Inner Core Anisotropy: Can Seismic Observations be Reconciled with Ab Initio Calculations of Elasticity?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, X.; Jordan, T. H.

2016-12-01

Body-wave and normal-mode observations have revealed an inner-core structure that is radially layered, axially anisotropic, and hemispherically asymmetric. Previous theoretical studies have examined the consistency of these features with the elasticity of iron crystals thought to dominate inner-core composition, but a fully consistent model has been elusive. Here we compare the seismic observation with effective-medium models derived from ab initio calculations of the elasticity tensors for hcp-Fe and bcc-Fe. Our estimates are based on Jordan's (GJI, 2015) effective medium theory, which is derived from a self-consistent, second-order Born approximation. The theory provides closed-form expressions for the effective elastic parameters of 3D anisotropic, heterogeneous media in which the local anisotropy is a constant hexagonal stiffness tensor C stochastically oriented about a constant symmetry axis \\hat{s} and the statistics of the small-scale heterogeneities are transversely isotropic in the plane perpendicular to \\hat{s}. The stochastic model is then described by a dimensionless "aspect ratio of the heterogeneity", 0 ≤ η < ∞, and a dimensionless "orientation ratio of the anisotropy", 0 ≤ ξ < ∞. The latter determines the degree to which the axis of C is aligned with \\hat{s}. We compute the loci of models with \\hat{s} oriented along the Earth's rotational axis ( \\hat{s} = north) by varying ξ and η for various ab initio estimates of C. We show that a lot of widely used estimates of C are inconsistent with most published normal-mode models of inner-core anisotropy. In particular, if the P-wave fast axis aligns with the rotational axis, which is required to satisfy the body-wave observations, then these hcp-Fe models predict that the fast polarization of the S waves is in the plane perpendicular to \\hat{s}, which disagrees with most normal-mode models. We have attempted to resolve this discrepancy by examining alternative hcp-Fe models, including radially anisotropic distributions of stochastic anisotropy and heterogeneity (i.e., where \\hat{s} = \\hat{r}), as well as bcc-Fe models. Our calculations constrain the form of C needed to satisfy the seismological inferences.

Asymptomatic young man with an incidental murmur.

PubMed

Shojaeifard, Maryam; Pouraliakbar, Hamid Reza; Houshmand, Golnaz

2018-05-31

A 32-year old man was referred to our institution for transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) following detection of an incidental murmur on physical examination before blood donation. He was asymptomatic with no significant medical history. Physical examination revealed dual heart sounds with a grade II/VI systolic murmur heard in the left sternal border. An ECG was in normal sinus rhythm. TTE was performed (figure 1A-C, online supplementary videos 1-4) followed by cardiac CT angiography (CTA) (figure 1D,E).heartjnl;heartjnl-2018-313223v1/F1F1F1Figure 1(A) Transthoracic echocardiography, parasternal left ventricular long axis view. (B) Colour Doppler of modified short axis in the mid-left ventricular level. (C) Doppler flow velocity profile. (D) Cardiac CT angiography (CTA) sagittal reconstruction. (E) Three-dimensional CTA reconstruction of the heart. What is the diagnosis?Pericardial cyst.Ventricular septal defect.Kawasaki.Anomalous left coronary artery from pulmonary artery (ALCAPA). © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

The role of a-axis grains in the transition to the normal state of YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7−δ} films and of 2G-coated conductors when induced by high electrical current densities

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

Bernstein, P., E-mail: pierre.bernstein@ensicaen.fr; Harnois, C.; Mc Loughlin, C.

The influence of surface defects, in particular of a-axis grains, on the transition to the normal state induced by high current densities in YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7−δ} (YBCO) thin films and in a commercial 2G-coated conductor is investigated. For that purpose, the surface of the samples is observed by scanning electron microscopy and isothermal current-voltage curves are measured at different temperatures with pulsed currents up to the quenching value I*. The results show that the ratio of I* to the critical current is large if a-axis grains are not visible at the surface of the YBCO films, while it ismore » much lower if the surface includes a-axis grains as this is the case for the coated conductor. The connection between the transition onset and the vortex dynamics, as well as the role of the a-axis grains in this process are discussed. The relation between the I* values obtained from thermal calculations and those resulting from vortex dynamics considerations is also discussed, as well as the possible consequences suggested by this work for the different applications of the coated conductors.« less

Evaluation of the optical axis tilt of zinc oxide films via noncollinear second harmonic generation

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

Bovino, F. A.; Larciprete, M. C.; Belardini, A.

2009-06-22

We investigated noncollinear second harmonic generation form zinc oxide films, grown on glass substrates by dual ion beam sputtering technique. At a fixed incidence angle, the generated signal is investigated by scanning the polarization state of both fundamental beams. We show that the map of the generated signal as a function of polarization states of both pump beams, together with the analytical curves, allows to retrieve the orientation of the optical axis and eventually, its angular tilt, with respect to the surface normal.

Etiology and treatment of hypogonadism in adolescents.

PubMed

Viswanathan, Vidhya; Eugster, Erica A

2009-12-01

Adequate functioning at all levels of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis is necessary for normal gonadal development and subsequent sex steroid production. Deficiencies at any level of the axis can lead to a hypogonadal state. The causes of hypogonadism are heterogeneous and may involve any level of the reproductive system. This review discusses various causes of hypogonadism, describes the evaluation of hypogonadal states, and outlines treatment options for the induction of puberty in affected adolescents. Whereas some conditions are clearly delineated, the exact etiology and underlying pathogenesis of many disorders is unknown.

Measurement of top quark polarization in t t ¯ lepton +jets final states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abazov, V. M.; Abbott, B.; Acharya, B. S.; Adams, M.; Adams, T.; Agnew, J. P.; Alexeev, G. D.; Alkhazov, G.; Alton, A.; Askew, A.; Atkins, S.; Augsten, K.; Aushev, V.; Aushev, Y.; Avila, C.; Badaud, F.; Bagby, L.; Baldin, B.; Bandurin, D. V.; Banerjee, S.; Barberis, E.; Baringer, P.; Bartlett, J. F.; Bassler, U.; Bazterra, V.; Bean, A.; Begalli, M.; Bellantoni, L.; Beri, S. B.; Bernardi, G.; Bernhard, R.; Bertram, I.; Besançon, M.; Beuselinck, R.; Bhat, P. C.; Bhatia, S.; Bhatnagar, V.; Blazey, G.; Blessing, S.; Bloom, K.; Boehnlein, A.; Boline, D.; Boos, E. E.; Borissov, G.; Borysova, M.; Brandt, A.; Brandt, O.; Brochmann, M.; Brock, R.; Bross, A.; Brown, D.; Bu, X. B.; Buehler, M.; Buescher, V.; Bunichev, V.; Burdin, S.; Buszello, C. P.; Camacho-Pérez, E.; Casey, B. C. K.; Castilla-Valdez, H.; Caughron, S.; Chakrabarti, S.; Chan, K. M.; Chandra, A.; Chapon, E.; Chen, G.; Cho, S. W.; Choi, S.; Choudhary, B.; Cihangir, S.; Claes, D.; Clutter, J.; Cooke, M.; Cooper, W. E.; Corcoran, M.; Couderc, F.; Cousinou, M.-C.; Cuth, J.; Cutts, D.; Das, A.; Davies, G.; de Jong, S. J.; De La Cruz-Burelo, E.; Déliot, F.; Demina, R.; Denisov, D.; Denisov, S. P.; Desai, S.; Deterre, C.; DeVaughan, K.; Diehl, H. T.; Diesburg, M.; Ding, P. F.; Dominguez, A.; Dubey, A.; Dudko, L. V.; Duperrin, A.; Dutt, S.; Eads, M.; Edmunds, D.; Ellison, J.; Elvira, V. D.; Enari, Y.; Evans, H.; Evdokimov, A.; Evdokimov, V. N.; Fauré, A.; Feng, L.; Ferbel, T.; Fiedler, F.; Filthaut, F.; Fisher, W.; Fisk, H. E.; Fortner, M.; Fox, H.; Franc, J.; Fuess, S.; Garbincius, P. H.; Garcia-Bellido, A.; García-González, J. A.; Gavrilov, V.; Geng, W.; Gerber, C. E.; Gershtein, Y.; Ginther, G.; Gogota, O.; Golovanov, G.; Grannis, P. D.; Greder, S.; Greenlee, H.; Grenier, G.; Gris, Ph.; Grivaz, J.-F.; Grohsjean, A.; Grünendahl, S.; Grünewald, M. W.; Guillemin, T.; Gutierrez, G.; Gutierrez, P.; Haley, J.; Han, L.; Harder, K.; Harel, A.; Hauptman, J. M.; Hays, J.; Head, T.; Hebbeker, T.; Hedin, D.; Hegab, H.; Heinson, A. P.; Heintz, U.; Hensel, C.; Heredia-De La Cruz, I.; Herner, K.; Hesketh, G.; Hildreth, M. D.; Hirosky, R.; Hoang, T.; Hobbs, J. D.; Hoeneisen, B.; Hogan, J.; Hohlfeld, M.; Holzbauer, J. L.; Howley, I.; Hubacek, Z.; Hynek, V.; Iashvili, I.; Ilchenko, Y.; Illingworth, R.; Ito, A. S.; Jabeen, S.; Jaffré, M.; Jayasinghe, A.; Jeong, M. S.; Jesik, R.; Jiang, P.; Johns, K.; Johnson, E.; Johnson, M.; Jonckheere, A.; Jonsson, P.; Joshi, J.; Jung, A. W.; Juste, A.; Kajfasz, E.; Karmanov, D.; Katsanos, I.; Kaur, M.; Kehoe, R.; Kermiche, S.; Khalatyan, N.; Khanov, A.; Kharchilava, A.; Kharzheev, Y. N.; Kiselevich, I.; Kohli, J. M.; Kozelov, A. V.; Kraus, J.; Kumar, A.; Kupco, A.; Kurča, T.; Kuzmin, V. A.; Lammers, S.; Lebrun, P.; Lee, H. S.; Lee, S. W.; Lee, W. M.; Lei, X.; Lellouch, J.; Li, D.; Li, H.; Li, L.; Li, Q. Z.; Lim, J. K.; Lincoln, D.; Linnemann, J.; Lipaev, V. V.; Lipton, R.; Liu, H.; Liu, Y.; Lobodenko, A.; Lokajicek, M.; Lopes de Sa, R.; Luna-Garcia, R.; Lyon, A. L.; Maciel, A. K. A.; Madar, R.; Magaña-Villalba, R.; Malik, S.; Malyshev, V. L.; Mansour, J.; Martínez-Ortega, J.; McCarthy, R.; McGivern, C. L.; Meijer, M. M.; Melnitchouk, A.; Menezes, D.; Mercadante, P. G.; Merkin, M.; Meyer, A.; Meyer, J.; Miconi, F.; Mondal, N. K.; Mulhearn, M.; Nagy, E.; Narain, M.; Nayyar, R.; Neal, H. A.; Negret, J. P.; Neustroev, P.; Nguyen, H. T.; Nunnemann, T.; Orduna, J.; Osman, N.; Pal, A.; Parashar, N.; Parihar, V.; Park, S. K.; Partridge, R.; Parua, N.; Patwa, A.; Penning, B.; Perfilov, M.; Peters, Y.; Petridis, K.; Petrillo, G.; Pétroff, P.; Pleier, M.-A.; Podstavkov, V. M.; Popov, A. V.; Prewitt, M.; Price, D.; Prokopenko, N.; Qian, J.; Quadt, A.; Quinn, B.; Ratoff, P. N.; Razumov, I.; Ripp-Baudot, I.; Rizatdinova, F.; Rominsky, M.; Ross, A.; Royon, C.; Rubinov, P.; Ruchti, R.; Sajot, G.; Sánchez-Hernández, A.; Sanders, M. P.; Santos, A. S.; Savage, G.; Savitskyi, M.; Sawyer, L.; Scanlon, T.; Schamberger, R. D.; Scheglov, Y.; Schellman, H.; Schott, M.; Schwanenberger, C.; Schwienhorst, R.; Sekaric, J.; Severini, H.; Shabalina, E.; Shary, V.; Shaw, S.; Shchukin, A. A.; Shkola, O.; Simak, V.; Skubic, P.; Slattery, P.; Snow, G. R.; Snow, J.; Snyder, S.; Söldner-Rembold, S.; Sonnenschein, L.; Soustruznik, K.; Stark, J.; Stefaniuk, N.; Stoyanova, D. A.; Strauss, M.; Suter, L.; Svoisky, P.; Titov, M.; Tokmenin, V. V.; Tsai, Y.-T.; Tsybychev, D.; Tuchming, B.; Tully, C.; Uvarov, L.; Uvarov, S.; Uzunyan, S.; Van Kooten, R.; van Leeuwen, W. M.; Varelas, N.; Varnes, E. W.; Vasilyev, I. A.; Verkheev, A. Y.; Vertogradov, L. S.; Verzocchi, M.; Vesterinen, M.; Vilanova, D.; Vokac, P.; Wahl, H. D.; Wang, M. H. L. S.; Warchol, J.; Watts, G.; Wayne, M.; Weichert, J.; Welty-Rieger, L.; Williams, M. R. J.; Wilson, G. W.; Wobisch, M.; Wood, D. R.; Wyatt, T. R.; Xie, Y.; Yamada, R.; Yang, S.; Yasuda, T.; Yatsunenko, Y. A.; Ye, W.; Ye, Z.; Yin, H.; Yip, K.; Youn, S. W.; Yu, J. M.; Zennamo, J.; Zhao, T. G.; Zhou, B.; Zhu, J.; Zielinski, M.; Zieminska, D.; Zivkovic, L.; D0 Collaboration

2017-01-01

We present a measurement of top quark polarization in t t ¯ pair production in p p ¯ collisions at √{s }=1.96 TeV using data corresponding to 9.7 fb-1 of integrated luminosity recorded with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. We consider final states containing a lepton and at least three jets. The polarization is measured through the distribution of lepton angles along three axes: the beam axis, the helicity axis, and the transverse axis normal to the t t ¯ production plane. This is the first measurement of top quark polarization at the Tevatron using lepton +jet final states and the first measurement of the transverse polarization in t t ¯ production. The observed distributions are consistent with standard model predictions of nearly no polarization.

Vibronic bands in the HOMO-LUMO excitation of linear polyyne molecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wakabayashi, Tomonari; Wada, Yoriko; Iwahara, Naoya; Sato, Tohru

2013-04-01

Hydrogen-capped linear carbon chain molecules, namely polyynes H(C≡C)nH (n>=2), give rise to three excited states in the HOMO-LUMO excitation. Electric dipole transition from the ground state is fully allowed to one of the three excited states, while forbidden for the other two low-lying excited states. In addition to the strong absorption bands in the UV for the allowed transition, the molecules exhibit weak absorption and emission bands in the near UV and visible wavelength regions. The weak features are the vibronic bands in the forbidden transition. In this article, symmetry considerations are presented for the optical transitions in the centrosymmetric linear polyyne molecule. The argument includes Herzberg-Teller expansion for the state mixing induced by nuclear displacements along the normal coordinate of the molecule, intensity borrowing from fully allowed transitions, and inducing vibrational modes excited in the vibronic transition. The vibronic coupling considered here includes off-diagonal matrix elements for second derivatives along the normal coordinate. The vibronic selection rule for the forbidden transition is derived and associated with the transition moment with respect to the molecular axis. Experimental approaches are proposed for the assignment of the observed vibronic bands.

Exploring Effects of C2 Warfare on C2 Ability in a Simulated Environment

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-06-01

Principal Axis Factoring, Oblimin rotation with Kaiser Normalization) included all prerequisites, but not the total value of C2 ability ( KMO = .84...Mission intent had the lowest value in this factor, a separate factor analysis was conducted on this factor ( KMO = .75; Bartlett’s test of

Dynamics of neuroendocrine stress response: bistability, timing, and control of hypocortisolism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D'Orsogna, Maria; Chou, Tom; Kim, Lae

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a neuroendocrine system that regulates numerous physiological processes. Disruptions in its activity are correlated with stress-related diseases such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder. We characterize ``normal'' and ``diseased'' states of the HPA axis as basins of attraction of a dynamical system describing the inhibition of peptide hormones, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), by circulating glucocorticoids such as cortisol (CORT). Our model includes ultradian oscillations, CRH self-upregulation of CRH release, and distinguishes two components of negative feedback by cortisol on circulating CRH levels: a slow direct suppression of CRH synthesis and a fast indirect effect on CRH release. The slow regulation mechanism mediates external stress-driven transitions between the stable states in novel, intensity, duration, and timing-dependent ways. We find that the timing of traumatic events may be an important factor in determining if and how the hallmarks of depressive disorders will manifest. Our model also suggests a mechanism whereby exposure therapy of stress disorders may act to normalize downstream dysregulation of the HPA axis.

Counterinsurgency in Pakistan

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-01

between two or more states in open confrontation. 9 Roger Trinquier, Modern Warfare: A French View of Counterinsurgency, Westport, Conn.: Praeger...C. Christine Fair, The Cuisines of the Axis of Evil and Other Irritating States, Guilford, Conn.: Globe Pequot Press, 2008; See U.S. Depart- ment...14, 2007. ———, The Cuisines of the Axis of Evil and Other Irritating States: A Dinner Party Approach to International Relations, Guilford, Conn

Measurement of top quark polarization in t t ¯ lepton + jets final states

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

Abazov, V. M.; Abbott, B.; Acharya, B. S.

We present a measurement of top quark polarization in t ¯ t pair production in p ¯ p collisions at √ s = 1.96 TeV using data corresponding to 9.7 fb -1 of integrated luminosity recorded with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. We consider final states containing a lepton and at least three jets. The polarization is measured through the distribution of lepton angles along three axes: the beam axis, the helicity axis, and the transverse axis normal to the t ¯ t production plane. This is the first measurement of top quark polarization at the Tevatronmore » using lepton + jet final states and the first measurement of the transverse polarization in t ¯ t production. The observed distributions are consistent with standard model predictions of nearly no polarization.« less

Etiology and treatment of hypogonadism in adolescents.

PubMed

Viswanathan, Vidhya; Eugster, Erica A

2011-10-01

Adequate functioning at all levels of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis is necessary for normal gonadal development and subsequent sex steroid production. Deficiencies at any level of the axis can lead to a hypogonadal state. The causes of hypogonadism are heterogeneous and may involve any level of the reproductive system. This review discusses various causes of hypogonadism, describes the evaluation of hypogonadal states, and outlines treatment options for the induction of puberty in affected adolescents. Whereas some conditions are clearly delineated, the exact etiology and underlying pathogenesis of many disorders is unknown. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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

Augsten, Kamil

We present a measurement of top quark polarization inmore » $$t\\bar{t}$$ pair production in $$p\\bar{p}$$ collisions at $$\\sqrt{s}=1.96$$ TeV using data corresponding to 9.7 fb$$^{-1}$$ of integrated luminosity recorded with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. We consider final states containing a lepton and at least three jets. The polarization is measured through the distribution of lepton angles along three axes: the beam axis, the helicity axis, and the transverse axis normal to the $$t\\bar{t}$$ production plane. This is the first measurement of top quark polarization at Tevatron using lepton+jet final states and the first measurement of the transverse polarization in $$t\\bar{t}$$ production. The observed distributions are consistent with standard model predictions of nearly no polarization.« less

Influence of crystal quality on the excitation and propagation of surface and bulk acoustic waves in polycrystalline AlN films.

PubMed

Clement, Marta; Olivares, Jimena; Capilla, Jose; Sangrador, Jesús; Iborra, Enrique

2012-01-01

We investigate the excitation and propagation of acoustic waves in polycrystalline aluminum nitride films along the directions parallel and normal to the c-axis. Longitudinal and transverse propagations are assessed through the frequency response of surface acoustic wave and bulk acoustic wave devices fabricated on films of different crystal qualities. The crystalline properties significantly affect the electromechanical coupling factors and acoustic properties of the piezoelectric layers. The presence of misoriented grains produces an overall decrease of the piezoelectric activity, degrading more severely the excitation and propagation of waves traveling transversally to the c-axis. It is suggested that the presence of such crystalline defects in c-axis-oriented films reduces the mechanical coherence between grains and hinders the transverse deformation of the film when the electric field is applied parallel to the surface. © 2012 IEEE

In-Plane Cracking Behavior and Ultimate Strength for 2D Woven and Braided Melt-Infiltrated SiC/SiC Composites Tensile Loaded in Off-Axis Fiber Directions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morscher, Gregory N.; Yun, Hee Mann; DiCarlo, James A.

2007-01-01

The tensile mechanical properties of ceramic matrix composites (CMC) in directions off the primary axes of the reinforcing fibers are important for architectural design of CMC components that are subjected to multi-axial stress states. In this study, 2D-woven melt-infiltrated (MI) SiC/SiC composite panels with balanced fiber content in the 0 degree and 90 degree directions were tensile loaded in-plane in the 0 degree direction and at 45 degree to this direction. In addition, a 2D triaxially-braided MI composite panel with balanced fiber content in the plus or minus 67 degree bias directions and reduced fiber content in the axial direction was tensile loaded perpendicular to the axial direction tows (i.e., 23 degrees from the bias fibers). Stress-strain behavior, acoustic emission, and optical microscopy were used to quantify stress-dependent matrix cracking and ultimate strength in the panels. It was observed that both off-axis loaded panels displayed higher composite onset stresses for through-thickness matrix cracking than the 2D-woven 0/90 panels loaded in the primary 0 degree direction. These improvements for off-axis cracking strength can in part be attributed to higher effective fiber fractions in the loading direction, which in turn reduces internal stresses on critical matrix flaws for a given composite stress. Also for the 0/90 panel loaded in the 45 degree direction, an improved distribution of matrix flaws existed due to the absence of fiber tows perpendicular to the loading direction. In addition, for the +67/0/-67 braided panel, the axial tows perpendicular to the loading direction were not only low in volume fraction, but were also were well separated from one another. Both off-axis oriented panels also showed relatively good ultimate tensile strength when compared to other off-axis oriented composites in the literature, both on an absolute strength basis as well as when normalized by the average fiber strength within the composites. Initial implications are discussed for constituent and architecture design to improve the directional cracking of SiC/SiC CMC components with MI matrices.

Changing axis deviation and paroxysmal atrial flutter associated with subclinical hyperthyroidism.

PubMed

Patanè, Salvatore; Marte, Filippo

2010-10-08

Subclinical hyperthyroidism is an increasingly recognized entity that is defined as a normal serum free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine levels with a thyroid-stimulating hormone level suppressed below the normal range and usually undetectable. It has been reported that subclinical hyperthyroidism is not associated with coronary heart disease or mortality from cardiovascular causes but it is sufficient to induce arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. It has also been reported that increased factor X activity in patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism represents a potential hypercoagulable state. Rarely, it has also been reported intermittent changing axis deviation during atrial fibrillation and during atrial flutter. We present a case of paroxysmal atrial flutter and changing axis deviation associated with subclinical hyperthyroidism, in a 76-year-old Italian man. Also this case focuses attention on the importance of a correct evaluation of subclinical hyperthyroidism. Copyright © 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Magnetic properties and effect of pressure on the electronic state of EuCo2Ge2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ashitomi, Y.; Kakihana, M.; Honda, F.; Nakamura, A.; Aoki, D.; Uwatoko, Y.; Nakashima, M.; Amako, Y.; Takeuchi, T.; Kida, T.; Tahara, T.; Hagiwara, M.; Haga, Y.; Hedo, M.; Nakama, T.; Ōnuki, Y.

2018-05-01

EuCo2Ge2 with the tetragonal structure is a Eu-divalent antiferromagnet with the Néel temperature TN = 23 K. The magnetic easy-axis corresponds to the [100] direction (a-axis), while the [001] direction (c-axis) is a hard-axis. The magnetization for H∥ [ 100 ] indicates a metamagnetic transition at 25 kOe and saturates above 75 kOe. On the other hand, the hard-axis magnetization increases approximately linearly and saturates above 110 kOe. The magnetic phase diagram was constructed. A characteristic feature in EuCo2Ge2 is known as a valence transition under pressure, from Eu 2+δ to Eu 3 - δ ‧(δ, δ ‧ < 1). We also clarified the valence transition by measuring the electrical resistivity under pressure. The valence transition occurs at 3 GPa, with a hysteresis, and terminates at about 4.5 GPa. Further increasing pressure, the electronic state is changed into a moderate heavy fermion state and approaches the nearly trivalent electronic state.

Role of critical fluctuations in the formation of a skyrmion lattice in MnSi

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chubova, N. M.; Moskvin, E. V.; Dyad'kin, V. A.; Dewhurst, Ch.; Maleev, S. V.; Grigor'ev, S. V.

2017-11-01

The region in the H- T phase diagram near the critical temperature ( T c ) of the cubic helicoidal MnSi magnet is comprehensively studied by small-angle neutron diffraction. Magnetic field H is applied along the [111] axis. The experimental geometry is chosen to simultaneously observe the following three different magnetic states of the system: (a) critical fluctuations of a spin spiral with randomly orientated wavevector k f , (b) conical structure with k c ǁ H, and (c) hexagonal skyrmion lattice with k sk ⊥ H. Both states (conical structure, and skyrmion lattice) are shown to exist above critical temperature T c = 29 K against the background of the critical fluctuations of a spin spiral. The conical lattice is present up to the temperatures where fluctuation correlation length ξ becomes comparable with pitch of spiral d s . The skyrmion lattice is localized near T c and is related to the fluctuations of a spiral with correlation length ξ ≈ 2 d s , and the propagation vector is normal to the field ( k sk ⊥ H). These spiral fluctuations are assumed to be the defects that stabilize the skyrmion lattice and promote its formation.

59-year-old female with breathlessness.

PubMed

Scatteia, Alessandra; De Garate, Estefania; Bucciarelli-Ducci, Chiara

2016-10-15

A 59-year-old female underwent an electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiographic screening. Her brother died at quite a young age of kidney failure. Resting ECG showed borderline voltage criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), with marked widespread T-wave inversion. Echocardiogram was normal, but in consideration of exertional breathlessness and abnormal baseline ECG, she underwent a coronary angiogram, which showed unobstructed coronaries. She was then referred to have a cardiac MR (CMR) for further characterisation. CMR images were acquired with a 1.5 T scanner and the imaging protocol included Steady-State Free Precession (SSFP) cine images (Figure 1A) as well as late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) images in the long-axis and short-axis planes covering the whole left ventricle (Figure 1B). In addition, native and postcontrast T1 mapping (Modified Look-Locker (MOLLI)) images were acquired for further tissue characterisation (Figure 1C and D, respectively). What is the most likely diagnosis based on CMR findings? Anderson-Fabry's disease (AFD)Cardiac amyloidosisGenotype (+), phenotype (-) hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)Myocardial iron overloadNormal heart. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Dipping Magnetic Reversal Boundaries at Endeavor Deep: Implications for Crustal Accretion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pockalny, R. A.; Shields, A. C.; Larson, R. L.; Popham, C.

2005-12-01

Endeavor Deep, created by ongoing rifting along the northeastern boundary of the Juan Fernandez Microplate, provides a generous 75-km long view of the upper 1-3 km of oceanic crust created ~3 Ma at a fast-spreading ridge (~80 km/Myr, half-rate). Recent near-bottom surveys with the ROV Jason collected high-resolution video, rock samples, and 3-component magnetometer data along a 5 km-wide section of the southern wall of the deep. The video and rock samples define a crustal section with 300-500 m of primarily pillows and flows overlying a 400-500 m transition zone of extrusives and dykes. Forward modeling of the total magnetic intensity calculated from the 3-component magnetometer data identifies a magnetic polarity reversal that corresponds to a reversal boundary within magnetic anomaly 2a (C2An.2r - C2AN.3n , ~3.33 Ma). The location of the modeled polarity transition suggests the reversal boundary dips downward toward the original ridge axis with shallow dips (15 degrees) in the extrusive layer becoming increasingly steeper (25 degrees) in the deeper transition zone. The dipping character of the reversal boundary has also been observed along the walls of the Blanco Fracture Zone and is consistent with evolving crustal accretion models for seafloor created at intermediate- and fast-spreading rates, which predicts the rotation of the upper extrusive layer back toward the ridge axis. As a consequence of this rotation, originally horizontal flow boundaries will dip back toward the ridge axis and the magnitude of the dip will increase with depth into the crustal section. A small reversed magnetic polarity is also observed deeper within normally magnetized C2AN.3n chron, but with a very shallow dip (3-5 degrees). We doubt this is another normal-reverse-normal polarity transition, since the anomaly suspiciously coincides with the transition from dykes to extrusives. Therefore, we believe this anomaly is either the result of an edge-effect created by the different magnetic properties of the dykes and extrusives or evidence off-axis volcanism that occurred during a more recent period of normal magnetization.

Cartilaginous development of the human craniovertebral junction as visualised by a new three-dimensional computer reconstruction technique.

PubMed

David, K M; McLachlan, J C; Aiton, J F; Whiten, S C; Smart, S D; Thorogood, P V; Crockard, H A

1998-02-01

Serial transverse histological sections of the human craniovertebral junction (CVJ) of 4 normal human embryos (aged 45 to 58 d) and of a fetus (77 d) were used to create 3-dimensional computer models of the CVJ. The main components modelled included the chondrified basioccipital, atlas and axis, notochord, the vertebrobasilar complex and the spinal cord. Chondrification of the component parts of CVJ had already begun at 45 d (Stage 18). The odontoid process appeared to develop from a short eminence of the axis forming a third occipital condyle with the caudal end of the basioccipital. The cartilaginous anterior arch of C1 appeared at 50-53 d (Stages 20-21). Neural arches of C1 and C2 showed gradual closure, but there was still a wide posterior spina bifida in the oldest reconstructed specimen (77 d fetus). The position of the notochord was constant throughout. The normal course of the vertebral arteries was already established and the chondrified vertebral foramina showed progressive closure. The findings confirm that the odontoid process is not derived solely from the centrum of C1 and that there is a 'natural basilar invagination' of C2 during normal embryonic development. On the basis of the observed shape and developmental pattern of structures of the cartilaginous human CVJ, we suggest that certain pathologies are likely to originate during the chondrification phase of development.

Miniature Trailing Edge Effector for Aerodynamic Control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Hak-Tae (Inventor); Bieniawski, Stefan R. (Inventor); Kroo, Ilan M. (Inventor)

2008-01-01

Improved miniature trailing edge effectors for aerodynamic control are provided. Three types of devices having aerodynamic housings integrated to the trailing edge of an aerodynamic shape are presented, which vary in details of how the control surface can move. A bucket type device has a control surface which is the back part of a C-shaped member having two arms connected by the back section. The C-shaped section is attached to a housing at the ends of the arms, and is rotatable about an axis parallel to the wing trailing edge to provide up, down and neutral states. A flip-up type device has a control surface which rotates about an axis parallel to the wing trailing edge to provide up, down, neutral and brake states. A rotating type device has a control surface which rotates about an axis parallel to the chord line to provide up, down and neutral states.

Anisotropy of the magnetic susceptibility of gallium

USGS Publications Warehouse

Pankey, T.

1960-01-01

The bulk magnetic susceptibilities of single gallium crystals and polycrystalline gallium spheres were measured at 25??C. The following anisotropic diamagnetic susceptibilities were found: a axis (-0.119??0. 001)??10-6 emu/g, b axis (-0.416??0.002)??10 -6 emu/g, and c axis (-0.229??0.001) emu/g. The susceptibility of the polycrystalline spheres, assumed to be the average value for the bulk susceptibility of gallium, was (-0.257??0.003)??10-6 emu/g at 25??C, and (-0.299??0.003)??10-6 emu/g at -196??C. The susceptibility of liquid gallium was (0.0031??0.001) ??10-6 emu/g at 30??C and 100??C. Rotational diagrams of the susceptibilities in the three orthogonal planes of the unit cell were not sinusoidal. The anisotropy in the single crystals was presumably caused by the partial overlap of Brillouin zone boundaries by the Fermi-energy surface. The large change in susceptibility associated with the change in state was attributed to the absence of effective mass influence in the liquid state. ?? 1960 The American Institute of Physics.

Rapid fabrication of miniature lens arrays by four-axis single point diamond machining

PubMed Central

McCall, Brian; Tkaczyk, Tomasz S.

2013-01-01

A novel method for fabricating lens arrays and other non-rotationally symmetric free-form optics is presented. This is a diamond machining technique using 4 controlled axes of motion – X, Y, Z, and C. As in 3-axis diamond micro-milling, a diamond ball endmill is mounted to the work spindle of a 4-axis ultra-precision computer numerical control (CNC) machine. Unlike 3-axis micro-milling, the C-axis is used to hold the cutting edge of the tool in contact with the lens surface for the entire cut. This allows the feed rates to be doubled compared to the current state of the art of micro-milling while producing an optically smooth surface with very low surface form error and exceptionally low radius error. PMID:23481813

Measurement of top quark polarization in top-antitop lepton+jets final states at DØ

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

Augsten, Kamil

This thesis presents a measurement of the top quark polarization in themore » $$t\\overline{t}$$ events produced in $$p\\overline{p}$$ collisions at $$\\sqrt{s}=1.96$$ TeV using data corresponding to 9.7 fb$$^{-1}$$ of integrated luminosity collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. The final states used in the measurement contain one lepton and at least three jets. The polarization is measured using the angular distribution of leptons along three different axes: the beam axis, the helicity axis, and the transverse axis normal to the $$t\\overline{t}$$ production plane. This is the first measurement of top quark polarization at the Tevatron Collider in lepton+jets final states, and the first measurement of transverse polarization in $$t\\overline{t}$$ production. The polarization along the beam axis is combined with the previous result in the dilepton final states by the D0 experiment. The observed distributions are consistent with the Standard Model of nearly no polarization and no indication for beyond Standard Model physics is observed. The measurement offers legacy result from unique Tevatron Collider data and provides more information about the top quark production and decays, about the properties of the heaviest elementary particle.« less

Magnetization reversal in crossed double elliptic permalloy nanodisks studied by micromagnetic simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mishra, Amaresh Chandra; Giri, R.

2018-05-01

The remanent state of elliptical permalloy nanodisks depends on the orientation of the applied magnetic field with respect to the major and minor axes of the nanodisks [A. C. Mishra, Int. J. Mod. Phys. B 30, 1650192 (2016)]. The remanent state is usually an onion state if the external magnetic field is along the major axis, and is a vortex state if the external magnetic field is along the minor axis. In this work, we have analyzed the magnetization reversal of a crossed elliptic disk of permalloy using micromagnetic simulation. This is a new shape where two identical elliptic disks with semi-major axis of length a and semi-minor axis of length b intersect such that they are perpendicular to each other. If the value of b is very close to that of a, then the remanent state is a near saturation state. As the ratio a/b goes down, new complex remanent states are observed. The hysteresis loss is found to be decreased gradually with the increment of b for a given value of b.

BDNF and glucocorticoids regulate corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) homeostasis in the hypothalamus.

PubMed

Jeanneteau, Freddy D; Lambert, W Marcus; Ismaili, Naima; Bath, Kevin G; Lee, Francis S; Garabedian, Michael J; Chao, Moses V

2012-01-24

Regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is critical for adaptation to environmental changes. The principle regulator of the HPA axis is corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), which is made in the parventricular nucleus and is an important target of negative feedback by glucocorticoids. However, the molecular mechanisms that regulate CRH are not fully understood. Disruption of normal HPA axis activity is a major risk factor of neuropsychiatric disorders in which decreased expression of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) has been documented. To investigate the role of the GR in CRH neurons, we have targeted the deletion of the GR, specifically in the parventricular nucleus. Impairment of GR function in the parventricular nucleus resulted in an enhancement of CRH expression and an up-regulation of hypothalamic levels of BDNF and disinhibition of the HPA axis. BDNF is a stress and activity-dependent factor involved in many activities modulated by the HPA axis. Significantly, ectopic expression of BDNF in vivo increased CRH, whereas reduced expression of BDNF, or its receptor TrkB, decreased CRH expression and normal HPA functions. We find the differential regulation of CRH relies upon the cAMP response-element binding protein coactivator CRTC2, which serves as a switch for BDNF and glucocorticoids to direct the expression of CRH.

Recent state of stress change in the Walker Lane zone, western Basin and Range province, United States

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bellier, Olivier; Zoback, Mary Lou

1995-06-01

The NW to north-trending Walker Lane zone (WLZ) is located along the western boundary of the northern Basin and Range province with the Sierra Nevada. This zone is distinguished from the surrounding Basin and Range province on the basis of irregular topography and evidence for both normal and strike-slip Holocene faulting. Inversion of slip vectors from active faults, historic fault offsets, and earthquake focal mechanisms indicate two distinct Quaternary stress regimes within the WLZ, both of which are characterized by a consistent WNW σ3 axis; these are a normal faulting regime with a mean σ3 axis of N85°±9°W and a mean stress ratio (R value) (R=(σ2-σ1)/(σ3-σ1)) of 0.63-0.74 and a younger strike-slip faulting regime with a similar mean σ3 axis (N65° - 70°W) and R values ranging between ˜ 0.1 and 0.2. This younger regime is compatible with historic fault offsets and earthquake focal mechanisms. Both the extensional and strike-slip stress regimes reactivated inherited Mesozoic and Cenozoic structures and also produced new faults. The present-day strike-slip stress regime has produced strike-slip, normal oblique-slip, and normal dip-slip historic faulting. Previous workers have explained the complex interaction of active strike-slip, oblique, and normal faulting in the WLZ as a simple consequence of a single stress state with a consistent WNW σ3 axis and transitional between strike-slip and normal faulting (maximum horizontal stress approximately equal to vertical stress, or R ≈ 0 in both regimes) with minor local fluctuations. The slip data reported here support previous results from Owens Valley that suggest deformation within temporally distinct normal and strike-slip faulting stress regimes with a roughly constant WNW trending σ3 axis (Zoback, 1989). A recent change from a normal faulting to a strike-slip faulting stress regime is indicated by the crosscutting striae on faults in basalts <300,000 years old and is consistent with the dominantly strike-slip earthquake focal mechanisms and the youngest striae observed on faults in Plio-Quaternary deposits. Geologic control on the timing of the change is poor; it is impossible to determine if there has been a single recent absolute change or if there is, rather, an alternating or cyclical variation in stress magnitudes. Our slip data, in particular, the cross-cutting normal and strike-slip striae on the same fault plane, are inconsistent with postulated simple strain partitioning of deformation within a single regional stress field suggested for the WLZ by Wesnousky and Jones [1994]. The location of the WLZ between the deep-seated regional extension of the Basin and Range and the right-lateral strike-slip regional tectonics of the San Andreas fault zone is probably responsible for the complex interaction of tectonic regimes in this transition zone. In early to mid-Tertiary time the WLZ appears to have had a similarly complex deformational history, in this case as a back arc or intra-arc region, accommodating at least part of the right-lateral component of oblique convergence as well as a component of extension.

Hysteresis and precession of a swirling jet normal to a wall.

PubMed

Shtern, V; Mi, J

2004-01-01

Interaction of a swirling jet with a no-slip surface has striking features of fundamental and practical interest. Different flow states and transitions among them occur at the same conditions in combustors, vortex tubes, and tornadoes. The jet axis can undergo precession and bending in combustors; this precession enhances large-scale mixing and reduces emissions of NOx. To explore the mechanisms of these phenomena, we address conically similar swirling jets normal to a wall. In addition to the Serrin model of tornadolike flows, a new model is developed where the flow is singularity free on the axis. New analytical and numerical solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations explain occurrence of multiple states and show that hysteresis is a common feature of wall-normal vortices or swirling jets no matter where sources of motion are located. Then we study the jet stability with the aid of a new approach accounting for deceleration and nonparallelism of the base flow. An appropriate transformation of variables reduces the stability problem for this strongly nonparallel flow to a set of ordinary differential equations. A particular flow whose stability is studied in detail is a half-line vortex normal to a rigid plane-a model of a tornado and of a swirling jet issuing from a nozzle in a combustor. Helical counter-rotating disturbances appear to be first growing as Reynolds number increases. Disturbance frequency changes its sign along the neutral curve while the wave number remains positive. Short disturbance waves propagate downstream and long waves propagate upstream. This helical instability causes bending of the vortex axis and its precession-the effects observed in technological flows and in tornadoes.

P-V-T equation of state of CaCO3 aragonite to 29 GPa and 1673 K: In situ X-ray diffraction study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Litasov, Konstantin D.; Shatskiy, Anton; Gavryushkin, Pavel N.; Bekhtenova, Altyna E.; Dorogokupets, Peter I.; Danilov, Boris S.; Higo, Yuji; Akilbekov, Abdirash T.; Inerbaev, Talgat M.

2017-04-01

Pressure-volume-temperature relations have been measured to 29 GPa and 1673 K for CaCO3 aragonite using synchrotron X-ray diffraction with a multianvil apparatus at the 'SPring-8' facility. A least-squares fit of the room-temperature compression data to the Vinet-Rydberg equation of state (EOS) yielded KT0 = 65.7 ± 0.8 GPa and KT' = 5.1 ± 0.1, with fixed V0 = 227.11 Å3. Further analysis of the high-temperature compression data led to the temperature derivative of the bulk modulus (∂KT/∂T)P = -0.016 ± 0.001 GPa/K and zero-pressure thermal expansion α = a0 + a1T with a0 = 4.98 (22) × 10-5 K-1 and a1 = 2.81(38) × 10-8 K-2. The Mie-Gruneisen-Debye approach revealed the Gruneisen parameter γ0 = 1.39 at a fixed Debye temperature θ0 = 516 K and the parameter q = 1. Analysis of axial compressibility and thermal expansion indicates that the c-axis is two times more compressible than the b-axis and four times more compressible than the a-axis, whereas zero-pressure thermal expansion of the a-axis (a0a = 2.6 × 10-5 K-1 and a1a = 2.3 × 10-8 K-2) is weaker than that of the b-axis axis (a0b = 6.3 × 10-5 K-1 and a1b = 0.1 × 10-8 K-2) and c-axis axis (a0c = 5.2 × 10-5 K-1 and a1c = 9.5 × 10-8 K-2). A full set of thermodynamic parameters (including heat capacity, enthalpy and free energy) for aragonite and updated equations of state for magnesite and siderite was obtained using the Kunc-Einstein approach. The new EOS parameters were used for thermodynamic calculations for aragonite decarbonation reactions. The present thermal EOS provides accurate calculations of aragonite density to deep mantle. Decarbonation of subducting oceanic crust containing 2 wt% aragonite would result in a 0.5% density reduction at 30 GPa and 1273 K. Aragonite becomes denser than magnesite at pressures about 16 GPa along the 1500 K isotherm and at 9 GPa along the 298 K isotherm.

Precise Measurement of the Neutrino Mixing Parameter θ23 from Muon Neutrino Disappearance in an Off-Axis Beam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abe, K.; Adam, J.; Aihara, H.; Akiri, T.; Andreopoulos, C.; Aoki, S.; Ariga, A.; Ariga, T.; Assylbekov, S.; Autiero, D.; Barbi, M.; Barker, G. J.; Barr, G.; Bass, M.; Batkiewicz, M.; Bay, F.; Bentham, S. W.; Berardi, V.; Berger, B. E.; Berkman, S.; Bertram, I.; Bhadra, S.; Blaszczyk, F. d. M.; Blondel, A.; Bojechko, C.; Bordoni, S.; Boyd, S. B.; Brailsford, D.; Bravar, A.; Bronner, C.; Buchanan, N.; Calland, R. G.; Caravaca Rodríguez, J.; Cartwright, S. L.; Castillo, R.; Catanesi, M. G.; Cervera, A.; Cherdack, D.; Christodoulou, G.; Clifton, A.; Coleman, J.; Coleman, S. J.; Collazuol, G.; Connolly, K.; Cremonesi, L.; Dabrowska, A.; Danko, I.; Das, R.; Davis, S.; de Perio, P.; De Rosa, G.; Dealtry, T.; Dennis, S. R.; Densham, C.; Di Lodovico, F.; Di Luise, S.; Drapier, O.; Duboyski, T.; Duffy, K.; Dufour, F.; Dumarchez, J.; Dytman, S.; Dziewiecki, M.; Emery, S.; Ereditato, A.; Escudero, L.; Finch, A. J.; Floetotto, L.; Friend, M.; Fujii, Y.; Fukuda, Y.; Furmanski, A. P.; Galymov, V.; Giffin, S.; Giganti, C.; Gilje, K.; Goeldi, D.; Golan, T.; Gonin, M.; Grant, N.; Gudin, D.; Hadley, D. R.; Haesler, A.; Haigh, M. D.; Hamilton, P.; Hansen, D.; Hara, T.; Hartz, M.; Hasegawa, T.; Hastings, N. C.; Hayato, Y.; Hearty, C.; Helmer, R. L.; Hierholzer, M.; Hignight, J.; Hillairet, A.; Himmel, A.; Hiraki, T.; Hirota, S.; Holeczek, J.; Horikawa, S.; Huang, K.; Ichikawa, A. K.; Ieki, K.; Ieva, M.; Ikeda, M.; Imber, J.; Insler, J.; Irvine, T. J.; Ishida, T.; Ishii, T.; Ives, S. J.; Iwai, E.; Iyogi, K.; Izmaylov, A.; Jacob, A.; Jamieson, B.; Johnson, R. A.; Jo, J. H.; Jonsson, P.; Jung, C. K.; Kabirnezhad, M.; Kaboth, A. C.; Kajita, T.; Kakuno, H.; Kameda, J.; Kanazawa, Y.; Karlen, D.; Karpikov, I.; Kearns, E.; Khabibullin, M.; Khotjantsev, A.; Kielczewska, D.; Kikawa, T.; Kilinski, A.; Kim, J.; Kisiel, J.; Kitching, P.; Kobayashi, T.; Koch, L.; Kolaceke, A.; Konaka, A.; Kormos, L. L.; Korzenev, A.; Koseki, K.; Koshio, Y.; Kreslo, I.; Kropp, W.; Kubo, H.; Kudenko, Y.; Kumaratunga, S.; Kurjata, R.; Kutter, T.; Lagoda, J.; Laihem, K.; Lamont, I.; Laveder, M.; Lawe, M.; Lazos, M.; Lee, K. P.; Lindner, T.; Lister, C.; Litchfield, R. P.; Longhin, A.; Ludovici, L.; Macaire, M.; Magaletti, L.; Mahn, K.; Malek, M.; Manly, S.; Marino, A. D.; Marteau, J.; Martin, J. F.; Maruyama, T.; Marzec, J.; Mathie, E. L.; Matveev, V.; Mavrokoridis, K.; Mazzucato, E.; McCarthy, M.; McCauley, N.; McFarland, K. S.; McGrew, C.; Metelko, C.; Mezzetto, M.; Mijakowski, P.; Miller, C. A.; Minamino, A.; Mineev, O.; Mine, S.; Missert, A.; Miura, M.; Monfregola, L.; Moriyama, S.; Mueller, Th. A.; Murakami, A.; Murdoch, M.; Murphy, S.; Myslik, J.; Nagasaki, T.; Nakadaira, T.; Nakahata, M.; Nakai, T.; Nakamura, K.; Nakayama, S.; Nakaya, T.; Nakayoshi, K.; Naples, D.; Nielsen, C.; Nirkko, M.; Nishikawa, K.; Nishimura, Y.; O'Keeffe, H. M.; Ohta, R.; Okumura, K.; Okusawa, T.; Oryszczak, W.; Oser, S. M.; Owen, R. A.; Oyama, Y.; Palladino, V.; Palomino, J.; Paolone, V.; Payne, D.; Perevozchikov, O.; Perkin, J. D.; Petrov, Y.; Pickard, L.; Pinzon Guerra, E. S.; Pistillo, C.; Plonski, P.; Poplawska, E.; Popov, B.; Posiadala, M.; Poutissou, J.-M.; Poutissou, R.; Przewlocki, P.; Quilain, B.; Radicioni, E.; Ratoff, P. N.; Ravonel, M.; Rayner, M. A. M.; Redij, A.; Reeves, M.; Reinherz-Aronis, E.; Retiere, F.; Robert, A.; Rodrigues, P. A.; Rojas, P.; Rondio, E.; Roth, S.; Rubbia, A.; Ruterbories, D.; Sacco, R.; Sakashita, K.; Sánchez, F.; Sato, F.; Scantamburlo, E.; Scholberg, K.; Schoppmann, S.; Schwehr, J.; Scott, M.; Seiya, Y.; Sekiguchi, T.; Sekiya, H.; Sgalaberna, D.; Shiozawa, M.; Short, S.; Shustrov, Y.; Sinclair, P.; Smith, B.; Smith, R. J.; Smy, M.; Sobczyk, J. T.; Sobel, H.; Sorel, M.; Southwell, L.; Stamoulis, P.; Steinmann, J.; Still, B.; Suda, Y.; Suzuki, A.; Suzuki, K.; Suzuki, S. Y.; Suzuki, Y.; Szeglowski, T.; Tacik, R.; Tada, M.; Takahashi, S.; Takeda, A.; Takeuchi, Y.; Tanaka, H. K.; Tanaka, H. A.; Tanaka, M. M.; Terhorst, D.; Terri, R.; Thompson, L. F.; Thorley, A.; Tobayama, S.; Toki, W.; Tomura, T.; Totsuka, Y.; Touramanis, C.; Tsukamoto, T.; Tzanov, M.; Uchida, Y.; Ueno, K.; Vacheret, A.; Vagins, M.; Vasseur, G.; Wachala, T.; Waldron, A. V.; Walter, C. W.; Wark, D.; Wascko, M. O.; Weber, A.; Wendell, R.; Wilkes, R. J.; Wilking, M. J.; Wilkinson, C.; Williamson, Z.; Wilson, J. R.; Wilson, R. J.; Wongjirad, T.; Yamada, Y.; Yamamoto, K.; Yanagisawa, C.; Yen, S.; Yershov, N.; Yokoyama, M.; Yuan, T.; Yu, M.; Zalewska, A.; Zalipska, J.; Zambelli, L.; Zaremba, K.; Ziembicki, M.; Zimmerman, E. D.; Zito, M.; Żmuda, J.; T2K Collaboration

2014-05-01

New data from the T2K neutrino oscillation experiment produce the most precise measurement of the neutrino mixing parameter θ23. Using an off-axis neutrino beam with a peak energy of 0.6 GeV and a data set corresponding to 6.57×1020 protons on target, T2K has fit the energy-dependent νμ oscillation probability to determine oscillation parameters. The 68% confidence limit on sin2(θ23) is 0.514-0.056+0.055 (0.511±0.055), assuming normal (inverted) mass hierarchy. The best-fit mass-squared splitting for normal hierarchy is Δm322=(2.51±0.10)×10-3 eV2/c4 (inverted hierarchy: Δm132=(2.48±0.10)×10-3 eV2/c4). Adding a model of multinucleon interactions that affect neutrino energy reconstruction is found to produce only small biases in neutrino oscillation parameter extraction at current levels of statistical uncertainty.

[Hormonal axes in obesity: cause or effect?].

PubMed

Lordelo, Roberta A; Mancini, Marcio C; Cercato, Cíntia; Halpern, Alfredo

2007-02-01

Several endocrine changes have been described in the obesity state. The corticotropic axis is hyperresponsive and there is enhancement of hormonal clearance, but cortisol levels are within the normal range. It is important to characterize a pseudo-Cushing in obesity. Leptin seems to be a permissive hormone for the beginning of puberty. In adults, gonadotropines are normal, and hyperandrogenism and hyperestrogenism are found. In women, insulin resistance has a central role in polycystic ovarian syndrome (POS), which is associated to ovarian hyperandrogenemia. In obese subjects, growth hormone (GH) is generally low and IGF1 is normal. Thyroid function is commonly normal in obese subjects.

Petrological Constraints on Melt Generation Beneath the Asal Rift (Djibouti)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pinzuti, P.; Humler, E.; Manighetti, I.; Gaudemer, Y.; Bézos, A.

2010-12-01

The temporal evolution of the mantle melting processes in the Asal Rift is evaluated from the chemical composition of 95 lava flows sampled along 10 km of the rift axis and 8 km off-axis (that is for the last 650 ky). The major element composition and the trace element ratios of aphyric basalts across the Asal Rift show a symmetric pattern relative to the rift axis and preserved a clear signal of mantle melting depth variations. FeO, Fe8.0, Sm/YbN and Zr/Y increase, whereas SiO2 and Lu/HfN decrease from the rift axis to the rift shoulders. These variations are qualitatively consistent with a shallower melting beneath the rift axis than off-axis and the data show that the melting regime is inconsistent with a passive upwelling model. In order to quantify the depth range and extent of melting, we invert Na8.0 and Fe8.0 contents of basalts based on a pure active upwelling model. Beneath the rift axis, melting paths are shallow, from 60 to 30 km. These melting paths are consistent with adiabatic melting in normal-temperature asthenosphere, beneath an extensively thinned mantle lithosphere. In contrast, melting on the rift shoulders occurred beneath a thick mantle lithosphere and required mantle solidus temperature 180°C hotter than normal (melting paths from 110 to 75 km). The calculated rate of lithospheric thinning is high (6.0 cm yr-1) and could explain the survival of a metastable garnet within the mantle at depth shallower than 90 km beneath the modern Asal Rift.

SiC lightweight telescopes for advanced space applications. II - Structures technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anapol, Michael I.; Hadfield, Peter; Tucker, Theodore

1992-01-01

A critical technology area for lightweight SiC-based telescope systems is the structural integrity and thermal stability over spaceborne environmental launch and thermal operating conditions. Note, it is highly desirable to have an inherently athermal design of both SiC mirrors and structure. SSG has developed an 8 inch diameter SiC telescope system for brassboard level optical and thermal testing. The brassboard telescope has demonstrated less than 0.2 waves P-V in the visible wavefront change over +50 C to -200 C temperature range. SSG has also fabricated a SiC truss structural assembly and successfully qualified this hardware at environmental levels greater than 3 times higher than normal Delta, Titan, and ARIES launch loads. SSG is currently developing two SiC telescopes; an 20 cm diameter off-axis 3 mirror re-imaging and a 60 cm aperture on-axis 3 mirror re-imager. Both hardware developments will be tested to flight level environmental, optical, and thermal specifications.

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

Qing-He, Gao; Information Engineering College, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang 110847; Zhi-Jun, Xu

The mechanical properties and structural evolution of Mo{sub 2}GaC are calculated by first-principles under pressure. Our results unexpectedly found that the c axis is always stiffer than a axis within 0–100 GPa. An ultraincompressibility of c axis within 15–60 GPa is observed, with a contraction of about 0.2 Å, slightly larger than that of a axis (0.14 Å). The abnormal expansion of c axis and the fast decrease in a axis above about 15 GPa and 70 GPa failed to induce the structural instability, whereas such behavior caused the elastic softening in many mechanical quantities. The shrinkage anomaly of c axis is closely reflected by themore » internal coordinate (u) shift of Mo atom as it shows three different slopes within 0–15 GPa, 20–60 GPa, and 70–100 GPa, respectively. The longest Mo-Mo bond is responsible for the unusual shrinkage of c-axis under pressure as they experience nearly identical pressure dependences, whereas the a axis presents certain response with the variation of C-Mo bond particularly at 70 GPa. The electronic properties are investigated, including the energy band and density of states, and so on. At G point of K-M line, the energy decreases at 10 GPa first and increases at 30 GPa subsequently, the critical point is at about 15 GPa, with respective values of −0.17 of 0 GPa, −0.18 of 10 GPa, −0.16 of 15 GPa, and −0.13 of 30 GPa, respectively. This alternative energy change of G point, which is the symmetry center of the rhombic parallelogram of Ga atoms and the midpoint of the two bonded Mo atoms, convincingly reveal the origin of the anomalous ultraincompressibility of c axis as the Mo-Mo bond length shrinkage has to overcome the increasing energy barrier height. The Mo-Mo bond population and the electronegativity investigations of the Mo atom further reveal the most likely origin of the ultraincompressibility of c axis. This interesting result expects further experimental confirmation as this is the first nanolaminate ceramics compound presenting quite low-pressure axial ultraincompressibility.« less

Distributions of tunnel splittings in quantum tunneling of magnetization in the single-molecule magnet, manganese12-acetate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mertes, Kevin Mathias

I present the results of an experimental investigation of quantum tunneling of magnetization in the single molecule magnet, Mn12-acetate, for magnetic fields applied along the easy c-axis of the crystal. Magnetization measurements for temperatures below 2 Kelvin reveal new properties of the nature of tunneling in Mn12-acetate: an abrupt cross-over from thermally-assisted tunneling to pure ground state tunneling, strong suppression of ground state tunneling for temperatures corresponding to the thermally activated regime and the unexpected dependence of the tunnel splitting determined from the Landau-Zener-Stueckelberg formalism on the magnetic field sweep rate. It is shown that the measured data is inconsistent with a system of identical molecules. The data is shown to be consistent with the presence of a broad log-normal distribution of second order transverse anisotropy which drives the tunneling process. A general method of determining the distribution is developed.

Thermodynamic properties of antiferromagnetic ordered states of π -d interacting systems of κ -(BETS) 2Fe X4(X =Br ,Cl )

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fukuoka, Shuhei; Yamashita, Satoshi; Nakazawa, Yasuhiro; Yamamoto, Takashi; Fujiwara, Hideki; Shirahata, Takashi; Takahashi, Kazuko

2016-06-01

The results are presented for systematic heat capacity measurements of π-d interacting systems of κ -(BETS) 2Fe Br4 and κ -(BETS) 2FeC l4 [BETS = bis(ethylenedithio)tetraselenafulvalene] performed under in-plane magnetic fields. We observed sharp thermal anomalies at 2.47 K for κ -(BETS) 2FeB r4 and at 0.47 K for κ -(BETS) 2FeC l4 at 0 T that are associated with antiferromagnetic transitions of the 3 d electrons in the anion layers. From analyses of the magnetic heat capacity data, we indicate that the two compounds show unconventional thermodynamic behaviors inherent in the π-d interacting layered system. In the case of κ -(BETS) 2FeB r4 , a small hump structure was observed in the magnetic heat capacity below the transition temperature when a magnetic field was applied parallel to the a axis. In the case of κ -(BETS) 2FeC l4 , a similar hump structure was observed at 0 T that remained in the data with magnetic fields applied parallel to the a axis. We demonstrate that the temperature dependencies of the magnetic heat capacities scale well by normalizing the temperatures with dominant one-dimensional direct interactions (Jdd/kB) of each compound. The field dependencies of the transition temperatures and the hump structures are elucidated in one simple magnetic field vs temperature (H -T ) phase diagram. These results indicate that the thermodynamic features of both κ-type BETS salts are essentially equivalent, and the observed hump structures are derived from the one-dimensional Jdd interaction characters, which are still influential for magnetic features even in the long-range magnetic ordered states.

Atrial fibrillation associated with exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism, changing axis deviation, troponin-I positive and without acute coronary syndrome.

PubMed

Patanè, Salvatore; Marte, Filippo

2011-08-04

Changing axis deviation has been rarely reported also during atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. Changing axis deviation has been also rarely reported during acute myocardial infarction associated with atrial fibrillation or at the end of atrial fibrillation during acute myocardial infarction. Subclinical hyperthyroidism is an increasingly recognized entity that is defined as a normal serum free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine levels with a thyroid-stimulating hormone level suppressed below the normal range and usually undetectable. It has been reported that subclinical hyperthyroidism is not associated with coronary heart disease or mortality from cardiovascular causes but it is sufficient to induce arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. It has also been reported that increased factor X activity in patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism represents a potential hypercoagulable state. Serum troponin-I is a sensitive indicator of myocardial damage but abnormal troponin-I levels have been also reported without acute coronary syndrome and without cardiac damage. Abnormal troponin-I levels after supraventricular tachycardia have been also reported. We present a case of changing axis deviation in a 49-year-old Italian man with atrial fibrillation, exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism and troponin-I positive without acute coronary syndrome. Also this case focuses attention on changing axis deviation, on subclinical hyperthyroidism and on the importance of a correct evaluation of abnormal troponin-I levels. Copyright © 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Noninvasive assessment of myocardial mechanics of the left ventricle in rabbits using velocity vector imaging.

PubMed

Zhou, Jia; Pu, Da-Rong; Tian, Lei-Qi; Tong, Hai; Liu, Hong-Yu; Tang, Yan; Zhou, Qi-Chang

2015-05-28

Our study aimed to investigate the feasibility of velocity vector imaging (VVI) to analyze left ventricular (LV) myocardial mechanics in rabbits at basal state. The animals used in this study were 30 New Zealand white rabbits. All rabbits underwent routine echocardiography under VVI-mode at basal state. The 2-dimensional (2-D) echocardiography images acquired included parasternal left long-axis views and short-axis views at the level of LV mitral valve, papillary muscles, and apex. Images were analyzed by VVI software. At basal state, longitudinal LV velocity decreased from the basal to the apical segment (P<0.05). In the short axis direction, the highest peak myocardial velocity was found between the anterior septum and anterior wall for each segment at the same level; the peak strains and strain rates (SR) were the highest in the anterior and lateral wall compared to other segments (all P<0.05). During systole, LV base rotated in a clockwise direction and LV apex rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, while during diastole, both LV base and apex rotated in the direction opposite to systole. The rotation angle, rotation velocity and unwinding velocity in the apical segment were greater than the basal segment (P<0.05). VVI is a reliable tool for evaluating LV myocardial mechanics in rabbits at basal state, and the LV long-axis short-axis and torsional motions reflect the normal regular patterns. Our study lays the foundation for future experimental approaches in rabbit models and for other applications related to the study of human myocardial mechanics.

Model-Based Therapeutic Correction of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Dysfunction

PubMed Central

Ben-Zvi, Amos; Vernon, Suzanne D.; Broderick, Gordon

2009-01-01

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a major system maintaining body homeostasis by regulating the neuroendocrine and sympathetic nervous systems as well modulating immune function. Recent work has shown that the complex dynamics of this system accommodate several stable steady states, one of which corresponds to the hypocortisol state observed in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). At present these dynamics are not formally considered in the development of treatment strategies. Here we use model-based predictive control (MPC) methodology to estimate robust treatment courses for displacing the HPA axis from an abnormal hypocortisol steady state back to a healthy cortisol level. This approach was applied to a recent model of HPA axis dynamics incorporating glucocorticoid receptor kinetics. A candidate treatment that displays robust properties in the face of significant biological variability and measurement uncertainty requires that cortisol be further suppressed for a short period until adrenocorticotropic hormone levels exceed 30% of baseline. Treatment may then be discontinued, and the HPA axis will naturally progress to a stable attractor defined by normal hormone levels. Suppression of biologically available cortisol may be achieved through the use of binding proteins such as CBG and certain metabolizing enzymes, thus offering possible avenues for deployment in a clinical setting. Treatment strategies can therefore be designed that maximally exploit system dynamics to provide a robust response to treatment and ensure a positive outcome over a wide range of conditions. Perhaps most importantly, a treatment course involving further reduction in cortisol, even transient, is quite counterintuitive and challenges the conventional strategy of supplementing cortisol levels, an approach based on steady-state reasoning. PMID:19165314

Anisotropic physical properties of single-crystal U2Rh2Sn in high magnetic fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prokeš, K.; Gorbunov, D. I.; Reehuis, M.; Klemke, B.; Gukasov, A.; Uhlířová, K.; Fabrèges, X.; Skourski, Y.; Yokaichiya, F.; Hartwig, S.; Andreev, A. V.

2017-05-01

We report on the crystal and magnetic structures, magnetic, transport, and thermal properties of U2Rh2Sn single crystals studied in part in high magnetic fields up to 58 T. The material adopts a U3Si2 -related tetragonal crystal structure and orders antiferromagnetically below TN=25 K. The antiferromagnetic structure is characterized by a propagation vector k =(00 1/2 ) . The magnetism in U2Rh2Sn is found to be associated mainly with 5 f states. However, both unpolarized and polarized neutron experiments reveal at low temperatures in zero field non-negligible magnetic moments also on Rh sites. U moments of 0.50(2) μB are directed along the tetragonal axis while Rh moments of 0.06(4) μB form a noncollinear arrangement confined to the basal plane. The response to applied magnetic field is highly anisotropic. Above ˜15 K the easy magnetization direction is along the tetragonal axis. At lower temperatures, however, a stronger response is found perpendicular to the c axis. While for the a axis no magnetic phase transition is observed up to 58 T, for the field applied at 1.8 K along the tetragonal axis we observe above 22.5 T a field-polarized state. A magnetic phase diagram for the field applied along the c axis is presented.

Deposition and properties of Fe(Se,Te) thin films on vicinal CaF2 substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bryja, Hagen; Hühne, Ruben; Iida, Kazumasa; Molatta, Sebastian; Sala, Alberto; Putti, Marina; Schultz, Ludwig; Nielsch, Kornelius; Hänisch, Jens

2017-11-01

We report on the growth of epitaxial Fe1+δ Se0.5Te0.5 thin films on 0°, 5°, 10°, 15° and 20° vicinal cut CaF2 single crystals by pulsed laser deposition. In situ electron and ex situ x-ray diffraction studies reveal a tilted growth of the Fe1+δ Se0.5Te0.5 films, whereby under optimized deposition conditions the c-axis alignment coincides with the substrate [001] tilted axis up to a vicinal angle of 10°. Atomic force microscopy shows a flat island growth for all films. From resistivity measurements in longitudinal and transversal directions, the ab- and c-axis components of resistivity are derived and the mass anisotropy parameter is determined. Analysis of the critical current density indicates that no effective c-axis correlated defects are generated by vicinal growth, and pinning by normal point core defects dominates. However, for H∣∣ab the effective pinning centers change from surface defects to point core defects near the superconducting transition due to the vicinal cut. Furthermore, we show in angular-dependent critical current density data a shift of the ab-planes maxima position with the magnetic field strength.

The response difference of mitochondria in recalcitrant Antiaris toxicaria axes and orthodox Zea mays embryos to dehydration injury.

PubMed

Song, Song-Quan; Tian, Mei-Hua; Kan, Jing; Cheng, Hong-Yan

2009-07-01

Long-term preservation of recalcitrant seeds is very difficult because the physiological basis on their desiccation sensitivity is poorly understood. Survival of Antiaris toxicaria axes rapidly decreased and that of immature maize embryos very slowly decreased with dehydration. To understand their different responses to dehydration, we examined the changes in mitochondria activity during dehydration. Although activities of cytochrome (Cyt) c oxidase and malate dehydrogenase of the A. toxicaria axis and maize embryo mitochondria decreased with dehydration, the parameters of maize embryo mitochondria were much higher than those of A. toxicaria, showing that the damage was more severe for the A. toxicaria axis mitochondria than for those of maize embryo. The state I and III respiration of the A. toxicaria axis mitochondria were higher than those of maize embryo, the former rapidly decreased, and the latter slowly decreased with dehydration. The proportion of Cyt c pathway to state III respiration for the A. toxicaria axis mitochondria was low and rapidly decreased with dehydration, and the proportion of alternative oxidase pathway was high and slightly increased with dehydration. In contrast, the proportion of Cyt c pathway for maize embryo mitochondria was high, and that of alternative oxidase pathway was low. Both pathways decreased slowly with dehydration.

Compressional behavior of omphacite to 47 GPa

DOE PAGES

Zhang, Dongzhou; Hu, Yi; Dera, Przemyslaw K.

2016-07-08

Omphacite is an important mineral component of eclogite. Single crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction data on natural (Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe,Al)Si 2O 6 omphacite have been collected at the Advanced Photon Source beamlines 13-BM-C and 13-ID-D up to 47 GPa at ambient temperature. Unit cell parameter and crystal structure refinements were carried out to constrain the isothermal equation of state and compression mechanism. The 3rd order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state (BM3) fit of all data gives V o = 423.9(3) Å3, K To = 116(2) GPa and K To’ = 4.3(2). These elastic parameters are consistent with the general trend of the diopside-jadeite join.more » The eight-coordinated polyhedra (M2 and M21) are the most compressible, and contribute to majority of the unit cell compression, while the SiO 4 tetrahedra (Si1 and Si2) behave as rigid structural units and are the most incompressible. Axial compressibilities are determined by fitting linearized BM 3 equation of state to pressure dependences of unit cell parameters. Throughout the investigated pressure range, the b-axis is more compressible than the c-axis. Here, the axial compressibility of the α-axis is the largest among the three axes at 0 GPa, yet it quickly drops to the smallest at pressures above 5 GPa, which is explained by the rotation of the stiffest compression axis toward the a-axis with the increase of pressure.« less

Normal modes of synchronous rotation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Varadi, Ferenc; Musotto, Susanna; Moore, William; Schubert, Gerald

2005-07-01

The dynamics of synchronous rotation and physical librations are revisited in order to establish a conceptually simple and general theoretical framework applicable to a variety of problems. Our motivation comes from disagreements between the results of numerical simulations and those of previous theoretical studies, and also because different theoretical studies disagree on basic features of the dynamics. We approach the problem by decomposing the orientation matrix of the body into perfectly synchronous rotation and deviation from the equilibrium state. The normal modes of the linearized equations are computed in the case of a circular satellite orbit, yielding both the periods and the eigenspaces of three librations. Libration in longitude decouples from the other two, vertical modes. There is a fast vertical mode with a period very close to the average rotational period. It corresponds to tilting the body around a horizontal axis while retaining nearly principal-axis rotation. In the inertial frame, this mode appears as nutation and free precession. The other vertical mode, a slow one, is the free wobble. The effects of the nodal precession of the orbit are investigated from the point of view of Cassini states. We test our theory using numerical simulations of the full equations of the dynamics and discuss the disagreements among our study and previous ones. The numerical simulations also reveal that in the case of eccentric orbits large departures from principal-axis rotation are possible due to a resonance between free precession and wobble. We also revisit the history of the Moon's rotational state and show that it switched from one Cassini state to another when it was at 46.2 Earth radii. This number disagrees with the value 34.2 derived in a previous study.

Mosaic structure in epitaxial thin films having large lattice mismatch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Srikant, V.; Speck, J. S.; Clarke, D. R.

1997-11-01

Epitaxial films having a large lattice mismatch with their substrate invariably form a mosaic structure of slightly misoriented sub-grains. The mosaic structure is usually characterized by its x-ray rocking curve on a surface normal reflection but this is limited to the out-of-plane component unless off-axis or transmission experiments are performed. A method is presented by which the in-plane component of the mosaic misorientation can be determined from the rocking curves of substrate normal and off-axis reflections. Results are presented for two crystallographically distinct heteroepitaxial systems, ZnO, AlN, and GaN (wurtzite crystal structure) on c-plane sapphire and MgO (rock salt crystal structure) on (001) GaAs. The differences in the mosaic structure of these films are attributed to the crystallographic nature of their lattice dislocations.

A soft X-ray spectroscopic perspective of electron localization and transport in tungsten doped bismuth vanadate single crystals.

PubMed

Jovic, Vedran; Rettie, Alexander J E; Singh, Vijay R; Zhou, Jianshi; Lamoureux, Bethany; Buddie Mullins, C; Bluhm, Hendrik; Laverock, Jude; Smith, Kevin E

2016-11-23

Doped BiVO 4 is a promising photoelectrochemical water splitting anode, whose activity is hampered by poor charge transport. Here we use a set of X-ray spectroscopic methods to probe the origin and nature of localized electron states in W:BiVO 4 . Furthermore, using the polarized nature of the X-rays, we probe variations in the electronic structure along the crystal axes. In this manner, we reveal aspects of the electronic structure related to electron localization and observations consistent with conductivity anisotropy between the ab-plane and c-axis. We verify that tungsten substitutes as W 6+ for V 5+ in BiVO 4 . This is shown to result in the presence of inter-band gap states related to electrons at V 4+ sites of e symmetry. The energetic position of the states in the band gap suggest that they are highly localized and may act as recombination centres. Polarization dependent X-ray absorption spectra reveal anisotropy in the electronic structure between the ab-plane and c-axis. Results show the superior hybridization between V 3d and O 2p states, higher V wavefunction overlap and broader conduction bands in the ab-plane than in the c-axis. These insights into the electronic structure are discussed in the context of existing experimental and theoretical reports regarding charge transport in BiVO 4 .

Homoclinic Bifurcation in an SIQR Model for Childhood Diseases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Lih-Ing; Feng, Zhilan

2000-11-01

We consider a system of ODEs which describes the transmission dynamics of childhood diseases. A center manifold reduction at a bifurcation point has the normal form x‧=y, y‧=axy+bx2y+O(4), indicating a bifurcation of codimension greater than two. A three-parameter unfolding of the normal form is studied to capture possible complex dynamics of the original system which is subjected to certain constraints on the state space due to biological considerations. It is shown that the perturbed system produces homoclinic bifurcation.

Accuracy of four commonly used color vision tests in the identification of cone disorders.

PubMed

Thiadens, Alberta A H J; Hoyng, Carel B; Polling, Jan Roelof; Bernaerts-Biskop, Riet; van den Born, L Ingeborgh; Klaver, Caroline C W

2013-04-01

To determine which color vision test is most appropriate for the identification of cone disorders. In a clinic-based study, four commonly used color vision tests were compared between patients with cone dystrophy (n = 37), controls with normal visual acuity (n = 35), and controls with low vision (n = 39) and legal blindness (n = 11). Mean outcome measures were specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value and discriminative accuracy of the Ishihara test, Hardy-Rand-Rittler (HRR) test, and the Lanthony and Farnsworth Panel D-15 tests. In the comparison between cone dystrophy and all controls, sensitivity, specificity and predictive value were highest for the HRR and Ishihara tests. When patients were compared to controls with normal vision, discriminative accuracy was highest for the HRR test (c-statistic for PD-axes 1, for T-axis 0.851). When compared to controls with poor vision, discriminative accuracy was again highest for the HRR test (c-statistic for PD-axes 0.900, for T-axis 0.766), followed by the Lanthony Panel D-15 test (c-statistic for PD-axes 0.880, for T-axis 0.500) and Ishihara test (c-statistic 0.886). Discriminative accuracies of all tests did not further decrease when patients were compared to controls who were legally blind. The HRR, Lanthony Panel D-15 and Ishihara all have a high discriminative accuracy to identify cone disorders, but the highest scores were for the HRR test. Poor visual acuity slightly decreased the accuracy of all tests. Our advice is to use the HRR test since this test also allows for evaluation of all three color axes and quantification of color defects.

Deep-level dominated electrical characteristics of Au contacts on beta-SiC

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Das, K.; Kong, H. S.; Petit, J. B.; Bumgarner, J. W.; Davis, R. F.; Matus, L. G.

1990-01-01

Electrical characteristics of Au contacts on beta-SiC films, grown epitaxially on both nominal and off-axis (100) silicon substrates, are reported. An analysis of the logarithmic I-V plots of the Au/beta-SiC diodes revealed information pertaining to the deep states present in the materials. It was found that while the beta-SiC films grown on nominally (100) oriented substrates show the presence of two deep levels located between 0.26 and 0.38 eV below the conduction bandedge, the beta-SiC films deposited on off-axis substrates have only one deep level, located about 0.49 eV below the conduction bandedge for the 2-deg off (100) substrates and 0.57 eV for the 4-deg off (100) substrates. The presence of the shallower deep states in the beta-SiC films grown on nominal (100) substrates is attributed to the electrical activity of antiphase domain boundaries.

What can Andreev bound states tell us about superconductors?

PubMed

Millo, Oded; Koren, Gad

2018-08-06

Zero-energy Andreev bound states, which manifest themselves in the tunnelling spectra as zero-bias conductance peaks (ZBCPs), are abundant at interfaces between superconductors and other materials and on the nodal surface of high-temperature superconductors. In this review, we focus on the information such excitations can provide on the properties of superconductor systems. First, a general introduction to the physics of Andreev bound states in superconductor/normal metal interfaces is given with a particular emphasis on why they appear at zero energy in d -wave superconductors. Then, specific spectroscopic tunnelling studies of thin films, bilayers and junctions are described, focusing on the corresponding ZBCP features. Scanning tunnelling spectroscopy (STS) studies show that the ZBCPs on the c -axis YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7- δ (YBCO) films are correlated with the surface morphology and appear only in proximity to (110) facets. STS on c -axis La 1.88 Sr 0.12 CuO 4 (LSCO) films exhibiting the 1/8 anomaly shows spatially modulated peaks near zero bias associated with the anti-phase ordering of the d -wave order parameter predicted at this doping level. ZBCPs were also found in micrometre-size edge junctions of YBCO/SrRuO 3 /YBCO, where SrRuO 3 is ferromagnetic. Here, the results are consistent with a crossed Andreev reflection effect (CARE) at the narrow domain walls of the SrRuO 3 ZBCPs measured in STS studies of manganite/cuprate bilayers could not be attributed to CARE because the manganite's domain wall is much larger than the coherence length in YBCO, and instead are attributed to proximity-induced triplet-pairing superconductivity with non-conventional symmetry. And finally, ZBCPs found in junctions of non-intentionally doped topological insulator films of Bi 2 Se 3 and the s -wave superconductor NbN are attributed to proximity-induced p x  + ip y triplet order parameter in the topological material.This article is part of the theme issue 'Andreev bound states'. © 2018 The Author(s).

Microwave signal-processing applications of HTS films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adam, J. D.; Wagner, G. R.

1990-01-01

The low surface resistance (Rs) of high-temperature superconductors (HTS) will lead to the development of passive microwave devices for application in radar, electronic warfare, and satellite systems with performance significantly better than achieved with normal conductors. In particular, delay line based devices such as phase shifters, convolvers, and correlators will have low lossses and multi-GHz bandwidths. Low-loss filters which presently occupy cubic feet in waveguide will be fabricated in compact microstrip or stripline, and ultra-high Q resonators which currently require liquid helium refrigeration will be operated at around 77 K. Measurement of Rs of HTS is important both for device design and for optimization of the film growth process. Several approaches have been developed which provide data over a wide range of frequency and temperature, including stripline, cacity, and dielectric resonator techniques. HTS films for microwave applications should have at least Rs(HTS(

14 CFR 23.253 - High speed characteristics.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... upsets, inadvertent control movements, low stick force gradients in relation to control friction... specified in § 23.1303, it must be shown that the airplane can be recovered to a normal attitude and its... control the airplane for recovery. (c) There may be no control reversal about any axis at any speed up to...

Sympathetic neurons are a powerful driver of myocyte function in cardiovascular disease.

PubMed

Larsen, Hege E; Lefkimmiatis, Konstantinos; Paterson, David J

2016-12-14

Many therapeutic interventions in disease states of heightened cardiac sympathetic activity are targeted to the myocytes. However, emerging clinical data highlights a dominant role in disease progression by the neurons themselves. Here we describe a novel experimental model of the peripheral neuro-cardiac axis to study the neuron's ability to drive a myocyte cAMP phenotype. We employed a co-culture of neonatal ventricular myocytes and sympathetic stellate neurons from normal (WKY) and pro-hypertensive (SHR) rats that are sympathetically hyper-responsive and measured nicotine evoked cAMP responses in the myocytes using a fourth generation FRET cAMP sensor. We demonstrated the dominant role of neurons in driving the myocyte ß-adrenergic phenotype, where SHR cultures elicited heightened myocyte cAMP responses during neural activation. Moreover, cross-culturing healthy neurons onto diseased myocytes rescued the diseased cAMP response of the myocyte. Conversely, healthy myocytes developed a diseased cAMP response if diseased neurons were introduced. Our results provide evidence for a dominant role played by the neuron in driving the adrenergic phenotype seen in cardiovascular disease. We also highlight the potential of using healthy neurons to turn down the gain of neurotransmission, akin to a smart pre-synaptic ß-blocker.

Resonance dispersion interaction of alkali metal atoms in Rydberg states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamenski, A. A.; Mokhnenko, S. N.; Ovsyannikov, V. D.

2017-06-01

With the use of second-order perturbation theory in the long-range interatomic interaction for the degenerate states of two Rydberg atoms we have obtained a general formula for the dependence of atomic interaction energy on the interatomic distance R in the presence of the Förster resonance. Inside of the ‘Förster sphere’ (R < RF) this dependence transforms to the formula for electric dipole interaction energy ΔEd - d = C3/R3 and for R > RF it transforms to the formula for the van der Waals interaction energy ΔEVdW = -C6/R6. The van der Waals constant C6 is represented as an expansion in terms of irreducible components which define the dependence on the interatomic axis orientation relative to the quantisation axis of projections M of the total angular momentum J. The numerical values of the irreducible components of tensor C6 were calculated for rubidium atoms in the same Rydberg states |nlJM> with large quantum numbers n. We present the calculated resonance interaction energy of two rubidium atoms in the states |43D5/2M>, whose total energy exceeds by only 8 MHz the total energy of one of the atoms in the state |45P3/2M> and of the other in the state |41F7/2M>.

Os Odontoideum: Rare Cervical Lesion

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-11-01

abnormality of the second cervical vertebrae in which the odontoid process is separated from the body of the axis by a transverse gap.1 This lesion... cervical region of his posterior neck. The patient was an active duty Marine Corps Private First Class with no significant medical history or history of head...within normal limits. His head was atraumatic. Patient had palpable midline posterior cervical spinal tenderness along C1 to C2 with no step-offs noted

Oral triiodothyronine normalizes triiodothyronine levels after surgery for pediatric congenital heart disease*.

PubMed

Marwali, Eva M; Boom, Cindy E; Sakidjan, Indriwanto; Santoso, Anwar; Fakhri, Dicky; Kartini, Ay; Kekalih, Aria; Schwartz, Steven M; Haas, Nikolaus A

2013-09-01

This study was conducted to determine if oral triiodothyronine supplementation could prevent the decrease of serum triiodothyronine levels that commonly occurs after cardiopulmonary bypass for pediatric congenital heart surgery. Secondary objectives included identifying any significant adverse effects of oral triiodothyronine supplementation, including any effects on the thyroid/pituitary axis. Randomized, placebo-controlled, doubleblind clinical trial Operating room and ICU. Infants and children younger than 2 years of age undergoing congenital heart surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (n = 43). Subjects were assigned to placebo (n = 15, group A) or one of two treatment groups: a low-dose group (group B, n = 14, 0.5 mcg/kg triiodothyronine orally every 24 hr for 3 d) or a high-dose group (group C, n = 14, 0.5 mcg/kg triiodothyronine orally every 12 hr for 3 d). Thyroid hormone, including total and free triiodothyronine levels at predetermined time points, potential side effects indicating hyperthyroidism, indicators of the thyroid-pituitary axis, and clinical endpoints. Oral triiodothyronine supplementation twice-daily maintained serum triiodothyronine levels within normal limits in group C, whereas serum levels progressively declined in groups A and B. A statistically significant difference in triiodothyronine levels between the treatment groups occurred between 18 and 36 hours post cross-clamp release, with the largest difference in serum levels between group C and group A noted at 36 hours post cross-clamp release (total triiodothyronine, 0.71 ± 0.15 [0.34-1.08] ng/mL [p < 0.01]; free triiodothyronine, 2.56 ± 0.49 [1.33-3.79] pg/mL [p < 0.01]). There was no evidence of hyperthyroidism or suppression of the pituitary-thyroid axis in either treatment group Oral triiodothyronine supplementation at a dose of 0.5 mcg/kg every 12 hours for 3 days can maintain total and free triiodothyronine levels within normal limits after open-heart surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass for congenital heart disease.

The Analysis of Inter-calibration Between FY-3C/TOU, NPP/OMPS and Metop/GOME-2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, H.; Hu, X.

2017-12-01

Total ozone unit (TOU), one of the main payloads on FY-3C satellite, is the instrument for daily global coverage of total ozone monitoring in China. It has been in-orbit for about four years since October 2013. However, its solar irradiance is not correct because all of three diffuser boards cannot work normally. Therefore, in-orbit inter-calibration of radiance and reflectance are studied for TOU measurement. A method is introduced for inter-calibration between FY-3C/TOU and NPP/OMPS, Metop-B/GOME-2. It includes orbit forecast, temporal concurrent, spatial collocation, geometrical alignement, uniform filtration, and spectral consistent. Then, it is used for TOU data of 3 years from 2014 to 2016. The slopes of radiance inter-calibration equations of 360 nm between TOU (y-axis) and NPP/OMPS (x-axis) decrease gradually from 1 to 0.96. The slopes of radiance inter-calibration equations of 360 nm between TOU (y-axis) and Metop-B/GOME2 (x-axis) increased gradually from 1.12 to 1.72, while the slopes between TOU and Metop-A/GOME2 varied within 2.1-2.3. Most relation coefficients (R2) of them are >0.8. The inter-calibration results, combining with the solar irradiance of OMPS/GOME-2, will be used for the attenuation analysis of TOU measurements.

Dynamics of an integral membrane peptide: a deuterium NMR relaxation study of gramicidin.

PubMed Central

Prosser, R S; Davis, J H

1994-01-01

Solid state deuterium (2H) NMR inversion-recovery and Jeener-Broekaert relaxation experiments were performed on oriented multilamellar dispersions consisting of 1,2-dilauroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine and 2H exchange-labeled gramicidin D, at a lipid to protein molar ratio (L/P) of 15:1, in order to study the dynamics of the channel conformation of the peptide in a liquid crystalline phase. Our dynamic model for the whole body motions of the peptide includes diffusion of the peptide around its helix axis and a wobbling diffusion around a second axis perpendicular to the local bilayer normal in a simple Maier-Saupe mean field potential. This anisotropic diffusion is characterized by the correlation times, tau R parallel and tau R perpendicular. Aligning the bilayer normal perpendicular to the magnetic field and graphing the relaxation rate, 1/T1Z, as a function of (1-S2N-2H), where S2N-2H represents the orientational order parameter, wer were able to estimate the correlation time, tau R parallel, for rotational diffusion. Although in the quadrupolar splitting, which varies as (3 cos2 theta D-1), has in general two possible solutions to theta D in the range 0 < or = theta D < or = 90 degrees, the 1/T1Z vs. (1-S2N-2H) curve can be used to determine a single value of theta D in this range. Thus, the 1/T1Z vs. (1-S2N-2H) profile can be used both to define the axial diffusion rate and to remove potential structural ambiguities in the splittings. The T1Z anisotropy permits us to solve for the two correlation times (tau R parallel = 6.8 x 10(-9) s and tau R perpendicular = 6 x 10(-6) s). The simulated parameters were corroborated by a Jeener-Broekaert experiment where the bilayer normal was parallel to the principal magnetic field. At this orientation the ratio, J2(2 omega 0)/J1(omega 0) was obtained in order to estimate the strength of the restoring potential in a model-independent fashion. This measurement yields the rms angle, 1/2 (= 16 +/- 2 degrees at 34 degrees C), formed by the peptide helix axis and the average bilayer normal. PMID:7520294

Determinants of the epithelial-muscular axis on embryonic stem cell-derived gut-like structures.

PubMed

Luo, Yi; Takaki, Miyako; Misawa, Hiromi; Matsuyoshi, Hiroko; Sasahira, Tomonori; Chihara, Yoshitomo; Fujii, Kiyomu; Ohmori, Hitoshi; Kuniyasu, Hiroki

2010-01-01

Dome-like structures with epithelial-muscular layers resembling the gut have been derived from mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. These domes have been reported to show spontaneous contractions and are called ES gut. In the present study, we examined the epithelial-muscular axis of these domes by detecting differentiation markers. A normal epithelial-muscular axis was exhibited in the domes with spontaneous motility, whereas the domes without spontaneous motility showed either an inverted or obscure axis. To investigate the factors affecting the epithelial-muscular axis, we examined the expression of hedgehog signaling factors in the domes. Expression of hedgehog family factors was detected in the epithelial components of the domes with motility, whereas this expression was inverted or obscure in the domes without motility. Out of the 25 domes, 10 of the 10 motility (+) domes showed a normal epithelial-muscular axis, whereas 14 of the 15 motility (-) domes lacked a normal epithelial-muscular axis. This implies that activin A upregulated the expression of sonic hedgehog and intestinal alkaline phosphatase in the embryoid bodies. These findings suggest that the motility of the ES gut depends on the domes' epithelial-muscular axis. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Autonomous and nonautonomous regulation of axis formation by antagonistic signaling via 7-span cAMP receptors and GSK3 in Dictyostelium.

PubMed

Ginsburg, G T; Kimmel, A R

1997-08-15

Early during Dictyostelium development a fundamental cell-fate decision establishes the anteroposterior (prestalk/prespore) axis. Signaling via the 7-transmembrane cAMP receptor CAR4 is essential for creating and maintaining a normal pattern; car4-null alleles have decreased levels of prestalk-specific mRNAs but enhanced expression of prespore genes. car4- cells produce all of the signals required for prestalk differentiation but lack an extracellular factor necessary for prespore differentiation of wild-type cells. This secreted factor decreases the sensitivity of prespore cells to inhibition by the prestalk morphogen DIF-1. At the cell autonomous level, CAR4 is linked to intracellular circuits that activate prestalk but inhibit prespore differentiation. The autonomous action of CAR4 is antagonistic to the positive intracellular signals mediated by another cAMP receptor, CAR1 and/or CAR3. Additional data indicate that these CAR-mediated pathways converge at the serine/threonine protein kinase GSK3, suggesting that the anterior (prestalk)/posterior (prespore) axis of Dictyostelium is regulated by an ancient mechanism that is shared by the Wnt/Fz circuits for dorsoventral patterning during early Xenopus development and establishing Drosophila segment polarity.

Significance of occipitoaxial angle in subaxial lesion after occipitocervical fusion.

PubMed

Matsunaga, S; Onishi, T; Sakou, T

2001-01-15

The significance of occipitoaxial angle in the development of subaxial subluxation after occipitocervical fusion was determined in a minimum 5-year follow-up study performed retrospectively. To clarify the association between the position of the fixed occipital bone and axis and the development of subaxial subluxation. There have been few reports describing the association between the position of fixation of the occipital bone and axis and subaxial lesion in occipitocervical fusion. Thirty-eight patients with rheumatoid arthritis who underwent occipitocervical fusion for irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation were reviewed. The angle between the McGregor line and the inferior surface of the axis (O-C2) was measured in healthy volunteers and patients who had undergone occipitocervical fusion. The association between any changes in the alignment of the cervical vertebrae and the development of subaxial subluxation during follow-up periods was studied. The number of the patients in whom postoperative kyphosis and swan neck deformity developed was only five, but in four (80%) of them, retroversion of the occipital bone was used to increase the O-C2 angle. In 14 patients, in whom anteversion of the occipital bone against the axis was excessive, 12 (86%) patients experienced subaxial subluxation after surgery. In the patients in whom fixed O-C2 angles were in normal range, only one patient developed such abnormal changes in the middle and lower cervical vertebrae. It is necessary to give attention to the position of the fixed occipital bone and axis during procedures of occipitoaxial fusion for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Development of coated conductors by inclined substrate deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balachandran, U.; Ma, B.; Li, M.; Fisher, B. L.; Koritala, R. E.; Miller, D. J.; Dorris, S. E.

2003-10-01

Inclined substrate deposition (ISD) offers the potential for rapid production of high-quality biaxially textured buffer layers suitable for YBa 2Cu 3O 7- δ (YBCO)-coated conductors. We have grown biaxially textured magnesium oxide (MgO) films on Hastelloy C276 (HC) substrates by ISD at deposition rates of 20-100 Å/s. Scanning electron microscopy of the ISD MgO films showed columnar grain structures with a roof-tile-shaped surface. X-ray pole figure analysis revealed that the c-axis of the ISD MgO films is titled at an angle ≈32° from the substrate normal. A small full-width at half maximum of ≈9° was observed for the φ-scan of MgO films. YBCO films were grown on ISD MgO buffered HC substrates by pulsed laser deposition and were determined to be biaxially aligned with the c-axis parallel to the substrate normal. The orientation relationship between the ISD template and the top YBCO film was investigated by X-ray pole figure analysis and transmission electron microscopy. A transport critical current density of Jc=5.5×10 5 A/cm 2 at 77 K in self-field was measured on a YBCO film that was 0.46-μm thick, 4-mm wide, 10-mm long.

Stress and the HPA Axis

PubMed Central

Stephens, Mary Ann C.; Wand, Gary

2012-01-01

Stress has long been suggested to be an important correlate of uncontrolled drinking and relapse. An important hormonal response system to stress—the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis—may be involved in this process, particularly stress hormones known as glucocorticoids and primarily cortisol. The actions of this hormone system normally are tightly regulated to ensure that the body can respond quickly to stressful events and return to a normal state just as rapidly. The main determinants of HPA axis activity are genetic background, early-life environment, and current life stress. Alterations in HPA axis regulation are associated with problematic alcohol use and dependence; however, the nature of this dysregulation appears to vary with respect to stage of alcohol dependence. Much of this research has focused specifically on the role of cortisol in the risk for, development of, and relapse to chronic alcohol use. These studies found that cortisol can interact with the brain’s reward system, which may contribute to alcohol’s reinforcing effects. Cortisol also can influence a person’s cognitive processes, promoting habit-based learning, which may contribute to habit formation and risk of relapse. Finally, cortisol levels during abstinence may be useful clinical indicators of relapse vulnerability in alcohol-dependent people. PMID:23584113

Normal dimensions of the posterior pituitary bright spot on magnetic resonance imaging.

PubMed

Côté, Martin; Salzman, Karen L; Sorour, Mohammad; Couldwell, William T

2014-02-01

The normal pituitary bright spot seen on unenhanced T1-weighted MRI is thought to result from the T1-shortening effect of the vasopressin stored in the posterior pituitary. Individual variations in its size may be difficult to differentiate from pathological conditions resulting in either absence of the pituitary bright spot or in T1-hyperintense lesions of the sella. The objective of this paper was to define a range of normal dimensions of the pituitary bright spot and to illustrate some of the most commonly encountered pathologies that result in absence or enlargement of the pituitary bright spot. The authors selected normal pituitary MRI studies from 106 patients with no pituitary abnormality. The size of each pituitary bright spot was measured in the longest axis and in the dimension perpendicular to this axis to describe the typical dimensions. The authors also present cases of patients with pituitary abnormalities to highlight the differences and potential overlap between normal and pathological pituitary imaging. All of the studies evaluated were found to have pituitary bright spots, and the mean dimensions were 4.8 mm in the long axis and 2.4 mm in the short axis. The dimension of the pituitary bright spot in the long axis decreased with patient age. The distribution of dimensions of the pituitary bright spot was normal, indicating that 99.7% of patients should have a pituitary bright spot measuring between 1.2 and 8.5 mm in its long axis and between 0.4 and 4.4 mm in its short axis, an interval corresponding to 3 standard deviations below and above the mean. In cases where the dimension of the pituitary bright spot is outside this range, pathological conditions should be considered. The pituitary bright spot should always be demonstrated on T1-weighted MRI, and its dimensions should be within the identified normal range in most patients. Outside of this range, pathological conditions affecting the pituitary bright spot should be considered.

Critical current enhancement by neutron irradiation of rapidly textured Bi[sub 2]Sr[sub 2]CaCu[sub 2]O[sub 8

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

Kramer, M.J.; Arrasmith, S.R.; McCallum, R.W.

1992-08-24

We have investigated the effect of fast neutron irradiation on c-axis aligned Bi[sub 2]Sr[sub 2]CaCU[sub 2]O[sub 8] (Bi2212) produced using a new technique. Amorphous Bi2212 was crystallized under 20 MPa uniaxial stress at 870[degree]C for 6 hrs. DC SQUID shows a transition onset of 90K. Material was cut into 2 [times] 2 [times] 0.150 mm slabs, sealed in quartz ampules, and irradiated at fluences of 10[sup 16], 5 [times] 10[sup 16], 2.5 [times] l0[sup 17], and 7.2 [times] 10[sup l7] n/cm[sup 2]. DC SQUID results show that J[sub c] is increased by a factor of 2.5 at 10K for fluencesmore » of 7.2 [times] l0[sup 17] for H parallel to c-axis for fields less than 3 T. The higher the fluence, the lower the dependency of J[sub c] on applied field and temperature. T[sub c] decreased by 1 K for a fluence of 2..5 [times] l0[sup 17] n/cm[sup 2] with an additional 2 K drop for 7.2 [times] l0[sup 17] n/cm[sup 2]. The increase in the width of the high field hysteresis loops for increasing fluence is more pronounced for samples measured normal to the c-axis.« less

Critical current enhancement by neutron irradiation of rapidly textured Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2}CaCu{sub 2}O{sub 8}

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

Kramer, M.J.; Arrasmith, S.R.; McCallum, R.W.

1992-08-24

We have investigated the effect of fast neutron irradiation on c-axis aligned Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2}CaCU{sub 2}O{sub 8} (Bi2212) produced using a new technique. Amorphous Bi2212 was crystallized under 20 MPa uniaxial stress at 870{degree}C for 6 hrs. DC SQUID shows a transition onset of 90K. Material was cut into 2 {times} 2 {times} 0.150 mm slabs, sealed in quartz ampules, and irradiated at fluences of 10{sup 16}, 5 {times} 10{sup 16}, 2.5 {times} l0{sup 17}, and 7.2 {times} 10{sup l7} n/cm{sup 2}. DC SQUID results show that J{sub c} is increased by a factor of 2.5 at 10K for fluencesmore » of 7.2 {times} l0{sup 17} for H parallel to c-axis for fields less than 3 T. The higher the fluence, the lower the dependency of J{sub c} on applied field and temperature. T{sub c} decreased by 1 K for a fluence of 2..5 {times} l0{sup 17} n/cm{sup 2} with an additional 2 K drop for 7.2 {times} l0{sup 17} n/cm{sup 2}. The increase in the width of the high field hysteresis loops for increasing fluence is more pronounced for samples measured normal to the c-axis.« less

X-Ray Reflectometry of DMPS Monolayers on a Water Substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tikhonov, A. M.; Asadchikov, V. E.; Volkov, Yu. O.; Roshchin, B. S.; Ermakov, Yu. A.

2017-12-01

The molecular structure of dimyristoyl phosphatidylserine (DMPS) monolayers on a water substrate in different phase states has been investigated by X-ray reflectometry with a photon energy of 8 keV. According to the experimental data, the transition from a two-dimensional expanded liquid state to a solid gel state (liquid crystal) accompanied by the ordering of the hydrocarbon tails C14H27 of the DMPS molecule occurs in the monolayer as the surface pressure rises. The monolayer thickness is 20 ± 3 and 28 ± 2 Å in the liquid and solid phases, respectively, with the deflection angle of the molecular tail axis from the normal to the surface in the gel phase being 26° ± 8°. At least a twofold decrease in the degree of hydration of the polar lipid groups also occurs under two-dimensional monolayer compression. The reflectometry data have been analyzed using two approaches: under the assumption about the presence of two layers with different electron densities in the monolayer and without any assumptions about the transverse surface structure. Both approaches demonstrate satisfactory agreement between themselves in describing the experimental results.

Regional expression and dietary regulation of rat small intestinal peptide and amino acid transporter mRNAs.

PubMed

Erickson, R H; Gum, J R; Lindstrom, M M; McKean, D; Kim, Y S

1995-11-02

RT-PCR was used to obtain rat small intestinal cDNAs for two peptide transporters, showing conclusively for the first time that both are present in normal intestinal mucosa. Sequencing of these cDNAs showed them to be highly homologous and similar to two different types of peptide transport proteins from either colorectal carcinoma cells (Caco-2) or human and rabbit intestine. An even distribution profile of steady state levels of mRNA for both peptide transporters was observed along the longitudinal axis of small intestine. Both were upregulated in the distal regions of intestine by a high protein diet. Also, high levels of the rat high affinity glutamate transporter EAAC1 were observed in the distal intestine. These results suggest that the distal regions of small intestine play an important role in the absorption of some amino acids and peptides. Furthermore this area appears to be a primary site where dietary-induced changes in peptide and amino acid transport occurs.

{sup 17}O Knight shift study of the superconducting state of Sr{sub 2}RuO{sub 4}

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

Mukuda, H.; Ishida, K.; Kitaoka, Y.

1999-12-01

{sup 17}O Knight shift measurements in Sr{sub 2}RuO{sub 4} were performed over the wide range of magnetic field 3.2--11.4kOe parallel to the basal RuO{sub 2} planes. The spin susceptibility is totally unchanged through its T{prime}{sub c}, evidencing that the spin-triplet superconducting state is realized in Sr{sub 2}RuO{sub 4}. The results indicates that the Cooper pairs consist of the parallel spin pairs {vert{underscore}bar}{up{underscore}arrow}{up{underscore}arrow}> and {vert{underscore}bar}{down{underscore}arrow}{down{underscore}arrow}> with their quantization axis perpendicular to the c-axis direction. The in-plane 2D nearly ferromagnetic spin fluctuations may play a role for the stabilization of this state among various representations of spin-triplet order parameter.

Atlantoaxial rotatory fixation: part 2--new diagnostic paradigm and a new classification based on motion analysis using computed tomographic imaging.

PubMed

Pang, Dachling; Li, Veetai

2005-11-01

This is Part II of a study on atlantoaxial rotatory fixation (AARF) that aims to introduce a new diagnostic paradigm and a new classification of this condition based on motion analysis of C1C2 rotation using computed tomographic (CT) imaging. This phase of the study is possible because Part I succeeded in defining physiological C1C2 axial rotation with CT data from 21 normal children, displayed in a highly concordant composite motion curve, which is used as the normal template for the present study. AARF is defined as flagrant departure from normal motion dynamics as delineated by abnormal motion curves. The new classification is predicated on the graded amount of pathological stickiness in the restricted rotation. Forty children age 1.5 to 14 years with painful "cock-robin" necks resulting from minor trauma or otolaryngological procedures were subjected to 3 CT examinations: 1) in the presenting (P) position; 2) with the nose pointing up (P0 position); and 3) with the head forcefully turned to the opposite side as much as the patient could tolerate (P_ position). The angles made by C1 and C2 and the separation angle C1C2 degrees (C1 minus C2 degrees) were obtained as described in Part I. The test motion curve was generated by plotting C1 against C1C2 angles, and all motion curves were analyzed in the context of the normal template. Five distinct groups with highly characteristic motion curves could be identified. Group 1 (n = 5) patients showed essentially unaltered ("locked") C1C2 coupled configurations regardless of corrective counterrotation, with curves that are horizontal lines in the upper two quadrants of the template. Group 2 (n = 7) patients had reduction of the C1C2 separation angle with forced correction, but C1 could not be made to cross C2. Their curves slope downward from right to left in the upper quadrants but never traverse the x axis. Group 3 (n = 9) patients showed C1C2 crossover, but only when the head was cranked far to the opposite side. Their motion curves traverse the x axis left of C1 = -20 degrees. Groups 1, 2, and 3 motion dynamics are respectively classified as Types I, II, and III AARF in descending degree of pathological stickiness, which is in essence a resistance against closure of the C1C2 angle to counterrotation. Group 4 (n = 14) patients had normal dynamics, and Group 5 (n = 5) patients showed motion curve features between normal and Type III AARF, designated as belonging to the diagnostic gray zone, an uncertain group that may or may not revert to normal dynamics with only comfort measures. AARF can be reliably diagnosed with a simple and practical CT protocol and construction of a three-point motion curve superimposed on a reusable normal template. The type of AARF, reflective of the severity of pathological stickiness of rotation, can be identified readily by the shape of the motion curve. This system of classification is useful in selecting the best regimen of management.

Pressure dependence of the magnetic ground states in MnP

DOE PAGES

Matsuda, Masaaki; Ye, Feng; Dissanayake, Sachith E.; ...

2016-03-17

MnP, a superconductor under pressure, exhibits a ferromagnetic order below TC~290 K followed by a helical order with the spins lying in the ab plane and the helical rotation propagating along the c axis below Ts~50 K at ambient pressure. We performed single-crystal neutron diffraction experiments to determine the magnetic ground states under pressure. Both TC and Ts are gradually suppressed with increasing pressure and the helical order disappears at ~1.2 GPa. At intermediate pressures of 1.8 and 2.0 GPa, the ferromagnetic order first develops and changes to a conical or two-phase (ferromagnetic and helical) structure with the propagation alongmore » the b axis below a characteristic temperature. At 3.8 GPa, a helical magnetic order appears below 208 K, which hosts the spins in the ac plane and the propagation along the b axis. The period of this b axis modulation is shorter than that at 1.8 GPa. Here, our results indicate that the magnetic phase in the vicinity of the superconducting phase may have a helical magnetic correlation along the b axis.« less

Imaging performance of a normal incidence soft X-ray telescope

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Henry, J. P.; Spiller, E.; Weisskopf, M.

1982-01-01

Measurements are presented of the imaging performance of a normal incidence spherical soft X-ray mirror at BK-alpha (67.6 A). The reflector was a 124-layer coating consisting of alternating Re-W alloy and C layers with a protective C overcoat 34 A thick deposited on a Zerodur substrate. Measurements made at an angle of 1.5 deg off axis with the prototype of the Einstein Observatory high resolution imager reveal the resolution of the mirror to be about 1 arcsec FWHM, with 50% of the reflected power within the detector field of 512 arcsec contained within a diameter of 5 arcsec. The data demonstrate the practicality and potential good performance of normal-incidence soft X-ray optics, and show that the scattering performances of such devices may be as good or better than the best grazing incidence devices.

The Crystal Structure of a Maxi/Mini-Ferritin Chimera Reveals Guiding Principles for the Assembly of Protein Cages

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

Cornell, Thomas A.; Srivastava, Yogesh; Jauch, Ralf

Cage proteins assemble into nanoscale structures with large central cavities. They play roles, including those as virus capsids and chaperones, and have been applied to drug delivery and nanomaterials. Furthermore, protein cages have been used as model systems to understand and design protein quaternary structure. Ferritins are ubiquitous protein cages that manage iron homeostasis and oxidative damage. Two ferritin subfamilies have strongly similar tertiary structure yet distinct quaternary structure: maxi-ferritins normally assemble into 24-meric, octahedral cages with C-terminal E-helices centered around 4-fold symmetry axes, and mini-ferritins are 12-meric, tetrahedral cages with 3-fold axes defined by C-termini lacking E-domains. To understandmore » the role E-domains play in ferritin quaternary structure, we previously designed a chimera of a maxi-ferritin E-domain fused to the C-terminus of a mini-ferritin. The chimera is a 12-mer cage midway in size between those of the maxi- and mini-ferritin. The research described herein sets out to understand (a) whether the increase in size over a typical mini-ferritin is due to a frozen state where the E-domain is flipped out of the cage and (b) whether the symmetrical preference of the E-domain in the maxi-ferritin (4-fold axis) overrules the C-terminal preference in the mini-ferritin (3-fold axis). With a 1.99 Å resolution crystal structure, we determined that the chimera assembles into a tetrahedral cage that can be nearly superimposed with the parent mini-ferritin, and that the E-domains are flipped external to the cage at the 3-fold symmetry axes.« less

Chiral phases of superfluid 3He in an anisotropic medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sauls, J. A.

2013-12-01

Recent advances in the fabrication and characterization of anisotropic silica aerogels with exceptional homogeneity provide new insight into the nature of unconventional pairing in disordered anisotropic media. I report theoretical analysis and predictions for the equilibrium phases of superfluid 3He infused into a low-density, homogeneous uniaxial aerogel. Ginzburg-Landau (GL) theory for a class of equal-spin-pairing (ESP) states in a medium with uniaxial anisotropy is developed and used to analyze recent experiments on uniaxially strained aerogels. For 3He in an axially “stretched” aerogel, GL theory predicts a transition from normal liquid into a chiral Anderson-Morel phase at Tc1 in which the chirality axis l̂ is aligned along the strain axis. This orbitally aligned state is protected from random fluctuations in the anisotropy direction, has a positive nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) frequency shift, a sharp NMR resonance line, and is identified with the high-temperature ESP-1 phase of superfluid 3He in axially stretched aerogel. A second transition into a biaxial phase is predicted to onset at a slightly lower temperature Tc2

Phase-incoherent superconducting pairs in the normal state of Ba(Fe(1-x)Co(x))₂As₂.

PubMed

Sheet, Goutam; Mehta, Manan; Dikin, D A; Lee, S; Bark, C W; Jiang, J; Weiss, J D; Hellstrom, E E; Rzchowski, M S; Eom, C B; Chandrasekhar, V

2010-10-15

The normal state properties of the recently discovered ferropnictide superconductors might hold the key to understanding their exotic superconductivity. Using point-contact spectroscopy we show that Andreev reflection between an epitaxial thin film of Ba(Fe(0.92)Co(0.08))₂As₂ and a silver tip can be seen in the normal state of the film up to temperature T∼1.3T(c), where T(c) is the critical temperature of the superconductor. Andreev reflection far above T(c) can be understood only when superconducting pairs arising from strong fluctuation of the phase of the complex superconducting order parameter exist in the normal state. Our results provide spectroscopic evidence of phase-incoherent superconducting pairs in the normal state of the ferropnictide superconductors.

Uniaxial-Strain-Orientation Dependence of the Competition between Mott and Charge Ordered Phases and their Corresponding Superconductivity of β-(BDA-TTP)2I3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nuruzzaman, Md.; Yokogawa, Keiichi; Yoshino, Harukazu; Yoshimoto, Haruo; Kikuchi, Koichi; Kaihatsu, Takayuki; Yamada, Jun-ichi; Murata, Keizo

2012-12-01

We studied the electronic transport properties of the charge transfer salt β-(BDA-TTP)2I3 [BDA-TTP: 2,5-bis(1,3-dithian-2-ylidene)-1,3,4,6-tetrathiapentalene] by applying uniaxial strains along the three crystallographic axes, and obtained three corresponding temperature-pressure phase diagrams. Three phase diagrams were quite dependent on the direction of compression. Following the preceding paper by Kikuchi et al., we speculate that the insulating states are of 1/2-filled Mott insulators for the a- and b-axes compressions, and of 1/4-filled charge ordered states for the c-axis compression as well as hydrostatic pressure. The superconducting phase under uniaxial strain was realized with Tc = 5 K at 1.9 GPa along the a-axis and with Tc = 5.6 K at 1.75 GPa along the b-axis. Superconductivity was also reproduced with a Tc of 9.5 K at 1.0 GPa for the c-axis compressions in the range of 0.85 to 1.53 GPa as previously reported. We studied tentative measurement on upper critical fields, Bc2's of these superconductivities and found that the extrapolated values, Bc2(0)'s, exceeded Pauli-limit by about 2--3 times. However, at least in terms of Bc2, the difference in superconductivity associated with two different insulating states was not clear.

The Geometry of Quadratic Polynomial Differential Systems with a Finite and an Infinite Saddle-Node (C)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Artés, Joan C.; Rezende, Alex C.; Oliveira, Regilene D. S.

Planar quadratic differential systems occur in many areas of applied mathematics. Although more than one thousand papers have been written on these systems, a complete understanding of this family is still missing. Classical problems, and in particular, Hilbert's 16th problem [Hilbert, 1900, 1902], are still open for this family. Our goal is to make a global study of the family QsnSN of all real quadratic polynomial differential systems which have a finite semi-elemental saddle-node and an infinite saddle-node formed by the collision of two infinite singular points. This family can be divided into three different subfamilies, all of them with the finite saddle-node in the origin of the plane with the eigenvectors on the axes and with the eigenvector associated with the zero eigenvalue on the horizontal axis and (A) with the infinite saddle-node in the horizontal axis, (B) with the infinite saddle-node in the vertical axis and (C) with the infinite saddle-node in the bisector of the first and third quadrants. These three subfamilies modulo the action of the affine group and time homotheties are three-dimensional and we give the bifurcation diagram of their closure with respect to specific normal forms, in the three-dimensional real projective space. The subfamilies (A) and (B) have already been studied [Artés et al., 2013b] and in this paper we provide the complete study of the geometry of the last family (C). The bifurcation diagram for the subfamily (C) yields 371 topologically distinct phase portraits with and without limit cycles for systems in the closure /line{QsnSN(C)} within the representatives of QsnSN(C) given by a chosen normal form. Algebraic invariants are used to construct the bifurcation set. The phase portraits are represented on the Poincaré disk. The bifurcation set of /line{QsnSN(C)} is not only algebraic due to the presence of some surfaces found numerically. All points in these surfaces correspond to either connections of separatrices, or the presence of a double limit cycle.

Deep solid-state equilibration and deep melting of plagioclase-free spinel peridotite from the slow-spreading Mid-Atlantic Ridge, ODP Leg 153

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Will, Thomas M.; Schmädicke, Esther; Frimmel, Hartwig E.

2010-11-01

A petrological investigation of abyssal, plagioclase-free spinel peridotite drilled during ODP cruise 153 in the North Atlantic revealed that the peridotite represent refractory, partial residual mantle material that experienced depletion of incompatible trace elements during upper mantle melting. The degree of partial melting as estimated from spinel compositions was c. 12%. Fractionated middle and heavy rare earth elements imply polybaric melting, with c. 1-4% initial melting in the garnet peridotite stability field and subsequent partial melting of ~7-10% in the spinel peridotite stability field. Geothermobarometric investigations revealed that the solid-state equilibration of the spinel peridotite occurred at some 1,100-1,150°C and c. 20-23 kbar, corresponding to an equilibration depth of c. 70 ± 5 km and an unusually low thermal gradient of some 11-17°C/km. A thermal re-equilibration of the peridotite occurred at ~850-1,000°C at similar depths. Naturally, the initial mantle melting in the garnet-peridotite stability field must have commenced at depths greater than 70 ± 5 km. It is likely that the residual peridotite rose rapidly through the lithospheric cap towards the ridge axis. The exhumation of the abyssal peridotite occurred, at least in parts, via extensional detachment faulting. Given the shallow to moderate dip angles of the fault surfaces, the exhumation of the peridotite from its equilibration depth would imply an overall ridge-normal horizontal displacement of c. 50-160 km if tectonic stretching and detachment faulting were the sole exhumation mechanism.

Anisotropy and applied-field effects on the spiral magnetic coexistence state of ferromagnetic superconductors

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

Rose, G.H.

1988-01-01

The effect of three types of quartic anisotropy energy on the polarization of the spiral-magnetic state of Blount and Varma is studied near the onset temperature. A quartic anisotropy with uniaxial symmetry and a quartic anisotropy with cubic symmetry are studied, and the anisotropy in primitive tetragonal ErRh{sub 4}B{sub 4} is modeled with a quadratic anisotropy giving a hard c-axis, plus a quartic anisotropy in the basal plane with a square symmetry. Details of the magnetizations, wave vectors, and polarizations are presented. Further, using a variational approach, the author investigates the effects, in a slab geometry, of an infinitesimal andmore » finite magnetic field applied parallel to the slab on the spiral magnetic state. By additionally calculating the effects on the normal ferroparamagnetic state and the uniform superconducting state, he studies applied field vs. temperature phase diagrams. Due to the large experimental uncertainty in the material parameters, an extended range of values is studied, producing a number of interesting and physically unique phase diagrams. A categorization of the types of phase diagrams over the selected range of the material parameters is presented. Finally, the effective superconducting penetration depth in the presence of the spiral magnetic state is calculated.« less

Spin diffusion from an inhomogeneous quench in an integrable system.

PubMed

Ljubotina, Marko; Žnidarič, Marko; Prosen, Tomaž

2017-07-13

Generalized hydrodynamics predicts universal ballistic transport in integrable lattice systems when prepared in generic inhomogeneous initial states. However, the ballistic contribution to transport can vanish in systems with additional discrete symmetries. Here we perform large scale numerical simulations of spin dynamics in the anisotropic Heisenberg XXZ spin 1/2 chain starting from an inhomogeneous mixed initial state which is symmetric with respect to a combination of spin reversal and spatial reflection. In the isotropic and easy-axis regimes we find non-ballistic spin transport which we analyse in detail in terms of scaling exponents of the transported magnetization and scaling profiles of the spin density. While in the easy-axis regime we find accurate evidence of normal diffusion, the spin transport in the isotropic case is clearly super-diffusive, with the scaling exponent very close to 2/3, but with universal scaling dynamics which obeys the diffusion equation in nonlinearly scaled time.

Helium diffusion in carbonates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amidon, W. H.; Cherniak, D. J.; Watson, E. B.; Hobbs, D.

2013-12-01

The abundance and large grain size of carbonate minerals make them a potentially attractive target for 4He thermochronology and 3He cosmogenic dating, although the diffusive properties of helium in carbonates remain poorly understood. This work characterizes helium diffusion in calcite and dolomite to better understand the crystal-chemical factors controlling He transport and retentivity. Slabs of cleaved natural calcite and dolomite, and polished sections of calcite cut parallel or normal to c, were implanted with 3He at 3 MeV with a dose of 5x1015/cm2. Implanted carbonates were heated in 1-atm furnaces, and 3He distributions following diffusion anneals were profiled with Nuclear Reaction Analysis using the reaction 3He(d,p)4He. For 3He transport normal to cleavage surfaces in calcite, we obtain the following Arrhenius relation over the temperature range 78-300°C: Dcalcite = 9.0x10-9exp(-55 × 6 kJ mol-1/RT) m2sec-1. Diffusion in calcite exhibits marked anisotropy, with diffusion parallel to c about two orders of magnitude slower than diffusion normal to cleavage faces. He diffusivities for transport normal to the c-axis are similar in value to those normal to cleavage surfaces. Our findings are broadly consistent with helium diffusivities from step-heating measurements of calcite by Copeland et al. (2007); these bulk degassing data may reflect varying effects of diffusional anisotropy. Helium diffusion normal to cleavage surfaces in dolomite is significantly slower than diffusion in calcite, and has a much higher activation energy for diffusion. For dolomite, we obtain the following Arrhenius relation for He diffusion over the temperature range 150-400°C: Ddolomite = 9.0x10-8exp(-92 × 9 kJ mol-1/RT) m2sec-1. The role of crystallographic structure in influencing these differences among diffusivities was evaluated using the maximum aperture approach of Cherniak and Watson (2011), in which crystallographic structures are sectioned along possible diffusion directions and the maximum interstitial apertures in each 'slice' in the structure are identified. Preliminary results show that observed differences in diffusivities are consistent with the size of the smallest maximum aperture along each diffusion direction. In calcite, the smallest maximum apertures are ~0.92 and ~0.66 angstroms for cleavage-normal and c-axis parallel directions respectively. In dolomite, the smallest maximum aperture is ~0.78 angstroms for the cleavage normal direction. Work is in progress on characterizing helium diffusion for other orientations in dolomite, and in other carbonates, including aragonite and magnesite, and in implementing these diffusion findings in the interpretation and modeling of bulk volume diffusion in heterogeneous calcite crystals common in many geologic applications. Copeland et al. (2007) GCA 71, 4488-4511 Cherniak and Watson, (2011) Chem. Geo. 288, 149-161

Superconducting Ga/GaSe layers grown by van der Waals epitaxy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Desrat, W.; Moret, M.; Briot, O.; Ngo, T.-H.; Piot, B. A.; Jabakhanji, B.; Gil, B.

2018-04-01

We report on the growth of GaSe films by molecular beam epitaxy on both (111)B GaAs and sapphire substrates. X-ray diffraction reveals the perfect crystallinity of GaSe with the c-axis normal to the substrate surface. The samples grown under Ga rich conditions possess an additional gallium film on top of the monochalcogenide layer. This metallic film shows two normal-to-superconducting transitions which are detected at T c ≈ 1.1 K and 6.0 K. They correspond likely to the β and α-phases of gallium in the form of bulk and droplets respectively. Our results demonstrate that van der Waals epitaxy can lead to future high quality hybrid superconductor/monochalcogenide heterostructures.

Four-chamber view and 'swing technique' (FAST) echo: a novel and simple algorithm to visualize standard fetal echocardiographic planes.

PubMed

Yeo, L; Romero, R; Jodicke, C; Oggè, G; Lee, W; Kusanovic, J P; Vaisbuch, E; Hassan, S

2011-04-01

To describe a novel and simple algorithm (four-chamber view and 'swing technique' (FAST) echo) for visualization of standard diagnostic planes of fetal echocardiography from dataset volumes obtained with spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) and applying a new display technology (OmniView). We developed an algorithm to image standard fetal echocardiographic planes by drawing four dissecting lines through the longitudinal view of the ductal arch contained in a STIC volume dataset. Three of the lines are locked to provide simultaneous visualization of targeted planes, and the fourth line (unlocked) 'swings' through the ductal arch image (swing technique), providing an infinite number of cardiac planes in sequence. Each line generates the following plane(s): (a) Line 1: three-vessels and trachea view; (b) Line 2: five-chamber view and long-axis view of the aorta (obtained by rotation of the five-chamber view on the y-axis); (c) Line 3: four-chamber view; and (d) 'swing line': three-vessels and trachea view, five-chamber view and/or long-axis view of the aorta, four-chamber view and stomach. The algorithm was then tested in 50 normal hearts in fetuses at 15.3-40 weeks' gestation and visualization rates for cardiac diagnostic planes were calculated. To determine whether the algorithm could identify planes that departed from the normal images, we tested the algorithm in five cases with proven congenital heart defects. In normal cases, the FAST echo algorithm (three locked lines and rotation of the five-chamber view on the y-axis) was able to generate the intended planes (longitudinal view of the ductal arch, pulmonary artery, three-vessels and trachea view, five-chamber view, long-axis view of the aorta, four-chamber view) individually in 100% of cases (except for the three-vessels and trachea view, which was seen in 98% (49/50)) and simultaneously in 98% (49/50). The swing technique was able to generate the three-vessels and trachea view, five-chamber view and/or long-axis view of the aorta, four-chamber view and stomach in 100% of normal cases. In the abnormal cases, the FAST echo algorithm demonstrated the cardiac defects and displayed views that deviated from what was expected from the examination of normal hearts. The swing technique was useful for demonstrating the specific diagnosis due to visualization of an infinite number of cardiac planes in sequence. This novel and simple algorithm can be used to visualize standard fetal echocardiographic planes in normal fetal hearts. The FAST echo algorithm may simplify examination of the fetal heart and could reduce operator dependency. Using this algorithm, inability to obtain expected views or the appearance of abnormal views in the generated planes should raise the index of suspicion for congenital heart disease. Copyright © 2011 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Pinning, rotation, and metastability of BiFeO 3 cycloidal domains in a magnetic field

DOE PAGES

Fishman, Randy S.

2018-01-03

Earlier models for the room-temperature multiferroic BiFeO 3 implicitly assumed that a very strong anisotropy restricts the domain wave vectors q to the threefold-symmetric axis normal to the static polarization P. However, recent measurements demonstrate that the domain wave vectors q rotate within the hexagonal plane normal to P away from the magnetic field orientation m. In this paper, we show that the previously neglected threefold anisotropy K 3 restricts the wave vectors to lie along the threefold axis in zero field. Taking m to lie along a threefold axis, the domain with q parallel to m remains metastable belowmore » B c1≈7 T. Due to the pinning of domains by nonmagnetic impurities, the wave vectors of the other two domains start to rotate away from m above 5.6 T, when the component of the torque τ=M×B along P exceeds a threshold value τ pin. Since τ=0 when m⊥q, the wave vectors of those domains never become completely perpendicular to the magnetic field. Our results explain recent measurements of the critical field as a function of field orientation, small-angle neutron scattering measurements of the wave vectors, as well as spectroscopic measurements with m along a threefold axis. Finally, the model developed in this paper also explains how the three multiferroic domains of BiFeO 3 for a fixed P can be manipulated by a magnetic field.« less

Pinning, rotation, and metastability of BiFeO 3 cycloidal domains in a magnetic field

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

Fishman, Randy S.

Earlier models for the room-temperature multiferroic BiFeO 3 implicitly assumed that a very strong anisotropy restricts the domain wave vectors q to the threefold-symmetric axis normal to the static polarization P. However, recent measurements demonstrate that the domain wave vectors q rotate within the hexagonal plane normal to P away from the magnetic field orientation m. In this paper, we show that the previously neglected threefold anisotropy K 3 restricts the wave vectors to lie along the threefold axis in zero field. Taking m to lie along a threefold axis, the domain with q parallel to m remains metastable belowmore » B c1≈7 T. Due to the pinning of domains by nonmagnetic impurities, the wave vectors of the other two domains start to rotate away from m above 5.6 T, when the component of the torque τ=M×B along P exceeds a threshold value τ pin. Since τ=0 when m⊥q, the wave vectors of those domains never become completely perpendicular to the magnetic field. Our results explain recent measurements of the critical field as a function of field orientation, small-angle neutron scattering measurements of the wave vectors, as well as spectroscopic measurements with m along a threefold axis. Finally, the model developed in this paper also explains how the three multiferroic domains of BiFeO 3 for a fixed P can be manipulated by a magnetic field.« less

Stress state reconstruction and tectonic evolution of the northern slope of the Baikit anteclise, Siberian Craton, based on 3D seismic data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moskalenko, A. N.; Khudoley, A. K.; Khusnitdinov, R. R.

2017-05-01

In this work, we consider application of an original method for determining the indicators of the tectonic stress fields in the northern Baikit anteclise based on 3D seismic data for further reconstruction of the stress state parameters when analyzing structural maps of seismic horizons and corresponded faults. The stress state parameters are determined by the orientations of the main stress axes and shape of the stress ellipsoid. To calculate the stress state parameters from data on the spatial orientations of faults and slip vectors, we used the algorithms from quasiprimary stress computation methods and cataclastic analysis, implemented in the software products FaultKinWin and StressGeol, respectively. The results of this work show that kinematic characteristics of faults regularly change toward the top of succession and that the stress state parameters are characterized by different values of the Lode-Nadai coefficient. Faults are presented as strike-slip faults with normal or reverse component of displacement. Three stages of formation of the faults are revealed: (1) partial inversion of ancient normal faults, (2) the most intense stage with the predominance of thrust and strike-slip faults at north-northeast orientation of an axis of the main compression, and (3) strike-slip faults at the west-northwest orientation of an axis of the main compression. The second and third stages are pre-Vendian in age and correlate to tectonic events that took place during the evolution of the active southwestern margin of the Siberian Craton.

Superconducting and normal-state properties of the layered boride OsB2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Yogesh; Niazi, A.; Vannette, M. D.; Prozorov, R.; Johnston, D. C.

2007-12-01

OsB2 crystallizes in an orthorhombic structure (Pmmn) which contains alternate boron and osmium layers stacked along the c axis. The boron layers consist of puckered hexagons as opposed to the flat graphite-like boron layers in MgB2 . OsB2 is reported to become superconducting below 2.1K . We report results of the dynamic and static magnetic susceptibilities, electrical resistivity, Hall effect, heat capacity, and penetration depth measurements on arc-melted polycrystalline samples of OsB2 to characterize its superconducting and normal-state properties. These measurements confirmed that OsB2 becomes a bulk superconductor below Tc=2.1K . Our results indicate that OsB2 is a moderate-coupling type-II superconductor with an electron-phonon coupling constant λep≈0.4-0.5 , a small Ginzburg-Landau parameter κ˜1-2 , and an upper critical magnetic field Hc2(0.5K)˜420Oe for an unannealed sample and Hc2(1K)˜330Oe for an annealed sample. The temperature dependence of the superfluid density ns(T) for the unannealed sample is consistent with an s -wave superconductor with a slightly enhanced zero temperature gap Δ(0)=1.9kBTc and a zero temperature London penetration depth λ(0)=0.38(2)μm . The ns(T) data for the annealed sample show deviations from the predictions of the single-band s -wave BCS model. The magnetic, transport, and thermal properties in the normal state of isostructural and isoelectronic RuB2 , which is reported to become superconducting below 1.6K , are also reported.

Single-crystal study of the charge density wave metal LuNiC2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steiner, S.; Michor, H.; Sologub, O.; Hinterleitner, B.; Höfenstock, F.; Waas, M.; Bauer, E.; Stöger, B.; Babizhetskyy, V.; Levytskyy, V.; Kotur, B.

2018-05-01

We report on single-crystal growth, single-crystal x-ray diffraction, physical properties, and density functional theory (DFT) electronic structure as well as Fermi surface calculations for two ternary carbides, LuCoC2 and LuNiC2. Electrical resistivity measurements reveal for LuNiC2 a charge density wave (CDW) transition at TCDW≃450 K and, for T >TCDW , a significant anisotropy of the electrical resistivity, which is lowest along the orthorhombic a axis. The analysis of x-ray superstructure reflections suggest a commensurate CDW state with a Peierls-type distortion of the Ni atom periodicity along the orthorhombic a axis. DFT calculations based on the CDW modulated monoclinic structure model of LuNiC2 as compared to results of the orthorhombic parent type reveal the formation of a partial CDW gap at the Fermi level which reduces the electronic density of states from N (EF)=1.03 states/eV f.u. without CDW to N (EF)=0.46 states/eV f.u. in the CDW state. The corresponding bare DFT Sommerfeld value of the latter, γDFTCDW=0.90 mJ/mol K2, reaches reasonable agreement with the experimental value γ =0.83 (5 ) mJ/mol K2 of LuNiC2. LuCoC2 displays a simple metallic behavior with neither CDW ordering nor superconductivity above 0.4 K. Its experimental Sommerfeld coefficient, γ =5.9 (1) mJ/mol K2, is in realistic correspondence with the calculated, bare Sommerfeld coefficient, γDFT=3.82 mJ/mol K2, of orthorhombic LuCoC2.

Optically induced lattice deformations, electronic structure changes, and enhanced superconductivity in YBa 2Cu 3O 6.48

DOE PAGES

Mankowsky, R.; Fechner, M.; Forst, M.; ...

2017-02-28

Resonant optical excitation of apical oxygen vibrational modes in the normal state of underdoped YBa 2Cu 3O 6+x induces a transient state with optical properties similar to those of the equilibrium superconducting state. Amongst these, a divergent imaginary conductivity and a plasma edge are transiently observed in the photo-stimulated state. Femtosecond hard x-ray diffraction experiments have been used in the past to identify the transient crystal structure in this non-equilibrium state. Here, we start from these crystallographic features and theoretically predict the corresponding electronic rearrangements that accompany these structural deformations. Using density functional theory, we predict enhanced hole-doping of themore » CuO 2 planes. The empty chain Cu dy2-z2 orbital is calculated to strongly reduce in energy, which would increase c-axis transport and potentially enhance the interlayer Josephson coupling as observed in the THz-frequency response. From these results, we calculate changes in the soft x-ray absorption spectra at the Cu L-edge. As a result, femtosecond x-ray pulses from a free electron laser are used to probe changes in absorption at two photon energies along this spectrum and provide data consistent with these predictions.« less

X-ray Diffraction Study of Aluminum Carbide Powder to 50 GPa

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

Ji, C.; Ma, Y; Chyu, M

2009-01-01

The crystal structure and equation of state (EOS) of aluminum carbide (Al{sub 4}C{sub 3}) have been determined directly up to 50.1 GPa at room temperature by the synchrotron x-ray diffraction techniques. The results indicate that Al{sub 4}C{sub 3} remained in rhombohedral structure under all tested pressure-temperature conditions and exhibited anisotropic compressibility, with the c-axis more compressible than the a-axis. Fitting the experimental data to third order Birch-Murnaghan EOS yields a bulk modulus of K{sub OT} = 233 {+-} 6 GPa with its pressure derivative K{sub OT}{prime} = 3.4 {+-} 0.4, while the second-order EOS yields K{sub OT} = 223 {+-}more » 2 GPa.« less

The ATS-F interferometer - A precision wide field-of-view attitude sensor. [solid state system design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Teichman, M. A.; Marek, F. L.; Browning, J. J.; Parr, A. K.

1974-01-01

An RF phase interferometer has been integrated into the ATS-F spacecraft attitude control system. Laboratory measurements indicate that the interferometer is capable of determining spacecraft attitude in pitch and roll to an accuracy of 0.18 deg over a field-of-view of plus or minus 12.5 deg about the spacecraft normal axis with an angular resolution of 0.004 deg. The system is completely solid state, weighs 17 pounds, and consumes 12.5 W of DC power.

First principles study of the electronic and magnetic structures and bonding properties of UCoC2 ternary, characteristic of C-C units

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matar, Samir F.

2013-03-01

The electronic structure of UCoC2, a di-carbide with the C-C units is examined from ab initio with an assessment of the properties of chemical bonding. The energy-volume equation of state shows large anisotropy effects due to C-C alignment along tetragonal c-axis leading to high linear incompressibility. Relevant features of selective bonding of uranium and cobalt with carbon at two different Wyckoff sites and strong C-C interactions are remarkable. The vibrational frequencies for C⋯C stretching modes indicate closer behavior to aliphatic C-C rather than Cdbnd C double bond. A ferromagnetic ground state is proposed from the calculations.

Flux pinning enhancement in thin films of Y3 Ba5 Cu8O18.5 + d

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aghabagheri, S.; Mohammadizadeh, M. R.; Kameli, P.; Salamati, H.

2018-06-01

YBa2Cu3O7 (Y123) and Y3Ba5Cu8O18 (Y358) thin films were deposited by pulsed laser deposition method. XRD analysis shows both films grow in c axis orientation. Resistivity versus temperature analysis shows superconducting transition temperature was about 91.2 K and 91.5 K and transition width for Y358 and Y123 films was about 0.6 K and 1.6 K, respectively. Analysis of the temperature dependence of the AC susceptibility near the transition temperature, employing Bean's critical state model, indicates that intergranular critical current density for Y358 films is more than twice of intergranular critical current density of Y123 films. Thus, flux pining is stronger in Y358 films. Weak links in the both samples is of superconductor-normal-superconductor (SNS) type irrespective of stoichiometry.

Chalcogen doping at anionic site: A scheme towards more dispersive valence band in CuAlO2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazumder, Nilesh; Sen, Dipayan; Chattopadhyay, Kalyan Kumar

2013-02-01

Using first-principles calculations, we propose to enhance the dispersion of the top of valence band at high-symmetry points by selective introduction of chalcogen (Ch) impurities at oxygen site. As ab-plane hole mobility of CuAlO2 is large enough to support a band-conduction model over a polaronic one at room temperature [M. S. Lee et al. Appl. Phys. Lett. 79, 2029, (2001); J. Tate et al. Phys. Rev. B 80, 165206, (2009)], we examine its electronic and optical properties normal to c-axis. Intrinsic indirectness of energy-gap at Γ-point can be effectively removed along with substantial increase in density of states near Fermi level (EF) upon Ch addition. This can be attributed to S 2p-Cu 3d interaction just at or below EF, which should result in significantly improved carrier mobility and conductivity profile for this important p-type TCO.

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

Kametani, F.; Jiang, J.; Matras, M.

Why Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O x (Bi2212) allows high critical current density J c in round wires rather than only in the anisotropic tape form demanded by all other high temperature superconductors is important for future magnet applications. Here we compare the local texture of state-of-the-art Bi2212 and Bi2223 ((Bi,Pb)₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O₁₀), finding that round wire Bi2212 generates a dominant a-axis growth texture that also enforces a local biaxial texture (FWHM <15°) while simultaneously allowing the c-axes of its polycrystals to rotate azimuthally along and about the filament axis so as to generate macroscopically isotropic behavior. By contrast Bi2223 shows only a uniaxial (FWHM <15°)more » c-axis texture perpendicular to the tape plane without any in-plane texture. Consistent with these observations, a marked, field-increasing, field-decreasing J c(H) hysteresis characteristic of weak-linked systems appears in Bi2223 but is absent in Bi2212 round wire. Growth-induced texture on cooling from the melt step of the Bi2212 J c optimization process appears to be the key step in generating this highly desirable microstructure.« less

MISTY CASTLE Series. MILL RACE Event. Sanitized.1

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-12-18

Answer Yes or No) _o b. If 13a is Yes, is the use of the materials governed by NASC procedures? C. If 13b is Yes, the quantity of meterial is. In...pitch is defined as the angle between a plane normal to the 510c 5O,?/5O0k gravity vector and a line through the longitudinal axis of the aircraft...strength which is greater than that resistance which arises from the combined effects of friction and gravity . It would be very conse;vative to assume

Control of Electromagnetic Scattering by Antenna Impedance Loading

DTIC Science & Technology

1974-07-01

system and whose profile in a plane perpendicular to the z axis is the closed curve c. Let n be an outward unit vector to c and let t be a unit... vector in the tangential direction, such that t, n and z form a right-hand system. Then, on the surface, the impedance boundary con- dition is...and is given by J Mn x z)H* where n is the unit outward normal vector to the surface. Using the GTD solution for the total magnetic field, the

Quantum Correlation Properties in Two Qubits One-axis Spin Squeezing Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo-Hui, Yang

2017-02-01

Using the concurrence (C) and quantum discord (QD) criterions, the quantum correlation properties in two qubits one-axis spin squeezing model with an external magnetic field are investigated. It is found that one obvious difference in the limit case T → 0 (ground state) is the sudden disappearance phenomenon (SDP) occured in the behavior of C, while not in QD. In order to further explain the SDP, we obtain the analytic expressions of ground state C and QD which reveal that the SDP is not really "entanglement sudden disappeared", it is decayed to zero very quickly. Proper tuning the parameters μ(the spin squeezing interaction in x direction) and Ω(the external magnetic field in z direction) not only can obviously broaden the scope of ground state C exists but also can enhance the value of ground state QD. For the finite temperature case, one evident difference is that the sudden birth phenomenon (SBP) is appeared in the evolution of C, while not in QD, and decreasing the coupling parameters μ or Ω can obviously prolong the time interval before entanglement sudden birth. The value of C and QD are both enhanced by increasing the parameters μ or Ω in finite temperature case. In addition, through investigating the effects of temperature T on the quantum correlation properties with the variation of Ω and μ, one can find that the temperature scope of C and QD exists are broadened with increasing the parameters μ or Ω, and one can obtain the quantum correlation at higher temperature through changing these parameters.

Failure in laboratory fault models in triaxial tests

USGS Publications Warehouse

Savage, J.C.; Lockner, D.A.; Byerlee, J.D.

1996-01-01

A model of a fault in the Earth is a sand-filled saw cut in a granite cylinder subjected to a triaxial test. The saw cut is inclined at an angle a to the cylinder axis, and the sand filling is intended to represent gouge. The triaxial test subjects the granite cylinder to a constant confining pressure and increasing axial stress to maintain a constant rate of shortening of the cylinder. The required axial stress increases at a decreasing rate to a maximum, beyond which a roughly constant axial stress is sufficient to maintain the constant rate of shortening: Such triaxial tests were run for saw cuts inclined at angles ?? of 20??, 25??, 30??, 35??, 40??, 45??, and 50?? to the cylinder axis, and the apparent coefficient of friction ??a (ratio of the shear stress to the normal stress, both stresses resolved onto the saw cut) at failure was determined. Subject to the assumption that the observed failure involves slip on Coulomb shears (orientation unspecified), the orientation of the principal compression axis within the gouge can be calculated as a function of ??a for a given value of the coefficient of internal friction ??i. The rotation of the principal stress axes within the gouge in a triaxial test can then be followed as the shear strain across the gouge layer increases. For ??i ??? 0.8, an appropriate value for highly sheared sand, the observed values ??a imply that the principal-axis of compression within the gouge rotates so as to approach being parallel to the cylinder axis for all saw cut angles (20?? < ?? < 50??). In the limiting state (principal compression axis parallel to cylinder axis) the stress state in the gouge layer would be the same as that in the granite cylinder, and the failure criterion would be independent of the saw cut angle.

Patterns of glaucomatous visual field loss in sita fields automatically identified using independent component analysis.

PubMed

Goldbaum, Michael H; Jang, Gil-Jin; Bowd, Chris; Hao, Jiucang; Zangwill, Linda M; Liebmann, Jeffrey; Girkin, Christopher; Jung, Tzyy-Ping; Weinreb, Robert N; Sample, Pamela A

2009-12-01

To determine if the patterns uncovered with variational Bayesian-independent component analysis-mixture model (VIM) applied to a large set of normal and glaucomatous fields obtained with the Swedish Interactive Thresholding Algorithm (SITA) are distinct, recognizable, and useful for modeling the severity of the field loss. SITA fields were obtained with the Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc, Dublin, California) on 1,146 normal eyes and 939 glaucoma eyes from subjects followed by the Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study and the African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study. VIM modifies independent component analysis (ICA) to develop separate sets of ICA axes in the cluster of normal fields and the 2 clusters of abnormal fields. Of 360 models, the model with the best separation of normal and glaucomatous fields was chosen for creating the maximally independent axes. Grayscale displays of fields generated by VIM on each axis were compared. SITA fields most closely associated with each axis and displayed in grayscale were evaluated for consistency of pattern at all severities. The best VIM model had 3 clusters. Cluster 1 (1,193) was mostly normal (1,089, 95% specificity) and had 2 axes. Cluster 2 (596) contained mildly abnormal fields (513) and 2 axes; cluster 3 (323) held mostly moderately to severely abnormal fields (322) and 5 axes. Sensitivity for clusters 2 and 3 combined was 88.9%. The VIM-generated field patterns differed from each other and resembled glaucomatous defects (eg, nasal step, arcuate, temporal wedge). SITA fields assigned to an axis resembled each other and the VIM-generated patterns for that axis. Pattern severity increased in the positive direction of each axis by expansion or deepening of the axis pattern. VIM worked well on SITA fields, separating them into distinctly different yet recognizable patterns of glaucomatous field defects. The axis and pattern properties make VIM a good candidate as a preliminary process for detecting progression.

Polarization locked vector solitons and axis instability in optical fiber.

PubMed

Cundiff, Steven T.; Collings, Brandon C.; Bergman, Keren

2000-09-01

We experimentally observe polarization-locked vector solitons in optical fiber. Polarization locked-vector solitons use nonlinearity to preserve their polarization state despite the presence of birefringence. To achieve conditions where the delicate balance between nonlinearity and birefringence can survive, we studied the polarization evolution of the pulses circulating in a laser constructed entirely of optical fiber. We observe two distinct states with fixed polarization. This first state occurs for very small values birefringence and is elliptically polarized. We measure the relative phase between orthogonal components along the two principal axes to be +/-pi/2. The relative amplitude varies linearly with the magnitude of the birefringence. This state is a polarization locked vector soliton. The second, linearly polarized, state occurs for larger values of birefringence. The second state is due to the fast axis instability. We provide complete characterization of these states, and present a physical explanation of both of these states and the stability of the polarization locked vector solitons. (c) 2000 American Institute of Physics.

Anisotropic antiferromagnetic order in the spin-orbit coupled trigonal-lattice Ca2Sr2IrO6

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sheng, Jieming; Ye, Feng; Hoffmann, Christina; Cooper, Valentino R.; Okamoto, Satoshi; Terzic, Jasminka; Zheng, Hao; Zhao, Hengdi; Cao, G.

2018-06-01

We used single-crystal x-ray and neutron diffraction to investigate the crystal and magnetic structures of trigonal lattice iridate Ca2Sr2IrO6 . The crystal structure is determined to be R 3 ¯ with two distinct Ir sites. The system exhibits long-range antiferromagnetic order below TN=13.1 K. The magnetic wave vector is identified as (0,0.5,1) with ferromagnetic coupling along the a axis and antiferromagnetic correlation along the b axis. Spins align dominantly within the basal plane along the [1,2,0] direction and tilt 34∘ toward the c axis. The ordered moment is 0.66(3) μB/Ir, larger than other iridates where iridium ions form corner- or edge-sharing IrO6 octahedral networks. The tilting angle is reduced to ≈19∘ when a magnetic field of 4.9 T is applied along the c axis. Density functional theory calculations confirm that the experimentally determined magnetic configuration is the most probable ground state with an insulating gap ˜0.5 eV.

Vortex states in a submicron Bi2212 crystal probed by intrinsic Josephson junctions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ooi, S.; Tachiki, M.; Mochiku, T.; Wang, H. B.; Komori, K.; Hirata, K.; Arisawa, S.

2018-03-01

To study the pancake-vortex states confined in a submicron Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+y (Bi2212) crystal, we have measured the c-axis resistance and I-V characteristics of a stack of intrinsic Josephson junctions with a lateral dimension less than 1 µm. Although the stack was accidentally shunted by a parallel resistance of 7.5 kΩ, the I-V characteristics show homogeneous multiple branches after the subtraction of the component. The penetrations of single vortices into the submicron stack were clearly observed in the resistance measurements. A vortex phase diagram was constructed by mapping the c-axis resistance on an H-T plane. Temperature dependence of the first-vortex penetration field is consistent with the theoretical estimation on the formation of a pancake-vortex stack in the center of a superconducting strip.

Nature of the magnetic ground state in the mixed valence compound CeRuSn: a single-crystal study.

PubMed

Fikáček, J; Prokleška, J; Prchal, J; Custers, J; Sechovský, V

2013-10-16

We report on detailed low-temperature measurements of the magnetization, the specific heat and the electrical resistivity on high-quality CeRuSn single crystals. The compound orders antiferromagnetically at T(N) = 2.8 K with the Ce(3+) ions locked within the a-c plane of the monoclinic structure. Magnetization shows that below T(N) CeRuSn undergoes a metamagnetic transition when applying a magnetic field of 1.5 and 0.8 T along the a- and c-axis, respectively. This transition manifests in a tremendous negative jump of ~25% in the magnetoresistance. The value of the saturated magnetization along the easy magnetization direction (c-axis) and the magnetic entropy above T(N) derived from specific heat data correspond to the scenario of only one third of the Ce ions in the compound being trivalent and carrying a stable Ce(3+) magnetic moment, whereas the other two thirds of the Ce ions are in a nonmagnetic tetravalent and/or mixed valence state. This is consistent with the low-temperature CeRuSn crystal structure i.e., a superstructure consisting of three unit cells of the CeCoAl type piled up along the c-axis, and in which the Ce(3+) ions are characterized by large distances from the Ru ligands while the Ce-Ru distances of the other Ce ions are much shorter causing a strong 4f-ligand hybridization and hence leading to tetravalent and/or mixed valence Ce ions.

Anisotropy of the innermost inner core from body wave and normal mode observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deuss, A. F.; Smink, M.; Bouwman, D.; Ploegstra, J.; van Tent, R.

2016-12-01

It has been known for a long time that the Earth's inner core is cylindrically anisotropic, with waves that travel in the direction of the Earth's rotation axis arriving several seconds before waves travelling in the equatorial direction. Recently, several studies have suggested that the Earth's rotation axis may not be the fast anisotropy direction in the innermost inner core. Beghein and Trampert (2003) found that the Earth's rotation axis is slow, with the equatorial plane being fast. Wang et al (2015) found instead that the fast symmetry axis is in the equatorial plane. Here, we use both body wave and normal mode observations to test these two different hypotheses. Similar to Wang, we correct body wave PKIKP data for anisotropy in the upper inner core, and investigate if there is any anisotropy remaining in the innermost inner core. We find that the results strongly depend on the very limited number of polar direction waves with angle less than 25 degrees. With the limited data it is difficult to distinguish between the two different hypotheses, and if any tilted anisotropy is required at all. Normal modes see inner core anisotropy with north-south symmetry axis as anomalous zonal coefficients. We will show theoretically that if the anisotropy symmetry axis is tilted, non-zonal coefficients will also become anomalous. We search consistent anomalous non-zonal coefficients for modes sensitive to the innermost inner core. If the symmetry axis is still north south, but this is now the slow direction and the equatorial plane fast, then we predict negative zonal coefficients. This is observed for some normal modes, explaining why Beghein and Trampert (2003) found this type of anisotropy in the innermost inner core.

Microwave spectroscopy of HCOO13CH3 in the second methyl torsional excited state

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kobayashi, Kaori; Kuwahara, Takuro; Tachi, Haruka; Urata, Yuki; Tsunekawa, Shozo; Hayashi, Naoto; Higuchi, Hiroyuki; Fujitake, Masaharu; Ohashi, Nobukimi

2018-01-01

The new experimental results and analysis of the microwave spectra of HCOO13CH3 in the second methyl torsional excited state are reported. Pseudo-principal axis method (pseudo-PAM) was successfully applied to the normal methyl formate in the second torsional excited state and again applied to this isotopologue. We succeeded to assign 536 A-species transitions up to J = 33 and Ka = 15 and 417 E-species transitions up to J = 32 and Ka = 14. Thirty parameters were used to do the least-squares-analysis by using the pseudo-PAM Hamiltonian consisting of rotational, centrifugal distortion, and internal-rotational constants.

Multiferroic Polar Metals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lei, Shiming; Chikara, Shalinee; Puggioni, Danilo; Ke, Xianglin; Mao, Z. Q.; Rondinelli, J. M.; Jaime, Marcelo; Singleton, John; Zapf, Vivien; Gopalan, Venkatraman

Ca3Ru2O7 undergoes a second-order magnetic phase transition to AFM-a (ferromagnetic bilayers antiferromagnetically stack along c-axis with magnetic easy axis along a) at TN = 56 K, followed by a concomitant first-order structural and magnetic phase transition to an AFM-b (antiferromagnetic with magnetic easy axis along b) at TS = 48 K. For T<30 K, a quasi-two-dimensional (2D) metallic state exists due to the survival of small non-nested Fermi pockets. With a proper magnetic field applied along b-axis, an additional phase of canted-AFM is induced. Here we propose a new strategy to tune the polar metal Ca3Ru2O7 into insulating state by chemical doping. In the meantime, the superexchange interaction is significantly weakened to allow the existence of a weak ferromagnetic state. Combined with its robust polar nature, we offer an experimental demonstration of a new multiferroic material. The mechanism is further discussed in the framework of hybrid improper ferroelectricity proposed by Benedek and Fennie. This new strategy proposed here may be utilized as a general approach for new multiferroics starting from a material on the verge of the Mott insulating. Here we will discuss our comprehensive magnetization and magnetostriction, and magnetic field dependent SHG study on this material

Recovery from adolescent anorexia nervosa and associations with diurnal patterns of salivary stress hormones: a case report.

PubMed

Oskis, Andrea; Loveday, Catherine; Hucklebridge, Frank; Wood, David; Clow, Angela

2012-01-01

In the neurodevelopment of adolescent anorexia nervosa (AN), dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is proposed to be a central component. Furthermore, a therapeutic milieu focusing on affect regulation can contribute much to treatment, given the emotional processing difficulties associated with this disorder. Studies of HPA axis function following such specialist treatments for adolescent AN, however, are rare. This study describes the diurnal pattern of HPA axis activation, including the cortisol awakening response (CAR), in a 16-year-old female diagnosed with AN both during illness and at clinical recovery following milieu therapy with a focus on affect regulation. Specialised single-case study statistics were used to assess whether the patient's data were significantly different from the healthy "norm" at illness and recovery. During illness, her measure of affective problems was outside of the normal range and cortisol and DHEA secretory profiles were significantly elevated across the diurnal period. However, at recovery both her affective state and HPA axis function became comparable to healthy controls. This case study suggests that salivary markers of HPA axis function can be feasibly incorporated into the clinical regime within a specialist adolescent AN residential service and could be used by clinicians to monitor prognosis and interventions.

Nystagmus responses in a group of normal humans during earth-horizontal axis rotation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wall, Conrad, III; Furman, Joseph M. R.

1989-01-01

Horizontal eye movement responses to earth-horizontal yaw axis rotation were evaluated in 50 normal human subjects who were uniformly distributed in age (20-69 years) and each age group was then divided by gender. Subjects were rotated with eyes open in the dark, using clockwise and counter-clockwise 60 deg velocity trapezoids. The nystagmus slow component velocity is analyzed. It is shown that, despite large intersubject variability, parameters which describe earth-horizontal yaw axis responses are loosely interrelated, and some of them vary significantly with gender and age.

Model-independent analysis of the orientation of fluorescent probes with restricted mobility in muscle fibers.

PubMed Central

Dale, R E; Hopkins, S C; an der Heide, U A; Marszałek, T; Irving, M; Goldman, Y E

1999-01-01

The orientation of proteins in ordered biological samples can be investigated using steady-state polarized fluorescence from probes conjugated to the protein. A general limitation of this approach is that the probes typically exhibit rapid orientational motion ("wobble") with respect to the protein backbone. Here we present a method for characterizing the extent of this wobble and for removing its effects from the available information about the static orientational distribution of the probes. The analysis depends on four assumptions: 1) the probe wobble is fast compared with the nanosecond time scale of its excited-state decay; 2) the orientational distributions of the absorption and emission transition dipole moments are cylindrically symmetrical about a common axis c fixed in the protein; 3) protein motions are negligible during the excited-state decay; 4) the distribution of c is cylindrically symmetrical about the director of the experimental sample. In a muscle fiber, the director is the fiber axis, F. All of the information on the orientational order of the probe that is available from measurements of linearly polarized fluorescence is contained in five independent polarized fluorescence intensities measured with excitation and emission polarizers parallel or perpendicular to F and with the propagation axis of the detected fluorescence parallel or perpendicular to that of the excitation. The analysis then yields the average second-rank and fourth-rank order parameters ( and ) of the angular distribution of c relative to F, and and , the average second-rank order parameters of the angular distribution for wobble of the absorption and emission transition dipole moments relative to c. The method can also be applied to other cylindrically ordered systems such as oriented lipid bilayer membranes and to processes slower than fluorescence that may be observed using longer-lived optically excited states. PMID:10049341

High-field study of UCo2Si2: Magnetostriction at metamagnetic transition and influence of Fe substitution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andreev, A. V.; Skourski, Y.; Gorbunov, D. I.; Prokeš, K.

2018-05-01

UCo2Si2 (tetragonal crystal structure) is antiferromagnet below TN = 83 K with ferromagnetic basal-plane layers of U magnetic moments oriented parallel to the c axis. The layers are coupled in +-+- sequence along this axis. In fields of 45 T applied along the c axis, UCo2Si2 exhibits very sharp metamagnetic transition to ++- uncompensated antiferromagnetic state. The transition is accompanied by pronounced magnetostriction effects. The crystal expands along the c axis by 1 * 10-4 and shrinks in the basal plane by 0.5 * 10-4 (at 1.5 K) resulting in negligible volume effect. Between 20 K and 40 K the transition changes from the first- to the second-order type. The Fe doping in UCo2Si2 reduces TN from 83 K to 80 K at x = 0.2 in U(Co1-xFex)2Si2. Metamagnetic transition shifts to higher fields (from 45 T at x = 0-56 T for x = 0.2). Magnetization jump over the transition remains practically the same which is in agreement with uranium magnetic moment determined by neutron diffraction on crystal with x = 0.1 as 1.29 μB, i.e. only slightly lower than that in UCo2Si2.

The relationship between insulin secretion, the insulin-like growth factor axis and growth in children with cystic fibrosis.

PubMed

Ripa, Paulus; Robertson, Ian; Cowley, David; Harris, Margaret; Masters, I Brent; Cotterill, Andrew M

2002-03-01

Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes mellitus (CFRD) is an increasingly common complication of cystic fibrosis. CFRD is preceded by a progressive decline in insulin secretion but there is no accepted definition of the prediabetic state in CFRD. This prediabetic state appears to have adverse effects on clinical status, nutrition and lung function, but there is no direct evidence that the impaired glucose homeostasis is the cause of these deteriorations. This study examined the prevalence of glucose intolerance and impaired insulin secretion in a population of children with CF without CFRD. Severe CF lung disease is often associated with poor weight gain and slower growth but the mechanism for this is still unclear. The relationships between the current state of glucose homeostasis, insulin secretion and the insulin-like growth factor axis, height velocity, nutrition status and lung function were therefore studied. Eighteen children with cystic fibrosis aged 9.5-15 years had oral glucose tolerance tests and 14 of these also had intravenous glucose tolerance tests (four refused). Blood samples were collected for insulin, C-peptide, glucose, HbA1c, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF-II, IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-1 and IGFBP-3. Data on height, weight, puberty status, clinical score (Shwachman score) and lung function were recorded. Height velocity, height and weight standard deviation scores (SDS) were calculated using WHO/CDC data. The mean height SDS (-0.52 +/- 0.17) was less than the normal population (P = 0.007) and the mean height velocity was 4.6 +/- 0.5 cm/year, 39% with a height velocity less than the third percentile for age. The weight SDS and body mass index (BMI) were similar to the normal population. Four children had impaired glucose tolerance. The first-phase insulin response (FPIR) was below the first percentile of normal population values in nine (65%). Impaired FPIR or impaired glucose tolerance did not correlate with the Shwachman score, nutritional status or pulmonary function. There was a significant positive correlation between insulin secretion (area under the curve) and height velocity (P = 0.001) and serum IGFBP-3 levels (P = 0.001). Impaired glucose tolerance was present in 20% of children with cystic fibrosis. Impaired insulin secretion was common (65%) even in children with normal glucose tolerance. The mean height SDS for the group was low and the height velocity was abnormally slow in 39%, yet nutritional status as measured by BMI was appropriate for age. Relative insulin deficiency rather than nutritional deprivation or poor clinical status thus appears to be implicated in the poor linear growth of these children with relatively stable lung disease. This was a small study and firm conclusions on this chronic suppurative disease as to the cause of poor growth are not possible. The causes of poor growth are likely to be complex; nevertheless, the apparent decrease in insulin secretion combined with the expected increased demands on insulin production during pubertal growth raises the question as to whether insulin therapy should be considered in children with cystic fibrosis before the onset of cystic fibrosis-related diabetes mellitus.

Magnetic ground state of the Ising-like antiferromagnet DyScO 3

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

Wu, L. S.; Nikitin, Stanislav E.; Frontzek, Matthias D.

2017-10-05

Here, we report on the low-temperature magnetic properties of the DyScO3 perovskite, which were characterized by means of single crystal and powder neutron scattering, and by magnetization measurements. Below T N = 3.15 K, Dy 3+ moments form an antiferromagnetic structure with an easy axis of magnetization lying in the ab plane. The magnetic moments are inclined at an angle of ~ ±28° to the b axis. We show that the ground-state Kramers doublet of Dy 3+ is made up of primarily |±15/2> eigenvectors and well separated by a crystal field from the first excited state at E 1 =more » 24.9 meV. This leads to an extreme Ising single-ion anisotropy, M ⊥/M ∥~0.05. The transverse magnetic fluctuations, which are proportional to M 2 ⊥/M 2 ∥, are suppressed, and only moment fluctuations along the local Ising direction are allowed. We also found that the Dy-Dy dipolar interactions along the crystallographic c axis are two to four times larger than in-plane interactions.« less

Why does a spinning egg rise?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cross, Rod

2018-03-01

Experimental and theoretical results are presented concerning the rise of a spinning egg. It was found that an egg rises quickly while it is sliding and then more slowly when it starts rolling. The angular momentum of the egg projected in the XZ plane changed in the same direction as the friction torque, as expected, by rotating away from the vertical Z axis. The latter result does not explain the rise. However, an even larger effect arises from the Y component of the angular momentum vector. As the egg rises, the egg rotates about the Y axis, an effect that is closely analogous to rotation of the egg about the Z axis. Both effects can be described in terms of precession about the respective axes. Steady precession about the Z axis arises from the normal reaction force in the Z direction, while precession about the Y axis arises from the friction force in the Y direction. Precession about the Z axis ceases if the normal reaction force decreases to zero, and precession about the Y axis ceases if the friction force decreases to zero.

A data-analytic strategy for protein biomarker discovery: profiling of high-dimensional proteomic data for cancer detection.

PubMed

Yasui, Yutaka; Pepe, Margaret; Thompson, Mary Lou; Adam, Bao-Ling; Wright, George L; Qu, Yinsheng; Potter, John D; Winget, Marcy; Thornquist, Mark; Feng, Ziding

2003-07-01

With recent advances in mass spectrometry techniques, it is now possible to investigate proteins over a wide range of molecular weights in small biological specimens. This advance has generated data-analytic challenges in proteomics, similar to those created by microarray technologies in genetics, namely, discovery of 'signature' protein profiles specific to each pathologic state (e.g. normal vs. cancer) or differential profiles between experimental conditions (e.g. treated by a drug of interest vs. untreated) from high-dimensional data. We propose a data-analytic strategy for discovering protein biomarkers based on such high-dimensional mass spectrometry data. A real biomarker-discovery project on prostate cancer is taken as a concrete example throughout the paper: the project aims to identify proteins in serum that distinguish cancer, benign hyperplasia, and normal states of prostate using the Surface Enhanced Laser Desorption/Ionization (SELDI) technology, a recently developed mass spectrometry technique. Our data-analytic strategy takes properties of the SELDI mass spectrometer into account: the SELDI output of a specimen contains about 48,000 (x, y) points where x is the protein mass divided by the number of charges introduced by ionization and y is the protein intensity of the corresponding mass per charge value, x, in that specimen. Given high coefficients of variation and other characteristics of protein intensity measures (y values), we reduce the measures of protein intensities to a set of binary variables that indicate peaks in the y-axis direction in the nearest neighborhoods of each mass per charge point in the x-axis direction. We then account for a shifting (measurement error) problem of the x-axis in SELDI output. After this pre-analysis processing of data, we combine the binary predictors to generate classification rules for cancer, benign hyperplasia, and normal states of prostate. Our approach is to apply the boosting algorithm to select binary predictors and construct a summary classifier. We empirically evaluate sensitivity and specificity of the resulting summary classifiers with a test dataset that is independent from the training dataset used to construct the summary classifiers. The proposed method performed nearly perfectly in distinguishing cancer and benign hyperplasia from normal. In the classification of cancer vs. benign hyperplasia, however, an appreciable proportion of the benign specimens were classified incorrectly as cancer. We discuss practical issues associated with our proposed approach to the analysis of SELDI output and its application in cancer biomarker discovery.

Seismicity and Structure of the Incoming Pacific Plate Subducting into the Japan Trench off Miyagi

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Obana, K.; Fujie, G.; Kodaira, S.; Takahashi, T.; Yamamoto, Y.; Sato, T.; Yamashita, M.; Nakamura, Y.; Miura, S.

2015-12-01

Stresses within the oceanic plate in trench axis and outer-rise region have been characterized by shallow extension and deep compression due to the bending of the plate subducting into the trench. The stress state within the incoming/subducting oceanic plate is an important factor not only for the occurrence of shallow intraplate normal-faulting earthquakes in the trench-outer rise region but also the hydration of the oceanic plate through the shallow normal faults cutting the oceanic lithosphere. We investigate seismic velocity structure and stress state within the incoming/subducting Pacific Plate in the Japan Trench based on the OBS aftershock observations for the December 2012 intraplate doublet, which consists of a deep reverse faulting (Mw 7.2) and a shallow normal faulting (Mw 7.2) earthquake, in the Japan Trench off Miyagi. Hypocenter locations and seismic velocity structures were estimated from the arrival time data of about 3000 earthquakes by using double-difference tomography method (Zhang and Thurber, 2003). Also, focal mechanisms were estimated from first motion polarities by using the program HASH by Hardebeck and Shearer (2002). The results show that the earthquakes occurred mainly within the oceanic crust and the uppermost mantle. The deepest event was located at a depth of about 60 km. Focal mechanisms of the earthquakes shallower than a depth of 40 km indicate normal-faulting with T-axis normal to the trench. On the other hand, first motion polarities of the events at depths between 50 and 60 km can be explained a reverse faulting. The results suggest that the neutral plane of the stress between shallow extension and deep compression locates at 40 to 50 km deep. Seismic velocity structures indicate velocity decrease in the oceanic mantle toward the trench. Although the velocity decrease varies with locations, the results suggest the bending-related structure change could extend to at least about 15 km below the oceanic Moho in some locations.

Optical characterization of a low solubility organic compound.

PubMed

Huber, H E

1981-10-01

The X, Y, and Z principal vibration directions along with the principal refractive indexes, optic angle, optical sign, birefringence, optical orientation, and crystal system for the low solubility compound 5-(tetradecyloxy)-2-furancarboxylic acid were determined with a polarizing microscope and spindle stage. The X and Z principal vibration directions are not coincident with the a and c crystallographic axes; however, the Y direction is considered to be coincident with the b axis. Therefore, the crystal is assigned to the monoclinic crystal system. The bladed/lath-shaped crystals rest on one of the two large orthopinacoid (100) faces and present the microscopist with a single plane of optical symmetry. A beta refractive index of 1.555 is observed with the crystal axis of elongation parallel to the polarizer, and a gamma of 1.600-1.660 is observed in the contiguous extinction position. Determination of the optic angle principal vibration directions, and principal refractive indexes was facilitated by mounting the crystals on a spindle stage for rotation about the b crystallographic axis (optic normal).

Assessment of the rotation motion at the papillary muscle short-axis plane with normal subjects by two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging: a basic clinical study.

PubMed

Ni, Xian-Da; Huang, Jun; Hu, Yuan-Ping; Xu, Rui; Yang, Wei-Yu; Zhou, Li-Ming

2013-01-01

The aim of this study was to observe the rotation patterns at the papillary muscle plane in the Left Ventricle(LV) with normal subjects using two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging(2D-STI). We acquired standard of the basal, the papillary muscle and the apical short-axis images of the LV in 64 subjects to estimate the LV rotation motion by 2D-STI. The rotational degrees at the papillary muscle short-axis plane were measured at 15 different time points in the analysis of two heart cycles. There were counterclockwise rotation, clockwise rotation, and counterclockwise to clockwise rotation at the papillary muscle plane in the LV with normal subjects, respectively. The ROC analysis of the rotational degrees was performed at the papillary muscle short-axis plane at the peak LV torsion for predicting whether the turnaround point of twist to untwist motion pattern was located at the papillary muscle level. Sensitivity and specificity were 97% and 67%, respectively, with a cut-off value of 0.34°, and an area under the ROC curve of 0.8. At the peak LV torsion, there was no correlation between the rotational degrees at the papillary muscle short-axis plane and the LVEF in the normal subjects(r = 0.000, p = 0.998). In the study, we conclude that there were three rotation patterns at the papillary muscle short-axis levels, and the transition from basal clockwise rotation to apical counterclockwise rotation is located at the papillary muscle level.

Surrogate fuel assembly multi-axis shaker tests to simulate normal conditions of rail and truck transport

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

McConnell, Paul E.; Koenig, Greg John; Uncapher, William Leonard

2016-05-01

This report describes the third set of tests (the “DCLa shaker tests”) of an instrumented surrogate PWR fuel assembly. The purpose of this set of tests was to measure strains and accelerations on Zircaloy-4 fuel rods when the PWR assembly was subjected to rail and truck loadings simulating normal conditions of transport when affixed to a multi-axis shaker. This is the first set of tests of the assembly simulating rail normal conditions of transport.

Surrogate fuel assembly multi-axis shaker tests to simulate normal conditions of rail and truck transport

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

McConnell, Paul E.; Koenig, Greg John; Uncapher, William Leonard

2016-05-12

This report describes the third set of tests (the “DCL a shaker tests”) of an instrumented surrogate PWR fuel assembly. The purpose of this set of tests was to measure strains and accelerations on Zircaloy-4 fuel rods when the PWR assembly was subjected to rail and truck loadings simulating normal conditions of transport when affixed to a multi-axis shaker. This is the first set of tests of the assembly simulating rail normal conditions of transport.

Lateral Movement of Screw Dislocations During Homoepitaxial Growth and Devices Yielded Therefrom Free of the Detrimental Effects of Screw Dislocations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neudeck, Philip G. (Inventor); Powell, J. Anthony (Inventor)

2004-01-01

The present invention is related to a method that enables and improves wide bandgap homoepitaxial layers to be grown on axis single crystal substrates, particularly SiC. The lateral positions of the screw dislocations in epitaxial layers are predetermined instead of random, which allows devices to be reproducibly patterned to avoid performance degrading crystal defects normally created by screw dislocations.

Unusually Deep Bonin Earthquake (M7.9) of May 30, 2015 Suggests that Stagnant Slab Transforms into Penetration Stage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Obayashi, M.; Fukao, Y.; Yoshimitsu, J.

2015-12-01

A great shock occurred at an unusual depth of 678 km far away from the well-defined Wadati-Benioff zone of the Izu-Bonin arc (Fig.1). To the north of this region the slab is stagnant above the 660 km discontinuity and to the south it penetrates the discontinuity (Fig.2). Thus, the slab in this region can be viewed as in a transitional state from the stagnant to penetrating slab. Here, the steeply dipping part of the slab bends sharply to horizontal and the great shock happened at the lowest corner of this bending. The CMT indicates a pure normal faulting with the trench-normal near horizontal tensional axis and the near vertical compressional axis (Fig.1). We suggest that this mechanism reflects a transitional state of slab deformation from the bending-dominant mode to the penetration-dominant mode. The mechanism is consistent with either of these two two modes. We show that the mechanism is also consistent with the resultant stress field generated by many deep shocks occurring along the Wadati-Benioff zone. The calculated stress field changes rapidly along a trench-normal profile at a depth of 680 km and becomes similar to that generated by the great shock at points near the hypocenter (Fig.3). Thus, the stress field due to the Wadati-Benioff zone earthquakes works to enhance the occurrence of deep shocks of the type of the 2015 great shock, which represents slab deformation associated with the transition from stagnant to penetrating slab.

Normalized Point Source Sensitivity for Off-Axis Optical Performance Evaluation of the Thirty Meter Telescope

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seo, Byoung-Joon; Nissly, Carl; Troy, Mitchell; Angeli, George

2010-01-01

The Normalized Point Source Sensitivity (PSSN) has previously been defined and analyzed as an On-Axis seeing-limited telescope performance metric. In this paper, we expand the scope of the PSSN definition to include Off-Axis field of view (FoV) points and apply this generalized metric for performance evaluation of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT). We first propose various possible choices for the PSSN definition and select one as our baseline. We show that our baseline metric has useful properties including the multiplicative feature even when considering Off-Axis FoV points, which has proven to be useful for optimizing the telescope error budget. Various TMT optical errors are considered for the performance evaluation including segment alignment and phasing, segment surface figures, temperature, and gravity, whose On-Axis PSSN values have previously been published by our group.

Barbiturates Block Sodium and Potassium Conductance Increases in Voltage-Clamped Lobster Axons

PubMed Central

Blaustein, M. P.

1968-01-01

Sodium pentobarbital and sodium thiopental decrease both the peak initial (Na) and late steady-state (K) currents and reduce the maximum sodium and potassium conductance increases in voltage-clamped lobster giant axons. These barbiturates also slow the rate at which the sodium conductance turns on, and shift the normalized sodium conductance vs. voltage curves in the direction of depolarization along the voltage axis. Since pentobarbital (pKa = 8.0) blocks the action potential more effectively at pH 8.5 than at pH 6.7, the anionic form of the drug appears to be active. The data suggest that these drugs affect the axon membrane directly, rather than secondarily through effects on intermediary metabolism. It is suggested that penetration of the lipid layer of the membrane by the nonpolar portion of the barbiturate molecules may cause the decrease in membrane conductances, while electrostatic interactions involving the anionic group on the barbiturate, divalent cations, and "fixed charges" in the membrane could account for the slowing of the rate of sodium conductance turn-on and the shift of the normalized conductance curves along the voltage axis. PMID:5648829

Thermodynamics of dilute 3He-4He solid solutions with hcp structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chishko, K. A.

2018-02-01

To interpret the anomalies in heat capacity CV(T) and temperature-dependent pressure P(T) of solid hexagonal close-packed (hcp) 4He we exploit the model of hcp crystalline polytype with specific lattice degrees of freedom and describe the thermodynamics of impurity-free 4He solid as superposition of phononic and polytypic contributions. The hcp-based polytype is a stack of 2D basal atomic monolayers on triangular lattice packed with arbitrary long (up to infinity) spatial period along the hexagonal c axis perpendicular to the basal planes. It is a crystal with perfect ordering along the layers, but without microscopic translational symmetry in perpendicular direction (which remains, nevertheless, the rotational crystallographic axis of third order, so that the polytype can be considered as semidisordered system). Each atom of the hcp polytype has twelve crystallographic neighbors in both first and second coordination spheres at any arbitrary packing order. It is shown that the crystal of such structure behaves as anisotropic elastic medium with specific dispersion law of phonon excitations along c axis. The free energy and the heat capacity consist of two terms: one of them is a normal contribution [with CV(T) ˜ T3] from phonon excitations in an anisotropic lattice of hexagonal symmetry, and another term (an "excessive" heat) is a contribution resulted by packing entropy from quasi-one-dimensional system of 2D basal planes on triangular lattice stacked randomly along c axis without braking the closest pack between neighboring atomic layers. The excessive part of the free energy has been treated within 1D quasi-Ising (lattice gas) model using the transfer matrix approach. This model makes us possible to interpret successfully the thermodynamic anomaly (heat capacity peak in hcp 4He) observed experimentally.

Comparison of growth texture in round Bi2212 and flat Bi2223 wires and its relation to high critical current density development

DOE PAGES

Kametani, F.; Jiang, J.; Matras, M.; ...

2015-02-10

Why Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O x (Bi2212) allows high critical current density J c in round wires rather than only in the anisotropic tape form demanded by all other high temperature superconductors is important for future magnet applications. Here we compare the local texture of state-of-the-art Bi2212 and Bi2223 ((Bi,Pb)₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O₁₀), finding that round wire Bi2212 generates a dominant a-axis growth texture that also enforces a local biaxial texture (FWHM <15°) while simultaneously allowing the c-axes of its polycrystals to rotate azimuthally along and about the filament axis so as to generate macroscopically isotropic behavior. By contrast Bi2223 shows only a uniaxial (FWHM <15°)more » c-axis texture perpendicular to the tape plane without any in-plane texture. Consistent with these observations, a marked, field-increasing, field-decreasing J c(H) hysteresis characteristic of weak-linked systems appears in Bi2223 but is absent in Bi2212 round wire. Growth-induced texture on cooling from the melt step of the Bi2212 J c optimization process appears to be the key step in generating this highly desirable microstructure.« less

A direct approach to the study of the effect of gravity on axis formation in birds.

PubMed

Eyal-Giladi, H; Goldberg, M; Refael, H; Avner, O

1994-01-01

A system has been developed to enable the normal development of aborted very early uterine avian embryos, outside the female's uterus. The shell-less aborted egg was put into a foster shell of a sister egg, previously laid by the same female. The empty space between the shell and aborted egg was filled with artificial uterine fluid. The reconstructed eggs were incubated at 42 degrees C for 30 hours in a vertical position. The atmosphere contained a high concentration of CO2 (8-10%). At the termination of the 30 h the eggs were transferred to incubation at 37 degrees C in normal atmospheric conditions. Normal development has been recorded for a certain percentage of eggs incubated up to 12 days. In other cases abnormalities, arrested development or development of extraembryonic membranes only, without a sign of an embryonic axis, have been observed. The three important conclusions from the above experiments were: 1. It is possible to develop a closed, self-contained system, disconnected from the female's body, that would support the development of early uterine embryos. 2. The incidence of embryo-less extraembryonic membranes in such a system, is correlated with the degree of detachment of the "yolk" from the outer envelopes. 3. Such a system can be further developed into an experiment suited for microgravity conditions which will be an alternative to an experiment with live birds. The experiment will be aimed at testing the importance of gravity in changing the radially symmetrical avian blastoderm into a bilaterally symmetrical blastoderm.

On the P-induced behavior of the zeolite phillipsite: an in situ single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Comboni, Davide; Gatta, G. Diego; Lotti, Paolo; Merlini, Marco; Liermann, Hanns-Peter

2017-01-01

The elastic behavior and the structural evolution at high pressure of a natural phillipsite have been investigated by in situ single-crystal X-ray diffraction up to 9.44 GPa, using a diamond anvil cell and the nominally penetrating P-transmitting fluid methanol:ethanol:water (16:3:1) mix. Although no phase transition was observed within the P-range investigated, two different compressional regimes occur. Between 0.0001 and 2.0 GPa, the refined elastic parameters, calculated by a second-order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state (BM-EoS) fit, are V 0 = 1005(1) Å3, K 0 = 89(8) GPa for the unit-cell volume; a 0 = 9.914(7) Å, K a = 81(12) GPa for the a-axis; b 0 = 14.201(9) Å, K b = 50(5) GPa for the b-axis; and c 0 = 8.707(2) Å, K c = 107(8) GPa for the c-axis ( K a : K b : K c 1.62:1:2.14). Between 2.0 and 9.4 GPa, a P-induced change in the configuration of H2O molecules, coupled with a change in the tilting mechanisms of the framework tetrahedra, gives rise to a second compressional regime, in which the phillipsite structure is softer if compared to the first compressional range. In the second compressional regime, the refined elastic parameters, calculated by a second-order BM-EoS fit, are V 0 = 1098 (7) Å3, K 0 = 18.8(7) GPa for the unit-cell volume; a 0 = 10.07(3) Å, K a = 30(2) GPa for the a-axis; b 0 = 14.8(1) Å, K b = 11(1) GPa for the b-axis; and c 0 = 8.94(2) Å, K c = 21(1) GPa for the c-axis ( K a : K b : K c 2.72:1:1.90). The evolution of the monoclinic β angle with pressure shows two distinct trends in the two compressional regimes: with a negative slope between 0.0001 and 2.0 GPa, and a positive slope between 2.0 and 9.4 GPa. The mechanisms, at the atomic scale, that govern the two compressional regimes of the phillipsite structure are described.

Electrical resistivity of CeNiSn under uniaxial and hydrostatic pressures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Echizen, Y.; Umeo, K.; Igaue, T.; Takabatake, T.

2002-05-01

We present measurements of the electrical resistivity ρ(T) on high-quality single-crystalline CeNiSn under both hydrostatic pressure up to 1 GPa and uniaxial pressure up to 0.25 GPa. At ambient pressure, ρ(T) along the orthorhombic a-axis (b-axis) shows two maxima at TL = 12 K (14 K) and TH = 74 K (40 K), respectively, which arise from the Kondo scattering of conduction electrons by the crystal-field ground state and excited states. With increasing hydrostatic pressure, both TL and TH increase linearly, and for P≥0.8 GPa, the anisotropy in ρ(T) for I∥a and I∥b almost vanishes as a result of increased hybridization between the 4f electrons and the conduction electrons. Under P∥a, both TL and TH in ρ(I∥b) increase similarly to under hydrostatic pressure. Under P∥c, however, the depression of TL in ρ(I∥a) and ρ(I∥b) suggests that the c-f hybridization in the crystal-field ground state is weakened in the a-b plane of CeNiSn.

Electrohydrodynamic Quincke rotation of a prolate ellipsoid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brosseau, Quentin; Hickey, Gregory; Vlahovska, Petia M.

2017-01-01

We study experimentally the occurrence of spontaneous spinning (Quincke rotation) of an ellipsoid in a uniform direct current (dc) electric field. For an ellipsoid suspended in an unbounded fluid, we find two stable states characterized by the orientation of the ellipsoid long axis relative to the applied electric field: spinless (parallel) and spinning (perpendicular). The phase diagram of ellipsoid behavior as a function of field strength and aspect ratio is in close agreement with the theory of Cēbers et al. [Phys. Rev. E 63, 016301 (2000)], 10.1103/PhysRevE.63.016301. We also investigate the dynamics of the ellipsoidal Quincke rotor resting on a planar surface with normal perpendicular to the field direction. We find behaviors, such as swinging (long axis oscillating around the applied field direction) and tumbling, due to the confinement.

Anxiety and nicotine dependence: Emerging role of the habenulo-interpeduncular axis

PubMed Central

Molas, Susanna; DeGroot, Steven; Zhao-Shea, Rubing; Tapper, Andrew R.

2016-01-01

While innovative modern neuroscience approaches have aided in discerning brain circuitry underlying negative emotional behaviors including fear and anxiety responses, how these circuits are recruited in normal and pathological conditions remains poorly understood. Recently, genetic tools that selectively manipulate single neuronal populations have uncovered an understudied circuit, the medial habenula (mHb)-interpeduncular (IPN) axis, that modulates basal negative emotional responses. Interestingly, the mHb-IPN pathway also represents an essential circuit that signals heightened anxiety induced by nicotine withdrawal. Insights into how this circuit inter-connects with regions more classically associated with anxiety and how chronic nicotine exposure induces neuroadaptations resulting in an anxiogenic state, may thereby provide novel strategies and molecular targets for therapies that facilitate smoking cessation, as well as, anxiety relief. PMID:27890353

The gut-kidney axis in chronic renal failure: A new potential target for therapy.

PubMed

Khoury, Tawfik; Tzukert, Keren; Abel, Roy; Abu Rmeileh, Ayman; Levi, Ronen; Ilan, Yaron

2017-07-01

Evidence is accumulating to consider the gut microbiome as a central player in the gut-kidney axis. Microbiome products, such as advanced glycation end products, phenols, and indoles, are absorbed into the circulation but are cleared by normal-functioning kidneys. These products then become toxic and contribute to the uremic load and to the progression of chronic kidney failure. In this review, we discuss the gut-kidney interaction under the state of chronic kidney failure as well as the potential mechanisms by which a change in the gut flora (termed gut dysbiosis) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) exacerbates uremia and leads to further progression of CKD and inflammation. Finally, the potential therapeutic interventions to target the gut microbiome in CKD are discussed. © 2016 International Society for Hemodialysis.

Adaptive PI control strategy for flat permanent magnet linear synchronous motor vibration suppression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meng, Fanwei; Liu, Chengying; Li, Zhijun; Wang, Liping

2013-01-01

Due to low damping ratio, flat permanent magnet linear synchronous motor's vibration is difficult to be damped and the accuracy is limited. The vibration suppressing results are not good enough in the existing research because only the longitudinal direction vibration is considered while the normal direction vibration is neglected. The parameters of the direct-axis current controller are set to be the same as those of the quadrature-axis current controller commonly. This causes contradiction between signal noise and response. To suppress the vibration, the electromagnetic force model of the flat permanent magnet synchronous linear motor is formulated first. Through the analysis of the effect that direct-axis current noise and quadrature-axis current noise have on both direction vibration, it can be declared that the conclusion that longitudinal direction vibration is only related to the quadrature-axis current noise while the normal direction vibration is related to both the quadrature-axis current noise and direct-axis current noise. Then, the simulation test on current loop with a low-pass filter is conducted and the results show that the low-pass filter can not suppress the vibration but makes the vibration more severe. So a vibration suppressing strategy that the proportional gain of direct-axis current controller adapted according to quadrature-axis reference current is proposed. This control strategy can suppress motor vibration by suppressing direct-axis current noise. The experiments results about the effect of K p and T i on normal direction vibration, longitudinal vibration and the position step response show that this strategy suppresses vibration effectively while the motor's motion performance is not affected. The maximum reduction of vibration can be up to 40%. In addition, current test under rated load condition is also conducted and the results show that the control strategy can avoid the conflict between the direct-axis current and the quadrature-axis current under typical load. Adaptive PI control strategy can effectively suppress the flat permanent magnet linear synchronous motor's vibration without affecting the motor's performance.

Piezoelectric shear wave resonator and method of making same

DOEpatents

Wang, Jin S.; Lakin, Kenneth M.; Landin, Allen R.

1988-01-01

An acoustic shear wave resonator comprising a piezoelectric film having its C-axis substantially inclined from the film normal such that the shear wave coupling coefficient significantly exceeds the longitudinal wave coupling coefficient, whereby the film is capable of shear wave resonance, and means for exciting said film to resonate. The film is prepared by deposition in a dc planar magnetron sputtering system to which a supplemental electric field is applied. The resonator structure may also include a semiconductor material having a positive temperature coefficient of resonance such that the resonator has a temperature coefficient of resonance approaching 0 ppm/.degree.C.

Method of making a piezoelectric shear wave resonator

DOEpatents

Wang, Jin S.; Lakin, Kenneth M.; Landin, Allen R.

1987-02-03

An acoustic shear wave resonator comprising a piezoelectric film having its C-axis substantially inclined from the film normal such that the shear wave coupling coefficient significantly exceeds the longitudinal wave coupling coefficient, whereby the film is capable of shear wave resonance, and means for exciting said film to resonate. The film is prepared by deposition in a dc planar magnetron sputtering system to which a supplemental electric field is applied. The resonator structure may also include a semiconductor material having a positive temperature coefficient of resonance such that the resonator has a temperature coefficient of resonance approaching 0 ppm/.degree.C.

NMR studies of the helical antiferromagnetic compound EuCo2P2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Higa, N.; Ding, Q.-P.; Kubota, F.; Uehara, H.; Yogi, M.; Furukawa, Y.; Sangeetha, N. S.; Johnston, D. C.; Nakamura, A.; Hedo, M.; Nakama, T.; Ōnuki, Y.

2018-05-01

In EuCo2P2, 4f electron spins of Eu2+ ions order antiferromagnetically below a Néel temperature TN = 66.5 K . The magnetic structure below TN was reported to be helical with the helix axis along the c-axis from the neutron diffraction study. We report the results of 153Eu, 59Co and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements on EuCo2P2 using a single crystal and a powdered sample. In the antiferromagnetic (AFM) state, we succeeded in observing 153Eu, 59Co and 31P NMR spectra in zero magnetic field. The sharp 153Eu zero field NMR (ZF NMR) lines indicate homogeneous Eu ordered moment. The 59Co and 31P ZF NMR spectra showed an asymmetric spectral shape, indicating a distribution of the internal magnetic induction at each nuclear position. The AFM propagation vector k characterizing the helical AFM state can be determined from the internal magnetic induction at Co site. We have determined the model-independent value of the AFM propagation vector k distributed from (0, 0, 0.86)2π/c to (0, 0, 0.73)2π/c, where c is the lattice parameter.

Late Presentation of a Type III Axis Fracture with Spondyloptosis

PubMed Central

Jayakumar, Prakash; Choi, David; Casey, Adrian

2008-01-01

A 58-year-old man presented with an undiagnosed Effendi type III classification fracture and spondyloptosis of the axis with remarkably normal neurology. We discuss his surgery 4 years since the initial injury, and the presentation, features and management of fractures of the axis. PMID:18430325

Anisotropic dependence of the magnetic transition on uniaxial pressure in the Kondo semiconductors Ce T2A l10 (T =Ru and Os)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hayashi, K.; Umeo, K.; Takeuchi, T.; Kawabata, J.; Muro, Y.; Takabatake, T.

2017-12-01

We have measured the strain, magnetization, and specific heat of the antiferromagnetic (AFM) Kondo semiconductors Ce T2A l10 (T =Ru and Os) under uniaxial pressures applied along the orthorhombic axes. We found a linear dependence of TN on the b -axis parameter for both compounds under uniaxial pressure P ∥b and hydrostatic pressure. This relation indicates that the distance between the Ce-T layers along the b axis is the key structural parameter determining TN. Furthermore, the pressure dependence of the spin-flop transition field indicates that Ce-Ce interchain interactions stabilize the AFM state with the ordered moments pointing to the c axis.

The Effect of Sn Orientation on Intermetallic Compound Growth in Idealized Sn-Cu-Ag Interconnects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kinney, Chris; Linares, Xioranny; Lee, Kyu-Oh; Morris, J. W.

2013-04-01

The work reported here explores the influence of crystal orientation on the growth of the interfacial intermetallic layer during electromigration in Cu||Sn||Cu solder joints. The samples were thin, planar Sn-Ag-Cu (SAC) solder layers between Cu bars subject to a uniaxial current. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) was used to characterize the microstructure before and after testing. The most useful representation of the EBSD data identifies the Sn grain orientation by the angle between the Sn c-axis and the current direction. The tested samples included single-crystal joints with c-axis nearly parallel to the current ("green" samples) and with c-axis perpendicular to the current ("red" samples). At current density of 104 A/cm2 (steady-state temperature of ~150°C), an intermetallic layer grew at an observable rate in the "green" samples, but not in the "red" ones. A current density of 1.15 × 104 A/cm2 (temperature ~160°C) led to measurable intermetallic growth in both samples. The growth fronts were nearly planar and the growth rates constant (after an initial incubation period); the growth rates in the "green" samples were about 10× those in the "red" samples. The Cu concentrations were constant within the joints, showing that the intermetallic growth is dominated by the electromigration flux. The measured growth rates and literature values for the diffusion of Cu in Sn were used to extract values for the effective charge, z *, that governs the electromigration of Cu. The calculated value of z * is significantly larger for current perpendicular to the c-axis than along it.

Assessment of the Rotation Motion at the Papillary Muscle Short-Axis Plane with Normal Subjects by Two-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Imaging: A Basic Clinical Study

PubMed Central

Ni, Xian-Da; Huang, Jun; Hu, Yuan-Ping; Xu, Rui; Yang, Wei-Yu; Zhou, Li-Ming

2013-01-01

Background The aim of this study was to observe the rotation patterns at the papillary muscle plane in the Left Ventricle(LV) with normal subjects using two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging(2D-STI). Methods We acquired standard of the basal, the papillary muscle and the apical short-axis images of the LV in 64 subjects to estimate the LV rotation motion by 2D-STI. The rotational degrees at the papillary muscle short-axis plane were measured at 15 different time points in the analysis of two heart cycles. Results There were counterclockwise rotation, clockwise rotation, and counterclockwise to clockwise rotation at the papillary muscle plane in the LV with normal subjects, respectively. The ROC analysis of the rotational degrees was performed at the papillary muscle short-axis plane at the peak LV torsion for predicting whether the turnaround point of twist to untwist motion pattern was located at the papillary muscle level. Sensitivity and specificity were 97% and 67%, respectively, with a cut-off value of 0.34°, and an area under the ROC curve of 0.8. At the peak LV torsion, there was no correlation between the rotational degrees at the papillary muscle short-axis plane and the LVEF in the normal subjects(r = 0.000, p = 0.998). Conclusions In the study, we conclude that there were three rotation patterns at the papillary muscle short-axis levels, and the transition from basal clockwise rotation to apical counterclockwise rotation is located at the papillary muscle level. PMID:24376634

Superconductivity above 100 K in Bi(Pb)-Ca-Sr-Cu-O films made by thermal decomposition of metal carboxylates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klee, M.; de Vries, J. W. C.; Brand, W.

1988-11-01

Superconducting layers in the Bi(Pb)-Ca-Sr-Cu-O system are prepared by thermal decomposition of metal carboxylates. The films are deposited on MgO single crystal and ceramic substrates using a spin-coating and dip-coating process. The Bi-Ca-Sr-Cu-O films consist mainly of the low- Tc phase ( c-axis=3.073 nm), whereas partial substitution of Bi by Pb favours the formation of the high- Tc phase ( c-axis=3.707 nm). Films deposited on MgO (100) are strong c-axis preferentially oriented grown. While the Bi-Ca-Sr-Cu-O films show a step in the resistance versus temperature curve ( Tcf⋍80 K) due to the presence of the low- Tc and the high- Tc phase, the Bi(Pb)-Ca-Sr-Cu-O films have an onset at 110 K and are superconducting at 104 K. The temperature dependence of the critical current indicates that in the Bi-Ca-Sr-Cu-O system weak links of superconductor-isolator-superconductor type are present, while in the Bi(Pb)-Ca-Sr-Cu-O samples the contact is formed by normal-metal barriers. Using magnetic fields up to 5 T, the anisotropy of the resistive transition of the high- Tc phase was studied. In Bi(Pb)-Ca-Sr-Cu-O films the anisotropy ratio is about 18, and the corresponding coherence lengths are ξ ab(0)⋍3.6 nm and ξ c(0)⋍0.2 nm. These values are nearly the same as in the low- Tc phase.

Activation of ATP-sensitive potassium channel by iptakalim normalizes stress-induced HPA axis disorder and depressive behaviour by alleviating inflammation and oxidative stress in mouse hypothalamus.

PubMed

Zhao, Xiao-Jie; Zhao, Zhan; Yang, Dan-Dan; Cao, Lu-Lu; Zhang, Ling; Ji, Juan; Gu, Jun; Huang, Ji-Ye; Sun, Xiu-Lan

2017-04-01

Stress-induced disturbance of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is strongly implicated in incidence of mood disorders. A heightened neuroinflammatory response and oxidative stress play a fundamental role in the dysfunction of the HPA axis. We have previously demonstrated that iptakalim (Ipt), a new ATP-sensitive potassium (K-ATP) channel opener, could prevent oxidative injury and neuroinflammation against multiple stimuli-induced brain injury. The present study was to demonstrate the impacts of Ipt in stress-induced HPA axis disorder and depressive behavior. We employed 2 stress paradigms: 8 weeks of continuous restraint stress (chronic restraint stress, CRS) and 2h of restraint stress (acute restraint stress, ARS), to mimic both chronic stress and severe acute stress. Prolonged (4 weeks) and short-term (a single injection) Ipt treatment was administered 30min before each stress paradigm. We found that HPA axis was altered after stress, with different responses to CRS (lower ACTH and CORT, higher AVP, but normal CRH) and ARS (higher CRH, ACTH and CORT, but normal AVP). Both prolonged and short-term Ipt treatment normalized stress-induced HPA axis disorders and abnormal behaviors in mice. CRS and ARS up-regulated mRNA levels of inflammation-related molecules (TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6 and TLR4) and oxidative stress molecules (gp91phox, iNOS and Nrf2) in the mouse hypothalamus. Double immunofluorescence showed CRS and ARS increased microglia activation (CD11b and TNFα) and oxidative stress in neurons (NeuN and gp91phox), which were alleviated by Ipt. Therefore, the present study reveals that Ipt could prevent against stress-induced HPA axis disorders and depressive behavior by alleviating inflammation and oxidative stress in the hypothalamus. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Twinning of amphibian embryos by centrifugation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Black, S. D.

1984-01-01

In the frog Xenopus laevis, the dorsal structures of the embryonic body axis normally derive from the side of the egg opposite the side of sperm entry. However, if the uncleaved egg is inclined at lg or centrifuged in an inclined position, this topographic relationship is overridden: the egg makes its dorsal axial structures according to its orientation in the gravitational/centrifugal field, irrespective of the position of sperm entry. Certain conditions of centrifugation cause eggs to develop into conjoined twins with two sets of axial structures. A detailed analysis of twinning provided some insight into experimental axis orientation. First, as with single-axis embryos, both axes in twins are oriented according to the direction of centrifugation. One axis forms at the centripetal side of the egg and the other forms at the centrifugal side, even when the side of sperm entry is normal to the centrifugal force vector. Second, if eggs are centrifuged to give twins, but are inclined at lg to prevent post-centrifugation endoplasmic redistributions, only single-axis embryos develop. Thus, a second redistribution is required for high-frequency secondary axis formation. This can be accomplished by lg (as in the single centrifugations) or by a second centrifugation directed along the egg's animal-vegetal axis.

Investigation of Microwave Monolithic Integrated Circuit (MMIC) Non-Reciprocal Millimeterwave Components

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-09-01

nickel zinc ferrite films and (2) sputtering of barium hexaferrites with C-axis oriented normally to the film plane. The SSP tech- nique potential for...M-Wave, Components, Ferrites, Films , Yig, Nickel, Zinc , Hexagonal, R96E Measurements, Frequency, Magnetic, Barium Ferrite 17. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION...techniques to integrate millimeter-wave ferrite devices with GaAs VI&Cs. APPROACH Our approach was to deposit ferrite thin films on GaAs sub- strates in a

Comparison between electromagnetic transponders and radiographic imaging for prostate localization: A pelvic phantom study with rotations and translations.

PubMed

Hamilton, Daniel G; McKenzie, Dean P; Perkins, Anne E

2017-09-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in target localization between Calypso ® , kV orthogonal imaging and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) for combined translations and rotations of an anthropomorphic pelvic phantom. The phantom was localized using all three systems in 50 different positions, with applied translational and rotational offsets randomly sampled from representative normal distributions of prostate motion. Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (ρc) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to assess the agreement between the localization systems. Mean differences and difference vectors between the three systems were also calculated. Agreement between systems for lateral, vertical, and longitudinal translations was excellent, with ρc values of greater than 0.98 between all three systems in all axes. There was excellent agreement between the systems for rotations around the lateral axis (pitch) (ρc > 0.99), and around the vertical axis (yaw) (ρc > 0.97). However, somewhat poorer agreement for rotations around the longitudinal axis (roll) was observed, with the lowest correlation observed between Calypso and kV orthogonal imaging (ρc = 0.895). Mean differences between the phantom position reported by Calypso and the radiographic systems were less than 1 mm and 1° for all translations and rotations. The results for translations are consistent with the publications of previous authors. There is no comparable published data for rotations. While there is lower correlation between the three systems for roll than for the other angles, the mean differences in reported rotations are not clinically significant. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Congenital axis dysmorphism in a medieval skeleton : …secunda a vertendo epistropheus….

PubMed

Travan, Luciana; Saccheri, Paola; Toso, Francesco; Crivellato, Enrico

2013-05-01

We describe here the axis dysmorphism that we observed in the skeletal remains of a human child dug up from a fifteenth century cemetery located in north-eastern Italy. This bone defect is discussed in the light of pertinent literature. We performed macroscopical examination and CT scan analysis of the axis. Axis structure was remarkably asymmetric. Whilst the left half exhibited normal morphology, the right one was smaller than normal, and its lateral articular surface showed horizontal orientation. In addition, the odontoid process appeared leftward deviated and displayed a supplementary articular-like facet situated on the right side of its surface. These findings suggest a diagnosis of unilateral irregular segmentation of atlas and axis, a rare dysmorphism dependent upon disturbances of notochordal development in early embryonic life. Likewise other malformations of the craniovertebral junction, this axis defect may alter the delicate mechanisms of upper neck movements and cause a complex series of clinical symptoms. This is an emblematic case whereby human skeletal remains may provide valuable information on the anatomical defects of craniovertebral junction.

Single-Axis Acoustic Levitator With Rotation Control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Trinh, E. H.; Olli, E. E.

1987-01-01

Rotation-control equipment simplified. Acoustic levitator with rotation control handles liquid and solid specimens as dense as steel in both low gravity and normal Earth gravity. Levitator is single-axis type.

Origin of intrinsic Josephson coupling in the cuprates and its relation to order parameter symmetry: An incoherent hopping model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Radtke, R. J.; Levin, K.

1995-02-01

Experiments on the cuprate superconductors demonstrate that these materials may be viewed as a stack of Josephson junctions along the direction normal to the CuO 2 planes (the c-axis). In this paper, we present a model which describes this intrinsic Josephson coupling in terms of incherent quasiparticle hopping along the c-axis arising from wave-function overlap, impurity-assisted hopping, and boson-assised hopping. We use this model to compute the magnitude and temperature T dependence of the resulting Josephson critical current jc( T) for s- and d-wave superconductors. Contrary to other approaches, d-wave pairing in this model is compatible with an intrinsic Josephson effect at all hole concentrations and leads to jc( T) αT at low T. By parameterizing our theory with c-axis resistivity data from YBa 2Cu 3O 7-δ (YBCO), we estimate jc( T) for optimally doped and underdoped members of this family. jc( T) can be measured either directly or indirectly through microwave penetration depth experiments, and current measurements on Bi 2Sr 2CaCu 2O 8 and La 2- xSr xCuO 4 are found to be consistent with s-wave pairing and the dominance of assisted hopping processes. The situation in YBCO is still unclear, but our estimates suggest that further experiments on this compound would be of great help in elucidating the validity of our model in general and the pairing symmetry in particular.

Evaluation of a motion artifacts removal approach on breath-hold cine-magnetic resonance images of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy subjects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Betancur, Julián.; Simon, Antoine; Schnell, Frédéric; Donal, Erwan; Hernández, Alfredo; Garreau, Mireille

2013-11-01

The acquisition of ECG-gated cine magnetic resonance images of the heart is routinely performed in apnea in order to suppress the motion artifacts caused by breathing. However, many factors including the 2D nature of the acquisition and the use of di erent beats to acquire the multiple-view cine images, cause this kind of artifacts to appear. This paper presents the qualitative evaluation of a method aiming to remove motion artifacts in multipleview cine images acquired on patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy diagnosis. The approach uses iconic registration to reduce for in-plane artifacts in long-axis-view image stacks and in-plane and out-of-plane motion artifacts in sort-axis-view image stack. Four similarity measures were evaluated: the normalized correlation, the normalized mutual information, the sum of absolute voxel di erences and the Slomka metric proposed by Slomka et al. The qualitative evaluation assessed the misalignment of di erent anatomical structures of the left ventricle as follows: the misalignment of the interventricular septum and the lateral wall for short-axis-view acquisitions and the misalignment between the short-axis-view image and long-axis-view images. Results showed the correction using the normalized correlation as the most appropriated with an 80% of success.

Magnetic susceptibility in the normal phase of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ single crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lopes, Lutiene F.; Peña, J. Paola; Schaf, Jacob; Tumelero, Milton A.; Vieira, Valdemar N.; Pureur, Paulo

2018-05-01

We report on measurements of the c-axis component of the magnetic susceptibility in the normal phase of several single crystal samples of the Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ cuprate superconductor. These crystal were submitted to appropriate heat treatments so that the density of hole carriers could be varied in an extended region of the superconducting dome. In general, the measured susceptibility shows significant temperature dependence, which was attributed to the pseudogap phenomenon. The results were interpreted with basis on a phenomenological model that allows the determination of the pseudogap characteristic temperature T* as a function of the carrier density.

Observation of b 2 symmetry vibrational levels of the SO 2C 1B 2 state: Vibrational level staggering, Coriolis interactions, and rotation-vibration constants

DOE PAGES

Park, G. Barratt; Jiang, Jun; Saladrigas, Catherine A.; ...

2016-04-14

Here, the C 1B 2 state of SO 2 has a double-minimum potential in the antisymmetric stretch coordinate, such that the minimum energy geometry has nonequivalent SO bond lengths. However, low-lying levels with odd quanta of antisymmetric stretch (b 2 vibrational symmetry) have not previously been observed because transitions into these levels from the zero-point level of the X ~ state are vibronically forbidden. We use IR-UV double resonance to observe the b 2 vibrational levels of the C state below 1600 cm –1 of vibrational excitation. This enables a direct characterization of the vibrational level staggering that results frommore » the double-minimum potential. In addition, it allows us to deperturb the strong c-axis Coriolis interactions between levels of a 1 and b 2 vibrational symmetry, and to determine accurately the vibrational dependence of the rotational constants in the distorted C electronic state.« less

Observation of b 2 symmetry vibrational levels of the SO 2C 1B 2 state: Vibrational level staggering, Coriolis interactions, and rotation-vibration constants

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

Park, G. Barratt; Jiang, Jun; Saladrigas, Catherine A.

Here, the C 1B 2 state of SO 2 has a double-minimum potential in the antisymmetric stretch coordinate, such that the minimum energy geometry has nonequivalent SO bond lengths. However, low-lying levels with odd quanta of antisymmetric stretch (b 2 vibrational symmetry) have not previously been observed because transitions into these levels from the zero-point level of the X ~ state are vibronically forbidden. We use IR-UV double resonance to observe the b 2 vibrational levels of the C state below 1600 cm –1 of vibrational excitation. This enables a direct characterization of the vibrational level staggering that results frommore » the double-minimum potential. In addition, it allows us to deperturb the strong c-axis Coriolis interactions between levels of a 1 and b 2 vibrational symmetry, and to determine accurately the vibrational dependence of the rotational constants in the distorted C electronic state.« less

Fabrication and Properties of a Metal-Insulator - Type Oxygen Sensor Using Lanthanum Trifluoride as the Sole Dielectric.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mattingly, William Brashear, III

1995-01-01

Oxygen sensors were fabricated using a metal-insulator -semiconductor construction where the sole 'insulator' is a thin film of LaF_3, an ionic conductor. The typical oxide or nitride layers were eliminated producing a simple Pt/LaF_3/Si design. LaF_3 films, 200-300nm thick, were directly deposited on n-type Si(111) using a high temperature effusion cell in an ultra high vacuum MBE chamber. The film morphology could be controlled from polycrystalline to near single crystal epitaxy. Epitaxial films exhibited a single relaxed variant with the LaF _3 c-axis normal to the silicon surface and the in-plane LaF_3(10^ -10) parallel to Si(110). Polycrystalline films also showed a high degree of LaF_3 c-axis normal texture. Films doped with strontium were also produced. Polycrystalline films were more robust and fabricated into MIS (metal-insulator-semiconductor) capacitors. Capacitance voltage tests of the devices demonstrate nearly ideal MIS capacitor behavior. The flatband voltages were typically within 300mV of the calculated value. Bias challenge tests developed in the lab showed less than 70mV flatband voltage shift. The dielectric constant of undoped LaF_3 films measured close to 14. Doped films, rm Sr_{x}La_ {1-x}F_3 x =.06, showed a dielectric constant of 275, at 100kHz. Oxygen partial pressure tests were performed with mixtures of dry nitrogen and dry oxygen. Oxygen partial pressures were varied between 2.5 times 10^{-4} and 1.0 atmosphere. The steady state data are consistent with a Pt/LaF _3 interface adsorption mechanism, where the work function of the platinum gate metal is modulated. The mechanism is not a half-cell Nernst-type response. Langmiur isotherm fitted data indicate the response range for undoped devices is 0.3 V. Signal drift was less than 5 mV/day. The metal free-surface reactions and the dipole species at the Pt/LaF_3 interface are yet to be determined. Device kinetic studies show the time required for full equilibration after a step in oxygen partial pressure is 24 hours at 90^circC. Initial response kinetics to downward steps in oxygen show the activation energy of the process is 0.54 eV.

Growth axis maturation is linked to nutrition, growth and developmental rate.

PubMed

Hetz, Jennifer A; Menzies, Brandon R; Shaw, Geoffrey; Rao, Alexandra; Clarke, Iain J; Renfree, Marilyn B

2015-08-15

Maturation of the mammalian growth axis is thought to be linked to the transition from fetal to post-natal life at birth. However, in an altricial marsupial, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii), this process occurs many months after birth but at a time when the young is at a similar developmental stage to that of neonatal eutherian mammals. Here we manipulate growth rates and demonstrate in slow, normal and fast growing tammar young that nutrition and growth rate affect the time of maturation of the growth axis. Maturation of GH/IGF-I axis components occurred earlier in fast growing young, which had significantly increased hepatic GHR, IGF1 and IGFALS expression, plasma IGF-I concentrations, and significantly decreased plasma GH concentrations compared to age-matched normal young. These data support the hypothesis that the time of maturation of the growth axis depends on the growth rate and maturity of the young, which can be accelerated by changing their nutritional status. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Crystal alignments in the Fast ice of arctic Alaska

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weeks, W. F.; Gow, A. J.

1980-02-01

Field observations at 60 sites located in the fast or near-fast ice along a 1200-km stretch of the north coast of Alaska between the Bering Strait and Barter Island have shown that the great majority of the ice samples (95%) exhibit striking c axis alignments within the horizontal plane. In all cases the degree of preferred orientation increased with depth in the ice. Representative standard deviations around a mean direction in the horizontal plane are commonly less than ±10° for samples collected near the bottom of the ice. At a given site the mean c axis direction ?0 may vary as much as 20° with vertical location in the ice sheet. The c axis allignments in the nearshore region generally parallel the coast, with strong alignments occurring in the lagoon systems between the barrier islands and the coast and seaward of the barrier islands. In passes between islands and in entrances such as the opening to Kotzebue Sound the alignment is parallel to the channel. Only limited observations are available farther seaward over the inner (10- to 50-m isobaths) and outer (50-m isobath to shelf break) shelf regions. These indicate NE-SW and E-W alignments, respectively, in the Beaufort Sea north of Prudhoe Bay. The general patterns of the alignments support the correlation between the preferred c axis direction and the current direction at the ice/water interface suggested by Weeks and Gow (1978). A comparison between c axis alignments and instantaneous current measurements made at 42 locations shows that the most frequent current direction coincides with ?0. At the one site where we were able to determine the current direction (52°T) over a longer period (7 hours), the agreement with ?0. (48°T) was excellent. Similarly, if only ?0. values determined in the nearshore region are considered, the most frequent deviation is 10° or less between ?0. and the trend of the adjacent shoreline, which is presumably parallel to the prevailing longshore currents. The c axis alignments are believed to be the result of geometric selection, with the most favored orientation being that in which the current flows normal to the (0001) plates of ice that comprise the dendritic sea ice/seawater interface. The instantaneous current observations suggest SW nearshore currents along the Chukchi coast between SW of Point Lay and SW of the Rogers-Post Monument. In the vicinity of Barrow all currents measured along the Chukchi coast were toward the NE. Current directions along the Beaufort coast in the nearshore region were generally parallel to the coast, with 45% of the observations indicating currents toward the E and 55% currents toward the W.

Barium ferrite thin-film recording media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sui, Xiaoyu; Scherge, Matthias; Kryder, Mark H.; Snyder, John E.; Harris, Vincent G.; Koon, Norman C.

1996-03-01

Both longitudinal and perpendicular barium ferrite thin films are being pursued as overcoatless magnetic recording media. In this paper, prior research on thin-film Ba ferrite is reviewed and the most recent results are presented. Self-textured high-coercivity longitudinal Ba ferrite thin films have been achieved using conventional rf diode sputtering. Microstructural studies show that c-axis in-plane oriented grains have a characteristic acicular shape, while c-axis perpendicularly oriented grains have a platelet shape. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurements indicate that the crystal orientations are predetermined by the structural anisotropy in the as-sputtered 'amorphous' state. Recording tests on 1500 Oe coercivity longitudinal Ba ferrite disks show performance comparable with that of a 1900 Oe Co alloy disk. To further improve the recording performance, both grain size and aspect ratio need to be reduced. Initial tribological tests indicate high hardness of Ba ferrite thin films. However, surface roughness needs to be reduced. For future ultrahigh-density contact recording, it is believed that perpendicular recording may be used. A thin Pt underlayer has been found to be capable of producing Ba ferrite thin films with excellent c-axis perpendicular orientation.

Piezotronic Effect in Polarity-Controlled GaN Nanowires.

PubMed

Zhao, Zhenfu; Pu, Xiong; Han, Changbao; Du, Chunhua; Li, Linxuan; Jiang, Chunyan; Hu, Weiguo; Wang, Zhong Lin

2015-08-25

Using high-quality and polarity-controlled GaN nanowires (NWs), we studied the piezotronic effect in crystal orientation defined wurtzite structures. By applying a normal compressive force on c-plane GaN NWs with an atomic force microscopy tip, the Schottky barrier between the Pt tip and GaN can be effectively tuned by the piezotronic effect. In contrast, the normal compressive force cannot change the electron transport characteristics in m-plane GaN NWs whose piezoelectric polarization axis is turned in the transverse direction. This observation provided solid evidence for clarifying the difference between the piezotronic effect and the piezoresistive effect. We further demonstrated a high sensitivity of the m-plane GaN piezotronic transistor to collect the transverse force. The integration of c-plane GaN and m-plane GaN indicates an overall response to an external force in any direction.

Supersolid-like magnetic states in a mixed honeycomb-triangular lattice system.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garlea, Ovidiu

Field-induced magnetic states that occur in layered triangular antiferromagnets have been of broad interest due to the emergence of new exotic phases, such as topologically ordered states and supersolids. Experimental realization of the supersolid states where spin components break simultaneously the translational and rotational symmetries remains scarce. In this context, the mixed vanadate -carbonate K2Mn3(VO4)2CO3 is a very promising system. This compound contains two types of two-dimensional layers alternately stacked along the crystallographic c-axis: one layer consists of a honeycomb web structure made of edge sharing MnO6 octahedra, while the other consists of MnO5 trigonal bipyramids linked by [CO3] triangles to form a triangular magnetic lattice. Magnetization and heat capacity measurements reveal a complex magnetic phase diagram that includes three phase transition associated with sequential long range magnetic ordering of the different sublattices. The lowest temperature state resembles a supersolid state that was predicted to occur in two-dimensional frustrated magnet with easy axis anisotropy. Such a supersolid phase is defined by a commensurate √3× √3 magnetic superlattice, where two thirds of the spins are canted away from the easy axis direction. Applied magnetic field destabilizes this ordered state and induces a cascade of new exotic magnetic ground states. The nature of these field-induced magnetic states is evaluated by using neutron scattering techniques. Work at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory was sponsored by the US Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences, Scientific User Facilities Division and Materials Sciences and Engineering Division.

Low Loss Substrates for Microwave Applications and Sol-Gel Processing of Superconductors

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-03-31

crystallographic axis normal to solid state technology, in the growth of ferrimagnetic garnets the substrate plane) or. better, in "epitaxial" films (i.e...hay- by liquid phase epitaxy ( LPE ). is from a melt using a para- ing their three crystallographic axes related to those of a magnetic garnet structure...yttrium barium cuprate (YBCO) films and their microwave applications have been carried out. Several promising new hosts such as Sr(All/2Tal/2)03, Sr(Al1

The Application of Advanced Geophysical Classification in Support of Munitions Response Program: An Outreach to Federal, State and Local Regulators and Tribal Governments

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-04-18

Industry’s Treatability Study 20 demonstration sites Over 30 datasets from 3 different sensors Former Lowry Bombing and Gunnery Range Former Camp...object by an external EM source, after the external EM source is removed. Polarizability values exist for each of the object’s three principal...The EM Signal We Measure 13 BUILDING STRONG®  Normalized response (polarizability) for excitation in object’s principal axis directions are the

Pseudogap and conduction dimensionalities in high-Tc superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das Arulsamy, Andrew; Ong, P. C.; Ong, M. T.

2003-01-01

The nature of normal state charge-carriers' dynamics and the transition in conduction and gap dimensionalities between 2D and 3D for YBa2Cu3O7-δ and Bi2Sr2Ca1- xYxCu2O8 high-Tc superconductors were described by computing and fitting the resistivity curves, /ρ(T,δ,x). These were carried out by utilizing the 2D and 3D Fermi liquid and ionization energy (EI) based resistivity models coupled with charge-spin separation based /t-/J model (Phys. Rev. B 64 (2001) 104516). /ρ(T,δ,x) curves of Y123 and Bi2212 samples indicate the beginning of the transition of conduction and gap from 2D to 3D with reduction in oxygen content /(7-δ) and Ca2+(1-x) as such, /c-axis pseudogap could be a different phenomenon from superconductor and spin gaps. These models also indicate that the recent MgB2 superconductor is at least not Y123 or Bi2212 type.

Evidence for a small hole pocket in the Fermi surface of underdoped YBa2Cu3Oy

PubMed Central

Doiron-Leyraud, N.; Badoux, S.; René de Cotret, S.; Lepault, S.; LeBoeuf, D.; Laliberté, F.; Hassinger, E.; Ramshaw, B. J.; Bonn, D. A.; Hardy, W. N.; Liang, R.; Park, J.-H..; Vignolles, D.; Vignolle, B.; Taillefer, L.; Proust, C.

2015-01-01

In underdoped cuprate superconductors, the Fermi surface undergoes a reconstruction that produces a small electron pocket, but whether there is another, as yet, undetected portion to the Fermi surface is unknown. Establishing the complete topology of the Fermi surface is key to identifying the mechanism responsible for its reconstruction. Here we report evidence for a second Fermi pocket in underdoped YBa2Cu3Oy, detected as a small quantum oscillation frequency in the thermoelectric response and in the c-axis resistance. The field-angle dependence of the frequency shows that it is a distinct Fermi surface, and the normal-state thermopower requires it to be a hole pocket. A Fermi surface consisting of one electron pocket and two hole pockets with the measured areas and masses is consistent with a Fermi-surface reconstruction by the charge–density–wave order observed in YBa2Cu3Oy, provided other parts of the reconstructed Fermi surface are removed by a separate mechanism, possibly the pseudogap. PMID:25616011

An estimation of Envisat's rotational state accounting for the precession of its rotational axis caused by gravity-gradient torque

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Hou-Yuan; Zhao, Chang-Yin

2018-01-01

The rotational state of Envisat is re-estimated using the specular glint times in optical observation data obtained from 2013 to 2015. The model is simplified to a uniaxial symmetric model with the first order variation of its angular momentum subject to a gravity-gradient torque causing precession around the normal of the orbital plane. The sense of Envisat's rotation can be derived from observational data, and is found to be opposite to the sense of its orbital motion. The rotational period is estimated to be (120.674 ± 0.068) · exp((4.5095 ± 0.0096) ×10-4 · t) s , where t is measured in days from the beginning of 2013. The standard deviation is 0.760 s, making this the best fit obtained for Envisat in the literature to date. The results demonstrate that the angle between the angular momentum vector and the negative normal of the orbital plane librates around a mean value of 8.53 ° ± 0.42 ° with an amplitude from about 0.7 ° (in 2013) to 0.5 ° (in 2015), with the libration period equal to the precession period of the angular momentum, from about 4.8 days (in 2013) to 3.4 days (in 2015). The ratio of the minimum to maximum principal moments of inertia is estimated to be 0.0818 ± 0.0011 , and the initial longitude of the angular momentum in the orbital coordinate system is 40.5 ° ± 9.3 ° . The direction of the rotation axis derived from our results at September 23, 2013, UTC 20:57 is similar to the results obtained from satellite laser ranging data but about 20 ° closer to the negative normal of the orbital plane.

Anxiety and Nicotine Dependence: Emerging Role of the Habenulo-Interpeduncular Axis.

PubMed

Molas, Susanna; DeGroot, Steven R; Zhao-Shea, Rubing; Tapper, Andrew R

2017-02-01

While innovative modern neuroscience approaches have aided in discerning brain circuitry underlying negative emotional behaviors including fear and anxiety responses, how these circuits are recruited in normal and pathological conditions remains poorly understood. Recently, genetic tools that selectively manipulate single neuronal populations have uncovered an understudied circuit, the medial habenula (mHb)-interpeduncular (IPN) axis, that modulates basal negative emotional responses. Interestingly, the mHb-IPN pathway also represents an essential circuit that signals heightened anxiety induced by nicotine withdrawal. Insights into how this circuit interconnects with regions more classically associated with anxiety, and how chronic nicotine exposure induces neuroadaptations resulting in an anxiogenic state, may thereby provide novel strategies and molecular targets for therapies that facilitate smoking cessation, as well as for anxiety relief. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Electrical transport properties of sputtered Nd2-xCexCuO4±δ thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guarino, Anita; Leo, Antonio; Avella, Adolfo; Avitabile, Francesco; Martucciello, Nadia; Grimaldi, Gaia; Romano, Alfonso; Pace, Sandro; Romano, Paola; Nigro, Angela

2018-05-01

Thin films of the electron-doped high-temperature superconductor Nd2-xCexCuO4±δ have been deposited by dc sputtering technique on (100) SrTiO3 substrates. A tuning of the oxygen content in the as-grown non-superconducting samples has been achieved by changing the oxygen partial pressure during the growth in the Argon sputtering atmosphere. All samples show the superconducting transition after a suitable two-step thermal treatment in an oxygen-reducing environment. Structural and electrical transport properties on the as-grown as well as on the superconducting samples have been investigated. We find that the structural properties are consistent with a deficiency of the oxygen content with respect to optimally annealed samples, and that the transition to the superconducting phase is always accompanied by an increase of the c-axis lattice parameter. Measurements of the Hall coefficient RH as a function of temperature and in the normal state of our epitaxial films are presented and discussed. RH results negative for all the films regardless of the oxygen content and it decreases with the temperature. In particular, the Hall coefficient is only about 10% lower than the value measured in the as-grown oxygen-deficient phase, in contrast to the results reported in literature. The removal of the excess oxygen in as-grown samples seems not to be the only requirement for triggering the superconducting transition in electron-doped compounds. The microstructural change associated with the increase of the c-axis parameter in our deoxygenated samples could help in understanding the microscopic mechanism underlying the reduction process of n-type superconductors, which is still under debate.

Orbital loop currents in iron-based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klug, Markus; Kang, Jian; Fernandes, Rafael M.; Schmalian, Jörg

2018-04-01

We show that the antiferromagnetic state commonly observed in the phase diagrams of the iron-based superconductors necessarily triggers loop currents characterized by charge transfer between different Fe 3 d orbitals. This effect is rooted on the glide-plane symmetry of these materials and on the existence of an atomic spin-orbit coupling that couples states at the X and Y points of the 1-Fe Brillouin zone. In the particular case in which the magnetic moments are aligned parallel to the magnetic ordering vector direction, which is the moment configuration most commonly found in the iron-based superconductors, these loop currents involve the dx y orbital and either the dy z orbital (if the moments point along the y axis) or the dx z orbitals (if the moments point along the x axis). We show that the two main manifestations of the orbital loop currents are the emergence of magnetic moments in the pnictide/chalcogen site and an orbital-selective band splitting in the magnetically ordered state, both of which could be detected experimentally. Our results highlight the unique intertwining between orbital and spin degrees of freedom in the iron-based superconductors, and reveal the emergence of an unusual correlated phase that may impact the normal state and superconducting properties of these materials.

Imaging Borrelly

USGS Publications Warehouse

Soderblom, L.A.; Boice, D.C.; Britt, D.T.; Brown, R.H.; Buratti, B.J.; Kirk, R.L.; Lee, M.; Nelson, R.M.; Oberst, J.; Sandel, B.R.; Stern, S.A.; Thomas, N.; Yelle, R.V.

2004-01-01

The nucleus, coma, and dust jets of short-period Comet 19P/Borrelly were imaged from the Deep Space 1 spacecraft during its close flyby in September 2001. A prominent jet dominated the near-nucleus coma and emanated roughly normal to the long axis of nucleus from a broad central cavity. We show it to have remained fixed in position for more than 34 hr, much longer than the 26-hr rotation period. This confirms earlier suggestions that it is co-aligned with the rotation axis. From a combination of fitting the nucleus light curve from approach images and the nucleus' orientation from stereo images at encounter, we conclude that the sense of rotation is right-handed around the main jet vector. The inferred rotation pole is approximately perpendicular to the long axis of the nucleus, consistent with a simple rotational state. Lacking an existing IAU comet-specific convention but applying a convention provisionally adopted for asteroids, we label this the north pole. This places the sub-solar latitude at ???60?? N at the time of the perihelion with the north pole in constant sunlight and thus receiving maximum average insolation. ?? 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Missing-orbital analysis on hyperpolarizability β of organic molecules. Enhancement of the off-diagonal component βzxx using multiple substitutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tomonari, Mutsumi; Ookubo, Norio; Takada, Toshikazu

1995-04-01

The first-order hyperpolarizability components, βzzz and βzxx, for C 2v molecules (the z axis being the principal axis) are analyzed after simplified sum-over-states calculations. Compared with p-nitroaniline (PNA), βzxx is three times enhanced by x-extended π conjugation realized by a bulky substrate in 9-amino-10-nitroanthracene (ANA) and by multiple substitutions in 1,5-diamino-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DDB). While ANA shows βzzz unchanged because its z-directed charge transfer (CT) is similar to PNA, DDB has a β zzz1/3 of PNA, which is reduced by two weak CTs introduced by two ortho-positioned donor-acceptor pairs on both sides of the z axis.

Functional interactions between A' helices in the C-linker of open CNG channels.

PubMed

Hua, Li; Gordon, Sharona E

2005-03-01

Cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels are nonselective cation channels that are activated by the direct binding of the cyclic nucleotides cAMP and cGMP. The region linking the last membrane-spanning region (S6) to the cyclic nucleotide binding domain in the COOH terminus, termed the C-linker, has been shown to play an important role in coupling cyclic nucleotide binding to opening of the pore. In this study, we explored the intersubunit proximity between the A' helices of the C-linker regions of CNGA1 in functional channels using site-specific cysteine substitution. We found that intersubunit disulfide bonds can be formed between the A' helices in open channels, and that inducing disulfide bonds in most of the studied constructs resulted in potentiation of channel activation. This suggests that the A' helices of the C-linker regions are in close proximity when the channel is in the open state. Our finding is not compatible with a homology model of the CNGA1 C-linker made from the recently published X-ray crystallographic structure of the hyperpolarization-activated, cyclic nucleotide-modulated (HCN) channel COOH terminus, and leads us to suggest that the C-linker region depicted in the crystal structure may represent the structure of the closed state. The opening conformational change would then involve a movement of the A' helices from a position parallel to the axis of the membrane to one perpendicular to the axis of the membrane.

High Resolution Digital Radar Imaging of Rotating Objects

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-06-01

associated with it is called motion compensation. 1.2. Problem Description Consider a rigid body as shown in figure 1.1 rotating with its axis normal to the...vector of an arbitrary point B on the target referenced to the target reference point C as shown in Fig. 3.1.1. The entire rigid body is moving with...relationships. Since x is a vector on a rigid body , its tangential velocity (ixx-) is the only velocity component it has. Hence, Ad _T X. Also from

Novel Expressions of Equations of Relative Motion and Control in Keplerian Orbits

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-04-01

Control, and Dynamics, Vol. 29, No. 2, March– April 2006, pp. 495–499. doi:10.2514/1.19148 [12] Singla, P., Subbarao , K ., and Junkins, J. L...negative orbit normal, and thex axis is defined as i j k , where i; j and k are the basis vector of the LVLH frame. Thus, in a circular orbit, the x...a. REPORT unclassified b . ABSTRACT unclassified c. THIS PAGE unclassified Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8-98) Prescribed by ANSI Std Z39-18

The effect of growth temperature on the irreversibility line of MPMG YBCO bulk with Y2O3 layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurnaz, Sedat; Çakır, Bakiye; Aydıner, Alev

2017-07-01

In this study, three kinds of YBCO samples which are named Y1040, Y1050 and Y1060 were fabricated by Melt-Powder-Melt-Growth (MPMG) method without a seed crystal. Samples seem to be single crystal. The compacted powders were located on a crucible with a buffer layer of Y2O3 to avoid liquid to spread on the furnace plate and also to support crystal growth. YBCO samples were investigated by magnetoresistivity (ρ-T) and magnetization (M-T) measurements in dc magnetic fields (parallel to c-axis) up to 5 T. Irreversibility fields (Hirr) and upper critical fields (Hc2) were obtained using 10% and 90% criteria of the normal state resistivity value from ρ-T curves. M-T measurements were carried out using the zero field cooling (ZFC) and field cooling (FC) processes to get irreversible temperature (Tirr). Fitting of the irreversibility line results to giant flux creep and vortex glass models were discussed. The results were found to be consistent with the results of the samples fabricated using a seed crystal. At the fabrication of MPMG YBCO, optimized temperature for crystal growth was determined to be around 1050-1060 °C.

29Si-NMR study of magnetic anisotropy and hyperfine interactions in the uranium-bsed ferromagnet UNiSi2

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

Sakai, Hironori; Baek, Seung H; Bauer, Eric D

2009-01-01

UNiSi{sub 2} orders ferromagnetically below T{sub Curie} = 95 K. This material crystallizes in the orthorhombic CeNiSi{sub 2}-type structure. The uranium atoms form double-layers, which are stacked along the crystallographic b axis (the longest axis). From magnetization measurement the easy (hard) magnetization axis is found to be the c axis (b axis). {sup 29}Si-NMR measurements have been performed in the paramagnetic state. In UNiSi{sub 2}, two crystallographic Si sites exist with orthorhombic local symmetry. The Knight shifts on each Si site have been estimated from the spectra of random and oriented powders. The transferred hyperfine couplings have been also derived.more » It is found that the transferred hyperfine coupling constants on each Si site are nearly isotropic, and that their Knight shift anisotropy comes from that of the bulk susceptibility. The nuclear-spin lattice relaxation rate 1/T{sub 1} shows temperature-independent behavior, which indicates the existence of localized 5f electron.« less

Petrological constraints on melt generation beneath the Asal Rift (Djibouti) using quaternary basalts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pinzuti, Paul; Humler, Eric; Manighetti, Isabelle; Gaudemer, Yves

2013-08-01

The temporal evolution of the mantle melting processes in the Asal Rift is evaluated from the chemical composition of 56 new lava flows sampled along 10 km of the rift axis and 9 km off-axis (i.e., erupted within the last 620 kyr). Petrological and primary geochemical results show that most of the samples of the inner floor of the Asal Rift are affected by plagioclase accumulation. Trace element ratios and major element compositions corrected for mineral accumulation and crystallization show a symmetric pattern relative to the rift axis and preserved a clear signal of mantle melting depth variations. While FeO, Fe8.0, Zr/Y, and (Dy/Yb)N decrease from the rift shoulders to the rift axis, SiO2, Na/Ti, Lu/Hf increase and Na2O and Na8.0 are constant across the rift. These variations are qualitatively consistent with shallow melting beneath the rift axis and deeper melting for off-axis lava flows. Na8.0 and Fe8.0 contents show that beneath the rift axis, melting paths are shallow, from 81 ± 4 to 43 ± 5 km. These melting paths are consistent with adiabatic melting in normal-temperature fertile asthenosphere, beneath an extensively thinned mantle lithosphere. On the contrary, melting on the rift shoulders (from 107 ± 7 to 67 ± 8 km) occurred beneath thicker lithosphere, requiring a mantle solidus temperature 100 ± 40°C hotter. In this geodynamic environment, the calculated rate of lithospheric thinning appears to be 4.0 ± 2.0 cm yr-1, a value close to the mean spreading rate (2.9 ± 0.2 cm yr-1) over the last 620 kyr.

Paleomagnetic and structural evidence for oblique slip in a fault-related fold, Grayback monocline, Colorado

USGS Publications Warehouse

Tetreault, J.; Jones, C.H.; Erslev, E.; Larson, S.; Hudson, M.; Holdaway, S.

2008-01-01

Significant fold-axis-parallel slip is accommodated in the folded strata of the Grayback monocline, northeastern Front Range, Colorado, without visible large strike-slip displacement on the fold surface. In many cases, oblique-slip deformation is partitioned; fold-axis-normal slip is accommodated within folds, and fold-axis-parallel slip is resolved onto adjacent strike-slip faults. Unlike partitioning strike-parallel slip onto adjacent strike-slip faults, fold-axis-parallel slip has deformed the forelimb of the Grayback monocline. Mean compressive paleostress orientations in the forelimb are deflected 15??-37?? clockwise from the regional paleostress orientation of the northeastern Front Range. Paleomagnetic directions from the Permian Ingleside Formation in the forelimb are rotated 16??-42?? clockwise about a bedding-normal axis relative to the North American Permian reference direction. The paleostress and paleomagnetic rotations increase with the bedding dip angle and decrease along strike toward the fold tip. These measurements allow for 50-120 m of fold-axis-parallel slip within the forelimb, depending on the kinematics of strike-slip shear. This resolved horizontal slip is nearly equal in magnitude to the ???180 m vertical throw across the fold. For 200 m of oblique-slip displacement (120 m of strike slip and 180 m of reverse slip), the true shortening direction across the fold is N90??E, indistinguishable from the regionally inferred direction of N90??E and quite different from the S53??E fold-normal direction. Recognition of this deformational style means that significant amounts of strike slip can be accommodated within folds without axis-parallel surficial faulting. ?? 2008 Geological Society of America.

Evidence for Spin Singlet Pairing with Strong Uniaxial Anisotropy in URu2Si2 Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hattori, T.; Sakai, H.; Tokunaga, Y.; Kambe, S.; Matsuda, T. D.; Haga, Y.

2018-01-01

In order to identify the spin contribution to superconducting pairing compatible with the so-called "hidden order", Si 29 nuclear magnetic resonance measurements have been performed using a high-quality single crystal of URu2 Si2 . A clear reduction of the Si 29 Knight shift in the superconducting state has been observed under a magnetic field applied along the crystalline c axis, corresponding to the magnetic easy axis. These results provide direct evidence for the formation of spin-singlet Cooper pairs. Consequently, results indicating a very tiny change of the in-plane Knight shift reported previously demonstrate extreme uniaxial anisotropy for the spin susceptibility in the hidden order state.

Piezoelectric shear wave resonator and method of making same

DOEpatents

Wang, J.S.; Lakin, K.M.; Landin, A.R.

1985-05-20

An acoustic shear wave resonator comprising a piezoelectric film having its C-axis substantially inclined from the film normal such that the shear wave coupling coefficient significantly exceeds the longitudinal wave coupling coefficient, whereby the film is capable of shear wave resonance, and means for exciting said film to resonate. The film is prepared by deposition in a dc planar magnetron sputtering system to which a supplemental electric field is applied. The resonator structure may also include a semiconductor material having a positive temperature coefficient of resonance such that the resonator has a temperature coefficient of resonance approaching 0 ppM//sup 0/C.

Piezoelectric shear wave resonator and method of making same

DOEpatents

Wang, J.S.; Lakin, K.M.; Landin, A.R.

1983-10-25

An acoustic shear wave resonator comprising a piezoelectric film having its C-axis substantially inclined from the film normal such that the shear wave coupling coefficient significantly exceeds the longitudinal wave coupling coefficient, whereby the film is capable of shear wave resonance, and means for exciting said film to resonate. The film is prepared by deposition in a dc planar magnetron sputtering system to which a supplemental electric field is applied. The resonator structure may also include a semiconductor material having a positive temperature coefficient of resonance such that the resonator has a temperature coefficient of resonance approaching 0 ppM//sup 0/C.

Field experiment of 800× off-axis XR-Köhler concentrator module on a carousel tracker

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamada, Noboru; Okamoto, Kazuya; Ijiro, Toshikazu; Suzuki, Takao; Maemura, Toshihiko; Kawaguchi, Takashi; Takahashi, Hiroshi; Sato, Takashi; Hernandez, Maikel; Benitez, Pablo; Chaves, Julio; Cvetkovic, Aleksandra; Vilaplana, Juan; Mohedano, Ruben; Mendes-Lopes, Joao; Miñano, Juan Carlos

2013-09-01

This paper presents the design and preliminary experimental results of a concentrator-type photovoltaic module based on a free-form off-axis 800×XR-Köhler concentrator. The off-axis XR-Köhler concentrator is one of the advanced concentrators that perform high concentration with a large acceptance angle and excellent irradiance uniformity on a solar cell. As a result of on-sun characterization of the unglazed single-cell unit test rig, the temperature-corrected DC module efficiency was 32.2% at 25 °C without an anti-reflective (AR) coating on the secondary optics, and the acceptance angle was more than ±1.0°. In addition, the non-corrected DC efficiency of an individual cell in a glazed 8-cell unit module mounted on a carousel tracking system was measured. The individual efficiency deviated in the range of 24.3-27.4%, owing to the mirror shape and alignment errors. The resultant series-connected efficiency was approximately 25% at direct normal irradiation (DNI) of 770 W/m2.

The high-efficiency laundry metering and marketing analysis (THELMA) project: Volume 2 -- Laboratory testing of clothes washers. Final report

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

NONE

1997-10-01

Horizontal axis (H-axis) clothes washers use less water and energy than conventional top-loading vertical axis (V-axis) clothes washers, yet sales in the US are insignificant. In the High Efficiency Laundry Metering and Market Analysis (THELMA) project, EPRI and a group of utilities have pooled their resources to develop the basis for successful DSM programs to accelerate the acceptance of this technology in the US market. This report covers the laboratory test phase of the THELMA project. The objective of this effort was to measure the performance of a representative sample of currently manufactured H-axis washers and to compare this performancemore » to that of a typical V-axis washer. Several aspects of performance were measured, with the emphasis on measures of energy consumption and water consumption: DOE washer capacity; hot and cold water consumption; energy consumption by the washer mechanical drive; DOE energy factor; water extraction effectiveness; effect of water extraction effectiveness on dryer energy; soil removal effectiveness; rinsing effectiveness; and gentleness of action. Eight H-axis washers, provided by US or European manufacturers, were tested. Test results varied over a range for these eight machines, but on average, the H-axis washers used 40% less energy (normalized to basket volume) and 25% less water (normalized to basket volume) when measured according to the DOE test procedure.« less

Laboratory testing of clothes washers. Final report

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

Dieckmann, J.; Murphy, W.

1995-12-01

Horizontal axis (H-axis) clothes washers use less water and energy than conventional top-loading vertical axis (V-axis) clothes washers, yet sales in the US are insignificant. In the High Efficiency Laundry Metering and Market Analysis (THELMA) project, EPRI and a group of utilities have pooled their resources to develop the basis for successful DSM programs to accelerate the acceptance of this technology in the US market. This report covers the laboratory test phase of the THELMA project. The objective of this effort was to measure the performance of a representative sample of currently manufactured H-axis washers and to compare this performancemore » to that of a typical V-axis washer. Several aspects of performance were measured, with the emphasis on measures of energy consumption and water consumption: DOE washer capacity; Hot and cold water consumption; Energy consumption by the washer mechanical drive; DOE energy factor; Water extraction effectiveness; Effect of water extraction effectiveness on dryer energy; Soil removal effectiveness; Rinsing effectiveness and Gentleness of action. Six H-axis washers, provided by US or European manufacturers, were tested. Test results varied over a range for these six machines, but on average, the H-axis washers used 40% less energy (normalized to basket volume) and 25% less water (normalized to basket volume) when measured according to the DOE test procedure.« less

Magnetic Properties of Heavy Fermion Compound Ce5Si4 with Chiral Structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sato, Yoshiki J.; Shimizu, Yusei; Nakamura, Ai; Homma, Yoshiya; Li, Dexin; Maurya, Arvind; Honda, Fuminori; Aoki, Dai

2018-07-01

The low-temperature magnetic properties of Ce5Si4 with a chiral structure have been studied by electrical resistivity, heat capacity, and magnetization measurements using single-crystalline samples. It is found that Ce5Si4 is an antiferromagnet with moderately correlated electronic states. The resistivity decreases strongly under magnetic fields, indicating scaling behavior based on the Coqblin-Schrieffer model. The obtained characteristic energy scale of the Kondo effect is clearly anisotropic for the magnetic field H ∥ a-axis and H ∥ c-axis in the tetragonal structure, possibly related to the anisotropic antiferromagnetic phase. Furthermore, in the antiferromagnetic phase, a shoulderlike crossover anomaly is observed in C/T. A possible scenario is that non-ordered Ce atoms exist even below TN in this chiral system.

Temperature dependence of broadline NMR spectra of water-soaked, epoxy-graphite composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lawing, David; Fornes, R. E.; Gilbert, R. D.; Memory, J. D.

1981-10-01

Water-soaked, epoxy resin-graphite fiber composites show a waterline in their broadline proton NMR spectrum which indicates a state of intermediate mobility between the solid and free water liquid states. The line is still present at -42 °C, but shows a reversible decrease in amplitude with decreasing temperature. The line is isotropic upon rotation of the fiber axis with respect to the external magnetic field.

Channel length dependence of field-effect mobility of c-axis-aligned crystalline In-Ga-Zn-O field-effect transistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsuda, Shinpei; Kikuchi, Erumu; Yamane, Yasumasa; Okazaki, Yutaka; Yamazaki, Shunpei

2015-04-01

Field-effect transistors (FETs) with c-axis-aligned crystalline In-Ga-Zn-O (CAAC-IGZO) active layers have extremely low off-state leakage current. Exploiting this feature, we investigated the application of CAAC-IGZO FETs to LSI memories. A high on-state current is required for the high-speed operation of these LSI memories. The field-effect mobility μFE of a CAAC-IGZO FET is relatively low compared with the electron mobility of single-crystal Si (sc-Si). In this study, we measured and calculated the channel length L dependence of μFE for CAAC-IGZO and sc-Si FETs. For CAAC-IGZO FETs, μFE remains almost constant, particularly when L is longer than 0.3 µm, whereas that of sc-Si FETs decreases markedly as L shortens. Thus, the μFE difference between both FET types is reduced by miniaturization. This difference in μFE behavior is attributed to the different susceptibilities of electrons to phonon scattering. On the basis of this result and the extremely low off-state leakage current of CAAC-IGZO FETs, we expect high-speed LSI memories with low power consumption.

Universal two-dimensional characteristics in perovskite-type oxyhydrides ATiO2H (A = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sato, Nobuya; Akashi, Ryosuke; Tsuneyuki, Shinji

2017-07-01

A series of unsynthesized perovskite-type oxyhydrides ATiO2H (A = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs) are investigated by the density functional calculations. These oxyhydrides are stable in the sense of the formation energies for some possible synthesis reactions. They are crystallized into quite similar crystal structures with the long c-axis, and the corner-sharing TiO4H2 octahedra of the ideal perovskite-type structure are deformed into the 5-fold coordinated titanium atoms with the OH plane and the apical oxygen atoms. All of these oxyhydrides exhibit two-dimensional electronic states at the valence band maximum characterized by the in-plane oxygen 2p and the hydrogen 1s orbitals. While the c-axis becomes short as the ionic radius of the A atom becomes small and the two-dimensional characteristics are weakened, the electronic state at the valence band maximum is still characterized as the O-H in-plane state. Additionally, the Born effective charge tensors, spontaneous electric polarizations, dielectric tensors, and piezoelectric tensors are evaluated. It is found that the spontaneous electric polarizations of these oxyhydrides are much larger than that of tetragonal BaTiO3.

NMR studies of the helical antiferromagnetic compound EuCo 2P 2

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

Higa, N.; Ding, Q. -P.; Johnston, D. C.

In EuCo 2P 2, 4 f electron spins of Eu 2+ ions order antiferromagnetically below a Neel temperature T N = 66.5K. The magnetic structure below T N was reported to be helical with the helix axis along the c-axis from the neutron diffraction study. We report the results of 153Eu, 59Co and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements on EuCo 2P 2 using a single crystal and a powdered sample. In the antiferromagnetic (AFM) state, we succeeded in observing 153Eu, 59Co and 31P NMR spectra in zero magnetic field. The sharp 153Eu zero field NMR (ZF NMR) lines indicatemore » homogeneous Eu ordered moment. The 59Co and 31P ZF NMR spectra showed an asymmetric spectral shape, indicating a distribution of the internal magnetic induction at each nuclear position. The AFM propagation vector k characterizing the helical AFM state can be determined from the internal magnetic induction at Co site. In conclusion, we have determined the model-independent value of the AFM propagation vector k distributed from (0, 0, 0.86)2π/c to (0, 0, 0.73)2π/c, where c is the lattice parameter.« less

NMR studies of the helical antiferromagnetic compound EuCo 2P 2

DOE PAGES

Higa, N.; Ding, Q. -P.; Johnston, D. C.; ...

2017-09-18

In EuCo 2P 2, 4 f electron spins of Eu 2+ ions order antiferromagnetically below a Neel temperature T N = 66.5K. The magnetic structure below T N was reported to be helical with the helix axis along the c-axis from the neutron diffraction study. We report the results of 153Eu, 59Co and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements on EuCo 2P 2 using a single crystal and a powdered sample. In the antiferromagnetic (AFM) state, we succeeded in observing 153Eu, 59Co and 31P NMR spectra in zero magnetic field. The sharp 153Eu zero field NMR (ZF NMR) lines indicatemore » homogeneous Eu ordered moment. The 59Co and 31P ZF NMR spectra showed an asymmetric spectral shape, indicating a distribution of the internal magnetic induction at each nuclear position. The AFM propagation vector k characterizing the helical AFM state can be determined from the internal magnetic induction at Co site. In conclusion, we have determined the model-independent value of the AFM propagation vector k distributed from (0, 0, 0.86)2π/c to (0, 0, 0.73)2π/c, where c is the lattice parameter.« less

Measurement of top quark polarization in t t ¯ lepton + jets final states

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

Abazov, V. M.; Abbott, B.; Acharya, B. S.

We present a study of top quark polarization inmore » $$t \\overline{t}$$ events produced in $$p \\overline{p}$$ collisions at $$\\sqrt{s}=1.96$$ TeV. Data correspond to 9.7 fb$$^{-1}$$ collected with the D0 detector at the Tevatron. We use final states containing a lepton and at least three jets. The polarization is measured using the distribution of leptons along the beam and helicity axes, and the axis normal to the production plane. This is the first measurement of top quark polarization at the Tevatron in $$\\ell$$+jets final states, and first measurement of transverse polarization in $$t \\overline{t}$$ production. The observed distributions are consistent with the standard model.« less

Measurement of top quark polarization in t t ¯ lepton + jets final states

DOE PAGES

Abazov, V. M.; Abbott, B.; Acharya, B. S.; ...

2017-01-09

We present a study of top quark polarization inmore » $$t \\overline{t}$$ events produced in $$p \\overline{p}$$ collisions at $$\\sqrt{s}=1.96$$ TeV. Data correspond to 9.7 fb$$^{-1}$$ collected with the D0 detector at the Tevatron. We use final states containing a lepton and at least three jets. The polarization is measured using the distribution of leptons along the beam and helicity axes, and the axis normal to the production plane. This is the first measurement of top quark polarization at the Tevatron in $$\\ell$$+jets final states, and first measurement of transverse polarization in $$t \\overline{t}$$ production. The observed distributions are consistent with the standard model.« less

The antidepressant fluoxetine normalizes the nuclear glucocorticoid receptor evoked by psychosocial stress

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mitić, M.; Simić, I.; Djordjević, J.; Radojčić, M. B.; Adžić, M.

2011-12-01

Dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has been implicated in the pathophysiology of depression and stress disorders. Glucocorticoids, key regulators of the stress response, exert diverse effects on cellular processes in the hippocampus. Beside non-genomic pathways, glucocorticoid effects are mediated through activation of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), a ligand activated transcriptional factor that belongs to the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily. We analysed the GR protein levels both in the cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments of the hippocampus of Wistar rats exposed to chronic psychosocial isolation stress upon chronic fluoxetine (FLU) treatment. Under chronic stress, corticosterone levels (CORT) were decreased compared to the control, and treatment with FLU did not change its level in the stressed rats. At the molecular level, FLU normalized the level of nuclear GR protein in the hippocampus of the stressed rats. Discrepancy between normalization of nuclear GR in the hippocampus and lack of normalization of HPA axis activity judged by CORT, suggests that other brain structures such as the amygdale and prefrontal cortex that also regulate HPA axis activity, seem not to be normalized by the FLU treatment used in our study.

Tissue temperature profile in the human forearm during thermal stress at thermal stability.

PubMed

Ducharme, M B; VanHelder, W P; Radomski, M W

1991-11-01

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of a range of water temperatures (Tw from 15 to 36 degrees C) on the tissue temperature profile of the resting human forearm at thermal stability. Tissue temperature (Tti) was continuously monitored by a calibrated multicouple probe during 3 h of immersion of the forearm. The probe was implanted approximately 9 cm distal from the olecranon process along the ulnar ridge. Tti was measured every 5 mm, from the longitudinal axis of the forearm (determined from computed tomography scanning) to the skin surface. Along with Tti, skin temperature (Tsk), rectal temperature (Tre), and blood flow were measured during the immersions. For all temperature conditions, the temperature profile inside the limb was linear as a function of the radial distance from the forearm axis (P less than 0.001). Temperature gradient measured in the forearm ranged from 0.2 +/- 0.1 degrees C C cm (Tw = 36 degrees C) to 2.3 +/- 0.5 degrees C cm (Tw = 15 degrees C). The maximal Tti was measured in all cases at the longitudinal axis of the forearm and was in all experimental conditions lower than Tre. On immersion at Tw less than 36 degrees C, the whole forearm can be considered to be part of the shell of the body. With these experimental data, mathematical equations were developed to predict, with an accuracy of at least 0.6 degrees C, the Tti at any depth inside the forearm at steady state during thermal stress.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Frictional families in 2D experimental disks under periodic gravitational compaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hubard, Aline; Shattuck, Mark; O'Hern, Corey

2014-03-01

We studied a bidisperse system with diameter ratio 1.2 consisting of four 1.26cm and three 1.57cm stainless steel cylinders confined between two glass plates separated 1.05 times their thickness with the cylinder axis perpendicular to gravity. The particles initially resting on a movable piston are thrown upward and allowed to come to rest. In general this frictional state is stabilized by both normal and tangential (frictional) forces. We then apply short (10ms) small amplitude bursts of 440Hz vibration, temporarily breaking tangential forces and then allow the system to re-stabilize. After N of these compaction steps the number of contacts will increase to an isostatic friction-less state and additional steps do not change the system. Many frictional states reach the same final friction-less state. We find that this evolution is determined by the projection of the gravity vector on the null space of the dynamical matrix of a normal spring network formed from the contacts of the frictional state. Thus each frictional contact network follow a one-dimensional path (or family) through phase space under gravitational compaction. PREM-DMR0934206.

Intermittent changing axis deviation with intermittent left anterior hemiblock during atrial flutter with subclinical hyperthyroidism.

PubMed

Patanè, Salvatore; Marte, Filippo

2009-06-26

Subclinical hyperthyroidism is an increasingly recognized entity that is defined as a normal serum free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine levels with a thyroid-stimulating hormone level suppressed below the normal range and usually undetectable. It has been reported that subclinical hyperthyroidism is not associated with CHD or mortality from cardiovascular causes but it is usually associated with a higher heart rate and a higher risk of supraventricular arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. Intermittent changing axis deviation during atrial fibrillation has also rarely been reported. We present a case of intermittent changing axis deviation with intermittent left anterior hemiblock in a 59-year-old Italian man with atrial flutter and subclinical hyperthyroidism. To our knowledge, this is the first report of intermittent changing axis deviation with intermittent left anterior hemiblock in a patient with atrial flutter.

A root bond between ice and antifreeze protein.

PubMed

Hawes, Timothy C

2016-10-01

It has always been assumed that a three-dimensional protein structure is essential to antifreeze protein (AFP) ice interactions. Using a 9 kDa AFP isolated from the springtail, Gomphiocephalus hodgsoni, it was found that the bond between ice and protein is maintained independent of higher order protein structure. GomplyAFP9 remained bound to ice after denaturing by a range of agents (boiling, extreme pH, DTT, ethanol, urea). Thermal hysteresis was minimal (0.03-0.04 °C), but not lost. Crystal faceting and growth occurred normal to the c-axis, indicating the protein binds primarily to sites along the a-axis. These observations lend additional support to the hypothesis of irreversible binding. More significantly, they suggest that binding to ice and functional hysteresis may be achieved independently (i.e. are different operations). These results are consistent with the view that there is a root bond with ice and it is achieved via an amino acid derived interface that bonds to water molecules in aqueous solutions. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Highly c-axis-oriented monocrystalline Pb(Zr, Ti)O₃ thin films on si wafer prepared by fast cooling immediately after sputter deposition.

PubMed

Yoshida, Shinya; Hanzawa, Hiroaki; Wasa, Kiyotaka; Esashi, Masayoshi; Tanaka, Shuji

2014-09-01

We successfully developed sputter deposition technology to obtain a highly c-axis-oriented monocrystalline Pb(Zr, Ti)O3 (PZT) thin film on a Si wafer by fast cooling (~-180°C/min) of the substrate after deposition. The c-axis orientation ratio of a fast-cooled film was about 90%, whereas that of a slow-cooled (~-40°C/min) film was only 10%. The c-axis-oriented monocrystalline Pb(Zr0.5, Ti0.5)O3 films showed reasonably large piezoelectric coefficients, e(31,f) = ~-11 C/m(2), with remarkably small dielectric constants, ϵ(r) = ~220. As a result, an excellent figure of merit (FOM) was obtained for piezoelectric microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) such as a piezoelectric gyroscope. This c-axis orientation technology on Si will extend industrial applications of PZT-based thin films and contribute further to the development of piezoelectric MEMS.

Gravity field and solar component of the precession rate and nutation coefficients of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lhotka, C.; Reimond, S.; Souchay, J.; Baur, O.

2016-02-01

The aim of this study is first to determine the gravity field of the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko and second to derive the solar component of the precession rate and nutation coefficients of the spin-axis of the comet nucleus, I.e. without the direct, usually larger, effect of outgassing. The gravity field and related moments of inertia are obtained from two polyhedra, which are provided by the Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System (OSIRIS) and NAVigation CAMera (NAVCAM) experiments on Rosetta, and are based on the assumption of uniform density for the comet nucleus. We also calculate the forced precession rate as well as the nutation coefficients on the basis of Kinoshita's theory of rotation of the rigid Earth and adapted it to be able to indirectly include the effect of outgassing on the rotational parameters. The second degree denormalized Stokes coefficients of comet 67P/C-G turn out to be (bracketed numbers refer to second shape model) C20 ≃ -6.74 [-7.93] × 10-2, C22 ≃ 2.60 [2.71] × 10-2, consistent with normalized principal moments of inertia A/MR2 ≃ 0.13 [0.11], B/MR2 ≃ 0.23 [0.22], with polar moment c = C/MR2 ≃ 0.25, depending on the choice of the polyhedron model. The obliquity between the rotation axis and the mean orbit normal is ɛ ≃ 52°, and the precession rate only due to solar torques becomes dot{ψ }in [20,30] arcsec yr^{-1}. Oscillations in longitude caused by the gravitational pull of the Sun turn out to be of the order of Δψ ≃ 1 arcmin, and oscillations in obliquity can be estimated to be of the order of Δɛ ≃ 0.5 arcmin.

Formation of collapsed tetragonal phase in EuCo₂As₂ under high pressure.

PubMed

Bishop, Matthew; Uhoya, Walter; Tsoi, Georgiy; Vohra, Yogesh K; Sefat, Athena S; Sales, Brian C

2010-10-27

The structural properties of EuCo₂As₂ have been studied up to 35 GPa, through the use of x-ray diffraction in a diamond anvil cell at a synchrotron source. At ambient conditions, EuCo₂As₂ ) (I4/mmm) has a tetragonal lattice structure with a bulk modulus of 48 ± 4 GPa. With the application of pressure, the a axis exhibits negative compressibility with a concurrent sharp decrease in c-axis length. The anomalous compressibility of the a axis continues until 4.7 GPa, at which point the structure undergoes a second-order phase transition to a collapsed tetragonal (CT) state with a bulk modulus of 111 ± 2 GPa. We found a strong correlation between the ambient pressure volume of 122 parents of superconductors and the corresponding tetragonal to collapsed tetragonal phase transition pressures.

Corneal polarimetry after LASIK refractive surgery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bueno, Juan M.; Berrio, Esther; Artal, Pablo

2006-01-01

Imaging polarimetry provides spatially resolved information on the polarization properties of a system. In the case of the living human eye, polarization could be related to the corneal biomechanical properties, which vary from the normal state as a result of surgery or pathologies. We have used an aberro-polariscope, which we recently developed, to determine and to compare the spatially resolved maps of polarization parameters across the pupil between normal healthy and post-LASIK eyes. The depolarization distribution is not uniform across the pupil, with post-surgery eyes presenting larger levels of depolarization. While retardation increases along the radius in normal eyes, this pattern becomes irregular after LASIK refractive surgery. The maps of slow axis also differ in normal and post-surgery eyes, with a larger disorder in post-LASIK eyes. Since these changes in polarization indicate subtle structural modifications of the cornea, this approach can be useful in a clinical environment to follow the biomechanical and optical changes of the cornea after refractive surgery or for the early diagnosis of different corneal pathologies.

Microwave properties of Ni-based ferromagnetic inverse opals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kostylev, M.; Stashkevich, A. A.; Roussigné, Y.; Grigoryeva, N. A.; Mistonov, A. A.; Menzel, D.; Sapoletova, N. A.; Napolskii, K. S.; Eliseev, A. A.; Lukashin, A. V.; Grigoriev, S. V.; Samarin, S. N.

2012-11-01

Investigations of microwave properties of Ni-based inverse ferromagnetic opal-like film with the [111] axis of the fcc structure along the normal direction to the film have been carried out in the 2-18 GHz frequency band. We observed multiple spin wave resonances for the magnetic field applied perpendicular to the film, i.e., along the [111] axis of this artificial crystal. For the field applied in the film plane, a broad band of microwave absorption is observed, which does not contain a fine structure. The field ranges of the responses observed are quite different for these two magnetization directions. This suggests a collective magnetic ground state or shape anisotropy and collective microwave dynamics for this foam-like material. This result is in agreement with SQUID measurements of hysteresis loops for the material. Two different models for this collective behavior are suggested that satisfactorily explain the major experimental results.

High-pressure behavior of cuprospinel CuFe 2O 4: Influence of the Jahn-Teller effect on the spinel structure

DOE PAGES

Kyono, Atsushi; Gramsch, Stephen A.; Nakamoto, Yuki; ...

2015-08-14

The Jahn-Teller-effect at Cu 2+ in cuprospinel CuFe 2O 4 was investigated using high-pressure, single crystal synchrotron x-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques at beamline BL10A at the Photon Factory, KEK, Japan. Six data sets were collected in the pressure range from ambient to 5.9 GPa at room temperature. Structural refinements based on the data were performed at 0.0, 1.8, 2.7, and 4.6 GPa. The unit cell volume of cuprospinel decreases continuously from 590.8 (6) Å 3 to 579.5 (8) Å 3 up to 3.8 GPa. Leastsquares fitting to a third-order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state yields zero-pressure volume V 0 = 590.7more » (1) Å 3 and bulk modulus K 0 = 188.1 (4.4) GPa with K’ fixed at 4.0. The crystal chemical composition determined by electron-probe analysis and x-ray site-occupancy refinement is represented as [Cu 0.526Fe 0.474] [6][Cu 0.074Fe 1.926]O 4. Most of the Cu 2+ are preferentially distributed onto the tetrahedral (T) site of the spinel structure. At 4.6 GPa, a cubic-tetragonal phase transition is indicated by a splitting of the a axis of the cubic structure into a smaller a axis and a longer c axis, with unit cell parameters a = 5.882 (1) Å and c = 8.337 (1) Å. The tetragonal crystal structure with space group I4 1/amd was refined to R1 = 0.0182 and wR2 = 0.0134 using observed 35 x-ray reflections. At the T site, the tetrahedral O-T-O bond angles along the c-axis direction of the unit cell decreases slightly from 109.47 ° to 108.7 (4) °, which generates a stretched tetrahedral geometry along the c-axis. The cubic-totetragonal transition induced by the Jahn-Teller effect at Cu 2+ is attributable to the angular distortion at the tetrahedral site. At the octahedral (M) site, on the other hand, the two M-O bonds parallel to the caxis are shortened with respect to the four M-O bonds parallel to the ab-plane, which are lengthened as a result of the phase transition, leading to a compressed octahedral geometry along the c-axis. With the competing distortions between the stretched tetrahedron and the compressed octahedron along the c-axis, the a unit cell parameter is shortened with respect to the c unit cell parameter, giving a c/a ratio slightly greater than unity as referred to cubic lattice (c/a = 1.002). The c/a value increases to 1.007 with pressure, suggesting a further evolution of the stretched tetrahedron and the compressed octahedron. The variation of c/a ratio of the cuprospinel is similar to that observed in the tetragonally distorted cuprospinel with Cu 2+ fully occupying the octahedral site of the structure.« less

RF Heating of MRI-Assisted Catheter Steering Coils for Interventional MRI.

PubMed

Settecase, Fabio; Hetts, Steven W; Martin, Alastair J; Roberts, Timothy P L; Bernhardt, Anthony F; Evans, Lee; Malba, Vincent; Saeed, Maythem; Arenson, Ronald L; Kucharzyk, Walter; Wilson, Mark W

2011-03-01

The aim of this study was too assess magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiofrequency (RF)-related heating of conductive wire coils used in magnetically steerable endovascular catheters. A three-axis microcoil was fabricated onto a 1.8Fr catheter tip. In vitro testing was performed on a 1.5-T MRI system using an agarose gel-filled vessel phantom, a transmit-receive body RF coil, a steady-state free precession pulse sequence, and a fluoroptic thermometry system. Temperature was measured without simulated blood flow at varying distances from the magnet isocenter and at varying flip angles. Additional experiments were performed with laser-lithographed single-axis microcoil-tipped microcatheters in air and in a saline bath with varied grounding of the microcoil wires. Preliminary in vivo evaluation of RF heating was performed in pigs at 1.5 T with coil-tipped catheters in various positions in the common carotid arteries with steady-state free precession pulse sequence on and off and under physiologic-flow and zero-flow conditions. In tissue-mimicking agarose gel, RF heating resulted in a maximal temperature increase of 0.35°C after 15 minutes of imaging, 15 cm from the magnet isocenter. For a single-axis microcoil, maximal temperature increases were 0.73°C to 1.91°C in air and 0.45°C to 0.55°C in saline. In vivo, delayed contrast-enhanced MRI revealed no evidence of vascular injury, and histopathologic sections from the common carotid arteries confirmed the lack of vascular damage. Microcatheter tip microcoils for endovascular catheter steering in MRI experience minimal RF heating under the conditions tested. These data provide the basis for further in vivo testing of this promising technology for endovascular interventional MRI. Copyright © 2011 AUR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Analysis of Ejection Seat Stability Using Easy Program. Volume I.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-09-01

BODY AXiS FURCE COMPONENT. L ACTING ON THE AiRPLANc FROM THE CATAPULT (Ld) C ILA1(3) - PORT ONE X,Y,L AIRPLANE BODY AXIS TORQUE COMPONENTS C ACrINu...THE AIRPLANE (FT) C EAPI3) - EARTH TO AIRPLANc . EULER ANGLES (DEG) C SKPt3) - XtYZ EARTh POSITIGN VECTOR OF THE SEAT REFERENCE L POINT (FT) f- LST(3

Glucocorticoid receptor haploinsufficiency causes hypertension and attenuates hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and blood pressure adaptions to high-fat diet

PubMed Central

Michailidou, Z.; Carter, R. N.; Marshall, E.; Sutherland, H. G.; Brownstein, D. G.; Owen, E.; Cockett, K.; Kelly, V.; Ramage, L.; Al-Dujaili, E. A. S.; Ross, M.; Maraki, I.; Newton, K.; Holmes, M. C.; Seckl, J. R.; Morton, N. M.; Kenyon, C. J.; Chapman, K. E.

2008-01-01

Glucocorticoid hormones are critical to respond and adapt to stress. Genetic variations in the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene alter hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity and associate with hypertension and susceptibility to metabolic disease. Here we test the hypothesis that reduced GR density alters blood pressure and glucose and lipid homeostasis and limits adaption to obesogenic diet. Heterozygous GRβgeo/+ mice were generated from embryonic stem (ES) cells with a gene trap integration of a β-galactosidase-neomycin phosphotransferase (βgeo) cassette into the GR gene creating a transcriptionally inactive GR fusion protein. Although GRβgeo/+ mice have 50% less functional GR, they have normal lipid and glucose homeostasis due to compensatory HPA axis activation but are hypertensive due to activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). When challenged with a high-fat diet, weight gain, adiposity, and glucose intolerance were similarly increased in control and GRβgeo/+ mice, suggesting preserved control of intermediary metabolism and energy balance. However, whereas a high-fat diet caused HPA activation and increased blood pressure in control mice, these adaptions were attenuated or abolished in GRβgeo/+ mice. Thus, reduced GR density balanced by HPA activation leaves glucocorticoid functions unaffected but mineralocorticoid functions increased, causing hypertension. Importantly, reduced GR limits HPA and blood pressure adaptions to obesogenic diet.—Michailidou, Z., Carter, R. N., Marshall, E., Sutherland, H. G., Brownstein, D. G., Owen, E., Cockett, K., Kelly, V., Ramage, L., Al-Dujaili, E. A. S., Ross, M., Maraki, I., Newton, K., Holmes, M. C., Seckl, J. R., Morton, N. M., Kenyon, C. J., Chapman, K. E. Glucocorticoid receptor haploinsufficiency causes hypertension and attenuates hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and blood pressure adaptions to high-fat diet. PMID:18697839

Competing exchange interactions in multiferroic and ferrimagnetic CaBaCo 4 O 7

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

Fishman, Randy Scott; Bordacs, S.; Kocsis, Vilmos

Competing exchange interactions can produce complex magnetic states together with spin-induced electric polarizations. With competing interactions on alternating triangular and kagome layers, the swedenborgite CaBaCo 4O 7 may have one of the largest measured spin-induced polarizations of ~1700 nC/cm 2 below its ferrimagnetic transition temperature at 70 K. Upon rotating our sample about c = [0,0,1] while the magnetic field is fixed along [1,0,0], the threefold splitting of the spin-wave frequencies indicates that our sample is hexagonally twinned. In addition, magnetization measurements then suggest that roughly 20% of the sample is in a domain with the a axis along [1,0,0]more » and that 80% of the sample is in one of two other domains with the a axis along either [-1/2,√3/2, 0] or [-1/2, -√3/2, 0] . Powder neutron-diffraction data, magnetization measurements, and terahertz (THz) absorption spectroscopy reveal that the complex spin order in each domain can be described as a triangular array of bitetrahedral c-axis chains ferrimagnetically coupled to each other in the ab plane. In conclusion, the electric-field dependence of bonds coupling those chains produces the large spin-induced polarization of CaBaCo 4O 7 .« less

Competing exchange interactions in multiferroic and ferrimagnetic CaBaCo 4 O 7

DOE PAGES

Fishman, Randy Scott; Bordacs, S.; Kocsis, Vilmos; ...

2017-01-23

Competing exchange interactions can produce complex magnetic states together with spin-induced electric polarizations. With competing interactions on alternating triangular and kagome layers, the swedenborgite CaBaCo 4O 7 may have one of the largest measured spin-induced polarizations of ~1700 nC/cm 2 below its ferrimagnetic transition temperature at 70 K. Upon rotating our sample about c = [0,0,1] while the magnetic field is fixed along [1,0,0], the threefold splitting of the spin-wave frequencies indicates that our sample is hexagonally twinned. In addition, magnetization measurements then suggest that roughly 20% of the sample is in a domain with the a axis along [1,0,0]more » and that 80% of the sample is in one of two other domains with the a axis along either [-1/2,√3/2, 0] or [-1/2, -√3/2, 0] . Powder neutron-diffraction data, magnetization measurements, and terahertz (THz) absorption spectroscopy reveal that the complex spin order in each domain can be described as a triangular array of bitetrahedral c-axis chains ferrimagnetically coupled to each other in the ab plane. In conclusion, the electric-field dependence of bonds coupling those chains produces the large spin-induced polarization of CaBaCo 4O 7 .« less

Electrocardiogram reference intervals for clinically normal wild-born chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).

PubMed

Atencia, Rebeca; Revuelta, Luis; Somauroo, John D; Shave, Robert E

2015-08-01

To generate reference intervals for ECG variables in clinically normal chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). 100 clinically normal (51 young [< 10 years old] and 49 adult [≥ 10 years old]) wild-born chimpanzees. Electrocardiograms collected between 2009 and 2013 at the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Centre were assessed to determine heart rate, PR interval, QRS duration, QT interval, QRS axis, P axis, and T axis. Electrocardiographic characteristics for left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and morphology of the ST segment, T wave, and QRS complex were identified. Reference intervals for young and old animals were calculated as mean ± 1.96•SD for normally distributed data and as 5th to 95th percentiles for data not normally distributed. Differences between age groups were assessed by use of unpaired Student t tests. RESULTS Reference intervals were generated for young and adult wild-born chimpanzees. Most animals had sinus rhythm with small or normal P wave morphology; 24 of 51 (47%) young chimpanzees and 30 of 49 (61%) adult chimpanzees had evidence of LVH as determined on the basis of criteria for humans. Cardiac disease has been implicated as the major cause of death in captive chimpanzees. Species-specific ECG reference intervals for chimpanzees may aid in the diagnosis and treatment of animals with, or at risk of developing, heart disease. Chimpanzees with ECG characteristics outside of these intervals should be considered for follow-up assessment and regular cardiac monitoring.

Conical Fourier shell correlation applied to electron tomograms.

PubMed

Diebolder, C A; Faas, F G A; Koster, A J; Koning, R I

2015-05-01

The resolution of electron tomograms is anisotropic due to geometrical constraints during data collection, such as the limited tilt range and single axis tilt series acquisition. Acquisition of dual axis tilt series can decrease these effects. However, in cryo-electron tomography, to limit the electron radiation damage that occurs during imaging, the total dose should not increase and must be fractionated over the two tilt series. Here we set out to determine whether it is beneficial fractionate electron dose for recording dual axis cryo electron tilt series or whether it is better to perform single axis acquisition. To assess the quality of tomographic reconstructions in different directions here we introduce conical Fourier shell correlation (cFSCe/o). Employing cFSCe/o, we compared the resolution isotropy of single-axis and dual-axis (cryo-)electron tomograms using even/odd split data sets. We show that the resolution of dual-axis simulated and cryo-electron tomograms in the plane orthogonal to the electron beam becomes more isotropic compared to single-axis tomograms and high resolution peaks along the tilt axis disappear. cFSCe/o also allowed us to compare different methods for the alignment of dual-axis tomograms. We show that different tomographic reconstruction programs produce different anisotropic resolution in dual axis tomograms. We anticipate that cFSCe/o can also be useful for comparisons of acquisition and reconstruction parameters, and different hardware implementations. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Synchrotron x-ray scattering measurements of bulk structural properties in superconducting (Bi,Pb){sub 2}Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 10}{endash}Ag tapes

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

Thurston, T.R.; Wildgruber, U.; Jisrawi, N.

The structural properties of superconducting (Bi,Pb){sub 2}Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 10}{endash}Ag (2223) tapes have been measured using synchrotron x-ray scattering techniques. The x-ray photon energy was tuned just below the silver {ital K} absorption edge so the penetration depth was large, which allowed the measurements to be performed in a transmission geometry without removing the silver cladding. Analysis of the peaks in 2{theta} scans indicates that residual (Bi,Pb){sub 2}Sr{sub 2}CaCu{sub 2}O{sub 8} (2212) superconductor starting material is present in all samples studied. The amount of 2212 varied widely among the tapes, and was not homogeneous along the length of eachmore » individual tape. Residual 2212 content increased near the ends of most samples, suggesting that 2223 phase development is sensitive to whether the superconducting material is encased in silver or not. The bulk {ital c}-axis alignment was measured in {approximately}100 mono- and multifilament samples, and correlations between {ital c}-axis alignment and current carrying capacity at 77 K were found. Multifilament samples generally had better alignment than monofilament samples. The {ital c}-axis alignment along the length of the tapes was uniform, and the superconducting material within {approximately}1 {mu}m of the Ag was better textured than the bulk of the sample. Intermediate pressings were directly shown to have an adverse affect on {ital c}-axis alignment. Finally, the evolution of texture and phase development was examined in a series of samples annealed for varying times. The 2212 starting material acquired the final {ital c}-axis alignment state after brief heating times, and only after much longer heating times did the 2212 transform into the 2223 phase. These results and their implications for improving processing procedures are discussed. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Institute of Physics.}« less

Free Body Dynamics of a Spinning Cylinder with Planar Restraint-(a.k.a. Barrel of Fun). Part 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moraru, Laurentiu; Dimofte, Florin; Hendricks, Robert C.

2011-01-01

The dynamic motion of a cylinder is analyzed based on rotation about its center of mass and is restrained by a plane normal to the axis passing through its center of mass at an angle. The first part of this work presented an analysis of the stability of the motion. In the current report, the governing equations are numerically integrated in time and the steady state is obtained as a limit of the transient numerical solution. The calculated data are compared with observed behaviors.

The nuclear receptor corepressor (NCoR) controls thyroid hormone sensitivity and the set point of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis.

PubMed

Astapova, Inna; Vella, Kristen R; Ramadoss, Preeti; Holtz, Kaila A; Rodwin, Benjamin A; Liao, Xiao-Hui; Weiss, Roy E; Rosenberg, Michael A; Rosenzweig, Anthony; Hollenberg, Anthony N

2011-02-01

The role of nuclear receptor corepressor (NCoR) in thyroid hormone (TH) action has been difficult to discern because global deletion of NCoR is embryonic lethal. To circumvent this, we developed mice that globally express a modified NCoR protein (NCoRΔID) that cannot be recruited to the thyroid hormone receptor (TR). These mice present with low serum T(4) and T(3) concentrations accompanied by normal TSH levels, suggesting central hypothyroidism. However, they grow normally and have increased energy expenditure and normal or elevated TR-target gene expression across multiple tissues, which is not consistent with hypothyroidism. Although these findings imply an increased peripheral sensitivity to TH, the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis is not more sensitive to acute changes in TH concentrations but appears to be reset to recognize the reduced TH levels as normal. Furthermore, the thyroid gland itself, although normal in size, has reduced levels of nonthyroglobulin-bound T(4) and T(3) and demonstrates decreased responsiveness to TSH. Thus, the TR-NCoR interaction controls systemic TH sensitivity as well as the set point at all levels of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. These findings suggest that NCoR levels could alter cell-specific TH action that would not be reflected by the serum TSH.

c-Met–mediated endothelial plasticity drives aberrant vascularization and chemoresistance in glioblastoma

PubMed Central

Huang, Menggui; Liu, Tianrun; Ma, Peihong; Mitteer, R. Alan; Zhang, Zhenting; Kim, Hyun Jun; Yeo, Eujin; Zhang, Duo; Cai, Peiqiang; Li, Chunsheng; Zhang, Lin; Zhao, Botao; Roccograndi, Laura; O’Rourke, Donald M.; Dahmane, Nadia; Gong, Yanqing; Koumenis, Constantinos

2016-01-01

Aberrant vascularization is a hallmark of cancer progression and treatment resistance. Here, we have shown that endothelial cell (EC) plasticity drives aberrant vascularization and chemoresistance in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). By utilizing human patient specimens, as well as allograft and genetic murine GBM models, we revealed that a robust endothelial plasticity in GBM allows acquisition of fibroblast transformation (also known as endothelial mesenchymal transition [Endo-MT]), which is characterized by EC expression of fibroblast markers, and determined that a prominent population of GBM-associated fibroblast-like cells have EC origin. Tumor ECs acquired the mesenchymal gene signature without the loss of EC functions, leading to enhanced cell proliferation and migration, as well as vessel permeability. Furthermore, we identified a c-Met/ETS-1/matrix metalloproteinase–14 (MMP-14) axis that controls VE-cadherin degradation, Endo-MT, and vascular abnormality. Pharmacological c-Met inhibition induced vessel normalization in patient tumor–derived ECs. Finally, EC-specific KO of Met inhibited vascular transformation, normalized blood vessels, and reduced intratumoral hypoxia, culminating in suppressed tumor growth and prolonged survival in GBM-bearing mice after temozolomide treatment. Together, these findings illustrate a mechanism that controls aberrant tumor vascularization and suggest that targeting Endo-MT may offer selective and efficient strategies for antivascular and vessel normalization therapies in GBM, and possibly other malignant tumors. PMID:27043280

Activation of PTHrP-cAMP-CREB1 signaling following p53 loss is essential for osteosarcoma initiation and maintenance.

PubMed

Walia, Mannu K; Ho, Patricia Mw; Taylor, Scott; Ng, Alvin Jm; Gupte, Ankita; Chalk, Alistair M; Zannettino, Andrew Cw; Martin, T John; Walkley, Carl R

2016-04-12

Mutations in the P53 pathway are a hallmark of human cancer. The identification of pathways upon which p53-deficient cells depend could reveal therapeutic targets that may spare normal cells with intact p53. In contrast to P53 point mutations in other cancer, complete loss of P53 is a frequent event in osteosarcoma (OS), the most common cancer of bone. The consequences of p53 loss for osteoblastic cells and OS development are poorly understood. Here we use murine OS models to demonstrate that elevated Pthlh (Pthrp), cAMP levels and signalling via CREB1 are characteristic of both p53-deficient osteoblasts and OS. Normal osteoblasts survive depletion of both PTHrP and CREB1. In contrast, p53-deficient osteoblasts and OS depend upon continuous activation of this pathway and undergo proliferation arrest and apoptosis in the absence of PTHrP or CREB1. Our results identify the PTHrP-cAMP-CREB1 axis as an attractive pathway for therapeutic inhibition in OS.

Infrared Transition Moment Directions in Smectic Liquid Crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, C. S.; Jang, W. G.; Coleman, D.; Glaser, M. A.; Clark, N. A.

1997-03-01

We have investigated the variation of absorbance with polarization for C=O, O-H, and phenyl stretch modes in aligned smectic liquid crystals, for IR radiation propagating parallel to the smectic layers. For the C=O stretch, maximum absorbance is generally observed for radiation polarized perpendicular to the layer normal in the smectic A phase, consistent with the assumption that the IR transition moment direction is coincident with the C=O bond (oriented at an angle of ~ 60^circ with respect to the molecular long axis). In certain cases, however, maximum absorbance is observed for incident polarization parallel to the layer normal, and in general observed dichroic ratios depend sensitively on the nature of the functional groups surrounding the carbonyl moiety. Similar chemical sensitivity is observed for the phenyl and O-H stretch modes. We have succeeding in interpreting these measurements by calculating IR transition moment directions for the most important vibrational modes of several model compounds using quantum chemical methods, including HF/6-311G SCF and B3LYP/6-311G and B3LYP/6-31G DFT calculations.

Microdosimetry measurements characterizing the radiation fields of 300 MeV/u 12C and 185 MeV/u 7Li pencil beams stopping in water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martino, G.; Durante, M.; Schardt, D.

2010-06-01

In order to characterize the complex radiation field produced by heavy-ion beams in water, in particular the lateral dose fall-off and the radiation quality, microdosimetry measurements were performed at GSI Darmstadt using pencil-like beams of 300 MeV/u 12C and 185 MeV/u 7Li ions delivered by the heavy-ion synchrotron SIS-18. The ion beams (range in water about 17 cm) were stopped in the center of a 30 × 30 × 30 cm3 water phantom and their radiation field was investigated by in-phantom measurements using a tissue-equivalent proportional chamber (TEPC). The chamber was placed at 35 different positions in the central plane at various depths along the beam axis and at radial distances of 0, 1, 2, 5 and 10 cm. The off-axis measurements for both 12C and 7Li ions show very similar distributions of the lineal energy, all peaking between 1 and 10 \\rm keV\\,\\mu m^{-1} which is a typical range covered by secondary hydrogen fragments and neutrons. The radiation quality given by the dose-mean lineal energy \\overline{y}_D was found to be at a constant level of 1-2 \\rm keV\\,\\mu m^{-1} at radial distances larger than 2 cm. The relative absorbed dose at each position was obtained by integration of the measured spectra normalized to the number of incident primary beam particles. The results confirm that the lateral dose profile of heavy ions shows an extremely steep fall-off, with relative values of about 10-3, 10-4 and 10-5 at the 2, 5 and 10 cm distance from the beam axis, respectively. The depth-dose curves at a fixed distance from the beam axis slowly rise until they reach the depth of the Bragg peak, reflecting the build-up of secondary fragments with increasing penetration depth. The measured 12C dose profiles were found to be in good agreement with a similar experimental study at HIMAC (Japan).

Adaptive Changes in the Perception of Fast and Slow Movement at Different Head Positions.

PubMed

Panichi, Roberto; Occhigrossi, Chiara; Ferraresi, Aldo; Faralli, Mario; Lucertini, Marco; Pettorossi, Vito E

2017-05-01

This paper examines the subjective sense of orientation during asymmetric body rotations in normal subjects. Self-motion perception was investigated in 10 healthy individuals during asymmetric whole-body rotation with different head orientations. Both on-vertical axis and off-vertical axis rotations were employed. Subjects tracked a remembered earth-fixed visual target while rotating in the dark for four cycles of asymmetric rotation (two half-sinusoidal cycles of the same amplitude, but of different duration). The rotations induced a bias in the perception of velocity (more pronounced with fast than with slow motion). At the end of rotation, a marked target position error (TPE) was present. For the on-vertical axis rotations, the TPE was no different if the rotations were performed with a 30° nose-down, a 60° nose-up, or a 90° side-down head tilt. With off-vertical axis rotations, the simultaneous activation of the semicircular canals and otolithic receptors produced a significant increase of TPE for all head positions. This difference between on-vertical and off-vertical axis rotation was probably partly due to the vestibular transfer function and partly due to different adaptation to the speed of rotation. Such a phenomenon might be generated in different components of the vestibular system. The adaptive process enhancing the perception of dynamic movement around the vertical axis is not related to the specific semicircular canals that are activated; the addition of an otolithic component results in a significant increase of the TPE.Panichi R, Occhigrossi C, Ferraresi A, Faralli M, Lucertini M, Pettorossi VE. Adaptive changes in the perception of fast and slow movement at different head positions. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2017; 88(5):463-468.

Left ventricular long-axis function in treated haemochromatosis.

PubMed

Davidsen, Einar Skulstad; Hervig, Tor; Omvik, Per; Gerdts, Eva

2009-03-01

We recently demonstrated reduced exercise capacity in treated genetic haemochromatosis, in spite of normal radial left ventricular (LV) systolic function assessed by 2-dimensional echocardiography at rest. It remains unknown if haemochromatosis-related impairment of LV long-axis function can be demonstrated also at rest. LV long-axis function was assessed by echocardiography including spectral tissue Doppler of systolic (S') and early (E') diastolic velocities in 105 treated haemochromatosis patients and 50 controls. Patients had higher body mass index, systolic atrioventricular excursion, and smaller LV end-systolic diameter (all P < 0.05). Other conventional echocardiographic variables did not differ. S' was normal in both groups, though significantly higher among the patients (11.1 vs. 9.9 cm/s, P < 0.001). In multiple regression analysis, higher S' was associated with having haemochromatosis, independently of significant contributions from higher atrioventricular excursion and LV length, and lower body mass index and E/E'-ratio (multiple R(2) = 0.44, P < 0.001). E' did not differ between patients and controls. However, in multivariate analysis lower E' was associated with having haemochromatosis independently of significant contributions from higher age and diastolic blood pressure, and lower transmitral E and end-diastolic LV length (multiple R(2) = 0.57, P < 0.001). The long-axis function in the haemochromatosis group was normal. Still haemochromatosis, even in this group of patients treated with regular phlebotomy, influenced both systolic and early diastolic long-axis function, and was associated with higher atrioventricular excursion and S', and with lower E'.

Microstructures and Crystallographic Misorientation in Experimentally Deformed Natural Quartz Single Crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thust, Anja; Heilbronner, Renée.; Stünitz, Holger

2010-05-01

Samples of natural milky quartz were deformed in a Griggs deformation apparatus at different confining pressures (700 MPa, 1000 MPa, 1500 MPa), with constant displacement rates of 1 * 10-6s-1, axial strains of 3 - 19%, and at a temperature of 900° C. The single crystal starting material contains a large number of H2O-rich fluid inclusions. Directly adjacent to the fluid inclusions the crystal is essentially dry (50-150H/106Si, determined by FTIR). The samples were cored from a narrow zone of constant 'milkyness' (i.e. same density of fluid inclusions) in a large single crystal in two different orientations (1) normal to one of the prism planes (⊥{m} orientation) and (2) 45° to and to (O+ orientation).During attaining of the experimental P and T conditions, numerous fluid inclusions decrepitate by cracking. Rapid crack healing produces regions of very small fluid inclusions ('wet' quartz domains). Only these regions are subsequently deformed by dislocation glide, dry quartz domains without cracking and decrepitation of fluid inclusions remain undeformed. Sample strain is not sufficient to cause recrystallization, so that deformation is restricted to dislocation glide. In experiments at lower temperatures (800, 700° C) or at lower strain rate (10-5s-1) there is abundant cracking and semi-brittle deformation, indicating that 900° C, (10-6s-1) represents the lower temperature end of crystal plastic deformation in these single crystals. Peak strengths (at 900° C) range between 150 and 250 MPa for most samples of both orientations. There is a trend of decreasing strength with increasing confining pressure, as described by Kronenberg and Tullis (1984) for quartzites, but the large variation in strength due to inhomogeneous sample strain precludes a definite analysis of the strength/pressure dependence in our single crystals. In the deformed samples, we can distinguish a number of microstructures and inferred different slip systems. In both orientations, deformation lamellae with a high optical relief appear in the usual sub-basal orientation; often they are associated with 'fluid inclusions trails', cracks or en echelon arrays. In ⊥{m} orientation, conjugate misorientation bands sub-parallel to the prism planes can be observed. The barreled shape of the samples can be explained by prism glide. Unfortunately, since prism glide does not affect the c-axis orientation it cannot be recognized on a c-axis orientation image. Nevertheless, changes in the c-axis orientation are observed locally, indicating either the activity of an additional slip system or a different deformation process (not specified yet). In O+ orientation, we observe the formation of internally kinked shear bands. They are up to 100 μm wide and oriented at α 90° w/r to the host c-axis, slightly oblique to the sense of shear. The width of the kinked domains is 20-40 μm and the average misorientation (β) is 5° . The dispersion of c-axis orientation with synthetic rotation of the c-axis is evidence of basal glide. References: Kronenberg, A.K. & Tullis, J. (1984): Flow strength of quartz aggregates: grain size and pressure effects due to hydrolytic weakening. JGR Vol. 89, 4281-4281.

Mechanical Anisotropy of Rat Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells Decreases with Their Contraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagayama, Kazuaki; Matsumoto, Takeo

Tensile properties of smooth muscle cells freshly isolated from rat thoracic aortas (FSMCs) in their major and minor axes were measured using a laboratory-made micro tensile tester. The relationship between the tension applied to a cell and its elongation was obtained in untreated cells and those treated with 10-5M serotonin to induce contraction. An initial stiffness of untreated FSMCs, normalized by their initial cross-sectional area perpendicular to the stretch direction, was significantly higher in the major axis (14.8±4.3kPa, mean±SEM, n=5) than the minor axis (2.8±1.0kPa, n=5). The stiffness increased significantly in response to the contraction, but the increase was much higher in the minor axis (59.0±9.4kPa, n=4) than in the major (88.1±13.3kPa, n=4). The difference between the two directions was insignificant in the contracted state. Observations of the morphology of actin filaments with a confocal laser scanning microscope in untreated FSMCs revealed that they were long fibers running almost parallel to the major axis, while those in contracted cells showed an aggregated structure without a preferential direction. These results may indicate that anisotropy in untreated FSMCs is caused by the anisotropic alignment of their actin filaments, and that such anisotropy disappears in response to actin filament reorganization caused by the contraction.

Short-term administration of GW501516 improves inflammatory state in white adipose tissue and liver damage in high-fructose-fed mice through modulation of the renin-angiotensin system.

PubMed

Magliano, D'Angelo C; Penna-de-Carvalho, Aline; Vazquez-Carrera, Manuel; Mandarim-de-Lacerda, Carlos A; Aguila, Marcia B

2015-11-01

High activation of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)/(angiotensin-II type 1 receptor) AT1r axis is closely linked to pro-inflammatory effects and liver damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the short-term administration of GW501516 on pro-inflammatory markers in white adipose tissue (WAT) and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), lipogenesis and insulin resistance in the liver upon high-fructose diet (HFru)-induced ACE/AT1r axis activation. Three-month-old male C57Bl/6 mice were fed a standard chow diet or a HFru for 8 weeks. Then, the animals were separated randomly into four groups and treated with GW501516 for 3 weeks. Morphological variables, systolic blood pressure, and plasma determinations were analyzed. In the WAT, the ACE/AT1r axis and pro-inflammatory cytokines were assessed, and in the liver, the ACE/AT1r axis, HSCs, fatty acid oxidation, insulin resistance, and AMPK activation were evaluated. The HFru group displayed a high activation of the ACE/AT1r axis in both the WAT and liver; consequently, we detected inflammation and liver damage. Although GW501516 abolished the increased activation of the ACE/AT1r axis in the WAT, no differences were found in the liver. GW501516 blunted the inflammatory state in the WAT and reduced HSC activation in the liver. In addition, GW501516 alleviates damage in the liver by increasing the expression of the genes that regulate beta-oxidation and decreasing the expression of the genes and proteins that are involved in lipogenesis and gluconeogenesis. We conclude that GW501516 may serve as a therapeutic option for the treatment of a highly activated ACE/AT1r axis in WAT and liver.

URu2Si2 under intense magnetic fields: From hidden order to spin-density wave

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Knafo, W.; Aoki, D.; Scheerer, G. W.; Duc, F.; Bourdarot, F.; Kuwahara, K.; Nojiri, H.; Regnault, L.-P.; Flouquet, J.

2018-05-01

A review of recent state-of-the-art pulsed field experiments performed on URu2Si2 under a magnetic field applied along its easy magnetic axis c is given. Resistivity, magnetization, magnetic susceptibility, Shubnikov-de Haas, and neutron diffraction experiments are presented, permitting to emphasize the relationship between Fermi surface reconstructions, the destruction of the hidden-order and the appearance of a spin-density wave state in a high magnetic field.

Structural characterization of bulk GaN crystals grown under high hydrostatic pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liliental-Weber, Zuzanna; Kisielowski, C.; Ruvimov, S.; Chen, Y.; Washburn, J.; Grzegory, I.; Bockowski, M.; Jun, J.; Porowski, S.

1996-09-01

This paper describes TEM characterization of bulk GaN crystals grown at 1500-1800Kin the form of plates from a solution of atomic nitrogen in liquid gallium under high nitrogen pressure (up to 20 kbars). The x-ray rocking curves for these crystals were in the range of 20-30 arc-sec. The plate thickness along the c axis was about 100 times smaller than the nonpolar growth directions. A substantial difference in material quality was observed on the opposite sides of the plates normal to the c direction. On one side the surface was atomically flat, while on the other side the surface was rough, with pyramidal features up to 100 nm high. The polarity of the crystals was determined using convergent-beam electron diffraction. The results showed that, regarding the long bond between Ga and N along the c-axis, Ga atoms were found to be closer to the flat side of the crystal, while N atoms were found to be closer to the rough side. Near the rough side, within 1/10 to 1/4 of the plate thickness, there was a high density of planar defects (stacking faults and dislocation loops decorated by Ga/void precipitates). A model explaining the defect formation is proposed.

Fast electron transfer through a single molecule natively structured redox protein

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Della Pia, Eduardo Antonio; Chi, Qijin; MacDonald, J. Emyr; Ulstrup, Jens; Jones, D. Dafydd; Elliott, Martin

2012-10-01

The electron transfer properties of proteins are normally measured as molecularly averaged ensembles. Through these and related measurements, proteins are widely regarded as macroscopically insulating materials. Using scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM), we present new measurements of the conductance through single-molecules of the electron transfer protein cytochrome b562 in its native conformation, under pseudo-physiological conditions. This is achieved by thiol (SH) linker pairs at opposite ends of the molecule through protein engineering, resulting in defined covalent contact between a gold surface and a platinum-iridium STM tip. Two different orientations of the linkers were examined: a long-axis configuration (SH-LA) and a short-axis configuration (SH-SA). In each case, the molecular conductance could be `gated' through electrochemical control of the heme redox state. Reproducible and remarkably high conductance was observed in this relatively complex electron transfer system, with single-molecule conductance values peaking around 18 nS and 12 nS for the SH-SA and SH-LA cytochrome b562 molecules near zero electrochemical overpotential. This strongly points to the important role of the heme co-factor bound to the natively structured protein. We suggest that the two-step model of protein electron transfer in the STM geometry requires a multi-electron transfer to explain such a high conductance. The model also yields a low value for the reorganisation energy, implying that solvent reorganisation is largely absent.The electron transfer properties of proteins are normally measured as molecularly averaged ensembles. Through these and related measurements, proteins are widely regarded as macroscopically insulating materials. Using scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM), we present new measurements of the conductance through single-molecules of the electron transfer protein cytochrome b562 in its native conformation, under pseudo-physiological conditions. This is achieved by thiol (SH) linker pairs at opposite ends of the molecule through protein engineering, resulting in defined covalent contact between a gold surface and a platinum-iridium STM tip. Two different orientations of the linkers were examined: a long-axis configuration (SH-LA) and a short-axis configuration (SH-SA). In each case, the molecular conductance could be `gated' through electrochemical control of the heme redox state. Reproducible and remarkably high conductance was observed in this relatively complex electron transfer system, with single-molecule conductance values peaking around 18 nS and 12 nS for the SH-SA and SH-LA cytochrome b562 molecules near zero electrochemical overpotential. This strongly points to the important role of the heme co-factor bound to the natively structured protein. We suggest that the two-step model of protein electron transfer in the STM geometry requires a multi-electron transfer to explain such a high conductance. The model also yields a low value for the reorganisation energy, implying that solvent reorganisation is largely absent. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental methods, DNA and protein sequences, additional STM statistical analysis and images, electrochemical data and It-z data analysis. See DOI: 10.1039/c2nr32131a

Traversing probe system

DOEpatents

Mashburn, Douglas N.; Stevens, Richard H.; Woodall, Harold C.

1977-01-01

This invention comprises a rotatable annular probe-positioner which carries at least one radially disposed sensing probe, such as a Pitot tube having a right-angled tip. The positioner can be coaxially and rotatably mounted within a compressor casing or the like and then actuated to orient the sensing probe as required to make measurements at selected stations in the annulus between the positioner and compressor casing. The positioner can be actuated to (a) selectively move the probe along its own axis, (b) adjust the yaw angle of the right-angled probe tip, and (c) revolve the probe about the axis common to the positioner and casing. A cam plate engages a cam-follower portion of the probe and normally rotates with the positioner. The positioner includes a first-motor-driven ring gear which effects slidable movement of the probe by rotating the positioner at a time when an external pneumatic cylinder is actuated to engage the cam plate and hold it stationary. When the pneumatic cylinder is not actuated, this ring gear can be driven to revolve the positioner and thus the probe to a desired circumferential location about the above-mentioned common axis. A second motor-driven ring gear included in the positioner can be driven to rotate the probe about its axis, thus adjusting the yaw angle of the probe tip. The positioner can be used in highly corrosive atmosphere, such as gaseous uranium hexafluoride.

Vacancies and Vacancy-Mediated Self Diffusion in Cr 2 O 3 : A First-Principles Study

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

Medasani, Bharat; Sushko, Maria L.; Rosso, Kevin M.

Charged and neutral vacancies and vacancy mediated self diffusion in alpha-Cr2O3 were investigated using first principles density functional theory (DFT) and periodic supercell formalism. The vacancy formation energies of charged defects were calculated using the electrostatic finite-size corrections to account for electrostatic interactions between supercells and the corrections for the bandgap underestimation in DFT. Calculations predict that neutral oxygen (O) vacancies are predominant in chromium (Cr)-rich conditions and Cr vacancies with -2 charge state are the dominant defects in O-rich conditions. The charge transition levels of both O and Cr vacancies are deep within the bandgap indicating the stability ofmore » these defects. Transport calculations indicate that vacancy mediated diffusion along the basal plane has lower energy barriers for both O and Cr ions. The most favorable vacancy mediated self diffusion processes correspond to the diffusion of Cr ion in 3+ charge state and O ion in 2- state, respectively. Our calculations reveal that Cr triple defects comprised of Cr in octahedral interstitial sites with two adjacent Cr vacancies along the c-axis have a lower formation energy compared to that of charged Cr vacancies. The formation of such triple defects facilitate Cr self diffusion along the c-axis.« less

The Far Infrared Spectrum of Thiophosgene: Analysis of the νb{2} Fundamental Band at 500 wn

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McKellar, A. R. W.; Billinghurst, B. E.

2009-06-01

Thiophosgene (Cl_2CS) is a model system for studies of vibrational dynamics. Many hundreds of vibrational levels in the ground electronic state have been experimentally observed, allowing a detailed anharmonic force field to be developed including all six vibrational modes. But there have been no previous high resolution studies of this molecule in the infrared, presumably because its mass and multiple isotopic species result in very congested spectra. Here we report a detailed study of the strong νb{2} fundamental band (symmetric C - Cl stretch) based on a spectrum obtained using synchrotron radiation with the Bruker IFS125 FT spectrometer at the Canadian Light Source far infrared beamline. Thiophosgene is an interesting example of an accidentally near-symmetric oblate rotor. Indeed, its inertial axes switch with isotopic substitution: for ^{35}Cl_2CS, the C_{2v} symmetry axis coincides with the a inertial axis, but for ^{37}Cl_2CS, this changes to the b axis. Fortunately for us, the ground state microwave spectrum has been well studied. Even so, it has required the full spectral resolution of the present results, with observed line widths of about 0.0008 wn, to achieve a true line-by-line analysis. [1] For example: P.D. Chowdary, B. Strickler, S. Lee, and M. Gruebele, Chem. Phys. Letters 434, 182 (2007). [2] J.H. Carpenter, D.F. Rimmer, J.G. Smith, and D.H. Whiffen, J. Chem. Soc. Faraday Trans. 2 71, 1752 (1971).

C-Axis-Oriented Hydroxyapatite Film Grown Using ZnO Buffer Layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakoishi, Yasuhiro; Iguchi, Ryo; Nishikawa, Hiroaki; Hontsu, Shigeki; Hayami, Takashi; Kusunoki, Masanobu

2013-11-01

A method of fabricating c-axis-oriented hydroxyapatite film on a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor was investigated. ZnO was used as a template to obtain a hexagonal hydroxyapatite crystal of uniaxial orientation. The ZnO was grown as a c-axis film on a Au/quartz with the surface structure of a QCM sensor. Under optimized conditions, hydroxyapatite was deposited by pulsed laser deposition. X-ray diffraction showed the hydroxyapatite film to be oriented along the c-axis. Because Au and ZnO are applied to many devices, the anisotropic properties of hydroxyapatite may be incorporated into these devices as well as QCM sensors.

Morphometric study of the true S1 and S2 of the normal and dysmorphic sacralized sacra.

PubMed

Firat, Ayşegül; Alemdaroğlu, Kadir Bahadır; Özmeriç, Ahmet; Yücens, Mehmet; Göksülük, Dinçer

2017-06-12

This study aimed to generate data for the S1 and S2 alar pedicle and body and the alar orientations for both dysmorphic and normal sacra. The study comprised two groups: Group N consisted of 53 normal sacra and Group D included 10 dysmorphic sacra. Various features such as alar pedicle circumference; anterior, middle, and posterior axis of the sacral ala; sacral body height and width; and sagittal thickness were measured. In group N, the median anterior axis of the alae was observed to be 30° on the right and 25° on the left, the median midline axis was found to be 20° on the right and 15° on the left, and the median posterior alar axis was -15° on the right and -20° on the left. The true S1 and S2 alar pedicle circumferences were observed to be significantly smaller in group D, which demonstrated a shorter S1 alar pedicle mean circumference, significantly narrower S1 body mean width, and considerably tapered sagittal thickness. Our analysis indicated that dysmorphic sacra have a lower sagittal thickness and width of bodies and smaller alar pedicles, which explains the difficulties in their percutaneous fixation.

Magnetic structures and excitations in a multiferroic Y-type hexaferrite BaSrCo 2 Fe 11 AlO 22

DOE PAGES

Nakajima, Taro; Tokunaga, Yusuke; Matsuda, Masaaki; ...

2016-11-30

Here, we have investigated magnetic orders and excitations in a Y-type hexaferrite BaSrCo 2Fe 11AlO 22 (BSCoFAO), which was reported to exhibit spin-driven ferroelectricity at room temperature. By means of magnetization, electric polarization, and neutron-diffraction measurements using single-crystal samples, we establish a H-T magnetic phase diagram for magnetic field perpendicular to the c axis (H ⟂c). This system exhibits an alternating longitudinal conical (ALC) magnetic structure in the ground state, and it turns into a non-co-planar commensurate magnetic order with spin-driven ferroelectricity under H ⟂c. The field-induced ferroelectric phase remains as a metastable state after removing magnetic field below 250more » K. This metastability is the key to understanding of magnetic field reversal of the spin-driven electric polarization in this system. Inelastic polarized neutron-scattering measurements in the ALC phase reveal a magnetic excitation at around 7.5 meV, which is attributed to spin components oscillating in a plane perpendicular to the cone axis. This phasonlike excitation is expected to be an electric-field active magnon, i.e., electromagnon excitation, in terms of the magnetostriction mechanism.« less

Magnetic structures and excitations in a multiferroic Y-type hexaferrite BaSrCo2Fe11AlO22

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakajima, Taro; Tokunaga, Yusuke; Matsuda, Masaaki; Dissanayake, Sachith; Fernandez-Baca, Jaime; Kakurai, Kazuhisa; Taguchi, Yasujiro; Tokura, Yoshinori; Arima, Taka-hisa

2016-11-01

We have investigated magnetic orders and excitations in a Y-type hexaferrite BaSrCo2Fe11AlO22 (BSCoFAO), which was reported to exhibit spin-driven ferroelectricity at room temperature [S. Hirose, K. Haruki, A. Ando, and T. Kimura, Appl. Phys. Lett. 104, 022907 (2014), 10.1063/1.4862432]. By means of magnetization, electric polarization, and neutron-diffraction measurements using single-crystal samples, we establish a H -T magnetic phase diagram for magnetic field perpendicular to the c axis (H⊥c). This system exhibits an alternating longitudinal conical (ALC) magnetic structure in the ground state, and it turns into a non-co-planar commensurate magnetic order with spin-driven ferroelectricity under H⊥c. The field-induced ferroelectric phase remains as a metastable state after removing magnetic field below ˜250 K. This metastability is the key to understanding of magnetic field reversal of the spin-driven electric polarization in this system. Inelastic polarized neutron-scattering measurements in the ALC phase reveal a magnetic excitation at around 7.5 meV, which is attributed to spin components oscillating in a plane perpendicular to the cone axis. This phasonlike excitation is expected to be an electric-field active magnon, i.e., electromagnon excitation, in terms of the magnetostriction mechanism.

Mechatronical systems and experimental methods for investigations on tribology of electrical contacts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Franek, Friedrich; Neuhaus, Alexander; Reichart, Martin; Schrank, Clemens

2008-08-01

The investigation of electrical low power switching contacts, including dry-circuit, is characterized as a highly interdisciplinary research field. The knowledge of plasma physics, the influence of kinetics on contact phenomena, material science and metallurgy, as well as thermal aspects and tribology, is demanded. The methods usually used at the Austrian Center of Competence for Tribology are e.g. defined contact make and break along two-independent axis using model switches, high-resolution measurement of displacement and electrical values, including the detection of arcs, contact force measurement in the kHz and cN range (one-axis and two-axis systems), on-line optical investigations (especially time lapse movie systems), state of the art 3D surface topography measurement of eroded contact surfaces, and (electron-) microscopical evaluation of metallographic cross sections. Some aspects of this methodology are presented in this paper.

Normal state above the upper critical field in Fe 1 + y Te 1 - x ( Se , S ) x

DOE PAGES

Wang, Aifeng; Kampert, Erik; Saadaoui, H.; ...

2017-05-03

Here, we have investigated the magnetotransport above the upper critical field ( H c 2 ) in Fe 1.14 Te 0.7 Se 0.3 , Fe 1.02 Te 0.61 Se 0.39 , Fe 1.05 Te 0.89 Se 0.11 , and Fe 1.06 Te 0.86 S 0.14 . The μ SR measurements confirm electronic phase separation in Fe 1.06 Te 0.86 S 0.14 , similar to Fe 1 + y Te 1 - x Se x . We found that superconductivity is suppressed in high magnetic fields above 60 T, allowing us to gain insight into the normal-state properties below the zero-fieldmore » superconducting transition temperature ( T c ). We also show that the resistivity of Fe 1.14 Te 0.7 Se 0.3 and Fe 1.02 Te 0.61 Se 0.39 above H c 2 is metallic as T → 0 , just like the normal-state resistivity above T c . On the other hand, the normal-state resistivity in Fe 1.05 Te 0.89 Se 0.11 and Fe 1.06 Te 0.86 S 0.14 is nonmetallic down to lowest temperatures, reflecting the superconductor-insulator transition due to electronic phase separation.« less

Synthesis and characterization of the heavy-fermion compound CePtAl 4Ge 2

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

Shin, Soohyeon; Rosa, Priscila Ferrari Silveira; Ronning, Filip

Here, we report the synthesis of the Ce-based quaternary compound CePtAl 4Ge 2 that crystallizes in the trigonal structure (space group R 3¯m, 166) with unit cell parameters, a = 4.1995(5) Å, c = 31.851(7) Å, and γ = 120°. Powder X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy show that CePtAl 4Ge 2 (LaPtAl 4Ge 2) is in a single, homogeneous phase. Magnetic susceptibility, electrical resistivity, and heat capacity measurements of CePtAl 4Ge 2 show that it exhibits antiferromagnetic behavior below 2.3 K. The magnetic susceptibility for the magnetic field applied perpendicular (χ ab) and parallel (χ c) to themore » crystalline c-axis is very anisotropic, and the susceptibility ratio (χ ab/χ c) reaches a maximum value of 10, indicating that the spin easy axis is within the Ce plane. The entropy recovered at T N is consistent with the doublet ground state of the crystal field split J = 5/2 multiplet of Ce 3+ ions.« less

Synthesis and characterization of the heavy-fermion compound CePtAl 4Ge 2

DOE PAGES

Shin, Soohyeon; Rosa, Priscila Ferrari Silveira; Ronning, Filip; ...

2017-12-18

Here, we report the synthesis of the Ce-based quaternary compound CePtAl 4Ge 2 that crystallizes in the trigonal structure (space group R 3¯m, 166) with unit cell parameters, a = 4.1995(5) Å, c = 31.851(7) Å, and γ = 120°. Powder X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy show that CePtAl 4Ge 2 (LaPtAl 4Ge 2) is in a single, homogeneous phase. Magnetic susceptibility, electrical resistivity, and heat capacity measurements of CePtAl 4Ge 2 show that it exhibits antiferromagnetic behavior below 2.3 K. The magnetic susceptibility for the magnetic field applied perpendicular (χ ab) and parallel (χ c) to themore » crystalline c-axis is very anisotropic, and the susceptibility ratio (χ ab/χ c) reaches a maximum value of 10, indicating that the spin easy axis is within the Ce plane. The entropy recovered at T N is consistent with the doublet ground state of the crystal field split J = 5/2 multiplet of Ce 3+ ions.« less

Strong Localization of Anionic Electrons at Interlayer for Electrical and Magnetic Anisotropy in Two-Dimensional Y2C Electride.

PubMed

Park, Jongho; Lee, Kimoon; Lee, Seung Yong; Nandadasa, Chandani N; Kim, Sungho; Lee, Kyu Hyoung; Lee, Young Hee; Hosono, Hideo; Kim, Seong-Gon; Kim, Sung Wng

2017-01-18

We have synthesized a single crystalline Y 2 C electride of centimeter-scale by floating-zone method and successfully characterized its anisotropic electrical and magnetic properties. In-plane resistivity upturn at low temperature together with anisotropic behavior of negative magnetoresistance is ascribed to the stronger suppression of spin fluctuation along in-plane than that along the c-axis, verifying the existence of magnetic moments preferred for the c-axis. A superior magnetic moment along the c-axis to that along the in-plane direction strongly demonstrates the anisotropic magnetism of Y 2 C electride containing a magnetically easy axis. It is clarified from the theoretical calculations that the anisotropic nature of the Y 2 C electride originates from strongly localized anionic electrons with an inherent magnetic anisotropy in the interlayer spaces.

Evaluation of Monitoring Audiometry in the United States Air Force Hearing Conservation Program

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-01-01

the True Positive on the y-axis (MacMillian and Creelman , 1991). Issues to consider include the cost of the 40 hour noise-free audiogram vs. the benefit... Creelman , C.D. (1991). Detection theory: a user’s guide. New York: Capbridge University Press. Melnick, W. (1979). Hearing loss from noise exposure. In

Streamwise Vorticity Generation in Laminar and Turbulent Jets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Demuren, Aodeji O.; Wilson, Robert V.

1999-01-01

Complex streamwise vorticity fields are observed in the evolution of non-circular jets. Generation mechanisms are investigated via Reynolds-averaged (RANS), large-eddy (LES) and direct numerical (DNS) simulations of laminar and turbulent rectangular jets. Complex vortex interactions are found in DNS of laminar jets, but axis-switching is observed only when a single instability mode is present in the incoming mixing layer. With several modes present, the structures are not coherent and no axis-switching occurs, RANS computations also produce no axis-switching. On the other hand, LES of high Reynolds number turbulent jets produce axis-switching even for cases with several instability modes in the mixing layer. Analysis of the source terms of the mean streamwise vorticity equation through post-processing of the instantaneous results shows that, complex interactions of gradients of the normal and shear Reynolds stresses are responsible for the generation of streamwise vorticity which leads to axis-switching. RANS computations confirm these results. k - epsilon turbulence model computations fail to reproduce the phenomenon, whereas algebraic Reynolds stress model (ASM) computations, in which the secondary normal and shear stresses are computed explicitly, succeeded in reproducing the phenomenon accurately.

High-piezoelectric behavior of c-axis-oriented lead zirconate titanate thin films with composition near the morphotropic phase boundary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, Desheng; Suzuki, Hisao; Ogawa, Takeshi; Ishikawa, Kenji

2002-05-01

The piezoelectric responses of c-axis-oriented Pb(Zr0.53Ti0.47)O3 (PZT) thin films have been studied by measuring the stress-induced charge with an accurate charge integrator. These measurements reveal that the c-axis-oriented PZT films have high values of d33, which are several times those of ceramic materials. The intrinsic d33 values of poled films are about 680 and 800 pC/N for the c-axis-oriented films on Si and MgO single-crystal substrates, respectively. It shows that the thin-film deposition technique opens an approach for exploring the potential superior properties of PZT near the morphotropic phase boundary.

16 CFR 1511.4 - Protrusions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... Commercial Practices CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION FEDERAL HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ACT REGULATIONS... orientation of the hinge axis shall be horizontal. A plane surface shall be applied to any protrusion from the... direction along the axis of the nipple. The normal of the plane surface shall be maintained parallel to the...

Process and apparatus for measuring degree of polarization and angle of major axis of polarized beam of light

DOEpatents

Decker, Derek E.; Toeppen, John S.

1994-01-01

Apparatus and process are disclosed for calibrating measurements of the phase of the polarization of a polarized beam and the angle of the polarized optical beam's major axis of polarization at a diagnostic point with measurements of the same parameters at a point of interest along the polarized beam path prior to the diagnostic point. The process is carried out by measuring the phase angle of the polarization of the beam and angle of the major axis at the point of interest, using a rotatable polarizer and a detector, and then measuring these parameters again at a diagnostic point where a compensation apparatus, including a partial polarizer, which may comprise a stack of glass plates, is disposed normal to the beam path between a rotatable polarizer and a detector. The partial polarizer is then rotated both normal to the beam path and around the axis of the beam path until the detected phase of the beam polarization equals the phase measured at the point of interest. The rotatable polarizer at the diagnostic point may then be rotated manually to determine the angle of the major axis of the beam and this is compared with the measured angle of the major axis of the beam at the point of interest during calibration. Thereafter, changes in the polarization phase, and in the angle of the major axis, at the point of interest can be monitored by measuring the changes in these same parameters at the diagnostic point.

Step Free Surface Heteroepitaxy of 3C-SiC Layers on Patterned 4H/6H-SiC Mesas and Cantilevers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neudeck, P. G.; Powell, J. A.; Trunek, A. J.; Spry, D. J.

2004-01-01

The off-axis approach to SiC epitaxial growth has not prevented many substrate crystal defects from propagating into SiC epilayers, and does not permit the realization of SiC heteropolytype devices. This paper reviews recent advancements in SiC epitaxial growth that begin to overcome the above shortcomings for arrays of device-sized mesas patterned into on-axis 4H/6HSiC wafers. These on-axis mesa growth techniques have produced 4H/6H-SiC homoepilayers and 3C-SiC heteroepilayers with substantially lower dislocation densities. The results should enable improved homojunction and heterojunction silicon carbide prototype devices.

Thermodynamics around the first-order ferromagnetic phase transition of Fe2P single crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hudl, M.; Campanini, D.; Caron, L.; Höglin, V.; Sahlberg, M.; Nordblad, P.; Rydh, A.

2014-10-01

The specific heat and thermodynamics of Fe2P single crystals around the first-order paramagnetic to ferromagnetic (FM) phase transition at TC≃217 K are empirically investigated. The magnitude and direction of the magnetic field relative to the crystal axes govern the derived H -T phase diagram. Strikingly different phase contours are obtained for fields applied parallel and perpendicular to the c axis of the crystal. In parallel fields, the FM state is stabilized, while in perpendicular fields the phase transition is split into two sections, with an intermediate FM phase where there is no spontaneous magnetization along the c axis. The zero-field transition displays a textbook example of a first-order transition with different phase stability limits on heating and cooling. The results have special significance since Fe2P is the parent material to a family of compounds with outstanding magnetocaloric properties.

Zigzag antiferromagnetic ground state with anisotropic correlation lengths in the quasi-two-dimensional honeycomb lattice compound N a2C o2Te O6

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bera, A. K.; Yusuf, S. M.; Kumar, Amit; Ritter, C.

2017-03-01

The crystal structure, magnetic ground state, and the temperature-dependent microscopic spin-spin correlations of the frustrated honeycomb lattice antiferromagnet N a2C o2Te O6 have been investigated by powder neutron diffraction. A long-range antiferromagnetic (AFM) ordering has been found below TN˜24.8 K . The magnetic ground state, determined to be zigzag antiferromagnetic and characterized by a propagation vector k =(1 /2 0 0 ) , occurs due to the competing exchange interactions up to third-nearest neighbors within the honeycomb lattice. The exceptional existence of a limited magnetic correlation length along the c axis (perpendicular to the honeycomb layers in the a b planes) has been found even at 1.8 K, well below the TN˜24.8 K . The observed limited correlation along the c axis is explained by the disorder distribution of the Na ions within the intermediate layers between honeycomb planes. The reduced ordered moments mCo (1 )=2.77 (3 ) μB/C o2 + and mCo (2 )=2.45 (2 ) μB/C o2 + at 1.8 K reflect the persistence of spin fluctuations in the ordered state. Above TN˜24.8 K , the presence of short-range magnetic correlations, manifested by broad diffuse magnetic peaks in the diffraction patterns, has been found. Reverse Monte Carlo analysis of the experimental diffuse magnetic scattering data reveals that the spin correlations are mainly confined within the two-dimensional honeycomb layers (a b plane) with a correlation length of ˜12 Å at 25 K. The nature of the spin arrangements is found to be similar in both the short-range and long-range ordered magnetic states. This implies that the short-range correlation grows with decreasing temperature and leads to the zigzag AFM ordering at T ≤TN . The present study provides a comprehensive picture of the magnetic correlations over the temperature range above and below the TN and their relation to the crystal structure. The role of intermediate soft Na layers on the magnetic coupling between honeycomb planes is discussed.

Seawater Circulation and Thermal Sink at OCEAN Ridges - FIELD Evidence in Oman Ophiolite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nicolas, A. A.; Boudier, F. I.; Cathles, L. M.; Buck, W. R.; Celerier, B. P.

2014-12-01

Exceptionally, the lowermost gabbros in the Oman ophiolite are black and totally fresh, except for minute traces of impregnation by seawater fluids at very high temperature (~1000°C). These black gabbros sharply contrast with normal, whitish gabbros altered down to Low-T~500-350°C. These hydrous alterations are ascribed to an unconventional model of seawater circulation and cooling of the permanent magma chambers of fast spreading ocean ridges. In this model, gabbros issued from the magma chamber cross a ~100 m thick thermal boundary layer (TBL) before reaching a narrow, Low-T high permeability channel where the heated return seawater is flowing towards black smokers and the local gabbros are altered. Uprising mantle diapirs in Oman diverge at ~5 km on each side of the palaeo-ridge axis and feed an overlying magma chamber that closes at this distance from axis. Preservation of black gabbros along the Moho implies that the loop of seawater alteration locally does not reach Moho beyond this ~5km distance (otherwise black gabbros would be altered in whitish gabbros). This defines an internal "thermal sink" within ~5 km to the ridge axis. There, the sink is efficiently cooled by the active hydrothermal convection that is ridge transverse. This has been documented near the Galapagos ridge by marine geophysical data, within the same distance. Beyond this critical distance, the cooling system becomes dominantly conductive and ridge-parallel. The TBL and attached return flow channels must be rising into the overcooled, accreted crust. Beyond the thermal sink, the 500°C isotherm rebounds into the crust. It is only after ~ 1My of crustal drift that this isotherm penetrates into the uppermost mantle in a sustained fashion, developing serpentinites at the expense of peridotites.

PKCθ promotes c-Rel–driven mammary tumorigenesis in mice and humans by repressing estrogen receptor α synthesis

PubMed Central

Belguise, Karine; Sonenshein, Gail E.

2007-01-01

The vast majority of primary human breast cancer tissues display aberrant nuclear NF-κB c-Rel expression. A causal role for c-Rel in mammary tumorigenesis has been demonstrated using a c-Rel transgenic mouse model; however, tumors developed with a long latency, suggesting a second event is needed to trigger tumorigenesis. Here we show that c-Rel activity in the mammary gland is repressed by estrogen receptor α (ERα) signaling, and we identify an epigenetic mechanism in breast cancer mediated by activation of what we believe is a novel PKCθ-Akt pathway that leads to downregulation of ERα synthesis and derepression of c-Rel. ERα levels were lower in c-Rel–induced mammary tumors compared with normal mammary gland tissue. PKCθ induced c-Rel activity and target gene expression and promoted growth of c-Rel- and c-RelxCK2α–driven mouse mammary tumor–derived cell lines. RNA expression levels of PKCθ and c-Rel target genes were inversely correlated with ERα levels in human breast cancer specimens. PKCθ activated Akt, thereby inactivating forkhead box O protein 3a (FOXO3a) and leading to decreased synthesis of its target genes, ERα and p27Kip1. Thus we have shown that activation of PKCθ inhibits the FOXO3a/ERα/p27Kip1 axis that normally maintains an epithelial cell phenotype and induces c-Rel target genes, thereby promoting proliferation, survival, and more invasive breast cancer. PMID:18037997

Inverse polarity of the resistive switching effect and strong inhomogeneity in nanoscale YBCO-metal contacts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Truchly, M.; Plecenik, T.; Zhitlukhina, E.; Belogolovskii, M.; Dvoranova, M.; Kus, P.; Plecenik, A.

2016-11-01

We have studied a bipolar resistive switching phenomenon in c-axis oriented normal-state YBa2Cu3O7-c (YBCO) thin films at room temperature by scanning spreading resistance microscopy (SSRM) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) techniques. The most striking experimental finding has been the opposite (in contrast to the previous room and low-temperature data for planar metal counter-electrode-YBCO bilayers) voltage-bias polarity of the switching effect in all SSRM and a number of STM measurements. We have assumed that the hysteretic phenomena in current-voltage characteristics of YBCO-based contacts can be explained by migration of oxygen-vacancy defects and, as a result, by the formation or dissolution of more or less conductive regions near the metal-YBCO interface. To support our interpretation of the macroscopic resistive switching phenomenon, a minimalist model that describes radical modifications of the oxygen-vacancy effective charge in terms of a charge-wind effect was proposed. It was shown theoretically that due to the momentum exchange between current carriers (holes in the YBCO compound) and activated oxygen ions, the direction in which oxygen vacancies are moving is defined by the balance between the direct electrostatic force on them and that caused by the current-carrier flow.

Influence of magnetic disorders on quantum anomalous Hall effect in magnetic topological insulator films beyond the two-dimensional limit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xing, Yanxia; Xu, Fuming; Cheung, King Tai; Sun, Qing-feng; Wang, Jian; Yao, Yugui

2018-04-01

Quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE) has been experimentally realized in magnetic topological insulator (MTI) thin films fabricated on magnetically doped {({{Bi}},{{Sb}})}2{{{Te}}}3. In an MTI thin film with the magnetic easy axis along the normal direction (z-direction), orientations of magnetic dopants are randomly distributed around the magnetic easy axis, acting as magnetic disorders. With the aid of the non-equilibrium Green's function and Landauer–Büttiker formalism, we numerically study the influence of magnetic disorders on QAHE in an MTI thin film modeled by a three-dimensional tight-binding Hamiltonian. It is found that, due to the existence of gapless side surface states, QAHE is protected even in the presence of magnetic disorders as long as the z-component of magnetic moment of all magnetic dopants are positive. More importantly, such magnetic disorders also suppress the dissipation of the chiral edge states and enhance the quality of QAHE in MTI films. In addition, the effect of magnetic disorders depends very much on the film thickness, and the optimal influence is achieved at certain thickness. These findings are new features for QAHE in three-dimensional systems, not present in two-dimensional systems.

Peculiar magnetism of UAu2Si2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tabata, Chihiro; Miura, Naoyuki; Uhlířová, Klára; Vališka, Michal; Saito, Hiraku; Hidaka, Hiroyuki; Yanagisawa, Tatsuya; Sechovský, Vladimír; Amitsuka, Hiroshi

2016-12-01

Single-crystalline UAu2Si2 has been grown by a floating-zone melting method, and its magnetic, thermal, and transport properties have been investigated through measurements of magnetization, specific heat, and electrical resistivity to reveal its peculiar magnetism. It is shown that UAu2Si2 undergoes a second-order phase transition at Tm = 19 K, which had been believed to be ferromagnetic ordering in the literature, from a paramagnetic phase to an uncompensated antiferromagnetic phase with spontaneous magnetization along the tetragonal c axis (the easy magnetization direction). The magnetic entropy analysis points to the itinerant character of 5 f electrons in the magnetic ordered state of UAu2Si2 with large enhancement of the electronic specific heat coefficient of γ ˜150 mJ/K2mol at 2 K. It also reveals the relatively isotropic crystalline electric field effect of this compound, with contrast to the other relative isostructural compounds. The observed magnetization curves strongly suggest that there is a parasitic ferromagnetic component developing below ˜50 K in high coercivity with the easy axis along the tetragonal c axis. The results are discussed in the context of evolution of magnetism within the entire family of isostructural U T2Si2 compounds.

Electronic structure of single crystalline Bi 2(Sr,Ca,La) 3Cu 2O 8

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lindberg, P. A. P.; Shen, Z.-X.; Dessau, D. S.; Wells, B. O.; Borg, A.; Mitzi, D. B.; Lindau, I.; Spicer, W. E.; Kapitulnik, A.

1989-12-01

Angle-resolved photoemission experiments on single crystals of Bi 2(Sr,Ca,La) 3Cu 2O 8 are reported. The data show a dispersionless behaviour of the valence band states as a function of the perpendicular component of the wave vector (along the c-axis), while as a function of the parallel component (in the a-b plane) clear dispersion occurs. Furthermore, polarization-dependent excitations reveal information on the symmetry of the unoccupied states.

Structural and thermodynamic properties of WB at high pressure and high temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Hai-Hua; Bi, Yan; Cheng, Yan; Ji, Guangfu; Peng, Fang; Hu, Yan-Fei

2012-12-01

The structure parameters and electronic structures of tungsten boride (WB) have been investigated by using the density functional theory (DFT). Our calculating results display the bulk modulus of WB are 352±2 GPa (K‧0=4.29) and 322±3 GPa (K‧0=4.21) by LDA and GGA methods, respectively. We have analyzed the probable reason of the discrepancy from the bulk modulus between theoretical and experimental results. The compression behavior of the unit cell axes is anisotropic, with the c-axis being more compressible than the a-axis. By analyzing the bond lengths information, it also demonstrated that WB has a lower compressibility at high pressure. From the partial densities of states (PDOS) of WB, we found that the Fermi lever is mostly contributed by the d states of W atom and p states of B atom and that the contributions from the s, p states of W atom and s states of B atom are small. Moreover, using the Gibbs 2 program, the thermodynamic properties of WB are obtained in a wide temperature range at high pressure for the first time in this work.

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

Ranieri, M.G.A., E-mail: gabi.ranieri@ig.com.br; Aguiar, E.C.; Cilense, M.

Highlights: • Bi{sub 4}Ti{sub 3}O{sub 12} thick films were obtained by SSR and PPM methods. • Both systems crystallize in an orthorhombic structure. • Textured characteristics were evidenced. • Grain morphology affects the P–E loops. - Abstract: Bismuth titanate powders (Bi{sub 4}Ti{sub 3}O{sub 12}-BIT) were fabricated by solid state reaction (SSR) and polymeric precursor method (PPM). From these powders, Bi{sub 4}Ti{sub 3}O{sub 12} pellets were obtained by tape-casting using plate-like templates particles prepared by a molten salt method. The BIT phase crystallizes in an orthorhombic structure type with space group Fmmm. Agglomeration of the particles, which affects the densification ofmore » the ceramic, electrical conduction and leakage current at high electric fields, was monitored by transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) analyses. FEG-SEM indicated that different shape of grains of BIT ceramics was influenced by the processing route. Both SSR and PPM methods lead to unsaturated P–E loops of BIT ceramics originating from the highly c-axis orientation and high conductivity which was affected by charge carriers flowing normally to the grain boundary of the crystal lattice.« less

Neutronic reactor

DOEpatents

Carleton, John T.

1977-01-25

A graphite-moderated nuclear reactor includes channels between blocks of graphite and also includes spacer blocks between adjacent channeled blocks with an axis of extension normal to that of the axis of elongation of the channeled blocks to minimize changes in the physical properties of the graphite as a result of prolonged neutron bombardment.

Magnetic and structural characterization of high anisotropy cobalt-rich alloys: Thin films and patterns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zana, Iulica

In this dissertation the structural and magnetic characterization of high anisotropy Co-rich alloys for magnetic recording and MEMS applications has been carried out. The potential of Co78Sm22 as an ultra-high density recording medium was explored through comprehensive static and dynamic magnetic measurements. It was found out that hard magnetic properties (Hc = 4.5 kOe) can be achieved when CoSm is sputter-deposited on Cr80V 20 underlayer, comparable with those reported for state-of-the-art media at the end of 2002. Furthermore, the chemical stability and reliability of CoSm thin films was studied through combined accelerated aging and electrochemical methods. It was found out that CoSm thin films are more reactive than current recording media (CoPt), and a layer of Si3N4 of at least 6 nm provides satisfactory protection. Electrodeposition of Co80Pt20 onto highly textured Cu seed layer with either {100} or {111} orientation was studied. The influence of Cu texture and plating current density (cd) on the growth, morphology, microstructure, and magnetic properties of the CoPt films was investigated. Epitaxial CoPt thin films with uniform composition across the film thickness were deposited. The microstructure consists in fcc matrix and hcp matrix when plated on Cu(100) and Cu(111), respectively. CoPt hcp single phase films with c-axis normal to the substrate were grown on Cu(111) when plated at cd = 50 mA/cm2. As opposed to the films plated on Cu(100) which show a mostly in-plane magnetic anisotropy, the films plated on Cu(111) develop a well defined perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) due to the hcp phase with the c-axis normal to the substrate, which yields coercivities as high as 6.1 kOe. The origin of the high PMA was found to lie in the magnetocrystalline anisotropy. CoPt micromagnets have been successfully fabricated by the electrodeposition-through-mask method, which despite the small aspect ratio show a definite PMA. The PMA, together with the hard magnetic properties measured (Hc = 4.7 kOe) demonstrate a strong potential for the utilization of these materials in the MEMS area.

Full dimensional Franck-Condon factors for the acetylene ˜{A} 1Au—{˜{X}} {^1Σ _g^+} transition. II. Vibrational overlap factors for levels involving excitation in ungerade modes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, G. Barratt; Baraban, Joshua H.; Field, Robert W.

2014-10-01

A full-dimensional Franck-Condon calculation has been applied to the tilde{A} 1Au—tilde{X} ^1Σ _g^+ transition in acetylene in the harmonic normal mode basis. Details of the calculation are discussed in Part I of this series. To our knowledge, this is the first full-dimensional Franck-Condon calculation on a tetra-atomic molecule undergoing a linear-to-bent geometry change. In the current work, the vibrational intensity factors for levels involving excitation in ungerade vibrational modes are evaluated. Because the Franck-Condon integral accumulates away from the linear geometry, we have been able to treat the out-of-plane component of trans bend (ν _4^' ' }) in the linear tilde{X} state in the rotational part of the problem, restoring the χ Euler angle and the a-axis Eckart conditions. A consequence of the Eckart conditions is that the out-of-plane component of ν _4^' ' } does not participate in the vibrational overlap integral. This affects the structure of the coordinate transformation and the symmetry of the vibrational wavefunctions used in the overlap integral, and results in propensity rules involving the bending modes of the tilde{X} state that were not previously understood. We explain the origin of some of the unexpected propensities observed in IR-UV laser-induced fluorescence spectra, and we calculate emission intensities from bending levels of the tilde{A} state into bending levels of the tilde{X} state, using normal bending mode and local bending mode basis sets. Our calculations also reveal Franck-Condon propensities for the Cartesian components of the cis bend (ν _5^' ' }), and we predict that the best tilde{A}-state vibrational levels for populating tilde{X}-state levels with large amplitude bending motion localized in a single C-H bond (the acetylene↔vinylidene isomerization coordinate) involve a high degree of excitation in ν _6^' } (cis-bend). Mode ν _4^' } (torsion) populates levels with large amplitude counter-rotational motion of the two hydrogen atoms.

A feasibility study of stationary and dual-axis tracking grid-connected photovoltaic systems in the Upper Midwest

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Warren, Ryan Duwain

Three primary objectives were defined for this work. The first objective was to determine, assess, and compare the performance, heat transfer characteristics, economics, and feasibility of real-world stationary and dual-axis tracking grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems in the Upper Midwest. This objective was achieved by installing two grid-connected PV systems with different mounting schemes in central Iowa, implementing extensive data acquisition systems, monitoring operation of the PV systems for one full year, and performing detailed experimental performance and economic studies. The two PV systems that were installed, monitored, and analyzed included a 4.59 kWp roof-mounted stationary system oriented for maximum annual energy production, and a 1.02 kWp pole-mounted actively controlled dual-axis tracking system. The second objective was to demonstrate the actual use and performance of real-world stationary and dual-axis tracking grid-connected PV systems used for building energy generation applications. This objective was achieved by offering the installed PV systems to the public for demonstration purposes and through the development of three computer-based tools: a software interface that has the ability to display real-time and historical performance and meteorological data of both systems side-by-side, a software interface that shows real-time and historical video and photographs of each system, and a calculator that can predict performance and economics of stationary and dual-axis tracking grid-connected PV systems at various locations in the United States. The final objective was to disseminate this work to social, professional, scientific, and academic communities in a way that is applicable, objective, accurate, accessible, and comprehensible. This final objective will be addressed by publishing the results of this work and making the computer-based tools available on a public website (www.energy.iastate.edu/Renewable/solar). Detailed experimental performance analyses were performed for both systems; results were quantified and compared between systems, focusing on measures of solar resource, energy generation, power production, and efficiency. This work also presents heat transfer characteristics of both arrays and quantifies the affects of operating temperature on PV system performance in terms of overall heat transfer coefficients and temperature coefficients for power. To assess potential performance of PV in the Upper Midwest, models were built to predict performance of the PV systems operating at lower temperatures. Economic analyses were performed for both systems focusing on measures of life-cycle cost, payback period, internal rate of return, and average incremental cost of solar energy. The potential economic feasibility of grid-connected stationary PV systems used for building energy generation in the Upper Midwest was assessed under assumptions of higher utility energy costs, lower initial installed costs, and different metering agreements. The annual average daily solar insolation seen by the stationary and dual-axis tracking systems was found to be 4.37 and 5.95 kWh/m2, respectively. In terms of energy generation, the tracking system outperformed the stationary system on annual, monthly, and often daily bases; normalized annual energy generation for the tracking and stationary systems were found to be 1,779 and 1,264 kWh/kWp, respectively. The annual average conversion efficiencies of the tracking and stationary systems were found to be approximately 11 and 10.7 percent, respectively. Annual performance ratio values of the tracking and stationary system were found to be 0.819 and 0.792, respectively. The net present values of both systems under all assumed discount rates were determined to be negative. Further, neither system was found to have a payback period less than the assumed system life of 25 years. The rate-of-return of the stationary and tracking systems were found to be -3.3 and -4.9 percent, respectively. Furthermore, the average incremental cost of energy provided by the stationary and dual-axis tracking systems over their assumed useful life is projected to be 0.31 and 0.37 dollars per kWh, respectively. Results of this study suggest that grid-connected PV systems used for building energy generation in the Upper Midwest are not yet economically feasible when compared to a range of alternative investments; however, PV systems could show feasibility under more favorable economic scenarios. Throughout the year of monitoring, array operating temperatures ranged from -24.7°C (-12.4°F) to 61.7°C (143.1°F) for the stationary system and -23.9 °C (-11°F) to 52.7°C (126.9°F) for the dual-axis tracking system during periods of system operation. The hourly average overall heat transfer coefficients for solar irradiance levels greater than 200 W/m 2 for the stationary and dual-axis tracking systems were found to be 20.8 and 29.4 W/m2°C, respectively. The experimental temperature coefficients for power for the stationary and dual-axis tracking systems at a solar irradiance level of 1,000 W/m2 were -0.30 and -0.38 %/°C, respectively. Simulations of the stationary and dual-axis tracking systems operating at lower temperatures suggest that annual conversion efficiencies could potentially be increased by to up 4.3 and 4.6 percent, respectively.

Electrically tunable laser based on heliconical cholesteric (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiang, Jie; Varanytsia, Andrii; Minkowski, Fred; Paterson, Daniel A.; Imrie, Corrie T.; Lavrentovich, Oleg D.; Palffy-Muhoray, Peter

2016-09-01

STUDENT CONTRIBUTION: Cholesteric liquid crystals (CLC) self-assemble into a periodic supramolecular helical structure with properties of a one-dimensional photonic crystal. The CLCs doped with a fluorescent dye and optical pump enable a distributed feedback cavity and lasing [1]. Although lasing was observed in range of wavelength from near UV to near IR, a practical method of tuning of emission wavelength from a dye-doped CLC without structural destruction of a helix is not demonstrated yet. In this work, we demonstrate an electrically tunable dye-doped CLC laser based on the so-called oblique helicoidal, or heliconical, CLC state [2,3]. In this state, the molecules twist around the helicoidal axis, making an angle smaller than 90 degrees with the axis. Molecular tilt makes the heliconical structure different from the regular CLC (in which the molecules are perpendicular to the axis) and enable electric tunability [2,3]. An electric field applied parallel to the heliconical axis changes the pitch but does not realign the axis. When the field increases, the pitch decreases. As a result, the selective reflection band and a lasing wavelength move towards shorter wavelength. Using heliconical CLC and two laser dyes DCM and LD688, we demonstrate effective tuning of the laser emission wavelength from 574 nm to 722 nm. With appropriate laser dyes, the spectrum can be extended from near UV to near IR. Efficient electric tuning in the broad spectral range and small size of the heliconical cholesteric lasers makes them potentially useful for optical and biomedical applications. [1] P. Palffy-Muhoay, W.Y. Cao, M. Moreira, B. Taheri, A. Munoz, Photonics and lasing in liquid crystal [2] J. Xiang, S.V. Shiyanovskii, C.T. Imrie, O.D. Lavrentovich, Electrooptic Response of Chiral Nematic Liquid Crystals with Oblique Helicoidal Director, Phys Rev Lett, 112 (2014) 217801. [3] J. Xiang, Y.N. Li, Q. Li, D.A. Paterson, J.M.D. Storey, C.T. Imrie, O.D. Lavrentovich, Electrically Tunable Selective Reflection of Light from Ultraviolet to Visible and Infrared by Heliconical Cholesterics, Adv Mater, 27 (2015) 3014-3018.

Echocardiography of the normal camel (Camelus dromedaries) heart: technique and cardiac dimensions

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Echocardiography and intra-cardiac dimensions have not previously been reported in adult camels despite its potential application for medical purpose. The aim of this study was to describe the results of a prospective study, aiming to report normal cardiac appearance and normal chamber dimensions in adult camels (Camelus dromedarius). Results On the right side, when the probe was placed in the 5th or 4th intercostal space (ICS), the caudal long-axis four-chamber view of the ventricles, atria, and the interventricular septum was obtained. Placing the probe slightly more cranially in the 4th ICS, the caudal long-axis four-chamber view and the caudal long-axis view of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) were imaged. In 7 camels, a hybrid view between a “four-chamber” and “LVOT view” was imaged from the same position. The short-axis view of the ventricles was obtained in the 4th ICS where the transducer was rotated between 0° and 25°. Placement of the transducer in the 3rd ICS allowed visualisation of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). On the left side, when the probe was placed in the 5th or 4th ICS, a four-chamber view was obtained. The LVOT is imaged in the 4th ICS and the RVOT was seen from the 3rd ICS. Conclusions This study showed that it is possible to obtain good-quality echocardiograms in adult camels and provide normal cardiac dimensions. This study could be used as a reference for further studies concerning camels with cardiac diseases. PMID:22862855

Cushing's Syndrome and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Hyperactivity in Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy.

PubMed

van Haalen, Femke M; van Dijk, Elon H C; Dekkers, Olaf M; Bizino, Maurice B; Dijkman, Greet; Biermasz, Nienke R; Boon, Camiel J F; Pereira, Alberto M

2018-01-01

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), a specific form of macular degeneration, has been reported as presenting manifestation of Cushing's syndrome. Furthermore, CSC has been associated with both exogenous hypercortisolism and endogenous Cushing's syndrome. It is important to know whether CSC patients should be screened for Cushing's syndrome. Although hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity in CSC has been suggested, no detailed evaluation of the HPA axis has been performed in a large cohort of CSC patients. This study aimed to investigate whether Cushing's syndrome prevalence is increased among chronic CSC (cCSC) patients and whether detailed endocrinological phenotyping indicates hyperactivity of the HPA axis. Cross-sectional study. 86 cCSC patients and 24 controls. Prevalence of Cushing's syndrome, HPA axis activity. None of the cCSC patients met the clinical or biochemical criteria of Cushing's syndrome. However, compared to controls, HPA axis activity was increased in cCSC patients, reflected by higher 24 h urinary free cortisol, and accompanying higher waist circumference and diastolic blood pressure, whereas circadian cortisol rhythm and feedback were not different. Chronic CSC patients did not report more stress or stress-related problems on questionnaires. No case of Cushing's syndrome was revealed in a large cohort of cCSC patients. Therefore, we advise against screening for Cushing's syndrome in CSC patients, unless additional clinical features are present. However, our results indicate that cCSC is associated with hyperactivity of the HPA axis, albeit not accompanied with perception of more psychosocial stress.

CROSS-DISCIPLINARY PHYSICS AND RELATED AREAS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: Effect of Annealing Conditions on Properties of Sol-Gel Derived Al-Doped ZnO Thin Films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Mei-Zhen; Zhang, Feng; Liu, Jing; Sun, Hui-Na

2009-08-01

Transparent conductive Al-doped ZnO (AZO) thin films are prepared on normal glass substrates by the sol-gel spin coating method. The effects of drying conditions, annealing temperature and cooling rate on the structural, electrical and optical properties of AZO films are investigated by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, the four-point probe method and UV-VIS spectrophotometry, respectively. The deposited films show a hexagonal wurtzite structure and high preferential c-axis orientation. As the drying temperature increases from 100°C to 300°C the resistivity of AZO films decreases dramatically. In contrast to the annealed films cooled in a furnace and in air, the resistivity of the annealed film which is cooled at -15°C is greatly reduced. Increasing the cooling rate dramatically increases the electrical conductivity of AZO films.

Activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in lithium-induced conditioned taste aversion learning.

PubMed

Jahng, Jeong Won; Lee, Jong-Ho

2015-12-05

Intraperitoneal injections (ip) of lithium chloride at large doses induce c-Fos expression in the brain regions implicated in conditioned taste aversion (CTA) learning, and also activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and increase the plasma corticosterone levels in rats. A pharmacologic treatment blunting the lithium-induced c-Fos expression in the brain regions, but not the HPA axis activation, induced CTA formation. Synthetic glucocorticoids at conditioning, but not glucocorticoid antagonist, attenuated the lithium-induced CTA acquisition. The CTA acquisition by ip lithium was not affected by adrenalectomy regardless of basal corticosterone supplement, but the extinction was delayed in the absence of basal corticosterone. Glucocorticoids overloading delayed the extinction memory formation of lithium-induced CTA. ip lithium consistently induced the brain c-Fos expression, the HPA activation and CTA formation regardless of the circadian activation of the HPA axis. Intracerebroventricular (icv) injections of lithium at day time also increased the brain c-Fos expression, activated the HPA axis and induced CTA acquisition. However, icv lithium at night, when the HPA axis shows its circadian activation, did not induce CTA acquisition nor activate the HPA axis, although it increased the brain c-Fos expression. These results suggest that the circadian activation of the HPA axis may affect central, but not peripheral, effect of lithium in CTA learning in rats, and the HPA axis activation may be necessary for the central effect of lithium in CTA formation. Also, glucocorticoids may be required for a better extinction; however, increased glucocorticoids hinder both the acquisition and the extinction of lithium-induced CTA. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

A PML/Slit Axis Controls Physiological Cell Migration and Cancer Invasion in the CNS.

PubMed

Amodeo, Valeria; A, Deli; Betts, Joanne; Bartesaghi, Stefano; Zhang, Ying; Richard-Londt, Angela; Ellis, Matthew; Roshani, Rozita; Vouri, Mikaella; Galavotti, Sara; Oberndorfer, Sarah; Leite, Ana Paula; Mackay, Alan; Lampada, Aikaterini; Stratford, Eva Wessel; Li, Ningning; Dinsdale, David; Grimwade, David; Jones, Chris; Nicotera, Pierluigi; Michod, David; Brandner, Sebastian; Salomoni, Paolo

2017-07-11

Cell migration through the brain parenchyma underpins neurogenesis and glioblastoma (GBM) development. Since GBM cells and neuroblasts use the same migratory routes, mechanisms underlying migration during neurogenesis and brain cancer pathogenesis may be similar. Here, we identify a common pathway controlling cell migration in normal and neoplastic cells in the CNS. The nuclear scaffold protein promyelocytic leukemia (PML), a regulator of forebrain development, promotes neural progenitor/stem cell (NPC) and neuroblast migration in the adult mouse brain. The PML pro-migratory role is active also in transformed mouse NPCs and in human primary GBM cells. In both normal and neoplastic settings, PML controls cell migration via Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2)-mediated repression of Slits, key regulators of axon guidance. Finally, a PML/SLIT1 axis regulates sensitivity to the PML-targeting drug arsenic trioxide in primary GBM cells. Taken together, these findings uncover a drug-targetable molecular axis controlling cell migration in both normal and neoplastic cells. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Antidepressant-like effect of the water extract of the fixed combination of Gardenia jasminoides, Citrus aurantium and Magnolia officinalis in a rat model of chronic unpredictable mild stress.

PubMed

Xing, Hang; Zhang, Kuo; Zhang, Ruowen; Shi, Huiyan; Bi, Kaishun; Chen, Xiaohui

2015-12-01

Water extract of the fixed combination of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis fruit, Citrus aurantium L. fruit and Magnolia officinalis Rehd. et Wils. bark, traditional name - Zhi-Zi-Hou-Po (ZZHPD) is used for treatment of depressive-like symptoms in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. The present study aimed to explore antidepressant-like effects and potential mechanisms of ZZHPD in a rat model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Antidepressant-like effects of ZZHPD were investigated through behavioral tests, and potential mechanism was assessed by neuroendocrine system, neurotrophin and hippocampal neurogenesis. Antidepressant-like effects of ZZHPD (3.66, 7.32 and 14.64 g/kg/day) were estimated through coat state test, sucrose preference test, forced swimming test and open-field test. Effects of ZZHPD on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis were evaluated by hormones measurement and dexamethasone suppression test. In addition, the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in hippocampus was measured, as well as hippocampal neurogenesis was investigated by doublecortin (DCX) and 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine/neuronal nuclei (BrdU/NeuN). The results demonstrated that ZZHPD significantly reversed the depressive-like behaviors, normalized the levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT), restored the negative feedback loop of HPA axis and improved the levels of BDNF, DCX and BrdU/NeuN compared with those in CUMS-induced rats. The above results revealed that ZZHPD exerted antidepressant-like effects possibly by normalizing HPA axis function, increasing expression of BDNF in hippocampus and promoting hippocampal neurogenesis. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Study of deposition of YBa2Cu3O7-x on cubic zirconia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Warner, Joseph D.; Meola, Joseph E.; Jenkins, Kimberly A.

1989-01-01

Films of YBa2Cu3O7-x were grown on (100) cubic zirconia with 8 percent yttria by laser ablation from sintered targets of YBa2Cu3O7-x. The temperature of the zirconia substrate during growth was varied between 700 and 780 C. The atmosphere during growth was 170 mtorr of O2. The films were subsequently slowly cooled in-situ in 1 atm of O2. The best films were c-axis aligned and had a transition temperature of 87.7 K. The superconducting transition temperature and the X-ray diffraction analysis is reported as a function of the substrate temperature and of the angle between the laser beam and the target's normal.

Crystal orientation of PEO confined within the nanorod templated by AAO nanochannels.

PubMed

Liu, Chien-Liang; Chen, Hsin-Lung

2018-06-18

The orientation of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) crystallites developed in the nanochannels of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membrane has been investigated. PEO was filled homogeneously into the nanochannels in the melt state, and the crystallization confined within the PEO nanorod thus formed was allowed to take place subsequently at different temperatures. The effects of PEO molecular weight (MPEO), crystallization temperature (Tc) and AAO channel diameter (DAAO) on the crystal orientation attained in the nanorod were revealed by 2-D wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) patterns. In the nanochannels with DAAO = 23 nm, the crystallites formed from PEO with the lowest MPEO (= 3400 g mol-1) were found to adopt a predominantly perpendicular orientation with the crystalline stems aligning normal to the channel axis irrespective of Tc (ranging from -40 to 20 °C). Increasing MPEO or decreasing Tc tended to induce the development of the tilt orientation characterized by the tilt of the (120) plane by 45° from the channel axis. In the case of the highest MPEO (= 95 000 g mol-1) studied, both perpendicular and tilt orientations coexisted irrespective of Tc. Coexistent orientation was always observed in the channels with a larger diameter (DAAO = 89 nm) irrespective of MPEO and Tc. Compared with the previous results of the crystal orientation attained in nanotubes templated by the preferential wetting of the channel walls by PEO, the window of the perpendicular crystal orientation in the nanorod was much narrower due to its weaker confinement effect imposed on the crystal growth than that set by the nanotube.

Ab initio elastic properties of talc from 0 to 12 GPa: Interpretation of seismic velocities at mantle pressures and prediction of auxetic behaviour at low pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mainprice, David; Le Page, Yvon; Rodgers, John; Jouanna, Paul

2008-10-01

Talc is a hydrous magnesium rich layered silicate that is widely disseminated in the Earth from the seafloor to over 100 km depth, in ultra-high pressure metamorphism of oceanic crust. In this paper we determine the single crystal elastic constants at pressures from 0 to 12 GPa of talc triclinic ( C 1¯) and monoclinic (C2/ c) polytypes using ab initio methods. We find that talc has an extraordinarily high elastic anisotropy at zero pressure that reduces with increasing pressure. The exceptional anisotropy is complemented by a negative Poisson's ratio for many directions in crystal space. Calculations show that talc is not only one of very few common minerals to exhibit auxetic behaviour, but the magnitude of this effect may be the largest reported so far for a mineral. The compression (Vp) and shear (Vs) wave velocity anisotropy is 80% and 85% for the triclinic polytype. At pressures where talc is known be stable in the Earth (up to 5 GPa) the Vp and Vs anisotropy is reduced to about 40% for both velocities, which is still a very high value. Vp is slow parallel to the c-axis and fast perpendicular to it. This remains unchanged with increasing pressure and is observed in both polytypes. The shear wave splitting (difference between fast and slow S-wave velocities) at low pressure has high values in the plane normal to the c-axis, with a maximum near the a*-axis in the triclinic and the b-axis in the monoclinic polytype. The c-axis is the direction of minimum splitting. The pattern of shear wave splitting does not change significantly with pressure. The volume fraction of talc varies between 11 and 41% for hydrated mantle rocks, but the lack of data on the crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) precludes a detailed analysis of the impact of talc on seismic anisotropy in subduction zones. However, it is highly likely that CPO can easily develop in zones of deformation due to the platy habit of talc crystals. For random aggregates of talc, the isotropic Vp, Vs and Vp/Vs ratio have significantly lower values than those of antigorite and may explain low-velocity regions in the mantle wedge. Vp/Vs ratios are more complex in anisotropic media because there are fast and slow S-waves, resulting in Vp/Vs1 and Vp/Vs2 ratios for every propagation direction, making interpretation difficult in deformed polycrystalline talc with a CPO. Talc on the subduction plate boundary can strongly influence guided wave velocity as CPO would develop in this region of intense shearing. The very low coefficient of friction (< 0.1) of talc above 100 °C could also explain silent earthquakes at shallow depths ( ca 30 km) along the subduction plate boundaries, frequently responsible for tsunami.

A Spin-Canted Antiferromagnetic Ground State in CeRu2Al10

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dean, Philip; Muro, Yuji; Takabatake, Toshiro; Hatton, Peter D.

2018-01-01

Resonant polarised soft x-ray scattering at the cerium M-edge has been used to refine the magnetic structure of CeRu2Al10. A strong resonant feature at the cerium MIV-edge was observed at the disallowed (0,1,0) Bragg position, consistent with previous neutron diffraction refinement of the moment pointing along the c-axis. The magnetic peak was found to have a temperature dependence expected for the paramagnetic-antiferromagnetic transition, disappearing above around 30 K. The polarisation dependence of the scattered x-rays conclusively shows that the low-temperature antiferromagnetic structure is non-collinear in nature. Fitting the polarisation dependence of the obtained Stokes parameters was undertaken with models for canting along either the a-axis or the b-axis. The experimental data agrees better with the model involving canting towards the a-axis. However, this is inconsistent with the Cmcm space group, suggestive of a symmetry lowering to either Pmnm or Cm2m. The resulting model is then achieved with a 9.6° ± 1.1 canting of the moments towards the a-axis. No resonance features were observed at the ruthenium L-edges. This suggests that the ruthenium atoms play no part in the antiferromagnetic ordering.

Heterogeneity in c-jun gene expression in normal and malignant cells exposed to either ionizing radiation or hydrogen peroxide

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

Collart, F.R.; Horio, M.; Huberman, E.

1995-05-01

We investigated the role of reactive oxygen intermediates and protein kinase C in the induction of expression of the c-jun gene in human ML-2 leukemic cells and normal human DET-551 fibroblasts by comparing the effects of exposure to either ionizing radiation or H{sub 2}O{sub 2} in the presence or absence of appropriate inhibitors. In these cell types, the radiation-and H{sub 2}O{sub 2}-mediated increase in c-jun mRNA levels could be prevented by pretreatment of the cells with N-acetylcysteine, and antioxidant, or H7, an inhibitor of protein kinase C and protein kinase A, but not by HA1004, a specific inhibitor of proteinmore » kinase A and G. These results suggest a role for protein kinase C and reactive oxygen intermediates in the induction of c-jun gene expression in both normal and tumor cells. We also investigated potential differences in c-jun gene expression induced by radiation or H{sub 2}O{sub 2} in normal and tumor cells by examining steady-state c-jun mRNA levels in a number of human fibroblast, leukemia, melanoma, sarcoma and carcinoma cell types. We observed heterogeneity in the steady-state level of c-jun mRNA in both the untreated normal and tumor cells and in such cells exposed to ionizing radiation or to H{sub 2}O{sub 2}. Exposure to radiation produced a varied response which ranged from little or no induction to an increase in the steady-state level of the c-jun mRNA of more than two orders of magnitude. Exposure to H{sub 2}O{sub 2} gave a pattern similar to that of ionizing radiation. The basis for the differential induction in response to these agents may be attributable to either cell lineage or genetic heterogeneity or a combination of these two parameters. 30 refs., 7 figs., 1 tab.« less

Biomechanics of a Fixed–Center of Rotation Cervical Intervertebral Disc Prosthesis

PubMed Central

Crawford, Neil R.; Baek, Seungwon; Sawa, Anna G.U.; Safavi-Abbasi, Sam; Sonntag, Volker K.H.; Duggal, Neil

2012-01-01

Background Past in vitro experiments studying artificial discs have focused on range of motion. It is also important to understand how artificial discs affect other biomechanical parameters, especially alterations to kinematics. The purpose of this in vitro investigation was to quantify how disc replacement with a ball-and-socket disc arthroplasty device (ProDisc-C; Synthes, West Chester, Pennsylvania) alters biomechanics of the spine relative to the normal condition (positive control) and simulated fusion (negative control). Methods Specimens were tested in multiple planes by use of pure moments under load control and again in displacement control during flexion-extension with a constant 70-N compressive follower load. Optical markers measured 3-dimensional vertebral motion, and a strain gauge array measured C4-5 facet loads. Results Range of motion and lax zone after disc replacement were not significantly different from normal values except during lateral bending, whereas plating significantly reduced motion in all loading modes (P < .002). Plating but not disc replacement shifted the location of the axis of rotation anteriorly relative to the intact condition (P < 0.01). Coupled axial rotation per degree of lateral bending was 25% ± 48% greater than normal after artificial disc replacement (P = .05) but 37% ± 38% less than normal after plating (P = .002). Coupled lateral bending per degree of axial rotation was 37% ± 21% less than normal after disc replacement (P < .001) and 41% ± 36% less than normal after plating (P = .001). Facet loads did not change significantly relative to normal after anterior plating or arthroplasty, except that facet loads were decreased during flexion in both conditions (P < .03). Conclusions In all parameters studied, deviations from normal biomechanics were less substantial after artificial disc placement than after anterior plating. PMID:25694869

Topographic stress perturbations in southern Davis Mountains, west Texas 1. Polarity reversal of principal stresses

USGS Publications Warehouse

Savage, W.Z.; Morin, R.H.

2002-01-01

We have applied a previously developed analytical stress model to interpret subsurface stress conditions inferred from acoustic televiewer logs obtained in two municipal water wells located in a valley in the southern Davis Mountains near Alpine, Texas. The appearance of stress-induced breakouts with orientations that shift by 90?? at two different depths in one of the wells is explained by results from exact solutions for the effects of valleys on gravity and tectonically induced subsurface stresses. The theoretical results demonstrate that above a reference depth termed the hinge point, a location that is dependent on Poisson's ratio, valley shape, and magnitude of the maximum horizontal tectonic stress normal to the long axis of the valley, horizontal stresses parallel to the valley axis are greater than those normal to it. At depths below this hinge point the situation reverses and horizontal stresses normal to the valley axis are greater than those parallel to it. Application of the theoretical model at Alpine is accommodated by the fact that nearby earthquake focal mechanisms establish an extensional stress regime with the regional maximum horizontal principal stress aligned perpendicular to the valley axis. We conclude that the localized stress field associated with a valley setting can be highly variable and that breakouts need to be examined in this context when estimating the orientations and magnitudes of regional principal stresses.

Phosphor doping enhanced c-axis alignment and exchange decoupling of sputtered Co-Pt perpendicular thin films

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

Yang, Bo; Qin, Gaowu, E-mail: qingw@smm.neu.edu.cn; Xiao, Na

2016-04-14

In the present work, Co-23.0 at. % Pt and Co-23.0 at. % Pt-3.67 at. % P thin films with their c-axis perpendicular to the substrate surface were fabricated on a glass substrate by DC magnetron sputtering. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopic analyses demonstrate that the doping of P improves the c-axis alignment and forms P-rich non-magnetic phase at grain boundary areas, the latter resulting in inter-granular exchange decoupling between Co-Pt grains. The improved c-axis alignment and the inter-granular exchange decoupling give rise to the increase of the out of plane coercivity and the squareness of the Co-Pt-P films.

Composite recovery type curves in normalized time from Theis' exact solution

USGS Publications Warehouse

Goode, Daniel J.

1997-01-01

Type curves derived from Theis’ exact nonequilibrium well function solution are proposed for graphical estimation of aquifer hydraulic properties, transmissivity (T), and storage coefficient (S), from water-level recovery data after cessation of a constant-rate discharge test. Drawdown (on log scale) is plotted versus the ratio of time since pumping stopped to duration of pumping, a normalized time. Under Theis conditions, individual type curves depend on only the dimensionless pumping duration, which depends in turn on S and radial distance from the pumping well. Type curve matching, in contrast to the Theis procedure for pumping data, is performed by shifting only the drawdown axis; the time axis is fixed because it is a relative or normalized time. The match-point for the drawdown axis is used to compute T, and S is determined from matching the curve shape, which depends on early dimensionless-time data. Multiple well data can be plotted and matched simultaneously (a composite plot), with drawdown at different radial distances matching different curves. The ratio of dimensionless pumping durations for any two matched curves is equal to one over the squared ratio of radial distances. Application to two recovery datasets from the literature confirm the utility of these type curves in normalized time for composite estimation of T and S.

Extensions, Validation, and Clinical Applications of a Feedback Control System Simulator of the Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Thyroid Axis

PubMed Central

Samuels, Mary; DiStefano, Joseph J.

2008-01-01

Background We upgraded our recent feedback control system (FBCS) simulation model of human thyroid hormone (TH) regulation to include explicit representation of hypothalamic and pituitary dynamics, and updated TH distribution and elimination (D&E) parameters. This new model greatly expands the range of clinical and basic science scenarios explorable by computer simulation. Methods We quantified the model from pharmacokinetic (PK) and physiological human data and validated it comparatively against several independent clinical data sets. We then explored three contemporary clinical issues with the new model: combined triiodothyronine (T3)/thyroxine (T4) versus T4-only treatment, parenteral levothyroxine (L-T4) administration, and central hypothyroidism. Results Combined T3/T4 therapy—In thyroidectomized patients, the L-T4–only replacement doses needed to normalize plasma T3 or average tissue T3 were 145 μg L-T4/day or 165 μgL-T4/day, respectively. The combined T4 + T3 dosing needed to normalize both plasma and tissue T3 levels was 105 μg L-T4 + 9 μgT3 per day. For all three regimens, simulated mean steady-state plasma thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), T3, and T4 was within normal ranges (TSH: 0.5–5 mU/L; T4: 5–12 μg/dL; T3: 0.8–1.9 ng/mL). Parenteral T4 administration—800 μg weekly or 400 μg twice weekly normalized average tissue T3 levels both for subcutaneous (SC) and intramuscular (IM) routes of administration. TSH, T3, and T4 levels were maintained within normal ranges for all four of these dosing schemes (1× vs. 2× weekly, SC vs. IM). Central hypothyroidism—We simulated steady-state plasma T3,T4, and TSH concentrations in response to varying degrees of central hypothyroidism, reducing TSH secretion from 50% down to 0.1% of normal. Surprisingly, TSH, T3, and T4 plasma concentrations remained within normal ranges for TSH secretion as low as 25% of normal. Conclusions Combined T3/T4 treatment—Simulated standard L-T4–only therapy was sufficient to renormalize average tissue T3 levels and maintain normal TSH, T3, and T4 plasma levels, supporting adequacy of standard L-T4–only treatment. Parenteral T4 administration—TSH, T3, and T4 levels were maintained within normal ranges for all four of these dosing schemes (1× vs. 2× weekly, SC vs. IM), supporting these therapeutic alternatives for patients with compromised L-T4 gut absorption. Central hypothyroidism—These results highlight how highly nonlinear feedback in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis acts to maintain normal hormone levels, even with severely reduced TSH secretion. PMID:18844475

Space Based Satellite Tracking and Characterization Utilizing Non-Imaging Passive Sensors

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-03-01

vary from only slightly here. The classical orbital elements are: a - The Semimajor Axis e - Eccentricity i - Inclination Ω - Right Ascension of the...Eccentricity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 ~h Axis normal to orbital plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Ω Right ascension of...transistion matrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 i Orbital inclination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Ẑ Unit vector in ECI frame

Fault block kinematics at a releasing stepover of the Eastern California shear zone: Partitioning of rotation style in and around the Coso geothermal area and nascent metamorphic core complex

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pluhar, Christopher J.; Coe, Robert S.; Lewis, Jonathan C.; Monastero, Francis C.; Glen, Jonathan M. G.

2006-10-01

Pliocene lavas and sediments of Wild Horse Mesa in the Coso Range, CA exhibit clockwise vertical-axis rotation of fault-bounded blocks. This indicates localization of one strand of the Eastern California shear zone/Walker Lane Belt within a large-scale, transtensional, dextral, releasing stepover. We measured rotations paleomagnetically relative to two different reference frames. At two localities we averaged secular variation through sedimentary sections to reveal rotation or its absence relative to paleogeographic north. Where sediments are lacking we used areally-extensive lava flows from individual cooling units or short eruptive episodes to measure the relative rotation of localities by comparing their paleomagnetic remanence directions to one another. At the western edge of Wild Horse Mesa the fanglomerate member of the Coso Formation (c.a. 3 Ma) exhibits between 8.4° ± 7.8° and 26.2° ± 9.0° (two endmember models of a continuum) absolute clockwise rotation. Within Wild Horse Mesa, 3-3.5 Ma lavas at 5 different localities exhibit about 12.0° ± 4.6° (weighted mean) clockwise rotation relative to the margins of the area, a result statistically indistinguishable from the absolute rotation. Hence the segment of the Eastern California shear zone passing through Wild Horse Mesa has caused vertical axis rotation of fault-bounded blocks as part of the overall dextral shear strain. The magnitude of block rotation at Wild Horse Mesa suggests that rotation has accommodated: 1) 1.5 km of dextral shear along an azimuth of about north 30° west since ca. 3 Ma between the area's bounding faults and 2) 2 km of extension perpendicular to the Coso Wash normal fault during this same period. This corresponds to 13-25% extension across the mesa. In contrast to Wild Horse Mesa, the opposite (western) side of the trace of the Coso Wash normal fault hosts the Coso geothermal area and what Monastero et al. [F.C. Monastero, A.M. Katzenstein, J.S. Miller, J.R. Unruh, M.C. Adams, K. Richards-Dinger, The Coso geothermal field: a nascent metamorphic core complex, Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull. 117 (2005) 1534-1553.] characterize as a nascent metamorphic core complex. Consistent with upper plate disruption above a detachment, surface rocks (i.e. the upper plate of the detachment system) at the Coso geothermal area are tilted westward. However they appear to exhibit no detectable rotation. Thus, the style of block rotation may be partitioned: with clockwise vertical-axis rotation dominating in the Wild Horse Mesa and horizontal axis rotation (tilting) in the geothermal area.

Structure, magnetism, and transport of single-crystalline R NiSi3 (R = Y, Gd-Tm, Lu)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arantes, Fabiana R.; Aristizábal-Giraldo, Deisy; Masunaga, Sueli H.; Costa, Fanny N.; Ferreira, Fabio F.; Takabatake, Toshiro; Mendonça-Ferreira, Leticie; Ribeiro, Raquel A.; Avila, Marcos A.

2018-04-01

We report on the physical properties of the intermetallic series R NiSi3 (R =Y , Gd-Tm, Lu). High quality single crystals with platelike morphology were grown using the Sn flux method. X-ray powder diffraction data show that this series crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Cmmm, and Laue patterns indicate that the b axis remains perpendicular to the plane of the plates. Magnetization measurements show anisotropic antiferromagnetic ground states for R = Gd-Tm with Néel temperatures ranging from TN=2.6 K (TmNiSi3) up to 32.2 K (TbNiSi3), as well as metamagnetic transitions that in some cases appear together with hysteresis (TbNiSi3,DyNiSi3, and HoNiSi3). The easy axis changes from a axis to b axis on going from R = Gd-Ho to R = Er-Tm. All transitions from antiferromagnetic to paramagnetic states are clearly marked by sharp peaks in specific heat as well as in the derivative of resistivity measurements, which show metallic temperature dependence for all compounds and residual values in the range of 1 μ Ω cm . DyNiSi3 has two close phase transitions, while HoNiSi3 presents distinct critical temperatures for applied fields in the a or c directions (10.4 and 6.3 K, respectively), pointing to possible component-specific ordering of the local magnetic moments.

Positioning apparatus

DOEpatents

Vogel, M.A.; Alter, P.

1983-07-07

An apparatus is provided for precisely adjusting the position of an article relative to a beam emerging from a neutron source disposed in a housing. The apparatus includes a support pivotably mounted on a movable base plate and freely suspended therefrom. The support is gravity biased toward the housing and carries an article holder movable in a first direction longitudinally of the axis of said beam and normally urged into engagement against said housing. Means are provided for moving the base plate in two directions to effect movement of the suspended holder in two mutually perpendicular directions, respectively, normal to the axis of the beam.

Progress Toward Steady State Tokamak Operation Exploiting the high bootstrap current fraction regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Q.

2015-11-01

Recent DIII-D experiments have advanced the normalized fusion performance of the high bootstrap current fraction tokamak regime toward reactor-relevant steady state operation. The experiments, conducted by a joint team of researchers from the DIII-D and EAST tokamaks, developed a fully noninductive scenario that could be extended on EAST to a demonstration of long pulse steady-state tokamak operation. Fully noninductive plasmas with extremely high values of the poloidal beta, βp >= 4 , have been sustained at βT >= 2 % for long durations with excellent energy confinement quality (H98y,2 >= 1 . 5) and internal transport barriers (ITBs) generated at large minor radius (>= 0 . 6) in all channels (Te, Ti, ne, VTf). Large bootstrap fraction (fBS ~ 80 %) has been obtained with high βp. ITBs have been shown to be compatible with steady state operation. Because of the unusually large ITB radius, normalized pressure is not limited to low βN values by internal ITB-driven modes. βN up to ~4.3 has been obtained by optimizing the plasma-wall distance. The scenario is robust against several variations, including replacing some on-axis with off-axis neutral beam injection (NBI), adding electron cyclotron (EC) heating, and reducing the NBI torque by a factor of 2. This latter observation is particularly promising for extension of the scenario to EAST, where maximum power is obtained with balanced NBI injection, and to a reactor, expected to have low rotation. However, modeling of this regime has provided new challenges to state-of-the-art modeling capabilities: quasilinear models can dramatically underpredict the electron transport, and the Sauter bootstrap current can be insufficient. The analysis shows first-principle NEO is in good agreement with experiments for the bootstrap current calculation and ETG modes with a larger saturated amplitude or EM modes may provide the missing electron transport. Work supported in part by the US DOE under DE-FC02-04ER54698, DE-AC52-07NA27344, DE-AC02-09CH11466, and the NMCFP of China under 2015GB110000 and 2015GB102000.

Maintenance of Gastrointestinal Glucose Homeostasis by the Gut-Brain Axis.

PubMed

Chen, Xiyue; Eslamfam, Shabnam; Fang, Luoyun; Qiao, Shiyan; Ma, Xi

2017-01-01

Gastrointestinal homeostasis is a dynamic balance under the interaction between the host, GI tract, nutrition and energy metabolism. Glucose is the main energy source in living cells. Thus, glucose metabolic disorders can impair normal cellular function and endanger organisms' health. Diseases that are associated with glucose metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and other metabolic syndromes are in fact life threatening. Digestive system is responsible for food digestion and nutrient absorption. It is also involved in neuronal, immune, and endocrine pathways. In addition, the gut microbiota plays an essential role in initiating signal transduction, and communication between the enteric and central nervous system. Gut-brain axis is composed of enteric neural system, central neural system, and all the efferent and afferent neurons that are involved in signal transduction between the brain and gut-brain. Gut-brain axis is influenced by the gut-microbiota as well as numerous neurotransmitters. Properly regulated gut-brain axis ensures normal digestion, absorption, energy production, and subsequently maintenance of glucose homeostasis. Understanding the underlying regulatory mechanisms of gut-brain axis involved in gluose homeostasis would enable us develop more efficient means of prevention and management of metabolic disease such as diabetic, obesity, and hypertension. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.

LOI/SOHO constraints on oblique rotation of the solar core

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gizon, L.; Appourchaux, T.; Gough, D. O.

The Sun is usually assumed to rotate about a single axis, tilted with respect to the ecliptic normal by an angle of 7.25 degrees. Although we have an excellent knowledge of the direction of the rotation axis of the photospheric layers, we cannot exclude a priori that the direction of the rotation axis could vary as a function of radius. We have tried to check whether the assumption of rotation about a unique axis is consistent with helioseismic data. We report on an attempt to measure the directions of the pulsation axes of several low-degree modes of oscillation in the LOI/SOHO Fourier spectra.

High-temperature superconducting superconductor/normal metal/superconducting devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Foote, M. C.; Hunt, B. D.; Bajuk, L. J.

1991-01-01

We describe the fabrication and characterization of superconductor/normal metal/superconductor (SNS) devices made with the high-temperature superconductor (HTS) YBa2Cu3O(7-x). Structures of YBa2Cu3O(7-x)/Au/Nb on c-axis-oriented YBa2Cu3O(7-x) were made in both sandwich and edge geometries in order to sample the HTS material both along and perpendicular to the conducting a-b planes. These devices display fairly ideal Josephson properties at 4.2 K. In addition, devices consisting of YBa2Cu3O(7-x)/YBa2Cu3O(y)/YBa2Cu3O(7-x), with a 'normal metal' layer of reduced transition temperature YBa2Cu3O(7-x) were fabricated and show a great deal of promise for applications near 77 K. Current-voltage characteristics like those of the Resistively-Shunted Junction model are observed, with strong response to 10 GHz radiation above 60 K.

Inhibition of interleukin-2-mediated lymphocyte activation in patients with Cushing's syndrome: a comparison with hypocortisolemic patients.

PubMed

Sauer, J; Stalla, G K; Müller, O A; Arzt, E

1994-02-01

We investigated the lymphocyte interleukin-2 (IL-2) system, which is critically involved in lymphocyte activation, in patients with disorders or the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Patients with Cushing's syndrome (n = 9) showed a significant (p < 0.05) inhibition of phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated IL-2 secretion by peripheral lymphocytes and a decrease of sensitivity to cortisol inhibition in vitro compared to normal subjects (n = 9). Circulating soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) levels were significantly decreased (p < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in PHA-induced sIL-2R release in vitro. In patients with hypocortisolism (n = 12), in vitro IL-2 synthesis was increased compared to normal subjects and to patients with Cushing's syndrome (p < 0.01). In vitro sIL-2R release was significantly higher (p < 0.01) compared to patients with Cushing's syndrome. In contrast to patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency (n = 7), patients with an adrenal origin of hypocortisolism (Addison's disease, bilateral adrenalectomy; n = 5) showed significantly elevated circulating sIL-2R levels compared to normal subjects and patients with Cushing's syndrome (p < 0.005). There was no significant difference between the study groups in mitogen-induced DNA synthesis. This is the first description of alterations of cytokine secretion in patients with HPA axis disorders. The contrary effects of long-term hypercortisolism and insufficient or absent adrenal glucocorticoid secretion on IL-2-mediated lymphocyte activation could account for the immune states previously observed in these patients.

Ice crystal c-axis orientation and mean grain size measurements from the Dome Summit South ice core, Law Dome, East Antarctica

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Treverrow, Adam; Jun, Li; Jacka, Tim H.

2016-06-01

We present measurements of crystal c-axis orientations and mean grain area from the Dome Summit South (DSS) ice core drilled on Law Dome, East Antarctica. All measurements were made on location at the borehole site during drilling operations. The data are from 185 individual thin sections obtained between a depth of 117 m below the surface and the bottom of the DSS core at a depth of 1196 m. The median number of c-axis orientations recorded in each thin section was 100, with values ranging from 5 through to 111 orientations. The data from all 185 thin sections are provided in a single comma-separated value (csv) formatted file which contains the c-axis orientations in polar coordinates, depth information for each core section from which the data were obtained, the mean grain area calculated for each thin section and other data related to the drilling site. The data set is also available as a MATLAB™ structure array. Additionally, the c-axis orientation data from each of the 185 thin sections are summarized graphically in figures containing a Schmidt diagram, histogram of c-axis colatitudes and rose plot of c-axis azimuths. All these data are referenced by doi:10.4225/15/5669050CC1B3B and are available free of charge at https://data.antarctica.gov.au.<

Directional plasticity rapidly improves 3D vestibulo-ocular reflex alignment in monkeys using a multichannel vestibular prosthesis.

PubMed

Dai, Chenkai; Fridman, Gene Y; Chiang, Bryce; Rahman, Mehdi A; Ahn, Joong Ho; Davidovics, Natan S; Della Santina, Charles C

2013-12-01

Bilateral loss of vestibular sensation can be disabling. We have shown that a multichannel vestibular prosthesis (MVP) can partly restore vestibular sensation as evidenced by improvements in the 3-dimensional angular vestibulo-ocular reflex (3D VOR). However, a key challenge is to minimize misalignment between the axes of eye and head rotation, which is apparently caused by current spread beyond each electrode's targeted nerve branch. We recently reported that rodents wearing a MVP markedly improve 3D VOR alignment during the first week after MVP activation, probably through the same central nervous system adaptive mechanisms that mediate cross-axis adaptation over time in normal individuals wearing prisms that cause visual scene movement about an axis different than the axis of head rotation. We hypothesized that rhesus monkeys would exhibit similar improvements with continuous prosthetic stimulation over time. We created bilateral vestibular deficiency in four rhesus monkeys via intratympanic injection of gentamicin. A MVP was mounted to the cranium, and eye movements in response to whole-body passive rotation in darkness were measured repeatedly over 1 week of continuous head motion-modulated prosthetic electrical stimulation. 3D VOR responses to whole-body rotations about each semicircular canal axis were measured on days 1, 3, and 7 of chronic stimulation. Horizontal VOR gain during 1 Hz, 50 °/s peak whole-body rotations before the prosthesis was turned on was <0.1, which is profoundly below normal (0.94 ± 0.12). On stimulation day 1, VOR gain was 0.4-0.8, but the axis of observed eye movements aligned poorly with head rotation (misalignment range ∼30-40 °). Substantial improvement of axis misalignment was observed after 7 days of continuous motion-modulated prosthetic stimulation under normal diurnal lighting. Similar improvements were noted for all animals, all three axes of rotation tested, for all sinusoidal frequencies tested (0.05-5 Hz), and for high-acceleration transient rotations. VOR asymmetry changes did not reach statistical significance, although they did trend toward slight improvement over time. Prior studies had already shown that directional plasticity reduces misalignment when a subject with normal labyrinths views abnormal visual scene movement. Our results show that the converse is also true: individuals receiving misoriented vestibular sensation under normal viewing conditions rapidly adapt to restore a well-aligned 3D VOR. Considering the similarity of VOR physiology across primate species, similar effects are likely to occur in humans using a MVP to treat bilateral vestibular deficiency.

Mitral annulus motion as determined by M-mode echocardiography in normal dogs and dogs with cardiac disease.

PubMed

Schober, K E; Fuentes, V L

2001-01-01

M-mode echocardiography was used to assess apical mitral annulus motion (MAM) in 103 normal dogs and 101 dogs with cardiac disease, to obtain information on systolic left ventricular long axis function. In normal dogs, a close relationship was found between MAM and body weight (r = 0.80, P < 0.001). There was a weak correlation between MAM and heart rate (r = -0.25, P < 0.05), but no correlation between MAM and age or left ventricular shortening fraction (P > 0.05). Mean MAM (95% confidence intervals) were established for normal dogs of differing body weight, and were 0.70 cm (0.65 to 0.75) in dogs < 15 kg, 1.08 cm (1.03 to 1.13) in dogs weighing 15 to 40 kg, and 1.51 cm (1.21 to 1.81) in dogs > 40 kg. "Cut-off" values to define decreased MAM for normal dogs of differing body weight were 0.45 cm (dogs < 15 kg), 0.80 cm (dogs 15-40 kg), and 1.20 cm (dogs > 40 kg). In dogs with cardiac disease, median MAM was normal in mitral valve endocardiosis or aortic stenosis, but significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in dilated cardiomyopathy. All dogs with mitral valve endocardiosis (n = 54) or aortic stenosis (n = 26) had MAM above the above-mentioned "cut-off" values, suggesting normal or increased left ventricular longitudinal systolic shortening, whereas 81% (17/21) of dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy had MAM below the "cut-off" value, indicating decreased long axis systolic function. It is concluded that MAM may be used to evaluate systolic left ventricular long axis performance in dogs and may add useful information on global left ventricular contraction dynamics.

Thyroid stimulating hormone and serum, plasma, and platelet brain-derived neurotrophic factor during a 3-month follow-up in patients with major depressive disorder.

PubMed

Baek, Ji Hyun; Kang, Eun-Suk; Fava, Maurizio; Mischoulon, David; Nierenberg, Andrew A; Lee, Dongsoo; Heo, Jung-Yoon; Jeon, Hong Jin

2014-12-01

Thyroid dysfunction and elevated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) are common in patients with depression. TSH might exert its function in the brain through blood levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF decreases during depressed states and normalize after treatment. The gap is that the association between TSH and BDNF in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) is unknown. We studied 105 subjects ≥18 years of age with MDD and measured serum, plasma, and platelet BDNF at baseline, 1 month and 3 months during antidepressant treatment. Other baseline measurements included hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis hormones such as TSH, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4); hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hormones and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis hormones and prolactin. Linear mixed model effect analyses revealed that baseline TSH level was negatively associated with changes of serum BDNF from baseline to 3 months (F=7.58, p=0.007) after adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index, but was not associated with plasma and platelet BDNF. In contrast, T3 and T4, HPA axis hormones, HPG axis hormones, and prolactin were not associated with serum, plasma, or platelet BDNF levels. Patients in the highest quartile of TSH showed significantly lower serum BDNF than in the other quartiles (F=4.54, p=0.038), but no significant differences were found based on T3 and T4 levels. TSH was only measured at baseline. Higher TSH is associated with lower baseline and reduced the increase of serum BDNF levels during antidepressant treatment in patients with MDD. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Quantum Critical Quasiparticle Scattering within the Superconducting State of CeCoIn_{5}.

PubMed

Paglione, Johnpierre; Tanatar, M A; Reid, J-Ph; Shakeripour, H; Petrovic, C; Taillefer, Louis

2016-07-01

The thermal conductivity κ of the heavy-fermion metal CeCoIn_{5} was measured in the normal and superconducting states as a function of temperature T and magnetic field H, for a current and field parallel to the [100] direction. Inside the superconducting state, when the field is lower than the upper critical field H_{c2}, κ/T is found to increase as T→0, just as in a metal and in contrast to the behavior of all known superconductors. This is due to unpaired electrons on part of the Fermi surface, which dominate the transport above a certain field. The evolution of κ/T with field reveals that the electron-electron scattering (or transport mass m^{⋆}) of those unpaired electrons diverges as H→H_{c2} from below, in the same way that it does in the normal state as H→H_{c2} from above. This shows that the unpaired electrons sense the proximity of the field-tuned quantum critical point of CeCoIn_{5} at H^{⋆}=H_{c2} even from inside the superconducting state. The fact that the quantum critical scattering of the unpaired electrons is much weaker than the average scattering of all electrons in the normal state reveals a k-space correlation between the strength of pairing and the strength of scattering, pointing to a common mechanism, presumably antiferromagnetic fluctuations.

Ground-State Distortion in N-Acyl-tert-butyl-carbamates (Boc) and N-Acyl-tosylamides (Ts): Twisted Amides of Relevance to Amide N-C Cross-Coupling.

PubMed

Szostak, Roman; Shi, Shicheng; Meng, Guangrong; Lalancette, Roger; Szostak, Michal

2016-09-02

Amide N-C(O) bonds are generally unreactive in cross-coupling reactions employing low-valent transition metals due to nN → π*C═O resonance. Herein we demonstrate that N-acyl-tert-butyl-carbamates (Boc) and N-acyl-tosylamides (Ts), two classes of acyclic amides that have recently enabled the development of elusive amide bond N-C cross-coupling reactions with organometallic reagents, are intrinsically twisted around the N-C(O) axis. The data have important implications for the design of new amide cross-coupling reactions with the N-C(O) amide bond cleavage as a key step.

Maternal choline intake alters the epigenetic state of fetal cortisol-regulating genes in humans.

PubMed

Jiang, Xinyin; Yan, Jian; West, Allyson A; Perry, Cydne A; Malysheva, Olga V; Devapatla, Srisatish; Pressman, Eva; Vermeylen, Francoise; Caudill, Marie A

2012-08-01

The in utero availability of methyl donors, such as choline, may modify fetal epigenetic marks and lead to sustainable functional alterations throughout the life course. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulates cortisol production and is sensitive to perinatal epigenetic programming. As an extension of a 12-wk dose-response choline feeding study conducted in third-trimester pregnant women, we investigated the effect of maternal choline intake (930 vs. 480 mg/d) on the epigenetic state of cortisol-regulating genes, and their expression, in placenta and cord venous blood. The higher maternal choline intake yielded higher placental promoter methylation of the cortisol-regulating genes, corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH; P=0.05) and glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1; P=0.002); lower placental CRH transcript abundance (P=0.04); lower cord blood leukocyte promoter methylation of CRH (P=0.05) and NR3C1 (P=0.04); and 33% lower (P=0.07) cord plasma cortisol. In addition, placental global DNA methylation and dimethylated histone H3 at lysine 9 (H3K9me2) were higher (P=0.02) in the 930 mg choline/d group, as was the expression of select placental methyltransferases. These data collectively suggest that maternal choline intake in humans modulates the epigenetic state of genes that regulate fetal HPA axis reactivity as well as the epigenomic status of fetal derived tissues.

Measurement of Neutrino Oscillation Parameters from Muon Neutrino Disappearance with an Off-Axis Beam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abe, K.; Adam, J.; Aihara, H.; Akiri, T.; Andreopoulos, C.; Aoki, S.; Ariga, A.; Ariga, T.; Assylbekov, S.; Autiero, D.; Barbi, M.; Barker, G. J.; Barr, G.; Bass, M.; Batkiewicz, M.; Bay, F.; Bentham, S. W.; Berardi, V.; Berger, B. E.; Berkman, S.; Bertram, I.; Bhadra, S.; Blaszczyk, F. d. M.; Blondel, A.; Bojechko, C.; Bordoni, S.; Boyd, S. B.; Brailsford, D.; Bravar, A.; Bronner, C.; Buchanan, N.; Calland, R. G.; Caravaca Rodríguez, J.; Cartwright, S. L.; Castillo, R.; Catanesi, M. G.; Cervera, A.; Cherdack, D.; Christodoulou, G.; Clifton, A.; Coleman, J.; Coleman, S. J.; Collazuol, G.; Connolly, K.; Cremonesi, L.; Curioni, A.; Dabrowska, A.; Danko, I.; Das, R.; Davis, S.; de Perio, P.; De Rosa, G.; Dealtry, T.; Dennis, S. R.; Densham, C.; Di Lodovico, F.; Di Luise, S.; Drapier, O.; Duboyski, T.; Duffy, K.; Dufour, F.; Dumarchez, J.; Dytman, S.; Dziewiecki, M.; Emery, S.; Ereditato, A.; Escudero, L.; Finch, A. J.; Frank, E.; Friend, M.; Fujii, Y.; Fukuda, Y.; Furmanski, A. P.; Galymov, V.; Gaudin, A.; Giffin, S.; Giganti, C.; Gilje, K.; Golan, T.; Gomez-Cadenas, J. J.; Gonin, M.; Grant, N.; Gudin, D.; Hadley, D. R.; Haesler, A.; Haigh, M. D.; Hamilton, P.; Hansen, D.; Hara, T.; Hartz, M.; Hasegawa, T.; Hastings, N. C.; Hayato, Y.; Hearty, C.; Helmer, R. L.; Hierholzer, M.; Hignight, J.; Hillairet, A.; Himmel, A.; Hiraki, T.; Hirota, S.; Holeczek, J.; Horikawa, S.; Huang, K.; Ichikawa, A. K.; Ieki, K.; Ieva, M.; Ikeda, M.; Imber, J.; Insler, J.; Irvine, T. J.; Ishida, T.; Ishii, T.; Ives, S. J.; Iyogi, K.; Izmaylov, A.; Jacob, A.; Jamieson, B.; Johnson, R. A.; Jo, J. H.; Jonsson, P.; Joo, K. K.; Jung, C. K.; Kaboth, A. C.; Kajita, T.; Kakuno, H.; Kameda, J.; Kanazawa, Y.; Karlen, D.; Karpikov, I.; Kearns, E.; Khabibullin, M.; Khotjantsev, A.; Kielczewska, D.; Kikawa, T.; Kilinski, A.; Kim, J.; Kim, S. B.; Kisiel, J.; Kitching, P.; Kobayashi, T.; Kogan, G.; Kolaceke, A.; Konaka, A.; Kormos, L. L.; Korzenev, A.; Koseki, K.; Koshio, Y.; Kreslo, I.; Kropp, W.; Kubo, H.; Kudenko, Y.; Kumaratunga, S.; Kurjata, R.; Kutter, T.; Lagoda, J.; Laihem, K.; Laveder, M.; Lawe, M.; Lazos, M.; Lee, K. P.; Licciardi, C.; Lim, I. T.; Lindner, T.; Lister, C.; Litchfield, R. P.; Longhin, A.; Lopez, G. D.; Ludovici, L.; Macaire, M.; Magaletti, L.; Mahn, K.; Malek, M.; Manly, S.; Marino, A. D.; Marteau, J.; Martin, J. F.; Maruyama, T.; Marzec, J.; Masliah, P.; Mathie, E. L.; Matveev, V.; Mavrokoridis, K.; Mazzucato, E.; McCarthy, M.; McCauley, N.; McFarland, K. S.; McGrew, C.; Metelko, C.; Mijakowski, P.; Miller, C. A.; Minamino, A.; Mineev, O.; Mine, S.; Missert, A.; Miura, M.; Monfregola, L.; Moriyama, S.; Mueller, Th. A.; Murakami, A.; Murdoch, M.; Murphy, S.; Myslik, J.; Nagasaki, T.; Nakadaira, T.; Nakahata, M.; Nakai, T.; Nakamura, K.; Nakayama, S.; Nakaya, T.; Nakayoshi, K.; Naples, D.; Nielsen, C.; Nirkko, M.; Nishikawa, K.; Nishimura, Y.; O'Keeffe, H. M.; Ohta, R.; Okumura, K.; Okusawa, T.; Oryszczak, W.; Oser, S. M.; Otani, M.; Owen, R. A.; Oyama, Y.; Pac, M. Y.; Palladino, V.; Paolone, V.; Payne, D.; Pearce, G. F.; Perevozchikov, O.; Perkin, J. D.; Petrov, Y.; Pinzon Guerra, E. S.; Pistillo, C.; Plonski, P.; Poplawska, E.; Popov, B.; Posiadala, M.; Poutissou, J.-M.; Poutissou, R.; Przewlocki, P.; Quilain, B.; Radicioni, E.; Ratoff, P. N.; Ravonel, M.; Rayner, M. A. M.; Redij, A.; Reeves, M.; Reinherz-Aronis, E.; Retiere, F.; Robert, A.; Rodrigues, P. A.; Rondio, E.; Roth, S.; Rubbia, A.; Ruterbories, D.; Sacco, R.; Sakashita, K.; Sánchez, F.; Sato, F.; Scantamburlo, E.; Scholberg, K.; Schwehr, J.; Scott, M.; Seiya, Y.; Sekiguchi, T.; Sekiya, H.; Sgalaberna, D.; Shiozawa, M.; Short, S.; Shustrov, Y.; Sinclair, P.; Smith, B.; Smith, R. J.; Smy, M.; Sobczyk, J. T.; Sobel, H.; Sorel, M.; Southwell, L.; Stamoulis, P.; Steinmann, J.; Still, B.; Suda, Y.; Suzuki, A.; Suzuki, K.; Suzuki, S. Y.; Suzuki, Y.; Szeglowski, T.; Tacik, R.; Tada, M.; Takahashi, S.; Takeda, A.; Takeuchi, Y.; Tanaka, H. K.; Tanaka, H. A.; Tanaka, M. M.; Taylor, I. J.; Terhorst, D.; Terri, R.; Thompson, L. F.; Thorley, A.; Tobayama, S.; Toki, W.; Tomura, T.; Totsuka, Y.; Touramanis, C.; Tsukamoto, T.; Tzanov, M.; Uchida, Y.; Ueno, K.; Vacheret, A.; Vagins, M.; Vasseur, G.; Wachala, T.; Waldron, A. V.; Walter, C. W.; Wark, D.; Wascko, M. O.; Weber, A.; Wendell, R.; Wilkes, R. J.; Wilking, M. J.; Wilkinson, C.; Williamson, Z.; Wilson, J. R.; Wilson, R. J.; Wongjirad, T.; Yamada, Y.; Yamamoto, K.; Yanagisawa, C.; Yen, S.; Yershov, N.; Yokoyama, M.; Yuan, T.; Zalewska, A.; Zalipska, J.; Zambelli, L.; Zaremba, K.; Ziembicki, M.; Zimmerman, E. D.; Zito, M.; Żmuda, J.

2013-11-01

The T2K Collaboration reports a precision measurement of muon neutrino disappearance with an off-axis neutrino beam with a peak energy of 0.6 GeV. Near detector measurements are used to constrain the neutrino flux and cross section parameters. The Super-Kamiokande far detector, which is 295 km downstream of the neutrino production target, collected data corresponding to 3.01×1020 protons on target. In the absence of neutrino oscillations, 205±17 (syst) events are expected to be detected while only 58 muon neutrino event candidates are observed. A fit to the neutrino rate and energy spectrum, assuming three neutrino flavors and normal mass hierarchy yields a best-fit mixing angle sin⁡2(θ23)=0.514±0.082 and mass splitting |Δm322|=2.44-0.15+0.17×10-3eV2/c4. Our result corresponds to the maximal oscillation disappearance probability.

Activation of PTHrP-cAMP-CREB1 signaling following p53 loss is essential for osteosarcoma initiation and maintenance

PubMed Central

Walia, Mannu K; Ho, Patricia MW; Taylor, Scott; Ng, Alvin JM; Gupte, Ankita; Chalk, Alistair M; Zannettino, Andrew CW; Martin, T John; Walkley, Carl R

2016-01-01

Mutations in the P53 pathway are a hallmark of human cancer. The identification of pathways upon which p53-deficient cells depend could reveal therapeutic targets that may spare normal cells with intact p53. In contrast to P53 point mutations in other cancer, complete loss of P53 is a frequent event in osteosarcoma (OS), the most common cancer of bone. The consequences of p53 loss for osteoblastic cells and OS development are poorly understood. Here we use murine OS models to demonstrate that elevated Pthlh (Pthrp), cAMP levels and signalling via CREB1 are characteristic of both p53-deficient osteoblasts and OS. Normal osteoblasts survive depletion of both PTHrP and CREB1. In contrast, p53-deficient osteoblasts and OS depend upon continuous activation of this pathway and undergo proliferation arrest and apoptosis in the absence of PTHrP or CREB1. Our results identify the PTHrP-cAMP-CREB1 axis as an attractive pathway for therapeutic inhibition in OS. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.13446.001 PMID:27070462

The NOTCH1/SNAIL1/MEF2C Pathway Regulates Growth and Self-Renewal in Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma.

PubMed

Ignatius, Myron S; Hayes, Madeline N; Lobbardi, Riadh; Chen, Eleanor Y; McCarthy, Karin M; Sreenivas, Prethish; Motala, Zainab; Durbin, Adam D; Molodtsov, Aleksey; Reeder, Sophia; Jin, Alexander; Sindiri, Sivasish; Beleyea, Brian C; Bhere, Deepak; Alexander, Matthew S; Shah, Khalid; Keller, Charles; Linardic, Corinne M; Nielsen, Petur G; Malkin, David; Khan, Javed; Langenau, David M

2017-06-13

Tumor-propagating cells (TPCs) share self-renewal properties with normal stem cells and drive continued tumor growth. However, mechanisms regulating TPC self-renewal are largely unknown, especially in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS)-a common pediatric cancer of muscle. Here, we used a zebrafish transgenic model of ERMS to identify a role for intracellular NOTCH1 (ICN1) in increasing TPCs by 23-fold. ICN1 expanded TPCs by enabling the de-differentiation of zebrafish ERMS cells into self-renewing myf5+ TPCs, breaking the rigid differentiation hierarchies reported in normal muscle. ICN1 also had conserved roles in regulating human ERMS self-renewal and growth. Mechanistically, ICN1 upregulated expression of SNAIL1, a transcriptional repressor, to increase TPC number in human ERMS and to block muscle differentiation through suppressing MEF2C, a myogenic differentiation transcription factor. Our data implicate the NOTCH1/SNAI1/MEF2C signaling axis as a major determinant of TPC self-renewal and differentiation in ERMS, raising hope of therapeutically targeting this pathway in the future. Copyright © 2017 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A multinuclear solid-state NMR study of the dimethyltin chalcogenides ((CH 3) 2SnE) 3, E  S,Se,Te

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gay, Ian D.; Jones, C. H. W.; Sharma, R. D.

The solid-state NMR spectra, measured using MAS, are reported for 13C, 119Sn, 77Se, and 125Te in the compounds (Me 2SnE) 3, E  S, Se, or Te. For ((CH 3) 2SnS) 3, tetragonal, three inequivalent carbons and two inequivalent tins are observed consistent with a reinterpretation of the crystal structure data of this compound which shows a twofold axis through opposing tin and sulfur atoms, the molecule being in a twisted-boat conformation. For the monoclinic form six inequivalent carbons and three inequivalent tins were observed. Chemical shifts for 13C and 119Sn and the magnitudes of the 2JSn Sn coupling constants are reported. The tetragonal forms of ((CH 3) 2SnSe) 3 and ((CH 3) 2SnTe) 3 show the presence of two inequivalent tin and chalcogen atoms and three inequivalent carbons, again consistent with a twofold axis. In these compounds it is possible to identify the three different observed single-bond coupling constants with the distinct crystallographically determined tin-chalcogen bonds. The 13C, 119Sn, 77Se, and 125Te chemical shifts are reported, together with the magnitude of 1JSn E (E  Se or Te). In addition to isotropic shifts and couplings, chemical-shift anisotropies are reported for Sn, Se, and Te.

Powder X-ray diffraction, infrared and 13C NMR spectroscopic studies of the homologous series of some solid-state zinc(II) and sodium(I) n-alkanoates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nelson, Peter N.; Taylor, Richard A.

2015-03-01

A comparative study of the room temperature molecular packing and lattice structures for the homologous series of zinc(II) and sodium(I) n-alkanoates adduced from Fourier transform infrared and solid-state 13C NMR spectroscopic data in conjunction with X-ray powder diffraction measurements is carried out. For zinc carboxylates, metal-carboxyl bonding is via asymmetric bridging bidentate coordination whilst for the sodium adducts, coordination is via asymmetric chelating bidentate bonding. All compounds are packed in a monoclinic crystal system. Furthermore, the fully extended all-trans hydrocarbon chains are arranged as lamellar bilayers. For zinc compounds, there is bilayer overlap, for long chain adducts (nc > 8) but not for sodium compounds where methyl groups from opposing layers in the lamellar are only closely packed. Additionally, the hydrocarbon chains are extended along the a-axis of the unit cell for zinc compounds whilst for sodium carboxylates they are extended along the c-axis. These packing differences are responsible for different levels of Van der Waals effects in the lattices of these two series of compounds, hence, observed odd-even alternation is different. The significant difference in lattice packing observed for these two series of compounds is proposed to be due to the difference in metal-carboxyl coordination mode, arising from the different electronic structure of the central metal ions.

Dietary Manipulations That Induce Ketosis Activate the HPA Axis in Male Rats and Mice: A Potential Role for Fibroblast Growth Factor-21.

PubMed

Ryan, Karen K; Packard, Amy E B; Larson, Karlton R; Stout, Jayna; Fourman, Sarah M; Thompson, Abigail M K; Ludwick, Kristen; Habegger, Kirk M; Stemmer, Kerstin; Itoh, Nobuyuki; Perez-Tilve, Diego; Tschöp, Matthias H; Seeley, Randy J; Ulrich-Lai, Yvonne M

2018-01-01

In response to an acute threat to homeostasis or well-being, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis is engaged. A major outcome of this HPA axis activation is the mobilization of stored energy, to fuel an appropriate behavioral and/or physiological response to the perceived threat. Importantly, the extent of HPA axis activity is thought to be modulated by an individual's nutritional environment. In this study, we report that nutritional manipulations signaling a relative depletion of dietary carbohydrates, thereby inducing nutritional ketosis, acutely and chronically activate the HPA axis. Male rats and mice maintained on a low-carbohydrate high-fat ketogenic diet (KD) exhibited canonical markers of chronic stress, including increased basal and stress-evoked plasma corticosterone, increased adrenal sensitivity to adrenocorticotropin hormone, increased stress-evoked c-Fos immunolabeling in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, and thymic atrophy, an indicator of chronic glucocorticoid exposure. Moreover, acutely feeding medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) to rapidly induce ketosis among chow-fed male rats and mice also acutely increased HPA axis activity. Lastly, and consistent with a growing literature that characterizes the hepatokine fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21) as both a marker of the ketotic state and as a key metabolic stress hormone, the HPA response to both KD and MCTs was significantly blunted among mice lacking FGF21. We conclude that dietary manipulations that induce ketosis lead to increased HPA axis tone, and that the hepatokine FGF21 may play an important role to facilitate this effect. Copyright © 2018 Endocrine Society.

Large Angle Reorientation of a Solar Sail Using Gimballed Mass Control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sperber, E.; Fu, B.; Eke, F. O.

2016-06-01

This paper proposes a control strategy for the large angle reorientation of a solar sail equipped with a gimballed mass. The algorithm consists of a first stage that manipulates the gimbal angle in order to minimize the attitude error about a single principal axis. Once certain termination conditions are reached, a regulator is employed that selects a single gimbal angle for minimizing both the residual attitude error concomitantly with the body rate. Because the force due to the specular reflection of radiation is always directed along a reflector's surface normal, this form of thrust vector control cannot generate torques about an axis normal to the plane of the sail. Thus, in order to achieve three-axis control authority a 1-2-1 or 2-1-2 sequence of rotations about principal axes is performed. The control algorithm is implemented directly in-line with the nonlinear equations of motion and key performance characteristics are identified.

An aberrant NOTCH2-BCR signaling axis in B cells from patients with chronic GVHD.

PubMed

Poe, Jonathan C; Jia, Wei; Su, Hsuan; Anand, Sarah; Rose, Jeremy J; Tata, Prasanthi V; Suthers, Amy N; Jones, Corbin D; Kuan, Pei Fen; Vincent, Benjamin G; Serody, Jonathan S; Horwitz, Mitchell E; Ho, Vincent T; Pavletic, Steven Z; Hakim, Frances T; Owzar, Kouros; Zhang, Dadong; Blazar, Bruce R; Siebel, Christian W; Chao, Nelson J; Maillard, Ivan; Sarantopoulos, Stefanie

2017-11-09

B-cell receptor (BCR)-activated B cells contribute to pathogenesis in chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD), a condition manifested by both B-cell autoreactivity and immune deficiency. We hypothesized that constitutive BCR activation precluded functional B-cell maturation in cGVHD. To address this, we examined BCR-NOTCH2 synergy because NOTCH has been shown to increase BCR responsiveness in normal mouse B cells. We conducted ex vivo activation and signaling assays of 30 primary samples from hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients with and without cGVHD. Consistent with a molecular link between pathways, we found that BCR-NOTCH activation significantly increased the proximal BCR adapter protein BLNK. BCR-NOTCH activation also enabled persistent NOTCH2 surface expression, suggesting a positive feedback loop. Specific NOTCH2 blockade eliminated NOTCH-BCR activation and significantly altered NOTCH downstream targets and B-cell maturation/effector molecules. Examination of the molecular underpinnings of this "NOTCH2-BCR axis" in cGVHD revealed imbalanced expression of the transcription factors IRF4 and IRF8 , each critical to B-cell differentiation and fate. All- trans retinoic acid (ATRA) increased IRF4 expression, restored the IRF4 -to- IRF8 ratio, abrogated BCR-NOTCH hyperactivation, and reduced NOTCH2 expression in cGVHD B cells without compromising viability. ATRA-treated cGVHD B cells had elevated TLR9 and PAX5 , but not BLIMP1 (a gene-expression pattern associated with mature follicular B cells) and also attained increased cytosine guanine dinucleotide responsiveness. Together, we reveal a mechanistic link between NOTCH2 activation and robust BCR responses to otherwise suboptimal amounts of surrogate antigen. Our findings suggest that peripheral B cells in cGVHD patients can be pharmacologically directed from hyperactivation toward maturity.

Study of the effects of MeV Ag, Cu, Au, and Sn implantation on the optical properties of LiNbO3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, E. K.; Ila, D.; Sarkisov, S.; Curley, M.; Poker, D. B.; Hensley, D. K.; Borel, C.

1998-01-01

The authors present the results of characterization of linear absorption and nonlinear refractive index of Au, Ag, Cu and Sn ion implantation into LiNbO3. Ag was implanted at 1.5 MeV to fluences of 2 to 17 x 17(exp 16)/sq cm at room temperature. Au and Cu were implanted to fluences of 5 to 20 x 10(exp 16)/sq cm at an energy of 2.0 MeV. Sn was implanted to a fluence of 1.6 x 10(exp 17)/sq cm at 160 kV. Optical absorption spectrometry indicated an absorption peak for the Au implanted samples after heat treatment at 1,000 C at approx. 620 nm. The Ag implanted samples absorption peaks shifted from approx. 450 nm before heat treatment to 550 nm after 500 C for 1h. Heat treatment at 800 C returned the Ag implanted crystals to a clear state. Cu nanocluster absorption peaks disappears at 500 C. No Sn clusters were observed by optical absorption or XRD. The size of the Ag and Au clusters as a function of heat treatment were determined from the absorption peaks. The Ag clusters did not change appreciably in size with heat treatment. The Au clusters increased from 3 to 9 nm diameter upon heat treatment at 1000 C. TEM analysis performed on a Au implanted crystal indicated the formation of Au nanocrystals with facets normal to the c-axis. Measurements of the nonlinear refractive indices were carried out using the Z-scan method with a tunable dye laser pumped by a frequency doubled mode-locked Nd:YAG laser. The dye laser had a 4.5 ps pulse duration time and 76 MHz pulse repetition rate (575 nm).

Elastic-plastic and phase transition of zinc oxide single crystal under shock compression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xun; Mashimo, Tsutomu; Li, Wei; Zhou, Xianming; Sekine, Toshimori

2015-03-01

The Hugoniot data for zinc oxide (ZnO) single crystals were measured up to 80 GPa along both the ⟨ 11 2 ¯ 0 ⟩ (a-axis) and ⟨0001⟩ (c-axis) directions using a velocity interferometer system for any reflector and inclined-mirror method combined with a powder gun and two-stage light gas gun. The Hugoniot-elastic limits of ZnO were determined to be 10.5 and 11.5 GPa along the a- and c-axes, respectively. The wurtzite (B4) to rocksalt (B1) phase transition pressures along the a- and c-axes are 12.3 and 14.4 GPa, respectively. Shock velocity (Us) versus particle velocity (Up) relation of the final phase is given by the following relationship: Us (km/s) = 2.76 + 1.51Up (km/s). Based on the Debye-Grüneisen model and Birch-Murnaghan equation of state (EOS), we discuss the EOS of the B1 phase ZnO. The bulk modulus (K0) and its pressure derivative (K0') are estimated to be K0 = 174 GPa and K0' = 3.9, respectively.

Well-ordered large-area arrays of epitaxial ferroelectric (Bi,La)4Ti3O12 nanostructures fabricated by gold nanotube-membrane lithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Sung Kyun; Lee, Woo; Alexe, Marin; Nielsch, Kornelius; Hesse, Dietrich; Gösele, Ulrich

2005-04-01

Two-dimensionally well-ordered, large-area arrays of epitaxial, ferroelectric, La-substituted Bi4Ti3O12 (BLT) nanostructures are prepared using gold nanotube membranes as a liftoff mask. Epitaxial nanostructures with a height of about 65nm and a lateral size of about 150nm, with either (001) ("c-axis") orientation, or mixed (118)/(100) ("non-c-axis") orientation, are obtained on (001)- and (011)-oriented SrTiO3 substrates, respectively. The ferroelectric properties are probed by piezoresponse scanning force microscopy. Non-c-axis-oriented BLT nanostructures show an effective piezoresponse coefficient (2dzz) of about 38.0pm /V, whereas c-axis-oriented structures show one of only about 4.9pm/V.

Perception of Smoking Risks and Motivation to Quit Among Nontreatment-Seeking Smokers With and Without Schizophrenia

PubMed Central

Kelly, Deanna L.; Raley, Heather G.; Lo, Suzanne; Wright, Katherine; Liu, Fang; McMahon, Robert P.; Moolchan, Eric T.; Feldman, Stephanie; Richardson, Charles M.; Wehring, Heidi J.; Heishman, Stephen J.

2012-01-01

Objective: We examined perceived consequences/benefits of cigarette smoking and motivation for quitting in nontreatment-seeking smokers who had schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (N = 100) or had no Axis I psychiatric disorder (normals, N = 100). Methods: Participants completed questionnaires and provided a breath carbon monoxide (CO) sample 10–15 minutes after smoking 1 preferred-brand cigarette. Primary assessments included the Smoking Consequences Questionnaire-Adult, the Reasons for Quitting Scale, and the Stages of Change. Results: There were no differences between the schizophrenia and control group in mean age of smoking onset (16.2 ± 5.4 vs 15.6 ± 5.5 y, P = .44), number of cigarettes daily (17.9 ± 11.6 vs 17.0 ± 7.9, P = 0.51), or in breath CO (28.0 ± 14.5 vs 22.9 ± 8.0 ppm, P = .61). Compared with normals, people with schizophrenia report greater stimulation/state enhancement (P < .0001) and social facilitation (P < .004) from smoking. People with schizophrenia had less appreciation of health risks associated with smoking than normal controls (P < .0001) and were less motivated to quit smoking than normal controls (P = .002), even though they were as likely to be in the preparation stage of change. Immediate reinforcement (P = .04) and health concerns (P = .002) were rated lower as motivators for considering quitting smoking in schizophrenia than normals. People with schizophrenia reported greater motivation to stop smoking due to social pressure/rewards than normals (P = .047). Conclusions: This study underscores the degree to which people with schizophrenia perceive the state-enhancing effects of smoking and their lower appreciation for health risks of smoking compared with normal controls. PMID:21041835

Magnetic fabric and Petrofabric of Amphibolites in Eastern Himalaya Syntaxis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Wenjing; Zhang, Junfeng; Xu, Haijun

2017-04-01

The Himalaya orogenic belt was formed by the collision of the Eurasian plate and the Indian plate. There are two syntaxies along the orogenic belt, where the lower crust are extruded because of the strong stress and deep melting. Our samples are from the eastern Himalaya syntaxis, which is near the Namchabarwa Mount. The sample TO-38 is composed of hornblende, garnet, plagioclase, quartz, ilmenite, magnetite and rutile. The hornblendes are strongly deformed and have clear lineation. While the garnets are relative strong and undeformed, they have a white rim of retrograded minerals with S-C fabric. The ilmenites are distributed extensively and are also deformed, with a slight SPO parallel to lineation. The magnetite are almost cubic with no SPO. We obtained the magnetic fabric of sample TO-38 from anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) measurements, and crystallographic fabrics from EBSD analysis. The hornblende shows that [001] forms a well defined point maximum parallel to lineation; poles to {110}{010} plot as a girdle normal to the foliation. The ilmenite fabric shows less pronounced distribution of [0001] axis normal to foliation and weak subparallel distribution of [11-20] axis to lineation. The magnetite is very little, and shows no LPO. The AMS measurement shows that the maximum susceptibility direction correspond to the lineation, also parallel to the [11-20] axis of ilmenite and [001] axis of hornblende. The minimum susceptibility direction is parallel to the [0001] axis of ilmenite. The thermomagnetic curves and values of bulk susceptibility reveal a magnetic mineralogy dominated by a mixed contribution of paramagnetic minerals and magnetite. The mean susceptibility are from 7.06×10-3SI to 33.1×10-3SI. We also calculated the seismic anisotropy of amphibolites, and it shows the fast P wave propagate in lineation direction and has a 11.5% anisotropy. Meanwhile, the shear wave splitting polarization is also along the lineation, and has a 6% anisotropy. According to recent geophysical observations, the Tibet mid-lower crust have strong anisotropy, which favors an amphibolite facies mid-lower crust beneath the Tibet. Therefore, the correlation between petrofabric and magnetic fabric of amphibolites can be applied to interpret the deformation and evolution history of Tibetan Plateau.

Python and computer vision

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

Doak, J. E.; Prasad, Lakshman

2002-01-01

This paper discusses the use of Python in a computer vision (CV) project. We begin by providing background information on the specific approach to CV employed by the project. This includes a brief discussion of Constrained Delaunay Triangulation (CDT), the Chordal Axis Transform (CAT), shape feature extraction and syntactic characterization, and normalization of strings representing objects. (The terms 'object' and 'blob' are used interchangeably, both referring to an entity extracted from an image.) The rest of the paper focuses on the use of Python in three critical areas: (1) interactions with a MySQL database, (2) rapid prototyping of algorithms, andmore » (3) gluing together all components of the project including existing C and C++ modules. For (l), we provide a schema definition and discuss how the various tables interact to represent objects in the database as tree structures. (2) focuses on an algorithm to create a hierarchical representation of an object, given its string representation, and an algorithm to match unknown objects against objects in a database. And finally, (3) discusses the use of Boost Python to interact with the pre-existing C and C++ code that creates the CDTs and CATS, performs shape feature extraction and syntactic characterization, and normalizes object strings. The paper concludes with a vision of the future use of Python for the CV project.« less

Mixed oxides of sodium, antimony (5+) and divalent metals (Ni, Co, Zn or Mg)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Politaev, V. V.; Nalbandyan, V. B.; Petrenko, A. A.; Shukaev, I. L.; Volotchaev, V. A.; Medvedev, B. S.

2010-03-01

A family of α-NaFeO 2-type oxides Na xM (1+x)/3Sb (2-x)/3O 2 ( M=Ni, Co, Zn, Mg; x≈0.8 or 0.9) has been prepared by solid state reactions and characterized by powder XRD. At x=1, ordering occurs with tripling the unit cells and formula units. The powder patterns for Na 3M2SbO 6 ( M=Ni, Co) comply with both trigonal P3 112 cell and monoclinic C2/ m cell. The Ni compound exhibits also a series of extremely weak reflections ( I<0.3%) that need doubling of the c axis, and the final cell is C2/ c, a=5.3048(3), b=9.1879(4), c=10.8356(7), β=99.390(5). These ambiguities are explained by stacking faults. The compounds absorb atmospheric moisture with c-axis expansion up to 29%. A delafossite-related superlattice Ag 3Co 2SbO 6 has been prepared by ion exchange and refined: P3 112, a=5.3842(2), c=18.6613(10). Ionic conductivity of the Na 0.8Ni 0.6Sb 0.4O 2 ceramics, 0.4 S/m at 300 °C, is greater than reported previously, presumably owing to the grain orientation produced by hot pressing.

Elasto-plastic deformation and plate weakening due to normal faulting in the subducting plate along the Mariana Trench

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Zhiyuan; Lin, Jian

2018-06-01

We investigated variations in the elasto-plastic deformation of the subducting plate along the Mariana Trench through an analysis of flexural bending and normal fault characteristics together with geodynamic modeling. Most normal faults were initiated at the outer-rise region and grew toward the trench axis with strikes mostly subparallel to the local trench axis. The average trench relief and maximum fault throws were measured to be significantly greater in the southern region (5 km and 320 m, respectively) than the northern and central regions (2 km and 200 m). The subducting plate was modeled as an elasto-plastic slab subjected to tectonic loading at the trench axis. The calculated strain rates and velocities revealed an array of normal fault-like shear zones in the upper plate, resulting in significant faulting-induced reduction in the deviatoric stresses. We then inverted for solutions that best fit the observed flexural bending and normal faulting characteristics, revealing normal fault penetration to depths of 21, 20, and 32 km beneath the seafloor for the northern, central, and southern regions, respectively, which is consistent with the observed depths of the relocated normal faulting earthquakes in the central Mariana Trench. The calculated deeper normal faults of the southern region might lead to about twice as much water being carried into the mantle per unit trench length than the northern and central regions. We further calculated that normal faulting has reduced the effective elastic plate thickness Te by up to 52% locally in the southern region and 33% in both the northern and central regions. The best-fitting solutions revealed a greater apparent angle of the pulling force in the southern region (51-64°) than in the northern (22-35°) and central (20-34°) regions, which correlates with a general southward increase in the seismically-determined dip angle of the subducting slab along the Mariana Trench.

Temperature evolution of polar states in GdMn2O5 and Gd0.8Ce0.2Mn2O5

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanina, V. A.; Golovenchits, E. I.; Khannanov, B. Kh.; Scheglov, M. P.; Zalesskii, V. G.

2014-11-01

The polar order along the c axis is revealed in GdMn2O5 and Gd0.8Ce0.2Mn2O5 at T ≤ T C1 ≈ 160 K for the first time. This polar order is induced by the charge disproportion in the 2D superstructures emerged due to phase separation. The dynamic state with restricted polar domains of different sizes is found at T > T C1 which is typical of the diffuse ferroelectric phase transition. At the lowest temperatures ( T < 40 K) two polar orders of different origins with perpendicular orientations (along the b and c axes) coexist. The 1D superlattices studied by us earlier in the set of RMn2O5 multiferroics are the charged domain walls which separate of these polar order domains.

Steady state scenario development with elevated minimum safety factor on DIII-D

DOE PAGES

Holcomb, Christopher T.; Ferron, John R.; Luce, Timothy C.; ...

2014-08-15

On DIII-D, a high β scenario with minimum safety factor (q min) near 1.4 has been optimized with new tools and shown to be a favourable candidate for long pulse or steady state operation in future devices. Furthermore, the new capability to redirect up to 5 MW of neutral beam injection (NBI) from on- to off-axis improves the ability to sustain elevated q min with a less peaked pressure profile. The observed changes increase the ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) n = 1 mode β N limit thus providing a path forward for increasing the noninductive current drive fraction by operating atmore » high β N. Quasi-stationary discharges free of tearing modes have been sustained at βN = 3.5 and β T = 3.6% for two current profile diffusion timescales (about 3 s) limited by neutral beam duration. The discharge performance has normalized fusion performance expected to give fusion gain Q ≈ 5 in a device the size of ITER. Analysis of the poloidal flux evolution and current drive balance show that the loop voltage profile is almost relaxed even with 25% of the current driven inductively, and q min remains elevated near 1.4. Our observations increase confidence that the current profile will not evolve to one unstable to a tearing mode. In preliminary tests a divertor heat flux reduction technique based on producing a radiating mantle with neon injection appears compatible with this operating scenario. 0D model extrapolations suggest it may be possible to push this scenario up to 100% noninductive current drive by raising β N. Similar discharges with q min = 1.5–2 were susceptible to tearing modes and off-axis fishbones, and with q min > 2 lower normalized global energy confinement time is observed.« less

NMR-based metabonomic analysis of normal rat urine and faeces in response to (±)-venlafaxine treatment.

PubMed

Serrano-Contreras, José I; García-Pérez, Isabel; Meléndez-Camargo, María E; Zepeda-Vallejo, Luis G

2016-05-10

(±)-Venlafaxine, a bicyclic antidepressant of the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) class, is prescribed for the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. As is the case with other antidepressants, its precise mechanisms of action are still unknown. Pharmacometabonomic approaches allow for the detection of diverse metabolites, unlike classic methods for analysing drug interaction based on single metabolites and linear pathways. This provides a global view of the state of homeostasis during treatment and an insight into the mechanisms of action of a drug. Accordingly, the final outcome of treatment is characterised by the network of reactome pathways derived from the on-target and off-target effects of the drug. Regarding antidepressants, the drug network may be located in the gut-microbiome-brain-liver-kidney-immune-cardiovascular system axis (GMBLKICA), implying that neurotransmitters participate as signalling molecules in bidirectional communication. If their bioavailability is increased, this communication and the state of homeostasis may be disrupted. With a pharmacometabonomic approach using NMR in combination with different chemometric methods, a determination was made of subtle changes in the metabolic profile (metabotype) of urine and faeces in normal Wistar rats following a single administration of pharmacological doses of (±)-venlafaxine hydrochloride. Based on the drug-response metabotypes observed, (±)-venlafaxine had effects on gut microbial co-metabolites and osmolytes. Hence, it can be hypothesized that bidirectional communication in the multiorgan axis was perturbed by this drug, and very likely by its active metabolite, (±)-desvenlafaxine. This disrupted signalling could be related not only to therapeutic and adverse effects, but also to the lag period in treatment response. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Uniaxial Pressure and High-Field Effects on Superconducting Single-Crystal CeCoIn5

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, Scooter David

We have measured the a.c. susceptibility response of single-crystal CeCoIn 5 under uniaxial pressure up to 4.07 kbar and in d.c. field parallel to the c axis up to 5 T. From these measurements we report on several pressure and field characteristics of the superconducting state. The results are divided into 3 chapters: (1) We find a non-linear dependence of the superconducting transition temperature Tc on pressure, with a maximum close to 2 kbar. The transition also broadens significantly as pressure increases. We model the broadening as a product of non-uniform pressure and discuss its implications for the pressure dependence of the transition temperature. We relate our measurements to previous theoretical work. (2) We provided evidence and pressure dependence for the FFLO phase with field and pressure along the c axis. The FFLO phase boundary is temperature independent and tracks with the suppression to lower fields of the upper critical field with pressure. We also report the strengthening of the Pauli-limited field in this orientation by calculating the increase of the orbitally-limited field with uniaxial pressure. (3) We extract the critical current using the Bean critical state model and compare it to the expected Ginzberg-Landau behavior. We find that the exponent of the critical current depends on uniaxial pressure and d.c. field. Within a d.c. field the pressure dependence of the exponent may be obscured by the field effect. We have also measured resistivity, susceptibility, and specific heat of high-quality single-crystal YIn3 below 1 K and present a refinement of Tc from previous measurements. We make suggestions for experimental comparisons to the heavy fermion family CeXIn5, (X = Rh, Ir, Co) and the parent compound CeIn3.

High Curie temperature Bi(1.85)Mn(0.15)Te3 nanoplates.

PubMed

Cheng, Lina; Chen, Zhi-Gang; Ma, Song; Zhang, Zhi-dong; Wang, Yong; Xu, Hong-Yi; Yang, Lei; Han, Guang; Jack, Kevin; Lu, Gaoqing Max; Zou, Jin

2012-11-21

Bi(1.85)Mn(0.15)Te(3) hexagonal nanoplates with a width of ~200 nm and a thickness of ~20 nm were synthesized using a solvothermal method. According to the structural characterization and compositional analysis, the Mn(2+) and Mn(3+) ions were found to substitute Bi(3+) ions in the lattice. High-level Mn doping induces significant lattice distortion and decreases the crystal lattice by 1.07% in the a axis and 3.18% in the c axis. A high ferromagnetic state with a Curie temperature of ~45 K is observed in these nanoplates due to Mn(2+) and Mn(3+) ion doping, which is a significant progress in the field of electronics and spintronics.

Content-based fused off-axis object illumination direct-to-digital holography

DOEpatents

Price, Jeffery R.

2006-05-02

Systems and methods are described for content-based fused off-axis illumination direct-to-digital holography. A method includes calculating an illumination angle with respect to an optical axis defined by a focusing lens as a function of data representing a Fourier analyzed spatially heterodyne hologram; reflecting a reference beam from a reference mirror at a non-normal angle; reflecting an object beam from an object the object beam incident upon the object at the illumination angle; focusing the reference beam and the object beam at a focal plane of a digital recorder to from the content-based off-axis illuminated spatially heterodyne hologram including spatially heterodyne fringes for Fourier analysis; and digitally recording the content based off-axis illuminated spatially heterodyne hologram including spatially heterodyne fringes for Fourier analysis.

Grating tuned unstable resonator laser cavity

DOEpatents

Johnson, Larry C.

1982-01-01

An unstable resonator to be used in high power, narrow line CO.sub.2 pump lasers comprises an array of four reflectors in a ring configuration wherein spherical and planar wavefronts are separated from each other along separate optical paths and only the planar wavefronts are impinged on a plane grating for line tuning. The reflector array comprises a concave mirror for reflecting incident spherical waves as plane waves along an output axis to form an output beam. A plane grating on the output axis is oriented to reflect a portion of the output beam off axis onto a planar relay mirror spaced apart from the output axis in proximity to the concave mirror. The relay mirror reflects plane waves from the grating to impinge on a convex expanding mirror spaced apart from the output axis in proximity to the grating. The expanding mirror reflects the incident planar waves as spherical waves to illuminate the concave mirror. Tuning is provided by rotating the plane grating about an axis normal to the output axis.

Growth of Low Defect Density Gallium Nitride (GaN) Films on Novel Tantalum Carbide (TaC) Substrates for Improved Device Performance

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-05-01

2 Figure 2. Schematic of a Schottky diode structure (a) grown on an insulating substrate such as sapphire that requires front side...an on-axis substrate at 1000 °C taken (a) at a high magnification and (b) in a region where micropores were observed. ..........8 Figure 5. The 5 x...is useful for vertical high power devices. It can also be made insulating by growing it in a very pure state, which is useful for lateral high

Electronic structure and magnetic properties in T 2 AlB 2 ( T = Fe, Mn, Cr, Co, and Ni) and their alloys

DOE PAGES

Ke, Liqin; Harmon, Bruce N.; Kramer, Matthew J.

2017-03-20

In this study, the electronic structure and intrinsic magnetic properties of Fe 2AlB 2-related compounds and their alloys have been investigated using density functional theory. For Fe 2AlB 2, the crystallographic a axis is the easiest axis, which agrees with experiments. The magnetic ground state of Mn 2AlB 2 is found to be ferromagnetic in the basal ab plane, but antiferromagnetic along the c axis. All 3d dopings considered decrease the magnetization and Curie temperature in Fe 2AlB 2. Electron doping with Co or Ni has a stronger effect on the decreasing of Curie temperature in Fe 2AlB 2 thanmore » hole doping with Mn or Cr. However, a larger amount of Mn doping on Fe 2AlB 2 promotes the ferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic transition. A very anisotropic magnetoelastic effect is found in Fe 2AlB 2: the magnetization has a much stronger dependence on the lattice parameter c than on a or b, which is explained by electronic-structure features near the Fermi level. Dopings of other elements on B and Al sites are also discussed.« less

Upregulation of cathepsin C expression contributes to endothelial chymase activation in preeclampsia.

PubMed

Gu, Yang; Lewis, David F; Alexander, J Steven; Wang, Yuping

2017-12-01

Chymase is an ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme)-independent angiotensin II-forming enzyme whose expression is increased in the maternal vascular endothelium in preeclampsia. However, mechanisms underlying chymase activation in preeclampsia remain unclear. Cathepsin C is a key enzyme in the activation of several serine proteases including chymase. In this study, we determined whether increased cathepsin C expression/activity might be responsible for the upregulation of chymase expression in preeclampsia. Maternal vascular cathepsin C, chymase and ACE expression were examined through immunohistochemical staining of subcutaneous fat tissue sections of normal and preeclamptic pregnant women. The role of cathepsin C in endothelial chymase and ACE expression was determined in cells treated with cathepsin C. Consequences of chymase activation were then determined by measurement of angiotensin II production in cells treated with the ACE inhibitor captopril and the chymase inhibitor chymostatin, separately and in combination. Expression of both cathepsin C and chymase, but not ACE expression, was markedly increased in the maternal vascular endothelium in subjects with preeclampsia compared with normal pregnant controls. Exogenous cathepsin C induced a dose-dependent increase in expression of mature cathepsin C and chymase, but not ACE, in endothelial cells. Moreover, angiotensin II production was significantly inhibited in cells treated with captopril or chymostatin alone and was further inhibited in cells treated with both inhibitors. These results suggest that cathepsin C upregulation induces chymase activation and subsequently promotes angiotensin II generation in endothelial cells. These data also provide evidence of upregulation of the cathepsin C-chymase-angiotensin signaling axis in maternal vasculature in preeclampsia.

Relationship between vitamin A deficiency and the thyroid axis in clinically stable patients with liver cirrhosis related to hepatitis C virus.

PubMed

El-Eshmawy, Mervat M; Arafa, Mona M; Elzehery, Rasha R; Elhelaly, Rania M; Elrakhawy, Mohamed M; El-Baiomy, Azza A

2016-09-01

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and altered thyroid function are commonly encountered in patients with liver cirrhosis. The link between vitamin A metabolism and thyroid function has been previously identified. The aim of this study was to explore the association between VAD and the thyroid axis in clinically stable patients with cirrhosis related to hepatitis C virus (HCV). One hundred and twelve patients with clinically stable HCV-related cirrhosis and 56 healthy controls matched for age, sex, and socioeconomic status were recruited for this study. Vitamin A status, liver function, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), reverse triiodothyronine (rT3), anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO), and thyroid volume were evaluated. The prevalence of VAD among patients with HCV-related cirrhosis was 62.5% compared with 5.4% among controls (P < 0.001). Patients with HCV-related cirrhosis had significantly higher FT4, FT3, TSH, and thyroid volume than did healthy controls. Of the 112 patients initially recruited, 18 were excluded (patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and/or anti-TPO positive), so a total of 94 patients with HCV-related cirrhosis were divided into 2 groups according to vitamin A status: VAD and normal vitamin A. Patients with VAD had significantly lower vitamin A intake and serum albumin and higher serum bilirubin, FT4, FT3, and TSH than patients with normal vitamin A status. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that VAD was associated with Child-Pugh score (β = 0.11, P = 0.05) and TSH (β = -1.63, P = 0.02) independently of confounding variables. We conclude that VAD may be linked to central hyperthyroidism in patients with clinically stable HCV-related liver cirrhosis.

Clean to dirty limit and T c suppression in NdFeAsO0.7F0.3 studied by H c2 analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pallecchi, I.; Tarantini, C.; Shen, Y.; Singh, R. K.; Newman, N.; Cheng, P.; Jia, Y.; Wen, H.-H.; Putti, M.

2018-07-01

In this work, we investigate the temperature dependence of the upper critical field, dH c2/dT, in an increasingly disordered NdFeAsO0.7F0.3 (NdFeAs(O,F)) single crystal that has been progressively irradiated up to a 5.25 × 1016 cm- 2 total α-particle dose. For the H∣∣ab-plane, dH c2/dT does not vary remarkably with irradiation, while for the H∣∣c-axis it increases sharply after the first irradiation of 3.60 × 1015 cm-2 and then more gradually with further irradiation doses. Focusing on the H∣∣c-axis, we develop a phenomenological analysis of the H c2 slope which allows us to inspect the crossover from the clean to the dirty regime. From the H c2 slope normalized to the critical temperature and to its clean limit value, we extract the ratio of the coherence length ξ BCS to the mean free path {\\ell } and we find that when T c is reduced by a factor of four from its pristine value, ξ BCS/{\\ell } becomes as large as ˜7 and {\\ell } reaches values of ˜1.8 nm, indicating that NdFeAs(O,F) is well into the dirty regime. Our analysis of the H c2 slope also allows us to compare the pair-breaking effectiveness of scattering in different superconductors, showing similarity between unconventional NdFeAs(O,F) and moderate-T c phonon-mediated devices, such as MgB2 and A15 compounds, but much a stronger difference with YBa2Cu3O7-δ . This work thus shows that dH c2/dT is a reliable parameter, providing an alternative to residual resistivity, for investigating the pair-breaking mechanism induced by impurity scattering in superconductors.

The role of lin-22, a hairy/enhancer of split homolog, in patterning the peripheral nervous system of C. elegans.

PubMed

Wrischnik, L A; Kenyon, C J

1997-08-01

In C. elegans, six lateral epidermal stem cells, the seam cells V1-V6, are located in a row along the anterior-posterior (A/P) body axis. Anterior seam cells (V1-V4) undergo a fairly simple sequence of stem cell divisions and generate only epidermal cells. Posterior seam cells (V5 and V6) undergo a more complicated sequence of cell divisions that include additional rounds of stem cell proliferation and the production of neural as well as epidermal cells. In the wild type, activity of the gene lin-22 allows V1-V4 to generate their normal epidermal lineages rather than V5-like lineages. lin-22 activity is also required to prevent additional neurons from being produced by one branch of the V5 lineage. We find that the lin-22 gene exhibits homology to the Drosophila gene hairy, and that lin-22 activity represses neural development within the V5 lineage by blocking expression of the posterior-specific Hox gene mab-5 in specific cells. In addition, in order to prevent anterior V cells from generating V5-like lineages, wild-type lin-22 gene activity must inhibit (directly or indirectly) at least five downstream regulatory gene activities. In anterior body regions, lin-22(+) inhibits expression of the Hox gene mab-5. It also inhibits the activity of the achaete-scute homolog lin-32 and an unidentified gene that we postulate regulates stem cell division. Each of these three genes is required for the expression of a different piece of the ectopic V5-like lineages generated in lin-22 mutants. In addition, lin-22 activity prevents two other Hox genes, lin-39 and egl-5, from acquiring new activities within their normal domains of function along the A/P body axis. Some, but not all, of the patterning activities of lin-22 in C. elegans resemble those of hairy in Drosophila.

Effect of a quartic anisotropy energy on the ''spiral magnetic'' coexistence state of superconductivity and ferromagnetism

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

Rose, G.H.; Hu, C.

1988-02-01

The effect of three types of ''quartic'' anisotropy energy (i.e., in the M/sup 4/ term of the magnetic Ginzburg-Landau free energy) on the polarization of the ''spiral magnetic'' state of Blount and Varma is studied near the onset temperature. For a quartic anisotropy with uniaxial symmetry, we find continuous polarization transitions from circular to elliptical and then to linear as the strength of a uni-easy-axis anisotropy is increased. (No transition is found for the uni-hard-axis case.) If the quartic anisotropy has cubic symmetry, we find a discontinuous transition directly between circular and linear, without going through an elliptic stage, whenmore » the sign of the anisotropy energy is to favor the cubic axes. (The polarization stays circular at all strengths of the anisotropy energy if the sign of the latter is to favor the body diagonals.) Finally, we model the anisotropy in primitive tetragonal ErRh/sub 4/B/sub 4/ with a quadratic anisotropy giving a hard c axis, plus a quartic anisotropy in the basal plane with a square symmetry. A first-order polarization transition directly between circular and linear is also obtained for this case, when the quartic anisotropy favors the principal axes in the basal plane. This last case studied provides a plausible explanation for the linear polarization observed in the coexistence state of ErRh/sub 4/B/sub 4/. .AE« less

First principles investigations of the electronic structure and chemical bonding of U3Si2C2 - A uranium silicide-carbide with the rare [SiC] unit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matar, S. F.; Pöttgen, R.

2012-10-01

The electronic structure of U3Si2C2, with the rare [SiC] unit is examined from ab initio with an assessment of the properties of chemical bonding. We show that plain GGA fails describing the experimental lattice parameters and the electronic structure. A better agreement with experiment (crystal determination and magnetic properties) is obtained with the GGA + U method and U = 4 eV. The energy-volume equation of state and the set of elastic constants are obtained showing incompressibility along the c-axis with U-C-Si alignment and a brittle material. Bonding of U1 and U2 selectively with Si and C and Si-C bonds are remarkable

Off-axis illumination direct-to-digital holography

DOEpatents

Thomas, Clarence E.; Price, Jeffery R.; Voelkl, Edgar; Hanson, Gregory R.

2004-06-08

Systems and methods are described for off-axis illumination direct-to-digital holography. A method of recording an off-axis illuminated spatially heterodyne hologram including spatially heterodyne fringes for Fourier analysis, includes: reflecting a reference beam from a reference mirror at a non-normal angle; reflecting an object beam from an object at an angle with respect to an optical axis defined by a focusing lens; focusing the reference beam and the object beam at a focal plane of a digital recorder to form the off-axis illuminated spatially heterodyne hologram including spatially heterodyne fringes for Fourier analysis; digitally recording the off-axis illuminated spatially heterodyne hologram including spatially heterodyne fringes for Fourier analysis; Fourier analyzing the recorded off-axis illuminated spatially heterodyne hologram including spatially heterodyne fringes by transforming axes of the recorded off-axis illuminated spatially heterodyne hologram including spatially heterodyne fringes in Fourier space to sit on top of a heterodyne carrier frequency defined as an angle between the reference beam and the object beam; applying a digital filter to cut off signals around an original origin; and then performing an inverse Fourier transform.

Characterization of an oxide dispersion strengthened superalloy, MA-6000E, for turbine blade applications. [turbine blade

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kim, Y. G.; Merrick, H. F.

1979-01-01

Alloy MA 6000E was developed by the mechanical alloying process for turbine blade applications. The nominal composition of the experimental alloy is Ni-15CR-2Mo-4W-4.5Al- 2.5Ti-2Ta- .15Zr-.05C-.01B-1.1Y2O3. The 1000 hour rupture strength in the longitudinal direction is about 145 MPa at 1093 C and about 483 MPa at 760 C. The alloy displays normal three-stage creep behavior. Typically the creep elongation is 3.5% at 760 C and 2% at 1093 C. The alloy is notch ductile (K sub 1 = 3.5). The rupture properties of the alloy are not significantly degraded by thermal cycling or prior stress isothermal exposure. The alloy also has excellent longitudinal high and low cycle fatigue resistance. Limited testing indicates that MA 6000E posesses good off-axis mechanical properties. The transverse tensile elongation at 760 C is about 3%. The 100 hour transverse rupture strength is 331 MPa at 760 C and about 55 MPa at 1093 C.

Dynamics of a spherical tippe top

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cross, Rod

2018-05-01

Experimental and theoretical results are presented concerning the inversion of a spherical tippe top. It was found that the top rises quickly while it is sliding and then more slowly when it starts rolling, in a manner similar to that observed previously with a spinning egg. As the top rises it rotates about the horizontal Y axis, an effect that is closely analogous to rotation of the top about the vertical Z axis. Both effects can be described in terms of precession about the respective axes. Steady precession about the Z axis arises from the normal reaction force in the Z direction, while precession about the Y axis arises from the friction force in the Y direction.

Suppression of HPA-axis activity by haloperidol after experimentally induced heat stress.

PubMed

Hennig, J; Rzepka, U; Mai, B; Netter, P

1995-07-01

1. Healthy male volunteers were exposed to either a heat condition (52 degrees C) or normal temperature (28 degrees C) receiving a single oral dose of 3 mg haloperidol or placebo in a double-blind design. 2. Ratings on aversiveness as well as on intensity of ambient temperature and saliva samples for determination of cortisol were sampled at defined intervals. Body core temperature and sweat loss were measured continuously throughout the three hour experiment. 3. Results indicate increased levels of cortisol after exposure to heat but not after a pretreatment with haloperidol. 4. The findings of this study suggest that D2-receptors of tuberoinfundibular neurons are blocked by haloperidol which suppresses the dopamine mediated release of vasopressin induced by dehydration and the subsequent stimulation of CRH.

Direct measurement of critical resolved shear stress of prismatic and basal slip in polycrystalline Ti using high energy X-ray diffraction microscopy

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

Wang, L.; Zheng, Z.; Phukan, H.

Knowledge of the critical resolved shear stress (CRSS) values of different slip modes is important for accurately modeling plastic deformation of hexagonal materials. Here, we demonstrate that CRSS can be directly measured with an in-situ high energy X-ray diffraction microscopy (HEDM) experiment. A commercially pure Ti tensile specimen was deformed up to 2.6% strain. In-situ far-field HEDM experiments were carried out to track the evolution of crystallographic orientations, centers of masses, and stress states of 1153 grains in a material volume of 1.1mm×1mm×1mm. Predominant prismatic slip was identified in 18 grains, where the orientation change occurred primarily by rotation aroundmore » the c-axis during specimen deformation. By analyzing the resolved shear stress on individual slip systems, the estimated CRSS for prismatic slip is 96±18 MPa. Predominant basal slip was identified in 22 other grains, where the 2 orientation change occurred primarily by tilting the c-axis about an axis in the basal plane. The estimated CRSS for basal slip is 127±33 MPa. The ratio of CRSS basal/CRSS prismatic is in the range of 1.7-2.1. From indirect assessment, the CRSS for pyramidal < c+a > slip is likely greater than 240MPa. Lastly, grain size and free surface effects on the CRSS value in different grains are also examined.« less

Direct measurement of critical resolved shear stress of prismatic and basal slip in polycrystalline Ti using high energy X-ray diffraction microscopy

DOE PAGES

Wang, L.; Zheng, Z.; Phukan, H.; ...

2017-05-07

Knowledge of the critical resolved shear stress (CRSS) values of different slip modes is important for accurately modeling plastic deformation of hexagonal materials. Here, we demonstrate that CRSS can be directly measured with an in-situ high energy X-ray diffraction microscopy (HEDM) experiment. A commercially pure Ti tensile specimen was deformed up to 2.6% strain. In-situ far-field HEDM experiments were carried out to track the evolution of crystallographic orientations, centers of masses, and stress states of 1153 grains in a material volume of 1.1mm×1mm×1mm. Predominant prismatic slip was identified in 18 grains, where the orientation change occurred primarily by rotation aroundmore » the c-axis during specimen deformation. By analyzing the resolved shear stress on individual slip systems, the estimated CRSS for prismatic slip is 96±18 MPa. Predominant basal slip was identified in 22 other grains, where the 2 orientation change occurred primarily by tilting the c-axis about an axis in the basal plane. The estimated CRSS for basal slip is 127±33 MPa. The ratio of CRSS basal/CRSS prismatic is in the range of 1.7-2.1. From indirect assessment, the CRSS for pyramidal < c+a > slip is likely greater than 240MPa. Lastly, grain size and free surface effects on the CRSS value in different grains are also examined.« less

Phonon-induced topological transition to a type-II Weyl semimetal

DOE PAGES

Wang, Lin-Lin; Jo, Na Hyun; Wu, Yun; ...

2017-04-11

Given the importance of crystal symmetry for the emergence of topological quantum states, we have studied here, as exemplified in NbNiTe 2, the interplay of crystal symmetry, atomic displacements (lattice vibration), band degeneracy, and band topology. For the NbNiTe 2 structure in space-group 53 (Pmna)$-$ having an inversion center arising from two glide planes and one mirror plane with a two-fold rotation and screw axis$-$a full gap opening exists between two band manifolds near the Fermi energy. Upon atomic displacements by optical phonons, the symmetry lowers to space-group 28 (Pma2), eliminating one glide plane along c, the associated rotation andmore » screw axis, and the inversion center. As a result, 20 Weyl points emerge, including four type-IIWeyl points in the Γ-X direction at the boundary between a pair of adjacent electron and hole bands. Thus, optical phonons may offer control of the transition to a Weyl fermion state.« less

Effect of reduction in the density of states on fluctuation conductivity in Bi 2Sr 2CaCu 2O 8+ x single crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chowdhury, P.; Bhatia, S. N.

1999-06-01

The in-plane ( ρab) and out-of-plane ( ρc) resistivities of BSCCO single crystals have been measured by six terminals technique. The ρab and ρc are well described by the fluctuation theory developed by Dorin et al. The main effect of these fluctuations is to cause a reduction in the quasi-particle density of states (DOS), leading to a negative contribution in the fluctuation conductivity Lawrence-Doniach (LD) and Maki-Thompson (MT) contributions. We have analyzed paraconductivity by adding this DOS contribution to LD and MT contributions. The analysis shows that approaches based on the conventional LD model alone cannot explain the paraconductivity along ab-plane and c-axis, even when the MT contribution is included.

Occipital and external acoustic meatus to axis angle as a predictor of the oropharyngeal space in healthy volunteers: a novel parameter for craniocervical junction alignment.

PubMed

Morizane, Kazuaki; Takemoto, Mitsuru; Neo, Masashi; Fujibayashi, Shunsuke; Otsuki, Bungo; Kawata, Tomotoshi; Matsuda, Shuichi

2018-05-01

The occipito-C2 angle (O-C2a) influences the oropharyngeal space. However, O-C2a has several limitations. There is no normal value of O-C2a because of the wide individual variations, and O-C2a does not reflect translation of the cranium to the axis, another factor influencing the oropharyngeal space in patients with atlantoaxial subluxation. The objective of this study was to propose a novel parameter that accounts for craniocervical junction alignment (CJA) and the oropharyngeal space. This is a post hoc analysis of craniocervical radiological parameters from another study. Forty healthy volunteers were included in the study. Craniocervical measurement parameters included the occipital and external acoustic meatus to axis angle (O-EAa), the C2 tilting angle (C2Ta), O-C2a, and the anterior-posterior distance of the narrowest oropharyngeal airway space (nPAS). We collected 40 healthy volunteers' lateral cervical radiographs in neutral, flexion, extension, protrusion, and retraction positions. We measured O-C2a, C2Ta (formed by the inferior end plate of C2 and a line connecting the external acoustic meatus and the midpoint of the inferior end plate of C2 [EA-line]), O-EAa (formed by the McGregor line and the EA-line), and nPAS. We evaluated the inter-rater and intrarater reliability of O-EAa and C2Ta, and the associations between each of the measured parameters. The inter-rater and intrarater reliabilities of measuring O-EAa and C2Ta were excellent. The neutral position O-EAa values remained in a narrower range (mean±standard deviation, 90.0°±5.0°) than O-C2a (15.6°±6.7°) (Levene test of equality of variances, p=.044). In the linear mixed-effects models, sex, O-C2a, C2Ta, and O-EAa were significantly associated with nPAS. The marginal R 2 values for the mixed-effect models, which express the variance explained by fixed effects, were 0.605 and 0.632 for the O-C2a and O-EAa models, respectively. In all models, the subaxial alignment (C2-C6a) had no significant association with nPAS. The O-EAa may be a useful parameter of CJA with several advantages over O-C2a, including less individual variation, easier visual recognition during surgery, and improved prediction of postoperative nPAS after occipitocervical fusion. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Quantitative analyses of variability in normal vaginal shape and dimension on MR images

PubMed Central

Luo, Jiajia; Betschart, Cornelia; Ashton-Miller, James A.; DeLancey, John O. L.

2016-01-01

Introduction and hypothesis We present a technique for quantifying inter-individual variability in normal vaginal shape, axis, and dimension, and report findings in healthy women. Methods Eighty women (age: 28~70 years) with normal pelvic organ support underwent supine, multi-planar proton-density MRI. Vaginal width was assessed at five evenly-spaced locations, and vaginal axis, length, and surface area were quantified via ImageJ and MATLAB. Results The mid-sagittal plane angles, relative to the horizontal, of three vaginal axes were 90± 11, 72± 21, and 41± 22° (caudal to cranial, p < 0.001). The mean (± SD) vaginal widths were 17± 5, 24± 4, 30± 7, 41± 9, and 45± 12 mm at the five locations (caudal to cranial, p < 0.001). Mid-sagittal lengths for anterior and posterior vaginal walls were 63± 9 and 98 ± 18 mm respectively. The vaginal surface area was 72 ± 21 cm2 (range: 34 ~ 164 cm2). The coefficient of determination between any demographic variable and any vaginal dimension did not exceed 0.16. Conclusions Large variations in normal vaginal shape, axis, and dimensions were not explained by body size or other demographic variables. This variation has implications for reconstructive surgery, intravaginal and surgical product design, and vaginal drug delivery. PMID:26811115

Pressure effect on ferroelectricity of multiferroic Ho0.5Nd0.5Fe3(BO3)4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poudel, Narayan; Gooch, Melissa; Lorenz, Bernd; Bezmaternykh, L. N.; Temerov, V. L.; Chu, C. W.

Ho0.5Nd0.5Fe3(BO3)4 becomes multiferroic below 33 K where it enters into the AFM1 phase and gives rise to a ferroelectric polarization along the a-axis. At 9.5 K, the polarization drops sharply and remains finite value of 40 μC/m2. This is due to the spin rotation from the a-b plane into the c-axis and gives rise to the AFM2 phase. The application of pressure suppresses the AFM2 phase and moves the spin rotation transition from 9.5 K to 4.8 K up to pressure of 18.8 kbar which is observed in both dielectric and pyroelectric measurements. The change in magnetic anisotropy of rare-earth moments and Fe ions under pressure drives the spin rotation transition of rare-earth at lower temperature. DOE, the AFOSR, the T.L.L Temple Foundation, the J.J. and R. Moores Endowment, and the State of Texas (TCSUH).

An electrocardiographic scoring system for distinguishing right ventricular outflow tract arrhythmias in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy from idiopathic ventricular tachycardia.

PubMed

Hoffmayer, Kurt S; Bhave, Prashant D; Marcus, Gregory M; James, Cynthia A; Tichnell, Crystal; Chopra, Nagesh; Moxey, Laura; Krahn, Andrew D; Dixit, Sanjay; Stevenson, William; Calkins, Hugh; Badhwar, Nitish; Gerstenfeld, Edward P; Scheinman, Melvin M

2013-04-01

Ventricular arrhythmias in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C) and idiopathic ventricular tachycardia (VT) can share a left bundle branch block/inferior axis morphology. We previously reported electrocardiogram characteristics during outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias that helped distinguish VT related to ARVD/C from idiopathic VT. To prospectively validate these criteria. We created a risk score by using a derivation cohort. Two experienced electrophysiologists blinded to the diagnosis prospectively scored patients with VT/premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) with left bundle branch block/inferior axis pattern in a validation cohort of 37 ARVD/C tracings and 49 idiopathic VT tracings. All patients with ARVD/C had their diagnosis confirmed based on the revised task force criteria. Patients with idiopathic VT were selected based on structurally normal hearts with documented right ventricular outflow tract VT successfully treated with ablation. The scoring system provides 3 points for sinus rhythm anterior T-wave inversions in leads V1-V3 and during ventricular arrhythmia: 2 points for QRS duration in lead I≥120 ms, 2 points for QRS notching, and 1 point for precordial transition at lead V5 or later. A score of 5 or greater was able to correctly distinguish ARVD/C from idiopathic VT 93% of the time, with a sensitivity of 84%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, and negative predictive value of 91%. We describe a simple scoring algorithm that uses 12-lead electrocardiogram characteristics to effectively distinguish right ventricular outflow tract arrhythmias originating from patients with ARVD/C versus patients with idiopathic VT. Copyright © 2013 Heart Rhythm Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Evolution of quartz microstructure and c-axis crystallographic preferred orientation within ductilely deformed granitoids (Arolla unit, Western Alps)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Menegon, Luca; Pennacchioni, Giorgio; Heilbronner, Renee; Pittarello, Lidia

2008-11-01

We have studied quartz microstructures and the c-axis crystallographic preferred orientations (CPOs) in four granitoid samples representative of increasing ductile shear deformation, from a weakly deformed granitoid (stage 1) to a mylonitic granitoid (stage 4). The quartz c-axis CPO measured in the mylonitic granitoid has been compared with the one observed in a fully recrystallized quartz mylonite from the same area. All the samples belong to the Austroalpine Arolla unit (Western Alps) and were deformed at greenschist facies conditions. The quartz c-axis CPO was analyzed using a U-stage and the optical orientation imaging technique. The magmatic plagioclase, forming more than 50% of the volume of the granitoid, is extensively replaced by a mica-rich aggregate even in weakly deformed samples of stage 1. These aggregates flow to form an interconnected weak matrix with increasing deformation, wrapping relatively less strained quartz grains that undergo dominantly coaxial strain. Recrystallization of quartz ranges from less than 1% in the weakly deformed granitoid to up to 85% in the mylonitic granitoid, with average grain strain of 41% and 64%, respectively. With increasing strain and recrystallization, quartz grains in the granitoids show a sequence of transient microstructures and CPOs. Crystal plastic deformation is initially accomplished by dislocation glide with limited recovery, and at 50% grain strain it results in a CPO consistent with dominantly basal < a> slip. At 60% grain strain, recrystallization is preferentially localized along shear bands, which appear to develop along former intragranular cracks, and the recrystallized grains develop a strong c-axis CPO with maxima orthogonal to the shear band boundaries and independent of the host grain orientation. Within the granitoid mylonite, at an average quartz grain strain of 64%, recrystallization is extensive and the c-axis CPO of new grains displays maxima overlapping the host c-axis orientation and, therefore, unrelated to the bulk sense of shear. The host-controlled CPO is inferred to reflect pervasive recrystallization by progressive subgrain rotation. The switch from 'shear band-control' to 'host-control' on c-axis CPO occurred between 40% and 70% of recrystallization. In the quartz mylonite, the quartz c-axis CPO develops an asymmetric single girdle consistent with the bulk sense of shear and the synkinematic greenschist facies conditions. This study indicates that the CPO evolution of quartz may significantly differ in cases of polymineralic vs. monomineralic rocks under the same deformation conditions, if quartz in the polymineralic rock behaves as a 'strong' phase.

Calculations of the first frequency moment of the structure factor in the BCS model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rendell, J. M.; Carbotte, J. P.

1998-03-01

We have calculated the first frequency moment of the dynamical structure factor, S(q,ω), known as the f-sum, using the BCS model of susceptibility, \\chi(q,ω), with phenomenological models of the normal state dispersion, tilde\\varepsilon_k, and the superconducting energy gap, Δ_k(T). We have found an explicit expression for the f-sum in both the normal state and the superconducting state. Numerically, we show that the f-sum is insensitive to temperature changes in the range 0 to the order of magnitude of T_c, to the state (normal or superconducting) and to the size and type of energy gap, Δ_k(T), in the superconducting state. The f-sum does depend intimately on the normal state dispersion model, tilde\\varepsilonk and on the filling in the first Brillouin zone. In addition, we show numerically that the f-sum is nearly constant for the Random Phase Approximation (RPA) of the susceptibility up to pseudo-potentials, U <= U_c, the critical potential. Thus, a large increase in Im \\chi(q_0,ω_0) at frequency ω0 and a potential U > 0 (e.g. examining the 41 meV peak at q0 = (π,π)), is compensated by commensurate reduction in Im \\chi(q_0,ω) at other frequencies.

Observations of Screw Dislocation Driven Growth and Faceting During CVD Homoepitaxy on 4H-SiC On-Axis Mesa Arrays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neudeck, Philip G.; Trunek, Andrew J.; Powell, J. Anthony; Picard, Yoosuf N.; Twigg, Mark E.

2009-01-01

Previous studies of (0001) homoepitaxial growth carried out on arrays of small-area mesas etched into on-axis silicon-face 4H-SiC wafers have demonstrated that spiral growth emanating from at least one screw dislocation threading the mesa is necessary in order for a mesa to grow taller in the <0001> (c-axis vertical) direction while maintaining 4H stacking sequence [1]. However, even amongst mesas containing the screw dislocation step source necessary for vertical c-axis growth, we have observed striking differences in the height and faceting that evolve during prolonged homoepitaxial growths. This paper summarizes Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Electron Channeling Contrast Imaging (ECCI), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and optical microscopy observations of this phenomenon. These observations support our initially proposed model [2] that the observed large variation (for mesas where 3C-SiC nucleation has not occurred) is related to the lateral positioning of a screw dislocation step source within each etched mesa. When the screw dislocation step source is located close enough to the developing edge/sidewall facet of a mesa, the c-axis growth rate and facet angle are affected by the resulting interaction. In particular, the intersection (or near intersection) of the inward-sloping mesa sidewall facet with the screw dislocation appears to impede the rate at which the spiral provides new steps required for c-axis growth. Also, the inward slope of the sidewall facet during growth (relative to other sidewalls of the same mesa not near the screw dislocation) seems to be impeded by the screw dislocation. In contrast, mesas whose screw dislocations are centrally located grow vertically, but inward sloping sidewall facets shrink the area of the top (0001) growth surface almost to the point of vanishing.

The magnetic structure of Co(NCNH)₂ as determined by (spin-polarized) neutron diffraction

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

Jacobs, Philipp; Houben, Andreas; Senyshyn, Anatoliy

The magnetic structure of Co(NCNH)₂ has been studied by neutron diffraction data below 10 K using the SPODI and DNS instruments at FRM II, Munich. There is an intensity change in the (1 1 0) and (0 2 0) reflections around 4 K, to be attributed to the onset of a magnetic ordering of the Co²⁺ spins. Four different spin orientations have been evaluated on the basis of Rietveld refinements, comprising antiferromagnetic as well as ferromagnetic ordering along all three crystallographic axes. Both residual values and supplementary susceptibility measurements evidence that only a ferromagnetic ordering with all Co²⁺ spins parallelmore » to the c axis is a suitable description of the low-temperature magnetic ground state of Co(NCNH)₂. The deviation of the magnetic moment derived by the Rietveld refinement from the expectancy value may be explained either by an incomplete saturation of the moment at temperatures slightly below the Curie temperature or by a small Jahn–Teller distortion. - Graphical abstract: The magnetic ground state of Co(NCNH)₂ has been clarified by (spin-polarized) neutron diffraction data at low temperatures. Intensity changes below 4 K arise due to the onset of ferromagnetic ordering of the Co²⁺ spins parallel to the c axis, corroborated by various (magnetic) Rietveld refinements. Highlights: • Powderous Co(NCNH)₂ has been subjected to (spin-polarized) neutron diffraction. • Magnetic susceptibility data of Co(NCNH)₂ have been collected. • Below 4 K, the magnetic moments align ferromagnetically with all Co²⁺ spins parallel to the c axis. • The magnetic susceptibility data yield an effective magnetic moment of 4.68 and a Weiss constant of -13(2) K. • The ferromagnetic Rietveld refinement leads to a magnetic moment of 2.6 which is close to the expectancy value of 3.« less

Leech segmental repeats develop normally in the absence of signals from either anterior or posterior segments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seaver, E. C.; Shankland, M.

2000-01-01

We have investigated whether the development of segmental repeats is autonomous in the embryo of the leech Helobdella robusta. The segmental tissues of the germinal band arise from progeny of five stem cells called teloblasts. Asymmetric divisions of the teloblasts form chains of segment founder cells (called primary blast cells) that divide in a stereotypical manner to produce differentiated descendants. Using two distinct techniques, we have looked for potential interactions between neighboring blast cell clones along the anterior-posterior axis. In one technique, we prevented the birth of primary blast cells by injection of DNase I into the teloblast, thereby depriving the last blast cell produced before the ablation of its normal posterior neighbors. We also ablated single blast cells with a laser microbeam, which allowed us to assess potential signals acting on either more anterior or more posterior primary blast cell clones. Our results suggest that interactions along the anterior-posterior axis between neighboring primary blast cell clones are not required for development of normal segmental organization within the blast cell clone. We also examined the possibility that blast cells receive redundant signals from both anterior and posterior neighboring clones and that either is sufficient for normal development. Using double blast cell laser ablations to isolate a primary blast cell clone by removal of both its anterior and its posterior neighbor, we found that the isolated clone still develops normally. These results reveal that the fundamental segmental repeat in the leech embryo, the primary blast cell clone, can develop normally in the apparent absence of signals from adjacent repeats along the anterior-posterior axis.

Compensation for red-green contrast loss in anomalous trichromats

PubMed Central

Boehm, A. E.; MacLeod, D. I. A.; Bosten, J. M.

2014-01-01

For anomalous trichromats, threshold contrasts for color differences captured by the L and M cones and their anomalous analogs are much higher than for normal trichromats. The greater spectral overlap of the cone sensitivities reduces chromatic contrast both at and above threshold. But above threshold, adaptively nonlinear processing might compensate for the chromatically impoverished photoreceptor inputs. Ratios of sensitivity for threshold variations and for color appearance along the two cardinal axes of MacLeod-Boynton chromaticity space were calculated for three groups: normals (N = 15), deuteranomals (N = 9), and protanomals (N = 5). Using a four-alternative forced choice (4AFC) task, threshold sensitivity was measured in four color-directions along the two cardinal axes. For the same participants, we reconstructed perceptual color spaces for the positions of 25 hues using multidimensional scaling (MDS). From the reconstructed color spaces we extracted “color difference ratios,” defined as ratios for the size of perceived color differences along the L/(L + M) axis relative to those along the S/(L + M) axis, analogous to “sensitivity ratios” extracted from the 4AFC task. In the 4AFC task, sensitivity ratios were 38% of normal for deuteranomals and 19% of normal for protanomals. Yet, in the MDS results, color difference ratios were 86% of normal for deuteranomals and 67% of normal for protanomals. Thus, the contraction along the L/(L + M) axis shown in the perceptual color spaces of anomalous trichromats is far smaller than predicted by their reduced sensitivity, suggesting that an adaptive adjustment of postreceptoral gain may magnify the cone signals of anomalous trichromats to exploit the range of available postreceptoral neural signals. PMID:25413625

Achalasia leading to diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus.

PubMed

Segal, Jonathan; Lagundoye, Ayodele; Carter, Martyn

2017-06-20

A 50-year-old male with a 7 month history of progressive dysphagia to solids then subsequently to liquids. He underwent a diagnostic gastroscopy which was normal. A further barium swallow suggested achalasia. He was referred to a tertiary centre, where he underwent pH and manometry studies which confirmed a diagnosis of achalasia. He was referred for a laparoscopic cardiomyotomy, and at surgery there was a suspected tumour at the gastro-oesophageal junction. A follow-up endoscopy with biopsies was normal. Following this, a positron emission tomography scan showed T3 distal oesophageal cancer with no nodal involvement or distal metastasis. An attempt at oesophagectomy was performed, but at operation there was locally advanced carcinoma infiltrating the coeliac axis. He is currently undergoing palliative chemotherapy. © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd (unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Quantum critical quasiparticle scattering within the superconducting state of CeCoIn 5

DOE PAGES

Paglione, Johnpierre; Tanatar, M. A.; Reid, J.-Ph.; ...

2016-06-27

Here, the thermal conductivity κ of the heavy-fermion metal CeCoIn 5 was measured in the normal and superconducting states as a function of temperature T and magnetic field H, for a current and field parallel to the [100] direction. Inside the superconducting state, when the field is lower than the upper critical field H c2, κ/T is found to increase as T→0, just as in a metal and in contrast to the behavior of all known superconductors. This is due to unpaired electrons on part of the Fermi surface, which dominate the transport above a certain field. The evolution ofmore » κ/T with field reveals that the electron-electron scattering (or transport mass m*) of those unpaired electrons diverges as H→H c2 from below, in the same way that it does in the normal state as H→H c2 from above. This shows that the unpaired electrons sense the proximity of the field-tuned quantum critical point of CeCoIn 5 at H*=H c2 even from inside the superconducting state. In conclusion, the fact that the quantum critical scattering of the unpaired electrons is much weaker than the average scattering of all electrons in the normal state reveals a k-space correlation between the strength of pairing and the strength of scattering, pointing to a common mechanism, presumably antiferromagnetic fluctuations.« less

Performance Evaluation of Dual-axis Tracking System of Parabolic Trough Solar Collector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ullah, Fahim; Min, Kang

2018-01-01

A parabolic trough solar collector with the concentration ratio of 24 was developed in the College of Engineering; Nanjing Agricultural University, China with the using of the TracePro software an optical model built. Effects of single-axis and dual-axis tracking modes, azimuth and elevating angle tracking errors on the optical performance were investigated and the thermal performance of the solar collector was experimentally measured. The results showed that the optical efficiency of the dual-axis tracking was 0.813% and its year average value was 14.3% and 40.9% higher than that of the eat-west tracking mode and north-south tracking mode respectively. Further, form the results of the experiment, it was concluded that the optical efficiency was affected significantly by the elevation angle tracking errors which should be kept below 0.6o. High optical efficiency could be attained by using dual-tracking mode even though the tracking precision of one axis was degraded. The real-time instantaneous thermal efficiency of the collector reached to 0.775%. In addition, the linearity of the normalized efficiency was favorable. The curve of the calculated thermal efficiency agreed well with the normalized instantaneous efficiency curve derived from the experimental data and the maximum difference between them was 10.3%. This type of solar collector should be applied in middle-scale thermal collection systems.

23 CFR 192.10 - Procedures affecting States in noncompliance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 23 Highways 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Procedures affecting States in noncompliance. 192.10...) Each fiscal year, each State determined to be in noncompliance with 23 U.S.C. 159, based on FHWA's... apportionment, as part of the advance notice of apportionments required under 23 U.S.C. 104(e), normally not...

23 CFR 192.10 - Procedures affecting States in noncompliance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 23 Highways 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Procedures affecting States in noncompliance. 192.10...) Each fiscal year, each State determined to be in noncompliance with 23 U.S.C. 159, based on FHWA's... apportionment, as part of the advance notice of apportionments required under 23 U.S.C. 104(e), normally not...

23 CFR 192.10 - Procedures affecting States in noncompliance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 23 Highways 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Procedures affecting States in noncompliance. 192.10...) Each fiscal year, each State determined to be in noncompliance with 23 U.S.C. 159, based on FHWA's... apportionment, as part of the advance notice of apportionments required under 23 U.S.C. 104(e), normally not...

23 CFR 192.10 - Procedures affecting States in noncompliance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 23 Highways 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Procedures affecting States in noncompliance. 192.10...) Each fiscal year, each State determined to be in noncompliance with 23 U.S.C. 159, based on FHWA's... apportionment, as part of the advance notice of apportionments required under 23 U.S.C. 104(e), normally not...

Dynamic transitions in a model of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Čupić, Željko; Marković, Vladimir M.; Maćešić, Stevan; Stanojević, Ana; Damjanović, Svetozar; Vukojević, Vladana; Kolar-Anić, Ljiljana

2016-03-01

Dynamic properties of a nonlinear five-dimensional stoichiometric model of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis were systematically investigated. Conditions under which qualitative transitions between dynamic states occur are determined by independently varying the rate constants of all reactions that constitute the model. Bifurcation types were further characterized using continuation algorithms and scale factor methods. Regions of bistability and transitions through supercritical Andronov-Hopf and saddle loop bifurcations were identified. Dynamic state analysis predicts that the HPA axis operates under basal (healthy) physiological conditions close to an Andronov-Hopf bifurcation. Dynamic properties of the stress-control axis have not been characterized experimentally, but modelling suggests that the proximity to a supercritical Andronov-Hopf bifurcation can give the HPA axis both, flexibility to respond to external stimuli and adjust to new conditions and stability, i.e., the capacity to return to the original dynamic state afterwards, which is essential for maintaining homeostasis. The analysis presented here reflects the properties of a low-dimensional model that succinctly describes neurochemical transformations underlying the HPA axis. However, the model accounts correctly for a number of experimentally observed properties of the stress-response axis. We therefore regard that the presented analysis is meaningful, showing how in silico investigations can be used to guide the experimentalists in understanding how the HPA axis activity changes under chronic disease and/or specific pharmacological manipulations.

Prediction and Validation of Mars Pathfinder Hypersonic Aerodynamic Data Base

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gnoffo, Peter A.; Braun, Robert D.; Weilmuenster, K. James; Mitcheltree, Robert A.; Engelund, Walter C.; Powell, Richard W.

1998-01-01

Postflight analysis of the Mars Pathfinder hypersonic, continuum aerodynamic data base is presented. Measured data include accelerations along the body axis and axis normal directions. Comparisons of preflight simulation and measurements show good agreement. The prediction of two static instabilities associated with movement of the sonic line from the shoulder to the nose and back was confirmed by measured normal accelerations. Reconstruction of atmospheric density during entry has an uncertainty directly proportional to the uncertainty in the predicted axial coefficient. The sensitivity of the moment coefficient to freestream density, kinetic models and center-of-gravity location are examined to provide additional consistency checks of the simulation with flight data. The atmospheric density as derived from axial coefficient and measured axial accelerations falls within the range required for sonic line shift and static stability transition as independently determined from normal accelerations.

Selective interlayer ferromagnetic coupling between the Cu spins in YBa 2Cu 3O 7–x grown on top of La 0.7Ca 0.3MnO 3

DOE PAGES

Huang, S. W.; Wray, L. Andrew; Jeng, Horng -Tay; ...

2015-11-17

Studies to date on ferromagnet/d-wave superconductor heterostructures focus mainly on the effects at or near the interfaces while the response of bulk properties to heterostructuring is overlooked. Here we use resonant soft x-ray scattering spectroscopy to reveal a novel c-axis ferromagnetic coupling between the in-plane Cu spins in YBa 2Cu 3O 7–x (YBCO) superconductor when it is grown on top of ferromagnetic La 0.7Ca 0.3MnO 3 (LCMO) manganite layer. This coupling, present in both normal and superconducting states of YBCO, is sensitive to the interfacial termination such that it is only observed in bilayers with MnO 2 but not withmore » La 0.7Ca 0.3O interfacial termination. Thus, such contrasting behaviors, we propose, are due to distinct energetic of CuO chain and CuO 2 plane at the La 0.7Ca 0.3O and MnO 2 terminated interfaces respectively, therefore influencing the transfer of spin-polarized electrons from manganite to cuprate differently. Our findings suggest that the superconducting/ferromagnetic bilayers with proper interfacial engineering can be good candidates for searching the theorized Fulde-Ferrel-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) state in cuprates and studying the competing quantum orders in highly correlated electron systems.« less

Selective interlayer ferromagnetic coupling between the Cu spins in YBa2Cu3O7−x grown on top of La0.7Ca0.3MnO3

PubMed Central

Huang, S. W.; Wray, L. Andrew; Jeng, Horng-Tay; Tra, V. T.; Lee, J. M.; Langner, M. C.; Chen, J. M.; Roy, S.; Chu, Y. H.; Schoenlein, R. W.; Chuang, Y.-D.; Lin, J.-Y.

2015-01-01

Studies to date on ferromagnet/d-wave superconductor heterostructures focus mainly on the effects at or near the interfaces while the response of bulk properties to heterostructuring is overlooked. Here we use resonant soft x-ray scattering spectroscopy to reveal a novel c-axis ferromagnetic coupling between the in-plane Cu spins in YBa2Cu3O7−x (YBCO) superconductor when it is grown on top of ferromagnetic La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 (LCMO) manganite layer. This coupling, present in both normal and superconducting states of YBCO, is sensitive to the interfacial termination such that it is only observed in bilayers with MnO2 but not with La0.7Ca0.3O interfacial termination. Such contrasting behaviors, we propose, are due to distinct energetic of CuO chain and CuO2 plane at the La0.7Ca0.3O and MnO2 terminated interfaces respectively, therefore influencing the transfer of spin-polarized electrons from manganite to cuprate differently. Our findings suggest that the superconducting/ferromagnetic bilayers with proper interfacial engineering can be good candidates for searching the theorized Fulde-Ferrel-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) state in cuprates and studying the competing quantum orders in highly correlated electron systems. PMID:26573394

Possible nucleus of the Bergman cluster in the Zn-Mg-Y alloy system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakayama, Kei; Nakagawa, Masaya; Koyama, Yasumasa

2018-01-01

To understand the formation of the Bergman cluster in the F-type icosahedral quasicrystal (IQ), crystallographic relations between the quasicrystal and the intermetallic-compound H and Zn23Y6 phases in the Zn-Mg-Y alloy system were investigated mainly by transmission electron microscopy. It was found that, although sample rotations of about 1° were required to obtain simple crystallographic relations, the orientation relationship was established among the cubic-Fm?m Zn23Y6 structure, the hexagonal-P63/mmc H structure and the F-type IQ; that is, [? 1 3]c // the five-fold axis in the IQ // N(2 ? 0)H, and [1 1 0]c // the two-fold axis in the IQ // N(0 5 ? 3)H, where N(h k m l)H means the normal direction of the (h k m l)H plane in the H structure. The correspondences between atomic positions in the Bergman cluster and in the Zn23Y6 structure and between those in the cluster and in the H structure were investigated on the basis of the established relationship. As a result, an assembly of six short-penetrated-decagonal columns was identified as an appropriate nucleus in the formation of the Bergman cluster from these two structures.

FAST (Four chamber view And Swing Technique) Echo: a Novel and Simple Algorithm to Visualize Standard Fetal Echocardiographic Planes

PubMed Central

Yeo, Lami; Romero, Roberto; Jodicke, Cristiano; Oggè, Giovanna; Lee, Wesley; Kusanovic, Juan Pedro; Vaisbuch, Edi; Hassan, Sonia S.

2010-01-01

Objective To describe a novel and simple algorithm (FAST Echo: Four chamber view And Swing Technique) to visualize standard diagnostic planes of fetal echocardiography from dataset volumes obtained with spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) and applying a new display technology (OmniView). Methods We developed an algorithm to image standard fetal echocardiographic planes by drawing four dissecting lines through the longitudinal view of the ductal arch contained in a STIC volume dataset. Three of the lines are locked to provide simultaneous visualization of targeted planes, and the fourth line (unlocked) “swings” through the ductal arch image (“swing technique”), providing an infinite number of cardiac planes in sequence. Each line generated the following plane(s): 1) Line 1: three-vessels and trachea view; 2) Line 2: five-chamber view and long axis view of the aorta (obtained by rotation of the five-chamber view on the y-axis); 3) Line 3: four-chamber view; and 4) “Swing” line: three-vessels and trachea view, five-chamber view and/or long axis view of the aorta, four-chamber view, and stomach. The algorithm was then tested in 50 normal hearts (15.3 – 40 weeks of gestation) and visualization rates for cardiac diagnostic planes were calculated. To determine if the algorithm could identify planes that departed from the normal images, we tested the algorithm in 5 cases with proven congenital heart defects. Results In normal cases, the FAST Echo algorithm (3 locked lines and rotation of the five-chamber view on the y-axis) was able to generate the intended planes (longitudinal view of the ductal arch, pulmonary artery, three-vessels and trachea view, five-chamber view, long axis view of the aorta, four-chamber view): 1) individually in 100% of cases [except for the three-vessel and trachea view, which was seen in 98% (49/50)]; and 2) simultaneously in 98% (49/50). The “swing technique” was able to generate the three-vessels and trachea view, five-chamber view and/or long axis view of the aorta, four-chamber view, and stomach in 100% of normal cases. In the abnormal cases, the FAST Echo algorithm demonstrated the cardiac defects and displayed views that deviated from what was expected from the examination of normal hearts. The “swing technique” was useful in demonstrating the specific diagnosis due to visualization of an infinite number of cardiac planes in sequence. Conclusions This novel and simple algorithm can be used to visualize standard fetal echocardiographic planes in normal fetal hearts. The FAST Echo algorithm may simplify examination of the fetal heart and could reduce operator dependency. Using this algorithm, the inability to obtain expected views or the appearance of abnormal views in the generated planes should raise the index of suspicion for congenital heart disease. PMID:20878671

Neurovascular-neuroenergetic coupling axis in the brain: master regulation by nitric oxide and consequences in aging and neurodegeneration.

PubMed

Lourenço, Cátia F; Ledo, Ana; Barbosa, Rui M; Laranjinha, João

2017-07-01

The strict energetic demands of the brain require that nutrient supply and usage be fine-tuned in accordance with the specific temporal and spatial patterns of ever-changing levels of neuronal activity. This is achieved by adjusting local cerebral blood flow (CBF) as a function of activity level - neurovascular coupling - and by changing how energy substrates are metabolized and shuttled amongst astrocytes and neurons - neuroenergetic coupling. Both activity-dependent increase of CBF and O 2 and glucose utilization by active neural cells are inextricably linked, establishing a functional metabolic axis in the brain, the neurovascular-neuroenergetic coupling axis. This axis incorporates and links previously independent processes that need to be coordinated in the normal brain. We here review evidence supporting the role of neuronal-derived nitric oxide ( • NO) as the master regulator of this axis. Nitric oxide is produced in tight association with glutamatergic activation and, diffusing several cell diameters, may interact with different molecular targets within each cell type. Hemeproteins such as soluble guanylate cyclase, cytochrome c oxidase and hemoglobin, with which • NO reacts at relatively fast rates, are but a few of the key in determinants of the regulatory role of • NO in the neurovascular-neuroenergetic coupling axis. Accordingly, critical literature supporting this concept is discussed. Moreover, in view of the controversy regarding the regulation of catabolism of different neural cells, we further discuss key aspects of the pathways through which • NO specifically up-regulates glycolysis in astrocytes, supporting lactate shuttling to neurons for oxidative breakdown. From a biomedical viewpoint, derailment of neurovascular-neuroenergetic axis is precociously linked to aberrant brain aging, cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration. Thus, we summarize current knowledge of how both neurovascular and neuroenergetic coupling are compromised in aging, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy and age-associated neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, suggesting that a shift in cellular redox balance may contribute to divert • NO bioactivity from regulation to dysfunction. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Monitor unit calculations for external photon and electron beams: Report of the AAPM Therapy Physics Committee Task Group No. 71

PubMed Central

Gibbons, John P.; Antolak, John A.; Followill, David S.; Huq, M. Saiful; Klein, Eric E.; Lam, Kwok L.; Palta, Jatinder R.; Roback, Donald M.; Reid, Mark; Khan, Faiz M.

2014-01-01

A protocol is presented for the calculation of monitor units (MU) for photon and electron beams, delivered with and without beam modifiers, for constant source-surface distance (SSD) and source-axis distance (SAD) setups. This protocol was written by Task Group 71 of the Therapy Physics Committee of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) and has been formally approved by the AAPM for clinical use. The protocol defines the nomenclature for the dosimetric quantities used in these calculations, along with instructions for their determination and measurement. Calculations are made using the dose per MU under normalization conditions, \\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document} }{}$D_0^\\prime $\\end{document}D0′, that is determined for each user's photon and electron beams. For electron beams, the depth of normalization is taken to be the depth of maximum dose along the central axis for the same field incident on a water phantom at the same SSD, where \\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document} }{}$D_0^\\prime $\\end{document}D0′ = 1 cGy/MU. For photon beams, this task group recommends that a normalization depth of 10 cm be selected, where an energy-dependent \\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document} }{}$D_0^\\prime $\\end{document}D0′ ≤ 1 cGy/MU is required. This recommendation differs from the more common approach of a normalization depth of dm, with \\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document} }{}$D_0^\\prime $\\end{document}D0′ = 1 cGy/MU, although both systems are acceptable within the current protocol. For photon beams, the formalism includes the use of blocked fields, physical or dynamic wedges, and (static) multileaf collimation. No formalism is provided for intensity modulated radiation therapy calculations, although some general considerations and a review of current calculation techniques are included. For electron beams, the formalism provides for calculations at the standard and extended SSDs using either an effective SSD or an air-gap correction factor. Example tables and problems are included to illustrate the basic concepts within the presented formalism. PMID:24593704

High frequency capacitance-voltage characteristics of thermally grown SiO2 films on beta-SiC

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tang, S. M.; Berry, W. B.; Kwor, R.; Zeller, M. V.; Matus, L. G.

1990-01-01

Silicon dioxide films grown under dry and wet oxidation environment on beta-SiC films have been studied. The beta-SiC films had been heteroepitaxially grown on both on-axis and 2-deg off-axis (001) Si substrates. Capacitance-voltage and conductance-voltage characteristics of metal-oxide-semiconductor structures were measured in a frequency range of 10 kHz to 1 MHz. From these measurements, the interface trap density and the effective fixed oxide charge density were observed to be generally lower for off-axis samples.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Adolescents.

PubMed

Witchel, Selma Feldman; Roumimper, Hailey; Oberfield, Sharon

2016-06-01

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a familial heterogeneous disorder affecting 6% to 10% of reproductive-age women. The use of criteria developed for adult women is problematic for the adolescent girl because the clinical features associated with PCOS are normal pubertal events. The recent consensus statement on PCOS in adolescents stated that hyperandrogenism and oligomenorrhea need to persist for at least 2 years to consider the diagnosis of PCOS. Although insulin resistance, hyperinsulinism, and obesity are often associated with PCOS, these features are not considered valid diagnostic criteria. Recent genomewide association studies implicate genetic loci involved in the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Normal and cancer mammary stem cells evade interferon-induced constraint through the miR-199a-LCOR Axis

PubMed Central

Celià-Terrassa, Toni; Liu, Daniel; Choudhury, Abrar; Hang, Xiang; Wei, Yong; Zamalloa, Jose; Alfaro-Aco, Raymundo; Chakrabarti, Rumela; Jiang, Yi-Zhou; Koh, Bong Ihn; Smith, Heath; DeCoste, Christina; Li, Jun-Jing; Shao, Zhi-Ming; Kang, Yibin

2017-01-01

Tumor-initiating cells (TICs), or cancer stem cells (CSC), possess stem cell-like properties observed in normal adult tissue stem cells. Normal and cancerous stem cells may therefore share regulatory mechanisms for maintaining self-renewing capacity and resisting differentiation elicited by cell-intrinsic or microenvironmental cues. Here, we show that miR-199a promotes stem cell properties in mammary stem cells (MaSCs) and breast CSCs by directly repressing nuclear receptor corepressor LCOR, which primes interferon (IFN) responses. Elevated miR-199a expression in stem cell-enriched populations protects normal and malignant stem-like cells from differentiation and senescence induced by IFNs that are produced by epithelial and immune cells in the mammary gland. Importantly, the miR-199a-LCOR-IFN axis is activated in poorly differentiated ER− breast tumors, functionally promotes tumor initiation and metastasis, and is associated with poor clinical outcome. Our study therefore reveals a common mechanism shared by normal and malignant stem cells to protect them from suppressive immune cytokine signaling. PMID:28530657

VizieR Online Data Catalog: Sgr B2 los molecular absorption line spectra (Corby+, 2018)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Corby, J. F.; McGuire, B. A.; Herbst, E.; Remijan, A. J.

2017-11-01

Spectra covering transitions of c-C3H2, c-H1 SO, CCS, H2CS, HCS+, OH, SiO, 29SiO, H2CO, H2(13C)O, l-C3H, and l-C3H+ with line-of-sight absorption observed in the 1-50 GHz data from the PRebiotic Interstellar MOlecular Survey (PRIMOS) taken with the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT). Data were observed between 2001 and 2014, with the majority of the data obtained in 2007 in GBT Key Science project ID GBT07A-051. Spectra have been baseline-subtracted using best fit polynomials as described in the paper, and normalized by the continuum, so that the y-axis represents (T/TC-1). Data are provided in the FITS format; each FITS file contains all lines of a single molecule that are observed to have foreground absorption. Please refer to Table 1 of the paper to obtain molecular transition rest frequencies, energies, GBT beam sizes, and transition quantum numbers. (2 data files).

High-Temperature Properties of Piezoelectric Langatate Single Crystals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sehirlioglu, Alp; Sayir, Ali; Klemenz, Christine

2007-01-01

Langasite type crystals belong to non-polar point group of 32 and do not show any phase transformations up to the melting temperature. Langatate (La3Ga(5.5)Ta(0.5)O14) demonstrates piezoelectric activity better than quartz and possesses attractive properties for high temperature sensors, resonators and filter applications. High-quality and colorless langatate crystals were grown by the Czochralski technique. The electromechanical and electrical properties of langatate crystals in different crystallographic directions were characterized at elevated temperature. The piezoelectric coefficient along x-axis was 7 pC/N as measured by a Berlincourt meter for a plate geometry with an aspect ratio of 10:1. The dielectric constant did not exhibit any significant temperature dependence (K33 approx. 21 at 30 C and K33 approx. 23 at 600 C). Loss tangent at 100 kHz remained <0.003 up to 300 C and <0.65 at 600 C. The dielectric properties along the y-axis were similar and its temperature dependence was analogous to the x-axis. Electromechanically, the inactive z-axis exhibited no resonance with K33 approx. 84 at room temperature, decreasing down to approx. 49 at 600 C. Resistivity of these crystals along x-axis decreased from approx. 6x10(exp 11) omega-cm at room temperature, to approx. 1.6x10(exp 6) omega-cm at 600 C.

Optical Signature Analysis of Tumbling Rocket Bodies via Laboratory Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cowardin, H.; Lederer, S.; Liou, J.-C.; Ojakangas, G.; Mulrooney, M.

2012-09-01

The NASA Orbital Debris Program Office has acquired telescopic lightcurve data on massive intact objects, specifically spent rocket bodies (R/Bs), to ascertain tumble rates in support of the Active Debris Removal (ADR) studies to help remediate the LEO environment. Tumble rates are needed to plan and develop proximity and docking operations for potential future ADR operations. To better characterize and model optical data acquired from ground-based telescopes, the Optical Measurements Center (OMC) at NASA/JSC emulates illumination conditions in space using equipment and techniques that parallel telescopic observations and source-target-sensor orientations. The OMC employs a 75-W Xenon arc lamp as a solar simulator, an SBIG CCD camera with standard Johnson/Bessel filters, and a robotic arm to simulate an object's position and rotation. The OMC does not attempt to replicate the rotation rates, but focuses on ascertaining how an object is rotating as seen from multiple phase angles. The two targets studied are scaled (1:48) SL-8 Cosmos 3M second stages. The first target is painted in the standard Russian government "gray" scheme and the second target is white/orange as used for commercial missions. This paper summarizes results of the two scaled rocket bodies, each observed in three independent rotation states: (a) spin-stabilized rotation (about the long axis), (b) end-over-end rotation, and (c) a 10 degree wobble about the center of mass. The first two cases represent simple spin about either primary axis. The third - what we call "wobble" - represents maximum principal axis rotation, with an inertia tensor that is offset from the symmetry axes. By comparing the resultant phase and orientation-dependent laboratory signatures with actual lightcurves derived from telescopic observations of orbiting R/Bs, we intend to assess the intrinsic R/B rotation states. In the simplest case, simulated R/B behavior coincides with principal axis spin states, while more complex R/B motions can be constructed by combinations of OMC-derived optical signature that together form a rudimentary basis set. The signatures will be presented for specific phase angles for each rocket body and shown in conjunction with acquired optical data from multiple telescope sources. The results of the data show possible correlations between the laboratory data and telescopic data for the rotations states mentioned above (b) and (c), but with limited data the results were not definitive to differentiate between color schemes and rotations. The only rotation that did not correlate with the observed telescopic data was the spin-stabilized rotation.

Crystallographic control and texture inheritance during mylonitization of coarse grained quartz veins

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ceccato, Alberto; Pennacchioni, Giorgio; Menegon, Luca; Bestmann, Michel

2017-10-01

Quartz veins within Rieserferner pluton underwent deformation during post-magmatic cooling at temperature around 450 °C. Different crystallographic orientations of cm-sized quartz vein crystals conditioned the evolution of microstructures and crystallographic preferred orientations (CPO) during vein-parallel simple shear up to high shear strains (γ ≈ 10). For γ < 2, crystals stretched to ribbons of variable aspect ratios. The highest aspect ratios resulted from {m} glide in ribbons with c-axis sub-parallel to the shear zone vorticity Y-axis. Ribbons with c-axis orthogonal to Y (XZ-type ribbons) were stronger and hardened more quickly: they show lower aspect ratios and fine (grain size 10-20 μm) recrystallization along sets of microshear zones (μSZs) exploiting crystallographic planes. Distortion of XZ-type ribbons and recrystallization preferentially exploited the slip systems with misorientation axis close to Y. New grains of μSZs initiated by subgrain rotation recrystallization (SGR) and thereupon achieved high angle misorientations by a concurrent process of heterogeneous rigid grain rotation around Y associated with the confined shear within the μSZ. Dauphiné twinning occurred pervasively, but did not play a dominant role on μSZ nucleation. Recrystallization became widespread at γ > 2 and pervasive at γ ≈ 10. Ultramylonitic quartz veins are fine grained ( 10 μm, similar to new grains of μSZ) and show a CPO banding resulting in a bulk c-axis CPO with a Y-maximum, as part of a single girdle about orthogonal to the foliation, and orientations at the pole figure periphery at moderate to high angle to the foliation. This bulk CPO derives from steady-state SGR associated with preferential activity, in the different CPO bands, of slip systems generating subgrain boundaries with misorientation axes close to Y. The CPO of individual recrystallized bands is largely inherited from the original crystallographic orientation of the ribbons (and therefore vein crystals) from which they derived. High strain and pervasive recrystallization were not enough to reset the initial crystallographic heterogeneity and this CPO memory is explained by the dominance of SGR. This contrast with experimental observation of a rapid erasure of a pristine CPO by cannibalism from grains with the most favourably oriented slip system under dominant grain boundary migration recrystallization.

Effects of shear coupling on shear properties of wood

Treesearch

Jen Y. Liu

2000-01-01

Under pure shear loading, an off-axis element of orthotropic material such as pure wood undergoes both shear and normal deformations. The ratio of the shear strain to a normal strain is defined as the shear coupling coefficient associated with the direction of the normal strain. The effects of shear coupling on shear properties of wood as predicted by the orthotropic...

Growth of Highly c-axis Oriented and/or Epitaxial Single-Domain b-axis Oriented La5Ca9Cu24O41 Thin Films by Pulsed Laser Deposition

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-04-01

project attempted to grow La5Ca9Cu24O41 (LCCO) films on important substrates with the high- thermal -conductivity direction parallel or perpendicular...to the surface of the substrate, counting success as demonstration of b-axis or c-axis oriented LCCO films along with measurement of bulk thermal ...deposition, LCCO, La5Ca9Cu24O41, thermal conductivity, epitaxy 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT SAR 18. NUMBER OF PAGES 24

Aerodynamic potpourri

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, R. E.

1981-01-01

Aerodynamic developments for vertical axis and horizontal axis wind turbines are given that relate to the performance and aerodynamic loading of these machines. Included are: (1) a fixed wake aerodynamic model of the Darrieus vertical axis wind turbine; (2) experimental results that suggest the existence of a laminar flow Darrieus vertical axis turbine; (3) a simple aerodynamic model for the turbulent windmill/vortex ring state of horizontal axis rotors; and (4) a yawing moment of a rigid hub horizontal axis wind turbine that is related to blade coning.

Arabinan-cellulose composite in Opuntia ficus-indica prickly pear spines.

PubMed

Vignon, M R; Heux, L; Malainine, M-E; Mahrouz, M

2004-01-02

The ultrastructure of the spines decorating the cladodes of the cactus Opuntia ficus-indica was investigated by optical microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, wide angle X-ray, and solid state 13C NMR analyses. Each spine consisted of a compact parallel arrangement of slender cellulosic fibers (0.4 mm in length and 6-10 microm in diameter) with small lumens. The fibers were disencrusted by alkali and sodium chlorite bleaching, yielding a remarkable arabinan-cellulose (1:1) product. X-ray fiber diagrams of the spines before and after purification confirmed the presence of crystalline cellulose domains with molecular axis parallel to the spine axis. CP-MAS 13C T1 NMR data showed a strong interaction at a nanometric level of a fraction of the arabinan and the cellulose crystalline domains. By sequential hydrothermal extractions, followed by a trifluoroacetic acid treatment, a relatively pure cellulose was isolated while the extracted fibers became fibrillated into slender microfibrils having no more than 4-6 nm diameter. The hydrothermal extract yielded the alpha-L-arabinofuranan consisting of a chain of (1-->5)-linked L-arabinosyl residues with branching either at C-2 or C-3 or at both C-2 and C-3. Taken together, these observations suggest that the bulk of the spine fibers consists of an intimate composite of cellulose microfibrils embedded in an arabinan matrix.

Electronic structure Fermi liquid theory of high T(sub c) superconductors: Comparison with experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Freeman, A. J.; Yu, Jaejun

1990-04-01

For years, there has been controversy on whether the normal state of the Cu-oxide superconductors is a Fermi liquid or some other exotic ground state. However, some experimentalists are clarifying the nature of the normal state of the high T(sub c) superconductors by surmounting the experimental difficulties in producing clean, well characterized surfaces so as to obtain meaningful high resolved photoemission data, which agrees with earlier positron-annihilation experiments. The experimental work on high resolution angle resolved photoemission by Campuzano et al. and positron-annihilation studies by Smedskjaer et al. has verified the calculated Fermi surfaces in YBa2Cu3O7 superconductors and has provided evidence for the validity of the energy band approach. Similar good agreement was found for Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 by Olson et al. As a Fermi liquid (metallic) nature of the normal state of the high T(sub c) superconductors becomes evident, these experimental observations have served to confirm the predictions of the local density functional calculations and hence the energy band approach as a valid natural starting point for further studies of their superconductivity.

Electronic structure Fermi liquid theory of high T(sub c) superconductors: Comparison with experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Freeman, A. J.; Yu, Jaejun

1990-01-01

For years, there has been controversy on whether the normal state of the Cu-oxide superconductors is a Fermi liquid or some other exotic ground state. However, some experimentalists are clarifying the nature of the normal state of the high T(sub c) superconductors by surmounting the experimental difficulties in producing clean, well characterized surfaces so as to obtain meaningful high resolved photoemission data, which agrees with earlier positron-annihilation experiments. The experimental work on high resolution angle resolved photoemission by Campuzano et al. and positron-annihilation studies by Smedskjaer et al. has verified the calculated Fermi surfaces in YBa2Cu3O7 superconductors and has provided evidence for the validity of the energy band approach. Similar good agreement was found for Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 by Olson et al. As a Fermi liquid (metallic) nature of the normal state of the high T(sub c) superconductors becomes evident, these experimental observations have served to confirm the predictions of the local density functional calculations and hence the energy band approach as a valid natural starting point for further studies of their superconductivity.

C. elegans Body Cavity Neurons Are Homeostatic Sensors that Integrate Fluctuations in Oxygen Availability and Internal Nutrient Reserves.

PubMed

Witham, Emily; Comunian, Claudio; Ratanpal, Harkaranveer; Skora, Susanne; Zimmer, Manuel; Srinivasan, Supriya

2016-02-23

It is known that internal physiological state, or interoception, influences CNS function and behavior. However, the neurons and mechanisms that integrate sensory information with internal physiological state remain largely unknown. Here, we identify C. elegans body cavity neurons called URX(L/R) as central homeostatic sensors that integrate fluctuations in oxygen availability with internal metabolic state. We show that depletion of internal body fat reserves increases the tonic activity of URX neurons, which influences the magnitude of the evoked sensory response to oxygen. These responses are integrated via intracellular cGMP and Ca(2+). The extent of neuronal activity thus reflects the balance between the perception of oxygen and available fat reserves. The URX homeostatic sensor ensures that neural signals that stimulate fat loss are only deployed when there are sufficient fat reserves to do so. Our results uncover an interoceptive neuroendocrine axis that relays internal state information to the nervous system. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Concomitant polymorphism of an octahedral, homoleptic zinc(II) bis complex of an N,N,O donor hydrazone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patra, Shanti G.; Shee, Nirmal K.; Mitra, Partha; Drew, Michael G. B.; Datta, Dipankar

2018-03-01

Using the 1:1 condensate of benzil and 2-hydrazinopyridine as the ligand HL (H: a dissociable proton), a new zinc(II) complex ZnL2 is synthesized. It is obtained as a mixture of three types of deep red crystals - diamond shaped (1a), rectangular (1b) and pointed tetragonal (1c) which can be separated manually. Their different crystal structures have been determined. 1a crystallizes in the space group P21/c, 1b in Pbca and 1c in P-1. The asymmetric unit of 1c contains two independent molecules labeled A and B. Thus ZnL2 can assume at least four different molecular conformations in the solid state, namely 1a, 1b, 1c-A and 1c-B. But in the DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6-311++G (2d,p) and BP86/LanL2DZ levels 1a, 1b, 1c-A and 1c-B converge to a single structure in the gas phase. The DFT structure is found to possess a C2 axis though no symmetry constraint was imposed in the calculations. Interestingly 1a, 1b, 1c-A and 1c-B yield the same NMR spectra in solution revealing a C2 axis. So it is concluded that the gas phase DFT structure is realized experimentally only in solution. Further, our DFT calculations show that the four species are distributed along a "potential energy curve" of ZnL2. Anyway, our ZnL2 presents a case of concomitant polymorphism.

Combined magnetic and kinetic control of advanced tokamak steady state scenarios based on semi-empirical modelling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moreau, D.; Artaud, J. F.; Ferron, J. R.; Holcomb, C. T.; Humphreys, D. A.; Liu, F.; Luce, T. C.; Park, J. M.; Prater, R.; Turco, F.; Walker, M. L.

2015-06-01

This paper shows that semi-empirical data-driven models based on a two-time-scale approximation for the magnetic and kinetic control of advanced tokamak (AT) scenarios can be advantageously identified from simulated rather than real data, and used for control design. The method is applied to the combined control of the safety factor profile, q(x), and normalized pressure parameter, βN, using DIII-D parameters and actuators (on-axis co-current neutral beam injection (NBI) power, off-axis co-current NBI power, electron cyclotron current drive power, and ohmic coil). The approximate plasma response model was identified from simulated open-loop data obtained using a rapidly converging plasma transport code, METIS, which includes an MHD equilibrium and current diffusion solver, and combines plasma transport nonlinearity with 0D scaling laws and 1.5D ordinary differential equations. The paper discusses the results of closed-loop METIS simulations, using the near-optimal ARTAEMIS control algorithm (Moreau D et al 2013 Nucl. Fusion 53 063020) for steady state AT operation. With feedforward plus feedback control, the steady state target q-profile and βN are satisfactorily tracked with a time scale of about 10 s, despite large disturbances applied to the feedforward powers and plasma parameters. The robustness of the control algorithm with respect to disturbances of the H&CD actuators and of plasma parameters such as the H-factor, plasma density and effective charge, is also shown.

Spectroscopic methods for the study of energetic characteristics of the normal and photoproduct forms of 3-hydroxyflavones.

PubMed

Ushakou, Dzmitryi V; Tomin, Vladimir I

2018-06-07

We report spectroscopic properties of 3-hydroxyflavone (3-HF) and 4'-N,N-dimethylamino-3-hydroxyflavone (DMA3HF) in acetonitrile and ethyl acetate at different temperatures in the range from 10 °C to about 67 °C. These compounds are characterized by excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) which leads to occurrence of two forms of these molecules. For this reason their fluorescence spectra have two bands which correspond to emission of normal and photoproduct (tautomer) forms. The correlation between ratio of integrated intensity of these two bands and inverse absolute temperature (the Arrhenius plot) have been applied to estimate energetic properties, such as difference between energy levels of excited states as well ground states for normal and tautomer forms for each molecule. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

On the normal scalar ECG. A new classification system considering age, sex and heart position.

PubMed

Lundh, B

1984-01-01

472 randomly selected men and women from the city of Lund were examined for disease in the heart, lungs and for hypertension. 163 men and 194 women who had no symptom or sign of disease were accepted for the further study. The prevalence of various exclusion criterias, such as symptoms and signs of heart disease, lung disease and other diseases which may possibly affect the ECG are reported as well as the distribution of blood pressures in the sample. A computer-averaged standard 12-lead ECG (leads aVL, I, -aVR, II, aVF, III, V1-V6) was recorded. All measurements of ECG-deflections have been made visually using a magnifying glass (6 times). ST-segments were classified according to the Punsar code by independent visual observers as well as by the computer. The mean frontal QRS-axis shifted to the left with advancing age, but the shift was statistically significant only in men. In both men and women there was a leftward shift of the mean frontal QRS-axis with increased weight, increased chest circumference and increased obesity index. The normal range of axis was found to be 0 degrees to 90 degrees in men and +15 degrees to 90 degrees in women. The problems concerning the definition of the electrical heart position is discussed. The concept of a Q-axis is introduced as an alternative way to indicate electrical heart position. There is a statistical significant relationship between the Q-axis and the QRS-axis in the frontal plane, although this relationship is not always apparent in the individual ECG. The presence or absence of a Q-wave in an individual lead was used to denote a lead as being a left ventricular lead or not. Using the Q-wave as a marker of heart position in the individual lead is more practical than to use the QRS-axis or the transitional zone. Duration and amplitude of the Q-wave have been measured. The upper limit of normal duration exceeded 0.03 s in leads aVL and aVF in men but not in women. The R-wave amplitudes proved to vary with age and heart position in men. In women variation of the R-wave amplitude was found with heart position but not with age.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Phase transition and equation of state of paratellurite (TeO2) under high pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xun; Mashimo, Tsutomu; Kawai, Nobuaki; Sekine, Toshimori; Zeng, Zhaoyi; Zhou, Xianming

2016-07-01

The Hugoniot data for TeO2 single crystals were obtained for pressures up to ˜85 GPa along both the <100> (a-axis) and <001> (c-axis) directions using a velocity interferometer system for any reflector and inclined-mirror method combined with a powder gun or two-stage light gas gun. The Hugoniot-elastic limit of TeO2 was determined to be 3.3-4.3 GPa along the c-axes. The shock velocity (U s) versus particle velocity (U p) relation for TeO2 shows a kink around U p = 1.0 km s-1, which suggests a phase transition completes at ˜26 ± 2 GPa. The Hugoniot relations of the low and high pressure phase are given by U s = 3.13(5) + 1.10(6)U p for U p < 1.0 km s-1 and U s = 2.73(9) + 1.49(5)U p for U p > 1.0 km s-1, respectively. First-principles geometry optimizations based on the generalized gradient approximation after Perdew, Burke and Ernzerhof method were also performed on TeO2. It suggested that a continuous structure distortion occurs up to 22 GPa, and the lattice parameters b and c abruptly increase and decrease at 22 GPa, respectively, indicating a first-order phase transition to the cotunnite structure phase. The equation of state of the cotunnite phase TeO2 is discussed based on the experimental and simulation results.

Modeling of roll/pitch determination with horizon sensors - Oblate Earth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hablani, Hari B.

Model calculations are presented of roll/pitch determinations for oblate Earth, with horizon sensors. Two arrangements of a pair of horizon sensors are considered: left and right of the velocity vactor (i.e., along the pitch axis), and aft and forward (along the roll axis). Two approaches are used to obtain the roll/pitch oblateness corrections: (1) the crossing point approach, where the two crossings of the horizon sensor's scan and the earth's horizon are determined, and (2) by decomposing the angular deviation of the geocentric normal from the geodetic normal into roll and pitch components. It is shown that the two approaches yield essentially the same corrections if two sensors are used simultaneously. However, if the spacecraft is outfitted with only one sensor, the oblateness correction about one axis is far different from that predicted by the geocentric/geodetic angular deviation approach. In this case, the corrections may be calculated on ground for the sensor location under consideration and stored in the flight computer, using the crossing point approach.

Cardinal and deep uterosacral ligament lines of action: MRI based 3D technique development and preliminary findings in normal women

PubMed Central

Ramanah, Rajeev; Hsu, Yvonne; Ashton-Miller, James A.; DeLancey, John O. L.

2014-01-01

Introduction and hypothesis The cardinal ligament (CL) and deep uterosacral ligament (US) play a critical role in utero-vaginal support. This study aims to quantify their geometrical relationships in living women using a MRI-based 3D technique. Methods The angles between ligaments, the ligaments length and curvature were assessed on 3D models constructed from twenty MRIs of volunteers with normal support. How angle variation theoretically affects ligament tension was investigated using a simplified biomechanical model. Results The CLs are 18.1 °±6.8 °(SD) from the cephalic-caudal body axis , and the USs are dorsally directed and 92.5 °±13.5 from the body axis. The CLs are longer and more curved than US. The theoretical calculated tension on CL is 52 % larger than that on US. Conclusions The CL is relatively parallel to the body axis while the US is dorsally directed. The tensions on these ligaments are affected by their orientations. PMID:22618207

Distal femoral rotational axes in Indian knees.

PubMed

Mullaji, Arun B; Sharma, Amit K; Marawar, Satyajit V; Kohli, Anirudh F; Singh, Dharmendra P

2009-08-01

To measure the angular relationships of distal femoral rotational axes in 100 normal Indian knees. 42 men and 8 women aged 26 to 40 (mean, 31) years, with 100 normal non-arthritic knees were recruited. Anatomic landmarks were measured using computed tomography. They included the posterior condylar axis, the transepicondylar axis, the anteroposterior axis (Whiteside's line), the posterior condylar angle (PCA), the Whiteside-epicondylar angle (W-EP), and the Whiteside-posterior condylar angle (W-PC). The mean PCA, W-EP, and W-PC were 5, 90.8, and 95.8 degrees, respectively. The mean femorotibial alignment was 179.6 degrees. The differences between the left and right sides were significant only for the WEP and W-PC. Only the PCA and W-EP were weakly correlated (r=0.338, p=0.001). There are differences in distal femoral rotational axes among Indian, Caucasian, and Japanese knees. Our data can be used to evaluate changes in those axes in ageing or arthritic patients.

Stable And Oscillating Acoustic Levitation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barmatz, Martin B.; Garrett, Steven L.

1988-01-01

Sample stability or instability determined by levitating frequency. Degree of oscillation of acoustically levitated object along axis of levitation chamber controlled by varying frequency of acoustic driver for axis above or below frequency of corresponding chamber resonance. Stabilization/oscillation technique applied in normal Earth gravity, or in absence of gravity to bring object quickly to rest at nominal levitation position or make object oscillate in desired range about that position.

Physical factors controlling carbon cycling dynamics in blackwater river-dominated and particle dominated estuaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arellano, A. R.; Bianchi, T. S.; Osburn, C. L.; D'Sa, E. J.; Oviedo-Vargas, D.; Ward, N. D.; Joshi, I.

2017-12-01

While most blue carbon habitat (wetlands, seagrass beds and mangroves) research has focused on carbon burial/stocks and habitat fragmentation of these communities, few studies have examined physical factors that control exports and losses of blue carbon sources of organic matter (OM) to adjacent coastal waters. Here, we report on spatiotemporal changes in the composition and concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), particulate organic carbon (POC), particulate nitrogen, pCO2, δ13C-DOC, δ13C-POC, δ13C-CO2, dissolved lignin-phenols (dΣ8), particulate lignin-phenols (pΣ8) and carbon normalized dissolved and particulate lignin phenol yields (dΛ8 and pΛ8) in surface waters of the Apalachicola and Barataria bays in the Gulf of Mexico. Discriminant analysis described spatial variability along canonical axis I (24.4%) while temporal variability was explained by canonical axis II (23.2%). Apalachicola Bay was low in POC concentration and characterized by high values for pCO2, DOC, C:N, dΣ8 and (Ad:Al)V. The latter three parameters indicated a clear terrestrial source of OM at Apalachicola Bay reflecting the importance of riverine DOM inputs in this system. In contrast, Barataria Bay was characterized by high values for POC, C:V, S:V, and δ13C-POC, indicating blue-carbon sources due to a lack of direct river inputs and high prevalence of wetlands, some recently submerged. Extreme weather, such as intense precipitation events in Apalachicola Bay and enhanced northerly winds in Barataria Bay were characterized by δ13C-CO2, dΛ8, C:V (Barataria), and C:N (Apalachicola). Results indicate that such physical factors can exert strong control on OM sources and sinks across the gradient of coastal wetlands and shelf waters and lead to enhanced transfer and degradation of wetland-derived blue carbon in coastal waters.

Influence of tumor location on the intensity-modulated radiation therapy plan of helical tomotherapy.

PubMed

Xu, Yingjie; Yan, Hui; Hu, Zhihui; Ma, Pan; Men, Kuo; Huang, Peng; Ren, Wenting; Dai, Jianrong; Li, Yexiong

2017-01-01

Given the design of the Helical TomoTherapy device, the patient's central axis is routinely aligned with the machine's rotational axis to prevent the patient's body from colliding with the machine walls. However, for treatment of tumors located away from the patient's central axis, this position may not be optimal as the adequate radiation dose may not reach the affected site. Our study aimed to investigate the influence of tumor location on dose quality and delivery efficiency of tomotherapy plans. A phantom and 15 patients were selected for this study. Two plans, A and B, were implemented for each case. In plan A, the patient's central axis was aligned with the machine's rotational axis, whereas in plan B, the center of the planning target volume (PTV) was aligned with the machine's rotational axis. Both plans were optimized with the same planning parameters, and the dose quality of the plans was evaluated using dosimetrics. The delivery efficiency was determined from delivery time and monitor units (MUs). A paired t-test or nonparametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed for statistical comparison. In the phantom study, the median delivery times were 358 and 336 seconds for plans A and B, respectively, and this difference was significant (p = 0.005). In the patient study, the median delivery times were 348 and 317 seconds for plans A and B, respectively, and this difference was also significant (p = 0.001). The dose qualities of both plans for each patient were nearly identical. No significant differences were found in the conformal index, heterogeneity index, and mean dose delivered to normal tissue between the plans. Both phantom and patient studies showed that for normal-sized patients, the delivery time reduced as the distance between the PTV and the patient's central axis increased when the PTV center was aligned with the machine axis. In conclusion, aligning the PTV center with the machine's rotational axis by shifting the patient during tomotherapy reduces the delivery time without compromising the dose quality of intensity-modulated radiation therapy. Copyright © 2017 American Association of Medical Dosimetrists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Strong permanent magnet-assisted electromagnetic undulator

DOEpatents

Halbach, Klaus

1988-01-01

This invention discloses an improved undulator comprising a plurality of electromagnet poles located along opposite sides of a particle beam axis with alternate north and south poles on each side of the beam to cause the beam to wiggle or undulate as it travels generally along the beam axis and permanent magnets spaced adjacent the electromagnetic poles on each side of the axis of said particle beam in an orientation sufficient to reduce the saturation of the electromagnet poles whereby the field strength of the electromagnet poles can be increased beyond the normal saturation levels of the electromagnetic poles.

A strong permanent magnet-assisted electromagnetic undulator

DOEpatents

Halbach, K.

1987-01-30

This invention discloses an improved undulator comprising a plurality of electromagnet poles located along opposite sides of a particle beam axis with alternate north and south poles on each side of the beam to cause the beam to wiggle or undulate as it travels generally along the beam axis and permanent magnets spaced adjacent the electromagnetic poles on each side of the axis of said particle beam in an orientation sufficient to reduce the saturation of the electromagnet poles whereby the field strength of the electromagnet poles can be increased beyond the normal saturation levels of the electromagnetic poles. 4 figs.

Renal Integrin-Linked Kinase Depletion Induces Kidney cGMP-Axis Upregulation: Consequences on Basal and Acutely Damaged Renal Function

PubMed Central

Cano-Peñalver, José Luis; Griera, Mercedes; García-Jerez, Andrea; Hatem-Vaquero, Marco; Ruiz-Torres, María Piedad; Rodríguez-Puyol, Diego; de Frutos, Sergio; Rodríguez-Puyol, Manuel

2015-01-01

Soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) is activated by nitric oxide (NO) and produces cGMP, which activates cGMP-dependent protein kinases (PKG) and is hydrolyzed by specific phosphodiesterases (PDE). The vasodilatory and cytoprotective capacity of cGMP-axis activation results in a therapeutic strategy for several pathologies. Integrin-linked kinase (ILK), a major scaffold protein between the extracellular matrix and intracellular signaling pathways, may modulate the expression and functionality of the cGMP-axis–related proteins. We introduce ILK as a novel modulator in renal homeostasis as well as a potential target for cisplatin (CIS)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) improvement. We used an adult mice model of depletion of ILK (cKD-ILK), which showed basal increase of sGC and PKG expressions and activities in renal cortex when compared with wildtype (WT) littermates. Twenty-four h activation of sGC activation with NO enhanced the filtration rate in cKD-ILK. During AKI, cKD-ILK maintained the cGMP-axis upregulation with consequent filtration rates enhancement and ameliorated CIS-dependent tubular epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and inflammation and markers. To emphasize the role of cGMP-axis upregulation due to ILK depletion, we modulated the cGMP axis under AKI in vivo and in renal cultured cells. A suboptimal dose of the PDE inhibitor ZAP enhanced the beneficial effects of the ILK depletion in AKI mice. On the other hand, CIS increased contractility-related events in cultured glomerular mesangial cells and necrosis rates in cultured tubular cells; ILK depletion protected the cells while sGC blockade with ODQ fully recovered the damage. PMID:26562149

Complex magnetic phase diagram with multistep spin-flop transitions in L a0.25P r0.75C o2P2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tan, Xiaoyan; Garlea, V. Ovidiu; Kovnir, Kirill; Thompson, Corey M.; Xu, Tongshuai; Cao, Huibo; Chai, Ping; Tener, Zachary P.; Yan, Shishen; Xiong, Peng; Shatruk, Michael

2017-01-01

L a0.25P r0.75C o2P2 crystallizes in the tetragonal ThC r2S i2 structure type and shows multiple magnetic phase transitions driven by changes in temperature and magnetic field. The nature of these transitions was investigated by a combination of magnetic and magnetoresistance measurements and both single crystal and powder neutron diffraction. The Co magnetic moments order ferromagnetically (FM) parallel to the c axis at 282 K, followed by antiferromagnetic (AFM) ordering at 225 K. In the AFM structure, the Co magnetic moments align along the c axis with FM [C o2P2] layers arranged in an alternating sequence, ↑↑↓↓ , which leads to the doubling of the c axis in the magnetic unit cell. Another AFM transition is observed at 27 K, due to the ordering of a half of Pr moments in the a b plane. The other half of Pr moments undergoes AFM ordering along the c axis at 11 K, causing simultaneous reorientation of the previously ordered Pr moments into an AFM structure with the moments being canted with respect to the c axis. This AFM transition causes an abrupt decrease in electrical resistivity at 11 K. Under applied magnetic field, two metamagnetic transitions are observed in the Pr sublattice at 0.8 and 5.4 T. They correlate with two anomalies in magnetoresistance measurements at the same critical fields. A comparison of the temperature- and field-dependent magnetic properties of L a0.25P r0.75C o2P2 to the magnetic behavior of PrC o2P2 is provided.

State Derivation of a 12-Axis Gyroscope-Free Inertial Measurement Unit

PubMed Central

Lu, Jau-Ching; Lin, Pei-Chun

2011-01-01

The derivation of linear acceleration, angular acceleration, and angular velocity states from a 12-axis gyroscope-free inertial measurement unit that utilizes four 3-axis accelerometer measurements at four distinct locations is reported. Particularly, a new algorithm which derives the angular velocity from its quadratic form and derivative form based on the context-based interacting multiple model is demonstrated. The performance of the system was evaluated under arbitrary 3-dimensional motion. PMID:22163791

Transplantation of human dental pulp-derived stem cells protects against heatstroke in mice.

PubMed

Tseng, Ling-Shu; Chen, Sheng-Hsien; Lin, Mao-Tsun; Lin, Ying-Chu

2015-01-01

Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous tooth pulp (SHED) is a promising approach for the treatment of stroke and spinal cord injury. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of SHED for the treatment of multiple organ (including brain, particularly hypothalamus) injury in heatstroke mice. ICR male mice were exposed to whole body heating (WBH; 41.2°C, relative humidity 50-55%, for 1 h) and then returned to normal room temperature (26°C). We observed that intravenous administration of SHED immediately post-WBH exhibited the following therapeutic benefits for recovery after heatstroke: (a) inhibition of WBH-induced neurologic and thermoregulatory deficits; (b) reduction of WBH-induced ischemia, hypoxia, and oxidative damage to the brain (particularly the hypothalamus); (c) attenuation of WBH-induced increased plasma levels of systemic inflammatory response molecules, such as tumor necrosis factor-α and intercellular adhesion molecule-1; (d) improvement of WBH-induced hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis activity (as reflected by enhanced plasma levels of both adrenocorticotrophic hormone and corticosterone); and (e) attenuation of WBH-induced multiple organ apoptosis as well as lethality. In conclusion, post-WBH treatment with SHED reduced induction of proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative radicals, enhanced plasma induction of both adrenocorticotrophic hormone and corticosterone, and improved lethality in mouse heatstroke. The protective effect of SHED may be related to a decreased inflammatory response, decreased oxidative stress, and an increased HPA axis activity following the WBH injury.

CXCR4/CXCL12/CXCR7 axis is functional in neuroendocrine tumors and signals on mTOR.

PubMed

Circelli, Luisa; Sciammarella, Concetta; Guadagno, Elia; Tafuto, Salvatore; del Basso de Caro, Marialaura; Botti, Giovanni; Pezzullo, Luciano; Aria, Massimo; Ramundo, Valeria; Tatangelo, Fabiana; Losito, Nunzia Simona; Ieranò, Caterina; D'Alterio, Crescenzo; Izzo, Francesco; Ciliberto, Gennaro; Colao, Annamaria; Faggiano, Antongiulio; Scala, Stefania

2016-04-05

To evaluate the possible crosstalk between C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4)/C-X-C motif chemokine 12 (CXCL12)/C-X-C chemokine receptor 7 (CXCR7) axis with the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Sixty-one human NETs were included into the study. CXCR4/CXCL12/CXCR7 axis and mTOR pathway were assessed by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The effect of mTOR inhibitor, RAD001, was evaluated on CXCR4 pathway through proliferation and p-Erk and p-AKT induction. CXCR4/CXCL12/CXCR7 axis and p-mTOR were found to be active and correlated with grading, Ki67 index and tumor stage. mTOR pathway activation significantly correlated with poor prognosis. In human NET cells, CXCL12 induced mTOR signalling while AMD3100 (CXCR4-antagonist) impaired it. The mTOR-antagonist, RAD001, impaired the CXCL12-dependent induction of CXCR4 downstream effectors. Combination of AMD3100 and RAD001 potentiate cell growth inhibition. CXCR4/CXCL12/CXCR7 axis is active in NETs and signals on mTOR. CXCR4 might be considered a prognostic factor in NETs. Combined treatment with AMD3100 and RAD001 may provide clinical benefits in NET patients with drug-resistant.

An augmented reality C-arm for intraoperative assessment of the mechanical axis: a preclinical study.

PubMed

Fallavollita, Pascal; Brand, Alexander; Wang, Lejing; Euler, Ekkehard; Thaller, Peter; Navab, Nassir; Weidert, Simon

2016-11-01

Determination of lower limb alignment is a prerequisite for successful orthopedic surgical treatment. Traditional methods include the electrocautery cord, alignment rod, or axis board which rely solely on C-arm fluoroscopy navigation and are radiation intensive. To assess a new augmented reality technology in determining lower limb alignment. A camera-augmented mobile C-arm (CamC) technology was used to create a panorama image consisting of hip, knee, and ankle X-rays. Twenty-five human cadaver legs were used for validation with random varus or valgus deformations. Five clinicians performed experiments that consisted in achieving acceptable mechanical axis deviation. The applicability of the CamC technology was assessed with direct comparison to ground-truth CT. A t test, Pearson's correlation, and ANOVA were used to determine statistical significance. The value of Pearson's correlation coefficient R was 0.979 which demonstrates a strong positive correlation between the CamC and ground-truth CT data. The analysis of variance produced a p value equal to 0.911 signifying that clinician expertise differences were not significant with regard to the type of system used to assess mechanical axis deviation. All described measurements demonstrated valid measurement of lower limb alignment. With minimal effort, clinicians required only 3 X-ray image acquisitions using the augmented reality technology to achieve reliable mechanical axis deviation.

CXCR4/CXCL12/CXCR7 axis is functional in neuroendocrine tumors and signals on mTOR

PubMed Central

Guadagno, Elia; Tafuto, Salvatore; del Basso de Caro, Marialaura; Botti, Giovanni; Pezzullo, Luciano; Aria, Massimo; Ramundo, Valeria; Tatangelo, Fabiana; Losito, Nunzia Simona; Ieranò, Caterina; D'Alterio, Crescenzo; Izzo, Francesco; Ciliberto, Gennaro; Colao, Annamaria; Faggiano, Antongiulio; Scala, Stefania

2016-01-01

Objective To evaluate the possible crosstalk between C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4)/C-X-C motif chemokine 12 (CXCL12)/C-X-C chemokine receptor 7 (CXCR7) axis with the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Methods Sixty-one human NETs were included into the study. CXCR4/CXCL12/CXCR7 axis and mTOR pathway were assessed by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The effect of mTOR inhibitor, RAD001, was evaluated on CXCR4 pathway through proliferation and p-Erk and p-AKT induction. Results: CXCR4/CXCL12/CXCR7 axis and p-mTOR were found to be active and correlated with grading, Ki67 index and tumor stage. mTOR pathway activation significantly correlated with poor prognosis. In human NET cells, CXCL12 induced mTOR signalling while AMD3100 (CXCR4-antagonist) impaired it. The mTOR-antagonist, RAD001, impaired the CXCL12-dependent induction of CXCR4 downstream effectors. Combination of AMD3100 and RAD001 potentiate cell growth inhibition. Conclusions CXCR4/CXCL12/CXCR7 axis is active in NETs and signals on mTOR. CXCR4 might be considered a prognostic factor in NETs. Combined treatment with AMD3100 and RAD001 may provide clinical benefits in NET patients with drug-resistant. PMID:26934559

An efficient and economical way to enhance the performance of present HTS Maglev systems by utilizing the anisotropy property of bulk superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Zigang; Wang, Jiasu; Zheng, Jun; Zhang, Ya; Wang, Suyu

2013-02-01

We report a simple, efficient and economical way to enhance the levitation or guidance performance of present high-temperature superconducting (HTS) Maglev systems by exploring the anisotropic properties of the critical current density in the a-b plane and along the c-axis of bulk superconductors. In the method, the bulk laying mode with different c-axis directions is designed to match with the magnetic field configuration of the applied permanent magnet guideway (PMG). Experimental results indicate that more than a factor of two improvement in the levitation force or guidance force is achieved when changing the laying mode of bulk superconductors from the traditional fashion of keeping the c-axis vertical to the PMG surface to the studied one of keeping the c-axis parallel to the PMG surface, at the maximum horizontal and vertical magnetic field positions of the PMG, respectively. These phenomena resulted from the physical nature of the generated levitation force and guidance force (electromagnetic forces) and the fact that there are different critical current densities in the a-b plane and along the c axis. Based on the experimental results, new HTS Maglev systems can be designed to meet the requirements of practical heavy-load or curved-route applications.

Microchip solid-state cylindrical vector lasers with orthogonally polarized dual laser-diode end pumping.

PubMed

Otsuka, Kenju; Chu, Shu-Chun

2013-05-01

We report a simple method for generating cylindrical vector beams directly from laser-diode (LD)-pumped microchip solid-state lasers by using dual end-pumping beams. Radially as well as azimuthally polarized vector field emissions have been generated from the common c-cut Nd:GdVO4 laser cavity merely by controlling the focus positions of orthogonally polarized LD off-axis pump beams. Hyperbolically polarized vector fields have also been observed, in which the cylindrical symmetry of vector fields is broken. Experimental results have been well reproduced by numerical simulations.

Dependence of L-mode confinement on the electron cyclotron power deposition profile in the TCV tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirneva, N. A.; Razumova, K. A.; Pochelon, A.; Behn, R.; Coda, S.; Curchod, L.; Duval, B. P.; Goodman, T. P.; Labit, B.; Karpushov, A. N.; Rancic, M.; Sauter, O.; Silva, M.; TCV Team

2012-01-01

Scenarios with different electron cyclotron heating power profile distributions and widths were compared for the first time in experiments on the Tokamak à Configuration Variable (TCV). The heating profile was changed from shot to shot over a wide range from localized on-axis, with normalized minor radius half-width at half maximum σ1/2 ~ 0.1, up to a widely distributed heating power profile with σ1/2 ~ 0.4 and finally to a profile peaked far off-axis. The global confinement, MHD activity, density, temperature and electron pressure profile evolution were compared. In particular, the energy confinement properties of discharges with localized on-axis heating and distributed on-axis heating were very similar, with degradation close to that predicted by the ITER L-mode scaling; in the case of off-axis heating, on the other hand, the confinement degradation was even stronger.

Teaching Molecular Symmetry of Dihedral Point Groups by Drawing Useful 2D Projections

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Lan; Sun, Hongwei; Lai, Chengming

2015-01-01

There are two main difficulties in studying molecular symmetry of dihedral point groups. One is locating the C[subscript 2] axes perpendicular to the C[subscript n] axis, while the other is finding the s[subscript]d planes which pass through the C[subscript n] axis and bisect the angles formed by adjacent C[subscript 2] axes. In this paper, a…

[Analysis of a three-dimensional finite element model of atlas and axis complex fracture].

PubMed

Tang, X M; Liu, C; Huang, K; Zhu, G T; Sun, H L; Dai, J; Tian, J W

2018-05-22

Objective: To explored the clinical application of the three-dimensional finite element model of atlantoaxial complex fracture. Methods: A three-dimensional finite element model of cervical spine (FEM/intact) was established by software of Abaqus6.12.On the basis of this model, a three-dimensional finite element model of four types of atlantoaxial complex fracture was established: C(1) fracture (Jefferson)+ C(2) fracture (type Ⅱfracture), Jefferson+ C(2) fracture(type Ⅲfracture), Jefferson+ C(2) fracture(Hangman), Jefferson+ stable C(2) fracture (FEM/fracture). The range of motion under flexion, extension, lateral bending and axial rotation were measured and compared with the model of cervical spine. Results: The three-dimensional finite element model of four types of atlantoaxial complex fracture had the same similarity and profile.The range of motion (ROM) of different segments had different changes.Compared with those in the normal model, the ROM of C(0/1) and C(1/2) in C(1) combined Ⅱ odontoid fracture model in flexion/extension, lateral bending and rotation increased by 57.45%, 29.34%, 48.09% and 95.49%, 88.52%, 36.71%, respectively.The ROM of C(0/1) and C(1/2) in C(1) combined Ⅲodontoid fracture model in flexion/extension, lateral bending and rotation increased by 47.01%, 27.30%, 45.31% and 90.38%, 27.30%, 30.0%.The ROM of C(0/1) and C(1/2) in C(1) combined Hangman fracture model in flexion/extension, lateral bending and rotation increased by 32.68%, 79.34%, 77.62% and 60.53%, 81.20%, 21.48%, respectively.The ROM of C(0/1) and C(1/2) in C(1) combined axis fracture model in flexion/extension, lateral bending and rotation increased by 15.00%, 29.30%, 8.47% and 37.87%, 75.57%, 8.30%, respectively. Conclusions: The three-dimensional finite element model can be used to simulate the biomechanics of atlantoaxial complex fracture.The ROM of atlantoaxial complex fracture is larger than nomal model, which indicates that surgical treatment should be performed.

Ortho-para interconversion in cation-water complexes: The case of V + (H 2 O) and Nb + (H 2 O) clusters

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

Ward, T. B.; Miliordos, E.; Carnegie, P. D.

Vanadium and niobium cation-water complexes, V+(H2O) and Nb+(H2O), are produced by laser vaporization in a pulsed supersonic expansion, mass selected in a time-of-flight spectrometer, and studied with infrared photodissociation spectroscopy using rare gas atom (Ar, Ne) complex predissociation. The vibrational bands measured in the O–H stretching region contain K-type rotational sub-band structure, which provides insight into the structures of these complexes. However, rotational sub-bands do not exhibit the simple patterns seen previously for other metal ion-water complexes. The A rotational constants are smaller than expected and the normal 1:3 intensity ratios for K = even:odd levels for independent ortho:para nuclearmore » spin states are missing for some complexes. We relied on highly correlated internally contracted Multi-Reference Configuration Interaction (icMRCI) and Coupled Cluster [CCSD(T)] electronic structure calculations of those complexes with and without the rare gas atoms to investigate these anomalies. Rare gas atoms were found to bind via asymmetric motifs to the hydrated complexes undergoing large amplitude motions that vibrationally average to quasi-C2v symmetry with significant probability off the C2 axis, thus explaining the reduced A values. Both vanadium and iobium cations exhibit unusually strong nuclear spin coupling to the hydrogen atoms of water, the values of which vary with their electronic state. This catalyzes ortho-para interconversion in some complexes and explains the rotational patterns. The rate of ortho-para relaxation in the equilibrated complexes must therefore be greater than the collisional cooling rate in the supersonic expansion (about 106 sec-1).« less

Ortho-para interconversion in cation-water complexes: The case of V+(H2O) and Nb+(H2O) clusters.

PubMed

Ward, T B; Miliordos, E; Carnegie, P D; Xantheas, S S; Duncan, M A

2017-06-14

Vanadium and niobium cation-water complexes, V + (H 2 O) and Nb + (H 2 O), are produced by laser vaporization in a pulsed supersonic expansion, mass selected in a time-of-flight spectrometer, and studied with infrared photodissociation spectroscopy using rare gas atom (Ar, Ne) complex predissociation. The vibrational bands measured in the O-H stretching region contain K-type rotational sub-band structure, which provides insight into the structures of these complexes. However, rotational sub-bands do not exhibit the simple patterns seen previously for other metal ion-water complexes. The A rotational constants are smaller than expected and the normal 3:1 intensity ratios for K = odd:even levels for independent ortho:para nuclear spin states are missing for some complexes. We relied on highly correlated internally contracted multi-reference configuration interaction and Coupled Cluster [CCSD(T)] electronic structure calculations of those complexes with and without the rare gas atoms to investigate these anomalies. Rare gas atoms were found to bind via asymmetric motifs to the hydrated complexes undergoing large amplitude motions that vibrationally average to the quasi-C 2v symmetry with a significant probability off the C 2 axis, thus explaining the reduced A values. Both vanadium and niobium cations exhibit unusually strong nuclear spin coupling to the hydrogen atoms of water, the values of which vary with their electronic state. This catalyzes ortho-para interconversion in some complexes and explains the rotational patterns. The rate of ortho-para relaxation in the equilibrated complexes must therefore be greater than the collisional cooling rate in the supersonic expansion (about 10 6 s -1 ).

Ortho-para interconversion in cation-water complexes: The case of V+(H2O) and Nb+(H2O) clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ward, T. B.; Miliordos, E.; Carnegie, P. D.; Xantheas, S. S.; Duncan, M. A.

2017-06-01

Vanadium and niobium cation-water complexes, V+(H2O) and Nb+(H2O), are produced by laser vaporization in a pulsed supersonic expansion, mass selected in a time-of-flight spectrometer, and studied with infrared photodissociation spectroscopy using rare gas atom (Ar, Ne) complex predissociation. The vibrational bands measured in the O-H stretching region contain K-type rotational sub-band structure, which provides insight into the structures of these complexes. However, rotational sub-bands do not exhibit the simple patterns seen previously for other metal ion-water complexes. The A rotational constants are smaller than expected and the normal 3:1 intensity ratios for K = odd:even levels for independent ortho:para nuclear spin states are missing for some complexes. We relied on highly correlated internally contracted multi-reference configuration interaction and Coupled Cluster [CCSD(T)] electronic structure calculations of those complexes with and without the rare gas atoms to investigate these anomalies. Rare gas atoms were found to bind via asymmetric motifs to the hydrated complexes undergoing large amplitude motions that vibrationally average to the quasi-C2v symmetry with a significant probability off the C2 axis, thus explaining the reduced A values. Both vanadium and niobium cations exhibit unusually strong nuclear spin coupling to the hydrogen atoms of water, the values of which vary with their electronic state. This catalyzes ortho-para interconversion in some complexes and explains the rotational patterns. The rate of ortho-para relaxation in the equilibrated complexes must therefore be greater than the collisional cooling rate in the supersonic expansion (about 106 s-1).

14 CFR 27.321 - General.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... STANDARDS: NORMAL CATEGORY ROTORCRAFT Strength Requirements Flight Loads § 27.321 General. (a) The flight load factor must be assumed to act normal to the longitudinal axis of the rotorcraft, and to be equal... from the design minimum weight to the design maximum weight; and (2) With any practical distribution of...

Competing antiferromagnetism in a quasi-2D itinerant ferromagnet: Fe 3GeTe 2

DOE PAGES

Yi, Jieyu; Zhuang, Houlong; Zou, Qiang; ...

2016-11-15

Fe 3GeTe 2 is known as an air-stable layered metal with itinerant ferromagnetism with a transition temperature of about 220 K. From extensive dc and ac magnetic measurements, we have determined that the ferromagnetic layers of Fe 3GeTe 2 order antiferromagnetically along the c-axis blow 152 K. The antiferromagnetic state was further substantiated by theoretical calculation to be the ground state. A magnetic structure model was proposed to describe the antiferromagnetic ground state as well as competition between antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic states. Furthermore, Fe 3GeTe 2 shares many common features with pnictide superconductors and may be a promising system inmore » which to search for unconventional superconductivity.« less

Electronic states of the Cu 3O 1217- model cluster

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xue-an; Chen, Zhi-fang; Heng, Fu; Tang, Youqi; Ye, Xue-qi; Zhu, Min-hui

1991-03-01

The Fenske-Hall molecular orbital calculations were performed on the model cluster Cu 3O 1217-. The calculated results revealed that the major contribution to the electronic states near the Fermi level comes from the orbitals of Cu 3d and O 2p, with dominantly oxygen p character, and the oxidation beyond the Cu 2+ state does not lead to Cu 3+ but to O - state. There exists the strong covalent bonding between copper and neighboring oxygen ions, especially between the chain Cu(1) and bridge O(4) ions. The slight displacement of O(4) along the c-axis toward Cu(2) can result in a decrease in the HOMO-LUMO gap and a strengthening of the chain-plane coupling.

Are There Age- and Sex-related Differences in Spinal Sagittal Alignment and Balance Among Taiwanese Asymptomatic Adults?

PubMed

Yeh, Kuang-Ting; Lee, Ru-Ping; Chen, Ing-Ho; Yu, Tzai-Chiu; Peng, Cheng-Huan; Liu, Kuan-Lin; Wang, Jen-Hung; Wu, Wen-Tien

2018-05-01

Sagittal spinopelvic balance and proper sagittal alignment are important when planning corrective or reconstructive spinal surgery. Prior research suggests that people from different races and countries have moderate divergence; to the best of our knowledge, the population of Taiwan has not been studied with respect to this parameter. To investigate normal age- and sex-related differences in whole-spine sagittal alignment and balance of asymptomatic adults without spinal disorders. In this prospective study, we used convenience sampling to recruit asymptomatic volunteers who accompanied patients in the outpatient orthopaedic department. One hundred forty males with a mean age of 48 ± 19 years and 252 females with a mean age of 53 ± 17 years underwent standing lateral radiographs of the whole spine. For analysis, participants were divided in three groups by age (20 to 40 years, 41 to 60 years, and 61 to 80 years) and analyzed by sex (male and female). The following eight radiologic parameters were measured: sacral slope, pelvic tilt, pelvic incidence, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, cervical lordosis, C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis, and C7-S1 sagittal vertical axis. Three observers performed estimations of the sagittal parameters twice, and the intraclass correlation coefficients for inter- and intraobserver variability were 0.81 and 0.83. The mean pelvic incidence was 49° ± 12°; lumbar lordosis was smaller in the group that was 61 to 80 years old than in the groups that were 20 to 40 years and 41 to 60 years (95% CI of the difference, 4.50-13.64 and 1.00- 9.60; p < 0.001), while cervical lordosis was greater in the 61 to 80 years age group than the other two groups (95% CI of the difference, -14.64 to -6.57 and -11.57 to -3.45; p < 0.001). The mean C7-S1 sagittal vertical axis was 30 ± 29 mm, and there was no difference among the three groups and between males and females. Pelvic tilt was greater in the group 61 to 80 years old than the 20 to 40 years and 41 to 60 years age groups (95% CI of the difference, -10.81 to -5.42 and -7.15 to -2.08; p < 0.001), while sacral slope was larger in 61 to 80 years age group than in the 41 to 60 years group (95% CI of the difference, 0.79-6.25; p = 0.006). C7 slope was greater in 61 to 80 years age group than in the 20 to 40 years group (95% CI of the difference, -7.49 to -1.26; p = 0.002) and larger in 41 to 60 years age group than in 20 to 40 years group (95% CI of the difference, -6.31 to -0.05; p = 0.045). C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis was greater in males than in females (95% CI of the difference, 2.84-7.74; p < 0.001). C7 slope was negatively correlated with thoracic kyphosis (95% CI of the difference, -0.619 to 0.468; p < 0.001) and lumbar lordosis (95% CI of the difference, -0.356 to -0.223; p < 0.001), and positively correlated with pelvic incidence (95% CI of the difference, 0.058- 0.215; p < 0.001) and cervical lordosis (95% CI of the difference, 0.228 - 0.334; p < 0.001). Normal values of the spinopelvic sagittal parameters vary by age and sex in Taiwanese individuals. Pelvic incidence and sacral slope observed in this population seemed smaller than those reported in other studies of white populations; this seems important when considering spine surgery in Taiwanese patients. Future studies should include collection of whole body sagittal parameters of larger and more-diverse populations, and assessments of patients with symptomatic spinal disorders.

Performance of a 12-coil superconducting bumpy torus magnet facility

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roth, J. R.; Holmes, A. D.; Keller, T. A.; Krawczonek, W. M.

1972-01-01

The bumpy torus facility consists of 12 superconducting coils, each 19 cm i.d. and capable of 3.0 teslas on their axes. The coils are equally spaced around a toroidal array with a major diameter of 1.52 m, and are mounted with the major axis of the torus vertical in a single vacuum tank 2.6 m in diameter. Final shakedown tests of the facility mapped out its magnetic, cryogenic, vacuum, mechanical, and electrical performance. The facility is now ready for use as a plasma physics research facility. A maximum magnetic field on the magnetic axis of 3.23 teslas was held for a period of more than sixty minutes without a coil normalcy. The design field was 3.00 teslas. The steady-state liquid helium boil-off rate was 87 liters per hour of liquid helium without the coils charged. The coil array was stable when subjected to an impulsive loading, even with the magnets fully charged. When the coils were charged to a maximum magnetic field of 3.35 teslas, the system was driven normal without damage.

Anisotropic ionizing radiation in Seyfert galaxies. I - The extended narrow-line region in Markarian 573

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tsvetanov, Zlatan; Walsh, J. R.

1992-01-01

The morphology, kinematics, and ionization state of the nuclear extended narrow-line region (ENLR) of the Seyfert 2 galaxy Mrk 573 are studied using narrow-band images of a grid of long-slit spectra. The entire ENLR is mapped spectroscopically, and velocity structure is studied. The velocity field map shows a typical galactic rotation picture with some important deviations. A simple geometric model, in accordance with the 'unified schemes', is employed to study the effects of various parameters of the observed picture. The best match is achieved when a biconical radiation field illuminates the ISM of the host galaxy that takes part in a normal galaxy rotation but also has radial motions close to the nucleus. The emission-line images reveal an ENLR elongated along the radio axis in the northwest-southeast direction, but a map of the flux ratio forbidden O III 5007/(H-alpha + forbidden N II) shows a different structure, with the highest excitation peak offset by about 4 arcsec along the radio axis to the southeast.

Characteristics of the somatotropic axis in insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.

PubMed

Mercado, M; Baumann, G

1995-01-01

Growth hormone (GH) plays an important role in glucose homeostasis in both healthy subjects and patients with diabetes. Patients with poorly controlled insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) have high basal and integrated serum GH concentrations, as well as an enhanced GH response to several secretagogues. Yet, these patients have impaired generation of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). These abnormalities tend to return to normal as an adequate metabolic control is achieved. In view of this hormonal profile, IDDM has been considered a state of relative GH resistance. Studies in experimental animals with streptozotocin-induced diabetes have shown a decreased binding of radiolabeled GH to liver membranes. More recently, adults and children with IDDM have been found to have low levels of the high affinity growth hormone binding protein (GHBP), which represents the extracellular portion of the GH receptor, and is thought to reflect GH receptor tissue concentrations. The abnormalities in the GH/IGF-I axis have been implicated in the worsening of metabolic control that occurs in some patients, as well as in the development of microvascular complications, particularly retinopathy.

Quincke rotation of an ellipsoid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vlahovska, Petia; Brosseau, Quentin

2016-11-01

The Quincke effect - spontaneous spinning of a sphere in a uniform DC electric field - has attracted considerable interest in recent year because of the intriguing dynamics exhibited by a Quincke-rotating drop and the emergent collective behavior of confined suspensions of Quincke-rotating spheres. Shape anisotropy, e.g., due to drop deformation or particle asphericity, is predicted to give rise to complex particle dynamics. Analysis of the dynamics of rigid prolate ellipsoid in a uniform DC electric field shows two possible stable states characterized by the orientation of the ellipsoid long axis relative to the applied electric field : spinless (parallel) and spinning (perpendicular). Here we report an experimental study testing the theoretical predictions. The phase diagram of ellipsoid behavior as a function of field strength and aspect ratio is in close agreement with theory. We also investigated the dynamics of the ellipsoidal Quincke "roller": an ellipsoid near a planar surface with normal perpendicular to the field direction. We find novel behaviors such as swinging (long axis oscillating around the applied field direction) and tumbling due to the confinement. Supported by NSF CBET awards 1437545 and 1544196.

An Experimental Optical Three-axis Tactile Sensor Featured with Hemispherical Surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohka, Masahiro; Kobayashi, Hiroaki; Takata, Jumpei; Mitsuya, Yasunaga

We are developing an optical three-axis tactile sensor capable of acquiring normal and shearing force to mount on a robotic finger. The tactile sensor is based on the principle of an optical waveguide-type tactile sensor, which is composed of an acrylic hemispherical dome, a light source, an array of rubber sensing elements, and a CCD camera. The sensing element of the silicone rubber comprises one columnar feeler and eight conical feelers. The contact areas of the conical feelers, which maintain contact with the acrylic dome, detect the three-axis force applied to the tip of the sensing element. Normal and shearing forces are then calculated from integration and centroid displacement of the grayscale value derived from the conical feeler's contacts. To evaluate the present tactile sensor, we conducted a series of experiments using an x-z stage, a rotational stage, and a force gauge. Although we discovered that the relationship between the integrated grayscale value and normal force depends on the sensor's latitude on the hemispherical surface, it is easy to modify the sensitivity based on the latitude to make the centroid displacement of the grayscale value proportional to the shearing force. When we examined the repeatability of the present tactile sensor with 1,000 load/unload cycles, the error was 2%.

Vertebral coplanar alignment: a standardized technique for three dimensional correction in scoliosis surgery: technical description and preliminary results in Lenke type 1 curves.

PubMed

Vallespir, Gabriel Pizà; Flores, Jesús Burgos; Trigueros, Ignacio Sanpera; Sierra, Eduardo Hevia; Fernández, Pedro Doménech; Olaverri, Juan Carlos Rodríguez; Alonso, Manuel García; Galea, Rafael Ramos; Francisco, Antonio Pérez; Rodríguez de Paz, Beatriz; Carbonell, Pedro Gutiérrez; Thomas, Javier Vicente; López, José Luís González; Paulino, José Ignacio Maruenda; Pitarque, Carlos Barrios; García, Oscar Riquelme

2008-06-15

Prospective multicentric study. To present the preliminary results of an innovative method for standardized correction of scoliosis, vertebral coplanar alignment (VCA), based on a novel concept: the relocation of vertebral axis in a single plane. Normal standing spine has no rotation in coronal or transverse planes, therefore X and Z axis of vertebrae are in the same plane: they are coplanar. VCA intends to relocate these axis in one plane, correcting rotation and translation, while X axis are returned to its normal posterior divergence in sagittal plane in thoracic spine. Twenty-five consecutive adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients (Lenke type 1) underwent posterior surgery with segmental pedicle screw fixation. Slotted tubes were attached to convex side screws. Two longitudinal rods were inserted through the end of tubes. Then, they were separated along the slots, driving the tubes into one plane, making the axis of the vertebrae coplanar and thus correcting transverse rotation and coronal translation. To obtain kyphosis, distal ends of the tubes were spread in thoracic spine. Correction was maintained by locking a definitive rod in the concave side, then tubes were retrieved and the convex side rod, inserted and tightened. Correction was assessed on preoperative and postoperative full-spine standing radiograph. Vertebral rotation was measured on computed tomography-scan and magnetic resonance imaging. Preoperative average thoracic curves of 61 degrees were corrected to 16 degrees (73%). Preoperative average thoracolumbar curves of 39 degrees were corrected to 12 degrees (70%). Preoperative average thoracic apical rotation of 24 degrees was corrected to 11 degrees (56%). Preoperative average thoracic kyphosis of 18 degrees remained unchanged after surgery; however, no patients had kyphosis <10 degrees after surgery. Rib hump improved from 30 to 11 mm (65%). There were no perioperative complications. VCA provided excellent correction of coronal and transverse planes with normalization of thoracic kyphosis in Lenke type 1 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgery.

Anisotropic charge transport in large single crystals of π-conjugated organic molecules.

PubMed

Hourani, Wael; Rahimi, Khosrow; Botiz, Ioan; Koch, Felix Peter Vinzenz; Reiter, Günter; Lienerth, Peter; Heiser, Thomas; Bubendorff, Jean-Luc; Simon, Laurent

2014-05-07

The electronic properties of organic semiconductors depend strongly on the nature of the molecules, their conjugation and conformation, their mutual distance and the orientation between adjacent molecules. Variations of intramolecular distances and conformation disturb the conjugation and perturb the delocalization of charges. As a result, the mobility considerably decreases compared to that of a covalently well-organized crystal. Here, we present electrical characterization of large single crystals made of the regioregular octamer of 3-hexyl-thiophene (3HT)8 using a conductive-atomic force microscope (C-AFM) in air. We find a large anisotropy in the conduction with charge mobility values depending on the crystallographic orientation of the single crystal. The smaller conduction is in the direction of π-π stacking (along the long axis of the single crystal) with a mobility value in the order of 10(-3) cm(2) V(-1) s(-1), and the larger one is along the molecular axis (in the direction normal to the single crystal surface) with a mobility value in the order of 0.5 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1). The measured current-voltage (I-V) curves showed that along the molecular axis, the current followed an exponential dependence corresponding to an injection mode. In the π-π stacking direction, the current exhibits a space charge limited current (SCLC) behavior, which allows us to estimate the charge carrier mobility.

Physiological basis for the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of adrenal disorders: Cushing's syndrome, adrenal insufficiency, and congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

PubMed

Raff, Hershel; Sharma, Susmeeta T; Nieman, Lynnette K

2014-04-01

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a classic neuroendocrine system. One of the best ways to understand the HPA axis is to appreciate its dynamics in the variety of diseases and syndromes that affect it. Excess glucocorticoid activity can be due to endogenous cortisol overproduction (spontaneous Cushing's syndrome) or exogenous glucocorticoid therapy (iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome). Endogenous Cushing's syndrome can be subdivided into ACTH-dependent and ACTH-independent, the latter of which is usually due to autonomous adrenal overproduction. The former can be due to a pituitary corticotroph tumor (usually benign) or ectopic ACTH production from tumors outside the pituitary; both of these tumor types overexpress the proopiomelanocortin gene. The converse of Cushing's syndrome is the lack of normal cortisol secretion and is usually due to adrenal destruction (primary adrenal insufficiency) or hypopituitarism (secondary adrenal insufficiency). Secondary adrenal insufficiency can also result from a rapid discontinuation of long-term, pharmacological glucocorticoid therapy because of HPA axis suppression and adrenal atrophy. Finally, mutations in the steroidogenic enzymes of the adrenal cortex can lead to congenital adrenal hyperplasia and an increase in precursor steroids, particularly androgens. When present in utero, this can lead to masculinization of a female fetus. An understanding of the dynamics of the HPA axis is necessary to master the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of pituitary-adrenal diseases. Furthermore, understanding the pathophysiology of the HPA axis gives great insight into its normal control. © 2014 American Physiological Society.

Physiological Basis for the Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Adrenal Disorders: Cushing’s Syndrome, Adrenal Insufficiency, and Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

PubMed Central

Raff, Hershel; Sharma, Susmeeta T.; Nieman, Lynnette K.

2014-01-01

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a classic neuroendocrine system. One of the best ways to understand the HPA axis is to appreciate its dynamics in the variety of diseases and syndromes that affect it. Excess glucocorticoid activity can be due to endogenous cortisol overproduction (spontaneous Cushing’s syndrome) or exogenous glucocorticoid therapy (iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome). Endogenous Cushing’s syndrome can be subdivided into ACTH-dependent and ACTH-independent, the latter of which is usually due to autonomous adrenal overproduction. The former can be due to a pituitary corticotroph tumor (usually benign) or ectopic ACTH production from tumors outside the pituitary; both of these tumor types overexpress the proopiomelanocortin gene. The converse of Cushing’s syndrome is the lack of normal cortisol secretion and is usually due to adrenal destruction (primary adrenal insufficiency) or hypopituitarism (secondary adrenal insufficiency). Secondary adrenal insufficiency can also result from a rapid discontinuation of long-term, pharmacological glucocorticoid therapy because of HPA axis suppression and adrenal atrophy. Finally, mutations in the steroidogenic enzymes of the adrenal cortex can lead to congenital adrenal hyperplasia and an increase in precursor steroids, particularly androgens. When present in utero, this can lead to masculinization of a female fetus. An understanding of the dynamics of the HPA axis is necessary to master the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of pituitary-adrenal diseases. Furthermore, understanding the pathophysiology of the HPA axis gives great insight into its normal control. PMID:24715566

Structural, electronic and optical properties of well-known primary explosive: Mercury fulminate

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

Yedukondalu, N.; Vaitheeswaran, G., E-mail: gvsp@uohyd.ernet.in

2015-11-28

Mercury Fulminate (MF) is one of the well-known primary explosives since 17th century and it has rendered invaluable service over many years. However, the correct molecular and crystal structures are determined recently after 300 years of its discovery. In the present study, we report pressure dependent structural, elastic, electronic and optical properties of MF. Non-local correction methods have been employed to capture the weak van der Waals interactions in layered and molecular energetic MF. Among the non-local correction methods tested, optB88-vdW method works well for the investigated compound. The obtained equilibrium bulk modulus reveals that MF is softer than themore » well known primary explosives Silver Fulminate (SF), silver azide and lead azide. MF exhibits anisotropic compressibility (b > a > c) under pressure, consequently the corresponding elastic moduli decrease in the following order: C{sub 22} > C{sub 11} > C{sub 33}. The structural and mechanical properties suggest that MF is more sensitive to detonate along c-axis (similar to RDX) due to high compressibility of Hg⋯O non-bonded interactions along that axis. Electronic structure and optical properties were calculated including spin-orbit (SO) interactions using full potential linearized augmented plane wave method within recently developed Tran-Blaha modified Becke-Johnson (TB-mBJ) potential. The calculated TB-mBJ electronic structures of SF and MF show that these compounds are indirect bandgap insulators. Also, SO coupling is found to be more pronounced for 4d and 5d-states of Ag and Hg atoms of SF and MF, respectively. Partial density of states and electron charge density maps were used to describe the nature of chemical bonding. Ag—C bond is more directional than Hg—C bond which makes SF to be more unstable than MF. The effect of SO coupling on optical properties has also been studied and found to be significant for both (SF and MF) of the compounds.« less

Mixed configuration ground state in iron(II) phthalocyanine

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

Fernández-Rodríguez, Javier; Toby, Brian; van Veenendaal, Michel

2015-06-01

We calculate the angular dependence of the x-ray linear and circular dichroism at the L2,3 edges of α-Fe(II) Phthalocyanine (FePc) thin films using a ligand-field model with full configuration interaction. We find the best agreement with the experimental spectra for a mixed ground state of 3E (a2 e3b1 ) and 3B (a1 e4b1 ) g 1g g 2g 2g 1g g 2g with the two configurations coupled by the spin-orbit interaction. The 3Eg(b) and 3B2g states have easy-axis and easy-plane anisotropies, respectively. Our model accounts for an easy-plane magnetic anisotropy and the measured magnitudes of the in-plane orbital and spinmore » moments. The proximity in energy of the two configurations allows a switching of the magnetic anisotropy from easy plane to easy axis with a small change in the crystal field, as recently observed for FePc adsorbed on an oxidized Cu surface. We also discuss the possibility of a quintet ground state (5A1g is 250 meV above the ground state) with planar anisotropy by manipulation of the Fe-C bond length by depositing the complex on a substrate that is subjected to a mechanical strain.« less

A study on quantitative analysis of field size and dose by using gating system in 4D conformal radiation treatment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ji, Youn-Sang; Dong, Kyung-Rae; Kim, Chang-Bok; Chung, Woon-Kwan; Cho, Jae-Hwan; Lee, Hae-Kag

2012-10-01

This study evaluated the gating-based 4-D conformal radiation therapy (4D-CT) treatment planning by a comparison with the common 3-D conformal radiation therapy (3D-CT) treatment planning and examined the change in treatment field size and dose to the tumors and adjacent normal tissues because an unnecessary dose is also included in the 3-D treatment planning for the radiation treatment of tumors in the chest and abdomen. The 3D-CT and gating-based 4D-CT images were obtained from patients who had undergone radiation treatment for chest and abdomen tumors in the oncology department. After establishing a treatment plan, the CT treatment and planning system were used to measure the change in field size for analysis. A dose volume histogram (DVH) was used to calculate the appropriate dose to planning target volume (PTV) tumors and adjacent normal tissue. The difference in the treatment volume of the chest was 0.6 and 0.83 cm on the X- and Y-axis, respectively, for the gross tumor volume (GTV). Accordingly, the values in the 4D-CT treatment planning were smaller and the dose was more concentrated by 2.7% and 0.9% on the GTV and clinical target volume (CTV), respectively. The normal tissues in the surrounding normal tissues were reduced by 3.0%, 7.2%, 0.4%, 1.7%, 2.6% and 0.2% in the bronchus, chest wall, esophagus, heart, lung and spinal cord, respectively. The difference in the treatment volume of the abdomen was 0.72 cm on the X-axis and 0.51 cm on the Y-axis for the GTV; and 1.06 cm on the X-axis and 1.85 cm on the Y-axis for the PTV. Therefore, the values in the 4D-CT treatment planning were smaller. The dose was concentrated by 6.8% and 4.3% on the GTV and PTV, respectively, whereas the adjacent normal tissues in the cord, Lt. kidney, Rt. kidney, small bowels and whole liver were reduced by 3.2%, 4.2%, 1.5%, 6.2% and 12.7%, respectively. The treatment field size was smaller in volume in the case of the 4D-CT treatment planning. In the DVH, the 4D-CT treatment planning showed a higher dose concentration on the part to be treated than the 3D-CT treatment planning with a lower dose to the adjacent normal tissues. Overall, the gating-based 4D-CT treatment planning is believed to be more helpful than the 3D-CT treatment planning.

75 FR 34077 - Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Finding on Five Petitions to List Seven...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-16

...) Habitat requirements for feeding, breeding, and sheltering; (b) Genetics and taxonomy; (c) Historical and...), cattle (Bos taurus), goats (Capra hircus), and axis deer (Axis axis), is considered one of the primary...

Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility of the large dolerite sills of the Angara-Taseeva depression (the Siberian Traps LIP) and the magma flow reconstructions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Latyshev, Anton; Ulyahina, Polina; Veselovskiy, Roman

2017-04-01

The Siberian Traps Large Igneous Province is considered to be the classic example of the continental LIP magmatism. Within the Angara-Taseeva depression (the southern part of the Siberian platform) the products of the Permian-Triassic magmatic activity represent huge dolerite sills intruding the Paleozoic sediments. The extension of the discrete intrusive bodies, their age and order of emplacement remain uncertain. Previously we performed the detailed paleomagnetic investigation revealing the essential magmatic events. Here we present the results of the detailed study of the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility in the sills of the Angara-Taseeva depression. In 50% of the studied sites we found so-called "normal" magnetic fabric when the minimal axis of the AMS ellipsoid (K3) is normal to the contact (subvertical in sills) and the two other axes are shallow. In this case we interpreted the orientation of the maximal axis (K1) as the magma flow direction. 25% of the studied locations demonstrated the "inverse" magnetic fabric when K1 is normal to the contact. The other sites showed intermediate, diagonal or dispersed type of the AMS ellipsoid axis. In the inner part of the depression the normal magnetic fabric is predominant, and, in general, K1 axes of the AMS ellipsoid converge to the center. This fact confirms the suggestion that the magma feeder zone for the intrusions was located in the central part of the Angara-Taseeva depression. In addition, the pattern of K1 axis allows revealing the local centers of intruding, corresponding to the Padunskiy and Tulunskiy sills. In the periphery of the depression, on the contrary, the inverse magnetic fabric is the most common (in the Tolstomysovskiy sill chiefly). This study was funded by RFBR (projects № 16-35-60114) and the Ministry of Education and Science RF (project № 14.Z50.31.0017).

Effect of hypothyroidism on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and reproductive function of pregnant rats.

PubMed

Sun, Jianran; Hui, Cancan; Xia, Tongjia; Xu, Min; Deng, Datong; Pan, Faming; Wang, Youmin

2018-05-24

This study aimed to detect changes in hormone levels in the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with hypothyroidism, and identify differences in the pregnancy and abortion rates of female adult rats. The potential role of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) as the link between the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and reproductive function regulated by thyroid hormones was also investigated. Female SD rats (n = 136) were causally classified into two groups: the normal-drinking-water group (n = 60) and the 0.05% propylthiouracil-drinking-water group (PTU 2 mg/kg/day, n = 76) to establish an adult rat model of hypothyroidism (6 weeks). Female and male rats at a ratio of 1:2 were used to establish a hypothyroidism pregnancy model. GnRH mRNA and GnRH receptor (GnRHR) expression in rats was detected using real time quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The abortion rate differed significantly between the hypothyroidism pregnancy group and the normal pregnancy group (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found in the distribution of the GnRHR among the five nuclei (hypothalamic arcuate nucleus, hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus, hypothalamic anterior nucleus, paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, and ventral premammillary nucleus) of the hypothalamus and ovary (P > 0.05). Hypothyroidism had no significant effect on GnRH mRNA expression in the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis in the four groups (normal control group, normal pregnancy group, hypothyroidism pregnancy group, and hypothyroidism group) (P > 0.05). Hypothyroidism had an adverse impact on pregnancy in rats and may affect the distribution of pituitary GnRHR, whereas it did not obviously affect the distribution of GnRHR in the nuclei of the hypothalamus and ovary. Hypothyroidism had no effect on GnRH mRNA expression.

Initial observation of potential factors involved in the specification process of oral-aboral axis in the sand dollar Scaphechinus mirabilis.

PubMed

Satoh, Kanehide; Kominami, Tetsuya

2008-10-01

To elucidate factors involved in the oral-aboral axis specification, several observations and experiments were undertaken using the sand dollar Scaphechinus mirabilis. Unlike in Strongylcentrotus purpuratus, localization of mitochondria was not detected in unfertilized eggs. After fertilization, however, the bulk of mitochondria became localized to the opposite side of sperm entry. The first cleavage divided this mitochondrial cluster into daughter blastomeres. On the other hand, a second cleavage produced daughter blastomeres containing quite different amounts of mitochondria. To know whether such mitochondrial localization affects the oral-aboral axis specification, 4-cell-stage embryos were separated along the second cleavage plane. Although both half embryos developed into morphologically normal plutei, some differences, such as the number of pigment cells, were noticed between the siblings. In contrast, cell tracing revealed that the first cleavage separated the oral from the aboral part in most cases, indicating that the unequal distribution of mitochondria is not critical for the oral-aboral axis specification. Further, stained and non-stained half embryo fragments were combined. Such combined embryos developed into normal plutei with a single oral-aboral axis. The plane dividing labeled and non-labeled parts were incident, oblique or perpendicular to the median plane of the combined embryo, and the appearance frequencies of those labeling patterns were similar to those obtained by cell tracing in intact embryos. Interestingly, the half fragments derived from embryos inseminated earlier showed a tendency to form the oral part. These suggest that several factors as well as the localized cytoplasmic components would be involved in the specification process of oral-aboral axis.

Localized deformation in Ni-Mn-Ga single crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davis, Paul H.; Efaw, Corey M.; Patten, Lance K.; Hollar, Courtney; Watson, Chad S.; Knowlton, William B.; Müllner, Peter

2018-06-01

The magnetomechanical behavior of ferromagnetic shape memory alloys such as Ni-Mn-Ga, and hence the relationship between structure and nanoscale magnetomechanical properties, is of interest for their potential applications in actuators. Furthermore, due to its crystal structure, the behavior of Ni-Mn-Ga is anisotropic. Accordingly, nanoindentation and magnetic force microscopy were used to probe the nanoscale mechanical and magnetic properties of electropolished single crystalline 10M martensitic Ni-Mn-Ga as a function of the crystallographic c-axis (easy magnetization) direction relative to the indentation surface (i.e., c-axis in-plane versus out-of-plane). Load-displacement curves from 5-10 mN indentations on in-plane regions exhibited pop-in during loading, whereas this phenomenon was absent in out-of-plane regions. Additionally, the reduced elastic modulus measured for the c-axis out-of-plane orientation was ˜50% greater than for in-plane. Although heating above the transition temperature to the austenitic phase followed by cooling to the room temperature martensitic phase led to partial recovery of the indentation deformation, the magnitude and direction of recovery depended on the original relative orientation of the crystallographic c-axis: positive recovery for the in-plane orientation versus negative recovery (i.e., increased indent depth) for out-of-plane. Moreover, the c-axis orientation for out-of-plane regions switched to in-plane upon thermal cycling, whereas the number of twins in the in-plane regions increased. We hypothesize that dislocation plasticity contributes to the permanent deformation, while pseudoelastic twinning causes pop-in during loading and large recovery during unloading in the c-axis in-plane case. Minimization of indent strain energy accounts for the observed changes in twin orientation and number following thermal cycling.

Subendocardial motion in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: assessment from long- and short-axis views by pulsed tissue Doppler imaging

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tabata, T.; Oki, T.; Yamada, H.; Abe, M.; Onose, Y.; Thomas, J. D.

2000-01-01

BACKGROUND: Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is a recently developed technique that allows the instantaneous measurement of intrinsic regional myocardial motion velocity. Pulsed TDI is capable of separately assessing left ventricular (LV) regional motion velocity caused by circumferential and longitudinal fiber contraction. This particular feature of function is still controversial in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC). METHODS: To better characterize intrinsic circumferential and longitudinal LV systolic myocardial function in HC, we used pulsed TDI to measure short- and long-axis LV motion velocities, respectively. The subendocardial motion velocity patterns at the middle of the LV posterior wall (PW) and ventricular septum (IVS) in LV parasternal and apical long-axis views were recorded by pulsed TDI in 19 patients with nonobstructive HC and in 21 normal controls (NC). RESULTS: Peak short- and long-axis systolic subendocardial velocities in both the LV PW and IVS were significantly smaller in the HC group than in the NC group, and the time to peak velocity was significantly delayed. Furthermore, peak PW systolic velocity was significantly greater along the long axis than along the short axis in the NC group (8.8 +/- 1.5 cm/s vs 8.2 +/- 1.4 cm/s, P <.05), whereas the opposite was observed in the HC group (6.1 +/- 1.2 cm/s vs 7.5 +/- 1.0 cm/s, P <.0001). No significant differences were found in either group between the long- and short-axis IVS velocities (HC: 5.9 +/- 1.4 cm/s vs 5.5 +/- 1.3 cm/s; NC: 7.8 +/- 1.3 cm/s vs 7.9 +/- 1.6 cm/s). CONCLUSIONS: By using the capability of pulsed TDI for the evaluation of intrinsic myocardial velocity instantaneously in a specific region and direction, we found impairment of LV myocardial systolic function in patients with HC not only in the hypertrophied IVS but also in the nonhypertrophied LV PW. We also found a greater decrease in LV PW velocities along the long axis than the short axis, suggesting greater impairment of long-axis contraction in patients with HC. Because our HC patients did not appear to have excessive intracavitary pressure, these results suggest that the relatively normal-appearing PW is directly affected by the HC pathologic process.

Distinguishing Biologically Controlled Calcareous Biomineralization in Fossil Organisms Using Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Päßler, Jan-Filip; Jarochowska, Emilia; Bestmann, Michel; Munnecke, Axel

2018-02-01

Although carbonate-precipitating cyanobacteria are ubiquitous in aquatic ecosystems today, the criteria used to identify them in the geological record are subjective and rarely testable. Differences in the mode of biomineralization between cyanobacteria and eukaryotes, i.e. biologically induced calcification (BIM) vs. biologically controlled calcification (BCM), result in different crystallographic structures which might be used as a criterion to test cyanobacterial affinities. Cyanobacteria are often used as a ‘wastebasket taxon’, to which various microfossils are assigned. The lack of a testable criterion for the identification of cyanobacteria may bias their fossil record severely. We employed electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) to investigate the structure of calcareous skeletons in two microproblematica widespread in Palaeozoic marine ecosystems: Rothpletzella, hypothesized to be a cyanobacterium, and an incertae sedis microorganism Allonema. We used a calcareous trilobite shell as a BCM reference. The mineralized structure of Allonema has a simple single-layered structure of acicular crystals perpendicular to the surface of the organism. The c-axes of these crystals are parallel to the elongation and thereby normal to the surface of the organism. EBSD pole figures and misorientation axes distribution reveal a fibre texture around the c-axis with a small degree of variation (up to 30°), indicating a highly ordered structure. A comparable pattern was found in the trilobite shell. This structure allows excluding biologically induced mineralization as the mechanism of shell formation in Allonema. In Rothpletzella, the c-axes of the microcrystalline sheath show a broader clustering compared to Allonema, but still reveal crystals tending to be perpendicular to the surface of the organism. The misorientation axes of adjacent crystals show an approximately random distribution. Rothpletzella also shares morphological similarities with extant cyanobacteria. We propose that the occurrence of a strong misorientation relationship between adjacent crystals with misorientation axes clustering around the c-axis can be used as a proxy for the degree of control exerted by an organism on its mineralized structures. Therefore, precisely constrained distributions of misorientations (misorientation angle and misorientation axis) may be used to identify BCM in otherwise problematic fossils and can be used to ground-truth the cyanobacterial affinities commonly proposed for problematic extinct organisms.

Spherulitic (c-axis) Growth for Terrestrial (Mauna Kea, Hawaii) and Martian Hematite "blueberries"

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Golden, D. C.; Ming, D. W.; Morris, R. V.

2006-01-01

Hematite concentrations observed by Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) onboard Mars Global Surveyor were considered a possible indicator for aqueous processes on Mars. Observations made by Opportunity show that the hematite at Meridiani Planum is present as spherules ( blueberries) and their fragments. The internal structure of the hematite spherules is not discernable at the resolution limit (approx.30 m/pixel) of Opportunity s Microscopic Imager (MI). A terrestrial analog for martian hematite spherules are spherules from hydrothermally altered and sulfate-rich tephra from the summit region of Mauna Kea volcano, Hawaii. The objective of this study is to determine the crystal growth fabric of the Mauna Kea hematite spherules using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques and to relate that crystalline fabric to the observed TES signature of Meridiani Planum "blueberries." TEM analysis of Mauna Kea spherules exhibited a radial growth pattern consisting of "fibrous" hematite with the c-axis of hematite particles aligned along the elongation direction of the hematite fibers. The individual fibers appear to be made of coalesced nano-particles of hematite arranged with their c-axis oriented radially to form a spherical structure. Lattice fringes suggest long-range order across particles and along fibers. According to interpretations of thermal emission spectra for Meridian Planum hematite, the absence of a band at approx. 390/cm implies a geometry where c-face emission dominates. Because the c-face is perpendicular to the c-axis, this is precisely the geometry for the Mauna Kea spherules because the c-axis is aligned parallel to their radial growth direction. Therefore, we conclude as a working hypothesis that the martian spherules also have radial, c-axis growth pattern on a scale that is too small to be detected by the MER MI. Furthermore, by analogy with the Mauna Kea spherules, the martian blueberries could have formed during hydrothermal alteration of basaltic precursors under acid-sulfate conditions.

Open ended tubing cutters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Girala, A. S. (Inventor)

1981-01-01

A self clamping cutting tool which includes a handle attached to a C-shaped housing is described. Rotatably mounted within the housing is a C-shaped tool body carrying a set of clamping rolls, two support rolls, and an edged cutting roll (64). The support rolls are disposed to one side of the axis of a pipe and the cutting roll is disposed to the other side of a pipe axis so that these rolls contact a pipe at three circumferential points. Cutter advancing apparatus advance the cutting roll toward the support rollers. The support rolls and cutting roll are rotatable independently of the C-shaped housing. A one way ratchet mechanism disposed between the C-shaped housing and the C-shaped tool body permits operation by movement in one rotational direction about the pipe axis.

Groupwise registration of cardiac perfusion MRI sequences using normalized mutual information in high dimension

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamrouni, Sameh; Rougon, Nicolas; Pr"teux, Françoise

2011-03-01

In perfusion MRI (p-MRI) exams, short-axis (SA) image sequences are captured at multiple slice levels along the long-axis of the heart during the transit of a vascular contrast agent (Gd-DTPA) through the cardiac chambers and muscle. Compensating cardio-thoracic motions is a requirement for enabling computer-aided quantitative assessment of myocardial ischaemia from contrast-enhanced p-MRI sequences. The classical paradigm consists of registering each sequence frame on a reference image using some intensity-based matching criterion. In this paper, we introduce a novel unsupervised method for the spatio-temporal groupwise registration of cardiac p-MRI exams based on normalized mutual information (NMI) between high-dimensional feature distributions. Here, local contrast enhancement curves are used as a dense set of spatio-temporal features, and statistically matched through variational optimization to a target feature distribution derived from a registered reference template. The hard issue of probability density estimation in high-dimensional state spaces is bypassed by using consistent geometric entropy estimators, allowing NMI to be computed directly from feature samples. Specifically, a computationally efficient kth-nearest neighbor (kNN) estimation framework is retained, leading to closed-form expressions for the gradient flow of NMI over finite- and infinite-dimensional motion spaces. This approach is applied to the groupwise alignment of cardiac p-MRI exams using a free-form Deformation (FFD) model for cardio-thoracic motions. Experiments on simulated and natural datasets suggest its accuracy and robustness for registering p-MRI exams comprising more than 30 frames.

Structures of Highly Twisted Amides Relevant to Amide N-C Cross-Coupling: Evidence for Ground-State Amide Destabilization.

PubMed

Pace, Vittorio; Holzer, Wolfgang; Meng, Guangrong; Shi, Shicheng; Lalancette, Roger; Szostak, Roman; Szostak, Michal

2016-10-04

Herein, we show that acyclic amides that have recently enabled a series of elusive transition-metal-catalyzed N-C activation/cross-coupling reactions are highly twisted around the N-C(O) axis by a new destabilization mechanism of the amide bond. A unique effect of the N-glutarimide substituent, leading to uniformly high twist (ca. 90°) irrespective of the steric effect at the carbon side of the amide bond has been found. This represents the first example of a twisted amide that does not bear significant steric hindrance at the α-carbon atom. The (15) N NMR data show linear correlations between electron density at nitrogen and amide bond twist. This study strongly supports the concept of amide bond ground-state twist as a blueprint for activation of amides toward N-C bond cleavage. The new mechanism offers considerable opportunities for organic synthesis and biological processes involving non-planar amide bonds. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Interaction of brain noradrenergic system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in man.

PubMed

Young, Elizabeth A; Abelson, James L; Cameron, Oliver G

2005-09-01

Numerous interactions between the brainstem locus coeruleus system and the HPA axis have been shown in experimental animals. This relationship is less well characterized in humans and little is known about the influence of psychiatric disorders, which disturb one of these systems, on this relationship. Untreated subjects with pure MDD (n = 13), MDD with comorbid anxiety disorders (n = 17), and pure anxiety disorders (n = 15) were recruited by advertising. Age and sex matched control subjects were recruited for each subject with a psychiatric diagnosis (n = 45). All subjects underwent a social stressor, the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), and blood was collected for ACTH assay. These same subjects also underwent a clonidine challenge study for assessment of growth hormone release as a marker of tonic noradrenergic activation. Examining log transformed area under the curve response for each hormone, a significant negative relationship (simple regression) was observed between systems in normal subjects. This relationship was preserved in anxiety subjects. However, both pure depressed and comorbid depressed and anxiety subjects demonstrated disruption of this relationship. Under normal circumstances, noradrenergic systems can influence the magnitude of the HPA axis response to stress. However, in subjects with major depression, HPA axis activation appears autonomous of noradrenergic influence.

Multiple forms of hypogonadism of central, peripheral or combined origin in males with Prader-Willi syndrome.

PubMed

Radicioni, A F; Di Giorgio, G; Grugni, G; Cuttini, M; Losacco, V; Anzuini, A; Spera, S; Marzano, C; Lenzi, A; Cappa, M; Crinò, A

2012-01-01

Hypogonadism in Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is generally attributed to hypothalamic dysfunction or to primary gonadal defect, but pathophysiology is still unclear. To investigate the aetiology of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis dysfunction in PWS males. Clinical examination and blood sampling for luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, inhibin B and sexhormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were performed in 34 PWS patients, age 5·1-42·7 years, and in 125 healthy males of same age range. All participants were divided into two groups : < or ≥13·5 years. Pubertal PWS patients showed an arrest of pubertal development. Patients <13·5 years had normal LH, FSH, testosterone and 7/10 had low inhibin B. Among those ≥13·5 years, 8/24 patients had normal LH and testosterone, high FSH and low inhibin B. 5/24 had low FSH, LH, testosterone and inhibin B; one showed normal LH and FSH despite low testosterone and inhibin B; 4/24 had low testosterone and LH but normal FSH despite low inhibin B; 6/24 showed high FSH, low inhibin B and normal LH despite low testosterone. Compared with controls, patients <13·5 years had lower LH, inhibin B, similar FSH, testosterone, SHBG levels and testicular volume; those ≥13·5 years had smaller testicular volume, near-significantly lower LH, testosterone, SHBG, inhibin B and higher FSH. PWS patients display heterogeneity of hypogonadism: (i) hypogonadotropic hypogonadism of central origin for LH and/or FSH; (ii) early primary testicular dysfunction (Sertoli cells damage); and (iii) a combined hypogonadism (testicular origin for FSH-inhibin B axis and central origin for LH-T axis). © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

On LAM's and SAM's for Halley's rotation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Peale, Stanton J.

1992-01-01

Non principal axis rotation for comet Halley is inferred from dual periodicities evident in the observations. The modes where the spin axis precesses around the axis of minimum moment of inertia (long axis mode or LAM) and where it precesses around the axis of maximum moment of inertia (short axis mode or SAM) are described from an inertial point of view. The currently favored LAM model for Halley's rotation state satisfies observational and dynamical constraints that apparently no SAM can satisfy. But it cannot reproduce the observed post perihelion brightening through seasonal illumination of localized sources on the nucleus, whereas a SAM can easily produce post or pre perihelion brightening by this mechanism. However, the likelihood of a LAM rotation for elongated nuclei of periodic comets such as Halley together with Halley's extreme post perihelion behavior far from the Sun suggest that Halley's post perihelion brightening may be due to effects other than seasonal illumination of localized sources, and therefore such brightening may not constrain its rotation state.

Critical Technology Assessment of Five Axis Simultaneous Control Machine Tools

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-07-01

assessment, BIS specifically examined: • The application of Export Control Classification Numbers ( ECCN ) 2B001.b.2 and 2B001.c.2 controls and related...availability of certain five axis simultaneous control mills, mill/turns, and machining centers controlled by ECCN 2B001.b.2 (but not grinders controlled by... ECCN 2B001.c.2) exists to China and Taiwan, which both have an indigenous capability to produce five axis simultaneous control machine tools with

Atlanto-axial approach for cervical myelography in a Thoroughbred horse with complete fusion of the atlanto-occipital bones

PubMed Central

Aleman, Monica; Dimock, Abigail N.; Wisner, Erik R.; Prutton, Jamie W.; Madigan, John E.

2014-01-01

A 2-year-old Thoroughbred gelding with clinical signs localized to the first 6 spinal cord segments (C1 to C6) had complete fusion of the atlanto-occipital bones which precluded performing a routine myelogram. An ultrasound-assisted myelogram at the intervertebral space between the atlas and axis was successfully done and identified a marked extradural compressive myelopathy at the level of the atlas and axis, and axis and third cervical vertebrae. PMID:25392550

Differential induction of four msx homeobox genes during fin development and regeneration in zebrafish.

PubMed

Akimenko, M A; Johnson, S L; Westerfield, M; Ekker, M

1995-02-01

To study the genetic regulation of growth control and pattern formation during fin development and regeneration, we have analysed the expression of four homeobox genes, msxA, msxB, msxC and msxD in zebrafish fins. The median fin fold, which gives rise to the unpaired fins, expresses these four msx genes during development. Transcripts of the genes are also present in cells of the presumptive pectoral fin buds. The most distal cells, the apical ectodermal ridge of the paired fins and the cleft and flanking cells of the median fin fold express all these msx genes with the exception of msxC. Mesenchymal cells underlying the most distal cells express all four genes. Expression of the msx genes in the fin fold and fin buds is transient and, by 3 days after fertilization, msx expression in the median fin fold falls below levels detectable by in situ hybridization. Although the fins of adult zebrafish normally have levels of msx transcripts undetectable by in situ hybridization, expression of all four genes is strongly reinduced during regeneration of both paired and unpaired fins. Induction of msx gene expression in regenerating caudal fins occurs as early as 30 hours postamputation. As the blastema forms, the levels of expression increase and reach a maximum between the third and fifth days. Then, msx expression progressively declines and disappears by day 12 when the caudal fin has grown back to its normal size. In the regenerating fin, the blastema cells that develop at the tip of each fin ray express msxB and msxC. Cells of the overlying epithelium express msxA and msxD, but do not express msxB or msxC. Amputations at various levels along the proximodistal axis of the fin suggest that msxB expression depends upon the position of the blastema, with cells of the rapidly proliferating proximal blastema expressing higher levels than the cells of the less rapidly proliferating distal blastema. Expression of msxC and msxD is independent of the position of the blastema cell along this axis. Our results suggest distinct roles for each of the four msx genes during fin development and regeneration and differential regulation of their expression.

Universal adaptive torque control for PM motors for field-weakening region operation

DOEpatents

Royak, Semyon [Beachwood, OH; Harbaugh, Mark M [Richfield, OH; Breitzmann, Robert J [South Russel, OH; Nondahl, Thomas A [Wauwatosa, WI; Schmidt, Peter B [Franklin, WI; Liu, Jingbo [Milwaukee, WI

2011-03-29

The invention includes a motor controller and method for controlling a permanent magnet motor. In accordance with one aspect of the present technique, a permanent magnet motor is controlled by, among other things, receiving a torque command, determining a normalized torque command by normalizing the torque command to a characteristic current of the motor, determining a normalized maximum available voltage, determining an inductance ratio of the motor, and determining a direct-axis current based upon the normalized torque command, the normalized maximum available voltage, and the inductance ratio of the motor.

Shock compression and release of a-axis magnesium single crystals: Anisotropy and time dependent inelastic response

DOE PAGES

Renganathan, P.; Winey, J. M.; Gupta, Y. M.

2017-01-19

Here, to gain insight into inelastic deformation mechanisms for shocked hexagonal close-packed (hcp) metals, particularly the role of crystal anisotropy, magnesium (Mg) single crystals were subjected to shock compression and release along the a-axis to 3.0 and 4.8 GPa elastic impact stresses. Wave profiles measured at several thicknesses, using laser interferometry, show a sharply peaked elastic wave followed by the plastic wave. Additionally, a smooth and featureless release wave is observed following peak compression. When compared to wave profiles measured previously for c-axis Mg, the elastic wave amplitudes for a-axis Mg are lower for the same propagation distance, and less attenuation of elastic wave amplitude is observed for a given peak stress. The featureless release wave for a-axis Mg is in marked contrast to the structured features observed for c-axis unloading. Numerical simulations, using a time-dependent anisotropic modeling framework, showed that the wave profiles calculated using prismatic slip or (10more » $$\\bar{1}$$2) twinning, individually, do not match the measured compression profiles for a-axis Mg. However, a combination of slip and twinning provides a good overall match to the measured compression profiles. In contrast to compression,prismatic slip alone provides a reasonable match to the measured release wave profiles; (10$$\\bar{1}$$2) twinning due to its uni-directionality is not activated during release. The experimental results and wave profile simulations for a-axis Mg presented here are quite different from the previously published c-axis results, demonstrating the important role of crystal anisotropy on the time-dependent inelastic deformation of Mg single crystals under shock compression and release.« less

Shock compression and release of a-axis magnesium single crystals: Anisotropy and time dependent inelastic response

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

Renganathan, P.; Winey, J. M.; Gupta, Y. M.

Here, to gain insight into inelastic deformation mechanisms for shocked hexagonal close-packed (hcp) metals, particularly the role of crystal anisotropy, magnesium (Mg) single crystals were subjected to shock compression and release along the a-axis to 3.0 and 4.8 GPa elastic impact stresses. Wave profiles measured at several thicknesses, using laser interferometry, show a sharply peaked elastic wave followed by the plastic wave. Additionally, a smooth and featureless release wave is observed following peak compression. When compared to wave profiles measured previously for c-axis Mg, the elastic wave amplitudes for a-axis Mg are lower for the same propagation distance, and less attenuation of elastic wave amplitude is observed for a given peak stress. The featureless release wave for a-axis Mg is in marked contrast to the structured features observed for c-axis unloading. Numerical simulations, using a time-dependent anisotropic modeling framework, showed that the wave profiles calculated using prismatic slip or (10more » $$\\bar{1}$$2) twinning, individually, do not match the measured compression profiles for a-axis Mg. However, a combination of slip and twinning provides a good overall match to the measured compression profiles. In contrast to compression,prismatic slip alone provides a reasonable match to the measured release wave profiles; (10$$\\bar{1}$$2) twinning due to its uni-directionality is not activated during release. The experimental results and wave profile simulations for a-axis Mg presented here are quite different from the previously published c-axis results, demonstrating the important role of crystal anisotropy on the time-dependent inelastic deformation of Mg single crystals under shock compression and release.« less

Dependence of e31,f on polar axis texture for tetragonal Pb(Zrx,Ti1-x)O3 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yeager, Charles B.; Ehara, Yoshitaka; Oshima, Naoya; Funakubo, Hiroshi; Trolier-McKinstry, Susan

2014-09-01

It was shown by Ouyang et al. [Appl. Phys. Lett. 86, 152901 (2005)] that the piezoelectric e31,f coefficient is largest parallel to the spontaneous polarization in tetragonal PbZrxTi1-xO3 (PZT) films. However, the expected piezoelectric data are typically calculated from phenomenological constants derived from data on ceramic PZT. In this work, the dependence of e31,f on c-axis texture fraction, f001, for {001}PZT thin films was measured by growing films with systematically changed f001 using CaF2, MgO, SrTiO3, and Si substrates. An approximately linear increase in e31,f with f001 was observed for compositions up to 43 mol. % Zr, and 100% c-domain properties were extrapolated. It was demonstrated that c-axis PZT films can achieve e31,f exceeding -12 C/m2 for many tetragonal compositions. The energy harvesting figure of merit, e31,f2/ɛr, for c-axis PZT films surpassed 0.8 C2/m4. This is larger than the figure of merit of gradient-free PZT films grown on Si substrates by a factor of four.

The effect of warm air-blowing on the microtensile bond strength of one-step self-etch adhesives to root canal dentin.

PubMed

Taguchi, Keita; Hosaka, Keiichi; Ikeda, Masaomi; Kishikawa, Ryuzo; Foxton, Richard; Nakajima, Masatoshi; Tagami, Junji

2018-02-01

The use of warm air-blowing to evaporate solvents of one-step self-etch adhesive systems (1-SEAs) has been reported to be a useful method. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of warm air-blowing on root canal dentin. Four 1-SEAs (Clearfil Bond SE ONE, Unifil Core EM self-etch bond, Estelink, BeautiDualbond EX) were used. Each 1-SEA was applied to root canal dentin according to the manufacturers' instructions. After the adhesives were applied, solvent was evaporated using either normal air (23±1°C) or warm air (80±1°C) for 20s, and resin composite was placed in the post spaces. The air from the dryer, which could be used in normal- or hot-air-mode, was applied at a distance of 5cm above the root canal cavity in the direction of tooth axis. The temperature of the stream of air from the dryer in the hot-air-mode was 80±1°C, and in the normal mode, 23±1°C. After water storage of the specimens for 24h, the μTBS were evaluated at the coronal and apical regions. The μTBSs were statistically analyzed using three-way ANOVA and Student's t-test with Bonferroni correction (α=0.05). The warm air-blowing significantly increased the μTBS of all 1-SEAs at the apical regions, and also significantly increased the μTBS of two adhesives (Estelink and BeautiDualBond EX) at coronal regions. The μTBS of 1-SEAs to root canal dentin was improved by using warm air-blowing. Copyright © 2017 Japan Prosthodontic Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Electromagnetically induced transparency in the case of elliptic polarization of interacting fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parshkov, Oleg M.

2018-04-01

The theoretical investigation results of disintegration effect of elliptic polarized shot probe pulses of electromagnetically induced transparency in the counterintuitive superposed elliptic polarized control field and in weak probe field approximation are presented. It is shown that this disintegration occurs because the probe field in the medium is the sum of two normal modes, which correspond to elliptic polarized pulses with different speeds of propagation. The polarization ellipses of normal modes have equal eccentricities and mutually perpendicular major axes. Major axis of polarization ellipse of one normal mode is parallel to polarization ellipse major axis of control field, and electric vector of this mode rotates in the opposite direction, than electric vector of the control field. The electric vector other normal mode rotates in the same direction that the control field electric vector. The normal mode speed of the first type aforementioned is less than that of the second type. The polarization characteristics of the normal mode depend uniquely on the polarization characteristics of elliptic polarized control field and remain changeless in the propagation process. The theoretical investigation is performed for Λ-scheme of degenerated quantum transitions between 3P0, 3P10 and 3P2 energy levels of 208Pb isotope.

Highly controlled orientation of CaBi4Ti4O15 using a strong magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suzuki, Tohru S.; Kimura, Masahiko; Shiratsuyu, Kosuke; Ando, Akira; Sakka, Yoshio; Sakabe, Yukio

2006-09-01

The texture of feeble magnetic ceramics can be controlled by a strong magnetic field. When the magnetic susceptibility of the c axis is smaller than that of the other axes, the c axis aligns perpendicular to the magnetic field; however, the direction is randomly oriented on the plane perpendicular to the magnetic field. The authors demonstrate in this letter that a highly controlled texture in bismuth titanate, which has a c-axis susceptibility smaller than the other axes, can be achieved using a two-step magnetic field procedure. This highly controlled orientation is effective for improving the electromechanical coupling coefficient.

Resolving the Shell of the Superbubble 30 Doradus C with Chandra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lopez, Laura

2017-09-01

We propose to observe the superbubble (SB) 30 Doradus C (30 Dor C) with ACIS-S for 100 ks to resolve and characterize the non-thermal shell, point sources, and the young supernova remnant (SNR) J0536 6913 at sub-arcsecond scales. 30 Dor C has been imaged off axis repeatedly by Chandra due to its proximity to SN 1987A, but the majority of the shell has only been observed <20 ks at off-axis distances of >10 arcminutes. The on-axis spatial resolution, sensitivity, and low background of ACIS-S are necessary to disentangle point sources from diffuse emission, to localize synchrotron filaments associated with accelerated electrons, and to investigate the SNR J0536 6913.

Investigation on the variability of East Asia Boreal Summer Front Frequency and Linkage between Tropical Air Temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Eunho; Lim, Gyu-Ho

2016-04-01

Summer time front is one of the most significant phenomena over East Asia including China, Korea and Japan. Many efforts have been established to understand the nature of front. However, there was no research conducting identifying East Asia summer time fronts objectively. We have established objective front recognition method. The method follows next procedures : 1) We calculate vorticity on 850-hPa surface. 2) Any grid point that have horizontal gradient of equivalent potential temperature (EPT hereafter) on 850-hPa surface less than 4 'c / 100km set to zero. 3) Next, we smooth this field using 9-point smoothing technique. 4) Finally we extract the main axis of closed contour correspond to vorticity of 1.5 10-5s-5. Voronoi diagram used to extract this axis. We define this axis as front on 850-hPa pressure surface. We have applied the method on 1981-2010 ERA-Interim dataset. From the result, front frequency maximums are in around of East China Sea (34N, 122E), north (38N, 136E) and south (34N, 140E) of main island of Japan. Below 30N and above 40N, front frequency tends to decrease maybe due to decrease in the magnitude of gradient of EPT and the frequency of cyclonic weather disturbance. Two main regions affect the variability of East Asia Front Frequency. One is equatorial positive region especially over Taiwan (25N, 120E). The other one is East Sea next to Korea (40N, 135E). Humid warm air transported from southern China (20N-30N, 100E-110E) and dry cold air transported from northern China (30N-40N, 100E-110E) compressed by clockwise high system over Taiwan and counter-clockwise low system over East Sea). This compressed precipitation-making system or front moves by extratropical westerly and transported out to north-western Pacific. It looks like geopotential over Taiwan affected by tropical activity, especially vertical integration of temperature (VIT hereafter) over tropical region (30S-30N). When VIT is higher than normal, geopotential over Taiwan also higher than normal with correlation coefficient of 0.5 (1981-2010). Therefore, we can conclude that when VIT is higher than normal, front frequency is higher than normal. VIT is significantly related with ENSO variability. We will investigate how the tropical region activity affects the front frequency over East Asia.

Peripheral Defocus of the Monkey Crystalline Lens With Accommodation in a Lens Stretcher

PubMed Central

Maceo Heilman, Bianca; Manns, Fabrice; Ruggeri, Marco; Ho, Arthur; Gonzalez, Alex; Rowaan, Cor; Bernal, Andres; Arrieta, Esdras; Parel, Jean-Marie

2018-01-01

Purpose To characterize the peripheral defocus of the monkey crystalline lens and its changes with accommodation. Methods Experiments were performed on 15 lenses from 11 cynomolgus monkey eyes (age: 3.8–12.4 years, postmortem time: 33.5 ± 15.3 hours). The tissue was mounted in a motorized lens stretcher to allow for measurements of the lens in the accommodated (unstretched) and unaccommodated (stretched) states. A custom-built combined laser ray tracing and optical coherence tomography system was used to measure the paraxial on-axis and off-axis lens power for delivery angles ranging from −20° to +20° (in air). For each delivery angle, peripheral defocus was quantified as the difference between paraxial off-axis and on-axis power. The peripheral defocus of the lens was compared in the unstretched and stretched states. Results On average, the paraxial on-axis lens power was 52.0 ± 3.4 D in the unstretched state and 32.5 ± 5.1 D in the stretched state. In both states, the lens power increased with increasing delivery angle. From 0° to +20°, the relative peripheral lens power increased by 10.7 ± 1.4 D in the unstretched state and 7.5 ± 1.6 D in the stretched state. The change in field curvature with accommodation was statistically significant (P < 0.001), indicating that the unstretched (accommodated) lens has greater curvature or relative peripheral power. Conclusions The cynomolgus monkey lens has significant accommodation-dependent curvature of field, which suggests that the lens asserts a significant contribution to the peripheral optical performance of the eye that also varies with the state of accommodation.

Microwave spectrum of o-benzyne produced in a discharge nozzle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kukolich, S. G.; Tanjaroon, C.; McCarthy, M. C.; Thaddeus, P.

2003-08-01

The microwave spectrum for o-benzyne was obtained by passing a dilute (<1%) mixture of benzene in neon through a pulsed-DC discharge nozzle source into a pulsed-beam, Fourier transform spectrometer. Rotational transitions were measured for the normal isotopomer, the two unique single-D isotopomers, and the 13C isotopomer and one of the 13C isotopomers. Benzynes have been known as reactive intermediates in organic reactions for many years, and have recently been implicated in gasoline combustion reactions and antitumor activity of enediynes. Twenty-seven b-type transitions for the normal isotopomer were fit to obtain A=6989.7292(6), B=5706.8062(6), and C=3140.3708(4) MHz, and five centrifugal distortion constants. The inertial defect is Δ=0.069 4 amu Å2, consistent with a planar structure. Hyperfine structure for the D1 (closest to the CtrpbndC bond) and D2 (furthest from the CtrpbndC bond), was analyzed to obtain deuterium quadrupole coupling strengths eQqaa(D1)=185(3) kHz, eQqbb(D1)=-85(2) kHz, eQqaa(D2)=5(13), and eQqbb(D2)=86(13) kHz. The C-D, bond axis quadrupole coupling strengths are compared with values for benzene. Spectra for the 13C6 and one of the 13C1 isotopomers were analyzed to obtain rotational constants. Kraitchman analysis and least-squares fitting provided nearly all of the structural parameters. The preliminary structural analysis yields an acetylenic C≡C bond length of 1.24 Å, in agreement with a recent NMR value. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to obtain structural parameters, and values obtained are in very good agreement with present experimental results.

Phenotypic analysis of a novel chordin mutant in medaka.

PubMed

Takashima, Shigeo; Shimada, Atsuko; Kobayashi, Daisuke; Yokoi, Hayato; Narita, Takanori; Jindo, Tomoko; Kage, Takahiro; Kitagawa, Tadao; Kimura, Tetsuaki; Sekimizu, Koshin; Miyake, Akimitsu; Setiamarga, Davin H E; Murakami, Ryohei; Tsuda, Sachiko; Ooki, Shinya; Kakihara, Ken; Hojo, Motoki; Naruse, Kiyoshi; Mitani, Hiroshi; Shima, Akihiro; Ishikawa, Yuji; Araki, Kazuo; Saga, Yumiko; Takeda, Hiroyuki

2007-08-01

We have isolated and characterized a ventralized mutant in medaka (the Japanese killifish; Oryzias latipes), which turned out to have a mutation in the chordin gene. The mutant exhibits ventralization of the body axis, malformation of axial bones, over-bifurcation of yolk sac blood vessels, and laterality defects in internal organs. The mutant exhibits variability of phenotypes, depending on the culture temperature, from embryos with a slightly ventralized phenotype to those without any head and trunk structures. Taking advantages of these variable and severe phenotypes, we analyzed the role of Chordin-dependent tissues such as the notochord and Kupffer's vesicle (KV) in the establishment of left-right axis in fish. The results demonstrate that, in the absence of the notochord and KV, the medaka lateral plate mesoderm autonomously and bilaterally expresses spaw gene in a default state. (c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The torsional barriers of two equivalent methyl internal rotations in 2,5-dimethylfuran investigated by microwave spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Van, Vinh; Bruckhuisen, Jonas; Stahl, Wolfgang; Ilyushin, Vadim; Nguyen, Ha Vinh Lam

2018-01-01

The microwave spectrum of 2,5-dimethylfuran was recorded using two pulsed molecular jet Fourier transform microwave spectrometers which cover the frequency range from 2 to 40 GHz. The internal rotations of two equivalent methyl tops with a barrier height of approximately 439.15 cm-1 introduce torsional splittings of all rotational transitions in the spectrum. For the spectral analysis, two different computer programs were applied and compared, the PAM-C2v-2tops code based on the principal axis method which treats several torsional states simultaneously, and the XIAM code based on the combined axis method, yielding accurate molecular parameters. The experimental work was supplemented by quantum chemical calculations. Two-dimensional potential energy surfaces depending on the torsional angles of both methyl groups were calculated and parametrized.

Rapid computation of photoacoustic fields from normal and pathological red blood cells using a Green's function method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saha, Ratan K.; Fadhel, Muhannad N.; Lawrence, Aamna; Karmakar, Subhajit; Adhikari, Arunabha; Kolios, Michael C.

2017-03-01

Photoacoustic (PA) field calculations using a Green's function approach is presented. The method has been applied to predict PA spectra generated by normal (discocyte) and pathological (stomatocyte) red blood cells (RBCs). The contours of normal and pathological RBCs were generated by employing a popular parametric model and accordingly, fitted with the Legendre polynomial expansions for surface parametrization. The first frequency minimum of theoretical PA spectrum approximately appears at 607 MHz for a discocyte and 410 MHz for a stomatocyte when computed from the direction of symmetry axis. The same feature occurs nearly at 247 and 331 MHz, respectively, for those particles when measured along the perpendicular direction. The average experimental spectrum for normal RBCs is found to be flat over a bandwidth of 150-500 MHz when measured along the direction of symmetry axis. For spherical RBCs, both the theoretical and experimental spectra demonstrate negative slope over a bandwidth of 250-500 MHz. Using the Green's function method discussed, it may be possible to rapidly characterize cellular morphology from single-particle PA spectra.

Nuclear States with Abnormally Large Radii (size Isomers)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ogloblin, A. A.; Demyanova, A. S.; Danilov, A. N.; Belyaeva, T. L.; Goncharov, S. A.

2015-06-01

Application of the methods of measuring the radii of the short-lived excited states (Modified diffraction model MDM, Inelastic nuclear rainbow scattering method INRS, Asymptotic normalization coefficients method ANC) to the analysis of some nuclear reactions provide evidence of existing in 9Be, 11B, 12C, 13C the excited states whose radii exceed those of the corresponding ground states by ~ 30%. Two types of structure of these "size isomers" were identified: neutron halo an α-clusters.

Elasto-plastic deformation and plate weakening due to normal faulting in the subducting plate along the Mariana Trench

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Z.; Lin, J.

2017-12-01

We investigated variations in the elasto-plastic deformation of the subducting plate along the Mariana Trench through an analysis of flexural bending, normal fault characteristics, and geodynamic modeling. It was observed that most of the normal faults were initiated along the outer-rise region and grew toward the trench axis with strikes that are mostly subparallel to the local trend of the trench axis. The average trench relief is more than 5 km in the southern region while only about 2 km in the northern and central regions. Fault throws were measured to be significantly greater in the southern region (maximum 320 m) than the northern and central regions (maximum 200 m). The subducting plate was modeled as an elasto-plastic slab subjected to tectonic loading along the trench axis. The "apparent" slab-pull dip angle of the subducting plate, calculated from the ratio of the inverted vertical loading versus horizontal tensional force, was significantly larger in the southern region (51-64°) than in the northern (22-35°) and central (20-34°) regions, which is consistent with the seismologically determined dip angle within the shallow part of the subducting slab. This result suggests that the differences in the plate flexure and normal faulting characteristics along the Mariana Trench might be influenced, at least in part, by significant variations in the dip angle within the shallow part of the subducting plate. Normal faults were modeled to penetrate to a maximum depth of 15, 14, and 25 km in the upper mantle for the northern, central, and southern regions, respectively, which is consistent with the depths of available relocated normal faulting earthquakes in the central region. We calculated that the average reduction of the effective elastic plate thickness Te due to normal faulting is 31% in the southern region, which is almost twice that in both the northern and central regions ( 16%). Furthermore, model results revealed that the stress reduction associated with individual normal faults could also decrease Te locally.

The dual blocker of FAAH/TRPV1 N-arachidonoylserotonin reverses the behavioral despair induced by stress in rats and modulates the HPA-axis.

PubMed

Navarria, Andrea; Tamburella, Alessandra; Iannotti, Fabio A; Micale, Vincenzo; Camillieri, Giovanni; Gozzo, Lucia; Verde, Roberta; Imperatore, Roberta; Leggio, Gian Marco; Drago, Filippo; Di Marzo, Vincenzo

2014-09-01

In recent years, several studies have explored the involvement of the deregulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in the pathophysiology of stress-related disorders. HPA hyper-activation as a consequence of acute/chronic stress has been found to play a major role in the neurobiological changes that are responsible for the onset of such states. Currently available medications for depression, one of the most relevant stress-related disorders, present several limitations, including a time lag for treatment response and low rates of efficacy. N-Arachidonoylserotonin (AA-5-HT), a dual blocker at fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH, the enzyme responsible for the inactivation of the endocannabinoid anandamide) and transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 channel (TRPV1), produces anxiolytic-like effects in mice. The present study was designed to assess the capability of AA-5-HT to reverse the behavioral despair following exposure to stress in rats and the role of the HPA-axis. Behavioral tasks were performed, and corticosterone and endocannabinoid (anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol) levels were measured in selected brain areas critically involved in the pathophysiology of stress-related disorders (medial PFC and hippocampus) under basal and stress conditions, and in response to treatment with AA-5-HT. Our data show that AA-5-HT reverses the rat behavioral despair in the forced swim test under stress conditions, and this effect is associated with the normalization of the HPA-axis deregulation that follows stress application and only in part with elevation of anandamide levels. Blockade of FAAH and TRPV1 may thus represent a novel target to design novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of stress-related disorders. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Regulation of the activins-follistatins-inhibins axis by energy status: Impact on reproductive function.

PubMed

Perakakis, Nikolaos; Upadhyay, Jagriti; Ghaly, Wael; Chen, Joyce; Chrysafi, Pavlina; Anastasilakis, Athanasios D; Mantzoros, Christos S

2018-05-09

We have previously demonstrated that the adipose tissue derived hormone leptin controls reproductive function by regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in response to energy deficiency. Here, we evaluate the activins-follistatins-inhibins (AFI) axis during acute (short-term fasting in healthy people) and chronic energy deficiency (women with hypothalamic amenorrhea due to strenuous exercise [HA]) and investigate their relation to leptin and reproductive function in healthy subjects and subjects with HA. The AFI axis was investigated in: a) A double-blinded study in healthy subjects having three randomly assigned admissions, each time for four days: in the isocaloric fed state, complete fasting with placebo treatment, complete fasting with leptin replacement, b) A case-control study comparing women with HA vs healthy controls, c) An open-label interventional study investigating leptin treatment in women with HA over a period of up to three months, d) A randomized interventional trial investigating leptin treatment vs placebo in women with HA for nine months. The circulating levels of activin A, activin B, follistatin and follistatin-like 3 change robustly in response to acute and chronic energy deficiency. Leptin replacement in acute energy deprivation does not affect the levels of these hormones suggesting an independent regulation by these two hormonal pathways. In chronic energy deficiency, leptin replacement restores only activin B levels, which are in turn associated with an increase in the number of dominant follicles. We demonstrate for the first time that the AFI axis is affected both by acute and chronic energy deficiency. Partial restoration of a component of the axis, i.e. activin B only, through leptin replacement is associated with improved reproductive function in women with HA. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Hot forming of silicon sheet, silicon sheet growth development for the large area silicon sheet task of the low cost silicon solar array project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Graham, C. D., Jr.; Pope, D. P.; Kulkarni, S.; Wolf, M.

1978-01-01

The hot workability of polycrystalline silicon was studied. Uniaxail stress-strain curves are given for strain rates in the range of .0001 to .1/sec and temperatures from 1100 to 1380 C. At the highest strain rates at 1380 C axial strains in excess of 20% were easily obtainable without cracking. After deformations of 36%, recrystallization was completed within 0.1 hr at 1380 C. When the recrystallization was complete, there was still a small volume fraction of unrecyrstallized material which appeared very stable and may degrade the electronic properties of the bulk materials. Texture measurements showed that the as-produced vapor deposited polycrystalline rods have a 110 fiber texture with the 110 direction parallel to the growth direction and no preferred orientation about this axis. Upon axial compression perpendicular to the growth direction, the former 110 fiber axis changed to 111 and the compression axis became 110 . Recrystallization changed the texture to 110 along the former fiber axis and to 100 along the compression axis.

Orientation dependent ferroelectric properties in samarium doped bismuth titanate thin films grown by the pulsed-laser-ablation method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Zhenxiang; Kannan, Chinna Venkatasamy; Ozawa, Kiyoshi; Kimura, Hideo; Wang, Xiaolin

2006-07-01

Samarium doped bismuth titanate thin films with the composition of Bi3.25Sm0.75Ti3O12 and with strong preferred orientations along the c axis and the (117) direction were fabricated on Pt /TiO2/SiO2/Si substrate by pulsed laser ablation. Measurements on Pt /BSmT/Pt capacitors showed that the c-axis oriented film had a small remanent polarization (2Pr) of 5μC/cm2, while the highly (117) oriented film showed a 2Pr value of 54μC/cm2 at an electrical field of 268kV/cm and a coercive field Ec of 89kV/cm. This is different from the sol-gel derived c-axis oriented Bi3.15Sm0.85Ti3O12 film showing a 2Pr value of 49μC/cm2.

High-temperature molecular dynamics simulation of aragonite.

PubMed

Miyake, Akira; Kawano, Jun

2010-06-09

For molecular dynamics simulations using aragonite structure as the initial state, a new phase of space group P6₃22 (hexagonal aragonite) appeared at temperatures above 510 K at a pressure of 1 atm. It was a first-order phase transition which occurs metastably within the stable region of calcite and the dT/dP slope of the phase boundary between orthorhombic and hexagonal aragonite was about 1.25 × 10³ K GPa⁻¹. In the hexagonal aragonite structure, CO₃ groups were rotated by 30° around the c axis and move up and down along the c axis from their position in aragonite, and Ca ions were six-coordinated as they are in calcite. The CaO₆ octahedron of hexagonal aragonite was strongly distorted, whereas in the calcite structure it is an almost ideal octahedron. The transition between hexagonal and orthorhombic aragonite involves only small movements of CO₃ groups. Therefore, it is possible that hexagonal aragonite plays an important part in the metastable formation of aragonite within the stability field of calcite and in the development of sector trilling in aragonite.

Estimation of Crystallinity of Nifedipine-Polyvinylpyrrolidone Solid Dispersion by Usage of Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy and of X-Ray Powder Diffractometer.

PubMed

Takeuchi, Issei; Shimakura, Kemmaro; Kuroda, Hideki; Nakajima, Takehisa; Goto, Satoru; Makino, Kimiko

2015-12-01

Crystalline state of pharmaceutical materials is of great importance in preparation of pharmaceutics, because their physicochemical properties affect bioavailability, quality of products, therapeutic level and manufacturing process. In this study, we have estimated time-dependent changes of nifedipine in nifedipine-polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) solid dispersion by measuring terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) and by X-ray powder diffractometry (XRPD), and compared their correlativity. Crystallinity of nifedipine-PVP solid dispersion was changed by storing the amorphous sample at 25°C-75°C and relative humidity of over 80% for 0.25-24.00 h. To compare the results of two types of measurements, we have used a general method of linear regression analysis. Crystallinities estimated using THz-TDS were plotted on the x-axis and that of XRPD were on the y-axis. From the result of the calculation, the correlativity of them was confirmed. THz-TDS has the capability of becoming the replacement of XRPD. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association.

Sex-related alterations of gut microbiota composition in the BTBR mouse model of autism spectrum disorder.

PubMed

Coretti, Lorena; Cristiano, Claudia; Florio, Ermanno; Scala, Giovanni; Lama, Adriano; Keller, Simona; Cuomo, Mariella; Russo, Roberto; Pero, Raffaela; Paciello, Orlando; Mattace Raso, Giuseppina; Meli, Rosaria; Cocozza, Sergio; Calignano, Antonio; Chiariotti, Lorenzo; Lembo, Francesca

2017-03-28

Alterations of microbiota-gut-brain axis have been invoked in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Mouse models could represent an excellent tool to understand how gut dysbiosis and related alterations may contribute to autistic phenotype. In this study we paralleled gut microbiota (GM) profiles, behavioral characteristics, intestinal integrity and immunological features of colon tissues in BTBR T + tf/J (BTBR) inbred mice, a well established animal model of ASD. Sex differences, up to date poorly investigated in animal models, were specifically addressed. Results showed that BTBR mice of both sexes presented a marked intestinal dysbiosis, alterations of behavior, gut permeability and immunological state with respect to prosocial C57BL/6j (C57) strain. Noticeably, sex-related differences were clearly detected. We identified Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, Sutterella, Dehalobacterium and Oscillospira genera as key drivers of sex-specific gut microbiota profiles associated with selected pathological traits. Taken together, our findings indicate that alteration of GM in BTBR mice shows relevant sex-associated differences and supports the use of BTBR mouse model to dissect autism associated microbiota-gut-brain axis alteration.

Gene-expression signature regulated by the KEAP1-NRF2-CUL3 axis is associated with a poor prognosis in head and neck squamous cell cancer.

PubMed

Namani, Akhileshwar; Matiur Rahaman, Md; Chen, Ming; Tang, Xiuwen

2018-01-06

NRF2 is the key regulator of oxidative stress in normal cells and aberrant expression of the NRF2 pathway due to genetic alterations in the KEAP1 (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1)-NRF2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2 like 2)-CUL3 (cullin 3) axis leads to tumorigenesis and drug resistance in many cancers including head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC). The main goal of this study was to identify specific genes regulated by the KEAP1-NRF2-CUL3 axis in HNSCC patients, to assess the prognostic value of this gene signature in different cohorts, and to reveal potential biomarkers. RNA-Seq V2 level 3 data from 279 tumor samples along with 37 adjacent normal samples from patients enrolled in the The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-HNSCC study were used to identify upregulated genes using two methods (altered KEAP1-NRF2-CUL3 versus normal, and altered KEAP1-NRF2-CUL3 versus wild-type). We then used a new approach to identify the combined gene signature by integrating both datasets and subsequently tested this signature in 4 independent HNSCC datasets to assess its prognostic value. In addition, functional annotation using the DAVID v6.8 database and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis using the STRING v10 database were performed on the signature. A signature composed of a subset of 17 genes regulated by the KEAP1-NRF2-CUL3 axis was identified by overlapping both the upregulated genes of altered versus normal (251 genes) and altered versus wild-type (25 genes) datasets. We showed that increased expression was significantly associated with poor survival in 4 independent HNSCC datasets, including the TCGA-HNSCC dataset. Furthermore, Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, and PPI analysis revealed that most of the genes in this signature are associated with drug metabolism and glutathione metabolic pathways. Altogether, our study emphasizes the discovery of a gene signature regulated by the KEAP1-NRF2-CUL3 axis which is strongly associated with tumorigenesis and drug resistance in HNSCC. This 17-gene signature provides potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for HNSCC cases in which the NRF2 pathway is activated.

3D Seismic Stratigraphic Analysis of Gas Hydrate Bearing Turbidite Channel-Overbank System in Northern Gulf of Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santra, M.; Flemings, P. B.; Scott, E.; Meazell, K.; Petrou, E. G.

2017-12-01

We present a depositional model for a gas hydrate bearing deepwater channel-overbank system in Green Canyon area (around Block 955) in northern Gulf of Mexico. The gas-hydrate bearing reservoir was tested by three wells drilled in 2009 as part of the Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrate Joint Industry Project (JIP). The same reservoir was sampled during the recent UT-GOM2-1 pressure-coring expedition. Analysis of a newly available wide-azimuth 3D seismic data shows two distinct stages of development of the channel system that significantly impacted the reservoir characteristics. The study area is located near the present-day Green Canyon reentrant, where a succession of Miocene to recent clastic sediments overlies an extensive salt diapir connected to the autochthonous level. The entire supra-salt sedimentary section is intersected by a system of large-scale normal faults formed as a result of salt movement. The channel system containing the gas hydrate reservoir has a well-defined basal surface, and is capped by a channel abandonment surface. Seismic analysis shows at least two distinct phases of channel development. In the first phase, levees undergo progressive gravitational collapse along series of normal faults that dip towards the channel axis. The normal faults on either side of channel axis are linked to a zone of compression located at the channel axis by a decollement surface at the base of the channel. The compression is recorded by bulging and/or thrusting at the channel center. This compressional bulge was eroded at the channel axis. During this phase, no axial channel deposits have been preserved. However, the position of the channel axis is indicated by a prominent linear ridge of fine-grained material that represents the remnant of the compressional bulge. Mapping of gravitational failure surfaces shows significant rotation and displacement of levee deposits along them. The second phase of development of the channel system is marked by the termination of gravitational failure and the preservation of both channel deposits and flanking levees. Both gravitational failure of channel-levee system and large-scale normal faulting impacted hydrate reservoir configuration. The large-scale fault system may have been the major pathway for hydrocarbon migration.

Two-level noncontiguous versus three-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: a biomechanical comparison.

PubMed

Finn, Michael A; Samuelson, Mical M; Bishop, Frank; Bachus, Kent N; Brodke, Darrel S

2011-03-15

Biomechanical study. To determine biomechanical forces exerted on intermediate and adjacent segments after two- or three-level fusion for treatment of noncontiguous levels. Increased motion adjacent to fused spinal segments is postulated to be a driving force in adjacent segment degeneration. Occasionally, a patient requires treatment of noncontiguous levels on either side of a normal level. The biomechanical forces exerted on the intermediate and adjacent levels are unknown. Seven intact human cadaveric cervical spines (C3-T1) were mounted in a custom seven-axis spine simulator equipped with a follower load apparatus and OptoTRAK three-dimensional tracking system. Each intact specimen underwent five cycles each of flexion/extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation under a ± 1.5 Nm moment and a 100-Nm axial follower load. Applied torque and motion data in each axis of motion and level were recorded. Testing was repeated under the same parameters after C4-C5 and C6-C7 diskectomies were performed and fused with rigid cervical plates and interbody spacers and again after a three-level fusion from C4 to C7. Range of motion was modestly increased (35%) in the intermediate and adjacent levels in the skip fusion construct. A significant or nearly significant difference was reached in seven of nine moments. With the three-level fusion construct, motion at the infra- and supra-adjacent levels was significantly or nearly significantly increased in all applied moments over the intact and the two-level noncontiguous construct. The magnitude of this change was substantial (72%). Infra- and supra-adjacent levels experienced a marked increase in strain in all moments with a three-level fusion, whereas the intermediate, supra-, and infra-adjacent segments of a two-level fusion experienced modest strain moments relative to intact. It would be appropriate to consider noncontiguous fusions instead of a three-level fusion when confronted with nonadjacent disease.

Physics-based Scaling Laws for Confined and Unconfined Transverse Jets

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-02-01

11(c). Once again, the jet is injected at 90 clockwise from the vertical axis . For the top row, with K increasing from left to right, the location...with previous data collected for gas turbine geometries (Holdeman 1993). It is apparent that the local optimum observed for six jets involves jet...behavior changed dramatically, with the emergence of a local optimum mixing state that is consistent with previous data collected for gas turbine

Orientation of the N-terminal lobe of the myosin regulatory light chain in skeletal muscle fibers.

PubMed

Romano, Daniela; Brandmeier, Birgit D; Sun, Yin-Biao; Trentham, David R; Irving, Malcolm

2012-03-21

The orientation of the N-terminal lobe of the myosin regulatory light chain (RLC) in demembranated fibers of rabbit psoas muscle was determined by polarized fluorescence. The native RLC was replaced by a smooth muscle RLC with a bifunctional rhodamine probe attached to its A, B, C, or D helix. Fiber fluorescence data were interpreted using the crystal structure of the head domain of chicken skeletal myosin in the nucleotide-free state. The peak angle between the lever axis of the myosin head and the fiber or actin filament axis was 100-110° in relaxation, isometric contraction, and rigor. In each state the hook helix was at an angle of ∼40° to the lever/filament plane. The in situ orientation of the RLC D and E helices, and by implication of its N- and C-lobes, was similar in smooth and skeletal RLC isoforms. The angle between these two RLC lobes in rigor fibers was different from that in the crystal structure. These results extend previous crystallographic evidence for bending between the two lobes of the RLC to actin-attached myosin heads in muscle fibers, and suggest that such bending may have functional significance in contraction and regulation of vertebrate striated muscle. Copyright © 2012 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Pediatric occipitocervical fusion: long-term radiographic changes in curvature, growth, and alignment.

PubMed

Martinez-Del-Campo, Eduardo; Turner, Jay D; Soriano-Baron, Hector; Newcomb, Anna G U S; Kalb, Samuel; Theodore, Nicholas

2016-11-01

OBJECTIVE The authors assessed the rate of vertebral growth, curvature, and alignment for multilevel constructs in the cervical spine after occipitocervical fixation (OCF) in pediatric patients and compared these results with those in published reports of growth in normal children. METHODS The authors assessed cervical spine radiographs and CT images of 18 patients who underwent occipitocervical arthrodesis. Measurements were made using postoperative and follow-up images available for 16 patients to determine cervical alignment (cervical spine alignment [CSA], C1-7 sagittal vertical axis [SVA], and C2-7 SVA) and curvature (cervical spine curvature [CSC] and C2-7 lordosis angle). Seventeen patients had postoperative and follow-up images available with which to measure vertebral body height (VBH), vertebral body width (VBW), and vertical growth percentage (VG%-that is, percentage change from postoperative to follow-up). Results for cervical spine growth were compared with normal parameters of 456 patients previously reported on in 2 studies. RESULTS Ten patients were girls and 8 were boys; their mean age was 6.7 ± 3.2 years. Constructs spanned occiput (Oc)-C2 (n = 2), Oc-C3 (n = 7), and Oc-C4 (n = 9). The mean duration of follow-up was 44.4 months (range 24-101 months). Comparison of postoperative to follow-up measures showed that the mean CSA increased by 1.8 ± 2.9 mm (p < 0.01); the mean C2-7 SVA and C1-7 SVA increased by 2.3 mm and 2.7 mm, respectively (p = 0.3); the mean CSC changed by -8.7° (p < 0.01) and the mean C2-7 lordosis angle changed by 2.6° (p = 0.5); and the cumulative mean VG% of the instrumented levels (C2-4) provided 51.5% of the total cervical growth (C2-7). The annual vertical growth rate was 4.4 mm/year. The VBW growth from C2-4 ranged from 13.9% to 16.6% (p < 0.001). The VBW of C-2 in instrumented patients appeared to be of a smaller diameter than that of normal patients, especially among those aged 5 to < 10 years and 10-15 years, with an increased diameter at the immediately inferior vertebral bodies compensating for the decreased width. No cervical deformation, malalignment, or detrimental clinical status was evident in any patient. CONCLUSIONS The craniovertebral junction and the upper cervical spine continue to present normal growth, curvature, and alignment parameters in children with OCF constructs spanning a distance as long as Oc-C4.

Tilted-axis wobbling in odd-mass nuclei

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Budaca, R.

2018-02-01

A triaxial rotor Hamiltonian with a rigidly aligned high-j quasiparticle is treated by a time-dependent variational principle, using angular momentum coherent states. The resulting classical energy function has three unique critical points in a space of generalized conjugate coordinates, which can minimize the energy for specific ordering of the inertial parameters and a fixed angular momentum state. Because of the symmetry of the problem, there are only two unique solutions, corresponding to wobbling motion around a principal axis and, respectively, a tilted axis. The wobbling frequencies are obtained after a quantization procedure and then used to calculate E 2 and M 1 transition probabilities. The analytical results are employed in the study of the wobbling excitations of 135Pr nucleus, which is found to undergo a transition from low angular momentum transverse wobbling around a principal axis toward a tilted-axis wobbling at higher angular momentum.

Single-axis gyroscopic motion with uncertain angular velocity about spin axis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singh, S. N.

1977-01-01

A differential game approach is presented for studying the response of a gyro by treating the controlled angular velocity about the input axis as the evader, and the bounded but uncertain angular velocity about the spin axis as the pursuer. When the uncertain angular velocity about the spin axis desires to force the gyro to saturation a differential game problem with two terminal surfaces results, whereas when the evader desires to attain the equilibrium state the usual game with single terminal manifold arises. A barrier, delineating the capture zone (CZ) in which the gyro can attain saturation and the escape zone (EZ) in which the evader avoids saturation is obtained. The CZ is further delineated into two subregions such that the states in each subregion can be forced on a definite target manifold. The application of the game theoretic approach to Control Moment Gyro is briefly discussed.

Clinical and Financial Impact of Ordering an Echocardiogram in Children with Left Axis Deviation on Their Electrocardiogram.

PubMed

Ravi, Prasad; Ashwath, Ravi; Strainic, James; Li, Hong; Steinberg, Jon; Snyder, Christopher

2016-01-01

Left axis deviation (LAD) on the electrocardiogram (ECG) is associated with congenital heart disease (CHD), prompting the clinician to order further testing when evaluating a patient with this finding. The purpose is to (1) compare the physical examination (PE) by a pediatric cardiologist to echocardiogram (ECHO) findings in patients with LAD on resting ECG and (2) assess cost of performing ECHO on all patients with LAD on ECG. An IRB approved, retrospective cohort study was performed on patients with LAD (QRS axis ≥0° to -90°) on ECG between 01/02 and 12/12. age >0.25 and <18 years, non-postoperative, and PE and ECHO by pediatric cardiologist. A decision tree model analyzed cost of ECHO in patients with LAD and normal/abnormal PE. Cost of complete ECHO ($239.00) was obtained from 2014 Medicare reimbursement rates. A total of 146 patients met inclusion criteria with 46.5% (68) having normal PE and ECHO, 1.4% (2) having normal PE and abnormal ECHO, 47.3% (69) having abnormal PE and ECHO, and 4.8% (7) having an abnormal PE and normal ECHO. Sensitivity and specificity of PE for detecting abnormalities in this population was 97% and 90%. Positive and negative predictive value of PE was 91% and 97.5%. In patients with normal PE, the cost to identify an ECHO abnormality was $8365, and $263 for those with abnormal PE. In presence of LAD on ECG, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of PE by a pediatric cardiologist are excellent at identifying CHD. Performing an ECHO on patients with LAD on ECG is only cost effective in the presence of an abnormal PE. In the presence of normal PE, there is a possibility of missing incidental structural cardiac disease in approximately 2% if an ECHO is not performed. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Estimating the spin axis orientation of the Echostar-2 box-wing geosynchronous satellite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Earl, Michael A.; Somers, Philip W.; Kabin, Konstantin; Bédard, Donald; Wade, Gregg A.

2018-04-01

For the first time, the spin axis orientation of an inactive box-wing geosynchronous satellite has been estimated from ground-based optical photometric observations of Echostar-2's specular reflections. Recent photometric light curves obtained of Echostar-2 over four years suggest that unusually bright and brief specular reflections were occurring twice within an observed spin period. These bright and brief specular reflections suggested two satellite surfaces with surface normals separated by approximately 180°. The geometry between the satellite, the Sun, and the observing location at the time of each of the brightest observed reflections, was used to estimate Echostar-2's equatorial spin axis orientation coordinates. When considering prograde and retrograde rotation, Echostar-2's spin axis orientation was estimated to have been located within 30° of either equatorial coordinate pole. Echostar-2's spin axis was observed to have moved approximately 180° in right ascension, within a time span of six months, suggesting a roughly one year spin axis precession period about the satellite's angular momentum vector.

Structural Performance of a Hybrid FRP-Aluminum Modular Triangular Truss System Subjected to Various Loading Conditions

PubMed Central

Zhang, Dongdong; Huang, Yaxin; Zhao, Qilin; Li, Fei; Gao, Yifeng

2014-01-01

A novel hybrid FRP-aluminum truss system has been employed in a two-rut modular bridge superstructure composed of twin inverted triangular trusses. The actual flexural behavior of a one-rut truss has been previously investigated under the on-axis loading test; however, the structural performance of the one-rut truss subjected to an off-axis load is still not fully understood. In this paper, a geometrical linear finite element model is introduced and validated by the on-axis loading test; the structural performance of the one-rut truss subjected to off-axis load was numerically obtained; the dissimilarities of the structural performance between the two different loading cases are investigated in detail. The results indicated that (1) the structural behavior of the off-axis load differs from that of the on-axis load, and the off-axis load is the critical loading condition controlling the structural performance of the triangular truss; (2) under the off-axis load, the FRP trussed members and connectors bear certain out-of-plane bending moments and are subjected to a complicated stress state; and (3) the stress state of these members does not match that of the initial design, and optimization for the redesign of these members is needed, especially for the pretightened teeth connectors. PMID:25254254

Nature of the insulating ground state of the 5d postperovskite CaIrO 3

DOE PAGES

Kim, Sun -Woo; Liu, Chen; Kim, Hyun -Jung; ...

2015-08-26

In this study, the insulating ground state of the 5d transition metal oxide CaIrO 3 has been classified as a Mott-type insulator. Based on a systematic density functional theory (DFT) study with local, semilocal, and hybrid exchange-correlation functionals, we reveal that the Ir t 2g states exhibit large splittings and one-dimensional electronic states along the c axis due to a tetragonal crystal field. Our hybrid DFT calculation adequately describes the antiferromagnetic (AFM) order along the c direction via a superexchange interaction between Ir 4+ spins. Furthermore, the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) hybridizes the t 2g states to open an insulating gap.more » These results indicate that CaIrO 3 can be represented as a spin-orbit Slater insulator, driven by the interplay between a long-range AFM order and the SOC. Such a Slater mechanism for the gap formation is also demonstrated by the DFT + dynamical mean field theory calculation, where the metal-insulator transition and the paramagnetic to AFM phase transition are concomitant with each other.« less

Lineation-parallel c-axis Fabric of Quartz Formed Under Water-rich Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Y.; Zhang, J.; Li, P.

2014-12-01

The crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) of quartz is of great significance because it records much valuable information pertinent to the deformation of quartz-rich rocks in the continental crust. The lineation-parallel c-axis CPO (i.e., c-axis forming a maximum parallel to the lineation) in naturally deformed quartz is generally considered to form under high temperature (> ~550 ºC) conditions. However, most laboratory deformation experiments on quartzite failed to produce such a CPO at high temperatures up to 1200 ºC. Here we reported a new occurrence of the lineation-parallel c-axis CPO of quartz from kyanite-quartz veins in eclogite. Optical microstructural observations, fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) techniques were integrated to illuminate the nature of quartz CPOs. Quartz exhibits mostly straight to slightly curved grain boundaries, modest intracrystalline plasticity, and significant shape preferred orientation (SPO) and CPOs, indicating dislocation creep dominated the deformation of quartz. Kyanite grains in the veins are mostly strain-free, suggestive of their higher strength than quartz. The pronounced SPO and CPOs in kyanite were interpreted to originate from anisotropic crystal growth and/or mechanical rotation during vein-parallel shearing. FTIR results show quartz contains a trivial amount of structurally bound water (several tens of H/106 Si), while kyanite has a water content of 384-729 H/106 Si; however, petrographic observations suggest quartz from the veins were practically deformed under water-rich conditions. We argue that the observed lineation-parallel c-axis fabric in quartz was inherited from preexisting CPOs as a result of anisotropic grain growth under stress facilitated by water, but rather than due to a dominant c-slip. The preservation of the quartz CPOs probably benefited from the preexisting quartz CPOs which renders most quartz grains unsuitably oriented for an easy a-slip at lower temperatures and the weak deformation during subsequent exhumation. This hypothesis provides a reasonable explanation for the observations that most lineation-parallel c-axis fabrics of quartz were found in veins and that deformation experiments on quartz-rich rocks at high temperature failed to produce such CPOs.

Stability and electronic spectra of C76N2 isomers

PubMed Central

Teng, Qi-wen; Wu, Shi

2005-01-01

Study of geometries of 16 possible isomers for C76N2 based on C78(C 2v) by intermediate neglect of differential overlap (INDO) series of methods indicated that the most stable geometry 25,78-C76N2 where two nitrogen atoms substitute two apexes C(25) and C(78) near the shortest X axis and Y axis formed by two hexagons and a pentagon. Electronic structures and spectra of C76N2 were investigated. The reason for the red-shift for absorptions of C76N2 compared with that of C78(C 2v) is discussed. PMID:15909352

Structural, electronic and vibrational properties of LaF3 according to density functional theory and Raman spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oreshonkov, A. S.; Roginskii, E. M.; Krylov, A. S.; Ershov, A. A.; Voronov, V. N.

2018-06-01

Crystal structure of LaF3 single crystal is refined in tysonite-type trigonal unit cell P c1 using density functional theory calculations and Raman spectroscopy. It is shown that trigonal structure with P c1 space group is more energy-efficient than hexagonal structure with space group P63 cm. Simulated Raman spectra obtained using LDA approximation is in much better agreement with experimental data than that obtained with PBE and PBEsol functionals of GGA. The calculated frequency value of silent mode B 2 in case of hexagonal structure P63 cm was found to be imaginary (unstable mode), thus the energy surface obtains negative curvature with respect to the corresponding normal coordinates of the mode which leads to instability of the hexagonal structure in harmonic approximation. The A 1g line at 214 cm‑1 in Raman spectra of LaF3 related to the translation of F2 ions along c axis can be connected with F2 ionic conductivity.

Metalorganic deposition method for forming epitaxial thallium-based copper oxide superconducting films

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

Olsen, W.L.; Eddy, M.M.; Hammond, R.B.

1991-12-10

This patent describes a method for producing a superconducting article comprising an oriented metal oxide superconducting layer containing thallium, optionally calcium, barium and copper, the layer being at least 30 {Angstrom} and having a c-axis oriented normal to a crystalline substrate surface. It comprises coating the crystalline substrate surface with a solution of thallium, optionally calcium, barium and copper carboxylate soaps dispersed in a medium of hydrocarbons of halohydrocarbons with a stoichiometric metal ratio to form the oxide superconducting layer, prepyrolyzing the soaps coated on the substrate at a temperature of 350{degrees} C. or less in an oxygen containing atmosphere,more » and pyrolyzing the soaps at a temperature in the range of 800{degrees} - 900{degrees} C. in the presence of oxygen and an overpressure of thallium for a sufficient time to produce the superconducting layer on the substrate, wherein usable portions of the superconducting layer are epitaxial to the substrate.« less

MathWorks Simulink and C++ integration with the new VLT PLC-based standard development platform for instrument control systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kiekebusch, Mario J.; Di Lieto, Nicola; Sandrock, Stefan; Popovic, Dan; Chiozzi, Gianluca

2014-07-01

ESO is in the process of implementing a new development platform, based on PLCs, for upcoming VLT control systems (new instruments and refurbishing of existing systems to manage obsolescence issues). In this context, we have evaluated the integration and reuse of existing C++ libraries and Simulink models into the real-time environment of BECKHOFF Embedded PCs using the capabilities of the latest version of TwinCAT software and MathWorks Embedded Coder. While doing so the aim was to minimize the impact of the new platform by adopting fully tested solutions implemented in C++. This allows us to reuse the in house expertise, as well as extending the normal capabilities of the traditional PLC programming environments. We present the progress of this work and its application in two concrete cases: 1) field rotation compensation for instrument tracking devices like derotators, 2) the ESO standard axis controller (ESTAC), a generic model-based controller implemented in Simulink and used for the control of telescope main axes.

Sex-specific quantitative trait loci contribute to normal variation in bone structure at the proximal femur in men

PubMed Central

Peacock, Munro; Koller, Daniel L.; Lai, Dongbing; Hui, Siu; Foroud, Tatiana; Econs, Michael J.

2006-01-01

Bone structure is an important determinant of osteoporotic fracture. In women bone structure is highly heritable and several quantitative trait loci (QTL) have been reported. There are few comparable data in men. This study in men aimed at establishing the heritability of bone structure at the proximal femur, identifying QTL contributing to normal variation in bone structure, and determining which QTL might be sex-specific. Bone structure at the proximal femur was measured in 205 pairs of brothers age 18–61. Heritability was calculated and linkage analysis performed on phenotypes at the proximal femur. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.99 to 0.39. A genome wide scan identified suggestive QTL (LOD>2.2) for femoral shaft width on chromosome 14q (LOD=2.69 at position 99cM), calcar femorale at chromosome 2p (LOD= 3.97 at position 194cM) and at the X chromosome (LOD= 3.01 at position 77cM), femoral neck width on chromosome 5p (LOD=2.28 at position 0 cM), femoral head width on chromosome 11q (LOD=2.30 at position 131 cM) and 15q (LOD=3.11 at position 90 cM), and pelvic axis length on chromosome 4q (LOD= 4.16 at 99cM) and 17q (LOD=2.80 at position 112 cM). Comparison with published data in 437 pairs of premenopausal sisters from the same geographical region suggested that 3 of the 7 autosomal QTL were male-specific. This study demonstrates that bone structure at the proximal femur in healthy men is highly heritable. The occurrence of sex-specific genes in humans for bone structure has important implications for the pathogenesis and treatment of osteoporosis. PMID:16046210

Does intraplate brittle deformation indicate far-field stress signals? A case study of Central Europe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Navabpour, Payman; Kley, Jonas; Le Breton, Eline; van Hinsbergen, Douwe J. J.; Ustaszewski, Kamil

2017-04-01

Even though Central Europe has been located within a plate interior since the end of the Variscan orogeny, its intracontinental basins and highs recorded a succession of different tectonic regimes throughout the Mesozoic and Cenozoic, which were coeval with events at distant plate margins. A long Triassic-Cretaceous period of weak subsidence with intermittent extension was followed by NNE-SSW contraction in the Late Cretaceous-Paleocene. Renewed extension led to the formation of the Cenozoic Rift System and eventually evolved to the present-day variable stress regimes with a consistent NW-SE-oriented maximum horizontal shortening, SHmax. The detailed knowledge of this evolution relies on exhaustive lithostratigraphy and geochronological datasets, as well as on reconstruction of successive states of paleostress that controlled the formation and/or inversion of intracontinental basins. In combination, these data provide an excellent opportunity of linking the intracontinental deformation to the lithospheric plate boundary kinematics. Regional-scale analysis of fault kinematics in Central Europe unveiled a succession of consistent stress states for the crystalline basement and sedimentary cover of the brittle crust. These states of stress include a post-Triassic normal faulting regime with NE-SW-trending σ3 axis, strike-slip and thrust faulting regimes with NNE-SSW-trending σ1 axis, supposedly of Late Cretaceous age, and two younger events of normal and strike-slip faulting regimes with NW-SE-trending σ3 and σ1 axes, respectively. In this study, we report on the first attempts of linking the central European intraplate kinematics to changes in relative motion between the plates. The integration of stress fields with plate boundary kinematics suggests that the Late Cretaceous contraction may be explained by a change in African plate motion with respect to Eurasia from SE-directed sinistral transform to NNE-directed convergence. The reorientation of contraction to the present-day SHmax likely results from a change in direction of Africa-Eurasia plate convergence from N-S to NW-SE combined with plume-enhanced ridge push of the North Atlantic Ocean.

Short and tall stature: a new paradigm emerges

PubMed Central

Baron, Jeffrey; Sävendahl, Lars; De Luca, Francesco; Dauber, Andrew; Phillip, Moshe; Wit, Jan M.; Nilsson, Ola

2016-01-01

In the past, the growth hormone (GH) – insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) axis was thought to be the central system regulating childhood growth and therefore responsible for short stature and tall stature. However, recent findings have revealed that the GH-IGF-I axis is just one of many regulatory systems that control chondrogenesis in the growth plate, the biological process that drives height gain. Consequently, normal growth in children depends not only on GH and IGF-I but on multiple hormones, paracrine factors, extracellular matrix molecules, and intracellular proteins that regulate growth plate chondrocytes. Mutations in genes encoding many of these local proteins cause short stature or tall stature. Similarly genome-wide association studies have revealed that the normal variation in height appears to be due largely to genes outside the GH-IGF-I axis that affect growth at the growth plate through a wide variety of mechanisms. These findings point to a new conceptual framework for understanding short and tall stature, which is centered not on two particular hormones but rather on the growth plate, the structure responsible for height gain. PMID:26437621

Asymptotic normalization coefficients of resonant and bound states from the phase shifts for α α and α 12C scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orlov, Yu. V.; Irgaziev, B. F.; Nikitina, L. I.

2016-01-01

Recently we have published a paper [Irgaziev, Phys. Rev. C 91, 024002 (2015), 10.1103/PhysRevC.91.024002] where the S -matrix pole method (SMP), which is only valid for resonances, has been developed to derive an explicit expression for the asymptotic normalization coefficient (ANC) and is applied to the low-energy resonant states of nucleon +α and α +12C systems. The SMP results are compared with the effective-range expansion method (EFE) results. In the present paper the SMP and EFE plus the Padé approximation are applied to study the excited 2+ resonant states of 9Be. A contradiction is found between descriptions of the experimental phase shift data for α α scattering and of the 9Be resonant energy for 2+ state. Using the EFE method, we also calculate the ANC for the 9Be ground 0+ state with a very small width. This ANC agrees well with the value calculated using the known analytical expression for narrow resonances. In addition, for the α +12C states 1- and 3- the SMP results are compared with the Padé approximation results. We find that the Padé approximation improves a resonance width description compared with the EFE results. The EFE method is also used to calculate the ANCs for the bound 0mml:mprescripts>O ground 0+ state and for the excited 1- and 2+ levels, which are situated near the threshold of α +12C channel.

Rotational properties of planetary satellites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Peale, S. J.

1991-01-01

Properties of satellite rotation that are observable in principle, include the rotation period, the orientation of the spin axis relative to the orbit plane, precession of the spin axis due to gravitational torques, nonprincipal axis rotation or wobble, and deviations from uniform principle axis rotation or libration. Considerable order is observed in current satellite rotation states, and it is of interest to ascertain how this order came about and why some satellites do not conform to the dominant norm. There is a strong coupling between the spin and orbital motions that is primarily responsible for maintaining the ordered rotation states in most cases, but this coupling is equally responsible for destroying any chance of orderly rotation for Saturn's satellite Hyperion. Understanding the processes which constrain current rotation states as well as those of an evolutionary nature which could have brought the individual satellites to their observed rotation and orbit states allows us to sometimes infer interior properties of some satellite or even of its primary planet, although, attempts to deduce primordial rotation states are usually frustrated. The observed rotational properties of the planetary satellites are summarized, and the understanding of the processes maintaining and those leading to the observed states are outlined. Some of the inferences that can be drawn about intrinsic properties of the bodies themselves are indicated.

Growth optimization and applicability of thick on-axis SiC layers using sublimation epitaxy in vacuum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jokubavicius, Valdas; Sun, Jianwu; Liu, Xinyu; Yazdi, Gholamreza; Ivanov, Ivan. G.; Yakimova, Rositsa; Syväjärvi, Mikael

2016-08-01

We demonstrate growth of thick SiC layers (100-200 μm) on nominally on-axis hexagonal substrates using sublimation epitaxy in vacuum (10-5 mbar) at temperatures varying from 1700 to 1975 °C with growth rates up to 270 μm/h and 70 μm/h for 6H- and 4H-SiC, respectively. The stability of hexagonal polytypes are related to process growth parameters and temperature profile which can be engineered using different thermal insulation materials and adjustment of the induction coil position with respect to the graphite crucible. We show that there exists a range of growth rates for which single-hexagonal polytype free of foreign polytype inclusions can be maintained. Further on, foreign polytypes like 3C-SiC can be stabilized by moving out of the process window. The applicability of on-axis growth is demonstrated by growing a 200 μm thick homoepitaxial 6H-SiC layer co-doped with nitrogen and boron in a range of 1018 cm-3 at a growth rate of about 270 μm/h. Such layers are of interest as a near UV to visible light converters in a monolithic white light emitting diode concept, where subsequent nitride-stack growth benefits from the on-axis orientation of the SiC layer.

The relationship between anisotropic magnetoresistance and topology of Fermi surface in Td-MoTe2 crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lv, Yang-Yang; Li, Xiao; Pang, Bin; Cao, Lin; Lin, Dajun; Zhang, Bin-Bin; Yao, Shu-Hua; Chen, Y. B.; Zhou, Jian; Dong, Song-Tao; Zhang, Shan-Tao; Lu, Ming-Hui; Chen, Yan-Feng

2017-07-01

Layered transition-metal dichalcogenides have been recently attracted a lot of attention because of their unique physical properties, such as extremely large and anisotropic magnetoresistance (MR) in WTe2. In this work, we observed the abnormally anisotropic MR on Td-MoTe2 crystal that is strongly dependent on the temperature, as well as the orientations of both magnetic field B and electric field E with respect to crystallographic axes of Td-MoTe2. When E//a-axis and B//c-axis, MR is parabolically dependent on B and is as high as 520% under 9 T and 2 K conditions; the MR is quasi-linearly dependent on B when E//a-axis and B//b-axis (E//b-axis and B//c-axis), and the corresponding MR is only 130% (220%); MR is initially parabolically dependent on B, then linearly on B, and finally shows a saturate trend under E//B//a-axis (or E//B//b-axis) conditions, and the MR is about 16% (30%). These anisotropic MR behaviors can be qualitatively explained by the features of the Fermi surface of Td-MoTe2. This work may demonstrate the rich anisotropic physical behavior in layered transition-metal dichalcognides.

Effect of nano BiPb-2212 phase addition on BiPb-2223 phase properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohammed, N. H.; Abou-Aly, A. I.; Barakat, M. Me.; Hassan, M. S.

2018-06-01

BiPb-2212 phase in nanoscale was added to BiPb-2223 phase with a general stoichiometry of (Bi1.7Pb0.4Sr2.1Ca1.1Cu2.1O8+δ)x/Bi1.8Pb0.4Sr2.0Ca2.0Cu3.2O10+δ, 0.0 ≤ x  ≤ 2.5 wt.%. All samples were prepared by the standard solid-state reaction method. The prepared nano BiPb-2212 phase was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The prepared samples were characterized by XRD and the scanning electron microscope (SEM). XRD analysis indicated that the sample with x = 1.5 wt.% has the highest relative volume fraction for BiPb-2223 phase. Samples were examined by electrical resistivity and I-V measurements. There is no significant change in the superconducting transition temperature Tc for all samples. The highest critical current density Jc was recorded for the sample with x = 1.5 wt.%. The normalized excess conductivity (Δσ/σroom) was calculated according to Aslamazov-Larkin (AL) model. Four different fluctuating regions were recorded as the temperature decreased. The coherence length along the c-axis at 0 K ξc(0), interlayer coupling strength s, Fermi velocity vF of the carriers and Fermi energy EF were calculated for both samples with x = 0.0 wt.% and 1.5 wt.%.

Specific heat in KFe2As2 in zero and applied magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, J. S.; Kim, E. G.; Stewart, G. R.; Chen, X. H.; Wang, X. F.

2011-05-01

The specific heat down to 0.08 K of the iron pnictide superconductor KFe2As2 was measured on a single-crystal sample with a residual resistivity ratio of ˜650, with a Tconset determined by a specific heat of 3.7 K. The zero-field normal-state specific heat divided by temperature, C/T, was extrapolated from above Tc to T=0 by insisting on agreement between the extrapolated normal-state entropy at Tc, Snextrap(Tc), and the measured superconducting-state entropy at Tc, Ssmeas(Tc), since for a second-order phase transition the two entropies must be equal. This extrapolation would indicate that this rather clean sample of KFe2As2 exhibits non-Fermi-liquid behavior; i.e., C/T increases at low temperatures, in agreement with the reported non-Fermi-liquid behavior in the resistivity. However, specific heat as a function of magnetic field shows that the shoulder feature around 0.7 K, which is commonly seen in KFe2As2 samples, is not evidence for a second superconducting gap as has been previously proposed but instead is due to an unknown magnetic impurity phase, which can affect the entropy balance and the extrapolation of the normal-state specific heat. This peak (somewhat larger in magnitude) with similar field dependence is also found in a less pure sample of KFe2As2, with a residual resistivity ratio of only 90 and Tconset=3.1 K. These data, combined with the measured normal-state specific heat in field to suppress superconductivity, allow the conclusion that an increase in the normal-state specific heat as T→0 is in fact not seen in KFe2As2; i.e., Fermi-liquid behavior is observed.

Lanthanide Contraction Effect In Magnetic Thermoelectric Materials Of Rare Earth-doped Bi1.5Pb0.5Ca2Co2O8

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sutjahja, Inge Magdalena; Akbar, Taufik; Nugroho, Agung

2010-12-01

We report in this paper the result of synthesis and crystal structure characterization of magnetic thermoelectric materials of rare-earth-doped Bi1.5Pb0.5Ca2Co2O8, namely Bi1.5Pb0.5Ca1.9RE0.1Co2O8 (RE = La, Pr, Sm, Eu, Gd, Ho). Single phase samples have been prepared by solid state reaction process using precursors of Bi2O3, PbO, CaCO3, RE2O3, and Co3O4. The precursors were pulverized, calcinated, and sintered in air at various temperatures for several hours. Analysis of XRD data shows that Bi1.5Pb0.5Ca1.9RE0.1Co2O8 compound is a layered system consisting of an alternate stack of CoO2 layer and Bi2Sr2O4 block along the c-axis. The misfit structure along b-direction is revealed from the difference of the b-axis length belonging to two sublattices, namely hexagonal CdI2-type CoO2 layer and rock-salt (RS) NaCl-type Bi2Sr2O4 block, while they possess the common a- and c-axis lattice parameters and β angles. The overall crystal structure parameters (a, b, and c) increases with type of doping from La to Ho, namely by decreasing the ionic radii of rare-earth ion. We discuss this phenomenon in terms of the lanthanide contraction, an effect commonly found in the rare-earth compound, results from poor shielding of nuclear charge by 4f electrons. In addition, the values of b-lattice parameters in these rare-earth doped samples are almost the same with those belongs to undoped parent compound (Bi1.5Pb0.5Sr2Co2O8) and its related Y-doped (Bi1.5Pb0.5Ca1.9Y0.1Co2O8) samples, while the c-values reduced significantly in rare-earth doped samples, with opposite trend with those of variation of a-axis length. Morevover, the misfit degree in rare-earth doped compound is higher in compared to parent compound and Y-doped samples. We argue that these structural changes induced by rare-earth doping may provide information for the variation of electronic structure of Co-ions (Co3+ and Co4+), in particular their different spin states of low-spin, intermediate-spin, and high-spin. This, in turn, will affect the thermoelectric properties (Seebeck coefficient) of the system.

Low-frequency dielectric spectra of low-resistivity GaSe crystals (in Ukrainian)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stakhira, J.; Fl'Unt, O.; Fiyala, Ya.

The low-frequency dielectric response of low-resistivity GaSe layered crystal along the c-axis has been investigated at liquid nitrogen temperatures. The normalized spectra (activation energies from frequency shift is 0.19 eV) have been treated analytically employing equivalent circuits. It is shown that experimental data cannot be obtained with the circuit containing only ideal capacitors and resistors. At the same time, the equivalent circuit containing dispersive capacitors characterized by the power law dependence on frequency C^*=B(jω)^{n-1}, where ω is radian frequency, 0< n< 1, gives a good agreement with experimental data. This means that measured response of low-resistivity GaSe crystals follows the ``universal" power law of dielectric response χ^*˜(jω)^{n-1}, but not the Debye one. The nature of the ``universal" power law is explained by many-body interactions between localized charge carriers.

Thermal stresses in the laser disc from a tetragonal c-cut crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yumashev, K. V.; Loiko, P. A.

2014-12-01

Analytical expressions for thermal stresses and strains, as well as displacements, are obtained for the laser disc from a tetragonal crystal cut along the [0 0 1] axis under plane stress approximation, for the first time, to our knowledge. This study illustrates that, in polar coordinates, the normal stresses, σr and σθ, are angular independent, while the shear one τrθ is zero. The thermal strains, εr and εθ, and displacements, u and υ, depend on both radial and tangential coordinates; this dependence has the shape of a four-leaf rose. For considered crystal cutting with isotropic in-plane thermal expansion, the displacements are not pure radial (υ≠0). The values of stresses, strains and displacements are calculated for the disc from a c-cut yttrium vanadate laser crystal, Nd:YVO4. The thermal fracture issues are analyzed for this crystal.

An anatomic and morphometric study of C2 nerve root ganglion and its corresponding foramen.

PubMed

Bilge, Okan

2004-03-01

Exposing and measuring the dorsal root ganglion of the second cervical spinal nerve (C2 ganglion) and the second intervertebral space, which is present between posterior arch of atlas (APA) and lamina of axis (LA). This study aims to investigate the shape, size, and relation of the C2 ganglion with the adjacent structures that limits the corresponding intervertebral space and the alterations of relation between C2 ganglion and APA and between C2 ganglion and LA with the movements of the head bilaterally. In previous studies, the position and the heights of the C2 ganglion have been described. But the shape of the C2 ganglion and its relation to APA and LA by the movement of the head had not been considered previously. Upper cervical spines of 20 cadavers were dissected posteriorly. The muscles attaching to the atlas and axis were resected to ease the head movements. The heights of the C2 ganglion and space were measured in anatomic position and in hyperextension with opposite rotation position of the head. Originally in this study, plastic dough casts were used to obtain reliable outcomes. The shape of the ganglions was defined in three types: 70% were oval, 20% were spindle-like, and 10% were spherical. The height of the C2 ganglion was 4.97 +/- 0.92 mm on the right side and 4.6 +/- 0.84 mm on the left side. The height of the intervertebral space in anatomic position and in hyperextension with rotation to the opposite position of the head were, respectively, 9.74 +/- 1.77 mm and 7.48 +/- 1.44 mm on the right side and 9.64 +/- 1.47 mm and 7.12 +/- 0.96 mm on the left side. There was no bone contact or impact to the ganglion in each position of the head. The C2 ganglions are confident in their place between APA and LA. No bone contact to the C2 ganglion was detected in either normal limited or in forced head motions.