formula Ce{sub m}Pd{sub n}In{sub 3m+2n} based on the AuCu{sub 3} and PtHg{sub 2} structure types were studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compounds crystallize with space group P4/mmm (Z=1) and the lattice parameters: a=4.6900(9) Å, c=12.185(6) Å for Ce{sub 2}PdIn{sub 8}, a=4.6846(8) Å, c=16.846(8) Å for Ce{sub 3}PdIn{sub 11}, and a=4.70120(10) Å, c=29.1359(4) Å for Ce{sub 5}Pd{sub 2}In{sub 19}. The crystal structures of Ce{sub 3}PdIn{sub 11} and Ce{sub 5}Pd{sub 2}In{sub 19} represent new types. The three structures constitute of [CeIn{sub 3}] cuboctahedra layers and [PdIn{sub 2}] rectangularmore » polyhedra layers, alternating along the tetragonal c-axis in accordance with the m:n proportion. The magnetic and electrical transport properties of the novel compounds Ce{sub 3}PdIn{sub 11} and Ce{sub 5}Pd{sub 2}In{sub 19} were investigated down to 1.72 K. Both indides are Curie–Weiss paramagnets due to the presence of fairly well localized 4f electrons of trivalent cerium ions. The electrical resistivity of both materials is dominated over an extended temperature range by strong spin–flip Kondo interactions with the characteristic temperature scale of 20–30 K. - Graphical abstract: TOC Figure Crystal structures of Ce{sub 3}PdIn{sub 11}, Ce{sub 2}PdIn{sub 8}, and Ce{sub 5}Pd{sub 2}In{sub 19}. Highlights: ► Large section of Ce–Pd–In phase diagram was examined. ► Three distinct ternary phases were identified, two of them for the first time. ► Crystal structures of two novel compounds constitute new structure types. ► The determined crystal structures show close mutual relationship. ► Ce{sub 3}PdIn{sub 11} and Ce{sub 5}Pd{sub 2}In{sub 19} are paramagnetic Kondo lattices.« less

Comparative study of GeO{sub 2}/Ge and SiO{sub 2}/Si structures on anomalous charging of oxide films upon water adsorption revealed by ambient-pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

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

Mori, Daichi; Kawai, Kentaro; Morita, Mizuho

2016-09-07

The energy difference between the oxide and bulk peaks in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra was investigated for both GeO{sub 2}/Ge and SiO{sub 2}/Si structures with thickness-controlled water films. This was achieved by obtaining XPS spectra at various values of relative humidity (RH) of up to ∼15%. The increase in the energy shift is more significant for thermal GeO{sub 2} on Ge than for thermal SiO{sub 2} on Si above ∼10{sup −4}% RH, which is due to the larger amount of water molecules that infiltrate into the GeO{sub 2} film to form hydroxyls. Analyzing the origins of this energy shift,more » we propose that the positive charging of a partially hydroxylated GeO{sub 2} film, which is unrelated to X-ray irradiation, causes the larger energy shift for GeO{sub 2}/Ge than for SiO{sub 2}/Si. A possible microscopic mechanism of this intrinsic positive charging is the emission of electrons from adsorbed water species in the suboxide layer of the GeO{sub 2} film to the Ge bulk, leaving immobile cations or positively charged states in the oxide. This may be related to the reported negative shift of flat band voltages in metal-oxide-semiconductor diodes with an air-exposed GeO{sub 2} layer.« less

Crystal structures and compressibility of novel iron borides Fe{sub 2}B{sub 7} and Fe{sub x}B{sub 50} synthesized at high pressure and high temperature

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

Bykova, E., E-mail: elena.bykova@uni-bayreuth.de; Laboratory of Crystallography, University of Bayreuth, D-95440 Bayreuth; Gou, H.

2015-10-15

We present here a detailed description of the crystal structures of novel iron borides, Fe{sub 2}B{sub 7} and Fe{sub x}B{sub 50} with various iron content (x=1.01(1), 1.04(1), 1.32(1)), synthesized at high pressures and high temperatures. As revealed by high-pressure single-crystal X-ray diffraction, the structure of Fe{sub 2}B{sub 7} possesses short incompressible B–B bonds, which make it as stiff as diamond in one crystallographic direction. The volume compressibility of Fe{sub 2}B{sub 7} (the bulk modulus K{sub 0}= 259(1.8) GPa, K{sub 0}′= 4 (fixed)) is even lower than that of FeB{sub 4} and comparable with that of MnB{sub 4}, known for highmore » bulk moduli among 3d metal borides. Fe{sub x}B{sub 50} adopts the structure of the tetragonal δ-B, in which Fe atoms occupy an interstitial position. Fe{sub x}B{sub 50} does not show considerable anisotropy in the elastic behavior. - Graphical abstract: Crystal structures of novel iron borides, Fe{sub 2}B{sub 7} and Fe{sub x}B{sub 50} (x=1.01(1), 1.04(1), 1.32(1)). - Highlights: • Novel iron borides, Fe{sub 2}B{sub 7} and Fe{sub x}B{sub 50}, were synthesized under HPHT conditions. • Fe{sub 2}B{sub 7} has a unique orthorhombic structure (space group Pbam). • Fe{sub 2}B{sub 7} possesses short incompressible B–B bonds that results in high bulk modulus. • Fe{sub x}B{sub 50} adopts the structure of the tetragonal δ-B composed of B{sub 12} icosahedra. • In Fe{sub x}B{sub 50} intraicosahedral bonds are stiffer than intericosahedral ones.« less

Decreased auditory GABA+ concentrations in presbycusis demonstrated by edited magnetic resonance spectroscopy

PubMed Central

Gao, Fei; Wang, Guangbin; Ma, Wen; Ren, Fuxin; Li, Muwei; Dong, Yuling; Liu, Cheng; Liu, Bo; Bai, Xue; Zhao, Bin; Edden, Richard A.E.

2014-01-01

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central auditory system. Altered GABAergic neurotransmission has been found in both the inferior colliculus and the auditory cortex in animal models of presbycusis. Edited magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), using the MEGA-PRESS sequence, is the most widely used technique for detecting GABA in the human brain. However, to date there has been a paucity of studies exploring changes to the GABA concentrations in the auditory region of patients with presbycusis. In this study, sixteen patients with presbycusis (5 males/11 females, mean age 63.1 ± 2.6 years) and twenty healthy controls (6 males/14 females, mean age 62.5 ± 2.3 years) underwent audiological and MRS examinations. Pure tone audiometry from 0.125 to 8 KHz and tympanometry were used to assess the hearing abilities of all subjects. The pure tone average (PTA; the average of hearing thresholds at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz) was calculated. The MEGA-PRESS sequence was used to measure GABA+ concentrations in 4 × 3 × 3 cm3 volumes centered on the left and right Heschl’s gyri. GABA+ concentrations were significantly lower in the presbycusis group compared to the control group (left auditory regions: p = 0.002, right auditory regions: p = 0.008). Significant negative correlations were observed between PTA and GABA+ concentrations in the presbycusis group (r = −0.57, p = 0.02), while a similar trend was found in the control group (r = −0.40, p = 0.08). These results are consistent with a hypothesis of dysfunctional GABAergic neurotransmission in the central auditory system in presbycusis, and suggest a potential treatment target for presbycusis. PMID:25463460

Topologically and geometrically flexible structural units in seven new organically templated uranyl selenates and selenite–selenates

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

Gurzhiy, Vladislav V., E-mail: vladgeo17@mail.ru; Kovrugin, Vadim M.; Tyumentseva, Olga S.

2015-09-15

Single crystals of seven novel uranyl oxysalts of selenium with protonated methylamine molecules, [C{sub 2}H{sub 8}N]{sub 2}[(UO{sub 2})(SeO{sub 4}){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O)] (I), [C{sub 2}H{sub 8}N]{sub 2}[(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}(SeO{sub 4}){sub 3}(H{sub 2}O)] (II), [C{sub 4}H{sub 15}N{sub 3}][H{sub 3}O]{sub 0.5}[(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}(SeO{sub 4}){sub 2.93}(SeO{sub 3}){sub 0.07}(H{sub 2}O)](NO{sub 3}){sub 0.5} (III), [C{sub 2}H{sub 8}N]{sub 3}[H{sub 5}O{sub 2}][(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}(SeO{sub 4}){sub 3}(H{sub 2}O){sub 2}]{sub 2}(H{sub 2}O){sub 5} (IV), [C{sub 2}H{sub 8}N]{sub 2}[H{sub 3}O][(UO{sub 2}){sub 3}(SeO{sub 4}){sub 4}(HSeO{sub 3})(H{sub 2}O)](H{sub 2}SeO{sub 3}){sub 0.2} (V), [C{sub 4}H{sub 12}N]{sub 3}[H{sub 3}O][(UO{sub 2}){sub 3}(SeO{sub 4}){sub 5}(H{sub 2}O)] (VI), and [C{sub 2}H{sub 8}N]{sub 3}(C{sub 2}H{sub 7}N)[(UO{sub 2}){sub 3}(SeO{sub 4}){submore » 4}(HSeO{sub 3})(H{sub 2}O)] (VII) have been prepared by isothermal evaporation from aqueous solutions. Their crystal structures have been solved by direct methods and their uranyl selenate and selenite–selenate units investigated using black-and-white graphs from the viewpoints of topology of interpolyhedral linkages and isomeric variations. The crystal structure of IV is based upon complex layers with unique topology, which has not been observed previously in uranyl selenates. Investigations of the statistics and local distribution of the U–O{sub br}–Se bond angles demonstrates that shorter angles associate with undulations, whereas larger angles correspond to planar areas of the uranyl selenite layers. - Graphical abstract: Crystal structures of the seven novel Se-contaning uranyl oxysalts that contain protonated organic molecules as interlayer species have been investigated from the viewpoints of topology of interpolyhedral linkages, isomeric variations and flexibility of structural units. - Highlights: • Single crystals of seven novel uranyl oxysalts were prepared by evaporation method. • The graph theory was used for investigation of topologies of structural units. • The method of orientation matrices was applied to distinguish geometrical isomers. • The flexibility of structural complexes specifies the undulation of layered structural units.« less

Dynamics of aquatic ecosystems and models under toxicant stress: State space analysis, covariance structure, and ecological risk

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

Johnson, A.R.; Bartell, S.M.

1988-06-01

The state of an ecosystem at any time t may be characterized by a multidimensional state vector x(t). Changes in state are represented by the trajectory traced out by x(t) over time. The effects of toxicant stress are summarized by the displacement of a perturbed state vector, x/sub p/(t), relative to an appropriate control, x/sub c/(t). Within a multivariate statistical framework, the response of an ecosystem to perturbation is conveniently quantified by the distance separating x/sub p/(t) from x/sub c/(t) as measured by a Mahalanobis metric. Use of the Mahalanobis metric requires that the covariance matrix associated with the controlmore » state vector be estimated. State space displacement analysis was applied to data on the response of aquatic microcosms and outdoor ponds to alkylphenols. Dose-response relationships were derived using calculated state space separations as integrated measures of the ecological effects of toxicant exposure. Inspection of the data also revealed that the covariance structure varied both with time and with toxicant exposure, suggesting that analysis of such changes might be a useful tool for probing control mechanisms underlying ecosystem dynamics. 90 refs., 53 figs., 9 tabs.« less

High pressure structural investigation on alluaudites Na{sub 2}Fe{sub 3}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}-Na{sub 2}FeMn{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} system

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

Gao, Jing; Huang, Weifeng; Qin, Shan

Alluaudites are promising electrochemical materials benefited from the open structure. Structural variations of alluaudites Na{sub 2}M{sub 3}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} (M{sub 3}=Fe{sub 3}, Fe{sub 2}Mn and FeMn{sub 2}) system have been studied by synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction combined with diamond anvil cell technique up to ~10 GPa at room temperature. No phase transition is observed. The excellent structural stability is mainly due to the flexible framework plus strong covalent P-O bond. Mn{sup 2+} instead of Fe can be described as Na{sup +}+2Fe{sup 2+}→Mn{sup 2+}+Fe{sup 3+}+□ where □ represents a lattice vacancy. The replacement of Fe with larger Mn{sup 2+} is equivalentmore » to applying negative chemical pressure to the material. And it causes a more compressible b-axis, lattice expansion, structural compressibility and intensifies the core/electron-electron interactions of Fe. External pressure effect produces anisotropic lattice shrinkage. Structural considerations related to these variations and promising application prospects are discussed. - Graphical abstract: Figure 1 The crystal structure of alluaudites Na{sub 2}M{sub 3}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} (M{sub 3}=Fe{sub 3}, Fe{sub 2}Mn and FeMn{sub 2}) projected along the c-axis. Alluaudites adopt a flexible framework plus strong covalent P-O bond, which contribute to excellent structural stability up to ~10 GPa. Mn{sup 2+} instead of Fe can be described as Na{sup ++}2Fe{sup 2+}→Mn{sup 2+}+Fe{sup 3+}+□ where □ represents a lattice vacancy, and it is equivalent to applying negative chemical pressure to the host. The substitution causes a more compressible b-axis, lattice expansion, structural compressibility and intensifies the core/electron-electron interactions of Fe.« less

Potassium and magnesium succinatouranilates – Synthesis and crystal structure

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

Novikov, S.A., E-mail: serg.alex.novikov@gmail.com; Grigoriev, M.S.; Serezhkina, L.B.

2017-04-15

Single crystal X-ray diffraction has been applied to determine the structures of two new uranyl coordination polymers: K{sub 2}[(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}(C{sub 4}H{sub 4}O{sub 4}){sub 3}] (1) and [Mg(H{sub 2}O){sub 6}] [(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}(C{sub 4}H{sub 4}O{sub 4}){sub 3}]·2H{sub 2}O (2), where C{sub 4}H{sub 4}O{sub 4}{sup 2-} is succinate anion. Crystals of 1 and 2 contain polymeric complex anions [(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}(C{sub 4}H{sub 4}O{sub 4}){sub 3}]{sup 2-} with the same A{sub 2}Q{sup 02}{sub 3} crystallochemical formula (A=UO{sub 2}{sup 2+}, Q{sup 02}=C{sub 4}O{sub 4}H{sub 4}{sup 2-}), and have layered (1) or chain (2) structure. It has been found, that conformation of succinate ionsmore » is one of the factors, which affects the structure of [(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}(C{sub 4}H{sub 4}O{sub 4}){sub 3}]{sup 2-} anions. IR spectra of these new compounds are in good agreement with crystallographic data. Topological analysis of the uranium dicarboxylates with A{sub 2}Q{sup 02}{sub 3} crystallochemical formula has shown the presence of five isomers which differ from each other in coordination sequences and / or dimensionality. - Graphical abstract: Crystal structures of two new uranium(VI) coordination polymers with succinate linkers, namely K{sub 2}[(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}(C{sub 4}H{sub 4}O{sub 4}){sub 3}] (1) and [Mg(H{sub 2}O){sub 6}][(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}(C{sub 4}H{sub 4}O{sub 4}){sub 3}]·2H{sub 2}O (2), were determined by single-crystal XRD. Crystals of studied compounds are based on 2D or 1D structural units with the same composition and crystallochemical formula. Topological isomerism in A{sub 2}Q{sup 02}{sub 3} crystallochemical group and conformations of succinate anions in uranyl complexes are under discussion. - Highlights: • Two new uranium coordination polymers were synthesized. • Their structural units have the same composition and crystallochemical formula. • In spite the same composition and CCF dimensionality of units is different. • Structural features of uranyl CPs are affected by linker conformations.« less

Centrosymmetry vs noncentrosymmetry in La{sub 2}Ga{sub 0.33}SbS{sub 5} and Ce{sub 4}GaSbS{sub 9} based on the interesting size effects of lanthanides: Syntheses, crystal structures, and optical properties

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

Zhao, Hua-Jun, E-mail: cszzl772002@yeah.net; State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002

Two new quaternary sulfides La{sub 2}Ga{sub 0.33}SbS{sub 5} and Ce{sub 4}GaSbS{sub 9} have been prepared from stoichiometric elements at 1223 K in an evacuated silica tube. Interestingly, La{sub 2}Ga{sub 0.33}SbS{sub 5} crystallizes in the centrosymmetric structure, while Ce{sub 4}GaSbS{sub 9} crystallizes in the noncentrosymmetric structure, which show obvious size effects of lanthanides on the crystal structures of these two compounds. Ce{sub 4}GaSbS{sub 9} belongs to RE{sub 4}GaSbS{sub 9} (RE=Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd–Ho) structure type with a=13.8834(9) Å, b=14.3004(11) Å, c=14.4102(13) Å, V=2861.0(4) Å{sup 3}. The structure features infinite chains of [Ga{sub 2}Sb{sub 2}S{sub 11}{sup 10–}]{sub ∞} propagating along a directionmore » separated by Ce{sup 3+} cations and S{sup 2−} anions. La{sub 2}Ga{sub 0.33}SbS{sub 5} adopts the family of La{sub 4}FeSb{sub 2}S{sub 10}-related structure with a=7.5193(6) Å, c=13.4126(17) Å, V=758.35(13) Å{sup 3}. Its structure is built up from the alternate stacking of La/Sb/S and La/Ga/S 2D building blocks. The La/Sb/S slabs consist of teeter-totter chains of Sb1S{sub 4} seesaws, which are connected via sharing the apexes of μ{sub 4}-S1. Moreover, La1 is positionally disordered with Sb1 and stabilized in a bicapped trigonal prismatic coordination sphere. Between these La/Sb/S slabs, La2S{sub 8} square antiprisms are connected via edge-sharing into 2D building blocks, creating tetrahedral sites partially occupied by the Ga1 atoms. UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy study shows that the optical gap of La{sub 2}Ga{sub 0.33}SbS{sub 5} is about 1.76 eV. - Graphical abstract: Two new quaternary sulfides La{sub 2}Ga{sub 0.33}SbS{sub 5} and Ce{sub 4}GaSbS{sub 9} have been prepared by solid-state reactions. Ce{sub 4}GaSbS{sub 9} crystallizes in RE{sub 4}GaSbS{sub 9} (RE=Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd–Ho) structure type, while La{sub 2}Ga{sub 0.33}SbS{sub 5} belongs to the family of La{sub 4}FeSb{sub 2}S{sub 10}-related structure and exhibits an optical gap of 1.76 eV. - Highlights: • Two new quaternary sulfides La{sub 2}Ga{sub 0.33}SbS{sub 5} and Ce{sub 4}GaSbS{sub 9} have been prepared by solid-state reaction. • Ce{sub 4}GaSbS{sub 9} crystallizes in RE{sub 4}GaSbS{sub 9} (RE=Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd–Ho) structure type, while La{sub 2}Ga{sub 0.33}SbS{sub 5} belongs to the family of La{sub 4}FeSb{sub 2}S{sub 10}-related structure. • The optical gap of 1.76 eV for La{sub 2}Ga{sub 0.33}SbS{sub 5} was deduced from UV/Vis reflectance spectroscopy.« less

Interdependence of spin structure, anion height and electronic structure of BaFe{sub 2}As{sub 2}

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

Sen, Smritijit, E-mail: smritijit.sen@gmail.com; Ghosh, Haranath, E-mail: hng@rrcat.gov.in; Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094

2016-05-06

Superconducting as well as other electronic properties of Fe-based superconductors are quite sensitive to the structural parameters specially, on anion height which is intimately related to z{sub As}, the fractional z co-ordinate of As atom. Due to presence of strong magnetic fluctuation in these Fe-based superconductors, optimized structural parameters (lattice parameters a, b, c) including z{sub As} using density functional theory (DFT) under generalized gradient approximation (GGA) does not match experimental values accurately. In this work, we show that the optimized value of z{sub As} is strongly influenced by the spin structures in the orthorhombic phase of BaFe{sub 2}As{sub 2}more » system. We take all possible spin structures for the orthorhombic BaFe{sub 2}As{sub 2} system and then optimize z{sub As}. Using these optimized structures we calculate electronic structures like density of states, band structures etc., for each spin configurations. From these studies we show that the electronic structure, orbital order which is responsible for structural as well as related to nematic transition, are significantly influenced by the spin structures.« less

Oxidation behaviors of porous Haynes 214 alloy at high temperatures

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

Wang, Yan, E-mail: wangyan@csu.edu.cn; Liu, Yong, E-mail: yonliu@csu.edu.cn; Tang, Huiping, E-mail: hptang@c-nin.com

The oxidation behaviors of porous Haynes 214 alloy at temperatures from 850 to 1000 °C were investigated. The porous alloys before and after the oxidation were examined by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The oxidation kinetics of the porous alloy approximately follows a parabolic rate law and exhibits two stages controlled by different oxidation courses. Complex oxide scales composed of Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3}, NiCr{sub 2}O{sub 4} and Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} are formed on the oxidized porous alloys, and the formation of Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3} onmore » its outer layer is promoted with the oxidation proceeding. The rough surface as well as the micropores in the microstructures of the porous alloy caused by the manufacturing process provides fast diffusion paths for oxygen so as to affect the formation of the oxide layers. Both the maximum pore size and the permeability of the porous alloys decrease with the increase of oxidation temperature and exposure time, which may limit its applications. - Highlights: • Two-stage oxidation kinetics controlled by different oxidation courses is showed. • Oxide scale mainly consists of Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3}, NiCr{sub 2}O{sub 4} and Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}. • Rough surface and micropores lead to the formation of uneven oxide structure. • Content of Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3} in the outer layer of the scale increases with time at 1000 °C. • Maximum pore size and permeability decrease with increasing temperature and time.« less

Crystal structure of Rb{sub 2}Mn{sub 3}(H{sub 2}O){sub 2}[P{sub 2}O{sub 7}]{sub 2}, a new representative of the family of hydrated diphosphates

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

Kiriukhina, G. V., E-mail: g-biralo@yandex.ru; Yakubovich, O. V.; Dimitrova, O. V.

2016-09-15

The crystal structure of Rb{sub 2}Mn{sub 3}(H{sub 2}O){sub 2}[P{sub 2}O{sub 7}]{sub 2}, a new phase obtained in the form of single crystals under hydrothermal conditions in the MnCl{sub 2}–Rb{sub 3}PO{sub 4}–H{sub 2}O system, is determined by X-ray diffraction (Xcalibur-S-CCD diffractometer, R = 0.0270): a = 9.374(2), b = 8.367(2), c = 9.437(2) Å, ß = 99.12(2)°, space group P2{sub 1}/c, Z = 2, D{sub x} = 3.27 g/cm{sup 3}. A correlation between the unit-cell parameters and the size of cations forming the crystal structures of isostructural A{sub 2}M{sub 3}(H{sub 2}O){sub 2}[P{sub 2}O{sub 7}]{sub 2} diphosphates (A = K, NH{sub 4},more » Rb, or Na; {sub M} = Mn, Fe, Co, or Ni) is revealed. It is shown that, due to the topological similarity, the structures of diphosphates and orthophosphates of the farringtonite structural type can undergo mutual transformations.« less

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

Zheng Jun; Liu Jing; Lv Dongping

The porous hierarchical spherical Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} assembled by nanosheets have been successfully fabricated. The porosity and the particle size of the product can be controlled by simply altering calcination temperature. SEM, TEM and SAED were performed to confirm that mesoporous Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanostructures are built-up by numerous nanoparticles with random attachment. The BET specific surface area and pore size of the product calcined at 280 deg. C are 72.5 m{sup 2} g{sup -1} and 4.6 nm, respectively. Our experiments further demonstrated that electrochemical performances of the synthesized products working as an anode material of lithium-ion battery are stronglymore » dependent on the porosity. - Graphical abstract: The flower-like Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} porous spheres with hierarchical structure have been successfully prepared via a simple calcination process using cobalt hydroxide as precursor.« less

The structure of Na{sub 3}SbTe{sub 3}: How ionic and covalent bonding forces work together

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

Lin, Jianhua; Miller, G.J.

1994-12-01

The compound Na{sub 3}SbTe{sub 3} has been synthesized from the elements and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Na{sub 3}SbTe{sub 3} is cubic, crystallizing in the cP28 structure type (isomorphous with Na{sub 3}AsS{sub 3}); space group P2{sub 1}3 (No. 198); a=9.6114(9) {angstrom}; Z = 4; R1 = 0.0324; wR2 = 0.0561 (I {le} 2{sigma}(I)). The structure consists of isolated sodium cations and trigonal pyramidal [SbTe{sub 3}]{sup {minus}3} anions with a Sb-Te bond length of 2.787(1) {angstrom} and a Te-Sb-Te bond angle of 100.0(1){degrees}. The structure is related to both the Li{sub 3}Bi and K{sub 3}AsS{sub 4}-type structures. Both lattice energymore » and semiempirical electronic structure calculations are utilized to evaluate various local and long-range structural aspects of this Zintl phase.« less

New tetragonal derivatives of cubic NaZn{sub 13}-type structure: RNi{sub 6}Si{sub 6} compounds, crystal structure and magnetic ordering (R=Y, La, Ce, Sm, Gd–Yb)

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

Pani, M.; Manfrinetti, P.; Provino, A.

2014-02-15

Novel RNi{sub 6}Si{sub 6} compounds adopt the new CeNi{sub 6}Si{sub 6}-type structure for R=La–Ce (tP52, space group P4/nbm N 125-1) and new YNi{sub 6}Si{sub 6}-type structure for R=Y, Sm, Gd–Yb (tP52, space group P4{sup ¯}b2N 117) that are tetragonal derivative of NaZn{sub 13}-type structure, like LaCo{sub 9}Si{sub 4}-type. The CeNi{sub 6}Si{sub 6}, GdNi{sub 6}Si{sub 6}, TbNi{sub 6}Si{sub 6}, DyNi{sub 6}Si{sub 6} and HoNi{sub 6}Si{sub 6} compounds are Curie–Weiss paramagnets down to ∼30 K, and do not order magnetically down to 5 K. However, the inverse paramagnetic susceptibility of LaNi{sub 6}Si{sub 6} does not follow Curie–Weiss law. The DyNi{sub 6}Si{sub 6}more » shows ferromagnetic-like saturation behaviour at 5 K in applied fields of 50 kOe, giving rise to a magnetic moment value of 6.5 μ{sub B}/f.u. in 50 kOe. The powder neutron diffraction study in zero applied filed indicates square modulated the c-collinear antiferromagnetic ordering of TbNi{sub 6}Si{sub 6} with K=[±1/4, ±1/4, 0] wave vector below ∼10 K. - Graphical abstract: Novel (La, Ce)Ni{sub 6}Si{sub 6} compounds adopt the new CeNi{sub 6}Si{sub 6}-type structure and (Y, Sm, Gd–Yb) adopt the new YNi{sub 6}Si{sub 6}-type structure that are tetragonal derivative of NaZn{sub 13}-type structure, like LaCo{sub 9}Si{sub 4}-type. The CeNi{sub 6}Si{sub 6}, GdNi{sub 6}Si{sub 6}, TbNi{sub 6}Si{sub 6}, DyNi{sub 6}Si{sub 6} and HoNi{sub 6}Si{sub 6} compounds are Curie–Weiss paramagnets down to ∼30 K, and do not order magnetically down to 4.2 K. The powder neutron diffraction study in zero applied filed indicates square modulated the c-collinear antiferromagnetic ordering of TbNi{sub 6}Si{sub 6} with K=[±1/4, ±1/4, 0] wave vector below ∼10 K. Display Omitted - Highlights: • The new (La, Ce)Ni{sub 6}Si{sub 6} compounds adopt the new CeNi{sub 6}Si{sub 6}-type structure. • The new (Y, Sm, Gd–Yb)Ni{sub 6}Si{sub 6} compounds adopt the new YNi{sub 6}Si{sub 6}-type structure. • TbNi{sub 6}Si{sub 6} has square modulated c-collinear antiferromagnetic ordering below ∼10 K.« less

Advanced ordered intermetallic alloy deployment

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

Liu, C.T.; Maziasz, P.J.; Easton, D.S.

1997-04-01

The need for high-strength, high-temperature, and light-weight materials for structural applications has generated a great deal of interest in ordered intermetallic alloys, particularly in {gamma}-based titanium aluminides {gamma}-based TiAl alloys offer an attractive mix of low density ({approximately}4g/cm{sup 3}), good creep resistance, and high-temperature strength and oxidation resistance. For rotating or high-speed components. TiAl also has a high damping coefficient which minimizes vibrations and noise. These alloys generally contain two phases. {alpha}{sub 2} (DO{sub 19} structure) and {gamma} (L 1{sub 0}), at temperatures below 1120{degrees}C, the euticoid temperature. The mechanical properties of TiAl-based alloys are sensitive to both alloy compositionsmore » and microstructure. Depending on heat-treatment and thermomechanical processing, microstructures with near equiaxed {gamma}, a duplex structure (a mix of the {gamma} and {alpha}{sub 2} phases) can be developed in TiAl alloys containing 45 to 50 at. % Al. The major concern for structural use of TiAl alloys is their low ductility and poor fracture resistance at ambient temperatures. The purpose of this project is to improve the fracture toughness of TiAl-based alloys by controlling alloy composition, microstructure and thermomechanical treatment. This work is expected to lead to the development of TiAl alloys with significantly improved fracture toughness and tensile ductility for structural use.« less

Syntheses, crystal structure, and electronic properties of the five ABaMQ{sub 4} compounds RbBaPS{sub 4}, CsBaPS{sub 4}, CsBaVS{sub 4}, RbBaVSe{sub 4}, and CsBaVSe{sub 4}

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

Mesbah, Adel; ICSM, UMR 5257 CEA / CNRS / UM / ENSCM, Site de Marcoule-Bâtiment 426, BP 17171, 30207 Bagnols-sur-Cèze Cedex; Prakash, Jai

Five new compounds belonging to the ABaMQ{sub 4} family were synthesized by solid-state chemistry at 1123 K. The compounds RbBaPS{sub 4}, CsBaPS{sub 4}, CsBaVS{sub 4}, RbBaVSe{sub 4}, and CsBaVSe{sub 4} are isostructural and have the TlEuPS{sub 4} structure type. They crystallize in space group D{sup 16}{sub 2h} – Pnma of the orthorhombic system. Their structure consists isolated MQ{sub 4} tetrahedra separated by A and Ba atoms to form a salt-like structure. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations of the electronic structures with the use of the HSE functional suggest that the compounds are semiconductors with calculated band gaps of 3.3 eVmore » (RbBaPS{sub 4}), 3.4 eV (CsBaPS{sub 4}), 2.3 eV (CsBaVS{sub 4}), and 1.6 eV (RbBaVSe{sub 4}). - Graphical abstract: General view of the ABaMQ{sub 4} structure down the a axis. - Highlights: • Five new ABaMQ{sub 4} compounds were synthesized by solid-state chemistry at 1123 K. • RbBaPS{sub 4}, CsBaPS{sub 4}, CsBaVS{sub 4}, RbBaVSe{sub 4}, and CsBaVSe{sub 4} have the TlEuPS{sub 4} structure type. • The compounds are semiconductors with calculated band gaps ranging from 1.6 to 3.4 eV.« less

MAST magnetic diagnostics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Edlington, T.; Martin, R.; Pinfold, T.

2001-01-01

The mega-ampere spherical tokamak (MAST) experiment is a new, large, low aspect ratio device (R=0.7-0.8 m, a=0.5-0.65 m, maximum BT˜0.63 T at R=0.7 m) operating its first experimental physics campaign. Designed to study a wide variety of plasma shapes with up to 2 MA of plasma current with an aspect ratio down to 1.3, the poloidal field (PF) coils used for plasma formation, equilibrium and shaping are inside the main vacuum vessel. For plasma control and to investigate a wide range of plasma phenomena, an extensive set of magnetic diagnostics have been installed inside the vacuum vessel. More than 600 vacuum compatible, bakeable diagnostic coils are configured in a number of discrete arrays close to the plasma edge with about half the coils installed behind the graphite armour tiles covering the center column. The coil arrays measure the toroidal and poloidal variation in the equilibrium field and its high frequency fluctuating components. Internal coils also measure currents in the PF coils, plasma current, stored energy and induced currents in the mechanical support structures of the coils and graphite armour tiles. The latter measurements are particularly important when halo currents are induced following a plasma termination, for example, when the plasma becomes vertically unstable. The article describes the MAST magnetic diagnostic coil set and their calibration. The way in which coil signals are used to control the plasma equilibrium is described and data from the first MAST experimental campaign presented. These coil data are used as input to the code EFIT [L. Lao et al., Nucl. Fusion 25, 1611 (1985)], for measurement of halo currents in the vacuum vessel structure and for measurements of the structure of magnetic field fluctuations near the plasma edge.

The Power of Micro Urban Structures, Theory of EEPGC - the Micro Urban Energy Distribution Model as a Planning Tool for Sustainable City Development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tkáč, Štefan

2015-11-01

To achieve the smart growth and equitable development in the region, urban planners should consider also lateral energies represented by the energy urban models like further proposed EEPGC focused on energy distribution via connections among micro-urban structures, their onsite renewable resources and the perception of micro-urban structures as decentralized energy carriers based on pre industrialized era. These structures are still variously bound when part of greater patterns. After the industrial revolution the main traded goods became energy in its various forms. The EEPGC is focused on sustainable energy transportation distances between the villages and the city, described by the virtual "energy circles". This more human scale urbanization, boost the economy in micro-urban areas, rising along with clean energy available in situ that surely gives a different perspective to human quality of life in contrast to overcrowded multicultural mega-urban structures facing generations of problems and struggling to survive as a whole.

Platinum-mordenite catalysts for n-Hexane isomerization: Characterization by X-ray absorption spectroscopy and chemical probes

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

Otten, M.M.; Clayton, M.J.; Lamb, H.H.

Platinum-mordenite (Pt-MOR) catalysts were prepared from NH{sub 4}-MOR by ion exchange with (Pt{sup II}(NH{sub 3}){sub 4})(OH){sub 2}, calcination in O{sub 2} at 350{degrees}C, and reduction in H{sub 2} at 350{degrees}C. The resultant Pt-H-MOR was active for n-hexane isomerization and hydrocracking via bifunctional catalysis at 240-300{degrees}C and 1 atm. The observed activation energies for C{sub 6} branched-isomer formation are unusually low, suggesting that the isomerization rates were controlled by pore diffusion. A Pt-KH-MOR catalyst was prepared by ion exchange with aqueous KNO{sub 3} and re-reduction at 350{degrees}C; elemental analysis evidenced 90% exchange of protons for K{sup +} ions. The product distributionmore » and observed activation energies for C{sub 6} branched-isomer formation over Pt-KH-MOR are consistent with n-hexane isomerization via bifunctional catalysis. Hydrocracking was strongly suppressed, and light hydrocarbons were formed primarily by Pt-catalyzed hydrogenolysis. From in-situ extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and H{sub 2} temperature-programmed desorption, we conclude that the Pt-MOR catalysts consist of small Pt clusters hosted within the mordenite crystals. The PtL{sub III}X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectra of Pt-H-MOR and Pt-KH-MOR are closely similar, suggesting that the electronic structure of the Pt clusters is unaffected by mordenite acid-base chemistry. The infrared spectrum of CO adsorbed on Pt-H-MOR contains an intense band at 2084 cm{sup -1}, which is assigned to linear CO moieties on Pt clusters. The infrared spectrum of CO adsorbed on Pt-KH-MOR evidences a red shift of the linear CO band, which the authors suggest is due to electrostatic interactions between carbonyl O atoms and nearby K{sup +} ions. 45 refs., 9 figs., 6 tabs.« less

A new anion-deficient fluorite-related superstructure of Bi{sub 28}V{sub 8}O{sub 62}

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

Đorđević, T., E-mail: tamara.djordjevic@univie.ac.at; Karanović, Lj., E-mail: ljika2002@yahoo.com

2014-12-15

New hydrothermally synthesized Bi{sub 28}V{sub 8}O{sub 62} was structurally characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. Bi{sub 28}V{sub 8}O{sub 62} crystallizes in the novel type of defect fluorite structure related to the face-centered cubic δ-Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3}. It is monoclinic, s. g. P2{sub 1}/c, and the relation to the fluorite subcell is given as a∼(3/2)a{sub F}+(3/2)c{sub F}; b∼ −b{sub F}; c∼2a{sub F} −4c{sub F} (F in subscript indicate the unit cell parameter of fluorite). Its structure is characterized by slabs of edge sharing OBi{sub 4} tetrahedra surrounded by the OBi{sub 3} triangles. As a part of these OBi{sub 3} triangles, twomore » positionally disordered Bi{sup 3+} cations were observed in the marginal part of the slabs. The slabs are extending along b axis and are linked by inter-slab portion of the structure composed of VO{sub 4} tetrahedra and BiO{sub 6−x} coordination polyhedra, where x is a number of vacant oxygen sites. Raman spectra verified the coordination environment of vanadium atoms in the structure. - Graphical abstract: The [4{sup ¯}01] projection of two slabs and inter-slab part of the structure in one layer parallel to the (3{sup ¯}08)=(002{sup ¯}){sub F} plane (F in subscript indicate a fluorite type structure). The large green circles are Bi atoms. Small blue circles represent partly and fully occupied O sites, respectively. Pink (hatched black) are V1O{sub 4} and blue (hatched white) are V2O{sub 4} coordination tetrahedra. - Highlights: • Single crystals of Bi{sub 28}V{sub 8}O{sub 62} were grown using hydrothermal technique. • The crystal structure of Bi{sub 28}V{sub 8}O{sub 62} was solved using single-crystal XRD method. • Bi{sub 28}V{sub 8}O{sub 62} has an anion-deficient fluorite-related superstructure. • Raman spectrum confirmed the coordination environment of vanadium atoms. • Relation to the structurally related compound was discussed.« less

Oxygen stoichiometry: A key parameter to tune structural phase diagram of La{sub 0.2}Sr{sub 0.8}MnO{sub 3-δ}

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

Shahee, Aga, E-mail: agashahee@gmail.com; Lalla, N. P.

2015-06-24

Low temperature x-ray powder diffraction studies, in conjunction with transmission electron microscopy on stoichiometric (δ = 0.01) and oxygen deficient (δ =0.12) samples of La{sub 0.2}Sr{sub 0.8}MnO{sub 3-δ} manganites have been carried out. These studies revealed that oxygen stoichiometry plays a key role in controlling ground state of electron doped manganites. It is observed that the La{sub 0.2}Sr{sub 0.8}MnO{sub 2.99} undergoes a first order phase transition from cubic (Pm-3m) to JT-distorted twin tetragonal (I4/mcm) phase associated with C-type antiferromagnetic ordering at ∼260K. This JT-distortion induced cubic to tetragonal phase transition get totally suppressed in La{sub 0.2}Sr{sub 0.8}MnO{sub 2.88}. The basicmore » perovskite lattice of the off-stoichiometric La{sub 0.2}Sr{sub 0.8}MnO{sub 2.88} remains cubic down to 80K but undergoes a well-developed charge-ordering transition with 9x9 modulations at ∼260K.« less