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Pinning in BSCCO above the ordinary irreversibility line

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Indenbom, M. V.; van der Beek, C. J.; Berseth, V.; Konczykowski, M.; Motohira, N.; Berger, H.; Benoit, W.

1996-12-01

Frequency-dependent observations of magnetic flux structures are used to show that pinning plays a principal role in the whole mixed state in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 (BSCCO) single crystals. We speculate that the random pinning force on the moving vortices may dominate over thermal fluctuations and considerably modify the position of the vortex lattice phase transition.

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A magnet built on bronchoscopic suction for extraction of tracheobronchial headscarf pins: a novel technique and review of a tertiary centre experience.

PubMed

Elsayed, Hany H; Mostafa, Ahmed M; Soliman, Saleh; El-Bawab, Hatem Y; Moharram, Adel A; El-Nori, Ahmed A

2016-05-01

Airway metal pins are one of the most commonly inhaled foreign bodies in Eastern societies in young females wearing headscarves. We innovated a modified bronchoscopic technique to extract tracheobronchial headscarf pins by the insertion of a magnet to allow an easy and non-traumatic extraction of the pins. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of our new technique and compare it with our large previous experience with the classic bronchoscopic method of extraction of tracheobronchial headscarf pins. We performed a study comparing our retrospective experience of classic bronchoscopic extraction from February 2004 to January 2014 and prospective experience with our modified technique using the magnet from January 2014 to June 2015. An institutional review board and new device approval were obtained. Three hundred and twenty-six procedures on 315 patients were performed during our initial 10-year experience. Of them, 304 patients were females. The median age of our group was 13 (0-62). The median time from inhalation to procedure was 1 day (0-1022). After introducing our modified new technique using the magnet, 20 procedures were performed. Nineteen were females. The median time of the procedure and the need to forcefully bend the pin for extraction were in favour of the new technique in comparison with our classic approach (2 vs 6 min; P < 0.001) (2 patients = 20% vs 192 = 58%; P < 0.001). The conversion rate to surgery was also in favour of the modified technique but did not reach statistical significance (0 = 0% vs 15 = 4.8%; P = 0.32). All patients who underwent the modified technique were discharged home on the same day of the procedure. No procedural complications were recorded. All remain well on a follow-up period of up to 14 months. Bronchoscopic extraction of tracheobronchial inhaled headscarf pins using a novel technique using homemade magnets was safer and simpler in comparison with our large experience with the classic approach. We advise the use of this device (or concept) in selected patients in centres dealing with this problem. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.

Topographically driven crustal flow and its implication to the development of pinned oroclines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hsui, Albert T.; Wilkerson, M. Scott; Marshak, Stephen

1990-01-01

Pinned oroclines, a type of curved orogen which results from lateral pinning of a growing fold-thrust belt, tend to resemble parabolic Newtonian curvature modified by different degrees of flattening at the flow front. It is proposed that such curves can be generated by Newtonian crustal flow driven by topographic variations. In this model, regional topographic differences create a regional flow which produces a parabolic flow front on interaction with lateral bounding obstacles. Local topographic variations modify the parabolic curves and yield more flat-crested, non-Newtonian-type curvatures. A finite-difference thin-skin tectonic simulation demonstrates that both Newtonian and non-Newtonian curved orogens can be produced within a Newtonian crust.

Pin routability and pin access analysis on standard cells for layout optimization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Jian; Wang, Jun; Zhu, ChengYu; Xu, Wei; Li, Shuai; Lin, Eason; Ou, Odie; Lai, Ya-Chieh; Qu, Shengrui

2018-03-01

At advanced process nodes, especially at sub-28nm technology, pin accessibility and routability of standard cells has become one of the most challenging design issues due to the limited router tracks and the increased pin density. If this issue can't be found and resolved during the cell design stage, the pin access problem will be very difficult to be fixed in implementation stage and will make the low efficiency for routing. In this paper, we will introduce a holistic approach for the pin accessibility scoring and routability analysis. For accessibility, the systematic calculator which assigns score for each pin will search the available access points, consider the surrounded router layers, basic design rule and allowed via geometry. Based on the score, the "bad" pins can be found and modified. On pin routability analysis, critical pin points (placing via on this point would lead to failed via insertion) will be searched out for either layout optimization guide or set as OBS for via insertion blocking. By using this pin routability and pin access analysis flow, we are able to improve the library quality and performance.

A covalent PIN1 inhibitor selectively targets cancer cells by a dual mechanism of action

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campaner, Elena; Rustighi, Alessandra; Zannini, Alessandro; Cristiani, Alberto; Piazza, Silvano; Ciani, Yari; Kalid, Ori; Golan, Gali; Baloglu, Erkan; Shacham, Sharon; Valsasina, Barbara; Cucchi, Ulisse; Pippione, Agnese Chiara; Lolli, Marco Lucio; Giabbai, Barbara; Storici, Paola; Carloni, Paolo; Rossetti, Giulia; Benvenuti, Federica; Bello, Ezia; D'Incalci, Maurizio; Cappuzzello, Elisa; Rosato, Antonio; Del Sal, Giannino

2017-06-01

The prolyl isomerase PIN1, a critical modifier of multiple signalling pathways, is overexpressed in the majority of cancers and its activity strongly contributes to tumour initiation and progression. Inactivation of PIN1 function conversely curbs tumour growth and cancer stem cell expansion, restores chemosensitivity and blocks metastatic spread, thus providing the rationale for a therapeutic strategy based on PIN1 inhibition. Notwithstanding, potent PIN1 inhibitors are still missing from the arsenal of anti-cancer drugs. By a mechanism-based screening, we have identified a novel covalent PIN1 inhibitor, KPT-6566, able to selectively inhibit PIN1 and target it for degradation. We demonstrate that KPT-6566 covalently binds to the catalytic site of PIN1. This interaction results in the release of a quinone-mimicking drug that generates reactive oxygen species and DNA damage, inducing cell death specifically in cancer cells. Accordingly, KPT-6566 treatment impairs PIN1-dependent cancer phenotypes in vitro and growth of lung metastasis in vivo.

Intracellular calcium dynamics permit a Purkinje neuron model to perform toggle and gain computations upon its inputs

PubMed Central

Forrest, Michael D.

2014-01-01

Without synaptic input, Purkinje neurons can spontaneously fire in a repeating trimodal pattern that consists of tonic spiking, bursting and quiescence. Climbing fiber input (CF) switches Purkinje neurons out of the trimodal firing pattern and toggles them between a tonic firing and a quiescent state, while setting the gain of their response to Parallel Fiber (PF) input. The basis to this transition is unclear. We investigate it using a biophysical Purkinje cell model under conditions of CF and PF input. The model can replicate these toggle and gain functions, dependent upon a novel account of intracellular calcium dynamics that we hypothesize to be applicable in real Purkinje cells. PMID:25191262

Theory of activated glassy dynamics in randomly pinned fluids.

PubMed

Phan, Anh D; Schweizer, Kenneth S

2018-02-07

We generalize the force-level, microscopic, Nonlinear Langevin Equation (NLE) theory and its elastically collective generalization [elastically collective nonlinear Langevin equation (ECNLE) theory] of activated dynamics in bulk spherical particle liquids to address the influence of random particle pinning on structural relaxation. The simplest neutral confinement model is analyzed for hard spheres where there is no change of the equilibrium pair structure upon particle pinning. As the pinned fraction grows, cage scale dynamical constraints are intensified in a manner that increases with density. This results in the mobile particles becoming more transiently localized, with increases of the jump distance, cage scale barrier, and NLE theory mean hopping time; subtle changes of the dynamic shear modulus are predicted. The results are contrasted with recent simulations. Similarities in relaxation behavior are identified in the dynamic precursor regime, including a roughly exponential, or weakly supra-exponential, growth of the alpha time with pinning fraction and a reduction of dynamic fragility. However, the increase of the alpha time with pinning predicted by the local NLE theory is too small and severely so at very high volume fractions. The strong deviations are argued to be due to the longer range collective elasticity aspect of the problem which is expected to be modified by random pinning in a complex manner. A qualitative physical scenario is offered for how the three distinct aspects that quantify the elastic barrier may change with pinning. ECNLE theory calculations of the alpha time are then presented based on the simplest effective-medium-like treatment for how random pinning modifies the elastic barrier. The results appear to be consistent with most, but not all, trends seen in recent simulations. Key open problems are discussed with regard to both theory and simulation.

Theory of activated glassy dynamics in randomly pinned fluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phan, Anh D.; Schweizer, Kenneth S.

2018-02-01

We generalize the force-level, microscopic, Nonlinear Langevin Equation (NLE) theory and its elastically collective generalization [elastically collective nonlinear Langevin equation (ECNLE) theory] of activated dynamics in bulk spherical particle liquids to address the influence of random particle pinning on structural relaxation. The simplest neutral confinement model is analyzed for hard spheres where there is no change of the equilibrium pair structure upon particle pinning. As the pinned fraction grows, cage scale dynamical constraints are intensified in a manner that increases with density. This results in the mobile particles becoming more transiently localized, with increases of the jump distance, cage scale barrier, and NLE theory mean hopping time; subtle changes of the dynamic shear modulus are predicted. The results are contrasted with recent simulations. Similarities in relaxation behavior are identified in the dynamic precursor regime, including a roughly exponential, or weakly supra-exponential, growth of the alpha time with pinning fraction and a reduction of dynamic fragility. However, the increase of the alpha time with pinning predicted by the local NLE theory is too small and severely so at very high volume fractions. The strong deviations are argued to be due to the longer range collective elasticity aspect of the problem which is expected to be modified by random pinning in a complex manner. A qualitative physical scenario is offered for how the three distinct aspects that quantify the elastic barrier may change with pinning. ECNLE theory calculations of the alpha time are then presented based on the simplest effective-medium-like treatment for how random pinning modifies the elastic barrier. The results appear to be consistent with most, but not all, trends seen in recent simulations. Key open problems are discussed with regard to both theory and simulation.

Reduction of halo pin site morbidity with a new pin care regimen.

PubMed

Kazi, Hussain Anthony; de Matas, Marcus; Pillay, Robin

2013-06-01

A retrospective analysis of halo device associated morbidity over a 4-year period. To assess the impact of a new pin care regimen on halo pin site related morbidity. Halo orthosis treatment still has a role in cervical spine pathology, despite increasing possibilities of open surgical treatment. Published figures for pin site infection range from 12% to 22% with pin loosening from 7% to 50%. We assessed the outcome of a new pin care regimen on morbidity associated with halo spinal orthoses, using a retrospective cohort study from 2001 to 2004. In the last two years, our pin care regimen was changed. This involved pin site care using chlorhexidene & regular torque checking as part of a standard protocol. Previously, povidone iodine was used as skin preparation in theatre, followed by regular sterile saline cleansing when pin sites became encrusted with blood. There were 37 patients in the series, the median age was 49 (range, 22-83) and 20 patients were male. The overall infection rate prior to the new pin care protocol was 30% (n=6) and after the introduction, it dropped to 5.9% (n=1). This difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Pin loosening occurred in one patient in the group prior to the formal pin care protocol (3%) and none thereafter. Reduced morbidity from halo use can be achieved with a modified pin cleansing and tightening regimen.

Toggle mechanism for pinching metal tubes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stengard, E. O. (Inventor)

1979-01-01

A toggle mechanism pinches a metal tube and maintains the tube in a pinched condition, without fracturing. The toggle mechanism includes a plunger translatable along a longitudinal axis, as well as a pair of links pivoted about a common axis extending through an end of the plunger. One of the links also pivots about a fixed axis. A free end of the other link carries a push link which the other link translates at right angles to the plunger longitudinal axis. First and second sides of the tube bear against a first stop block and are engaged by the push link when a compression spring, attached to the plunger, is suddenly released to irreversibly drive the plunger along its longitudinal axis so the pivot point of the two links is driven to an over travel position.

A low power radiofrequency pulse for simultaneous multislice excitation and refocusing.

PubMed

Eichner, Cornelius; Wald, Lawrence L; Setsompop, Kawin

2014-10-01

Simultaneous multislice (SMS) acquisition enables increased temporal efficiency of MRI. Nonetheless, MultiBand (MB) radiofrequency (RF) pulses used for SMS can cause large energy deposition. Power independent of number of slices (PINS) pulses reduce RF power at cost of reduced bandwidth and increased off-resonance dependency. This work improves PINS design to further reduce energy deposition, off-resonance dependency and peak power. Modifying the shape of MB RF-pulses allows for mixing with PINS excitation, creating a new pulse type with reduced energy deposition and SMS excitation characteristics. Bloch Simulations were used to evaluate excitation and off-resonance behavior of this "MultiPINS" pulse. In this work, MultiPINS was used for whole-brain MB = 3 acquisition of high angular and spatial resolution diffusion MRI at 7 Tesla in 3 min. By using MultiPINS, energy transmission and peak power for SMS imaging can be significantly reduced compared with PINS and MB pulses. For MB = 3 acquisition in this work, MultiPINS reduces energy transmission by up to ∼50% compared with PINS pulses. The energy reduction was traded off to shorten the MultiPINS pulse, yielding higher signal at off-resonances for spin-echo acquisitions. MB and PINS pulses can be combined to enable low energy and peak power SMS acquisition. Copyright © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Testing of uranium nitride fuel in T-111 cladding at 1200 K cladding temperature

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rohal, R. G.; Tambling, T. N.; Smith, R. L.

1973-01-01

Two groups of six fuel pins each were assembled, encapsulated, and irradiated in the Plum Brook Reactor. The fuel pins employed uranium mononitride (UN) in a tantalum alloy clad. The first group of fuel pins was irradiated for 1500 hours to a maximum burnup of 0.7-atom-percent uranium. The second group of fuel pins was irradiated for about 3000 hours to a maximum burnup of 1.0-atom-percent uranium. The average clad surface temperature during irradiation of both groups of fuel pins was approximately 1200 K. The postirradiation examination revealed the following: no clad failures or fuel swelling occurred; less than 1 percent of the fission gases escaped from the fuel; and the clad of the first group of fuel pins experienced clad embrittlement whereas the second group, which had modified assembly and fabrication procedures to minimize contamination, had a ductile clad after irradiation.

Vortex pinning landscape in MOD-TFA YBCO nanostroctured films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gutierrez, J.; Puig, T.; Pomar, A.; Obradors, X.

2008-03-01

A methodology of general validity to study vortex pinning in YBCO based on Jc transport measurements is described. It permits to identify, separate and quantify three basic vortex pinning contributions associated to anisotropic-strong, isotropic-strong and isotropic-weak pinning centers. Thereof, the corresponding vortex pinning phase diagrams are built up. This methodology is applied to the new solution-derived YBCO nanostructured films, including controlled interfacial pinning by the growth of nanostructured templates by means of self-assembled processes [1] and YBCO-BaZrO3 nanocomposites prepared by modified solution precursors. The application of the methodology and comparison with a standard solution-derived YBCO film [2], enables us to identify the nature and the effect of the additional pinning centers induced. The nanostructured templates films show c-axis pinning strongly increased, controlling most of the pinning phase diagram. On the other hand, the nanocomposites have achieved so far, the highest pinning properties in HTc-superconductors [3], being the isotropic-strong defects contribution the origin of their unique properties. [1] M. Gibert et al, Adv. Mat. vol 19, p. 3937 (2007) [2] Puig.T et al, SuST EUCAS 2007 (to be published) [3] J. Gutierrez et al, Nat. Mat. vol. 6, p. 367 (2007) * Work supported by HIPERCHEM, NANOARTIS and MAT2005-02047

Rapid convergence of optimal control in NMR using numerically-constructed toggling frames

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coote, Paul; Anklin, Clemens; Massefski, Walter; Wagner, Gerhard; Arthanari, Haribabu

2017-08-01

We present a numerical method for rapidly solving the Bloch equation for an arbitrary time-varying spin-1/2 Hamiltonian. The method relies on fast, vectorized computations such as summation and quaternion multiplication, rather than slow computations such as matrix exponentiation. A toggling frame is constructed in which the Hamiltonian is time-invariant, and therefore has a simple analytical solution. The key insight is that constructing this frame is faster than solving the system dynamics in the original frame. Rapidly solving the Bloch equations for an arbitrary Hamiltonian is particularly useful in the context of NMR optimal control. Optimal control theory can be used to design pulse shapes for a range of tasks in NMR spectroscopy. However, it requires multiple simulations of the Bloch equations at each stage of the algorithm, and for each relevant set of parameters (e.g. chemical shift frequencies). This is typically time consuming. We demonstrate that by working in an appropriate toggling frame, optimal control pulses can be generated much faster. We present a new alternative to the well-known GRAPE algorithm to continuously update the toggling-frame as the optimal pulse is generated, and demonstrate that this approach is extremely fast. The use and benefit of rapid optimal pulse generation is demonstrated for 19F fragment screening experiments.

A novel image toggle tool for comparison of serial mammograms: automatic density normalization and alignment-development of the tool and initial experience.

PubMed

Honda, Satoshi; Tsunoda, Hiroko; Fukuda, Wataru; Saida, Yukihisa

2014-12-01

The purpose is to develop a new image toggle tool with automatic density normalization (ADN) and automatic alignment (AA) for comparing serial digital mammograms (DMGs). We developed an ADN and AA process to compare the images of serial DMGs. In image density normalization, a linear interpolation was applied by taking two points of high- and low-brightness areas. The alignment was calculated by determining the point of the greatest correlation while shifting the alignment between the current and prior images. These processes were performed on a PC with a 3.20-GHz Xeon processor and 8 GB of main memory. We selected 12 suspected breast cancer patients who had undergone screening DMGs in the past. Automatic processing was retrospectively performed on these images. Two radiologists subjectively evaluated them. The process of the developed algorithm took approximately 1 s per image. In our preliminary experience, two images could not be aligned approximately. When they were aligned, image toggling allowed detection of differences between examinations easily. We developed a new tool to facilitate comparative reading of DMGs on a mammography viewing system. Using this tool for toggling comparisons might improve the interpretation efficiency of serial DMGs.

Experimental Optimisation of the Thermal Performance of Impinging Synthetic Jet Heat Sinks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marron, Craig; Persoons, Tim

2014-07-01

Zero-net-mass flow synthetic jet devices offer a potential solution for energy- efficient cooling of medium power density electronic components. There remains an incomplete understanding of the interaction of these flows with extended surfaces, which prevents the wider implementation of these devices in the field. This study examines the effect of the main operating parameters on the heat transfer rate and electrical power consumption for a synthetic jet cooled heat sink. Three different heat sink geometries are tested. The results find that a modified sink with a 14 × 14 pin array with the central 6 × 6 pins removed provides superior cooling to either a fully pinned sink or flat plate. Furthermore each heat sink is found to have its own optimum jet orifice-to-sink spacing for heat transfer independent of flow conditions. The optimum heat transfer for the modified sink is H = 34 jet diameters. The effect of frequency on heat transfer is also studied. It is shown that heat transfer increases superlinearly with frequency at higher stroke lengths. The orientation of the impingement surface with respect to gravity has no effect on the heat transfer capabilities of the tested device. These tests are the starting point for further investigation into enhanced synthetic jet impingement surfaces. The equivalent axial fan cooled pinned heat sink (Malico Inc. MFP40- 18) has a thermal resistance of 1.93K/W at a fan power consumption of 0.12W. With the modified pinned heat sink, a synthetic jet at Re = 911, L0/D = 10, H/D = 30 provides a thermal resistance of 2.5K/W at the same power consumption.

Disentangling vortex pinning landscape in chemical solution deposited superconducting YBa2Cu3O7-x films and nanocomposites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palau, A.; Vallès, F.; Rouco, V.; Coll, M.; Li, Z.; Pop, C.; Mundet, B.; Gàzquez, J.; Guzman, R.; Gutierrez, J.; Obradors, X.; Puig, T.

2018-07-01

In-field angular pinning performances at different temperatures have been analysed on chemical solution deposited (CSD) YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO) pristine films and nanocomposites. We show that with this analysis we are able to quantify the vortex pinning strength and energies, associated with different kinds of natural and artificial pinning defects, acting as efficient pinning centres at different regions of the H-T phase diagram. A good quantification of the variety of pinning defects active at different temperatures and magnetic fields provides a unique tool to design the best vortex pinning landscape under different operating conditions. We have found that by artificially introducing a unique defect in the YBCO matrix, the stacking faults, we are able to modify three different contributions to vortex pinning (isotropic-strong, anisotropic-strong, and isotropic-weak). The isotropic-strong contribution, widely studied in CSD YBCO nanocomposites, is associated with nanostrained regions induced at the partial dislocations surrounding the stacking faults. Moreover, the stacking fault itself acts as a planar defect which provides a very effective anisotropic-strong pinning at H//ab. Finally, the large presence of Cu-O cluster vacancies found in the stacking faults have been revealed as a source of isotropic-weak pinning sites, very active at low temperatures and high fields.

Control of domain wall pinning by localised focused Ga {sup +} ion irradiation on Au capped NiFe nanowires

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

Burn, D. M., E-mail: d.burn@imperial.ac.uk; Atkinson, D.

2014-10-28

Understanding domain wall pinning and propagation in nanowires are important for future spintronics and nanoparticle manipulation technologies. Here, the effects of microscopic local modification of the magnetic properties, induced by focused-ion-beam intermixing, in NiFe/Au bilayer nanowires on the pinning behavior of domain walls was investigated. The effects of irradiation dose and the length of the irradiated features were investigated experimentally. The results are considered in the context of detailed quasi-static micromagnetic simulations, where the ion-induced modification was represented as a local reduction of the saturation magnetization. Simulations show that domain wall pinning behavior depends on the magnitude of the magnetizationmore » change, the length of the modified region, and the domain wall structure. Comparative analysis indicates that reduced saturation magnetisation is not solely responsible for the experimentally observed pinning behavior.« less

The signal transducer NPH3 integrates the phototropin1 photosensor with PIN2-based polar auxin transport in Arabidopsis root phototropism.

PubMed

Wan, Yinglang; Jasik, Jan; Wang, Li; Hao, Huaiqing; Volkmann, Dieter; Menzel, Diedrik; Mancuso, Stefano; Baluška, František; Lin, Jinxing

2012-02-01

Under blue light (BL) illumination, Arabidopsis thaliana roots grow away from the light source, showing a negative phototropic response. However, the mechanism of root phototropism is still unclear. Using a noninvasive microelectrode system, we showed that the BL sensor phototropin1 (phot1), the signal transducer NONPHOTOTROPIC HYPOCOTYL3 (NPH3), and the auxin efflux transporter PIN2 were essential for BL-induced auxin flux in the root apex transition zone. We also found that PIN2-green fluorescent protein (GFP) localized to vacuole-like compartments (VLCs) in dark-grown root epidermal and cortical cells, and phot1/NPH3 mediated a BL-initiated pathway that caused PIN2 redistribution to the plasma membrane. When dark-grown roots were exposed to brefeldin A (BFA), PIN2-GFP remained in VLCs in darkness, and BL caused PIN2-GFP disappearance from VLCs and induced PIN2-GFP-FM4-64 colocalization within enlarged compartments. In the nph3 mutant, both dark and BL BFA treatments caused the disappearance of PIN2-GFP from VLCs. However, in the phot1 mutant, PIN2-GFP remained within VLCs under both dark and BL BFA treatments, suggesting that phot1 and NPH3 play different roles in PIN2 localization. In conclusion, BL-induced root phototropism is based on the phot1/NPH3 signaling pathway, which stimulates the shootward auxin flux by modifying the subcellular targeting of PIN2 in the root apex transition zone.

Whole-brain perfusion CT using a toggling table technique to predict final infarct volume in acute ischemic stroke.

PubMed

Schrader, I; Wilk, D; Jansen, O; Riedel, C

2013-09-01

To evaluate how accurately final infarct volume in acute ischemic stroke can be predicted with perfusion CT (PCT) using a 64-MDCT unit and the toggling table technique. Retrospective analysis of 89 patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent CCT, CT angiography (CTA) and PCT using the "toggling table" technique within the first three hours after symptom onset. In patients with successful thrombolytic therapy (n = 48) and in those without effective thrombolytic therapy (n = 41), the infarct volume and the volume of the penumbra on PCT were compared to the infarct size on follow-up images (CT or MRI) performed within 8 days. The feasibility of complete infarct volume prediction by 8 cm cranio-caudal coverage was evaluated. The correlation between the volume of hypoperfusion on PCT defined by cerebral blood volume reduction and final infarct volume was strongest in patients with successful thrombolytic therapy with underestimation of the definite infarct volume by 8.5 ml on average. The CBV map had the greatest prognostic value. In patients without successful thrombolytic therapy, the final infarct volume was overestimated by 12.1 ml compared to the MTT map on PCT. All infarcts were detected completely. There were no false-positive or false-negative results. Using PCT and the "toggling table" technique in acute stroke patients is helpful for the rapid and accurate quantification of the minimal final infarct and is therefore a prognostic parameter which has to be evaluated in further studies to assess its impact on therapeutic decision. ▶ Using PCT and the “toggling table technique” allows accurate quantification of the infarct core and penumbra. ▶ It is possible to record dynamic perfusion parameters quickly and easily of almost the entire supratentorial brain volume on a 64-slice MDCT unit. ▶ The technique allows identification of those patients who could profit from thrombolytic therapy outside the established time intervals. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Toggling Bistable Atoms via Mechanical Switching of Bond Angle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sweetman, Adam; Jarvis, Sam; Danza, Rosanna; Bamidele, Joseph; Gangopadhyay, Subhashis; Shaw, Gordon A.; Kantorovich, Lev; Moriarty, Philip

2011-04-01

We reversibly switch the state of a bistable atom by direct mechanical manipulation of bond angle using a dynamic force microscope. Individual buckled dimers at the Si(100) surface are flipped via the formation of a single covalent bond, actuating the smallest conceivable in-plane toggle switch (two atoms) via chemical force alone. The response of a given dimer to a flip event depends critically on both the local and nonlocal environment of the target atom—an important consideration for future atomic scale fabrication strategies.

The Signal Transducer NPH3 Integrates the Phototropin1 Photosensor with PIN2-Based Polar Auxin Transport in Arabidopsis Root Phototropism[C][W

PubMed Central

Wan, Yinglang; Jasik, Jan; Wang, Li; Hao, Huaiqing; Volkmann, Dieter; Menzel, Diedrik; Mancuso, Stefano; Baluška, František; Lin, Jinxing

2012-01-01

Under blue light (BL) illumination, Arabidopsis thaliana roots grow away from the light source, showing a negative phototropic response. However, the mechanism of root phototropism is still unclear. Using a noninvasive microelectrode system, we showed that the BL sensor phototropin1 (phot1), the signal transducer NONPHOTOTROPIC HYPOCOTYL3 (NPH3), and the auxin efflux transporter PIN2 were essential for BL-induced auxin flux in the root apex transition zone. We also found that PIN2-green fluorescent protein (GFP) localized to vacuole-like compartments (VLCs) in dark-grown root epidermal and cortical cells, and phot1/NPH3 mediated a BL-initiated pathway that caused PIN2 redistribution to the plasma membrane. When dark-grown roots were exposed to brefeldin A (BFA), PIN2-GFP remained in VLCs in darkness, and BL caused PIN2-GFP disappearance from VLCs and induced PIN2-GFP-FM4-64 colocalization within enlarged compartments. In the nph3 mutant, both dark and BL BFA treatments caused the disappearance of PIN2-GFP from VLCs. However, in the phot1 mutant, PIN2-GFP remained within VLCs under both dark and BL BFA treatments, suggesting that phot1 and NPH3 play different roles in PIN2 localization. In conclusion, BL-induced root phototropism is based on the phot1/NPH3 signaling pathway, which stimulates the shootward auxin flux by modifying the subcellular targeting of PIN2 in the root apex transition zone. PMID:22374399

Influence of different transitional restorations on the fracture resistance of premolar teeth.

PubMed

Qualtrough, A J; Cawte, S G; Wilson, N H

2001-01-01

Controversy exists over the most favorable material and type of restoration to be used to transitionally restore teeth destined to be crowned. This in vitro study uses fracture resistance testing to compare eight different transitional restorations in maxillary premolars. Ninety sound maxillary premolars were randomly selected and allocated to nine groups, each comprising 10 teeth. One group remained unrestored and was used as the control. Teeth in the remaining groups were prepared to a standard cavity form using: a copy milling process removing the palatal cusp. Restorations were placed using amalgam with dentin pins and cavity varnish; amalgam with an amalgam bonding agent; resin composite with dentin pins and a dentin bonding agent; resin composite with a dentin bonding agent only; resin-modified glass ionomer with dentin pins; resin-modified glass ionomer cement alone and cermet with dentin pins and cermet alone. Each restored tooth was then subjected to axial loading via a bar contacting the buccal and restored palatal cusps until failure of the restored tooth occurred. The mean load-to-fracture values were statistically compared and the modes of failure recorded. It was found that the choice of restorative material and type of restoration had little effect on the fracture resistance of the restored tooth with the exception of those teeth restored with reinforced glass ionomer cement alone, which exhibited a significantly lower resistance to fracture than the other restored teeth. However, the choice of restorative material/technique did influence the mode of failure. Failure in teeth restored with resin-modified glass ionomer cement alone produced the least damage to the remaining tooth tissue when failure occurred. Consequently, this material may offer the most favorable range of properties for the transitional restoration of extensively broken-down maxillary premolar teeth destined to be crowned. Furthermore, the findings of this study fail to support the use of dentin pins in the placement of bonded build-up restorations.

Influence of tool pin in friction stir welding on activated carbon reinforced aluminium metal matrix composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

DijuSamuel, G.; Raja Dhas, J. Edwin

2017-10-01

This paper focus on impact of tool pin in friction stir welding on activated carbon reinforced aluminium metal matrix composite. For fabrication of metal matrix composite AA6061 is used as matrix and activated carbon is used as reinforcement and it is casted using modified stir casting technique. After casting metal matrix composite has undergone various microstructure tests like SEM,EDAX and XRD. FSW is carried out in this metal matrix composite by choosing various tool pin profile like square,round,Threaded round, hexagon and taper. The quality of welded plates is measured in terms of ultimate tensile strength and hardness.

OPERATIONS TOGGLE, ARBOR and BEDROCK Events: DIAMOND SCULLS, DIDO QUEEN, HUSKY ACE, MING BLADE, HYBLA FAIR and DINING CAR, 20 July 1972 - 5 April 1975

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-11-30

1975 to study weapons effects . All six were tunnel-type nuclear tests. The following table summarizes data on these events: OPERATION TOGGLE ARBOR...194 nuclear device tests conducted, 161 were for weapons related or effects purposes, and 33 were safety ex- periments. An additional 22 nuclear...on 25 April 1962 until the last atmospheric test on 4 November 1962, 40 weapons development and weapons effects tests were conducted as part of

The acidic pH-induced structural changes in Pin1 as revealed by spectral methodologies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jing-Zhang; Xi, Lei; Zhu, Guo-Fei; Han, Yong-Guang; Luo, Yue; Wang, Mei; Du, Lin-Fang

2012-12-01

Pin1 is closely associated with the pathogenesis of cancers and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previously, we have shown the characteristics of the thermal denaturation of Pin1. Herein, the acid-induced denaturation of Pin1 was determined by means of fluorescence emission, synchronous fluorescence, far-UV CD, ANS fluorescence and RLS spectroscopies. The fluorescence emission spectra and the synchronous fluorescence spectra suggested the partially reversible unfolding (approximately from pH 7.0 to 4.0) and refolding (approximately from pH 4.0 to 1.0) of the structures around the chromophores in Pin1, apparently with an intermediate state at about pH 4.0-4.5. The far-UV CD spectra indicated that acidic pH (below pH 4.0) induced the structural transition from α-helix and random coils to β-sheet in Pin1. The ANS fluorescence and the RLS spectra further suggested the exposure of the hydrophobic side-chains of Pin1 and the aggregation of it especially below pH 2.3, and the aggregation possibly resulted in the formation of extra intermolecular β-sheet. The present work primarily shows that acidic pH can induce kinds of irreversible structural changes in Pin1, such as the exposure of the hydrophobic side-chains, the transition from α-helix to β-sheet and the aggregation of Pin1, and also explains why Pin1 loses most of its activity below pH 5.0. The results emphasize the important role of decreased pH in the pathogenesis of some Pin1-related diseases, and support the therapeutic approach for them by targeting acidosis and modifying the intracellular pH gradients.

Alignment Pins for Assembling and Disassembling Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Campbell, Oliver C.

2008-01-01

Simple, easy-to-use, highly effective tooling has been devised for maintaining alignment of bolt holes in mating structures during assembly and disassembly of the structures. The tooling was originally used during removal of a body flap from the space shuttle Atlantis, in which misalignments during removal of the last few bolts could cause the bolts to bind in their holes. By suitably modifying the dimensions of the tooling components, the basic design of the tooling can readily be adapted to other structures that must be maintained in alignment. The tooling includes tapered, internally threaded alignment pins designed to fit in the bolt holes in one of the mating structures, plus a draw bolt and a cup that are used to install or remove each alignment pin. In preparation for disassembly of two mating structures, external supports are provided to prevent unintended movement of the structures. During disassembly of the structures, as each bolt that joins the structures is removed, an alignment pin is installed in its place. Once all the bolts have been removed and replaced with pins, the pins maintain alignment as the structures are gently pushed or pulled apart on the supports. In assembling the two structures, one reverses the procedure described above: pins are installed in the bolt holes, the structures are pulled or pushed together on the supports, then the pins are removed and replaced with bolts. The figure depicts the tooling and its use. To install an alignment pin in a bolt hole in a structural panel, the tapered end of the pin is inserted from one side of the panel, the cup is placed over the pin on the opposite side of the panel, the draw bolt is inserted through the cup and threaded into the pin, the draw bolt is tightened to pull the pin until the pin is seated firmly in the hole, then the draw bolt and cup are removed, leaving the pin in place. To remove an alignment pin, the cup is placed over the pin on the first-mentioned side of the panel, the draw bolt is inserted through the cup and threaded into the pin, then the draw bolt is tightened to pull the pin out of the hole.

Novel toggle-rate based energy-efficient scheme for heavy load real-time IM-DD OFDM-PON with ONU LLID identification in time-domain using amplitude decision.

PubMed

Qin, Youxiang; Zhang, Junjie

2017-07-10

A novel low complexity and energy-efficient scheme by controlling the toggle-rate of ONU with time-domain amplitude identification is proposed for a heavy load downlink in an intensity-modulation and direct-detection orthogonal frequency division multiplexing passive optical network (IM-DD OFDM-PON). In a conventional OFDM-PON downlink, all ONUs have to perform demodulation for all the OFDM frames in a broadcast way no matter whether the frames are targeted to or not, which causes a huge energy waste. However, in our scheme, the optical network unit (ONU) logical link identifications (LLIDs) are inserted into each downlink OFDM frame in time-domain at the optical line terminal (OLT) side. At the ONU side, the LLID is obtained with a low complexity and high precision amplitude identification method. The ONU sets the toggle-rate of demodulation module to zero when the frames are not targeted to, which avoids unnecessary digital signal processing (DSP) energy consumption. Compared with the sleep-mode methods consisting of clock recovery and synchronization, toggle-rate shows its advantage in fast changing, which is more suitable for the heavy load scenarios. Moreover, for the first time to our knowledge, the characteristics of the proposed scheme are investigated in a real-time IM-DD OFDM system, which performs well at the received optical power as low as -21dBm. The experimental results show that 25.1% energy consumption can be saved in the receiver compared to the conventional configurations.

Irradiation of three T-111 clad uranium nitride fuel pins for 8070 hours at 990 C (1815 F)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Slaby, J. G.; Siegel, B. L.; Gedeon, L.; Galbo, R. J.

1973-01-01

The design and successful operation of three tantalum alloy (Ta-8W-2Hf) clad uranium mononitride (UN) fuel pins irradiated for 8070 hr at 990 C (1815 F) is described. Two pin diameters having measured burnups of 0.47 and 0.90 uranium atom percent were tested. No clad failures or swelling was detected; however, postirradiation clad samples tested failed with 1 percent strain. The fuel density decrease was 2 percent, and the fission gas release was less than 0.05 percent. Isotropic fuel swelling, which averaged about 0.5 percent, was less than fuel pin assembly clearances. Thus the clad was not strained. Thermocouples with a modified hot zone operated at average temperatures to 1100 C (2012 F) without failure. Factors that influence the ability to maintain uniform clad temperature as well as the results of the heat transfer calculations are discussed.

Combining a Toggle Switch and a Repressilator within the AC-DC Circuit Generates Distinct Dynamical Behaviors.

PubMed

Perez-Carrasco, Ruben; Barnes, Chris P; Schaerli, Yolanda; Isalan, Mark; Briscoe, James; Page, Karen M

2018-04-25

Although the structure of a genetically encoded regulatory circuit is an important determinant of its function, the relationship between circuit topology and the dynamical behaviors it can exhibit is not well understood. Here, we explore the range of behaviors available to the AC-DC circuit. This circuit consists of three genes connected as a combination of a toggle switch and a repressilator. Using dynamical systems theory, we show that the AC-DC circuit exhibits both oscillations and bistability within the same region of parameter space; this generates emergent behaviors not available to either the toggle switch or the repressilator alone. The AC-DC circuit can switch on oscillations via two distinct mechanisms, one of which induces coherence into ensembles of oscillators. In addition, we show that in the presence of noise, the AC-DC circuit can behave as an excitable system capable of spatial signal propagation or coherence resonance. Together, these results demonstrate how combinations of simple motifs can exhibit multiple complex behaviors. Copyright © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Quickly Removable Valve

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Robbins, John S.

1988-01-01

Unit removed with minimal disturbance. Valve inlet and outlet ports adjacent to each other on same side of valve body. Ports inserted into special manifold on fluid line. Valve body attached to manifold by four bolts or, alternatively, by toggle clamps. Electromechanical actuator moves in direction parallel to fluid line to open and close valve. When necessary to clean valve, removed simply by opening bolts or toggle clamps. No need to move or separate ports of fluid line. Valve useful where disturbance of fluid line detrimental or where fast maintenance essential - in oil and chemical industries, automotive vehicles, aircraft, and powerplants.

Corrosion Control Test Method for Avionic Components

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-09-25

pin conn’ecLor adsemblies *Electronic test articles exposed in an avionic box The following test parameters were used: Environment A - Modified Sulfur Dic...carrier correlation criteria in Table IV. The modified sulfur dioxide/salt fog test showed the best correlation with the carrier exposed test arti...capacitor. The HCl/H 2 SO3 environment and the S2C12 environment, as expected, produced more electrical failures than the modified sulfur dioxide test

Joint for deployable structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Craighead, N. D., II; Preliasco, R. J.; Hult, T. D. (Inventor)

1985-01-01

A joint is described for connecting a pair of beams to pivot them between positions in alignment or beside one another, which is of light weight and which operates in a controlled manner. The joint includes a pair of fittings and at least one center link having opposite ends pivotally connected to opposite fittings and having axes that pass through centerplates of the fittings. A control link having opposite ends pivotally connected to the different fittings controls their relative orientations, and a toggle assemly holds the fittings in the deployed configuration wherein they are aligned. The fittings have stops that lie on one side of the centerplane opposite the toggle assembly.

Membrane-bound MinDE complex acts as a toggle switch that drives Min oscillation coupled to cytoplasmic depletion of MinD

PubMed Central

Vecchiarelli, Anthony G.; Li, Min; Mizuuchi, Michiyo; Hwang, Ling Chin; Seol, Yeonee; Neuman, Keir C.; Mizuuchi, Kiyoshi

2016-01-01

The Escherichia coli Min system self-organizes into a cell-pole to cell-pole oscillator on the membrane to prevent divisions at the cell poles. Reconstituting the Min system on a lipid bilayer has contributed to elucidating the oscillatory mechanism. However, previous in vitro patterns were attained with protein densities on the bilayer far in excess of those in vivo and failed to recapitulate the standing wave oscillations observed in vivo. Here we studied Min protein patterning at limiting MinD concentrations reflecting the in vivo conditions. We identified “burst” patterns—radially expanding and imploding binding zones of MinD, accompanied by a peripheral ring of MinE. Bursts share several features with the in vivo dynamics of the Min system including standing wave oscillations. Our data support a patterning mechanism whereby the MinD-to-MinE ratio on the membrane acts as a toggle switch: recruiting and stabilizing MinD on the membrane when the ratio is high and releasing MinD from the membrane when the ratio is low. Coupling this toggle switch behavior with MinD depletion from the cytoplasm drives a self-organized standing wave oscillator. PMID:26884160

Membrane-bound MinDE complex acts as a toggle switch that drives Min oscillation coupled to cytoplasmic depletion of MinD.

PubMed

Vecchiarelli, Anthony G; Li, Min; Mizuuchi, Michiyo; Hwang, Ling Chin; Seol, Yeonee; Neuman, Keir C; Mizuuchi, Kiyoshi

2016-03-15

The Escherichia coli Min system self-organizes into a cell-pole to cell-pole oscillator on the membrane to prevent divisions at the cell poles. Reconstituting the Min system on a lipid bilayer has contributed to elucidating the oscillatory mechanism. However, previous in vitro patterns were attained with protein densities on the bilayer far in excess of those in vivo and failed to recapitulate the standing wave oscillations observed in vivo. Here we studied Min protein patterning at limiting MinD concentrations reflecting the in vivo conditions. We identified "burst" patterns--radially expanding and imploding binding zones of MinD, accompanied by a peripheral ring of MinE. Bursts share several features with the in vivo dynamics of the Min system including standing wave oscillations. Our data support a patterning mechanism whereby the MinD-to-MinE ratio on the membrane acts as a toggle switch: recruiting and stabilizing MinD on the membrane when the ratio is high and releasing MinD from the membrane when the ratio is low. Coupling this toggle switch behavior with MinD depletion from the cytoplasm drives a self-organized standing wave oscillator.

Tuning stochastic transition rates in a bistable genetic network.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chickarmane, Vijay; Peterson, Carsten

2009-03-01

We investigate the stochastic dynamics of a simple genetic network, a toggle switch, in which the system makes transitions between the two alternative states. Our interest is in exploring whether such stochastic transitions, which occur due to the intrinsic noise such as transcriptional and degradation events, can be slowed down/speeded up, without changing the mean expression levels of the two genes, which comprise the toggle network. Such tuning is achieved by linking a signaling network to the toggle switch. The signaling network comprises of a protein, which can exist either in an active (phosphorylated) or inactive (dephosphorylated) form, and where its state is determined by one of the genetic network components. The active form of the protein in turn feeds back on the dynamics of the genetic network. We find that the rate of stochastic transitions from one state to the other, is determined essentially by the speed of phosphorylation, and hence the rate can be modulated by varying the phosphatase levels. We hypothesize that such a network architecture can be implemented as a general mechanism for controlling transition rates and discuss applications in population studies of two differentiated cell lineages, ex: the myeloid/erythroid lineage in hematopoiesis.

Virtual hand: a 3D tactile interface to virtual environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rogowitz, Bernice E.; Borrel, Paul

2008-02-01

We introduce a novel system that allows users to experience the sensation of touch in a computer graphics environment. In this system, the user places his/her hand on an array of pins, which is moved about space on a 6 degree-of-freedom robot arm. The surface of the pins defines a surface in the virtual world. This "virtual hand" can move about the virtual world. When the virtual hand encounters an object in the virtual world, the heights of the pins are adjusted so that they represent the object's shape, surface, and texture. A control system integrates pin and robot arm motions to transmit information about objects in the computer graphics world to the user. It also allows the user to edit, change and move the virtual objects, shapes and textures. This system provides a general framework for touching, manipulating, and modifying objects in a 3-D computer graphics environment, which may be useful in a wide range of applications, including computer games, computer aided design systems, and immersive virtual worlds.

Fermi-Level Pinning of Contacted Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Shi-Yu; Liu, Lei; Jayanthi, Chakram; Guo, Guang-Yu

2004-03-01

Experimental evidences suggest that the Fermi-level of a contacted SWCNT with an energy gap is pinned in the vicinity of either the top of the valence band or the bottom of the conduction band, depending on the work function of the metallic leads (see, for example, E. D. Minot, Yuval Yaish,Vera Sazonova, Ji-Yong Park, Markus Brink, and Paul L. McEuen, Phys. Rev. Lett. 90, 156401 (2003)). This pinning of the Fermi-level may be attributed to the finite length of the contacted SWCNT. In this presentation, we report the result of our study of the pinning of the Fermi-level of a finite SWCNT, using the single π-orbital theory modified by the inclusion of a self-consistent scheme for the determination of charge transfer. We will also discuss the effect of the Fermi-level pinning on the transport properties of a SWCNT with a gap, either intrinsic or induced by a mechanical deformation. This work is supported by the NSF (Grant Nos: DMR-0112824 and ECS-0224114), the U.S. Department of Energy (Grant No: DE-FG02-00ER45832), and the National Science Council of Taiwan.

Tool for Two Types of Friction Stir Welding

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carter, Robert

2006-01-01

A tool that would be useable in both conventional and self-reacting friction stir welding (FSW) has been proposed. The tool would embody both a prior tooling concept for self-reacting FSW and an auto-adjustable pin-tool (APT) capability developed previously as an augmentation for conventional FSW. Some definitions of terms are prerequisite to a meaningful description of the proposed tool. In conventional FSW, depicted in Figure 1, one uses a tool that includes (1) a rotating shoulder on top (or front) of the workpiece and (2) a rotating pin that protrudes from the shoulder into the depth of the workpiece. The main axial force exerted by the tool on the workpiece is reacted through a ridged backing anvil under (behind) the workpiece. When conventional FSW is augmented with an APT capability, the depth of penetration of the pin into the workpiece is varied in real time by a position- or force-control system that extends or retracts the pin as needed to obtain the desired effect. In self-reacting (also known as self-reacted) friction stir welding (SR-FSW), there are two rotating shoulders: one on top (or front) and one on the bottom (or back) of the workpiece. In this case, a threaded shaft protrudes from the tip of the pin to beyond the back surface of the workpiece. The back shoulder is held axially in place against tension by a nut on the threaded shaft. The main axial force exerted on the workpiece by the tool and front shoulder is reacted through the back shoulder and the threaded shaft, back into the FSW machine head, so that a backing anvil is no longer needed. A key transmits torque between the bottom shoulder and the threaded shaft, so that the bottom shoulder rotates with the shaft. A tool for SRFSW embodying this concept was reported in "Mechanism for Self-Reacted Friction Stir Welding" (MFS-31914), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 28, No. 10 (October 2004), page 53. In its outward appearance, the proposed tool (see Figure 2) would fit the above description of an SR-FSW tool. In this case, the FSW machine would have an APT capability and the pin would be modified to accept a bottom shoulder. The APT capability could be used to vary the distance between the front and back shoulders in real time to accommodate process and workpiece-thickness variations. The tool could readily be converted to a conventional FSW tool, with or without APT capability, by simply replacing the modified pin with a conventional FSW pin.

Alignment Tool For Inertia Welding

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Snyder, Gary L.

1991-01-01

Compact, easy-to-use tool aligns drive bar of inertia welder over hole in stub. Ensures drive bar concentric to hole within 0.002 in. (0.051 mm.). Holds two batteries and light bulb. Electrical circuit completed, providing current to bulb when pin in contact with post. When pin centered in post hole, it does not touch post, and lamp turns off. Built for use in making repair welds on liquid-oxygen-injector posts in Space Shuttle main engine. Version having suitably modified dimensions used to facilitate alignment in other forests of post.

Documentation of Stainless Steel Lithium Circuit Test Section Design. Suppl

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Godfroy, Thomas J. (Compiler); Martin, James J.

2010-01-01

The Early Flight Fission-Test Facilities (EFF-TF) team was tasked by Naval Reactors Prime Contract Team (NRPCT) to design, fabricate, and test an actively pumped lithium (Li) flow circuit. This Li circuit takes advantage of work in progress at the EFF TF on a stainless steel sodium/potassium (NaK) circuit. The effort involved modifying the original stainless steel NaK circuit such that it could be operated with Li in place of NaK. This new design considered freeze/thaw issues and required the addition of an expansion tank and expansion/extrusion volumes in the circuit plumbing. Instrumentation has been specified for Li and circuit heaters have been placed throughout the design to ensure adequate operational temperatures and no uncontrolled freezing of the Li. All major components have been designed and fabricated prior to circuit redesign for Li and were not modified. Basic circuit components include: reactor segment, Li to gas heat exchanger, electromagnetic liquid metal pump, load/drain reservoir, expansion reservoir, instrumentation, and trace heaters. The reactor segment, based on a Los Alamos National Laboratory 100-kW design study with 120 fuel pins, is the only prototypic component in the circuit. However, due to earlier funding constraints, a 37-pin partial-array of the core, including the central three rings of fuel pins (pin and flow path dimensions are the same as those in the full design), was selected for fabrication and test. This Technical Publication summarizes the design and integration of the pumped liquid metal Li flow circuit as of May 1, 2005. This supplement contains drawings, analysis, and calculations

Documentation of Stainless Steel Lithium Circuit Test Section Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Godfroy, T. J.; Martin, J. J.; Stewart, E. T.; Rhys, N. O.

2010-01-01

The Early Flight Fission-Test Facilities (EFF-TF) team was tasked by Naval Reactors Prime Contract Team (NRPCT) to design, fabricate, and test an actively pumped lithium (Li) flow circuit. This Li circuit takes advantage of work in progress at the EFF TF on a stainless steel sodium/potassium (NaK) circuit. The effort involved modifying the original stainless steel NaK circuit such that it could be operated with Li in place of NaK. This new design considered freeze/thaw issues and required the addition of an expansion tank and expansion/extrusion volumes in the circuit plumbing. Instrumentation has been specified for Li and circuit heaters have been placed throughout the design to ensure adequate operational temperatures and no uncontrolled freezing of the Li. All major components have been designed and fabricated prior to circuit redesign for Li and were not modified. Basic circuit components include: reactor segment, Li to gas heat exchanger, electromagnetic liquid metal pump, load/drain reservoir, expansion reservoir, instrumentation, and trace heaters. The reactor segment, based on a Los Alamos National Laboratory 100-kW design study with 120 fuel pins, is the only prototypic component in the circuit. However, due to earlier funding constraints, a 37-pin partial-array of the core, including the central three rings of fuel pins (pin and flow path dimensions are the same as those in the full design), was selected for fabrication and test. This Technical Publication summarizes the design and integration of the pumped liquid metal Li flow circuit as of May 1, 2005.

Flux pinning characteristics in cylindrical ingot niobium used in superconducting radio frequency cavity fabrication

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

Dhavale Ashavai, Pashupati Dhakal, Anatolii A Polyanskii, Gianluigi Ciovati

We present the results of from DC magnetization and penetration depth measurements of cylindrical bulk large-grain (LG) and fine-grain (FG) niobium samples used for the fabrication of superconducting radio frequency (SRF) cavities. The surface treatment consisted of electropolishing and low temperature baking as they are typically applied to SRF cavities. The magnetization data were fitted using a modified critical state model. The critical current density Jc and pinning force Fp are calculated from the magnetization data and their temperature dependence and field dependence are presented. The LG samples have lower critical current density and pinning force density compared to FGmore » samples which implies a lower flux trapping efficiency. This effect may explain the lower values of residual resistance often observed in LG cavities than FG cavities.« less

Theoretical Bounds of Direct Binary Search Halftoning.

PubMed

Liao, Jan-Ray

2015-11-01

Direct binary search (DBS) produces the images of the best quality among half-toning algorithms. The reason is that it minimizes the total squared perceived error instead of using heuristic approaches. The search for the optimal solution involves two operations: (1) toggle and (2) swap. Both operations try to find the binary states for each pixel to minimize the total squared perceived error. This error energy minimization leads to a conjecture that the absolute value of the filtered error after DBS converges is bounded by half of the peak value of the autocorrelation filter. However, a proof of the bound's existence has not yet been found. In this paper, we present a proof that shows the bound existed as conjectured under the condition that at least one swap occurs after toggle converges. The theoretical analysis also indicates that a swap with a pixel further away from the center of the autocorrelation filter results in a tighter bound. Therefore, we propose a new DBS algorithm which considers toggle and swap separately, and the swap operations are considered in the order from the edge to the center of the filter. Experimental results show that the new algorithm is more efficient than the previous algorithm and can produce half-toned images of the same quality as the previous algorithm.

Fusion of infrared polarization and intensity images based on improved toggle operator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Pan; Ding, Lei; Ma, Xiaoqing; Huang, Zhanhua

2018-01-01

Integration of infrared polarization and intensity images has been a new topic in infrared image understanding and interpretation. The abundant infrared details and target from infrared image and the salient edge and shape information from polarization image should be preserved or even enhanced in the fused result. In this paper, a new fusion method is proposed for infrared polarization and intensity images based on the improved multi-scale toggle operator with spatial scale, which can effectively extract the feature information of source images and heavily reduce redundancy among different scale. Firstly, the multi-scale image features of infrared polarization and intensity images are respectively extracted at different scale levels by the improved multi-scale toggle operator. Secondly, the redundancy of the features among different scales is reduced by using spatial scale. Thirdly, the final image features are combined by simply adding all scales of feature images together, and a base image is calculated by performing mean value weighted method on smoothed source images. Finally, the fusion image is obtained by importing the combined image features into the base image with a suitable strategy. Both objective assessment and subjective vision of the experimental results indicate that the proposed method obtains better performance in preserving the details and edge information as well as improving the image contrast.

Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction Procedure Using a Suspensory Femoral Fixation System

PubMed Central

Nakagawa, Shuji; Arai, Yuji; Kan, Hiroyuki; Ueshima, Keiichiro; Ikoma, Kazuya; Terauchi, Ryu; Kubo, Toshikazu

2013-01-01

Recurrent patellar dislocation has recently been treated with anatomic medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction using a semitendinosus muscle tendon. Although it is necessary to add tension to fix the tendon graft without loading excess stress on the patellofemoral joint, adjustment of the tension can be difficult. To resolve this problem, we developed an MPFL reconstruction procedure using the ToggleLoc Fixation Device (Biomet, Warsaw, IN), in which the semitendinosus muscle tendon is folded and used as a double-bundle tendon graft and 2 bone tunnels and 1 bone tunnel are made on the patellar and femoral sides, respectively. The patellar side of the tendon graft is fixed with an EndoButton (Smith & Nephew, London, England), and the femoral side is fixed with the ToggleLoc. Stepless adjustment of tension of the tendon graft is possible by reducing the size of the loop of the ToggleLoc hung onto the tendon graft. It may be useful to position the patella in the center of the femoral sulcus by confirming the patellofemoral joint fitting. Stability can be confirmed by loading lateral stress on the patella in the extended knee joint. This procedure is less invasive because opening of the lateral side of the femur is not necessary, and it may be useful for MPFL reconstruction. PMID:24892014

Nanoscale Resolution 3D Printing with Pin-Modified Electrified Inkjets for Tailorable Nano/Macrohybrid Constructs for Tissue Engineering.

PubMed

Kim, Jeong In; Kim, Cheol Sang

2018-04-18

Cells respond to their microenvironment, which is of a size comparable to that of the cells. The macroscale features of three-dimensional (3D) printing struts typically result in whole cell contact guidance (CCG). In contrast, at the nanoscale, where features are of a size similar to that of receptors of cells, the response of cells is more complex. The cell-nanotopography interaction involves nanoscale adhesion localized structures, which include cell adhesion-related particles that change in response to the clustering of integrin. For this reason, it is necessary to develop a technique for manufacturing tailorable nano/macrohybrid constructs capable of freely controlling the cellular activity. In this study, a hierarchical 3D nano- to microscale hybrid structure was fabricated by combinational processing of 3D printing and electrified inkjet spinning via pin motions. This method overcomes the disadvantages of conventional 3D printing, providing a novel combinatory technique for the fabrication of 3D hybrid constructs with excellent cell proliferation. Through a pin-modified electrified inkjet spinning, we have successfully fabricated customizable nano-/microscale hybrid constructs in a fibrous or mesh form, which can control the cell fate. We have conducted this study of cell-topography interactions from the fabrication approach to accelerate the development of next-generation 3D scaffolds.

Modelling far field pacing for terminating spiral waves pinned to ischaemic heterogeneities in cardiac tissue

PubMed Central

Boccia, E.; Luther, S.

2017-01-01

In cardiac tissue, electrical spiral waves pinned to a heterogeneity can be unpinned (and eventually terminated) using electric far field pulses and recruiting the heterogeneity as a virtual electrode. While for isotropic media the process of unpinning is much better understood, the case of an anisotropic substrate with different conductivities in different directions still needs intensive investigation. To study the impact of anisotropy on the unpinning process, we present numerical simulations based on the bidomain formulation of the phase I of the Luo and Rudy action potential model modified due to the occurrence of acute myocardial ischaemia. Simulating a rotating spiral wave pinned to an ischaemic heterogeneity, we compare the success of sequences of far field pulses in the isotropic and the anisotropic case for spirals still in transient or in steady rotation states. Our results clearly indicate that the range of pacing parameters resulting in successful termination of pinned spiral waves is larger in anisotropic tissue than in an isotropic medium. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Mathematical methods in medicine: neuroscience, cardiology and pathology’. PMID:28507234

Directed polymers on a disordered tree with a defect subtree

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Madras, Neal; Yıldırım, Gökhan

2018-04-01

We study the question of how the competition between bulk disorder and a localized microscopic defect affects the macroscopic behavior of a system in the directed polymer context at the free energy level. We consider the directed polymer model on a disordered d-ary tree and represent the localized microscopic defect by modifying the disorder distribution at each vertex in a single path (branch), or in a subtree, of the tree. The polymer must choose between following the microscopic defect and finding the best branches through the bulk disorder. We describe three possible phases, called the fully pinned, partially pinned and depinned phases. When the microscopic defect is associated only with a single branch, we compute the free energy and the critical curve of the model, and show that the partially pinned phase does not occur. When the localized microscopic defect is associated with a non-disordered regular subtree of the disordered tree, the picture is more complicated. We prove that all three phases are non-empty below a critical temperature, and that the partially pinned phase disappears above the critical temperature.

Modelling far field pacing for terminating spiral waves pinned to ischaemic heterogeneities in cardiac tissue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boccia, E.; Luther, S.; Parlitz, U.

2017-05-01

In cardiac tissue, electrical spiral waves pinned to a heterogeneity can be unpinned (and eventually terminated) using electric far field pulses and recruiting the heterogeneity as a virtual electrode. While for isotropic media the process of unpinning is much better understood, the case of an anisotropic substrate with different conductivities in different directions still needs intensive investigation. To study the impact of anisotropy on the unpinning process, we present numerical simulations based on the bidomain formulation of the phase I of the Luo and Rudy action potential model modified due to the occurrence of acute myocardial ischaemia. Simulating a rotating spiral wave pinned to an ischaemic heterogeneity, we compare the success of sequences of far field pulses in the isotropic and the anisotropic case for spirals still in transient or in steady rotation states. Our results clearly indicate that the range of pacing parameters resulting in successful termination of pinned spiral waves is larger in anisotropic tissue than in an isotropic medium. This article is part of the themed issue `Mathematical methods in medicine: neuroscience, cardiology and pathology'.

Immunization Program

Science.gov Websites

Department home page Immunizations Search: Search Toggle navigation Medical Services Disease Control Facebook Contacts CoverageRates Diseases Immunization Homepage Immunization Honor Roll HPV NDIIS Medical Providers

Magnetic vortex core reversal by excitation of spin waves.

PubMed

Kammerer, Matthias; Weigand, Markus; Curcic, Michael; Noske, Matthias; Sproll, Markus; Vansteenkiste, Arne; Van Waeyenberge, Bartel; Stoll, Hermann; Woltersdorf, Georg; Back, Christian H; Schuetz, Gisela

2011-01-01

Micron-sized magnetic platelets in the flux-closed vortex state are characterized by an in-plane curling magnetization and a nanometer-sized perpendicularly magnetized vortex core. Having the simplest non-trivial configuration, these objects are of general interest to micromagnetics and may offer new routes for spintronics applications. Essential progress in the understanding of nonlinear vortex dynamics was achieved when low-field core toggling by excitation of the gyrotropic eigenmode at sub-GHz frequencies was established. At frequencies more than an order of magnitude higher vortex state structures possess spin wave eigenmodes arising from the magneto-static interaction. Here we demonstrate experimentally that the unidirectional vortex core reversal process also occurs when such azimuthal modes are excited. These results are confirmed by micromagnetic simulations, which clearly show the selection rules for this novel reversal mechanism. Our analysis reveals that for spin-wave excitation the concept of a critical velocity as the switching condition has to be modified.

Modeling and simulating vortex pinning and transport currents for high temperature superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sockwell, K. Chad

Superconductivity is a phenomenon characterized by two hallmark properties, zero electrical resistance and the Meissner effect. These properties give great promise to a new generation of resistance free electronics and powerful superconducting magnets. However this possibility is limited by the extremely low critical temperature the superconductors must operate under, typically close to 0K. The recent discovery of high temperature superconductors has brought the critical temperature closer to room temperature than ever before, making the realization of room temperature superconductivity a possibility. Simulations of superconducting technology and materials will be necessary to usher in the new wave of superconducting electronics. Unfortunately these new materials come with new properties such as effects from multiple electron bands, as is the case for magnesium diboride. Moreover, we must consider that all high temperature superconductors are of a Type II variety, which possess magnetic tubes of flux, known as vortices. These vortices interact with transport currents, creating an electrical resistance through a process known as flux flow. Thankfully this process can be prevented by placing impurities in the superconductor, pinning the vortices, making vortex pinning a necessary aspect of our model. At this time there are no other models or simulations that are aimed at modeling vortex pinning, using impurities, in two-band materials. In this work we modify an existing Ginzburg-Landau model for two-band superconductors and add the ability to model normal inclusions (impurities) with a new approach which is unique to the two-band model. Simulations in an attempt to model the material magnesium diboride are also presented. In particular simulations of vortex pinning and transport currents are shown using the modified model. The qualitative properties of magnesium diboride are used to validate the model and its simulations. One main goal from the computational end of the simulations is to enlarge the domain size to produce more realistic simulations that avoid boundary pinning effects. In this work we also implement the numerical software library Trilinos in order to parallelize the simulation to enlarge the domain size. Decoupling methods are also investigated with a goal of enlarging the domain size as well. The One-Band Ginzburg-Landau model serves as a prototypical problem in this endeavor and the methods shown that enlarge the domain size can be easily implemented in the two-band model.

Modified M505A3 Fuze with Delay Function

DTIC Science & Technology

1974-10-01

forward initiation on the firing pin entrance hole to the rotor cavity. The triple staked detonator also functioned on the 0.063-inch target at 75... effectiveness of this projectile against aircraft targets by Incorporating a time delay which enables the projectile to penetrate the aircraft skin...prior to detonation. This effort required the design of modifications to the M505A3 fuze to achieve a delay function without modifying the rotor

Spinal Infections

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Inclusion and Diversity | NREL

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Stable p-i-n FAPbBr 3 devices with improved efficiency using sputtered ZnO as electron transport layer [Stable p-i-n FAPbBr 3 devices with improved efficiency using sputtered inorganic electron transport layer

DOE PAGES

Subbiah, Anand S.; Agarwal, Sumanshu; Mahuli, Neha; ...

2017-02-10

Here, radio-frequency magnetron sputtering is demonstrated as an effective tool to deposit highly crystalline thin zinc oxide (ZnO) layer directly on perovskite absorber as an electron transport layer (ETL). As an absorber, formamidinium lead tribromide (FAPbBr 3) is fabricated through a modified single-step solution process using hydrogen bromide (HBr) as an additive resulting in complete surface coverage and highly crystalline material. A planar p-i-n device architecture with spin-coated poly-(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly-styrenesulfonic acid (PEDOT:PSS) as hole transport material (HTM) and sputtered ZnO as ETL results in a short circuit current density of 9.5 mA cm -2 and an open circuit potential of 1.19more » V. Numerical simulations are performed to validate the underlying loss mechanisms. The use of phenyl C 60 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) interface layer between FAPbBr 3 and sputter-coated ZnO offers shielding from potential plasma-related interface damage. The modified interface results in a better device efficiency of 8.3% with an open circuit potential of 1.35 V. Such devices offer better stability under continuous illumination under ambient conditions in comparison with the conventional organic ETL (PCBM)-based devices.« less

Stable p-i-n FAPbBr 3 devices with improved efficiency using sputtered ZnO as electron transport layer [Stable p-i-n FAPbBr 3 devices with improved efficiency using sputtered inorganic electron transport layer

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

Subbiah, Anand S.; Agarwal, Sumanshu; Mahuli, Neha

Here, radio-frequency magnetron sputtering is demonstrated as an effective tool to deposit highly crystalline thin zinc oxide (ZnO) layer directly on perovskite absorber as an electron transport layer (ETL). As an absorber, formamidinium lead tribromide (FAPbBr 3) is fabricated through a modified single-step solution process using hydrogen bromide (HBr) as an additive resulting in complete surface coverage and highly crystalline material. A planar p-i-n device architecture with spin-coated poly-(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly-styrenesulfonic acid (PEDOT:PSS) as hole transport material (HTM) and sputtered ZnO as ETL results in a short circuit current density of 9.5 mA cm -2 and an open circuit potential of 1.19more » V. Numerical simulations are performed to validate the underlying loss mechanisms. The use of phenyl C 60 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) interface layer between FAPbBr 3 and sputter-coated ZnO offers shielding from potential plasma-related interface damage. The modified interface results in a better device efficiency of 8.3% with an open circuit potential of 1.35 V. Such devices offer better stability under continuous illumination under ambient conditions in comparison with the conventional organic ETL (PCBM)-based devices.« less

Dosimetric characteristics of a PIN diode for radiotherapy application.

PubMed

Kumar, R; Sharma, S D; Philomina, A; Topkar, A

2014-08-01

The PIN diode developed by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) was modified for its use as a dosimeter in radiation therapy. For this purpose the diode was mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) and provided with necessary connections so that its response against irradiation can be recorded by a standard radiotherapy electrometer. The dosimetric characteristics of the diode were studied in Co-60 gamma rays as well as high energy X-rays. The measured sensitivity of this PIN diode is 4 nC/cGy which is about ten times higher than some commercial diode dosimeters. The leakage current from the diode is 0.04 nA. The response of the PIN diode is linear in the range of 20-1000 cGy which covers the full range of radiation dose encountered in radiotherapy treatments. The non-linearity of the diode response is 3.5% at 20 cGy and it is less than 1.5% at higher dose values. Its repeatability is within 0.5%. The angular response variation is about 5.6% within 6608 with respect to normal beam incidence. The response of the PIN diode at 6 and 18 MV X-rays varies within 2% with respect to its response at Co-60 gamma rays. The source to surface distance (SSD) dependence of the PIN diode was studied for Co-60 beam. It was found that the response of the diode decreases almost linearly relative to given dose for beams with constant collimator setting but increasing SSD (decreasing dose-rate). Within this study the diode response varied by about 2.5% between the maximum and minimum SSD. The dose-rate dependence of the PIN diode for 6 and 15 MV-rays was studied. The variation in response of diode for both energies in the studied dose range is less than 1%. The field size dependence of the PIN diode response is within 1% with respect to the response of ionisation chamber. These studies indicate that the characteristics of the PIN diode are suitable for use in radiotherapy dosimetry.

Organic heterojunctions: Contact-induced molecular reorientation, interface states, and charge re-distribution

PubMed Central

Opitz, Andreas; Wilke, Andreas; Amsalem, Patrick; Oehzelt, Martin; Blum, Ralf-Peter; Rabe, Jürgen P.; Mizokuro, Toshiko; Hörmann, Ulrich; Hansson, Rickard; Moons, Ellen; Koch, Norbert

2016-01-01

We reveal the rather complex interplay of contact-induced re-orientation and interfacial electronic structure – in the presence of Fermi-level pinning – at prototypical molecular heterojunctions comprising copper phthalocyanine (H16CuPc) and its perfluorinated analogue (F16CuPc), by employing ultraviolet photoelectron and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. For both layer sequences, we find that Fermi-level (EF) pinning of the first layer on the conductive polymer substrate modifies the work function encountered by the second layer such that it also becomes EF-pinned, however, at the interface towards the first molecular layer. This results in a charge transfer accompanied by a sheet charge density at the organic/organic interface. While molecules in the bulk of the films exhibit upright orientation, contact formation at the heterojunction results in an interfacial bilayer with lying and co-facial orientation. This interfacial layer is not EF-pinned, but provides for an additional density of states at the interface that is not present in the bulk. With reliable knowledge of the organic heterojunction’s electronic structure we can explain the poor performance of these in photovoltaic cells as well as their valuable function as charge generation layer in electronic devices. PMID:26887445

Lumbar (Open) Microscopic Discectomy

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Down Syndrome: Education

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Types of Stem Cells

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Learn About Stem Cells

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Down Syndrome: Co-Occuring Conditions

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HubbleSite - Out of the ordinary...out of this world.

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Interstitial Cystitis Association

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An electrically actuated molecular toggle switch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gerhard, Lukas; Edelmann, Kevin; Homberg, Jan; Valášek, Michal; Bahoosh, Safa G.; Lukas, Maya; Pauly, Fabian; Mayor, Marcel; Wulfhekel, Wulf

2017-03-01

Molecular electronics is considered a promising approach for future nanoelectronic devices. In order that molecular junctions can be used as electrical switches or even memory devices, they need to be actuated between two distinct conductance states in a controlled and reproducible manner by external stimuli. Here we present a tripodal platform with a cantilever arm and a nitrile group at its end that is lifted from the surface. The formation of a coordinative bond between the nitrile nitrogen and the gold tip of a scanning tunnelling microscope can be controlled by both electrical and mechanical means, and leads to a hysteretic switching of the conductance of the junction by more than two orders of magnitude. This toggle switch can be actuated with high reproducibility so that the forces involved in the mechanical deformation of the molecular cantilever can be determined precisely with scanning tunnelling microscopy.

Width-Dependent Band Gap in Armchair Graphene Nanoribbons Reveals Fermi Level Pinning on Au(111)

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

We report the energy level alignment evolution of valence and conduction bands of armchair-oriented graphene nanoribbons (aGNR) as their band gap shrinks with increasing width. We use 4,4″-dibromo-para-terphenyl as the molecular precursor on Au(111) to form extended poly-para-phenylene nanowires, which can subsequently be fused sideways to form atomically precise aGNRs of varying widths. We measure the frontier bands by means of scanning tunneling spectroscopy, corroborating that the nanoribbon’s band gap is inversely proportional to their width. Interestingly, valence bands are found to show Fermi level pinning as the band gap decreases below a threshold value around 1.7 eV. Such behavior is of critical importance to understand the properties of potential contacts in GNR-based devices. Our measurements further reveal a particularly interesting system for studying Fermi level pinning by modifying an adsorbate’s band gap while maintaining an almost unchanged interface chemistry defined by substrate and adsorbate. PMID:29049879

Unusual anchor pins placement and protocol deviations during computer-based implant placement in a patient with severe mandibular bone atrophy. A case report.

PubMed

Pozzi, A; Tallarico, M; Barlattani, A

2012-06-01

The aim of the study was to describe an unusual method to stabilize the surgical template during the treatment of a severely resorbed edentulous mandible by means of computer-guided implant surgery. Pre-operative computer-based planning revealed the difficulty to stabilize the surgical template in a 67-year-old healthy woman. A deviation of the original NobelGuide™ protocol was performed to ensure the stability of the surgical template: four anchor pins were used to stabilize the surgical template, two in the buccal side of the anterior template and two unusual pins were placed in the lingual site. Four straight TiUnite® Nobel Biocare™ implants were then placed, according to a modified All-on-4™ concept procedure, to avoid graft procedures and to reduce the cumulative chair-side treatment time and costs. A temporary restoration was placed immediately after implant placement. Three months later a definitive, full acrylic restoration was delivered.

SUSTAINABLE WATER EXTRACTION AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR AGRICULTURAL APPLICATIONS IN NAMAWANGA, KENYA

EPA Science Inventory

In order to ensure that the pumps are successful when installed for the community, working prototypes were tested, analyzed, and modified. The chief concerns of our functional analysis were the flow rate of the pump, the stability/durability of the system, total pumping head, ...

Nine Things to Know About Stem Cell Treatments

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Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis

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... main content Accelerating research toward a cure for multiple sclerosis Toggle navigation Search form Search Connect Volunteer Donate ... is to accelerate efforts toward a cure for multiple sclerosis by rapidly advancing research that determines its causes ...

Modified Anterolateral Portals in Elbow Arthroscopy: A Cadaveric Study on Safety.

PubMed

Thon, Stephen; Gold, Peter; Rush, Lane; O'Brien, Michael J; Savoie, Felix H

2017-11-01

To evaluate the proximity to the radial nerve on cadaveric specimens of 2 modified anterolateral portals used for elbow arthroscopy. Ten fresh cadaveric elbow specimens were prepared. Four-millimeter Steinman pins were inserted into 3 anterolateral portal sites in relation to the lateral epicondyle: (1) the standard distal anterolateral portal, (2) a modified direct anterolateral portal, and (3) a modified proximal anterolateral portal. These were defined as follows: direct portals 2 cm directly anterior to the lateral epicondyle, and proximal portals 2 cm proximal and 2 cm directly anterior to the lateral epicondyle. Each elbow was then dissected to reveal the course of the radial nerve. Digital photographs were taken of each specimen, and the distance from the Steinman pin to the radial nerve was measured. The modified proximal anterolateral and direct anterolateral portals were found to be a statistically significant distance from the radial nerve compare to the distal portal site (P = .011 and P = .0011, respectively). No significant difference was found in the proximity of the radial nerve between the modified proximal and direct anterolateral portals (P = .25). Inadequate imaging was found at a single portal site for the proximal site; 9 specimens were used for analysis of this portal with 10 complete specimens for the other 2 sites. In cadaveric analysis, both the modified proximal and direct lateral portals provide adequate distance from the radial nerve and may be safe for clinical use. In this study, the distal anterolateral portal was in close proximity of the radial nerve and may result in iatrogenic injury in the clinical setting. This is a cadaveric analysis of 2 modified portal locations at the anterolateral elbow for use in elbow arthroscopy. Further clinical studies are needed prior to determining their absolute safety in comparison to previously identified portal sites. Copyright © 2017 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Isotropic enhancement in the critical current density of YBCO thin films incorporating nanoscale Y2BaCuO5 inclusions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jha, Alok K.; Matsumoto, Kaname; Horide, Tomoya; Saini, Shrikant; Mele, Paolo; Ichinose, Ataru; Yoshida, Yutaka; Awaji, Satoshi

2017-09-01

The effect of incorporation of nanoscale Y2BaCuO5 (Y211) inclusions on the vortex pinning properties of YBa2Cu3O7-δ (YBCO or Y123) superconducting thin films is investigated in detail on the basis of variation of critical current density (JC) with applied magnetic field and also with the orientation of the applied magnetic field at two different temperatures: 77 K and 65 K. Surface modified target approach is employed to incorporate nanoscale Y211 inclusions into the superconducting YBCO matrix. The efficiency of Y211 nanoinclusions in reducing the angular anisotropy of critical current density is found to be significant. The observed angular dependence of the critical current density is discussed on the basis of mutually occupied volume by a vortex and spherical and/or planar defect. A dip in JC near the ab-plane is also observed which has been analyzed on the basis of variation of pinning potential corresponding to a spherical (3-D) or planar (2-D) pinning center and has been attributed to a reduced interaction volume of the vortices with a pinning center and competing nature of the potentials due to spherical and planar defects.

Effects of proton irradiation on flux-pinning properties of underdoped Ba(Fe 0.96Co 0.04) 2As 2 pnictide superconductor

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

Salem-Sugui, S.; Moseley, D.; Stuard, S. J.

We study the effect of proton irradiation on Ba(Fe 0.96Co 0.04) 2As 2 superconducting single crystals from combined magnetisation and magnetoresistivity measurements. The study allows the extraction of the values of the apparent pinning energy U 0 of the samples prior to and after irradiation, as well as comparison of the values of U 0 obtained from the flux-flow reversible region with those from the flux-creep irreversible region. Irradiation reduces T c modestly, but significantly reduces U 0 in both regimes: the critical current density J c is modified, most strikingly by the disappearance of the second magnetisation peak aftermore » irradiation. Analysis of the functional form of the pinning force and of the temperature dependence of J c for zero field, indicates that proton irradiation in this case has not changed the pinning regime, but has introduced a high density of shallow point-like defects. Lastly, by considering a model that takes into account the effect of disorder on the irreversibility line, the data suggests that irradiation produced a considerable reduction in the average effective disorder overall, consistent with the changes observed in U 0 and J c.« less

Effects of proton irradiation on flux-pinning properties of underdoped Ba(Fe 0.96Co 0.04) 2As 2 pnictide superconductor

DOE PAGES

Salem-Sugui, S.; Moseley, D.; Stuard, S. J.; ...

2016-10-13

We study the effect of proton irradiation on Ba(Fe 0.96Co 0.04) 2As 2 superconducting single crystals from combined magnetisation and magnetoresistivity measurements. The study allows the extraction of the values of the apparent pinning energy U 0 of the samples prior to and after irradiation, as well as comparison of the values of U 0 obtained from the flux-flow reversible region with those from the flux-creep irreversible region. Irradiation reduces T c modestly, but significantly reduces U 0 in both regimes: the critical current density J c is modified, most strikingly by the disappearance of the second magnetisation peak aftermore » irradiation. Analysis of the functional form of the pinning force and of the temperature dependence of J c for zero field, indicates that proton irradiation in this case has not changed the pinning regime, but has introduced a high density of shallow point-like defects. Lastly, by considering a model that takes into account the effect of disorder on the irreversibility line, the data suggests that irradiation produced a considerable reduction in the average effective disorder overall, consistent with the changes observed in U 0 and J c.« less

Capacitive Trans-Impedance Amplifier Circuit with Charge Injection Compensation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Milkov, Mihail M. (Inventor); Gulbransen, David J. (Inventor)

2016-01-01

A capacitive trans-impedance amplifier circuit with charge injection compensation is provided. A feedback capacitor is connected between an inverting input port and an output port of an amplifier. A MOS reset switch has source and drain terminals connected between the inverting input and output ports of the amplifier, and a gate terminal controlled by a reset signal. The reset switch is open or inactive during an integration phase, and closed or active to electrically connect the inverting input port and output port of the amplifier during a reset phase. One or more compensation capacitors are provided that are not implemented as gate oxide or MOS capacitors. Each compensation capacitor has a first port connected to a compensation signal that is a static signal or a toggling compensation signal that toggles between two compensation voltage values, and a second port connected to the inverting input port of the amplifier.

A comparison between modified Alvarado score and RIPASA score in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

PubMed

Singla, Anand; Singla, Satpaul; Singh, Mohinder; Singla, Deeksha

2016-12-01

Acute appendicitis is a common but elusive surgical condition and remains a diagnostic dilemma. It has many clinical mimickers and diagnosis is primarily made on clinical grounds, leading to the evolution of clinical scoring systems for pin pointing the right diagnosis. The modified Alvarado and RIPASA scoring systems are two important scoring systems, for diagnosis of acute appendicitis. We prospectively compared the two scoring systems for diagnosing acute appendicitis in 50 patients presenting with right iliac fossa pain. The RIPASA score correctly classified 88 % of patients with histologically confirmed acute appendicitis compared with 48.0 % with modified Alvarado score, indicating that RIPASA score is more superior to Modified Alvarado score in our clinical settings.

Cell-SELEX-Based Identification of a Human and Mouse Cross-Reactive Endothelial Cell-Internalizing Aptamer.

PubMed

Dua, Pooja; Kang, Sinae; Shin, Hye-Soo; Kim, Soyoun; Lee, Dong-Ki

2018-04-02

Increased interest and insights gained by researchers on the roles of endothelial cells in the pathophysiology of cancer, inflammatory, and cardiovascular diseases have led to the design of pharmacological interventions aimed at the endothelium lining in the diseased sites. Toward this end, we used established brain microvascular endothelial cell lines mouse (bEND3), human (hCMEC/D3), and Toggle Cell-SELEX to identify a species cross-reactive, endothelial cell-internalizing aptamer R11-3. This 2'F-modified RNA aptamer is specific for endothelial cells as no internalization was seen with cells of nonendothelial origin. R11-3 was truncated in size, and its potential in endothelial targeted therapeutics was established using VEGFR2 targeting long interfering RNA (liRNA) aptamer chimera. Due to its specificity for both mouse and human endothelial cells, we believe that this aptamer not only fits for development of endothelial targeted drug development for human diseases but is also suitable for preclinical evaluation in mice.

Website Policies / Important Links | DOepatents

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Videos | NOAA Gulf Spill Restoration

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Enhanced low-temperature critical current by reduction of stacking faults in REBCO coated conductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Puichaud, A.-H.; Wimbush, S. C.; Knibbe, R.

2017-07-01

The effect of stacking faults (SF) on flux pinning and critical current (I c) in rare earth based coated conductors was investigated. The SF density in YBa2Cu3O7-δ (YBCO) films with and without Dy addition, produced by metal organic deposition, was modified by altering the oxygenation temperature. A detailed microstructural analysis of the coated conductors was performed by x-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy, and the observed defect population was correlated with both the self-field and in-field I c. We report that the best self-field I c was obtained for samples having a low SF density, in spite of the SF being effective flux pinning defects at 77 K for magnetic fields applied within the ab plane. We also show that the SF have no observable flux pinning effect at low temperatures. This study demonstrates that for devices operated at low temperatures, the elimination of SF in the conductor wires is essential to attain higher I c.

Two-component duality and flavoring in the P+f model

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

Dash, J.W.; Jones, S.T.; Martin, A.

We show that modern Regge fits to rising ..pi..N total cross sections sigma/sub piN/ using the Harari-Freund P+f model of diffraction are not consistent with two-component duality. If a conventional Pomeron is chosen (dominant j-plane pole plus weak cuts), the resulting f is ''dual'' to the resonances plus one-half the background. Conversely, constraining the f-pole amplitude by duality does not allow a reasonable fit to sigma/sub piN/. In contrast, the P-f identity model of diffraction is shown to satisfy a modified form of two-component duality. We show that by incorporating flavoring renormalization, the P+f picture can be made consistent withmore » duality. The unflavored P intercept is 0.91 and the flavored P intercept is 1.1. Significant absorptive j-plane cuts are also required, though these are small enough to be consistent with dominant short-range order. Thus flavoring, which is so essential in P-f identity phenomenology, seems to play a positive role in diffraction scattering generally.« less

Mesoscopic modeling for nucleic acid chain dynamics

PubMed Central

Sales-Pardo, M.; Guimerà, R.; Moreira, A. A.; Widom, J.; Amaral, L. A. N.

2007-01-01

To gain a deeper insight into cellular processes such as transcription and translation, one needs to uncover the mechanisms controlling the configurational changes of nucleic acids. As a step toward this aim, we present here a mesoscopic-level computational model that provides a new window into nucleic acid dynamics. We model a single-stranded nucleic as a polymer chain whose monomers are the nucleosides. Each monomer comprises a bead representing the sugar molecule and a pin representing the base. The bead-pin complex can rotate about the backbone of the chain. We consider pairwise stacking and hydrogen-bonding interactions. We use a modified Monte Carlo dynamics that splits the dynamics into translational bead motion and rotational pin motion. By performing a number of tests, we first show that our model is physically sound. We then focus on a study of the kinetics of a DNA hairpin—a single-stranded molecule comprising two complementary segments joined by a noncomplementary loop—studied experimentally. We find that results from our simulations agree with experimental observations, demonstrating that our model is a suitable tool for the investigation of the hybridization of single strands. PMID:16089566

Glovebox Advanced Casting System Casting Optimization

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

Fielding, Randall Sidney

2016-03-01

Casting optimization in the GACS included three broad areas; casting of U-10Zr pins, incorporation of an integral FCCI barrier, and development of a permanent crucible coating. U-10Zr casting was improved over last year’s results by modifying the crucible design to minimize contact with the colder mold. Through these modifications casting of a three pin batch was successful. Incorporation of an integral FCCI barrier also was optimized through furnace chamber pressure changes during the casting cycle to reduce gas pressures in the mold cavities which led to three full length pins being cast which incorporated FCCI barriers of three different thicknesses.more » Permanent crucible coatings were tested against a base case; 1500°C for 10 minutes in a U-20Pu-10Zr molten alloy. None of the candidate coating materials showed evidence of failure upon initial visual examination. In all areas of work a large amount of characterization will be needed to fully determine the effects of the optimization activities. The characterization activities and future work will occur next year.« less

Environmental Compliance | NOAA Gulf Spill Restoration

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High-resolution microcontact printing and transfer of massive arrays of microorganisms on planar and compartmentalized nanoporous aluminium oxide.

PubMed

Ingham, Colin; Bomer, Johan; Sprenkels, Ad; van den Berg, Albert; de Vos, Willem; van Hylckama Vlieg, Johan

2010-06-07

Handling microorganisms in high throughput and their deployment into miniaturized platforms presents significant challenges. Contact printing can be used to create dense arrays of viable microorganisms. Such "living arrays", potentially with multiple identical replicates, are useful in the selection of improved industrial microorganisms, screening antimicrobials, clinical diagnostics, strain storage, and for research into microbial genetics. A high throughput method to print microorganisms at high density was devised, employing a microscope and a stamp with a massive array of PDMS pins. Viable bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum, Esherichia coli), yeast (Candida albicans) and fungal spores (Aspergillus fumigatus) were deposited onto porous aluminium oxide (PAO) using arrays of pins with areas from 5 x 5 to 20 x 20 microm. Printing onto PAO with up to 8100 pins of 20 x 20 microm area with 3 replicates was achieved. Printing with up to 200 pins onto PAO culture chips (divided into 40 x 40 microm culture areas) allowed inoculation followed by effective segregation of microcolonies during outgrowth. Additionally, it was possible to print mixtures of C. albicans and spores of A. fumigatus with a degree of selectivity by capture onto a chemically modified PAO surface. High resolution printing of microorganisms within segregated compartments and on functionalized PAO surfaces has significant advantages over what is possible on semi-solid surfaces such as agar.

Stick-Jump (SJ) Evaporation of Strongly Pinned Nanoliter Volume Sessile Water Droplets on Quick Drying, Micropatterned Surfaces.

PubMed

Debuisson, Damien; Merlen, Alain; Senez, Vincent; Arscott, Steve

2016-03-22

We present an experimental study of stick-jump (SJ) evaporation of strongly pinned nanoliter volume sessile water droplets drying on micropatterned surfaces. The evaporation is studied on surfaces composed of photolithographically micropatterned negative photoresist (SU-8). The micropatterning of the SU-8 enables circular, smooth, trough-like features to be formed which causes a very strong pinning of the three phase (liquid-vapor-solid) contact line of an evaporating droplet. This is ideal for studying SJ evaporation as it contains sequential constant contact radius (CCR) evaporation phases during droplet evaporation. The evaporation was studied in nonconfined conditions, and forced convection was not used. Micropatterned concentric circles were defined having an initial radius of 1000 μm decreasing by a spacing ranging from 500 to 50 μm. The droplet evaporates, successively pinning and depinning from circle to circle. For each pinning radius, the droplet contact angle and volume are observed to decrease quasi-linearly with time. The experimental average evaporation rates were found to decrease with decreasing pining radii. In contrast, the experimental average evaporation flux is found to increase with decreasing droplet radii. The data also demonstrate the influence of the initial contact angle on evaporation rate and flux. The data indicate that the total evaporation time of a droplet depends on the specific micropattern spacing and that the total evaporation time on micropatterned surfaces is always less than on flat, homogeneous surfaces. Although the surface patterning is observed to have little effect on the average droplet flux-indicating that the underlying evaporation physics is not significantly changed by the patterning-the total evaporation time is considerably modified by patterning, up to a factor or almost 2 compared to evaporation on a flat, homogeneous surface. The closely spaced concentric circle pinning maintains a large droplet radius and small contact angle from jump to jump; the result is a large evaporation rate leading to faster evaporation.

Quick action clamp

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Calco, Frank S. (Inventor)

1991-01-01

A quick release toggle clamp that utilizes a spring that requires a deliberate positive action for disengagement is presented. The clamp has a sliding bolt that provides a latching mechanism. The bolt is moved by a handle that tends to remain in an engaged position while under tension.

IARC - Illinois Accelerator Research Center | Pilot Program

Science.gov Websites

Toggle navigation Pilot Program Agenda Directions Registration Illinois Accelerator Research Center National Laboratory present Accelerator Stewardship Test Facility Pilot Program Use accelerator technology , energy and environment. With this pilot program, the DOE Office of Science National Laboratories are

Enhanced Fe dispersion via "pinning" effect of thiocyanate ion on ferric ion in Fe-N-S-doped catalyst as an excellent oxygen reduction reaction electrode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shu, Chengyong; Chen, Yuanzhen; Yang, Xiao-Dong; Liu, Yan; Chong, Shaokun; Fang, Yuan; Liu, Yongning; Yang, Wei-Hua

2018-02-01

In this study, by using thiocyanate as an iron ion dispersing agent, the pinning effect of thiocyanate ion (SCN-) enables the high dispersion of Fe3+ in a nitrogen-doped carbon polymer and significantly promotes ORR catalysis in both acidic and alkaline media. It shows 47.3 A g-1 kinetic ORR current density in 0.1 M H2SO4 solution at 0.8 V vs. RHE. In addition, SCN- can dope into the base material and modify the surface of catalysts, which generates strong cyanide N functional groups. Additionally, it also has a higher BET surface area and more uniform granularity, which accounts for the enhancement in mass transport.

Effect of Spinal Manipulation of Upper Cervical Vertebrae on Blood Pressure: Results of a Pilot Sham-Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Goertz, Christine M; Salsbury, Stacie A; Vining, Robert D; Long, Cynthia R; Pohlman, Katherine A; Weeks, William B; Lamas, Gervasio A

2016-06-01

The purpose of this pilot sham-controlled clinical trial was to estimate the treatment effect and safety of toggle recoil spinal manipulation for blood pressure management. Fifty-one participants with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension (systolic blood pressure ranging from 135 to 159 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure ranging from 85 to 99 mm Hg) were allocated by an adaptive design to 2 treatments: toggle recoil spinal manipulation or a sham procedure. Participants were seen by a doctor of chiropractic twice weekly for 6 weeks and remained on their antihypertensive medications, as prescribed, throughout the trial. Blood pressure was assessed at baseline and after study visits 1, 6 (week 3), and 12 (week 6), with the primary end point at week 6. Analysis of covariance was used to compare mean blood pressure changes from baseline between groups at each end point, controlling for sex, age, body mass index, and baseline blood pressure. Adjusted mean change from baseline to week 6 was greater in the sham group (systolic, -4.2 mm Hg; diastolic, -1.6 mm Hg) than in the spinal manipulation group (systolic, 0.6 mm Hg; diastolic, 0.7 mm Hg), but the difference was not statistically significant. No serious and few adverse events were noted. Six weeks of toggle recoil spinal manipulation did not lower systolic or diastolic blood pressure when compared with a sham procedure. No serious adverse events from either treatment were reported. Our results do not support a larger clinical trial. Further research to understand the potential mechanisms of action involving upper cervical manipulation on blood pressure is warranted before additional clinical investigations are conducted. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

TREAT Neutronics Analysis of Water-Loop Concept Accommodating LWR 9-rod Bundle

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

Hill, Connie M.; Woolstenhulme, Nicolas E.; Parry, James R.

Abstract. Simulation of a variety of transient conditions has been successfully achieved in the Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) facility during operation between 1959 and 1994 to support characterization and safety analysis of nuclear fuels and materials. A majority of previously conducted tests were focused on supporting sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) designs. Experiments evolved in complexity. Simulation of thermal-hydraulic conditions expected to be encountered by fuels and materials in a reactor environment was realized in the development of TREAT sodium loop experiment vehicles. These loops accommodated up to 7-pin fuel bundles and served to simulate more closely the reactor environment whilemore » safely delivering large quantities of energy into the test specimen. Some of the immediate TREAT restart operations will be focused on testing light water reactor (LWR) accident tolerant fuels (ATF). Similar to the sodium loop objectives, a water loop concept, developed and analyzed in the 1990’s, aimed at achieving thermal-hydraulic conditions encountered in commercial power reactors. The historic water loop concept has been analyzed in the context of a reactivity insertion accident (RIA) simulation for high burnup LWR 2-pin and 3-pin fuel bundles. Findings showed sufficient energy could be deposited into the specimens for evaluation. Similar results of experimental feasibility for the water loop concept (past and present) have recently been obtained using MCNP6.1 with ENDF/B-VII.1 nuclear data libraries. The old water loop concept required only two central TREAT core grid spaces. Preparation for future experiments has resulted in a modified water loop conceptual design designated the TREAT water environment recirculating loop (TWERL). The current TWERL design requires nine TREAT core grid spaces in order to place the water recirculating pump under the TREAT core. Due to the effectiveness of water moderation, neutronics analysis shows that removal of seven additional TREAT fuel elements to facilitate the experiment will not inhibit the ability to successfully simulate a RIA for the 2-pin or 3-pin bundle. This new water loop design leaves room for accommodating a larger fuel pin bundle than previously analyzed. The 7-pin fuel bundle in a hexagonal array with similar spacing of fuel pins in a SFR fuel assembly was considered the minimum needed for one central fuel pin to encounter the most correct thermal conditions. The 9-rod fuel bundle in a square array similar in spacing to pins in a LWR fuel assembly would be considered the LWR equivalent. MCNP analysis conducted on a preliminary LWR 9-rod bundle design shows that sufficient energy deposition into the central pin can be achieved well within range to investigate fuel and cladding performance in a simulated RIA. This is achieved by surrounding the flow channel with an additional annulus of water. Findings also show that a highly significant increase in TREAT to specimen power coupling factor (PCF) within the central pin can be achieved by surrounding the experiment with one to two rings of TREAT upgrade fuel assemblies. The experiment design holds promise for the performance evaluation of PWR fuel at extremely high burnup under similar reactor environment conditions.« less

Division of Agriculture

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DIRECT operational field test evaluation natural use study. Part 4, Recommendations for expanded deployment

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1998-08-01

The DIRECT project compared four low-cost driver information systems. Of the four that were : compared, the RDS approach proved superior to the others in toggling reliability and voice quality. The DIRECT project planned to expand the implementation ...

Mojave Desert Ecosystem Program

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Toggle navigation logo garis Home About Search Contact About Us History The Mojave Desert Ecosystem providing dynamic, sustainable, land management decision-making at the ecosystem level. Its numerous mission of the Mojave Desert Ecosystem Program is to provide government agencies throughout the Mojave

Determination of capacity of single-toggle jaw crusher, taking into account parameters of kinematics of its working mechanism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Golikov, N. S.; Timofeev, I. P.

2018-05-01

Efficiency increase of jaw crushers makes the foundation of rational kinematics and stiffening of the elements of the machine possible. Foundation of rational kinematics includes establishment of connection between operation mode parameters of the crusher and its technical characteristics. The main purpose of this research is just to establish such a connection. Therefore this article shows analytical procedure of getting connection between operation mode parameters of the crusher and its capacity. Theoretical, empirical and semi-empirical methods of capacity determination of a single-toggle jaw crusher are given, taking into account physico-mechanical properties of crushed material and kinematics of the working mechanism. When developing a mathematical model, the method of closed vector polygons by V. A. Zinoviev was used. The expressions obtained in the article give an opportunity to solve important scientific and technical problems, connected with finding the rational kinematics of the jaw crusher mechanism, carrying out a comparative assessment of different crushers and giving the recommendations about updating the available jaw crushers.

Multi-scale kinetics of a field-directed colloidal phase transition.

PubMed

Swan, James W; Vasquez, Paula A; Whitson, Peggy A; Fincke, E Michael; Wakata, Koichi; Magnus, Sandra H; De Winne, Frank; Barratt, Michael R; Agui, Juan H; Green, Robert D; Hall, Nancy R; Bohman, Donna Y; Bunnell, Charles T; Gast, Alice P; Furst, Eric M

2012-10-02

Polarizable colloids are expected to form crystalline equilibrium phases when exposed to a steady, uniform field. However, when colloids become localized this field-induced phase transition arrests and the suspension persists indefinitely as a kinetically trapped, percolated structure. We anneal such gels formed from magneto-rheological fluids by toggling the field strength at varied frequencies. This processing allows the arrested structure to relax periodically to equilibrium--colloid-rich, cylindrical columns. Two distinct growth regimes are observed: one in which particle domains ripen through diffusive relaxation of the gel, and the other where the system-spanning structure collapses and columnar domains coalesce apparently through field-driven interactions. There is a stark boundary as a function of magnetic field strength and toggle frequency distinguishing the two regimes. These results demonstrate how kinetic barriers to a colloidal phase transition are subverted through measured, periodic variation of driving forces. Such directed assembly may be harnessed to create unique materials from dispersions of colloids.

Center for Interface Science and Catalysis | Theory

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& Stanford School of Engineering Toggle navigation Home Research Publications People About Academic to overcome challenges associated with the atomic-scale design of catalysts for chemical computational methods we are developing a quantitative description of chemical processes at the solid-gas and

HubbleSite: News

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Office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity

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Office of Water Prediction

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Defense Human Resources Activity > PERSEREC

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Skip to main content (Press Enter). Toggle navigation Defense Human Resources Activity Search Search Defense Human Resources Activity: Search Search Defense Human Resources Activity: Search Defense Human Resources Activity U.S. Department of Defense Defense Human Resources Activity Overview

Contact pin-printing of albumin-fungicide conjugate for silicon nitride-based sensors biofunctionalization: Multi-technique surface analysis for optimum immunoassay performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gajos, Katarzyna; Budkowski, Andrzej; Tsialla, Zoi; Petrou, Panagiota; Awsiuk, Kamil; Dąbczyński, Paweł; Bernasik, Andrzej; Rysz, Jakub; Misiakos, Konstantinos; Raptis, Ioannis; Kakabakos, Sotirios

2017-07-01

Mass fabrication of integrated biosensors on silicon chips is facilitated by contact pin-printing, applied for biofunctionalization of individual Si3N4-based transducers at wafer-scale. To optimize the biofunctionalization for immunochemical (competitive) detection of fungicide thiabendazole (TBZ), Si3N4 surfaces are modified with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane and examined after: immobilization of BSA-TBZ conjugate (probe) from solutions with different concentration, blocking with bovine serum albumin (BSA), and immunoreaction with a mouse monoclonal antibody against TBZ. Nanostructure, surface density, probe composition and coverage uniformity of protein layers are evaluated with Atomic Force Microscopy, Spectroscopic Ellipsometry, Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. Contact pin-printing of overlapping probe spots is compared with hand spotted areas. Contact pin-printing resulted in two-fold increase of immobilized probe surface density as compared to hand spotting. Regarding BSA-TBZ immobilization, an incomplete monolayer develops into a bilayer as the concentration of BSA-TBZ molecules in the printing solution increases from 25 to 100 μg/mL. Upon blocking, however, a complete protein monolayer is formed for all the BSA-TBZ concentrations used. Free surface sites are filled with BSA for low surface coverage with BSA-TBZ, whereas loosely bound BSA-TBZ molecules are removed from the BSA-TBZ bilayer. As a consequence immunoreaction efficiency increases with the printing probe concentration.

Temperature dependent simulation of diamond depleted Schottky PIN diodes

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

Hathwar, Raghuraj; Dutta, Maitreya; Chowdhury, Srabanti

2016-06-14

Diamond is considered as an ideal material for high field and high power devices due to its high breakdown field, high lightly doped carrier mobility, and high thermal conductivity. The modeling and simulation of diamond devices are therefore important to predict the performances of diamond based devices. In this context, we use Silvaco{sup ®} Atlas, a drift-diffusion based commercial software, to model diamond based power devices. The models used in Atlas were modified to account for both variable range and nearest neighbor hopping transport in the impurity bands associated with high activation energies for boron doped and phosphorus doped diamond.more » The models were fit to experimentally reported resistivity data over a wide range of doping concentrations and temperatures. We compare to recent data on depleted diamond Schottky PIN diodes demonstrating low turn-on voltages and high reverse breakdown voltages, which could be useful for high power rectifying applications due to the low turn-on voltage enabling high forward current densities. Three dimensional simulations of the depleted Schottky PIN diamond devices were performed and the results are verified with experimental data at different operating temperatures.« less

Effects of sudden density changes in disordered superconductors and semiconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Assi, Hiba; Chaturvedi, Harshwardhan; Pleimling, Michel; Täuber, Uwe

Vortices in type-II superconductors in the presence of extended, linear defects display the strongly pinned Bose glass phase at low temperatures. This disorder-dominated thermodynamic state is characterized by suppressed lateral flux line fluctuations and very slow structural relaxation kinetics: The vortices migrate between different columnar pinning centers to minimize the mutual repulsive interactions and eventually optimize the system's pinning configuration. To monitor the flux lines' late-time structural relaxations, we employ a mapping between an effectively two-dimensional Bose glass system and a modified Coulomb glass model, originally developed to describe disordered semiconductors at low temperatures. By means of Monte Carlo simulations, we investigate the effects of the introduction of random bare site energies and sudden changes in the vortex or charge carrier density on the soft Coulomb gap that appears in the density of states due to the emerging spatial anticorrelations. The non-equilibrium relaxation properties of the Bose and Coulomb glass states and the ensuing aging kinetics are studied through the two-time density autocorrelation function and its various scaling forms. Research supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering under Award DE-FG02-09ER46613.

Quantum Computing Using Superconducting Qubits

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-04-01

see the right fig.), and (iii) dynamically modifying ( pulsating ) this potential by controlling the motion of the A particles. This allows easy...superconductors with periodic pinning arrays. We show that sample heating by moving vortices produces negative differential resistivity (NDR) of both N- and S...efficient (i.e., using one two-bit operation) QC circuits using modern microfabrication techniques. scheme for this design [1,3] to achieve conditional

Department of Defense Senior Intelligence Oversight Official

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Skip to main content (Press Enter). Toggle navigation Department of Defense Senior Intelligence Intelligence Oversight Official Department of Defense Senior Intelligence Oversight Official Home About DOD Defense Senior Intelligence Oversight Official Website Michael T. Mahar, DoD SIOO Click here for DoD SIOO

Defense Contract Management Agency

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, May 24. Click the photo above for more information. Members of the Defense Contract Management Agency for more information. Members of the Defense Contract Management Agency International Region conduct Skip to main content (Press Enter). Toggle navigation Defense Contract Management Agency Search

Alaska Department of Natural Resources

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Information Information Resource Management Information Resource Management (IRM) maintains the department's DNR's site DNR State of Alaska Toggle main menu visibility Home Contact Us Information Resource Management Recorder's Office/UCC Recorder's Office Recorder's Office Search Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) UCC

III: Trying Something New

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rosenfeld, Malke; Rufo, David; Makol, Suzanne; Greco, Ardina; Flores, Chio; Redman, Jeff

2014-01-01

The last two sections (EJ1039315 and EJ1039319) presented stories about specific moments or lessons. Also, situations infused with complexity where the writers had to toggle back and forth between providing the larger context and the details that support readers' understanding of that big picture were presented. In this section each story is…

X-ray ptychography, fluorescence microscopy combo sheds new light on trace

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Research Divisions Computing, Environment and Life Sciences BIOBiosciences CPSComputational Science DSLData CEESCenter for Electrochemical Energy Science CTRCenter for Transportation Research CRIChain Reaction Navigation Toggle Search Energy Environment National Security User Facilities Science Work with Us About

Data from: Solving the Robot-World Hand-Eye(s) Calibration Problem with

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Iterative Methods | National Agricultural Library Skip to main content Home National Agricultural Library United States Department of Agriculture Ag Data Commons Beta Toggle navigation Datasets . License U.S. Public Domain Funding Source(s) National Science Foundation IOS-1339211 Agricultural Research

Clean Cities Technical Assistance | State, Local, and Tribal Governments |

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NREL Toggle navigation Menu Technical Assistance Technical Assistance States Tribes Clean » State, Local, and Tribal Governments » Clean Cities Technical Assistance Clean Cities Technical reduce petroleum use in transportation by providing technical assistance, educational and outreach

Non-Lethal Weapons Program

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), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), practice non-lethal control techniques during a non-lethal Skip to main content (Press Enter). Toggle navigation Non-Lethal Weapons Program Search Search JNLWP: Search Search JNLWP: Search Non-Lethal Weapons Program U.S. Department of Defense Non-Lethal

Modulation of starch digestion for slow glucose release through "toggling" of activities of mucosal "alpha"-glucosidases

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Starch digestion involves the breakdown by alpha-amylase to small linear and branched malto-oligosaccharides, which are in turn hydrolyzed to glucose by the mucosal alpha-glucosidases, maltase-glucoamylase (MGAM) and sucrase-isomaltase (SI). MGAM and SI are anchored to the small intestinal brush-bor...

40 CFR 63.5460 - What definitions apply to this subpart?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... use include: toggling, hanging, pasting, and vacuum drying. Finish add-on means the amount of solid material deposited on the leather substrate due to finishing operations. Typically, the solid deposition is a dye or other chemical used to enhance the color and performance of the leather. Finish add-on is...

40 CFR 63.5460 - What definitions apply to this subpart?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... use include: toggling, hanging, pasting, and vacuum drying. Finish add-on means the amount of solid material deposited on the leather substrate due to finishing operations. Typically, the solid deposition is a dye or other chemical used to enhance the color and performance of the leather. Finish add-on is...

U.S. Northern Command > Newsroom > Press Releases

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Skip to main content (Press Enter). Toggle navigation U.S. Northern Command Search Search USNORTHCOM: Search Search USNORTHCOM: Search U.S. Northern Command U.S. Northern Command Home Leadership , 2018 NORAD and USNORTHCOM to host change of command ceremony Nov. 30, 2017 United States, Mexico to

Chief Information Officer > DoDSection508

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Biographies of Senior Defense Officials

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Chief Information Officer > Library

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Chief Information Officer > In the News

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Chief Information Officer > About DoD CIO

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Ferguson Troubleshoots GPC 3

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-07-11

S135-E-007350 (11 July 2011) --- NASA astronaut Chris Ferguson, STS-135 mission commander, toggles switches on the overhead panel of the forward flight deck of the space shuttle Atlantis. The image was recorded during the mission's fourth day of activities in Earth orbit and second day while being docked with the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA

outreach | News

Science.gov Websites

. Photo: Elliott McCrory On March 3, 71 local high school students graduated from the winter session of Figures STEM program for local students February 20, 2018 | Sarah Lawhun After watching short videos on Students and teachers Media News Navbar Toggle Newsroom News and features Press releases Fermilab in the

Gulf Dolphins Slideshow | NOAA Gulf Spill Restoration

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Skip to main content Home Home Toggle navigation Search form Search Search the web Search NOAA Gulf Spill Restoration Search Home About Us Trustees Contact Us How We Restore Planning Damage Assessment Archive Home Gulf Dolphins Slideshow Gulf Dolphins Slideshow share Posted on March 23, 2012 | Assessment

Christmas Light Display

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ross, Arthur; Renfro, Timothy

2012-03-01

The Digital Electronics class at McMurry University created a Christmas light display that toggles the power of different strands of lights, according to what frequencies are played in a song, as an example of an analog to digital circuit. This was accomplished using a BA3830S IC six-band audio filter and six solid-state relays.

Fermilab | Science | Questions for the Universe | Einstein's Dream of

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Navbar Toggle Search Search Home About Science Jobs Contact Phone Book Newsroom Newsroom News and Tevatron experiments Tevatron operation Shutdown process For the media Video of shutdown event Guest book Home Contact Phone Book Fermilab at Work For Industry Jobs Interact Facebook Twitter Instagram Google

The Better World Project - Home

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Toggle navigation Featured Stories Past Reports FAQ Background Information 500 Better World Stories ... and Counting! Thanks to the hard work of AUTM members around the world, the Better World Project Better World Project Database. Simply type in the criteria you're looking for. Add Your Story to the

The Relationship between Software Design and Children's Engagement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Buckleitner, Warren

2006-01-01

This study was an attempt to measure the effects of praise and reinforcement on children in a computer learning setting. A sorting game was designed to simulate 2 interaction styles. One style, called high computer control, provided frequent praise and coaching. The other, called high child control, had narration and praise toggled off. A…

::: American Indians of the Pacific Northwest Collection :::

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Ask Us! University of Washington Libraries Digital Collections Toggle navigation Browse Special learn from the images and writings of the time...This site provides an extensive digital collection of digital databases includes over 2,300 original photographs as well as over 1,500 pages from the Annual

Aversive Learning and Appetitive Motivation Toggle Feed-Forward Inhibition in the Drosophila Mushroom Body.

PubMed

Perisse, Emmanuel; Owald, David; Barnstedt, Oliver; Talbot, Clifford B; Huetteroth, Wolf; Waddell, Scott

2016-06-01

In Drosophila, negatively reinforcing dopaminergic neurons also provide the inhibitory control of satiety over appetitive memory expression. Here we show that aversive learning causes a persistent depression of the conditioned odor drive to two downstream feed-forward inhibitory GABAergic interneurons of the mushroom body, called MVP2, or mushroom body output neuron (MBON)-γ1pedc>α/β. However, MVP2 neuron output is only essential for expression of short-term aversive memory. Stimulating MVP2 neurons preferentially inhibits the odor-evoked activity of avoidance-directing MBONs and odor-driven avoidance behavior, whereas their inhibition enhances odor avoidance. In contrast, odor-evoked activity of MVP2 neurons is elevated in hungry flies, and their feed-forward inhibition is required for expression of appetitive memory at all times. Moreover, imposing MVP2 activity promotes inappropriate appetitive memory expression in food-satiated flies. Aversive learning and appetitive motivation therefore toggle alternate modes of a common feed-forward inhibitory MVP2 pathway to promote conditioned odor avoidance or approach. Copyright © 2016 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Analysis and design of a genetic circuit for dynamic metabolic engineering.

PubMed

Anesiadis, Nikolaos; Kobayashi, Hideki; Cluett, William R; Mahadevan, Radhakrishnan

2013-08-16

Recent advances in synthetic biology have equipped us with new tools for bioprocess optimization at the genetic level. Previously, we have presented an integrated in silico design for the dynamic control of gene expression based on a density-sensing unit and a genetic toggle switch. In the present paper, analysis of a serine-producing Escherichia coli mutant shows that an instantaneous ON-OFF switch leads to a maximum theoretical productivity improvement of 29.6% compared to the mutant. To further the design, global sensitivity analysis is applied here to a mathematical model of serine production in E. coli coupled with a genetic circuit. The model of the quorum sensing and the toggle switch involves 13 parameters of which 3 are identified as having a significant effect on serine concentration. Simulations conducted in this reduced parameter space further identified the optimal ranges for these 3 key parameters to achieve productivity values close to the maximum theoretical values. This analysis can now be used to guide the experimental implementation of a dynamic metabolic engineering strategy and reduce the time required to design the genetic circuit components.

Off and back-on again: a tumor suppressor's tale.

PubMed

Acosta, Jonuelle; Wang, Walter; Feldser, David M

2018-06-01

Tumor suppressor genes play critical roles orchestrating anti-cancer programs that are both context dependent and mechanistically diverse. Beyond canonical tumor suppressive programs that control cell division, cell death, and genome stability, unexpected tumor suppressor gene activities that regulate metabolism, immune surveillance, the epigenetic landscape, and others have recently emerged. This diversity underscores the important roles these genes play in maintaining cellular homeostasis to suppress cancer initiation and progression, but also highlights a tremendous challenge in discerning precise context-specific programs of tumor suppression controlled by a given tumor suppressor. Fortunately, the rapid sophistication of genetically engineered mouse models of cancer has begun to shed light on these context-dependent tumor suppressor activities. By using techniques that not only toggle "off" tumor suppressor genes in nascent tumors, but also facilitate the timely restoration of gene function "back-on again" in disease specific contexts, precise mechanisms of tumor suppression can be revealed in an unbiased manner. This review discusses the development and implementation of genetic systems designed to toggle tumor suppressor genes off and back-on again and their potential to uncover the tumor suppressor's tale.

Programmable cells: Interfacing natural and engineered gene networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kobayashi, Hideki; Kærn, Mads; Araki, Michihiro; Chung, Kristy; Gardner, Timothy S.; Cantor, Charles R.; Collins, James J.

2004-06-01

Novel cellular behaviors and characteristics can be obtained by coupling engineered gene networks to the cell's natural regulatory circuitry through appropriately designed input and output interfaces. Here, we demonstrate how an engineered genetic circuit can be used to construct cells that respond to biological signals in a predetermined and programmable fashion. We employ a modular design strategy to create Escherichia coli strains where a genetic toggle switch is interfaced with: (i) the SOS signaling pathway responding to DNA damage, and (ii) a transgenic quorum sensing signaling pathway from Vibrio fischeri. The genetic toggle switch endows these strains with binary response dynamics and an epigenetic inheritance that supports a persistent phenotypic alteration in response to transient signals. These features are exploited to engineer cells that form biofilms in response to DNA-damaging agents and cells that activate protein synthesis when the cell population reaches a critical density. Our work represents a step toward the development of "plug-and-play" genetic circuitry that can be used to create cells with programmable behaviors. heterologous gene expression | synthetic biology | Escherichia coli

Co-current Doping Effect of Nanoscale Carbon and Aluminum Nitride on Critical Current Density and Flux Pinning Properties of Bulk MgB2 Superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tripathi, D.; Dey, T. K.

2018-05-01

The effect of nanoscale aluminum nitride (n-AlN) and carbon (n-C) co-doping on superconducting properties of polycrystalline bulk MgB2 superconductor has been investigated. Polycrystalline pellets of MgB2, MgB2 + 0.5 wt% AlN (nano), MgB_{1.99}C_{0.01} and MgB_{1.99}C_{0.01} + 0.5 wt% AlN (nano) have been synthesized by a solid reaction process under inert atmosphere. The transition temperature (TC) estimated from resistivity measurement indicates only a small decrease for C (nano) and co-doped MgB2 samples. The magnetic field response of investigated samples has been measured at 4, 10, and 20 K in the field range ± 6 T. MgB2 pellets co-doped with 0.5 wt% n-AlN and 1 wt% n-C display appreciable enhancement in critical current density (J_C) of MgB2 in both low (≥ 3 times), as well as, high-field region (≥ 15 times). J_C versus H behavior of both pristine and doped MgB2 pellets is well explained in the light of the collective pinning model. Further, the normalized pinning force density f_p(= F_p/F_{pmax}) displays a fair correspondence with the scaling procedure proposed by Eisterer et al. Moreover, the scaled data of the pinning force density (i.e., f_p{-}h data) of the investigated pellets at different temperature are well interpreted by a modified Dew-Hughes expression reported by Sandu and Chee.

Improvements in Calibration and Analysis of the CTBT-relevant Radioxenon Isotopes with High Resolution SiPIN-based Electron Detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khrustalev, K.

2016-12-01

Current process for the calibration of the beta-gamma detectors used for radioxenon isotope measurements for CTBT purposes is laborious and time consuming. It uses a combination of point sources and gaseous sources resulting in differences between energy and resolution calibrations. The emergence of high resolution SiPIN based electron detectors allows improvements in the calibration and analysis process to be made. Thanks to high electron resolution of SiPIN detectors ( 8-9 keV@129 keV) compared to plastic scintillators ( 35 keV@129keV) there are a lot more CE peaks (from radioxenon and radon progenies) can be resolved and used for energy and resolution calibration in the energy range of the CTBT-relevant radioxenon isotopes. The long term stability of the SiPIN energy calibration allows one to significantly reduce the time of the QC measurements needed for checking the stability of the E/R calibration. The currently used second order polynomials for the E/R calibration fitting are unphysical and shall be replaced by a linear energy calibration for NaI and SiPIN, owing to high linearity and dynamic range of the modern digital DAQ systems, and resolution calibration functions shall be modified to reflect the underlying physical processes. Alternatively, one can completely abandon the use of fitting functions and use only point-values of E/R (similar to the efficiency calibration currently used) at the energies relevant for the isotopes of interest (ROI - Regions Of Interest ). Current analysis considers the detector as a set of single channel analysers, with an established set of coefficients relating the positions of ROIs with the positions of the QC peaks. The analysis of the spectra can be made more robust using peak and background fitting in the ROIs with a single free parameter (peak area) of the potential peaks from the known isotopes and a fixed E/R calibration values set.

Action of Molecular Switches in GPCRs - Theoretical and Experimental Studies

PubMed Central

Trzaskowski, B; Latek, D; Yuan, S; Ghoshdastider, U; Debinski, A; Filipek, S

2012-01-01

G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), also called 7TM receptors, form a huge superfamily of membrane proteins that, upon activation by extracellular agonists, pass the signal to the cell interior. Ligands can bind either to extracellular N-terminus and loops (e.g. glutamate receptors) or to the binding site within transmembrane helices (Rhodopsin-like family). They are all activated by agonists although a spontaneous auto-activation of an empty receptor can also be observed. Biochemical and crystallographic methods together with molecular dynamics simulations and other theoretical techniques provided models of the receptor activation based on the action of so-called “molecular switches” buried in the receptor structure. They are changed by agonists but also by inverse agonists evoking an ensemble of activation states leading toward different activation pathways. Switches discovered so far include the ionic lock switch, the 3-7 lock switch, the tyrosine toggle switch linked with the nPxxy motif in TM7, and the transmission switch. The latter one was proposed instead of the tryptophan rotamer toggle switch because no change of the rotamer was observed in structures of activated receptors. The global toggle switch suggested earlier consisting of a vertical rigid motion of TM6, seems also to be implausible based on the recent crystal structures of GPCRs with agonists. Theoretical and experimental methods (crystallography, NMR, specific spectroscopic methods like FRET/BRET but also single-molecule-force-spectroscopy) are currently used to study the effect of ligands on the receptor structure, location of stable structural segments/domains of GPCRs, and to answer the still open question on how ligands are binding: either via ensemble of conformational receptor states or rather via induced fit mechanisms. On the other hand the structural investigations of homo- and heterodimers and higher oligomers revealed the mechanism of allosteric signal transmission and receptor activation that could lead to design highly effective and selective allosteric or ago-allosteric drugs. PMID:22300046

Action of molecular switches in GPCRs--theoretical and experimental studies.

PubMed

Trzaskowski, B; Latek, D; Yuan, S; Ghoshdastider, U; Debinski, A; Filipek, S

2012-01-01

G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), also called 7TM receptors, form a huge superfamily of membrane proteins that, upon activation by extracellular agonists, pass the signal to the cell interior. Ligands can bind either to extracellular N-terminus and loops (e.g. glutamate receptors) or to the binding site within transmembrane helices (Rhodopsin-like family). They are all activated by agonists although a spontaneous auto-activation of an empty receptor can also be observed. Biochemical and crystallographic methods together with molecular dynamics simulations and other theoretical techniques provided models of the receptor activation based on the action of so-called "molecular switches" buried in the receptor structure. They are changed by agonists but also by inverse agonists evoking an ensemble of activation states leading toward different activation pathways. Switches discovered so far include the ionic lock switch, the 3-7 lock switch, the tyrosine toggle switch linked with the nPxxy motif in TM7, and the transmission switch. The latter one was proposed instead of the tryptophan rotamer toggle switch because no change of the rotamer was observed in structures of activated receptors. The global toggle switch suggested earlier consisting of a vertical rigid motion of TM6, seems also to be implausible based on the recent crystal structures of GPCRs with agonists. Theoretical and experimental methods (crystallography, NMR, specific spectroscopic methods like FRET/BRET but also single-molecule-force-spectroscopy) are currently used to study the effect of ligands on the receptor structure, location of stable structural segments/domains of GPCRs, and to answer the still open question on how ligands are binding: either via ensemble of conformational receptor states or rather via induced fit mechanisms. On the other hand the structural investigations of homoand heterodimers and higher oligomers revealed the mechanism of allosteric signal transmission and receptor activation that could lead to design highly effective and selective allosteric or ago-allosteric drugs.

Toggling of seismicity by the 1997 Kagoshima earthquake couplet: A demonstration of time-dependent stress transfer

USGS Publications Warehouse

Toda, S.; Stein, R.

2003-01-01

Two M ??? 6 well-recorded strike-slip earthquakes struck just 4 km and 48 days apart in Kagoshima prefecture, Japan, in 1997, providing an opportunity to study earthquake interaction. Aftershocks are abundant where the Coulomb stress is calculated to have been increased by the first event, and they abruptly stop where the stress is dropped by the second event. This ability of the main shocks to toggle seismicity on and off argues that static stress changes play a major role in exciting aftershocks, whereas the dynamic Coulomb stresses, which should only promote seismicity, appear to play a secondary role. If true, the net stress changes from a sequence of earthquakes might be expected to govern the subsequent seismicity distribution. However, adding the stress changes from the two Kagoshima events does not fully capture the ensuing seismicity, such as its rate change, temporal decay, or migration away from the ends of the ruptures. We therefore implement a stress transfer model that incorporates rate/state friction, in which seismicity is treated as a sequence of independent nucleation events that are dependent on the fault slip, slip rate, and elapsed time since the last event. The model reproduces the temporal response of seismicity to successive stress changes, including toggling, decay, and aftershock migration. Nevertheless, the match of observed to predicted seismicity is quite imperfect, due perhaps to inadequate knowledge of several model parameters. However, to demonstrate the potential of this approach, we build a probabilistic forecast of larger earthquakes on the expected rate of small aftershocks, taking advantage of the large statistical sample the small shocks afford. Not surprisingly, such probabilities are highly time- and location-dependent: During the first decade after the main shocks, the seismicity rate and the chance of successive large shocks are about an order of magnitude higher than the background rate and are concentrated exclusively in the stress triggering zones. Copyright 2003 by the American Geophysical Uion.

The Effect of Disorder on the Free-Energy for the Random Walk Pinning Model: Smoothing of the Phase Transition and Low Temperature Asymptotics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berger, Quentin; Lacoin, Hubert

2011-01-01

We consider the continuous time version of the Random Walk Pinning Model (RWPM), studied in (Berger and Toninelli (Electron. J. Probab., to appear) and Birkner and Sun (Ann. Inst. Henri Poincaré Probab. Stat. 46:414-441, 2010; arXiv:0912.1663). Given a fixed realization of a random walk Y on ℤ d with jump rate ρ (that plays the role of the random medium), we modify the law of a random walk X on ℤ d with jump rate 1 by reweighting the paths, giving an energy reward proportional to the intersection time Lt(X,Y)=int0t {1}_{Xs=Ys} {d}s: the weight of the path under the new measure is exp ( βL t ( X, Y)), β∈ℝ. As β increases, the system exhibits a delocalization/localization transition: there is a critical value β c , such that if β> β c the two walks stick together for almost-all Y realizations. A natural question is that of disorder relevance, that is whether the quenched and annealed systems have the same behavior. In this paper we investigate how the disorder modifies the shape of the free energy curve: (1) We prove that, in dimension d≥3, the presence of disorder makes the phase transition at least of second order. This, in dimension d≥4, contrasts with the fact that the phase transition of the annealed system is of first order. (2) In any dimension, we prove that disorder modifies the low temperature asymptotic of the free energy.

A minimally invasive approach to long-term head fixation in behaving nonhuman primates

PubMed Central

Davis, T.S.; Torab, K.; House, P.; Greger, B.

2009-01-01

We have designed a device for long-term head fixation for use in behaving nonhuman primates that is robust yet minimally invasive and simple to use. This device is a modified version of the halo system that is used in humans for cervical traction and stabilization after spinal column injuries. This device consists of an aluminum halo with four titanium skull pins offset from the halo by aluminum posts. The titanium pins insert onto small segments of cranially reinforcing titanium plate, which are attached to the skull with titanium cortex screws. The surgery involves four scalp incisions, placement of the reinforcing plates, insertion of the pins for attachment of the halo, and incision closure. After the halo is attached, the animal’s head can be fixed to a primate chair using a custom-built attachment arm that provides three degrees of adjustability for proper positioning during behavioral tasks. We have installed this device on two Macaque monkeys weighing seven and ten kilograms. The halos have been in place on these animals for up to eight months without signs of discomfort or loss of fixation. Using this method of head fixation, we have been able to track the animals’ eye positions with an accuracy of less than two visual degrees while they perform behavioral tasks. PMID:19394360

Current status of the development of high density LEU fuel for Russian research reactors

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

Vatulin, A.; Dobrikova, I.; Suprun, V.

2008-07-15

One of the main directions of the Russian RERTR program is to develop U-Mo fuel and fuel elements/FA with this fuel. The development is carried out both for existing reactors, and for new advanced designs of reactors. Many organizations in Russia, i.e. 'TVEL', RDIPE, RIAR, IRM, NPCC participate in the work. Two fuels are under development: dispersion and monolithic U-Mo fuel, as well two types of FA to use the dispersion U-Mo fuel: with tubular type fuel elements and with pin type fuel elements. The first stage of works was successfully completed. This stage included out-pile, in-pile and post irradiationmore » examinations of U-Mo dispersion fuel in experimental tubular and pin fuel elements under parameters similar to operation conditions of Russian design pool-type research reactors. The results received both in Russia and abroad enabled to go on to the next stage of development which includes irradiation tests both of full-scale IRT pin-type and tube-type fuel assemblies with U-Mo dispersion fuel and of mini-fuel elements with modified U-Mo dispersion fuel and monolithic fuel. The paper gives a generalized review of the results of U-Mo fuel development accomplished by now. (author)« less

Security Analysis of Yeh-Tsai Security Mechanism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yum, Dae Hyun; Shin, Jong Hoon; Lee, Pil Joong

Yeh and Tsai recently proposed an enhanced mobile commerce security mechanism. They modified the lightweight security mechanism due to Lam, Chung, Gu, and Sun to relieve the burden of mobile clients. However, this article shows that a malicious WAP gateway can successfully obtain the mobile client's PIN by sending a fake public key of a mobile commerce server and exploiting information leakage caused by addition operation. We also present a countermeasure against the proposed attack.

The mechanical and thermal characteristics of phenolic foam reinforced with kaolin powder and glass fiber fabric

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiao, Wenya; Huang, Zhixiong; Ding, Jie

2017-12-01

In this work, kaolin powder and glass fiber fabric were added to PF in order to improve its thermal stability and mechanical property. Micro-structures of carbonized PF with kaolin powder were inspected by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to demonstrate the filler’s pinning effect. SEM results illustrated modified PF had well morphology after high-temperature heat treatment. The Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) test was carried out and found that kaolin powder only physically dispersed in PF. The compression test and thermal weight loss test were done on two groups of modified PF (Group A: add powder and fabric; Group B: add powder only). Results showed that all modified PF were better than pure PF, while foams with powder and fabric showed better mechanical characteristic and thermal stability compared with foams with powder only.

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49 CFR Appendix A to Part 180 - Internal Self-closing Stop Valve Emergency Closure Test for Liquefied Compressed Gases

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Test for Liquefied Compressed Gases A Appendix A to Part 180 Transportation Other Regulations Relating... Compressed Gases 1. In performing this test, all internal self-closing stop valves must be opened. Each.... 2. On pump-actuated pressure differential internal valves, the three-way toggle valve handle or its...

Information Technology Exchange Program (ITEP) - U.S. Department of Defense

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Study of Man-Machine Communications Systems for Disabled Persons (The Handicapped). Volume VII. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kafafian, Haig

Teaching instructions, lesson plans, and exercises are provided for severely physically and/or neurologically handicapped persons learning to use the Cybertype electric writing machine with a tongue-body keyboard. The keyboard, which has eight double-throw toggle switches and a three-position state-selector switch, is designed to be used by…

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About | DOE Data Explorer

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skip to main content DDE Toggle Navigation Home About DDE FAQs DOE Data ID Service Data ID Service Data ID Service Workshops Contact Us dataexplorer Search For Terms: + Advanced Search × Advanced /Simulations Figures/Plots Genome/Genetics Data Interactive Data Map(s) Multimedia Numeric Data Specialized Mix

Patterning of leaf vein networks by convergent auxin transport pathways.

PubMed

Sawchuk, Megan G; Edgar, Alexander; Scarpella, Enrico

2013-01-01

The formation of leaf vein patterns has fascinated biologists for centuries. Transport of the plant signal auxin has long been implicated in vein patterning, but molecular details have remained unclear. Varied evidence suggests a central role for the plasma-membrane (PM)-localized PIN-FORMED1 (PIN1) intercellular auxin transporter of Arabidopsis thaliana in auxin-transport-dependent vein patterning. However, in contrast to the severe vein-pattern defects induced by auxin transport inhibitors, pin1 mutant leaves have only mild vein-pattern defects. These defects have been interpreted as evidence of redundancy between PIN1 and the other four PM-localized PIN proteins in vein patterning, redundancy that underlies many developmental processes. By contrast, we show here that vein patterning in the Arabidopsis leaf is controlled by two distinct and convergent auxin-transport pathways: intercellular auxin transport mediated by PM-localized PIN1 and intracellular auxin transport mediated by the evolutionarily older, endoplasmic-reticulum-localized PIN6, PIN8, and PIN5. PIN6 and PIN8 are expressed, as PIN1 and PIN5, at sites of vein formation. pin6 synthetically enhances pin1 vein-pattern defects, and pin8 quantitatively enhances pin1pin6 vein-pattern defects. Function of PIN6 is necessary, redundantly with that of PIN8, and sufficient to control auxin response levels, PIN1 expression, and vein network formation; and the vein pattern defects induced by ectopic PIN6 expression are mimicked by ectopic PIN8 expression. Finally, vein patterning functions of PIN6 and PIN8 are antagonized by PIN5 function. Our data define a new level of control of vein patterning, one with repercussions on other patterning processes in the plant, and suggest a mechanism to select cell files specialized for vascular function that predates evolution of PM-localized PIN proteins.

Confirmation of the modified Bean model from simulations of superconducting vortices

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

Richardson, R.A.; Pla, O.; Nori, F.

From a very simple description of vortices and pinning centers, we obtain nonlinear density profiles of vortices in type-II dirty superconductors that result from changing an external magnetic field. The results confirm a modified Bean model description of these systems, following the Kim empirical form that relates the current inside the material to the local magnetic field. We also obtain realistic magnetization hysteresis loops and examine the discrete evolution of the density profiles in our systems. This evolution is not continuous, but takes place by the occurrence of avalanches of vortices promoted by the addition or extraction of vortices frommore » the edges of the system.« less

Cross-species functional diversity within the PIN auxin efflux protein family

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

O'Connor, Devin Lee; Elton, Samuel; Ticchiarelli, Fabrizio

In Arabidopsis, development during flowering is coordinated by transport of the hormone auxin mediated by polar-localized PIN-FORMED1 (AtPIN1). However Arabidopsis has lost a PIN clade sister to AtPIN1, Sister-of-PIN1 (SoPIN1), which is conserved in flowering plants. Here, we previously proposed that the AtPIN1 organ initiation and vein patterning functions are split between the SoPIN1 and PIN1 clades in grasses. Here we show that in the grass Brachypodium sopin1 mutants have organ initiation defects similar to Arabidopsis atpin1, while loss of PIN1 function in Brachypodium has little effect on organ initiation but alters stem growth. Heterologous expression of Brachypodium SoPIN1 andmore » PIN1b in Arabidopsis provides further evidence of functional specificity. SoPIN1 but not PIN1b can mediate flower formation in null atpin1 mutants, although both can complement a missense allele. The behavior of SoPIN1 and PIN1b in Arabidopsis illustrates how membrane and tissue-level accumulation, transport activity, and interaction contribute to PIN functional specificity.« less

Cross-species functional diversity within the PIN auxin efflux protein family

DOE PAGES

O'Connor, Devin Lee; Elton, Samuel; Ticchiarelli, Fabrizio; ...

2017-10-24

In Arabidopsis, development during flowering is coordinated by transport of the hormone auxin mediated by polar-localized PIN-FORMED1 (AtPIN1). However Arabidopsis has lost a PIN clade sister to AtPIN1, Sister-of-PIN1 (SoPIN1), which is conserved in flowering plants. Here, we previously proposed that the AtPIN1 organ initiation and vein patterning functions are split between the SoPIN1 and PIN1 clades in grasses. Here we show that in the grass Brachypodium sopin1 mutants have organ initiation defects similar to Arabidopsis atpin1, while loss of PIN1 function in Brachypodium has little effect on organ initiation but alters stem growth. Heterologous expression of Brachypodium SoPIN1 andmore » PIN1b in Arabidopsis provides further evidence of functional specificity. SoPIN1 but not PIN1b can mediate flower formation in null atpin1 mutants, although both can complement a missense allele. The behavior of SoPIN1 and PIN1b in Arabidopsis illustrates how membrane and tissue-level accumulation, transport activity, and interaction contribute to PIN functional specificity.« less

In vivo impact testing on a lengthened femur with external fixation: a future option for the non-invasive monitoring of fracture healing?

PubMed

Mattei, Lorenza; Di Puccio, Francesca; Marchetti, Stefano

2018-05-01

Non-invasive methods for assessing fracture healing are crucial for biomedical engineers. An approach based on mechanical vibrations was tried out in the 1990s, but was soon abandoned due to insufficiently advanced technologies. The same approach is re-proposed in the present study in order to monitor the healing process of a lengthened femur with an external fixator. The pins screwed into the bone were exploited for the impact testing (IT) to excite the bone and capture its response. Transmission through the soft tissues was thus prevented, and the quality of the signals was improved. Impact tests were performed every three to four weeks for five months. Unfortunately, after seven weeks, some pins were removed due to infection, and thus, the system was modified. Two different configurations were considered: before and after pin removal. An additional configuration was examined in the last two sessions, when the fixator body was removed, while four pins were left in the femur. The evolution of the frequency response function and of the resonant frequencies of the system were analysed for the duration of the monitoring period. The IT results were compared to the indications provided by X-ray images. During the evolution of the callus from the soft phase to the woven bone, the resonant frequencies of the system were found to increase by approximately 2-3% per week. The largest increase (approx. 22%) was observed for the first resonant frequency. After formation of the woven bone, the vibratory response remained almost the same, suggesting that the healing assessment could be related to the relative variation in the resonant frequencies. The results presented support the application of the IT approach for fracture healing assessment. © 2018 The Author(s).

A modified barbell-shaped PNN-PZT-PIN piezoelectric ceramic energy harvester

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Xiangyu; Wu, Jingen; Yu, Yang; Dong, Shuxiang

2017-11-01

The quaternary system of relaxor-ferroelectric based Pb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O3-Pb(ZrxTi1-x)O3-Pb(In0.5Nb0.5)O3 (PNN-PZT-PIN) piezoelectric ceramic at the morphotropic phase boundary was investigated via the solid reaction method. The optimized ceramic with excellent electric properties of ɛr = 8084, d33 = 977 pC/N, kp = 0.61, and Ec = 3.0 kV/cm was fabricated into d33-mode discs with separated surface electrodes, which were arranged in a series connection and, then as a piezo-stack, assembled into a barbell-shaped energy harvester that could bear a strong mechanical vibration. It is found that under a vibration mass-induced bending moment, the energy harvester produces an open circuit voltage of 26.4 Vp-p at the acceleration of 2.5 g at a load of 1.56 MΩ, which is two times higher in comparison to one without surface electrode separation. Its power output is 30 μW at the acceleration of 1 g and 104 μW at 2.5 g, which are even six times higher than that of a previously reported barbell-shaped energy harvester at room-temperature with the same acceleration. The enhanced power output can be attributed to (i) the excellent piezoelectric response of PNN-PZT-PIN ceramic and (ii) harvesting positive and negative charges from the separated surface electrodes other than a full surface electrode on piezoelectric discs under bending moment. Furthermore, the practical test was performed within a car engine, which shows that the PNN-PZT-PIN piezoelectric ceramic is a promising candidate for vibration energy harvesting.

Pin1At regulates PIN1 polar localization and root gravitropism.

PubMed

Xi, Wanyan; Gong, Ximing; Yang, Qiaoyun; Yu, Hao; Liou, Yih-Cherng

2016-01-21

Root gravitropism allows plants to establish root systems and its regulation depends on polar auxin transport mediated by PIN-FORMED (PIN) auxin transporters. PINOID (PID) and PROTEIN PHOSPHATASE 2A (PP2A) act antagonistically on reversible phosphorylation of PINs. This regulates polar PIN distribution and auxin transport. Here we show that a peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase Pin1At regulates root gravitropism. Downregulation of Pin1At suppresses root agravitropic phenotypes of pp2aa and 35S:PID, while overexpression of Pin1At affects root gravitropic responses and enhances the pp2aa agravitropic phenotype. Pin1At also affects auxin transport and polar localization of PIN1 in stele cells, which is mediated by PID and PP2A. Furthermore, Pin1At catalyses the conformational change of the phosphorylated Ser/Thr-Pro motifs of PIN1. Thus, Pin1At mediates the conformational dynamics of PIN1 and affects PID- and PP2A-mediated regulation of PIN1 polar localization, which correlates with the regulation of root gravitropism.

Pin1At regulates PIN1 polar localization and root gravitropism

PubMed Central

Xi, Wanyan; Gong, Ximing; Yang, Qiaoyun; Yu, Hao; Liou, Yih-Cherng

2016-01-01

Root gravitropism allows plants to establish root systems and its regulation depends on polar auxin transport mediated by PIN-FORMED (PIN) auxin transporters. PINOID (PID) and PROTEIN PHOSPHATASE 2A (PP2A) act antagonistically on reversible phosphorylation of PINs. This regulates polar PIN distribution and auxin transport. Here we show that a peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase Pin1At regulates root gravitropism. Downregulation of Pin1At suppresses root agravitropic phenotypes of pp2aa and 35S:PID, while overexpression of Pin1At affects root gravitropic responses and enhances the pp2aa agravitropic phenotype. Pin1At also affects auxin transport and polar localization of PIN1 in stele cells, which is mediated by PID and PP2A. Furthermore, Pin1At catalyses the conformational change of the phosphorylated Ser/Thr-Pro motifs of PIN1. Thus, Pin1At mediates the conformational dynamics of PIN1 and affects PID- and PP2A-mediated regulation of PIN1 polar localization, which correlates with the regulation of root gravitropism. PMID:26791759

Comprehensive optimization of friction stir weld parameters of lap joint AA1100 plates using artificial neural networks and modified NSGA-II

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khalkhali, Abolfazl; Ebrahimi-Nejad, Salman; Geran Malek, Nima

2018-06-01

Friction stir welding (FSW) process overcomes many difficulties arising in conventional fusion welding processes of aluminum alloys. The current paper presents a comprehensive investigation on the effects of rotational speed, traverse speed, tool tilt angle and tool pin profile on the longitudinal force, axial force, maximum temperature, tensile strength, percent elongation, grain size, micro-hardness of welded zone and welded zone thickness of AA1100 aluminum alloy sheets. Design of experiments (DOE) was applied using the Taguchi approach and subsequently, effects of the input parameter on process outputs were investigated using analysis of variance (ANOVA). A perceptron neural network model was developed to find a correlation between the inputs and outputs. Multi-objective optimization using modified NSGA-II was implemented followed by NIP and TOPSIS approaches to propose optimum points for each of the square, pentagon, hexagon, and circular pin profiles. Results indicate that the optimization process can reach horizontal and vertical forces as low as 1452 N and 2913 N, respectively and a grain size as low as 2 μm. This results in hardness values of up to 57.2 and tensile strength, elongation and joint thickness of 2126 N, 5.9% and 3.7 mm, respectively. The maximum operating temperature can also reach a sufficiently high value of 374 °C to provide adequate material flow.

Characterization of ion beam modified ceramic wear surfaces using Auger electron spectroscopy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wei, W.; Lankford, J.

1987-01-01

An investigation of the surface chemistry and morphology of the wear surfaces of ceramic material surfaces modified by ion beam mixing has been conducted using Auger electron spectroscopy and secondary electron microscopy. Studies have been conducted on ceramic/ceramic friction and wear couples made up of TiC and NiMo-bonded TiC cermet pins run against Si3N4 and partially stabilized zirconia disc surfaces modified by the ion beam mixing of titanium and nickel, as well as ummodified ceramic/ceramic couples in order to determine the types of surface changes leading to the improved friction and wear behavior of the surface modified ceramics in simulated diesel environments. The results of the surface analyses indicate that the formation of a lubricating oxide layer of titanium and nickel, is responsible for the improvement in ceramic friction and wear behavior. The beneficial effect of this oxide layer depends on several factors, including the adherence of the surface modified layer or subsequently formed oxide layer to the disc substrate, the substrate materials, the conditions of ion beam mixing, and the environmental conditions.

Antimicrobial efficacy of external fixator pins coated with a lipid stabilized hydroxyapatite/chlorhexidine complex to prevent pin tract infection in a goat model.

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

Dejong, E. Schuyler; Deberardino, T. M.; Brooks, D. E.

Background: Pin tract infection is a common complication of external fixation. An antiinfective external fixator pin might help to reduce the incidence of pin tract infection and improve pin fixation. Methods: Stainless steel and titanium external fixator pins, with and without a lipid stabilized hydroxyapatite/chlorhexidine coating, were evaluated in a goat model. Two pins contaminated with an identifiable Staphylococcus aureus strain were inserted into each tibia of 12 goats. The pin sites were examined daily. On day 14, the animals were killed, and the pin tips cultured. Insertion and extraction torques were measured. Results: Infection developed in 100% of uncoatedmore » pins, whereas coated pins demonstrated 4.2% infected, 12.5% colonized, and the remainder, 83.3%, had no growth (p < 0.01). Pin coating decreased the percent loss of fixation torque over uncoated pins (p = 0.04). Conclusion: These results demonstrate that the lipid stabilized hydroxyapatite/chlorhexidine coating was successful in decreasing infection and improving fixation of external fixator pins.« less

76 FR 73667 - Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of Defense, Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-29

.... No known individuals were identified. The three associated funerary objects are 1 bone whistle from... associated funerary objects are 4 adze blades, 1 awl, 2 beaver incisors, 2 bone needles, 1 bone point, 1 bone toggle, 1 incised bird bone, 3 pieces of incised bone, 3 pestles, 3 polished bone items, 3 polished...

Chief Information Officer > About DoD CIO > Organization > DCIO C4&IIC

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Radar channel balancing with commutation

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

Doerry, Armin Walter

2014-02-01

When multiple channels are employed in a pulse-Doppler radar, achieving and maintaining balance between the channels is problematic. In some circumstances the channels may be commutated to achieve adequate balance. Commutation is the switching, trading, toggling, or multiplexing of the channels between signal paths. Commutation allows modulating the imbalance energy away from the balanced energy in Doppler, where it can be mitigated with filtering.

Synthetic biology and biomimetic chemistry as converging technologies fostering a new generation of smart biosensors.

PubMed

Scognamiglio, Viviana; Antonacci, Amina; Lambreva, Maya D; Litescu, Simona C; Rea, Giuseppina

2015-12-15

Biosensors are powerful tunable systems able to switch between an ON/OFF status in response to an external stimulus. This extraordinary property could be engineered by adopting synthetic biology or biomimetic chemistry to obtain tailor-made biosensors having the desired requirements of robustness, sensitivity and detection range. Recent advances in both disciplines, in fact, allow to re-design the configuration of the sensing elements - either by modifying toggle switches and gene networks, or by producing synthetic entities mimicking key properties of natural molecules. The present review considered the role of synthetic biology in sustaining biosensor technology, reporting examples from the literature and reflecting on the features that make it a useful tool for designing and constructing engineered biological systems for sensing application. Besides, a section dedicated to bioinspired synthetic molecules as powerful tools to enhance biosensor potential is reported, and treated as an extension of the concept of biomimetic chemistry, where organic synthesis is used to generate artificial molecules that mimic natural molecules. Thus, the design of synthetic molecules, such as aptamers, biomimetics, molecular imprinting polymers, peptide nucleic acids, and ribozymes were encompassed as "products" of biomimetic chemistry. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The bacterial nanorecorder: engineering E. coli to function as a chemical recording device.

PubMed

Bhomkar, Prasanna; Materi, Wayne; Wishart, David S

2011-01-01

Synthetic biology is an emerging branch of molecular biology that uses synthetic genetic constructs to create man-made cells or organisms that are capable of performing novel and/or useful applications. Using a synthetic chemically sensitive genetic toggle switch to activate appropriate fluorescent protein indicators (GFP, RFP) and a cell division inhibitor (minC), we have created a novel E. coli strain that can be used as a highly specific, yet simple and inexpensive chemical recording device. This biological "nanorecorder" can be used to determine both the type and the time at which a brief chemical exposure event has occurred. In particular, we show that the short-term exposure (15-30 min) of cells harboring this synthetic genetic circuit to small molecule signals (anhydrotetracycline or IPTG) triggered long-term and uniform cell elongation, with cell length being directly proportional to the time elapsed following a brief chemical exposure. This work demonstrates that facile modification of an existing genetic toggle switch can be exploited to generate a robust, biologically-based "nanorecorder" that could potentially be adapted to detect, respond and record a wide range of chemical stimuli that may vary over time and space.

Control of Domain Wall Structure and Pinning In Spin-Valve Nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sampaio, J.; Thevenard, L.; Lewis, E.; O'Brien, L.; Zeng, H. T.; Petit, D.; Read, D.; Cowburn, R. P.

2009-03-01

Domain walls (DWs) in magnetic nanowires are the basis for several proposed data storage devices [D Allwood et al. Science 309, 1688 (2005), SS Parkin, US Patent 6,834,005 (2004)]. Most schemes use artificial defects (ADs) to modify the potential landscape seen by the DW, and thereby control its propagation. This potential modification depends on the DW structure. Integrating the nanowire in a Spin-Valve (SV) stack allows the electrical probing of the magnetization as well as electronic integration in future devices. However, using SV systems introduces strong stray fields from the reference layer, especially on the ADs. These can significantly alter the internal structure and propagation of DWs. The study of their influence has been hindered so far by the difficulty of creating DWs of known internal structure and to propagate them at low fields. Here we demonstrate low field (20Oe) propagation of DWs and their pinning by ADs in L-shaped SV nanowires with dimensions for which only transverse DWs are stable (200nm width, free layer 8nm Ni19Fe81, pinned layer 2nm CoFe).This was verified with micromagnetic simulations. Moreover we show DW depinning at protrusions along the wire with fields lower than that required to nucleation (80/140Oe). These results contribute to furthering the electrical integration of DW based data storage devices.

Compliant mechanism road bicycle brake: a rigid-body replacement case study

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

Olsen, Brian M; Howell, Larry L; Magleby, Spencer P

2011-01-19

The design of high-performance bicycle brakes is complicated by the competing design objectives of increased performance and low weight. But this challenge also provides a good case study to demonstrate the design of compliant mechanisms to replace current rigid-link mechanisms. This paper briefly reviews current road brake designs, demonstrates the use of rigid-body replacement synthesis to design a compliant mechanism, and illustrates the combination of compliant mechanism design tools. The resulting concept was generated from the modified dual-pivot brake design and is a partially compliant mechanism where one pin has the dual role of a joint and a mounting pin.more » The pseudo-rigid-body model, finite element analysis, and optimization algorithms are used to generate design dimensions, and designs are considered for both titanium and E-glass flexures. The resulting design has the potential of reducing the part count and overall weight while maintaining a performance similar to the benchmark.« less

Study of Two-Body Wear Performance of Dental Materials.

PubMed

Hu, Xin; Zhang, Qian; Ning, Jia; Wu, Wenmeng; Li, Changyi

2018-06-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the two-body wear resistances of natural enamel and four dental materials in vitro. The testing machine was modified to form a type of pin-on-disk wear test apparatus. Four dental material specimens (Au-Pd alloy, Ag-Pd alloy, FiltekTMP60 and FiltekTMZ350 composite resins) and enamel were used as the pins, and a steatite ceramic grinding wheel was used as the abrasive counter face. The wear volume loss and the rigidity value was measured. The worn surface and the element analysis of the debris were analyzed. The wear volume loss of Au-Pd alloy and its steatite antagonists were the nearest to those of the dental enamel. SEM microphotographs showed that, the main wear mechanism of the dental materials was abrasive and adhesive wear. Au-Pd alloy had good wear resistance and was more suitable for dental applications than other three dental materials. Copyright © 2017 National Medical Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Friction and Wear Characteristics of a Modified Composite Solid Lubricant Plasma Spray Coating

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stanford, M. K.; DellaCorte, C.

2004-01-01

LCR304 is a solid lubricant coating composed of Ni-10Cr, Cr2O3, BaF2-CaF2 and Ag and developed for dimensional stability in high temperature air. This coating is a modification of PS304, which differs in that the Ni-Cr constituent contains 20wt% Cr. The tribological characteristics of LCR304 were evaluated by pin-on-disk and foil air bearing rig testing from 25 to 650 C and compared to previous test results with PS304. For both tests, the friction coefficient decreased as temperature increased from 25 to 650 C. Wear generally decreased with increasing temperature for all pin-on-disk tests. LCR304 coated components produced the least wear of Inconel X-750 counterface materials at 427 and 650 C. These results indicate that the LCR304 coating has potential as a replacement for PS304 in, for example, low cycle (minimum wear) applications where dimensional stability is imperative.

The Effect of Li Additions on Wear Properties of Al-Mg2Si Cast In-situ Composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghorbani, M. R.; Emamy, M.; Ghiasinejad, J.; Malekan, A.

2010-06-01

Wear rate of a modified Al-Mg2Si composite was studied by the use of a conventional pin-on-disc technique. In-situ Al-Mg2Si composites (15, 20, 25 wt.%) were cast in a simple cylindrical mold. 0.3 wt.% Li was added into the molten composite to modify its microstructure. It has been found that Li addition decreases the mean size of primary Mg2Si particles. The wear behavior of different composites at different rates revealed that Li addition increases the wear properties of Al-15%Mg2Si to some extent but it did not have any significant influence on wear properties of two other composites.

Discovery of novel selenium derivatives as Pin1 inhibitors by high-throughput screening

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

Subedi, Amit; Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama, 338-8570; Shimizu, Takeshi

2016-06-03

Peptidyl prolyl cis/trans isomerization by Pin1 regulates various oncogenic signals during cancer progression, and its inhibition through multiple approaches has established Pin1 as a therapeutic target. However, lack of simplified screening systems has limited the discovery of potent Pin1 inhibitors. We utilized phosphorylation-dependent binding of Pin1 to its specific substrate to develop a screening system for Pin1 inhibitors. Using this system, we screened a chemical library, and identified a novel selenium derivative as Pin1 inhibitor. Based on structure-activity guided chemical synthesis, we developed more potent Pin1 inhibitors that inhibited cancer cell proliferation. -- Highlights: •Novel screening for Pin1 inhibitors basedmore » on Pin1 binding is developed. •A novel selenium compound is discovered as Pin1 inhibitor. •Activity guided chemical synthesis of selenium derivatives resulted potent Pin1 inhibitors.« less

Prise en compte d'un couplage fin neutronique-thermique dans les calculs d'assemblage pour les reacteurs a eau pressurisee

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Greiner, Nathan

Core simulations for Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) is insured by a set of computer codes which allows, under certain assumptions, to approximate the physical quantities of interest, such as the effective multiplication factor or the power or temperature distributions. The neutronics calculation scheme relies on three great steps : -- the production of an isotopic cross-sections library ; -- the production of a reactor database through the lattice calculation ; -- the full-core calculation. In the lattice calculation, in which Boltzmann's transport equation is solved over an assembly geometry, the temperature distribution is uniform and constant during irradiation. This represents a set of approximations since, on the one hand, the temperature distribution in the assembly is not uniform (strong temperature gradients in the fuel pins, discrepancies between the fuel pins) and on the other hand, irradiation causes the thermal properties of the pins to change, which modifies the temperature distribution. Our work aims at implementing and introducing a neutronics-thermomechanics coupling into the lattice calculation to finely discretize the temperature distribution and to study its effects. To perform the study, CEA (Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives) lattice code APOLLO2 was used for neutronics and EDF (Electricite De France) code C3THER was used for the thermal calculations. We show very small effects of the pin-scaled coupling when comparing the use of a temperature profile with the use of an uniform temperature over UOX-type and MOX-type fuels. We next investigate the thermal feedback using an assembly-scaled coupling taking into account the presence of large water gaps on an UOX-type assembly at burnup 0. We show the very small impact on the calculation of the hot spot factor. Finally, the coupling is introduced into the isotopic depletion calculation and we show that reactivity and isotopic number densities deviations remain small albeit not negligible for UOX-type and MOX-type assemblies. The specific behavior of gadolinium-stuffed fuel pins in an UO2Gd2O 3-type assembly is highlighted.

Colorimetric Detection and Identification of Natural and Artificial Sweeteners

PubMed Central

Musto, Christopher J.; Lim, Sung H.; Suslick, Kenneth S.

2009-01-01

A disposable, low-cost colorimetric sensor array has been created by pin-printing onto a hydrophilic membrane 16 chemically responsive nanoporous pigments made from indicators immobilized in an organically modified silane (ormosil). The array has been used to detect and identify 14 different natural and artificial sweeteners at millimolar concentrations as well as commonly used individual serving sweetener packets. The array has shown excellent reproducibility and long shelf-life and has been optimized to work in the biological pH regime. PMID:20337402

Colorimetric detection and identification of natural and artificial sweeteners.

PubMed

Musto, Christopher J; Lim, Sung H; Suslick, Kenneth S

2009-08-01

A disposable, low-cost colorimetric sensor array has been created by pin-printing onto a hydrophilic membrane 16 chemically responsive nanoporous pigments that are comprised of indicators immobilized in an organically modified silane (ormosil). The array has been used to detect and identify 14 different natural and artificial sweeteners at millimolar concentrations, as well as commonly used individual-serving sweetener packets. The array has shown excellent reproducibility and long shelf life and has been optimized to work in the biological pH regime.

Chief Information Officer > DoDSection508 > Std_Stmt

Science.gov Websites

Skip to main content (Press Enter). Toggle navigation Chief Information Officer Search Search Chief Information Officer: Search Search Chief Information Officer: Search Chief Information Officer U.S. Department of Defense Chief Information Officer Home About DoD CIO Bios Organization DCIO C4&IIC DCIO IE

Chief Information Officer - U.S. Department of Defense

Science.gov Websites

Skip to main content (Press Enter). Toggle navigation Chief Information Officer Search Search Chief Information Officer: Search Search Chief Information Officer: Search Chief Information Officer U.S. Department of Defense Chief Information Officer Home About DoD CIO Bios Organization DCIO C4&IIC DCIO IE

Voice/Natural Language Interfacing for Robotic Control.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-11-01

THIS PAGE REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE Is. REPORT SECURITY CLASSIFICATION lb . RESTRICTIVE MARKINGS UNCLASSIFIED 2a. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION AUTHORITY 3...until major computing power can be profitably allocated to the speech recognition process, off-the- shelf units will never have sufficient intelligence to...coordinate transformation for a location, and opening or closing the gripper’s toggles. External to world operations, each joint may be rotated

Walheim Troubleshoots GPC 3

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-07-11

S135-E-007351 (11 July 2011) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, watches as astronaut Chris Ferguson (out of frame at right) toggles switches on the overhead panel of the forward flight deck of the space shuttle Atlantis. The action came during the mission's fourth day of activities in Earth orbit and second day while being docked with the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA

A Compendium of Arctic Environmental Information

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-03-01

warn- ing of possible future ice invasions during petroleum drill - ing operations in open-water conditions. Development of sea ice Several basic...tubes, triple beam balance snow temperature thermistor and bridge ice ttiicl^ness hand auger, electric drill with auger, tape with toggle ice...fluids, 8 quarts daily. Acidify urine by drink- ing cranberry juice, taking Vitamin C, etc. Machines All machinery in the Arctic (engines, drills

Single event effects in pulse width modulation controllers

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

Penzin, S.H.; Crain, W.R.; Crawford, K.B.

1996-12-01

SEE testing was performed on pulse width modulation (PWM) controllers which are commonly used in switching mode power supply systems. The devices are designed using both Set-Reset (SR) flip-flops and Toggle (T) flip-flops which are vulnerable to single event upset (SEU) in a radiation environment. Depending on the implementation of the different devices the effect can be significant in spaceflight hardware.

Mind the GAP: A Novel Tumor-Promoting Mechanism | Center for Cancer Research

Cancer.gov

RAS proteins, like light switches, toggle between an “on” conformation where they promote cell growth, survival, and/or the formation of blood vessels (known as angiogenesis) and an “off” conformation in which they are unable to stimulate their target effector proteins. Nearly one-third of human tumors express a mutated RAS gene, which encodes a protein locked permanently in

Enhancing poly-γ-glutamic acid production in Bacillus amyloliquefaciens by introducing the glutamate synthesis features from Corynebacterium glutamicum.

PubMed

Feng, Jun; Quan, Yufen; Gu, Yanyan; Liu, Fenghong; Huang, Xiaozhong; Shen, Haosheng; Dang, Yulei; Cao, Mingfeng; Gao, Weixia; Lu, Xiaoyun; Wang, Yi; Song, Cunjiang; Wang, Shufang

2017-05-22

Poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) is a valuable polymer with glutamate as its sole precursor. Enhancement of the intracellular glutamate synthesis is a very important strategy for the improvement of γ-PGA production, especially for those glutamate-independent γ-PGA producing strains. Corynebacterium glutamicum has long been used for industrial glutamate production and it exhibits some unique features for glutamate synthesis; therefore introduction of these metabolic characters into the γ-PGA producing strain might lead to increased intracellular glutamate availability, and thus ultimate γ-PGA production. In this study, the unique glutamate synthesis features from C. glutamicum was introduced into the glutamate-independent γ-PGA producing Bacillus amyloliquefaciens NK-1 strain. After introducing the energy-saving NADPH-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase (NADPH-GDH) pathway, the NK-1 (pHT315-gdh) strain showed slightly increase (by 9.1%) in γ-PGA production. Moreover, an optimized metabolic toggle switch for controlling the expression of ɑ-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (ODHC) was introduced into the NK-1 strain, because it was previously shown that the ODHC in C. glutamicum was completely inhibited when glutamate was actively produced. The obtained NK-PO1 (pHT01-xylR) strain showed 66.2% higher γ-PGA production than the NK-1 strain. However, the further combination of these two strategies (introducing both NADPH-GDH pathway and the metabolic toggle switch) did not lead to further increase of γ-PGA production but rather the resultant γ-PGA production was even lower than that in the NK-1 strain. We proposed new metabolic engineering strategies to improve the γ-PGA production in B. amyloliquefaciens. The NK-1 (pHT315-gdh) strain with the introduction of NADPH-GDH pathway showed 9.1% improvement in γ-PGA production. The NK-PO1 (pHT01-xylR) strain with the introduction of a metabolic toggle switch for controlling the expression of ODHC showed 66.2% higher γ-PGA production than the NK-1 strain. This work proposed a new strategy for improving the target product in microbial cell factories.

A Circadian Clock-Regulated Toggle Switch Explains AtGRP7 and AtGRP8 Oscillations in Arabidopsis thaliana

PubMed Central

Schmal, Christoph; Reimann, Peter; Staiger, Dorothee

2013-01-01

The circadian clock controls many physiological processes in higher plants and causes a large fraction of the genome to be expressed with a 24h rhythm. The transcripts encoding the RNA-binding proteins AtGRP7 (Arabidopsis thaliana Glycine Rich Protein 7) and AtGRP8 oscillate with evening peaks. The circadian clock components CCA1 and LHY negatively affect AtGRP7 expression at the level of transcription. AtGRP7 and AtGRP8, in turn, negatively auto-regulate and reciprocally cross-regulate post-transcriptionally: high protein levels promote the generation of an alternative splice form that is rapidly degraded. This clock-regulated feedback loop has been proposed to act as a molecular slave oscillator in clock output. While mathematical models describing the circadian core oscillator in Arabidopsis thaliana were introduced recently, we propose here the first model of a circadian slave oscillator. We define the slave oscillator in terms of ordinary differential equations and identify the model's parameters by an optimization procedure based on experimental results. The model successfully reproduces the pertinent experimental findings such as waveforms, phases, and half-lives of the time-dependent concentrations. Furthermore, we obtain insights into possible mechanisms underlying the observed experimental dynamics: the negative auto-regulation and reciprocal cross-regulation via alternative splicing could be responsible for the sharply peaking waveforms of the AtGRP7 and AtGRP8 mRNA. Moreover, our results suggest that the AtGRP8 transcript oscillations are subordinated to those of AtGRP7 due to a higher impact of AtGRP7 protein on alternative splicing of its own and of the AtGRP8 pre-mRNA compared to the impact of AtGRP8 protein. Importantly, a bifurcation analysis provides theoretical evidence that the slave oscillator could be a toggle switch, arising from the reciprocal cross-regulation at the post-transcriptional level. In view of this, transcriptional repression of AtGRP7 and AtGRP8 by LHY and CCA1 induces oscillations of the toggle switch, leading to the observed high-amplitude oscillations of AtGRP7 mRNA. PMID:23555221

Self-locking double retention redundant pull pin release

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Killgrove, Thomas O. (Inventor)

1987-01-01

A double-retention redundant pull pin release system is disclosed. The system responds to a single pull during an intentional release operation. A spiral-threaded main pin is seated in a mating bore in a housing, which main pin has a flange fastened thereon at the part of the main pin which is exterior to the housing. Accidental release tends to rotate the main pin. A secondary pin passes through a slightly oversized opening in the flange and is seated in a second bore in the housing. The pins counteract against one another to prevent accidental release. A frictional lock is shared between the main and secondary pins to enhance further locking of the system. The secondary pin, in response to a first pull, is fully retracted from its bore and flange hole. Thereafter the pull causes the main pin to rotate free of the housing to release, for example, a parachute mechanism.

Establishing the need for an engineering standard for agricultural hitch pins.

PubMed

Deboy, G R; Knapp, W M; Field, W E; Krutz, G W; Corum, C L

2012-04-01

Documented incidents have occurred in which failure or unintentional disengagement of agricultural hitch pins has contributed to property damage and personal injury. An examination of current hitch pin use on a convenience sample of farm operations in Indiana revealed a variety of non-standard, worn and damaged, and inappropriately sized hitch pins in use. Informal interviews with the farm operators confirmed that hitch pin misuse, failure, or disengagement is a relatively widespread problem that remains largely unaddressed. On-site observations also suggested a low use of hitch pin retaining devices or safety chains. A review of prior research revealed that little attention has been given to this problem, and currently no documentation allows for an estimate of the frequency or severity of losses associated with hitch pin misuse, failure, or disengagement. No specific engineering standards were found that directly applied to the design, appropriate selection, or loading capacity of agricultural hitch pins. Major suppliers of replacement hitch pins currently provide little or no information on matching hitch pin size to intended applications, and most replacement hitch pins examined were of foreign origin, with the overwhelming majority imported from China or India. These replacement hitch pins provided no specifications other than diameter, length, and, in some cases, labeling that indicated that the pins had been "heat treated. " Testing of a sample of 11 commercially available replacement hitch pins found variation along the length of the pin shaft and between individual pins in surface hardness, a potential predictor of pin failure. Examination of 17 commercially available replacement pins also revealed a variety of identifiers used to describe pin composition and fabrication methods, e.g., "heat treated." None of the pins examined provided any specifications on loading capacity. It was therefore concluded that there is a need to develop an agricultural hitch pin engineering standard that would reflect current agricultural applications and practices and that would be promoted to both original equipment manufacturers and manufacturers and suppliers of replacement hitch pins. The standard should address the design of composite pins, heat treating, surface hardening, loading capacity and labeling of such, incorporation of unintentional disengagement prevention devices, indicators of the need for replacement due to wear, and safety information that should be included in operator instructions. ASABE is the most appropriate organization to develop such a standard. It was also concluded that agricultural safety and health programs and professionals need to raise the awareness of farmers concerning the appropriate selection and use of agricultural hitch pins, including the need to replace non-standard pins with pins less likely to fail or disengage during use, the need to replace hitch pins with indications of potential failure, and the importance of using appropriate safety chains, especially during transport of equipment behind tractors and trucks on public roads.

Pin-Retraction Mechanism On Quick-Release Cover

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Macmartin, Malcolm

1994-01-01

Quick-release cover includes pin-retraction mechanism releasing cover quickly from lower of two sets of pin connections holding cover. Cover released at top by pulling lever as described in "Lever-Arm Pin Puller" (NPO-18788). Removal of cover begins when technician or robot pulls upper-pin-release lever. Cover swings downward until tabs on lower pins are pulled through slots in their receptacles. Lower pins are then free.

Procedure of recovery of pin-by-pin fields of energy release in the core of VVER-type reactor for the BIPR-8 code

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

Gordienko, P. V., E-mail: gorpavel@vver.kiae.ru; Kotsarev, A. V.; Lizorkin, M. P.

2014-12-15

The procedure of recovery of pin-by-pin energy-release fields for the BIPR-8 code and the algorithm of the BIPR-8 code which is used in nodal computation of the reactor core and on which the recovery of pin-by-pin fields of energy release is based are briefly described. The description and results of the verification using the module of recovery of pin-by-pin energy-release fields and the TVS-M program are given.

Electrical Connector Mechanical Seating Sensor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arens, Ellen; Captain, Janine; Youngquist, Robert

2011-01-01

A sensor provides a measurement of the degree of seating of an electrical connector. This sensor provides a number of discrete distances that a plug is inserted into a socket or receptacle. The number of measurements is equal to the number of pins available in the connector for sensing. On at least two occasions, the Shuttle Program has suffered serious time delays and incurred excessive costs simply because a plug was not seated well within a receptacle. Two methods were designed to address this problem: (1) the resistive pin technique and (2) the discrete length pins technique. In the resistive pin approach, a standard pin in a male connector is replaced with a pin that has a uniform resistivity along its length. This provides a variable resistance on that pin that is dependent on how far the pin is inserted into a socket. This is essentially a linear potentiometer. The discrete approach uses a pin (or a few pins) in the connector as a displacement indicator by truncating the pin length so it sits shorter in the connector than the other pins. A loss of signal on this pin would indicate a discrete amount of displacement of the connector. This approach would only give discrete values of connector displacement, and at least one pin would be needed for each displacement value that would be of interest.

An in Vivo Experimental Comparison of Stainless Steel and Titanium Schanz Screws for External Fixation.

PubMed

Ganser, Antonia; Thompson, Rosemary E; Tami, Ivan; Neuhoff, Dirk; Steiner, Adrian; Ito, Keita

2007-02-01

To compare the clinical benefits of stainless steel (SS) to titanium (Ti) on reducing pin track irritation/infection and pin loosening during external fracture fixation. A tibial gap osteotomy was created in 17 sheep and stabilized with four Schanz screws of either SS or Ti and an external fixation frame. Over the 12 week observation period, pin loosening was assessed by grading the radiolucency around the pins and measuring the extraction torque on pin removal at sacrifice. Irritation/infection was assessed with weekly clinical pin track grading. A histological analysis of the tissue adjacent to the pin site was made to assess biocompatibility. A statistically non-significant trend for less bone resorption around Ti pins was found during the early observation period. However, at sacrifice, there was no difference between the two materials. Also, there was no difference in the extraction torque, and there was similar remodeling and apposition of the bone around the pins. A statistically non-significant trend for more infection about SS pins at sacrifice was found. Histology showed a slightly higher prevalence of reactionary cells in SS samples, but was otherwise not much different than around Ti pins. There is no clinically relevant substantial advantage in using either SS or Ti pins on reducing pin loosening or pin track irritation/infection.

System for Controlling the Stirring Pin of a Friction Stir Welding Apparatus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ding, R. Jeffrey (Inventor); Romine, Peter L. (Inventor); Oelgoetz, Peter A. (Inventor)

2002-01-01

A control is provided for a friction stir welding apparatus comprising a pin tool which includes a shoulder and a rotating pin extending outwardly from the shoulder of the pin tool and which, in use, is plunged into a workpiece formed contacting workpiece members to stir weld the members together. The control system controls the penetration of the pin tool into the workpiece members which are mounted on a support anvil. The control system includes a pin length controller for controlling pin length relative to the shoulder and for producing a corresponding pin length signal. A pin force sensor senses the force being exerted on the pin during welding and produces a corresponding actual pin force signal. A probe controller controls a probe extending outwardly from the pin, senses a parameter related to the distance between the probe and the supporting anvil and produces a corresponding probe signal. A workpiece standoff sensor senses the standoff distance between the workpiece and the standoff sensor and produces a corresponding standoff signal. A control unit receives the various signals, together with a weld schedule, and, based on these signals and the weld schedule, controls the pin length controller so as to control pin penetration into the workpiece.

Apparatus for inspecting fuel elements

DOEpatents

Oakley, David J.; Groves, Oliver J.; Kaiser, Bruce J.

1986-01-01

Disclosed is an alpha monitor usable in an automated nuclear fuel pin loading and processing unit. Fuel pins or other elongated pins are fed laterally into the alpha monitor in a singular fashion and are translated by a first roller assembly into a weld flare machining and decontamination substation not forming a part of the invention. Pins return and are lifted upwardly and transferred across to a combined pin lifting and electrode operating means which lifts the pins upwardly into a clamshell electrode assembly which is spread open by a combined pin lifting and electrode operating means. Once inserted the clamshell type electrode arrangement closes around the fuel pins so that inspection can occur. Fuel pins are inspected by charging electrodes to a negative potential and measuring the change in charge occurring when positively charged alpha particles strike the negatively charged electrodes. After inspection, the fuel pins are lowered by the pin lifting and electrode operating means into a second roller assembly which longitudinally conveys approved pins from the airtight enclosure in which the alpha monitor is mounted. If the fuel pins are rejected then they are moved laterally by a second transfer means and onto another system for further processing.

Apparatus for inspecting fuel elements

DOEpatents

Kaiser, B.J.; Oakley, D.J.; Groves, O.J.

1984-12-21

This disclosure describes an alpha monitor usable in an automated nuclear fuel pin loading and processing unit. Fuel pins or other elongated pins are fed laterally into the alpha monitor in a singular fashion and are translated by a first roller assembly into a weld flare machining and decontamination substation not forming a part of the invention. Pins return and are lifted upwardly and transferred across to a combined pin lifting and electrode operating means which lifts the pins upwardly into a clamshell electrode assembly which is spread open by a combined pin lifting and electrode operating means. Once inserted the clamshell type electrode arrangement closes around the fuel pins so that inspection can occur. Fuel pins are inspected by charging electrodes to a negative potential and measuring the change in charge occurring when positively charged alpha particles strike the negatively charged electrodes. After inspection, the fuel pins are lowered by the pin lifting and electrode operating means into a second roller assembly which longitudinally conveys approved pins from the airtight enclosure in which the alpha monitor is mounted. If the fuel pins are rejected then they are moved laterally by a second transfer means and onto another system for further processing.

Flux pinning mechanism in codoped-MgB2 with Al2O3 and SiC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kiafiroozkoohi, Narjess Sadat; Ghorbani, Shaban Reza; Arabi, Hadi

2018-05-01

MgB2 superconductor samples, co-doped with 0.02 wt of Al2O3 and 0.02 wt SiC, have been examined by M-H loop measurements and calculation of the critical current density based on the Bean model. Normalized volume pinning force, f = F/Fmax, as a function of the reduced magnetic field, h = H/Hmax has been obtained at each temperature. Hughochi flux pinning model, which was included the normal point pinning, the normal surface pinning, and the pinning based on spatial variation in the Ginzburg-Landau parameter, was used to study the flux pinning mechanisms. It was found that the Δκ effect and the normal point pinning mechanisms play the main role in the flux pinning at the magnetic field lower than Hmax and the contribution of the Δκ mechanism increases with the increasing temperature, while the contribution of normal point pinning mechanism decreases. At magnetic field larger than Hmax, the only mechanism that acts as the flux pinning was the normal surface pinning mechanism.

ESD testing of the 8S actuator (u)

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

Mchugh, Douglas C

2010-12-03

The 8S actuator is a hot-wire initiated explosive component used to drive the W76-1 2X Acorn 1V valve. It is known to be safe from human electrostatic discharge (ESD) pin-to-pin and all pin-to-cup stimuli as well as 1 amp/1 watt safe. However low impedance (furniture) ESD stimuli applied pin-to-pin has not been evaluated. Components were tested and the results analyzed. The 8S actuator has been shown to be immune to human and severe furniture ESD, whether applied pin-to-pin or pin-to-cup.

Genome-wide identification and evolution of the PIN-FORMED (PIN) gene family in Glycine max.

PubMed

Liu, Yuan; Wei, Haichao

2017-07-01

Soybean (Glycine max) is one of the most important crop plants. Wild and cultivated soybean varieties have significant differences worth further investigation, such as plant morphology, seed size, and seed coat development; these characters may be related to auxin biology. The PIN gene family encodes essential transport proteins in cell-to-cell auxin transport, but little research on soybean PIN genes (GmPIN genes) has been done, especially with respect to the evolution and differences between wild and cultivated soybean. In this study, we retrieved 23 GmPIN genes from the latest updated G. max genome database; six GmPIN protein sequences were changed compared with the previous database. Based on the Plant Genome Duplication Database, 18 GmPIN genes have been involved in segment duplication. Three pairs of GmPIN genes arose after the second soybean genome duplication, and six occurred after the first genome duplication. The duplicated GmPIN genes retained similar expression patterns. All the duplicated GmPIN genes experienced purifying selection (K a /K s < 1) to prevent accumulation of non-synonymous mutations and thus remained more similar. In addition, we also focused on the artificial selection of the soybean PIN genes. Five artificially selected GmPIN genes were identified by comparing the genome sequence of 17 wild and 14 cultivated soybean varieties. Our research provides useful and comprehensive basic information for understanding GmPIN genes.

Comparison of Tension-Band Wiring With the Cable Pin System in Patella Fractures: A Randomized Prospective Study.

PubMed

Tian, Qing-xian; Hai, Yong; Du, Xin-ru; Xu, Zi-yu; Lu, Tie; Shan, Lei; Liu, Yang; Zhou, Jun-lin

2015-12-01

To compare the outcome of tension-band wiring (TBW) with the cable pin system (CPS) for transverse fractures of the patella. Randomized prospective study. Academic Level I trauma center. From February 2008 to December 2011, 73 consecutive patients with transverse fractures of the patella were prospectively enrolled in this study. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: one group was treated using the CPS, and the other group was treated using the modified TBW. The clinical outcome assessment included analyses of the radiographic images, the modified Hospital for Special Surgery scoring system, and complications. The follow-up time ranged from 12 to 29 months. All fractures healed, with a union rate of 100%. The fracture healing time was significantly shorter in the CPS group (8.51 ± 2.59 weeks, n = 34) compared with the TBW group (11.79 ± 3.04 weeks, n = 39). Postoperative complications in the CPS and TBW groups were observed in 1 and 9 patients, respectively, a difference that was statistically significant. The mean Hospital for Special Surgery score for the CPS group (90.53 ± 5.19 points) was significantly higher than that for the TBW group (81.36 ± 12.71 points). The CPS is a viable option for transverse fractures of the patella and is associated with a shorter healing time, fewer complications, and better function than TBW. Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

The prolyl isomerase Pin1 increases β-cell proliferation and enhances insulin secretion.

PubMed

Nakatsu, Yusuke; Mori, Keiichi; Matsunaga, Yasuka; Yamamotoya, Takeshi; Ueda, Koji; Inoue, Yuki; Mitsuzaki-Miyoshi, Keiko; Sakoda, Hideyuki; Fujishiro, Midori; Yamaguchi, Suguru; Kushiyama, Akifumi; Ono, Hiraku; Ishihara, Hisamitsu; Asano, Tomoichiro

2017-07-14

The prolyl isomerase Pin1 binds to the phosphorylated Ser/Thr-Pro motif of target proteins and enhances their cis-trans conversion. This report is the first to show that Pin1 expression in pancreatic β cells is markedly elevated by high-fat diet feeding and in ob/ob mice. To elucidate the role of Pin1 in pancreatic β cells, we generated β-cell-specific Pin1 KO (βPin1 KO) mice. These mutant mice showed exacerbation of glucose intolerance but had normal insulin sensitivity. We identified two independent factors underlying impaired insulin secretion in the βPin1 KO mice. Pin1 enhanced pancreatic β-cell proliferation, as indicated by a reduced β-cell mass in βPin1 KO mice compared with control mice. Moreover, a diet high in fat and sucrose failed to increase pancreatic β-cell growth in the βPin1 KO mice, an observation to which up-regulation of the cell cycle protein cyclin D appeared to contribute. The other role of Pin1 was to activate the insulin-secretory step: Pin1 KO β cells showed impairments in glucose- and KCl-induced elevation of the intracellular Ca 2+ concentration and insulin secretion. We also identified salt-inducible kinase 2 (SIK2) as a Pin1-binding protein that affected the regulation of Ca 2+ influx and found Pin1 to enhance SIK2 kinase activity, resulting in a decrease in p35 protein, a negative regulator of Ca 2+ influx. Taken together, our observations demonstrate critical roles of Pin1 in pancreatic β cells and that Pin1 both promotes β-cell proliferation and activates insulin secretion. © 2017 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Target assembly

DOEpatents

Lewis, Richard A.

1980-01-01

A target for a proton beam which is capable of generating neutrons for absorption in a breeding blanket includes a plurality of solid pins formed of a neutron emissive target material disposed parallel to the path of the beam and which are arranged axially in a plurality of layers so that pins in each layer are offset with respect to pins in all other layers, enough layers being used so that each proton in the beam will strike at least one pin with means being provided to cool the pins. For a 300 mA, 1 GeV beam (300 MW), stainless steel pins, 12 inches long and 0.23 inches in diameter are arranged in triangular array in six layers with one sixth of the pins in each layer, the number of pins being such that the entire cross sectional area of the beam is covered by the pins with minimum overlap of pins.

The effect of temperature on pinning mechanisms in HTS composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sotnikova, A. P.; Rudnev, I. A.

2016-09-01

Pinning mechanism in samples of second generation tapes (2G) of high-temperature superconductors (HTS) was studied The critical current and the pinning force were calculated from the magnetization curves measured in the temperature range of 4.2 - 77 K in magnetic fields up to 14 Tesla using vibration sample magnetometer. To determine the pinning mechanism the dependences of pinning force on magnetic field were constructed according to the Dew-Hughes model and Kramer's rule. The obtained dependences revealed a significant influence of the temperature on effectiveness of different types of pinning. At low temperatures the 2G HTS tapes of different manufacturers demonstrated an equal efficiency of the pinning centers but with temperature increase the differences in pinning mechanisms as well as in properties and effectiveness of the pinning centers become obvious. The influence of the pinning mechanism on the energy losses in HTS tapes was shown.

Band gap engineering of hydrogenated amorphous carbon thin films for solar cell application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dwivedi, Neeraj; Kumar, Sushil; Dayal, Saurabh; Rauthan, C. M. S.; Panwar, O. S.; Malik, Hitendra K.

2012-10-01

In this work, self bias variation, nitrogen introduction and oxygen plasma (OP) treatment approaches have been used for tailoring the band gap of hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) thin films. The band gap of a-C:H and modified a- C:H films is varied in the range from 1.25 eV to 3.45 eV, which is found to be nearly equal to the full solar spectrum (1 eV- 3.5 eV). Hence, such a-C:H and modified a-C:H films are found to be potential candidate for the development of full spectrum solar cells. Besides this, computer aided simulation with considering variable band gap a-C:H and modified a- C:H films as window layer for amorphous silicon p-i-n solar cells is also performed by AFORS-HET software and maximum efficiency as ~14 % is realized. Since a-C:H is hard material, hence a-C:H and modified a-C:H films as window layer may avoid the use of additional hard and protective coating particularly in n-i-p configuration.

Pin fin compliant heat sink with enhanced flexibility

DOEpatents

Schultz, Mark D.

2018-04-10

Heat sinks and methods of using the same include a top and bottom plate, at least one of which has a plurality of pin contacts flexibly connected to one another, where the plurality of pin contacts have vertical and lateral flexibility with respect to one another; and pin slice layers, each having multiple pin slices, arranged vertically between the top and bottom plates such that the plurality of pin slices form substantially vertical pins connecting the top and bottom plates.

Chief Information Officer > About DoD CIO > Organization > DCIO CS

Science.gov Websites

Skip to main content (Press Enter). Toggle navigation Chief Information Officer Search Search Chief Information Officer: Search Search Chief Information Officer: Search Chief Information Officer U.S. Department of Defense Chief Information Officer Home About DoD CIO Bios Organization DCIO C4&IIC DCIO IE

Influenza (Flu) | North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

Science.gov Websites

Toggle navigation Home Statistics Providers FAQs Information Contact Don't Be a Shot Dodger! Meet , the flu knocks everyone off their game. Don't be a Shot Dodger! Contact your health care provider or Clinicians (PDF, 31KB) - UPDATED 09/27/17 Novel Influenza Information N.C. Memo to Clinicians on Influenza A

Robotic Vehicle Communications Interoperability

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-08-01

starter (cold start) X X Fire suppression X Fording control X Fuel control X Fuel tank selector X Garage toggle X Gear selector X X X X Hazard warning...optic Sensors Sensor switch Video Radar IR Thermal imaging system Image intensifier Laser ranger Video camera selector Forward Stereo Rear Sensor control...optic sensors Sensor switch Video Radar IR Thermal imaging system Image intensifier Laser ranger Video camera selector Forward Stereo Rear Sensor

Fermilab | Science | Questions for the Universe | The Particle World | What

Science.gov Websites

is dark matter? How can we make it in the laboratory? Fermilab Search Toggle Fermilab Navbar Fermilab and the LHC Dark matter and dark energy ADMX Muons More fundamental particles and forces Theory there so many kinds of particles? What is dark matter? How can we make it in the laboratory? What are

Cytokinins influence root gravitropism via differential regulation of auxin transporter expression and localization in Arabidopsis.

PubMed

Pernisova, Marketa; Prat, Tomas; Grones, Peter; Harustiakova, Danka; Matonohova, Martina; Spichal, Lukas; Nodzynski, Tomasz; Friml, Jiri; Hejatko, Jan

2016-10-01

Redirection of intercellular auxin fluxes via relocalization of the PIN-FORMED 3 (PIN3) and PIN7 auxin efflux carriers has been suggested to be necessary for the root gravitropic response. Cytokinins have also been proposed to play a role in controlling root gravitropism, but conclusive evidence is lacking. We present a detailed study of the dynamics of root bending early after gravistimulation, which revealed a delayed gravitropic response in transgenic lines with depleted endogenous cytokinins (Pro35S:AtCKX) and cytokinin signaling mutants. Pro35S:AtCKX lines, as well as a cytokinin receptor mutant ahk3, showed aberrations in the auxin response distribution in columella cells consistent with defects in the auxin transport machinery. Using in vivo real-time imaging of PIN3-GFP and PIN7-GFP in AtCKX3 overexpression and ahk3 backgrounds, we observed wild-type-like relocalization of PIN proteins in the columella early after gravistimulation, with gravity-induced relocalization of PIN7 faster than that of PIN3. Nonetheless, the cellular distribution of PIN3 and PIN7 and expression of PIN7 and the auxin influx carrier AUX1 was affected in AtCKX overexpression lines. Based on the retained cytokinin sensitivity in pin3 pin4 pin7 mutant, we propose the AUX1-mediated auxin transport rather than columella-located PIN proteins as a target of endogenous cytokinins in the control of root gravitropism. © 2016 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2016 New Phytologist Trust.

The Effect of Insertion Technique on Temperatures for Standard and Self-Drilling External Fixation Pins.

PubMed

Manoogian, Sarah; Lee, Adam K; Widmaier, James C

2017-08-01

No studies have assessed the effects of parameters associated with insertion temperature in modern self-drilling external fixation pins. The current study assessed how varying the presence of irrigation, insertion speed, and force impacted the insertion temperatures of 2 types of standard and self-drilling external fixation half pins. Seventy tests were conducted with 10 trials for 4 conditions on self-drilling pins, and 3 conditions for standard pins. Each test used a thermocouple inside the pin to measure temperature rise during insertion. Adding irrigation to the standard pin insertion significantly lowered the maximum temperature (P <0.001). Lowering the applied force for the standard pin did not have a significant change in temperature rise. Applying irrigation during the self-drilling pin tests dropped average rise in temperature from 151.3 ± 21.6°C to 124.1 ± 15.3°C (P = 0.005). When the self-drilling pin insertion was decreased considerably from 360 to 60 rpm, the temperature decreased significantly from 151.3 ± 21.6°C to 109.6 ± 14.0°C (P <0.001). When the force applied increased significantly, the corresponding self-drilling pin temperature increase was not significant. The standard pin had lower peak temperatures than the self-drilling pin for all conditions. Moreover, slowing down the insertion speed and adding irrigation helped mitigate the temperature increase of both pin types during insertion.

PinX1 Is a Potential Prognostic Factor for Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer and Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Migration

PubMed Central

Wang, Shengguang; Zhang, Hua; Zhu, Jianquan; Li, Chenguang; Zhu, Jinfang; Shi, Bowen; Zhang, Bin

2017-01-01

PinX1 has been identified as a suppressor of telomerase enzymatic activity. However, the tumour-suppressive roles of PinX1 in different types of human cancers are unclear. PinX1 expression status and its correlation with clinicopathological features in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have not been investigated. Accordingly, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the roles of PinX1 in NSCLC. PinX1 expression status was examined by immunohistochemistry using tissue microarray from a total of 158 patients. Correlations among PinX1 expression, clinicopathological variables, and patient survival were analysed. Furthermore, we overexpressed PinX1 in NSCLC cells and tested telomerase activity using real-time quantitative telomeric repeat amplification protocol (qTRAP) assays. Proliferation and migration of NSCLC cells were examined using the MTS method, wound healing assays, and transwell assays, respectively. Our results showed that negative PinX1 expression was associated with a poor prognosis in NSCLC. Sex, smoking status, lymph gland status, subcarinal lymph node status, pathological stage, and PinX1 expression were related to survival. PinX1 was not an independent prognostic factor in NSCLC. PinX1 overexpression inhibited proliferation and migration in NSCLC cells by suppressing telomerase activity. Our findings suggested that PinX1 could be a potential tumour suppressor in NSCLC and that loss of PinX1 promoted NSCLC progression. PMID:28815183

Effects of various tool pin profiles on mechanical and metallurgical properties of friction stir welded joints of cryorolled AA2219 aluminium alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamal Babu, Karupannan; Panneerselvam, Kavan; Sathiya, Paulraj; Noorul Haq, Abdul Haq; Sundarrajan, Srinivasan; Mastanaiah, Potta; Srinivasa Murthy, Chunduri Venkata

2018-02-01

Friction stir welding (FSW) process was conducted on cryorolled (CR) AA2219 plate using different tool pin profiles such as cylindrical pin, threaded cylindrical pin, square pin and hexagonal pin profiles. The FSW was carried out with pairs of 6 mm thick CR aluminium plates with different tool pin profiles. The different tool pin profile weld portions' behaviors like mechanical (tensile strength, impact and hardness) and metallurgical characteristics were analyzed. The results of the mechanical analysis revealed that the joint made by the hexagonal pin tool had good strength compared to other pin profiles. This was due to the pulsating action and material flow of the tool resulting in dynamic recrystallization in the weld zone. This was confirmed by the ultra fine grain structure formation in Weld Nugget (WN) of hexagonal pin tool joint with a higher percentage of precipitate dissolution. The fractograph of the hexagonal tool pin weld portion confirmed the finer dimple structure morphology without having any interior defect compared to other tool pin profiles. The lowest weld joint strength was obtained from cylindrical pin profile weld joint due to insufficient material flow during welding. The Transmission Electron Microscope and EDX analysis showed the dissolution of the metastable θ″, θ' (Al2Cu) partial precipitates in the WN and proved the influence of metastable precipitates on enhancement of mechanical behavior of weld. The XRD results also confirmed the Al2Cu precipitation dissolution in the weld zone.

Thermal Control Using Liquid-Metal Bridge Switches

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hirsa, Amir H.; Olles, Joseph; Tilger, Christopher

2013-01-01

A short term effort (3-months) was undertaken to demonstrate the feasibility of a novel method to locally control the heat transfer rate and demonstrate the potential to achieve a turndown ratio of approximately 10:1. The technology had to be demonstrated to be at a TRL of 2-3, with a plan to advance it to a TRL 5-6. Here, we show that the concept recently developed in our laboratory, namely the pinned-contact, double droplet switch made by overfilling a hole drilled in a suitable substrate can be implemented with a low-melting temperature metal. When toggled near a second substrate, a liquid bridge can be reversibly connected or disconnected, on demand. We have shown experimentally that liquid-metal bridge switches can be made from gallium with a suitable choice of substrate materials, activation strategies, and control techniques. Individual as well as arrays of gallium bridge switches were shown to be feasible and can be robustly controlled. The very short response time of the bridge connection and disconnection (on the order of 1 millisecond) provides for utility in a wide range of applications. The liquid bridge switches may be controlled actively or passively. We have shown through computations and analysis that liquid bridge switches provide locally large turndown ratios (on the order of 103:1), so a relatively sparse packing of them would be needed to obtain the desired turndown ratio of 10:1. For the laboratory demonstrations, pressure activation was utilized. Simple designs for a passive control strategy are presented which are highly attractive for several reasons, including i) large turndown ratio, ii) no solid-moving parts, and iii) stable operation. Finally, we note that passive systems do not require any electronics for their control. This along with the relatively small molecular weight of candidate materials for the system, makes for a robust design outside of Earth?s magnetic field, where spacecraft are subject to significant radiation bombardment.

PIN auxin efflux carriers are necessary for pulse-induced but not continuous light-induced phototropism in Arabidopsis.

PubMed

Haga, Ken; Sakai, Tatsuya

2012-10-01

Auxin efflux carrier PIN-FORMED (PIN) proteins are thought to have central roles in regulating asymmetrical auxin translocation during tropic responses, including gravitropism and phototropism, in plants. Although PIN3 is known to be involved in phototropism in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), no severe defects of phototropism in any of the pin mutants have been reported. We show here that the pulse-induced, first positive phototropism is impaired partially in pin1, pin3, and pin7 single mutants, and severely in triple mutants. In contrast, such impairment was not observed in continuous-light-induced second positive phototropism. Analysis with an auxin-reporter gene demonstrated that PIN3-mediated auxin gradients participate in pulse-induced phototropism but not in continuous-light-induced phototropism. Similar functional separation was also applicable to PINOID, a regulator of PIN localization. Our results strongly suggest the existence of functionally distinct mechanisms i.e. a PIN-dependent mechanism in which transient stimulation is sufficient to induce phototropism, and a PIN-independent mechanism that requires continuous stimulation and does not operate in the former phototropism process. Although a previous study has proposed that blue-light photoreceptors, the phototropins, control PIN localization through the transcriptional down-regulation of PINOID, we could not detect this blue-light-dependent down-regulation event, suggesting that other as yet unknown mechanisms are involved in phototropin-mediated phototropic responses.

PIN Auxin Efflux Carriers Are Necessary for Pulse-Induced But Not Continuous Light-Induced Phototropism in Arabidopsis1[W][OA

PubMed Central

Haga, Ken; Sakai, Tatsuya

2012-01-01

Auxin efflux carrier PIN-FORMED (PIN) proteins are thought to have central roles in regulating asymmetrical auxin translocation during tropic responses, including gravitropism and phototropism, in plants. Although PIN3 is known to be involved in phototropism in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), no severe defects of phototropism in any of the pin mutants have been reported. We show here that the pulse-induced, first positive phototropism is impaired partially in pin1, pin3, and pin7 single mutants, and severely in triple mutants. In contrast, such impairment was not observed in continuous-light-induced second positive phototropism. Analysis with an auxin-reporter gene demonstrated that PIN3-mediated auxin gradients participate in pulse-induced phototropism but not in continuous-light-induced phototropism. Similar functional separation was also applicable to PINOID, a regulator of PIN localization. Our results strongly suggest the existence of functionally distinct mechanisms i.e. a PIN-dependent mechanism in which transient stimulation is sufficient to induce phototropism, and a PIN-independent mechanism that requires continuous stimulation and does not operate in the former phototropism process. Although a previous study has proposed that blue-light photoreceptors, the phototropins, control PIN localization through the transcriptional down-regulation of PINOID, we could not detect this blue-light-dependent down-regulation event, suggesting that other as yet unknown mechanisms are involved in phototropin-mediated phototropic responses. PMID:22843667

Spring loaded locator pin assembly

DOEpatents

Groll, Todd A.; White, James P.

1998-01-01

This invention deals with spring loaded locator pins. Locator pins are sometimes referred to as captured pins. This is a mechanism which locks two items together with the pin that is spring loaded so that it drops into a locator hole on the work piece.

Method and apparatus for enhancing vortex pinning by conformal crystal arrays

DOEpatents

Janko, Boldizsar; Reichhardt, Cynthia; Reichhardt, Charles; Ray, Dipanjan

2015-07-14

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for strongly enhancing vortex pinning by conformal crystal arrays. The conformal crystal array is constructed by a conformal transformation of a hexagonal lattice, producing a non-uniform structure with a gradient where the local six-fold coordination of the pinning sites is preserved, and with an arching effect. The conformal pinning arrays produce significantly enhanced vortex pinning over a much wider range of field than that found for other vortex pinning geometries with an equivalent number of vortex pinning sites, such as random, square, and triangular.

Improved protease stability of the antimicrobial peptide Pin2 substituted with D-amino acids.

PubMed

Carmona, G; Rodriguez, A; Juarez, D; Corzo, G; Villegas, E

2013-08-01

Cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have attracted a great interest as novel class of antibiotics that might help in the treatment of infectious diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria. However, some AMPs with high antimicrobial activities are also highly hemolytic and subject to proteolytic degradation from human and bacterial proteases that limit their pharmaceutical uses. In this work a D-diastereomer of Pandinin 2, D-Pin2, was constructed to observe if it maintained antimicrobial activity in the same range as the parental one, but with the purpose of reducing its hemolytic activity to human erythrocytes and improving its ability to resist proteolytic cleavage. Although, the hydrophobic and secondary structure characteristics of L- and D-Pin2 were to some extent similar, an important reduction in D-Pin2 hemolytic activity (30-40 %) was achieved compared to that of L-Pin2 over human erythrocytes. Furthermore, D-Pin2 had an antimicrobial activity with a MIC value of 12.5 μM towards Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus agalactiae and two strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in agar diffusion assays, but it was half less potent than that of L-Pin2. Nevertheless, the antimicrobial activity of D-Pin2 was equally effective as that of L-Pin2 in microdilution assays. Yet, when D- and L-Pin2 were incubated with trypsin, elastase and whole human serum, only D-Pin2 kept its antimicrobial activity towards all bacteria, but in diluted human serum, L- and D-Pin2 maintained similar peptide stability. Finally, when L- and D-Pin2 were incubated with proteases from P. aeruginosa DFU3 culture, a clinical isolated strain, D-Pin2 kept its antibiotic activity while L-Pin2 was not effective.

Spring loaded locator pin assembly

DOEpatents

Groll, T.A.; White, J.P.

1998-03-03

This invention deals with spring loaded locator pins. Locator pins are sometimes referred to as captured pins. This is a mechanism which locks two items together with the pin that is spring loaded so that it drops into a locator hole on the work piece. 5 figs.

Ectopic expression of the Coffea canephora SERK1 homolog-induced differential transcription of genes involved in auxin metabolism and in the developmental control of embryogenesis.

PubMed

Pérez-Pascual, Daniel; Jiménez-Guillen, Doribet; Villanueva-Alonzo, Hernán; Souza-Perera, Ramón; Godoy-Hernández, Gregorio; Zúñiga-Aguilar, José Juan

2018-04-01

Somatic embryogenesis receptor-like kinase 1 (SERK1) is a membrane receptor that might serve as common co-regulator of plant cell differentiation processes by forming heterodimers with specific receptor-like kinases. The Coffea canephora SERK1 homolog (CcSERK1) was cloned in this work, and its early function in the transcription of embryogenesis master genes and of genes encoding proteins involved in auxin metabolism was investigated by externally manipulating its expression in embryogenic leaf explants, before the appearance of embryogenic structures. Overexpression of CcSERK1 early during embryogenesis caused an increase in the number of somatic embryos when the 55-day process was completed. Suppression of CcSERK1 expression by RNA interference almost abolished somatic embryogenesis. Real time-PCR experiments revealed that the transcription of the CcAGL15, CcWUS, CcBBM, CcPKL, CcYUC1, CcPIN1 and CcPIN4 homologs was modified in direct proportion to the expression of CcSERK1 and that only CcLEC1 was inversely affected by the expression levels of CcSERK1. The expression of the CcYUC4 homolog was induced to more than 80-fold under CcSERK1 overexpression conditions, but it was also induced when CcSERK1 expression was silenced. The level of CcTIR1 was not affected by CcSERK1 overexpression but was almost abolished during CcSERK1 silencing. These results suggest that CcSERK1 co-regulates the induction of somatic embryogenesis in Coffea canephora by early activation of YUC-dependent auxin biosynthesis, auxin transport mediated by PIN1 and PIN4, and probably auxin perception by the TIR1 receptor, leading to the induction of early-stage homeotic genes (CcAGL15, CcWUS, CcPKL and CcBBM) and repression of late-stage homeotic genes (CcLec1). © 2018 Scandinavian Plant Physiology Society.

Nuclear fuel pin scanner

DOEpatents

Bramblett, Richard L.; Preskitt, Charles A.

1987-03-03

Systems and methods for inspection of nuclear fuel pins to determine fiss loading and uniformity. The system includes infeed mechanisms which stockpile, identify and install nuclear fuel pins into an irradiator. The irradiator provides extended activation times using an approximately cylindrical arrangement of numerous fuel pins. The fuel pins can be arranged in a magazine which is rotated about a longitudinal axis of rotation. A source of activating radiation is positioned equidistant from the fuel pins along the longitudinal axis of rotation. The source of activating radiation is preferably oscillated along the axis to uniformly activate the fuel pins. A detector is provided downstream of the irradiator. The detector uses a plurality of detector elements arranged in an axial array. Each detector element inspects a segment of the fuel pin. The activated fuel pin being inspected in the detector is oscillated repeatedly over a distance equal to the spacing between adjacent detector elements, thereby multiplying the effective time available for detecting radiation emissions from the activated fuel pin.

Mechanical Property Analysis in the Retracted Pin-Tool (RPT) Region of Friction Stir Welded (FSW) Aluminum Lithium 2195

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ding, R. Jeffrey; Oelgoetz, Peter A.

1999-01-01

The "Auto-Adjustable Pin Tool for Friction Stir Welding", was developed at The Marshall Space Flight Center to address process deficiencies unique to the FSW process. The auto-adjustable pin tool, also called the retractable pin-tool (R.PT) automatically withdraws the welding probe of the pin-tool into the pin-tool's shoulder. The primary function of the auto-adjustable pin-tool is to allow for keyhole closeout, necessary for circumferential welding and localized weld repair, and, automated pin-length adjustment for the welding of tapered material thickness. An overview of the RPT hardware is presented. The paper follows with studies conducted using the RPT. The RPT was used to simulate two capabilities; welding tapered material thickness and closing out the keyhole in a circumferential weld. The retracted pin-tool regions in aluminum- lithium 2195 friction stir weldments were studied through mechanical property testing and metallurgical sectioning. Correlation's can be =de between retractable pin-tool programmed parameters, process parameters, microstructure, and resulting weld quality.

The kinetics of root gravitropism in PIN mutants suggest redundancy in the signal transduction pathway

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wolverton, Chris

As nonmotile organisms, plants rely on differential growth responses to maximize exposure to the resources necessary for growth and reproduction. One of the primary environmental cues causing differential growth in roots is gravity, which is thought to be sensed predominately in the root cap. This gravity perception event is thought to be transduced into information in the form of an auxin gradient across the cap and propagating basipetally toward the elongation zone. The discovery of several families of auxin efflux and influx carriers has provided significant insight into the mechanisms of directional auxin transport, and the identification of mutants in the genes encoding these carriers provides the opportunity to test the roles of these transporters in plant gravitropism. In this study, we report the results of a systematic, high-resolution study of the kinetics of root gravitropism of mutants in the PIN family of auxin efflux carriers. Based on reported expression and localization patterns, we predicted mutations in PIN2, PIN3, PIN4, and PIN7 to cause the greatest reduction in root gravitropism. While pin2 mutants showed severe gravitropic deficiencies in roots as reported previously, several alleles of pin3, pin4 and pin7 remained strongly gravitropic. PIN3 has been localized to the central columella cells, the purported gravisensing cells in the root, and shown to rapidly relocate to the lower flank of the columella cells upon gravistimulation, suggesting an early role in auxin gradient formation. Mutant alleles of PIN3 showed an early delay in response, with just 7 deg of curvature in the first hour compared to approximately 15 deg h-1 in wild-type, but their rate of curvature recovered to near wild-type levels over the ensuing 3 h. Pin3 mutants also showed a slower overall growth rate (124 µm h-1 ), elongating at approximately half the rate of wild-type roots (240 µm h-1 ). PIN4 has been localized to the quiescent center in the root, where it presumably plays a role in efflux to the columella. Pin4 mutants showed no deficiencies in gravitropism, in fact responding at a greater rate than wild-type roots over the first hour (22 deg h-1 ). PIN7 has been localized to the vascular tissue of the elongation zone and to the central columella. Like pin4 mutants, pin7 mutants did not show a significantly reduced gravitropic response relative to wild-type roots. Interestingly, roots of pin3pin7 double mutants showed curvature and growth rates similar to pin7 single mutants and wild-type roots, suggesting a genetic interaction between PIN3 and PIN7 in this pathway. These results suggest a significant degree of redundancy in the regulation of directional auxin transport and perhaps in the gravity signaling pathway in roots in general.

Investigation into Z-Pin Reinforced Composite Skin/Stiffener Debond under Monotonic and Cyclic Bending

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Xiangyang; Li, Yong; Van Hoa, Suong; Xiao, Jun; Chu, Qiyi

2018-02-01

Skin/stiffener debonding has been a longstanding concern for the users of stiffened composite panels in long-term service. Z-pinning technology is an emerging solution to reinforce the composite assembly joints. This work experimentally characterizes the progressive debonding of Z-pinned skin/stiffener interface with the skin under static bend loading. The three-stage failure process is identified as: flange edge debonding, pin/laminate debonding, and ultimate structural failure. Three different distribution patterns were compared in terms of the static debonding properties revealed the affirmative fact that locating pins in high normal stress regions, that is close to the flange edges in skin/stiffener structures, is more beneficial to utilize the full potential of Z-pinning reinforcement. The unit strip FE model was developed and demonstrated effective to analysis the effect of Z-pin distribution on the ultimate debond load. On the other hand, the evolution of fatigue cracks at Z-pinned skin/flange interface was investigated with a series of displacement-controlled fatigue bending tests and microscopic observations. Results show that Z-pinning postpones crack initiations at low displacement levels, and the remarkable crack-arresting function of pins enables the structure a prolonged fatigue life. However, pins become less effective when the maximum displacement exceeds the crack initiation level due to gradually pullout of pins.

Prevention of pin tract infection in external stainless steel fixator frames using electric current in a goat model.

PubMed

van der Borden, Arnout J; Maathuis, Patrick G M; Engels, Eefje; Rakhorst, Gerhard; van der Mei, Henny C; Busscher, Henk J; Sharma, Prashant Kumar

2007-04-01

Pin tract infections of external fixators used in orthopaedic reconstructive bone surgery are serious complications that can eventually lead to periostitis and osteomyelitis. In vitro experiments have demonstrated that bacteria adhering to stainless steel in a biofilm mode of growth detach under the influence of small electric currents, while remaining bacteria become less viable upon current application. Therefore, we have investigated whether a 100microA electric current can prevent signs of clinical infection around percutaneous pins, implanted in the tibia of goats. Three pins were inserted into the lateral right tibia of nine goats, of which one served for additional frame support. Two pins were infected with a Staphylococcus epidermidis strain of which one pin was subjected to electric current, while the other pin was used as control. Pin sites were examined daily. The wound electrical resistance decreased with worsening of the infection from a dry condition to a purulent stage. After 21 days, animals were sacrificed and the pins taken out. Infection developed in 89% of the control pin sites, whereas only 11% of the pin sites in the current group showed infection. These results show that infection of percutaneous pin sites of external fixators in reconstructive bone surgery can be prevented by the application of a small DC electric current.

Wear-Induced Changes in FSW Tool Pin Profile: Effect of Process Parameters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sahlot, Pankaj; Jha, Kaushal; Dey, G. K.; Arora, Amit

2018-06-01

Friction stir welding (FSW) of high melting point metallic (HMPM) materials has limited application due to tool wear and relatively short tool life. Tool wear changes the profile of the tool pin and adversely affects weld properties. A quantitative understanding of tool wear and tool pin profile is crucial to develop the process for joining of HMPM materials. Here we present a quantitative wear study of H13 steel tool pin profile for FSW of CuCrZr alloy. The tool pin profile is analyzed at multiple traverse distances for welding with various tool rotational and traverse speeds. The results indicate that measured wear depth is small near the pin root and significantly increases towards the tip. Near the pin tip, wear depth increases with increase in tool rotational speed. However, change in wear depth near the pin root is minimal. Wear depth also increases with decrease in tool traverse speeds. Tool pin wear from the bottom results in pin length reduction, which is greater for higher tool rotational speeds, and longer traverse distances. The pin profile changes due to wear and result in root defect for long traverse distance. This quantitative understanding of tool wear would be helpful to estimate tool wear, optimize process parameters, and tool pin shape during FSW of HMPM materials.

Effect of magnetic field on the flux pinning mechanisms in Al and SiC co-doped MgB2 superconductor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kia, N. S.; Ghorbani, S. R.; Arabi, H.; Hossain, M. S. A.

2018-07-01

MgB2 superconductor samples co-doped with 0.02 wt. Al2O3 and 0-0.05 wt. SiC were studied by magnetization - magnetic field (M-H) loop measurements at different temperatures. The critical current density has been calculated by the Bean model, and the irreversibility field, Hirr, has been obtained by the Kramer method. The pinning mechanism of the co-doped sample with 2% Al and 5% SiC was investigated in particular due to its having the highest Hirr. The normalized volume pinning force f = F/Fmax as a function of reduced magnetic field h = H/Hirr has been obtained, and the pinning mechanism was studied by the Dew-Houghes model. It was found that the normal point pinning (NPP), the normal surface pinning (NSP), and the normal volume pinning (NVP) mechanisms play the main roles. The magnetic field and temperature dependence of contributions of the NPP, NSP, and NVP pinning mechanisms were obtained. The results show that the contributions of the pinning mechanisms depend on the temperature and magnetic field. From the temperature dependence of the critical current density within the collective pinning theory, it was found that both the δl pinning due to spatial fluctuations of the charge-carrier mean free path and the δTc pinning due to randomly distributed spatial variations in the transition temperature coexist at zero magnetic field in co-doped samples. Yet, the charge-carrier mean-free-path fluctuation pinning (δl) is the only important pinning mechanism at non-zero magnetic fields.

Expression of proteinase inhibitor II proteins during floral development in Solanum americanum.

PubMed

Sin, Suk-Fong; Chye, Mee-Len

2004-10-01

The heterologous expression of serine proteinase inhibitor II (PIN2) proteins confers insect resistance in transgenic plants, but little is known of their endogenous roles. We have cloned two cDNAs encoding Solanum americanum PIN2 proteins, SaPIN2a and SaPIN2b. SaPIN2a is highly expressed in stem, particularly in the phloem, suggesting it could possibly regulate proteolysis in the sieve elements. When SaPIN2a was expressed in transgenic lettuce, we observed an inhibition of endogenous trypsin- and chymotrypsin-like activities. Here, we demonstrate that both SaPIN2a and SaPIN2b are expressed in floral tissues that are destined to undergo developmental programmed cell death (PCD), suggesting possible endogenous roles in inhibiting trypsin- and chymotrypsin-like activities during flower development. Northern and western blot analyses revealed that SaPIN2a and SaPIN2b mRNAs and proteins show highest expression early in floral development. In situ hybridization analysis and immunolocalization on floral sections, localized SaPIN2a and SaPIN2b mRNAs and their proteins to tissues that would apparently undergo PCD: the ovules, the stylar transmitting tissue, the stigma and the vascular bundles. Detection of PCD in floral sections was achieved using terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) analysis. Examination of the mid-style before, and 1 day after, pollination revealed that high expression of SaPIN2a and SaPIN2b in the style was inversely correlated with PCD.

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

Bandyopadhyay, S.

The deformation and failure processes involved in the fracture of unmodified epoxies are discussed in this chapter. A review of the fracture behavior of the carboxyl-terminated butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer (CTBN) rubber-modified diglycidyl ether of bisphenol. A (DGEBA) polymers with or without a rigid particulate - fiber phase is presented in relation to the microscopic aspects of localized deformation and their relationship to microscopic fracture behavior are illustrated. The degree of improvement in fracture properties in modified materials depends to a great extent on the unmodified epoxy. If the latter is capable of even small-scale deformation at the crack tip, this inducesmore » in the modified system a number of additional microscopic failure mechanisms such as cavitation of rubber particles; enhanced shear deformation of the matrix, debonding and tearing of rubber, crack pinning, and debonding and pull-out of fibers. The recent research trend in toughening of high-temperature-grade TGMDA (tetraglycidyl 4,4{prime}-methylenedianiline) resin is also outlined. 73 refs., 23 figs., 2 tabs.« less

Expression of a gymnosperm PIN homologous gene correlates with auxin immunolocalization pattern at cotyledon formation and in demarcation of the procambium during Picea abies somatic embryo development and in seedling tissues.

PubMed

Palovaara, Joakim; Hallberg, Henrik; Stasolla, Claudio; Luit, Bert; Hakman, Inger

2010-04-01

In seed plants, the body organization is established during embryogenesis and is uniform across gymnosperms and angiosperms, despite differences during early embryogeny. Evidence from angiosperms implicates the plant hormone auxin and its polar transport, mainly established by the PIN family of auxin efflux transporters, in the patterning of embryos. Here, PaPIN1 from Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.), a gene widely expressed in conifer tissues and organs, was characterized and its expression and localization patterns were determined with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization during somatic embryo development and in seedlings. PaPIN1 shares the predicted structure of other PIN proteins, but its central hydrophilic loop is longer than most PINs. In phylogenetic analyses, PaPIN1 clusters with Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. PIN3, PIN4 and PIN7, but its expression pattern also suggests similarity to PIN1. The PaPIN1 expression signal was high in the protoderm of pre-cotyledonary embryos, but not if embryos were pre-treated with the auxin transport inhibitor N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA). This, together with a high auxin immunolocalization signal in this cell layer, suggests a role of PaPIN1 during cotyledon formation. At later stages, high PaPIN1 expression was observed in differentiating procambium, running from the tip of incipient cotyledons down through the embryo axis and to the root apical meristem (RAM), although the mode of RAM specification in conifer embryos differs from that of most angiosperms. Also, the PaPIN1 in situ signal was high in seedling root tips including root cap columella cells. The results thus suggest that PaPIN1 provides an ancient function associated with auxin transport and embryo pattern formation prior to the separation of angiosperms and gymnosperms, in spite of some morphological differences.

Overexpression of PvPin1, a Bamboo Homolog of PIN1-Type Parvulin 1, Delays Flowering Time in Transgenic Arabidopsis and Rice

PubMed Central

Zheng, Zhigang; Yang, Xiaoming; Fu, Yaping; Zhu, Longfei; Wei, Hantian; Lin, Xinchun

2017-01-01

Because of the long and unpredictable flowering period in bamboo, the molecular mechanism of bamboo flowering is unclear. Recent study showed that Arabidopsis PIN1-type parvulin 1 (Pin1At) is an important floral activator and regulates floral transition by facilitating the cis/trans isomerization of the phosphorylated Ser/Thr residues preceding proline motifs in suppressor of overexpression of CO 1 (SOC1) and agamous-like 24 (AGL24). Whether bamboo has a Pin1 homolog and whether it works in bamboo flowering are still unknown. In this study, we cloned PvPin1, a homolog of Pin1At, from Phyllostachys violascens (Bambusoideae). Bioinformatics analysis showed that PvPin1 is closely related to Pin1-like proteins in monocots. PvPin1 was widely expressed in all tested bamboo tissues, with the highest expression in young leaf and lowest in floral bud. Moreover, PvPin1 expression was high in leaves before bamboo flowering then declined during flower development. Overexpression of PvPin1 significantly delayed flowering time by downregulating SOC1 and AGL24 expression in Arabidopsis under greenhouse conditions and conferred a significantly late flowering phenotype by upregulating OsMADS56 in rice under field conditions. PvPin1 showed subcellular localization in both the nucleus and cytolemma. The 1500-bp sequence of the PvPin1 promoter was cloned, and cis-acting element prediction showed that ABRE and TGACG-motif elements, which responded to abscisic acid (ABA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA), respectively, were characteristic of P. violascens in comparison with Arabidopsis. On promoter activity analysis, exogenous ABA and MeJA could significantly inhibit PvPin1 expression. These findings suggested that PvPin1 may be a repressor in flowering, and its delay of flowering time could be regulated by ABA and MeJA in bamboo. PMID:28951734

Overexpression of PvPin1, a Bamboo Homolog of PIN1-Type Parvulin 1, Delays Flowering Time in Transgenic Arabidopsis and Rice.

PubMed

Zheng, Zhigang; Yang, Xiaoming; Fu, Yaping; Zhu, Longfei; Wei, Hantian; Lin, Xinchun

2017-01-01

Because of the long and unpredictable flowering period in bamboo, the molecular mechanism of bamboo flowering is unclear. Recent study showed that Arabidopsis PIN1-type parvulin 1 (Pin1At) is an important floral activator and regulates floral transition by facilitating the cis/trans isomerization of the phosphorylated Ser/Thr residues preceding proline motifs in suppressor of overexpression of CO 1 (SOC1) and agamous-like 24 (AGL24). Whether bamboo has a Pin1 homolog and whether it works in bamboo flowering are still unknown. In this study, we cloned PvPin1 , a homolog of Pin1At , from Phyllostachys violascens (Bambusoideae). Bioinformatics analysis showed that PvPin1 is closely related to Pin1-like proteins in monocots. PvPin1 was widely expressed in all tested bamboo tissues, with the highest expression in young leaf and lowest in floral bud. Moreover, PvPin1 expression was high in leaves before bamboo flowering then declined during flower development. Overexpression of PvPin1 significantly delayed flowering time by downregulating SOC1 and AGL24 expression in Arabidopsis under greenhouse conditions and conferred a significantly late flowering phenotype by upregulating OsMADS56 in rice under field conditions. PvPin1 showed subcellular localization in both the nucleus and cytolemma. The 1500-bp sequence of the PvPin1 promoter was cloned, and cis -acting element prediction showed that ABRE and TGACG-motif elements, which responded to abscisic acid (ABA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA), respectively, were characteristic of P. violascens in comparison with Arabidopsis . On promoter activity analysis, exogenous ABA and MeJA could significantly inhibit PvPin1 expression. These findings suggested that PvPin1 may be a repressor in flowering, and its delay of flowering time could be regulated by ABA and MeJA in bamboo.

Surface modification of 17-4PH stainless steel by DC plasma nitriding and titanium nitride film duplex treatment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qi, F.; Leng, Y. X.; Huang, N.; Bai, B.; Zhang, P. Ch.

2007-04-01

17-4PH stainless steel was modified by direct current (DC) plasma nitriding and titanium nitride film duplex treatment in this study. The microstructure, wear resistance and corrosion resistance were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), pin-on-disk tribological test and polarization experiment. The results revealed that the DC plasma nitriding pretreatment was in favor of improving properties of titanium nitride film. The corrosion resistance and wear resistance of duplex treatment specimen was more superior to that of only coated titanium nitride film.

Local endwall heat/mass-transfer distributions in pin fin channels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lau, S. C.; Kim, Y. S.; Han, J. C.

1987-10-01

Naphthalene sublimination experiments were conducted to study the effects of the pin configuration, the pin length-to-diameter ratio, and the entrance length on local endwall heat/mass transfer in a channel with short pin fins (pin length-to-diameter ratios of 0.5 and 1.0). The detailed distributions of the local endwall heat/mass-transfer coefficient were obtained for staggered and aligned arrays of pin fins, for the spanwise pin spacing-to-diameter ratio of 2.5, and for streamwise pin spacing-to-diameter ratios of 1.25 and 2.5. The Reynolds numbers were kept at about 33,000. Overall- and row-averaged Nusselt numbers compared very well with those from previous heat-transfer studies.

The Rubber Stopper: A Simple and Inexpensive Technique to Prevent Pin Tract Infection following Kirschner Wiring of Supracondylar Fractures of Humerus in Children.

PubMed

Santy, J E; Kamal, J; Abdul-Rashid, A H; Ibrahim, S

2015-07-01

Percutaneous pinning after closed reduction is commonly used to treat supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children. Minor pin tract infections frequently occur. The aim of this study was to prevent pin tract infections using a rubber stopper to reduce irritation of the skin against the Kirschner (K) wire following percutaneous pinning. Between July 2011 and June 2012, seventeen children with closed supracondylar fracture of the humerus of Gartland types 2 and 3 were treated with this technique. All patients were treated with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning and followed up prospectively. Only one patient, who was a hyperactive child, developed pin tract infection due to softening of the plaster slab. We found using the rubber stopper to be a simple and inexpensive method to reduce pin tract infections following percutaneous pinning.

The Rubber Stopper: A Simple and Inexpensive Technique to Prevent Pin Tract Infection following Kirschner Wiring of Supracondylar Fractures of Humerus in Children

PubMed Central

Santy, JE; Abdul-Rashid, AH; Ibrahim, S

2015-01-01

Percutaneous pinning after closed reduction is commonly used to treat supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children. Minor pin tract infections frequently occur. The aim of this study was to prevent pin tract infections using a rubber stopper to reduce irritation of the skin against the Kirschner (K) wire following percutaneous pinning. Between July 2011 and June 2012, seventeen children with closed supracondylar fracture of the humerus of Gartland types 2 and 3 were treated with this technique. All patients were treated with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning and followed up prospectively. Only one patient, who was a hyperactive child, developed pin tract infection due to softening of the plaster slab. We found using the rubber stopper to be a simple and inexpensive method to reduce pin tract infections following percutaneous pinning. PMID:28435603

The promoter of the Arabidopsis PIN6 auxin transporter enabled strong expression in the vasculature of roots, leaves, floral stems and reproductive organs.

PubMed

Nisar, Nazia; Cuttriss, Abby J; Pogson, Barry J; Cazzonelli, Christopher I

2014-01-01

Cellular auxin homeostasis controls many aspects of plant growth, organogenesis and development. The existence of intracellular auxin transport mediated by endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized PIN5, PIN6 and PIN8 proteins is a relatively recent discovery shaping a new era in understanding auxin-mediated growth processes. Here we summarize the importance of PIN6 in mediating intracellular auxin transport during root formation, leaf vein patterning and nectary production. While, it was previously shown that PIN6 was strongly expressed in rosette leaf cell types important in vein formation, here we demonstrate by use a PIN6 promoter-reporter fusion, that PIN6 is also preferentially expressed in the vasculature of the primary root, cotyledons, cauline leaves, floral stem, sepals and the main transmitting tract of the reproductive silique. The strong, vein- specific reporter gene expression patterns enabled by the PIN6 promoter emphasizes that transcriptional control is likely to be a major regulator of PIN6 protein levels, during vasculature formation, and supports the need for ER-localized PIN proteins in selecting specialized cells for vascular function in land plants.

Biological significance of PinX1 telomerase inhibitor in esophageal carcinoma treatment

PubMed Central

Fan, Xiang-Kui; Yan, Rui-Hua; Geng, Xiang-Qun; Li, Jing-Shan; Chen, Xiang-Ming; Li, Jian-Zhe

2016-01-01

In the present study, to investigate the expression of PinX1 gene and its functional effects in human esophageal carcinoma (Eca)-109 cell line, expression vectors of human PinX1 (pEGFP-C3-PinX1) and its small interfering RNA (PinX1-FAM-siRNA) were constructed and transfected into Eca-109 cells using Lipofectamine 2000. Firstly, the mRNA expression level of PinX1 was examined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Once successful transfection was achieved, the effects on the mRNA level of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), telomerase activity, cell proliferation and apoptosis were examined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, stretch PCR, MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Analysis of restriction and sequencing demonstrated that the recombining plasmids were successfully constructed. The results also indicated that transfection with pEGFP-C3-PinX1 and PinX1-FAM-siRNA into Eca-109 cells significantly increased PinX1 mRNA, decreased hTERT mRNA by 29.9% (P<0.05), and significantly reduced telomerase activity (P<0.05), inhibited cell growth, and increased the cell apoptotic index from 19.27±0.76 to 49.73±2%. The transfected PinX1-FAM-SiRNA exhibited PinX1 mRNA expression levels that were significantly decreased by 70% (P<0.05), whereas the remaining characteristics of Eca-109 cells, including cell growth, mRNA level of hTERT, telomerase activity and cell apoptotic index were not altered. Exogenous PinX1 has been demonstrated to be highly expressed in human Eca. PinX1 can inhibit human telomerase activity and the expression of hTERT mRNA, reduce tumor cell growth and induce apoptosis. Notably, these inhibitory functions were inhibited by silencing PinX1 in Eca with PinX1-FAM-siRNA. PinX1 was successfully increased and decreased in the present study, demonstrating that it may be a potential telomerase activity inhibitor. As PinX1 is an endogenous telomerase inhibitor, it may be used as a novel tumor-targeted gene therapy. PMID:27698711

Probing localized strain in solution-derived YB a2C u3O7 -δ nanocomposite thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guzman, Roger; Gazquez, Jaume; Mundet, Bernat; Coll, Mariona; Obradors, Xavier; Puig, Teresa

2017-07-01

Enhanced pinning due to nanoscale strain is unique to the high-Tc cuprates, where pairing may be modified with lattice distortion. Therefore a comprehensive understanding of the defect landscape is required for a broad range of applications. However, determining the type and distribution of defects and their associated strain constitutes a critical task, and for this aim, real-space techniques for atomic resolution characterization are necessary. Here, we use scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) to study the atomic structure of individual defects of solution-derived YB a2C u3O7 (YBCO) nanocomposites, where the inclusion of incoherent secondary phase nanoparticles within the YBCO matrix dramatically increases the density of Y1B a2C u4O8 (Y124) intergrowths, the commonest defect in YBCO thin films. The formation of the Y124 is found to trigger a concatenation of strain-derived interactions with other defects and the concomitant nucleation of intrinsic defects, which weave a web of randomly distributed nanostrained regions that profoundly transform the vortex-pinning landscape of the YBCO nanocomposite thin films.

Nonlinear Spring Finite Elements for Predicting Mode I-Dominated Delamination Growth in Laminated Structure with Through-Thickness reinforcement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ratcliffe, James G.; Krueger, Ronald

2006-01-01

One particular concern of polymer matrix composite laminates is the relatively low resistance to delamination cracking, in particular when the dominant type of failure is mode I opening. One method proposed for alleviating this problem involves the insertion pultruded carbon pins through the laminate thickness. The pins, known as z-pins, are inserted into the prepreg laminate using an ultrasonic hammer prior to the curing process, resulting in a field of pins embedded normal to the laminate plane as illustrated in Figure. 1. Pin diameters range between 0.28-mm to 0.5-mm and standard areal densities range from 0.5% to 4%. The z-pins are provided by the manufacturer, Aztex(Registered TradeMark) , in a low-density foam preform, which acts to stabilize orientation of the pins during the insertion process [1-3]. Typical pin materials include boron and carbon fibers embedded in a polymer matrix. A number of methods have been developed for predicting delamination growth in laminates reinforced with z-pins. During a study on the effect of z-pin reinforcement on mode I delamination resistance, finite element analyses of z-pin reinforced double cantilever beam (DCB) specimens were performed by Cartie and Partridge [4]. The z-pin bridging stresses were modeled by applying equivalent forces at the pin locations. Single z-pin pull-out tests were performed to characterize the traction law of the pins under mode I loading conditions. Analytical solutions for delamination growth in z-pin reinforced DCB specimens were independently derived by Robinson and Das [5] and Ratcliffe and O'Brien [6]. In the former case, pin bridging stresses were modeled using a distributed load and in the latter example the bridging stresses were discretely modeled by way of grounded springs. Additionally, Robinson and Das developed a data reduction strategy for calculating mode I fracture toughness, G(sub Ic), from a z-pin reinforced DCB specimen test [5]. In both cases a traction law similar to that adopted by Cartie and Partridge was used to represent z-pin failure under mode I loading conditions. In the current work spring elements available in most commercial finite element codes were used to model z-pins. The traction law used in previous analyses [4-6] was employed to represent z-pin damage. This method is intended for and is limited to simulating z-pins in composite laminate structure containing mode I-dominated delamination cracking. The current technique differs from previous analyses in that spring finite elements (available in commercial codes) are employed for simulating zpins, reducing the complexity of the analysis construction process. Furthermore, the analysis method can be applied to general structure that experiences mode I-dominated delamination cracking, in contrast to existing analytical solutions that are only applicable to coupon DCB specimens.

Gravistimulation changes expression of genes encoding putative carrier proteins of auxin polar transport in etiolated pea epicotyls

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoshino, T.; Hitotsubashi, R.; Miyamoto, K.; Tanimoto, E.; Ueda, J.

STS-95 space experiment has showed that auxin polar transport in etiolated epicotyls of pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Alaska) seedlings is controlled by gravistimulation. In Arabidopsis thaliana auxin polar transport has considered to be regulated by efflux and influx carrier proteins in plasma membranes, AtPIN1 and AtAUX1, respectively. In order to know how gravistimuli control auxin polar transport in etiolated pea epicotyls at molecular levels, strenuous efforts have been made, resulting in successful isolation of full-length cDNAs of a putative auxin efflux and influx carriers, PsPIN2 and PsAUX1, respectively. Significantly high levels in homology were found on nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences among PsPIN2, PsPIN1 (accession no. AY222857, Chawla and DeMason, 2003) and AtPINs, and also among PsAUX1, AtAUX1 and their related genes. Phylogenetic analyses based on the deduced amino acid sequences revealed that PsPIN2 belonged to a subclade including AtPIN3, AtPIN4 relating to lateral transport of auxin, while PsPIN1 belonged to the same clade as AtPIN1 relating to auxin polar transport. In the present study, we examined the effects of gravistimuli on the expression of PsPINs and PsAUX1 in etiolated pea seedlings by northern blot analysis. Expression of PsPIN1, PsPIN2 and PsAUX1 in hook region of 3.5-d-old etiolated pea seedlings grown under simulated microgravity conditions on a 3-D clinostat increased as compared with that of the seedlings grown under 1 g conditions. On the other hand, that of PsPIN1 and PsAUX1 in the 1st internode region under simulated microgravity conditions on a 3-D clinostat also increased, while that of PsPIN2 was affected little. These results suggest that expression of PsPIN1, PsPIN2 and PsAUX1 regulating polar/lateral transport of auxin is substantially under the control of gravity. A possible role of PsPINs and PsAUX1 of auxin polar transport in etiolated pea seedlings will also be discussed.

The prolyl isomerase Pin1 modulates development of CD8+ cDC in mice.

PubMed

Barberi, Theresa J; Dunkle, Alexis; He, You-Wen; Racioppi, Luigi; Means, Anthony R

2012-01-01

Pin1 has previously been described to regulate cells that participate in both innate and adaptive immunity. Thus far, however, no role for Pin1 has been described in modulating conventional dendritic cells, innate antigen presenting cells that potently activate naïve T cells, thereby bridging innate and adaptive immune responses. When challenged with LPS, Pin1-null mice failed to accumulate spleen conventional dendritic cells (cDC). Analysis of steady-state spleen DC populations revealed that Pin1-null mice had fewer CD8+ cDC. This defect was recapitulated by culturing Pin1-null bone marrow with the DC-instructive cytokine Flt3 Ligand. Additionally, injection of Flt3 Ligand for 9 days failed to induce robust expansion of CD8+ cDC in Pin1-null mice. Upon infection with Listeria monocytogenes, Pin1-null mice were defective in stimulating proliferation of adoptively transferred WT CD8+ T cells, suggesting that decreases in Pin1 null CD8+ cDC may affect T cell responses to infection in vivo. Finally, upon analyzing expression of proteins involved in DC development, elevated expression of PU.1 was detected in Pin1-null cells, which resulted from an increase in PU.1 protein half-life. We have identified a novel role for Pin1 as a modulator of CD8+ cDC development. Consistent with reduced numbers of CD8+ cDC in Pin1-null mice, we find that the absence of Pin1 impairs CD8+ T cell proliferation in response to infection with Listeria monocytogenes. These data suggest that, via regulation of CD8+ cDC production, Pin1 may serve as an important modulator of adaptive immunity.

Targeting Pin1 by inhibitor API-1 regulates microRNA biogenesis and suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma development.

PubMed

Pu, Wenchen; Li, Jiao; Zheng, Yuanyuan; Shen, Xianyan; Fan, Xin; Zhou, Jian-Kang; He, Juan; Deng, Yulan; Liu, Xuesha; Wang, Chun; Yang, Shengyong; Chen, Qiang; Liu, Lunxu; Zhang, Guolin; Wei, Yu-Quan; Peng, Yong

2018-01-30

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide, but there are few effective treatments. Aberrant microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis is correlated with HCC development. We previously demonstrated that peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase NIMA-interacting 1 (Pin1) participates in miRNA biogenesis and is a potential HCC treatment target. However, how Pin1 modulates miRNA biogenesis remains obscure. Here, we present in vivo evidence that Pin1 overexpression is directly linked to the development of HCC. Administration with the Pin1 inhibitor (API-1), a specific small molecule targeting Pin1 peptidyl-prolyl isomerase domain and inhibiting Pin1 cis-trans isomerizing activity, suppresses in vitro cell proliferation and migration of HCC cells. But API-1-induced Pin1 inhibition is insensitive to HCC cells with low Pin1 expression and/or low exportin-5 (XPO5) phosphorylation. Mechanistically, Pin1 recognizes and isomerizes the phosphorylated serine-proline motif of phosphorylated XPO5 and passivates phosphorylated XPO5. Pin1 inhibition by API-1 maintains the active conformation of phosphorylated XPO5 and restores XPO5-driven precursor miRNA nuclear-to-cytoplasm export, activating anticancer miRNA biogenesis and leading to both in vitro HCC suppression and HCC suppression in xenograft mice. Experimental evidence suggests that Pin1 inhibition by API-1 up-regulates miRNA biogenesis by retaining active XPO5 conformation and suppresses HCC development, revealing the mechanism of Pin1-mediated miRNA biogenesis and unequivocally supporting API-1 as a drug candidate for HCC therapy, especially for Pin1-overexpressing, extracellular signal-regulated kinase-activated HCC. (Hepatology 2018). © 2018 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

Verification of the FBR fuel bundle-duct interaction analysis code BAMBOO by the out-of-pile bundle compression test with large diameter pins

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uwaba, Tomoyuki; Ito, Masahiro; Nemoto, Junichi; Ichikawa, Shoichi; Katsuyama, Kozo

2014-09-01

The BAMBOO computer code was verified by results for the out-of-pile bundle compression test with large diameter pin bundle deformation under the bundle-duct interaction (BDI) condition. The pin diameters of the examined test bundles were 8.5 mm and 10.4 mm, which are targeted as preliminary fuel pin diameters for the upgraded core of the prototype fast breeder reactor (FBR) and for demonstration and commercial FBRs studied in the FaCT project. In the bundle compression test, bundle cross-sectional views were obtained from X-ray computer tomography (CT) images and local parameters of bundle deformation such as pin-to-duct and pin-to-pin clearances were measured by CT image analyses. In the verification, calculation results of bundle deformation obtained by the BAMBOO code analyses were compared with the experimental results from the CT image analyses. The comparison showed that the BAMBOO code reasonably predicts deformation of large diameter pin bundles under the BDI condition by assuming that pin bowing and cladding oval distortion are the major deformation mechanisms, the same as in the case of small diameter pin bundles. In addition, the BAMBOO analysis results confirmed that cladding oval distortion effectively suppresses BDI in large diameter pin bundles as well as in small diameter pin bundles.

PinX1 is recruited to the mitotic chromosome periphery by Nucleolin and facilitates chromosome congression.

PubMed

Li, Na; Yuan, Kai; Yan, Feng; Huo, Yuda; Zhu, Tongge; Liu, Xing; Guo, Zhen; Yao, Xuebiao

2009-06-19

Mitotic chromosome movements are orchestrated by interactions between spindle microtubules and chromosomes. It is well known that kinetochore is the major site where microtubule-chromosome attachment occurs. However, the functions of other domains of chromosome such as chromosome periphery have remained elusive. Our previous studies show that PinX1 distributes to chromosome periphery and kinetochore during mitosis, and harbors the microtubule binding activity. Here we report that PinX1 interacts with Nucleolin, a chromosome periphery protein, through its C-termini. Deconvolution microscopic analyses show PinX1 mainly co-localizes with Nucleolin at chromosome periphery in prometaphase. Moreover, depletion of Nucleolin abolishes chromosome periphery localizations of PinX1, suggesting a functional interrelationship between PinX1 and Nucleolin. Importantly, repression of PinX1 and Nucleolin abrogates chromosome segregation in real-time mitosis, validating the functional importance of PinX1-Nucleolin interaction. We propose PinX1 is recruited to chromosome periphery by Nucleolin and a complex of PinX1 and Nucleolin is essential for faithful chromosome congression.

Effects of neutron irradiation on pinning force scaling in state-of-the-art Nb3Sn wires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baumgartner, T.; Eisterer, M.; Weber, H. W.; Flükiger, R.; Scheuerlein, C.; Bottura, L.

2014-01-01

We present an extensive irradiation study involving five state-of-the-art Nb3Sn wires which were subjected to sequential neutron irradiation up to a fast neutron fluence of 1.6 × 1022 m-2 (E > 0.1 MeV). The volume pinning force of short wire samples was assessed in the temperature range from 4.2 to 15 K in applied fields of up to 7 T by means of SQUID magnetometry in the unirradiated state and after each irradiation step. Pinning force scaling computations revealed that the exponents in the pinning force function differ significantly from those expected for pure grain boundary pinning, and that fast neutron irradiation causes a substantial change in the functional dependence of the volume pinning force. A model is presented, which describes the pinning force function of irradiated wires using a two-component ansatz involving a point-pinning contribution stemming from radiation induced pinning centers. The dependence of this point-pinning contribution on fast neutron fluence appears to be a universal function for all examined wire types.

Peptidyl-prolyl Cis/Trans Isomerase NIMA-interacting 1 Associates with Insulin Receptor Substrate-1 and Enhances Insulin Actions and Adipogenesis

PubMed Central

Nakatsu, Yusuke; Sakoda, Hideyuki; Kushiyama, Akifumi; Zhang, Jun; Ono, Hiraku; Fujishiro, Midori; Kikuchi, Takako; Fukushima, Toshiaki; Yoneda, Masayasu; Ohno, Haruya; Horike, Nanao; Kanna, Machi; Tsuchiya, Yoshihiro; Kamata, Hideaki; Nishimura, Fusanori; Isobe, Toshiaki; Ogihara, Takehide; Katagiri, Hideki; Oka, Yoshitomo; Takahashi, Shin-ichiro; Kurihara, Hiroki; Uchida, Takafumi; Asano, Tomoichiro

2011-01-01

Peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase NIMA-interacting 1 (Pin1) is a unique enzyme that associates with the pSer/Thr-Pro motif and catalyzes cis-trans isomerization. We identified Pin1 in the immunoprecipitates of overexpressed IRS-1 with myc and FLAG tags in mouse livers and confirmed the association between IRS-1 and Pin1 by not only overexpression experiments but also endogenously in the mouse liver. The analysis using deletion- and point-mutated Pin1 and IRS-1 constructs revealed the WW domain located in the N terminus of Pin1 and Ser-434 in the SAIN (Shc and IRS-1 NPXY binding) domain of IRS-1 to be involved in their association. Subsequently, we investigated the role of Pin1 in IRS-1 mediation of insulin signaling. The overexpression of Pin1 in HepG2 cells markedly enhanced insulin-induced IRS-1 phosphorylation and its downstream events: phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase binding with IRS-1 and Akt phosphorylation. In contrast, the treatment of HepG2 cells with Pin1 siRNA or the Pin1 inhibitor Juglone suppressed these events. In good agreement with these in vitro data, Pin1 knock-out mice exhibited impaired insulin signaling with glucose intolerance, whereas adenoviral gene transfer of Pin1 into the ob/ob mouse liver mostly normalized insulin signaling and restored glucose tolerance. In addition, it was also demonstrated that Pin1 plays a critical role in adipose differentiation, making Pin1 knock-out mice resistant to diet-induced obesity. Importantly, Pin1 expression was shown to be up-regulated in accordance with nutrient conditions such as food intake or a high-fat diet. Taken together, these observations indicate that Pin1 binds to IRS-1 and thereby markedly enhances insulin action, essential for adipogenesis. PMID:21454638

Study of Damped Set-Back Pins for S and A Mechanisms.

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-11-01

arm device for artillery munitions. This damped set-back pin assembly is one of two safety features on a S and A device used in the M739 PD/XM587 ET...The damped set-back pin study program was for the design, testing, fabrication, and delivery and damped set-back pin assemblies for use in a safe and...fuzes for a rotating projectile. A pin, porous disc, return spring, floating O-ring, and sleeve comprise the selected damped set-back pin assembly

Benchmarking of calculation schemes in APOLLO2 and COBAYA3 for WER lattices

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

Zheleva, N.; Ivanov, P.; Todorova, G.

This paper presents solutions of the NURISP WER lattice benchmark using APOLLO2, TRIPOLI4 and COBAYA3 pin-by-pin. The main objective is to validate MOC based calculation schemes for pin-by-pin cross-section generation with APOLLO2 against TRIPOLI4 reference results. A specific objective is to test the APOLLO2 generated cross-sections and interface discontinuity factors in COBAYA3 pin-by-pin calculations with unstructured mesh. The VVER-1000 core consists of large hexagonal assemblies with 2 mm inter-assembly water gaps which require the use of unstructured meshes in the pin-by-pin core simulators. The considered 2D benchmark problems include 19-pin clusters, fuel assemblies and 7-assembly clusters. APOLLO2 calculation schemes withmore » the step characteristic method (MOC) and the higher-order Linear Surface MOC have been tested. The comparison of APOLLO2 vs. TRIPOLI4 results shows a very close agreement. The 3D lattice solver in COBAYA3 uses transport corrected multi-group diffusion approximation with interface discontinuity factors of Generalized Equivalence Theory (GET) or Black Box Homogenization (BBH) type. The COBAYA3 pin-by-pin results in 2, 4 and 8 energy groups are close to the reference solutions when using side-dependent interface discontinuity factors. (authors)« less

COT phosphorylates prolyl-isomerase Pin1 to promote tumorigenesis in breast cancer.

PubMed

Kim, Garam; Khanal, Prem; Kim, Jin Young; Yun, Hyo-Jeong; Lim, Sung-Chul; Shim, Jung-Hyun; Choi, Hong Seok

2015-06-01

Pin1, a conserved eukaryotic Peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase, has profound effects on numerous key-signaling molecules, and its deregulation contributes to disease, particularly cancer. Although Pin1-mediated prolyl isomerization is an essential and novel regulatory mechanism for protein phosphorylation, little is known about the upstream signaling pathway(s) that regulates Pin1 activity. Here, we identify MAP3K-related serine-threonine kinase (the gene encoding COT/Tpl2) as a kinase responsible for phosphorylation of Pin1 Ser16. COT interacts with and phosphorylates Pin1 on Ser16. Consequently, Pin1 Ser16 phosphorylation by COT increases cyclin D1 abundance and enhances tumorigenecity of MCF7 cells. In contrast, depletion of COT in MCF7 cells leads to downregulation of Pin1 Ser16 phosphorylation, which subsequently decrease cyclin D1 levels, inhibiting tumorigenecity of MCF7 cells. In a xenograft model, treatment of TKI, a COT inhibitor, and Juglone, a Pin1 inhibitor, abrogates tumor growth. In human breast cancer patients, immunohistochemical staining shows that Pin1 pSer16 levels are positively correlated with COT levels, providing strong evidence for an essential role of the COT/Pin1 axis in conveying oncogenic signals to promote aggressiveness in human breast cancer. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Connection stiffness and dynamical docking process of flux pinned spacecraft modules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Yong; Zhang, Mingliang; Gao, Dong

2014-02-01

This paper describes a novel kind of potential flux pinned docking system that consists of guidance navigation and control system, the traditional extrusion type propulsion system, and a flux pinned docking interface. Because of characteristics of passive stability of flux pinning, the docking control strategy of flux pinned docking system only needs a series of sequential control rather than necessary active feedback control, as well as avoidance of hazardous collision accident. The flux pinned force between YBaCuO (YBCO) high temperature superconductor bulk and permanent magnet is able to be given vent based on the identical current loop model and improved image dipole model, which can be validated experimentally. Thus, the connection stiffness between two flux pinned spacecraft modules can be calculated based on Hooke's law. This connection stiffness matrix at the equilibrium position has the positive definite performance, which can validate the passively stable connection of two flux pinned spacecraft modules theoretically. Furthermore, the relative orbital dynamical equation of two flux pinned spacecraft modules can be established based on Clohessy-Wiltshire's equations and improved image dipole model. The dynamical docking process between two flux pinned spacecraft modules can be obtained by way of numerical simulation, which suggests the feasibility of flux pinned docking system.

Connection stiffness and dynamical docking process of flux pinned spacecraft modules

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

Lu, Yong; Zhang, Mingliang, E-mail: niudun12@126.com; Gao, Dong

2014-02-14

This paper describes a novel kind of potential flux pinned docking system that consists of guidance navigation and control system, the traditional extrusion type propulsion system, and a flux pinned docking interface. Because of characteristics of passive stability of flux pinning, the docking control strategy of flux pinned docking system only needs a series of sequential control rather than necessary active feedback control, as well as avoidance of hazardous collision accident. The flux pinned force between YBaCuO (YBCO) high temperature superconductor bulk and permanent magnet is able to be given vent based on the identical current loop model and improvedmore » image dipole model, which can be validated experimentally. Thus, the connection stiffness between two flux pinned spacecraft modules can be calculated based on Hooke's law. This connection stiffness matrix at the equilibrium position has the positive definite performance, which can validate the passively stable connection of two flux pinned spacecraft modules theoretically. Furthermore, the relative orbital dynamical equation of two flux pinned spacecraft modules can be established based on Clohessy-Wiltshire's equations and improved image dipole model. The dynamical docking process between two flux pinned spacecraft modules can be obtained by way of numerical simulation, which suggests the feasibility of flux pinned docking system.« less

MdPIN1b encodes a putative auxin efflux carrier and has different expression patterns in BC and M9 apple rootstocks.

PubMed

Gan, Zengyu; Wang, Yi; Wu, Ting; Xu, Xuefeng; Zhang, Xinzhong; Han, Zhenhai

2018-03-01

Lower promoter activity is closely associated with lower MdPIN1b expression in the M9 interstem, which might contribute to the dwarfing effect in apple trees. Apple trees grafted onto dwarfing rootstock Malling 9 (M9) produce dwarfing tree architecture with high yield and widely applying in production. Previously, we have reported that in Malus 'Red Fuji' (RF) trees growing on M9 interstem and Baleng Crab (BC) rootstock, IAA content was relatively higher in bark tissue of M9 interstem than that in scion or rootstock. As IAA polar transportation largely depends on the PIN-FORMED (PIN) auxin efflux carrier. Herein, we identify two putative auxin efflux carrier genes in Malus genus, MdPIN1a and MdPIN1b, which were closely related to the AtPIN1. We found that MdPIN1b was expressed preferentially in BC and M9, and the expression of MdPIN1b was significantly lower in the phloem of M9 interstem than that in the scion and rootstock. The distinct expression of MdPIN1b and IAA content were concentrated in the cambium and adjacent xylem or phloem, and MdPIN1b protein was localized on cell plasma membrane in onion epidermal cells transiently expressing 35S:MdPIN1b-GFP fusion protein. Interestingly, an MdPIN1b mutant allele in the promoter region upstream of M9 exhibited decreased MdPIN1b expression compared to BC. MdPIN1b over-expressing interstem in tobacco exhibited increased polar auxin transport. It is proposed that natural allelic differences decreased promoter activity is closely associated with lower MdPIN1b expression in the M9 interstem, which might limit the basipetal transport of auxin, and in turn might contribute to the dwarfing effect. Taken together, these results reveal allelic variation underlying an important apple rootstock trait, and specifically a novel molecular genetic mechanism underlying dwarfing mechanism.

A computer program for the simulation of folds of different sizes under the influence of gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vacas Peña, José M.; Martínez Catalán, José R.

2004-02-01

Folding&g is a computer program, based on the finite element method, developed to simulate the process of natural folding from small to large scales in two dimensions. Written in Pascal code and compiled with Borland Delphi 3.0, the program has a friendly interactive user interface and can be used for research as well as educational purposes. Four main menu options allow the user to import or to build and to save a model data file, select the type of graphic output, introduce and modify several physical parameters and enter the calculation routines. The program employs isoparametric, initially rectangular elements with eight nodes, which can sustain large deformations. The mathematical procedure is based on the elasticity equations, but has been modified to simulate a viscous rheology, either linear or of power-law type. The parameters to be introduced include either the linear viscosity, or, when the viscosity is non-linear, the material constant, activation energy, temperature and power of the differential stress. All the parameters can be set by rows, which simulate layers. A toggle permits gravity to be introduced into the calculations. In this case, the density of the different rows must be specified, and the sizes of the finite elements and of the whole model become meaningful. Viscosity values can also be assigned to blocks of several rows and columns, which permits the modelling of heterogeneities such as rectangular areas of high strength, which can be used to simulate shearing components interfering with the buckling process. The program is applied to several cases of folding, including a single competent bed and multilayers, and its results compared with analytical and experimental results. The influence of gravity is illustrated by the modelling of diapiric structures and of a large recumbent fold.

Friction and wear behaviour of ion beam modified ceramics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lankford, J.; Wei, W.; Kossowsky, R.

1987-01-01

In the present study, the sliding friction coefficients and wear rates of carbide, oxide, and nitride materials for potential use as sliding seals (ring/liner) were measured under temperature, environmental, velocity, and loading conditions representative of a diesel engine. In addition, silicon nitride and partially stabilized zirconia discs were modified by ion mixing with TiNi, nickel, cobalt and chromium, and subsequently run against carbide pins, with the objective of producing reduced friction via solid lubrication at elevated temperature. Unmodified ceramic sliding couples were characterized at all temperatures by friction coefficients of 0.24 and above. However, the coefficient at 800 C in an oxidizing environment was reduced to below 0.1, for certain material combinations, by the ion implantation of TiNi or cobalt. This beneficial effect was found to derive from lubricious titanium, nickel, and cobalt oxides.

Simple and fast method for fabrication of endoscopic implantable sensor arrays.

PubMed

Tahirbegi, I Bogachan; Alvira, Margarita; Mir, Mònica; Samitier, Josep

2014-06-26

Here we have developed a simple method for the fabrication of disposable implantable all-solid-state ion-selective electrodes (ISE) in an array format without using complex fabrication equipment or clean room facilities. The electrodes were designed in a needle shape instead of planar electrodes for a full contact with the tissue. The needle-shape platform comprises 12 metallic pins which were functionalized with conductive inks and ISE membranes. The modified microelectrodes were characterized with cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and optical interferometry. The surface area and roughness factor of each microelectrode were determined and reproducible values were obtained for all the microelectrodes on the array. In this work, the microelectrodes were modified with membranes for the detection of pH and nitrate ions to prove the reliability of the fabricated sensor array platform adapted to an endoscope.

Investigation on Bond-Slip Behavior of Z-Pin Interfaces in X-Cor® Sandwich Structures Using Z-Pin Pull-Out Test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shan, Hangying; Xiao, Jun; Chu, Qiyi

2018-05-01

The Z-Pin interfacial bond properties play an important role in the structural performance of X-Cor® sandwich structures. This paper presents an experimental investigation on bond-slip behavior of Z-Pin interfaces using Z-Pin pull-out test. Based on the experimental data the whole Z-Pin pull-out process consists of three stages: initial bonding, debonding and frictional sliding. Comparative experimental study on the influence of design parameters on bond-slip behavior of Z-Pin interfaces has also been performed. Numerical analyses were conducted with the ABAQUS finite element (FE) program to simulate the Z-Pins bond-slip response of the pull-out test. The Z-Pins interfacial bond-slip behavior was implemented using nonlinear spring elements characterized with the constitutive relation from experimental results. Numerical results were validated by comparison with experimental data, and reasonably good agreement was achieved between experimental and analytical pull-out force-slip curves.

Heat transfer coefficients for staggered arrays of short pin fins

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vanfossen, G. J.

1981-01-01

Short pin fins are often used to increase that heat transfer to the coolant in the trailing edge of a turbine blade. Due primarily to limits of casting technology, it is not possible to manufacture pins of optimum length for heat transfer purposes in the trailing edge region. In many cases the pins are so short that they actually decrease the total heat transfer surface area compared to a plain wall. A heat transfer data base for these short pins is not available in the literature. Heat transfer coefficients on pin and endwall surfaces were measured for several staggered arrays of short pin fins. The measured Nusselt numbers when plotted versus Reynolds numbers were found to fall on a single curve for all surfaces tested. The heat transfer coefficients for the short pin fins (length to diameter ratios of 1/2 and 2) were found to be about a factor of two lower than data from the literature for longer pin arrays (length to diameter ratios of about 8).

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

Urusova, Darya V.; Shim, Jung-Hyun; Kim, Dong Joon

The most active anticancer component in green tea is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). The human peptidyl prolyl cis/trans isomerase (Pin1) plays a critical role in oncogenic signaling. Herein, we report the X-ray crystal structure of the Pin1/EGCG complex resolved at 1.9 Å resolution. Notably, the structure revealed the presence of EGCG in both the WW and PPIase domains of Pin1. The direct binding of EGCG with Pin1 was confirmed and the interaction inhibited Pin1 PPIase activity. In addition, proliferation of cells expressing Pin1 was inhibited and tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model was suppressed. The binding of EGCG with Arg17 inmore » the WW domain prevented the binding of c-Jun, a well-known Pin1 substrate. EGCG treatment corresponded with a decreased abundance of cyclin D1 and diminution of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-l3-acetate–induced AP-1 or NF-κB promoter activity in cells expressing Pin1. Overall, these results showed that EGCG directly suppresses the tumor-promoting effect of Pin1.« less

Pin1 inhibition exerts potent activity against acute myeloid leukemia through blocking multiple cancer-driving pathways.

PubMed

Lian, Xiaolan; Lin, Yu-Min; Kozono, Shingo; Herbert, Megan K; Li, Xin; Yuan, Xiaohong; Guo, Jiangrui; Guo, Yafei; Tang, Min; Lin, Jia; Huang, Yiping; Wang, Bixin; Qiu, Chenxi; Tsai, Cheng-Yu; Xie, Jane; Cao, Ziang Jeff; Wu, Yong; Liu, Hekun; Zhou, Xiaozhen; Lu, Kunping; Chen, Yuanzhong

2018-05-30

The increasing genomic complexity of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the most common form of acute leukemia, poses a major challenge to its therapy. To identify potent therapeutic targets with the ability to block multiple cancer-driving pathways is thus imperative. The unique peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase Pin1 has been reported to promote tumorigenesis through upregulation of numerous cancer-driving pathways. Although Pin1 is a key drug target for treating acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) caused by a fusion oncogene, much less is known about the role of Pin1 in other heterogeneous leukemia. The mRNA and protein levels of Pin1 were detected in samples from de novo leukemia patients and healthy controls using real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot. The establishment of the lentiviral stable-expressed short hairpin RNA (shRNA) system and the tetracycline-inducible shRNA system for targeting Pin1 were used to analyze the biological function of Pin1 in AML cells. The expression of cancer-related Pin1 downstream oncoproteins in shPin1 (Pin1 knockdown) and Pin1 inhibitor all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) treated leukemia cells were examined by western blot, followed by evaluating the effects of genetic and chemical inhibition of Pin1 in leukemia cells on transformed phenotype, including cell proliferation and colony formation ability, using trypan blue, cell counting assay, and colony formation assay in vitro, as well as the tumorigenesis ability using in vivo xenograft mouse models. First, we found that the expression of Pin1 mRNA and protein was significantly increased in both de novo leukemia clinical samples and multiple leukemia cell lines, compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, genetic or chemical inhibition of Pin1 in human multiple leukemia cell lines potently inhibited multiple Pin1 substrate oncoproteins and effectively suppressed leukemia cell proliferation and colony formation ability in cell culture models in vitro. Moreover, tetracycline-inducible Pin1 knockdown and slow-releasing ATRA potently inhibited tumorigenicity of U937 and HL-60 leukemia cells in xenograft mouse models. We demonstrate that Pin1 is highly overexpressed in human AML and is a promising therapeutic target to block multiple cancer-driving pathways in AML.

Equilibrium cycle pin by pin transport depletion calculations with DeCART

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

Kochunas, B.; Downar, T.; Taiwo, T.

As the Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative (AFCI) program has matured it has become more important to utilize more advanced simulation methods. The work reported here was performed as part of the AFCI fellowship program to develop and demonstrate the capability of performing high fidelity equilibrium cycle calculations. As part of the work here, a new multi-cycle analysis capability was implemented in the DeCART code which included modifying the depletion modules to perform nuclide decay calculations, implementing an assembly shuffling pattern description, and modifying iteration schemes. During the work, stability issues were uncovered with respect to converging simultaneously the neutron flux,more » isotopics, and fluid density and temperature distributions in 3-D. Relaxation factors were implemented which considerably improved the stability of the convergence. To demonstrate the capability two core designs were utilized, a reference UOX core and a CORAIL core. Full core equilibrium cycle calculations were performed on both cores and the discharge isotopics were compared. From this comparison it was noted that the improved modeling capability was not drastically different in its prediction of the discharge isotopics when compared to 2-D single assembly or 2-D core models. For fissile isotopes such as U-235, Pu-239, and Pu-241 the relative differences were 1.91%, 1.88%, and 0.59%), respectively. While this difference may not seem large it translates to mass differences on the order of tens of grams per assembly, which may be significant for the purposes of accounting of special nuclear material. (authors)« less

Stability and Multiattractor Dynamics of a Toggle Switch Based on a Two-Stage Model of Stochastic Gene Expression

PubMed Central

Strasser, Michael; Theis, Fabian J.; Marr, Carsten

2012-01-01

A toggle switch consists of two genes that mutually repress each other. This regulatory motif is active during cell differentiation and is thought to act as a memory device, being able to choose and maintain cell fate decisions. Commonly, this switch has been modeled in a deterministic framework where transcription and translation are lumped together. In this description, bistability occurs for transcription factor cooperativity, whereas autoactivation leads to a tristable system with an additional undecided state. In this contribution, we study the stability and dynamics of a two-stage gene expression switch within a probabilistic framework inspired by the properties of the Pu/Gata toggle switch in myeloid progenitor cells. We focus on low mRNA numbers, high protein abundance, and monomeric transcription-factor binding. Contrary to the expectation from a deterministic description, this switch shows complex multiattractor dynamics without autoactivation and cooperativity. Most importantly, the four attractors of the system, which only emerge in a probabilistic two-stage description, can be identified with committed and primed states in cell differentiation. To begin, we study the dynamics of the system and infer the mechanisms that move the system between attractors using both the quasipotential and the probability flux of the system. Next, we show that the residence times of the system in one of the committed attractors are geometrically distributed. We derive an analytical expression for the parameter of the geometric distribution, therefore completely describing the statistics of the switching process and elucidate the influence of the system parameters on the residence time. Moreover, we find that the mean residence time increases linearly with the mean protein level. This scaling also holds for a one-stage scenario and for autoactivation. Finally, we study the implications of this distribution for the stability of a switch and discuss the influence of the stability on a specific cell differentiation mechanism. Our model explains lineage priming and proposes the need of either high protein numbers or long-term modifications such as chromatin remodeling to achieve stable cell fate decisions. Notably, we present a system with high protein abundance that nevertheless requires a probabilistic description to exhibit multistability, complex switching dynamics, and lineage priming. PMID:22225794

--No Title--

Science.gov Websites

beam diameter? Which ion beams are available and how long does it take to change from one to another connector is inverted. Adapters are available to invert the pins again resulting in a one-to-one pin pattern one-to-one pin pattern. Maximim current rating is 1 amp per pin. Five 37-pin D subminiature connectors

The effects of pin elasticity, clearance, and friction on the stresses in a pin-loaded orthotropic plate

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hyer, M. W.; Klang, E. C.; Cooper, D. E.

1987-01-01

The effects of pin elasticity, clearance, and friction on the stresses in a pin loaded orthotropic plate are studied. The effects are studied by posing the problem as a planar contact elasticity problem, the pin and the plate being two elastic bodies which interact through contact. Coulomb friction is assumed, the pin loads the plate in one of its principal material directions, and the plate is infinite in extent. A collocation scheme and interaction, in conjunction with a complex variable series solution, are used to obtain numerical results. The contact region between the plate and pin is unknown and must be solved for as part of the solution. The same is true of the region of friction induced no slip. Two pin stiffnesses, two clearance levels, two friction levels and two laminates, a (0/+ or - 45/90)s and a (02/+ or - 45)s, are studied. The effects of pin elasticity, clearance, and friction on the load capacity of the plate are assessed by comparing the load capacity of the plate with the capacity when the pin is rigid, perfectly fitting, and frictionless.

Active Pin1 is a key target of all-trans retinoic acid in acute promyelocytic leukemia and breast cancer.

PubMed

Wei, Shuo; Kozono, Shingo; Kats, Lev; Nechama, Morris; Li, Wenzong; Guarnerio, Jlenia; Luo, Manli; You, Mi-Hyeon; Yao, Yandan; Kondo, Asami; Hu, Hai; Bozkurt, Gunes; Moerke, Nathan J; Cao, Shugeng; Reschke, Markus; Chen, Chun-Hau; Rego, Eduardo M; Lo-Coco, Francesco; Cantley, Lewis C; Lee, Tae Ho; Wu, Hao; Zhang, Yan; Pandolfi, Pier Paolo; Zhou, Xiao Zhen; Lu, Kun Ping

2015-05-01

A common key regulator of oncogenic signaling pathways in multiple tumor types is the unique isomerase Pin1. However, available Pin1 inhibitors lack the required specificity and potency for inhibiting Pin1 function in vivo. By using mechanism-based screening, here we find that all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)--a therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) that is considered the first example of targeted therapy in cancer, but whose drug target remains elusive--inhibits and degrades active Pin1 selectively in cancer cells by directly binding to the substrate phosphate- and proline-binding pockets in the Pin1 active site. ATRA-induced Pin1 ablation degrades the protein encoded by the fusion oncogene PML-RARA and treats APL in APL cell and animal models as well as in human patients. ATRA-induced Pin1 ablation also potently inhibits triple-negative breast cancer cell growth in human cells and in animal models by acting on many Pin1 substrate oncogenes and tumor suppressors. Thus, ATRA simultaneously blocks multiple Pin1-regulated cancer-driving pathways, an attractive property for treating aggressive and drug-resistant tumors.

Biomechanical and Cost Comparisons of Near-Far and Pin-Bar Constructs.

PubMed

Whitney Kluk, Augusta; Zhang, Tina; Russell, Joseph P; Kim, Hyunchul; Hsieh, Adam H; O'Toole, Robert V

2017-03-01

Orthopedic dogma states that external fixator stiffness is improved by placing 1 pin close to the fracture and 1 as distant as possible ("near-far"). This fixator construct is thought to be less expensive than placing pins a shorter distance apart and using "pin-bar" clamps that attach pins to outriggers. The authors therefore hypothesized that the near-far construct is stiffer and less expensive. They compared mechanical stiffness and costs of near-far and pin-bar constructs commonly used for temporary external fixation of femoral shaft fractures. Their testing model simulated femoral shaft fractures in damage control situations. Fourth-generation synthetic femora (n=18) were used. The near-far construct had 2 pins that were 106 mm apart, placed 25 mm from the gap on each side of the fracture. The pin-bar construct pins were 55 mm apart, placed 40 mm from the gap. Mechanical testing was performed on a material test system machine. Stiffness was determined in the linear portion of the load-displacement curve for both constructs in 4 modes: axial compression, torsional loading, frontal plane 3-point bending, and sagittal plane 3-point bending. Costs were determined from a 2012 price guide. Compared with the near-far construct, the pin-bar construct had stiffness increased by 58% in axial compression (P<.05) and by 52% in torsional loading (P<.05). The pin-bar construct increased cost by 11%. In contrast to the authors' hypothesis and existing orthopedic dogma, the near-far construct was less stiff than the pin-bar construct and was similarly priced. Use of the pin-bar construct is mechanically and economically reasonable. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(2):e238-e241.]. Copyright 2016, SLACK Incorporated.

Wheat grain hardness results from highly conserved mutations in the friabilin components puroindoline a and b

PubMed Central

Giroux, Michael J.; Morris, Craig F.

1998-01-01

“Soft” and “hard” are the two main market classes of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and are distinguished by expression of the Hardness gene. Friabilin, a marker protein for grain softness (Ha), consists of two proteins, puroindoline a and b (pinA and pinB, respectively). We previously demonstrated that a glycine to serine mutation in pinB is linked inseparably to grain hardness. Here, we report that the pinB serine mutation is present in 9 of 13 additional randomly selected hard wheats and in none of 10 soft wheats. The four exceptional hard wheats not containing the serine mutation in pinB express no pinA, the remaining component of the marker protein friabilin. The absence of pinA protein was linked inseparably to grain hardness among 44 near-isogenic lines created between the soft variety Heron and the hard variety Falcon. Both pinA and pinB apparently are required for the expression of grain softness. The absence of pinA protein and transcript and a glycine-to-serine mutation in pinB are two highly conserved mutations associated with grain hardness, and these friabilin genes are the suggested tightly linked components of the Hardness gene. A previously described grain hardness related gene termed “GSP-1” (grain softness protein) is not controlled by chromosome 5D and is apparently not involved in grain hardness. The association of grain hardness with mutations in both pinA or pinB indicates that these two proteins alone may function together to effect grain softness. Elucidation of the molecular basis for grain hardness opens the way to understanding and eventually manipulating this wheat endosperm property. PMID:9600953

Biomechanical Comparison of Locking Compression Plate versus Positive Profile Pins and Polymethylmethacrylate for Stabilization of the Canine Lumbar Vertebrae.

PubMed

Sturges, Beverly K; Kapatkin, Amy S; Garcia, Tanya C; Anwer, Cona; Fukuda, Shimpei; Hitchens, Peta L; Wisner, Tristan; Hayashi, Kei; Stover, Susan M

2016-04-01

To compare the stiffness, angular deformation, and mode of failure of lumbar vertebral column constructs stabilized with bilateral pins and polymethylmethacrylate (Pin-PMMA) or with a unilateral (left) locking compression plate (LCP) with monocortical screws. Ex vivo biomechanical, non-randomized. Cadaveric canine thoracolumbar specimens (n=16). Thoracolumbar (T13-L3) vertebral specimens had the L1-L2 vertebral motion unit stabilized with either Pin-PMMA or LCP. Stiffness in flexion, extension, and right and left lateral bending after nondestructive testing were compared between intact (pretreated) specimens and Pin-PMMA, and LCP constructs. The Pin-PMMA and LCP constructs were then tested to failure in flexion and left lateral bending. Both the Pin-PMMA and LCP constructs had reduced range of motion at the stabilized L1-L2 vertebral motion unit compared to intact specimens. The Pin-PMMA constructs had less range of motion for the flexion elastic zone than LCP constructs. The Pin-PMMA constructs were stiffer than intact specimens in flexion, extension, and lateral bending, and stiffer than LCP constructs in flexion and left lateral bending. The Pin-PMMA constructs had less angular deformation at construct yield and lower residual deformation at L1-L2 than LCP constructs after destructive testing to failure in flexion. The Pin-PMMA constructs were stiffer, stronger, and had less deformation at yield than LCP constructs after destructive testing to failure in lateral bending. Most constructs failed distant to the implant and fixation site. Pin-PMMA constructs had greater lumbar vertebral stiffness and reduced ROM than LCP constructs; however, both Pin-PMMA and LCP constructs were stronger than intact specimens. © Copyright 2016 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Aluminum(III) interferes with the structure and the activity of the peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (Pin1): a new mechanism contributing to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and cancers?

PubMed

Wang, Jing-Zhang; Liu, Ji; Lin, Tao; Han, Yong-Guang; Luo, Yue; Xi, Lei; Du, Lin-Fang

2013-09-01

The enzyme peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (Pin1) may play an important role in preventing the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The structural and functional stability of Pin1 is extremely important. Previously, we have determined the stability of Pin1 under stressed conditions, such as thermal treatment and acidic-pH. Considering that aluminum (Al(III)) is well known for its potential neurotoxicity in the pathogenesis of AD, we examined whether Al(III) affects the structure and function of Pin1, by means of a PPIase activity assay, intrinsic fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, FTIR, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence measurements mainly show that Al(III) may bind to the clusters nearby W11 and W34 in the WW domain of Pin1, quenching the intrinsic fluorescence of the two tryptophan residues, which possibly results in the decreased binding affinity of Pin1 to substrates. The secondary structural analysis as revealed by FTIR and CD measurements indicate that Al(III) induces the increase in β-sheet and the decrease in α-helix in Pin1. Furthermore, the changes of the thermodynamic parameters for Pin1 as monitored by DSC confirm that the thermal stability of Pin1 significantly increases in the presence of Al(III). The Al(III)-induced structural changes of Pin1 result in a sharp decrease of the PPIase activity of Pin1. To some extent, our research is suggestive that Al(III) may inhibit the isomerization activity of Pin1 in vivo, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of AD. Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Inc.

End-threaded intramedullary positive profile screw ended self-tapping pin (Admit pin) - A cost-effective novel implant for fixing canine long bone fractures.

PubMed

Chanana, Mitin; Kumar, Adarsh; Tyagi, Som Prakash; Singla, Amit Kumar; Sharma, Arvind; Farooq, Uiase Bin

2018-02-01

The current study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical efficacy of end-threaded intramedullary pinning for management of various long bone fractures in canines. This study was conducted in two phases, managing 25 client-owned dogs presented with different fractures. The technique of application of end-threaded intramedullary pinning in long bone fractures was initially standardized in 6 clinical patients presented with long bone fractures. In this phase, end-threaded pins of different profiles, i.e., positive and negative, were used as the internal fixation technique. On the basis of results obtained from standardization phase, 19 client-owned dogs clinically presented with different fractures were implanted with end-threaded intramedullary positive profile screw ended self-tapping pin in the clinical application phase. The patients, allocated randomly in two groups, when evaluated postoperatively revealed slight pin migration in Group-I (negative profile), which resulted in disruption of callus site causing delayed union in one case and large callus formation in other two cases whereas no pin migration was observed in Group-II (positive profile). Other observations in Group-I was reduced muscle girth and delayed healing time as compared to Group-II. In clinical application, phase 21 st and 42 nd day post-operative radiographic follow-up revealed no pin migration in any of the cases, and there was no bone shortening or fragment collapse in end-threaded intramedullary positive profile screw ended self-tapping pin. The end-threaded intramedullary positive profile screw ended self-tapping pin used for fixation of long bone fractures in canines can resist pin migration, pin breakage, and all loads acting on the bone, i.e., compression, tension, bending, rotation, and shearing to an extent with no post-operative complications.

Foolproof quick-release locking pin

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nelson, E. P.; Othman, T. E.; Zmuda, L. J.

1970-01-01

Locking pin can be withdrawn only when stress on the joint is negligible. Pin consists of a forward-pointing sleeve, a spring-loaded sliding handle, and a sliding plunger. Plunger movement controls installation and withdrawal of pin.

Displaced humeral lateral condyle fractures in children: should we bury the pins?

PubMed

Das De, Soumen; Bae, Donald S; Waters, Peter M

2012-09-01

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if leaving Kirschner wires exposed is more cost-effective than burying them subcutaneously after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of humeral lateral condyle fractures. A retrospective cohort study of all lateral condyle fractures treated over a 10-year period at a single institution was performed. Data on surgical technique, fracture healing, and complications were analyzed, as well as treatment costs. A decision analysis model was then constructed to compare the strategies of leaving the pins exposed versus buried. Finally, sensitivity analyses were performed, assessing cost-effectiveness when infection rates and costs of treating deep infections were varied. A total of 235 children with displaced fractures were treated with ORIF using Kirschner wires. Pins were left exposed in 41 cases (17.4%) and buried in 194 cases (82.6%); the age, sex, injury mechanisms, and fracture patterns were similar in both the groups. The median time to removal of implants was shorter with exposed versus buried pins (4 vs. 6 wk, P<0.001), although there was no difference in fracture union or loss of reduction rates. The rate of superficial infection was higher with exposed pins (9.8% vs. 3.1%), but this was not statistically significant (P=0.076). There were no deep infections with exposed pins, whereas the rate of deep infection was 0.5% with buried pins (P=1.00). Buried pins were associated with additional complications, including symptomatic implants (7.2%); pins protruding through the skin (16%); internal pin migration necessitating additional surgery (1%); and skin necrosis (1%). The decision analysis revealed that leaving pins exposed resulted in an average cost savings of $3442 per patient. This strategy remained cost-effective even when infection rates with exposed pins approached 40%. Leaving the pins exposed after ORIF of lateral condyle fractures is safe and more cost-effective than burying the pins subcutaneously. Retrospective cohort study (level III).

Characterization of Antibacterial and Hemolytic Activity of Synthetic Pandinin 2 Variants and Their Inhibition against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

PubMed Central

Rodríguez, Alexis; Villegas, Elba; Montoya-Rosales, Alejandra; Rivas-Santiago, Bruno; Corzo, Gerardo

2014-01-01

The contention and treatment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other bacteria that cause infectious diseases require the use of new type of antibiotics. Pandinin 2 (Pin2) is a scorpion venom antimicrobial peptide highly hemolytic that has a central proline residue. This residue forms a structural “kink” linked to its pore-forming activity towards human erythrocytes. In this work, the residue Pro14 of Pin2 was both substituted and flanked using glycine residues (P14G and P14GPG) based on the low hemolytic activities of antimicrobial peptides with structural motifs Gly and GlyProGly such as magainin 2 and ponericin G1, respectively. The two Pin2 variants showed antimicrobial activity against E. coli, S. aureus, and M. tuberculosis. However, Pin2 [GPG] was less hemolytic (30%) than that of Pin2 [G] variant. In addition, based on the primary structure of Pin2 [G] and Pin2 [GPG], two short peptide variants were designed and chemically synthesized keeping attention to their physicochemical properties such as hydrophobicity and propensity to adopt alpha-helical conformations. The aim to design these two short antimicrobial peptides was to avoid the drawback cost associated to the synthesis of peptides with large sequences. The short Pin2 variants named Pin2 [14] and Pin2 [17] showed antibiotic activity against E. coli and M. tuberculosis. Besides, Pin2 [14] presented only 25% of hemolysis toward human erythrocytes at concentrations as high as 100 µM, while the peptide Pin2 [17] did not show any hemolytic effect at the same concentration. Furthermore, these short antimicrobial peptides had better activity at molar concentrations against multidrug resistance M. tuberculosis than that of the conventional antibiotics ethambutol, isoniazid and rifampicin. Therefore, Pin2 [14] and Pin2 [17] have the potential to be used as an alternative antibiotics and anti-tuberculosis agents with reduced hemolytic effects. PMID:25019413

The Prolyl Isomerase Pin1 Is a Novel Target of 6,7,4'-Trihydroxyisoflavone for Suppressing Esophageal Cancer Growth.

PubMed

Lim, Tae-Gyu; Lee, Sung-Young; Duan, Zhaoheng; Lee, Mee-Hyun; Chen, Hanyong; Liu, Fangfang; Liu, Kangdong; Jung, Sung Keun; Kim, Dong Joon; Bode, Ann M; Lee, Ki Won; Dong, Zigang

2017-05-01

Intake of soy isoflavones is inversely associated with the risk of esophageal cancer. Numerous experimental results have supported the anticancer activity of soy isoflavones. This study aimed to determine the anti-esophageal cancer activity of 6,7,4'-trihydroxyisoflavone (6,7,4'-THIF), a major metabolite of daidzein, which is readily metabolized in the human body. Notably, 6,7,4'-THIF inhibited proliferation and increased apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells. On the basis of a virtual screening analysis, Pin1 was identified as a target protein of 6,7,4'-THIF. Pull-down assay results using 6,7,4'-THIF Sepharose 4B beads showed a direct interaction between 6,7,4'-THIF and the Pin1 protein. Pin1 is a critical therapeutic and preventive target in esophageal cancer because of its positive regulation of β-catenin and cyclin D1. The 6,7,4'-THIF compound simultaneously reduced Pin1 isomerase activity and the downstream activation targets of Pin1. The specific inhibitory activity of 6,7,4'-THIF was analyzed using Neu/Pin1 wild-type (WT) and Neu/Pin1 knockout (KO) MEFs. 6,7,4'-THIF effected Neu/Pin1 WT MEFs, but not Neu/Pin1 KO MEFs. Furthermore, the results of a xenograft assay using Neu/Pin1 WT and KO MEFs were similar to those obtained from the in vitro assay. Overall, we found that 6,7,4'-THIF specifically reduced Pin1 activity in esophageal cancer models. Importantly, 6,7,4'-THIF directly bound to Pin1 but not FKBP or cyclophilin A, the same family of proteins. Because Pin1 acts like an oncogene by modulating various carcinogenesis-related proteins, this study might at least partially explain the underlying mechanism(s) of the anti-esophageal cancer effects of soy isoflavones. Cancer Prev Res; 10(5); 308-18. ©2017 AACR . ©2017 American Association for Cancer Research.

Mechanical evaluation of external skeletal fixator-intramedullary pin tie-in configurations applied to cadaveral humeri from red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis).

PubMed

Van Wettere, Arnaud J; Redig, Patrick T; Wallace, Larry J; Bourgeault, Craig A; Bechtold, Joan E

2009-12-01

Use of external skeletal fixator-intramedullary pin (ESF-IM) tie-in fixators is an adjustable and effective method of fracture fixation in birds. The objective of this study was to determine the contribution of each of the following parameters to the compressive and torsional rigidity of an ESF-IM pin tie-in applied to avian bones with an osteotomy gap: (1) varying the fixation pin position in the proximal bone segment and (2) increasing the number of fixation pins in one or both bone segments. ESF-IM pin tie-in constructs were applied to humeri harvested from red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) (n=24) that had been euthanatized for clinical reasons. Constructs with a variation in the placement of the proximal fixation pin and with 2, 3, or 4 fixation pins applied to avian bone with an osteotomy gap were loaded to a defined displacement in torque and axial compression. Response variables were determined from resulting load-displacement curves (construct stiffness, load at 1-mm displacement). Increasing the number of fixation pins from 1 to 2 per bone segment significantly increased the stiffness in torque (110%) and compression (60%), and the safe load in torque (107%) and compression (50%). Adding a fixation pin to the distal bone segment to form a 3-pin fixator significantly increased the stiffness (27%) and safe load (20%) in torque but not in axial compression. In the configuration with 2 fixation pins, placing the proximal pin distally in the proximal bone segment significantly increased the stiffness in torque (28%), and the safe load in torque (23%) and in axial compression (32%). Results quantified the relative importance of specific parameters affecting the rigidity of ESF-IM pin tie-in constructs as applied to unstable bone fracture models in birds.

Differential roles of auxin efflux carrier PIN proteins in hypocotyl phototropism of etiolated Arabidopsis seedlings depend on the direction of light stimulus.

PubMed

Haga, Ken; Sakai, Tatsuya

2013-01-01

In a recent study, we demonstrated that although the auxin efflux carrier PIN-FORMED (PIN) proteins, such as PIN3 and PIN7, are required for the pulse-induced first positive phototropism in etiolated Arabidopsis hypocotyls, they are not necessary for the continuous-light-induced second positive phototropism when the seedlings are grown on the surface of agar medium, which causes the hypocotyls to separate from the agar surface. Previous reports have shown that hypocotyl phototropism is slightly impaired in pin3 single mutants when they are grown along the surface of agar medium, where the hypocotyls always contact the agar, producing some friction. To clarify the possible involvement of PIN3 and PIN7 in continuous-light-induced phototropism, we investigated hypocotyl phototropism in the pin3 pin7 double mutant grown along the surface of agar medium. Intriguingly, the phototropic curvature was slightly impaired in the double mutant when the phototropic stimulus was presented on the adaxial side of the hook, but was not impaired when the phototropic stimulus was presented on the abaxial side of the hook. These results indicate that PIN proteins are required for continuous-light-induced second positive phototropism, depending on the direction of the light stimulus, when the seedlings are in contact with agar medium.

Differential roles of auxin efflux carrier PIN proteins in hypocotyl phototropism of etiolated Arabidopsis seedlings depend on the direction of light stimulus

PubMed Central

Haga, Ken; Sakai, Tatsuya

2013-01-01

In a recent study, we demonstrated that although the auxin efflux carrier PIN-FORMED (PIN) proteins, such as PIN3 and PIN7, are required for the pulse-induced first positive phototropism in etiolated Arabidopsis hypocotyls, they are not necessary for the continuous-light-induced second positive phototropism when the seedlings are grown on the surface of agar medium, which causes the hypocotyls to separate from the agar surface. Previous reports have shown that hypocotyl phototropism is slightly impaired in pin3 single mutants when they are grown along the surface of agar medium, where the hypocotyls always contact the agar, producing some friction. To clarify the possible involvement of PIN3 and PIN7 in continuous-light-induced phototropism, we investigated hypocotyl phototropism in the pin3 pin7 double mutant grown along the surface of agar medium. Intriguingly, the phototropic curvature was slightly impaired in the double mutant when the phototropic stimulus was presented on the adaxial side of the hook, but was not impaired when the phototropic stimulus was presented on the abaxial side of the hook. These results indicate that PIN proteins are required for continuous-light-induced second positive phototropism, depending on the direction of the light stimulus, when the seedlings are in contact with agar medium. PMID:23104115

Decursin exerts anti-cancer activity in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells via inhibition of the Pin1 activity and enhancement of the Pin1/p53 association.

PubMed

Kim, Ji-Hyun; Jung, Ji Hoon; Kim, Sung-Hoon; Jeong, Soo-Jin

2014-02-01

The peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase Pin1 is overexpressed in a wide variety of cancer cells and thus considered as an important target molecule for cancer therapy. This study demonstrates that decursin, a bioactive compound from Angelica gigas, exert the anti-cancer effect against breast cancer cells via regulation of Pin1 and its related signaling molecules. We observed that decursin induced G1 arrest with decrease in cyclin D1 level in Pin1-expressing breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231, but not Pin1-non-expressing breast cancer cells MDA-MB-157. In addition, decursin significantly reduced protein expression and enzymatic activity of Pin1 in MDA-MB-231 cells. Further, we found that decursin treatment enhanced the p53 expression level and failed to down-regulate Pin1 in the cells transfected with p53 siRNA, indicating the importance of p53 in the decursin-mediated Pin1 inhibition in MDA-MB-231 cells. Decursin stimulated association between Pin1 to p53. Moreover, decursin facilitated p53 transcription in MDA-MB-231 cells. Overall, our current study suggests the potential of decursin as an attractive cancer therapeutic agent for breast cancer by targeting Pin1 protein. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Prolyl Isomerase Pin1 Regulates Neuronal Differentiation via β-Catenin

PubMed Central

Nakamura, Kazuhiro; Kosugi, Isao; Lee, Daniel Y.; Hafner, Angela; Sinclair, David A.

2012-01-01

The Wnt/β-catenin pathway promotes proliferation of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) at early stages and induces neuronal differentiation from NPCs at late stages, but the molecular mechanisms that control this stage-specific response are unclear. Pin1 is a prolyl isomerase that regulates cell signaling uniquely by controlling protein conformation after phosphorylation, but its role in neuronal differentiation is not known. Here we found that whereas Pin1 depletion suppresses neuronal differentiation, Pin1 overexpression enhances it, without any effects on gliogenesis from NPCs in vitro. Consequently, Pin1-null mice have significantly fewer upper layer neurons in the motor cortex and severely impaired motor activity during the neonatal stage. A proteomic approach identified β-catenin as a major substrate for Pin1 in NPCs, in which Pin1 stabilizes β-catenin. As a result, Pin1 knockout leads to reduced β-catenin during differentiation but not proliferation of NPCs in developing brains. Importantly, defective neuronal differentiation in Pin1 knockout NPCs is fully rescued in vitro by overexpression of β-catenin but not a β-catenin mutant that fails to act as a Pin1 substrate. These results show that Pin1 is a novel regulator of NPC differentiation by acting on β-catenin and provides a new postphosphorylation signaling mechanism to regulate developmental stage-specific functioning of β-catenin signaling in neuronal differentiation. PMID:22645310

Pneumocranium secondary to halo vest pin penetration through an enlarged frontal sinus.

PubMed

Cheong, Min Lee; Chan, Chris Yin Wei; Saw, Lim Beng; Kwan, Mun Keong

2009-07-01

We present a case report of a patient with pneumocranium secondary to halo vest pin penetration and a review of literature. The objectives of this study are to report a rare complication of halo vest pin insertion and to discuss methods of prevention of this complication. Halo vest orthosis is a commonly used and well-tolerated upper cervical spinal stabilizing device. Reports of complications related to pin penetration is rare and from our review, there has been no reports of pneumocranium occurring from insertion of pins following standard anatomical landmarks. A 57-year-old male sustained a type 1 traumatic spondylolisthesis of C2/C3 following a motor vehicle accident. During application of the halo vest, penetration of the left anterior pin through the abnormally enlarged frontal sinus occurred. The patient developed headache, vomiting and CSF rhinorrhoea over his left nostril. He was treated with intravenous Ceftriaxone for 1 week. This resulted in resolution of his symptoms as well as the pneumocranium. In conclusion, complications of halo vest pin penetration are rare and need immediate recognition. Despite the use of anatomical landmarks, pin penetration is still possible due to aberrant anatomy. All patients should have a skull X-ray with a radio-opaque marker done prior to placement of the halo vest pins and halo vest pins have to be inserted by experienced personnel to enable early detection of pin penetration.

Finite Element Analysis of Laser Engineered Net Shape (LENS™) Tungsten Clad Squeeze Pins

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakhuja, Amit; Brevick, Jerald R.

2004-06-01

In the aluminum high-pressure die-casting and indirect squeeze casting processes, local "squeeze" pins are often used to minimize internal solidification shrinkage in heavy casting sections. Squeeze pins frequently fail in service due to molten aluminum adhering to the H13 tool steel pins ("soldering"). A wide variety of coating materials and methods have been developed to minimize soldering on H13. However, these coatings are typically very thin, and experience has shown their performance on squeeze pins is highly variable. The LENS™ process was employed in this research to deposit a relatively thick tungsten cladding on squeeze pins. An advantage of this process was that the process parameters could be precisely controlled in order to produce a satisfactory cladding. Two fixtures were designed and constructed to enable the end and outer diameter (OD) of the squeeze pins to be clad. Analyses were performed on the clad pins to evaluate the microstructure and chemical composition of the tungsten cladding and the cladding-H13 substrate interface. A thermo-mechanical finite element analysis (FEA) was performed to assess the stress distribution as a function of cladding thickness on the pins during a typical casting thermal cycle. FEA results were validated via a physical test, where the clad squeeze pins were immersed into molten aluminum. Pins subjected to the test were evaluated for thermally induced cracking and resistance to soldering of the tungsten cladding.

PIN6 auxin transporter at endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane mediates auxin homeostasis and organogenesis in Arabidopsis.

PubMed

Simon, Sibu; Skůpa, Petr; Viaene, Tom; Zwiewka, Marta; Tejos, Ricardo; Klíma, Petr; Čarná, Mária; Rolčík, Jakub; De Rycke, Riet; Moreno, Ignacio; Dobrev, Petre I; Orellana, Ariel; Zažímalová, Eva; Friml, Jiří

2016-07-01

Plant development mediated by the phytohormone auxin depends on tightly controlled cellular auxin levels at its target tissue that are largely established by intercellular and intracellular auxin transport mediated by PIN auxin transporters. Among the eight members of the Arabidopsis PIN family, PIN6 is the least characterized candidate. In this study we generated functional, fluorescent protein-tagged PIN6 proteins and performed comprehensive analysis of their subcellular localization and also performed a detailed functional characterization of PIN6 and its developmental roles. The localization study of PIN6 revealed a dual localization at the plasma membrane (PM) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Transport and metabolic profiling assays in cultured cells and Arabidopsis strongly suggest that PIN6 mediates both auxin transport across the PM and intracellular auxin homeostasis, including the regulation of free auxin and auxin conjugates levels. As evidenced by the loss- and gain-of-function analysis, the complex function of PIN6 in auxin transport and homeostasis is required for auxin distribution during lateral and adventitious root organogenesis and for progression of these developmental processes. These results illustrate a unique position of PIN6 within the family of PIN auxin transporters and further add complexity to the developmentally crucial process of auxin transport. © 2016 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2016 New Phytologist Trust.

Anvil for Flaring PCB Guide Pins

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Winn, E.; Turner, R.

1985-01-01

Spring-loaded anvil results in fewer fractured pins. New anvil for flaring guide pins in printed-circuit boards absorbs approximately 80 percent of press force. As result fewer pins damaged, and work output of flaring press greatly increased.

Proper PIN1 Distribution Is Needed for Root Negative Phototropism in Arabidopsis

PubMed Central

Zhang, Kun-Xiao; Xu, Heng-Hao; Gong, Wen; Jin, Yan; Shi, Ya-Ya; Yuan, Ting-Ting; Li, Juan; Lu, Ying-Tang

2014-01-01

Plants can be adapted to the changing environments through tropic responses, such as light and gravity. One of them is root negative phototropism, which is needed for root growth and nutrient absorption. Here, we show that the auxin efflux carrier PIN-FORMED (PIN) 1 is involved in asymmetric auxin distribution and root negative phototropism. In darkness, PIN1 is internalized and localized to intracellular compartments; upon blue light illumination, PIN1 relocalize to basal plasma membrane in root stele cells. The shift of PIN1 localization induced by blue light is involved in asymmetric auxin distribution and root negative phototropic response. Both blue-light-induced PIN1 redistribution and root negative phototropism is mediated by a BFA-sensitive trafficking pathway and the activity of PID/PP2A. Our results demonstrate that blue-light-induced PIN1 redistribution participate in asymmetric auxin distribution and root negative phototropism. PMID:24465665

Proper PIN1 distribution is needed for root negative phototropism in Arabidopsis.

PubMed

Zhang, Kun-Xiao; Xu, Heng-Hao; Gong, Wen; Jin, Yan; Shi, Ya-Ya; Yuan, Ting-Ting; Li, Juan; Lu, Ying-Tang

2014-01-01

Plants can be adapted to the changing environments through tropic responses, such as light and gravity. One of them is root negative phototropism, which is needed for root growth and nutrient absorption. Here, we show that the auxin efflux carrier PIN-FORMED (PIN) 1 is involved in asymmetric auxin distribution and root negative phototropism. In darkness, PIN1 is internalized and localized to intracellular compartments; upon blue light illumination, PIN1 relocalize to basal plasma membrane in root stele cells. The shift of PIN1 localization induced by blue light is involved in asymmetric auxin distribution and root negative phototropic response. Both blue-light-induced PIN1 redistribution and root negative phototropism is mediated by a BFA-sensitive trafficking pathway and the activity of PID/PP2A. Our results demonstrate that blue-light-induced PIN1 redistribution participate in asymmetric auxin distribution and root negative phototropism.

Stemless ball valve

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burgess, Kevin (Inventor); Yakos, David (Inventor); Walthall, Bryan (Inventor)

2011-01-01

A stemless ball valve comprising two flanges and a ball with a channel, two axis pins and two travel pins. One end of each axis and travel pin is fixedly attached to the ball, and the other end of each axis pin is lodged into a notch in the first or second flange such that the axis pin is allowed to rotate in the notch. The guide sleeve comprises two channels, and one end of each travel pin is situated within one of the two channels in the guide sleeve. An outer magnetic cartridge causes the inner magnetic cartridge and guide sleeve to rotate, and when the guide sleeve rotates, the travel pins move up and down within the channels in the guide sleeve. The movement of the travel pins within the channels in the guide sleeve causes the ball to rotate, thereby opening and closing the ball valve.

Business Planning Model Programmer’s Guide

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-12-01

BPMREPI.PRG 847 temnpupgrade BPMOPEN.PRG 163 te - da -org BPMWHA2.PRG 1949 te tot BPMWHA2.PRG 1912 tgzzoggle BPMWHA2.PRG 349 tlbr UTILITY.PRG 921 toggle...closewindowIdispcapital get-totals disp capital. openwindow disp capital pad disp capital showeditinsg disp__capital tlbr disp capital wr-arr disp capital wr-dulsUdisp_...showeditnisg disp__contract tlbr disp contract wr -arrIdisp_ contract wr -duls disp contract wr uls disp__contract wrjyears disp expense closewindow

Optomechanically induced spontaneous symmetry breaking

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miri, Mohammad-Ali; Verhagen, Ewold; Alú, Andrea

2017-05-01

We explore the dynamics of spontaneous breakdown of mirror symmetry in a pair of identical optomechanical cavities symmetrically coupled to a waveguide. Large optical intensities enable optomechanically induced nonlinear detuning of the optical resonators, resulting in a pitchfork bifurcation. We investigate the stability of this regime and explore the possibility of inducing multistability. By injecting proper trigger pulses, the proposed structure can toggle between two asymmetric stable states, thus serving as a low-noise nanophotonic all-optical switch or memory element.

Variable-Reluctance Motor For Electric Vehicles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lang, Jeffrey H.

1987-01-01

Report describes research on variable-reluctance electric-motor drive for eventual use in electric-vehicle propulsion. Primary design and performance criteria were torque and power output per unit mass of motor, cost, and drive efficiency. For each criterion, optimized drive design developed, and designs unified to yield single electric-vehicle drive. Scaled-down motor performed as expected. Prototype of paraplegic lift operated by toggle switch and joystick. Lift plugs into household electrical outlet for recharging when not in use.

Fluid circulating pump operated by same incident solar energy which heats energy collection fluid

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Collins, E. R.

1980-01-01

The application of using a spacecraft solar powered pump terrestrially to reduce or eliminate the need for fossil fuel generated electricity for domestic solar hot water systems was investigated. A breadboard prototype model was constructed utilizing bimetals to convert thermal energy into mechanical motion by means of a toggle operated shutter mechanism. Although it did not meet expected thermal efficiency, the prototype model was sufficient to demonstrate the mechanical concept.

Glove box on vehicular instrument panel

DOEpatents

Atarashi, Kazuya

1985-01-01

A glove box for the upper surface of an automobile dashboard whereby it may be positioned close to the driver. The glove box lid is pivotally supported by arms extending down either side to swing forwardly for opening. A hook is pivotally support adjacent an arm and weighted to swing into engagement with the arm to prevent opening of the lid during abrupt deceleration. A toggle spring assists in maintaining the lid in either the open or closed position.

A Multistate Toggle Switch Defines Fungal Cell Fates and Is Regulated by Synergistic Genetic Cues

PubMed Central

Anderson, Matthew Z.; Porman, Allison M.; Wang, Na; Mancera, Eugenio; Bennett, Richard J.

2016-01-01

Heritable epigenetic changes underlie the ability of cells to differentiate into distinct cell types. Here, we demonstrate that the fungal pathogen Candida tropicalis exhibits multipotency, undergoing stochastic and reversible switching between three cellular states. The three cell states exhibit unique cellular morphologies, growth rates, and global gene expression profiles. Genetic analysis identified six transcription factors that play key roles in regulating cell differentiation. In particular, we show that forced expression of Wor1 or Efg1 transcription factors can be used to manipulate transitions between all three cell states. A model for tristability is proposed in which Wor1 and Efg1 are self-activating but mutually antagonistic transcription factors, thereby forming a symmetrical self-activating toggle switch. We explicitly test this model and show that ectopic expression of WOR1 can induce white-to-hybrid-to-opaque switching, whereas ectopic expression of EFG1 drives switching in the opposite direction, from opaque-to-hybrid-to-white cell states. We also address the stability of induced cell states and demonstrate that stable differentiation events require ectopic gene expression in combination with chromatin-based cues. These studies therefore experimentally test a model of multistate stability and demonstrate that transcriptional circuits act synergistically with chromatin-based changes to drive cell state transitions. We also establish close mechanistic parallels between phenotypic switching in unicellular fungi and cell fate decisions during stem cell reprogramming. PMID:27711197

Stochastic models for regulatory networks of the genetic toggle switch.

PubMed

Tian, Tianhai; Burrage, Kevin

2006-05-30

Bistability arises within a wide range of biological systems from the lambda phage switch in bacteria to cellular signal transduction pathways in mammalian cells. Changes in regulatory mechanisms may result in genetic switching in a bistable system. Recently, more and more experimental evidence in the form of bimodal population distributions indicates that noise plays a very important role in the switching of bistable systems. Although deterministic models have been used for studying the existence of bistability properties under various system conditions, these models cannot realize cell-to-cell fluctuations in genetic switching. However, there is a lag in the development of stochastic models for studying the impact of noise in bistable systems because of the lack of detailed knowledge of biochemical reactions, kinetic rates, and molecular numbers. In this work, we develop a previously undescribed general technique for developing quantitative stochastic models for large-scale genetic regulatory networks by introducing Poisson random variables into deterministic models described by ordinary differential equations. Two stochastic models have been proposed for the genetic toggle switch interfaced with either the SOS signaling pathway or a quorum-sensing signaling pathway, and we have successfully realized experimental results showing bimodal population distributions. Because the introduced stochastic models are based on widely used ordinary differential equation models, the success of this work suggests that this approach is a very promising one for studying noise in large-scale genetic regulatory networks.

Stochastic models for regulatory networks of the genetic toggle switch

PubMed Central

Tian, Tianhai; Burrage, Kevin

2006-01-01

Bistability arises within a wide range of biological systems from the λ phage switch in bacteria to cellular signal transduction pathways in mammalian cells. Changes in regulatory mechanisms may result in genetic switching in a bistable system. Recently, more and more experimental evidence in the form of bimodal population distributions indicates that noise plays a very important role in the switching of bistable systems. Although deterministic models have been used for studying the existence of bistability properties under various system conditions, these models cannot realize cell-to-cell fluctuations in genetic switching. However, there is a lag in the development of stochastic models for studying the impact of noise in bistable systems because of the lack of detailed knowledge of biochemical reactions, kinetic rates, and molecular numbers. In this work, we develop a previously undescribed general technique for developing quantitative stochastic models for large-scale genetic regulatory networks by introducing Poisson random variables into deterministic models described by ordinary differential equations. Two stochastic models have been proposed for the genetic toggle switch interfaced with either the SOS signaling pathway or a quorum-sensing signaling pathway, and we have successfully realized experimental results showing bimodal population distributions. Because the introduced stochastic models are based on widely used ordinary differential equation models, the success of this work suggests that this approach is a very promising one for studying noise in large-scale genetic regulatory networks. PMID:16714385

Conformational Toggling of Yeast Iso-1-Cytochrome c in the Oxidized and Reduced States

PubMed Central

Yang, Zhongzheng; Zhu, Jing; Ying, Tianlei; Jiang, Xianwang; Zhang, Xu; Wu, Houming; Liu, Maili; Tan, Xiangshi; Cao, Chunyang; Huang, Zhong-Xian

2011-01-01

To convert cyt c into a peroxidase-like metalloenzyme, the P71H mutant was designed to introduce a distal histidine. Unexpectedly, its peroxidase activity was found even lower than that of the native, and that the axial ligation of heme iron was changed to His71/His18 in the oxidized state, while to Met80/His18 in the reduced state, characterized by UV-visible, circular dichroism, and resonance Raman spectroscopy. To further probe the functional importance of Pro71 in oxidation state dependent conformational changes occurred in cyt c, the solution structures of P71H mutant in both oxidation states were determined. The structures indicate that the half molecule of cyt c (aa 50–102) presents a kind of “zigzag riveting ruler” structure, residues at certain positions of this region such as Pro71, Lys73 can move a big distance by altering the tertiary structure while maintaining the secondary structures. This finding provides a molecular insight into conformational toggling in different oxidation states of cyt c that is principle significance to its biological functions in electron transfer and apoptosis. Structural analysis also reveals that Pro71 functions as a key hydrophobic patch in the folding of the polypeptide of the region (aa 50–102), to prevent heme pocket from the solvent. PMID:22087268

Advances in methods to characterize ligand-induced ionic lock and rotamer toggle molecular switch in G protein-coupled receptors.

PubMed

Xie, Xiang-Qun; Chowdhury, Ananda

2013-01-01

Structural biology of GPCRs has made significant progress upon recently developed technologies for GPCRs expression/purification and elucidation of GPCRs crystal structures. The crystal structures provide a snapshot of the receptor structural disposition of GPCRs itself or with cocrystallized ligands, and the results are congruent with biophysical and computer modeling studies reported about GPCRs conformational and dynamics flexibility, regulated activation, and the various stabilizing interactions, such as "molecular switches." The molecular switches generally constitute the most conserved domains within a particular GPCR superfamily. Often agonist-induced receptor activation proceeds by the disruption of majority of these interactions, while antagonist and inverse agonist act as blockers and structural stabilizers, respectively. Several elegant studies, particularly for the β2AR, have demonstrated the relationship between ligand structure, receptor conformational changes, and corresponding pharmacological outcomes. Thus, it is of great importance to understand GPCRs activation related to cell signaling pathways. Herein, we summarize the steps to produce functional GPCRs, generate suitably fluorescent labeled GPCRs and the procedure to use that to understand if ligand-induced activation can proceed by activation of the GPCRs via ionic lock switch and/or rotamer toggle switch mechanisms. Such understanding of ligand structure and mechanism of receptor activation will provide great insight toward uncovering newer pathways of GPCR activation and aid in structure-based drug design. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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

Kraus, A.; Garner, P.; Hanan, N.

Thermal-hydraulic simulations have been performed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for the highly-enriched uranium (HEU) design of the IVG.1M reactor at the Institute of Atomic Energy (IAE) at the National Nuclear Center (NNC) in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Steady-state simulations were performed for both types of fuel assembly (FA), i.e. the FA in rows 1 & 2 and the FA in row 3, as well as for single pins in those FA (600 mm and 800 mm pins). Both single pin calculations and bundle sectors have been simulated for the most conservative operating conditions corresponding to the 10 MW outputmore » power, which corresponds to a pin unit cell Reynolds number of only about 7500. Simulations were performed using the commercial code STAR-CCM+ for the actual twisted pin geometry as well as a straight-pin approximation. Various Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) turbulence models gave different results, and so some validation runs with a higher-fidelity Large Eddy Simulation (LES) code were performed given the lack of experimental data. These singled out the Realizable Two-Layer k-ε as the most accurate turbulence model for estimating surface temperature. Single-pin results for the twisted case, based on the average flow rate per pin and peak pin power, were conservative for peak clad surface temperature compared to the bundle results. Also the straight-pin calculations were conservative as compared to the twisted pin simulations, as expected, but the single-pin straight case was not always conservative with regard to the straight-pin bundle. This was due to the straight-pin temperature distribution being strongly influenced by the pin orientation, particularly near the outer boundary. The straight-pin case also predicted the peak temperature to be in a different location than the twisted-pin case. This is a limitation of the straight-pin approach. The peak temperature pin was in a different location from the peak power pin in every case simulated, and occurred at an inner pin just before the enrichment change. The 600 mm case demonstrated a peak clad surface temperature of 370.4 K, while the 800 mm case had a temperature of 391.6 K. These temperatures are well below the necessary temperatures for boiling to occur at the rated pressure. Fuel temperatures are also well below the melting point. Future bundle work will include simulations of the proposed low-enriched uranium (LEU) design. Two transient scenarios were also investigated for the single-pin geometries. Both were “model” problems that were focused on pure thermal-hydraulic behavior, and as such were simple power changes that did not incorporate neutron kinetics modeling. The first scenario was a high-power, ramp increase, while the second scenario was a low-power, step increase. A cylindrical RELAP model was also constructed to investigate its accuracy as compared to the higher-fidelity CFD. Comparisons between the two codes showed good agreement for peak temperatures in the fuel and at the cladding surface for both cases. In the step transient, temperatures at four axial levels were also computed. These showed greater but reasonable discrepancy, with RELAP outputting higher temperatures. These results provide some evidence that RELAP can be used with confidence in modeling transients for IVG.« less

A double tuned rail damper—increased damping at the two first pinned-pinned frequencies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maes, J.; Sol, H.

2003-10-01

Railway-induced vibrations are a growing matter of environmental concern. The rapid development of transportation, the increase of vehicle speeds and vehicle weights have resulted in higher vibration levels. In the meantime vibrations that were tolerated in the past are now considered to be a nuisance. Numerous solutions have been proposed to remedy these problems. The majority only acts on a specific part of the dynamic behaviour of the track. This paper presents a possible solution to reduce the noise generated by the 'pinned-pinned' frequencies. Pinned-pinned frequencies correspond with standing waves whose nodes are positioned exactly at the sleeper supports. The two first pinned-pinned frequencies are situated approximately at 950 and 2200 Hz (UIC60-rail and sleeper spacing of 0.60 m). To attenuate these vibrations, the Department of MEMC at the VUB has developed a dynamic vibration absorber called the Double Tuned Rail Damper (DTRD). The DTRD is mounted between two sleepers on the rail and is powered by the motion of the rail. The DTRD consists of two major parts: a steel plate which is connected to the rail with an interface of an elastic layer, and a rubber mass. The two first resonance frequencies of the steel plate coincide with the targeted pinned-pinned frequencies of the rail. The rubber mass acts as a motion controller and energy absorber. Measurements at a test track of the French railway company (SNCF) have shown considerable attenuation of the envisaged pinned-pinned frequencies. The attenuation rate surpasses 5 dB/m at certain frequency bands.

Tips Under the Skin: A Simple Modification of Extension Block Pinning for Mallet Fractures.

PubMed

Shin, Seung-Han; Lee, Yong-Suk; Kang, Jin-Woo; Kang, Wonwoo; Chung, Yang-Guk

2018-03-01

Pins exposed out of the skin after surgery for mallet fractures keep patients from washing their hands. The authors buried the tips of all pins under the skin while performing extension block pinning for 14 patients with mallet fractures. The patients were allowed to wash their hands 4 to 5 days postoperatively, without any dressing or splinting. The pins were removed at a mean of 8 weeks postoperatively. Solid union was achieved in all 14 fractures. No pull-out or subsidence of the pin was observed. No patient developed infection or other pin-related complications. Mean extension lag at final follow-up was 4°. [Orthopedics. 2018; 41(2):e299-e302.]. Copyright 2018, SLACK Incorporated.

An electrochemically-driven dual-mode display device with both reflective and emissive modes using poly(p-phenylenevinylene) derivatives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsuneyasu, Shota; Jin, Lu; Nakamura, Kazuki; Kobayashi, Norihisa

2016-04-01

We demonstrate a novel electrochemical dual-mode displaying (DMD) device, which enables control of both coloration and light emission using an electrochemical reaction. The coloration control of the DMD device was based on an electrochromic (EC) reaction, whereas the light emission of the device was caused by an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) mechanism. This novel DMD device consisted of a pair of facing conductive polymer-modified electrodes: comb-shaped interdigitated Au electrodes modified with poly[2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV) layers and poly(2,3-dihydrothieno-1,4-dioxin)-poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT/PSS) film-modified indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes. When a bias voltage was applied between the PEDOT/PSS film-modified ITO electrode and the comb-shaped electrodes, a color change of the device was observed by the EC reaction of the MEH-PPV and PEDOT/PSS. On the other hand, an emission was obtained when the bias voltage was applied between two comb-shaped interdigitated electrodes. The orange emission was ascribed to the ECL reaction of the MEH-PPV layer, which resulted from the formation of a p-i-n junction in this layer.

Detail of "pin" or large bolt used to assemble the ...

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

Detail of "pin" or large bolt used to assemble the truss pieces. This "pin" is on pony truss; similar pins were used on movable span. - Naval Supply Annex Stockton, Rough & Ready Island, Stockton, San Joaquin County, CA

Flux pinning in yttrium barium copper oxide coated conductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Zhijun

High quality high-temperature-superconducting YBa2Cu 3O7-x (YBCO) films for industrial applications demand very high critical current densities Jc, which can only be achieved by strong three-dimensional (3D) pinning with deliberately introduced nano-precipitates. The purpose of this thesis is to provide an in-depth understanding of the 3D pinning in such YBCO films. In pulsed laser deposition (PLD) prepared YBCO films, a high density of anti-phase boundaries and stacking faults were found to be effective pinning defects for improving Jc in small fields. However, their failure to improve Jc at high fields shows that such naturally generated defects are not strong 3D pinning centers. A demonstration of strong 3D pinning was found in a metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) grown YBCO coated conductor (CC) with a high density of (Y,Sm)2O3 nano-precipitates. We observed a significantly enhanced irreversibility field Hirr which, like other superconducting properties was independent of thickness, due to strong vortex-pin interactions. The advantage of 3D pinning was further illustrated by a bi-layer metalorganic deposition (MOD) grown YBCO CC with different 3D pinning structures in each layer. The Jc anisotropy of the bilayer was found to be the thickness-weighted sum of the anisotropy of the two individual layers, demonstrating an applicable way to tune the Jcanisotropy. Moreover, extensive low temperature and high magnetic field evaluations performed on an MOCVD CC with dense 3D (Y,Sm) 2O3 nano-precipitate pinning centers showed that its strong vortex pinning at 77 K correlated well to strong performance at 4.2 K too. YBCO films with quantitatively controlled artificial Y2O 3 nano-precipitates were also grown by PLD, and characterized over wide temperature and field ranges. Their Jc was found to be determined by the vortex pinning mediated by thermal fluctuation effects. In weak thermal-fluctuation situations Jc increased with decreasing effective precipitate spacing Lc. In other situations, Jc depends on both Lc and the size and elementary pinning strength of the nano-precipitates. In summary, this thesis presents detailed pinning studies on several differently grown YBCO films. Our results identify the optimum pinning structures in YBCO films and provide a systematic guidance for optimizing vortex pinning.

Prefoldin and Pins synergistically regulate asymmetric division and suppress dedifferentiation

PubMed Central

Zhang, Yingjie; Rai, Madhulika; Wang, Cheng; Gonzalez, Cayetano; Wang, Hongyan

2016-01-01

Prefoldin is a molecular chaperone complex that regulates tubulin function in mitosis. Here, we show that Prefoldin depletion results in disruption of neuroblast polarity, leading to neuroblast overgrowth in Drosophila larval brains. Interestingly, co-depletion of Prefoldin and Partner of Inscuteable (Pins) leads to the formation of gigantic brains with severe neuroblast overgrowth, despite that Pins depletion alone results in smaller brains with partially disrupted neuroblast polarity. We show that Prefoldin acts synergistically with Pins to regulate asymmetric division of both neuroblasts and Intermediate Neural Progenitors (INPs). Surprisingly, co-depletion of Prefoldin and Pins also induces dedifferentiation of INPs back into neuroblasts, while depletion either Prefoldin or Pins alone is insufficient to do so. Furthermore, knocking down either α-tubulin or β-tubulin in pins- mutant background results in INP dedifferentiation back into neuroblasts, leading to the formation of ectopic neuroblasts. Overexpression of α-tubulin suppresses neuroblast overgrowth observed in prefoldin pins double mutant brains. Our data elucidate an unexpected function of Prefoldin and Pins in synergistically suppressing dedifferentiation of INPs back into neural stem cells. PMID:27025979

Selected wheat seed defense proteins exhibit competitive binding to model microbial lipid interfaces.

PubMed

Sanders, Michael R; Clifton, Luke A; Neylon, Cameron; Frazier, Richard A; Green, Rebecca J

2013-07-17

Puroindolines (Pins) and purothionins (Pths) are basic, amphiphilic, cysteine-rich wheat proteins that play a role in plant defense against microbial pathogens. This study examined the co-adsorption and sequential addition of Pins (Pin-a, Pin-b, and a mutant form of Pin-b with Trp-44 to Arg-44 substitution) and β-purothionin (β-Pth) model anionic lipid layers using a combination of surface pressure measurements, external reflection FTIR spectroscopy, and neutron reflectometry. Results highlighted differences in the protein binding mechanisms and in the competitive binding and penetration of lipid layers between respective Pins and β-Pth. Pin-a formed a blanket-like layer of protein below the lipid surface that resulted in the reduction or inhibition of β-Pth penetration of the lipid layer. Wild-type Pin-b participated in co-operative binding with β-Pth, whereas the mutant Pin-b did not bind to the lipid layer in the presence of β-Pth. The results provide further insight into the role of hydrophobic and cationic amino acid residues in antimicrobial activity.

Shock characterization of TOAD pins

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

Weirick, L.J.; Navarro, N.J.

1995-08-01

The purpose of this program was to characterize Time Of Arrival Detectors (TOAD) pins response to shock loading with respect to risetime, amplitude, repeatability and consistency. TOAD pins were subjected to impacts of 35 to 420 kilobars amplitude and approximately 1 ms pulse width to investigate the timing spread of four pins and the voltage output profile of the individual pins. Sets of pins were also aged at 45{degrees}, 60{degrees}, and 80{degrees}C for approximately nine weeks before shock testing at 315 kilobars impact stress. Four sets of pins were heated to 50.2{degrees}C (125{degrees}F) for approximately two hours and then impactedmore » at either 50 or 315 kilobars. Also, four sets of pins were aged at 60{degrees}C for nine weeks and then heated to 50.2{degrees}C before shock testing at 50 and 315 kilobars impact stress, respectively. Particle velocity measurements at the contact point between the stainless steel targets and TOAD pins were made using a Velocity Interferometer System for Any Reflector (VISAR) to monitor both the amplitude and profile of the shock waves.« less

Evaluating Approaches to Rendering Braille Text on a High-Density Pin Display.

PubMed

Morash, Valerie S; Russomanno, Alexander; Gillespie, R Brent; OModhrain, Sile

2017-10-13

Refreshable displays for tactile graphics are typically composed of pins that have smaller diameters and spacing than standard braille dots. We investigated configurations of high-density pins to form braille text on such displays using non-refreshable stimuli produced with a 3D printer. Normal dot braille (diameter 1.5 mm) was compared to high-density dot braille (diameter 0.75 mm) wherein each normal dot was rendered by high-density simulated pins alone or in a cluster of pins configured in a diamond, X, or square; and to "blobs" that could result from covering normal braille and high-density multi-pin configurations with a thin membrane. Twelve blind participants read MNREAD sentences displayed in these conditions. For high-density simulated pins, single pins were as quickly and easily read as normal braille, but diamond, X, and square multi-pin configurations were slower and/or harder to read than normal braille. We therefore conclude that as long as center-to-center dot spacing and dot placement is maintained, the dot diameter may be open to variability for rendering braille on a high density tactile display.

Effect of Pin Tool Shape on Metal Flow During Friction Stir Welding

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McClure, J. C.; Coronado, E.; Aloor, S.; Nowak, B.; Murr, L. M.; Nunes, Arthur C., Jr.; Munafo, Paul M. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

It has been shown that metal moves behind the rotating Friction Stir Pin Tool in two separate currents or streams. One current, mostly on the advancing side, enters a zone of material that rotates with the pin tool for one or more revolutions and eventually is abandoned behind the pin tool in crescent-shaped pieces. The other current, largely on the retreating side of the pin tool is moved by a wiping process to the back of the pin tool and fills in between the pieces of the rotational zone that have been shed by the rotational zone. This process was studied by using a faying surface copper trace to clarify the metal flow. Welds were made with pin tools having various thread pitches. Decreasing the thread pitch causes the large scale top-to-bottorn flow to break up into multiple vortices along the pin and an unthreaded pin tool provides insufficient vertical motion for there to be a stable rotational zone and flow of material via the rotational zone is not possible leading to porosity on the advancing side of the weld.

Method and apparatus for setting precise nozzle/belt and nozzle/edge dam block gaps

DOEpatents

Carmichael, Robert J.; Dykes, Charles D.; Woodrow, Ronald

1989-05-16

A pair of guide pins are mounted on sideplate extensions of the caster and mating roller pairs are mounted on the nozzle assembly. The nozzle is advanced toward the caster so that the roller pairs engage the guide pins. Both guide pins are remotely adjustable in the vertical direction by hydraulic cylinders acting through eccentrics. This moves the nozzle vertically. The guide pin on the inboard side of the caster is similarly horizontally adjustable. The nozzle roller pair which engage the inboard guide pin are flanged so that the nozzle moves horizontally with the inboard guide pin.

Functionally different PIN proteins control auxin flux during bulbil development in Agave tequilana

PubMed Central

Abraham Juárez, María Jazmín; Hernández Cárdenas, Rocío; Santoyo Villa, José Natzul; O’Connor, Devin; Sluis, Aaron; Hake, Sarah; Ordaz-Ortiz, José; Terry, Leon; Simpson, June

2015-01-01

In Agave tequilana, reproductive failure or inadequate flower development stimulates the formation of vegetative bulbils at the bracteoles, ensuring survival in a hostile environment. Little is known about the signals that trigger this probably unique phenomenon in agave species. Here we report that auxin plays a central role in bulbil development and show that the localization of PIN1-related proteins is consistent with altered auxin transport during this process. Analysis of agave transcriptome data led to the identification of the A. tequilana orthologue of PIN1 (denoted AtqPIN1) and a second closely related gene from a distinct clade reported as ‘Sister of PIN1’ (denoted AtqSoPIN1). Quantitative real-time reverse transcription–PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis showed different patterns of expression for each gene during bulbil formation, and heterologous expression of the A. tequilana PIN1 and SoPIN1 genes in Arabidopsis thaliana confirmed functional differences between these genes. Although no free auxin was detected in induced pedicel samples, changes in the levels of auxin precursors were observed. Taken as a whole, the data support the model that AtqPIN1 and AtqSoPIN1 have co-ordinated but distinct functions in relation to auxin transport during the initial stages of bulbil formation. PMID:25911746

Robust pinning control of heterogeneous complex networks with jointly connected topologies and time-varying parametric uncertainty

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manfredi, Sabato

2018-05-01

The pinning/leader control problems provide the design of the leader or pinning controller in order to guide a complex network to a desired trajectory or target (synchronisation or consensus). Let a time-invariant complex network, pinning/leader control problems include the design of the leader or pinning controller gain and number of nodes to pin in order to guide a network to a desired trajectory (synchronization or consensus). Usually, lower is the number of pinned nodes larger is the pinning gain required to assess network synchronisation. On the other side, realistic application scenario of complex networks is characterised by switching topologies, time-varying node coupling strength and link weight that make hard to solve the pinning/leader control problem. Additionally, the system dynamics at nodes can be heterogeneous. In this paper, we derive robust stabilisation conditions of time-varying heterogeneous complex networks with jointly connected topologies when coupling strength and link weight interactions are affected by time-varying uncertainties. By employing Lyapunov stability theory and linear matrix inequality (LMI) technique, we formulate low computationally demanding stabilisability conditions to design a pinning/leader control gain for robust network synchronisation. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is shown by several design examples applied to a paradigmatic well-known complex network composed of heterogeneous Chua's circuits.

The plasma membrane recycling pathway and cell polarity in plants: studies on PIN proteins.

PubMed

Boutté, Yohann; Crosnier, Marie-Thérèse; Carraro, Nicola; Traas, Jan; Satiat-Jeunemaitre, Béatrice

2006-04-01

The PIN-FORMED (PIN) proteins are plasma-membrane-associated facilitators of auxin transport. They are often targeted to one side of the cell only through subcellular mechanisms that remain largely unknown. Here, we have studied the potential roles of the cytoskeleton and endomembrane system in the localisation of PIN proteins. Immunocytochemistry and image analysis on root cells from Arabidopsis thaliana and maize showed that 10-30% of the intracellular PIN proteins mapped to the Golgi network, but never to prevacuolar compartments. The remaining 70-90% were associated with yet to be identified structures. The maintenance of PIN proteins at the plasma membrane depends on a BFA-sensitive machinery, but not on microtubules and actin filaments. The polar localisation of PIN proteins at the plasmamembrane was not reflected by any asymmetric distribution of cytoplasmic organelles. In addition, PIN proteins were inserted in a symmetrical manner at both sides of the cell plate during cytokinesis. Together, the data indicate that the localisation of PIN proteins is a postmitotic event, which depends on local characteristics of the plasma membrane and its direct environment. In this context, we present evidence that microtubule arrays might define essential positional information for PIN localisation. This information seems to require the presence of an intact cell wall.

Prolyl Isomerase Pin1 Negatively Regulates AMP-activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) by Associating with the CBS Domain in the γ Subunit*

PubMed Central

Nakatsu, Yusuke; Iwashita, Misaki; Sakoda, Hideyuki; Ono, Hiraku; Nagata, Kengo; Matsunaga, Yasuka; Fukushima, Toshiaki; Fujishiro, Midori; Kushiyama, Akifumi; Kamata, Hideaki; Takahashi, Shin-Ichiro; Katagiri, Hideki; Honda, Hiroaki; Kiyonari, Hiroshi; Uchida, Takafumi; Asano, Tomoichiro

2015-01-01

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a critical role in metabolic regulation. In this study, first, it was revealed that Pin1 associates with any isoform of γ, but not with either the α or the β subunit, of AMPK. The association between Pin1 and the AMPK γ1 subunit is mediated by the WW domain of Pin1 and the Thr211-Pro-containing motif located in the CBS domain of the γ1 subunit. Importantly, overexpression of Pin1 suppressed AMPK phosphorylation in response to either 2-deoxyglucose or biguanide stimulation, whereas Pin1 knockdown by siRNAs or treatment with Pin1 inhibitors enhanced it. The experiments using recombinant Pin1, AMPK, LKB1, and PP2C proteins revealed that the protective effect of AMP against PP2C-induced AMPKα subunit dephosphorylation was markedly suppressed by the addition of Pin1. In good agreement with the in vitro data, the level of AMPK phosphorylation as well as the expressions of mitochondria-related genes, such as PGC-1α, which are known to be positively regulated by AMPK, were markedly higher with reduced triglyceride accumulation in the muscles of Pin1 KO mice as compared with controls. These findings suggest that Pin1 plays an important role in the pathogenic mechanisms underlying impaired glucose and lipid metabolism, functioning as a negative regulator of AMPK. PMID:26276391

Potential of pin-by-pin SPN calculations as an industrial reference

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

Fliscounakis, M.; Girardi, E.; Courau, T.

2012-07-01

This paper aims at analysing the potential of pin-by-pin SP{sub n} calculations to compute the neutronic flux in PWR cores as an alternative to the diffusion approximation. As far as pin-by-pin calculations are concerned, a SPH equivalence is used to preserve the reactions rates. The use of SPH equivalence is a common practice in core diffusion calculations. In this paper, a methodology to generalize the equivalence procedure in the SP{sub n} equations context is presented. In order to verify and validate the equivalence procedure, SP{sub n} calculations are compared to 2D transport reference results obtained with the APOLL02 code. Themore » validation cases consist in 3x3 analytical assembly color sets involving burn-up heterogeneities, UOX/MOX interfaces, and control rods. Considering various energy discretizations (up to 26 groups) and flux development orders (up to 7) for the SP{sub n} equations, results show that 26-group SP{sub 3} calculations are very close to the transport reference (with pin production rates discrepancies < 1%). This proves the high interest of pin-by-pin SP{sub n} calculations as an industrial reference when relying on 26 energy groups combined with SP{sub 3} flux development order. Additionally, the SP{sub n} results are compared to diffusion pin-by-pin calculations, in order to evaluate the potential benefit of using a SP{sub n} solver as an alternative to diffusion. Discrepancies on pin-production rates are less than 1.6% for 6-group SP{sub 3} calculations against 3.2% for 2-group diffusion calculations. This shows that SP{sub n} solvers may be considered as an alternative to multigroup diffusion. (authors)« less

Straight SU-8 pins

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Safavieh, R.; Pla Roca, M.; Qasaimeh, M. A.; Mirzaei, M.; Juncker, D.

2010-05-01

SU-8 can be patterned with high resolution, is flexible and tough. These characteristics qualify SU-8 as a material for making spotting pins for printing DNA and protein microarrays, and it can potentially replace the commonly used silicon and steel pins that are expensive, brittle in the case of silicon and can damage the substrate during the printing process. SU-8, however, accumulates large internal stress during fabrication and, as a consequence, thin and long SU-8 structures bend and coil up, which precludes using it for long, freestanding structures such as pins. Here we introduce (i) a novel fabrication process that allows the making of 30 mm long, straight spotting pins that feature (ii) a new design and surface chemistry treatments for better capillary flow control and more homogeneous spotting. A key innovation for the fabrication is a post-processing annealing step with slow temperature ramping and mechanical clamping between two identical substrates to minimize stress buildup and render it symmetric, respectively, which together yield a straight SU-8 structure. SU-8 pins fabricated using this process are compliant and resilient and can buckle without damage during printing. The pins comprise a novel flow stop valve for accurate metering of fluids, and their surface was chemically patterned to render the outside of the pin hydrophobic while the inside of the slit is hydrophilic, and the slit thus spontaneously fills when dipped into a solution while preventing droplet attachment on the outside. A single SU-8 pin was used to print 1392 protein spots in one run. SU-8 pins are inexpensive, straightforward to fabricate, robust and may be used as disposable pins for microarray fabrication. These pins serve as an illustration of the potential application of ultralow stress SU-8 for making freestanding microfabricated polymer microstructures.

The PIN gene family in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum): genome-wide identification and gene expression analyses during root development and abiotic stress responses.

PubMed

He, Peng; Zhao, Peng; Wang, Limin; Zhang, Yuzhou; Wang, Xiaosi; Xiao, Hui; Yu, Jianing; Xiao, Guanghui

2017-07-03

Cell elongation and expansion are significant contributors to plant growth and morphogenesis, and are often regulated by environmental cues and endogenous hormones. Auxin is one of the most important phytohormones involved in the regulation of plant growth and development and plays key roles in plant cell expansion and elongation. Cotton fiber cells are a model system for studying cell elongation due to their large size. Cotton is also the world's most utilized crop for the production of natural fibers for textile and garment industries, and targeted expression of the IAA biosynthetic gene iaaM increased cotton fiber initiation. Polar auxin transport, mediated by PIN and AUX/LAX proteins, plays a central role in the control of auxin distribution. However, very limited information about PIN-FORMED (PIN) efflux carriers in cotton is known. In this study, 17 PIN-FORMED (PIN) efflux carrier family members were identified in the Gossypium hirsutum (G. hirsutum) genome. We found that PIN1-3 and PIN2 genes originated from the At subgenome were highly expressed in roots. Additionally, evaluation of gene expression patterns indicated that PIN genes are differentially induced by various abiotic stresses. Furthermore, we found that the majority of cotton PIN genes contained auxin (AuxREs) and salicylic acid (SA) responsive elements in their promoter regions were significantly up-regulated by exogenous hormone treatment. Our results provide a comprehensive analysis of the PIN gene family in G. hirsutum, including phylogenetic relationships, chromosomal locations, and gene expression and gene duplication analyses. This study sheds light on the precise roles of PIN genes in cotton root development and in adaption to stress responses.

Design of Si0.5Ge0.5 based tunnel field effect transistor and its performance evaluation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Gurmeet; Amin, S. Intekhab; Anand, Sunny; Sarin, R. K.

2016-04-01

In this work, the performance comparison of two heterojunction PIN TFETs having Si channel and Si0.5Ge0.5 source with high-k (SiGe DGTFET HK) and hetero-gate dielectric (SiGe DGTFET HG) respectively with those of two homojunction Si based PIN (DGTFET HK and DGTFET HG) TFETs is performed. Similarly, by employing the technique of pocketing at source junction in above four PIN TFETs, the performances of resultant four PNPN TFETs (SiGe PNPN DGTFET HK, SiGe PNPN DGTFET HG, PNPN DGTFET HK and PNPN DGTFET HG) are also compared with each other. Due to lower tunnel resistance of SiGe based heterojunction PIN and PNPN TFETs, the DC parameters such as ON current, ON-OFF current ratio, average subthreshold slope are improved significantly as compared to Si based PIN and PNPN TFETs respectively. The output characteristics of HG architectures in Si based homojunction PIN and PNPN TFETs is observed to be identical to with respective Si based HK PIN and PNPN TFET architectures. However, the output characteristics of HG architectures in SiGe based heterojunction PIN and PNPN TFETs degrade as compared to their respective SiGe based HK PIN and PNPN TFET architectures. In ON state, SiGe based HK and HG PIN and PNPN TFETs have lower gate capacitance (Cgg) as compared to their respective Si based HK and HG PIN and PNPN TFETs. Moreover, HG architecture suppresses gate to drain capacitance (Cgd) and ambipolar conduction. Transconductance (gm) and cut off frequency (fT) is also observed to be higher for SiGe based PIN and PNPN TFETs.

The relative vertex clustering value - a new criterion for the fast discovery of functional modules in protein interaction networks

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Background Cellular processes are known to be modular and are realized by groups of proteins implicated in common biological functions. Such groups of proteins are called functional modules, and many community detection methods have been devised for their discovery from protein interaction networks (PINs) data. In current agglomerative clustering approaches, vertices with just a very few neighbors are often classified as separate clusters, which does not make sense biologically. Also, a major limitation of agglomerative techniques is that their computational efficiency do not scale well to large PINs. Finally, PIN data obtained from large scale experiments generally contain many false positives, and this makes it hard for agglomerative clustering methods to find the correct clusters, since they are known to be sensitive to noisy data. Results We propose a local similarity premetric, the relative vertex clustering value, as a new criterion allowing to decide when a node can be added to a given node's cluster and which addresses the above three issues. Based on this criterion, we introduce a novel and very fast agglomerative clustering technique, FAC-PIN, for discovering functional modules and protein complexes from a PIN data. Conclusions Our proposed FAC-PIN algorithm is applied to nine PIN data from eight different species including the yeast PIN, and the identified functional modules are validated using Gene Ontology (GO) annotations from DAVID Bioinformatics Resources. Identified protein complexes are also validated using experimentally verified complexes. Computational results show that FAC-PIN can discover functional modules or protein complexes from PINs more accurately and more efficiently than HC-PIN and CNM, the current state-of-the-art approaches for clustering PINs in an agglomerative manner. PMID:25734691

Electrowetting on semiconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palma, Cesar; Deegan, Robert

2015-01-01

Applying a voltage difference between a conductor and a sessile droplet sitting on a thin dielectric film separating it from the conductor will cause the drop to spread. When the conductor is a good metal, the change of the drop's contact angle due to the voltage is given by the Young-Lippmann (YL) equation. Here, we report experiments with lightly doped, single crystal silicon as the conductive electrode. We derive a modified YL equation that includes effects due to the semiconductor and contact line pinning. We show that light induces a non-reversible wetting transition, and that our model agrees well with our experimental results.

Between-cycle laser system for depressurization and resealing of modified design nuclear fuel assemblies

DOEpatents

Bradley, John G.

1982-01-01

A laser beam is used to puncture fuel cladding for release of contained pressurized fission gas from plenum sections or irradiated fuel pins. Exhausted fission gases are collected and trapped for safe disposal. The laser beam, adjusted to welding mode, is subsequently used to reseal the puncture holes. The fuel assembly is returned to additional irradiation or, if at end of reactivity lifetime, is routed to reprocess. The fuel assembly design provides graded cladding lengths, by rows or arrays, such that the cladding of each component fuel element of the assembly is accessible to laser beam reception.

On vibrational imperfection sensitivity of Augusti's model structure in the vicinity of a non-linear static state

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elishakoff, Isaac; Marcus, S.; Starnes, J. H., JR.

1998-01-01

In this paper we present a closed-form solution for vibrational imperfection sensitivity the effect of small imperfections on the vibrational frequencies of perturbed motion around the static equilibrium state of Augusti's model Structure (a rigid link, pinned at one end to a rigid foundation and supported at the other by a linear extensional spring that retains its horizontality, as the system deflects). We also treat a modified version of that model with attendant slightly different dynamics. It is demonstrated that the vibrational frequencies decreases as the initial imperfections increase.

Improving tribological and anti-bacterial properties of titanium external fixation pins through surface ceramic conversion.

PubMed

Dong, Huan; Mukinay, Tatiana; Li, Maojun; Hood, Richard; Soo, Sein Leung; Cockshott, Simon; Sammons, Rachel; Li, Xiaoying

2017-01-01

In this study, an advanced ceramic conversion surface engineering technology has been applied for the first time to self-drilling Ti6Al4V external fixation pins to improve their performance in terms of biomechanical, bio-tribological and antibacterial properties. Systematic characterisation of the ceramic conversion treated Ti pins was carried out using Scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, Glow-discharge optical emission spectroscopy, nano- and micro-indentation and scratching; the biomechanical and bio-tribological properties of the surface engineered Ti pins were evaluated by insertion into high density bone simulation material; and the antibacterial behaviour was assessed with Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 6571. The experimental results have demonstrated that the surfaces of Ti6Al4V external fixation pins were successfully converted into a TiO 2 rutile layer (~2 μm in thickness) supported by an oxygen hardened case (~15 μm in thickness) with very good bonding due to the in-situ conversion nature. The maximum insertion force and temperature were reduced from 192N and 31.2 °C when using the untreated pins to 182N and 26.1 °C when the ceramic conversion treated pins were tested. This is mainly due to the significantly increased hardness (more than three times) and the effectively enhanced wear resistance of the cutting edge of the self-drilling Ti pins following the ceramic conversion treatment. The antibacterial tests also revealed that there was a significantly reduced number of bacteria isolated from the ceramic conversion treated pins compared to the untreated pins of around 50 % after 20 h incubation, P < 0.01 (0.0024). The results reported are encouraging and could pave the way towards high-performance anti-bacterial titanium external fixation pins with reduced pin-track infection and pin loosing.

Pin-Ching Maness | NREL

Science.gov Websites

Pin-Ching Maness Photo of Pin-Ching Maness Pin-Ching Maness Group Research Manager III-Molecular University, 1974 Professional Experience Principal Group Manager, Photobiology Group, National Renewable in Rubrivivax gelatinosus," PLOS ONE (2014) Illustration of a model of carbon monoxide and

Detail of "pin" or large bolt used to assemble the ...

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

Detail of "pin" or large bolt used to assemble the truss pieces. This "pin" is on pony truss; similar pins were used on movable span. - Naval Supply Annex Stockton, Daggett Road Bridge, Daggett Road traversing Burns Cut Off, Stockton, San Joaquin County, CA

Pocket EZPIN device for healthcare IC cards to enhance the security and convenience of senior citizens.

PubMed

Lai, Jiun-Tze; Hou, Ting-Wei

2008-04-01

An application that adopts smart cards often requires users to enter a PIN (Personal Identification Number) code. In Taiwan's healthcare system, a PIN is used to protect a card holder's private data. However, should one forget one's PIN, the procedure to set up a new PIN is inconvenient. There is a higher probability that senior citizens may forget their PINs. We propose a device which stores the PIN of the cardholder's Healthcare IC card. When the healthcare IC card reader requires the cardholder to enter his/her PIN, the cardholder pushes a button of the device to remotely sends the cardholder's encrypted PIN, for example by Infra Red. The device is designed to be low cost and easy to carry, and, hence, affordable to be a gift to senior citizens. Moreover, if the cardholder should forget to take the device with him/her, the card still works as normal. The device would be helpful in ensuring the public's privacy and convenience in Taiwan's healthcare system.

A physico-genetic module for the polarisation of auxin efflux carriers PIN-FORMED (PIN)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hernández-Hernández, Valeria; Barrio, Rafael A.; Benítez, Mariana; Nakayama, Naomi; Romero-Arias, José Roberto; Villarreal, Carlos

2018-05-01

Intracellular polarisation of auxin efflux carriers is crucial for understanding how auxin gradients form in plants. The polarisation dynamics of auxin efflux carriers PIN-FORMED (PIN) depends on both biomechanical forces as well as chemical, molecular and genetic factors. Biomechanical forces have shown to affect the localisation of PIN transporters to the plasma membrane. We propose a physico-genetic module of PIN polarisation that integrates biomechanical, molecular, and cellular processes as well as their non-linear interactions. The module was implemented as a discrete Boolean model and then approximated to a continuous dynamic system, in order to explore the relative contribution of the factors mediating PIN polarisation at the scale of single cell. Our models recovered qualitative behaviours that have been experimentally observed and enable us to predict that, in the context of PIN polarisation, the effects of the mechanical forces can predominate over the activity of molecular factors such as the GTPase ROP6 and the ROP-INTERACTIVE CRIB MOTIF-CONTAINING PROTEIN RIC1.

Bending of an Aspirated Pin During Rigid Bronchoscopy: Safeguards and Pitfalls.

PubMed

Elsayed, Abdelrahman A A; Mansour, Albaraa A; Amin, Ahmed A A; Ahmed, Mohsen S M

2018-04-13

Pin aspiration is a common problem in Muslim countries, where many women wear veils (hijab). This condition is usually treated using either a rigid or a flexible bronchoscope, and yet occasionally requires surgical approach. Pin bending may be necessary to extract impacted pins during the therapeutic rigid bronchoscopy. Medical records of patients who had pins extracted with a bending technique during the period from January 2012 to December 2016 in 1 institution were analyzed. Information on intraoperative and postoperative complications was collected. Between 2012 and 2016, 315 rigid bronchoscopies were performed for pin extraction; in 38 cases, bending of the pin was required for the extraction because they were in a position that did not allow simple extraction. The procedure was successful in cases and there were no major complications. The extraction of visible, distally located or impacted pins can be safely performed by experienced bronchoscopists using the bending technique. Some safeguards and pitfalls must be noted to ensure maximum safety.

PINS Spectrum Identification Guide

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

A.J. Caffrey

2012-03-01

The Portable Isotopic Neutron Spectroscopy—PINS, for short—system identifies the chemicals inside munitions and containers without opening them, a decided safety advantage if the fill chemical is a hazardous substance like a chemical warfare agent or an explosive. The PINS Spectrum Identification Guide is intended as a reference for technical professionals responsible for the interpretation of PINS gamma-ray spectra. The guide is divided into two parts. The three chapters that constitute Part I cover the science and technology of PINS. Neutron activation analysis is the focus of Chapter 1. Chapter 2 explores PINS hardware, software, and related operational issues. Gamma-ray spectralmore » analysis basics are introduced in Chapter 3. The six chapters of Part II cover the identification of PINS spectra in detail. Like the PINS decision tree logic, these chapters are organized by chemical element: phosphorus-based chemicals, chlorine-based chemicals, etc. These descriptions of hazardous, toxic, and/or explosive chemicals conclude with a chapter on the identification of the inert chemicals, e.g. sand, used to fill practice munitions.« less

Effect of Pin Geometry on the Mechanical Strength of Friction-Stir-Welded Polypropylene Composite Plates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kordestani, F.; Ashenai Ghasemi, F.; Arab, N. B. M.

2017-09-01

Friction stir welding (FSW) is a solid-state welding process, which has successfully been applied in aerospace and automotive industries for joining materials. The friction stir tool is the key element in the FSW process. In this study, the effect of four different tool pin geometries on the mechanical properties of two types of polypropylene composite plates, with 30% glass and carbon fiber, respectively, were investigated. For this purpose, four pins of different geometry, namely, a threaded-tapered pin, square pin, four-flute threaded pin, and threaded-tapered pin with a chamfer were made and used to carry out the butt welding of 5-mm-thick plates. The standard tensile and Izod impact tests were performed to evaluate the tensile strength and impact toughness of welded specimens. The results indicated that the threaded-tapered pin with a chamfer produced welds with a better surface appearance and higher tensile and impact strengths. The tests also showed that, with the threaded-tapered pin with a chamfer, the impact strength of the glass- and carbon-fiber composite welds were about 40 and 50%, respectively, of that of the base materials.

Polo-like kinase 1-mediated phosphorylation stabilizes Pin1 by inhibiting its ubiquitination in human cells.

PubMed

Eckerdt, Frank; Yuan, Juping; Saxena, Krishna; Martin, Bernd; Kappel, Sven; Lindenau, Christine; Kramer, Andrea; Naumann, Steffen; Daum, Sebastian; Fischer, Gunter; Dikic, Ivan; Kaufmann, Manfred; Strebhardt, Klaus

2005-11-04

The Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is a key regulator of mitosis. It is reported that the human peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans-isomerase Pin1 binds to Plk1 from mitotic cell extracts in vitro. Here we demonstrate that Ser-65 in Pin1 is the major site for Plk1-specific phosphorylation, and the polo-box domain of Plk1 is required for this phosphorylation. Interestingly, the phosphorylation of Pin1 by Plk1 does not affect its isomerase activity but rather is linked to its protein stability. Pin1 is ubiquitinated in HeLa S3 cells, and substitution of Glu for Ser-65 reduces the ubiquitination of Pin1. Furthermore, inhibition of Plk1 activity by expression of a dominant negative form of Plk1 or by transfection of small interfering RNA targeted to Plk1 enhances the ubiquitination of Pin1 and subsequently reduces the amount of Pin1 in human cancer cells. Since previous reports suggested that Plk1 is a substrate of Pin1, our work adds a new dimension to this interaction of two important mitotic regulators.

Shock characterization of toad pins

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

Weirick, L.J.; Navarro, M.J.

1996-05-01

The purpose of this program was to characterize Time Of Arrival Detectors (TOAD) pins response to shock loading with respect to risetime, amplitude, repeatability and consistency. TOAD pins were subjected to impacts of 35 to 420 kilobars amplitude and approximately 1 ms pulse width to investigate the timing spread of four pins and the voltage output profile of the individual pins. Sets of pins were also aged at 45{degree}, 60{degree} and 80{degree}C for approximately nine weeks before shock testing at 315 kilobars impact stress. Four sets of pins were heated to 50.2{degree}C (125{degree}F) for approximately two hours and then impactedmore » at either 50 or 315 kilobars. Also, four sets of pins were aged at 60{degree}C for nine weeks and then heated to 50.2{degree}C before shock testing at 50 and 315 kilobars impact stress, respectively. Particle velocity measurements at the contact point between the stainless steel targets and TOAD pins were made using a Velocity Interferometer System for Any Reflector (VISAR) to monitor both the amplitude and profile of the shock waves. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Institute of Physics.}« less

Applying energy-conservation retrofits to standard army buildings: project design and initial energy data. Final report

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

Westervelt, E.T.; Northrup, G.R.; Allen, E.O.

1988-07-01

This report describes the initial and continuing efforts in a project demonstrating the energy performance of theoretically-based retrofit packages on as-found, standard-design Army buildings. Four standard building designs are being investigated: a motor-vehicle repair shop, the Type 64 (L-shaped) barracks, an enlisted-personnel mess hall, and a two-company, rolling-pin-shaped barracks for enlisted personnel. The Army has over 840 of these particular buildings. The objective of the project is to test the energy and cost performance of the retrofit packages, which include such measures as installing wall or ceiling insulation, replacing and/or blocking windows, partitioning areas of differing temperature, modifying air-handling equipment,more » modifying boiler controls, replacing lights, etc. To this end, energy data has been gathered from retrofitted and identical but nonretrofitted buildings for a test/reference comparison.« less

Simple and Fast Method for Fabrication of Endoscopic Implantable Sensor Arrays

PubMed Central

Tahirbegi, I. Bogachan; Alvira, Margarita; Mir, Mònica; Samitier, Josep

2014-01-01

Here we have developed a simple method for the fabrication of disposable implantable all-solid-state ion-selective electrodes (ISE) in an array format without using complex fabrication equipment or clean room facilities. The electrodes were designed in a needle shape instead of planar electrodes for a full contact with the tissue. The needle-shape platform comprises 12 metallic pins which were functionalized with conductive inks and ISE membranes. The modified microelectrodes were characterized with cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and optical interferometry. The surface area and roughness factor of each microelectrode were determined and reproducible values were obtained for all the microelectrodes on the array. In this work, the microelectrodes were modified with membranes for the detection of pH and nitrate ions to prove the reliability of the fabricated sensor array platform adapted to an endoscope. PMID:24971473

Relation between resistivity and temperature in the presence of two magnetic flux pinning mechanisms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hosseinzadeh, Mohammad; Ghorbani, Shaban Reza; Arabi, Hadi

2018-05-01

Moving of vortices in type II superconductors leads to energy dissipation, and therefore pinning of them is a significant problem. Determination of pinning potential and pinning mechanism from experimental data of resistivity is an attractive issue in the phenomenological study of superconductors. A new formalism is suggested to determination of two the δTc and δℓ pinning mechanisms from the resistivity as a function of temperature in type II superconductors.

Functionally different PIN proteins control auxin flux during bulbil development in Agave tequilana.

PubMed

Abraham Juárez, María Jazmín; Hernández Cárdenas, Rocío; Santoyo Villa, José Natzul; O'Connor, Devin; Sluis, Aaron; Hake, Sarah; Ordaz-Ortiz, José; Terry, Leon; Simpson, June

2015-07-01

In Agave tequilana, reproductive failure or inadequate flower development stimulates the formation of vegetative bulbils at the bracteoles, ensuring survival in a hostile environment. Little is known about the signals that trigger this probably unique phenomenon in agave species. Here we report that auxin plays a central role in bulbil development and show that the localization of PIN1-related proteins is consistent with altered auxin transport during this process. Analysis of agave transcriptome data led to the identification of the A. tequilana orthologue of PIN1 (denoted AtqPIN1) and a second closely related gene from a distinct clade reported as 'Sister of PIN1' (denoted AtqSoPIN1). Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis showed different patterns of expression for each gene during bulbil formation, and heterologous expression of the A. tequilana PIN1 and SoPIN1 genes in Arabidopsis thaliana confirmed functional differences between these genes. Although no free auxin was detected in induced pedicel samples, changes in the levels of auxin precursors were observed. Taken as a whole, the data support the model that AtqPIN1 and AtqSoPIN1 have co-ordinated but distinct functions in relation to auxin transport during the initial stages of bulbil formation. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology.

Enquiry into the Topology of Plasma Membrane-Localized PIN Auxin Transport Components.

PubMed

Nodzyński, Tomasz; Vanneste, Steffen; Zwiewka, Marta; Pernisová, Markéta; Hejátko, Jan; Friml, Jiří

2016-11-07

Auxin directs plant ontogenesis via differential accumulation within tissues depending largely on the activity of PIN proteins that mediate auxin efflux from cells and its directional cell-to-cell transport. Regardless of the developmental importance of PINs, the structure of these transporters is poorly characterized. Here, we present experimental data concerning protein topology of plasma membrane-localized PINs. Utilizing approaches based on pH-dependent quenching of fluorescent reporters combined with immunolocalization techniques, we mapped the membrane topology of PINs and further cross-validated our results using available topology modeling software. We delineated the topology of PIN1 with two transmembrane (TM) bundles of five α-helices linked by a large intracellular loop and a C-terminus positioned outside the cytoplasm. Using constraints derived from our experimental data, we also provide an updated position of helical regions generating a verisimilitude model of PIN1. Since the canonical long PINs show a high degree of conservation in TM domains and auxin transport capacity has been demonstrated for Arabidopsis representatives of this group, this empirically enhanced topological model of PIN1 will be an important starting point for further studies on PIN structure-function relationships. In addition, we have established protocols that can be used to probe the topology of other plasma membrane proteins in plants. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Peptidyl Prolyl Isomerase PIN1 Directly Binds to and Stabilizes Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α

PubMed Central

Han, Hyeong-jun; Kwon, Nayoung; Choi, Min-A; Jung, Kyung Oh; Piao, Juan-Yu; Ngo, Hoang Kieu Chi; Kim, Su-Jung; Kim, Do-Hee; Chung, June-Key; Cha, Young-Nam; Youn, Hyewon; Choi, Bu Young; Min, Sang-Hyun; Surh, Young-Joon

2016-01-01

Peptidyl prolyl isomerase (PIN1) regulates the functional activity of a subset of phosphoproteins through binding to phosphorylated Ser/Thr-Pro motifs and subsequently isomerization of the phosphorylated bonds. Interestingly, PIN1 is overexpressed in many types of malignancies including breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers. However, its oncogenic functions have not been fully elucidated. Here, we report that PIN1 directly interacts with hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α in human colon cancer (HCT116) cells. PIN1 binding to HIF-1α occurred in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. We also found that PIN1 interacted with HIF-1α at both exogenous and endogenous levels. Notably, PIN1 binding stabilized the HIF-1α protein, given that their levels were significantly increased under hypoxic conditions. The stabilization of HIF-1α resulted in increased transcriptional activity, consequently upregulating expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, a major contributor to angiogenesis. Silencing of PIN1 or pharmacologic inhibition of its activity abrogated the angiogenesis. By utilizing a bioluminescence imaging technique, we were able to demonstrate that PIN1 inhibition dramatically reduced the tumor volume in a subcutaneous mouse xenograft model and angiogenesis as well as hypoxia-induced transcriptional activity of HIF-1α. These results suggest that PIN1 interacting with HIF-1α is a potential cancer chemopreventive and therapeutic target. PMID:26784107

Pinning transition in shrinking nanobubbles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tan, Beng Hau; An, Hongjie; Ohl, Claus-Dieter

Surface nanobubbles are unusually long-lived gaseous domains that form on immersed substrates. Although liquid droplets are known to grow or shrink in either an unpinned (constant contact angle) or a pinned (constant footprint radius) mode, surface nanobubbles have only ever been observed in the pinned state. Theory suggests that, provided the nanobubbles are sustained by supersaturated liquid, they are indefinitely stable in the pinned mode, but rapidly dissolve into bulk liquid if not. Yet many basic aspects of the line pinning are not yet clarified, such as its magnitude or the conditions in which it becomes dominant. In this talk we present experiments with total internal fluorescence microscopy in which nanobubbles nucleated with a temperature difference method initially shrink in an unpinned mode, before transitioning to a pinned state. Using a simple energy balance we recover an estimate for the pinning force on each nanobubble.

Contact stresses in pin-loaded orthotropic plates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hyer, M. W.; Klang, E. C.

1984-01-01

The effects of pin elasticity, friction, and clearance on the stresses near the hole in a pin-loaded orthotropic plate are described. The problem is modeled as a contact elasticity problem using complex variable theory, the pin and the plate being two elastic bodies interacting through contact. This modeling is in contrast to previous works which assumed that the pin is rigid or that it exerts a known cosinusoidal radial traction on the hole boundary. Neither of these approaches explicitly involves a pin. A collocation procedure and iteration were used to obtain numerical results for a variety of plate and pin elastic properties and various levels of friction and clearance. Collocation was used to enforce the boundary and iteration was used to find the contact and no-slip regions on the boundary. Details of the numerical scheme are discussed.

Integrated electrical connector

DOEpatents

Benett, William J.; Ackler, Harold D.

2005-05-24

An electrical connector is formed from a sheet of electrically conductive material that lies in between the two layers of nonconducting material that comprise the casing of an electrical chip. The connector is electrically connected to an electrical element embedded within the chip. An opening in the sheet is concentrically aligned with a pair of larger holes respectively bored through the nonconducting layers. The opening is also smaller than the diameter of an electrically conductive contact pin. However, the sheet is composed flexible material so that the opening adapts to the diameter of the pin when the pin is inserted therethrough. The periphery of the opening applies force to the sides of the pin when the pin is inserted, and thus holds the pin within the opening and in contact with the sheet, by friction. The pin can be withdrawn from the connector by applying sufficient axial force.

Nanoscale pinning effect evaluated from deformed nanobubbles.

PubMed

Teshima, Hideaki; Nishiyama, Takashi; Takahashi, Koji

2017-01-07

Classical thermodynamics theory predicts that nanosized bubbles should disappear in a few hundred microseconds. The surprisingly long lifetime and stability of nanobubbles are therefore interesting research subjects. It has been proposed that the stability of nanobubbles arises through pinning of the three-phase contact line, which results from intrinsic nanoscale geometrical and chemical heterogeneities of the substrate. However, a definitive explanation of nanobubble stability is still lacking. In this work, we examined the stability mechanism by introducing a "pinning force." We investigated nanobubbles at a highly ordered pyrolytic graphite/pure water interface by peak force quantitative nano-mechanical mapping and estimated the pinning force and determined its maximum value. We then observed the shape of shrinking nanobubbles. Because the diameter of the shrinking nanobubbles was pinned, the height decreased and the contact angle increased. This phenomenon implies that the stability results from the pinning force, which flattens the bubble through the pinned three-phase contact line and prevents the Laplace pressure from increasing. The pinning force can also explain the metastability of coalesced nanobubbles, which have two semispherical parts that are joined to form a dumbbell-like shape. The pinning force of the semispherical parts was stronger than that of the joint region. This result demonstrates that the contact line of the semispherical parts is pinned strongly to keep the dumbbell-like shape. Furthermore, we proposed a nanobubble generation mechanism for the solvent-exchange method and explained why the pinning force of large nanobubbles was not initially at its maximum value, as it was for small nanobubbles.

Nanoscale pinning effect evaluated from deformed nanobubbles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teshima, Hideaki; Nishiyama, Takashi; Takahashi, Koji

2017-01-01

Classical thermodynamics theory predicts that nanosized bubbles should disappear in a few hundred microseconds. The surprisingly long lifetime and stability of nanobubbles are therefore interesting research subjects. It has been proposed that the stability of nanobubbles arises through pinning of the three-phase contact line, which results from intrinsic nanoscale geometrical and chemical heterogeneities of the substrate. However, a definitive explanation of nanobubble stability is still lacking. In this work, we examined the stability mechanism by introducing a "pinning force." We investigated nanobubbles at a highly ordered pyrolytic graphite/pure water interface by peak force quantitative nano-mechanical mapping and estimated the pinning force and determined its maximum value. We then observed the shape of shrinking nanobubbles. Because the diameter of the shrinking nanobubbles was pinned, the height decreased and the contact angle increased. This phenomenon implies that the stability results from the pinning force, which flattens the bubble through the pinned three-phase contact line and prevents the Laplace pressure from increasing. The pinning force can also explain the metastability of coalesced nanobubbles, which have two semispherical parts that are joined to form a dumbbell-like shape. The pinning force of the semispherical parts was stronger than that of the joint region. This result demonstrates that the contact line of the semispherical parts is pinned strongly to keep the dumbbell-like shape. Furthermore, we proposed a nanobubble generation mechanism for the solvent-exchange method and explained why the pinning force of large nanobubbles was not initially at its maximum value, as it was for small nanobubbles.

Inactivation of Plasma Membrane–Localized CDPK-RELATED KINASE5 Decelerates PIN2 Exocytosis and Root Gravitropic Response in Arabidopsis[C][W

PubMed Central

Rigó, Gábor; Ayaydin, Ferhan; Tietz, Olaf; Zsigmond, Laura; Kovács, Hajnalka; Páy, Anikó; Salchert, Klaus; Darula, Zsuzsanna; Medzihradszky, Katalin F.; Szabados, László; Palme, Klaus; Koncz, Csaba; Cséplő, Ágnes

2013-01-01

CRK5 is a member of the Arabidopsis thaliana Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase-related kinase family. Here, we show that inactivation of CRK5 inhibits primary root elongation and delays gravitropic bending of shoots and roots. Reduced activity of the auxin-induced DR5–green fluorescent protein reporter suggests that auxin is depleted from crk5 root tips. However, no tip collapse is observed and the transcription of genes for auxin biosynthesis, AUXIN TRANSPORTER/AUXIN TRANSPORTER-LIKE PROTEIN (AUX/LAX) auxin influx, and PIN-FORMED (PIN) efflux carriers is unaffected by the crk5 mutation. Whereas AUX1, PIN1, PIN3, PIN4, and PIN7 display normal localization, PIN2 is depleted from apical membranes of epidermal cells and shows basal to apical relocalization in the cortex of the crk5 root transition zone. This, together with an increase in the number of crk5 lateral root primordia, suggests facilitated auxin efflux through the cortex toward the elongation zone. CRK5 is a plasma membrane–associated kinase that forms U-shaped patterns facing outer lateral walls of epidermis and cortex cells. Brefeldin inhibition of exocytosis stimulates CRK5 internalization into brefeldin bodies. CRK5 phosphorylates the hydrophilic loop of PIN2 in vitro, and PIN2 shows accelerated accumulation in brefeldin bodies in the crk5 mutant. Delayed gravitropic response of the crk5 mutant thus likely reflects defective phosphorylation of PIN2 and deceleration of its brefeldin-sensitive membrane recycling. PMID:23673979

Monoaxial external fixation of the calcaneus: An anatomical study assessing the safety of monoaxial pin insertion.

PubMed

Thomson, Callum M; Esparon, Tom; Rea, Paul M; Jamal, Bilal

2016-10-01

The use of external fixation for intra-articular calcaneal fractures is increasing in popularity. Studies have shown fine wire and monoaxial external fixation to be a viable surgical alternative to more invasive methods of open reduction and internal fixation of the calcaneus. However, there is an absence of literature that quantifies the risk of pin insertion for monoaxial fixation. This study aimed to determine the safety of inserting monoaxial pins within the calcaneus to house the Orthofix Calcaneal Mini-Fixator. Five formalin embalmed cadaveric ankle and lower leg specimens were inserted with six monoaxial pins. Careful dissection then revealed the presence of the tendons of peroneus longus and brevis, the sural nerve and the small saphenous vein in relation to these pins. Measurements from each pin to each of these structures were made as the structures transected lines drawn from each pin to two palpable bony landmarks: the inferior tip of the lateral malleolus and the posterosuperior calcaneus. In doing this, the risk posed by each pin could be evaluated. We found that two particular pins, those used to hold the articular surface of the subtalar joint in a reduced position, posed a larger risk of injury to surrounding structures than the remaining pins. These findings therefore suggest that monoaxial fixation of the calcaneus using a six pin approach is a relatively safe method of rectifying calcaneal fractures and thus may serve as a welcome alternative to other methods of calcaneal fixation. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

In vivo evaluation of CaO-SiO2-P2O5-B2O3 glass-ceramics coating on Steinman pins.

PubMed

Lee, Jae Hyup; Hong, Kug Sun; Baek, Hae-Ri; Seo, Jun-Hyuk; Lee, Kyung Mee; Ryu, Hyun-Seung; Lee, Hyun-Kyung

2013-07-01

Surface coating using ceramics improves the bone bonding strength of an implant. We questioned whether a new type of glass-ceramics (BGS-7) coating (CaO-SiO2 -P2 O5 -B2 O3 ) would improve the osseointegration of Steinman pins (S-pins) both biomechanically and histomorphometrically. An in vivo study was performed using rabbits by inserting three S-pins into each iliac bone. The pins were 2.2-mm S-pins with a coating of 30-μm-thick BGS-7 and 550-nm-thick hydroxyapatite (HA), as opposed to an S-pin without coating. A tensile strength test and histomorphometrical evaluation was performed. In the 2-week group, the BGS-7 implant showed a significantly higher tensile strength than the S-pin. In the 4- and 8-week groups, the BGS-7 implants had significantly higher tensile strengths than the S-pins and HA implants. The histomorphometrical study revealed that the BGS-7 implant had a significantly higher contact ratio than the S-pin and HA implants in the 4-week group. The biomechanical and histomorphometrical tests showed that the BGS-7 coating had superior bone bonding properties than the groups without the coating from the initial stage of insertion. The BGS-7 coating of an S-pin will enhance the bone bonding strength, and there might also be an advantage in human bone bonding. © 2013, Copyright the Authors. Artificial Organs © 2013, International Center for Artificial Organs and Transplantation and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Camarada on middeck

NASA Image and Video Library

2005-08-04

S114-E-7003 (4 August 2005) --- Astronaut Charles J. Camarda, STS-114 mission specialist, performs a middeck evaluation of the mechanical "plug" option for Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) repair aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. Camarda used special pre-designated tools to accomplish the procedure, along with round thin, flexible 7-inch-diamter carbon-silicon cover plates designed to flex up to 0.25 inch to conform to the wing leading edge RCC panels, a hardware attachment mechanism similar to a toggle bolt and sealant.

Let's Use Cognitive Science to Create Collaborative Workstations.

PubMed

Reicher, Murray A; Wolfe, Jeremy M

2016-05-01

When informed by an understanding of cognitive science, radiologists' workstations could become collaborative to improve radiologists' performance and job satisfaction. The authors review relevant literature and present several promising areas of research, including image toggling, eye tracking, cognitive computing, intelligently restricted messaging, work habit tracking, and innovative input devices. The authors call for more research in "perceptual design," a promising field that can complement advances in computer-aided detection. Copyright © 2016 American College of Radiology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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

Milkov, Mihail M.

A comparator circuit suitable for use in a column-parallel single-slope analog-to-digital converter comprises a comparator, an input voltage sampling switch, a sampling capacitor arranged to store a voltage which varies with an input voltage when the sampling switch is closed, and a local ramp buffer arranged to buffer a global voltage ramp applied at an input. The comparator circuit is arranged such that its output toggles when the buffered global voltage ramp exceeds the stored voltage. Both DC- and AC-coupled comparator embodiments are disclosed.

76 FR 82210 - Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-30

... fuse pins that can fail earlier than the previously determined safe life limit of the pins. A fractured... retract actuator fuse pins that can fail earlier than previously determined safe life limit of the pins. A... Friday, except Federal holidays. For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact Boeing...

A pin-assisted retention technique for resin-bonded restorations.

PubMed

Miara, P; Touati, B

1992-09-01

The value of pins for auxiliary retention has been demonstrated many times. The use of pins with resin-bonded restorations allows for improved aesthetics and less tooth reduction while increasing resistance to dislodging forces. Clinical and technical procedures for resin-bonded bridges with pin-assisted retention are presented.

Design and Performance of a Pinned Photodiode CMOS Image Sensor Using Reverse Substrate Bias.

PubMed

Stefanov, Konstantin D; Clarke, Andrew S; Ivory, James; Holland, Andrew D

2018-01-03

A new pinned photodiode (PPD) CMOS image sensor with reverse biased p-type substrate has been developed and characterized. The sensor uses traditional PPDs with one additional deep implantation step to suppress the parasitic reverse currents, and can be fully depleted. The first prototypes have been manufactured on an 18 µm thick, 1000 Ω·cm epitaxial silicon wafers using 180 nm PPD image sensor process. Both front-side illuminated (FSI) and back-side illuminated (BSI) devices were manufactured in collaboration with Teledyne e2v. The characterization results from a number of arrays of 10 µm and 5.4 µm PPD pixels, with different shape, the size and the depth of the new implant are in good agreement with device simulations. The new pixels could be reverse-biased without parasitic leakage currents well beyond full depletion, and demonstrate nearly identical optical response to the reference non-modified pixels. The observed excessive charge sharing in some pixel variants is shown to not be a limiting factor in operation. This development promises to realize monolithic PPD CIS with large depleted thickness and correspondingly high quantum efficiency at near-infrared and soft X-ray wavelengths.

Design and Performance of a Pinned Photodiode CMOS Image Sensor Using Reverse Substrate Bias †

PubMed Central

Clarke, Andrew S.; Ivory, James; Holland, Andrew D.

2018-01-01

A new pinned photodiode (PPD) CMOS image sensor with reverse biased p-type substrate has been developed and characterized. The sensor uses traditional PPDs with one additional deep implantation step to suppress the parasitic reverse currents, and can be fully depleted. The first prototypes have been manufactured on an 18 µm thick, 1000 Ω·cm epitaxial silicon wafers using 180 nm PPD image sensor process. Both front-side illuminated (FSI) and back-side illuminated (BSI) devices were manufactured in collaboration with Teledyne e2v. The characterization results from a number of arrays of 10 µm and 5.4 µm PPD pixels, with different shape, the size and the depth of the new implant are in good agreement with device simulations. The new pixels could be reverse-biased without parasitic leakage currents well beyond full depletion, and demonstrate nearly identical optical response to the reference non-modified pixels. The observed excessive charge sharing in some pixel variants is shown to not be a limiting factor in operation. This development promises to realize monolithic PPD CIS with large depleted thickness and correspondingly high quantum efficiency at near-infrared and soft X-ray wavelengths. PMID:29301379

View southeast of weldment assembly floor in structures shop, building ...

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

View southeast of weldment assembly floor in structures shop, building 57; the floor is fabricated of cast iron and features a grillwork of 1 1/2 square holes which are used as sockets for gripping positioning or lock down pins; a lock down pin is shown left and below the center of the photograph; the vertical section of the pin is placed into a hole in the cast steel floor while the angles section of the pin rests on the piece under construction; the pin is hammered into the hole and spring tension in the pin holds the work piece in position. - Naval Base Philadelphia-Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Structure Shop, League Island, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA

Thickness-modulated tungsten-carbon superconducting nanostructures grown by focused ion beam induced deposition for vortex pinning up to high magnetic fields.

PubMed

Serrano, Ismael García; Sesé, Javier; Guillamón, Isabel; Suderow, Hermann; Vieira, Sebastián; Ibarra, Manuel Ricardo; De Teresa, José María

2016-01-01

We report efficient vortex pinning in thickness-modulated tungsten-carbon-based (W-C) nanostructures grown by focused ion beam induced deposition (FIBID). By using FIBID, W-C superconducting films have been created with thickness modulation properties exhibiting periodicity from 60 to 140 nm, leading to a strong pinning potential for the vortex lattice. This produces local minima in the resistivity up to high magnetic fields (2.2 T) in a broad temperature range due to commensurability effects between the pinning potential and the vortex lattice. The results show that the combination of single-step FIBID fabrication of superconducting nanostructures with built-in artificial pinning landscapes and the small intrinsic random pinning potential of this material produces strong periodic pinning potentials, maximizing the opportunities for the investigation of fundamental aspects in vortex science under changing external stimuli (e.g., temperature, magnetic field, electrical current).

Alopecia due to an allergic reaction to metal head-pins used in a neurosurgical operation.

PubMed

Ono, Hajime; Takasuna, Hiroshi; Tanaka, Yuichiro

2016-01-01

Allergic reactions to the metal head-pins of a head fixation holder are rare. A 45-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for the treatment of unruptured cerebral aneurysms. She underwent successful surgical treatment using four head-pins of the Sugita frame. At her first outpatient visit 3 weeks after discharge, redness, sores, and focal hair loss were noted at all four areas where the pinning had been performed. The pin fixation was considered to be responsible for the alopecia because the condition of the scalp lesions was even in all four parts. Six months later, the scalp regained hair. The head-pins were made of stainless steel, containing iron, nickel, chromium, and other components. A previous history of contact dermatitis to metal jewellery was later proven. The history of metal allergy should have been carefully elicited because head fixation with head-pins is essential for neurosurgical procedures.

Pip pin reliability and design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Skyles, Lane P.

1994-01-01

Pip pins are used in many engineering applications. Of particular interest to the aerospace industry is their use in various mechanism designs. Many payloads that fly aboard our nation's Space Shuttle have at least one actuated mechanism. Often these mechanisms incorporate pip pins in their design in order to fasten interfacing parts or joints. Pip pins are most often used when an astronaut will have a direct interface with the mechanism. This interfacing can be done during Space Shuttle mission EVA's (ExtraVehicular Activity). The main reason for incorporating pip pins is convenience and their ability to provide a quick release for interfacing parts. However, there are some issues that must be taken into account when using them in a design. These issues include documented failures and quality control problems when using substandard pip pins. A history of pip pins as they relate to the aerospace industry as well as general design features is discussed.

Strain tunable light emitting diodes with germanium P-I-N heterojunctions

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

Lagally, Max G; Sanchez Perez, Jose Roberto

Tunable p-i-n diodes comprising Ge heterojunction structures are provided. Also provided are methods for making and using the tunable p-i-n diodes. Tunability is provided by adjusting the tensile strain in the p-i-n heterojunction structure, which enables the diodes to emit radiation over a range of wavelengths.

77 FR 18137 - Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-27

...), latch pin migration, and broken latch pin fittings. This proposed AD would require various repetitive... cargo door latch mechanism and/or the lower sill structure. The migration of two or more latch pins and... determine if the bolt is broken; and checking the latch pin for migration and, if necessary, a detailed...

78 FR 4047 - Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-18

... migration of the latch pins of the main deck side cargo door (MDSCD). This AD requires various repetitive... broken retention bolts and the subsequent migration of the latch pins rather than by the broken latch pin... prompted by reports of broken and damaged latch pin retention bolts and subsequent migration of the latch...

Natural convection and radiation heat transfer from an array of inclined pin fins

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

Alessio, M.E.; Kaminski, D.A.

1989-02-01

Natural convection and radiation from an air-cooled, highly populated pin-fin array were studied experimentally. the effects of pin density, pin length, and the angle of the pin to the horizontal were measured. Previous work by Sparrow and Vemuri treated the case of a vertical base plate with horizontal fins. recently, Sparrow and Vemuri (1986) extended their study to include results for vertical fins with a horizontal down-facing base plate, as well as vertical fins with a horizontal up-facing base plate. In this study, the base plate is maintained in a vertical position and the angle of the pins is variedmore » from the horizontal. The main intent of this study was to compare the performance of inclined pin fins with straight pin fins. In all cases studied, the straight, horizontal fins were superior to the inclined fins. It was possible to obtain a single general correlation of the test data. While this correlation is recommended within the range of parameters that were tested here, one significant parameter, the size of the base plate, was not varied.« less

Generation of spiral waves pinned to obstacles in a simulated excitable system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phantu, Metinee; Kumchaiseemak, Nakorn; Porjai, Porramain; Sutthiopad, Malee; Müller, Stefan C.; Luengviriya, Chaiya; Luengviriya, Jiraporn

2017-09-01

Pinning phenomena emerge in many dynamical systems. They are found to stabilize extreme conditions such as superconductivity and super fluidity. The dynamics of pinned spiral waves, whose tips trace the boundary of obstacles, also play an important role in the human health. In heart, such pinned waves cause longer tachycardia. In this article, we present two methods for generating pinned spiral waves in a simulated excitable system. In method A, an obstacle is set in the system prior to an ignition of a spiral wave. This method may be suitable only for the case of large obstacles since it often fails when used for small obstacles. In method B, a spiral wave is generated before an obstacle is placed at the spiral tip. With this method, a pinned spiral wave is always obtained, regardless the obstacle size. We demonstrate that after a transient interval the dynamics of the pinned spiral waves generated by the methods A and B are identical. The initiation of pinned spiral waves in both two- and three-dimensional systems is illustrated.

The "Good, Bad and Ugly" pin site grading system: A reliable and memorable method for documenting and monitoring ring fixator pin sites.

PubMed

Clint, S A; Eastwood, D M; Chasseaud, M; Calder, P R; Marsh, D R

2010-02-01

Although there is much in the literature regarding pin site infections, there is no accepted, validated method for documenting their state. We present a system for reliably labelling pin sites on any ring fixator construct and an easy-to-remember grading system to document the state of each pin site. Each site is graded in terms of erythema, pain and discharge to give a 3-point scale, named "Good", "Bad" and "Ugly" for ease of recall. This system was tested for intra- and inter-observer reproducibility. 15 patients undergoing elective limb reconstruction were recruited. A total of 218 pin sites were independently scored by 2 examiners. 82 were then re-examined later by the same examiners. 514 pin sites were felt to be "Good", 80 "Bad" and 6 "Ugly". The reproducibility of the system was found to be excellent. We feel our system gives a quick, reliable and reproducible method to monitor individual pin sites and their response to treatment. Crown Copyright 2009. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Purification and characterization of native and recombinant SaPIN2a, a plant sieve element-localized proteinase inhibitor.

PubMed

Wang, Zhen-Yu; Ding, Ling-Wen; Ge, Zhi-Juan; Wang, Zhaoyu; Wang, Fanghai; Li, Ning; Xu, Zeng-Fu

2007-01-01

SaPIN2a encodes a proteinase inhibitor in nightshade (Solanum americanum), which is specifically localized to the enucleate sieve elements. It has been proposed to play an important role in phloem development by regulating proteolysis in sieve elements. In this study, we purified and characterized native SaPIN2a from nightshade stems and recombinant SaPIN2a expressed in Escherichia coli. Purified native SaPIN2a was found as a charge isomer family of homodimers, and was weakly glycosylated. Native SaPIN2a significantly inhibited serine proteinases such as trypsin, chymotrypsin, and subtilisin, with the most potent inhibitory activity on subtilisin. It did not inhibit cysteine proteinase papain and aspartic proteinase cathepsin D. Recombinant SaPIN2a had a strong inhibitory effect on chymotrypsin, but its inhibitory activities toward trypsin and especially toward subtilisin were greatly reduced. In addition, native SaPIN2a can effectively inhibit midgut trypsin-like activities from Trichoplusia ni and Spodoptera litura larvae, suggesting a potential for the production of insect-resistant transgenic plants.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RIGIDITY OF EXTERNAL FIXATOR AND NUMBER OF PINS: COMPUTER ANALYSIS USING FINITE ELEMENTS

PubMed Central

Sternick, Marcelo Back; Dallacosta, Darlan; Bento, Daniela Águida; do Reis, Marcelo Lemos

2015-01-01

Objective: To analyze the rigidity of a platform-type external fixator assembly, according to different numbers of pins on each clamp. Methods: Computer simulation on a large-sized Cromus dynamic external fixator (Baumer SA) was performed using a finite element method, in accordance with the standard ASTM F1541. The models were generated with approximately 450,000 quadratic tetrahedral elements. Assemblies with two, three and four Schanz pins of 5.5 mm in diameter in each clamp were compared. Every model was subjected to a maximum force of 200 N, divided into 10 sub-steps. For the components, the behavior of the material was assumed to be linear, elastic, isotropic and homogeneous. For each model, the rigidity of the assembly and the Von Mises stress distribution were evaluated. Results: The rigidity of the system was 307.6 N/mm for two pins, 369.0 N/mm for three and 437.9 N/mm for four. Conclusion: The results showed that four Schanz pins in each clamp promoted rigidity that was 19% greater than in the configuration with three pins and 42% greater than with two pins. Higher tension occurred in configurations with fewer pins. In the models analyzed, the maximum tension occurred on the surface of the pin, close to the fixation area. PMID:27047879

Gravitropism of Arabidopsis thaliana roots requires the polarization of PIN2 toward the root tip in meristematic cortical cells.

PubMed

Rahman, Abidur; Takahashi, Maho; Shibasaki, Kyohei; Wu, Shuang; Inaba, Takehito; Tsurumi, Seiji; Baskin, Tobias I

2010-06-01

In the root, the transport of auxin from the tip to the elongation zone, referred to here as shootward, governs gravitropic bending. Shootward polar auxin transport, and hence gravitropism, depends on the polar deployment of the PIN-FORMED auxin efflux carrier PIN2. In Arabidopsis thaliana, PIN2 has the expected shootward localization in epidermis and lateral root cap; however, this carrier is localized toward the root tip (rootward) in cortical cells of the meristem, a deployment whose function is enigmatic. We use pharmacological and genetic tools to cause a shootward relocation of PIN2 in meristematic cortical cells without detectably altering PIN2 polarization in other cell types or PIN1 polarization. This relocation of cortical PIN2 was negatively regulated by the membrane trafficking factor GNOM and by the regulatory A1 subunit of type 2-A protein phosphatase (PP2AA1) but did not require the PINOID protein kinase. When GNOM was inhibited, PINOID abundance increased and PP2AA1 was partially immobilized, indicating both proteins are subject to GNOM-dependent regulation. Shootward PIN2 specifically in the cortex was accompanied by enhanced shootward polar auxin transport and by diminished gravitropism. These results demonstrate that auxin flow in the root cortex is important for optimal gravitropic response.

Nondestrucive analysis of fuel pins

DOEpatents

Stepan, I.E.; Allard, N.P.; Suter, C.R.

1972-11-03

Disclosure is made of a method and a correspondingly adapted facility for the nondestructive analysis of the concentation of fuel and poison in a nuclear reactor fuel pin. The concentrations of fuel and poison in successive sections along the entire length of the fuel pin are determined by measuring the reactivity of a thermal reactor as each successive small section of the fuel pin is exposed to the neutron flux of the reactor core and comparing the measured reactivity with the reactivities measured for standard fuel pins having various known concentrations. Only a small section of the length of the fuel pin is exposed to the neutron flux at any one time while the remainder of the fuel pin is shielded from the neutron flux. In order to expose only a small section at any one time, a boron-10-lined dry traverse tube is passed through the test region within the core of a low-power thermal nuclear reactor which has a very high fuel sensitivity. A narrow window in the boron-10 lining is positioned at the core center line. The fuel pins are then systematically traversed through the tube past the narrow window such that successive small sections along the length of the fuel pin are exposed to the neutron flux which passes through the narrow window.

D6PK AGCVIII Kinases Are Required for Auxin Transport and Phototropic Hypocotyl Bending in Arabidopsis[C][W

PubMed Central

Willige, Björn C.; Ahlers, Siv; Zourelidou, Melina; Barbosa, Inês C.R.; Demarsy, Emilie; Trevisan, Martine; Davis, Philip A.; Roelfsema, M. Rob G.; Hangarter, Roger; Fankhauser, Christian; Schwechheimer, Claus

2013-01-01

Phototropic hypocotyl bending in response to blue light excitation is an important adaptive process that helps plants to optimize their exposure to light. In Arabidopsis thaliana, phototropic hypocotyl bending is initiated by the blue light receptors and protein kinases phototropin1 (phot1) and phot2. Phototropic responses also require auxin transport and were shown to be partially compromised in mutants of the PIN-FORMED (PIN) auxin efflux facilitators. We previously described the D6 PROTEIN KINASE (D6PK) subfamily of AGCVIII kinases, which we proposed to directly regulate PIN-mediated auxin transport. Here, we show that phototropic hypocotyl bending is strongly dependent on the activity of D6PKs and the PIN proteins PIN3, PIN4, and PIN7. While early blue light and phot-dependent signaling events are not affected by the loss of D6PKs, we detect a gradual loss of PIN3 phosphorylation in d6pk mutants of increasing complexity that is most severe in the d6pk d6pkl1 d6pkl2 d6pkl3 quadruple mutant. This is accompanied by a reduction of basipetal auxin transport in the hypocotyls of d6pk as well as in pin mutants. Based on our data, we propose that D6PK-dependent PIN regulation promotes auxin transport and that auxin transport in the hypocotyl is a prerequisite for phot1-dependent hypocotyl bending. PMID:23709629

Effects of low-modulus coatings on pin-bone contact stresses in external fixation.

PubMed

Manley, M T; Hurst, L; Hindes, R; Dee, R; Chiang, F P

1984-01-01

The intent of this study was to investigate the stress distribution in cortical bone around fracture fixation pins and around pins coated with various polymeric and elastomeric materials. Since these interface stresses cannot be measured directly, a photoelastic technique was employed and stresses were measured in two-dimensional bone models fabricated from sheets of epoxy resin. Our results showed that when a fixation pin was loaded in compression, the compressive stress measured in the model was greatest at the pin-model interface. The magnitude of the compressive stress was found to diminish steeply away from the hole in a log decrement distribution which was asymptotic to the value of the average stress in the model. When polymeric and elastomeric materials were applied as pin coatings and the performance of the coated pins was compared to that of uncoated pins of the same overall diameter, a reduction of the maximum stress in the bone model was demonstrated. Among the coatings tested, we found that of the polymeric materials ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) was most effective at reducing the peak cortical stress magnitude. The most effective coating material overall was found to be silicon elastomer. Computation of stress values in models loaded through stainless-steel pins and through pins coated with 1-mm silicon elastomer showed that the presence of the elastomer layer caused a reduction of about 50% in the maximum compressive stress in the model.

A study of the wear behaviour of ion implanted pure iron

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goode, P. D.; Peacock, A. T.; Asher, J.

1983-05-01

The technique of Thin Layer Activation (TLA) has been used to monitor disc wear in pin-on-disc wear tests. By simultaneously monitoring the pin wear the relationship between the wear rates of the two components of the wear couple has been studied. Tests were carried out using untreated pins wearing against ion implanted and untreated pure iron discs. The ratio of pin/disc volumetric wear rates was found to be constant in tests with unimplanted discs. In the implanted case the ratio was 8 initially, rising to the unimplatned value of 24 by a sliding distance of 25 km. The relationship between pin and disc wear after nitrogen implantation of the disc was approximately independent of dose between values of 7×10 16 and 1.2×10 18 N atoms cm -2. The actual wear rates of both pin and disc were significantly lower after implantation with the greater effects being observed om the unimplanted pin. The effects are explained in terms of the model of oxidative wear. In the unimplanted case the high pin wear relative to disc wear is considered to result from the higher mean temperature of pin asperities. Implantation appears to alter the mean asperity temperatures in such a way as to reduce the oxidation rate of the pin preferentially. Alternatively the effect of the implantation could be to reduce the critical thickness for removal of oxide formed on disc asperities.

Pin1 promotes transforming growth factor-beta-induced migration and invasion.

PubMed

Matsuura, Isao; Chiang, Keng-Nan; Lai, Chen-Yu; He, Dongming; Wang, Guannan; Ramkumar, Romila; Uchida, Takafumi; Ryo, Akihide; Lu, Kunping; Liu, Fang

2010-01-15

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) regulates a wide variety of biological activities. It induces potent growth-inhibitory responses in normal cells but promotes migration and invasion of cancer cells. Smads mediate the TGF-beta responses. TGF-beta binding to the cell surface receptors leads to the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 in their C terminus as well as in the proline-rich linker region. The serine/threonine phosphorylation sites in the linker region are followed by the proline residue. Pin1, a peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase, recognizes phosphorylated serine/threonine-proline motifs. Here we show that Smad2/3 interacts with Pin1 in a TGF-beta-dependent manner. We further show that the phosphorylated threonine 179-proline motif in the Smad3 linker region is the major binding site for Pin1. Although epidermal growth factor also induces phosphorylation of threonine 179 and other residues in the Smad3 linker region the same as TGF-beta, Pin1 is unable to bind to the epidermal growth factor-stimulated Smad3. Further analysis suggests that phosphorylation of Smad3 in the C terminus is necessary for the interaction with Pin1. Depletion of Pin1 by small hairpin RNA does not significantly affect TGF-beta-induced growth-inhibitory responses and a number of TGF-beta/Smad target genes analyzed. In contrast, knockdown of Pin1 in human PC3 prostate cancer cells strongly inhibited TGF-beta-mediated migration and invasion. Accordingly, TGF-beta induction of N-cadherin, which plays an important role in migration and invasion, is markedly reduced when Pin1 is depleted in PC3 cells. Because Pin1 is overexpressed in many cancers, our findings highlight the importance of Pin1 in TGF-beta-induced migration and invasion of cancer cells.

Pin1-FADD interactions regulate Fas-mediated apoptosis in activated eosinophils#

PubMed Central

Oh, Jiyoung; Malter, James S.

2013-01-01

Abnormally long-lived eosinophils (Eos) are the major inflammatory component of allergic responses in the lungs of active asthmatics. Eos recruited to the airways after allergen exposure produce and respond to IL-5 and GM-CSF, enhancing their survival. Pro-survival signaling activates Pin1, a cis-trans peptidyl isomerase (PPIase) that binds to Bax and prevents it activation. How long-lived Eos, despite the continued presence of GM-CSF or IL-5, eventually undergo apoptosis to end allergic inflammation remains unclear. Here we show that Pin1 location, activity and protein interactions are jointly influenced by Fas and pro-survival cytokine IL-5. Fas signaling strongly induced the phosphorylation of FADD at Ser194 and Pin1 at Ser16 as well as their nuclear accumulation. Phospho-mimic Ser194Glu FADD mutants accelerated Eos apoptosis compared to WT or Ser194Ala mutants. Downstream of FADD phosphorylation, Caspase 8, 9 and 3 cleavage as well as Eos apoptosis induced by Fas were reduced by constitutively active Pin1 and enhanced by Pin1 inhibition. Pin1 was activated by IL-5 while simultaneous IL-5 and anti-Fas treatment modestly reduced PPIase activity but induced Pin1 to associate with FADD after its phosphorylation at Ser194. Mechanistically, Pin1 mediated isomerization facilitated the subsequent dephosphorylation of Ser194 FADD and maintenance of cytoplasmic location. In vivo activated bronchoalvelolar (BAL) Eos obtained after allergen challenge showed elevated survival and Pin1 activity that could be reversed by anti-Fas. Therefore, our data suggest that Pin1 is a critical link between FADD mediated cell death and IL-5 mediated pro-survival signaling. PMID:23606538

Peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase Pin1 regulates withaferin A-mediated cell cycle arrest in human breast cancer cells.

PubMed

Samanta, Suman K; Lee, Joomin; Hahm, Eun-Ryeong; Singh, Shivendra V

2018-07-01

We have reported previously that withaferin A (WA) prevents breast cancer development in mouse mammary tumor virus-neu (MMTV-neu) transgenic mice, but the mechanism is not fully understood. Unbiased proteomics of the mammary tumors from control- and WA-treated MMTV-neu mice revealed downregulation of peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase (Pin1) protein by WA administration. The present study extends these findings to elucidate the role of Pin1 in cancer chemopreventive mechanisms of WA. The mammary tumor level of Pin1 protein was lower by about 55% in WA-treated rats exposed to N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, compared to control. Exposure of MCF-7 and SK-BR-3 human breast cancer cells to WA resulted in downregulation of Pin1 protein. Ectopic expression of Pin1 attenuated G 2 and/or mitotic arrest resulting from WA treatment in both MCF-7 and SK-BR-3 cells. WA-induced apoptosis was increased by Pin1 overexpression in MCF-7 cells but not in the SK-BR-3 cell line. In addition, molecular docking followed by mass spectrometry indicated covalent interaction of WA with cysteine 113 of Pin1. Overexpression of Pin1 C113A mutant failed to attenuate WA-induced mitotic arrest or apoptosis in the MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, antibody array revealed upregulation of proapoptotic insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs), including IGFBP-3, IGFBP-4, IGFBP-5, and IGFBP-6, in Pin1 overexpressing MCF-7 cells following WA treatment when compared to empty vector transfected control cells. These data support a crucial role of the Pin1 for mitotic arrest and apoptosis signaling by WA at least in the MCF-7 cells. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Retractable Pin Tools for the Friction Stir Welding Process

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

Two companies have successfully commercialized a specialized welding tool developed at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). Friction stir welding uses the high rotational speed of a tool and the resulting frictional heat created from contact to crush, 'stir' together, and forge a bond between two metal alloys. It has had a major drawback, reliance on a single-piece pin tool. The pin is slowly plunged into the joint between two materials to be welded and rotated as high speed. At the end of the weld, the single-piece pin tool is retracted and leaves a 'keyhole,' something which is unacceptable when welding cylindrical objects such as drums, pipes and storage tanks. Another drawback is the requirement for different-length pin tools when welding materials of varying thickness. An engineer at the MSFC helped design an automatic retractable pin tool that uses a computer-controlled motor to automatically retract the pin into the shoulder of the tool at the end of the weld, preventing keyholes. This design allows the pin angle and length to be adjusted for changes in material thickness and results in a smooth hole closure at the end of the weld. Benefits of friction stir welding, using the MSFC retractable pin tool technology, include the following: The ability to weld a wide range of alloys, including previously unweldable and composite materials; provision of twice the fatigue resistance of fusion welds and no keyholes; minimization of material distortion; no creation of hazards such as welding fumes, radiation, high voltage, liquid metals, or arcing; automatic retraction of the pin at the end of the weld; and maintaining full penetration of the pin.

Transverse pinning versus intramedullary pinning in fifth metacarpal's neck fractures: A randomized controlled study with patient-reported outcome.

PubMed

Galal, Sherif; Safwat, Wael

2017-01-01

The 5th metacarpal fractures accounts for 38% of all hand fractures given that the neck is the weakest point in metacarpals, so neck fracture is the most common metacarpal fracture. Surgical fixation is also advocated for such fractures to prevent mal-rotation of the little finger which will lead to fingers overlap in a clenched fist. Various methods are available for fixation of such fractures, like intramedullary & transverse pinning. There are very few reports in the literature comparing both techniques. Authors wanted to compare outcomes and complications of transverse pinning versus intramedullary pinning in fifth metacarpal's neck fractures. A single-center, parallel group, prospective, randomized study was conducted at an academic Level 1 Trauma Center from October 2014 to December 2016. A total of 80 patients with 5th metacarpal's neck fractures were randomized to pinning using either transverse pinning (group A) or intramedullary pinning (group B). Patients were assessed clinically on range of motion, patient-reported outcome using the Quick-DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand) questionnaire & radiographically. Two blinded observers assessed outcomes. At final follow up for each patient (12 months) the statistically significant differences were observed in operative time, the transverse pinning group showed shorter operative time, as well as complication rate as complications were observed only in intramedullary pinning group. No differences were found in range of motion or the Quick -DASH score. Both techniques are equally safe and effective treatment option for 5th metacarpal's neck fractures. The only difference was shorter operative time & less incidence of complications in transverse pinning group. Level II, Therapeutic study.

New types of high field pinning centers and pinning centers for the peak effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gajda, Daniel; Zaleski, Andrzej; Morawski, Andrzej; Hossain, Md Shahriar A.

2017-08-01

In this article, we report the results of a study that shows the existence of pinning centers inside grains and between grains in NbTi wires. We accurately show the ranges of magnetic fields in which the individual pinning centers operate. The pinning centers inside grains are activated in high magnetic fields above 6 T. We show the range of magnetic fields in which individual defects, dislocations, precipitates inside grains and substitutions in the crystal lattice can operate. We show the existence of a new kind of high field pinning center, which operates in high magnetic fields from 8 to ˜9.5 T. We indicate that dislocations create pinning centers in the range of magnetic fields from 6 to 8 T. In addition, our measurements suggest that the peak effect (increased critical current density (J c) near the upper critical field (B c2)) could be attributed to martensitic (needle-shaped) α‧-Ti inclusions inside grains. These centers are very important because they work very effectively in magnetic fields above 9.5-10 T. We also show that the α-Ti precipitates (between grains) with a thickness similar to the coherence length create pinning centers which work very effectively in magnetic fields from 3 to 6 T. In magnetic fields below 3 T, they act very efficiently in grain boundaries. The measurements indicate that the pinning centers created by dislocations only can be tested by transport measurements. This indicates that dislocations do not increase the magnetic critical current density (J cm). Cold drawing improves pinning centers at grain boundaries and increases the dislocation density, and cold-drawing pinning centers are responsible for the peak effect.

The Course of the Terminal Posterior Interosseous Nerve and Its Relationship with Wrist Arthroscopy Portals

PubMed Central

Pan, Yongwei; Hung, Leung-kim

2016-01-01

Purpose The terminal branches of the posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) are the main articular branch on the dorsal aspect of the wrist. Its relationship to dorsal wrist arthroscopic portals has not yet been elucidated. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively describe the anatomical relationships between the dorsal wrist arthroscopic portals and the PIN. Methods Dorsal wrist arthroscopic portals were established in 28 cadaver extremities, after which the limbs were dissected. Measurements were taken from the portals to the PIN. Results The PIN passed ulnar to the 3/4 portal with a mean distance of 4.8 mm (range: 1.2–12.0, standard deviation [SD] = 2.6). The PIN passed radial to the 4/5 portal with a mean interval of 9.0 mm (range: 3.8–12.7, SD = 2.3). The main trunk of PIN or its closest terminal branch was a mean of 7.2 mm (range: 0.0–13.2 mm, SD = 3.1) radial to the midcarpal radial (MCR) portal. In 2 of the 28 specimens, one terminal branch of PIN lay directly over this portal. The distance between the midcarpal ulnar (MCU) portal and the PIN or its closest terminal branch was only a mean of 1.6 mm (range: 0–6.4 mm, SD = 2.0). In 15 of the 28 specimens, the PIN lay directly over the MCU portal, or the portal was located between the terminal branches of PIN. Conclusion The MCU portal was the most precarious, due to the close proximity of PIN and its terminal branches. The 3/4 and MCR portals were also at risk, while the 4/5 portal was relatively safe for the PIN. PMID:27777824

Pin1 Modulates the Synaptic Content of NMDA Receptors via Prolyl-Isomerization of PSD-95.

PubMed

Antonelli, Roberta; De Filippo, Roberto; Middei, Silvia; Stancheva, Stefka; Pastore, Beatrice; Ammassari-Teule, Martine; Barberis, Andrea; Cherubini, Enrico; Zacchi, Paola

2016-05-18

Phosphorylation of serine/threonine residues preceding a proline regulates the fate of its targets through postphosphorylation conformational changes catalyzed by the peptidyl-prolyl cis-/trans isomerase Pin1. By flipping the substrate between two different functional conformations, this enzyme exerts a fine-tuning of phosphorylation signals. Pin1 has been detected in dendritic spines and shafts where it regulates protein synthesis required to sustain the late phase of long-term potentiation (LTP). Here, we demonstrate that Pin1 residing in postsynaptic structures can interact with postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95), a key scaffold protein that anchors NMDA receptors (NMDARs) in PSD via GluN2-type receptor subunits. Pin1 recruitment by PSD-95 occurs at specific serine-threonine/proline consensus motifs localized in the linker region connecting PDZ2 to PDZ3 domains. Upon binding, Pin1 triggers structural changes in PSD-95, thus negatively affecting its ability to interact with NMDARs. In electrophysiological experiments, larger NMDA-mediated synaptic currents, evoked in CA1 principal cells by Schaffer collateral stimulation, were detected in hippocampal slices obtained from Pin1(-/-) mice compared with controls. Similar results were obtained in cultured hippocampal cells expressing a PSD-95 mutant unable to undergo prolyl-isomerization, thus indicating that the action of Pin1 on PSD-95 is critical for this effect. In addition, an enhancement in spine density and size was detected in CA1 principal cells of Pin1(-/-) or in Thy-1GFP mice treated with the pharmacological inhibitor of Pin1 catalytic activity PiB.Our data indicate that Pin1 controls synaptic content of NMDARs via PSD-95 prolyl-isomerization and the expression of dendritic spines, both required for LTP maintenance. PSD-95, a membrane-associated guanylate kinase, is the major scaffolding protein at excitatory postsynaptic densities and a potent regulator of synaptic strength and plasticity. The activity of PSD-95 is tightly controlled by several post-translational mechanisms including proline-directed phosphorylation. This signaling cascade regulates the fate of its targets through postphosphorylation conformational modifications catalyzed by the peptidyl-prolyl cis-/trans isomerase Pin1. Here, we uncover a new role of Pin1 in glutamatergic signaling. By interacting with PSD-95, Pin1 dampens PSD-95 ability to complex with NMDARs, thus negatively affecting NMDAR signaling and spine morphology. Our findings further emphasize the emerging role of Pin1 as a key modulator of synaptic transmission. Copyright © 2016 the authors 0270-6474/16/365437-11$15.00/0.

[Influence and mechanism of PinX1 gene on the chemotherapy sensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells in response to Cisplatin].

PubMed

Shen, Congxiang; Liu, Yanhui; Wen, Zhong; Yang, Keke; Li, Guanxue; Zhang, Shenhua; Zhang, Xinyu

2015-06-23

To explore the influence and mechanism of PinX1 gene on the chemotherapy sensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells in response to Cisplatin. Transfected nasopharyngeal carcinoma 5-8F cell lines with pCDH-CMV-PinX1-copGFP vector constructed by lentivirus to generate Lenti-PinX1-5-8F cells containing PinX1 gene, using Lenti-Ctrl-5-8F cell (blank vector without PinX1 gene was used to transfect 5-8F cell lines) and 5-8F cell as controls. Expression of PinX1 gene, telomerase activity, the inhibition of cancer cells proliferation, combined anticancer effect with Cisplatin and the expression of lung resistance protein (LRP) and Bcl-2 were detected with fluorescent quantitation polymerase chain reaction (PCR), flow cytometry, thiazolyl blue (MTT) method, areole test, Western blot and drug sensitivity test, respectively, in four groups (Lenti-PinX1-5-8F cell + Cisplatin, Lenti-PinX1-5-8F cell, Cisplatin and 5-8F cell) so as to explore the influence and mechanism of PinX1 gene on the chemotherapy sensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells in response to Cisplatin. The telomerase activity in Lenti-PinX1-5-8F cell (0.146 ± 0.004) was lower than those in the other two control cells (Lenti-Ctrl-5-8F cell: 0.967 ± 0.016, 5-8F cell: 1.000 ± 0.034, both P < 0.01). The cancer cell biological activity could be intensively inhibited by 16 µg/ml Cisplatin after lower level telomerase activity induced by PinX1 gene. Proliferation index (PI) (%) in Lenti-PinX1-5-8F cell + Cisplatin (14.39 ± 3.66) was also less than the other groups (Lenti-PinX1-5-8F cell, Cisplatin and 5-8F cell groups, 32.97 ± 3.00, 31.18 ± 4.24 and 47.19 ± 4.19, all P < 0.01). And same time, the expressions of LRP (0.64 ± 0.14) and Bcl-2 (0.57 ± 0.12) protein in Lenti-PinX1-5-8F cells were obviously reduced than those in other two group cells (Lenti-Ctrl-5-8F cell: 0.84 ± 0.19 and 0.81 ± 0.16; 5-8F cell: 0.83 ± 0.35 and 0.78 ± 0.27; all P < 0.01). PinX1 gene can enhance the chemotherapy sensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells in response to Cisplatin, which may be mediated by the down-regulation of telomerase activity and the inhibition of LRP and Bcl-2 gene in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.

On-Die Sensors for Transient Events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suchak, Mihir Vimal

Failures caused by transient electromagnetic events like Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) are a major concern for embedded systems. The component often failing is an integrated circuit (IC). Determining which IC is affected in a multi-device system is a challenging task. Debugging errors often requires sophisticated lab setups which require intentionally disturbing and probing various parts of the system which might not be easily accessible. Opening the system and adding probes may change its response to the transient event, which further compounds the problem. On-die transient event sensors were developed that require relatively little area on die, making them inexpensive, they consume negligible static current, and do not interfere with normal operation of the IC. These circuits can be used to determine the pin involved and the level of the event in the event of a transient event affecting the IC, thus allowing the user to debug system-level transient events without modifying the system. The circuit and detection scheme design has been completed and verified in simulations with Cadence Virtuoso environment. Simulations accounted for the impact of the ESD protection circuits, parasitics from the I/O pin, package and I/O ring, and included a model of an ESD gun to test the circuit's response to an ESD pulse as specified in IEC 61000-4-2. Multiple detection schemes are proposed. The final detection scheme consists of an event detector and a level sensor. The event detector latches on the presence of an event at a pad, to determine on which pin an event occurred. The level sensor generates current proportional to the level of the event. This current is converted to a voltage and digitized at the A/D converter to be read by the microprocessor. Detection scheme shows good performance in simulations when checked against process variations and different kind of events.

Dual-Functional Superhydrophobic Textiles with Asymmetric Roll-Down/Pinned States for Water Droplet Transportation and Oil-Water Separation.

PubMed

Su, Xiaojing; Li, Hongqiang; Lai, Xuejun; Zhang, Lin; Liao, Xiaofeng; Wang, Jing; Chen, Zhonghua; He, Jie; Zeng, Xingrong

2018-01-31

Superhydrophobic surfaces with tunable adhesion from lotus-leaf to rose-petal states have generated much attention for their potential applications in self-cleaning, anti-icing, oil-water separation, microdroplet transportation, and microfluidic devices. Herein we report a facile magnetic-field-manipulation strategy to fabricate dual-functional superhydrophobic textiles with asymmetric roll-down/pinned states on the two surfaces of the textile simultaneously. Upon exposure to a static magnetic field, fluoroalkylsilane-modified iron oxide (F-Fe 3 O 4 ) nanoparticles in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) moved along the magnetic field to construct discrepant hierarchical structures and roughnesses on the two sides of the textile. The positive surface (closer to the magnet, or P-surface) showed a water contact angle up to 165°, and the opposite surface (or O-surface) had a water contact angle of 152.5°. The P-surface where water droplets easily slid off with a sliding angle of 7.5° appeared in the "roll-down" state as Cassie mode, while the O-surface was in the "pinned" state as Wenzel mode, where water droplets firmly adhered even at vertical (90°) and inverted (180°) angles. The surface morphology and wetting mode were adjustable by varying the ratios of F-Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles and PDMS. By taking advantage of the asymmetric adhesion behaviors, the as-fabricated superhydrophobic textile was successfully applied in no-loss microdroplet transportation and oil-water separation. Our method is simple and cost-effective. The fabricated textile has the characteristics of superhydrophobicity, magnetic responsiveness, excellent chemical stability, adjustable surface morphology, and controllable adhesion. Our findings conceivably stand out as a new tool to fabricate functional superhydrophobic materials with asymmetric surface properties for various potential applications.

Optical properties of Zn-diffused InP layers for the planar-type InGaAs/InP photodetectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Guifeng; Wang, Mengxue; Yang, Wenxian; Tan, Ming; Wu, Yuanyuan; Dai, Pan; Huang, Yuyang; Lu, Shulong

2017-12-01

Zn diffusion into InP was carried out ex-situ using a new Zn diffusion technique with zinc phosphorus particles placed around InP materials as zinc source in a semi-closed chamber formed by a modified diffusion furnace. The optical characteristics of the Zn-diffused InP layer for the planar-type InGaAs/InP PIN photodetectors grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) has been investigated by photoluminescence (PL) measurements. The temperature-dependent PL spectrum of Zn-diffused InP samples at different diffusion temperatures showed that band-to-acceptor transition dominates the PL emission, which indicates that Zn was commendably diffused into InP layer as the acceptor. High quality Zn-diffused InP layer with typically smooth surface was obtained at 580 °C for 10 min. Furthermore, more interstitial Zn atoms were activated to act as acceptors after a rapid annealing process. Based on the above Zn-diffusion technique, a 50 μm planar-type InGaAs/InP PIN photodector device was fabricated and exhibited a low dark current of 7.73 pA under a reverse bias potential of -5 V and a high breakdown voltage of larger than 41 V (I < 10 μA). In addition, a high responsivity of 0.81 A/W at 1.31 μm and 0.97 A/W at 1.55 μm was obtained in the developed PIN photodetector. Project supported by the Key R&D Program of Jiangsu Province (No. BE2016085) , the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 61674051), and the External Cooperation Program of BIC, Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. 121E32KYSB20160071).

Effective vortex pinning in MgB2 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bugoslavsky, Y.; Cowey, L.; Tate, T. J.; Perkins, G. K.; Moore, J.; Lockman, Z.; Berenov, A.; MacManus-Driscoll, J. L.; Caplin, A. D.; Cohen, L. F.; Zhai, H. Y.; Christen, H. M.; Paranthaman, M. P.; Lowndes, D. H.; Jo, M. H.; Blamire, M. G.

2002-10-01

We discuss the pinning properties of MgB2 thin films grown by pulsed-laser deposition (PLD) and by electron-beam (EB) evaporation. Two mechanisms are identified that contribute most effectively to the pinning of vortices in randomly oriented films. The EB process produces low defected crystallites with a small grain size providing enhanced pinning at grain boundaries without any degradation of Tc. The PLD process produces films with structural disorder on a scale less than the coherence length that further improves pinning, but also depresses Tc.

Heat Exchanger With Internal Pin Elements

DOEpatents

Gerstmann, Joseph; Hannon, Charles L.

2004-01-13

A heat exchanger/heater comprising a tubular member having a fluid inlet end, a fluid outlet end and plurality of pins secured to the interior wall of the tube. Various embodiments additionally comprise a blocking member disposed concentrically inside the pins, such as a core plug or a baffle array. Also disclosed is a vapor generator employing an internally pinned tube, and a fluid-heater/heat-exchanger utilizing an outer jacket tube and fluid-side baffle elements, as well as methods for heating a fluid using an internally pinned tube.

A model of high-rate indentation of a cylindrical striking pin into a deformable body

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zalazinskaya, E. A.; Zalazinsky, A. G.

2017-12-01

Mathematical modeling of an impact and high-rate indentation to a significant depth of a flat-faced hard cylindrical striking pin into a massive deformable target body is carried out. With the application of the kinematic extreme theorem of the plasticity theory and the kinetic energy variation theorem, the phase trajectories of the striking pin are calculated, the initial velocity of the striking pin in the body, the limit values of the inlet duct length, and the depth of striking pin penetration into the target are determined.

Failure analysis on false call probe pins of microprocessor test equipment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, L. W.; Ong, N. R.; Mohamad, I. S. B.; Alcain, J. B.; Retnasamy, V.

2017-09-01

A study has been conducted to investigate failure analysis on probe pins of test modules for microprocessor. The `health condition' of the probe pin is determined by the resistance value. A test module of 5V power supplied from Arduino UNO with "Four-wire Ohm measurement" method is implemented in this study to measure the resistance of the probe pins of a microprocessor. The probe pins from a scrapped computer motherboard is used as the test sample in this study. The functionality of the test module was validated with the pre-measurement experiment via VEE Pro software. Lastly, the experimental work have demonstrated that the implemented test module have the capability to identify the probe pin's `health condition' based on the measured resistance value.

Calculation and analysis of shear resistance of segment ring joint with shear pin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Shengzhi; Huang, Haibin; Wang, Mingnian; Xiao, Shihui; Liu, Dagang

2018-03-01

In order to get the effect of shear pins between segments on the shear resistance of segment girth joints. Take the Maliuzhou traffic tunnel project of Zhuhai which with super large diameter and Marine Composite strata as the research object, the longitudinal shear stiffness of tunnel shear considering the shear rigidity of shear pins was obtained through the finite element shear experiment of segment ring. By comparing the calculation results of shear pin and non shear pin between segment ring connections, the conclusion that shear pin setting can effectively decompose and transfer shear force and control the dislocation between segment ring blocks is obtained. The study can be used as reference for the design and construction of shield tunnel.

Examination of T-111 clad uranium nitride fuel pins irradiated up to 13,000 hours at a clad temperature of 990 C

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Slaby, J. G.; Siegel, B. L.

1973-01-01

The examination of 27 fuel pins irradiated for up to 13,000 hours at 990 C is described. The fuel pin clad was a tantalum alloy with uranium nitride as the nuclear fuel. Two nominal fuel pin diameters were tested with a maximum burnup of 2.34 atom percent. Twenty-two fuel pins were tested for fission gas leaks; thirteen pins leaked. Clad ductility tests indicated clad embrittlement. The embrittlement is attributed to hydrogen from an n,p reaction in the fuel. Fuel swelling was burnup dependent, and the amount of fission gas release was low, generally less than 0.5 percent. No incompatibilities between fuel, liner, and clad were in evidence.

Flux pinning characteristics and irreversibility line in high temperature superconductors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Matsushita, T.; Ihara, N.; Kiuchi, M.

1995-01-01

The flux pinning properties in high temperature superconductors are strongly influenced by thermally activated flux motion. The scaling relation of the pinning force density and the irreversibility line in various high temperature superconductors are numerically analyzed in terms of the flux creep model. The effect of two factors, i.e., the flux pinning strength and the dimensionality of the material, on these properties are investigated. It is speculated that the irreversibility line in Bi-2212 superconductors is one order of magnitude smaller than that in Y-123, even if the flux pinning strength in Bi-2212 is improved up to the level of Y-123. It is concluded that these two factors are equally important in determination of the flux pinning characteristics at high temperatures.

Downhole Data Transmission System

DOEpatents

Hall, David R.; Hall, Jr., H. Tracy; Pixton, David; Dahlgren, Scott; Fox, Joe

2004-04-06

A system for transmitting data through a string of down-hole components. In accordance with one aspect, the system includes a plurality of downhole components, such as sections of pipe in a drill string. Each downhole component includes a pin end and a box end, with the pin end of one downhole component being adapted to be connected to the box end of another. Each pin end includes external threads and an internal pin face distal to the external threads. Each box end includes an internal shoulder face with internal threads distal to the internal shoulder face. The internal pin face and the internal shoulder face are aligned with and proximate each other when the pin end of the one component is threaded into a box end of the other component.

Nonlatching positive feedback enables robust bimodality by decoupling expression noise from the mean

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

Razooky, Brandon S.; Cao, Youfang; Hansen, Maike M. K.

Fundamental to biological decision-making is the ability to generate bimodal expression patterns where two alternate expression states simultaneously exist. Here in this study, we use a combination of single-cell analysis and mathematical modeling to examine the sources of bimodality in the transcriptional program controlling HIV’s fate decision between active replication and viral latency. We find that the HIV Tat protein manipulates the intrinsic toggling of HIV’s promoter, the LTR, to generate bimodal ON-OFF expression, and that transcriptional positive feedback from Tat shifts and expands the regime of LTR bimodality. This result holds for both minimal synthetic viral circuits and full-lengthmore » virus. Strikingly, computational analysis indicates that the Tat circuit’s non-cooperative ‘non-latching’ feedback architecture is optimized to slow the promoter’s toggling and generate bimodality by stochastic extinction of Tat. In contrast to the standard Poisson model, theory and experiment show that non-latching positive feedback substantially dampens the inverse noise-mean relationship to maintain stochastic bimodality despite increasing mean-expression levels. Given the rapid evolution of HIV, the presence of a circuit optimized to robustly generate bimodal expression appears consistent with the hypothesis that HIV’s decision between active replication and latency provides a viral fitness advantage. More broadly, the results suggest that positive-feedback circuits may have evolved not only for signal amplification but also for robustly generating bimodality by decoupling expression fluctuations (noise) from mean expression levels.« less

NTM stabilization by alternating O-point EC current drive using a high-power diplexer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kasparek, W.; Doelman, N.; Stober, J.; Maraschek, M.; Zohm, H.; Monaco, F.; Eixenberger, H.; Klop, W.; Wagner, D.; Schubert, M.; Schütz, H.; Grünwald, G.; Plaum, B.; Munk, R.; Schlüter, K. H.; ASDEX Upgrade Team

2016-12-01

At the tokamak ASDEX Upgrade, experiments to stabilize neoclassical tearing modes (NTMs) by electron cyclotron (EC) heating and current drive in the O-points of the magnetic islands were performed. For the first time, injection into the O-points of the revolving islands was performed via a fast directional switch, which toggled the EC power between two launchers synchronously to the island rotation. The switching was performed by a resonant diplexer employing a sharp resonance in the transfer function, and a small frequency modulation of the feeding gyrotron around the slope of the resonance. Thus, toggling of the power between the two outputs of the diplexer connected to two articulating launchers was possible. Phasing and control of the modulation were performed via a set of Mirnov coils and appropriate signal processing. In the paper, technological issues, the design of the diplexer, the tracking of the diplexer resonance to the gyrotron frequency, the generation and processing of control signals for the gyrotron, and the typical performance concerning switching contrast and efficiency are discussed. The plasma scenario is described, and plasma experiments are presented, where the launchers scanned the region of the resonant surface continuously and also where the launchers were at a fixed position near to the q  =  1.5-surface. In the second case, complete stabilization of a 3/2 NTM could be reached. These experiments are also seen as a technical demonstration for the applicability of diplexers in large-scale ECRH systems.

Comparison of design and torque measurements of various manual wrenches.

PubMed

Neugebauer, Jörg; Petermöller, Simone; Scheer, Martin; Happe, Arndt; Faber, Franz-Josef; Zoeller, Joachim E

2015-01-01

Accurate torque application and determination of the applied torque during surgical and prosthetic treatment is important to reduce complications. A study was performed to determine and compare the accuracy of manual wrenches, which are available in different designs with a large range of preset torques. Thirteen different wrench systems with a variety of preset torques ranging from 10 to 75 Ncm were evaluated. Three different designs were available, with a spring-in-coil or toggle design as an active mechanism or a beam as a passive mechanism, to select the preset torque. To provide a clinically relevant analysis, a total of 1,170 torque measurements in the range of 10 to 45 Ncm were made in vitro using an electronic torque measurement device. The absolute deviations in Ncm and percent deviations across all wrenches were small, with a mean of -0.24 ± 2.15 Ncm and -0.84% ± 11.72% as a shortfall relative to the preset value. The greatest overage was 8.2 Ncm (82.5%), and the greatest shortfall was 8.47 Ncm (46%). However, extreme values were rare, with 95th-percentile values of -1.5% (lower value) and -0.16% (upper value). A comparison with respect to wrench design revealed significantly higher deviations for coil and toggle-style wrenches than for beam wrenches. Beam wrenches were associated with a lower risk of rare extreme values thanks to their passive mechanism of achieving the selected preset torque, which minimizes the risk of harming screw connections.

Role of Pin1 in UVA-induced cell proliferation and malignant transformation in epidermal cells

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

Han, Chang Yeob; Hien, Tran Thi; Lim, Sung Chul

2011-06-24

Highlights: {yields} Pin1 expression is enhanced by low energy UVA irradiation in both skin tissues of hairless mice and JB6 C141 epidermal cells. {yields} UVA irradiation increases activator protein-1 activity and cyclin D1 in a Pin1-dependent manner. {yields} UVA potentiates EGF-inducible, anchorage-independent growth of epidermal cells, and this is suppressed by Pin1 inhibition or by anti-oxidant. -- Abstract: Ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation ({lambda} = 320-400 nm) is considered a major cause of human skin cancer. Pin1, a peptidyl prolyl isomerase, is overexpressed in most types of cancer tissues and plays an important role in cell proliferation and transformation. Here, wemore » demonstrated that Pin1 expression was enhanced by low energy UVA (300-900 mJ/cm{sup 2}) irradiation in both skin tissues of hairless mice and JB6 C141 epidermal cells. Exposure of epidermal cells to UVA radiation increased cell proliferation and cyclin D1 expression, and these changes were blocked by Pin1 inhibition. UVA irradiation also increased activator protein-1 (AP-1) minimal reporter activity and nuclear levels of c-Jun, but not c-Fos, in a Pin1-dependent manner. The increases in Pin1 expression and in AP-1 reporter activity in response to UVA were abolished by N-acetylcysteine (NAC) treatment. Finally, we found that pre-exposure of JB6 C141 cells to UVA potentiated EGF-inducible, anchorage-independent growth, and this effect was significantly suppressed by Pin1inhibition or by NAC.« less

Trending on Pinterest: an examination of pins about skin tanning.

PubMed

Banerjee, Smita C; Rodríguez, Vivian M; Greene, Kathryn; Hay, Jennifer L

2018-04-10

Rates of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers are on the rise in the USA with data revealing disproportionate increase in female young adults. The popularity of intentional skin tanning among U.S. adolescents is attributed to several factors, including prioritization of physical appearance, media images of tanned celebrities, ease of availability of artificial tanning facilities, and more recently, the prevalence and celebration of tanned skin on social media. Pinterest, as the third most popular social media platform, was searched for "pins" about skin tanning. The resultant "pins" were examined to understand the extent and characteristics of skin tanning portrayed on Pinterest. We analyzed pins on Pinterest about skin tanning (n = 501) through a quantitative content analysis. Overall, results indicated an overwhelmingly protanning characteristic of pins about skin tanning on Pinterest, with over 85% of pins promoting tanning behavior. The pins were generally characterized by the portrayal of a female subject (61%) and provided positive reinforcement for tanning (49%). Use of tanning for enhancing appearance was the main positive outcome expectancy portrayed in the pins (35%), and nudity or exposure of skin on arms (32%) and legs (31%) was evident in about a third of pins. With overwhelmingly positive pins promoting tanning, use of female subjects, exhibiting nudity, and appearance enhancement, there seems be to a consistent targeting of female users to accept tanning as a socially acceptable and popular behavior. The findings indicate a need for developing sun protection messages and the leveraging of social media for dissemination of skin cancer prevention and detection messages.

Benefit from NASA

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-12-01

Two companies have successfully commercialized a specialized welding tool developed at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). Friction stir welding uses the high rotational speed of a tool and the resulting frictional heat created from contact to crush, "stir" together, and forge a bond between two metal alloys. It has had a major drawback, reliance on a single-piece pin tool. The pin is slowly plunged into the joint between two materials to be welded and rotated as high speed. At the end of the weld, the single-piece pin tool is retracted and leaves a "keyhole," something which is unacceptable when welding cylindrical objects such as drums, pipes and storage tanks. Another drawback is the requirement for different-length pin tools when welding materials of varying thickness. An engineer at the MSFC helped design an automatic retractable pin tool that uses a computer-controlled motor to automatically retract the pin into the shoulder of the tool at the end of the weld, preventing keyholes. This design allows the pin angle and length to be adjusted for changes in material thickness and results in a smooth hole closure at the end of the weld. Benefits of friction stir welding, using the MSFC retractable pin tool technology, include the following: The ability to weld a wide range of alloys, including previously unweldable and composite materials; provision of twice the fatigue resistance of fusion welds and no keyholes; minimization of material distortion; no creation of hazards such as welding fumes, radiation, high voltage, liquid metals, or arcing; automatic retraction of the pin at the end of the weld; and maintaining full penetration of the pin.

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

Ingham, J.G.

Maximum cladding temperatures occur when the IDENT 1578 fuel pin shipping container is installed in the T-3 Cask. The maximum allowable cladding temperature of 800/sup 0/F is reached when the rate of energy deposited in the 19-pin basket reaches 400 watts. Since 45% of the energy which is generated in the fuel escapes the 19-pin basket without being deposited, mostly gamma energy, the maximum allowable rate of heat generation is 400/.55 = 727 watts. Similarly, the maximum allowable cladding temperature of 800/sup 0/F is reached when the rate of energy deposited in the 40-pin basket reaches 465 watts. Since 33%more » of the energy which is generated in the fuel escapes the 40-pin basket without being deposited, mostly gamma energy, the maximum allowable rate of heat generation is 465/.66 = 704 watts. The IDENT 1578 fuel pin shipping container therefore meets its thermal design criteria. IDENT 1578 can handle fuel pins with a decay heat load of 600 watts while maintaining the maximum fuel pin cladding temperature below 800/sup 0/F. The emissivities which were determined from the test results for the basket tubes and container are relatively low and correspond to new, shiny conditions. As the IDENT 1578 container is exposed to high temperatures for extended periods of time during the transportation of fuel pins, the emissivities will probably increase. This will result in reduced temperatures.« less

Pinning, flux diodes and ratchets for vortices interacting with conformal pinning arrays

DOE PAGES

Olson Reichhardt, C. J.; Wang, Y. L.; Xiao, Z. L.; ...

2016-05-31

A conformal pinning array can be created by conformally transforming a uniform triangular pinning lattice to produce a new structure in which the six-fold ordering of the original lattice is conserved but where there is a spatial gradient in the density of pinning sites. Here we examine several aspects of vortices interacting with conformal pinning arrays and how they can be used to create a flux flow diode effect for driving vortices in different directions across the arrays. Under the application of an ac drive, a pronounced vortex ratchet effect occurs where the vortices flow in the easy direction ofmore » the array asymmetry. When the ac drive is applied perpendicular to the asymmetry direction of the array, it is possible to realize a transverse vortex ratchet effect where there is a generation of a dc flow of vortices perpendicular to the ac drive due to the creation of a noise correlation ratchet by the plastic motion of the vortices. We also examine vortex transport in experiments and compare the pinning effectiveness of conformal arrays to uniform triangular pinning arrays. In conclusion, we find that a triangular array generally pins the vortices more effectively at the first matching field and below, while the conformal array is more effective at higher fields where interstitial vortex flow occurs.« less

Gravitropism of Arabidopsis thaliana Roots Requires the Polarization of PIN2 toward the Root Tip in Meristematic Cortical Cells[C][W

PubMed Central

Rahman, Abidur; Takahashi, Maho; Shibasaki, Kyohei; Wu, Shuang; Inaba, Takehito; Tsurumi, Seiji; Baskin, Tobias I.

2010-01-01

In the root, the transport of auxin from the tip to the elongation zone, referred to here as shootward, governs gravitropic bending. Shootward polar auxin transport, and hence gravitropism, depends on the polar deployment of the PIN-FORMED auxin efflux carrier PIN2. In Arabidopsis thaliana, PIN2 has the expected shootward localization in epidermis and lateral root cap; however, this carrier is localized toward the root tip (rootward) in cortical cells of the meristem, a deployment whose function is enigmatic. We use pharmacological and genetic tools to cause a shootward relocation of PIN2 in meristematic cortical cells without detectably altering PIN2 polarization in other cell types or PIN1 polarization. This relocation of cortical PIN2 was negatively regulated by the membrane trafficking factor GNOM and by the regulatory A1 subunit of type 2-A protein phosphatase (PP2AA1) but did not require the PINOID protein kinase. When GNOM was inhibited, PINOID abundance increased and PP2AA1 was partially immobilized, indicating both proteins are subject to GNOM-dependent regulation. Shootward PIN2 specifically in the cortex was accompanied by enhanced shootward polar auxin transport and by diminished gravitropism. These results demonstrate that auxin flow in the root cortex is important for optimal gravitropic response. PMID:20562236

Stability of Pin1 as revealed by thermal and spectroscopic studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jing-Zhang; Lin, Tao; Zhu, Guo-Fei; Du, Lin-Fang

2010-06-01

Pin1 is a two-domain enzyme which has peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase activity. Pin1 recognizes phospho-Ser/Thr-Pro motifs in cell-signaling proteins, and is both a cancer and an Alzheimer's disease target. The thermal stability of Pin1 was studied intensively by SDS-PAGE, enzymatic activity assay, intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy and circular dichroism spectroscopy. The activity of Pin1 gradually decreased above 40 °C, and the Tm was 57.6 ± 1.0 °C. Fluorescence experiments indicated that heat treatment induced changes in the substructures in Pin1, resulting in that the polarity in the microenvironments of the tryptophan residues increased. It is assumed that the thermal denaturation of Pin1 involved a three-state transition. The intermediate state of Pin1 at about 60 °C was confirmed by fluorescence emission spectra, the synchronous fluorescence spectra and CD measurements. Decreases in α-helix and β-sheet appeared above 40 °C, which was balanced by an enhancement in unordered coil. The Tm values calculated from α-helix transition and β-sheet transition were 54.6 ± 0.6 °C and 70.7 ± 3.3 °C, respectively. Our results illustrated that Pin1 had a relatively high thermal stability and the WW domain had a higher stability than the PPIase domain.

Three-dimensional pin-to-pin analyses of VVER-440 cores by the MOBY-DICK code

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

Lehmann, M.; Mikolas, P.

1994-12-31

Nuclear design for the Dukovany (EDU) VVER-440s nuclear power plant is routinely performed by the MOBY-DICK system. After its implementation on Hewlett Packard series 700 workstations, it is able to perform routinely three-dimensional pin-to-pin core analyses. For purposes of code validation, the benchmark prepared from EDU operational data was solved.

Evaluation of FFTF fuel pin design procedure vis-a-vis steady state irradiation performance in EBR II

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

Jackson, R.J.

1976-11-01

The FFTF fuel pin design analysis is shown to be conservative through comparison with pin irradiation experience in EBR-II. This comparison shows that the actual lifetimes of EBR-II fuel pins are either greater than 80,000 MWd/MTM or greater than the calculated allowable lifetimes based on thermal creep strain.

18. SHEAR PIN, UNIT 24 GORGE POWERHOUSE. THE WICKET GATES ...

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

18. SHEAR PIN, UNIT 24 GORGE POWERHOUSE. THE WICKET GATES ON THE TURBINE ARE EACH EQUIPPED WITH A SHEAR PIN AND OIL PRESSURE GAUGE. IF A GATE JAMS, THE PIN SMEARS AND THE CHANGE IN OIL PRESSURE TRIGGERS AN ALARM, 1989. - Skagit Power Development, Gorge Powerhouse, On Skagit River, 0.4 mile upstream from Newhalem, Newhalem, Whatcom County, WA

Plasma membrane-targeted PIN proteins drive shoot development in a moss.

PubMed

Bennett, Tom A; Liu, Maureen M; Aoyama, Tsuyoshi; Bierfreund, Nicole M; Braun, Marion; Coudert, Yoan; Dennis, Ross J; O'Connor, Devin; Wang, Xiao Y; White, Chris D; Decker, Eva L; Reski, Ralf; Harrison, C Jill

2014-12-01

Plant body plans arise by the activity of meristematic growing tips during development and radiated independently in the gametophyte (n) and sporophyte (2n) stages of the life cycle during evolution. Although auxin and its intercellular transport by PIN family efflux carriers are primary regulators of sporophytic shoot development in flowering plants, the extent of conservation in PIN function within the land plants and the mechanisms regulating bryophyte gametophytic shoot development are largely unknown. We have found that treating gametophytic shoots of the moss Physcomitrella patens with exogenous auxins and auxin transport inhibitors disrupts apical function and leaf development. Two plasma membrane-targeted PIN proteins are expressed in leafy shoots, and pin mutants resemble plants treated with auxins or auxin transport inhibitors. PIN-mediated auxin transport regulates apical cell function, leaf initiation, leaf shape, and shoot tropisms in moss gametophytes. pin mutant sporophytes are sometimes branched, reproducing a phenotype only previously seen in the fossil record and in rare natural moss variants. Our results show that PIN-mediated auxin transport is an ancient, conserved regulator of shoot development. Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Pin Load Control Applied to Retractable Pin Tool Technology and its Characterization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oelgoetz, Peter A.

2000-01-01

Until the development of retractable pin tool (RPT) technology, friction stir welding (FSW) was limited to constant thickness joining of aluminum materials and the choices of keyhole elimination focused on traditional fusion and plug weld repair techniques. An invention, US Patent Number 5,893,507, "Auto-Adjustable Pin Tool for Friction Stir Welding" assigned to NASA, demonstrated an approach to resolve these serious drawbacks. This approach brings forth a technique that allows the crater, or keyhole, to be closed out automatically at the end of the weld joint without adding any additional equipment or material. Also the probe length can be varied automatically in the weld joint to compensate for material thickness changes, such as, in a tapered joint. This paper reports the effects of pin extension and retraction rates in the weld joint and its correlation to weld quality. The investigation utilized a pin load-detecting device that was integrated in the Phase 2A RPT designed by Boeing for NASA/MSFC. The RPT modification provided pin load data that was accessed and used to eliminate root side indications and determine pin manipulation rates necessary to produce consistence homogeneous joints.

Pin Load Control Applied to Retractable Pin Tool Technology and its Characterization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oelgoetz, Peter

2000-01-01

Until the development of retractable pin tool (RPT) technology, friction stir welding (FSW) was limited to constant thickness joining of aluminum materials and the choices of keyhole elimination focused on traditional fusion and plug weld repair techniques. An invention, US Patent Number 5,893.507, "Auto-Adjustable Pin Tool for Friction Stir Welding" assigned to NASA, demonstrated an approach to resolve these serious drawbacks. This approach brings forth a technique that allows the crater, or keyhole, to be closed out automatically at the end of the weld joint without adding any additional equipment or material. Also the probe length can be varied automatically in the weld joint to compensate for material thickness changes, such as, in a tapered joint. This paper reports the effects of pin extension and retraction rates in the weld joint and its correlation to weld quality. The investigation utilized a pin load-detecting device that was integrated in the Phase 2A RPT designed by Boeing for NASA/MSFC. The RPT modification provided pin load data that was accessed and used to eliminate root side indications and determine pin manipulation rates necessary to produce consistence homogeneous joints.

Pin Load Control Applied to Retractable Pin Tool Technology and Its Characterization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Olegoetz, P.

1999-01-01

Until the development of retractable pin tool (RPT) technology, friction stir welding (FSW) was limited to constant thickness joining of aluminum materials and the choices of keyhole elimination focused on traditional fusion and plug weld repair techniques. An invention, US Patent Number 5,893,507, "Auto-Adjustable Pin Tool for Friction Stir Welding" assigned to NASA, demonstrated an approach to resolve these serious drawbacks. This approach brings forth a technique that allows the crater, or keyhole, to be closed out automatically at the end of the weld joint without adding any additional equipment or material. Also the probe length can be varied automatically in the weld joint to compensate for material thickness changes, such as, in a tapered joint. This paper reports the effects of pin extension and retraction rates in the weld joint and its correlation to weld quality. The investigation utilized a pin load-detecting device that was integrated in the Phase IIA RPT designed by Boeing for NASA/MSFC. The RPT modification provided pin load data that was accessed and used to eliminate root side indications and determine pin manipulation rates necessary to produce consistence homogeneous joints.

Influence of Gene Expression on Hardness in Wheat.

PubMed

Nirmal, Ravi C; Furtado, Agnelo; Wrigley, Colin; Henry, Robert J

2016-01-01

Puroindoline (Pina and Pinb) genes control grain texture or hardness in wheat. Wild-type/soft alleles lead to softer grain while a mutation in one or both of these genes results in a hard grain. Variation in hardness in genotypes with identical Pin alleles (wild-type or mutant) is known but the molecular basis of this is not known. We now report the identification of wheat genotypes with hard grain texture and wild-type/soft Pin alleles indicating that hardness in wheat may be controlled by factors other than mutations in the coding region of the Pin genes. RNA-Seq analysis was used to determine the variation in the transcriptome of developing grains of thirty three diverse wheat genotypes including hard (mutant Pin) and soft (wild type) and those that were hard without having Pin mutations. This defined the role of pin gene expression and identified other candidate genes associated with hardness. Pina was not expressed in hard wheat with a mutation in the Pina gene. The ratio of Pina to Pinb expression was generally lower in the hard non mutant genotypes. Hardness may be associated with differences in Pin expression and other factors and is not simply associated with mutations in the PIN protein coding sequences.

Closed-Loop Control System for Friction Stir Welding Retractable Pin Tool

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ding, R. Jeffrey; Romine, Peter L.; Munafo, Paul M. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

NASA invention disclosure, NASA Case No. MFS-31413, entitled "System for Controlling the Stirring Pin of a Friction Stir Welding Apparatus", (Patent Pending) authored by Jeff Ding, Dr Peter Romine and Pete Oelgoetz, addresses the precision control of the friction stir welding process. The closed-loop control system automatically adjusts the spinning welding pin, real-time, to maintain a precise penetration ligament (i.e., distance between pin-tip and weld panel backside surface). A specific pin length can be maintained while welding constant thickness or tapered material thickness weld panels. The closed-loop control system provides operator data and information relative to the exact position of the welding pin inside the weld joint. This paper presents the closed-loop RPT control system that operates using the auto-feedback of force signals sensed by the tip and shoulder of the welding pin. Significance: The FSW process can be successfully used in a production environment only if there is a method or technique that informs the FSW operator the precise location of the welding pin inside the weld joint. This is essential for applications in aerospace, automotive, pressure vessel, commercial aircraft and other industries.

Single-screw Fixation of Adolescent Salter-II Proximal Humeral Fractures: Biomechanical Analysis of the "One Pass Door Lock" Technique.

PubMed

Miller, Mark Carl; Redman, Christopher N; Mistovich, R Justin; Muriuki, Muturi; Sangimino, Mark J

2017-09-01

Pin fixation of Salter-II proximal humeral fractures in adolescents approaching skeletal maturity has potential complications that can be avoided with single-screw fixation. However, the strength of screw fixation relative to parallel and diverging pin fixation is unknown. To compare the biomechanical fixation strength between these fixation modalities, we used synthetic composite humeri, and then compared these results in composite bone with cadaveric humeri specimens. Parallel pinning, divergent pinning, and single-screw fixation repairs were performed on synthetic composite humeri with simulated fractures. Six specimens of each type were tested in axial loading and other 6 were tested in torsion. Five pair of cadaveric humeri were tested with diverging pins and single screws for comparison. Single-screw fixation was statistically stronger than pin fixation in axial and torsional loading in both composite and actual bone. There was no statistical difference between composite and cadaveric bone specimens. Single-screw fixation can offer greater stability to adolescent Salter-II fractures than traditional pinning. Single-screw fixation should be considered as a viable alternative to percutaneous pin fixation in transitional patients with little expected remaining growth.

Tensile Shear Properties of the Friction Stir Lap Welded Joints and Material Flow Mechanism Under Pulsatile Revolutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Yanying; Liu, Huijie; Du, Shuaishuai

2018-06-01

The aim of the present article is to offer insight into the effects of pin profiles on interface defects, tensile shear properties, microstructures, and the material flow of friction stir lap welded joints. The results indicate that, compared to the lap joints welded by the single threaded plane pin, the three-plane threaded pin, and the triangle threaded pin, the lap joint obtained by the conventional conical threaded pin is characterized by the minimum interface defect. The alternate threads and planes on the pin provide periodical stress, leading to pulsatile material flow patterns. Under the effect of pulsatile revolutions, an asymmetrical flow field is formed around the tool. The threads on the pin force the surrounding material to flow downward. The planes cannot only promote the horizontal flow of the material by scraping, but also provide extra space for the material vertical flow. A heuristic model is established to describe the material flow mechanism during friction stir lap welding under the effect of pulsatile revolutions.

Fully redundant mechanical release actuator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lucy, Melvin H. (Inventor)

1987-01-01

A system is described for performing a mechanical release function exhibiting low shock. This system includes two pyrotechnic detents fixed mounted in opposing axial alignment within a cylindrical housing having two mechanical bellows. Two mechanical bellow assemblies, each having one end hermetically bonded to the housing and the other to the respective actuator pin extending from either end of the housing, ensure that all outgassing and contamination from the operation of the pyrotechnic devices will be contained within the housing and bellows. The pin on one end of the assembly is fixed mounted and supported, via a bolt or ball-and-socket joint so that when the charge corresponding to that pin ignites, the entire assembly will exhibit rectilinear movement, including the opposing pin providing the unlatching motion. The release detent pin is supported by a linear bearing and when its corresponding pyrotechnic charge ignites the pin is retracted within the housing producing the same unlatching motion without movement of the entire assembly, thus providing complete mechanical, electrical and pyrotechnic redundancy for the unlatching pin.

Peptidyl prolyl isomerase Pin1-inhibitory activity of D-glutamic and D-aspartic acid derivatives bearing a cyclic aliphatic amine moiety.

PubMed

Nakagawa, Hidehiko; Seike, Suguru; Sugimoto, Masatoshi; Ieda, Naoya; Kawaguchi, Mitsuyasu; Suzuki, Takayoshi; Miyata, Naoki

2015-12-01

Pin1 is a peptidyl prolyl isomerase that specifically catalyzes cis-trans isomerization of phosphorylated Thr/Ser-Pro peptide bonds in substrate proteins and peptides. Pin1 is involved in many important cellular processes, including cancer progression, so it is a potential target of cancer therapy. We designed and synthesized a novel series of Pin1 inhibitors based on a glutamic acid or aspartic acid scaffold bearing an aromatic moiety to provide a hydrophobic surface and a cyclic aliphatic amine moiety with affinity for the proline-binding site of Pin1. Glutamic acid derivatives bearing cycloalkylamino and phenylthiazole groups showed potent Pin1-inhibitory activity comparable with that of known inhibitor VER-1. The results indicate that steric interaction of the cyclic alkyl amine moiety with binding site residues plays a key role in enhancing Pin1-inhibitory activity. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Evidence of new pinning centers in irradiated MgB2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tarantini, C.; Martinelli, A.; Manfrinetti, P.; Palenzona, A.; Pallecchi, I.; Putti, M.; Ferdeghini, C.; Cimberle, M. R.

2008-03-01

It has been shown that C or SiC addictions can strongly enhance upper critical field of MgB2, leading to an in-field increase of critical current, but without introducing pinning centers other than grain boundaries. On the contrary neutron irradiation introduces new pinning centers, as highlighted by a significant shift of the maximum of pinning force and by a strong improvement of Jc at high field. This effect can be correlated to the defects that neutron irradiation produces. In fact TEM images show the presence of nanometric amorphous regions whose sizes are compatible with the coherence length and such as to act as pinning centers through two different mechanisms. The influence that neutron irradiation induces on MgB2 is also confirmed by magnetization decays that, differently by doped samples, show an important enhancement of pinning energies at high field. These measurements highlight as the increase of pinning energy with irradiation fluence is strongly correlated with Jc improvement.

The second peak effect and vortex pinning mechanisms in Ba(Fe,Ni)2As2 superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghorbani, S. R.; Arabi, H.; Wang, X. L.

2017-09-01

Vortex pinning mechanisms have been studied systematically in BaFe1.9Ni0.1As2 single crystal as a function of temperature and magnetic field. The obtained shielding current density, Js, showed a second peak in the intermediate magnetic field range at high temperatures. The temperature dependence of the shielding current density, Js(T), was analysed within the collective pinning model at different magnetic fields. It was found that the second peak reflects the coexistence of both δl pinning, reflecting spatial variation in the mean free path (l), and δTc pinning, reflecting spatial variation in the superconducting critical temperature (Tc) at low temperature and low magnetic fields in BaFe1.9Ni0.1As2 single crystal. The results clearly show that pinning mechanism effects are strongly temperature and magnetic field dependent, and the second peak effect is more powerful at higher temperatures and magnetic fields. It was also found that the magnetic field mainly controls the pinning mechanism effect.

Surface mount component jig

DOEpatents

Kronberg, James W.

1990-08-07

A device for bending and trimming the pins of a dual-inline-package component and the like for surface mounting rather than through mounting to a circuit board comprises, in a first part, in pin cutter astride a holder having a recess for holding the component, a first spring therebetween, and, in a second part, two flat members pivotally interconnected by a hinge and urged to an upward peaked position from a downward peaked position by a second spring. As a downward force is applied to the pin cutter it urges the holder downward, assisted by the first spring and a pair of ridges riding on shoulders of the holder, to carry the component against the upward peaked flat members which guide the pins outwardly. As the holder continues downwardly, the flat members pivot to the downward peaked position bending the pins upwardly against the sides of the holder. When the downward movement is met with sufficient resistance, the ridges of the pin cutter ride over the holder's shoulders to continue downward to cut any excess length of pin.

Electrical contact tool set station

DOEpatents

Byers, M.E.

1988-02-22

An apparatus is provided for the precise setting to zero of electrically conductive cutting tools used in the machining of work pieces. An electrically conductive cylindrical pin, tapered at one end to a small flat, rests in a vee-shaped channel in a base so that its longitudinal axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the machine's spindle. Electronic apparatus is connected between the cylindrical pin and the electrically conductive cutting tool to produce a detectable signal when contact between tool and pin is made. The axes of the machine are set to zero by contact between the cutting tool and the sides, end or top of the cylindrical pin. Upon contact, an electrical circuit is completed, and the detectable signal is produced. The tool can then be set to zero for that axis. Should the tool contact the cylindrical pin with too much force, the cylindrical pin would be harmlessly dislodged from the vee-shaped channel, preventing damage either to the cutting tool or the cylindrical pin. 5 figs.

Pin care

MedlinePlus

... an infection, call your surgeon right away. Cleaning Supplies There are different types of pin-cleaning solutions. ... peroxide Use the solution that your surgeon recommends. Supplies you will need to clean your pin site ...

Joining of aluminum sheet and glass fiber reinforced polymer using extruded pins

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Conte, Romina; Buhl, Johannes; Ambrogio, Giuseppina; Bambach, Markus

2018-05-01

The present contribution proposes a new approach for joining sheet metal and fiber reinforced composites. The joining process draws upon a Friction Stir Forming (FSF) process, which is performed on the metal sheet to produce slender pins. These pins are used to pierce through the composite. Joining is complete by forming a locking head out of the part if the pin sticks out of the composite. Pins of different diameters and lengths were produced from EN AW-1050 material, which were joined to glass fiber reinforced polyamide-6. The strength of the joint has been experimentally tested in order to understand the effect of the process temperature on the pins strength and therefore on the joining. The results demonstrate the feasibility of this new technique, which uses no excess material.

Mapping the Landscape of Domain-Wall Pinning in Ferromagnetic Films Using Differential Magneto-Optical Microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Badea, Robert; Berezovsky, Jesse

2016-06-01

The propagation of domain walls in a ferromagnetic film is largely determined by domain-wall pinning at defects in the material. In this article, we map the effective potential landscape for domain-wall pinning in permalloy films by raster scanning a single ferromagnetic vortex and monitoring the hysteretic vortex displacement vs applied magnetic field. The measurement is carried out using a differential magneto-optical microscopy technique which yields spatial sensitivity of approximately 10 nm. We present a simple algorithm for extracting an effective pinning potential from the measurement of vortex displacement vs applied field. The resulting maps of the pinning potential reveal distinct types of pinning sites, which we attribute to quasi-zero-, one-, and two-dimensional defects in the permalloy film.

Mechanical properties of friction stir welded butt joint of steel/aluminium alloys: effect of tool geometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Syafiq, W. M.; Afendi, M.; Daud, R.; Mazlee, M. N.; Majid, M. S. Abdul; Lee, Y. S.

2017-10-01

This paper described the mechanical properties from hardness testing and tensile testing of Friction Stir Welded (FSW) materials. In this project, two materials of aluminium and steel are welded using conventional milling machine and tool designed with different profile and shoulder size. During welding the temperature along the weld line is collected using thermocouples. Threaded pins was found to produce stronger joints than cylindrical pins. 20 mm diameter shoulder tool welded a slightly stronger joint than 18 mm diameter one, as well as softer nugget zone due to higher heat input. Threaded pins also contributed to higher weld temperature than cylindrical pins due to increase in pin contact surface. Generally, higher temperatures were recorded in aluminium side due to pin offset away from steel.

Spectroscopic, Elemental and Thermal Analysis, and Positron Annihilation Studies on Ca(II), Sr(II), Ba(II), Pb(II), and Fe(III) Penicillin G Potassium Complexes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Refat, M. S.; Sharshara, T.

2015-11-01

The [Pb(Pin)2] · 3H2O, [M(Pin)(H2O)2(Cl)] · nH2O (M = SrII, CaII or BaII; n = 0-1), and [Fe(Pin)2(Cl)(H2O)] · H2O penicillin G potassium (Pin) complexes were synthesized and characterized using elemental analyses, molar conductivity, thermal analysis and electronic spectroscopy techniques. The positron annihilation lifetime (PAL) and Doppler broadening (DB) techniques have been employed to probe the defects and structural changes of Pin ligand and its complexes. The PAL and DB line-shape parameters were discussed in terms of the structure, molecular weight, ligand-metal molar ratio, and other properties of the Pin complexes.

[Elastic sliding central medullary nailing with osteogenesis imperfecta. Fourteen cases at eight years follow-up].

PubMed

Boutaud, B; Laville, J-M

2004-06-01

Elastic sliding centromedullary nailing (ESCN) proposed by Métaizeau in 1987 for the prevention and treatment of limb fractures in osteogenesis imperfecta has never been evaluated. A multicentric serie was studied in order to evaluate results of these procedure. Thirty-six ESCN procedures were performed in fourteen patients. Percutaneous pinning was used for the femur and distal tibia and arthrotomy for the distal femur as needed and in all cases for the proximal tibia. The pins were bent in compliance with the principles of the ESCN system. The ends of the pins were bent back to form a U pushed into the epiphysis. Reaxing osteotomies required minimal incisions. Age at the first procedure, the number of procedures and complications, and time between procedures were recorded. Pin overlap and the angle formed were also recorded. Pin gliding was evaluated. Ability to walk with or without assistance was noted. The medullary canal measured 4 to 10 mm. The first procedure was performed at a mean age of four years (range 15 days to 10 years). Follow-up was eight years (range 1-12). There were 2.5 procedures per patient (range 1-5). Pins had to be changed in 75% of the bone segments. Mean time between two procedures was 3.2 years. There were no cases of defective sliding or infection. There were four cases of secondary fracture with a mean 30% pin overlap, two pin migrations, one nonunion, and one shortening. The majority of the complications occurred after the age of five years. At last follow-up, three patients could not walk, four walked with aids, and eight without aids. The advantages of the technique (size of the pins, nailing without reaming, pin sliding in all cases, low cost) must not overshadow the drawbacks (risk of pin deformation and migration, secondary fracture). Secondary fractures might be limited by discrete valgus of the femoral shaft and preventive pin change when the angle formed approaches 30 degrees and when there is only 30% overlap left. Use of telescopic nails before the age of five years increases the risk of complications while most of the complications observed with ESCN occur after the age of five years. Twenty-five percent of the ESCN complications involved only the femur. The percent of secondary fractures was less than with telescopic nailing (3.6% versus 11%) but there were more cases of nail migration. All pins slid, compared with 6% failure of elongation with telescopic nails. Although proof is not available, surgical treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta before the age of five years appears to provide more rapid functional progress. Sliding centromedulary nailing is an attractive alternative before the age of five years. In older children and to the end of growth, telescopic nail or pinning should be discussed although pinning may permit more secondary fractures which can be limited by rigorous surveillance of pin position.

Integral Fast Reactor fuel pin processor

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

Levinskas, D.

1993-01-01

This report discusses the pin processor which receives metal alloy pins cast from recycled Integral Fast Reactor (IFR) fuel and prepares them for assembly into new IFR fuel elements. Either full length as-cast or precut pins are fed to the machine from a magazine, cut if necessary, and measured for length, weight, diameter and deviation from straightness. Accepted pins are loaded into cladding jackets located in a magazine, while rejects and cutting scraps are separated into trays. The magazines, trays, and the individual modules that perform the different machine functions are assembled and removed using remote manipulators and master-slaves.

Integral Fast Reactor fuel pin processor

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

Levinskas, D.

1993-03-01

This report discusses the pin processor which receives metal alloy pins cast from recycled Integral Fast Reactor (IFR) fuel and prepares them for assembly into new IFR fuel elements. Either full length as-cast or precut pins are fed to the machine from a magazine, cut if necessary, and measured for length, weight, diameter and deviation from straightness. Accepted pins are loaded into cladding jackets located in a magazine, while rejects and cutting scraps are separated into trays. The magazines, trays, and the individual modules that perform the different machine functions are assembled and removed using remote manipulators and master-slaves.

Modeling of Unit-Cells With Z-Pins Using FLASH: Pre-Processing and Post Processing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krueger, Ronald

2005-01-01

Although the toughening properties of stitches, z-pins and similar structures have been studied extensively, investigations on the effect of z-pins on the in-plane properties of laminates are limited. A brief summary on the effect of z-pins on the in-plane tensile and compressive properties of composite laminates is presented together with a concise introduction into the finite element code FLASH. The remainder of the report illustrates the modeling aspect of unit cells with z-pins in FLASH and focuses on input and output data as well as post-processing of results.

Intrathoracic migration of an unbent Steinmann pin

PubMed Central

R, Estfan; S, Sarkar

2014-01-01

Steinmann pins are known to be used as a shoulder stabilisation device in recurrent dislocation. Although rare, their potential to migrate within the thorax has been reported. We present the case of an 87-year-old man who was treated for recurrent left shoulder dislocation with pinning using a Steinmann pin. He presented eight days postoperatively with the pin impaling the aortic adventitia. To our knowledge, this is only the fifth case report of such an event. Awareness of this complication and attempts to prevent its occurrence are critical as the outcome can be fatal. PMID:24780661

Thermal analysis of the FSP-1 fuel pin irradiation test. [for SP-100 space power reactor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lyon, William F., III

1991-01-01

Thermal analysis of a pin from the FSP-1 fuels irradiation test has been completed. The purpose of the analysis was to provide predictions of fuel pin temperatures, determine the flow regime within the lithium annulus of the test assembly, and provide a standardized model for a consistent basis of comparison between pins within the test assembly. The calculations have predicted that the pin is operating at slightly above the test design temperatures and that the flow regime within the lithium annulus is a laminar buoyancy driven flow.

InP-based millimeter-wave PIN diodes for switching and phase-shifting application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pavlidis, Dimitris; Alekseev, Egor; Hong, Kyushik; Cui, Delong

1997-10-01

InP-based PIN design, technology and circuit implementation were addressed and successfully applied to millimeter-wave MMIC switches and phase shifters. A wet etchant based via technology was developed and applied to InP MMIC fabrication. MOCVD and MBE material growth was used for PIN realization and PIN specific growth optimization is discussed. Experimentally determined electrical characteristics and good performance is presented for a variety of InP-based PIN MMICs including coplanar and microstrip Ka-band SPST switches, W-band microstrip SPST switches and a 90-degree phase shifter.

The treatment of an unstable slipped capital femoral epiphysis by either intracapsular cuneiform osteotomy or pinning in situ: a comparative study.

PubMed

Walton, R D M; Martin, E; Wright, D; Garg, N K; Perry, D; Bass, A; Bruce, C

2015-03-01

We undertook a retrospective comparative study of all patients with an unstable slipped capital femoral epiphysis presenting to a single centre between 1998 and 2011. There were 45 patients (46 hips; mean age 12.6 years; 9 to 14); 16 hips underwent intracapsular cuneiform osteotomy and 30 underwent pinning in situ, with varying degrees of serendipitous reduction. No patient in the osteotomy group was lost to follow-up, which was undertaken at a mean of 28 months (11 to 48); four patients in the pinning in situ group were lost to follow-up, which occurred at a mean of 30 months (10 to 50). Avascular necrosis (AVN) occurred in four hips (25%) following osteotomy and in 11 (42%) following pinning in situ. AVN was not seen in five hips for which osteotomy was undertaken > 13 days after presentation. AVN occurred in four of ten (40%) hips undergoing emergency pinning in situ, compared with four of 15 (47%) undergoing non-emergency pinning. The rate of AVN was 67% (four of six) in those undergoing pinning on the second or third day after presentation. Pinning in situ following complete reduction led to AVN in four out of five cases (80%). In comparison, pinning in situ following incomplete reduction led to AVN in 7 of 21 cases (33%). The rate of development of AVN was significantly higher following pinning in situ with complete reduction than following intracapsular osteotomy (p = 0.048). Complete reduction was more frequent in those treated by emergency pinning and was strongly associated with AVN (p = 0.005). Non-emergency intracapsular osteotomy may have a protective effect on the epiphyseal vasculature and should be undertaken with a delay of at least two weeks. The place of emergency pinning in situ in these patients needs to be re-evaluated, possibly in favour of an emergency open procedure or delayed intracapsular osteotomy. Non-emergency pinning in situ should be undertaken after a delay of at least five days, with the greatest risk at two and three days after presentation. Intracapsular osteotomy should be undertaken after a delay of at least 14 days. In our experience, closed epiphyseal reduction is harmful. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:412-19. ©2015 The British Editorial Society of Bone & Joint Surgery.

The relationship of lateral anatomic structures to exiting guide pins during femoral tunnel preparation utilizing an accessory medial portal.

PubMed

Farrow, Lutul D; Parker, Richard D

2010-06-01

Anatomic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament through an accessory medial portal has become increasingly popular. The purpose of this study is to describe the relationship of guide pin exit points to the lateral anatomic structures when preparing the anterior cruciate ligament femoral tunnel through an accessory medial portal. We utilized seven fresh frozen cadaveric knees. Utilizing an anteromedial approach, a guide wire was placed into the center of each bundle's footprint. Each guide wire was advanced through the lateral femoral cortex. The guide pins were passed at 90, 110, and 130 degrees of knee flexion. The distances from each guide pin to the closest relevant structures on the lateral side of the knee were measured. At 90 degrees the posterolateral bundle guide pin was closest to the lateral condyle articular cartilage (mean 5.4 +/- 2.2 mm) and gastrocnemius tendon (mean 5.7 +/- 2.1 mm). At 110 degrees the posterolateral bundle pin was closest to the gastrocnemius tendon (mean 4.5 +/- 3.4 mm). At 130 degrees the posterolateral bundle pin was closest to the gastrocnemius tendon (mean 7.2 +/- 5.5 mm) and lateral collateral ligament (mean 6.8 +/- 2.1 mm). At 90 degrees the anteromedial bundle guide pin was closest to the articular cartilage (mean 2.0 +/- 2.0 mm). At 110 degrees the anteromedial bundle pin was closest to the articular cartilage (mean 7.4 +/- 3.5 mm) and gastrocnemius tendon (mean 12.3 +/- 3.1 mm). At 130 degrees the AM bundle pin was closest to the gastrocnemius tendon (mean 8.2 +/- 3.2 mm) and LCL (mean 15.1 +/- 2.9 mm). Neither guide pin (anteromedial or posterolateral bundle) put the peroneal nerve at risk at any knee flexion angle. At low knee flexion angles the anteromedial and posterolateral bundle guide pins closely approximated multiple lateral structures when using an accessory medial arthroscopic portal. Utilizing higher flexion angles increases the margin of error when preparing both femoral tunnels. During preparation of the anterior cruciate ligament femoral tunnel through an accessory anteromedial portal the tunnels should be drilled in at least 110 degrees of knee flexion in order to move guide pin exit points away from important lateral knee structures.

Manipulating Abrikosov vortices with soft magnetic stripes

DOE PAGES

Vlasko-Vlasov, V. K.; Colauto, F.; Buzdin, A. I.; ...

2017-05-22

Here, tuning the polarization of a periodic array of magnetic stripes on top of a superconducting film allows control of Abrikosov vortex motion. Using direct magneto-optical imaging of the vortex patterns, we demonstrate that the proximity of the magnetic stripe ends to the edges of the superconducting film can strongly alter the vortex dynamics. We observe qualitatively different vortex behavior when the stripes overlap with the film edges. From the resulting unique magnetic flux patterns, we calculate the magnetic pinning strength of our stripe array and study effects of the modified edge barrier on vortex guidance and gating that resultmore » from different polarizations of the stripes .« less

Manipulating Abrikosov vortices with soft magnetic stripes

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

Vlasko-Vlasov, V. K.; Colauto, F.; Buzdin, A. I.

Here, tuning the polarization of a periodic array of magnetic stripes on top of a superconducting film allows control of Abrikosov vortex motion. Using direct magneto-optical imaging of the vortex patterns, we demonstrate that the proximity of the magnetic stripe ends to the edges of the superconducting film can strongly alter the vortex dynamics. We observe qualitatively different vortex behavior when the stripes overlap with the film edges. From the resulting unique magnetic flux patterns, we calculate the magnetic pinning strength of our stripe array and study effects of the modified edge barrier on vortex guidance and gating that resultmore » from different polarizations of the stripes .« less

76 FR 28169 - Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. Model AB412 Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-16

... lock pin may cause the loss of the hoist hook and any load. The absence of the lock pin constitutes an... cause the loss of the hoist hook and any load. The absence of the lock pin constitutes an unsafe... absence of this lock pin to prevent the loss of a rescue hoist hook and its load. [[Page 28171

Autophagy regulated by prolyl isomerase Pin1 and phospho-Ser-GSK3αβ involved in protection of oral squamous cell carcinoma against cadmium toxicity

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

So, Keum-Young; Ahn, Sang-Gun; Oh, Seon-Hee, E-mail: seonh@chosun.ac.kr

Prolyl isomerase Pin1 plays an important role in cell proliferation and is overexpressed in many human tumors. However, its role in autophagy induction remains undefined. Here we show that Pin1 regulates cell survival via autophagy in cadmium (Cd)-exposed oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). OSCC exposure to Cd induced autophagy, as demonstrated by the formation of green fluorescent punctae in transfected cells expressing GFP-conjugated microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) and by LC3 flux in the presence of autophagy inhibitors. Suppression of Atg5 enhanced Cd-induced apoptosis, indicating that autophagy is involved in cell protection. In dose–response experiments, cleavage of procaspase-3, PARP-1,more » and LC3-II was induced by Cd with an IC{sub 50} of 45 μM. Expression of Pin1 was decreased at or above the Cd IC{sub 50} value and was inversely correlated with the level of phospho(p)-Ser-GSK3αβ. Genetic or pharmacologic inhibition of Pin1 suppressed Cd-induced autophagy, but increased p-Akt-mediated p-Ser-GSK3αβ; this was reversed by overexpression of Pin1. However, suppression of GSK3αβ inhibited Cd-induced autophagy and induced apoptosis, which could be reversed by overexpression of GSK3β. The PI3K inhibitor Ly294002 blocked p-Akt-mediated increases in p-Ser-GSK3αβ and autophagy and induced apoptosis. Therefore, p-Ser-GSK3αβ can directly regulate Cd-induced autophagy, although its function is suppressed by Pin1. Collectively, the present results indicate that targeting Pin1 and GSK3αβ at the same time could be an effective therapeutic tool for Cd-induced carcinogenesis. - Highlights: • Pin1 regulated autophagy to protect cells from cadmium toxicity. • Pin1 suppression inhibited cadmium-induced autophagy and induced apoptosis. • Pin1 inhibited the function of p-Ser-GSK3αβ in autophagy regulation. • p-Ser-GSK3αβ regulated autophagy independently of Pin1.« less

A Biomechanical Comparison Of Pin Configurations Used For Percutaneous Pinning Of Distal Tibia Fractures In Children.

PubMed

Brantley, Justin; Majumdar, Aditi; Jobe, J Taylor; Kallur, Antony; Salas, Christina

2016-01-01

Percutaneous pin fixation is often used in conjunction with closed-reduction and cast immobilization to treat pediatric distal tibia fractures. The goal of this procedure is to maintain reduction and provide improved stabilization, in effort to facilitate a more anatomic union. We conducted a biomechanical study of the torsional and bending stability of three commonly used pin configurations in distal tibia fracture fixation. A transverse fracture was simulated at the metaphyseal/diaphyseal junction in 15 synthetic tibias. Each fracture was reduced and fixed with two Kirschner wires, arranged in one of three pin configurations: parallel, retrograde, medial to lateral pins entering at the medial malleolus distal to the fracture (group A); parallel, antegrade, medial to lateral pins entering at the medial diaphysis proximal to the fracture (group B); or a cross-pin configuration with one retrograde, medial to lateral pin entering the medial malleolus distal to the fracture and the second an antegrade, medial to lateral pin entering at the medial diaphysis proximal to the fracture (group C). Stability of each construct was assessed by resistance to torsion and bending. Resistance to external rotation stress was significantly higher in group A than group B (P = 0.044). Resistance to internal rotation stress was significantly higher in group C than group B (P = 0.003). There was no significant difference in torsional stiffness when comparing group A with group C. Under a medial-directed load, group B and C specimens were significantly stiffer than those in group A (28 N/mm and 24 N/mm vs. 14 N/mm for A; P = 0.001 and P = 0.009, respectively). None of the three pin configurations produced superior results with respect to all variables studied. Group A configuration provided the highest resistance to external rotation forces, which is the most clinically relevant variable under short-cast immobilization. Parallel, retrograde, medial to lateral pins entering at the medial malleolus provide the greatest resistance to external rotation of the foot while minimizing the potential for iatrogenic injury to soft tissue structures.

Differential expression of cytokeratin mRNA and protein in normal prostate, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, and invasive carcinoma.

PubMed Central

Yang, Y.; Hao, J.; Liu, X.; Dalkin, B.; Nagle, R. B.

1997-01-01

The expression of cytokeratin (CK) mRNA for CK5, -8, -14, -16, and -19 was investigated in normal prostate, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) lesions, and invasive carcinoma using in situ hybridization. Protein localization was carried out in adjacent sections using immunohistochemistry and correlated with mRNA expression. Snap-frozen human prostate samples including 22 examples of normal glands, 20 cases of PIN lesions, and 12 cases of invasive carcinoma were examined. CK5 and -14 mRNA and protein were prominently expressed only in the basal cells of normal glands and PIN lesions. CK14 mRNA was absent in the luminal cells of the most of the PIN lesions but was seen at a low level in some PIN lesions. CK14 protein was not detected in any PIN lesion, suggesting that, if the cell that makes up the PIN lesions is derived from a basal cell, CK14 translation is depressed although a low level of CK14 mRNA may persist. CK8 mRNA and protein were constitutively expressed in all epithelia of normal and abnormal prostate tissues. CK19 mRNA and protein were persistently expressed in both basal and luminal cells of the tubular portion of normal glands as well as PIN lesions, but were expressed heterogeneously in both basal and luminal cells of normal alveoli. CK16 mRNA was expressed in a similar pattern as CK19, but CK16 protein was not detected either in normal or in abnormal prostate tissues. In conclusion, the expression of CK19 in PIN lesions is similar to its tubular expression and would support an origin of PIN lesions from this structure rather than the alveolar portion of the glands. The similar cytokeratin expression between PIN lesions and invasive carcinoma further supports the concept that PIN is a precursor lesion of invasive carcinoma. Images Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 PMID:9033282

A cadaveric study of bone tissue temperature during pin site drilling utilizing fluoroptic thermography.

PubMed

Muffly, Matthew; Winegar, Corbett; Miller, Mark Carl; Altman, Gregory

2018-05-03

Using fluoroptic thermography, temperature was measured during pin site drilling of intact cortical human cadaver bone with a combination of one-step drilling, graduated drilling, and one-step drilling with irrigation of 5.0 mm Schanz pins. A 1440 rpm constant force drilling was used to on tibial diaphyses while a sensor probe placed 0.5 mm adjacent to the drill hole measured temperature. Four drilling techniques on each of the tibial segments were performed: 3.5mm drill bit, 5.0mm Schanz pin, 5.0 mm Schanz pin in 3.5 mm pre-drilled entry site, 5.0 mm Schanz pin utilizing irrigation. One-step drilling using a 5.0 mm Schanz pin without irrigation produced a temperature that exceeded the threshold temperature for heat-induced injury in 5 of the 8 trials. With the other three drilling techniques, only one in24 trials produced a temperature that would result in thermal injury. This difference was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.003). The use of irrigation significantly reduced the maximum bone tissue temperature in one-step drilling of a 5.0 mm Schanz pin (p = 0.02). One-step drilling with a 3.5 mm drill bit achieved maximum temperature significantly faster than graduated drilling and drilling with irrigation using a 5.0 mm Schanz pin (p <0.01). One-step drilling with a 5.0 mm Schanz pin into cortical bone can produce temperatures that can lead to heat-induced injury. Irrigation alone can reduce the temperatures sufficiently to avoid damage. Pre-drilling can increase temperatures significantly but the extent of any injury should be small.

Genes Outside the S Supergene Suppress S Functions in Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum)

PubMed Central

MATSUI, K.; NISHIO, T.; TETSUKA, T.

2004-01-01

• Background and Aims Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is a dimorphic self-incompatible plant with either pin or thrum flowers. The S supergene is thought to govern self-incompatibility, flower morphology and pollen size in buckwheat. Two major types of self-fertile lines have been reported. One is a type with long-homostyle flowers, Kyukei SC2 (KSC2), and the other is a type with short-homostyle flowers, Pennline 10. To clarify whether the locus controlling flower morphology and self-fertility of Pennline 10 is the same as that of KSC2, pollen tube tests and genetic analysis have been performed. • Methods Pollen tube growth was assessed in the styles and flower morphology of KSC2, Pennline 10, F1 and F2 plants that were produced by the crosses between plants with pin or thrum and Pennline 10. • Key Results Pollen tubes of Pennline 10 reached ovules of all flower types. The flower morphology of F1 plants produced by the cross between thrum and Pennline 10 were thrum or pin, and when pin plants were used as maternal plants, all the F1 plants were pin. Both plants with pin or short-pin flowers, whose ratio of style length to anther height was smaller than that of pin, appeared in F2 populations of thrum × Pennline 10 as well as in those of pin × Pennline 10. • Conclusion The results suggest that Pennline 10 possesses the s allele as pin does, not an allele produced by the recombination in the S supergene, and that the short style length of Pennline 10 is controlled by multiple genes outside the S supergene. PMID:15465964

Effects of Pin Detached Space on Heat Transfer and Pin-Fin Arrays

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

Siw, Sin Chien; Chyu, Minking K.; Shih, Tom I. -P.

2012-01-01

Heat transfer and pressure characteristics in a rectangular channel with pin-fin arrays of partial detachment from one of the endwalls have been experimentally studied. The overall channel geometry (W=76.2 mm, E=25.4 mm) simulates an internal cooling passage of wide aspect ratio (3:1) in a gas turbine airfoil. With a given pin diameter, D=6.35 mm=¼E, three different pin-fin height-to-diameter ratios, H/D=4, 3, and 2, were examined. Each of these three cases corresponds to a specific pin array geometry of detachment spacing (C) between the pin tip and one of the endwalls, i.e., C/D=0, 1, 2, respectively. The Reynolds number, based onmore » the hydraulic diameter of the unobstructed cross-section and the mean bulk velocity, ranges from 10,000 to 25,000. The experiment employs a hybrid technique based on transient liquid crystal imaging to obtain the distributions of the local heat transfer coefficient over all of the participating surfaces, including the endwalls and all the pin elements. Experimental results reveal that the presence of a detached space between the pin tip and the endwall has a significant effect on the convective heat transfer and pressure loss in the channel. The presence of pin-to-endwall spacing promotes wall-flow interaction, generates additional separated shear layers, and augments turbulent transport. In general, an increase in detached spacing, or C/D, leads to lower heat transfer enhancement and pressure drop. However, C/D=1, i.e., H/D=3, of a staggered array configuration exhibits the highest heat transfer enhancement, followed by the cases of C/D=0 and C/D=2, i.e., H/D=4 or 2, respectively.« less

Involvement of prolyl isomerase PIN1 in the cell cycle progression and proliferation of hepatic oval cells.

PubMed

Risal, Prabodh; Shrestha, Nirajan; Chand, Lokendra; Sylvester, Karl G; Jeong, Yeon Jun

2017-04-01

Liver regenerates remarkably after toxic injury or surgical resection. In the case of failure of resident hepatocytes to restore loss, repopulation is carried out by induction, proliferation, and differentiation of the progenitor cell. Although, some signaling pathways have been verified to contribute oval cell-mediated liver regeneration, role of Peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase NIMA-interacting 1(Pin1) in the oval cells proliferation is unknown. In the present study, we evaluate the role of Pin1 in oval cells proliferation. In our study, the expression of Pin1 in the mice liver increased after three weeks feeding of 3, 5-diethoxycarbonyl-1, 4-dihydrocollidine (DDC) diet along with the proliferation of oval cells. The expression of Pin1 was higher in oval cells compared to the hepatocytes.Pin1 inhibition by Juglone reduced oval cell proliferation, which was restored to normal when oval cells were treated with IGF-1. Consistent with increased cell growth, expression of Pin1, β-catenin and PCNA were increased in IGF-1 treated cells in a time dependent manner. In FACS analysis, siRNA-mediated knockdown of the Pin1 protein in the oval cells significantly increased the numbers of cells in G0/G1 phase. Furthermore, hepatocyte when treated with TGF-β showed marked reduction in cell proliferation and expression of Pin1 whereas this effect was not seen in the oval cells treated with TGF-β. In conclusion, Pin1 plays important role in the cell cycle progression and increase oval cells proliferation which may be crucial in chronic liver injury. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

The role of extracellular matrix components in pin bone attachments during storage-a comparison between farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and cod (Gadus morhua L.).

PubMed

Rønning, Sissel B; Østbye, Tone-Kari; Krasnov, Aleksei; Vuong, Tram T; Veiseth-Kent, Eva; Kolset, Svein O; Pedersen, Mona E

2017-04-01

Pin bones represent a major problem for processing and quality of fish products. Development of methods of removal requires better knowledge of the pin bones' attachment to the muscle and structures involved in the breakdown during loosening. In this study, pin bones from cod and salmon were dissected from fish fillets after slaughter or storage on ice for 5 days, and thereafter analysed with molecular methods, which revealed major differences between these species before and after storage. The connective tissue (CT) attaches the pin bone to the muscle in cod, while the pin bones in salmon are embedded in adipose tissue. Collagens, elastin, lectin-binding proteins and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are all components of the attachment site, and this differ between salmon and cod, resulting in a CT in cod that is more resistant to enzymatic degradation compared to the CT in salmon. Structural differences are reflected in the composition of transcriptome. Microarray analysis comparing the attachment sites of the pin bones with a reference muscle sample showed limited differences in salmon. In cod, on the other hand, the variances were substantial, and the gene expression profiles suggested difference in myofibre structure, metabolism and cell processes between the pin bone attachment site and the reference muscle. Degradation of the connective tissue occurs closest to the pin bones and not in the neighbouring tissue, which was shown using light microscopy. This study shows that the attachment of the pin bones in cod and salmon is different; therefore, the development of methods for removal should be tailored to each individual species.

Investigating the Effects of Pin Tool Design on Friction Stir Welded Ti-6Al-4V

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rubisoff, H. A.; Querin, J. A.; Schneider, Judy A.; Magee, D.

2009-01-01

Friction stir welding (FSWing), a solid state joining technique, uses a non-consumable rotating pin tool to thermomechanically join materials. Heating of the weldment caused by friction and deformation is a function of the interaction between the pin tool and the work piece. Therefore, the geometry of the pin tool is in part responsible for the resulting microstructure and mechanical properties. In this study microwave sintered tungsten carbide (WC) pin tools with tapers and flats were used to FSW Ti-6Al-4V. Transverse sections of welds were mechanically tested, and the microstructure was characterized using optical microscopy (OM) and scanning election microscopy (SEM). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron back-scatter diffraction (EBSD) were used to characterize the texture within the welds produced from the different pin tool designs.

Dominant pinning mechanisms in YBa2Cu3O7-x films on single and polycrystalline yttria stabilized zirconia substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harshavardhan, K. S.; Rajeswari, M.; Hwang, D. M.; Chen, C. Y.; Sands, T.; Venkatesan, T.; Tkaczyk, J. E.; Lay, K. W.; Safari, A.

1992-04-01

Critical-current densities have been measured in YBa2Cu3O7-x films deposited on (100) yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and polycrystalline YSZ substrates as a function of temperature (4.5-88 K), magnetic field (0-1 T) and orientation relative to the applied field. The results indicate that in films on polycrystalline substrates, surface and interface pinning play a dominant role at high temperatures. In films on (100) YSZ, pinning is mainly due to intrinsic layer pinning as well as extrinsic pinning associated with the interaction of the fluxoids with point defects and low energy planar (2D) boundaries. The differences are attributed to the intrinsic rigidity of single fluxoids which is reduced in films on polycrystalline substrates thereby weakening the intrinsic layer pinning.

Prolyl isomerase Pin1 acts downstream of miR-200 to promote cancer stem-like cell traits in breast cancer

PubMed Central

Luo, Man-Li; Gong, Chang; Chen, Chun-Hau; Lee, Daniel Y.; Hu, Hai; Huang, Pengyu; Yao, Yandan; Guo, Wenjun; Reinhardt, Ferenc; Wulf, Gerburg; Lieberman, Judy; Zhou, Xiao Zhen; Song, Erwei; Lu, Kun Ping

2014-01-01

Breast cancer stem-like cells (BCSC) have been implicated in tumor growth, metastasis, drug resistance and relapse but druggable targets in appropriate subsets of this cell population have yet to be identified. Here we identify a fundamental role for the prolyl isomerase Pin1 in driving BCSC expansion, invasiveness and tumorigenicity, defining it as a key target of miR-200c which is known to be a critical regluator in BSCS. Pin1 overexpression expanded the growth and tumorigenicity of BCSC and triggered epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Conversely, genetic or pharmaacological inhibition of Pin1 reduced the abundance and self-renewal activity of BCSC. Moreover, moderate overexpression of miR-200c-resistant Pin1 rescued the BCSC defect in miR-200c-expressing cells. Genetic deletion of Pin1 also decreased the abundance and repopulating capability of normal mouse mammary stem cells. In human cells freshly isolated from reduction mammoplasty tissues, Pin1 overexpression endowed BCSC traits to normal breast epithelial cells, expanding both luminal and basal/myoepithelial lineages in these cells. In contrast, Pin1 silencing in primary breast cancer cells isolated from clinical samples inhibited the expansion, self-renewal activity and tumorigenesis of BCSC in vitro and in vivo. Overall, our work demonstrated that Pin1 is a pivotal regulator acting downstream of miR-200c to drive BCSC and breast tumorigenicity, highlighting a new therapeutic target to eradicate BCSC. PMID:24786790

Inscuteable Regulates the Pins-Mud Spindle Orientation Pathway

PubMed Central

Mauser, Jonathon F.; Prehoda, Kenneth E.

2012-01-01

During asymmetric cell division, alignment of the mitotic spindle with the cell polarity axis ensures that the cleavage furrow separates fate determinants into distinct daughter cells. The protein Inscuteable (Insc) is thought to link cell polarity and spindle positioning in diverse systems by binding the polarity protein Bazooka (Baz; aka Par-3) and the spindle orienting protein Partner of Inscuteable (Pins; mPins or LGN in mammals). Here we investigate the mechanism of spindle orientation by the Insc-Pins complex. Previously, we defined two Pins spindle orientation pathways: a complex with Mushroom body defect (Mud; NuMA in mammals) is required for full activity, whereas binding to Discs large (Dlg) is sufficient for partial activity. In the current study, we have examined the role of Inscuteable in mediating downstream Pins-mediated spindle orientation pathways. We find that the Insc-Pins complex requires Gαi for partial activity and that the complex specifically recruits Dlg but not Mud. In vitro competition experiments revealed that Insc and Mud compete for binding to the Pins TPR motifs, while Dlg can form a ternary complex with Insc-Pins. Our results suggest that Insc does not passively couple polarity and spindle orientation but preferentially inhibits the Mud pathway, while allowing the Dlg pathway to remain active. Insc-regulated complex assembly may ensure that the spindle is attached to the cortex (via Dlg) before activation of spindle pulling forces by Dynein/Dynactin (via Mud). PMID:22253744

Characterizing the interactions between prolyl isomerase pin1 and phosphatase inhibitor-2 in living cells with FRET and FCS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Yuansheng; Wang, Lifu; Jyothikumar, Vinod; Brautigan, David L.; Periasamy, Ammasi

2012-03-01

Phosphatase inhibitor-2 (I2) was discovered as a regulator of protein Ser/Thr phosphatase-1 and is conserved from yeast to human. Binding between purified recombinant I2 from different species and the prolyl isomerase Pin1 has been demonstrated with pull-down assays, size exclusion chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Despite this, questions persist as to whether these proteins associate together in living cells. In this study, we prepared fluorescent protein (FP) fusions of I2 and Pin1 and employed both Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) and Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS) imaging techniques to characterize their interactions in living cells. In both intensity-based and time-resolved FRET studies, we observed FRET uniformly across whole cells co-expressing I2-Cerulean and Pin1-Venus that was significantly higher than in negative controls expressing Cerulean FP (without fusing to I2) as the FRET donor and Pin1-Venus, showing a specific interaction between I2-Cerulean and Pin1-Venus in living cells. We also observed the co-diffusion of I2-Cerulean and Pin1-mCherry in Fluorescence Cross Correlation Spectroscopy (FCCS) measurements. We further showed that I2 itself as well as I2-Pin1 formed complexes in living cells (predicted from in vitro studies) via a quantitative FRET assay, and demonstrated from FCS measurements that both I2 and Pin1 (fused to Cerulean) are highly mobile in living cells.

Variation in pin knot frequency in black walnut lumber cut from a small provenance/progeny test

Treesearch

Peter Y. S. Chen; Robert E. Bodkin; J. W. Van Sambeek

1995-01-01

This small study examined the frequency of knots (> 1 growth ring), pin knots (latent or suppressed buds), and pin knot clusters in 414 black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) lumber from 42 logs. 18 to 21 cm dbh, cut from a 14-year-old provenance/progeny test. Two boards from opposite sides of each log were analyzed for number of knots, pin knots, and...

Retractable pin dual in-line package test clip

DOEpatents

Bandzuch, Gregory S.; Kosslow, William J.

1996-01-01

This invention is a Dual In-Line Package (DIP) test clip for use when troubleshooting circuits containing DIP integrated circuits. This test clip is a significant improvement over existing DIP test clips in that it has retractable pins which will permit troubleshooting without risk of accidentally shorting adjacent pins together when moving probes to different pins on energized circuits or when the probe is accidentally bumped while taking measurements.

A Sharp Lesson: Duodenal Perforation 2 Months after Ingestion of a Pin.

PubMed

Dalrymple, Rebecca Amy; Berry, Kathleen; Jester, Ingo

2017-01-01

An 11-year-old female child presented 2 months after accidentally swallowing her hijab pin, with right-sided abdominal pain. An X-ray showed that the pin was located in her right upper quadrant, and at laparoscopy, it was found to have eroded through her duodenum into her liver. Ingested pins should always be removed if not passed spontaneously within the first few days.

A Sharp Lesson: Duodenal Perforation 2 Months after Ingestion of a Pin

PubMed Central

Dalrymple, Rebecca Amy; Berry, Kathleen; Jester, Ingo

2017-01-01

An 11-year-old female child presented 2 months after accidentally swallowing her hijab pin, with right-sided abdominal pain. An X-ray showed that the pin was located in her right upper quadrant, and at laparoscopy, it was found to have eroded through her duodenum into her liver. Ingested pins should always be removed if not passed spontaneously within the first few days. PMID:28694580

Pin1 down-regulates transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling by inducing degradation of Smad proteins.

PubMed

Nakano, Ayako; Koinuma, Daizo; Miyazawa, Keiji; Uchida, Takafumi; Saitoh, Masao; Kawabata, Masahiro; Hanai, Jun-ichi; Akiyama, Hirotada; Abe, Masahiro; Miyazono, Kohei; Matsumoto, Toshio; Imamura, Takeshi

2009-03-06

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is crucial in numerous cellular processes, such as proliferation, differentiation, migration, and apoptosis. TGF-beta signaling is transduced by intracellular Smad proteins that are regulated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Smad ubiquitin regulatory factor 2 (Smurf2) prevents TGF-beta and bone morphogenetic protein signaling by interacting with Smads and inducing their ubiquitin-mediated degradation. Here we identified Pin1, a peptidylprolyl cis-trans isomerase, as a novel protein binding Smads. Pin1 interacted with Smad2 and Smad3 but not Smad4; this interaction was enhanced by the phosphorylation of (S/T)P motifs in the Smad linker region. (S/T)P motif phosphorylation also enhanced the interaction of Smad2/3 with Smurf2. Pin1 reduced Smad2/3 protein levels in a manner dependent on its peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase activity. Knockdown of Pin1 increased the protein levels of endogenous Smad2/3. In addition, Pin1 both enhanced the interaction of Smurf2 with Smads and enhanced Smad ubiquitination. Pin1 inhibited TGF-beta-induced transcription and gene expression, suggesting that Pin1 negatively regulates TGF-beta signaling by down-regulating Smad2/3 protein levels via induction of Smurf2-mediated ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation.

Influence of Gene Expression on Hardness in Wheat

PubMed Central

Nirmal, Ravi C.; Wrigley, Colin

2016-01-01

Puroindoline (Pina and Pinb) genes control grain texture or hardness in wheat. Wild-type/soft alleles lead to softer grain while a mutation in one or both of these genes results in a hard grain. Variation in hardness in genotypes with identical Pin alleles (wild-type or mutant) is known but the molecular basis of this is not known. We now report the identification of wheat genotypes with hard grain texture and wild-type/soft Pin alleles indicating that hardness in wheat may be controlled by factors other than mutations in the coding region of the Pin genes. RNA-Seq analysis was used to determine the variation in the transcriptome of developing grains of thirty three diverse wheat genotypes including hard (mutant Pin) and soft (wild type) and those that were hard without having Pin mutations. This defined the role of pin gene expression and identified other candidate genes associated with hardness. Pina was not expressed in hard wheat with a mutation in the Pina gene. The ratio of Pina to Pinb expression was generally lower in the hard non mutant genotypes. Hardness may be associated with differences in Pin expression and other factors and is not simply associated with mutations in the PIN protein coding sequences. PMID:27741295

GNOM regulates root hydrotropism and phototropism independently of PIN-mediated auxin transport.

PubMed

Moriwaki, Teppei; Miyazawa, Yutaka; Fujii, Nobuharu; Takahashi, Hideyuki

2014-02-01

Plant roots exhibit tropisms in response to gravity, unilateral light and moisture gradients. During gravitropism, an auxin gradient is established by PIN auxin transporters, leading to asymmetric growth. GNOM, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor of ARF GTPase (ARF-GEF), regulates PIN localization by regulating subcellular trafficking of PINs. Therefore, GNOM is important for gravitropism. We previously isolated mizu-kussei2 (miz2), which lacks hydrotropic responses; MIZ2 is allelic to GNOM. Since PIN proteins are not required for root hydrotropism in Arabidopsis, the role of GNOM in root hydrotropism should differ from that in gravitropism. To examine this possibility, we conducted genetic analysis of gnom(miz2) and gnom trans-heterozygotes. The mutant gnom(miz2), which lacks hydrotropic responses, was partially recovered by gnom(emb30-1), which lacks GEF activity, but not by gnom(B4049), which lacks heterotypic domain interactions. Furthermore, the phototropic response of gnom trans-heterozygotes differed from that of the pin2 mutant allele eir1-1. Moreover, defects in the polarities of PIN2 and auxin distribution in a severe gnom mutant were recovered by gnom(miz2). Therefore, an unknown GNOM-mediated vesicle trafficking system may mediate root hydrotropism and phototropism independently of PIN trafficking. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

The MADS transcription factor XAL2/AGL14 modulates auxin transport during Arabidopsis root development by regulating PIN expression

PubMed Central

Garay-Arroyo, Adriana; Ortiz-Moreno, Enrique; de la Paz Sánchez, María; Murphy, Angus S; García-Ponce, Berenice; Marsch-Martínez, Nayelli; de Folter, Stefan; Corvera-Poiré, Adriana; Jaimes-Miranda, Fabiola; Pacheco-Escobedo, Mario A; Dubrovsky, Joseph G; Pelaz, Soraya; Álvarez-Buylla, Elena R

2013-01-01

Elucidating molecular links between cell-fate regulatory networks and dynamic patterning modules is a key for understanding development. Auxin is important for plant patterning, particularly in roots, where it establishes positional information for cell-fate decisions. PIN genes encode plasma membrane proteins that serve as auxin efflux transporters; mutations in members of this gene family exhibit smaller roots with altered root meristems and stem-cell patterning. Direct regulators of PIN transcription have remained elusive. Here, we establish that a MADS-box gene (XAANTAL2, XAL2/AGL14) controls auxin transport via PIN transcriptional regulation during Arabidopsis root development; mutations in this gene exhibit altered stem-cell patterning, root meristem size, and root growth. XAL2 is necessary for normal shootward and rootward auxin transport, as well as for maintaining normal auxin distribution within the root. Furthermore, this MADS-domain transcription factor upregulates PIN1 and PIN4 by direct binding to regulatory regions and it is required for PIN4-dependent auxin response. In turn, XAL2 expression is regulated by auxin levels thus establishing a positive feedback loop between auxin levels and PIN regulation that is likely to be important for robust root patterning. PMID:24121311

Vortex pinning in artificially layered Ba(Fe,Co)2As2 film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oh, M. J.; Lee, Jongmin; Seo, Sehun; Yoon, Sejun; Seo, M. S.; Park, S. Y.; Kim, Ho-Sup; Ha, Dong-Woo; Lee, Sanghan; Jo, Youn Jung

2018-06-01

Static high critical current densities (Jc) > 1 MA/cm2 with magnetic field parallel or perpendicular to c-axis were realized in Co-doped/undoped multilayerd BaFe2As2 films. We made a current bridge by FIB to allow precise measurements, and confirmed that the boundary quality using FIB was considerably better than the quality achieved using a laser. The presence of a high in-plane Jc suggested the existence of c-axis correlated vortex pinning centers. To clarify the relationship between the Jc performance and superstructures, we investigated the magnetic flux pinning mechanism using scaling theory of the volume pinning force Fp(H). The Jc(H) curves, Fp/Fp,max vs. h = H/Hirr curves, and parameters p and q depended on the characteristics of the flux pinning mechanism. It was found that the dominant pinning mechanism of Co-doped/undoped multilayerd BaFe2As2 films was Δl-pinning and the inserted undoped BaFe2As2 layers remained non-superconducting. The dominant pin geometry varied when the magnetic field direction changed. It was concluded that the artificially layered BaFe2As2 film is a 3-D superconductor due to its long correlation length compared to the thickness of the non-superconducting layer.

Commensurability effects in the critical forces of a superconducting film with Kagomé pinning array at submatching fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vizarim, Nicolas P.; Carlone, Maicon; Verga, Lucas G.; Venegas, Pablo A.

2017-09-01

Using molecular dynamics simulations, we find the commensurability force peaks in a two-dimensional superconducting thin-film with a Kagomé pinning array. A transport force is applied in two mutually perpendicular directions, and the magnetic field is increased up to the first matching field. Usually the condition to have pronounced force peaks in systems with periodic pinning is associated to the rate between the applied magnetic field and the first matching field, it must be an integer or a rational fraction. Here, we show that another condition must be satisfied, the vortex ground state must be ordered. Our calculations show that the pinning size and strength may dramatically change the vortex ground state. Small pinning radius and high values of pinning strength may lead to disordered vortex configurations, which fade the critical force peaks. The critical forces show anisotropic behavior, but the same dependence on pinning strength and radius is observed for both driven force directions. Different to cases where the applied magnetic field is higher than the first matching field, here the depinning process begins with vortices weakly trapped on top of a pinning site and not with interstitial vortices. Our results are in good agreement with recent experimental results.

Pin-based electrochemical glucose sensor with multiplexing possibilities.

PubMed

Rama, Estefanía C; Costa-García, Agustín; Fernández-Abedul, M Teresa

2017-02-15

This work describes the use of mass-produced stainless-steel pins as low-cost electrodes to develop simple and portable amperometric glucose biosensors. A potentiostatic three-electrode configuration device is designed using two bare pins as reference and counter electrodes, and a carbon-ink coated pin as working electrode. Conventional transparency film without any pretreatment is used to punch the pins and contain the measurement solution. The interface to the potentiostat is very simple since it is based on a commercial female connection. This electrochemical system is applied to glucose determination using a bienzymatic sensor phase (glucose oxidase/horseradish peroxidase) with ferrocyanide as electron-transfer mediator, achieving a linear range from 0.05 to 1mM. It shows analytical characteristics comparable to glucose sensors previously reported using conventional electrodes, and its application for real food samples provides good results. The easy modification of the position of the pins allows designing different configurations with possibility of performing simultaneous measurements. This is demonstrated through a specific design that includes four pin working-electrodes. Different concentrations of antibody labeled with alkaline phosphatase are immobilized on the pin-heads and after enzymatic conversion of 3-indoxylphosphate and silver nitrate, metallic silver is determined by anodic stripping voltammetry. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Surgical interventions for treating fractures of the olecranon in adults.

PubMed

Matar, Hosam E; Ali, Amjid A; Buckley, Simon; Garlick, Nicholas I; Atkinson, Henry D

2014-11-26

Fractures of the olecranon (the bony tip of the elbow) account for approximately 1% of all upper extremity fractures. Surgical intervention is often required to restore elbow function. Two key methods of surgery are tension band wire fixation and plate fixation. To assess the effects (benefits and harms) of different surgical interventions in the treatment of olecranon fractures in adults. We searched the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group Specialised Register (22 September 2014), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, 2014, Issue 8), MEDLINE (1946 to September week 2 2014), EMBASE (1980 to 19 September 2014), trial registers, conference proceedings and reference lists of articles. Randomised controlled trials (RCT) and quasi-RCTs that compared different surgical interventions for the treatment of olecranon fractures in adults. Two review authors independently performed study selection, risk of bias assessment and data extraction. The primary outcomes of this review were function, pain and adverse events. We included six small trials involving 244 adults with olecranon fractures. Of these, four were RCTs and two were quasi-RCTs; both of were at high risk of selection bias. All six trials were at high risk of performance bias, reflecting lack of blinding, and four trials were at high risk of detection bias. The quality of the evidence for most outcomes was generally very low because of limitations in study design and implementation, and either imprecision of the results or inadequate outcome measures. Thus, we are very uncertain about the estimates of effect.One trial (41 participants) comparing plate fixation with standard tension band wiring provided very low quality evidence at 16 to 86 weeks' follow-up of a better clinical outcome after plate fixation (good outcome (little pain or loss of elbow motion): 19/22 versus 9/19, risk ratio (RR) 1.82 favouring plate fixation, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10 to 3.01). There was very low quality evidence of less symptomatic prominent metalwork after plate fixation (1/22 versus 8/19; RR 0.11, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.79). The results for other adverse effects (infection and delayed or non-union) were inconclusive. Evidence is pending from a newly (September 2014) completed trial (67 participants) making the same comparison.Four trials compared four different modified techniques of tension band wiring (i.e. additional intramedullary screw fixation, biodegradable pins, Netz pins and cable pin system) versus standard tension band wiring. There was very low quality evidence of little difference at six to 14 months in function assessed by a non-validated scoring tool from the addition of an intramedullary screw. However, there were fewer cases of metalwork prominence in the intramedullary screw group (1/15 versus 8/15; RR 2.00, 95% CI 1.15 to 3.49; one trial; 30 participants). There was very low quality evidence from one trial (25 participants) of little difference in subjectively or objectively assessed good outcome at a mean of 20 months between tension band wiring with biodegradable implants versus metal implants. There were no adverse events, either non-union or sinus or fluid accumulation, reported. All 10 participants in the metalwork group had an extra operation to remove their metalwork at one year. One trial, which did not report on function or pain, provided very low quality evidence of lower rates of metalwork for any reason or for symptoms after Netz pin tension band wiring compared with standard tension band wiring (11/21 with Netz pin versus 17/25 with standard tension band wiring; RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.47 to 1.26; 46 participants); this evidence also supports the possibility of higher rates of metalwork removal for Netz pins. Two intra-operative complications occurred in the Netz pin group. The fourth trial, which compared the cable pin system with standard procedure, found low quality evidence that cable pin improved functional outcome at a mean of 21 months (Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), range 0 to 100: best outcome: mean difference (MD) 7.89 favouring cable pin, 95% CI 3.14 to 12.64; one trial; 62 participants). It also found low quality evidence of fewer postoperative complications in the cable pin group (1/30 with cable pin system versus 7/32 standard tension band wiring; RR 0.15, 95% CI 0.02 to 1.17), although the evidence did not rule out the converse.One trial provided very low quality evidence of similar patient-reported function using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (0 to 100: worst function) at two or more years after fixation using a novel olecranon memory connector (OMC) compared with locking plate fixation (MD -0.70 favouring OMC, 95% CI -4.20 to 2.80; 40 participants). The only adverse event was a superficial infection in the locking plate group. There is insufficient evidence to draw robust conclusions on the relative effects of the surgical interventions evaluated by the included trials. Further evidence, including patient-reported data, on the relative effects of plate versus tension band wiring is already pending from one recently completed RCT. Further RCTs, using good quality methods and reporting validated patient-reported measures of function, pain and activities of daily living at set follow-ups, are needed, including checking positive findings such as those relating to the use of an intramedullary screw and the cable pin system. Such trials should also include the systematic assessment of complications, further treatment including routine removal of metalwork and use of resources.

Camarada and Thomas on middeck

NASA Image and Video Library

2005-08-07

S114-E-7001 (4 August 2005) --- Astronaut Andrew S. W. Thomas, STS-114 mission specialist, photographs a middeck evaluation of the mechanical "plug" option for Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) repair aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. Astronaut Charles J. Camarda, mission specialist, uses special pre-designated tools to accomplish the procedure, along with round thin, flexible 7-inch-diamter carbon-silicon cover plates designed to flex up to 0.25 inch to conform to the wing leading edge RCC panels, a hardware attachment mechanism similar to a toggle bolt and sealant.

Thomas and Camarda on middeck

NASA Image and Video Library

2005-08-04

S114-E-7005 (4 August 2005) --- Astronaut Andrew S. W. Thomas, STS-114 mission specialist, photographs a middeck evaluation of the mechanical "plug" option for Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) repair aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. Astronaut Charles J. Camarda, mission specialist, uses special pre-designated tools to accomplish the procedure, along with round thin, flexible 7-inch-diamter carbon-silicon cover plates designed to flex up to 0.25 inch to conform to the wing leading edge RCC panels, a hardware attachment mechanism similar to a toggle bolt and sealant.

Mind the GAP: A Novel Tumor-Promoting Mechanism | Center for Cancer Research

Cancer.gov

RAS proteins, like light switches, toggle between an “on” conformation where they promote cell growth, survival, and/or the formation of blood vessels (known as angiogenesis) and an “off” conformation in which they are unable to stimulate their target effector proteins. Nearly one-third of human tumors express a mutated RAS gene, which encodes a protein locked permanently in the active state. Other tumors, including liver hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), display aberrant RAS pathway signaling but lack RAS gene mutations, suggesting alternative mechanisms for this excessive RAS activity.

Research on Pin Tumbler Locks and the Characteristics of Surface Traces Formed by Unlocking Guns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yi, Gao; Yifeng, Jin; Yanping, Bai; Hongcheng, Mei; Zhen, Xu

2018-02-01

In this paper, taking the structure of the pin tumbler locks and the principle of opening and closing locks as breakthrough point, we have studied the machining traces of pin tumbler components and trace characters of pin surface during normal operating. At the same time, taking the unlocking gun as an example, the paper analyzes the unlocking technology and the formation of traces, and summarizes the changing rules of the surface traces of elastic bead locks by comparing the positions and the characteristics of the traces, which provides technical support for the future study of traces of pin tumbler locks.

Vortex pinning and irreversibility fields in FeS1-xSex (x = 0, 0.06)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Aifeng; Petrovic, C.

2017-06-01

We report strong vortex pinning and large irreversibility fields in single crystals of tetragonal FeS1-xSex (x = 0, 0.06). Vortex dynamics is characterized by crossover in field dependence of the depinning energy U0, indicative of single flux surface pinning to the region of collective flux pinning on point-like defects. The close proximity of the irreversibility lines to the upper critical field (Hc2) is consistent with strong pinning in FeS and FeS0.94Se0.06, pointing that new materials with building-blocks of FeS4 tetrahedra are likely to host high critical currents.

Magnetoresistive detection of strongly pinned uncompensated magnetization in antiferromagnetic FeMn

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

Lapa, Pavel N.; Roshchin, Igor V.; Ding, Junjia

2017-01-17

Here we observed and studied pinned uncompensated magnetization in an antiferromagnet using magnetoresistance measurements. For this, we developed antiferromagnet-ferromagnet spin valves (AFSVs) that consist of an antiferromagnetic layer and a ferromagnetic one, separated by a nonmagnetic conducting spacer. In an AFSV, the uncompensated magnetization in the antiferromagnet affects scattering of spin-polarized electrons giving rise to giant magnetoresitance (GMR). By measuring angular dependence of AFSVs' resistance, we detected pinned uncompensated magnetization responsible for the exchange bias effect in an antiferromagnet- only exchange bias system Cu/FeMn/Cu. The fact that GMR measured in this system persists up to 110 kOe indicates that themore » scattering occurs on strongly pinned uncompensated magnetic moments in FeMn. This strong pinning can be explained if this pinned uncompensated magnetization is a thermodynamically stable state and coupled to the antiferromagnetic order parameter. Finally, using the AFSV technique, we confirmed that the two interfaces between FeMn and Cu are magnetically different: The uncompensated magnetization is pinned only at the interface with the bottom Cu layer.« less

Enhancement of the forced convective heat transfer on mini pin fin heat sinks with micro spiral fins

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khonsue, Osot

2018-02-01

This research is an experimental study on the characteristics of heat transfer and pressure drop in mini heat sinks using air as the working fluid. The experiments were performed under a constant heat flux ranging from 9.132-13.698 kW/m2 and the air Reynolds number range 322-1982. Three different types of mini heat sinks were rectangle pin fins, cylindrical pin fins, and spiral pin fins with 36x28x9 mm and 5 mm fins high. There were 63 fins altogether and all were made of aluminum. The results showed that the characteristics of the temperature of heat sink of spiral pin fins was the least. Meanwhile the average heat transfer coefficient and Nusselt number of spiral pin fins were the most . Regarding the pressure drop, the rectangular pin fins was the least. The results of this study can be used to guide the design and development of electronic devices cooling system with forced convective heat transfer for higher performance in the future.

75 FR 4482 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SE3160, SA315B, SA316B, SA316C, and SA319B...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-28

... spar by using calipers held against the face of the No. 1 spar in alignment with the through pins. [cir... using calipers held against the face of the No. 1 spar in alignment with the through pins as depicted in..., either a crack, an elongated through pinhole, movement of a through pin, or a through pin that is not...

Elucidating cdc25’s Oncogenic Mechanism in Breast Cancer Using Pin1, a Negative Mitotic Regulator

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-07-01

inhibitor aphidicolin. This defect in replication checkpoint function was reversed after addition of recombinant wild type Pin 1, but not an isomerase... inhibitor , aphidicolin. Mock-depleted extracts effectively postponed mitotic entry in response to replication inhibition, while depletion of Pin 1 from...fail to haft mitotic entry in response to the DNA polymerase inhibitor , aphidicolin. The addition of recombinant Pin1 restores the appropriate G2

Heat transfer and pressure drop in a compact pin-fin heat exchanger with pin orientation at 18 deg to the flow direction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Olson, D. A.

1991-01-01

The heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of a novel, compact heat exchanger in helium gas were measured at 3.5 MPa and Reynolds numbers of 450 to 12,000. The pin-fin specimen consisted of pins, 0.51 mm high and spaced 2.03 mm on centers, spanning a channel through which the helium flows; the angle of the row of pins to the flow direction was 18 deg. The specimen was radiatively heated on the top side at heat fluxes up to 74 W/sq cm and insulated on the back side. Correlations were developed for the friction factor and Nusselt number. The Nusselt number compares favorably to those of past studies of staggered pin-fins, when the measured temperatures are extrapolated to the temperature of the wall-fluid interface.

Effective augmentation of networked systems and enhancing pinning controllability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jalili, Mahdi

2018-06-01

Controlling dynamics of networked systems to a reference state, known as pinning control, has many applications in science and engineering. In this paper, we introduce a method for effective augmentation of networked systems, while also providing high levels of pinning controllability for the final augmented network. The problem is how to connect a sub-network to an already existing network such that the pinning controllability is maximised. We consider the eigenratio of the augmented Laplacian matrix as a pinning controllability metric, and use graph perturbation theory to approximate the influence of edge addition on the eigenratio. The proposed metric can be effectively used to find the inter-network links connecting the disjoint networks. Also, an efficient link rewiring approach is proposed to further optimise the pinning controllability of the augmented network. We provide numerical simulations on synthetic networks and show that the proposed method is more effective than heuristic ones.

A Ferris Wheel Accident at a Movable Amusement Park.

PubMed

Cho, Young-Jin; Ji, Hong-Keun; Moon, Byung-Sun; Park, Ha-Sun; Goh, Jae-Mo; Park, Nam-Kyu; Choi, Don-Mook

2017-05-01

This study presented a Ferris wheel accident case. A Ferris wheel is composed of many parts, and the outmost ring of it is assembled using a lock pin. This accident occurred because the lock pin caught the door of a gondola and the gondola overturned. Five of the seven passengers in the gondola fell to the ground, along with the gondola's viewing window. The investigation revealed that the gondola became stuck when its door was caught by a lock pin at the Ferris wheel's three o'clock position. The contact between the door and the lock pin was due to a structural problem: There was not enough space allotted between the door and the lock pin. Therefore, if a passenger pushed on the gondola's door, the potential existed for contact between the door and the lock pin. © 2016 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Charge transport properties of intrinsic layer in diamond vertical pin diode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shimaoka, Takehiro; Kuwabara, Daisuke; Hara, Asuka; Makino, Toshiharu; Tanaka, Manobu; Koizumi, Satoshi

2017-05-01

Diamond is hoped to be utilized in ultimate power electronic devices exhibiting ultra-high blocking voltages. For practical device formation, it is important to characterize the electric properties to precisely simulate carrier transport and to practically design optimum device structures. In this study, we experimentally evaluated the charge transport properties of intrinsic layers in diamond vertical pin diodes using alpha-particle induced charge distribution measurements. The charge collection efficiencies were 98.1 ± 0.6% for a {111} pin diode and 96.9 ± 0.6% for a {100} pin diode, which means that almost all generated charges are collected accordingly equivalent to conventional Silicon pin photodiodes. Mobility-lifetime (μτ) products of holes were (2.2 ± 0.3) × 10-6 cm2/V for {111} and (1.8 ± 0.1) × 10-5 cm2/V for {100} diamond pin diodes.