Traceable Coulomb blockade thermometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hahtela, O.; Mykkänen, E.; Kemppinen, A.; Meschke, M.; Prunnila, M.; Gunnarsson, D.; Roschier, L.; Penttilä, J.; Pekola, J.

2017-02-01

We present a measurement and analysis scheme for determining traceable thermodynamic temperature at cryogenic temperatures using Coulomb blockade thermometry. The uncertainty of the electrical measurement is improved by utilizing two sampling digital voltmeters instead of the traditional lock-in technique. The remaining uncertainty is dominated by that of the numerical analysis of the measurement data. Two analysis methods are demonstrated: numerical fitting of the full conductance curve and measuring the height of the conductance dip. The complete uncertainty analysis shows that using either analysis method the relative combined standard uncertainty (k  =  1) in determining the thermodynamic temperature in the temperature range from 20 mK to 200 mK is below 0.5%. In this temperature range, both analysis methods produced temperature estimates that deviated from 0.39% to 0.67% from the reference temperatures provided by a superconducting reference point device calibrated against the Provisional Low Temperature Scale of 2000.

NIM gas controlled sodium heat pipe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, X.; Zhang, J. T.; Merlone, A.; Duan, Y.; Wang, W.

2013-09-01

Gas controlled heat pipes (GCHPs) provide a uniform, stable and reproducible temperature zone to calibrate thermometers and thermocouples, and to realize defining fixed points using a calorimetric method. Therefore, to perform such investigations, a GCHP furnace using sodium as its working fluid was constructed at the National Institute of Metrology (NIM), China. Also, investigations into the thermal characteristics of the NIM gas controlled sodium heat pipe were carried out. The temperature stability over 5 hours was better than ±0.25 mK while controlling the pressure at 111250 Pa. The temperature uniformity within 14 cm from the bottom of the thermometer well was within 0.3 mK. While keeping the pressure stable at the same value, 17 temperature determinations were performed over 14 days, obtaining a temperature reproducibility of 1.27 mK. Additionally, the NIM gas controlled sodium heat pipe was compared with the sodium heat pipe produced by INRiM. The temperature in the INRiM sodium heat pipe operating at 111250 Pa was determined, obtaining a difference of 21 mK with respect to the NIM GCHP. This difference was attributed to sodium impurities, pressure controller capabilities and reproducibility, and instabilities of high temperature standard platinum resistance thermometers (HTSPRTs). Further investigations will be carried out on extending the pressure/temperature range and connecting both GCHPs to the same pressure line.

Stability of some epoxy-encapsulated diode thermometers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mangum, B. W.; Evans, G. A., Jr.

1986-01-01

The stability upon thermal cycling and handling of ten small, epoxy-encapsulated silicon diode thermometers at six temperatures in the range from liquid nitrogen temperatures to about 60 C. The nominal temperatures of measurement were -196, -78, 0, 20, 40, and 60 C, as measured on the International Practical Temperature Scale of 1968. Diodes were to be thermally cycled 15 to 20 times. Since NASA anticipates that the uncertainty in their temperature measurements will be + or - 50 mK, uncertainties as large as + or - 10 mK in the measurements of the evaluaton can be accommodated without deleteriously affecting the value of the results of the investigation.

Sapphire Whispering Gallery Thermometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Strouse, G. F.

2007-12-01

An innovative sapphire whispering gallery thermometer (SWGT) is being explored at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as a potential replacement for a standard platinum resistance thermometer (SPRT) for industrial applications that require measurement uncertainties of ≤ 10 mK. The NIST SWGT uses a synthetic sapphire monocrystalline disk configured as a uniaxial, dielectric resonator with whispering gallery modes between 14 GHz and 20 GHz and with Q-factors as large as 90,000. The prototype SWGT stability at the ice melting point (0°C) is ≤ 1 mK with a frequency resolution equivalent to 0.05 mK. The prototype SWGT measurement uncertainty ( k= 1) is 10 mK from 0°C to 100°C for all five resonance modes studied. These results for the SWGT approach the capabilities of industrial resistance thermometers. The SWGT promises greatly increased resistance to mechanical shock relative to SPRTs, over the range from -196°C to 500°C while retaining the low uncertainties needed by secondary calibration laboratories. The temperature sensitivity of the SWGT depends upon a well-defined property (the refractive index at microwave frequencies) and the thermal expansion of a pure material. Therefore, it is expected that SWGTs can be calibrated over a wide temperature range using a reference function, along with deviations measured at a few fixed points. This article reports the prototype SWGT stability, resolution, repeatability, and the temperature dependence of five whispering gallery resonance frequencies in the range from 0°C to 100°C.

Using SDO's AIA to investigate energy transport from a flare's energy release site to the chromosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brosius, J. W.; Holman, G. D.

2012-04-01

Context. Coordinated observations of a GOES B4.8 microflare with SDO's Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) and the Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) on 2010 July 31 show that emission in all seven of AIA's EUV channels brightened simultaneously nearly 6 min before RHESSI or GOES detected emission from plasma at temperatures around 10 MK. Aims: To help interpret these and AIA flare observations in general, we characterized the expected temporal responses of AIA's 94, 131, 171, 193, 211, and 335 Å channels to solar flare brightenings by combining (1) AIA's nominal temperature response functions available through SSWIDL with (2) EUV spectral line data observed in a flare loop footpoint on 2001 April 24 with the Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS) on timescales comparable to AIA's image cadence. Methods: The nine emission lines observed by CDS cover a wide range of formation temperature from about 0.05 to 8 MK. Line brightenings observed early during the CDS flare occurred at temperatures less than about 0.7 MK, with the largest values around 0.1 MK. These brightenings were consistent with the flare's energy transport being dominated by nonthermal particle beams. Because all of AIA's EUV channels are sensitive to emission from plasma in the 0.1 to 0.7 MK temperature range, we show that all of AIA's EUV channels will brighten simultaneously during flares like this, in which energy transport is dominated by nonthermal particle beams. Results: The 2010 July 31 flare observed by AIA and RHESSI displays this behavior, so we conclude that such beams likely dominated the flare's energy transport early during the event. When thermal conduction from a reconnection-heated, hot (~10 MK) plasma dominates the energy transport, the AIA channels that are sensitive to emission from such temperatures (particularly the 94 and 131 Å channels) will brighten earlier than the channels that are not sensitive to such temperatures (171 and 211 Å). Conclusions: Thus, based on the differences expected between AIA's response to flares whose energy transport is dominated by nonthermal particle beams from those whose energy transport is dominated by thermal conduction, AIA can be used to determine the dominant energy transport mechanism for any given event. Movie is available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org

Design of a self-aligned, wide temperature range (300 mK-300 K) atomic force microscope/magnetic force microscope with 10 nm magnetic force microscope resolution

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

Karcı, Özgür; Department of Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine, Hacettepe University, Beytepe, 06800 Ankara; Dede, Münir

We describe the design of a wide temperature range (300 mK-300 K) atomic force microscope/magnetic force microscope with a self-aligned fibre-cantilever mechanism. An alignment chip with alignment groves and a special mechanical design are used to eliminate tedious and time consuming fibre-cantilever alignment procedure for the entire temperature range. A low noise, Michelson fibre interferometer was integrated into the system for measuring deflection of the cantilever. The spectral noise density of the system was measured to be ~12 fm/√Hz at 4.2 K at 3 mW incident optical power. Abrikosov vortices in BSCCO(2212) single crystal sample and a high density hardmore » disk sample were imaged at 10 nm resolution to demonstrate the performance of the system.« less

Velocity Measurements for a Solar Active Region Fan Loop from Hinode/EIS Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Young, P. R.; O'Dwyer, B.; Mason, H. E.

2012-01-01

The velocity pattern of a fan loop structure within a solar active region over the temperature range 0.15-1.5 MK is derived using data from the EUV Imaging Spectrometer (EIS) on board the Hinode satellite. The loop is aligned toward the observer's line of sight and shows downflows (redshifts) of around 15 km s-1 up to a temperature of 0.8 MK, but for temperatures of 1.0 MK and above the measured velocity shifts are consistent with no net flow. This velocity result applies over a projected spatial distance of 9 Mm and demonstrates that the cooler, redshifted plasma is physically disconnected from the hotter, stationary plasma. A scenario in which the fan loops consist of at least two groups of "strands"—one cooler and downflowing, the other hotter and stationary—is suggested. The cooler strands may represent a later evolutionary stage of the hotter strands. A density diagnostic of Mg VII was used to show that the electron density at around 0.8 MK falls from 3.2 × 109 cm-3 at the loop base, to 5.0 × 108 cm-3 at a projected height of 15 Mm. A filling factor of 0.2 is found at temperatures close to the formation temperature of Mg VII (0.8 MK), confirming that the cooler, downflowing plasma occupies only a fraction of the apparent loop volume. The fan loop is rooted within a so-called outflow region that displays low intensity and blueshifts of up to 25 km s-1 in Fe XII λ195.12 (formed at 1.5 MK), in contrast to the loop's redshifts of 15 km s-1 at 0.8 MK. A new technique for obtaining an absolute wavelength calibration for the EIS instrument is presented and an instrumental effect, possibly related to a distorted point-spread function, that affects velocity measurements is identified.

VELOCITY MEASUREMENTS FOR A SOLAR ACTIVE REGION FAN LOOP FROM HINODE/EIS OBSERVATIONS

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

Young, P. R.; O'Dwyer, B.; Mason, H. E.

2012-01-01

The velocity pattern of a fan loop structure within a solar active region over the temperature range 0.15-1.5 MK is derived using data from the EUV Imaging Spectrometer (EIS) on board the Hinode satellite. The loop is aligned toward the observer's line of sight and shows downflows (redshifts) of around 15 km s{sup -1} up to a temperature of 0.8 MK, but for temperatures of 1.0 MK and above the measured velocity shifts are consistent with no net flow. This velocity result applies over a projected spatial distance of 9 Mm and demonstrates that the cooler, redshifted plasma is physicallymore » disconnected from the hotter, stationary plasma. A scenario in which the fan loops consist of at least two groups of 'strands'-one cooler and downflowing, the other hotter and stationary-is suggested. The cooler strands may represent a later evolutionary stage of the hotter strands. A density diagnostic of Mg VII was used to show that the electron density at around 0.8 MK falls from 3.2 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 9} cm{sup -3} at the loop base, to 5.0 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 8} cm{sup -3} at a projected height of 15 Mm. A filling factor of 0.2 is found at temperatures close to the formation temperature of Mg VII (0.8 MK), confirming that the cooler, downflowing plasma occupies only a fraction of the apparent loop volume. The fan loop is rooted within a so-called outflow region that displays low intensity and blueshifts of up to 25 km s{sup -1} in Fe XII {lambda}195.12 (formed at 1.5 MK), in contrast to the loop's redshifts of 15 km s{sup -1} at 0.8 MK. A new technique for obtaining an absolute wavelength calibration for the EIS instrument is presented and an instrumental effect, possibly related to a distorted point-spread function, that affects velocity measurements is identified.« less

A broadband microwave Corbino spectrometer at ³He temperatures and high magnetic fields.

PubMed

Liu, Wei; Pan, LiDong; Armitage, N P

2014-09-01

We present the technical details of a broadband microwave spectrometer for measuring the complex conductance of thin films covering the range from 50 MHz up to 16 GHz in the temperature range 300 mK-6 K and at applied magnetic fields up to 8 T. We measure the complex reflection from a sample terminating a coaxial transmission line and calibrate the signals with three standards with known reflection coefficients. Thermal isolation of the heat load from the inner conductor is accomplished by including a section of NbTi superconducting cable (transition temperature around 8-9 K) and hermetic seal glass bead adapters. This enables us to stabilize the base temperature of the sample stage at 300 mK. However, the inclusion of this superconducting cable complicates the calibration procedure. We document the effects of the superconducting cable on our calibration procedure and the effects of applied magnetic fields and how we control the temperature with great repeatability for each measurement. We have successfully extracted reliable data in this frequency, temperature, and field range for thin superconducting films and highly resistive graphene samples.

A broadband microwave Corbino spectrometer at 3He temperatures and high magnetic fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Wei; Pan, LiDong; Armitage, N. P.

2014-09-01

We present the technical details of a broadband microwave spectrometer for measuring the complex conductance of thin films covering the range from 50 MHz up to 16 GHz in the temperature range 300 mK-6 K and at applied magnetic fields up to 8 T. We measure the complex reflection from a sample terminating a coaxial transmission line and calibrate the signals with three standards with known reflection coefficients. Thermal isolation of the heat load from the inner conductor is accomplished by including a section of NbTi superconducting cable (transition temperature around 8-9 K) and hermetic seal glass bead adapters. This enables us to stabilize the base temperature of the sample stage at 300 mK. However, the inclusion of this superconducting cable complicates the calibration procedure. We document the effects of the superconducting cable on our calibration procedure and the effects of applied magnetic fields and how we control the temperature with great repeatability for each measurement. We have successfully extracted reliable data in this frequency, temperature, and field range for thin superconducting films and highly resistive graphene samples.

Observing electron spin resonance between 0.1 and 67 GHz at temperatures between 50 mK and 300 K using broadband metallic coplanar waveguides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wiemann, Yvonne; Simmendinger, Julian; Clauss, Conrad; Bogani, Lapo; Bothner, Daniel; Koelle, Dieter; Kleiner, Reinhold; Dressel, Martin; Scheffler, Marc

2015-05-01

We describe a fully broadband approach for electron spin resonance (ESR) experiments, where it is possible to tune not only the magnetic field but also the frequency continuously over wide ranges. Here, a metallic coplanar transmission line acts as compact and versatile microwave probe that can easily be implemented in different cryogenic setups. We perform ESR measurements at frequencies between 0.1 and 67 GHz and at temperatures between 50 mK and room temperature. Three different types of samples (Cr3+ ions in ruby, organic radicals of the nitronyl-nitroxide family, and the doped semiconductor Si:P) represent different possible fields of application for the technique. We demonstrate that an extremely large phase space in temperature, magnetic field, and frequency for ESR measurements, substantially exceeding the range of conventional ESR setups, is accessible with metallic coplanar lines.

Superconducting phase transitions in mK temperature range in splat-cooled U0.85Pt0.15 alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim-Ngan, N.-T. H.; Tarnawski, Z.; Chrobak, M.; Sowa, S.; Duda, A.; Paukov, M.; Buturlim, V.; Havela, L.

2018-05-01

We present the temperature and magnetic-field dependence of the electrical resistivity (ρ(T,B)) in the mK temperature range used as a diagnostic tool for the superconductivity of U-Pt alloys prepared by splat-cooling technique. In most of the investigated alloys, a single resistivity drop was observed at the superconducting transition. For splat-cooled U0.85Pt0.15 (U-15 at% Pt) alloys, two drops were revealed around 0.6 K and 1 K tentatively attributed to the superconducting phase transitions of the γ-U phase and α-U phase. The ρ(T,B) characteristics were found to depend on the cooling rate. The superconductivity is characterized by very high upper critical fields, reaching 4.5 T in the 0 K limit.

Transition edge sensors for quench localization in SRF cavity tests

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Furci, H.; Kovács, Z.; Koettig, T.; Vandoni, G.

2017-12-01

Transition Edge Sensors (TES) are bolometers based on the gradual superconducting transition of a thin film alloy. In the frame of improvement of non-contact thermal mapping for quench localisation in SRF cavity tests, TES have been developed in-house at CERN. Based on modern photolithography techniques, a fabrication method has been established and used to produce TES from Au-Sn alloys. The fabricated sensors superconducting transitions were characterised. The sensitive temperature range of the sensors spreads over 100 mK to 200 mK and its centre can be shifted by the bias current applied between 1.5 K and 2.1 K. Maximum sensitivity being in the range of 0.5 mV/mK, it is possible to detect fast temperature variations (in the 50 μs range) below 1 mK. All these characteristics are an asset for the detection of second sound. Second sound was produced by heaters and the TES were able to distinctively detect it. The value of the speed of second sound was determined and corresponds remarkably with literature values. Furthermore, there is a clear correlation between intensity of the signal and distance, opening possibilities for a more precise signal interpretation in quench localisation.

Large Angle Optical Access in a Sub-Kelvin Cryostat

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hähnle, S.; Bueno, J.; Huiting, R.; Yates, S. J. C.; Baselmans, J. J. A.

2018-05-01

The development of lens-antenna-coupled aluminum-based microwave kinetic inductance detectors (MKIDs) and on-chip spectrometers needs a dedicated cryogenic setup to measure the beam patterns of the lens-antenna system over a large angular throughput and broad frequency range. This requires a careful design since the MKID has to be cooled to temperatures below 300 mK to operate effectively. We developed such a cryostat with a large opening angle θ = ± 37.8° and an optical access with a low-pass edge at 950 GHz . The system is based upon a commercial pulse tube cooled 3 K system with a ^4He -^3He sorption cooler to allow base temperatures below 300 mK . A careful study of the spectral and geometric throughput was performed to minimize thermal loading on the cold stage, allowing a base temperature of 265 mK . Radio-transparent multi-layer-insulation was employed as a recent development in filter technology to efficiently block near-infrared radiation.

Observing electron spin resonance between 0.1 and 67 GHz at temperatures between 50 mK and 300 K using broadband metallic coplanar waveguides

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

Wiemann, Yvonne; Simmendinger, Julian; Clauss, Conrad

2015-05-11

We describe a fully broadband approach for electron spin resonance (ESR) experiments, where it is possible to tune not only the magnetic field but also the frequency continuously over wide ranges. Here, a metallic coplanar transmission line acts as compact and versatile microwave probe that can easily be implemented in different cryogenic setups. We perform ESR measurements at frequencies between 0.1 and 67 GHz and at temperatures between 50 mK and room temperature. Three different types of samples (Cr{sup 3+} ions in ruby, organic radicals of the nitronyl-nitroxide family, and the doped semiconductor Si:P) represent different possible fields of application formore » the technique. We demonstrate that an extremely large phase space in temperature, magnetic field, and frequency for ESR measurements, substantially exceeding the range of conventional ESR setups, is accessible with metallic coplanar lines.« less

Bilateral Comparison of Blackbodies for Clinical Infrared Ear Thermometers between NIMT and NMIJ

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manoi, A.; Norranim, U.; Kaneko, Y.; Ishii, J.

2014-04-01

This article describes the results of the bilateral comparison of blackbodies for infrared ear thermometers (IRETs) between the National Institute of Metrology (Thailand), NIMT, and the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ). The purpose of this comparison was to ensure consistency of the national radiance temperature scales for IRETs maintained by NIMT and NMIJ. Results of the measurements indicate differences in radiance temperature within 10 mK with a maximum measurement uncertainty of 64 mK. The equivalence of the radiance temperature scales realized by both NIMT and NMIJ in the range of 35 C to 42 C for IRET calibration is indicated. The results of this bilateral comparison can be used in terms of quality assurance and validation of calibration.

CONSTRAINING SOLAR FLARE DIFFERENTIAL EMISSION MEASURES WITH EVE AND RHESSI

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

Caspi, Amir; McTiernan, James M.; Warren, Harry P.

2014-06-20

Deriving a well-constrained differential emission measure (DEM) distribution for solar flares has historically been difficult, primarily because no single instrument is sensitive to the full range of coronal temperatures observed in flares, from ≲2 to ≳50 MK. We present a new technique, combining extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectra from the EUV Variability Experiment (EVE) onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory with X-ray spectra from the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI), to derive, for the first time, a self-consistent, well-constrained DEM for jointly observed solar flares. EVE is sensitive to ∼2-25 MK thermal plasma emission, and RHESSI to ≳10 MK; together, the twomore » instruments cover the full range of flare coronal plasma temperatures. We have validated the new technique on artificial test data, and apply it to two X-class flares from solar cycle 24 to determine the flare DEM and its temporal evolution; the constraints on the thermal emission derived from the EVE data also constrain the low energy cutoff of the non-thermal electrons, a crucial parameter for flare energetics. The DEM analysis can also be used to predict the soft X-ray flux in the poorly observed ∼0.4-5 nm range, with important applications for geospace science.« less

Complex temperature dependence of coupling and dissipation of cavity magnon polaritons from millikelvin to room temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boventer, Isabella; Pfirrmann, Marco; Krause, Julius; Schön, Yannick; Kläui, Mathias; Weides, Martin

2018-05-01

Hybridized magnonic-photonic systems are key components for future information processing technologies such as storage, manipulation, or conversion of data both in the classical (mostly at room temperature) and quantum (cryogenic) regime. In this work, we investigate a yttrium-iron-garnet sphere coupled strongly to a microwave cavity over the full temperature range from 290 K to 30 mK . The cavity-magnon polaritons are studied from the classical to the quantum regimes where the thermal energy is less than one resonant microwave quanta, i.e., at temperatures below 1 K . We compare the temperature dependence of the coupling strength geff(T ) , describing the strength of coherent energy exchange between spin ensemble and cavity photon, to the temperature behavior of the saturation magnetization evolution Ms(T ) and find strong deviations at low temperatures. The temperature dependence of magnonic disspation is governed at intermediate temperatures by rare-earth impurity scattering leading to a strong peak at 40 K . The linewidth κm decreases to 1.2 MHz at 30 mK , making this system suitable as a building block for quantum electrodynamics experiments. We achieve an electromagnonic cooperativity in excess of 20 over the entire temperature range, with values beyond 100 in the millikelvin regime as well as at room temperature. With our measurements, spectroscopy on strongly coupled magnon-photon systems is demonstrated as versatile tool for spin material studies over large temperature ranges. Key parameters are provided in a single measurement, thus simplifying investigations significantly.

Determination of Differential Emission Measure Distribution of Coronal Structures Observed by SphinX During Recent Minimum of Solar Activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kepa, Anna; Gburek, Szymon; Siarkowski, Marek; Sylwester, Barbara; Sylwester, Janusz; Kowalinski, Miroslaw

SphinX is a high-sensitivity soft X-ray spectrophotometer which measures soft X-ray spectra in the energy range between 0.8 keV and 15 keV. From February to November 2009 the instrument has observed unusually quiet solar coronal emission as well as a number of weak solar flares. Based on SphinX spectra it is possible to study the differential emission measure distributions (DEM) in the temperature range roughly between 1 MK and 10 MK. The aim of the present study is to unveil DEM plasma distributions for selected activity conditions and analyze their variability.

Construction and Start-up of a Large-Volume Thermostat for Dielectric-Constant Gas Thermometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Merlone, A.; Moro, F.; Zandt, T.; Gaiser, C.; Fellmuth, B.

2010-07-01

A liquid-bath thermostat with a volume of about 800 L was designed to provide a suitable thermal environment for a dielectric-constant gas thermometer (DCGT) in the range from the triple point of mercury to the melting point of gallium. In the article, results obtained with the unique, huge thermostat without the DCGT measuring chamber are reported to demonstrate the capability of controlling the temperature of very large systems at a metrological level. First tests showed that the bath together with its temperature controller provide a temperature variation of less than ±0.5mK peak-to-peak. This temperature instability could be maintained over a period of several days. In the central working volume (diameter—500mm, height—650mm), in which the vacuum chamber containing the measuring system of the DCGT will be placed later, the temperature inhomogeneity has been demonstrated to be also well below 1mK.

Velocity Characteristics of Evaporated Plasma using Hinode/EIS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Milligan, Ryan O.; Dennis, Brian R.

2009-01-01

This paper presents a detailed study of chromospheric evaporation using the EUV Imaging Spectrometer (EIS) onboard Hinode in conjunction with HXR observat,ions from RHESSI. The advanced capabilities of EIS were used to measure Doppler shifts in 15 emission lines covering the temperature range T=0.05-16 MK during the impulsive phase of a C-class flare on 2007 December 14. Blueshifts indicative of the evaporated material were observed in six emission lines from Fe XIV-XXIV (2-16 MK). Upflow velocity was found to scale with temperature as v(sub up) (kilometers per second) approximately equal to 5-17 T (MK). Although the hottest emission lines, Fe XXIII and Fe XXIV, exhibited upflows of greater than 200 kilometers per second, their line profiles were found to be dominated by a stationary component in stark contrast to the predictions of the standard flare model. Emission from O VI-Fe XIII lines (0.5-1.5 MK) was found to be redshifted by v(sub down) (kilometers per second) approximately equal to 60-17 T (MK) and was interpreted as the downward-moving 'plug' characteristic of explosive evaporation. These downflows occur at temperatures significantly higher than previously expected. Both upflows and downflows were spatially and temporally correlated with HXR emission observed by RHESSI that provided the properties of the electron beam deemed to be the driver of the evaporation. The energy contained in the electron beam was found to be greater than or equal to 10(sup 11) ergs per square centimeter per second consistent with the value required to drive explosive chromospheric evaporation from hydrodynamic simulations.

Progress in Primary Acoustic Thermometry at NIST: 273 K to 505 K

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Strouse, G. F.; Defibaugh, D. R.; Moldover, M. R.; Ripple, D. C.

2003-09-01

The NIST Acoustic Thermometer determines the thermodynamic temperature by measuring the speed of sound of argon in a spherical cavity. We obtained the thermodynamic temperature of three fixed points on the International Temperature Scale of 1990: the melting point of gallium [T(Ga) = 302.9146 K] and the freezing points of indium [T(In) = 429.7485 K] and tin [T(Sn) = 505.078 K]. The deviations of thermodynamic temperature from the ITS-90 defined temperatures are T - T90 = (4.7 ± 0.6) mK at T(Ga) , T - T90 = (8.8 ± 1.5) mK at T(In) , and T - T90 = (10.7 ± 3.0) mK at T(Sn) , where the uncertainties are for a coverage factor of k = 1. Our results at T(In) and T(Sn) reduce the uncertainty of T - T90 by a factor of two in this range. Both T - T90 at T(Ga) and the measured thermal expansion of the resonator between the triple point of water and T(Ga) are in excellent agreement with the 1992 determination at NIST. The dominant uncertainties in the present data come from frequency-dependent and time-dependent crosstalk between the electroacoustic transducers. We plan to reduce these uncertainties and extend this work to 800 K.

Vector space methods of photometric analysis. II - Refinement of the MK grid for B stars. III - The two components of ultraviolet reddening

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Massa, D.

1980-01-01

This paper discusses systematic errors which arise from exclusive use of the MK system to determine reddening. It is found that implementation of uvby, beta photometry to refine the qualitative MK grid substantially reduces stellar mismatch error. A working definition of 'identical' ubvy, beta types is investigated and the relationship of uvby to B-V color excesses is determined. A comparison is also made of the hydrogen based uvby, beta types with the MK system based on He and metal lines. A small core correlated effective temperature luminosity error in the MK system for the early B stars is observed along with a breakdown of the MK luminosity criteria for the late B stars. The second part investigates the wavelength dependence of interstellar extinction in the ultraviolet wavelength range observed with the TD-1 satellite. In this study the sets of identical stars employed to find reddening are determined more precisely than in previous studies and consist only of normal, nonsupergiant stars. A multivariate analysis of variance techniques in an unbiased coordinate system is used for determining the wavelength dependence of reddening.

Microrefrigeration by a pair of normal metal/insulator/superconductor junctions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leivo, M. M.; Pekola, J. P.; Averin, D. V.

1995-01-01

We suggest and demonstrate experimentally that two normal metal/insulator/superconductor (NIS) tunnel junctions combined in series to form a symmetric SINIS structure can operate as an efficient Peltier refrigerator. Specifically, it is shown that the SINIS structure with normal-state junction resistences of 1.0 and 1.1 kOmega is capable of reaching a temperature of about 100 mK starting from 300 mK. We estimate the corresponding cooling power to be 1.5 pW per total junction area of 0.8 micrometers(exp 2) at T = 300 mK. This cooling power density implies that scaling of junction area up to about 1 mm(exp 2) should bring the cooling power into the microW range.

Andreev current for low temperature thermometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faivre, T.; Golubev, D. S.; Pekola, J. P.

2015-05-01

We demonstrate experimentally that disorder enhanced Andreev current in a tunnel junction between a normal metal and a superconductor provides a method to measure electronic temperature, specifically at temperatures below 200 mK when aluminum is used. This Andreev thermometer has some advantages over conventional quasiparticle thermometers: For instance, it does not conduct heat and its reading does not saturate until at lower temperatures. Another merit is that the responsivity is constant over a wide temperature range.

Applications of the Magnetocaloric Effect in Single-Stage, Multi-Stage and Continuous Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shirron, Peter J.

2014-01-01

Adiabatic demagnetization refrigerators (ADR), based on the magnetocaloric effect, are solid-state coolers that were the first to achieve cooling well into the sub-kelvin regime. Although supplanted by more powerful dilution refrigerators in the 1960s, ADRs have experienced a revival due to the needs of the space community for cooling astronomical instruments and detectors to temperatures below 100 mK. The earliest of these were single-stage refrigerators using superfluid helium as a heat sink. Their modest cooling power (<1 µW at 60 mK[1]) was sufficient for the small (6x6) detector arrays[2], but recent advances in arraying and multiplexing technologies[3] are generating a need for higher cooling power (5-10 µW), and lower temperature (<30 mK). Single-stage ADRs have both practical and fundamental limits to their operating range, as mass grows very rapidly as the operating range is expanded. This has led to the development of new architectures that introduce multi-staging as a way to improve operating range, efficiency and cooling power. Multi-staging also enables ADRs to be configured for continuous operation, which greatly improves cooling power per unit mass. This paper reviews the current field of adiabatic demagnetization refrigeration, beginning with a description of the magnetocaloric effect and its application in single-stage systems, and then describing the challenges and capabilities of multi-stage and continuous ADRs.

Possible quadrupolar nematic phase in the frustrated spin chain LiCuSbO4: An NMR investigation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bosiočić, M.; Bert, F.; Dutton, S. E.; Cava, R. J.; Baker, P. J.; Požek, M.; Mendels, P.

2017-12-01

The frustrated one-dimensional quantum magnet LiCuSbO4 is a rare realization of the J1-J2 spin chain model with an easily accessible saturation field, formerly estimated at 12 T. Exotic multipolar nematic phases were theoretically predicted in such compounds just below the saturation field, but without unambiguous experimental observation so far. In this paper we present extensive experimental research on the compound in a wide temperature (30 mK to 300 K) and field (0-13.3 T) range by muon spin rotation (μ SR ), 7Li nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and magnetic susceptibility (SQUID). μ SR experiments in zero magnetic field demonstrate the absence of long-range 3D ordering down to 30 mK. Together with former heat capacity data [Dutton et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 187206 (2012), 10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.187206], magnetic susceptibility measurements suggest a short-range-correlated vector chiral phase in the field range 0-4 T. At the intermediate-field values (5-12 T), the system enters a 3D-ordered spin density wave phase with 0.75 μB per copper site at lowest temperatures (125 mK), estimated by NMR. At still higher field, the magnetization is found to be saturated above 13 T where the spin lattice T1-1 relaxation reveals a spin gap estimated at 3.2(2) K. We narrow down the possibility of observing a multipolar nematic phase to the range 12.5-13 T.

An Oil-Bath-Based 293 K to 473 K Blackbody Source

PubMed Central

Fowler, Joel B.

1996-01-01

A high temperature oil-bath-based-black-body source has been designed and constructed in the Radiometric Physics Division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD. The goal of this work was to design a large aperture blackbody source with highly uniform radiance across the aperture, good temporal stability, and good reproducibility. This blackbody source operates in the 293 K to 473 K range with blackbody temperature combined standard uncertainties of 7.2 mK to 30.9 mK. The calculated emissivity of this source is 0.9997 with a standard uncertainty of 0.0003. With a 50 mm limiting aperture at the cavity entrance, the emissivity increases to 0.99996. PMID:27805082

Design and Testing of 100 mK High-voltage Electrodes for AEgIS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Derking, J. H.; Liberadzka, J.; Koettig, T.; Bremer, J.

The AEgIS (Antimatter Experiment: Gravity, Interferometry, Spectroscopy) experiment at CERN has as main goal to perform the first direct measurement of the Earth's gravitational acceleration on antihydrogen atoms within 1% precision. To reach this precision, the antihydrogen should be cooled down to about 100 mK to reduce its random vertical velocity. This is obtained by mounting a Penning trap consisting of multiple high-voltage electrodes on the mixing chamber of a dilution refrigerator with cooling capacity of 100 μW at 50 mK. A design of the high-voltage electrodes is made and experimentally tested at operating conditions. The high-voltage electrodes are made of sapphire with four gold sputtered electrode sectors on it. The electrodes have a width of 40 mm, a height of 18 mm and a thickness of 5.8 mm and for performance testing are mountedto the mixing chamber of a dilution refrigerator with a 250 μm thick indium foil sandwiched inbetween the two to increase the thermal contact. A static heat load of 120 nW applied to the top surface of the electrode results in a maximum measured temperature of 100 mK while the mixing chamber is kept at a constant temperature of 50 mK. The measured totalthermal resistivity lies in the range of 210-260 cm2 K4 W-1, which is much higher than expected from literature. Further research needs to be done to investigate this.

Development of NTD Ge Sensors for Superconducting Bolometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garai, A.; Mathimalar, S.; Singh, V.; Dokania, N.; Nanal, V.; Pillay, R. G.; Ramakrishnan, S.; Shrivastava, A.; Jagadeesan, K. C.; Thakare, S. V.

2016-08-01

Neutron transmutation-doped (NTD) Ge sensors have been prepared by irradiating device-grade Ge with thermal neutrons at Dhruva reactor, BARC, Mumbai. These sensors are intended to be used for the study of neutrinoless double beta decay in ^{124}Sn with a superconducting Tin bolometer. Resistance measurements are performed on NTD Ge sensors in the temperature range 100-350 mK. The observed temperature dependence is found to be consistent with the variable-range hopping mechanism.

Chemical immobilization of free-ranging and captive Sunda clouded leopards (Neofelis diardi) with two anesthetic protocols: medetomidine-ketamine and tiletamine-zolazepam

PubMed Central

NÁJERA, Fernando; HEARN, Andrew J.; ROSS, Joanna; RAMÍREZ SALDIVAR, Diana A.; EVANS, Meaghan N.; GUERRERO-SÁNCHEZ, Sergio; NATHAN, Senthilvel K.S.S.; DE GASPAR SIMÓN, Ignacio; MACDONALD, David W.; GOOSSENS, Benoit; REVUELTA RUEDA, Luis

2017-01-01

There is currently no available information regarding the veterinary management of Sunda clouded leopards (Neofelis diardi), either in captivity or in the wild. In this study, 12 Sunda clouded leopards were anesthetized between January 2008 and February 2014 for medical exams, and/or GPS-collaring. Seven wild-caught individuals were kept in captivity and 5 free-ranging animals were captured by cage traps. Two anesthesia combinations were used: medetomidine-ketamine (M-K) or tiletamine-zolazepam (T-Z). Atipamezole (0.2 mg/kg im) was used as an antagonist for medetomidine. Medetomidine (range: 0.039–0.054 mg/kg) and ketamine (range: 3–4.39 mg/kg) were administered during 5 immobilizations, resulting in median induction times of 7 min. After a median anesthesia time of 56 min, atipamezole was injected, observing effects of antagonism at a median time of 12 min. T-Z (range: 6.8–10.8 mg/kg) was administered on 7 occasions. Median induction times observed with this combination were shorter than with M-K (4 min vs 7 min; P=0.04), and anesthesia and recovery times were significantly longer (244 and 35 min vs 56 and 16 min, respectively; P=0.02). Lower heart rates were measured in the M-K group, while lower rectal temperatures were found in the T-Z group. Both combinations resulted in safe and reliable immobilizations, although given the favorable anesthesia and recovery times of M-K, we recommend this approach over T-Z for the veterinary handling of Sunda clouded leopards. PMID:28904261

Nanometre-scale thermometry in a living cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kucsko, G.; Maurer, P. C.; Yao, N. Y.; Kubo, M.; Noh, H. J.; Lo, P. K.; Park, H.; Lukin, M. D.

2013-08-01

Sensitive probing of temperature variations on nanometre scales is an outstanding challenge in many areas of modern science and technology. In particular, a thermometer capable of subdegree temperature resolution over a large range of temperatures as well as integration within a living system could provide a powerful new tool in many areas of biological, physical and chemical research. Possibilities range from the temperature-induced control of gene expression and tumour metabolism to the cell-selective treatment of disease and the study of heat dissipation in integrated circuits. By combining local light-induced heat sources with sensitive nanoscale thermometry, it may also be possible to engineer biological processes at the subcellular level. Here we demonstrate a new approach to nanoscale thermometry that uses coherent manipulation of the electronic spin associated with nitrogen-vacancy colour centres in diamond. Our technique makes it possible to detect temperature variations as small as 1.8 mK (a sensitivity of 9 mK Hz-1/2) in an ultrapure bulk diamond sample. Using nitrogen-vacancy centres in diamond nanocrystals (nanodiamonds), we directly measure the local thermal environment on length scales as short as 200 nanometres. Finally, by introducing both nanodiamonds and gold nanoparticles into a single human embryonic fibroblast, we demonstrate temperature-gradient control and mapping at the subcellular level, enabling unique potential applications in life sciences.

A Ku band pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometer using an arbitrary waveform generator for quantum control experiments at millikelvin temperatures

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

Yap, Yung Szen, E-mail: yungszen@utm.my; Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor; Tabuchi, Yutaka

2015-06-15

We present a 17 GHz (Ku band) arbitrary waveform pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometer for experiments down to millikelvin temperatures. The spectrometer is located at room temperature, while the resonator is placed either in a room temperature magnet or inside a cryogen-free dilution refrigerator; the operating temperature range of the dilution unit is from ca. 10 mK to 8 K. This combination provides the opportunity to perform quantum control experiments on electron spins in the pure-state regime. At 0.6 T, spin echo experiments were carried out using γ-irradiated quartz glass from 1 K to 12.3 mK. With decreasing temperatures, wemore » observed an increase in spin echo signal intensities due to increasing spin polarizations, in accordance with theoretical predictions. Through experimental data fitting, thermal spin polarization at 100 mK was estimated to be at least 99%, which was almost pure state. Next, to demonstrate the ability to create arbitrary waveform pulses, we generate a shaped pulse by superposing three Gaussian pulses of different frequencies. The resulting pulse was able to selectively and coherently excite three different spin packets simultaneously—a useful ability for analyzing multi-spin system and for controlling a multi-qubit quantum computer. By applying this pulse to the inhomogeneously broadened sample, we obtain three well-resolved excitations at 8 K, 1 K, and 14 mK.« less

Using electron-tunneling refrigerators to cool electrons, membranes, and sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miller, Nathan A.

Many cryogenic devices require temperatures near 100 mK for optimal performance, such as thin-film, superconducting detectors. Examples include the submillimeter SCUBA camera on the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope, high-resolution X-ray sensors for semiconductor defect analysis, and a planned satellite to search for polarization in the cosmic microwave background. The cost, size, and complexity of refrigerators used to reach 100 mK (dilution and adiabatic demagnetization refrigerators) are significant and alternative technologies are desirable. We demonstrate work on developing a new option for cooling detectors to 100 mK bath temperatures. Solid-state refrigerators based on Normal metal/Insulator/Superconductor (NIS) tunnel junctions can provide cooling from pumped 3He bath temperatures (˜300 mK) to 100 mK. The cooling mechanism is the preferential tunneling of the highest energy (hottest) electrons from the normal metal through the biased tunnel junctions into the superconductor. When NIS refrigerators are combined with a micro-machined membrane, both the electrons and phonons of the membrane can be cooled. We have developed NIS-cooled membranes with both large temperature reductions and large cooling powers. We have shown the first cooling of a bulk material by cooling a neutron transmutation doped (NTD) thermistor. The fabrication of NIS refrigerators can be integrated with existing detector technology. For the first time, we have successfully integrated NIS refrigerators with both mm-wave and X-ray detectors. In particular, we have cooled X-ray detectors by more than 100 mK and have achieved a resolution of <10 eV at 6 keV at a bath temperature 85 mK above the transition temperature of the detector. The use of integrated NIS refrigerators makes the remarkable performance of cryogenic detectors available from 300 mK platforms. We have also performed preliminary work towards building a general-purpose cooling platform for microelectronics devices on separate chips.

Temperature dependence of a superconducting tunnel junction x-ray detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hiller, Lawrence J.; Labov, Simon E.; Mears, Carl A.; Barfknecht, Andrew T.; Frank, Matthias A.; Netel, Harrie; Lindeman, Mark A.

1995-09-01

Superconducting tunnel junctions can be used as part of a high-resolution, energy-dispersive x- ray detector. The energy of the absorbed x ray is used to break superconducting electron pairs, producing on the order of 10(superscript 6) excitations, called quasiparticles. The number of quasiparticles produced is proportional to the energy of the absorbed x ray. When a bias voltage is maintained across the barrier, these quasiparticles produce a net tunneling current. Either the peak tunneling current or the total tunneled charge may be measured to determine the energy of the absorbed x ray. The tunneling rate, and therefore the signal, is enhanced by the use of a quasiparticle trap near the tunnel barrier. The trapping efficiency is improved by decreasing the energy gap, though this reduces the maximum temperature at which the device may operate. In our niobium/aluminum configuration, we can very the energy gap in the trapping layer by varying its thickness. This paper examines the performance of two devices with 50 nm aluminum traps at temperatures ranging from 100 mK to 700 mK. We found that this device has a very good energy resolution of about 12 eV FWHM at 1 keV. This energy resolution is independent of temperature for much of this temperature range.

Nuclear demagnetisation cooling of a nanoelectronic device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jones, Alex; Bradley, Ian; Guénault, Tony; Gunnarsson, David; Haley, Richard; Holt, Stephen; Pashkin, Yuri; Penttilä, Jari; Prance, Jonathan; Prunnila, Mika; Roschier, Leif

We present a new technique for on-chip cooling of electrons in a nanostructure: nuclear demagnetisation of on-chip, thin-film copper refrigerant. We are motivated by the potential improvement in the operation of nanoelectronic devices below 10 mK . At these temperatures, weak electron-phonon coupling hinders traditional cooling, yet here gives the advantage of thermal isolation between the environment and the on-chip electrons, enabling cooling significantly below the base temperature of the host lattice. To demonstrate this we electroplate copper onto the metallic islands of a Coulomb blockade thermometer (CBT), and hence provide a direct thermal link between the cooled copper nuclei and the device electrons. The CBT provides primary thermometry of its internal electron temperature, and we use this to monitor the cooling. Using an optimised demagnetisation profile we observe the electrons being cooled from 9 mK to 4 . 5 mK , and remaining below 5 mK for an experimentally useful time of 1200 seconds. We also suggest how this technique can be used to achieve sub- 1 mK electron temperatures without the use of elaborate bulk demagnetisation stages.

Thermographic imaging of superficial temperature in dogs sedated with medetomidine and butorphanol with and without MK-467 (L-659'066).

PubMed

Vainionpää, Mari; Salla, Kati; Restitutti, Flávia; Raekallio, Marja; Junnila, Jouni; Snellman, Marjatta; Vainio, Outi

2013-03-01

To record, with a thermal camera, peripheral temperature changes during different sedation protocols and to relate the results to changes in the rectal temperature. Randomized crossover part-blinded experimental study. Eight healthy purpose-bred neutered Beagles (two females and six males) weight 14.5 ± 1.6 kg (mean ± SD) and aged 3-4 years. Each dog was sedated four times. Treatments were medetomidine 20 μg kg(-1) and butorphanol 0.1 mg kg(-1) (MB) with or without MK-467 500 μg kg(-1) (MK). Both drug combinations were administered IV and IM as separate treatments. A thermal camera (T425, FLIR) with a resolution of 320 by 240 was used for imaging. The dogs were placed in lateral recumbency on an insulated mattress. Digital (DFT) and metatarsal footpad temperatures (MFT) were measured with thermography. Thermograms and rectal temperature (RT) were taken before and at 3, 10, 20, 30, 45 and 60 minutes after treatment. At 60 minutes after drug administration, MFT was higher (p < 0.001) after MB+MK (34.5 ± 1.1 IV, 34.8 ± 0.5 IM) than MB (31.1 ± 2.9 IV, 30.5 ± 3.6 IM), DFT was higher (p < 0.001) after MB+MK (33.6 ± 1.4 IV, 34.0 ± 0.6 IM) than MB (26.7 ± 1.4 IV, 26.7 ± 2.5 IM), and RT was lower (p < 0.001) after MB+MK (36.7 ± 0.8 IV, 36.9 ± 0.3 IM) than MB (37.5 ± 0.3 IV, 37.4 ± 0.4 IM), with both routes. The change from baseline was greater with MB+MK than MB in all variables. Superficial temperature changes can be seen and detected with thermography. MK-467 used with MB resulted in increased superficial temperatures and a decline in rectal temperature compared to MB alone. The sedation protocol may influence core temperature loss, and may also have an effect on thermographic images. © 2012 The Authors. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. © 2012 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and the American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists.

"Hot" Non-flaring Plasmas in Active Region Cores Heated by Single Nanoflares

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barnes, Will Thomas; Cargill, Peter; Bradshaw, Stephen

2016-05-01

We use hydrodynamic modeling tools, including a two-fluid development of the EBTEL code, to investigate the properties expected of "hot" (i.e. between 106.7 and 107.2 K) non-flaring plasmas due to nanoflare heating in active regions. Here we focus on single nanoflares and show that while simple models predict an emission measure distribution extending well above 10 MK that is consistent with cooling by thermal conduction, many other effects are likely to limit the existence and detectability of such plasmas. These include: differential heating between electrons and ions, ionization non-equilibrium and, for short nanoflares, the time taken for the coronal density to increase. The most useful temperature range to look for this plasma, often called the "smoking gun" of nanoflare heating, lies between 1 MK and 10 MK. Signatures of the actual heating may be detectable in some instances.

Corrigendum to "A study of steam methanol reforming in a microreactor" [J. Power Sources 173 (2007) 458-466

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suh, Jeong-Se; Lee, Ming-tsang; Greif, Ralph; Grigoropoulos, Costas P.

A corrigendum has been requested by the authors of this paper due to the following errors: Thermal conductivity of the catalyst is changed from 20 W mK -1 to 0.3 W mK -1. In Table 1, the value of the thermal conductivity of the catalyst is changed from 20 W mK -1 (Touloukian [22]) to 0.3 W mK -1 (Karim [10]). As noted on p. 464 of the paper there was little variation of the gas temperature. Calculations have also been made at the value of the thermal conductivity of 0.3 W mK -1 and again yielded little variation of the gas temperature and thus a negligible change in the results.

Constraining hot plasma in a non-flaring solar active region with FOXSI hard X-ray observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ishikawa, Shin-nosuke; Glesener, Lindsay; Christe, Steven; Ishibashi, Kazunori; Brooks, David H.; Williams, David R.; Shimojo, Masumi; Sako, Nobuharu; Krucker, Säm

2014-12-01

We present new constraints on the high-temperature emission measure of a non-flaring solar active region using observations from the recently flown Focusing Optics X-ray Solar Imager (FOXSI) sounding rocket payload. FOXSI has performed the first focused hard X-ray (HXR) observation of the Sun in its first successful flight on 2012 November 2. Focusing optics, combined with small strip detectors, enable high-sensitivity observations with respect to previous indirect imagers. This capability, along with the sensitivity of the HXR regime to high-temperature emission, offers the potential to better characterize high-temperature plasma in the corona as predicted by nanoflare heating models. We present a joint analysis of the differential emission measure (DEM) of active region 11602 using coordinated observations by FOXSI, Hinode/XRT, and Hinode/EIS. The Hinode-derived DEM predicts significant emission measure between 1 MK and 3 MK, with a peak in the DEM predicted at 2.0-2.5 MK. The combined XRT and EIS DEM also shows emission from a smaller population of plasma above 8 MK. This is contradicted by FOXSI observations that significantly constrain emission above 8 MK. This suggests that the Hinode DEM analysis has larger uncertainties at higher temperatures and that > 8 MK plasma above an emission measure of 3 × 1044 cm-3 is excluded in this active region.

A miniature continuous adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator with compact shielded superconducting magnets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duval, Jean-Marc; Cain, Benjamin M.; Timbie, Peter T.

2004-10-01

Cryogenic detectors for astrophysics depend on cryocoolers capable of achieving temperatures below ~ 100 mK. In order to provide continuous cooling at 50 mK for space or laboratory applications, we are designing a miniature adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (MADR) anchored at a reservoir at 5 K. Continuous cooling is obtained by the use of several paramagnetic pills placed in series with heat switches. All operations are fully electronic and this technology can be adapted fairly easily for a wide range of temperatures and cooling powers. We are focusing on reducing the size and mass of the cooler. For that purpose we have developed and tested magnetoresistive heat switches based on single crystals of tungsten. Several superconducting magnets are required for this cooler and we have designed and manufactured compact magnets. A special focus has been put on the reduction of parasitic magnetic fields in the cold stage, while minimizing the mass of the shields. A prototype continuous MADR, using magnetoresistive heat switches, small paramagnetic pills and compact magnets has been tested. A design of MADR that will provide ~ 5 uW of continuous cooling down to 50 mK is described.

Transient climate and ambient health impacts due to national solid fuel cookstove emissions

PubMed Central

Lacey, Forrest G.; Henze, Daven K.; Lee, Colin J.; van Donkelaar, Aaron; Martin, Randall V.

2017-01-01

Residential solid fuel use contributes to degraded indoor and ambient air quality and may affect global surface temperature. However, the potential for national-scale cookstove intervention programs to mitigate the latter issues is not yet well known, owing to the spatial heterogeneity of aerosol emissions and impacts, along with coemitted species. Here we use a combination of atmospheric modeling, remote sensing, and adjoint sensitivity analysis to individually evaluate consequences of a 20-y linear phase-out of cookstove emissions in each country with greater than 5% of the population using solid fuel for cooking. Emissions reductions in China, India, and Ethiopia contribute to the largest global surface temperature change in 2050 [combined impact of −37 mK (11 mK to −85 mK)], whereas interventions in countries less commonly targeted for cookstove mitigation such as Azerbaijan, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan have the largest per cookstove climate benefits. Abatement in China, India, and Bangladesh contributes to the largest reduction of premature deaths from ambient air pollution, preventing 198,000 (102,000–204,000) of the 260,000 (137,000–268,000) global annual avoided deaths in 2050, whereas again emissions in Ukraine and Azerbaijan have the largest per cookstove impacts, along with Romania. Global cookstove emissions abatement results in an average surface temperature cooling of −77 mK (20 mK to −278 mK) in 2050, which increases to −118 mK (−11 mK to −335 mK) by 2100 due to delayed CO2 response. Health impacts owing to changes in ambient particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 μm or less (PM2.5) amount to ∼22.5 million premature deaths prevented between 2000 and 2100. PMID:28115698

3D Spin-Liquid State in an Organic Hyperkagome Lattice of Mott Dimers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mizuno, Asato; Shuku, Yoshiaki; Matsushita, Michio M.; Tsuchiizu, Masahisa; Hara, Yuuki; Wada, Nobuo; Shimizu, Yasuhiro; Awaga, Kunio

2017-08-01

We report the first 3D spin liquid state of isotropic organic spins. Structural analysis, and magnetic and heat-capacity measurements were carried out for a chiral organic radical salt, (TBA) 1.5[(-)-NDI -Δ ] (TBA denotes tetrabutylammonium and NDI denotes naphthalene diimide), in which (-)-NDI -Δ forms a K4 structure due to its triangular molecular structure and an intermolecular π -π overlap between the NDI moieties. This lattice was identical to the hyperkagome lattice of S =1 /2 Mott dimers, and should exhibit 3D spin frustration. In fact, even though the high-temperature magnetic susceptibility followed the Curie-Weiss law with a negative Weiss constant of θ =-15 K , the low-temperature magnetic measurements revealed no long-range magnetic ordering down to 70 mK, and suggested the presence of a spin liquid state with a large residual paramagnetism χ0 of 8.5 ×10-6 emu g-1 at the absolute zero temperature. This was supported by the N 14 NMR measurements down to 0.38 K. Further, the low-temperature heat capacities cp down to 68 mK clearly indicated the presence of cp for the spin liquid state, which can be fitted to the power law of T0.62 in the wide temperature range 0.07-4.5 K.

Fabrication and Test of Large Area Spider-Web Bolometers for CMB Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biasotti, M.; Ceriale, V.; Corsini, D.; De Gerone, M.; Gatti, F.; Orlando, A.; Pizzigoni, G.

2016-08-01

Detecting the primordial 'B-mode' polarization of the cosmic microwave background is one of the major challenges of modern observational cosmology. Microwave telescopes need sensitive cryogenic bolometers with an overall equivalent noise temperature in the nK range. In this paper, we present the development status of large area (about 1 cm2) spider-web bolometer, which imply additional fabrication challenges. The spider-web is a suspended Si3N4 1 \\upmu m-thick and 8-mm diameter with mesh size of 250 \\upmu m. The thermal sensitive element is a superconducting transition edge sensor (TES) at the center of the bolometer. The first prototype is a Ti-Au TES with transition temperature tuned around 350 mK, new devices will be a Mo-Au bilayer tuned to have a transition temperature of 500 mK. We present the fabrication process with micro-machining techniques from silicon wafer covered with SiO2 - Si3N4 CVD films, 0.3 and 1 \\upmu m- thick, respectively, and preliminary tests.

Critical Temperature of Randomly Diluted Two-Dimensional Heisenberg Ferromagnet, K2CuxZn(1-x)F4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okuda, Yuichi; Tohi, Yasuto; Yamada, Isao; Haseda, Taiichiro

1980-09-01

The susceptibility of randomly diluted two-dimensional Heisenberg-like ferromagnet K2CuxZn(1-x)F4 was measured down to 50 mK, using the 3He-4He dilution refrigerator and a SQUID magnetometer. The ferromagnetic critical temperature Tc(x) was obtained for x{=}0.98, 0.94, 0.85, 0.82, 0.68, 0.60, 0.54, 0.50 and 0.42. The value of [1/Tc(1)][(d/dx)Tc(x)]x=1 was approximately 3.0. The critical temperature versus x curve exhibits a noticeable tail near the critical concentration, which may stem from the second nearest-neighbor interaction. The critical concentration xc, below which concentration there is no long range order down to T{=}0 K, was estimated to be 0.45˜0.50. The susceptibility of sample with x{=}0.42 behaves as if it obeys the Curie law down to 50 mK.

BIPM project: Intercomparison of water triple-point cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chattle, M. V.; Butler, J.

1994-12-01

The paper presents the results of an intercomparison between 3 triple point of water cells circulated by the Bureau International des Poids et Measures (BIPM), and a cell which is one of those used as a reference cell at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL). All 4 cells were prepared, stored and measured in the manner normally adopted at NPL. The results of the intercomparison show that over the course of about 6 weeks the temperatures of the 3 circulated cells generally agreed within 0.20 mK, with a maximum difference of 0.27(7) mK. Over the same period, the total variations of temperature measured in the 3 individual cells were 0.04 mK, 0.08 mK and 0.18 mK, respectively; the NPL cell varied by 0.10 mK. Gallium point measurements made over a similar period confirmed that these differences were partly due to small drifts in the thermometer resistance or in the measuring system.

Absence of long-range order in the frustrated magnet SrDy2O4 due to trapped defects from a dimensionality crossover

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gauthier, N.; Fennell, A.; Prévost, B.; Uldry, A.-C.; Delley, B.; Sibille, R.; Désilets-Benoit, A.; Dabkowska, H. A.; Nilsen, G. J.; Regnault, L.-P.; White, J. S.; Niedermayer, C.; Pomjakushin, V.; Bianchi, A. D.; Kenzelmann, M.

2017-04-01

Magnetic frustration and low dimensionality can prevent long-range magnetic order and lead to exotic correlated ground states. SrDy2O4 consists of magnetic Dy3 + ions forming magnetically frustrated zigzag chains along the c axis and shows no long-range order to temperatures as low as T =60 mK. We carried out neutron scattering and ac magnetic susceptibility measurements using powder and single crystals of SrDy2O4 . Diffuse neutron scattering indicates strong one-dimensional (1D) magnetic correlations along the chain direction that can be qualitatively accounted for by the axial next-nearest-neighbor Ising model with nearest-neighbor and next-nearest-neighbor exchange J1=0.3 meV and J2=0.2 meV, respectively. Three-dimensional (3D) correlations become important below T*≈0.7 K. At T =60 mK, the short-range correlations are characterized by a putative propagation vector k1 /2=(0 ,1/2 ,1/2 ) . We argue that the absence of long-range order arises from the presence of slowly decaying 1D domain walls that are trapped due to 3D correlations. This stabilizes a low-temperature phase without long-range magnetic order, but with well-ordered chain segments separated by slowly moving domain walls.

Nanothermometer Based on Resonant Tunneling Diodes: From Cryogenic to Room Temperatures.

PubMed

Pfenning, Andreas; Hartmann, Fabian; Rebello Sousa Dias, Mariama; Castelano, Leonardo Kleber; Süßmeier, Christoph; Langer, Fabian; Höfling, Sven; Kamp, Martin; Marques, Gilmar Eugenio; Worschech, Lukas; Lopez-Richard, Victor

2015-06-23

Sensor miniaturization together with broadening temperature sensing range are fundamental challenges in nanothermometry. By exploiting a large temperature-dependent screening effect observed in a resonant tunneling diode in sequence with a GaInNAs/GaAs quantum well, we present a low dimensional, wide range, and high sensitive nanothermometer. This sensor shows a large threshold voltage shift of the bistable switching of more than 4.5 V for a temperature raise from 4.5 to 295 K, with a linear voltage-temperature response of 19.2 mV K(-1), and a temperature uncertainty in the millikelvin (mK) range. Also, when we monitor the electroluminescence emission spectrum, an optical read-out control of the thermometer is provided. The combination of electrical and optical read-outs together with the sensor architecture excel the device as a thermometer with the capability of noninvasive temperature sensing, high local resolution, and sensitivity.

Hot plasma associated with a coronal mass ejection

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

Landi, E.; Miralles, M. P.; Raymond, J. C.

2013-11-20

We analyze coordinated observations from the EUV Imaging Spectrometer (EIS) and X-Ray Telescope (XRT) on board Hinode of an X-ray Plasma Ejection (XPE) that occurred during the coronal mass ejection (CME) event of 2008 April 9. The XPE was trailing the CME core from behind, following the same trajectory, and could be identified both in EIS and XRT observations. Using the EIS spectrometer, we have determined the XPE plasma parameters, measuring the electron density, thermal distribution, and elemental composition. We have found that the XPE composition and electron density were very similar to those of the pre-event active region plasma.more » The XPE temperature was higher, and its thermal distribution peaked at around 3 MK; also, typical flare lines were absent from EIS spectra, indicating that any XPE component with temperatures in excess of 5 MK was likely either faint or absent. We used XRT data to investigate the presence of hotter plasma components in the XPE that could have gone undetected by EIS and found that—if at all present—these components have small emission measure values and their temperature is in the 8-12.5 MK range. The very hot plasma found in earlier XPE observations obtained by Yohkoh seems to be largely absent in this CME, although plasma ionization timescales may lead to non-equilibrium ionization effects that could make bright lines from ions formed in a 10 MK plasma not detectable by EIS. Our results supersede the XPE findings of Landi et al., who studied the same event with older response functions for the XRT Al-poly filter; the differences in the results stress the importance of using accurate filter response functions.« less

Spincoat-fabricated multilayer PDMS-phosphor composites for thermometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parajuli, Pratikshya; Allison, Stephen W.; Sabri, Firouzeh

2017-06-01

Phosphor thermometry offers unique advantages over traditional forms of temperature sensing. Polymer-encapsulated phosphor powders provide versatility and flexibility not achievable when using the thermographic phosphors in powder form. By encapsulating the powder in a polymeric sleeve custom devices with unique properties can be created. Here, the authors report on the design, synthesis, and characterization of the first multilayer thermographic phosphor structure. A thin layer of neat PDMS, Sylgard 184, was sandwiched between two layers of La2O2S:Eu phosphor-doped PDMS. The thicknesses ranged from 0.15 to 4 mm depending on spin speed. The temperature dependent luminescence of the structure was characterized from  -40 °C to 75 °C, in a low humidity environmental chamber. Results show suitability for thermometry in this range. In addition, for design guidance, quantitative values for thermal conductivity and stress/strain characteristics versus phosphor loading percentage and temperature were measured. Thermal conductivities ranged from 0.15 W mK-1 for the Sylgard 184 to a value between 0.3 and 0.4 W mK-1 for pure phosphor powder for temperatures from  -55 °C to 195 °C. Tensile properties for a strain of up to 1 revealed differences between the different phosphor loadings and phosphor batches. Young’s modulus for the spincoat layered materials was between 1.2 and 1.4 N mm-2 and 0.8 for drop casted samples.

A 10 mK scanning tunneling microscope operating in ultra high vacuum and high magnetic fields.

PubMed

Assig, Maximilian; Etzkorn, Markus; Enders, Axel; Stiepany, Wolfgang; Ast, Christian R; Kern, Klaus

2013-03-01

We present design and performance of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) that operates at temperatures down to 10 mK providing ultimate energy resolution on the atomic scale. The STM is attached to a dilution refrigerator with direct access to an ultra high vacuum chamber allowing in situ sample preparation. High magnetic fields of up to 14 T perpendicular and up to 0.5 T parallel to the sample surface can be applied. Temperature sensors mounted directly at the tip and sample position verified the base temperature within a small error margin. Using a superconducting Al tip and a metallic Cu(111) sample, we determined an effective temperature of 38 ± 1 mK from the thermal broadening observed in the tunneling spectra. This results in an upper limit for the energy resolution of ΔE = 3.5 kBT = 11.4 ± 0.3 μeV. The stability between tip and sample is 4 pm at a temperature of 15 mK as demonstrated by topography measurements on a Cu(111) surface.

SQUID-based current sensing noise thermometry for quantum resistors at dilution refrigerator temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kleinbaum, Ethan; Shingla, Vidhi; Csáthy, G. A.

2017-03-01

We present a dc Superconducting QUantum Interference Device (SQUID)-based current amplifier with an estimated input referred noise of only 2.3 fA/√{Hz}. Because of such a low amplifier noise, the circuit is useful for Johnson noise thermometry of quantum resistors in the kΩ range down to mK temperatures. In particular, we demonstrate that our circuit does not contribute appreciable noise to the Johnson noise of a 3.25 kΩ resistor down to 16 mK. Our circuit is a useful alternative to the commonly used High Electron Mobility Transistor-based amplifiers, but in contrast to the latter, it offers a much reduced 1/f noise. In comparison to SQUIDs interfaced with cryogenic current comparators, our circuit has similar low noise levels, but it is easier to build and to shield from magnetic pickup.

Sub-millikelvin stabilization of a closed cycle cryocooler.

PubMed

Dubuis, Guy; He, Xi; Božović, Ivan

2014-10-01

Intrinsic temperature oscillations (with the amplitude up to 1 K) of a closed cycle cryocooler are stabilized by a simple thermal damping system. It employs three different materials with different thermal conductivity and specific heat at various temperatures. The amplitude of oscillations of the sample temperature is reduced to less than 1 mK, in the temperature range from 4 K to 300 K, while the cooling power is virtually undiminished. The damping system is small, inexpensive, can be retrofitted to most existing closed cycle cryocoolers, and may improve measurements of any temperature-sensitive physics properties.

Sub-millikelvin stabilization of a closed cycle cryocooler

DOE PAGES

Dubuis, Guy; He, Xi; Božović, Ivan

2014-10-03

In this study, intrinsic temperature oscillations (with the amplitude up to 1 K) of a closed cycle cryocooler are stabilized by a simple thermal damping system. It employs three different materials with different thermal conductivity and capacity at various temperatures. The amplitude of oscillations of the sample temperature is reduced to less than 1 mK, in the temperature range from 4 K to 300 K, while the cooling power is virtually undiminished. The damping system is small, inexpensive, can be retrofitted to most existing closed cycle cryocoolers, and may improve measurements of any temperature-sensitive physics properties.

Temperature and EUV Intensity in a Coronal Prominence Cavity and Streamer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kucera, T. A.; Gibson, S.E.; Schmit, D. J.; Landi, E.; Tripathi, D.

2012-01-01

We analyze the temperature and EUV line emission of a coronal cavity and surrounding streamer in terms of a morphological forward model. We use a series of iron line ratios observed with the Hinode Extreme-ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (EIS) on 2007 Aug. 9 to constrain temperature as a function of altitude in a morphological forward model of the streamer and cavity. We also compare model prediction of the EIS EUV line intensities and polarized brightness (pB) data from the Mauna Loa Solar Observatory (MLSO) MK4. This work builds on earlier analysis using the same model to determine geometry of and density in the same cavity and streamer. The fit to the data with altitude dependent temperature profiles indicates that both the streamer and cavity have temperatures in the range 1.4-1.7 MK. However, the cavity exhibits substantial substructure such that the altitude dependent temperature profile is not sufficient to completely model conditions in the cavity. Coronal prominence cavities are structured by magnetism so clues to this structure are to be found in their plasma properties. These temperature substructures are likely related to structures in the cavity magnetic field. Furthermore, we find that the model overestimates the line intensities by a factor of 4-10, while overestimating pB data by no more than a factor of 1.4. One possible explanation for this is that there may be a significant amount of material at temperatures outside of the range log T(K) approximately equals 5.8 - 6.7 in both the cavity and the streamer.

DEFINING THE 'BLIND SPOT' OF HINODE EIS AND XRT TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENTS

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

Winebarger, Amy R.; Cirtain, Jonathan; Mulu-Moore, Fana

2012-02-20

Observing high-temperature, low emission measure plasma is key to unlocking the coronal heating problem. With current instrumentation, a combination of EUV spectral data from Hinode Extreme-ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer (EIS; sensitive to temperatures up to 4 MK) and broadband filter data from Hinode X-ray Telescope (XRT; sensitive to higher temperatures) is typically used to diagnose the temperature structure of the observed plasma. In this Letter, we demonstrate that a 'blind spot' exists in temperature-emission measure space for combined Hinode EIS and XRT observations. For a typical active region core with significant emission at 3-4 MK, Hinode EIS and XRT are insensitivemore » to plasma with temperatures greater than {approx}6 MK and emission measures less than {approx}10{sup 27} cm{sup -5}. We then demonstrate that the temperature and emission measure limits of this blind spot depend upon the temperature distribution of the plasma along the line of sight by considering a hypothetical emission measure distribution sharply peaked at 1 MK. For this emission measure distribution, we find that EIS and XRT are insensitive to plasma with emission measures less than {approx}10{sup 26} cm{sup -5}. We suggest that a spatially and spectrally resolved 6-24 Angstrom-Sign spectrum would improve the sensitivity to these high-temperature, low emission measure plasma.« less

A Continuous Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerator for Use with Mechanical Coolers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shirron, P.; Abbondante, N.; Canavan, E.; DiPirro, M.; Grabowski, M.; Hirsch, M.; Jackson, M.; Tuttle, J.

2000-01-01

We have begun developing an adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (ADR) which can produce continuous cooling at temperatures of 50 mK or lower, with high cooling power (goal of 10 PW). The design uses multiple stages to cascade heat from a continuously-cooled stage up to a heat sink. The serial arrangement makes it possible to add stages to extend the operating range to lower temperature, or to raise the heat rejection temperature. Compared to conventional single-shot ADRS, this system achieves higher cooling power per unit mass and is able to reject its heat at a more uniform rate. For operation with a mechanical cryocooler, this latter feature stabilizes the heat sink temperature and allows both the ADR and cryocooler to operate more efficiently. The ADR is being designed to operate with a heat sink as warm as 10-12 K to make it compatible with a wide variety of mechanical coolers as part of a versatile, cryogen-free low temperature cooling system. A two-stage system has been constructed and a proof-of-principle demonstration was conducted at 100 mK. Details of the design and test results, as well as the direction of future work, are discussed.

High-precision temperature control and stabilization using a cryocooler.

PubMed

Hasegawa, Yasuhiro; Nakamura, Daiki; Murata, Masayuki; Yamamoto, Hiroya; Komine, Takashi

2010-09-01

We describe a method for precisely controlling temperature using a Gifford-McMahon (GM) cryocooler that involves inserting fiber-reinforced-plastic dampers into a conventional cryosystem. Temperature fluctuations in a GM cryocooler without a large heat bath or a stainless-steel damper at 4.2 K are typically of the order of 200 mK. It is particularly difficult to control the temperature of a GM cryocooler at low temperatures. The fiber-reinforced-plastic dampers enabled us to dramatically reduce temperature fluctuations at low temperatures. A standard deviation of the temperature fluctuations of 0.21 mK could be achieved when the temperature was controlled at 4.200 0 K using a feedback temperature control system with two heaters. Adding the dampers increased the minimum achievable temperature from 3.2 to 3.3 K. Precise temperature control between 4.200 0 and 300.000 K was attained using the GM cryocooler, and the standard deviation of the temperature fluctuations was less than 1.2 mK even at 300 K. This technique makes it possible to control and stabilize the temperature using a GM cryocooler.

Strong Electron Self-Cooling in the Cold-Electron Bolometers Designed for CMB Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuzmin, L. S.; Pankratov, A. L.; Gordeeva, A. V.; Zbrozhek, V. O.; Revin, L. S.; Shamporov, V. A.; Masi, S.; de Bernardis, P.

2018-03-01

We have realized cold-electron bolometers (CEB) with direct electron self-cooling of the nanoabsorber by SIN (Superconductor-Insulator-Normal metal) tunnel junctions. This electron self-cooling acts as a strong negative electrothermal feedback, improving noise and dynamic properties. Due to this cooling the photon-noise-limited operation of CEBs was realized in array of bolometers developed for the 345 GHz channel of the OLIMPO Balloon Telescope in the power range from 10 pW to 20 pW at phonon temperature Tph =310 mK. The negative electrothermal feedback in CEB is analogous to TES but instead of artificial heating we use cooling of the absorber. The high efficiency of the electron self-cooling to Te =100 mK without power load and to Te=160 mK under power load is achieved by: - a very small volume of the nanoabsorber (0.02 μm3) and a large area of the SIN tunnel junctions, - effective removal of hot quasiparticles by arranging double stock at both sides of the junctions and close position of the normal metal traps, - self-protection of the 2D array of CEBs against interferences by dividing them between N series CEBs (for voltage interferences) and M parallel CEBs (for current interferences), - suppression of Andreev reflection by a thin layer of Fe in the AlFe absorber. As a result even under high power load the CEBs are working at electron temperature Te less than Tph . To our knowledge, there is no analogue in the bolometers technology in the world for bolometers working at electron temperature colder than phonon temperature.

Measuring the Electron Temperature in the Corona

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davila, Joseph; SaintCyr, Orville C.; Reginald, Nelson

2008-01-01

We report on an experiment to demonstrate the feasibility of a new method to obtain the electron temperature and flow speed in the solar corona by observing the visible Kcoronal spectrum during the total solar eclipse on 29 March 2006 in Libya. Results show that this new method is indeed feasible, giving electron temperatures and speeds of 1.10 $\\pm$ 0.05 MK, 103.0 $\\pm$ 92.0 $kmsA{-l}$; 0.98 $\\pm$ 0.12 MK, 0.0 + 10.0 $kmsA{-1)s; 0.70 $\\pm$ 0.08 MK, 0.0 + 10.0 $kmsA{-l)$ at l.l{\\it R)$ {\\odot}$ in the solar north, east and west, respectively, and 0.93 $\\pm$ 0.12 MK, 0.0 + 10.0 $kmsA{-l}$ at 1.2{\\it R}$ {\\odot}$ in the solar east. This new technique could be easily used from a space-based platform in a coronagraph to produce two dimensional maps of the electron temperature and bulk flow speed at the base of the solar wind useful for the study of heliospheric structure and space weather.

Plasma dynamics above solar flare soft x-ray loop tops

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

Doschek, G. A.; Warren, H. P.; McKenzie, D. E.

2014-06-10

We measure non-thermal motions in flare loop tops and above the loop tops using profiles of highly ionized spectral lines of Fe XXIV and Fe XXIII formed at multimillion-degree temperatures. Non-thermal motions that may be due to turbulence or multiple flow regions along the line of sight are extracted from the line profiles. The non-thermal motions are measured for four flares seen at or close to the solar limb. The profile data are obtained using the Extreme-ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer on the Hinode spacecraft. The multimillion-degree non-thermal motions are between 20 and 60 km s{sup –1} and appear to increase withmore » height above the loop tops. Motions determined from coronal lines (i.e., lines formed at about 1.5 MK) tend to be smaller. The multimillion-degree temperatures in the loop tops and above range from about 11 MK to 15 MK and also tend to increase with height above the bright X-ray-emitting loop tops. The non-thermal motions measured along the line of sight, as well as their apparent increase with height, are supported by Solar Dynamics Observatory Atmospheric Imaging Assembly measurements of turbulent velocities in the plane of the sky.« less

Development of a 300 L Calibration Bath for Oceanographic Thermometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baba, S.; Yamazawa, K.; Nakano, T.; Saito, I.; Tamba, J.; Wakimoto, T.; Katoh, K.

2017-11-01

The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) has been developing a 300 L calibration bath to calibrate 24 oceanographic thermometers (OT) simultaneously and thereby reduce the calibration work load necessary to service more than 180 OT every year. This study investigated characteristics of the developed 300 L calibration bath using a SBE 3plus thermometer produced by an OT manufacturer. We also used 11 thermistor thermometers that were calibrated to be traceable to the international temperature scale of 1990 (ITS-90) within 1 mK of standard uncertainty through collaboration of JAMSTEC and NMIJ/AIST. Results show that the time stability of temperature of the developed bath was within ± 1 mK. Furthermore, the temperature uniformity was ± 1.3 mK. The expanded uncertainty (k=2) components for the characteristics of the developed 300 L calibration bath were estimated as 2.9 mK, which is much less than the value of 10 mK: the required specification for uncertainty of calibration for the OT. These results demonstrated the utility of this 300 L calibration bath as a device for use with a new calibration system.

Development of a Cryogen-Free Continuous ADR for the Constellation-X Mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shirron, Peter; Canavan, Ed; DiPirro, Michael; Francis, John; Jackson, Michael; Tuttle, James; King, Todd; Grabowski, Matt

2003-01-01

Constellation-X is a multi-satellite x-ray astronomy mission presently being planned for launch in the 2010 time frame. Each of 4 identical satellites will contain a telescope and instruments for imaging and spectroscopic analysis of both hard and soft x-rays. The X- ray Microcalorimeter Spectrometer (XMS) instrument will use arrays of microcalorimeters to detect X-rays with energies from 0.2 to 6 keV. The technologies under development for this instrument include Transition-Edge Sensors (TES) with multiplexed SQUID readouts and NTD-Ge detectors with JFET readouts. Both will be operated at temperatures in the 50-60 mK range and both have a projected cooling power requirement of approximately 5 microwatts. In addition, in order to meet the lifetime requirement of 6 years (with a goal of 10 years), a mechanical cryocooler will be used to provide a heat sink for the low temperature cooler. The required performance is 20 mW at 6 K, with a goal of 4 K operation. In this paper we present the development status of an adiabatic demagnetization refigerator (ADR) that meets the cooling requirements of the X M S instrument. At present we have demonstrated a 4-stage ADR that operates continuously at 50 mK using a 4.2 K helium bath as a heat sink. The cooling power is 21 microwatts at 100 mK and 6 microwatts at 50 mK. Its efficiency when operating at 50 mK is 1 1 % of Carnot (accounting for all dissipation at 4.2 K and below, but not including power dissipation in the room temperature electronics), but this is expected to rise to 25% in the next generation system in which active gas-gap heat switches are replaced with passive devices. This will reduce the peak heat rejection rate of the ADR to less than 7 mW at 6 K. Details of the ADR s design and operation, as well as the development program leading up to a flight-qualified instrument, will be discussed.

Continuous Magnetic Refrigerators for Cooling in the 0.05 to 10 K Range: Progress and Future Development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shirron, Peter; DiPirro, Michael; Canavan, Edgar; Tuttle, James; King, Todd; Numazawa, Takenori

2003-01-01

Low temperature refrigeration is an increasingly vital technology for NASA s Space Science program since most detectors being developed for x-ray, IR and sub-millimeter missions must be cooled to below 100 mK in order to meet the requirements for energy and spatial resolution. For space applications, magnetic refrigeration has an inherent advantage over alternative techniques because it does not depend on gravity. Adiabatic demagnetization refrigerators, or ADRs, are relatively simple, solid state devices. The basic elements are a magnetocaloric refrigerant (usually an encapsulated paramagnetic salt) located in the bore of a superconducting magne$, and a heat switch linking the salt to a heat sink. The alignment of magnetic spins with the magnetic field causes the refrigerant to warm as the magnetic field increases and cool as the field decreases. Thus the simple process of magnetizing the refrigerant to high field with the heat switch closed, then demagnetizing it with the heat switch open allows one to obtain temperatures well below 100 mK using a heat sink as warm as 4.2 K. The refrigerant can maintain a low temperature for a length of time depending on the applied and parasitic heat loads, its mass, and the initial magnetic field strength. Typically ADRs are designed for 12-24 hours of hold time, after which they must be warmed up and recycled. The drawback to single-shot ADRs is that the cooling power per unit mass is relatively low. Refrigerants that are suitable for low temperature operation necessarily have low magnetic ion density, and therefore low entropy density. Since ADRs store entropy, systems with even modest cooling powers (a few microwatts) at temperatures below 100 mK tend to be massive, averaging 10-15 kg.

Analysis of AIRS and IASI System Performance Under Clear and Cloudy Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aumann, Hartmut H.; Strow, L. Larrabee

2010-01-01

The radiometric and spectral system performance of space-borne infrared radiometers is generally specified and analyzed under strictly cloud-free, spatially uniform and warm conditions, with the assumption that the observed performance applies to the full dynamic range under clear and cloudy conditions and that random noise cancels for the evaluation of the radiometric accuracy. Such clear conditions are found in only one percent of the data. Ninety nine percent of the data include clouds, which produce spatially highly non-uniform scenes with 11 micrometers window brightness temperatures as low as 200K. We use AIRS and IASI radiance spectra to compare system performance under clear and a wide range of cloudy conditions. Although the two instruments are in polar orbits, with the ascending nodes separated by four hours, daily averages already reveal surprisingly similar measurements. The AIRS and IASI radiometric performance based on the mean of large numbers of observation is comparable and agrees within 200 mK over a wide range of temperatures. There are also some unexpected differences at the 200 -500 mK level, which are of significance for climate applications. The results were verified with data from July 2007 through January 2010, but many can already be gleaned from the analysis of a single day of data.

Analysis of trend in temperature and rainfall time series of an Indian arid region: comparative evaluation of salient techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Machiwal, Deepesh; Gupta, Ankit; Jha, Madan Kumar; Kamble, Trupti

2018-04-01

This study investigated trends in 35 years (1979-2013) temperature (maximum, Tmax and minimum, Tmin) and rainfall at annual and seasonal (pre-monsoon, monsoon, post-monsoon, and winter) scales for 31 grid points in a coastal arid region of India. Box-whisker plots of annual temperature and rainfall time series depict systematic spatial gradients. Trends were examined by applying eight tests, such as Kendall rank correlation (KRC), Spearman rank order correlation (SROC), Mann-Kendall (MK), four modified MK tests, and innovative trend analysis (ITA). Trend magnitudes were quantified by Sen's slope estimator, and a new method was adopted to assess the significance of linear trends in MK-test statistics. It was found that the significant serial correlation is prominent in the annual and post-monsoon Tmax and Tmin, and pre-monsoon Tmin. The KRC and MK tests yielded similar results in close resemblance with the SROC test. The performance of two modified MK tests considering variance-correction approaches was found superior to the KRC, MK, modified MK with pre-whitening, and ITA tests. The performance of original MK test is poor due to the presence of serial correlation, whereas the ITA method is over-sensitive in identifying trends. Significantly increasing trends are more prominent in Tmin than Tmax. Further, both the annual and monsoon rainfall time series have a significantly increasing trend of 9 mm year-1. The sequential significance of linear trend in MK test-statistics is very strong (R 2 ≥ 0.90) in the annual and pre-monsoon Tmin (90% grid points), and strong (R 2 ≥ 0.75) in monsoon Tmax (68% grid points), monsoon, post-monsoon, and winter Tmin (respectively 65, 55, and 48% grid points), as well as in the annual and monsoon rainfalls (respectively 68 and 61% grid points). Finally, this study recommends use of variance-corrected MK test for the precise identification of trends. It is emphasized that the rising Tmax may hamper crop growth due to enhanced metabolic-activities and shortened crop-duration. Likewise, increased Tmin may result in lesser crop and biomass yields owing to the increased respiration.

Determination of the liquidus temperature of tin using the heat pulse-based melting and comparison with traditional methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joung, Wukchul; Park, Jihye; Pearce, Jonathan V.

2018-06-01

In this work, the liquidus temperature of tin was determined by melting the sample using the pressure-controlled loop heat pipe. Square wave-type pressure steps generated periodic 0.7 °C temperature steps in the isothermal region in the vicinity of the tin sample, and the tin was melted with controllable heat pulses from the generated temperature changes. The melting temperatures at specific melted fractions were measured, and they were extrapolated to the melted fraction of unity to determine the liquidus temperature of tin. To investigate the influence of the impurity distribution on the melting behavior, a molten tin sample was solidified by an outward slow freezing or by quenching to segregate the impurities inside the sample with concentrations increasing outwards or to spread the impurities uniformly, respectively. The measured melting temperatures followed the local solidus temperature variations well in the case of the segregated sample and stayed near the solidus temperature in the quenched sample due to the microscopic melting behavior. The extrapolated melting temperatures of the segregated and quenched samples were 0.95 mK and 0.49 mK higher than the outside-nucleated freezing temperature of tin (with uncertainties of 0.15 mK and 0.16 mK, at approximately 95% level of confidence), respectively. The extrapolated melting temperature of the segregated sample was supposed to be a closer approximation to the liquidus temperature of tin, whereas the quenched sample yielded the possibility of a misleading extrapolation to the solidus temperature. Therefore, the determination of the liquidus temperature could result in different extrapolated melting temperatures depending on the way the impurities were distributed within the sample, which has implications for the contemporary methodology for realizing temperature fixed points of the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90).

Dizocilpine and reduced body temperature do not prevent methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity in the vervet monkey: [11C]WIN 35,428 - positron emission tomography studies.

PubMed

Melega, W P; Lacan, G; Harvey, D C; Huang, S C; Phelps, M E

1998-12-11

[11C]WIN 35,428 (WIN), a cocaine analog that binds to the dopamine transporter (DAT), and positron emission tomography (PET) were used to evaluate the potential neuroprotective effects of dizocilpine (MK-801) on methamphetamine (MeAmp) induced neurotoxicity in the striatal dopamine system of the vervet monkey. MK-801 (1 mg/kg, i.m.) was administered 30 min prior to a neurotoxic MeAmp dosage for this species (2 x 2 mg/kg, 4 h apart); control subjects received MeAmp. MK-801 treated subjects were anesthetized by the drug for 6-8 h; throughout that period, a 2-3 degrees C decrease in body temperature was measured. At 1-2 weeks post-MeAmp, decreases of approximately 75% in striatal WIN binding were observed for both MK-801/MeAmp and MeAmp subjects. Thus, in this non-human primate species, the combination of MK-801 pretreatment and reduced body temperature did not provide protection from the MeAmp-induced loss of DAT. Further, the absence of an elevated body temperature during the acute MeAmp exposure period indicated that hyperthermia, per se, was not a necessary concomitant of the MeAmp neurotoxicity profile as has been previously demonstrated in rodents. These results provide evidence that different regulatory factors maintain the integrity of the rodent and primate striatal dopamine systems.

A Third Generation Water Bath Based Blackbody Source

PubMed Central

Fowler, Joel B.

1995-01-01

A third generation water bath based black-body source has been designed and constructed in the Radiometric Physics Division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD. The goal of this work was to design a large aperture blackbody source with improved temporal stability and reproducibility compared with earlier designs, as well as improved ease of use. These blackbody sources operate in the 278 K to 353 K range with water temperature combined standard uncertainties of 3.5 mK to 7.8 mK. The calculated emissivity of these sources is 0.9997 with a relative standard uncertainty of 0.0003. With a 50 mm limiting aperture at the cavity; entrance, the emissivity increases to 0.99997. PMID:29151763

New Method of Filling of High-Temperature Fixed-Point Cells Based on Metal-Carbon Eutectics/Peritectics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khlevnoy, B. B.; Grigoryeva, I. A.; Ibragimov, N. A.

2011-08-01

A new method of filling of high-temperature fixed-point cells based on metal-carbon eutectics and peritectics is suggested and tested. In this method a metal and carbon powder mixture is introduced not directly into the crucible, but into an additional container located just above the crucible. The mixture melts inside the container, and the already molten eutectic drops through a small hole in the bottom of the container and fills the crucible drop by drop. The method can be used to obtain a uniform ingot without porous or foundry cavities, to minimize the risk of contamination, and to avoid some other disadvantages. The method was applied to fabricate Re-C and WC-C cells using 5N purity materials. The cells demonstrated a good plateau shape with melting ranges of 0.2 K and 80 mK for Re-C and WC-C, respectively. The Re-C cell was compared with a cell built at NMIJ and showed good agreement with a difference of melting temperatures of only 45 mK.

Johnson noise measurements of a 3.1 k Ω resistor at mK temperatures using a SQUID-based circuit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shingla, Vidhi; Kleinbaum, Ethan; Csáthy, Gábor

The measurement of Johnson noise of resistors of the order of a k Ω at mK temperatures is a difficult task. Such a measurement is not possible with room temperature amplifiers since the typical amplifier noise exceeds the Johnson noise. Such measurements are, however, possible with circuits based on cooled High Electron Mobility Transistors (HEMTs). We present an alternative circuit for such measurements which is based on a dc SQUID. We demonstrate that our circuit does not contribute appreciable noise to the Johnson noise of a 3 . 1 k Ω resistor down to 16 mK, enabling therefore Johnson noise thermometry. This work was supported by the NSF Grant DMR-1505866.

Design and performance of a fast thermal response miniature Chromium Potassium Alum (CPA) salt pill for use in a millikelvin cryocooler

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bartlett, J.; Hardy, G.; Hepburn, I. D.

2015-01-01

The design and performance of a fast thermal response miniature (24 mm outer diameter by 30 mm long) Chromium Potassium Alum (CPA) salt pill is described. The need for a fast thermal response has been driven by the development of a continuously operating millikelvin cryocooler (mKCC) which uses 2 T superconducting magnets that can be ramped to full field in 30 s. The consequence of magnetising and demagnetising the CPA pill in such a short time is that thermal boundary resistance and eddy current heating have a significant impact on the performance of the pill, which was investigated in detail using modelling. The complete design of a prototype CPA pill is described in this paper, including the methods used to minimise thermal boundary resistance and eddy current heating as well as the manufacturing and assembly processes. The performance of the prototype CPA pill operated from a 3.6 K bath is presented, demonstrating that a complete CPA cycle (magnetising, cooling to bath and demagnetising) can be accomplished in under 2.5 min, with magnetisation and demagnetisation taking just 30 s each. The cold finger base temperature of the prototype varies with demagnetisation speed as a consequence of eddy current heating; for a 30 s demagnetisation, a base temperature of 161 mK is obtained, whilst for a 5 min demagnetisation, a base temperature of 149 mK was measured (both from a 3.6 K and 2 T starting position). The measured hold times of the CPA pill at 200 mK, 300 mK, and 1 K are given, proving that the hold time far exceeds the recycle time and demonstrating the potential for continuous operation when two ADRs are used in a tandem configuration. The ease and speed at which the CPA pill temperature can be changed and controlled when stepping between operating temperatures in the range of 200 mK to 4 K using a servo control program is also shown, once again highlighting the excellent thermal response of the pill. All of the test results are in good agreement with the modelling used to design the CPA pill, giving good confidence in our ability to understand and estimate the effects of eddy current heating and thermal boundary resistance. To conclude, the design for the CPA pill to be used in the mKCC (which is heavily based on the design of the prototype) is presented.

Application of SQUIDs to low temperature and high magnetic field measurements—Ultra low noise torque magnetometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arnold, F.; Naumann, M.; Lühmann, Th.; Mackenzie, A. P.; Hassinger, E.

2018-02-01

Torque magnetometry is a key method to measure the magnetic anisotropy and quantum oscillations in metals. In order to resolve quantum oscillations in sub-millimeter sized samples, piezo-electric micro-cantilevers were introduced. In the case of strongly correlated metals with large Fermi surfaces and high cyclotron masses, magnetic torque resolving powers in excess of 104 are required at temperatures well below 1 K and magnetic fields beyond 10 T. Here, we present a new broadband read-out scheme for piezo-electric micro-cantilevers via Wheatstone-type resistance measurements in magnetic fields up to 15 T and temperatures down to 200 mK. By using a two-stage superconducting-quantum interference device as a null detector of a cold Wheatstone bridge, we were able to achieve a magnetic moment resolution of Δm = 4 × 10-15 J/T at maximal field and 700 mK, outperforming conventional magnetometers by at least one order of magnitude in this temperature and magnetic field range. Exemplary de Haas-van Alphen measurement of a newly grown delafossite, PdRhO2, was used to show the superior performance of our setup.

Josephson Photodetectors via Temperature-to-Phase Conversion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Virtanen, P.; Ronzani, A.; Giazotto, F.

2018-05-01

We theoretically investigate the temperature-to-phase conversion (TPC) process occurring in dc superconducting quantum interferometers based on superconductor-normal-metal-superconductor (S -N -S ) mesoscopic Josephson junctions. In particular, we predict the temperature-driven rearrangement of the phase gradients in the interferometer under the fixed constraints of fluxoid quantization and supercurrent conservation. This mechanism allows sizeable phase variations across the junctions for suitable structure parameters and temperatures. We show that the TPC can be a basis for sensitive single-photon sensors or bolometers. We propose a radiation detector realizable with conventional materials and state-of-the-art nanofabrication techniques. Integrated with a superconducting quantum-interference proximity transistor as a readout setup, an aluminum-based TPC calorimeter can provide a large signal-to-noise ratio >100 in the 10-GHz-10-THz frequency range and a resolving power larger than 1 02 below 50 mK for terahertz photons. In the bolometric operation, electrical noise equivalent power of approximately 10-22 W /√{Hz } is predicted at 50 mK. This device can be attractive as a cryogenic single-photon sensor operating in the giga- and terahertz regime with applications in dark-matter searches.

Age specific effect of MK-801 on hypoxic body temperature regulation in rats.

PubMed

Baig, Mirza Shafiulla; Joseph, Vincent

2008-02-01

Hypoxic exposure produces a consistent decrease of rectal temperature (Tb), which is recognized as a potent protective response. While some of the neural mechanisms underlying this response have recently been described, it remains poorly known how these mechanisms evolve during post-natal development. We recently reported that in rat pups NMDA glutamate receptor limits Tb drop upon hypoxic exposure, an effect that has not been reported by others in adult rats. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that the implication of NMDA receptors on temperature control during hypoxic exposure evolves during development. To this aim, we evaluated the hypoxic (30 min - 12% O(2)) responses of Tb, metabolic rate, and ventilation in rats after injection of vehicle, or the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801, at different ages (post-natal days 4, 10, 20 and 2-3 month-old - P4, P10, P20 and P60). MK-801 amplified the magnitude of the hypoxic-induced Tb drop in P4, P10 and P20 rats, but this effect was not apparent in adults. In P20 rats MK-801 tripled the hypoxic induced Tb drop, which was 0.5 degrees C in control and 1.4 degrees C in treated rats (p<0.0001). This effect was specific to temperature regulation, and was not accompanied by similar changes of other recorded parameters. MK-801 induced a significant decrease of the hypoxic ventilatory response in adults only. We conclude that NMDA glutamate receptor acts as a counter-regulatory factor that limits the hypoxic-induced drop of rectal temperature during post-natal development in rats.

A continuous dry 300 mK cooler for THz sensing applications.

PubMed

Klemencic, G M; Ade, P A R; Chase, S; Sudiwala, R; Woodcraft, A L

2016-04-01

We describe and demonstrate the automated operation of a novel cryostat design that is capable of maintaining an unloaded base temperature of less than 300 mK continuously, without the need to recycle the gases within the final cold head, as is the case for conventional single shot sorption pumped (3)He cooling systems. This closed dry system uses only 5 l of (3)He gas, making this an economical alternative to traditional systems where a long hold time is required. During testing, a temperature of 365 mK was maintained with a constant 20 μW load, simulating the cooling requirement of a far infrared camera.

SPICA sub-Kelvin cryogenic chains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duband, L.; Duval, J. M.; Luchier, N.; Prouve, T.

2012-04-01

SPICA, a Japanese led mission, is part of the JAXA future science program and is planned for launch in 2018. SPICA will perform imaging and spectroscopic observations in the mid- and far-IR waveband, and is developing instrumentation spanning the 5-400 μm range. The SPICA payload features several candidate instruments, some of them requiring temperature down to 50 mK. This is currently the case for SAFARI, a core instrument developed by a European-based consortium, and BLISS proposed by CALTECH/JPL in the US. SPICA's distinctive feature is to actively cool its telescope to below 6 K. In addition, SPICA is a liquid cryogen free satellite and all the cooling will be provided by radiative cooling (L2 orbit) down to 30 K and by mechanical coolers for lower temperatures. The satellite will launch warm and slowly equilibrate to its operating temperatures once in orbit. This warm launch approach makes it possible to eliminate a large liquid cryogen tank and to use the mass saved to launch a large diameter telescope (3.2 m). This 4 K cooled telescope significantly reduces its own thermal radiation, offering superior sensitivity in the infrared region. The cryogenic system that enables this warm launch/cooled telescope concept is a key issue of the mission. This cryogenic chain features a number of cooling stages comprising passive radiators, Stirling coolers and several Joule Thomson loops, offering cooling powers at typically 20, 4.5, 2.5 and 1.7 K. The SAFARI and BLISS detectors require cooling to temperatures as low as 50 mK. The instrument coolers will be operated from these heat sinks. They are composed of a small demagnetization refrigerator (ADR) pre cooled by either a single or a double sorption cooler, respectively for SAFARI and BLISS. The BLISS cooler maintains continuous cooling at 300 mK and thus suppresses the thermal equilibrium time constant of the large focal plane. These hybrid architectures allow designing low weight coolers able to reach 50 mK. Because the sorption cooler has extremely low mass for a sub-Kelvin cooler, it allows the stringent mass budget to be met. These concepts are discussed in this paper.

Purification of rat megakaryocyte colony-forming cells using a monoclonal antibody against rat platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa.

PubMed

Miyazaki, H; Inoue, H; Yanagida, M; Horie, K; Mikayama, T; Ohashi, H; Nishikawa, M; Suzuki, T; Sudo, T

1992-08-01

We recently reported the production and characterization of four monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) against rat platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIb/IIIa). In this study we developed a simple and efficient three-step procedure, based on positive selection by immunoadsorption (panning) using one MoAb, P55, to purify rat megakaryocyte colony-forming cells (megakaryocyte colony-forming units, CFU-MK) from normal bone marrow. Cells obtained after each step were assayed for their ability to form megakaryocyte colonies in the presence of Concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated rat spleen cell-conditioned medium in soft agar cultures. Marrow cells were first separated on discontinuous Percoll gradients. Cells sedimented at densities between 1.063 and 1.082 g/ml were depleted of cells adherent to plastic tissue culture dishes. The nonadherent cells were further incubated on dishes coated with P55 MoAb. CFU-MK were enriched about 50-fold in the adsorbed cell fraction. This sequential fractionation procedure resulted in a 345-fold (range 276 to 412-fold) enrichment of rat CFU-MK over whole bone marrow cells. The average cloning efficiency of CFU-MK in the final fraction was about 7% (range 5%-9.2%) of the nucleated cells. The overall recovery of CFU-MK averaged 20% (range 9%-29%). The panning step provided a 46-fold enrichment of megakaryocyte burst-forming cells (megakaryocyte burst-forming units, BFU-MK), whose average cloning efficiency in the post-panning fraction was 0.14% (range 0.07%-0.2%). In addition, erythroid burst-forming cells (erythroid burst-forming units, BFU-E) were also significantly enriched by panning, but to a lesser degree than BFU-MK and CFU-MK. By contrast, granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells (granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units, CFU-GM) and erythroid colony-forming cells (erythroid colony-forming units, CFU-E) were not enriched by panning. CFU-MK obtained after panning formed megakaryocyte colonies in the presence of recombinant rat interleukin 3 (rIL-3), mouse granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (mGM-CSF), or human erythropoietin (hEPO), as has been reported for murine CFU-MK in whole marrow cells. The highly enriched populations of rat CFU-MK should thus provide a basis for the further study of the regulation of megakaryocytopoiesis.

A 30 mK, 13.5 T scanning tunneling microscope with two independent tips.

PubMed

Roychowdhury, Anita; Gubrud, M A; Dana, R; Anderson, J R; Lobb, C J; Wellstood, F C; Dreyer, M

2014-04-01

We describe the design, construction, and performance of an ultra-low temperature, high-field scanning tunneling microscope (STM) with two independent tips. The STM is mounted on a dilution refrigerator and operates at a base temperature of 30 mK with magnetic fields of up to 13.5 T. We focus on the design of the two-tip STM head, as well as the sample transfer mechanism, which allows in situ transfer from an ultra high vacuum preparation chamber while the STM is at 1.5 K. Other design details such as the vibration isolation and rf-filtered wiring are also described. Their effectiveness is demonstrated via spectral current noise characteristics and the root mean square roughness of atomic resolution images. The high-field capability is shown by the magnetic field dependence of the superconducting gap of CuxBi2Se3. Finally, we present images and spectroscopy taken with superconducting Nb tips with the refrigerator at 35 mK that indicate that the effective temperature of our tips/sample is approximately 184 mK, corresponding to an energy resolution of 16 μeV.

Solar X-Ray Processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mallik, P. C. V.; Brown, J. C.; MacKinnon, A. L.

Past analyses of solar flares have ignored nonthermal recombination (NTR) emission as a means of producing Hard X-rays (HXRs) in the corona and chromosphere. However, Brown and Mallik (2008, A&A, 481, 507) have shown that NTR can be significant and even exceed nonthermal bremsstrahlung (NTB) emission for certain flare conditions that are quite common. For hot enough plasma (T > 10 MK), HXR emission of a few deka-keV has a large contribution from NTR onto highly ionized heavy elements, especially Fe. Consequently, including NTR has implications for the magnitude and the form of the inferred electron spectrum, F(E), and hence for fast-electron density and energy budgets and for the acceleration mechanisms. We show under what circumstances NTR dominates in deka-keV HXR emission. It is important to note that at high temperatures, HXR emission from thermal electrons (recombination and bremsstrahlung) becomes important. However, NTR dominates over NTB without being swamped by thermal emission in the photon energy (ɛ) regime of 20-30 keV and temperature range of 10-25MK (Fig. 1, left). By integrating the flux for all ɛ > 20keV, i.e., looking at the source luminosity function above 20 keV, we were able to show that by including NTR, the acceleration requirements are less demanding for every event, but to varying degrees based on temperature (T), spectral index (δ) and electron low-energy cut-off (Ec). Our key result is that, for T > 10MK and δ ≈ 5, including NTR reduces the demand for nonthermal electrons by up to 85%. Our paper with these results will be submitted to ApJ Letters.

Relationships between southeastern Australian rainfall and sea surface temperatures examined using a climate model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watterson, I. G.

2010-05-01

Rainfall in southeastern Australia has declined in recent years, particularly during austral autumn over the state of Victoria. A recent study suggests that sea surface temperature (SST) variations in both the Indonesian Throughflow (ITF) region and in a meridional dipole in the central Indian Ocean have influenced Victorian late autumn rainfall since 1950. However, it remains unclear to what extent SSTs in these and other regions force such a teleconnection. Analysis of a 1080 year simulation by the climate model CSIRO Mk3.5 shows that the model Victorian rainfall is correlated rather realistically with SSTs but that part of the above relationships is due to the model ENSO. Furthermore, the remote patterns of pressure, rainfall, and land temperature greatly diminish when the data are lagged by 1 month, suggesting that the true forcing by the persisting SSTs is weak. In a series of simulations of the atmospheric Mk3.5 with idealized SST anomalies, raised SSTs to the east of Indonesia lower the simulated Australian rainfall, while those to the west raise it. A positive ITF anomaly lowers pressure over Australia, but with little effect on Victorian rainfall. The meridional dipole and SSTs to the west and southeast of Australia have little direct effect on southeastern Australia in the model. The results suggest that tropical SSTs predominate as an influence on Victorian rainfall. However, the SST indices appear to explain only a fraction of the observed trend, which in the case of decadal means remains within the range of unforced variability simulated by Mk3.5.

A continuous dry 300 mK cooler for THz sensing applications

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

Klemencic, G. M., E-mail: Georgina.Klemencic@astro.cf.ac.uk; Ade, P. A. R.; Sudiwala, R.

We describe and demonstrate the automated operation of a novel cryostat design that is capable of maintaining an unloaded base temperature of less than 300 mK continuously, without the need to recycle the gases within the final cold head, as is the case for conventional single shot sorption pumped {sup 3}He cooling systems. This closed dry system uses only 5 l of {sup 3}He gas, making this an economical alternative to traditional systems where a long hold time is required. During testing, a temperature of 365 mK was maintained with a constant 20 μW load, simulating the cooling requirement ofmore » a far infrared camera.« less

Electron Temperatures and Flow Speeds of the Low Solar Corona: MACS Results from the Total Solar Eclipse of 29 March 2006 in Libya

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reginald, Nelson L.; Davila, Joseph M.; SaintCyr, O.; Rabin, Douglas M.; Guhathakurta, Madhulika; Hassler, Donald M.; Gashut, Hadi

2011-01-01

An experiment was conducted in conjunction with the total solar eclipse on 29 March 2006 in Libya to measure both the electron temperature and its flow speed simultaneously at multiple locations in the low solar corona by measuring the visible K-coronal spectrum. Coronal model spectra incorporating the effects of electron temperature and its flow speed were matched with the measured K-coronal spectra to interpret the observations. Results show electron temperatures of (1.10 +/- 0.05) MK, (0.70 +/- 0.08) MK, and (0.98 +/- 0.12) MK, at 1.1 Solar Radius from Sun center in the solar north, east and west, respectively, and (0.93 +/- 0.12) MK, at 1.2 Solar Radius from Sun center in the solar west. The corresponding outflow speeds obtained from the spectral fit are (103 +/- 92) km/s, (0 + 10) km/s, (0+10) km/s, and (0+10) km/s. Since the observations were taken only at 1.1 Solar Radius and 1.2 Solar Radius from Sun center, these speeds, consistent with zero outflow, are in agreement with expectations and provide additional confirmation that the spectral fitting method is working. The electron temperature at 1.1 Solar Radius from Sun center is larger at the north (polar region) than the east and west (equatorial region).

Cross-correlation limit of a SQUID-based noise thermometer of the pMFFT type

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirste, A.; Engert, J.

2018-03-01

The primary magnetic field fluctuation thermometer (pMFFT) is a SQUID-based noise thermometer for temperatures below 1 K, which complies with metrological requirements. It combines two signal channels in order to apply the cross-correlation technique, but it requires statistically independent noise signals for proper operation. In order to check the limit of the cross-correlation readout, we have performed zero measurements in the millikelvin range in a setup that is identical to the pMFFT, except for the removed temperature sensor. We examined the influence of different parameters such as SQUID working point or flux-lock loop parameters on the minimum cross-correlation signal down to 24 mK and below 100 kHz. Depending on the configuration, typical minimum SQUID-referred cross-power spectral densities of 1.5 × 10‑15 Φ _0^2/Hz or even smaller values were observed. For the pMFFT, considering its thermal noise spectrum, these flux densities correspond to a device noise temperature of ≤2.5 µK, thereby ensuring a negligible uncertainty contribution at the lower end of the PLTS-2000 (0.9 mK).

Whispering Gallery Mode Thermometry

PubMed Central

Corbellini, Simone; Ramella, Chiara; Yu, Lili; Pirola, Marco; Fernicola, Vito

2016-01-01

This paper presents a state-of-the-art whispering gallery mode (WGM) thermometer system, which could replace platinum resistance thermometers currently used in many industrial applications, thus overcoming some of their well-known limitations and their potential for providing lower measurement uncertainty. The temperature-sensing element is a sapphire-crystal-based whispering gallery mode resonator with the main resonant modes between 10 GHz and 20 GHz. In particular, it was found that the WGM around 13.6 GHz maximizes measurement performance, affording sub-millikelvin resolution and temperature stability of better than 1 mK at 0 °C. The thermometer system was made portable and low-cost by developing an ad hoc interrogation system (hardware and software) able to achieve an accuracy in the order of a few parts in 109 in the determination of resonance frequencies. Herein we report the experimental assessment of the measurement stability, repeatability and resolution, and the calibration of the thermometer in the temperature range from −74 °C to 85 °C. The combined standard uncertainty for a single temperature calibration point is found to be within 5 mK (i.e., comparable with state-of-the-art for industrial thermometry), and is mainly due to the employed calibration setup. The uncertainty contribution of the WGM thermometer alone is within a millikelvin. PMID:27801868

Electron Spin Resonance in CuSO45H2O down to 100 mK

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kadowaki, Kazuo; Chiba, Yoshiaki; Kindo, Koichi; Date, Muneyuki

1988-12-01

Copper sulfate pentahydrate CuSO45H2O is investigated by ESR at 9, 17, 24, 35 and 50 GHz regions down to about 100 mK using a combined cryostat of 3He and adiabatic demagnetization. The temperature dependent exchange interaction JAB between inequivalent site spins A and B is found. It is about 0.11 K at room temperature and increases with decreasing temperature up to 0.24 K. Temperature dependent resonance shifts are attributed to the exchange shift coming from non-resonant dissimilar spins. Partial order effect below 1 K is discussed.

Effects of room temperature aging on two cryogenic temperature sensor models used in aerospace applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Courts, S. Scott; Krause, John

2012-06-01

Cryogenic temperature sensors used in aerospace applications are typically procured far in advance of the mission launch date. Depending upon the program, the temperature sensors may be stored at room temperature for extended periods as installation and groundbased testing can take years before the actual flight. The effects of long term storage at room temperature are sometimes approximated by the use of accelerated aging at temperatures well above room temperature, but this practice can yield invalid results as the sensing material and/or electrical contacting method can be increasingly unstable with higher temperature exposure. To date, little data are available on the effects of extended room temperature aging on sensors commonly used in aerospace applications. This research examines two such temperature sensors models - the Lake Shore Cryotronics, Inc. model CernoxTM and DT-670-SD temperature sensors. Sample groups of each model type have been maintained for ten years or longer with room temperature storage between calibrations. Over an eighteen year period, the CernoxTM temperature sensors exhibited a stability of better than ±20 mK for T<30 K and better than ±0.1% of temperature for T>30 K. Over a ten year period the model DT-670-SD sensors exhibited a stability of better than ±140 mK for T<25 K and better than ±75 mK for T>25 K.

A Low-cost Environmental Control System for Precise Radial Velocity Spectrometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sliski, David H.; Blake, Cullen H.; Halverson, Samuel

2017-12-01

We present an environmental control system (ECS) designed to achieve milliKelvin (mK) level temperature stability for small-scale astronomical instruments. This ECS is inexpensive and is primarily built from commercially available components. The primary application for our ECS is the high-precision Doppler spectrometer MINERVA-Red, where the thermal variations of the optical components within the instrument represent a major source of systematic error. We demonstrate ±2 mK temperature stability within a 0.5 m3 thermal enclosure using resistive heaters in conjunction with a commercially available PID controller and off-the-shelf thermal sensors. The enclosure is maintained above ambient temperature, enabling rapid cooling through heat dissipation into the surrounding environment. We demonstrate peak-to-valley (PV) temperature stability of better than 5 mK within the MINERVA-Red vacuum chamber, which is located inside the thermal enclosure, despite large temperature swings in the ambient laboratory environment. During periods of stable laboratory conditions, the PV variations within the vacuum chamber are less than 3 mK. This temperature stability is comparable to the best stability demonstrated for Doppler spectrometers currently achieving m s-1 radial velocity precision. We discuss the challenges of using commercially available thermoelectrically cooled CCD cameras in a temperature-stabilized environment, and demonstrate that the effects of variable heat output from the CCD camera body can be mitigated using PID-controlled chilled water systems. The ECS presented here could potentially provide the stable operating environment required for future compact “astrophotonic” precise radial velocity (PRV) spectrometers to achieve high Doppler measurement precision with a modest budget.

Indirect Determination of the Thermodynamic Temperature of a Gold Fixed-Point Cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Battuello, M.; Girard, F.; Florio, M.

2010-09-01

Since the value T 90(Au) was fixed on the ITS-90, some determinations of the thermodynamic temperature of the gold point have been performed which form, with other renormalized results of previous measurements by radiation thermometry, the basis for the current best estimates of ( T - T 90)Au = 39.9 mK as elaborated by the CCT-WG4. Such a value, even if consistent with the behavior of T - T 90 differences at lower temperatures, is quite influenced by the low values of T Au as determined with few radiometric measurements. At INRIM, an independent indirect determination of the thermodynamic temperature of gold was performed by means of a radiation thermometry approach. A fixed-point technique was used to realize approximated thermodynamic scales from the Zn point up to the Cu point. A Si-based standard radiation thermometer working at 900 nm and 950 nm was used. The low uncertainty presently associated to the thermodynamic temperature of fixed points and the accuracy of INRIM realizations, allowed scales with an uncertainty lower than 0.03 K in terms of the thermodynamic temperature to be realized. A fixed-point cell filled with gold, 99.999 % in purity, was measured, and its freezing temperature was determined by both interpolation and extrapolation. An average T Au = 1337.395 K was found with a combined standard uncertainty of 23 mK. Such a value is 25 mK higher than the presently available value as derived by the CCT-WG4 value of ( T - T 90)Au = 39.9 mK.

Reproducibility of WC-C High-Temperature Fixed Point

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grigoryeva, I. A.; Khlevnoy, B. B.; Solodilov, M. V.

2017-05-01

Reproducibility of the tungsten carbide-carbon peritectic (WC-C) fixed point (3021 K) was investigated by comparing six WC-C blackbody-type cells with each other. All the cells were built at VNIIOFI and had the same design with a cell outer diameter of 24 mm and a cavity opening diameter of 3 mm. Four cells were built using tungsten powder supplied by Alfa Aesar, while the other two cells used powder from Zhuzhou KETE (China). The nominal purity of both suppliers was 99.999 %. All the cells were compared in the same furnace. A reference cell in the second furnace was used for monitoring the stability of a radiation thermometer. Melting temperatures (given by the point of inflection) of all six cells agreed within ±45 mK. The reproducibility, as a standard deviation of the measured temperatures, can be estimated as 35 mK. The Zhuzhou KETE cells showed a slightly lower temperature than the Alfa Aesar cells: by 32 mK on average, which is comparable with repeatability of the measurements.

PHEMT as a circuit element for high impedance nanopower amplifiers for ultra-low temperatures application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Korolev, A. M.; Shulga, V. M.; Gritsenko, I. A.; Sheshin, G. A.

2015-04-01

In this work, high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) was studied as a circuit element for amplifiers operating at temperatures of the order of 10-100 mK. To characterize the HEMT, the relative parameters are proposed to be used. HEMT characteristics were measured at a temperature of 50 mK for the first time. It follows from the reported studies that the power consumption of high-impedance HEMT-based amplifiers can be reduced down to hundreds of nanowatt or even lower.

Solitary Potential in a Space Plasma Containing Dynamical Heavy Ions and Bi-Kappa Distributed Electrons of Two Distinct Temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarker, M.; Hosen, B.; Hossen, M. R.; Mamun, A. A.

2018-01-01

The heavy ion-acoustic solitary waves (HIASWs) in a magnetized, collisionless, space plasma system (containing dynamical heavy ions and bi-kappa distributed electrons of two distinct temperatures) have been theoretically investigated. The Korteweg-de Vries (K-dV), modified K-dV (MK-dV), and higher-order MK-dV (HMK-dV) equations are derived by employing the reductive perturbation method. The basic features of HIASWs (viz. speed, polarity, amplitude, width, etc.) are found to be significantly modified by the effects of number density and temperature of different plasma species, and external magnetic field (obliqueness). The K-dV and HM-KdV equations give rise to both compressive and rarefactive solitary structures, whereas the MK-dV equation supports only the compressive solitary structures. The implication of our results in some space and laboratory plasma situations are briefly discussed.

Phase-coherent engineering of electronic heat currents with a Josephson modulator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fornieri, Antonio; Blanc, Christophe; Bosisio, Riccardo; D'Ambrosio, Sophie; Giazotto, Francesco

In this contribution we report the realization of the first balanced Josephson heat modulator designed to offer full control at the nanoscale over the phase-coherent component of electronic thermal currents. The ability to master the amount of heat transferred through two tunnel-coupled superconductors by tuning their phase difference is the core of coherent caloritronics, and is expected to be a key tool in a number of nanoscience fields, including solid state cooling, thermal isolation, radiation detection, quantum information and thermal logic. Our device provides magnetic-flux-dependent temperature modulations up to 40 mK in amplitude with a maximum of the flux-to-temperature transfer coefficient reaching 200 mK per flux quantum at a bath temperature of 25 mK. Foremost, it demonstrates the exact correspondence in the phase-engineering of charge and heat currents, breaking ground for advanced caloritronic nanodevices such as thermal splitters, heat pumps and time-dependent electronic engines.

A 30 mK, 13.5 T scanning tunneling microscope with two independent tips

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

Roychowdhury, Anita; Center for Nanophysics and Advanced Materials, Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20740; Gubrud, M. A.

We describe the design, construction, and performance of an ultra-low temperature, high-field scanning tunneling microscope (STM) with two independent tips. The STM is mounted on a dilution refrigerator and operates at a base temperature of 30 mK with magnetic fields of up to 13.5 T. We focus on the design of the two-tip STM head, as well as the sample transfer mechanism, which allows in situ transfer from an ultra high vacuum preparation chamber while the STM is at 1.5 K. Other design details such as the vibration isolation and rf-filtered wiring are also described. Their effectiveness is demonstrated viamore » spectral current noise characteristics and the root mean square roughness of atomic resolution images. The high-field capability is shown by the magnetic field dependence of the superconducting gap of Cu{sub x}Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3}. Finally, we present images and spectroscopy taken with superconducting Nb tips with the refrigerator at 35 mK that indicate that the effective temperature of our tips/sample is approximately 184 mK, corresponding to an energy resolution of 16 μeV.« less

MHD modeling of coronal loops: the transition region throat

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guarrasi, M.; Reale, F.; Orlando, S.; Mignone, A.; Klimchuk, J. A.

2014-04-01

Context. The expansion of coronal loops in the transition region may considerably influence the diagnostics of the plasma emission measure. The cross-sectional area of the loops is expected to depend on the temperature and pressure, and might be sensitive to the heating rate. Aims: The approach here is to study the area response to slow changes in the coronal heating rate, and check the current interpretation in terms of steady heating models. Methods: We study the area response with a time-dependent 2D magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) loop model, including the description of the expanding magnetic field, coronal heating and losses by thermal conduction, and radiation from optically thin plasma. We run a simulation for a loop 50 Mm long and quasi-statically heated to about 4 MK. Results: We find that the area can change substantially with the quasi-steady heating rate, e.g., by ~40% at 0.5 MK as the loop temperature varies between 1 MK and 4 MK, and, therefore, affects the interpretation of the differential emission measure vs. temperature (DEM(T)) curves. The movie associated to Fig. 4 is available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org

Measuring Systems for Thermometer Calibration in Low-Temperature Range

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szmyrka-Grzebyk, A.; Lipiński, L.; Manuszkiewicz, H.; Kowal, A.; Grykałowska, A.; Jancewicz, D.

2011-12-01

The national temperature standard for the low-temperature range between 13.8033 K and 273.16 K has been established in Poland at the Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research (INTiBS). The standard consists of sealed cells for realization of six fixed points of the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90) in the low-temperature range, an adiabatic cryostat and Isotech water and mercury triple-point baths, capsule standard resistance thermometers (CSPRT), and AC and DC bridges with standard resistors for thermometers resistance measurements. INTiBS calibrates CSPRTs at the low-temperature fixed points with uncertainties less than 1 mK. In lower temperature range—between 2.5 K and about 25 K — rhodium-iron (RhFe) resistance thermometers are calibrated by comparison with a standard which participated in the EURAMET.T-K1.1 comparison. INTiBS offers a calibration service for industrial platinum resistance thermometers and for digital thermometers between 77 K and 273 K. These types of thermometers may be calibrated at INTiBS also in a higher temperature range up to 550°C. The Laboratory of Temperature Standard at INTiBS acquired an accreditation from the Polish Centre for Accreditation. A management system according to EN ISO/IEC 17025:2005 was established at the Laboratory and presented on EURAMET QSM Forum.

Development of the Nano-HEB Array for Low-Background Far-IR Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Karasik, Boris S.; Pereverzev, Sergey V.; Olaya, David; Gershenson, Michael E.; Cantor, Robin; Kawamura, Jonathan H.; Day, Peter K.; Bumble, Bruce; LeDuc, Henry G.; Monacos, Steve P.;

A Fiber Bragg Grating Temperature Sensor for 2-400 K

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

Zaynetdinov, Madrakhim; See, Erich M.; Geist, Brian

2015-03-01

We demonstrate fiber optic, multiplexible temperature sensing using a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) with an operational range of 2-400 K, and a temperature resolution better than 10 mK for temperatures < 12 K. This represents a significant reduction in the lowest usable temperature as well as a significant increase in sensitivity at cryogenic temperatures compared with previously reported multiplexible solutions. This is accomplished by mounting the section of the fiber with a FBG on a polytetrafluoroethylene coupon, which has a non-negligible coefficient of thermal expansion down to < 4 K. The sensors exhibit a good stability over multiple temperature cyclesmore » and acceptable sensor-to-sensor repeatability. Possible applications for this sensor include distributed temperature sensing across superconducting elements and cryogenic temperature measurements in environments where electrical measurements are impractical or unsafe.« less

Performance test of Ti/Au bilayer TES microcalorimeter in combination with continuous ADR

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

Ishisaki, Y.; Akamatsu, H.; Hoshino, A.

2009-12-16

Performance test of a Ti/Au bilayer TES microcalorimeter has been made in combination with a continuous adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (CADR). The CADR has four stages of ADR to produce continuous cooling by recycling them in dedicated order, and is cryogen-free utilizing a 4K-GM refrigerator. We installed a Ti/Au bilayer TES microcalorimeter and 420-series SQUID array to readout the X-ray signal on the 1st (coldest) stage of the CADR. We successfully operated the CADR at temperature of 120 mK in continuous mode more than 27 hr, however, FWHM energy resolution of the TES microcalorimeter was degraded to 45 eV at 6more » keV, as compared to 10 eV when measured in a dilution refrigerator. This is mainly because the temperature stability was not good enough (about 0.6 mK) and the operation temperature was not sufficiently lower than the transition temperature T{sub c} = 135mK of the TES. We operated the TES microcalorimeter at the operation temperature of 105 mK in one-shot mode and the resolution was improved to 30 eV. We also found that the operating point of the TES was affected by the magnetic field of the 3rd and 4th ADR recycle. More complete shielding of the magnetic field is essential for further improvement of the performance of the TES microcalorimeter.« less

Menaquinone-7 production from maize meal hydrolysate by Bacillus isolates with diphenylamine and analogue resistance* #

PubMed Central

Xu, Jian-zhong; Zhang, Wei-guo

2017-01-01

A menaquinone-7 (MK-7) high-producing strain needs to be isolated to increase MK-7 production, in order to meet a requirement of MK-7 given the low MK-7 content in food products. This article focuses on developing MK-7 high-producing strains via screening and mutagenesis by an atmospheric and room temperature plasma (ARTP) mutation breeding system. We isolated an MK-7-producing strain Y-2 and identified it as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, which produced (7.1±0.5) mg/L of MK-7 with maize meal hydrolysate as carbon source. Then, an MK-7 high-producing strain B. amyloliquefaciens H.β.D.R.-5 with resistance to 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, β-2-thienylalanine, and diphenylamine was obtained from the mutation of the strain Y-2 using an ARTP mutation breeding system. Using strain H.β.D.R.-5, efficient production of MK-7 was achieved ((30.2±2.7) mg/L). In addition, the effects of nitrogen sources, prenyl alcohols, and MgSO4 on MK-7 production were investigated, suggesting that soymeal extract combined with yeast extract, isopentenol, and MgSO4 was beneficial. Under the optimized condition, the MK-7 production and biomass-specific yield reached (61.3±5.2) mg/L and 2.59 mg/L per OD600 unit respectively in a 7-L fermenter. These results demonstrated that strain H.β.D.R.-5 has the capacity to produce MK-7 from maize meal hydrolysate, which could reduce the substrate cost. PMID:28585422

Global conditions in the solar corona from 2010 to 2017

PubMed Central

Morgan, Huw; Taroyan, Youra

2017-01-01

Through reduction of a huge data set spanning 2010–2017, we compare mean global changes in temperature, emission measure (EM), and underlying photospheric magnetic field of the solar corona over most of the last activity cycle. The quiet coronal mean temperature rises from 1.4 to 1.8 MK, whereas EM increases by almost a factor of 50% from solar minimum to maximum. An increased high-temperature component near 3 MK at solar maximum drives the increase in quiet coronal mean temperature, whereas the bulk of the plasma remains near 1.6 MK throughout the cycle. The mean, spatially smoothed magnitude of the quiet Sun magnetic field rises from 1.6 G in 2011 to peak at 2.0 G in 2015. Active region conditions are highly variable, but their mean remains approximately constant over the cycle, although there is a consistent decrease in active region high-temperature emission (near 3 MK) between the peak of solar maximum and present. Active region mean temperature, EM, and magnetic field magnitude are highly correlated. Correlation between sunspot/active region area and quiet coronal conditions shows the important influence of decaying sunspots in driving global changes, although we find no appreciable delay between changes in active region area and quiet Sun magnetic field strength. The hot coronal contribution to extreme ultraviolet (EUV) irradiance is dominated by the quiet corona throughout most of the cycle, whereas the high variability is driven by active regions. Solar EUV irradiance cannot be predicted accurately by sunspot index alone, highlighting the need for continued measurements. PMID:28740861

Climate change impact of livestock CH4 emission in India: Global temperature change potential (GTP) and surface temperature response.

PubMed

Kumari, Shilpi; Hiloidhari, Moonmoon; Kumari, Nisha; Naik, S N; Dahiya, R P

2018-01-01

Two climate metrics, Global surface Temperature Change Potential (GTP) and the Absolute GTP (AGTP) are used for studying the global surface temperature impact of CH 4 emission from livestock in India. The impact on global surface temperature is estimated for 20 and 100 year time frames due to CH 4 emission. The results show that the CH 4 emission from livestock, worked out to 15.3 Tg in 2012. In terms of climate metrics GTP of livestock-related CH 4 emission in India in 2012 were 1030 Tg CO 2 e (GTP 20 ) and 62 Tg CO 2 e (GTP 100 ) at the 20 and 100 year time horizon, respectively. The study also illustrates that livestock-related CH 4 emissions in India can cause a surface temperature increase of up to 0.7mK and 0.036mK over the 20 and 100 year time periods, respectively. The surface temperature response to a year of Indian livestock emission peaks at 0.9mK in the year 2021 (9 years after the time of emission). The AGTP gives important information in terms of temperature change due to annual CH 4 emissions, which is useful when comparing policies that address multiple gases. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Age-related differential sensitivity to MK-801-induced locomotion and stereotypy in C57BL/6 mice

PubMed Central

Qi, Chunting; Zou, Hong; Zhang, Ruizhong; Zhao, Guoping; Jin, Meilei; Yu, Lei

2009-01-01

Psychomotor effects elicited by systemic administration of the noncompetitive NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor antagonist MK-801 (dizocilpine maleate) represent perturbation of glutamatergic pathways, providing an animal model for psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia. Hyperlocomotion and stereotypy are the two main psychomotor behaviors induced by MK-801. This study compared MK-801-induced hyperlocomotion and stereotypy in young (1-month old) and aged mice (12-month old), in order to determine how the aging process may influence these behaviors. The tested MK-801 doses ranged from 0.015 to 1 mg/kg. The data indicated that MK-801 impacted the aged mice more pronouncedly than the young mice, as both hyperlocomotion and stereotypy were increased significantly more in the aged mice relative to the young mice. These results suggest an age-related increase in MK-801 sensitivity in mice. PMID:18053981

Speed of sound and ideal-gas heat capacity of freon R-236ea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Komarov, S. G.; Gruzdev, V. A.; Stankus, S. V.

2008-09-01

Speed of sound in the gaseous freon R-236ea with the purity of 99.68 mol. % has been measured by the method of ultrasonic interferometer in the range from 263 to 423 K and at pressures from 17 kPA to 4.2 MPa. Errors of temperature, pressure, and speed of sound measurement were estimated to be within +/- 20 mK, ± 1.5 kPa, and ±(0.1+0.2) % respectively. Temperature dependence of ideal-gas heat capacity of R-236ea has been calculated on the basis of the obtained data.

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

Chen, K.; Tsai, H.; Decision and Information Sciences

The technical basis for extending the Model 9977 shipping package periodic maintenance beyond the one-year interval to a maximum of five years is based on the performance of the O-ring seals and the environmental conditions. The DOE Packaging Certification Program (PCP) has tasked Argonne National Laboratory to develop a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) temperature monitoring system for use by the facility personnel at DAF/NTS. The RFID temperature monitoring system, depicted in the figure below, consists of the Mk-1 RFId tags, a reader, and a control computer mounted on a mobile platform that can operate as a stand-alone system, or it canmore » be connected to the local IT network. As part of the Conditions of Approval of the CoC, the user must complete the prescribed training to become qualified and be certified for operation of the RFID temperature monitoring system. The training course will be administered by Argonne National Laboratory on behalf of the Headquarters Certifying Official. This is a complete documentation package for the RFID temperature monitoring system of the Model 9977 packagings at NTS. The documentation package will be used for training and certification. The table of contents are: Acceptance Testing Procedure of MK-1 RFID Tags for DOE/EM Nuclear Materials Management Applications; Acceptance Testing Result of MK-1 RFID Tags for DOE/EM Nuclear Materials Management Applications; Performance Test of the Single Bolt Seal Sensor for the Model 9977 Packaging; Calibration of Built-in Thermistors in RFID Tags for Nevada Test Site; Results of Calibration of Built-in Thermistors in RFID Tags; Results of Thermal Calibration of Second Batch of MK-I RFID Tags; Procedure for Installing and Removing MK-1 RFID Tag on Model 9977 Drum; User Guide for RFID Reader and Software for Temperature Monitoring of Model 9977 Drums at NTS; Software Quality Assurance Plan (SQAP) for the ARG-US System; Quality Category for the RFID Temperature Monitoring System; The Documentation Package for the RFID Temperature Monitoring System; Software Test Plan and Results for ARG-US OnSite; Configuration Management Plan (CMP) for the ARG-US System; Requirements Management Plan for the ARG-US System; and Design Management Plan for ARG-US.« less

Novel quantum criticality in CeRu2Si2 near absolute zero observed by thermal expansion and magnetostriction.

PubMed

Yoshida, J; Abe, S; Takahashi, D; Segawa, Y; Komai, Y; Tsujii, H; Matsumoto, K; Suzuki, H; Onuki, Y

2008-12-19

We report linear thermal expansion and magnetostriction measurements for CeRu2Si2 in magnetic fields up to 52.6 mT and at temperatures down to 1 mK. At high temperatures, this compound showed Landau-Fermi-liquid behavior: The linear thermal expansion coefficient and the magnetostriction coefficient were proportional to the temperature and magnetic field, respectively. In contrast, a pronounced non-Fermi-liquid effect was found below 50 mK. The negative contribution of thermal expansion and magnetostriction suggests the existence of an additional quantum critical point.

Emergence of superconductivity in the canonical heavy-electron metal YbRh₂Si₂.

PubMed

Schuberth, Erwin; Tippmann, Marc; Steinke, Lucia; Lausberg, Stefan; Steppke, Alexander; Brando, Manuel; Krellner, Cornelius; Geibel, Christoph; Yu, Rong; Si, Qimiao; Steglich, Frank

2016-01-29

The smooth disappearance of antiferromagnetic order in strongly correlated metals commonly furnishes the development of unconventional superconductivity. The canonical heavy-electron compound YbRh2Si2 seems to represent an apparent exception from this quantum critical paradigm in that it is not a superconductor at temperature T ≥ 10 millikelvin (mK). Here we report magnetic and calorimetric measurements on YbRh2Si2, down to temperatures as low as T ≈ 1 mK. The data reveal the development of nuclear antiferromagnetic order slightly above 2 mK and of heavy-electron superconductivity almost concomitantly with this order. Our results demonstrate that superconductivity in the vicinity of quantum criticality is a general phenomenon. Copyright © 2016, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Design of a scanning gate microscope for mesoscopic electron systems in a cryogen-free dilution refrigerator.

PubMed

Pelliccione, M; Sciambi, A; Bartel, J; Keller, A J; Goldhaber-Gordon, D

2013-03-01

We report on our design of a scanning gate microscope housed in a cryogen-free dilution refrigerator with a base temperature of 15 mK. The recent increase in efficiency of pulse tube cryocoolers has made cryogen-free systems popular in recent years. However, this new style of cryostat presents challenges for performing scanning probe measurements, mainly as a result of the vibrations introduced by the cryocooler. We demonstrate scanning with root-mean-square vibrations of 0.8 nm at 3 K and 2.1 nm at 15 mK in a 1 kHz bandwidth with our design. Using Coulomb blockade thermometry on a GaAs/AlGaAs gate-defined quantum dot, we demonstrate an electron temperature of 45 mK.

Cell module and fuel conditioner

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hoover, D. Q., Jr.

1981-01-01

The results of the completed tests on Stack 561 and the on-going tests of 562 (23 cell stacks of the MK-1 and M-2 designs respectively) are reported and their performance is compared. Results of the on-going endurance test of Stack 560 (5 cell, MK-2) are reported. Plans for fabrication of Stacks 563 and 564 (23 cell stacks of the MK-1 and MK-2 design) are summarized. Results of the burner tests are given. Excellent performance was achieved on simulated anode exhaust gas over very wide load and air/fuel ranges.

Observing the Roots of Coronal Heating - in the Chromosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McIntosh, S. W.; de Pontieu, B.; Hansteen, V. H.; Schrjver, K.

2009-12-01

I will discuss recent results using Hinode/SOT-EIS-XRT, SOHO/SUMER, CRISP (at the Swedish Solar Telescope) and TRACE that provide a direct connection between coronal dynamics and those of the lower atmosphere. We use chromospheric measurements (H-alpha and Ca II 8542 spectral imaging, and Ca II H images), as well as UV spectra (EIS and SUMER), and EUV/X-ray images (XRT and TRACE) to show that faint, high-speed upflows at velocities of 50-100 km/s across a wide range of temperatures from chromospheric (10,000 K), through lower and upper transition region (0.1 to 0.7 MK) and coronal temperatures (2 MK) are associated with significant mass-loading of the corona with hot plasma. Our observations are incompatible with current models in which coronal heating occurs as a result of nanoflares at coronal heights. Instead we suggest that a significant fraction of heating of plasma to coronal temperatures may occur at chromospheric heights in association with jets driven from below (the recently discovered type II spicules). Illustrating the mass and energy transport between the chromosphere, transition region and corona, as deduced from Hinode observations. Convective flows and oscillations in the convection zone and photosphere of the Sun buffet the magnetic field of the Sun. This leads to at least two different kinds of jets in the chromosphere: Type I, and II spicules. Type II spicules drive matter upward violently and likely form when magnetic field reconnects because of stresses introduced by convective flows. A significant fraction of the plasma in type II spicules is heated to coronal temperatures (>1MK), providing the corona with hot plasma. The correlation between the chromospheric and coronal parts of the spicules depends greatly on the viewing angle between the line-of-sight and the direction of the upward flows. Order of magnitude estimates indicate that the mass supplied by type II spicules plays a significant role in supplying the corona with hot plasma.

Report to the CCT on COOMET comparison COOMET.T-K3.1 (previously COOMET.T-S1): Key regional comparison of the national standards of temperature in the range from the triple point of water to the freezing point of zinc

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pokhodun, A. I.

2010-01-01

In the framework of the CIPM MRA, a first COOMET comparison "Comparison of the ITS-90 realizations in the range from 0.01 °C to 429.7485 °C (from the triple point of water to the freezing point of zinc)", registered in the KCDB under the identifier "COOMET.T-K3", was carried out in 2005-2007. Four national metrology institutes took part in this comparison: VNIIM (Russian Federation), SMU (Slovakia), BelGIM (Republic of Belarus) and NSC IM (Ukraine), and two of them (VNIIM and SMU) ensured the linkage with key comparisons CCT-K3 and CCT-K4, in order to disseminate the metrological equivalence to the measurement standards of NSC IM and BelGIM. NSC IM, however, had to withdraw its results, and at the meeting of Technical Committee T-10 of COOMET it was decided to carry out a supplementary bilateral comparison between VNIIM and the NSC IM for realization of the ITS-90 in the same range of temperature. This was registered in the KCDB under the identifier COOMET.T-S1 and measurements were performed in 2008-2009. From the results presented in this report, it is possible to draw the conclusion that the COOMET supplementary comparison COOMET.T-S1 demonstrates the CMC uncertainties claimed by the NSC IM for the melting point of gallium 0.236 mK (k = 2), and the freezing points of indium 1.040 mK (k = 2), tin 0.858 mK (k = 2) and zinc 0.944 mK (k = 2). In September 2012 the Working Group on key Comparisons (WG 7) of the CCT upgraded this comparison to a COOMET key comparison of the 'CCT-K3' type. It is now identified as COOMET.T-K3.1. In April 2013 this report was superseded by item 03006 in the Technical Supplement of 2013. Main text. To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCT, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA).

NRC Microwave Refractive Index Gas Thermometry Implementation Between 24.5 K and 84 K

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rourke, P. M. C.

2017-07-01

The implementation of microwave refractive index gas thermometry at the National Research Council between 24.5 K and 84 K is reported. A new gas-handling system for accurate control and measurement of experimental gas pressure has been constructed, and primary thermometry measurements have been taken using a quasi-spherical copper resonator and helium gas at temperatures corresponding to three defining fixed points of the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90). These measurements indicate differences between the thermodynamic temperature T and ITS-90 temperature T_{90} of ( T - T_{90} ) = -0.60 ± 0.56 mK at T_{90} = 24.5561 K, ( T - T_{90} ) = -2.0 ± 1.3 mK at T_{90} = 54.3584 K, and ( T - T_{90} ) = -4.0 ± 2.9 mK at T_{90} = 83.8058 K. The present results at T_{90} = 24.5561 K and T_{90} = 83.8058 K agree with previously reported measurements from other primary thermometry techniques of acoustic gas thermometry and dielectric constant gas thermometry, and the result at T_{90} = 54.3584 K provides new information in a temperature region where there is a gap in other recent data sets.

Kepler Mission Design, Realized Photometric Performance, and Early Science

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-04-20

USA 19 Institute for Astronomy, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA 20 Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp., Boulder, CO 80306, USA 21...was to perform multi-band photometric observations using a filter set similar to the Sloan Survey (g, r, i, z ) with the addition of a filter for the...Dynamic range 7 Kp 17 Meets photometric precision Operating temperature −85 ◦C 10 mK stability Controller Ball Aerospace Design and manufacturer

A new high-precision borehole-temperature logging system used at GISP2, Greenland, and Taylor Dome, Antarctica

USGS Publications Warehouse

Clow, G.D.; Saltus, R.W.; Waddington, E.D.

1996-01-01

We describe a high-precision (0.1-1.0 mK) borehole-temperature (BT) logging system developed at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) for use in remote polar regions. We discuss calibration, operational and data-processing procedures, and present an analysis of the measurement errors. The system is modular to facilitate calibration procedures and field repairs. By interchanging logging cables and temperature sensors, measurements can be made in either shallow air-filled boreholes or liquid-filled holes up to 7 km deep. Data can be acquired in either incremental or continuous-logging modes. The precision of data collected by the new logging system is high enough to detect and quantify various thermal effects at the milli-Kelvin level. To illustrate this capability, we present sample data from the 3 km deep borehole at GISP2, Greenland, and from a 130m deep air-filled hole at Taylor Dome, Antarctica. The precision of the processed GTSP2 continuous temperature logs is 0.25-0.34 mK, while the accuracy is estimated to be 4.5 mK. The effects of fluid convection and the dissipation of the thermal disturbance caused by drilling the borehole are clearly visible in the data. The precision of the incremental Taylor Dome measurements varies from 0.11 to 0.32mK, depending on the wind strength during the experiments. With this precision, we found that temperature fluctuations and multi-hour trends in the BT measurements correlate well with atmospheric-pressure changes.

Testing of 100 mK bolometers for space applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murray, A. G.; Ade, P. A. R.; Bhatia, R. S.; Griffin, M. J.; Maffei, B.; Nartallo, R.; Beeman, J. W.; Bock, J.; Lange, A.; DelCastillo, H.

1996-01-01

Electrical and optical performance data are presented for a prototype 100 mK spider-web bolometer operating under very low photon backgrounds. These data are compared with the bolometer theory and are used to estimate the expected sensitivity of such a detector used for low background space astronomy. The results demonstrate that the sensitivity and speed of response requirements of the bolometer instruments proposed for these missions can be met by 100 mK spider-web bolometers using neutron transmutation doped germanium as the temperature sensitive element.

Preliminary Design of the Continuous ADRs for the Primordial Inflation Explorer (PIXIE)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shirron, Peter J.; Dipirro, Michael James; Fixsen, Dale J.; Kogut, Alan J.

2017-01-01

PIXIE is a recently proposed middle-class explorer mission designed to produce full-sky maps of polarization in the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). PIXIEs challenging science goals require not only measuring the extremely faint b-modes of the CMB, but distinguishing between true CMB signatures and 1) polarized light reflecting off local dust, and 2) signals arising from within the instrument. PIXIEs detectors will operate at 100 mK in order to achieve the required sensitivity. Instrument errors will be minimized in part by operating the telescope and optics at an average temperature close to that of the CMB (2.72 K) and systematically varying the temperature of various components by a small amount (10-20 mK). Signals appearing at the frequency of those variations can then be subtracted out. For this to be successful at the level required, it is necessary for the pattern of temperatures to be stable over very long time frames. Consequently, cooling of the detectors and telescope will be done using two 3-stage ADR assemblies that will produce continuous cooling, one at 100 mK and the other at approximately 2.65 K. The latter will act as the heat sink for 100 mK ADR and establish a base temperature from which the telescope and optics will be regulated. Its heat sink is a 4.5 K cryocooler. The design and operation of the ADRs will be discussed.

Temperature and Drug Treatments in Mevalonate Kinase Deficiency: An Ex Vivo Study

PubMed Central

Tricarico, Paola Maura; Piscianz, Elisa; Crovella, Sergio

2013-01-01

Mevalonate Kinase Deficiency (MKD) is a rare autosomal recessive inborn disorder of cholesterol biosynthesis caused by mutations in the mevalonate kinase (MK) gene, leading to MK enzyme decreased activity. The consequent shortage of mevalonate-derived isoprenoid compounds results in an inflammatory phenotype, caused by the activation of the NALP3 inflammasome that determines an increased caspase-1 activation and IL-1β release. In MKD, febrile temperature can further decrease the residual MK activity, leading to mevalonate pathway modulation and to possible disease worsening. We previously demonstrated that the administration of exogenous isoprenoids such as geraniol or the modulation of the enzymatic pathway with drugs, such as Tipifarnib, partially rescues the inflammatory phenotype associated with the defective mevalonic pathway. However, it has not been investigated yet how temperature can affect the success of these treatments. Thus, we investigated the effect of temperature on primary human monocytes from MKD patients. Furthermore the ability of geraniol and Tipifarnib to reduce the abnormal inflammatory response, already described at physiological temperature in MKD, was studied in a febrile condition. We evidenced the role of temperature in the modulation of the inflammatory events and suggested strongly considering this variable in future researches aimed at finding a treatment for MKD. PMID:24073415

Evidence of plasma heating in solar microflares during the minimum of solar activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirichenko, Alexey; Bogachev, Sergey

We present a statistical study of 80 solar microflares observed during the deep minimum of solar activity between 23 and 24 solar cycles. Our analysis covers the following characteristics of the flares: thermal energy of flaring plasma, its temperature and its emission measure in soft X-rays. The data were obtained during the period from April to July of 2009, which was favorable for observations of weak events because of very low level of solar activity. The most important part of our analysis was an investigation of extremely weak microflares corresponding to X-ray class below A1.0. We found direct evidence of plasma heating in more than 90% of such events. Temperature of flaring plasma was determined under the isothermal approximation using the data of two solar instruments: imaging spectroheliometer MISH onboard Coronas-Photon spacecraft and X-ray spectrophotometer SphinX operating in energy range 0.8 - 15 keV. The main advantage of MISH is the ability to image high temperature plasma (T above 4 MK) without a low-temperature background. The SphinX data was selected due to its high sensitivity, which makes available the registration of X-ray emission from extremely weak microflares corresponding GOES A0.1 - A0.01 classes. The temperature we obtained lies in the range from 2.6 to 13.6 MK, emission measure, integrated over the range 1 - 8 Å - 2.7times10(43) - 4.9times10(47) cm (-3) , thermal energy of flaring region - 5times10(26) - 1.6times10(29) erg. We compared our results with the data obtained by Feldman et. al. 1996 and Ryan et. al. 2012 for solar flares with X-ray classes above A2.0 and conclude that the relation between X-ray class of solar flare and its temperature is strongly different for ordinary flares (above A2.0) and for weak microflares (A0.01 - A2.0). Our result supports the idea that weak solar events (microflares and nanoflares) may play significant a role in plasma heating in solar corona.

Improving NIS Tunnel Junction Refrigerators: Modeling, Materials, and Traps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Neil, Galen Cascade

This thesis presents a systematic study of electron cooling with Normal-metal/insulator/superconductor (NIS) tunnel junctions. NIS refrigerators have an exciting potential to simplify 100 mK and 10 mK cryogenics. Rather than using an expensive dilution refrigerator, researchers will be able to use much simpler cryogenics to reach 300 mK and supplement them with mass fabricated thin-film NIS refrigerators to reach 100 mK and below. The mechanism enabling NIS refrigeration is energy selective tunneling. Due to the gap in the superconducting density of states, only hot electrons tunnel from the normal-metal. Power is removed from the normal-metal, that same power and the larger IV power are both deposited in the superconductor. NIS refrigerators often cool less than theory predicts because of the power deposited in the superconductor returns to the normal-metal. When the superconductor temperature is raised, or athermal phonons due to quasiparticle recombination are absorbed in the normal-metal, refrigerator performance will be reduced. I studied the quasiparticle excitations in superconductors to develop the most complete thermal model of NIS refrigerators to date. I introduced overlayer quasiparticle traps, a new method for heatsinking the superconductor. I present measurements on NIS refrigerators with and without quasiparticle traps, to determine their effectiveness. This includes an NIS refrigerator that cools from 300 mK to 115 mK or lower, a large improvement over previous designs. I also looked into reducing the power deposited in the superconductor, by choosing the transition temperature of the superconductor based upon the NIS refrigerator launch temperature. I performed a detailed study of the density of states of superconducting AlMn alloys, demonstrating that Mn impurities behave non-magnetically in Al due to resonant scattering. The density of states remains BCS-like, but my measurements show that the deviations from a BCS density of states harm cooling in NIS refrigerators.

Multi-thermal dynamics and energetics of a coronal mass ejection in the low solar atmosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hannah, I. G.; Kontar, E. P.

2013-05-01

Aims: The aim of this work is to determine the multi-thermal characteristics and plasma energetics of an eruptive plasmoid and occulted flare observed by the Solar Dynamics Observatory's Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (SDO/AIA). Methods: We study a 2010 Nov. 3 event (peaking at 12:20 UT in GOES soft X-rays) of a coronal mass ejection and occulted flare that demonstrates the morphology of a classic erupting flux rope. The high spatial and time resolution and six coronal channels of the SDO/AIA images allows the dynamics of the multi-thermal emission during the initial phases of eruption to be studied in detail. The differential emission measure is calculated, using an optimized version of a regularized inversion method, for each pixel across the six channels at different times, resulting in emission measure maps and movies in a variety of temperature ranges. Results: We find that the core of the erupting plasmoid is hot (8-11, 11-14 MK) with a similarly hot filamentary "stem" structure connecting it to the lower atmosphere, which could be interpreted as the current sheet in the flux rope model, though is wider than these models suggest. The velocity of the leading edge of the eruption is 597-664 km s-1 in the temperature range ≥3-4 MK and between 1029-1246 km s-1 for ≤2-3 MK. We estimate the density (in 11-14 MK) of the erupting core and stem during the impulsive phase to be about 3 × 109 cm-3, 6 × 109 cm-3, 9 × 108 cm-3 in the plasmoid core, stem, and surrounding envelope of material. This gives thermal energy estimates of 5 × 1029 erg, 1 × 1029 erg, and 2 × 1030 erg. The kinetic energy for the core and envelope is slightly lower. The thermal energy of the core and current sheet grows during the eruption, suggesting continuous influx of energy presumably via reconnection. Conclusions: The combination of the optimized regularized inversion method and SDO/AIA data allows the multi-thermal characteristics (i.e. velocity, density, and thermal energies) of the plasmoid eruption to be determined. A movie is available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org

Scaling in Plateau-to-Plateau Transition: A Direct Connection of Quantum Hall Systems with the Anderson Localization Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Wanli; Vicente, C. L.; Xia, J. S.; Pan, W.; Tsui, D. C.; Pfeiffer, L. N.; West, K. W.

2009-05-01

The quantum Hall-plateau transition was studied at temperatures down to 1 mK in a random alloy disordered high mobility two-dimensional electron gas. A perfect power-law scaling with κ=0.42 was observed from 1.2 K down to 12 mK. This perfect scaling terminates sharply at a saturation temperature of Ts˜10mK. The saturation is identified as a finite-size effect when the quantum phase coherence length (Lϕ∝T-p/2) reaches the sample size (W) of millimeter scale. From a size dependent study, Ts∝W-1 was observed and p=2 was obtained. The exponent of the localization length, determined directly from the measured κ and p, is ν=2.38, and the dynamic critical exponent z=1.

Effect of liquid epoxidized natural rubber (LENR) on mechanical properties and morphology of natural rubber/high density polyethylene/mengkuang fiber (NR/HDPE/MK) bio-composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piah, Mohd Razi Mat; Baharum, Azizah

2016-11-01

The use of mengkuang fiber (MK) fibers in NR/HDPE (40/60) blend was studied via surface modification of fiber. The MK fiber was pre-washed with 5%wt/v sodium hydroxide solution prior to treatment with liquid epoxidized natural rubber (LENR). The concentration of LENR were varied from 5%-20%wt in toluene. The effects of LENR concentrations were studied in terms of mechanical properties and morphology formed. Melt-blending was performed using an internal mixer (Haake Rheomix 600). The processing parameters identified were 135°C temperature, 45 rpm rotor speed, 12 minutes processing time and at 20%wt MK fiber loading. The optimum LENR treatment concentration was obtained at 5%wt with tensile strength, tensile modulus, and impact strength of 10.3 MPa, 414.2 MPa and 14.4 kJ/m2 respectively. The tensile modulus of LENR-treated MK fiber filled NR/HDPE bio-composite has shown enhancement up to 16.7% higher than untreated MK fiber. The tensile and impact strength were decreased with increasing LENR concentration due to the broken of MK fibers to smaller particles and adhered to each other. FESEM micrographs confirmed the formation of fiber-fiber agglomeration in NR/HDPE blends. The optical microscope analysis shows MK fibers is shorter than original fiber lengths after NaOH-LENR surface modification. The internal bonding forces of MK fiber seems to be weaker than external force exerted on it, therefore, the MK fiber has broken to smaller particles and reduced the mechanical properties of NR/HDPE/MK(20%) bio-composite.

Apparatus for accurate density measurements of fluids based on a magnetic suspension balance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gong, Maoqiong; Li, Huiya; Guo, Hao; Dong, Xueqiang; Wu, J. F.

2012-06-01

A new apparatus for accurate pressure, density and temperature (p, ρ, T) measurements over wide ranges of (p, ρ, T) (90 K to 290 K; 0 MPa to 3 MPa; 0 kg/m3 to 2000 kg/m3) is described. This apparatus is based on a magnetic suspension balance which applies the Archimedes' buoyancy principle. In order to verify the new apparatus, comprehensive (p, ρ, T) measurements on pure nitrogen were carried out. The maximum relative standard uncertainty is 0.09% in density. The maximum standard uncertainty in temperature is 5 mK, and that in pressure is 250 Pa for 1.5 MPa and 390 Pa for 3MPa full scale range respectively. The experimental data were compared with selected literature data and good agreements were found.

Sub-Kelvin magnetic and electrical measurements in a diamond anvil cell with in situ tunability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palmer, A.; Silevitch, D. M.; Feng, Yejun; Wang, Yishu; Jaramillo, R.; Banerjee, A.; Ren, Y.; Rosenbaum, T. F.

2015-09-01

We discuss techniques for performing continuous measurements across a wide range of pressure-field-temperature phase space, combining the milli-Kelvin temperatures of a helium dilution refrigerator with the giga-Pascal pressures of a diamond anvil cell and the Tesla magnetic fields of a superconducting magnet. With a view towards minimizing remnant magnetic fields and background magnetic susceptibility, we characterize high-strength superalloy materials for the pressure cell assembly, which allows high fidelity measurements of low-field phenomena such as superconductivity below 100 mK at pressures above 10 GPa. In situ tunability and measurement of the pressure permit experiments over a wide range of pressure, while at the same time making possible precise steps across abrupt phase transitions such as those from insulator to metal.

Transport property correlations for the niobium-1% zirconium alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Senor, David J.; Thomas, J. Kelly; Peddicord, K. L.

1990-10-01

Correlations were developed for the electrical resistivity (ρ), thermal conductivity ( k), and hemispherical total emittance (ɛ) of niobium-1% zirconium as functions of temperature. All three correlations were developed as empirical fits to experimental data. ρ = 5.571 + 4.160 × 10 -2(T) - 4.192 × 10 -6(T) 2 μΩcm , k = 13.16( T) 0.2149W/ mK, ɛ = 6.39 × 10 -2 + 4.98 × 10 -5( T) + 3.62 × 10 -8( T) 2 - 7.28 × 10 -12( T) 3. The relative standard deviation of the electrical resistivity correlation is 1.72% and it is valid over the temperature range 273 to 2700 K. The thermal conductivity correlation has a relative standard deviation of 3.24% and is valid over the temperature range 379 to 1421 K. The hemispherical total emittance correlation was developed for smooth surface materials only and represents a conservative estimate of the emittance of the alloy for space reactor fuel element modeling applications. It has a relative standard deviation of 9.50% and is valid over the temperature range 755 to 2670 K.

Formability analysis of aluminum alloy sheets at elevated temperatures with numerical simulation based on the M-K method

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

Bagheriasl, Reza; Ghavam, Kamyar; Worswick, Michael

2011-05-04

The effect of temperature on formability of aluminum alloy sheet is studied by developing the Forming Limit Diagrams, FLD, for aluminum alloy 3000-series using the Marciniak and Kuczynski technique by numerical simulation. The numerical model is conducted in LS-DYNA and incorporates the Barlat's YLD2000 anisotropic yield function and the temperature dependant Bergstrom hardening law. Three different temperatures; room temperature, 250 deg. C and 300 deg. C, are studied. For each temperature case, various loading conditions are applied to the M-K defect model. The effect of the material anisotropy is considered by varying the defect angle. A simplified failure criterion ismore » used to predict the onset of necking. Minor and major strains are obtained from the simulations and plotted for each temperature level. It is demonstrated that temperature improves the forming limit of aluminum 3000-series alloy sheet.« less

Comparison between the liquidus temperature and triple-point temperature of tin realized by heat pulse-based melting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joung, Wukchul; Pearce, Jonathan V.; Park, Jihye

2018-06-01

In this work, the consistency of the heat pulse-based melting technique, which was used to determine the liquidus temperature of tin, was examined by comparing the liquidus temperatures of tin at 101 325 Pa and at the vapour pressure of tin (i.e. the triple-point temperature), both of which were realized by heat pulse-based melting. Periodic square wave-type temperature steps with an amplitude of 0.7 °C were generated in the isothermal region of the pressure-controlled loop heat pipe, and the tin sample, having a segregated impurity distribution established by the prior outward slow freezing, was melted by application of the temperature step-based heat pulses. The triple-point temperature was found to be lower than the liquidus temperature of tin at 101 325 Pa by 3.23 mK with an expanded measurement uncertainty of 0.24 mK (i.e. a coverage factor of k  =  2), while the ideal temperature difference calculated from the ITS-90 given pressure coefficient (i.e. 3.3  ×  10‑8 K Pa‑1) is about 3.34 mK. The difference between the measured temperature difference and ideal temperature difference was attributed to the incomplete removal of the gases in the tin triple-point cell. Overall, these results further corroborated the notion that the heat pulse-based melting technique was shown to yield results consistent with the prescription of the ITS-90, and to be a reliable method in terms of the realization of the fixed-point temperatures.

Towards a feasible implementation of quantum neural networks using quantum dots

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

Altaisky, Mikhail V., E-mail: altaisky@mx.iki.rssi.ru, E-mail: nzolnik@iki.rssi.ru; Zolnikova, Nadezhda N., E-mail: altaisky@mx.iki.rssi.ru, E-mail: nzolnik@iki.rssi.ru; Kaputkina, Natalia E., E-mail: nataly@misis.ru

2016-03-07

We propose an implementation of quantum neural networks using an array of quantum dots with dipole-dipole interactions. We demonstrate that this implementation is both feasible and versatile by studying it within the framework of GaAs based quantum dot qubits coupled to a reservoir of acoustic phonons. Using numerically exact Feynman integral calculations, we have found that the quantum coherence in our neural networks survive for over a hundred ps even at liquid nitrogen temperatures (77 K), which is three orders of magnitude higher than current implementations, which are based on SQUID-based systems operating at temperatures in the mK range.

First Taste of Hot Channel in Interplanetary Space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, H. Q.; Zhang, J.; Chen, Y.; Cheng, X.; Li, G.; Wang, Y. M.

2015-04-01

A hot channel (HC) is a high temperature (˜10 MK) structure in the inner corona first revealed by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory. Eruptions of HCs are often associated with flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Results of previous studies have suggested that an HC is a good proxy for a magnetic flux rope (MFR) in the inner corona as well as another well known MFR candidate, the prominence-cavity structure, which has a normal coronal temperature (˜1-2 MK). In this paper, we report a high temperature structure (HTS, ˜1.5 MK) contained in an interplanetary CME induced by an HC eruption. According to the observations of bidirectional electrons, high temperature and density, strong magnetic field, and its association with the shock, sheath, and plasma pile-up region, we suggest that the HTS is the interplanetary counterpart of the HC. The scale of the measured HTS is around 14 R ⊙ , and it maintained a much higher temperature than the background solar wind even at 1 AU. It is significantly different from the typical magnetic clouds, which usually have a much lower temperature. Our study suggests that the existence of a corotating interaction region ahead of the HC formed a magnetic container to inhibit expansion of the HC and cool it down to a low temperature.

Extended long-wavelength lambda = 11-15-micron GaAs/Al(x)Ga(1-x)As quantum-well infrared photodetectors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zussman, A.; Levine, B. F.; Kuo, J. M.; De Jong, J.

1991-01-01

Success has been achieved in extending the spectral wavelength of GaAs/Al(x)Ga(1-x)As quantum-well infrared photodetectors to significantly longer wavelengths of 11-15 micron. High responsivity of 0.5 A/W, high quantum efficiency of 12 percent, and high detectivity as well as an excellent noise equivalent temperature difference of 4 mK have been achieved at T = 50 K. High performance of 19 mK has also been achieved at an even higher temperature of 60 K.

Succinonitrile Purification Facility

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2003-01-01

The Succinonitrile (SCN) Purification Facility provides succinonitrile and succinonitrile alloys to several NRA selected investigations for flight and ground research at various levels of purity. The purification process employed includes both distillation and zone refining. Once the appropriate purification process is completed, samples are characterized to determine the liquidus and/or solidus temperature, which is then related to sample purity. The lab has various methods for measuring these temperatures with accuracies in the milliKelvin to tenths of milliKelvin range. The ultra-pure SCN produced in our facility is indistinguishable from the standard material provided by NIST to well within the stated +/- 1.5mK of the NIST triple point cells. In addition to delivering material to various investigations, our current activities include process improvement, characterization of impurities and triple point cell design and development. The purification process is being evaluated for each of the four vendors to determine the efficacy of each purification step. We are also collecting samples of the remainder from distillation and zone refining for analysis of the constituent impurities. The large triple point cells developed will contain SCN with a melting point of 58.0642 C +/- 1.5mK for use as a calibration standard for Standard Platinum Resistance Thermometers (SPRTs).

Absence of long range order in SrDy2O4 frustrated magnet due to trapped defects from a dimensionality crossover

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gauthier, Nicolas; Fennell, Amy; Uldry, Anne-Christine; Delley, Bernard; Sibille, Romain; White, Jonathan; Niedermayer, Christof; Pomjakushin, Vladimir; Kenzelmann, Michel; Prevost, Bobby; Desilets-Benoit, Alexandre; Bianchi, Andrea D.; Dabkowska, Hanna A.; Nilsen, Goran; Regnault, Louis-Pierre

The simultaneous occurence of geometrical frustration and low dimensionality can lead to strongly correlated fluctuating ground states. In the SrLn2O4 compounds, the Ln magnetic ions form one-dimensional (1D) zig-zag chains that have both of these characteristics, offering a playground to study novel states of matter. In SrDy2O4, the two inequivalent Dy3+ sites are Ising-like with perpendicular easy-axes, favouring the decoupling of neighbouring zig-zag chains. No long range order is observed down to T = 60 mK in zero field but diffuse neutron scattering indicates short range correlations that are consistent with those of the 1D Ising zig-zag chain model. AC susceptibility measurements indicate a slowing down of the fluctuations at low temperatures. We attribute this behaviour to the domain walls in the zig-zag chains. Experimental evidence of a dimensionality crossover at low temperatures in SrDy2O4 suggest that the domains walls are trapped because of interchain interactions, precluding long-range order to the lowest temperatures.

All-optical nanoscale thermometry with silicon-vacancy centers in diamond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, Christian T.; Evans, Ruffin E.; Sipahigil, Alp; Bhaskar, Mihir K.; Sukachev, Denis D.; Agafonov, Viatcheslav N.; Davydov, Valery A.; Kulikova, Liudmila F.; Jelezko, Fedor; Lukin, Mikhail D.

2018-05-01

We demonstrate an all-optical thermometer based on an ensemble of silicon-vacancy centers (SiVs) in diamond by utilizing the sensitivity of the zero-phonon line wavelength to temperature, Δλ/ΔT =0.0124 (2 ) nm K-1 [6.8(1) GHz K-1]. Using SiVs in bulk diamond, we achieve 70 mK precision at room temperature with a temperature uncertainty σT=360 mK/√{H z } . Finally, we use SiVs in 200 nm nanodiamonds as local temperature probes with 521 mK/ √{H z } uncertainty and achieve sub-Kelvin precision. These properties deviate by less than 1% between nanodiamonds, enabling calibration-free thermometry for sensing and control of complex nanoscale systems.

Properties of a two stage adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fukuda, H.; Ueda, S.; Arai, R.; Li, J.; Saito, A. T.; Nakagome, H.; Numazawa, T.

2015-12-01

Currently, many space missions using cryogenic temperatures are being planned. In particular, high resolution sensors such as Transition Edge Sensors need very low temperatures, below 100 mK. It is well known that the adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (ADR) is one of most useful tools for producing ultra-low temperatures in space because it is gravity independent. We studied a continuous ADR system consisting of 4 stages and demonstrated it could provide continuous temperatures around 100 mK. However, there was some heat leakage from the power leads which resulted in reduced cooling power. Our efforts to upgrade our ADR system are presented. We show the effect of using the HTS power leads and discuss a cascaded Carnot cycle consisting of 2 ADR units.

On-and-off chip cooling of a Coulomb blockade thermometer down to 2.8 mK

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palma, M.; Scheller, C. P.; Maradan, D.; Feshchenko, A. V.; Meschke, M.; Zumbühl, D. M.

2017-12-01

Cooling nanoelectronic devices below 10 mK is a great challenge since thermal conductivities become very small, thus creating a pronounced sensitivity to heat leaks. Here, we overcome these difficulties by using adiabatic demagnetization of both the electronic leads and the large metallic islands of a Coulomb blockade thermometer. This reduces the external heat leak through the leads and also provides on-chip refrigeration, together cooling the thermometer down to 2.8 ± 0.1 mK. We present a thermal model which gives a good qualitative account and suggests that the main limitation is heating due to pulse tube vibrations. With better decoupling, temperatures below 1 mK should be within reach, thus opening the door for μK nanoelectronics.

Monitoring Top-of-Atmosphere Radiative Energy Imbalance for Climate Prediction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lin, Bing; Chambers, Lin H.; Stackhouse, Paul W., Jr.; Minnis, Patrick

2009-01-01

Large climate feedback uncertainties limit the prediction accuracy of the Earth s future climate with an increased CO2 atmosphere. One potential to reduce the feedback uncertainties using satellite observations of top-of-atmosphere (TOA) radiative energy imbalance is explored. Instead of solving the initial condition problem in previous energy balance analysis, current study focuses on the boundary condition problem with further considerations on climate system memory and deep ocean heat transport, which is more applicable for the climate. Along with surface temperature measurements of the present climate, the climate feedbacks are obtained based on the constraints of the TOA radiation imbalance. Comparing to the feedback factor of 3.3 W/sq m/K of the neutral climate system, the estimated feedback factor for the current climate system ranges from -1.3 to -1.0 W/sq m/K with an uncertainty of +/-0.26 W/sq m/K. That is, a positive climate feedback is found because of the measured TOA net radiative heating (0.85 W/sq m) to the climate system. The uncertainty is caused by the uncertainties in the climate memory length. The estimated time constant of the climate is large (70 to approx. 120 years), implying that the climate is not in an equilibrium state under the increasing CO2 forcing in the last century.

Set-up of a high-resolution 300 mK atomic force microscope in an ultra-high vacuum compatible (3)He/10 T cryostat.

PubMed

von Allwörden, H; Ruschmeier, K; Köhler, A; Eelbo, T; Schwarz, A; Wiesendanger, R

2016-07-01

The design of an atomic force microscope with an all-fiber interferometric detection scheme capable of atomic resolution at about 500 mK is presented. The microscope body is connected to a small pumped (3)He reservoir with a base temperature of about 300 mK. The bakeable insert with the cooling stage can be moved from its measurement position inside the bore of a superconducting 10 T magnet into an ultra-high vacuum chamber, where the tip and sample can be exchanged in situ. Moreover, single atoms or molecules can be evaporated onto a cold substrate located inside the microscope. Two side chambers are equipped with standard surface preparation and surface analysis tools. The performance of the microscope at low temperatures is demonstrated by resolving single Co atoms on Mn/W(110) and by showing atomic resolution on NaCl(001).

Development of a Space-Flight ADR Providing Continuous Cooling at 50 Mk with Heat Rejection at 10 K

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tuttle, James; Canavan, Edgar; DeLee, Hudson; DiPirro, Michael; Jahromi, Amir; James, Byron; Kimball, Mark; Shirron, Peter; Sullivan, Dan; Switzer, Eric

2017-01-01

Future astronomical instruments will require sub-Kelvin detector temperatures to obtain high sensitivity. In many cases large arrays of detectors will be used, and the associated cooling systems will need performance surpassing the limits of present technologies. NASA is developing a compact cooling system that will lift heat continuously at temperatures below 50 mK and reject it at over 10 K. Based on Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerators (ADRs), it will have high thermodynamic efficiency and vibration-free operation with no moving parts. It will provide more than 10 times the current flight ADR cooling power at 50 mK and will also continuously cool a 4 K stage for instruments and optics. In addition, it will include an advanced magnetic shield resulting in external field variations below 5 T. We describe the cooling system here and report on the progress in its development.

Development of a Space-Flight ADR Providing Continuous Cooling at 50 mK with Heat Rejection at 10 K

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tuttle, Jim; Canavan, Ed; DeLee, Hudson; Dipirro, Michael; Jahromi, Amir; Kimball, Mark; Shirron, Peter; Sullivan, Dan; Switzer, Eric

2017-01-01

Future astronomical instruments will require sub-Kelvin detector temperatures to obtain high sensitivity. In many cases large arrays of detectors will be used, and the associated cooling systems will need performance surpassing the limits of present technologies. NASA is developing a compact cooling system that will lift heat continuously at temperatures below 50 mK and reject it at over 10 K. Based on Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerators (ADRs), it will have high thermodynamic efficiency and vibration-free operation with no moving parts. It will provide more than 10 times the current flight ADR cooling power at 50 mK and will also continuously cool a 4 K stage for instruments and optics. In addition, it will include an advanced magnetic shield resulting in external field variations below 5 T. We describe the cooling system here and report on the progress in its development.

Effects of MK-467 hydrochloride and hyoscine butylbromide on cardiorespiratory and gastrointestinal changes induced by detomidine hydrochloride in horses.

PubMed

Tapio, Heidi A; Raekallio, Marja R; Mykkänen, Anna; Mama, Khursheed; Mendez-Angulo, Jóse L; Hautajärvi, Heidi; Vainio, Outi M

2018-04-01

OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of MK-467 and hyoscine butylbromide on detomidine hydrochloride-induced cardiorespiratory and gastrointestinal changes in horses. ANIMALS 6 healthy adult horses. PROCEDURES Horses received detomidine hydrochloride (20 μg/kg, IV), followed 10 minutes later by MK-467 hydrochloride (150 μg/kg; DET-MK), hyoscine butylbromide (0.2 mg/kg; DET-HYO), or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (DET-S), IV, in a Latin square design. Heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, arterial and venous blood pressures, and cardiac output were measured; blood gases and arterial plasma drug concentrations were analyzed; selected cardiopulmonary variables were calculated; and sedation and gastrointestinal borborygmi were scored at predetermined time points. Differences among treatments or within treatments over time were analyzed statistically. RESULTS With DET-MK, detomidine-induced hypertension and bradycardia were reversed shortly after MK-467 injection. Marked tachycardia and hypertension were observed with DET-HYO. Mean heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure differed significantly among all treatments from 15 to 35 and 15 to 40 minutes after detomidine injection, respectively. Cardiac output was greater with DET-MK and DET-HYO than with DET-S 15 minutes after detomidine injection, but left ventricular workload was significantly higher with DET-HYO. Borborygmus score, reduced with all treatments, was most rapidly restored with DET-MK. Sedation scores and pharmacokinetic parameters of detomidine did not differ between DET-S and DET-MK. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE MK-467 reversed or attenuated cardiovascular and gastrointestinal effects of detomidine without notable adverse effects or alterations in detomidine-induced sedation in horses. Further research is needed to determine whether these advantages are found in clinical patients and to assess whether the drug influences analgesic effects of detomidine.

Unidirectional trends in annual and seasonal climate and extremes in Egypt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nashwan, Mohamed Salem; Shahid, Shamsuddin; Abd Rahim, Norhan

2018-05-01

The presence of short- and long-term autocorrelations can lead to considerable change in significance of trend in hydro-climatic time series. Therefore, past findings of climatic trend studies that did not consider autocorrelations became a questionable issue. The spatial patterns in the trends of annual and seasonal temperature, rainfall, and related extremes in Egypt have been assessed in this paper using modified Mann-Kendal (MMK) trend test which can detect unidirectional trends in time series in the presence of short- and long-term autocorrelations. The trends obtained using the MMK test was compared with that obtained using standard Mann-Kendall (MK) test to show how natural variability in climate affects the trends. The daily rainfall and temperature data of Princeton Global Meteorological Forcing for the period 1948-2010 having a spatial resolution of 0.25° × 0.25° was used for this purpose. The results showed a large difference between the trends obtained using MMK and MK tests. The MMK test showed increasing trends in temperature and a number of temperature extremes in Egypt, but almost no change in rainfall and rainfall extremes. The minimum temperature was found to increase (0.08-0.29 °C/decade) much faster compared to maximum temperature (0.07-0.24 °C/decade) and therefore, a decrease in diurnal temperature range (- 0.01 to - 0.16 °C/decade) in most part of Egypt. The number of winter hot days and nights are increasing, while the number of cold days is decreasing in most part of the country. The study provides a more realistic scenario of the changes in climate and weather extremes of Egypt.

Fractional quantum Hall effect at Landau level filling ν = 4/11

DOE PAGES

Pan, W.; Baldwin, K. W.; West, K. W.; ...

2015-01-09

In this study, we report low temperature electronic transport results on the fractional quantum Hall effect of composite fermions at Landau level filling ν = 4/11 in a very high mobility and low density sample. Measurements were carried out at temperatures down to 15mK, where an activated magnetoresistance R xx and a quantized Hall resistance R xy, within 1% of the expected value of h/(4/11)e 2, were observed. The temperature dependence of the R xx minimum at 4/11 yields an activation energy gap of ~ 7 mK. Developing Hall plateaus were also observed at the neighboring states at ν =more » 3/8 and 5/13.« less

ASCA X-ray observations of pre-main-sequence stars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Skinner, S. L.; Walter, F. M.; Yamauchi, S.

1996-01-01

The results of recent Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics (ASCA) X-ray observations of two pre-main sequence stars are presented: the weak emission line T Tauri star HD 142361, and the Herbig Ae star HD 104237. The solid state imaging spectrometer spectra for HD 142361 shows a clear emission line from H-like Mg 7, and spectral fits reveal a multiple temperature plasma with a hot component of at least 16 MK. The spectra of HD 104237 show a complex temperature structure with the hottest plasma at temperatures of greater than 30 MK. It is concluded that mechanisms that predict only soft X-ray emission can be dismissed for Herbig Ae stars.

Unconventional antiferromagnetic correlations of the doped Haldane gapsystem Y 2 BaNi 1 - x Zn x O 5

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Villar, V.; Mélin, R.; Paulsen, C.; Souletie, J.; Janod, E.; Payen, C.

2002-01-01

We make a new proposal to describe the very low temperature susceptibility of the doped Haldane gap compound Y2BaNi1-xZnxO5. We propose a new mean field model relevant for this compound. The ground state of this mean field model is unconventional because antiferromagnetism coexists with random dimers. We present new susceptibility experiments at very low temperature. We obtain a Curie-Weiss susceptibility χ(T) C/(Θ + T) as expected for antiferromagnetic correlations but we do not obtain a direct signature of antiferromagnetic long range order. We explain how to obtain the ``impurity'' susceptibility (T) by subtracting the Haldane gap contribution to the total susceptibility. In the temperature range [1 K, 300 K] the experimental data are well fitted by T (T) = Cimp 1 + Timp/T . In the temperature range [100 mK, 1 K] the experimental data are well fitted by T (T) = A ln(T/Tc), where Tc increases with x. This fit suggests the existence of a finite Néel temperature which is however too small to be probed directly in our experiments. We also obtain a maximum in the temperature dependence of the ac-susceptibility (T) which suggests the existence of antiferromagnetic correlations at very low temperature.

Nanoscale phase engineering of thermal transport with a Josephson heat modulator.

PubMed

Fornieri, Antonio; Blanc, Christophe; Bosisio, Riccardo; D'Ambrosio, Sophie; Giazotto, Francesco

2016-03-01

Macroscopic quantum phase coherence has one of its pivotal expressions in the Josephson effect, which manifests itself both in charge and energy transport. The ability to master the amount of heat transferred through two tunnel-coupled superconductors by tuning their phase difference is the core of coherent caloritronics, and is expected to be a key tool in a number of nanoscience fields, including solid-state cooling, thermal isolation, radiation detection, quantum information and thermal logic. Here, we show the realization of the first balanced Josephson heat modulator designed to offer full control at the nanoscale over the phase-coherent component of thermal currents. Our device provides magnetic-flux-dependent temperature modulations up to 40 mK in amplitude with a maximum of the flux-to-temperature transfer coefficient reaching 200 mK per flux quantum at a bath temperature of 25 mK. Foremost, it demonstrates the exact correspondence in the phase engineering of charge and heat currents, breaking ground for advanced caloritronic nanodevices such as thermal splitters, heat pumps and time-dependent electronic engines.

Continuous Magnetic Refrigerators for Cooling in the 0.05 to 10 K Range

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shirron, Peter; DiPirro, Michael; Canavan, Edgar; Tuttle, James; Panek, John; Jackson, Michael; King, Todd; Numazawa, Takenori; Krebs, Carolyn (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

Low temperature refrigeration is an increasingly vital technology for NASA's Space Science program since most detectors being developed for x-ray, IR and sub-millimeter missions must be cooled to below 100 mK in order to meet the requirements for energy and spatial resolution. For space applications, magnetic refrigeration has an inherent advantage over alternative techniques because it does not depend on gravity. Adiabatic demagnetization refrigerators, or ADRs, are relatively simple, solid state devices. The basic elements are a magnetocaloric refrigerant (usually an encapsulated paramagnetic salt) located in the bore of a superconducting magnet, and a heat switch linking the salt to a heat sink. The alignment of magnetic spins with the magnetic field causes the refrigerant to warm as the magnetic field increases and cool as the field decreases. Thus the simple process of magnetizing the refrigerant to high field with the heat switch closed, then demagnetizing it with the heat switch open allows one to obtain temperatures well below 100 mK using a heat sink as warm as 4.2 K. The refrigerant can maintain a low temperature for a length of time depending on the applied and parasitic heat loads, its mass, and the initial magnetic field strength. Typically ADRs are designed for 12-24 hours of hold time, after which they must be warmed up and recycled.

Electrical NEP in hot-electron titanium superconducting bolometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karasik, Boris S.; Pereverzev, Sergey V.; Olaya, David; Wei, Jian; Gershenson, Michael E.; Sergeev, Andrei V.

2008-07-01

We are presenting the current progress on the titanium (Ti) hot-electron transition-edge devices. The ultimate goal of this work is to develop a submillimeter Hot-Electron Direct Detector (HEDD) with the noise equivalent power NEP = 10-18-10-20 W/Hz1/2 for the moderate resolution spectroscopy and Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) studies on future space telescope (e.g., SPICA, SAFIR, SPECS, CMBPol) with cryogenically cooled (~ 4-5 K) mirrors. Recentlyi, we have achieved the extremely low thermal conductance (~ 20 fW/K at 300 mK and ~ 0.1 fW/K at 40 mK) due to the electron-phonon decoupling in Ti nanodevices with niobium (Nb) Andreev contacts. This thermal conductance translates into the "phonon-noise" NEP ~ 3×10-21 W/Hz1/2 at 40 mK and NEP ~ 3×10-19 W/Hz1/2 at 300 mK. These record data indicate the great potential of the hot-electron detector for meeting many application needs. Beside the extremely low phonon-noise NEP, the nanobolometers have a very low electron heat capacitance that makes them promising as detectors of single THz photonsii. As the next step towards the practical demonstration of the HEDD, we fabricated and tested somewhat larger than in Ref.1 devices (~ 6 μm × 0.35 μm × 40 nm) whose critical temperature is well reproduced in the range 300-350 mK. The output electrical noise measured in these devices with a low-noise dc SQUID is dominated by the thermal energy fluctuations (ETF) aka "phonon noise". This indicates the high electrothermal loop gain that effectively suppresses the contributions of the Johnson noise and the amplifier (SQUID) noise. The electrical NEP = 6.7×10-18 W/Hz1/2 derived from these measurements is in good agreement with the predictions based on the thermal conductance data. The very low NEP and the high speed (~ μs) are a unique combination not found in other detectors.

Sub-Kelvin magnetic and electrical measurements in a diamond anvil cell with in situ tunability

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

Palmer, A; Silevitch, D M; Feng, Yejun

2015-09-01

We discuss techniques for performing continuous measurements across a wide range of pressure–field–temperature phase space, combining the milli-Kelvin temperatures of a helium dilution refrigerator with the giga-Pascal pressures of a diamond anvil cell and the Tesla magnetic fields of a superconducting magnet. With a view towards minimizing remnant magnetic fields and background magnetic susceptibility, we characterize high-strength superalloy materials for the pressure cell assembly, which allows high fidelity measurements of low-field phenomena such as superconductivity below 100 mK at pressures above 10 GPa. In situ tunability and measurement of the pressure permit experiments over a wide range of pressure, whilemore » at the same time making possible precise steps across abrupt phase transitions such as those from insulator to metal.« less

Intrinsic magnetic refrigeration of a single electron transistor

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

Ciccarelli, C.; Ferguson, A. J.; Campion, R. P.

In this work, we show that aluminium doped with low concentrations of magnetic impurities can be used to fabricate quantum devices with intrinsic cooling capabilities. We fabricate single electron transistors made of aluminium doped with 2% Mn by using a standard multi angle evaporation technique and show that the quantity of metal used to fabricate the devices generates enough cooling power to achieve a drop of 160 mK in the electron temperature at the base temperature of our cryostat (300 mK). The cooling mechanism is based on the magneto-caloric effect from the diluted Mn moments.

Evidence of Significant Energy Input in the Late Phase of a Solar Flare from NuSTAR X-Ray Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuhar, Matej; Krucker, Säm; Hannah, Iain G.; Glesener, Lindsay; Saint-Hilaire, Pascal; Grefenstette, Brian W.; Hudson, Hugh S.; White, Stephen M.; Smith, David M.; Marsh, Andrew J.; Wright, Paul J.; Boggs, Steven E.; Christensen, Finn E.; Craig, William W.; Hailey, Charles J.; Harrison, Fiona A.; Stern, Daniel; Zhang, William W.

2017-01-01

We present observations of the occulted active region AR 12222 during the third Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope ARray (NuSTAR) solar campaign on 2014 December 11, with concurrent Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)/AIA and FOXSI-2 sounding rocket observations. The active region produced a medium-size solar flare 1 day before the observations, at ˜18 UT on 2014 December 10, with the post-flare loops still visible at the time of NuSTAR observations. The time evolution of the source emission in the SDO/AIA 335 Å channel reveals the characteristics of an extreme-ultraviolet late-phase event, caused by the continuous formation of new post-flare loops that arch higher and higher in the solar corona. The spectral fitting of NuSTAR observations yields an isothermal source, with temperature 3.8-4.6 MK, emission measure (0.3-1.8) × 1046 cm-3, and density estimated at (2.5-6.0) × 108 cm-3. The observed AIA fluxes are consistent with the derived NuSTAR temperature range, favoring temperature values in the range of 4.0-4.3 MK. By examining the post-flare loops’ cooling times and energy content, we estimate that at least 12 sets of post-flare loops were formed and subsequently cooled between the onset of the flare and NuSTAR observations, with their total thermal energy content an order of magnitude larger than the energy content at flare peak time. This indicates that the standard approach of using only the flare peak time to derive the total thermal energy content of a flare can lead to a large underestimation of its value.

EVIDENCE OF SIGNIFICANT ENERGY INPUT IN THE LATE PHASE OF A SOLAR FLARE FROM NuSTAR X-RAY OBSERVATIONS

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

Kuhar, Matej; Krucker, Säm; Hannah, Iain G.

We present observations of the occulted active region AR 12222 during the third Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope ARray ( NuSTAR ) solar campaign on 2014 December 11, with concurrent Solar Dynamics Observatory ( SDO )/AIA and FOXSI-2 sounding rocket observations. The active region produced a medium-size solar flare 1 day before the observations, at ∼18 UT on 2014 December 10, with the post-flare loops still visible at the time of NuSTAR observations. The time evolution of the source emission in the SDO/ AIA 335 Å channel reveals the characteristics of an extreme-ultraviolet late-phase event, caused by the continuous formation of newmore » post-flare loops that arch higher and higher in the solar corona. The spectral fitting of NuSTAR observations yields an isothermal source, with temperature 3.8–4.6 MK, emission measure (0.3–1.8) × 10{sup 46} cm{sup −3}, and density estimated at (2.5–6.0) × 10{sup 8} cm{sup −3}. The observed AIA fluxes are consistent with the derived NuSTAR temperature range, favoring temperature values in the range of 4.0–4.3 MK. By examining the post-flare loops’ cooling times and energy content, we estimate that at least 12 sets of post-flare loops were formed and subsequently cooled between the onset of the flare and NuSTAR observations, with their total thermal energy content an order of magnitude larger than the energy content at flare peak time. This indicates that the standard approach of using only the flare peak time to derive the total thermal energy content of a flare can lead to a large underestimation of its value.« less

Evidence of Significant Energy Input in the Late Phase of A Solar Flare from NuSTAR X-Ray Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kuhar, Matej; Krucker, Sam; Hannah, Iain G.; Glesener, Lindsay; Saint-Hilaire, Pascal; Grefenstette, Brian W.; Hudson, Hugh S.; White, Stephen M.; Smith, David M.; Marsh, Andrew J.;

Double-Paddle Oscillators as Probes of Quantum Turbulence in the Zero Temperature Limit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmoranzer, David; Jackson, Martin; Zemma, Elisa; Luzuriaga, Javier

2017-06-01

We present a technical report on our tests of a double-paddle oscillator as a detector of quantum turbulence in superfluid 4He at low temperatures ranging from 20 to 1100 mK. The device, known to operate well in the two-fluid regime (Zemma and Luzuriaga in J Low Temp Phys 166:171-181, 2012), is also capable of detecting quantum turbulence in the zero temperature limit. The oscillator demonstrated Lorentzian responses with quality factors of order 10^5 in vacuum, and displayed negative-Duffing resonances in liquid, even at moderate drives. In superfluid He-II at low temperatures, its sensitivity was adversely affected by acoustic damping at higher harmonics. While it successfully created and detected the quantum turbulence, its overall performance does not compare favourably with other oscillators such as tuning forks.

Ultraviolet photometry from the orbiting astronomical observatory. 8: The blue Ap stars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leckrone, D. S.

1973-01-01

The filter photometers in the Wisconsin Experiment Package on OAO-2 were used to obtain data for a carefully selected set of 24 blue Ap stars and 31 comparison standard B and A dwarfs and giants for a program of relative photometry. Observations were made in seven bandpasses over the effective wavelength range 1430A-4250A. The Ap stars observed include members of the Si, Hg-Mn and Sr-Cr-Eu peculiarity classes. Most of them are too blue in B-V for their published MK spectral classes. The blue Ap stars are markedly deficient in emitted ultraviolet flux and are underluminous as compared to normal stars with the same UBV colors. The Hg-Mn stars appear less flux deficient in the ultraviolet for their UBV colors than do Si or Sr-cr-Eu stars. Most of the Ap stars observed possess ultraviolet flux distributions, or ultraviolet color temperatures, consistent with their published MK spectral classes to well within the classification uncertainties.

Environment-, drug- and stress-induced alterations in body temperature affect the neurotoxicity of substituted amphetamines in the C57BL/6J mouse.

PubMed

Miller, D B; O'Callaghan, J P

1994-08-01

In the companion paper we demonstrated that d-methamphetamine (d-METH), d-methylenedioxyamphetamine (d-MDA) and d-methylenedioxymethamephetamine (d-MDMA), but not d-fenfluramine (d-FEN), appear to damage dopaminergic projections to the striatum of the mouse. An elevation in core temperature also was associated with exposure to d-METH, d-MDA and d-MDMA, whereas exposure to d-FEN lowered core temperature. Given these findings, we examined the effects of temperature on substituted amphetamine (AMP)-induced neurotoxicity in the C57BL/6J mouse. Levels of striatal dopamine (DA) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were taken as indicators of neurotoxicity. Alterations in ambient temperature, pretreatment with drugs reported to cause hypothermia in the mouse and hypothermia induced by restraint stress were used to affect AMP-induced neurotoxicity. Mice received d-METH (10 mg/kg), d-MDA (20 mg/kg) or d-MDMA (20 mg/kg) every 2 hr for a total of four s.c. injections. All three AMPs increased core temperature and caused large (> 75%) decreases in striatal dopamine and large (> 300%) increases in striatal glial fibrillary acidic protein 72 hr after the last injection. Lowering ambient temperature from 22 degrees C to 15 degrees C blocked (d-MDA and d-MDMA) or severely attenuated (d-METH) these effects. Pretreatment with MK-801 lowered core temperature and blocked AMP-induced neurotoxicity; elevation of ambient temperature during this regimen elevated core temperature and markedly attenuated the neuroprotective effects of MK-801. Pretreatment with MK-801 also lowered core temperature in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated mice but did not block 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced neurotoxicity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

MK-801-induced locomotor activity in long-sleep x short-sleep recombinant inbred mouse strains: correlational analysis with low-dose ethanol and provisional quantitative trait loci.

PubMed

Zahniser, N R; Negri, C A; Hanania, T; Gehle, V M

1999-11-01

Low doses of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist MK-801 (dizocilpine) or ethanol increase locomotor activity to a lesser extent in long-sleep (LS), than in short-sleep (SS), mice. LS mice also have fewer brain [3H]MK-801 binding sites than SS mice. In this study, LSXSS recombinant inbred (RI) mice were used to investigate whether different NMDAR densities contribute to differential MK-801 activation and whether common genes are involved in initial sensitivity to MK-801-and ethanol-induced activation. Locomotor activity was measured for 90 min after saline or MK-801 injection. Quantitative autoradiographic analysis of [3H]MK-801 binding was used to measure densities of NMDARs in seven brain regions. The ethanol (1-2 g/kg) activation scores from Erwin and colleagues (1997) were used for correlational analysis, as was their method for quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis. Both saline and MK-801 (0.3 mg/kg, given intraperitoneally) induced a continuum of locomotor responses across the LSXSS RI strains. There was a 4-fold range of MK-801 difference scores (MK-801 score-saline baseline), with the RI 9 and RI 4 strains representing low and high responders, respectively. Dose-response experiments with these two strains confirmed that 0.3 mg/kg MK-801 produced significant activation, similar to previous results with LS and SS mice. However, unlike previous LS/SS results, lower densities of NMDARs were not observed in the RI 9 than in the RI 4 mouse brains. No significant genetic correlations were observed between MK-801-induced and ethanol-induced responses in the LSXSS RI mice. Two provisional MK-801 activation QTLs were identified (p < 0.01) on chromosomes 11 and 19, neither in common with those mapped for ethanol activation. Different densities of brain NMDARs are unlikely to account for the differential activation of LSXSS RI mice by MK-801. Additionally, in the RI mice either separate sets of genes regulate low dose MK-801- and ethanol-induced locomotor responses or the overlapping subset of genes controlling these two behaviors is small (< or =10%).

Development of a Standard Platinum Resistance Thermometer for Use up to the Copper Point

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tavener, J. P.

2015-08-01

The international temperature scale of 1990 defines temperatures in the range from 13.8 K to 1234.93 K () using a standard platinum resistance thermometer (SPRT) as an interpolating instrument. For temperatures above , the current designs of an SPRT require extreme care to avoid contamination, especially by metallic impurities, which can cause rapid and irreversible drift. This study investigates the performance of a new design of a high-temperature SPRT with the aim of improving the stability of the SPRTs and extending their temperature range. The prototype SPRTs have an alumina sheath, a sapphire support for the sensing element, which are aspirated with dry air and operated with a dc bias voltage to suppress the diffusion of metal-ion contaminants. Three prototype thermometers were exposed to temperatures near or above the copper freezing point, , for total exposure times in excess of 500 h and exhibited drifts in the triple-point resistance of less than 10 mK. The new design eliminates some of the problems associated with fused-silica sheaths and sensor-support structures and is a viable option for a high-accuracy thermometer for temperatures approaching.

Histogram analysis of diffusion kurtosis imaging estimates for in vivo assessment of 2016 WHO glioma grades: A cross-sectional observational study.

PubMed

Hempel, Johann-Martin; Schittenhelm, Jens; Brendle, Cornelia; Bender, Benjamin; Bier, Georg; Skardelly, Marco; Tabatabai, Ghazaleh; Castaneda Vega, Salvador; Ernemann, Ulrike; Klose, Uwe

2017-10-01

To assess the diagnostic performance of histogram analysis of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) maps for in vivo assessment of the 2016 World Health Organization Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System (2016 CNS WHO) integrated glioma grades. Seventy-seven patients with histopathologically-confirmed glioma who provided written informed consent were retrospectively assessed between 01/2014 and 03/2017 from a prospective trial approved by the local institutional review board. Ten histogram parameters of mean kurtosis (MK) and mean diffusivity (MD) metrics from DKI were independently assessed by two blinded physicians from a volume of interest around the entire solid tumor. One-way ANOVA was used to compare MK and MD histogram parameter values between 2016 CNS WHO-based tumor grades. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed on MK and MD histogram parameters for significant results. The 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles of MK and average MK showed significant differences between IDH1/2 wild-type gliomas, IDH1/2 mutated gliomas, and oligodendrogliomas with chromosome 1p/19q loss of heterozygosity and IDH1/2 mutation (p<0.001). The 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles showed a slightly higher diagnostic performance (area under the curve (AUC) range; 0.868-0.991) than average MK (AUC range; 0.855-0.988) in classifying glioma according to the integrated approach of 2016 CNS WHO. Histogram analysis of DKI can stratify gliomas according to the integrated approach of 2016 CNS WHO. The 50th (median), 75th , and the 90th percentiles showed the highest diagnostic performance. However, the average MK is also robust and feasible in routine clinical practice. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Low temperature specific heat of frustrated antiferromagnet HoInCu4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weickert, Franziska; Fritsch, Veronika; Bambaugh, Ryan; Sarrao, John; Thompson, Joe D.; Movshovich, Roman

2014-03-01

We present low temperature specific heat measurements of single crystal HoInCu4, down to 35 mK and in magnetic field up to 12 Tesla. Ho atoms are arranged in an FCC lattice of the edge-sharing tetrahedra, and undergo an antiferromagnetic ordering at TN = 0.76 K, with the frustration parameter f = -ΘCW /TN of 14.3. Magnetic AF order is suppressed in field H0 ~ 4 T. The low temperature Schottky anomaly due to Ho evolves smoothly as a function of field through H0 and TN. The peak value of the anomaly remains roughly constant from 0 T to 12 T. The temperature of the anomaly's peak remains constant at TSch ~ 170 mK for H

Note: Ultra-high frequency ultra-low dc power consumption HEMT amplifier for quantum measurements in millikelvin temperature range.

PubMed

Korolev, A M; Shnyrkov, V I; Shulga, V M

2011-01-01

We have presented theory and experimentally demonstrated an efficient method for drastically reducing the power consumption of the rf/microwave amplifiers based on HEMT in unsaturated dc regime. Conceptual one-stage 10 dB-gain amplifier showed submicrowatt level of the power consumption (0.95 μW at frequency of 0.5 GHz) when cooled down to 300 mK. Proposed technique has a great potential to design the readout amplifiers for ultra-deep-cooled cryoelectronic quantum devices.

SAFARI engineering model 50 mK cooler

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duband, L.; Duval, J. M.; Luchier, N.

2014-11-01

SAFARI is an infrared instrument developed by a European based consortium to be flown in SPICA, a Japanese led mission. The SAFARI detectors are transition edge sensors (TES) and require temperatures down to 50 mK for their operation. For that purpose we have developed a hybrid architecture based on the combination of a 300 mK sorption stage and a small adiabatic demagnetization stage. An engineering model has been designed to provide net heat lifts of 0.4 and 14 μW respectively at 50 and 300 mK, with an overall cycle duration of 48 h and a duty cycle objective of over 75%. The cooler is self-contained, fits in a volume of 156 × 312 × 182 mm and is expected to weigh 5.1 kg. It has been designed to withstand static loads of 120 g and a random vibration level of 21 g RMS.

Evidence for intertwined superfluid and density wave order in two dimensional 4He

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saunders, John

2015-03-01

We report the identification of a new state of quantum matter with intertwined superfluid and density wave order in a system of two dimensional bosons subject to a triangular lattice potential. Using a torsional oscillator we have measured the response of the second atomic layer of 4He adsorbed on the surface of graphite over a wide temperature range down to 2 mK. Superfluidity is observed over a narrow range of film densities, emerging suddenly and collapsing towards a quantum critical point, near to layer completion where a Mott insulating phase is predicted to form. The unusual temperature dependence of the superfluid density in the T --> 0 limit and the absence of a clear superfluid onset temperature are explained, self-consistently, by an ansatz for the excitation spectrum, reflecting density wave order, and a quasi-condensate wavefunction breaking both gauge and translational symmetry. In collaboration with Jan Nyeki, Anastasia Phillis, Andrew Ho, Derek Lee, Piers Coleman, Jeevak Parpia, Brian Cowan. Supported by EPSRC (U.K) EP/H048375/1.

[Synthesis of vitamin K2 by isopentenyl transferase NovA in Pichia pastoris Gpn12].

PubMed

Wu, Xihua; Li, Zhemin; Liu, Hui; Wang, Peng; Wang, Li; Fang, Xue; Sun, Xiaowen; Ni, Wenfeng; Yang, Qiang; Zheng, Zhiming; Zhao, Genhai

2018-01-25

The effect of methanol addition on the heterologous expression of isoprenyl transferase NovQ was studied in Pichia pastoris Gpn12, with menadione and isopentenol as precursors to catalyze vitamin K2 (MK-3) synthesis. The expression of NovQ increased by 36% when 2% methanol was added every 24 h. The influence of initial pH, temperature, methanol addition, precursors (menadione, isopentenol) addition, catalytic time and cetyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide (CTAB) addition were explored in the P. pastoris whole-cell catalytic synthesis process of MK-3 in shaking flask. Three significant factors were then studied by response surface method. The optimal catalytic conditions obtained were as follows: catalytic temperature 31.56 ℃, menadione 295.54 mg/L, catalytic time 15.87 h. Consistent with the response surface prediction results, the optimized yield of MK-3 reached 98.47 mg/L in shaking flask, 35% higher than that of the control group. On this basis, the production in a 30-L fermenter reached 189.67 mg/L when the cell catalyst of 220 g/L (dry weight) was used to catalyze the synthesis for 24 h. This method laid the foundation for the large-scale production of MK-3 by P. pastoris Gpn12.

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

Xiang, Z.; Lawson, B.; Asaba, T.

The Kondo insulator samarium hexaboride (SmB 6) has been intensely studied in recent years as a potential candidate of a strongly correlated topological insulator. One of the most exciting phenomena observed in SmB 6 is the clear quantum oscillations appearing in magnetic torque at a low temperature despite the insulating behavior in resistance. These quantum oscillations show multiple frequencies and varied effective masses. The origin of quantum oscillation is, however, still under debate with evidence of both two-dimensional Fermi surfaces and three-dimensional Fermi surfaces. Here, we carry out angle-resolved torque magnetometry measurements in a magnetic field up to 45 Tmore » and a temperature range down to 40 mK. With the magnetic field rotated in the (010) plane, the quantum oscillation frequency of the strongest oscillation branch shows a fourfold rotational symmetry. However, in the angular dependence of the amplitude of the same branch, this fourfold symmetry is broken and, instead, a twofold symmetry shows up, which is consistent with the prediction of a two-dimensional Lifshitz-Kosevich model. No deviation of Lifshitz-Kosevich behavior is observed down to 40 mK. Our results suggest the existence of multiple light-mass surface states in SmB 6, with their mobility significantly depending on the surface disorder level.« less

Bulk Rotational Symmetry Breaking in Kondo Insulator SmB 6

DOE PAGES

Xiang, Z.; Lawson, B.; Asaba, T.; ...

2017-09-25

The Kondo insulator samarium hexaboride (SmB 6) has been intensely studied in recent years as a potential candidate of a strongly correlated topological insulator. One of the most exciting phenomena observed in SmB 6 is the clear quantum oscillations appearing in magnetic torque at a low temperature despite the insulating behavior in resistance. These quantum oscillations show multiple frequencies and varied effective masses. The origin of quantum oscillation is, however, still under debate with evidence of both two-dimensional Fermi surfaces and three-dimensional Fermi surfaces. Here, we carry out angle-resolved torque magnetometry measurements in a magnetic field up to 45 Tmore » and a temperature range down to 40 mK. With the magnetic field rotated in the (010) plane, the quantum oscillation frequency of the strongest oscillation branch shows a fourfold rotational symmetry. However, in the angular dependence of the amplitude of the same branch, this fourfold symmetry is broken and, instead, a twofold symmetry shows up, which is consistent with the prediction of a two-dimensional Lifshitz-Kosevich model. No deviation of Lifshitz-Kosevich behavior is observed down to 40 mK. Our results suggest the existence of multiple light-mass surface states in SmB 6, with their mobility significantly depending on the surface disorder level.« less

An International Intercomparison of Argon Triple Point Calibration Facilities, Accommodating Long-stem Thermometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bloembergen, P.; Bonnier, G.; Ronsin, H.

1990-01-01

Argon triple point calibration facilities have been compared among eight laboratories with one transfer system, employing local long-stem standard platinum resistance thermometers. The apparatus intercompared, included a sealed cell and its associated cryostat. As is evidenced by the results of long-term investigations, previously performed at the INM, cells of the type employed may show a triple-point temperature, which is stable within the reproducibility of the measurements (simeq0,1 mK) over a period of about 10 years. At each laboratory the mean difference between the Argon triple-point temperature of the transfer cell (t) and the local cell (i) has been determined, using a standard resistance thermometer previously calibrated at the fixed points, according to the IPTS-68; associated repeatabilities are typically of the order of 0,1 mK. The reproducibility attained by measuring the mean difference in different laboratories, using cells of the same type and origin (INM), amounts to 0,4 mK.

Set-up of a high-resolution 300 mK atomic force microscope in an ultra-high vacuum compatible {sup 3}He/10 T cryostat

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

Allwörden, H. von; Ruschmeier, K.; Köhler, A.

The design of an atomic force microscope with an all-fiber interferometric detection scheme capable of atomic resolution at about 500 mK is presented. The microscope body is connected to a small pumped {sup 3}He reservoir with a base temperature of about 300 mK. The bakeable insert with the cooling stage can be moved from its measurement position inside the bore of a superconducting 10 T magnet into an ultra-high vacuum chamber, where the tip and sample can be exchanged in situ. Moreover, single atoms or molecules can be evaporated onto a cold substrate located inside the microscope. Two side chambersmore » are equipped with standard surface preparation and surface analysis tools. The performance of the microscope at low temperatures is demonstrated by resolving single Co atoms on Mn/W(110) and by showing atomic resolution on NaCl(001).« less

Thermal conductance modeling and characterization of the SuperCDMS-SNOLAB sub-Kelvin cryogenic system

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

Dhuley, R. C.; Hollister, M. I.; Ruschman, M. K.

The detectors of the Super Cryogenic Dark Matter Search experiment at SNOLAB (SuperCDMS SNOLAB) will operate in a seven-layered cryostat with thermal stages between room temperature and the base temperature of 15 mK. The inner three layers of the cryostat, which are to be nominally maintained at 1 K, 250 mK, and 15 mK, will be cooled by a dilution refrigerator via conduction through long copper stems. Bolted and mechanically pressed contacts, at and cylindrical, as well as exible straps are the essential stem components that will facilitate assembly/dismantling of the cryostat. These will also allow for thermal contractions/movements duringmore » cooldown of the sub-Kelvin system. To ensure that these components and their contacts meet their design thermal conductance, prototypes were fabricated and cryogenically tested. The present paper gives an overview of the SuperCDMS SNOLAB sub-Kelvin architecture and its conductance requirements. Results from the conductance measurements tests and from sub-Kelvin thermal modeling are discussed.« less

Indirect determination of the thermodynamic temperature of the copper point by a multi-fixed-point technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Battuello, M.; Florio, M.; Girard, F.

2010-06-01

An indirect determination of the thermodynamic temperature of the fixed point of copper was made at INRIM by measuring four cells with a Si-based and an InGaAs-based precision radiation thermometer carrying approximated thermodynamic scales realized up to the Ag point. An average value TCu = 1357.840 K was found with a standard uncertainty of 0.047 K. A consequent (T - T90)Cu value of 70 mK can be derived which is 18 mK higher than, but consistent with, the presently available (T - T90)Cu as elaborated by the CCT-WG4.

Study of extreme-ultraviolet emission and properties of a coronal streamer from PROBA2/SWAP, HINODE/EIS and Mauna Loa Mk4 observations

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

Goryaev, F.; Slemzin, V.; Vainshtein, L.

2014-02-01

Wide-field extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) telescopes imaging in spectral bands sensitive to 1 MK plasma on the Sun often observe extended, ray-like coronal structures stretching radially from active regions to distances of 1.5-2 R {sub ☉}, which represent the EUV counterparts of white-light streamers. To explain this phenomenon, we investigated the properties of a streamer observed on 2010 October 20 and 21, by the PROBA2/SWAP EUV telescope together with the Hinode/EIS (HOP 165) and the Mauna Loa Mk4 white-light coronagraph. In the SWAP 174 Å band comprising the Fe IX-Fe XI lines, the streamer was detected to a distance of 2 Rmore » {sub ☉}. We assume that the EUV emission is dominated by collisional excitation and resonant scattering of monochromatic radiation coming from the underlying corona. Below 1.2 R {sub ☉}, the plasma density and temperature were derived from the Hinode/EIS data by a line-ratio method. Plasma conditions in the streamer and in the background corona above 1.2 R {sub ☉} from the disk center were determined by forward-modeling the emission that best fit the observational data in both EUV and white light. It was found that the plasma in the streamer above 1.2 R {sub ☉} is nearly isothermal, with a temperature of T = 1.43 ± 0.08 MK. The hydrostatic scale-height temperature determined from the evaluated density distribution was significantly higher (1.72 ± 0.08 MK), which suggests the existence of outward plasma flow along the streamer. We conclude that, inside the streamer, collisional excitation provided more than 90% of the observed EUV emission, whereas, in the background corona, the contribution of resonance scattering became comparable with that of collisions at R ≳ 2 R {sub ☉}.« less

Evaluation of medetomidine-ketamine and medetomidine-ketamine-butorphanol for the field anesthesia of free-ranging dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Australia.

PubMed

Boardman, Wayne S J; Lethbridge, Mark R; Hampton, Jordan O; Smith, Ian; Woolnough, Andrew P; McEwen, Margaret-Mary; Miller, Graham W J; Caraguel, Charles G B

2014-10-01

Abstract We report the clinical course and physiologic and anesthetic data for a case series of 76 free-ranging dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) chemically restrained, by remote injection from a helicopter, in the rangelands of Western Australia and South Australia, 2008-11, to attach satellite-tracking collars. Fifty-five camels were successfully anesthetized using medetomidine-ketamine (MK, n=27) and medetomidine-ketamine-butorphanol (MKB, n=28); the induction of anesthesia in 21 animals was considered unsuccessful. To produce reliable anesthesia for MK, medetomidine was administered at 0.22 mg/kg (± SD=0.05) and ketamine at 2.54 mg/kg (± 0.56), and for MKB, medetomidine was administered at 0.12 mg/kg (± 0.05), ketamine at 2.3 mg/kg (± 0.39), and butorphanol at 0.05 mg/kg (± 0.02). Median time-to-recumbency for MKB (8.5 min) was 2.5 min shorter than for MK (11 min) (P=0.13). For MK, the reversal atipamezole was administered at 0.24 mg/kg (± 0.10), and for MKB, atipamezole was administered at 0.23 mg/kg (± 0.13) and naltrexone at 0.17 mg/kg (± 0.16). Median time-to-recovery was 1 min shorter for MK (5 min) than MKB (6 min; P=0.02). Physiologic parameters during recumbency were not clinically different between the two regimes. Both regimes were suitable to safely anesthetize free-ranging camels; however, further investigation is required to find the safest, most consistent, and logistically practical combination.

Comparison of the triple-point temperatures of {sup 20}Ne, {sup 22}Ne and normal Ne

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

Nakano, T.; Tamura, O.; Nagao, K.

2013-09-11

At the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ), the triple points of {sup 20}Ne and {sup 22}Ne were realized using modular sealed cells, Ec3Ne20 and Ec8Ne22, made by the Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica (INRiM) in Italy. The difference of the triple-point temperatures of {sup 20}Ne and {sup 22}Ne was estimated by using the sub-range of standard platinum resistance thermometers (SPRTs) calibrated by NMIJ on the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90). The melting curves obtained with the Ec3Ne20 and Ec8Ne22 cells show narrow widths (0.1 mK) over a wide range of the inverse of the melted fraction (1/F) frommore » 1/F=1 to 1/F=10. The liquidus point T{sub tp} estimated by the melting curves from F∼0.5 to F∼0.85 using the Ec8Ne22 is 0.146 29 (4) K higher than that using the Ec3Ne20 cell, which is in good agreement with that observed by INRiM using the same cells. After correction of the effect of impurities and other isotopes for Ec3Ne20 and Ec8Ne22 cells, the difference of T{sub tp} between pure {sup 20}Ne and pure {sup 22}Ne is estimated to be 0.146 61 (4) K, which is consistent with the recent results reported elsewhere. The sub-ranges of SPRTs computed by using the triple point of {sup 20}Ne or {sup 22}Ne realized by the Ec3Ne20 cell or the Ec8Ne22 cell in place of the triple point of Ne for the defining fixed point of the ITS-90 are in good agreement with those realized on the basis of the ITS-90 at NMIJ within 0.03 mK, which is much smaller than the non-uniqueness and the sub-range inconsistency of SPRTs.« less

Effect of Elevated Temperature on Mechanical Assets of Metakaolin Base Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vijay Anand, M.; Ibrahim, Azmi; Patil, Anand A.; Muthu, K. U.

2017-06-01

The fact of vast usage of concrete leads to important problems regarding its design and preparation of eco-friendly to obtain an economic cost of the product on varieties of time periods. Conventional ordinary Portland concrete may not able to meet its functional requisites as it found inconsistency in high temperature. The exposing of concrete structure to elevated temperature may be in case of rocket launching space ships, nuclear power plants. In this experiment, to enhance the high temperature resistance, pozzolanic materials and steel fibres are added to preserve the strength characteristics of concrete structure. In this analysis, the pozzolanic admixture MK is used as partial replacement of cementatious materials. The volume fraction of steel fibre is varied 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75% and 1% by preserving MK as stationary for 10% replacement of cement. The strength parameters of concrete such as compressive strength, split tensile strength and flexural strength are studied.

Variable Temperature Equipment for a Commercial Magnetic Susceptibility Balance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lotz, Albert

2008-01-01

Variable temperature equipment for the magnetic susceptibility balance MSB-MK1 of Sherwood Scientific, Ltd., is described. The sample temperature is controlled with streaming air heated by water in a heat exchanger. Whereas the balance as sold commercially can be used only for room temperature measurements, the setup we designed extends the…

Effect of Metakaolin and Slag blended Cement on Corrosion Behaviour of Concrete

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Borade, Anita N.; Kondraivendhan, B.

2017-06-01

The present paper is aimed to investigate the influence of Metakaolin (MK) and Portland slag Cement (PSC) on corrosion behaviour of concrete. For this purpose, Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) was replaced by 15% MK by weight and readymade available PSC were used. The standard concrete specimens were prepared for both compressive strength and half- cell potential measurement. For the aforesaid experiments, the specimens were cast with varying water to binder ratios (w/b) such as 0.45, 0.5 and 0.55 and exposed to 0%, 3%, 5% and 7.5% of sodium chloride (NaCl) solution. The specimens were tested at wide range of curing ages namely 7, 28, 56, 90 and 180 days. The effects of MK, w/b ratio, age, and NaCl exposure upon concrete were demonstrated in this investigation along with the comparison of results of both MK and PSC concrete were done. It was also observed that concrete with MK shows improved performance as compared to concrete with PSC.

A HOT FLUX ROPE OBSERVED BY SDO/AIA

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

Aparna, V.; Tripathi, Durgesh, E-mail: aparnav@iucaa.in

2016-03-01

A filament eruption was observed on 2010 October 31 in the images recorded by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) on board the Solar Dynamic Observatory (SDO) in its Extreme Ultra-Violet (EUV) channels. The filament showed a slow-rise phase followed by a fast rise and was classified to be an asymmetric eruption. In addition, multiple localized brightenings which were spatially and temporally associated with the slow-rise phase were identified, leading us to believe that the tether-cutting mechanism initiated the eruption. An associated flux rope was detected in high-temperature channels of AIA, namely 94 and 131 Å, corresponding to 7 and 11more » MK plasma respectively. In addition, these channels are also sensitive to cooler plasma corresponding to 1–2 MK. In this study, we have applied the algorithm devised by Warren et al. to remove cooler emission from the 94 Å channel to deduce only the high-temperature structure of the flux rope and to study its temporal evolution. We found that the flux rope was very clearly seen in the clean 94 Å channel image corresponding to Fe xviii emission, which corresponds to a plasma at a temperature of 7 MK. This temperature matched well with that obtained using Differential Emission Measure analysis. This study provides important constrains in the modeling of the thermodynamic structure of the flux ropes in coronal mass ejections.« less

Munitions Classification Library

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-04-04

F/B N N Practice Rockeye MK118 S Y Y N N U/P N N Practice 25-lb Mk76 B Y N N N F/B N N BDU-33 Practice Bomb 2.25-in SCAR Mk4 Mod0 R Y Y N N F/W Y N...Sphere SO N N N N Pristine Y Y steel 1 P = Projectile; G = Grenade; M = Mortar; R = Rocket; S = Submunition; B = Bomb ; RWH = Rocket Warhead; SO...many of the remaining outstanding desired items as possible and ranged in size from very small munitions (50 cal) all the way up to a 250-lb bomb

77 FR 9899 - 36(b)(1) Arms Sales Notification

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-21

... Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles, 42 GBU-49 Enhanced PAVEWAY II 500 lb Bombs, 200 GBU-54 (2000 lb) Laser Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) Bombs, 642 BLU-111 (500 lb) General Purpose Bombs, 127 MK-82 (500 lb) General Purpose Bombs, 80 BLU-117 (2000 lb) General Purpose Bombs, 4 MK-84 (2000 lb) Inert...

76 FR 71535 - Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; U.S. Marine Corps Training Exercises...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-18

... small arms, large arms, bombs, rockets, missiles, and pyrotechnics. All munitions used at BT-11 are... shapes each time. Mine simulation shapes include MK76, MK80 series, and BDU practice bombs ranging from... disabling enemy ships or boats. During training, fixed wing or rotary wing aircraft deliver bombs against...

Ultra-High Q Acoustic Resonance in Superfluid ^4He

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Lorenzo, L. A.; Schwab, K. C.

2017-02-01

We report the measurement of the acoustic quality factor of a gram-scale, kilohertz-frequency superfluid resonator, detected through the parametric coupling to a superconducting niobium microwave cavity. For temperatures between 400 mK and 50 mK, we observe a T^{-4} temperature dependence of the quality factor, consistent with a 3-phonon dissipation mechanism. We observe Q factors up to 1.4× 10^8, consistent with the dissipation due to dilute ^3He impurities, and expect that significant further improvements are possible. These experiments are relevant to exploring quantum behavior and decoherence of massive macroscopic objects, the laboratory detection of continuous gravitational waves from pulsars, and the probing of possible limits to physical length scales.

Wire-packed heat exchangers for dilution refrigerators.

PubMed

Polturak, E; Rappaport, M; Rosenbaum, R

1978-03-01

Very simple wire-packed step heat exchangers for dilution refrigerators are described. No sintering is used in fabrication. Flow impedances and thermal resistance between the liquid and the copper wires are low. A refrigerator with five wire-packed heat exchangers in addition to a countercurrent heat exchanger attains a temperature of 11.4 mK with a single mixing chamber and 6.1 mK with two mixing chambers. High cooling power is achieved at modest (3)He circulation rates.

Identification, cloning and characterization of a new DNA-binding protein from the hyperthermophilic methanogen Methanopyrus kandleri

PubMed Central

Pavlov, Nikolai A.; Cherny, Dmitry I.; Nazimov, Igor V.; Slesarev, Alexei I.; Subramaniam, Vinod

2002-01-01

Three novel DNA-binding proteins with apparent molecular masses of 7, 10 and 30 kDa have been isolated from the hyperthermophilic methanogen Methanopyrus kandleri. The proteins were identified using a blot overlay assay that was modified to emulate the high ionic strength intracellular environment of M.kandleri proteins. A 7 kDa protein, named 7kMk, was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. As indicated by CD spectroscopy and computer-assisted structure prediction methods, 7kMk is a substantially α-helical protein possibly containing a short N-terminal β-strand. According to analytical gel filtration chromatography and chemical crosslinking, 7kMk exists as a stable dimer, susceptible to further oligomerization. Electron microscopy showed that 7kMk bends DNA and also leads to the formation of loop-like structures of ∼43.5 ± 3.5 nm (136 ± 11 bp for B-form DNA) circumference. A topoisomerase relaxation assay demonstrated that looped DNA is negatively supercoiled under physiologically relevant conditions (high salt and temperature). A BLAST search did not yield 7kMk homologs at the amino acid sequence level, but based on a multiple alignment with ribbon–helix–helix (RHH) transcriptional regulators, fold features and self-association properties of 7kMk we hypothesize that it could be related to RHH proteins. PMID:11809880

Electrical NEP in Hot-Electron Titanium Superconducting Bolometers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Karasik, Boris S.; Pereverzev, Sergey V.; Olaya, David; Wei, Jian; Gershenson, Michael E.; Sergeev, Andrei V.

2008-01-01

We are presenting the current progress on the titanium (Ti) hot-electron transition-edge devices. The ultimate goal of this work is to develop a submillimeter Hot-Electron Direct Detector (HEDD) with the noise equivalent power NEP = 10(sup -1) - 10(sup -20) W/Hz(sup 1/2) for the moderate resolution spectroscopy and Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) studies on future space telescope (e.g., SPICA, SAFIR, SPECS, CMBPol) with cryogenically cooled (approximately 4-5 K) mirrors. Recently, we have achieved the extremely low thermal conductance (approximately 20 fW/K at 300 mK and approximately 0.1 fW/K at 40 mK) due to the electron-phonon decoupling in Ti nanodevices with niobium (Nb) Andreev contacts. This thermal conductance translates into the "phonon-noise" NEP approximately equal to 3 x 10(sup -21) W/Hz(sup 1/2) at 40 mK and NEP approximately equal to 3 x 10(sup -19) W/Hz(sup 1/2) at 300 mK. These record data indicate the great potential of the hot-electron detector for meeting many application needs. Beside the extremely low phonon-noise NEP, the nanobolometers have a very low electron heat capacitance that makes them promising as detectors of single THz photons. As the next step towards the practical demonstration of the HEDD, we fabricated and tested somewhat larger than in Ref.1 devices (approximately 6 micrometers x 0.35 micrometers x 40 nm) whose critical temperature is well reproduced in the range 300-350 mK. The output electrical noise measured in these devices with a low-noise dc SQUID is dominated by the thermal energy fluctuations (ETF) aka "phonon noise". This indicates the high electrothermal loop gain that effectively suppresses the contributions of the Johnson noise and the amplifier (SQUID) noise. The electrical NEP = 6.7 x 10(sup -18) W/Hz(sup 1/2) derived from these measurements is in good agreement with the predictions based on the thermal conductance data. The very low NEP and the high speed (approximately microns) are a unique combination not found in other detectors.

Elephant Seals and Temperature Data: Calibrations and Limitations.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simmons, S. E.; Tremblay, Y.; Costa, D. P.

2006-12-01

In recent years with technological advances, instruments deployed on diving marine animals have been used to sample the environment in addition to their behavior. Of all oceanographic variables one of the most valuable and easiest to record is temperature. Here we report on a series of lab calibration and field validation experiments that consider the accuracy of temperature measurements from animal borne ocean samplers. Additionally we consider whether sampling frequency or animal behavior affects the quality of the temperature data collected by marine animals. Rapid response, external temperature sensors on eight Wildlife Computers MK9 time-depth recorders (TDRs) were calibrated using water baths at the Naval Postgraduate School (Monterey, CA). These water baths are calibrated using a platinum thermistor to 0.001° C. Instruments from different production batches were calibrated before and after deployments on adult female northern elephant seals, to examine tag performance over time and under `normal' usage. Tag performance in the field was validated by comparisons with temperature data from a Seabird CTD. In April/May of 2004, casts to 200m were performed over the Monterey Canyon using a CTD array carrying MK9s. These casts were performed before and after the release of a juvenile elephant seal from the boat. The seal was also carrying an MK9 TDR, allowing the assessment of any animal effect on temperature profiles. Sampling frequency during these field validations was set at one second intervals and the data from TDRs on both the CTD and the seals was sub-sampled at four, eight, 30 and 300 (5 min) seconds. The sub-sampled data was used to determine thermocline depth, a thermocline depth zone and temperature gradients and assess whether sampling frequency or animal behavior affects the quality of temperature data. Preliminary analyses indicate that temperature sensors deployed on elephant seals can provide water column temperature data of high quality and precision.

NASA advanced cryocooler technology development program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coulter, Daniel R.; Ross, Ronald G., Jr.; Boyle, Robert F.; Key, R. W.

2003-03-01

Mechanical cryocoolers represent a significant enabling technology for NASA's Earth and Space Science Enterprises. Over the years, NASA has developed new cryocooler technologies for a wide variety of space missions. Recent achievements include the NCS, AIRS, TES and HIRDLS cryocoolers, and miniature pulse tube coolers at TRW and Lockheed Martin. The largest technology push within NASA right now is in the temperature range of 4 to 10 K. Missions such as the Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST) and Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) plan to use infrared detectors operating between 6-8 K, typically arsenic-doped silicon arrays, with IR telescopes from 3 to 6 meters in diameter. Similarly, Constellation-X plans to use X-ray microcalorimeters operating at 50 mK and will require ~6 K cooling to precool its multistage 50 mK magnetic refrigerator. To address cryocooler development for these next-generation missions, NASA has initiated a program referred to as the Advanced Cryocooler Technology Development Program (ACTDP). This paper presents an overview of the ACTDP program including programmatic objectives and timelines, and conceptual details of the cooler concepts under development.

Cryogen-Free Ultra-Low Temperature Cooling using a Continuous ADR

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shirron, Peter; DiPirro, Michael; Jirmanus, Munir; Zhao, Zu-Yu; Shields, Bill

2003-01-01

The development of a continuous adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (CADR) has progressed to the point where we have demonstrated a 4-stage system that provides continuous cooling at 50 mK and below, while rejecting heat to a 4.2 K helium bath. Since temperature control and cycling of the ADR is fully automated, the system is simple to operate and stable. Temperature fluctuations of the cold tip are typically less than 10 microKelvin rms (at 100 mK). The ADR s cooling power of 2 1 microwatts at 100 mK is comparable to that of small dilution refrigerators, but because its efficiency is so much higher (50% of Carnot), the peak heat rejection rate is less than 10 mW. This is significant in allowing the ADR to be cooled by relatively low-power cryocoolers. In addition to commercial pulse-tube and Gifford McMahon (GM) coolers, this potentially includes small GM systems that run on 120 V power and do not need water cooling. The present focus is to design and fabricate a small dewar to house the CADR and a cryocooler, in anticipation of making a cryogen-free, low cost CADR commercially available. Performance of the prototype CADR and the complete system will be discussed.

Progress in the Development of a Continuous Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shirron, Peter; Canavan, Edgar; DiPirro, Michael; Jackson, Michael; King, Todd; Tuttle, James; Krebs, Carolyn A. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

We report on recent progress in the development of a continuous adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (CADR). Continuous operation avoids the constraints of long hold times and short recycle times that lead to the generally large mass of single-shot ADRs, allowing us to achieve an order of magnitude larger cooling power per unit mass. Our current design goal is 10 micro W of cooling at 50 mK using a 6-10 K heat sink. The estimated mass is less than 10 kg, including magnetic shielding of each stage. The relatively high heat rejection capability allows it to operate with a mechanical cryocooler as part of a cryogen-free, low temperature cooling system. This has the advantages of long mission life and reduced complexity and cost. We have assembled a three-stage CADR and have demonstrated continuous cooling using a superfluid helium bath as the heat sink. The temperature stability is 8 micro K rms or better over the entire cycle, and the cooling power is 2.5 micro W at 60 mK rising to 10 micro W at 100 mK.

A Continuous Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerator for Far-IR/Sub-mm Astronomy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shirron, Peter; Canavan, Edgar; DiPirro, Michael; Jackson, Michael; King, Todd; Tuttle, James

2004-01-01

We report on recent progress in the development of a continuous adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (CADR). Continuous operation avoids the constraints of long hold times and short recycle times that lead to the generally large mass of single-shot ADRs, allowing us to achieve an order of magnitude larger cooling power per unit mass. Our current design goal is 10 microW of cooling at 50 mK using a 6-10 K heat sink. The estimated mass is less than 10 kg, including magnetic shielding of each stage. The relatively high heat rejection capability allows it to operate with a mechanical cryocooler as part of a cryogen-free, low temperature cooling system. This has the advantages of long mission life and reduced complexity and cost. We have assembled a three-stage CADR and have demonstrated continuous cooling using a superfluid helium bath as the heat sink. The temperature stability is 8 microK rms or better over the entire cycle, and the cooling power is 2.5 microW at 60 mK rising to 10 microW at 100 mK.

In orbit adiabatic demagnetization refrigeration for bolometric and microcalorimetric detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hepburn, I. D.; Ade, P. A. R.; Davenport, I.; Smith, A.; Sumner, T. J.

1992-12-01

The new generation of photon detectors for satellite based mm/submm and X-ray astronomical observations require cooling to temperatures in the range 60 to 300 mK. At present Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigeration (ADR) is the best proposed technique for producing these temperatures in orbit due to its inherent simplicity and gravity independent operation. For the efficient utilization of an ADR it is important to realize long operational times at base temperature with short recycle times. These criteria are dependent on several parameters; the required operating temperature, the cryogen bath temperature, the amount of heat leakage to the paramagnetic salt, the volume and type of salt and the maximum obtainable magnetic field. For space application these parameters are restricted by the limitations imposed on the physical size, the mass, the available electrical power and the cooling power available. The design considerations required in order to match these parameters are described and test data from a working laboratory system is presented.

Reentrant Metal-Insulator Transitions in Silicon -

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campbell, John William M.

This thesis describes a study of reentrant metal -insulator transitions observed in the inversion layer of extremely high mobility Si-MOSFETs. Magneto-transport measurements were carried out in the temperature range 20mK-4.2 K in a ^3He/^4 He dilution refrigerator which was surrounded by a 15 Tesla superconducting magnet. Below a melting temperature (T_{M}~500 mK) and a critical electron density (n_{s }~9times10^{10} cm^{-2}), the Shubnikov -de Haas oscillations in the diagonal resistivity enormous maximum values at the half filled Landau levels while maintaining deep minima corresponding to the quantum Hall effect at filled Landau levels. At even lower electron densities the insulating regions began to spread and eventually a metal-insulator transition could be induced at zero magnetic field. The measurement of extremely large resistances in the milliKelvin temperature range required the use of very low currents (typically in the 10^ {-12} A range) and in certain measurements minimizing the noise was also a consideration. The improvements achieved in these areas through the use of shielding, optical decouplers and battery operated instruments are described. The transport signatures of the insulating state are considered in terms of two basic mechanisms: single particle localization with transport by variable range hopping and the formation of a collective state such as a pinned Wigner crystal or electron solid with transport through the motion of bound dislocation pairs. The experimental data is best described by the latter model. Thus the two dimensional electron system in these high mobility Si-MOSFETs provides the first and only experimental demonstration to date of the formation of an electron solid at zero and low magnetic fields in the quantum limit where the Coulomb interaction energy dominates over the zero point oscillation energy. The role of disorder in favouring either single particle localization or the formation of a Wigner crystal is explored by considering a variety of samples with a wide range of mobilities and by varying the ratio of the carrier density (controlled by the applied gate voltage) to the impurity density (fixed during sample growth). A phase diagram showing the boundaries between the two dimensional electron gas, the Wigner solid, and the single particle localization induced insulator is established in terms of carrier density and sample mobility.

78 FR 19224 - Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; U.S. Marine Corps Training Exercises...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-29

... arms, large arms, bombs, rockets, missiles, and pyrotechnics. All munitions used at BT-11 are inert... shapes each time. Mine simulation shapes include MK76, MK80 series, and BDU practice bombs ranging from... bombs against surface maritime targets at BT-9 or BT-11,day or night, using either unguided or precision...

Drivers for spatial, temporal and long-term trends in atmospheric ammonia and ammonium in the UK

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Yuk S.; Braban, Christine F.; Dragosits, Ulrike; Dore, Anthony J.; Simmons, Ivan; van Dijk, Netty; Poskitt, Janet; Dos Santos Pereira, Gloria; Keenan, Patrick O.; Conolly, Christopher; Vincent, Keith; Smith, Rognvald I.; Heal, Mathew R.; Sutton, Mark A.

2018-01-01

A unique long-term dataset from the UK National Ammonia Monitoring Network (NAMN) is used here to assess spatial, seasonal and long-term variability in atmospheric ammonia (NH3: 1998-2014) and particulate ammonium (NH4+: 1999-2014) across the UK. Extensive spatial heterogeneity in NH3 concentrations is observed, with lowest annual mean concentrations at remote sites (< 0.2 µg m-3) and highest in the areas with intensive agriculture (up to 22 µg m-3), while NH4+ concentrations show less spatial variability (e.g. range of 0.14 to 1.8 µg m-3 annual mean in 2005). Temporally, NH3 concentrations are influenced by environmental conditions and local emission sources. In particular, peak NH3 concentrations are observed in summer at background sites (defined by 5 km grid average NH3 emissions < 1 kg N ha-1 yr-1) and in areas dominated by sheep farming, driven by increased volatilization of NH3 in warmer summer temperatures. In areas where cattle, pig and poultry farming is dominant, the largest NH3 concentrations are in spring and autumn, matching periods of manure application to fields. By contrast, peak concentrations of NH4+ aerosol occur in spring, associated with long-range transboundary sources. An estimated decrease in NH3 emissions by 16 % between 1998 and 2014 was reported by the UK National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory. Annually averaged NH3 data from NAMN sites operational over the same period (n = 59) show an indicative downward trend, although the reduction in NH3 concentrations is smaller and non-significant: Mann-Kendall (MK), -6.3 %; linear regression (LR), -3.1 %. In areas dominated by pig and poultry farming, a significant reduction in NH3 concentrations between 1998 and 2014 (MK: -22 %; LR: -21 %, annually averaged NH3) is consistent with, but not as large as the decrease in estimated NH3 emissions from this sector over the same period (-39 %). By contrast, in cattle-dominated areas there is a slight upward trend (non-significant) in NH3 concentrations (MK: +12 %; LR: +3.6 %, annually averaged NH3), despite the estimated decline in NH3 emissions from this sector since 1998 (-11 %). At background and sheep-dominated sites, NH3 concentrations increased over the monitoring period. These increases (non-significant) at background (MK: +17 %; LR: +13 %, annually averaged data) and sheep-dominated sites (MK: +15 %; LR: +19 %, annually averaged data) would be consistent with the concomitant reduction in SO2 emissions over the same period, leading to a longer atmospheric lifetime of NH3, thereby increasing NH3 concentrations in remote areas. The observations for NH3 concentrations not decreasing as fast as estimated emission trends are consistent with a larger downward trend in annual particulate NH4+ concentrations (1999-2014: MK: -47 %; LR: -49 %, p < 0.01, n = 23), associated with a lower formation of particulate NH4+ in the atmosphere from gas phase NH3.

Introducing a Low-Cost Mini-Uav for - and Multispectral-Imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bendig, J.; Bolten, A.; Bareth, G.

2012-07-01

The trend to minimize electronic devices also accounts for Unmanned Airborne Vehicles (UAVs) as well as for sensor technologies and imaging devices. Consequently, it is not surprising that UAVs are already part of our daily life and the current pace of development will increase civil applications. A well known and already wide spread example is the so called flying video game based on Parrot's AR.Drone which is remotely controlled by an iPod, iPhone, or iPad (http://ardrone.parrot.com). The latter can be considered as a low-weight and low-cost Mini-UAV. In this contribution a Mini-UAV is considered to weigh less than 5 kg and is being able to carry 0.2 kg to 1.5 kg of sensor payload. While up to now Mini-UAVs like Parrot's AR.Drone are mainly equipped with RGB cameras for videotaping or imaging, the development of such carriage systems clearly also goes to multi-sensor platforms like the ones introduced for larger UAVs (5 to 20 kg) by Jaakkolla et al. (2010) for forestry applications or by Berni et al. (2009) for agricultural applications. The problem when designing a Mini-UAV for multi-sensor imaging is the limitation of payload of up to 1.5 kg and a total weight of the whole system below 5 kg. Consequently, the Mini-UAV without sensors but including navigation system and GPS sensors must weigh less than 3.5 kg. A Mini-UAV system with these characteristics is HiSystems' MK-Okto (www.mikrokopter.de). Total weight including battery without sensors is less than 2.5 kg. Payload of a MK-Okto is approx. 1 kg and maximum speed is around 30 km/h. The MK-Okto can be operated up to a wind speed of less than 19 km/h which corresponds to Beaufort scale number 3 for wind speed. In our study, the MK-Okto is equipped with a handheld low-weight NEC F30IS thermal imaging system. The F30IS which was developed for veterinary applications, covers 8 to 13 μm, weighs only 300 g, and is capturing the temperature range between -20 °C and 100 °C. Flying at a height of 100 m, the camera's image covers an area of approx. 50 by 40 m. The sensor's resolution is 160 x 120 pixel and the field of view is 28° (H) x 21° (V). According to the producer, absolute accuracy for temperature is ±1 °C and the thermal sensitivity is >0.1 K. Additionally, the MK-Okto is equipped with Tetracam's Mini MCA. The Mini MCA in our study is a four band multispectral imaging system. Total weight is 700 g and spectral characteristics can be modified by filters between 400 and 1000 nm. In this study, three bands with a width of 10 nm (green: 550 nm, red: 671 nm, NIR1: 800 nm) and one band of 20 nm width (NIR2: 950 nm) have been used. Even so the MK-Okto is able to carry both sensors at the same time, the imaging systems were used separately for this contribution. First results of a combined thermal- and multispectral MK-Okto campaign in 2011 are presented and evaluated for a sugarbeet field experiment examining pathogens and drought stress.

3D-Stereoscopic Analysis of Solar Active Region Loops: I: SoHo/EIT Observations at Temperatures of 1.0-1.5 MK

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aschwanden, Markus J.; Newmark, Jeff; Delaboudiniere, Jean-Pierre; Neupert, Werner M.; Portier-Fozzani, Fabrice; Gary, G. Allen; Zucker, Arik

1998-01-01

The three-dimensional (3D) structure of solar active region NOAA 7986 observed on 1996 August 30 with the Extrem-ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT) onboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SoHO) is analyzed. We develop a new method of Dynamic Stereoscopy to reconstruct the 3D geometry of dynamically changing loops, which allows us to determine the orientation of the loop plane with respect to the line-of-sight, a prerequisite to correct properly for projection effects in 3D loop models. With this method and the filter-ratio technique applied to EIT 171 A and 195 A images we determine the 3D coordinates (x(s), y(s), z(s)), the loop width) w(s), the electron density n(sub e)(s), and the electron temperature T(sub e)(s) as function of the loop length s for 30 loop segments. Fitting the loop densities with an exponential density model n(sub e)(h) we find that the so inferred scale height temperatures, T(sub e)(sup lambda) = 1.22 +/- 0.23 MK, match closely the EIT filter-ratio temperatures, T(sub e)(sup FIT) = 1.21 +/- 0.06 MK. We conclude that these rather large-scale loops (with heights of h approx. equals 50 - 200 Mm) that dominate EIT 171 A images are close to thermal equilibrium. Most of the loops show no significant thickness variation w(s), but many exhibit a trend of increasing temperature (dT/ds greater than 0) above the footpoint.

Trend analysis and change point detection of annual and seasonal temperature series in Peninsular Malaysia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suhaila, Jamaludin; Yusop, Zulkifli

2017-06-01

Most of the trend analysis that has been conducted has not considered the existence of a change point in the time series analysis. If these occurred, then the trend analysis will not be able to detect an obvious increasing or decreasing trend over certain parts of the time series. Furthermore, the lack of discussion on the possible factors that influenced either the decreasing or the increasing trend in the series needs to be addressed in any trend analysis. Hence, this study proposes to investigate the trends, and change point detection of mean, maximum and minimum temperature series, both annually and seasonally in Peninsular Malaysia and determine the possible factors that could contribute to the significance trends. In this study, Pettitt and sequential Mann-Kendall (SQ-MK) tests were used to examine the occurrence of any abrupt climate changes in the independent series. The analyses of the abrupt changes in temperature series suggested that most of the change points in Peninsular Malaysia were detected during the years 1996, 1997 and 1998. These detection points captured by Pettitt and SQ-MK tests are possibly related to climatic factors, such as El Niño and La Niña events. The findings also showed that the majority of the significant change points that exist in the series are related to the significant trend of the stations. Significant increasing trends of annual and seasonal mean, maximum and minimum temperatures in Peninsular Malaysia were found with a range of 2-5 °C/100 years during the last 32 years. It was observed that the magnitudes of the increasing trend in minimum temperatures were larger than the maximum temperatures for most of the studied stations, particularly at the urban stations. These increases are suspected to be linked with the effect of urban heat island other than El Niño event.

Thermodynamic Temperatures of the Triple Points of Mercury and Gallium and in the Interval 217 K to 303 K

PubMed Central

Moldover, M. R.; Boyes, S. J.; Meyer, C. W.; Goodwin, A. R. H.

1999-01-01

We measured the acoustic resonance frequencies of an argon-filled spherical cavity and the microwave resonance frequencies of the same cavity when evacuated. The microwave data were used to deduce the thermal expansion of the cavity and the acoustic data were fitted to a temperature-pressure surface to deduce zero-pressure speed-of-sound ratios. The ratios determine (T–T90), the difference between the Kelvin thermodynamic temperature T and the temperature on the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90). The acoustic data fall on six isotherms: 217.0950 K, 234.3156 K, 253.1500 K, 273.1600 K, 293.1300 K, and 302.9166 K and the standard uncertainties of (T−T90) average 0.6 mK, depending mostly upon the model fitted to the acoustic data. Without reference to ITS-90, the data redetermine the triple point of gallium Tg and the mercury point Tm with the results: Tg/Tw = (1.108 951 6 ± 0.000 002 6) and Tm/Tw= (0.857 785 5 ± 0.000 002 0), where Tw = 273.16 K exactly. (All uncertainties are expressed as standard uncertainties.) The resonator was the same one that had been used to redetermine both the universal gas constant R, and Tg. However, the present value of Tg is (4.3 ± 0.8) mK larger than that reported earlier. We suggest that the earlier redetermination of Tg was erroneous because a virtual leak within the resonator contaminated the argon used at Tg in that work. This suggestion is supported by new acoustic data taken when the resonator was filled with xenon. Fortunately, the virtual leak did not affect the redetermination of R. The present work results in many suggestions for improving primary acoustic thermometry to achieve sub-millikelvin uncertainties over a wide temperature range.

Thermal Properties of A Solar Coronal Cavity Observed with the X-Ray Telescope on Hinode

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reeves, Katherine K.; Gibson, Sarah E.; Kucera, Theresa A.; Hudson, Hugh S.; Kano, Ryouhei

2011-01-01

Coronal cavities are voids in coronal emission often observed above high latitude filament channels. Sometimes, these cavities have areas of bright X-ray emission in their centers. In this study, we use data from the X-ray Telescope (XRT) on the Hinode satellite to examine the thermal emission properties of a cavity observed during July 2008 that contains bright X-ray emission in its center. Using ratios of XRT filters, we find evidence for elevated temperatures in the cavity center. The area of elevated temperature evolves from a ring-shaped structure at the beginning of the observation, to an elongated structure two days later, finally appearing as a compact round source four days after the initial observation. We use a morphological model to fit the cavity emission, and find that a uniform structure running through the cavity does not fit the observations well. Instead, the observations are reproduced by modeling several short cylindrical cavity "cores" with different parameters on different days. These changing core parameters may be due to some observed activity heating different parts of the cavity core at different times. We find that core temperatures of 1.75 MK, 1.7 MK and 2.0 MK (for July 19, July 21 and July 23, respectively) in the model lead to structures that are consistent with the data, and that line-of-sight effects serve to lower the effective temperature derived from the filter ratio.

Large discrete jumps observed in the transition between Chern states in a ferromagnetic topological insulator

PubMed Central

Liu, Minhao; Wang, Wudi; Richardella, Anthony R.; Kandala, Abhinav; Li, Jian; Yazdani, Ali; Samarth, Nitin; Ong, N. Phuan

2016-01-01

A striking prediction in topological insulators is the appearance of the quantized Hall resistance when the surface states are magnetized. The surface Dirac states become gapped everywhere on the surface, but chiral edge states remain on the edges. In an applied current, the edge states produce a quantized Hall resistance that equals the Chern number C = ±1 (in natural units), even in zero magnetic field. This quantum anomalous Hall effect was observed by Chang et al. With reversal of the magnetic field, the system is trapped in a metastable state because of magnetic anisotropy. We investigate how the system escapes the metastable state at low temperatures (10 to 200 mK). When the dissipation (measured by the longitudinal resistance) is ultralow, we find that the system escapes by making a few very rapid transitions, as detected by large jumps in the Hall and longitudinal resistances. Using the field at which the initial jump occurs to estimate the escape rate, we find that raising the temperature strongly suppresses the rate. From a detailed map of the resistance versus gate voltage and temperature, we show that dissipation strongly affects the escape rate. We compare the observations with dissipative quantum tunneling predictions. In the ultralow dissipation regime, two temperature scales (T1 ~ 70 mK and T2 ~ 145 mK) exist, between which jumps can be observed. The jumps display a spatial correlation that extends over a large fraction of the sample. PMID:27482539

The XMM-Newton View of Stellar Coronae: High-Resolution X-Ray Spectroscopy of Capella

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Audard, M.; Behar, E.; Guedel, M.; Raassen, A. J. J.; Porquet, D.; Mewe, R.; Foley, C. A.; Bromage, G. E.

2000-01-01

We present the high-resolution RGS spectrum of the bright stellar binary Capella observed by the XMM-Newton satellite. A multi-thermal approach has been applied to fit the data and derive elemental abundances. The differential emission measure distribution is reconstructed using a Chebychev polynomial fit. The DEM shape is found to display a sharp peak around 7 MK, consistent with previous EUVE and ASCA results. A small but significant amount of emission measure is required around 1.8 MK in order to explain the O VII He-like triplet and the C VI Ly(alpha) line. Using the sensitivity to temperature of dielectronic recombination lines from O VI around 22 A, we confirm that the cool plasma temperature needs to be higher than 1.2 MK. In the approximation of a cool plasma described by one temperature, we used line ratios from the forbidden, intercombination, and resonance lines of the O VII triplet and derived an average density for the cool coronal plasma at the low density limit. A tentative study of line ratios from the M XI triplet gives an average temperature close to the sharp peak in emission measure and an average density of the order of 10(exp 12)cu cm, three orders of magnitude higher than for O VII. Implications for the coronal physics of Capella are discussed. We complement this paper with a discussion of the importance of the atomic code uncertainties on the spectral fitting procedure.

Two-stage magnetic refrigerator for astronomical applications with reservoir temperatures above 4 K

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hagmann, C.; Richards, P. L.

We propose a novel adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (ADR) to produce temperatures as low as 100 mK starting from a high temperature reservoir between 4 and 8 K. The high temperature reservoir for the ADR can be provided by a mechanical cooler or an unpumped liquid helium bath. This refrigerator can be used to cool bolometric infrared detectors for low background astronomy from mountain tops, balloons or satellites, as well as to cool cryogenic X-ray detectors. The two-stage ADR consists of a single magnet with a paramagnetic chromic caesium alum (CCA) salt pill to produce the low temperature and paramagnetic gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG) as the first stage to intercept heat from the high temperature reservoir. Thermal contact between the paramagnets and the reservoir during magnetization is made with a mechanical heat switch. The ADR is suspended with Kevlar cords under tension for high mechanical stiffness and low parasitic heat leak. In a single cycle, the ADR maintains a temperature of 100 mK for 10-100 h. This time depends strongly on the magnetic field and reservoir temperature but not on the volume of the paramagnetic material as long as the heat leak is dominated by the suspension.

Pharmacodynamics of Imipenem in Combination with β-Lactamase Inhibitor MK7655 in a Murine Thigh Model

PubMed Central

Mavridou, Eleftheria; Melchers, Ria J. B.; van Mil, Anita C. H. A. M.; Mangin, E.; Motyl, Mary R.

2014-01-01

MK7655 is a newly developed beta-lactamase inhibitor of class A and class C carbapenemases. Pharmacokinetics (PK) of imipenem-cilastatin (IMP/C) and MK7655 were determined for intraperitoneal doses of 4 mg/kg to 128 mg/kg of body weight. MIC and pharmacodynamics (PD) studies of MK7655 were performed against several beta-lactamase producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains to determine its effect in vitro and in vivo. Neutropenic mice were infected in each thigh 2 h before treatment with an inoculum of approximately 5 × 106 CFU. They were treated with IMP/C alone (every 2 hours [q2h], various doses) or in combination with MK7655 in either a dose fractionation study or q2h for 24 h and sacrificed for CFU determinations. IMP/MK7655 decreased MICs regarding IMP MIC. The PK profiles of IMP/C and MK7655 were linear over the dosing range studied and comparable with volumes of distribution (V) of 0.434 and 0.544 liter/kg and half-lives (t1/2) of 0.24 and 0.25 h, respectively. Protein binding of MK7655 was 20%. A sigmoidal maximum effect (Emax) model was fit to the PK/PD index responses. The effect of the inhibitor was not related to the maximum concentration of drug in serum (Cmax)/MIC, and model fits for T>MIC and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC)/MIC were comparable (R2 of 0.7 and 0.75), but there appeared to be no significant relationship of effect with dose frequency. Escalating doses of MK7655 and IMP/C showed that the AUC of MK7655 required for a static effect was dependent on the dose of IMP/C and the MIC of the strain, with a mean area under the concentration-time curve for the free, unbound fraction of the drug (fAUC) of 26.0 mg · h/liter. MK7655 shows significant activity in vivo and results in efficacy of IMP/C in otherwise resistant strains. The exposure-response relationships found can serve as a basis for establishing dosing regimens in humans. PMID:25403667

Scatterings and Quantum Effects in (Al ,In )N /GaN Heterostructures for High-Power and High-Frequency Electronics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Leizhi; Yin, Ming; Khan, Asif; Muhtadi, Sakib; Asif, Fatima; Choi, Eun Sang; Datta, Timir

2018-02-01

Charge transport in the wide-band-gap (Al ,In )N /GaN heterostructures with high carrier density approximately 2 ×1013 cm-2 is investigated over a large range of temperature (270 mK ≤T ≤280 K ) and magnetic field (0 ≤B ≤18 T ). We observe the first evidence of weak localization in the two-dimensional electron gas in this system. From the Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) oscillations a relatively light effective mass of 0.23 me is determined. Furthermore, the linear dependence with temperature (T <20 K ) of the inelastic scattering rate (τi-1∝T ) is attributed to the phase breaking by electron-electron scattering. Also in the same temperature range the less-than unit ratio of quantum lifetime to Hall transport time (τq/τt<1 ) is taken to signify the dominance of small-angle scattering. Above 20 K, with increasing temperature scattering changes from acoustic phonon to optical phonon scattering, resulting in a rapid decrease in carrier mobility and increase in sheet resistance. Suppression of such scatterings will lead to higher mobility and a way forward to high-power and high-frequency electronics.

Biochemical characterization of recombinant mevalonate kinase from Bacopa monniera.

PubMed

Kumari, Uma; Vishwakarma, Rishi K; Sonawane, Prashant; Abbassi, Shakeel; Khan, Bashir M

2015-01-01

Mevalonate kinase (MK; ATP: mevalonate 5-phosphotransferase; EC 2.7.1.36) plays a key role in isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway in plants. MK catalyzes the phosphorylation of mevalonate to form mevalonate-5-phosphate. The recombinant BmMK was cloned and over-expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3), and purified to homogeneity by affinity chromatography followed by gel filtration. Optimum pH and temperature for forward reaction was found to be 7.0 and 30 °C, respectively. The enzyme was most stable at pH 8 at 25 °C with deactivation rate constant (Kd*) 1.398 × 10(-4) and half life (t1/2) 49 h. pH activity profile of BmMK indicates the involvement of carboxylate ion, histidine, lysine, arginine or aspartic acid at the active site of enzyme. Activity of recombinant BmMK was confirmed by phosphorylation of RS-mevalonate in the presence of Mg(2+), having Km and Vmax 331.9 μM and 719.1 pKat μg(-1), respectively. The values of kcat and kcat/Km for RS-mevalonate were determined to be 143.82 s(-1) and 0.43332 M(-1) s(-1) and kcat and kcat/Km values for ATP were found 150.9 s(-1) and 1.023 M(-1) s(-1). The metal ion studies suggested that BmMK is a metal dependent enzyme and highly active in the presence of MgCl2. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparative cardiopulmonary effects of carfentanil-xylazine and medetomidine-ketamine used for immobilization of mule deer and mule deer/white-tailed deer hybrids.

PubMed Central

Caulkett, N A; Cribb, P H; Haigh, J C

2000-01-01

Three mule deer and 4 mule deer/white-tailed deer hybrids were immobilized in a crossover study with carfentanil (10 microg/kg) + xylazine (0.3 mg/kg) (CX), and medetomidine (100 microg/kg) + ketamine (2.5 mg/kg) (MK). The deer were maintained in left lateral recumbency for 1 h with each combination. Deer were immobilized with MK in 230+/-68 s (mean +/- SD) and with CX in 282+/-83 seconds. Systolic, mean and diastolic arterial pressure were significantly higher with MK. Heart rate, PaO2, PaCO2, pH, and base excess were not significantly different between treatments. Base excess and pH increased significantly over time with both treatments. Both treatments produced hypoventilation (PaCO2 > 50 mm Hg) and hypoxemia (PaO2 < 60 mm Hg). PaO2 increased significantly over time with CX. Body temperature was significantly (P<0.05) higher with CX compared to MK. Ventricular premature contractions, atrial premature contractions, and a junctional escape rhythm were noted during CX immobilization. No arrhythmias were noted during MK immobilization. Quality of immobilization was superior with MK, with no observed movement present for the 60 min of immobilization. Movement of the head and limbs occurred in 4 animals immobilized with CX. The major complication observed with both of these treatments was hypoxemia, and supplemental inspired oxygen is recommended during immobilization. Hyperthermia can further complicate immobilization with CX, reinforcing the need for supplemental oxygen. PMID:10680659

75 FR 32398 - Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; U.S. Marine Corps Training Exercises...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-08

... include small arms, large arms, bombs, rockets, missiles, and pyrotechnics. All munitions used at BT-11... shapes include MK76, MK80 series, and BDU practice bombs ranging from 25 to 2,000 pounds in weight. There... training, fixed wing or rotary wing aircraft deliver bombs against surface maritime targets at BT-9 or BT...

High-Performance LWIR Superlattice Detectors and FPA Based on CBIRD Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Soibel, Alexander; Nguyen, Jean; Khoshakhlagh, Arezou; Rafol, Sir B.; Hoeglund, Linda; Keo, Sam A.; Mumolo, Jason M.; Liu, John; Liao, Anna; Ting, David Z.-Y.;

1024x1024 Pixel MWIR and LWIR QWIP Focal Plane Arrays and 320x256 MWIR:LWIR Pixel Colocated Simultaneous Dualband QWIP Focal Plane Arrays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gunapala, Sarath D.; Bandara, Sumith V.; Liu, John K.; Hill, Cory J.; Rafol, S. B.; Mumolo, Jason M.; Trinh, Joseph T.; Tidrow, M. Z.; Le Van, P. D.

2005-01-01

Mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) and long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) 1024x1024 pixel quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) focal planes have been demonstrated with excellent imaging performance. The MWIR QWIP detector array has demonstrated a noise equivalent differential temperature (NE(Delta)T) of 17 mK at a 95K operating temperature with f/2.5 optics at 300K background and the LWIR detector array has demonstrated a NE(Delta)T of 13 mK at a 70K operating temperature with the same optical and background conditions as the MWIR detector array after the subtraction of system noise. Both MWIR and LWIR focal planes have shown background limited performance (BLIP) at 90K and 70K operating-temperatures respectively, with similar optical and background conditions. In addition, we are in the process of developing MWIR and LWIR pixel collocated simultaneously readable dualband QWIP focal plane arrays.

Comparison of cryogenic low-pass filters.

PubMed

Thalmann, M; Pernau, H-F; Strunk, C; Scheer, E; Pietsch, T

2017-11-01

Low-temperature electronic transport measurements with high energy resolution require both effective low-pass filtering of high-frequency input noise and an optimized thermalization of the electronic system of the experiment. In recent years, elaborate filter designs have been developed for cryogenic low-level measurements, driven by the growing interest in fundamental quantum-physical phenomena at energy scales corresponding to temperatures in the few millikelvin regime. However, a single filter concept is often insufficient to thermalize the electronic system to the cryogenic bath and eliminate spurious high frequency noise. Moreover, the available concepts often provide inadequate filtering to operate at temperatures below 10 mK, which are routinely available now in dilution cryogenic systems. Herein we provide a comprehensive analysis of commonly used filter types, introduce a novel compact filter type based on ferrite compounds optimized for the frequency range above 20 GHz, and develop an improved filtering scheme providing adaptable broad-band low-pass characteristic for cryogenic low-level and quantum measurement applications at temperatures down to few millikelvin.

Comparison of cryogenic low-pass filters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thalmann, M.; Pernau, H.-F.; Strunk, C.; Scheer, E.; Pietsch, T.

2017-11-01

Low-temperature electronic transport measurements with high energy resolution require both effective low-pass filtering of high-frequency input noise and an optimized thermalization of the electronic system of the experiment. In recent years, elaborate filter designs have been developed for cryogenic low-level measurements, driven by the growing interest in fundamental quantum-physical phenomena at energy scales corresponding to temperatures in the few millikelvin regime. However, a single filter concept is often insufficient to thermalize the electronic system to the cryogenic bath and eliminate spurious high frequency noise. Moreover, the available concepts often provide inadequate filtering to operate at temperatures below 10 mK, which are routinely available now in dilution cryogenic systems. Herein we provide a comprehensive analysis of commonly used filter types, introduce a novel compact filter type based on ferrite compounds optimized for the frequency range above 20 GHz, and develop an improved filtering scheme providing adaptable broad-band low-pass characteristic for cryogenic low-level and quantum measurement applications at temperatures down to few millikelvin.

Regulation of body temperature and brown adipose tissue thermogenesis by bombesin receptor subtype-3

PubMed Central

Lateef, Dalya M.; Abreu-Vieira, Gustavo; Xiao, Cuiying

2014-01-01

Bombesin receptor subtype-3 (BRS-3) regulates energy homeostasis, with Brs3 knockout (Brs3−/y) mice being hypometabolic, hypothermic, and hyperphagic and developing obesity. We now report that the reduced body temperature is more readily detected if body temperature is analyzed as a function of physical activity level and light/dark phase. Physical activity level correlated best with body temperature 4 min later. The Brs3−/y metabolic phenotype is not due to intrinsically impaired brown adipose tissue function or in the communication of sympathetic signals from the brain to brown adipose tissue, since Brs3−/y mice have intact thermogenic responses to stress, acute cold exposure, and β3-adrenergic activation, and Brs3−/y mice prefer a cooler environment. Treatment with the BRS-3 agonist MK-5046 increased brown adipose tissue temperature and body temperature in wild-type but not Brs3−/y mice. Intrahypothalamic infusion of MK-5046 increased body temperature. These data indicate that the BRS-3 regulation of body temperature is via a central mechanism, upstream of sympathetic efferents. The reduced body temperature in Brs3−/y mice is due to altered regulation of energy homeostasis affecting higher center regulation of body temperature, rather than an intrinsic defect in brown adipose tissue. PMID:24452453

Optical sideband spectroscopy of a single ion in a Penning trap

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mavadia, S.; Stutter, G.; Goodwin, J. F.; Crick, D. R.; Thompson, R. C.; Segal, D. M.

2014-03-01

We perform resolved optical sideband spectroscopy on a single 40Ca+ ion in a Penning trap. We probe the electric quadrupole allowed S1/2↔D5/2 transition at 729 nm and observe equally spaced sidebands for the three motional modes. The axial mode, parallel to the trap axis, is a one-dimensional harmonic oscillator, whereas the radial cyclotron and magnetron modes are circular motions perpendicular to the magnetic field. The total energy associated with the magnetron motion is negative, but here we probe only the (positive) kinetic energy. From the equivalent Doppler widths of the sideband spectra corresponding to the three motions we find effective temperatures of 1.1±0.2 mK, 7±3 mK, and 42±8 μK for the axial, modified cyclotron, and magnetron modes, respectively. These should be compared to the cooling limits, estimated using optimal laser parameters, of 0.38 mK, 0.8 mK, and ˜10 μK. In future work we aim to perform resolved-sideband cooling of the ion on the 729-nm transition.

Measurement of the ( p, , T) Properties for Pure Hydrocarbons at Temperatures up to 600 K and Pressures up to 200 MPa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ito, T.; Nagata, Y.; Miyamoto, H.

2014-10-01

The data available for the thermodynamic properties of propane, -butane, and isobutane at temperatures above 440 K are outdated and show significant discrepancies with each other. The ambiguity associated with these data could be limiting to the development of any understanding related to the effects of mixing of these substances with other materials such as , ammonia, and non-flammable or lower-flammable HFC refrigerants. In this study, the ( p, , T) properties of propane, -butane, and isobutane were measured at temperatures ranging from (360 to 600) K and pressures ranging from (50 to 200) MPa. Precise measurements were carried out using a metal-bellows variable volumometer with a thermostatted air bath. The expanded uncertainties in the temperature, pressure, and density measurements were estimated to be 5 mK, 0.02 MPa, and 0.88 kg m ( K, MPa), 0.76 kg ( K, MPa), 0.76 kg ( K, MPa), and 2.94 kg ( K, MPa), respectively. The data obtained throughout this study were systematically compared with the calculated values derived from the available equations of state. These models agree well with the measured data at higher temperatures up to 600 K, demonstrating their suitability for an effective and precise examination of the mixing effects of potential alternative mixtures.

Low Temperature Magnetometry Measurements of the Heavy Fermion Superconductor Nd1-x Cex CoIn5 with x = 0.98, 0.95, and 0.90

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Storr, Kevin; Purcell, Kenneth; Rasco, Torrance; Schwartz, Sarah; Petrovic, Cedomir

2014-03-01

The Nd1-xCexCoIn5 alloys evolve from local moment magnetism x = 0 to heavy fermion superconductivity x = 1, as the Nd substitution alters the level of 4f-conduction electron coupling. Superconductivity has been shown to exist in Nd concentrations between x = 0 and x = 0.22. We report the temperature and angular dependence of the critical field of the superconducting state of the x = 0.98, 0.95, and 0.90 doping levels at temperatures ranging from 20 - 500 mK, investigating the evolution of the phase diagram for different concentrations of Nd at these previously unexplored low temperatures. No evidence of a low temperature mixed superconducting and magnetic mixed state was observed such that as that seen in CeCoIn5. The suppression of the critical field is more dramatic than the application of pressure and was observed to be rather anisotropic in line with the higher temperature measurements. Department of Defense ARO W911NF1110155.

High-resolution focal plane array IR detection modules and digital signal processing technologies at AIM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cabanski, Wolfgang A.; Breiter, Rainer; Koch, R.; Mauk, Karl-Heinz; Rode, Werner; Ziegler, Johann; Eberhardt, Kurt; Oelmaier, Reinhard; Schneider, Harald; Walther, Martin

2000-07-01

Full video format focal plane array (FPA) modules with up to 640 X 512 pixels have been developed for high resolution imaging applications in either mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) mid wave (MWIR) infrared (IR) or platinum silicide (PtSi) and quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) technology as low cost alternatives to MCT for high performance IR imaging in the MWIR or long wave spectral band (LWIR). For the QWIP's, a new photovoltaic technology was introduced for improved NETD performance and higher dynamic range. MCT units provide fast frame rates > 100 Hz together with state of the art thermal resolution NETD < 20 mK for short snapshot integration times of typically 2 ms. PtSi and QWIP modules are usually operated in a rolling frame integration mode with frame rates of 30 - 60 Hz and provide thermal resolutions of NETD < 80 mK for PtSi and NETD < 20 mK for QWIP, respectively. Due to the lower quantum efficiency compared to MCT, however, the integration time is typically chosen to be as long 10 - 20 ms. The heat load of the integrated detector cooler assemblies (IDCAs) could be reduced to an amount as low, that a 1 W split liner cooler provides sufficient cooling power to operate the modules -- including the QWIP with 60 K operation temperature -- at ambient temperatures up to 65 degrees Celsius. Miniaturized command/control electronics (CCE) available for all modules provide a standardized digital interface, with 14 bit analogue to digital conversion for state to the art correctability, access to highly dynamic scenes without any loss of information and simplified exchangeability of the units. New modular image processing hardware platforms and software for image visualization and nonuniformity correction including scene based self learning algorithms had to be developed to accomplish for the high data rates of up to 18 M pixels/s with 14-bit deep data, allowing to take into account nonlinear effects to access the full NETD by accurate reduction of residual fixed pattern noise. The main features of these modules are summarized together with measured performance data for long range detection systems with moderately fast to slow F-numbers like F/2.0 - F/3.5. An outlook shows most recent activities at AIM, heading for multicolor and faster frame rate detector modules based on MCT devices.

76 FR 9250 - Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-17

... Training area day Event duration Bombing Exercise (BOMBEX) (Air- F/A-18 MK-83 [1,000-lb 1 event (4 bombs...) bomb] 415.8 lbs NEW. Small Arms Training Maritime MK3A2 anti-swimmer 6 events* (20 live UNDET Area E3..., bombs, etc.) for each explosive type. GOMEX Range Complex 5-yr Comprehensive Report The Navy shall...

Rare variant testing across methods and thresholds using the multi-kernel sequence kernel association test (MK-SKAT).

PubMed

Urrutia, Eugene; Lee, Seunggeun; Maity, Arnab; Zhao, Ni; Shen, Judong; Li, Yun; Wu, Michael C

Analysis of rare genetic variants has focused on region-based analysis wherein a subset of the variants within a genomic region is tested for association with a complex trait. Two important practical challenges have emerged. First, it is difficult to choose which test to use. Second, it is unclear which group of variants within a region should be tested. Both depend on the unknown true state of nature. Therefore, we develop the Multi-Kernel SKAT (MK-SKAT) which tests across a range of rare variant tests and groupings. Specifically, we demonstrate that several popular rare variant tests are special cases of the sequence kernel association test which compares pair-wise similarity in trait value to similarity in the rare variant genotypes between subjects as measured through a kernel function. Choosing a particular test is equivalent to choosing a kernel. Similarly, choosing which group of variants to test also reduces to choosing a kernel. Thus, MK-SKAT uses perturbation to test across a range of kernels. Simulations and real data analyses show that our framework controls type I error while maintaining high power across settings: MK-SKAT loses power when compared to the kernel for a particular scenario but has much greater power than poor choices.

Streptomyces jeddahensis sp. nov., an oleaginous bacterium isolated from desert soil.

PubMed

Röttig, Annika; Atasayar, Ewelina; Meier-Kolthoff, Jan Philipp; Spröer, Cathrin; Schumann, Peter; Schauer, Jennifer; Steinbüchel, Alexander

2017-06-01

A novel strain, G25T, was isolated from desert soil collected near Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. The strain could accumulate nearly 65 % of its cell dry weight as fatty acids, grow on a broad range of carbon sources and tolerate temperatures of up to 50 °C. With respect to to its 16S rRNA gene sequence, G25T is most closely related to Streptomyces massasporeus DSM 40035T, Streptomyces hawaiiensis DSM 40042T, Streptomyces indiaensis DSM 43803T, Streptomyces luteogriseus DSM 40483T and Streptomyces purpurascens DSM 40310T. Conventional DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) values ranged from 18.7 to 46.9 % when G25T was compared with these reference strains. Furthermore, digital DDH values between the draft genome sequence of G25T and the genome sequences of other species of the genus Streptomyces were also significantly below the threshold of 70 %. The DNA G+C content of the draft genome sequence, consisting of 8.46 Mbp, was 70.3 %. The prevalent cellular fatty acids of G25T comprised anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H6), MK-9(H8) and MK-9(H4). The polar lipids profile contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol mannosides as well as unidentified phospholipids and phosphoaminolipids. The cell wall contained ll-diaminopimelic acid. Whole-cell sugars were predominantly glucose with small traces of ribose and mannose. The results of the polyphasic approach confirmed that this isolate represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces jeddahensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of this species is G25T (=DSM 101878T =LMG 29545T =NCCB 100603T).

EPR Studies of Magnetically Dilute Ga-Doped Single Crystals of Fe18 Antiferromagnetic Molecular Wheels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Henderson, John; Ramsey, Christopher; Del Barco, Enrique; Stamatatos, Theocharis; Christou, George

2008-03-01

Studies of the quantum dynamics of the electron spins in solid state systems has gained considerable interest recently due to their potential for use as quantum computing substrates. One class of materials, molecular magnets, are of particular importance, owing to the seemingly limitless array of spin configurations due to synthetic chemical flexibility. Efforts are currently devoted to minimizing decoherence times by diminishing dipolar effects. In this regard, we have carried out EPR measurements on small single crystals of 0.5% Ga doped Fe18 molecular antiferromagnetic wheels at temperatures down to 300 mK using planar resonators patterned on GaAs wafers. This system constitutes a dilute sample of S = 5/2 molecules dispersed within a sea of S = 0 (at low temperature) molecules, which significantly reduces dipolar interactions and might provide a means of observing Rabi oscillations in crystals of molecular magnets. Detailed angular dependence studies reveal significant anisotropy with D = 500 mK and E = 20 mK. The presence of second order anisotropy (E) is very unusual for such a high symmetry system and its interpretation will be discussed. Pulsed-EPR measurements and doping concentration dependence will also be discussed.

Effect of Material Thermo-viscoplastic Modeling on the Prediction of Forming Limit Curves of Aluminum Alloy 5086

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chu, Xingrong; Leotoing, Lionel; Guines, Dominique; Ragneau, Eric

2015-09-01

A solution to improve the formability of aluminum alloy sheets can consist in investigating warm forming processes. The optimization of forming process parameters needs a precise evaluation of material properties and sheet metal formability for actual operating environment. Based on the analytical M-K theory, a finite element (FE) M-K model was proposed to predict forming limit curves (FLCs) at different temperatures and strain rates. The influences of initial imperfection value ( f 0) and material thermos-viscoplastic model on the FLCs are discussed in this work. The flow stresses of AA5086 were characterized by uniaxial tensile tests at different temperatures (20, 150, and 200 °C) and equivalent strain rates (0.0125, 0.125, and 1.25 s-1). Three types of hardening models (power law model, saturation model, and mixed model) were proposed and adapted to correlate the experimental flow stresses. The three hardening models were implemented into the FE M-K model in order to predict FLCs for different forming conditions. The predicted limit strains are very sensitive to the thermo-viscoplastic modeling of AA5086 and to the calibration of the initial geometrical imperfection which controls the onset of necking.

Superconductivity and anomalous normal state in the CePd 2Si 2/CeNi 2Ge 2 system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grosche, F. M.; Lister, S. J. S.; Carter, F. V.; Saxena, S. S.; Haselwimmer, R. K. W.; Mathur, N. D.; Julian, S. R.; Lonzarich, G. G.

1997-02-01

The unconventional nonmagnetic metal CeNi 2Ge 2 is characterised at ambient pressure by temperature dependences of the specific heat and of the resistivity which deviate strongly from standard Fermi-liquid predictions and are reminiscent of the behaviour observed in its sibling system CePd 2Si 2 above the critical pressure at which magnetic order is suppressed. We have explored the CePd 2Si 2/CeNi 2Ge 2 phase diagram in a series of resistivity measurements under high hydrostatic pressure, p. At p > 15 kbar, a new superconducting transition appears below 220 mK in CeNi 2Ge 2 and shifts to higher temperatures with increasing pressure, reaching ≈400 mK at p ≈ 26 kbar.

The Slowly Varying Corona. I. Daily Differential Emission Measure Distributions Derived from EVE Spectra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schonfeld, S. J.; White, S. M.; Hock-Mysliwiec, R. A.; McAteer, R. T. J.

2017-08-01

Daily differential emission measure (DEM) distributions of the solar corona are derived from spectra obtained by the Extreme-ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE) over a 4 yr period starting in 2010 near solar minimum and continuing through the maximum of solar cycle 24. The DEMs are calculated using six strong emission features dominated by Fe lines of charge states viii, ix, xi, xii, xiv, and xvi that sample the nonflaring coronal temperature range 0.3-5 MK. A proxy for the non-Fe xviii emission in the wavelength band around the 93.9 Å line is demonstrated. There is little variability in the cool component of the corona (T < 1.3 MK) over the 4 yr, suggesting that the quiet-Sun corona does not respond strongly to the solar cycle, whereas the hotter component (T > 2.0 MK) varies by more than an order of magnitude. A discontinuity in the behavior of coronal diagnostics in 2011 February-March, around the time of the first X-class flare of cycle 24, suggests fundamentally different behavior in the corona under solar minimum and maximum conditions. This global state transition occurs over a period of several months. The DEMs are used to estimate the thermal energy of the visible solar corona (of order 1031 erg), its radiative energy loss rate ((2.5-8) × {10}27 erg s-1), and the corresponding energy turnover timescale (about an hour). The uncertainties associated with the DEMs and these derived values are mostly due to the coronal Fe abundance and density and the CHIANTI atomic line database.

Streptomyces songpinggouensis sp. nov., a Novel Actinomycete Isolated from Soil in Sichuan, China.

PubMed

Guan, Xuejiao; Li, Wenchao; Liu, Chongxi; Jin, Pinjiao; Guo, Siyu; Wang, Xiangjing; Xiang, Wensheng

2016-12-01

During a screening for novel and biotechnologically useful actinobacteria, a novel actinobacteria with weak antifungal activity, designated strain NEAU-Spg19 T , was isolated from a soil sample collected from pine forest in Songpinggou, Sichuan, southwest China. The strain was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach which confirmed that it belongs to the genus Streptomyces. Growth occurred at a temperature range of 10-30 °C, pH 5.0-11.0 and NaCl concentrations of 0-5 %. The cell wall peptidoglycan consisted of LL-diaminopimelic acid and glycine. The major menaquinones were MK-9(H 6 ), MK-9(H 8 ) and MK-9(H 4 ). The phospholipid profile contained diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol. The major fatty acids were iso-C 15:0 , iso-C 16:0 , and C 16:0 . 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies showed that strain NEAU-Spg19 T belongs to the genus Streptomyces with the highest sequence similarities to Streptomyces tauricus JCM 4837 T (98.6 %) and Streptomyces rectiviolaceus JCM 9092 T (98.3 %). Some physiological and biochemical properties and low DNA-DNA relatedness values enabled the strain to be differentiated from S. tauricus JCM 4837 T and S. rectiviolaceus JCM 9092 T . Hence, on the basis of phenotypic and genetic analyses, it is proposed that strain NEAU-Spg19 T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces songpinggouensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-Spg19 T (=CGMCC 4.7140 T =DSM 42141 T ).

Streptomyces fuscichromogenes sp. nov., an actinomycete from soil.

PubMed

Zhang, Hao; Zheng, Jimei; Zhuang, Junli; Xin, Yuhua; Zheng, Xiaowei; Zhang, Jianli

2017-01-01

A novel actinomycete, designated strain m16T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from the tropical rain forest of Xishuangbanna, a prefecture in Yunnan Province, south-west China, and characterized by using polyphasic taxomomy. Cells were aerobic and Gram-reaction-positive, and spore chains were observed to be of the helical type, with elliptical spores and smooth spore surfaces. The novel strain grew over a temperature range of 15-35 °C, at pH 5.0-11.0 and in the presence of 0-3 % (w/v) NaCl. The DNA G+C content of strain m16T was 70.0 mol%. The main fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0 (29.3 %), iso-C15: 0 (15.4 %) and anteiso-C15:0 (14.6 %), and the predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H6), MK-9(H8) and MK-9(H4). Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain m16T was most closely related to Streptomyces jiujiangensis KCTC 29262T (98.7 %), Streptomyces panaciradicis KACC 17632T (98.7 %), Streptomyces rhizophilus NBRC 108885T (98.5 %), Streptomyces shenzhenensis DSM 42034T (98.4 %), Streptomyces graminisoli JR-19T (98.4 %) and Streptomyces gramineus JR-43T (98.3 %). Phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic analyses indicated that strain m16T represents a novel species within the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces fuscichromogenes is proposed. The type strain is m16T (=CGMCC 4.7110T=KCTC 29195T).

Liquid densities and vapor pressures of 1-chloro-1, 1-difluorethane (HCFC 142b)

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

Maezawa, Yl; Sato, H.; Watanabe, K.

1991-04-01

In this paper, thirty-six saturated liquid densities of HCFC 142b (1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane) are measured in a range of temperatures from 210 to 400 K. Twelve vapor pressures, from 320 to 400 K, and six compressed liquid PVT properties, from 320 to 360 K and of pressures up to 2 MPa, are also measured. All measurements were made by a magnetic densimeter coupled with a variable volume cell. The experimental uncertainties in temperature, pressure, and density were estimated to be not greater than [plus minus]15 mK, [plus minus]10 kPa, and [plus minus]0.2%, respectively. The purity of the sample used was 99.8 wtmore » % or better. The simple correlation for the saturated liquid density of HCFC 142b was developed.« less

Sub-Kelvin magnetic and electrical measurements in a diamond anvil cell with in-situ tunability

DOE PAGES

Palmer, Alexander; Silevitch, Daniel; Feng, Yejun; ...

2015-09-04

We discuss techniques for performing continuous measurements across a wide range of pressure-field-temperature phase space, combining the milli-Kelvin temperatures of a helium dilution refrigerator with that of the giga-Pascal pressures of a diamond anvil cell and the Tesla magnetic fields of a superconducting magnet. With a view towards minimizing remnant magnetic fields and background magnetic susceptibility, we then characterize high-strength superalloy materials for the pressure cell assembly, which allows high fidelity measurements of low-field phenomena such as superconductivity below 100 mK at pressures above 10 GPa. In situ tunability and measurement of the pressure permit experiments over a wide rangemore » of pressure, while at the same time making possible precise steps across abrupt phase transitions such as that from insulator to metal.« less

A two-stage magnetic refrigerator for astronomical applications with reservoir temperatures above 4 K

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hagmann, C.; Richards, P. L.

1993-02-01

We propose a novel adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (ADR) to produce temperatures as low as 100 mK starting from a high temperature reservoir between 4 and 8 K. The high temperature reservoir for the ADR can be provided by a mechanical cooler or an unpumped liquid helium bath. This refrigerator can be used to cool bolometric infrared detectors for low background astronomy from mountain tops, balloons or satellites as well as to cool cryogenic x-ray detectors. The two-stage ADR consists of a single magnet with a paramagnetic chromic-cesium-alum (CCA) salt pill to produce the low temperature and paramagnetic gadolinium-gallium-garnet (GGG) as the first stage to intercept heat from the high temperature reservoir. Thermal contact between the paramagnets and the reservoir during magnetization is made with a mechanical heat switch. The ADR is suspended with Kevlar chords under tension for high mechanical stiffness and low parasitic heat leak. In a single cycle, the ADR maintains a temperature of 100 mK for 10 to 100 hours. This time depends strongly on the magnetic field and reservoir temperature but not on the volume of the paramagnetic material as long as the heat leak is dominated by the suspension.

A two-stage magnetic refrigerator for astronomical applications with reservoir temperatures above 4 K

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hagmann, C.; Richards, P. L.

1993-01-01

We propose a novel adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (ADR) to produce temperatures as low as 100 mK starting from a high temperature reservoir between 4 and 8 K. The high temperature reservoir for the ADR can be provided by a mechanical cooler or an unpumped liquid helium bath. This refrigerator can be used to cool bolometric infrared detectors for low background astronomy from mountain tops, balloons or satellites as well as to cool cryogenic x-ray detectors. The two-stage ADR consists of a single magnet with a paramagnetic chromic-cesium-alum (CCA) salt pill to produce the low temperature and paramagnetic gadolinium-gallium-garnet (GGG) as the first stage to intercept heat from the high temperature reservoir. Thermal contact between the paramagnets and the reservoir during magnetization is made with a mechanical heat switch. The ADR is suspended with Kevlar chords under tension for high mechanical stiffness and low parasitic heat leak. In a single cycle, the ADR maintains a temperature of 100 mK for 10 to 100 hours. This time depends strongly on the magnetic field and reservoir temperature but not on the volume of the paramagnetic material as long as the heat leak is dominated by the suspension.

A New Physical Meaning of Sommerfeld Fine Structure Constant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sohrab, Siavash

2015-04-01

Identifying physical space or Casimir vacuum as a compressible tachyon fluid, Planck compressible ether, leads to stochastic definitions of Planck h = mk <λk > c and Boltzmann k = mk <νk > c constants, finite photon mass mk = (hk/c3)1/2 , amu = mk c2 = (hkc)1/2 , and modified Avogadro-Loschmidt number No = 1/(hkc)1/2 = 6.03766 x1023 mole-1 . Thus, Lorentz-FitzGerald contractions now result from compressibility of physical space and become causal (Pauli) in accordance with Poincaré-Lorentz dynamic theory of relativity as opposed to Einstein kinematic theory of relativity. At thermodynamic equilibrium he = me <λe > ve = hk = mk <λk > c = h, Compton wavelength can be expressed as λc = h/me c = (ve /c)h <λe > /(me <λe > ve) = αλe . Hence, Sommerfeld fine structure constant α is identified as the ratio of electron to photon speeds α = e2/(2ɛo hc) = ve/c = 1/137.036. The mean thermal speed of electron at equilibrium with photon gas is ve = 2.187640x106 m/s and its de Broglie wavelength is λe = 3.3250x10-10 m. Also, electron kinetic energy for oscillations in two directions < x + > and < x- > or ɛe = hνe = me ve2= kTe results in electron temperature Te = 3.15690x105 K.

Passive millimetre wave imaging for ballistic missile launch detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Higgins, Christopher J.; Salmon, Neil A.

2008-10-01

QinetiQ has used a suite of modelling tools to predict the millimetric plume signatures from a range of ballistic missile types, based on the accepted theory that Bremsstrahlung emission, generated by the collision of free electrons with neutral species in a rocket motor plume, is the dominant signature mechanism. Plume signatures in terms of radiation temperatures varied from a few hundred Kelvin to over one thousand Kelvin, and were predicted to be dependent on emission frequency, propellant type and missile thrust. Two types of platform were considered for the passive mmw imager launch detection system; a High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) and a satellite based platform in low, mid and geosynchronous earth orbits. It was concluded that the optimum operating frequency for a HAPS based imager would be 35GHz with a 4.5m aperture and a sensitivity of 20mK providing visibility through 500 vertical feet of cloud. For a satellite based platform with a nadir view, the optimum frequency is 220 GHz. With such a system, in a low earth orbit at an altitude of 320km, with a sensitivity of 20mK, a 29cm aperture would be desirable.

Chandra Observations of the Eclipsing Wolf-Rayet Binary CQ CepOver a Full Orbital Cycle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skinner, Steve L.; Guedel, Manuel; Schmutz, Werner; Zhekov, Svetozar

2018-06-01

We present results of Chandra X-ray observations and simultaneous optical light curves of the short-period (1.64 d) eclipsing WN6+O9 binary system CQ Cep obtained in 2013 and 2017 covering a full binary orbit. Our primary objective was to compare the observed X-ray properties with colliding wind shock theory, which predicts that the hottest shock plasma (T > 20 MK) will form on or near the line-of-centers between the stars. Thus, X-ray variability is expected during eclipses when the hottest plasma is occulted. The X-ray spectrum is strikingly similar to apparently single WN6 stars such as WR 134 and spectral lines reveal plasma over a broad range of temperatures T ~ 4 - 40 MK. Both primary and secondary optical eclipses were clearly detected and provide an accurate orbital period determination (P = 1.6412 d). The X-ray emission remained remarkably steady throughout the orbit and statistical tests give a low probability of variability. The lack of significant X-ray variabililty during eclipses indicates that the X-ray emission is not confined along the line-of-centers but is extended on larger spatial scales, contrary to colliding wind predictions.

Nanometer scale thermometry in a living cell

PubMed Central

Kucsko, G.; Maurer, P. C.; Yao, N. Y.; Kubo, M.; Noh, H. J.; Lo, P. K.; Park, H.; Lukin, M. D.

2014-01-01

Sensitive probing of temperature variations on nanometer scales represents an outstanding challenge in many areas of modern science and technology1. In particular, a thermometer capable of sub-degree temperature resolution over a large range of temperatures as well as integration within a living system could provide a powerful new tool for many areas of biological, physical and chemical research; possibilities range from the temperature-induced control of gene expression2–5 and tumor metabolism6 to the cell-selective treatment of disease7,8 and the study of heat dissipation in integrated circuits1. By combining local light-induced heat sources with sensitive nanoscale thermometry, it may also be possible to engineer biological processes at the sub-cellular level2–5. Here, we demonstrate a new approach to nanoscale thermometry that utilizes coherent manipulation of the electronic spin associated with nitrogen-vacancy (NV) color centers in diamond. We show the ability to detect temperature variations down to 1.8 mK (sensitivity of 9mK/Hz) in an ultra-pure bulk diamond sample. Using NV centers in diamond nanocrystals (nanodiamonds, NDs), we directly measure the local thermal environment at length scales down to 200 nm. Finally, by introducing both nanodiamonds and gold nanoparticles into a single human embryonic fibroblast, we demonstrate temperature-gradient control and mapping at the sub-cellular level, enabling unique potential applications in life sciences. PMID:23903748

Element Abundance Ratios in the Quiet Sun Transition Region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Young, P. R.

2018-03-01

Element abundance ratios of magnesium to neon (Mg/Ne) and neon to oxygen (Ne/O) in the transition region of the quiet Sun have been derived by re-assessing previously published data from the Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer on board the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory in the light of new atomic data. The quiet Sun Mg/Ne ratio is important for assessing the effect of magnetic activity on the mechanism of the first ionization potential (FIP) effect, while the Ne/O ratio can be used to infer the solar photospheric abundance of neon, which cannot be measured directly. The average Mg/Ne ratio is found to be 0.52 ± 0.11, which applies over the temperature region 0.2–0.7 MK, and is consistent with the earlier study. The Ne/O ratio is, however, about 40% larger, taking the value 0.24 ± 0.05 that applies to the temperature range 0.08–0.40 MK. The increase is mostly due to changes in ionization and recombination rates that affect the equilibrium ionization balance. If the Ne/O ratio is interpreted as reflecting the photospheric ratio, then the photospheric neon abundance is 8.08 ± 0.09 or 8.15 ± 0.10 (on a logarithmic scale for which hydrogen is 12), according to whether the oxygen abundances of M. Asplund et al. or E. Caffau et al. are used. The updated photospheric neon abundance implies a Mg/Ne FIP bias for the quiet Sun of 1.6 ± 0.6.

An experimental study of the thermodynamic properties of 1,1-difluoroethane

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tamatsu, T.; Sato, T.; Sato, H.; Watanabe, K.

1992-11-01

Experimental vapor pressures and P-ρ-T data of an important alternative refrigerant, 1, 1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a), have been measured by means of a constant-volume method coupled with expansion procedures. Sixty P-ρ-T data were measured along eight isochores in a range of temperatures T from 330 to 440 K, at pressures P from 1.6 to 9.3 MPa, and at densities ρ from 51 to 811 kg·m-3. Forty-six vapor pressures were also measured at temperatures from 320 K to the critical temperature. The uncertainties of the temperature and pressure measurements are within ±7mK and ±2kPa, respectively, while the uncertainty of the density values is within ±0.1%. The purity of the sample used is 99.9 wt%. On the basis of the measurements along each isochore, five saturation points were determined and the critical pressure was determined by correlating the vapor-pressure measurements. The second and third virial coefficients for temperatures from 360 to 440 K have also been determined.

Optimized Shielding and Fabrication Techniques for TiN and Al Microwave Resonators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kreikebaum, John Mark; Kim, Eunseong; Livingston, William; Dove, Allison; Calusine, Gregory; Hover, David; Rosenberg, Danna; Oliver, William; Siddiqi, Irfan

We present a systematic study of the effects of shielding and packaging on the internal quality factor (Qi) of Al and TiN microwave resonators designed for use in qubit readout. Surprisingly, Qi =1.3x106 TiN samples investigated at 100 mK exhibited no significant changes in linewidth when operated without magnetic shielding and in an open cryo-package. In contrast, Al resonators showed systematic improvement in Qi with each successive shield. Measurements were performed in an adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator, where typical ambient fields of 0.2 mT are present at the sample stage. We discuss the effect of 100 mK and 500 mK Cu radiation shields and cryoperm magnetic shielding on resonator Q as a function of temperature and input power in samples prepared with a variety of surface treatments, fabrication recipes, and embedding circuits. This research was supported by the ARO and IARPA.

Towards dualband megapixel QWIP focal plane arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gunapala, S. D.; Bandara, S. V.; Liu, J. K.; Mumolo, J. M.; Hill, C. J.; Rafol, S. B.; Salazar, D.; Woolaway, J.; LeVan, P. D.; Tidrow, M. Z.

2007-04-01

Mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) and long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) 1024 × 1024 pixel quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) focal planes have been demonstrated with excellent imaging performance. The MWIR QWIP detector array has demonstrated a noise equivalent differential temperature (NEΔT) of 17 mK at a 95 K operating temperature with f/2.5 optics at 300 K background and the LWIR detector array has demonstrated a NEΔT of 13 mK at a 70 K operating temperature with the same optical and background conditions as the MWIR detector array after the subtraction of system noise. Both MWIR and LWIR focal planes have shown background limited performance (BLIP) at 90 K and 70 K operating temperatures respectively, with similar optical and background conditions. In addition, we have demonstrated MWIR and LWIR pixel co-registered simultaneously readable dualband QWIP focal plane arrays. In this paper, we will discuss the performance in terms of quantum efficiency, NEΔT, uniformity, operability, and modulation transfer functions of the 1024 × 1024 pixel arrays and the progress of dualband QWIP focal plane array development work.

Multicolor megapixel QWIP focal plane arrays for remote sensing instruments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gunapala, S. D.; Bandara, S. V.; Liu, J. K.; Hill, C. J.; Rafol, S. B.; Mumolo, J. M.; Trinh, J. T.; Tidrow, M. Z.; LeVan, P. D.

2006-08-01

Mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) and long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) 1024x1024 pixel quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) focal planes have been demonstrated with excellent imaging performance. The MWIR QWIP detector array has demonstrated a noise equivalent differential temperature (NEΔT) of 17 mK at a 95K operating temperature with f/2.5 optics at 300K background and the LWIR detector array has demonstrated a NEΔT of 13 mK at a 70K operating temperature with the same optical and background conditions as the MWIR detector array after the subtraction of system noise. Both MWIR and LWIR focal planes have shown background limited performance (BLIP) at 90K and 70K operating temperatures respectively, with similar optical and background conditions. In addition, we have demonstrated MWIR and LWIR pixel co-registered simultaneously readable dualband QWIP focal plane arrays. In this paper, we will discuss the performance in terms of quantum efficiency, NEΔT, uniformity, operability, and modulation transfer functions of the 1024x1024 pixel arrays and the progress of dualband QWIP focal plane array development work.

New experimental perspectives for soft x-ray absorption spectroscopies at ultra-low temperatures below 50 mK and in high magnetic fields up to 7 T

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

Beeck, T., E-mail: torben.beeck@desy.de; Baev, I.; Gieschen, S.

2016-04-15

A new ultra-low temperature experiment including a superconducting vector magnet has been developed for soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy experiments at third generation synchrotron light sources. The sample is cooled below 50 mK by a cryogen free {sup 3}He-{sup 4}He dilution refrigerator. At the same time, magnetic fields of up to ±7 T in the horizontal direction and ±0.5 T in the vertical direction can be applied by a superconducting vector magnet. The setup allows to study ex situ and in situ prepared samples, offered by an attached UHV preparation chamber with load lock. The transfer of the prepared samples betweenmore » the preparation section and the dilution refrigerator is carried out under cryogenic temperatures. First commissioning studies have been carried out at the Variable Polarization XUV Beamline P04 at PETRA III and the influence of the incident photon beam to the sample temperature has been studied.« less

Obtaining Electron Temperatures and Flow Speeds from Thomson Scattered Coronal Emission Observed during the 29 March 2006 Total Solar Eclipse in Libya

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davila, Joseph M.; Geginald, Nelson L.; Gashut, Hadi; Guhathakurta, Madhulika; Hassler, Donald M.

2008-01-01

An experiment to measure the electron temperature and flow speed in the solar corona by observing the visible K-coronal spectrum was conducted during the total solar eclipse on 29 March 2006 in Libya. New corona1 models accounting for the effect of electron temperature and flow on the resulting K-corona spectrum were used to interpret the observations. Results show electron temperatures of 1.10 +/- 0.05, 0.98 +/- 0.12, and 0.70 +/- 0.08 MK, at l.l{\\it R)$-{\\odot)$ in the solar north, east and west, respectively, and 0.93 +/- 0.12 MK, at 1.2 R(sub sun) in the solar east. The corresponding outflow speeds obtained from the spectral fit are 103 +/- 92, 0 + 10, 0 + 10, and 0 + 10 km/s. Since the observations are taken only at 1.1 and 1.2 R(sub sun) these velocities , consistent with zero outflow, are in agreement with expectations and provide additional confirmation that the spectral fitting method is working.

Cryogen-free dilution refrigerators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uhlig, K.

2012-12-01

We review briefly our first cryogen-free dilution refrigerator (CF-DR) which was precooled by a GM cryocooler. We then show how today's dry DRs with pulse tube precooling have developed. A few examples of commercial DRs are explained and noteworthy features pointed out. Thereby we describe the general advantages of cryogen-free DRs, but also show where improvements are still desirable. At present, our dry DR has a base temperature of 10 mK and a cooling capacity of 700 μW at a mixing chamber temperature of 100 mK. In our cryostat, in most recent work, an additional refrigeration loop was added to the dilution circuit. This 4He circuit has a lowest temperature of about 1 K and a refrigeration capacity of up to 100 mW at temperatures slightly above 1 K; the dilution circuit and the 4He circuit can be run separately or together. The purpose of this additional loop is to increase the cooling capacity for experiments where the cooling power of the still of the DR is not sufficient to cool cold amplifiers and cables, e.g. in studies on superconducting quantum circuits or astrophysical applications.

Characterization System of Multi-pixel Array TES Microcalorimeter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoshimoto, Shota; Maehata, Keisuke; Mitsuda, Kazuhisa; Yamanaka, Yoshihiro; Sakai, Kazuhiro; Nagayoshi, Kenichiro; Yamamoto, Ryo; Hayashi, Tasuku; Muramatsu, Haruka

We have constructed characterization system for 64-pixel array transition-edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeter using a 3He-4He dilution refrigerator (DR) with the cooling power of 60 µW at a temperature of 100 mK. A stick equipped with 384 of Manganin wires was inserted into the refrigerator to perform characteristic measurements of 64-pixel array TES microcalorimeter and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) array amplifiers. The stick and Manganin wires were thermally anchored at temperatures of 4 and 1 K with sufficient thermal contact. The cold end of the Manganin wires were thermally anchored and connected to CuNi clad NbTi wires at 0.7 K anchor. Then CuNi clad NbTi wires were wired to connectors placed on the holder mounted on the cold stage attached to the base plate of the mixing chamber. The heat flow to the cold stage through the installed wires was estimated to be 0.15 µW. In the operation test the characterization system maintained temperature below 100 mK.

An X-ray flare from 47 Cas

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

Pandey, Jeewan C.; Karmakar, Subhajeet, E-mail: jeewan@aries.res.in

2015-02-01

Using XMM-Newton observations, we investigate properties of a flare from the very active but poorly known stellar system 47 Cas. The luminosity at the peak of the flare is found to be 3.54 × 10{sup 30} erg s{sup −1}, which is ∼2 times higher than that at a quiescent state. The quiescent state corona of 47 Cas can be represented by two temperature plasma: 3.7 and 11.0 MK. The time-resolved X-ray spectroscopy of the flare show the variable nature of the temperature, the emission measure, and the abundance. The maximum temperature during the flare is derived as 72.8 MK. Wemore » infer the length of a flaring loop to be 3.3 × 10{sup 10} cm using a hydrodynamic loop model. Using the RGS spectra, the density during the flare is estimated as 4.0 × 10{sup 10} cm{sup −3}. The loop scaling laws are also applied when deriving physical parameters of the flaring plasma.« less

Accurate Acoustic Thermometry I: The Triple Point of Gallium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moldover, M. R.; Trusler, J. P. M.

1988-01-01

The speed of sound in argon has been accurately measured in the pressure range 25-380 kPa at the temperature of the triple point of gallium (Tg) and at 340 kPa at the temperature of the triple point of water (Tt). The results are combined with previously published thermodynamic and transport property data to obtain Tg = (302.9169 +/- 0.0005) K on the thermodynamic scale. Among recent determinations of T68 (the temperature on IPTS-68) at the gallium triple point, those with the smallest measurement uncertainty fall in the range 302.923 71 to 302.923 98 K. We conclude that T-T68 = (-6.9 +/- 0.5) mK near 303 K, in agreement with results obtained from other primary thermometers. The speed of sound was measured with a spherical resonator. The volume and thermal expansion of the resonator were determined by weighing the mercury required to fill it at Tt and Tg. The largest part of the standard error in the present determination of Tg is systematic. It results from imperfect knowledge of the thermal expansion of mercury between Tt and Tg. Smaller parts of the error result from imperfections in the measurement of the temperature of the resonator and of the resonance frequencies.

Direct measurement of the Bose-Einstein condensation universality class in NiCl2-4SC(NH2)2 at ultralow temperatures.

PubMed

Yin, L; Xia, J S; Zapf, V S; Sullivan, N S; Paduan-Filho, A

2008-10-31

In this work, we demonstrate field-induced Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) in the organic compound NiCl2-4SC(NH2)_{2} using ac susceptibility measurements down to 1 mK. The Ni S=1 spins exhibit 3D XY antiferromagnetism between a lower critical field H_{c1} approximately 2 T and a upper critical field H_{c2} approximately 12 T. The results show a power-law temperature dependence of the phase transition line H_{c1}(T)-H_{c1}(0)=aT;{alpha} with alpha=1.47+/-0.10 and H_{c1}(0)=2.053 T, consistent with the 3D BEC universality class. Near H_{c2}, a kink was found in the phase boundary at approximately 150 mK.

Evidence for thermal convection in the deep carbonate aquifer of the eastern sector of the Po Plain, Italy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pasquale, V.; Chiozzi, P.; Verdoya, M.

2013-05-01

Temperatures recorded in wells as deep as 6 km drilled for hydrocarbon prospecting were used together with geological information to depict the thermal regime of the sedimentary sequence of the eastern sector of the Po Plain. After correction for drilling disturbance, temperature data were analyzed through an inversion technique based on a laterally constant thermal gradient model. The obtained thermal gradient is quite low within the deep carbonate unit (14 mK m- 1), while it is larger (53 mK m- 1) in the overlying impermeable formations. In the uppermost sedimentary layers, the thermal gradient is close to the regional average (21 mK m- 1). We argue that such a vertical change cannot be ascribed to thermal conductivity variation within the sedimentary sequence, but to deep groundwater flow. Since the hydrogeological characteristics (including litho-stratigraphic sequence and structural setting) hardly permit forced convection, we suggest that thermal convection might occur within the deep carbonate aquifer. The potential of this mechanism was evaluated by means of the Rayleigh number analysis. It turned out that permeability required for convection to occur must be larger than 3 10- 15 m2. The average over-heat ratio is 0.45. The lateral variation of hydrothermal regime was tested by using temperature data representing the aquifer thermal conditions. We found that thermal convection might be more developed and variable at the Ferrara High and its surroundings, where widespread fracturing may have increased permeability.

Observing Flux Rope Formation During the Impulsive Phase of a Solar Eruption

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Xin; Zhang, J.; Yang, L.; Ding, M.

2011-05-01

Magnetic flux rope is believed to be an important structural component of coronal mass ejections (CMEs). While there exist much observational evidence of the flux rope post the eruption, e.g., as seen in remote-sensing coronagraph images or in-situ solar wind data, the direct observation of flux ropes during CME impulsive phase has been rare or non-exist. In this Letter, we present an unambiguous observation of a flux rope still in the formation phase in the low corona. The CME of interest occurred above the east limb on 2010 November 03 with footpoints partially blocked. The flux rope was seen as a blob of hot plasma in AIA 131 A passband (peak temperature 11 MK) rising from the core of the source active region, rapidly moving outward and stretching upward the surrounding background magnetic field. The stretched magnetic field seemed to curve-in, similar to the classical magnetic reconnection scenario in eruptive flares. The flux rope was also seen as a dark cavity in AIA 211 A passpand (2.0 MK) and 171 A passband (0.6 MK); in these relatively cool temperature bands, a bright rim clearly enclosed the dark cavity. The bright rim likely represents the pile-up of the surrounding coronal plasma compressed by the expanding flux rope. The composite structure seen in AIA multiple temperature bands is very similar to that in the corresponding coronagraph images, which consists of a bright leading edge and a dark cavity, commonly believed to be a flux rope.

An expert computer program for classifying stars on the MK spectral classification system

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

Gray, R. O.; Corbally, C. J.

2014-04-01

This paper describes an expert computer program (MKCLASS) designed to classify stellar spectra on the MK Spectral Classification system in a way similar to humans—by direct comparison with the MK classification standards. Like an expert human classifier, the program first comes up with a rough spectral type, and then refines that spectral type by direct comparison with MK standards drawn from a standards library. A number of spectral peculiarities, including barium stars, Ap and Am stars, λ Bootis stars, carbon-rich giants, etc., can be detected and classified by the program. The program also evaluates the quality of the delivered spectralmore » type. The program currently is capable of classifying spectra in the violet-green region in either the rectified or flux-calibrated format, although the accuracy of the flux calibration is not important. We report on tests of MKCLASS on spectra classified by human classifiers; those tests suggest that over the entire HR diagram, MKCLASS will classify in the temperature dimension with a precision of 0.6 spectral subclass, and in the luminosity dimension with a precision of about one half of a luminosity class. These results compare well with human classifiers.« less

LC Filters for FDM Readout of the X-IFU TES Calorimeter Instrument on Athena

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bruijn, Marcel P.; van der Linden, Anton J.; Ferrari, Lorenza; Gottardi, Luciano; van der Kuur, Jan; den Hartog, Roland H.; Akamatsu, Hiroki; Jackson, Brian D.

2018-05-01

The current status of lithographic superconducting LC filters for use in the Athena-X-IFU instrument is described. We present the fabrication process and characterization results at room temperature, 4 K and 50 mK. We also present an optimization study of the quality topics, where finite element modeling is used together with experimental validation structures. For the a-Si:H-based capacitors and Nb-based coils, presently the component fabrication yield is about 99% and the effective series resistance at 50 mK is lower than 1.5 mΩ.

Superconductivity in single crystalline ThBe13 and LuBe13

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uhlířová, Klára; Miura, Naoyuki; Tkáč, Vladimír; Prokleška, Jan; Chrobak, Maciej; Tarnawski, Zbigniew; Hidaka, Hiroyki; Yanagisawa, Tatsuya; Sechovský, Vladimír; Amitsuka, Hiroshi

2018-05-01

Single crystals of ThBe13 and LuBe13 have been prepared using aluminum flux method. The crystals structure of both compounds was confirmed to be cubic of the NaZn13-type with the lattice parameters a = 10.183(6) Å and a = 10.395(3) Å for LuBe13 and ThBe13, respectively. The low temperature measurements of electrical resistance and ac susceptibility have revealed a BCS-type of superconductivity in ThBe13 below Tc = 125 mK. LuBe13 has been found to be superconducting below Tc = 630 mK.

The Primordial Inflation Polarization ExploreR Continuous Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pawlyk, Samuel; Ade, Peter; Benford, Dominic; Bennett, Charles; Chuss, David; Datta, Rahul; Dotson, Jessie; Essinger-Hileman, Thomas; Fixsen, Dale; Halpern, Mark; Hilton, Gene; Hinshaw, Gary; Irwin, Kent; Jhabvala, Christine; Kimball, Mark; Kogut, Al; Lowe, Luke; McMahon, Jeff; Miller, Timothy; Mirel, Paul; Moseley, Samuel Harvey; Rodriguez, Samelys; Sharp, Elmer; Shirron, Peter; Staguhn, Johannes G.; Sullivan, Dan; Switzer, Eric; Taraschi, Peter; Tucker, Carole; Wollack, Edward; Walts, Alexander

2018-01-01

The Primordial Inflation Polarization ExploreR (PIPER) uses a Continuous Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerator (CADR) to cool its detectors. The CADR consists of four independent stages with adjacent stages connected by gas gap (GG) or superconducting (SC) heat switches. The three warm stages cycle to transfer heat from the 100 mK detector package to the 1.5 K liquid helium bath. The coldest stage maintains a continuous temperature of 100 mK for the detector package with 10 uW cooling power. We describe the mechanical, electrical, and software design of the CADR and present recent results.

Identification of a potent small molecule capable of regulating polyploidization, megakaryocyte maturation, and platelet production.

PubMed

Huang, Nick; Lou, Mabel; Liu, Hua; Avila, Cecilia; Ma, Yupo

2016-12-08

Megakaryocytic cell maturation involves polyploidization, and megakaryocyte (MK) ploidy correlates with their maturation and platelet production. Retardation of MK maturation is closely associated with poor MK engraftment after cord blood transplantation and neonatal thrombocytopenia. Despite the high prevalence of thrombocytopenia in a range of setting that affect infants to adults, there are still very limited modalities of treatment. Human CD34 + cells were isolated from cord blood or bone marrow samples acquired from consenting patients. Cells were cultured and induced using 616452 and compared to current drugs on the market such as rominplostim or TPO. Ploidy analysis was completed using propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry analysis. Animal studies consisted of transplanting human CD34 + cells into NOD.Cg-Prkdc scid Il2rg tm1Wjl /SzJ mice followed by daily injections of 15 mg/kg of 616452. Within one week of culture, the chemical was able to induce polyploidization, the process required for megakaryocyte maturation with the accumulation of DNA content, to 64 N or greater to achieve a relative adult size. We observed fold increases as high as 200-fold in cells of 16 N or greater compared to un-induced cells with a dose-dependent manner. In addition, MK differentiated in the presence of 616452 demonstrated a more robust capacity of MK differentiation than that of MKs cultured with rominplostim used for adult idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) patients. In mice transplanted with human cord blood, 616452 strikingly enhanced MK reconstitution in the marrow and human peripheral platelet production. The molecular therapeutic actions for this chemical may be through TPO-independent pathways. Our studies may have an important impact on our fundamental understanding of fetal MK biology, the clinical management of thrombocytopenic neonates and leukemic differentiation therapy.

Neuroprotection by Combined Administration with Maslinic Acid, a Natural Product from Olea europaea, and MK-801 in the Cerebral Ischemia Model.

PubMed

Qian, Yisong; Tang, Xuzhen; Guan, Teng; Li, Yunman; Sun, Hongbin

2016-08-19

Glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity is a major cause of ischemic brain damage. MK-801 confers neuroprotection by attenuating the activation of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, but it failed in clinical use due to the short therapeutic window. Here we aim to investigate the effects of maslinic acid, a natural product from Olea europaea, on the therapeutic time window and dose range for the neuroprotection of MK-801. Rats were administered with maslinic acid intracerebroventricularly and cerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by reperfusion. MK-801 was administered at 1 h, 2 h, 3 h and 4 h after ischemia, respectively. The cerebral infarct volume was determined by 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, neuronal damage was assessed by Haematoxylin Eosin (H&E) staining, and the expression of glial glutamate transporters and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and Western blot post-ischemia. Results showed that the presence of maslinic acid extended the therapeutic time window for MK-801 from 1 h to 3 h. Co-treatment of maslinic acid and MK-801 at a subthreshold dosage obviously induced neuroprotection after ischemia. The combination of these two compounds improved the outcome in ischemic rats. Moreover, maslinic acid treatment promoted the expression of GLT-1 and GFAP post-ischemia. These data suggest that the synergistic effect of maslinic acid on neurological protection might be associated with the improvement of glial function, especially with the increased expression of GLT-1. The combination therapy of maslinic acid and MK-801 may prove to be a potential strategy for treating acute ischemic stroke.

Overexpression of a bifunctional enzyme, CrtS, enhances astaxanthin synthesis through two pathways in Phaffia rhodozyma.

PubMed

Chi, Shuang; He, Yanfeng; Ren, Jie; Su, Qian; Liu, Xingchao; Chen, Zhi; Wang, Mingan; Li, Ying; Li, Jilun

2015-06-18

A moderate-temperature, astaxanthin-overproducing mutant strain (termed MK19) of Phaffia rhodozyma was generated in our laboratory. The intracellular astaxanthin content of MK19 was 17-fold higher than that of wild-type. The TLC profile of MK19 showed a band for an unknown carotenoid pigment between those of β-carotene and astaxanthin. In the present study, we attempted to identify the unknown pigment and to enhance astaxanthin synthesis in MK19 by overexpression of the crtS gene that encodes astaxanthin synthase (CrtS). A crtS-overexpressing strain was constructed without antibiotic marker. A recombinant plasmid with lower copy numbers was shown to be stable in MK19. In the positive recombinant strain (termed CSR19), maximal astaxanthin yield was 33.5% higher than MK19, and the proportion of astaxanthin as a percentage of total carotenoids was 84%. The unknown carotenoid was identified as 3-hydroxy-3',4'-didehydro-β,Ψ-carotene-4-one (HDCO) by HPLC, mass spectrometry, and NMR spectroscopy. CrtS was found to be a bifunctional enzyme that helped convert HDCO to astaxanthin. Enhancement of crtS transcriptional level increased transcription levels of related genes (crtE, crtYB, crtI) in the astaxanthin synthesis pathway. A scheme of carotenoid biosynthesis in P. rhodozyma involving alternative bicyclic and monocyclic pathways is proposed. CrtS overexpression leads to up-regulation of synthesis-related genes and increased astaxanthin production. The transformant CSR19 is a stable, secure strain suitable for feed additive production. The present findings help clarify the regulatory mechanisms that underlie metabolic fluxes in P. rhodozyma carotenoid biosynthesis pathways.

Design and performance of an ultra-high vacuum scanning tunneling microscope operating at dilution refrigerator temperatures and high magnetic fields.

PubMed

Misra, S; Zhou, B B; Drozdov, I K; Seo, J; Urban, L; Gyenis, A; Kingsley, S C J; Jones, H; Yazdani, A

2013-10-01

We describe the construction and performance of a scanning tunneling microscope capable of taking maps of the tunneling density of states with sub-atomic spatial resolution at dilution refrigerator temperatures and high (14 T) magnetic fields. The fully ultra-high vacuum system features visual access to a two-sample microscope stage at the end of a bottom-loading dilution refrigerator, which facilitates the transfer of in situ prepared tips and samples. The two-sample stage enables location of the best area of the sample under study and extends the experiment lifetime. The successful thermal anchoring of the microscope, described in detail, is confirmed through a base temperature reading of 20 mK, along with a measured electron temperature of 250 mK. Atomically resolved images, along with complementary vibration measurements, are presented to confirm the effectiveness of the vibration isolation scheme in this instrument. Finally, we demonstrate that the microscope is capable of the same level of performance as typical machines with more modest refrigeration by measuring spectroscopic maps at base temperature both at zero field and in an applied magnetic field.

Dilution Refrigerator for Nuclear Refrigeration and Cryogenic Thermometry Studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakagawa, Hisashi; Hata, Tohru

2014-07-01

This study explores the design and construction of an ultra-low temperature facility in order to realize the Provisional low-temperature scale from 0.9 mK to 1 K (PLTS-2000) in Japan, to disseminate its use through calibration services, and to study thermometry at low temperatures below 1 K. To this end, a dilution refrigerator was constructed in-house that has four sintered silver discrete heat exchangers for use as a precooling stage of a copper nuclear demagnetization stage. A melting curve thermometer attached to the mixing chamber flange could be cooled continuously to 4.0 mK using the refrigerator. The dependence of minimum temperatures on circulation rates can be explained by the calculation of Frossati's formula based on a perfect continuous counterflow heat exchanger model, assuming that the Kapitza resistance has a temperature dependence. Residual heat leakage to the mixing chamber was estimated to be around 86 nW. A nuclear demagnetization cryostat with a nuclear stage containing an effective amount of copper (51 mol in a 9 T magnetic field) is under construction, and we will presently start to work toward the realization of the PLTS-2000. In this article, the design and performance of the dilution refrigerator are reported.

Bifunctional fusion proteins containing the sequence of the bradykinin homologue maximakinin: activities at the rat bradykinin B2 receptor.

PubMed

Charest-Morin, Xavier; Lodge, Robert; Marceau, François

2018-05-01

To support bradykinin (BK) B 2 receptor (B 2 R) detection and therapeutic stimulation, we developed and characterized fusion proteins consisting of the BK homolog maximakinin (MK), or variants, positioned at the C-terminus of functional proteins (enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), the peroxidase APEX2, or human serum albumin (HSA)). EGFP-MK loses its reactivity with anti-BK antibodies and molecular mass as it progresses in the endosomal tract of cells expressing rat B 2 Rs (immunoblots, epifluorescence microscopy). APEX2-(NG) 15 -MK is a bona fide agonist of the rat, but not of the human B 2 R (calcium and c-Fos signaling) and is compatible with the cytochemistry reagent TrueBlue (microscopy), a luminol-based reagent, or 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (luminescence or colourimetric B 2 R detection, cell well plate format). APEX2-(NG) 15 -MK is a non-isotopic ligand suitable for drug discovery via binding competition. Affinity-purified secreted forms of HSA fused with peptides possessing the C-terminal MK or BK sequence failed to stimulate the rat B 2 R in the concentration range of 50-600 nmol/L. However, the non-secreted construction myc-HSA-MK is a B 2 R agonist, indicating that protein denaturation made the C-terminal sequence available for receptor binding. Fusion protein ligands of the B 2 R are stable but subjected to slow intracellular inactivation, strong species specificity, and possible steric hindrance between the receptor and large proteins.

Performance-Enhanced Bolometric Terahertz Detectors Based on V2O5 for 15 to 30 THz

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sumesh, M. A.; Karanth, S. P.; Thomas, Beno; Rao, G. M.; Viswanathan, M.; Chakraborty, P.; Rao, G. N.

2017-02-01

Terahertz (THz) radiation perception using uncooled detectors are gaining importance due to the increasing demands in the areas of military, space, and industrial, medical, and surveillance applications. In spite of the efforts of researchers to fill the THz gap, there exists a need for detectors in the range between 15 THz and 30 THz. In this paper, we discuss the development of bolometric detectors whose performance is enhanced by an optical immersion technique and their characterization in the aforesaid range of frequencies. These detectors are characterized by high specific detectivity ( D*) of 1.28 × 109 cmHz1/2 W-1 and high radiometric resolution (noise-equivalent temperature difference = 26 mK) and are fast enough for bolometric detectors (time constant = 1.7 ms), which make them suitable for spectroscopic and imaging applications.

A 4 Tesla Superconducting Magnet Developed for a 6 Circle Huber Diffractometer at the XMaS Beamline

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

Thompson, P. B. J.; Brown, S. D.; Bouchenoire, L.

2007-01-19

We report here on the development and testing of a 4 Tesla cryogen free superconducting magnet designed to fit within the Euler cradle of a 6 circle Huber diffractometer, allowing scattering in both the vertical and horizontal planes. The geometry of this magnet allows the field to be applied in three orientations. The first being along the beam direction, the second with the field transverse to the beam direction a horizontal plane and finally the field can be applied vertically with respect to the beam. The magnet has a warm bore and an open geometry of 180 deg. , allowingmore » large access to reciprocal space. A variable temperature insert has been developed, which is capable of working down to a temperature of 1.7 K and operating over a wide range of angles whilst maintaining a temperature stability of a few mK. Initial ferromagnetic diffraction measurements have been carried out on single crystal Tb and Dy samples.« less

Superfluidity of 4He in dense aerogel studied using quartz tuning fork

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsumoto, K.; Okamoto, R.; Nakajima, A.; Abe, S.

2018-03-01

Superfluid 4He in aerogel is of interest because it has a normal component coupling to gel strand due to viscosity and a superfluid component with zero viscosity. Superfluid helium in aerogel has two sound modes, a slow critical mode and a fast one. In this study, quartz tuning fork was used in order to study acoustic properties of liquid 4He in aerogel with 90% porosity. Two pieces of aerogel were glued on both prongs of quartz tuning fork that had a resonance frequency of 33 kHz. The tuning fork was immersed in liquid 4He from 2 to 20 bar. The resonance frequency increased in the superfluid phase due to decrease in loaded mass. Temperature variation of resonance frequency was explained by that of superfluid density. Superfluid transition in aerogel was 2 mK lower than that without gel. Additional dissipation was observed in the temperature range between 1 K and transition temperature.

Experimental study of a SINIS detector response time at 350 GHz signal frequency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lemzyakov, S.; Tarasov, M.; Mahashabde, S.; Yusupov, R.; Kuzmin, L.; Edelman, V.

2018-03-01

Response time constant of a SINIS bolometer integrated in an annular ring antenna was measured at a bath temperature of 100 mK. Samples comprising superconducting aluminium electrodes and normal-metal Al/Fe strip connected to electrodes via tunnel junctions were fabricated on oxidized Si substrate using shadow evaporation. The bolometer was illuminated by a fast black-body radiation source through a band-pass filter centered at 350 GHz with a passband of 7 GHz. Radiation source is a thin NiCr film on sapphire substrate. For rectangular 10÷100 μs current pulse the radiation front edge was rather sharp due to low thermal capacitance of NiCr film and low thermal conductivity of substrate at temperatures in the range 1-4 K. The rise time of the response was ~1-10 μs. This time presumably is limited by technical reasons: high dynamic resistance of series array of bolometers and capacitance of a long twisted pair wiring from SINIS bolometer to a room-temperature amplifier.

Superconducting Ti/TiN Thin Films for mm-Wave Absorption

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aliane, A.; Solana, M.; Rabaud, W.; Saminadayar, L.; Agnese, P.; Goudon, V.; Dussopt, L.; Vialle, C.; Baghe, E.; Pocas, S.; Carle, L.; Lio Soon Shun, N.; Becker, S.; Reveret, V.; Rodriguez, L.; Hamelin, A.; Poglitsch, A.; Bounissou, S.; Adami, O.

2018-04-01

Polarization-sensitive detectors at 120-500 GHz are required for the observation of the cosmic microwave background radiation. In this paper, superconducting thin films based on Ti/TiN bilayers are developed to be integrated as electromagnetic wave absorbers in suspended cooled silicon bolometers. The critical temperature (T c) is tuned in the range of 600-800 mK through the superconductivity proximity effect between Ti and TiN to optimize the absorption of the incident power while minimizing the heat capacity of the system at low temperature. Ti/TiN bilayer samples are fabricated on silicon with two different thicknesses (100/5 and 300/5 nm). Electrical characterizations at low temperature have been performed and revealed the effect of thermal annealing (20-250 °C) on residual stress, T c, critical magnetic field (H c) and resistance above T c. A physical characterization by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy provides evidences of oxidized states which may explain these effects.

Spin liquid state in the disordered triangular lattice Sc 2Ga 2CuO 7 revealed by NMR

DOE PAGES

Khuntia, P.; Kumar, R.; Mahajan, A. V.; ...

2016-04-18

We present microscopic magnetic properties of a two-dimensional triangular lattice Sc 2Ga 2CuO 7, consisting of single and double triangular Cu planes. An antiferromagnetic (AFM) exchange interaction J/k B ≈ 35 K between Cu 2+ (S = 1/2) spins in the triangular biplane is obtained from the analysis of intrinsic magnetic susceptibility data. The intrinsic magnetic susceptibility, extracted from 71Ga NMR shift data, displays the presence of AFM short range spin correlations and remains finite down to 50 mK, suggesting a nonsinglet ground state. The nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate (1/T 1) reveals a slowing down of Cu 2+ spin fluctuationsmore » with decreasing T down to 100 mK. Magnetic specific heat (C m) and 1/T 1 exhibit power law behavior at low temperatures, implying the gapless nature of the spin excitation spectrum. The absence of long range magnetic ordering down to ~J/700, nonzero spin susceptibility at low T, and the power law behavior of C m and 1/T 1 suggest a gapless quantum spin liquid (QSL) state. Our results demonstrate that persistent spin dynamics induced by frustration maintain a quantum-disordered state at T → 0 in this triangular lattice antiferromagnet. Furthermore, this suggests that the low energy modes are dominated by spinon excitations in the QSL state due to randomness engendered by disorder and frustration.« less

Study on kinetics of glucose uptake by some species of plankton

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Wenquan; Wang, Xian; Zhang, Yaohua

1993-03-01

The rates of glucose uptake by some species of plankton were determined by3H-glucose tracer method. Experimental results indicated that the observed glucose uptake at natural seawater concentrations by Platymonas subcordiformis and Brachionus plicatilis was principally a metabolic process fitted with the Michaelis-Menten equation in the range of adaptive temperatures. Heterotrophic uptake by Platymonas subcordiformis was mainly dependent on diffusion at high glucose levels. The uptake by Brachionus plicatilis showed active transport even at high glucose levels, indicating its high heterotrophic activity. The uptake rate by Artemia salina was lower, and its V m/K ratio was lower than those of the other two species of plankton.

Sustaining the U.S. Air Force Nuclear Mission

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-01-01

B61 -7 B83 B61 -11 B-2 NC3 ITW Tornado F-16...F-15E MMIII W78 W87 Mk-12A Mk-21 B61 -3/4 Gravity bomb: Tactical delivery Long- range standoff ICBM Gravity bomb: Strategic delivery 6...1 Follow-on ALCM B61 -7 B83 B61 -11 Next generation bomber NC3 ITW F-35 New GBSD Follow-on to W87/W78 Next generation fuse B61 -3/4 Gravity

Materials for damping the PTC-induced thermal fluctuations of the cold-head

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Catarino, I.; Martins, D.; Sudiwala, R.

2015-12-01

The cold head on mechanical Pulse Tube Cryocoolers (PTCs) is subject to substantially less mechanical vibration and electromagnetic interference compared to that typically found in Gifford MacMahon coolers. However, thermal fluctuations at the PTC frequency are still present at the cold-head, typically at a level of 200 mK peak-to-peak at 1.4 Hz for a Cryomech Model PT405 cooler running at 4 K. It is highly desirable to damp out these fluctuations if PTCs are to be used successfully for running systems sensitive to such thermal fluctuations, for example, bolometeric detectors. We report here the characterization over the temperature range 2.5 K to 6 K of two materials, GOS (Gd2O2S) and GAP (GdAlO3), for use as low-pass thermal filters. These materials have antiferromagnetic transitions at around 4 K giving rise to an enhanced heat capacity and have a high thermal conductance. These are two highly desirable properties for thermal dampers in this application. Those materials were fired as ceramic discs to be tested as thermal dumpers. Thermal filter assemblies with discs of diameter 75 mm and thickness 2.5 mm and 1.6 mm (GOS and GAP, respectively) mounted in a PTC show thermal attenuation levels of x0.12 (GOS) and x0.11 (GAP) at 0.01Hz with a clean-side temperature of 4 K; the PTC induced fluctuations at 1.48 Hz are damped completely to within the noise limits (0.2 mK) of the thermometers. Experimentally determined thermal conductance and heat capacity data are reported. For this system, with a PTC cold-head (dirty-side) temperature of 3.3 K, a clean-side power dissipation of up to 30 mW is realized before its temperature rises above 4.2 K.

An optical transduction chain for the AURIGA detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Conti, L.; Marin, F.; de Rosa, M.; Prodi, G. A.; Taffarello, L.; Zendri, J. P.; Cerdonio, M.; Vitale, S.

2000-06-01

We describe the principle of operation of an opto-mechanical readout for resonant mass gravitational wave detectors; with such a device the AURIGA detector is expected to reach a sensitivity at the level of Shh=10-22/Hz over a bandwidth of about 40Hz. Recent developments in the implementation of this transduction chain are also reported. In particular we achieve quantum limited laser power noise in the frequency range of 200Hz around the bar fundamental frequency (about 1kHz) by means of active stabilization. We also set up a reference cavity of finesse 40000 with optically contacted mirrors on a 0.2m long Zerodur spacer. The cavity can be heated from room temperature to about 100 °C and temperature stabilized with fluctuations within 1mK over a period of several days. The cavity is under vacuum and isolated from mechanical disturbancies by means of a double stage cantilever system. .

Doping-induced quantum crossover in Er2Ti2 -xSnxO7

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shirai, M.; Freitas, R. S.; Lago, J.; Bramwell, S. T.; Ritter, C.; Živković, I.

2017-11-01

We present the results of the investigation of magnetic properties of the Er2Ti2 -xSnxO7 series. For small doping values, the ordering temperature decreases linearly with x , while the moment configuration remains the same as in the x =0 parent compound. Around x =1.7 doping level, we observe a change in the behavior, where the ordering temperature starts to increase and new magnetic Bragg peaks appear. For the first time, we present evidence of a long-range order (LRO) in Er2Sn2O7 (x =2.0 ) below TN=130 mK. It is revealed that the moment configuration corresponds to a Palmer-Chalker type with a value of the magnetic moment significantly renormalized compared to x =0 . We discuss our results in the framework of a possible quantum phase transition occurring close to x =1.7 .

TIME-DEPENDENT DENSITY DIAGNOSTICS OF SOLAR FLARE PLASMAS USING SDO/EVE

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

Milligan, Ryan O.; Kennedy, Michael B.; Mathioudakis, Mihalis

2012-08-10

Temporally resolved electron density measurements of solar flare plasmas are presented using data from the EUV Variability Experiment (EVE) on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory. The EVE spectral range contains emission lines formed between 10{sup 4} and 10{sup 7} K, including transitions from highly ionized iron ({approx}>10 MK). Using three density-sensitive Fe XXI ratios, peak electron densities of 10{sup 11.2}-10{sup 12.1} cm{sup -3} were found during four X-class flares. While previous measurements of densities at such high temperatures were made at only one point during a flaring event, EVE now allows the temporal evolution of these high-temperature densities to bemore » determined at 10 s cadence. A comparison with GOES data revealed that the peak of the density time profiles for each line ratio correlated well with that of the emission measure time profile for each of the events studied.« less

First report of a lipopeptide biosurfactant from thermophilic bacterium Aneurinibacillus thermoaerophilus MK01 newly isolated from municipal landfill site.

PubMed

Sharafi, Hakimeh; Abdoli, Mahya; Hajfarajollah, Hamidreza; Samie, Nima; Alidoust, Leila; Abbasi, Habib; Fooladi, Jamshid; Zahiri, Hossein Shahbani; Noghabi, Kambiz Akbari

2014-07-01

A biosurfactant-producing thermophile was isolated from the Kahrizak landfill of Tehran and identified as a bacterium belonging to the genus Aneurinibacillus. A thermostable lipopeptide-type biosurfactant was purified from the culture medium of this bacterium and showed stability in the temperature range of 20-90 °C and pH range of 5-10. The produced biosurfactant could reduce the surface tension of water from 72 to 43 mN/m with a CMC of 1.21 mg/mL. The strain growing at a temperature of 45 °C produces a substantial amount of 5 g/L of biosurfactant in the medium supplemented with sunflower oil as the sole carbon source. Response surface methodology was employed to optimize the biosurfactant production using sunflower oil, sodium nitrate, and yeast extract as variables. The optimization resulted in 6.75 g/L biosurfactant production, i.e., 35% improved as compared to the unoptimized condition. Thin-layer chromatography, FTIR spectroscopy, 1H-NMR spectroscopy, and biochemical composition analysis confirmed the lipopeptide structure of the biosurfactant.

Detectors for Tomorrow's Instruments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moseley, Harvey

2009-01-01

Cryogenically cooled superconducting detectors have become essential tools for a wide range of measurement applications, ranging from quantum limited heterodyne detection in the millimeter range to direct searches for dark matter with superconducting phonon detectors operating at 20 mK. Superconducting detectors have several fundamental and practical advantages which have resulted in their rapid adoption by experimenters. Their excellent performance arises in part from reductions in noise resulting from their low operating temperatures, but unique superconducting properties provide a wide range of mechanisms for detection. For example, the steep dependence of resistance with temperature on the superconductor/normal transition provides a sensitive thermometer for calorimetric and bolometric applications. Parametric changes in the properties of superconducting resonators provides a mechanism for high sensitivity detection of submillimeter photons. From a practical point of view, the use of superconducting detectors has grown rapidly because many of these devices couple well to SQUID amplifiers, which are easily integrated with the detectors. These SQUID-based amplifiers and multiplexers have matured with the detectors; they are convenient to use, and have excellent noise performance. The first generation of fully integrated large scale superconducting detection systems are now being deployed. I will discuss the prospects for a new generation of instruments designed to take full advantage of the revolution in detector technology.

Tuning the transition temperature of WSi$$_{x}$$ alloys for use in cryogenic microcalorimeters

DOE PAGES

Cecil, T.; Gades, L.; Madden, T.; ...

2016-03-10

Here, microwave kinetic inductance detectors (MKID) provide a pathway to highly multiplexed, high-resolution, detectors. Over the past several years we have introduced the concept of the Thermal Kinetic Inductance Detector (TKID), which operates as a microcalorimeter. As with other microcalorimeters, the thermal noise of a TKID is reduced when the operating temperature is decreased. However, because the sensitivity of a TKID decreases as the operating temperature drops below 20% of T C, the T C of the resonator material must be tuned to match the desired operating temperature. We have investigated the WSimore » $$_{x}$$ alloy system as a material for these detectors. By co-sputtering from a Si andW2Si target, we have deposited WSi$$_{x}$$ films with a tunable T C that ranges from 5 K down to 500 mK. These films provide a large kinetic inductance fraction and relatively low noise levels. We provide results of these studies showing the T C, resistivity, quality factors, and noise as a function of deposition conditions. These results show that WSi$$_{x}$$ is a good candidate for TKIDs.« less

Imposing long-range ferromagnetic order in rare-earth-doped magnetic topological-insulator heterostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duffy, L. B.; Frisk, A.; Burn, D. M.; Steinke, N.-J.; Herrero-Martin, J.; Ernst, A.; van der Laan, G.; Hesjedal, T.

2018-05-01

The combination of topological properties and magnetic order can lead to new quantum states and exotic physical phenomena, such as the quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) effect. The size of the magnetic gap in the topological surface states, key for the robust observation of the QAH state, scales with the magnetic moment of the doped three-dimensional topological insulator (TI). The pioneering transition-metal doped (Sb,Bi ) 2(Se,Te ) 3 thin films only allow for the observation of the QAH effect up to some 100 mK, despite the much higher magnetic ordering temperatures. On the other hand, high magnetic moment materials, such as rare-earth-doped (Sb,Bi ) 2(Se,Te ) 3 thin films, show large moments but no long-range magnetic order. Proximity coupling and interfacial effects, multiplied in artificial heterostructures, allow for the engineering of the electronic and magnetic properties. Here, we show the successful growth of high-quality Dy:Bi2Te3 /Cr:Sb2Te3 thin film heterostructures. Using x-ray magnetic spectroscopy we demonstrate that high transition temperature Cr:Sb2Te3 can introduce long-range magnetic order in high-moment Dy:Bi2Te3 —up to a temperature of 17 K—in excellent agreement with first-principles calculations, which reveal the origin of the long-range magnetic order in a strong antiferromagnetic coupling between Dy and Cr magnetic moments at the interface extending over several layers. Engineered magnetic TI heterostructures may be an ideal materials platform for observing the QAH effect at liquid He temperatures and above.

A System of Standard Atmospheres

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

Charles, B.N.

1954-04-06

This report included a proposed new set of Standard Atmospheres mainly to help with the construction and use of the baro tables for the Mk 6 weapon. Temperature-height curves over the world can assume an infinte number of configurations.

Characterizing the evolving K -band luminosity function using the UltraVISTA, CANDELS and HUDF surveys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mortlock, Alice; McLure, Ross J.; Bowler, Rebecca A. A.; McLeod, Derek J.; Mármol-Queraltó, Esther; Parsa, Shaghayegh; Dunlop, James S.; Bruce, Victoria A.

2017-02-01

We present the results of a new study of the K-band galaxy luminosity function (KLF) at redshifts z ≤ 3.75, based on a nested combination of the UltraVISTA, Cosmic Assembly Near-infrared Deep Legacy Extragalactic Survey and HUDF surveys. The large dynamic range in luminosity spanned by this new data set (3-4 dex over the full redshift range) is sufficient to clearly demonstrate for the first time that the faint-end slope of the KLF at z ≥ 0.25 is relatively steep (-1.3 ≤ α ≤ -1.5 for a single Schechter function), in good agreement with recent theoretical and phenomenological models. Moreover, based on our new data set, we find that a double Schechter function provides a significantly improved description of the KLF at z ≤ 2. At redshifts z ≥ 0.25, the evolution of the KLF is remarkably smooth, with little or no evolution evident at faint (MK ≥ -20.5) or bright magnitudes (MK ≤ -24.5). Instead, the KLF is seen to evolve rapidly at intermediate magnitudes, with the number density of galaxies at MK ≃-23 dropping by a factor of ≃5 over the redshift interval 0.25 ≤ z ≤ 3.75. Motivated by this, we explore a simple description of the evolving KLF based on a double Schechter function with fixed faint-end slopes (α1 = -0.5, α2 = -1.5) and a shared characteristic magnitude (MK^{star }). According to this parametrization, the normalization of the component which dominates the faint end of the KLF remains approximately constant, with φ ^{star }2 decreasing by only a factor of ≃2 between z ≃0 and 3.25. In contrast, the component which dominates the bright end of the KLF at low redshifts evolves dramatically, becoming essentially negligible by z ≃3. Finally, we note that within this parametrization, the observed evolution of MK^{star } between z ≃0 and 3.25 is entirely consistent with MK^{star } corresponding to a constant stellar mass of M⋆ ≃5 × 1010 M⊙ at all redshifts.

Preparation and application of silver nanopaste as thermal interface materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zou, Lianfeng

The power densities in electronic devices have increased dramatically; heat dissipation has become a major challenge in high performance electronics applications. We have investigated a new type of resin-free hybrid silver nanopastes, which contain silver micro-flakes with particle sizes of 1 - 10 um and silver nanoparticles with diameters of 3 - 8 nm. The assemble temperature can be as low as 150oC due to the low sintering temperature of silver nanoparticles. The fused silver micro-and nanoparticles in TIM form continuous metallic networks, resulting in good thermal, electrical and mechanical bonding. The steady-state thermal gradient measurement show the bulk thermal conductivity between 20W/ (m*K) and 100 W/ (m*K), which is higher than commercial product in the market. The application specific performance of the nanopaste has been using LED lamp on heat sinks as model test vehicle.

Apparatus for single ice crystal growth from the melt.

PubMed

Zepeda, Salvador; Nakatsubo, Shunichi; Furukawa, Yoshinori

2009-11-01

A crystal growth apparatus was designed and built to study the effect of growth modifiers, antifreeze proteins and antifreeze glycoproteins (AFGPs), on ice crystal growth kinetics and morphology. We used a capillary growth technique to obtain a single ice crystal with well-defined crystallographic orientation grown in AFGP solution. The basal plane was readily observed by rotation of the capillary. The main growth chamber is approximately a 0.8 ml cylindrical volume. A triple window arrangement was used to minimize temperature gradients and allow for up to 10 mm working distance objective lens. Temperature could be established to within +/-10 mK in as little as 3.5 min and controlled to within +/-2 mK after 15 min for at least 10 h. The small volume growth chamber and fast equilibration times were necessary for parabolic flight microgravity experiments. The apparatus was designed for use with inverted and side mount configurations.

Micrococcus flavus sp. nov., isolated from activated sludge in a bioreactor.

PubMed

Liu, Xing-Yu; Wang, Bao-Jun; Jiang, Cheng-Ying; Liu, Shuang-Jiang

2007-01-01

Bacterial strain LW4(T) was isolated from activated sludge of a wastewater-treatment bioreactor. Cells of strain LW4(T) were Gram-positive cocci, with a diameter of 0.7-1.0 microm. Colonies produced on LB agar plates were yellow, smooth, circular and 0.5-1.5 mm in diameter. Strain LW4(T) was aerobic and grew over the temperature range 26-34 degrees C and pH range 5-9, with optimal growth at 30.5-31.5 degrees C and pH 6.0-6.2. The cell-wall peptidoglycan of strain LW4(T) contained amino acid residues of lysine, glutamic acid, alanine, glycine and aspartic acid. The most abundant cellular fatty acids of strain LW4(T) were anteiso-C(15 : 0) (32.15 %) and iso-C(15 : 0) (31.65 %). Major respiratory quinones were MK-8(H(2)) (57.3 %) and MK-7(H(2)) (32.9 %). The DNA G+C content was 71.4 mol% (T(m)). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain LW4(T) was phylogenetically related to members of the genus Micrococcus, with similarities ranging from 96.5 to 97.3 %. Levels of DNA-DNA relatedness of strain LW4(T) to Micrococcus luteus DSM 20030(T), Micrococcus lylae DSM 20315(T) and Micrococcus antarcticus AS 1.2372(T) were 55, 48 and 36 %, respectively. Based on these results, it is concluded that strain LW4(T) represents a novel species of the genus Micrococcus, for which the name Micrococcus flavus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain LW4(T) (=CGMCC 1.5361(T)=JCM 14000(T)).

An investigation of reactivity effect due to inadvertent filling of the irradiation channels with water in NIRR-1 Nigeria Research Reactor-1.

PubMed

Iliyasu, U; Ibrahim, Y V; Umar, Sadiq; Agbo, S A; Jibrin, Y

2017-05-01

Investigation of reactivity variation due to flooding of the irradiation channels of Nigeria Research Reactor (NIRR-1) a low power miniature neutron source reactor (MNSR) located at the Centre for Energy Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Nigeria using the MCNP code for High Enrich Uranium (HEU) and Low Enrich Uranium (LEU) core has been simulated in this present study. In this work, the excess reactivity worth of flooding HEU core for 1 inner, 2 inner, 3 inner, 4 inner and all inner are 0.318mk, 0.577mk, 0.318mk, 1.204mk and 1.503mk respectively, and outer irradiation channels are 0.119mk, 0.169mk, 0.348mk, 0.438mk and 0.418mk respectively, the highest excess reactivity result from flooding both inner and outer irradiation channels is 2.04mk (±1.72×10 -7 ), the excess reactivity for LEU core was 0.299mk, 0.568mk, 0.896mk, 1.195mk and 1.524mk in the inner irradiation channels, and the outer irradiation channels are 0.129mk, 0.189mk, 0.219mk, 0.269mk and 0.548mk where the highest excess reactivity was 1.942mk (±1.64×10 -7 ) resulting from flooding inner and outer irradiation channels. The reactivity induced by flooding of the irradiation channels of NIRR-1 with water is within design safety limit enshrined in Safety Analysis Report of NIRR-1. The results also compare well with literature. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Microbial keratitis in overnight orthokeratology: review of the first 50 cases.

PubMed

Watt, Kathleen; Swarbrick, Helen A

2005-09-01

Despite growing evidence for clinical efficacy of orthokeratology (OK) for the temporary reduction of myopic refractive error, there has been an increasing number of reports of microbial keratitis (MK) in association with overnight wear of OK lenses. This article analyzes the first 50 cases of MK reported in overnight OK, in order to define the spectrum of the disease and to identify possible risk factors. All reported cases of presumed MK in overnight OK from 2001 onwards were included in the analysis. Demographic data of patients affected and lenses worn, and details of the disease process and possible risk factors were extracted from these reports. Most cases of MK in OK were reported from East Asia (80%) and most affected patients were Asian (88%). The peak age range was from 9 to 15 years (61%). Although Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the predominant organism implicated in this series of cases (52%), an alarmingly high frequency of Acanthamoeba infection (30%) was found. Inappropriate lens care procedures, patient noncompliance with practitioner instructions, and persisting in lens wear despite discomfort emerged as potential risk factors. The high frequency of MK in overnight OK in young Asian patients is likely to reflect the demographics of the OK lens-wearing population. The high frequency of Acanthamoeba infection strongly suggests that tap water rinsing should be eliminated from the lens care regimen for overnight OK. This study does not reveal the absolute incidence or relative risk of MK in overnight OK, and it is therefore premature to ascribe increased risk to this lens-wearing modality compared with other contact lens modalities.

CLASP/SJ Observations of Rapid Time Variations in the Ly α Emission in a Solar Active Region

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

Ishikawa, Shin-nosuke; Kubo, Masahito; Katsukawa, Yukio

The Chromospheric Ly α SpectroPolarimeter (CLASP) is a sounding rocket experiment launched on 2015 September 3 to investigate the solar chromosphere and transition region. The slit-jaw (SJ) optical system captured Ly α images with a high time cadence of 0.6 s. From the CLASP/SJ observations, many variations in the solar chromosphere and transition region emission with a timescale of <1 minute were discovered. In this paper, we focus on the active region within the SJ field of view and investigate the relationship between short (<30 s) temporal variations in the Ly α emission and the coronal structures observed by Solarmore » Dynamics Observatory/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA). We compare the Ly α temporal variations at the coronal loop footpoints observed in the AIA 211 Å (≈2 MK) and AIA 171 Å (≈0.6 MK) channels with those in the regions with bright Ly α features without a clear association with the coronal loop footpoints. We find more short (<30 s) temporal variations in the Ly α intensity in the footpoint regions. Those variations did not depend on the temperature of the coronal loops. Therefore, the temporal variations in the Ly α intensity at this timescale range could be related to the heating of the coronal structures up to temperatures around the sensitivity peak of 171 Å. No signature was found to support the scenario that these Ly α intensity variations were related to the nanoflares. Waves or jets from the lower layers (lower chromosphere or photosphere) are possible causes for this phenomenon.« less

LEMUR: Large European Module for Solar Ultraviolet Research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Teriaca, Luca; Vincenzo, Andretta; Auchere, Frederic; Brown, Charles M.; Buchlin, Eric; Cauzzi, Gianna; Culhane, J. Len; Curdt, Werner; Davila, Joseph M.; Del Zanna, Giulio;

Evidence for Widespread Cooling in an Active Region Observed with the SDO Atmospheric Imaging Assembly

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Viall, Nicholeen M.; Klimchuk, James A.

2012-01-01

A well known behavior of EUV light curves of discrete coronal loops is that the peak intensities of cooler channels or spectral lines are reached at progressively later times. This time lag is understood to be the result of hot coronal loop plasma cooling through these lower respective temperatures. However, loops typically comprise only a minority of the total emission in active regions. Is this cooling pattern a common property of active region coronal plasma, or does it only occur in unique circumstances, locations, and times? The new SDO/AIA data provide a wonderful opportunity to answer this question systematically for an entire active region. We measure the time lag between pairs of SDO/AIA EUV channels using 24 hours of images of AR 11082 observed on 19 June 2010. We find that there is a time-lag signal consistent with cooling plasma, just as is usually found for loops, throughout the active region including the diffuse emission between loops for the entire 24 hour duration. The pattern persists consistently for all channel pairs and choice of window length within the 24 hour time period, giving us confidence that the plasma is cooling from temperatures of greater than 3 MK, and sometimes exceeding 7 MK, down to temperatures lower than approx. 0.8 MK. This suggests that the bulk of the emitting coronal plasma in this active region is not steady; rather, it is dynamic and constantly evolving. These measurements provide crucial constraints on any model which seeks to describe coronal heating.

Observing Flux Rope Formation During the Impulsive Phase of a Solar Eruption

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, X.; Zhang, J.; Liu, Y.; Ding, M. D.

2011-05-01

Magnetic flux ropes are believed to be an important structural component of coronal mass ejections (CMEs). While there exists much observational evidence of flux ropes after the eruption, e.g., as seen in remote-sensing coronagraph images or in situ solar wind data, the direct observation of flux ropes during CME impulsive phase has been rare. In this Letter, we present an unambiguous observation of a flux rope still in the formation phase in the low corona. The CME of interest occurred above the east limb on 2010 November 3 with footpoints partially blocked. The flux rope was seen as a bright blob of hot plasma in the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) 131 Å passband (peak temperature ~11 MK) rising from the core of the source active region, rapidly moving outward and stretching the surrounding background magnetic field upward. The stretched magnetic field seemed to curve-in behind the core, similar to the classical magnetic reconnection scenario in eruptive flares. On the other hand, the flux rope appeared as a dark cavity in the AIA 211 Å passband (2.0 MK) and 171 Å passband (0.6 MK) in these relatively cool temperature bands, a bright rim clearly enclosed the dark cavity. The bright rim likely represents the pileup of the surrounding coronal plasma compressed by the expanding flux rope. The composite structure seen in AIA multiple temperature bands is very similar to that in the corresponding coronagraph images, which consists of a bright leading edge and a dark cavity, commonly believed to be a flux rope.

Extreme temperature stability of thermally insulating graphene-mesoporous-silicon nanocomposite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kolhatkar, Gitanjali; Boucherif, Abderraouf; Rahim Boucherif, Abderrahim; Dupuy, Arthur; Fréchette, Luc G.; Arès, Richard; Ruediger, Andreas

2018-04-01

We demonstrate the thermal stability and thermal insulation of graphene-mesoporous-silicon nanocomposites (GPSNC). By comparing the morphology of GPSNC carbonized at 650 °C as-formed to that after annealing, we show that this nanocomposite remains stable at temperatures as high as 1050 °C due to the presence of a few monolayers of graphene coating on the pore walls. This does not only make this material compatible with most thermal processes but also suggests applications in harsh high temperature environments. The thermal conductivity of GPSNCs carbonized at temperatures in the 500 °C-800 °C range is determined through Raman spectroscopy measurements. They indicate that the thermal conductivity of the composite is lower than that of silicon, with a value of 13 ± 1 W mK-1 at room temperature, and not affected by the thin graphene layer, suggesting a role of the high concentration of carbon related-defects as indicated by the high intensity of the D-band compared to G-band of the Raman spectra. This morphological stability at high temperature combined with a high thermal insulation make GPSNC a promising candidate for a broad range of applications including microelectromechanical systems and thermal effect microsystems such as flow sensors or IR detectors. Finally, at 120 °C, the thermal conductivity remains equal to that at room temperature, attesting to the potential of using our nanocomposite in devices that operate at high temperatures such as microreactors for distributed chemical conversion, solid oxide fuel cells, thermoelectric devices or thermal micromotors.

Actinomyces naturae sp. nov., the first Actinomyces sp. isolated from a non-human or animal source.

PubMed

Rao, Jyoti U; Rash, Brian A; Nobre, M Fernanda; da Costa, Milton S; Rainey, Fred A; Moe, William M

2012-01-01

Three facultatively anaerobic, Gram-positive staining, rod-shaped, non-spore forming, flagellated bacterial strains, BL-75, BL-79(T) and BL-104, were isolated from chlorinated solvent-contaminated groundwater. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons showed them to represent a distinct lineage within the genus Actinomyces with sequence identities in the range of <88-95.4% with previously described Actinomyces species. The strains were oxidase and catalase negative. Nitrate was not reduced. Esculin was hydrolyzed. Growth occurred in the temperature range of 20-43°C (optimum 30-37°C) and pH range 4.5-9.0 (optimum pH 6.5). Substrates supporting growth included various mono-, di-, and tri-saccharides. The end products of glucose fermentation were acetate, lactate, succinate and formate. Fermentative growth was observed in the presence of near saturation concentrations of perchloroethene (PCE) and toluene and in the presence of 1,2-dichloroethane and 1,1,2-trichloroethane at concentrations up to at least 24.4 mM and 11.2 mM, respectively. The dominant cellular fatty acids when grown in peptone/yeast extract/glucose (PYG) medium were C(18:1) ω9c, C(16:0), and C(14:0). The peptidoglycan was found to contain the amino acids alanine, glutamic acid, lysine, and ornithine at approximate molar ratios of 1.7 Ala: 2.3 Glu: 1.3 Lys: 1.0 Orn. The cell wall sugars were found to include rhamnose and mannose. The polar lipids were found to include diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phospholipid (PL), phosphoglycolipids (PGL), and glycolipids (GL). The main respiratory quinone of strain BL-79(T) was MK-9(H(4)), with minor components MK-10(H(4)) and MK-8(H(4)). The DNA mol% G+C content of the type strain is 69.8%. On the basis of phylogenetic and phenotypic characteristics, these strains could be differentiated from previously described species of the genus Actinomyces. Strains BL-75, BL-79(T) and BL-104 are designated as a novel species, for which the name Actinomyces naturae sp. nov. is proposed. This is the first Actinomyces species isolated from an environmental rather than human or animal sources. The type strain of Actinomyces naturae is BL-79(T) (= CCUG 56698(T) = NRRL B-24670(T)).

The cryogenics design of the SuperCDMS SNOLAB experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hollister, M. I.; Bauer, D. A.; Dhuley, R. C.; Lukens, P.; Martin, L. D.; Ruschman, M. K.; Schmitt, R. L.; Tatkowski, G. L.

2017-12-01

The Super Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (SuperCDMS) experiment is a direct detection dark matter experiment intended for deployment to the SNOLAB underground facility in Ontario, Canada. With a payload of up to 186 germanium and silicon crystal detectors operating below 15 mK, the cryogenic architecture of the experiment is complex. Further, the requirement that the cryostat presents a low radioactive background to the detectors limits the materials and techniques available for construction, and heavily influences the design of the cryogenics system. The resulting thermal architecture is a closed cycle (no liquid cryogen) system, with stages at 50 and 4 K cooled with gas and fluid circulation systems and stages at 1 K, 250 mK and 15 mK cooled by the lower temperature stages of a large, cryogen-free dilution refrigerator. This paper describes the thermal design of the experiment, including details of the cooling systems, mechanical designs and expected performance of the system under operational conditions.

[Realization of an adaptive method of simulating the process of temperature change of a cadaver on a microcomputer].

PubMed

Shved, E F; Novikov, P I; Vlasov, A Iu

1989-01-01

Programme based on mathematical model of the process of dead body temperature changing was developed for estimation of postmortem interval. Automatic retrieval of problem solution was performed on programmable microcalculators of "Electronica MK-61" type using adaptive approach. Diagnostical accuracy in case of dead body being preserved in permanent cooling conditions is +/- 3%.

Negative differential thermal conductance and heat amplification in superconducting hybrid devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fornieri, Antonio; Timossi, Giuliano; Bosisio, Riccardo; Solinas, Paolo; Giazotto, Francesco

2016-04-01

We investigate the thermal transport properties of a temperature-biased Josephson tunnel junction composed of two different superconductors. We show that this simple system can provide a large negative differential thermal conductance (NDTC) with a peak-to-valley ratio of ˜3 in the transmitted electronic heat current. The NDTC is then exploited to outline the caloritronic analog of the tunnel diode, which can exhibit a modulation of the output temperature as large as 80 mK at a bath temperature of 50 mK. Moreover, this device may work in a regime of thermal hysteresis that can be used to store information as a thermal memory. On the other hand, the NDTC effect offers the opportunity to conceive two different designs of a thermal transistor, which might operate as a thermal switch or as an amplifier/modulator. The latter shows a heat amplification factor >1 in a 500-mK-wide working region of the gate temperature. After the successful realization of heat interferometers and thermal diodes, this kind of structures would complete the conversion of the most important electronic devices in their thermal counterparts, breaking ground for coherent caloritronics nanocircuits where heat currents can be manipulated at will.

Preliminary thermal architecture of the X-IFU instrument dewar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Charles, Ivan; Daniel, Christophe; André, Jérome; Duband, Lionel; Duval, Jean-Marc; den Hartog, Roland; Mitsuda, Kazuhisa; Shinozaki, Keisuke; van Weers, Henk; Yamasaki, Noriko Y.

2016-07-01

The ESA Athena mission will implement 2 instruments to study the hot and energetic universe. The X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) will provide spatially resolved high resolution spectroscopy. This high energy resolution of 2.5 eV at 7 keV could be achieved thanks to TES (Transition Edge Sensor) detectors that need to be cooled to very low temperature. To obtain the required 50 mK temperature level, a careful design of the cryostat and of the cooling chain including different technologies in cascade is needed. The preliminary cryogenic architecture of the X-IFU instrument that fulfils the TES detector thermal requirements is described. In particular, the thermal design of the detector focal plane assembly (FPA), that uses three temperature stages (from 2 K to 50 mK) to limit the thermal loads on the lowest temperature stage, is described. The baseline cooling chain is based on European and Japanese mechanical coolers (Stirling, Pulse tube and Joule Thomson coolers) that precool a sub Kelvin cooler made of a 3He sorption cooler coupled with a small ADR (Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerator). Preliminary thermal budgets of the X-IFU cryostat are presented and discussed regarding cooling chain performances.

Elastic Measurements of Amorphous Silicon Films at mK Temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fefferman, Andrew; Maldonado, Ana; Collin, Eddy; Liu, Xiao; Metcalf, Tom; Jernigan, Glenn

2017-06-01

The low-temperature properties of glass are distinct from those of crystals due to the presence of poorly understood low-energy excitations. The tunneling model proposes that these are atoms tunneling between nearby equilibria, forming tunneling two-level systems (TLSs). This model is rather successful, but it does not explain the remarkably universal value of the mechanical dissipation Q^{-1} near 1 K. The only known exceptions to this universality are the Q^{-1} of certain thin films of amorphous silicon, carbon and germanium. Recently, it was found that Q^{-1} of amorphous silicon (a-Si) films can be reduced by two orders of magnitude by increasing the temperature of the substrate during deposition. According to the tunneling model, the reduction in Q^{-1} at 1 K implies a reduction in P0γ 2, where P0 is the density of TLSs and γ is their coupling to phonons. In this preliminary report, we demonstrate elastic measurements of a-Si films down to 20 mK. This will allow us, in future work, to determine whether P0 or γ is responsible for the reduction in Q^{-1} with deposition temperature.

Borophene hydride: a stiff 2D material with high thermal conductivity and attractive optical and electronic properties.

PubMed

Mortazavi, Bohayra; Makaremi, Meysam; Shahrokhi, Masoud; Raeisi, Mostafa; Singh, Chandra Veer; Rabczuk, Timon; Pereira, Luiz Felipe C

2018-02-22

Two-dimensional (2D) structures of boron atoms, so-called borophene, have recently attracted remarkable attention. In a recent exciting experimental study, a hydrogenated borophene structure was realized. Motivated by this success, we conducted extensive first-principles calculations to explore the mechanical, thermal conduction, electronic and optical responses of borophene hydride. The mechanical response of borophene hydride was found to be anisotropic, with an elastic modulus of 131 N m -1 and a high tensile strength of 19.9 N m -1 along the armchair direction. Notably, it was shown that by applying mechanical loading the metallic electronic character of borophene hydride can be altered to direct band-gap semiconducting, very appealing for application in nanoelectronics. The absorption edge of the imaginary part of the dielectric function was found to occur in the visible range of light for parallel polarization. Finally, it was estimated that this novel 2D structure at room temperature can exhibit high thermal conductivities of 335 W mK -1 and 293 W mK -1 along the zigzag and armchair directions, respectively. Our study confirms that borophene hydride shows an outstanding combination of interesting mechanical, electronic, optical and thermal conduction properties, which are promising for the design of novel nanodevices.

YOHKOH Observations at the Y2K Solar Maximum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aschwanden, M. J.

1999-05-01

Yohkoh will provide simultaneous co-aligned soft X-ray and hard X-ray observations of solar flares at the coming solar maximum. The Yohkoh Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT) covers the approximate temperature range of 2-20 MK with a pixel size of 2.46\\arcsec, and thus complements ideally the EUV imagers sensitive in the 1-2 MK plasma, such as SoHO/EIT and TRACE. The Yohkoh Hard X-ray Telescope (HXT) offers hard X-ray imaging at 20-100 keV at a time resolution of down to 0.5 sec for major events. In this paper we review the major SXT and HXT results from Yohkoh solar flare observations, and anticipate some of the key questions that can be addressed through joint observations with other ground and space-based observatories. This encompasses the dynamics of flare triggers (e.g. emerging flux, photospheric shear, interaction of flare loops in quadrupolar geometries, large-scale magnetic reconfigurations, eruption of twisted sigmoid structures, coronal mass ejections), the physics of particle dynamics during flares (acceleration processes, particle propagation, trapping, and precipitation), and flare plasma heating processes (chromospheric evaporation, coronal energy loss by nonthermal particles). In particular we will emphasize on how Yohkoh data analysis is progressing from a qualitative to a more quantitative science, employing 3-dimensional modeling and numerical simulations.

Evolution of magnetism in LnCuGa3 (Ln = La-Nd, Sm-Gd) studied via μSR and specific heat

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Graf, M. J.; Hettinger, J. D.; Nemeth, K.; Dally, R.; Baines, C.; Subbarao, U.; Peter, S. C.

2017-12-01

Muon spin rotation/relaxation (μSR) and specific heat measurements are presented for polycrystalline LnCuGa3, with Ln = La-Nd, and Sm-Gd. All materials undergo magnetic ordering transitions, apart from non-magnetic LaCuGa3, and PrCuGa3, which shows the onset of short range correlations below 3 K but no long-range magnetic order down to T = 25 mK. While magnetic order in the Ce and Nd compounds is incommensurate with the lattice, the order is commensurate for the Sm and Eu compounds. The strong damping in GdCuGa3 prevents us from determining the nature of magnetism in that system. SmCuGa3 exhibits two precessional frequencies, which appear at different temperatures, suggesting inhomogeneous magnetic ordering or a second magnetic/structural phase transition.

First results from a microwave cavity axion search at 25 μeV : Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhong, Ling; ADMX-HF Collaboration

2017-01-01

ADMX-HF searches for dark matter axions via Primakoff conversion into microwave photons in the gigahertz domain. Since 2012, tremendous effort has been made to build an axion detector working in this frequency range. By operating the system in a cryogen-free dilution refrigerator (T = 127 mK) and integrating a Josephson Parametric Amplifier (JPA), we obtain a sufficiently low system noise temperature to exclude axion models with gaγγ > 2 ×10-14GeV-1 over the mass range 23 . 55 μeV

An experimental study of the thermodynamic properties of 1,1-difluoroethane

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

Tamatsu, T.; Sato, T.; Sato, H.

1992-01-01

Experimental vapor pressures and P-[rho]-T data of an important alternative refrigerant, 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a), have been measured by means of a constant-volume method coupled with expansion procedures. Sixty P-[rho]-T data were measured along eight isochores in a range of temperatures T from 330 to 440 K, at pressures P from 1.6 to 9.3 MPa, and at densities [rho] from 51 to 811 kg [times] m[sup [minus]3]. Forty-six vapor pressures were also measured at temperatures from 320K to the critical temperature. The uncertainties of the temperature and pressure measurements are within [plus minus]7 mK and [plus minus]2kPa, respectively, while the uncertainties ofmore » the density values is within [plus minus]1%. The purity of the sample used is 99.9 wt%. On the basis of the measurements along each isochore, five saturation points were determined and the critical pressure was determined by correlating the vapor-pressure measurements. The second and third viral coefficients for temperatures from 360 to 440 K have also been determined. 21 refs., 9 figs., 5 tabs.« less

What Dominates the Coronal Emission Spectrum During the Cycle of Impulsive Heating and Cooling?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bradshaw, Stephen J.; Klimchuk, James A.

2011-01-01

The smoking gun of small-scale, impulsive events heating the solar corona is expected to be the presence of a hot ( > 5 MK) plasma component. Evidence for this has been scarce, but has gradually begun to accumulate due to recent studies designed to constrain the high temperature part of the emission measure distribution. However, the detected hot component is often weaker than models predict and this is due in part to the common modeling assumption that the ionization balance remains in equilibrium. The launch of the latest generation of space-based observing instrumentation aboard Hinode and the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) has brought the matter of the ionization state of the plasma firmly to the forefront. It is timely to consider exactly what emission current instruments would detect when observing a corona heated impulsively on small-scales by nanoflares. Only after we understand the full effects of nonequilibrium ionization can we draw meaningful conclusions about the plasma that is (or is not) present. We have therefore performed a series of hydrodynamic simulations for a variety of different nanoflare properties and initial conditions. Our study has led to several key conclusions. 1. Deviations from equilibrium are greatest for short-duration nanoflares at low initial coronal densities. 2. Hot emission lines are the most affected and are suppressed sometimes to the point of being invisible. 3. The emission detected in all of the SDO-AIA channels is generally dominated by warm, over-dense, cooling plasma. 4. It is difficult not to create coronal loops that emit strongly at 1.5 MK and in the range 2 to 5 MK, which are the most commonly observed kind, for a broad range of nanoflare scenarios. 5. The Fe XV (284.16 ) emission in most of our models is about 10 times brighter than the Ca XVII (192.82 ) emission, consistent with observations. Our overarching conclusion is that small-scale, impulsive heating inducing a nonequilibrium ionization state leads to predictions for observable quantities that are entirely consistent with what is actually observed.

3D-Stereoscopic Analysis of Solar Active Region Loops. 2; SoHo/EIT Observations at Temperatures of 1.5-2.5 MK

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aschwanden, Markus J.; Alexander, David; Hurlburt, Neal; Newmark, Jeffrey S.; Neupert, Werner M.; Klimchuk, J. A.; Gary, G. Allen

1999-01-01

In this paper we study the three-dimensional (3D) structure of hot (T(sub e) approximately equals 1.5 - 2.5 MK) loops in solar active region NOAA 7986, observed on 1996 August 30 with the Extreme-ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT) onboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SoHO). This complements a first study on cooler (T(sub e) approximately equals 1.0 - 1.5 MK) loops of the same active region, using the same method of Dynamic Stereoscopy to reconstruct the 3D geometry. We reconstruct the 3D-coordinates x(s), y(s), z(s), the density n(sub e)(s), and temperature profile T(sub e)(s) of 35 individual loop segments (as function of the loop coordinate s) using EIT 195 A and 284 A images. The major findings are: (1) All loops are found to be in hydrostatic equilibrium, in the entire temperature regime of T(sub e) = 1.0 - 2.5 MK; (2) The analyzed loops have a height of 2-3 scale heights, and thus only segments extending over about one vertical scale height have sufficient emission measure contrast for detection; (3) The temperature gradient over the lowest scale height is of order dT/ds is approximately 1 - 4 K/km; (4) The radiative loss rate is found to exceed the conductive loss rate by about two orders or magnitude, making thermal conduction negligible to explain the temperature structure of the loops; (5) A steady-state can only be achieved when the heating rate E(sub H) matches the radiative loss rate in hydrostatic equilibrium, requiring a heat deposition length lambda(sub H) of the half density scale height lambda, predicting a scaling law with the loop base pressure, EH varies as p(sub 0 exp 2). This favors coronal heating mechanisms that operate near the loop footpoints; (6) We find a reciprocal correlation between the loop pressure p(sub 0) and loop length L, i.e. p(sub 0) varies as 1/L, implying a scaling law of the steady-state requirement with loop length, i.e. E(sub H ) varies as 1/L(exp 2). The heating rate shows no correlation with the loop-aligned magnetic field component B(sub z) at the footpoints, but is correlated with the azimuthal field B(sub phi) = Bz(RDelta Phi/L) of a twisted loop, and is thus consistent with heating mechanisms based on field-aligned currents.

Thermal architecture of the SPICA/SAFARI instrument

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Charles, Ivan; Duband, Lionel; Duval, Jean-Marc; Jackson, Brian; Jellema, Willem; Kooijman, Peter Paul; Luchier, Nicolas; Tirolien, Thierry; van Weers, Henk

2012-09-01

The SAFARI instrument is a far infrared imaging spectrometer that is a core instrument of the SPICA mission. Thanks to the large (3 meter) SPICA cold telescope, the ultra sensitive detectors and a powerful Fourier Transform Spectrometer, this instrument will give access to the faintest light never observed in the 34 μm - 210 μm bandwidth with a high spectral resolution. To achieve this goal, TES detectors, that need to be cooled at a temperature as low as 50 mK, have been chosen. The thermal architecture of the SAFARI focal plane unit (FPU) which fulfils the TES detector thermal requirements is presented. In particular, an original 50 mK cooler concept based on a sorption cooler in series with an adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator will be used. The thermal design of the detector focal plane array (FPA) that uses three temperature stages to limit the loads on the lowest temperature stage, will be also described. The current SAFARI thermal budget estimations are presented and discussed regarding the limited SPICA allocations. Finally, preliminary thermal sensitivity analysis dealing with thermal stability requirements is presented.

Development of the realization of superfluid transition temperature of helium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, P.; Yu, L.

2013-09-01

A sealed-cell technique has been developed to realize the superfluid transition temperature of helium, Tλ. With this technique, one can produce and maintain Tλ plateau for unlimited duration with no ascertained temperature drift. An extrapolation is employed to determine Tλ with zero heat flow to correct the depression of heat flow. This paper reports the study on the reproducibility of Tλ in the duration of ten years. The measurements on eight cells have been made at four laboratories with a routine procedure since 2000. RIRT 229841 is used at fifty-one measurements with the standard deviation of 0.035 mK. RIRT A34 is used at twenty-four measurements with the standard deviation of 0.022 mK. The results for the two cells sealed on 2009 are agreed well with that of the six cells sealed in 2000. There should be not a duration effect for the sealed cell because of almost no contamination problem of helium at Tλ realization. These results support that Tλ could be used as a superior thermometric fixed point.

Thermopower and the Fractional Quantized Hall Effect in the N=1 Landau Level

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chickering, W. E.; Eisenstein, J. P.; Pfeiffer, L. N.; West, K. W.

2012-02-01

Having recently eliminated an issue involving long thermal time constants [1], we are now able to resolve diffusion thermopower deep into the fractional quantized Hall effect (FQHE) regime. In this talk we report measurements of thermopower in the first excited (N=1) Landau level as a continuous function of magnetic field down to temperatures as low as 30mK. Above 50mK we can clearly resolve the ν = 5/2 as well as ν = 7/3, 8/3, and 14/5 FQHEs in both the electrical and thermoelectrical transport. Below 50mK a prominent feature of the electrical transport in the first excited Landau level is the Re-entrant Integer Quantized Hall Effect (RIQHE) which is associated with insulating collective phases [2]. In this temperature regime the thermopower exhibits a series of intriguing sign reversals that are as yet not fully understood. We will conclude with a brief discussion of the connection between thermopower and the entropy of the 2D electron system. This connection is invoked by a recent prediction [3] of the thermopower at ν = 5/2, which assumes the ground state is the non-Abelian Moore-Read paired composite fermion state.[4pt] [1] Chickering, Phys. Rev. B 81, 245319 (2010)[0pt] [2] Eisenstein, Phys. Rev. Lett. 88, 076801 (2002)[0pt] [3] Yang, Phys. Rev. B 79, 115317 (2009)

Thermal conductivity of graphene with defects induced by electron beam irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malekpour, Hoda; Ramnani, Pankaj; Srinivasan, Srilok; Balasubramanian, Ganesh; Nika, Denis L.; Mulchandani, Ashok; Lake, Roger K.; Balandin, Alexander A.

2016-07-01

We investigate the thermal conductivity of suspended graphene as a function of the density of defects, ND, introduced in a controllable way. High-quality graphene layers are synthesized using chemical vapor deposition, transferred onto a transmission electron microscopy grid, and suspended over ~7.5 μm size square holes. Defects are induced by irradiation of graphene with the low-energy electron beam (20 keV) and quantified by the Raman D-to-G peak intensity ratio. As the defect density changes from 2.0 × 1010 cm-2 to 1.8 × 1011 cm-2 the thermal conductivity decreases from ~(1.8 +/- 0.2) × 103 W mK-1 to ~(4.0 +/- 0.2) × 102 W mK-1 near room temperature. At higher defect densities, the thermal conductivity reveals an intriguing saturation-type behavior at a relatively high value of ~400 W mK-1. The thermal conductivity dependence on the defect density is analyzed using the Boltzmann transport equation and molecular dynamics simulations. The results are important for understanding phonon - point defect scattering in two-dimensional systems and for practical applications of graphene in thermal management.We investigate the thermal conductivity of suspended graphene as a function of the density of defects, ND, introduced in a controllable way. High-quality graphene layers are synthesized using chemical vapor deposition, transferred onto a transmission electron microscopy grid, and suspended over ~7.5 μm size square holes. Defects are induced by irradiation of graphene with the low-energy electron beam (20 keV) and quantified by the Raman D-to-G peak intensity ratio. As the defect density changes from 2.0 × 1010 cm-2 to 1.8 × 1011 cm-2 the thermal conductivity decreases from ~(1.8 +/- 0.2) × 103 W mK-1 to ~(4.0 +/- 0.2) × 102 W mK-1 near room temperature. At higher defect densities, the thermal conductivity reveals an intriguing saturation-type behavior at a relatively high value of ~400 W mK-1. The thermal conductivity dependence on the defect density is analyzed using the Boltzmann transport equation and molecular dynamics simulations. The results are important for understanding phonon - point defect scattering in two-dimensional systems and for practical applications of graphene in thermal management. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Additional thermal conductivity measurements data. See DOI: 10.1039/c6nr03470e

Effects of MK-0941, a Novel Glucokinase Activator, on Glycemic Control in Insulin-Treated Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

PubMed Central

Meininger, Gary E.; Scott, Russell; Alba, Maria; Shentu, Yue; Luo, Edmund; Amin, Himal; Davies, Michael J.; Kaufman, Keith D.; Goldstein, Barry J.

2011-01-01

OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy and safety of MK-0941, a glucokinase activator (GKA), when added to stable-dose insulin glargine in patients with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In this double-blind study, 587 patients taking stable-dose insulin glargine (±metformin ≥1,500 mg/day) were randomized (1:1:1:1:1) to MK-0941 10, 20, 30, or 40 mg or matching placebo t.i.d. before meals (a.c.). This study included an initial 14-week, dose-ranging phase followed by a 40-week treatment phase during which patients were to be uptitrated as tolerated to 40 mg (or placebo) t.i.d. a.c. The primary efficacy end point was change from baseline in A1C at Week 14. RESULTS At Week 14, A1C and 2-h postmeal glucose (PMG) improved significantly versus placebo with all MK-0941 doses. Maximal placebo-adjusted least squares mean changes from baseline in A1C (baseline A1C 9.0%) and 2-h PMG were −0.8% and −37 mg/dL (−2 mmol/L), respectively. No significant effects on fasting plasma glucose were observed at any dose versus placebo. By 30 weeks, the initial glycemic responses noted at 14 weeks were not sustained. MK-0941 at one or more doses was associated with significant increases in the incidence of hypoglycemia, triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, and proportion of patients meeting criteria for predefined limits of change for increased diastolic blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS In patients receiving stable-dose insulin glargine, the GKA MK-0941 led to improvements in glycemic control that were not sustained. MK-0941 was associated with an increased incidence of hypoglycemia and elevations in triglycerides and blood pressure. PMID:21994424

Silicon-based Coulomb blockade thermometer with Schottky barriers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tuboltsev, V.; Savin, A.; Rogozin, V. D.; Räisänen, J.

2014-04-01

A hybrid Coulomb blockade thermometer (CBT) in form of an array of intermittent aluminum and silicon islands connected in series via tunnel junctions was fabricated on a thin silicon-on-insulator (SOI) film. Tunnel barriers in the micrometer size junctions were formed by metal-semiconductor Schottky contacts between aluminium electrodes and heavily doped silicon. Differential conductance through the array vs. bias voltage was found to exhibit characteristic features of competing thermal and charging effects enabling absolute temperature measurements over the range of ˜65 to ˜500 mK. The CBT performance implying the primary nature of the thermometer demonstrated for rather trivial architecture attempted in this work paves a route for introduction of Coulomb blockade thermometry into well-developed contemporary SOI technology.

Superconductivity, pairing symmetry, and disorder in the doped topological insulator Sn1 -xInxTe for x ≥0.10

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smylie, M. P.; Claus, H.; Kwok, W.-K.; Louden, E. R.; Eskildsen, M. R.; Sefat, A. S.; Zhong, R. D.; Schneeloch, J.; Gu, G. D.; Bokari, E.; Niraula, P. M.; Kayani, A.; Dewhurst, C. D.; Snezhko, A.; Welp, U.

2018-01-01

The temperature dependence of the London penetration depth Δ λ (T ) in the superconducting doped topological crystalline insulator Sn1 -xInxTe was measured down to 450 mK for two different doping levels, x ≈0.45 (optimally doped) and x ≈0.10 (underdoped), bookending the range of cubic phase in the compound. The results indicate no deviation from fully gapped BCS-like behavior, eliminating several candidate unconventional gap structures. Critical field values below 1 K and other superconducting parameters are also presented. The introduction of disorder by repeated particle irradiation with 5 MeV protons does not enhance Tc, indicating that ferroelectric interactions do not compete with superconductivity.

Tunable microstrip SQUID amplifiers for the Gen 2 Axion Dark Matter eXperiment (ADMX)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Kelley, Sean; Hilton, Gene; Clarke, John; ADMX Collaboration

2016-03-01

We present a series of tunable microstrip SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) amplifiers (MSAs) for installation in ADMX. The axion dark matter candidate is detected via Primakoff conversion to a microwave photon in a high-Q (~100,000) tunable microwave cavity cooled with a dilution refrigerator in a 7-tesla magnetic field. The microwave photon frequency ν is a function of the unknown axion mass, so both the cavity and amplifier must be scanned over a wide frequency range. An MSA is a linear, phase-preserving amplifier consisting of a square washer loop, fabricated from a thin Nb film, incorporating two Josephson tunnel junctions with resistive shunts to prevent hysteresis. The input is coupled via a microstrip made from a square Nb coil deposited over the washer with an intervening insulating layer. Tunability is achieved by terminating the microstrip with GaAs varactors that operate below 100 mK. By varying the varactor capacitance with a bias voltage, the resonant frequency is varied by up to a factor of 2. We demonstrate several devices operating below 100 mK, matched to the discrete operating bands of ADMX at frequencies ranging from 560 MHz to 1 GHz. The MSAs exhibit gains exceeding 20 dB and the associated noise temperatures, measured with a hot/cold load, approach the standard quantum limit (hν/kB) . Supported by DOE Grants DE - FG02 - 97ER41029, DE - FG02 - 96ER40956, DE - AC52 - 07NA27344, DE - AC03 - 76SF00098, and the Livermore LDRD program.

Variability of the soil-to-plant radiocaesium transfer factor for Japanese soils predicted with soil and plant properties.

PubMed

Uematsu, Shinichiro; Vandenhove, Hildegarde; Sweeck, Lieve; Van Hees, May; Wannijn, Jean; Smolders, Erik

2016-03-01

Food chain contamination with radiocaesium (RCs) in the aftermath of the Fukushima accident calls for an analysis of the specific factors that control the RCs transfer. Here, soil-to-plant transfer factors (TF) of RCs for grass were predicted from the potassium concentration in soil solution (mK) and the Radiocaesium Interception Potential (RIP) of the soil using existing mechanistic models. The mK and RIP were (a) either measured for 37 topsoils collected from the Fukushima accident affected area or (b) predicted from the soil clay content and the soil exchangeable potassium content using the models that had been calibrated for European soils. An average ammonium concentration was used throughout in the prediction. The measured RIP ranged 14-fold and measured mK varied 37-fold among the soils. The measured RIP was lower than the RIP predicted from the soil clay content likely due to the lower content of weathered micas in the clay fraction of Japanese soils. Also the measured mK was lower than that predicted. As a result, the predicted TFs relying on the measured RIP and mK were, on average, about 22-fold larger than the TFs predicted using the European calibrated models. The geometric mean of the measured TFs for grass in the affected area (N = 82) was in the middle of both. The TFs were poorly related to soil classification classes, likely because soil fertility (mK) was obscuring the effects of the soil classification related to the soil mineralogy (RIP). This study suggests that, on average, Japanese soils are more vulnerable than European soils at equal soil clay and exchangeable K content. The affected regions will be targeted for refined model validation. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The massive fossil humerus from the Oldowan horizon of Gombore I, Melka Kunture (Ethiopia, >1.39 Ma)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Di Vincenzo, Fabio; Rodriguez, Laura; Carretero, José Miguel; Collina, Carmine; Geraads, Denis; Piperno, Marcello; Manzi, Giorgio

2015-08-01

A well-preserved distal portion of a left humerus was discovered in 1976 during excavations directed by J. Chavaillon at the Gombore I site, in the Melka Kunture area (Ethiopia). The specimen, labelled Gombore IB-7594 (formally Melka Kunture 3, or MK3), was found in situ within unit 2 of level B, which is dated to >1.39 Ma and includes a rich Oldowan Paleolithic assemblage. Although MK3 has never been described in detail, it appeared in the literature several times and, from a taxonomic point of view, has been alternatively regarded as Homo, Australopithecus or Paranthropus. According to our analysis, MK3 exhibits a suite of features that fit the variability of the genus Homo and does not display any clear Australopithecus/Paranthropus affinity. Nevertheless, MK3 adds a great deal of variability to the genus Homo, at least as far as the Early Pleistocene fossil record is concerned. In particular, our quantitative approach, which combines traditional morphometric analyses and geometric morphometrics, highlights traits that are uncommon among the Plio-Pleistocene fossil record, while affinities with Mid-to-Late Pleistocene representatives of Homo are observed. In addition, the large size of MK3 suggests that this humerus belonged to an individual whose body weight approached 90 kg, far from the range of body size known for Homo representatives in the Early Pleistocene and as big as those of extant humans or even gorillas. We suggest that such peculiar features are of interest when regarded from an ecological perspective; thus, dimension and morphology of MK3 may be considered as an exaptation that became useful when early humans dispersed to high altitudes such as those of the upper Awash basin on the Ethiopian plateau, at heights above 2000 m.

Quantification of mevalonate-5-phosphate using UPLC-MS/MS for determination of mevalonate kinase activity.

PubMed

Reitzle, Lukas; Maier, Barbara; Stojanov, Silvia; Teupser, Daniel; Muntau, Ania C; Vogeser, Michael; Gersting, Søren W

2015-08-01

Mevalonate kinase deficiency, a rare autosomal recessive autoinflammatory disease, is caused by mutations in the MVK gene encoding mevalonate kinase (MK). MK catalyzes the phosphorylation of mevalonic acid to mevalonate-5-phosphate (MVAP) in the pathway of isoprenoid and sterol synthesis. The disease phenotype correlates with residual activity ranging from <0.5% for mevalonic aciduria to 1-7% for the milder hyperimmunoglobulinemia D and periodic fever syndrome (HIDS). Hence, assessment of loss-of-function requires high accuracy measurements. We describe a method using isotope dilution UPLC-MS/MS for precise and sensitive determination of MK activity. Wild-type MK and the variant V261A, which is associated with HIDS, were recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli. Enzyme activity was determined by formation of MVAP over time quantified by isotope dilution UPLC-MS/MS. The method was validated according to the FDA Guidance for Bioanalytical Method Validation. Sensitivity for detection of MAVP by UPLC-MS/MS was improved by derivatization with butanol-HCl (LLOQ, 5.0 fmol) and the method was linear from 0.5 to 250 μmol/L (R(2) > 0.99) with a precision of ≥ 89% and an accuracy of ± 2.7%. The imprecision of the activity assay, including the enzymatic reaction and the UPLC-MS/MS quantification, was 8.3%. The variant V261A showed a significantly decreased activity of 53.1%. Accurate determination of MK activity was enabled by sensitive and reproducible detection of MVAP using UPLC-MS/MS. The novel method may improve molecular characterization of MVK mutations, provide robust genotype-phenotype correlations, and accelerate compound screening for drug candidates restoring variant MK activity. Copyright © 2015 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Molecular characterization of H9N2 influenza virus isolated from mink and its pathogenesis in mink.

PubMed

Peng, Li; Chen, Chen; Kai-yi, Han; Feng-xia, Zhang; Yan-li, Zhu; Zong-shuai, Ling; Xing-xiao, Zhang; Shi-jin, Jiang; Zhi-jing, Xie

2015-03-23

In mid-August 2013, two H9N2 influenza viruses, named A/mink/Shandong/F6/2013 (Mk/SD/F6/13) and A/mink/Shandong/F10/2013 (Mk/SD/F10/13), were isolated from lung samples of 2 of 45 farmed mink exhibiting respiratory signs in mideastern Shandong province, China. The seroprevalence of antibodies to H9N2 in mink was 20% (53/265). Based on sequence analysis, the eight nucleotide sequences showed 99.7-100% identity between Mk/SD/F6/13 and Mk/SD/F10/13. The HA, NP and NS genes of Mk/SD/F6/13 and Mk/SD/F10/13 were close to A/chicken/Zhejiang/329/2011 (H9N2), the NA and PB1 genes to A/duck/Hunan/S4111/2011 (H9N2), the PA and M genes to A/chicken/Shanghai/C1/2012 (H9N2). However, the PB2 genes had a close relationship with A/Turkey/California/189/66 (H9N2). Based on Sialic acid (SA) receptor detection, a range tissues of the mink demonstrated staining for MAA and/or SNA, and mink could serve as an intermediate host for influenza viruses with pandemic potential for the other animals. Experimental infection of mink demonstrated that mink could be infected by H9N2 influenza viruses and presented mild clinical signs, virus shedding and seroconversion, but no animals died of the disease. It implied that mammalian host-adapted avian H9N2 strains infected mink. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Inducible Nitric Oxide Inhibitors Block NMDA Antagonist-Stimulated Motoric Behaviors and Medial Prefrontal Cortical Glutamate Efflux

PubMed Central

Bergstrom, Hadley C.; Darvesh, Altaf S.; Berger, S. P.

2015-01-01

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a critical role in the motoric and glutamate releasing action of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-antagonist stimulants. Earlier studies utilized neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitors (nNOS) for studying the neurobehavioral effects of non-competitive NMDA-antagonist stimulants such as dizocilpine (MK-801) and phencyclidine (PCP). This study explores the role of the inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitors (iNOS) aminoguanidine (AG) and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in NMDA-antagonist induced motoric behavior and prefrontal cortical glutamate efflux. Adult male rats were administered a dose range of AG, EGCG, or vehicle prior to receiving NMDA antagonists MK-801, PCP, or a conventional psychostimulant (cocaine) and tested for motoric behavior in an open arena. Glutamate in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) was measured using in vivo microdialysis after a combination of AG or EGCG prior to MK-801. Acute administration of AG or EGCG dose-dependently attenuated the locomotor and ataxic properties of MK-801 and PCP. Both AG and EGCG were unable to block the motoric effects of cocaine, indicating the acute pharmacologic action of AG and EGCG is specific to NMDA antagonism and not generalizable to all stimulant class drugs. AG and EGCG normalized MK-801-stimulated mPFC glutamate efflux. These data demonstrate that AG and EGCG attenuates NMDA antagonist-stimulated motoric behavior and cortical glutamate efflux. Our results suggest that EGCG-like polyphenol nutraceuticals (contained in “green tea” and chocolate) may be clinically useful in protecting against the adverse behavioral dissociative and cortical glutamate stimulating effects of NMDA antagonists. Medications that interfere with NMDA antagonists such as MK-801 and PCP have been proposed as treatments for schizophrenia. PMID:26696891

Knockout of NMDA-receptors from parvalbumin interneurons sensitizes to schizophrenia-related deficits induced by MK-801

PubMed Central

Bygrave, A M; Masiulis, S; Nicholson, E; Berkemann, M; Barkus, C; Sprengel, R; Harrison, P J; Kullmann, D M; Bannerman, D M; Kätzel, D

2016-01-01

It has been suggested that a functional deficit in NMDA-receptors (NMDARs) on parvalbumin (PV)-positive interneurons (PV-NMDARs) is central to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Supportive evidence come from examination of genetically modified mice where the obligatory NMDAR-subunit GluN1 (also known as NR1) has been deleted from PV interneurons by Cre-mediated knockout of the corresponding gene Grin1 (Grin1ΔPV mice). Notably, such PV-specific GluN1 ablation has been reported to blunt the induction of hyperlocomotion (a surrogate for psychosis) by pharmacological NMDAR blockade with the non-competitive antagonist MK-801. This suggests PV-NMDARs as the site of the psychosis-inducing action of MK-801. In contrast to this hypothesis, we show here that Grin1ΔPV mice are not protected against the effects of MK-801, but are in fact sensitized to many of them. Compared with control animals, Grin1ΔPVmice injected with MK-801 show increased stereotypy and pronounced catalepsy, which confound the locomotor readout. Furthermore, in Grin1ΔPVmice, MK-801 induced medial-prefrontal delta (4 Hz) oscillations, and impaired performance on tests of motor coordination, working memory and sucrose preference, even at lower doses than in wild-type controls. We also found that untreated Grin1ΔPVmice are largely normal across a wide range of cognitive functions, including attention, cognitive flexibility and various forms of short-term memory. Taken together these results argue against PV-specific NMDAR hypofunction as a key starting point of schizophrenia pathophysiology, but support a model where NMDAR hypofunction in multiple cell types contribute to the disease. PMID:27070406

Results from EDGES High-band. I. Constraints on Phenomenological Models for the Global 21 cm Signal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Monsalve, Raul A.; Rogers, Alan E. E.; Bowman, Judd D.; Mozdzen, Thomas J.

2017-09-01

We report constraints on the global 21 cm signal due to neutral hydrogen at redshifts 14.8≥slant z≥slant 6.5. We derive our constraints from low-foreground observations of the average sky brightness spectrum conducted with the EDGES High-band instrument between 2015 September 7 and October 26. Observations were calibrated by accounting for the effects of antenna beam chromaticity, antenna and ground losses, signal reflections, and receiver parameters. We evaluate the consistency between the spectrum and phenomenological models for the global 21 cm signal. For tanh-based representations of the ionization history during the epoch of reionization, we rule out, at ≥slant 2σ significance, models with duration of up to {{Δ }}z=1 at z≈ 8.5 and higher than {{Δ }}z=0.4 across most of the observed redshift range under the usual assumption that the 21 cm spin temperature is much larger than the temperature of the cosmic microwave background during reionization. We also investigate a “cold” intergalactic medium (IGM) scenario that assumes perfect Lyα coupling of the 21 cm spin temperature to the temperature of the IGM, but that the latter is not heated by early stars or stellar remants. Under this assumption, we reject tanh-based reionization models of duration {{Δ }}z≲ 2 over most of the observed redshift range. Finally, we explore and reject a broad range of Gaussian models for the 21 cm absorption feature expected in the First Light era. As an example, we reject 100 mK Gaussians with duration (full width at half maximum) {{Δ }}z≤slant 4 over the range 14.2≥slant z≥slant 6.5 at ≥slant 2σ significance.

Effect of Sodium Hydroxide Molarity on Physical, Mechanical and Thermal Conductivity of Metakaolin Geopolymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ain Jaya, Nur; Yun-Ming, Liew; Bakri Abdullah, Mohd Mustafa Al; Cheng-Yong, Heah; Hussin, Kamarudin

2018-03-01

In the present work, the effect of different sodium hydroxide (NaOH) molarity (6M, 8M, 10M, 12M and 14M) on the physical, mechanical and thermal conductivity of metakaolin geopolymers (MkGPs) was investigated. Geopolymers were prepared by activating the metakaolin with a mixture of NaOH with sodium silicate (Na2SiO3). The products obtained were characterized after 28 days of curing. The density, porosity, compressive strength and thermal conductivity (TC) were determined. In general, the NaOH molarity has a significant effect on the compressive strength of the MkGPs. The highest compressive strength was 14.6 MPa achieved with 10M of NaOH solution. The thermal conductivity of MkGPs measured in this work was low in the range between 0.71-0.97 W/mK. NaOH molarity had a significant effect on compressive strength but a marginal effect on thermal conductivity of MkGPs. The thermal conductivity was mainly affected by the bulk density and thus the total porosity. The results showed that the geopolymer can be considered to be used as the thermal insulating material.

A Study on L-Asparaginase of Nocardia levis MK-VL_113

PubMed Central

Kavitha, Alapati; Vijayalakshmi, Muvva

2012-01-01

An enzyme-based drug, L-asparaginase, was produced by Nocardia levis MK-VL_113 isolated from laterite soils of Guntur region. Cultural parameters affecting the production of L-asparaginase by the strain were optimized. Maximal yields of L-asparaginase were recorded from 3-day-old culture grown in modified asparagine-glycerol salts broth with initial pH 7.0 at temperature 30°C. Glycerol (2%) and yeast extract (1.5%) served as good carbon and nitrogen sources for L-asparaginase production, respectively. Cell-disrupting agents like EDTA slightly enhanced the productivity of L-asparaginase. Ours is the first paper on the production of L-asparaginase by N. levis. PMID:22619604

A study on L-asparaginase of Nocardia levis MK-VL_113.

PubMed

Kavitha, Alapati; Vijayalakshmi, Muvva

2012-01-01

An enzyme-based drug, L-asparaginase, was produced by Nocardia levis MK-VL_113 isolated from laterite soils of Guntur region. Cultural parameters affecting the production of L-asparaginase by the strain were optimized. Maximal yields of L-asparaginase were recorded from 3-day-old culture grown in modified asparagine-glycerol salts broth with initial pH 7.0 at temperature 30°C. Glycerol (2%) and yeast extract (1.5%) served as good carbon and nitrogen sources for L-asparaginase production, respectively. Cell-disrupting agents like EDTA slightly enhanced the productivity of L-asparaginase. Ours is the first paper on the production of L-asparaginase by N. levis.

Status of NTD Ge bolometer material and devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Haller, E. E.; Haegel, N. M.; Park, I. S.

1986-01-01

The first IR Detector Technology Workshop took place at NASA Ames Research Center on July 12 and 13, 1983. The conclusions presented at that meeting are still valid. More was learned about the physics of hopping conduction at very low temperatures which will be important for bolometer design and operation at ever decreasing temperatures. Resistivity measurements were extended down to 50 mK. At such low temperatures, precise knowledge of the neutron capture cross sections sigma (sub n) of the various Ge isotopes is critical if one is to make an accurate prediction of the dopant concentrations and compensation, and therefore resistivity, that will result from a given irradiation. An empirical approach for obtaining the desired resistivity material is described and the process of conducting a set of experiments which will improve the knowledge of the effective sigma (sub n) values for a given location in a particular reactor is discussed. A wider range of NTD Ge samples is now available. Noise measurements on bolometers with ion implanted contacts show the no 1/f noise component appears down to 1 Hz and probably lower.

Computer-controlled high-resolution capacitance dilatometer/oven system: Design, instrumentation, and performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johansen, T. H.; Feder, J.; Jøssang, T.

1986-06-01

A fully automated apparatus has been designed for measurements of dilatation in solid samples under well-defined thermal conditions. The oven can be thermally stabilized to better than 0.1 mK over a temperature range of -60 to 150 °C using a two-stage control strategy. Coarse control is obtained by heat exchange with a circulating thermal fluid, whereas the fine regulation is based on a solid-state heat pump—a Peltier element, acting as heating and cooling source. The bidirectional action of the Peltier element permits the sample block to be controlled at the average temperature of the surroundings, thus making an essentially adiabatic system with a minimum of thermal gradients in the sample block. The dilatometer cell integrated in the oven assembly is of the parallel plate air capacitor type, and the apparatus has been successfully used with a sensitivity of 0.07 Å. Our system is well suited for measurements near structural phase transitions with a relative resolution of Δt=(T-Tc)/Tc=2×10-7 in temperature and ΔL/L=1×10-9 in strain.

A Compact, Continuous Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerator with High Heat Sink Temperature

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shirron, P. J.; Canavan, E. R.; DiPirro, M. J.; Jackson, M.; Tuttle, J. G.

2003-01-01

In the continuous adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (ADR), the existence of a constant temperature stage attached to the load breaks the link between the requirements of the load (usually a detector array) and the operation of the ADR. This allows the ADR to be cycled much faster, which yields more than an order of magnitude improvement in cooling power density over single-shot ADRs. Recent effort has focused on developing compact, efficient higher temperature stages. An important part of this work has been the development of passive gas-gap heat switches that transition (from conductive to insulating) at temperatures around 1 K and 4 K without the use of an actively heated getter. We have found that by carefully adjusting available surface area and the number of He-3 monolayers, gas-gap switches can be made to operate passively. Passive operation greatly reduces switching time and eliminates an important parasitic heat load. The current four stage ADR provides 6 micro W of cooling at 50 mK (21 micro W at 100 mK) and weighs less than 8 kg. It operates from a 4.2 K heat sink, which can be provided by an unpumped He bath or many commercially available mechanical cryocoolers. Reduction in critical current with temperature in our fourth stage NbTi magnet presently limits the maximum temperature of our system to approx. 5 K. We are developing compact, low-current Nb3Sn magnets that will raise the maximum heat sink temperature to over 10 K.

The CSIRO Mk3L climate system model v1.0 coupled to the CABLE land surface scheme v1.4b: evaluation of the control climatology

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

Mao, Jiafu; Phipps, S.J.; Pitman, A.J.

The CSIRO Mk3L climate system model, a reduced-resolution coupled general circulation model, has previously been described in this journal. The model is configured for millennium scale or multiple century scale simulations. This paper reports the impact of replacing the relatively simple land surface scheme that is the default parameterisation in Mk3L with a sophisticated land surface model that simulates the terrestrial energy, water and carbon balance in a physically and biologically consistent way. An evaluation of the new model s near-surface climatology highlights strengths and weaknesses, but overall the atmospheric variables, including the near-surface air temperature and precipitation, are simulatedmore » well. The impact of the more sophisticated land surface model on existing variables is relatively small, but generally positive. More significantly, the new land surface scheme allows an examination of surface carbon-related quantities including net primary productivity which adds significantly to the capacity of Mk3L. Overall, results demonstrate that this reduced-resolution climate model is a good foundation for exploring long time scale phenomena. The addition of the more sophisticated land surface model enables an exploration of important Earth System questions including land cover change and abrupt changes in terrestrial carbon storage.« less

Real-time Kalman filter: Cooling of an optically levitated nanoparticle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Setter, Ashley; Toroš, Marko; Ralph, Jason F.; Ulbricht, Hendrik

2018-03-01

We demonstrate that a Kalman filter applied to estimate the position of an optically levitated nanoparticle, and operated in real-time within a field programmable gate array, is sufficient to perform closed-loop parametric feedback cooling of the center-of-mass motion to sub-Kelvin temperatures. The translational center-of-mass motion along the optical axis of the trapped nanoparticle has been cooled by 3 orders of magnitude, from a temperature of 300 K to a temperature of 162 ±15 mK.

Experimental Results of Ground Disturbance Detection Using Uncooled Infrared Imagers in Wideband and Multispectral Modes

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-02-01

and undisturbed soil. An uncooled IR imager with sufficient sensitivity ( Noise equivalent of temperature difference or NETD) at around 100mK NETD...Imager temperature sensitivity in bandpass mode: NETD is defined as the temperature difference ( T) for which the signal-to- noise ratio (SNR) equals to...1 where the signal is proportional to radiance L (watt/cm2-ster) while noise level is known. The NETD of the imager, however, will degrade when it

Non-thermal Motions in and above Flare Loop Tops Measured by the Extreme-ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer on Hinode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doschek, G. A.; Warren, H. P.

2013-12-01

The plasma volume above the soft X-ray emitting loop tops is of particular interest for studying the formation of flare loops. We present observations of non-thermal motions (turbulence) determined from spectral line profiles Fe XXIII and Fe XXIV ions. We compare the non-thermal motions at temperatures near 10 MK with the motions along the same lines-of-sight determined from lines of coronal ions such as Fe XII, Fe XIV, and Fe XV formed at 1-2 MK. We discuss the results in terms of predictions of the effects of magnetic reconnection and non-thermal motion results obtained in flares from earlier X-ray Yohkoh observations of line profiles of Fe XXV and Ca XIX. Fe XXV is formed at significantly higher temperatures than any strong flare EUV spectral line observed by EIS or by imaging telescopes such as AIA or TRACE. This work is supported by a NASA Hinode grant.

Purification of ^4He through Differential Evaporation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dubose, F.; Haase, D. G.; Huffman, P. R.

2008-10-01

The neutron electric dipole moment (nEDM) experiment, to be housed at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratories, will probe for a dipole moment at the level of 10-28 e cm. As part of the measurement process, neutrons precess in an environment of isotopically pure helium, doped with polarized ^3He. After this ^3He depolarizes it must be removed. We are developing an evaporative purification technique for this removal, lowering the concentration of ^3He in ^4He from 10-8 to 10-10, at an operating temperature of 300 -- 350 mK. Because the vapor pressure of ^3He is enhanced at temperatures below 500mK, ^3He atoms can be preferentially removed from the solution. The purifier requires a large liquid surface area, while minimizing superfluid film flow. The evaporated atoms are adsorbed on activated charcoal. We have built a device to measure ^3He/^4He ratios using a leak detector mass spectrometer and a residual gas analyzer.

Nitric oxide-activated calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase regulates the abscisic acid-induced antioxidant defence in maize

PubMed Central

Zhang, Aying; Jiang, Mingyi

2012-01-01

Nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and calcium (Ca2+)/calmodulin (CaM) are all required for abscisic acid (ABA)-induced antioxidant defence. Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinase (CCaMK) is a strong candidate for the decoder of Ca2+ signals. However, whether CCaMK is involved in ABA-induced antioxidant defence is unknown. The results of the present study show that exogenous and endogenous ABA induced increases in the activity of ZmCCaMK and the expression of ZmCCaMK in leaves of maize. Subcellular localization analysis showed that ZmCCaMK is located in the nucleus, the cytoplasm, and the plasma membrane. The transient expression of ZmCCaMK and the RNA interference (RNAi) silencing of ZmCCaMK analysis in maize protoplasts revealed that ZmCCaMK is required for ABA-induced antioxidant defence. Moreover, treatment with the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) induced the activation of ZmCCaMK and the expression of ZmCCaMK. Pre-treatments with an NO scavenger and inhibitor blocked the ABA-induced increases in the activity and the transcript level of ZmCCaMK. Conversely, RNAi silencing of ZmCCaMK in maize protoplasts did not affect the ABA-induced NO production, which was further confirmed using a mutant of OsCCaMK, the homologous gene of ZmCCaMK in rice. Moreover, H2O2 was also required for the ABA activation of ZmCCaMK, and pre-treatments with an NO scavenger and inhibitor inhibited the H2O2-induced increase in the activity of ZmCCaMK. Taken together, the data clearly suggest that ZmCCaMK is required for ABA-induced antioxidant defence, and H2O2-dependent NO production plays an important role in the ABA-induced activation of ZmCCaMK. PMID:22865912

Determination of temperature maps of EUV coronal hole jets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nisticò, Giuseppe; Patsourakos, Spiros; Bothmer, Volker; Zimbardo, Gaetano

2011-11-01

Coronal hole jets are fast ejections of plasma occurring within coronal holes, observed at Extreme-UltraViolet (EUV) and X-ray wavelengths. Recent observations of jets by the STEREO and Hinode missions show that they are transient phenomena which occur at much higher rates than large-scale impulsive phenomena like flares and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs). In this paper we describe some typical characteristics of coronal jets observed by the SECCHI instruments of STEREO spacecraft. We show an example of 3D reconstruction of the helical structure for a south pole jet, and present how the angular distribution of the jet position angles changes from the Extreme-UltraViolet-Imager (EUVI) field of view to the CORonagraph1 (COR1) (height ∼2.0 R⊙ heliocentric distance) field of view. Then we discuss a preliminary temperature determination for the jet plasma by using the filter ratio method at 171 and 195 Å and applying a technique for subtracting the EUV background radiation. The results show that jets are characterized by electron temperatures ranging between 0.8 and 1.3 MK. We present the thermal structure of the jet as temperature maps and we describe its thermal evolution.

Physics and Applications of Metallic Magnetic Calorimeters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kempf, S.; Fleischmann, A.; Gastaldo, L.; Enss, C.

2018-03-01

Metallic magnetic calorimeters (MMCs) are calorimetric low-temperature particle detectors that are currently strongly advancing the state of the art in energy-dispersive single particle detection. They are typically operated at temperatures below 100 mK and make use of a metallic, paramagnetic temperature sensor to transduce the temperature rise of the detector upon the absorption of an energetic particle into a change of magnetic flux which is sensed by a superconducting quantum interference device. This outstanding interplay between a high-sensitivity thermometer and a near quantum-limited amplifier results in a very fast signal rise time, an excellent energy resolution, a large dynamic range, a quantum efficiency close to 100% as well as an almost ideal linear detector response. For this reason, a growing number of groups located all over the world is developing MMC arrays of various sizes which are routinely used in a variety of applications. Within this paper, we briefly review the state of the art of metallic magnetic calorimeters. This includes a discussion of the detection principle, sensor materials and detector geometries, readout concepts, the structure of modern detectors as well as the state-of-the-art detector performance.

Hybrid Closed-Loop Insulin Delivery in Type 1 Diabetes During Supervised Outpatient Conditions.

PubMed

Grosman, Benyamin; Ilany, Jacob; Roy, Anirban; Kurtz, Natalie; Wu, Di; Parikh, Neha; Voskanyan, Gayane; Konvalina, Noa; Mylonas, Chrystaleni; Gottlieb, Rebecca; Kaufman, Francine; Cohen, Ohad

2016-05-01

Efficacy and safety of the Medtronic Hybrid Closed-Loop (HCL) system were tested in subjects with type 1 diabetes in a supervised outpatient setting. The HCL system is a prototype research platform that includes a sensor-augmented insulin pump in communication with a control algorithm housed on an Android-based cellular device. Nine subjects with type 1 diabetes (5 female, mean age 53.3 years, mean A1C 7.2%) underwent 9 studies totaling 571 hours of closed-loop control using either default or personalized parameters. The system required meal announcements with estimates of carbohydrate (CHO) intake that were based on metabolic kitchen quantification (MK), dietician estimates (D), or subject estimates (Control). Postprandial glycemia was compared for MK, D, and Control meals. The overall sensor glucose mean was 145 ± 43, the overall percentage time in the range 70-180 mg/dL was 80%, the overall percentage time <70 mg/dL was 0.79%. Compared to intervals of default parameter use (225 hours), intervals of personalized parameter use (346 hours), sensor glucose mean was 158 ± 49 and 137 ± 37 mg/dL (P < .001), respectively, and included more time in range (87% vs 68%) and less time below range (0.54% vs 1.18%). Most subjects underestimated the CHO content of meals, but postprandial glycemia was not significantly different between MK and matched Control meals (P = .16) or between D and matched Control meals (P = .76). There were no episodes of severe hypoglycemia. The HCL system was efficacious and safe during this study. Personally adapted HCL parameters were associated with more time in range and less time below range than default parameters. Accurate estimates of meal CHO did not contribute to improved postprandial glycemia. © 2016 Diabetes Technology Society.

ON POTASSIUM AND OTHER ABUNDANCE ANOMALIES OF RED GIANTS IN NGC 2419

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

Iliadis, C.; Karakas, A. I.; Prantzos, N.

2016-02-10

Globular clusters are of paramount importance for testing theories of stellar evolution and early galaxy formation. Strong evidence for multiple populations of stars in globular clusters derives from observed abundance anomalies. A puzzling example is the recently detected Mg–K anticorrelation in NGC 2419. We perform Monte Carlo nuclear reaction network calculations to constrain the temperature–density conditions that gave rise to the elemental abundances observed in this elusive cluster. We find a correlation between stellar temperature and density values that provide a satisfactory match between simulated and observed abundances in NGC 2419 for all relevant elements (Mg, Si, K, Ca, Sc,more » Ti, and V). Except at the highest densities (ρ ≳ 10{sup 8} g cm{sup −3}), the acceptable conditions range from ≈100 MK at ≈10{sup 8} g cm{sup −3} to ≈200 MK at ≈10{sup −4} g cm{sup −3}. This result accounts for uncertainties in nuclear reaction rates and variations in the assumed initial composition. We review hydrogen-burning sites and find that low-mass stars, asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars, massive stars, or supermassive stars cannot account for the observed abundance anomalies in NGC 2419. Super-AGB stars could be viable candidates for the polluter stars if stellar model parameters can be fine-tuned to produce higher temperatures. Novae, involving either CO or ONe white dwarfs, could be interesting polluter candidates, but a current lack of low-metallicity nova models precludes firmer conclusions. We also discuss whether additional constraints for the first-generation polluters can be obtained by future measurements of oxygen, or by evolving models of second-generation low-mass stars with a non-canonical initial composition.« less

A Coronal Hole Jet Observed with Hinode and the Solar Dynamics Observatory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Young, Peter H.; Muglach, Karin

2014-01-01

A small blowout jet was observed at the boundary of the south coronal hole on 2011 February 8 at around 21:00 UT. Images from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) revealed an expanding loop rising from one footpoint of a compact, bipolar bright point. Magnetograms from the Helioseismic Magnetic Imager (HMI) on board SDO showed that the jet was triggered by the cancelation of a parasitic positive polarity feature near the negative pole of the bright point. The jet emission was present for 25 mins and it extended 30 Mm from the bright point. Spectra from the EUV Imaging Spectrometer on board Hinode yielded a temperature and density of 1.6 MK and 0.9-1.7 × 10( exp 8) cu cm for the ejected plasma. Line-of-sight velocities reached up to 250 km/s. The density of the bright point was 7.6 × 10(exp 8) cu cm, and the peak of the bright point's emission measure occurred at 1.3 MK, with no plasma above 3 MK.

A Survey of Nanoflare Properties in Active Regions Observed with the Solar Dynamics Observatory

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

Viall, Nicholeen M.; Klimchuk, James A.

In this paper, we examine 15 different active regions (ARs) observed with the Solar Dynamics Observatory and analyze their nanoflare properties. We have recently developed a technique that systematically identifies and measures plasma temperature dynamics by computing time lags between light curves. The time lag method tests whether the plasma is maintained at a steady temperature, or if it is dynamic, undergoing heating and cooling cycles. An important aspect of our technique is that it analyzes both observationally distinct coronal loops as well as the much more prevalent diffuse emission between them. We find that the widespread cooling reported previouslymore » for NOAA AR 11082 is a generic property of all ARs. The results are consistent with impulsive nanoflare heating followed by slower cooling. Only occasionally, however, is there full cooling from above 7 MK to well below 1 MK. More often, the plasma cools to approximately 1–2 MK before being reheated by another nanoflare. These same 15 ARs were first studied by Warren et al. We find that the degree of cooling is not well correlated with the reported slopes of the emission measure distribution. We also conclude that the Fe xviii emitting plasma that they measured is mostly in a state of cooling. These results support the idea that nanoflares have a distribution of energies and frequencies, with the average delay between successive events on an individual flux tube being comparable to the plasma cooling timescale.« less

Experimental progress of a 4K VM/PT hybrid cryocooler for pre-cooling 1K sorption cooler

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pan, Changzhao; Zhang, Tong; Wang, Jue; Chen, Liubiao; Guo, Jia; Zhou, Yuan; Wang, Junjie

2017-12-01

Sub-kelvin refrigerator has many applications in space detector and manned space station, such as for the transition-edge superconducting (TES) bolometers operated in the 50 mK range. In order to meet the requirement of space applications, the high efficient, vibration free and high stability refrigerator need to be designed. VM/PT hybrid cryocooler is a new type cryocooler capable of attaining temperature below 4K. As a low frequency Stirling type cryocooler, it has the advantages of high stability and high efficiency. Combined with the vibration free sorption cooler and ADR refrigerator, a novel sub-kelvin cooling chain can be designed for the TES bolometer. This paper presents the recent experimental progress of the 4K VM/PT hybrid cryocooler in our laboratory. By optimizing of regenerators, phase shifters and heat exchangers, a lowest temperature of 2.6K was attained. Based on this cryocooler, a preliminary sorption cooler could be designed.

Implementation of real-time nonuniformity correction with multiple NUC tables using FPGA in an uncooled imaging system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oh, Gyong Jin; Kim, Lyang-June; Sheen, Sue-Ho; Koo, Gyou-Phyo; Jin, Sang-Hun; Yeo, Bo-Yeon; Lee, Jong-Ho

2009-05-01

This paper presents a real time implementation of Non Uniformity Correction (NUC). Two point correction and one point correction with shutter were carried out in an uncooled imaging system which will be applied to a missile application. To design a small, light weight and high speed imaging system for a missile system, SoPC (System On a Programmable Chip) which comprises of FPGA and soft core (Micro-blaze) was used. Real time NUC and generation of control signals are implemented using FPGA. Also, three different NUC tables were made to make the operating time shorter and to reduce the power consumption in a large range of environment temperature. The imaging system consists of optics and four electronics boards which are detector interface board, Analog to Digital converter board, Detector signal generation board and Power supply board. To evaluate the imaging system, NETD was measured. The NETD was less than 160mK in three different environment temperatures.

Characterization of a Two-Stage Pulse Tube Cooler for Space Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orsini, R.; Nguyen, T.; Colbert, R.; Raab, J.

2010-04-01

A two-stage long-life, low mass and efficient pulse tube cooler for space applications has been developed and acceptance tested for flight applications. This paper presents the data collected on four flight coolers during acceptance testing. Flight acceptance test of these cryocoolers includes thermal performance mapping over a range of reject temperatures, launch vibration testing and thermal cycling testing. Designed conservatively for a 10-year life, the coolers are required to provide simultaneous cooling powers at 95 K and 180 K while rejecting to 300 K with less than 187 W input power to the electronics. The total mass of each cooler and electronics system is 8.7 kg. The radiation-hardened and software driven control electronics provides cooler control functions which are fully re-configurable in orbit. These functions include precision temperature control to better than 100 mK p-p. This 2 stage cooler has heritage to the 12 Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems (NGAS) coolers currently on orbit with 2 operating for more than 11.5 years.

Construction of an ultra low temperature cryostat and transverse acoustic spectroscopy in superfluid helium-3 in compressed aerogels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhupathi, Pradeep

An ultra low temperature cryostat is designed and implemented in this work to perform experiments at sub-millikelvin temperatures, specifically aimed at understanding the superfluid phases of 3He in various scenarios. The cryostat is a combination of a dilution refrigerator (Oxford Kelvinox 400) with a base temperature of 5.2 mK and a 48 mole copper block as the adiabatic nuclear demagnetization stage with a lowest temperature of ≈ 200 muK. With the various techniques implemented for limiting the ambient heat leak to the cryostat, we were able to stay below 1 mK for longer than 5 weeks. The details of design, construction and performance of the cryostat are presented. We measured high frequency shear acoustic impedance in superfluid 3He in 98% porosity aerogel at pressures of 29 bar and 32 bar in magnetic fields upto 3 kG with the aerogel cylinder compressed along the symmetry axis to generate global anisotropy. With 5% compression, there is an indication of a supercooled A-like to B-like transition in aerogel in a wider temperature width than the A phase in the bulk, while at 10% axial compression, the A-like to B-like transition is absent on cooling down to ≈ 300 muK in zero magnetic field and in magnetic fields up to 3 kG. This behavior is in contrast to that in 3He in uncompressed aerogels, in which the supercooled A-like to B-like transitions have been identified by various experimental techniques. Our result is consistent with theoretical predictions. To characterize the anisotropy in compressed aerogels, optical birefringence is measured in 98% porosity silica aerogel samples subjected to various degrees of uniaxial compression up to 15% strain, with wavelengths between 200 to 800 nm. Uncompressed aerogels exhibit no or a minimal degree of birefringence, indicating the isotropic nature of the material over the length scale of the wavelength. Uniaxial compression of aerogel introduces global anisotropy, which produces birefringence in the material. We observed a quasi-linear strain dependence in Deltan = ne -- no in compressed aerogels, where n e(o) is the index of refraction for the extraordinary (ordinary) ray of light that has its polarization parallel to the compression axis. Incidentally, this effect has potential applications for aerogels as tunable waveplates operating in a broad spectral range.

Decitabine improves progression-free survival in older high-risk MDS patients with multiple autosomal monosomies: results of a subgroup analysis of the randomized phase III study 06011 of the EORTC Leukemia Cooperative Group and German MDS Study Group.

PubMed

Lübbert, Michael; Suciu, Stefan; Hagemeijer, Anne; Rüter, Björn; Platzbecker, Uwe; Giagounidis, Aristoteles; Selleslag, Dominik; Labar, Boris; Germing, Ulrich; Salih, Helmut R; Muus, Petra; Pflüger, Karl-Heinz; Schaefer, Hans-Eckart; Bogatyreva, Lioudmila; Aul, Carlo; de Witte, Theo; Ganser, Arnold; Becker, Heiko; Huls, Gerwin; van der Helm, Lieke; Vellenga, Edo; Baron, Frédéric; Marie, Jean-Pierre; Wijermans, Pierre W

2016-01-01

In a study of elderly AML patients treated with the hypomethylating agent decitabine (DAC), we noted a surprisingly favorable outcome in the (usually very unfavorable) subgroup with two or more autosomal monosomies (MK2+) within a complex karyotype (Lübbert et al., Haematologica 97:393-401, 2012). We now analyzed 206 myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients (88 % of 233 patients randomized in the EORTC/GMDSSG phase III trial 06011, 61 of them with RAEBt, i.e. AML by WHO) with cytogenetics informative for MK status.. Endpoints are the following: complete/partial (CR/PR) and overall response rate (ORR) and progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Cytogenetic subgroups are the following: 63 cytogenetically normal (CN) patients, 143 with cytogenetic abnormalities, 73 of them MK-negative (MK-), and 70 MK-positive (MK+). These MK+ patients could be divided into 17 with a single autosomal monosomy (MK1) and 53 with at least two monosomies (MK2+). ORR with DAC in CN patients: 36.1 %, in MK- patients: 16.7 %, in MK+ patients: 43.6 % (MK1: 44.4 %, MK2+ 43.3 %). PFS was prolonged by DAC compared to best supportive care (BSC) in the CN (hazard ratio (HR) 0.55, 99 % confidence interval (CI), 0.26; 1.15, p = 0.03) and MK2+ (HR 0.50; 99 % CI, 0.23; 1.06, p = 0.016) but not in the MK-, MK+, and MK1 subgroups. OS was not improved by DAC in any subgroup. In conclusion, we demonstrate for the first time in a randomized phase III trial that high-risk MDS patients with complex karyotypes harboring two or more autosomal monosomies attain encouraging responses and have improved PFS with DAC treatment compared to BSC.

Characterization and Performance of a Kilo-TES Sub-Array for ACTPol

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grace, E. A.; Beall, J.; Cho, H. M.; Devlin, M. J.; Fox, A.; Hilton, G.; Hubmayr, J.; Irwin, K.; Klein, J.; Li, D.;

Flexible superconducting Nb transmission lines on thin film polyimide for quantum computing applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tuckerman, David B.; Hamilton, Michael C.; Reilly, David J.; Bai, Rujun; Hernandez, George A.; Hornibrook, John M.; Sellers, John A.; Ellis, Charles D.

2016-08-01

We describe progress and initial results achieved towards the goal of developing integrated multi-conductor arrays of shielded controlled-impedance flexible superconducting transmission lines with ultra-miniature cross sections and wide bandwidths (dc to >10 GHz) over meter-scale lengths. Intended primarily for use in future scaled-up quantum computing systems, such flexible thin-film niobium/polyimide ribbon cables could provide a physically compact and ultra-low thermal conductance alternative to the rapidly increasing number of discrete coaxial cables that are currently used by quantum computing experimentalists to transmit signals between the several low-temperature stages (from ˜4 K down to ˜20 mK) of a dilution refrigerator. We have concluded that these structures are technically feasible to fabricate, and so far they have exhibited acceptable thermo-mechanical reliability. S-parameter results are presented for individual 2-metal layer Nb microstrip structures having 50 Ω characteristic impedance; lengths ranging from 50 to 550 mm were successfully fabricated. Solderable pads at the end terminations allowed testing using conventional rf connectors. Weakly coupled open-circuit microstrip resonators provided a sensitive measure of the overall transmission line loss as a function of frequency, temperature, and power. Two common microelectronic-grade polyimide dielectrics, one conventional and the other photo-definable (PI-2611 and HD-4100, respectively) were compared. Our most striking result, not previously reported to our knowledge, was that the dielectric loss tangents of both polyimides, over frequencies from 1 to 20 GHz, are remarkably low at deep cryogenic temperatures, typically 100× smaller than corresponding room temperature values. This enables fairly long-distance (meter-scale) transmission of microwave signals without excessive attenuation, and also permits usefully high rf power levels to be transmitted without creating excessive dielectric heating. We observed loss tangents as low as 2.2 × 10-5 at 20 mK, although losses increased somewhat at very low rf power levels, similar to the well-known behavior of amorphous inorganic dielectrics such as SiO2. Our fabrication techniques could be extended to more complex structures such as multiconductor cables, embedded microstrip, 3-metal layer stripline or rectangular coax, and integrated attenuators and thermalization structures.

MODIS On-Board Blackbody Function and Performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Xiaoxiong, Xiong; Wenny, Brian N.; Wu, Aisheng; Barnes, William

2009-01-01

Two MODIS instruments are currently in orbit, making continuous global observations in visible to long-wave infrared wavelengths. Compared to heritage sensors, MODIS was built with an advanced set of on-board calibrators, providing sensor radiometric, spectral, and spatial calibration and characterization during on-orbit operation. For the thermal emissive bands (TEB) with wavelengths from 3.7 m to 14.4 m, a v-grooved blackbody (BB) is used as the primary calibration source. The BB temperature is accurately measured each scan (1.47s) using a set of 12 temperature sensors traceable to NIST temperature standards. The onboard BB is nominally operated at a fixed temperature, 290K for Terra MODIS and 285K for Aqua MODIS, to compute the TEB linear calibration coefficients. Periodically, its temperature is varied from 270K (instrument ambient) to 315K in order to evaluate and update the nonlinear calibration coefficients. This paper describes MODIS on-board BB functions with emphasis on on-orbit operation and performance. It examines the BB temperature uncertainties under different operational conditions and their impact on TEB calibration and data product quality. The temperature uniformity of the BB is also evaluated using TEB detector responses at different operating temperatures. On-orbit results demonstrate excellent short-term and long-term stability for both the Terra and Aqua MODIS on-board BB. The on-orbit BB temperature uncertainty is estimated to be 10mK for Terra MODIS at 290K and 5mK for Aqua MODIS at 285K, thus meeting the TEB design specifications. In addition, there has been no measurable BB temperature drift over the entire mission of both Terra and Aqua MODIS.

Supercooling of Hydrogen on Template Materials to Deterministically Seed Ignition-Quality Solid Fuel Layers

DOE PAGES

Shin, S. J.; Zepeda-Ruiz, L. A.; Lee, J. R. I.; ...

2016-09-01

In this study, we explored templating effects of various materials for hydrogen (H 2 and D 2) solidification by measuring the degree of supercooling required for liquid hydrogen to solidify below each triple point. The results show high supercooling (>100 mK) for most metallic, covalent, and ionic solids, and low supercooling (<100 mK) for van der Waals (vdW) solids. We attribute the low supercooling of vdW solids to the weak interaction of the substrate and hydrogen. Highly ordered pyrolytic graphite showed the lowest supercooling among materials that are solid at room temperature, but did not exhibit a templating effect withinmore » a fill-tube and capsule assembly.« less

Using Thin-Film Thermometers as Heaters in Thermal Control Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cho, Hyung J.; Penanen, Konstantin; Sukhatme, Kalyani G.; Holmes, Warren A.; Courts, Scott

2010-01-01

A cryogenic sensor maintains calibration at approximately equal to 4.2 K to better than 2 mK (< 0.5 percent resistance repeatability) after being heated to approximately equal 40 K with approximately equal 0.5 W power. The sensor withstands 4 W power dissipation when immersed in liquid nitrogen with verified resistance reproducibility of, at worst, 1 percent. The sensor maintains calibration to 0.1 percent after being heated with 1-W power at approximately equal 77 K for a period of 48 hours. When operated with a readout scheme that is capable of mitigating the self-heating calibration errors, this and similar sensors can be used for precision (mK stability) temperature control without the need of separate heaters and associated wiring/cabling.

Plasma etching of superconducting Niobium tips for scanning tunneling microscopy

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

Roychowdhury, A.; Center for Nanophysics and Advanced Materials, Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742; Dana, R.

We have developed a reproducible technique for the fabrication of sharp superconducting Nb tips for scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and scanning tunneling spectroscopy. Sections of Nb wire with 250 μm diameter are dry etched in an SF₆ plasma in a Reactive Ion Etcher. The gas pressure, etching time, and applied power are chosen to control the ratio of isotropic to anisotropic etch rates and produce the desired tip shape. The resulting tips are atomically sharp, with radii of less than 100 nm, mechanically stable, and superconducting. They generate good STM images and spectroscopy on single crystal samples of Au(111), Au(100),more » and Nb(100), as well as a doped topological insulator Bi₂Se₃ at temperatures ranging from 30 mK to 9 K.« less

Novel High Cooperativity Photon-Magnon Cavity QED

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tobar, Michael; Bourhill, Jeremy; Kostylev, Nikita; G, Maxim; Creedon, Daniel

Novel microwave cavities are presented, which couple photons and magnons in YIG spheres in a super- and ultra-strong way at around 20 mK in temperature. Few/Single photon couplings (or normal mode splitting, 2g) of more than 6 GHz at microwave frequencies are obtained. Types of cavities include multiple post reentrant cavities, which co-couple photons at different frequencies with a coupling greater that the free spectral range, as well as spherical loaded dielectric cavity resonators. In such cavities we show that the bare dielectric properties can be obtained by polarizing all magnon modes to high energy using a 7 Tesla magnet. We also show that at zero-field, collective effects of the spins significantly perturb the photon modes. Other effects like time-reversal symmetry breaking are observed.

Zeno: Critical Fluid Light Scattering Experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gammon, Robert W.; Shaumeyer, J. N.; Briggs, Matthew E.; Boukari, Hacene; Gent, David A.; Wilkinson, R. Allen

1996-01-01

The Zeno (Critical Fluid Light Scattering) experiment is the culmination of a long history of critical fluid light scattering in liquid-vapor systems. The major limitation to making accurate measurements closer to the critical point was the density stratification which occurs in these extremely compressible fluids. Zeno was to determine the critical density fluctuation decay rates at a pair of supplementary angles in the temperature range 100 mK to 100 (mu)K from T(sub c) in a sample of xenon accurately loaded to the critical density. This paper gives some highlights from operating the instrument on two flights March, 1994 on STS-62 and February, 1996 on STS-75. More detail of the experiment Science Requirements, the personnel, apparatus, and results are displayed on the Web homepage at http://www.zeno.umd.edu.

Superconductivity, pairing symmetry, and disorder in the doped topological insulator Sn 1 - x In x Te for x ≥ 0.10

DOE PAGES

Smylie, M. P.; Claus, H.; Kwok, W. -K.; ...

2018-01-19

The temperature dependence of the London penetration depth Δλ(T) in the superconducting doped topological crystalline insulator Sn 1-xIn x Te was measured down to 450 mK for two different doping levels, x ≈ 0.45 (optimally doped) and x ≈ 0.10 (underdoped), bookending the range of cubic phase in the compound. The results indicate no deviation from fully gapped BCS-like behavior, eliminating several candidate unconventional gap structures. Critical field values below 1 K and other superconducting parameters are also presented. The introduction of disorder by repeated particle irradiation with 5 MeV protons does not enhance T c, indicating that ferroelectric interactionsmore » do not compete with superconductivity.« less

Superconductivity, pairing symmetry, and disorder in the doped topological insulator Sn 1 - x In x Te for x ≥ 0.10

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

Smylie, M. P.; Claus, H.; Kwok, W. -K.

The temperature dependence of the London penetration depth Δλ(T) in the superconducting doped topological crystalline insulator Sn 1-xIn x Te was measured down to 450 mK for two different doping levels, x ≈ 0.45 (optimally doped) and x ≈ 0.10 (underdoped), bookending the range of cubic phase in the compound. The results indicate no deviation from fully gapped BCS-like behavior, eliminating several candidate unconventional gap structures. Critical field values below 1 K and other superconducting parameters are also presented. The introduction of disorder by repeated particle irradiation with 5 MeV protons does not enhance T c, indicating that ferroelectric interactionsmore » do not compete with superconductivity.« less

Superconductivity, Pairing Symmetry, and Disorder in the Doped Topological Insulator Sn 1-xIn xTe for x >= 0.10.

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

Smylie, M. P.; Claus, H.; Kwok, W. -K.

The temperature dependence of the London penetration depth Delta lambda(T) in the superconducting doped topological crystalline insulator Sn1-xInxTe was measured down to 450 mK for two different doping levels, x approximate to 0.45 (optimally doped) and x approximate to 0.10 (underdoped), bookending the range of cubic phase in the compound. The results indicate no deviation from fully gapped BCS-like behavior, eliminating several candidate unconventional gap structures. Critical field values below 1 K and other superconducting parameters are also presented. The introduction of disorder by repeated particle irradiation with 5 MeV protons does not enhance T-c, indicating that ferroelectric interactions domore » not compete with superconductivity.« less

Streptosporangium minutum sp. nov., isolated from garden soil exposed to microwave radiation.

PubMed

Le Roes-Hill, Marilize; Durrell, Kim; Prins, Alaric; Meyers, Paul R

2018-06-01

The actinobacterium, strain M26 T , was isolated from garden soil that was pre-treated with microwave radiation. The soil sample was collected in Roodepoort, Gauteng Province, South Africa as part of an antibiotic-screening programme. The isolate produced branched vegetative mycelium with sporangiophores bearing small sporangia ranging from 3 to 6 μm in diameter. Rapid genus identification revealed that the isolate belongs to the genus Streptosporangium. To confirm this result, the strain was subjected to polyphasic taxonomic characterisation. Chemotaxonomic characteristics were as follows: meso-DAP in the peptidoglycan, the whole-cell hydrolysate yielded madurose, predominant menaquinones were MK9 (21%), MK9(H 2 ) (40%), MK9(H 4 ) (31%) and MK9(H 6 ) (3%); the polar lipid profile included an aminolipid, phosphoglycolipids, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine. In addition, the fatty acid profile showed the presence of C 16:0 (12.8%), C 17:1 ω8c (14.2%), and 10-methyl-C 17:0 (15.8%). Furthermore, 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogenetic analysis showed that the strain is closely related to members of the genus Streptosporangium, which supports its classification within the family Streptosporangiaceae. Strain M26 T exhibited antibiosis against a range of pathogenic bacteria, including, but not limited to Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 19606 T , Enterobacter cloacae subsp. cloacae ATCC BAA-1143, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 51299 (vancomycin resistant), Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19111, Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv T , Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Salmonella enterica subsp. arizonae ATCC 13314 T , and the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus ATCC 33591 (MRSA). The name Streptosporangium minutum is proposed with the type strain M26 T (=LMG 28850 T =NRRL B-65295 T ).

Antidepressant Effects of (+)-MK-801 and (-)-MK-801 in the Social Defeat Stress Model

PubMed Central

Yang, Bangkun; Ren, Qian; Ma, Min; Chen, Qian-Xue

2016-01-01

Background: Current data on antidepressant action of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, (+)-MK-801, is inconsistent. This study was conducted to examine the effects of (+)-MK-801 and its less potent stereoisomer, (-)-MK-801, in the social defeat stress model of depression. Methods: The antidepressant effects of (+)-MK-801 (0.1mg/kg) and (-)-MK-801 (0.1mg/kg) in the social defeat stress model were examined. Results: In the tail suspension and forced swimming tests, both stereoisomers significantly attenuated increased immobility time in susceptible mice. In the sucrose preference test, (+)-MK-801, but not (-)-MK-801, significantly enhanced reduced sucrose consumption 2 or 4 days after a single dose. However, no antianhedonia effects were detected 7 days after a single dose of either stereoisomer. Conclusions: Both stereoisomers of MK-801 induced rapid antidepressant effects in the social defeat stress model, although neither produced a long-lasting effect (7 days). PMID:27608811

Antidepressant Effects of (+)-MK-801 and (-)-MK-801 in the Social Defeat Stress Model.

PubMed

Yang, Bangkun; Ren, Qian; Ma, Min; Chen, Qian-Xue; Hashimoto, Kenji

2016-12-01

Current data on antidepressant action of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, (+)-MK-801, is inconsistent. This study was conducted to examine the effects of (+)-MK-801 and its less potent stereoisomer, (-)-MK-801, in the social defeat stress model of depression. The antidepressant effects of (+)-MK-801 (0.1mg/kg) and (-)-MK-801 (0.1mg/kg) in the social defeat stress model were examined. In the tail suspension and forced swimming tests, both stereoisomers significantly attenuated increased immobility time in susceptible mice. In the sucrose preference test, (+)-MK-801, but not (-)-MK-801, significantly enhanced reduced sucrose consumption 2 or 4 days after a single dose. However, no antianhedonia effects were detected 7 days after a single dose of either stereoisomer. Both stereoisomers of MK-801 induced rapid antidepressant effects in the social defeat stress model, although neither produced a long-lasting effect (7 days). © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of CINP.

Nocardiopsis akesuensis sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from a salt water beach.

PubMed

Gao, Guang-Bin; Luo, Xiao-Xia; Xia, Zhan-Feng; Zhang, Yao; Wan, Chuan-Xing; Zhang, Li-Li

2016-12-01

The taxonomic position of a novel actinomycete, strain TRM 46250T, isolated from the sediment of a salt water beach at Baicheng, Xinjiang, China, was determined by a polyphasic approach. Strain TRM 46250T grew optimally in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl and an optimum temperature range for growth of 28-37 °C. The whole-cell sugars of strain TRM 46250T were ribose, xylose, mannose and galactose. The diagnostic diamino acid was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The polar lipids were phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethyl ethanolamine and six unidentified phospholipids. The predominant menaquinones were MK-10, MK-10(H6) and MK-10(H8). The major fatty acids were 10-methyl C18 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, C16 : 0, iso-G C16 : 1 and C18 : 1ω9c. Based on morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics the isolate was determined to belong to the genus Nocardiopsis. The phylogenetic tree based on its nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequence (1493 nt) with those of representative strains showed that the strain consistently falls into a distinct phyletic line together with Nocardiopsis gilva YIM 90087T (97.68 % similarity) and a subclade consisting of Nocardiopsis composta KS9T (97.52 %), Nocardiopsis rosea YIM 90094T (97.44 %) and Nocardiopsis rhodophaea YIM 90096T (97.16 %). However, DNA-DNA hybridization studies between strain TRM 46250T and N. gilva YIM 90087T showed only 36.94 % relatedness. On the basis of these data, strain TRM 46250T should be designated as a representative of a novel species of the genus Nocardiopsis, for which the name Nocardiopsis akesuensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 46250T (=CCTCC AA 2015027T=KCTC 39725T).

Protecting the health of U.S. military forces in Romania: endemic disease threat considerations.

PubMed

Perkins, Dana

2009-01-01

In 2005 the United States and Romania signed a historic access agreement establishing the first U.S. military bases in the former Soviet bloc country of Romania. The bases will host joint exercises aimed at developing regional military cooperation with forces throughout the entire 92-country USEUCOM area of responsibility (AOR). These forward operating bases (FOBs) or "lily pads" will include the Smârdan Training Range, Babadag Training Range, Mihail Kogălniceanu (MK) Air Base, and Cincu Training Range. They will be under the command of Joint Task Force East (JTF-East), headquartered at the MK Air Base. Here described are the naturally occurring pathogens of clinical significance that exist in the region, including those of known biowarfare/bioterrorism (BW/BT) potential. Notwithstanding the length of deployment for training, proactive clinical and environmental surveillance should be linked to the implementation of adequate Force Health Protection (FHP) measures to minimize the impact these medical threats may have on JTF-East operations.

NuSTAR Detection of X-Ray Heating Events in the Quiet Sun

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuhar, Matej; Krucker, Säm; Glesener, Lindsay; Hannah, Iain G.; Grefenstette, Brian W.; Smith, David M.; Hudson, Hugh S.; White, Stephen M.

2018-04-01

The explanation of the coronal heating problem potentially lies in the existence of nanoflares, numerous small-scale heating events occurring across the whole solar disk. In this Letter, we present the first imaging spectroscopy X-ray observations of three quiet Sun flares during the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope ARray (NuSTAR) solar campaigns on 2016 July 26 and 2017 March 21, concurrent with the Solar Dynamics Observatory/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (SDO/AIA) observations. Two of the three events showed time lags of a few minutes between peak X-ray and extreme ultraviolet emissions. Isothermal fits with rather low temperatures in the range 3.2–4.1 MK and emission measures of (0.6–15) × 1044 cm‑3 describe their spectra well, resulting in thermal energies in the range (2–6) × 1026 erg. NuSTAR spectra did not show any signs of a nonthermal or higher temperature component. However, as the estimated upper limits of (hidden) nonthermal energy are comparable to the thermal energy estimates, the lack of a nonthermal component in the observed spectra is not a constraining result. The estimated Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) classes from the fitted values of temperature and emission measure fall between 1/1000 and 1/100 A class level, making them eight orders of magnitude fainter in soft X-ray flux than the largest solar flares.

X-Ray Properties of Low-mass Pre-main Sequence Stars in the Orion Trapezium Cluster

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schulz, Norbert S.; Huenemoerder, David P.; Günther, Moritz; Testa, Paola; Canizares, Claude R.

2015-09-01

The Chandra HETG Orion Legacy Project (HOLP) is the first comprehensive set of observations of a very young massive stellar cluster that provides high-resolution X-ray spectra of very young stars over a wide mass range (0.7-2.3 {M}⊙ ). In this paper, we focus on the six brightest X-ray sources with T Tauri stellar counterparts that are well-characterized at optical and infrared wavelengths. All stars show column densities which are substantially smaller than expected from optical extinction, indicating that the sources are located on the near side of the cluster with respect to the observer as well as that these stars are embedded in more dusty environments. Stellar X-ray luminosities are well above 1031 erg s-1, in some cases exceeding 1032 erg s-1 for a substantial amount of time. The stars during these observations show no flares but are persistently bright. The spectra can be well fit with two temperature plasma components of 10 MK and 40 MK, of which the latter dominates the flux by a ratio 6:1 on average. The total emission measures range between 3-8 × 1054 cm-3 and are comparable to active coronal sources. The fits to the Ne ix He-Like K-shell lines indicate forbidden to inter-combination line ratios consistent with the low-density limit. Observed abundances compare well with active coronal sources underlying the coronal nature of these sources. The surface flux in this sample of 0.6-2.3 {M}⊙ classical T Tauri stars shows that coronal activity increases significantly between ages 0.1 and 10 Myr. The results demonstrate the power of X-ray line diagnostics to study coronal properties of T Tauri stars in young stellar clusters.

The MASSIVE Survey - V. Spatially resolved stellar angular momentum, velocity dispersion, and higher moments of the 41 most massive local early-type galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Veale, Melanie; Ma, Chung-Pei; Thomas, Jens; Greene, Jenny E.; McConnell, Nicholas J.; Walsh, Jonelle; Ito, Jennifer; Blakeslee, John P.; Janish, Ryan

2017-01-01

We present spatially resolved two-dimensional stellar kinematics for the 41 most massive early-type galaxies (ETGs; MK ≲ -25.7 mag, stellar mass M* ≳ 1011.8 M⊙) of the volume-limited (D < 108 Mpc) MASSIVE survey. For each galaxy, we obtain high-quality spectra in the wavelength range of 3650-5850 Å from the 246-fibre Mitchell integral-field spectrograph at McDonald Observatory, covering a 107 arcsec × 107 arcsec field of view (often reaching 2 to 3 effective radii). We measure the 2D spatial distribution of each galaxy's angular momentum (λ and fast or slow rotator status), velocity dispersion (σ), and higher order non-Gaussian velocity features (Gauss-Hermite moments h3 to h6). Our sample contains a high fraction (˜80 per cent) of slow and non-rotators with λ ≲ 0.2. When combined with the lower mass ETGs in the ATLAS3D survey, we find the fraction of slow rotators to increase dramatically with galaxy mass, reaching ˜50 per cent at MK ˜ -25.5 mag and ˜90 per cent at MK ≲ -26 mag. All of our fast rotators show a clear anticorrelation between h3 and V/σ, and the slope of the anticorrelation is steeper in more round galaxies. The radial profiles of σ show a clear luminosity and environmental dependence: the 12 most luminous galaxies in our sample (MK ≲ -26 mag) are all brightest cluster/group galaxies (except NGC 4874) and all have rising or nearly flat σ profiles, whereas five of the seven `isolated' galaxies are all fainter than MK = -25.8 mag and have falling σ. All of our galaxies have positive average h4; the most luminous galaxies have average h4 ˜ 0.05, while less luminous galaxies have a range of values between 0 and 0.05. Most of our galaxies show positive radial gradients in h4, and those galaxies also tend to have rising σ profiles. We discuss the implications for the relationship among dynamical mass, σ, h4, and velocity anisotropy for these massive galaxies.

The conflicting role of buckled structure in phonon transport of 2D group-IV and group-V materials.

PubMed

Peng, Bo; Zhang, Dequan; Zhang, Hao; Shao, Hezhu; Ni, Gang; Zhu, Yongyuan; Zhu, Heyuan

2017-06-08

Controlling heat transport through material design is one important step toward thermal management in 2D materials. To control heat transport, a comprehensive understanding of how structure influences heat transport is required. It has been argued that a buckled structure is able to suppress heat transport by increasing the flexural phonon scattering. Using a first principles approach, we calculate the lattice thermal conductivity of 2D mono-elemental materials with a buckled structure. Somewhat counterintuitively, we find that although 2D group-V materials have a larger mass and higher buckling height than their group-IV counterparts, the calculated κ of blue phosphorene (106.6 W mK -1 ) is nearly four times higher than that of silicene (28.3 W mK -1 ), while arsenene (37.8 W mK -1 ) is more than fifteen times higher than germanene (2.4 W mK -1 ). We report for the first time that a buckled structure has three conflicting effects: (i) increasing the Debye temperature by increasing the overlap of the p z orbitals, (ii) suppressing the acoustic-optical scattering by forming an acoustic-optical gap, and (iii) increasing the flexural phonon scattering. The former two, corresponding to the harmonic phonon part, tend to enhance κ, while the last one, corresponding to the anharmonic part, suppresses it. This relationship between the buckled structure and phonon behaviour provides insight into how to control heat transport in 2D materials.

Midkine is overexpressed in acute pancreatitis and promotes the pancreatic recovery in L-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis in mice.

PubMed

Cheng, Li; Qiao, Zhenguo; Xu, Chunfang; Shen, Jiaqing

2017-06-01

Midkine (MK) is involved in the pathogenesis of numerous malignancies, but the expression and effect of MK in acute pancreatitis (AP) have not been well studied and documented. In this study, the expression of MK was assayed in mice with L-arginine-induced AP. A recombinant human MK (rhMK) was introduced in this study to test the effect of MK on the L-arginine-induced AP. Serum amylase and lipase were assayed. Pancreas tissue samples were also collected for the evaluation of histological injury. Western blot and immunochemical staining of α-amylase and proliferating cell nuclear antigen were applied for the study of acinar regeneration in the pancreas. The elevation of MK expression was found in mice with AP induced by L-arginine. After rhMK administration, rhMK did not affect the severity of acute pancreatic injury in acute phase in L-arginine-induced pancreatitis in mice, in accordance with changes of serum amylase and lipase and the histological evaluation. But during the recovery phase, the area of remaining acinar cells was increased and the fibrosis was reduced in rhMK-treated mice. Furthermore, the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and α-amylase was also upregulated after rhMK treatment. Midkine is over-expressed during AP in the animal model. Recombinant MK could promote the recovery of L-arginine-induced pancreatitis in mice. Therefore, MK may be involved in the regeneration of acinar cells in AP, and rhMK may be a possible therapeutic intervention for the repairment of AP. © 2016 Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Foundation and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

Internal Waves in CVX

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Berg, Robert F.

1996-01-01

Near the liquid-vapor critical point, density stratification supports internal gravity waves which affect 1-g viscosity measurements in the CVX (Critical Viscosity of Xenon) experiment. Two internal-wave modes were seen in the horizontal viscometer. The frequencies of the two modes had different temperature dependences: with decreasing temperature, the higher frequency increased monotonically from 0.7 to 2.8 Hz, but the lower frequency varied non-monotonically, with a maximum of 1.0 Hz at 20 mK above the critical temperature. The measured frequencies agree with independently calculated frequencies to within 15%.

SphinX Measurements of the 2009 Solar Minimum X-Ray Emission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sylwester, J.; Kowalinski, M.; Gburek, S.; Siarkowski, M.; Kuzin, S.; Farnik, F.; Reale, F.; Phillips, K. J. H.; Bakała, J.; Gryciuk, M.; Podgorski, P.; Sylwester, B.

2012-06-01

The SphinX X-ray spectrophotometer on the CORONAS-PHOTON spacecraft measured soft X-ray emission in the 1-15 keV energy range during the deep solar minimum of 2009 with a sensitivity much greater than GOES. Several intervals are identified when the X-ray flux was exceptionally low, and the flux and solar X-ray luminosity are estimated. Spectral fits to the emission at these times give temperatures of 1.7-1.9 MK and emission measures between 4 × 1047 cm-3 and 1.1 × 1048 cm-3. Comparing SphinX emission with that from the Hinode X-ray Telescope, we deduce that most of the emission is from general coronal structures rather than confined features like bright points. For one of 27 intervals of exceptionally low activity identified in the SphinX data, the Sun's X-ray luminosity in an energy range roughly extrapolated to that of ROSAT (0.1-2.4 keV) was less than most nearby K and M dwarfs.

Phase diagram of boron-doped diamond revisited by thickness-dependent transport studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bousquet, J.; Klein, T.; Solana, M.; Saminadayar, L.; Marcenat, C.; Bustarret, E.

2017-04-01

We report on a detailed study of the electronic properties of a series of boron-doped diamond epilayers with dopant concentration ranging from 1 ×1020 to 3 ×1021cm-3 and thicknesses (d⊥) ranging from 2 μ m to 8 nm. By using well-defined mesa patterns that minimize the parasitic currents induced by doping inhomogeneities, we have been able to unveil a new phase diagram differing from all previous reports. We first show that the boron concentration corresponding to the onset of superconductivity (above 50 mK) does not coincide with that of the metal-insulator transition; the latter one corresponding to the vanishing of the residual conductivity σ0 (deduced from σ (T ) =σ (0 ) +A √{T } fits to the low temperature data). Moreover, a dimensional crossover from 3D to 2D transport properties could be induced by reducing d⊥ in both (metallic) nonsuperconducting and superconducting epilayers but without any reduction of Tc in the latter.

Method for revealing biases in precision mass measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vabson, V.; Vendt, R.; Kübarsepp, T.; Noorma, M.

2013-02-01

A practical method for the quantification of systematic errors of large-scale automatic comparators is presented. This method is based on a comparison of the performance of two different comparators. First, the differences of 16 equal partial loads of 1 kg are measured with a high-resolution mass comparator featuring insignificant bias and 1 kg maximum load. At the second stage, a large-scale comparator is tested by using combined loads with known mass differences. Comparing the different results, the biases of any comparator can be easily revealed. These large-scale comparator biases are determined over a 16-month period, and for the 1 kg loads, a typical pattern of biases in the range of ±0.4 mg is observed. The temperature differences recorded inside the comparator concurrently with mass measurements are found to remain within a range of ±30 mK, which obviously has a minor effect on the detected biases. Seasonal variations imply that the biases likely arise mainly due to the functioning of the environmental control at the measurement location.

Synthesis and receptor binding studies of (+/-)1-iodo-MK-801

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

Yang, D.J.; Ciliax, B.J.; Van Dort, M.E.

1989-06-01

The glutamate analogue N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) binds to a subset of glutamate receptors that are coupled to a voltage-sensitive cation channel. This NMDA-linked channel is the likely binding locus of the potent anticonvulsant MK-801. To develop single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) probes of this brain channel, we synthesized (+/)1-iodo-MK-801 and (+/-)1-({sup 125}I)iodo-MK-801. The effect of (+/-)1-iodo-MK-801 on ligand binding to the NMDA-linked glutamate receptor site was assessed using a rat brain homogenate assay. (+/-)1-Iodo-MK-801 displaced the dissociative anesthetic ligand ({sup 3}H)N-(1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl)piperidine (({sup 3}H)TCP) binding with an IC50 of 1 microM, which is a 10-fold lower binding affinity than that of (+/-)MK-801.more » In in vivo autoradiographic studies, (+/-)MK-801 failed to block selective uptake of (+/-)1-iodo-MK-801 in rat brain. These results suggest that (+/-)1-iodo-MK-801 may not be a suitable ligand for mapping NMDA-linked glutamate receptor channels.« less

Calcium and ZmCCaMK are involved in brassinosteroid-induced antioxidant defense in maize leaves.

PubMed

Yan, Jingwei; Guan, Li; Sun, Yue; Zhu, Yuan; Liu, Lei; Lu, Rui; Jiang, Mingyi; Tan, Mingpu; Zhang, Aying

2015-05-01

Brassinosteroids (BRs) have been shown to enhance stress tolerance by inducing antioxidant defense systems. However, the mechanisms of BR-induced antioxidant defense in plants remain to be determined. In this study, the role of calcium (Ca(2+)) and maize calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CCaMK), ZmCCaMK, in BR-induced antioxidant defense, and the relationship between ZmCCaMK and Ca(2+) in BR signaling were investigated. BR treatment led to a significant increase in cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration in protoplasts from maize mesophyll, and Ca(2+) was shown to be required for BR-induced antioxidant defense. Treatment with BR induced increases in gene expression and enzyme activity of ZmCCaMK in maize leaves. Transient overexpression and silencing of ZmCCaMK in maize protoplasts demonstrated that ZmCCaMK was required for BR-induced antioxidant defense. The requirement for CCaMK was further investigated using a loss-of-function mutant of OsCCaMK, the orthologous gene of ZmCCaMK in rice. Consistent with the findings in maize, BR treatment could not induce antioxidant defense in the rice OsCCAMK mutant. Furthermore, Ca(2+) was required for BR-induced gene expression and activation of ZmCCaMK, while ZmCCaMK was shown to enhance the BR-induced increase in cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration. Moreover, our results also showed that ZmCCaMK and H2O2 influenced each other. These results indicate that Ca(2+) works together with ZmCCaMK in BR-induced antioxidant defense, and there are two positive feedback loops between Ca(2+) or H2O2 and ZmCCaMK in BR signaling in maize. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Japanese Society of Plant Physiologists. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

A new look at a polar crown cavity as observed by SDO/AIA. Structure and dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Régnier, S.; Walsh, R. W.; Alexander, C. E.

2011-09-01

Context. The Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) was launched in February 2010 and is now providing an unprecedented view of the solar activity at high spatial resolution and high cadence covering a broad range of temperature layers of the atmosphere. Aims: We aim at defining the structure of a polar crown cavity and describing its evolution during the erupting process. Methods: We use the high-cadence time series of SDO/AIA observations at 304 Å (50 000 K) and 171 Å (0.6 MK) to determine the structure of the polar crown cavity and its associated plasma, as well as the evolution of the cavity during the different phases of the eruption. We report on the observations recorded on 13 June 2010 located on the north-west limb. Results: We observe coronal plasma shaped by magnetic field lines with a negative curvature (U-shape) sitting at the bottom of a cavity. The cavity is located just above the polar crown filament material. We thus observe the inner part of the cavity above the filament as depicted in the classical three part coronal mass ejection (CME) model composed of a filament, a cavity, and a CME front. The filament (in this case a polar crown filament) is part of the cavity, and it makes a continuous structuring from the filament to the CME front depicted by concentric ellipses (in a 2D cartoon). Conclusions: We propose to define a polar crown cavity as a density depletion sitting above denser polar crown filament plasma drained down the cavity by gravity. As part of the polar crown filament, plasma at different temperatures (ranging from 50 000 K to 0.6 MK) is observed at the same location on the cavity dips and sustained by a competition between the gravity and the curvature of magnetic field lines. The eruption of the polar crown cavity as a solid body can be decomposed into two phases: a slow rise at a speed of 0.6 km s-1 and an acceleration phase at a mean speed of 25 km s-1. Two movies are only available at http://www.aanda.org

Menaquinones, bacteria, and the food supply: the relevance of dairy and fermented food products to vitamin K requirements.

PubMed

Walther, Barbara; Karl, J Philip; Booth, Sarah L; Boyaval, Patrick

2013-07-01

Vitamin K exists in the food supply as phylloquinone, a plant-based form and as menaquinones (MKs), a collection of isoprenologues mostly originating from bacterial synthesis. Although multiple bacterial species used as starter cultures for food fermentations synthesize MK, relatively little is known about the presence and distribution of MK in the food supply and the relative contribution of MK to total dietary vitamin K intake. Dairy products may be a predominant source of dietary MK in many regions of the world, and there is recent interest in enhancing the MK content of dairy products through identification and selection of MK-producing bacteria in dairy fermentations. This interest is increased by emerging evidence that current dietary recommendations based on the classic role of vitamin K as an enzyme cofactor for coagulation proteins may not be optimal for supporting vitamin K requirements in extrahepatic tissues and that MK may have unique bioactivity beyond that as an enzyme cofactor. Observational studies have reported favorable associations between MK intake and bone and cardiovascular health. Although randomized trials have provided some evidence to support the beneficial effects of MK on bone, the evidence to date is not definitive, and randomized trials have not yet examined MK intake in relation to cardiovascular outcomes. Food production practices provide a means to enhance dietary MK availability and intake. However, parallel research is needed to optimize these production practices, develop comprehensive food MK content databases, and test hypotheses of unique beneficial physiological roles of MK beyond that achieved by phylloquinone.

The UK Army officers’ Experience with the ROCC Model and its Implications for Captains Education in the US Army

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-06-10

analysis of how the demographics impact the research. Table 2. Responses to Survey Question 1 JOLP1 JOLP2 JOLP3 MK1 MK2 MK2a MA1 MA2 MA3 JOTAC...programmes of instruction you completed.158 Table 2. Responses to Survey Question 1 JOLP1 JOLP2 JOLP3 MK1 MK2 MK2a MA1 MA2 MA3 JOTAC JOTES ET

Coolers development for the ATHENA X-IFU cryogenic chain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duband, L.; Charles, I.; Duval, J.-M.

2014-07-01

The hot and energetic universe has been selected by ESA as the science theme for the L2 mission with a planned launch in 2028. The Athena mission is one the potential mission concept for the next X-rays generation satellite. One of the instruments of this mission is the X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) which provides spatially resolved high resolution spectroscopy. This low temperature instrument requires high detector sensitivity that can only be achieved using 50 mK cooling. To obtain this temperature level, a careful design of the cryostat and of the cooling chain comprising different stages in cascade is needed. CEA has undertaken development in various areas to contribute to this cryochain including pulse tube coolers and sub-Kelvin coolers. This paper will describe the status of our different cooler developments. High temperature two stage pulse tube can be used for thermal shields cooling, 15 K pulse tube cooler for 2 K JT precooling and 4 K pulse tube cooler for a potential direct cooling of the sub-kelvin cooler. The 50 mK temperature is achieved using a sub-kelvin cooler comprising an adsorption cooler linked to an ADR stage. This elegant solution gives way to a light, compact and reliable cooler which has been validated in the SPICA/SAFARI project. Modified solutions are also under study to accommodate alternative design.

A novel Ni(4) complex exhibiting microsecond quantum tunneling of the magnetization.

PubMed

Aromí, Guillem; Bouwman, Elisabeth; Burzurí, Enrique; Carbonera, Chiara; Krzystek, J; Luis, Fernando; Schlegel, Christoph; van Slageren, Joris; Tanase, Stefania; Teat, Simon J

2008-01-01

A highly asymmetric Ni(II) cluster [Ni(4)(OH)(OMe)(3)(Hphpz)(4)(MeOH)(3)](MeOH) (1) (H(2)phpz=3-methyl-5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)pyrazole) has been prepared and its structure determined by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction by using synchrotron radiation. Variable-temperature bulk-magnetization measurements show that the complex exhibits intramolecular-ferromagnetic interactions leading to a spin ground state S=4 with close-lying excited states. Magnetization and high-frequency EPR measurements suggest the presence of sizable Ising-type magnetic anisotropy, with zero-field splitting parameters D=-0.263 cm(-1) and E=0.04 cm(-1) for the spin ground state, and an isotropic g value of 2.25. The presence of both axial and transverse anisotropy was confirmed through low-temperature specific heat determinations down to 300 mK, but no slow relaxation of the magnetization was observed by AC measurements down to 1.8 K. Interestingly, AC susceptibility measurements down to temperatures as low as 23 mK showed no indication of slow relaxation of the magnetization in 1. Thus, despite the presence of an anisotropy barrier (U approximately 4.21 cm(-1) for the purely axial limit), the magnetization relaxation remains extremely fast down to the lowest temperatures. The estimated quantum tunneling rate, Gamma>0.667 MHz, makes this complex a prime candidate for observation of coherent tunneling of the magnetization.

Using Sdo's AIA to Investigate Energy Transport from a Flare's Energy Release Site to the Chromosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brosius, Jeffrey W.; Holman, Gordon D.

2012-01-01

Coordinated observations of a GOES B4.8 microflare with SDOs Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) and the RamatyHigh Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) on 2010 July 31 show that emission in all seven of AIAs EUV channels brightened simultaneously nearly 6 min before RHESSI or GOES detected emission from plasma at temperatures around 10 MK. Aims. To help interpret these and AIA flare observations in general, we characterized the expected temporal responses of AIAs 94, 131, 171, 193, 211, and 335 channels to solar flare brightenings by combining (1) AIAs nominal temperature response functions available through SSWIDL with (2) EUV spectral line data observed in a flare loop Coordinated observations of a GOES B4.8 microflare with SDOs Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) and the RamatyHigh Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) on 2010 July 31 show that emission in all seven of AIAs EUV channels brightenedsimultaneously nearly 6 min before RHESSI or GOES detected emission from plasma at temperatures around 10 MK.Aims. To help interpret these and AIA flare observations in general, we characterized the expected temporal responses of AIAs 94,131, 171, 193, 211, and 335 channels to solar flare brightenings by combining (1) AIAs nominal temperature response functionsavailable through SSWIDL with (2) EUV spectral line data observed in a flare loop

Focal plane arrays based on Type-II indium arsenide/gallium antimonide superlattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Delaunay, Pierre-Yves

The goal of this work is to demonstrate that Type-II InAs/GaSb superlattices can perform high quality infrared imaging from the middle (MWIR) to the long (LWIR) wavelength infrared range. Theoretically, focal plane arrays (FPAs) based on this technology could be operated at higher temperatures, with lower dark currents than the leading HgCdTe platform. This effort will focus on the fabrication of MWIR and LWIR FPAs with performance similar to existing infrared cameras. Some applications in the MWIR require fast, sensitive imagers able to sustain frame rates up to 100Hz. Such speed can only be achieved with photon detectors. However, these cameras need to be operated below 170K. Current research in this spectral band focuses on increasing the operating temperature of the FPA to a point where cooling could be performed with compact and reliable thermoelectric coolers. Type-II superlattice was used to demonstrate a camera that presented similar performance to HgCdTe and that could be operated up to room temperature. At 80K, the camera could detect temperature differences as low as 10 mK for an integration time shorter than 25 ms. In the LWIR, the electric performance of Type-II photodiodes is mainly limited by surface leakage. Aggressive processing steps such as hybridization and underfill can increase the dark current of the devices by several orders of magnitude. New cleaning and passivation techniques were used to reduce the dark current of FPA diodes by two orders of magnitudes. The absorbing GaSb substrate was also removed to increase the quantum efficiency of the devices up to 90%. At 80K, a FPA with a 9.6 microm 50%-cutoff in responsivity was able to detect temperature differences as low as 19 mK, only limited by the performance of the testing system. The non-uniformity in responsivity reached 3.8% for a 98.2% operability. The third generation of infrared cameras is based on multi-band imaging in order to improve the recognition capabilities of the imager. Preliminary detectors based on back to back diodes presented similar performance to single colors devices; the quantum efficiency was measured higher than 40% for both bands. Preliminary imaging results were demonstrated in the LWIR.

[The reasons why 13 MK1 attachment were re-fabricated and some methods for improvement].

PubMed

Wu, Zhi-hong; Zhang, Xue-jun; Zhao, Jun

2013-12-01

To investigate the reasons why 13 MK1 attachment were re-fabricated and to suggest some improvement methods. Mechanics and denture production technology were reviewed in 13 cases with MK1 attachment denture to determine the causes of failure. In some cases, MK1 attachments were poorly designed, while in other cases problems were found during denture design and production process due to limited experiences at the initial stage. MK1 attachments were re-done based on the specific cause and the outcome was good after 1-1.5 years of follow-up. When using MK1 attachment, prosthodontists should be familiar with the characteristics and indications of MK1 attachment. Meanwhile, we should strengthen doctor-patient communication and follow up patients timely to improve the success rate of MK1 attached denture repair.

Megakaryocyte polyploidization is associated with decreased expression of polo-like kinase (PLK).

PubMed

Yagi, M; Roth, G J

2006-09-01

During differentiation, megakaryocytes (MK), the bone marrow precursors of circulating blood platelets, undergo polyploidization, repeated rounds of DNA replication without cell division. Mature normal MK may contain a DNA content of up to 128N, in contrast to normal diploid (2N) cells. The extent of polyploidy may influence the number of platelets produced by the MK. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating polyploidization could identify events involved in controlling both cell division and thrombopoiesis. We investigated the expression of several proteins involved in mitosis in cultured mouse MK, and tested the effect of expression on polyploidization. Western blot and immunofluorescent analyses were used to assess expression of cell cycle proteins in cultured MK. Populations of polyploidizing MK were separated on the basis of DNA content by flow cytometry. The gene encoding mouse polo-like kinase 1 (PLK-1) was introduced into MK by retroviral transduction, and its effects measured by flow cytometry. Polyploid mouse MK expressed lower levels of two proteins, p55CDC and PLK-1, whose activity is necessary for cell cycle progression and completion of mitosis. Comparison of sorted 2N/4N and polyploid MK indicated that PLK-1 expression was absent in polyploid MK, while expression of other cell cycle proteins was similar in both populations. Forced expression of PLK-1 during MK differentiation was associated with decreased polyploidization. These experiments suggest that PLK-1 is an important regulator of polyploidization in differentiating MK.

Multi-Color QWIP FPAs for Hyperspectral Thermal Emission Instruments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Soibel, Alexander; Luong, Ed; Mumolo, Jason M.; Liu, John; Rafol, Sir B.; Keo, Sam A.; Johnson, William; Willson, Dan; Hill, Cory J.; Ting, David Z.-Y.;

The Safety Analysis of Shipborne Ammunition in Fire Environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Junpeng; Wang, Xudong; Yue, Pengfei

2017-12-01

The safety of Ammunition has always been the focus of national military science and technology issues. And fire is one of the major safety threats to the ship’s ammunition storage environment, In this paper, Mk-82 shipborne aviation bomb has been taken as the study object, simulated the whole process of fire by using the FDS (Fire Detection System) software. According to the simulation results of FDS, ANSYS software was used to simulate the temperature field of Mk-82 carrier-based aviation bomb under fire environment, and the safety of aviation bomb in fire environment was analyzed. The result shows that the aviation bombs under the fire environment can occur the combustion or explosion after 70s constant cook-off, and it was a huge threat to the ship security.

A 350 mK, 9 T scanning tunneling microscope for the study of superconducting thin films on insulating substrates and single crystals.

PubMed

Kamlapure, Anand; Saraswat, Garima; Ganguli, Somesh Chandra; Bagwe, Vivas; Raychaudhuri, Pratap; Pai, Subash P

2013-12-01

We report the construction and performance of a low temperature, high field scanning tunneling microscope (STM) operating down to 350 mK and in magnetic fields up to 9 T, with thin film deposition and in situ single crystal cleaving capabilities. The main focus lies on the simple design of STM head and a sample holder design that allows us to get spectroscopic data on superconducting thin films grown in situ on insulating substrates. Other design details on sample transport, sample preparation chamber, and vibration isolation schemes are also described. We demonstrate the capability of our instrument through the atomic resolution imaging and spectroscopy on NbSe2 single crystal and spectroscopic maps obtained on homogeneously disordered NbN thin film.

The inhibitory effect of vitamin K on RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption.

PubMed

Wu, Wei-Jie; Kim, Min Seuk; Ahn, Byung-Yong

2015-10-01

To further understand the correlation between vitamin K and bone metabolism, the effects of vitamins K1, menaquinone-4 (MK-4), and menaquinone-7 (MK-7) on RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption were comparatively investigated. Vitamin K2 groups (MK-4 and MK-7) were found to significantly inhibit RANKL-medicated osteoclast cell formation of bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) in a dose-dependent manner, without any evidence of cytotoxicity. The mRNA expression of specific osteoclast differentiation markers, such as c-Fos, NFATc1, OSCAR, and TRAP, as well as NFATc1 protein expression and TRAP activity in RANKL-treated BMMs were inhibited by vitamin K2, although MK-4 exhibited a significantly greater efficiency compared to MK-7. In contrast, the same dose of vitamin K1 had no inhibitory effect on RANKL-induced osteoclast cell formation, but increased the expression of major osteoclastogenic genes. Interestingly, vitamins K1, MK-4 and MK-7 all strongly inhibited osteoclastic bone resorption (p < 0.01) in a dose dependent manner. These results suggest that vitamins K1, MK-4 and MK-7 have anti-osteoporotic properties, while their regulation effects on osteoclastogenesis are somewhat different.

The effects of ropivacaine hydrochloride on the expression of CaMK II mRNA in the dorsal root ganglion neurons.

PubMed

Wen, Xianjie; Lai, Xiaohong; Li, Xiaohong; Zhang, Tao; Liang, Hua

2016-12-01

In this study, we identified the subtype of Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II) mRNA in dorsal root ganglion neurons and observed the effects of ropivacaine hydrochloride in different concentration and different exposure time on the mRNA expression. Dorsal root ganglion neurons were isolated from the SD rats and cultured in vitro. The mRNA of the CaMK II subtype in dorsal root ganglion neurons were detected by real-time PCR. As well as, the dorsal root ganglion neurons were treated with ropivacaine hydrochloride in different concentration (1mM,2mM, 3mM and 4mM) for the same exposure time of 4h, or different exposure time (0h,2h,3h,4h and 6h) at the same concentration(3mM). The changes of the mRNA expression of the CaMK II subtype were observed with real-time PCR. All subtype mRNA of the CaMK II, CaMK II α , CaMK II β , CaMK II δ , CaMK II γ , can be detected in dorsal root ganglion neurons. With the increased of the concentration and exposure time of the ropivacaine hydrochloride, all the subtype mRNA expression increased. Ropivacaine hydrochloride up-regulate the CaMK II β , CaMK II δ , CaMK II g mRNA expression with the concentration and exposure time increasing. The nerve blocking or the neurotoxicity of the ropivacaine hydrochloride maybe involved with CaMK II. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Inhibition of the protein kinase MK-2 protects podocytes from nephrotic syndrome-related injury

PubMed Central

Pengal, Ruma; Guess, Adam J.; Agrawal, Shipra; Manley, Joshua; Ransom, Richard F.; Mourey, Robert J.; Smoyer, William E.

2011-01-01

While mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various glomerular diseases, including nephrotic syndrome (NS), its specific role in podocyte injury is not known. We hypothesized that MK-2, a downstream substrate of p38 MAPK, mediates the adverse effects of this pathway and that inhibition of MK-2 would protect podocytes from NS-related injury. Using cultured podocytes, we analyzed 1) the roles of MK-2 and p38 MAPK in puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN)-induced podocyte injury; 2) the ability of specific MK-2 and p38 MAPK inhibitors to protect podocytes against injury; 3) the role of serum albumin, known to induce podocyte injury, in activating p38 MAPK/MK-2 signaling; and 4) the role of p38 MAPK/MK-2 signaling in the expression of Cox-2, an enzyme associated with podocyte injury. Treatment with protein kinase inhibitors specific for both MK-2 (C23, a pyrrolopyridine-type compound) or p38 MAPK (SB203580) reduced PAN-induced podocyte injury and actin cytoskeletal disruption. Both inhibitors reduced baseline podocyte p38 MAPK/MK-2 signaling, as measured by the degree of phosphorylation of HSPB1, a downstream substrate of MK-2, but exhibited disparate effects on upstream signaling. Serum albumin activated p38 MAPK/MK-2 signaling and induced Cox-2 expression, and these responses were blocked by both inhibitors. Given the critical importance of podocyte injury to both NS and other progressive glomerular diseases, these data suggest an important role for p38 MAPK/MK-2 signaling in podocyte injury and identify MK-2 inhibition as a promising potential therapeutic strategy to protect podocytes in various glomerular diseases. PMID:21613416

Thermal conductivity of graphene with defects induced by electron beam irradiation.

PubMed

Malekpour, Hoda; Ramnani, Pankaj; Srinivasan, Srilok; Balasubramanian, Ganesh; Nika, Denis L; Mulchandani, Ashok; Lake, Roger K; Balandin, Alexander A

2016-08-14

We investigate the thermal conductivity of suspended graphene as a function of the density of defects, ND, introduced in a controllable way. High-quality graphene layers are synthesized using chemical vapor deposition, transferred onto a transmission electron microscopy grid, and suspended over ∼7.5 μm size square holes. Defects are induced by irradiation of graphene with the low-energy electron beam (20 keV) and quantified by the Raman D-to-G peak intensity ratio. As the defect density changes from 2.0 × 10(10) cm(-2) to 1.8 × 10(11) cm(-2) the thermal conductivity decreases from ∼(1.8 ± 0.2) × 10(3) W mK(-1) to ∼(4.0 ± 0.2) × 10(2) W mK(-1) near room temperature. At higher defect densities, the thermal conductivity reveals an intriguing saturation-type behavior at a relatively high value of ∼400 W mK(-1). The thermal conductivity dependence on the defect density is analyzed using the Boltzmann transport equation and molecular dynamics simulations. The results are important for understanding phonon - point defect scattering in two-dimensional systems and for practical applications of graphene in thermal management.

Integrated Electron-tunneling Refrigerator and TES Bolometer for Millimeter Wave Astronomy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Silverberg, R. F.; Benford, D. J.; Chen, T. C.; Chervenak, J.; Finkbeiner, F.; Moseley, S. H.; Duncan, W.; Miller, N.; Schmidt, D.; Ullom, J.

2005-01-01

We describe progress in the development of a close-packed array of bolometers intended for use in photometric applications at millimeter wavelengths from ground- based telescopes. Each bolometer in the may uses a proximity-effect Transition Edge Sensor (TES) sensing element and each will have integrated Normal-Insulator-Superconductor (NIS) refrigerators to cool the bolometer below the ambient bath temperature. The NIS refrigerators and acoustic-phonon-mode-isolated bolometers are fabricated on silicon. The radiation-absorbing element is mechanically suspended by four legs, whose dimensions are used to control and optimize the thermal conductance of the bolometer. Using the technology developed at NIST, we fabricate NIS refrigerators at the base of each of the suspension legs. The NIS refrigerators remove hot electrons by quantum-mechanical tunneling and are expected to cool the biased (approx.10 pW) bolometers to <170 mK while the bolometers are inside a pumped 3He-cooled cryostat operating at approx.280 mK. This significantly lower temperature at the bolometer allows the detectors to approach background-limited performance despite the simple cryogenic system.

A noise thermometry investigation of the melting point of gallium at the NIM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, J. T.; Xue, S.

2006-06-01

This paper describes a study of the melting point of gallium with the new NIM Johnson noise thermometer (JNT). The new thermometer adopts the structure of switching correlator and commutator with the reference resistor maintained at the triple point of water. The electronic system of the new thermometer is basically the same as the current JNT, but the preamplifiers have been improved slightly. This study demonstrates that examining the characteristics of the noise signals in the frequency domain is of critical importance in constructing an improved new thermometer, where a power spectral analysis is found to be critical in establishing appropriate grounding for the new thermometer. The new JNT is tested on measurements of the thermodynamic temperature of the melting point of gallium, which give the thermodynamic temperature of 302.9160 K, with an overall integration time of 190 h and a combined standard uncertainty of 9.4 mK. The uncertainty analysis indicates that a standard combined uncertainty of 3 mK could be achieved with the new thermometer over an integration period of 1750 h.

Scenario-Based Systems Engineering Application to Mine Warfare

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-12-01

hunter- killer capabilities to find, classify, and destroy moored and bottom mines with sonar and video systems, cable cutting devices, and mine...Method: Serial 3 LCS MH-60s LCS: RMS with AN/AQS-20, MH-60s: Archerfish Hunt Method: Serial 1M MK18 MH-60s LCS: MK18 Mod 2, MH-60s...Archerfish Hunt Method: Serial 2M MK18 MH-60s LCS: MK18 Mod 2, MH-60s: Archerfish Hunt Method: Serial 3M MK18 MH-60s LCS: MK18

Plasma drug concentrations and clinical effects of a peripheral alpha-2-adrenoceptor antagonist, MK-467, in horses sedated with detomidine.

PubMed

Vainionpää, Mari H; Raekallio, Marja R; Pakkanen, Soile A E; Ranta-Panula, Ville; Rinne, Valtteri M; Scheinin, Mika; Vainio, Outi M

2013-05-01

To investigate plasma drug concentrations and the effect of MK-467 (L-659'066) on sedation, heart rate and gut motility in horses sedated with intravenous (IV) detomidine. Experimental randomized blinded crossover study. Six healthy horses. Detomidine (10 μg kg(-1) IV) was administered alone (DET) and in combination with MK-467 (250 μg kg(-1) IV; DET + MK). The level of sedation and intestinal sounds were scored. Heart rate (HR) and central venous pressure (CVP) were measured. Blood was collected to determine plasma drug concentrations. Repeated measures anova was used for HR, CVP and intestinal sounds, and the Student's t-test for pairwise comparisons between treatments for the area under the time-sedation curve (AUCsed ) and pharmacokinetic parameters. Significance was set at p < 0.05. A significant reduction in HR was detected after DET, and HR was significantly higher after DET + MK than DET alone. No heart blocks were detected in any DET + MK treated horses. DET + MK attenuated the early increase in CVP detected after DET, but later the CVP decreased with both treatments. Detomidine-induced intestinal hypomotility was prevented by MK-467. AUCsed was significantly higher with DET than DET + MK, but maximal sedations scores did not differ significantly between treatments. MK-467 lowered the AUC of the plasma concentration of detomidine, and increased its volume of distribution and clearance. MK-467 prevented detomidine induced bradycardia and intestinal hypomotility. MK-467 did not affect the clinical quality of detomidine-induced sedation, but the duration of the effect was reduced, which may have been caused by the effects of MK-467 on the plasma concentration of detomidine. MK-467 may be useful clinically in the prevention of certain peripheral side effects of detomidine in horses. © 2013 The Authors. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia © 2013 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia.

Absence of magnetic ordering and field-induced phase diagram in the gadolinium aluminum garnet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Florea, O.; Lhotel, E.; Jacobsen, H.; Knee, C. S.; Deen, P. P.

2017-12-01

The robustness of spin liquids with respect to small perturbations, and the way magnetic frustration can be lifted by slight changes in the balance between competing magnetic interactions, remains a rich and open issue. We address this question through the study of the gadolinium aluminum garnet Gd3Al5O12 , a related compound to the extensively studied Gd3Ga5O12 . We report on its magnetic properties at very low temperatures. We show that despite a freezing at about 300 mK, no magnetic transition is observed, suggesting the presence of a spin-liquid state down to the lowest temperatures, similarly to Gd3Ga5O12 , in spite of a larger ratio between exchange and dipolar interactions. Finally, the phase diagram as a function of field and temperature is strongly reminiscent of the one reported in Gd3Ga5O12 . This study reveals the robust nature of the spin-liquid phase for Gd ions on the garnet lattice, in stark contrast to Gd ions on the pyrochlore lattice for which a slight perturbation drives the compound into a range of magnetically ordered states.

Evidence that Arrhenius high-temperature aging behavior for an EPDM o-ring does not extrapolate to lower temperatures

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

Gillen, K.T.; Wise, J.; Celina, M.

1997-09-01

Because of the need to significantly extend the lifetimes of weapons, and because of potential implications of environmental O-ring failure on degradation of critical internal weapon components, the authors have been working on improved methods of predicting and verifying O-ring lifetimes. In this report, they highlight the successful testing of a new predictive method for deriving more confident lifetime extrapolations. This method involves ultrasensitive oxygen consumption measurements. The material studied is an EPDM formulation use for the environmental O-ring the W88. Conventional oven aging (155 C to 111 C) was done on compression molded sheet material; periodically, samples were removedmore » from the ovens and subjected to various measurements, including ultimate tensile elongation, density and modulus profiles. Compression stress relaxation (CSR) measurements were made at 125 C and 111 C on disc shaped samples (12.7 mm diameter by 6 mm thick) using a Shawbury Wallace Compression Stress Relaxometer MK 2. Oxygen consumption measurements were made versus time, at temperatures ranging from 160 C to 52 C, using chromatographic quantification of the change in oxygen content caused by reaction with the EPDM material in sealed containers.« less

MAPKAP kinase 2 (MK2)-dependent and independent models of blister formation in pemphigus vulgaris

PubMed Central

Mao, Xuming; Li, Hong; Sano, Yasuyo; Gaestel, Matthias; Park, Jin Mo; Payne, Aimee S.

2013-01-01

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune blistering disease characterized by autoantibodies to the keratinocyte adhesion protein desmoglein (Dsg) 3. Previous studies suggest that PV pathogenesis involves p38 mitogen activated protein kinase-dependent and -independent pathways. However, p38 is a difficult protein to study and therapeutically target because it has four isoforms and multiple downstream effectors. In the current study, we identify MAPKAP kinase 2 (MK2) as a downstream effector of p38 signaling in PV and describe MK2-dependent and -independent mechanisms of blister formation using passive transfer of human anti-Dsg IgG4 mAbs to neonatal mice. In human keratinocytes, PV mAbs activate MK2 in a dose-dependent manner. MK2 is also activated in human pemphigus skin blisters, causing translocation of MK2 from the nucleus to the cytosol. Small molecule inhibition of MK2 and silencing of MK2 expression block PV mAb-induced Dsg3 endocytosis in human keratinocytes. Additionally, small molecule inhibition and genetic deletion of p38α and MK2 inhibit spontaneous, but not induced, suprabasal blisters by PV mAbs in mouse passive transfer models. Collectively, these data suggest that MK2 is a key downstream effector of p38 that can modulate PV autoantibody pathogenicity. MK2 inhibition may be a valuable adjunctive therapy for control of pemphigus blistering. PMID:23657501

A potent and selective calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist, MK-8825, inhibits responses to nociceptive trigeminal activation: Role of CGRP in orofacial pain.

PubMed

Romero-Reyes, Marcela; Pardi, Vanessa; Akerman, Simon

2015-09-01

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are orofacial pains within the trigeminal distribution, which involve the masticatory musculature, the temporomandibular joint or both. Their pathophysiology remains unclear, as inflammatory mediators are thought to be involved, and clinically TMD presents pain and sometimes limitation of function, but often appears without gross indications of local inflammation, such as visible edema, redness and increase in temperature. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) has been implicated in other pain disorders with trigeminal distribution, such as migraine, of which TMD shares a significant co-morbidity. CGRP causes activation and sensitization of trigeminal primary afferent neurons, independent of any inflammatory mechanisms, and thus may also be involved in TMD. Here we used a small molecule, selective CGRP receptor antagonist, MK-8825, to dissect the role of CGRP in inducing spontaneous nociceptive facial grooming behaviors, neuronal activation in the trigeminal nucleus, and systemic release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, in a mouse model of acute orofacial masseteric muscle pain that we have developed, as a surrogate of acute TMD. We show that CFA masseteric injection causes significant spontaneous orofacial pain behaviors, neuronal activation in the trigeminal nucleus, and release of interleukin-6 (IL-6). In mice pre-treated with MK-8825 there is a significant reduction in these spontaneous orofacial pain behaviors. Also, at 2 and 24h after CFA injection the level of Fos immunoreactivity in the trigeminal nucleus, used as a marker of neuronal activation, was much lower on both ipsilateral and contralateral sides after pre-treatment with MK-8825. There was no effect of MK-8825 on the release of IL-6. These data suggest that CGRP may be involved in TMD pathophysiology, but not via inflammatory mechanisms, at least in the acute stage. Furthermore, CGRP receptor antagonists may have therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of TMD, as they do with migraine. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Development of Fast, Background-Limited Transition-Edge Sensors for the Background-Limited Infrared/Sub-Millimetre Spectrograph (BLISS) for SPICA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Beyer, Andrew D.; Runyan, M. C.; Kenyon, M.; Echternach, P. M.; Chui, T.; Bumble, B.; Bradford, C. M.; Holmes, W. A.; Bock, J. J.

2012-01-01

We report experimental progress toward demonstrating background-limited arrays of membrane-isolated transition-edge sensors (TESs) for the Background Limited Infrared/Sub-mm Spectrograph (BLISS). BLISS is a space-borne instrument with grating spectrometers for wavelengths lambda = 35-435 microns and with R = lambda/(delta)lambda approx. 500. The goals for BLISS TESs are: noise equivalent power (NEP) = 5x10(exp -20) W/Hz(1/2) and response time t<30ms. We expect background-limited performance from bilayers TESs with T(sub c)=65mK and G=15fW/K. However, such TESs cannot be operated at 50mK unless stray power on the devices, or dark power PD, is less than 200aW. We describe criteria for measuring P? that requires accurate knowledge of TC. Ultimately, we fabricated superconducting thermistors from Ir (T(sub c) > or = 135mK) and Mo/Cu proximitized bilayers, where T(sub c) is the thermistor transition temperature. We measured the Ir TES arrays in our 50mK adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator test system, which can measure up to eight 1x32 arrays simultaneously using a time-division multiplexer, as well as our single-pixel test system which can measure down to 15mK. In our previous Ir array measurements our best reported performance was NEP=2.5x10(exp -19) W/Hz(1/2) and tapprox.5ms for straight-beam TESs. In fact, we expected NEPapprox.1.5x10(exp -19)W/Hz(1/2) for meander beam TESs, but did not achieve this previously due to 1/f noise. Here, we detail improvements toward measuring the expected NEP and demonstrate NEP=(1.3+0.2)x10(exp -19)W/Hz(1/2) in our single-pixel test system and NEP=(1.6+0.3)x10(exp -19)W/Hz(1/2) in our array test system.

Superconductivity, pairing symmetry, and disorder in the doped topological insulator Sn 1 - x In x Te for x ≥ 0.10

DOE PAGES

Smylie, M. P.; Claus, H.; Kwok, W. -K.; ...

2018-01-19

In this paper, the temperature dependence of the London penetration depth Δλ(T) in the superconducting doped topological crystalline insulator Sn 1-xIn xTe was measured down to 450 mK for two different doping levels, x ≈ 0.45 (optimally doped) and x ≈ 0.10 (underdoped), bookending the range of cubic phase in the compound. The results indicate no deviation from fully gapped BCS-like behavior, eliminating several candidate unconventional gap structures. Critical field values below 1 K and other superconducting parameters are also presented. Finally, the introduction of disorder by repeated particle irradiation with 5 MeV protons does not enhance T c, indicatingmore » that ferroelectric interactions do not compete with superconductivity.« less

The Focusing Optics X-ray Solar Imager

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glesener, L.; Christe, S.; Krucker, S.; Ishikawa, S.; Ramsey, B.; Takahashi, T.; Saito, S.; Lin, R. P.

2012-12-01

Measurements of the nonthermal energies and occurrence frequencies of nanoflares are important for understanding the overall flare contribution to coronal heating. Nanoflares have been observed to be ubiquitous in the quiet Sun in extreme ultraviolet and soft X-ray wavelengths, but so far remain undetected at nonthermal hard X-ray (HXR) energies, likely due to the insufficient sensitivity of current instruments. The Focusing Optics X-ray Solar Imager (FOXSI) sounding rocket payload has been designed for high sensitivity in the 5-15 keV range by combining grazing-incidence HXR optics with fine-resolution silicon strip detectors. FOXSI will make the first measurement of nonthermal HXR from accelerated electrons in nanoflares, and will also measure hot (5-10 MK) components of active region temperatures. FOXSI is scheduled for a first flight in October 2012, and the first results of this flight will be presented.

Frequency dependent ac transport of films of close-packed carbon nanotube arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Endo, A.; Katsumoto, S.; Matsuda, K.; Norimatsu, W.; Kusunoki, M.

2018-03-01

We have measured low-temperature ac impedance of films of closely-packed, highly-aligned carbon nanotubes prepared by thermal decomposition of silicon carbide wafers. The measurement was performed on films with the thickness (the length of the nanotubes) ranging from 6.5 to 65 nm. We found that the impedance rapidly decreases with the frequency. This can be interpreted as resulting from the electric transport via capacitive coupling between adjacent nanotubes. We also found numbers of sharp spikes superposed on frequency vs. impedance curves, which presumably represent resonant frequencies seen in the calculated conductivity of random capacitance networks. Capacitive coupling between the nanotubes was reduced by the magnetic field perpendicular to the films at 8.2 mK, resulting in the transition from negative to positive magnetoresistance with an increase of the frequency.

Superconductivity, pairing symmetry, and disorder in the doped topological insulator Sn 1 - x In x Te for x ≥ 0.10

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

Smylie, M. P.; Claus, H.; Kwok, W. -K.

In this paper, the temperature dependence of the London penetration depth Δλ(T) in the superconducting doped topological crystalline insulator Sn 1-xIn xTe was measured down to 450 mK for two different doping levels, x ≈ 0.45 (optimally doped) and x ≈ 0.10 (underdoped), bookending the range of cubic phase in the compound. The results indicate no deviation from fully gapped BCS-like behavior, eliminating several candidate unconventional gap structures. Critical field values below 1 K and other superconducting parameters are also presented. Finally, the introduction of disorder by repeated particle irradiation with 5 MeV protons does not enhance T c, indicatingmore » that ferroelectric interactions do not compete with superconductivity.« less

77 FR 77043 - 36(b)(1) Arms Sales Notification

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-31

... MK-84 2000 lb General Purpose Bombs; 1,725 MK-82 500 lb General Purpose Bombs; 1,725 BLU-109 Bombs; 3,450 GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs; 11,500 FMU-139 Fuses; 11,500 FMU-143 Fuses; and 11,500 FMU-152 Fuses... and 1,725 KMU-572 (GBU-38) for MK-82 warheads); 3,450 MK-84 2000 lb General Purpose Bombs; 1,725 MK-82...

Comparative Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase-Activated Protein Kinase 5

PubMed Central

Lindin, Inger; Wuxiuer, Yimingjiang; Ravna, Aina Westrheim; Moens, Ugo; Sylte, Ingebrigt

2014-01-01

The mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase MK5 is a substrate of the mitogen-activated protein kinases p38, ERK3 and ERK4. Cell culture and animal studies have demonstrated that MK5 is involved in tumour suppression and promotion, embryogenesis, anxiety, cell motility and cell cycle regulation. In the present study, homology models of MK5 were used for molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of: (1) MK5 alone; (2) MK5 in complex with an inhibitor; and (3) MK5 in complex with the interaction partner p38α. The calculations showed that the inhibitor occupied the active site and disrupted the intramolecular network of amino acids. However, intramolecular interactions consistent with an inactive protein kinase fold were not formed. MD with p38α showed that not only the p38 docking region, but also amino acids in the activation segment, αH helix, P-loop, regulatory phosphorylation region and the C-terminal of MK5 may be involved in forming a very stable MK5-p38α complex, and that p38α binding decreases the residual fluctuation of the MK5 model. Electrostatic Potential Surface (EPS) calculations of MK5 and p38α showed that electrostatic interactions are important for recognition and binding. PMID:24651460

Chimeric calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase in tobacco: differential regulation by calmodulin isoforms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Z.; Xia, M.; Poovaiah, B. W.

1998-01-01

cDNA clones of chimeric Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CCaMK) from tobacco (TCCaMK-1 and TCCaMK-2) were isolated and characterized. The polypeptides encoded by TCCaMK-1 and TCCaMK-2 have 15 different amino acid substitutions, yet they both contain a total of 517 amino acids. Northern analysis revealed that CCaMK is expressed in a stage-specific manner during anther development. Messenger RNA was detected when tobacco bud sizes were between 0.5 cm and 1.0 cm. The appearance of mRNA coincided with meiosis and became undetectable at later stages of anther development. The reverse polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification assay using isoform-specific primers showed that both of the CCaMK mRNAs were expressed in anther with similar expression patterns. The CCaMK protein expressed in Escherichia coli showed Ca2+-dependent autophosphorylation and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent substrate phosphorylation. Calmodulin isoforms (PCM1 and PCM6) had differential effects on the regulation of autophosphorylation and substrate phosphorylation of tobacco CCaMK, but not lily CCaMK. The evolutionary tree of plant serine/threonine protein kinases revealed that calmodulin-dependent kinases form one subgroup that is distinctly different from Ca2+-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) and other serine/threonine kinases in plants.

Confocal shift interferometry of coherent emission from trapped dipolar excitons

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

Repp, J.; Nanosystems Initiative Munich; Center for NanoScience and Fakultät für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, 80539 München

2014-12-15

We introduce a confocal shift-interferometer based on optical fibers. The presented spectroscopy allows measuring coherence maps of luminescent samples with a high spatial resolution even at cryogenic temperatures. We apply the spectroscopy onto electrostatically trapped, dipolar excitons in a semiconductor double quantum well. We find that the measured spatial coherence length of the excitonic emission coincides with the point spread function of the confocal setup. The results are consistent with a temporal coherence of the excitonic emission down to temperatures of 250 mK.

Woven ribbon cable for cryogenic instruments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cunningham, C. R.; Hastings, P. R.; Strachan, J. M. D.

Robust woven ribbon cables are described for connecting sensors at low temperatures to higher temperature systems. Woven cables have several advantages over conventional wiring or flat ribbon cables in cryostats: heat sinking is easier; twisted pairs may be used; and miniature multi-way connectors are easily incorporated. Their use is demonstrated in making connections from 131 bolometers in two arrays mounted in a dilution refrigerator at 100 mK. Thermal and electrical properties are discussed, as are other possible applications in cryogenic instruments.

A Miniature Palladium-Iron Thermometer for Temperatures Down to 0.05 K

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tuttle, Jim; DiPirro, Michael; Canavan, Ed; Shirron, Peter; Kunes, Evan; Hait, Tom; Krebs, Carolyn (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

Magnetic thermometers are appealing at temperatures below about 0.1 Kelvin, because the avoid the noise self-heating problems associated with resistive thermometers. In practical, metallic dilute electronic thermometers add the advantages of chemical stability, high thermal conductivity, and easy in heat sinking work we describe a palladium-iron thermometer which was designed to be small and conveniently packaged and optimized for use at temperatures down to 0.05 Kelvin. The device showed Curie-Weiss behavior above about 0.06 Kelvin, and we achieve 41 nK/ square root of z temperature resolution at a temperature of 49 mK. We describe the design and operation of this thermometers and present the test results.

A MRCC study of the isomerisation of cyclopropane

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

Lang, Jakub; Švaňa, Matej; Demel, Ondřej

2017-01-19

Mukherjee’s and Brillouin-Wigner multi-reference coupled cluster methods were used to study the isomerization of cyclopropane to propene through a trimethylene/propylidene diradicals. Main aim was to obtain high quality ab-initio data using advanced methods that treat both static and dynamic correlation in the involved species. The MkCCSD(T)/cc-pVQZ activation energy of cyclopropane isomerization via trimethylene is 65.6 kcal/mol, in a good agreement with experimental values in the range 60-65 kcal/mol. The MkCCSD(T)/cc-pV5Z adiabatic singlet-triplet gap in trimethylene is 0.6 kcal/mol, slightly higher than previous CASPT2 result -0.7 kcal/mol by Skancke et al.

Heterologous expression and characterisation of the Aspergillus aspartic protease involved in the hydrolysis and decolorisation of red-pigmented proteins.

PubMed

Takenaka, Shinji; Umeda, Mayo; Senba, Hisanori; Koyama, Dai; Tanaka, Kosei; Yoshida, Ken-Ichi; Doi, Mikiharu

2017-01-01

Aspergillus repens strain MK82 produces an aspartic protease (PepA_MK82) that efficiently decolorises red-pigmented proteins during dried bonito fermentation. However, further expansion of the industrial applications of PepA_MK82 requires the high-level production and efficient preparation of the recombinant enzyme. The genomic DNA and cDNA fragments encoding the protease were cloned from strain MK82 and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of PepA_MK82 and comparisons with previously reported fungal aspartic proteases showed that PepA_MK 82 clusters with different groups of these enzymes. Heterologous expression of PepA_MK82 in Pichia pastoris yielded preparations of higher purity than obtained with an Escherichia coli expression system. Total protease activity in a 100-mL culture of the P. pastoris transformant was 14 times higher than that from an equivalent culture of A. repense MK82. The recombinant PepA_MK82 was easily obtained via acetone precipitation; the final recovery was 83%. PepA_MK82 and its recombinant had similar characteristics in terms of their optimal pH, thermostability, and decolorisation activity. The recombinant was also able to decolorise flaked, dried bonito and to bleach a blood-stained cloth. Given its ability to hydrolyse and decolorise red-pigmented proteins, recombinant PepA_MK8 can be exploited in the food industry and as a stain-removal agent in laundry applications. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Advances in III-V based dual-band MWIR/LWIR FPAs at HRL

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Delaunay, Pierre-Yves; Nosho, Brett Z.; Gurga, Alexander R.; Terterian, Sevag; Rajavel, Rajesh D.

2017-02-01

Recent advances in superlattice-based infrared detectors have rendered this material system a solid alternative to HgCdTe for dual-band sensing applications. In particular, superlattices are attractive from a manufacturing perspective as the epitaxial wafers can be grown with a high degree of lateral uniformity, low macroscopic defect densities (< 50 cm-2) and achieve dark current levels comparable to HgCdTe detectors. In this paper, we will describe our recent effort on the VISTA program towards producing HD-format (1280x720, 12 μm pitch) superlattice based, dual-band MWIR/LWIR FPAs. We will report results from several multi-wafer fabrication lots of 1280x720, 12 μm pitch FPAs processed over the last two years. To assess the FPA performance, noise equivalent temperature difference (NETD) measurements were conducted at 80K, f/4.21 and using a blackbody range of 22°C to 32°C. For the MWIR band, the NETD was 27.44 mK with a 3x median NETD operability of 99.40%. For the LWIR band, the median NETD was 27.62 mK with a 3x median operability of 99.09%. Over the course of the VISTA program, HRL fabricated over 30 FPAs with similar NETDs and operabilities in excess of 99% for both bands, demonstrating the manufacturability and high uniformity of III-V superlattices. We will also present additional characterization results including blinkers, spatial stability, modulation transfer function and thermal cycles reliability.

Parameter Calibration of GTN Damage Model and Formability Analysis of 22MnB5 in Hot Forming Process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ying, Liang; Liu, Wenquan; Wang, Dantong; Hu, Ping

2017-11-01

Hot forming of high strength steel at elevated temperatures is an attractive technology to achieve the lightweight of vehicle body. The mechanical behavior of boron steel 22MnB5 strongly depends on the variation of temperature which makes the process design more difficult. In this paper, the Gurson-Tvergaard-Needleman (GTN) model is used to study the formability of 22MnB5 sheet at different temperatures. Firstly, the rheological behavior of 22MnB5 is analyzed through a series of hot tensile tests at a temperature range of 600-800 °C. Then, a detailed process to calibrate the damage parameters is given based on the response surface methodology and genetic algorithm method. The GTN model together with the damage parameters calibrated is then implemented to simulate the deformation and damage evolution of 22MnB5 in the process of high-temperature Nakazima test. The capability of the GTN model as a suitable tool to evaluate the sheet formability is confirmed by comparing experimental and calculated results. Finally, as a practical application, the forming limit diagram of 22MnB5 at 700 °C is constructed using the Nakazima simulation and Marciniak-Kuczynski (M-K) model, respectively. And the simulation integrated GTN model shows a higher reliability by comparing the predicted results of these two approaches with the experimental ones.

Preclinical Characterization of 18F-MK-6240, a Promising PET Tracer for In Vivo Quantification of Human Neurofibrillary Tangles.

PubMed

Hostetler, Eric D; Walji, Abbas M; Zeng, Zhizhen; Miller, Patricia; Bennacef, Idriss; Salinas, Cristian; Connolly, Brett; Gantert, Liza; Haley, Hyking; Holahan, Marie; Purcell, Mona; Riffel, Kerry; Lohith, Talakad G; Coleman, Paul; Soriano, Aileen; Ogawa, Aimie; Xu, Serena; Zhang, Xiaoping; Joshi, Elizabeth; Della Rocca, Joseph; Hesk, David; Schenk, David J; Evelhoch, Jeffrey L

2016-10-01

A PET tracer is desired to help guide the discovery and development of disease-modifying therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases characterized by neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), the predominant tau pathology in Alzheimer disease (AD). We describe the preclinical characterization of the NFT PET tracer 18 F-MK-6240. In vitro binding studies were conducted with 3 H-MK-6240 in tissue slices and homogenates from cognitively normal and AD human brain donors to evaluate tracer affinity and selectivity for NFTs. Immunohistochemistry for phosphorylated tau was performed on human brain slices for comparison with 3 H-MK-6240 binding patterns on adjacent brain slices. PET studies were performed with 18 F-MK-6240 in monkeys to evaluate tracer kinetics and distribution in the brain. 18 F-MK-6240 monkey PET studies were conducted after dosing with unlabeled MK-6240 to evaluate tracer binding selectivity in vivo. The 3 H-MK-6240 binding pattern was consistent with the distribution of phosphorylated tau in human AD brain slices. 3 H-MK-6240 bound with high affinity to human AD brain cortex homogenates containing abundant NFTs but bound poorly to amyloid plaque-rich, NFT-poor AD brain homogenates. 3 H-MK-6240 showed no displaceable binding in the subcortical regions of human AD brain slices and in the hippocampus/entorhinal cortex of non-AD human brain homogenates. In monkey PET studies, 18 F-MK-6240 displayed rapid and homogeneous distribution in the brain. The 18 F-MK-6240 volume of distribution stabilized rapidly, indicating favorable tracer kinetics. No displaceable binding was observed in self-block studies in rhesus monkeys, which do not natively express NFTs. Moderate defluorination was observed as skull uptake. 18 F-MK-6240 is a promising PET tracer for the in vivo quantification of NFTs in AD patients. © 2016 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Inc.

Spectroscopic Evidence of Alfvén Wave Damping in the Off-limb Solar Corona

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

Gupta, G. R., E-mail: girjesh@iucaa.in

We investigate the off-limb active-region and quiet-Sun corona using spectroscopic data. The active region is clearly visible in several spectral lines formed in the temperature range of 1.1–2.8 MK. We derive the electron number density using the line ratio method, and the nonthermal velocity in the off-limb region up to the distance of 140 Mm. We compare density scale heights derived from several spectral line pairs with expected scale heights per the hydrostatic equilibrium model. Using several isolated and unblended spectral line profiles, we estimate nonthermal velocities in the active region and quiet Sun. Nonthermal velocities obtained from warm linesmore » in the active region first show an increase and then later either a decrease or remain almost constant with height in the far off-limb region, whereas nonthermal velocities obtained from hot lines show consistent decrease. However, in the quiet-Sun region, nonthermal velocities obtained from various spectral lines show either a gradual decrease or remain almost constant with height. Using these obtained parameters, we further calculate Alfvén wave energy flux in both active and quiet-Sun regions. We find a significant decrease in wave energy fluxes with height, and hence provide evidence of Alfvén wave damping. Furthermore, we derive damping lengths of Alfvén waves in the both regions and find them to be in the range of 25–170 Mm. Different damping lengths obtained at different temperatures may be explained as either possible temperature-dependent damping or by measurements obtained in different coronal structures formed at different temperatures along the line of sight. Temperature-dependent damping may suggest some role of thermal conduction in the damping of Alfvén waves in the lower corona.« less

A new cryostat for precise temperature control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, B.; Zhou, G.; Liu, L. Q.; Zhang, X.; Xiong, L. Y.; Li, Q.

2013-09-01

Gifford-McMahon (GM) cryocoolers are often used in cryostat as cold sources. It has advantages of simple structure and low operating cost as well as disadvantages of vibration and temperature oscillation, which are fatal for some applications that are very sensitive to temperature stability at low temperature. To solve the problem, a thermal analysis model which is used to simulate heat transfer in the cryostat is built and discussed. According to the analysis results, a cryostat that can provide variable temperature (4-20 K) for the accurate temperature control experiments is designed and manufactured. In this cryostat, a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sheet is used as a thermal damper to reduce the temperature oscillation, with which, the temperature oscillation of the sample cooling holder is less than 4 mK at the 20 K region.

MK2 inhibitor reduces alkali burn-induced inflammation in rat cornea

PubMed Central

Chen, Yanfeng; Yang, Wenzhao; Zhang, Xiaobo; Yang, Shu; Peng, Gao; Wu, Ting; Zhou, Yueping; Huang, Caihong; Reinach, Peter S.; Li, Wei; Liu, Zuguo

2016-01-01

MK2 activation by p38 MAPK selectively induces inflammation in various diseases. We determined if a MK2 inhibitor (MK2i), improves cornea wound healing by inhibiting inflammation caused by burning rat corneas with alkali. Our study, for the first time, demonstrated that MK2i inhibited alkali burn-induced MK2 activation as well as rises in inflammation based on: a) blunting rises in inflammatory index, inflammatory cell infiltration, ED1+ macrophage and PMN+ neutrophil infiltration; b) suppressing IL-6 and IL-1β gene expression along with those of macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1); c) reducing angiogenic gene expression levels and neovascularization (NV) whereas anti-angiogenic PEDF levels increased. In addition, this study found that MK2i did not affect human corneal epithelial cell (HCEC) proliferation and migration and had no detectable side effects on ocular surface integrity. Taken together, MK2i selectively inhibited alkali burn-induced corneal inflammation by blocking MK2 activation, these effects have clinical relevance in the treatment of inflammation related ocular surface diseases. PMID:27329698

Caveolin-1 down-regulation is required for Wnt5a-Frizzled 2 signalling in Ha-RasV12 -induced cell transformation.

PubMed

Lin, Hsiu-Kuan; Lin, Hsi-Hui; Chiou, Yu-Wei; Wu, Ching-Lung; Chiu, Wen-Tai; Tang, Ming-Jer

2018-05-01

Caveolin-1 (Cav1) is down-regulated during MK4 (MDCK cells harbouring inducible Ha-Ras V12 gene) transformation by Ha-Ras V12 . Cav1 overexpression abrogates the Ha-Ras V12 -driven transformation of MK4 cells; however, the targeted down-regulation of Cav1 is not sufficient to mimic this transformation. Cav1-silenced cells, including MK4/shCav1 cells and MDCK/shCav1 cells, showed an increased cell area and discontinuous junction-related proteins staining. Cellular and mechanical transformations were completed when MDCK/shCav1 cells were treated with medium conditioned by MK4 cells treated with IPTG (MK4+I-CM) but not with medium conditioned by MK4 cells. Nanoparticle tracking analysis showed that Ha-Ras V12 -inducing MK4 cells increased exosome-like microvesicles release compared with their normal counterparts. The cellular and mechanical transformation activities of MK4+I-CM were abolished after heat treatment and exosome depletion and were copied by exosomes derived from MK4+I-CM (MK4+I-EXs). Wnt5a, a downstream product of Ha-Ras V12 , was markedly secreted by MK4+I-CM and MK4+I-EXs. Suppression of Wnt5a expression and secretion using the porcupine inhibitor C59 or Wnt5a siRNA inhibited the Ha-Ras V12 - and MK4+I-CM-induced transformation of MK4 cells and MDCK/shCav1 cells, respectively. Cav1 down-regulation, either by Ha-Ras V12 or targeted shRNA, increased frizzled-2 (Fzd2) protein levels without affecting its mRNA levels, suggesting a novel role of Cav1 in negatively regulating Fzd2 expression. Additionally, silencing Cav1 facilitated the internalization of MK4+I-EXs in MDCK cells. These data suggest that Cav1-dependent repression of Fzd2 and exosome uptake is potentially relevant to its antitransformation activity, which hinders the activation of Ha-Ras V12 -Wnt5a-Stat3 pathway. Altogether, these results suggest that both decreasing Cav1 and increasing exosomal Wnt5a must be implemented during Ha-Ras V12 -driven cell transformation. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd and Foundation for Cellular and Molecular Medicine.

New Experimental Approaches and Theoretical Modeling Methods for Laser Cooling Atoms and Molecules

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-07-27

support of experimental efforts in various laboratories to produce ultracold molecules by laser -induced photoassociation of laser -cooled atoms. We are......temperatures so far have been 25mK [7], rather than tens of µK as one can achieve with laser cooling of atoms. Thus an approach that begins with cold

Evidence for Nonuniform Heating of Coronal Loops Inferred from Multithread Modeling of TRACE Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aschwanden, Markus J.; Nightingale, Richard W.; Alexander, David

2000-10-01

The temperature Te(s) and density structure ne(s) of active region loops in EUV observed with TRACE is modeled with a multithread model, synthesized from the summed emission of many loop threads that have a distribution of maximum temperatures and that satisfy the steady state Rosner-Tucker-Vaiana (RTV) scaling law, modified by Serio et al. for gravitational stratification (called RTVSp in the following). In a recent Letter, Reale & Peres demonstrated that this method can explain the almost isothermal appearance of TRACE loops (observed by Lenz et al.) as derived from the filter-ratio method. From model-fitting of the 171 and 195 Å fluxes of 41 loops, which have loop half-lengths in the range of L=4-320 Mm, we find that (1) the EUV loops consist of near-isothermal loop threads with substantially smaller temperature gradients than are predicted by the RTVSp model; (2) the loop base pressure, p0~0.3+/-0.1 dynes cm-2, is independent of the loop length L, and it agrees with the RTVSp model for the shortest loops but exceeds the RTVSp model up to a factor of 35 for the largest loops; and (3) the pressure scale height is consistent with hydrostatic equilibrium for the shortest loops but exceeds the temperature scale height up to a factor of ~3 for the largest loops. The data indicate that cool EUV loops in the temperature range of Te~0.8-1.6 MK cannot be explained with the static steady state RTVSp model in terms of uniform heating but are fully consistent with Serio's model in the case of nonuniform heating (RTVSph), with heating scale heights in the range of sH=17+/-6 Mm. This heating function provides almost uniform heating for small loops (L<~20 Mm), but restricts heating to the footpoints of large loops (L~50-300 Mm).

Evolution of London penetration depth with scattering in single crystals of K1-xNaxFe2As2

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

Kim, H; Tanatar, M A; Liu, Yong

2014-05-01

London penetration depth, λ(T), was measured in single crystals of K1-xNaxFe2As2, x=0 and 0.07, down to temperatures of 50 mK, ~Tc/50. Isovalent substitution of Na for K significantly increases impurity scattering, with ρ(Tc) rising from 0.2 to 2.2 μΩ cm, and leads to a suppression of Tc from 3.5 to 2.8 K. At the same time, a close to T-linear Δλ(T) in pure samples changes to almost T2 in the substituted samples. The behavior never becomes exponential as expected for the accidental nodes, as opposed to T2 dependence in superconductors with symmetry imposed line nodes. The superfluid density in themore » full temperature range follows a simple clean and dirty d-wave dependence, for pure and substituted samples, respectively. This result contradicts suggestions of multiband scenarios with strongly different gap structure on four sheets of the Fermi surface.« less

Determining the Optimal Design for a New ADR Mechanical Support

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Waldvogel, Kelly; Stacey, Gordon; Nikola, Thomas; Parshley, Stephen

2018-01-01

ZEUS-2 is a grating spectrometer that is used to observe emission lines in submillimeter wavelengths. It is capable of detecting redshifted fine structure lines of galaxies over a wide redshift range. ZEUS-2 can observe carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen lines, which will in turn allow for modeling of optically thick molecular clouds, provide information about star temperatures, and help gain insight about the interstellar medium and gases from which stars form. The detections collected by ZEUS-2 can provide a glimpse into star formation in the early universe and improve the current understanding of the star formation process.ZEUS-2 utilizes an Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerator (ADR) to cool its detectors to around 100 mK. Copper rods connect the salt pills within the ADR and the mechanical supports. These supports are comprised of three main pieces: a base member, an inner member, and a guard member. On two separate mechanical supports, the Kevlar strands have broken. This led to thermal contact between the three members, preventing the detector from reaching its final operating temperature. It is clear that a replacement mechanical support system is necessary for operation.

Evaluation Of Model Based Systems Engineering Processes For Integration Into Rapid Acquisition Programs

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-09-01

Failure MTBCF Mean Time Between Critical Failure MIRV Multiple Independently-targetable Reentry Vehicle MK6LE MK6 Guidance System Life Extension...programs were the MK54 Lightweight Torpedo program, a Raytheon Radar program, and the Life Extension of the MK6 Guidance System (MK6LE) of the...activities throughout the later life -cycle phases. MBSE allowed the programs to manage the evolution of simulation capabilities, as well as to assess the

Effect of retinoic acid on midkine gene expression in rat anterior pituitary cells.

PubMed

Maliza, Rita; Fujiwara, Ken; Azuma, Morio; Kikuchi, Motoshi; Yashiro, Takashi

2017-06-29

Retinoic acid (RA) is converted from retinal by retinaldehyde dehydrogenases (RALDHs) and is an essential signaling molecule in embryonic and adult tissue. We previously reported that RALDH1 was produced in the rat anterior pituitary gland and hypothesized that RA was generated in the gland. Midkine (MK) is an RA-inducible growth factor, and MK production in the rat anterior pituitary gland was recently reported. However, the mechanism that regulates gene expression of MK in the pituitary gland has not been determined. To investigate regulation of MK production in the anterior pituitary gland, we analyzed changes in MK mRNA in cultured rat anterior pituitary cells. We identified MK-expressing cells by double-staining with in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical techniques for RALDH1. MK mRNA was expressed in RALDH1-producing cells in the anterior pituitary gland. Using isolated anterior pituitary cells of rats, we examined the effect of RA on gene expression of MK. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that 72 h exposure to a concentration of 10 -6 M of retinal and all-trans retinoic acid increased MK mRNA levels by about 2-fold. Moreover, the stimulatory effect of all-trans retinoic acid was mimicked by the RA receptor agonist Am80. This is the first report to show that RA is important in regulating MK expression in rat anterior pituitary gland.

Cell module and fuel conditioner

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hoover, D. Q., Jr.

1980-01-01

Stack tests indicate that the discrepancies between calculated and measured temperature profiles are due to reactant cross-over and a lower than expected thermal conductivity of cells. Preliminary results indicate that acceptable contact resistance between cooling plane halves can be achieved without the use of paper. The preliminary design of the enclosure, definition of required labor and equipment for manufacturing repeating components, and the assembly procedures for the benchwork design were developed. Fabrication of components for a second 5-cell stack of the MK-2 design and a second 23-cell stack of the MK-1 design was started. The definition of water and fuel for the reforming subsystem was developed along with a preliminary definition of the control system for the subsystem. The construction and shakedown of the differential catalytic reactor was completed and testing of the first catalyst initiated.

Physical Characteristics of AR 11024 Plasma Based on SPHINX and XRT Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sylwester, B.; Sylwester, J.; Siarkowski, M.; Engell, A. J.; Kuzin, S. V.

We have studied the evolution of basic physical properties of plasma within the coronal part of the isolated, new cycle region (AR 11024) during its crossing over the solar disc in July 2009. Our analysis is based on the high temporal and spectral resolution measurements performed by the Polish X-ray spectrometer SphinX onboard the CORONAS-Photon satellite. Hinode XRT images provide information on spatial extension of the emission within this active region. It is found that the average temperature of the plasma within the analysed region is the highest (˜6 MK) when the region is young and gradually declines to ˜2 MK when the emission measure is the highest. An average density during this first part of the evolution is estimated to be ˜2 x 10^9 cm^{-3}.

Magnetic Microcalorimeter (MMC) Gamma Detectors with Ultra-High Energy Resolution

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

Friedrich, Stephen

The goal of this LCP is to develop ultra-high resolution gamma detectors based on magnetic microcalorimeters (MMCs) for accurate non-destructive analysis (NDA) of nuclear materials. For highest energy resolution, we will introduce erbium-doped silver (Ag:Er) as a novel sensor material, and implement several geometry and design changes to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. The detector sensitivity will be increased by developing arrays of 32 Ag:Er pixels read out by 16 SQUID preamplifiers, and by developing a cryogenic Compton veto to reduce the spectral background. Since best MMC performance requires detector operation at ~10 mK, we will purchase a dilution refrigerator withmore » a base temperature <10 mK and adapt it for MMC operation. The detector performance will be tested with radioactive sources of interest to the safeguards community.« less

Rapid Cadence Dual Slit EUV Spectroscopic Observation of Episodic Chromospheric Evaporation in a Solar Flare Loop

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brosius, J. W.

2012-12-01

We observed a C1 flare in rapid cadence stare mode simultaneously with Hinode's EIS (11.2 s) and SOHO's CDS (10 s) on 2012 March 7. The pointings of the two slits were offset about 25 arcsec, so that EIS observed the leg and CDS the apex of the flaring loop. EIS observed the Fe XXIII line at 263.8 A, formed at temperatures around 14 MK, to emerge abruptly above the background noise at 18:49:36 UT. The line's intensity peaked at 18:53:09 UT. After its emergence the Fe XXIII line's entire profile became increasingly blueshifted over the next 3 exposures, reached a maximum upward velocity of -208 km/s, and then became decreasingly blueshifted toward zero velocity while the line's intensity continued to increase over the next 12 exposures. The bulk of the Fe XXIII emission remained stationary after that. A secondary blueshifted component of the Fe XXIII line profile appeared at 18:52:24 UT, endured for 5 exposures, and reached a maximum upward velocity of -206 km/s. We interpret this sudden, brief re-appearance of rapid upward velocity in Fe XXIII emission as evidence for ongoing reconnection following the flare's initial, impulsive phase. The structure of the loop and its strand footpoints seen in the AIA 131 and 94 A images reveal changes possibly due to the cutting and rearrangement of individual strands during reconnection. Emission lines of Fe XVII, formed at temperatures around 4 MK, and Fe XVI, formed around 2.7 MK, brightened significantly starting about 3.3 and 7.1 minutes after the first appearance of Fe XXIII emission, likely due to cooling of plasma previously heated to temperatures appropriate for Fe XXIII emission. Neither Fe XVII nor Fe XVI showed significant relative Doppler velocities. None of the transition region lines observed by EIS participated in the event. CDS spectra were contaminated by a particle storm at SOHO during the flare, but we were able to salvage roughly 1/3 of the exposures by visually inspecting individual line profiles and discarding those that appeared affected. The intensity of the Fe XIX line at 592.2 A, formed at 8 MK, reached its maximum value at the location of the CDS slit near the flare loop apex about 4.6 minutes after the Fe XXIII line reached its peak intensity. This work was supported by NASA grant NNX10AC08G.

Phosphorylation of a NAC Transcription Factor by a Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Regulates Abscisic Acid-Induced Antioxidant Defense in Maize [Phosphorylation of a NAC Transcription Factor by ZmCCaMK Regulates Abscisic Acid-Induced Antioxidant Defense in Maize

DOE PAGES

Zhu, Yuan; Yan, Jingwei; Liu, Weijuan; ...

2016-05-10

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CCaMK) has been shown to play an important role in abscisic acid (ABA)-induced antioxidant defense and enhance the tolerance of plants to drought stress. However, its downstream molecular events are poorly understood. Here, we identify a NAC transcription factor, ZmNAC84, in maize, which physically interacts with ZmCCaMK in vitro and in vivo. ZmNAC84 display a partially overlapping expression pattern with ZmCCaMK after ABA treatment and H 2O 2 is required for ABA-induced ZmNAC84 expression. Functional analysis reveals that ZmNAC84 is essential for ABA-induced antioxidant defense in a ZmCCaMK-dependent manner. Furthermore, ZmCCaMK directly phosphorylates S113 of ZmNAC84 inmore » vitro, and S113 is essential for the ABA-induced stimulation of antioxidant defense by ZmCCaMK. Moreover, overexpression of ZmNAC84 in tobacco can improve drought tolerance, and alleviate drought-induced oxidative damage of transgenic plants. These results define a mechanism for ZmCCaMK function in ABA-induced antioxidant defense, where ABA-produced H 2O 2 first induces expression of ZmCCaMK and ZmNAC84 and activates ZmCCaMK, and subsequently the activated ZmCCaMK phosphorylates ZmNAC84 at S113, thereby inducing antioxidant defense by activating downstream genes.« less

Phosphorylation of a NAC Transcription Factor by a Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Regulates Abscisic Acid-Induced Antioxidant Defense in Maize [Phosphorylation of a NAC Transcription Factor by ZmCCaMK Regulates Abscisic Acid-Induced Antioxidant Defense in Maize

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

Zhu, Yuan; Yan, Jingwei; Liu, Weijuan

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CCaMK) has been shown to play an important role in abscisic acid (ABA)-induced antioxidant defense and enhance the tolerance of plants to drought stress. However, its downstream molecular events are poorly understood. Here, we identify a NAC transcription factor, ZmNAC84, in maize, which physically interacts with ZmCCaMK in vitro and in vivo. ZmNAC84 display a partially overlapping expression pattern with ZmCCaMK after ABA treatment and H 2O 2 is required for ABA-induced ZmNAC84 expression. Functional analysis reveals that ZmNAC84 is essential for ABA-induced antioxidant defense in a ZmCCaMK-dependent manner. Furthermore, ZmCCaMK directly phosphorylates S113 of ZmNAC84 inmore » vitro, and S113 is essential for the ABA-induced stimulation of antioxidant defense by ZmCCaMK. Moreover, overexpression of ZmNAC84 in tobacco can improve drought tolerance, and alleviate drought-induced oxidative damage of transgenic plants. These results define a mechanism for ZmCCaMK function in ABA-induced antioxidant defense, where ABA-produced H 2O 2 first induces expression of ZmCCaMK and ZmNAC84 and activates ZmCCaMK, and subsequently the activated ZmCCaMK phosphorylates ZmNAC84 at S113, thereby inducing antioxidant defense by activating downstream genes.« less

AUTOMATED UNSUPERVISED CLASSIFICATION OF THE SLOAN DIGITAL SKY SURVEY STELLAR SPECTRA USING k-MEANS CLUSTERING

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

Sanchez Almeida, J.; Allende Prieto, C., E-mail: jos@iac.es, E-mail: callende@iac.es

2013-01-20

Large spectroscopic surveys require automated methods of analysis. This paper explores the use of k-means clustering as a tool for automated unsupervised classification of massive stellar spectral catalogs. The classification criteria are defined by the data and the algorithm, with no prior physical framework. We work with a representative set of stellar spectra associated with the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) SEGUE and SEGUE-2 programs, which consists of 173,390 spectra from 3800 to 9200 A sampled on 3849 wavelengths. We classify the original spectra as well as the spectra with the continuum removed. The second set only contains spectral lines,more » and it is less dependent on uncertainties of the flux calibration. The classification of the spectra with continuum renders 16 major classes. Roughly speaking, stars are split according to their colors, with enough finesse to distinguish dwarfs from giants of the same effective temperature, but with difficulties to separate stars with different metallicities. There are classes corresponding to particular MK types, intrinsically blue stars, dust-reddened, stellar systems, and also classes collecting faulty spectra. Overall, there is no one-to-one correspondence between the classes we derive and the MK types. The classification of spectra without continuum renders 13 classes, the color separation is not so sharp, but it distinguishes stars of the same effective temperature and different metallicities. Some classes thus obtained present a fairly small range of physical parameters (200 K in effective temperature, 0.25 dex in surface gravity, and 0.35 dex in metallicity), so that the classification can be used to estimate the main physical parameters of some stars at a minimum computational cost. We also analyze the outliers of the classification. Most of them turn out to be failures of the reduction pipeline, but there are also high redshift QSOs, multiple stellar systems, dust-reddened stars, galaxies, and, finally, odd spectra whose nature we have not deciphered. The template spectra representative of the classes are publicly available in the online journal.« less

A Determination of the Ratio of the Zinc Freezing Point to the Tin Freezing Point by Noise Thermometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Labenski, J. R.; Tew, W. L.; Benz, S. P.; Nam, S. W.; Dresselhaus, P.

2008-02-01

A Johnson-noise thermometer (JNT) has been used with a quantized voltage noise source (QVNS), as a calculable reference to determine the ratio of temperatures near the Zn freezing point to those near the Sn freezing point. The temperatures are derived in a series of separate measurements comparing the synthesized noise power from the QVNS with that of Johnson noise from a known resistance. The synthesized noise power is digitally programed to match the thermal noise powers at both temperatures and provides the principle means of scaling the temperatures. This produces a relatively flat spectrum for the ratio of spectral noise densities, which is close to unity in the low-frequency limit. The data are analyzed as relative spectral ratios over the 4.8 to 450 kHz range averaged over a 3.2 kHz bandwidth. A three-parameter model is used to account for differences in time constants that are inherently temperature dependent. A drift effect of approximately -6 μK·K-1 per day is observed in the results, and an empirical correction is applied to yield a relative difference in temperature ratios of -11.5 ± 43 μK·K-1 with respect to the ratio of temperatures assigned on the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90). When these noise thermometry results are combined with results from acoustic gas thermometry at temperatures near the Sn freezing point, a value of T - T 90 = 7 ± 30 mK for the Zn freezing point is derived.

The Impact of CB2 Receptor Ligands on the MK-801-Induced Hyperactivity in Mice.

PubMed

Kruk-Slomka, Marta; Banaszkiewicz, Izabela; Biala, Grazyna

2017-04-01

It has been known that there is a relationship between cannabis use and schizophrenia-related symptoms; however, it can be a subject of controversy. The involvement of CB1 receptor ligands in the schizophrenia has already been revealed and confirmed. However, there is still lack of information concerning the role of CB2 receptors in the psychosis-like effects in mice and the further studies are needed.The aim of the present research was to study the role of the CB2 receptor ligands in the symptoms typical for schizophrenia. We provoked hyperlocomotion in mice which is analogous to positive psychosis-like effects in humans, by an acute administration of a NMDA receptor antagonist, MK-801 (0.3 and 0.6 mg/kg), a pharmacological model of schizophrenia. An acute administration of MK-801 induced the increase in locomotor activity (hyperactivity) in rodents, measured in actimeters.We revealed that an acute injection of CB2 receptor agonist JWH 133 at the dose range (0.05-1.0 mg/kg) and CB2 receptor antagonist, AM 630 at the dose range (0.1-1.0 mg/kg) decreased locomotion of mice. An acute injection of JWH 133 (2.0 mg/kg) and AM 630 (2.0 mg/kg) had no statistical significant influence on the locomotor activity of mice. However, an acute injection of both CB2 receptor ligands (agonist and antagonist), JWH 133, at the non-effective dose of 2.0 mg/kg and AM 630 at the non-effective dose of 2.0 mg/kg, potentiated the MK-801-induced hyperactivity.The present findings have confirmed that endocannabinoid system, not only via CB1, but also via CB2 receptors, may be involved in the schizophrenia-like responses, including hyperlocomotion in mice.

Temperature evolution of a magnetic flux rope in a failed solar eruption

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

Song, H. Q.; Chen, Y.; Li, B.

2014-03-20

In this paper, we report for the first time the detailed temperature evolution process of the magnetic flux rope in a failed solar eruption. Occurring on 2013 January 05, the flux rope was impulsively accelerated to a speed of ∼400 km s{sup –1} in the first minute, then decelerated and came to a complete stop in two minutes. The failed eruption resulted in a large-size high-lying (∼100 Mm above the surface), high-temperature 'fire ball' sitting in the corona for more than two hours. The time evolution of the thermal structure of the flux rope was revealed through the differential emissionmore » measure analysis technique, which produced temperature maps using observations of the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly on board the Solar Dynamic Observatory. The average temperature of the flux rope steadily increased from ∼5 MK to ∼10 MK during the first nine minutes of the evolution, which was much longer than the rise time (about three minutes) of the associated soft X-ray flare. We suggest that the flux rope is heated by the energy release of the continuing magnetic reconnection, different from the heating of the low-lying flare loops, which is mainly produced by the chromospheric plasma evaporation. The loop arcade overlying the flux rope was pushed up by ∼10 Mm during the attempted eruption. The pattern of the velocity variation of the loop arcade strongly suggests that the failure of the eruption was caused by the strapping effect of the overlying loop arcade.« less

Trends in thermal discomfort indices over western coastal cities of India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Desai, Manasi S.; Dhorde, Amit G.

2018-02-01

The present research aimed at analyzing temporal trends in thermal discomfort indices for a period of 46 years from 1969 to 2014 over western coastal region of India for seven urban centers during the months of pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons. Direct thermal discomfort indices employed for this purpose were thermo-hygrometric index (THI) and heat index (HI). Statistical techniques applied for obtaining temporal trends were linear regression model and Mann-Kendall (MK) rank test. Statistical significance of the obtained trends was evaluated at 95% confidence level. Sequential MK (SQ-MK) test was used for change point detection. To investigate actual incidences of thermal discomfort, daily index values were averaged for standard meteorological weeks (SMWs) over the study period and decadal percentage of thermal discomfort during SMWs was estimated. Trend analysis of selected meteorological parameters such as dry bulb temperature (DBT), wet bulb temperature (WBT), relative humidity (RH), and wind speed (WS) were investigated, which might be responsible for variation in thermal discomfort over the period. The results obtained depicted significant increase in thermal discomfort over the cities located on the southern part of west coast, while significant increase was observed during monsoon season months compared to pre-monsoon season. Decadal variation in percentage of SMWs falling in various discomfort categories was studied. At majority of the stations, moderate and high-risk SMWs have increased over the last two decades. The results of change point detection for THI and HI denoted significant increase at most of the stations after 1990s. The study validates increase in thermal discomfort vulnerability, particularly at thriving urban centers of western coastal region of India.

Excitation of flare-induced waves in coronal loops and the effects of radiative cooling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Provornikova, Elena; Ofman, Leon; Wang, Tongjiang

2018-01-01

EUV imaging observations from several space missions (SOHO/EIT, TRACE, and SDO/AIA) have revealed a presence of propagating intensity disturbances in solar coronal loops. These disturbances are typically interpreted as slow magnetoacoustic waves. However, recent spectroscopic observations with Hinode/EIS of active region loops revealed that the propagating intensity disturbances are associated with intermittent plasma upflows (or jets) at the footpoints which are presumably generated by magnetic reconnection. For this reason, whether these disturbances are waves or periodic flows is still being studied. This study is aimed at understanding the physical properties of observed disturbances by investigating the excitation of waves by hot plasma injections from below and the evolution of flows and wave propagation along the loop. We expand our previous studies based on isothermal 3D MHD models of an active region to a more realistic model that includes full energy equation accounting for the effects of radiative losses. Computations are initialized with an equilibrium state of a model active region using potential (dipole) magnetic field, gravitationally stratified density and temperature obtained from the polytropic equation of state. We model an impulsive injection of hot plasma into the steady plasma outflow along the loops of different temperatures, warm (∼1 MK) and hot (∼6 MK). The simulations show that hot jets launched at the coronal base excite slow magnetoacoustic waves that propagate to high altitudes along the loops, while the injected hot flows decelerate rapidly with heights. Our results support that propagating disturbances observed in EUV are mainly the wave features. We also find that the effect of radiative cooling on the damping of slow-mode waves in 1-6 MK coronal loops is small, in agreement with the previous conclusion based on 1D MHD models.

Thermal regime of the State 2-14 well, Salton Sea Scientific Drilling Project

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sass, J.H.; Priest, S.S.; Duda, L.E.; Carson, C.C.; Hendricks, J.D.; Robison, L.C.

1988-01-01

Temperature logs were made repeatedly during breaks in drilling and both during and after flow tests in the Salton Sea Scientific Drilling Project well (State 2-14). The purpose of these logs was to assist in identifying zones of fluid loss or gain and to characterize reservoir temperatures. At the conclusion of the active phase of the project, a series of logs was begun in an attempt to establish the equilibrium temperature profile. Thermal gradients decrease from about 250 mK m-1 in the upper few hundred meters to just below 200 mK m-1 near the base of the conductive cap. Using one interpretation, thermal conductivities increase with depth (mainly because of decreasing porosity), resulting in component heat flows that agree reasonably well with the mean of about 450 mW m-2. This value agrees well with heat flow data from the shallow wells within the Salton Sea geothermal field. A second interpretation, in which measured temperature coefficients of quartz- and carbonate-rich rocks are used to correct thermal conductivity, results in lower mean conductivities that are roughly constant with depth and, consequently, systematically decreasing heat flux averaging about 350 mW m-2 below 300 m. This interpretation is consistent with the inference (from fluid inclusion studies) that the rocks in this part of the field were once several tens of degrees Celsius hotter than they are now. The age of this possible disturbance is estimated at a few thousand years. -from Authors

Miniature Fixed Points as Temperature Standards for In Situ Calibration of Temperature Sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hao, X. P.; Sun, J. P.; Xu, C. Y.; Wen, P.; Song, J.; Xu, M.; Gong, L. Y.; Ding, L.; Liu, Z. L.

2017-06-01

Miniature Ga and Ga-In alloy fixed points as temperature standards are developed at National Institute of Metrology, China for the in situ calibration of temperature sensors. A quasi-adiabatic vacuum measurement system is constructed to study the phase-change plateaus of the fixed points. The system comprises a high-stability bath, a quasi-adiabatic vacuum chamber and a temperature control and measurement system. The melting plateau of the Ga fixed point is longer than 2 h at 0.008 W. The standard deviation of the melting temperature of the Ga and Ga-In alloy fixed points is better than 2 mK. The results suggest that the melting temperature of the Ga or Ga-In alloy fixed points is linearly related with the heating power.

Sensorimotor gating impairments induced by MK-801 treatment may be reduced by tolerance effect and by familiarization in monkeys

PubMed Central

Saletti, Patricia G.; Maior, Rafael S.; Hori, Etsuro; Nishijo, Hisao; Tomaz, Carlos

2015-01-01

Dizocilpine (MK-801) is a non-competitive NMDA antagonist that induces schizophreniclike effects. It is therefore widely used in experimental models of schizophrenia including prepulse inhibition (PPI) impairments in rodents. Nevertheless, MK-801 has never been tested in monkeys on a PPI paradigm. In order to evaluate MK-801 effects on monkeys’ PPI, we tested eight capuchin monkeys (Sapajus spp.) using three different doses of MK-801 (0.01; 0.02; 0.03 mg/kg). Results show PPI impairment in acute administration of the highest dose (0.03 mg/kg). PPI impairment induced by MK-801 was reversed by re-exposure to the PPI test throughout treatment trials, in contrast with rodent studies. These results indicate that tolerance effect and familiarization with PPI test may reduce the sensorimotor gating deficits induced by MK-801 in monkeys, suggesting a drug-training interaction. PMID:26441660

Preclinical Characterization of the Phosphodiesterase 10A PET Tracer [(11)C]MK-8193.

PubMed

Hostetler, Eric D; Fan, Hong; Joshi, Aniket D; Zeng, Zhizhen; Eng, Waisi; Gantert, Liza; Holahan, Marie; Meng, Xianjun; Miller, Patricia; O'Malley, Stacey; Purcell, Mona; Riffel, Kerry; Salinas, Cristian; Williams, Mangay; Ma, Bennett; Buist, Nicole; Smith, Sean M; Coleman, Paul J; Cox, Christopher D; Flores, Brock A; Raheem, Izzat T; Cook, Jacquelynn J; Evelhoch, Jeffrey L

2016-08-01

A positron emission tomography (PET) tracer for the enzyme phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) is desirable to guide the discovery and development of PDE10A inhibitors as potential therapeutics. The preclinical characterization of the PDE10A PET tracer [(11)C]MK-8193 is described. In vitro binding studies with [(3)H]MK-8193 were conducted in rat, monkey, and human brain tissue. PET studies with [(11)C]MK-8193 were conducted in rats and rhesus monkeys at baseline and following administration of a PDE10A inhibitor. [(3)H]MK-8193 is a high-affinity, selective PDE10A radioligand in rat, monkey, and human brain tissue. In vivo, [(11)C]MK-8193 displays rapid kinetics, low test-retest variability, and a large specific signal that is displaced by a structurally diverse PDE10A inhibitor, enabling the determination of pharmacokinetic/enzyme occupancy relationships. [(11)C]MK-8193 is a useful PET tracer for the preclinical characterization of PDE10A therapeutic candidates in rat and monkey. Further evaluation of [(11)C]MK-8193 in humans is warranted.

Quantitative measurement of tetrahydromenaquinone-9 in cheese fermented by propionibacteria.

PubMed

Hojo, K; Watanabe, R; Mori, T; Taketomo, N

2007-09-01

Propionibacteria produce tetrahydromenaquinone-9 [MK-9 (4H)] as a major menaquinone (vitamin K2). This study aimed to determine the MK-9 (4H) concentration in commercial propionibacteria-fermented cheese. The MK-9 (4H) concentration was quantified using an HPLC instrument with a fluorescence detector after postcolumn reduction. Among the various cheese samples, the MK-9 (4H) concentration was highest in Norwegian Jarlsberg cheese, followed by Swiss Emmental cheese. In contrast, the MK-9 (4H) concentrations in Appenzeller or Gruyère cheeses were extremely low or undetected. Likewise, the concentrations in Comte and Raclette cheeses were lower than those in Jarlsberg and Emmental cheeses. In the present study, the MK- 9 (4H) concentration in cheese showed a correlation with the viable propionibacterial cell count and propionate concentration. This implies that the increase in propionibacteria contributed to the generation of MK-9 (4H) in cheese. We presumed, based on these results, that Swiss Emmental and Norwegian Jarlsberg cheeses contain a meaningful amount of vitamin K because of their high MK-9 (4H) concentrations (200 to 650 ng/g).

In situ hybridization analysis of the temporospatial expression of the midkine/pleiotrophin family in rat embryonic pituitary gland.

PubMed

Fujiwara, Ken; Maliza, Rita; Tofrizal, Alimuddin; Batchuluun, Khongorzul; Ramadhani, Dini; Tsukada, Takehiro; Azuma, Morio; Horiguchi, Kotaro; Kikuchi, Motoshi; Yashiro, Takashi

2014-07-01

Pituitary gland development is controlled by numerous signaling molecules, which are produced in the oral ectoderm and diencephalon. A newly described family of heparin-binding growth factors, namely midkine (MK)/pleiotrophin (PTN), is involved in regulating the growth and differentiation of many tissues and organs. Using in situ hybridization with digoxigenin-labeled cRNA probes, we detected cells expressing MK and PTN in the developing rat pituitary gland. At embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5), MK expression was localized in Rathke's pouch (derived from the oral ectoderm) and in the neurohypophyseal bud (derived from the diencephalon). From E12.5 to E19.5, MK mRNA was expressed in the developing neurohypophysis, and expression gradually decreased in the developing adenohypophysis. To characterize MK-expressing cells, we performed double-staining of MK mRNA and anterior pituitary hormones. At E19.5, no MK-expressing cells were stained with any hormone. In contrast, PTN was expressed only in the neurohypophysis primordium during all embryonic stages. In situ hybridization clearly showed that MK was expressed in primitive (immature/undifferentiated) adenohypophyseal cells and neurohypophyseal cells, whereas PTN was expressed only in neurohypophyseal cells. Thus, MK and PTN might play roles as signaling molecules during pituitary development.

MK-STYX, a Catalytically Inactive Phosphatase Regulating Mitochondrially Dependent Apoptosis ▿

PubMed Central

Niemi, Natalie M.; Lanning, Nathan J.; Klomp, Jeff A.; Tait, Stephen W.; Xu, Yong; Dykema, Karl J.; Murphy, Leon O.; Gaither, L. Alex; Xu, H. Eric; Furge, Kyle A.; Green, Douglas R.; MacKeigan, Jeffrey P.

2011-01-01

Evasion of apoptosis is a significant problem affecting an array of cancers. In order to identify novel regulators of apoptosis, we performed an RNA interference (RNAi) screen against all kinases and phosphatases in the human genome. We identified MK-STYX (STYXL1), a catalytically inactive phosphatase with homology to the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatases. Despite this homology, MK-STYX knockdown does not significantly regulate MAPK signaling in response to growth factors or apoptotic stimuli. Rather, RNAi-mediated knockdown of MK-STYX inhibits cells from undergoing apoptosis induced by cellular stressors activating mitochondrion-dependent apoptosis. This MK-STYX phenotype mimics the loss of Bax and Bak, two potent guardians of mitochondrial apoptotic potential. Similar to loss of both Bax and Bak, cells without MK-STYX expression are unable to release cytochrome c. Proapoptotic members of the BCL-2 family (Bax, Bid, and Bim) are unable to trigger cytochrome c release in MK-STYX-depleted cells, placing the apoptotic deficiency at the level of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP). MK-STYX was found to localize to the mitochondria but is neither released from the mitochondria upon apoptotic stress nor proximal to the machinery currently known to control MOMP, indicating that MK-STYX regulates MOMP using a distinct mechanism. PMID:21262771

Midkine inhibits inducible regulatory T cell differentiation by suppressing the development of tolerogenic dendritic cells.

PubMed

Sonobe, Yoshifumi; Li, Hua; Jin, Shijie; Kishida, Satoshi; Kadomatsu, Kenji; Takeuchi, Hideyuki; Mizuno, Tetsuya; Suzumura, Akio

2012-03-15

Midkine (MK), a heparin-binding growth factor, reportedly contributes to inflammatory diseases, including Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis. We previously showed that MK aggravates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) by decreasing regulatory CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T cells (Tregs), a population that regulates the development of autoimmune responses, although the precise mechanism remains uncertain. In this article, we show that MK produced in inflammatory conditions suppresses the development of tolerogenic dendritic cells (DCregs), which drive the development of inducible Treg. MK suppressed DCreg-mediated expansion of the CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Treg population. DCregs expressed significantly higher levels of CD45RB and produced significantly less IL-12 compared with conventional dendritic cells. However, MK downregulated CD45RB expression and induced IL-12 production by reducing phosphorylated STAT3 levels via src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase-2 in DCreg. Inhibiting MK activity with anti-MK RNA aptamers, which bind to the targeted protein to suppress the function of the protein, increased the numbers of CD11c(low)CD45RB(+) dendritic cells and Tregs in the draining lymph nodes and suppressed the severity of EAE, an animal model of multiple sclerosis. Our results also demonstrated that MK was produced by inflammatory cells, in particular, CD4(+) T cells under inflammatory conditions. Taken together, these results suggest that MK aggravates EAE by suppressing DCreg development, thereby impairing the Treg population. Thus, MK is a promising therapeutic target for various autoimmune diseases.

Magnesium and other bivalent cations influence upon sodium montelukast effect in experimental-induced thermoalgesia.

PubMed

Nechifor, Mihai; Cuciureanu, Magda; Chelarescu, Dan; Ciubotariu, Diana; Pascu, Mihaela

2008-03-01

We tested the influence of magnesium, zinc and copper upon the montelukast (MK, antagonist of cysteinyl leukotriene receptor type 1) effect in experimentally-induced thermoalgesia. We worked on 5 groups of 10 adults, each Wistar rats, that received: group I-control; group II: MK (10 mg/kg) unique administration; group III: MgCl2 (1 mM/kg/day) i.p., 3 days and MK (10 mg/kg) unique administration on the 3rd day; group IV: ZnCl2, (0.1 mM/kg/day), i.p., 3 days and MK (10 mg/kg) unique administration on the 3rd day; group V: copper acetate (0.05 mM/kg/day), i.p., 3 days and MK (10 mg/kg) unique administration on the 3rd day. We determined the thermoalgesic sensitivity (TS) using a tail flick analgesia meter, initially, 3 days after daily cation administration and 3 hours after MK administration. Our data show that MK has a statistically significant reduction of TS vs control group (3.76 +/- 1.04 s vs 1.81 +/- 0.98 s, p < 0.05). Copper and magnesium administration do not significantly change the MK effect to decrease TS. The co-administration of zinc and MK statistically significantly increased the TS of the group that received only MK (2.51 +/- 0.21 s vs 3.76 +/- 1.04 s, p < 0.05). Animals that received only cations (in the above mentioned doses) did not significantly change TS.

Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 2 Signaling Shapes Macrophage Plasticity in Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans-Induced Bone Loss

PubMed Central

Herbert, Bethany A.; Steinkamp, Heidi M.; Gaestel, Matthias

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is associated with aggressive periodontal disease, which is characterized by inflammation-driven alveolar bone loss. A. actinomycetemcomitans activates the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2) stress pathways in macrophages that are involved in host responses. During the inflammatory process in periodontal disease, chemokines are upregulated to promote recruitment of inflammatory cells. The objective of this study was to determine the role of MK2 signaling in chemokine regulation during A. actinomycetemcomitans pathogenesis. Utilizing a murine calvarial model, Mk2+/+ and Mk2−/− mice were treated with live A. actinomycetemcomitans bacteria at the midsagittal suture. MK2 positively regulated the following macrophage RNA: Emr1 (F4/80), Itgam (CD11b), Csf1r (M-CSF Receptor), Itgal (CD11a), Tnf, and Nos2. Additionally, RNA analysis revealed that MK2 signaling regulated chemokines CCL3 and CCL4 in murine calvarial tissue. Utilizing the chimeric murine air pouch model, MK2 signaling differentially regulated CCL3 and CCL4 in the hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic compartments. Bone resorption pits in calvaria, observed by micro-computed tomography, and osteoclast formation were decreased in Mk2−/− mice compared to Mk2+/+ mice after A. actinomycetemcomitans treatment. In conclusion, these data suggest that MK2 in macrophages contributes to regulation of chemokine signaling during A. actinomycetemcomitans-induced inflammation and bone loss. PMID:27795356

Interaction of plant chimeric calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase with a homolog of eukaryotic elongation factor-1alpha

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, W.; Poovaiah, B. W.

1999-01-01

A chimeric Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CCaMK) was previously cloned and characterized in this laboratory. To investigate the biological functions of CCaMK, the yeast two-hybrid system was used to isolate genes encoding proteins that interact with CCaMK. One of the cDNA clones obtained from the screening (LlEF-1alpha1) has high similarity with the eukaryotic elongation factor-1alpha (EF-1alpha). CCaMK phosphorylated LlEF-1alpha1 in a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent manner. The phosphorylation site for CCaMK (Thr-257) was identified by site-directed mutagenesis. Interestingly, Thr-257 is located in the putative tRNA-binding region of LlEF-1alpha1. An isoform of Ca2+-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) phosphorylated multiple sites of LlEF-1alpha1 in a Ca2+-dependent but calmodulin-independent manner. Unlike CDPK, CCaMK phosphorylated only one site, and this site is different from CDPK phosphorylation sites. This suggests that the phosphorylation of EF-1alpha by these two kinases may have different functional significance. Although the phosphorylation of LlEF-1alpha1 by CCaMK is Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent, in vitro binding assays revealed that CCaMK binds to LlEF-1alpha1 in a Ca2+-independent manner. This was further substantiated by coimmunoprecipitation of CCaMK and EF-1alpha using the protein extract from lily anthers. Dissociation of CCaMK from EF-1alpha by Ca2+ and phosphorylation of EF-1alpha by CCaMK in a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent manner suggests that these interactions may play a role in regulating the biological functions of EF-1alpha.

Effect of the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU486 on MK-801 induced behavioural sensitisation

PubMed Central

Lefevre, Emilia M.; Medley, Gregory A.; Reeks, Timothy; Alexander, Suzy; Burne, Thomas H. J.; Eyles, Darryl W.

2017-01-01

Stress is known to modulate sensitisation to repeated psychostimulant exposure. However, there is no direct evidence linking glucocorticoids and sensitisation achieved by repeated administration of the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801. We tested the hypothesis that co-administration of RU486, a glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist, prior to repeated daily MK-801 injections would block the expression of locomotor sensitisation due to its dual effects on corticosterone and dopamine. We employed a repeated MK-801 administration locomotor sensitisation paradigm in male Sprague Dawley rats. RU486 or a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) vehicle was co-administered with MK-801 or saline during the induction phase. Subsequent to withdrawal, rats were challenged with MK-801 alone to test for the expression of sensitisation. In a separate cohort of rats, plasma corticosterone levels were quantified from blood samples taken on the 1st, 4th and 7th day of induction and at expression. One day after challenge, nucleus accumbens tissue levels of dopamine and its metabolites DOPAC and HVA were measured. During the induction phase, RU486 progressively enhanced locomotor sensitisation to MK-801. RU486 and MK-801 both showed stimulatory effects on corticosterone levels and this was further augmented when given in combination. Contrary to our hypothesis, RU486 did not block the expression of locomotor sensitisation to MK-801 and actually increased levels of dopamine, DOPAC and HVA in nucleus accumbens tissue. Our results showed that RU486 has augmentative rather than inhibitory effects on MK-801-induced sensitisation. This study indicates a divergent role for glucocorticoids in sensitisation to MK-801 compared to sensitisation with other psychostimulants. PMID:28430805

Postnatal MK-801 treatment of female rats impairs acquisition of working memory, but not reference memory in an eight-arm radial maze; no beneficial effects of enriched environment.

PubMed

Nozari, Masoumeh; Mansouri, Farshad Alizadeh; Shabani, Mohammad; Nozari, Hojat; Atapour, Nafiseh

2015-07-01

Memory impairment has been documented in MK-801 (NMDA receptor antagonist) model of schizophrenia, but less is known on the rescue and/or differential effects of MK-801 on short- and long-term memories. We determined the effects of MK-801 treatment and/or enriched environment (EE) on acquisition of reference and working memory in developing rats. Female Wistar rats were injected with MK-801 (1 mg/kg) from postnatal days (P) 6-10. Task acquisition, working memory error (WME), and reference memory error (RME) were assessed in an eight-arm radial maze task. Behavioral performance of rats was also tested in an open field test before (P35-P40) and after (P65-P70) radial maze training to assess anxiety and locomotion. EE was applied from birth up to the end of experiments. MK-801 treatment did not influence task acquisition in the radial maze; however, by the end of training, MK-801-treated rats made significantly more WME, but not RME, compared to control rats. Ratio of WME to total error was also significantly higher in MK-801 group. EE prevented MK-801-associated behaviors in the open field but did not exert beneficial effects on working memory deficit in the radial maze task. EE per se affected behavioral performance of rats only in the open field test. Our results suggest that postnatal MK-801 treatment differentially affects working and reference memory in a young brain. Anxiety and hyperactivity associated with MK-801 are observed more severely in adulthood. Dissociation of the positive effects of EE may suggest selective modification of distinct pathways.

Marisediminicola antarctica gen. nov., sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from the Antarctic.

PubMed

Li, Hui-Rong; Yu, Yong; Luo, Wei; Zeng, Yin-Xin

2010-11-01

Strain ZS314(T) was isolated from a sandy intertidal sediment sample collected from the coastal area off the Chinese Antarctic Zhongshan Station, east Antarctica (6 9° 22' 13″ S 76 ° 21' 41″ E). The cells were Gram-positive, motile, short rods. The temperature range for growth was 0-26 °C and the pH for growth ranged from 5 to 10, with optimum growth occurring within the temperature range 18-23 °C and pH range 6.0-8.0. Growth occurred in the presence of 0-6 % (w/v) NaCl, with optimum growth occurring in the presence of 2-4 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain ZS314(T) had MK-10 as the major menaquinone and anteiso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(16 : 0) and anteiso-C(17 : 0) as major fatty acids. The cell-wall peptidoglycan type was B2β with ornithine as the diagnostic diamino acid. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The genomic DNA G+C content was approximately 67 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity showed that strain ZS314(T) represents a new lineage in the family Microbacteriaceae. On the basis of the phylogenetic analyses and phenotypic characteristics, a new genus, namely Marisediminicola gen. nov., is proposed, harbouring the novel species Marisediminicola antarctica sp. nov. with the type strain ZS314(T) (=DSM 22350(T) =CCTCC AB 209077(T)).

Effects of intermediates between vitamins K(2) and K(3) on mammalian DNA polymerase inhibition and anti-inflammatory activity.

PubMed

Mizushina, Yoshiyuki; Maeda, Jun; Irino, Yasuhiro; Nishida, Masayuki; Nishiumi, Shin; Kondo, Yasuyuki; Nishio, Kazuyuki; Kuramochi, Kouji; Tsubaki, Kazunori; Kuriyama, Isoko; Azuma, Takeshi; Yoshida, Hiromi; Yoshida, Masaru

2011-02-10

Previously, we reported that vitamin K(3) (VK(3)), but not VK(1) or VK(2) (=MK-4), inhibits the activity of human DNA polymerase γ (pol γ). In this study, we chemically synthesized three intermediate compounds between VK(2) and VK(3), namely MK-3, MK-2 and MK-1, and investigated the inhibitory effects of all five compounds on the activity of mammalian pols. Among these compounds, MK-2 was the strongest inhibitor of mammalian pols α, κ and λ, which belong to the B, Y and X families of pols, respectively; whereas VK(3) was the strongest inhibitor of human pol γ, an A-family pol. MK-2 potently inhibited the activity of all animal species of pol tested, and its inhibitory effect on pol λ activity was the strongest with an IC(50) value of 24.6 μM. However, MK-2 did not affect the activity of plant or prokaryotic pols, or that of other DNA metabolic enzymes such as primase of pol α, RNA polymerase, polynucleotide kinase or deoxyribonuclease I. Because we previously found a positive relationship between pol λ inhibition and anti-inflammatory action, we examined whether these compounds could inhibit inflammatory responses. Among the five compounds tested, MK-2 caused the greatest reduction in 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced acute inflammation in mouse ear. In addition, in a cell culture system using mouse macrophages, MK-2 displayed the strongest suppression of the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Moreover, MK-2 was found to inhibit the action of nuclear factor (NF)-κB. In an in vivo mouse model of LPS-evoked acute inflammation, intraperitoneal injection of MK-2 in mice led to suppression of TNF-α production in serum. In conclusion, this study has identified VK(2) and VK(3) intermediates, such as MK-2, that are promising anti-inflammatory candidates.

mGluR5 positive allosteric modulation and its effects on MK-801 induced set-shifting impairments in a rat operant delayed matching/non-matching-to-sample task

PubMed Central

LaCrosse, Amber L.; Burrows, Brian T.; Angulo, Rachel M.; Conrad, Phoebe R.; Himes, Sarah M.; Mathews, Nordia; Wegner, Scott A.; Taylor, Sara B.; Olive, M. Foster

2014-01-01

Rationale Positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of type 5 metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR5) exert pro-cognitive effects in animal models of various neuropsychiatric diseases. However, few studies to date have examined ability of mGluR5 PAMs to reverse cognitive deficits in operant delayed matching/non-matching-to-sample (DMS/DNMS) tasks. Objectives To determine the ability of the mGluR5 PAM 3-cyano-N-1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzamide (CDPPB) to reverse set-shifting deficits induced by the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were initially trained to lever press for sucrose reinforcement under either DMS or DNMS conditions. Following successful acquisition of the task, reinforcement conditions were reversed (DNMS→DMS or DMS→DNMS). In Experiment 1, rats were treated daily prior to each session with either vehicle/vehicle, vehicle/MK-801 (0.06 mg/kg) simultaneously, CDPPB (20 mg/kg)/MK-801 simultaneously, or CDPPB 30 min prior to MK-801. In Experiment 2, rats were treated with either vehicle/vehicle, vehicle/MK-801, or CDPPB 30 min prior to MK-801 only prior to sessions that followed task reversal. Results In Experiment 1, no group differences in initial task acquisition were observed. Rats treated with vehicle+MK−801 showed significant set-shifting impairments following task reversal, which were partially attenuated by simultaneous administration of CDPPB/MK-801, and completely precluded by administration of CDPPB 30 min prior to MK-801. In Experiment 2, MK-801 did not impair reversal learning and no other group differences were observed. Conclusions MK-801 induced deficits in operant set-shifting ability were prevented by pretreatment with CDPPB. MK-801 did not produce deficits in initial task learning or when treatment was initiated following task reversal. PMID:24973895

The erythropoietin-derived peptide MK-X and erythropoietin have neuroprotective effects against ischemic brain damage

PubMed Central

Yoo, Seung-Jun; Cho, Bongki; Lee, Deokho; Son, Gowoon; Lee, Yeong-Bae; Soo Han, Hyung; Kim, Eunjoo; Moon, Chanil; Moon, Cheil

2017-01-01

Erythropoietin (EPO) has been well known as a hematopoietic cytokine over the past decades. However, recent reports have demonstrated that EPO plays a neuroprotective role in the central nervous system, and EPO has been considered as a therapeutic target in neurodegenerative diseases such as ischemic stroke. Despite the neuroprotective effect of EPO, clinical trials have shown its unexpected side effects, including undesirable proliferative effects such as erythropoiesis and tumor growth. Therefore, the development of EPO analogs that would confer neuroprotection without adverse effects has been attempted. In this study, we examined the potential of a novel EPO-based short peptide, MK-X, as a novel drug for stroke treatment in comparison with EPO. We found that MK-X administration with reperfusion dramatically reduced brain injury in an in vivo mouse model of ischemic stroke induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion, whereas EPO had little effect. Similar to EPO, MK-X efficiently ameliorated mitochondrial dysfunction followed by neuronal death caused by glutamate-induced oxidative stress in cultured neurons. Consistent with this effect, MK-X significantly decreased caspase-3 cleavage and nuclear translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor induced by glutamate. MK-X completely mimicked the effect of EPO on multiple activation of JAK2 and its downstream PI3K/AKT and ERK1/2 signaling pathways, and this signaling process was involved in the neuroprotective effect of MK-X. Furthermore, MK-X and EPO induced similar changes in the gene expression patterns under glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. Interestingly, the most significant difference between MK-X and EPO was that MK-X better penetrated into the brain across the brain–blood barrier than did EPO. In conclusion, we suggest that MK-X might be used as a novel drug for protection from brain injury caused by ischemic stroke, which penetrates into the brain faster in comparison with EPO, even though MK-X and EPO have similar protective effects against excitotoxicity. PMID:28817120

Harmaline competitively inhibits [3H]MK-801 binding to the NMDA receptor in rabbit brain.

PubMed

Du, W; Aloyo, V J; Harvey, J A

1997-10-03

Harmaline, a beta-carboline derivative, is known to produce tremor through a direct activation of cells in the inferior olive. However, the receptor(s) through which harmaline acts remains unknown. It was recently reported that the tremorogenic actions of harmaline could be blocked by the noncompetitive NMDA channel blocker, MK-801. This study examined whether the blockade of harmaline's action, in the rabbit, by MK-801 was due to a pharmacological antagonism at the MK-801 binding site. This was accomplished by measurement of [3H]MK-801 binding in membrane fractions derived from tissue containing the inferior olivary nucleus and from cerebral cortex. Harmaline completely displaced saturable [3H]MK-801 binding in both the inferior olive and cortex with apparent IC50 values of 60 and 170 microM, respectively. These IC50 values are consistent with the high doses of harmaline required to produce tremor, e.g., 10-30 mg/kg. Non-linear curve fitting analysis of [3H]MK-801 saturation experiments indicated that [3H]MK-801 bound to a single site and that harmaline's displacement of [3H]MK-801 binding to the NMDA receptor was competitive as indicated by a shift in Kd but not in Bmax. In addition, a Schild plot gave a slope that was not significantly different from 1 indicating that harmaline was producing a displacement of [3H]MK-801 from its binding site within the NMDA cation channel and not through an action at the glutamate or other allosteric sites on the NMDA receptor. These findings provide in vitro evidence that the competitive blockade of harmaline-induced tremor by MK-801 occurs within the calcium channel coupled to the NMDA receptor. Our hypothesis is that harmaline produces tremor by acting as an inverse agonist at the MK-801 binding site and thus opening the cation channel.

Salinisphaera orenii sp. nov., isolated from a solar saltern.

PubMed

Park, Soo-Je; Cha, In-Tae; Kim, So-Jeong; Shin, Kee-Sun; Hong, YoungSoo; Roh, Dong-Hyun; Rhee, Sung-Keun

2012-08-01

A taxonomic study was performed on two isolates, designated strains MK-B5(T) and MK-B7, isolated from sediment of a solar saltern pond in Gomso Bay, Republic of Korea. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strains MK-B5(T) and MK-B7 belong to the Gammaproteobacteria and are related most closely to Salinisphaera shabanensis JCM 11575(T) ( = E1L3A(T)) (96.3 and 96.5% similarity, respectively), Salinisphaera dokdonensis KCCM 90064(T) ( = CL-ES53(T)) (95.6 and 95.6%) and Salinisphaera hydrothermalis JCM 115514(T) ( = EPR70(T)) (95.1 and 95.3%). The level of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strains MK-B5(T) and MK-B7 was 99.8%. The G+C contents of their genomic DNAs were 63.4 and 63.6 mol%, respectively, and the major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8. DNA-DNA relatedness between strains MK-B5(T) and MK-B7 was 98%, indicating that the two isolates represent a single species. However, the level of DNA-DNA relatedness between the two isolates and S. shabanensis E1L3A(T) (26.4-30.8%) indicates that they represent a novel species. Strains MK-B5(T) and MK-B7 possessed C(14:0), C(16:0) and C(19:0)ω8c cyclo as major fatty acids. The two isolates were Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, short rod-shaped and motile. They grew at 10-40 °C (optimum, 35-37 °C), at pH 5.0-8.5 (optimum, 7.0-7.5) and with 5-25% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 15% NaCl). On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses, strains MK-B5(T) and MK-B7 are thus considered to represent a novel species of the genus Salinisphaera, for which the name Salinisphaera orenii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MK-B5(T) ( = KCTC 23198(T) = JCM 17073(T)).

The role of purinergic and dopaminergic systems on MK-801-induced antidepressant effects in zebrafish.

PubMed

da Silva, Raquel Bohrer; Siebel, Anna Maria; Bonan, Carla Denise

2015-12-01

Depression is a serious disease characterized by low mood, anhedonia, loss of interest in daily activities, appetite and sleep disturbances, reduced concentration, and psychomotor agitation. There is a growing interest in NMDA antagonists as a promising target for the development of new antidepressants. Considering that purinergic and dopaminergic systems are involved in depression and anxiety states, we characterized the role of these signaling pathways on MK-801-induced antidepressant effects in zebrafish. Animals treated with MK-801 at the doses of 5, 10, 15, or 20μM during 15, 30, or 60min spent longer time in the top area of aquariums in comparison to control group, indicating an anxiolytic/antidepressant effect induced by this drug. Animals treated with MK-801 spent longer time period at top area until 2 (5μM MK-801) and 4 (20μM MK-801) hours after treatment, returning to basal levels from 24h to 7days after exposure. Repeated MK-801 treatment did not induce cumulative effects, since animals treated daily during 7days had the same behavioral response pattern observed since the first until the 7th day. In order to investigate the effects of adenosine A1 and A2A receptor antagonist and agonist and the influence of modulation of adenosine levels on MK-801 effects, we treated zebrafish with caffeine, DPCPX, CPA, ZM 241385, CGS 21680, AMPCP, EHNA, dipyridamole, and NBTI during 30min before MK-801 exposure. The non-specific adenosine receptor antagonist caffeine (50mg/kg) and the selective A1 receptor antagonist DPCPX (15mg/kg) prevented the behavioral changes induced by MK-801. The non-specific nucleoside transporter (NT) inhibitor dipyridamole (10mg/kg) exacerbated the behavioral changes induced by MK-801. Dopamine receptor antagonists (sulpiride and SCH 23390) did not change the behavioral alterations induced by MK-801. Our findings demonstrated that antidepressant-like effects of MK-801 in zebrafish are mediated through adenosine A1 receptor activation. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ion mobility and conductivity in the M{sub 0.5–x}Pb{sub x}Bi{sub 0.5}F{sub 2+x} (M=K, Rb) solid solutions with fluorite structure

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

Kavun, V. Ya., E-mail: kavun@ich.dvo.ru; Uvarov, N.F.; Slobodyuk, A.B.

Ionic mobility and conductivity in the K{sub 0.5–x}Pb{sub x}Bi{sub 0.5}F{sub 2+x} and Rb{sub 0.5–x}Pb{sub x}Bi{sub 0.5}F{sub 2+x} (x=0.05, 0.09) solid solutions with the fluorite structure have been investigated using the methods of {sup 19}F NMR, X-ray diffraction and impedance spectroscopy. Types of ionic motions in the fluoride sublattice of solid solutions have been established and temperature ranges of their realization have been determined (150–450 K). Diffusion of fluoride ions is a dominating type of ionic motions in the fluoride sublattice of solid solutions under study above 350 K. Due to high ionic conductivity, above 10{sup –3} S/cm at 450 K,more » these solid solutions can be used as solid electrolytes in various electrochemical devices and systems. - Graphical abstract: Temperature dependence of the concentration of mobile (2, 4) and immobile (1, 3) F ions in the K{sub 0.5–x}Pb{sub x}Bi{sub 0.5}F{sub 2+x} solid solutions. - Highlights: • Studied the ion mobility, conductivity in M{sub 0.5–x}Pb{sub x}Bi{sub 0.5}F{sub 2+x} solid solutions (M=K, Rb). • An analysis of {sup 19}F NMR spectra made it possible to identify types of ion mobility. • The main type of ion motion above 300 K in solid solutions is a diffusion of ions F{sup –}. • The ionic conductivity of the solid solutions studied more than 10{sup –3} S/cm at 450 K.« less

Climate Change Impacts on the Potential Distribution and Abundance of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) With Special Reference to North America and Europe.

PubMed

Kistner, Erica Jean

2017-12-08

The invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål; Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), has recently emerged as a harmful pest of horticultural crops in North America and Europe. Native to East Asia, this highly polyphagous insect is spreading rapidly worldwide. Climate change will add further complications to managing this species in terms of both geographic distribution and population growth. This study used CLIMEX to compare potential H. halys distribution under recent and future climate models using one emission scenario (A2) with two different global circulation models, CSIRO Mk3.0 and MIROC-H. Simulated changes in seasonal phenology and voltinism were examined. Under the possible future climate scenarios, suitable range in Europe expands northward. In North America, the suitable H. halys range shifts northward into Canada and contracts from its southern temperature range limits in the United States due to increased heat stress. Prolonged periods of warm temperatures resulted in longer H. halys growing seasons. However, future climate scenarios indicated that rising summer temperatures decrease H. halys growth potential compared to recent climatic conditions, which in turn, may reduce mid-summer crop damage. Climate change may increase the number of H. halys generations produced annually, thereby enabling the invasive insect to become multivoltine in the northern latitudes of North America and Europe where it is currently reported to be univoltine. These results indicate prime horticultural production areas in Europe, the northeastern United States, and southeastern Canada are at greatest risk from H. halys under both current and possible future climates. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America 2017. This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US.

Spatio-temporal Trends of Climate Variability in North Carolina

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sayemuzzaman, Mohammad

Climatic trends in spatial and temporal variability of maximum temperature (Tmax), minimum temperature (Tmin), mean temperature (Tmean) and precipitation were evaluated for 249 ground-based stations in North Carolina for 1950-2009. The Mann-Kendall (MK), the Theil-Sen Approach (TSA) and the Sequential Mann-Kendall (SQMK) tests were applied to quantify the significance of trend, magnitude of trend and the trend shift, respectively. The lag-1 serial correlation and double mass curve techniques were used to address the data independency and homogeneity. The pre-whitening technique was used to eliminate the effect of auto correlation of the data series. The difference between minimum and maximum temperatures, and so the diurnal temperature range (DTR), at some stations was found to be decreasing on both an annual and a seasonal basis, with an overall increasing trend in the mean temperature. For precipitation, a statewide increasing trend in fall (highest in November) and decreasing trend in winter (highest in February) were detected. No pronounced increasing/decreasing trends were detected in annual, spring, and summer precipitation time series. Trend analysis on a spatial scale (for three physiographic regions: mountain, piedmont and coastal) revealed mixed results. Coastal zone exhibited increasing mean temperature (warming) trend as compared to other locations whereas mountain zone showed decreasing trend (cooling). Three main moisture components (precipitation, total cloud cover, and soil moisture) and the two major atmospheric circulation modes (North Atlantic Oscillation and Southern Oscillation) were used for correlative analysis purposes with the temperature (specifically with DTR) and precipitation trends. It appears that the moisture components are associated with DTR more than the circulation modes in North Carolina.

Aerodynamic Loads and Separation Characteristics of the BLU-27B/B, MK- 82SE, and GBU-8 Weapons in the F-16 Aircraft Flow Field at Mach Numbers from 0.4 to 1.2

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-10-01

76-147 Cm 1.2 0.8 o.q 0 SIMBOL CONFIG = ~ STORE ® IS E 0.60 MK-SESE m 15 E 0.80 MK-SESE IS E 0.90 MK-82SE IS E 0.95 MK-B2SE PYLON RRCK 6 M...0 10 .0 1 2 6 A E D C - T R - 7 6 - 1 4 7 SIMBOL CONFIG = H. STORE PILON RICK ~tt 0 11 I0 0.80 MK-82SE 7 I - 3 0 B II 10 0.60 HR-B2SE 7 T

Observations of the Formation, Development, and Structure of a Current Sheet in an Eruptive Solar Flare

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

Seaton, Daniel B.; Darnel, Jonathan M.; Bartz, Allison E., E-mail: daniel.seaton@noaa.gov

2017-02-01

We present Atmospheric Imaging Assembly observations of a structure we interpret as a current sheet associated with an X4.9 flare and coronal mass ejection that occurred on 2014 February 25 in NOAA Active Region 11990. We characterize the properties of the current sheet, finding that the sheet remains on the order of a few thousand kilometers thick for much of the duration of the event and that its temperature generally ranged between 8 and 10 MK. We also note the presence of other phenomena believed to be associated with magnetic reconnection in current sheets, including supra-arcade downflows and shrinking loops.more » We estimate that the rate of reconnection during the event was M{sub A} ≈ 0.004–0.007, a value consistent with model predictions. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of this event for reconnection-based eruption models.« less

Inference of Heating Properties from "Hot" Non-flaring Plasmas in Active Region Cores. I. Single Nanoflares

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barnes, W. T.; Cargill, P. J.; Bradshaw, S. J.

2016-09-01

The properties that are expected of “hot” non-flaring plasmas due to nanoflare heating in active regions are investigated using hydrodynamic modeling tools, including a two-fluid development of the Enthalpy Based Thermal Evolution of Loops code. Here we study a single nanoflare and show that while simple models predict an emission measure distribution extending well above 10 MK, which is consistent with cooling by thermal conduction, many other effects are likely to limit the existence and detectability of such plasmas. These include: differential heating between electrons and ions, ionization non-equilibrium, and for short nanoflares, the time taken for the coronal density to increase. The most useful temperature range to look for this plasma, often called the “smoking gun” of nanoflare heating, lies between 106.6 and 107 K. Signatures of the actual heating may be detectable in some instances.

Uncooled infrared focal plane array imaging in China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lei, Shuyu

2015-06-01

This article reviews the development of uncooled infrared focal plane array (UIFPA) imaging in China in the past decade. Sensors based on optical or electrical read-out mechanism were developed but the latter dominates the market. In resistive bolometers, VOx and amorphous silicon are still the two major thermal-sensing materials. The specifications of the IRFPA made by different manufactures were collected and compared. Currently more than five Chinese companies and institutions design and fabricate uncooled infrared focal plane array. Some devices have sensitivity as high as 30 mK; the largest array for commercial products is 640×512 and the smallest pixel size is 17 μm. Emphasis is given on the pixel MEMS design, ROIC design, fabrication, and packaging of the IRFPA manufactured by GWIC, especially on design for high sensitivities, low noise, better uniformity and linearity, better stabilization for whole working temperature range, full-digital design, etc.

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

Barnes, W. T.; Bradshaw, S. J.; Cargill, P. J., E-mail: will.t.barnes@rice.edu

The properties that are expected of “hot” non-flaring plasmas due to nanoflare heating in active regions are investigated using hydrodynamic modeling tools, including a two-fluid development of the Enthalpy Based Thermal Evolution of Loops code. Here we study a single nanoflare and show that while simple models predict an emission measure distribution extending well above 10 MK, which is consistent with cooling by thermal conduction, many other effects are likely to limit the existence and detectability of such plasmas. These include: differential heating between electrons and ions, ionization non-equilibrium, and for short nanoflares, the time taken for the coronal densitymore » to increase. The most useful temperature range to look for this plasma, often called the “smoking gun” of nanoflare heating, lies between 10{sup 6.6} and 10{sup 7} K. Signatures of the actual heating may be detectable in some instances.« less

Evolution of the Quasar Luminosity Function: Implications for EoR-21cm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kulkarni, Girish; Choudhury, Tirthankar Roy; Puchwein, Ewald; Haehnelt, Martin G.

2018-05-01

We present predictions for the spatial distribution of 21 cm brightness temperature fluctuations from high-dynamic-range simulations for AGN-dominated reionization histories that have been tested against available Lyα and CMB data. We model AGN by extrapolating the observed Mbh-σ relation to high redshifts and assign them ionizing emissivities consistent with recent UV luminosity function measurements. AGN-dominated reionization histories increase the variance of the 21 cm emission by a factor of up to ten compared to similar reionization histories dominated by faint galaxies, to values close to 100 mK2 at scales accessible to experiments (k <~ 1 cMpc-1h). This is lower than the sensitivity reached by ongoing experiments by only a factor of about two or less. AGN dominated reionization should be easily detectable by LOFAR (and later HERA and SKA1) at their design sensitivity.

A low-noise measurement system for scanning thermal microscopy resistive nanoprobes based on a transformer ratio-arm bridge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Świątkowski, Michał; Wojtuś, Arkadiusz; Wielgoszewski, Grzegorz; Rudek, Maciej; Piasecki, Tomasz; Jóźwiak, Grzegorz; Gotszalk, Teodor

2018-04-01

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a widely used technology for the investigation and characterization of nanomaterials. Its functionality can be easily expanded by applying dedicated extension modules, which can measure the electrical conductivity or temperature of a sample. In this paper, we introduce a transformer ratio-arm bridge setup dedicated to AFM-based thermal imaging. One of the key features of the thermal module is the use of a low-power driving signal that prevents undesirable tip heating during resistance measurement, while the other is the sensor location in a ratio-arm transformer bridge working in the audio frequency range and ensuring galvanic isolation of the tip, enabling contact-mode scanning of electronic circuits. The proposed expansion module is compact and it can be integrated onto the AFM head close to the cantilever. The calibration process and the resolution of 11 mK of the proposed setup are shown.

Design and performance of an ultra-high vacuum spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscope operating at 30 mK and in a vector magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

von Allwörden, Henning; Eich, Andreas; Knol, Elze J.; Hermenau, Jan; Sonntag, Andreas; Gerritsen, Jan W.; Wegner, Daniel; Khajetoorians, Alexander A.

2018-03-01

We describe the design and performance of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) that operates at a base temperature of 30 mK in a vector magnetic field. The cryogenics is based on an ultra-high vacuum (UHV) top-loading wet dilution refrigerator that contains a vector magnet allowing for fields up to 9 T perpendicular and 4 T parallel to the sample. The STM is placed in a multi-chamber UHV system, which allows in situ preparation and exchange of samples and tips. The entire system rests on a 150-ton concrete block suspended by pneumatic isolators, which is housed in an acoustically isolated and electromagnetically shielded laboratory optimized for extremely low noise scanning probe measurements. We demonstrate the overall performance by illustrating atomic resolution and quasiparticle interference imaging and detail the vibrational noise of both the laboratory and microscope. We also determine the electron temperature via measurement of the superconducting gap of Re(0001) and illustrate magnetic field-dependent measurements of the spin excitations of individual Fe atoms on Pt(111). Finally, we demonstrate spin resolution by imaging the magnetic structure of the Fe double layer on W(110).

Design and performance of an ultra-high vacuum spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscope operating at 30 mK and in a vector magnetic field.

PubMed

von Allwörden, Henning; Eich, Andreas; Knol, Elze J; Hermenau, Jan; Sonntag, Andreas; Gerritsen, Jan W; Wegner, Daniel; Khajetoorians, Alexander A

2018-03-01

We describe the design and performance of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) that operates at a base temperature of 30 mK in a vector magnetic field. The cryogenics is based on an ultra-high vacuum (UHV) top-loading wet dilution refrigerator that contains a vector magnet allowing for fields up to 9 T perpendicular and 4 T parallel to the sample. The STM is placed in a multi-chamber UHV system, which allows in situ preparation and exchange of samples and tips. The entire system rests on a 150-ton concrete block suspended by pneumatic isolators, which is housed in an acoustically isolated and electromagnetically shielded laboratory optimized for extremely low noise scanning probe measurements. We demonstrate the overall performance by illustrating atomic resolution and quasiparticle interference imaging and detail the vibrational noise of both the laboratory and microscope. We also determine the electron temperature via measurement of the superconducting gap of Re(0001) and illustrate magnetic field-dependent measurements of the spin excitations of individual Fe atoms on Pt(111). Finally, we demonstrate spin resolution by imaging the magnetic structure of the Fe double layer on W(110).

A Hot-electron Direct Detector for Radioastronomy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Karasik, Boris S.; McGrath, William R.; LeDuc, Henry G.; Gershenson, Michael E.

1999-01-01

A hot-electron transition-edge superconducting bolometer with adjustable thermal relaxation speed is proposed. The bolometer contacts are made from a superconductor with high critical temperature which blocks the thermal diffusion of hot carriers into the contacts. Thus electron-phonon interaction is the only mechanism for heat removal. The speed of thermal relaxation for hot electrons in a nanometer-size superconducting bolometer with T(sub c) = 100-300 mK is controlled by the elastic electron mean free path l. The relaxation rate behaves as T(sup 4)l at subkelvin temperatures and can be reduced by a factor of 10-100 by decreasing 1. Then an antenna- or wave guide-coupled bolometer with a time constant approx. = 10(exp -3) to 10(exp -4) s will exhibit photon-noise limited performance at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths. The bolometer will have a figure-of-merit NEPtau = 10(exp -22) - 10(exp -21) W/Hz at 100 mK which is 10(exp 3) to 10(exp 4) times better (ie: smaller) than that of a state-of-the-art bolometer. A tremendous increase in speed and sensitivity will have a significant impact for observational mapping applications.

Performance of Mercury Triple-Point Cells Made in Brazil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petkovic, S. G.; Santiago, J. F. N.; Filho, R. R.; Teixeira, R. N.; Santos, P. R. F.

2003-09-01

Fixed-points cells are primary standards in ITS-90. They contain reference material with a purity of 99.999 % or more. The gallium in a melting-point cell, for example, can reach a purity of 99.99999 %. This level of purity is not easy to obtain. However, substances like water and mercury can be purified by means of distillation and chemical procedures. This paper presents the results of mercury triple-point cells made in Brazil that were directly compared to a mercury triple-point cell of 99.999% purity. This reference cell, made by Isotech (England), was previously compared to cells from CENAM (Mexico) and NRC (Canada) and the maximum deviation found was approximately 0.4 mK. The purification stage started with a sample of mercury 99.3 % pure, and the repeated use of both mechanical and chemical processes led to a purification grade considered good enough for calibration of standard platinum resistance thermometers. The purification procedures, the method of construction of the cell, the laboratory facilities, the comparison results and the budget of uncertainties are described in this paper. All of the cells tested have a triple-point temperature within 0.25 mK of the triple-point temperature of the Inmetro reference cell.

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

Xie, Haixia; Li, Bo; Huang, Zhenghua

How the solar corona is heated to high temperatures remains an unsolved mystery in solar physics. In the present study we analyze observations of 50 whole active region loops taken with the Extreme-ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer on board the Hinode satellite. Eleven loops were classified as cool loops (<1 MK) and 39 as warm loops (1–2 MK). We study their plasma parameters, such as densities, temperatures, filling factors, nonthermal velocities, and Doppler velocities. We combine spectroscopic analysis with linear force-free magnetic field extrapolation to derive the 3D structure and positioning of the loops, their lengths and heights, and the magnetic fieldmore » strength along the loops. We use density-sensitive line pairs from Fe xii, Fe xiii, Si x, and Mg vii ions to obtain electron densities by taking special care of intensity background subtraction. The emission measure loci method is used to obtain the loop temperatures. We find that the loops are nearly isothermal along the line of sight. Their filling factors are between 8% and 89%. We also compare the observed parameters with the theoretical Rosner–Tucker–Vaiana (RTV) scaling law. We find that most of the loops are in an overpressure state relative to the RTV predictions. In a follow-up study, we will report a heating model of a parallel-cascade-based mechanism and will compare the model parameters with the loop plasma and structural parameters derived here.« less

Large-format 17μm high-end VOx μ-bolometer infrared detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mizrahi, U.; Argaman, N.; Elkind, S.; Giladi, A.; Hirsh, Y.; Labilov, M.; Pivnik, I.; Shiloah, N.; Singer, M.; Tuito, A.; Ben-Ezra, M.; Shtrichman, I.

2013-06-01

Long range sights and targeting systems require a combination of high spatial resolution, low temporal NETD, and wide field of view. For practical electro-optical systems it is hard to support these constraints simultaneously. Moreover, achieving these needs with the relatively low-cost Uncooled μ-Bolometer technology is a major challenge in the design and implementation of both the bolometer pixel and the Readout Integrated Circuit (ROIC). In this work we present measured results from a new, large format (1024×768) detector array, with 17μm pitch. This detector meets the demands of a typical armored vehicle sight with its high resolution and large format, together with low NETD of better than 35mK (at F/1, 30Hz). We estimate a Recognition Range for a NATO target of better than 4 km at all relevant atmospheric conditions, which is better than standard 2nd generation scanning array cooled detector. A new design of the detector package enables improved stability of the Non-Uniformity Correction (NUC) to environmental temperature drifts.

Long-Wavelength 640 x 486 GaAs/AlGaAs Quantum Well Infrared Photodetector Snap-Shot Camera

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gunapala, Sarath D.; Bandara, Sumith V.; Liu, John K.; Hong, Winn; Sundaram, Mani; Maker, Paul D.; Muller, Richard E.; Shott, Craig A.; Carralejo, Ronald

1998-01-01

A 9-micrometer cutoff 640 x 486 snap-shot quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) camera has been demonstrated. The performance of this QWIP camera is reported including indoor and outdoor imaging. The noise equivalent differential temperature (NE.deltaT) of 36 mK has been achieved at 300 K background with f/2 optics. This is in good agreement with expected focal plane array sensitivity due to the practical limitations on charge handling capacity of the multiplexer, read noise, bias voltage, and operating temperature.

All-Optical Nanoscale Thermometry using Silicon-Vacancy Centers in Diamond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, Christian; Evans, Ruffin; Sipahigil, Alp; Bhaskar, Mihir; Sukachev, Denis; Lukin, Mikhail

2017-04-01

Accurate thermometry at the nanoscale is a difficult challenge, but building such a thermometer would be a powerful tool for discovering and understanding new processes in biology, chemistry and physics. Applications include cell-selective treatment of disease, engineering of more efficient integrated circuits, or even the development of new chemical and biological reactions. In this work, we study how the bulk properties of the Silicon Vacancy center (SiV) in diamond depend on temperature, and use them to measure temperature with 100mK accuracy. Using SiVs in 200 nm nanodiamonds, we measure the temperature with 100 nm spatial resolution over a 10 μm area.

Developmental regulation of the gene for chimeric calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase in anthers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Poovaiah, B. W.; Xia, M.; Liu, Z.; Wang, W.; Yang, T.; Sathyanarayanan, P. V.; Franceschi, V. R.

1999-01-01

Chimeric Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CCaMK) was cloned from developing anthers of lily (Lilium longiflorum Thumb. cv. Nellie White) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Xanthi). Previous biochemical characterization and structure/function studies had revealed that CCaMK has dual modes of regulation by Ca(2+) and Ca(2+)/calmodulin. The unique structural features of CCaMK include a catalytic domain, a calmodulin-binding domain, and a neural visinin-like Ca(2+)-binding domain. The existence of these three features in a single polypeptide distinguishes it from other kinases. Western analysis revealed that CCaMK is expressed in a stage-specific manner in developing anthers. Expression of CCaMK was first detected in pollen mother cells and continued to increase, reaching a peak around the tetrad stage of meiosis. Following microsporogenesis, CCaMK expression rapidly decreased and at later stages of microspore development, no expression was detected. A tobacco genomic clone of CCaMK was isolated and transgenic tobacco plants were produced carrying the CCaMK promoter fused to the beta-glucuronidase reporter gene. Both CCaMK mRNA and protein were detected in the pollen sac and their localizations were restricted to the pollen mother cells and tapetal cells. Consistent results showing a stage-specific expression pattern were obtained by beta-glucuronidase analysis, in-situ hybridization and immunolocalization. The stage- and tissue-specific appearance of CCaMK in anthers suggests that it could play a role in sensing transient changes in free Ca(2+) concentration in target cells, thereby controlling developmental events in the anther.

Effects of the H3 Antagonist, Thioperamide, on Behavioral Alterations Induced by Systemic MK-801 Administration in Rats

PubMed Central

Bardgett, Mark E.; Points, Megan; Roflow, John; Blankenship, Meredith; Griffith, Molly S.

2009-01-01

Rationale Recent studies have raised the possibility that antagonists of H3 histamine receptors possess cognitive-enhancing and antipsychotic properties. However, little work has assessed these compounds in classic animal models of schizophrenia. Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine if a prototypical H3 antagonist, thioperamide, could alter behavioral deficits caused by the NMDA receptor antagonist, MK-801, in adult male rats. MK-801 was chosen for study since it produces a state of NMDA receptor hypofunction in rats that may be analogous to the one hypothesized to occur in schizophrenia. Methods The interaction between thioperamide and MK-801 was measured in three behavioral tests: locomotor activity, prepulse inhibition (PPI), and delayed spatial alternation. In each test, rats received a subcutaneous injection of saline or thioperamide (3.0 & 10 mg/kg) followed 20 minutes later by a subcutaneous injection of saline or MK-801 (0.05, 0.10, & 0.30 mg/kg). Results Locomotor activity was significantly elevated by MK-801 in a dose-dependent manner. Thioperamide pretreatment alone did not alter locomotor activity, however its impact on MK-801 was dose-dependent. Each thioperamide dose enhanced the effects of two lower doses of MK801 but reduced the effect of a higher MK-801 dose. Clear deficits in PPI and delayed spatial alternation were produced by MK-801 treatment, but neither impairment was significantly modified by thioperamide pretreatment. Conclusions H3 receptors modulate responses to NMDA antagonists in behaviorally-specific ways and dependent upon the level of NMDA receptor blockade. PMID:19466392

Recombinant DNA technology for melanoma immunotherapy: anti-Id DNA vaccines targeting high molecular weight melanoma-associated antigen.

PubMed

Barucca, A; Capitani, M; Cesca, M; Tomassoni, D; Kazmi, U; Concetti, F; Vincenzetti, L; Concetti, A; Venanzi, F M

2014-11-01

Anti-idiotypic MK2-23 monoclonal antibody (anti-Id MK2-23 mAb), which mimics the high molecular weight melanoma-associated antigen (HMW-MAA), has been used to implement active immunotherapy against melanoma. However, due to safety and standardization issues, this approach never entered extensive clinical trials. In the present study, we investigated the usage of DNA vaccines as an alternative to MK2-23 mAb immunization. MK2-23 DNA plasmids coding for single chain (scFv) MK2-23 antibody were constructed via the insertion of variable heavy (V H) and light (V L) chains of MK2-23 into the pVAC-1mcs plasmids. Two alternative MK2-23 plasmids format V H/V L, and V L/V H were assembled. We demonstrate that both polypeptides expressed by scFv plasmids in vitro retained the ability to mimic HMW-MAA antigen, and to elicit specific anti-HMW-MAA humoral and cellular immunoresponses in immunized mice. Notably, MK2-23 scFv DNA vaccines impaired the onset and growth of transplantable B16 melanoma cells not engineered to express HMW-MAA. This pilot study suggests that optimized MK2-23 scFv DNA vaccines could potentially provide a safer and cost-effective alternative to anti-Id antibody immunization, for melanoma immunotherapy.

Medial Prefrontal Administration of MK-801 Impairs T-maze Discrimination Reversal Learning in Weanling Rats

PubMed Central

Watson, Deborah J.; Stanton, Mark E.

2009-01-01

Several executive functions rely on the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in the rat. Aspiration and neurotoxic lesions of the mPFC impair reversal learning in adult rats [1, 16, 34, 55]. Systemic administration of MK-801, an NMDA receptor antagonist, impairs T-maze reversal learning in weanling rats but the role of mPFC NMDA receptor antagonism in this effect is not known in either adult or young animals. This set of studies showed that mPFC NMDA receptors are specifically involved in T-maze discrimination reversal in weanling rats. In Experiment 1, 26-day-old rats (P26) demonstrated a dose-dependent impairment following bilateral mPFC administration of either 2.5 or 5.0 µg MK-801 or saline (vehicle) during the reversal training phase only. In Experiment 2, P26 rats were trained on the same task, but 4 groups of rats received bilateral mPFC infusions during acquisition only (MK-SAL), reversal only (SAL-MK), both phases (MK-MK) or neither phase (SAL-SAL). MK-801 impaired performance only when infused during reversal. This suggests that NMDA receptor antagonism in the mPFC is selectively involved in reversal learning during development and this may account for the previously reported effects of systemic MK-801 on T-maze discrimination reversal in weanling rats. PMID:19643149

Angiotensin II enhances norepinephrine spillover during sympathetic activation in conscious rabbits.

PubMed

Noshiro, T; Shimizu, K; Way, D; Miura, Y; McGrath, B P

1994-05-01

To investigate the potential modulating influence of angiotensin II (ANG II) on sympathetic activity in response to changes in baroreflex activity, renal and total norepinephrine (NE) spillover rates were examined during sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and phenylephrine (PE) infusions in four groups of conscious rabbits: 1) saline (control); 2) subpressor ANG II (ANG II, 2 ng.kg-1.min-1); 3) enalaprilat (MK-422, 200 micrograms/kg and 3.3 micrograms.kg-1.min-1); and 4) MK plus ANG II (MK+ANG II). Upper plateaus of baroreflex-NE spillover curves for renal and total NE spillover were reduced in the MK group (25 and 81 ng/min) compared with control (38 and 125 ng/min) and MK+ANG II (37 and 155 ng/min). To investigate the interaction of ANG II and sympathetic activity during treadmill exercise, hindlimb NE spillover rate was examined in three groups of rabbits: 1) control, 2) MK, and 3) MK+ANG II. Exercise at 6 and 12 m/min produced similar effort-related hemodynamic responses in the three groups. At maximal exercise, hindlimb NE spillover was reduced in the MK group (29 +/- 3 ng/min) compared with control (62 +/- 17 ng/min, P < 0.05) and MK+ANG II group (51 +/- 10 ng/min). It is concluded that endogenous ANG II enhances sympathetic activity during pharmacological (baroreflex) and physiological stimulation.

Nuclear-Localized and Deregulated Calcium- and Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Activates Rhizobial and Mycorrhizal Responses in Lotus japonicus[W

PubMed Central

Takeda, Naoya; Maekawa, Takaki; Hayashi, Makoto

2012-01-01

The common symbiosis pathway is at the core of symbiosis signaling between plants and soil microbes. In this pathway, calcium- and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CCaMK) plays a crucial role in integrating the signals both in arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis (AMS) and in root nodule symbiosis (RNS). However, the molecular mechanism by which CCaMK coordinates AMS and RNS is largely unknown. Here, we report that the gain-of-function (GOF) variants of CCaMK without the regulatory domains activate both AMS and RNS signaling pathways in the absence of symbiotic partners. This activation requires nuclear localization of CCaMK. Enforced nuclear localization of the GOF-CCaMK variants by fusion with a canonical nuclear localization signal enhances signaling activity of AMS and RNS. The GOF-CCaMK variant triggers formation of a structure similar to the prepenetration apparatus, which guides infection of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to host root cells. In addition, the GOF-CCaMK variants without the regulatory domains partly restore AMS but fail to support rhizobial infection in ccamk mutants. These data indicate that AMS, the more ancient type of symbiosis, can be mainly regulated by the kinase activity of CCaMK, whereas RNS, which evolved more recently, requires complex regulation performed by the regulatory domains of CCaMK. PMID:22337918

T-cell immunotherapy for human MK-1-expressing tumors using a fusion protein of the superantigen SEA and anti-MK-1 scFv antibody.

PubMed

Ueno, Aruto; Arakawa, Fumiko; Abe, Hironori; Matsumoto, Hisanobu; Kudo, Toshio; Asano, Ryutaro; Tsumoto, Kohei; Kumagai, Izumi; Kuroki, Motomu; Kuroki, Masahide

2002-01-01

The bacterial superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) is an extremely potent activator of T lymphocytes when presented on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules. To develop a tumor-specific superantigen for cancer therapy, we constructed a recombinant fusion protein of SEA and the single-chain variable fragment (scFv) of the FU-MK-1 antibody, which recognizes a glycoprotein antigen (termed MK-1 antigen) present on most carcinomas. We employed recombinant DNA techniques to fuse recombinant mutant SEA to an scFv antibody derived from FU-MK-1 and the resulting fusion protein (SEA/FUscFv) was produced by a bacterial expression system, purified with a metal-affinity column, and characterized for its MK-1-binding specificity and its antitumor activity. The SEA/FUscFv fusion protein retained the reactivity with MK-1-expressing tumor cells, introduced a specific cytotoxicity of lymphokine-activated killer T-cells to the tumor cells, and consequently suppressed the tumor growth in a SCID mouse xenograft model. This genetically engineered SEA/FUscFv fusion protein may serve as a potentially useful immunotherapeutic reagent for human MK-1-expressing tumors.

A 100 micro Kelvin bolometer system for SIRTF

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bernstein, G. M.; Timbie, P. T.; Richards, P. L.

1989-01-01

Progress toward a prototype of 100 mK bolometric detection system for the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) is described. Two adiabatic demagnetization refrigerators (ADR's) were constructed and used to investigate the capabilities necessary for orbital operation. The first, a laboratory ADR, demonstrated a hold time at 0.1 K of over 12 hours, with temperature stability approx. 3 micro-K RMS achieved by controlling the magnetic field. A durable salt pill and an efficient support system have been demonstrated. A second ADR, the SIRTF flight prototype, has been built and will be flown on a balloon. Techniques for magnetic shielding, low heat leak current leads, and a mechanical heat switch are being developed in this ADR. Plans for construction of 100 mK bolometers are discussed. Three important cosmological investigations which will be carried out by these longest wavelength SIRTF detectors are described.

Low-Loss Superconducting Nanowire Circuits Using a Neon Focused Ion Beam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burnett, J.; Sagar, J.; Kennedy, O. W.; Warburton, P. A.; Fenton, J. C.

2017-07-01

We present low-temperature measurements of low-loss superconducting nanowire-embedded resonators in the low-power limit relevant for quantum circuits. The superconducting resonators are embedded with superconducting nanowires with widths down to 20 nm using a neon focused ion beam. In the low-power limit, we demonstrate an internal quality factor up to 3.9 ×105 at 300 mK [implying a two-level-system-limited quality factor up to 2 ×105 at 10 mK], not only significantly higher than in similar devices but also matching the state of the art of conventional Josephson-junction-embedded resonators. We also show a high sensitivity of the nanowire to stray infrared photons, which is controllable by suitable precautions to minimize stray photons in the sample environment. Our results suggest that there are excellent prospects for superconducting-nanowire-based quantum circuits.

Annealing shallow traps in electron beam irradiated high mobility metal-oxide-silicon transistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Jin-Sung; Tyryshkin, Alexei; Lyon, Stephen

In metal-oxide-silicon (MOS) quantum devices, electron beam lithography (EBL) is known to create defects at the Si/SiO2 interface which can be catastrophic for single electron control. Shallow traps ( meV), which only manifest themselves at low temperature ( 4 K), are especially detrimental to quantum devices but little is known about annealing them. In this work, we use electron spin resonance (ESR) to measure the density of shallow traps in two sets of high mobility (μ) MOS transistors. One set (μ=14,000 cm2/Vs) was irradiated with an EBL dose (10 kV, 40 μC/cm2) and was subsequently annealed in forming gas while the other remained unexposed (μ=23,000 cm2/Vs). Our ESR data show that the forming gas anneal is sufficient to remove shallow traps generated by the EBL dose over the measured shallow trap energy range (0.3-4 meV). We additionally fit these devices' conductivity data to a percolation transition model and extract a zero temperature percolation threshold density, n0 ( 9 ×1010 cm-2 for both devices). We find that the extracted n0 agrees within 15 % with our lowest temperature (360 mK) ESR measurements, demonstrating agreement between two independent methods of evaluating the interface.

Low-temperature high-Z gamma-detectors with very high energy resolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pobes, Carlos; Brofferio, Chiara; Bucci, Carlo; Cremonesi, Oliviero; Fiorini, Ettore; Giuliani, Andrea; Nucciotti, Angelo; Pavan, Maura; Pedretti, Marisa; Pessina, Gianluigi; Pirro, Stefano; Previtali, Ezio; Sisti, Monica; Vanzini, Marco; Zanotti, Luigi

2001-12-01

High-Z low-temperature calorimeters are developed by an Italian collaboration (Milano-Como-Gran Sasso Underground Laboratories) in order to search for rare nuclear events and Dark Matter massive candidates. They exhibit an excellent energy resolution, close to that of Ge-diodes, but a much higher efficiency. Different high-Z materials were initially employed . A many-years optimisation work on tellurium oxide (TeO2) lead to impressive results: devices with total masses around 750 g present FWHM energy resolutions on gamma-ray peaks ranging from 1 KeV (close to the 5 KeV energy threshold) to 2.6 KeV at 2615 KeV (208Tl gamma line). A 3.2 KeV FWHM energy resolution was obtained at 5.4 MeV (210Po alpha line), which is by far the best one ever achieved with any alpha detector. These devices, operated at about 10 mK, consist of a TeO2 single crystal thermally coupled to a 50 mg Neutron Transmutation Doped (NTD) Ge crystal working as a temperature sensor. Special care was devoted to methods for response linearization and temporal stabilisation. Devices based on the same principle and specifically optimised could find applications in several fields like gamma-ray astrophysics, nuclear physics searches, environmental monitoring and radiation metrology.

Cryogenic thermometry for refrigerant distribution system of JT-60SA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Natsume, K.; Murakami, H.; Kizu, K.; Yoshida, K.; Koide, Y.

2015-12-01

JT-60SA is a fully superconducting fusion experimental device involving Japan and Europe. The cryogenic system supplies supercritical or gaseous helium to superconducting coils through valve boxes or coil terminal boxes and in-cryostat pipes. There are 86 temperature measurement points at 4 K along the distribution line. Resistance temperature sensors will be installed on cooling pipes in vacuum. In this work, two sensor attachment methods, two types of sensor, two thermal anchoring methods, and two sensor fixation materials have been experimentally evaluated in terms of accuracy and mass productivity. Finally, the verification test of thermometry has been conducted using the sample pipe fabricated in the same way to the production version, which has been decided by the comparison experiments. The TVO sensor is attached by the saddle method with Apiezon N grease and the measurement wires made of phosphor bronze are wound on the pipe with Stycast 2850FT as the thermal anchoring. A Cernox sensor is directly immersed in liquid helium as a reference thermometer during the experiment. The measured temperature difference between the attached one and reference one has been within ±15 mK in the range of 3.40-4.73 K. It has satisfies the accuracy requirement of 0.1 K.

Tuning the Kondo effect in Yb(Fe 1-xCo x) 2Zn 20

DOE PAGES

Kong, Tai; Taufour, Valentin; Bud'ko, Sergey L.; ...

2017-04-03

We study the evolution of the Kondo effect in heavy fermion compounds, Yb(Fe 1-xCo x) 2Zn 20 (0 ≲ x ≲ 1), by means of temperature-dependent electric resistivity and speci c heat. The ground state of YbFe 2Zn 20 can be well described by a Kondo model with degeneracy N = 8 and a T K ~30 K. In the presence of a very similar total CEF splitting with YbFe 2Zn 20, the ground state of YbCo 2Zn 20 is close to a Kondo state with degeneracy N = 2 and a much lower TK ~ 2 K. Upon Comore » substitution, the coherence temperature of YbFe 2Zn 20 is suppressed, accompanied by an emerging Schottky-like feature in speci c heat associated with the thermal depopulation of CEF levels upon cooling. For 0.4 ≲ x ≲ 0.9, the ground state remains roughly the same which can be qualitatively understood by Kondo effect in the presence of CEF splitting. There is no clear indication of Kondo coherence observable in resistivity within this substitution range down to 500 mK. The coherence re-appears at around x≳ 0.9 and the coherence temperature increases with higher Co concentration levels.« less

Anomalous quantum critical spin dynamics in YFe2Al10

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, K.; Tan, C.; Zhang, J.; Ding, Z.; MacLaughlin, D. E.; Bernal, O. O.; Ho, P.-C.; Baines, C.; Wu, L. S.; Aronson, M. C.; Shu, L.

2018-04-01

We report results of a muon spin relaxation (μ SR ) study of YFe2Al10 , a quasi-two-dimensional (2D) nearly ferromagnetic metal in which unconventional quantum critical behavior is observed. No static Fe2 + magnetism, with or without long-range order, is found down to 19 mK. The dynamic muon spin relaxation rate λ exhibits power-law divergences in temperature and magnetic field, the latter for fields that are too weak to affect the electronic spin dynamics directly. We attribute this to the proportionality of λ (ωμ,T ) to the dynamic structure factor S (ωμ,T ) , where ωμ≈105-107s-1 is the muon Zeeman frequency. These results suggest critical divergences of S (ωμ,T ) in both temperature and frequency. Power-law scaling and a 2D dissipative quantum XY model both yield forms for S (ω ,T ) that agree with neutron scattering data (ω ≈1012s-1 ). Extrapolation to μ SR frequencies agrees semiquantitatively with the observed temperature dependence of λ (ωμ,T ) , but predicts frequency independence for ωμ≪T , in extreme disagreement with experiment. We conclude that the quantum critical spin dynamics of YFe2Al10 is not well understood at low frequencies.

Experimental study of temperature sensor for an ocean-going liquid hydrogen (LH2) carrier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakano, A.; Shimazaki, T.; Sekiya, M.; Shiozawa, H.; Aoyagi, A.; Ohtsuka, K.; Iwakiri, T.; Mikami, Z.; Sato, M.; Kinoshita, K.; Matsuoka, T.; Takayama, Y.; Yamamoto, K.

2018-04-01

The prototype temperature sensors for an ocean-going liquid hydrogen (LH2) carrier were manufactured by way of trial. All of the sensors adopted Platinum 1000 (PT-1000) resistance thermometer elements. Various configurations of preproduction temperature sensors were tested in AIST's LH2 test facility. In the experiments, a PT-1000 resistance thermometer, calibrated at the National Metrology Institute of Japan at AIST, was used as the standard thermometer. The temperatures measured by the preproduction sensors were compared with the temperatures measured by the standard thermometer, and the measurement accuracy of the temperature sensors in LH2 was investigated and discussed. It was confirmed that the measurement accuracies of the preproduction temperature sensors were within ±50 mK, which is the required measurement accuracy for a technical demonstration ocean-going LH2 carrier.

Development of Fast, Background-Limited Transition-Edge Sensors for the Background-Limited Infrared/Sub-mm Spectrograph (BLISS) for SPICA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Beyer, Andrew D.; Runyan, M. C.; Kenyon, M.; Echternach, P. M .; Chui, T.; Bumble, B.; Bradford, C. M.; Holmes, W. A.; Bock, J. J.

2012-01-01

We report experimental progress toward demonstrating background-limited arrays of membrane-isolated transition-edge sensors (TESs) for the Background Limited Infrared/Sub-mm Spectrograph (BLISS). BLISS is a space-borne instrument with grating spectrometers for wavelengths lambda=35-435 micron and with R=lambda/delta lambda approximately equals 500. The goals for BLISS TESs are: noise equivalent power (NEP) = 5x10 (sup -20) W/Hz(exp 1/2) and response time tau <30ms. We expect background-limited performance from bilayers TESs with T(sub c) = 65mK and G=15fW/K. However, such TESs cannot be operated at 50mK unless stray power on the devices, or dark power P(sub D), is less than 200aW. We describe criteria for measuring P(sub D) that requires accurate knowledge of TC. Ultimately, we fabricated superconducting thermistors from Ir (T(sub c) >= 135mK) and Mo/Cu proximitized bilayers, where T(sub c) is the thermistor transition temperature. We measured the Ir TES arrays in our 50mK adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator test system, which can measure up to eight 1x32 arrays simultaneously using a time-division multiplexer, as well as our single-pixel test system which can measure down to 15mK. In our previous Ir array measurements our best reported performance was NEP=2.5x10(exp -19) W/Hz(sub 1/2) and Tau approximately equals 5ms for straight-beam TESs. In fact, we expected NEP approximately equals 1.5x10(exp -19)?W/Hz(sup 1/2) for meander beam TESs, but did not achieve this previously due to 1/f noise. Here, we detail improvements toward measuring the expected NEP and demonstrate NEP=(1.3+0.2)x10 (sup -19)W/Hz(exp 1/2) in our single-pixel test system and NEP=(1.6+/-0.3)x10(sup -19)W/Hz(sup 1/2) in our array test system.

76 FR 33266 - Taking and Importing Marine Mammals: Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Navy Training Exercises...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-08

... bombing exercise (BOMBEX) training events. However, instead of training with the MK-83 (1,000 lb) bombs, training will use the MK-82 (500 lb) bombs. In June 2009, NMFS authorized 20 MK-83 bombs per year for... training requirements, the Navy requests that MK-82 bombs be added to the list of ordnance for BOMBEX. For...

Solid state crystal physics at very low temperatures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, W.; Krack, K.; Richard, J. P.; Weber, J.

1980-01-01

The mechanical dissipation (Q) and resonant frequency of a 15 kg silicon crystal were measured at cryogenic temperatures. In the experiment described, temperature control was incorporated to reduce the time derivative of the temperature. The results of the Q measurements with and without this temperature control are quite different. Measurements of the resonant frequency of the fundamental longitudinal mode of the silicon crystal from 6 to 300 Kelvin are presented and discussed with respect to temperature, df/dT. It is observed that frequency increases as temperature decreases down to about 16 Kelvin, i.e. dt/dT is negative. However, below this temperature the frequency decreases as temperature decreases, i.e. dt/dT is positive. It is suggested that this behavior is related to the coefficient of thermal contraction of silicon, which changes sign at 18 Kelvin. Continuation of these experiments to 20 mK is discussed.

Vitamin K2 improves proliferation and migration of bovine skeletal muscle cells in vitro.

PubMed

Rønning, Sissel Beate; Pedersen, Mona Elisabeth; Berg, Ragnhild Stenberg; Kirkhus, Bente; Rødbotten, Rune

2018-01-01

Skeletal muscle function is highly dependent on the ability to regenerate, however, during ageing or disease, the proliferative capacity is reduced, leading to loss of muscle function. We have previously demonstrated the presence of vitamin K2 in bovine skeletal muscles, but whether vitamin K has a role in muscle regulation and function is unknown. In this study, we used primary bovine skeletal muscle cells, cultured in monolayers in vitro, to assess a potential effect of vitamin K2 (MK-4) during myogenesis of muscle cells. Cell viability experiments demonstrate that the amount of ATP produced by the cells was unchanged when MK-4 was added, indicating viable cells. Cytotoxicity analysis show that MK-4 reduced the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) released into the media, suggesting that MK-4 was beneficial to the muscle cells. Cell migration, proliferation and differentiation was characterised after MK-4 incubation using wound scratch analysis, immunocytochemistry and real-time PCR analysis. Adding MK-4 to the cells led to an increased muscle proliferation, increased gene expression of the myogenic transcription factor myod as well as increased cell migration. In addition, we observed a reduction in the fusion index and relative gene expression of muscle differentiation markers, with fewer complex myotubes formed in MK-4 stimulated cells compared to control cells, indicating that the MK-4 plays a significant role during the early phases of muscle proliferation. Likewise, we see the same pattern for the relative gene expression of collagen 1A, showing increased gene expression in proliferating cells, and reduced expression in differentiating cells. Our results also suggest that MK-4 incubation affect low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) and the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) with a peak in gene expression after 45 min of MK-4 incubation. Altogether, our experiments show that MK-4 has a positive effect on muscle cell migration and proliferation, which are two important steps during early myogenesis.