Phase Behavior of an Intact Monoclonal Antibody

PubMed Central

Ahamed, Tangir; Esteban, Beatriz N. A.; Ottens, Marcel; van Dedem, Gijs W. K.; van der Wielen, Luuk A. M.; Bisschops, Marc A. T.; Lee, Albert; Pham, Christine; Thömmes, Jörg

2007-01-01

Understanding protein phase behavior is important for purification, storage, and stable formulation of protein drugs in the biopharmaceutical industry. Glycoproteins, such as monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) are the most abundant biopharmaceuticals and probably the most difficult to crystallize among water-soluble proteins. This study explores the possibility of correlating osmotic second virial coefficient (B22) with the phase behavior of an intact MAb, which has so far proved impossible to crystallize. The phase diagram of the MAb is presented as a function of the concentration of different classes of precipitants, i.e., NaCl, (NH4)2SO4, and polyethylene glycol. All these precipitants show a similar behavior of decreasing solubility with increasing precipitant concentration. B22 values were also measured as a function of the concentration of the different precipitants by self-interaction chromatography and correlated with the phase diagrams. Correlating phase diagrams with B22 data provides useful information not only for a fundamental understanding of the phase behavior of MAbs, but also for understanding the reason why certain proteins are extremely difficult to crystallize. The scaling of the phase diagram in B22 units also supports the existence of a universal phase diagram of a complex glycoprotein when it is recast in a protein interaction parameter. PMID:17449660

The Phase Behavior of γ-Oryzanol and β-Sitosterol in Edible Oil.

PubMed

Sawalha, Hassan; Venema, Paul; Bot, Arjen; Flöter, Eckhard; Adel, Ruud den; van der Linden, Erik

The phase behavior of binary mixtures of γ-oryzanol and β-sitosterol and ternary mixtures of γ-oryzanol and β-sitosterol in sunflower oil was studied. Binary mixtures of γ-oryzanol and β-sitosterol show double-eutectic behavior. Complex phase behavior with two intermediate mixed solid phases was derived from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) data, in which a compound that consists of γ-oryzanol and β-sitosterol molecules at a specific ratio can be formed. SAXS shows that the organization of γ-oryzanol and β-sitosterol in the mixed phases is different from the structure of tubules in ternary systems. Ternary mixtures including sunflower oil do not show a sudden structural transition from the compound to a tubule, but a gradual transition occurs as γ-oryzanol and β-sitosterol are diluted in edible oil. The same behavior is observed when melting binary mixtures of γ-oryzanol and β-sitosterol at higher temperatures. This indicates the feasibility of having an organogelling agent in dynamic exchange between solid and liquid phase, which is an essential feature of triglyceride networks.

Multiphase, multicomponent phase behavior prediction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dadmohammadi, Younas

Accurate prediction of phase behavior of fluid mixtures in the chemical industry is essential for designing and operating a multitude of processes. Reliable generalized predictions of phase equilibrium properties, such as pressure, temperature, and phase compositions offer an attractive alternative to costly and time consuming experimental measurements. The main purpose of this work was to assess the efficacy of recently generalized activity coefficient models based on binary experimental data to (a) predict binary and ternary vapor-liquid equilibrium systems, and (b) characterize liquid-liquid equilibrium systems. These studies were completed using a diverse binary VLE database consisting of 916 binary and 86 ternary systems involving 140 compounds belonging to 31 chemical classes. Specifically the following tasks were undertaken: First, a comprehensive assessment of the two common approaches (gamma-phi (gamma-ϕ) and phi-phi (ϕ-ϕ)) used for determining the phase behavior of vapor-liquid equilibrium systems is presented. Both the representation and predictive capabilities of these two approaches were examined, as delineated form internal and external consistency tests of 916 binary systems. For the purpose, the universal quasi-chemical (UNIQUAC) model and the Peng-Robinson (PR) equation of state (EOS) were used in this assessment. Second, the efficacy of recently developed generalized UNIQUAC and the nonrandom two-liquid (NRTL) for predicting multicomponent VLE systems were investigated. Third, the abilities of recently modified NRTL model (mNRTL2 and mNRTL1) to characterize liquid-liquid equilibria (LLE) phase conditions and attributes, including phase stability, miscibility, and consolute point coordinates, were assessed. The results of this work indicate that the ϕ-ϕ approach represents the binary VLE systems considered within three times the error of the gamma-ϕ approach. A similar trend was observed for the for the generalized model predictions using

Anomalous phase behavior of first-order fluid-liquid phase transition in phosphorus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, G.; Wang, H.; Hu, D. M.; Ding, M. C.; Zhao, X. G.; Yan, J. L.

2017-11-01

Although the existence of liquid-liquid phase transition has become more and more convincing, whether it will terminate at a critical point and what is the order parameter are still open. To explore these questions, we revisit the fluid-liquid phase transition (FLPT) in phosphorus (P) and study its phase behavior by performing extensive first-principles molecular dynamics simulations. The FLPT observed in experiments is well reproduced, and a fluid-liquid critical point (FLCP) at T = 3000 ˜ 3500 K, P = 1.5-2.0 Kbar is found. With decreasing temperature from the FLCP along the transition line, the density difference (Δρ) between two coexisting phases first increases from zero and then anomalously decreases; however, the entropy difference (ΔS) continuously increases from zero. These features suggest that an order parameter containing contributions from both the density and the entropy is needed to describe the FLPT in P, and at least at low temperatures, the entropy, instead of the density, governs the FLPT.

Phase Behavior in Blends of Asymmetrical Polyolefins

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nedoma, Alisyn Jenise

/B/A-B polymer systems with neutral interactions between each homopolymer and the corresponding block of the diblock copolymer. Ternary A/B/A-C blends exhibit a favorable interaction between the B homopolymer and C block, demonstrated by the miscibility of B/C blends. The A-C diblock copolymer surfactant can produce microstructures when added to A/B blends at much lower concentrations of copolymer than for an analagous A-B copolymer. This dissertation introduces the use of lamellar structure factor that fits scattering profiles unsuitable for the microemulsion fit. In addition, the lamellar fits include as adjustable parameters the size of each microdomain and corresponding interfacial width. These fit values agree quantitatively with independently generated predictions using self-consistent field theory, indicating a broad understanding of the physical parameters that affect thermodynamic behavior in the A/B/A-C system studied. This dissertation presents a study for which the concentration of diblock copolymer was fixed and the composition of the A and B homopolymers was systematically varied across a range of compositions including φA,crit. The experiment corresponded to tracing the copolymer isopleth on a ternary phase prism. Theoretical groups have predicted a rich phase behavior along the isopleth for similar ternary systems, however, the observed phase behavior was quantitatively identical for all blends studied. Self-consistent field theory predictions agreed with fit values of the domain spacing and microdomain widths. There was no discernible correlation between φA and phase behavior. This finding, and that of the study with critical A/B/A-C blends, together suggest that NA/NB correlates strongly with the phase behavior of a blend, while φ A does not. This relationship, captured by mean-field theory, provides a simple method for tuning the phase behavior of polymer nanocomposites without using additional surfactant. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Observation procedure, observer gender, and behavior valence as determinants of sampling error in a behavior assessment analogue

PubMed Central

Farkas, Gary M.; Tharp, Roland G.

1980-01-01

Several factors thought to influence the representativeness of behavioral assessment data were examined in an analogue study using a multifactorial design. Systematic and unsystematic methods of observing group behavior were investigated using 18 male and 18 female observers. Additionally, valence properties of the observed behaviors were inspected. Observers' assessments of a videotape were compared to a criterion code that defined the population of behaviors. Results indicated that systematic observation procedures were more accurate than unsystematic procedures, though this factor interacted with gender of observer and valence of behavior. Additionally, males tended to sample more representatively than females. A third finding indicated that the negatively valenced behavior was overestimated, whereas the neutral and positively valenced behaviors were accurately assessed. PMID:16795631

Tensiometric and Phase Domain Behavior of Lung Surfactant on Mucus-like Viscoelastic Hydrogels.

PubMed

Schenck, Daniel M; Fiegel, Jennifer

2016-03-09

Lung surfactant has been observed at all surfaces of the airway lining fluids and is an important contributor to normal lung function. In the conducting airways, the surfactant film lies atop a viscoelastic mucus gel. In this work, we report on the characterization of the tensiometric and phase domain behavior of lung surfactant at the air-liquid interface of mucus-like viscoelastic gels. Poly(acrylic acid) hydrogels were formulated to serve as a model mucus with bulk rheological properties that matched those of tracheobronchial mucus secretions. Infasurf (Calfactant), a commercially available pulmonary surfactant derived from calf lung extract, was spread onto the hydrogel surface. The surface tension lowering ability and relaxation of Infasurf films on the hydrogels was quantified and compared to Infasurf behavior on an aqueous subphase. Infasurf phase domains during surface compression were characterized by fluorescence microscopy and phase shifting interferometry. We observed that increasing the bulk viscoelastic properties of the model mucus hydrogels reduced the ability of Infasurf films to lower surface tension and inhibited film relaxation. A shift in the formation of Infasurf condensed phase domains from smaller, more spherical domains to large, agglomerated, multilayer structures was observed with increasing viscoelastic properties of the subphase. These studies demonstrate that the surface behavior of lung surfactant on viscoelastic surfaces, such as those found in the conducting airways, differs significantly from aqueous, surfactant-laden systems.

Behavioral indicators to detect ovarian phase in the dromedary she-camel.

PubMed

Padalino, B; Rateb, S A; Ibrahim, N B; Monaco, D; Lacalandra, G M; El-Bahrawy, K A

2016-06-01

This pilot study was conducted to test the hypothesis that female camels behave differently in various ovarian phases in the presence of a restrained male camel. The aim was to identify behavioral patterns which could be used as indicators to detect ovulatory phase by visual observation in the presence of a restrained virile bull. Twenty-four healthy, nonpregnant, and nonlactating adult females were used. Transrectal ultrasonography was performed for each animal once a week over a 3-week period to determine the phase of the ovarian cycle. Females were considered to be in the ovulatory phase (O) when there was at least one preovulatory follicle (12<Ø<19 mm) protruding from the ovarian surface, and in the nonovulatory phase (NO), when growing follicles, regressing follicles, or corpora lutea were detected. Immediately after examination, each female was freely exposed to a restrained bull for 15 minutes, and her behaviors were filmed. The videos were analyzed through a focal animal-sampling ethogram (states: looking at the male; looking outside; standing close to the male; searching; and lying down; events: interaction with the male; urination; defecation; sound emission; and steps). A score for tail position (tail score: 1 = close to the vulva, 2 = horizontal, 3 = vertical) and for interest in the bull (male time score: from 1 to 5; 1 = <20% of observation period spent near the bull; 5 = more than 80%) were recorded. Ovulatory phase camels showed higher interest in the male than nonovulatory phases: they stood close to the male for longer periods (P = 0.0159), interacted with the male more frequently (P = 0.0004), and tended to lie down in front of him (P = 0.1202). Moreover, ovulatory phase had a significant effect on male time score (P < 0.01), mature follicular ovarian phase being associated with higher scores. Seeking the male has already been proposed as a behavioral indicator of estrus in camels, this has now been confirmed using a

Dependence on sphere size of the phase behavior of mixtures of rods and spheres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Urakami, Naohito; Imai, Masayuki

2003-07-01

By the addition of chondroitin sulfate (Chs) to the aqueous suspension of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), the aggregation of TMV occurs at very dilute TMV concentration compared with the addition of polyethylene oxide (PEO). The difference of physical behavior between Chs and PEO is the chain conformation in solution. The Chs chain has a semirigid nature, whereas the PEO chain has a flexible nature. In this study, the Chs and PEO chains are simplified to spherical particles having different size, and we use the spherocylinder model for TMV particle. The effect of the sphere size on the phase behaviors in the mixtures of rods and spheres is investigated by Monte Carlo simulations. By the addition of small spheres, the system transforms from the miscible isotropic phase to the miscible nematic phase. On the other hand, by the addition of large spheres, the system changes from the miscible isotropic phase to the immiscible nematic phase through the immiscible isotropic phase. The different phase behaviors between the small and the large spheres originate from the difference of overlapping volume of the depletion zone. In addition, we perform the Monte Carlo simulations in the case that semirigid chains are used as the Chs chain models. The same phase behaviors are observed as the mixtures of rods and large spheres. Thus the sphere model captures the phase behaviors of rod and polymer mixture systems.

Phase behavior of charged colloids on spherical surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kelleher, Colm; Guerra, Rodrigo; Chaikin, Paul

For a broad class of 2D materials, the transition from isotropic fluid to crystalline solid is described by the theory of melting due to Kosterlitz, Thouless, Halperin, Nelson and Young. According to this theory, long-range order is achieved via elimination of the topological defects which proliferate in the fluid phase. However, many natural and man-made 2D systems posses spatial curvature and/or non-trivial topology, which require the presence of defects, even at T = 0 . In principle, the presence of these defects could profoundly affect the phase behavior of such a system. In this presentation, we describe experiments and simulations we have performed on repulsive particles which are bound to the surface of a sphere. We observe spatial structures and inhomogeneous dynamics that cannot be captured by the measures traditionally used to describe flat-space phase behavior. We show that ordering is achieved by a novel mechanism: sequestration of topological defects into freely-terminating grain boundaries (``scars''), and simultaneous spatial organization of the scars themselves on the vertices of an icosahedron. The emergence of icosahedral order coincides with the localization of mobility into isolated ``lakes'' of fluid or glassy particles, situated at the icosahedron vertices.

Thermal behavior of glassy phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) thin films

DOE PAGES

Yeager, J. D.; Chellappa, R.; Singh, S.; ...

2015-06-01

Ammonium nitrate (AN) is a high interest material because of its wide usage in propellants and explosives but can be difficult to handle from a formulation standpoint. It is soluble in many common solvents and has complex phase behavior. Here, we formulate phase stabilized AN (PSAN) films in a polymer matrix and characterize thermal and phase behavior using neutron reflectometry and ellipsometry. Our PSAN films are generally stable up to 160 °C, though we observe small material loss between 60 and 100 °C, which we attribute to solvent interactions with the PSAN. Crystallization of AN from supersaturated polymer is mostmore » common at thicker regions of the film, suggesting a critical nucleation thickness for the AN which can be avoided by making very thin films.« less

Nonequilibrium phase transitions in cuprates observed by ultrafast electron crystallography.

PubMed

Gedik, Nuh; Yang, Ding-Shyue; Logvenov, Gennady; Bozovic, Ivan; Zewail, Ahmed H

2007-04-20

Nonequilibrium phase transitions, which are defined by the formation of macroscopic transient domains, are optically dark and cannot be observed through conventional temperature- or pressure-change studies. We have directly determined the structural dynamics of such a nonequilibrium phase transition in a cuprate superconductor. Ultrafast electron crystallography with the use of a tilted optical geometry technique afforded the necessary atomic-scale spatial and temporal resolutions. The observed transient behavior displays a notable "structural isosbestic" point and a threshold effect for the dependence of c-axis expansion (Deltac) on fluence (F), with Deltac/F = 0.02 angstrom/(millijoule per square centimeter). This threshold for photon doping occurs at approximately 0.12 photons per copper site, which is unexpectedly close to the density (per site) of chemically doped carriers needed to induce superconductivity.

Phase Transformation Induced Self-Healing Behavior of Al-Ag Alloy.

PubMed

Michalcová, Alena; Marek, Ivo; Knaislová, Anna; Sofer, Zdeněk; Vojtěch, Dalibor

2018-01-27

Self-healing alloys are promising materials that can decrease the consequences of accidents. To detect crack formation in a material is simple task that can be performed by e.g., sonic or ultrasound detection, but it is not always possible to immediately replace the damaged parts. In this situation, it is very advantageous to have the chance to heal the crack during operation, which can be done e.g., by annealing. In this paper, self-healing behavior was proven by TEM (Transmission electron microscope) observation of crack healing after annealing. The crack was observed in the rapidly solidified Al-30Ag alloy with non-equilibrium phase composition formed by a minor amount of Ag₂Al and a supersaturated solid solution of Ag in an fcc-Al matrix (fcc = face centered cubic). After annealing at 450 °C, equilibrium phase composition was obtained by forming a higher amount of Ag₂Al. This phase transformation did not allow the crack to be healed. Subsequent annealing at 550 °C caused recrystallization to a supersaturated solid solution of Ag in fcc-Al, followed by a return to the mixture of fcc-Al and Ag₂Al by cooling, and this process was accompanied by the closing of the crack. This observation proved the self-healing possibilities of the Ag₂Al phase. Practical application of this self-healing behavior could be achieved through the dispersion of fine Ag₂Al particles in a structural material, which will enrich the material with self-healing properties.

Temperature-dependent Raman and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy studies on phase transition behavior of VO{sub 2} films with M1 and M2 phases

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

Okimura, Kunio, E-mail: okifn@keyaki.cc.u-tokai.ac.jp; Hanis Azhan, Nurul; Hajiri, Tetsuya

Structural and electronic phase transitions behavior of two polycrystalline VO{sub 2} films, one with pure M1 phase and the other with pure M2 phase at room temperature, were investigated by temperature-controlled Raman spectroscopy and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS). We observed characteristic transient dynamics in which the Raman modes at 195 cm{sup −1} (V-V vibration) and 616 cm{sup −1} (V-O vibration) showed remarkable hardening along the temperature in M1 phase film, indicating the rearrangements of V-V pairs and VO{sub 6} octahedra. It was also shown that the M1 Raman mode frequency approached those of invariant M2 peaks before entering rutile phase. In UPSmore » spectra with high energy resolution of 0.03 eV for the M2 phase film, narrower V{sub 3d} band was observed together with smaller gap compared to those of M1 phase film, supporting the nature of Mott insulator of M2 phase even in the polycrystalline film. Cooperative behavior of lattice rearrangements and electronic phase transition was suggested for M1 phase film.« less

Phase transformation and deformation behavior of NiTi-Nb eutectic joined NiTi wires

PubMed Central

Wang, Liqiang; Wang, Cong; Zhang, Lai-Chang; Chen, Liangyu; Lu, Weijie; Zhang, Di

2016-01-01

NiTi wires were brazed together via eutectic reaction between NiTi and Nb powder deposited at the wire contact region. Phase transformation and deformation behavior of the NiTi-Nb eutectic microstructure were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and cyclic loading-unloading tests. Results show that R phase and B19′ martensite transformation are induced by plastic deformation. R phase transformation, which significantly contributes to superelasticity, preferentially occurs at the interfaces between NiTi and eutectic region. Round-shaped Nb-rich phase with rod-like and lamellar-type eutectics are observed in eutectic regions. These phases appear to affect the deformation behavior of the brazed NiTi-Nb region via five distinct stages in stress-strain curves: (I) R phase reorientation, (II) R phase transformation from parent phase, (III) elastic deformation of reoriented martensite accompanied by the plastic deformation of Nb-rich phase and lamellar NiTi-Nb eutectic, (IV) B19′ martensitic transformation, and (V) plastic deformation of the specimen. PMID:27049025

Chemical systems for improved oil recovery: Phase behavior, oil recovery, and mobility control studies

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

Llave, F.; Gall, B.; Gao, H., Scott, L., Cook, I.

Selected surfactant systems containing a series of ethoxylated nonionic surfactants in combination with an anionic surfactant system have been studied to evaluate phase behavior as well as oil recovery potential. These experiments were conducted to evaluate possible improved phase behavior and overall oil recovery potential of mixed surfactant systems over a broad range of conditions. Both polyacrylamide polymers and Xanthan biopolymers were evaluated. Studies were initiated to use a chemical flooding simulation program, UTCHEM, to simulate oil recovery for laboratory and field applications and evaluate its use to simulate oil saturation distributions obtained in CT-monitoring of oil recovery experiments. Themore » phase behavior studies focused on evaluating the effect of anionic-nonionic surfactant proportion on overall phase behavior. Two distinct transition behaviors were observed, depending on the dominant surfactant in the overall system. The first type of transition corresponded to more conventional behavior attributed to nonionic-dominant surfactant systems. This behavior is manifested by an oil-water-surfactant system that inverts from a water-external (highly conducting) microemulsion to an oil-external (nonconducting) one, as a function of temperature. The latter type which inverts in an opposite manner can be attributed to the separation of the anionic-nonionic mixtures into water- and oil-soluble surfactants. Both types of transition behavior can still be used to identify relative proximity to optimal areas. Determining these transition ranges provided more insight on how the behavior of these surfactant mixtures was affected by altering component proportions. Efforts to optimize the chemical system for oil displacement experiments were also undertaken. Phase behavior studies with systems formulated with biopolymer in solution were conducted.« less

Observational Assessment of Preschool Disruptive Behavior, Part II: validity of the Disruptive Behavior Diagnostic Observation Schedule (DB-DOS).

PubMed

Wakschlag, Lauren S; Briggs-Gowan, Margaret J; Hill, Carri; Danis, Barbara; Leventhal, Bennett L; Keenan, Kate; Egger, Helen L; Cicchetti, Domenic; Burns, James; Carter, Alice S

2008-06-01

To examine the validity of the Disruptive Behavior Diagnostic Observation Schedule (DB-DOS), a new observational method for assessing preschool disruptive behavior. A total of 327 behaviorally heterogeneous preschoolers from low-income environments comprised the validation sample. Parent and teacher reports were used to identify children with clinically significant disruptive behavior. The DB-DOS assessed observed disruptive behavior in two domains, problems in Behavioral Regulation and Anger Modulation, across three interactional contexts: Examiner Engaged, Examiner Busy, and Parent. Convergent and divergent validity of the DB-DOS were tested in relation to parent and teacher reports and independently observed behavior. Clinical validity was tested in terms of criterion and incremental validity of the DB-DOS for discriminating disruptive behavior status and impairment, concurrently and longitudinally. DB-DOS scores were significantly associated with reported and independently observed behavior in a theoretically meaningful fashion. Scores from both DB-DOS domains and each of the three DB-DOS contexts contributed uniquely to discrimination of disruptive behavior status, concurrently and predictively. Observed behavior on the DB-DOS also contributed incrementally to prediction of impairment over time, beyond variance explained by meeting DSM-IV disruptive behavior disorder symptom criteria based on parent/teacher report. The multidomain, multicontext approach of the DB-DOS is a valid method for direct assessment of preschool disruptive behavior. This approach shows promise for enhancing accurate identification of clinically significant disruptive behavior in young children and for characterizing subtypes in a manner that can directly inform etiological and intervention research.

Phase Behavior and Equations of State of the Actinide Oxides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chidester, B.; Pardo, O. S.; Panero, W. R.; Fischer, R. A.; Thompson, E. C.; Heinz, D. L.; Prescher, C.; Prakapenka, V. B.; Campbell, A.

2017-12-01

The distribution of the long-lived heat-producing actinide elements U and Th in the deep Earth has important implications for the dynamics of the mantle and possibly the energy budget of Earth's core. The low shear velocities of the Large Low-Shear Velocity Provinces (LLSVPs) on the core-mantle boundary suggests that these regions are at least partially molten and may contain concentrated amounts of the radioactive elements, as well as other large cations such as the rare Earth elements. As such, by exploring the phase behavior of actinide-bearing minerals at extreme conditions, some insight into the mineralogy, formation, and geochemical and geodynamical effects of these regions can be gained. We have performed in situ high-pressure, high-temperature synchrotron X-ray diffraction experiments and calculations on two actinide oxide materials, UO2 and ThO2, to determine their phase behavior at the extreme conditions of the lower mantle. Experiments on ThO2 reached 60 GPa and 2500 K, and experiments on UO2 reached 95 GPa and 2500 K. We find that ThO2 exists in the fluorite-type structure to 20 GPa at high temperatures, at which point it transforms to the high-pressure cotunnite-type structure and remains thus up to 60 GPa. At room temperature, an anomalous expansion of the fluorite structure is observed prior to the transition, and may signal anion sub-lattice disorder. Similarly, UO2 exists in the fluorite-type structure at ambient conditions and up to 28 GPa at high temperatures. Above these pressures, we have observed a previously unidentified phase of UO2 with a tetragonal structure as the lower-temperature phase and the cotunnite-type phase at higher temperatures. Above 78 GPa, UO2 undergoes another transition or possible dissociation into two separate oxide phases. These phase diagrams suggest that the actinides could exist as oxides in solid solution with other analogous phases (e.g. ZrO2) in the cotunnite-type structure throughout much of Earth's lower mantle.

Phase behavior of charged hydrophobic colloids on flat and spherical surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kelleher, Colm P.

For a broad class of two-dimensional (2D) materials, the transition from isotropic fluid to crystalline solid is described by the theory of melting due to Kosterlitz, Thouless, Halperin, Nelson and Young (KTHNY). According to this theory, long-range order is achieved via elimination of the topological defects which proliferate in the fluid phase. However, many natural and man-made 2D systems posses spatial curvature and/or non-trivial topology, which require the presence of topological defects, even at T=0. In principle, the presence of these defects could profoundly affect the phase behavior of such a system. In this thesis, we develop and characterize an experimental system of charged colloidal particles that bind electrostatically to the interface between an oil and an aqueous phase. Depending on how we prepare the sample, this fluid interface may be flat, spherical, or have a more complicated geometry. Focusing on the cases where the interface is flat or spherical, we measure the interactions between the particles, and probe various aspects of their phase behavior. On flat interfaces, this phase behavior is well-described by KTHNY theory. In spherical geometries, however, we observe spatial structures and inhomogeneous dynamics that cannot be captured by the measures traditionally used to describe flat-space phase behavior. We show that, in the spherical system, ordering is achieved by a novel mechanism: sequestration of topological defects into freely-terminating grain boundaries ("scars"), and simultaneous spatial organization of the scars themselves on the vertices of an icosahedron. The emergence of icosahedral order coincides with the localization of mobility into isolated "lakes" of fluid or glassy particles, situated at the icosahedron vertices. These lakes are embedded in a rigid, connected "continent" of locally crystalline particles.

Phase transitions in mixed gas hydrates: experimental observations versus calculated data.

PubMed

Schicks, Judith M; Naumann, Rudolf; Erzinger, Jörg; Hester, Keith C; Koh, Carolyn A; Sloan, E Dendy

2006-06-15

This paper presents the phase behavior of multicomponent gas hydrate systems formed from primarily methane with small amounts of ethane and propane. Experimental conditions were typically in a pressure range between 1 and 6 MPa, and the temperature range was between 260 and 290 K. These multicomponent systems have been investigated using a variety of techniques including microscopic observations, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. These techniques, used in combination, allowed for measurement of the hydrate structure and composition, while observing the morphology of the hydrate crystals measured. The hydrate formed immediately below the three-phase line (V-L --> V-L-H) and contained crystals that were both light and dark in appearance. The light crystals, which visually were a single solid phase, showed a spectroscopic indication for the presence of occluded free gas in the hydrate. In contrast, the dark crystals were measured to be structure II (sII) without the presence of these occluded phases. Along with hydrate measurements near the decomposition line, an unexpected transformation process was visually observed at P-T-conditions in the stability field of the hydrates. Larger crystallites transformed into a foamy solid upon cooling over this transition line (between 5 and 10 K below the decomposition temperature). Below the transition line, a mixture of sI and sII was detected. This is the first time that these multicomponent systems have been investigated at these pressure and temperature conditions using both visual and spectroscopic techniques. These techniques enabled us to observe and measure the unexpected transformation process showing coexistence of different gas hydrate phases.

Phase behavior of colloidal dimers and hydrodynamic instabilities in binary mixtures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Milinkovic, K.

2013-05-01

We use computer simulations to study colloidal suspensions comprised of either bidisperse spherical particles or monodisperse dimer particles. The two main simulation techniques employed are a hybrid between molecular dynamics and stochastic rotation dynamics (MD-SRD), and a Monte Carlo (MC) algorithm. MD-SRD allows us to take Brownian motion and hydrodynamic interactions into account, while we use MC simulations to study equilibrium phase behavior. The first part of this thesis is dedicated to studying the Rayleigh-Taylor-like hydrodynamic instabilities which form in binary colloidal mixtures. Configurations with initially inhomogeneous distributions of colloidal species let to sediment in confinement will undergo the instability, and here we have studied the formation, evolution and the structural organization of the colloids within the instability as a function of the properties of the binary mixture. We found that the distribution of the colloids within the instability does not depend significantly on the composition of the mixtures, but does depend greatly on the relative magnitudes of the particle Peclet numbers. To follow the time evolution of the instability formation we calculated the spatial colloid velocity correlation functions, observing alternating regions in which the particle sedimentation velocities are correlated and anticorrelated. These observations are consistent with the network-like structures which are characteristic for Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities. We also calculated the growth rates of the unstable modes both from our simulation data and theoretically, finding good agreement between the obtained results. The second part of this thesis focuses on the phase behavior of monodisperse dimer systems. We first studied the phase behavior of hard snowman-shaped particles which consist of tangential hard spheres with different diameters. We used Monte Carlo simulations and free energy calculations to obtain the phase diagram as a function of the

Singular behavior of jet substructure observables

DOE PAGES

Larkoski, Andrew J.; Moult, Ian

2016-01-20

Jet substructure observables play a central role at the Large Hadron Collider for identifying the boosted hadronic decay products of electroweak scale resonances. The complete description of these observables requires understanding both the limit in which hard substructure is resolved, as well as the limit of a jet with a single hard core. In this paper we study in detail the perturbative structure of two prominent jet substructure observables, N-subjettiness and the energy correlation functions, as measured on background QCD jets. In particular, we focus on the distinction between the limits in which two-prong structure is resolved or unresolved. Dependingmore » on the choice of subjet axes, we demonstrate that at fixed order, N-subjettiness can manifest myriad behaviors in the unresolved region: smooth tails, end-point singularities, or singularities in the physical region. The energy correlation functions, by contrast, only have non-singular perturbative tails extending to the end point. We discuss the effect of hadronization on the various observables with Monte Carlo simulation and demonstrate that the modeling of these effects with non-perturbative shape functions is highly dependent on the N-subjettiness axes definitions. Lastly, our study illustrates those regions of phase space that must be controlled for high-precision jet substructure calculations, and emphasizes how such calculations can be facilitated by designing substructure observables with simple singular structures.« less

Tropical behavior of mesospheric ozone as observed by SMM

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aikin, A. C.; Kendig, D. J.

1992-01-01

The seasonal behavior of low latitude mesospheric ozone, as observed by the SMM satellite solar occultation experiment, is detailed for the 1985-1989 period. Annual as well as semi-annual waves are observed in the 50-70 km altitude region. In the latitude range of +/- 30 deg the ozone phase and amplitude are functions of temperature and seasonal changes in solar flux. Temperature is the controlling factor for the equatorial region and seasonal changes in solar flux become more dominant at latitudes outside the equatorial zone (greater than +/- 15 deg). There is a hemispheric asymmetry in the ozone annual wave in the 20-30 deg region, with Northern Hemispheric ozone having a larger amplitude than Southern Hemispheric ozone.

Phase behavior of mixtures of DPPC and POPG.

PubMed

Wiedmann, T; Salmon, A; Wong, V

1993-04-07

The phase relation of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylglycerol (POPG) has been determined by measurement of the endothermic transitions of mixtures of DPPC and POPG in 100 mM NaCl, 50 mM PIPES (pH 7.0). With the use of differential scanning calorimetry, the gel-liquid crystalline phase transitions of pure POPG and DPPC were estimated to be 274 K and 315.8 K, respectively. With mixtures, there was considerable broadening of the endotherms, but there was no evidence of immiscibility. At high and low mole fractions of DPPC, the observed transition regions are not different from that calculated assuming ideal behavior. However in the central region of the phase diagram, there were deviations from both the ideal liquidus and solidus curves. The chemical shift anisotropy of the 13C-labelled carbonyl carbon of pure DPPC was determined as a function of temperature. At 298 K, a broad peak characteristic of axially symmetric motional averaging of the shielding tensor was observed. At a temperature of 300 K, a narrow peak at 173 ppm was superimposed upon the broad peak. The magnitude of the narrow resonance increased with temperature over the range of 300 to 315 K with the spectrum obtained at the latter point almost completely devoid of any broad features. Spectra obtained with a 9:1 mole ratio of DPPC/POPG was very similar to that obtained with pure DPPC. However, with increasing amounts of POPG, both the temperature at which the narrow resonance appeared and the temperature at which only a narrow resonance was observed were reduced. Over the range of 0 to 50 mol % POPG, there was no major change in the width or shape of the spectra which contained only a broad or narrow resonance. Also for mol % of POPG of 20% and less, there was agreement between the temperature at which only the narrow component was observed and the completion of the main phase transition based on the DSC scans. However, at the two higher mol % of 33 and 50

Phase-field modeling of void anisotropic growth behavior in irradiated zirconium

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

Han, G. M.; Wang, H.; Lin, De-Ye

2017-06-01

A three-dimensional (3D) phase field model was developed to study the effects of surface energy and diffusivity anisotropy on void growth behavior in irradiated Zr. The gamma surface energy function, which is used in the phase field model, was developed with the surface energy anisotropy calculated from the molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. It is assumed that vacancies have much larger mobility in c-axis than a- and b- axes while interstitials have much larger mobility in basal plane then that in c-axis. With the model, the equilibrium void morphology and the effect of defect concentrations and defect mobility anisotropy on voidmore » growth behavior were simulated. The simulations demonstrated that 1) The developed phase-field model can correctly reproduce the faceted void morphology predicted by the Wullf construction. 2) With isotropic diffusivity the void prefers to grow on the basal plane. 3) When the vacancy has large mobility along c-axis and interstitial has a large mobility on the basal plane of hexagonal closed packed (hcp) Zr alloys a platelet void grows in c-direction and shrinks on the basal plane, which is in agreement with the experimental observation of void growth behavior in irradiated Zr.« less

Pressure-temperature phase behavior of mixtures of natural sphingomyelin and ceramide extracts.

PubMed

Barriga, Hanna M G; Parsons, Edward S; McCarthy, Nicola L C; Ces, Oscar; Seddon, John M; Law, Robert V; Brooks, Nicholas J

2015-03-31

Ceramides are a group of sphingolipids that act as highly important signaling molecules in a variety of cellular processes including differentiation and apoptosis. The predominant in vivo synthetic pathway for ceramide formation is via sphingomyelinase catalyzed hydrolysis of sphingomyelin. The biochemistry of this essential pathway has been studied in detail; however, there is currently a lack of information on the structural behavior of sphingomyelin- and ceramide-rich model membrane systems, which is essential for developing a bottom-up understanding of ceramide signaling and platform formation. We have studied the lyotropic phase behavior of sphingomyelin-ceramide mixtures in excess water as a function of temperature (30-70 °C) and pressure (1-200 MPa) by small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering. At low ceramide concentrations the mixtures form the ripple gel phase (P(β)') below the gel transition temperature for sphingomyelin, and this observation has been confirmed by atomic force microscopy. Formation of the ripple gel phase can also be induced at higher temperatures via the application of hydrostatic pressure. At high ceramide concentration an inverse hexagonal phase (HII) is formed coexisting with a cubic phase.

Observation of dynamic equilibrium cluster phase in nanoparticle-polymer system

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

Kumar, Sugam, E-mail: sugam@barc.gov.in; Mehan, S.; Aswal, V. K.

2016-05-23

Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) have been used to investigate the existence of a cluster phase in a nanoparticle-polymer system. The nanoparticle-polymer system shows an interesting reentrant phase behavior where the charge stabilized silica nanoparticles undergo particle clustering and back to individual nanoparticles as a function of polymer concentration. This kind of phase behavior is believed to be directed by opposing attractive and repulsive interactions present in the system. The phase behavior shows two narrow regions of polymer concentration immediately before and after the two-phase formation indicating the possibility of the existence of some equilibrium clusters.more » DLS results show a much higher size of particles than individuals in these two regions which remains unchanged even after dilution. The SANS data show the evolution of attraction with increased volume fraction of the particles supporting the dynamic nature of these clusters.« less

The phase behavior of cationic lipid-DNA complexes.

PubMed Central

May, S; Harries, D; Ben-Shaul, A

2000-01-01

We present a theoretical analysis of the phase behavior of solutions containing DNA, cationic lipids, and nonionic (helper) lipids. Our model allows for five possible structures, treated as incompressible macroscopic phases: two lipid-DNA composite (lipoplex) phases, namely, the lamellar (L(alpha)(C)) and hexagonal (H(II)(C)) complexes; two binary (cationic/neutral) lipid phases, that is, the bilayer (L(alpha)) and inverse-hexagonal (H(II)) structures, and uncomplexed DNA. The free energy of the four lipid-containing phases is expressed as a sum of composition-dependent electrostatic, elastic, and mixing terms. The electrostatic free energies of all phases are calculated based on Poisson-Boltzmann theory. The phase diagram of the system is evaluated by minimizing the total free energy of the three-component mixture with respect to all the compositional degrees of freedom. We show that the phase behavior, in particular the preferred lipid-DNA complex geometry, is governed by a subtle interplay between the electrostatic, elastic, and mixing terms, which depend, in turn, on the lipid composition and lipid/DNA ratio. Detailed calculations are presented for three prototypical systems, exhibiting markedly different phase behaviors. The simplest mixture corresponds to a rigid planar membrane as the lipid source, in which case, only lamellar complexes appear in solution. When the membranes are "soft" (i.e., low bending modulus) the system exhibits the formation of both lamellar and hexagonal complexes, sometimes coexisting with each other, and with pure lipid or DNA phases. The last system corresponds to a lipid mixture involving helper lipids with strong propensity toward the inverse-hexagonal phase. Here, again, the phase diagram is rather complex, revealing a multitude of phase transitions and coexistences. Lamellar and hexagonal complexes appear, sometimes together, in different regions of the phase diagram. PMID:10733951

The Lunacy of It All: Lunar Phases and Human Behavior.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rotton, James; Kelly, Ivan W.

1986-01-01

Discusses the relationship between aberrant human behavior and phases of the moon. Reviews media influence, myth, superstition and pseudoscience. Examines studies purporting to have found relationships between moon phases and behavior. (JM)

Critical behavior within 20 fs drives the out-of-equilibrium laser-induced magnetic phase transition in nickel

PubMed Central

Tengdin, Phoebe; You, Wenjing; Chen, Cong; Shi, Xun; Zusin, Dmitriy; Zhang, Yingchao; Gentry, Christian; Blonsky, Adam; Keller, Mark; Oppeneer, Peter M.; Kapteyn, Henry C.; Tao, Zhensheng; Murnane, Margaret M.

2018-01-01

It has long been known that ferromagnets undergo a phase transition from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic at the Curie temperature, associated with critical phenomena such as a divergence in the heat capacity. A ferromagnet can also be transiently demagnetized by heating it with an ultrafast laser pulse. However, to date, the connection between out-of-equilibrium and equilibrium phase transitions, or how fast the out-of-equilibrium phase transitions can proceed, was not known. By combining time- and angle-resolved photoemission with time-resolved transverse magneto-optical Kerr spectroscopies, we show that the same critical behavior also governs the ultrafast magnetic phase transition in nickel. This is evidenced by several observations. First, we observe a divergence of the transient heat capacity of the electron spin system preceding material demagnetization. Second, when the electron temperature is transiently driven above the Curie temperature, we observe an extremely rapid change in the material response: The spin system absorbs sufficient energy within the first 20 fs to subsequently proceed through the phase transition, whereas demagnetization and the collapse of the exchange splitting occur on much longer, fluence-independent time scales of ~176 fs. Third, we find that the transient electron temperature alone dictates the magnetic response. Our results are important because they connect the out-of-equilibrium material behavior to the strongly coupled equilibrium behavior and uncover a new time scale in the process of ultrafast demagnetization. PMID:29511738

Critical behavior within 20 fs drives the out-of-equilibrium laser-induced magnetic phase transition in nickel.

PubMed

Tengdin, Phoebe; You, Wenjing; Chen, Cong; Shi, Xun; Zusin, Dmitriy; Zhang, Yingchao; Gentry, Christian; Blonsky, Adam; Keller, Mark; Oppeneer, Peter M; Kapteyn, Henry C; Tao, Zhensheng; Murnane, Margaret M

2018-03-01

It has long been known that ferromagnets undergo a phase transition from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic at the Curie temperature, associated with critical phenomena such as a divergence in the heat capacity. A ferromagnet can also be transiently demagnetized by heating it with an ultrafast laser pulse. However, to date, the connection between out-of-equilibrium and equilibrium phase transitions, or how fast the out-of-equilibrium phase transitions can proceed, was not known. By combining time- and angle-resolved photoemission with time-resolved transverse magneto-optical Kerr spectroscopies, we show that the same critical behavior also governs the ultrafast magnetic phase transition in nickel. This is evidenced by several observations. First, we observe a divergence of the transient heat capacity of the electron spin system preceding material demagnetization. Second, when the electron temperature is transiently driven above the Curie temperature, we observe an extremely rapid change in the material response: The spin system absorbs sufficient energy within the first 20 fs to subsequently proceed through the phase transition, whereas demagnetization and the collapse of the exchange splitting occur on much longer, fluence-independent time scales of ~176 fs. Third, we find that the transient electron temperature alone dictates the magnetic response. Our results are important because they connect the out-of-equilibrium material behavior to the strongly coupled equilibrium behavior and uncover a new time scale in the process of ultrafast demagnetization.

The observation of negative permittivity in stripe and bubble phases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smet, Jurgen

The physics of itinerant two-dimensional electrons is by and large governed by repulsive Coulomb forces. However, cases exist where the interplay of attractive and repulsive interaction components may instigate spontaneous symmetry lowering and clustering of charges in geometric patterns such as bubbles and stripes, provided these interactions act on different length scales. The existence of these phases in higher Landau levels has so far been concluded from transport behavior. Here, we report surface acoustic wave experiments. They probe the permittivity at small wave vector. This technique offers true directionality, whereas in transport the current distribution is complex and strongly affected by the inhomogeneous density pattern. Outside the charge density wave regime, the measured permittivity is always positive. However, negative permittivity is observed in the bubble phase irrespective of the propagation direction. For the stripe phase the permittivity takes on both positive as well as negative values depending on the propagation direction. This confirms the stripe phase to be a strongly anisotropic medium. The observation of negative permittivity is considered an immediate consequence of the exchange related attractive interaction. It makes charge clustering favorable in higher Landau levels where the repulsive direct Coulomb interaction acts on a longer length scale and is responsible for a negative compressibility of the electronic system. This work has been carried out with B. Friess, K. von Klitzing (MPI-FKF), Y. Peng, F. von Oppen (FU Berlin), B. Rosenow (Uni Leipzig) and V. Umansky (Weizmann Institute of Science).

Phase Transition Behavior in a Neutral Evolution Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

King, Dawn; Scott, Adam; Maric, Nevena; Bahar, Sonya

2014-03-01

The complexity of interactions among individuals and between individuals and the environment make agent based modeling ideal for studying emergent speciation. This is a dynamically complex problem that can be characterized via the critical behavior of a continuous phase transition. Concomitant with the main tenets of natural selection, we allow organisms to reproduce, mutate, and die within a neutral phenotype space. Previous work has shown phase transition behavior in an assortative mating model with variable fitness landscapes as the maximum mutation size (μ) was varied (Dees and Bahar, 2010). Similarly, this behavior was recently presented in the work of Scott et al. (2013), even on a completely neutral landscape, for bacterial-like fission as well as for assortative mating. Here we present another neutral model to investigate the `critical' phase transition behavior of three mating types - assortative, bacterial, and random - in a phenotype space as a function of the percentage of random death. Results show two types of phase transitions occurring for the parameters of the population size and the number of clusters (an analogue of species), indicating different evolutionary dynamics for system survival and clustering. This research was supported by funding from: University of Missouri Research Board and James S. McDonnell Foundation.

Phase behavior of stratum corneum lipids in mixed Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers.

PubMed Central

ten Grotenhuis, E; Demel, R A; Ponec, M; Boer, D R; van Miltenburg, J C; Bouwstra, J A

1996-01-01

The lipids found in the bilayers of the stratum corneum fulfill the vital barrier role of mammalian bodies. The main classes of lipids found in stratum corneum are ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids. For an investigation of their phase behavior, mixed Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers of these lipids were prepared. Atomic force microscopy was used to investigate the structure of the monolayers as a function of the monolayer composition. Three different types of ceramide were used: ceramide extracted from pigskin, a commercially available ceramide with several fatty acid chain lengths, and two synthetic ceramides that have only one fatty acid chain length. In pigskin ceramide-cholesterol mixed monolayers phase separation was observed. This phase separation was also found for the commercially available type III Sigma ceramide-cholesterol mixed monolayers with molar ratios ranging from 1:0.1 to 1:1. These monolayers separated into two phases, one composed of the long fatty acid chain fraction of Sigma ceramide III and the other of the short fatty acid chain fraction of Sigma ceramide III mixed with cholesterol. Mixtures with a higher cholesterol content consisted of only one phase. These observations were confirmed by the results obtained with synthetic ceramides, which have only one fatty acid chain length. The synthetic ceramide with a palmitic acid (16:0) chain mixed with cholesterol, and the synthetic ceramide with a lignoceric acid (24:0) chain did not. Free fatty acids showed a preference to mix with one of these phases, depending on their fatty acid chain lengths. The results of this investigation suggest that the model system used in this study is in good agreement with those of other studies concerning the phase behavior of the stratum corneum lipids. By varying the composition of the monolayers one can study the role of each lipid class in detail. Images FIGURE 2 FIGURE 3 FIGURE 4 FIGURE 5 FIGURE 6 PMID:8874014

10 CFR 26.33 - Behavioral observation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 10 Energy 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Behavioral observation. 26.33 Section 26.33 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION FITNESS FOR DUTY PROGRAMS Program Elements § 26.33 Behavioral observation. Licensees and other entities shall ensure that the individuals who are subject to this subpart are subject to...

10 CFR 26.33 - Behavioral observation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 10 Energy 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Behavioral observation. 26.33 Section 26.33 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION FITNESS FOR DUTY PROGRAMS Program Elements § 26.33 Behavioral observation. Licensees and other entities shall ensure that the individuals who are subject to this subpart are subject to...

10 CFR 26.33 - Behavioral observation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 10 Energy 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Behavioral observation. 26.33 Section 26.33 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION FITNESS FOR DUTY PROGRAMS Program Elements § 26.33 Behavioral observation. Licensees and other entities shall ensure that the individuals who are subject to this subpart are subject to...

10 CFR 26.33 - Behavioral observation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 10 Energy 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Behavioral observation. 26.33 Section 26.33 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION FITNESS FOR DUTY PROGRAMS Program Elements § 26.33 Behavioral observation. Licensees and other entities shall ensure that the individuals who are subject to this subpart are subject to...

10 CFR 26.33 - Behavioral observation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 10 Energy 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Behavioral observation. 26.33 Section 26.33 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION FITNESS FOR DUTY PROGRAMS Program Elements § 26.33 Behavioral observation. Licensees and other entities shall ensure that the individuals who are subject to this subpart are subject to...

Phase behavior of thermotropic chiral liquid crystal with wide blue phase

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jessy, P. J.; Radha, S.; Nainesh, Patel

2018-04-01

We modified the phase transitions of a thermotropic chiral nematic liquid crystal system with various concentrations of chiral component and investigated their phase behavior and optical properties. The study shows that coupling between chirality and nematicity of liquid crystals lead to changes in phase morphology with extended temperature window of blue phase including human body temperatures and enhanced thermochromism performance. The temperature dependent refractive index analysis in the visible spectral region reveals that the optical modulation due to pitch variation of helical pattern results in the creation of new mesophases and more pronounced chirality in mixtures leading to blue phase which can be controlled by the chiral concentration. The appearance of extended blue phases with primary colors will pave way for the development of new photonic devices.

Survey of CRISM Transition Phase Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seelos, F. P.; Murchie, S. L.; Choo, T. H.; McGovern, J. A.

2006-12-01

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) transition phase extends from the end of aerobraking (08/30/06) to the start of the Primary Science Phase (PSP) (11/08/2006). Within this timeframe, the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) will acquire Mars scene observations in association with the deployment of the telescope cover (09/27/06) and during the operational checkout of the full science payload (09/29/06 - 10/05/06). The CRISM cover opening sequence includes scene observations that will be used to verify deployment and to validate the on-orbit instrument wavelength calibration. The limited cover opening observation set consists of: 1. A hyperspectral nadir scan acquired as the cover is deployed (first light) 2. A single targeted (gimbaled) hyperspectral observation in the northern plains 3. A restricted duration nadir multispectral strip The high level objectives for the science payload checkout are to obtain observations in support of in-flight wavelength, radiometric, and geometric instrument calibration, to acquire data that will contribute to the development of a first-order hyperspectral atmospheric correction, and to exercise numerous spacecraft and instrument observing modes and strategies that will be employed during PSP. The science payload checkout also enables a unique collaboration between the Mars Express OMEGA and CRISM teams, with both spectrometers slated to observe common target locations with a minimal time offset for the purpose of instrument cross-calibration. The priority CRISM observations for the payload checkout include: 1. Multispectral nadir and hyperspectral off-nadir targeted observations in support of the cross-calibration experiment with OMEGA 2. Terminator-to-terminator multispectral data acquisition demonstrating the strategy that will be used to construct the global multispectral survey map 3. Terminator-to-terminator atmospheric emission phase function (EPF) data acquisition demonstrating the observation

Acquisition and Tracking Behavior of Phase-Locked Loops

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Viterbi, A. J.

1958-01-01

Phase-locked or APC loops have found increasing applications in recent years as tracking filters, synchronizing devices, and narrowband FM discriminators. Considerable work has been performed to determine the noise-squelching properties of the loop when it is operating in or near phase lock and is functioning as a linear coherent detector. However, insufficient consideration has been devoted to the non-linear behavior of the loop when it is out of lock and in the process of pulling in. Experimental evidence has indicated that there is a strong tendency for phase-locked loops to achieve lock under most circumstances. However, the analysis which has appeared in the literature iis limited to the acquisition of a constant frequency reference signal with only one phase-locked loop filter configuration. This work represents an investigation of frequency acquisition properties of phase-locked loops for a variety of reference-signal behavior and loop configurations

X-ray phase imaging-From static observation to dynamic observation-

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

Momose, A.; Yashiro, W.; Olbinado, M. P.

2012-07-31

We are attempting to expand the technology of X-ray grating phase imaging/tomography to enable dynamic observation. X-ray phase imaging has been performed mainly for static cases, and this challenge is significant since properties of materials (and hopefully their functions) would be understood by observing their dynamics in addition to their structure, which is an inherent advantage of X-ray imaging. Our recent activities in combination with white synchrotron radiation for this purpose are described. Taking advantage of the fact that an X-ray grating interferometer functions with X-rays of a broad energy bandwidth (and therefore high flux), movies of differential phase imagesmore » and visibility images are obtained with a time resolution of a millisecond. The time resolution of X-ray phase tomography can therefore be a second. This study is performed as a part of a project to explore X-ray grating interferometry, and our other current activities are also briefly outlined.« less

Traders' behavioral coupling and market phase transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Rong; Zhang, Yin; Li, Honggang

2017-11-01

Traditional economic theory is based on the assumption that traders are completely independent and rational; however, trading behavior in the real market is often coupled by various factors. This paper discusses behavioral coupling based on the stock index in the stock market, focusing on the convergence of traders' behavior, its effect on the correlation of stock returns and market volatility. We find that the behavioral consensus in the stock market, the correlation degree of stock returns, and the market volatility all exhibit significant phase transitions with stronger coupling.

Thermodynamic nonequilibrium phase change behavior and thermal properties of biological solutions for cryobiology applications.

PubMed

Han, Bumsoo; Bischof, John C

2004-04-01

Understanding the phase change behavior of biomaterials during freezing/thawing including their thermal properties at low temperatures is essential to design and improve cryobiology applications such as cryopreservation and cryosurgery. However, knowledge of phase change behavior and thermal properties of various biomaterials is still incomplete, especially at cryogenic temperatures (< or = -40 degrees C). Moreover, in these applications, chemicals are often added to improve their outcome, which can result in significant variation in the phase change behavior and thermal properties from those of the original biomaterials. These chemical additives include cryoprotective agents (CPAs), antifreeze protein (AFP), or cryosurgical adjuvants like sodium chloride (NaCl). In the present study, phase change behavior and thermal properties of saline solutions--either water-NaCl or phosphate buffered saline (PBS)--with various chemical additives were investigated. The chemical additives studied are glycerol and raffinose as CPAs, an AFP (Type III, molecular weight = 6500), and NaCl as a cryosurgical adjuvant. The phase change behavior was investigated using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and a cryomicroscope. The specific and latent heat of these solutions were also measured with the DSC. The saline solutions have two distinct phase changes--water/ice and eutectic phase changes. During freezing, eutectic solidification of both water-NaCl and PBS are significantly supercooled below their thermodynamic equilibrium eutectic temperatures. However, their melting temperatures are close to thermodynamic equilibrium during thawing. These eutectic phase changes disappear when even a small amount (0.1 M glycerol) of CPA was added, but they are still observed after the addition of an AFP. The specific heats of these solutions are close to that of ice at very low temperatures (< or = -100 degrees C) regardless of the additives, but they increase between -100 degrees C and -30

Flow behavior of colloidal rodlike viruses in the nematic phase.

PubMed

Lettinga, M Paul; Dogic, Zvonimir; Wang, Hao; Vermant, Jan

2005-08-16

The behavior of a colloidal suspension of rodlike fd viruses in the nematic phase, subjected to steady state and transient shear flows, is studied. The monodisperse nature of these rods combined with relatively small textural contribution to the overall stress make this a suitable model system to investigate the effects of flow on the nonequilibrium phase diagram. Transient rheological experiments are used to determine the critical shear rates at which director tumbling, wagging, and flow-aligning occurs. The present model system enables us to study the effect of rod concentration on these transitions. The results are in quantitatively agreement with the Doi-Edwards-Hess model. Moreover, we observe that there is a strong connection between the dynamic transitions and structure formation, which is not incorporated in theory.

Phase behavior of a family of truncated hard cubes

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

Gantapara, Anjan P., E-mail: A.P.Gantapara@uu.nl; Dijkstra, Marjolein, E-mail: M.Dijkstra1@uu.nl; Graaf, Joost de

2015-02-07

In continuation of our work in Gantapara et al., [Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 015501 (2013)], we investigate here the thermodynamic phase behavior of a family of truncated hard cubes, for which the shape evolves smoothly from a cube via a cuboctahedron to an octahedron. We used Monte Carlo simulations and free-energy calculations to establish the full phase diagram. This phase diagram exhibits a remarkable richness in crystal and mesophase structures, depending sensitively on the precise particle shape. In addition, we examined in detail the nature of the plastic crystal (rotator) phases that appear for intermediate densities and levels of truncation.more » Our results allow us to probe the relation between phase behavior and building-block shape and to further the understanding of rotator phases. Furthermore, the phase diagram presented here should prove instrumental for guiding future experimental studies on similarly shaped nanoparticles and the creation of new materials.« less

Phase Misalignment between Suprachiasmatic Neuronal Oscillators Impairs Photic Behavioral Phase Shifts but not Photic Induction of Gene Expression

PubMed Central

Schwartz, Michael D.; Congdon, Seth; de la Iglesia, Horacio O.

2010-01-01

The ability of the circadian pacemaker within the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) to respond to light stimulation in a phase-specific manner constitutes the basis for photic entrainment of circadian rhythms. The neural basis for this phase-specificity is unclear. We asked whether a lack of synchrony between SCN neurons, as reflected in phase misalignment between dorsomedial (dmSCN) and ventrolateral (vlSCN) neuronal oscillators in the rat, would impact the pacemaker’s ability to respond to phase-resetting light pulses. Light pulses delivered at maximal phase-misalignment between the vl-and dmSCN oscillators increased expression of Per1 mRNA, irrespective of the circadian phase of the dmSCN. However, phase shifts of locomotor activity were only observed when the vl-and dmSCN were phase-aligned at the time of stimulation. Our results fit a model in which a vlSCN oscillator phase-gates its own response to light and in turn relays light information to a dmSCN oscillator. This model predicts that the phase misalignment that results from circadian internal desynchronization could preserve the ability of light to induce gene expression within the master circadian clock but impair its ability to induce behavioral phase shifts. PMID:20881133

Wilson loop's phase transition probed by non-local observable

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Hui-Ling; Feng, Zhong-Wen; Yang, Shu-Zheng; Zu, Xiao-Tao

2018-04-01

In order to give further insights into the holographic Van der Waals phase transition, it would be of great interest to investigate the behavior of Wilson loop across the holographic phase transition for a higher dimensional hairy black hole. We offer a possibility to proceed with a numerical calculation in order to discussion on the hairy black hole's phase transition, and show that Wilson loop can serve as a probe to detect a phase structure of the black hole. Furthermore, for a first order phase transition, we calculate numerically the Maxwell's equal area construction; and for a second order phase transition, we also study the critical exponent in order to characterize the Wilson loop's phase transition.

Phase behavior, rheological characteristics and microstructure of sodium caseinate-Persian gum system.

PubMed

Sadeghi, Farzad; Kadkhodaee, Rassoul; Emadzadeh, Bahareh; Phillips, Glyn O

2018-01-01

In this study, the phase behavior of sodium caseinate-Persian gum mixtures was investigated. The effect of thermodynamic incompatibility on phase distribution of sodium caseinate fractions as well as the flow behavior and microstructure of the biopolymer mixtures were also studied. The phase diagram clearly demonstrated the dominant effect of Persian gum on the incompatibility of the two biopolymers. SDS-PAGE electrophoresis indicated no selective fractionation of sodium caseinate subunits between equilibrium phases upon de-mixing. The microstructure of mixtures significantly changed depending on their position within the phase diagram. Fitting viscometric data to Cross and Bingham models revealed that the apparent viscosity, relaxation time and shear thinning behavior of the mixtures is greatly influenced by the volume ratio and concentration of the equilibrium phases. There is a strong dependence of the flow behavior of sodium caseinate-Persian gum mixtures on the composition of the equilibrium phases and the corresponding microstructure of the system. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Effects of elongation on the phase behavior of the Gay-Berne fluid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brown, Julian T.; Allen, Michael P.; Martín del Río, Elvira; Miguel, Enrique De

1998-06-01

In this paper we present a computer simulation study of the phase behavior of the Gay-Berne liquid crystal model, concentrating on the effects of varying the molecular elongation κ. We study a range of length-to-width parameters 3<=κ<=4, using a variety of molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo techniques, obtaining a guide to the phase behavior for each shape studied. We observe vapor (V), isotropic liquid (I), nematic (N), smectic-A (SA) and smectic-B (SB) liquid crystal phases. Within the small range of elongation studied, the phase diagram shows significant changes. On increasing κ, the liquid-vapor critical point moves to lower temperature until it falls below the I-SB coexistence line, around κ=3.4, where liquid-vapor coexistence proves hard to establish. The liquid-vapor critical point seems to be completely absent at κ=4.0. Another dramatic effect is the growth of a stable SA ``island'' in the phase diagram at elongations slightly above κ=3.0. The SA range extends to both higher and lower temperatures as κ is increased. Also as κ is increased, the I-N transition is seen to move to lower density (and pressure) at given temperature. The lowest temperature at which the nematic phase is stable does not vary dramatically with κ. On cooling, no SB-crystal transition can be identified in the equation of state for any of these elongations; we suggest that, on the basis of simulation evidence, SB and crystal are really the same phase for these models.

Controlling block copolymer phase behavior using ionic surfactant

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

Ray, D.; Aswal, V. K.

2016-05-23

The phase behavior of poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide-poly(ethylene oxide) PEO-PPO-PEO triblock copolymer [P85 (EO{sub 26}PO{sub 39}EO{sub 26})] in presence of anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in aqueous solution as a function of temperature has been studied using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The measurements have been carried out for fixed concentrations (1 wt%) of block copolymer and surfactants. Each of the individual components (block copolymer and surfactant) and the nanoparticle–surfactant mixed system have been examined at varying temperature. The block copolymer P85 forms spherical micelles at room temperature whereas shows sphere-to-rod like micelle transition at highermore » temperatures. On the other hand, SDS surfactant forms ellipsoidal micelles over a wide temperature range. Interestingly, it is found that phase behavior of mixed micellar system (P85 + SDS) as a function of temperature is drastically different from that of P85, giving the control over the temperature-dependent phase behavior of block copolymers.« less

Behavioral indicators of ovarian phase in white-faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus).

PubMed

Carnegie, Sarah D; Fedigan, Linda M; Ziegler, Toni E

2005-09-01

In many primate species, conspicuous behavioral and/or morphological changes are indicators of the fertile phase of the female cycle. However, several primate species, such as the white-faced capuchin, lack these cues. This is referred to as "concealed ovulation," and is argued to be a reproductive strategy that confuses paternity and lowers the risk of infanticide. We studied 10 adult female white-faced capuchins in Santa Rosa National Park, Costa Rica, from January to June 2002. We determined their ovarian cycling patterns by analyzing fecal ovarian hormones, and compared simultaneously collected behavioral data to determine which, if any, cues females use to signal their fertile phases. We found that four females cycled during the study period but ceased to cycle without becoming pregnant. We considered several explanations for the lack of conception during our study, including reproductive seasonality. We found that female C. capucinus showed only small increases in rates of affiliative/proceptive behaviors directed toward adult males during their periovulatory phases. The best indicator of cycle phase was a significant increase in male affiliative behaviors (e.g., following and grooming bouts) and sexual behaviors (e.g., copulations and courtship displays) directed toward females during the periovulatory phase compared to the nonovulatory phase. Our finding that females exhibit little proceptive behavior, but that copulations and male courtship are nonetheless concentrated in periovulatory phases suggests that even though females do not provide behavioral and morphological cues to ovulation, males are still able to detect it. Infanticide occurs with some frequency in these monkeys, and there is evidence for postconceptive mating as a female strategy to lower risk of infanticide via paternity confusion. However, despite this occurrence of nonconceptive mating and the absence of female cues to ovulation, truly concealed ovulation does not appear to be

In situ TEM observation of heterogeneous phase transition of a constrained single-crystalline Ag2Te nanowire.

PubMed

In, Juneho; Yoo, Youngdong; Kim, Jin-Gyu; Seo, Kwanyong; Kim, Hyunju; Ihee, Hyotchel; Oh, Sang Ho; Kim, Bongsoo

2010-11-10

Laterally epitaxial single crystalline Ag2Te nanowires (NWs) are synthesized on sapphire substrates by the vapor transport method. We observed the phase transitions of these Ag2Te NWs via in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) after covering them with Pt layers. The constrained NW shows phase transition from monoclinic to a body-centered cubic (bcc) structure near the interfaces, which is ascribed to the thermal stress caused by differences in the thermal expansion coefficients. Furthermore, we observed the nucleation and growth of bcc phase penetrating into the face-centered cubic matrix at 200 °C by high-resolution TEM in real time. Our results would provide valuable insight into how compressive stresses imposed by overlayers affect behaviors of nanodevices.

On the representativeness of behavior observation samples in classrooms.

PubMed

Tiger, Jeffrey H; Miller, Sarah J; Mevers, Joanna Lomas; Mintz, Joslyn Cynkus; Scheithauer, Mindy C; Alvarez, Jessica

2013-01-01

School consultants who rely on direct observation typically conduct observational samples (e.g., 1 30-min observation per day) with the hopes that the sample is representative of performance during the remainder of the day, but the representativeness of these samples is unclear. In the current study, we recorded the problem behavior of 3 referred students for 4 consecutive school days between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. using duration recording in consecutive 10-min sessions. We then culled 10-min, 20-min, 30-min, and 60-min observations from the complete record and compared these observations to the true daily mean to assess their accuracy (i.e., how well individual observations represented the daily occurrence of target behaviors). The results indicated that when behavior occurred with low variability, the majority of brief observations were representative of the overall levels; however, when behavior occurred with greater variability, even 60-min observations did not accurately capture the true levels of behavior. © Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior.

Influence of molecular weight on the phase behavior and structure formation of branched side-chain hairy-rod polyfluorene in bulk phase

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

Knaapila, M.; Lyons, B.P.; Foreman, J.P.

We report on an experimental study of the self-organization and phase behavior of hairy-rod {pi}-conjugated branched side-chain polyfluorene, poly[9,9-bis(2-ethylhexyl)-fluorene-2,7-diyl] - i.e., poly[2,7-(9,9-bis(2-ethylhexyl)fluorene] (PF2/6) - as a function of molecular weight (M{sub n}). The results have been compared to those of phenomenological theory. Samples for which M{sub n}=3-147 kg/mol were used. First, the stiffness of PF2/6, the assumption of the theory, has been probed by small-angle neutron scattering in solution. Thermogravimetry has been used to show that PF2/6 is thermally stable over the conditions studied. Second, the existence of nematic and hexagonal phases has been phenomenologically identified for lower and highermore » M{sub n} (LMW, M{sub n}M{sub n}{sup *}) regimes, respectively, based on free-energy argument of nematic and hexagonal hairy rods and found to correspond to the experimental x-ray diffraction (XRD) results for PF2/6. By using the lattice parameters of PF2/6 as an experimental input, the nematic-hexagonal transition has been predicted in the vicinity of glassification temperature (T{sub g}) of PF2/6. Then, by taking the orientation parts of the free energies into account the nematic-hexagonal transition has been calculated as a function of temperature and M{sub n} and a phase diagram has been formed. Below T{sub g} of 80 deg. C only (frozen) nematic phase is observed for M{sub n}phase for M{sub n}>M{sub n}*. The nematic-hexagonal transition upon heating is observed for the HMW regime depending weakly on M{sub n}, being at 140-165 deg. C for M{sub n}>M{sub n}*. Third, the phase behavior and structure formation as a function of M{sub n} have been probed using powder and fiber XRD and differential scanning calorimetry and reasonable semiquantitative agreement with theory has been found for M{sub n}{>=}3 kg/mol. Fourth, structural characteristics

Phase behavior of gemini surfactant hexylene-1,6-bis(dodecyldimethylammonium bromide) and polyelectrolyte NaPAA.

PubMed

Pi, Yingying; Shang, Yazhuo; Peng, Changjun; Liu, Honglai; Hu, Ying; Jiang, Jianwen

2006-07-01

The phase behavior of aqueous mixtures of gemini surfactant hexylene-1,6-bis(dodecyldimethylammonium bromide) (12-6-12) and oppositely charged polyelectrolyte sodium polyacrylate (NaPAA) has been studied experimentally. Compared to the mixtures of the traditional surfactant dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) and NaPAA, the gel phase region in the 12-6-12/NaPAA solution is larger. Element analysis reveals that NaPAA in the gel phase tends to replace the counterions of surfactant micelle and to release its own counterions. Spherical aggregates are observed in either top or bottom gel phase as detected by transmission electron microscopy. The addition of sodium bromide (NaBr) leads to a decrease in the gel phase region and the occurrence of a new cream phase.

Scaling behavior of nonisothermal phase separation.

PubMed

Rüllmann, Max; Alig, Ingo

2004-04-22

The phase separation process in a critical mixture of polydimethylsiloxane and polyethylmethylsiloxane (PDMS/PEMS, a system with an upper critical solution temperature) was investigated by time-resolved light scattering during continuous quenches from the one-phase into the two-phase region. Continuous quenches were realized by cooling ramps with different cooling rates kappa. Phase separation kinetics is studied by means of the temporal evolution of the scattering vector qm and the intensity Im at the scattering peak. The curves qm(t) for different cooling rates can be shifted onto a single mastercurve. The curves Im(t) show similar behavior. As shift factors, a characteristic length Lc and a characteristic time tc are introduced. Both characteristic quantities depend on the cooling rate through power laws: Lc approximately kappa(-delta) and tc approximately kappa(-rho). Scaling behavior in isothermal critical demixing is well known. There the temporal evolutions of qm and Im for different quench depths DeltaT can be scaled with the correlation length xi and the interdiffusion coefficient D, both depending on DeltaT through critical power laws. We show in this paper that the cooling rate scaling in nonisothermal demixing is a consequence of the quench depth scaling in the isothermal case. The exponents delta and rho are related to the critical exponents nu and nu* of xi and D, respectively. The structure growth during nonisothermal demixing can be described with a semiempirical model based on the hydrodynamic coarsening mechanism well known in the isothermal case. In very late stages of nonisothermal phase separation a secondary scattering maximum appears. This is due to secondary demixing. We explain the onset of secondary demixing by a competition between interdiffusion and coarsening. (c) 2004 American Institute of Physics

Real-time observation of fluctuations at the driven-dissipative Dicke phase transition

PubMed Central

Brennecke, Ferdinand; Mottl, Rafael; Baumann, Kristian; Landig, Renate; Donner, Tobias; Esslinger, Tilman

2013-01-01

We experimentally study the influence of dissipation on the driven Dicke quantum phase transition, realized by coupling external degrees of freedom of a Bose–Einstein condensate to the light field of a high-finesse optical cavity. The cavity provides a natural dissipation channel, which gives rise to vacuum-induced fluctuations and allows us to observe density fluctuations of the gas in real-time. We monitor the divergence of these fluctuations over two orders of magnitude while approaching the phase transition, and observe a behavior that deviates significantly from that expected for a closed system. A correlation analysis of the fluctuations reveals the diverging time scale of the atomic dynamics and allows us to extract a damping rate for the external degree of freedom of the atoms. We find good agreement with our theoretical model including dissipation via both the cavity field and the atomic field. Using a dissipation channel to nondestructively gain information about a quantum many-body system provides a unique path to study the physics of driven-dissipative systems. PMID:23818599

Thermotropic phase behavior of choline soaps.

PubMed

Klein, Regina; Dutton, Helen; Diat, Olivier; Tiddy, Gordon J T; Kunz, Werner

2011-04-14

Choline carboxylates (ChCm with m = 12-18) are simple biocompatible anionic surfactants with very low Krafft temperatures, possessing a rich aqueous phase behavior. In the present work, we have investigated the thermotropic mesomorphism of anhydrous ChCm salts for m = 12-18. Transition temperatures and enthalpies determined by differential scanning calorimetry reveal that all investigated compounds exhibit three different phases between -20 and 95 °C. The phases were further characterized by optical polarizing microscopy, NMR spin-spin relaxation, and X-ray scattering measurements. The nature of the phases was identified with increasing temperature as crystalline, semicrystalline, and liquid-crystalline lamellar. Even long-chain choline carboxylates (m = 18) were found to melt into a lamellar liquid-crystalline phase below 100 °C. Accordingly, with choline as counterion in simple fatty acid soaps, not only the water solubility is considerably enhanced but also the melting points are substantially reduced, hence facilitating thermotropic mesomorphism at temperatures between 35 and 95 °C. Thus, simple choline soaps with m = 12-18 may be classified as ionic liquids.

Surface phase behavior and microstructure of lipid/PEG-emulsifier monolayer-coated microbubbles.

PubMed

Borden, Mark A; Pu, Gang; Runner, Gabriel J; Longo, Marjorie L

2004-06-01

Langmuir trough methods and fluorescence microscopy were combined to investigate the phase behavior and microstructure of monolayer shells coating micron-scale bubbles (microbubbles) typically used in biomedical applications. The monolayer shell consisted of a homologous series of saturated acyl chain phospholipids and an emulsifier containing a single hydrophobic stearate chain and polyethylene glycol (PEG) head group. PEG-emulsifier was fully miscible with expanded phase lipids and phase separated from condensed phase lipids. Phase coexistence was observed in the form of dark condensed phase lipid domains surrounded by a sea of bright, emulsifier-rich expanded phase. A rich assortment of condensed phase area fractions and domain morphologies, including networks and other novel structures, were observed in each batch of microbubbles. Network domains were reproduced in Langmuir monolayers under conditions of heating-cooling followed by compression-expansion, as well as in microbubble shells that underwent surface flow with slight compression. Domain size decreased with increased cooling rate through the phase transition temperature, and domain branching increased with lipid acyl chain length at high cooling rates. Squeeze-out of the emulsifier at a surface pressure near 35 mN/m was indicated by a plateau in Langmuir isotherms and directly visualized with fluorescence microscopy, although collapse of the solid lipid domains occurred at much higher surface pressures. Compression of the monolayer past the PEG-emulsifier squeeze-out surface pressure resulted in a dark shell composed entirely of lipid. Under certain conditions, the PEG-emulsifier was reincorporated upon subsequent expansion. Factors that affect shell formation and evolution, as well as implications for the rational design of microbubbles in medical applications, are discussed.

Ashkin-Teller criticality and weak first-order behavior of the phase transition to a fourfold degenerate state in two-dimensional frustrated Ising antiferromagnets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, R. M.; Zhuo, W. Z.; Chen, J.; Qin, M. H.; Zeng, M.; Lu, X. B.; Gao, X. S.; Liu, J.-M.

2017-07-01

We study the thermal phase transition of the fourfold degenerate phases (the plaquette and single-stripe states) in the two-dimensional frustrated Ising model on the Shastry-Sutherland lattice using Monte Carlo simulations. The critical Ashkin-Teller-like behavior is identified both in the plaquette phase region and the single-stripe phase region. The four-state Potts critical end points differentiating the continuous transitions from the first-order ones are estimated based on finite-size-scaling analyses. Furthermore, a similar behavior of the transition to the fourfold single-stripe phase is also observed in the anisotropic triangular Ising model. Thus, this work clearly demonstrates that the transitions to the fourfold degenerate states of two-dimensional Ising antiferromagnets exhibit similar transition behavior.

Diamond-anvil cell observations of a new methane hydrate phase in the 100-MPa pressure range

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chou, I.-Ming; Sharma, A.; Burruss, R.C.; Hemley, R.J.; Goncharov, A.F.; Stern, L.A.; Kirby, S.H.

2001-01-01

A new high-pressure phase of methane hydrate has been identified based on its high optical relief, distinct pressure-temperature phase relations, and Raman spectra. In-situ optical observations were made in a hydrothermal diamond-anvil cell at temperatures between -40?? and 60 ??C and at pressures up to 900 MPa. Two new invariant points were located at -8.7 ??C and 99 MPa for the assemblage consisting of the new phase, structure I methane hydrate, ice Ih, and water, and at 35.3 ??C and 137 MPa for the new phase-structure I methane hydrate-water-methane vapor. Existence of the new phase is critical for understanding the phase relations among the hydrates at low to moderate pressures, and may also have important implications for understanding the hydrogen bonding in H2O and the behavior of water in the planetary bodies, such as Europa, of the outer solar system.

Shedding light on the different behavior of ionic and nonionic surfactants in emulsion polymerization: from atomistic simulations to experimental observations.

PubMed

Magi Meconi, Giulia; Ballard, Nicholas; Asua, José M; Zangi, Ronen

2017-12-06

Although surfactants are known to play a vital role in polymerization reactions carried out in dispersed media, many aspects of their use are poorly understood, perhaps none more so than the vastly different action of ionic and nonionic surfactants in emulsion polymerization. In this work, we combine experimental measurements of emulsion polymerization of styrene with atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to better understand the behavior of surfactants at monomer/polymer-water interfaces. In a batch emulsion polymerization of styrene, the nonionic surfactant Disponil AFX 1080 leads to two nucleation periods, in contrast to the behavior observed for the ionic surfactant SDS. This can be explained by the absorption of the nonionic surfactant into the organic phase at the early stages of the polymerization reaction which is then released as the reaction progresses. Indeed, we find that the partition coefficient of the surfactant between the organic phase and water increases with the amount of monomer in the former, and preferential partitioning is detected to organic phases containing at least 55% styrene. Results from molecular dynamics simulations confirm that spontaneous dissolution of the non-ionic surfactant into a styrene-rich organic phase occurs above a critical concentration of the surfactant adsorbed at the interface. Above this critical concentration, a linear correlation between the amount of surfactant adsorbed at the interface and that absorbed inside the organic phase is observed. To facilitate this absorption into a completely hydrophobic medium, water molecules accompany the intruding surfactants. Similar simulations but with the ionic surfactant instead did not result in any absorption of the surfactant into a neat styrene phase, likely because of its strongly hydrophilic head group. The unusual partitioning behavior of nonionic surfactants explains a number of observable features of emulsion polymerization reactions which use nonionic

Observation of Wigner crystal phase and ripplon-limited mobility behavior in monolayer CVD MoS2 with grain boundary.

PubMed

Chen, Jyun-Hong; Zhong, Yuan-Liang; Li, Lain-Jong; Chen, Chii-Dong

2018-06-01

Two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) is crucial in condensed matter physics and is present on the surface of liquid helium and at the interface of semiconductors. Monolayer MoS 2 of 2D materials also contains 2DEG in an atomic layer as a field effect transistor (FET) ultrathin channel. In this study, we synthesized double triangular MoS 2 through a chemical vapor deposition method to obtain grain boundaries for forming a ripple structure in the FET channel. When the temperature was higher than approximately 175 K, the temperature dependence of the electron mobility μ was consistent with those in previous experiments and theoretical predictions. When the temperature was lower than approximately 175 K, the mobility behavior decreased with the temperature; this finding was also consistent with that of the previous experiments. We are the first research group to explain the decreasing mobility behavior by using the Wigner crystal phase and to discover the temperature independence of ripplon-limited mobility behavior at lower temperatures. Although these mobility behaviors have been studied on the surface of liquid helium through theories and experiments, they have not been previously analyzed in 2D materials and semiconductors. We are the first research group to report the similar temperature-dependent mobility behavior of the surface of liquid helium and the monolayer MoS 2 .

Observation of Wigner crystal phase and ripplon-limited mobility behavior in monolayer CVD MoS2 with grain boundary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Jyun-Hong; Zhong, Yuan-Liang; Li, Lain-Jong; Chen, Chii-Dong

2018-06-01

Two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) is crucial in condensed matter physics and is present on the surface of liquid helium and at the interface of semiconductors. Monolayer MoS2 of 2D materials also contains 2DEG in an atomic layer as a field effect transistor (FET) ultrathin channel. In this study, we synthesized double triangular MoS2 through a chemical vapor deposition method to obtain grain boundaries for forming a ripple structure in the FET channel. When the temperature was higher than approximately 175 K, the temperature dependence of the electron mobility μ was consistent with those in previous experiments and theoretical predictions. When the temperature was lower than approximately 175 K, the mobility behavior decreased with the temperature; this finding was also consistent with that of the previous experiments. We are the first research group to explain the decreasing mobility behavior by using the Wigner crystal phase and to discover the temperature independence of ripplon-limited mobility behavior at lower temperatures. Although these mobility behaviors have been studied on the surface of liquid helium through theories and experiments, they have not been previously analyzed in 2D materials and semiconductors. We are the first research group to report the similar temperature-dependent mobility behavior of the surface of liquid helium and the monolayer MoS2.

Chaotic behavior in Casimir oscillators: A case study for phase-change materials.

PubMed

Tajik, Fatemeh; Sedighi, Mehdi; Khorrami, Mohammad; Masoudi, Amir Ali; Palasantzas, George

2017-10-01

Casimir forces between material surfaces at close proximity of less than 200 nm can lead to increased chaotic behavior of actuating devices depending on the strength of the Casimir interaction. We investigate these phenomena for phase-change materials in torsional oscillators, where the amorphous to crystalline phase transitions lead to transitions between high and low Casimir force and torque states, respectively, without material compositions. For a conservative system bifurcation curve and Poincare maps analysis show the absence of chaotic behavior but with the crystalline phase (high force-torque state) favoring more unstable behavior and stiction. However, for a nonconservative system chaotic behavior can take place introducing significant risk for stiction, which is again more pronounced for the crystalline phase. The latter illustrates the more general scenario that stronger Casimir forces and torques increase the possibility for chaotic behavior. The latter is making it impossible to predict whether stiction or stable actuation will occur on a long-term basis, and it is setting limitations in the design of micronano devices operating at short-range nanoscale separations.

Predicting phase behavior of mixtures of reservoir fluids with carbon dioxide

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

Grigg, R.B.; Lingane, P.J.

1983-01-01

The use of an equation of state to predict phase behavior during carbon dioxide flooding is well established. The characterization of the C/sub 7/ fraction and the selection of interaction parameters are the most important variables. Single-contact phase behavior is presented for mixtures of Ford Geraldine (Delaware), Maljamar (Grayburg), West Sussex (Shannon), and Reservoir D reservoir fluids, and of a synthetic oil with carbon dioxide. The phase behavior of these mixtures can be reproduced using 3 to 5 pseudo components and common interaction parameters. The critical properties of the pseudo components are calculated from detailed oil characterizations. Because the parametersmore » are not further adjusted, this approach reduces the empiricism in fitting phase data and may result in a more accurate representation of the system as the composition of the oil changes during the approach to miscibility. 21 references.« less

Brittle behavior of ceramic matrix composites made of 2 different phases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sadowski, Tomasz; Craciun, Eduard; Marsavina, Liviu

2018-02-01

Brittle behavior of Ceramic matrix Composites (CMCs) results from overall response to applied loads due to complex of their internal microstructure. The CMCs materials are composed of mixtures of phases, some amount of porosity and technological defects. The phases can exhibit purely elastic behavior or elastic-plastic one under high level of loading. The crucial point in description of their behavior is correlation of microcracking processes with the type of loading, i.e. tensile or compressive. This distinction in the material behavior is typical for so called brittle materials. In this paper we compared both microcracking processes for the above 2 characteristic loading paths.

Preservice Elementary Teachers' Knowledge of Observable Moon Phases and Pattern of Change in Phases

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Trundle, Kathy Cabe; Atwood, Ronald K.; Christopher, John E.

2006-01-01

The purpose of this study was to describe selected content knowledge held by 52 preservice elementary teachers about the observable phases of the moon and the monthly pattern of change in observable phases. Data were obtained from participants in a physics course before and after they received inquiry-based instruction designed to promote…

Influence of macromolecular precipitants on phase behavior of monoclonal antibodies.

PubMed

Rakel, Natalie; Galm, Lara; Bauer, Katharina Christin; Hubbuch, Juergen

2015-01-01

For the successful application of protein crystallization as a downstream step, a profound knowledge of protein phase behavior in solutions is needed. Therefore, a systematic screening was conducted to analyze the influence of macromolecular precipitants in the form of polyethylene glycol (PEG). First, the influence of molecular weight and concentration of PEG at different pH-values were investigated and analyzed in three-dimensional (3-D) phase diagrams to find appropriate conditions in terms of a fast kinetic and crystal size for downstream processing. In comparison to the use of salts as precipitant, PEG was more suitable to obtain compact 3-D crystals over a broad range of conditions, whereby the molecular weight of PEG is, besides the pH-value, the most important parameter. Second, osmotic second virial coefficients as parameters for protein interactions are experimentally determined with static light scattering to gain a deep insight view in the phase behavior on a molecular basis. The PEG-protein solutions were analyzed as a pseudo-one-compartment system. As the precipitant is also a macromolecule, the new approach of analyzing cross-interactions between the protein and the macromolecule PEG in form of the osmotic second cross-virial coefficient (B23 ) was applied. Both parameters help to understand the protein phase behavior. However, a predictive description of protein phase behavior for systems consisting of monoclonal antibodies and PEG as precipitant is not possible, as kinetic phenomena and concentration dependencies were not taken into account. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Observation and Recording Effects on Group Therapy Client Behaviors.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Berman, Alan L.; Decker, Robert E.

This study assesses the effect of visual versus audio observation/recording on both client and therapist verbal and non-verbal behavior in ongoing therapy. Three co-led, therapy groups were studied over six weekly sessions under counterbalanced observation conditions. Measures of verbal behavior, verbal productivity, and non-verbal behavior were…

Phase-specific Surround suppression in Mouse Primary Visual Cortex Correlates with Figure Detection Behavior Based on Phase Discontinuity.

PubMed

Li, Fengling; Jiang, Weiqian; Wang, Tian-Yi; Xie, Taorong; Yao, Haishan

2018-05-21

In the primary visual cortex (V1), neuronal responses to stimuli within the receptive field (RF) are modulated by stimuli in the RF surround. A common effect of surround modulation is surround suppression, which is dependent on the feature difference between stimuli within and surround the RF and is suggested to be involved in the perceptual phenomenon of figure-ground segregation. In this study, we examined the relationship between feature-specific surround suppression of V1 neurons and figure detection behavior based on figure-ground feature difference. We trained freely moving mice to perform a figure detection task using figure and ground gratings that differed in spatial phase. The performance of figure detection increased with the figure-ground phase difference, and was modulated by stimulus contrast. Electrophysiological recordings from V1 in head-fixed mice showed that the increase in phase difference between stimuli within and surround the RF caused a reduction in surround suppression, which was associated with an increase in V1 neural discrimination between stimuli with and without RF-surround phase difference. Consistent with the behavioral performance, the sensitivity of V1 neurons to RF-surround phase difference could be influenced by stimulus contrast. Furthermore, inhibiting V1 by optogenetically activating either parvalbumin (PV)- or somatostatin (SOM)-expressing inhibitory neurons both decreased the behavioral performance of figure detection. Thus, the phase-specific surround suppression in V1 represents a neural correlate of figure detection behavior based on figure-ground phase discontinuity. Copyright © 2018 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pressure Dependence of the Liquid-Liquid Phase Transition of Nanopore Water Doped Slightly with Hydroxylamine, and a Phase Behavior Predicted for Pure Water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagoe, Atsushi; Iwaki, Shinji; Oguni, Masaharu; Tôzaki, Ken-ichi

2014-09-01

Phase transition behaviors of confined pure water and confined water doped with a small amount of hydroxylamine (HA) with a mole fraction of xHA = 0.03 were examined by high-pressure differential thermal analyses at 0.1, 50, 100, and 150 MPa; the average diameters of silica pores used were 2.0 and 2.5 nm. A liquid-liquid phase transition (LLPT) of the confined HA-doped water was clearly observed and its pressurization effect could be evaluated, unlike in the experiments on undoped water. It was found that pressurization causes the transition temperature (Ttrs) to linearly decrease, indicating that the low-temperature phase has a lower density than the high-temperature one. Transition enthalpy (ΔtrsH) decreased steeply with increasing pressure. Considering the linear decrease in Ttrs with increasing pressure, the steep decrease in ΔtrsH indicates that the LLPT effect of the HA-doped water attenuates with pressure. We present a new scenario of the phase behavior concerning the LLPT of pure water based on the analogy from the behavior of slightly HA-doped water, where a liquid-liquid critical point (LLCP) and a coexistence line are located in a negative-pressure regime but not in a positive-pressure one. It is reasonably understood that doping a small amount of HA into water results in negative chemical pressurization and causes the LLPT to occur even at ambient pressure.

Binary Phase Behavior of Saturated-Unsaturated Mixed-Acid Triacylglycerols-A Review.

PubMed

Zhang, Lu; Ueno, Satoru; Sato, Kiyotaka

2018-06-01

Most natural lipids contain a complex mixture of individual triacylglycerols (TAGs). An in-depth knowledge of the mixing behavior of TAGs is necessary for the rational design and engineering of food materials. The binary phase diagram of TAGs is a simplified model that can be explored to help foster an understanding of the phase behavior of complex fats and oils. This article reviews recent research on the binary phase behavior of saturated-unsaturated mixed-acid TAGs, with special emphasis on the stearicunsaturated and palmitic-unsaturated diacid TAGs. The occurrence of polymorphic forms and mutual solubility of TAG mixtures are strongly related to the glycerol conformation of the saturated-oleic diacid TAGs; it appears to be most influenced by the chain-length mismatch in saturated-elaidic diacid TAGs. In addition, the polymorphism of pure enantiomers and racemic mixture of chiral TAGs was also reviewed, while the effect of chirality on mixing behavior was discussed.

Parent-Collected Behavioral Observations: An Empirical Comparison of Methods

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nadler, Cy B.; Roberts, Mark W.

2013-01-01

Treatments for disruptive behaviors are often guided by parent reports on questionnaires, rather than by multiple methods of assessment. Professional observations and clinic analogs exist to complement questionnaires, but parents can also collect useful behavioral observations to inform and guide treatment. Two parent observation methods of child…

Supramolecular structure, phase behavior and thermo-rheological properties of a poly (L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) statistical copolymer.

PubMed

Ugartemendia, Jone M; Muñoz, M E; Santamaria, A; Sarasua, J R

2015-08-01

PLAcoCL samples, both unaged, termed PLAcoCLu, and aged over time, PLAcoCLa, were prepared and analyzed to study the phase structure, morphology, and their evolution under non-quiescent conditions. X- ray diffraction, Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Atomic Force Microscopy were complemented with thermo-rheological measurements to reveal that PLAcoCL evolves over time from a single amorphous metastable state to a 3 phase system, made up of two compositionally different amorphous phases and a crystalline phase. The supramolecular arrangements developed during aging lead to a rheological complex behavior in the PLAcoCLa copolymer: Around Tt=131 °C thermo-rheological complexity and a peculiar chain mobility reduction were observed, but at T>Tt the thermo-rheological response of a homogeneous system was recorded. In comparison with the latter, the PLLA/PCL 70:30 physical blend counterpart showed double amorphous phase behavior at all temperatures, supporting the hypothesis that phase separation in the PLAcoCLa copolymer is caused by the crystallization of polylactide segment blocks during aging. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Microstructure and magnetic behavior of Mn doped GeTe chalcogenide semiconductors based phase change materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adam, Adam Abdalla Elbashir; Cheng, Xiaomin; Abuelhassan, Hassan H.; Miao, Xiang Shui

2017-06-01

Phase-change materials (PCMs) are the most promising candidates to be used as an active media in the universal data storage and spintronic devices, due to their large differences in physical properties of the amorphous-crystalline phase transition behavior. In the present study, the microstructure, magnetic and electrical behaviors of Ge0.94Mn0.06Te thin film were investigated. The crystallographic structure of Ge0.94Mn0.06Te thin film was studied sing X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (HR-TEM). The XRD pattern showed that the crystallization structure of the film was rhombohedral phase for GeTe with a preference (202) orientation. The HR-TEM image of the crystalline Ge0.94Mn0.06Te thin film demonstrated that, there were two large crystallites and small amorphous areas. The magnetization as a function of the magnetic field analyses of both amorphous and crystalline states showed the ferromagnetic hysteretic behaviors. Then, the hole carriers concentration of the film was measured and it found to be greater than 1021 cm-3 at room temperature. Moreover, the anomalous of Hall Effect (AHE) was clearly observed for the measuring temperatures 5, 10 and 50 K. The results demonstrated that the magnitude of AHE decreased when the temperature was increasing.

A comparative study of monoclonal antibodies. 1. Phase behavior and protein-protein interactions

PubMed Central

Lewus, Rachael A.; Levy, Nicholas E.; Lenhoff, Abraham M.; Sandler, Stanley I.

2018-01-01

Protein phase behavior is involved in numerous aspects of downstream processing, either by design as in crystallization or precipitation processes, or as an undesired effect, such as aggregation. This work explores the phase behavior of eight monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that exhibit liquid-liquid separation, aggregation, gelation, and crystallization. The phase behavior has been studied systematically as a function of a number of factors, including solution composition and pH, in order to explore the degree of variability among different antibodies. Comparisons of the locations of phase boundaries show consistent trends as a function of solution composition; however, changing the solution pH has different effects on each of the antibodies studied. Furthermore, the types of dense phases formed varied among the antibodies. Protein-protein interactions, as reflected by values of the osmotic second virial coefficient, are used to correlate the phase behavior. The primary findings are that values of the osmotic second virial coefficient are useful for correlating phase boundary locations, though there is appreciable variability among the antibodies in the apparent strengths of the intrinsic protein-protein attraction manifested. However, the osmotic second virial coefficient does not provide a clear basis to predict the type of dense phase likely to result under a given set of solution conditions. PMID:25378269

Characterization of Bitumen Micro-Mechanical Behaviors Using AFM, Phase Dynamics Theory and MD Simulation.

PubMed

Hou, Yue; Wang, Linbing; Wang, Dawei; Guo, Meng; Liu, Pengfei; Yu, Jianxin

2017-02-21

Fundamental understanding of micro-mechanical behaviors in bitumen, including phase separation, micro-friction, micro-abrasion, etc., can help the pavement engineers better understand the bitumen mechanical performances at macroscale. Recent researches show that the microstructure evolution in bitumen will directly affect its surface structure and micro-mechanical performance. In this study, the bitumen microstructure and micro-mechanical behaviors are studied using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) experiments, Phase Dynamics Theory and Molecular Dynamics (MD) Simulation. The AFM experiment results show that different phase-structure will occur at the surface of the bitumen samples under certain thermodynamic conditions at microscale. The phenomenon can be explained using the phase dynamics theory, where the effects of stability parameter and temperature on bitumen microstructure and micro-mechanical behavior are studied combined with MD Simulation. Simulation results show that the saturates phase, in contrast to the naphthene aromatics phase, plays a major role in bitumen micro-mechanical behavior. A high stress zone occurs at the interface between the saturates phase and the naphthene aromatics phase, which may form discontinuities that further affect the bitumen frictional performance.

Characterization of Bitumen Micro-Mechanical Behaviors Using AFM, Phase Dynamics Theory and MD Simulation

PubMed Central

Hou, Yue; Wang, Linbing; Wang, Dawei; Guo, Meng; Liu, Pengfei; Yu, Jianxin

2017-01-01

Fundamental understanding of micro-mechanical behaviors in bitumen, including phase separation, micro-friction, micro-abrasion, etc., can help the pavement engineers better understand the bitumen mechanical performances at macroscale. Recent researches show that the microstructure evolution in bitumen will directly affect its surface structure and micro-mechanical performance. In this study, the bitumen microstructure and micro-mechanical behaviors are studied using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) experiments, Phase Dynamics Theory and Molecular Dynamics (MD) Simulation. The AFM experiment results show that different phase-structure will occur at the surface of the bitumen samples under certain thermodynamic conditions at microscale. The phenomenon can be explained using the phase dynamics theory, where the effects of stability parameter and temperature on bitumen microstructure and micro-mechanical behavior are studied combined with MD Simulation. Simulation results show that the saturates phase, in contrast to the naphthene aromatics phase, plays a major role in bitumen micro-mechanical behavior. A high stress zone occurs at the interface between the saturates phase and the naphthene aromatics phase, which may form discontinuities that further affect the bitumen frictional performance. PMID:28772570

Mixed phase clouds: observations and theoretical advances (overview)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Korolev, Alexei

2013-04-01

Mixed phase clouds play important role in precipitation formation and radiation budget of the Earth. The microphysical measurements in mixed phase clouds are notoriously difficult due to many technical challenges. The airborne instrumentation for characterization of the microstructure of mixed phase clouds is discussed. The results multiyear airborne observations and measurements of frequency of occurrence of mixed phase, characteristic spatial scales, humidity in mixed phase and ice clouds are presented. A theoretical framework describing the thermodynamics and phase transformation of a three phase component system consisting of ice particles, liquid droplets and water vapor is discussed. It is shown that the Wegener-Bergeron-Findeisen process plays different role in clouds with different dynamics. The problem of maintenance and longevity of mixed phase clouds is discussed.

Re-entrant phase behavior of a concentrated anionic surfactant system with strongly binding counterions.

PubMed

Ghosh, Sajal Kumar; Rathee, Vikram; Krishnaswamy, Rema; Raghunathan, V A; Sood, A K

2009-08-04

The phase behavior of the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in the presence of the strongly binding counterion p-toluidine hydrochloride (PTHC) has been examined using small-angle X-ray diffraction and polarizing microscopy. A hexagonal-to-lamellar transition on varying the PTHC to SDS molar ratio (alpha) occurs through a nematic phase of rodlike micelles (Nc) --> isotropic (I) --> nematic of disklike micelles (N(D)) at a fixed surfactant concentration (phi). The lamellar phase is found to coexist with an isotropic phase (I') over a large region of the phase diagram. Deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance investigations of the phase behavior at phi = 0.4 confirm the transition from N(C) to N(D) on varying alpha. The viscoelastic and flow behaviors of the different phases were examined. A decrease in the steady shear viscosity across the different phases with increasing alpha suggests a decrease in the aspect ratio of the micellar aggregates. From the transient shear stress response of the N() and N(D) nematic phases in step shear experiments, they were characterized to be tumbling and flow aligning, respectively. Our studies reveal that by tuning the morphology of the surfactant micelles strongly binding counterions modify the phase behavior and rheological properties of concentrated surfactant solutions.

Observations of captive Rocky Mountain mule deer behavior

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

Halford, D.K.; Arthur, W.J. III; Alldredge, A.W.

1987-01-31

Observations were made near Fort Collins, Colorado on the behavior of a captive herd of Rocky Mountain mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus). Comparisons in general behavior patterns were made between captive and wild deer. Similar behavior was exhibited by captive and wild deer. Captive deer (as well as other species) may be useful for study of certain behavioral aspects of their wild counterparts.

Effects of Different Observational Systems and Time Sequences Upon Non-Participant Observers' Behavioral Ratings.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wodarski, John S.; And Others

Four different observational systems and two time sequences were employed to determine the extent to which they would yield different incidences of anti-social behavior. Two videotapes, randomly chosen from a pool of 30 tapes, were utilized. These illustrated the behaviors of anti-social children in a natural setting. Six observers were reliably…

Observation and Quantification of Mating Behavior in the Pinewood Nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus.

PubMed

Zhu, Najie; Bai, Liqun; Schütz, Stefan; Liu, Baojun; Liu, Zhenyu; Zhang, Xingyao; Yu, Hongshi; Hu, Jiafu

2016-12-25

A method for observing and quantifying the mating behavior of the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, was established under a stereomicroscope. To improve the mating efficiency of B. Xylophilus and to increase the chances of mating observation, virgin adults were cultured and used for the investigation. Eggs were obtained by keeping the nematodes in water and allowing the females to lay eggs for 10 min. The second-stage juveniles (J2) were synchronized by incubating the eggs for 24 h at 25 °C in the dark, and the early J4 were obtained by culturing the J2 with grey mold, Botrytis cinerea, for another 52 h. At this time point, most J4 nematodes could be clearly distinguished as being male or female using their genital morphology. The male and female J4 were collected and cultured separately in two different Petri dishes for 24 h to get virgin adult nematodes. A virgin male and a virgin female were paired in a drop of water in the well of a concave slide. The mating behavior was filmed with a video recorder under a stereomicroscope. The whole period of the mating process was 82.8 ±3.91 min (mean ±SE) and could be divided into 4 different phases: searching, contacting, copulating, and lingering. The mean minutes of duration were 21.8 ± 2.0, 28.0 ± 1.9, 25.8 ± 0.7 and 7.2 ± 0.5, respectively. Eleven sub-behaviors were described: cruising, approaching, encountering, touching, hooping, locating, attaching, ejaculating, separating, quiescence, and roaming. Interestingly, obvious intra-sexual competition was observed when one female was grouped with 3 males or one male with 3 females. This protocol is useful and valuable, not only in investigating the mating behavior of B. xylophilus, but also in acting as a reference for ethological studies of other nematodes.

Observation of a superfluid He-3 A- B phase transition in silica aerogel

PubMed

Barker; Lee; Polukhina; Osheroff; Hrubesh; Poco

2000-09-04

New NMR studies of 3He in high-porosity aerogel reveal a phase transition from an A-like to a B-like phase on cooling. The evidence includes frequency shift and magnetic susceptibility data, and similar behavior is found in two quite different aerogel samples. The A-like phase is stable only very near to T(c) but can be supercooled to below 0.8T(c). This behavior has been seen clearly at 32- and 24-bar pressures, and the presence of negative frequency shifts suggests that an A-like phase exists near T(c) at pressures as low as 12 bars in a magnetic field of 28.4 mT.

Retrieval of Aerosol Phase Function and Polarized Phase Function from Polarization of Skylight for Different Observation Geometries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, L.; Qie, L. L.; Xu, H.; Li, Z. Q.

2018-04-01

The phase function and polarized phase function are important optical parameters, which describe scattering properties of atmospheric aerosol particles. Polarization of skylight induced by the scattering processes is sensitive to the scattering properties of aerosols. The Stokes parameters I, Q, U and the polarized radiance Lp of skylight measured by the CIMEL dual-polar sun-sky radiometer CE318- DP can be use to retrieve the phase function and polarized phase function, respectively. Two different observation geometries (i.e., the principal plane and almucantar) are preformed by the CE318-DP to detect skylight polarization. Polarization of skylight depends on the illumination and observation geometries. For the same solar zenith angle, retrievals of the phase function and the polarized phase function are still affected by the observation geometry. The performance of the retrieval algorithm for the principal plane and almucantar observation geometries was assessed by the numerical experiments at two typical high and low sun's positions (i.e. solar zenith angles are equal to 45° and 65°). Comparing the results for the principal plane and almucantar geometries, it is recommended to utilize the principal plane observations to retrieve the phase function when the solar zenith angle is small. The Stokes parameter U and the polarized radiance Lp from the almucantar observations are suggested to retrieve the polarized phase function, especially for short wavelength channels (e.g., 440 and 500 nm).

Novel phase diagram behavior and materials design in heterostructural semiconductor alloys

PubMed Central

Holder, Aaron M.; Siol, Sebastian; Ndione, Paul F.; Peng, Haowei; Deml, Ann M.; Matthews, Bethany E.; Schelhas, Laura T.; Toney, Michael F.; Gordon, Roy G.; Tumas, William; Perkins, John D.; Ginley, David S.; Gorman, Brian P.; Tate, Janet; Zakutayev, Andriy; Lany, Stephan

2017-01-01

Structure and composition control the behavior of materials. Isostructural alloying is historically an extremely successful approach for tuning materials properties, but it is often limited by binodal and spinodal decomposition, which correspond to the thermodynamic solubility limit and the stability against composition fluctuations, respectively. We show that heterostructural alloys can exhibit a markedly increased range of metastable alloy compositions between the binodal and spinodal lines, thereby opening up a vast phase space for novel homogeneous single-phase alloys. We distinguish two types of heterostructural alloys, that is, those between commensurate and incommensurate phases. Because of the structural transition around the critical composition, the properties change in a highly nonlinear or even discontinuous fashion, providing a mechanism for materials design that does not exist in conventional isostructural alloys. The novel phase diagram behavior follows from standard alloy models using mixing enthalpies from first-principles calculations. Thin-film deposition demonstrates the viability of the synthesis of these metastable single-phase domains and validates the computationally predicted phase separation mechanism above the upper temperature bound of the nonequilibrium single-phase region. PMID:28630928

Novel phase diagram behavior and materials design in heterostructural semiconductor alloys.

PubMed

Holder, Aaron M; Siol, Sebastian; Ndione, Paul F; Peng, Haowei; Deml, Ann M; Matthews, Bethany E; Schelhas, Laura T; Toney, Michael F; Gordon, Roy G; Tumas, William; Perkins, John D; Ginley, David S; Gorman, Brian P; Tate, Janet; Zakutayev, Andriy; Lany, Stephan

2017-06-01

Structure and composition control the behavior of materials. Isostructural alloying is historically an extremely successful approach for tuning materials properties, but it is often limited by binodal and spinodal decomposition, which correspond to the thermodynamic solubility limit and the stability against composition fluctuations, respectively. We show that heterostructural alloys can exhibit a markedly increased range of metastable alloy compositions between the binodal and spinodal lines, thereby opening up a vast phase space for novel homogeneous single-phase alloys. We distinguish two types of heterostructural alloys, that is, those between commensurate and incommensurate phases. Because of the structural transition around the critical composition, the properties change in a highly nonlinear or even discontinuous fashion, providing a mechanism for materials design that does not exist in conventional isostructural alloys. The novel phase diagram behavior follows from standard alloy models using mixing enthalpies from first-principles calculations. Thin-film deposition demonstrates the viability of the synthesis of these metastable single-phase domains and validates the computationally predicted phase separation mechanism above the upper temperature bound of the nonequilibrium single-phase region.

Observations of Student Behavior in Collaborative Learning Groups

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adams, Jeffrey P.; Brissenden, Gina; Lindell, Rebecca S.; Slater, Timothy F.; Wallace, Joy

In an effort to determine how our students were responding to the use of collaborative learning groups in our large enrollment introductory astronomy (ASTRO 101) courses, we systematically observed the behavior of 270 undergraduate students working in 48 self-formed groups. Their observed behaviors were classified as: (i) actively engaged; (ii) watching actively; (iii) watching passively; and (iv) disengaged. We found that male behavior is consistent regardless of the sex-composition of the groups. However, females were categorized as watching passively and or disengaged significantly more frequently when working in groups that contained uneven numbers of males and females. This case study observation suggests that faculty who use collaborative learning groups might find that the level of student participation in collaborative group learning activities can depend on the sex-composition of the group.

Ferromagnetic and photocatalytic behaviors observed in Ca-doped BiFeO3 nanofibres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Yan-Nan; Wang, Huan-Chun; Luo, Yi-Dong; Shen, Yang; Lin, Yuan-Hua

2013-04-01

Ca-doped BiFeO3 nanofibres have been fabricated by electrospinning method. Our results indicate that phase transition from space group R3c to C222 can be observed by the Ca doping. These BiFeO3 nanofibres show obvious room temperature ferromagnetic behaviors, and saturation magnetization can be enhanced with the Ca-doping concentration increasing, which could be correlated with the variation of the ratio of Fe2+/Fe3+ valence state. The BiFeO3 nanofibres show obvious photocatalytic performance and can be improved by the Ca-doping.

Comparison of Coarse-Grained Approaches in Predicting Polymer Nanocomposite Phase Behavior

DOE PAGES

Koski, Jason P.; Ferrier, Robert C.; Krook, Nadia M.; ...

2017-11-02

Because of the considerable parameter space, efficient theoretical and simulation methods are required to predict the morphology and guide experiments in polymer nanocomposites (PNCs). Unfortunately, theoretical and simulation methods are restricted in their ability to accurately map to experiments based on necessary approximations and numerical limitations. In this study, we provide direct comparisons of two recently developed coarse-grained approaches for modeling polymer nanocomposites (PNCs): polymer nanocomposite field theory (PNC-FT) and dynamic mean-field theory (DMFT). These methods are uniquely suited to efficiently capture mesoscale phase behavior of PNCs in comparison to other theoretical and simulation frameworks. We demonstrate the ability ofmore » both methods to capture macrophase separation and describe the thermodynamics of PNCs. We systematically test how the nanoparticle morphology in PNCs is affected by a uniform probability distribution of grafting sites, common in field-based methods, versus random discrete grafting sites on the nanoparticle surface. We also analyze the accuracy of the mean-field approximation in capturing the phase behavior of PNCs. Moreover, the DMFT method introduces the ability to describe nonequilibrium phase behavior while the PNC-FT method is strictly an equilibrium method. With the DMFT method we are able to show the evolution of nonequilibrium states toward their equilibrium state and a qualitative assessment of the dynamics in these systems. These simulations are compared to experiments consisting of polystyrene grafted gold nanorods in a poly(methyl methacrylate) matrix to ensure the model gives results that qualitatively agree with the experiments. This study reveals that nanoparticles in a relatively high matrix molecular weight are trapped in a nonequilibrium state and demonstrates the utility of the DMFT framework in capturing nonequilibrium phase behavior of PNCs. In conclusion, both the PNC-FT and DMFT

Comparison of Coarse-Grained Approaches in Predicting Polymer Nanocomposite Phase Behavior

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

Koski, Jason P.; Ferrier, Robert C.; Krook, Nadia M.

Because of the considerable parameter space, efficient theoretical and simulation methods are required to predict the morphology and guide experiments in polymer nanocomposites (PNCs). Unfortunately, theoretical and simulation methods are restricted in their ability to accurately map to experiments based on necessary approximations and numerical limitations. In this study, we provide direct comparisons of two recently developed coarse-grained approaches for modeling polymer nanocomposites (PNCs): polymer nanocomposite field theory (PNC-FT) and dynamic mean-field theory (DMFT). These methods are uniquely suited to efficiently capture mesoscale phase behavior of PNCs in comparison to other theoretical and simulation frameworks. We demonstrate the ability ofmore » both methods to capture macrophase separation and describe the thermodynamics of PNCs. We systematically test how the nanoparticle morphology in PNCs is affected by a uniform probability distribution of grafting sites, common in field-based methods, versus random discrete grafting sites on the nanoparticle surface. We also analyze the accuracy of the mean-field approximation in capturing the phase behavior of PNCs. Moreover, the DMFT method introduces the ability to describe nonequilibrium phase behavior while the PNC-FT method is strictly an equilibrium method. With the DMFT method we are able to show the evolution of nonequilibrium states toward their equilibrium state and a qualitative assessment of the dynamics in these systems. These simulations are compared to experiments consisting of polystyrene grafted gold nanorods in a poly(methyl methacrylate) matrix to ensure the model gives results that qualitatively agree with the experiments. This study reveals that nanoparticles in a relatively high matrix molecular weight are trapped in a nonequilibrium state and demonstrates the utility of the DMFT framework in capturing nonequilibrium phase behavior of PNCs. In conclusion, both the PNC-FT and DMFT

Jefferson Teamwork Observation Guide (JTOG): An Instrument to Observe Teamwork Behaviors.

PubMed

Lyons, Kevin J; Giordano, Carolyn; Speakman, Elizabeth; Smith, Kellie; Horowitz, June A

2016-01-01

Interprofessional education (IPE) is becoming an integral part of the education of health professions students. However, teaching students to become successful members of interprofessional teams is complex, and it is important for students to learn the combinations of skills necessary for teams to function effectively. There are many instruments available to measure many features related to IPE. However, these instruments are often too cumbersome to use in an observational situation since they tend to be lengthy and contain many abstract characteristics that are difficult to identify. The Jefferson Teamwork Observation Guide (JTOG) is a short tool that was created for students early in their educational program to observe teams in action with a set of guidelines to help them focus their observation on behaviors indicative of good teamwork. The JTOG was developed over a 2-year period based on student and clinician feedback and the input of experts in IPE. While initially developed as a purely educational tool for prelicensure students, it is becoming clear that it is an easy-to-use instrument that assesses the behavior of clinicians in practice.

Strain-induced alignment and phase behavior of blue phase liquid crystals confined to thin films.

PubMed

Bukusoglu, Emre; Martinez-Gonzalez, Jose A; Wang, Xiaoguang; Zhou, Ye; de Pablo, Juan J; Abbott, Nicholas L

2017-12-06

We report on the influence of surface confinement on the phase behavior and strain-induced alignment of thin films of blue phase liquid crystals (BPs). Confining surfaces comprised of bare glass, dimethyloctadecyl [3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl] ammonium chloride (DMOAP)-functionalized glass, or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-coated glass were used with or without mechanically rubbing to influence the azimuthal anchoring of the BPs. These experiments reveal that confinement can change the phase behavior of the BP films. For example, in experiments performed with rubbed-PVA surfaces, we measured the elastic strain of the BPs to change the isotropic-BPII phase boundary, suppressing formation of BPII for film thicknesses incommensurate with the BPII lattice. In addition, we observed strain-induced alignment of the BPs to exhibit a complex dependence on both the surface chemistry and azimuthal alignment of the BPs. For example, when using bare glass surfaces causing azimuthally degenerate and planar anchoring, BPI oriented with (110) planes of the unit cell parallel to the contacting surfaces for thicknesses below 3 μm but transitioned to an orientation with (200) planes aligned parallel to the contacting surfaces for thicknesses above 4 μm. In contrast, BPI aligned with (110) planes parallel to confining surfaces for all other thicknesses and surface treatments, including bare glass with uniform azimuthal alignment. Complementary simulations based on minimization of the total free energy (Landau-de Gennes formalism) confirmed a thickness-dependent reorientation due to strain of BPI unit cells within a window of surface anchoring energies and in the absence of uniform azimuthal alignment. In contrast to BPI, BPII did not exhibit thickness-dependent orientations but did exhibit orientations that were dependent on the surface chemistry, a result that was also captured in simulations by varying the anchoring energies. Overall, the results in this paper reveal that the orientations

Observing Animal Behavior at the Zoo: A Learning Laboratory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hull, Debra B.

2003-01-01

Undergraduate students in a learning laboratory course initially chose a species to study; researched that species' physical and behavioral characteristics; then learned skills necessary to select, operationalize, observe, and record animal behavior accurately. After their classroom preparation, students went to a local zoo to observe the behavior…

Effects of Phytoplankton Growth Phase on Delayed Settling Behavior of Marine Snow Aggregates at Sharp Density Transitions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Proctor, K. W.; Montgomery, Q. W.; Prairie, J. C.

2016-02-01

Marine snow aggregates play a fundamental role in the marine carbon cycle. Since marine snow aggregates are larger and thus sink faster than individual phytoplankton, aggregates often dominate carbon flux. Previous studies have shown that marine snow aggregates will significantly decrease their settling velocity when passing through sharp density transitions within the ocean, a phenomenon defined as delayed settling. Given the importance of aggregate settling to carbon export, these small-scale changes in aggregate settling dynamics may have significant impacts on the efficiency of the biological pump. However, there is still a lack of knowledge about how different physical properties of aggregates can affect this delayed settling. In this study, we investigated the effect of phytoplankton growth phase on delayed settling behavior. Using phytoplankton cultures stopped at four different growth phases, we formed marine snow aggregates in the laboratory in rotating cylindrical tanks. We then observed individual aggregates as they settled through a stratified tank. We will present data which illustrates that aggregates experience greatly reduced settling rates when passing through sharp density gradients and that the growth phase of the phytoplankton used to form these aggregates has a significant effect on this delayed settling behavior. A thorough understanding of the impact of phytoplankton growth phase on the delayed settling behavior of marine snow will offer insight into the way phytoplankton growth phase may influence the efficiency of the biological pump, carbon flux, and the carbon cycle as a whole.

Phenomenological model and phase behavior of saturated and unsaturated lipids and cholesterol.

PubMed

Putzel, G Garbès; Schick, M

2008-11-15

We present a phenomenological theory for the phase behavior of ternary mixtures of cholesterol and saturated and unsaturated lipids, one that describes both liquid and gel phases. It leads to the following description of the mechanism of the phase behavior: In a binary system of the lipids, phase separation occurs when the saturated chains are well ordered, as in the gel phase, simply due to packing effects. In the liquid phase, the saturated ones are not sufficiently well ordered for separation to occur. The addition of cholesterol, however, increases the saturated lipid order to the point that phase separation is once again favorable. Our theory addresses this last mechanism-the means by which cholesterol-mediated ordering of membrane lipids leads to liquid-liquid immiscibility. It produces, for the system above the main chain transition of the saturated lipid, phase diagrams in which there can be liquid-liquid phase separation in the ternary system but not in any of the binary ones, while below that temperature it yields the more common phase diagram in which a gel phase, rich in saturated lipid, appears in addition to the two liquid phases.

Experimental data showing the thermal behavior of a flat roof with phase change material.

PubMed

Tokuç, Ayça; Başaran, Tahsin; Yesügey, S Cengiz

2015-12-01

The selection and configuration of building materials for optimal energy efficiency in a building require some assumptions and models for the thermal behavior of the utilized materials. Although the models for many materials can be considered acceptable for simulation and calculation purposes, the work for modeling the real time behavior of phase change materials is still under development. The data given in this article shows the thermal behavior of a flat roof element with a phase change material (PCM) layer. The temperature and energy given to and taken from the building element are reported. In addition the solid-liquid behavior of the PCM is tracked through images. The resulting thermal behavior of the phase change material is discussed and simulated in [1] A. Tokuç, T. Başaran, S.C. Yesügey, An experimental and numerical investigation on the use of phase change materials in building elements: the case of a flat roof in Istanbul, Build. Energy, vol. 102, 2015, pp. 91-104.

Anomalistic Self-Assembled Phase Behavior of Block Copolymer Blended with Organic Derivative Depending on Temperature

DOE PAGES

Kim, Tae-Hwan; Kim, Eunhye; Do, Changwoo; ...

2016-08-16

Amphiphilic Pluronic block copolymers have attracted great attention in a broad spectrum of potential applications due to the excellent phase behaviors in an aqueous solution, and many efforts have been made to investigate their phase behaviors under various external conditions. With a variety of external conditions, however, the closed looplike phase behaviors of a Pluronic block copolymer in an aqueous solution have not been reported yet. Herein, we report the closed looplike (CLL) phase behavior of a Pluronic P65 triblock copolymer blended with an organic derivative, 5-methylsalicylic acid (5mS), in aqueous solution, which is very unique for block copolymers. Asmore » the 5mS concentration increases, the isotropic to ordered phase or back to isotropic phase transition temperature is decreased while the number of closed loops is increased to two. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a CLL phase transition of a Pluronic block copolymer in an aqueous solution, which is readily applicable to optical devices such as optical sensors or optoelectronics, and nanotemplates for a highly ordered superlattice. Additionally, this provides new insight into the understanding on the phase behavior of a Pluronic block copolymer blended with additives.« less

Anomalistic Self-Assembled Phase Behavior of Block Copolymer Blended with Organic Derivative Depending on Temperature

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

Kim, Tae-Hwan; Kim, Eunhye; Do, Changwoo

Amphiphilic Pluronic block copolymers have attracted great attention in a broad spectrum of potential applications due to the excellent phase behaviors in an aqueous solution, and many efforts have been made to investigate their phase behaviors under various external conditions. With a variety of external conditions, however, the closed looplike phase behaviors of a Pluronic block copolymer in an aqueous solution have not been reported yet. Herein, we report the closed looplike (CLL) phase behavior of a Pluronic P65 triblock copolymer blended with an organic derivative, 5-methylsalicylic acid (5mS), in aqueous solution, which is very unique for block copolymers. Asmore » the 5mS concentration increases, the isotropic to ordered phase or back to isotropic phase transition temperature is decreased while the number of closed loops is increased to two. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a CLL phase transition of a Pluronic block copolymer in an aqueous solution, which is readily applicable to optical devices such as optical sensors or optoelectronics, and nanotemplates for a highly ordered superlattice. Additionally, this provides new insight into the understanding on the phase behavior of a Pluronic block copolymer blended with additives.« less

The Connection Between Local Icosahedral Order in Metallic Liquids and the Nucleation Behavior of Ordered Phases

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kelton, K. F.; Gangopadhyay, A. K.; Lee, G. W.; Hyers, R. W.; Rathz, T. J.; Rogers, J. R.; Robinson, M. B.; Schenk, T.; Simonet, V.

2003-01-01

Over fifty years ago, David Turnbull showed that the temperature of many metallic liquids could be decreased far below their equilibrium melting temperature before crystallization occurred. To explain those surprising results, Charles Frank hypothesized that the local structures of undercooled metallic liquids are different from those of crystal phases, containing a significant degree of icosahedral order that is incompatible with extended periodicity. Such structural differences must create a barrier to the formation crystal phases, explaining the observed undercooling behavior. If true, the nucleation from the liquid of phases with extended icosahedral order should be easier. Icosahedral order is often favored in small clusters, as observed recently in liquid-like clusters of pure Pb on the (111) surface of Si[3], for example. However, it has never been shown that an increasing preference for icosahedral phase formation can be directly linked with the development of icosahedral order in the undercooled liquid. Owing to the combination of very recent advances in levitation techniques and the availability of synchrotron x-ray and high flux neutron facilities, this is shown here.

Predicting phase behavior of mixtures of reservoir fluids with carbon dioxide

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

Grigg, R.B.; Lingane, P.J.

1983-10-01

The use of an equation of state to predict phase behavior during carbon dioxide flooding is well established. There is consensus that the characterization of the C fraction, the grouping of this fraction into ''pseudo components'', and the selection of interaction parameters are the most important variables. However, the literature is vague as to how to best select the pseudo components, especially when aiming for a few-component representation as for a field scale compositional simulation. Single-contact phase behavior is presented for mixtures of Ford Geraldine (Delaware), Maljamar (Grayburg), West Sussex (Shannon), and Reservoir D reservoir fluids, and of a syntheticmore » oil C/C/C, with carbon dioxide. One can reproduce the phase behavior of these mixtures using 3-5 pseudo components and common interaction parameters. The critical properties of the pseudo components are calculated from detailed oil characterizations. Because the parameters are not further adjusted, this approach reduces the empiricism in fitting phase data and may result in a more accurate representation of the system as the composition of the oil changes during the approach to miscibility.« less

Ambient observations of dimers from terpene oxidation in the gas phase: Implications for new particle formation and growth: Ambient Observations of Gas-Phase Dimers

DOE PAGES

Mohr, Claudia; Lopez-Hilfiker, Felipe D.; Yli-Juuti, Taina; ...

2017-03-28

Here, we present ambient observations of dimeric monoterpene oxidation products (C 16–20H yO 6–9) in gas and particle phases in the boreal forest in Finland in spring 2013 and 2014, detected with a chemical ionization mass spectrometer with a filter inlet for gases and aerosols employing acetate and iodide as reagent ions. These are among the first online dual-phase observations of such dimers in the atmosphere. Estimated saturation concentrations of 10 -15 to 10 -6 µg m -3 (based on observed thermal desorptions and group-contribution methods) and measured gas-phase concentrations of 10 -3 to 10 -2 µg m -3 (~10more » 6–10 7 molecules cm -3) corroborate a gas-phase formation mechanism. Regular new particle formation (NPF) events allowed insights into the potential role dimers may play for atmospheric NPF and growth. The observationally constrained Model for Acid-Base chemistry in NAnoparticle Growth indicates a contribution of ~5% to early stage particle growth from the ~60 gaseous dimer compounds.« less

Ambient observations of dimers from terpene oxidation in the gas phase: Implications for new particle formation and growth: Ambient Observations of Gas-Phase Dimers

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

Mohr, Claudia; Lopez-Hilfiker, Felipe D.; Yli-Juuti, Taina

Here, we present ambient observations of dimeric monoterpene oxidation products (C 16–20H yO 6–9) in gas and particle phases in the boreal forest in Finland in spring 2013 and 2014, detected with a chemical ionization mass spectrometer with a filter inlet for gases and aerosols employing acetate and iodide as reagent ions. These are among the first online dual-phase observations of such dimers in the atmosphere. Estimated saturation concentrations of 10 -15 to 10 -6 µg m -3 (based on observed thermal desorptions and group-contribution methods) and measured gas-phase concentrations of 10 -3 to 10 -2 µg m -3 (~10more » 6–10 7 molecules cm -3) corroborate a gas-phase formation mechanism. Regular new particle formation (NPF) events allowed insights into the potential role dimers may play for atmospheric NPF and growth. The observationally constrained Model for Acid-Base chemistry in NAnoparticle Growth indicates a contribution of ~5% to early stage particle growth from the ~60 gaseous dimer compounds.« less

Novel phase diagram behavior and materials design in heterostructural semiconductor alloys

DOE PAGES

Holder, Aaron M.; Siol, Sebastian; Ndione, Paul F.; ...

2017-06-07

Structure and composition control the behavior of materials. Isostructural alloying is historically an extremely successful approach for tuning materials properties, but it is often limited by binodal and spinodal decomposition, which correspond to the thermodynamic solubility limit and the stability against composition fluctuations, respectively. We show that heterostructural alloys can exhibit a markedly increased range of metastable alloy compositions between the binodal and spinodal lines, thereby opening up a vast phase space for novel homogeneous single-phase alloys. We distinguish two types of heterostructural alloys, that is, those between commensurate and incommensurate phases. Because of the structural transition around the criticalmore » composition, the properties change in a highly nonlinear or even discontinuous fashion, providing a mechanism for materials design that does not exist in conventional isostructural alloys. The novel phase diagram behavior follows from standard alloy models using mixing enthalpies from first-principles calculations. Furthermore, thin-film deposition demonstrates the viability of the synthesis of these metastable single-phase domains and validates the computationally predicted phase separation mechanism above the upper temperature bound of the nonequilibrium single-phase region.« less

Cooperative behavior and phase transitions in co-evolving stag hunt game

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, W.; Li, Y. S.; Xu, C.; Hui, P. M.

2016-02-01

Cooperative behavior and different phases in a co-evolving network dynamics based on the stag hunt game is studied. The dynamical processes are parameterized by a payoff r that tends to promote non-cooperative behavior and a probability q for a rewiring attempt that could isolate the non-cooperators. The interplay between the parameters leads to different phases. Detailed simulations and a mean field theory are employed to reveal the properties of different phases. For small r, the cooperators are the majority and form a connected cluster while the non-cooperators increase with q but remain isolated over the whole range of q, and it is a static phase. For sufficiently large r, cooperators disappear in an intermediate range qL ≤ q ≤qU and a dynamical all-non-cooperators phase results. For q >qU, a static phase results again. A mean field theory based on how the link densities change in time by the co-evolving dynamics is constructed. The theory gives a phase diagram in the q- r parameter space that is qualitatively in agreement with simulation results. The sources of discrepancies between theory and simulations are discussed.

Phase behavior of model ABC triblock copolymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chatterjee, Joon

The phase behavior of poly(isoprene-b-styrene- b-ethylene oxide) (ISO), a model ABC triblock copolymer has been studied. This class of materials exhibit self-assembly, forming a large array of ordered morphologies at length scales of 5-100 nm. The formation of stable three-dimensionally continuous network morphologies is of special interest in this study. Since these nanostructures considerably impact the material properties, fundamental knowledge for designing ABC systems have high technological importance for realizing applications in the areas of nanofabrication, nanoporous media, separation membranes, drug delivery and high surface area catalysts. A comprehensive framework was developed to describe the phase behavior of the ISO triblock copolymers at weak to intermediate segregation strengths spanning a wide range of composition. Phases were characterized through a combination of characterization techniques, including small angle x-ray scattering, dynamic mechanical spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and birefringence measurements. Combined with previous investigations on ISO, six different stable ordered state symmetries have been identified: lamellae (LAM), Fddd orthorhombic network (O70), double gyroid (Q230), alternating gyroid (Q214), hexagonal (HEX), and body-centered cubic (BCC). The phase map was found to be somewhat asymmetric around the fI = fO isopleth. This work provides a guide for theoretical studies and gives insight into the intricate effects of various parameters on the self-assembly of ABC triblock copolymers. Experimental SAXS data evaluated with a simple scattering intensity model show that local mixing varies continuously across the phase map between states of two- and three-domain segregation. Strategies of blending homopolymers with ISO triblock copolymer were employed for studying the swelling properties of a lamellar state. Results demonstrate that lamellar domains swell or shrink depending upon the type of homopolymer that

Chain conformations and phase behavior of conjugated polymers.

PubMed

Kuei, Brooke; Gomez, Enrique D

2016-12-21

Conjugated polymers may play an important role in various emerging optoelectronic applications because they combine the chemical versatility of organic molecules and the flexibility, stretchability and toughness of polymers with semiconducting properties. Nevertheless, in order to achieve the full potential of conjugated polymers, a clear description of how their structure, morphology, and macroscopic properties are interrelated is needed. We propose that the starting point for understanding conjugated polymers includes understanding chain conformations and phase behavior. Efforts to predict and measure the persistence length have significantly refined our intuition of the chain stiffness, and have led to predictions of nematic-to-isotropic transitions. Exploring mixing between conjugated polymers and small molecules or other polymers has demonstrated tremendous advancements in attaining the needed properties for various optoelectronic devices. Current efforts continue to refine our knowledge of chain conformations and phase behavior and the factors that influence these properties, thereby providing opportunities for the development of novel optoelectronic materials based on conjugated polymers.

Phase Behavior of Neat Triblock Copolymers and Copolymer/Homopolymer Blends Near Network Phase Windows

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

M Tureau; L Rong; B Hsiao

The phase behavior of poly(isoprene-b-styrene-b-methyl methacrylate) (ISM) copolymers near the styrene-rich network phase window was examined through the use of neat triblock copolymers and copolymer/homopolymer blends. Both end-block and middle-block blending protocols were employed using poly(isoprene) (PI), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and poly(styrene) (PS) homopolymers. Blended specimens exhibited phase transformations to well-ordered nanostructures (at homopolymer loadings up to 26 vol % of the total blend volume). Morphological consistency between neat and blended specimens was established at various locations in the ISM phase space. Copolymer/homopolymer blending permitted the refinement of lamellar, hexagonally packed cylinder, and disordered melt phase boundaries as well asmore » the identification of double gyroid (Q{sup 230}), alternating gyroid (Q{sup 214}), and orthorhombic (O{sup 70}) network regimes. Additionally, the experimental phase diagram exhibited similar trends to those found in a theoretical ABC triblock copolymer phase diagram with symmetric interactions and statistical segments lengths generated by Tyler et al.« less

Raman Spectral Observation of a "New Phase" Observed in Nickel Electrodes Cycled to Failure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Loyselle, P. L.; Shan, X.; Cornilsen, B. C.; Reid, M. A.

1991-01-01

A "new phase" is reported in nickel electrodes from Ni/H boilerplate cells which were cycled to failure in electrolyte of variable kOH concentration. Raman spectra clearly show the presence of this phase, and these spectra have been used to quantify the amounts present in these electrodes (in the volume sampled by the laser beam) Raman spectroscopy has been found to be capable of differentiating the various phases which can be present in nickel .This differentiation is possible because of the structural variation observed for these phases. Ten of twelve electrodes examined contain at least some of this new phase. The presence of this "new phase" correlates with cell failure, and it is proposed that the presence of this phase may play a role in early electrode failure.

Plastic behavior of two-phase intermetallic compounds based on L1{sub 2}-type (Al,Cr){sub 3}Ti

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

Park, J.Y.; Wee, D.M.; Oh, M.H.

Plastic behavior of two-phase intermetallic compounds based on L1{sub 2}-type (Al,Cr){sub 3}Ti was investigated using compression test at R.T. and 77K. L1{sub 2} single phase alloys and two-phase alloys consisting of mainly L1{sub 2} phase and a few or 20% (mole percent) second phases were selected from Al-Ti-Cr phase diagram. In general, compared with L1{sub 2} single phase, two-phase alloys consisting of 20% second phase showed relatively high yield strength and poor ductility. Among the alloys, however, Al-21Ti-23Cr alloy consisting of 20% Cr{sub 2}Al phase showed available ductility as well as high yield strength. Plastic behavior of L1{sub 2} singlemore » phase alloys and two-phase alloys consisting of a few Cr{sub 2}Al was also investigated. Homogenization of arc melted ingots substantially reduced the amount of second phases but introduced extensive pore. When Cr content increased in L1{sub 2} single phase alloys after the homogenization, the volume fraction of pores in the alloys decreased, and no residual porosity was observed in two-phase alloys consisting of a few% Cr{sub 2}Al phase. Environmental effect on the ductility of the alloys was investigated using compression test at different strain rates (1.2 {times} 10{sup {minus}4}/s and 1.2 {times} 10{sup {minus}2}/s). Environmental embrittlement was least significant in Al-25Ti-10Cr alloy consisting of L1{sub 2} single phase among the alloys tested in this study. However, based on the combined estimation of the pore formation, environmental embrittlement and ingot cast structure, it could be supposed that Al-21Ti-23Cr alloy consisting of 20% Cr{sub 2}Al as a second phase is expected to show the best tensile elongation behavior among the materials tested.« less

Predicting mixture phase equilibria and critical behavior using the SAFT-VRX approach.

PubMed

Sun, Lixin; Zhao, Honggang; Kiselev, Sergei B; McCabe, Clare

2005-05-12

The SAFT-VRX equation of state combines the SAFT-VR equation with a crossover function that smoothly transforms the classical equation into a nonanalytical form close to the critical point. By a combinination of the accuracy of the SAFT-VR approach away from the critical region with the asymptotic scaling behavior seen at the critical point of real fluids, the SAFT-VRX equation can accurately describe the global fluid phase diagram. In previous work, we demonstrated that the SAFT-VRX equation very accurately describes the pvT and phase behavior of both nonassociating and associating pure fluids, with a minimum of fitting to experimental data. Here, we present a generalized SAFT-VRX equation of state for binary mixtures that is found to accurately predict the vapor-liquid equilibrium and pvT behavior of the systems studied. In particular, we examine binary mixtures of n-alkanes and carbon dioxide + n-alkanes. The SAFT-VRX equation accurately describes not only the gas-liquid critical locus for these systems but also the vapor-liquid equilibrium phase diagrams and thermal properties in single-phase regions.

Solar flare impulsive phase emission observed with SDO/EVE

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

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

2013-12-10

Differential emission measures (DEMs) during the impulsive phase of solar flares were constructed using observations from the EUV Variability Experiment (EVE) and the Markov-Chain Monte Carlo method. Emission lines from ions formed over the temperature range log T{sub e} = 5.8-7.2 allow the evolution of the DEM to be studied over a wide temperature range at 10 s cadence. The technique was applied to several M- and X-class flares, where impulsive phase EUV emission is observable in the disk-integrated EVE spectra from emission lines formed up to 3-4 MK and we use spatially unresolved EVE observations to infer the thermalmore » structure of the emitting region. For the nine events studied, the DEMs exhibited a two-component distribution during the impulsive phase, a low-temperature component with peak temperature of 1-2 MK, and a broad high-temperature component from 7 to 30 MK. A bimodal high-temperature component is also found for several events, with peaks at 8 and 25 MK during the impulsive phase. The origin of the emission was verified using Atmospheric Imaging Assembly images to be the flare ribbons and footpoints, indicating that the constructed DEMs represent the spatially average thermal structure of the chromospheric flare emission during the impulsive phase.« less

Teacher and TA Ratings of Preschoolers' Externalizing Behavior: Agreement and Associations with Observed Classroom Behavior

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wolcott, Catherine Sanger; Williford, Amanda P.

2015-01-01

The present study investigated teachers' and teacher aides' (TAs) agreement in their ratings of preschoolers' externalizing behavior and their associations with observed classroom behavior for a sample of children at risk of developing a disruptive behavior disorder. One hundred twenty-two teachers rated 360 students' externalizing behavior in the…

Solid-Phase and Oscillating Solution Crystallization Behavior of (+)- and (-)-N-Methylephedrine.

PubMed

Tulashie, Samuel Kofi; Polenske, Daniel; Seidel-Morgenstern, Andreas; Lorenz, Heike

2016-11-01

This work involves the study of the solid-phase and solution crystallization behavior of the N-methylephedrine enantiomers. A systematic investigation of the melt phase diagram of the enantiomeric N-methylephedrine system was performed considering polymorphism. Two monotropically related modifications of the enantiomer were found. Solubilities and the ternary solubility phase diagrams of N-methylephedrine enantiomers in 2 solvents [isopropanol:water, 1:3 (Vol) and (2R, 3R)-diethyl tartrate] were determined in the temperature ranges between 15°C and 25°C, and 25°C and 40°C, respectively. Preferential nucleation and crystallization experiments at higher supersaturation leading to an unusual oscillatory crystallization behavior as well as a successful preferential crystallization experiment at lower supersaturation are presented and discussed. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Laboratory observations and simulations of phase reddening

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schröder, S. E.; Grynko, Ye.; Pommerol, A.; Keller, H. U.; Thomas, N.; Roush, T. L.

2014-09-01

The visible reflectance spectrum of many Solar System bodies changes with changing viewing geometry for reasons not fully understood. It is often observed to redden (increasing spectral slope) with increasing solar phase angle, an effect known as phase reddening. Only once, in an observation of the martian surface by the Viking 1 lander, was reddening observed up to a certain phase angle with bluing beyond, making the reflectance ratio as a function of phase angle shaped like an arch. However, in laboratory experiments this arch-shape is frequently encountered. To investigate this, we measured the bidirectional reflectance of particulate samples of several common rock types in the 400-1000 nm wavelength range and performed ray-tracing simulations. We confirm the occurrence of the arch for surfaces that are forward scattering, i.e. are composed of semi-transparent particles and are smooth on the scale of the particles, and for which the reflectance increases from the lower to the higher wavelength in the reflectance ratio. The arch shape is reproduced by the simulations, which assume a smooth surface. However, surface roughness on the scale of the particles, such as the Hapke and van Horn (Hapke, B., van Horn, H. [1963]. J. Geophys. Res. 68, 4545-4570) fairy castles that can spontaneously form when sprinkling a fine powder, leads to monotonic reddening. A further consequence of this form of microscopic roughness (being indistinct without the use of a microscope) is a flattening of the disk function at visible wavelengths, i.e. Lommel-Seeliger-type scattering. The experiments further reveal monotonic reddening for reflectance ratios at near-IR wavelengths. The simulations fail to reproduce this particular reddening, and we suspect that it results from roughness on the surface of the particles. Given that the regolith of atmosphereless Solar System bodies is composed of small particles, our results indicate that the prevalence of monotonic reddening and Lommel

Linking Informant Discrepancies to Observed Variations in Young Children's Disruptive Behavior

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

De Los Reyes, Andres; Henry, David B.; Tolan, Patrick H.; Wakschlag, Lauren S.

2009-01-01

Prior work has not tested the basic theoretical notion that informant discrepancies in reports of children's behavior exist, in part, because different informants observe children's behavior in different settings. We examined patterns of observed preschool disruptive behavior across varying social contexts in the laboratory and whether they…

Reversible Phase Transition with Ultralarge Dielectric Relaxation Behaviors in Succinimide Lithium(I) Hybrids.

PubMed

Tang, Yun-Zhi; Wang, Bin; Zhou, Hai-Tao; Chen, Shao-Peng; Tan, Yu-Hui; Wang, Chang-Feng; Yang, Chang-Shan; Wen, He-Rui

2018-02-05

Dielectric relaxations have widely applied on high permittivity capacitors, dielectric switches, ferroelectrics, pyroelectrics, and electrical insulating materials. However, few investigations of large dielectric relaxation behaviors on organic-inorganic hybrid materials have been documented before. Here we present a novel two-dimensional succinimide lithium(I) hybrid compound, [Li(PDD) 2 ClO 4 ] n , 1, (PDD = 2,5-pyrrolidinedione = succinimide) which shows reversible phase transition behavior in the vicinity of 228 K accompanied by an unusual symmetry breaking from I4 1 /amd to C2/c. X-ray single crystal diffractions analysis indicates the twist motion of pyrrolidine heterocycles, and order-disorder motion of ClO 4 - anions triggered the reversible phase transition. By means of an intuitive crystallographic model (rattling ion model), we further illustrated the mechanism of the interesting reversible phase transition. Particularly, 1 shows ultralarge dielectric relaxation behavior in the vicinity of the phase transition by its dielectric constant dependence on temperatures and frequencies as well as its Cole-Cole relation.

Ionic liquids for low-tension oil recovery processes: Phase behavior tests.

PubMed

Rodriguez-Escontrela, Iria; Puerto, Maura C; Miller, Clarence A; Soto, Ana

2017-10-15

Chemical flooding with surfactants for reducing oil-brine interfacial tensions (IFTs) to mobilize residual oil trapped by capillary forces has a great potential for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR). Surface-active ionic liquids (SAILs) constitute a class of surfactants that has recently been proposed for this application. For the first time, SAILs or their blends with an anionic surfactant are studied by determining equilibrium phase behavior for systems of about unit water-oil ratio at various temperatures. The test fluids were model alkane and aromatic oils, NaCl brine, and synthetic hard seawater (SW). Patterns of microemulsions observed are those of classical phase behavior (Winsor I-III-II transition) known to correlate with low IFTs. The two anionic room-temperature SAILs tested were made from common anionic surfactants by substituting imidazolium or phosphonium cations for sodium. These two anionic and two cationic SAILs were found to have little potential for EOR when tested individually. Thus, also tested were blends of an anionic internal olefin sulfonate (IOS) surfactant with one of the anionic SAILs and both cationic SAILs. Most promising for EOR was the anionic/cationic surfactant blend of IOS with [C 12 mim]Br in SW. A low equilibrium IFT of ∼2·10 -3 mN/m was measured between n-octane and an aqueous solution having the optimal blend ratio for this system at 25°C. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Dynamic Recrystallization Behavior and Corrosion Resistance of a Dual-Phase Mg-Li Alloy

PubMed Central

Liu, Gang; Xie, Wen; Wei, Guobing; Yang, Yan; Liu, Junwei; Xu, Tiancai; Xie, Weidong; Peng, Xiaodong

2018-01-01

The hot deformation and dynamic recrystallization behavior of the dual-phase Mg-9Li-3Al-2Sr-2Y alloy had been investigated using a compression test. The typical dual-phase structure was observed, and average of grain size of as-homogenized alloy is about 110 µm. It mainly contains β-Li, α-Mg, Al4Sr and Al2Y phases. The dynamic recrystallization (DRX) kinetic was established based on an Avrami type equation. The onset of the DRX process occurred before the peak of the stress–strain flow curves. It shows that the DRX volume fraction increases with increasing deformation temperature or decreasing strain rate. The microstructure evolution during the hot compression at various temperatures and strain rates had been investigated. The DRX grain size became larger with the increasing testing temperature or decreasing strain rate because the higher temperature or lower strain rate can improve the migration of DRX grain boundaries. The fully recrystallized microstructure can be achieved in a small strain due to the dispersed island-shape α-Mg phases, continuous the Al4Sr phases and spheroidal Al2Y particles, which can accelerate the nucleation. The continuous Al4Sr phases along the grain boundaries are very helpful for enhancing the corrosion resistance of the duplex structured Mg-Li alloy, which can prevent the pitting corrosion and filiform corrosion. PMID:29522473

Dynamic Recrystallization Behavior and Corrosion Resistance of a Dual-Phase Mg-Li Alloy.

PubMed

Liu, Gang; Xie, Wen; Wei, Guobing; Yang, Yan; Liu, Junwei; Xu, Tiancai; Xie, Weidong; Peng, Xiaodong

2018-03-09

The hot deformation and dynamic recrystallization behavior of the dual-phase Mg-9Li-3Al-2Sr-2Y alloy had been investigated using a compression test. The typical dual-phase structure was observed, and average of grain size of as-homogenized alloy is about 110 µm. It mainly contains β-Li, α-Mg, Al₄Sr and Al₂Y phases. The dynamic recrystallization (DRX) kinetic was established based on an Avrami type equation. The onset of the DRX process occurred before the peak of the stress-strain flow curves. It shows that the DRX volume fraction increases with increasing deformation temperature or decreasing strain rate. The microstructure evolution during the hot compression at various temperatures and strain rates had been investigated. The DRX grain size became larger with the increasing testing temperature or decreasing strain rate because the higher temperature or lower strain rate can improve the migration of DRX grain boundaries. The fully recrystallized microstructure can be achieved in a small strain due to the dispersed island-shape α-Mg phases, continuous the Al₄Sr phases and spheroidal Al₂Y particles, which can accelerate the nucleation. The continuous Al₄Sr phases along the grain boundaries are very helpful for enhancing the corrosion resistance of the duplex structured Mg-Li alloy, which can prevent the pitting corrosion and filiform corrosion.

Possible effects of two-phase flow pattern on the mechanical behavior of mudstones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goto, H.; Tokunaga, T.; Aichi, M.

2016-12-01

To investigate the influence of two-phase flow pattern on the mechanical behavior of mudstones, laboratory experiments were conducted. In the experiment, air was injected from the bottom of the water-saturated Quaternary Umegase mudstone sample under hydrostatic external stress condition. Both axial and circumferential strains at half the height of the sample and volumetric discharge of water at the outlet were monitored during the experiment. Numerical simulation of the experiment was tried by using a simulator which can solve coupled two-phase flow and poroelastic deformation assuming the extended-Darcian flow with relative permeability and capillary pressure as functions of the wetting-phase fluid saturation. In the numerical simulation, the volumetric discharge of water was reproduced well while both strains were not. Three dimensionless numbers, i.e., the viscosity ratio, the Capillary number, and the Bond number, which characterize the two-phase flow pattern (Lenormand et al., 1988; Ewing and Berkowitz, 1998) were calculated to be 2×10-2, 2×10-11, and 7×10-11, respectively, in the experiment. Because the Bond number was quite small, it was possible to apply Lenormand et al. (1988)'s diagram to evaluate the flow regime, and the flow regime was considered to be capillary fingering. While, in the numerical simulation, air moved uniformly upward with quite low non-wetting phase saturation conditions because the fluid flow obeyed the two-phase Darcy's law. These different displacement patterns developed in the experiment and assumed in the numerical simulation were considered to be the reason why the deformation behavior observed in the experiment could not be reproduced by numerical simulation, suggesting that the two-phase flow pattern could affect the changes of internal fluid pressure patterns during displacement processes. For further studies, quantitative analysis of the experimental results by using a numerical simulator which can solve the coupled

Structure and phase behavior of a confined nanodroplet composed of the flexible chain molecules.

PubMed

Kim, Soon-Chul; Kim, Eun-Young; Seong, Baek-Seok

2011-04-28

A polymer density functional theory has been employed for investigating the structure and phase behaviors of the chain polymer, which is modelled as the tangentially connected sphere chain with an attractive interaction, inside the nanosized pores. The excess free energy of the chain polymer has been approximated as the modified fundamental measure-theory for the hard spheres, the Wertheim's first-order perturbation for the chain connectivity, and the mean-field approximation for the van der Waals contribution. For the value of the chemical potential corresponding to a stable liquid phase in the bulk system and a metastable vapor phase, the flexible chain molecules undergo the liquid-vapor transition as the pore size is reduced; the vapor is the stable phase at small volume, whereas the liquid is the stable phase at large volume. The wide liquid-vapor coexistence curve, which explains the wide range of metastable liquid-vapor states, is observed at low temperature. The increase of temperature and decrease of pore size result in a narrowing of liquid-vapor coexistence curves. The increase of chain length leads to a shift of the liquid-vapor coexistence curve towards lower values of chemical potential. The coexistence curves for the confined phase diagram are contained within the corresponding bulk liquid-vapor coexistence curve. The equilibrium capillary phase transition occurs at a higher chemical potential than in the bulk phase.

Phase Behavior of Ritonavir Amorphous Solid Dispersions during Hydration and Dissolution.

PubMed

Purohit, Hitesh S; Taylor, Lynne S

2017-12-01

The aim of this research was to study the interplay of solid and solution state phase transformations during the dissolution of ritonavir (RTV) amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs). RTV ASDs with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinylpyrrolidone vinyl acetate (PVPVA) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS) were prepared at 10-50% drug loading by solvent evaporation. The miscibility of RTV ASDs was studied before and after exposure to 97% relative humidity (RH). Non-sink dissolution studies were performed on fresh and moisture-exposed ASDs. RTV and polymer release were monitored using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. Techniques including fluorescence spectroscopy, confocal imaging, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) were utilized to monitor solid and the solution state phase transformations. All RTV-PVP and RTV-PVPVA ASDs underwent moisture-induced amorphous-amorphous phase separation (AAPS) on high RH storage whereas RTV-HPMCAS ASDs remained miscible. Non-sink dissolution of PVP- and PVPVA-based ASDs at low drug loadings led to rapid RTV and polymer release resulting in concentrations in excess of amorphous solubility, liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and amorphous nanodroplet formation. High drug loading PVP- and PVPVA-based ASDs did not exhibit LLPS upon dissolution as a consequence of extensive AAPS in the hydrated ASD matrix. All RTV-HPMCAS ASDs led to LLPS upon dissolution. RTV ASD dissolution is governed by a competition between the dissolution rate and the rate of phase separation in the hydrated ASD matrix. LLPS was observed for ASDs where the drug release was polymer controlled and only ASDs that remained miscible during the initial phase of dissolution led to LLPS. Techniques such as fluorescence spectroscopy, confocal imaging and SEM were useful in understanding the phase behavior of ASDs upon hydration and dissolution

Advances in Understanding Stimulus Responsive Phase Behavior of Intrinsically Disordered Protein Polymers.

PubMed

Ruff, Kiersten M; Roberts, Stefan; Chilkoti, Ashutosh; Pappu, Rohit V

2018-06-24

Proteins and synthetic polymers can undergo phase transitions in response to changes to intensive solution parameters such as temperature, proton chemical potentials (pH), and hydrostatic pressure. For proteins and protein-based polymers, the information required for stimulus responsive phase transitions is encoded in their amino acid sequence. Here, we review some of the key physical principles that govern the phase transitions of archetypal intrinsically disordered protein polymers (IDPPs). These are disordered proteins with highly repetitive amino acid sequences. Advances in recombinant technologies have enabled the design and synthesis of protein sequences of a variety of sequence complexities and lengths. We summarize insights that have been gleaned from the design and characterization of IDPPs that undergo thermo-responsive phase transitions and build on these insights to present a general framework for IDPPs with pH and pressure responsive phase behavior. In doing so, we connect the stimulus responsive phase behavior of IDPPs with repetitive sequences to the coil-to-globule transitions that these sequences undergo at the single chain level in response to changes in stimuli. The proposed framework and ongoing studies of stimulus responsive phase behavior of designed IDPPs have direct implications in bioengineering, where designing sequences with bespoke material properties broadens the spectrum of applications, and in biology and medicine for understanding the sequence-specific driving forces for the formation of protein-based membraneless organelles as well as biological matrices that act as scaffolds for cells and mediators of cell-to-cell communication. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

High-pressure phase transitions, amorphization, and crystallization behaviors in Bi2Se3.

PubMed

Zhao, Jinggeng; Liu, Haozhe; Ehm, Lars; Dong, Dawei; Chen, Zhiqiang; Gu, Genda

2013-03-27

The phase transition, amorphization, and crystallization behaviors of the topological insulator bismuth selenide (Bi2Se3) were discovered by performing in situ high-pressure angle-dispersive x-ray diffraction experiments during an increasing, decreasing, and recycling pressure process. In the compression process, Bi2Se3 transforms from the original rhombohedral structure (phase I(A)) to a monoclinic structure (phase II) at about 10.4 GPa, and further to a body-centered tetragonal structure (phase III) at about 24.5 GPa. When releasing pressure to ambient conditions after the complete transformation from phase II to III, Bi2Se3 becomes an amorphous solid (AM). In the relaxation process from this amorphous state, Bi2Se3 starts crystallizing into an orthorhombic structure (phase I(B)) about five hours after releasing the pressure to ambient. A review of the pressure-induced phase transition behaviors of A2B3-type materials composed from the V and VI group elements is presented.

Emergent phases and critical behavior in a non-Markovian open quantum system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheung, H. F. H.; Patil, Y. S.; Vengalattore, M.

2018-05-01

Open quantum systems exhibit a range of novel out-of-equilibrium behavior due to the interplay between coherent quantum dynamics and dissipation. Of particular interest in these systems are driven, dissipative transitions, the emergence of dynamical phases with novel broken symmetries, and critical behavior that lies beyond the conventional paradigm of Landau-Ginzburg phenomenology. Here, we consider a parametrically driven two-mode system in the presence of non-Markovian system-reservoir interactions. We show that the non-Markovian dynamics modifies the phase diagram of this system, resulting in the emergence of a broken symmetry phase in a universality class that has no counterpart in the corresponding Markovian system. This emergent phase is accompanied by enhanced two-mode entanglement that remains robust at finite temperatures. Such reservoir-engineered dynamical phases can potentially shed light on universal aspects of dynamical phase transitions in a wide range of nonequilibrium systems, and aid in the development of techniques for the robust generation of entanglement and quantum correlations at finite temperatures with potential applications to quantum control, state preparation, and metrology.

The behavior of commensurate-incommensurate transitions using the phase field crystal model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Tinghui; Lu, Yanli; Chen, Zheng

2018-02-01

We study the behavior of the commensurate-incommensurate (CI) transitions by using a phase field crystal model. The model is capable of modeling both elastic and plastic deformation and can simulate the evolution of the microstructure of the material at the atomic scale and the diffusive time scale, such as for adsorbed monolayer. Specifically, we study the behavior of the CI transitions as a function of lattice mismatch and the amplitude of substrate pinning potential. The behavior of CI phase transitions is revealed with the increase of the amplitude of pinning potential in some certain lattice mismatches. We find that for the negative lattice mismatch absorbed monolayer undergoes division, reorganization and displacement as increasing the amplitude of substrate pinning potential. In addition, for the positive mismatch absorbed monolayer undergoes a progress of phase transformation after a complete grain is split. Our results accord with simulations for atomic models of absorbed monolayer on a substrate surface.

The dielectric behavior of Zn1-xNixO/NiO two-phase composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joshi, D. C.; Thota, S.; Nayak, S.; Harish, D. D.; Mahesh, P.; Kumar, A.; Pamu, D.; Qureshi, Md

2014-10-01

The effect of nickel content on the dielectric permittivity ‘ɛr’ and the ac-electrical conductivity of Zn1-xNixO/NiO (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.55) two-phase composites were investigated. The antiferro to the paramagnetic Néel temperature TN (~ 523 K) of the NiO associated with the structural phase transition from the rhombohedral to the cubic phase has been exploited to realize a dielectric anomaly across 523-541 K in the Zn1-xNixO/NiO composite system. Also, a giant dielectric peak across 410 °C in pure NiO was observed together with an anomaly across TN. The formation of tiny polar clusters due to the compositional heterogeneity for the samples with x ≥ 0.16 drove the system to exhibit a weakly coupled relaxor-like behavior with a locally varying maximum temperature of T* (~ 530 K at 106 Hz), obeying the Vogel-Fulcher law and the Uchino-Nomura criteria. The values of the diffuseness-exponent ‘γ’ (1.91) and the shape-parameter ‘δ’ (88 °C) were determined by using the empirical scaling relation (ɛA/ɛr = 1 + 0.5 (T - TA)2/ δ2), which is often used to describe relaxor-like behavior. Our results provide strong evidence for the variable-range-hopping of charge carriers between the localized states. The effects of non-ohmic sample-electrode contact impedance and negative-capacitance on the global dielectric behavior of a Zn1-xNixO/NiO composite system are discussed.

Phase behavior of diblock copolymer/star-shaped polymer thin film mixtures.

PubMed

Zhao, Junnan; Sakellariou, Georgios; Green, Peter F

2016-05-07

We investigated the phase behavior of thin film, thickness h≈ 100 nm, mixtures of a polystyrene-b-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P2VP) diblock copolymer with star-shaped polystyrene (SPS) molecules of varying functionalities f, where 4 ≤f≤ 64, and molecular weights per arm Marm. The miscibility of the system and the surface composition varied appreciably with Marm and f. For large values of Marm, regardless of f, the miscibility of the system was qualitatively similar to that of linear chain PS/PS-b-P2VP mixtures - the copolymer chains aggregate to form micelles, each composed of an inner P2VP core and PS corona, which preferentially segregate to the free surface. On the other hand, for large f and small Marm, SPS molecules preferentially resided at the free surface. Moreover, blends containing SPS molecules with the highest values of f and lowest values of Marm were phase separated. These observations are rationalized in terms of competing entropic interactions and the dependence of the surface tension of the star-shaped molecules on Marm and f.

Behavior States Are Real and Observable.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Guess, Doug; Roberts, Sally; Rues, Jane

2000-01-01

This article critiques the research methodology used by Mudford, Hogg, and Roberts (1999) that resulted in a failure to achieve inter-observer agreement on adults with mental retardation when using an experimental, 13-category behavior state code. Arguments are provided on why their videotape study does not meet requirements of acceptable…

Topography and behavior of Sertoli cells in sparse culture during the transitional remodeling phase.

PubMed

Tung, P S; Choi, A H; Fritz, I B

1988-01-01

We report observations on the behavior of Sertoli cells in sparse culture during the period from the time of plating to the time of initial confluence (the transitional remodeling phase). Changes in shape, structure, and polarity of cells, as well as changes in migration patterns and cell-cell association patterns, have been followed during the transitional remodeling phase with the aid of topographical markers. These markers are based upon differences between ultrastructural features of the basolateral and apicolateral surfaces. The basolateral surface is characterized by plasmalemmal blebs, whereas the apicolateral surface is characterized by filopodial extensions. Structural differences observed in situ remain evident in Sertoli cells isolated by sequential enzymatic treatments that are described. Another marker is provided by laminin-binding sites, which are detected exclusively on the blebbed, basolateral surfaces of freshly prepared Sertoli cell aggregates. The orientation described is sustained during the initial radial migration of Sertoli cells explanted on uncoated glass coverslips. Under these conditions, blebs are detected only on the dorsal surfaces, and filopodial extensions are evident only on the ventral surfaces. In contrast, Sertoli cells sparsely plated on a reconstituted basement membrane (air-dried Matrigel) migrate rapidly, display an extraordinary capacity to form elaborate cytoplasmic extensions for cell-cell and cell-substratum contacts, and readily retract blebs and filopodial extensions. These cells do not form mosaic borders, whereas cells plated on uncoated glass do form a monolayer with mosaic-like borders. Cells sparsely seeded on gelated Matrigel migrate preferentially at gaps between adjacent cell explants, and develop a compact cell-cell association pattern. These cells display few, if any, cytoplasmic extensions. We compare the behavior of Sertoli cells sparsely plated on Matrigel with the behavior of Sertoli cells in situ during

Crayfish Behavior: Observing Arthropods to Learn about Science & Scientific Inquiry

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rop, Charles J.

2010-01-01

This is a set of animal behavior investigations in which students will practice scientific inquiry as they observe crayfish, ask questions, and discuss territoriality, social interactions, and other behaviors. In doing this, they hone their skills of observation, learn to record and analyze data, control for variables, write hypotheses, make…

In situ phase transformation of Laves phase from Chi-phase in Mo-containing Fe–Cr–Ni alloys

DOE PAGES

Tan, L.; Yang, Y.

2015-11-01

For an in situ phase transformation of the Chi (χ) phase to the Laves phase we observed in a Fe–Cr–Ni–Mo model alloy. The morphology, composition, and crystal structure of the χ and Laves phases, and their orientation relationship with the matrix austenite phase were investigated. The resulted Laves phase has larger lattice mismatch with the matrix phase than the χ phase, leading to the increase of local strain fields and the formation of dislocations. Moreover, this finding is helpful to understand the precipitation behavior of the intermetallic phases in the Mo-containing austenitic stainless steels.

Observations of tropospheric phase scintillations at 5 GHz on vertical paths

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Armstrong, J. W.; Sramek, R. A.

1982-01-01

The article presents observations of turbulence-induced tropospheric phase fluctuations measured at 5 GHz on the near-vertical paths relevant to many astronomical and geophysical measurements. The data are summarized as phase power spectra, structure functions, and Allan variances. Comparisons to other microwave observations indicate relatively good agreement in both the level and shape of the power spectrum of these tropospheric phase fluctuations. Implications for precision Doppler tracking of spacecraft and geodesy/radio interferometry are discussed.

Phase and flow behavior of mixed gas hydrate systems during gas injection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Darnell, K.; Flemings, P. B.; DiCarlo, D. A.

2017-12-01

We present one-dimensional, multi-phase flow model results for injections of carbon dioxide and nitrogen mixtures, or flue gas, into methane hydrate bearing reservoirs. Our flow model is coupled to a thermodynamic simulator that predicts phase stabilities as a function of composition, so multiple phases can appear, disappear, or change composition as the injection invades the reservoir. We show that the coupling of multi-phase fluid flow with phase behavior causes preferential phase fractionation in which each component flows through the system at different speeds and in different phases. We further demonstrate that phase and flow behavior within the reservoir are driven by hydrate stability of each individual component in addition to the hydrate stability of the injection composition. For example, if carbon dioxide and nitrogen are both individually hydrate stable at the reservoir P-T conditions, then any injection composition will convert all available water into hydrate and plug the reservoir. In contrast, if only carbon dioxide is hydrate stable at the reservoir P-T conditions, then nitrogen preferentially stays in the gaseous phase, while the carbon dioxide partitions into the hydrate and liquid water phases. For all injections of this type, methane originally held in hydrate is released by dissociation into the nitrogen-rich gaseous phase. The net consequence is that a gas phase composed of nitrogen and methane propagates through the reservoir in a fast-moving front. A slower-moving front lags behind where carbon dioxide and nitrogen form a mixed hydrate, but methane is absent due to dissociation-induced methane stripping from the first, fast-moving front. The entire composition path traces through the phase space as the flow develops with each front moving at different, constant velocities. This behavior is qualitatively similar to the dynamics present in enhanced oil recovery or enhanced coalbed methane recovery. These results explain why the inclusion of

Importance of the gas phase role to the prediction of energetic material behavior: An experimental study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ali, A. N.; Son, S. F.; Asay, B. W.; Sander, R. K.

2005-03-01

Various thermal (radiative, conductive, and convective) initiation experiments are performed to demonstrate the importance of the gas phase role in combustion modeling of energetic materials (EM). A previously published condensed phase model that includes a predicted critical irradiance above which ignition is not possible is compared to experimental laser ignition results for octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). Experimental results conflict with the predicted critical irradiance concept. The failure of the model is believed to result from a misconception about the role of the gas phase in the ignition process of energetic materials. The model assumes that ignition occurs at the surface and that evolution of gases inhibits ignition. High speed video of laser ignition, oven cook-off and hot wire ignition experiments captures the ignition of HMX and TNT in the gas phase. A laser ignition gap test is performed to further evaluate the effect of gas phase laser absorption and gas phase disruption on the ignition process. Results indicate that gas phase absorption of the laser energy is probably not the primary factor governing the gas phase ignition observations. It is discovered that a critical gap between an HMX pellet and a salt window of 6mm±0.4mm exists below which ignition by CO2 laser is not possible at the tested irradiances of 29W /cm2 and 38W/cm2 for HMX ignition. These observations demonstrate that a significant disruption of the gas phase, in certain scenarios, will inhibit ignition, independent of any condensed phase processes. These results underscore the importance of gas phase processes and illustrate that conditions can exist where simple condensed phase models are inadequate to accurately predict the behavior of energetic materials.

Phase behavior of binary mixture systems of saturated-unsaturated mixed-acid triacylglycerols: effects of glycerol structures and chain-chain interactions.

PubMed

Bayés-García, Laura; Calvet, Teresa; Cuevas-Diarte, Miquel Àngel; Ueno, Satoru; Sato, Kiyotaka

2015-03-26

We systematically examined the phase behavior of binary mixtures of mixed-acid triacylglycerols (TAGs) containing palmitic and oleic acid moieties 1,3-dioleoyl-2-palmitoyl-glycerol (OPO), 1,2-dipalmitoyl-3-oleoyl-rac-glycerol (PPO), and 1,2-dioleoyl-3-palmitoyl-rac-glycerol (OOP), which are widely present in natural fats and are employed in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction methods were applied to observe the mixing behavior of PPO/OPO, OOP/OPO, and PPO/OOP under metastable and stable conditions. The results led to three conclusions: (1) Eutectic behavior was observed in PPO/OPO. (2) Molecular compound (MC) crystals were formed in the mixtures of OOP/OPO and PPO/OOP. (3) However, the MC crystals occurred only under metastable conditions and tended to separate into component TAGs to form eutectic mixture systems after 17 months of incubation. These results were contrary to those of previous studies on 1,3-dipalmitoyl-2-oleoyl glycerol (POP)/OPO and POP/PPO in which the MC crystals were thermodynamically stable. We determined that specific molecular interactions may cause this different phase behavior (stability of POP/OPO and POP/PPO MC crystals and metastability of OOP/OPO and PPO/OOP MC crystals). All results confirm the significant effects of molecular structures of glycerol groups, interactions of fatty acid chains, and polymorphism of the component TAGs on the mixing behavior of mixed-acid TAGs.

Phase behavior of confined polymer blends and nanoparticle composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chung, Hyun-Joong

NPs with mixed surface of methyl and hydroxyl groups (HM-NP) partition into dPMMA phase upon phase separation. Chlorine terminated PMMA-grafted silica NPs either partition into dPMMA phase or weakly and strongly segregate at the interface between the phases when grafting molecular weight is high (MMA(160K)-NP), intermediate (MMA(21K)-NP), and low (MMA(1.8K)-NP), respectively. Hydrogen terminated low molecular weight NPs (MMA:H(1.8K)-NP) weakly segregate to the interface. When the blend films contain the HM-NP, pattern growth and film roughening slows down with NP loading (2 to 10wt%) due to the increased viscosity of dPMMA phase. In contrast to the HM-NPs, the MMA(1.8K)-NPs pin pattern development and film roughening when they assemble and jam at the interface, resulting in a stable discrete or bicontinuous structure at low (5wt%) and high (10wt%) loading, respectively. A geometric model predicts the shape and size of the stabilized morphology using experimental parameters, including NP loading, NP radius, and film thickness. Film roughening is completely prevented even at very low loading (2wt%). The weakly segregating MMA(21K)-NPs have an intermediate effect on morphology evolution of dPMMA:SAN films compared to HM-NPs and MMA(1.8K)-NPs, which partition into dPMMA and strongly segregating to the interface, respectively. Finally, the mechanism of surface roughening is clearly observed and explained. The internal phase-separated structure of the blends exerts Laplace pressure, resulting in the surface roughening. In summary, we have extensively studied phase behavior in polymer blends and their NP composites and provided various models to explain the mechanisms underlying the morphology evolution and film roughening.

Microwave spectroscopic observation of multiple phase transitions in the bilayer electron solid in wide quantum wells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hatke, Anthony; Engel, Lloyd; Liu, Yang; Shayegan, Mansour; Pfeiffer, Loren; West, Ken; Baldwin, Kirk

2015-03-01

The termination of the low Landau filling factor (ν) fractional quantum Hall series for a single layer two dimensional system results in the formation of a pinned Wigner solid for ν < 1 / 5. In a wide quantum well the system can support a bilayer state in which interlayer and intralayer interactions become comparable, which is measured in traditional transport as an insulating state for ν < 1 / 2. We perform microwave spectroscopic studies of this bilayer state and observe that this insulator exhibits a resonance, a signature of a solid phase. Additionally, we find that as we increase the density of the well at fixed ν this bilayer solid exhibits multiple sharp reductions in the resonance amplitude vs ν. This behavior is characteristic of multiple phase transitions, which remain hidden from dc transport measurements.

Phase Behavior Modeling of Asphaltene Precipitation for Heavy Crudes: A Promising Tool Along with Experimental Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tavakkoli, M.; Kharrat, R.; Masihi, M.; Ghazanfari, M. H.; Fadaei, S.

2012-12-01

Thermodynamic modeling is known as a promising tool for phase behavior modeling of asphaltene precipitation under different conditions such as pressure depletion and CO2 injection. In this work, a thermodynamic approach is used for modeling the phase behavior of asphaltene precipitation. The precipitated asphaltene phase is represented by an improved solid model, while the oil and gas phases are modeled with an equation of state. The PR-EOS was used to perform flash calculations. Then, the onset point and the amount of precipitated asphaltene were predicted. A computer code based on an improved solid model has been developed and used for predicting asphaltene precipitation data for one of Iranian heavy crudes, under pressure depletion and CO2 injection conditions. A significant improvement has been observed in predicting the asphaltene precipitation data under gas injection conditions. Especially for the maximum value of asphaltene precipitation and for the trend of the curve after the peak point, good agreement was observed. For gas injection conditions, comparison of the thermodynamic micellization model and the improved solid model showed that the thermodynamic micellization model cannot predict the maximum of precipitation as well as the improved solid model. The non-isothermal improved solid model has been used for predicting asphaltene precipitation data under pressure depletion conditions. The pressure depletion tests were done at different levels of temperature and pressure, and the parameters of a non-isothermal model were tuned using three onset pressures at three different temperatures for the considered crude. The results showed that the model is highly sensitive to the amount of solid molar volume along with the interaction coefficient parameter between the asphaltene component and light hydrocarbon components. Using a non-isothermal improved solid model, the asphaltene phase envelope was developed. It has been revealed that at high temperatures, an

Relating Mechanical Behavior and Microstructural Observations in Calcite Fault Gouge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carpenter, B. M.; Di Stefano, G.; Viti, C.; Collettini, C.

2013-12-01

Many important earthquakes, magnitude 5-7, nucleate and/or propagate through carbonate-dominated lithologies. Additionally, the presence of precipitated calcite in (cement) and near (vein fill) faults indicates that the mechanical behavior of carbonate-dominated material likely plays an important role in shallow- and mid-crustal faulting. We report on laboratory experiments designed to explore the mechanical behavior of calcite and relate that behavior to post experiment microstructural observations. We sheared powdered gouge of Carrara Marble, >98% CaCO3, at constant normal stresses between 1 and 50 MPa under saturated conditions at room temperature. We performed velocity-stepping tests, 0.1-1000 μm/s, to evaluate frictional stability, and slide-hold-slide tests, 1-10,000 seconds, to measure the amount of frictional healing. Small subsets of experiments were performed under different environmental conditions and shearing velocities to better elucidate physicochemical processes and their role in the mechanical behavior of calcite fault gouge. All experimental samples were collected for SEM analysis. We find that the frictional healing rate is 7X higher under saturated conditions than under nominally dry conditions. We also observe a divergence between the rates of creep relaxation (increasing) and frictional healing (decreasing) as shear velocity is increased from 1 to 3000 μm/s. Our highest healing rates are observed at our lowest normal stresses. We observe a frictional strength of μ = 0.64, consistent with previous data under similar conditions. Furthermore, although we observe velocity-weakening frictional behavior in both the saturated and dry cases, rate- and-state friction parameters are distinctly different for each case. Our combined observations of rapid healing and of velocity-weakening frictional behavior indicate that faults where calcite-dominated gouge is present are likely to be seismic and have the ability to regain their strength quickly

Equilibrium Phase Behavior of a Continuous-Space Microphase Former.

PubMed

Zhuang, Yuan; Zhang, Kai; Charbonneau, Patrick

2016-03-04

Periodic microphases universally emerge in systems for which short-range interparticle attraction is frustrated by long-range repulsion. The morphological richness of these phases makes them desirable material targets, but our relatively coarse understanding of even simple models hinders controlling their assembly. We report here the solution of the equilibrium phase behavior of a microscopic microphase former through specialized Monte Carlo simulations. The results for cluster crystal, cylindrical, double gyroid, and lamellar ordering qualitatively agree with a Landau-type free energy description and reveal the nontrivial interplay between cluster, gel, and microphase formation.

Observation of a dissipative phase transition in a one-dimensional circuit QED lattice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fitzpatrick, Mattias; Sundaresan, Neereja; Li, Andy C. Y.; Koch, Jens; Houck, Andrew

The building blocks of circuit QED provide a useful toolbox for the study of nonequilibrium and highly nonlinear behavior. Here, we present results from a one-dimensional chain of 72 microwave cavities, each coupled to a superconducting qubit, where we coherently drive the system into a nonequilibrium steady state. We find experimental evidence for a dissipative phase transition in the system in which the steady state changes dramatically as the mean photon number is increased. Near the boundary between the two observed phases, the system demonstrates bistability, with characteristic switching times as long as 60 ms - far longer than any of the intrinsic rates known for the system. This experiment demonstrates the power of circuit QED systems for the studying nonequilibrium condensed matter physics and paves the way for future experiments exploring nonequilibrium physics with many-body quantum optics. This work was supported by the Army research Offic through Grant W911NF-15-1-0397 and the National Science Foundation through Grants No. DMR-0953475 and No. PHY-1055993. NS was supported by an NDSEG fellowship.

Tuning of electrostatic vs. depletion interaction in deciding the phase behavior of nanoparticle-polymer system

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

Kumar, Sugam, E-mail: sugam@barc.gov.in; Aswal, V. K.; Kohlbrecher, J.

2015-06-24

Nanoparticle-polymer system interestingly show a re-entrant phase behavior where charge stabilized silica nanoparticles (phase I) undergo particle clustering (phase II) and then back to individual particles (phase I) as a function of polymer concentration. Such phase behavior arises as a result of dominance of various interactions (i) nanoparticle-nanoparticle electrostatic repulsion (ii) polymer induced attractive depletion between nanoparticles and (iii) polymer-polymer repulsion, at different concentration regimes. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) has been used to study the evolution of interaction during this re-entrant phase behavior of nanoparticles by contrast-marching the polymer. The SANS data have been modeled using a two-Yukawa potential accountingmore » for both attractive and repulsive parts of the interaction between nanoparticles. The degree of both of these parts has been separately tuned by varying the polymer concentration and ionic strength of the solution. Both of these parts are found to have long-range nature. At low polymer concentrations, the electrostatic repulsion dominates over the depletion attraction. The magnitude and the range of the depletion interaction increase with the polymer concentration leading to nanoparticle clustering. At higher polymer concentrations, the increased polymer-polymer repulsion reduces the strength of depletion leading to re-entrant phase behavior. The clusters formed under depletion attraction are found to have surface fractal morphology.« less

Thermodynamic behavior of a phase transition in a model for sympatric speciation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luz-Burgoa, K.; Moss de Oliveira, S.; Schwämmle, Veit; Sá Martins, J. S.

2006-08-01

We investigate the macroscopic effects of the ingredients that drive the origin of species through sympatric speciation. In our model, sympatric speciation is obtained as we tune up the strength of competition between individuals with different phenotypes. As a function of this control parameter, we can characterize, through the behavior of a macroscopic order parameter, a phase transition from a nonspeciation to a speciation state of the system. The behavior of the first derivative of the order parameter with respect to the control parameter is consistent with a phase transition and exhibits a sharp peak at the transition point. For different resources distribution, the transition point is shifted, an effect similar to pressure in a PVT system. The inverse of the parameter related to a sexual selection strength behaves like an external field in the system and, as thus, is also a control parameter. The macroscopic effects of the biological parameters used in our model are a reminiscent of the behavior of thermodynamic quantities in a phase transition of an equilibrium physical system.

Training Programs for Observers of Behavior; A Review.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Spool, Mark D.

1978-01-01

This review covers the past 25 years of research literature on training observers of behavior, specifically in the areas of interviewing, reducing rater bias, interpersonal perception and observation as a research tool. The focus is on determining the most successful training methods and their theoretical bases. (Author/SJL)

Solar Flare Impulsive Phase Observations from SDO and Other Observatories

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chamberlin, Phillip C.; Woods, Thomas N.; Schrijver, Karel; Warren, Harry; Milligan, Ryan; Christe, Steven; Brosius, Jeffrey W.

2010-01-01

With the start of normal operations of the Solar Dynamics Observatory in May 2010, the Extreme ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE) and the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) have been returning the most accurate solar XUV and EUV measurements every 10 and 12 seconds, respectively, at almost 100% duty cycle. The focus of the presentation will be the solar flare impulsive phase observations provided by EVE and AIA and what these observations can tell us about the evolution of the initial phase of solar flares. Also emphasized throughout is how simultaneous observations with other instruments, such as RHESSI, SOHO-CDS, and HINODE-EIS, will help provide a more complete characterization of the solar flares and the evolution and energetics during the impulsive phase. These co-temporal observations from the other solar instruments can provide information such as extending the high temperature range spectra and images beyond that provided by the EUV and XUV wavelengths, provide electron density input into the lower atmosphere at the footpoints, and provide plasma flows of chromospheric evaporation, among other characteristics.

Development and Observation of the Phase Array Radar at X band

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ushio, T.; Shimamura, S.; Wu, T.; Kikuchi, H.; Yoshida, S.; Kawasaki, Z.; Mizutani, F.; Wada, M.; Satoh, S.; Iguchi, T.

2013-12-01

A new Phased Array Radar (PAR) system for thunderstorm observation has been developed by Toshiba Corporation and Osaka University under a grant of NICT, and installed in Osaka University, Japan last year. It is now well known that rapidly evolving severe weather phenomena (e.g., microbursts, severe thunderstorms, tornadoes) are a threat to our lives particularly in a densely populated area and is closely related to the production of lightning discharges. Over the past decade, mechanically rotating radar systems at the C-band or S-band have been proved to be effective for weather surveillance especially in a wide area more than 100 km in range. However, severe thunderstorm sometimes develops rapidly on the temporal and spatial scales comparable to the resolution limit (-10 min. and -500m) of typical S-band or C-band radar systems, and cannot be fully resolved with these radar systems. In order to understand the fundamental process and dynamics of such fast changing weather phenomena like lightning and tornado producing thunderstorm, volumetric observations with both high temporal and spatial resolution are required. The phased array radar system developed has the unique capability of scanning the whole sky with 100m and 10 to 30 second resolution up to 60 km. The system adopts the digital beam forming technique for elevation scanning and mechanically rotates the array antenna in azimuth direction within 10 to 30 seconds. The radar transmits a broad beam of several degrees with 24 antenna elements and receives the back scattered signal with 128 elements digitizing at each elements. Then by digitally forming the beam in the signal processor, the fast scanning is realized. After the installation of the PAR system in Osaka University, the initial observation campaign was conducted in Osaka urban area with Ku-band Broad Band Radar (BBR) network, C-band weather radar, and lightning location system. The initial comparison with C band radar system shows that the developed

Phase behavior and characterization of heptamethyltrisiloxane-based de Vries smectic liquid crystal by electro-optics, x rays, and dielectric spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sreenilayam, S. P.; Agra-Kooijman, D. M.; Panov, V. P.; Swaminathan, V.; Vij, J. K.; Panarin, Yu. P.; Kocot, A.; Panov, A.; Rodriguez-Lojo, D.; Stevenson, P. J.; Fisch, Michael R.; Kumar, Satyendra

2017-03-01

A heptamethyltrisiloxane liquid crystal (LC) exhibiting I -Sm A*-Sm C* phases has been characterized by calorimetry, polarizing microscopy, x-ray diffraction, electro-optics, and dielectric spectroscopy. Observations of a large electroclinic effect, a large increase in the birefringence (Δ n ) with electric field, a low shrinkage in the layer thickness (˜1.75%) at 20 °C below the Sm A*-Sm C* transition, and low values of the reduction factor (˜0.40) suggest that the Sm A* phase in this material is of the de Vries type. The reduction factor is a measure of the layer shrinkage in the Sm C* phase and it should be zero for an ideal de Vries. Moreover, a decrease in the magnitude of Δ n with decreasing temperature indicates the presence of the temperature-dependent tilt angle in the Sm A* phase. The electro-optic behavior is explained by the generalized Langevin-Debye model as given by Shen et al. [Y. Shen et al., Phys. Rev. E 88, 062504 (2013), 10.1103/PhysRevE.88.062504]. The soft-mode dielectric relaxation strength shows a critical behavior when the system goes from the Sm A* to the Sm C* phase.

Comparison between self-reported and observed food handling behaviors among Latinas.

PubMed

Dharod, Jigna Morarji; Pérez-Escamilla, Rafael; Paciello, Stefania; Bermúdez-Millán, Angela; Venkitanarayanan, Kumar; Damio, Grace

2007-08-01

The study was conducted to compare and identify the magnitude of differences between self-reported and observed food safety behaviors among women preparing a chicken and salad dish at home. The observed food safety practices also were compared according to sociodemographic variables and prior food safety education. Sixty Puerto Rican women who were the main meal preparers for their households were recruited in Hartford, Conn. Three household visits were made to (i) deliver food ingredients to prepare the chicken and salad meal, (ii) conduct household observation, and (iii) conduct a self-reported survey. The difference between self-reported and observed behaviors varied across food handling and sanitation behaviors. There was a high level of inaccuracy for socially desirable behaviors such as hand washing; the vast majority of participants reported practicing these behaviors but they were not observed doing so. Cutting board washing also was considerably overreported, questioning the validity of these self-reported data for regression analyses. There was a significant association (P < 0.05) between proper thawing method and prior food safety education, use of cutting board and higher income, and washing tomatoes and having a positive attitude towards food safety. Results revealed that overreporting errors must be considered when analyzing and/or interpreting data derived from self-reported food safety consumer surveys and that food safety education and positive food safety attitudes are associated with recommended food safety behaviors.

Pedestrian crossing behavior, an observational study in the city of Ushuaia, Argentina.

PubMed

Poó, Fernando Martín; Ledesma, Ruben Daniel; Trujillo, Roberto

2018-04-03

Pedestrian crashes are a critical problem in Latin American countries. However, little research has been published about pedestrians and even less about their behaviors in a naturalistic context. The objective of the present research was to explore risky pedestrian crossing behaviors in traffic intersections in an argentine city (Ushuaia). It is focused in different stages of the crossing process, traffic code violations, and other potentially risky behaviors such as distractions. A high frequency of risky behaviors among pedestrians was expected. Moreover, according to previous findings, it was hypothesized that men and younger pedestrians would show riskier behaviors. Participants were 802 pedestrians (53.9% females) observed at several intersections (with and without traffic lights) in the city of Ushuaia. Behaviors were codified following a standardized observation protocol. Observers documented information on behavior previous to, during, and after crossing. Gender and age were also registered. Data were gathered through video recording. Frequency analyses of observed behaviors were conducted for the total sample, as well as by gender and by age group. A general crossing risk index was calculated to facilitate comparisons between the genders and age groups. We conducted an analysis of variance to evaluate gender and age differences for this index. A high proportion of risky behaviors were observed among pedestrians. The majority of pedestrian waited in the street (as opposed to on the sidewalk) before crossing, did not comply with traffic lights, or crossed outside the crosswalk. A large number of pedestrians were distracted while crossing. Men presented higher scores on risky behaviors than women. No differences were observed by age group. The high level of risk behaviors during the different stages of street crossing is worrisome and reinforces the idea that pedestrians are responsible for many of the conflicts with motorists. Many of the risky behaviors

Observing Children's Stress Behaviors in a Kindergarten Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jackson, Lori A.

2009-01-01

This study used qualitative methods to determine whether kindergarten children exhibited stress behaviors during the academic work period of the day. Sixteen children (8 male, 8 female) ages 5-6 years were observed. The data consisted of classroom observations by the researcher, open-ended interviews with teachers, artifacts collected from the…

Phase transition and flow-rate behavior of merging granular flows.

PubMed

Hu, Mao-Bin; Liu, Qi-Yi; Jiang, Rui; Hou, Meiying; Wu, Qing-Song

2015-02-01

Merging of granular flows is ubiquitous in industrial, mining, and geological processes. However, its behavior remains poorly understood. This paper studies the phase transition and flow-rate behavior of two granular flows merging into one channel. When the main channel is wider than the side channel, the system shows a remarkable two-sudden-drops phenomenon in the outflow rate when gradually increasing the main inflow. When gradually decreasing the main inflow, the system shows obvious hysteresis phenomenon. We study the flow-rate-drop phenomenon by measuring the area fraction and the mean velocity at the merging point. The phase diagram of the system is also presented to understand the occurrence of the phenomenon. We find that the dilute-to-dense transition occurs when the area fraction of particles at the joint point exceeds a critical value ϕ(c)=0.65±0.03.

Observation of FeGe skyrmions by electron phase microscopy with hole-free phase plate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kotani, Atsuhiro; Harada, Ken; Malac, Marek; Salomons, Mark; Hayashida, Misa; Mori, Shigeo

2018-05-01

We report application of hole-free phase plate (HFPP) to imaging of magnetic skyrmion lattices. Using HFPP imaging, we observed skyrmions in FeGe, and succeeded in obtaining phase contrast images that reflect the sample magnetization distribution. According to the Aharonov-Bohm effect, the electron phase is shifted by the magnetic flux due to sample magnetization. The differential processing of the intensity in a HFPP image allows us to successfully reconstruct the magnetization map of the skyrmion lattice. Furthermore, the calculated phase shift due to the magnetization of the thin film was consistent with that measured by electron holography experiment, which demonstrates that HFPP imaging can be utilized for analysis of magnetic fields and electrostatic potential distribution at the nanoscale.

Behavioral and TMS Markers of Action Observation Might Reflect Distinct Neuronal Processes.

PubMed

Hétu, Sébastien; Taschereau-Dumouchel, Vincent; Meziane, Hadj Boumediene; Jackson, Philip L; Mercier, Catherine

2016-01-01

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) studies have shown that observing an action induces muscle-specific changes in corticospinal excitability. From a signal detection theory standpoint, this pattern can be related to sensitivity, which here would measure the capacity to distinguish between two action observation conditions. In parallel to these TMS studies, action observation has also been linked to behavioral effects such as motor priming and interference. It has been hypothesized that behavioral markers of action observation could be related to TMS markers and thus represent a potentially cost-effective mean of assessing the functioning of the action-perception system. However, very few studies have looked at possible relationships between these two measures. The aim of this study was to investigate if individual differences in sensitivity to action observation could be related to the behavioral motor priming and interference effects produced by action observation. To this end, 14 healthy participants observed index and little finger movements during a TMS task and a stimulus-response compatibility task. Index muscle displayed sensitivity to action observation, and action observation resulted in significant motor priming+interference, while no significant effect was observed for the little finger in both task. Nevertheless, our results indicate that the sensitivity measured in TMS was not related to the behavioral changes measured in the stimulus-response compatibility task. Contrary to a widespread assumption, the current results indicate that individual differences in physiological and behavioral markers of action observation may be unrelated. This could have important impacts on the potential use of behavioral markers in place of more costly physiological markers of action observation in clinical settings.

Effect of alpha/gamma phase ratio on corrosion behavior of dual-phase stainless steels.

PubMed

Lim, Y J; Reyes, M; Thongthammachat, S; Sukchit, K; Panich, M; Oshida, Y

1999-01-01

Dual-phase stainless steels have been developed in order to reduce the nickel content, which is potentially responsible to an allergic reaction when these steels are used as medical or dental applications. In this study, two different dual-phase stainless steels (2205 and Z100) were electrochemically tested to evaluate their corrosion resistance in three corrosive solutions (i.e., synthetic saliva, 0.9% NaCl solution, and Ringer solution). Particularly, an attempt was made to correlate the corrosion resistance to a metallographic parameter, which is, in this study, the alpha/gamma phase ratio. It was concluded that (1) type 2205 stainless steel exhibited excellent corrosion resistance in all three corrosion media; however 2205 stainless steel decreases its corrosion resistance by increasing chloride concentration in tested electrolytes from synthetic saliva through 0.9% NaCl solution to Ringer solution. (2) X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that the alpha/gamma phase ratio of 2205 (1.735) was higher than that of Z100 (0.905). As a result, it is suggested that by increasing the alpha/gamma phase ratio the material shows more corrosion-prone behavior when being subjected to a hostile environment containing higher chloride ion concentration.

Association of menstrual phase with smoking behavior, mood and menstrual phase-associated symptoms among young Japanese women smokers.

PubMed

Sakai, Hiroko; Ohashi, Kazutomo

2013-03-02

Previous studies of the relationship between the menstrual phases and smoking behavior have been problematic, so the association of menstrual phases with smoking behavior and correlations among smoking, psychological and physical conditions in each phase of the menstrual cycle are unclear. To accurately examine the association between menstrual phases and the amount of smoking (number of cigarettes smoked and breath CO concentration), craving of smoking on visual analogue scale (VAS), depression in the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale, and menstrual phase-associated symptoms in the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ), we improved various methodological issues, specifically, 1) Ovulation was confirmed by measuring the basal body temperature and identifying a urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) surge in two cycles; 2) The menstrual, follicular, and luteal phases were clearly defined for subjects with different menstrual cycles; 3) The breath CO concentration was measured every day. A notice was posted on public bulletin boards to recruit research subjects and twenty-nine young Japanese women smokers aged 19 to 25 years old were analyzed. The number of cigarettes smoked was greater and the CO concentration was higher in the luteal phase than in the follicular phase. The levels of craving for smoking (VAS), depressiveness (CES-D), and menstrual phase-associated symptoms (MDQ) in the menstrual and luteal phases were higher than those in the follicular phase. The mean score for CES-D was 16 points (the cut-off value in screening for depression) or higher in the menstrual (16.9 ± 8.2) and luteal phases (17.2 ± 8.4).The number of cigarettes smoked and CO concentration were significantly correlated with the levels of craving for smoking, depressiveness, and menstrual phase-associated symptoms in all phases except for MDQ scores in follicular phase. The amount of smoking in the luteal phase was most strongly correlated with these symptoms

A Conceptual Model for Shear-Induced Phase Behavior in Crystallizing Cocoa Butter

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

Mazzanti,G.; Guthrie, S.; Marangoni, A.

2007-01-01

We propose a conceptual model to explain the quantitative data from synchrotron X-ray diffraction experiments on the shear-induced phase behavior of cocoa butter, the main structural component of chocolate. We captured two-dimensional diffraction patterns from cocoa butter at crystallization temperatures of 17.5, 20.0, and 22.5 {sup o}C under shear rates from 45 to 1440 s{sup -1} and under static conditions. From the simultaneous analysis of the integrated intensity, correlation length, lamellar thickness, and crystalline orientation, we postulate a conceptual model to provide an explanation for the distribution of phases II, IV, V, and X and the kinetics of the process.more » As previously proposed in the literature, we assume that the crystallites grow layer upon layer of slightly different composition. The shear rate and temperature applied define these compositions. Simultaneously, the shear and temperature define the crystalline interface area available for secondary nucleation by promoting segregation and affecting the size distribution of the crystallites. The combination of these factors (composition, area, and size distribution) favors dramatically the early onset of phase V under shear and determines the proportions of phases II, IV, V, and X after the transition. The experimental observations, the methodology used, and the proposed explanation are of fundamental and industrial interest, since the structural properties of crystalline networks are determined by their microstructure and polymorphic crystalline state. Different proportions of the phases will thus result in different characteristics of the final material.« less

Exploring the Phase Behavior of Monoolein/Oleic Acid/Water Systems for Enhanced Donezepil Administration for Alzheimer Disease Treatment.

PubMed

Ruela, André Luís Morais; Carvalho, Flávia Chiva; Pereira, Gislaine Ribeiro

2016-01-01

Donepezil is a drug usually administered by oral route for Alzheimer disease treatment, but several gastric side effects have been reported as diarrhea, nausea, and anorexia. We explored the phase behavior of lyotropic liquid crystalline (LLC) mesophases composed by monoolein/oleic acid/water for enhanced administration of donepezil. Polarized light microscopy suggested that these systems ranged from isotropic inverse micellar solutions (L2) to viscous and birefringent reverse hexagonal (HII) mesophases according to the amount of water in the ternary systems. Phase transition was observed from a L2 phase to HII mesophase after swelling studies, an interesting property to be explored as a precursor of LLC mesophases for mucosal administration that increases its viscosity in situ. Mucoadhesive properties of LLC mesophases were characterized using a texture analyzer indicating that these systems can have an increased residence time in the site of absorption. Donepezil-free base was incorporated in the evaluated formulations, and their in vitro release was controlled up to 24 h. The phase behavior of the systems demonstrated a great potential for enhanced donepezil administration once these mucoadhesive-controlled release formulations can incorporate the drug and prolong its release, possibly reducing its side effects. Copyright © 2016 American Pharmacists Association®. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Development of an Observational Rating Schedule for Preschool Children's Peer-Group Behavior.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cunningham, Jo Lynn; Boger, Robert P.

The feasiblity of an observational rating scale which would provide objective, reliable and quantifiable measures of social and affective behavior was investigated. The Observation of Socialization Behavior (OSB), focusing on peer-group behavior of pre-school children and designed for use in unstructured situations was developed. Two forms of the…

The phase diagram of ammonium nitrate.

PubMed

Chellappa, Raja S; Dattelbaum, Dana M; Velisavljevic, Nenad; Sheffield, Stephen

2012-08-14

The pressure-temperature (P-T) phase diagram of ammonium nitrate (AN) [NH(4)NO(3)] has been determined using synchrotron x-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy measurements. Phase boundaries were established by characterizing phase transitions to the high temperature polymorphs during multiple P-T measurements using both XRD and Raman spectroscopy measurements. At room temperature, the ambient pressure orthorhombic (Pmmn) AN-IV phase was stable up to 45 GPa and no phase transitions were observed. AN-IV phase was also observed to be stable in a large P-T phase space. The phase boundaries are steep with a small phase stability regime for high temperature phases. A P-V-T equation of state based on a high temperature Birch-Murnaghan formalism was obtained by simultaneously fitting the P-V isotherms at 298, 325, 446, and 467 K, thermal expansion data at 1 bar, and volumes from P-T ramping experiments. Anomalous thermal expansion behavior of AN was observed at high pressure with a modest negative thermal expansion in the 3-11 GPa range for temperatures up to 467 K. The role of vibrational anharmonicity in this anomalous thermal expansion behavior has been established using high P-T Raman spectroscopy.

The phase diagram of ammonium nitrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chellappa, Raja S.; Dattelbaum, Dana M.; Velisavljevic, Nenad; Sheffield, Stephen

2012-08-01

The pressure-temperature (P-T) phase diagram of ammonium nitrate (AN) [NH4NO3] has been determined using synchrotron x-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy measurements. Phase boundaries were established by characterizing phase transitions to the high temperature polymorphs during multiple P-T measurements using both XRD and Raman spectroscopy measurements. At room temperature, the ambient pressure orthorhombic (Pmmn) AN-IV phase was stable up to 45 GPa and no phase transitions were observed. AN-IV phase was also observed to be stable in a large P-T phase space. The phase boundaries are steep with a small phase stability regime for high temperature phases. A P-V-T equation of state based on a high temperature Birch-Murnaghan formalism was obtained by simultaneously fitting the P-V isotherms at 298, 325, 446, and 467 K, thermal expansion data at 1 bar, and volumes from P-T ramping experiments. Anomalous thermal expansion behavior of AN was observed at high pressure with a modest negative thermal expansion in the 3-11 GPa range for temperatures up to 467 K. The role of vibrational anharmonicity in this anomalous thermal expansion behavior has been established using high P-T Raman spectroscopy.

Behavior of Solar Cycles 23 and 24 Revealed by Microwave Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gopalswamy, N.; Yashiro, S.; Maekelae, P.; Michalek, G.; Shibasaki, K.; Hathaway, D. H.

2012-01-01

Using magnetic and microwave butterfly diagrams, we compare the behavior of solar polar regions to show that (1) the polar magnetic field and the microwave brightness temperature during solar minimum substantially diminished during the cycle 23/24 minimum compared to the 22/23 minimum. (2) The polar microwave brightness temperature (Tb) seems to be a good proxy for the underlying magnetic field strength (B). The analysis indicates a relationship, B = 0.0067Tb - 70, where B is in G and Tb in K. (3) Both the brightness temperature and the magnetic field strength show north-south asymmetry most of the time except for a short period during the maximum phase. (4) The rush-to-the-pole phenomenon observed in the prominence eruption (PE) activity seems to be complete in the northern hemisphere as of 2012 March. (5) The decline of the microwave brightness temperature in the north polar region to the quiet-Sun levels and the sustained PE activity poleward of 60degN suggest that solar maximum conditions have arrived at the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere continues to exhibit conditions corresponding to the rise phase of solar cycle 24. Key words: Sun: chromosphere Sun: coronal mass ejections (CMEs) Sun: filaments, prominences Sun: photosphere Sun: radio radiation Sun: surface magnetism

A Simplified Micromechanical Modeling Approach to Predict the Tensile Flow Curve Behavior of Dual-Phase Steels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nanda, Tarun; Kumar, B. Ravi; Singh, Vishal

2017-11-01

Micromechanical modeling is used to predict material's tensile flow curve behavior based on microstructural characteristics. This research develops a simplified micromechanical modeling approach for predicting flow curve behavior of dual-phase steels. The existing literature reports on two broad approaches for determining tensile flow curve of these steels. The modeling approach developed in this work attempts to overcome specific limitations of the existing two approaches. This approach combines dislocation-based strain-hardening method with rule of mixtures. In the first step of modeling, `dislocation-based strain-hardening method' was employed to predict tensile behavior of individual phases of ferrite and martensite. In the second step, the individual flow curves were combined using `rule of mixtures,' to obtain the composite dual-phase flow behavior. To check accuracy of proposed model, four distinct dual-phase microstructures comprising of different ferrite grain size, martensite fraction, and carbon content in martensite were processed by annealing experiments. The true stress-strain curves for various microstructures were predicted with the newly developed micromechanical model. The results of micromechanical model matched closely with those of actual tensile tests. Thus, this micromechanical modeling approach can be used to predict and optimize the tensile flow behavior of dual-phase steels.

Lyotropic Phase Behavior of Polybutadiene-Poly(ethylene oxide) Diblock Copolymers in Ionic Liquids

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

Simone, Peter M.; Lodge, Timothy P.

2008-08-26

The lyotropic phase behavior of three poly(1,2-butadiene-b-ethylene oxide) diblock copolymers (PB-PEO) with different monomer volume fractions has been studied in two different ionic liquids, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([EMI][TFSI]) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMI][PF{sub 6}]), across the complete concentration range. The ordered microstructures present in the solutions were characterized via small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The phase diagrams for the PB-PEO/ionic liquid solutions include regions corresponding to the classical copolymer microstructures: body-centered-cubic lattices of spheres, hexagonally ordered cylinders, and lamellae. Additionally, the phase diagrams also include wide regions of coexisting microstructures and regions apparently corresponding to a disordered network microstructure. The phase behavior ofmore » the PB-PEO copolymers in both ionic liquids was comparable to their previously reported aqueous solution behavior. The temperature dependence of the phase diagrams was very modest, indicative of a highly segregated system. The level of solvent selectivity was also investigated via cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) on dilute solutions. On the basis of the morphology of the dilute solution copolymer aggregate structures in the ionic liquid solvents, and on the structural length scales of the concentrated solutions, it was concluded that for PB-PEO [BMI][PF{sub 6}] behaves as a more selective solvent than [EMI][TFSI].« less

A Novel Equation-of-State to Model Microemulsion Phase Behavior for Enhanced Oil Recovery Application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghosh, Soumyadeep

Surfactant-polymer (SP) floods have significant potential to recover waterflood residual oil in shallow oil reservoirs. A thorough understanding of surfactant-oil-brine phase behavior is critical to the design of chemical EOR floods. While considerable progress has been made in developing surfactants and polymers that increase the potential of a chemical enhanced oil recovery (EOR) project, very little progress has been made to predict phase behavior as a function of formulation variables such as pressure, temperature, and oil equivalent alkane carbon number (EACN). The empirical Hand's plot is still used today to model the microemulsion phase behavior with little predictive capability as these and other formulation variables change. Such models could lead to incorrect recovery predictions and improper flood designs. Reservoir crudes also contain acidic components (primarily naphthenic acids), which undergo neutralization to form soaps in the presence of alkali. The generated soaps perform synergistically with injected synthetic surfactants to mobilize waterflood residual oil in what is termed alkali-surfactant-polymer (ASP) flooding. The addition of alkali, however, complicates the measurement and prediction of the microemulsion phase behavior that forms with acidic crudes. In this dissertation, we account for pressure changes in the hydrophilic-lipophilic difference (HLD) equation. This new HLD equation is coupled with the net-average curvature (NAC) model to predict phase volumes, solubilization ratios, and microemulsion phase transitions (Winsor II-, III, and II+). This dissertation presents the first modified HLD-NAC model to predict microemulsion phase behavior for live crudes, including optimal solubilization ratio and the salinity width of the three-phase Winsor III region at different temperatures and pressures. This new equation-of-state-like model could significantly aid the design and forecast of chemical floods where key variables change dynamically

Phase Transition of H 2 in Subnanometer Pores Observed at 75 K

DOE PAGES

Olsen, Raina J.; Gillespie, Andrew K.; Contescu, Cristian I.; ...

2017-10-30

In this paper, we report a phase transition in H 2 adsorbed in a locally graphitic Saran carbon with subnanometer pores 0.5–0.65 nm in width, in which two layers of hydrogen can just barely squeeze, provided they pack tightly. The phase transition is observed at 75 K, temperatures far higher than other systems in which an adsorbent is known to increase phase transition temperatures: for instance, H 2 melts at 14 K in the bulk, but at 20 K on graphite because the solid H 2 is stabilized by the surface structure. Here we observe a transition at 75 Kmore » and 77–200 bar: from a low-temperature, low-density phase to a high-temperature, higher density phase. We model the low-density phase as a monolayer commensurate solid composed mostly of para-H 2 (the ground nuclear spin state, S = 0) and the high-density phase as an orientationally ordered bilayer commensurate solid composed mostly of ortho-H 2 (S = 1). We attribute the increase in density with temperature to the fact that the oblong ortho-H 2 can pack more densely. The transition is observed using two experiments. The high-density phase is associated with an increase in neutron backscatter by a factor of 7.0 ± 0.1. Normally, hydrogen produces no backscatter (scattering angle >90°). This backscatter appears along with a discontinuous increase in the excitation mass from 1.2 amu to 21.0 ± 2.3 amu, which we associate with collective nuclear spin excitations in the orientationally ordered phase. Film densities were measured using hydrogen adsorption. Finally, no phase transition was observed in H 2 adsorbed in control activated carbon materials.« less

Phase Transition of H 2 in Subnanometer Pores Observed at 75 K

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

Olsen, Raina J.; Gillespie, Andrew K.; Contescu, Cristian I.

In this paper, we report a phase transition in H 2 adsorbed in a locally graphitic Saran carbon with subnanometer pores 0.5–0.65 nm in width, in which two layers of hydrogen can just barely squeeze, provided they pack tightly. The phase transition is observed at 75 K, temperatures far higher than other systems in which an adsorbent is known to increase phase transition temperatures: for instance, H 2 melts at 14 K in the bulk, but at 20 K on graphite because the solid H 2 is stabilized by the surface structure. Here we observe a transition at 75 Kmore » and 77–200 bar: from a low-temperature, low-density phase to a high-temperature, higher density phase. We model the low-density phase as a monolayer commensurate solid composed mostly of para-H 2 (the ground nuclear spin state, S = 0) and the high-density phase as an orientationally ordered bilayer commensurate solid composed mostly of ortho-H 2 (S = 1). We attribute the increase in density with temperature to the fact that the oblong ortho-H 2 can pack more densely. The transition is observed using two experiments. The high-density phase is associated with an increase in neutron backscatter by a factor of 7.0 ± 0.1. Normally, hydrogen produces no backscatter (scattering angle >90°). This backscatter appears along with a discontinuous increase in the excitation mass from 1.2 amu to 21.0 ± 2.3 amu, which we associate with collective nuclear spin excitations in the orientationally ordered phase. Film densities were measured using hydrogen adsorption. Finally, no phase transition was observed in H 2 adsorbed in control activated carbon materials.« less

Gas Phase Dissociation Behavior of Acyl-Arginine Peptides.

PubMed

McGee, William M; McLuckey, Scott A

2013-11-15

The gas phase dissociation behavior of peptides containing acyl-arginine residues is investigated. These acylations are generated via a combination of ion/ion reactions between arginine-containing peptides and N -hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) esters and subsequent tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Three main dissociation pathways of acylated arginine, labeled Paths 1-3, have been identified and are dependent on the acyl groups. Path 1 involves the acyl-arginine undergoing deguanidination, resulting in the loss of the acyl group and dissociation of the guanidine to generate an ornithine residue. This pathway generates selective cleavage sites based on the recently discussed "ornithine effect". Path 2 involves the coordinated losses of H 2 O and NH 3 from the acyl-arginine side chain while maintaining the acylation. We propose that Path 2 is initiated via cyclization of the δ-nitrogen of arginine and the C-terminal carbonyl carbon, resulting in rapid rearrangement from the acyl-arginine side chain and the neutral losses. Path 3 occurs when the acyl group contains α-hydrogens and is observed as a rearrangement to regenerate unmodified arginine while the acylation is lost as a ketene.

Observed Parenting Behavior with Teens: Measurement Invariance and Predictive Validity Across Race

PubMed Central

Skinner, Martie L.; MacKenzie, Elizabeth P.; Haggerty, Kevin P.; Hill, Karl G.; Roberson, Kendra C.

2011-01-01

Previous reports supporting measurement equality between European American and African American families have often focused on self-reported risk factors or observed parent behavior with young children. This study examines equality of measurement of observer ratings of parenting behavior with adolescents during structured tasks; mean levels of observed parenting; and predictive validity of teen self-reports of antisocial behaviors and beliefs using a sample of 163 African American and 168 European American families. Multiple-group confirmatory factor analyses supported measurement invariance across ethnic groups for 4 measures of observed parenting behavior: prosocial rewards, psychological costs, antisocial rewards, and problem solving. Some mean-level differences were found: African American parents exhibited lower levels of prosocial rewards, higher levels of psychological costs, and lower problem solving when compared to European Americans. No significant mean difference was found in rewards for antisocial behavior. Multigroup structural equation models suggested comparable relationships across race (predictive validity) between parenting constructs and youth antisocial constructs (i.e., drug initiation, positive drug attitudes, antisocial attitudes, problem behaviors) in all but one of the tested relationships. This study adds to existing evidence that family-based interventions targeting parenting behaviors can be generalized to African American families. PMID:21787057

Non-equilibrium phase behavior and friction of confined molecular films under shear: A non-equilibrium molecular dynamics study.

PubMed

Maćkowiak, Sz; Heyes, D M; Dini, D; Brańka, A C

2016-10-28

The phase behavior of a confined liquid at high pressure and shear rate, such as is found in elastohydrodynamic lubrication, can influence the traction characteristics in machine operation. Generic aspects of this behavior are investigated here using Non-equilibrium Molecular Dynamics (NEMD) simulations of confined Lennard-Jones (LJ) films under load with a recently proposed wall-driven shearing method without wall atom tethering [C. Gattinoni et al., Phys. Rev. E 90, 043302 (2014)]. The focus is on thick films in which the nonequilibrium phases formed in the confined region impact on the traction properties. The nonequilibrium phase and tribological diagrams are mapped out in detail as a function of load, wall sliding speed, and atomic scale surface roughness, which is shown can have a significant effect. The transition between these phases is typically not sharp as the external conditions are varied. The magnitude of the friction coefficient depends strongly on the nonequilibrium phase adopted by the confined region of molecules, and in general does not follow the classical friction relations between macroscopic bodies, e.g., the frictional force can decrease with increasing load in the Plug-Slip (PS) region of the phase diagram owing to structural changes induced in the confined film. The friction coefficient can be extremely low (∼0.01) in the PS region as a result of incommensurate alignment between a (100) face-centered cubic wall plane and reconstructed (111) layers of the confined region near the wall. It is possible to exploit hysteresis to retain low friction PS states well into the central localization high wall speed region of the phase diagram. Stick-slip behavior due to periodic in-plane melting of layers in the confined region and subsequent annealing is observed at low wall speeds and moderate external loads. At intermediate wall speeds and pressure values (at least) the friction coefficient decreases with increasing well depth of the LJ potential

Thermodynamics and Phase Behavior of Miscible Polymer Blends in the Presence of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Young, Nicholas Philip

environment was developed to allow measurement of blend miscibility in the presence of scCO2. The pressure-temperature phase behavior of the system could be mapped by approaching the point of phase separation by spinodal decomposition through pressure increases at constant temperature. For a roughly symmetric mixture of SAN and dPMMA, the temperature at which phase separation occurred could be decreased by over 125 °C. The extent to which the phase behavior of the multicomponent system could be tuned motivated further investigation into the interactions present within the homogeneous mixtures. Analysis of the SANS results for homogeneous mixtures was undertaken using a new multicomponent formalism of the random phase approximation theory. The scattering profiles obtained from the scCO2-SAN-dPMMA system could be predicted with reasonable success. The success of the theoretical predictions was facilitated by directly employing the interactions found in the binary experiments. Exploitation of the condition of homogeneity with respect to chemical potential allowed determination of interaction parameters for scCO2-SAN and 2-dPMMA within the multicomponent mixture (chi12 and chi13, respectively). Studying this system over a large range of the supercritical regime yielded insight on the nature of interactions in the system. Near the critical point of scCO 2, chi12 and chi13 increase monotonically as a function of pressure. Conversely, at elevated temperature away from the critical point, the interaction parameters are found to go through a minimum as a pressure increases. Analysis of the critical phenomenon associated with scCO2 suggests that the observed dependence of chi12 and chi13 on pressure are related to the magnitude of scCO 2 density fluctuations and the proximity of the system to the so-called density fluctuation ridge. By tuning the system parameters of the multicomponent mixture, the phase behavior can be altered through the balance of pairwise interactions been the

Systematic observation of play behavior in autistic children.

PubMed

Black, M; Freeman, B J; Montgomery, J

1975-12-01

The play behavior, defined as interaction with peers and objects, of five autistic children was systematically observed in four environments, i.e., a stark environment, a theraplay unit, a playroom, and an outside play deck. The preliminary results suggested that (1) with some children environment has little or no effect on their play behavior; (2) with multiple objects, autistic children frequently related to the objects rather than to their peers; (3) object play was most frequently at the manipulative stage and often included repetitive and negative behavior; (4) within a confined space with no objects present, autistic children frequently engaged in solitary repetitive behavior; and (5) within a confined space designed to facilitate a movement flow (theraplay), autistic children modeled and imitated and were involved in gross motor play together.

On the Representativeness of Behavior Observation Samples in Classrooms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tiger, Jeffrey H.; Miller, Sarah J.; Mevers, Joanna Lomas; Mintz, Joslyn Cynkus; Scheithauer, Mindy C.; Alvarez, Jessica

2013-01-01

School consultants who rely on direct observation typically conduct observational samples (e.g., 1 30-min observation per day) with the hopes that the sample is representative of performance during the remainder of the day, but the representativeness of these samples is unclear. In the current study, we recorded the problem behavior of 3 referred…

Predicting the Fluid-Phase Behavior of Aqueous Solutions of ELP (VPGVG) Sequences Using SAFT-VR.

PubMed

Zhao, Binwu; Lindeboom, Tom; Benner, Steven; Jackson, George; Galindo, Amparo; Hall, Carol K

2017-10-24

The statistical associating fluid theory for potentials of variable range (SAFT-VR) is used to predict the fluid phase behavior of elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) sequences in aqueous solution with special focus on the loci of lower critical solution temperatures (LCSTs). A SAFT-VR model for these solutions is developed following a coarse-graining approach combining information from atomistic simulations and from previous SAFT models for previously reported relevant systems. Constant-pressure temperature-composition phase diagrams are determined for solutions of (VPGVG) n sequences + water with n = 1 to 300. The SAFT-VR equation of state lends itself to the straightforward calculation of phase boundaries so that complete fluid-phase equilibria can be calculated efficiently. A broad range of thermodynamic conditions of temperature and pressure are considered, and regions of vapor-liquid and liquid-liquid coexistence, including LCSTs, are found. The calculated phase boundaries at low concentrations match those measured experimentally. The temperature-composition phase diagrams of the aqueous ELP solutions at low pressure (0.1 MPa) are similar to those of types V and VI phase behavior in the classification of Scott and van Konynenburg. An analysis of the high-pressure phase behavior confirms, however, that a closed-loop liquid-liquid immiscibility region, separate from the gas-liquid envelope, is present for aqueous solutions of (VPGVG) 30 ; such a phase diagram is typical of type VI phase behavior. ELPs with shorter lengths exhibit both liquid-liquid and gas-liquid regions, both of which become less extensive as the chain length of the ELP is decreased. The strength of the hydrogen-bonding interaction is also found to affect the phase diagram of the (VPGVG) 30 system in that the liquid-liquid and gas-liquid regions expand as the hydrogen-bonding strength is decreased and shrink as it is increased. The LCSTs of the mixtures are seen to decrease as the ELP chain length

Phase Behavior of Complex Superprotonic Solid Acids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panithipongwut, Chatr

Superprotonic phase transitions and thermal behaviors of three complex solid acid systems are presented, namely Rb3H(SO4) 2-RbHSO4 system, Rb3H(SeO4)2-Cs 3H(SeO4)2 solid solution system, and Cs6 (H2SO4)3(H1.5PO4) 4. These material systems present a rich set of phase transition characteristics that set them apart from other, simpler solid acids. A.C. impedance spectroscopy, high-temperature X-ray powder diffraction, and thermal analysis, as well as other characterization techniques, were employed to investigate the phase behavior of these systems. Rb3H(SO4)2 is an atypical member of the M3H(XO4)2 class of compounds (M = alkali metal or NH4+ and X = S or Se) in that a transition to a high-conductivity state involves disproportionation into two phases rather than a simple polymorphic transition [1]. In the present work, investigations of the Rb3H(SO4)2-RbHSO4 system have revealed the disproportionation products to be Rb2SO 4 and the previously unknown compound Rb5H3(SO 4)4. The new compound becomes stable at a temperature between 25 and 140 °C and is isostructural to a recently reported trigonal phase with space group P3m of Cs5H 3(SO4)4 [2]. At 185 °C the compound undergoes an apparently polymorphic transformation with a heat of transition of 23.8 kJ/mol and a slight additional increase in conductivity. The compounds Rb3H(SeO4)2 and Cs 3H(SeO4)2, though not isomorphous at ambient temperatures, are quintessential examples of superprotonic materials. Both adopt monoclinic structures at ambient temperatures and ultimately transform to a trigonal (R3m) superprotonic structure at slightly elevated temperatures, 178 and 183 °C, respectively. The compounds are completely miscible above the superprotonic transition and show extensive solubility below it. Beyond a careful determination of the phase boundaries, we find a remarkable 40-fold increase in the superprotonic conductivity in intermediate compositions rich in Rb as compared to either end-member. The compound Cs6(H2

Anion-exchange behavior of several alkylsilica reversed-phase columns.

PubMed

Marchand, D H; Snyder, L R

2008-10-31

Some alkylsilica columns carry a positive charge at low pH, as determined by anion-exchange with nitrate ion. In the present study, the relative positive charge for 14 alkylsilica columns was measured for a mobile-phase pH 3.0. All but 3 of these columns were found to carry a significant positive charge under these conditions. The relative positive charge on these columns was found to correlate approximately with two other column characteristics: relative cation-exchange behavior as measured by the hydrophobic-subtraction model (values of C-2.8), and slow equilibration of the column to changes in the mobile-phase-as evidenced by a slow change in the retention of anionic and cationic solutes with time. The origin of this positive charge may arise from the bonding process, with incorporation of some cationic entity into the stationary phase.

Phase behavior and characterization of heptamethyltrisiloxane-based de Vries smectic liquid crystal by electro-optics, x rays, and dielectric spectroscopy.

PubMed

Sreenilayam, S P; Agra-Kooijman, D M; Panov, V P; Swaminathan, V; Vij, J K; Panarin, Yu P; Kocot, A; Panov, A; Rodriguez-Lojo, D; Stevenson, P J; Fisch, Michael R; Kumar, Satyendra

2017-03-01

A heptamethyltrisiloxane liquid crystal (LC) exhibiting I-SmA^{*}-SmC^{*} phases has been characterized by calorimetry, polarizing microscopy, x-ray diffraction, electro-optics, and dielectric spectroscopy. Observations of a large electroclinic effect, a large increase in the birefringence (Δn) with electric field, a low shrinkage in the layer thickness (∼1.75%) at 20 °C below the SmA^{*}-SmC^{*} transition, and low values of the reduction factor (∼0.40) suggest that the SmA^{*} phase in this material is of the de Vries type. The reduction factor is a measure of the layer shrinkage in the SmC^{*} phase and it should be zero for an ideal de Vries. Moreover, a decrease in the magnitude of Δn with decreasing temperature indicates the presence of the temperature-dependent tilt angle in the SmA^{*} phase. The electro-optic behavior is explained by the generalized Langevin-Debye model as given by Shen et al. [Y. Shen et al., Phys. Rev. E 88, 062504 (2013)10.1103/PhysRevE.88.062504]. The soft-mode dielectric relaxation strength shows a critical behavior when the system goes from the SmA^{*} to the SmC^{*} phase.

Rate-dependent behavior of the amorphous phase of spider dragline silk.

PubMed

Patil, Sandeep P; Markert, Bernd; Gräter, Frauke

2014-06-03

The time-dependent stress-strain behavior of spider dragline silk was already observed decades ago, and has been attributed to the disordered sequences in silk proteins, which compose the soft amorphous matrix. However, the actual molecular origin and magnitude of internal friction within the amorphous matrix has remained inaccessible, because experimentally decomposing the mechanical response of the amorphous matrix from the embedded crystalline units is challenging. Here, we used atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to obtain friction forces for the relative sliding of peptide chains of Araneus diadematus spider silk within bundles of these chains as a representative unit of the amorphous matrix in silk fibers. We computed the friction coefficient and coefficient of viscosity of the amorphous phase to be in the order of 10(-6) Ns/m and 10(4) Ns/m(2), respectively, by extrapolating our simulation data to the viscous limit. Finally, we used a finite element method for the amorphous phase, solely based on parameters derived from molecular dynamics simulations including the newly determined coefficient of viscosity. With this model the time scales of stress relaxation, creep, and hysteresis were assessed, and found to be in line with the macroscopic time-dependent response of silk fibers. Our results suggest the amorphous phase to be the primary source of viscosity in silk and open up the avenue for finite element method studies of silk fiber mechanics including viscous effects. Copyright © 2014 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Rate-Dependent Behavior of the Amorphous Phase of Spider Dragline Silk

PubMed Central

Patil, Sandeep P.; Markert, Bernd; Gräter, Frauke

2014-01-01

The time-dependent stress-strain behavior of spider dragline silk was already observed decades ago, and has been attributed to the disordered sequences in silk proteins, which compose the soft amorphous matrix. However, the actual molecular origin and magnitude of internal friction within the amorphous matrix has remained inaccessible, because experimentally decomposing the mechanical response of the amorphous matrix from the embedded crystalline units is challenging. Here, we used atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to obtain friction forces for the relative sliding of peptide chains of Araneus diadematus spider silk within bundles of these chains as a representative unit of the amorphous matrix in silk fibers. We computed the friction coefficient and coefficient of viscosity of the amorphous phase to be in the order of 10−6 Ns/m and 104 Ns/m2, respectively, by extrapolating our simulation data to the viscous limit. Finally, we used a finite element method for the amorphous phase, solely based on parameters derived from molecular dynamics simulations including the newly determined coefficient of viscosity. With this model the time scales of stress relaxation, creep, and hysteresis were assessed, and found to be in line with the macroscopic time-dependent response of silk fibers. Our results suggest the amorphous phase to be the primary source of viscosity in silk and open up the avenue for finite element method studies of silk fiber mechanics including viscous effects. PMID:24896131

Effect of Charge Patterning on the Phase Behavior of Polymer Coacervates for Charge Driven Self Assembly

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Radhakrishna, Mithun; Sing, Charles E.

Oppositely charged polymers can undergo associative liquid-liquid phase separation when mixed under suitable conditions of ionic strength, temperature and pH to form what are known as `polymeric complex coacervates'. Polymer coacervates find use in diverse array of applications like microencapsulation, drug delivery, membrane filtration and underwater adhesives. The similarity between complex coacervate environments and those in biological systems has also found relevance in areas of bio-mimicry. Our previous works have demonstrated how local charge correlations and molecular connectivity can drastically affect the phase behavior of coacervates. The precise location of charges along the chain therefore dramatically influences the local charge correlations, which consequently influences the phase behavior of coacervates. We investigate the effect of charge patterning along the polymer chain on the phase behavior of coacervates in the framework of the Restricted Primitive Model using Gibbs Ensemble Monte Carlo simulations. Our results show that charge patterning dramatically changes the phase behavior of polymer coacervates, which contrasts with the predictions of the classical Voorn-Overbeek theory. This provides the basis for designing new materials through charge driven self assembly by controlling the positioning of the charged monomers along the chain.

Phase computations and phase models for discrete molecular oscillators.

PubMed

Suvak, Onder; Demir, Alper

2012-06-11

Biochemical oscillators perform crucial functions in cells, e.g., they set up circadian clocks. The dynamical behavior of oscillators is best described and analyzed in terms of the scalar quantity, phase. A rigorous and useful definition for phase is based on the so-called isochrons of oscillators. Phase computation techniques for continuous oscillators that are based on isochrons have been used for characterizing the behavior of various types of oscillators under the influence of perturbations such as noise. In this article, we extend the applicability of these phase computation methods to biochemical oscillators as discrete molecular systems, upon the information obtained from a continuous-state approximation of such oscillators. In particular, we describe techniques for computing the instantaneous phase of discrete, molecular oscillators for stochastic simulation algorithm generated sample paths. We comment on the accuracies and derive certain measures for assessing the feasibilities of the proposed phase computation methods. Phase computation experiments on the sample paths of well-known biological oscillators validate our analyses. The impact of noise that arises from the discrete and random nature of the mechanisms that make up molecular oscillators can be characterized based on the phase computation techniques proposed in this article. The concept of isochrons is the natural choice upon which the phase notion of oscillators can be founded. The isochron-theoretic phase computation methods that we propose can be applied to discrete molecular oscillators of any dimension, provided that the oscillatory behavior observed in discrete-state does not vanish in a continuous-state approximation. Analysis of the full versatility of phase noise phenomena in molecular oscillators will be possible if a proper phase model theory is developed, without resorting to such approximations.

The effects of Nitinol phases on corrosion and fatigue behavior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Denton, Melissa

The purpose of these studies was to provide a detailed understanding of Nitinol phases and their effects on corrosion and fatigue life. The two primary phases, austenite and martensite, were carefully evaluated with respect to material geometry, corrosion behavior, wear, and fatigue life. Material characterization was performed using several techniques that include metallography, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), x-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS), and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). Uniaxial tensile tests were conducted to determine the mechanical properties such as elongation, ultimate tensile strength, modulus, transformation strain, and plateau stress. In addition, accelerated wear testing and four point bend fatigue testing were completed to study the fatigue life and durability of the material. The corrosion of Nitinol was found to be dependent on various surface conditions. Electrochemical corrosion behavior of each phase was investigated using cyclic potentiodyamic polarization testing. The corrosion response of electropolished Nitinol was found to be acceptable, even after durability testing. Stress-induced martensite had a lower breakdown potential due to a rougher surface morphology, while thermally induced martensite and austenite performed similarly well. The surface conditioning also had a significant effect on Nitinol mechanical properties. Electropolishing provided a smooth mirror finish that reduced localized texture and enhanced the ductility of the material. Quasi-static mechanical properties can be good indicators of fatigue life, but further fatigue testing revealed that phase transformations had an important role as well. The governing mechanisms for the fatigue life of Nitinol were determined to be both martesitic phase transformations and surface defects. A new ultimate dislocation strain model was proposed based on specific accelerated step-strain testing.

Block voter model: Phase diagram and critical behavior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sampaio-Filho, C. I. N.; Moreira, F. G. B.

2011-11-01

We introduce and study the block voter model with noise on two-dimensional square lattices using Monte Carlo simulations and finite-size scaling techniques. The model is defined by an outflow dynamics where a central set of NPCS spins, here denoted by persuasive cluster spins (PCS), tries to influence the opinion of their neighboring counterparts. We consider the collective behavior of the entire system with varying PCS size. When NPCS>2, the system exhibits an order-disorder phase transition at a critical noise parameter qc which is a monotonically increasing function of the size of the persuasive cluster. We conclude that a larger PCS has more power of persuasion, when compared to a smaller one. It also seems that the resulting critical behavior is Ising-like independent of the range of interaction.

Astronomical observations of solid phase carbon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jura, M.

1990-01-01

In the outer envelopes of red giants, when the gas cools sufficiently, molecules and solids form. Thermodynamically, the most stable molecule is CO, and it is usually assumed that all the available carbon and oxygen are consumed in the formation of this molecule (Salpeter 1977). If the carbon abundance is greater than the oxygen abundance, then the carbon left over after the formation of CO is available for solid grains. Because carbon is by far the most abundant species available for making solids in these environments, researchers anticipate that the grains are composed of nearly pure carbon in some form. The observations which can be used to infer the nature of this solid phase carbon are discussed. The observations of the dust around carbon-rich red giants are discussed. These results are then placed into their broader astrophysical context.

Agreement among Classroom Observers of Children's Stylistic Learning Behaviors.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Buchanan, Helen Hamlet; McDermott, Paul A.; Schaefer, Barbara A.

1998-01-01

Investigates the interobserver agreement of the Learning Behavior Scale (LBS) by educators (n=16) observing students in special-education classes (n=72). No significant observer effect was found. Moreover, the LBS produced comparable levels of differential learning styles for assessments of individual children. (Author/MKA)

Equilibrium Phase Behavior of the Square-Well Linear Microphase-Forming Model.

PubMed

Zhuang, Yuan; Charbonneau, Patrick

2016-07-07

We have recently developed a simulation approach to calculate the equilibrium phase diagram of particle-based microphase formers. Here, this approach is used to calculate the phase behavior of the square-well linear model for different strengths and ranges of the linear long-range repulsive component. The results are compared with various theoretical predictions for microphase formation. The analysis further allows us to better understand the mechanism for microphase formation in colloidal suspensions.

Temperature-Controlled High-Speed AFM: Real-Time Observation of Ripple Phase Transitions.

PubMed

Takahashi, Hirohide; Miyagi, Atsushi; Redondo-Morata, Lorena; Scheuring, Simon

2016-11-01

With nanometer lateral and Angstrom vertical resolution, atomic force microscopy (AFM) has contributed unique data improving the understanding of lipid bilayers. Lipid bilayers are found in several different temperature-dependent states, termed phases; the main phases are solid and fluid phases. The transition temperature between solid and fluid phases is lipid composition specific. Under certain conditions some lipid bilayers adopt a so-called ripple phase, a structure where solid and fluid phase domains alternate with constant periodicity. Because of its narrow regime of existence and heterogeneity ripple phase and its transition dynamics remain poorly understood. Here, a temperature control device to high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) to observe dynamics of phase transition from ripple phase to fluid phase reversibly in real time is developed and integrated. Based on HS-AFM imaging, the phase transition processes from ripple phase to fluid phase and from ripple phase to metastable ripple phase to fluid phase could be reversibly, phenomenologically, and quantitatively studied. The results here show phase transition hysteresis in fast cooling and heating processes, while both melting and condensation occur at 24.15 °C in quasi-steady state situation. A second metastable ripple phase with larger periodicity is formed at the ripple phase to fluid phase transition when the buffer contains Ca 2+ . The presented temperature-controlled HS-AFM is a new unique experimental system to observe dynamics of temperature-sensitive processes at the nanoscopic level. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Crowding-Induced Mixing Behavior of Lipid Bilayers: Examination of Mixing Energy, Phase, Packing Geometry, and Reversibility.

PubMed

Zeno, Wade F; Rystov, Alice; Sasaki, Darryl Y; Risbud, Subhash H; Longo, Marjorie L

2016-05-10

In an effort to develop a general thermodynamic model from first-principles to describe the mixing behavior of lipid membranes, we examined lipid mixing induced by targeted binding of small (Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP)) and large (nanolipoprotein particles (NLPs)) structures to specific phases of phase-separated lipid bilayers. Phases were targeted by incorporation of phase-partitioning iminodiacetic acid (IDA)-functionalized lipids into ternary lipid mixtures consisting of DPPC, DOPC, and cholesterol. GFP and NLPs, containing histidine tags, bound the IDA portion of these lipids via a metal, Cu(2+), chelating mechanism. In giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs), GFP and NLPs bound to the Lo domains of bilayers containing DPIDA, and bound to the Ld region of bilayers containing DOIDA. At sufficiently large concentrations of DPIDA or DOIDA, lipid mixing was induced by bound GFP and NLPs. The validity of the thermodynamic model was confirmed when it was found that the statistical mixing distribution as a function of crowding energy for smaller GFP and larger NLPs collapsed to the same trend line for each GUV composition. Moreover, results of this analysis show that the free energy of mixing for a ternary lipid bilayer consisting of DOPC, DPPC, and cholesterol varied from 7.9 × 10(-22) to 1.5 × 10(-20) J/lipid at the compositions observed, decreasing as the relative cholesterol concentration was increased. It was discovered that there appears to be a maximum packing density, and associated maximum crowding pressure, of the NLPs, suggestive of circular packing. A similarity in mixing induced by NLP1 and NLP3 despite large difference in projected areas was analytically consistent with monovalent (one histidine tag) versus divalent (two histidine tags) surface interactions, respectively. In addition to GUVs, binding and induced mixing behavior of NLPs was also observed on planar, supported lipid multibilayers. The mixing process was reversible, with Lo domains

Crowding-induced mixing behavior of lipid bilayers: Examination of mixing energy, phase, packing geometry, and reversibility

DOE PAGES

Zeno, Wade F.; Rystov, Alice; Sasaki, Darryl Y.; ...

2016-04-20

In an effort to develop a general thermodynamic model from first-principles to describe the mixing behavior of lipid membranes, we examined lipid mixing induced by targeted binding of small (Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP)) and large (nanolipoprotein particles (NLPs)) structures to specific phases of phase-separated lipid bilayers. Phases were targeted by incorporation of phase-partitioning iminodiacetic acid (IDA)-functionalized lipids into ternary lipid mixtures consisting of DPPC, DOPC, and cholesterol. GFP and NLPs, containing histidine tags, bound the IDA portion of these lipids via a metal, Cu 2+, chelating mechanism. In giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs), GFP and NLPs bound to the Lo domainsmore » of bilayers containing DPIDA, and bound to the Ld region of bilayers containing DOIDA. At sufficiently large concentrations of DPIDA or DOIDA, lipid mixing was induced by bound GFP and NLPs. The validity of the thermodynamic model was confirmed when it was found that the statistical mixing distribution as a function of crowding energy for smaller GFP and larger NLPs collapsed to the same trend line for each GUV composition. Moreover, results of this analysis show that the free energy of mixing for a ternary lipid bilayer consisting of DOPC, DPPC, and cholesterol varied from 7.9 × 10 –22 to 1.5 × 10 –20 J/lipid at the compositions observed, decreasing as the relative cholesterol concentration was increased. It was discovered that there appears to be a maximum packing density, and associated maximum crowding pressure, of the NLPs, suggestive of circular packing. A similarity in mixing induced by NLP1 and NLP3 despite large difference in projected areas was analytically consistent with monovalent (one histidine tag) versus divalent (two histidine tags) surface interactions, respectively. In addition to GUVs, binding and induced mixing behavior of NLPs was also observed on planar, supported lipid multibilayers. Furthermore, the mixing process was reversible

Crowding-induced mixing behavior of lipid bilayers: Examination of mixing energy, phase, packing geometry, and reversibility

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

Zeno, Wade F.; Rystov, Alice; Sasaki, Darryl Y.

In an effort to develop a general thermodynamic model from first-principles to describe the mixing behavior of lipid membranes, we examined lipid mixing induced by targeted binding of small (Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP)) and large (nanolipoprotein particles (NLPs)) structures to specific phases of phase-separated lipid bilayers. Phases were targeted by incorporation of phase-partitioning iminodiacetic acid (IDA)-functionalized lipids into ternary lipid mixtures consisting of DPPC, DOPC, and cholesterol. GFP and NLPs, containing histidine tags, bound the IDA portion of these lipids via a metal, Cu 2+, chelating mechanism. In giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs), GFP and NLPs bound to the Lo domainsmore » of bilayers containing DPIDA, and bound to the Ld region of bilayers containing DOIDA. At sufficiently large concentrations of DPIDA or DOIDA, lipid mixing was induced by bound GFP and NLPs. The validity of the thermodynamic model was confirmed when it was found that the statistical mixing distribution as a function of crowding energy for smaller GFP and larger NLPs collapsed to the same trend line for each GUV composition. Moreover, results of this analysis show that the free energy of mixing for a ternary lipid bilayer consisting of DOPC, DPPC, and cholesterol varied from 7.9 × 10 –22 to 1.5 × 10 –20 J/lipid at the compositions observed, decreasing as the relative cholesterol concentration was increased. It was discovered that there appears to be a maximum packing density, and associated maximum crowding pressure, of the NLPs, suggestive of circular packing. A similarity in mixing induced by NLP1 and NLP3 despite large difference in projected areas was analytically consistent with monovalent (one histidine tag) versus divalent (two histidine tags) surface interactions, respectively. In addition to GUVs, binding and induced mixing behavior of NLPs was also observed on planar, supported lipid multibilayers. Furthermore, the mixing process was reversible

Phase behavior, morphology, and polymorphism of surfactant systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, Jingmei

Surfactants are amphiphilic molecules. They spontaneously form various microstructures in water to accommodate the hydrophilic-hydrophobic interactions. Soaps are the oldest kind of man-made surfactants that are commonly used as washing and cleaning agents. In spite of the long history of soap research, many aspects of soaps in nonaqueous solvents remain unclear. Unlike the aqueous soap systems, which have been studied extensively, investigations of nonaqueous, polar soap systems are rather limited. Motivated by the applications of nonaqueous, polar solvents in soap products, we investigated sodium stearate (NaSt)/water/propylene glycol (PG) systems. The effects of gradual substitution of PG for H 2O on the phase behavior, morphology and crystalline structure of NaSt systems were studied by a combination of characterization techniques. The techniques include direct visual observation, differential scanning calorimetry, wide-angle and small angle x-ray scattering, light and cryo-electron microscopy, and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance. Anhydrous NaSt forms layered crystalline structures at 25°C. With increasing temperature, a distorted hexagonal phase and a hexagonal liquid crystalline phase form. Compared with aqueous soap systems, the regions of liquid crystalline phases in the phase diagrams are reduced as PG replaces or gradually substitutes for H2O. Fibrous and plate-like NaSt crystallites were investigated in the NaSt/PG/H 2O system containing 1-5 wt% NaSt. Despite of the morphological difference, NaSt fibers and platelets share the same layered crystalline structure at the molecular level. NaSt fibers consist of stacked thin ribbons of NaSt bilayers. NaSt platelets exhibit large basal planes {001} surrounded by other faster-growing lateral planes. Two lamellar crystalline structures, alpha-NaSt and beta-NaSt, which formed in the NaSt/PG/H2O system with 10 wt% NaSt, were characterized on the atomic, molecular and microscopic levels. In a PG

Observing Parent Behavior: Reconciling Theoretical Concepts with Empirical Reality.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ge, Xiaojia

Using data from the Iowa Youth and Families Project, this longitudinal study investigated the predictive validity of different dimensions of observed parent behavior on adolescent externalizing (aggression, hostility) and internalizing (depression, anxiety) problems over a 2-year period. In addition, the study examined how observer ratings…

Self-assembled Lyotropic Liquid Crystalline Phase Behavior of Monoolein-Capric Acid-Phospholipid Nanoparticulate Systems.

PubMed

Zhai, Jiali; Tran, Nhiem; Sarkar, Sampa; Fong, Celesta; Mulet, Xavier; Drummond, Calum J

2017-03-14

We report here the lyotropic liquid crystalline phase behavior of two lipid nanoparticulate systems containing mixtures of monoolein, capric acid, and saturated diacyl phosphatidylcholines dispersed by the Pluronic F127 block copolymer. Synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) was used to screen the phase behavior of a library of lipid nanoparticles in a high-throughput manner. It was found that adding capric acid and phosphatidylcholines had opposing effects on the spontaneous membrane curvature of the monoolein lipid layer and hence the internal mesophase of the final nanoparticles. By varying the relative concentration of the three lipid components, we were able to establish a library of nanoparticles with a wide range of mesophases including at least the inverse bicontinuous primitive and double diamond cubic phases, the inverse hexagonal phase, the fluid lamellar phase, and possibly other phases. Furthermore, the in vitro cytotoxicity assay showed that the endogenous phospholipid-containing nanoparticles were less toxic to cultured cell lines compared to monoolein-based counterparts, improving the potential of the nonlamellar lipid nanoparticles for biomedical applications.

[The BASYS observation system for the analysis of aggressive behavior in classroom-settings].

PubMed

Wettstein, Alexander

2012-01-01

Educational or therapeutic measures of aggressive student behavior are often based on the judgments of teachers. However, empirical studies show that the objectivity of these judgments is generally low. In order to assess aggressive behavior in classroom settings, we developed a context-sensitive observational system. The observation system exists in a version for teachers in action as well as a version for the uninvolved observer. The teacher version allows categorizing aggressive behavior while teaching. The aim is to differentiate the perception and the judgments of teachers, so that the judgments can serve as trustable diagnostic information. The version for an independent observer, in addition, contains categories to collect information about the context in which aggressions take place. The behavior observation system was tested in four field-studies in regular and special classes. The empirical results show that, after training, teachers were able to make objective observations, and that aggressive behavior depends to a large extent on situational factors. The system allows identification of problematic people-environment relationships and the derivation of intervention measures.

High-pressure phase transition and elastic behavior of aluminum compound semiconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, R. K.; Singh, Sadhna

1992-01-01

A three-body-force-potential approach, developed earlier [Phys. Rev. B 39, 671 (1989)] for III-V compound semiconductors, has been extended to describe the high-pressure phase transition and elastic behavior of the remaining members (AlAs, AlSb, and AlP) of this family. We have obtained a reasonably better agreement between our theoretical (10.2, 6.6, and 18.0 GPa) and experimental (12.0, 8.3, and 14.0-17.0 GPa) results on the phase-transition pressures, respectively, in Al compounds (AlAs, AlSb, and AlP) than those obtained by Chelikowsky (31.0, 10.2, and 45.0 GPa) and by Zhang and Cohen (7.6, 5.6, and 9.3 GPa). The volume collapses and transition heats are also in good agreement with their experimental results available only in AlSb and they are comparable to those obtained by earlier workers. The variations of the second-order elastic constants with pressure have shown systematic trends in all Al compounds similar to those observed in other compounds of zinc-blende structure. The present approach has also succeeded in predicting the relative stability and satisfying the Born stability criterion. The slight disagreements have been ascribed to the exclusion of covalency effects.

Observed Parent Behaviors as Time-Varying Moderators of Problem Behaviors Following Traumatic Brain Injury in Young Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Treble-Barna, Amery; Zang, Huaiyu; Zhang, Nanhua; Taylor, H. Gerry; Stancin, Terry; Yeates, Keith Owen; Wade, Shari L.

2016-01-01

Parent behaviors moderate the adverse consequences of pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI); however, it is unknown how these moderating effects change over time. This study examined the moderating effect of observed parent behaviors over time since injury on the relation between TBI and behavioral outcomes. Participants included children, ages…

Impacts of relative permeability on CO2 phase behavior, phase distribution, and trapping mechanisms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moodie, N.; McPherson, B. J. O. L.; Pan, F.

2015-12-01

A critical aspect of geologic carbon storage, a carbon-emissions reduction method under extensive review and testing, is effective multiphase CO2 flow and transport simulation. Relative permeability is a flow parameter particularly critical for accurate forecasting of multiphase behavior of CO2 in the subsurface. The relative per­meability relationship assumed and especially the irreducible saturation of the gas phase greatly impacts predicted CO2 trapping mechanisms and long-term plume migration behavior. A primary goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of relative permeability on efficacy of regional-scale CO2 sequestration models. To accomplish this we built a 2-D vertical cross-section of the San Rafael Swell area of East-central Utah. This model simulated injection of CO2 into a brine aquifer for 30 years. The well was then shut-in and the CO2 plume behavior monitored for another 970 years. We evaluated five different relative permeability relationships to quantify their relative impacts on forecasted flow results of the model, with all other parameters maintained uniform and constant. Results of this analysis suggest that CO2 plume movement and behavior are significantly dependent on the specific relative permeability formulation assigned, including the assumed irreducible saturation values of CO2 and brine. More specifically, different relative permea­bility relationships translate to significant differences in CO2 plume behavior and corresponding trapping mechanisms.

Observed Parent Behaviors as Time-Varying Moderators of Problem Behaviors Following Traumatic Brain Injury in Young Children

PubMed Central

Treble-Barna, Amery; Zang, Huaiyu; Zhang, Nanhua; Taylor, H. Gerry; Stancin, Terry; Yeates, Keith Owen; Wade, Shari L.

2016-01-01

Parent behaviors moderate the adverse consequences of pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI); however, it is unknown how these moderating effects change over time. This study examined the moderating effect of observed parent behaviors over time since injury on the relation between TBI and behavioral outcomes. Participants included children, ages 3–7 years, hospitalized for moderate (n = 52) or severe (n = 20) TBI or orthopedic injury (OI; n = 95). Parent–child dyads were videotaped during structured task and free play conditions and parents completed child behavior ratings. Linear mixed models using a lagged, time-varying moderator analysis examined the relationship of observed parent behaviors at the baseline, 6-month, and 12-month assessments to child behavior problems at 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months post injury, after controlling for pre-injury levels of child behavior problems. The effect of TBI on behavior was exacerbated by less favorable parent behaviors, and buffered by more favorable parent behaviors, in children with severe TBI over the first 12 months post injury. By 18 months post injury, however, the moderating effect of parent behaviors diminished such that children with severe TBI showed more behavior problems relative to children with moderate TBI or OI regardless of parent behaviors or in response to parent behaviors that were initially protective. The results suggest that the moderating effects of the family environment are complex and likely vary in relation to both recovery and developmental factors, with potentially important implications for targets and timing of intervention. PMID:27786528

Observation of non-Fermi liquid behavior in hole-doped Eu2Ir2O7

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Banerjee, A.; Sannigrahi, J.; Giri, S.; Majumdar, S.

2017-12-01

The Weyl semimetallic compound Eu2Ir2O7 and its hole-doped derivatives (which are achieved by substituting trivalent Eu by divalent Sr) are investigated through transport, magnetic, and calorimetric studies. The metal-insulator transition (MIT) temperature is found to get substantially reduced with hole doping, and for 10% Sr doping the composition is metallic down to temperature as low as 5 K. These doped compositions are found to violate the Mott-Ioffe-Regel condition for minimum electrical conductivity and show a distinct signature of non-Fermi liquid behavior at low temperature. The MIT in the doped compounds does not correlate with the magnetic transition point, and Anderson-Mott-type disorder-induced localization may be attributed to the ground-state insulating phase. The observed non-Fermi liquid behavior can be understood on the basis of disorder-induced distribution of the spin-orbit-coupling parameter, which is markedly different in the case of Ir4 + and Ir5 + ions.

Influence of vitamin E acetate and other lipids on the phase behavior of mesophases based on unsaturated monoglycerides.

PubMed

Sagalowicz, L; Guillot, S; Acquistapace, S; Schmitt, B; Maurer, M; Yaghmur, A; de Campo, L; Rouvet, M; Leser, M; Glatter, O

2013-07-02

The phase behavior of the ternary unsaturated monoglycerides (UMG)-DL-α-tocopheryl acetate-water system has been studied. The effects of lipid composition in both bulk and dispersed lyotropic liquid crystalline phases and microemulsions were investigated. In excess water, progressive addition of DL-α-tocopheryl acetate to a binary UMG mixture results in the following phase sequence: reversed bicontinuous cubic phase, reversed hexagonal (H(II)) phase, and a reversed microemulsion. The action of DL-α-tocopheryl acetate is then compared to that of other lipids such as triolein, limonene, tetradecane, and DL-α-tocopherol. The impact of solubilizing these hydrophobic molecules on the UMG-water phase behavior shows some common features. However, the solubilization of certain molecules, like DL-α-tocopherol, leads to the presence of the reversed micellar cubic phase (space group number 227 and symmetry Fd3m) while the solubilization of others does not. These differences in phase behavior are discussed in terms of physical-chemical characteristics of the added lipid molecule and its interaction with UMG and water. From an applications point of view, phase behavior as a function of the solubilized content of guest molecules (lipid additive in our case) is crucial since macroscopic properties such as molecular release depend strongly on the phase present. The effect of two hydrophilic emulsifiers, used to stabilize the aqueous dispersions of UMG, was studied and compared. Those were Pluronic F127, which is the most commonly used stabilizer for these kinds of inverted type structures, and the partially hydrolyzed emulsifier lecithin (Emultop EP), which is a well accepted food-grade emulsifier. The phase behavior of particles stabilized by the partially hydrolyzed lecithin is similar to that of bulk sample at full hydration, but this emulsifier interacts significantly with the internal structure and affects it much more than F127.

Phase computations and phase models for discrete molecular oscillators

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Biochemical oscillators perform crucial functions in cells, e.g., they set up circadian clocks. The dynamical behavior of oscillators is best described and analyzed in terms of the scalar quantity, phase. A rigorous and useful definition for phase is based on the so-called isochrons of oscillators. Phase computation techniques for continuous oscillators that are based on isochrons have been used for characterizing the behavior of various types of oscillators under the influence of perturbations such as noise. Results In this article, we extend the applicability of these phase computation methods to biochemical oscillators as discrete molecular systems, upon the information obtained from a continuous-state approximation of such oscillators. In particular, we describe techniques for computing the instantaneous phase of discrete, molecular oscillators for stochastic simulation algorithm generated sample paths. We comment on the accuracies and derive certain measures for assessing the feasibilities of the proposed phase computation methods. Phase computation experiments on the sample paths of well-known biological oscillators validate our analyses. Conclusions The impact of noise that arises from the discrete and random nature of the mechanisms that make up molecular oscillators can be characterized based on the phase computation techniques proposed in this article. The concept of isochrons is the natural choice upon which the phase notion of oscillators can be founded. The isochron-theoretic phase computation methods that we propose can be applied to discrete molecular oscillators of any dimension, provided that the oscillatory behavior observed in discrete-state does not vanish in a continuous-state approximation. Analysis of the full versatility of phase noise phenomena in molecular oscillators will be possible if a proper phase model theory is developed, without resorting to such approximations. PMID:22687330

Phase behavior of binary and polydisperse suspensions of compressible microgels controlled by selective particle deswelling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scotti, A.; Gasser, U.; Herman, E. S.; Han, Jun; Menzel, A.; Lyon, L. A.; Fernandez-Nieves, A.

2017-09-01

We investigate the phase behavior of suspensions of poly(N -isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM) microgels with either bimodal or polydisperse size distribution. We observe a shift of the fluid-crystal transition to higher concentrations depending on the polydispersity or the fraction of large particles in suspension. Crystallization is observed up to polydispersities as high as 18.5%, and up to a number fraction of large particles of 29% in bidisperse suspensions. The crystal structure is random hexagonal close-packed as in monodisperse pNIPAM microgel suspensions. We explain our experimental results by considering the effect of bound counterions. Above a critical particle concentration, these cause deswelling of the largest microgels, which are the softest, changing the size distribution of the suspension and enabling crystal formation in conditions where incompressible particles would not crystallize.

Sensorless sliding mode observer for a five-phase permanent magnet synchronous motor drive.

PubMed

Hosseyni, Anissa; Trabelsi, Ramzi; Mimouni, Med Faouzi; Iqbal, Atif; Alammari, Rashid

2015-09-01

This paper deals with the sensorless vector controlled five-phase permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drive based on a sliding mode observer (SMO). The observer is designed considering the back electromotive force (EMF) of five-phase permanent magnet synchronous motor. The SMO structure and design are illustrated. Stability of the proposed observer is demonstrated using Lyapunov stability criteria. The proposed strategy is asymptotically stable in the context of Lyapunov theory. Simulated results on a five-phase PMSM drive are displayed to validate the feasibility and the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy. Copyright © 2015 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Bilayer Ising system designed with half-integer spins: Magnetic hysteresis, compensation behaviors and phase diagrams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kantar, Ersin

2016-08-01

In this paper, within the framework of the effective-field theory with correlation, mixed spin-1/2 and spin-3/2 bilayer system on a square lattice is studied. The characteristic behaviors for the magnetic hysteresis, compensation types and phase diagrams depending on effect of the surface and interface exchange parameters as well as crystal field are investigated. From the behavior of total magnetization as a function of the magnetic field and temperature, we obtain the single, double and triple hysteresis loops and the L-, Q-, P-, S-, and N-type compensation behaviors in the system. Moreover, we detect the more effective the J1 and crystal field parameters on the bilayer Ising model according to the behaviors of the phase diagrams.

Micromechanics and effective elastoplastic behavior of two-phase metal matrix composites

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

Ju, J.W.; Chen, T.M.

A micromechanical framework is presented to predict effective (overall) elasto-(visco-)plastic behavior of two-phase particle-reinforced metal matrix composites (PRMMC). In particular, the inclusion phase (particle) is assumed to be elastic and the matrix material is elasto-(visco-)plastic. Emanating from Ju and Chen's (1994a,b) work on effective elastic properties of composites containing many randomly dispersed inhomogeneities, effective elastoplastic deformations and responses of PRMMC are estimated by means of the effective yield criterion'' derived micromechanically by considering effects due to elastic particles embedded in the elastoplastic matrix. The matrix material is elastic or plastic, depending on local stress and deformation, and obeys general plasticmore » flow rule and hardening law. Arbitrary (general) loadings and unloadings are permitted in the framework through the elastic predictor-plastic corrector two-step operator splitting methodology. The proposed combined micromechanical and computational approach allows one to estimate overall elastoplastic responses of PRMMCs by accounting for the microstructural information (such as the spatial distribution and micro-geometry of particles), elastic properties of constituent phases, and the plastic behavior of the matrix-only materials.« less

Providers' response to child eating behaviors: A direct observation study.

PubMed

Tovar, Alison; Vaughn, Amber E; Fallon, Megan; Hennessy, Erin; Burney, Regan; Østbye, Truls; Ward, Dianne S

2016-10-01

Child care providers play an important role in feeding young children, yet little is known about children's influence on providers' feeding practices. This qualitative study examines provider and child (18 months -4 years) feeding interactions. Trained data collectors observed 200 eating occasions in 48 family child care homes and recorded providers' responses to children's meal and snack time behaviors. Child behaviors initiating provider feeding practices were identified and practices were coded according to higher order constructs identified in a recent feeding practices content map. Analysis examined the most common feeding practices providers used to respond to each child behavior. Providers were predominately female (100%), African-American (75%), and obese (77%) and a third of children were overweight/obese (33%). Commonly observed child behaviors were: verbal and non-verbal refusals, verbal and non-verbal acceptance, being "all done", attempts for praise/attention, and asking for seconds. Children's acceptance of food elicited more autonomy supportive practices vs. coercive controlling. Requests for seconds was the most common behavior, resulting in coercive controlling practices (e.g., insisting child eat certain food or clean plate). Future interventions should train providers on responding to children's behaviors and helping children become more aware of internal satiety and hunger cues. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Observed child and parent toothbrushing behaviors and child oral health

PubMed Central

COLLETT, BRENT R.; HUEBNER, COLLEEN E.; SEMINARIO, ANA LUCIA; WALLACE, ERIN; GRAY, KRISTEN E.; SPELTZ, MATTHEW L.

2018-01-01

Background Parent-led toothbrushing effectively reduces early childhood caries. Research on the strategies that parents use to promote this behavior is, however, lacking. Aim To examine associations between parent–child toothbrushing interactions and child oral health using a newly developed measure, the Toothbrushing Observation System (TBOS). Design One hundred children ages 18–60 months and their parents were video-recorded during toothbrushing interactions. Using these recordings, six raters coded parent and child behaviors and the duration of toothbrushing. We examined the reliability of the coding system and associations between observed parent and child behaviors and three indices of oral health: caries, gingival health, and history of dental procedures requiring general anesthesia. Results Reliabilities were moderate to strong for TBOS child and parent scores. Parent TBOS scores and longer duration of parent-led toothbrushing were associated with fewer decayed, missing or filled tooth surfaces and lower incidence of gingivitis and procedures requiring general anesthesia. Associations between child TBOS scores and dental outcomes were modest, suggesting the relative importance of parent versus child behaviors at this early age. Conclusions Parents’ child behavior management skills and the duration of parent-led toothbrushing were associated with better child oral health. These findings suggest that parenting skills are an important target for future behavioral oral health interventions. PMID:26148197

Infrared spectroscopic study of thermotropic phase behavior of newly developed synthetic biopolymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bista, Rajan K.; Bruch, Reinhard F.; Covington, Aaron M.

2011-10-01

The thermotropic phase behavior of a suite of newly developed self-forming synthetic biopolymers has been investigated by variable-temperature Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) absorption spectroscopy. The temperature-induced infrared spectra of these artificial biopolymers (lipids) composed of 1,2-dimyristoyl- rac-glycerol-3-dodecaethylene glycol (GDM-12), 1,2-dioleoyl- rac-glycerol-3-dodecaethylene glycol (GDO-12) and 1,2-distearoyl- rac-glycerol-3-triicosaethylene glycol (GDS-23) in the spectral range of 4000-500 cm -1 have been acquired by using a thin layered FT-IR spectrometer in conjunction with a custom built temperature-controlled demountable liquid cell having a pathlength of ˜15 μm. The lipids under consideration have long hydrophobic acyl chains and contain various units of hydrophilic polyethylene glycol (PEG) headgroups. In contrast to conventional phospholipids, this new kind of lipids forms liposomes or nanovesicles spontaneously upon hydration, without requiring external activation energy. We have found that the thermal stability of the PEGylated lipids differs greatly depending upon the acyl chain-lengths as well as the nature of the associated bonds and the number of PEG headgroup units. In particular, GDM-12 (saturated 14 hydrocarbon chains with 12 units of PEG headgroup) exhibits one sharp order-disorder phase transition over a temperature range increasing from 3 °C to 5 °C. Similarly, GDS-23 (saturated 18 hydrocarbon chains with 23 units of PEG headgroup) displays comparatively broad order-disorder phase transition profiles between temperature 17 °C and 22 °C. In contrast, GDO-12 (monounsaturated 18 hydrocarbon chains with 12 units of PEG headgroup) does not reveal any order-disorder transition phenomena demonstrating a highly disordered behavior for the entire temperature range. To confirm these observations, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was applied to the samples and revealed good agreement with the infrared spectroscopy

The Coordination Dynamics of Observational Learning: Relative Motion Direction and Relative Phase as Informational Content Linking Action-Perception to Action-Production.

PubMed

Buchanan, John J

2016-01-01

The primary goal of this chapter is to merge together the visual perception perspective of observational learning and the coordination dynamics theory of pattern formation in perception and action. Emphasis is placed on identifying movement features that constrain and inform action-perception and action-production processes. Two sources of visual information are examined, relative motion direction and relative phase. The visual perception perspective states that the topological features of relative motion between limbs and joints remains invariant across an actor's motion and therefore are available for pickup by an observer. Relative phase has been put forth as an informational variable that links perception to action within the coordination dynamics theory. A primary assumption of the coordination dynamics approach is that environmental information is meaningful only in terms of the behavior it modifies. Across a series of single limb tasks and bimanual tasks it is shown that the relative motion and relative phase between limbs and joints is picked up through visual processes and supports observational learning of motor skills. Moreover, internal estimations of motor skill proficiency and competency are linked to the informational content found in relative motion and relative phase. Thus, the chapter links action to perception and vice versa and also links cognitive evaluations to the coordination dynamics that support action-perception and action-production processes.

Reentrant behaviors in the phase diagram of spin-1 planar ferromagnet with single-ion anisotropy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rabuffo, I.; De Cesare, L.; Caramico D'Auria, A.; Mercaldo, M. T.

2018-05-01

We used the two-time Green function framework to investigate the role played by the easy-axis single-ion anisotropy on the phase diagram of (d > 2)-dimensional spin-1planar ferromagnets, which exhibit a magnetic field induced quantum phase transition. We tackled the problem using two different kind of approximations: the Anderson-Callen decoupling scheme and the Devlin approach. In the latter scheme, the exchange anisotropy terms in the equations of motion are treated at the Tyablikov decoupling level while the crystal field anisotropy contribution is handled exactly. The emerging key result is a reentrant structure of the phase diagram close to the quantum critical point, for certain values of the single-ion anisotropy parameter. We compare the results obtained within the two approximation schemes. In particular, we recover the same qualitative behavior. We show the phase diagram, close to the field-induced quantum critical point and the behavior of the susceptibility for different values of the single-ion anisotropy parameter, enhancing the differences between the two different scenarios (i.e. with and without reentrant behavior).

At-sea behavior varies with lunar phase in a nocturnal pelagic seabird, the swallow-tailed gull

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cruz, Sebastian M.; Hooten, Mevin; Huyvaert, Kathryn P.; Proaño, Carolina B.; Anderson, David J.; Afanasyev, Vsevolod; Wikelski, Martin

2013-01-01

Strong and predictable environmental variability can reward flexible behaviors among animals. We used long-term records of activity data that cover several lunar cycles to investigate whether behavior at-sea of swallow-tailed gulls Creagrus furcatus, a nocturnal pelagic seabird, varied with lunar phase in the Galápagos Islands. A Bayesian hierarchical model showed that nighttime at-sea activity of 37 breeding swallow-tailed gulls was clearly associated with changes in moon phase. Proportion of nighttime spent on water was highest during darker periods of the lunar cycle, coinciding with the cycle of the diel vertical migration (DVM) that brings prey to the sea surface at night. Our data show that at-sea behavior of a tropical seabird can vary with environmental changes, including lunar phase.

At-sea behavior varies with lunar phase in a nocturnal pelagic seabird, the swallow-tailed gull.

PubMed

Cruz, Sebastian M; Hooten, Mevin; Huyvaert, Kathryn P; Proaño, Carolina B; Anderson, David J; Afanasyev, Vsevolod; Wikelski, Martin

2013-01-01

Strong and predictable environmental variability can reward flexible behaviors among animals. We used long-term records of activity data that cover several lunar cycles to investigate whether behavior at-sea of swallow-tailed gulls Creagrus furcatus, a nocturnal pelagic seabird, varied with lunar phase in the Galápagos Islands. A Bayesian hierarchical model showed that nighttime at-sea activity of 37 breeding swallow-tailed gulls was clearly associated with changes in moon phase. Proportion of nighttime spent on water was highest during darker periods of the lunar cycle, coinciding with the cycle of the diel vertical migration (DVM) that brings prey to the sea surface at night. Our data show that at-sea behavior of a tropical seabird can vary with environmental changes, including lunar phase.

Photochemical modeling of the Antarctic stratosphere: Observational constraints from the airborne Antarctic ozone experiment and implications for ozone behavior

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rodriguez, Jose M.; Sze, Nien-Dak; Ko, Malcolm K. W.

1988-01-01

The rapid decrease in O3 column densities observed during Antarctic spring has been attributed to several chemical mechanisms involving nitrogen, bromine, or chlorine species, to dynamical mechanisms, or to a combination of the above. Chlorine-related theories, in particular, predict greatly elevated concentrations of ClO and OClO and suppressed abundances of NO2 below 22 km. The heterogeneous reactions and phase transitions proposed by these theories could also impact the concentrations of HCl, ClNO3 and HNO3 in this region. Observations of the above species have been carried out from the ground by the National Ozone Expedition (NOZE-I, 1986, and NOZE-II, 1987), and from aircrafts by the Airborne Antarctic Ozone Experiment (AAOE) during the austral spring of 1987. Observations of aerosol concentrations, size distribution and backscattering ratio from AAOE, and of aerosol extinction coefficients from the SAM-II satellite can also be used to deduce the altitude and temporal behavior of surfaces which catalyze heterogeneous mechanisms. All these observations provide important constraints on the photochemical processes suggested for the spring Antarctic stratosphere. Results are presented for the concentrations and time development of key trace gases in the Antarctic stratosphere, utilizing the AER photochemical model. This model includes complete gas-phase photochemistry, as well as heterogeneous reactions. Heterogeneous chemistry is parameterized in terms of surface concentrations of aerosols, collision frequencies between gas molecules and aerosol surfaces, concentrations of HCl/H2O in the frozen particles, and probability of reaction per collision (gamma). Values of gamma are taken from the latest laboratory measurements. The heterogeneous chemistry and phase transitions are assumed to occur between 12 and 22 km. The behavior of trace species at higher altitudes is calculated by the AER 2-D model without heterogeneous chemistry. Calculations are performed for

Strengthening behavior of beta phase in lamellar microstructure of TiAl alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Hanliang; Seo, D. Y.; Maruyama, K.

2010-01-01

β phase can be introduced to TiAl alloys by the additions of β stabilizing elements such as Cr, Nb, W, and Mo. The β phase has a body-centered cubic lattice structure and is softer than the α2 and γ phases in TiAl alloys at elevated temperatures, and hence is thought to have a detrimental effect on creep strength. However, fine β precipitates can be formed at lamellar interfaces by proper heat treatment conditions and the β interfacial precipitate improves the creep resistance of fully lamellar TiAl alloys, since the phase interface of γ/β retards the motion of dislocations during creep. This paper reviews recent research on high-temperature strengthening behavior of the β phase in fully lamellar TiAl alloys.

NEAs: Phase Angle Dependence of Asteroid Class and Diameter from Observational Studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wooden, Diane H.; Lederer, Susan M.; Bus, Schelte; Tokunaga, Alan; Jehin, Emmanuel; Howell, Ellen S.; Nolan, Michael C.; Ryan, Erin; Fernandez, Yan; Harker, David; Reddy, Vishnu; Benner, Lance AM; Lovell, Amy; Moskovitz, Nicholas; Kerr, Tom; Woodward, Charles

2015-08-01

We will discuss the results of a planned observation campaign of Near Earth Asteroids (NEAs), 1999 CU3, 2002 GM2, 2002 FG7, and 3691 Bede with instruments on the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT) from 15-Mar-2015 to 28-April 2015 UT. We will study the phase-angle dependence of the reflectance and thermal emission spectra. Recent publications reveal that the assignment of the asteroid class from visible and near-IR spectroscopy can change with phase angle for NEAs with silicate-bearing minerals on their surfaces (S-class asteroids) (Thomas et al. 2014, Icarus 228, 217; Sanchez et al. 2012 Icarus 220, 36). Only three of the larger NEAs have been measured at a dozen phase angles and the trends are not all the same, so there is not yet enough information to create a phase-angle correction. Also, the phase angle effect is not characterized well for the thermal emission including determination of the albedo and the thermal emission. The few NEAs were selected for our study amongst many possible targets based on being able to observe them through a wide range of phase angles, ranging from less than about 10 degrees to greater than 45 degrees over the constrained date range. The orbits of NEAs often generate short observing windows at phase angles higher than 45 deg (i.e., whizzing by Earth and/or close to dawn or dusk). Ultimately, lowering the uncertainty of the translation of asteroid class to meteorite analog and of albedo and size determinations are amongst our science goals. On a few specific nights, we plan to observe the 0.75-2.5 micron spectra with IRTF+SpeX for comparison with UKIRT data including 5-20 micron with UKIRT+UIST/Michelle to determine as best as possible the albedos. To ensure correct phasing of spectroscopic data, we augment with TRAPPIST-telescope light curves and R-band guider image data. Our observations will contribute to understanding single epoch mid-IR and near-IR measurements to obtain albedo, size and IR beaming parameters (the

NEAs: Phase Angle Dependence of Asteroid Class and Diameter from Observational Studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wooden, Diane H.; Lederer, Susan M.; Bus, Schlete; Tokunaga, Alan; Jehin, Emmanuel; Howell, Ellen S.; Nolan, Michael C.; Ryan, Erin; Fernandez, Yan; Harker, David;

Mirror neuron system and observational learning: behavioral and neurophysiological evidence.

PubMed

Lago-Rodriguez, Angel; Lopez-Alonso, Virginia; Fernández-del-Olmo, Miguel

2013-07-01

Three experiments were performed to study observational learning using behavioral, perceptual, and neurophysiological data. Experiment 1 investigated whether observing an execution model, during physical practice of a transitive task that only presented one execution strategy, led to performance improvements compared with physical practice alone. Experiment 2 investigated whether performing an observational learning protocol improves subjects' action perception. In experiment 3 we evaluated whether the type of practice performed determined the activation of the Mirror Neuron System during action observation. Results showed that, compared with physical practice, observing an execution model during a task that only showed one execution strategy does not provide behavioral benefits. However, an observational learning protocol allows subjects to predict more precisely the outcome of the learned task. Finally, intersperse observation of an execution model with physical practice results in changes of primary motor cortex activity during the observation of the motor pattern previously practiced, whereas modulations in the connectivity between primary and non primary motor areas (PMv-M1; PPC-M1) were not affected by the practice protocol performed by the observer. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Investigation of the relationships between the thermodynamic phase behavior and gelation behavior of a series of tripodal trisamide compounds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Li

Low molecular weight organic gelators(LMOGs) are important due to potential applications in many fields. Currently, most of the major studies focus on the empirical explanation of the crystallization for gelator assembly formation and morphologies, few efforts have been devoted to the thermodynamic phase behaviors and the effect of the non-ideal solution behavior on the structure of the resultant gels. In this research, tripodal trisamide compounds, synthesized from tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (TREN) by condensation with different acid chlorides, were studied as model LMOGs due to the simple one-step reaction and the commercially available chemical reactants. Gelation of organic solvents was investigated as a function of concentration and solvent solubility parameter.It has been found that the introduction of branches or cyclic units have dramatically improves the gelation ability compared to linear alkyl peripheral units. Fitting the liquidus lines using the regular solution model and calculation of the trisamide solubility parameter using solubility parameter theory gave good agreement with the trisamide solubility parameter calculated by group contribution methods. These results demonstrate that non-ideal solution behavior is an important factor in the gelation behavior of low molecular mass organic gelators. Understanding and controlling the thermodynamics and phase behaviors of the gel systems will provide effective ways to produce new efficient LMOGs in the future.

Modeling the phase behavior of H2S+n-alkane binary mixtures using the SAFT-VR+D approach.

PubMed

dos Ramos, M Carolina; Goff, Kimberly D; Zhao, Honggang; McCabe, Clare

2008-08-07

A statistical associating fluid theory for potential of variable range has been recently developed to model dipolar fluids (SAFT-VR+D) [Zhao and McCabe, J. Chem. Phys. 2006, 125, 104504]. The SAFT-VR+D equation explicitly accounts for dipolar interactions and their effect on the thermodynamics and structure of a fluid by using the generalized mean spherical approximation (GMSA) to describe a reference fluid of dipolar square-well segments. In this work, we apply the SAFT-VR+D approach to real mixtures of dipolar fluids. In particular, we examine the high-pressure phase diagram of hydrogen sulfide+n-alkane binary mixtures. Hydrogen sulfide is modeled as an associating spherical molecule with four off-center sites to mimic hydrogen bonding and an embedded dipole moment (micro) to describe the polarity of H2S. The n-alkane molecules are modeled as spherical segments tangentially bonded together to form chains of length m, as in the original SAFT-VR approach. By using simple Lorentz-Berthelot combining rules, the theoretical predictions from the SAFT-VR+D equation are found to be in excellent overall agreement with experimental data. In particular, the theory is able to accurately describe the different types of phase behavior observed for these mixtures as the molecular weight of the alkane is varied: type III phase behavior, according to the scheme of classification by Scott and Konynenburg, for the H2S+methane system, type IIA (with the presence of azeotropy) for the H2S+ethane and+propane mixtures; and type I phase behavior for mixtures of H2S and longer n-alkanes up to n-decane. The theory is also able to predict in a qualitative manner the solubility of hydrogen sulfide in heavy n-alkanes.

Observation of creep behavior of cellulose electro-active paper (EAPap) actuator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Joo-Hyung; Lee, Sang-Woo; Yun, Gyu-Young; Yang, Chulho; Kim, Heung Soo; Kim, Jaehwan

2009-03-01

Understanding of creep effects on actuating mechanisms is important to precisely figure out the behavior of material. Creep behaviors of cellulose based Electro-Active Paper (EAPap) were studied under different constant loading conditions. We found the structural modification of microfibrils in EAPap after creep test. Structural differences of as-prepared and after creep tested samples were compared by SEM measurements. From the measured creep behaviors by different loading conditions, two different regions of induced strain and current were clearly observed as the measurement time increased. It is consider that local defects may occur and becomes micro-dimple or micro-crack formations in lower load cases as localized deformation proceeds, while the shrinkage of diameter of elongated fibers was observed only at the high level of loading. Therefore, cellulose nanofibers may play a role to be against the creep load and prevent the localized structural deformations. The results provide useful creep behavior and mechanism to understand the mechanical behavior of thin visco-elastic EAPap actuator.

At–Sea Behavior Varies with Lunar Phase in a Nocturnal Pelagic Seabird, the Swallow-Tailed Gull

PubMed Central

Cruz, Sebastian M.; Hooten, Mevin; Huyvaert, Kathryn P.; Proaño, Carolina B.; Anderson, David J.; Afanasyev, Vsevolod; Wikelski, Martin

2013-01-01

Strong and predictable environmental variability can reward flexible behaviors among animals. We used long-term records of activity data that cover several lunar cycles to investigate whether behavior at-sea of swallow-tailed gulls Creagrus furcatus, a nocturnal pelagic seabird, varied with lunar phase in the Galápagos Islands. A Bayesian hierarchical model showed that nighttime at-sea activity of 37 breeding swallow-tailed gulls was clearly associated with changes in moon phase. Proportion of nighttime spent on water was highest during darker periods of the lunar cycle, coinciding with the cycle of the diel vertical migration (DVM) that brings prey to the sea surface at night. Our data show that at-sea behavior of a tropical seabird can vary with environmental changes, including lunar phase. PMID:23468889

Observed child and parent toothbrushing behaviors and child oral health.

PubMed

Collett, Brent R; Huebner, Colleen E; Seminario, Ana Lucia; Wallace, Erin; Gray, Kristen E; Speltz, Matthew L

2016-05-01

Parent-led toothbrushing effectively reduces early childhood caries. Research on the strategies that parents use to promote this behavior is, however, lacking. To examine associations between parent-child toothbrushing interactions and child oral health using a newly developed measure, the Toothbrushing Observation System (TBOS). One hundred children ages 18-60 months and their parents were video-recorded during toothbrushing interactions. Using these recordings, six raters coded parent and child behaviors and the duration of toothbrushing. We examined the reliability of the coding system and associations between observed parent and child behaviors and three indices of oral health: caries, gingival health, and history of dental procedures requiring general anesthesia. Reliabilities were moderate to strong for TBOS child and parent scores. Parent TBOS scores and longer duration of parent-led toothbrushing were associated with fewer decayed, missing or filled tooth surfaces and lower incidence of gingivitis and procedures requiring general anesthesia. Associations between child TBOS scores and dental outcomes were modest, suggesting the relative importance of parent versus child behaviors at this early age. Parents' child behavior management skills and the duration of parent-led toothbrushing were associated with better child oral health. These findings suggest that parenting skills are an important target for future behavioral oral health interventions. © 2015 BSPD, IAPD and John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Normal-phase liquid chromatography retention behavior of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and their methyl-substituted derivatives on an aminopropyl stationary phase.

PubMed

Wilson, Walter B; Hayes, Hugh V; Sander, Lane C; Campiglia, Andres D; Wise, Stephen A

2017-09-01

Retention indices for 124 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 62 methyl-substituted (Me-) PAHs were determined using normal-phase liquid chromatography (NPLC) on a aminopropyl (NH 2 ) stationary phase. PAH retention behavior on the NH 2 phase is correlated to the total number of aromatic carbons in the PAH structure. Within an isomer group, non-planar isomers generally elute earlier than planar isomers. MePAHs generally elute slightly later but in the same region as the parent PAHs. Correlations between PAH retention behavior on the NH 2 phase and PAH thickness (T) values were investigated to determine the influence of non-planarity for isomeric PAHs with four to seven aromatic rings. Correlation coefficients ranged from r = 0.19 (five-ring peri-condensed molecular mass (MM) 252 Da) to r = -0.99 (five-ring cata-condensed MM 278 Da). In the case of the smaller PAHs (MM ≤ 252 Da), most of the PAHs had a planar structure and provided a low correlation. In the case of larger PAHs (MM ≥ 278 Da), nonplanarity had a significant influence on the retention behavior and good correlation between retention and T was obtained for the MM 278 Da, MM 302 Da, MM 328 Da, and MM 378 Da isomer sets. Graphical abstract NPLC separation of the three-, four-, five-, and six-ring PAH isomers with different number of aromatic carbon atoms and degrees of non-planarity (Thickness, T). The inserted figure plots the number of aromatic carbon atoms vs. the log I value for the 124 parent PAHs.

A cluster phase analysis for collective behavior in team sports.

PubMed

López-Felip, Maurici A; Davis, Tehran J; Frank, Till D; Dixon, James A

2018-06-01

Collective behavior can be defined as the ability of humans to coordinate with others through a complex environment. Sports offer exquisite examples of this dynamic interplay, requiring decision making and other perceptual-cognitive skills to adjust individual decisions to the team self-organization and vice versa. Considering players of a team as periodic phase oscillators, synchrony analyses can be used to model the coordination of a team. Nonetheless, a main limitation of current models is that collective behavior is context independent. In other words, players on a team can be highly synchronized without this corresponding to a meaningful coordination dynamics relevant to the context of the game. Considering these issues, the aim of this study was to develop a method of analysis sensitive to the context for evidence-based measures of collective behavior. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Recent Observations of AG Pegasi's Latest Outburst Phase by Harvard Observing Project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Espinel, Jose Luis; Lewis, John; Budreviciute, Rimute; Bieryla, Allyson; Denham Alexander, Kate; Blanchard, Peter; Carmichael, Theron; Garrison, Lehman H.; Huang, Jane; Mayo, Andrew; McIntosh, Missy; Vanderburg, Andrew; Alam, Munazza; Cordova, Rodrigo; Gomez, Sebastian; Weaver, Ian; Yuan, Sihan; Price, Evander

2017-01-01

AG Pegasi (AG Peg) is a symbiotic binary star composed of a red supergiant and a white dwarf. Between 1860 and 1870, AG Peg brightened from magnitude 9 to 6, before gradually dimming. In 2015, the star began another brightening phase. The outbursts are thought to be caused by accretion of material onto the white dwarf. Once there is enough hydrogen accreted, hydrogen shell-burning starts leading to the the star’s evolution into a A-supergiant with a high mass-loss rate (Kenyon et al. 1993). The Harvard Observing Project (HOP) collected photometric data in BVRI filters using Harvard’s 16-inch Clay Telescope in the Fall term of 2015 and again in the Fall term of 2016. HOP is designed to get undergraduate students interested in astronomy and observing, and to allow graduate students opportunities to interact with undergraduates and get more observing/teaching experience. This study monitors the luminosity of AG Peg to constrain the amplitude and duration of the latest outburst.

Validity of an observation method for assessing pain behavior in individuals with multiple sclerosis.

PubMed

Cook, Karon F; Roddey, Toni S; Bamer, Alyssa M; Amtmann, Dagmar; Keefe, Francis J

2013-09-01

Pain is a common and complex experience for individuals who live with multiple sclerosis (MS) and it interferes with physical, psychological, and social function. A valid and reliable tool for quantifying observed pain behaviors in MS is critical to understand how pain behaviors contribute to pain-related disability in this clinical population. To evaluate the reliability and validity of a pain behavioral observation protocol in individuals who have MS. Community-dwelling volunteers with MS (N=30), back pain (N=5), or arthritis (N=8) were recruited based on clinician referrals, advertisements, fliers, web postings, and participation in previous research. Participants completed the measures of pain severity, pain interference, and self-reported pain behaviors and were videotaped doing typical activities (e.g., walking and sitting). Two coders independently recorded frequencies of pain behaviors by category (e.g., guarding and bracing) and interrater reliability statistics were calculated. Naïve observers reviewed videotapes of individuals with MS and rated their pain. The Spearman's correlations were calculated between pain behavior frequencies and self-reported pain and pain ratings by naïve observers. Interrater reliability estimates indicated the reliability of pain codes in the MS sample. Kappa coefficients ranged from moderate (sighing=0.40) to substantial agreements (guarding=0.83). These values were comparable with those obtained in the combined back pain and arthritis sample. Concurrent validity was supported by correlations with self-reported pain (0.46-0.53) and with self-reports of pain behaviors (0.58). Construct validity was supported by a finding of 0.87 correlation between total pain behaviors observed by coders and mean pain ratings by naïve observers. Results support the use of the pain behavior observation protocol for assessing pain behaviors of individuals with MS. Valid assessments of pain behaviors of individuals with MS could lead to

Validity of an Observation Method for Assessing Pain Behavior in Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis

PubMed Central

Cook, Karon F.; Roddey, Toni S.; Bamer, Alyssa M.; Amtmann, Dagmar; Keefe, Francis J

2012-01-01

Context Pain is a common and complex experience for individuals who live with multiple sclerosis (MS) that interferes with physical, psychological and social function. A valid and reliable tool for quantifying observed pain behaviors in MS is critical to understanding how pain behaviors contribute to pain-related disability in this clinical population. Objectives To evaluate the reliability and validity of a pain behavioral observation protocol in individuals who have MS. Methods Community-dwelling volunteers with multiple sclerosis (N=30), back pain (N=5), or arthritis (N=8) were recruited based on clinician referrals, advertisements, fliers, web postings, and participation in previous research. Participants completed measures of pain severity, pain interference, and self-reported pain behaviors and were videotaped doing typical activities (e.g., walking, sitting). Two coders independently recorded frequencies of pain behaviors by category (e.g., guarding, bracing) and inter-rater reliability statistics were calculated. Naïve observers reviewed videotapes of individuals with MS and rated their pain. Spearman correlations were calculated between pain behavior frequencies and self-reported pain and pain ratings by naïve observers. Results Inter-rater reliability estimates indicated the reliability of pain codes in the MS sample. Kappa coefficients ranged from moderate agreement (sighing = 0.40) to substantial agreement (guarding = 0.83). These values were comparable to those obtained in the combined back pain and arthritis sample. Concurrent validity was supported by correlations with self-reported pain (0.46-0.53) and with self-reports of pain behaviors (0.58). Construct validity was supported by finding of 0.87 correlation between total pain behaviors observed by coders and mean pain ratings by naïve observers. Conclusion Results support use of the pain behavior observation protocol for assessing pain behaviors of individuals with MS. Valid assessments of pain

Phase Coexistence in a Dynamic Phase Diagram.

PubMed

Gentile, Luigi; Coppola, Luigi; Balog, Sandor; Mortensen, Kell; Ranieri, Giuseppe A; Olsson, Ulf

2015-08-03

Metastability and phase coexistence are important concepts in colloidal science. Typically, the phase diagram of colloidal systems is considered at the equilibrium without the presence of an external field. However, several studies have reported phase transition under mechanical deformation. The reason behind phase coexistence under shear flow is not fully understood. Here, multilamellar vesicle (MLV)-to-sponge (L3 ) and MLV-to-Lα transitions upon increasing temperature are detected using flow small-angle neutron scattering techniques. Coexistence of Lα and MLV phases at 40 °C under shear flow is detected by using flow NMR spectroscopy. The unusual rheological behavior observed by studying the lamellar phase of a non-ionic surfactant is explained using (2) H NMR and diffusion flow NMR spectroscopy with the coexistence of planar lamellar-multilamellar vesicles. Moreover, a dynamic phase diagram over a wide range of temperatures is proposed. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Development of Creative Behavior Observation Form: A Study on Validity and Reliability

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dere, Zeynep; Ömeroglu, Esra

2018-01-01

This study, Creative Behavior Observation Form was developed to assess creativity of the children. While the study group on the reliability and validity of Creative Behavior Observation Form was being developed, 257 children in total who were at the ages of 5-6 were used as samples with stratified sampling method. Content Validity Index (CVI) and…

Effect of an observer's presence on facial behavior during dyadic communication.

PubMed

Yamamoto, K; Suzuki, N

2012-06-01

In everyday life, people communicate not only with another person but also in front of other people. How do people behave during communication when observed by others? Effects of an observer (presence vs absence) and interpersonal relationship (friends vs strangers vs alone) on facial behavior were examined. Participants viewed film clips that elicited positive affect (film presentation) and discussed their impressions about the clips (conversation). Participants rated their subjective emotions and social motives. Durations of smiles, gazes, and utterances of each participant were coded. The presence of an observer did not affect facial behavior during the film presentation, but did affect gazes during conversation. Whereas the presence of an observer seemed to facilitate affiliation in pairs of strangers, communication between friends was exclusive and not affected by an observer.

Effect of vision angle on the phase transition in flocking behavior of animal groups

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, P. The; Lee, Sang-Hee; Ngo, V. Thanh

2015-09-01

The nature of the phase transition in a system of self-propelling particles has been extensively studied during the past few decades. A theoretical model was proposed by [T. Vicsek et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 75, 1226 (1995), 10.1103/PhysRevLett.75.1226] with a simple rule for updating the direction of motion of each particle. Based on the model of Vicsek et al., in this paper, we consider a group of animals as particles moving freely in a two-dimensional space. Due to the fact that the viewable area of animals depends on the species, we consider the motion of each individual within an angle φ =ϕ /2 (ϕ is called the angle of view) of a circle centered at its position of radius R . We obtained a phase diagram in the space (φ ,ηc ) with ηc being the critical noise. We show that the phase transition exists only in the case of a wide view's angle φ ≥0.5 π . The flocking of animals is a universal behavior of the species of prey but not the one of the predator. Our simulation results are in good agreement with experimental observation [C. Beccoa et al., Physica A 367, 487 (2006), 10.1016/j.physa.2005.11.041].

Factors Associated with South Korean Early Childhood Educators' Observed Behavior Support Strategies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kim, Yeon Ha; Stormont, Melissa

2012-01-01

This study was an exploratory study of 34 South Korean early childhood educators' strategies for addressing behavior problems in natural settings. Factors related to teachers' strategy implementation were also explored. Four specific teacher behaviors were observed: precorrection, behavioral-specific praise, redirection, and reprimand/punishment.…

Experimental observation of two phase flow of R123 inside a herringbone microfin tube

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miyara, Akio; Islam, Mohammad Ariful; Mizuta, Yoshihiko; Kibe, Atsushi

2003-08-01

Vapor-liquid two phase flow behavior of R123 inside herringbone microfin tubes has been studied. Herringbone microfin tube is a kind of internally finned tube in which microfins are installed inside the tube where the microfins form multi-V-shape in flow direction. For the present experiment three different types of herringbone microfin tubes with helix angle β=8°, 14° and 28° are used. Experimental observations showed how flow diverges and converges inside herringbone microfin tube due to fin arrangement. The effect is more remarkable for larger helix angle. From the measurements of the cross-sectional liquid flow rate distribution, the liquid removal and collection and the entrained droplet are discussed. Quantity of liquid droplets is increased with increase of helix angle. The tube with helix angle β=28° shows higher quantity of liquid droplets than others.

Observation of the seismic nucleation phase in the Ridgecrest, California, earthquake sequence

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ellsworth, W.L.; Beroza, G.C.

1998-01-01

Near-source observations of five M 3.8-5.2 earthquakes near Ridgecrest, California are consistent with the presence of a seismic nucleation phase. These earthquakes start abruptly, but then slow or stop before rapidly growing again toward their maximum rate of moment release. Deconvolution of instrument and path effects by empirical Green's functions demonstrates that the initial complexity at the start of the earthquake is a source effect. The rapid growth of the P-wave arrival at the start of the seismic nucleation phase supports the conclusion of Mori and Kanamori [1996] that these earthquakes begin without a magnitude-scaled slow initial phase of the type observed by Iio [1992, 1995].

New Horizons High-Phase Observations of Distant Kuiper Belt Objects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Verbiscer, A.; Porter, S.; Spencer, J. R.; Buie, M. W.; Benecchi, S.; Weaver, H. A., Jr.; Buratti, B. J.; Ennico Smith, K.; Olkin, C.; Stern, S. A.; Young, L. A.; Cheng, A. F.

2017-12-01

From its unique vantage point far from the Sun, NASA's New Horizons spacecraft has observed Kuiper Belt Objects at separations ranging from 0.1 to 70 AU, and at solar phase angles far larger than those attainable from Earth. We have constructed the first KBO solar phase curves with substantial phase angle coverage for targets including Haumea, Makemake, Quaoar, Arawn (Porter et al. 2016, Astrophys. J. Lett. 828, L15), and 2002 MS4. We compare the phase functions of these KBOs with those of objects in the Pluto system and other Solar System bodies such as comets, asteroids, and icy satellites. For KBOs with known geometric albedos, these measurements enable calculation of the phase integral, an important photometric property that characterizes the energy balance on a distant KBO surface. During its approach to 2014 MU69, and following its close encounter on 1 January 2019, New Horizons will continue to exploit its capabilities as NASA's only observatory within the Kuiper Belt itself.

In situ observations of a high-pressure phase of H2O ice

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chou, I.-Ming; Blank, J.G.; Goncharov, A.F.; Mao, Ho-kwang; Hemley, R.J.

1998-01-01

A previously unknown solid phase of H2O has been identified by its peculiar growth patterns, distinct pressure-temperature melting relations, and vibrational Raman spectra. Morphologies of ice crystals and their pressure-temperature melting relations were directly observed in a hydrothermal diamond-anvil cell for H2O bulk densities between 1203 and 1257 kilograms per cubic meter at temperatures between -10??and 50??C. Under these conditions, four different ice forms were observed to melt: two stable phases, ice V and ice VI, and two metastable phases, ice IV and the new ice phase. The Raman spectra and crystal morphology are consistent with a disordered anisotropic structure with some similarities to ice VI.

Health behavior change in pregnant women: a two-phase study.

PubMed

Davis, Ann M; Wambach, Karen A; Nelson, Eve Lynn; Odar, Cathleen; Lillis, Teresa; McKinley, Amanda; Gallagher, Mia

2014-12-01

Maternal health behaviors during pregnancy/infancy can have a significant impact on maternal and child health. Many women engage in health risk behaviors during pregnancy. Multiple health behavior change (MHBC) interventions provide support to change health behaviors, but further information is needed on potential targets for such an intervention, as well as on the feasibility of technology use and e-health with this population. Two studies were completed as part of this project. First, a survey to examine views regarding health behaviors, desires to change health behaviors, and use of technology was completed by 68 pregnant women presenting for routine care. Based on survey findings, a brief MHBC e-health educational intervention related to breastfeeding, healthy nutrition/lifestyle, and stress management, using iPad(®) (Apple, Cupertino, CA) and text-messaging media, was then developed and piloted in the home with five pregnant women. In the survey, the majority of participants reported interest in receiving help to improve health behaviors, including losing weight or eating a healthier diet, breastfeeding, smoking cessation, and help with depression. The majority of women reported access to a computer with Internet, a phone, and frequent use of text messaging. In the second phase, results suggest that the home-based intervention was feasible and that the technology was convenient and user-friendly. Pregnant women are interested in improving health behaviors and found a brief technology-based e-health intervention feasible, convenient, and user-friendly. In-home technology appears to be a feasible and convenient approach to addressing the multiple health behavior change needs of pregnant women.

Evolution of the phase 2 preparation and observation tools at ESO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dorigo, D.; Amarand, B.; Bierwirth, T.; Jung, Y.; Santos, P.; Sogni, F.; Vera, I.

2012-09-01

Throughout the course of many years of observations at the VLT, the phase 2 software applications supporting the specification, execution and reporting of observations have been continuously improved and refined. Specifically the introduction of astronomical surveys propelled the creation of new tools to express more sophisticated, longer-term observing strategies often consisting of several hundreds of observations. During the execution phase, such survey programs compete with other service and visitor mode observations and a number of constraints have to be considered. In order to maximize telescope utilization and execute all programs in a fair way, new algorithms have been developed to prioritize observable OBs taking into account both current and future constraints (e.g. OB time constraints, technical telescope time) and suggest the next OB to be executed. As a side effect, a higher degree of observation automation enables operators to run telescopes mostly autonomously with little supervision by a support astronomer. We describe the new tools that have been deployed and the iterative and incremental software development process applied to develop them. We present our key software technologies used so far and discuss potential future evolution both in terms of features as well as software technologies.

Problem behaviors of low-income children with language delays: an observation study.

PubMed

Qi, Cathy Huaqing; Kaiser, Ann P

2004-06-01

Children from low-income families are at increased risk for significant behavioral and language problems. Early identification of these problems is essential for effective intervention. The purpose of the present study was to use multiple behavioral assessments to examine the behavioral profiles of sixty 3- and 4-year-old children from low-income families enrolled in Head Start programs and to compare the behavior characteristics of 32 children with language delays with those of 28 children with typical language development. Teachers completed the Child Behavior Checklist/Caregiver-Teacher Report Form/2-5 (CTRF; T. M. Achenbach, 1997) and the Social Skills Rating System (SSRS; F. M. Gresham and S. N. Elliott, 1990), and children were observed in the classrooms during structured and unstructured activities. Children with language delays exhibited more problem behaviors and poorer social skills on some of the observational measures than did children with typical language development, as predicted, but not on all.

Observing behavior in a computer game.

PubMed Central

Case, D A; Ploog, B O; Fantino, E

1990-01-01

Contingencies studied in lever-pressing procedures were incorporated into a popular computer game, "Star Trek," played by college students. One putative reinforcer, the opportunity to destroy Klingon invaders, was scheduled independently of responding according to a variable-time schedule that alternated unpredictably with equal periods of Klingon unavailability (mixed variable time, extinction schedule of reinforcement). Two commands ("observing responses") each produced stimuli that were either correlated or uncorrelated with the two components. In several variations of the basic game, an S-, or bad news, was not as reinforcing as an S+, or good news. In addition, in other conditions for the same subjects observing responses were not maintained better by bad news than by an uninformative stimulus. In both choices, more observing tended to be maintained by an S- for response-independent Klingons when its information could be (and was) used to advantage with respect to other types of reinforcement in the situation (Parts 1 and 2) than when the information could not be so used (Part 3). The findings favor the conditioned reinforcement hypothesis of observing behavior over the uncertainty-reduction hypothesis. This extends research to a more natural setting and to multialternative concurrent schedules of events of seemingly intrinsic value. PMID:2103581

A Role of Phase-Resetting in Coordinating Large Scale Neural Networks During Attention and Goal-Directed Behavior

PubMed Central

Voloh, Benjamin; Womelsdorf, Thilo

2016-01-01

Short periods of oscillatory activation are ubiquitous signatures of neural circuits. A broad range of studies documents not only their circuit origins, but also a fundamental role for oscillatory activity in coordinating information transfer during goal directed behavior. Recent studies suggest that resetting the phase of ongoing oscillatory activity to endogenous or exogenous cues facilitates coordinated information transfer within circuits and between distributed brain areas. Here, we review evidence that pinpoints phase resetting as a critical marker of dynamic state changes of functional networks. Phase resets: (1) set a “neural context” in terms of narrow band frequencies that uniquely characterizes the activated circuits; (2) impose coherent low frequency phases to which high frequency activations can synchronize, identifiable as cross-frequency correlations across large anatomical distances; (3) are critical for neural coding models that depend on phase, increasing the informational content of neural representations; and (4) likely originate from the dynamics of canonical E-I circuits that are anatomically ubiquitous. These multiple signatures of phase resets are directly linked to enhanced information transfer and behavioral success. We survey how phase resets re-organize oscillations in diverse task contexts, including sensory perception, attentional stimulus selection, cross-modal integration, Pavlovian conditioning, and spatial navigation. The evidence we consider suggests that phase-resets can drive changes in neural excitability, ensemble organization, functional networks, and ultimately, overt behavior. PMID:27013986

In Situ Visualization of the Phase Behavior of Oil Samples Under Refinery Process Conditions.

PubMed

Laborde-Boutet, Cedric; McCaffrey, William C

2017-02-21

To help address production issues in refineries caused by the fouling of process units and lines, we have developed a setup as well as a method to visualize the behavior of petroleum samples under process conditions. The experimental setup relies on a custom-built micro-reactor fitted with a sapphire window at the bottom, which is placed over the objective of an inverted microscope equipped with a cross-polarizer module. Using reflection microscopy enables the visualization of opaque samples, such as petroleum vacuum residues, or asphaltenes. The combination of the sapphire window from the micro-reactor with the cross-polarizer module of the microscope on the light path allows high-contrast imaging of isotropic and anisotropic media. While observations are carried out, the micro-reactor can be heated to the temperature range of cracking reactions (up to 450 °C), can be subjected to H2 pressure relevant to hydroconversion reactions (up to 16 MPa), and can stir the sample by magnetic coupling. Observations are typically carried out by taking snapshots of the sample under cross-polarized light at regular time intervals. Image analyses may not only provide information on the temperature, pressure, and reactive conditions yielding phase separation, but may also give an estimate of the evolution of the chemical (absorption/reflection spectra) and physical (refractive index) properties of the sample before the onset of phase separation.

Concatenation of Observed Grasp Phases with Observer’s Distal Movements: A Behavioural and TMS Study

PubMed Central

De Stefani, Elisa; Innocenti, Alessandro; De Marco, Doriana; Gentilucci, Maurizio

2013-01-01

The present study aimed at determining how actions executed by two conspecifics can be coordinated with each other, or more specifically, how the observation of different phases of a reaching-grasping action is temporary related to the execution of a movement of the observer. Participants observed postures of initial finger opening, maximal finger aperture, and final finger closing of grasp after observation of an initial hand posture. Then, they opened or closed their right thumb and index finger (experiments 1, 2 and 3). Response times decreased, whereas acceleration and velocity of actual finger movements increased when observing the two late phases of grasp. In addition, the results ruled out the possibility that this effect was due to salience of the visual stimulus when the hand was close to the target and confirmed an effect of even hand postures in addition to hand apparent motion due to the succession of initial hand posture and grasp phase. In experiments 4 and 5, the observation of grasp phases modulated even foot movements and pronunciation of syllables. Finally, in experiment 6, transcranial magnetic stimulation applied to primary motor cortex 300 ms post-stimulus induced an increase in hand motor evoked potentials of opponens pollicis muscle when observing the two late phases of grasp. These data suggest that the observation of grasp phases induced simulation which was stronger during observation of finger closing. This produced shorter response times, greater acceleration and velocity of the successive movement. In general, our data suggest best concatenation between two movements (one observed and the other executed) when the observed (and simulated) movement was to be accomplished. The mechanism joining the observation of a conspecific’s action with our own movement may be precursor of social functions. It may be at the basis for interactions between conspecifics, and related to communication between individuals. PMID:24278395

Effect of Secondary Phase Precipitation on the Corrosion Behavior of Duplex Stainless Steels.

PubMed

Chan, Kai Wang; Tjong, Sie Chin

2014-07-22

Duplex stainless steels (DSSs) with austenitic and ferritic phases have been increasingly used for many industrial applications due to their good mechanical properties and corrosion resistance in acidic, caustic and marine environments. However, DSSs are susceptible to intergranular, pitting and stress corrosion in corrosive environments due to the formation of secondary phases. Such phases are induced in DSSs during the fabrication, improper heat treatment, welding process and prolonged exposure to high temperatures during their service lives. These include the precipitation of sigma and chi phases at 700-900 °C and spinodal decomposition of ferritic grains into Cr-rich and Cr-poor phases at 350-550 °C, respectively. This article gives the state-of the-art review on the microstructural evolution of secondary phase formation and their effects on the corrosion behavior of DSSs.

Observing preschoolers' social-emotional behavior: structure, foundations, and prediction of early school success.

PubMed

Denham, Susanne A; Bassett, Hideko Hamada; Thayer, Sara K; Mincic, Melissa S; Sirotkin, Yana S; Zinsser, Katherine

2012-01-01

Social-emotional behavior of 352 3- and 4-year-olds attending private child-care and Head Start programs was observed using the Minnesota Preschool Affect Checklist, Revised (MPAC-R). Goals of the investigation included (a) using MPAC-R data to extract a shortened version, MPAC-R/S, comparing structure, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and stability of both versions; and, using the shortened measure, to examine (b) age, gender, and risk status differences in social-emotional behaviors; (c) contributions of emotion knowledge and executive function to social-emotional behaviors; and (d) contributions of social-emotional behaviors to early school adjustment and kindergarten academic success. Results show that reliability of MPAC-R/S was as good, or better, than the MPAC-R. MPAC-R/S structure, at both times of observation, included emotionally negative/aggressive, emotionally regulated/prosocial, and emotionally positive/productive behaviors; MPAC-R structure was similar but less replicable over time. Age, gender, and risk differences were found. Children's emotion knowledge contributed to later emotionally regulated/prosocial behavior. Finally, preschool emotionally negative/aggressive behaviors were associated with concurrent and kindergarten school success, and there was evidence of social-emotional behavior mediating relations between emotion knowledge or executive function, and school outcomes. The importance of portable, empirically supported observation measures of social-emotional behaviors is discussed along with possible applications, teacher utilization, and implementation barriers.

Earth Observing Scanning Polarimeter (EOSP), phase B

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

Evaluations performed during a Phase B study directed towards defining an optimal design for the Earth Observing Scanning Polarimeter (EOSP) instrument is summarized. An overview of the experiment approach is included which provides a summary of the scientific objectives, the background of the measurement approach, and the measurement method. In the instrumentation section, details of the design are discussed starting with the key instrument features required to accomplish the scientific objectives and a system characterization in terms of the Stokes vector/Mueller matrix formalism. This is followed by a detailing of the instrument design concept, the design of the individual elements of the system, the predicted performance, and a summary of appropriate instrument testing and calibration. The selected design makes use of key features of predecessor polarimeters and is fully compatible with the Earth Observing System spacecraft requirements.

The Effects of Perceived Normative Pressure and Observability of Behavior on Intention to Perform Sun Protection and Nutrition Behaviors on Behalf of Young Children among Parents

PubMed Central

Lewis, Nehama

2012-01-01

This paper describes research on two normative concepts thought to impact health behaviors: injunctive and descriptive norms. The study tests whether the extent to which the same health behavior is enacted in an observable or non-observable setting will lead to variation in normative influence on parent intention. In on-line experiments conducted in winter 2009, 467 participants were randomized to a behavioral scenario in which the health behavior was described as occurring in an observable or non-observable setting. For sun protection behaviors, observability primed the influence of descriptive norms on intention. For nutrition behaviors, observability primed the influence of injunctive norms on intention. Across both conditions, observability of the behavioral scenario increased the strength of the association between norms and intention. PMID:24610959

Lipid phase behavior studied with a quartz crystal microbalance: A technique for biophysical studies with applications in screening

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peschel, Astrid; Langhoff, Arne; Uhl, Eva; Dathathreyan, Aruna; Haindl, Susanne; Johannsmann, Diethelm; Reviakine, Ilya

2016-11-01

Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) is emerging as a versatile tool for studying lipid phase behavior. The technique is attractive for fundamental biophysical studies as well applications because of its simplicity, flexibility, and ability to work with very small amounts of material crucial for biomedical studies. Further progress hinges on the understanding of the mechanism, by which a surface-acoustic technique such as QCM, senses lipid phase changes. Here, we use a custom-built instrument with improved sensitivity to investigate phase behavior in solid-supported lipid systems of different geometries (adsorbed liposomes and bilayers). We show that we can detect a model anesthetic (ethanol) through its effect on the lipid phase behavior. Further, through the analysis of the overtone dependence of the phase transition parameters, we show that hydrodynamic effects are important in the case of adsorbed liposomes, and viscoelasticity is significant in supported bilayers, while layer thickness changes make up the strongest contribution in both systems.

Real-time atomistic observation of structural phase transformations in individual hafnia nanorods

DOE PAGES

Hudak, Bethany M.; Depner, Sean W.; Waetzig, Gregory R.; ...

2017-05-12

High-temperature phases of hafnium dioxide have exceptionally high dielectric constants and large bandgaps, but quenching them to room temperature remains a challenge. Scaling the bulk form to nanocrystals, while successful in stabilizing the tetragonal phase of isomorphous ZrO 2, has produced nanorods with a twinned version of the room temperature monoclinic phase in HfO 2. Here we use in situ heating in a scanning transmission electron microscope to observe the transformation of an HfO 2 nanorod from monoclinic to tetragonal, with a transformation temperature suppressed by over 1000°C from bulk. When the nanorod is annealed, we observe with atomic-scale resolutionmore » the transformation from twinned-monoclinic to tetragonal, starting at a twin boundary and propagating via coherent transformation dislocation; the nanorod is reduced to hafnium on cooling. Unlike the bulk displacive transition, nanoscale size-confinement enables us to manipulate the transformation mechanism, and we observe discrete nucleation events and sigmoidal nucleation and growth kinetics.« less

Observation of human tissue with phase-contrast x-ray computed tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Momose, Atsushi; Takeda, Tohoru; Itai, Yuji; Tu, Jinhong; Hirano, Keiichi

1999-05-01

Human tissues obtained from cancerous kidneys fixed in formalin were observed with phase-contrast X-ray computed tomography (CT) using 17.7-keV synchrotron X-rays. By measuring the distributions of the X-ray phase shift caused by samples using an X-ray interferometer, sectional images that map the distribution of the refractive index were reconstructed. Because of the high sensitivity of phase- contrast X-ray CT, a cancerous lesion was differentiated from normal tissue and a variety of other structures were revealed without the need for staining.

Developing the System for Observing Behavioral Ecology for Youth in Schools Instrument

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lorenz, Kent A.; van der Mars, Hans; Kulinna, Pamela H.; Ainsworth, Barbara E.; Hovell, Melbourne F.

2017-01-01

Background: Behavioral support may be effective in increasing physical activity (PA) in school settings. However, there are no data collection systems to concurrently record PA and behavioral support. This paper describes the development and validation of the System for Observing Behavioral Ecology for Youth in Schools (SOBEYS)--an instrument used…

Effect of glycerol and dimethyl sulfoxide on the phase behavior of lysozyme: Theory and experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gögelein, Christoph; Wagner, Dana; Cardinaux, Frédéric; Nägele, Gerhard; Egelhaaf, Stefan U.

2012-01-01

Salt, glycerol, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) are used to modify the properties of protein solutions. We experimentally determined the effect of these additives on the phase behavior of lysozyme solutions. Upon the addition of glycerol and DMSO, the fluid-solid transition and the gas-liquid coexistence curve (binodal) shift to lower temperatures and the gap between them increases. The experimentally observed trends are consistent with our theoretical predictions based on the thermodynamic perturbation theory and the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek model for the lysozyme-lysozyme pair interactions. The values of the parameters describing the interactions, namely the refractive indices, dielectric constants, Hamaker constant and cut-off length, are extracted from literature or are experimentally determined by independent experiments, including static light scattering, to determine the second virial coefficient. We observe that both, glycerol and DMSO, render the potential more repulsive, while sodium chloride reduces the repulsion.

Observed and Self-Reported Pesticide Protective Behaviors of Latino Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers

PubMed Central

Walton, AnnMarie Lee; LePrevost, Catherine; Wong, Bob; Linnan, Laura; Sanchez-Birkhead, Ana; Mooney, Kathi

2016-01-01

Agricultural pesticide exposure has potential adverse health effects for farmworkers that may be reduced by pesticide protective behaviors (PPBs). The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Worker Protection Standard (WPS) requires PPBs be taught to farmworkers prior to field work. Studies to date have not utilized observational methods to evaluate the degree to which PPBs are practiced by Latino migrant and seasonal farmworkers in the United States. The purpose of this study was to describe, compare, and contrast observed and self-reported PPBs used by Latino farmworkers; both PPBs that the WPS requires be taught and other PPBs were included. Observed and self-reported data were collected from 71 Latino farmworkers during the 2014 tobacco growing season in North Carolina. Participants were consistent in reporting and using long pants and closed shoes in the field most of the time. In addition, gloves, hats/bandanas, and water-resistant outerwear were frequently observed, although they are not required to be taught by the WPS. Farmworkers reported more long-sleeve (p = .028) and glove use (p = .000) than what was observed. It was uncommon to observe washing behavior before eating or drinking, even when washing supplies were available. Washing behaviors were significantly overreported for hand (p = .000; (p = .000) and face (p = .000; (p = .058) washing before eating and drinking in the field. This study documents that protective clothing behaviors that the WPS requires be taught, plus a few others are commonly practiced by Latino migrant and seasonal farmworkers, but washing behaviors in the field are not. Targeted strategies to improve washing behaviors in the field are needed. PMID:26918841

Observed Emotional and Behavioral Indicators of Motivation Predict School Readiness in Head Start Graduates

PubMed Central

Berhenke, Amanda; Miller, Alison L.; Brown, Eleanor; Seifer, Ronald; Dickstein, Susan

2011-01-01

Emotions and behaviors observed during challenging tasks are hypothesized to be valuable indicators of young children's motivation, the assessment of which may be particularly important for children at risk for school failure. The current study demonstrated reliability and concurrent validity of a new observational assessment of motivation in young children. Head Start graduates completed challenging puzzle and trivia tasks during their kindergarten year. Children's emotion expression and task engagement were assessed based on their observed facial and verbal expressions and behavioral cues. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that observed persistence and shame predicted teacher ratings of children's academic achievement, whereas interest, anxiety, pride, shame, and persistence predicted children's social skills and learning-related behaviors. Children's emotional and behavioral responses to challenge thus appeared to be important indicators of school success. Observation of such responses may be a useful and valid alternative to self-report measures of motivation at this age. PMID:21949599

Observed Emotional and Behavioral Indicators of Motivation Predict School Readiness in Head Start Graduates.

PubMed

Berhenke, Amanda; Miller, Alison L; Brown, Eleanor; Seifer, Ronald; Dickstein, Susan

2011-01-01

Emotions and behaviors observed during challenging tasks are hypothesized to be valuable indicators of young children's motivation, the assessment of which may be particularly important for children at risk for school failure. The current study demonstrated reliability and concurrent validity of a new observational assessment of motivation in young children. Head Start graduates completed challenging puzzle and trivia tasks during their kindergarten year. Children's emotion expression and task engagement were assessed based on their observed facial and verbal expressions and behavioral cues. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that observed persistence and shame predicted teacher ratings of children's academic achievement, whereas interest, anxiety, pride, shame, and persistence predicted children's social skills and learning-related behaviors. Children's emotional and behavioral responses to challenge thus appeared to be important indicators of school success. Observation of such responses may be a useful and valid alternative to self-report measures of motivation at this age.

Development of pile foundation bias factors using observed behavior of platforms during Hurricane Andrew

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

Aggarwal, R.K.; Litton, R.W.; Cornell, C.A.

1996-12-31

The performance of more than 3,000 offshore platforms in the Gulf of Mexico was observed during the passage of Hurricane Andrew in August 1992. This event provided an opportunity to test the procedures used for platform analysis and design. A global bias was inferred for overall platform capacity and loads in the Andrew Joint Industry Project (JIP) Phase 1. It was predicted that the pile foundations of several platforms should have failed, but did not. These results indicated that the biases specific to foundation failure modes may be higher than those of jacket failure modes. The biases in predictions ofmore » foundation failure modes were therefore investigated further in this study. The work included capacity analysis and calibration of predictions with the observed behavior for 3 jacket platforms and 3 caissons using Bayesian updating. Bias factors for two foundation failure modes, lateral shear and overturning, were determined for each structure. Foundation capacity estimates using conventional methods were found to be conservatively biased overall.« less

The behavior of a macroscopic granular material in vortex flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nishikawa, Asami

A granular material is defined as a collection of discrete particles such as powder and grain. Granular materials display a large number of complex behaviors. In this project, the behavior of macroscopic granular materials under tornado-like vortex airflow, with varying airflow velocity, was observed and studied. The experimental system was composed of a 9.20-cm inner diameter acrylic pipe with a metal mesh bottom holding the particles, a PVC duct, and an airflow source controlled by a variable auto-transformer, and a power-meter. A fixed fan blade was attached to the duct's inner wall to create a tornado-like vortex airflow from straight flow. As the airflow velocity was increased gradually, the behavior of a set of same-diameter granular materials was observed. The observed behaviors were classified into six phases based on the macroscopic mechanical dynamics. Through this project, we gained insights on the significant parameters for a computer simulation of a similar system by Heath Rice [5]. Comparing computationally and experimentally observed phase diagrams, we can see similar structure. The experimental observations showed the effect of initial arrangement of particles on the phase transitions.

Phase behavior and reactive transport of partial melt in heterogeneous mantle model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jordan, J.; Hesse, M. A.

2013-12-01

front that followes a stationary melting front which creates low porosity intermediate states. Therefore, localization of the melt flow is not observed because the precipitation front is stable and the melting front is always stationary under these conditions. This analysis illustrates the counterintuitive behavior that can arise when the phase behavior is taken into account and is a first step to understanding reactive melt transport and the reactive constraints on channelization in partial melts. ¬¬

Phase behavior of Langmuir monolayers with ionic molecular heads: Molecular simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

González-Castro, Carlos A.; Ramírez-Santiago, Guillermo

2015-03-01

We carried out Monte Carlo simulations in the N ,Π,T ensemble of a Langmuir monolayer coarse-grained molecular model. Considering that the hydrophilic groups can be ionized by modulating acid-base interactions, here we study the phase behavior of a model that incorporates the short-range steric and long-range ionic interactions. The simulations were carried out in the reduced temperature range 0.1 ≤T*<4.0 , where there is a competition of these interactions. Different order parameters were calculated and analyzed for several values of the reduced surface pressure in the interval, 1 ≤Π*≤40. For most of the surface pressures two directions of molecular tilt were found: (i) towards the nearest neighbor (NN) at low temperatures, T*<0.7, and most of the values of Π* and (ii) towards next-nearest neighbors (NNN) in the temperature interval 0.7 ≤T*<1.1 for Π*<25. We also found the coexistence of the NN and NNN at intermediate temperatures and Π*>25 . A low-temperature reentrant disorder-order-disorder transition in the positions of the molecular heads and in the collective tilt of the tails was found for all the surface pressure values. It was also found that the molecular tails arranged forming "rotating patterns" in the temperature interval, 0.5 phase diagrams. It was found that the LE ↔LC phase transition shifts to smaller temperatures when the molecular heads carry an ion in qualitative agreement with experimental observations of fatty acid monolayers with ionic head groups. Two surface pressure versus area per molecule isotherms were also calculated. At low temperatures near the LC-NN ↔ LC-NNN transitions and at higher temperatures close to the LE ↔ LC transitions. From these isotherms the monolayer's area compression modulus was obtained and its variation ranges in the LE and LC phases were

PVDF-based semicrystalline-amorphous blends: Phase behavior and thermomechanical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campo, Cheryl Josephine

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) [PVDF]-based semicrystalline-amorphous blends were studied to better understand the degree to which transition temperatures and mechanical properties could be varied as a function of composition. Changes in the amorphous component, processing parameters, MW, and filler content were used to manipulate blend properties. Compositional and MW series of PVDF:poly(vinyl acetate) [PVAc] blends were prepared and characterized. Varying PVDF content led to appreciable changes in crystallinity. In contrast, the effect of composition on blend glass transition temperature, Tg, was manifested only at low PVDF contents. The effect of MWPVA, on the 30:70 PVDF:PVAc composition was manifested primarily in the materials' viscoelastic response to deformation. Ternary blends of PVDF, PVAc, and poly(methyl methacrylate) [PMMA] showed limited miscibility with both a PVAc- and PMMA-rich amorphous phase apparent in all the compositions tested. PVDF:PMMA blends on the other hand exhibited good miscibility characterized by tunable Tg values which were further exploited by varying the processing conditions in order to obtain thermomechanical properties ideal for bio-related shape memory applications. PVDF:poly(ethyl methacrylate) [PEMA] blends, despite having very broad transitions, similarly exhibited desirable transition temperatures for in vivo actuation. The effect of boron nitride (BN), short carbon fibers (SCF), and clay on blend properties was also assessed. SCF filler in 50:50 PVDF:PMMA led mainly to the formation of PVDF crystals in the alpha form, clay was observed to promote growth of the beta crystal form, and BN led to a mixture of crystal forms. BN also exhibited interesting effects in the creep behavior of this system as well as the crystallization behavior of the 50:50 PVDF:PEMA blend, suppressed kinetic crystallization competing with enhanced nucleation effect under isothermal conditions observed in the latter. Depending on the processing conditions

Phase behavior of the modified-Yukawa fluid and its sticky limit.

PubMed

Schöll-Paschinger, Elisabeth; Valadez-Pérez, Néstor E; Benavides, Ana L; Castañeda-Priego, Ramón

2013-11-14

Simple model systems with short-range attractive potentials have turned out to play a crucial role in determining theoretically the phase behavior of proteins or colloids. However, as pointed out by D. Gazzillo [J. Chem. Phys. 134, 124504 (2011)], one of these widely used model potentials, namely, the attractive hard-core Yukawa potential, shows an unphysical behavior when one approaches its sticky limit, since the second virial coefficient is diverging. However, it is exactly this second virial coefficient that is typically used to depict the experimental phase diagram for a large variety of complex fluids and that, in addition, plays an important role in the Noro-Frenkel scaling law [J. Chem. Phys. 113, 2941 (2000)], which is thus not applicable to the Yukawa fluid. To overcome this deficiency of the attractive Yukawa potential, D. Gazzillo has proposed the so-called modified hard-core attractive Yukawa fluid, which allows one to correctly obtain the second and third virial coefficients of adhesive hard-spheres starting from a system with an attractive logarithmic Yukawa-like interaction. In this work we present liquid-vapor coexistence curves for this system and investigate its behavior close to the sticky limit. Results have been obtained with the self-consistent Ornstein-Zernike approximation (SCOZA) for values of the reduced inverse screening length parameter up to 18. The accuracy of SCOZA has been assessed by comparison with Monte Carlo simulations.

Observational constraints on mixed-phase clouds imply higher climate sensitivity

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

Tan, Ivy; Storelvmo, Trude; Zelinka, Mark D.

Global climate model (GCM) estimates of the equilibrium global mean surface temperature response to a doubling of atmospheric CO 2, measured by the equilibrium climate sensitivity (ECS), range from 2.0° to 4.6°C. Clouds are among the leading causes of this uncertainty. Here, in this paper, we show that the ECS can be up to 1.3°C higher in simulations where mixed-phase clouds consisting of ice crystals and supercooled liquid droplets are constrained by global satellite observations. The higher ECS estimates are directly linked to a weakened cloud-phase feedback arising from a decreased cloud glaciation rate in a warmer climate. Finally, wemore » point out the need for realistic representations of the supercooled liquid fraction in mixed-phase clouds in GCMs, given the sensitivity of the ECS to the cloud-phase feedback.« less

Observational constraints on mixed-phase clouds imply higher climate sensitivity

DOE PAGES

Tan, Ivy; Storelvmo, Trude; Zelinka, Mark D.

2016-04-08

Global climate model (GCM) estimates of the equilibrium global mean surface temperature response to a doubling of atmospheric CO 2, measured by the equilibrium climate sensitivity (ECS), range from 2.0° to 4.6°C. Clouds are among the leading causes of this uncertainty. Here, in this paper, we show that the ECS can be up to 1.3°C higher in simulations where mixed-phase clouds consisting of ice crystals and supercooled liquid droplets are constrained by global satellite observations. The higher ECS estimates are directly linked to a weakened cloud-phase feedback arising from a decreased cloud glaciation rate in a warmer climate. Finally, wemore » point out the need for realistic representations of the supercooled liquid fraction in mixed-phase clouds in GCMs, given the sensitivity of the ECS to the cloud-phase feedback.« less

Observational constraints on mixed-phase clouds imply higher climate sensitivity.

PubMed

Tan, Ivy; Storelvmo, Trude; Zelinka, Mark D

2016-04-08

Global climate model (GCM) estimates of the equilibrium global mean surface temperature response to a doubling of atmospheric CO2, measured by the equilibrium climate sensitivity (ECS), range from 2.0° to 4.6°C. Clouds are among the leading causes of this uncertainty. Here we show that the ECS can be up to 1.3°C higher in simulations where mixed-phase clouds consisting of ice crystals and supercooled liquid droplets are constrained by global satellite observations. The higher ECS estimates are directly linked to a weakened cloud-phase feedback arising from a decreased cloud glaciation rate in a warmer climate. We point out the need for realistic representations of the supercooled liquid fraction in mixed-phase clouds in GCMs, given the sensitivity of the ECS to the cloud-phase feedback. Copyright © 2016, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Effect of Secondary Phase Precipitation on the Corrosion Behavior of Duplex Stainless Steels

PubMed Central

Chan, Kai Wang; Tjong, Sie Chin

2014-01-01

Duplex stainless steels (DSSs) with austenitic and ferritic phases have been increasingly used for many industrial applications due to their good mechanical properties and corrosion resistance in acidic, caustic and marine environments. However, DSSs are susceptible to intergranular, pitting and stress corrosion in corrosive environments due to the formation of secondary phases. Such phases are induced in DSSs during the fabrication, improper heat treatment, welding process and prolonged exposure to high temperatures during their service lives. These include the precipitation of sigma and chi phases at 700–900 °C and spinodal decomposition of ferritic grains into Cr-rich and Cr-poor phases at 350–550 °C, respectively. This article gives the state-of the-art review on the microstructural evolution of secondary phase formation and their effects on the corrosion behavior of DSSs. PMID:28788129

Definition of two-phase flow behaviors for spacecraft design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reinarts, Thomas R.; Best, Frederick R.; Miller, Katherine M.; Hill, Wayne S.

1991-01-01

Data for complete models of two-phase flow in microgravity are taken from in-flight experiments and applied to an adiabatic flow-regime analysis to study the feasibility of two-phase systems for spacecraft. The data are taken from five in-flight experiments by Hill et al. (1990) in which a two-phase pump circulates a freon mixture and vapor and liquid flow streams are measured. Adiabatic flow regimes are analyzed based on the experimental superficial velocities of liquid and vapor, and comparisons are made with the results of two-phase flow regimes at 1 g. A motion analyzer records the flow characteristics at a rate of 1000 frames/sec, and stratified flow regimes are reported at 1 g. The flow regimes observed under microgravitational conditions are primarily annular and include slug and bubbly-slug regimes. The present data are of interest to the design and analysis of two-phase thermal-management systems for use in space missions.

Observations of a high-pressure phase creation in oleic acid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kościesza, R.; Kulisiewicz, L.; Delgado, A.

2010-03-01

Oleic acid is one of the unsaturated fatty acids which frequently appears in food products such as edible fats and oils. A molecule of oleic acid possesses a double carbon bond, C=C, which is responsible for a transition to a new phase when pressure is applied. This work presents the results of optical observations of such a transition. The observations were made in two cases, the first being static p-T conditions under 60 MPa at 20°C and the other the dynamic application of the pressure up to 350 MPa. The obtained visualization reveals differences in the creation of the phase and in its further appearance. Some crystal forms may be recognized. These results tend to be of interest for food engineers due to increasing interest in high-pressure food preservation among nutritionists and medical scientists concerned with fatty acids.

Phase Transformation and Aging Behavior of Al0.5CoCrFeNiSi0.2 High-Entropy Alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, C.; Wu, G. F.; Dai, P. Q.

2015-05-01

An Al0.5CoCrFeNiSi0.2 high-entropy alloy was prepared by vacuum arc melting. The alloy was aged from 700 to 1100 °C. The effects of aging on the phase transformation and mechanical performances were explored. The as-cast alloy showed a dendritic (DR) microstructure. The DR region was an Fe,Cr-rich FCC phase, while the interdendritic (ID) region was a spinodal structure composed of Fe,Cr-rich BCC (A2) and Ni,Al-rich BCC (B2) phases. At aging temperatures between 700 and 900 °C, the Fe,Cr-rich BCC (A2) phase in the ID region transformed into σ and Fe,Cr-rich FCC phases. Meanwhile, some Ni,Al-rich FCC phase particles precipitated from the DR region. During aging at 1100 °C, the DR microstructure disappeared, and a microstructure composed of Fe,Cr-rich FCC and Ni,Al-rich BCC (B2) phases both possessing a lamellar shape was developed. The alloy exhibited evident hardening and lower tensile strain when the aging temperature was lower than 1000 °C, which was mainly attributed to the generation of the σ phase in the ID region. However, a contrasting behavior was observed when the aging temperature was higher than 1000 °C, which was attributed to the redissolution of the σ phase and the microstructure coarsening.

The role of H2O in controlling the eruptive behavior observed during 2008 Chaitén eruption

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forte, Pablo; Castro, Jonathan

2016-04-01

Although highly explosive and with the capacity of producing impacts in a world-wide scale, the underlying mechanisms driving rhyolitic eruptions are not yet fully understood. The lower frequency of these events in comparison to intermediate composition and mafic magmatic eruptions has hampered observation-based studies of rhyolite activity in last century. But in 2008, the eruption of Chaitén volcano (Southern Chile), gave us the first view of a rhyolitic eruptive cycle, start to finish. After an initial explosive phase that lasted for 10 days, the vigour of the eruption decreased and gave way to an effusive phase that was characterized by the emplacement of a dome complex. Surprisingly, a transitional phase between them was identified, with the simultaneous occurrence of explosive and effusive activity (Pallister et al. 2013). During the eruption, vast amounts of glassy rhyolite bombs with H2O contents ranging from 0.1 to 1.58 wt. % H2O were produced (Castro et al. 2012). It is already well known that H2O is one of the main players involved in the evolution of rhyolitic systems and in the occurrence of explosive volcanic eruptions (eg. Zhang et al. 2007). In this study, we conducted 90 high-temperature, 1 atm experiments in order to constrain degassing systematics and resultant foaming/fragmentation behavior of magma residing in the last hundred meters of Chaitén's volcanic conduit. By using cylindrical cores (4 x 10 mm) drilled from obsidian bombs and lava dome samples, isothermal experiments were performed at temperatures between 740° and 1030°C among the whole range of H2O contents measured in the deposits. Due to the experimental design developed, the complete evolution of the experiments was possible to monitor through a sapphire window with high-speed and conventional video cameras. Post-experiment video analysis has revealed 3 types of behaviors of the samples: a) expansion followed by equilibrium (constant volume), b) expansion followed by shrinking

A comparison of the effects of hard rock and easy listening on the frequency of observed inappropriate behaviors: control of environmental antecedents in a large public area.

PubMed

Harris, C S; Bradley, R J; Titus, S K

1992-01-01

Observation of clients at a state mental health hospital by direct care staff indicated that they appeared to act in more inappropriate ways when "hard rock" or "rap" music was played in an open courtyard than when "easy listening" or "country" music was played. A study was conducted to compare the inappropriate behavior of clients when hard rock and rap music were played (21 days), followed by easy listening and country and western music (21 days). This comparison was followed by a reversal phase in which hard rock and rap music were again played (18 days). The behaviors of the clients were observed and recorded via a controlled methodology. The results demonstrated that more inappropriate behavior was observed under conditions in which hard rock and rap music were played than when easy listening and country western music were played. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Day and night: diurnal phase influences the response to chronic mild stress

PubMed Central

Aslani, Shilan; Harb, Mazen R.; Costa, Patricio S.; Almeida, Osborne F. X.; Sousa, Nuno; Palha, Joana A.

2014-01-01

Chronic mild stress (CMS) protocols are widely used to create animal models of depression. Despite this, the inconsistencies in the reported effects may be indicative of crucial differences in methodology. Here, we considered the time of the diurnal cycle in which stressors are applied as a possible relevant temporal variable underlying the association between stress and behavior. Most laboratories test behavior during the light phase of the diurnal cycle, which corresponds to the animal's resting period. Here, rats stressed either in their resting (light phase) or active (dark phase) periods were behaviorally characterized in the light phase. When exposure to CMS occurred during the light phase of the day cycle, rats displayed signs of depressive and anxiety-related behaviors. This phenotype was not observed when CMS was applied during the dark (active) period. Interestingly, although no differences in spatial and reference memory were detected (Morris water maze) in animals in either stress period, those stressed in the light phase showed marked impairments in the probe test. These animals also showed significant dendritic atrophy in the hippocampal dentate granule neurons, with a decrease in the number of spines. Taken together, the observations reported demonstrate that the time in which stress is applied has differential effects on behavioral and neurostructural phenotypes. PMID:24672446

An investigation into the flow behavior of a single phase gas system and a two phase gas/liquid system in normal gravity with nonuniform heating from above

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Disimile, Peter J.; Heist, Timothy J.

1990-01-01

The fluid behavior in normal gravity of a single phase gas system and a two phase gas/liquid system in an enclosed circular cylinder heated suddenly and nonuniformly from above was investigated. Flow visualization was used to obtain qualitative data on both systems. The use of thermochromatic liquid crystal particles as liquid phase flow tracers was evaluated as a possible means of simultaneously gathering both flow pattern and temperature gradient data for the two phase system. The results of the flow visualization experiments performed on both systems can be used to gain a better understanding of the behavior of such systems in a reduced gravity environment and aid in the verification of a numerical model of the system.

Thermodynamic phase behavior of API/polymer solid dispersions.

PubMed

Prudic, Anke; Ji, Yuanhui; Sadowski, Gabriele

2014-07-07

To improve the bioavailability of poorly soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), these materials are often integrated into a polymer matrix that acts as a carrier. The resulting mixture is called a solid dispersion. In this work, the phase behaviors of solid dispersions were investigated as a function of the API as well as of the type and molecular weight of the carrier polymer. Specifically, the solubility of artemisinin and indomethacin was measured in different poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEG 400, PEG 6000, and PEG 35000). The measured solubility data and the solubility of sulfonamides in poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) K10 and PEG 35000 were modeled using the perturbed-chain statistical associating fluid theory (PC-SAFT). The results show that PC-SAFT predictions are in a good accordance with the experimental data, and PC-SAFT can be used to predict the whole phase diagram of an API/polymer solid dispersion as a function of the kind of API and polymer and of the polymer's molecular weight. This remarkably simplifies the screening process for suitable API/polymer combinations.

Influence of carbon content on the copper-telluride phase formation and on the resistive switching behavior of carbon alloyed Cu-Te conductive bridge random access memory cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Devulder, Wouter; Opsomer, Karl; Franquet, Alexis; Meersschaut, Johan; Belmonte, Attilio; Muller, Robert; De Schutter, Bob; Van Elshocht, Sven; Jurczak, Malgorzata; Goux, Ludovic; Detavernier, Christophe

2014-02-01

In this paper, we investigate the influence of the carbon content on the Cu-Te phase formation and on the resistive switching behavior in carbon alloyed Cu0.6Te0.4 based conductive bridge random access memory (CBRAM) cells. Carbon alloying of copper-tellurium inhibits the crystallization, while attractive switching behavior is preserved when using the material as Cu-supply layer in CBRAM cells. The phase formation is first investigated in a combinatorial way. With increasing carbon content, an enlargement of the temperature window in which the material stays amorphous was observed. Moreover, if crystalline phases are formed, subsequent phase transformations are inhibited. The electrical switching behavior of memory cells with different carbon contents is then investigated by implementing them in 580 μm diameter dot TiN/Cu0.6Te0.4-C/Al2O3/Si memory cells. Reliable switching behavior is observed for carbon contents up to 40 at. %, with a resistive window of more than 2 orders of magnitude, whereas for 50 at. % carbon, a higher current in the off state and only a small resistive window are present after repeated cycling. This degradation can be ascribed to the higher thermal and lower drift contribution to the reset operation due to a lower Cu affinity towards the supply layer, leading cycle-after-cycle to an increasing amount of Cu in the switching layer, which contributes to the current. The thermal diffusion of Cu into Al2O3 under annealing also gives an indication of the Cu affinity of the source layer. Time of flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy was used to investigate this migration depth in Al2O3 before and after annealing, showing a higher Cu, Te, and C migration for high carbon contents.

Live Versus Televised Observations of Social Behavior in Preschool Children.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Paulson, F. Leon

1972-01-01

An investigation to compare systematic behavioral observations made live with those made on television was conducted. The study was designed to answer three questions: (1) Is there a difference in the agreement between observers (Os) when both view an event Live and when both view the same event on Television? (2) Is there a difference in…

Social norms of accompanied young children and observed crossing behaviors.

PubMed

Rosenbloom, Tova; Sapir-Lavid, Yael; Hadari-Carmi, Ofri

2009-01-01

Social norms for accompanied young children and crossing behaviors were examined in two studies conducted in an Ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in Israel. In Study 1, road behaviors of young children crossing with and without accompaniment and older children were observed, and the actual social norm for accompanied school children younger than 9-years-old was examined. In Study 2, the perceived norm of accompaniment was tested by questionnaires. Young children who crossed without accompaniment exhibited poorer crossing skills compared to older children and to young children crossing with accompaniment. In the four locations observed, the actual accompaniment rate ranged between 15%-60%. The perceived social norm for child accompaniment was lower than the actual norm. The discussion refers to both theoretical issues and their practical implications.

Surface phase stability and surfactant behavior of InAsSb alloy surfaces.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, Evan M.; Lundquist, Adam M.; Pearson, Chris; Millunchick, Joanna M.

InAsSb has the narrowest bandgap of any of the conventional III-V semiconductors: low enough for long wavelength infrared applications. Such devices are sensitive to point defects, which can be detrimental to performance. To control these defects, all aspects of synthesis must be considered, especially the atomic bonding at the surface. We use an ab initio statistical mechanics approach that combines density functional theory with a cluster expansion formalism to determine the stable surface reconstructions of Sb (As) on InAs (InSb) substrates. The surface phase diagram of Sb on InAs is dominated by Sb-dimer termination α2(2x4) and β2(2x4) and c(4x4). Smaller regions of mixed Sb-As dimers appear for high Sb chemical potentials and intermediate As chemical potential. We propose that InAsSb films could be grown on (2x4), which maintain bulk-like stoichiometry, to eliminate the formation of typically observed n-type defects. Scanning tunneling microscopy and reflection high energy electron diffraction confirm the calculated phase diagram. Based on these calculations, we propose a new mechanism for the surfactant behavior of Sb in these materials. We gratefully acknowledge Chakrapani Varanasi and the support of the Department of Defense, Army Research Office via the Grant Number W911NF-12-1-0338.

Multispacecraft Observations and 3D Structure of Electromagnetic Electron Phase-Space Holes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holmes, J.; Ahmadi, N.; Ergun, R.; Wilder, F. D.; Newman, D. L.; Le Contel, O.; Torbert, R. B.; Burch, J. L.

2017-12-01

Electron phase-space holes are nonlinear plasma structures characterized by a unipolar trapping potential with a radial electric field. They commonly form from beam instabilities and other turbulent processes in many plasma environments. Due to their strong fields and long lifetimes, it has been hypothesized that phase-space holes can carry energy over long distances, contribute to large-scale currents, and accelerate individual particles to high energies. With electromagnetic field measurements at high cadence and precision on more than two spacecraft, we can compare the real 3D structure of electron phase-space holes to the models suggested by Andersson et al. (2009) and Treumann and Baumjohann (2012). In this case study, we consider a train of correlated electron phase-space holes observed by all four MMS spacecraft on the dusk flank within the magnetosphere. A number of the holes appear to pass directly through the 7 km tetrahedron formation. We use this data to compute the holes' phase velocity vector relative to the background magnetic field, and quantify their internal currents and associated magnetic moments. For these weak magnetic signatures, we find that the contribution from internal E×B0 currents is comparable to the v×E effect. This study will be interesting to compare with MMS observations in the magnetotail, which are expected to capture large, semi-relativistic phase-space holes with a strong magnetic component.

Phase behavior in quaternary ammonium ionic liquid-propanol solutions: Hydrophobicity, molecular conformations, and isomer effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abe, Hiroshi; Kohki, Erica; Nakada, Ayumu; Kishimura, Hiroaki

2017-07-01

In ionic liquids (ILs), the effects of a quaternary ammonium cation containing a hydroxyl group were investigated and compared with the effect of a standard quaternary ammonium cation. The cation possessing a hydroxyl group is choline, Chol+, and the anion is bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, TFSI-. Crystal polymorphism of pure [Chol][TFSI] was observed upon both cooling and heating by simultaneous X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry measurements. In contrast, [N3111][TFSI] (N3111+: N-trimethyl-N-propylammonium), a standard IL, demonstrated simple crystallization upon cooling. By adding 1-propanol or 2-propanol, the phase behaviors of the [Chol][TFSI]-based and [N3111][TFSI]-based mixtures were clearly distinguished. By Raman spectroscopy, the TFSI- anion conformers in the liquid state were shown to vary according to the propanol concentration, propanol isomer, and type of cation. The anomalous behaviors of pure [Chol][TFSI] and its mixtures are derived from hydrogen bonding of the hydroxyl group of Chol+ cation coupled with the hydrophobicity and packing efficiency of propanol.

Brazilian Decimetre Array (Phase-1): Initial solar observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramesh, R.; Sawant, H. S.; Cecatto, J. R.; Faria, C.; Fernandes, F. C. R.; Kathiravan, C.; Suryanarayana, G. S.

An East-West one-dimensional radio interferometer array consisting of 5 parabolic dish antennas has been set-up at Cachoeira Paulista, Brazil (Longitude: 45°0'20″W, Latitude: 22°41'19″S) for observations of Sun and some of the strong sidereal sources by the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE), Brazil. This is Phase-1 of the proposed Brazilian Decimetre Array (BDA) and can be operated at any frequency in the range 1.2-1.7 GHz. The instrument is functional since November 2004 onwards at 1.6 GHz. The angular and temporal resolution at the above frequency range are ˜3' and 100 ms, respectively. We present here the initial solar observations carried out with this array.

Advancing the discussion about systematic classroom behavioral observation, a product review of Tenny, J. (2010). eCOVE observation software. Pacific City, OR: eCOVE Software, LLC.

PubMed

Froiland, John Mark; Smith, Liana

2014-05-01

Applied child psychologists and behavioral consultants often use systematic behavioral observations to inform the psychological assessment and intervention development process for children referred for attention and hyperactivity problems. This article provides a review of the 2010 version of the eCOVE classroom observation software in terms of its utility in tracking the progress of children with attention and hyperactive behaviors and its use in evaluating teacher behaviors that may impede or promote children's attention and positive behavior. The eCOVE shows promise as an efficient tool for psychologists and behavioral consultants who want to evaluate the effects of interventions for children with symptoms of ADHD, ODD, mood disorders and learning disorders; however, some research-based improvements for future models are suggested. The reviewers also share their firsthand experience in using eCOVE to evaluate teacher and student behavior exhibited on a television show about teaching urban high school students and during a movie about an eccentric new kindergarten teacher. Rich examples are provided of using strategic behavioral observations to reveal how to improve the classroom environment so as to facilitate attention, motivation and positive behavior among youth. Broader implications for enhancing the use of systematic behavioral observations in the assessment of children and adolescents with attention disorders and related behavioral problems are discussed. Key issues are examined such as the use of behavioral observations during psychological consultation to prevent the previously found gender bias in referrals for ADHD. Using behavioral observations to enhance differential diagnosis is also discussed.

Effects of Ethanol and Cholesterol on Thermotropic Phase Behavior of Ion-Pair Amphiphile Bilayers.

PubMed

Wen, Chih-Fang; Hsieh, Yu-Ling; Wang, Chun-Wei; Yang, Tzung-Ying; Chang, Chien-Hsiang; Yang, Yu-Min

2018-03-01

Ion-pair amphiphiles (IPAs, also known as catanionic surfactants) are lipid-like double-chained molecules potentially used for fabricating liposome-like vesicular drug and gene carriers. Frequently ethanol and cholesterol are added to modulate the properties of their bilayer membranes. Effects of ethanol and cholesterol on the fundamental properties of IPA bilayers such as thermotropic phase behavior, however, is not known. In this work, the bilayer phase transition behavior of two IPAs (decyltrimethylammonium-tetradecyl sulfate, DeTMA-TS, and dodecyltrimethylammonium-dodecyl sulfate, DTMA-DS) in tris buffer with various amounts of ethanol was studied by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Effect of cholesterol (CHOL) addition on bilayer phase transition of IPAs with 20 vol% ethanol was thereafter systematically investigated. The experimental results showed that the main phase transition temperature (T m ) was monotonously decreased with the increase of ethanol concentration up to 30 vol%. The degree of T m depression by ethanol is essentially the same for the two IPAs regardless of different symmetry in the hydrocarbon chains. Further addition of CHOL, however, caused a slight decrease in T m on the one hand and a significant decrease in the enthalpy of phase transition on the other hand. When the added CHOL exceeded a specific amount, the phase transition disappeared. More hasty disappearance of phase transition was found for IPA with asymmetric structure than the symmetric one. Possible mechanisms of ethanol effect based on binding in the headgroup region of the bilayers and CHOL effect based on opposite (condensing and disordering) interactions with IPA molecules in bilayers, respectively, were proposed.

The influence of spray-drying parameters on phase behavior, drug distribution, and in vitro release of injectable microspheres for sustained release.

PubMed

Meeus, Joke; Lenaerts, Maité; Scurr, David J; Amssoms, Katie; Davies, Martyn C; Roberts, Clive J; Van Den Mooter, Guy

2015-04-01

For ternary solid dispersions, it is indispensable to characterize their structure, phase behavior, and the spatial distribution of the dispersed drug as this might influence the release profile and/or stability of these formulations. This study shows how formulation (feed concentration) and process (feed rate, inlet air temperature, and atomizing air pressure) parameters can influence the characteristics of ternary spray-dried solid dispersions. The microspheres considered here consist of a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) surface layer and an underlying polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) phase. A poorly soluble active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) was molecularly dispersed in this matrix. Differences were observed in component miscibility, phase heterogeneity, particle size, morphology, as well as API surface coverage for selected spray-drying parameters. Observed differences are likely because of changes in the droplet generation, evaporation, and thus particle formation processes. However, varying particle characteristics did not influence the drug release of the formulations studied, indicating the robustness of this approach to produce particles of consistent drug release characteristics. This is likely because of the fact that the release is dominated by diffusion from the PVP layer through pores in the PLGA surface layer and that observed differences in the latter have no influence on the release. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association.

VLBI Phase-Referenced Observations on Southern Hemisphere HIPPARCOS Radio Start

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Guirado, J. C.; Preston, R. A.; Jones, D. L.; Lestrade, J. F.; Reynolds, J. E.; Jauncey, D. L.; Tzioumis, A. K.; Ferris, R. H.; King, E. A.; Lovell, J. E. J.;

Characterization of the Solid-Phase Behavior of n-Nonylammonium Tetrachlorocuprate by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ning, Guo

1995-06-01

The solid-phase behavior of [n-C9H19NH3]2CuCl4 was investigated by infrared spectroscopy. The nature of the three solid phases (phase I, phase II, and phase III) is discussed. A temperature-dependent study of infrared spectra provides evidence for the occurrence of structural phase transitions related to the dynamics of the alkyl chains and -NH3 polar heads. The phase transition at Tc1 (22°C) arises from variation in the interaction and packing structure of the chain. The phase transition at Tc2 (34°C) is related to variation in partial conformational order-disorder at the intramolecular level. The GTG or GTG‧ and small concentration of TG structures near the CH3 group are generated in phase III (above 38°C).

Surface phase behavior of di-n-tetradecyl hydrogen phosphate in Langmuir monolayers at the air-water interface.

PubMed

Hossain, Md Mufazzal; Iimura, Ken-Ichi; Kato, Teiji

2006-10-01

Surface phase behavior of di-n-tetradecyl hydrogen phosphate, DTP, has been studied by measuring pi-A isotherms with a film balance and observing monolayer morphology with a Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) at different temperatures. A generalized phase diagram, which shows a triple point for gas (G), liquid-expanded (LE) and liquid-condensed (LC) phases at about 32 degrees C, is constructed for the amphiphile. Below the triple point, a first-order G-LC phase transition has been shown to occur, whereas a first-order G-LE phase transition followed by another first-order LE-LC transition has been found to take place at a temperature above the triple point. The amphiphile shows the fingering LC domains with uniform brightness indicating the presence of untilted molecules. The domain shapes are independent of the change in temperature and compression rate. The existence of similar fingering domains over a wide range of temperature is rather uncommon in the monolayer systems and is considered to be due to the restricted movement of the molecules incorporating into the LC phase. Because the two-alkyl chains are directly attached to two covalent bonds of the phosphate head group, the rearrangement of the molecules, which is an essential condition for the circular domain formation, needs the movement of the whole molecules including the hydration sphere. The difficulty related to such a movement of the molecules causes fingering domains, which are independent of external variables.

Synthesis-driven, structure-dependent optical behavior in phase-tunable NaYF 4:Yb,Er-based motifs and associated heterostructures

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

Liu, Haiqing; Han, Jinkyu; McBean, Coray

Understanding the key parameters necessary for generating uniform Er,Yb co-activated NaYF 4 possessing various selected phases (i.e. cubic or hexagonal) represents an important chemical strategy towards tailoring optical behavior in these systems. In this paper, we report on a straightforward hydrothermal synthesis in which the separate effects of reaction temperature, reaction time, and precursor stoichiometry in the absence of any surfactant were independently investigated. Interestingly, the presence and the concentration of NH 4OH appear to be the most critical determinants of the phase and morphology. For example, with NH 4OH as an additive, we have observed the formation of novelmore » hierarchical nanowire bundles which possess overall lengths of ~5 μm and widths of ~1.5 μm but are composed of constituent component sub-units of long, ultrathin (~5 nm) nanowires. These motifs have yet to be reported as distinctive morphological manifestations of fluoride materials. The optical properties of as-generated structures have also been carefully analyzed. Specifically, we have observed tunable, structure-dependent energy transfer behavior associated with the formation of a unique class of NaYF 4–CdSe quantum dot (QD) heterostructures, incorporating zero-dimensional (0D), one-dimensional (1D), and three-dimensional (3D) NaYF 4 structures. Our results have demonstrated the key roles of the intrinsic morphology-specific physical surface area and porosity as factors in governing the resulting opto-electronic behavior. Finally and specifically, the trend in energy transfer efficiency correlates well with the corresponding QD loading within these heterostructures, thereby implying that the efficiency of FRET appears to be directly affected by the amount of QDs immobilized onto the external surfaces of the underlying fluoride host materials.« less

Synthesis-driven, structure-dependent optical behavior in phase-tunable NaYF 4:Yb,Er-based motifs and associated heterostructures

DOE PAGES

Liu, Haiqing; Han, Jinkyu; McBean, Coray; ...

2017-01-03

Understanding the key parameters necessary for generating uniform Er,Yb co-activated NaYF 4 possessing various selected phases (i.e. cubic or hexagonal) represents an important chemical strategy towards tailoring optical behavior in these systems. In this paper, we report on a straightforward hydrothermal synthesis in which the separate effects of reaction temperature, reaction time, and precursor stoichiometry in the absence of any surfactant were independently investigated. Interestingly, the presence and the concentration of NH 4OH appear to be the most critical determinants of the phase and morphology. For example, with NH 4OH as an additive, we have observed the formation of novelmore » hierarchical nanowire bundles which possess overall lengths of ~5 μm and widths of ~1.5 μm but are composed of constituent component sub-units of long, ultrathin (~5 nm) nanowires. These motifs have yet to be reported as distinctive morphological manifestations of fluoride materials. The optical properties of as-generated structures have also been carefully analyzed. Specifically, we have observed tunable, structure-dependent energy transfer behavior associated with the formation of a unique class of NaYF 4–CdSe quantum dot (QD) heterostructures, incorporating zero-dimensional (0D), one-dimensional (1D), and three-dimensional (3D) NaYF 4 structures. Our results have demonstrated the key roles of the intrinsic morphology-specific physical surface area and porosity as factors in governing the resulting opto-electronic behavior. Finally and specifically, the trend in energy transfer efficiency correlates well with the corresponding QD loading within these heterostructures, thereby implying that the efficiency of FRET appears to be directly affected by the amount of QDs immobilized onto the external surfaces of the underlying fluoride host materials.« less

Anomalous Phase Change in [(GeTe)2/(Sb2Te3)]20 Superlattice Observed by Coherent Phonon Spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Makino, K.; Saito, Y.; Mitrofanov, K.; Tominaga, J.; Kolobov, A. V.; Nakano, T.; Fons, P.; Hase, M.

The temperature-dependent ultrafast coherent phonon dynamics of topological (GeTe)2/(Sb2Te3) super lattice phase change memory material was investigated. By comparing with Ge-Sb-Te alloy, a clear contrast suggesting the unique phase change behavior was found.

Chemical manipulation of phase stability and electronic behavior in Cu 4−x Ag x Se 2

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

Olvera, A.; Bailey, T. P.; Uher, C.

Gradual stoichiometric chemical substitution of Cu by Ag in the p-type Cu 2 Se phase enables phase segregation and incremental switching of the electronic transport to n-type behavior for large Ag/Cu ratios.

Chemical manipulation of phase stability and electronic behavior in Cu 4−x Ag x Se 2

DOE PAGES

Olvera, A.; Bailey, T. P.; Uher, C.; ...

2018-01-01

Gradual stoichiometric chemical substitution of Cu by Ag in the p-type Cu 2 Se phase enables phase segregation and incremental switching of the electronic transport to n-type behavior for large Ag/Cu ratios.

Assessing the Student-Instructional Setting Interface Using an Eco-Behavioral Observation System.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hendrickson, Jo M.

1992-01-01

An eco-behavioral observation system was developed for use with students with behavior disorders or emotional disturbances. Discussed are the ecosystem definition, the student-instructional setting interface, and the assessment procedure, including evaluation of the quality of academic responding, program evaluation, staff development, and…

Harmonizing HeLa cell cytoskeleton behavior by multi-Ti oxide phased nanostructure synthesized through ultrashort pulsed laser

PubMed Central

Chinnakkannu Vijayakumar, Chandramouli; Venkatakrishnan, Krishnan; Tan, Bo

2015-01-01

Knowledge about cancer cell behavior on heterogeneous nanostructures is relevant for developing a distinct biomaterial that can actuate cancer cells. In this manuscript, we have demonstrated a harmonized approach of forming multi Ti-oxide phases in a nanostructure (MTOP nanostructure) for its unique cancer cell controlling behavior.Conventionally, single phases of TiO2 are used for targeted therapy and as drug carrier systems.In this research, we have shown a biomaterial that can control HeLa cells diligently using a combination of TiO, Ti3O and TiO2 phases when compared to fibroblast (NIH3T3) cells.MTOP-nanostructures are generated by varying the ionization energy in the vapor plume of the ultrashort pulse laser; this interaction with the material allows accurate tuning and composition of phases within the nanostructure. In addition, the lattice spacing of MTOP-nanostructures was analyzed as shown by HR-TEM investigations. An FESEM investigation of MTOP-nanostructures revealed a greater reduction of HeLa cells relative to fibroblast cells. Altered cell adhesion was followed by modulation of HeLa cell architecture with a significant reduction of actin stress fibers.The intricate combination of MTOP-nanostructures renders a biomaterial that can precisely alter HeLa cell but not fibroblast cell behavior, filling a void in the research for a biomaterial to modulate cancer cell behavior. PMID:26469886

Harmonizing HeLa cell cytoskeleton behavior by multi-Ti oxide phased nanostructure synthesized through ultrashort pulsed laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chinnakkannu Vijayakumar, Chandramouli; Venkatakrishnan, Krishnan; Tan, Bo

2015-10-01

Knowledge about cancer cell behavior on heterogeneous nanostructures is relevant for developing a distinct biomaterial that can actuate cancer cells. In this manuscript, we have demonstrated a harmonized approach of forming multi Ti-oxide phases in a nanostructure (MTOP nanostructure) for its unique cancer cell controlling behavior.Conventionally, single phases of TiO2 are used for targeted therapy and as drug carrier systems.In this research, we have shown a biomaterial that can control HeLa cells diligently using a combination of TiO, Ti3O and TiO2 phases when compared to fibroblast (NIH3T3) cells.MTOP-nanostructures are generated by varying the ionization energy in the vapor plume of the ultrashort pulse laser; this interaction with the material allows accurate tuning and composition of phases within the nanostructure. In addition, the lattice spacing of MTOP-nanostructures was analyzed as shown by HR-TEM investigations. An FESEM investigation of MTOP-nanostructures revealed a greater reduction of HeLa cells relative to fibroblast cells. Altered cell adhesion was followed by modulation of HeLa cell architecture with a significant reduction of actin stress fibers.The intricate combination of MTOP-nanostructures renders a biomaterial that can precisely alter HeLa cell but not fibroblast cell behavior, filling a void in the research for a biomaterial to modulate cancer cell behavior.

Evaluating and improving cloud phase in the Community Atmosphere Model version 5 using spaceborne lidar observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kay, Jennifer E.; Bourdages, Line; Miller, Nathaniel B.; Morrison, Ariel; Yettella, Vineel; Chepfer, Helene; Eaton, Brian

2016-04-01

Spaceborne lidar observations from the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) satellite are used to evaluate cloud amount and cloud phase in the Community Atmosphere Model version 5 (CAM5), the atmospheric component of a widely used state-of-the-art global coupled climate model (Community Earth System Model). By embedding a lidar simulator within CAM5, the idiosyncrasies of spaceborne lidar cloud detection and phase assignment are replicated. As a result, this study makes scale-aware and definition-aware comparisons between model-simulated and observed cloud amount and cloud phase. In the global mean, CAM5 has insufficient liquid cloud and excessive ice cloud when compared to CALIPSO observations. Over the ice-covered Arctic Ocean, CAM5 has insufficient liquid cloud in all seasons. Having important implications for projections of future sea level rise, a liquid cloud deficit contributes to a cold bias of 2-3°C for summer daily maximum near-surface air temperatures at Summit, Greenland. Over the midlatitude storm tracks, CAM5 has excessive ice cloud and insufficient liquid cloud. Storm track cloud phase biases in CAM5 maximize over the Southern Ocean, which also has larger-than-observed seasonal variations in cloud phase. Physical parameter modifications reduce the Southern Ocean cloud phase and shortwave radiation biases in CAM5 and illustrate the power of the CALIPSO observations as an observational constraint. The results also highlight the importance of using a regime-based, as opposed to a geographic-based, model evaluation approach. More generally, the results demonstrate the importance and value of simulator-enabled comparisons of cloud phase in models used for future climate projection.

Relationship transitions and change in health behavior: A four-phase, twelve-year longitudinal study.

PubMed

Josefsson, Kim; Elovainio, Marko; Stenholm, Sari; Kawachi, Ichiro; Kauppi, Maarit; Aalto, Ville; Kivimäki, Mika; Vahtera, Jussi

2018-03-19

Extensive scientific evidence shows an association between involvement in social relationships and healthy lifestyle. Prospective studies with many participants and long follow-ups are needed to study the dynamics and change in social factors within individuals over time. Our aim was to determine whether a change in relationship status (single, married, divorced, widow, cohabiting) is followed by a change in health behavior (smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and body mass index). We used data from 81,925 healthy adults participating in the prospective longitudinal Finnish Public Sector Study in the period 2000-2013. We analyzed 327,700 person-observations from four data collection phases. Missing data were multiply imputed. A within-individual methodology was used to minimize the possibility of selection effects affecting the interpretation. All four health behaviors showed associations with relationship status. The effects were very similar and in the same direction in women and men, although there were gender differences in the magnitudes of the effects. The end of a relationship was followed by a decrease in body mass index, increased odds of being a smoker, increase in physical activity, and increase in alcohol consumption (widowed men). The effects were reverse when forming a new relationship. A change in relationship status is associated with a change in health behavior. The association is not explained by socioeconomic status, subjective health status, or anxiety level. People leaving or losing a relationship are at increased risk of unhealthy behavior (smoking and alcohol consumption), but at the same time they have a lower BMI and show higher physical activity compared to the time they were in a relationship. It is not clear if the cumulative health effect of these health behavior changes is positive or negative. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Relationships between molecular structure and kinetic and thermodynamic controls in lipid systems. Part III. Crystallization and phase behavior of 1-palmitoyl-2,3-stearoyl-sn-glycerol (PSS) and tristearoylglycerol (SSS) binary system.

PubMed

Bouzidi, Laziz; Narine, Suresh S

2012-01-01

The phase behavior of 1-palmitoyl-2,3-distearoyl-sn-glycerol (PSS)/tristearoylglycerol (SSS) binary system was investigated in terms of polymorphism, crystallization and melting behavior, microstructure and solid fat content (SFC) using widely different constant cooling rates. Kinetic phase diagrams were experimentally determined from the DSC heating thermograms and analyzed using a thermodynamic model to account for non-ideality of mixing. The kinetic phase diagram presented a typical eutectic behavior with a eutectic point at the 0.5(PSS) mixture with a probable precipitation line from 0.5(PSS) to 1.0(PSS), regardless of the rate at which the sample was cooled. The eutectic temperature decreased only slightly with increasing cooling rate. PSS has a strong effect on the physical properties of the PSS-SSS mixtures. In fact, the overall phase behavior of the PSS-SSS binary system was determined, for a very large part, by the asymmetrical TAG. Moreover, PSS is a key driver of the high stability observed in crystal growth, polymorphism and phase development. Levels as low as 10% PSS, when cooled slowly, and 30% when cooled rapidly, were found to be sufficient to suppress the effect of thermal processing. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Observations of the Middle School Environment: The Context for Student Behavior beyond the Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rusby, Julie C.; Crowley, Ryann; Sprague, Jeffrey; Biglan, Anthony

2011-01-01

This article describes the use of an observation system to measure middle school staff practices, environment characteristics, and student behavior in the school common areas. Data were collected at baseline from 18 middle schools participating in a randomized controlled trial of school-wide Positive Behavior Support. The observations were…

Associations between informant ratings of personality disorder traits, self-reports of personality, and directly observed behavior.

PubMed

Kaurin, Aleksandra; Sauerberger, Kyle S; Funder, David C

2018-03-02

Diagnoses of personality disorders (PD) must rely on judgments of observers-either clinicians or acquaintances-because personality disorders are primarily defined in terms of maladaptive interpersonal behavior. Little is known, however, about how closely acquaintances' judgments of PD traits relate to self-reports of theoretically relevant Big Five traits or directly observed behavioral outcomes in interpersonal situations. The present study examines associations between judgments of the 10 PD traits provided by close acquaintances, self-reports of PD-relevant Big Five personality traits, and observed interpersonal behaviors across three different three-person laboratory interactions (i.e., unstructured chat, cooperative task, competitive game). The sample consisted of 256 undergraduate students (130 females; M age  = 19.83, SD = 1.25). Four unacquainted observers independently rated participants' behaviors from video recordings. In line with previous work, informant reports of PD traits demonstrate strong convergent validity with relevant self-reported Big Five traits (as identified by Lynam & Widiger, 2001). Directly observed behavior is meaningfully associated with acquaintances' judgments and self-reports of PD-relevant traits, and the associations between these judgments and behavior are strongest for traits associated with histrionic and schizoid PD. Vector correlations between behavioral profiles associated with informant and self-reports show that both assessments have similar behavioral correlates. Associations between PD trait ratings and behavior appeared to differ as a function of gender, with males showing more and stronger correlations. Informants' ratings of PD traits are impressively accurate, converging both with self-reports of relevant traits and directly observed interpersonal behavior. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of PDs and associated traits can be augmented by information from multiple acquaintances who have the

Direct Observation of Dynamical Quantum Phase Transitions in an Interacting Many-Body System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jurcevic, P.; Shen, H.; Hauke, P.; Maier, C.; Brydges, T.; Hempel, C.; Lanyon, B. P.; Heyl, M.; Blatt, R.; Roos, C. F.

2017-08-01

The theory of phase transitions represents a central concept for the characterization of equilibrium matter. In this work we study experimentally an extension of this theory to the nonequilibrium dynamical regime termed dynamical quantum phase transitions (DQPTs). We investigate and measure DQPTs in a string of ions simulating interacting transverse-field Ising models. During the nonequilibrium dynamics induced by a quantum quench we show for strings of up to 10 ions the direct detection of DQPTs by revealing nonanalytic behavior in time. Moreover, we provide a link between DQPTs and the dynamics of other quantities such as the magnetization, and we establish a connection between DQPTs and entanglement production.

Direct Observation of Dynamical Quantum Phase Transitions in an Interacting Many-Body System.

PubMed

Jurcevic, P; Shen, H; Hauke, P; Maier, C; Brydges, T; Hempel, C; Lanyon, B P; Heyl, M; Blatt, R; Roos, C F

2017-08-25

The theory of phase transitions represents a central concept for the characterization of equilibrium matter. In this work we study experimentally an extension of this theory to the nonequilibrium dynamical regime termed dynamical quantum phase transitions (DQPTs). We investigate and measure DQPTs in a string of ions simulating interacting transverse-field Ising models. During the nonequilibrium dynamics induced by a quantum quench we show for strings of up to 10 ions the direct detection of DQPTs by revealing nonanalytic behavior in time. Moreover, we provide a link between DQPTs and the dynamics of other quantities such as the magnetization, and we establish a connection between DQPTs and entanglement production.

Complex Source and Radiation Behaviors of Small Elements of Linear and Matrix Flexible Ultrasonic Phased-Array Transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amory, V.; Lhémery, A.

2008-02-01

Inspection of irregular components is problematical: maladjustment of transducer shoes to surfaces causes aberrations. Flexible phased-arrays (FPAs) designed at CEA LIST to maximize contact are driven by adapted delay laws to compensate for irregularities. Optimizing FPA requires simulation tools. The behavior of one element computed by FEM is observed at the surface and its radiation experimentally validated. Efforts for one element prevent from simulating a FPA by FEM. A model is proposed where each element behaves as nonuniform source of stresses. Exact and asymptotic formulas for Lamb problem are used as convolution kernels for longitudinal, transverse and head waves; the latter is of primary importance for angle-T-beam inspections.

Phase behavior of fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon double-chain hydroxylated and galactosylated amphiphiles and bolaamphiphiles. Long-term shelf-stability of their liposomes.

PubMed

Clary, L; Gadras, C; Greiner, J; Rolland, J P; Santaella, C; Vierling, P; Gulik, A

1999-06-01

This paper describes the morphological characterization, by freeze-fracture electron microscopy, and the thermotropic phase behavior, by differential scanning calorimetry and/or X-ray scattering, of aqueous dispersions of various hydroxylated and galactosylated double-chain amphiphiles and bolaamphiphiles, several of them containing one or two hydrophobic fluorocarbon chains. Colloidal systems are observed in water with the hydroxylated hydrocarbon or fluorocarbon bolaamphiphiles only when they are dispersed with a co-amphiphile such as rac-1,2-dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) or rac-1,2-distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC). Liposomes are formed providing the relative content of bolaamphiphiles does not exceed 20% mol. Most of these liposomes can be thermally sterilized and stored at room temperature for several months without any significant modification of their size and size distribution. The hydrocarbon galactosylated bolaamphiphile HO[C24][C12]Gal forms in water a lamellar phase (the gel to liquid-crystal phase transition is complete at 45 degrees C) and a Im3m cubic phase above 47 degrees C. The fluorocarbon HO[C24][F6C5]Gal analog displays a more complex and metastable phase behavior. The fluorinated non-bolaform galactosylated [F8C7][C16]AEGal and SerGal amphiphiles form lamellar phases in water. Low amounts (10% molar ratio) of the HO[C24][F6C5]Gal or HO[C24][C12]Gal bolaamphiphiles or of the single-headed [F8C7][C16]AEGal improve substantially the shelf-stability of reference phospholipon/cholesterol 2/1 liposomes. These liposomes when co-formulated with a single-headed amphiphile from the SerGal series are by far less stable.

Film thickness dependence of phase separation and dewetting behaviors in PMMA/SAN blend films.

PubMed

You, Jichun; Liao, Yonggui; Men, Yongfeng; Shi, Tongfei; An, Lijia

2010-09-21

Film thickness dependence of complex behaviors coupled by phase separation and dewetting in blend [poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(styrene-ran-acrylonitrile) (SAN)] films on silicon oxide substrate at 175 °C was investigated by grazing incidence ultrasmall-angle X-ray scattering (GIUSAX) and in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM). It was found that the dewetting pathway was under the control of the parameter U(q0)/E, which described the initial amplitude of the surface undulation and original thickness of film, respectively. Furthermore, our results showed that interplay between phase separation and dewetting depended crucially on film thickness. Three mechanisms including dewetting-phase separation/wetting, dewetting/wetting-phase separation, and phase separation/wetting-pseudodewetting were discussed in detail. In conclusion, it is relative rates of phase separation and dewetting that dominate the interplay between them.

Role of length polydispersity in the phase behavior of freely rotating hard-rectangle fluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Díaz-De Armas, Ariel; Martínez-Ratón, Yuri

2017-05-01

We use the density-functional formalism, in particular the scaled-particle theory, applied to a length-polydisperse hard-rectangle fluid to study its phase behavior as a function of the mean particle aspect ratio κ0 and polydispersity Δ0. The numerical solutions of the coexistence equations are calculated by transforming the original problem with infinite degrees of freedoms to a finite set of equations for the amplitudes of the Fourier expansion of the moments of the density profiles. We divide the study into two parts. The first one is devoted to the calculation of the phase diagrams in the packing fraction η0-κ0 plane for a fixed Δ0 and selecting parent distribution functions with exponential (the Schulz distribution) or Gaussian decays. In the second part we study the phase behavior in the η0-Δ0 plane for fixed κ0 while Δ0 is changed. We characterize in detail the orientational ordering of particles and the fractionation of different species between the coexisting phases. Also we study the character (second vs first order) of the isotropic-nematic phase transition as a function of polydispersity. We particularly focus on the stability of the tetratic phase as a function of κ0 and Δ0. The isotropic-nematic transition becomes strongly of first order when polydispersity is increased: The coexistence gap widens and the location of the tricritical point moves to higher values of κ0 while the tetratic phase is slightly destabilized with respect to the nematic one. The results obtained here can be tested in experiments on shaken monolayers of granular rods.

Quantitative research on microscopic deformation behavior of Ti-6Al-4V two-phase titanium alloy based on finite element method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, Yan; Chen, Guoxing; Sun, Jianliang; Shi, Baodong

2018-04-01

The microscopic deformation of Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy shows great inhomogeneity due to its duplex-microstructure that consists of two phases. In order to study the deformation behaviors of the constituent phases, the 2D FE model based on the realistic microstructure is established by MSC.Marc nonlinear FE software, and the tensile simulation is carried out. The simulated global stress-strain response is confirmed by the tensile testing result. Then the strain and stress distribution in the constituent phases and their evolution with the increase of the global strain are analyzed. The results show that the strain and stress partitioning between the two phases are considerable, most of the strain is concentrated in soft primary α phase, while hard transformed β matrix undertakes most of the stress. Under the global strain of 0.05, the deformation bands in the direction of 45° to the stretch direction and the local stress in primary α phase near to the interface between the two phases are observed, and they become more significant when the global strain increases to 0.1. The strain and stress concentration factors of the two phases are obviously different at different macroscopic deformation stages, but they almost tend to be stable finally.

Comparison of food safety cognitions and self-reported food-handling behaviors with observed food safety behaviors of young adults.

PubMed

Abbot, J M; Byrd-Bredbenner, C; Schaffner, D; Bruhn, C M; Blalock, L

2009-04-01

Developing tailored and effective food safety education for young adults is critical given their future roles as caregivers likely to be preparing food for populations who may be at greater risk for foodborne disease (FBD). The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between food safety self-reported food-handling behaviors and cognitions of young adults to observed food-handling behaviors. Participants were 153 young adults (mean age 20.74+/-1.30 s.d.) attending a major American university. Each prepared a meal under observation in a controlled laboratory setting, permitted researchers to observe their home kitchen and completed an online survey assessing food safety knowledge, behavior and psychosocial measures. Descriptive statistics were generated for participants' self-reported food-handling behaviors, psychosocial characteristics, knowledge, food preparation observations and home kitchen observations. Determinants of compliance with safe food-handling procedures while preparing a meal and home food storage/rotation practices were identified using backward regression models. Participants engaged in less than half of the recommended safe food-handling practices evaluated and correctly answered only two-thirds of the food safety knowledge items. They reported positive food safety beliefs and high food safety self-efficacy. Self-reported compliance with cross-contamination prevention, disinfection procedures and knowledge of groups at greatest risk for FBD were the best measures for predicting compliance with established safe food-handling practices. Food safety education directed toward young adults should focus on increasing awareness of FBD and knowledge of proper cross-contamination prevention procedures to help promote better compliance with actual safe food handling.

RNA buffers the phase separation behavior of prion-like RNA binding proteins.

PubMed

Maharana, Shovamayee; Wang, Jie; Papadopoulos, Dimitrios K; Richter, Doris; Pozniakovsky, Andrey; Poser, Ina; Bickle, Marc; Rizk, Sandra; Guillén-Boixet, Jordina; Franzmann, Titus M; Jahnel, Marcus; Marrone, Lara; Chang, Young-Tae; Sterneckert, Jared; Tomancak, Pavel; Hyman, Anthony A; Alberti, Simon

2018-05-25

Prion-like RNA binding proteins (RBPs) such as TDP43 and FUS are largely soluble in the nucleus but form solid pathological aggregates when mislocalized to the cytoplasm. What keeps these proteins soluble in the nucleus and promotes aggregation in the cytoplasm is still unknown. We report here that RNA critically regulates the phase behavior of prion-like RBPs. Low RNA/protein ratios promote phase separation into liquid droplets, whereas high ratios prevent droplet formation in vitro. Reduction of nuclear RNA levels or genetic ablation of RNA binding causes excessive phase separation and the formation of cytotoxic solid-like assemblies in cells. We propose that the nucleus is a buffered system in which high RNA concentrations keep RBPs soluble. Changes in RNA levels or RNA binding abilities of RBPs cause aberrant phase transitions. Copyright © 2018 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.

Synchronous, Alternating, and Phase-Locked Stridulation by a Tropical Katydid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sismondo, Enrico

1990-07-01

In the field the chirps of neighboring Mecopoda sp. (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae, and Mecopodinae) males are normally synchronized, but between more distant individuals the chirps are either synchronous or regularly alternating. The phase response to single-stimulus chirps depends on both the phase and the intensity of the stimulus. Iteration of the Poincare map of the phase response predicts a variety of phase-locked synchronization regimes, including period-doubling bifurcations, in close agreement with experimental observations. The versatile acoustic behavior of Mecopoda encompasses most of the phenomena found in other synchronizing insects and thus provides a general model of insect synchronization behavior.

Association of environmental indicators with teen alcohol use and problem behavior: Teens' observations vs. objectively-measured indicators.

PubMed

Byrnes, Hilary F; Miller, Brenda A; Morrison, Christopher N; Wiebe, Douglas J; Woychik, Marcie; Wiehe, Sarah E

2017-01-01

Most prior studies use objectively measured data (e.g., census-based indicators) to assess contextual risks. However, teens' observations might be more important for their risk behavior. 1) determine relationships between observed and objective indicators of contextual risks 2) determine relations of observed and objective indicators with teen alcohol use and problem behavior. Teens aged 14-16 (N=170) carried GPS-enabled smartphones for one month, with locations documented. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) measured teens' observations via texts regarding risk behaviors and environmental observations. Objective indicators of alcohol outlets and disorganization were spatially joined to EMAs based on teens' location at the time of the texts. Observed and objective disorganization, and objective indicators of alcohol outlets were related to alcohol use. Observed disorganization was related to problem behavior, while objective indicators were unrelated. Findings suggest the importance of considering teens' observations of contextual risk for understanding influences on risk behavior and suggest future directions for research and prevention strategies. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Association of Environmental Indicators with Teen Alcohol Use and Problem Behavior: Teens’ Observations vs. Objectively-Measured Indicators

PubMed Central

Byrnes, Hilary F.; Miller, Brenda A.; Morrison, Christopher N.; Wiebe, Douglas J.; Woychik, Marcie; Wiehe, Sarah E.

2017-01-01

Most prior studies use objectively measured data (e.g., census-based indicators) to assess contextual risks. However, teens’ observations might be more important for their risk behavior. Objectives: 1) determine relationships between observed and objective indicators of contextual risks 2) determine relations of observed and objective indicators with teen alcohol use and problem behavior. Teens aged 14–16 (N=170) carried GPS-enabled smartphones for one month, with locations documented. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) measured teens’ observations via texts regarding risk behaviors and environmental observations. Objective indicators of alcohol outlets and disorganization were spatially joined to EMAs based on teens’ location at the time of the texts. Observed and objective disorganization, and objective indicators of alcohol outlets were related to alcohol use. Observed disorganization was related to problem behavior, while objective indicators were unrelated. Findings suggest the importance of considering teens’ observations of contextual risk for understanding influences on risk behavior and suggest future directions for research and prevention strategies. PMID:28061392

Microscopic origin of black hole reentrant phase transitions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zangeneh, M. Kord; Dehyadegari, A.; Sheykhi, A.; Mann, R. B.

2018-04-01

Understanding the microscopic behavior of the black hole ingredients has been one of the important challenges in black hole physics during the past decades. In order to shed some light on the microscopic structure of black holes, in this paper, we explore a recently observed phenomenon for black holes namely reentrant phase transition, by employing the Ruppeiner geometry. Interestingly enough, we observe two properties for the phase behavior of small black holes that leads to reentrant phase transition. They are correlated and they are of the interaction type. For the range of pressure in which the system underlies reentrant phase transition, it transits from the large black holes phase to the small one which possesses higher correlation than the other ranges of pressures. On the other hand, the type of interaction between small black holes near the large/small transition line differs for usual and reentrant phase transitions. Indeed, for the usual case, the dominant interaction is repulsive whereas for the reentrant case we encounter an attractive interaction. We show that in the reentrant phase transition case, the small black holes behave like a bosonic gas whereas in the usual phase transition case, they behave like a quantum anyon gas.

Building Alliances with (In)Voluntary Clients: A Study Focused on Therapists' Observable Behaviors.

PubMed

Sotero, Luciana; Cunha, Diana; da Silva, José Tomás; Escudero, Valentín; Relvas, Ana Paula

2017-12-01

This study aimed to compare therapists' observable behaviors to promote alliances with involuntary and voluntary clients during brief family therapy. The therapists' contributions to fostering alliances were rated in sessions 1 and 4 using videotapes of 29 families who were observed in brief therapy. Using the System for Observing Family Therapy Alliances, trained raters searched for specific therapist behaviors that contributed to or detracted from the four alliance dimensions: engagement in the therapeutic process, an emotional connection with the therapist, safety within the therapeutic system, and a shared sense of purpose within the family. The results showed that when working with involuntary clients, therapists presented more behaviors to foster the clients' engagement and to promote a shared sense of purpose within the family. However, in the fourth session, the therapists in both groups contributed to the alliance in similar ways. The results are discussed in terms of (a) the therapists' alliance-building behaviors, (b) the specificities of each client group, and (c) the implications for clinical practice, training, and research. © 2016 Family Process Institute.

In situ Observation of Phase Transformation in MnAl(C) Magnetic Materials

PubMed Central

Si, Ping-Zhan; Qian, Hui-Dong; Choi, Chul-Jin; Park, Jihoon; Han, Sangho; Ge, Hong-Liang; Shinde, Kiran P.

2017-01-01

The phase transformation in two modes, including both displacive and massive growth of τ-phase from ε-MnAl(C), was observed by in situ transmission electron microscopy. The exact temperature range for different phase transformation modes was determined by magnetic measurements. The displacive growth of ε→τ in Mn54Al46 (or Mn54Al46C2.44) occurs at temperatures below 650 K (or 766 K), above which both modes coexist. One-third or less of the ε-phase can be transformed into τ-phase via displacive mode while the remaining two-thirds or more via massive mode. In bulk τ-phase, most τ-nanocrystals formed via displacive mode are distributed in the matrix of large τ-grains that formed via massive mode. The typical massive growth rate of the τ-phase is 8–60 nm/s, while the displacive growth rate is low. A more complete understanding of the ε→τ phase transformations in the MnAl-based magnets was provided in this work, based on which the annealing process for ε→τ was optimized and thus high purity τ-phase with high saturation magnetization was obtained. PMID:28858231

Phase Behavior of Binary Mixture of Heptaethylene Glycol Decyl Ether and Water: Formation of Phase Compound in Solid Phase

PubMed

Nibu; Suemori; Inoue

1997-07-01

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were used to construct and characterize the phase diagram for a binary mixture of heptaethylene glycol decyl ether (C10 E7 ) and water in the temperature range from -60 to 80°C. Plots of the endothermic peak temperatures obtained by DSC measurements against compositions provided eutectic solid-liquid phase boundaries with a eutectic composition of 34 wt% of H2 O. On the other hand, heat of fusion per unit weight of the mixture changed discretely at the composition corresponding to the "eutectic" composition. Furthermore, the IR spectra obtained for the mixture in the solid phase were well reproduced as a superposition of those for the mixture of 34 wt% H2 O and pure components but were not reproduced by superimposing the spectra obtained for the solid surfactant and ice. These observations indicate that a solid phase compound is formed between C10 E7 and water with a stoichiometry of 1:14 and that the compound and pure components exist as separate phases, rather than the phases separating into surfactant and ice, which would be expected if the C10 E7 /water mixture formed a true eutectic mixture system. It is estimated from the composition corresponding to the phase compounds that two molecules of water per oxyethylene unit are bound to hydrophilic polyoxyethylene chain of C10 E7 to form a hydrated compound.

Observe, simplify, titrate, model, and synthesize: A paradigm for analyzing behavior

PubMed Central

Alberts, Jeffrey R.

2013-01-01

Phenomena in behavior and their underlying neural mechanisms are exquisitely complex problems. Infrequently do we reflect on our basic strategies of investigation and analysis, or formally confront the actual challenges of achieving an understanding of the phenomena that inspire research. Philip Teitelbaum is distinct in his elegant approaches to understanding behavioral phenomena and their associated neural processes. He also articulated his views on effective approaches to scientific analyses of brain and behavior, his vision of how behavior and the nervous system are patterned, and what constitutes basic understanding. His rubrics involve careful observation and description of behavior, simplification of the complexity, analysis of elements, and re-integration through different forms of synthesis. Research on the development of huddling behavior by individual and groups of rats is reviewed in a context of Teitelbaum’s rubrics of research, with the goal of appreciating his broad and positive influence on the scientific community. PMID:22481081

Observation of Droplet Size Oscillations in a Two Phase Fluid under Shear Flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Courbin, Laurent; Panizza, Pascal

2004-11-01

It is well known that complex fluids exhibit strong couplings between their microstructure and the flow field. Such couplings may lead to unusual non linear rheological behavior. Because energy is constantly brought to the system, richer dynamic behavior such as non linear oscillatory or chaotic response is expected. We report on the observation of droplet size oscillations at fixed shear rate. At low shear rates, we observe two steady states for which the droplet size results from a balance between capillary and viscous stress. For intermediate shear rates, the droplet size becomes a periodic function of time. We propose a phenomenological model to account for the observed phenomenon and compare numerical results to experimental data.

A study of stress-induced phase transformation and micromechanical behavior of CuZr-based alloy by in-situ neutron diffraction

DOE PAGES

Wang, Dongmei; Mu, Juan; Chen, Yan; ...

2017-03-01

The stress-induced phase transformation and micromechanical behavior of CuZr-based alloy were investigated by in-situ neutron diffraction. The pseudoelastic behavior with a pronounced strain-hardening effect is observed. The retained martensite nuclei and the residual stress obtained from the 1st cycle reduce the stress threshold for the martensitic transformation. A critical stress level is required for the reverse martensitic transformation from martensite to B2 phase. An increase of intensity for the B2 (110) plane in the 1st cycle is caused by the twinning along the {112}<111> twinning system. The convoluted stress partitioning influenced by the elastic and transformation anisotropy along with themore » newly formed martensite determines the microstress partitioning of the studied CuZr-based alloy. The reversible martensitic transformation is responsible for the pseudoelasticity. The macro mechanical behavior of the pure B2 phase can be divided into 3 stages, which are mediated by the evolvement of the martensitic transformation. This manuscript has been authored by UT-Battelle, LLC under Contract No. DE-AC05-00OR22725 with the U.S. Department of Energy. The United States Government retains and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the United States Government retains a non-exclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, world-wide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this manuscript, or allow others to do so, for United States Government purposes. The Department of Energy will provide public access to these results of federally sponsored research in accordance with the DOE Public Access Plan (http://energy.gov/downloads/doe-public-access-plan).« less

A study of stress-induced phase transformation and micromechanical behavior of CuZr-based alloy by in-situ neutron diffraction

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

Wang, Dongmei; Mu, Juan; Chen, Yan

The stress-induced phase transformation and micromechanical behavior of CuZr-based alloy were investigated by in-situ neutron diffraction. The pseudoelastic behavior with a pronounced strain-hardening effect is observed. The retained martensite nuclei and the residual stress obtained from the 1st cycle reduce the stress threshold for the martensitic transformation. A critical stress level is required for the reverse martensitic transformation from martensite to B2 phase. An increase of intensity for the B2 (110) plane in the 1st cycle is caused by the twinning along the {112}<111> twinning system. The convoluted stress partitioning influenced by the elastic and transformation anisotropy along with themore » newly formed martensite determines the microstress partitioning of the studied CuZr-based alloy. The reversible martensitic transformation is responsible for the pseudoelasticity. The macro mechanical behavior of the pure B2 phase can be divided into 3 stages, which are mediated by the evolvement of the martensitic transformation. This manuscript has been authored by UT-Battelle, LLC under Contract No. DE-AC05-00OR22725 with the U.S. Department of Energy. The United States Government retains and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the United States Government retains a non-exclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, world-wide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this manuscript, or allow others to do so, for United States Government purposes. The Department of Energy will provide public access to these results of federally sponsored research in accordance with the DOE Public Access Plan (http://energy.gov/downloads/doe-public-access-plan).« less

Synergistic interactions promote behavior spreading and alter phase transitions on multiplex networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Quan-Hui; Wang, Wei; Cai, Shi-Min; Tang, Ming; Lai, Ying-Cheng

2018-02-01

Synergistic interactions are ubiquitous in the real world. Recent studies have revealed that, for a single-layer network, synergy can enhance spreading and even induce an explosive contagion. There is at the present a growing interest in behavior spreading dynamics on multiplex networks. What is the role of synergistic interactions in behavior spreading in such networked systems? To address this question, we articulate a synergistic behavior spreading model on a double layer network, where the key manifestation of the synergistic interactions is that the adoption of one behavior by a node in one layer enhances its probability of adopting the behavior in the other layer. A general result is that synergistic interactions can greatly enhance the spreading of the behaviors in both layers. A remarkable phenomenon is that the interactions can alter the nature of the phase transition associated with behavior adoption or spreading dynamics. In particular, depending on the transmission rate of one behavior in a network layer, synergistic interactions can lead to a discontinuous (first-order) or a continuous (second-order) transition in the adoption scope of the other behavior with respect to its transmission rate. A surprising two-stage spreading process can arise: due to synergy, nodes having adopted one behavior in one layer adopt the other behavior in the other layer and then prompt the remaining nodes in this layer to quickly adopt the behavior. Analytically, we develop an edge-based compartmental theory and perform a bifurcation analysis to fully understand, in the weak synergistic interaction regime where the dynamical correlation between the network layers is negligible, the role of the interactions in promoting the social behavioral spreading dynamics in the whole system.

Separation of aromatic carboxylic acids using quaternary ammonium salts on reversed-phase HPLC. 1. Separation behavior of aromatic carboxylic acids

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

Kawamura, K.; Okuwaki, A.; Verheyen, T.

In order to develop separation processes and analytical methods for aromatic carboxylic acids for the coal oxidation products, the separation behavior of aromatic carboxylic acids on a reversed-phase HPLC using eluent containing quaternary ammonium salt has been investigated. The retention mechanism of aromatic carboxylic acids was discussed on the basis of both ion-pair partition model and ion-exchange model. The retention behavior of aromatic carboxylic acids possessing one (or two) carboxylic acid group(s) followed the ion-pair partition model, where linear free energy relationship was observed between the capacity factor and the extraction equilibrium constants of benzoic acid and naphthalene carboxylic acid.more » Besides, the retention behavior followed ion-exchange model with increasing the number of carboxylic acids, where the capacity factor of benzene polycarboxylic acids is proportional to the association constants between aromatic acids and quaternary ammonium ions calculated on the basis of an electrostatic interaction model.« less

High-pressure behavior of intermediate scapolite: compressibility, structure deformation and phase transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lotti, Paolo; Comboni, Davide; Merlini, Marco; Hanfland, Michael

2018-05-01

Scapolites are common volatile-bearing minerals in metamorphic rocks. In this study, the high-pressure behavior of an intermediate member of the scapolite solid solution series (Me47), chemical formula (Na1.86Ca1.86K0.23Fe0.01)(Al4.36Si7.64)O24[Cl0.48(CO3)0.48(SO4)0.01], has been investigated up to 17.79 GPa, by means of in situ single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The isothermal elastic behavior of the studied scapolite has been described by a III-order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state, which provided the following refined parameters: V 0 = 1110.6(7) Å3, {K_{{V_0}}} = 70(2) GPa ({β _{{V_0}}} = 0.0143(4) GPa-1) and {K_{{V}}^' = 4.8(7). The refined bulk modulus is intermediate between those previously reported for Me17 and Me68 scapolite samples, confirming that the bulk compressibility among the solid solution increases with the Na content. A discussion on the P-induced structure deformation mechanisms of tetragonal scapolite at the atomic scale is provided, along with the implications of the reported results for the modeling of scapolite stability. In addition, a single-crystal to single-crystal phase transition, which is displacive in character, has been observed toward a triclinic polymorph at 9.87 GPa. The high-pressure triclinic polymorph was found to be stable up to the highest pressure investigated.

Two phase modeling of the influence of plastic strain on the magnetic and magnetostrictive behaviors of ferromagnetic materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hubert, Olivier; Lazreg, Said

2017-02-01

A growing interest of automotive industry in the use of high performance steels is observed. These materials are obtained thanks to complex manufacturing processes whose parameters fluctuations lead to strong variations of microstructure and mechanical properties. The on-line magnetic non-destructive monitoring is a relevant response to this problem but it requires fast models sensitive to different parameters of the forming process. The plastic deformation is one of these important parameters. Indeed, ferromagnetic materials are known to be sensitive to stress application and especially to plastic strains. In this paper, a macroscopic approach using the kinematic hardening is proposed to model this behavior, considering a plastic strained material as a two phase system. Relationship between kinematic hardening and residual stress is defined in this framework. Since stress fields are multiaxial, an uniaxial equivalent stress is calculated and introduced inside the so-called magneto-mechanical multidomain modeling to represent the effect of plastic strain. The modeling approach is complemented by many experiments involving magnetic and magnetostrictive measurements. They are carried out with or without applied stress, using a dual-phase steel deformed at different levels. The main interest of this material is that the mechanically hard phase, soft phase and the kinematic hardening can be clearly identified thanks to simple experiments. It is shown how this model can be extended to single phase materials.

In-Situ Phase Mapping and Direct Observations of Phase Transformations During Arc Welding of 1045 Steel

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

Elmer, J; Palmer, T

2005-09-13

In-situ Spatially Resolved X-Ray Diffraction (SRXRD) experiments were performed during gas tungsten arc (GTA) welding of AISI 1045 C-Mn steel. Ferrite ({alpha}) and austenite ({gamma}) phases were identified and quantified in the weld heat-affected zone (HAZ) from the real time x-ray diffraction data. The results were compiled along with weld temperatures calculated using a coupled thermal fluids weld model to create a phase map of the HAZ. This map shows the {alpha} {yields} {gamma} transformation taking place during weld heating and the reverse {gamma} {yields} {alpha} transformation taking place during weld cooling. Superheating is required to complete the {alpha} {yields}more » {gamma} phase transformation, and the amount of superheat above the A3 temperature was shown to vary with distance from the centerline of the weld. Superheat values as high as 250 C above the A3 temperature were observed at heating rates of 80 C/s. The SRXRD experiments also revealed details about the {gamma} phase not observable by conventional techniques, showing that {gamma} is present with two distinct lattice parameters as a result of inhomogeneous distribution of carbon and manganese in the starting pearlitic/ferritic microstructure. During cooling, the reverse {gamma} {yields} {alpha} phase transformation was shown to depend on the HAZ location. In the fine grained region of the HAZ, at distances greater than 2 mm from the fusion line, the {gamma} {yields} {alpha} transformation begins near the A3 temperature and ends near the A1 temperature. In this region of the HAZ where the cooling rates are below 40 C/s, the transformation occurs by nucleation and growth of pearlite. For HAZ locations closer to the fusion line, undercoolings of 200 C or more below the A1 temperature are required to complete the {gamma} {yields} {alpha} transformation. In this region of the HAZ, grain growth coupled with cooling rates in excess of 50 C/s causes the transformation to occur by a bainitic

Frame of Reference Rater Training Issues: Recall, Time and Behavior Observation Training.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Roch, Sylvia G.; O'Sullivan, Brian J.

2003-01-01

Graduate students were trained as raters either using frame of reference (FOR, n=220, behavior observation training (BOT, n=21), or performance appraisal (controls, n=21). They rated videotaped lecturers twice. FOR increased number of behaviors recalled; FOR and BOT improved recall quality. FOR improved rating accuracy even after 2 weeks.…

Size effects of solvent molecules on the phase behavior and effective interaction of colloidal systems with the bridging attraction.

PubMed

Chen, Jie; Wang, Xuewu; Kline, Steven R; Liu, Yun

2016-11-16

There has been much recent research interest towards understanding the phase behavior of colloidal systems interacting with a bridging attraction, where the small solvent particles and large solute colloidal particles can be reversibly associated with each other. These systems show interesting phase behavior compared to the more widely studied depletion attraction systems. Here, we use Baxter's two-component sticky hard sphere model with a Percus-Yevick closure to solve the Ornstein-Zernike equation and study the size effect on colloidal systems with bridging attractions. The spinodal decomposition regions, percolation transition boundaries and binodal regions are systematically investigated as a function of the relative size of the small solvent and large solute particles as well as the attraction strength between the small and large particles. In the phase space determined by the concentrations of small and large particles, the spinodal and binodal regions form isolated islands. The locations and shapes of the spinodal and binodal regions sensitively depend on the relative size of the small and large particles and the attraction strength between them. The percolation region shrinks by decreasing the size ratio, while the binodal region slightly expands with the decrease of the size ratio. Our results are very important in understanding the phase behavior for a bridging attraction colloidal system, a model system that provides insight into oppositely charged colloidal systems, protein phase behavior, and colloidal gelation mechanisms.

High temperature fatigue behavior of tungsten copper composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Verrilli, Michael J.; Kim, Yong-Suk; Gabb, Timothy P.

1989-01-01

The high temperature fatigue behavior of a 9 vol percent, tungsten fiber reinforced copper matrix composite was investigated. Load-controlled isothermal fatigue experiments at 260 and 560 C and thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) experiments, both in phase and out of phase between 260 and 560 C, were performed. The stress-strain response displayed considerable inelasticity under all conditions. Also, strain ratcheting was observed during all the fatigue experiments. For the isothermal fatigue and in-phase TMF tests, the ratcheting was always in a tensile direction, continuing until failure. The ratcheting during the out-of-phase TMF test shifted from a tensile direction to a compressive direction. This behavior was thought to be associated with the observed bulging and the extensive cracking of the out-of-phase specimen. For all cases, the fatigue lives were found to be controlled by damage to the copper matrix. Grain boundary cavitation was the dominant damage mechanism of the matrix. On a stress basis, TMF loading reduced lives substantially, relative to isothermal cycling. In-phase cycling resulted in the shortest lives, and isothermal fatigue at 260 C, the longest.

Phase diagram and electrical behavior of silicon-rich iridium silicide compounds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allevato, C. E.; Vining, Cronin B.

1992-01-01

The iridium-silicon phase diagram on the silicon-rich side was investigated by means of X-ray powder diffraction, density, differential thermal analysis, metalography, microprobe analysis, and electrical resistivity. Attempts were made to prepare eight previously reported silicon-rich iridium silicide compounds by arc melting and Bridgman-like growth. However, microprobe analysis identified only four distinct compositions: IrSi, Ir3Si4, Ir3Si5 and IrSi sub about 3. The existence of Ir4Si5 could not be confirmed in this study, even though the crystal structure has been previously reported. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) in conjunction with X-ray powder diffraction confirm polymorphism in IrSi sub about 3, determined to have orthorhombic and monoclinic unit cells in the high and low temperature forms. A eutectic composition alloy of 83 +/- 1 atomic percent silicon was observed between IrSi sub about 3 and silicon. Ir3Si4 exhibits distinct metallic behavior while Ir3Si5 is semiconducting. Both and IrSi and IrSi sub about 3 exhibit nearly temperature independent electrical resistivities on the order of 5-10 x 10 exp -6 ohms-m.

Phase behavior of metastable liquid silicon at negative pressure: Ab initio molecular dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, G.; Yu, Y. J.; Yan, J. L.; Ding, M. C.; Zhao, X. G.; Wang, H. Y.

2016-04-01

Extensive first-principle molecular dynamics simulations are performed to study the phase behavior of metastable liquid Si at negative pressure. Our results show that the high-density liquid (HDL) and HDL-vapor spinodals indeed form a continuous reentrant curve and the liquid-liquid critical point seems to just coincide with its minimum. The line of density maxima also has a strong tendency to pass through this minimum. The phase behaviour of metastable liquid Si therefore tends to be a critical-point-free scenario rather than a second-critical-point one based on SW potential.

Definition of two-phase flow behaviors for spacecraft design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reinarts, Thomas R.; Best, Frederick R.; Miller, Katherine M.; Hill, Wayne S.

1991-01-01

Two-phase flow, thermal management systems are currently being considered as an alternative to conventional, single phase systems for future space missions because of their potential to reduce overall system mass, size, and pumping power requirements. Knowledge of flow regime transitions, heat transfer characteristics, and pressure drop correlations is necessary to design and develop two-phase systems. A boiling and condensing experiment was built in which R-12 was used as the working fluid. A two-phase pump was used to circulate a freon mixture and allow separate measurements of the vapor and liquid flow streams. The experimental package was flown five times aboard the NASA KC-135 aircraft which simulates zero-g conditions by its parabolic flight trajectory. Test conditions included stratified and annual flow regimes in 1-g which became bubbly, slug, or annular flow regimes on 0-g. A portion of this work is the analysis of adiabatic flow regimes. The superficial velocities of liquid and vapor have been obtained from the measured flow rates and are presented along with the observed flow regimes.

The influence of student characteristics on the dependability of behavioral observation data.

PubMed

Briesch, Amy M; Volpe, Robert J; Ferguson, Tyler David

2014-06-01

Although generalizability theory has been used increasingly in recent years to investigate the dependability of behavioral estimates, many of these studies have relied on use of general education populations as opposed to those students who are most likely to be referred for assessment due to problematic classroom behavior (e.g., inattention, disruption). The current study investigated the degree to which differences exist in terms of the magnitude of both variance component estimates and dependability coefficients between students nominated by their teachers for Tier 2 interventions due to classroom behavior problems and a general classroom sample (i.e., including both nominated and non-nominated students). The academic engagement levels of 16 (8 nominated, 8 non-nominated) middle school students were measured by 4 trained observers using momentary time-sampling procedures. A series of G and D studies were then conducted to determine whether the 2 groups were similar in terms of the (a) distribution of rating variance and (b) number of observations needed to achieve an adequate level of dependability. Results suggested that the behavior of students in the teacher-nominated group fluctuated more across time and that roughly twice as many observations would therefore be required to yield similar levels of dependability compared with the combined group. These findings highlight the importance of constructing samples of students that are comparable to those students with whom the measurement method is likely to be applied when conducting psychometric investigations of behavioral assessment tools. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved.

Behaviors observed during S− in a simple discrimination learning task1

PubMed Central

Rand, Judith F.

1977-01-01

Key pecking of pigeons was reinforced with food in the presence of a horizontal line and never reinforced in the presence of a vertical line. Highly stereotyped behaviors, as well as key pecking, were observed and recorded in the presence of both stimuli. Results showed that a high proportion of time spent in the presence of the horizontal line was occupied by key pecking, a high proportion of time in the presence of the vertical line was occupied by stereotyped nonkey-pecking behaviors, and intermediate proportions of time spent in the presence of intermediate stimuli were occupied by each class of behavior during generalization tests. Similar running rates (number of key pecks divided by observed key-pecking time) were obtained in the presence of all stimuli, indicating that changes in time rather than tempo accounted for the changes in overall rates of key pecking. An exception occurred in responding to the horizontal line as differential performance was developing. In addition to an increase in time spent key pecking, increased running rates occurred in seven of eight birds, suggesting that both time allocation and tempo play a role in behavioral contrast of overall rates of key pecking. ImagesFig. 2a.Fig. 2b. PMID:16811968

Method for observing phase objects without halos and directional shadows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suzuki, Yoshimasa; Kajitani, Kazuo; Ohde, Hisashi

2015-03-01

A new microscopy method for observing phase objects without halos and directional shadows is proposed. The key optical element is an annular aperture at the front focal plane of a condenser with a larger diameter than those used in standard phase contrast microscopy. The light flux passing through the annular aperture is changed by the specimen's surface profile and then passes through an objective and contributes to image formation. This paper presents essential conditions for realizing the method. In this paper, images of colonies formed by induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells using this method are compared with the conventional phase contrast method and the bright-field method when the NA of the illumination is small to identify differences among these techniques. The outlines of the iPS cells are clearly visible with this method, whereas they are not clearly visible due to halos when using the phase contrast method or due to weak contrast when using the bright-field method. Other images using this method are also presented to demonstrate a capacity of this method: a mouse ovum and superimposition of several different images of mouse iPS cells.

Superparamagnetic and ferrimagnetic behavior of nanocrystalline ZnO(MnO)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuryliszyn-Kudelska, I.; Dobrowolski, W.; Arciszewska, M.; Romčević, N.; Romčević, M.; Hadžić, B.; Sibera, D.; Narkiewicz, U.

2018-04-01

We have studied the magnetic properties of nanocrystals of ZnO:MnO prepared by traditional wet chemistry method. The detailed structural and morphological characterization was performed. The results of systematic measurements of AC magnetic susceptibility as a function of temperature and frequency as well as DC magnetization are reported. We observed two different types of magnetic behavior depending on the concentration doping. For samples with low nominal content (up to 30 wt% of MnO), superparamagnetic behavior was observed. We attribute the observed superparamagnetism to the presence of nanosized ZnMnO3 phase. For nanocrystals doped above nominal 60 wt% of MnO ferrimagnetism was detected with TC at around 42 K. This magnetic behavior we assign to the presence of nanosized Mn3O4 phase.

Observed fearlessness and positive parenting interact to predict childhood callous-unemotional behaviors among low-income boys

PubMed Central

Waller, Rebecca; Shaw, Daniel S.; Hyde, Luke W.

2016-01-01

Background Callous-unemotional behaviors identify children at risk for severe and chronic antisocial behavior. Research is needed to establish pathways from temperament and parenting factors that give rise to callous-unemotional behaviors, including interactions of positive versus harsh parenting with child fearlessness. Methods Multi-method data, including parent reports and observations of parent and child behavior, were drawn from a prospective, longitudinal sample of low-income boys (N=310) with assessments at 18, 24, and 42 months, and at ages 10–12 years old. Results Parent-reported callous-unemotional, oppositional, and attention-deficit factors were separable at 42 months. Callous-unemotional behaviors at 42 months predicted callous-unemotional behaviors at ages 10–12, accounting for earlier oppositional and attention-deficit behaviors and self-reported child delinquency at ages 10–12. Observations of fearlessness at 24 months predicted callous-unemotional behaviors at 42 months, but only when parents exhibited low observed levels of positive parenting. The interaction of fearlessness and low positive parenting indirectly predicted callous-unemotional behaviors at 10–12 via callous-unemotional behaviors at 42 months. Conclusions Early fearlessness interacts with low positive parenting to predict early callous-unemotional behaviors, with lasting effects of this person-by-context interaction on callous-unemotional behaviors into late-childhood. PMID:27917472

Modeling Cloud Phase Fraction Based on In-situ Observations in Stratiform Clouds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boudala, F. S.; Isaac, G. A.

2005-12-01

Mixed-phase clouds influence weather and climate in several ways. Due to the fact that they exhibit very different optical properties as compared to ice or liquid only clouds, they play an important role in the earth's radiation balance by modifying the optical properties of clouds. Precipitation development in clouds is also enhanced under mixed-phase conditions and these clouds may contain large supercooled drops that freeze quickly in contact with aircraft surfaces that may be a hazard to aviation. The existence of ice and liquid phase clouds together in the same environment is thermodynamically unstable, and thus they are expected to disappear quickly. However, several observations show that mixed-phase clouds are relatively stable in the natural environment and last for several hours. Although there have been some efforts being made in the past to study the microphysical properties of mixed-phase clouds, there are still a number of uncertainties in modeling these clouds particularly in large scale numerical models. In most models, very simple temperature dependent parameterizations of cloud phase fraction are being used to estimate the fraction of ice or liquid phase in a given mixed-phase cloud. In this talk, two different parameterizations of ice fraction using in-situ aircraft measurements of cloud microphysical properties collected in extratropical stratiform clouds during several field programs will be presented. One of the parameterizations has been tested using a single prognostic equation developed by Tremblay et al. (1996) for application in the Canadian regional weather prediction model. The addition of small ice particles significantly increased the vapor deposition rate when the natural atmosphere is assumed to be water saturated, and thus this enhanced the glaciation of simulated mixed-phase cloud via the Bergeron-Findeisen process without significantly affecting the other cloud microphysical processes such as riming and particle sedimentation

Phase Behavior of Salt-Free Polyelectrolyte Gel-Surfactant Systems.

PubMed

Andersson, Martin; Hansson, Per

2017-06-22

Ionic surfactants tend to collapse the outer parts of polyelectrolyte gels, forming shells that can be used to encapsulate other species including protein and peptide drugs. In this paper, the aqueous phase behavior of covalently cross-linked polyacrylate networks containing sodium ions and dodecyltrimethylammonium ions as counterions is investigated by means of swelling isotherms, dye staining, small-angle X-ray scattering, and confocal Raman spectroscopy. The equilibrium state is approached by letting the networks absorb pure water. With an increasing fraction of surfactant ions, the state of the water-saturated gels is found to change from being swollen and monophasic, via multiphasic states, to collapsed and monophasic. The multiphasic gels have a swollen, micelle-lean core surrounded by a collapsed, micelle-rich shell, or a collapsed phase forming a spheroidal inner shell separating two micelle-lean parts. It is shown that the transition between monophasic and core-shell states can be induced by variation of the osmotic pressure and variation of the charge of the micelles by forming mixed micelles with the nonionic surfactant octaethyleneglycol monododecylether. The experimental data are compared with theoretical predictions of a model derived earlier. In the calculations, the collapsed shell is assumed to be homogeneous, an approximation introduced here and shown to be excellent for a wide range of compositions. The theoretical results highlight the electrostatic and hydrophobic driving forces behind phase separation.

Simulations to Predict the Phase Behavior and Structure of Multipolar Colloidal Particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rutkowski, David Matthew

Colloidal particles with anisotropic charge distributions can assemble into a number of interesting structures including chains, lattices and micelles that could be useful in biotechnology, optics and electronics. The goal of this work is to understand how the properties of the colloidal particles, such as their charge distribution or shape, affect the selfassembly and phase behavior of collections of such particles. The specific aim of this work is to understand how the separation between a pair of oppositely signed charges affects the phase behavior and structure of assemblies of colloidal particles. To examine these particles, we have used both discontinuous molecular dynamics (DMD) and Monte Carlo (MC) simulation techniques. In our first study of colloidal particles with finite charge separation, we simulate systems of 2-D colloidal rods with four possible charge separations. Our simulations show that the charge separation does indeed have a large effect on the phase behavior as can be seen in the phase diagrams we construct for these four systems in the area fraction-reduced temperature plane. The phase diagrams delineate the boundaries between isotropic fluid, string-fluid and percolated fluid for all systems considered. In particular, we find that coarse gel-like structures tend to form at large charge separations while denser aggregates form at small charge separations, suggesting a route to forming low volume gels by focusing on systems with large charge separations. Next we examine systems of circular particles with four embedded charges of alternating sign fixed to a triangular lattice. This system is found to form a limit periodic structure, a theoretical structure with an infinite number of phase transitions, under specific conditions. The limit-periodic structure only forms when the rotation of the particles in the system is restricted to increments of pi/3. When the rotation is restricted to increments of th/6 or the rotation is continuous, related

Quasi-Love phases between Tonga and Hawaii: Observations, simulations, and explanations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Levin, Vadim; Park, Jeffrey

1998-10-01

Seismograms of some shallow Tonga earthquakes observed at Hawaii contain SV-polarized phases in the Love wave time window, most prominently on the vertical component. Given the geometry of the observations (Δ ≈ 40-45°), such phases may be explained either as body waves or as mode-converted surface waves. Detailed synthetic seismogram modeling of representative events reveals several instances where the body wave explanation is inadequate, even when plausible uncertainties in the source mechanism are taken into account. The observed, SV-polarized phase can instead be generated through Love-Rayleigh scattering, which requires laterally varying seismic anisotropy along the Tonga-Hawaii path. Trial-and-error forward modeling with simple structures based on the transversely isotropic mid-Pacific velocity model PA5 of Gaherty et al [1996] obtains velocity structure that yields synthetic seismograms matching the observations. This model, while non unique, suggests first-order constraints on the lateral variation in anisotropic properties, and associated mantle flow, along the Tonga-Hawaii path. By examining trade-offs in model parameters, we conclude that robust features of the model are: (1) a transition from radial to mixed radial and azimuthal anisotropy 3°-5° from Hawaii; (2) the NW-SE alignment of the axis of azimuthal anisotropy; (3) higher degree of P anisotropy relative to S anisotropy; and (4) the presence of azimuthal anisotropy within upper 200-250 km of the mantle. Taken together, these features imply a disruption of mantle fabric by the processes forming Hawaii-Emperor volcanic system. A model with anisotropic gradients in both the lithospheric lid and shallow asthenosphere is the simplest extension of our starting model. However, an equivalent data fit can be obtained if the azimuthal-anisotropy gradients are restricted to line beneath the high-velocity "lid" of model PA5, so that mantle hot spot flow need not penetrate the lithospheric lid.

Pressure-Induced Phase Transitions of n-Tridecane

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamashita, Motoi

Pressure-induced phase transition behavior of n-tridecane from the ordered phase through the rotator phase into the liquid phase has been investigated by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy at 25 °C. The transition between the ordered and rotator phases has been observed in the pressure range of 270-220 MPa and the transition between the rotator and liquid phases has been observed in the pressure range of 171-112 MPa, within the experimental error of ±50 MPa. The populations of the -gtg- + -gtg'-, -gg- and gt- defects determined from the methylene wagging mode are smaller in the rotator phase than in the liquid phase and are smaller under higher pressure in both of the rotator and liquid phases. A relationship has been found between the conformation and the intensity of the 890 cm-1 band, which has been assigned as the methyl rocking mode and has been considered as insensitive to conformation.

Normal-phase liquid chromatography retention behavior of polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles and alkyl-substituted polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycle isomers on an aminopropyl stationary phase.

PubMed

Wilson, Walter B; Hayes, Hugh V; Sander, Lane C; Campiglia, Andres D; Wise, Stephen A

2018-02-01

Retention indices for 67 polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles (PASHs) and 80 alkyl-substituted PASHs were determined using normal-phase liquid chromatography (NPLC) on an aminopropyl (NH 2 ) stationary phase. The retention behavior of PASH on the NH 2 phase is correlated with the number of aromatic carbon atoms and two structural characteristics have a significant influence on their retention: non-planarity (thickness, T) and the position of the sulfur atom in the bay-region of the structure. Correlations between solute retention on the NH 2 phase and T of PASHs were investigated for three cata-condensed (cata-) PASH isomer groups: (a) 13 four-ring molecular mass (MM) 234 Da cata-PASHs, (b) 20 five-ring MM 284 Da cata-PASHs, and (c) 12 six-ring MM 334 Da cata-PASHs. Correlation coefficients ranged from r = -0.49 (MM 234 Da) to r = -0.65 (MM 334 Da), which were significantly lower than structurally similar PAH isomer groups (r = -0.70 to r = -0.99). The NPLC retention behavior of the PASHs are compared to similar results for PAHs.

Polymerization Behavior of Hydrophilic-Rich Phase of Dentin Adhesive

PubMed Central

Abedin, F.; Parthasarathy, R.; Misra, A.; Spencer, P.

2015-01-01

The 2-fold objectives of this study were 1) to understand whether model hydrophobic- and hydrophilic-rich phase mimics of dentin adhesive polymerize similarly and 2) to determine which factor, the dimethacrylate component, bisphenol A glycerolate dimethacrylate (BisGMA) or photoinitiator concentration, has greater influence on the polymerization of the hydrophilic-rich phase mimic. Current dentin adhesives are sensitive to moisture, as evidenced by nanoleakage in the hybrid layer and phase separation into hydrophobic- and hydrophilic-rich phases. Phase separation leads to limited availability of the cross-linkable dimethacrylate monomer and hydrophobic photoinitiators within the hydrophilic-rich phase. Model hydrophobic-rich phase was prepared as a single-phase solution by adding maximum wt% deuterium oxide (D2O) to HEMA/BisGMA neat resins containing 45 wt% 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). Mimics of the hydrophilic-rich phase were prepared similarly but using HEMA/BisGMA neat resins containing 95, 99, 99.5, and 100 wt% HEMA. The hydrophilic-rich mimics were prepared with standard or reduced photoinitiator content. The photoinitiator systems were camphorquinone (CQ)/ethyl 4-(dimethylamino)benzoate (EDMAB) with or without [3-(3, 4-dimethyl-9-oxo-9H-thioxanthen-2-yloxy)-2-hydroxypropyl]trimethylammonium chloride (QTX). The polymerization kinetics was monitored using a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer with a time-resolved collection mode. The hydrophobic-rich phase exhibited a significantly higher polymerization rate compared with the hydrophilic-rich phase. Postpolymerization resulting in the secondary rate maxima was observed for the hydrophilic-rich mimic. The hydrophilic-rich mimics with standard photoinitiator concentration but varying cross-linker (BisGMA) content showed postpolymerization and a substantial degree of conversion. In contrast, the corresponding formulations with reduced photoinitiator concentrations exhibited lower polymerization and

Retention behavior of isomeric polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles in gas chromatography on stationary phases of different selectivity

PubMed Central

Wilson, Walter B.; Sander, Lane C.; Oña-Ruales, Jorge O.; Mössner, Stephanie G.; Sidisky, Leonard M.; Lee, Milton L.; Wise, Stephen A.

2017-01-01

Retention indices for 48 polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles (PASHs) were determined using gas chromatography with three different stationary phases: a 50% phenyl phase, a 50% liquid crystalline dimethylpolysiloxane (LC-DMPS) phase, and an ionic liquid (IL) phase. Correlations between the retention behavior on the three stationary phases and PASH geometry (L/B and T, i.e., length-to-breadth ratio and thickness, respectively) were investigated for the following four isomer sets: (1) 4 three-ring molecular mass (MM) 184 Da PASHs, (2) 13 four-ring MM 234 Da PASHs, (3) 10 five-ring MM 258 Da PASHs, and (4) 20 five-ring MM 284 Da PASHs. Correlation coefficients for retention on the 50% LC-DMPS vs L/B ranged from r = 0.50 (MM 284 Da) to r = 0.77 (MM 234 Da). Correlation coefficients for retention on the IL phase vs L/B ranged from r = 0.31 (MM 234 Da) to r = 0.54 (MM 284 Da). Correlation coefficients for retention on the 50% phenyl vs L/B ranged from r = 0.14 (MM 258 Da) to r = 0.59 (MM 284 Da). Several correlation trends are discussed in detail for the retention behavior of PASH on the three stationary phases. PMID:28089272

Retention behavior of isomeric polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles in gas chromatography on stationary phases of different selectivity.

PubMed

Wilson, Walter B; Sander, Lane C; Oña-Ruales, Jorge O; Mössner, Stephanie G; Sidisky, Leonard M; Lee, Milton L; Wise, Stephen A

2017-02-17

Retention indices for 48 polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles (PASHs) were determined using gas chromatography with three different stationary phases: a 50% phenyl phase, a 50% liquid crystalline dimethylpolysiloxane (LC-DMPS) phase, and an ionic liquid (IL) phase. Correlations between the retention behavior on the three stationary phases and PASH geometry (L/B and T, i.e., length-to-breadth ratio and thickness, respectively) were investigated for the following four isomer sets: (1) 4 three-ring molecular mass (MM) 184Da PASHs, (2) 13 four-ring MM 234Da PASHs, (3) 10 five-ring MM 258Da PASHs, and (4) 20 five-ring MM 284Da PASHs. Correlation coefficients for retention on the 50% LC-DMPS vs L/B ranged from r=0.50 (MM 284Da) to r=0.77 (MM 234Da). Correlation coefficients for retention on the IL phase vs L/B ranged from r=0.31 (MM 234Da) to r=0.54 (MM 284Da). Correlation coefficients for retention on the 50% phenyl vs L/B ranged from r=0.14 (MM 258Da) to r=0.59 (MM 284Da). Several correlation trends are discussed in detail for the retention behavior of PASH on the three stationary phases. Published by Elsevier B.V.

An X-ray transparent microfluidic platform for screening of the phase behavior of lipidic mesophases

PubMed Central

Khvostichenko, Daria S.; Kondrashkina, Elena; Perry, Sarah L.; Pawate, Ashtamurthy S.; Brister, Keith

2013-01-01

chips showed excellent agreement. Phase behavior observed on-chip corresponded well with that of samples prepared via the traditional coupled-syringe method (“off-chip”) using 300-fold larger amount of material, further validating the utility of the microfluidic platform for on-chip characterization of mesophase behavior. PMID:23882463

Assessment by Monte Carlo computer simulations of the phase behavior of hard spherocylinders confined within cylindrical cavities.

PubMed

Viveros-Méndez, Perla X; Gil-Villegas, Alejandro; Aranda Espinoza, Said

2017-12-21

The phase behavior of hard spherocylinders (HSCs) confined in cylindrical cavities is studied using Monte Carlo simulations in the canonical ensemble. Results are presented for different values of the particles' aspect ratio l/σ, where l and σ are the length and diameter of the cylinder and hemispherical caps, respectively. Finite cavities with periodic boundary conditions along the principal axis of the cavities have been considered, where the cavity's principal axis is along the z-direction. We first focus our study in the structure induced by varying the degree of confinement, determining the HSC phase diagram for aspect ratios l/σ = 3, 5, 7, and 9, at a fixed packing fraction η = 0.071. By compressing the cavities along the radial direction, the isotropic phase becomes stable before the nematic phase as the length of the cavities is increased, resulting in a second-order transition. The occurrence of phase transitions has also been determined by varying η for constant values of the cavity's length L. Systems with low aspect ratios, l/σ = 3, 5, 7, and 9, exhibit first-order transitions with chiral, paranematic, and isotropic phases, whereas for larger HSCs, l/σ = 50, 70, and 100, the transitions are second order with paranematic, nematic, and isotropic phases, in contrast with the behavior of non-confined systems, with first-order transitions for isotropic, nematic, smectic-A, and solid phases.

Effect of shrinkage on isothermal drying behavior of 2-phase olive mill waste

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The objective of this study was to determine the drying behavior of 2-phase olive mill waste (2POMW) under isothermal microwave-convection drying conditions. 2POMW samples were dried in a thin layer in a variable-power pilot microwave oven with impinging air, using a feedback controller to maintain...

Visualizing phase transition behavior of dilute stimuli responsive polymer solutions via Mueller matrix polarimetry.

PubMed

Narayanan, Amal; Chandel, Shubham; Ghosh, Nirmalya; De, Priyadarsi

2015-09-15

Probing volume phase transition behavior of superdiluted polymer solutions both micro- and macroscopically still persists as an outstanding challenge. In this regard, we have explored 4 × 4 spectral Mueller matrix measurement and its inverse analysis for excavating the microarchitectural facts about stimuli responsiveness of "smart" polymers. Phase separation behavior of thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and pH responsive poly(N,N-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) and their copolymers were analyzed in terms of Mueller matrix derived polarization parameters, namely, depolarization (Δ), diattenuation (d), and linear retardance (δ). The Δ, d, and δ parameters provided useful information on both macro- and microstructural alterations during the phase separation. Additionally, the two step action ((i) breakage of polymer-water hydrogen bonding and (ii) polymer-polymer aggregation) at the molecular microenvironment during the cloud point generation was successfully probed via these parameters. It is demonstrated that, in comparison to the present techniques available for assessing the hydrophobic-hydrophilic switch over of simple stimuli-responsive polymers, Mueller matrix polarimetry offers an important advantage requiring a few hundred times dilute polymer solution (0.01 mg/mL, 1.1-1.4 μM) at a low-volume format.

Observed fearlessness and positive parenting interact to predict childhood callous-unemotional behaviors among low-income boys.

PubMed

Waller, Rebecca; Shaw, Daniel S; Hyde, Luke W

2017-03-01

Callous-unemotional behaviors identify children at risk for severe and chronic antisocial behavior. Research is needed to establish pathways from temperament and parenting factors that give rise to callous-unemotional behaviors, including interactions of positive versus harsh parenting with child fearlessness. Multimethod data, including parent reports and observations of parent and child behavior, were drawn from a prospective, longitudinal sample of low-income boys (N = 310) with assessments at 18, 24, and 42 months, and at ages 10-12 years old. Parent-reported callous-unemotional, oppositional, and attention-deficit factors were separable at 42 months. Callous-unemotional behaviors at 42 months predicted callous-unemotional behaviors at ages 10-12, accounting for earlier oppositional and attention-deficit behaviors and self-reported child delinquency at ages 10-12. Observations of fearlessness at 24 months predicted callous-unemotional behaviors at 42 months, but only when parents exhibited low observed levels of positive parenting. The interaction of fearlessness and low positive parenting indirectly predicted callous-unemotional behaviors at 10-12 via callous-unemotional behaviors at 42 months. Early fearlessness interacts with low positive parenting to predict early callous-unemotional behaviors, with lasting effects of this person-by-context interaction on callous-unemotional behaviors into late childhood. © 2016 Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.

How Do Observational Scales Correlate the Ratings of Children's Behavior during Pediatric Procedural Sedation?

PubMed Central

Moura, Larissa da Silva

2016-01-01

Background. There is little information regarding the ability of observational scales to properly assess children's behavior during procedural sedation. Aim. To evaluate the characteristics of the Houpt scales, the Ohio State University Behavioral Rating Scale (OSUBRS) and the Venham Behavior Rating Scale when applied to preschool children undergoing conscious dental sedation. Design. This study included 27 children, 4–6 years old with early childhood caries that participated in a clinical trial (NCT02284204) that investigated two sedative regimes using oral midazolam/ketamine. Dental appointments were video-recorded; five calibrated observers assessed 1,209 minutes of video recording to score the children's behavior, following the instructions of the investigated scales. Data were analyzed by descriptive analysis and Spearman correlation tests (P < 0.05). Results. The Houpt overall behavior and the Venham scale were highly correlated (rho = −0.87; P < 0.001). OSUBRS scores were better correlated with Houpt overall behavior and Venham ratings, when compared to Houpt scores in the categories for movement and crying. Conclusions. The Houpt overall behavior and the Venham scores are global scales that properly measure children's behavior during dental sedation. Continuous assessment with OSUBRS through videos has a chance to give more precise data, while the Houpt categories can easily demonstrate children's behavior during procedures. PMID:28116299

The Effects of Safety Discrimination Training and Frequent Safety Observations on Safety-Related Behavior

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Taylor, Matthew A.; Alvero, Alicia M.

2012-01-01

The intent of the present study was to assess the effects of discrimination training only and in combination with frequent safety observations on five participants' safety-related behavior in a simulated office setting. The study used a multiple-baseline design across safety-related behaviors. Across all participants and behavior, safety improved…

Understanding the Phase Behavior of Tetrahydrofuran + Carbon Dioxide, + Methane, and + Water Binary Mixtures from the SAFT-VR Approach.

PubMed

Míguez, J M; Piñeiro, M M; Algaba, J; Mendiboure, B; Torré, J P; Blas, F J

2015-11-05

The high-pressure phase diagrams of the tetrahydrofuran(1) + carbon dioxide(2), + methane(2), and + water(2) mixtures are examined using the SAFT-VR approach. Carbon dioxide molecule is modeled as two spherical segments tangentially bonded, water is modeled as a spherical segment with four associating sites to represent the hydrogen bonding, methane is represented as an isolated sphere, and tetrahydrofuran is represented as a chain of m tangentially bonded spherical segments. Dispersive interactions are modeled using the square-well intermolecular potential. In addition, two different molecular model mixtures are developed to take into account the subtle balance between water-tetrahydrofuran hydrogen-bonding interactions. The polar and quadrupolar interactions present in water, tetrahydrofuran, and carbon dioxide are treated in an effective way via square-well potentials of variable range. The optimized intermolecular parameters are taken from the works of Giner et al. (Fluid Phase Equil. 2007, 255, 200), Galindo and Blas (J. Phys. Chem. B 2002, 106, 4503), Patel et al. (Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2003, 42, 3809), and Clark et al. (Mol. Phys. 2006, 104, 3561) for tetrahydrofuran, carbon dioxide, methane, and water, respectively. The phase diagrams of the binary mixtures exhibit different types of phase behavior according to the classification of van Konynenburg and Scott, ranging from types I, III, and VI phase behavior for the tetrahydrofuran(1) + carbon dioxide(2), + methane(2), and + water(2) binary mixtures, respectively. This last type is characterized by the presence of a Bancroft point, positive azeotropy, and the so-called closed-loop curves that represent regions of liquid-liquid immiscibility in the phase diagram. The system exhibits lower critical solution temperatures (LCSTs), which denote the lower limit of immiscibility together with upper critical solution temperatures (UCSTs). This behavior is explained in terms of competition between the incompatibility

The Effects of Training, Feedback, and Participant Involvement in Behavioral Safety Observations on Office Ergonomic Behavior

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sasson, Joseph R.; Austin, John

2005-01-01