Melting, glass transition, and apparent heat capacity of α-D-glucose by thermal analysis.

PubMed

Magoń, A; Pyda, M

2011-11-29

The thermal behaviors of α-D-glucose in the melting and glass transition regions were examined utilizing the calorimetric methods of standard differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), standard temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC), quasi-isothermal temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry (quasi-TMDSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The quantitative thermal analyses of experimental data of crystalline and amorphous α-D-glucose were performed based on heat capacities. The total, apparent and reversingheat capacities, and phase transitions were evaluated on heating and cooling. The melting temperature (T(m)) of a crystalline carbohydrate such as α-D-glucose, shows a heating rate dependence, with the melting peak shifted to lower temperature for a lower heating rate, and with superheating of around 25K. The superheating of crystalline α-D-glucose is observed as shifting the melting peak for higher heating rates, above the equilibrium melting temperature due to of the slow melting process. The equilibrium melting temperature and heat of fusion of crystalline α-D-glucose were estimated. Changes of reversing heat capacity evaluated by TMDSC at glass transition (T(g)) of amorphous and melting process at T(m) of fully crystalline α-D-glucose are similar. In both, the amorphous and crystalline phases, the same origin of heat capacity changes, in the T(g) and T(m) area, are attributable to molecular rotational motion. Degradation occurs simultaneously with the melting process of the crystalline phase. The stability of crystalline α-D-glucose was examined by TGA and TMDSC in the melting region, with the degradation shown to be resulting from changes of mass with temperature and time. The experimental heat capacities of fully crystalline and amorphous α-D-glucose were analyzed in reference to the solid, vibrational, and liquid heat capacities, which were approximated based on the ATHAS scheme and Data Bank. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Temperature Variations in Lubricating Films Induced by Viscous Dissipation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mozaffari, Farshad; Metcalfe, Ralph

2015-11-01

We have studied temperature distributions of lubricating films. The study has applications in tribology where temperature-reduced viscosity decreases load carrying capacity of bearings, or degrades elastomeric seals. The viscosity- temperature dependency is modeled according to ASTM D341-09. We have modeled the film temperature distribution by our finite element program. The program is made up of three modules: the first one solves the general form of Reynolds equation for the film pressure and velocity gradients. The other two solve the energy equation for the film and its solid boundary temperature distributions. The modules are numerically coupled and iteratively converged to the solutions. We have shown that the temperature distribution in the film is strongly coupled with the thermal response at the boundary. In addition, only thermal diffusion across film thickness is dominant. Moreover, thermal diffusion in the lateral directions, as well as all the convection terms, are negligible. The approximation reduces the energy equation to an ordinary differential equation, which significantly simplifies the modeling of temperature -viscosity effects in thin films. Supported by Kalsi Engineering, Inc.

Simultaneous Modeling of the Thermophysical and Dynamical Evolution of Saturn's Icy Satellites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, Torrence V.; Castillo-Rogez, J. C.; Matson, D. L.; Sotin, C.; Lunine, J. I.

2007-10-01

This poster describes the methodology we use in modeling the geophysical and dynamical evolution of the icy satellites of Saturn. For each of the model's modules we identify the relevant physical, chemical, mineralogical, and material science principals that are used. Then we present the logic of the modeling approach and its implementation. The main modules handle thermal, geological, and dynamical processes. Key parameters such as temperature, thermal conductivity, rigidity, viscosity, Young's modulus, dynamic Love number k2, and frequency-dependent dissipation factor Q(ω) are transmitted between the modules in the course of calculating an evolutionary sequence. Important initial conditions include volatile and nonvolatile compositions, formation time, rotation period and shape, orbital eccentricity and semimajor axis, and temperature and porosity profiles. The thermal module treats the thermal effects of accretion, melting of ice, differentiation and tidal dissipation. Heat transfer is by conduction only because in the cases thus far studied the criterion for convection is not met. The geological module handles the evolution of porosity, shape, and lithospheric strength. The dynamical module calculates despinning and orbital evolution. Chief outputs include the orbital evolution, the interior temperatures as a function of time and depth, and other parameters of interest such as k2, and Q(ω) as a function of time. This work was carried out at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory-California Institute of Technology, under contract to NASA.

Temperature stability of static and dynamic properties of 1.55 µm quantum dot lasers.

PubMed

Abdollahinia, A; Banyoudeh, S; Rippien, A; Schnabel, F; Eyal, O; Cestier, I; Kalifa, I; Mentovich, E; Eisenstein, G; Reithmaier, J P

2018-03-05

Static and dynamic properties of InP-based 1.55 µm quantum dot (QD) lasers were investigated. Due to the reduced size inhomogeneity and a high dot density of the newest generation of 1.55 µm QD gain materials, ridge waveguide lasers (RWG) exhibit improved temperature stability and record-high modulation characteristics. Detailed results are shown for the temperature dependence of static properties including threshold current, voltage-current characteristics, external differential efficiency and emission wavelength. Similarly, small and large signal modulations were found to have only minor dependences on temperature. Moreover, we show the impact of the active region design and the cavity length on the temperature stability. Measurements were performed in pulsed and continuous wave operation. High characteristic temperatures for the threshold current were obtained with T 0 values of 144 K (15 - 60 °C), 101 K (60 - 110 °C) and 70 K up to 180 °C for a 900-µm-long RWG laser comprising 8 QD layers. The slope efficiency in these lasers is nearly independent of temperature showing a T 1 value of more than 900 K up to 110 °C. Due to the high modal gain, lasers with a cavity length of 340 µm reached new record modulation bandwidths of 17.5 GHz at 20 °C and 9 GHz at 80 °C, respectively. These lasers were modulated at 26 GBit/s in the non-return to zero format at 80 °C and at 25 GBaud using a four-level pulse amplitude format at 21 °C.

Static Feed Water Electrolysis Subsystem Testing and Component Development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Koszenski, E. P.; Schubert, F. H.; Burke, K. A.

1983-01-01

A program was carried out to develop and test advanced electrochemical cells/modules and critical electromechanical components for a static feed (alkaline electrolyte) water electrolysis oxygen generation subsystem. The accomplishments were refurbishment of a previously developed subsystem and successful demonstration for a total of 2980 hours of normal operation; achievement of sustained one-person level oxygen generation performance with state-of-the-art cell voltages averaging 1.61 V at 191 ASF for an operating temperature of 128F (equivalent to 1.51V when normalized to 180F); endurance testing and demonstration of reliable performance of the three-fluid pressure controller for 8650 hours; design and development of a fluid control assembly for this subsystem and demonstration of its performance; development and demonstration at the single cell and module levels of a unitized core composite cell that provides expanded differential pressure tolerance capability; fabrication and evaluation of a feed water electrolyte elimination five-cell module; and successful demonstration of an electrolysis module pressurization technique that can be used in place of nitrogen gas during the standby mode of operation to maintain system pressure and differential pressures.

Impact of environmental hazards on internal soiling within concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) modules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ellis, Sara

2014-09-01

Environmental conditions have a significant impact on internal soiling of a CPV system, which affects overall system performance and efficiency. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 62108, Section 10, standard includes accelerated testing such as temperature cycling, damp heat, and humidity freeze to assess a CPV module's ability to withstand environmental hazards that can compromise the typical 25-year lifetime. This paper discusses the IEC 60529 ingress protection (IP) test protocols and how they can be used to evaluate the performance of CPV modules to block water and particulate contaminants. Studies with GORE® Protective Vents installed in a CPV module and subjected to environmental hazard testing have shown increased reliability of the module over the lifetime of the system by protecting the seals from pressure differentials and keeping out contaminants.

Optimization of flavanones extraction by modulating differential solvent densities and centrifuge temperatures.

PubMed

Chebrolu, Kranthi K; Jayaprakasha, G K; Jifon, J; Patil, Bhimanagouda S

2011-07-15

Understanding the factors influencing flavonone extraction is critical for the knowledge in sample preparation. The present study was focused on the extraction parameters such as solvent, heat, centrifugal speed, centrifuge temperature, sample to solvent ratio, extraction cycles, sonication time, microwave time and their interactions on sample preparation. Flavanones were analyzed in a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and later identified by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The five flavanones were eluted by a binary mobile phase with 0.03% phosphoric acid and acetonitrile in 20 min and detected at 280 nm, and later identified by mass spectral analysis. Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and dimethyl formamide (DMF) had optimum extraction levels of narirutin, naringin, neohesperidin, didymin and poncirin compared to methanol (MeOH), ethanol (EtOH) and acetonitrile (ACN). Centrifuge temperature had a significant effect on flavanone distribution in the extracts. The DMSO and DMF extracts had homogeneous distribution of flavanones compared to MeOH, EtOH and ACN after centrifugation. Furthermore, ACN showed clear phase separation due to differential densities in the extracts after centrifugation. The number of extraction cycles significantly increased the flavanone levels during extraction. Modulating the sample to solvent ratio increased naringin quantity in the extracts. Current research provides critical information on the role of centrifuge temperature, extraction solvent and their interactions on flavanone distribution in extracts. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Device and method for determining freezing points

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mathiprakasam, Balakrishnan (Inventor)

1986-01-01

A freezing point method and device (10) are disclosed. The method and device pertain to an inflection point technique for determining the freezing points of mixtures. In both the method and device (10), the mixture is cooled to a point below its anticipated freezing point and then warmed at a substantially linear rate. During the warming process, the rate of increase of temperature of the mixture is monitored by, for example, thermocouple (28) with the thermocouple output signal being amplified and differentiated by a differentiator (42). The rate of increase of temperature data are analyzed and a peak rate of increase of temperature is identified. In the preferred device (10) a computer (22) is utilized to analyze the rate of increase of temperature data following the warming process. Once the maximum rate of increase of temperature is identified, the corresponding temperature of the mixture is located and earmarked as being substantially equal to the freezing point of the mixture. In a preferred device (10), the computer (22), in addition to collecting the temperature and rate of change of temperature data, controls a programmable power supply (14) to provide a predetermined amount of cooling and warming current to thermoelectric modules (56).

Compensated vibrating optical fiber pressure measuring device

DOEpatents

Fasching, George E.; Goff, David R.

1987-01-01

A microbending optical fiber is attached under tension to a diaphragm to se a differential pressure applied across the diaphragm which it causes it to deflect. The fiber is attached to the diaphragm so that one portion of the fiber, attached to a central portion of the diaphragm, undergoes a change in tension; proportional to the differential pressure applied to the diaphragm while a second portion attached at the periphery of the diaphragm remains at a reference tension. Both portions of the fiber are caused to vibrate at their natural frequencies. Light transmitted through the fiber is attenuated by both portions of the tensioned sections of the fiber by an amount which increases with the curvature of fiber bending so that the light signal is modulated by both portions of the fiber at separate frequencies. The modulated light signal is transduced into a electrical signal. The separate modulation signals are detected to generate separate signals having frequencies corresponding to the reference and measuring vibrating sections of the continuous fiber, respectively. A signal proportional to the difference between these signals is generated which is indicative of the measured pressure differential across the diaphragm. The reference portion of the fiber is used to compensate the pressure signal for zero and span changes resulting from ambient temperature and humidity effects upon the fiber and the transducer fixture.

Development of time-domain differential Raman for transient thermal probing of materials

DOE PAGES

Xu, Shen; Wang, Tianyu; Hurley, David; ...

2015-01-01

A novel transient thermal characterization technology is developed based on the principles of transient optical heating and Raman probing: time-domain differential Raman. It employs a square-wave modulated laser of varying duty cycle to realize controlled heating and transient thermal probing. Very well defined extension of the heating time in each measurement changes the temperature evolution profile and the probed temperature field at μs resolution. Using this new technique, the transient thermal response of a tipless Si cantilever is investigated along the length direction. A physical model is developed to reconstruct the Raman spectrum considering the temperature evolution, while taking intomore » account the temperature dependence of the Raman emission. By fitting the variation of the normalized Raman peak intensity, wavenumber, and peak area against the heating time, the thermal diffusivity is determined as 9.17 × 10⁻⁵, 8.14 × 10⁻⁵, and 9.51 × 10⁻⁵ m²/s. These results agree well with the reference value of 8.66 × 10⁻⁵ m²/s considering the 10% fitting uncertainty. The time-domain differential Raman provides a novel way to introduce transient thermal excitation of materials, probe the thermal response, and measure the thermal diffusivity, all with high accuracy.« less

A moderate increase in ambient temperature modulates the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) spleen transcriptome response to intraperitoneal viral mimic injection

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) reared in sea-cages can experience large variations in temperature, and these have been shown to affect their immune function. We used the new 20K Atlantic cod microarray to investigate how a water temperature change which, simulates that seen in Newfoundland during the spring-summer (i.e. from 10°C to 16°C, 1°C increase every 5 days) impacted the cod spleen transcriptome response to the intraperitoneal injection of a viral mimic (polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid, pIC). Results The temperature regime alone did not cause any significant increases in plasma cortisol levels and only minor changes in spleen gene transcription. However, it had a considerable impact on the fish spleen transcriptome response to pIC [290 and 339 significantly differentially expressed genes between 16°C and 10°C at 6 and 24 hours post-injection (HPI), respectively]. Seventeen microarray-identified transcripts were selected for QPCR validation based on immune-relevant functional annotations. Fifteen of these transcripts (i.e. 88%), including DHX58, STAT1, IRF7, ISG15, RSAD2 and IκBα, were shown by QPCR to be significantly induced by pIC. Conclusions The temperature increase appeared to accelerate the spleen immune transcriptome response to pIC. We found 41 and 999 genes differentially expressed between fish injected with PBS vs. pIC at 10°C and sampled at 6HPI and 24HPI, respectively. In contrast, there were 656 and 246 genes differentially expressed between fish injected with PBS vs. pIC at 16°C and sampled at 6HPI and 24HPI, respectively. Our results indicate that the modulation of mRNA expression of genes belonging to the NF-κB and type I interferon signal transduction pathways may play a role in controlling temperature-induced changes in the spleen’s transcript expression response to pIC. Moreover, interferon effector genes such as ISG15 and RSAD2 were differentially expressed between fish injected with pIC at 10°C vs. 16°C at 6HPI. These results substantially increase our understanding of the genes and molecular pathways involved in the negative impacts of elevated ambient temperature on fish health, and may also be valuable to our understanding of how accelerated global climate change could impact cold-water marine finfish species. PMID:22928584

A moderate increase in ambient temperature modulates the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) spleen transcriptome response to intraperitoneal viral mimic injection.

PubMed

Hori, Tiago S; Gamperl, A Kurt; Booman, Marije; Nash, Gordon W; Rise, Matthew L

2012-08-28

Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) reared in sea-cages can experience large variations in temperature, and these have been shown to affect their immune function. We used the new 20K Atlantic cod microarray to investigate how a water temperature change which, simulates that seen in Newfoundland during the spring-summer (i.e. from 10°C to 16°C, 1°C increase every 5 days) impacted the cod spleen transcriptome response to the intraperitoneal injection of a viral mimic (polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid, pIC). The temperature regime alone did not cause any significant increases in plasma cortisol levels and only minor changes in spleen gene transcription. However, it had a considerable impact on the fish spleen transcriptome response to pIC [290 and 339 significantly differentially expressed genes between 16°C and 10°C at 6 and 24 hours post-injection (HPI), respectively]. Seventeen microarray-identified transcripts were selected for QPCR validation based on immune-relevant functional annotations. Fifteen of these transcripts (i.e. 88%), including DHX58, STAT1, IRF7, ISG15, RSAD2 and IκBα, were shown by QPCR to be significantly induced by pIC. The temperature increase appeared to accelerate the spleen immune transcriptome response to pIC. We found 41 and 999 genes differentially expressed between fish injected with PBS vs. pIC at 10°C and sampled at 6HPI and 24HPI, respectively. In contrast, there were 656 and 246 genes differentially expressed between fish injected with PBS vs. pIC at 16°C and sampled at 6HPI and 24HPI, respectively. Our results indicate that the modulation of mRNA expression of genes belonging to the NF-κB and type I interferon signal transduction pathways may play a role in controlling temperature-induced changes in the spleen's transcript expression response to pIC. Moreover, interferon effector genes such as ISG15 and RSAD2 were differentially expressed between fish injected with pIC at 10°C vs. 16°C at 6HPI. These results substantially increase our understanding of the genes and molecular pathways involved in the negative impacts of elevated ambient temperature on fish health, and may also be valuable to our understanding of how accelerated global climate change could impact cold-water marine finfish species.

Flow-switching device for comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography.

PubMed

Bueno, Pedro A; Seeley, John V

2004-02-20

A simple flow-switching device has been developed as a differential flow modulator for comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC). The device is assembled from tubing, four tee unions, and a solenoid valve. The solenoid valve is located outside the oven of the gas chromatograph and is not in the sample path. The modulation technique has no inherent temperature restrictions and passes 100% of the primary column effluent to the secondary column(s). Secondary peaks are produced with widths at half maximum less than 100 ms when operating in GC x 2GC mode with a 2.0 s modulation period. The efficacy of this approach is demonstrated through the analysis of a standard mixture of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and diesel fuel.

Acclimation to cold and warm temperatures is associated with differential expression of male carp blood proteins involved in acute phase and stress responses, and lipid metabolism.

PubMed

Dietrich, Mariola A; Hliwa, Piotr; Adamek, Mikołaj; Steinhagen, Dieter; Karol, Halina; Ciereszko, Andrzej

2018-05-01

The environmental temperature affects plasma biochemical indicators, antioxidant status and hematological and immunological parameters in fish. So far, only single blood proteins have been identified in response to temperature changes. The aim of this study was to compare the proteome of carp blood plasma from males acclimated to warm (30 °C) and cold (10 °C) temperatures by two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis followed by MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry. A total of 47 spots were found to be differentially regulated by temperature (>1.2-fold change, p < 0.05): 25 protein spots were more abundant in warm-acclimated males and 22 were enriched in cold-acclimated males. The majority of differentially regulated proteins were associated with acute phase response signalling involved in: i) activation of the complement system (complement C3-H1), ii) neutralization of proteolytic enzymes (inter-alpha inhibitor H3, fetuin, serpinA1, antithrombin, alpha2-macroglobulin), iii) scavenging of free hemoglobin and radicals (haptoglobin, Wap65 kDa), iv) clot-formation (fibrinogen beta and alpha chain, T-kininogen) and v) the host's immune response modulation (ApoA1 and ApoA2). However, quite different sets of these proteins or proteoforms were involved in response to cold and warm temperatures. In addition, cold acclimation seems to be related to the proteins involved in lipid metabolism (apolipoproteins A and 14 kDa) and stress response (corticosteroid binding globulin). We discovered a strongly regulated protein Cap31 upon cold acclimation, which can serve as a potential blood biomarker of cold response in carp. These studies significantly extend our knowledge concerning mechanisms underlying thermal adaptation in poikilotherms. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

High temperature increases the masculinization rate of the all-female (XX) rainbow trout "Mal" population.

PubMed

Valdivia, Karina; Jouanno, Elodie; Volff, Jean-Nicolas; Galiana-Arnoux, Delphine; Guyomard, René; Helary, Louise; Mourot, Brigitte; Fostier, Alexis; Quillet, Edwige; Guiguen, Yann

2014-01-01

Salmonids are generally considered to have a robust genetic sex determination system with a simple male heterogamety (XX/XY). However, spontaneous masculinization of XX females has been found in a rainbow trout population of gynogenetic doubled haploid individuals. The analysis of this masculinization phenotype transmission supported the hypothesis of the involvement of a recessive mutation (termed mal). As temperature effect on sex differentiation has been reported in some salmonid species, in this study we investigated in detail the potential implication of temperature on masculinization in this XX mal-carrying population. Seven families issued from XX mal-carrying parents were exposed from the time of hatching to different rearing water temperatures ((8, 12 and 18°C), and the resulting sex-ratios were confirmed by histological analysis of both gonads. Our results demonstrate that masculinization rates are strongly increased (up to nearly two fold) at the highest temperature treatment (18°C). Interestingly, we also found clear differences between temperatures on the masculinization of the left versus the right gonads with the right gonad consistently more often masculinized than the left one at lower temperatures (8 and 12°C). However, the masculinization rate is also strongly dependent on the genetic background of the XX mal-carrying families. Thus, masculinization in XX mal-carrying rainbow trout is potentially triggered by an interaction between the temperature treatment and a complex genetic background potentially involving some part of the genetic sex differentiation regulatory cascade along with some minor sex-influencing loci. These results indicate that despite its rather strict genetic sex determinism system, rainbow trout sex differentiation can be modulated by temperature, as described in many other fish species.

High Temperature Increases the Masculinization Rate of the All-Female (XX) Rainbow Trout “Mal” Population

PubMed Central

Valdivia, Karina; Jouanno, Elodie; Volff, Jean-Nicolas; Galiana-Arnoux, Delphine; Guyomard, René; Helary, Louise; Mourot, Brigitte; Fostier, Alexis; Quillet, Edwige; Guiguen, Yann

2014-01-01

Salmonids are generally considered to have a robust genetic sex determination system with a simple male heterogamety (XX/XY). However, spontaneous masculinization of XX females has been found in a rainbow trout population of gynogenetic doubled haploid individuals. The analysis of this masculinization phenotype transmission supported the hypothesis of the involvement of a recessive mutation (termed mal). As temperature effect on sex differentiation has been reported in some salmonid species, in this study we investigated in detail the potential implication of temperature on masculinization in this XX mal-carrying population. Seven families issued from XX mal-carrying parents were exposed from the time of hatching to different rearing water temperatures ((8, 12 and 18°C), and the resulting sex-ratios were confirmed by histological analysis of both gonads. Our results demonstrate that masculinization rates are strongly increased (up to nearly two fold) at the highest temperature treatment (18°C). Interestingly, we also found clear differences between temperatures on the masculinization of the left versus the right gonads with the right gonad consistently more often masculinized than the left one at lower temperatures (8 and 12°C). However, the masculinization rate is also strongly dependent on the genetic background of the XX mal-carrying families. Thus, masculinization in XX mal-carrying rainbow trout is potentially triggered by an interaction between the temperature treatment and a complex genetic background potentially involving some part of the genetic sex differentiation regulatory cascade along with some minor sex-influencing loci. These results indicate that despite its rather strict genetic sex determinism system, rainbow trout sex differentiation can be modulated by temperature, as described in many other fish species. PMID:25501353

Microarray and network-based identification of functional modules and pathways of active tuberculosis.

PubMed

Bian, Zhong-Rui; Yin, Juan; Sun, Wen; Lin, Dian-Jie

2017-04-01

Diagnose of active tuberculosis (TB) is challenging and treatment response is also difficult to efficiently monitor. The aim of this study was to use an integrated analysis of microarray and network-based method to the samples from publically available datasets to obtain a diagnostic module set and pathways in active TB. Towards this goal, background protein-protein interactions (PPI) network was generated based on global PPI information and gene expression data, following by identification of differential expression network (DEN) from the background PPI network. Then, ego genes were extracted according to the degree features in DEN. Next, module collection was conducted by ego gene expansion based on EgoNet algorithm. After that, differential expression of modules between active TB and controls was evaluated using random permutation test. Finally, biological significance of differential modules was detected by pathways enrichment analysis based on Reactome database, and Fisher's exact test was implemented to extract differential pathways for active TB. Totally, 47 ego genes and 47 candidate modules were identified from the DEN. By setting the cutoff-criteria of gene size >5 and classification accuracy ≥0.9, 7 ego modules (Module 4, Module 7, Module 9, Module 19, Module 25, Module 38 and Module 43) were extracted, and all of them had the statistical significance between active TB and controls. Then, Fisher's exact test was conducted to capture differential pathways for active TB. Interestingly, genes in Module 4, Module 25, Module 38, and Module 43 were enriched in the same pathway, formation of a pool of free 40S subunits. Significant pathway for Module 7 and Module 9 was eukaryotic translation termination, and for Module 19 was nonsense mediated decay enhanced by the exon junction complex (EJC). Accordingly, differential modules and pathways might be potential biomarkers for treating active TB, and provide valuable clues for better understanding of molecular mechanism of active TB. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Interaction of charge carriers with lattice and molecular phonons in crystalline pentacene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Girlando, Alberto; Grisanti, Luca; Masino, Matteo; Brillante, Aldo; Della Valle, Raffaele G.; Venuti, Elisabetta

2011-08-01

The computational protocol we have developed for the calculation of local (Holstein) and non-local (Peierls) carrier-phonon coupling in molecular organic semiconductors is applied to both the low temperature and high temperature bulk crystalline phases of pentacene. The electronic structure is calculated by the semimpirical INDO/S (Intermediate Neglect of Differential Overlap with Spectroscopic parametrization) method. In the phonon description, the rigid molecule approximation is removed, allowing mixing of low-frequency intra-molecular modes with inter-molecular (lattice) phonons. A clear distinction remains between the low-frequency phonons, which essentially modulate the transfer integral from a molecule to another (Peierls coupling), and the high-frequency intra-molecular phonons, which modulate the on-site energy (Holstein coupling). The results of calculation agree well with the values extracted from experiment. The comparison with similar calculations made for rubrene allows us to discuss the implications for the current models of mobility.

Synthesis and Characterization of the First Liquid Single Source Precursors for the Deposition of Ternary Chalcopyrite (CuInS2) Thin Film Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Banger, Kulbinder K.; Cowen, Jonathan; Hepp, Aloysius

2002-01-01

Molecular engineering of ternary single source precursors based on the [{PBu3}2Cu(SR')2In(SR')2] architecture have afforded the first liquid CIS ternary single source precursors (when R = Et, n-Pr), which are suitable for low temperature deposition (< 350 C). Thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) and modulated-differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) confirm their liquid phase and reduced stability. X-ray diffraction studies, energy dispersive analyzer (EDS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) support the formation of the single-phase chalcopyrite CuInS2 at low temperatures.

Network-Forming Nanoclusters in Binary As-S/Se Glasses: From Ab Initio Quantum Chemical Modeling to Experimental Evidences.

PubMed

Hyla, M

2017-12-01

Network-forming As 2 (S/Se) m nanoclusters are employed to recognize expected variations in a vicinity of some remarkable compositions in binary As-Se/S glassy systems accepted as signatures of optimally constrained intermediate topological phases in earlier temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry experiments. The ab initio quantum chemical calculations performed using the cation-interlinking network cluster approach show similar oscillating character in tendency to local chemical decomposition but obvious step-like behavior in preference to global phase separation on boundary chemical compounds (pure chalcogen and stoichiometric arsenic chalcogenides). The onsets of stability are defined for chalcogen-rich glasses, these being connected with As 2 Se 5 (Z = 2.29) and As 2 S 6 (Z = 2.25) nanoclusters for As-Se and As-S glasses, respectively. The physical aging effects result preferentially from global phase separation in As-S glass system due to high localization of covalent bonding and local demixing on neighboring As 2 Se m+1 and As 2 Se m-1 nanoclusters in As-Se system. These nanoclusters well explain the lower limits of reversibility windows in temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry, but they cannot be accepted as signatures of topological phase transitions in respect to the rigidity theory.

High temperatures reveal cryptic genetic variation in a polymorphic female sperm storage organ.

PubMed

Berger, David; Bauerfeind, Stephanie Sandra; Blanckenhorn, Wolf Ulrich; Schäfer, Martin Andreas

2011-10-01

Variation in female reproductive morphology may play a decisive role in reproductive isolation by affecting the relative fertilization success of alternative male phenotypes. Yet, knowledge of how environmental variation may influence the development of the female reproductive tract and thus alter the arena of postcopulatory sexual selection is limited. Yellow dung fly females possess either three or four sperm storage compartments, a polymorphism with documented influence on sperm precedence. We performed a quantitative genetics study including 12 populations reared at three developmental temperatures complemented by extensive field data to show that warm developmental temperatures increase the frequency of females with four compartments, revealing striking hidden genetic variation for the polymorphism. Systematic genetic differentiation in growth rate and spermathecal number along latitude, and phenotypic covariance between the traits across temperature treatments suggest that the genetic architecture underlying the polymorphism is shaped by selection on metabolic rate. Our findings illustrate how temperature can modulate the preconditions for sexual selection by differentially exposing novel variation in reproductive morphology. This implies that environmental change may substantially alter the dynamics of sexual selection. We further discuss how temperature-dependent developmental plasticity may have contributed to observed rapid evolutionary transitions in spermathecal morphology. © 2011 The Author(s). Evolution© 2011 The Society for the Study of Evolution.

Mediator independently orchestrates multiple steps of preinitiation complex assembly in vivo

PubMed Central

Eyboulet, Fanny; Wydau-Dematteis, Sandra; Eychenne, Thomas; Alibert, Olivier; Neil, Helen; Boschiero, Claire; Nevers, Marie-Claire; Volland, Hervé; Cornu, David; Redeker, Virginie; Werner, Michel; Soutourina, Julie

2015-01-01

Mediator is a large multiprotein complex conserved in all eukaryotes, which has a crucial coregulator function in transcription by RNA polymerase II (Pol II). However, the molecular mechanisms of its action in vivo remain to be understood. Med17 is an essential and central component of the Mediator head module. In this work, we utilised our large collection of conditional temperature-sensitive med17 mutants to investigate Mediator's role in coordinating preinitiation complex (PIC) formation in vivo at the genome level after a transfer to a non-permissive temperature for 45 minutes. The effect of a yeast mutation proposed to be equivalent to the human Med17-L371P responsible for infantile cerebral atrophy was also analyzed. The ChIP-seq results demonstrate that med17 mutations differentially affected the global presence of several PIC components including Mediator, TBP, TFIIH modules and Pol II. Our data show that Mediator stabilizes TFIIK kinase and TFIIH core modules independently, suggesting that the recruitment or the stability of TFIIH modules is regulated independently on yeast genome. We demonstrate that Mediator selectively contributes to TBP recruitment or stabilization to chromatin. This study provides an extensive genome-wide view of Mediator's role in PIC formation, suggesting that Mediator coordinates multiple steps of a PIC assembly pathway. PMID:26240385

Magnetically-induced forces on a ferromagnetic HT-9 first wall/blanket module

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lechtenberg, T. A.; Dahms, C. F.; Attaya, H.

1984-05-01

A model of the Starfire commercial tokamak reactor was used as the basis for calculating magnetic loads induced on typical fusion reactor first wall components fabricated of ferromagnetic material. The component analyzed was the first wall/blanket module because this structure experiences the greatest neutron fluence level and is the component for which the low swelling ferromagnetic Sandvik alloy, HT-9, may have the greatest benefit. The magnitudes of the magnetic body forces calculated were consistent with analyses performed on structures within other types of reactors. The loads generated within the module structure by the magnetic forces were found to be of the same order of magnitude as those arising from other sources such as pressure differential, dead weight, temperature distribution. Only small structural design modifications would be required if the magnetic alloy, Sandvik HT-9 were utilized.

Incorporating Cutting Edge Scientific Results from the Margins-Geoprisms Program into the Undergraduate Curriculum: The Subduction Factory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Penniston-Dorland, S.; Stern, R. J.; Edwards, B. R.; Kincaid, C. R.

2014-12-01

The NSF-MARGINS Program funded a decade of research on continental margin processes. The NSF-GeoPRISMS Mini-lesson Project, funded by NSF-TUES, is designed to integrate fundamental results from the MARGINS program into open-source college-level curriculum. Three Subduction Factory (SubFac) mini-lessons were developed as part of this project. These include hands-on examinations of data sets representing 3 key components of the subduction zone system: 1) Heat transfer in the subducted slab; 2) Metamorphic processes happening at the plate interface; and 3) Typical magmatic products of arc systems above subduction zones. Module 1: "Slab Temperatures Control Melting in Subduction Zones, What Controls Slab Temperature?" allows students to work in groups using beads rolling down slopes as an analog for the mathematics of heat flow. Using this hands-on, exploration-based approach, students develop an intuition for the mathematics of heatflow and learn about heat conduction and advection in the subduction zone environment. Module 2: "Subduction zone metamorphism" introduces students to the metamorphic rocks that form as the subducted slab descends and the mineral reactions that characterize subduction-related metamorphism. This module includes a suite of metamorphic rocks available for instructors to use in a lab, and exercises in which students compare pressure-temperature estimates obtained from metamorphic rocks to predictions from thermal models. Module 3: "Central American Arc Volcanoes, Petrology and Geochemistry" introduces students to basic concepts in igneous petrology using the Central American volcanic arc, a MARGINS Subduction Factory focus site, as an example. The module relates data from two different volcanoes - basaltic Cerro Negro (Nicaragua) and andesitic Ilopango (El Salvador) including hand sample observations and major element geochemistry - to explore processes of mantle and crustal melting and differentiation in arc volcanism.

Negative Differential Conductance in Polyporphyrin Oligomers with Nonlinear Backbones.

PubMed

Kuang, Guowen; Chen, Shi Zhang; Yan, Linghao; Chen, Ke Qiu; Shang, Xuesong; Liu, Pei Nian; Lin, Nian

2018-01-17

We study negative differential conductance (NDC) effects in polyporphyrin oligomers with nonlinear backbones. Using a low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope, we selectively controlled the charge transport path in single oligomer wires. We observed robust NDC when charge passed through a T-shape junction, bistable NDC when charge passed through a 90° kink and no NDC when charge passed through a 120° kink. Aided by density functional theory with nonequilibrium Green's functions simulations, we attributed this backbone-dependent NDC to bias-modulated hybridization of the electrode states with the resonant transport molecular orbital. We argue this mechanism is generic in molecular systems, which opens a new route of designing molecular NDC devices.

Initial evaluation of commercially available InGaAsP DFB laser diodes for use in high-speed digital fiber optic transceivers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cook, Anthony L.; Hendricks, Herbert D.

1990-01-01

NASA has been pursuing the development of high-speed fiber-optic transceivers for use in a number of space data system applications. Current efforts are directed toward a high-performance all-integrated-circuit transceiver operating up to the 3-5 Gb/s range. Details of the evaluation and selection of candidate high-speed optical sources to be used in the space-qualified high-performance transceiver are presented. Data on the performance of commercially available DFB (distributed feedback) lasers are presented, and their performance relative to each other and to their structural design with regard to their use in high-performance fiber-optic transceivers is discussed. The DFB lasers were obtained from seven commercial manufacturers. The data taken on each laser included threshold current, differential quantum efficiency, CW side mode suppression radio, wavelength temperature coefficient, threshold temperature coefficient, natural linewidth, and far field pattern. It was found that laser diodes with buried heterostructures and first-order gratings had, in general, the best CW operating characteristics. The modulated characteristics of the DFB laser diodes are emphasized. Modulated linewidth, modulated side mode suppression ratio, and frequency response are discussed.

Thermal acclimation of interactions: differential responses to temperature change alter predator-prey relationship.

PubMed

Grigaltchik, Veronica S; Ward, Ashley J W; Seebacher, Frank

2012-10-07

Different species respond differently to environmental change so that species interactions cannot be predicted from single-species performance curves. We tested the hypothesis that interspecific difference in the capacity for thermal acclimation modulates predator-prey interactions. Acclimation of locomotor performance in a predator (Australian bass, Macquaria novemaculeata) was qualitatively different to that of its prey (eastern mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki). Warm (25°C) acclimated bass made more attacks than cold (15°C) acclimated fish regardless of acute test temperatures (10-30°C), and greater frequency of attacks was associated with increased prey capture success. However, the number of attacks declined at the highest test temperature (30°C). Interestingly, escape speeds of mosquitofish during predation trials were greater than burst speeds measured in a swimming arena, whereas attack speeds of bass were lower than burst speeds. As a result, escape speeds of mosquitofish were greater at warm temperatures (25°C and 30°C) than attack speeds of bass. The decline in the number of attacks and the increase in escape speed of prey means that predation pressure decreases at high temperatures. We show that differential thermal responses affect species interactions even at temperatures that are within thermal tolerance ranges. This thermal sensitivity of predator-prey interactions can be a mechanism by which global warming affects ecological communities.

Thermal acclimation of interactions: differential responses to temperature change alter predator–prey relationship

PubMed Central

Grigaltchik, Veronica S.; Ward, Ashley J. W.; Seebacher, Frank

2012-01-01

Different species respond differently to environmental change so that species interactions cannot be predicted from single-species performance curves. We tested the hypothesis that interspecific difference in the capacity for thermal acclimation modulates predator–prey interactions. Acclimation of locomotor performance in a predator (Australian bass, Macquaria novemaculeata) was qualitatively different to that of its prey (eastern mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki). Warm (25°C) acclimated bass made more attacks than cold (15°C) acclimated fish regardless of acute test temperatures (10–30°C), and greater frequency of attacks was associated with increased prey capture success. However, the number of attacks declined at the highest test temperature (30°C). Interestingly, escape speeds of mosquitofish during predation trials were greater than burst speeds measured in a swimming arena, whereas attack speeds of bass were lower than burst speeds. As a result, escape speeds of mosquitofish were greater at warm temperatures (25°C and 30°C) than attack speeds of bass. The decline in the number of attacks and the increase in escape speed of prey means that predation pressure decreases at high temperatures. We show that differential thermal responses affect species interactions even at temperatures that are within thermal tolerance ranges. This thermal sensitivity of predator–prey interactions can be a mechanism by which global warming affects ecological communities. PMID:22859598

Metatranscriptomic analysis of lignocellulolytic microbial communities involved in high-solids decomposition of rice straw

DOE PAGES

Simmons, Christopher W.; Reddy, Amitha P.; D’haeseleer, Patrik; ...

2014-12-31

New lignocellulolytic enzymes are needed that maintain optimal activity under the harsh conditions present during industrial enzymatic deconstruction of biomass, including high temperatures, the absence of free water, and the presence of inhibitors from the biomass. Enriching lignocellulolytic microbial communities under these conditions provides a source of microorganisms that may yield robust lignocellulolytic enzymes tolerant to the extreme conditions needed to improve the throughput and efficiency of biomass enzymatic deconstruction. Identification of promising enzymes from these systems is challenging due to complex substrate-enzyme interactions and requirements to assay for activity. In this study, metatranscriptomes from compost-derived microbial communities enriched onmore » rice straw under thermophilic and mesophilic conditions were sequenced and analyzed to identify lignocellulolytic enzymes overexpressed under thermophilic conditions. To determine differential gene expression across mesophilic and thermophilic treatments, a method was developed which pooled gene expression by functional category, as indicated by Pfam annotations, since microbial communities performing similar tasks are likely to have overlapping functions even if they share no specific genes. Differential expression analysis identified enzymes from glycoside hydrolase family 48, carbohydrate binding module family 2, and carbohydrate binding module family 33 domains as significantly overexpressed in the thermophilic community. Overexpression of these protein families in the thermophilic community resulted from expression of a small number of genes not currently represented in any protein database. Genes in overexpressed protein families were predominantly expressed by a single Actinobacteria genus, Micromonospora. In conclusion, coupling measurements of deconstructive activity with comparative analyses to identify overexpressed enzymes in lignocellulolytic communities provides a targeted approach for discovery of candidate enzymes for more efficient biomass deconstruction. Furthermore, glycoside hydrolase family 48 cellulases and carbohydrate binding module family 33 polysaccharide monooxygenases with carbohydrate binding module family 2 domains may improve saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass under high-temperature and low moisture conditions relevant to industrial biofuel production.« less

Metatranscriptomic analysis of lignocellulolytic microbial communities involved in high-solids decomposition of rice straw

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

Simmons, Christopher W.; Reddy, Amitha P.; D’haeseleer, Patrik

New lignocellulolytic enzymes are needed that maintain optimal activity under the harsh conditions present during industrial enzymatic deconstruction of biomass, including high temperatures, the absence of free water, and the presence of inhibitors from the biomass. Enriching lignocellulolytic microbial communities under these conditions provides a source of microorganisms that may yield robust lignocellulolytic enzymes tolerant to the extreme conditions needed to improve the throughput and efficiency of biomass enzymatic deconstruction. Identification of promising enzymes from these systems is challenging due to complex substrate-enzyme interactions and requirements to assay for activity. In this study, metatranscriptomes from compost-derived microbial communities enriched onmore » rice straw under thermophilic and mesophilic conditions were sequenced and analyzed to identify lignocellulolytic enzymes overexpressed under thermophilic conditions. To determine differential gene expression across mesophilic and thermophilic treatments, a method was developed which pooled gene expression by functional category, as indicated by Pfam annotations, since microbial communities performing similar tasks are likely to have overlapping functions even if they share no specific genes. Differential expression analysis identified enzymes from glycoside hydrolase family 48, carbohydrate binding module family 2, and carbohydrate binding module family 33 domains as significantly overexpressed in the thermophilic community. Overexpression of these protein families in the thermophilic community resulted from expression of a small number of genes not currently represented in any protein database. Genes in overexpressed protein families were predominantly expressed by a single Actinobacteria genus, Micromonospora. In conclusion, coupling measurements of deconstructive activity with comparative analyses to identify overexpressed enzymes in lignocellulolytic communities provides a targeted approach for discovery of candidate enzymes for more efficient biomass deconstruction. Furthermore, glycoside hydrolase family 48 cellulases and carbohydrate binding module family 33 polysaccharide monooxygenases with carbohydrate binding module family 2 domains may improve saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass under high-temperature and low moisture conditions relevant to industrial biofuel production.« less

Gonadal morphogenesis and gene expression in reptiles with temperature-dependent sex determination.

PubMed

Merchant-Larios, H; Díaz-Hernández, V; Marmolejo-Valencia, A

2010-01-01

In reptiles with temperature-dependent sexual determination, the thermosensitive period (TSP) is the interval in which the sex is defined during gonadal morphogenesis. One-shift experiments in a group of eggs define the onset and the end of the TSP as all and none responses, respectively. Timing for sex-undetermined (UG) and -determined gonads (DG) differs at male- (MPT) or female-producing temperatures (FPT). During the TSP a decreasing number of embryos respond to temperature shifts indicating that in this period embryos with both UG and DG exist. Although most UG correspond to undifferentiated gonads, some embryos extend UG after the onset of histological differentiation. Thus, temperature affects gonadal cells during the process of morphogenesis, but timing of commitment depends on individual embryos. A correlation between gonadal morphogenesis, TSP, and gene expression suggests that determination of the molecular pathways modulated by temperature in epithelial cells (surface epithelium and medullary cords) holds the key for a unifying hypothesis on temperature-dependent sex determination. (c) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Efficiently and easily integrating differential equations with JiTCODE, JiTCDDE, and JiTCSDE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ansmann, Gerrit

2018-04-01

We present a family of Python modules for the numerical integration of ordinary, delay, or stochastic differential equations. The key features are that the user enters the derivative symbolically and it is just-in-time-compiled, allowing the user to efficiently integrate differential equations from a higher-level interpreted language. The presented modules are particularly suited for large systems of differential equations such as those used to describe dynamics on complex networks. Through the selected method of input, the presented modules also allow almost complete automatization of the process of estimating regular as well as transversal Lyapunov exponents for ordinary and delay differential equations. We conceptually discuss the modules' design, analyze their performance, and demonstrate their capabilities by application to timely problems.

Selective AR Modulators that Distinguish Proliferative from Differentiative Gene Promoters

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-08-01

AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-14-1-0292 TITLE: Selective AR Modulators that Distinguish Proliferative from Differentiative Gene Promoters PRINCIPAL...Approved for Public Release; Distribution Unlimited The views, opinions and/or findings contained in this report are those of the author(s) and...29 Jul 2016 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Selective AR Modulators that Distinguish Proliferative from Differentiative Gene Promoters 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER

Intensity-modulated refractive index sensor with anti-light source fluctuation based on no-core fiber filter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Cheng; Xu, Shan; Zhao, Junfa; Li, Hongqiang; Bai, Hua; Miao, Changyun

2017-12-01

A differential intensity-modulated refractive index (RI) sensor consisting of a no-core fiber (NCF) filter, a circulator and two fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) is proposed and demonstrated. A section of the NCF is sandwiched between two parts of single mode fibers (SMFs) to form a band-pass filter. The Bragg wavelengths of the FBGs are chosen at the two edges of the filter, respectively. The peak wavelength of the NCF filter has a red-shift with the increase of the surrounding refractive index (SRI) while the Bragg wavelengths have no change, which results in the variation of the difference of the two FBGs reflective intensities, thus the differential intensity modulation to the SRI can be accomplished. Compared with directly connecting the NCF filter and the FBGs, this sensing structure can increase the output power so as to improve the measuring resolution. The experimental results show that the RI sensitivities are -99.191 dB/RIU and -139.958 dB/RIU at the range of 1.3329-1.3781 and 1.3781-1.401, respectively. In addition, the disturbance from the light source fluctuation and temperature cross sensitivity can be minimized effectively, which has great potential in actual applications.

Dynamic Network-Based Relevance Score Reveals Essential Proteins and Functional Modules in Directed Differentiation

PubMed Central

Wu, Chia-Chou; Lin, Che

2015-01-01

The induction of stem cells toward a desired differentiation direction is required for the advancement of stem cell-based therapies. Despite successful demonstrations of the control of differentiation direction, the effective use of stem cell-based therapies suffers from a lack of systematic knowledge regarding the mechanisms underlying directed differentiation. Using dynamic modeling and the temporal microarray data of three differentiation stages, three dynamic protein-protein interaction networks were constructed. The interaction difference networks derived from the constructed networks systematically delineated the evolution of interaction variations and the underlying mechanisms. A proposed relevance score identified the essential components in the directed differentiation. Inspection of well-known proteins and functional modules in the directed differentiation showed the plausibility of the proposed relevance score, with the higher scores of several proteins and function modules indicating their essential roles in the directed differentiation. During the differentiation process, the proteins and functional modules with higher relevance scores also became more specific to the neuronal identity. Ultimately, the essential components revealed by the relevance scores may play a role in controlling the direction of differentiation. In addition, these components may serve as a starting point for understanding the systematic mechanisms of directed differentiation and for increasing the efficiency of stem cell-based therapies. PMID:25977693

Mediator independently orchestrates multiple steps of preinitiation complex assembly in vivo.

PubMed

Eyboulet, Fanny; Wydau-Dematteis, Sandra; Eychenne, Thomas; Alibert, Olivier; Neil, Helen; Boschiero, Claire; Nevers, Marie-Claire; Volland, Hervé; Cornu, David; Redeker, Virginie; Werner, Michel; Soutourina, Julie

2015-10-30

Mediator is a large multiprotein complex conserved in all eukaryotes, which has a crucial coregulator function in transcription by RNA polymerase II (Pol II). However, the molecular mechanisms of its action in vivo remain to be understood. Med17 is an essential and central component of the Mediator head module. In this work, we utilised our large collection of conditional temperature-sensitive med17 mutants to investigate Mediator's role in coordinating preinitiation complex (PIC) formation in vivo at the genome level after a transfer to a non-permissive temperature for 45 minutes. The effect of a yeast mutation proposed to be equivalent to the human Med17-L371P responsible for infantile cerebral atrophy was also analyzed. The ChIP-seq results demonstrate that med17 mutations differentially affected the global presence of several PIC components including Mediator, TBP, TFIIH modules and Pol II. Our data show that Mediator stabilizes TFIIK kinase and TFIIH core modules independently, suggesting that the recruitment or the stability of TFIIH modules is regulated independently on yeast genome. We demonstrate that Mediator selectively contributes to TBP recruitment or stabilization to chromatin. This study provides an extensive genome-wide view of Mediator's role in PIC formation, suggesting that Mediator coordinates multiple steps of a PIC assembly pathway. © The Author(s) 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.

Stability of spanwise-modulated flows behind backward-facing steps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boiko, A. V.; Dovgal, A. V.; Sorokin, A. M.

2017-10-01

An overview and synthesis of researches on development of local vortical disturbances in laminar separated flows downstream of backward-facing steps, in which the velocity field depends essentially on two variables are given. Peculiarities of transition to turbulence in such spatially inhomogeneous separated zones are discussed. The experimental data are supplemented by the linear stability characteristics of model velocity profiles of the separated flow computed using both the classical local formulation and the nonlocal approach based on the Floquet theory for partial differential equations with periodic coefficients. The results clarify the response of the local separated flows to their modulation with stationary geometrical and temperature inhomogeneities. The results can be useful for the development of new methods of laminar separation control.

Female pheromones modulate flight muscle activation patterns during preflight warm-up.

PubMed

Crespo, José G; Vickers, Neil J; Goller, Franz

2013-08-01

At low ambient temperature Helicoverpa zea male moths engage in warm-up behavior prior to taking flight in response to an attractive female pheromone blend. Male H. zea warm up at a faster rate when sensing the attractive pheromone blend compared with unattractive blends or blank controls (Crespo et al. 2012), but the mechanisms involved in this olfactory modulation of the heating rate during preflight warm-up are unknown. Here, we test three possible mechanisms for increasing heat production: 1) increased rate of muscle contraction; 2) reduction in mechanical movement by increased overlap in activation of the antagonistic flight muscles; and 3) increased activation of motor units. To test which mechanisms play a role, we simultaneously recorded electrical activation patterns of the main flight muscles (dorsolongitudinal and dorsoventral muscles), wing movement, and thoracic temperature in moths exposed to both the attractive pheromone blend and a blank control. Results indicate that the main mechanism responsible for the observed increase in thoracic heating rate with pheromone stimulation is the differential activation of motor units during each muscle contraction cycle in both antagonistic flight muscles. This additional activation lengthens the contracted state within each cycle and thus accounts for the greater heat production. Interestingly, the rate of activation (frequency of contraction cycles) of motor units, which is temperature dependent, did not vary between treatments. This result suggests that the activation rate is determined by a temperature-dependent oscillator, which is not affected by the olfactory stimulus, but activation of motor units is modulated during each cycle.

Female pheromones modulate flight muscle activation patterns during preflight warm-up

PubMed Central

Vickers, Neil J.; Goller, Franz

2013-01-01

At low ambient temperature Helicoverpa zea male moths engage in warm-up behavior prior to taking flight in response to an attractive female pheromone blend. Male H. zea warm up at a faster rate when sensing the attractive pheromone blend compared with unattractive blends or blank controls (Crespo et al. 2012), but the mechanisms involved in this olfactory modulation of the heating rate during preflight warm-up are unknown. Here, we test three possible mechanisms for increasing heat production: 1) increased rate of muscle contraction; 2) reduction in mechanical movement by increased overlap in activation of the antagonistic flight muscles; and 3) increased activation of motor units. To test which mechanisms play a role, we simultaneously recorded electrical activation patterns of the main flight muscles (dorsolongitudinal and dorsoventral muscles), wing movement, and thoracic temperature in moths exposed to both the attractive pheromone blend and a blank control. Results indicate that the main mechanism responsible for the observed increase in thoracic heating rate with pheromone stimulation is the differential activation of motor units during each muscle contraction cycle in both antagonistic flight muscles. This additional activation lengthens the contracted state within each cycle and thus accounts for the greater heat production. Interestingly, the rate of activation (frequency of contraction cycles) of motor units, which is temperature dependent, did not vary between treatments. This result suggests that the activation rate is determined by a temperature-dependent oscillator, which is not affected by the olfactory stimulus, but activation of motor units is modulated during each cycle. PMID:23699056

Activation of TRPV2 negatively regulates the differentiation of mouse brown adipocytes.

PubMed

Sun, Wuping; Uchida, Kunitoshi; Takahashi, Nobuyuki; Iwata, Yuko; Wakabayashi, Shigeo; Goto, Tsuyoshi; Kawada, Teruo; Tominaga, Makoto

2016-09-01

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 2 (TRPV2) acts as a Ca(2+)-permeable non-selective cation channel that has been reported to be sensitive to temperature, mechanical force, and some chemicals. We recently showed that TRPV2 is critical for maintenance of the thermogenic function of brown adipose tissue in mice. However, the involvement of TRPV2 in the differentiation of brown adipocytes remains unexplored. We found that the expression of TRPV2 was dramatically increased during the differentiation of brown adipocytes. Non-selective TRPV2 agonists (2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate and lysophosphatidylcholine) inhibited the differentiation of brown adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner during the early stage of differentiation of brown adipocytes. The inhibition was rescued by a TRPV2-selective antagonist, SKF96365 (SKF). Mechanical force, which activates TRPV2, also inhibited the differentiation of brown adipocytes in a strength-dependent manner, and the effect was reversed by SKF. In addition, the inhibition of adipocyte differentiation by either TRPV2 ligand or mechanical stimulation was significantly smaller in the cells from TRPV2KO mice. Moreover, calcineurin inhibitors, cyclosporine A and FK506, partially reversed TRPV2 activation-induced inhibition of brown adipocyte differentiation. Thus, we conclude that TRPV2 might be involved in the modulation of brown adipocyte differentiation partially via a calcineurin pathway.

Multisensor System for Isotemporal Measurements to Assess Indoor Climatic Conditions in Poultry Farms

PubMed Central

Bustamante, Eliseo; Guijarro, Enrique; García-Diego, Fernando-Juan; Balasch, Sebastián; Hospitaler, Antonio; Torres, Antonio G.

2012-01-01

The rearing of poultry for meat production (broilers) is an agricultural food industry with high relevance to the economy and development of some countries. Periodic episodes of extreme climatic conditions during the summer season can cause high mortality among birds, resulting in economic losses. In this context, ventilation systems within poultry houses play a critical role to ensure appropriate indoor climatic conditions. The objective of this study was to develop a multisensor system to evaluate the design of the ventilation system in broiler houses. A measurement system equipped with three types of sensors: air velocity, temperature and differential pressure was designed and built. The system consisted in a laptop, a data acquisition card, a multiplexor module and a set of 24 air temperature, 24 air velocity and two differential pressure sensors. The system was able to acquire up to a maximum of 128 signals simultaneously at 5 second intervals. The multisensor system was calibrated under laboratory conditions and it was then tested in field tests. Field tests were conducted in a commercial broiler farm under four different pressure and ventilation scenarios in two sections within the building. The calibration curves obtained under laboratory conditions showed similar regression coefficients among temperature, air velocity and pressure sensors and a high goodness fit (R2 = 0.99) with the reference. Under field test conditions, the multisensor system showed a high number of input signals from different locations with minimum internal delay in acquiring signals. The variation among air velocity sensors was not significant. The developed multisensor system was able to integrate calibrated sensors of temperature, air velocity and differential pressure and operated succesfully under different conditions in a mechanically-ventilated broiler farm. This system can be used to obtain quasi-instantaneous fields of the air velocity and temperature, as well as differential pressure maps to assess the design and functioning of ventilation system and as a verification and validation (V&V) system of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations in poultry farms. PMID:22778611

Karyotype analysis and sex determination in Australian Brush-turkeys (Alectura lathami).

PubMed

Ortega, Madison T; Foote, Dustin J; Nees, Nicholas; Erdmann, Jason C; Bangs, Charles D; Rosenfeld, Cheryl S

2017-01-01

Sexual differentiation across taxa may be due to genetic sex determination (GSD) and/or temperature sex determination (TSD). In many mammals, males are heterogametic (XY); whereas females are homogametic (XX). In most birds, the opposite is the case with females being heterogametic (ZW) and males the homogametic sex (ZZ). Many reptile species lack sex chromosomes, and instead, sexual differentiation is influenced by temperature with specific temperatures promoting males or females varying across species possessing this form of sexual differentiation, although TSD has recently been shown to override GSD in Australian central beaded dragons (Pogona vitticeps). There has been speculation that Australian Brush-turkeys (Alectura lathami) exhibit TSD alone and/or in combination with GSD. Thus, we sought to determine if this species possesses sex chromosomes. Blood was collected from one sexually mature female and two sexually mature males residing at Sylvan Heights Bird Park (SHBP) and shipped for karyotype analysis. Karyotype analysis revealed that contrary to speculation, Australian Brush-turkeys possess the classic avian ZW/ZZ sex chromosomes. It remains a possibility that a biased primary sex ratio of Australian Brush-turkeys might be influenced by maternal condition prior to ovulation that result in her laying predominantly Z- or W-bearing eggs and/or sex-biased mortality due to higher sensitivity of one sex in environmental conditions. A better understanding of how maternal and extrinsic factors might differentially modulate ovulation of Z- or W-bearing eggs and hatching of developing chicks possessing ZW or ZZ sex chromosomes could be essential in conservation strategies used to save endangered members of Megapodiidae.

Karyotype analysis and sex determination in Australian Brush-turkeys (Alectura lathami)

PubMed Central

Ortega, Madison T.; Foote, Dustin J.; Nees, Nicholas; Erdmann, Jason C.; Bangs, Charles D.

2017-01-01

Sexual differentiation across taxa may be due to genetic sex determination (GSD) and/or temperature sex determination (TSD). In many mammals, males are heterogametic (XY); whereas females are homogametic (XX). In most birds, the opposite is the case with females being heterogametic (ZW) and males the homogametic sex (ZZ). Many reptile species lack sex chromosomes, and instead, sexual differentiation is influenced by temperature with specific temperatures promoting males or females varying across species possessing this form of sexual differentiation, although TSD has recently been shown to override GSD in Australian central beaded dragons (Pogona vitticeps). There has been speculation that Australian Brush-turkeys (Alectura lathami) exhibit TSD alone and/or in combination with GSD. Thus, we sought to determine if this species possesses sex chromosomes. Blood was collected from one sexually mature female and two sexually mature males residing at Sylvan Heights Bird Park (SHBP) and shipped for karyotype analysis. Karyotype analysis revealed that contrary to speculation, Australian Brush-turkeys possess the classic avian ZW/ZZ sex chromosomes. It remains a possibility that a biased primary sex ratio of Australian Brush-turkeys might be influenced by maternal condition prior to ovulation that result in her laying predominantly Z- or W-bearing eggs and/or sex-biased mortality due to higher sensitivity of one sex in environmental conditions. A better understanding of how maternal and extrinsic factors might differentially modulate ovulation of Z- or W-bearing eggs and hatching of developing chicks possessing ZW or ZZ sex chromosomes could be essential in conservation strategies used to save endangered members of Megapodiidae. PMID:28910392

Application of spatially modulated near-infrared structured light to study changes in optical properties of mouse brain tissue during heatstress.

PubMed

Shaul, Oren; Fanrazi-Kahana, Michal; Meitav, Omri; Pinhasi, Gad A; Abookasis, David

2017-11-10

Heat stress (HS) is a medical emergency defined by abnormally elevated body temperature that causes biochemical, physiological, and hematological changes. The goal of the present research was to detect variations in optical properties (absorption, reduced scattering, and refractive index coefficients) of mouse brain tissue during HS by using near-infrared (NIR) spatial light modulation. NIR spatial patterns with different spatial phases were used to differentiate the effects of tissue scattering from those of absorption. Decoupling optical scattering from absorption enabled the quantification of a tissue's chemical constituents (related to light absorption) and structural properties (related to light scattering). Technically, structured light patterns at low and high spatial frequencies of six wavelengths ranging between 690 and 970 nm were projected onto the mouse scalp surface while diffuse reflected light was recorded by a CCD camera positioned perpendicular to the mouse scalp. Concurrently to pattern projection, brain temperature was measured with a thermal camera positioned slightly off angle from the mouse head while core body temperature was monitored by thermocouple probe. Data analysis demonstrated variations from baseline measurements in a battery of intrinsic brain properties following HS.

Tunneling interferometry and measurement of the thickness of ultrathin metallic Pb(111) films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ustavshchikov, S. S.; Putilov, A. V.; Aladyshkin, A. Yu.

2017-10-01

Spectra of the differential tunneling conductivity for ultrathin lead films grown on Si(111) 7 × 7 single crystals with a thickness of 9 to 50 ML have been studied by low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. The presence of local maxima of the tunneling conductivity is characteristic of such systems. The energies of maxima of the differential conductivity are determined by the spectrum of quantum-confined states of electrons in a metallic layer and, consequently, the local thickness of the layer. It has been shown that features of the microstructure of substrates, such as steps of monatomic height, structural defects, and inclusions of other materials covered with a lead layer, can be visualized by bias-modulation scanning tunneling spectroscopy.

Are brown trout Salmo trutta fario and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss two of a kind? A comparative study of salmonids to temperature-influenced Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae infection.

PubMed

Bailey, C; Schmidt-Posthaus, H; Segner, H; Wahli, T; Strepparava, N

2018-02-01

Proliferative kidney disease (PKD) of salmonids caused by Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae causes high mortalities of wild brown trout (Salmo trutta fario) and farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) at elevated water temperatures. Here the aim was to compare the temperature-dependent modulation of T. bryosalmonae in the two salmonid host species, which display different temperature optima. We used a novel experimental set-up in which we exposed brown trout and rainbow trout to an identical quantified low concentration of T. bryosalmonae for a short time period (1 hr). We followed the development of the parasite in the fish hosts for 70 days. PKD prevalence and parasite kinetics were assessed using qPCR. Exposures were performed at temperatures (12°C and 15°C) that reflect an environmental scenario that may occur in the natural habitat of salmonids. T. bryosalmonae infection was confirmed earliest in brown trout kept at 15°C (day 7 post-exposure) while, in all other groups, T. bryosalmonae was not confirmed until day 15 post-exposure. Moreover, significantly greater infection prevalence and a faster increase of parasite intensity were observed in brown trout kept at 15°C than in all other groups. These results indicate that PKD is differentially modulated by water temperature in related host species. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Comparison of photovoltaic cell temperatures in modules operating with exposed and enclosed back surfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Namkoong, D.; Simon, F. F.

1981-01-01

Four different photovoltaic module designs were tested to determine the cell temperature of each design. The cell temperatures were compared to those obtained on identical design, using the same nominal operating cell temperature (NOCT) concept. The results showed that the NOCT procedure does not apply to the enclosed configurations due to continuous transient conditions. The enclosed modules had higher cell temperatures than the open modules, and insulated modules higher than the uninsulated. The severest performance loss - when translated from cell temperatures - 17.5 % for one enclosed, insulated module as a compared to that module mounted openly.

Low Temperature Development Induces a Specific Decrease in trans-Delta-Hexadecenoic Acid Content which Influences LHCII Organization.

PubMed

Huner, N P; Krol, M; Williams, J P; Maissan, E; Low, P S; Roberts, D; Thompson, J E

1987-05-01

Lipid and fatty acid analyses were performed on whole leaf extracts and isolated thylakoids from winter rye (Secale cereale L. cv Puma) grown at 5 degrees C cold-hardened rye (RH) and 20 degrees C nonhardened rye (RNH). Although no significant change in total lipid content was observed, growth at low, cold-hardening temperature resulted in a specific 67% (thylakoids) to 74% (whole leaves) decrease in the trans-Delta(3)-hexadecenoic acid (trans-16:1) level associated with phosphatidyldiacylglycerol (PG). Electron spin resonance and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) indicated no significant difference in the fluidity of RH and RNH thylakoids. Separation of chlorophyll-protein complexes by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that the ratio of oligomeric light harvesting complex:monomeric light harvesting complex (LHCII(1):LHCII(3)) was 2-fold higher in RNH than RH thylakoids. The ratio of CP1a:CP1 was also 1.5-fold higher in RNH than RH thylakoids. Analyses of winter rye grown at 20, 15, 10, and 5 degrees C indicated that both, the trans-16:1 acid levels in PG and the LHCII(1):LHCII(3) decreased concomitantly with a decrease in growth temperature. Above 40 degrees C, differential scanning calorimetry of RNH thylakoids indicated the presence of five major endotherms (47, 60, 67, 73, and 86 degrees C). Although the general features of the temperature transitions observed above 40 degrees C in RH thylakoids were similar to those observed for RNH thylakoids, the transitions at 60 and 73 degrees C were resolved as inflections only and RH thylakoids exhibited transitions at 45 and 84 degrees C which were 2 degrees C lower than those observed in RNH thylakoids. Since polypeptide and lipid compositions of RH and RNH thylakoids were very similar, we suggest that these differences reflect alterations in thylakoid membrane organization. Specifically, it is suggested that low developmental temperature modulates LHCII organization such that oligomeric LHCII predominates in RNH thylakoids whereas a monomeric or an intermediate form of LHCII predominates in RH thylakoids. Furthermore, we conclude that low developmental temperature modulates LHCII organization by specifically altering the fatty composition of thylakoid PG.

Experimental research on thermal conductive fillers for CCD module in space borne optical remote sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, Yi; Han, Xue-bing; Yang, Dong-shang; Gui, Li-jia; Zhao, Xiao-xiang; Si, Fu-qi

2016-03-01

A space-borne differential optical absorption spectrometer is a high precision aerospace optical remote sensor. It obtains the hyper-spectral，high spatial resolution radiation information by using the spectrometer with CCD（Charge Coupled Device）array detectors. Since a few CCDs are used as the key detector, the performance of the entire instrument is greatly affected by working condition of CCDs. The temperature of CCD modules has a great impact on the instrument measurement accuracy. It requires strict temperature control. The selection of the thermal conductive filler sticking CCD to the radiator is important in the CCD thermal design. Besides，due tothe complex and compact structure, it needs to take into account the anti-pollution of the optical system. Therefore, it puts forward high requirements on the selection of the conductive filler. In this paper, according to the structure characteristics of the CCD modules and the distribution of heat consumption, the thermal analysis tool I-DEAS/TMG is utilized to compute and simulate the temperature level of the CCD modules, while filling in thermal grease and thermal pad respectively. The temperature distribution of CCD heat dissipation in typical operating conditions is obtained. In addition, the heat balance test was carried out under the condition of two kinds of thermal conductive fillers. The thermal control of CCD was tested under various conditions, and the results were compared with the results of thermal analysis. The results show that there are some differences in thermal performance between the two kinds of thermal conductive fillers. Although they both can meet the thermal performance requirements of the instrument, either would be chosen taking account of other conditions and requirements such as anti-pollution and insulation. The content and results of this paper will be a good reference for the thermal design of the CCD in the aerospace optical payload.

Temperature compensated photovoltaic array

DOEpatents

Mosher, D.M.

1997-11-18

A temperature compensated photovoltaic module comprises a series of solar cells having a thermally activated switch connected in parallel with several of the cells. The photovoltaic module is adapted to charge conventional batteries having a temperature coefficient differing from the temperature coefficient of the module. The calibration temperatures of the switches are chosen whereby the colder the ambient temperature for the module, the more switches that are on and form a closed circuit to short the associated solar cells. By shorting some of the solar cells as the ambient temperature decreases, the battery being charged by the module is not excessively overcharged at lower temperatures. PV module is an integrated solution that is reliable and inexpensive. 2 figs.

Differential Mechanisms of Photosynthetic Acclimation to Light and Low Temperature in Arabidopsis and the Extremophile Eutrema salsugineum

PubMed Central

Khanal, Nityananda; Bray, Geoffrey E.; Grisnich, Anna; Moffatt, Barbara A.; Gray, Gordon R.

2017-01-01

Photosynthetic organisms are able to sense energy imbalances brought about by the overexcitation of photosystem II (PSII) through the redox state of the photosynthetic electron transport chain, estimated as the chlorophyll fluorescence parameter 1-qL, also known as PSII excitation pressure. Plants employ a wide array of photoprotective processes that modulate photosynthesis to correct these energy imbalances. Low temperature and light are well established in their ability to modulate PSII excitation pressure. The acquisition of freezing tolerance requires growth and development a low temperature (cold acclimation) which predisposes the plant to photoinhibition. Thus, photosynthetic acclimation is essential for proper energy balancing during the cold acclimation process. Eutrema salsugineum (Thellungiella salsuginea) is an extremophile, a close relative of Arabidopsis thaliana, but possessing much higher constitutive levels of tolerance to abiotic stress. This comparative study aimed to characterize the photosynthetic properties of Arabidopsis (Columbia accession) and two accessions of Eutrema (Yukon and Shandong) isolated from contrasting geographical locations at cold acclimating and non-acclimating conditions. In addition, three different growth regimes were utilized that varied in temperature, photoperiod and irradiance which resulted in different levels of PSII excitation pressure. This study has shown that these accessions interact differentially to instantaneous (measuring) and long-term (acclimation) changes in PSII excitation pressure with regard to their photosynthetic behaviour. Eutrema accessions contained a higher amount of photosynthetic pigments, showed higher oxidation of P700 and possessed more resilient photoprotective mechanisms than that of Arabidopsis, perhaps through the prevention of PSI acceptor-limitation. Upon comparison of the two Eutrema accessions, Shandong demonstrated the greatest PSII operating efficiency (ΦPSII) and P700 oxidizing capacity, while Yukon showed greater growth plasticity to irradiance. Both of these Eutrema accessions are able to photosynthetically acclimate but do so by different mechanisms. The Shandong accessions demonstrate a stable response, favouring energy partitioning to photochemistry while the Yukon accession shows a more rapid response with partitioning to other (non-photochemical) strategies. PMID:28792470

Architectured Materials to Improve the Reliability of Power Electronics Modules: Substrate and Lead-Free Solder

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaabi, Abderrahmen; Bienvenu, Yves; Ryckelynck, David; Pierre, Bertrand

2014-03-01

Power electronics modules (>100 A, >500 V) are essential components for the development of electrical and hybrid vehicles. These modules are formed from silicon chips (transistors and diodes) assembled on copper substrates by soldering. Owing to the fact that the assembly is heterogeneous, and because of thermal gradients, shear stresses are generated in the solders and cause premature damage to such electronics modules. This work focuses on architectured materials for the substrate and on lead-free solders to reduce the mechanical effects of differential expansion, improve the reliability of the assembly, and achieve a suitable operating temperature (<175°C). These materials are composites whose thermomechanical properties have been optimized by numerical simulation and validated experimentally. The substrates have good thermal conductivity (>280 W m-1 K-1) and a macroscopic coefficient of thermal expansion intermediate between those of Cu and Si, as well as limited structural evolution in service conditions. An approach combining design, optimization, and manufacturing of new materials has been followed in this study, leading to improved thermal cycling behavior of the component.

Temperature compensated photovoltaic array

DOEpatents

Mosher, Dan Michael

1997-11-18

A temperature compensated photovoltaic module (20) comprised of a series of solar cells (22) having a thermally activated switch (24) connected in parallel with several of the cells (22). The photovoltaic module (20) is adapted to charge conventional batteries having a temperature coefficient (TC) differing from the temperature coefficient (TC) of the module (20). The calibration temperatures of the switches (24) are chosen whereby the colder the ambient temperature for the module (20), the more switches that are on and form a closed circuit to short the associated solar cells (22). By shorting some of the solar cells (22) as the ambient temperature decreases, the battery being charged by the module (20) is not excessively overcharged at lower temperatures. PV module (20) is an integrated solution that is reliable and inexpensive.

HgCdTe APDs for time-resolved space applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rothman, J.; Lasfargues, G.; Delacourt, B.; Dumas, A.; Gibert, F.; Bardoux, A.; Boutillier, M.

2017-12-01

The use of HgCdTe avalanche photodiodes (APDs) for resolving the temporal variation of faint light level signals is analyzed. The analysis is based on the performance characteristics such as the gain, the response time, and dark currents in the APDs, measured as a function of operating temperature and Cd composition, and on recently developed detector demonstrator modules. The choice of Cd composition in the APDs is strongly dependent on the application needs in terms of electrical bandwidth and signal-to-noise ratio. A performance model has been developed and used to predict the performance of the future detector modules for different applications such as high bandwidth and/or deep space free space optical telecommunications and lidar, associated with sensitivities down to single photon level at low operating temperature and close to single-photon operation at bandwidth of 10 GHz at room temperature. The predictions are corroborated by the results obtained on detector modules that have been developed and used in lidar and deep space optical communications. In a first lidar prototype, integrating a 200 µm APD, we obtained a maximum sensitivity of 25 fW/√Hz at T = 190 K operating temperature. The detector has been used for differential absorption lidar estimations of the absorption due to presence of CO2 in the atmosphere. A random error of 3-10% was obtained for the estimation of the optical thickness at a distance of 100-3000 m, for a range resolution of 100 m and using and averaging time of 4 s. The pursuit of this development is pending on the space qualification of the technology. Results from first proton and irradiation tests are reported that shows on a close to constant performance during and after the irradiation and endurance tests.

Outcomes of a service teaching module on ODEs for physics students

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hyland, Diarmaid; van Kampen, Paul; Nolan, Brien C.

2018-07-01

This paper reports on the first part of a multiphase research project that seeks to identify and address the difficulties encountered by physics students when studying differential equations. Differential equations are used extensively by undergraduate physics students, particularly in the advanced modules of their degree. It is, therefore, necessary that students develop conceptual understanding of differential equations in addition to procedural skills. We have investigated the difficulties encountered by third-year students at Dublin City University in an introductory differential equations module. We developed a survey to identify these difficulties and administered it to students who had recently completed the module. We found that students' mathematical ability in relation to procedural competence is an issue in their study of differential equations, but not as severe an issue as their conceptual understanding. Mathematical competence alone is insufficient if we expect our students to be able to recognize the need for differential equations in a physical context and to be able to set up, solve and interpret the solutions of such equations. We discuss the implications of these results for the next stages of the research project.

The APC/C Coordinates Retinal Differentiation with G1 Arrest through the Nek2-Dependent Modulation of Wingless Signaling.

PubMed

Martins, Torcato; Meghini, Francesco; Florio, Francesca; Kimata, Yuu

2017-01-09

The cell cycle is coordinated with differentiation during animal development. Here we report a cell-cycle-independent developmental role for a master cell-cycle regulator, the anaphase-promoting complex or cyclosome (APC/C), in the regulation of cell fate through modulation of Wingless (Wg) signaling. The APC/C controls both cell-cycle progression and postmitotic processes through ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis. Through an RNAi screen in the developing Drosophila eye, we found that partial APC/C inactivation severely inhibits retinal differentiation independently of cell-cycle defects. The differentiation inhibition coincides with hyperactivation of Wg signaling caused by the accumulation of a Wg modulator, Drosophila Nek2 (dNek2). The APC/C degrades dNek2 upon synchronous G1 arrest prior to differentiation, which allows retinal differentiation through local suppression of Wg signaling. We also provide evidence that decapentaplegic signaling may posttranslationally regulate this APC/C function. Thus, the APC/C coordinates cell-fate determination with the cell cycle through the modulation of developmental signaling pathways. Copyright © 2017 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Polar synchrony and the climatic history of Antarctica deduced from Greenland's

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oh, J.; Rial, J. A.; Reischmann, E.

2012-12-01

Polar synchronization brings new insights into the dynamic processes that link Greenland's Dansgaard-Oeschger (DO) abrupt temperature fluctuations to Antarctic temperature variability. The term synchronization as used here describes how two or more coupled nonlinear oscillators adjust their (initially different) natural rhythms to a common frequency and constant relative phase. It is shown that, consistent with the presence of polar synchronization, the time series of the most representative abrupt climate events of the last glaciation recorded in Greenland and Antarctica can be transformed into one another by a pi/2 phase shift at millennial scale, with Antarctica temperature variations leading Greenland's. For this study we employ Van der Pol Synchronizing Oscillators model to simulate Antarctic temperature proxy based on the synchronized relationship between two poles for the last 800ky after removing ~100ky glaciation cycles. The separated long period (~100ky) signal is reproduced by frequency modulation. As separation techniques, Singular Spectrum Analysis and Empirical Mode Decomposition are adopted and decomposed long period signals are compared with them from linear filter. It is shown that remarkable close simulations of Antarctic temperature proxy are obtained with a model consisting of a few nonlinear differential equations especially when coupling terms have strong effects. This, plus the close reproduction of glaciation cycles by frequency modulation suggests the intriguing possibility that there are simple rules governing the complex behavior of global paleoclimate such as heat and mass transfer through the intervening ocean and atmosphere.

The cortisol and androgen pathways cross talk in high temperature-induced masculinization: the 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase as a key enzyme.

PubMed

Fernandino, Juan Ignacio; Hattori, Ricardo Shohei; Kishii, Ai; Strüssmann, Carlos Augusto; Somoza, Gustavo Manuel

2012-12-01

In many ectotherm species the gonadal fate is modulated by temperature early in life [temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD)] but the transducer mechanism between temperature and gonadal differentiation is still elusive. We have recently shown that cortisol, the glucocorticoid stress-related hormone in vertebrates, is involved in the TSD process of pejerrey, Odontesthes bonariensis. Particularly, all larvae exposed to a male-producing temperature (MPT, 29 C) after hatching showed increased whole-body cortisol and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT; the main bioactive androgen in fish) levels and developed as males. Moreover, cortisol administration at an intermediate, mixed sex-producing temperature (MixPT, 24 C) caused increases in 11-KT and in the frequency of males, suggesting a relation between this glucocorticoid and androgens during the masculinization process. In order to clarify the link between stress and masculinization, the expression of hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (hsd)11b2, glucocorticoid receptors gr1 and gr2, and androgen receptors ar1 and ar2 was analyzed by quantitative real time PCR and in situ hybridization in larvae reared at MPT, MixPT, and female-producing temperature (FPT, 17 C) during the sex determination period. We also analyzed the effects of cortisol treatment in larvae reared at MixPT and in adult testicular explants incubated in vitro. MPT and cortisol treatment produced significant increases in hsd11b2 mRNA expression. Also, gonadal explants incubated in the presence of cortisol showed increases of 11-KT levels in the medium. Taken together these results suggest that cortisol promotes 11-KT production during high temperature-induced masculinization by modulation of hsd11b2 expression and thus drives the morphogenesis of the testes.

Computer simulation of rapid crystal growth under microgravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hisada, Yasuhiro; Saito, Osami; Mitachi, Koshi; Nishinaga, Tatau

We are planning to grow a Ge single crystal under microgravity by the TR-IA rocket in 1992. The furnace temperature should be controlled so as to finish the crystal growth in a quite short time interval (about 6 min). This study deals with the computer simulation of rapid crystal growth in space to find the proper conditions for the experiment. The crystal growth process is influenced by various physical phenomena such as heat conduction, natural and Marangoni convections, phase change, and radiation from the furnace. In this study, a 2D simulation with axial symmetry is carried out, taking into account the radiation field with a specific temperature distribution of the furnace wall. The simulation program consists of four modules. The first module is applied for the calculation of the parabolic partial differential equation by using the control volume method. The second one evaluates implicitly the phase change by the enthalpy method. The third one is for computing the heat flux from surface by radiation. The last one is for calculating with the Monte Carlo method the view factors which are necessary to obtain the heat flux.

W-band Heterodyne Receiver Module with 27 K Noise Temperature

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gawande, R.; Reeves, R.; Cleary, K.; Readhead, A. C.; Gaier, T.; Kangaslahti, P.; Samoska, L.; Church, S.; Sieth, M.; Voll, P.;

Moisture-temperature degradation in module encapsulants: The general problem of moisture in photovoltaic encapsulants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mon, G. R.

1985-01-01

A general research approach was outlined toward understanding water-module interactions and the influence of temperature involving the need to: quantify module performance loss versus level of accumulated degradation, establish the dependence of the degradation reaction rate on module moisture and temperature levels, and determine module moisture and temperature levels in field environments. These elements were illustrated with examples drawn from studies of the now relatively well understood module electrochemical degradation process. Research data presented include temperature and humidity-dependent equilibrium leakage current values for multiparameter module material and design configurations. The contributions of surface, volume, and interfacial conductivities was demonstrated. Research directions were suggested to more fully understand the contributions to overall module conductivity of surface, volume, and interfacial conductivities over ranges of temperature and relative humidity characteristic of field environments.

Wind effect on PV module temperature: Analysis of different techniques for an accurate estimation.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwingshackl, Clemens; Petitta, Marcello; Ernst Wagner, Jochen; Belluardo, Giorgio; Moser, David; Castelli, Mariapina; Zebisch, Marc; Tetzlaff, Anke

2013-04-01

In this abstract a study on the influence of wind to model the PV module temperature is presented. This study is carried out in the framework of the PV-Alps INTERREG project in which the potential of different photovoltaic technologies is analysed for alpine regions. The PV module temperature depends on different parameters, such as ambient temperature, irradiance, wind speed and PV technology [1]. In most models, a very simple approach is used, where the PV module temperature is calculated from NOCT (nominal operating cell temperature), ambient temperature and irradiance alone [2]. In this study the influence of wind speed on the PV module temperature was investigated. First, different approaches suggested by various authors were tested [1], [2], [3], [4], [5]. For our analysis, temperature, irradiance and wind data from a PV test facility at the airport Bolzano (South Tyrol, Italy) from the EURAC Institute of Renewable Energies were used. The PV module temperature was calculated with different models and compared to the measured PV module temperature at the single panels. The best results were achieved with the approach suggested by Skoplaki et al. [1]. Preliminary results indicate that for all PV technologies which were tested (monocrystalline, amorphous, microcrystalline and polycrystalline silicon and cadmium telluride), modelled and measured PV module temperatures show a higher agreement (RMSE about 3-4 K) compared to standard approaches in which wind is not considered. For further investigation the in-situ measured wind velocities were replaced with wind data from numerical weather forecast models (ECMWF, reanalysis fields). Our results show that the PV module temperature calculated with wind data from ECMWF is still in very good agreement with the measured one (R² > 0.9 for all technologies). Compared to the previous analysis, we find comparable mean values and an increasing standard deviation. These results open a promising approach for PV module temperature estimation using meteorological parameters. References: [1] Skoplaki, E. et al., 2008: A simple correlation for the operating temperature of photovoltaic modules of arbitrary mounting, Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells 92, 1393-1402 [2] Skoplaki, E. et al., 2008: Operating temperature of photovoltaic modules: A survey of pertinent correlations, Renewable Energy 34, 23-29 [3] Koehl, M. et al., 2011: Modeling of the nominal operating cell temperature based on outdoor weathering, Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells 95, 1638-1646 [4] Mattei, M. et al., 2005: Calculation of the polycrystalline PV module temperature using a simple method of energy balance, Renewable Energy 31, 553-567 [5] Kurtz, S. et al.: Evaluation of high-temperature exposure of rack-mounted photovoltaic modules

Toyota Prius Hybrid Plug-in Conversation and Battery Monitoring system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McIntyre, Michael; Kessinger, Robert; Young, Maegan; Latham, Joseph; Unnikannan, Krishnanunni

2012-02-01

The objective of the project was to analyze the performance of a Toyota Hybrid. We started off with a stock Toyota Prius and taking data by driving it in city and on the highway in a mixed pre-determined route. The batteries can be charged using standard 120V AC outlets. First phase of the project was to increase the performance of the car by installing 20 Lead (Pb) batteries in a plug-in kit. To improve the performance of the kit, a centralized battery monitoring system was installed. The battery monitoring system has two components, a custom data modules and a National Instruments CompactRIO. Each Pb battery has its own data module and all the data module are connected to the CompactRIO. The CompactRIO records differential voltage, current and temperature from all the 20 batteries. The LabVIEW software is dynamic and can be reconfigured to any number of batteries and real time data from the batteries can be monitored on a LabVIEW enabled machine.

Toyota Prius Hybrid Plug-in Conversation and Battery Monitoring system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Unnikannan, Krishnanunni; McIntyre, Michael; Harper, Doug; Kessinger, Robert; Young, Megan; Lantham, Joseph

2012-03-01

The objective of the project was to analyze the performance of a Toyota Hybrid. We started off with a stock Toyota Prius and taking data by driving it in city and on the highway in a mixed pre-determined route. The batteries can be charged using standard 120V AC outlets. First phase of the project was to increase the performance of the car by installing 20 Lead (Pb) batteries in a plug-in kit. To improve the performance of the kit, a centralized battery monitoring system was installed. The battery monitoring system has two components, a custom data modules and a National Instruments CompactRIO. Each Pb battery has its own data module and all the data module are connected to the CompactRIO. The CompactRIO records differential voltage, current and temperature from all the 20 batteries. The LabVIEW software is dynamic and can be reconfigured to any number of batteries and real time data from the batteries can be monitored on a LabVIEW enabled machine.

Elucidating the correlation between morphology and ion dynamics in polymerized ionic liquids.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heres, Maximilian; Cosby, Tyler; Iacob, Ciprian; Runt, James; Benson, Roberto; Liu, Hongjun; Paddison, Stephen; Sangoro, Joshua

Charge transport and dynamics are investigated for a series of poly-ammonium and poly-imidazolium-based polymerized ionic liquids (polyIL) with a common bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide anion using broadband dielectric spectroscopy and temperature modulated differential scanning calorimetry. A significant enhancement of the Tg independent ionic conductivity is observed for ammonium based polyIL with shorter pendant groups, in comparison to imidazolium based systems. These results emphasize the importance of polymer backbone spacing as well as counter-ion size on ionic conductivity in polymerized ionic liquids. NSF DMR 1508394.

Crystallography of biological fluid as a method for evaluating its physicochemical characteristics.

PubMed

Martusevich, A K; Kamakin, N F

2007-03-01

Using an integral qualitative and quantitative approach to the studies of initiation of the biological material crystallogenesis, we showed in experiments with normal human saliva that the external characteristics of biological fluid (pH, osmolality, and environmental temperature) determine the results of crystallization (tesigraphic facies). The main external (macroenvironment) and inner (microenvironment) factors of biological fluid crystal formation, determining specific features of the tesigraphic facies, were distinguished and classified. The informative value of differential analysis of biomaterial properties by means of modulating the environmental conditions is established.

Broadband electron spin resonance at low frequency without resonant cavity

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

Jang, Z.; Suh, B.; Corti, M.

2008-04-09

We have developed a nonconventional broadband electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometer operating continuously in the frequency range from 0.5 to 9 GHz. Dual antenna structure and the microwave absorbing environment differentiate the setup from the conventional one and enable broadband operation with any combination of frequency or magnetic field modulation and frequency or magnetic field sweeping. Its performance has been tested with the measurements on a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) sample and with the measurements on the single molecular magnet, V6, in solid state at low temperature.

Low-voltage differentially-signaled modulators.

PubMed

Zortman, William A; Lentine, Anthony L; Trotter, Douglas C; Watts, Michael R

2011-12-19

For exascale computing applications, viable optical solutions will need to operate using low voltage signaling and with low power consumption. In this work, the first differentially signaled silicon resonator is demonstrated which can provide a 5dB extinction ratio using 3fJ/bit and 500mV signal amplitude at 10Gbps. Modulation with asymmetric voltage amplitudes as low as 150mV with 3dB extinction are demonstrated at 10Gbps as well. Differentially signaled resonators simplify and expand the design space for modulator implementation and require no special drivers.

Reversibility between glass and melting transitions of poly(oxyethylene)

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

Qui, Wulin; Pyda, Marek; Nowak-Pyda, Elisabieta

2005-01-01

The heat capacities, C{sub p}, of poly(oxyethylene), POE, with molar masses from 1500 to 900,000 Da, were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), quasi-isothermal, temperature-modulated DSC (TMDSC), and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). There is no change in crystal structure before melting, but the lattice parameters increase rapidly in the melting region. Perfected extended-chain and once- or twice-folded crystals of the oligomers with a molar mass above 1100 Da melt practically fully irreversibly and permit direct measurement of the thermodynamic C{sub p}. The folded-chain crystals of high molar mass show some locally reversible melting. The reversing, apparent C{sub p} depends onmore » molar mass and amplitude and frequency of modulation. After separation from the latent heat effects, the reversible, thermodynamic C{sub p} depends on the melting temperature for low molar masses and increases beyond the vibrational C{sub p} due to conformational motion. Molar masses of 8000-20,000 have almost the same C{sub p}. These observations permit a quantitative discussion of the thermodynamic C{sub p} and the locally reversible melting of the globally metastable POE in the melting range. The increase in C{sub p} between 250 K and the melting temperature is interpreted as a glass transition within the crystal.« less

Voltage sensing systems and methods for passive compensation of temperature related intrinsic phase shift

DOEpatents

Davidson, James R.; Lassahn, Gordon D.

2001-01-01

A small sized electro-optic voltage sensor capable of accurate measurement of high levels of voltages without contact with a conductor or voltage source is provided. When placed in the presence of an electric field, the sensor receives an input beam of electromagnetic radiation into the sensor. A polarization beam displacer serves as a filter to separate the input beam into two beams with orthogonal linear polarizations. The beam displacer is oriented in such a way as to rotate the linearly polarized beams such that they enter a Pockels crystal at a preferred angle of 45 degrees. The beam displacer is therefore capable of causing a linearly polarized beam to impinge a crystal at a desired angle independent of temperature. The Pockels electro-optic effect induces a differential phase shift on the major and minor axes of the input beam as it travels through the Pockels crystal, which causes the input beam to be elliptically polarized. A reflecting prism redirects the beam back through the crystal and the beam displacer. On the return path, the polarization beam displacer separates the elliptically polarized beam into two output beams of orthogonal linear polarization representing the major and minor axes. In crystals that introduce a phase differential attributable to temperature, a compensating crystal is provided to cancel the effect of temperature on the phase differential of the input beam. The system may include a detector for converting the output beams into electrical signals, and a signal processor for determining the voltage based on an analysis of the output beams. The output beams are amplitude modulated by the frequency of the electric field and the amplitude of the output beams is proportional to the magnitude of the electric field, which is related to the voltage being measured.

Characterization of detergent compatible protease of a halophilic Bacillus sp. EMB9: differential role of metal ions in stability and activity.

PubMed

Sinha, Rajeshwari; Khare, S K

2013-10-01

A moderately halophilic protease producer, Bacillus sp. strain isolated from sea water is described. The protease is purified to homogeneity by ammonium sulphate precipitation and CM cellulose chromatography. The serine protease has a molecular mass of 29 kDa. Enzymatic characterization of protease revealed K(m) 2.22 mg mL(-1), Vmax 1111.11 U mL(-1), pH optimum 9.0, t1/2 190 min at 60°C and salt optima 1% (w/v) NaCl. The protease is remarkably stable in hydrophilic and hydrophobic solvents at high concentrations. The purified preparation is unstable at room temperature. Ca(2+) ions are required for preventing this loss of activity. Interestingly, the activity and stability are modulated differentially. Whereas, divalent cation Ca(2+) are involved in maintaining stability in solution at room temperature by preventing unfolding, monovalent Na(+) and K(+) ions participate in regulating the activity and assist in refolding of the enzyme. Application of the protease is shown in efficient removal of blood stain. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

In-situ comparison of thermal measurement technologies for interpretation of PV module temperature de-rating effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elwood, Teri; Bennett, Whit; Lai, Teh; Simmons-Potter, Kelly

2016-09-01

It is well known that the efficiency of a photovoltaic (PV) module is strongly impacted by its temperature such that higher temperatures lead to lower energy conversion efficiencies. An accurate measurement of the temperature de-rating effect, therefore, is vital to the correct interpretation of PV module performance under varied environmental conditions. The current work investigates and compares methods for performing measurements of module temperature both in the lab and in field-test environments. A comparison of several temperature measurement devices was made in order to establish the ideal sensor configuration for quantifying module operating temperature. Sensors were also placed in various locations along a string of up to eight photovoltaic modules to examine the variance in operating temperature with position in the string and within a larger array of strings.

MIR146A inhibits JMJD3 expression and osteogenic differentiation in human mesenchymal stem cells

PubMed Central

Huszar, Jessica M.; Payne, Christopher J.

2014-01-01

Chromatin remodeling is important for cell differentiation. Histone methyltransferase EZH2 and histone demethylase JMJD3 (KDM6B) modulate levels of histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3). Interplay between the two modulators influence lineage specification in stem cells. Here, we identified microRNA MIR146A to be a negative regulator of JMJD3. In the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), we observed an upregulation of JMJD3 and a downregulation of MIR146A. Blocking JMJD3 activity in differentiating hMSCs reduced transcript levels of osteogenic gene RUNX2. H3K27me3 levels decreased at the RUNX2 promoter during cell differentiation. Modulation of MIR146A levels in hMSCs altered JMJD3 and RUNX2 expression and affected osteogenic differentiation. We conclude that JMJD3 promotes osteogenesis in differentiating hMSCs, with MIR146A regulating JMJD3. PMID:24726732

Cohomology and deformation of 𝔞𝔣𝔣(1|1) acting on differential operators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basdouri, Khaled; Omri, Salem

We consider the 𝔞𝔣𝔣(1|1)-module structure on the spaces of differential operators acting on the spaces of weighted densities. We compute the second differential cohomology of the Lie superalgebra 𝔞𝔣𝔣(1|1) with coefficients in differential operators acting on the spaces of weighted densities. We classify formal deformations of the 𝔞𝔣𝔣(1|1)-module structure on the superspaces of symbols of differential operators. We prove that any formal deformation of a given infinitesimal deformation of this structure is equivalent to its infinitesimal part. This work is the simplest superization of a result by Basdouri [Deformation of 𝔞𝔣𝔣(1)-modules of pseudo-differential operators and symbols, J. Pseudo-differ. Oper. Appl. 7(2) (2016) 157-179] and application of work by Basdouri et al. [First cohomology of 𝔞𝔣𝔣(1) and 𝔞𝔣𝔣(1|1) acting on linear differential operators, Int. J. Geom. Methods Mod. Phys. 13(1) (2016)].

High-Temperature High-Power Packaging Techniques for HEV Traction Applications

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

Elshabini, Aicha; Barlow, Fred D.

A key issue associated with the wider adoption of hybrid-electric vehicles (HEV) and plug in hybrid-electric vehicles (PHEV) is the implementation of the power electronic systems that are required in these products. One of the primary industry goals is the reduction in the price of these vehicles relative to the cost of traditional gasoline powered vehicles. Today these systems, such as the Prius, utilize one coolant loop for the engine at approximately 100 C coolant temperatures, and a second coolant loop for the inverter at 65 C. One way in which significant cost reduction of these systems could be achievedmore » is through the use of a single coolant loop for both the power electronics as well as the internal combustion engine (ICE). This change in coolant temperature significantly increases the junction temperatures of the devices and creates a number of challenges for both device fabrication and the assembly of these devices into inverters and converters for HEV and PHEV applications. Traditional power modules and the state-of-the-art inverters in the current HEV products, are based on chip and wire assembly and direct bond copper (DBC) on ceramic substrates. While a shift to silicon carbide (SiC) devices from silicon (Si) devices would allow the higher operating temperatures required for a single coolant loop, it also creates a number of challenges for the assembly of these devices into power inverters. While this traditional packaging technology can be extended to higher temperatures, the key issues are the substrate material and conductor stability, die bonding material, wire bonds, and bond metallurgy reliability as well as encapsulation materials that are stable at high operating temperatures. The larger temperature differential during power cycling, which would be created by higher coolant temperatures, places tremendous stress on traditional aluminum wire bonds that are used to interconnect power devices. Selection of the bond metallurgy and wire bond geometry can play a key role in mitigating this stress. An alternative solution would be to eliminate the wire bonds completely through a fundamentally different method of forming a reliable top side interconnect. Similarly, the solders used in most power modules exhibit too low of a liquidus to be viable solutions for maximum junction temperatures of 200 C. Commonly used encapsulation materials, such as silicone gels, also suffer from an inability to operate at 200 C for extended periods of time. Possible solutions to these problems exist in most cases but require changes to the traditional manufacturing process used in these modules. In addition, a number of emerging technologies such as Si nitride, flip-chip assembly methods, and the elimination of base-plates would allow reliable module development for operation of HEV and PHEV inverters at elevated junction temperatures.« less

Fieldable Fourier transform spectrometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hatchell, Brian K.; Harper, Warren W.; Schultz, John F.

2004-10-01

The infrared sensors group at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is focused on the science and technology of remote and in-situ chemical sensors for detecting proliferation and countering terrorism. To support these vital missions, PNNL is developing frequency-modulation techniques for remote probing over long optical paths by means of differential-absorption light detecting and ranging (LIDAR). This technique can easily monitor large areas, or volumes, that could only be accomplished with a large network of point sensors. Recently, PNNL began development of a rugged frequency-modulation differential-abosrption LIDAR (FM-DIAL) system to conduct field experiments. To provide environmentla protection for the system and facilitate field deployments and operations, a large, well insulated, temperature controlled trailer was specified and acquired. The trailer was outfitted with a shock-mounted optical bench, an electronics rack, a liquid nitrogen Dewar, and a power generator. A computer-controlled gimbal-mounted mirror was added to allow the telescope beam to be accurately pointed in both the vertical and horizontal plane. This turned out to be the most complicated addition, and is described in detail. This paper provides an overview of the FM-DIAL system and illustrates innovative solutions developed to overcome several alignment and stability issues encountered in the field.

Spatial glass transition temperature variations in polymer glass: application to a maltodextrin-water system.

PubMed

van Sleeuwen, Rutger M T; Zhang, Suying; Normand, Valéry

2012-03-12

A model was developed to predict spatial glass transition temperature (T(g)) distributions in glassy maltodextrin particles during transient moisture sorption. The simulation employed a numerical mass transfer model with a concentration dependent apparent diffusion coefficient (D(app)) measured using Dynamic Vapor Sorption. The mass average moisture content increase and the associated decrease in T(g) were successfully modeled over time. Large spatial T(g) variations were predicted in the particle, resulting in a temporary broadening of the T(g) region. Temperature modulated differential scanning calorimetry confirmed that the variation in T(g) in nonequilibrated samples was larger than in equilibrated samples. This experimental broadening was characterized by an almost doubling of the T(g) breadth compared to the start of the experiment. Upon reaching equilibrium, both the experimental and predicted T(g) breadth contracted back to their initial value.

An Optically Isotropic Antiferroelectric Liquid Crystal (OI-AFLC) Display Mode Operating over a Wide Temperature Range using Ternary Bent-Core Liquid Crystal Mixtures

DOE PAGES

Bergquist, Leah; Zhang, Cuiyu; Ribeiro de Almeida, Roberta R.; ...

2017-02-07

Here, we report on the synthesis and characterization of bent-core liquid crystal (LC) compounds and the preparation of mixtures that provide an optically isotropic antiferroelectric (OI-AFLC) liquid crystal display mode over a very wide temperature interval and well below room temperature. From the collection of compounds synthesized during this study, we recognized that several ternary mixtures displayed a modulated SmC aP A phase down to below -40 °C and up to about 100 °C on both heating and cooling, as well as optical tilt angles in the transformed state of approximately 45° (optically isotropic state). The materials were fully characterizedmore » and their liquid crystal as well as electro-optical properties analyzed by polarized optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, synchrotron X-ray diffraction, dielectric spectroscopy, and electro-optical tests.« less

An Optically Isotropic Antiferroelectric Liquid Crystal (OI-AFLC) Display Mode Operating over a Wide Temperature Range using Ternary Bent-Core Liquid Crystal Mixtures

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

Bergquist, Leah; Zhang, Cuiyu; Ribeiro de Almeida, Roberta R.

Here, we report on the synthesis and characterization of bent-core liquid crystal (LC) compounds and the preparation of mixtures that provide an optically isotropic antiferroelectric (OI-AFLC) liquid crystal display mode over a very wide temperature interval and well below room temperature. From the collection of compounds synthesized during this study, we recognized that several ternary mixtures displayed a modulated SmC aP A phase down to below -40 °C and up to about 100 °C on both heating and cooling, as well as optical tilt angles in the transformed state of approximately 45° (optically isotropic state). The materials were fully characterizedmore » and their liquid crystal as well as electro-optical properties analyzed by polarized optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, synchrotron X-ray diffraction, dielectric spectroscopy, and electro-optical tests.« less

Room-temperature lasing in a single nanowire with quantum dots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tatebayashi, Jun; Kako, Satoshi; Ho, Jinfa; Ota, Yasutomo; Iwamoto, Satoshi; Arakawa, Yasuhiko

2015-08-01

Semiconductor nanowire lasers are promising as ultrasmall, highly efficient coherent light emitters in the fields of nanophotonics, nano-optics and nanobiotechnology. Although there have been several demonstrations of nanowire lasers using homogeneous bulk gain materials or multi-quantum-wells/disks, it is crucial to incorporate lower-dimensional quantum nanostructures into the nanowire to achieve superior device performance in relation to threshold current, differential gain, modulation bandwidth and temperature sensitivity. The quantum dot is a useful and essential nanostructure that can meet these requirements. However, difficulties in forming stacks of quantum dots in a single nanowire hamper the realization of lasing operation. Here, we demonstrate room-temperature lasing of a single nanowire containing 50 quantum dots by properly designing the nanowire cavity and tailoring the emission energy of each dot to enhance the optical gain. Our demonstration paves the way toward ultrasmall lasers with extremely low power consumption for integrated photonic systems.

Algebraic and geometric structures of analytic partial differential equations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaptsov, O. V.

2016-11-01

We study the problem of the compatibility of nonlinear partial differential equations. We introduce the algebra of convergent power series, the module of derivations of this algebra, and the module of Pfaffian forms. Systems of differential equations are given by power series in the space of infinite jets. We develop a technique for studying the compatibility of differential systems analogous to the Gröbner bases. Using certain assumptions, we prove that compatible systems generate infinite manifolds.

NaK Variable Conductance Heat Pipe for Radioisotope Stirling Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tarau, Calin; Anderson, William G.; Walker, Kara

2008-01-01

In a Stirling radioisotope power system, heat must continually be removed from the General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) modules to maintain the modules and surrounding insulation at acceptable temperatures. The Stirling convertor normally provides most of this cooling. If the Stirling convertor stops in the current system, the insulation is designed to spoil, preventing damage to the GPHS, but also ending use of that convertor for the mission. An alkali-metal Variable Conductance Heat Pipe (VCHP) was designed to allow multiple stops and restarts of the Stirling convertor. In the design of the VCHP for the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator, the VCHP reservoir temperature can vary between 40 and 120 C. While sodium, potassium, or cesium could be used as the working fluid, their melting temperatures are above the minimum reservoir temperature, allowing working fluid to freeze in the reservoir. In contrast, the melting point of NaK is -12 C, so NaK can't freeze in the reservoir. One potential problem with NaK as a working fluid is that previous tests with NaK heat pipes have shown that NaK heat pipes can develop temperature non-uniformities in the evaporator due to NaK's binary composition. A NaK heat pipe was fabricated to measure the temperature non-uniformities in a scale model of the VCHP for the Stirling Radioisotope system. The temperature profiles in the evaporator and condenser were measured as a function of operating temperature and power. The largest delta T across the condenser was 2S C. However, the condenser delta T decreased to 16 C for the 775 C vapor temperature at the highest heat flux applied, 7.21 W/ square cm. This decrease with increasing heat flux was caused by the increased mixing of the sodium and potassium in the vapor. This temperature differential is similar to the temperature variation in this ASRG heat transfer interface without a heat pipe, so NaK can be used as the VCHP working fluid.

Temperature influence on the cladding mode distribution in highly localized point-by-point fibre Bragg gratings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caucheteur, C.; Gonzalez-Vila, A.; Chikh-Bled, H.; Lasri, B.; Kinet, D.; Chah, K.

2016-05-01

An infrared femtosecond pulses laser is used to manufacture point-by-point gratings in telecommunication-grade optical fibres. The refractive index modulations are localized close to the core-cladding interface, yielding a strong coupling to cladding mode resonances together with an important photo-induced birefringence. Such gratings have been recently used for refractrometric measurements. In this work, their transmitted amplitude spectrum is measured with polarized light while they are exposed to temperature changes up to 900 °C. Despite an overall good thermal stability of the gratings that confirms their robustness for high-temperature refractometry, we report an interesting polarization effect depending on both the cladding mode resonance family (radially- and azimuthally-polarized modes) and mode order. While the birefringence of the core mode resonance decreases with the temperature, certain cladding mode resonances show an increase of the wavelength splitting between their orthogonally-polarized components. This differential behaviour can be of high interest to develop high-resolution multiparametric sensing platforms.

Fast terahertz optoelectronic amplitude modulator based on plasmonic metamaterial antenna arrays and graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jessop, David S.; Sol, Christian W. O.; Xiao, Long; Kindness, Stephen J.; Braeuninger-Weimer, Philipp; Lin, Hungyen; Griffiths, Jonathan P.; Ren, Yuan; Kamboj, Varun S.; Hofmann, Stephan; Zeitler, J. Axel; Beere, Harvey E.; Ritchie, David A.; Degl'Innocenti, Riccardo

2016-02-01

The growing interest in terahertz (THz) technologies in recent years has seen a wide range of demonstrated applications, spanning from security screening, non-destructive testing, gas sensing, to biomedical imaging and communication. Communication with THz radiation offers the advantage of much higher bandwidths than currently available, in an unallocated spectrum. For this to be realized, optoelectronic components capable of manipulating THz radiation at high speeds and high signal-to-noise ratios must be developed. In this work we demonstrate a room temperature frequency dependent optoelectronic amplitude modulator working at around 2 THz, which incorporates graphene as the tuning medium. The architecture of the modulator is an array of plasmonic dipole antennas surrounded by graphene. By electrostatically doping the graphene via a back gate electrode, the reflection characteristics of the modulator are modified. The modulator is electrically characterized to determine the graphene conductivity and optically characterization, by THz time-domain spectroscopy and a single-mode 2 THz quantum cascade laser, to determine the optical modulation depth and cut-off frequency. A maximum optical modulation depth of ~ 30% is estimated and is found to be most (least) sensitive when the electrical modulation is centered at the point of maximum (minimum) differential resistivity of the graphene. A 3 dB cut-off frequency > 5 MHz, limited only by the area of graphene on the device, is reported. The results agree well with theoretical calculations and numerical simulations, and demonstrate the first steps towards ultra-fast, graphene based THz optoelectronic devices.

Selective catalyst reduction light-off strategy

DOEpatents

Gonze, Eugene V [Pinckney, MI

2011-10-18

An emissions control system includes a temperature determination module and an emissions control module. The temperature determination module determines a first temperature of a heater element of a diesel particulate filter (DPF) assembly in an exhaust system and determines a second temperature of a catalyst of the DPF assembly. The emissions control module selectively activates the heater element, selectively initiates a predefined combustion process in an engine based upon the first temperature, and selectively starts a reductant injection process based upon the second temperature.

AUTOMOTIVE DIESEL MAINTENANCE 1. UNIT XXII, I--MAINTAINING THE FUEL SYSTEM (PART I)--CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINE, II--UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENTIAL.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Minnesota State Dept. of Education, St. Paul. Div. of Vocational and Technical Education.

THIS MODULE OF A 30-MODULE COURSE IS DESIGNED TO DEVELOP AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE FUNCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE DIESEL ENGINE FUEL SYSTEM AND DIFFERENTIAL DRIVE UNITS USED IN DIESEL POWERED VEHICLES. TOPICS ARE (1) FUEL SYSTEM COMPARISONS, (2) FUEL SYSTEM SUPPLY COMPONENTS, (3) FUEL SUPPLY SECTION MAINTENANCE, (4) FUNCTION OF THE DIFFERENTIAL,…

Low Temperature Development Induces a Specific Decrease in trans-Δ3-Hexadecenoic Acid Content which Influences LHCII Organization 1

PubMed Central

Huner, Norman P. A.; Krol, Marianna; Williams, John P.; Maissan, Ellen; Low, Phillip S.; Roberts, Dane; Thompson, John E.

1987-01-01

Lipid and fatty acid analyses were performed on whole leaf extracts and isolated thylakoids from winter rye (Secale cereale L. cv Puma) grown at 5°C cold-hardened rye (RH) and 20°C nonhardened rye (RNH). Although no significant change in total lipid content was observed, growth at low, cold-hardening temperature resulted in a specific 67% (thylakoids) to 74% (whole leaves) decrease in the trans-Δ3-hexadecenoic acid (trans-16:1) level associated with phosphatidyldiacylglycerol (PG). Electron spin resonance and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) indicated no significant difference in the fluidity of RH and RNH thylakoids. Separation of chlorophyll-protein complexes by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that the ratio of oligomeric light harvesting complex:monomeric light harvesting complex (LHCII1:LHCII3) was 2-fold higher in RNH than RH thylakoids. The ratio of CP1a:CP1 was also 1.5-fold higher in RNH than RH thylakoids. Analyses of winter rye grown at 20, 15, 10, and 5°C indicated that both, the trans-16:1 acid levels in PG and the LHCII1:LHCII3 decreased concomitantly with a decrease in growth temperature. Above 40°C, differential scanning calorimetry of RNH thylakoids indicated the presence of five major endotherms (47, 60, 67, 73, and 86°C). Although the general features of the temperature transitions observed above 40°C in RH thylakoids were similar to those observed for RNH thylakoids, the transitions at 60 and 73°C were resolved as inflections only and RH thylakoids exhibited transitions at 45 and 84°C which were 2°C lower than those observed in RNH thylakoids. Since polypeptide and lipid compositions of RH and RNH thylakoids were very similar, we suggest that these differences reflect alterations in thylakoid membrane organization. Specifically, it is suggested that low developmental temperature modulates LHCII organization such that oligomeric LHCII predominates in RNH thylakoids whereas a monomeric or an intermediate form of LHCII predominates in RH thylakoids. Furthermore, we conclude that low developmental temperature modulates LHCII organization by specifically altering the fatty composition of thylakoid PG. PMID:16665384

Gonadal expression of Sf1 and aromatase during sex determination in the red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta), a reptile with temperature-dependent sex determination.

PubMed

Ramsey, Mary; Shoemaker, Christina; Crews, David

2007-12-01

Many egg-laying reptiles have temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD), where the offspring sex is determined by incubation temperature during a temperature-sensitive period (TSP) in the middle third of development. The underlying mechanism transducing a temperature cue into an ovary or testis is unknown, but it is known that steroid hormones play an important role. During the TSP, exogenous application of estrogen can override a temperature cue and produce females, while blocking the activity of aromatase (Cyp19a1), the enzyme that converts testosterone to estradiol, produces males from a female-biased temperature. The production of estrogen is a key step in ovarian differentiation for many vertebrates, including TSD reptiles, and temperature-based differences in aromatase expression during the TSP may be a critical step in ovarian determination. Steroidogenic factor-1 (Sf1) is a key gene in vertebrate sex determination and regulates many steroidogenic enzymes, including aromatase. We find that Sf1 and aromatase are differentially expressed during sex determination in the red-eared slider turtle, Trachemys scripta elegans. Sf1 is expressed at higher levels during testis development while aromatase expression increases during ovary determination. We also assayed Sf1 and aromatase response to sex-reversing treatments via temperature or the modulation of estrogen availability. Sf1 expression was redirected to low-level female-specific patterns with feminizing temperature shift or exogenous estradiol application and redirected to more intense male-specific patterns with male-producing temperature shift or inhibition of aromatase activity. Conversely, aromatase expression was redirected to more intense female-specific patterns with female-producing treatment and redirected toward diffuse low-level male-specific patterns with masculinizing sex reversal. Our data do not lend support to a role for Sf1 in the regulation of aromatase expression during slider turtle sex determination, but do support a critical role for estrogen in ovarian development.

A High Temperature Silicon Carbide mosfet Power Module With Integrated Silicon-On-Insulator-Based Gate Drive

DOE PAGES

Wang, Zhiqiang; Shi, Xiaojie; Tolbert, Leon M.; ...

2014-04-30

Here we present a board-level integrated silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET power module for high temperature and high power density application. Specifically, a silicon-on-insulator (SOI)-based gate driver capable of operating at 200°C ambient temperature is designed and fabricated. The sourcing and sinking current capability of the gate driver are tested under various ambient temperatures. Also, a 1200 V/100 A SiC MOSFET phase-leg power module is developed utilizing high temperature packaging technologies. The static characteristics, switching performance, and short-circuit behavior of the fabricated power module are fully evaluated at different temperatures. Moreover, a buck converter prototype composed of the SOI gate drivermore » and SiC power module is built for high temperature continuous operation. The converter is operated at different switching frequencies up to 100 kHz, with its junction temperature monitored by a thermosensitive electrical parameter and compared with thermal simulation results. The experimental results from the continuous operation demonstrate the high temperature capability of the power module at a junction temperature greater than 225°C.« less

[System design of small intellectualized ultrasound hyperthermia instrument in the LabVIEW environment].

PubMed

Jiang, Feng; Bai, Jingfeng; Chen, Yazhu

2005-08-01

Small-scale intellectualized medical instrument has attracted great attention in the field of biomedical engineering, and LabVIEW (Laboratory Virtual Instrument Engineering Workbench) provides a convenient environment for this application due to its inherent advantages. The principle and system structure of the hyperthermia instrument are presented. Type T thermocouples are employed as thermotransducers, whose amplifier consists of two stages, providing built-in ice point compensation and thus improving work stability over temperature. Control signals produced by specially designed circuit drive the programmable counter/timer 8254 chip to generate PWM (Pulse width modulation) wave, which is used as ultrasound radiation energy control signal. Subroutine design topics such as inner-tissue real time feedback temperature control algorithm, water temperature control in the ultrasound applicator are also described. In the cancer tissue temperature control subroutine, the authors exert new improvments to PID (Proportional Integral Differential) algorithm according to the specific demands of the system and achieve strict temperature control to the target tissue region. The system design and PID algorithm improvement have experimentally proved to be reliable and excellent, meeting the requirements of the hyperthermia system.

Critical temperature transitions in laser-mediated cartilage reshaping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wong, Brian J.; Milner, Thomas E.; Kim, Hong H.; Telenkov, Sergey A.; Chew, Clifford; Kuo, Timothy C.; Smithies, Derek J.; Sobol, Emil N.; Nelson, J. Stuart

1998-07-01

In this study, we attempted to determine the critical temperature [Tc] at which accelerated stress relaxation occurred during laser mediated cartilage reshaping. During laser irradiation, mechanically deformed cartilage tissue undergoes a temperature dependent phase transformation which results in accelerated stress relaxation. When a critical temperature is attained, cartilage becomes malleable and may be molded into complex new shapes that harden as the tissue cools. Clinically, reshaped cartilage tissue can be used to recreate the underlying cartilaginous framework of structures such as the ear, larynx, trachea, and nose. The principal advantages of using laser radiation for the generation of thermal energy in tissue are precise control of both the space-time temperature distribution and time- dependent thermal denaturation kinetics. Optimization of the reshaping process requires identification of the temperature dependence of this phase transformation and its relationship to observed changes in cartilage optical, mechanical, and thermodynamic properties. Light scattering, infrared radiometry, and modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) were used to measure temperature dependent changes in the biophysical properties of cartilage tissue during fast (laser mediated) and slow (conventional calorimetric) heating. Our studies using MDSC and laser probe techniques have identified changes in cartilage thermodynamic and optical properties suggestive of a phase transformation occurring near 60 degrees Celsius.

Modulation of Rhamm (CD168) for selective adipose tissue development

DOEpatents

Turley, Eva A; Bissell, Mina J

2014-05-06

Herein is described the methods and compositions for modulation of Rhamm, also known as CD 186, and its effects on wound repair, muscle differentiation, bone density and adipogeneisis through its ability to regulate mesenchymal stem cell differentiation. Compositions and methods are provided for blocking Rhamm function for selectively increasing subcutaneous, but not, visceral fat. Compositions and methods for modulating Rhamm in wound repair are also described.

Identification of Transcriptional Modules and Key Genes in Chickens Infected with Salmonella enterica Serovar Pullorum Using Integrated Coexpression Analyses.

PubMed

Liu, Bao-Hong; Cai, Jian-Ping

2017-01-01

Salmonella enterica Pullorum is one of the leading causes of mortality in poultry. Understanding the molecular response in chickens in response to the infection by S. enterica is important in revealing the mechanisms of pathogenesis and disease progress. There have been studies on identifying genes associated with Salmonella infection by differential expression analysis, but the relationships among regulated genes have not been investigated. In this study, we employed weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) and differential coexpression analysis (DCEA) to identify coexpression modules by exploring microarray data derived from chicken splenic tissues in response to the S. enterica infection. A total of 19 modules from 13,538 genes were associated with the Jak-STAT signaling pathway, the extracellular matrix, cytoskeleton organization, the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, G-protein coupled receptor activity, Toll-like receptor signaling pathways, and immune system processes; among them, 14 differentially coexpressed modules (DCMs) and 2,856 differentially coexpressed genes (DCGs) were identified. The global expression of module genes between infected and uninfected chickens showed slight differences but considerable changes for global coexpression. Furthermore, DCGs were consistently linked to the hubs of the modules. These results will help prioritize candidate genes for future studies of Salmonella infection.

Identification of Transcriptional Modules and Key Genes in Chickens Infected with Salmonella enterica Serovar Pullorum Using Integrated Coexpression Analyses

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Salmonella enterica Pullorum is one of the leading causes of mortality in poultry. Understanding the molecular response in chickens in response to the infection by S. enterica is important in revealing the mechanisms of pathogenesis and disease progress. There have been studies on identifying genes associated with Salmonella infection by differential expression analysis, but the relationships among regulated genes have not been investigated. In this study, we employed weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) and differential coexpression analysis (DCEA) to identify coexpression modules by exploring microarray data derived from chicken splenic tissues in response to the S. enterica infection. A total of 19 modules from 13,538 genes were associated with the Jak-STAT signaling pathway, the extracellular matrix, cytoskeleton organization, the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, G-protein coupled receptor activity, Toll-like receptor signaling pathways, and immune system processes; among them, 14 differentially coexpressed modules (DCMs) and 2,856 differentially coexpressed genes (DCGs) were identified. The global expression of module genes between infected and uninfected chickens showed slight differences but considerable changes for global coexpression. Furthermore, DCGs were consistently linked to the hubs of the modules. These results will help prioritize candidate genes for future studies of Salmonella infection. PMID:28529955

LTCC-based differential photo acoustic cell for ppm gas sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karioja, P.; Keränen, K.; Kautio, K.; Ollila, J.; Heikkinen, M.; Kauppinen, I.; Kuusela, T.; Matveev, B.; McNie, M. E.; Jenkins, R. M.; Palve, J.

2010-04-01

Silicon MEMS cantilever-based photoacoustic technology allows for the sensing of ultra low gas concentrations with very wide dynamic range. The sensitivity enhancement is achieved with a cantilever microphone system in which the cantilever displacement is probed with an optical interferometer providing a pico-meter resolution. In the gas sensor, the silicon cantilever microphone is placed in a two-chamber differential gas cell. By monitoring differential pressure changes between the two chambers, the differential cell operates as a differential infra-red detector for optical absorption signals through a measurement and reference path. The differential pressure signal is proportional to gas concentration in the optical measurement path. We have designed, implemented and tested a differential photo acoustic gas cell based on Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) multilayer substrate technology. Standard LTCC technology enables implementation of 2.5D structures including holes, cavities and channels into the electronic substrate. The implemented differential photoacoustic gas cell structure includes two 10 mm long cylindrical cells, diameter of 2.4 mm. Reflectance measurements of the cell showed that reflectivity of the substrate material can be improved by a factor 15 - 90 in the 3 - 8 μm spectral region using gold or silver paste coatings. A transparent window is required in the differential gas cell structure in order to probe the displacement of the silicon cantilever. The transparent sapphire window was sealed to the LTCC substrate using two methods: screen printed Au80/Sn20 solder paste and pre-attached glass solder paste (Diemat DM2700P/H848). Both methods were shown to provide hermetic sealing of sapphire windows to LTCC substrate. The measured He-leak rate for the 10 sealed test samples implemented using glass paste were less than 2.0 ×10-9 atm×cm3/s, which meets the requirement for the leak rate according to MIL-STD 883. The achieved hermetic level suggests that the proof-of-principle packaging demonstrator paves the way for implementing a novel differential photoacoustic gas cell for a future miniature gas sensor module. The future module consisting of a sample gas cell and immersion lens IR-LEDs together with interferometric probing of the cantilever microphone is expected to be capable of measuring ultra low concentrations of a wide range of gases with their fundamental absorption bands at 3 - 7 μm wavelength, such as CO, CO2 and CH4.

Molecular players involved in temperature-dependent sex determination and sex differentiation in Teleost fish

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

The molecular mechanisms that underlie sex determination and differentiation are conserved and diversified. In fish species, temperature-dependent sex determination and differentiation seem to be ubiquitous and molecular players involved in these mechanisms may be conserved. Although how the ambient temperature transduces signals to the undifferentiated gonads remains to be elucidated, the genes downstream in the sex differentiation pathway are shared between sex-determining mechanisms. In this paper, we review recent advances on the molecular players that participate in the sex determination and differentiation in fish species, by putting emphasis on temperature-dependent sex determination and differentiation, which include temperature-dependent sex determination and genetic sex determination plus temperature effects. Application of temperature-dependent sex differentiation in farmed fish and the consequences of temperature-induced sex reversal are discussed. PMID:24735220

Evaluation of the microclimate in poultry transport module drawers during the marketing process of end-of-lay hens from farm to slaughter.

PubMed

Richards, G J; Wilkins, L J; Weeks, C A; Knowles, T G; Brown, S N

2012-11-10

Changes in module drawer temperature and relative humidity were monitored for 24 commercial loads of hens. Mathematical models revealed significant differences in predicted drawer temperature depending on their location and the outside environmental temperature. Higher predicted temperatures were found in uppermost drawers of the top modules at the front of the lorry, and lower temperatures in drawers on the outer sides of modules and in those drawers in modules next to the back of the lorry in both the upper and lower modules during transport. In the lairage, drawer temperature generally decreased, except in drawers at the top of modules where temperatures increased. Temperature increases were most often recorded in modules which had been located at the rear of the lorry, which were generally cooler during transport. End-of-lay hens would appear to be exposed to a greater risk of cold stress rather than heat stress in the UK. Inspection of birds during transport, or upon arrival, should be directed to the bottom and side drawers of a load when looking for cold stress, and the top row of drawers (centre) of the top modules when looking for heat stress. The frequency of inspections should increase at times of high ambient temperature while the birds are being held in lairages. Adjusting the numbers of birds loaded per drawer according to bird condition and weather appears to be an effective mitigation strategy which is already in use commercially.

Integrating microRNA and mRNA expression profiles of acute promyelocytic leukemia cells to explore the occurrence mechanisms of differentiation syndrome

PubMed Central

Ge, Fei; Cao, Fenglin; Li, Haitao; Wang, Ping; Xu, Mengyuan; Song, Peng; Li, Xiaoxia; Wang, Shuye; Li, Jinmei; Han, Xueying; Zhao, Yanhong; Su, Yanhua; Li, Yinghua; Fan, Shengjin; Li, Limin; Zhou, Jin

2016-01-01

The pathogenesis of therapy-induced differentiation syndrome (DS) in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) remains unclear. In this study, mRNA and microRNA (miRNA) expression profiling of peripheral blood APL cells from patients complicated with vs. without DS were integratively analyzed to explore the mechanisms underlying arsenic trioxide treatment-associated DS. By integrating the differentially expressed data with the data of differentially expressed microRNAs and their computationally predicted target genes, as well as the data of transcription factors and differentially expressed target microRNAs obtained from a literature search, a DS-related genetic regulatory network was constructed. Then using an EAGLE algorithm in clusterViz, the network was subdivided into 10 modules. Using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database the modules were annotated functionally, and three functionally active modules were recognized. The further in-depth analyses on the annotated functions of the three modules and the expression and roles of the related genes revealed that proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and infiltration capability of APL cells might play important roles in the DS pathogenesis. The results could improve our understanding of DS pathogenesis from a more overall perspective, and could provide new clues for future research. PMID:27634874

CADDIS Volume 2. Sources, Stressors and Responses: Temperature

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Introduction to the temperature module, when to list temperature as a candidate cause, ways to measure temperature, simple and detailed conceptual diagrams for temperature, temperature module references and literature reviews.

CADDIS Volume 2. Sources, Stressors and Responses: Temperature - Detailed Conceptual Diagram

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Introduction to the temperature module, when to list temperature as a candidate cause, ways to measure temperature, simple and detailed conceptual diagrams for temperature, temperature module references and literature reviews.

CADDIS Volume 2. Sources, Stressors and Responses: Temperature - Simple Conceptual Diagram

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Introduction to the temperature module, when to list temperature as a candidate cause, ways to measure temperature, simple and detailed conceptual diagrams for temperature, temperature module references and literature reviews.

A high-stability non-contact dilatometer for low-amplitude temperature-modulated measurements

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

Luckabauer, Martin; Sprengel, Wolfgang; Würschum, Roland

2016-07-15

Temperature modulated thermophysical measurements can deliver valuable insights into the phase transformation behavior of many different materials. While especially for non-metallic systems at low temperatures numerous powerful methods exist, no high-temperature device suitable for modulated measurements of bulk metallic alloy samples is available for routine use. In this work a dilatometer for temperature modulated isothermal and non-isothermal measurements in the temperature range from room temperature to 1300 K is presented. The length measuring system is based on a two-beam Michelson laser interferometer with an incremental resolution of 20 pm. The non-contact measurement principle allows for resolving sinusoidal length change signalsmore » with amplitudes in the sub-500 nm range and physically decouples the length measuring system from the temperature modulation and heating control. To demonstrate the low-amplitude capabilities, results for the thermal expansion of nickel for two different modulation frequencies are presented. These results prove that the novel method can be used to routinely resolve length-change signals of metallic samples with temperature amplitudes well below 1 K. This high resolution in combination with the non-contact measurement principle significantly extends the application range of modulated dilatometry towards high-stability phase transformation measurements on complex alloys.« less

Thermally stabilized heliostat

DOEpatents

Anderson, Alfred J.

1983-01-01

An improvement in a heliostat having a main support structure and pivoting and tilting motors and gears and a mirror module for reflecting solar energy onto a collector, the improvement being characterized by an internal support structure within each mirror module and front and back sheets attached to the internal support structure, the front and back sheets having the same coefficient of thermal expansion such that no curvature is induced by temperature change, and a layer of adhesive adhering the mirror to the front sheet. The adhesive is water repellent and has adequate set strength to support the mirror but has sufficient shear tolerance to permit the differential expansion of the mirror and the front sheet without inducing stresses or currature effect. The adhesive also serves to dampen fluttering of the mirror and to protect the mirror backside against the adverse effects of weather. Also disclosed are specific details of the preferred embodiment.

New hybrid reverse differential pulse position width modulation scheme for wireless optical communication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liao, Renbo; Liu, Hongzhan; Qiao, Yaojun

2014-05-01

In order to improve the power efficiency and reduce the packet error rate of reverse differential pulse position modulation (RDPPM) for wireless optical communication (WOC), a hybrid reverse differential pulse position width modulation (RDPPWM) scheme is proposed, based on RDPPM and reverse pulse width modulation. Subsequently, the symbol structure of RDPPWM is briefly analyzed, and its performance is compared with that of other modulation schemes in terms of average transmitted power, bandwidth requirement, and packet error rate over ideal additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channels. Based on the given model, the simulation results show that the proposed modulation scheme has the advantages of improving the power efficiency and reducing the bandwidth requirement. Moreover, in terms of error probability performance, RDPPWM can achieve a much lower packet error rate than that of RDPPM. For example, at the same received signal power of -28 dBm, the packet error rate of RDPPWM can decrease to 2.6×10-12, while that of RDPPM is 2.2×10. Furthermore, RDPPWM does not need symbol synchronization at the receiving end. These considerations make RDPPWM a favorable candidate to select as the modulation scheme in the WOC systems.

DIFFERENTIAL MODULATION OF CATECHOLAMINES BY CHLOROTRIAZINE HERBICIDES IN PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA (PC12) CELLS IN VITRO

EPA Science Inventory

Differential modulation of catecholamines by chlorotriazine herbicides in pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells in vitro.

Das PC, McElroy WK, Cooper RL.

Curriculum in Toxicology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599, USA.

Epidemiological, wildlife, and lab...

The impact of a moderate chronic temperature increase on spleen immune-relevant gene transcription depends on whether Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) are stimulated with bacterial versus viral antigens.

PubMed

Hori, Tiago S; Gamperl, A Kurt; Nash, Gord; Booman, Marije; Barat, Ashoktaru; Rise, Matthew L

2013-10-01

Exposure to elevated temperature is an inherent feature of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) sea-cage culture in some regions (e.g., Newfoundland) and may also become an increasingly prevalent challenge for wild fish populations because of accelerated climate change. Therefore, understanding how elevated temperatures impacts the immune response of this commercially important species may help to reduce the potential negative impacts of such challenges. Previously, we investigated the impacts of moderately elevated temperature on the antiviral responses of Atlantic cod (Hori et al. 2012) and reported that elevated temperature modulated the spleen transcriptome response to polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid (pIC, a viral mimic). Herein, we report a complementary microarray study that investigated the impact of the same elevated temperature regime on the Atlantic cod spleen transcriptome response to intraperitoneal (IP) injection of formalin-killed Aeromonas salmonicida (ASAL). Fish were held at two different temperatures (10 °C and 16 °C) prior to immune stimulation and sampled 6 and 24 h post-injection (HPI). In this experiment, we identified 711 and 666 nonredundant ASAL-responsive genes at 6HPI and 24HPI, respectively. These included several known antibacterial genes, including hepcidin, cathelicidin, ferritin heavy subunit, and interleukin 8. However, we only identified 15 differentially expressed genes at 6HPI and 2 at 24HPI (FDR 1%) when comparing ASAL-injected fish held at 10 °C versus 16 °C. In contrast, the same comparisons with pIC-injected fish yielded 290 and 339 differentially expressed genes (FDR 1%) at 6HPI and 24HPI, respectively. These results suggest that moderately elevated temperature has a lesser effect on the Atlantic cod spleen transcriptome response to ASAL (i.e., the antibacterial response) than to pIC (i.e., antiviral response). Thus, the impacts of high temperatures on the cod's immune response may be pathogen dependent.

Comparative analysis of the transcriptional responses to low and high temperatures in three rice planthopper species.

PubMed

Huang, Hai-Jian; Xue, Jian; Zhuo, Ji-Chong; Cheng, Ruo-Lin; Xu, Hai-Jun; Zhang, Chuan-Xi

2017-05-01

The brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens, BPH), white-backed planthopper (Sogatella furcifera, WBPH) and small brown planthopper (Laodelphax striatellus, SBPH) are important rice pests in Asia. These three species differ in thermal tolerance and exhibit quite different migration and overwintering strategies. To understand the underlying mechanisms, we sequenced and compared the transcriptome of the three species under different temperature treatments. We found that metabolism-, exoskeleton- and chemosensory-related genes were modulated. In high temperature (37 °C), heat shock protein (HSP) genes were the most co-regulated; other genes related with fatty acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism and transportation were also differentially expressed. In low temperature (5 °C), the differences in gene expression of the genes for fatty acid synthesis, transport proteins and cytochrome P450 might explain why SBPH can overwinter in high latitudes, while BPH and WBPH cannot. In addition, other genes related with moulting, and membrane lipid composition might also play roles in resistance to low and high temperatures. Our study illustrates the common responses and different tolerance mechanisms of three rice planthoppers in coping with temperature change, and provides a potential strategy for pest management. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Photonic ultra-wideband pulse generation, hybrid modulation and dispersion-compensation-free transmission in multi-access communication systems.

PubMed

Tan, Kang; Shao, Jing; Sun, Junqiang; Wang, Jian

2012-01-16

We propose and demonstrate a scheme for optical ultrawideband (UWB) pulse generation by exploiting a half-carrier-suppressed Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) and a delay-interferometer- and wavelength-division-multiplexer-based, reconfigurable and multi-channel differentiator (DWRMD). Multi-wavelength, polarity- and shape-switchable UWB pulses of monocycle, doublet, triplet, and quadruplet are experimentally generated simply by tuning two bias voltages to modify the carrier-suppression ratio of MZM and the differential order of DWRMD respectively. The pulse position modulation, pulse shape modulation, pulse amplitude modulation and binary phase-shift keying modulation of UWB pulses can also be conveniently realized with the same scheme structure, which indicates that the hybrid modulation of those four formats can be achieved. Consequently, the proposed approach has potential applications in multi-shape, multi-modulation and multi-access UWB-over-fiber communication systems.

Spin-dependent Seebeck Effect, Thermal Colossal Magnetoresistance and Negative Differential Thermoelectric Resistance in Zigzag Silicene Nanoribbon Heterojunciton.

PubMed

Fu, Hua-Hua; Wu, Dan-Dan; Zhang, Zu-Quan; Gu, Lei

2015-05-22

Spin-dependent Seebeck effect (SDSE) is one of hot topics in spin caloritronics, which examine the relationships between spin and heat transport in materials. Meanwhile, it is still a huge challenge to obtain thermally induced spin current nearly without thermal electron current. Here, we construct a hydrogen-terminated zigzag silicene nanoribbon heterojunction, and find that by applying a temperature difference between the source and the drain, spin-up and spin-down currents are generated and flow in opposite directions with nearly equal magnitudes, indicating that the thermal spin current dominates the carrier transport while the thermal electron current is much suppressed. By modulating the temperature, a pure thermal spin current can be achieved. Moreover, a thermoelectric rectifier and a negative differential thermoelectric resistance can be obtained in the thermal electron current. Through the analysis of the spin-dependent transport characteristics, a phase diagram containing various spin caloritronic phenomena is provided. In addition, a thermal magnetoresistance, which can reach infinity, is also obtained. Our results put forward an effective route to obtain a spin caloritronic material which can be applied in future low-power-consumption technology.

Modulation of the Isoprenoid/Cholesterol Biosynthetic Pathway During Neuronal Differentiation In Vitro.

PubMed

Cartocci, Veronica; Segatto, Marco; Di Tunno, Ilenia; Leone, Stefano; Pfrieger, Frank W; Pallottini, Valentina

2016-09-01

During differentiation, neurons acquire their typical shape and functional properties. At present, it is unclear, whether this important developmental step involves metabolic changes. Here, we studied the contribution of the mevalonate (MVA) pathway to neuronal differentiation using the mouse neuroblastoma cell line N1E-115 as experimental model. Our results show that during differentiation, the activity of 3-hydroxy 3-methylglutaryl Coenzyme A reductase (HMGR), a key enzyme of MVA pathway, and the level of Low Density Lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) decrease, whereas the level of LDLr-related protein-1 (LRP1) and the dimerization of Scavanger Receptor B1 (SRB-1) rise. Pharmacologic inhibition of HMGR by simvastatin accelerated neuronal differentiation by modulating geranylated proteins. Collectively, our data suggest that during neuronal differentiation, the activity of the MVA pathway decreases and we postulate that any interference with this process impacts neuronal morphology and function. Therefore, the MVA pathway appears as an attractive pharmacological target to modulate neurological and metabolic symptoms of developmental neuropathologies. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 2036-2044, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Embryonic origin of mate choice in a lizard with temperature-dependent sex determination.

PubMed

Putz, Oliver; Crews, David

2006-01-01

Individual differences in the adult sexual behavior of vertebrates are rooted in the fetal environment. In the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius), a species with temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD), hatchling sex ratios differ between incubation temperatures, as does sexuality in same-sex animals. This variation can primarily be ascribed to the temperature having direct organizing actions on the brain. Here we demonstrate that embryonic temperature can affect adult mate choice in the leopard gecko. Given the simultaneous choice between two females from different incubation temperatures (30.0 and 34.0 degrees C), males from one incubation temperature (30.0 degrees C) preferred the female from 34.0 degrees C, while males from another incubation temperature (32.5 degrees C) preferred the female from 30.0 degrees C. We suggest that this difference in mate choice is due to an environmental influence on brain development leading to differential perception of opposite-sex individuals. This previously unrecognized modulator of adult mate choice lends further support to the view that mate choice is best understood in the context of an individual's entire life-history. Thus, sexual selection results from a combination of the female's as well as the male's life history. Female attractiveness and male choice therefore are complementary. Copyright 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

CADDIS Volume 2. Sources, Stressors and Responses: Temperature - Figure 1. Major Heat Flux Processes in Streams

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Introduction to the temperature module, when to list temperature as a candidate cause, ways to measure temperature, simple and detailed conceptual diagrams for temperature, temperature module references and literature reviews.

Outdoor Performance of a Thin-Film Gallium-Arsenide Photovoltaic Module

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

Silverman, T. J.; Deceglie, M. G.; Marion, B.

2013-06-01

We deployed a 855 cm2 thin-film, single-junction gallium arsenide (GaAs) photovoltaic (PV) module outdoors. Due to its fundamentally different cell technology compared to silicon (Si), the module responds differently to outdoor conditions. On average during the test, the GaAs module produced more power when its temperature was higher. We show that its maximum-power temperature coefficient, while actually negative, is several times smaller in magnitude than that of a Si module used for comparison. The positive correlation of power with temperature in GaAs is due to temperature-correlated changes in the incident spectrum. We show that a simple correction based on precipitablemore » water vapor (PWV) brings the photocurrent temperature coefficient into agreement with that measured by other methods and predicted by theory. The low operating temperature and small temperature coefficient of GaAs give it an energy production advantage in warm weather.« less

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

Repins, Ingrid; Jordan, Dirk; Bosco, Nick

The proposed new IEC standard will address the test temperature requirements in IEC 61215 (module design), IEC 61730 (module safety), IEC 62790 (junction box safety) and IEC 62852 (connectors), and will provide guidelines to modify temperature limits in four existing standards to better describe module performance in hotter climates. This workshop includes four presentations: Special Testing for Modules Deployed in Hot Use Environments - Are We Doing This in a Low-Cost Way?, Experimental Evidence, Why the highest temperatures are the most stressful to PV modules during thermal cycling, and Safety Aspects for Modules Deployed in Hot Use Environments.

Characteristics of 5M modulated martensite in Ni-Mn-Ga magnetic shape memory alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ćakır, A.; Acet, M.; Righi, L.; Albertini, F.; Farle, M.

2015-09-01

The applicability of the magnetic shape memory effect in Ni-Mn-based martensitic Heusler alloys is closely related to the nature of the crystallographically modulated martensite phase in these materials. We study the properties of modulated phases as a function of temperature and composition in three magnetic shape memory alloys Ni49.8Mn25.0Ga25.2, Ni49.8Mn27.1Ga23.1 and Ni49.5Mn28.6Ga21.9. The effect of substituting Ga for Mn leads to an anisotropic expansion of the lattice, where the b-parameter of the 5M modulated structure increases and the a and c-parameters decrease with increasing Ga concentration. The modulation vector is found to be both temperature and composition dependent. The size of the modulation vector corresponds to an incommensurate structure for Ni49.8Mn25.0Ga25.2 at all temperatures. For the other samples the modulation is incommensurate at low temperatures but reaches a commensurate value of q ≈ 0.400 close to room temperature. The results show that commensurateness of the 5M modulated structure is a special case of incommensurate 5M at a particular temperature.

Generation and detection of 80-Gbit/s return-to-zero differential phase-shift keying signals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Möller, Lothar; Su, Yikai; Xie, Chongjin; Liu, Xiang; Leuthold, Juerg; Gill, Douglas; Wei, Xing

2003-12-01

Nonlinear polarization rotation between a pump and a probe signal in a highly nonlinear fiber is used as a modulation process to generate 80-Gbit/s return-to-zero differential phase-shift keying signals. Its performance is analyzed and compared with a conventional on-off keying modulated signal.

Investigation of Thermoelectric Parameters of Bi2Te3: TEGs Assembled using Pressure-Assisted Silver Powder Sintering-Based Joining Technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stranz, Andrej; Waag, Andreas; Peiner, Erwin

2015-06-01

Operation of thermoelectric generator (TEG) modules based on bismuth telluride alloys at temperatures higher than 250°C is mostly limited by the melting point of the assembly solder. Although the thermoelectric parameters of bismuth telluride materials degrade for temperatures >130°C, the power output of the module can be enhanced with an increase in the temperature difference. For this, a temperature-stable joining technique, especially for the hot side of the modules, is required. Fabrication and process parameters of TEG modules consisting of bismuth telluride legs, alumina ceramics and copper interconnects using a joining technique based on pressure-assisted silver powder sintering are described. Measurements of the thermal force, electrical resistance, and output power are presented that were performed for hot side module temperatures up to 350°C and temperature differences higher than 300°C. Temperature cycling and results measured during extended high-temperature operation are addressed.

Thermodynamic behavior of glassy state of structurally related compounds.

PubMed

Kaushal, Aditya Mohan; Bansal, Arvind Kumar

2008-08-01

Thermodynamic properties of amorphous pharmaceutical forms are responsible for enhanced solubility as well as poor physical stability. The present study was designed to investigate the differences in thermodynamic parameters arising out of disparate molecular structures and associations for four structurally related pharmaceutical compounds--celecoxib, valdecoxib, rofecoxib, and etoricoxib. Conventional and modulated temperature differential scanning calorimetry were employed to study glass forming ability and thermodynamic behavior of the glassy state of model compounds. Glass transition temperature of four glassy compounds was in a close range of 327.6-331.8 K, however, other thermodynamic parameters varied considerably. Kauzmann temperature, strength parameter and fragility parameter showed rofecoxib glass to be most fragile of the four compounds. Glass forming ability of the compounds fared similar in the critical cooling rate experiments, suggesting that different factors were determining the glass forming ability and subsequent behavior of the compounds in glassy state. A comprehensive understanding of such thermodynamic facets of amorphous form would help in rationalizing the approaches towards development of stable glassy pharmaceuticals.

Calorimetric evidence for two distinct molecular packing arrangements in stable glasses of indomethacin.

PubMed

Kearns, Kenneth L; Swallen, Stephen F; Ediger, M D; Sun, Ye; Yu, Lian

2009-02-12

Indomethacin glasses of varying stabilities were prepared by physical vapor deposition onto substrates at 265 K. Enthalpy relaxation and the mobility onset temperature were assessed with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Quasi-isothermal temperature-modulated DSC was used to measure the reversing heat capacity during annealing above the glass transition temperature Tg. At deposition rates near 8 A/s, scanning DSC shows two enthalpy relaxation peaks and quasi-isothermal DSC shows a two-step change in the reversing heat capacity. We attribute these features to two distinct local packing structures in the vapor-deposited glass, and this interpretation is supported by the strong correlation between the two calorimetric signatures of the glass to liquid transformation. At lower deposition rates, a larger fraction of the sample is prepared in the more stable local packing. The transformation of the vapor-deposited glasses into the supercooled liquid above Tg is exceedingly slow, as much as 4500 times slower than the structural relaxation time of the liquid.

Wafer defect detection by a polarization-insensitive external differential interference contrast module.

PubMed

Nativ, Amit; Feldman, Haim; Shaked, Natan T

2018-05-01

We present a system that is based on a new external, polarization-insensitive differential interference contrast (DIC) module specifically adapted for detecting defects in semiconductor wafers. We obtained defect signal enhancement relative to the surrounding wafer pattern when compared with bright-field imaging. The new DIC module proposed is based on a shearing interferometer that connects externally at the output port of an optical microscope and enables imaging thin samples, such as wafer defects. This module does not require polarization optics (such as Wollaston or Nomarski prisms) and is insensitive to polarization, unlike traditional DIC techniques. In addition, it provides full control of the DIC shear and orientation, which allows obtaining a differential phase image directly on the camera (with no further digital processing) while enhancing defect detection capabilities, even if the size of the defect is smaller than the resolution limit. Our technique has the potential of future integration into semiconductor production lines.

Towards dualband megapixel QWIP focal plane arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

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

2007-04-01

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

Multicolor megapixel QWIP focal plane arrays for remote sensing instruments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

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

2006-08-01

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

A STUDY OF SOLAR PHOTOSPHERIC TEMPERATURE GRADIENT VARIATION USING LIMB DARKENING MEASUREMENTS

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

Criscuoli, Serena; Foukal, Peter

2017-01-20

The variation in area of quiet magnetic network measured over the sunspot cycle should modulate the spatially averaged photospheric temperature gradient, since temperature declines with optical depth more gradually in magnetic flux tube atmospheres. Yet, limb darkening measurements show no dependence upon activity level, even at an rms precision of 0.04%. We study the sensitivity of limb darkening to changes in area filling factor using a 3D MHD model of the magnetized photosphere. The limb darkening change expected from the measured 11-year area variation lies below the level of measured limb darkening variations, for a reasonable range of magnetic fluxmore » in quiet network and internetwork regions. So the remarkably constant limb darkening observed over the solar activity cycle is not inconsistent with the measured 11-year change in area of quiet magnetic network. Our findings offer an independent constraint on photospheric temperature gradient changes reported from measurements of the solar spectral irradiance from the Spectral Irradiance Monitor, and recently, from wavelength-differential spectrophotometry using the Solar Optical Telescope aboard the HINODE spacecraft.« less

Insulin receptor-mediated signaling via phospholipase C-γ regulates growth and differentiation in Drosophila.

PubMed

Murillo-Maldonado, Juan M; Zeineddine, Fouad Bou; Stock, Rachel; Thackeray, Justin; Riesgo-Escovar, Juan R

2011-01-01

Coordination between growth and patterning/differentiation is critical if appropriate final organ structure and size is to be achieved. Understanding how these two processes are regulated is therefore a fundamental and as yet incompletely answered question. Here we show through genetic analysis that the phospholipase C-γ (PLC-γ) encoded by small wing (sl) acts as such a link between growth and patterning/differentiation by modulating some MAPK outputs once activated by the insulin pathway; particularly, sl promotes growth and suppresses ectopic differentiation in the developing eye and wing, allowing cells to attain a normal size and differentiate properly. sl mutants have previously been shown to have a combination of both growth and patterning/differentiation phenotypes: small wings, ectopic wing veins, and extra R7 photoreceptor cells. We show here that PLC-γ activated by the insulin pathway participates broadly and positively during cell growth modulating EGF pathway activity, whereas in cell differentiation PLC-γ activated by the insulin receptor negatively regulates the EGF pathway. These roles require different SH2 domains of PLC-γ, and act via classic PLC-γ signaling and EGF ligand processing. By means of PLC-γ, the insulin receptor therefore modulates differentiation as well as growth. Overall, our results provide evidence that PLC-γ acts during development at a time when growth ends and differentiation begins, and is important for proper coordination of these two processes.

Differential operators on the supercircle S1|2 and symbol map

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamza, Raouafi; Selmi, Zeineb; Boujelben, Jamel

2017-09-01

We consider the supercircle S1|2 equipped with the standard contact structure. The conformal Lie superalgebra 𝒦(2) acts on S1|2 as the Lie superalgebra of contact vector fields; it contains the Möbius superalgebra 𝔬𝔰𝔭(2|2). We study the space of linear differential operators on weighted densities as a module over 𝔬𝔰𝔭(2|2). We introduce the canonical isomorphism between this space and the corresponding space of symbols. This result allows us to give, in contrast to the classical setting, a classification of the 𝒦(2)-modules 𝔇λ,μk of linear differential operators of order k acting on the superspaces of weighted densities. This work is the simplest superization of a result by Gargoubi and Ovsienko [Modules of differential operators on the real line, Funct. Anal. Appl. 35(1) (2001) 13-18.

Glucosamine Modulates T Cell Differentiation through Down-regulating N-Linked Glycosylation of CD25*

PubMed Central

Chien, Ming-Wei; Lin, Ming-Hong; Huang, Shing-Hwa; Fu, Shin-Huei; Hsu, Chao-Yuan; Yen, B. Lin-Ju; Chen, Jiann-Torng; Chang, Deh-Ming; Sytwu, Huey-Kang

2015-01-01

Glucosamine has immunomodulatory effects on autoimmune diseases. However, the mechanism(s) through which glucosamine modulates different T cell subsets and diseases remain unclear. We demonstrate that glucosamine impedes Th1, Th2, and iTreg but promotes Th17 differentiation through down-regulating N-linked glycosylation of CD25 and subsequently inhibiting its downstream Stat5 signaling in a dose-dependent manner. The effect of glucosamine on T helper cell differentiation was similar to that induced by anti-IL-2 treatment, further supporting an IL-2 signaling-dependent modulation. Interestingly, excess glucose rescued this glucosamine-mediated regulation, suggesting a functional competition between glucose and glucosamine. High-dose glucosamine significantly decreased Glut1 N-glycosylation in Th1-polarized cells. This finding suggests that both down-regulated IL-2 signaling and Glut1-dependent glycolytic metabolism contribute to the inhibition of Th1 differentiation by glucosamine. Finally, glucosamine treatment inhibited Th1 cells in vivo, prolonged the survival of islet grafts in diabetic recipients, and exacerbated the severity of EAE. Taken together, our results indicate that glucosamine interferes with N-glycosylation of CD25, and thereby attenuates IL-2 downstream signaling. These effects suggest that glucosamine may be an important modulator of T cell differentiation and immune homeostasis. PMID:26468284

On enhancing energy harvesting performance of the photovoltaic modules using an automatic cooling system and assessing its economic benefits of mitigating greenhouse effects on the environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jen-Cheng; Liao, Min-Sheng; Lee, Yeun-Chung; Liu, Cheng-Yue; Kuo, Kun-Chang; Chou, Cheng-Ying; Huang, Chen-Kang; Jiang, Joe-Air

2018-02-01

The performance of photovoltaic (PV) modules under outdoor operation is greatly affected by their location and environmental conditions. The temperature of a PV module gradually increases as it is exposed to solar irradiation, resulting in degradation of its electrical characteristics and power generation efficiency. This study adopts wireless sensor network (WSN) technology to develop an automatic water-cooling system for PV modules in order to improve their PV power generation efficiency. A temperature estimation method is developed to quickly and accurately estimate the PV module temperatures based on weather data provided from the WSN monitoring system. Further, an estimation method is also proposed for evaluation of the electrical characteristics and output power of the PV modules, which is performed remotely via a control platform. The automatic WSN-based water-cooling mechanism is designed to avoid the PV module temperature from reaching saturation. Equipping each PV module with the WSN-based cooling system, the ambient conditions are monitored automatically so that the temperature of the PV module is controlled by sprinkling water on the panel surface. The field-test experiment results show an increase in the energy harvested by the PV modules of approximately 17.75% when using the proposed WSN-based cooling system.

Influence of In Vitro and In Vivo Oxygen Modulation on β Cell Differentiation From Human Embryonic Stem Cells

PubMed Central

Cechin, Sirlene; Álvarez-Cubela, Silvia; Giraldo, Jaime A.; Molano, Ruth D.; Villate, Susana; Ricordi, Camillo; Pileggi, Antonello; Inverardi, Luca

2014-01-01

The possibility of using human embryonic stem (hES) cell-derived β cells as an alternative to cadaveric islets for the treatment of type 1 diabetes is now widely acknowledged. However, current differentiation methods consistently fail to generate meaningful numbers of mature, functional β cells. In order to address this issue, we set out to explore the role of oxygen modulation in the maturation of pancreatic progenitor (PP) cells differentiated from hES cells. We have previously determined that oxygenation is a powerful driver of murine PP differentiation along the endocrine lineage of the pancreas. We hypothesized that targeting physiological oxygen partial pressure (pO2) levels seen in mature islets would help the differentiation of PP cells along the β-cell lineage. This hypothesis was tested both in vivo (by exposing PP-transplanted immunodeficient mice to a daily hyperbaric oxygen regimen) and in vitro (by allowing PP cells to mature in a perfluorocarbon-based culture device designed to carefully adjust pO2 to a desired range). Our results show that oxygen modulation does indeed contribute to enhanced maturation of PP cells, as evidenced by improved engraftment, segregation of α and β cells, body weight maintenance, and rate of diabetes reversal in vivo, and by elevated expression of pancreatic endocrine makers, β-cell differentiation yield, and insulin production in vitro. Our studies confirm the importance of oxygen modulation as a key variable to consider in the design of β-cell differentiation protocols and open the door to future strategies for the transplantation of fully mature β cells. PMID:24375542

Temperature modulation with an esophageal heat transfer device - a pediatric swine model study.

PubMed

Kulstad, Erik B; Naiman, Melissa; Shanley, Patrick; Garrett, Frank; Haryu, Todd; Waller, Donald; Azarafrooz, Farshid; Courtney, Daniel Mark

2015-01-01

An increasing number of conditions appear to benefit from control and modulation of temperature, but available techniques to control temperature often have limitations, particularly in smaller patients with high surface to mass ratios. We aimed to evaluate a new method of temperature modulation with an esophageal heat transfer device in a pediatric swine model, hypothesizing that clinically significant modulation in temperature (both increases and decreases of more than 1°C) would be possible. Three female Yorkshire swine averaging 23 kg were anesthetized with inhalational isoflurane prior to placement of the esophageal device, which was powered by a commercially available heat exchanger. Swine temperature was measured rectally and cooling and warming were performed by selecting the appropriate external heat exchanger mode. Temperature was recorded over time in order to calculate rates of temperature change. Histopathology of esophageal tissue was performed after study completion. Average swine baseline temperature was 38.3°C. Swine #1 exhibited a cooling rate of 3.5°C/hr; however, passive cooling may have contributed to this rate. External warming blankets maintained thermal equilibrium in swine #2 and #3, demonstrating maximum temperature decrease of 1.7°C/hr. Warming rates averaged 0.29°C/hr. Histopathologic analysis of esophageal tissue showed no adverse effects. An esophageal heat transfer device successfully modulated the temperature in a pediatric swine model. This approach to temperature modulation may offer a useful new modality to control temperature in conditions warranting temperature management (such as maintenance of normothermia, induction of hypothermia, fever control, or malignant hyperthermia).

Modeling the irradiance and temperature rependence of photovoltaic modules in PVsyst

DOE PAGES

Sauer, Kenneth J.; Roessler, Thomas; Hansen, Clifford W.

2014-11-10

In order to reliably simulate the energy yield of photovoltaic (PV) systems, it is necessary to have an accurate model of how the PV modules perform with respect to irradiance and cell temperature. Building on previous work that addresses the irradiance dependence, two approaches to fit the temperature dependence of module power in PVsyst have been developed and are applied here to recent multi-irradiance and -temperature data for a standard Yingli Solar PV module type. The results demonstrate that it is possible to match the measured irradiance and temperature dependence of PV modules in PVsyst. As a result, improvements inmore » energy yield prediction using the optimized models relative to the PVsyst standard model are considered significant for decisions about project financing.« less

Small RNA-mediated responses to low- and high-temperature stresses in cotton

PubMed Central

Wang, Qiongshan; Liu, Nian; Yang, Xiyan; Tu, Lili; Zhang, Xianlong

2016-01-01

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are one class of endogenous non-coding RNAs modulating the expression of target genes involved in plant development and stress tolerance, by degrading mRNA or repressing translation. In this study, small RNA and mRNA degradome sequencing were used to identify low- and high-temperature stress-responsive miRNAs and their targets in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). Cotton seedlings were treated under different temperature conditions (4, 12, 25, 35, and 42 °C) and then the effects were investigated. In total, 319 known miRNAs and 800 novel miRNAs were identified, and 168 miRNAs were differentially expressed between different treatments. The targets of these miRNAs were further analysed by degradome sequencing. Based on studies from Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, the majority of the miRNAs are from genes that are likely involved in response to hormone stimulus, oxidation-reduction reaction, photosynthesis, plant–pathogen interaction and plant hormone signal transduction pathways. This study provides new insight into the molecular mechanisms of plant response to extreme temperature stresses, and especially the roles of miRNAs under extreme temperatures. PMID:27752116

Investigations on 3-dimensional temperature distribution in a FLATCON-type CPV module

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wiesenfarth, Maike; Gamisch, Sebastian; Kraus, Harald; Bett, Andreas W.

2013-09-01

The thermal flow in a FLATCON®-type CPV module is investigated theoretically and experimentally. For the simulation a model in the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software SolidWorks Flow Simulation was established. In order to verify the simulation results the calculated and measured temperatures were compared assuming the same operating conditions (wind speed and direction, direct normal irradiance (DNI) and ambient temperature). Therefore, an experimental module was manufactured and equipped with temperature sensors at defined positions. In addition, the temperature distribution on the back plate of the module was displayed by infrared images. The simulated absolute temperature and the distribution compare well with an average deviation of only 3.3 K to the sensor measurements. Finally, the validated model was used to investigate the influence of the back plate material on the temperature distribution by replacing the glass material by aluminum. The simulation showed that it is important to consider heat dissipation by radiation when designing a CPV module.

The multi-mode polarization modulation spectrometer: part 1: simultaneous detection of absorption, turbidity, and optical activity.

PubMed

Arvinte, Tudor; Bui, Tam T T; Dahab, Ali A; Demeule, Barthélemy; Drake, Alex F; Elhag, Dhia; King, Peter

2004-09-01

Circular dichroism (CD) is an important spectroscopic technique for monitoring chirality and biological macromolecule conformation. However, during a CD measurement, absorbance, light scattering/turbidity, and fluorescence can also be detected. The simultaneous measurement of these different spectral features for a single sample is the basis of a multi-mode optical spectrometer. This allows time-efficient gathering of complementary information and provides a scheme to ensure that CD measurements are reliable. Aspects of circular polarization differential light scattering, pH, and temperature variation of a protein (antibody) solution are described. A procedure to help ensure that CD measurements are reliable is described.

Differential photo-acoustic gas cell based on LTCC for ppm gas sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keränen, K.; Kautio, K.; Ollila, J.; Heikkinen, M.; Kauppinen, I.; Kuusela, T.; Matveev, B.; McNie, M. E.; Jenkins, R. M.; Karioja, P.

2010-02-01

Silicon MEMS cantilever-based photoacoustic technology allows for the sensing of ultra low gas concentrations with very wide dynamic range. The sensitivity enhancement is achieved with a cantilever microphone system in which the cantilever displacement is probed with an optical interferometer providing a pico-meter resolution. In the gas sensor, the silicon cantilever microphone is placed in a two-chamber differential gas cell. By monitoring differential pressure changes between the two chambers, the differential cell operates as a differential infra-red detector for optical absorption signals through a measurement and reference path. The differential pressure signal is proportional to gas concentration in the optical measurement path. We have designed, implemented and tested a differential photo-acoustic gas cell based on Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) multilayer substrate technology. Standard LTCC technology enables implementation of 2.5D structures including holes, cavities and channels into the electronic substrate. The implemented differential photoacoustic gas cell structure includes two 10 mm long cylindrical cells, diameter of 2.4 mm. Reflectance measurements of the cell showed that reflectivity of the substrate material can be improved by a factor 15 - 90 in the 3 - 8 μm spectral region using gold or silver paste coatings. A transparent window is required in the differential gas cell structure in order to probe the displacement of the silicon cantilever. The transparent sapphire window was sealed to the LTCC substrate using two methods: screen printed Au80/Sn20 solder paste and pre-attached glass solder paste (Diemat DM2700P/H848). Both methods were shown to provide hermetic sealing of sapphire windows to LTCC substrate. The measured He-leak rate for the 10 sealed test samples implemented using glass paste were under 2.0 ×10-9 atm×cm3/s, which meets the requirement for the leak rate according to MIL-STD 883. The achieved hermeticity level suggests that the proof-of-principle packaging demonstrator paves the way for implementing a novel differential photoacoustic gas cell for a future miniature gas sensor module. The future module consisting of a sample gas cell and immersion lens IR LEDs together with interferometric probing of the cantilever microphone is expected to be capable of measuring ultra low concentrations of a wide range of gases with their fundamental absorption bands at 3 - 7 μm wavelength, such as CO, CO2 and CH4.

Reactive oxygen species modulator 1, a novel protein, combined with carcinoembryonic antigen in differentiating malignant from benign pleural effusion.

PubMed

Chen, Xianmeng; Zhang, Na; Dong, Jiahui; Sun, Gengyun

2017-05-01

The differential diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion and benign pleural effusion remains a clinical problem. Reactive oxygen species modulator 1 is a novel protein overexpressed in various human tumors. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of joint detection of reactive oxygen species modulator 1 and carcinoembryonic antigen in the differential diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion and benign pleural effusion. One hundred two consecutive patients with pleural effusion (including 52 malignant pleural effusion and 50 benign pleural effusion) were registered in this study. Levels of reactive oxygen species modulator 1 and carcinoembryonic antigen were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and radioimmunoassay, respectively. Results showed that the concentrations of reactive oxygen species modulator 1 both in pleural fluid and serum of patients with malignant pleural effusion were significantly higher than those of benign pleural effusion (both p < 0.05). The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of pleural fluid reactive oxygen species modulator 1 were 61.54% and 82.00%, respectively, with the optimized cutoff value of 589.70 pg/mL. However, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of serum reactive oxygen species modulator 1 were only 41.38% and 86.21%, respectively, with the cutoff value of 27.22 ng/mL, indicating that serum reactive oxygen species modulator 1 may not be a good option in the differential diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion and benign pleural effusion. The sensitivity and specificity of pleural fluid carcinoembryonic antigen were 69.23% and 88.00%, respectively, at the cutoff value of 3.05 ng/mL, while serum carcinoembryonic antigen were 80.77% and 72.00% at the cutoff value of 2.60 ng/mL. The sensitivity could be raised to 88.17% in parallel detection of plural fluid reactive oxygen species modulator 1 and carcinoembryonic antigen concentration, and the specificity could be improved to 97.84% in serial detection.

Some tests of flat plate photovoltaic module cell temperatures in simulated field conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Griffith, J. S.; Rathod, M. S.; Paslaski, J.

1981-01-01

The nominal operating cell temperature (NOCT) of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules is an important characteristic. Typically, the power output of a PV module decreases 0.5% per deg C rise in cell temperature. Several tests were run with artificial sun and wind to study the parametric dependencies of cell temperature on wind speed and direction and ambient temperature. It was found that the cell temperature is extremely sensitive to wind speed, moderately so to wind direction and rather insensitive to ambient temperature. Several suggestions are made to obtain data more typical of field conditions.

An Effective Model of the Retinoic Acid Induced HL-60 Differentiation Program.

PubMed

Tasseff, Ryan; Jensen, Holly A; Congleton, Johanna; Dai, David; Rogers, Katharine V; Sagar, Adithya; Bunaciu, Rodica P; Yen, Andrew; Varner, Jeffrey D

2017-10-30

In this study, we present an effective model All-Trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA)-induced differentiation of HL-60 cells. The model describes reinforcing feedback between an ATRA-inducible signalsome complex involving many proteins including Vav1, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor, and the activation of the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade. We decomposed the effective model into three modules; a signal initiation module that sensed and transformed an ATRA signal into program activation signals; a signal integration module that controlled the expression of upstream transcription factors; and a phenotype module which encoded the expression of functional differentiation markers from the ATRA-inducible transcription factors. We identified an ensemble of effective model parameters using measurements taken from ATRA-induced HL-60 cells. Using these parameters, model analysis predicted that MAPK activation was bistable as a function of ATRA exposure. Conformational experiments supported ATRA-induced bistability. Additionally, the model captured intermediate and phenotypic gene expression data. Knockout analysis suggested Gfi-1 and PPARg were critical to the ATRAinduced differentiation program. These findings, combined with other literature evidence, suggested that reinforcing feedback is central to hyperactive signaling in a diversity of cell fate programs.

The role of stochastic thermal environments in modulating the thermal physiology of an intertidal limpet, Lottia digitalis.

PubMed

Drake, Madeline J; Miller, Nathan A; Todgham, Anne E

2017-09-01

Much of our understanding of the thermal physiology of intertidal organisms comes from experiments with animals acclimated under constant conditions and exposed to a single heat stress. In nature, however, the thermal environment is more complex. Aerial exposure and the unpredictable nature of thermal stress during low tides may be critical factors in defining the thermal physiology of intertidal organisms. In the fingered limpet, Lottia digitalis , we investigated whether upper temperature tolerance and thermal sensitivity were influenced by the pattern of fluctuation with which thermal stress was applied. Specifically, we examined whether there was a differential response (measured as cardiac performance) to repeated heat stress of a constant and predictable magnitude compared with heat stress applied in a stochastic and unpredictable nature. We also investigated differences in cellular metabolism and damage following immersion for insights into biochemical mechanisms of tolerance. Upper temperature tolerance increased with aerial exposure, but no significant differences were found between predictable treatments of varying magnitudes (13°C versus 24°C versus 32°C). Significant differences in thermal tolerance were found between unpredictable trials with different heating patterns. There were no significant differences among treatments in basal citrate synthase activity, glycogen content, oxidative stress or antioxidants. Our results suggest that aerial exposure and recent thermal history, paired with relief from high low-tide temperatures, are important factors modulating the capacity of limpets to deal with thermal stress. © 2017. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

Conversion efficiency of skutterudite-based thermoelectric modules.

PubMed

Salvador, James R; Cho, Jung Y; Ye, Zuxin; Moczygemba, Joshua E; Thompson, Alan J; Sharp, Jeffrey W; Koenig, Jan D; Maloney, Ryan; Thompson, Travis; Sakamoto, Jeffrey; Wang, Hsin; Wereszczak, Andrew A

2014-06-28

Presently, the only commercially available power generating thermoelectric (TE) modules are based on bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) alloys and are limited to a hot side temperature of 250 °C due to the melting point of the solder interconnects and/or generally poor power generation performance above this point. For the purposes of demonstrating a TE generator or TEG with higher temperature capability, we selected skutterudite based materials to carry forward with module fabrication because these materials have adequate TE performance and are mechanically robust. We have previously reported the electrical power output for a 32 couple skutterudite TE module, a module that is type identical to ones used in a high temperature capable TEG prototype. The purpose of this previous work was to establish the expected power output of the modules as a function of varying hot and cold side temperatures. Recent upgrades to the TE module measurement system built at the Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques allow for the assessment of not only the power output, as previously described, but also the thermal to electrical energy conversion efficiency. Here we report the power output and conversion efficiency of a 32 couple, high temperature skutterudite module at varying applied loading pressures and with different interface materials between the module and the heat source and sink of the test system. We demonstrate a 7% conversion efficiency at the module level when a temperature difference of 460 °C is established. Extrapolated values indicate that 7.5% is achievable when proper thermal interfaces and loading pressures are used.

Thermoelectric generators incorporating phase-change materials for waste heat recovery from engine exhaust

DOEpatents

Meisner, Gregory P; Yang, Jihui

2014-02-11

Thermoelectric devices, intended for placement in the exhaust of a hydrocarbon fuelled combustion device and particularly suited for use in the exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine propelling a vehicle, are described. Exhaust gas passing through the device is in thermal communication with one side of a thermoelectric module while the other side of the thermoelectric module is in thermal communication with a lower temperature environment. The heat extracted from the exhaust gasses is converted to electrical energy by the thermoelectric module. The performance of the generator is enhanced by thermally coupling the hot and cold junctions of the thermoelectric modules to phase-change materials which transform at a temperature compatible with the preferred operating temperatures of the thermoelectric modules. In a second embodiment, a plurality of thermoelectric modules, each with a preferred operating temperature and each with a uniquely-matched phase-change material may be used to compensate for the progressive lowering of the exhaust gas temperature as it traverses the length of the exhaust pipe.

Performance of a thermionic converter module utilizing emitter and collector heat pipes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kroeger, E. W.; Morris, J. F.; Miskolczy, G.; Lieb, D. P.; Goodale, D. B.

1978-01-01

A thermionic converter module simulating a configuration for an out-of-core thermionic nuclear reactor was designed, fabricated, and tested. The module consists of three cylindrical thermionic converters. The tungsten emitter of the converter is heated by a tungsten, lithium heat pipe. The emitter heat pipes are immersed in a furnace, insulated by MULTI-FOIL thermal insulation, and heated by tungsten radiation filaments. The performance of each thermionic converter was characterized before assembly into the module. Dynamic voltage, current curves were taken using a 60 Hz sweep and computerized data acquisition over a range of emitter, collector, and cesium-reservoir temperatures. An output power of 215 W was observed at an emitter temperature of 1750 K and a collector temperature of 855 K for a two diode module. With a three diode module, an output power of 270 W was observed at an average emitter temperature of 1800 K and a Collector temperature of 875 K.

Multi-functional spintronic devices based on boron- or aluminum-doped silicene nanoribbons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Y. S.; Dong, Y. J.; Zhang, J.; Yu, H. L.; Feng, J. F.; Yang, X. F.

2018-03-01

Zigzag silicene nanoribbons (ZSiNRs) in the ferromagnetic edge ordering have a metallic behavior, which limits their applications in spintronics. Here a robustly half-metallic property is achieved by the boron substitution doping at the edge of ZSiNRs. When the impurity atom is replaced by the aluminum atom, the doped ZSiNRs possess a spin semiconducting property. Its band gap is suppressed with the increase of ribbon’s width, and a pure thermal spin current is achieved by modulating ribbon’s width. Moreover, a negative differential thermoelectric resistance in the thermal charge current appears as the temperature gradient increases, which originates from the fact that the spin-up and spin-down thermal charge currents have diverse increasing rates at different temperature gradient regions. Our results put forward a promising route to design multi-functional spintronic devices which may be applied in future low-power-consumption technologies.

Effects of Silica Nanostructures in Poly(ethylene oxide)-Based Composite Polymer Electrolytes.

PubMed

Mohanta, Jagdeep; Anwar, Shahid; Si, Satyabrata

2016-06-01

The present work describes the synthesis of some poly(ethylene oxide)-based nanocomposite polymer electrolyte films using various silica nanostructures as the inorganic filler by simple solution mixing technique, in which the nature of the silica nanostructures play a vital role in modulating their electrochemical performances at room temperature. The silica nanostructures are prepared by ammonical hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate following the modified St6ber method. The resulting films are characterized by X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimeter to study their crystallinity. Room temperature AC impedance spectroscopy is utilized to determine the Li+ ion conductivity of the resulting films. The observed conductivity values of various NCPE films depend on the nature of silica filling as well as on their surface characteristics and also on the varying PEO-Li+ ratio, which is observed to be in the order of 10(-7)-10(-6) S cm(-1).

Application of Aquaculture Monitoring System Based on CC2530

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, H. L.; Liu, X. Q.

In order to improve the intelligent level of aquaculture technology, this paper puts forward a remote wireless monitoring system based on ZigBee technology, GPRS technology and Android mobile phone platform. The system is composed of wireless sensor network (WSN), GPRS module, PC server, and Android client. The WSN was set up by CC2530 chips based on ZigBee protocol, to realize the collection of water quality parameters such as the water level, temperature, PH and dissolved oxygen. The GPRS module realizes remote communication between WSN and PC server. Android client communicates with server to monitor the level of water quality. The PID (proportion, integration, differentiation) control is adopted in the control part, the control commands from the android mobile phone is sent to the server, the server again send it to the lower machine to control the water level regulating valve and increasing oxygen pump. After practical testing to the system in Liyang, Jiangsu province, China, temperature measurement accuracy reaches 0.5°C, PH measurement accuracy reaches 0.3, water level control precision can be controlled within ± 3cm, dissolved oxygen control precision can be controlled within ±0.3 mg/L, all the indexes can meet the requirements, this system is very suitable for aquaculture.

Characterization and evaluation of 5-fluorouracil-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles prepared via a temperature-modulated solidification technique.

PubMed

Patel, Meghavi N; Lakkadwala, Sushant; Majrad, Mohamed S; Injeti, Elisha R; Gollmer, Steven M; Shah, Zahoor A; Boddu, Sai Hanuman Sagar; Nesamony, Jerry

2014-12-01

The aim of this research was to advance solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) preparation methodology by preparing glyceryl monostearate (GMS) nanoparticles using a temperature-modulated solidification process. The technique was reproducible and prepared nanoparticles without the need of organic solvents. An anticancer agent, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), was incorporated in the SLNs. The SLNs were characterized by particle size analysis, zeta potential analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), drug encapsulation efficiency, in vitro drug release, and in vitro cell viability studies. Particle size of the SLN dispersion was below 100 nm, and that of redispersed lyophilizates was ~500 nm. DSC and infrared spectroscopy suggested that the degree of crystallinity did not decrease appreciably when compared to GMS. TEM and AFM images showed well-defined spherical to oval particles. The drug encapsulation efficiency was found to be approximately 46%. In vitro drug release studies showed that 80% of the encapsulated drug was released within 1 h. In vitro cell cultures were biocompatible with blank SLNs but demonstrated concentration-dependent changes in cell viability to 5-FU-loaded SLNs. The 5-FU-loaded SLNs can potentially be utilized in an anticancer drug delivery system.

Research on channel characteristics of differential multi pulse position modulation without background noise

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Zhuo; Zhan, Weida; Sun, Quan; Hao, Ziqiang

2018-04-01

Differential multi-pulse position modulation (DMPPM) is a new type of modulation technology. There is a fast transmission rate, high bandwidth utilization, high modulation rate characteristics. The study of DMPPM modulation has important scientific value and practical significance. Channel capacity is one of the important indexes to measure the communication capability of communication system, and studying the channel capacity of DMPPM without background noise is the key to analyze the characteristics of DMPPM. The DMPPM theoretical model is established. The symbol structure of DMPPM with guard time slot is analyzed, and the channel capacity expression of DMPPM is deduced. Simulation analysis by MATLAB. The curves of unit channel capacity and capacity efficiency at different pulse and photon counting rates are analyzed. The results show that DMPPM is more advantageous than multi-pulse position modulation (MPPM), and is more suitable for future wireless optical communication system.

Medium-Frequency Data Link for Differential NAVSTAR/GPS Broadcasts

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1986-06-01

Differential GPS must communicate differential corrections to civilian users of the Global Positioning System. Modulation of existing marine radiobeacons can provide the needed communication link for DGPS, provided the operation of existing radiobeac...

[Response of indica rice spikelet differentiation and degeneration to air temperature and solar radiation of different sowing dates].

PubMed

Wang, Ya Liang; Zhang, Yu Ping; Xiang, Jing; Wang, Lei; Chen, Hui Zhe; Zhang, Yi Kai; Zhang, Wen Qian; Zhu, De Feng

2017-11-01

In this study, three rice varieties, including three-line hybrid indica rice Wuyou308 and Tianyouhuazhan, and inbred indica rice Huanghuazhan were used to investigate the effects of air temperature and solar radiation on rice growth duration and spikelet differentiation and degeneration. Ten sowing-date treatments were conducted in this field experiment. The results showed that the growth duration of three indica rice varieties were more sensitive to air temperature than to day-length. With average temperature increase of 1 ℃, panicle initiation advanced 1.5 days, but the panicle growth duration had no significant correlation with the temperature and day-length. The number of spikelets and differentiated spikelets revealed significant differences among different sowing dates. Increases in average temperature, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, effective accumulated temperature, temperature gap and the solar radiation benefited dry matter accumulation and spikelet differentiation of all varieties. With increases of effective accumulated temperature, diurnal temperature gap and solar radiation by 50 ℃, 1 ℃, 50 MJ·m -2 during panicle initiation stage, the number of differentiated spikelets increased 10.5, 14.3, 17.1 respectively. The rate of degenerated spikelets had a quadratic correlation with air temperature, extreme high and low temperature aggravated spikelets degeneration, and low temperature stress made worse effect than high temperature stress. The rate of spikelet degeneration dramatically rose with the temperature falling below the critical temperature, the critical effective accumulated temperature, daily average temperature, daily maximum temperature and minimum temperature during panicle initiation were 550-600 ℃, 24.0-26.0 ℃, 32.0-34.0 ℃, 21.0-23.0 ℃, respectively. In practice, the natural condition of appropriate high temperature, large diurnal temperature gap and strong solar radiation were conducive to spikelet differentiation, and hindered the spikelet degeneration.

Evaluation of Temperature-Dependent Effective Material Properties and Performance of a Thermoelectric Module

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chien, Heng-Chieh; Chu, En-Ting; Hsieh, Huey-Lin; Huang, Jing-Yi; Wu, Sheng-Tsai; Dai, Ming-Ji; Liu, Chun-Kai; Yao, Da-Jeng

2013-07-01

We devised a novel method to evaluate the temperature-dependent effective properties of a thermoelectric module (TEM): Seebeck coefficient ( S m), internal electrical resistance ( R m), and thermal conductance ( K m). After calculation, the effective properties of the module are converted to the average material properties of a p- n thermoelectric pillar pair inside the module: Seebeck coefficient ( S TE), electrical resistivity ( ρ TE), and thermal conductivity ( k TE). For a commercial thermoelectric module (Altec 1091) chosen to verify the novel method, the measured S TE has a maximum value at bath temperature of 110°C; ρ TE shows a positive linear trend dependent on the bath temperature, and k TE increases slightly with increasing bath temperature. The results show the method to have satisfactory measurement performance in terms of practicability and reliability; the data for tests near 23°C agree with published values.

ITER in-vessel system design and performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parker, R. R.

2000-03-01

The article reviews the design and performance of the in-vessel components of ITER as developed for the Engineering Design Activities (EDA) Final Design Report. The double walled vacuum vessel is the first confinement boundary and is designed to maintain its integrity under all normal and off-normal conditions, e.g. the most intense vertical displacement events (VDEs) and seismic events. The shielding blanket consists of modules connected to a toroidal backplate by flexible connectors which allow differential displacements due to temperature non-uniformities. Breeding blanket modules replace the shield modules for the Enhanced Performance Phase. The divertor concept is based on a cassette structure which is convenient for remote installation and removal. High heat flux (HHF) components are mechanically attached and can be removed and replaced in the hot cell. Operation of the divertor is based on achieving partially detached plasma conditions along and near the separatrix. Nominal heat loads of 5-10 MW/m2 are expected on the target. These are accommodated by HHF technology developed during the EDA. Disruptions and VDEs can lead to melting of the first wall armour but no damage to the underlying structure. Stresses in the main structural components remain within allowable ranges for all postulated disruption and seismic events.

PLZT block data composers operated in differential phase mode. [lanthanum-modified lead zirconate titanate ceramic device for digital holographic memory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Drake, M. D.; Klingler, D. E.

1973-01-01

The use of PLZT ceramics with the 7/65/35 composition in block data composer (BDC) input devices for holographic memory systems has previously been described for operation in the strain biased, scattering, and edge effect modes. A new and promising mode of BDC operation is the differential phase mode in which each element of a matrix array BDC acts as a phase modulator. The phase modulation results from a phase difference in the optical path length between the electrically poled and depoled states of the PLZT. It is shown that a PLZT BDC can be used as a matrix-type phase modulator to record and process digital data by the differential phase mode in a holographic recording/processing system with readout contrast ratios of between 10:1 and 15:1. The differential phase mode has the advantages that strain bias is not required and that the thickness and strain variations in the PLZT are cancelled out.

Ash reduction system using electrically heated particulate matter filter

DOEpatents

Gonze, Eugene V [Pinckney, MI; Paratore, Jr., Michael J; He, Yongsheng [Sterling Heights, MI

2011-08-16

A control system for reducing ash comprises a temperature estimator module that estimates a temperature of an electrically heated particulate matter (PM) filter. A temperature and position estimator module estimates a position and temperature of an oxidation wave within the electrically heated PM filter. An ash reduction control module adjusts at least one of exhaust flow, fuel and oxygen levels in the electrically heated PM filter to adjust a position of the oxidation wave within the electrically heated PM filter based on the oxidation wave temperature and position.

Electrically heated particulate filter propagation support methods and systems

DOEpatents

Gonze, Eugene V [Pinckney, MI; Ament, Frank [Troy, MI

2011-06-07

A control system that controls regeneration of a particulate filter is provided. The system generally includes a regeneration module that controls current to the particulate filter to initiate combustion of particulate matter in the particulate filter. A propagation module estimates a propagation status of the combustion of the particulate matter based on a combustion temperature. A temperature adjustment module controls the combustion temperature by selectively increasing a temperature of exhaust that passes through the particulate filter.

Network-based differential gene expression analysis suggests cell cycle related genes regulated by E2F1 underlie the molecular difference between smoker and non-smoker lung adenocarcinoma

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Differential gene expression (DGE) analysis is commonly used to reveal the deregulated molecular mechanisms of complex diseases. However, traditional DGE analysis (e.g., the t test or the rank sum test) tests each gene independently without considering interactions between them. Top-ranked differentially regulated genes prioritized by the analysis may not directly relate to the coherent molecular changes underlying complex diseases. Joint analyses of co-expression and DGE have been applied to reveal the deregulated molecular modules underlying complex diseases. Most of these methods consist of separate steps: first to identify gene-gene relationships under the studied phenotype then to integrate them with gene expression changes for prioritizing signature genes, or vice versa. It is warrant a method that can simultaneously consider gene-gene co-expression strength and corresponding expression level changes so that both types of information can be leveraged optimally. Results In this paper, we develop a gene module based method for differential gene expression analysis, named network-based differential gene expression (nDGE) analysis, a one-step integrative process for prioritizing deregulated genes and grouping them into gene modules. We demonstrate that nDGE outperforms existing methods in prioritizing deregulated genes and discovering deregulated gene modules using simulated data sets. When tested on a series of smoker and non-smoker lung adenocarcinoma data sets, we show that top differentially regulated genes identified by the rank sum test in different sets are not consistent while top ranked genes defined by nDGE in different data sets significantly overlap. nDGE results suggest that a differentially regulated gene module, which is enriched for cell cycle related genes and E2F1 targeted genes, plays a role in the molecular differences between smoker and non-smoker lung adenocarcinoma. Conclusions In this paper, we develop nDGE to prioritize deregulated genes and group them into gene modules by simultaneously considering gene expression level changes and gene-gene co-regulations. When applied to both simulated and empirical data, nDGE outperforms the traditional DGE method. More specifically, when applied to smoker and non-smoker lung cancer sets, nDGE results illustrate the molecular differences between smoker and non-smoker lung cancer. PMID:24341432

Landscape heterogeneity modulates forest sensitivity to climate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jencso, Kelsey; Hu, Jia; Hoylman, Zachary

2015-04-01

Elevation dependent snowmelt magnitude and timing strongly influences net ecosystem productivity in forested mountain watersheds. However, previous work has provided little insight into how internal watershed topography and organization may modulate plant available water and forest growth across elevation gradients. We collected 800 tree cores from four coniferous tree species across a range of elevation, topographic positions and aspects in the Lubrecht Experimental Forest, Montana, USA. We compared the annual basal area increment growth rate to precipitation and temperature from a 60-year SNOTEL data record, groundwater and soil moisture data in sideslope and hollow positions, and topographic indices derived from a LiDAR digital elevation model. At the watershed scale, we evaluated the relationships between topographic indices, LiDAR derived estimates of basal area and seasonal patterns of the Landsat derived Enhanced Vegetation Index. Preliminary results indicate strong relationships between the rates of annual basal growth and the topographic wetness index (TWI), with differing slopes dependent on tree species (P. menziesii R2 = 0.66-0.71, P. ponderosa R2 = 0.87, L. occidentalis R2 = 0.71) and elevation. Generally, trees located in wetter landscape positions (higher TWI) exhibited greater annual growth per unit of precipitation relative to trees located in drier landscape positions (lower TWI). Similarly, watershed scale analysis of LiDAR derived biomass and seasonal greenness indicates differential growth response due to local convergence and divergence across elevation and insolation gradients. These observations suggest that topographically driven water redistribution patterns may modulate the effects of large scale gradients in precipitation and temperature, thereby creating hotspots for conifer productivity in semiarid watersheds.

Landscape Heterogeneity Modulates Forest Sensitivity to Climate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoylman, Z. H.; Jencso, K. G.; Hu, J.; Running, S. W.

2014-12-01

Elevation dependent snowmelt magnitude and timing strongly influences net ecosystem productivity in forested mountain watersheds. However, previous work has provided little insight into how internal watershed topography and organization may modulate plant available water and forest growth across elevation gradients. We collected 800 tree cores from five coniferous tree species across a range of elevations, topographic positions and aspects in the Lubrecht Experimental Forest, Montana, USA. We compared the annual basal area increment growth rate to precipitation and temperature from a 60-year SNOTEL data record, groundwater and soil moisture data in sideslope and hollow positions, and topographic indices derived from a LiDAR digital elevation model. At the watershed scale, we evaluated the relationships between topographic indices, LiDAR derived estimates of basal area and seasonal patterns of the Landsat derived Enhanced Vegetation Index. Preliminary results indicate strong relationships between the rates of annual basal growth and the topographic wetness index (TWI) , with differing slopes dependent on tree species (P. menziesii R2 = 0.66-0.71, P. ponderosa R2 = 0.87, L. occidentalis R2 = 0.71) and elevation. Generally, trees located in wetter landscape positions (higher TWI) exhibited greater annual growth per unit of precipitation relative to trees located in drier landscape positions (lower TWI). Watershed scale analysis of LiDAR derived biomass and seasonal greenness indicates differential growth response due to elevation gradients, irradiance and local convergence and divergence. These preliminary observations suggest that topographically driven water redistribution patterns may modulate the effects of large scale gradients in precipitation and temperature, thereby creating hotspots for conifer productivity in semiarid watersheds.

The Arabidopsis polyamine transporter LHR1/PUT3 modulates heat responsive gene expression by enhancing mRNA stability.

PubMed

Shen, Yun; Ruan, Qingxia; Chai, Haoxi; Yuan, Yongze; Yang, Wannian; Chen, Junping; Xin, Zhanguo; Shi, Huazhong

2016-12-01

Polyamines involve in gene regulation by interacting with and modulating the functions of various anionic macromolecules such as DNA, RNA and proteins. In this study, we identified an important function of the polyamine transporter LHR1 (LOWER EXPRESSION OF HEAT RESPONSIVE GENE1) in heat-inducible gene expression in Arabidopsis thaliana. The lhr1 mutant was isolated through a forward genetic screening for altered expression of the luciferase reporter gene driven by the promoter from the heat-inducible gene AtHSP18.2. The lhr1 mutant showed reduced induction of the luciferase gene in response to heat stress and was more sensitive to high temperature than the wild type. Map-based cloning identified that the LHR1 gene encodes the polyamine transporter PUT3 (POLYAMINE UPTAKE TRANSPORTER 3) localized in the plasma membrane. The LHR1/PUT3 is required for the uptake of extracellular polyamines and plays an important role in stabilizing the mRNAs of several crucial heat stress responsive genes under high temperature. Genome-wide gene expression analysis using RNA-seq identified an array of differentially expressed genes, among which the transcript levels of some of the heat shock protein genes significantly reduced in response to prolonged heat stress in the lhr1 mutant. Our findings revealed an important heat stress response and tolerance mechanism involving polyamine influx which modulates mRNA stability of heat-inducible genes under heat stress conditions. © 2016 The Authors The Plant Journal © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Chicken embryo fibroblasts exposed to weak, time-varying magnetic fields share cell proliferation, adenosine deaminase activity, and membrane characteristics of transformed cells

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

Parola, A.H.; Porat, N.; Kiesow, L.A.

1993-01-01

Chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF) exposed to a sinusoidally varying magnetic field (SVMF) (100 Hz, 700 microT, for 24 h) showed a remarkable rise of segmental rotational relaxation rate of adenosine deaminase (ADA, EC 3.5.4.4) as determined by multifrequency phase fluorometry. Pyrene-labeled, small subunit ADA was applied to cultured (normal) CEF, which have available and abundant ADA complexing protein (ADCP) on their plasma membranes. Sine-wave-modulated fluorometry of the pyrene yielded a profile of phase angle vs. modulation frequency. In SVMF-treated cells and in Rous-sarcoma-virus (RSV) transformed cells the differential phase values at low modulation frequencies of the excitation are remarkably reduced.more » This effect is magnetic rather than thermal, because the temperature was carefully controlled and monitored; nevertheless to further check this matter we studied CEF, infected by the RSV-Ts68 temperature-sensitive mutant (36 degrees C transformed, 41 degrees C revertant). When grown at 36 degrees C in the SVMF, cells did not show the slightest trend towards reversion, as would be expected had there been local heating. Concomitant with the increased segmental rotational relaxation rate of ADA, there was a decrease in fluorescence lifetime and a slight, yet significant, increase in membrane lipid microfluidity. These biophysical observations prompted us to examine the effect of SVMF on cell proliferation and ADA activity (a malignancy marker): higher rates of cell proliferation and reduced specific activity of ADA were observed.« less

Coordinate interferometric system for measuring the position of a sample with infrared telecom laser diode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holá, Miroslava; Lazar, Josef; Čížek, Martin; Hucl, Václav; Řeřucha, Šimon; Číp, Ondřej

2016-11-01

We report on a design of an interferometric position measuring system for control of a sample stage in an e-beam writer with reproducibility of the position on nanometer level and resolution below nanometer. We introduced differential configuration of the interferometer where the position is measured with respect to a central reference point to eliminate deformations caused by thermal and pressure effects on the vacuum chamber. The reference is here the electron gun of the writer. The interferometer is designed to operate at infrared, telecommunication wavelength due to the risk of interference of stray light with sensitive photodetectors in the chamber. The laser source is here a narrow-linewidth DFB laser diode with electronics of our own design offering precision and stability of temperature and current, low-noise, protection from rf interference, and high-frequency modulation. Detection of the interferometric signal relies on a novel derivative technique utilizing hf frequency modulation and phase-sensitive detection.

Fast Adaptive Thermal Camouflage Based on Flexible VO₂/Graphene/CNT Thin Films.

PubMed

Xiao, Lin; Ma, He; Liu, Junku; Zhao, Wei; Jia, Yi; Zhao, Qiang; Liu, Kai; Wu, Yang; Wei, Yang; Fan, Shoushan; Jiang, Kaili

2015-12-09

Adaptive camouflage in thermal imaging, a form of cloaking technology capable of blending naturally into the surrounding environment, has been a great challenge in the past decades. Emissivity engineering for thermal camouflage is regarded as a more promising way compared to merely temperature controlling that has to dissipate a large amount of excessive heat. However, practical devices with an active modulation of emissivity have yet to be well explored. In this letter we demonstrate an active cloaking device capable of efficient thermal radiance control, which consists of a vanadium dioxide (VO2) layer, with a negative differential thermal emissivity, coated on a graphene/carbon nanotube (CNT) thin film. A slight joule heating drastically changes the emissivity of the device, achieving rapid switchable thermal camouflage with a low power consumption and excellent reliability. It is believed that this device will find wide applications not only in artificial systems for infrared camouflage or cloaking but also in energy-saving smart windows and thermo-optical modulators.

Nanomaterials modulate stem cell differentiation: biological interaction and underlying mechanisms.

PubMed

Wei, Min; Li, Song; Le, Weidong

2017-10-25

Stem cells are unspecialized cells that have the potential for self-renewal and differentiation into more specialized cell types. The chemical and physical properties of surrounding microenvironment contribute to the growth and differentiation of stem cells and consequently play crucial roles in the regulation of stem cells' fate. Nanomaterials hold great promise in biological and biomedical fields owing to their unique properties, such as controllable particle size, facile synthesis, large surface-to-volume ratio, tunable surface chemistry, and biocompatibility. Over the recent years, accumulating evidence has shown that nanomaterials can facilitate stem cell proliferation and differentiation, and great effort is undertaken to explore their possible modulating manners and mechanisms on stem cell differentiation. In present review, we summarize recent progress in the regulating potential of various nanomaterials on stem cell differentiation and discuss the possible cell uptake, biological interaction and underlying mechanisms.

Bi-Fi: an embedded sensor/system architecture for REMOTE biological monitoring.

PubMed

Farshchi, Shahin; Pesterev, Aleksey; Nuyujukian, Paul H; Mody, Istvan; Judy, Jack W

2007-11-01

Wireless-enabled processor modules intended for communicating low-frequency phenomena (i.e., temperature, humidity, and ambient light) have been enabled to acquire and transmit multiple biological signals in real time, which has been achieved by using computationally efficient data acquisition, filtering, and compression algorithms, and interfacing the modules with biological interface hardware. The sensor modules can acquire and transmit raw biological signals at a rate of 32 kb/s, which is near the hardware limit of the modules. Furthermore, onboard signal processing enables one channel, sampled at a rate of 4000 samples/s at 12-bit resolution, to be compressed via adaptive differential-pulse-code modulation (ADPCM) and transmitted in real time. In addition, the sensors can be configured to filter and transmit individual time-referenced "spike" waveforms, or to transmit the spike height and width for alleviating network traffic and increasing battery life. The system is capable of acquiring eight channels of analog signals as well as data via an asynchronous serial connection. A back-end server archives the biological data received via networked gateway sensors, and hosts them to a client application that enables users to browse recorded data. The system also acquires, filters, and transmits oxygen saturation and pulse rate via a commercial-off-the-shelf interface board. The system architecture can be configured for performing real-time nonobtrusive biological monitoring of humans or rodents. This paper demonstrates that low-power, computational, and bandwidth-constrained wireless-enabled platforms can indeed be leveraged for wireless biosignal monitoring.

Multiple-Bit Differential Detection of OQPSK

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simon, Marvin

2005-01-01

A multiple-bit differential-detection method has been proposed for the reception of radio signals modulated with offset quadrature phase-shift keying (offset QPSK or OQPSK). The method is also applicable to other spectrally efficient offset quadrature modulations. This method is based partly on the same principles as those of a multiple-symbol differential-detection method for M-ary QPSK, which includes QPSK (that is, non-offset QPSK) as a special case. That method was introduced more than a decade ago by the author of the present method as a means of improving performance relative to a traditional (two-symbol observation) differential-detection scheme. Instead of symbol-by-symbol detection, both that method and the present one are based on a concept of maximum-likelihood sequence estimation (MLSE). As applied to the modulations in question, MLSE involves consideration of (1) all possible binary data sequences that could have been received during an observation time of some number, N, of symbol periods and (2) selection of the sequence that yields the best match to the noise-corrupted signal received during that time. The performance of the prior method was shown to range from that of traditional differential detection for short observation times (small N) to that of ideal coherent detection (with differential encoding) for long observation times (large N).

Isoliquiritigenin-Induced Differentiation in Mouse Melanoma B16F0 Cell Line

PubMed Central

Chen, Xiaoyu; Zhang, Bo; Yuan, Xuan; Yang, Fan; Liu, Jinglei; Zhao, Hong; Liu, Liangliang; Wang, Yanming; Wang, Zhenhua; Zheng, Qiusheng

2012-01-01

The chemotherapeutical treatment is very limited for malignant melanoma, a highly lethal disease occurs globally. Natural products derived from traditional Chinese medicine licorice are attractive in quest new treatments due to their anti-tumor activities. A new dietary flavonoid isoliquiritigenin (ISL) were thus investigated to indentify its anti-melanoma activities on mouse melanoma B16F0 cells in present study. Using biochemical and free radical biological experiments in vitro, we identified the pro-differentiated profiles of ISL and evaluated the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during B16F0 cell differentiation. The data showed a strong dose-response relationship between ISL exposure and the characteristics of B16F0 differentiation in terms of morphology changes and melanogenesis. The accumulated intercellular ROS during exposure are necessary to support ISL-induced differentiation, which was proven by additional redox modulators. It was confirmed further by the relative activities of enzymes and genes modulated melanogenesis in ISL-treatments with or without ROS modulators. The tumorigenicity of ISL-treated cells was limited significantly by using the colony formation assay in vitro and an animal model assay in vivo respectively. Our research demonstrated that isoliquiritigenin is a differentiation-inducing agent, and its mechanisms involve ROS accumulation facilitating melanogenesis. PMID:23304254

Isoliquiritigenin-induced differentiation in mouse melanoma B16F0 cell line.

PubMed

Chen, Xiaoyu; Zhang, Bo; Yuan, Xuan; Yang, Fan; Liu, Jinglei; Zhao, Hong; Liu, Liangliang; Wang, Yanming; Wang, Zhenhua; Zheng, Qiusheng

2012-01-01

The chemotherapeutical treatment is very limited for malignant melanoma, a highly lethal disease occurs globally. Natural products derived from traditional Chinese medicine licorice are attractive in quest new treatments due to their anti-tumor activities. A new dietary flavonoid isoliquiritigenin (ISL) were thus investigated to indentify its anti-melanoma activities on mouse melanoma B16F0 cells in present study. Using biochemical and free radical biological experiments in vitro, we identified the pro-differentiated profiles of ISL and evaluated the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during B16F0 cell differentiation. The data showed a strong dose-response relationship between ISL exposure and the characteristics of B16F0 differentiation in terms of morphology changes and melanogenesis. The accumulated intercellular ROS during exposure are necessary to support ISL-induced differentiation, which was proven by additional redox modulators. It was confirmed further by the relative activities of enzymes and genes modulated melanogenesis in ISL-treatments with or without ROS modulators. The tumorigenicity of ISL-treated cells was limited significantly by using the colony formation assay in vitro and an animal model assay in vivo respectively. Our research demonstrated that isoliquiritigenin is a differentiation-inducing agent, and its mechanisms involve ROS accumulation facilitating melanogenesis.

Improvement of neuronal differentiation by carbon monoxide: Role of pentose phosphate pathway.

PubMed

Almeida, Ana S; Soares, Nuno L; Sequeira, Catarina O; Pereira, Sofia A; Sonnewald, Ursula; Vieira, Helena L A

2018-05-15

Over the last decades, the silent-killer carbon monoxide (CO) has been shown to also be an endogenous cytoprotective molecule able to inhibit cell death and modulate mitochondrial metabolism. Neuronal metabolism is mostly oxidative and neurons also use glucose for maintaining their anti-oxidant status by generation of reduced glutathione (GSH) via the pentose-phosphate pathway (PPP). It is established that neuronal differentiation depends on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and signalling, however there is a lack of information about modulation of the PPP during adult neurogenesis. Thus, the main goal of this study was to unravel the role of CO on cell metabolism during neuronal differentiation, particularly by targeting PPP flux and GSH levels as anti-oxidant system. A human neuroblastoma SH-S5Y5 cell line was used, which differentiates into post-mitotic neurons by treatment with retinoic acid (RA), supplemented or not with CO-releasing molecule-A1 (CORM-A1). SH-SY5Y cell differentiation supplemented with CORM-A1 prompted an increase in neuronal yield production. It did, however, not alter glycolytic metabolism, but increased the PPP. In fact, CORM-A1 treatment stimulated (i) mRNA expression of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (PGDH) and transketolase (TKT), which are enzymes for oxidative and non-oxidative phases of the PPP, respectively and (ii) protein expression and activity of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) the rate-limiting enzyme of the PPP. Likewise, whenever G6PD was knocked-down CO-induced improvement on neuronal differentiation was reverted, while pharmacological inhibition of GSH synthesis did not change CO's effect on the improvement of neuronal differentiation. Both results indicate the key role of PPP in CO-modulation of neuronal differentiation. Furthermore, at the end of SH-SY5Y neuronal differentiation process, CORM-A1 supplementation increased the ratio of reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) without alteration of GSH metabolism. These data corroborate with PPP stimulation. In conclusion, CO improves neuronal differentiation of SH-S5Y5 cells by stimulating the PPP and modulating the GSH system. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Differential co-expression analysis reveals a novel prognostic gene module in ovarian cancer.

PubMed

Gov, Esra; Arga, Kazim Yalcin

2017-07-10

Ovarian cancer is one of the most significant disease among gynecological disorders that women suffered from over the centuries. However, disease-specific and effective biomarkers were still not available, since studies have focused on individual genes associated with ovarian cancer, ignoring the interactions and associations among the gene products. Here, ovarian cancer differential co-expression networks were reconstructed via meta-analysis of gene expression data and co-expressed gene modules were identified in epithelial cells from ovarian tumor and healthy ovarian surface epithelial samples to propose ovarian cancer associated genes and their interactions. We propose a novel, highly interconnected, differentially co-expressed, and co-regulated gene module in ovarian cancer consisting of 84 prognostic genes. Furthermore, the specificity of the module to ovarian cancer was shown through analyses of datasets in nine other cancers. These observations underscore the importance of transcriptome based systems biomarkers research in deciphering the elusive pathophysiology of ovarian cancer, and here, we present reciprocal interplay between candidate ovarian cancer genes and their transcriptional regulatory dynamics. The corresponding gene module might provide new insights on ovarian cancer prognosis and treatment strategies that continue to place a significant burden on global health.

Localized temperature stability of low temperature cofired ceramics

DOEpatents

Dai, Steven Xunhu

2013-11-26

The present invention is directed to low temperature cofired ceramic modules having localized temperature stability by incorporating temperature coefficient of resonant frequency compensating materials locally into a multilayer LTCC module. Chemical interactions can be minimized and physical compatibility between the compensating materials and the host LTCC dielectrics can be achieved. The invention enables embedded resonators with nearly temperature-independent resonance frequency.

Jitter model and signal processing techniques for pulse width modulation optical recording

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Max M.-K.

1991-01-01

A jitter model and signal processing techniques are discussed for data recovery in Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) optical recording. In PWM, information is stored through modulating sizes of sequential marks alternating in magnetic polarization or in material structure. Jitter, defined as the deviation from the original mark size in the time domain, will result in error detection if it is excessively large. A new approach is taken in data recovery by first using a high speed counter clock to convert time marks to amplitude marks, and signal processing techniques are used to minimize jitter according to the jitter model. The signal processing techniques include motor speed and intersymbol interference equalization, differential and additive detection, and differential and additive modulation.

Body/bone-marrow differential-temperature sensor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anselmo, V. J.; Berdahl, C. M.

1978-01-01

Differential-temperature sensor developed to compare bone-marrow and body temperature in leukemia patients uses single stable amplifier to monitor temperature difference recorded by thermocouples. Errors are reduced by referencing temperatures to each other, not to separate calibration points.

Nuclear Engineering Computer Modules, Thermal-Hydraulics, TH-3: High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor Thermal-Hydraulics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reihman, Thomas C.

This learning module is concerned with the temperature field, the heat transfer rates, and the coolant pressure drop in typical high temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) fuel assemblies. As in all of the modules of this series, emphasis is placed on developing the theory and demonstrating its use with a simplified model. The heart of the module…

Contrasting Transcriptional Programs Control Postharvest Development of Apples (Malus x domestica Borkh.) Submitted to Cold Storage and Ethylene Blockage.

PubMed

Storch, Tatiane Timm; Finatto, Taciane; Bruneau, Maryline; Orsel-Baldwin, Mathilde; Renou, Jean-Pierre; Rombaldi, Cesar Valmor; Quecini, Vera; Laurens, François; Girardi, César Luis

2017-09-06

Apple is commercially important worldwide. Favorable genomic contexts and postharvest technologies allow year-round availability. Although ripening is considered a unidirectional developmental process toward senescence, storage at low temperatures, alone or in combination with ethylene blockage, is effective in preserving apple properties. Quality traits and genome wide expression were integrated to investigate the mechanisms underlying postharvest changes. Development and conservation techniques were responsible for transcriptional reprogramming and distinct programs associated with quality traits. A large portion of the differentially regulated genes constitutes a program involved in ripening and senescence, whereas a smaller module consists of genes associated with reestablishment and maintenance of juvenile traits after harvest. Ethylene inhibition was associated with a reversal of ripening by transcriptional induction of anabolic pathways. Our results demonstrate that the blockage of ethylene perception and signaling leads to upregulation of genes in anabolic pathways. We also associated complex phenotypes to subsets of differentially regulated genes.

Thermal Destabilization of Collagen Matrix Hierarchical Structure by Freeze/Thaw

PubMed Central

Ozcelikkale, Altug; Han, Bumsoo

2016-01-01

This study aims to characterize and understand the effects of freezing on collagen structures and functionality. Specifically, thermodynamic destabilization of collagen at molecular- and fibril-levels by combination of low temperatures and freezing were experimentally characterized using modulated differential scanning calorimetry. In order to delineate the effects of sub-zero temperature and water-ice phase change, we hypothesized that the extent of destabilization can be determined based on post-thaw heat induced thermal denaturation of collagen. It is found that thermal denaturation temperature of collagen in hydrogel decreases by 1.4–1.6°C after freeze/thaw while no such decrease is observed in the case of molecular solution. The destabilization is predominantly due to ice formation. Exposure to low temperatures in the absence of ice has only minimal effect. Calorimetry measurements combined with morphological examination of collagen matrices by scanning electron microscopy suggest that freezing results in destabilization of collagen fibrils due to expansion of intrafibrillar space by ice formation. This fibril-level damage can be alleviated by use of cryoprotectant DMSO at concentrations as low as 0.5 M. A theoretical model explaining the change in collagen post-thaw thermal stability by freezing-induced fibril expansion is also proposed. PMID:26765741

Vascular Patterns in Iguanas and Other Squamates: Blood Vessels and Sites of Thermal Exchange

PubMed Central

Porter, William Ruger; Witmer, Lawrence M.

2015-01-01

Squamates use the circulatory system to regulate body and head temperatures during both heating and cooling. The flexibility of this system, which possibly exceeds that of endotherms, offers a number of physiological mechanisms to gain or retain heat (e.g., increase peripheral blood flow and heart rate, cooling the head to prolong basking time for the body) as well as to shed heat (modulate peripheral blood flow, expose sites of thermal exchange). Squamates also have the ability to establish and maintain the same head-to-body temperature differential that birds, crocodilians, and mammals demonstrate, but without a discrete rete or other vascular physiological device. Squamates offer important anatomical and phylogenetic evidence for the inference of the blood vessels of dinosaurs and other extinct archosaurs in that they shed light on the basal diapsid condition. Given this basal positioning, squamates likewise inform and constrain the range of physiological thermoregulatory mechanisms that may have been found in Dinosauria. Unfortunately, the literature on squamate vascular anatomy is limited. Cephalic vascular anatomy of green iguanas (Iguana iguana) was investigated using a differential-contrast, dual-vascular injection (DCDVI) technique and high-resolution X-ray microcomputed tomography (μCT). Blood vessels were digitally segmented to create a surface representation of vascular pathways. Known sites of thermal exchange, consisting of the oral, nasal, and orbital regions, were given special attention due to their role in brain and cephalic thermoregulation. Blood vessels to and from sites of thermal exchange were investigated to detect conserved vascular patterns and to assess their ability to deliver cooled blood to the dural venous sinuses. Arteries within sites of thermal exchange were found to deliver blood directly and through collateral pathways. The venous drainage was found to have multiple pathways that could influence neurosensory tissue temperature, as well as pathways that would bypass neurosensory tissues. The orbital region houses a large venous sinus that receives cooled blood from the nasal region. Blood vessels from the nasal region and orbital sinus show anastomotic connections to the dural sinus system, allowing for the direct modulation of brain temperatures. The generality of the vascular patterns discovered in iguanas were assessed by firsthand comparison with other squamates taxa (e.g., via dissection and osteological study) as well as the literature. Similar to extant archosaurs, iguanas and other squamates have highly vascularized sites of thermal exchange that likely support physiological thermoregulation that “fine tunes” temperatures attained through behavioral thermoregulation. PMID:26466378

Vascular Patterns in Iguanas and Other Squamates: Blood Vessels and Sites of Thermal Exchange.

PubMed

Porter, William Ruger; Witmer, Lawrence M

2015-01-01

Squamates use the circulatory system to regulate body and head temperatures during both heating and cooling. The flexibility of this system, which possibly exceeds that of endotherms, offers a number of physiological mechanisms to gain or retain heat (e.g., increase peripheral blood flow and heart rate, cooling the head to prolong basking time for the body) as well as to shed heat (modulate peripheral blood flow, expose sites of thermal exchange). Squamates also have the ability to establish and maintain the same head-to-body temperature differential that birds, crocodilians, and mammals demonstrate, but without a discrete rete or other vascular physiological device. Squamates offer important anatomical and phylogenetic evidence for the inference of the blood vessels of dinosaurs and other extinct archosaurs in that they shed light on the basal diapsid condition. Given this basal positioning, squamates likewise inform and constrain the range of physiological thermoregulatory mechanisms that may have been found in Dinosauria. Unfortunately, the literature on squamate vascular anatomy is limited. Cephalic vascular anatomy of green iguanas (Iguana iguana) was investigated using a differential-contrast, dual-vascular injection (DCDVI) technique and high-resolution X-ray microcomputed tomography (μCT). Blood vessels were digitally segmented to create a surface representation of vascular pathways. Known sites of thermal exchange, consisting of the oral, nasal, and orbital regions, were given special attention due to their role in brain and cephalic thermoregulation. Blood vessels to and from sites of thermal exchange were investigated to detect conserved vascular patterns and to assess their ability to deliver cooled blood to the dural venous sinuses. Arteries within sites of thermal exchange were found to deliver blood directly and through collateral pathways. The venous drainage was found to have multiple pathways that could influence neurosensory tissue temperature, as well as pathways that would bypass neurosensory tissues. The orbital region houses a large venous sinus that receives cooled blood from the nasal region. Blood vessels from the nasal region and orbital sinus show anastomotic connections to the dural sinus system, allowing for the direct modulation of brain temperatures. The generality of the vascular patterns discovered in iguanas were assessed by firsthand comparison with other squamates taxa (e.g., via dissection and osteological study) as well as the literature. Similar to extant archosaurs, iguanas and other squamates have highly vascularized sites of thermal exchange that likely support physiological thermoregulation that "fine tunes" temperatures attained through behavioral thermoregulation.

Water heater control module

DOEpatents

Hammerstrom, Donald J

2013-11-26

An advanced electric water heater control system that interfaces with a high temperature cut-off thermostat and an upper regulating thermostat. The system includes a control module that is electrically connected to the high-temperature cut-off thermostat and the upper regulating thermostat. The control module includes a switch to open or close the high-temperature cut-off thermostat and the upper regulating thermostat. The control module further includes circuitry configured to control said switch in response to a signal selected from the group of an autonomous signal, a communicated signal, and combinations thereof.

Continuous wave and modulation performance of 1550nm band wafer-fused VCSELs with MBE-grown InP-based active region and GaAs-based DBRs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Babichev, A. V.; Karachinsky, L. Ya.; Novikov, I. I.; Gladyshev, A. G.; Mikhailov, S.; Iakovlev, V.; Sirbu, A.; Stepniak, G.; Chorchos, L.; Turkiewicz, J. P.; Agustin, M.; Ledentsov, N. N.; Voropaev, K. O.; Ionov, A. S.; Egorov, A. Yu.

2017-02-01

We report for the first time on wafer-fused InGaAs-InP/AlGaAs-GaAs 1550 nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) incorporating a InAlGaAs/InP MQW active region with re-grown tunnel junction sandwiched between top and bottom undoped AlGaAs/GaAs distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) all grown by molecular beam epitaxy. InP-based active region includes seven compressively strained quantum wells (2.8 nm) optimized to provide high differential gain. Devices with this active region demonstrate lasing threshold current < 2.5 mA and output optical power > 2 mW in the temperature range of 10-70°C. The wall-plug efficiency (WPE) value-reaches 20 %. Lasing spectra show single mode CW operation with a longitudinal side mode suppression ratio (SMSR) up to 45 dB at > 2 mW output power. Small signal modulation response measurements show a 3-dB modulation bandwidth of 9 GHz at pump current of 10 mA and a D-factor value of 3 GHz/(mA)1/2. Open-eye diagram at 30 Gb/s of standard NRZ is demonstrated. Achieved CW and modulation performance is quite sufficient for fiber to the home (FTTH) applications where very large volumes of low-cost lasers are required.

Thermal imaging of spin Peltier effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daimon, Shunsuke; Iguchi, Ryo; Hioki, Tomosato; Saitoh, Eiji; Uchida, Ken-Ichi

2016-12-01

The Peltier effect modulates the temperature of a junction comprising two different conductors in response to charge currents across the junction, which is used in solid-state heat pumps and temperature controllers in electronics. Recently, in spintronics, a spin counterpart of the Peltier effect was observed. The `spin Peltier effect' modulates the temperature of a magnetic junction in response to spin currents. Here we report thermal imaging of the spin Peltier effect; using active thermography technique, we visualize the temperature modulation induced by spin currents injected into a magnetic insulator from an adjacent metal. The thermal images reveal characteristic distribution of spin-current-induced heat sources, resulting in the temperature change confined only in the vicinity of the metal/insulator interface. This finding allows us to estimate the actual magnitude of the temperature modulation induced by the spin Peltier effect, which is more than one order of magnitude greater than previously believed.

Fracture Sustainability Pressure, Temperature, Differential Pressure, and Aperture Closure Data

DOE Data Explorer

Tim Kneafsey

2016-09-30

In these data sets, the experiment time, actual date and time, room temperature, sample temperature, upstream and downstream pressures (measured independently), corrected differential pressure (measured independently and corrected for offset and room temperature) indication of aperture closure by linear variable differential transformer are presented. An indication of the sample is in the file name and in the first line of data.

Changes in ambient temperature elicit divergent control of metabolic and cardiovascular actions by leptin

PubMed Central

do Carmo, Jussara M.; da Silva, Alexandre A.; Romero, Damian G.; Hall, John E.

2017-01-01

Interactions of hypothalamic signaling pathways that control body temperature (BT), blood pressure (BP), and energy balance are poorly understood. We investigated whether the chronic BP and metabolic actions of leptin are differentially modulated by changes in ambient temperature (TA). Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), BT, motor activity (MA), and oxygen consumption (Vo2) were measured 24 h/d at normal laboratory TA (23°C), at thermoneutral zone (TNZ, 30°C) for mice or during cold exposure (15°C) in male wild-type mice. After control measurements, leptin (4 μg/kg/min) or saline vehicle was infused for 7 d. At TNZ, leptin reduced food intake (−11.0 ± 0.5 g cumulative deficit) and body weight by 6% but caused no changes in MAP or HR. At 15°C, leptin infusion did not alter food intake but increased MAP and HR (8 ± 1 mmHg and 33 ± 7 bpm), while Vo2 increased by ∼10%. Leptin reduced plasma glucose and insulin levels at 15°C but not at 30°C. These results demonstrate that the chronic anorexic effects of leptin are enhanced at TNZ, while its effects on insulin and glucose levels are attenuated and its effects on BP and HR are abolished. Conversely, cold TA caused resistance to leptin’s anorexic effects but amplified its effects to raise BP and reduce insulin and glucose levels. Thus, the brain circuits by which leptin regulates food intake and cardiovascular function are differentially influenced by changes in TA.—Do Carmo, J. M., da Silva, A. A., Romero, D. G., Hall, J. E. Changes in ambient temperature elicit divergent control of metabolic and cardiovascular actions by leptin. PMID:28228474

Changes in ambient temperature elicit divergent control of metabolic and cardiovascular actions by leptin.

PubMed

do Carmo, Jussara M; da Silva, Alexandre A; Romero, Damian G; Hall, John E

2017-06-01

Interactions of hypothalamic signaling pathways that control body temperature (BT), blood pressure (BP), and energy balance are poorly understood. We investigated whether the chronic BP and metabolic actions of leptin are differentially modulated by changes in ambient temperature ( T A ). Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), BT, motor activity (MA), and oxygen consumption ( V o 2 ) were measured 24 h/d at normal laboratory T A (23°C), at thermoneutral zone (TNZ, 30°C) for mice or during cold exposure (15°C) in male wild-type mice. After control measurements, leptin (4 μg/kg/min) or saline vehicle was infused for 7 d. At TNZ, leptin reduced food intake (-11.0 ± 0.5 g cumulative deficit) and body weight by 6% but caused no changes in MAP or HR. At 15°C, leptin infusion did not alter food intake but increased MAP and HR (8 ± 1 mmHg and 33 ± 7 bpm), while V o 2 increased by ∼10%. Leptin reduced plasma glucose and insulin levels at 15°C but not at 30°C. These results demonstrate that the chronic anorexic effects of leptin are enhanced at TNZ, while its effects on insulin and glucose levels are attenuated and its effects on BP and HR are abolished. Conversely, cold T A caused resistance to leptin's anorexic effects but amplified its effects to raise BP and reduce insulin and glucose levels. Thus, the brain circuits by which leptin regulates food intake and cardiovascular function are differentially influenced by changes in T A -Do Carmo, J. M., da Silva, A. A., Romero, D. G., Hall, J. E. Changes in ambient temperature elicit divergent control of metabolic and cardiovascular actions by leptin. © FASEB.

Construction of sequences of exact analytical solutions for heat diffusion in graded heterogeneous materials by the Darboux transformation method. Examples for half-space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krapez, J.-C.

2016-09-01

The Darboux transformation is a differential transformation which, like other related methods (supersymmetry quantum mechanics-SUSYQM, factorization method) allows generating sequences of solvable potentials for the stationary 1D Schrodinger equation. It was recently shown that the heat equation in graded heterogeneous media, after a Liouville transformation, reduces to a pair of Schrödinger equations sharing the same potential function, one for the transformed temperature and one for the square root of effusivity. Repeated joint PROperty and Field Darboux Transformations (PROFIDT method) then yield two sequences of solutions: one of new solvable effusivity profiles and one of the corresponding temperature fields. In this paper we present and discuss the outcome in the case of a graded half-space domain. The interest in this methodology is that it provides closed-form solutions based on elementary functions. They are thus easily amenable to an implementation in an inversion process aimed, for example, at retrieving a subsurface effusivity profile from a modulated or transient surface temperature measurement (photothermal characterization).

Ketamine induces a robust whole-brain connectivity pattern that can be differentially modulated by drugs of different mechanism and clinical profile.

PubMed

Joules, R; Doyle, O M; Schwarz, A J; O'Daly, O G; Brammer, M; Williams, S C; Mehta, M A

2015-11-01

Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, has been studied in relation to the glutamate hypothesis of schizophrenia and increases dissociation, positive and negative symptom ratings. Ketamine effects brain function through changes in brain activity; these activity patterns can be modulated by pre-treatment of compounds known to attenuate the effects of ketamine on glutamate release. Ketamine also has marked effects on brain connectivity; we predicted that these changes would also be modulated by compounds known to attenuate glutamate release. Here, we perform task-free pharmacological magnetic resonance imaging (phMRI) to investigate the functional connectivity effects of ketamine in the brain and the potential modulation of these effects by pre-treatment of the compounds lamotrigine and risperidone, compounds hypothesised to differentially modulate glutamate release. Connectivity patterns were assessed by combining windowing, graph theory and multivariate Gaussian process classification. We demonstrate that ketamine has a robust effect on the functional connectivity of the human brain compared to saline (87.5 % accuracy). Ketamine produced a shift from a cortically centred, to a subcortically centred pattern of connections. This effect is strongly modulated by pre-treatment with risperidone (81.25 %) but not lamotrigine (43.75 %). Based on the differential effect of these compounds on ketamine response, we suggest the observed connectivity effects are primarily due to NMDAR blockade rather than downstream glutamatergic effects. The connectivity changes contrast with amplitude of response for which no differential effect between pre-treatments was detected, highlighting the necessity of these techniques in forming an informed view of the mechanistic effects of pharmacological compounds in the human brain.

Modulation of neonatal microbial recognition: TLR-mediated innate immune responses are specifically and differentially modulated by human milk.

PubMed

LeBouder, Emmanuel; Rey-Nores, Julia E; Raby, Anne-Catherine; Affolter, Michael; Vidal, Karine; Thornton, Catherine A; Labéta, Mario O

2006-03-15

The mechanisms controlling innate microbial recognition in the neonatal gut are still to be fully understood. We have sought specific regulatory mechanisms operating in human breast milk relating to TLR-mediated microbial recognition. In this study, we report a specific and differential modulatory effect of early samples (days 1-5) of breast milk on ligand-induced cell stimulation via TLRs. Although a negative modulation was exerted on TLR2 and TLR3-mediated responses, those via TLR4 and TLR5 were enhanced. This effect was observed in human adult and fetal intestinal epithelial cell lines, monocytes, dendritic cells, and PBMC as well as neonatal blood. In the latter case, milk compensated for the low capacity of neonatal plasma to support responses to LPS. Cell stimulation via the IL-1R or TNFR was not modulated by milk. This, together with the differential effect on TLR activation, suggested that the primary effect of milk is exerted upstream of signaling proximal to TLR ligand recognition. The analysis of TLR4-mediated gene expression, used as a model system, showed that milk modulated TLR-related genes differently, including those coding for signal intermediates and regulators. A proteinaceous milk component of > or =80 kDa was found to be responsible for the effect on TLR4. Notably, infant milk formulations did not reproduce the modulatory activity of breast milk. Together, these findings reveal an unrecognized function of human milk, namely, its capacity to influence neonatal microbial recognition by modulating TLR-mediated responses specifically and differentially. This in turn suggests the existence of novel mechanisms regulating TLR activation.

A New Module in Neural Differentiation Control: Two MicroRNAs Upregulated by Retinoic Acid, miR-9 and -103, Target the Differentiation Inhibitor ID2

PubMed Central

Savino, Mauro; Laneve, Pietro; Caffarelli, Elisa; Nasi, Sergio

2012-01-01

The transcription factor ID2 is an important repressor of neural differentiation strongly implicated in nervous system cancers. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly involved in differentiation control and cancer development. Here we show that two miRNAs upregulated on differentiation of neuroblastoma cells – miR-9 and miR-103 – restrain ID2 expression by directly targeting the coding sequence and 3′ untranslated region of the ID2 encoding messenger RNA, respectively. Notably, the two miRNAs show an inverse correlation with ID2 during neuroblastoma cell differentiation induced by retinoic acid. Overexpression of miR-9 and miR-103 in neuroblastoma cells reduces proliferation and promotes differentiation, as it was shown to occur upon ID2 inhibition. Conversely, an ID2 mutant that cannot be targeted by either miRNA prevents retinoic acid-induced differentiation more efficient than wild-type ID2. These findings reveal a new regulatory module involving two microRNAs upregulated during neural differentiation that directly target expression of the key differentiation inhibitor ID2, suggesting that its alteration may be involved in neural cancer development. PMID:22848373

A new module in neural differentiation control: two microRNAs upregulated by retinoic acid, miR-9 and -103, target the differentiation inhibitor ID2.

PubMed

Annibali, Daniela; Gioia, Ubaldo; Savino, Mauro; Laneve, Pietro; Caffarelli, Elisa; Nasi, Sergio

2012-01-01

The transcription factor ID2 is an important repressor of neural differentiation strongly implicated in nervous system cancers. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly involved in differentiation control and cancer development. Here we show that two miRNAs upregulated on differentiation of neuroblastoma cells--miR-9 and miR-103--restrain ID2 expression by directly targeting the coding sequence and 3' untranslated region of the ID2 encoding messenger RNA, respectively. Notably, the two miRNAs show an inverse correlation with ID2 during neuroblastoma cell differentiation induced by retinoic acid. Overexpression of miR-9 and miR-103 in neuroblastoma cells reduces proliferation and promotes differentiation, as it was shown to occur upon ID2 inhibition. Conversely, an ID2 mutant that cannot be targeted by either miRNA prevents retinoic acid-induced differentiation more efficient than wild-type ID2. These findings reveal a new regulatory module involving two microRNAs upregulated during neural differentiation that directly target expression of the key differentiation inhibitor ID2, suggesting that its alteration may be involved in neural cancer development.

A high reliability module with thermoelectric device by molding technology for M2M wireless sensor network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakagawa, K.; Tanaka, T.; Suzuki, T.

2015-10-01

This paper presents the fabrication of a new energy harvesting module that uses a thermoelectric device (TED) by using molding technology. Through molding technology, the TED and circuit board can be properly protected and a heat-radiating fin structure can be simultaneously constructed. The output voltage per heater temperature of the TED module at 20 °C ambient temperature is 8 mV K-1, similar to the result with the aluminum heat sink which is almost the same fin size as the TED module. The accelerated environmental tests are performed on a damp heat test, which is an aging test under high temperature and high humidity, highly accelerated temperature, and humidity stress test (HAST) for the purpose of evaluating the electrical reliability in harsh environments, cold test and thermal cycle test to evaluate degrading characteristics by cycling through two temperatures. All test results indicate that the TED and circuit board can be properly protected from harsh temperature and humidity by using molding technology because the output voltage of after-tested modules is reduced by less than 5%. This study presents a novel fabrication method for a high reliability TED-installed module appropriate for Machine to Machine wireless sensor networks.

Relaxation dynamics of femtosecond-laser-induced temperature modulation on the surfaces of metals and semiconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Levy, Yoann; Derrien, Thibault J.-Y.; Bulgakova, Nadezhda M.; Gurevich, Evgeny L.; Mocek, Tomáš

2016-06-01

Formation of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) is a complicated phenomenon which involves periodic spatial modulation of laser energy absorption on the irradiated surface, transient changes in optical response, surface layer melting and/or ablation. The listed processes strongly depend on laser fluence and pulse duration as well as on material properties. This paper is aimed at studying the spatiotemporal evolution of a periodic modulation of the deposited laser energy, once formed upon irradiation of metal (Ti) and semiconductor (Si) surfaces. Assuming that the incoming laser pulse interferes with a surface electromagnetic wave, the resulting sinusoidal modulation of the absorbed laser energy is introduced into a two-dimensional two-temperature model developed for titanium and silicon. Simulations reveal that the lattice temperature modulation on the surfaces of both materials following from the modulated absorption remains significant for longer than 50 ps after the laser pulse. In the cases considered here, the partially molten phase exists 10 ps in Ti and more than 50 ps in Si, suggesting that molten matter can be subjected to temperature-driven relocation toward LIPSS formation, due to the modulated temperature profile on the material surfaces. Molten phase at nanometric distances (nano-melting) is also revealed.

Passive thermal regulation of flat PV modules by coupling the mechanisms of evaporative and fin cooling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chandrasekar, M.; Senthilkumar, T.

2016-07-01

A passive thermal regulation technique with fins in conjunction with cotton wicks is developed in the present work for controlling the temperature of PV module during its operation. Experiments were conducted with the developed technique in the location of Tiruchirappalli (78.6°E and 10.8°N), Tamil Nadu, India with flat 25 Wp PV module and its viability was confirmed. The PV module temperature got reduced by 12 % while the electrical yield is increased by 14 % with the help of the developed cooling system. Basic energy balance equation applicable for PV module was used to evaluate the module temperatures and a fair agreement was obtained between the theoretical and experimental values for the cases of with cooling and without cooling.

Cryogenic Pressure Calibrator for Wide Temperature Electronically Scanned (ESP) Pressure Modules

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Faulcon, Nettie D.

2001-01-01

Electronically scanned pressure (ESP) modules have been developed that can operate in ambient and in cryogenic environments, particularly Langley's National Transonic Facility (NTF). Because they can operate directly in a cryogenic environment, their use eliminates many of the operational problems associated with using conventional modules at low temperatures. To ensure the accuracy of these new instruments, calibration was conducted in a laboratory simulating the environmental conditions of NTF. This paper discusses the calibration process by means of the simulation laboratory, the system inputs and outputs and the analysis of the calibration data. Calibration results of module M4, a wide temperature ESP module with 16 ports and a pressure range of +/- 4 psid are given.

Low Temperature Performance of High Power Density DC/DC Converter Modules

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elbuluk, Malik E.; Hammond, Ahmad; Gerber, Scott; Patterson, Richard L.; Overton, Eric

2001-01-01

In this paper, two second-generation high power density DC/DC converter modules have been evaluated at low operating temperatures. The power rating of one converter (Module 1) was specified at 150 W with an input voltage range of 36 to 75 V and output voltage of 12 V. The other converter (Module 2) was specified at 100 W with the same input voltage range and an output voltage of 3.3 V. The converter modules were evaluated in terms of their performance as a function of operating temperature in the range of 25 to -140 C. The experimental procedures along with the experimental data obtained are presented and discussed in this paper.

Differential carrier lifetime and transport effects in electrically injected III-nitride light-emitting diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rashidi, A.; Nami, M.; Monavarian, M.; Aragon, A.; DaVico, K.; Ayoub, F.; Mishkat-Ul-Masabih, S.; Rishinaramangalam, A.; Feezell, D.

2017-07-01

This work describes a small-signal microwave method for determining the differential carrier lifetime and transport effects in electrically injected InGaN/GaN light-emitting diodes (LEDs). By considering the carrier diffusion, capture, thermionic escape, and recombination, the rate equations are used to derive an equivalent small-signal electrical circuit for the LEDs, from which expressions for the input impedance and modulation response are obtained. The expressions are simultaneously fit to the experimental data for the input impedance and modulation response for nonpolar InGaN/GaN micro-LEDs on free-standing GaN substrates. The fittings are used to extract the transport related circuit parameters and differential carrier lifetimes. The dependence of the parameters on the device diameter and current density is reported. We also derive approximations for the modulation response under low and high injection levels and show that the transport of carriers affects the modulation response of the device, especially at low injection levels. The methods presented are relevant to the design of high-speed LEDs for visible-light communication.

Low exhaust temperature electrically heated particulate matter filter system

DOEpatents

Gonze, Eugene V [Pinckney, MI; Paratore, Jr., Michael J.; Bhatia, Garima [Bangalore, IN

2012-02-14

A system includes a particulate matter (PM) filter, a sensor, a heating element, and a control module. The PM filter includes with an upstream end that receives exhaust gas, a downstream end and multiple zones. The sensor detects a temperature of the exhaust gas. The control module controls current to the heating element to convection heat one of the zones and initiate a regeneration process. The control module selectively increases current to the heating element relative to a reference regeneration current level when the temperature is less than a predetermined temperature.

Analysis of global gene expression in Brachypodium distachyon reveals extensive network plasticity in response to abiotic stress.

PubMed

Priest, Henry D; Fox, Samuel E; Rowley, Erik R; Murray, Jessica R; Michael, Todd P; Mockler, Todd C

2014-01-01

Brachypodium distachyon is a close relative of many important cereal crops. Abiotic stress tolerance has a significant impact on productivity of agriculturally important food and feedstock crops. Analysis of the transcriptome of Brachypodium after chilling, high-salinity, drought, and heat stresses revealed diverse differential expression of many transcripts. Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis revealed 22 distinct gene modules with specific profiles of expression under each stress. Promoter analysis implicated short DNA sequences directly upstream of module members in the regulation of 21 of 22 modules. Functional analysis of module members revealed enrichment in functional terms for 10 of 22 network modules. Analysis of condition-specific correlations between differentially expressed gene pairs revealed extensive plasticity in the expression relationships of gene pairs. Photosynthesis, cell cycle, and cell wall expression modules were down-regulated by all abiotic stresses. Modules which were up-regulated by each abiotic stress fell into diverse and unique gene ontology GO categories. This study provides genomics resources and improves our understanding of abiotic stress responses of Brachypodium.

CANNABINOID AND OPIOID MODULATION OF SOCIAL PLAY BEHAVIOR IN ADOLESCENT RATS: DIFFERENTIAL BEHAVIORAL MECHANISMS

PubMed Central

Trezza, Viviana; Vanderschuren, Louk J.M.J.

2008-01-01

We have recently shown that the pharmacological mechanisms through which cannabinoid and opioid drugs influence social play behavior in adolescent rats can be partially dissociated. Here, we characterize the effects of the direct cannabinoid agonist WIN55,212-2, the indirect cannabinoid agonist URB597 and the opioid agonist morphine on social play at the behavioral level. By treating either one or both partners of the test dyad, we show that these drugs differentially affect play solicitation and play responsiveness. By testing these drugs in animals which were either familiar or unfamiliar to the test cage, we show that environmental factors differentially modulate the effects of cannabinoid and opioid drugs on social play. These results support and extend our previous findings suggesting that, although cannabinoid and opioid systems interact in the modulation of social play behavior in adolescent rats, they do so through partially dissociable behavioral and pharmacological mechanisms. PMID:18434104

Reconstruction of the genome-scale co-expression network for the Hippo signaling pathway in colorectal cancer.

PubMed

Dehghanian, Fariba; Hojati, Zohreh; Hosseinkhan, Nazanin; Mousavian, Zaynab; Masoudi-Nejad, Ali

2018-05-26

The Hippo signaling pathway (HSP) has been identified as an essential and complex signaling pathway for tumor suppression that coordinates proliferation, differentiation, cell death, cell growth and stemness. In the present study, we conducted a genome-scale co-expression analysis to reconstruct the HSP in colorectal cancer (CRC). Five key modules were detected through network clustering, and a detailed discussion of two modules containing respectively 18 and 13 over and down-regulated members of HSP was provided. Our results suggest new potential regulatory factors in the HSP. The detected modules also suggest novel genes contributing to CRC. Moreover, differential expression analysis confirmed the differential expression pattern of HSP members and new suggested regulatory factors between tumor and normal samples. These findings can further reveal the importance of HSP in CRC. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Differential modulation of ROS signals and other mitochondrial parameters by the antioxidants MitoQ, resveratrol and curcumin in human adipocytes.

PubMed

Hirzel, Estelle; Lindinger, Peter W; Maseneni, Swarna; Giese, Maria; Rhein, Véronique Virginie; Eckert, Anne; Hoch, Matthias; Krähenbühl, Stephan; Eberle, Alex N

2013-10-01

Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been demonstrated to play an important role as signaling and regulating molecules in human adipocytes. In order to evaluate the differential modulating roles of antioxidants, we treated human adipocytes differentiated from human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells with MitoQ, resveratrol and curcumin. The effects on ROS, viability, mitochondrial respiration and intracellular ATP levels were examined. MitoQ lowered both oxidizing and reducing ROS. Resveratrol decreased reducing and curcumin oxidizing radicals only. All three substances slightly decreased state III respiration immediately after addition. After 24 h of treatment, MitoQ inhibited both basal and uncoupled oxygen consumption, whereas curcumin and resveratrol had no effect. Intracellular ATP levels were not altered. This demonstrates that MitoQ, resveratrol and curcumin exert potent modulating effects on ROS signaling in human adipocyte with marginal effects on metabolic parameters.

Wavelength-modulated differential photothermal radiometry: Theory and experimental applications to glucose detection in water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mandelis, Andreas; Guo, Xinxin

2011-10-01

A differential photothermal radiometry method, wavelength-modulated differential photothermal radiometry (WM-DPTR), has been developed theoretically and experimentally for noninvasive, noncontact biological analyte detection, such as blood glucose monitoring. WM-DPTR features analyte specificity and sensitivity by combining laser excitation by two out-of-phase modulated beams at wavelengths near the peak and the base line of a prominent and isolated mid-IR analyte absorption band (here the carbon-oxygen-carbon bond in the pyran ring of the glucose molecule). A theoretical photothermal model of WM-DPTR signal generation and detection has been developed. Simulation results on water-glucose phantoms with the human blood range (0-300 mg/dl) glucose concentration demonstrated high sensitivity and resolution to meet wide clinical detection requirements. The model has also been validated by experimental data of the glucose-water system obtained using WM-DPTR.

The affine cohomology spaces and its applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fraj, Nizar Ben; Laraiedh, Ismail

2016-12-01

We compute the nth cohomology space of the affine Lie superalgebra 𝔞𝔣𝔣(1) on the (1,1)-dimensional real superspace with coefficient in a large class of 𝔞𝔣𝔣(1)-modules M. We apply our results to the module of weight densities and the module of linear differential operators acting on a superspace of weighted densities. This work is the generalization of a result by Basdouri et al. [The linear 𝔞𝔣𝔣(n|1)-invariant differential operators on weighted densities on the superspace ℝ1|n and 𝔞𝔣𝔣(n|1)-relative cohomology, Int. J. Geom. Meth. Mod. Phys. 10 (2013), Article ID: 1320004, 9 pp.

A neural network controller for hydronic heating systems of solar buildings.

PubMed

Argiriou, Athanassios A; Bellas-Velidis, Ioannis; Kummert, Michaël; André, Philippe

2004-04-01

An artificial neural network (ANN)-based controller for hydronic heating plants of buildings is presented. The controller has forecasting capabilities: it includes a meteorological module, forecasting the ambient temperature and solar irradiance, an indoor temperature predictor module, a supply temperature predictor module and an optimizing module for the water supply temperature. All ANN modules are based on the Feed Forward Back Propagation (FFBP) model. The operation of the controller has been tested experimentally, on a real-scale office building during real operating conditions. The operation results were compared to those of a conventional controller. The performance was also assessed via numerical simulation. The detailed thermal simulation tool for solar systems and buildings TRNSYS was used. Both experimental and numerical results showed that the expected percentage of energy savings with respect to a conventional controller is of about 15% under North European weather conditions.

Temperature-stabilized, narrowband tunable fiber-Bragg gratings for matched-filter receiver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roth, Jeffrey M.; Kummer, Joseph W.; Minch, Jeffrey R.; Malinsky, Bryan G.; Scalesse, Vincent; Walther, Frederick G.

2017-02-01

We report on a 1550-nm matched filter based on a pair of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) that is actively stabilized over temperature. The filter is constructed of a cascaded pair of athermally-packaged FBGs. The tandem FBG pair produces an aggregate 3-dB bandwidth of 3.9-GHz that is closely matched to a return-to-zero, 2.880-GHz differential-phase-shift-keyed optical waveform. The FBGs comprising the filter are controlled in wavelength using a custom-designed, pulse-width modulation (PWM) heater controller. The controllers allow tuning of the FBGs over temperature to compensate and cancel out native temperature dependence of the athermal FBG (AFBG) package. Two heaters are bonded to each FBG device, one on each end. One heater is a static offset that biases the FBG wavelength positively. The second heater is a PWM controller that actively moves the FBG wavelength negatively. A temperature sensor measures the FBGs' temperature, and a feed-forward control loop adjusts the PWM signal to hold the wavelength within a desired range. This stabilization technique reduces the device's native temperature dependence from approximately 0.65 pm/°C to 0.06 pm/°C, improving the temperature stability by tenfold, while retaining some control for poten- tial long-term drifts. The technique demonstrates that the FBGs can be held to +/-1.5 pm (+/-188 MHz) of the target wavelength over a 0 to +50°C temperature range. The temperature-stabilized FBGs are integrated into a low-noise, optical pre-amplifier that operates over a wide temperature range for a laser communication system.

An Integrated-Circuit Temperature Sensor for Calorimetry and Differential Temperature Measurement.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Muyskens, Mark A.

1997-01-01

Describes the application of an integrated-circuit (IC) chip which provides an easy-to-use, inexpensive, rugged, computer-interfaceable temperature sensor for calorimetry and differential temperature measurement. Discusses its design and advantages. (JRH)

Characterization of keratinocyte differentiation induced by ascorbic acid: protein kinase C involvement and vitamin C homeostasis.

PubMed

Savini, Isabella; Catani, Maria Valeria; Rossi, Antonello; Duranti, Guglielmo; Melino, Gerry; Avigliano, Luciana

2002-02-01

Epidermal keratinocytes undergo differentiation in response to several stimuli to form the cornified envelope, a structure that contributes to the barrier function of skin. Although differentiation has been extensively analyzed, the precise role of vitamin C during this process is still not defined. Ascorbic acid, besides acting as a radical scavenger, has been shown to promote mesenchymal differentiation. In this study, we found that keratinocytes grown in ascorbate-supplemented medium developed a differentiated phenotype, as demonstrated by enhanced expression of marker genes and increase in cornified envelope content. The pro-differentiating effects of ascorbate were mediated by the protein-kinase-C-dependent induction of activating protein 1 DNA binding activity; indeed, down-modulation of protein kinase C activity abolished differentiation triggered by ascorbic acid. Although vitamin C appeared to regulate the same signaling pathway modulated by calcium, a classical in vitro inducer of epidermal differentiation, nonetheless terminally differentiated keratinocytes exhibited different ascorbate homeostasis and cellular antioxidant status. Indeed, we found that, unlike calcium, differentiation promoted by ascorbate was accompanied by (i) an enhanced ascorbate transport, due to overexpression of specific transporters, (ii) a great efficiency of dehydroascorbate uptake, and (iii) an increase in glutathione content with respect to proliferating cells. Ascorbic acid may be useful to promote epidermal differentiation, avoiding depletion of hydrophilic antioxidant stores.

Provide Career Guidance to Girls and Women. Module CG C-13 of Category C--Implementing. Competency-Based Career Guidance Modules.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Birk, Janice M.; Colby, Pamela G.

This learning module, one in a series of competency-based guidance program training packages focusing upon professional and paraprofessional competencies of guidance personnel, deals with providing career guidance to girls and women. Addressed in the module are the following topics: society's influence on shaping differential roles and behaviors…

Entropy-based divergent and convergent modular pattern reveals additive and synergistic anticerebral ischemia mechanisms.

PubMed

Yu, Yanan; Zhang, Xiaoxu; Li, Bing; Zhang, Yingying; Liu, Jun; Li, Haixia; Chen, Yinying; Wang, Pengqian; Kang, Ruixia; Wu, Hongli; Wang, Zhong

2016-12-01

Module-based network analysis of diverse pharmacological mechanisms is critical to systematically understand combination therapies and disease outcomes. We first constructed drug-target ischemic networks in baicalin, jasminoidin, ursodeoxycholic acid, and their combinations baicalin and jasminoidin as well as jasminoidin and ursodeoxycholic acid groups and identified modules using the entropy-based clustering algorithm. The modules 11, 7, 4, 8 and 3 were identified as baicalin, jasminoidin, ursodeoxycholic acid, baicalin and jasminoidin and jasminoidin and ursodeoxycholic acid-emerged responsive modules, while 12, 8, 15, 17 and 9 were identified as disappeared responsive modules based on variation of topological similarity, respectively. No overlapping differential biological processes were enriched between baicalin and jasminoidin and jasminoidin and ursodeoxycholic acid pure emerged responsive modules, but two were enriched by their co-disappeared responsive modules including nucleotide-excision repair and epithelial structure maintenance. We found an additive effect of baicalin and jasminoidin in a divergent pattern and a synergistic effect of jasminoidin and ursodeoxycholic acid in a convergent pattern on "central hit strategy" of regulating inflammation against cerebral ischemia. The proposed module-based approach may provide us a holistic view to understand multiple pharmacological mechanisms associated with differential phenotypes from the standpoint of modular pharmacology.

Electronically-Scanned Pressure Sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Coe, C. F.; Parra, G. T.; Kauffman, R. C.

1984-01-01

Sensors not pneumatically switched. Electronic pressure-transducer scanning system constructed in modular form. Pressure transducer modules and analog to digital converter module small enough to fit within cavities of average-sized wind-tunnel models. All switching done electronically. Temperature controlled environment maintained within sensor modules so accuracy maintained while ambient temperature varies.

NPH4, a Conditional Modulator of Auxin-Dependent Differential Growth Responses in Arabidopsis1

PubMed Central

Stowe-Evans, Emily L.; Harper, Reneé M.; Motchoulski, Andrei V.; Liscum, Emmanuel

1998-01-01

Although sessile in nature, plants are able to use a number of mechanisms to modify their morphology in response to changing environmental conditions. Differential growth is one such mechanism. Despite its importance in plant development, little is known about the molecular events regulating the establishment of differential growth. Here we report analyses of the nph4 (nonphototropic hypocotyl) mutants of Arabidopsis that suggest that the NPH4 protein plays a central role in the modulation of auxin-dependent differential growth. Results from physiological studies demonstrate that NPH4 activity is conditionally required for a number of differential growth responses, including phototropism, gravitropism, phytochrome-dependent hypocotyl curvature, apical hook maintenance, and abaxial/adaxial leaf-blade expansion. The nph4 mutants exhibited auxin resistance and severely impaired auxin-dependent gene expression, indicating that the defects associated with differential growth likely arise because of altered auxin responsiveness. Moreover, the auxin signaling events mediating phototropism are genetically correlated with the abundance of the NPH4 protein. PMID:9847100

Differentiated transcriptional signatures in the maize landraces of Chiapas, Mexico.

PubMed

Kost, Matthew A; Perales, Hugo R; Wijeratne, Saranga; Wijeratne, Asela J; Stockinger, Eric; Mercer, Kristin L

2017-09-08

Landrace farmers are the keepers of crops locally adapted to the environments where they are cultivated. Patterns of diversity across the genome can provide signals of past evolution in the face of abiotic and biotic change. Understanding this rich genetic resource is imperative especially since diversity can provide agricultural security as climate continues to shift. Here we employ RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to understand the role that conditions that vary across a landscape may have played in shaping genetic diversity in the maize landraces of Chiapas, Mexico. We collected landraces from three distinct elevational zones and planted them in a midland common garden. Early season leaf tissue was collected for RNA-seq and we performed weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). We then used association analysis between landrace co-expression module expression values and environmental parameters of landrace origin to elucidate genes and gene networks potentially shaped by environmental factors along our study gradient. Elevation of landrace origin affected the transcriptome profiles. Two co-expression modules were highly correlated with temperature parameters of landrace origin and queries into their 'hub' genes suggested that temperature may have led to differentiation among landraces in hormone biosynthesis/signaling and abiotic and biotic stress responses. We identified several 'hub' transcription factors and kinases as candidates for the regulation of these responses. These findings indicate that natural selection may influence the transcriptomes of crop landraces along an elevational gradient in a major diversity center, and provide a foundation for exploring the genetic basis of local adaptation. While we cannot rule out the role of neutral evolutionary forces in the patterns we have identified, combining whole transcriptome sequencing technologies, established bioinformatics techniques, and common garden experimentation can powerfully elucidate structure of adaptive diversity across a varied landscape. Ultimately, gaining such understanding can facilitate the conservation and strategic utilization of crop genetic diversity in a time of climate change.

Leishmania mexicana differentiation involves a selective plasma membrane autophagic-like process.

PubMed

Dagger, Francehuli; Bengio, Camila; Martinez, Angel; Ayesta, Carlos

2017-11-23

Parasites of the Leishmania genus, which are the causative agents of leishmaniasis, display a complex life cycle, from a flagellated form (promastigotes) residing in the midgut of the phlebotomine vector to a non-flagellated form (amastigote) invading the mammalian host. The cellular process for the conversion between these forms is an interesting biological phenomenon involving modulation of the plasma membrane. In this study, we describe a selective autophagic-like process during the in vitro differentiation of Leishmania mexicana promastigote to amastigote-like cells. This process is responsible for size reduction and shape change of the promastigote (15-20 μm long) to the rounded amastigote-like form (4-5 μm long), identical to the one that infects host macrophages. This autophagic-like process is characterized by a profound folding of the plasma membrane and the presence of abundant cytoplasmic lipid droplets that may be the product of changes in the lipid metabolism. The key feature for the differentiation process at either pH 7.0 or pH 5.5 is the shift in temperature from 25 to 35 °C. Flagella shortening during the differentiation process appears as the product of continuous flagellar microtubular disassembly that is also accompanied by changes in mitochondrion localization. Drugs directed at blocking the parasite autophagic-like process could be important as new strategies to fight the disease.

Technology Requirements and Development for Affordable High-Temperature Distributed Engine Controls

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-06-04

long lasting, high temperature modules is to use high temperature electronics on ceramic modules. The electronic components are “ brazed ” onto the...Copyright © 2012 by ISA Technology Requirements and Development for Affordable High - Temperature Distributed Engine Controls Alireza Behbahani 1...with regards to high temperature capability. The Government and Industry Distributed Engine Controls Working Group (DECWG) [5] has been established

Space Power Free-Piston Stirling Engine Scaling Study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, D.

1989-01-01

The design feasibility study is documented of a single cylinder, free piston Stirling engine/linear alternator (FPSE/LA) power module generating 150 kW-electric (kW sub e), and the determination of the module's maximum feasible power level. The power module configuration was specified to be a single cylinder (single piston, single displacer) FPSE/LA, with tuning capacitors if required. The design requirements were as follows: (1) Maximum electrical power output; (2) Power module thermal efficiency equal to or greater than 20 percent at a specific mass of 5 to 8 kg/kW(sub e); (3) Heater wall temperature/cooler wall temperature = 1050 K/525 K; (4) Sodium heat-pipe heat transport system, pumped loop NaK (sodium-potassium eutectic mixture) rejection system; (5) Maximum power module vibration amplitude = 0.0038 cm; and (6) Design life = 7 years (60,000 hr). The results show that a single cylinder FPSE/LA is capable of meeting program goals and has attractive scaling attributes over the power range from 25 to 150 kW(sub e). Scaling beyond the 150 kW(sub e) power level, the power module efficiency falls and the power module specific mass reaches 10 kg/kW(sub e) at a power output of 500 kW(sub e). A discussion of scaling rules for the engine, alternator, and heat transport systems is presented, along with a detailed description of the conceptual design of a 150 kW(sub e) power module that meets the requirements. Included is a discussion of the design of a dynamic balance system. A parametric study of power module performance conducted over the power output range of 25 to 150 kW(sub e) for temperature ratios of 1.7, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 is presented and discussed. The results show that as the temperature ratio decreases, the efficiency falls and specific mass increases. At a temperature ratio of 1.7, the 150 kW(sub e) power module cannot satisfy both efficiency and specific mass goals. As the power level increases from 25 to 150 kW(sub e) at a fixed temperature ratio, power module efficiency is seen to increase slightly, but at the expense of increased specific mass. An empirical equation relating power module thermal efficiency as a function of power module specific mass, power output, and temperature ratio is developed. Alternative configurations to the single cylinder, direct coupled linear alternator approach are also evaluated, but are shown to have technical drawbacks that lessen their attractiveness. The dynamic balance assembly mass (moving mass and structure) represents 20 to 30 percent of the total single cylinder power module mass. Joining two modules in a balanced opposed configuration eliminates the need for the balancer, and a hot end junction can be made without significant addition of structural mass. Recommendations are made for evaluation of advanced heat pipe concepts, tests of radial flow heat exchangers, and evaluation of high temperature alternator materials.

Environmental isolation task

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Coulbert, C. D.

1982-01-01

The failure-analysis process was organized into a more specific set of long-term degradation steps so that material property change can be differentiated from module damage and module failure. Increasing module performance and life are discussed. A polymeric aging computer model is discussed. Early detection of polymer surface reactions due to aging is reported.

Hierarchical cortical transcriptome disorganization in autism.

PubMed

Lombardo, Michael V; Courchesne, Eric; Lewis, Nathan E; Pramparo, Tiziano

2017-01-01

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are etiologically heterogeneous and complex. Functional genomics work has begun to identify a diverse array of dysregulated transcriptomic programs (e.g., synaptic, immune, cell cycle, DNA damage, WNT signaling, cortical patterning and differentiation) potentially involved in ASD brain abnormalities during childhood and adulthood. However, it remains unclear whether such diverse dysregulated pathways are independent of each other or instead reflect coordinated hierarchical systems-level pathology. Two ASD cortical transcriptome datasets were re-analyzed using consensus weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify common co-expression modules across datasets. Linear mixed-effect models and Bayesian replication statistics were used to identify replicable differentially expressed modules. Eigengene network analysis was then utilized to identify between-group differences in how co-expression modules interact and cluster into hierarchical meta-modular organization. Protein-protein interaction analyses were also used to determine whether dysregulated co-expression modules show enhanced interactions. We find replicable evidence for 10 gene co-expression modules that are differentially expressed in ASD cortex. Rather than being independent non-interacting sources of pathology, these dysregulated co-expression modules work in synergy and physically interact at the protein level. These systems-level transcriptional signals are characterized by downregulation of synaptic processes coordinated with upregulation of immune/inflammation, response to other organism, catabolism, viral processes, translation, protein targeting and localization, cell proliferation, and vasculature development. Hierarchical organization of meta-modules (clusters of highly correlated modules) is also highly affected in ASD. These findings highlight that dysregulation of the ASD cortical transcriptome is characterized by the dysregulation of multiple coordinated transcriptional programs producing synergistic systems-level effects that cannot be fully appreciated by studying the individual component biological processes in isolation.

A geometrical multi-scale numerical method for coupled hygro-thermo-mechanical problems in photovoltaic laminates.

PubMed

Lenarda, P; Paggi, M

A comprehensive computational framework based on the finite element method for the simulation of coupled hygro-thermo-mechanical problems in photovoltaic laminates is herein proposed. While the thermo-mechanical problem takes place in the three-dimensional space of the laminate, moisture diffusion occurs in a two-dimensional domain represented by the polymeric layers and by the vertical channel cracks in the solar cells. Therefore, a geometrical multi-scale solution strategy is pursued by solving the partial differential equations governing heat transfer and thermo-elasticity in the three-dimensional space, and the partial differential equation for moisture diffusion in the two dimensional domains. By exploiting a staggered scheme, the thermo-mechanical problem is solved first via a fully implicit solution scheme in space and time, with a specific treatment of the polymeric layers as zero-thickness interfaces whose constitutive response is governed by a novel thermo-visco-elastic cohesive zone model based on fractional calculus. Temperature and relative displacements along the domains where moisture diffusion takes place are then projected to the finite element model of diffusion, coupled with the thermo-mechanical problem by the temperature and crack opening dependent diffusion coefficient. The application of the proposed method to photovoltaic modules pinpoints two important physical aspects: (i) moisture diffusion in humidity freeze tests with a temperature dependent diffusivity is a much slower process than in the case of a constant diffusion coefficient; (ii) channel cracks through Silicon solar cells significantly enhance moisture diffusion and electric degradation, as confirmed by experimental tests.

The hedgehog regulated oncogenes Gli1 and Gli2 block myoblast differentiation by inhibiting MyoD-mediated transcriptional activation

PubMed Central

Gerber, AN; Wilson, CW; Li, Y-J; Chuang, P-T

2012-01-01

The mechanism by which activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway modulates differentiation and promotes oncogenesis in specific tissues is poorly understood. We therefore, analysed rhabdomyosarcomas from mice that were haploinsufficient for the Hh-binding protein, Hip1, or for the Hh receptor, Patched 1 (Ptch1). Transfection of the Hh-regulated transcription factor Gli1, which is expressed in a subset of mouse and human rhabdomyosarcomas, suppressed differentiation of myogenic rhabdomyosarcoma lines generated from Hip1+/− and Ptch1+/− mice. The closely related factor, Gli2, had similar effects. Gli1 and Gli2 inhibited myogenesis by repressing the capacity of MyoD to activate transcription. Deletion analysis of Gli1 indicated that multiple domains of Gli1 are required for efficient inhibition of MyoD. Gli1 reduced the ability of MyoD to heterodimerize with E12 and bind DNA, providing one mechanism whereby the Gli proteins modulate the activity of MyoD. This novel activity of Gli proteins provides new insights into how Hh signaling modulates terminal differentiation through inhibition of tissue-specific factors such as MyoD. This mechanism may contribute to the broad role of Hh signaling and the Gli proteins in differentiation decisions and cancer formation. PMID:16964293

Self-Tuning Fully-Connected PID Neural Network System for Distributed Temperature Sensing and Control of Instrument with Multi-Modules.

PubMed

Zhang, Zhen; Ma, Cheng; Zhu, Rong

2016-10-14

High integration of multi-functional instruments raises a critical issue in temperature control that is challenging due to its spatial-temporal complexity. This paper presents a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) self-tuning temperature sensing and control system for efficiently modulating the temperature environment within a multi-module instrument. The smart system ensures that the internal temperature of the instrument converges to a target without the need of a system model, thus making the control robust. The system consists of a fully-connected proportional-integral-derivative (PID) neural network (FCPIDNN) and an on-line self-tuning module. The experimental results show that the presented system can effectively control the internal temperature under various mission scenarios, in particular, it is able to self-reconfigure upon actuator failure. The system provides a new scheme for a complex and time-variant MIMO control system which can be widely applied for the distributed measurement and control of the environment in instruments, integration electronics, and house constructions.

Note: extraction of temperature-dependent interfacial resistance of thermoelectric modules.

PubMed

Chen, Min

2011-11-01

This article discusses an approach for extracting the temperature dependency of the electrical interfacial resistance associated with thermoelectric devices. The method combines a traditional module-level test rig and a nonlinear numerical model of thermoelectricity to minimize measurement errors on the interfacial resistance. The extracted results represent useful data to investigating the characteristics of thermoelectric module resistance and comparing performance of various modules. © 2011 American Institute of Physics

Design Considerations for Gun Propellant Climatic Storage Chambers.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-11-01

Schematic diagram of thermal element 5 4. Prototype Lhermal element 6 5. Power control circuit diagram 7 6. Power control module 7 7. Temperature...plates. Each plate is powered through a triac and temperature control circuit as shown in figure 5. Figure 6 is a photograph of an assembled power control...SHEATER PLATES Figure 5. Power control circuit diagram 4 f Figure 6. Power control module WSR.L-0295-TR -8- Figure 7. Temperature control module 9 -WSRL

The extent of the temperature-induced membrane remodeling in two closely related Bordetella species reflects their adaptation to diverse environmental niches

PubMed Central

Seydlova, Gabriela; Beranova, Jana; Bibova, Ilona; Dienstbier, Ana; Drzmisek, Jakub; Masin, Jiri; Fiser, Radovan; Konopasek, Ivo; Vecerek, Branislav

2017-01-01

Changes in environmental temperature represent one of the major stresses faced by microorganisms as they affect the function of the cytoplasmic membrane. In this study, we have analyzed the thermal adaptation in two closely related respiratory pathogens Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella bronchiseptica. Although B. pertussis represents a pathogen strictly adapted to the human body temperature, B. bronchiseptica causes infection in a broad range of animals and survives also outside of the host. We applied GC-MS to determine the fatty acids of both Bordetella species grown at different temperatures and analyzed the membrane fluidity by fluorescence anisotropy measurement. In parallel, we also monitored the effect of growth temperature changes on the expression and production of several virulence factors. In response to low temperatures, B. pertussis adapted its fatty acid composition and membrane fluidity to a considerably lesser extent when compared with B. bronchiseptica. Remarkably, B. pertussis maintained the production of virulence factors at 24 °C, whereas B. bronchiseptica cells resumed the production only upon temperature upshift to 37 °C. This growth temperature-associated differential modulation of virulence factor production was linked to the phosphorylation state of transcriptional regulator BvgA. The observed differences in low-temperature adaptation between B. pertussis and B. bronchiseptica may result from selective adaptation of B. pertussis to the human host. We propose that the reduced plasticity of the B. pertussis membranes ensures sustained production of virulence factors at suboptimal temperatures and may play an important role in the transmission of the disease. PMID:28348085

Micro-Scalable Thermal Control Device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moran, Matthew E. (Inventor)

2002-01-01

A microscalable thermal control module consists of a Stirling cycle cooler that can be manipulated to operate at a selected temperature within the heating and cooling range of the module. The microscalable thermal control module is particularly suited for controlling the temperature of devices that must be maintained at precise temperatures. It is particularly suited for controlling the temperature of devices that need to be alternately heated or cooled. The module contains upper and lower opposing diaphragms, with a regenerator region containing a plurality of regenerators interposed between the diaphragms. Gaps exist on each side of each diaphragm to permit it to oscillate freely. The gap on the interior side one diaphragm is in fluid connection with the gap on the interior side of the other diaphragm through regenerators. As the diaphragms oscillate working gas is forced through the regenerators. The surface area of each regenerator is sufficiently large to effectively transfer thermal energy to and from the working gas as it is passed through them. The phase and amplitude of the oscillations can be manipulated electronically to control the steady state temperature of the active thermal control surface, and to switch the operation of the module from cooling to heating, or vice versa. The ability of the microscalable thermal control module to heat and cool may be enhanced by operating a plurality of modules in series, in parallel, or in connection through a shared bottom layer.

Thermoelectric Generation Using Counter-Flows of Ideal Fluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meng, Xiangning; Lu, Baiyi; Zhu, Miaoyong; Suzuki, Ryosuke O.

2017-08-01

Thermoelectric (TE) performance of a three-dimensional (3-D) TE module is examined by exposing it between a pair of counter-flows of ideal fluids. The ideal fluids are thermal sources of TE module flow in the opposite direction at the same flow rate and generate temperature differences on the hot and cold surfaces due to their different temperatures at the channel inlet. TE performance caused by different inlet temperatures of thermal fluids are numerically analyzed by using the finite-volume method on 3-D meshed physical models and then compared with those using a constant boundary temperature. The results show that voltage and current of the TE module increase gradually from a beginning moment to a steady flow and reach a stable value. The stable values increase with inlet temperature of the hot fluid when the inlet temperature of cold fluid is fixed. However, the time to get to the stable values is almost consistent for all the temperature differences. Moreover, the trend of TE performance using a fluid flow boundary is similar to that of using a constant boundary temperature. Furthermore, 3-D contours of fluid pressure, temperature, enthalpy, electromotive force, current density and heat flux are exhibited in order to clarify the influence of counter-flows of ideal fluids on TE generation. The current density and heat flux homogeneously distribute on an entire TE module, thus indicating that the counter-flows of thermal fluids have high potential to bring about fine performance for TE modules.

Variable temperature seat climate control system

DOEpatents

Karunasiri, Tissa R.; Gallup, David F.; Noles, David R.; Gregory, Christian T.

1997-05-06

A temperature climate control system comprises a variable temperature seat, at least one heat pump, at least one heat pump temperature sensor, and a controller. Each heat pump comprises a number of Peltier thermoelectric modules for temperature conditioning the air in a main heat exchanger and a main exchanger fan for passing the conditioned air from the main exchanger to the variable temperature seat. The Peltier modules and each main fan may be manually adjusted via a control switch or a control signal. Additionally, the temperature climate control system may comprise a number of additional temperature sensors to monitor the temperature of the ambient air surrounding the occupant as well as the temperature of the conditioned air directed to the occupant. The controller is configured to automatically regulate the operation of the Peltier modules and/or each main fan according to a temperature climate control logic designed both to maximize occupant comfort during normal operation, and minimize possible equipment damage, occupant discomfort, or occupant injury in the event of a heat pump malfunction.

Thin Film Differential Photosensor for Reduction of Temperature Effects in Lab-on-Chip Applications.

PubMed

de Cesare, Giampiero; Carpentiero, Matteo; Nascetti, Augusto; Caputo, Domenico

2016-02-20

This paper presents a thin film structure suitable for low-level radiation measurements in lab-on-chip systems that are subject to thermal treatments of the analyte and/or to large temperature variations. The device is the series connection of two amorphous silicon/amorphous silicon carbide heterojunctions designed to perform differential current measurements. The two diodes experience the same temperature, while only one is exposed to the incident radiation. Under these conditions, temperature and light are the common and differential mode signals, respectively. A proper electrical connection reads the differential current of the two diodes (ideally the photocurrent) as the output signal. The experimental characterization shows the benefits of the differential structure in minimizing the temperature effects with respect to a single diode operation. In particular, when the temperature varies from 23 to 50 °C, the proposed device shows a common mode rejection ratio up to 24 dB and reduces of a factor of three the error in detecting very low-intensity light signals.

Thin Film Differential Photosensor for Reduction of Temperature Effects in Lab-on-Chip Applications

PubMed Central

de Cesare, Giampiero; Carpentiero, Matteo; Nascetti, Augusto; Caputo, Domenico

2016-01-01

This paper presents a thin film structure suitable for low-level radiation measurements in lab-on-chip systems that are subject to thermal treatments of the analyte and/or to large temperature variations. The device is the series connection of two amorphous silicon/amorphous silicon carbide heterojunctions designed to perform differential current measurements. The two diodes experience the same temperature, while only one is exposed to the incident radiation. Under these conditions, temperature and light are the common and differential mode signals, respectively. A proper electrical connection reads the differential current of the two diodes (ideally the photocurrent) as the output signal. The experimental characterization shows the benefits of the differential structure in minimizing the temperature effects with respect to a single diode operation. In particular, when the temperature varies from 23 to 50 °C, the proposed device shows a common mode rejection ratio up to 24 dB and reduces of a factor of three the error in detecting very low-intensity light signals. PMID:26907292

Health Instruction Packages: Consumer--Self-Examination.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maas, Carolyn; And Others

These three learning modules present text, illustrations, and exercises to teach lay persons to take and interpret a temperature, collect a urine specimen, and perform a breast examination. The first module, by Carolyn Maas, defines "temperature," describes the three body areas for temperature taking, distinguishes between normal and…

Dynamic thermoregulation of the sample in flow cytometry.

PubMed

Graves, Steven W; Habbersett, Robert C; Nolan, John P

2002-05-01

Fine control of temperature is an important capability for any analytical platform. A circulating water bath has been the traditional means of maintaining constant temperature in the sample chamber of a flow cytometer, but this approach does not permit rapid changes in sample temperature. This unit explains the use of Peltier modules for regulation of sample temperature. The heat pumping generated by the passage of current through properly matched semiconductors, known as the Peltier effect, makes it possible for these thermoelectric modules to both heat and cool. The authors describe the construction of a Peltier module based thermoregulation unit in step-by-step detail and present a demonstration of flow cytometry measurements as a function of temperature.

A quantitative model to evaluate solubility relationship of polymorphs from their thermal properties.

PubMed

Mao, Chen; Pinal, Rodolfo; Morris, Kenneth R

2005-07-01

The objective of the study is to develop a model to estimate the solubility ratio of two polymorphic forms based on the calculation of the free energy difference of two forms at any temperature. This model can be used for compounds with low solubility (a few mole percent) in which infinite dilution can be approximated. The model is derived using the melting temperature and heat of fusion for apparent monotropic systems, and the solid-solid transition temperature and heat of transition for apparent enantiotropic systems. A rigorous derivation also requires heat capacity (Cp) measurement of liquid and two solid forms. This model is validated by collecting thermal properties of polymorphs for several drugs using conventional or modulated differential scanning calorimetry. From these properties the solubility ratio of two polymorphs is evaluated using the model and compared with the experimental value at different temperatures. The predicted values using the full model agree well with the experimental ones. For the purpose of easy measurement, working equations without Cp terms are also applied. Ignoring Cp may result in an error of 10% or less, suggesting that the working equation is applicable in practice. Additional error may be generated for the apparent enantiotropic systems due to the inconsistency between the observed solid-solid transition temperature and the true thermodynamic transition temperature. This inconsistency allows the predicted solubility ratios (low melt/high melt) to be smaller. Therefore, a correction factor of 1.1 is recommended to reduce the error when the working equation is used to estimate the solubility ratio of an enantiotropic system. The study of the free energy changes of two crystalline forms of a drug allows for the development of a model that successfully predicts the solubility ratio at any temperature from their thermal properties. This model provides a thermodynamic foundation as to how the free energy difference of two polymorphs is reflected by their equilibrium solubilities. It also provides a quick and practical way of evaluating the relative solubility of two polymorphs from single differential scanning calorimetry runs.

Discharge conditions for CW and pulse-modulated surface-wave plasmas in low-temperature sterilization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, L.; Terashita, F.; Nonaka, H.; Ogino, A.; Nagata, T.; Koide, Y.; Nanko, S.; Kurawaki, I.; Nagatsu, M.

2006-01-01

The discharge conditions required for low-temperature plasma sterilization were investigated using low-pressure surface-wave plasma (SWP). The discharge conditions for both continuous wave (CW) and pulse-modulated SWPs in low-temperature sterilization of Geobacillus stearothermophilus with a population of 1.5 × 106 and 3.0 × 106 were studied by varying the microwave input power from 500 W to 3 kW, and the effective plasma treatment time from 40 to 300 s. Results showed that sterilization was possible in a shorter treatment time using a higher microwave power for both CW and pulse-modulated SWPs. Pulse-modulated SWPs gave effective sterilization at a temperature roughly 10 to 20 °C below that of CW SWPs under the same average microwave power.

Cryogenic 160-GHz MMIC Heterodyne Receiver Module

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Samoska, Lorene A.; Soria, Mary M.; Owen, Heather R.; Dawson, Douglas E.; Kangaslahti, Pekka P.; Gaier, Todd C.; Voll, Patricia; Lau, Judy; Sieth, Matt; Church, Sarah

2011-01-01

A cryogenic 160-GHz MMIC heterodyne receiver module has demonstrated a system noise temperature of 100 K or less at 166 GHz. This module builds upon work previously described in Development of a 150-GHz MMIC Module Prototype for Large-Scale CMB Radiation (NPO-47664), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 35, No. 8 (August 2011), p. 27. In the original module, the local oscillator signal was saturating the MMIC low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) with power. In order to suppress the local oscillator signal from reaching the MMIC LNAs, the W-band (75 110 GHz) signal had to be filtered out before reaching 140 170 GHz. A bandpass filter was developed to cover 120 170 GHz, using microstrip parallel-coupled lines to achieve the desired filter bandwidth, and ensure that the unwanted W-band local oscillator signal would be sufficiently suppressed. With the new bandpass filter, the entire receiver can work over the 140 180-GHz band, with a minimum system noise temperature of 460 K at 166 GHz. The module was tested cryogenically at 20 K ambient temperature, and it was found that the receiver had a noise temperature of 100 K over an 8-GHz bandwidth. The receiver module now includes a microstrip bandpass filter, which was designed to have a 3-dB bandwidth of approximately 120-170 GHz. The filter was fabricated on a 3-mil-thick alumina substrate. The filter design was based on a W-band filter design made at JPL and used in the QUIET (Q/U Imaging ExperimenT) radiometer modules. The W-band filter was scaled for a new center frequency of 150 GHz, and the microstrip segments were changed accordingly. Also, to decrease the bandwidth of the resulting scaled design, the center gaps between the microstrip lines were increased (by four micrometers in length) compared to the gaps near the edges. The use of the 150-GHz bandpass filter has enabled the receiver module to function well at room temperature. The system noise temperature was measured to be less than 600 K (at room temperature) from 154 to 168 GHz. Additionally, the use of a W-band isolator between the receiver module and the local oscillator source also improved the noise temperature substantially. This may be because the mixer was presented with a better impedance match with the use of the isolator. Cryogenic testing indicates a system noise temperature of 100 K or less at 166 GHz. Prior tests of the MMIC amplifiers alone have resulted in a system noise temperature of 65.70 K in the same frequency range (.160 GHz) when cooled to an ambient temperature of 20 K. While other detector systems may be slightly more sensitive (such as SIS mixers), they require more cooling (to 4 K ambient) and are not as easily scalable to build a large array, due to the need for large magnets and other equipment. When cooled to 20 K, this receiver module achieves approximately 100 K system noise temperature, which is slightly higher than single-amplifier module results obtained at JPL (65.70 K when an amplifier is corrected for back-end noise contributions). If this performance can be realized in practice, and a scalable array can be produced, the impact on cosmic microwave background experiments, astronomical and Earth spectroscopy, interferometry, and radio astronomy in general will be dramatic.

The MADS-box XAANTAL1 increases proliferation at the Arabidopsis root stem-cell niche and participates in transition to differentiation by regulating cell-cycle components

PubMed Central

García-Cruz, Karla V.; García-Ponce, Berenice; Garay-Arroyo, Adriana; Sanchez, María De La Paz; Ugartechea-Chirino, Yamel; Desvoyes, Bénédicte; Pacheco-Escobedo, Mario A.; Tapia-López, Rosalinda; Ransom-Rodríguez, Ivan; Gutierrez, Crisanto; Alvarez-Buylla, Elena R.

2016-01-01

Background Morphogenesis depends on the concerted modulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. Such modulation is dynamically adjusted in response to various external and internal signals via complex transcriptional regulatory networks that mediate between such signals and regulation of cell-cycle and cellular responses (proliferation, growth, differentiation). In plants, which are sessile, the proliferation/differentiation balance is plastically adjusted during their life cycle and transcriptional networks are important in this process. MADS-box genes are key developmental regulators in eukaryotes, but their role in cell proliferation and differentiation modulation in plants remains poorly studied. Methods We characterize the XAL1 loss-of-function xal1-2 allele and overexpression lines using quantitative cellular and cytometry analyses to explore its role in cell cycle, proliferation, stem-cell patterning and transition to differentiation. We used quantitative PCR and cellular markers to explore if XAL1 regulates cell-cycle components and PLETHORA1 (PLT1) gene expression, as well as confocal microscopy to analyse stem-cell niche organization. Key Results We previously showed that XAANTAL1 (XAL1/AGL12) is necessary for Arabidopsis root development as a promoter of cell proliferation in the root apical meristem. Here, we demonstrate that XAL1 positively regulates the expression of PLT1 and important components of the cell cycle: CYCD3;1, CYCA2;3, CYCB1;1, CDKB1;1 and CDT1a. In addition, we show that xal1-2 mutant plants have a premature transition to differentiation with root hairs appearing closer to the root tip, while endoreplication in these plants is partially compromised. Coincidently, the final size of cortex cells in the mutant is shorter than wild-type cells. Finally, XAL1 overexpression-lines corroborate that this transcription factor is able to promote cell proliferation at the stem-cell niche. Conclusion XAL1 seems to be an important component of the networks that modulate cell proliferation/differentiation transition and stem-cell proliferation during Arabidopsis root development; it also regulates several cell-cycle components. PMID:27474508

Depolarization Alters Phenotype, Maintains Plasticity of Predifferentiated Mesenchymal Stem Cells

PubMed Central

Sundelacruz, Sarah; Levin, Michael

2013-01-01

Although adult stem cell transplantation has been implemented as a therapy for tissue repair, it is limited by the availability of functional adult stem cells. A potential approach to generate stem and progenitor cells may be to modulate the differentiated status of somatic cells. Therefore, there is a need for a better understanding of how the differentiated phenotype of mature cells is regulated. We hypothesize that bioelectric signaling plays an important role in the maintenance of the differentiated state, as it is a functional regulator of the differentiation process in various cells and tissues. In this study, we asked whether the mature phenotype of osteoblasts and adipocytes derived from human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) could be altered by modulation of their membrane potential. hMSC-derived osteoblasts and adipocytes were depolarized by treatment with ouabain, a Na+/K+ ATPase inhibitor, or by treatment with high concentrations of extracellular K+. To characterize the effect of voltage modulation on the differentiated state, the depolarized cells were evaluated for (1) the loss of differentiation markers; (2) the up-regulation of stemness markers and stem properties; and (3) differences in gene expression profiles in response to voltage modulation. hMSC-derived osteoblasts and adipocytes exhibited significant down-regulation of bone and fat tissue markers in response to depolarization, despite the presence of differentiation-inducing soluble factors, suggesting that bioelectric signaling overrides biochemical signaling in the maintenance of cell state. Suppression of the osteoblast or adipocyte phenotype was not accompanied by up-regulation of genes associated with the stem state. Thus, depolarization does not activate the stem cell genetic signature and, therefore, does not induce a full reprogramming event. However, after transdifferentiating the depolarized cells to evaluate for multi-lineage potential, depolarized osteoblasts demonstrated improved ability to achieve correct adipocyte morphology compared with nondepolarized osteoblasts. The present study thus demonstrates that depolarization reduces the differentiated phenotype of hMSC-derived cells and improves their transdifferentiation capacity, but does not restore a stem-like genetic profile. Through global transcript profiling of depolarized osteoblasts, we identified pathways that may mediate the effects of voltage signaling on cell state, which will require a detailed mechanistic inquiry in future studies. PMID:23738690

Expression of polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecules on adult stem cells after neuronal differentiation of inner ear spiral ganglion neurons

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

Park, Kyoung Ho; Yeo, Sang Won, E-mail: swyeo@catholic.ac.kr; Troy, Frederic A., E-mail: fatroy@ucdavis.edu

Highlights: • PolySia expressed on neurons primarily during early stages of neuronal development. • PolySia–NCAM is expressed on neural stem cells from adult guinea pig spiral ganglion. • PolySia is a biomarker that modulates neuronal differentiation in inner ear stem cells. - Abstract: During brain development, polysialylated (polySia) neural cell adhesion molecules (polySia–NCAMs) modulate cell–cell adhesive interactions involved in synaptogenesis, neural plasticity, myelination, and neural stem cell (NSC) proliferation and differentiation. Our findings show that polySia–NCAM is expressed on NSC isolated from adult guinea pig spiral ganglion (GPSG), and in neurons and Schwann cells after differentiation of the NSC withmore » epidermal, glia, fibroblast growth factors (GFs) and neurotrophins. These differentiated cells were immunoreactive with mAb’s to polySia, NCAM, β-III tubulin, nestin, S-100 and stained with BrdU. NSC could regenerate and be differentiated into neurons and Schwann cells. We conclude: (1) polySia is expressed on NSC isolated from adult GPSG and on neurons and Schwann cells differentiated from these NSC; (2) polySia is expressed on neurons primarily during the early stage of neuronal development and is expressed on Schwann cells at points of cell–cell contact; (3) polySia is a functional biomarker that modulates neuronal differentiation in inner ear stem cells. These new findings suggest that replacement of defective cells in the inner ear of hearing impaired patients using adult spiral ganglion neurons may offer potential hope to improve the quality of life for patients with auditory dysfunction and impaired hearing disorders.« less

Thermal spin filtering effect and giant magnetoresistance of half-metallic graphene nanoribbon co-doped with non-metallic Nitrogen and Boron

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Hai; Zheng, Anmin; Gao, Guoying; Yao, Kailun

2018-03-01

Ab initio calculations based on density functional theory and non-equilibrium Green's function are performed to investigate the thermal spin transport properties of single-hydrogen-saturated zigzag graphene nanoribbon co-doped with non-metallic Nitrogen and Boron in parallel and anti-parallel spin configurations. The results show that the doped graphene nanoribbon is a full half-metal. The two-probe system based on the doped graphene nanoribbon exhibits various excellent spin transport properties, including the spin-filtering effect, the spin Seebeck effect, the single-spin negative differential thermal resistance effect and the sign-reversible giant magnetoresistance feature. Excellently, the spin-filtering efficiency can reach nearly 100% in the parallel configuration and the magnetoresistance ratio can be up to -1.5 × 1010% by modulating the electrode temperature and temperature gradient. Our findings indicate that the metal-free doped graphene nanoribbon would be a promising candidate for spin caloritronic applications.

Immunoregulatory effects of glutathione during mesenchymal stem cell differentiation to hepatocyte-like cells.

PubMed

Ahmadi-Ashtiani, Hamid-Reza; Allameh, Abdolamir; Rastegar, Hossein; Mortaz, Esmaeil; Saraf, Zahir

2012-09-01

The role of mesenchymal stem cell in cellular therapy is the subject of interest for many researchers. The differentiation potential of MSCs and abilities in modulations of the recipient's immune system makes them important cells in tissue regenerative studies. MSCs by releasing the proinflammatory cytokines play important role in immunomodulatory systems; however the signaling pathways for releasing of these mediators are not well understood. Glutathione has been shown to play a role in modulation of cytokines in hepatogenic differentiation. In the current study we aimed to investigate the effects of buthionine sulfoximine (BSO, inhibitor for glutathione synthesis) and N-acetylecystin (NAC, an inhibitor for ROS generation) on proinflammatory cytokines production in a hepatogenic differentiation model. BSO and NAC significantly decreased IL-6 and TNF-α levels at 14 days of differentiation, whereas, NAC decreased the levels of IL-8 at days 2 and 14 of differentiation. Moreover, intracellular glutathione level during the differentiation was depleted. Our current study suggests a novel role of GSH as an immunopharmacological regulatory molecule during hepatogenic differentiation. Finally, this information may shed some light on the understanding of MSCs responses in transplantation and cell therapy in diseases such as chronic hepatic diseases.

Differential targeting of Gbetagamma-subunit signaling with small molecules.

PubMed

Bonacci, Tabetha M; Mathews, Jennifer L; Yuan, Chujun; Lehmann, David M; Malik, Sundeep; Wu, Dianqing; Font, Jose L; Bidlack, Jean M; Smrcka, Alan V

2006-04-21

G protein betagamma subunits have potential as a target for therapeutic treatment of a number of diseases. We performed virtual docking of a small-molecule library to a site on Gbetagamma subunits that mediates protein interactions. We hypothesized that differential targeting of this surface could allow for selective modulation of Gbetagamma subunit functions. Several compounds bound to Gbetagamma subunits with affinities from 0.1 to 60 muM and selectively modulated functional Gbetagamma-protein-protein interactions in vitro, chemotactic peptide signaling pathways in HL-60 leukocytes, and opioid receptor-dependent analgesia in vivo. These data demonstrate an approach for modulation of G protein-coupled receptor signaling that may represent an important therapeutic strategy.

Reducing Operating Temperature in Photovoltaic Modules

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

Silverman, Timothy J.; Deceglie, Michael G.; Subedi, Indra

Reducing the operating temperature of photovoltaic modules increases their efficiency and lifetime. This can be achieved by reducing the production of waste heat or by improving the rejection of waste heat. We tested, using a combination of simulation and experiment, several thermal modifications in each category. To predict operating temperature and energy yield changes in response to changes to the module, we implemented a physics-based transient simulation framework based almost entirely on measured properties. The most effective thermal modifications reduced the production of waste heat by reflecting unusable light from the cell or the module. Consistent with previous results andmore » verified in this work through year-long simulations, the ideal reflector resulted in an annual irradiance-weighted temperature reduction of 3.8 K for crystalline silicon (c-Si). Our results illustrate that more realistic reflector concepts must balance detrimental optical effects with the intended thermal effects to realize the optimal energy production advantage. Methods improving thermal conductivity or back-side emissivity showed only modest improvements of less than 1 K. We also studied a GaAs module, which uses high-efficiency and high-subbandgap reflectivity to operate at an annual irradiance-weighted temperature 12 K cooler than that of a c-Si module under the same conditions.« less

Reducing Operating Temperature in Photovoltaic Modules

DOE PAGES

Silverman, Timothy J.; Deceglie, Michael G.; Subedi, Indra; ...

2018-01-09

Reducing the operating temperature of photovoltaic modules increases their efficiency and lifetime. This can be achieved by reducing the production of waste heat or by improving the rejection of waste heat. We tested, using a combination of simulation and experiment, several thermal modifications in each category. To predict operating temperature and energy yield changes in response to changes to the module, we implemented a physics-based transient simulation framework based almost entirely on measured properties. The most effective thermal modifications reduced the production of waste heat by reflecting unusable light from the cell or the module. Consistent with previous results andmore » verified in this work through year-long simulations, the ideal reflector resulted in an annual irradiance-weighted temperature reduction of 3.8 K for crystalline silicon (c-Si). Our results illustrate that more realistic reflector concepts must balance detrimental optical effects with the intended thermal effects to realize the optimal energy production advantage. Methods improving thermal conductivity or back-side emissivity showed only modest improvements of less than 1 K. We also studied a GaAs module, which uses high-efficiency and high-subbandgap reflectivity to operate at an annual irradiance-weighted temperature 12 K cooler than that of a c-Si module under the same conditions.« less

Evidence for a high temperature differentiation in a molten earth: A preliminary appraisal

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murthy, V. Rama

1992-01-01

If the earth were molten during its later stages of accretion as indicated by the present understanding of planetary accretion process, the differentiation that led to the formation of the core and mantle must have occurred at high temperatures in the range of 3000-5000 K because of the effect of pressure on the temperature of melting in the interior of the earth. This calls into question the use of low-temperature laboratory measurements of partition coefficients of trace elements to make inferences about earth accretion and differentiation. The low temperature partition coefficients cannot be directly applied to high temperature fractionations because partition coefficients refer to an equilibrium specific to a temperature for a given reaction, and must change in some proportion to exp 1/RT. There are no laboratory data on partition coefficients at the high temperatures relevant to differentiation in the interior of the earth, and an attempt to estimate high temperature distribution coefficients of siderophile elements was made by considering the chemical potential of a given element at equilibrium and how this potential changes with temperature, under some specific assumptions.

Crossed Module Bundle Gerbes; Classification, String Group and Differential Geometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jurčo, Branislav

We discuss nonabelian bundle gerbes and their differential geometry using simplicial methods. Associated to any crossed module there is a simplicial group NC, the nerve of the 1-category defined by the crossed module and its geometric realization |NC|. Equivalence classes of principal bundles with structure group |NC| are shown to be one-to-one with stable equivalence classes of what we call crossed module gerbes bundle gerbes. We can also associate to a crossed module a 2-category C'. Then there are two equivalent ways how to view classifying spaces of NC-bundles and hence of |NC|-bundles and crossed module bundle gerbes. We can either apply the W-construction to NC or take the nerve of the 2-category C'. We discuss the string group and string structures from this point of view. Also a simplicial principal bundle can be equipped with a simplicial connection and a B-field. It is shown how in the case of a simplicial principal NC-bundle these simplicial objects give the bundle gerbe connection and the bundle gerbe B-field.

Power Generation Evaluated on a Bismuth Telluride Unicouple Module

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Xiaokai; Nagase, Kazuo; Jood, Priyanka; Ohta, Michihiro; Yamamoto, Atsushi

2015-06-01

The power generated by a thermoelectric unicouple module made of Bi2Te3 alloy was evaluated by use of a newly developed instrument. An electrical load was connected to the module, and the terminal voltage and output power of the module were obtained by altering electric current. Water flow was used to cool the cold side of the module and for heat flow measurement, by monitoring inlet and outlet temperatures. When the electric current was increased, heat flow was enhanced as a result of the Peltier effect and Joule heating. Voltage, power, heat flow, and efficiency as functions of current were determined for hot-side temperatures from 50 to 220°C. Maximum power output and peak conversion efficiency could thus be easily derived for each temperature.

Profiling of differential gene expression in the hypothalamus of broiler-type Taiwan country chickens in response to acute heat stress.

PubMed

Tu, Wei-Lin; Cheng, Chuen-Yu; Wang, Shih-Han; Tang, Pin-Chi; Chen, Chih-Feng; Chen, Hsin-Hsin; Lee, Yen-Pai; Chen, Shuen-Ei; Huang, San-Yuan

2016-02-01

Acute heat stress severely impacts poultry production. The hypothalamus acts as a crucial center to regulate body temperature, detect temperature changes, and modulate the autonomic nervous system and endocrine loop for heat retention and dissipation. The purpose of this study was to investigate global gene expression in the hypothalamus of broiler-type B strain Taiwan country chickens after acute heat stress. Twelve 30-week-old hens were allocated to four groups. Three heat-stressed groups were subjected to acute heat stress at 38 °C for 2 hours without recovery (H2R0), with 2 hours of recovery (H2R2), and with 6 hours of recovery (H2R6). The control hens were maintained at 25 °C. At the end, hypothalamus samples were collected for gene expression analysis. The results showed that 24, 11, and 25 genes were upregulated and 41, 15, and 42 genes were downregulated in H2R0, H2R2, and H2R6 treatments, respectively. The expressions of gonadotropin-releasing hormone 1 (GNRH1), heat shock 27-kDa protein 1 (HSPB1), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and heat shock protein 25 (HSP25) were upregulated at all recovery times after heat exposure. Conversely, the expression of TPH2 was downregulated at all recovery times. A gene ontology analysis showed that most of the differentially expressed genes were involved in biological processes including cellular processes, metabolic processes, localization, multicellular organismal processes, developmental processes, and biological regulation. A functional annotation analysis showed that the differentially expressed genes were related to the gene networks of responses to stress and reproductive functions. These differentially expressed genes might be essential and unique key factors in the heat stress response of the hypothalamus in chickens. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Temperature modulation of the visible and near infrared absorption and scattering coefficients of human skin.

PubMed

Khalil, Omar S; Yeh, Shu-Jen; Lowery, Michael G; Wu, Xiaomao; Hanna, Charles F; Kantor, Stanislaw; Jeng, Tzyy-Wen; Kanger, Johannes S; Bolt, Rene A; de Mul, Frits F

2003-04-01

We determine temperature effect on the absorption and reduced scattering coefficients (mu(a) and mu(s)(')) of human forearm skin. Optical and thermal simulation data suggest that mu( a) and mu(s)(') are determined within a temperature-controlled depth of approximately 2 mm. Cutaneous mu(s)(') change linearly with temperature. Change in mu(a) was complex and irreversible above body normal temperatures. Light penetration depth (delta) in skin increased on cooling, with considerable person-to-person variations. We attribute the effect of temperature on mu(s)(') to change in refractive index mismatch, and its effect on mu(a) to perfusion changes. The reversible temperature effect on mu (s)(' ) was maintained during more than 90 min. contact between skin and the measuring probe, where temperature was modulated between 38 and 22 degrees C for multiple cycles While temperature modulated mu(s)(' ) instantaneously and reversibly, mu(a) exhibited slower response time and consistent drift. There was a statistically significant upward drift in mu(a) and a mostly downward drift in mu( s)(') over the contact period. The drift in temperature-induced fractional change in mu(s)(') was less statistically significant than the drift in mu(s)('). Deltamu( s)(') values determined under temperature modulation conditions may have less nonspecific drift than mu(s)(') which may have significance for noninvasive determination of analytes in human tissue.

PubMed Central

MOROSETTI, R.; GLIUBIZZI, C.; BROCCOLINI, A.; SANCRICCA, C.; MIRABELLA, M.

2011-01-01

SUMMARY Mesoangioblasts are a class of adult stem cells of mesoderm origin, potentially useful for the treatment of primitive myopathies of different etiology. Extensive in vitro and in vivo studies in animal models of muscular dystrophy have demonstrated the ability of mesoangioblast to repair skeletal muscle when injected intra-arterially. In a previous work we demonstrated that mesoangioblasts obtained from diagnostic muscle biopsies of IBM patients display a defective differentiation down skeletal muscle and this block can be corrected in vitro by transient MyoD transfection. We are currently investigating different pathways involved in mesoangioblasts skeletal muscle differentiation and exploring alternative stimulatory approaches not requiring extensive cell manipulation. This will allow to obtain safe, easy and efficient molecular or pharmacological modulation of pro-myogenic pathways in IBM mesoangioblasts. It is of crucial importance to identify factors (ie. cytokines, growth factors) produced by muscle or inflammatory cells and released in the surrounding milieu that are able to regulate the differentiation ability of IBM mesoangioblasts. To promote myogenic differentiation of endogenous mesoangioblasts in IBM muscle, the modulation of such target molecules selectively dysregulated would be a more handy approach to enhance muscle regeneration compared to transplantation techniques. Studies on the biological characteristics of IBM mesoangioblasts with their aberrant differentiation behavior, the signaling pathways possibly involved in their differentiation block and the possible strategies to overcome it in vivo, might provide new insights to better understand the etiopathogenesis of this crippling disorder and to identify molecular targets susceptible of therapeutic modulation. PMID:21842589

Body and brain temperature coupling: the critical role of cerebral blood flow.

PubMed

Zhu, Mingming; Ackerman, Joseph J H; Yablonskiy, Dmitriy A

2009-08-01

Direct measurements of deep-brain and body-core temperature were performed on rats to determine the influence of cerebral blood flow (CBF) on brain temperature regulation under static and dynamic conditions. Static changes of CBF were achieved using different anesthetics (chloral hydrate, CH; alpha-chloralose, alphaCS; and isoflurane, IF) with alphaCS causing larger decreases in CBF than CH and IF; dynamic changes were achieved by inducing transient hypercapnia (5% CO(2) in 40% O(2) and 55% N(2)). Initial deep-brain/body-core temperature differentials were anesthetic-type dependent with the largest differential observed with rats under alphaCS anesthesia (ca. 2 degrees C). Hypercapnia induction raised rat brain temperature under all three anesthesia regimes, but by different anesthetic-dependent amounts correlated with the initial differentials--alphaCS anesthesia resulted in the largest brain temperature increase (0.32 +/- 0.08 degrees C), while CH and IF anesthesia lead to smaller increases (0.12 +/- 0.03 and 0.16 +/- 0.05 degrees C, respectively). The characteristic temperature transition time for the hypercapnia-induced temperature increase was 2-3 min under CH and IF anesthesia and approximately 4 min under alphaCS anesthesia. We conclude that both, the deep-brain/body-core temperature differential and the characteristic temperature transition time correlate with CBF: a lower CBF promotes higher deep-brain/body-core temperature differentials and, upon hypercapnia challenge, longer characteristic transition times to increased temperatures.

Testing physical models for dipolar asymmetry with CMB polarization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Contreras, D.; Zibin, J. P.; Scott, D.; Banday, A. J.; Górski, K. M.

2017-12-01

The cosmic microwave background (CMB) temperature anisotropies exhibit a large-scale dipolar power asymmetry. To determine whether this is due to a real, physical modulation or is simply a large statistical fluctuation requires the measurement of new modes. Here we forecast how well CMB polarization data from Planck and future experiments will be able to confirm or constrain physical models for modulation. Fitting several such models to the Planck temperature data allows us to provide predictions for polarization asymmetry. While for some models and parameters Planck polarization will decrease error bars on the modulation amplitude by only a small percentage, we show, importantly, that cosmic-variance-limited (and in some cases even Planck) polarization data can decrease the errors by considerably better than the expectation of √{2 } based on simple ℓ-space arguments. We project that if the primordial fluctuations are truly modulated (with parameters as indicated by Planck temperature data) then Planck will be able to make a 2 σ detection of the modulation model with 20%-75% probability, increasing to 45%-99% when cosmic-variance-limited polarization is considered. We stress that these results are quite model dependent. Cosmic variance in temperature is important: combining statistically isotropic polarization with temperature data will spuriously increase the significance of the temperature signal with 30% probability for Planck.

Fullerene mediates proliferation and cardiomyogenic differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells via modulation of MAPK pathway and cardiac protein expression

PubMed Central

Hao, Tong; Zhou, Jin; Lü, Shuanghong; Yang, Boguang; Wang, Yan; Fang, Wancai; Jiang, Xiaoxia; Lin, Qiuxia; Li, Junjie; Wang, Changyong

2016-01-01

Zero-dimensional fullerenes can modulate the biological behavior of a variety of cell lines. However, the effects and molecular mechanisms of proliferation and cardiomyogenic differentiation in brown adipose-derived stem cells (BADSCs) are still unclear. In this study, we report the initial biological effects of fullerene-C60 on BADSCs at different concentrations. Results suggest that fullerene-C60 has no cytotoxic effects on BADSCs even at a concentration of 100 μg/mL. Fullerene-C60 improves the MAPK expression level and stem cell survival, proliferation, and cardiomyogenesis. Further, we found that the fullerene-C60 modulates cardiomyogenic differentiation. Fullerene-C60 improves the expression of cardiomyocyte-specific proteins (cTnT and α-sarcomeric actinin). At elevated concentration, fullerene-C60 reduces the incidence of diminished spontaneous cardiac differentiation of BADSCs with time. At the genetic level, fullerene-C60 (5 μg/mL) also improves the expression of cTnT. In addition, fullerene-C60 promotes the formation of gap junction among cells. These findings have important implications for clinical application of fullerenes in the treatment of myocardial infarction. PMID:26848263

Implications of Differential Stress Response Activation Following Non-Frozen Hepatocellular Storage

PubMed Central

Corwin, William L.; Baust, John G.; Van Buskirk, Robert G.

2013-01-01

Hepatocytes are critical for numerous cell therapies and in vitro investigations. A limiting factor for their use in these applications is the ability to process and preserve them without loss of viability or functionality. Normal rat hepatocytes (NHEPs) and human hepatoma (C3A) cells were stored at either 4°C or 37°C to examine post-processing stress responses. Resveratrol and salubrinal were used during storage to determine how targeted molecular stress pathway modulation would affect cell survival. This study revealed that storage outcome is dependent upon numerous factors including: cell type, storage media, storage length, storage temperature, and chemical modulator. These data implicate a molecular-based stress response that is not universal but is specific to the set of conditions under which cells are stored. Further, these findings allude to the potential for targeted protection or destruction of particular cell types for numerous applications, from diagnostic cell selection to cell-based therapy. Ultimately, this study demonstrates the need for further in-depth molecular investigations into the cellular stress response to bioprocessing and preservation. PMID:24845253

Method translation and full metadata transfer from thermal to differential flow modulated comprehensive two dimensional gas chromatography: Profiling of suspected fragrance allergens.

PubMed

Cordero, Chiara; Rubiolo, Patrizia; Reichenbach, Stephen E; Carretta, Andrea; Cobelli, Luigi; Giardina, Matthew; Bicchi, Carlo

2017-01-13

The possibility to transfer methods from thermal to differential-flow modulated comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatographic (GC×GC) platforms is of high interest to improve GC×GC flexibility and increase the compatibility of results from different platforms. The principles of method translation are here applied to an original method, developed for a loop-type thermal modulated GC×GC-MS/FID system, suitable for quali-quantitative screening of suspected fragrance allergens. The analysis conditions were translated to a reverse-injection differential flow modulated platform (GC×2GC-MS/FID) with a dual-parallel secondary column and dual detection. The experimental results, for a model mixture of suspected volatile allergens and for raw fragrance mixtures of different composition, confirmed the feasibility of translating methods by preserving 1 D elution order, as well as the relative alignment of resulting 2D peak patterns. A correct translation produced several benefits including an effective transfer of metadata (compound names, MS fragmentation pattern, response factors) by automatic template transformation and matching from the original/reference method to its translated counterpart. The correct translation provided: (a) 2D pattern repeatability, (b) MS fragmentation pattern reliability for identity confirmation, and (c) comparable response factors and quantitation accuracy within a concentration range of three orders of magnitude. The adoption of a narrow bore (i.e. 0.1mm d c ) first-dimension column to operate under close-to-optimal conditions with the differential-flow modulation GC×GC platform was also advantageous in halving the total analysis under the translated conditions. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Block 2 solar cell module environmental test program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Holloway, K. L.

1978-01-01

Environmental tests were performed of on 76 solar cell modules produced by four different manufacturers. The following tests were performed: (1) 28 day temperature and humidity; (2) rain and icing; (3) salt fog; (4) sand and dust; (5) vacuum/steam/pressure; (6) fungus; (7) temperature/altitude; and (8) thermal shock. Environmental testing of the solar cell modules produced cracked cells, cracked encapsulant and encapsulant delaminations on various modules. In addition, there was some minor cell and frame corrosion.

Mechanisms of femtosecond LIPSS formation induced by periodic surface temperature modulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gurevich, Evgeny L.

2016-06-01

Here we analyze the formation of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) on metal surfaces upon single femtosecond laser pulses. Most of the existing models of the femtosecond LIPSS formation discuss only the appearance of a periodic modulation of the electron and ion temperatures. However the mechanism how the inhomogeneous surface temperature distribution induces the periodically-modulated surface profile under the conditions corresponding to ultrashort-pulse laser ablation is still not clear. Estimations made on the basis of different hydrodynamic instabilities allow to sort out mechanisms, which can bridge the gap between the temperature modulation and the LIPSS. The proposed theory shows that the periodic structures can be generated by single ultrashort laser pulses due to ablative instabilities. The Marangoni and Rayleigh-Bénard convection on the contrary cannot cause the LIPSS formation.

Advanced Materials for High Temperature, High Performance, Wide Bandgap Power Modules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Neal, Chad B.; McGee, Brad; McPherson, Brice; Stabach, Jennifer; Lollar, Richard; Liederbach, Ross; Passmore, Brandon

2016-01-01

Advanced packaging materials must be utilized to take full advantage of the benefits of the superior electrical and thermal properties of wide bandgap power devices in the development of next generation power electronics systems. In this manuscript, the use of advanced materials for key packaging processes and components in multi-chip power modules will be discussed. For example, to date, there has been significant development in silver sintering paste as a high temperature die attach material replacement for conventional solder-based attach due to the improved thermal and mechanical characteristics as well as lower processing temperatures. In order to evaluate the bond quality and performance of this material, shear strength, thermal characteristics, and void quality for a number of silver sintering paste materials were analyzed as a die attach alternative to solder. In addition, as high voltage wide bandgap devices shift from engineering samples to commercial components, passivation materials become key in preventing premature breakdown in power modules. High temperature, high dielectric strength potting materials were investigated to be used to encapsulate and passivate components internal to a power module. The breakdown voltage up to 30 kV and corresponding leakage current for these materials as a function of temperature is also presented. Lastly, high temperature plastic housing materials are important for not only discrete devices but also for power modules. As the operational temperature of the device and/or ambient temperature increases, the mechanical strength and dielectric properties are dramatically reduced. Therefore, the electrical characteristics such as breakdown voltage and leakage current as a function of temperature for housing materials are presented.

Entropy-based divergent and convergent modular pattern reveals additive and synergistic anticerebral ischemia mechanisms

PubMed Central

Yu, Yanan; Zhang, Xiaoxu; Li, Bing; Zhang, Yingying; Liu, Jun; Li, Haixia; Chen, Yinying; Wang, Pengqian; Kang, Ruixia; Wu, Hongli

2016-01-01

Module-based network analysis of diverse pharmacological mechanisms is critical to systematically understand combination therapies and disease outcomes. We first constructed drug-target ischemic networks in baicalin, jasminoidin, ursodeoxycholic acid, and their combinations baicalin and jasminoidin as well as jasminoidin and ursodeoxycholic acid groups and identified modules using the entropy-based clustering algorithm. The modules 11, 7, 4, 8 and 3 were identified as baicalin, jasminoidin, ursodeoxycholic acid, baicalin and jasminoidin and jasminoidin and ursodeoxycholic acid-emerged responsive modules, while 12, 8, 15, 17 and 9 were identified as disappeared responsive modules based on variation of topological similarity, respectively. No overlapping differential biological processes were enriched between baicalin and jasminoidin and jasminoidin and ursodeoxycholic acid pure emerged responsive modules, but two were enriched by their co-disappeared responsive modules including nucleotide-excision repair and epithelial structure maintenance. We found an additive effect of baicalin and jasminoidin in a divergent pattern and a synergistic effect of jasminoidin and ursodeoxycholic acid in a convergent pattern on “central hit strategy” of regulating inflammation against cerebral ischemia. The proposed module-based approach may provide us a holistic view to understand multiple pharmacological mechanisms associated with differential phenotypes from the standpoint of modular pharmacology. PMID:27480252

Documentation of a daily mean stream temperature module—An enhancement to the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sanders, Michael J.; Markstrom, Steven L.; Regan, R. Steven; Atkinson, R. Dwight

2017-09-15

A module for simulation of daily mean water temperature in a network of stream segments has been developed as an enhancement to the U.S. Geological Survey Precipitation Runoff Modeling System (PRMS). This new module is based on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Stream Network Temperature model, a mechanistic, one-dimensional heat transport model. The new module is integrated in PRMS. Stream-water temperature simulation is activated by selection of the appropriate input flags in the PRMS Control File and by providing the necessary additional inputs in standard PRMS input files.This report includes a comprehensive discussion of the methods relevant to the stream temperature calculations and detailed instructions for model input preparation.

Functional Peptidomics: Stimulus- and Time-of-Day-Specific Peptide Release in the Mammalian Circadian Clock.

PubMed

Atkins, Norman; Ren, Shifang; Hatcher, Nathan; Burgoon, Penny W; Mitchell, Jennifer W; Sweedler, Jonathan V; Gillette, Martha U

2018-06-20

Daily oscillations of brain and body states are under complex temporal modulation by environmental light and the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the master circadian clock. To better understand mediators of differential temporal modulation, we characterize neuropeptide releasate profiles by nonselective capture of secreted neuropeptides in an optic nerve horizontal SCN brain slice model. Releasates are collected following electrophysiological stimulation of the optic nerve/retinohypothalamic tract under conditions that alter the phase of the SCN activity state. Secreted neuropeptides are identified by intact mass via matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). We found time-of-day-specific suites of peptides released downstream of optic nerve stimulation. Peptide release was modified differentially with respect to time-of-day by stimulus parameters and by inhibitors of glutamatergic or PACAPergic neurotransmission. The results suggest that SCN physiology is modulated by differential peptide release of both known and unexpected peptides that communicate time-of-day-specific photic signals via previously unreported neuropeptide signatures.

Intracellular calcium levels determine differential modulation of allosteric interactions within G protein-coupled receptor heteromers.

PubMed

Navarro, Gemma; Aguinaga, David; Moreno, Estefania; Hradsky, Johannes; Reddy, Pasham P; Cortés, Antoni; Mallol, Josefa; Casadó, Vicent; Mikhaylova, Marina; Kreutz, Michael R; Lluís, Carme; Canela, Enric I; McCormick, Peter J; Ferré, Sergi

2014-11-20

The pharmacological significance of the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR)-dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) heteromer is well established and it is being considered as an important target for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and other neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the physiological factors that control its distinctive biochemical properties are still unknown. We demonstrate that different intracellular Ca2+ levels exert a differential modulation of A2AR-D2R heteromer-mediated adenylyl-cyclase and MAPK signaling in striatal cells. This depends on the ability of low and high Ca2+ levels to promote a selective interaction of the heteromer with the neuronal Ca2+-binding proteins NCS-1 and calneuron-1, respectively. These Ca2+-binding proteins differentially modulate allosteric interactions within the A2AR-D2R heteromer, which constitutes a unique cellular device that integrates extracellular (adenosine and dopamine) and intracellular (Ca+2) signals to produce a specific functional response.

The Role of Auxiliary Subunits for the Functional Diversity of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels

PubMed Central

Campiglio, Marta; Flucher, Bernhard E

2015-01-01

Voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) represent the sole mechanism to convert membrane depolarization into cellular functions like secretion, contraction, or gene regulation. VGCCs consist of a pore-forming α1 subunit and several auxiliary channel subunits. These subunits come in multiple isoforms and splice-variants giving rise to a stunning molecular diversity of possible subunit combinations. It is generally believed that specific auxiliary subunits differentially regulate the channels and thereby contribute to the great functional diversity of VGCCs. If auxiliary subunits can associate and dissociate from pre-existing channel complexes, this would allow dynamic regulation of channel properties. However, most auxiliary subunits modulate current properties very similarly, and proof that any cellular calcium channel function is indeed modulated by the physiological exchange of auxiliary subunits is still lacking. In this review we summarize available information supporting a differential modulation of calcium channel functions by exchange of auxiliary subunits, as well as experimental evidence in support of alternative functions of the auxiliary subunits. At the heart of the discussion is the concept that, in their native environment, VGCCs function in the context of macromolecular signaling complexes and that the auxiliary subunits help to orchestrate the diverse protein–protein interactions found in these calcium channel signalosomes. Thus, in addition to a putative differential modulation of current properties, differential subcellular targeting properties and differential protein–protein interactions of the auxiliary subunits may explain the need for their vast molecular diversity. J. Cell. Physiol. 999: 00–00, 2015. © 2015 The Authors. Journal of Cellular Physiology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 2019–2031, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. PMID:25820299

Method for thermoelectric cooler utilization using manufacturer's technical information

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ajiwiguna, Tri Ayodha; Nugroho, Rio; Ismardi, Abrar

2018-03-01

Thermoelectric cooler (TEC) module has been widely used for many applications. In this study, a procedure to use TEC module for specific requirement is developed based on manufacturer's technical data. For study case, the cooling system using TEC module is designed and tested to maintain 6.6 liter of water at 24 °C while surrounding temperature is 26 °C. First, cooling load estimation is performed empirically by observing the temperature change when cold water is inside the container. Second, the working temperature on hot side and cold side of TEC are determined. Third, the parameters of Seebeck coefficient, thermal resistance and electrical resistance are predicted by using information from the manufacturer. Fourth, the operating current is determined by the assumption the voltage across the TEC is 12V. Fifth, cooling capacity of TEC module is calculated by using energy balance equation of TEC. Sixth, the cooling load and cooling capacity are compared to determine the number of TEC module needed. The result of these calculations showed that one TEC module is enough for cooling system since the cooling load is 17.5 W while the cooling capacity is 18.87 W. From the experimental result, the set point temperature was achieved using one TEC module as predicted in calculations steps.

Photo-thermal modulation of surface plasmon polariton propagation at telecommunication wavelengths.

PubMed

Kaya, S; Weeber, J-C; Zacharatos, F; Hassan, K; Bernardin, T; Cluzel, B; Fatome, J; Finot, C

2013-09-23

We report on photo-thermal modulation of thin film surface plasmon polaritons (SPP) excited at telecom wavelengths and traveling at a gold/air interface. By operating a modulated continuous-wave or a Q-switched nanosecond pump laser, we investigate the photo-thermally induced modulation of SPP propagation mediated by the temperature-dependent ohmic losses in the gold film. We use a fiber-to-fiber characterization set-up to measure accurately the modulation depth of the SPP signal under photo-thermal excitation. On the basis of these measurements, we extract the thermo-plasmonic coefficient of the SPP mode defined as the temperature derivative of the SPP damping constant. Next, we introduce a figure of merit which is relevant to characterize the impact of temperature onto the properties of bounded or weakly leaky SPP modes supported by a given metal at a given wavelength. By combining our measurements with tabulated values of the temperature-dependent imaginary part of gold dielectric function, we compute the thermo-optical coefficients (TOC) of gold at telecom wavelengths. Finally, we investigate a pulsed photo-thermal excitation of the SPP in the nanosecond regime. The experimental SPP depth of modulation obtained in this situation are found to be in fair agreement with the modulation depths computed by using our values of gold TOC.

Solving Differential Equations Analytically. Elementary Differential Equations. Modules and Monographs in Undergraduate Mathematics and Its Applications Project. UMAP Unit 335.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goldston, J. W.

This unit introduces analytic solutions of ordinary differential equations. The objective is to enable the student to decide whether a given function solves a given differential equation. Examples of problems from biology and chemistry are covered. Problem sets, quizzes, and a model exam are included, and answers to all items are provided. The…

Real Time Ferrograph Development.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-11-01

differential temperature of 65 0 C. Since opteo- electronic devices (photodiodes, photoresistors, etc.) have a maximum operating temperature around 85 0 C, it is...flow during the precipitation cycle. This regulator must keep the flow rate constant at any given temperature regardless of the differential pressure...across the sensing head. The pressure regulator achieved this by using the differential pressure across a fixed re;7trictor to move a bellows diaphragm

Characteristics of III-nitride based laser diode employed for short range underwater wireless optical communications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xue, Bin; Liu, Zhe; Yang, Jie; Feng, Liangsen; Zhang, Ning; Wang, Junxi; Li, Jinmin

2018-03-01

An off-the-shelf green laser diode (LD) was measured to investigate its temperature dependent characteristics. Performance of the device was severely restricted by rising temperature in terms of increasing threshold current and decreasing modulation bandwidth. The observation reveals that dynamic characteristics of the LD is sensitive to temperature. Influence of light attenuation on the modulation bandwidth of the green LD was also studied. The impact of light attenuation on the modulation bandwidth of the LD in short and low turbid water channel was not obvious while slight difference in modulation bandwidth under same injection level was observed between water channel and free space even at short range.

Temperature characteristics of fusion splicing Hollow Core Photonic Crystal Fiber by sinusoidal modulation CO2 laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, Guangwei; Li, Kuixing; Fu, Xinghu; Bi, Weihong

2013-07-01

During the fusion splicing Hollow Core Photonic Crystal Fiber (HC-PCF), the air-holes collapse easily due to the improper fusion duration time and optical power. To analyze the temperature characteristics of fusion splicing HC-PCF, a heating method by sinusoidal modulation CO2 laser has been proposed. In the sinusoidal modulation, the variation relationships among laser power, temperature difference and angular frequency are analyzed. The results show that the theoretical simulation is basically in accordance with the experimental data. Therefore, a low-loss fusion splicing can be achieved by modulating the CO2 laser frequency to avoid the air-holes collapse of HC-PCF. Further, the errors are also given.

Robustness testing in pharmaceutical freeze-drying: inter-relation of process conditions and product quality attributes studied for a vaccine formulation.

PubMed

Schneid, Stefan C; Stärtzel, Peter M; Lettner, Patrick; Gieseler, Henning

2011-01-01

The recent US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) legislation has introduced the evaluation of the Design Space of critical process parameters in manufacturing processes. In freeze-drying, a "formulation" is expected to be robust when minor deviations of the product temperature do not negatively affect the final product quality attributes. To evaluate "formulation" robustness by investigating the effect of elevated product temperature on product quality using a bacterial vaccine solution. The vaccine solution was characterized by freeze-dry microscopy to determine the critical formulation temperature. A conservative cycle was developed using the SMART™ mode of a Lyostar II freeze dryer. Product temperature was elevated to imitate intermediate and aggressive cycle conditions. The final product was analyzed using X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Karl Fischer, and modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC), and the life cell count (LCC) during accelerated stability testing. The cakes processed at intermediate and aggressive conditions displayed larger pores with microcollapse of walls and stronger loss in LCC than the conservatively processed product, especially during stability testing. For all process conditions, a loss of the majority of cells was observed during storage. For freeze-drying of life bacterial vaccine solutions, the product temperature profile during primary drying appeared to be inter-related to product quality attributes.

Bone assessment via thermal photoacoustic measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Ting; Kozloff, Kenneth M.; Hsiao, Yi-Sing; Tian, Chao; Perosky, Joseph; Du, Sidan; Yuan, Jie; Deng, Cheri X.; Wang, Xueding

2015-03-01

The feasibility of an innovative biomedical diagnostic technique, thermal photoacoustic (TPA) measurement, for nonionizing and non-invasive assessment of bone health is investigated. Unlike conventional photoacoustic PA methods which are mostly focused on the measurement of absolute signal intensity, TPA targets the change in PA signal intensity as a function of the sample temperature, i.e. the temperature dependent Grueneisen parameter which is closely relevant to the chemical and molecular properties in the sample. Based on the differentiation measurement, the results from TPA technique is less susceptible to the variations associated with sample and system, and could be quantified with improved accurately. Due to the fact that the PA signal intensity from organic components such as blood changes faster than that from non-organic mineral under the same modulation of temperature, TPA measurement is able to objectively evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) and its loss as a result of osteoporosis. In an experiment on well established rat models of bone loss and preservation, PA measurements of rat tibia bones were conducted over a temperature range from 370 C to 440 C. The slope of PA signal intensity verses temperature was quantified for each specimen. The comparison among three groups of specimens with different BMD shows that bones with lower BMD have higher slopes, demonstrating the potential of the proposed TPA technique in future clinical management of osteoporosis.

Differential DNA methylation marks and gene comethylation of COPD in African-Americans with COPD exacerbations.

PubMed

Busch, Robert; Qiu, Weiliang; Lasky-Su, Jessica; Morrow, Jarrett; Criner, Gerard; DeMeo, Dawn

2016-11-05

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third-leading cause of death worldwide. Identifying COPD-associated DNA methylation marks in African-Americans may contribute to our understanding of racial disparities in COPD susceptibility. We determined differentially methylated genes and co-methylation network modules associated with COPD in African-Americans recruited during exacerbations of COPD and smoking controls from the Pennsylvania Study of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Exacerbations (PA-SCOPE) cohort. We assessed DNA methylation from whole blood samples in 362 African-American smokers in the PA-SCOPE cohort using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation27 BeadChip Array. Final analysis included 19302 CpG probes annotated to the nearest gene transcript after quality control. We tested methylation associations with COPD case-control status using mixed linear models. Weighted gene comethylation networks were constructed using weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) and network modules were analyzed for association with COPD. There were five differentially methylated CpG probes significantly associated with COPD among African-Americans at an FDR less than 5 %, and seven additional probes that approached significance at an FDR less than 10 %. The top ranked gene association was MAML1, which has been shown to affect NOTCH-dependent angiogenesis in murine lung. Network modeling yielded the "yellow" and "blue" comethylation modules which were significantly associated with COPD (p-value 4 × 10 -10 and 4 × 10 -9 , respectively). The yellow module was enriched for gene sets related to inflammatory pathways known to be relevant to COPD. The blue module contained the top ranked genes in the concurrent differential methylation analysis (FXYD1/LGI4, gene significance p-value 1.2 × 10 -26 ; MAML1, p-value 2.0 × 10 -26 ; CD72, p-value 2.1 × 10 -25 ; and LPO, p-value 7.2 × 10 -25 ), and was significantly associated with lung development processes in Gene Ontology gene-set enrichment analysis. We identified 12 differentially methylated CpG sites associated with COPD that mapped to biologically plausible genes. Network module comethylation patterns have identified candidate genes that may be contributing to racial differences in COPD susceptibility and severity. COPD-associated comethylation modules contained genes previously associated with lung disease and inflammation and recapitulated known COPD-associated genes. The genes implicated by differential methylation and WGCNA analysis may provide mechanistic targets contributing to COPD susceptibility, exacerbations, and outcomes among African-Americans. Trial Registration: NCT00774176 , Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov, URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov , Date of Enrollment of First Participant: June 2004, Date Registered: 04 January 2008 (retrospectively registered).

Low temperature-induced DNA hypermethylation attenuates expression of RhAG, an AGAMOUS homolog, and increases petal number in rose (Rosa hybrida).

PubMed

Ma, Nan; Chen, Wen; Fan, Tiangang; Tian, Yaran; Zhang, Shuai; Zeng, Daxing; Li, Yonghong

2015-10-05

Flower development is central to angiosperm reproduction and is regulated by a broad range of endogenous and exogenous stimuli. It has been well documented that ambient temperature plays a key role in controlling flowering time; however, the mechanisms by which temperature regulates floral organ differentiation remain largely unknown. In this study, we show that low temperature treatment significantly increases petal number in rose (Rosa hybrida) through the promotion of stamen petaloidy. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that the expression pattern of RhAG, a rose homolog of the Arabidopsis thaliana AGAMOUS C-function gene, is associated with low temperature regulated flower development. Silencing of RhAG mimicked the impact of low temperature treatments on petal development by significantly increasing petal number through an increased production of petaloid stamens. In situ hybridization studies further revealed that low temperature restricts its spatial expression area. Analysis of DNA methylation level showed that low temperature treatment enhances the methylation level of the RhAG promoter, and a specific promoter region that was hypermethylated at CHH loci under low temperature conditions, was identified by bisulfite sequencing. This suggests that epigenetic DNA methylation contributes to the ambient temperature modulation of RhAG expression. Our results provide highlights in the role of RhAG gene in petal number determination and add a new layer of complexity in the regulation of floral organ development. We propose that RhAG plays an essential role in rose flower patterning by regulating petal development, and that low temperatures increase petal number, at least in part, by suppressing RhAG expression via enhancing DNA CHH hypermethylation of the RhAG promoter.

The development of differential inductors using double air-bridge structure based on integrated passive device technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yang; Yao, Zhao; Fu, Xiao-Qian; Li, Zhi-Ming; Shan, Fu-Kai; Wang, Cong

2017-05-01

Recently, integrated passive devices have become increasingly popular; inductor realization, in particular, offers interesting high performance for RF modules and systems. In this paper, a development of differential inductor fabricated by integrated passive devices technology using a double air-bridge structure is presented. A study of the model development of the differential inductor is first demonstrated. In this model section, a segment box analysis method is applied to provide a clear presentation of the differential inductor. Compared with other work that only shows a brief description of the process, the integrated passive devices process used to fabricate the inductor in this study is elaborated on. Finally, a characterization of differential inductors with different physical layout parameters is illustrated based on inductance and quality factors, which provides a valuable reference for realizing high performance. The proposed work provides a good solution for the design, fabrication and practical application of RF modules and systems.

10 CFR 431.222 - Definitions concerning traffic signal modules and pedestrian modules.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

..., all portions of the module behind the lens are within the chamber at a temperature of 74 °C and the air temperature in front of the lens is maintained at a minimum of 49 °C. Nominal wattage means the... signal indication that— (1) Consists of a light source, a lens, and all other parts necessary for...

A hybrid electronically scanned pressure module for cryogenic environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chapman, J. J.; Hopson, P., Jr.; Kruse, N.

1995-01-01

Pressure is one of the most important parameters measured when testing models in wind tunnels. For models tested in the cryogenic environment of the National Transonic Facility at NASA Langley Research Center, the technique of utilizing commercially available multichannel pressure modules inside the models is difficult due to the small internal volume of the models and the requirement of keeping the pressure transducer modules within an acceptable temperature range well above the -173 degrees C tunnel temperature. A prototype multichannel pressure transducer module has been designed and fabricated with stable, repeatable sensors and materials optimized for reliable performance in the cryogenic environment. The module has 16 single crystal silicon piezoresistive pressure sensors electrostatically bonded to a metalized Pyrex substrate for sensing the wind tunnel model pressures. An integral temperature sensor mounted on each silicon micromachined pressure sensor senses real-time temperature fluctuations to within 0.1 degrees C to correct for thermally induced non-random sensor drift. The data presented here are from a prototype sensor module tested in the 0.3 M cryogenic tunnel and thermal equilibrium conditions in an environmental chamber which approximates the thermal environment (-173 degrees C to +60 degrees C) of the National Transonic Facility.

Sex Differences in the Cannabinoid Modulation of Appetite, Body Temperature and Neurotransmission at POMC Synapses

PubMed Central

Diaz, Shanna; Farhang, Borzoo; Hoien, Joshua; Stahlman, Megan; Adatia, Nadira; Cox, Jeremy M.; Wagner, Edward J.

2009-01-01

We sought to determine whether sex differences exist for the cannabinoid modulation of appetite, body temperature and neurotransmission at pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) synapses. Gonadectomized male and female guinea pigs were outfitted to monitor core body temperature and injected with either the CB1 receptor agonist WIN 55,212-2 (1 mg/kg s.c.), antagonist AM251 (3 mg/kg s.c.) or vehicle (1 ml/kg s.c.) and evaluated for changes in six indices of feeding behavior under ad libitum conditions for 7 days. WIN 55,212-2 elicited an overt, sexually differentiated hyperphagia in which males displayed larger increases in hourly and daily intake, consumption/gram body weight, meal size and meal duration. The agonist also produced a more robust acute hypothermia in males than in females. In addition, males were more sensitive to the hypophagic effect of AM251, manifested by comparatively sizeable decreases in hourly intake, consumption/gram body weight, meal frequency and hyperthermia. To gain additional insight into the cellular mechanism underlying cannabinoid regulation of energy homeostasis, we performed whole-cell patch clamp recordings in hypothalamic slices prepared from gonadectomized male and female guinea pigs, and monitored miniature excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs and mIPSCs) in arcuate (ARC) neurons. ARC neurons from females exhibited a higher basal mEPSC frequency. WIN 55,212-2 dose-dependently reduced mEPSC and mIPSC frequency; however, cells from males were far less sensitive to the CB1 receptor-mediated decrease in mIPSC frequency. These effects were observed in neurons subsequently identified as POMC neurons. These data reveal pronounced sex differences in how cannabinoids influence the hypothalamic control of homeostasis. PMID:19136814

Determination of chlorine concentration using single temperature modulated semiconductor gas sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woźniak, Ł.; Kalinowski, P.; Jasiński, G.; Jasiński, P.

2016-11-01

A periodic temperature modulation using sinusoidal heater voltage was applied to a commercial SnO2 semiconductor gas sensor. Resulting resistance response of the sensor was analyzed using a feature extraction method based on Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT). The amplitudes of the higher harmonics of the FFT from the dynamic nonlinear responses of measured gas were further utilized as an input for Artificial Neuron Network (ANN). Determination of the concentration of chlorine was performed. Moreover, this work evaluates the sensor performance upon sinusoidal temperature modulation.

Thermoelectric module made of perovskite cobalt oxides with large thermopower

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Inagoya, Akiko; Sawaki, Daisuke; Horiuchi, Yuto; Urata, Saori; Funahashi, Ryoji; Terasaki, Ichiro

2011-12-01

We have fabricated a trial product of an oxide thermoelectric module using the perovskite cobalt oxides. The thermoelectric properties of the p- and n-leg materials are carefully controlled, and the room temperature thermopower is set to be larger than 200 μV/K. This module generates an open circuit voltage of 1.0 V with a small temperature difference of 170 K. At a large temperature difference of 399 K, it generates a substantial power of 40 mW, and the generated energy density is comparable with that of commercial solar cells.

Derivation of highly purified cardiomyocytes from human induced pluripotent stem cells using small molecule-modulated differentiation and subsequent glucose starvation.

PubMed

Sharma, Arun; Li, Guang; Rajarajan, Kuppusamy; Hamaguchi, Ryoko; Burridge, Paul W; Wu, Sean M

2015-03-18

Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) have become an important cell source to address the lack of primary cardiomyocytes available for basic research and translational applications. To differentiate hiPSCs into cardiomyocytes, various protocols including embryoid body (EB)-based differentiation and growth factor induction have been developed. However, these protocols are inefficient and highly variable in their ability to generate purified cardiomyocytes. Recently, a small molecule-based protocol utilizing modulation of Wnt/β-Catenin signaling was shown to promote cardiac differentiation with high efficiency. With this protocol, greater than 50%-60% of differentiated cells were cardiac troponin-positive cardiomyocytes were consistently observed. To further increase cardiomyocyte purity, the differentiated cells were subjected to glucose starvation to specifically eliminate non-cardiomyocytes based on the metabolic differences between cardiomyocytes and non-cardiomyocytes. Using this selection strategy, we consistently obtained a greater than 30% increase in the ratio of cardiomyocytes to non-cardiomyocytes in a population of differentiated cells. These highly purified cardiomyocytes should enhance the reliability of results from human iPSC-based in vitro disease modeling studies and drug screening assays.

Dispersion of γ-Alumina Nano-Sized Spherical Particles in a Calamitic Liquid Crystal. Study and Optimization of the Confinement Effects

PubMed Central

Diez-Berart, Sergio; López, David O.; Sebastián, Nerea; de la Fuente, María Rosario; Salud, Josep; Robles-Hernández, Beatriz; Pérez-Jubindo, Miguel Ángel

2014-01-01

We report an experimental study on confined systems formed by butyloxybenzylidene octylaniline liquid crystal (4O.8) + γ-alumina nanoparticles. The effects of the confinement in the thermal and dielectric properties of the liquid crystal under different densities of nanoparticles is analyzed by means of high resolution Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry (MDSC) and broadband dielectric spectroscopy. First, a drastic depression of the N-I and SmA-N transition temperatures is observed with confinement, the more concentration of nanoparticles the deeper this depression is, driving the nematic range closer to the room temperature. An interesting experimental law is found for both transition temperatures. Second, the change in shape of the heat capacity peaks is quantified by means of the full width half maximum (FWHM). Third, the confinement does not noticeably affect the molecular dynamics. Finally, the combination of nanoparticles and the external applied electric field tends to favor the alignment of the molecules in metallic cells. All these results indicate that the confinement of liquid crystals by means of γ-alumina nanoparticles could be optimum for liquid crystal-based electrooptic devices. PMID:28788528

A Review of Single Source Precursors for the Deposition of Ternary Chalcopyrite Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Banger, K. K.; Cowen, J.; Harris, J.; McClarnon, R.; Hehemann, D. G.; Duraj, S. A.; Scheiman, D.; Hepp, A. F.

2002-01-01

The development of thin-film solar cells on flexible, lightweight, space-qualified durable substrates (i.e. Kapton) provides an attractive solution to fabricating solar arrays with high specific power, (W/kg). The syntheses and thermal modulation of ternary single source precursors, based on the [{LR}2Cu(SR')2In(SR')2] architecture in good yields are described. Thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) and Low temperature Differential Scanning Caloriometry, (DSC) demonstrate that controlled manipulation of the steric and electronic properties of either the group five-donor and/or chalcogenide moiety permits directed adjustment of the thermal stability and physical properties of the precursors. TGA-Evolved Gas Analysis, confirms that single precursors decompose by the initial extrusion of the sulphide moiety, followed by the loss of the neutral donor group, (L) to release the ternary chalcopyrite matrix. X-ray diffraction studies, EDS and SEM on the non-volatile pyrolized material demonstrate that these derivatives afford single-phase CuInS2/CuInSe2 materials at low temperature. Thin-film fabrication studies demonstrate that these single source precursors can be used in a spray chemical vapor deposition process, for depositing CuInS2 onto flexible polymer substrates at temperatures less than 400 C.

Differential expression and emerging functions of non-coding RNAs in cold adaptation.

PubMed

Frigault, Jacques J; Morin, Mathieu D; Morin, Pier Jr

2017-01-01

Several species undergo substantial physiological and biochemical changes to confront the harsh conditions associated with winter. Small mammalian hibernators and cold-hardy insects are examples of natural models of cold adaptation that have been amply explored. While the molecular picture associated with cold adaptation has started to become clearer in recent years, notably through the use of high-throughput experimental approaches, the underlying cold-associated functions attributed to several non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), remain to be better characterized. Nevertheless, key pioneering work has provided clues on the likely relevance of these molecules in cold adaptation. With an emphasis on mammalian hibernation and insect cold hardiness, this work first reviews various molecular changes documented so far in these processes. The cascades leading to miRNA and lncRNA production as well as the mechanisms of action of these non-coding RNAs are subsequently described. Finally, we present examples of differentially expressed non-coding RNAs in models of cold adaptation and elaborate on the potential significance of this modulation with respect to low-temperature adaptation.

Photon induced non-linear quantized double layer charging in quaternary semiconducting quantum dots.

PubMed

Nair, Vishnu; Ananthoju, Balakrishna; Mohapatra, Jeotikanta; Aslam, M

2018-03-15

Room temperature quantized double layer charging was observed in 2 nm Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 (CZTS) quantum dots. In addition to this we observed a distinct non-linearity in the quantized double layer charging arising from UV light modulation of double layer. UV light irradiation resulted in a 26% increase in the integral capacitance at the semiconductor-dielectric (CZTS-oleylamine) interface of the quantum dot without any change in its core size suggesting that the cause be photocapacitive. The increasing charge separation at the semiconductor-dielectric interface due to highly stable and mobile photogenerated carriers cause larger electrostatic forces between the quantum dot and electrolyte leading to an enhanced double layer. This idea was supported by a decrease in the differential capacitance possible due to an enhanced double layer. Furthermore the UV illumination enhanced double layer gives us an AC excitation dependent differential double layer capacitance which confirms that the charging process is non-linear. This ultimately illustrates the utility of a colloidal quantum dot-electrolyte interface as a non-linear photocapacitor. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ecotypic differentiation matters for latitudinal variation in energy metabolism and flight performance in a butterfly under climate change.

PubMed

Van Dyck, Hans; Holveck, Marie-Jeanne

2016-11-15

Life histories of organisms may vary with latitude as they experience different thermal constraints and challenges. This geographic, intraspecific variation could be of significance for range dynamics under climate change beyond edge-core comparisons. In this study, we did a reciprocal transplant experiment between the temperature-regimes of two latitudes with an ectotherm insect, examining the effects on energy metabolism and flight performance. Pararge aegeria expanded its ecological niche from cool woodland (ancestral) to warmer habitat in agricultural landscape (novel ecotype). Northern males had higher standard metabolic rates than southern males, but in females these rates depended on their ecotype. Southern males flew for longer than northern ones. In females, body mass-corrected flight performance depended on latitude and thermal treatment during larval development and in case of the southern females, their interaction. Our experimental study provides evidence for the role of ecological differentiation at the core of the range to modulate ecophysiology and flight performance at different latitudes, which in turn may affect the climatic responsiveness of the species.

Ecotypic differentiation matters for latitudinal variation in energy metabolism and flight performance in a butterfly under climate change

PubMed Central

Van Dyck, Hans; Holveck, Marie-Jeanne

2016-01-01

Life histories of organisms may vary with latitude as they experience different thermal constraints and challenges. This geographic, intraspecific variation could be of significance for range dynamics under climate change beyond edge-core comparisons. In this study, we did a reciprocal transplant experiment between the temperature-regimes of two latitudes with an ectotherm insect, examining the effects on energy metabolism and flight performance. Pararge aegeria expanded its ecological niche from cool woodland (ancestral) to warmer habitat in agricultural landscape (novel ecotype). Northern males had higher standard metabolic rates than southern males, but in females these rates depended on their ecotype. Southern males flew for longer than northern ones. In females, body mass-corrected flight performance depended on latitude and thermal treatment during larval development and in case of the southern females, their interaction. Our experimental study provides evidence for the role of ecological differentiation at the core of the range to modulate ecophysiology and flight performance at different latitudes, which in turn may affect the climatic responsiveness of the species. PMID:27845372

Hybrid photovoltaic and thermoelectric module for high concentration solar system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tamaki, Ryo; Toyoda, Takeshi; Tamura, Yoichi; Matoba, Akinari; Minamikawa, Toshiharu; Tokuda, Masayuki; Masui, Megumi; Okada, Yoshitaka

2017-09-01

A photovoltaic (PV) and thermoelectric (TE) hybrid module was developed for application to high concentration solar systems. The waste heat from the solar cells under concentrated light illumination was utilized to generate additional electricity by assembling TE devices below the multi-junction solar cells (MJSCs). Considering the high operating temperature of the PV and TE hybrid module compared with conventional concentrator PV modules, the TE device could compensate a part of the MJSC efficiency degradation at high temperature. The performance investigation clarified the feasibility of the hybrid PV and TE module under highly concentrated sunlight illumination.

Differential Targeting of Gβγ-Subunit Signaling with Small Molecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonacci, Tabetha M.; Mathews, Jennifer L.; Yuan, Chujun; Lehmann, David M.; Malik, Sundeep; Wu, Dianqing; Font, Jose L.; Bidlack, Jean M.; Smrcka, Alan V.

2006-04-01

G protein βγ subunits have potential as a target for therapeutic treatment of a number of diseases. We performed virtual docking of a small-molecule library to a site on Gβγ subunits that mediates protein interactions. We hypothesized that differential targeting of this surface could allow for selective modulation of Gβγ subunit functions. Several compounds bound to Gβγ subunits with affinities from 0.1 to 60 μM and selectively modulated functional Gβγ-protein-protein interactions in vitro, chemotactic peptide signaling pathways in HL-60 leukocytes, and opioid receptor-dependent analgesia in vivo. These data demonstrate an approach for modulation of G protein-coupled receptor signaling that may represent an important therapeutic strategy.

Broadband pump-probe spectroscopy at 20-MHz modulation frequency.

PubMed

Preda, Fabrizio; Kumar, Vikas; Crisafi, Francesco; Figueroa Del Valle, Diana Gisell; Cerullo, Giulio; Polli, Dario

2016-07-01

We introduce an innovative high-sensitivity broadband pump-probe spectroscopy system, based on Fourier-transform detection, operating at 20-MHz modulation frequency. A common-mode interferometer employing birefringent wedges creates two phase-locked delayed replicas of the broadband probe pulse, interfering at a single photodetector. A single-channel lock-in amplifier demodulates the interferogram, whose Fourier transform provides the differential transmission spectrum. Our approach combines broad spectral coverage with high sensitivity, due to high-frequency modulation and detection. We demonstrate its performances by measuring two-dimensional differential transmission maps of a carbon nanotubes sample, simultaneously acquiring the signal over the entire 950-1350 nm range with 2.7·10^-6  rms noise over 1.5 s integration time.

A Gene Module-Based eQTL Analysis Prioritizing Disease Genes and Pathways in Kidney Cancer.

PubMed

Yang, Mary Qu; Li, Dan; Yang, William; Zhang, Yifan; Liu, Jun; Tong, Weida

2017-01-01

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common and most aggressive form of renal cell cancer (RCC). The incidence of RCC has increased steadily in recent years. The pathogenesis of renal cell cancer remains poorly understood. Many of the tumor suppressor genes, oncogenes, and dysregulated pathways in ccRCC need to be revealed for improvement of the overall clinical outlook of the disease. Here, we developed a systems biology approach to prioritize the somatic mutated genes that lead to dysregulation of pathways in ccRCC. The method integrated multi-layer information to infer causative mutations and disease genes. First, we identified differential gene modules in ccRCC by coupling transcriptome and protein-protein interactions. Each of these modules consisted of interacting genes that were involved in similar biological processes and their combined expression alterations were significantly associated with disease type. Then, subsequent gene module-based eQTL analysis revealed somatic mutated genes that had driven the expression alterations of differential gene modules. Our study yielded a list of candidate disease genes, including several known ccRCC causative genes such as BAP1 and PBRM1 , as well as novel genes such as NOD2, RRM1, CSRNP1, SLC4A2, TTLL1 and CNTN1. The differential gene modules and their driver genes revealed by our study provided a new perspective for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease. Moreover, we validated the results in independent ccRCC patient datasets. Our study provided a new method for prioritizing disease genes and pathways.

Curcumin and its synthetic analogue dimethoxycurcumin differentially modulates antioxidant status of normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

PubMed

Simon, Emmanuel; Aswini, P; Sameer Kumar, V B; Mankadath, Gokuldas

2018-05-01

Curcumin is a polyphenol derived from the herb Curcuma longa, which has been extensively studied in terms of its antitumour, antioxidant, and chemopreventive activity as well as various other effects. In the present work we compared curcumin with its synthetic analogue dimethoxycurcumin (dimc) in terms of its antioxidant enzyme-modulating effects in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). We found that these compounds modulate antioxidant enzymes differentially. Both curcumin and dimethoxycurcumin effected a decrease in lipid peroxidation status in PBMC, however, curcumin had better activity in this regard. An increase in the activity of catalase was seen in the case of curcumin-treated PBMC, whereas dimc increased catalase activity significantly to almost twofold level. Real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis revealed significant up-regulation of catalase at mRNA level post treatment with curcumin as well as dimc, however, dimc had better activity in this regard. Glutathione reductase (GR) activity and reduced glutathione levels increased in the case of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) treated with curcumin, however, the trend was reversed with dimethoxycurcumin where, both glutathione reductase activity and reduced glutathione levels were significantly reduced. RT-PCR analysis of glutathione reductase mRNA levels showed decrease in mRNA levels post treatment with dimethoxycurcumin (dimc) further corroborating GR enzyme assay results, however, we could not obtain significant result post curcumin treatment. NFkB reporter assay and western blot analysis of nuclear as well as cytosolic fractions of NFkB revealed that curcumin inhibits NFkB activation whereas inhibition was much less with dimc. It has been reported that curcumin and dimc exerts differential cytotoxicity in normal and tumour cells and the reason for this had been attributed to the differential uptake of these compounds by normal cells and tumour cells. Based on our results we propose that differential modulation of antioxidant enzymes via NFkB pathway could be the reason behind differential cytotoxicity of dimc as well as curcumin in normal cells and tumour cells in addition to differential uptake of these compounds as reported previously.

An automated high throughput screening-compatible assay to identify regulators of stem cell neural differentiation.

PubMed

Casalino, Laura; Magnani, Dario; De Falco, Sandro; Filosa, Stefania; Minchiotti, Gabriella; Patriarca, Eduardo J; De Cesare, Dario

2012-03-01

The use of Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs) holds considerable promise both for drug discovery programs and the treatment of degenerative disorders in regenerative medicine approaches. Nevertheless, the successful use of ESCs is still limited by the lack of efficient control of ESC self-renewal and differentiation capabilities. In this context, the possibility to modulate ESC biological properties and to obtain homogenous populations of correctly specified cells will help developing physiologically relevant screens, designed for the identification of stem cell modulators. Here, we developed a high throughput screening-suitable ESC neural differentiation assay by exploiting the Cell(maker) robotic platform and demonstrated that neural progenies can be generated from ESCs in complete automation, with high standards of accuracy and reliability. Moreover, we performed a pilot screening providing proof of concept that this assay allows the identification of regulators of ESC neural differentiation in full automation.

NEU3 sialidase strictly modulates GM3 levels in skeletal myoblasts C2C12 thus favoring their differentiation and protecting them from apoptosis.

PubMed

Anastasia, Luigi; Papini, Nadia; Colazzo, Francesca; Palazzolo, Giacomo; Tringali, Cristina; Dileo, Loredana; Piccoli, Marco; Conforti, Erika; Sitzia, Clementina; Monti, Eugenio; Sampaolesi, Maurilio; Tettamanti, Guido; Venerando, Bruno

2008-12-26

Membrane-bound sialidase NEU3, often referred to as the "ganglioside sialidase," has a critical regulatory function on the sialoglycosphingolipid pattern of the cell membrane, with an anti-apoptotic function, especially in cancer cells. Although other sialidases have been shown to be involved in skeletal muscle differentiation, the role of NEU3 had yet to be disclosed. Herein we report that NEU3 plays a key role in skeletal muscle differentiation by strictly modulating the ganglioside content of adjacent cells, with special regard to GM3. Induced down-regulation of NEU3 in murine C2C12 myoblasts, even when partial, totally inhibits their capability to differentiate by increasing the GM3 level above a critical point, which causes epidermal growth factor receptor inhibition (and ultimately its down-regulation) and an higher responsiveness of myoblasts to the apoptotic stimuli.

Data acquisition and PV module power production in upgraded TEP/AzRISE solar test yard

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bennett, Whit E.; Fishgold, Asher D.; Lai, Teh; Potter, Barrett G.; Simmons-Potter, Kelly

2017-08-01

The Tucson Electric Power (TEP)/University of Arizona AzRISE (Arizona Research Institute for Solar Energy) solar test yard is continuing efforts to improve standardization and data acquisition reliability throughout the facility. Data reliability is ensured through temperature-insensitive data acquisition devices with battery backups in the upgraded test yard. Software improvements allow for real-time analysis of collected data, while uploading to a web server. Sample data illustrates high fidelity monitoring of the burn-in period of a polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic module test string with no data failures over 365 days of data collection. In addition to improved DAQ systems, precision temperature monitoring has been implemented so that PV module backside temperatures are routinely obtained. Weather station data acquired at the test yard provides local ambient temperature, humidity, wind speed, and irradiance measurements that have been utilized to enable characterization of PV module performance over an extended test period

Weighted gene co-expression network analysis of expression data of monozygotic twins identifies specific modules and hub genes related to BMI.

PubMed

Wang, Weijing; Jiang, Wenjie; Hou, Lin; Duan, Haiping; Wu, Yili; Xu, Chunsheng; Tan, Qihua; Li, Shuxia; Zhang, Dongfeng

2017-11-13

The therapeutic management of obesity is challenging, hence further elucidating the underlying mechanisms of obesity development and identifying new diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets are urgent and necessary. Here, we performed differential gene expression analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify significant genes and specific modules related to BMI based on gene expression profile data of 7 discordant monozygotic twins. In the differential gene expression analysis, it appeared that 32 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were with a trend of up-regulation in twins with higher BMI when compared to their siblings. Categories of positive regulation of nitric-oxide synthase biosynthetic process, positive regulation of NF-kappa B import into nucleus, and peroxidase activity were significantly enriched within GO database and NF-kappa B signaling pathway within KEGG database. DEGs of NAMPT, TLR9, PTGS2, HBD, and PCSK1N might be associated with obesity. In the WGCNA, among the total 20 distinct co-expression modules identified, coral1 module (68 genes) had the strongest positive correlation with BMI (r = 0.56, P = 0.04) and disease status (r = 0.56, P = 0.04). Categories of positive regulation of phospholipase activity, high-density lipoprotein particle clearance, chylomicron remnant clearance, reverse cholesterol transport, intermediate-density lipoprotein particle, chylomicron, low-density lipoprotein particle, very-low-density lipoprotein particle, voltage-gated potassium channel complex, cholesterol transporter activity, and neuropeptide hormone activity were significantly enriched within GO database for this module. And alcoholism and cell adhesion molecules pathways were significantly enriched within KEGG database. Several hub genes, such as GAL, ASB9, NPPB, TBX2, IL17C, APOE, ABCG4, and APOC2 were also identified. The module eigengene of saddlebrown module (212 genes) was also significantly correlated with BMI (r = 0.56, P = 0.04), and hub genes of KCNN1 and AQP10 were differentially expressed. We identified significant genes and specific modules potentially related to BMI based on the gene expression profile data of monozygotic twins. The findings may help further elucidate the underlying mechanisms of obesity development and provide novel insights to research potential gene biomarkers and signaling pathways for obesity treatment. Further analysis and validation of the findings reported here are important and necessary when more sample size is acquired.

Heat-induced phytohormone changes are associated with disrupted early reproductive development and reduced yield in rice

PubMed Central

Wu, Chao; Cui, Kehui; Wang, Wencheng; Li, Qian; Fahad, Shah; Hu, Qiuqian; Huang, Jianliang; Nie, Lixiao; Peng, Shaobing

2016-01-01

Heat stress causes morphological and physiological changes and reduces crop yield in rice (Oryza sativa). To investigate changes in phytohormones and their relationships with yield and other attributes under heat stress, four rice varieties (Nagina22, Huanghuazhan, Liangyoupeijiu, and Shanyou 63) were grown in pots and subjected to three high temperature treatments plus control in temperature-controlled greenhouses for 15 d during the early reproductive phase. Yield reductions in Nagina22, Huanghuazhan, and Liangyoupeijiu were attributed to reductions in spikelet fertility, spikelets per panicle, and grain weight. The adverse effects of high temperature were alleviated by application of exogenous 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA) in the heat-susceptible Liangyoupeijiu. High temperature stress reduced active cytokinins, gibberellin A1 (GA1), and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), but increased abscisic acid (ABA) and bound cytokinins in young panicles. Correlation analyses and application of exogenous 6-BA revealed that high temperature-induced cytokinin changes may regulate yield components by modulating the differentiation and degradation of branches and spikelets, panicle exsertion, pollen vigor, anther dehiscence, and grain size. Heat-tolerant Shanyou 63 displayed minor changes in phytohormones, panicle formation, and grain yield under high temperature compared with those of the other three varieties. These results suggest that phytohormone changes are closely associated with yield formation, and a small reduction or stability in phytohormone content is required to avoid large yield losses under heat stress. PMID:27713528

Short-term PV/T module temperature prediction based on PCA-RBF neural network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jiyong; Zhao, Zhendong; Li, Yisheng; Xiao, Jing; Tang, Yunfeng

2018-02-01

Aiming at the non-linearity and large inertia of temperature control in PV/T system, short-term temperature prediction of PV/T module is proposed, to make the PV/T system controller run forward according to the short-term forecasting situation to optimize control effect. Based on the analysis of the correlation between PV/T module temperature and meteorological factors, and the temperature of adjacent time series, the principal component analysis (PCA) method is used to pre-process the original input sample data. Combined with the RBF neural network theory, the simulation results show that the PCA method makes the prediction accuracy of the network model higher and the generalization performance stronger than that of the RBF neural network without the main component extraction.

The extent of the temperature-induced membrane remodeling in two closely related Bordetella species reflects their adaptation to diverse environmental niches.

PubMed

Seydlova, Gabriela; Beranova, Jana; Bibova, Ilona; Dienstbier, Ana; Drzmisek, Jakub; Masin, Jiri; Fiser, Radovan; Konopasek, Ivo; Vecerek, Branislav

2017-05-12

Changes in environmental temperature represent one of the major stresses faced by microorganisms as they affect the function of the cytoplasmic membrane. In this study, we have analyzed the thermal adaptation in two closely related respiratory pathogens Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella bronchiseptica Although B. pertussis represents a pathogen strictly adapted to the human body temperature, B. bronchiseptica causes infection in a broad range of animals and survives also outside of the host. We applied GC-MS to determine the fatty acids of both Bordetella species grown at different temperatures and analyzed the membrane fluidity by fluorescence anisotropy measurement. In parallel, we also monitored the effect of growth temperature changes on the expression and production of several virulence factors. In response to low temperatures, B. pertussis adapted its fatty acid composition and membrane fluidity to a considerably lesser extent when compared with B. bronchiseptica Remarkably, B. pertussis maintained the production of virulence factors at 24 °C, whereas B. bronchiseptica cells resumed the production only upon temperature upshift to 37 °C. This growth temperature-associated differential modulation of virulence factor production was linked to the phosphorylation state of transcriptional regulator BvgA. The observed differences in low-temperature adaptation between B. pertussis and B. bronchiseptica may result from selective adaptation of B. pertussis to the human host. We propose that the reduced plasticity of the B. pertussis membranes ensures sustained production of virulence factors at suboptimal temperatures and may play an important role in the transmission of the disease. © 2017 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Two Pore Channel 2 Differentially Modulates Neural Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

PubMed Central

Zhang, Zhe-Hao; Lu, Ying-Ying; Yue, Jianbo

2013-01-01

Nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) is an endogenous Ca2+ mobilizing nucleotide presented in various species. NAADP mobilizes Ca2+ from acidic organelles through two pore channel 2 (TPC2) in many cell types and it has been previously shown that NAADP can potently induce neuronal differentiation in PC12 cells. Here we examined the role of TPC2 signaling in the neural differentiation of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. We found that the expression of TPC2 was markedly decreased during the initial ES cell entry into neural progenitors, and the levels of TPC2 gradually rebounded during the late stages of neurogenesis. Correspondingly, TPC2 knockdown accelerated mouse ES cell differentiation into neural progenitors but inhibited these neural progenitors from committing to neurons. Overexpression of TPC2, on the other hand, inhibited mouse ES cell from entering the early neural lineage. Interestingly, TPC2 knockdown had no effect on the differentiation of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes of mouse ES cells. Taken together, our data indicate that TPC2 signaling plays a temporal and differential role in modulating the neural lineage entry of mouse ES cells, in that TPC2 signaling inhibits ES cell entry to early neural progenitors, but is required for late neuronal differentiation. PMID:23776607

Thin-film-based CdTe photovoltaic module characterization: measurements and energy prediction improvement.

PubMed

Lay-Ekuakille, A; Arnesano, A; Vergallo, P

2013-01-01

Photovoltaic characterization is a topic of major interest in the field of renewable energy. Monocrystalline and polycrystalline modules are mostly used and, hence characterized since many laboratories have data of them. Conversely, cadmium telluride (CdTe), as thin-film module are, in some circumstances, difficult to be used for energy prediction. This work covers outdoor testing of photovoltaic modules, in particular that regarding CdTe ones. The scope is to obtain temperature coefficients that best predict the energy production. A First Solar (K-275) module has been used for the purposes of this research. Outdoor characterizations were performed at Department of Innovation Engineering, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy. The location of Lecce city represents a typical site in the South Italy. The module was exposed outdoor and tested under clear sky conditions as well as under cloudy sky ones. During testing, the global-inclined irradiance varied between 0 and 1500 W/m(2). About 37,000 I-V characteristics were acquired, allowing to process temperature coefficients as a function of irradiance and ambient temperature. The module was characterized by measuring the full temperature-irradiance matrix in the range from 50 to 1300 W/m(2) and from -1 to 40 W/m(2) from October 2011 to February 2012. Afterwards, the module energy output, under real conditions, was calculated with the "matrix method" of SUPSI-ISAAC and the results were compared with the five months energy output data of the same module measured with the outdoor energy yield facility in Lecce.

Thin-film-based CdTe photovoltaic module characterization: Measurements and energy prediction improvement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lay-Ekuakille, A.; Arnesano, A.; Vergallo, P.

2013-01-01

Photovoltaic characterization is a topic of major interest in the field of renewable energy. Monocrystalline and polycrystalline modules are mostly used and, hence characterized since many laboratories have data of them. Conversely, cadmium telluride (CdTe), as thin-film module are, in some circumstances, difficult to be used for energy prediction. This work covers outdoor testing of photovoltaic modules, in particular that regarding CdTe ones. The scope is to obtain temperature coefficients that best predict the energy production. A First Solar (K-275) module has been used for the purposes of this research. Outdoor characterizations were performed at Department of Innovation Engineering, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy. The location of Lecce city represents a typical site in the South Italy. The module was exposed outdoor and tested under clear sky conditions as well as under cloudy sky ones. During testing, the global-inclined irradiance varied between 0 and 1500 W/m2. About 37 000 I-V characteristics were acquired, allowing to process temperature coefficients as a function of irradiance and ambient temperature. The module was characterized by measuring the full temperature-irradiance matrix in the range from 50 to 1300 W/m2 and from -1 to 40 W/m2 from October 2011 to February 2012. Afterwards, the module energy output, under real conditions, was calculated with the "matrix method" of SUPSI-ISAAC and the results were compared with the five months energy output data of the same module measured with the outdoor energy yield facility in Lecce.

Development, Characterization and Evaluation of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles as a potential Anticancer Drug Delivery System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patel, Meghavi

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) consist of spherical solid lipid particles in the nanometer size range, which are dispersed in water or in an aqueous surfactant solution. SLN technology represents a promising new approach to deliver hydrophilic as well as lipophilic drugs. The commercialization of SLN technology remains limited despite numerous efforts from researchers. The purpose of this research was to advance SLN preparation methodology by investigating the feasibility of preparing glyceryl monostearate (GMS) nanoparticles by using three preparation methods namely microemulsion technique, magnetic stirring technique and temperature modulated solidification technique of which the latter two were developed in our laboratory. An anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil was incorporated in the SLNs prepared via the temperature modulated solidification process. Optimization of the magnetic stirring process was performed to evaluate how the physicochemical properties of the SLN was influenced by systematically varying process parameters including concentration of the lipid, concentration of the surfactant, type of surfactant, time of stirring and temperature of storage. The results demonstrated 1:2 GMS to tween 80 ratio, 150 ml dispersion medium and 45 min stirring at 4000 RPM speed provided an optimum formulation via the temperature modulated solidification process. SLN dispersions were lyophilized to stabilize the solid lipid nanoparticles and the lyophilizates exhibited good redispersibility. The SLNs were characterized by particle size analysis via dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), drug encapsulation efficiency and in vitro drug release studies. Particle size of SLN dispersion prepared via the three preparation techniques was approximately 66 nm and that of redispersed lyophilizates was below 500 nm. TEM images showed spherical to oval particles that were less dense in the core with a well-defined shell and the particle size was in agreement with the particle size analysis data obtained by DLS. DSC thermograms of the lyophilized SLNs indicate a reduction in the crystallinity order of GMS particles. The drug encapsulation efficiency was found to be approximately 30%. In vitro drug release studies from redispersed lyophilized SLNs showed that 17 % of the encapsulated drug was released within 2 h. The SLNs prepared in our lab demonstrated characteristics that can potentially be utilized in an anticancer drug delivery system. Future in vitro cell culture and in vivo animal model studies will delineate compatibility and utility of these formulations in biological systems.

Differential glutamatergic modulation of monoamine release in the limbic lobe by selective anticonvulsant ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptor ligands.

PubMed

Smolders, I

2005-01-01

Several researchers are currently trying to unravel neurobiological relationships between epilepsy and depression. After all, these disorders often develop in the same vulnerable brain regions and the importance of comorbid depression and epilepsy is still underscored. Facilitation of central serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NAD) release seems to be associated with both anticonvulsant and antidepressant effects. We show that selective ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptor ligands with anticonvulsant properties differentially modulate NAD, DA and 5-HT in rat limbic lobe structures.

Calibration of photoelastic modulator based dichrometers: maintaining constant phase across the spectrum

DOE PAGES

Sutherland, J. C.

2016-07-20

Photoelastic modulators can alter the polarization state of a beam of ultraviolet, visible or infrared photons by means of periodic stress-induced differences in the refractive index of a transparent material that forms the optical element of the device and is isotropic in the absence of stress. Furthermore, they have found widespread application in instruments that characterize or alter the polarization state of a beam in fields as diverse as astronomy, structural biology, materials science and ultraviolet lithography for the manufacture of nano-scale integrated circuits. Measurement of circular dichroism, the differential absorption of left- and right circularly polarized light, and ofmore » strain-induced birefringence of optical components are major applications. Instruments using synchrotron radiation and photoelastic modulators with CaF 2 optical elements have extended circular dichroism measurements down to wavelengths of about 130 nm in the vacuum ultraviolet. Maintaining a constant phase shift between two orthogonal polarization states across a spectrum requires that the amplitude of the modulated stress be changed as a function of wavelength. For commercially available photoelastic modulators, the voltage that controls the amplitude of modulation required to produce a specified phase shift, which is a surrogate for the stress modulation amplitude, has been shown to be an approximately linear function of wavelength in the spectral region where the optical element is transparent. But, extrapolations of such straight lines cross zero voltage at a non-zero wavelength, not at zero-wavelength. For modulators with calcium fluoride and fused silica optical elements, the zero-crossing wavelength is always in the spectral region where the optical element of the modulator strongly absorbs the incident radiation, and at a wavelength less than the longest-wavelength apparent resonance deduced from experimental values of the refractive index fit to the Sellmeier equation. Using a model that relates the refractive indices of a stressed optical element to the refractive index of its unstressed state, an expression for the modulator control voltage was derived that closely fits the experimental data. Our result provides a theoretical rational for the apparently linear constant-phase programming voltage, and thus provides theoretical backing for the calibration procedure frequently used for these modulators. Lastly there are other factors that can influence the calibration of a photoelastic modulator, including temperature and atmospheric pressure, are discussed briefly.« less

Calibration of photoelastic modulator based dichrometers: maintaining constant phase across the spectrum

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

Sutherland, J. C.

Photoelastic modulators can alter the polarization state of a beam of ultraviolet, visible or infrared photons by means of periodic stress-induced differences in the refractive index of a transparent material that forms the optical element of the device and is isotropic in the absence of stress. Furthermore, they have found widespread application in instruments that characterize or alter the polarization state of a beam in fields as diverse as astronomy, structural biology, materials science and ultraviolet lithography for the manufacture of nano-scale integrated circuits. Measurement of circular dichroism, the differential absorption of left- and right circularly polarized light, and ofmore » strain-induced birefringence of optical components are major applications. Instruments using synchrotron radiation and photoelastic modulators with CaF 2 optical elements have extended circular dichroism measurements down to wavelengths of about 130 nm in the vacuum ultraviolet. Maintaining a constant phase shift between two orthogonal polarization states across a spectrum requires that the amplitude of the modulated stress be changed as a function of wavelength. For commercially available photoelastic modulators, the voltage that controls the amplitude of modulation required to produce a specified phase shift, which is a surrogate for the stress modulation amplitude, has been shown to be an approximately linear function of wavelength in the spectral region where the optical element is transparent. But, extrapolations of such straight lines cross zero voltage at a non-zero wavelength, not at zero-wavelength. For modulators with calcium fluoride and fused silica optical elements, the zero-crossing wavelength is always in the spectral region where the optical element of the modulator strongly absorbs the incident radiation, and at a wavelength less than the longest-wavelength apparent resonance deduced from experimental values of the refractive index fit to the Sellmeier equation. Using a model that relates the refractive indices of a stressed optical element to the refractive index of its unstressed state, an expression for the modulator control voltage was derived that closely fits the experimental data. Our result provides a theoretical rational for the apparently linear constant-phase programming voltage, and thus provides theoretical backing for the calibration procedure frequently used for these modulators. Lastly there are other factors that can influence the calibration of a photoelastic modulator, including temperature and atmospheric pressure, are discussed briefly.« less

Complex effect of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles on the differentiation and functional activity of human pre-osteoclastic cells.

PubMed

Costa-Rodrigues, João; Silva, Ana; Santos, Catarina; Almeida, Maria Margarida; Costa, Maria Elisabete; Fernandes, Maria Helena

2014-12-01

Nanosized hydroxyapatite (HA) is a promising material in clinical applications targeting the bone tissue. NanoHA is able to modulate bone cellular events, which accounts for its potential utility, but also raises safety concerns regarding the maintenance of the bone homeostasis. This work analyses the effects of HA nanoparticles (HAnp) on osteoclastic differentiation and activity, an issue that has been barely addressed. Rod-like HAnp, produced by a hydrothermal precipitation method, were tested on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), which contains the CD14+ osteoclastic precursors, in unstimulated or osteoclastogenic-induced conditions. HAnp were added at three time-points during the osteoclastic differentiation pathway, and cell response was evaluated for osteoclastic related parameters. Results showed that HAnp modulated the differentiation and function of osteoclastic cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, the effects were dependent on the stage of osteoclastic differentiation. In unstimulated PBMC, HAnp significantly increased osteoclastogenesis, leading to the formation of mature osteoclasts, as evident by the significant increase of TRAP activity, number of TRAP-positive multinucleated cells, osteoclastic gene expression and resorbing ability. However, in a population of mature osteoclasts (formed in osteoclastogenic-induced PBMC cultures), HAnp caused a dose-dependent decrease on the osteoclastic-related parameters. These results highlight the complex effects of HAnp in osteoclastic differentiation and activity, and suggest the possibility of HAnp to modulate/disrupt osteoclastic behavior, with eventual imbalances in the bone metabolism. This should be carefully considered in bone-related and other established and prospective biomedical applications of HAnp.

Mesoangioblasts of inclusion-body myositis: a twofold tool to study pathogenic mechanisms and enhance defective muscle regeneration.

PubMed

Morosetti, R; Gliubizzi, C; Broccolini, A; Sancricca, C; Mirabella, M

2011-06-01

Mesoangioblasts are a class of adult stem cells of mesoderm origin, potentially useful for the treatment of primitive myopathies of different etiology. Extensive in vitro and in vivo studies in animal models of muscular dystrophy have demonstrated the ability of mesoangioblast to repair skeletal muscle when injected intra-arterially. In a previous work we demonstrated that mesoangioblasts obtained from diagnostic muscle biopsies of IBM patients display a defective differentiation down skeletal muscle and this block can be corrected in vitro by transient MyoD transfection. We are currently investigating different pathways involved in mesoangioblasts skeletal muscle differentiation and exploring alternative stimulatory approaches not requiring extensive cell manipulation. This will allow to obtain safe, easy and efficient molecular or pharmacological modulation of pro-myogenic pathways in IBM mesoangioblasts. It is of crucial importance to identify factors (ie. cytokines, growth factors) produced by muscle or inflammatory cells and released in the surrounding milieu that are able to regulate the differentiation ability of IBM mesoangioblasts. To promote myogenic differentiation of endogenous mesoangioblasts in IBM muscle, the modulation of such target molecules selectively dysregulated would be a more handy approach to enhance muscle regeneration compared to transplantation techniques. Studies on the biological characteristics of IBM mesoangioblasts with their aberrant differentiation behavior, the signaling pathways possibly involved in their differentiation block and the possible strategies to overcome it in vivo, might provide new insights to better understand the etiopathogenesis of this crippling disorder and to identify molecular targets susceptible of therapeutic modulation.

Active cancellation of residual amplitude modulation in a frequency-modulation based Fabry-Perot interferometer.

PubMed

Yu, Yinan; Wang, Yicheng; Pratt, Jon R

2016-03-01

Residual amplitude modulation (RAM) is one of the most common noise sources known to degrade the sensitivity of frequency modulation spectroscopy. RAM can arise as a result of the temperature dependent birefringence of the modulator crystal, which causes the orientation of the crystal's optical axis to shift with respect to the polarization of the incident light with temperature. In the fiber-based optical interferometer used on the National Institute of Standards and Technology calculable capacitor, RAM degrades the measured laser frequency stability and correlates with the environmental temperature fluctuations. We have demonstrated a simple approach that cancels out excessive RAM due to polarization mismatch between the light and the optical axis of the crystal. The approach allows us to measure the frequency noise of a heterodyne beat between two lasers individually locked to different resonant modes of a cavity with an accuracy better than 0.5 ppm, which meets the requirement to further determine the longitudinal mode number of the cavity length. Also, this approach has substantially mitigated the temperature dependency of the measurements of the cavity length and consequently the capacitance.

Bio-inspired intelligent evaporation modulation in a thermo-sensitive nanogel colloid solution for self-thermoregulation.

PubMed

Huang, Zhi; Liu, Kang; Feng, Yanhui; Zhou, Jun; Zhang, Xinxin

2017-06-28

Intelligent evaporation and temperature modulation plays an important role in self-regulation of living organisms and many industrial applications. Here we demonstrate that a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) nanogel colloid solution can spontaneously and intelligently modulate its evaporation rate with temperature variation, which has a larger evaporation rate than distilled water at a temperature higher than its lower critical solution temperature (LCST) and a smaller evaporation rate at a temperature lower than its LCST. It performs just like human skin. Theoretical analysis based on the thermodynamic derivation reveals that the evaporation rate transition around the LCST may originate from the saturated vapor pressure transition caused by the status transformation of the PNIPAM additives. An intelligent thermoregulation system based on the PNIPAM colloid solution is also demonstrated, illustrating its potential for intelligent temperature control and acting as an artificial skin.

Hypothalamic and dietary control of temperature-mediated longevity

PubMed Central

Tabarean, Iustin; Morrison, Brad; Marcondes, Maria Cecilia; Bartfai, Tamas; Conti, Bruno

2009-01-01

Temperature is an important modulator of longevity and aging in both poikilotherms and homeotherm animals. In homeotherms, temperature homeostasis is regulated primarily in the preoptic area (POA) of the hypothalamus. This region receives and integrates peripheral, central and environmental signals and maintains a nearly constant core body temperature (Tcore) by regulating the autonomic and hormonal control of heat production and heat dissipation. Temperature sensitive neurons found in the POA are considered key elements of the neuronal circuitry modulating these effects. Nutrient homeostasis is also a hypothalamically regulated modulator of aging as well as one of the signals that can influence Tcore in homeotherms. Investigating the mechanisms of the regulation of nutrient and temperature homeostasis in the hypothalamus is important to understand how these two elements of energy homeostasis influence longevity and aging as well as how aging can affect hypothalamic homeostatic mechanisms. PMID:19631766

Hypothalamic and dietary control of temperature-mediated longevity.

PubMed

Tabarean, Iustin; Morrison, Brad; Marcondes, Maria Cecilia; Bartfai, Tamas; Conti, Bruno

2010-01-01

Temperature is an important modulator of longevity and aging in both poikilotherms and homeotherm animals. In homeotherms, temperature homeostasis is regulated primarily in the preoptic area (POA) of the hypothalamus. This region receives and integrates peripheral, central and environmental signals and maintains a nearly constant core body temperature (T(core)) by regulating the autonomic and hormonal control of heat production and heat dissipation. Temperature sensitive neurons found in the POA are considered key elements of the neuronal circuitry modulating these effects. Nutrient homeostasis is also a hypothalamically regulated modulator of aging as well as one of the signals that can influence T(core) in homeotherms. Investigating the mechanisms of the regulation of nutrient and temperature homeostasis in the hypothalamus is important to understanding how these two elements of energy homeostasis influence longevity and aging as well as how aging can affect hypothalamic homeostatic mechanisms. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Candidate materials for advanced fire-resistant photovoltaic modules

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sugimura, R. S.; Otth, D. H.; Ross, R. G., Jr.; Arnett, J. C.; Samuelson, G.

1985-01-01

A cooperative, cost-sharing research effort to develop a technology base required to construct fire-ratable photovoltaic modules has resulted in the identification of several high-temperature, back-surface candidate materials capable of raising the fire-resistance of modules using hydrocarbon encapsulants to Class A and B levels. Advanced experimental module configurations have been developed using back surfaces consisting of Kapton, Tedlar laminates, metal-foils, and fiberglass materials with high-temperature coatings. Test results (October 1984; March 1985; May 1985; and October 1985) indicate that several of these advanced module configurations are capable of achieving Class B fire-resistance levels, while a few configurations can achieve Class A levels. The paper summarizes activities to date, discussing flammability failure mechanisms, time-temperature profiles, and results of Block V environmental exposure tests of a candidate material suitable for both Class B and Class A fire-resistance levels.

Performance of Skutterudite-Based Modules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nie, G.; Suzuki, S.; Tomida, T.; Sumiyoshi, A.; Ochi, T.; Mukaiyama, K.; Kikuchi, M.; Guo, J. Q.; Yamamoto, A.; Obara, H.

2017-05-01

Due to their excellent thermoelectric (TE) performance, skutterudite materials have been selected by many laboratories and companies for development of TE modules to recover power from waste heat at high temperatures (300°C to 600°C). After years of effort, we have developed reliable n- and p-type skutterudite materials showing maximum figure of merit ( ZT) of 1.0 at 550°C and 0.75 at 450°C, respectively. In this work, we systematically investigated the performance of a module made using these two kinds of skutterudite. We demonstrate ˜7.2% conversion efficiency for temperature of 600°C at the hot side of the module and 50°C at the cold side, and show that the module had excellent stability in the high-temperature environment. Further improving the TE performance of our skutterudites, the conversion efficiency reached ˜8.5% under the same condition.

Design Optimization of a Thermoelectric Cooling Module Using Finite Element Simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abid, Muhammad; Somdalen, Ragnar; Rodrigo, Marina Sancho

2018-05-01

The thermoelectric industry is concerned about the size reduction, cooling performance and, ultimately, the production cost of thermoelectric modules. Optimization of the size and performance of a commercially available thermoelectric cooling module is considered using finite element simulations. Numerical simulations are performed on eight different three-dimensional geometries of a single thermocouple, and the results are further extended for a whole module as well. The maximum temperature rise at the hot and cold sides of a thermocouple is determined by altering its height and cross-sectional area. The influence of the soldering layer is analyzed numerically using temperature dependent and temperature independent thermoelectric properties of the solder material and the semiconductor pellets. Experiments are conducted to test the cooling performance of the thermoelectric module and the results are compared with the results obtained through simulations. Finally, cooling rate and maximum coefficient of performance (COPmax) are computed using convective and non-convective boundary conditions.

Method and apparatus for detecting irregularities on or in the wall of a vessel

DOEpatents

Bowling, Michael Keith

2000-09-12

A method of detecting irregularities on or in the wall of a vessel by detecting localized spatial temperature differentials on the wall surface, comprising scanning the vessel surface with a thermal imaging camera and recording the position of the or each region for which the thermal image from the camera is indicative of such a temperature differential across the region. The spatial temperature differential may be formed by bacterial growth on the vessel surface; alternatively, it may be the result of defects in the vessel wall such as thin regions or pin holes or cracks. The detection of leaks through the vessel wall may be enhanced by applying a pressure differential or a temperature differential across the vessel wall; the testing for leaks may be performed with the vessel full or empty, and from the inside or the outside.

Parallelism between gradient temperature raman spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry results

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Temperature dependent Raman spectroscopy (TDR) applies the temperature gradients utilized in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to Raman spectroscopy, providing a straightforward technique to identify molecular rearrangements that occur just prior to phase transitions. Herein we apply TDR and D...

The MADS-box XAANTAL1 increases proliferation at the Arabidopsis root stem-cell niche and participates in transition to differentiation by regulating cell-cycle components.

PubMed

García-Cruz, Karla V; García-Ponce, Berenice; Garay-Arroyo, Adriana; Sanchez, María De La Paz; Ugartechea-Chirino, Yamel; Desvoyes, Bénédicte; Pacheco-Escobedo, Mario A; Tapia-López, Rosalinda; Ransom-Rodríguez, Ivan; Gutierrez, Crisanto; Alvarez-Buylla, Elena R

2016-07-29

Morphogenesis depends on the concerted modulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. Such modulation is dynamically adjusted in response to various external and internal signals via complex transcriptional regulatory networks that mediate between such signals and regulation of cell-cycle and cellular responses (proliferation, growth, differentiation). In plants, which are sessile, the proliferation/differentiation balance is plastically adjusted during their life cycle and transcriptional networks are important in this process. MADS-box genes are key developmental regulators in eukaryotes, but their role in cell proliferation and differentiation modulation in plants remains poorly studied. We characterize the XAL1 loss-of-function xal1-2 allele and overexpression lines using quantitative cellular and cytometry analyses to explore its role in cell cycle, proliferation, stem-cell patterning and transition to differentiation. We used quantitative PCR and cellular markers to explore if XAL1 regulates cell-cycle components and PLETHORA1 (PLT1) gene expression, as well as confocal microscopy to analyse stem-cell niche organization. We previously showed that XAANTAL1 (XAL1/AGL12) is necessary for Arabidopsis root development as a promoter of cell proliferation in the root apical meristem. Here, we demonstrate that XAL1 positively regulates the expression of PLT1 and important components of the cell cycle: CYCD3;1, CYCA2;3, CYCB1;1, CDKB1;1 and CDT1a In addition, we show that xal1-2 mutant plants have a premature transition to differentiation with root hairs appearing closer to the root tip, while endoreplication in these plants is partially compromised. Coincidently, the final size of cortex cells in the mutant is shorter than wild-type cells. Finally, XAL1 overexpression-lines corroborate that this transcription factor is able to promote cell proliferation at the stem-cell niche. XAL1 seems to be an important component of the networks that modulate cell proliferation/differentiation transition and stem-cell proliferation during Arabidopsis root development; it also regulates several cell-cycle components. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Annals of Botany Company. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Hotspot electron temperature from x-ray continuum measurements on the NIF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jarrott, L. C.; Benedetti, L. R.; Chen, H.; Izumi, N.; Khan, S. F.; Ma, T.; Nagel, S. R.; Landen, O. L.; Pak, A.; Patel, P. K.; Schneider, M.; Scott, H. A.

2016-11-01

We report on measurements of the electron temperature in the hotspot of inertially confined, layered, spherical implosions on the National Ignition Facility using a differential filtering diagnostic. Measurements of the DT and DD ion temperatures using neutron time-of-flight detectors are complicated by the contribution of hot spot motion to the peak width, which produce an apparent temperature higher than the thermal temperature. The electron temperature is not sensitive to this non-thermal velocity and is thus a valuable input to interpreting the stagnated hot spot conditions. Here we show that the current differential filtering diagnostic provides insufficient temperature resolution for the hot spot temperatures of interest. We then propose a new differential filter configuration utilizing larger pinhole size to increase spectral fluence, as well as thicker filtration. This new configuration will improve measurement uncertainty by more than a factor of three, allowing for a more accurate hotspot temperature.

Hotspot electron temperature from x-ray continuum measurements on the NIF.

PubMed

Jarrott, L C; Benedetti, L R; Chen, H; Izumi, N; Khan, S F; Ma, T; Nagel, S R; Landen, O L; Pak, A; Patel, P K; Schneider, M; Scott, H A

2016-11-01

We report on measurements of the electron temperature in the hotspot of inertially confined, layered, spherical implosions on the National Ignition Facility using a differential filtering diagnostic. Measurements of the DT and DD ion temperatures using neutron time-of-flight detectors are complicated by the contribution of hot spot motion to the peak width, which produce an apparent temperature higher than the thermal temperature. The electron temperature is not sensitive to this non-thermal velocity and is thus a valuable input to interpreting the stagnated hot spot conditions. Here we show that the current differential filtering diagnostic provides insufficient temperature resolution for the hot spot temperatures of interest. We then propose a new differential filter configuration utilizing larger pinhole size to increase spectral fluence, as well as thicker filtration. This new configuration will improve measurement uncertainty by more than a factor of three, allowing for a more accurate hotspot temperature.

Modulation of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation through Substrate-dependent Changes in Fibronectin Conformation

PubMed Central

García, Andrés J.; Vega, María D.; Boettiger, David

1999-01-01

Integrin-mediated cell adhesion to extracellular matrices provides signals essential for cell cycle progression and differentiation. We demonstrate that substrate-dependent changes in the conformation of adsorbed fibronectin (Fn) modulated integrin binding and controlled switching between proliferation and differentiation. Adsorption of Fn onto bacterial polystyrene (B), tissue culture polystyrene (T), and collagen (C) resulted in differences in Fn conformation as indicated by antibody binding. Using a biochemical method to quantify bound integrins in cultured cells, we found that differences in Fn conformation altered the quantity of bound α5 and β1 integrin subunits but not αv or β3. C2C12 myoblasts grown on these Fn-coated substrates proliferated to different levels (B > T > C). Immunostaining for muscle-specific myosin revealed minimal differentiation on B, significant levels on T, and extensive differentiation on C. Differentiation required binding to the RGD cell binding site in Fn and was blocked by antibodies specific for this site. Switching between proliferation and differentiation was controlled by the levels of α5β1 integrin bound to Fn, and differentiation was inhibited by anti-α5, but not anti-αv, antibodies, suggesting distinct integrin-mediated signaling pathways. Control of cell proliferation and differentiation through conformational changes in extracellular matrix proteins represents a versatile mechanism to elicit specific cellular responses for biological and biotechnological applications. PMID:10069818

Lasting effects of early exposure to temperature on the gonadal transcriptome at the time of sex differentiation in the European sea bass, a fish with mixed genetic and environmental sex determination.

PubMed

Díaz, Noelia; Piferrer, Francesc

2015-09-04

Sex in fish is plastic and in several species can be influenced by environmental factors. In sensitive species, elevated temperatures have a masculinizing effect. Previous studies on the effects of temperature on gene expression have been restricted to a few cognate genes, mostly related to testis or ovarian development, and analyzed in gonads once they had completed the process of sex differentiation. However, studies on the effect of temperature at the whole gonadal transcriptomic level are scarce in fish and, in addition, temperature effects at the time of sex differentiation at the transcriptomic level are also unknown. Here, we used the European sea bass, a gonochoristic teleost with a polygenic sex determination system influenced by temperature, and exposed larvae to elevated temperature during the period of early gonad formation. Transcriptomic analysis of the gonads was carried out about three months after the end of temperature exposure, shortly after the beginning of the process of sex differentiation. Elevated temperature doubled the number of males with respect to untreated controls. Transcriptomic analysis of early differentiating female gonads showed how heat caused: 1) an up-regulation of genes related to cholesterol transport (star), the stress response (nr3c1) and testis differentiation (amh, dmrt, etc.), 2) a decrease in the expression of genes related to ovarian differentiation such as cyp19a1a, and 3) an increase in the expression of several genes related to epigenetic regulatory mechanisms (hdac11, dicer1, ehmt2, jarid2a, pcgf2, suz12, mettl22). Taken together, the results of this study contribute to the understanding of how the early environment sets permanent changes that result in long-lasting consequences, in this case in the sexual phenotype. Results also show the usefulness of comparing the effects of heat on the behavior of cognate genes related to sex differentiation as well as that of genes involved in establishing and maintaining cell identity through epigenetic mechanisms.

Differential Modulation of Photosynthesis, Signaling, and Transcriptional Regulation between Tolerant and Sensitive Tomato Genotypes under Cold Stress

PubMed Central

Zhang, Junhong; Wang, Taotao; Li, Hanxia; Zhang, Yuyang; Yu, Chuying; Ye, Zhibiao

2012-01-01

The wild species Solanum habrochaites is more cold tolerant than the cultivated tomato (S. lycopersicum). To explore the mechanisms underlying cold tolerance of S. habrochaites, seedlings of S. habrochaites LA1777 introgression lines (ILs), as well as the two parents, were evaluated under low temperature (4°C). The IL LA3969 and its donor parent LA1777 were found to be more cold tolerant than the recurrent parent S. lycopersicum LA4024. The differences in physiology and global gene expression between cold-tolerant (LA1777 and LA3969) and -sensitive (LA4024) genotypes under cold stress were further investigated. Comparative transcriptome analysis identified 1613, 1456, and 1523 cold-responsive genes in LA1777, LA3969, and LA4024, respectively. Gene ontology (GO) term enrichment analysis revealed that more GO biological process terms were significantly enriched among the up-regulated genes in the two tolerant genotypes, whereas more biological processes were significantly repressed by cold stress in the sensitive one. A total of 92 genes with significant differential expression between tolerant and sensitive genotypes under cold stress were identified. Among these, many stress-related GO terms were significantly enriched, such as ‘response to stimulus’ and ‘response to stress’. Moreover, GO terms ‘response to hormone stimulus’, ‘response to reactive oxygen species (ROS)’, and ‘calcium-mediated signaling’ were also overrepresented. Several transcripts involved in hormone or ROS homeostasis were also differentially expressed. ROS, hormones, and calcium as signaling molecules may play important roles in regulating gene expression in response to cold stress. Moreover, the expression of various transcription factors, post-translational proteins, metabolic enzymes, and photosynthesis-related genes was also specifically modulated. These specific modifications may play pivotal roles in conferring cold tolerance in tomato. These results not only provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of cold tolerance in tomato, but also provide potential candidate genes for genetic improvement. PMID:23226384

Diffusion of radon through concrete block walls: A significant source of indoor radon

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lively, R.S.; Goldberg, L.F.

1999-01-01

Basement modules located in southern Minnesota have been the site of continuous radon and environmental measurements during heating seasons since 1993. Concentrations of radon within the basement modules ranged from 70 Bq.m-3 to over 4000 Bq.m-3 between November to April during the three measurement periods. In the soil gas for the same times, concentrations of radon ranged between 25,000 and 70,000 Bq.m-3. Levels of radon within the basement modules changed by factors of five or more within 24 h, in concert with pressure gradients of 4 to 20 Pa that developed between the basement modules and their surroundings. Diffusion is identified as the principal method by which radon is transferred into and out of the basement modules, and appears to be relatively independent of insulating materials and vapour retarders. The variability of radon and correlations with differential pressure gradients may be related to air currents in the block walls and soil that interrupt radon diffusing inward. This yields a net decrease of radon in the basement modules by decay and outward diffusion. Levels of radon within the basement modules increase when the pressure differential is zero and air flow ceases, allowing diffusion gradients to be re-established. Radon levels in both the soil and the basement modules then increase until an equilibrium is achieved.

ModuleMiner - improved computational detection of cis-regulatory modules: are there different modes of gene regulation in embryonic development and adult tissues?

PubMed Central

Van Loo, Peter; Aerts, Stein; Thienpont, Bernard; De Moor, Bart; Moreau, Yves; Marynen, Peter

2008-01-01

We present ModuleMiner, a novel algorithm for computationally detecting cis-regulatory modules (CRMs) in a set of co-expressed genes. ModuleMiner outperforms other methods for CRM detection on benchmark data, and successfully detects CRMs in tissue-specific microarray clusters and in embryonic development gene sets. Interestingly, CRM predictions for differentiated tissues exhibit strong enrichment close to the transcription start site, whereas CRM predictions for embryonic development gene sets are depleted in this region. PMID:18394174

Development and testing of advanced fire-resistant photovoltaic modules

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sugimura, R. S.; Otth, D. H.; Ross, R. G., Jr.

1985-01-01

The evaluation of back-surface materials flammability in order to identify fire resistant module designs is examined. The fire test apparatus, burning-brand test sequence, and spread-of-flame test sequence are described. Video recordings and time-temperature profiles of module back surfaces are utilized to study the flammability failure mechanism and identify high-temperature materials. A table of flammability test results for various module designs is provided. The data reveals that 2-mil kapton, fiberglass cloth coated or impregnated with a material to plug pores, and metal foil back-surface materials achieve class A and B fire-resistance levels, and are applicable for photovoltaic module designs.

Genes involved in nonpermissive temperature-induced cell differentiation in Sertoli TTE3 cells bearing temperature-sensitive simian virus 40 large T-antigen

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

Tabuchi, Yoshiaki; Kondo, Takashi; Suzuki, Yoshihisa

2005-04-15

Sertoli TTE3 cells, derived from transgenic mice bearing temperature-sensitive simian virus 40 large T (tsSV40LT)-antigen, proliferated continuously at a permissive temperature (33 deg C) whereas inactivation of the large T-antigen by a nonpermissive temperature (39 deg C) led to differentiation as judged by elevation of transferrin. To clarify the detailed mechanisms of differentiation, we investigated the time course of changes in gene expression using cDNA microarrays. Of the 865 genes analyzed, 14 genes showed increased levels of expression. Real-time quantitative PCR revealed that the mRNA levels of p21{sup waf1}, milk fat globule membrane protein E8, heat-responsive protein 12, and selenoproteinmore » P were markedly elevated. Moreover, the differentiated condition induced by the nonpermissive temperature significantly increased mRNA levels of these four genes in several cell lines from the transgenic mice bearing the oncogene. The present results regarding changes in gene expression will provide a basis for a further understanding of molecular mechanisms of differentiation in both Sertoli cells and cell lines transformed by tsSV40LT-antigen.« less

A Soft-Switching Inverter for High-Temperature Advanced Hybrid Electric Vehicle Traction Motor Drives

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

Lai, Jason; Yu, Wensong; Sun, Pengwei

2012-03-31

The state-of-the-art hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) require the inverter cooling system to have a separate loop to avoid power semiconductor junction over temperatures because the engine coolant temperature of 105°C does not allow for much temperature rise in silicon devices. The proposed work is to develop an advanced soft-switching inverter that will eliminate the device switching loss and cut down the power loss so that the inverter can operate at high-temperature conditions while operating at high switching frequencies with small current ripple in low inductance based permanent magnet motors. The proposed tasks also include high-temperature packaging and thermal modeling andmore » simulation to ensure the packaged module can operate at the desired temperature. The developed module will be integrated with the motor and vehicle controller for dynamometer and in-vehicle testing to prove its superiority. This report will describe the detailed technical design of the soft-switching inverters and their test results. The experiments were conducted both in module level for the module conduction and switching characteristics and in inverter level for its efficiency under inductive and dynamometer load conditions. The performance will be compared with the DOE original specification.« less

Mirage effect from thermally modulated transparent carbon nanotube sheets.

PubMed

Aliev, Ali E; Gartstein, Yuri N; Baughman, Ray H

2011-10-28

The single-beam mirage effect, also known as photothermal deflection, is studied using a free-standing, highly aligned carbon nanotube aerogel sheet as the heat source. The extremely low thermal capacitance and high heat transfer ability of these transparent forest-drawn carbon nanotube sheets enables high frequency modulation of sheet temperature over an enormous temperature range, thereby providing a sharp, rapidly changing gradient of refractive index in the surrounding liquid or gas. The advantages of temperature modulation using carbon nanotube sheets are multiple: in inert gases the temperature can reach > 2500 K; the obtained frequency range for photothermal modulation is ~100 kHz in gases and over 100 Hz in high refractive index liquids; and the heat source is transparent for optical and acoustical waves. Unlike for conventional heat sources for photothermal deflection, the intensity and phase of the thermally modulated beam component linearly depends upon the beam-to-sheet separation over a wide range of distances. This aspect enables convenient measurements of accurate values for thermal diffusivity and the temperature dependence of refractive index for both liquids and gases. The remarkable performance of nanotube sheets suggests possible applications as photo-deflectors and for switchable invisibility cloaks, and provides useful insights into their use as thermoacoustic projectors and sonar. Visibility cloaking is demonstrated in a liquid.

Polymeric membranes modulate human keratinocyte differentiation in specific epidermal layers.

PubMed

Salerno, Simona; Morelli, Sabrina; Giordano, Francesca; Gordano, Amalia; Bartolo, Loredana De

2016-10-01

In vitro models of human bioengineered skin substitutes are an alternative to animal experimentation for testing the effects and toxicity of drugs, cosmetics and pollutants. For the first time specific and distinct human epidermal strata were engineered by using membranes and keratinocytes. To this purpose, biodegradable membranes of chitosan (CHT), polycaprolactone (PCL) and a polymeric blend of CHT-PCL were prepared by phase-inversion technique and characterized in order to evaluate their morphological, physico-chemical and mechanical properties. The capability of membranes to modulate keratinocyte differentiation inducing specific interactions in epidermal membrane systems was investigated. The overall results demonstrated that the membrane properties strongly influence the cell morpho-functional behaviour of human keratinocytes, modulating their terminal differentiation, with the creation of specific epidermal strata or a fully proliferative epidermal multilayer system. In particular, human keratinocytes adhered on CHT and CHT-PCL membranes, forming the structure of the epidermal top layers, such as the corneum and granulosum strata, characterized by withdrawal or reduction from the cell cycle and cell proliferation. On the PCL membrane, keratinocytes developed an epidermal basal lamina, with high proliferating cells that stratified and migrated over time to form a complete differentiating epidermal multilayer system. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Gate-Tunable Electron Transport Phenomena in Al-Ge⟨111⟩-Al Nanowire Heterostructures.

PubMed

Brunbauer, Florian M; Bertagnolli, Emmerich; Lugstein, Alois

2015-11-11

Electrostatically tunable negative differential resistance (NDR) is demonstrated in monolithic metal-semiconductor-metal (Al-Ge-Al) nanowire (NW) heterostructures integrated in back-gated field-effect transistors (FETs). Unambiguous signatures of NDR even at room temperature are attributed to intervalley electron transfer. At yet higher electric fields, impact ionization leads to an exponential increase of the current in the ⟨111⟩ oriented Ge NW segments. Modulation of the transfer rates, manifested as a large tunability of the peak-to-valley ratio (PVR) and the onset of impact ionization is achieved by the combined influences of electrostatic gating, geometric confinement, and heterojunction shape on hot electron transfer and by electron-electron scattering rates that can be altered by varying the charge carrier concentration in the NW FETs.

Unsteady mixed convection flow of Casson fluid past an inclined stretching sheet in the presence of nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rawi, N. A.; Ilias, M. R.; Lim, Y. J.; Isa, Z. M.; Shafie, S.

2017-09-01

The influence of nanoparticles on the unsteady mixed convection flow of Casson fluid past an inclined stretching sheet is investigated in this paper. The effect of gravity modulation on the flow is also considered. Carboxymethyl cellulose solution (CMC) is chosen as the base fluid and copper as nanoparticles. The basic governing nonlinear partial differential equations are transformed using appropriate similarity transformation and solved numerically using an implicit finite difference scheme by means of the Keller-box method. The effect of nanoparticles volume fraction together with the effect of inclination angle and Casson parameter on the enhancement of heat transfer of Casson nanofluid is discussed in details. The velocity and temperature profiles as well as the skin friction coefficient and the Nusselt number are presented and analyzed.

Thermodynamics of alpha-Cyclodextrin-p-Nitrophenyl Glycoside Complexes. A Simple System To Understand the Energetics of Carbohydrate Interactions in Water.

PubMed

Junquera, Elena; Laynez, José; Menéndez, Margarita; Sharma, Sunil; Penadés, Soledad

1996-10-04

Thermodynamic studies of the binding of a series of p-nitrophenyl glycosides (PNPGly) of varying stereochemistry to alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD) were performed at three different temperatures (25, 35, and 42 degrees C) using a microcalorimetric technique. The system p-nitrophenol (PNP) at pH = 3 and alpha-CD was also studied for the sake of comparison. All these complexes were found to be enthalpy driven with a favorable enthalpic term clearly dominant over an unfavorable entropic term. A clear enthalpy-entropy compensation effect was observed at all the temperatures, with a slope close to unity (alpha = 1.02) and an intercept TDeltaS degrees (o) = 2.91 kcal mol(-)(1). This thermodynamic pattern is in agreement with those usually found for lectin-carbohydrate associations and for the binding processes of several host-guest systems. This pattern is explained in terms of the contribution of primarily two driving forces: the van der Waals interactions between the host and the guest, and the solvation/desolvation processes which accompany the association reaction. The presence of the carbohydrate molecule in the PNP ring causes a slight destabilization of the complex at 25 degrees C with respect to the alpha-CD-PNP (pH = 3) complex, although a different behavior has been observed depending on the axial/equatorial configuration of the glycoside and the temperature. This behavior is modulated by the stereochemistry of the glycoside. Differences were observed between the deoxy-derivatives (LAra and LFuc) and those derivatives with a hydroxymethyl group (Glc, Gal, Man). DeltaC(p) degrees values were obtained from the dependency of DeltaH degrees on temperature (=( partial differentialDeltaH degrees / partial differentialT)(p)). These values are small and negative except for alphaMan complex. For the latter complex, discrepancy between the calorimetric and the calculated van't Hoff enthalpies was observed. Parallels are drawn between the thermodynamics of our model and those proposed for carbohydrate-protein associations.

Molecular characteristics of the HSP70 gene and its differential expression in female and male golden apple snails (Pomacea canaliculata) under temperature stimulation.

PubMed

Song, Hong-Mei; Mu, Xi-Dong; Gu, Dang-En; Luo, Du; Yang, Ye-Xin; Xu, Meng; Luo, Jian-Ren; Zhang, Jia-En; Hu, Yin-Chang

2014-07-01

Heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) is one of the most important heat-shock proteins that helps organisms to modulate stress response via over-expression. The HSP70 gene from Pomacea canaliculata was cloned using the RACE approach; the gene is 2,767 bp in length and contains an open reading frame of 1,932 bp, which is encoded by a polypeptide of 643 amino acids. BLAST analysis showed that the predicted amino acid sequence of the P. canaliculata HSP70 gene shared a relatively high similarity with that of other known eukaryotic species that display conserved HSP characteristics. The phylogeny demonstrated a separate clustering of the apple snail HSP70 with other constitutive members from other mollusk species. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR was used to detect the differential expression of HSP70 in both sexes of P. canaliculata at different temperature conditions. These results showed that HSP70 transcript levels decreased slightly under cold shock and increased significantly under heat-shock conditions in both sexes compared to normal temperatures (26 °C). Under cold-shock treatment, the sex effect was not significant. With heat treatment, HSP70 expression could be induced at 36 °C in both females and males, and it peaked at 42 and 39 °C in females and males, respectively. In addition, a clear time-dependent HSP70 expression pattern of the apple snail exposed to the same high temperature (36 °C) was observed at different time points. The maximal induction of HSP70 expression appeared at 12 and 48 h in males and females after heat shock, respectively. The maximal induction in females was significantly higher compared to males under heat stimulus. Taken together, these results strongly suggested that males were more susceptible to heat than females and provided useful molecular information for the ecological adaptability of P. canaliculata against extreme environmental stress.

Low-temperature thermal properties of a hyperaged geological glass.

PubMed

Pérez-Castañeda, Tomás; Jiménez Riobóo, Rafael J; Ramos, Miguel A

2013-07-24

We have measured the specific heat of amber from the Dominican Republic, an ancient geological glass about 20 million years old, in the low-temperature range 0.6 K ≤ T ≤ 26 K, in order to assess the effects of its natural stabilization (hyperageing) process on the low-temperature glassy properties, i.e. boson peak and two-level systems. We have also conducted modulated differential scanning calorimetry experiments to characterize the thermodynamic state of our samples. We found that calorimetric curves exhibit a huge ageing signal ΔH ≈ 5 J g(-1) in the first upscan at the glass transition Tg = 389 K, that completely disappears after heating up (rejuvenating) the sample to T = 395 K for 3 h. To independently evaluate the phonon contribution to the specific heat, Brillouin spectroscopy was performed in the temperature range 80 K ≤ T ≤ 300 K. An expected increase in the Debye level was observed after rejuvenating the Dominican amber. However, no significant change was observed in the low-temperature specific heat of glassy amber after erasing its thermal history: both its boson peak (i.e., the maximum in the Cp/T(3) representation) and the density of tunnelling two-level systems (i.e., the Cp ∼ T contribution at the lowest temperatures) remained essentially the same. Also, a consistent analysis using the soft-potential model of our Cp data and earlier thermal-conductivity data found in the literature further supports our main conclusion, namely, that these glassy 'anomalous' properties at low temperatures remain essentially invariant after strong relaxational processes such as hyperageing.

Integrating Omics and Alternative Splicing Reveals Insights into Grape Response to High Temperature1[OPEN

PubMed Central

Jiang, Jianfu; Liu, Xinna; Liu, Guotian; Li, Shaohua

2017-01-01

Heat stress is one of the primary abiotic stresses that limit crop production. Grape (Vitis vinifera) is a cultivated fruit with high economic value throughout the world, with its growth and development often influenced by high temperature. Alternative splicing (AS) is a widespread phenomenon increasing transcriptome and proteome diversity. We conducted high-temperature treatments (35°C, 40°C, and 45°C) on grapevines and assessed transcriptomic (especially AS) and proteomic changes in leaves. We found that nearly 70% of the genes were alternatively spliced under high temperature. Intron retention (IR), exon skipping, and alternative donor/acceptor sites were markedly induced under different high temperatures. Among all differential AS events, IR was the most abundant up- and down-regulated event. Moreover, the occurrence frequency of IR events at 40°C and 45°C was far higher than at 35°C. These results indicated that AS, especially IR, is an important posttranscriptional regulatory event during grape leaf responses to high temperature. Proteomic analysis showed that protein levels of the RNA-binding proteins SR45, SR30, and SR34 and the nuclear ribonucleic protein U1A gradually rose as ambient temperature increased, which revealed a reason why AS events occurred more frequently under high temperature. After integrating transcriptomic and proteomic data, we found that heat shock proteins and some important transcription factors such as MULTIPROTEIN BRIDGING FACTOR1c and HEAT SHOCK TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR A2 were involved mainly in heat tolerance in grape through up-regulating transcriptional (especially modulated by AS) and translational levels. To our knowledge, these results provide the first evidence for grape leaf responses to high temperature at simultaneous transcriptional, posttranscriptional, and translational levels. PMID:28049741

Integrating Omics and Alternative Splicing Reveals Insights into Grape Response to High Temperature.

PubMed

Jiang, Jianfu; Liu, Xinna; Liu, Chonghuai; Liu, Guotian; Li, Shaohua; Wang, Lijun

2017-02-01

Heat stress is one of the primary abiotic stresses that limit crop production. Grape (Vitis vinifera) is a cultivated fruit with high economic value throughout the world, with its growth and development often influenced by high temperature. Alternative splicing (AS) is a widespread phenomenon increasing transcriptome and proteome diversity. We conducted high-temperature treatments (35°C, 40°C, and 45°C) on grapevines and assessed transcriptomic (especially AS) and proteomic changes in leaves. We found that nearly 70% of the genes were alternatively spliced under high temperature. Intron retention (IR), exon skipping, and alternative donor/acceptor sites were markedly induced under different high temperatures. Among all differential AS events, IR was the most abundant up- and down-regulated event. Moreover, the occurrence frequency of IR events at 40°C and 45°C was far higher than at 35°C. These results indicated that AS, especially IR, is an important posttranscriptional regulatory event during grape leaf responses to high temperature. Proteomic analysis showed that protein levels of the RNA-binding proteins SR45, SR30, and SR34 and the nuclear ribonucleic protein U1A gradually rose as ambient temperature increased, which revealed a reason why AS events occurred more frequently under high temperature. After integrating transcriptomic and proteomic data, we found that heat shock proteins and some important transcription factors such as MULTIPROTEIN BRIDGING FACTOR1c and HEAT SHOCK TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR A2 were involved mainly in heat tolerance in grape through up-regulating transcriptional (especially modulated by AS) and translational levels. To our knowledge, these results provide the first evidence for grape leaf responses to high temperature at simultaneous transcriptional, posttranscriptional, and translational levels. © 2017 American Society of Plant Biologists. All Rights Reserved.

Microstructural studies of 35 degrees C copper Ni-Ti orthodontic wire and TEM confirmation of low-temperature martensite transformation.

PubMed

Brantley, William A; Guo, Wenhua; Clark, William A T; Iijima, Masahiro

2008-02-01

Previous temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC) study of nickel-titanium orthodontic wires revealed a large exothermic low-temperature peak that was attributed to transformation within martensitic NiTi. The purpose of this study was to use transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to verify this phase transformation in a clinically popular nickel-titanium wire, identify its mechanism and confirm other phase transformations found by TMDSC, and to provide detailed information about the microstructure of this wire. The 35 degrees C Copper nickel-titanium wire (Ormco) with cross-section dimensions of 0.016 in. x 0.022 in. used in the earlier TMDSC investigation was selected. Foils were prepared for TEM analyses by mechanical grinding, polishing, dimpling, ion milling and plasma cleaning. Standard bright-field and dark-field TEM images were obtained, along with convergent-beam electron diffraction patterns. A cryo-stage with the electron microscope (Phillips CM 200) permitted the specimen to be observed at -187, -45, and 50 degrees C, as well as at room temperature. Microstructures were also observed with an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope. Room temperature microstructures had randomly oriented, elongated grains that were twinned. Electron diffraction patterns confirmed that phase transformations took place over temperature ranges previously found by TMDSC. TEM observations revealed a high dislocation density and fine-scale oxide particles, and that twinning is the mechanism for the low-temperature transformation in martensitic NiTi. TEM confirmed the low-temperature peak and other phase transformations observed by TMDSC, and revealed that twinning in martensite is the mechanism for the low-temperature peak. The high dislocation density and fine-scale oxide particles in the microstructure are the result of the wire manufacturing process.

Miniature MMIC Low Mass/Power Radiometer Modules for the 180 GHz GeoSTAR Array

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kangaslahti, Pekka; Tanner, Alan; Pukala, David; Lambrigtsen, Bjorn; Lim, Boon; Mei, Xiaobing; Lai, Richard

2010-01-01

We have developed and demonstrated miniature 180 GHz Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) radiometer modules that have low noise temperature, low mass and low power consumption. These modules will enable the Geostationary Synthetic Thinned Aperture Radiometer (GeoSTAR) of the Precipitation and All-weather Temperature and Humidity (PATH) Mission for atmospheric temperature and humidity profiling. The GeoSTAR instrument has an array of hundreds of receivers. Technology that was developed included Indium Phosphide (InP) MMIC Low Noise Amplifiers (LNAs) and second harmonic MMIC mixers and I-Q mixers, surface mount Multi-Chip Module (MCM) packages at 180 GHz, and interferometric array at 180 GHz. A complete MMIC chip set for the 180 GHz receiver modules (LNAs and I-Q Second harmonic mixer) was developed. The MMIC LNAs had more than 50% lower noise temperature (NT=300K) than previous state-of-art and MMIC I-Q mixers demonstrated low LO power (3 dBm). Two lots of MMIC wafers were processed with very high DC transconductance of up to 2800 mS/mm for the 35 nm gate length devices. Based on these MMICs a 180 GHz Multichip Module was developed that had a factor of 100 lower mass/volume (16x18x4.5 mm3, 3g) than previous generation 180 GHz receivers.

Aquatic Nutrient Simulation Modules (NSMs) Developed for Hydrologic and Hydraulic Models

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-02-01

effect of temperature on algal growth unitless FOxpi oxygen attenuation for algal respiration unitless FOxb oxygen attenuation for benthic algal... effect of temperature below T0p on benthic algal growth 0C-2 ktb2 effect of temperature above T0p on benthic algal growth 0C-2 ka(T) oxygen ...Si Silica SOD Sediment Oxygen Demand SO4 TEMP Sulfate Water Temperature Simulation Module TN Total Nitrogen TP Total Phosphorous TIC Total

Non-invasive Glucose Measurements Using Wavelength Modulated Differential Photothermal Radiometry (WM-DPTR)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, X.; Mandelis, A.; Zinman, B.

2012-11-01

Wavelength-modulated differential laser photothermal radiometry (WM-DPTR) is introduced for potential development of clinically viable non-invasive glucose biosensors. WM-DPTR features unprecedented glucose-specificity and sensitivity by combining laser excitation by two out-of-phase modulated beams at wavelengths near the peak and the baseline of a prominent and isolated mid-IR glucose absorption band. Measurements on water-glucose phantoms (0 to 300 mg/dl glucose concentration) demonstrate high sensitivity to meet wide clinical detection requirements ranging from hypoglycemia to hyperglycemia. The measurement results have been validated by simulations based on fully developed WM-DPTR theory. For sensitive and accurate glucose measurements, the key is the selection and tight control of the intensity ratio and the phase shift of the two laser beams.

Differential Effect of Lactobacillus johnsonii BFE 6128 on Expression of Genes Related to TLR Pathways and Innate Immunity in Intestinal Epithelial Cells.

PubMed

Seifert, Stephanie; Rodriguez Gómez, Manuel; Watzl, Bernhard; Holzapfel, Wilhelm H; Franz, Charles M A P; Vizoso Pinto, María G

2010-12-01

Probiotics have been shown to enhance immune defenses, but their mechanisms of action are only partially understood. We investigated the modulation of signal pathways involved in innate immunity in enterocytes by Lactobacillus johnsonii BFE 6128 isolated from 'Kule naoto', a Maasai traditional fermented milk product. This lactobacillus sensitized HT29 intestinal epithelial cells toward recognition of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium by increasing the IL-8 levels released after challenge with this pathogen and by differentially modulating genes related to toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways and innate immunity. Thus, the modulation of pro-inflammatory mediators and TLR-pathway-related molecules may be an important mechanism contributing to the potential stimulation of innate immunity by lactobacilli at the intestinal epithelial level.

Determination of Temperature Rise and Temperature Differentials of CEMII/B-V Cement for 20MPa Mass Concrete using Adiabatic Temperature Rise Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chee Siang, GO

2017-07-01

Experimental test was carried out to determine the temperature rise characteristics of Portland-Fly-Ash Cement (CEM II/B-V, 42.5N) of Blaine fineness 418.6m2/kg and 444.6m2/kg respectively for 20MPa mass concrete under adiabatic condition. The estimation on adiabatic temperature rise by way of CIRIA C660 method (Construction Industry Research & Information Information) was adopted to verify and validate the hot-box test results by simulating the heat generation curve of the concrete under semi-adiabatic condition. Test result found that Portland fly-ash cement has exhibited decrease in the peak value of temperature rise and maximum temperature rise rate. The result showed that the temperature development and distribution profile, which is directly contributed from the heat of hydration of cement with time, is affected by the insulation, initial placing temperature, geometry and size of concrete mass. The mock up data showing the measured temperature differential is significantly lower than the technical specifications 20°C temperature differential requirement and the 27.7°C limiting temperature differential for granite aggregate concrete as stipulated in BS8110-2: 1985. The concrete strength test result revealed that the 28 days cubes compressive strength was above the stipulated 20MPa characteristic strength at 90 days. The test demonstrated that with proper concrete mix design, the use of Portland flyash cement, combination of chilled water and flake ice, and good insulation is effective in reducing peak temperature rise, temperature differential, and lower adiabatic temperature rise for mass concrete pours. As far as the determined adiabatic temperature rise result was concern, the established result could be inferred for in-situ thermal properties of 20MPa mass concrete application, as the result could be repeatable on account of similar type of constituent materials and concrete mix design adopted for permanent works at project site.

Estrogen-related receptor {alpha} modulates the expression of adipogenesis-related genes during adipocyte differentiation

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

Ijichi, Nobuhiro; Ikeda, Kazuhiro; Horie-Inoue, Kuniko

2007-07-06

Estrogen-related receptor {alpha} (ERR{alpha}) is an orphan nuclear receptor that regulates cellular energy metabolism by modulating gene expression involved in fatty acid oxidation and mitochondrial biogenesis in brown adipose tissue. However, the physiological role of ERR{alpha} in adipogenesis and white adipose tissue development has not been well studied. Here, we show that ERR{alpha} and ERR{alpha}-related transcriptional coactivators, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor {gamma} (PPAR{gamma}) coactivator-1{alpha} (PGC-1{alpha}) and PGC-1{beta}, can be up-regulated in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes at mRNA levels under the adipogenic differentiation condition including the inducer of cAMP, glucocorticoid, and insulin. Gene knockdown by ERR{alpha}-specific siRNA results in mRNA down-regulation of fatty acidmore » binding protein 4, PPAR{gamma}, and PGC-1{alpha} in 3T3-L1 cells in the adipogenesis medium. ERR{alpha} and PGC-1{beta} mRNA expression can be also up-regulated in another preadipocyte lineage DFAT-D1 cells and a pluripotent mesenchymal cell line C3H10T1/2 under the differentiation condition. Furthermore, stable expression of ERR{alpha} in 3T3-L1 cells up-regulates adipogenic marker genes and promotes triglyceride accumulation during 3T3-L1 differentiation. These results suggest that ERR{alpha} may play a critical role in adipocyte differentiation by modulating the expression of various adipogenesis-related genes.« less

Daphnoretin modulates differentiation and maturation of human dendritic cells through down-regulation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase.

PubMed

Chen, Chien-An; Liu, Chien-Kuo; Hsu, Ming-Ling; Chi, Chih-Wen; Ko, Chun-Chuan; Chen, Jian-Syun; Lai, Cheng-Ta; Chang, Hen-Hong; Lee, Tzung-Yan; Lai, Yuen-Liang; Chen, Yu-Jen

2017-10-01

Daphnoretin, an active constituent of Wikstroemia indica C.A. Meys, has been shown possessing anti-cancer activity. In this study, we examined the effect of daphnoretin on differentiation and maturation of human myeloid dendritic cells (DCs). After treatment with daphnoretin (0, 1.1, 3.3, 10 and 30μM) to initiate monocytes, the recovery rate of DCs was reduced in a dose-dependent manner. The mature DCs differentiated in the presence of daphnoretin had fewer and shorter dendrites. Daphnoretin modulated DCs differentiation and maturation in terms of lower expression of CD1a, CD40, CD83, DC-SIGN, and HLA-DR. Daphnoretin inhibited the allostimulatory activity of DCs on proliferation of naive CD4 + CD45 + RA + T cell. On the mitogen-activated protein kinase, daphnoretin down-regulated the lipopolysaccharide-augmented expression of phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (pJNK), but not p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). Activation of JNK by anisomycin reversed the effect of daphnoretin on daphnoretin-inhibited pJNK expression and dendrite formation of DCs. In disease model related to maturation of DCs, daphnoretin suppressed the acute rejection of skin allografts in mice. Our results suggest that daphnoretin modulated differentiation and maturation of DCs toward a state of atypical maturation with impaired allostimulatory function and this effect may go through down-regulation of phosphorylated JNK. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Performance of differential pair circuits designed with line tunnel FET devices at different temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martino, M. D. V.; Martino, J. A.; Agopian, P. G. D.; Rooyackers, R.; Simoen, E.; Collaert, N.; Claeys, C.

2018-07-01

This work studies differential pair circuits designed with Line tunnel field effect transistors (TFETs), comparing their suitability with conventional Point TFETs. Differential voltage gain (A d), compliance voltage and sensitivity to channel length mismatch are analyzed experimentally for different temperatures. The first part highlights individual characteristics of Line TFETs, focusing on behaviors that affect analog circuits. In comparison to Point TFETs, Line TFETs present higher drive current, better transconductance and worse output conductance. In the second part, differential pairs are studied at room temperature for different dimensions and bias conditions. Line TFETs present the highest A d, while Point TFET decrease the susceptibility to channel length mismatch. In the last part, the temperature impact is investigated. Based on the activation energy, the impact of band-to-band tunneling and trap-assisted tunneling is discussed for different bias conditions. A general equation is proposed, including the technology and the susceptibility to temperature and dimensions. It was observed that Line TFETs are a good option to design differential pairs with higher A d and ON-state current than Point TFETs.

Thermal analysis of conceptual designs for GPHS/FPSE power systems of 250 We and 500 We

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mccomas, Thomas J.; Dugan, Edward T.

1991-01-01

Thermal analyses were performed for two distinct configurations of a proposed space nuclear power system which combines General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) modules with the state of the art Free-Piston Stirling Engines (FPSEs). The two configurations correspond to systems with power levels of 250 and 500 W(sub e). The 250 W(sub e) GPHS/FPSE power system utilizes four GPHS modules and one FPSE, and the 500 W(sub e) contains eight GPHS modules and two FPSEs. The configurations of the systems and the bases for selecting the configurations are described. Brief introductory sections are included to describe the GPHS modules and free piston Stirling engines. The primary focus of the thermal analyses is on the temperature of the iridium fuel clad within the GPHS modules. A design goal temperature of 1573 K was selected as the upper limit for the fuel clad during normal operating conditions. The basis for selecting this temperature limit is discussed in detail. Results obtained from thermal analysis of the 250 W(sub e) GPHS/FPSE power system indicate fuel clad temperatures which slightly exceed the design goal temperature of 1573 K. The results are considered favorable due to the numerous conservative assumptions used in developing the thermal model and performing the thermal analysis. To demonstrate the effects of the conservatism, a brief sensitivity analysis is performed in which a few of the key system parameters are varied to determine their effect on the fuel clad temperatures. It is concluded that thermal analysis of a more detailed thermal model would be expected to yield fuel clad temperatures below the design foal temperature limiy 1573 K.

Phylogeographic differentiation versus transcriptomic adaptation to warm temperatures in Zostera marina, a globally important seagrass.

PubMed

Jueterbock, A; Franssen, S U; Bergmann, N; Gu, J; Coyer, J A; Reusch, T B H; Bornberg-Bauer, E; Olsen, J L

2016-11-01

Populations distributed across a broad thermal cline are instrumental in addressing adaptation to increasing temperatures under global warming. Using a space-for-time substitution design, we tested for parallel adaptation to warm temperatures along two independent thermal clines in Zostera marina, the most widely distributed seagrass in the temperate Northern Hemisphere. A North-South pair of populations was sampled along the European and North American coasts and exposed to a simulated heatwave in a common-garden mesocosm. Transcriptomic responses under control, heat stress and recovery were recorded in 99 RNAseq libraries with ~13 000 uniquely annotated, expressed genes. We corrected for phylogenetic differentiation among populations to discriminate neutral from adaptive differentiation. The two southern populations recovered faster from heat stress and showed parallel transcriptomic differentiation, as compared with northern populations. Among 2389 differentially expressed genes, 21 exceeded neutral expectations and were likely involved in parallel adaptation to warm temperatures. However, the strongest differentiation following phylogenetic correction was between the three Atlantic populations and the Mediterranean population with 128 of 4711 differentially expressed genes exceeding neutral expectations. Although adaptation to warm temperatures is expected to reduce sensitivity to heatwaves, the continued resistance of seagrass to further anthropogenic stresses may be impaired by heat-induced downregulation of genes related to photosynthesis, pathogen defence and stress tolerance. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Ethylene signal transduction elements involved in chilling injury in non-climacteric loquat fruit

PubMed Central

Wang, Ping; Zhang, Bo; Li, Xian; Xu, Changjie; Yin, Xueren; Shan, Lanlan; Ferguson, Ian; Chen, Kunsong

2010-01-01

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) is a subtropical fruit, with some cultivars such as ‘Luoyangqing’ (LYQ) susceptible to chilling injury (CI), while others such as ‘Baisha’ (BS) are resistant. Although loquats are non-climacteric, modulation of ethylene has an effect on ripening-related post-harvest CI. Therefore the role of ethylene signalling in the development of CI was investigated in fruit of both the LYQ and BS cultivars. Three ethylene receptor genes, one CTR1-like gene, and one EIN3-like gene were isolated and characterized in ripening fruit. All of these genes were expressed differentially within and between fruit of the two cultivars. Transcripts either declined over fruit development (EjERS1a in both cultivars and EjEIL1 in LYQ) or showed an increase in the middle stages of fruit development before declining (EjETR1, EjERS1b, and EjCTR1 in both cultivars and EjEIL1 in BS). The main cultivar differences were in levels rather than in patterns of expression during post-harvest storage. EjETR1, EjCTR1, and EjEIL1 genes showed increased expression in response to low temperature and this was particularly notable for EjETR1, and EjEIL1 during CI development in LYQ fruit. The genes were also differentially responsive to ethylene treatment, 1-methycyclopropene (1-MCP) and low temperature conditioning, confirming a role for ethylene in regulation of CI in loquat fruit. PMID:19884229

Using Flory-Huggins phase diagrams as a pre-formulation tool for the production of amorphous solid dispersions: a comparison between hot-melt extrusion and spray drying.

PubMed

Tian, Yiwei; Caron, Vincent; Jones, David S; Healy, Anne-Marie; Andrews, Gavin P

2014-02-01

Amorphous drug forms provide a useful method of enhancing the dissolution performance of poorly water-soluble drugs; however, they are inherently unstable. In this article, we have used Flory-Huggins theory to predict drug solubility and miscibility in polymer candidates, and used this information to compare spray drying and melt extrusion as processes to manufacture solid dispersions. Solid dispersions were prepared using two different techniques (hot-melt extrusion and spray drying), and characterised using a combination of thermal (thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry), spectroscopic (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction methods. Spray drying permitted generation of amorphous solid dispersions across a wider drug concentration than melt extrusion. Melt extrusion provided sufficient energy for more intimate mixing to be achieved between drug and polymer, which may improve physical stability. It was also confirmed that stronger drug-polymer interactions might be generated through melt extrusion. Remixing and dissolution of recrystallised felodipine into the polymeric matrices did occur during the modulated differential scanning calorimetry analysis, but the complementary information provided from FTIR confirms that all freshly prepared spray-dried samples were amorphous with the existence of amorphous drug domains within high drug-loaded samples. Using temperature-composition phase diagrams to probe the relevance of temperature and drug composition in specific polymer candidates facilitates polymer screening for the purpose of formulating solid dispersions. © 2013 Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

Cold stability of microtubules in wood-forming tissues of conifers during seasons of active and dormant cambium.

PubMed

Begum, Shahanara; Shibagaki, Masaki; Furusawa, Osamu; Nakaba, Satoshi; Yamagishi, Yusuke; Yoshimoto, Joto; Jin, Hyun-O; Sano, Yuzou; Funada, Ryo

2012-01-01

The cold stability of microtubules during seasons of active and dormant cambium was analyzed in the conifers Abies firma, Abies sachalinensis and Larix leptolepis by immunofluorescence microscopy. Samples were fixed at room temperature and at a low temperature of 2-3°C to examine the effects of low temperature on the stability of microtubules. Microtubules were visible in cambium, xylem cells and phloem cells after fixation at room temperature during seasons of active and dormant cambium. By contrast, fixation at low temperature depolymerized microtubules in cambial cells, differentiating tracheids, differentiating xylem ray parenchyma and phloem ray parenchyma cells during the active season. However, similar fixation did not depolymerize microtubules during cambial dormancy in winter. Our results indicate that the stability of microtubules in cambial cells and cambial derivatives at low temperature differs between seasons of active and dormant cambium. Moreover, the change in the stability of microtubules that we observed at low temperature might be closely related to seasonal changes in the cold tolerance of conifers. In addition, low-temperature fixation depolymerized microtubules in cambial cells and differentiating cells that had thin primary cell walls, while such low-temperature fixation did not depolymerize microtubules in differentiating secondary xylem ray parenchyma cells and tracheids that had thick secondary cell walls. The stability of microtubules at low temperature appears to depend on the structure of the cell wall, namely, primary or secondary. Therefore, we propose that the secondary cell wall might be responsible for the cold stability of microtubules in differentiating secondary xylem cells of conifers.

Signed weighted gene co-expression network analysis of transcriptional regulation in murine embryonic stem cells

PubMed Central

Mason, Mike J; Fan, Guoping; Plath, Kathrin; Zhou, Qing; Horvath, Steve

2009-01-01

Background Recent work has revealed that a core group of transcription factors (TFs) regulates the key characteristics of embryonic stem (ES) cells: pluripotency and self-renewal. Current efforts focus on identifying genes that play important roles in maintaining pluripotency and self-renewal in ES cells and aim to understand the interactions among these genes. To that end, we investigated the use of unsigned and signed network analysis to identify pluripotency and differentiation related genes. Results We show that signed networks provide a better systems level understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of ES cells than unsigned networks, using two independent murine ES cell expression data sets. Specifically, using signed weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), we found a pluripotency module and a differentiation module, which are not identified in unsigned networks. We confirmed the importance of these modules by incorporating genome-wide TF binding data for key ES cell regulators. Interestingly, we find that the pluripotency module is enriched with genes related to DNA damage repair and mitochondrial function in addition to transcriptional regulation. Using a connectivity measure of module membership, we not only identify known regulators of ES cells but also show that Mrpl15, Msh6, Nrf1, Nup133, Ppif, Rbpj, Sh3gl2, and Zfp39, among other genes, have important roles in maintaining ES cell pluripotency and self-renewal. We also report highly significant relationships between module membership and epigenetic modifications (histone modifications and promoter CpG methylation status), which are known to play a role in controlling gene expression during ES cell self-renewal and differentiation. Conclusion Our systems biologic re-analysis of gene expression, transcription factor binding, epigenetic and gene ontology data provides a novel integrative view of ES cell biology. PMID:19619308

Perceived state of self during motion can differentially modulate numerical magnitude allocation.

PubMed

Arshad, Q; Nigmatullina, Y; Roberts, R E; Goga, U; Pikovsky, M; Khan, S; Lobo, R; Flury, A-S; Pettorossi, V E; Cohen-Kadosh, R; Malhotra, P A; Bronstein, A M

2016-09-01

Although a direct relationship between numerical allocation and spatial attention has been proposed, recent research suggests that these processes are not directly coupled. In keeping with this, spatial attention shifts induced either via visual or vestibular motion can modulate numerical allocation in some circumstances but not in others. In addition to shifting spatial attention, visual or vestibular motion paradigms also (i) elicit compensatory eye movements which themselves can influence numerical processing and (ii) alter the perceptual state of 'self', inducing changes in bodily self-consciousness impacting upon cognitive mechanisms. Thus, the precise mechanism by which motion modulates numerical allocation remains unknown. We sought to investigate the influence that different perceptual experiences of motion have upon numerical magnitude allocation while controlling for both eye movements and task-related effects. We first used optokinetic visual motion stimulation (OKS) to elicit the perceptual experience of either 'visual world' or 'self'-motion during which eye movements were identical. In a second experiment, we used a vestibular protocol examining the effects of perceived and subliminal angular rotations in darkness, which also provoked identical eye movements. We observed that during the perceptual experience of 'visual world' motion, rightward OKS-biased judgments towards smaller numbers, whereas leftward OKS-biased judgments towards larger numbers. During the perceptual experience of 'self-motion', judgments were biased towards larger numbers irrespective of the OKS direction. Contrastingly, vestibular motion perception was found not to modulate numerical magnitude allocation, nor was there any differential modulation when comparing 'perceived' vs. 'subliminal' rotations. We provide a novel demonstration that numerical magnitude allocation can be differentially modulated by the perceptual state of self during visual but not vestibular mediated motion. © 2016 Federation of European Neuroscience Societies and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Metformin inhibition of neuroblastoma cell proliferation is differently modulated by cell differentiation induced by retinoic acid or overexpression of NDM29 non-coding RNA.

PubMed

Costa, Delfina; Gigoni, Arianna; Würth, Roberto; Cancedda, Ranieri; Florio, Tullio; Pagano, Aldo

2014-01-01

Metformin is a widely used oral hypoglycemizing agent recently proposed as potential anti-cancer drug. In this study we report the antiproliferative effect of metformin treatment in a high risk neuroblastoma cell model, focusing on possible effects associated to different levels of differentiation and/or tumor initiating potential. Antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of metformin were tested in human SKNBE2 and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell lines and in SKNBE2 cells in which differentiation is induced by retinoic acid treatment or stable overexpression of NDM29 non-coding RNA, both conditions characterized by a neuron-like differentiated phenotype. We found that metformin significantly inhibits the proliferation of NB cells, an effect that correlates with the inhibition of Akt, while AMPK activity resulted unchanged. Notably, metformin effects were modulated in a different ways by differentiating stimuli, being abolished after retinoic acid treatment but potentiated by overexpression of NDM29. These data suggest the efficacy of metformin as neuroblastoma anticancer agent, and support the requirement of further studies on the possible role of the differentiation status on the antiproliferative effects of this drug.

A Flavonoid Compound Promotes Neuronal Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells via PPAR-β Modulating Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism.

PubMed

Mei, Yu-Qin; Pan, Zong-Fu; Chen, Wen-Teng; Xu, Min-Hua; Zhu, Dan-Yan; Yu, Yong-Ping; Lou, Yi-Jia

2016-01-01

Relatively little is known regarding mitochondrial metabolism in neuronal differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells. By using a small molecule, present research has investigated the pattern of cellular energy metabolism in neural progenitor cells derived from mouse ES cells. Flavonoid compound 4a faithfully facilitated ES cells to differentiate into neurons morphologically and functionally. The expression and localization of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) were examined in neural progenitor cells. PPAR-β expression showed robust upregulation compared to solvent control. Treatment with PPAR-β agonist L165041 alone or together with compound 4a significantly promoted neuronal differentiation, while antagonist GSK0660 blocked the neurogenesis-promoting effect of compound 4a. Consistently, knockdown of PPAR-β in ES cells abolished compound 4a-induced neuronal differentiation. Interestingly, we found that mitochondrial fusion protein Mfn2 was also abolished by sh-PPAR-β, resulting in abnormal mitochondrial Ca2+ ([Ca2+]M) transients as well as impaired mitochondrial bioenergetics. In conclusion, we demonstrated that by modulating mitochondrial energy metabolism through Mfn2 and mitochondrial Ca2+, PPAR-β took an important role in neuronal differentiation induced by flavonoid compound 4a.

A Flavonoid Compound Promotes Neuronal Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells via PPAR-β Modulating Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism

PubMed Central

Mei, Yu-qin; Pan, Zong-fu; Chen, Wen-teng; Xu, Min-hua; Zhu, Dan-yan; Yu, Yong-ping; Lou, Yi-jia

2016-01-01

Relatively little is known regarding mitochondrial metabolism in neuronal differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells. By using a small molecule, present research has investigated the pattern of cellular energy metabolism in neural progenitor cells derived from mouse ES cells. Flavonoid compound 4a faithfully facilitated ES cells to differentiate into neurons morphologically and functionally. The expression and localization of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) were examined in neural progenitor cells. PPAR-β expression showed robust upregulation compared to solvent control. Treatment with PPAR-β agonist L165041 alone or together with compound 4a significantly promoted neuronal differentiation, while antagonist GSK0660 blocked the neurogenesis-promoting effect of compound 4a. Consistently, knockdown of PPAR-β in ES cells abolished compound 4a-induced neuronal differentiation. Interestingly, we found that mitochondrial fusion protein Mfn2 was also abolished by sh-PPAR-β, resulting in abnormal mitochondrial Ca2+ ([Ca2+]M) transients as well as impaired mitochondrial bioenergetics. In conclusion, we demonstrated that by modulating mitochondrial energy metabolism through Mfn2 and mitochondrial Ca2+, PPAR-β took an important role in neuronal differentiation induced by flavonoid compound 4a. PMID:27315062

CPEB1 modulates differentiation of glioma stem cells via downregulation of HES1 and SIRT1 expression

PubMed Central

Lee, Jeong Eun; Park, Ju Young; Kim, Tae-Hoon; Kim, Youn-Jae; Lee, Seung-Hoon; Yoo, Heon; Kim, Jong Heon; Park, Jong Bae

2014-01-01

Glioma stemness has been recognized as the most important reason for glioma relapse and drug resistance. Differentiation of glioma stem cells (GSCs) has been implicated as a novel approach to target recurrent glioma. However, the detailed molecular mechanism involved in the differentiation of GSCs has not yet been elucidated. This study identified CPEB1 as the key modulator that induces the differentiation of GSCs at the post-transcriptional level. Gain and loss of function experiments showed that CPEB1 expression reduced sphere formation ability and the expression of stemness markers such as Nestin and Notch. To elucidate the detailed molecular mechanism underlying the action of CPEB1, we investigated the interacting ribonome of the CPEB1 complex using a Ribonomics approach. CPEB1 specifically suppressed the translation of HES1 and SIRT1 by interacting with a cytoplasmic polyadenylation element. The expression profile of CPEB1 negatively correlated with overall survival in glioma patients. Overexpression of CPEB1 decreased the number of GSCs in an orthotopically implanted glioma animal model. These results suggest that CPEB1-mediated translational control is essential for the differentiation of GSCs and provides novel therapeutic concepts for differentiation therapy. PMID:25216517

Bacterial differentiation via gradual activation of global regulators.

PubMed

Kovács, Ákos T

2016-02-01

Bacteria have evolved to adapt to various conditions and respond to certain stress conditions. The ability to sense and efficiently reply to these environmental effects involve versatile array of sensors and global or specific regulators. Interestingly, modulation of the levels of active global regulators enables bacteria to respond to diverse signals via a single central transcriptional regulator and to activate or repress certain differentiation pathways at a spatio-temporal manner. The Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis is an ideal bacterium to study how membrane bound and cytoplasmic sensor kinases affect the level of phosphorylated global regulator, Spo0A which in response activates genes related to sliding, biofilm formation, and sporulation. In addition, other global regulators, including the two-component system DegS-DegU, modulate overlapping and complementary genes in B. subtilis related to surface colonization and biofilm formation. The intertwinement of global regulatory systems also allows the accurate modulation of differentiation pathways. Studies in the last decade enable us to get a deeper insight into the role of global regulators on the smooth transition of developmental processes in B. subtilis.

Cross-correlation photothermal optical coherence tomography with high effective resolution.

PubMed

Tang, Peijun; Liu, Shaojie; Chen, Junbo; Yuan, Zhiling; Xie, Bingkai; Zhou, Jianhua; Tang, Zhilie

2017-12-01

We developed a cross-correlation photothermal optical coherence tomography (CC-PTOCT) system for photothermal imaging with high lateral and axial resolution. The CC-PTOCT system consists of a phase-sensitive OCT system, a modulated pumping laser, and a digital cross-correlator. The pumping laser was used to induce the photothermal effect in the sample, causing a slight phase modulation of the OCT signals. A spatial phase differentiation method was employed to reduce phase accumulation. The noise brought by the phase differentiation method and the strong background noise were suppressed efficiently by the cross-correlator, which was utilized to extract the photothermal signals from the modulated signals. Combining the cross-correlation technique with spatial phase differentiation can improve both lateral and axial resolution of the PTOCT imaging system. Clear photothermal images of blood capillaries of a mouse ear in vivo were successfully obtained with high lateral and axial resolution. The experimental results demonstrated that this system can enhance the effective transverse resolution, effective depth resolution, and contrast of the PTOCT image effectively, aiding the ongoing development of the accurate 3D functional imaging.

Rho differentially regulates the Hippo pathway by modulating the interaction between Amot and Nf2 in the blastocyst.

PubMed

Shi, Xianle; Yin, Zixi; Ling, Bin; Wang, Lingling; Liu, Chang; Ruan, Xianhui; Zhang, Weiyu; Chen, Lingyi

2017-11-01

The Hippo pathway modulates the transcriptional activity of Yap to regulate the differentiation of the inner cell mass (ICM) and the trophectoderm (TE) in blastocysts. Yet how Hippo signaling is differentially regulated in ICM and TE cells is poorly understood. Through an inhibitor/activator screen, we have identified Rho as a negative regulator of Hippo in TE cells, and PKA as a positive regulator of Hippo in ICM cells. We further elucidated a novel mechanism by which Rho suppresses Hippo, distinct from the prevailing view that Rho inhibits Hippo signaling through modulating cytoskeleton remodeling and/or cell polarity. Active Rho prevents the phosphorylation of Amot Ser176, thus stabilizing the interaction between Amot and F-actin, and restricting the binding between Amot and Nf2. Moreover, Rho attenuates the interaction between Amot and Nf2 by binding to the coiled-coil domain of Amot. By blocking the association of Nf2 and Amot, Rho suppresses Hippo in TE cells. © 2017. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

Characteristic and comparison of different submounts on concentrating photovoltaic module

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Yueh-Mu; Shih, Zun-Hao; Hong, Hwen-Fen; Shin, Hwa-Yuh; Kuo, Cherng-Tsong

2014-09-01

High concentration photovoltaics systems employ concentrating optics consisting of dish reflectors or fresnel lenses that concentrate sunlight to 500 suns or more. In general, under concentrating light operation condition, the device temperature rises quickly and the open-circuit voltage of solar cell will decrease with increasing temperature; therefore, the system output power or energy-conversion efficiency will decrease while temperature of solar cell increased. In this study, we analyze the ceramic thermal resistance and propose a direct temperature measurement method of the solar cell. The direct temperature measurement of the cell and the ceramic was achieved by utilizing buried thermocouples with a diameter of 50 μm between the cell/ceramic and aluminum plate. The different light flux densities ranging from 500 to 800 W/m2 at 100 W/m2 interval by solar simulator are provided to measure temperature, and the cell temperatures measured are 39.8 °C, 41 °C, 45 °C and 48 °C, respectively. The temperature differences between the cell and aluminum plate of the light flux densities from 500 W/m2 to 800 W/m2 are in the range of 4.2 °C to 8 °C. Accordingly we can obtain the temperature distribution of HCPV module at difference region. The results can help us to optimize module package technology and to choose better material applied to the module to improve conversion efficiency of the cell.

The design of a device for hearer and feeler differentiation, part A. [speech modulated hearing device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Creecy, R.

1974-01-01

A speech modulated white noise device is reported that gives the rhythmic characteristics of a speech signal for intelligible reception by deaf persons. The signal is composed of random amplitudes and frequencies as modulated by the speech envelope characteristics of rhythm and stress. Time intensity parameters of speech are conveyed through the vibro-tactile sensation stimuli.

Passive Resistor Temperature Compensation for a High-Temperature Piezoresistive Pressure Sensor.

PubMed

Yao, Zong; Liang, Ting; Jia, Pinggang; Hong, Yingping; Qi, Lei; Lei, Cheng; Zhang, Bin; Li, Wangwang; Zhang, Diya; Xiong, Jijun

2016-07-22

The main limitation of high-temperature piezoresistive pressure sensors is the variation of output voltage with operating temperature, which seriously reduces their measurement accuracy. This paper presents a passive resistor temperature compensation technique whose parameters are calculated using differential equations. Unlike traditional experiential arithmetic, the differential equations are independent of the parameter deviation among the piezoresistors of the microelectromechanical pressure sensor and the residual stress caused by the fabrication process or a mismatch in the thermal expansion coefficients. The differential equations are solved using calibration data from uncompensated high-temperature piezoresistive pressure sensors. Tests conducted on the calibrated equipment at various temperatures and pressures show that the passive resistor temperature compensation produces a remarkable effect. Additionally, a high-temperature signal-conditioning circuit is used to improve the output sensitivity of the sensor, which can be reduced by the temperature compensation. Compared to traditional experiential arithmetic, the proposed passive resistor temperature compensation technique exhibits less temperature drift and is expected to be highly applicable for pressure measurements in harsh environments with large temperature variations.

Passive Resistor Temperature Compensation for a High-Temperature Piezoresistive Pressure Sensor

PubMed Central

Yao, Zong; Liang, Ting; Jia, Pinggang; Hong, Yingping; Qi, Lei; Lei, Cheng; Zhang, Bin; Li, Wangwang; Zhang, Diya; Xiong, Jijun

2016-01-01

The main limitation of high-temperature piezoresistive pressure sensors is the variation of output voltage with operating temperature, which seriously reduces their measurement accuracy. This paper presents a passive resistor temperature compensation technique whose parameters are calculated using differential equations. Unlike traditional experiential arithmetic, the differential equations are independent of the parameter deviation among the piezoresistors of the microelectromechanical pressure sensor and the residual stress caused by the fabrication process or a mismatch in the thermal expansion coefficients. The differential equations are solved using calibration data from uncompensated high-temperature piezoresistive pressure sensors. Tests conducted on the calibrated equipment at various temperatures and pressures show that the passive resistor temperature compensation produces a remarkable effect. Additionally, a high-temperature signal-conditioning circuit is used to improve the output sensitivity of the sensor, which can be reduced by the temperature compensation. Compared to traditional experiential arithmetic, the proposed passive resistor temperature compensation technique exhibits less temperature drift and is expected to be highly applicable for pressure measurements in harsh environments with large temperature variations. PMID:27455271

Multi-layer thermoelectric-temperature-mapping microbial incubator designed for geo-biochemistry applications.

PubMed

Wu, Jin-Gen; Liu, Man-Chi; Tsai, Ming-Fei; Yu, Wei-Shun; Chen, Jian-Zhang; Cheng, I-Chun; Lin, Pei-Chun

2012-04-01

We demonstrate a novel, vertical temperature-mapping incubator utilizing eight layers of thermoelectric (TE) modules mounted around a test tube. The temperature at each layer of the TE module is individually controlled to simulate the vertical temperature profile of geo-temperature variations with depth. Owing to the constraint of non-intrusion to the filled geo-samples, the temperature on the tube wall is adopted for measurement feedback. The design considerations for the incubator include spatial arrangement of the energy transfer mechanism, heating capacity of the TE modules, minimum required sample amount for follow-up instrumental or chemical analysis, and the constraint of non-intrusion to the geo-samples during incubation. The performance of the incubator is experimentally evaluated with two tube conditions and under four preset temperature profiles. Test tubes are either empty or filled with quartz sand, which has comparable thermal properties to the materials in the geo-environment. The applied temperature profiles include uniform, constant temperature gradient, monotonic-increasing parabolic, and parabolic. The temperature on the tube wall can be controlled between 20 °C and 90 °C with an averaged root mean squared error of 1 °C. © 2012 American Institute of Physics

Seeing red: affect modulation and chromatic color responses on the Rorschach.

PubMed

Malone, Johanna C; Stein, Michelle B; Slavin-Mulford, Jenelle; Bello, Iruma; Sinclair, S Justin; Blais, Mark A

2013-01-01

Psychoanalytic theories suggest that color perception on the Rorschach relates to affective modulation. However, this idea has minimal empirical support. Using a clinical sample, the authors explored the cognitive and clinical correlates of Rorschach color determinants and differences among four affective modulation subtypes: Controlled, Balanced, Under-Controlled, and Flooded. Subtypes were differentiated by measures of affective regulation, reality testing/confusion, and personality traits. Initial support for the relationship of chromatic color response styles and affective modulation was found.

Comparison of modeled and experimental PV array temperature profiles for accurate interpretation of module performance and degradation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elwood, Teri; Simmons-Potter, Kelly

2017-08-01

Quantification of the effect of temperature on photovoltaic (PV) module efficiency is vital to the correct interpretation of PV module performance under varied environmental conditions. However, previous work has demonstrated that PV module arrays in the field are subject to significant location-based temperature variations associated with, for example, local heating/cooling and array edge effects. Such thermal non-uniformity can potentially lead to under-prediction or over-prediction of PV array performance due to an incorrect interpretation of individual module temperature de-rating. In the current work, a simulated method for modeling the thermal profile of an extended PV array has been investigated through extensive computational modeling utilizing ANSYS, a high-performance computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software tool. Using the local wind speed as an input, simulations were run to determine the velocity at particular points along modular strings corresponding to the locations of temperature sensors along strings in the field. The point velocities were utilized along with laminar flow theories in order to calculate Nusselt's number for each point. These calculations produced a heat flux profile which, when combined with local thermal and solar radiation profiles, were used as inputs in an ANSYS Thermal Transient model that generated a solar string operating temperature profile. A comparison of the data collected during field testing, and the data fabricated by ANSYS simulations, will be discussed in order to authenticate the accuracy of the model.

Feedback module for evaluating optical-power stabilization methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Downing, John

2016-03-01

A feedback module for evaluating the efficacy of optical-power stabilization without thermoelectric coolers (TECs) is described. The module comprises a pickoff optic for sampling a light beam, a photodiode for converting the sample power to electrical current, and a temperature sensor. The components are mounted on an optical bench that makes accurate (0.05°) beam alignment practical as well as providing high thermal-conductivity among the components. The module can be mounted on existing light sources or the components can be incorporated in new designs. Evaluations of optical and electronic stabilization methods are also reported. The optical method combines a novel, weakly reflective, weakly polarizing coating on the pickoff optic with a photodiode and an automatic-power-control (APC) circuit in a closed loop. The shift of emitter wavelength with temperature, coupled with the wavelength-dependent reflectance of the pickoff optic, enable the APC circuit to compensate for temperature errors. In the electronic method, a mixed-signal processor in a quasiclosed loop generates a control signal from temperature and photocurrent inputs and feeds it back to an APC circuit to compensate for temperature errors. These methods result in temperature coefficients less than 20 ppm/°C and relative rms power equal to 05% for the optical method and 0.02% for the electronic method. The later value represents an order of magnitude improvement over rms specifications for cooled, laser-diode modules and a five-fold improvement in wall-plug efficiency is achieved by eliminating TECs.

TiO x -Based Thermoelectric Modules: Manufacturing, Properties, and Operational Behavior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin, Hans-Peter; Pönicke, Andreas; Kluge, Martin; Sichert, Ina; Rost, Axel; Conze, Susan; Wätzig, Katja; Schilm, Jochen; Michaelis, Alexander

2016-03-01

Substoichiometric titanium oxides are attractive thermoelectric materials for high-temperature modules. Their advantages are availability, economy, and safety. This paper gives results of thermoelectric data on scale-up titanium suboxides, manufacturing technologies of TiO x modules, glass coating as an option for oxidation protection, and test results of TiO x modules. The thermoelectric efficiency of TiO x is low compared with established thermoelectric materials. However, TiO x is very attractive for economic reasons, and there are still expectations for efficiency rise by modification of the material's microstructure. TiO x can be produced in large quantities of several tens of kilograms. A manufacturing process for TiO x -based unileg n-type modules has been established, including all technological steps. The design of the TiO x -based modules was optimized for the thermoelectric conversion process and thermal robustness. A test device was used for experimental analysis with maximum temperature of 600°C at the hot side and 100°C at the cold side. This initial test revealed similar power output and internal resistance of all fabricated modules. Furthermore, thermal cycles with increasing and decreasing temperatures at the hot side were realized to characterize the reliability and stability of the modules. Additionally, modules were tested in a hot gas test rig to simulate the thermal stresses during power generation in the exhaust line of a passenger car.

Preliminary feasibility study of a new method of hypothermia in an experimental canine model

PubMed Central

Sert, İbrahim Ünal; Akand, Murat; Kılıç, Özcan; Yavru, Nuri; Bulut, Ersan

2017-01-01

Objective To build up a new microcontroller thermoelectric system to achieve renal hypothermia. Material and methods Renal hypothermia system was tested under in vivo conditions in the kidneys of ten Mongrel dogs. Ambient temperature was evaluated using two different microcontrollers. In order to ensure hypothermia in the renal parenchyma, selection can be made among 4 modules and sensors which detect the temperature of the area. The temperature range of the system was adjusted between −50°C and +50°C. Results When single and double poles of the kidney were cooled, initial mean intraperitoneal temperature values were found 37.7°C for rectum and 36.5°C for renal cortex and medulla. After the temperature of the cooling module was set to 12°C, the module was placed on the poles of the kidney. After fifteen minutes, temperature was 15.4°C in the lower pole of the kidney, 28.1°C in the cortex of the other side and 29.2°C in the intramedullary region. The temperature was found to be 15°C in the vicinity and 26.1°C in the cortex across the module. After the system was stabilized, a very slight change was observed in the temperature. Conclusion Hypothermia system developed ensured desired cooling of the targeted part of the kidney; however, it did not cause a change in the temperature of other parts of the kidney or general body temperature. Thus, it was possible to create a long-term study area for renal parenchymal surgery. PMID:28861307

Preliminary feasibility study of a new method of hypothermia in an experimental canine model.

PubMed

Sert, İbrahim Ünal; Akand, Murat; Kılıç, Özcan; Yavru, Nuri; Bulut, Ersan

2017-09-01

To build up a new microcontroller thermoelectric system to achieve renal hypothermia. Renal hypothermia system was tested under in vivo conditions in the kidneys of ten Mongrel dogs. Ambient temperature was evaluated using two different microcontrollers. In order to ensure hypothermia in the renal parenchyma, selection can be made among 4 modules and sensors which detect the temperature of the area. The temperature range of the system was adjusted between -50°C and +50°C. When single and double poles of the kidney were cooled, initial mean intraperitoneal temperature values were found 37.7°C for rectum and 36.5°C for renal cortex and medulla. After the temperature of the cooling module was set to 12°C, the module was placed on the poles of the kidney. After fifteen minutes, temperature was 15.4°C in the lower pole of the kidney, 28.1°C in the cortex of the other side and 29.2°C in the intramedullary region. The temperature was found to be 15°C in the vicinity and 26.1°C in the cortex across the module. After the system was stabilized, a very slight change was observed in the temperature. Hypothermia system developed ensured desired cooling of the targeted part of the kidney; however, it did not cause a change in the temperature of other parts of the kidney or general body temperature. Thus, it was possible to create a long-term study area for renal parenchymal surgery.

Temperature gradient affects differentiation of gene expression and SNP allele frequencies in the dominant Lake Baikal zooplankton species.

PubMed

Bowman, Larry L; Kondrateva, Elizaveta S; Timofeyev, Maxim A; Yampolsky, Lev Y

2018-06-01

Local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity are main mechanisms of organisms' resilience in changing environments. Both are affected by gene flow and are expected to be weak in zooplankton populations inhabiting large continuous water bodies and strongly affected by currents. Lake Baikal, the deepest and one of the coldest lakes on Earth, experienced epilimnion temperature increase during the last 100 years, exposing Baikal's zooplankton to novel selective pressures. We obtained a partial transcriptome of Epischura baikalensis (Copepoda: Calanoida), the dominant component of Baikal's zooplankton, and estimated SNP allele frequencies and transcript abundances in samples from regions of Baikal that differ in multiyear average surface temperatures. The strongest signal in both SNP and transcript abundance differentiation is the SW-NE gradient along the 600+ km long axis of the lake, suggesting isolation by distance. SNP differentiation is stronger for nonsynonymous than synonymous SNPs and is paralleled by differential survival during a laboratory exposure to increased temperature, indicating directional selection operating on the temperature gradient. Transcript abundance, generally collinear with the SNP differentiation, shows samples from the warmest, less deep location clustering together with the southernmost samples. Differential expression is more frequent among transcripts orthologous to candidate thermal response genes previously identified in model arthropods, including genes encoding cytoskeleton proteins, heat-shock proteins, proteases, enzymes of central energy metabolism, lipid and antioxidant pathways. We conclude that the pivotal endemic zooplankton species in Lake Baikal exists under temperature-mediated selection and possesses both genetic variation and plasticity to respond to novel temperature-related environmental pressures. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Temperature measurement method using temperature coefficient timing for resistive or capacitive sensors

DOEpatents

Britton, Jr., Charles L.; Ericson, M. Nance

1999-01-01

A method and apparatus for temperature measurement especially suited for low cost, low power, moderate accuracy implementation. It uses a sensor whose resistance varies in a known manner, either linearly or nonlinearly, with temperature, and produces a digital output which is proportional to the temperature of the sensor. The method is based on performing a zero-crossing time measurement of a step input signal that is double differentiated using two differentiators functioning as respective first and second time constants; one temperature stable, and the other varying with the sensor temperature.

Low-noise magnetometer based on inductance modulation in high-critical-temperature superconductor coil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Enpuku, Keiji; Matsuo, Masaaki; Yoshida, Yujiro; Yamashita, Shigeya; Sasayama, Teruyoshi; Yoshida, Takashi

2018-06-01

We developed a magnetometer based on inductance modulation of a coil made from a high-critical-temperature superconducting material. The coil inductance was modulated over time via a modulation current applied to a magnetic wire that was inserted into the coil. The magnetic field was then converted into a signal voltage using this time-dependent inductance. The relationship between magnetometer performance and the modulation current conditions was studied. Under appropriate conditions, the magnetometer had responsivity of 885 V/T. The magnetic field noise was 1.3 pT/Hz1/2 in the white noise region and 5.6 pT/Hz1/2 at f = 1 Hz.

Systems and methods for pressure and temperature measurement

DOEpatents

Challener, William Albert; Airey, Li

2016-12-06

A measurement system in one embodiment includes an acquisition module and a determination module. The acquisition module is configured to acquire resonant frequency information corresponding to a sensor disposed in a remote location from the acquisition module. The resonant frequency information includes first resonant frequency information for a first resonant frequency of the sensor corresponding to environmental conditions of the remote location, and also includes second resonant frequency information for a different, second resonant frequency of the sensor corresponding to the environmental conditions of the remote location. The determination module is configured to use the first resonant frequency information and the second resonant frequency information to determine the temperature and the pressure at the remote location.

Differential protein modulation in midguts of Aedes aegypti infected with chikungunya and dengue 2 viruses.

PubMed

Tchankouo-Nguetcheu, Stéphane; Khun, Huot; Pincet, Laurence; Roux, Pascal; Bahut, Muriel; Huerre, Michel; Guette, Catherine; Choumet, Valérie

2010-10-05

Arthropod borne virus infections cause several emerging and resurgent infectious diseases. Among the diseases caused by arboviruses, dengue and chikungunya are responsible for a high rate of severe human diseases worldwide. The midgut of mosquitoes is the first barrier for pathogen transmission and is a target organ where arboviruses must replicate prior to infecting other organs. A proteomic approach was undertaken to characterize the key virus/vector interactions and host protein modifications that happen in the midgut for viral transmission to eventually take place. Using a proteomics differential approach with two-Dimensional Differential in-Gel Electrophoresis (2D-DIGE), we defined the protein modulations in the midgut of Aedes aegypti that were triggered seven days after an oral infection (7 DPI) with dengue 2 (DENV-2) and chikungunya (CHIKV) viruses. Gel profile comparisons showed that the level of 18 proteins was modulated by DENV-2 only and 12 proteins were modulated by CHIKV only. Twenty proteins were regulated by both viruses in either similar or different ways. Both viruses caused an increase of proteins involved in the generation of reactive oxygen species, energy production, and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Midgut infection by DENV-2 and CHIKV triggered an antioxidant response. CHIKV infection produced an increase of proteins involved in detoxification. Our study constitutes the first analysis of the protein response of Aedes aegypti's midgut infected with viruses belonging to different families. It shows that the differentially regulated proteins in response to viral infection include structural, redox, regulatory proteins, and enzymes for several metabolic pathways. Some of these proteins like antioxidant are probably involved in cell protection. On the other hand, we propose that the modulation of other proteins like transferrin, hsp60 and alpha glucosidase, may favour virus survival, replication and transmission, suggesting a subversion of the insect cell metabolism by the arboviruses.

Differential Protein Modulation in Midguts of Aedes aegypti Infected with Chikungunya and Dengue 2 Viruses

PubMed Central

Tchankouo-Nguetcheu, Stéphane; Khun, Huot; Pincet, Laurence; Roux, Pascal; Bahut, Muriel; Huerre, Michel; Guette, Catherine; Choumet, Valérie

2010-01-01

Background Arthropod borne virus infections cause several emerging and resurgent infectious diseases. Among the diseases caused by arboviruses, dengue and chikungunya are responsible for a high rate of severe human diseases worldwide. The midgut of mosquitoes is the first barrier for pathogen transmission and is a target organ where arboviruses must replicate prior to infecting other organs. A proteomic approach was undertaken to characterize the key virus/vector interactions and host protein modifications that happen in the midgut for viral transmission to eventually take place. Methodology and Principal Findings Using a proteomics differential approach with two-Dimensional Differential in-Gel Electrophoresis (2D-DIGE), we defined the protein modulations in the midgut of Aedes aegypti that were triggered seven days after an oral infection (7 DPI) with dengue 2 (DENV-2) and chikungunya (CHIKV) viruses. Gel profile comparisons showed that the level of 18 proteins was modulated by DENV-2 only and 12 proteins were modulated by CHIKV only. Twenty proteins were regulated by both viruses in either similar or different ways. Both viruses caused an increase of proteins involved in the generation of reactive oxygen species, energy production, and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Midgut infection by DENV-2 and CHIKV triggered an antioxidant response. CHIKV infection produced an increase of proteins involved in detoxification. Conclusion/Significance Our study constitutes the first analysis of the protein response of Aedes aegypti's midgut infected with viruses belonging to different families. It shows that the differentially regulated proteins in response to viral infection include structural, redox, regulatory proteins, and enzymes for several metabolic pathways. Some of these proteins like antioxidant are probably involved in cell protection. On the other hand, we propose that the modulation of other proteins like transferrin, hsp60 and alpha glucosidase, may favour virus survival, replication and transmission, suggesting a subversion of the insect cell metabolism by the arboviruses. PMID:20957153

Fibronectin Matrix Polymerization Regulates Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype through a Rac1 Dependent Mechanism

PubMed Central

Shi, Feng; Long, Xiaochun; Hendershot, Allison; Miano, Joseph M.; Sottile, Jane

2014-01-01

Smooth muscle cells are maintained in a differentiated state in the vessel wall, but can be modulated to a synthetic phenotype following injury. Smooth muscle phenotypic modulation is thought to play an important role in the pathology of vascular occlusive diseases. Phenotypically modulated smooth muscle cells exhibit increased proliferative and migratory properties that accompany the downregulation of smooth muscle cell marker proteins. Extracellular matrix proteins, including fibronectin, can regulate the smooth muscle phenotype when used as adhesive substrates. However, cells produce and organize a 3-dimensional fibrillar extracellular matrix, which can affect cell behavior in distinct ways from the protomeric 2-dimensional matrix proteins that are used as adhesive substrates. We previously showed that the deposition/polymerization of fibronectin into the extracellular matrix can regulate the deposition and organization of other extracellular matrix molecules in vitro. Further, our published data show that the presence of a fibronectin polymerization inhibitor results in increased expression of smooth muscle cell differentiation proteins and inhibits vascular remodeling in vivo. In this manuscript, we used an in vitro cell culture system to determine the mechanism by which fibronectin polymerization affects smooth muscle phenotypic modulation. Our data show that fibronectin polymerization decreases the mRNA levels of multiple smooth muscle differentiation genes, and downregulates the levels of smooth muscle α-actin and calponin proteins by a Rac1-dependent mechanism. The expression of smooth muscle genes is transcriptionally regulated by fibronectin polymerization, as evidenced by the increased activity of luciferase reporter constructs in the presence of a fibronectin polymerization inhibitor. Fibronectin polymerization also promotes smooth muscle cell growth, and decreases the levels of actin stress fibers. These data define a Rac1-dependent pathway wherein fibronectin polymerization promotes the SMC synthetic phenotype by modulating the expression of smooth muscle cell differentiation proteins. PMID:24752318

Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals distinct ethylene-independent regulation of ripening in response to low temperature in kiwifruit.

PubMed

Asiche, William O; Mitalo, Oscar W; Kasahara, Yuka; Tosa, Yasuaki; Mworia, Eric G; Owino, Willis O; Ushijima, Koichiro; Nakano, Ryohei; Yano, Kentaro; Kubo, Yasutaka

2018-03-21

Kiwifruit are classified as climacteric since exogenous ethylene (or its analogue propylene) induces rapid ripening accompanied by ethylene production under positive feedback regulation. However, most of the ripening-associated changes (Phase 1 ripening) in kiwifruit during storage and on-vine occur largely in the absence of any detectable ethylene. This ripening behavior is often attributed to basal levels of system I ethylene, although it is suggested to be modulated by low temperature. To elucidate the mechanisms regulating Phase 1 ripening in kiwifruit, a comparative transcriptome analysis using fruit continuously exposed to propylene (at 20 °C), and during storage at 5 °C and 20 °C was conducted. Propylene exposure induced kiwifruit softening, reduction of titratable acidity (TA), increase in soluble solids content (SSC) and ethylene production within 5 days. During storage, softening and reduction of TA occurred faster in fruit at 5 °C compared to 20 °C although no endogenous ethylene production was detected. Transcriptome analysis revealed 3761 ripening-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs), of which 2742 were up-regulated by propylene while 1058 were up-regulated by low temperature. Propylene exclusively up-regulated 2112 DEGs including those associated with ethylene biosynthesis and ripening such as AcACS1, AcACO2, AcPL1, AcXET1, Acβ-GAL, AcAAT, AcERF6 and AcNAC7. Similarly, low temperature exclusively up-regulated 467 DEGS including AcACO3, AcPL2, AcPMEi, AcADH, Acβ-AMY2, AcGA2ox2, AcNAC5 and AcbZIP2 among others. A considerable number of DEGs such as AcPG, AcEXP1, AcXET2, Acβ-AMY1, AcGA2ox1, AcNAC6, AcMADS1 and AcbZIP1 were up-regulated by either propylene or low temperature. Frequent 1-MCP treatments failed to inhibit the accelerated ripening and up-regulation of associated DEGs by low temperature indicating that the changes were independent of ethylene. On-vine kiwifruit ripening proceeded in the absence of any detectable endogenous ethylene production, and coincided with increased expression of low temperature-responsive DEGs as well as the decrease in environmental temperature. These results indicate that kiwifruit possess both ethylene-dependent and low temperature-modulated ripening mechanisms that are distinct and independent of each other. The current work provides a foundation for elaborating the control of these two ripening mechanisms in kiwifruit.

Room-temperature ferroelectricity of SrTiO{sub 3} films modulated by cation concentration

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

Yang, Fang; Zhang, Qinghua; Yang, Zhenzhong

2015-08-24

The room-temperature ferroelectricity of SrTiO{sub 3} is promising for oxide electronic devices controlled by multiple fields. An effective way to control the ferroelectricity is highly demanded. Here, we show that the off-centered antisite-like defects in SrTiO{sub 3} films epitaxially grown on Si (001) play the determinative role in the emergence of room-temperature ferroelectricity. The density of these defects changes with the film cation concentration sensitively, resulting in a varied coercive field of the ferroelectric behavior. Consequently, the room-temperature ferroelectricity of SrTiO{sub 3} films can be effectively modulated by tuning the temperature of metal sources during the molecular beam epitaxy growth.more » Such an easy and reliable modulation of the ferroelectricity enables the flexible engineering of multifunctional oxide electronic devices.« less

Construction of a High Temperature Teg Measurement System for the Evaluation of Thermoelectric Oxide Modules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Populoh, S.; Trottmann, M.; Brunko, O. C.; Thiel, P.; Weidenkaff, A.

2013-08-01

A dedicated test stand was developed and built to characterize the efficiency, power output and open circuit voltage of various thermoelectric generators (TEGs) based on tellurides, heusler compounds and thermoelectric oxides. The test stand allows measurements of TEGs of sizes up to 4 cm × 4 cm at hot side temperatures up to 1150 K in different atmospheres. Special care was taken about the heat flux measurement by precise measurement of the temperature distribution within the reference block. In order to demonstrate the functionality of the test stand thermoelectric oxide modules (TOM) were built from n-type perovskite-type manganates and p-type cuprates. The modules were tested regarding their stability, maximum power output and efficiency at temperatures up to 1100 K. The TOMs withstand large temperature gradients and operated in ambient air yielding high power densities.

Reversing and nonreversing heat capacity of poly(lactic acid) in the glass transition region by TMDSC

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

Pyda, Marek; Wunderlich, Bernhard

2005-11-01

A study of the glass transition of an amorphous and a semicrystalline poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is performed with adiabatic calorimetry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and temperature-modulated DSC (TMDSC). The reversing, total, and nonreversing apparent heat capacities of samples with different contents of L- and D-lactic acid and with various thermal histories were evaluated. Different modes of TMDSC analyses of amorphous and semicrystalline PLA were compared to the total heat capacity from standard DSC. The enthalpy relaxation and the cold crystallization in the glass transition region are largely irreversible. The melting is largely irreversible, but a 100% reversing fraction is observedmore » at low temperatures from 375 to 420 K, which becomes small inside the major melting peak at about 440 K. From the TMDSC of amorphous PLA, the combined information on endothermic and exothermic enthalpy relaxation and glass transition were deconvoluted into the reversing and nonreversing components. The glass transition temperature from the reversing heat capacity and the enthalpy relaxation peaks from the nonreversing component shift to higher temperature for increasingly annealed PLA. The relaxation times for aging decrease on cooling until the glass transition is reached and then increase. This behavior is linked to cooperativity. All quantitative thermal analyses are based on the heat capacity of the solid and liquid, evaluated earlier with the advanced thermal analysis system (ATHAS).« less

Modulation of superconducting transition temperature in LaAlO3/SrTiO3 by SrTiO3 structural domains

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

Noad, Hilary; Moler, Kathryn

2018-01-01

The tetragonal domain structure in SrTiO3 (STO) is known to modulate the normal-state carrier density in LaAlO3/SrTiO3 (LAO/STO) heterostructures, among other electronic properties, but the effect of STO domains on the superconductivity in LAO/STO has not been fully explored. Using a scanning SQUID susceptometer microscope to map the superconducting response as a function of temperature in LAO/STO, we find that the superconducting transition temperature is spatially inhomogeneous and modulated in a pattern that is characteristic of structural domains in the STO.

Effect of water content on specific heat capacity of porcine septum cartilage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chae, Yongseok; Lavernia, Enrique J.; Wong, Brian J.

2002-06-01

The effect of water content on specific heat capacity was examined using temperature modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TMDSC). This research was motivated in part by the development laser cartilage reshaping operations, which use photothermal heating to accelerate stress relaxation and shape change. Deposition of thermal energy leads to mechanical stress relaxation and redistribution of cartilage internal stresses, which may lead to a permanent shape change. The specific heat of cartilage specimens (dia: 3 mm and thickness 1-2 mm) was measured using a heating rate of 2 degree(s)C/min for conventional DSC and 2 degree(s)C/min with an amplitude 0.38-0.45 degree(s)C and a period 60-100 sec for TMDSC. The amount of water in cartilaginous tissue was determined using thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) under ambient conditions. In order to correlate changes in heat flow with alterations in cartilage mechanical behavior, dynamic mechanical temperature analysis (DMTA) was used to estimate the specific transition temperatures where stress relaxation occurs. With decreasing water content, we identified a phase transition that shifted to a higher temperature after 35-45% water content was measured. The phase transition energy increased from 0.12 J/g to 1.68 J/g after a 45% weight loss. This study is a preliminary investigation focused on understanding the mechanism of the stress relaxation of cartilage during heating. The energy requirement of such a transition estimated using TMDSC and temperature range, where cartilage shape changes likely occur, was estimated.

Modulation of lens cell adhesion molecules by particle beams

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McNamara, M. P.; Bjornstad, K. A.; Chang, P. Y.; Chou, W.; Lockett, S. J.; Blakely, E. A.

2001-01-01

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are proteins which anchor cells to each other and to the extracellular matrix (ECM), but whose functions also include signal transduction, differentiation, and apoptosis. We are testing a hypothesis that particle radiations modulate CAM expression and this contributes to radiation-induced lens opacification. We observed dose-dependent changes in the expression of beta 1-integrin and ICAM-1 in exponentially-growing and confluent cells of a differentiating human lens epithelial cell model after exposure to particle beams. Human lens epithelial (HLE) cells, less than 10 passages after their initial culture from fetal tissue, were grown on bovine corneal endothelial cell-derived ECM in medium containing 15% fetal bovine serum and supplemented with 5 ng/ml basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2). Multiple cell populations at three different stages of differentiation were prepared for experiment: cells in exponential growth, and cells at 5 and 10 days post-confluence. The differentiation status of cells was characterized morphologically by digital image analysis, and biochemically by Western blotting using lens epithelial and fiber cell-specific markers. Cultures were irradiated with single doses (4, 8 or 12 Gy) of 55 MeV protons and, along with unirradiated control samples, were fixed using -20 degrees C methanol at 6 hours after exposure. Replicate experiments and similar experiments with helium ions are in progress. The intracellular localization of beta 1-integrin and ICAM-1 was detected by immunofluorescence using monoclonal antibodies specific for each CAM. Cells known to express each CAM were also processed as positive controls. Both exponentially-growing and confluent, differentiating cells demonstrated a dramatic proton-dose-dependent modulation (upregulation for exponential cells, downregulation for confluent cells) and a change in the intracellular distribution of the beta 1-integrin, compared to unirradiated controls. In contrast, there was a dose-dependent increase in ICAM-1 immunofluorescence in confluent, but not exponentially-growing cells. These results suggest that proton irradiation downregulates beta 1-integrin and upregulates ICAM-1, potentially contributing to cell death or to aberrant differentiation via modulation of anchorage and/or signal transduction functions. Quantification of the expression levels of the CAMs by Western analysis is in progress.

Hotspot electron temperature from x-ray continuum measurements on the NIF

DOE PAGES

Jarrott, L. C.; Benedetti, L. R.; Chen, H.; ...

2016-08-24

We report on measurements of the electron temperature in the hotspot of inertially confined, layered, spherical implosions on the National Ignition Facility using a differential filtering diagnostic. Measurements of the DT and DD ion temperatures using neutron time-of-flight detectors are complicated by the contribution of hot spot motion to the peak width, which produce an apparent temperature higher than the thermal temperature. The electron temperature is not sensitive to this non-thermal velocity and is thus a valuable input to interpreting the stagnated hot spot conditions. Here we show that the current differential filtering diagnostic provides insufficient temperature resolution for themore » hot spot temperatures of interest. We then propose a new differential filter configuration utilizing larger pinhole size to increase spectral fluence, as well as thicker filtration. In conclusion, this new configuration will improve measurement uncertainty by more than a factor of three, allowing for a more accurate hotspot temperature.« less

Optimization of reaction parameters of radiation induced grafting of 1-vinylimidazole onto poly(ethylene-co-tetraflouroethene) using response surface method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nasef, Mohamed Mahmoud; Aly, Amgad Ahmed; Saidi, Hamdani; Ahmad, Arshad

2011-11-01

Radiation induced grafting of 1-vinylimidazole (1-VIm) onto poly(ethylene-co-tetraflouroethene) (ETFE) was investigated. The grafting parameters such as absorbed dose, monomer concentration, grafting time and temperature were optimized using response surface method (RSM). The Box-Behnken module available in the design expert software was used to investigate the effect of reaction conditions (independent parameters) varied in four levels on the degree of grafting ( G%) (response parameter). The model yielded a polynomial equation that relates the linear, quadratic and interaction effects of the independent parameters to the response parameter. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to evaluate the results of the model and detect the significant values for the independent parameters. The optimum parameters to achieve a maximum G% were found to be monomer concentration of 55 vol%, absorbed dose of 100 kGy, time in the range of 14-20 h and a temperature of 61 °C. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to investigate the properties of the obtained films and provide evidence for grafting.

Lattice Boltzmann heat transfer model for permeable voxels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pereira, Gerald G.; Wu, Bisheng; Ahmed, Shakil

2017-12-01

We develop a gray-scale lattice Boltzmann (LB) model to study fluid flow combined with heat transfer for flow through porous media where voxels may be partially solid (or void). Heat transfer in rocks may lead to deformation, which in turn can modulate the fluid flow and so has significant contribution to rock permeability. The LB temperature field is compared to a finite difference solution of the continuum partial differential equations for fluid flow in a channel. Excellent quantitative agreement is found for both Poiseuille channel flow and Brinkman flow. The LB model is then applied to sample porous media such as packed beds and also more realistic sandstone rock sample, and both the convective and diffusive regimes are recovered when varying the thermal diffusivity. It is found that while the rock permeability can be comparatively small (order milli-Darcy), the temperature field can show significant variation depending on the thermal convection of the fluid. This LB method has significant advantages over other numerical methods such as finite and boundary element methods in dealing with coupled fluid flow and heat transfer in rocks which have irregular and nonsmooth pore spaces.

Design and development of data acquisition system based on WeChat hardware

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhitao; Ding, Lei

2018-06-01

Data acquisition system based on WeChat hardware provides methods for popularization and practicality of data acquisition. The whole system is based on WeChat hardware platform, where the hardware part is developed on DA14580 development board and the software part is based on Alibaba Cloud. We designed service module, logic processing module, data processing module and database module. The communication between hardware and software uses AirSync Protocal. We tested this system by collecting temperature and humidity data, and the result shows that the system can aquisite the temperature and humidity in real time according to settings.

Repeated short climatic change affects the epidermal differentiation program and leads to matrix remodeling in a human organotypic skin model.

PubMed

Boutrand, Laetitia-Barbollat; Thépot, Amélie; Muther, Charlotte; Boher, Aurélie; Robic, Julie; Guéré, Christelle; Vié, Katell; Damour, Odile; Lamartine, Jérôme

2017-01-01

Human skin is subject to frequent changes in ambient temperature and humidity and needs to cope with these environmental modifications. To decipher the molecular response of human skin to repeated climatic change, a versatile model of skin equivalent subject to "hot-wet" (40°C, 80% relative humidity [RH]) or "cold-dry" (10°C, 40% RH) climatic stress repeated daily was used. To obtain an exhaustive view of the molecular mechanisms elicited by climatic change, large-scale gene expression DNA microarray analysis was performed and modulated function was determined by bioinformatic annotation. This analysis revealed several functions, including epidermal differentiation and extracellular matrix, impacted by repeated variations in climatic conditions. Some of these molecular changes were confirmed by histological examination and protein expression. Both treatments (hot-wet and cold-dry) reduced the expression of genes encoding collagens, laminin, and proteoglycans, suggesting a profound remodeling of the extracellular matrix. Strong induction of the entire family of late cornified envelope genes after cold-dry exposure, confirmed at protein level, was also observed. These changes correlated with an increase in epidermal differentiation markers such as corneodesmosin and a thickening of the stratum corneum, indicating possible implementation of defense mechanisms against dehydration. This study for the first time reveals the complex pattern of molecular response allowing adaption of human skin to repeated change in its climatic environment.

Physical properties of sequential interpenetrating polymer networks produced from canola oil-based polyurethane and poly(methyl methacrylate).

PubMed

Kong, Xiaohua; Narine, Suresh S

2008-05-01

Sequential interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) were prepared using polyurethane (PUR) synthesized from canola oil-based polyol with terminal primary functional groups and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The properties of the material were evaluated by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC), as well as tensile properties measurements. The morphology of the IPNs was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and MDSC. A five-phase morphology, that is, sol phase, PUR-rich phase, PUR-rich interphase, PMMA-rich interphase, and PMMA-rich phase, was observed for all the IPNs by applying a new quantitative method based on the measurement of the differential of reversing heat capacity versus temperature from MDSC, although not confirmed by SEM, most likely due to resolution restrictions. NCO/OH molar ratios (cross-linking density) and compositional variations of PUR/PMMA both affected the thermal properties and phase behaviors of the IPNs. Higher degrees of mixing occurred for the IPN with higher NCO/OH molar ratio (2.0/1.0) at PUR concentration of 25 wt %, whereas for the IPN with lower NCO/OH molar ratio (1.6/1.0), higher degrees of mixing occurred at PUR concentration of 35 wt %. The mechanical properties of the IPNs were superior to those of the constituent polymers due to the finely divided rubber and plastic combination structures in these IPNs.

Design of a temperature control system using incremental PID algorithm for a special homemade shortwave infrared spatial remote sensor based on FPGA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Zhipeng; Wei, Jun; Li, Jianwei; Zhou, Qianting

2010-11-01

An image spectrometer of a spatial remote sensing satellite requires shortwave band range from 2.1μm to 3μm which is one of the most important bands in remote sensing. We designed an infrared sub-system of the image spectrometer using a homemade 640x1 InGaAs shortwave infrared sensor working on FPA system which requires high uniformity and low level of dark current. The working temperature should be -15+/-0.2 Degree Celsius. This paper studies the model of noise for focal plane array (FPA) system, investigated the relationship with temperature and dark current noise, and adopts Incremental PID algorithm to generate PWM wave in order to control the temperature of the sensor. There are four modules compose of the FPGA module design. All of the modules are coded by VHDL and implemented in FPGA device APA300. Experiment shows the intelligent temperature control system succeeds in controlling the temperature of the sensor.

A high-resolution thermoelectric module-based calorimeter for measuring the energetics of isolated ventricular trabeculae at body temperature.

PubMed

Johnston, Callum M; Han, June-Chiew; Ruddy, Bryan P; Nielsen, Poul M F; Taberner, Andrew J

2015-07-15

Isolated ventricular trabeculae are the most common experimental preparations used in the study of cardiac energetics. However, the experiments have been conducted at subphysiological temperatures. We have overcome this limitation by designing and constructing a novel calorimeter with sufficiently high thermal resolution for simultaneously measuring the heat output and force production of isolated, contracting, ventricular trabeculae at body temperature. This development was largely motivated by the need to better understand cardiac energetics by performing such measurements at body temperature to relate tissue performance to whole heart behavior in vivo. Our approach uses solid-state thermoelectric modules, tailored for both temperature sensing and temperature control. The thermoelectric modules have high sensitivity and low noise, which, when coupled with a multilevel temperature control system, enable an exceptionally high temperature resolution with a noise-equivalent power an order of magnitude greater than those of other existing muscle calorimeters. Our system allows us to rapidly and easily change the experimental temperature without disturbing the state of the muscle. Our calorimeter is useful in many experiments that explore the energetics of normal physiology as well as pathophysiology of cardiac muscle. Copyright © 2015 the American Physiological Society.

Probing Temperature Inside Planar SOFC Short Stack, Modules, and Stack Series

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Rong; Guan, Wanbing; Zhou, Xiao-Dong

2017-02-01

Probing temperature inside a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack lies at the heart of the development of high-performance and stable SOFC systems. In this article, we report our recent work on the direct measurements of the temperature in three types of SOFC systems: a 5-cell short stack, a 30-cell stack module, and a stack series consisting of two 30-cell stack modules. The dependence of temperature on the gas flow rate and current density was studied under a current sweep or steady-state operation. During the current sweep, the temperature inside the 5-cell stack decreased with increasing current, while it increased significantly at the bottom and top of the 30-cell stack. During a steady-state operation, the temperature of the 5-cell stack was stable while it was increased in the 30-cell stack. In the stack series, the maximum temperature gradient reached 190°C when the gas was not preheated. If the gas was preheated and the temperature gradient was reduced to 23°C in the stack series with the presence of a preheating gas and segmented temperature control, this resulted in a low degradation rate.

Can the Study of Thermochemistry Facilitate Students' Differentiation between Heat Energy and Temperature?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Niaz, Mansoor

2006-01-01

The objectives of this study are: (a) Evaluate science major freshman students' ability to differentiate between heat energy and temperature, after having studied the topic of thermochemistry; (b) ascertain the degree to which students resist change from the caloric to the kinetic-molecular theory; (c) study the ability to differentiate between…

Microinverter Thermal Performance in the Real-World: Measurements and Modeling

PubMed Central

Hossain, Mohammad Akram; Xu, Yifan; Peshek, Timothy J.; Ji, Liang; Abramson, Alexis R.; French, Roger H.

2015-01-01

Real-world performance, durability and reliability of microinverters are critical concerns for microinverter-equipped photovoltaic systems. We conducted a data-driven study of the thermal performance of 24 new microinverters (Enphase M215) connected to 8 different brands of PV modules on dual-axis trackers at the Solar Durability and Lifetime Extension (SDLE) SunFarm at Case Western Reserve University, based on minute by minute power and thermal data from the microinverters and PV modules along with insolation and environmental data from July through October 2013. The analysis shows the strengths of the associations of microinverter temperature with ambient temperature, PV module temperature, irradiance and AC power of the PV systems. The importance of the covariates are rank ordered. A multiple regression model was developed and tested based on stable solar noon-time data, which gives both an overall function that predicts the temperature of microinverters under typical local conditions, and coefficients adjustments reecting refined prediction of the microinverter temperature connected to the 8 brands of PV modules in the study. The model allows for prediction of internal temperature for the Enphase M215 given similar climatic condition and can be expanded to predict microinverter temperature in fixed-rack and roof-top PV systems. This study is foundational in that similar models built on later stage data in the life of a device could reveal potential influencing factors in performance degradation. PMID:26147339

Optical temperature compensation schemes of spectral modulation sensors for aircraft engine control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berkcan, Ertugrul

1993-02-01

Optical temperature compensation schemes for the ratiometric interrogation of spectral modulation sensors for source temperature robustness are presented. We have obtained better than 50 - 100X decrease of the temperature coefficient of the sensitivity using these types of compensation. We have also developed a spectrographic interrogation scheme that provides increased source temperature robustness; this affords a significantly improved accuracy over FADEC temperature ranges as well as temperature coefficient of the sensitivity that is substantially and further reduced. This latter compensation scheme can be integrated in a small E/O package including the detection, analog and digital signal processing. We find that these interrogation schemes can be used within a detector spatially multiplexed architecture.

Effect of woody and herbaceous plants on chemical weathering of basalt material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mark, N.; Dontsova, K.; Barron-Gafford, G. A.

2011-12-01

Worldwide, semi-arid landscapes are transitioning from shallow-rooted grasslands to mixed vegetation savannas composed of deeper-rooted shrubs. These contrasting growth forms differentially drive below-ground processes because they occupy different soil horizons, are differentially stressed by periods of drought, and unequally stimulate soil weathering. Our study aims to determine the effect of woody and herbaceous plants on weathering of granular basalt serving as a model for soil. We established pots with velvet mesquite (Prosopis veluntina), sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), and bare-soil pots within two temperature treatments in University of Arizona Biosphere 2. The Desert biome served as the ambient temperature treatment, while the Savanna biome was maintained 4°C warmer to simulate projected air temperatures if climate change continues unabated. Rhizon water samplers were installed at a depth of one inch from the soil surface to monitor root zone exudates (total dissolved carbon and nitrogen), dissolved inorganic carbon, and lithogenic elements resulting from basalt weathering. Soil leachates were collected through the course of the experiment. The anion content of the leachates was determined using the ICS-5000 Reagent-Free ion chromatography system. Dissolved carbon and nitrogen were analyzed by combustion using the Shimadzu TOC-VCSH with TN module. Metals and metalloids were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Irrigation of the pots was varied in time to simulate periods of drought and determine the effect of stress on root exudation. Leachates from all treatments displayed higher pH and electrical conductivity than water used for irrigation indicating weathering. On average, leachates from the potted grasses displayed higher pH and electrical conductivity than mesquites. This agreed with higher concentrations of organic carbon, a measure of root exudation, and inorganic carbon, measure of soil respiration. Both organic acids exuded by plants and respired CO2 have been linked to mineral weathering. Increased weathering in grass treatments also resulted in higher concentrations of plant nutrients. No effect of temperature on plant exudation or basalt weathering was observed in the course of the experiment. This work links physiological plant responses to temperature and water stress by two vegetation types with below-ground processes that result in soil evolution.

Oxygen and differentiation status modulate the effect of X-ray irradiation on physiology and mitochondrial proteome of human neuroblastoma cells.

PubMed

Džinić, Tamara; Hartwig, Sonja; Lehr, Stefan; Dencher, Norbert A

2016-12-01

Cytotoxic effects, including oxidative stress, of low linear energy transfer (LET)-ionizing radiation are often underestimated and studies of their mechanisms using cell culture models are widely conducted with cells cultivated at atmospheric oxygen that does not match its physiological levels in body tissues. Also, cell differentiation status plays a role in the outcome of experiments. We compared effects of 2 Gy X-ray irradiation on the physiology and mitochondrial proteome of nondifferentiated and human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells treated with retinoic acid cultivated at 21% and 5% O 2 . Irradiation did not affect the amount of subunits of OxPhos complexes and other non-OxPhos mitochondrial proteins, except for heat shock protein 70, which was increased depending on oxygen level and differentiation status. These two factors were proven to modulate mitochondrial membrane potential and the bioenergetic status of cells. We suggest, moreover, that oxygen plays a role in the differentiation of human SH-SY5Y cells.

One-Pot Evolution of Ageladine A through a Bio-Inspired Cascade towards Selective Modulators of Neuronal Differentiation.

PubMed

Iwata, Takayuki; Otsuka, Satoshi; Tsubokura, Kazuki; Kurbangalieva, Almira; Arai, Daisuke; Fukase, Koichi; Nakao, Yoichi; Tanaka, Katsunori

2016-10-04

A bio-inspired cascade reaction has been developed for the construction of the marine natural product ageladine A and a de novo array of its N1-substituted derivatives. This cascade features a 2-aminoimidazole formation that is modeled after an arginine post-translational modification and an aza-electrocyclization. It can be effectively carried out in a one-pot procedure from simple anilines or guanidines, leading to structural analogues of ageladine A that had been otherwise synthetically inaccessible. We found that some compounds out of this structurally novel library show a significant activity in modulating the neural differentiation. Namely, these compounds selectively activate or inhibit the differentiation of neural stem cells to neurons, while being negligible in the differentiation to astrocytes. This study represents a successful case in which the native biofunction of a natural product could be altered by structural modifications. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Neuronal differentiation modulates the dystrophin Dp71d binding to the nuclear matrix

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

Rodriguez-Munoz, Rafael; Villarreal-Silva, Marcela; Gonzalez-Ramirez, Ricardo

The function of dystrophin Dp71 in neuronal cells remains unknown. To approach this issue, we have selected the PC12 neuronal cell line. These cells express both a Dp71f cytoplasmic variant and a Dp71d nuclear isoform. In this study, we demonstrated by electron and confocal microscopy analyses of in situ nuclear matrices and Western blotting evaluation of cell extracts that Dp71d associates with the nuclear matrix. Interestingly, this binding is modulated during NGF-induced neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells with a twofold increment in the differentiated cells, compared to control cells. Also, distribution of Dp71d along the periphery of the nuclear matrixmore » observed in the undifferentiated cells is replaced by intense fluorescent foci localized in Center of the nucleoskeletal structure. In summary, we revealed that Dp71d is a dynamic component of nuclear matrix that might participate in the nuclear modeling occurring during neuronal differentiation.« less

Studies on the temperature distribution of a thick film transcutaneous oxygen sensor and its thermal influences on oxygen measurement.

PubMed

Lam, Liza; Bilek, Jaromir; Atkinson, John

2006-11-01

The partial pressures of gases, namely oxygen and carbon dioxide, in the arterial blood are important parameters for doctors to determine the respiratory conditions of patients. Currently in practice, there are a number of ways to measure these parameters, one of which is transcutaneous blood gas monitoring. This technique is a popular noninvasive measurement method for obtaining fast and relatively accurate responses. In this investigation, thick film technology has been employed to develop an amperometric oxygen sensor which consists of a heating module to elevate the temperature at the skin surface to transcutaneous levels. The heating module includes a heating element and its temperature is regulated by a temperature control circuit. Using an infrared camera, the transient and steady-state temperature distributions as well as the stability of the heating element have been analysed. The influence of temperature on the oxygen sensing module is also studied. In addition, a three-dimensional theoretical model is established to evaluate the thermal response of the sensor and subsequently compared with the results from the practical prototype. With this model, the design stages can be simplified and future heating modules for transcutaneous sensors could be generated and improved more easily and effectively.

Prevention of shivering during therapeutic temperature modulation: the Columbia anti-shivering protocol.

PubMed

Choi, H Alex; Ko, Sang-Bae; Presciutti, Mary; Fernandez, Luis; Carpenter, Amanda M; Lesch, Christine; Gilmore, Emily; Malhotra, Rishi; Mayer, Stephan A; Lee, Kiwon; Claassen, Jan; Schmidt, J Michael; Badjatia, Neeraj

2011-06-01

As the practice of aggressive temperature control has become more commonplace, new clinical problems are arising, of which shivering is the most common. Treatment for shivering while avoiding the negative consequences of many anti-shivering therapies is often difficult. We have developed a stepwise protocol that emphasizes use of the least sedating regimen to achieve adequate shiver control. All patients treated with temperature modulating devices in the neurological intensive care unit were prospectively entered into a database. Baseline demographic information, daily temperature goals, best daily GCS, and type and cumulative dose of anti-shivering agents were recorded. We collected 213 patients who underwent 1388 patient days of temperature modulation. Eighty-nine patients underwent hypothermia and 124 patients underwent induced normothermia. In 18% of patients and 33% of the total patient days only none-sedating baseline interventions were needed. The first agent used was most commonly dexmeditomidine at 50% of the time, followed by an opiate and increased doses of propofol. Younger patients, men, and decreased BSA were factors associated with increased number of anti-shivering interventions. A significant proportion of patients undergoing temperature modulation can be effectively treated for shivering without over-sedation and paralysis. Patients at higher risk for needing more interventions are younger men with decreased BSA.

Body and brain temperature coupling: the critical role of cerebral blood flow

PubMed Central

Ackerman, Joseph J. H.; Yablonskiy, Dmitriy A.

2010-01-01

Direct measurements of deep-brain and body-core temperature were performed on rats to determine the influence of cerebral blood flow (CBF) on brain temperature regulation under static and dynamic conditions. Static changes of CBF were achieved using different anesthetics (chloral hydrate, CH; α-chloralose, αCS; and isoflurane, IF) with αCS causing larger decreases in CBF than CH and IF; dynamic changes were achieved by inducing transient hypercapnia (5% CO2 in 40% O2 and 55% N2). Initial deep-brain/body-core temperature differentials were anesthetic-type dependent with the largest differential observed with rats under αCS anesthesia (ca. 2°C). Hypercapnia induction raised rat brain temperature under all three anesthesia regimes, but by different anesthetic-dependent amounts correlated with the initial differentials—αCS anesthesia resulted in the largest brain temperature increase (0.32 ± 0.08°C), while CH and IF anesthesia lead to smaller increases (0.12 ± 0.03 and 0.16 ± 0.05°C, respectively). The characteristic temperature transition time for the hypercapnia-induced temperature increase was 2–3 min under CH and IF anesthesia and ~4 min under αCS anesthesia. We conclude that both, the deep-brain/body-core temperature differential and the characteristic temperature transition time correlate with CBF: a lower CBF promotes higher deep-brain/body-core temperature differentials and, upon hypercapnia challenge, longer characteristic transition times to increased temperatures. PMID:19277681

Dust ion acoustic freak waves in a plasma with two temperature electrons featuring Tsallis distribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chahal, Balwinder Singh; Singh, Manpreet; Shalini; Saini, N. S.

2018-02-01

We present an investigation for the nonlinear dust ion acoustic wave modulation in a plasma composed of charged dust grains, two temperature (cold and hot) nonextensive electrons and ions. For this purpose, the multiscale reductive perturbation technique is used to obtain a nonlinear Schrödinger equation. The critical wave number, which indicates where the modulational instability sets in, has been determined precisely for various regimes. The influence of plasma background nonextensivity on the growth rate of modulational instability is discussed. The modulated wavepackets in the form of either bright or dark type envelope solitons may exist. Formation of rogue waves from bright envelope solitons is also discussed. The investigation indicates that the structural characteristics of these envelope excitations (width, amplitude) are significantly affected by nonextensivity, dust concentration, cold electron-ion density ratio and temperature ratio.

Extracellular matrix and cell shape: potential control points for inhibition of angiogenesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ingber, D.

1991-01-01

Capillary endothelial (CE) cells require two extracellular signals in order to switch from quiescence to growth and back to differentiation during angiogenesis: soluble angiogenic factors and insoluble extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules. Soluble endothelial mitogens, such as basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF), act over large distances to trigger capillary growth, whereas ECM molecules act locally to modulate cell responsiveness to these soluble cues. Recent studies reveal that ECM molecules regulate CE cell growth and differentiation by modulating cell shape and by activating intracellular chemical signaling pathways inside the cell. Recognition of the importance of ECM and cell shape during capillary morphogenesis has led to the identification of a series of new angiogenesis inhibitors. Elucidation of the molecular mechanism of capillary regulation may result in development of even more potent angiogenesis modulators in the future.

Multi-channel temperature measurement amplification system. [solar heating systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Currie, J. R. (Inventor)

1981-01-01

A number of differential outputs of thermocouples are sequentially amplified by a common amplifier. The amplified outputs are compared with a reference temperature signal in an offset correction amplifier, and a particularly poled output signal is provided when a differential output is of a discrete level compared with a reference temperature signal.

Stretchable degradable and electroactive shape memory copolymers with tunable recovery temperature enhance myogenic differentiation.

PubMed

Deng, Zexing; Guo, Yi; Zhao, Xin; Li, Longchao; Dong, Ruonan; Guo, Baolin; Ma, Peter X

2016-12-01

Development of flexible degradable electroactive shape memory polymers (ESMPs) with tunable switching temperature (around body temperature) for tissue engineering is still a challenge. Here we designed and synthesized a series of shape memory copolymers with electroactivity, super stretchability and tunable recovery temperature based on poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) with different molecular weight and conductive amino capped aniline trimer, and demonstrated their potential to enhance myogenic differentiation from C2C12 myoblast cells. We characterized the copolymers by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1 H NMR), cyclic voltammetry (CV), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), shape memory test, tensile test and in vitro enzymatic degradation study. The electroactive biodegradable shape memory copolymers showed great elasticity, tunable recovery temperature around 37°C, and good shape memory properties. Furthermore, proliferation and differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts were investigated on electroactive copolymers films, and they greatly enhanced the proliferation, myotube formation and related myogenic differentiation genes expression of C2C12 myoblasts compared to the pure PCL with molecular weight of 80,000. Our study suggests that these electroactive, highly stretchable, biodegradable shape memory polymers with tunable recovery temperature near the body temperature have great potential in skeletal muscle tissue engineering application. Conducting polymers can regulate cell behavior such cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation with or without electrical stimulation. Therefore, they have great potential for electrical signal sensitive tissue regeneration. Although conducting biomaterials with degradability have been developed, highly stretchable and electroactive degradable copolymers for soft tissue engineering have been rarely reported. On the other hand, shape memory polymers (SMPs) have been widely used in biomedical fields. However, SMPs based on polyesters usually are biologically inert. This work reported the design of super stretchable electroactive degradable SMPs based on polycaprolactone and aniline trimer with tunable recovery temperature around body temperature. These flexible electroactive SMPs facilitated the proliferation and differentiation of C2C12 myoblast cells compared with polycaprolactone, indicating that they are excellent scaffolding biomaterials in tissue engineering to repair skeletal muscle and possibly other tissues. Copyright © 2016 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The influence of p-doping on two-state lasing in InAs/InGaAs quantum dot lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maximov, M. V.; Shernyakov, Yu M.; Zubov, F. I.; Zhukov, A. E.; Gordeev, N. Yu; Korenev, V. V.; Savelyev, A. V.; Livshits, D. A.

2013-10-01

Two-state lasing in devices based on undoped and p-type modulation-doped InAs/InGaAs quantum dots is studied for various cavity lengths and temperatures. Modulation doping of the active region strongly enhances the threshold current of two-state lasing, preserves ground-state lasing up to higher temperatures and increases ground-state output power. The impact of modulation doping is especially strong in short cavities.

[Effects of temperature on leaf lettuce vernalization.

PubMed

Zhang, Li Li; Hao, Jing Hong; Han, Ying Yan; Liu, Chao Jie; Su, He Nan; Li, Pan Pan; Sun, Yan Chuan; Fan, Shuang Xi

2016-11-18

To investigate the effects of different temperatures on the vernalization of leaf lettuce, and declare their type, two easy bolting leaf lettuce varieties of GB-30 and GB-31 were selected as material, which were treated by 4 ℃, 20 ℃ and 25 ℃ for 20 d respectively and afterwards treated by high temperature stress. The process of flower bud differentiation was observed by using paraffin section technology, and combined the condition of bolting and flowering to estimate whether or not it underwent vernalization, and defined its vernalization type. The results showed that, two varieties of GB-30 and GB-31 appeared bolting to different degrees at the 8 th day under high temperature stress after temperature treatments in the early stage. Different temperatures in the early stage all made flower bud differentiated of two varieties. 4 ℃ treatment did not advance the flower bud differentiation, while the high temperature in later time accelerated this progress. Furthermore, the days required for the two varieties to complete development stages differed under different temperature treatments. The effective accumulated temperature whether from pregermination to flowering or from high temperature stress to flowering of two varieties were also different. The leaf lettuce without low temperature treatment in early stage could enter into the flower bud differentiation, bolting, budding and flowering stages, and it could be considered as non-low temperature vernalization plant. The high temperature treatment in later stage could obviously promote its bolting and flowering. In addition, the effective accumulated temperature had to reach about 2500 ℃·d from germination to blossom.

Differential effects of ADORA2A gene variations in pre-attentive visual sensory memory subprocesses.

PubMed

Beste, Christian; Stock, Ann-Kathrin; Ness, Vanessa; Epplen, Jörg T; Arning, Larissa

2012-08-01

The ADORA2A gene encodes the adenosine A(2A) receptor that is highly expressed in the striatum where it plays a role in modulating glutamatergic and dopaminergic transmission. Glutamatergic signaling has been suggested to play a pivotal role in cognitive functions related to the pre-attentive processing of external stimuli. Yet, the precise molecular mechanism of these processes is poorly understood. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether ADORA2A gene variation has modulating effects on visual pre-attentive sensory memory processing. Studying two polymorphisms, rs5751876 and rs2298383, in 199 healthy control subjects who performed a partial-report paradigm, we find that ADORA2A variation is associated with differences in the efficiency of pre-attentive sensory memory sub-processes. We show that especially the initial visual availability of stimulus information is rendered more efficiently in the homozygous rare genotype groups. Processes related to the transfer of information into working memory and the duration of visual sensory (iconic) memory are compromised in the homozygous rare genotype groups. Our results show a differential genotype-dependent modulation of pre-attentive sensory memory sub-processes. Hence, we assume that this modulation may be due to differential effects of increased adenosine A(2A) receptor signaling on glutamatergic transmission and striatal medium spiny neuron (MSN) interaction. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. and ECNP. All rights reserved.

Elementary screening of lymph node metastatic-related genes in gastric cancer based on the co-expression network of messenger RNA, microRNA and long non-coding RNA.

PubMed

Song, Zhonghua; Zhao, Wenhua; Cao, Danfeng; Zhang, Jinqing; Chen, Shouhua

2018-01-01

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The high mortality might be attributed to delay in detection and is closely related to lymph node metastasis. Therefore, it is of great importance to explore the mechanism of lymph node metastasis and find strategies to block GC metastasis. Messenger RNA (mRNA), microRNA (miRNA) and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression data and clinical data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. A total of 908 differentially expressed factors with variance >0.5 including 542 genes, 42 miRNA, and 324 lncRNA were screened using significant analysis microarray algorithm, and interaction networks were constructed using these differentially expressed factors. Furthermore, we conducted functional modules analysis in the network, and found that yellow and turquoise modules could separate samples efficiently. The groups classified in the yellow and turquoise modules had a significant difference in survival time, which was verified in another independent GC mRNA dataset (GSE62254). The results suggested that differentially expressed factors in the yellow and turquoise modules may participate in lymph node metastasis of GC and could be applied as potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets for GC.

Elementary screening of lymph node metastatic-related genes in gastric cancer based on the co-expression network of messenger RNA, microRNA and long non-coding RNA

PubMed Central

Song, Zhonghua; Zhao, Wenhua; Cao, Danfeng; Zhang, Jinqing; Chen, Shouhua

2018-01-01

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The high mortality might be attributed to delay in detection and is closely related to lymph node metastasis. Therefore, it is of great importance to explore the mechanism of lymph node metastasis and find strategies to block GC metastasis. Messenger RNA (mRNA), microRNA (miRNA) and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression data and clinical data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. A total of 908 differentially expressed factors with variance >0.5 including 542 genes, 42 miRNA, and 324 lncRNA were screened using significant analysis microarray algorithm, and interaction networks were constructed using these differentially expressed factors. Furthermore, we conducted functional modules analysis in the network, and found that yellow and turquoise modules could separate samples efficiently. The groups classified in the yellow and turquoise modules had a significant difference in survival time, which was verified in another independent GC mRNA dataset (GSE62254). The results suggested that differentially expressed factors in the yellow and turquoise modules may participate in lymph node metastasis of GC and could be applied as potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets for GC. PMID:29489999

Modeling genome-wide dynamic regulatory network in mouse lungs with influenza infection using high-dimensional ordinary differential equations.

PubMed

Wu, Shuang; Liu, Zhi-Ping; Qiu, Xing; Wu, Hulin

2014-01-01

The immune response to viral infection is regulated by an intricate network of many genes and their products. The reverse engineering of gene regulatory networks (GRNs) using mathematical models from time course gene expression data collected after influenza infection is key to our understanding of the mechanisms involved in controlling influenza infection within a host. A five-step pipeline: detection of temporally differentially expressed genes, clustering genes into co-expressed modules, identification of network structure, parameter estimate refinement, and functional enrichment analysis, is developed for reconstructing high-dimensional dynamic GRNs from genome-wide time course gene expression data. Applying the pipeline to the time course gene expression data from influenza-infected mouse lungs, we have identified 20 distinct temporal expression patterns in the differentially expressed genes and constructed a module-based dynamic network using a linear ODE model. Both intra-module and inter-module annotations and regulatory relationships of our inferred network show some interesting findings and are highly consistent with existing knowledge about the immune response in mice after influenza infection. The proposed method is a computationally efficient, data-driven pipeline bridging experimental data, mathematical modeling, and statistical analysis. The application to the influenza infection data elucidates the potentials of our pipeline in providing valuable insights into systematic modeling of complicated biological processes.

Active optimal control strategies for increasing the efficiency of photovoltaic cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aljoaba, Sharif Zidan Ahmad

Energy consumption has increased drastically during the last century. Currently, the worldwide energy consumption is about 17.4 TW and is predicted to reach 25 TW by 2035. Solar energy has emerged as one of the potential renewable energy sources. Since its first physical recognition in 1887 by Adams and Day till nowadays, research in solar energy is continuously developing. This has lead to many achievements and milestones that introduced it as one of the most reliable and sustainable energy sources. Recently, the International Energy Agency declared that solar energy is predicted to be one of the major electricity production energy sources by 2035. Enhancing the efficiency and lifecycle of photovoltaic (PV) modules leads to significant cost reduction. Reducing the temperature of the PV module improves its efficiency and enhances its lifecycle. To better understand the PV module performance, it is important to study the interaction between the output power and the temperature. A model that is capable of predicting the PV module temperature and its effects on the output power considering the individual contribution of the solar spectrum wavelengths significantly advances the PV module edsigns toward higher efficiency. In this work, a thermoelectrical model is developed to predict the effects of the solar spectrum wavelengths on the PV module performance. The model is characterized and validated under real meteorological conditions where experimental temperature and output power of the PV module measurements are shown to agree with the predicted results. The model is used to validate the concept of active optical filtering. Since this model is wavelength-based, it is used to design an active optical filter for PV applications. Applying this filter to the PV module is expected to increase the output power of the module by filtering the spectrum wavelengths. The active filter performance is optimized, where different cutoff wavelengths are used to maximize the module output power. It is predicted that if the optimized active optical filter is applied to the PV module, the module efficiency is predicted to increase by about 1%. Different technologies are considered for physical implementation of the active optical filter.

Temperature differential detection device

DOEpatents

Girling, P.M.

1986-04-22

A temperature differential detection device for detecting the temperature differential between predetermined portions of a container wall is disclosed as comprising a Wheatstone bridge circuit for detecting resistance imbalance with a first circuit branch having a first elongated wire element mounted in thermal contact with a predetermined portion of the container wall, a second circuit branch having a second elongated wire element mounted in thermal contact with a second predetermined portion of a container wall with the wire elements having a predetermined temperature-resistant coefficient, an indicator interconnected between the first and second branches remote from the container wall for detecting and indicating resistance imbalance between the first and second wire elements, and connector leads for electrically connecting the wire elements to the remote indicator in order to maintain the respective resistance value relationship between the first and second wire elements. The indicator is calibrated to indicate the detected resistance imbalance in terms of a temperature differential between the first and second wall portions. 2 figs.

Temperature differential detection device

DOEpatents

Girling, Peter M.

1986-01-01

A temperature differential detection device for detecting the temperature differential between predetermined portions of a container wall is disclosed as comprising a Wheatstone bridge circuit for detecting resistance imbalance with a first circuit branch having a first elongated wire element mounted in thermal contact with a predetermined portion of the container wall, a second circuit branch having a second elongated wire element mounted in thermal contact with a second predetermined portion of a container wall with the wire elements having a predetermined temperature-resistant coefficient, an indicator interconnected between the first and second branches remote from the container wall for detecting and indicating resistance imbalance between the first and second wire elements, and connector leads for electrically connecting the wire elements to the remote indicator in order to maintain the respective resistance value relationship between the first and second wire elements. The indicator is calibrated to indicate the detected resistance imbalance in terms of a temperature differential between the first and second wall portions.

Drinking outcomes following drink refusal skills training: differential effects for African American and non-Hispanic White clients.

PubMed

Witkiewitz, Katie; Villarroel, Nadia Aracelliz; Hartzler, Bryan; Donovan, Dennis M

2011-03-01

Determining whether a particular treatment works for specific groups of people can help tailor dissemination of evidence-based alcohol treatments. It has been proposed that individuals from different racial groups might have better outcomes in treatments that are sensitive to sociocultural issues that impact alcohol use among these groups. The current study was a secondary analysis of data from the combined behavioral intervention (CBI) condition of the COMBINE study. Those randomly assigned to CBI (n = 776) had the opportunity to receive up to 9 skills training modules, which were chosen by the therapist. The goal of the current study was to determine whether receiving 1 of the CBI modules, drink refusal and social pressure skills training, predicted differential outcomes among African American clients. Results indicated that African American clients who received the drink refusal skills training module (n = 25) had significantly fewer heavy drinking days (d = 0.79) 1 year following treatment than African Americans clients who did not receive the module (n = 35). African American clients who received the module also had significantly fewer heavy drinking days (d = 0.86) than non-Hispanic White clients who received the module (n = 241). Good clinical outcomes at 1 year posttreatment were observed among 80% of African Americans who received the module, compared with 54% of African Americans who did not receive the module and 52% of non-Hispanic White clients who did receive the module. Although small sample size limits interpretation, findings provide preliminary evidence supporting the inclusion of drink refusal skills training as part of alcohol interventions for African American clients.

Thermal motion of a nonlinear localized pattern in a quasi-one-dimensional system.

PubMed

Dessup, Tommy; Coste, Christophe; Saint Jean, Michel

2016-07-01

We study the dynamics of localized nonlinear patterns in a quasi-one-dimensional many-particle system near a subcritical pitchfork bifurcation. The normal form at the bifurcation is given and we show that these patterns can be described as solitary-wave envelopes. They are stable in a large temperature range and can diffuse along the chain of interacting particles. During their displacements the particles are continually redistributed on the envelope. This change of particle location induces a small modulation of the potential energy of the system, with an amplitude that depends on the transverse confinement. At high temperature, this modulation is irrelevant and the thermal motion of the localized patterns displays all the characteristics of a free quasiparticle diffusion with a diffusion coefficient that may be deduced from the normal form. At low temperature, significant physical effects are induced by the modulated potential. In particular, the localized pattern may be trapped at very low temperature. We also exhibit a series of confinement values for which the modulation amplitudes vanishes. For these peculiar confinements, the mean-square displacement of the localized patterns also evidences free-diffusion behavior at low temperature.

Differential expression analysis of genes involved in high-temperature induced sex differentiation in Nile tilapia.

PubMed

Li, Chun Ge; Wang, Hui; Chen, Hong Ju; Zhao, Yan; Fu, Pei Sheng; Ji, Xiang Shan

2014-01-01

Nowadays, high temperature effects on the molecular pathways during sex differentiation in teleosts need to be deciphered. In this study, a systematic differential expression analysis of genes involved in high temperature-induced sex differentiation was done in the Nile tilapia gonad and brain. Our results showed that high temperature caused significant down-regulation of CYP19A1A in the gonad of both sexes in induction group, and FOXL2 in the ovary of the induction group. The expressions of GTHα, LHβ and ERα were also significantly down-regulated in the brain of both sexes in the induction and recovery groups. On the contrary, the expression of CYP11B2 was significantly up-regulated in the ovary, but not in the testis in both groups. Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that there are significant correlations between the expressions of CYP19A1A, FOXL2, or DMRT1 in the gonads and the expression of some genes in the brain. Another result in this study showed that high temperature up-regulated the expression level of DNMT1 in the testis of the induction group, and DNMT1 and DNMT3A in the female brain of both groups. The expression and correlation analysis of HSPs showed that high temperature action on tilapia HSPs might indirectly induce the expression changes of sex differentiation genes in the gonads. These findings provide new insights on TSD and suggest that sex differentiation related genes, heat shock proteins, and DNA methylation genes are new candidates for studying TSD in fish species. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

An absolute calibration method of an ethyl alcohol biosensor based on wavelength-modulated differential photothermal radiometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yi Jun; Mandelis, Andreas; Guo, Xinxin

2015-11-01

In this work, laser-based wavelength-modulated differential photothermal radiometry (WM-DPTR) is applied to develop a non-invasive in-vehicle alcohol biosensor. WM-DPTR features unprecedented ethanol-specificity and sensitivity by suppressing baseline variations through a differential measurement near the peak and baseline of the mid-infrared ethanol absorption spectrum. Biosensor signal calibration curves are obtained from WM-DPTR theory and from measurements in human blood serum and ethanol solutions diffused from skin. The results demonstrate that the WM-DPTR-based calibrated alcohol biosensor can achieve high precision and accuracy for the ethanol concentration range of 0-100 mg/dl. The high-performance alcohol biosensor can be incorporated into ignition interlocks that could be fitted as a universal accessory in vehicles in an effort to reduce incidents of drinking and driving.

An absolute calibration method of an ethyl alcohol biosensor based on wavelength-modulated differential photothermal radiometry.

PubMed

Liu, Yi Jun; Mandelis, Andreas; Guo, Xinxin

2015-11-01

In this work, laser-based wavelength-modulated differential photothermal radiometry (WM-DPTR) is applied to develop a non-invasive in-vehicle alcohol biosensor. WM-DPTR features unprecedented ethanol-specificity and sensitivity by suppressing baseline variations through a differential measurement near the peak and baseline of the mid-infrared ethanol absorption spectrum. Biosensor signal calibration curves are obtained from WM-DPTR theory and from measurements in human blood serum and ethanol solutions diffused from skin. The results demonstrate that the WM-DPTR-based calibrated alcohol biosensor can achieve high precision and accuracy for the ethanol concentration range of 0-100 mg/dl. The high-performance alcohol biosensor can be incorporated into ignition interlocks that could be fitted as a universal accessory in vehicles in an effort to reduce incidents of drinking and driving.

Exogenous hydrogen sulfide promotes cell proliferation and differentiation by modulating autophagy in human keratinocytes

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

Xie, Xin; Dai, Hui; Zhuang, Binyu

The effects and the underlying mechanisms of hydrogen sulfide (H{sub 2}S) on keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation are still less known. In the current study, we investigated the effects and the underlying mechanisms of exogenous H{sub 2}S on keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. Human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) were treated with various concentrations (0.05, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mM) of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, a donor of H{sub 2}S) for 24 h. A CCK-8 assay was used to assess cell viability. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the expression levels of proteins associated with differentiation and autophagy. Transmission electron microscopy was performed to observe autophagicmore » vacuoles, and flow cytometry was applied to evaluate apoptosis. NaHS promoted the viability, induced the differentiation, and enhanced autophagic activity in a dose-dependent manner in HaCaT cells but had no effect on cell apoptosis. Blockage of autophagy by ATG5 siRNA inhibited NaHS-induced cell proliferation and differentiation. The current study demonstrated that autophagy in response to exogenous H{sub 2}S treatment promoted keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. Our results provide additional insights into the potential role of autophagy in keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. - Highlights: • Exogenous H{sub 2}S promotes keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. • The effects of H{sub 2}S on proliferation and differentiation is modulated by autophagy. • Exogenous H{sub 2}S has no effect on keratinocyte apoptosis.« less

Characterization of an intraluminal differential frequency-domain photoacoustics system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lashkari, Bahman; Son, Jungik; Liang, Simon; Castelino, Robin; Foster, F. Stuart; Courtney, Brian; Mandelis, Andreas

2016-03-01

Cardiovascular related diseases are ranked as the second highest cause of death in Canada. Among the most important cardiovascular diseases is atherosclerosis. Current methods of diagnosis of atherosclerosis consist of angiography, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). None of these methods possesses adequate sensitivity, as the ideal technique should be capable of both depth profiling, as well as functional imaging. An alternative technique is photoacoustics (PA) which can perform deep imaging and spectroscopy. The presented study explores the application of wavelength-modulated differential photoacoustic radar (WM-DPAR) for characterizing arterial vessels. The wavelength-modulated differential photoacoustic technique was shown to be able to substantially increase the dynamic range and sensitivity of hemoglobin oxygenation level detection. In this work the differential PA technique was used with a very high frequency modulation range. To perform spectroscopic PA imaging, at least two wavelengths are required. The selected wavelengths for this work are 1210 nm and 980 nm. 1210 nm corresponds to the maximum optical absorption coefficient of cholesterol and cholesteryl esters which are the main constituents of plaques. Since water, elastin and collagen also have high absorption coefficients at 1210 nm, this wavelength alone cannot provide very high sensitivity and specificity. The additional wavelength, 980 nm corresponds to high absorption coefficient of those constituents of healthy artery tissue. The simultaneous application of the abovementioned wavelengths can provide higher sensitivity and improved specificity in detecting lipids in the arterial vessels.

Nitric Oxide Modulates TGF-β–Directive Signals To Suppress Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cell Differentiation and Potentiate Th1 Development

PubMed Central

Lee, Seung-Woo; Choi, Heonsik; Eun, So-Young; Fukuyama, Satoshi; Croft, Michael

2011-01-01

TGF-β can induce Foxp3+ inducible regulatory T cells (Treg) and also synergize with IL-6 and IL-4 to induce Th17 and Th9 cells. We now report that NO modulates TGF-β activity away from Treg but toward the Th1 lineage. NO potentiated Th1 differentiation in the presence of TGF-β in both IL-12–independent and –dependent fashions by augmenting IFN-γ–activated STAT-1 and T-bet. Differentiation into Treg, Th1, and Th17 lineages could be modulated by NO competing with other cofactors, such as IL-6 and retinoic acid. NO antagonized IL-6 to block TGF-β–directed Th17 differentiation, and together with IL-6, NO suppressed Treg development induced by TGF-β and retinoic acid. Furthermore, we show that physiologically produced NO from TNF and inducible NO synthase-producing dendritic cells can contribute to Th1 development predominating over Treg development through a synergistic activity induced when these cells cocluster with conventional dendritic cells presenting Ag to naive Th cells. This illustrates that NO is another cofactor allowing TGF-β to participate in development of multiple Th lineages and suggests a new mechanism by which NO, which is associated with protection against intracellular pathogens, might maintain effective Th1 immunity. PMID:21555530

Identification of Proteins Modulated in the Date Palm Stem Infested with Red Palm Weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Oliv.) Using Two Dimensional Differential Gel Electrophoresis and Mass Spectrometry

PubMed Central

Rasool, Khawaja Ghulam; Khan, Muhammad Altaf; Aldawood, Abdulrahman Saad; Tufail, Muhammad; Mukhtar, Muhammad; Takeda, Makio

2015-01-01

A state of the art proteomic methodology using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight (MALDI TOF) has been employed to characterize peptides modulated in the date palm stem subsequent to infestation with red palm weevil (RPW). Our analyses revealed 32 differentially expressed peptides associated with RPW infestation in date palm stem. To identify RPW infestation associated peptides (I), artificially wounded plants (W) were used as additional control beside uninfested plants, a conventional control (C). A constant unique pattern of differential expression in infested (I), wounded (W) stem samples compared to control (C) was observed. The upregulated proteins showed relative fold intensity in order of I > W and downregulated spots trend as W > I, a quite interesting pattern. This study also reveals that artificially wounding of date palm stem affects almost the same proteins as infestation; however, relative intensity is quite lower than in infested samples both in up and downregulated spots. All 32 differentially expressed spots were subjected to MALDI-TOF analysis for their identification and we were able to match 21 proteins in the already existing databases. Relatively significant modulated expression pattern of a number of peptides in infested plants predicts the possibility of developing a quick and reliable molecular methodology for detecting plants infested with date palm. PMID:26287180

Identification of Proteins Modulated in the Date Palm Stem Infested with Red Palm Weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Oliv.) Using Two Dimensional Differential Gel Electrophoresis and Mass Spectrometry.

PubMed

Rasool, Khawaja Ghulam; Khan, Muhammad Altaf; Aldawood, Abdulrahman Saad; Tufail, Muhammad; Mukhtar, Muhammad; Takeda, Makio

2015-08-17

A state of the art proteomic methodology using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight (MALDI TOF) has been employed to characterize peptides modulated in the date palm stem subsequent to infestation with red palm weevil (RPW). Our analyses revealed 32 differentially expressed peptides associated with RPW infestation in date palm stem. To identify RPW infestation associated peptides (I), artificially wounded plants (W) were used as additional control beside uninfested plants, a conventional control (C). A constant unique pattern of differential expression in infested (I), wounded (W) stem samples compared to control (C) was observed. The upregulated proteins showed relative fold intensity in order of I > W and downregulated spots trend as W > I, a quite interesting pattern. This study also reveals that artificially wounding of date palm stem affects almost the same proteins as infestation; however, relative intensity is quite lower than in infested samples both in up and downregulated spots. All 32 differentially expressed spots were subjected to MALDI-TOF analysis for their identification and we were able to match 21 proteins in the already existing databases. Relatively significant modulated expression pattern of a number of peptides in infested plants predicts the possibility of developing a quick and reliable molecular methodology for detecting plants infested with date palm.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Sensory Modulation Disorder: A Comparison of Behavior and Physiology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, Lucy Jane; Nielsen, Darci M.; Schoen, Sarah A.

2012-01-01

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are impulsive, inattentive and hyperactive, while children with sensory modulation disorder (SMD), one subtype of Sensory Processing Disorder, have difficulty responding adaptively to daily sensory experiences. ADHD and SMD are often difficult to distinguish. To differentiate these…

Stress Modulates the Use of Spatial versus Stimulus-Response Learning Strategies in Humans

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Philippsen, Christine; Richter, Steffen; Bohringer, Andreas; Wippich, Werner; Schachinger, Hartmut; Schwabe, Lars; Oitzl, Melly S.

2007-01-01

Animal studies provided evidence that stress modulates multiple memory systems, favoring caudate nucleus-based "habit" memory over hippocampus-based "cognitive" memory. However, effects of stress on learning strategy and memory consolidation were not differentiated. We specifically address the effects of psychosocial stress on the applied learning…

Adrenal-Derived Hormones Differentially Modulate Intestinal Immunity in Experimental Colitis

PubMed Central

de Souza, Patrícia Reis; Basso, Paulo José; Nardini, Viviani; Silva, Angelica; Banquieri, Fernanda

2016-01-01

The adrenal glands are able to modulate immune responses through neuroimmunoendocrine interactions and cortisol secretion that could suppress exacerbated inflammation such as in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, here we evaluated the role of these glands in experimental colitis induced by 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in C57BL/6 mice subjected to adrenalectomy, with or without glucocorticoid (GC) replacement. Mice succumbed to colitis without adrenals with a higher clinical score and augmented systemic levels of IL-6 and lower LPS. Furthermore, adrenalectomy negatively modulated systemic regulatory markers. The absence of adrenals resulted in augmented tolerogenic lamina propria dendritic cells but no compensatory local production of corticosterone and decreased mucosal inflammation associated with increased IFN-γ and FasL in the intestine. To clarify the importance of GC in this scenario, GC replacement in adrenalectomized mice restored different markers to the same degree of that observed in DSS group. Finally, this is the first time that adrenal-derived hormones, especially GC, were associated with the differential local modulation of the gut infiltrate, also pointing to a relationship between adrenalectomy and the modulation of systemic regulatory markers. These findings may elucidate some neuroimmunoendocrine mechanisms that dictate colitis outcome. PMID:27403034

Thyroid Hormone Differentially Modulates Warburg Phenotype in Breast Cancer Cells

PubMed Central

Suhane, Sonal; Ramanujan, V Krishnan

2011-01-01

Sustenance of cancer cells in vivo critically depends on a variety of genetic and metabolic adaptations. Aerobic glycolysis or Warburg effect has been a defining biochemical hallmark of transformed cells for more than five decades although a clear molecular basis of this observation is emerging only in recent years. In this study, we present our findings that thyroid hormone exerts its non-genomic and genomic actions in two model human breast cancer cell lines differentially. By laying a clear foundation for experimentally monitoring the Warburg phenotype in living cancer cells, we demonstrate that thyroid hormone-induced modulation of bioenergetic profiles in these two model cell lines depends on the degree of Warburg phenotype that they display. Further we also show that thyroid hormone can sensitize mitochondria in aggressive, triple-negative breast cancer cells favorably to increase the chemotherapeutic efficacy in these cells. Even though the role of thyroid hormone in modulating mitochondrial metabolism has been known, the current study accentuates the critical role it plays in modulating Warburg phenotype in breast cancer cells. The clinical significance of this finding is the possibility to devise strategies for metabolically modulating aggressive triple-negative tumors so as to enhance their chemosensitivity in vivo. PMID:21945435

Loss of Cbl-PI3K Interaction Modulates the Periosteal Response to Fracture by Enhancing Osteogenic Commitment and Differentiation

PubMed Central

Scanlon, Vanessa; Walia, Bhavita; Yu, Jungeun; Hansen, Marc; Drissi, Hicham; Maye, Peter; Sanjay, Archana

2018-01-01

The periosteum contains multipotent skeletal progenitors that contribute to bone repair. The signaling pathways regulating the response of periosteal cells to fracture are largely unknown. Phosphatidylinositol-3 Kinase (PI3K), a prominent lipid kinase, is a major signaling protein downstream of several factors that regulate osteoblast differentiation. Cbl is an E3 ubiquitin ligase and a major adaptor protein that binds to the p85 regulatory subunit and modulates PI3K activity. Substitution of tyrosine 737 to phenylalanine (Y737F) in Cbl abolishes the interaction between Cbl and the p85 subunit without affecting the Cbl’s ubiquitin ligase function. Here, we investigated the role of PI3K signaling during the very early stages of fracture healing using OsterixRFP reporter mice. We found that the absence of PI3K regulation by Cbl resulted in robust periosteal thickening, with increased proliferation of periosteal cells. While the multipotent properties of periosteal progenitors to differentiate into chondrocytes and adipocytes did not change, osteogenic differentiation in the absence of Cbl-PI3K interaction was highly augmented. The increased stability and nuclear localization of Osterix observed in periosteal cells lacking Cbl-PI3K interaction may explain this enhanced osteogenic differentiation since the expression of Osterix transcriptional target genes including osteocalcin and BSP are increased in YF cells. Overall, our findings highlight a hitherto unexplored and novel role for Cbl and PI3K in modulating the osteogenic response of periosteal cells during the early stages of fracture repair. PMID:27884787

Loss of Cbl-PI3K interaction modulates the periosteal response to fracture by enhancing osteogenic commitment and differentiation.

PubMed

Scanlon, Vanessa; Walia, Bhavita; Yu, Jungeun; Hansen, Marc; Drissi, Hicham; Maye, Peter; Sanjay, Archana

2017-02-01

The periosteum contains multipotent skeletal progenitors that contribute to bone repair. The signaling pathways regulating the response of periosteal cells to fracture are largely unknown. Phosphatidylinositol-3 Kinase (PI3K), a prominent lipid kinase, is a major signaling protein downstream of several factors that regulate osteoblast differentiation. Cbl is an E3 ubiquitin ligase and a major adaptor protein that binds to the p85 regulatory subunit and modulates PI3K activity. Substitution of tyrosine 737 to phenylalanine (Y737F) in Cbl abolishes the interaction between Cbl and p85 subunit without affecting the Cbl's ubiquitin ligase function. Here, we investigated the role of PI3K signaling during the very early stages of fracture healing using Osterix RFP reporter mice. We found that the absence of PI3K regulation by Cbl resulted in robust periosteal thickening, with increased proliferation of periosteal cells. While the multipotent properties of periosteal progenitors to differentiate into chondrocytes and adipocytes did not change, osteogenic differentiation in the absence of Cbl-PI3K interaction was highly augmented. The increased stability and nuclear localization of Osterix observed in periosteal cells lacking Cbl-PI3K interaction may explain this enhanced osteogenic differentiation since the expression of Osterix transcriptional target genes including osteocalcin and BSP are increased in YF cells. Overall, our findings highlight a hitherto unexplored and novel role for Cbl and PI3K in modulating the osteogenic response of periosteal cells during the early stages of fracture repair. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Viscosity-adjusted estimation of pressure head and pump flow with quasi-pulsatile modulation of rotary blood pump for a total artificial heart.

PubMed

Yurimoto, Terumi; Hara, Shintaro; Isoyama, Takashi; Saito, Itsuro; Ono, Toshiya; Abe, Yusuke

2016-09-01

Estimation of pressure and flow has been an important subject for developing implantable artificial hearts. To realize real-time viscosity-adjusted estimation of pressure head and pump flow for a total artificial heart, we propose the table estimation method with quasi-pulsatile modulation of rotary blood pump in which systolic high flow and diastolic low flow phased are generated. The table estimation method utilizes three kinds of tables: viscosity, pressure and flow tables. Viscosity is estimated from the characteristic that differential value in motor speed between systolic and diastolic phases varies depending on viscosity. Potential of this estimation method was investigated using mock circulation system. Glycerin solution diluted with salty water was used to adjust viscosity of fluid. In verification of this method using continuous flow data, fairly good estimation could be possible when differential pulse width modulation (PWM) value of the motor between systolic and diastolic phases was high. In estimation under quasi-pulsatile condition, inertia correction was provided and fairly good estimation was possible when the differential PWM value was high, which was not different from the verification results using continuous flow data. In the experiment of real-time estimation applying moving average method to the estimated viscosity, fair estimation could be possible when the differential PWM value was high, showing that real-time viscosity-adjusted estimation of pressure head and pump flow would be possible with this novel estimation method when the differential PWM value would be set high.

Thyroid hormone modulates offspring sex ratio in a turtle with temperature-dependent sex determination

PubMed Central

Li, Teng; Mu, Yi; McGlashan, Jessica K.; Georges, Arthur

2016-01-01

The adaptive significance of temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) has attracted a great deal of research, but the underlying mechanisms by which temperature determines the sex of a developing embryo remain poorly understood. Here, we manipulated the level of a thyroid hormone (TH), triiodothyronine (T3), during embryonic development (by adding excess T3 to the eggs of the red-eared slider turtle Trachemys scripta, a reptile with TSD), to test two competing hypotheses on the proximate basis for TSD: the developmental rate hypothesis versus the hormone hypothesis. Exogenous TH accelerated embryonic heart rate (and hence metabolic rate), developmental rate, and rates of early post-hatching growth. More importantly, hyperthyroid conditions depressed expression of Cyp19a1 (the gene encoding for aromatase) and levels of oestradiol, and induced more male offspring. This result is contrary to the direction of sex-ratio shift predicted by the developmental rate hypothesis, but consistent with that predicted by the hormone hypothesis. Our results suggest an important role for THs in regulating sex steroid hormones, and therefore, in affecting gonadal sex differentiation in TSD reptiles. Our study has implications for the conservation of TSD reptiles in the context of global change because environmental contaminants may disrupt the activity of THs, and thereby affect offspring sex in TSD reptiles. PMID:27798296

Temperature-Modulated Array High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

PubMed Central

Premstaller, Andreas; Xiao, Wenzhong; Oberacher, Herbert; O'Keefe, Matthew; Stern, David; Willis, Thomas; Huber, Christian G.; Oefner, Peter J.

2001-01-01

Using novel monolithic poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) capillary columns with an internal diameter of 0.2 mm, we demonstrate for the first time the feasibility of constructing high-performance liquid chromatography arrays for the detection of mutations by heteroduplex analysis under partially denaturing conditions. In one embodiment, such an array can be used to analyze one sample simultaneously at different temperatures to maximize the detection of mutations in DNA fragments containing multiple discrete melting domains. Alternatively, one may inject different samples onto columns kept at the same effective temperature. Further improvements in throughput can be obtained by means of laser-induced fluorescence detection and the differential labeling of samples with up to four different fluorophores. Major advantages of monolithic capillary high-performance liquid chromatographic arrays over their capillary electrophoretic analogs are the chemical inertness of the poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) stationary phase, the physical robustness of the column bed due to its covalent linkage to the inner surface of the fused silica capillary, and the feasibility to modify the stationary phase thereby allowing the separation of compounds not only on the principle of size exclusion, but also adsorption, distribution, and ion exchange. Analyses times are on the order of a few minutes and turnaround time is extremely short as there is no need for the replenishment of the separation matrix between runs. PMID:11691859

A critical Examination of the Phenomenon of Bonding Area - Bonding Strength Interplay in Powder Tableting.

PubMed

Osei-Yeboah, Frederick; Chang, Shao-Yu; Sun, Changquan Calvin

2016-05-01

Although the bonding area (BA) and bonding strength (BS) interplay is used to explain complex tableting behaviors, it has never been experimentally proven. The purpose of this study is to unambiguously establish the distinct contributions of each by decoupling the contributions from BA and BS. To modulate BA, a Soluplus® powder was compressed into tablets at different temperatures and then broken following equilibration at 25°C. To modulate BS, tablets were equilibrated at different temperatures. To simultaneously modulate BA and BS, both powder compression and tablet breaking test were carried out at different temperatures. Lower tablet tensile strength is observed when the powder is compressed at a lower temperature but broken at 25°C. This is consistent with the increased resistance to polymer deformation at lower temperatures. When equilibrated at different temperatures, the tensile strength of tablets prepared under identical conditions increases with decreasing storage temperature, indicating that BS is higher at a lower temperature. When powder compression and tablet breaking are carried out at the same temperature, the profile with a maximum tensile strength at 4°C is observed due to the BA-BS interplay. By systematically varying temperature during tablet compression and breaking, we have experimentally demonstrated the phenomenon of BA-BS interplay in tableting.

Recommendation of Sensors for Vehicle Transmission Diagnostics

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-05-01

and a pressure switch module form the Control value module. A thermistor is contained within the pressure switch module in order to monitor the sump...fluid temperature. Sensor information is provided to the TCM through various sensors such as throttle position, speed sensor, pressure switch module

AlGaInAs EML having high extinction ratios fabricated by identical epitaxial layer technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Qiufang; Guo, Lu; Liang, Song; Sun, Siwei; Xie, Xiao; Zhu, Hongliang; Wang, Wei

2018-04-01

AlGaInAs electroabsorption-modulated lasers (EMLs) fabricated by identical epitaxial layer technique are demonstrated. The EML device shows an infinite characteristic temperature when the temperature ranges from 20 oC to 30 oC. The integrated modulator has static extinction ratios of larger than 20 dB at a reverse bias voltage of - 2 V. The small signal modulation bandwidth of the modulator is larger than 11 GHz. At 10 Gb/s data modulation, the dynamic extinction ratio is about 9.5 dB in a back to back test configuration. Because only a simple fabrication procedure is needed, our EMLs are promising low cost light sources for optical fiber transmission applications.

Temperature measurement method using temperature coefficient timing for resistive or capacitive sensors

DOEpatents

Britton, C.L. Jr.; Ericson, M.N.

1999-01-19

A method and apparatus for temperature measurement especially suited for low cost, low power, moderate accuracy implementation. It uses a sensor whose resistance varies in a known manner, either linearly or nonlinearly, with temperature, and produces a digital output which is proportional to the temperature of the sensor. The method is based on performing a zero-crossing time measurement of a step input signal that is double differentiated using two differentiators functioning as respective first and second time constants; one temperature stable, and the other varying with the sensor temperature. 5 figs.

Performance Simulation of a Flat-Plate Thermoelectric Module Consisting of Square Truncated Pyramid Elements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oki, Sae; Suzuki, Ryosuke O.

2017-05-01

The performance of a flat-plate thermoelectric (TE) module consisting of square truncated pyramid elements is simulated using commercial software and original TE programs. Assuming that the temperatures of both the hot and cold surfaces are constant, the performance can be varied by changing the element shape and element alignment pattern. When the angle between the edge and the base is 85° and the small square surfaces of all n-type element faces are connected to the low-temperature surface, the efficiency becomes the largest among all the 17 examined shapes and patterns. By changing the shape to match the temperature distribution, the performance of the TE module is maximized.

Myelin-mediated inhibition of oligodendrocyte precursor differentiation can be overcome by pharmacological modulation of Fyn-RhoA and protein kinase C signalling

PubMed Central

Baer, Alexandra S.; Syed, Yasir A.; Kang, Sung Ung; Mitteregger, Dieter; Vig, Raluca; ffrench-Constant, Charles; Franklin, Robin J. M.; Altmann, Friedrich; Lubec, Gert

2009-01-01

Failure of oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) differentiation contributes significantly to failed myelin sheath regeneration (remyelination) in chronic demyelinating diseases. Although the reasons for this failure are not completely understood, several lines of evidence point to factors present following demyelination that specifically inhibit differentiation of cells capable of generating remyelinating oligodendrocytes. We have previously demonstrated that myelin debris generated by demyelination inhibits remyelination by inhibiting OPC differentiation and that the inhibitory effects are associated with myelin proteins. In the present study, we narrow down the spectrum of potential protein candidates by proteomic analysis of inhibitory protein fractions prepared by CM and HighQ column chromatography followed by BN/SDS/SDS–PAGE gel separation using Nano-HPLC-ESI-Q-TOF mass spectrometry. We show that the inhibitory effects on OPC differentiation mediated by myelin are regulated by Fyn-RhoA-ROCK signalling as well as by modulation of protein kinase C (PKC) signalling. We demonstrate that pharmacological or siRNA-mediated inhibition of RhoA-ROCK-II and/or PKC signalling can induce OPC differentiation in the presence of myelin. Our results, which provide a mechanistic link between myelin, a mediator of OPC differentiation inhibition associated with demyelinating pathologies and specific signalling pathways amenable to pharmacological manipulation, are therefore of significant potential value for future strategies aimed at enhancing CNS remyelination. PMID:19208690

Incorporation of Biomaterials in Multicellular Aggregates Modulates Pluripotent Stem Cell Differentiation

PubMed Central

Bratt-Leal, Andrés M.; Carpenedo, Richard L.; Ungrin, Mark; Zandstra, Peter W.; McDevitt, Todd C.

2010-01-01

Biomaterials are increasingly being used to engineer the biochemical and biophysical properties of the extracellular stem cell microenvironment in order to tailor niche characteristics and direct cell phenotype. To date, stem cell-biomaterial interactions have largely been studied by introducing stem cells into artificial environments, such as 2D cell culture on biomaterial surfaces, encapsulation of cell suspensions within hydrogel materials, or cell seeding on 3D polymeric scaffolds. In this study, microparticles fabricated from different materials, such as agarose, PLGA and gelatin, were stably integrated, in a dose-dependent manner, within aggregates of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) prior to differentiation as a means to directly examine stem cell-biomaterial interactions in 3D. Interestingly, the presence of the materials within the stem cell aggregates differentially modulated the gene and protein expression patterns of several differentiation markers without adversely affecting cell viability. Microparticle incorporation within 3D stem cell aggregates can control the spatial presentation of extracellular environmental cues (i.e. soluble factors, extracellular matrix and intercellular adhesion molecules) as a means to direct the differentiation of stem cells for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. In addition, these results suggest that the physical presence of microparticles within stem cell aggregates does not compromise PSC differentiation, but in fact the choice of biomaterials can impact the propensity of stem cells to adopt particular differentiated cell phenotypes. PMID:20864164

New insights into redox regulation of stem cell self-renewal and differentiation.

PubMed

Ren, Fenglian; Wang, Kui; Zhang, Tao; Jiang, Jingwen; Nice, Edouard Collins; Huang, Canhua

2015-08-01

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), the natural byproducts of aerobic metabolism, are precisely orchestrated to evoke diverse signaling pathways. To date, studies have focused mainly on the detrimental effects of ROS in stem cells. Recently, accumulating evidence has suggested that ROS also function as second messengers that modulate stem cell self-renewal and differentiation by regulating intricate signaling networks. Although many efforts have been made to clarify the general effects of ROS on signal transduction in stem cells, less is known about the initial and direct executors of ROS signaling, which are known as 'redox sensors'. Modifications of cysteine residues in redox sensors are of significant importance in the modulation of protein function in response to different redox conditions. Intriguingly, most key molecules in ROS signaling and cell cycle regulation (including transcriptional factors and kinases) that are crucial in the regulation of stem cell self-renewal and differentiation have the potential to be redox sensors. We highlight herein the importance of redox regulation of these key regulators in stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. Understanding the mechanisms of redox regulation in stem cell self-renewal and differentiation will open exciting new perspectives for stem cell biology. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Redox regulation of differentiation and de-differentiation. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Development of a MEMS dual-axis differential capacitance floating element shear stress sensor

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

Barnard, Casey; Griffin, Benjamin

A single-axis MEMS wall shear stress sensor with differential capacitive transduction method is produced. Using a synchronous modulation and demodulation interface circuit, the system is capable of making real time measurements of both mean and fluctuating wall shear stress. A sensitivity of 3.44 mV/Pa is achieved, with linearity in response demonstrated up to testing limit of 2 Pa. Minimum detectable signals of 340 μPa at 100 Hz and 120 μPa at 1 kHz are indicated, with a resonance of 3.5 kHz. Multiple full scale wind tunnel tests are performed, producing spectral measurements of turbulent boundary layers in wind speeds rangingmore » up to 0.5 Ma (18 Pa of mean wall shear stress). The compact packaging allows for minimally invasive installation, and has proven relatively robust over multiple testing events. Temperature sensitivity, likely due to poor CTE matching of packaged materials, is an ongoing concern being addressed. These successes are being directly leveraged into a development plan for a dual-axis wall shear stress sensor, capable of producing true vector estimates at the wall.« less

Experimental results for the rapid determination of the freezing point of fuels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mathiprakasam, B.

1984-01-01

Two methods for the rapid determination of the freezing point of fuels were investigated: an optical method, which detected the change in light transmission from the disappearance of solid particles in the melted fuel; and a differential thermal analysis (DTA) method, which sensed the latent heat of fusion. A laboratory apparatus was fabricated to test the two methods. Cooling was done by thermoelectric modules using an ice-water bath as a heat sink. The DTA method was later modified to eliminate the reference fuel. The data from the sample were digitized and a point of inflection, which corresponds to the ASTM D-2386 freezing point (final melting point), was identified from the derivative. The apparatus was modifified to cool the fuel to -60 C and controls were added for maintaining constant cooling rate, rewarming rate, and hold time at minimum temperature. A parametric series of tests were run for twelve fuels with freezing points from -10 C to -50 C, varying cooling rate, rewarming rate, and hold time. Based on the results, an optimum test procedure was established. The results showed good agreement with ASTM D-2386 freezing point and differential scanning calorimetry results.

Impurity-induced modulations in PdxNbSe3 coupled to charge-density-wave formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xue, Q.; Gong, Y.; Drake, D. L.; Qian, J.; Coleman, R. V.

1996-01-01

Very dilute amounts of Pd in PdxNbSe3 introduce long-range electronic modulations of wavelength 7b0, 4b0, 3b0, and 2b0 at room temperature as the Pd concentration increases in the range x=0.002 to x=0.02 while the low-temperature charge-density waves (CDW's) initially remain unchanged. For x>=0.02 the low-temperature CDW's are quenched while the NbSe3 structure remains intact, and the high-temperature modulations disappear, indicating a clear correlation between the two effects. The magnetoquantum oscillations due to magnetic breakdown first detect the band-structure shift followed by the sudden quenching of the nested Fermi surface sheets. The atomic force microscope scans show substantial charge transfer between chains caused by the Pd doping.

Cell module and fuel conditioner

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hoover, D. Q., Jr.

1980-01-01

Stack tests indicate that the discrepancies between calculated and measured temperature profiles are due to reactant cross-over and a lower than expected thermal conductivity of cells. Preliminary results indicate that acceptable contact resistance between cooling plane halves can be achieved without the use of paper. The preliminary design of the enclosure, definition of required labor and equipment for manufacturing repeating components, and the assembly procedures for the benchwork design were developed. Fabrication of components for a second 5-cell stack of the MK-2 design and a second 23-cell stack of the MK-1 design was started. The definition of water and fuel for the reforming subsystem was developed along with a preliminary definition of the control system for the subsystem. The construction and shakedown of the differential catalytic reactor was completed and testing of the first catalyst initiated.

Detecting topological phases in silicene by anomalous Nernst effect

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

Xu, Yafang; Zhou, Xingfei; Jin, Guojun, E-mail: gjin@nju.edu.cn

2016-05-16

Silicene undergoes various topological phases under the interplay of intrinsic spin-orbit coupling, perpendicular electric field, and off-resonant light. We propose that the abundant topological phases can be distinguished by measuring the Nernst conductivity even at room temperature, and their phase boundaries can be determined by differentiating the charge and spin Nernst conductivities. By modulating the electric and light fields, pure spin polarized, valley polarized, and even spin-valley polarized Nernst currents can be generated. As Nernst conductivity is zero for linear polarized light, silicene can act as an optically controlled spin and valley field-effect transistor. Similar investigations can be extended frommore » silicene to germanene and stanene, and a comparison is made for the anomalous thermomagnetic figure of merits between them. These results will facilitate potential applications in spin and valley caloritronics.« less

Cooling optically levitated dielectric nanoparticles via parametric feedback

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neukirch, Levi; Rodenburg, Brandon; Bhattacharya, Mishkatul; Vamivakas, Nick

2015-05-01

The inability to leverage resonant scattering processes involving internal degrees of freedom differentiates optical cooling experiments performed with levitated dielectric nanoparticles, from similar atomic and molecular traps. Trapping in optical cavities or the application of active feedback techniques have proven to be effective ways to circumvent this limitation. We present our nanoparticle optical cooling apparatus, which is based on parametric feedback modulation of a single-beam gradient force optical trap. This scheme allows us to achieve effective center-of-mass temperatures well below 1 kelvin for our ~ 1 ×10-18 kg particles, at modest vacuum pressures. The method provides a versatile platform, with parameter tunability not found in conventional tethered nanomechanical systems. Potential applications include investigations of nonequilibrium nanoscale thermodynamics, ultra-sensitive force metrology, and mesoscale quantum mechanics and hybrid systems. Supported by the office of Naval Research award number N000141410442.

Thermoelectric Devices Advance Thermal Management

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2007-01-01

Thermoelectric (TE) devices heat, cool, and generate electricity when a temperature differential is provided between the two module faces. In cooperation with NASA, Chico, California-based United States Thermoelectric Consortium Inc. (USTC) built a gas emissions analyzer (GEA) for combustion research. The GEA precipitated hydrocarbon particles, preventing contamination that would hinder precise rocket fuel analysis. The USTC research and design team uses patent-pending dimple, pin-fin, microchannel and microjet structures to develop and design heat dissipation devices on the mini-scale level, which not only guarantee high performance of products, but also scale device size from 1 centimeter to 10 centimeters. USTC continues to integrate the benefits of TE devices in its current line of thermal management solutions and has found the accessibility of NASA technical research to be a valuable, sustainable resource that has continued to positively influence its product design and manufacturing

RNA-seq analysis of the gonadal transcriptome during Alligator mississippiensis temperature-dependent sex determination and differentiation.

PubMed

Yatsu, Ryohei; Miyagawa, Shinichi; Kohno, Satomi; Parrott, Benjamin B; Yamaguchi, Katsushi; Ogino, Yukiko; Miyakawa, Hitoshi; Lowers, Russell H; Shigenobu, Shuji; Guillette, Louis J; Iguchi, Taisen

2016-01-25

The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) displays temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD), in which incubation temperature during embryonic development determines the sexual fate of the individual. However, the molecular mechanisms governing this process remain a mystery, including the influence of initial environmental temperature on the comprehensive gonadal gene expression patterns occurring during TSD. Our characterization of transcriptomes during alligator TSD allowed us to identify novel candidate genes involved in TSD initiation. High-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on gonads collected from A. mississippiensis embryos incubated at both a male and a female producing temperature (33.5 °C and 30 °C, respectively) in a time series during sexual development. RNA-seq yielded 375.2 million paired-end reads, which were mapped and assembled, and used to characterize differential gene expression. Changes in the transcriptome occurring as a function of both development and sexual differentiation were extensively profiled. Forty-one differentially expressed genes were detected in response to incubation at male producing temperature, and included genes such as Wnt signaling factor WNT11, histone demethylase KDM6B, and transcription factor C/EBPA. Furthermore, comparative analysis of development- and sex-dependent differential gene expression revealed 230 candidate genes involved in alligator sex determination and differentiation, and early details of the suspected male-fate commitment were profiled. We also discovered sexually dimorphic expression of uncharacterized ncRNAs and other novel elements, such as unique expression patterns of HEMGN and ARX. Twenty-five of the differentially expressed genes identified in our analysis were putative transcriptional regulators, among which were MYBL2, MYCL, and HOXC10, in addition to conventional sex differentiation genes such as SOX9, and FOXL2. Inferred gene regulatory network was constructed, and the gene-gene and temperature-gene interactions were predicted. Gonadal global gene expression kinetics during sex determination has been extensively profiled for the first time in a TSD species. These findings provide insights into the genetic framework underlying TSD, and expand our current understanding of the developmental fate pathways during vertebrate sex determination.

Efficiency and Regulation of Commercial Low Power DC/DC Converter Modules at Low Temperatures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elbuluk, Malik E.; Gerber, Scott; Hammoud, Ahmad; Patterson, Richard L.

2000-01-01

DC/DC converters that are capable of operating at cryogenic temperatures are anticipated to play an important role in the power systems of future NASA deep space missions. Design of these converters to survive cryogenic temperatures will improve the power system performance, and reduce development and launch costs. At the NASA Glenn Research Center Low Temperature Electronics Laboratory, several commercial off-the-shelf dc/dc converter modules were evaluated for their low temperature performance. Various parameters were investigated as a function of temperature, in the range of 20 C to -190 C. Data pertaining to the efficiency and voltage regulation of the tested converters is presented and discussed.

Study of the field-sequential modulation of Nd:YVO4/MgO:PPLN based intra-cavity frequency doubling green laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Bin; Gan, Yi; Xu, Chang-Qing

2018-06-01

The field sequential modulation of a Nd:YVO4/MgO:PPLN intra-cavity, frequency doubling green laser was studied. The modulation frequency was set at 1 kHz and the duty cycle was changed from 20% to CW operation. It was shown that the quasi-phase matched (QPM) temperature decreases with an increase of the modulation duty cycle, and in turn causing the peak efficiency to rise. It was found that the temperature change in MgO:PPLN and the thermal lens effect in Nd:YVO4 crystal were the respective origins of these observed experimental phenomena.

CFD analysis of a full-scale ceramic kiln module under actual operating conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Milani, Massimo; Montorsi, Luca; Stefani, Matteo; Venturelli, Matteo

2017-11-01

The paper focuses on the CFD analysis of a full-scale module of an industrial ceramic kiln under actual operating conditions. The multi-dimensional analysis includes the real geometry of a ceramic kiln module employed in the preheating and firing sections and investigates the heat transfer between the tiles and the burners' flame as well as the many components that comprise the module. Particular attention is devoted to the simulation of the convective flow field in the upper and lower chambers and to the effects of radiation on the different materials is addressed. The assessment of the radiation contribution to the tiles temperature is paramount to the improvement of the performance of the kiln in terms of energy efficiency and fuel consumption. The CFD analysis is combined to a lumped and distributed parameter model of the entire kiln in order to simulate the module behaviour at the boundaries under actual operating conditions. Finally, the CFD simulation is employed to address the effects of the module operating conditions on the tiles' temperature distribution in order to improve the temperature uniformity as well as to enhance the energy efficiency of the system and thus to reduce the fuel consumption.

Investigation of Macrophage Differentiation and Cytokine Production in an Undergraduate Immunology Laboratory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Berkes, Charlotte; Chan, Leo Li-Ying

2015-01-01

We have developed a semester-long laboratory project for an undergraduate immunology course in which students study multiple aspects of macrophage biology including differentiation from progenitors in the bone marrow, activation upon stimulation with microbial ligands, expression of cell surface markers, and modulation of cytokine production. In…

47 CFR 87.139 - Emission limitations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... lines through the above points. (j) When using G7D for differential GPS in the 112-118 MHz band, the... Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED) SAFETY AND SPECIAL RADIO SERVICES AVIATION SERVICES... in the frequency bands 1435-1535 MHz and 2310-2390 MHz or digital modulation (G7D) for differential...

47 CFR 87.139 - Emission limitations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... lines through the above points. (j) When using G7D for differential GPS in the 112-118 MHz band, the... Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED) SAFETY AND SPECIAL RADIO SERVICES AVIATION SERVICES... in the frequency bands 1435-1535 MHz and 2310-2390 MHz or digital modulation (G7D) for differential...

Development and testing of thermal energy storage modules for use in active solar heating and cooling systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parker, J. C.

1981-01-01

The project development requirements and criteria are presented along with technical data for the modules. Performance tests included: ducting, temperature, pressure and air flow measurements, dry and wet bulb temperature; duct pressure measurements; and air conditioning apparatus checks; installation, operation, and maintenance instructions are included.

Intelligent Data Transfer for Multiple Sensor Networks over a Broad Temperature Range

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krasowski, Michael (Inventor)

2018-01-01

A sensor network may be configured to operate in extreme temperature environments. A sensor may be configured to generate a frequency carrier, and transmit the frequency carrier to a node. The node may be configured to amplitude modulate the frequency carrier, and transmit the amplitude modulated frequency carrier to a receiver.

An experimental investigation of using carbon foam-PCM-MWCNTs composite materials for thermal management of electronic devices under pulsed power modes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alshaer, W. G.; Rady, M. A.; Nada, S. A.; Palomo Del Barrio, Elena; Sommier, Alain

2017-02-01

The present article reports on a detailed experimental investigation of using carbon foam-PCM-MWCNTs composite materials for thermal management (TM) of electronic devices subjected to pulsed power. The TM module was fabricated by infiltrating paraffin wax (RT65) as a phase change material (PCM) and multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as a thermal conductivity enhancer in a carbon foam as a base structure. Two carbon foam materials of low and high values of thermal conductivities, CF20 and KL1-250 (3.1 and 40 W/m K), were tested as a base structure for the TM modules. Tests were conducted at different power intensities and power cycling/loading modes. Results showed that for all power varying modes and all carbon foams, the infiltration of RT65 into carbon foam reduces the temperature of TM module and results in damping the temperature spikes height. Infiltration of MWCNTS into RT65 further improves the effectiveness of TM module. Temperature damping was more pronounced in stand-alone pulsed power cycles as compared to pulsed power spikes modes. The effectiveness of inclusion of RT65 and RT65/MWCNTs in damping the temperature spikes height is remarkable in TM modules based on KL1-250 as compared to CF-20.

Comparison of performance of high-power mid-IR QCL modules in actively and passively cooled mode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Münzhuber, F.; Denzel, H.; Tholl, H. D.

2017-10-01

We report on the effects of active and passive cooling on the performance of high power mid-IR QCL modules (λ ≈ 3.9 μm) in quasi-cw mode. In active cooling mode, a thermo-electrical cooler attached with its hot side to a heat sink of constant temperature, a local thermometer in close proximity to the QCL chip (epi-down mounted) as well as a control unit has been used for temperature control of the QCL submount. In contrast, the passive cooling was performed by attaching the QCL module solely to the heat sink. Electro-optical light-current- (L-I-) curves are measured in a quasi-cw mode, from which efficiencies can be deduced. Waiving of the active cooling elements results in a drop of the maximum intensity of less than 5 %, compared to the case wherein the temperature of the submount is stabilized to the temperature of the heat sink. The application of a model of electro-optical performance to the data shows good agreement and captures the relevant observations. We further determine the heat resistance of the module and demonstrate that the system performance is not limited by the packaging of the module, but rather by the heat dissipation on the QCL chip itself.

Application of Kalman filter in frequency offset estimation for coherent optical quadrature phase-shift keying communication system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Wen; Yang, Yanfu; Zhang, Qun; Sun, Yunxu; Zhong, Kangping; Zhou, Xian; Yao, Yong

2016-09-01

The frequency offset estimation (FOE) schemes based on Kalman filter are proposed and investigated in detail via numerical simulation and experiment. The schemes consist of a modulation phase removing stage and Kalman filter estimation stage. In the second stage, the Kalman filters are employed for tracking either differential angles or differential data between two successive symbols. Several implementations of the proposed FOE scheme are compared by employing different modulation removing methods and two Kalman algorithms. The optimal FOE implementation is suggested for different operating conditions including optical signal-to-noise ratio and the number of the available data symbols.

Subthalamic stimulation differentially modulates declarative and nondeclarative memory.

PubMed

Hälbig, Thomas D; Gruber, Doreen; Kopp, Ute A; Scherer, Peter; Schneider, Gerd-Helge; Trottenberg, Thomas; Arnold, Guy; Kupsch, Andreas

2004-03-01

Declarative memory has been reported to rely on the medial temporal lobe system, whereas non-declarative memory depends on basal ganglia structures. We investigated the functional role of the subthalamic nucleus (STN), a structure closely connected with the basal ganglia for both types of memory. Via deep brain high frequency stimulation (DBS) we manipulated neural activity of the STN in humans. We found that DBS-STN differentially modulated memory performance: declarative memory was impaired, whereas non-declarative memory was improved in the presence of STN-DBS indicating a specific role of the STN in the activation of memory systems. Copyright 2004 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Dual line CW fiber laser module based on FBG combination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dobashi, Kazuma; Hoshi, Masayuki; Hirohashi, Junji; Makio, Satoshi

2018-02-01

We developed the dual line fiber laser module based on FBG combination. The proposed configuration has several advantages such as compact, simple, and inexpensive. The laser was composed pump LD (40W), two HR FBGs for 1053 nm and 1058 nm, Yb-doped fiber, two OC FBGs for 1053 nm and 1058 nm, and delivery fiber. All single mode fibers were polarization maintained with approximately 6 micron core. All FBGs were mounted on holders with TECs and their temperatures were controlled independently. The center wavelengths of HR and OC FBGs were temperature dependent and their shifts are approximately 7 nm/degree-C for all integrated FBG. By adjusting the temperature, it is possible to realize the resonant condition for only 1053 nm or only for 1058 nm. Based on this configuration, we demonstrated dual line CW fiber laser module. This module was compact with the size of 200 mm X 150 mm X 23 mm. By adjusting the FBG temperatures, we obtained the output power of more than 10 W at 1053 nm and 1058 nm with linear polarization.

Parametric modulation of thermomagnetic convection in magnetic fluids.

PubMed

Engler, H; Odenbach, S

2008-05-21

Previous theoretical investigations on thermal flow in a horizontal fluid layer have shown that the critical temperature difference, where heat transfer changes from diffusion to convective flow, depends on the frequency of a time-modulated driving force. The driving force of thermal convection is the buoyancy force resulting from the interaction of gravity and the density gradient provided by a temperature difference in the vertical direction of a horizontal fluid layer. An experimental investigation of such phenomena fails because of technical problems arising if buoyancy is to be changed by altering the temperature difference or gravitational acceleration. The possibility of influencing convective flow in a horizontal magnetic fluid layer by magnetic forces might provide us with a means to solve the problem of a time-modulated magnetic driving force. An experimental setup to investigate the dependence of the critical temperature difference on the frequency of the driving force has been designed and implemented. First results show that the time modulation of the driving force has significant influence on the strength of the convective flow. In particular a pronounced minimum in the strength of convection has been found for a particular frequency.

Higher-order differential phase shift keyed modulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vanalphen, Deborah K.; Lindsey, William C.

1994-02-01

Advanced modulation/demodulation techniques which are robust in the presence of phase and frequency uncertainties continue to be of interest to communication engineers. We are particularly interested in techniques which accommodate slow channel phase and frequency variations with minimal performance degradation and which alleviate the need for phase and frequency tracking loops in the receiver. We investigate the performance sensitivity to frequency offsets of a modulation technique known as binary Double Differential Phase Shift Keying (DDPSK) and compare it to that of classical binary Differential Phase Shift Keying (DPSK). We also generalize our analytical results to include n(sup -th) order, M-ary DPSK. The DDPSK (n = 2) technique was first introduced in the Russian literature circa 1972 and was studied more thoroughly in the late 1970's by Pent and Okunev. Here, we present an expression for the symbol error probability that is easy to derive and to evaluate numerically. We also present graphical results that establish when, as a function of signal energy-to-noise ratio and normalized frequency offset, binary DDPSK is preferable to binary DPSK with respect to performance in additive white Gaussian noise. Finally, we provide insight into the optimum receiver from a detection theory viewpoint.

Differential network as an indicator of osteoporosis with network entropy.

PubMed

Ma, Lili; Du, Hongmei; Chen, Guangdong

2018-07-01

Osteoporosis is a common skeletal disorder characterized by a decrease in bone mass and density. The peak bone mass (PBM) is a significant determinant of osteoporosis. To gain insights into the indicating effect of PBM to osteoporosis, this study focused on characterizing the PBM networks and identifying key genes. One biological data set with 12 monocyte low PBM samples and 11 high PBM samples was derived to construct protein-protein interaction networks (PPINs). Based on clique-merging, module-identification algorithm was used to identify modules from PPINs. The systematic calculation and comparison were performed to test whether the network entropy can discriminate the low PBM network from high PBM network. We constructed 32 destination networks with 66 modules divided from monocyte low and high PBM networks. Among them, network 11 was the only significantly differential one (P<0.05) with 8 nodes and 28 edges. All genes belonged to precursors of osteoclasts, which were related to calcium transport as well as blood monocytes. In conclusion, based on the entropy in PBM PPINs, the differential network appears to be a novel therapeutic indicator for osteoporosis during the bone monocyte progression; these findings are helpful in disclosing the pathogenetic mechanisms of osteoporosis.

Monocyte to macrophage differentiation-associated (MMD) positively regulates ERK and Akt activation and TNF-α and NO production in macrophages.

PubMed

Liu, Qiang; Zheng, Jin; Yin, Dan-Dan; Xiang, Jie; He, Fei; Wang, Yao-Chun; Liang, Liang; Qin, Hong-Yan; Liu, Li; Liang, Ying-Min; Han, Hua

2012-05-01

Macrophage activation is modulated by both environmental cues and endogenous programs. In the present study, we investigated the role of a PAQR family protein, monocyte to macrophage differentiation-associated (MMD), in macrophage activation and unveiled its underlying molecular mechanism. Our results showed that while MMD expression could be detected in all tissues examined, its expression level is significantly up-regulated upon monocyte differentiation. Within cells, EGFP-MMD fusion protein could be co-localized to endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, but not lysosomes and cytoplasm. MMD expression is up-regulated in macrophages after LPS stimulation, and this might be modulated by RBP-J, the critical transcription factor of Notch signaling. Overexpression of MMD in macrophages increased the production of TNF-α and NO upon LPS stimulation. We found that MMD overexpression enhanced ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation in macrophages after LPS stimulation. Blocking Erk or Akt by pharmacological agent reduced TNF-α or NO production in MMD-overexpressing macrophages, respectively. These results suggested that MMD modulates TNF-α and NO production in macrophages, and this process might involves Erk or Akt.

Differential translation efficiency of orthologous genes is involved in phenotypic divergence of yeast species.

PubMed

Man, Orna; Pilpel, Yitzhak

2007-03-01

A major challenge in comparative genomics is to understand how phenotypic differences between species are encoded in their genomes. Phenotypic divergence may result from differential transcription of orthologous genes, yet less is known about the involvement of differential translation regulation in species phenotypic divergence. In order to assess translation effects on divergence, we analyzed approximately 2,800 orthologous genes in nine yeast genomes. For each gene in each species, we predicted translation efficiency, using a measure of the adaptation of its codons to the organism's tRNA pool. Mining this data set, we found hundreds of genes and gene modules with correlated patterns of translational efficiency across the species. One signal encompassed entire modules that are either needed for oxidative respiration or fermentation and are efficiently translated in aerobic or anaerobic species, respectively. In addition, the efficiency of translation of the mRNA splicing machinery strongly correlates with the number of introns in the various genomes. Altogether, we found extensive selection on synonymous codon usage that modulates translation according to gene function and organism phenotype. We conclude that, like factors such as transcription regulation, translation efficiency affects and is affected by the process of species divergence.

Comparative study on the performance of power and bandwidth efficient modulations in LMSS under fading and interference

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Jian; Kim, Junghwan; Kwatra, S. C.; Stevens, Grady H.

1991-01-01

Aspects of error performance of various power and bandwidth efficient modulations for the land mobile satellite systems (LMSS) were investigated under multipath fading and interferences by using Monte-Carlo simulation. A differential detection for 16QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation) was proposed to cope with Ricean fading and Doppler shift. Computer simulation results show that the performance of 16QAM with differential detection is as good as that of 16PSK with coherent detection and 3 dB better than that of 16PSK with differential detection, although it degrades by about 4.5 dB as compared to 16QAM with coherent detection under an additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel. For the nonlinear channels, 16QAM with modified signal constellations is introduced and analyzed. The simulation results show that the modified 16QAM exhibits a gain of 2.5 dB over 16PSK under traveling-wave tube nonlinearity, and about 4 dB gain over 16PSK at the bit error rate of 10 exp -5 under AWGN. Computer simulation results for modified 16 QAM under cochannel interference and adjacent-channel interference are also presented.

Can microRNAs control vascular smooth muscle phenotypic modulation and the response to injury?

PubMed Central

Albinsson, Sebastian

2011-01-01

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration and proliferation are critical events in vascular proliferative diseases. Recent studies have established microRNAs (miRNAs) as important mediators for the modulation of VSMC phenotype by targeting transcription factors and the cytoskeleton, which act as molecular switches for VSMC differentiation. The importance of miRNAs for VSMC development, differentiation, and function is evident by the fact that loss of the miRNA processing enzyme Dicer in VSMCs results in embryonic lethality due to severe vascular abnormalities. Similar abnormalities are observed in adult miR-143/145 knockout mice, indicating that these miRNAs are important for VSMC differentiation and function. However, since miR-143/145 knockout is not embryonically lethal, additional miRNA must be required during embryonic development of VSMCs. In addition, specific miRNAs such as miR-145, miR-21, and miR-221 have been found to regulate neointimal hyperplasia following vascular injury, which provides interesting possibilities for future therapeutical targets against vascular disease. Herein, we summarize recent advances regarding the role of miRNAs in VSMC phenotype modulation and response to injury. PMID:20841497

Using a fiber loop and fiber bragg grating as a fiber optic sensor to simultaneously measure temperature and displacement.

PubMed

Chang, Yao-Tang; Yen, Chih-Ta; Wu, Yue-Shiun; Cheng, Hsu-Chih

2013-05-16

This study integrated a fiber loop manufactured by using commercial fiber (SMF-28, Corning) and a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) to form a fiber optic sensor that could simultaneously measure displacement and temperature. The fiber loop was placed in a thermoelectric cooling module with FBG affixed to the module, and, consequently, the center wavelength displacement of FBG was limited by only the effects of temperature change. Displacement and temperature were determined by measuring changes in the transmission of optical power and shifts in Bragg wavelength. This study provides a simple and economical method to measure displacement and temperature simultaneously.

Compact, Miniature MMIC Receiver Modules for an MMIC Array Spectrograph

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kangaslahti, Pekka P.; Gaier, Todd C.; Cooperrider, Joelle T.; Samoska, Lorene A.; Soria, Mary M.; ODwyer, Ian J.; Weinreb, Sander; Custodero, Brian; Owen, Heahter; Grainge, Keith;

Aerodynamic parameter estimation via Fourier modulating function techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pearson, A. E.

1995-01-01

Parameter estimation algorithms are developed in the frequency domain for systems modeled by input/output ordinary differential equations. The approach is based on Shinbrot's method of moment functionals utilizing Fourier based modulating functions. Assuming white measurement noises for linear multivariable system models, an adaptive weighted least squares algorithm is developed which approximates a maximum likelihood estimate and cannot be biased by unknown initial or boundary conditions in the data owing to a special property attending Shinbrot-type modulating functions. Application is made to perturbation equation modeling of the longitudinal and lateral dynamics of a high performance aircraft using flight-test data. Comparative studies are included which demonstrate potential advantages of the algorithm relative to some well established techniques for parameter identification. Deterministic least squares extensions of the approach are made to the frequency transfer function identification problem for linear systems and to the parameter identification problem for a class of nonlinear-time-varying differential system models.

Application Specific Electronic Module Program (ASEM), Final Technical Report.

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-12-14

relatively high temperatures , may induce a metal break or other continuity problems. Secondly, the improved electrical environment at the module level vs...wafer probe can permit higher speed tests to be applied, isolating marginal die. Thirdly, high reliability screens, such as temperature cycling, bum-in...The high temperature aging is done at 150’ C for 500 hours. The thermal cycle treatments are from 0- 100 0 C and 3 cycles per hour are done. The

Heat profiling of phacoemulsification tip using a thermal scanning camera.

PubMed

Ngo, Wei Kiong; Lim, Louis W; Tan, Colin S H; Heng, Wee Jin

2013-12-01

An experimental study to measure the heat profile of the phacoemulsification (phaco) tip using standard continuous phaco and hyperpulse phaco with and without waveform power modulation in the Millennium Microsurgical System with Custom Control Software (CCS). The phaco tip was imaged in air using a thermal camera. The highest temperature was measured 15 s after application of phaco power. Continuous, hyperpulse and waveform power modulations of the Millennium Microsurgical System were used with different power settings (20, 50 and 100 %) and duty cycles (40, 60 and 90 %), with the irrigation turned on and off. Using continuous phaco with the irrigation on, the phaco tip temperature remains <28.0 °C. With irrigation off, the temperature is higher compared to irrigation on but still remains <45.0 °C. Comparing the temperatures for all three power modulations when irrigation is on, at each phaco power and duty cycle setting, the temperature of the phaco tip is highest with continuous phaco, followed by hyperpulse with rise time 1, then hyperpulse with rise time 2. When irrigation is off, the highest temperatures are recorded using the hyperpulse with rise time 2, followed by continuous phaco, then hyperpulse with rise time 1. Hyperpulse and waveform modulations reduce heat generation compared to the continuous mode when irrigation is turned on. Lower duty cycles and lower ultrasound power produce less heat at the phaco tip.

Nuclear reactor

DOEpatents

Yant, Howard W.; Stinebiser, Karl W.; Anzur, Gregory C.

1977-01-01

A nuclear reactor, particularly a liquid-metal breeder reactor, whose upper internals include outlet modules for channeling the liquid-metal coolant from selected areas of the outlet of the core vertically to the outlet plenum. The modules are composed of a highly-refractory, high corrosion-resistant alloy, for example, INCONEL-718. Each module is disposed to confine and channel generally vertically the coolant emitted from a subplurality of core-component assemblies. Each module has a grid with openings, each opening disposed to receive the coolant from an assembly of the subplurality. The grid in addition serves as a holdown for the assemblies of the corresponding subplurality preventing their excessive ejection upwardly from the core. In the region directly over the core the outlet modules are of such peripheral form that they nest forming a continuum over the core-component assemblies whose outlet coolant they confine. Each subassembly includes a chimney which confines the coolant emitted by its corresponding subassemblies to generally vertical flow between the outlet of the core and the outlet plenum. Each subplurality of assemblies whose emitted coolant is confined by an outlet module includes assemblies which emit lower-temperature coolant, for example, a control-rod assembly, or fertile assemblies, and assemblies which emit coolant of substantially higher temperature, for example, fuel-rod assemblies. The coolants of different temperatures are mixed in the chimneys reducing the effect of stripping (hot-cold temperature fluctuations) on the remainder of the upper internals which are composed typically of AISI-304 or AISI-316 stainless steel.

Etude de l'influence de la temperature et de l'humidite sur les proprietes mecaniques en traction des fibres de chanvre et de coco

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ho Thi, Thu Nga

L'objectif de cette etude fut d'etablir l'effet de l'humidite et de la temperature sur la resistance en traction et le module elastique des fibres de chanvre et de coco. Deux etudes ont ete realisees afin d'atteindre cet objectif. La premiere vise l'absorption de l'humidite dans ces fibres en exposition dans l'air (de 0%RH a 80%RH) ainsi que l'absorption de l'eau dans ces fibres immergees dans l'eau aux differentes temperatures. La deuxieme consiste a mesurer la resistance en traction et le module elastique de ces fibres sous differentes conditions d'humidite et de temperature. En basant sur les resultats experimentaux obtenus, les methodes semi empiriques et de reseaux de neurones ont ete utilisees pour but de predire les proprietes en traction (resistance et module d'elasticite) des fibres de chanvre et de coco sous l'influence de l'humidite et de la temperature.

Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Potential Problems for Photovoltaic Packaging: Preprint

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

Kempe, M. D.; Jorgensen, G. J.; Terwilliger, K. M.

2006-05-01

Photovoltaic (PV) devices are typically encapsulated using ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) to provide mechanical support, optical coupling, electrical isolation, and protection against environmental exposure. Under exposure to atmospheric water and/or ultraviolet radiation, EVA will decompose to produce acetic acid, lowering the pH and increasing the surface corrosion rates of embedded devices. Even though acetic acid is produced at a very slow rate, it may not take much to catalyze reactions that lead to rapid module deterioration. Another consideration is that the glass transition of EVA, as measured using dynamic mechanical analysis, begins at temperatures of about ?15 C. Temperatures lower thanmore » this can be reached for extended periods of time in some climates. Because of increased moduli below the glass transition temperature, a module may be more vulnerable to damage if a mechanical load is applied by snow or wind at low temperatures. Modules using EVA should not be rated for use at such low temperatures without additional low-temperature mechanical testing beyond the scope of UL 1703.« less

Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Potential Problems for Photovoltaic Packaging

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

Kempe, M. D.; Jorgensen, G. J.; Terwilliger, K. M.

2006-01-01

Photovoltaic (PV) devices are typically encapsulated using ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) to provide mechanical support, optical coupling, electrical isolation, and protection against environmental exposure. Under exposure to atmospheric water and/or ultraviolet radiation, EVA will decompose to produce acetic acid, lowering the pH and increasing the surface corrosion rates of embedded devices. Even though acetic acid is produced at a very slow rate, it may not take much to catalyze reactions that lead to rapid module deterioration. Another consideration is that the glass transition of EVA, as measured using dynamic mechanical analysis, begins at temperatures of about -15 degC. Temperatures lower thanmore » this can be reached for extended periods of time in some climates. Because of increased moduli below the glass transition temperature, a module may be more vulnerable to damage if a mechanical load is applied by snow or wind at low temperatures. Modules using EVA should not be rated for use at such low temperatures without additional low-temperature mechanical testing beyond the scope of UL1703.« less

Potential Problems with Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate for Photovoltaic Packaging (Poster)

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

Kempe, M. D.; Jorgensen, G. J.; Terwilliger, K, M.

2006-05-01

Photovoltaic (PV) devices are typically encapsulated using ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) to provide mechanical support electrical isolation, optical coupling, and protection against environmental exposure. Under exposure to atmospheric water and/or ultraviolet radiation, EVA will decompose to produce acetic acid, lowering the pH and increasing the surface corrosion rates of embedded devices. Even though acetic acid is produced at a very slow rate it may not take much to catalyze reactions that lead to rapid module deterioration. Another consideration is that the glass transition of EVA, as measured using dynamic mechanical analysis, begins at temperatures of about -15 C. Temperatures lower thanmore » this can be reached for extended periods of time in some climates. Due to increased moduli below the glass transition temperature, a module may be more vulnerable to damage if a mechanical load is applied by snow or wind at low temperatures. Modules using EVA should not be rated for use at such low temperatures without additional low-temperature mechanical testing beyond the scope of UL 1703.« less

DCGL v2.0: an R package for unveiling differential regulation from differential co-expression.

PubMed

Yang, Jing; Yu, Hui; Liu, Bao-Hong; Zhao, Zhongming; Liu, Lei; Ma, Liang-Xiao; Li, Yi-Xue; Li, Yuan-Yuan

2013-01-01

Differential co-expression analysis (DCEA) has emerged in recent years as a novel, systematic investigation into gene expression data. While most DCEA studies or tools focus on the co-expression relationships among genes, some are developing a potentially more promising research domain, differential regulation analysis (DRA). In our previously proposed R package DCGL v1.0, we provided functions to facilitate basic differential co-expression analyses; however, the output from DCGL v1.0 could not be translated into differential regulation mechanisms in a straightforward manner. To advance from DCEA to DRA, we upgraded the DCGL package from v1.0 to v2.0. A new module named "Differential Regulation Analysis" (DRA) was designed, which consists of three major functions: DRsort, DRplot, and DRrank. DRsort selects differentially regulated genes (DRGs) and differentially regulated links (DRLs) according to the transcription factor (TF)-to-target information. DRrank prioritizes the TFs in terms of their potential relevance to the phenotype of interest. DRplot graphically visualizes differentially co-expressed links (DCLs) and/or TF-to-target links in a network context. In addition to these new modules, we streamlined the codes from v1.0. The evaluation results proved that our differential regulation analysis is able to capture the regulators relevant to the biological subject. With ample functions to facilitate differential regulation analysis, DCGL v2.0 was upgraded from a DCEA tool to a DRA tool, which may unveil the underlying differential regulation from the observed differential co-expression. DCGL v2.0 can be applied to a wide range of gene expression data in order to systematically identify novel regulators that have not yet been documented as critical. DCGL v2.0 package is available at http://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/DCGL/index.html or at our project home page http://lifecenter.sgst.cn/main/en/dcgl.jsp.

Error Control Coding Techniques for Space and Satellite Communications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Costello, Daniel J., Jr.; Takeshita, Oscar Y.; Cabral, Hermano A.; He, Jiali; White, Gregory S.

1997-01-01

Turbo coding using iterative SOVA decoding and M-ary differentially coherent or non-coherent modulation can provide an effective coding modulation solution: (1) Energy efficient with relatively simple SOVA decoding and small packet lengths, depending on BEP required; (2) Low number of decoding iterations required; and (3) Robustness in fading with channel interleaving.

Differential pulse amplitude modulation for multiple-input single-output OWVLC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, S. H.; Kwon, D. H.; Kim, S. J.; Son, Y. H.; Han, S. K.

2015-01-01

White light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are widely used for lighting due to their energy efficiency, eco-friendly, and small size than previously light sources such as incandescent, fluorescent bulbs and so on. Optical wireless visible light communication (OWVLC) based on LED merges lighting and communications in applications such as indoor lighting, traffic signals, vehicles, and underwater communications because LED can be easily modulated. However, physical bandwidth of LED is limited about several MHz by slow time constant of the phosphor and characteristics of device. Therefore, using the simplest modulation format which is non-return-zero on-off-keying (NRZ-OOK), the data rate reaches only to dozens Mbit/s. Thus, to improve the transmission capacity, optical filtering and pre-, post-equalizer are adapted. Also, high-speed wireless connectivity is implemented using spectrally efficient modulation methods: orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or discrete multi-tone (DMT). However, these modulation methods need additional digital signal processing such as FFT and IFFT, thus complexity of transmitter and receiver is increasing. To reduce the complexity of transmitter and receiver, we proposed a novel modulation scheme which is named differential pulse amplitude modulation. The proposed modulation scheme transmits different NRZ-OOK signals with same amplitude and unit time delay using each LED chip, respectively. The `N' parallel signals from LEDs are overlapped and directly detected at optical receiver. Received signal is demodulated by power difference between unit time slots. The proposed scheme can overcome the bandwidth limitation of LEDs and data rate can be improved according to number of LEDs without complex digital signal processing.

Monoamines differentially modulate neuropeptide release from distinct sites within a single neuron pair.

PubMed

Clark, Tobias; Hapiak, Vera; Oakes, Mitchell; Mills, Holly; Komuniecki, Richard

2018-01-01

Monoamines and neuropeptides often modulate the same behavior, but monoaminergic-peptidergic crosstalk remains poorly understood. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the adrenergic-like ligands, tyramine (TA) and octopamine (OA) require distinct subsets of neuropeptides in the two ASI sensory neurons to inhibit nociception. TA selectively increases the release of ASI neuropeptides encoded by nlp-14 or nlp-18 from either synaptic/perisynaptic regions of ASI axons or the ASI soma, respectively, and OA selectively increases the release of ASI neuropeptides encoded by nlp-9 asymmetrically, from only the synaptic/perisynaptic region of the right ASI axon. The predicted amino acid preprosequences of genes encoding either TA- or OA-dependent neuropeptides differed markedly. However, these distinct preprosequences were not sufficient to confer monoamine-specificity and additional N-terminal peptide-encoding sequence was required. Collectively, our results demonstrate that TA and OA specifically and differentially modulate the release of distinct subsets of neuropeptides from different subcellular sites within the ASIs, highlighting the complexity of monoaminergic/peptidergic modulation, even in animals with a relatively simple nervous system.

Monoamines differentially modulate neuropeptide release from distinct sites within a single neuron pair

PubMed Central

Oakes, Mitchell; Mills, Holly; Komuniecki, Richard

2018-01-01

Monoamines and neuropeptides often modulate the same behavior, but monoaminergic-peptidergic crosstalk remains poorly understood. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the adrenergic-like ligands, tyramine (TA) and octopamine (OA) require distinct subsets of neuropeptides in the two ASI sensory neurons to inhibit nociception. TA selectively increases the release of ASI neuropeptides encoded by nlp-14 or nlp-18 from either synaptic/perisynaptic regions of ASI axons or the ASI soma, respectively, and OA selectively increases the release of ASI neuropeptides encoded by nlp-9 asymmetrically, from only the synaptic/perisynaptic region of the right ASI axon. The predicted amino acid preprosequences of genes encoding either TA- or OA-dependent neuropeptides differed markedly. However, these distinct preprosequences were not sufficient to confer monoamine-specificity and additional N-terminal peptide-encoding sequence was required. Collectively, our results demonstrate that TA and OA specifically and differentially modulate the release of distinct subsets of neuropeptides from different subcellular sites within the ASIs, highlighting the complexity of monoaminergic/peptidergic modulation, even in animals with a relatively simple nervous system. PMID:29723289

Numerical study on the thermal management system of a liquid metal battery module

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Zhenlin; Xu, Cheng; Li, Wei; Zhu, Fangfang; Li, Haomiao; Wang, Kangli; Cheng, Shijie; Jiang, Kai

2018-07-01

Liquid metal battery (LMB), with three-liquid-layer structure and high operating temperature (300-700 °C), is a newly emerging technology for large scale energy storage applications. A thermal management system is critical to achieve satisfied LMB performance and extend the life of batteries. In this work, an improved coupling model composing of a 3D heat-transfer model and a 1D electrochemical model is developed for the thermal analysis of a Li||Sb-Sn LMBs module (5.5 kWh). Key results including transient values, the contribution ratio of heat sources, temperature homogeneity and distribution, as well as the energy efficiency of the battery module, are presented. Based on the coupling model, the changeable-power-heating mode, sand filling material and vacuum insulation are further proposed to achieve the high energy efficiency and optimal performance of the LMBs module. Moreover, the LMBs module can achieve "self-heating" when operated at 0.2 C charge/discharge, under the vacuum insulation (0.01 W m-1 K-1 thermal conductivity, 100 mm thickness), requiring no external heating to keep the batteries at operating temperature.