Gain media edge treatment to suppress amplified spontaneous emission in a high power laser

DOEpatents

Hackel, Lloyd A [Livermore, CA; Soules, Thomas F [Livermore, CA; Fochs, Scott N [Livermore, CA; Rotter, Mark D [San Ramon, CA; Letts, Stephan A [San Ramon, CA

2011-02-22

A novel method and apparatus for suppressing ASE and/or parasitic oscillation modes in a laser is introduced. By roughening one or more peripheral edges of a solid-state crystal or ceramic laser gain media and by bonding such edges to a predetermined electromagnetic absorbing material arranged adjacent to the entire outer surface of the peripheral edges of the roughened laser gain media, ASE, parasitic oscillation modes and/or residual pump energy can be effectively suppressed.

Gain media edge treatment to suppress amplified spontaneous emission in a high power laser

DOEpatents

Hackel, Lloyd A.; Soules, Thomas F.; Fochs, Scott N.; Rotter, Mark D.; Letts, Stephan A.

2008-12-09

A novel method and apparatus for suppressing ASE and parasitic oscillation modes in a high average power laser is introduced. By roughening one or more peripheral edges of a solid-state crystal or ceramic laser gain media and by bonding such edges using a substantially high index bonding elastomer or epoxy to a predetermined electromagnetic absorbing arranged adjacent to the entire outer surface of the peripheral edges of the roughened laser gain media, ASE and parasitic oscillation modes can be effectively suppressed.

Premixed direct injection nozzle

DOEpatents

Zuo, Baifang [Simpsonville, SC; Johnson, Thomas Edward [Greer, SC; Lacy, Benjamin Paul [Greer, SC; Ziminsky, Willy Steve [Simpsonville, SC

2011-02-15

An injection nozzle having a main body portion with an outer peripheral wall is disclosed. The nozzle includes a plurality of fuel/air mixing tubes disposed within the main body portion and a fuel flow passage fluidly connected to the plurality of fuel/air mixing tubes. Fuel and air are partially premixed inside the plurality of the tubes. A second body portion, having an outer peripheral wall extending between a first end and an opposite second end, is connected to the main body portion. The partially premixed fuel and air mixture from the first body portion gets further mixed inside the second body portion. The second body portion converges from the first end toward said second end. The second body portion also includes cooling passages that extend along all the walls around the second body to provide thermal damage resistance for occasional flame flash back into the second body.

Coaxial connector for use with printed circuit board edge connector

DOEpatents

Howard, Donald R.; MacGill, Robert A.

1989-01-01

A coaxial cable connector for interfacing with an edge connector for a printed circuit board whereby a coaxial cable can be interconnected with a printed circuit board through the edge connector. The coaxial connector includes a body having two leg portions extending from one side for receiving the edge connector therebetween, and a tubular portion extending from an opposing side for receiving a coaxial cable. A cavity within the body receives a lug of the edge connector and the center conductor of the coaxial cable. Adjacent lugs of the edge connector can be bend around the edge connector housing to function as spring-loaded contacts for receiving the coaxial connector. The lugs also function to facilitate shielding of the center conductor where fastened to the edge connector lug.

Reduced heat input keyhole welding through improved joint design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sanders, John M. (Inventor); Harwig, Dennis D. (Inventor)

1993-01-01

An improved high energy density welding method for reducing input keyhole welding prepares the weld joint (8) between two edges (10, 14) of at least one member by separating the edges (10, 14) of the member (12, 16) with a controllable gap (22) by a projecting portion (24) selectively positioned on one edge (10, 14) of the member (12, 16). The projecting portion (24) closely abuts the other edge of the member for maintaining the controlled distance (d) of the controllable gap (22) to enhance the welding method.

Differential roles of WAVE1 and WAVE2 in dorsal and peripheral ruffle formation for fibroblast cell migration.

PubMed

Suetsugu, Shiro; Yamazaki, Daisuke; Kurisu, Shusaku; Takenawa, Tadaomi

2003-10-01

Cell migration is driven by actin polymerization at the leading edge of lamellipodia, where WASP family verprolin-homologous proteins (WAVEs) activate Arp2/3 complex. When fibroblasts are stimulated with PDGF, formation of peripheral ruffles precedes that of dorsal ruffles in lamellipodia. Here, we show that WAVE2 deficiency impairs peripheral ruffle formation and WAVE1 deficiency impairs dorsal ruffle formation. During directed cell migration in the absence of extracellular matrix (ECM), cells migrate with peripheral ruffles at the leading edge and WAVE2, but not WAVE1, is essential. In contrast, both WAVE1 and WAVE2 are essential for invading migration into ECM, suggesting that the leading edge in ECM has characteristics of both ruffles. WAVE1 is colocalized with ECM-degrading enzyme MMP-2 in dorsal ruffles, and WAVE1-, but not WAVE2-, dependent migration requires MMP activity. Thus, WAVE2 is essential for leading edge extension for directed migration in general and WAVE1 is essential in MMP-dependent migration in ECM.

Pressure equalizing photovoltaic assembly and method

DOEpatents

Dinwoodie, Thomas L [Piedmont, CA

2003-05-27

Each PV assembly of an array of PV assemblies comprises a base, a PV module and a support assembly securing the PV module to a position overlying the upper surface of the base. Vents are formed through the base. A pressure equalization path extends from the outer surface of the PV module, past the peripheral edge of the PV module, to and through at least one of the vents, and to the lower surface of the base to help reduce wind uplift forces on the PV assembly. The PV assemblies may be interengaged, such as by interengaging the bases of adjacent PV assemblies. The base may include a main portion and a cover and the bases of adjacent PV assemblies may be interengaged by securing the covers of adjacent bases together.

Turbine blade and non-integral platform with pin attachment

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

Campbell, Christian X; Eng, Darryl; Marra, John J

Platforms (36, 38) span between turbine blades (23, 24, 25) on a disk (32). Each platform may be individually mounted to the disk by a pin attachment (42). Each platform (36) may have a rotationally rearward edge portion (50) that underlies a forward portion (45) of the adjacent platform (38). This limits centrifugal bending of the rearward portion of the platform, and provides coolant sealing. The rotationally forward edge (44A, 44B) of the platform overlies a seal element (51) on the pressure side (28) of the forwardly adjacent blade, and does not underlie a shelf on that blade. The pinmore » attachment allows radial mounting of each platform onto the disk via tilting (60) of the platform during mounting to provide mounting clearance for the rotationally rearward edge portion (50). This facilitates quick platform replacement without blade removal.« less

Turbine blade and non-integral platform with pin attachment

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

Campbell, Christian Xavier; Eng, Darryl; Marra, John J.

2016-08-02

Platforms (36, 38) span between turbine blades (23, 24, 25) on a disk (32). Each platform may be individually mounted to the disk by a pin attachment (42). Each platform (36) may have a rotationally rearward edge portion (50) that underlies a forward portion (45) of the adjacent platform (38). This limits centrifugal bending of the rearward portion of the platform, and provides coolant sealing. The rotationally forward edge (44A, 44B) of the platform overlies a seal element (51) on the pressure side (28) of the forwardly adjacent blade, and does not underlie a shelf on that blade. The pinmore » attachment allows radial mounting of each platform onto the disk via tilting (60) of the platform during mounting to provide mounting clearance for the rotationally rearward edge portion (50). This facilitates quick platform replacement without blade removal.« less

Structurally efficient inflatable protective device

DOEpatents

Nelsen, James M.; Whinery, Larry D.; Gwinn, Kenneth W.; McBride, Donald D.; Luna, Daniel A.; Holder, Joseph P.; Bliton, Richard J.

1997-01-01

An apparatus and method for making a low cost, self-venting, inflatable protective cushion of simple and structurally efficient design with a shape and construction that optimizes the cushion's ability to withstand inflation pressures and impact when deployed which includes a sheet defined by at least one fold line and a plurality of flap portions, each flap portion having a base edge corresponding to a fold line and at least two side edges each extending outwardly from a base edge and ultimately converging to meet each other, the flap portions being folded at the fold line(s) and being joined at corresponding side edges to define an inflatable chamber. The inflatable protective cushion and method for making same may further include a lightweight, low permeability, fabric that optimizes the cushion's ability to withstand inflation pressures and impact when deployed and minimizes the packed volume of the cushion when stored.

Structurally efficient inflatable protective device

DOEpatents

Nelsen, J.M.; Whinery, L.D.; Gwinn, K.W.; McBride, D.D.; Luna, D.A.; Holder, J.P.; Bliton, R.J.

1997-03-04

An apparatus and method are disclosed for making a low cost, self-venting, inflatable protective cushion of simple and structurally efficient design with a shape and construction that optimizes the cushion`s ability to withstand inflation pressures and impact when deployed which includes a sheet defined by at least one fold line and a plurality of flap portions, each flap portion having a base edge corresponding to a fold line and at least two side edges each extending outwardly from a base edge and ultimately converging to meet each other, the flap portions being folded at the fold line(s) and being joined at corresponding side edges to define an inflatable chamber. The inflatable protective cushion and method for making same may further include a lightweight, low permeability, fabric that optimizes the cushion`s ability to withstand inflation pressures and impact when deployed and minimizes the packed volume of the cushion when stored. 22 figs.

Structurally efficient inflatable protective device

DOEpatents

Nelsen, J.M.; Whinery, L.D.; Gwinn, K.W.; McBride, D.D.; Luna, D.A.; Holder, J.P.; Bliton, R.J.

1996-01-09

An apparatus and method are disclosed for making a low cost, self-venting, inflatable protective cushion of simple and structurally efficient design with a shape and construction that optimizes the cushion`s ability to withstand inflation pressures and impact when deployed which includes a sheet defined by at least one fold line and a plurality of flap portions, each flap portion having a base edge corresponding to a fold line and at least two side edges each extending outwardly from a base edge and ultimately converging to meet each other, the flap portions being folded at the fold line(s) and being joined at corresponding side edges to define an inflatable chamber. The inflatable protective cushion and method for making same may further include a lightweight, low permeability, fabric that optimizes the cushion`s ability to withstand inflation pressures and impact when deployed and minimizes the packed volume of the cushion when stored. 22 figs.

Structurally efficient inflatable protective device

DOEpatents

Nelsen, James M.; Whinery, Larry D.; Gwinn, Kenneth W.; McBride, Donald D.; Luna, Daniel A.; Holder, Joseph P.; Bliton, Richard J.

1996-01-01

An apparatus and method for making a low cost, self-venting, inflatable protective cushion of simple and structurally efficient design with a shape and construction that optimizes the cushion's ability to withstand inflation pressures and impact when deployed which includes a sheet defined by at least one fold line and a plurality of flap portions, each flap portion having a base edge corresponding to a fold line and at least two side edges each extending outwardly from a base edge and ultimately converging to meet each other, the flap portions being folded at the fold line(s) and being Joined at corresponding side edges to define an inflatable chamber. The inflatable protective cushion and method for making same may further include a lightweight, low permeability, fabric that optimizes the cushion's ability to withstand inflation pressures and impact when deployed and minimizes the packed volume of the cushion when stored.

Structurally efficient inflatable protective device

DOEpatents

Nelsen, James M.; Whinery, Larry D.; Gwinn, Kenneth W.; McBride, Donald D.; Luna, Daniel A.; Holder, Joseph P.; Bliton, Richard J.

1996-01-01

An apparatus and method for making a low cost, self-venting, inflatable protective cushion of simple and structurally efficient design with a shape and construction that optimizes the cushion's ability to withstand inflation pressures and impact when deployed which includes a sheet defined by at least one fold line and a plurality of flap portions, each flap portion having a base edge corresponding to a fold line and at least two side edges each extending outwardly from a base edge and ultimately converging to meet each other, the flap portions being folded at the fold line(s) and being joined at corresponding side edges to define an inflatable chamber. The inflatable protective cushion and method for making same may further include a lightweight, low permeability, fabric that optimizes the cushion's ability to withstand inflation pressures and impact when deployed and minimizes the packed volume of the cushion when stored.

Partially turbulated trailing edge cooling passages for gas turbine nozzles

DOEpatents

Thatcher, Jonathan Carl; Burdgick, Steven Sebastian

2001-01-01

A plurality of passages are spaced one from the other along the length of a trailing edge of a nozzle vane in a gas turbine. The passages lie in communication with a cavity in the vane for flowing cooling air from the cavity through the passages through the tip of the trailing edge into the hot gas path. Each passage is partially turbulated and includes ribs in an aft portion thereof to provide enhanced cooling effects adjacent the tip of the trailing edge. The major portions of the passages are smooth bore. By this arrangement, reduced temperature gradients across the trailing edge metal are provided. Additionally, the inlets to each of the passages have a restriction whereby a reduced magnitude of compressor bleed discharge air is utilized for trailing edge cooling purposes.

Rubber stopper remover

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

Stitt, Robert R.

1994-01-01

A device for removing a rubber stopper from a test tube is mountable to an upright wall, has a generally horizontal splash guard, and a lower plate spaced parallel to and below the splash guard. A slot in the lower plate has spaced-apart opposing edges that converge towards each other from the plate outer edge to a narrowed portion, the opposing edges shaped to make engagement between the bottom of the stopper flange and the top edge of the test tube to wedge therebetween and to grasp the stopper in the slot narrowed portion to hold the stopper as themore » test tube is manipulated downwardly and pulled from the stopper. The opposing edges extend inwardly to adjoin an opening having a diameter significantly larger than that of the stopper flange.« less

Edge technique for measurement of laser frequency shifts including the Doppler shift

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Korb, Larry (Inventor)

1991-01-01

A method is disclosed for determining the frequency shift in a laser system by transmitting an outgoing laser beam. An incoming laser beam having a frequency shift is received. A first signal is acquired by transmitting a portion of the incoming laser beam to an energy monitor detector. A second signal is acquired by transmitting a portion of the incoming laser beam through an edge filter to an edge detector, which derives a first normalized signal which is proportional to the transmission of the edge filter at the frequency of the incoming laser beam. A second normalized signal is acquired which is proportional to the transmission of the edge filter at the frequency of the outgoing laser beam. The frequency shift is determined by processing the first and second normalized signals.

Electrostatically clean solar array

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stern, Theodore Garry (Inventor); Krumweide, Duane Eric (Inventor)

2004-01-01

Provided are methods of manufacturing an electrostatically clean solar array panel and the products resulting from the practice of these methods. The preferred method uses an array of solar cells, each with a coverglass where the method includes machining apertures into a flat, electrically conductive sheet so that each aperture is aligned with and undersized with respect to its matched coverglass sheet and thereby fashion a front side shield with apertures (FSA). The undersized portion about each aperture of the bottom side of the FSA shield is bonded to the topside portions nearest the edges of each aperture's matched coverglass. Edge clips are attached to the front side aperture shield edges with the edge clips electrically and mechanically connecting the tops of the coverglasses to the solar panel substrate. The FSA shield, edge clips and substrate edges are bonded so as to produce a conductively grounded electrostatically clean solar array panel.

Method and apparatus for an insulating glazing unit and compliant seal for an insulating glazing unit

DOEpatents

Francis, IV, William H.; Freebury, Gregg E.; Beidleman, Neal J.; Hulse, Michael

2016-05-03

A Vacuum Insulating Glazing Unit (VIGU) comprises two or more glass lites (panes) spaced apart from one another and hermetically bonded to an edge seal assembly therebetween. The resulting cavity between the lites is evacuated to create at least one insulating vacuum cavity within which are disposed a plurality of stand-off members to maintain separation between the lites. The edge seal assembly is preferably compliant in the longitudinal (i.e., edgewise) direction to allow longitudinal relative motion between the two lites (e.g., from thermal expansion). The longitudinal compliance may be obtained by imprinting a three-dimensional pattern into the edge seal material. The edge seal assembly is preferably bonded to the lites with a first bond portion that is hermetic and a second bond portion that is load-resistant. Methods for producing VIGUs and/or compliant edge seal assemblies and VIGU and edge seal apparatus are disclosed.

Apparatus for connecting aligned abutted tubes

DOEpatents

Williams, R.E.

1984-11-29

An apparatus for connecting abutted tubes and for maintaining their rotary alignment during connection. The apparatus comprises first and second tubes, a rotation prevention element, a collar and a retainer. Each tube has inside and outside walls, and first and second ends, each end having an inside and outside edge. The first tube has portions defining a first plurality of cavities located at the outside edge of its first end. An external threaded portion is on the outside wall of the first tube and next to the first plurality of cavities. The second tube has portions defining a second plurality of cavities located at the outside edge of its first end. The first plurality has a different number than the second plurality. The first ends of the first and second tubes have substantially the same outside diameter and are abutted during connection so that an orifice is formed whenever first and second tube cavities substantially overlap. A rotation prevension element is placed in the orifice to prevent rotation of the first and second tubes. A collar with an internal threaded portion is slidably disposed about the second tube. The internal threaded portion engages the external threaded portion of the first tube to connect the tubes. A lip connected to the collar prevents separation of the collar from the second tube.

Orienting members in a preselected rotary alignment

DOEpatents

Williams, Ray E.

1987-01-01

An apparatus for orienting members and for maintaining their rotary alignment during orienting members. The apparatus comprises first and second cylindrical elements, a rotation prevention element, a collar and a retainer. Each element has an outside wall, and first and second ends, each end having an outside edge. The first element has portions defining a first plurality of notches located at the outside edge of its first end. An external threaded portion is on the outside wall of the first element and next to the first plurality of notches. The second element has portions defining a second plurality of notches located at the outside edge of its first end. The first plurality has a different number than the second plurality. The first ends of the first and second tubes have substantially the same outside diameter and are abutted during connection so that a cavity is formed whenever first and second tube notches substantially overlap. A rotation prevention element is placed in the cavity to prevent rotation of the first and second elements. A collar with an internal threaded portion is slidably disposed about the second element. The internal threaded portion engages the external threaded portion of the first element to connect the elements. A lip connected to the collar prevents separation of the collar from the second element.

Lift producing device exhibiting low drag and reduced ventilation potential and method for producing the same

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Caldwell, Richard A. (Inventor)

1991-01-01

A lift producing device is disclosed which is adapted to be connected to a vehicle to provide lift to the vehicle when the vehicle is moved relative to a first fluid medium having a first density and viscosity and being in contact with a second fluid medium adjacent the vehicle. The second fluid medium has a second fluid density which is different from the first fluid density. The lift producing device comprises opposed first and second major surfaces joined at a longitudinally extending leading edge and at a longitudinally extending trailing edge, with at least a portion of the longitudinally extending leading edge being spaced from the longitudinally extending trailing edge by a predetermined mean chord length. When the vehicle is moved relative to the first fluid medium at a velocity within a range of predetermined velocities, with each of the velocities having a direction inclined from a plane extending through the leading edge and the trailing edge within a predetermined angular range, a region of high pressure is generated in the first fluid medium adjacent the first major surface and a region of low pressure is generated in the first fluid medium adjacent the second major surface. The lift producing device has a cross-sectional shape which will generate a pressure distribution around the device when the vehicle is moved relative to the first fluid medium at a velocity within the range of predetermined velocities such that the first fluid medium exhibits attached laminar flow along the device for a portion of the predetermined mean chord length from the leading edge to the trailing edge and will neither form a laminar separation bubble adjacent the second major surface of the device, nor exhibit turbulent separation adjacent the second major surface for substantially all of the predetermined mean chord length from the leading edge to the trailing edge. The portion along which attached laminar flow is maintained is the longest portion which will still fulfill the flow separation requirements. A method for producing the foil is also disclosed.

Expanded home ranges in a peripheral population: Space use by endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels

Treesearch

John L. Koprowski; Sarah R. B. King; Melissa J. Merrick

2008-01-01

Peripheral populations are often of increased conservation value; however, knowledge of the ecological and evolutionary consequences of a peripheral location is poor. Spatial dynamics are often interpreted as strategies to maximize access to fitness-limiting resources. Red squirrels Tamiasciurus hudsonicus are territorial in western portions of their...

Presence of a temperature gradient among genital tract portions and the thermal changes within these portions over the estrous cycle in beef cows.

PubMed

El-Sheikh Ali, Hossam; Kitahara, Go; Tamura, Youji; Kobayashi, Ikuo; Hemmi, Koichiro; Torisu, Shidow; Sameshima, Hiroshi; Horii, Yoichiro; Zaabel, Samy; Kamimura, Shunichi

2013-01-01

The aim of the present study was to describe the temperature of the different portions of the female genital tract and their relation to rectal temperature and to investigate the effect of steroid hormones profiles on these variables over the estrous cycle in cattle. Four nonpregnant Japanese Black cows were investigated daily over two successive estrous cycles using a digital thermometer with a long probe and rounded-end sensor to record the temperature of the rectum (RT), vagina (VT), cervix (CT), uterine body (UBT) and uterine horns (UHT). Blood samples were collected immediately before temperature recording to assay peripheral levels of progesterone (P(4)) and estradiol-17β (E(2)). Moreover, transrectal ultrasonography was carried out after temperature recording to monitor the ovulatory follicle and track ovulation. During the experiment, the ambient temperature and relative humidity were recorded for further calculation of the temperature humidity index (THI). The temperature within the genital tracts in these cows progressively increased towards the uterine horns from the vagina. The VT, CT, UBT and UHTs were significantly higher in association with peripheral P(4) concentrations greater than 4 ng/ml (mid-luteal phase) when compared with lower peripheral P(4) concentrations. The VT was more significantly (P<0.01) correlated to the CT, UBT and UHTs than RT. In conclusion, a temperature gradient was present among the vagina, cervix and uterus over the estrous cycle, and changes in peripheral P(4) concentrations were associated with the thermal variations within these portions. The VT could be more beneficial than RT in monitoring temperature of deeper portions of the female genital tract in bovine.

Presence of a Temperature Gradient Among Genital Tract Portions and the Thermal Changes Within These Portions Over the Estrous Cycle in Beef Cows

PubMed Central

EL-SHEIKH ALI, Hossam; KITAHARA, Go; TAMURA, Youji; KOBAYASHI, Ikuo; HEMMI, Koichiro; TORISU, Shidow; SAMESHIMA, Hiroshi; HORII, Yoichiro; ZAABEL, Samy; KAMIMURA, Shunichi

2012-01-01

Abstract The aim of the present study was to describe the temperature of the different portions of the female genital tract and their relation to rectal temperature and to investigate the effect of steroid hormones profiles on these variables over the estrous cycle in cattle. Four nonpregnant Japanese Black cows were investigated daily over two successive estrous cycles using a digital thermometer with a long probe and rounded-end sensor to record the temperature of the rectum (RT), vagina (VT), cervix (CT), uterine body (UBT) and uterine horns (UHT). Blood samples were collected immediately before temperature recording to assay peripheral levels of progesterone (P4) and estradiol-17β (E2). Moreover, transrectal ultrasonography was carried out after temperature recording to monitor the ovulatory follicle and track ovulation. During the experiment, the ambient temperature and relative humidity were recorded for further calculation of the temperature humidity index (THI). The temperature within the genital tracts in these cows progressively increased towards the uterine horns from the vagina. The VT, CT, UBT and UHTs were significantly higher in association with peripheral P4 concentrations greater than 4 ng/ml (mid-luteal phase) when compared with lower peripheral P4 concentrations. The VT was more significantly (P<0.01) correlated to the CT, UBT and UHTs than RT. In conclusion, a temperature gradient was present among the vagina, cervix and uterus over the estrous cycle, and changes in peripheral P4 concentrations were associated with the thermal variations within these portions. The VT could be more beneficial than RT in monitoring temperature of deeper portions of the female genital tract in bovine. PMID:23095515

Nozzle cavity impingement/area reduction insert

DOEpatents

Yu, Yufeng Phillip; Itzel, Gary Michael; Osgood, Sarah Jane

2002-01-01

A turbine vane segment is provided that has inner and outer walls spaced from one another, a vane extending between the inner and outer walls and having leading and trailing edges and pressure and suction sides, the vane including discrete leading edge, intermediate, aft and trailing edge cavities between the leading and trailing edges and extending lengthwise of the vane for flowing a cooling medium; and an insert sleeve within at least one of the cavities and spaced from interior wall surfaces thereof. The insert sleeve has an inlet for flowing the cooling medium into the insert sleeve and has impingement holes defined in first and second walls thereof that respectively face the pressure and suction sides of the vane. The impingement holes of at least one of those first and second walls are defined along substantially only a first, upstream portion thereof, whereby the cooling flow is predominantly impingement cooling along a first region of the insert wall corresponding to the first, upstream portion and the cooling flow is predominantly convective cooling along a second region corresponding to a second, downstream portion of the at least one wall of the insert sleeve.

Folded membrane dialyzer with mechanically sealed edges

DOEpatents

Markley, Finley W.

1976-01-01

A semipermeable membrane is folded in accordion fashion to form a stack of pleats and the edges are sealed so as to isolate the opposite surfaces of the membrane. The stack is contained within a case that provides ports for flow of blood in contact with one surface of the membrane through channels formed by the pleats and also provides ports for flow of a dialysate through channels formed by the pleats in contact with the other surface of the membrane. The serpentine side edges of the membrane are sealed by a solidified plastic material, whereas effective mechanical means are provided to seal the end edges of the folded membrane. The mechanical means include a clamping strip which biases case sealing flanges into a sealed relationship with end portions of the membrane near the end edges, which portions extend from the stack and between the sealing flanges.

Hot compression process for making edge seals for fuel cells

DOEpatents

Dunyak, Thomas J.; Granata, Jr., Samuel J.

1994-01-01

A hot compression process for forming integral edge seals in anode and cade assemblies wherein the assemblies are made to a nominal size larger than a finished size, beads of AFLAS are applied to a band adjacent the peripheral margins on both sides of the assemblies, the assemblies are placed in a hot press and compressed for about five minutes with a force sufficient to permeate the peripheral margins with the AFLAS, cooled and cut to finished size.

Elastically Deformable Side-Edge Link for Trailing-Edge Flap Aeroacoustic Noise Reduction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Khorrami, Mehdi R. (Inventor); Lockard, David P. (Inventor); Moore, James B. (Inventor); Su, Ji (Inventor); Turner, Travis L. (Inventor); Lin, John C. (Inventor); Taminger, Karen M. (Inventor); Kahng, Seun K. (Inventor); Verden, Scott A. (Inventor)

2014-01-01

A system is provided for reducing aeroacoustic noise generated by an aircraft having wings equipped with trailing-edge flaps. The system includes a plurality of elastically deformable structures. Each structure is coupled to and along one of the side edges of one of the trailing-edge flaps, and is coupled to a portion of one of the wings that is adjacent to the one of the side edges. The structures elastically deform when the trailing-edge flaps are deployed away from the wings.

Modeling of transient heat pipe operation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Colwell, Gene T.

1987-01-01

The use of heat pipes is being considered as a means of reducing the peak temperature and large thermal gradients at the leading edges of reentry vehicles and hypersonic aircraft and in nuclear reactors. In the basic cooling concept, the heat pipe covers the leading edge, a portion of the lower wing surface, and a portion of the upper wing surface. Aerodynamic heat is mainly absorbed at the leading edge and transported through the heat pipe to the upper and lower wing surface, where it is rejected by thermal radiation and convection. Basic governing equations are written to determine the startup, transient, and steady state performance of a haet pipe which has initially frozen alkali-metal as the working fluid.

Cooling of gas turbines IX : cooling effects from use of ceramic coatings on water-cooled turbine blades

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, W Byron; Livingood, John N B

1948-01-01

The hottest part of a turbine blade is likely to be the trailing portion. When the blades are cooled and when water is used as the coolant, the cooling passages are placed as close as possible to the trailing edge in order to cool this portion. In some cases, however, the trailing portion of the blade is so narrow, for aerodynamic reasons, that water passages cannot be located very near the trailing edge. Because ceramic coatings offer the possibility of protection for the trailing part of such narrow blades, a theoretical study has been made of the cooling effect of a ceramic coating on: (1) the blade-metal temperature when the gas temperature is unchanged, and (2) the gas temperature when the metal temperature is unchanged. Comparison is also made between the changes in the blade or gas temperatures produced by ceramic coatings and the changes produced by moving the cooling passages nearer the trailing edge. This comparison was made to provide a standard for evaluating the gains obtainable with ceramic coatings as compared to those obtainable by constructing the turbine blade in such a manner that water passages could be located very near the trailing edge.

Gas turbine bucket cooling circuit and related process

DOEpatents

Lewis, Doyle C.; Barb, Kevin Joseph

2002-01-01

A turbine bucket includes an airfoil portion having leading and trailing edges; at least one radially extending cooling passage within the airfoil portion, the airfoil portion joined to a platform at a radially inner end of the airfoil portion; a dovetail mounting portion enclosing a cooling medium supply passage; and, a crossover passage in fluid communication with the cooling medium supply passage and with at least one radially extending cooling passage, the crossover passage having a portion extending along and substantially parallel to an underside surface of the platform.

16 CFR 1630.3 - General requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... measurement of the proximity of the charred portion to the edge of the hole in the prescribed flattening frame... cm. (1.0 in.) of the edge of the hole in the flattening frame at any point. (c) Acceptance criterion...

16 CFR 1630.3 - General requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... measurement of the proximity of the charred portion to the edge of the hole in the prescribed flattening frame... cm. (1.0 in.) of the edge of the hole in the flattening frame at any point. (c) Acceptance criterion...

16 CFR 1631.3 - General requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... measurement of the proximity of the charred portion to the edge of the hole in the prescribed flattening frame... cm. (1.0 in.) of the edge of the hole in the flattening frame at any point. (c) Acceptance criterion...

16 CFR 1631.3 - General requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... measurement of the proximity of the charred portion to the edge of the hole in the prescribed flattening frame... cm. (1.0 in.) of the edge of the hole in the flattening frame at any point. (c) Acceptance criterion...

16 CFR 1630.3 - General requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... measurement of the proximity of the charred portion to the edge of the hole in the prescribed flattening frame... cm. (1.0 in.) of the edge of the hole in the flattening frame at any point. (c) Acceptance criterion...

16 CFR 1631.3 - General requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... measurement of the proximity of the charred portion to the edge of the hole in the prescribed flattening frame... cm. (1.0 in.) of the edge of the hole in the flattening frame at any point. (c) Acceptance criterion...

16 CFR 1630.3 - General requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... measurement of the proximity of the charred portion to the edge of the hole in the prescribed flattening frame... cm. (1.0 in.) of the edge of the hole in the flattening frame at any point. (c) Acceptance criterion...

16 CFR 1631.3 - General requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... measurement of the proximity of the charred portion to the edge of the hole in the prescribed flattening frame... cm. (1.0 in.) of the edge of the hole in the flattening frame at any point. (c) Acceptance criterion...

Venus - 3-D Perspective View of Eastern Edge of Alpha Regio

NASA Image and Video Library

1996-03-13

A portion of the eastern edge of Alpha Regio is displayed in this three-dimensional perspective view of the surface of Venus from NASA Magellan spacecraft. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA00246

Automatic Edging and Trimming of Hardwood Lumber

Treesearch

D. Earl Kline; Eugene M. Wengert; Philip A. Araman

1990-01-01

Studies have shown that there is a potential to increase hardwood lumber value by more than 20 percent through optimum edging and trimming. Even a small portion of this percentage can boost the profitability of hardwood lumber manufacturers substantially. The objective of this research project is to develop an automated system which would assist in correct edging and...

Real Gas Scale Effects on Hypersonic Laminar Boundary-Layer Parameters Including Effects of Entropy-Layer Swallowing

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-12-01

crossed the essentially normal portion of the bow shock is swallowed by the boundary layer. The flow along the edge of the boundary layer on the aft...portions hf the body will then have passed through an oblique part of the bow shock and will be in a different state than had it passed through a normal...determination of the local edge flow conditions may be improvedby taking into con- sideration the inclination of the bow shock where the local flow stream- line

16 CFR § 1631.3 - General requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... and measurement of the proximity of the charred portion to the edge of the hole in the prescribed... within 2.54 cm. (1.0 in.) of the edge of the hole in the flattening frame at any point. (c) Acceptance...

16 CFR § 1630.3 - General requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

..., and measurement of the proximity of the charred portion to the edge of the hole in the prescribed... within 2.54 cm. (1.0 in.) of the edge of the hole in the flattening frame at any point. (c) Acceptance...

Camera identity from minute film-edge mark characteristics.

PubMed

Kuppuswamy, R

2003-07-08

A case is presented in which a camera recovered from a site of bomb blast was linked to some incriminating film negatives by the characteristic markings existing along a small portion of the edge of the film negatives.

Photovoltaic sheathing element with one or more tabs

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

Keenihan, James R; Langmaid, Joseph A; Lopez, Leonardo C.

2017-02-07

The present invention is premised upon an assembly that includes at least a photovoltaic sheathing element capable of being affixed on a building structure. The shingle including at least a photovoltaic cell assembly, a body portion attached to one or more portions of the photovoltaic cell assembly. Wherein the body portion includes one or more top peripheral tabs each capable of fitting under one or more vertically adjoining devices.

Sealing Assembly for Sealing a Port and the Like

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Haas, Jon W. (Inventor); Haupt, Charles W. (Inventor)

2000-01-01

The sealing assembly for a port of a valve or the like is disclosed. In detail, the sealing assembly includes the port having a circular shaped end with a circular shaped knife-edge thereon. The sealing assembly further includes a hollow cap having a closed first end with an aperture therethrough and an open second end. The cap further includes internal threads adapted to mate with the external threads of the port. A gasket is mounted within the cap having flat first and second principle sides and made of a deformable metal, the first principle side of the gasket for mounting against the circular shaped knife edge of the port. A plunger having a circular shaped disc portion is adapted to fit within the hollow cap and is engagable with the first principle surface of the gasket and includes a shaft portion extending out of the aperture. The cap and shaft of the plunger include external wrenching flats. Thus when the cap is screwed onto the port and the plunger is prevented from rotating by a wrench mounted on the wrenching flats of the shaft portion of the plunger, the gasket is forced into engagement with the knife edge in pure compression and no rotation of the gasket occurs causing the knife edge to locally deform the gasket sealing of the port.

AIR RADIOACTIVITY MONITOR

DOEpatents

Bradshaw, R.L.; Thomas, J.W.

1961-04-11

The monitor is designed to minimize undesirable background buildup. It consists of an elongated column containing peripheral electrodes in a central portion of the column, and conduits directing an axial flow of radioactively contaminated air through the center of the column and pure air through the annular portion of the column about the electrodes. (AEC)

How Peripheral a Phenomenon Is It?: On the Interaction of DP-Internal Ellipsis, Degree Inversion, and Islands

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Manlove, Kathleen

2016-01-01

In this dissertation I set out to solve a series of puzzles related to the notion of a DP periphery, defined as an area around the edge of a given domain targeted by operations such as movement and agreement. In solving these puzzles, I argue for a peripheral area in the nominal domain. Early arguments for a peripheral boundary in the nominal…

Method and apparatus for laying wire arrays

DOEpatents

Horowitz, Seymour M.; Nesbitt, Dale D.

1986-01-01

Wire arrays (11) having a continuous wire (12) which is formed into a predetermined pattern and adhered to a backing material or substrate (13) are fabricated by applying adhesive material (16a, 16b) along opposite edge portions (17, 18) of the substrate, positioning a row of winding spools (21) along each of the edge portions and repeatedly extending the wire between and around successive spools at the opposite edge portions. The wound wire is then traveled along each spool toward the substrate and into contact with the adhesive. The spools are then removed and a coating of hardenable material (54) is applied to secure the wound wire to the substrate. Tension in the wire is relieved prior to contact of the wire with the adhesive and a small amount of slack is introduced into the wire before the final coating step. Mechanism (32) is provided for lifting the spools away from the substrate without disturbing the wound wire. The method and apparatus enable manufacture of precisely configured wire arrays without complex or costly equipment and do not require structural alterations in the substrate for the purpose of accommodating to fabrication equipment.

Energetics of edge oxidization of graphene nanoribbons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yasuma, Airi; Yamanaka, Ayaka; Okada, Susumu

2018-06-01

On the basis of the density functional theory, we studied the geometries and energetics of O atoms adsorbed on graphene edges for simulating the initial stage of the edge oxidization of graphene. Our calculations showed that oxygen atoms are preferentially adsorbed onto the graphene edges with the zigzag portion, resulting in a large adsorption energy of about 5 eV. On the other hand, the edges with armchair shape are rarely oxidized, or the oxidization causes substantial structural reconstructions, because of the stable covalent bond at the armchair edge with the triple bond nature. Furthermore, the energetics sensitively depends on the edge angles owing to the inhomogeneity of the charge density at the edge atomic sites.

Theoretical Elastic Stress Distributions Arising from Discontinuities and Edge Loads in Several Shell-Type Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johns, Robert H.; Orange, Thomas W.

1961-01-01

The deformation and complete stress distribution are determined for each of the following edge loaded thin shells of revolution: (1) a right circular cylinder, (2) a frustum of a right circular cone, and (3) a portion of a sphere. The locations of the maximum circumferential and meridional stresses on both the inner and outer surfaces are also found. The basic equations for the above were selected from the published literature on the subject and expanded to produce to resultant-stress equations in closed from where practicable to do so. Equations are also developed for the discontinuity shear force and bending moment at each of the following junction: (1) axial change of thickness in a circular cylinder, (2) axial change of thickness in a cone, (3) change of thickness in a portion of a sphere, (4) a cylinder and a cone, (5) a cylinder and a portion of a sphere(6) a cylinder and a flat head, and (7) a cone and a portion of a sphere.

Adhesive bonding using variable frequency microwave energy

DOEpatents

Lauf, Robert J.; McMillan, April D.; Paulauskas, Felix L.; Fathi, Zakaryae; Wei, Jianghua

1998-01-01

Methods of facilitating the adhesive bonding of various components with variable frequency microwave energy are disclosed. The time required to cure a polymeric adhesive is decreased by placing components to be bonded via the adhesive in a microwave heating apparatus having a multimode cavity and irradiated with microwaves of varying frequencies. Methods of uniformly heating various articles having conductive fibers disposed therein are provided. Microwave energy may be selectively oriented to enter an edge portion of an article having conductive fibers therein. An edge portion of an article having conductive fibers therein may be selectively shielded from microwave energy.

Adhesive bonding using variable frequency microwave energy

DOEpatents

Lauf, R.J.; McMillan, A.D.; Paulauskas, F.L.; Fathi, Z.; Wei, J.

1998-08-25

Methods of facilitating the adhesive bonding of various components with variable frequency microwave energy are disclosed. The time required to cure a polymeric adhesive is decreased by placing components to be bonded via the adhesive in a microwave heating apparatus having a multimode cavity and irradiated with microwaves of varying frequencies. Methods of uniformly heating various articles having conductive fibers disposed therein are provided. Microwave energy may be selectively oriented to enter an edge portion of an article having conductive fibers therein. An edge portion of an article having conductive fibers therein may be selectively shielded from microwave energy. 26 figs.

Adhesive bonding using variable frequency microwave energy

DOEpatents

Lauf, R.J.; McMillan, A.D.; Paulauskas, F.L.; Fathi, Z.; Wei, J.

1998-09-08

Methods of facilitating the adhesive bonding of various components with variable frequency microwave energy are disclosed. The time required to cure a polymeric adhesive is decreased by placing components to be bonded via the adhesive in a microwave heating apparatus having a multimode cavity and irradiated with microwaves of varying frequencies. Methods of uniformly heating various articles having conductive fibers disposed therein are provided. Microwave energy may be selectively oriented to enter an edge portion of an article having conductive fibers therein. An edge portion of an article having conductive fibers therein may be selectively shielded from microwave energy. 26 figs.

A single portion of blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L) improves protection against DNA damage but not vascular function in healthy male volunteers.

PubMed

Del Bó, Cristian; Riso, Patrizia; Campolo, Jonica; Møller, Peter; Loft, Steffen; Klimis-Zacas, Dorothy; Brambilla, Ada; Rizzolo, Anna; Porrini, Marisa

2013-03-01

It has been suggested that anthocyanin-rich foods may exert antioxidant effects and improve vascular function as demonstrated mainly in vitro and in the animal model. Blueberries are rich sources of anthocyanins and we hypothesized that their intake could improve cell protection against oxidative stress and affect endothelial function in humans. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of one portion (300 g) of blueberries on selected markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant protection (endogenous and oxidatively induced DNA damage) and of vascular function (changes in peripheral arterial tone and plasma nitric oxide levels) in male subjects. In a randomized cross-over design, separated by a wash out period ten young volunteers received one portion of blueberries ground by blender or one portion of a control jelly. Before and after consumption (at 1, 2, and 24 hours), blood samples were collected and used to evaluate anthocyanin absorption (through mass spectrometry), endogenous and H(2)O(2)-induced DNA damage in blood mononuclear cells (through the comet assay), and plasma nitric oxide concentrations (through a fluorometric assay). Peripheral arterial function was assessed by means of Endo-PAT 2000. Blueberries significantly reduced (P < .01) H(2)O(2)-induced DNA damage (-18%) 1 hour after blueberry consumption compared to control. No significant differences were observed for endogenous DNA damage, peripheral arterial function and nitric oxide levels after blueberry intake. In conclusion, one portion of blueberries seems sufficient to improve cell antioxidant defense against DNA damage, but further studies are necessary to understand their role on vascular function. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect of Hardwood Sawmill Edging and Trimming Practices on Furniture Part Production

Treesearch

D. Earl Kline; Carmen Regalado; Eugene M. Wengert; Fred M. Lamb; Philip A. Araman

1993-01-01

In a recent edging and trimming study at three hardwood sawmills, it was observed that the lumber volume produced was approximately 10 percent less than would be necessary to make the most valuable lumber. Furthermore, the excess portion of wood that was removed from the edging and trimming process contained a large percentage of clear wood. In light of rising costs...

Fracture mechanics modeling of popping event during daughter cell separation.

PubMed

Jiang, Yuxuan; Liang, Xudong; Guo, Ming; Cao, Yanping; Cai, Shengqiang

2018-05-10

Most bacteria cells divide by binary fission which is part of a bacteria cell cycle and requires tight regulations and precise coordination. Fast separation of Staphylococcus Aureus (S. Aureus) daughter cells, named as popping event, has been observed in recent experiments. The popping event was proposed to be driven by mechanical crack propagation in the peripheral ring which connected two daughter cells before their separation. It has also been shown that after the fast separation, a small portion of the peripheral ring was left as a hinge. In the article, we develop a fracture mechanics model for the crack growth in the peripheral ring during S. Aureus daughter cell separation. In particular, using finite element analysis, we calculate the energy release rate associated with the crack growth in the peripheral ring, when daughter cells are inflated by a uniform turgor pressure inside. Our results show that with a fixed inflation of daughter cells, the energy release rate depends on the crack length non-monotonically. The energy release rate reaches a maximum value for a crack of an intermediate length. The non-monotonic relationship between the energy release rate and crack length clearly indicates that the crack propagation in the peripheral ring can be unstable. The computed energy release rate as a function of crack length can also be used to explain the existence of a small portion of peripheral ring remained as hinge after the popping event.

Imaging findings of intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia presenting in extremities: correlation with pathological findings.

PubMed

Lee, Sun Joo; Choo, Hye Jung; Park, Ji Sung; Park, Yeong-Mi; Eun, Choong Ki; Hong, Sung Hwan; Hwang, Ji Young; Lee, In Sook; Lee, Jongmin; Jung, Soo-Jin

2010-08-01

To describe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US) findings of intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia (IPEH) arising in extremities. Six patients with IPEH confirmed by surgical resection were reviewed retrospectively. Before resection, 3 patients underwent both MRI and US and 3 patients underwent only MRI. Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed MR/US imaging results and correlated them with pathological features. The 6 IPEHs were diagnosed as 4 mixed forms and 2 pure forms. The pre-existing pathology of four mixed forms was intramuscular or intermuscular hemangioma. By MRI, the mixed form of IPEH (n = 4) revealed iso- to slightly high signal intensity containing nodule-like foci of high signal intensity on T1-weighted images (T1WI) and high signal intensity-containing nodule-like foci of low signal intensity on T2-weighted images (T2WI). The pure form of IPEH (n = 2) showed homogeneous iso- signal intensity on T1WI and high and low signal intensity containing nodule-like foci of low signal intensity on T2WI. On gadolinium-enhanced fat-suppressed T1WI, 50% of cases (n = 3: mixed forms) revealed peripheral, septal, and central enhancement. The other IPEHs (n = 3: 1 mixed and 2 pure forms) showed peripheral and septal enhancement or only peripheral enhancement. By US, two mixed forms of IPEH showed well-defined hypoechoic masses containing hyperechoic septa and central portion with vascularities. One pure form of IPEH was a homogeneous hypoechoic mass with septal and peripheral vascularities on color Doppler imaging. The foci of high signal intensity on T1WI, foci of low signal intensity on T2WI, and non-enhancing portions on MRI and the hypoechoic portion on US were histopathologically correlated with thrombi and the peripheral/septal or central enhancing areas on MRI, hyperechoic septa and the central portion on US, and septal/central or peripheral vascularities on color Doppler imaging corresponded to hypertrophic papillary epithelium and a fibrovascular core. Even though imaging findings of the pure form of IPEH are rather nonspecific, the mixed form of IPEH should be considered a possible diagnosis when a well-defined mass with T2 hyperintense signal containing nodule-like foci of low signal intensity, T1 iso- to slightly hyperintense signal containing nodule-like foci of high signal intensity, and peripheral/septal or central enhancement on MRI is seen in extremities, along with the US finding of a hypoechoic mass containing hyperechoic septa with vascularities.

Light emitting device having peripheral emissive region

DOEpatents

Forrest, Stephen R

2013-05-28

Light emitting devices are provided that include one or more OLEDs disposed only on a peripheral region of the substrate. An OLED may be disposed only on a peripheral region of a substantially transparent substrate and configured to emit light into the substrate. Another surface of the substrate may be roughened or include other features to outcouple light from the substrate. The edges of the substrate may be beveled and/or reflective. The area of the OLED(s) may be relatively small compared to the substrate surface area through which light is emitted from the device. One or more OLEDs also or alternatively may be disposed on an edge of the substrate about perpendicular to the surface of the substrate through which light is emitted, such that they emit light into the substrate. A mode expanding region may be included between each such OLED and the substrate.

Ribbed electrode substrates

DOEpatents

Breault, Richard D.; Goller, Glen J.

1983-01-01

A ribbed substrate for an electrochemical cell electrode is made from a mixture of carbon fibers and carbonizable resin and has a mean pore size in the ribs which is 60-75% of the mean pore size of the web portions of the substrate which interconnect the ribs. Preferably the mean pore size of the web portion is 25-45 microns; and, if the substrate includes edge seals parallel to the ribs, the edge seals preferably have a mean pore size no greater than about ten microns. Most preferably the substrate has the same ratio of carbon fibers to polymeric carbon in all areas, including the ribs, webs, and edge seals. A substrate according to the present invention will have better overall performance than prior art substrates and minimizes the substrate thickness required for the substrate to perform all its functions well.

Trailing edge cooling using angled impingement on surface enhanced with cast chevron arrangements

DOEpatents

Lee, Ching-Pang; Heneveld, Benjamin E.; Brown, Glenn E.; Klinger, Jill

2015-05-26

A gas turbine engine component, including: a pressure side (12) having an interior surface (34); a suction side (14) having an interior surface (36); a trailing edge portion (30); and a plurality of suction side and pressure side impingement orifices (24) disposed in the trailing edge portion (30). Each suction side impingement orifice is configured to direct an impingement jet (48) at an acute angle (52) onto a target area (60) that encompasses a tip (140) of a chevron (122) within a chevron arrangement (120) formed in the suction side interior surface. Each pressure side impingement orifice is configured to direct an impingement jet at an acute angle onto an elongated target area that encompasses a tip of a chevron within a chevron arrangement formed in the pressure side interior surface.

PV module mounting method and mounting assembly

DOEpatents

Lenox, Carl J.S.; Johnson, Kurt M.

2013-04-23

A method for mounting PV modules to a deck includes selecting PV module layout pattern so that adjacent PV module edges are spaced apart. PV mounting and support assemblies are secured to the deck according to the layout pattern using fasteners extending into the deck. The PV modules are placed on the PV mounting and support assemblies. Retaining elements are located over and secured against the upper peripheral edge surfaces of the PV modules so to secure them to the deck with the peripheral edges of the PV modules spaced apart from the deck. In some examples a PV module mounting assembly, for use on a shingled deck, comprises flashing, a base mountable on the flashing, a deck-penetrating fastener engageable with the base and securable to the deck so to secure the flashing and the base to the shingled deck, and PV module mounting hardware securable to the base.

Method for a Leading Edge Slat on a Wing of an Aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pitt, Dale M. (Inventor); Eckstein, Nicholas Stephen (Inventor)

2016-01-01

A method for managing a flight control surface system. A leading edge device is moved on a leading edge from an undeployed position to a deployed position. The leading edge device has an outer surface, an inner surface, and a deformable fairing attached to the leading edge device such that the deformable fairing covers at least a portion of the inner surface. The deformable fairing changes from a deformed shape to an original shape when the leading edge device is moved to the deployed position. The leading edge device is then moved from the deployed position to the undeployed position, wherein the deformable fairing changes from the original shape to the deformed shape.

How food marketers can sell smaller portions: Consumer insights and product innovation.

PubMed

Riis, J; Fisher, J O; Rowe, S

2016-08-01

Food portion size has been shown to be an important driver of energy intake. Despite the well acknowledged role of portion control in weight management, large portion sizes remain ubiquitous in the marketplace. Moving consumers towards consumption of smaller portion sizes will require changes in consumer behavior as well as changes in products available to consumers in a variety of settings. This special supplement presents cutting edge research aimed at understanding consumer behavior around portion size and innovations in product design that may promote the selection and consumption of smaller portion sizes. We identify further research that will be needed to translate basic behavioral findings into real world settings and to viable product development. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Elysium Fossae

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-01-14

This image captured by NASA 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows a portion of one of the larger depressions on the NW edge of the Elysium volcanic complex. Portions of this large channel system appear to have been created by liquid flow, while other portions appear to have tectonic action as the formation process. Orbit Number: 61770 Latitude: 28.4502 Longitude: 138.828 Instrument: VIS Captured: 2015-11-16 21:51 http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA20236

Cooled airfoil in a turbine engine

DOEpatents

Vitt, Paul H; Kemp, David A; Lee, Ching-Pang; Marra, John J

2015-04-21

An airfoil in a gas turbine engine includes an outer wall and an inner wall. The outer wall includes a leading edge, a trailing edge opposed from the leading edge in a chordal direction, a pressure side, and a suction side. The inner wall is coupled to the outer wall at a single chordal location and includes portions spaced from the pressure and suction sides of the outer wall so as to form first and second gaps between the inner wall and the respective pressure and suction sides. The inner wall defines a chamber therein and includes openings that provide fluid communication between the respective gaps and the chamber. The gaps receive cooling fluid that provides cooling to the outer wall as it flows through the gaps. The cooling fluid, after traversing at least substantial portions of the gaps, passes into the chamber through the openings in the inner wall.

Method and Apparatus for a Leading Edge Slat on a Wing of an Aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pitt, Dale M. (Inventor); Eckstein, Nicholas Stephen (Inventor)

2013-01-01

A method and apparatus for managing a flight control surface system. A leading edge device is moved on a leading edge from an undeployed position to a deployed position. The leading edge device has an outer surface, an inner surface, and a deformable fairing attached to the leading edge device such that the deformable fairing covers at least a portion of the inner surface. The deformable fairing changes from a deformed shape to an original shape when the leading edge device is moved to the deployed position. The leading edge device is then moved from the deployed position to the undeployed position, wherein the deformable fairing changes from the original shape to the deformed shape.

29 CFR 1910.145 - Specifications for accident prevention signs and tags.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... from sharp edges, burrs, splinters, or other sharp projections. The ends or heads of bolts or other... portion of a tag's inscription that is more specific than the signal word and that indicates the specific... convey a safety instruction. Signal word means that portion of a tag's inscription that contains the word...

Edge coating apparatus with movable roller applicator for solar cell substrates

DOEpatents

Pavani, Luca; Abas, Emmanuel

2012-12-04

A non-contact edge coating apparatus includes an applicator for applying a coating material on an edge of a solar cell substrate and a control system configured to drive the applicator. The control system may drive the applicator along an axis to maintain a distance with an edge of the substrate as the substrate is rotated to have the edge coated with a coating material. The applicator may include a recessed portion into which the edge of the substrate is received for edge coating. For example, the applicator may be a roller with a groove. Coating material may be introduced into the groove for application onto the edge of the substrate. A variety of coating materials may be employed with the apparatus including hot melt ink and UV curable plating resist.

WIDEFIELD SPECTRAL-DOMAIN OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY IMAGING OF PERIPHERAL ROUND RETINAL HOLES WITH OR WITHOUT RETINAL DETACHMENT.

PubMed

Casswell, Edward J; Abou Ltaif, Sleiman; Carr, Thomas; Keane, Pearse A; Charteris, David G; Wickham, Louisa

2018-03-02

To describe the widefield spectral-domain optical coherence tomography features of peripheral round retinal holes, with or without associated retinal detachment (RD). Retrospective, observational study of 28 eyes with peripheral round retinal holes, with and without RD. Patients underwent imaging with a widefield 50-degree spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (Heidelberg Engineering, Germany) and Optos ultra-widefield imaging systems (Optos, United Kingdom). Vitreous attachment at the site of the retinal hole was detected in 27/28 (96.4%) cases. Cases were split into three groups: RHs with RD (n = 12); RHs with subretinal fluid (n = 5), and flat RHs (n = 11), with minimal or no subretinal fluid. 91.6% retinal holes associated with subretinal fluid or RD had vitreous attachment at the site of the hole. Eighty percent had vitreous attachment at both edges of the retinal hole, in a U-shape configuration, which appeared to exert traction. By contrast, flat retinal holes had visible vitreous attachment only at one edge of the retinal hole in 45.4%. Vitreous attachment was commonly seen at the site of round retinal holes. Vitreous attachment at both edges of the retinal hole in a U-shape configuration was more commonly seen at holes associated with subretinal fluid or RD.

Modifying Ship Air-Wake Vortices for Aircraft Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lamar, John E.

2004-01-01

Columnar-vortex generators (CVG) have been proposed as means to increase the safety of takeoffs and landings of aircraft on aircraft or helicopter carriers and other ships at sea. According to the proposal, CVGs would be installed at critical edge locations on ships to modify the vortices in the air wakes of the ships. The desired effects of modifications are to smooth airflows over takeoff and landing deck areas and divert vortices from takeoff and landing flight paths. With respect to aircraft operations, the wake flows of primary interest are those associated with the bow and side edges of aircraft-carrier decks and with superstructures of ships in general (see Figure 1). The bow and deck-edge vortices can adversely affect airplane and helicopter operations on carriers, while the superstructure wakes can primarily affect operations of helicopters. The concept of the CVG is not new; what is new is the proposed addition of CVGs to ship structures to effect favorable modifications of air wakes. Figure 2 depicts a basic CVG, vertical and horizontal CVGs installed on a simple superstructure, and horizontal CVGs installed on the bow and deck edges. The vertical CVGs would be closed at the deck but open at the top. Each horizontal CVG would be open at both ends. The dimensions of the CVGs installed on the aft edges of the superstructure would be chosen so that the portion of the flow modified by the vertical CVGs would interact synergistically with the portion of the flow modified by the horizontal CVG to move the air wake away from the takeoff-and-landing zone behind the superstructure. The deck-edge CVGs would be mounted flush with, and would extend slightly ahead of the bow of, the flight deck. The overall length of each tube would exceed that of the flight deck. Each deck-edge CVG would capture that portion of the airflow that generates a deck-edge vortex and would generate a columnar vortex of opposite sense to that of the unmodified vortex. The vortex generated by the CVG could be dispersed at its base, thereby removing unwanted turbulence in the path of an approaching airplane. The deck-edge CVGs would promote smooth flow over the entire flight deck. In the case of a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier like that of Figure 1, there would be a CVG on each of the outer edges of the two left portions of the flight deck and a single CVG on the right side of the flight deck. The forward-most CVG on the left side would take the generated vortex underneath the angled flight deck. A CVG could also be installed on the bow of the flight deck to smooth the flow of air onto the flight deck. In the case of wind incident on the deck from an azimuth other than straight ahead, the vortex generated by the bow CVG could, perhaps, be used to feed the CVG(s) of the leeward side edge of the flight deck.

[Differential diagnosis of the MDCT features between lung adenocarcinoma preinvasive lesions and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma appearing as ground-glass nodules].

PubMed

Liu, Jia; Li, Wenwu; Huang, Yong; Mu, Dianbin; Yu, Haiying; Li, Shanshan

2015-08-01

The aim of this study was to retrospectively investigate the multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) features of preinvasive lesions and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) appearing as ground-glass nodules (GGNs), and to analyze their significance in differential diagnosis. The pathological data and MDCT images of 111 GGNs in 93 patients were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively, to identify the differentiating CT features between preinvasive lesions and MIA and to evaluate their differentiating accuracy. In the 93 patients included in the study, there were 27 cases with preinvasive lesions (38 GGNs) and 66 cases with MIA (73 GGNs). No statistically significant difference was observed in terms of the gender, age and number of lesions between the two groups. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in the size of lesion, size of solid portion, content of solid portion, and morphological characteristics of the lesion edge between preinvasive lesions and MIA. ROC curve analysis showed that the optimal cut-off value of lesion size for differentiating preinvasive lesions from MIA was 13.0 mm (sensitivity, 83.0%; specificity, 80.0%), and that of solid portion size was 2.0 mm (sensitivity, 90.0%; specificity, 97.0%) and that of solid proportion was 12.0% (sensitivity, 88.0%; specificity, 97.0%). The analysis of CT morphological features showed that there were significant differences in the terms of lesion nature (pGGO, mGGO), presence or absence of lobulated sign and spiculated sign (P<0.05) between preinvasive lesions and MIA, but there were no significant differences in terms of the lesion edge, the presence or absence of vacuole sign, bubble lucency and pleural retraction (P>0.05). Preinvasive lesions can be accurately distinguished from MIA by the size of lesion, size of solid portion,solid proportion and morphological characteristics of the lesion edge. The size of lesion, size of solid portion, content of solid proportion and morphological characteristics of the lesion edge are of significance in the differential diagnosis of preinvasive lesions and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Method for masking selected regions of a substrate

DOEpatents

Fusaro, Jr., Robert Anthony; Bethel, Timothy Francis

2010-05-04

Described herein is a method for providing a clean edge at the interface of a portion of a substrate coated with a coating system and an adjacent portion of the substrate which is uncoated. The method includes the step of forming a zone of non-adherence on the substrate portion which is to be uncoated, prior to application of the coating system. The zone of non-adherence is adjacent the interface, so that the coating system will not adhere to the zone of non-adherence, but will adhere to the portion of the substrate which is to be coated with the coating system.

Method For Making Selected Regions Of A Substrate

DOEpatents

Fusaro, Jr., Robert Anthony; Bethel, Timothy Francis

2003-07-15

Described herein is a method for providing a clean edge at the interface of a portion of a substrate coated with a coating system and an adjacent portion of the substrate which is uncoated. The method includes the step of forming a zone of non-adherence on the substrate portion which is to be uncoated, prior to application of the coating system. The zone of non-adherence is adjacent the interface, so that the coating system will not adhere to the zone of non-adherence, but will adhere to the portion of the substrate which is to be coated with the coating system.

Internal cooling circuit for gas turbine bucket

DOEpatents

Hyde, Susan Marie; Davis, Richard Mallory

2005-10-25

In a gas turbine bucket having a shank portion and an airfoil portion having leading and trailing edges and pressure and suction sides, an internal cooling circuit, the internal cooling circuit having a serpentine configuration including plural radial outflow passages and plural radial inflow passages, and wherein a coolant inlet passage communicates with a first of the radial outflow passages along the trailing edge, the first radial outflow passage having a plurality of radially extending and radially spaced elongated rib segments extending between and connecting the pressure and suction sides in a middle region of the first passage to prevent ballooning of the pressure and suction sides at the first radial outflow passage.

29 CFR 1910.145 - Specifications for accident prevention signs and tags.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... from sharp edges, burrs, splinters, or other sharp projections. The ends or heads of bolts or other... presenting a risk of death, injury or illness to employees. Major message means that portion of a tag's... instruction. Signal word means that portion of a tag's inscription that contains the word or words that are...

29 CFR 1910.145 - Specifications for accident prevention signs and tags.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... from sharp edges, burrs, splinters, or other sharp projections. The ends or heads of bolts or other... presenting a risk of death, injury or illness to employees. Major message means that portion of a tag's... instruction. Signal word means that portion of a tag's inscription that contains the word or words that are...

Abrasion resistant track shoe grouser

DOEpatents

Fischer, Keith D; Diekevers, Mark S; Afdahl, Curt D; Steiner, Kevin L; Barnes, Christopher A

2013-04-23

A track shoe for a track-type vehicle. The track shoe includes a base plate and a grouser projecting away from the base plate. A capping surface structure of substantially horseshoe shaped cross-section is disposed across a distal portion of the grouser. The capping surface structure covers portions of a distal edge surface and adjacent lateral surfaces. The capping surface structure is formed from an material characterized by enhanced wear resistance relative to portions of the grouser underlying the capping surface structure.

Greater sage-grouse winter habitat use on the eastern edge of their range

Treesearch

Christopher C. Swanson; Mark A. Rumble; Nicholas W. Kaczor; Robert W. Klaver; Katie M. Herman-Brunson; Jonathan A. Jenks; Kent C. Jensen

2013-01-01

Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) at the western edge of the Dakotas occur in the transition zone between sagebrush and grassland communities. These mixed sagebrush (Artemisia sp.) and grasslands differ from those habitats that comprise the central portions of the sage-grouse range; yet, no information is available on winter habitat selection within this...

Open cycle ocean thermal energy conversion system structure

DOEpatents

Wittig, J. Michael

1980-01-01

A generally mushroom-shaped, open cycle OTEC system and distilled water producer which has a skirt-conduit structure extending from the enlarged portion of the mushroom to the ocean. The enlarged part of the mushroom houses a toroidal casing flash evaporator which produces steam which expands through a vertical rotor turbine, partially situated in the center of the blossom portion and partially situated in the mushroom's stem portion. Upon expansion through the turbine, the motive steam enters a shell and tube condenser annularly disposed about the rotor axis and axially situated beneath the turbine in the stem portion. Relatively warm ocean water is circulated up through the radially outer skirt-conduit structure entering the evaporator through a radially outer portion thereof, flashing a portion thereof into motive steam, and draining the unflashed portion from the evaporator through a radially inner skirt-conduit structure. Relatively cold cooling water enters the annular condenser through the radially inner edge and travels radially outwardly into a channel situated along the radially outer edge of the condenser. The channel is also included in the radially inner skirt-conduit structure. The cooling water is segregated from the potable, motive steam condensate which can be used for human consumption or other processes requiring high purity water. The expansion energy of the motive steam is partially converted into rotational mechanical energy of the turbine rotor when the steam is expanded through the shaft attached blades. Such mechanical energy drives a generator also included in the enlarged mushroom portion for producing electrical energy. Such power generation equipment arrangement provides a compact power system from which additional benefits may be obtained by fabricating the enclosing equipment, housings and component casings from low density materials, such as prestressed concrete, to permit those casings and housings to also function as a floating support vessel.

GAS SEAL

DOEpatents

Monson, H.; Hutter, E.

1961-07-11

A seal is described for a cover closing an opening in the top of a pressure vessel that may house a nuclear reactor. The seal comprises a U-shaped trough formed on the pressure vessel around the opening therein, a mass of metal in the trough, and an edge flange on the cover extending loosely into the trough and dipping into the metal mass. The lower portion of the metal mass is kept melted, and the upper portion, solid. The solid pontion of the metal mass prevents pressure surges in the vessel from expelling the liquid portion of the metal mass from the trough; the liquld portion, thus held in place by the solid portion, does not allow gas to go through, and so gas cannot escape through shrinkage holes in the solid portion.

Adhesively-Bonded Structural Composite Joint Utilizing Shoulder-Centered Sleeves

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lukowski, Florian P., Jr. (Inventor)

2015-01-01

A composite joint includes a first member having a groove therein, a second member adjacent to the first member, and a connector member disposed between the second member and the first member. The connector member is received in the groove so as to bias a load path between the first member and the second member from a peripheral portion to a central portion of the connector member.

Molten carbonate fuel cell separator

DOEpatents

Nickols, Richard C.

1986-09-02

In a stacked array of molten carbonate fuel cells, a fuel cell separator is positioned between adjacent fuel cells to provide isolation as well as a conductive path therebetween. The center portion of the fuel cell separator includes a generally rectangular, flat, electrical conductor. Around the periphery of the flat portion of the separator are positioned a plurality of elongated resilient flanges which form a gas-tight seal around the edges of the fuel cell. With one elongated flange resiliently engaging a respective edge of the center portion of the separator, the sealing flanges, which are preferably comprised of a noncorrosive material such as an alloy of yttrium, iron, aluminum or chromium, form a tight-fitting wet seal for confining the corrosive elements of the fuel cell therein. This arrangement permits a good conductive material which may be highly subject to corrosion and dissolution to be used in combination with a corrosion-resistant material in the fuel cell separator of a molten carbonate fuel cell for improved fuel cell conductivity and a gas-tight wet seal.

Molten carbonate fuel cell separator

DOEpatents

Nickols, R.C.

1984-10-17

In a stacked array of molten carbonate fuel cells, a fuel cell separator is positioned between adjacent fuel cells to provide isolation as well as a conductive path therebetween. The center portion of the fuel cell separator includes a generally rectangular, flat, electrical conductor. Around the periphery of the flat portion of the separator are positioned a plurality of elongated resilient flanges which form a gas-tight seal around the edges of the fuel cell. With one elongated flange resiliently engaging a respective edge of the center portion of the separator, the sealing flanges, which are preferably comprised of a noncorrosive material such as an alloy of yttrium, iron, aluminum or chromium, form a tight-fitting wet seal for confining the corrosive elements of the fuel cell therein. This arrangement permits a good conductive material which may be highly subject to corrosion and dissolution to be used in combination with a corrosion-resistant material in the fuel cell separator of a molten carbonate fuel cell for improved fuel cell conductivity and a gas-tight wet seal.

Dual-Use Transducer for Use with a Boundary-Stiffened Panel and Method of Using the Same

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schiller, Noah H. (Inventor); Cabell, Randolph H. (Inventor)

2011-01-01

A transducer for use with a boundary-stiffened panel has an inter-digitated electrode (IDE) and a piezoelectric wafer portion positioned therebetween. The IDE and/or the wafer portion are triangular, with one edge or side aligned with a boundary edge of the panel. The transducer generates and transmits an output force to the panel in response to an input voltage signal from a sensor, which can be another transducer as described above or an accelerometer. A controller can generate an output force signal in response to the input voltage signal to help cancel the input voltage signal. A method of using the transducer minimizes vibration in the panel by connecting multiple transducers around a perimeter thereof. Motion is measured at different portions of the panel, and a voltage signal determined from the motion is transmitted to the transducers to generate an output force at least partially cancelling or damping the motion.

An Aeroacoustic Study of a Leading Edge Slat Configuration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mendoza, J. M.; Brooks, T. F.; Humphreys, W. M., Jr.

2002-01-01

Aeroacoustic evaluations of high-lift devices have been carried out in the Quiet Flow Facility of the NASA Langley Research Center. The present paper describes detailed flow and acoustic measurements that have been made in order to better understand the noise generated from airflow over a wing leading edge slat configuration, and to possibly predict and reduce this noise source. The acoustic database is obtained by a moveable Small Aperture Directional Array of microphones designed to electronically steer to different portions of models under study. The slat is shown to be a uniform distributed noise source. The data was processed such that spectra and directivity were determined with respect to a one-foot span of slat. The spectra are normalized in various fashions to demonstrate slat noise character. In order to equate portions of the spectra to different slat noise components, trailing edge noise predictions using measured slat boundary layer parameters as inputs are compared to the measured slat noise spectra.

Neurophysiological mechanism of possibly confounding peripheral activation of the facial nerve during corticobulbar tract monitoring.

PubMed

Téllez, Maria J; Ulkatan, Sedat; Urriza, Javier; Arranz-Arranz, Beatriz; Deletis, Vedran

2016-02-01

To improve the recognition and possibly prevent confounding peripheral activation of the facial nerve caused by leaking transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) current during corticobulbar tract monitoring. We applied a single stimulus and a short train of electrical stimuli directly to the extracranial portion of the facial nerve. We compared the peripherally elicited compound muscle action potential (CMAP) of the facial nerve with the responses elicited by TES during intraoperative monitoring of the corticobulbar tract. A single stimulus applied directly to the facial nerve at subthreshold intensities did not evoke a CMAP, whereas short trains of subthreshold stimuli repeatedly evoked CMAPs. This is due to the phenomenon of sub- or near-threshold super excitability of the cranial nerve. Therefore, the facial responses evoked by short trains TES, when the leaked current reaches the facial nerve at sub- or near-threshold intensity, could lead to false interpretation. Our results revealed a potential pitfall in the current methodology for facial corticobulbar tract monitoring that is due to the activation of the facial nerve by subthreshold trains of stimuli. This study proposes a new criterion to exclude peripheral activation during corticobulbar tract monitoring. The failure to recognize and avoid facial nerve activation due to leaking current in the peripheral portion of the facial nerve during TES decreases the reliability of corticobulbar tract monitoring by increasing the possibility of false interpretation. Copyright © 2015 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Aggressiveness in king penguins in relation to reproductive status and territory location.

PubMed

CôTé

2000-04-01

King penguins, Aptenodytes patagonicus, vigorously defend small territories in very dense colonies. The egg-laying season lasts approximately 4 months, but only pairs that reproduce during the first half of the period succeed in fledging a chick. I examined various factors affecting aggressiveness of king penguins during the breeding season and focused on the differences between central and peripheral territories. Pairs on peripheral territories experienced twice as many encounters with avian predators as did central birds. The vast majority of peripheral birds were late breeders, indicating that reproductive success was very low among penguins defending a territory on the edge of the colony. Time invested in territory defence and rate of agonistic encounters between breeding neighbours increased from the incubation to the brooding period. Parents gave most threat displays to territorial neighbours when the chick was very young and just before crèche formation. Distance to colony edge was not related to aggressiveness in incubating birds, however, the rate of pecking and flipper blows increased from the edge to the centre during brooding. In addition, aggressiveness of breeding penguins towards travelling birds trespassing into their territory increased with distance to edge. Early breeders were not more aggressive than late breeders but the proportion of time spent in territory defence increased with the number of days a bird had spent incubating. As expected, I did not detect any sex difference in aggressive behaviour. Birds occupying territories on the beach were generally more aggressive during the incubation period than those located on the valley sides. Reproductive status (incubating versus brooding) and territory location were the main factors explaining the various levels of aggressiveness observed in breeding king penguins. Copyright 2000 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Explosive actuated valve

DOEpatents

Byrne, Kenneth G.

1983-01-01

1. A device of the character described comprising the combination of a housing having an elongate bore and including a shoulder extending inwardly into said bore, a single elongate movable plunger disposed in said bore including an outwardly extending flange adjacent one end thereof overlying said shoulder, normally open conduit means having an inlet and an outlet perpendicularly piercing said housing intermediate said shoulder and said flange and including an intermediate portion intersecting and normally openly communicating with said bore at said shoulder, normally closed conduit means piercing said housing and intersecting said bore at a location spaced from said normally open conduit means, said elongate plunger including a shearing edge adjacent the other end thereof normally disposed intermediate both of said conduit means and overlying a portion of said normally closed conduit means, a deformable member carried by said plunger intermediate said flange and said shoulder and normally spaced from and overlying the intermediate portion of said normally open conduit means, and means on the housing communicating with the bore to retain an explosive actuator for moving said plunger to force the deformable member against the shoulder and extrude a portion of the deformable member out of said bore into portions of the normally open conduit means for plugging the same and to effect the opening of said normally closed conduit means by the plunger shearing edge substantially concomitantly with the plugging of the normally open conduit means.

Wind turbine blade with viscoelastic damping

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

Sievers, Ryan A.; Mullings, Justin L.

A wind turbine blade (60) damped by viscoelastic material (54, 54A-F) sandwiched between stiffer load-bearing sublayers (52A, 52B, 56A, 56B) in portions of the blade effective to damp oscillations (38) of the blade. The viscoelastic material may be located in one or more of: a forward portion (54A) of the shell, an aft portion (54D) of the shell, pressure and suction side end caps (54B) of an internal spar, internal webbing walls (54C, 54E), and a trailing edge core (54F).

Wedge edge ceramic combustor tile

DOEpatents

Shaffer, J.E.; Holsapple, A.C.

1997-06-10

A multipiece combustor has a portion thereof being made of a plurality of ceramic segments. Each of the plurality of ceramic segments have an outer surface and an inner surface. Each of the plurality of ceramic segments have a generally cylindrical configuration and including a plurality of joints. The joints define joint portions, a first portion defining a surface being skewed to the outer surface and the inner surface. The joint portions have a second portion defining a surface being skewed to the outer surface and the inner surface. The joint portions further include a shoulder formed intermediate the first portion and the second portion. The joints provide a sealing interlocking joint between corresponding ones of the plurality of ceramic segments. Thus, the multipiece combustor having the plurality of ceramic segment with the plurality of joints reduces the physical size of the individual components and the degradation of the surface of the ceramic components in a tensile stress zone is generally eliminated reducing the possibility of catastrophic failures. 7 figs.

Wedge edge ceramic combustor tile

DOEpatents

Shaffer, James E.; Holsapple, Allan C.

1997-01-01

A multipiece combustor has a portion thereof being made of a plurality of ceramic segments. Each of the plurality of ceramic segments have an outer surface and an inner surface. Each of the plurality of ceramic segments have a generally cylindrical configuration and including a plurality of joints. The joints define joint portions, a first portion defining a surface being skewed to the outer surface and the inner surface. The joint portions have a second portion defining a surface being skewed to the outer surface and the inner surface. The joint portions further include a shoulder formed intermediate the first portion and the second portion. The joints provide a sealing interlocking joint between corresponding ones of the plurality of ceramic segments. Thus, the multipiece combustor having the plurality of ceramic segment with the plurality of joints reduces the physical size of the individual components and the degradation of the surface of the ceramic components in a tensile stress zone is generally eliminated reducing the possibility of catastrophic failures.

Electrolyte matrix in a molten carbonate fuel cell stack

DOEpatents

Reiser, C.A.; Maricle, D.L.

1987-04-21

A fuel cell stack is disclosed with modified electrolyte matrices for limiting the electrolytic pumping and electrolyte migration along the stack external surfaces. Each of the matrices includes marginal portions at the stack face of substantially greater pore size than that of the central body of the matrix. Consequently, these marginal portions have insufficient electrolyte fill to support pumping or wicking of electrolyte from the center of the stack of the face surfaces in contact with the vertical seals. Various configurations of the marginal portions include a complete perimeter, opposite edge portions corresponding to the air plenums and tab size portions corresponding to the manifold seal locations. These margins will substantially limit the migration of electrolyte to and along the porous manifold seals during operation of the electrochemical cell stack. 6 figs.

Electrolyte matrix in a molten carbonate fuel cell stack

DOEpatents

Reiser, Carl A.; Maricle, Donald L.

1987-04-21

A fuel cell stack is disclosed with modified electrolyte matrices for limiting the electrolytic pumping and electrolyte migration along the stack external surfaces. Each of the matrices includes marginal portions at the stack face of substantially greater pore size than that of the central body of the matrix. Consequently, these marginal portions have insufficient electrolyte fill to support pumping or wicking of electrolyte from the center of the stack of the face surfaces in contact with the vertical seals. Various configurations of the marginal portions include a complete perimeter, opposite edge portions corresponding to the air plenums and tab size portions corresponding to the manifold seal locations. These margins will substantially limit the migration of electrolyte to and along the porous manifold seals during operation of the electrochemical cell stack.

Benign Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor in a Wild Toco Toucan ( Ramphastos toco ).

PubMed

Carvalho, Marcelo P N; Fernandes, Natalia C C A; Nemer, Viviane C; Neto, Ramiro N Dias; Teixeira, Rodrigo H F; Miranda, Bruna S; Mamprim, Maria J; Catão-Dias, José L; Réssio, Rodrigo A

2016-09-01

Peripheral nerve sheath tumors are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms that comprise neurofibromas, schwannomas, neurilemmomas, and perineuromas. In animals, peripheral nerve sheath neoplasms are most commonly diagnosed in dogs and cattle, followed by horses, goats, and cats, but their occurrence is uncommon in birds. An adult, free-living, male toco (common) toucan ( Ramphastos toco ) was admitted to the zoo animal clinic with weight loss, dehydration, and presence of a soft nodule adhered to the medial portion of the left pectoral muscle. Clinical, cytologic, and computed tomography scan results were indicative of a neoplasm. The toucan died during surgical resection of the mass. Necropsy, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical findings confirmed the diagnosis of benign peripheral nerve sheath tumor. To our knowledge, benign peripheral nerve sheath tumor has not previously been reported in a toucan or any other species in the order Piciformes.

On the generation of side-edge flap noise. [part span trailing edge flaps

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Howe, M. S.

1981-01-01

A theory is proposed for estimating the noise generated at the side edges of part span trailing edge flaps in terms of pressure fluctuations measured just in-board of the side edge of the upper surface of the flap. Asymptotic formulae are developed in the opposite extremes of Lorentz contracted acoustic wavelength large/small compared with the chord of the flap. Interpolation between these limiting results enables the field shape and its dependence on subsonic forward flight speed to be predicted over the whole frequency range. It is shown that the mean width of the side edge gap between the flap and the undeflected portion of the airfoil has a significant influence on the intensity of the radiated sound. It is estimated that the noise generated at a single side edge of a full scale part span flap can exceed that produced along the whole of the trailing edge of the flap by 3 dB or more.

Dendritic Zinc Growth in Acid Electrolyte: Effect of the pH

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bengoa, Leandro N.; Pary, Paola; Seré, Pablo R.; Conconi, M. Susana; Egli, Walter A.

2018-03-01

In this paper, dendritic growth at the edges of electrogalvanized steel strip has been studied using a specially designed rotating washer electrode which simulates the fluid dynamic conditions and the current density distribution at the steel strip edge found in a production line. The effect of electrolyte pH and current density on dendritic growth in an acidic zinc plating bath (ZnSO4 and H2SO4) was addressed. The temperature was kept constant at 60 °C. Solution pH was adjusted to 1, 2 or 3 using different amounts of H2SO4. In addition, the influence of temperature on the pH of the solution was determined. The current density was set at 40 or 60 A/dm2, similar to that used in the industry. Deposits were characterized using SEM and XRD. The results showed that pH strongly affects dendrites shape, length and texture. Furthermore, the morphology of dendrites at the washer edge and of deposits on the flat portion of the washer changed considerably as solution pH was increased from 1 to 3. It was found that the morphology of dendrites at the washer edge stems from the morphology of the deposit on its flat portion, which in turn determines their shape.

Integrated fuel cell stack shunt current prevention arrangement

DOEpatents

Roche, Robert P.; Nowak, Michael P.

1992-01-01

A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cells juxtaposed with one another in the stack and each including a pair of plate-shaped anode and cathode electrodes that face one another, and a quantity of liquid electrolyte present at least between the electrodes. A separator plate is interposed between each two successive electrodes of adjacent ones of the fuel cells and is unified therewith into an integral separator plate. Each integral separator plate is provided with a circumferentially complete barrier that prevents flow of shunt currents onto and on an outer peripheral surface of the separator plate. This barrier consists of electrolyte-nonwettable barrier members that are accommodated, prior to the formation of the integral separator plate, in corresponding edge recesses situated at the interfaces between the electrodes and the separator plate proper. Each barrier member extends over the entire length of the associated marginal portion and is flush with the outer periphery of the integral separator plate. This barrier also prevents cell-to-cell migration of any electrolyte that may be present at the outer periphery of the integral separator plate while the latter is incorporated in the fuel cell stack.

South Polar Autumn

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-04-22

This MOC image shows a portion of the south polar residual cap; darkened edges of the pits and mesas are evidence of the removal, by sublimation, of frozen carbon dioxide during the recent martian summer

Laser schlieren crystal monitor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Owen, Robert B. (Inventor); Johnston, Mary H. (Inventor)

1987-01-01

A system and method for monitoring the state of a crystal which is suspended in a solution is described which includes providing a light source for emitting a beam of light along an optical axis. A collimating lens is arranged along the optical axis for collimating the emitted beam to provide a first collimated light beam consisting of parallel light rays. By passing the first collimated light beam through a transparent container, a number of the parallel light rays are deflected off the surfaces of said crystal being monitored according to the refractive index gradient to provide a deflected beam of deflected light rays. A focusing lens is arranged along optical axis for focusing the deflected rays towards a desired focal point. A knife edge is arranged in a predetermined orientation at the focal point; and a screen is provided. A portion of the deflected beam is blocked with the knife edge to project only a portion of the deflected beam. A band is created at one edge of the image of the crystal which indicates the state of change of the surface of the crystal being monitored.

Reducing the substrate dependent scanner leveling effect in low-k1 contact printing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, C. S.; Tseng, C. F.; Huang, C. H.; Yang, Elvis; Yang, T. H.; Chen, K. C.

2015-03-01

As the scaling down of design rule for high-density memory device, the small depth of focus (DoF) budget may be deteriorated by focus leveling errors, which arises in unpredicted reflectivity from multilayer structures on the topographic wafer. The leveling sensors of ASML scanner use near infrared (NIR) range wavelength which can penetrate through most of films using in semiconductor fabrication such as photo-resist, bottom anti reflective coating (BARC) and dielectric materials. Consequently, the reflected light from underlying substructures would disturb leveling sensors from accurate leveling. The different pattern densities and layout characteristics between array and periphery of a memory chip are expected to result in different leveling signals. Furthermore, the process dependent variations between wafer central and edge areas are also considered to yield different leveling performances during wafer exposure. In this study, lower blind contact immunity was observed for peripheral contacts comparing to the array contacts especially around wafer edge region. In order to overcome this problem, a series of investigations have been carried out. The wafer edge leveling optimization through circuit dependent focus edge clearance (CDFEC) option doesn't get improvement. Air gauge improved process leveling (AGILE) function of ASML immersion scanner doesn't show improved result either. The ILD uniformity improvement and step height treatments around wafer edge such as edge exclusion of film deposition and bevel etching are also ineffective to mitigate the blind contact problem of peripheral patterns. Altering the etch hard-mask stack is finally found to be an effective approach to alleviate the issue. For instance, through either containing high temperature deposition advanced patterning film (APF) in the hard-mask or inserting higher opaque film such as amorphous Si in between the hard-mask stack.

Cutting Edge: Rag deletion in peripheral T cells blocks TCR revision.

PubMed

Hale, J Scott; Ames, Kristina T; Boursalian, Tamar E; Fink, Pamela J

2010-06-01

Mature CD4(+)Vbeta5(+) T cells that recognize a peripherally expressed endogenous superantigen are tolerized either by deletion or TCR revision. In Vbeta5 transgenic mice, this latter tolerance pathway results in the appearance of CD4(+)Vbeta5(-)TCRbeta(+) T cells, coinciding with Rag1, Rag2, and TdT expression and the accumulation of V(beta)-DJ(beta) recombination intermediates in peripheral CD4(+) T cells. Because postthymic RAG-dependent TCR rearrangement has remained controversial, we sought to definitively determine whether TCR revision is an extrathymic process that occurs in mature peripheral T cells. We show in this study that Rag deletion in post-positive selection T cells in Vbeta5 transgenic mice blocks TCR revision in vivo and that mature peripheral T cells sorted to remove cells bearing endogenous TCRbeta-chains can express newly generated TCRbeta molecules in adoptive hosts. These findings unambiguously demonstrate postthymic, RAG-dependent TCR rearrangement and define TCR revision as a tolerance pathway that targets mature peripheral CD4(+) T cells.

Multistrand superconductor cable

DOEpatents

Borden, A.R.

1984-03-08

Improved multistrand Rutherford-type superconductor cable is produced by using strands which are preformed, prior to being wound into the cable, so that each strand has a variable cross section, with successive portions having a substantially round cross section, a transitional oval cross section, a rectangular cross section, a transitional oval cross section, a round cross section and so forth, in repetitive cycles along the length of the strand. The cable is wound and flattened so that the portions of rectangular cross section extend across the two flat sides of the cable at the strand angle. The portions of round cross section are bent at the edges of the flattened cable, so as to extend between the two flat sides. The rectangular portions of the strands slide easil

A Semi-Automatic Method for Image Analysis of Edge Dynamics in Living Cells

PubMed Central

Huang, Lawrence; Helmke, Brian P.

2011-01-01

Spatial asymmetry of actin edge ruffling contributes to the process of cell polarization and directional migration, but mechanisms by which external cues control actin polymerization near cell edges remain unclear. We designed a quantitative image analysis strategy to measure the spatiotemporal distribution of actin edge ruffling. Time-lapse images of endothelial cells (ECs) expressing mRFP-actin were segmented using an active contour method. In intensity line profiles oriented normal to the cell edge, peak detection identified the angular distribution of polymerized actin within 1 µm of the cell edge, which was localized to lamellipodia and edge ruffles. Edge features associated with filopodia and peripheral stress fibers were removed. Circular statistical analysis enabled detection of cell polarity, indicated by a unimodal distribution of edge ruffles. To demonstrate the approach, we detected a rapid, nondirectional increase in edge ruffling in serum-stimulated ECs and a change in constitutive ruffling orientation in quiescent, nonpolarized ECs. Error analysis using simulated test images demonstrate robustness of the method to variations in image noise levels, edge ruffle arc length, and edge intensity gradient. These quantitative measurements of edge ruffling dynamics enable investigation at the cellular length scale of the underlying molecular mechanisms regulating actin assembly and cell polarization. PMID:21643526

Contoured inner after-heater shield for reducing stress in growing crystalline bodies

DOEpatents

Kalejs, Juris P.

1996-09-24

An apparatus for growing hollow crystalline bodies by the EFG process, comprising an EFG die having a top surface shaped for growing a hollow crystalline body having a cross-sectional configuration in the shape of a polygon having n faces, and a radiation shield adjacent to and surrounded by the top end surface of the die, characterized in that the shield has an inner edge defining a similar polygon with n sides, and the inner edge of the shield is notched so that the spacing between the n faces and the n sides is greatest between the central portions of the n faces and the n sides, whereby the greater spacing at the central portions helps to reduce lateral temperature gradients in the crystalline body that is grown by use of the die.

Micromachined electrical cauterizer

DOEpatents

Lee, Abraham P.; Krulevitch, Peter A.; Northrup, M. Allen

1999-01-01

A micromachined electrical cauterizer. Microstructures are combined with microelectrodes for highly localized electro cauterization. Using boron etch stops and surface micromachining, microneedles with very smooth surfaces are made. Micromachining also allows for precision placement of electrodes by photolithography with micron sized gaps to allow for concentrated electric fields. A microcauterizer is fabricated by bulk etching silicon to form knife edges, then parallelly placed microelectrodes with gaps as small as 5 .mu.m are patterned and aligned adjacent the knife edges to provide homeostasis while cutting tissue. While most of the microelectrode lines are electrically insulated from the atmosphere by depositing and patterning silicon dioxide on the electric feedthrough portions, a window is opened in the silicon dioxide to expose the parallel microelectrode portion. This helps reduce power loss and assist in focusing the power locally for more efficient and safer procedures.

Turbine blade platform seal

DOEpatents

Zagar, Thomas W.; Schiavo, Anthony L.

2001-01-01

A rotating blade group 90 for a turbo-machine having an improved device for sealing the gap 110 between the edges 112,114 of adjacent blade platforms 96,104. The gap 110 between adjacent blades 92,100 is sealed by a seal pin 20 its central portion 110 and by a seal plate 58,60 at each of the front 54 and rear 56 portions. The seal plates 58,60 are inserted into corresponding grooves 62,64 formed in the adjacent edges 112,114 of adjoining blades 92,100 and held in place by end plates 40,42. The end of the seal plates 58,60 may be chamfered 78,80 to improve the seal against the end plate 40,42. The seal pin 20 provides the required damping between the blades 92,100 and the seal plates 58,60 provide improved sealing effectiveness.

Micromachined electrical cauterizer

DOEpatents

Lee, A.P.; Krulevitch, P.A.; Northrup, M.A.

1999-08-31

A micromachined electrical cauterizer is disclosed. Microstructures are combined with microelectrodes for highly localized electro cauterization. Using boron etch stops and surface micromachining, microneedles with very smooth surfaces are made. Micromachining also allows for precision placement of electrodes by photolithography with micron sized gaps to allow for concentrated electric fields. A microcauterizer is fabricated by bulk etching silicon to form knife edges, then parallelly placed microelectrodes with gaps as small as 5 {mu}m are patterned and aligned adjacent the knife edges to provide homeostasis while cutting tissue. While most of the microelectrode lines are electrically insulated from the atmosphere by depositing and patterning silicon dioxide on the electric feedthrough portions, a window is opened in the silicon dioxide to expose the parallel microelectrode portion. This helps reduce power loss and assist in focusing the power locally for more efficient and safer procedures. 7 figs.

Narrow bandwidth detection of vibration signature using fiber lasers

DOEpatents

Moore, Sean; Soh, Daniel B.S.

2018-05-08

The various technologies presented herein relate to extracting a portion of each pulse in a series of pulses reflected from a target to facilitate determination of a Doppler-shifted frequency for each pulse and, subsequently, a vibration frequency for the series of pulses. Each pulse can have a square-wave configuration, whereby each pulse can be time-gated to facilitate discarding the leading edge and the trailing edge (and associated non-linear effects) of each pulse and accordingly, capture of the central portion of the pulse from which the Doppler-shifted frequency, and ultimately, the vibration frequency of the target can be determined. Determination of the vibration velocity facilitates identification of the target being in a state of motion. The plurality of pulses can be formed from a laser beam (e.g., a continuous wave), the laser beam having a narrow bandwidth.

The Case of the Missing Crater Rim

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-08-21

In this observation from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, these two craters perched at the edge of an outflow channel, appear to have lost a portion of their crater rims during a flood event. Alternatively, it is also possible that the craters impacted the edge of the outflow channel after the flood occurred and we are seeing the difference in the strength of the material impacted. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA21881

Means for supporting fuel elements in a nuclear reactor

DOEpatents

Andrews, Harry N.; Keller, Herbert W.

1980-01-01

A grid structure for a nuclear reactor fuel assembly comprising a plurality of connecting members forming at least one longitudinally extending opening peripheral and inner fuel element openings through each of which openings at least one nuclear fuel element extends, said connecting members forming wall means surrounding said each peripheral and inner fuel element opening, a pair of rigid projections longitudinally spaced from one another extending from a portion of said wall means into said each peripheral and inner opening for rigidly engaging said each fuel element, respectively, yet permit individual longitudinal slippage thereof, and resilient means formed integrally on and from said wall means and positioned in said each peripheral and inner opening in opposed relationship with said projections and located to engage said fuel element to bias the latter into engagement with said rigid projections, respectively

A finite element simulation of sound attenuation in a finite duct with a peripherally variable liner

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Watson, W. R.

1977-01-01

Using multimodal analysis, a variational finite element method is presented for analyzing sound attenuation in a three-dimensional finite duct with a peripherally variable liner in the absence of flow. A rectangular element, with cubic shaped functions, is employed. Once a small portion of a peripheral liner is removed, the attenuation rate near the frequency where maximum attenuation occurs drops significantly. The positioning of the liner segments affects the attenuation characteristics of the liner. Effects of the duct termination are important in the low frequency ranges. The main effect of peripheral variation of the liner is a broadening of the attenuation characteristics in the midfrequency range. Because of matrix size limitations of the presently available computer program, the eigenvalue equations should be solved out of core in order to handle realistic sources.

Comparing the fixational and functional preferred retinal location in a pointing task

PubMed Central

Sullivan, Brian; Walker, Laura

2016-01-01

Patients with central vision loss (CVL) typically adopt eccentric viewing strategies using a preferred retinal locus (PRL) in peripheral retina. Clinically, the PRL is defined monocularly as the area of peripheral retina used to fixate small stimuli. It is not clear if this fixational PRL describes the same portion of peripheral retina used during dynamic binocular eye-hand coordination tasks. We studied this question with four participants each with a unique CVL history. Using a scanning laser ophthalmoscope, we measured participants’ monocular visual fields and the location and stability of their fixational PRLs. Participants’ monocular and binocular visual fields were also evaluated using a computer monitor and eye tracker. Lastly, eye-hand coordination was tested over several trials where participants pointed to and touched a small target on a touchscreen monitor. Trials were blocked and carried out monocularly and binocularly, with a target appearing at 5° or 15° from screen center, in one of 8 locations. During pointing, our participants often exhibited long movement durations, an increased number of eye movements and impaired accuracy, especially in monocular conditions. However, these compensatory changes in behavior did not consistently worsen when loci beyond the fixational PRL were used. While fixational PRL size, location and fixation stability provide a necessary description of behavior, they are not sufficient to capture the pointing PRL used in this task. Generally, patients use a larger portion of peripheral retina than one might expect from measures of the fixational PRL alone, when pointing to a salient target without time constraints. While the fixational and pointing PRLs often overlap, the fixational PRL does not predict the large area of peripheral retina that can be used. PMID:26440864

Fabrication of gas impervious edge seal for a bipolar gas distribution assembly for use in a fuel cell

DOEpatents

Kaufman, Arthur; Werth, John

1986-01-01

A bipolar gas reactant distribution assembly for use in a fuel cell is disclosed, the assembly having a solid edge seal to prevent leakage of gaseous reactants wherein a pair of porous plates are provided with peripheral slits generally parallel to, and spaced apart from two edges of the plate, the slit being filled with a solid, fusible, gas impervious edge sealing compound. The plates are assembled with opposite faces adjacent one another with a layer of a fusible sealant material therebetween the slits in the individual plates being approximately perpendicular to one another. The plates are bonded to each other by the simultaneous application of heat and pressure to cause a redistribution of the sealant into the pores of the adjacent plate surfaces and to cause the edge sealing compound to flow and impregnate the region of the plates adjacent the slits and comingle with the sealant layer material to form a continuous layer of sealant along the edges of the assembled plates.

Internal baffling for fuel injector

DOEpatents

Johnson, Thomas Edward; Lacy, Benjamin; Stevenson, Christian

2014-08-05

A fuel injector includes a fuel delivery tube; a plurality of pre-mixing tubes, each pre-mixing tube comprising at least one fuel injection hole; an upstream tube support plate that supports upstream ends of the plurality of pre-mixing tubes; a downstream tube support plate that supports downstream ends of the plurality of pre-mixing tubes; an outer wall connecting the upstream tube support plate and the downstream tube support plate and defining a plenum therewith; and a baffle provided in the plenum. The baffle includes a radial portion. A fuel delivered in the upstream direction by the fuel delivery tube is directed radially outwardly in the plenum between the radial portion of the baffle and the downstream tube support plate, then in the downstream direction around an outer edge portion of the radial portion, and then radially inwardly between the radial portion and the upstream tube support plate.

Turbine airfoil to shroud attachment method

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

Campbell, Christian X; Kulkarni, Anand A; James, Allister W

2014-12-23

Bi-casting a platform (50) onto an end portion (42) of a turbine airfoil (31) after forming a coating of a fugitive material (56) on the end portion. After bi-casting the platform, the coating is dissolved and removed to relieve differential thermal shrinkage stress between the airfoil and platform. The thickness of the coating is varied around the end portion in proportion to varying amounts of local differential process shrinkage. The coating may be sprayed (76A, 76B) onto the end portion in opposite directions parallel to a chord line (41) of the airfoil or parallel to a mid-platform length (80) ofmore » the platform to form respective layers tapering in thickness from the leading (32) and trailing (34) edges along the suction side (36) of the airfoil.« less

Aeroacoustic Measurements of a Wing/Slat Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mendoza, Jeff M.; Brooks, Thomas F.; Humphreys, William M.

2002-01-01

Aeroacoustic evaluations of high-lift devices have been carried out in the Quiet Flow Facility of the NASA Langley Research Center. The present paper deals with detailed flow and acoustic measurements that have been made to understand, and to possibly predict and reduce, the noise from a wing leading edge slat configuration. The acoustic database is obtained by a moveable Small Aperture Directional Array (SADA) of microphones designed to electronically steer to different portions of models under study. The slat is shown to be a uniform distributed noise source. The data was processed such that spectra and directivity were determined with respect to a one-foot span of slat. The spectra are normalized in various fashions to demonstrate slat noise character. In order to equate portions of the spectra to different slat noise components, trailing edge noise predictions using measured slat boundary layer parameters as inputs are compared to the measured slat noise spectra.

Superconducting transition edge sensors and methods for design and manufacture thereof

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sadleir, John E. (Inventor)

2013-01-01

Methods for forming sensors using transition edge sensors (TES) and sensors therefrom are described. The method includes forming a plurality of sensor arrays includes at least one TES device. The TES device includes a TES device body, a first superconducting lead contacting a first portion of the TES device body, and a second superconducting lead contacting of a second portion of the TES device body, where the first and second superconducting leads separated on the TES device body by a lead spacing. The lead spacing can be selected to be different for at least two of the plurality of sensor arrays. The method also includes determining a transition temperature for each of the plurality of sensor arrays and generating a signal responsive to detecting a change in the electrical characteristics of one of the plurality of sensor arrays meeting a transition temperature criterion.

Drapery assembly including insulated drapery liner

DOEpatents

Cukierski, Gwendolyn

1983-01-01

A drapery assembly is disclosed for covering a framed wall opening, the assembly including drapery panels hung on a horizontal traverse rod, the rod having a pair of master slides and means for displacing the master slides between open and closed positions. A pair of insulating liner panels are positioned behind the drapery, the remote side edges of the liner panels being connected with the side portions of the opening frame, and the adjacent side edges of the liner panels being connected with a pair of vertically arranged center support members adapted for sliding movement longitudinally of a horizontal track member secured to the upper horizontal portion of the opening frame. Pivotally arranged brackets connect the center support members with the master slides of the traverse rod whereby movement of the master slides to effect opening and closing of the drapery panels effects simultaneous opening and closing of the liner panels.

Presence of neuropathic pain may explain poor performances on olfactory testing in diabetes mellitus patients.

PubMed

Brady, Shauna; Lalli, Paul; Midha, Nisha; Chan, Ayechen; Garven, Alexandra; Chan, Cynthia; Toth, Cory

2013-07-01

Olfactory dysfunction in neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson's syndrome and Alzheimer's disease can hallmark disease onset. We hypothesized that patients with diabetes mellitus, a condition featuring peripheral and central neurodegeneration, would have decreased olfaction abilities. We examined participants with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, participants with diabetes without diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and control participants in blinded fashion using standardized Sniffin' Sticks. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy severity was quantified using the Utah Early Neuropathy Scale. Further subcategorization of diabetic peripheral neuropathy based on presence of neuropathic pain was performed with Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questionnaires. Participants with diabetes had decreased olfactory sensitivity, impaired olfactory discrimination abilities, and reduced odor identification skills when compared with controls. However, loss of olfaction ability was, at least partially, attributed to presence of neuropathic pain on subcategory assessment, although pain severity was not associated with dysfunction. Those participants with diabetes without diabetic peripheral neuropathy and those with diabetic peripheral neuropathy without neuropathic pain had similar olfactory function as controls in general. The presence of neuropathic pain, associated with limited attention and concentration, may explain at least a portion of the olfactory dysfunction witnessed in the diabetic patient population.

The effects of leading edge modifications on the post-stall characteristics of wings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Winkelmann, A. E.; Barlow, J. B.; Saini, J. K.; Anderson, J. D., Jr.; Jones, E.

1980-01-01

An investigation of the effects of leading edge modifications on the post-stall characteristics of two rectangular planform wings in a series of low speed wind tunnel tests is presented. Abrupt discontinuities in the leading edge shape of the wings were produced by placing a nose glove over a portion of the span or by deflecting sections of a segmented leading edge flap. Six component balance data, oil flow visualization photographs, and pressure distribution measurements were obtained, and tests made to study the development of flow separation at stall on small scale planform wing models. Results of oil flow visualization tests at and beyond stall showed the formation of counter-rotating swirl patterns on the upper surface of the '2-D' and '3-D' wings, and results of a numerical lifting line technique applied to wings with leading edge modifications are included.

Sentan: A Novel Specific Component of the Apical Structure of Vertebrate Motile Cilia

PubMed Central

Yuba-Kubo, Akiko; Tsukita, Sachiko; Tsukita, Shoichiro; Amagai, Masayuki

2008-01-01

Human respiratory and oviductal cilia have specific apical structures characterized by a narrowed distal portion and a ciliary crown. These structures are conserved among vertebrates that have air respiration systems; however, the molecular components of these structures have not been defined, and their functions are unknown. To identify the molecular component(s) of the cilia apical structure, we screened EST libraries to identify gene(s) that are exclusively expressed in ciliated tissues, are transcriptionally up-regulated during in vitro ciliogenesis, and are not expressed in testis (because sperm flagella have no such apical structures). One of the identified gene products, named sentan, was localized to the distal tip region of motile cilia. Using anti-sentan polyclonal antibodies and electron microscopy, sentan was shown to localize exclusively to the bridging structure between the cell membrane and peripheral singlet microtubules, which specifically exists in the narrowed distal portion of cilia. Exogenously expressed sentan showed affinity for the membrane protrusions, and a protein–lipid binding assay revealed that sentan bound to phosphatidylserine. These findings suggest that sentan is the first molecular component of the ciliary tip to bridge the cell membrane and peripheral singlet microtubules, making the distal portion of the cilia narrow and stiff to allow for better airway clearance or ovum transport. PMID:18829862

Investigation of displacement, strain and stress in single step transversely isotropic elastic bonded joint

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Apu, Md. Jakaria; Islam, Md. Shahidul

2016-07-01

Bi-material joint is often used in many advanced materials and structures. Determination of the bonding strength at the interface is very difficult because of the presence of the stress singularity. In this paper, the displacement and stress fields of a transversely isotropic bi-material joint around an interface edge are determined. Autodesk Simulation Mechanical 2015 is used to carry out the numerical computations. Stress and displacement fields demonstrate that the values near the edge of joint where the stress singularity occurs are larger than that at the inner portion. From the numerical results, it is suggested that de-bonding of the interface may occur at the interface edge of the joint due to the higher stress concentration at the free edge.

Peripheral doses from pediatric IMRT

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

Klein, Eric E.; Maserang, Beth; Wood, Roy

Peripheral dose (PD) data exist for conventional fields ({>=}10 cm) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) delivery to standard adult-sized phantoms. Pediatric peripheral dose reports are limited to conventional therapy and are model based. Our goal was to ascertain whether data acquired from full phantom studies and/or pediatric models, with IMRT treatment times, could predict Organ at Risk (OAR) dose for pediatric IMRT. As monitor units (MUs) are greater for IMRT, it is expected IMRT PD will be higher; potentially compounded by decreased patient size (absorption). Baseline slab phantom peripheral dose measurements were conducted for very small field sizes (from 2 tomore » 10 cm). Data were collected at distances ranging from 5 to 72 cm away from the field edges. Collimation was either with the collimating jaws or the multileaf collimator (MLC) oriented either perpendicular or along the peripheral dose measurement plane. For the clinical tests, five patients with intracranial or base of skull lesions were chosen. IMRT and conventional three-dimensional (3D) plans for the same patient/target/dose (180 cGy), were optimized without limitation to the number of fields or wedge use. Six MV, 120-leaf MLC Varian axial beams were used. A phantom mimicking a 3-year-old was configured per Center for Disease Control data. Micro (0.125 cc) and cylindrical (0.6 cc) ionization chambers were appropriated for the thyroid, breast, ovaries, and testes. The PD was recorded by electrometers set to the 10{sup -10} scale. Each system set was uniquely calibrated. For the slab phantom studies, close peripheral points were found to have a higher dose for low energy and larger field size and when MLC was not deployed. For points more distant from the field edge, the PD was higher for high-energy beams. MLC orientation was found to be inconsequential for the small fields tested. The thyroid dose was lower for IMRT delivery than that predicted for conventional (ratio of IMRT/cnventional ranged from 0.47-0.94) doses {approx}[0.4-1.8 cGy]/[0.9-2.9 cGy]/fraction, respectively. Prior phantom reports are for fields 10 cm or greater, while pediatric central nervous system fields range from 4 to 7 cm, and effectively much smaller for IMRT (2-6 cm). Peripheral dose in close proximity (<10 cm from the field edge) is dominated by internal scatter; therefore, field-size differences overwhelm phantom size affects and increased MU. Distant peripheral dose, dominated by head leakage, was higher than predicted, even when accounting for MUs ({approx}factor of 3) likely due to the pediatric phantom size. The ratio of the testes dose ranged from 3.3-5.3 for IMRT/conventional. PD to OAR for pediatric IMRT cannot be predicted from large-field full phantom studies. For regional OAR, doses are likely lower than predicted by existing ''large field'' data, while the distant PD is higher.« less

Osteosynthesis system for vertebra arthrodesis

DOEpatents

Ameil, Marc; Huppert, Jean; Jermann, Jean-Louis; Marnay, Thierry

2000-01-01

An osteosynthesis system for vertebral arthrodesis, having at least one vertebral compression or distraction bar capable of extending over a portion at least of the rachis; at least one vertebral anchoring member having an end head with a spherical surface, an intermediate shank and a vertebral anchoring portion; and, associated with each anchoring member, a common support for receiving, coupling and immobilizing the vertebral anchoring member and the bar, the common support including a first concave housing for receiving the bar, a second concave housing, for receiving the spherical head, and a screwthreaded member, for immobilization of the bar and the anchoring member on the support, the immobilization member having at least one nut which is screwed onto a screwthreaded portion of the support. The first housing is disposed to the exterior of the screwthreaded portion of the support and is open laterally and upwardly, in opposite relationship to the rachis, so that the bar is immobilized by a peripheral portion of the nut.

Low-Speed Aerodynamic Data for an 0.18-Scale Model of an F-16XL with Various Leading-Edge Modifications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hahne, Daniel E.

1999-01-01

Using the F-16XL as a test-bed, two strategies for improving the low-speed flying characteristics that had minimal impact on high-speed performance were evaluated. In addition to the basic F-16XL configuration several modifications to the baseline configuration were tested in the Langley 30- X 60-Foot Tunnel: 1) the notched area at the wing leading edge and fuselage juncture was removed resulting in a continuous 70 deg leading-edge sweep on the inboard portion of the wing; 2) an integral attached-flow leading-edge flap concept was added to the continuous leading edge; and 3) a deployable vortex flap concept was added to the continuous leading edge. The purpose of this report is simply to document the test configurations, test conditions, and data obtained in this investigation for future reference and analysis. No analysis is presented herein and the data only appear in tabulated format.

Influence of reciprocal edges on degree distribution and degree correlations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zlatić, Vinko; Štefančić, Hrvoje

2009-07-01

Reciprocal edges represent the lowest-order cycle possible to find in directed graphs without self-loops. Representing also a measure of feedback between vertices, it is interesting to understand how reciprocal edges influence other properties of complex networks. In this paper, we focus on the influence of reciprocal edges on vertex degree distribution and degree correlations. We show that there is a fundamental difference between properties observed on the static network compared to the properties of networks, which are obtained by simple evolution mechanism driven by reciprocity. We also present a way to statistically infer the portion of reciprocal edges, which can be explained as a consequence of feedback process on the static network. In the rest of the paper, the influence of reciprocal edges on a model of growing network is also presented. It is shown that our model of growing network nicely interpolates between Barabási-Albert (BA) model for undirected and the BA model for directed networks.

Vortex interaction with a leading-edge of finite thickness

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sohn, D.; Rockwell, Donald

1987-01-01

Vortex interaction with a thick elliptical leading-edge at zero relative offset produces a pronounced secondary vortes of opposite sense that travels with the same phase speed as the primaty vortex along the lower surface of the edge. The edge thickness (scale) relative to the incident vorticity field has a strong effect on the distortion of the incident primary vortex during the impingement processs. When the thickness is sufficiently small, there is a definite severing of the incident vortex and the portion of the incident vortex that travels along the upper part of the elliptical surface has a considerably larger phase speed than that along the lower surface; this suggests that the integrated loading along the upper surface is more strongly correlated. When the thickness becomes too large, then most, if not all, of the incident vortex passes below the leading-edge. On the other hand, the relative tranverse offset of the edge with respect to the center of the incident vortex has a significant effect on the secondary vortex formation.

Edge-on View of Near-Earth Asteroids

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-05-16

NEOWISE, the asteroid-hunting portion of NASA WISE mission, illustrates the differences between orbits of a typical near-Earth asteroid blue and a potentially hazardous asteroid, or PHA orange. PHAs are a subset of the near-Earth asteroids NEAs.

Galactic Behavior for the Outer B Ring

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-11-01

Keeping a close watch on the outer portion of Saturn B ring, NASA Cassini spacecraft records the complex inward and outward movement of the edge of the ring. This ring movement resembles the suspected behavior of spiral disk galaxies.

Climate threats on growth of rear-edge European beech peripheral populations in Spain.

PubMed

Dorado-Liñán, I; Akhmetzyanov, L; Menzel, A

2017-12-01

European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forests in the Iberian Peninsula are a clear example of a temperate forest tree species at the rear edge of its large distribution area in Europe. The expected drier and warmer climate may alter tree growth and species distribution. Consequently, the peripheral populations will most likely be the most threatened ones. Four peripheral beech forests in the Iberian Peninsula were studied in order to assess the climate factors influencing tree growth for the last six decades. The analyses included an individual tree approach in order to detect not only the changes in the sensitivity to climate but also the potential size-mediated sensitivity to climate. Our results revealed a dominant influence of previous and current year summer on tree growth during the last six decades, although the analysis in two equally long periods unveiled changes and shifts in tree sensitivity to climate. The individual tree approach showed that those changes in tree response to climate are not size dependent in most of the cases. We observed a reduced negative effect of warmer winter temperatures at some sites and a generalized increased influence of previous year climatic conditions on current year tree growth. These results highlight the crucial role played by carryover effects and stored carbohydrates for future tree growth and species persistence.

Climate threats on growth of rear-edge European beech peripheral populations in Spain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dorado-Liñán, I.; Akhmetzyanov, L.; Menzel, A.

2017-12-01

European beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.) forests in the Iberian Peninsula are a clear example of a temperate forest tree species at the rear edge of its large distribution area in Europe. The expected drier and warmer climate may alter tree growth and species distribution. Consequently, the peripheral populations will most likely be the most threatened ones. Four peripheral beech forests in the Iberian Peninsula were studied in order to assess the climate factors influencing tree growth for the last six decades. The analyses included an individual tree approach in order to detect not only the changes in the sensitivity to climate but also the potential size-mediated sensitivity to climate. Our results revealed a dominant influence of previous and current year summer on tree growth during the last six decades, although the analysis in two equally long periods unveiled changes and shifts in tree sensitivity to climate. The individual tree approach showed that those changes in tree response to climate are not size dependent in most of the cases. We observed a reduced negative effect of warmer winter temperatures at some sites and a generalized increased influence of previous year climatic conditions on current year tree growth. These results highlight the crucial role played by carryover effects and stored carbohydrates for future tree growth and species persistence.

Contact resistance improvement by the modulation of peripheral length to area ratio of graphene contact pattern

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

Cho, Chunhum; Lee, Sangchul; Lee, Sang Kyung

2015-05-25

High contact resistance between graphene and metal is a major huddle for high performance electronic device applications of graphene. In this work, a method to improve the contact resistance of graphene is investigated by varying the ratio of peripheral length and area of graphene pattern under a metal contact. The contact resistance decreased to 0.8 kΩ·μm from 2.1 kΩ·μm as the peripheral length increased from 312 to 792 μm. This improvement is attributed to the low resistivity of edge-contacted graphene, which is 8.1 × 10{sup 5} times lower than that of top-contacted graphene.

Tapered structure construction

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

Smith, Eric D.; Takata, Rosalind K.; Slocum, Alexander H.

Feeding stock used to form a tapered structure into a curving device such that each point on the stock undergoes rotational motion about a peak location of the tapered structure; and the stock meets a predecessor portion of stock along one or more adjacent edges.

Combustor arrangement including flow control vanes

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

Rodriguez, Jose L.

A combustor assembly (17) including guide vanes (44) located between an inner cylinder (24) and a flow sleeve (25). Each guide vane (44) includes a circumferentially angled flow directing portion (60) adjacent to a leading edge (46). The leading edge (46) of at least one guide vane (44) can be located radially inward along the longitudinal axis (54) relative to the leading edge (46) of at least one other of the guide vanes (44). The length of the guide vanes (44) may vary, and the circumferential spacing between a first pair of the guide vanes (44) can be different frommore » a spacing between a second pair of the guide vanes (44).« less

Donor cornea preparation in partial big bubble deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty.

PubMed

Lim, Li; Lim, Samuel Wen Yan

2014-01-01

The purpose of this paper is to describe a technique of donor cornea preparation to ensure good graft-host apposition in incomplete big bubble deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty. Following a partial-thickness trephination, manual dissection and excision of corneal stroma was performed. Anwar's big-bubble technique involving a deep stromal air injection was then initiated. However, the big bubble could not extend to the trephination edge and the peripheral residual corneal stroma could not be removed. Donor cornea preparation involving trimming of the posterior lip of the corneal button was then performed and good graft-host apposition was obtained without graft over-ride. We performed peripheral donor cornea trimming prior to allograft placement in order to ensure good graft-host apposition. Postoperatively, best-corrected visual acuity in both eyes was 6/7.5. Donor cornea preparation involving trimming of the posterior lip of the corneal button is a useful technique in instances where the big bubble does not extend to the trephination edge and ensures good graft-host apposition.

Device for reducing vehicle aerodynamic resistance

DOEpatents

Graham, Sean C.

2006-03-07

A device for reducing vehicle aerodynamic resistance for vehicles having a generally rectangular flat front face comprising a plurality of load bearing struts of a predetermined size attached to the flat front face adjacent the sides and top thereof, a pair of pliable opposing flat sheets having an outside edge portion attached to the flat front face adjacent the sides thereof and an upper edge with a predetermined curve; the opposing flat sheets being bent and attached to the struts to form effective curved airfoil shapes, and a top pliable flat sheet disposed adjacent the top of the flat front face and having predetermined curved side edges, which, when the top sheet is bent and attached to the struts to form an effective curved airfoil shape, mate with the curved upper edges of the opposing sheets to complete the aerodynamic device.

Sherlock Holmes in the ER (the case of red and the head).

PubMed

Bendo, Edlira; Gilbert, Molly; Chavis, Pamela; Mistr, Susannah

2009-01-01

A 58-year-old woman presented with a problem with her peripheral vision. Computed tomography scan showed an occipital hemorrhagic stroke. She subsequently suffered gastrointestinal bleeding and at surgery biopsy of a portion of the middle colic artery aneurysm revealed changes consistent with polyarteritis nodosa.

Cooling circuit for a gas turbine bucket and tip shroud

DOEpatents

Willett, Fred Thomas

2004-07-13

An open cooling circuit for a gas turbine airfoil and associated tip shroud includes a first group of cooling holes internal to the airfoil and extending in a radially outward direction generally along a leading edge of the airfoil; a second group of cooling holes internal to the airfoil and extending in a radially outward direction generally along a trailing edge of the airfoil. A common plenum is formed in the tip shroud in direct communication with the first and second group of cooling holes, but a second plenum may be provided for the second group of radial holes. A plurality of exhaust holes extends from the plenum(s), through the tip shroud and opening along a peripheral edge of the tip shroud.

Method to improve superconductor cable

DOEpatents

Borden, A.R.

1984-03-08

A method is disclosed of making a stranded superconductor cable having improved flexing and bending characteristics. In such method, a plurality of superconductor strands are helically wound around a cylindrical portion of a mandrel which tapers along a transitional portion to a flat end portion. The helically wound strands form a multistrand hollow cable which is partially flattened by pressure rollers as the cable travels along the transitional portion. The partially flattened cable is impacted with repeated hammer blows as the hollow cable travels along the flat end portion. The hammer blows flatten both the internal and the external surfaces of the strands. The cable is fully flattened and compacted by two sets of pressure rollers which engage the flat sides and the edges of the cable after it has traveled away from the flat end portion of the mandrel. The flattened internal surfaces slide easily over one another when the cable is flexed or bent so that there is very little possibility that the cable will be damaged by the necessary flexing and bending required to wind the cable into magnet coils.

5.0 kV breakdown-voltage vertical GaN p-n junction diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohta, Hiroshi; Hayashi, Kentaro; Horikiri, Fumimasa; Yoshino, Michitaka; Nakamura, Tohru; Mishima, Tomoyoshi

2018-04-01

A high breakdown voltage of 5.0 kV has been achieved for the first time in vertical GaN p-n junction diodes by using our newly developed guard-ring structures. A resistance device was inserted between the main diode portion and the guard-ring portion in a ring-shaped p-n diode to generate a voltage drop over the resistance device by leakage current flowing through the guard-ring portion under negatively biased conditions before breakdown. The voltage at the outer mesa edge of the guard-ring portion, where the electric field intensity is highest and the destructive breakdown usually occurs, is decreased by the voltage drop, so the electric field concentration in the portion is reduced. By adopting this structure, the breakdown voltage (V B) is raised by about 200 V. Combined with a low measured on-resistance (R on) of 1.25 mΩ cm2, Baliga’s figure of merit (V\\text{B}2/R\\text{on}) was as high as 20 GW/cm2.

14 CFR 29.853 - Compartment interiors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... self-extinguishing when tested vertically in accordance with the applicable portions of appendix F of... paragraph (a)(3) of this section, must be self extinguishing when tested vertically in accordance with the... of elastometric materials, edge lighted instrument assemblies consisting of two or more instruments...

Fuel injection nozzle and method of manufacturing the same

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

Monaghan, James Christopher; Johnson, Thomas Edward; Ostebee, Heath Michael

A fuel injection head for use in a fuel injection nozzle comprises a monolithic body portion comprising an upstream face, an opposite downstream face, and a peripheral wall extending therebetween. A plurality of pre-mix tubes are integrally formed with and extend axially through the body portion. Each of the pre-mix tubes comprises an inlet adjacent the upstream face, an outlet adjacent the downstream face, and a channel extending between the inlet and the outlet. Each pre-mix tube also includes at least one fuel injector that at least partially extends outward from an exterior surface of the pre-mix tube, wherein themore » fuel injector is integrally formed with the pre-mix tube and is configured to facilitate fuel flow between the body portion and the channel.« less

Separable fastening device

DOEpatents

Harvey, Andrew C.; Ribich, William A.; Marinaccio, Paul J.; Sawaf, Bernard E.

1987-12-01

A separable fastener system has a first separable member that includes a series of metal hook sheets disposed in stacked relation that defines an array of hook elements on its broad surface. Each hook sheet is a planar metal member of uniform thickness and has a body portion with a series of hook elements formed along one edge of the body. Each hook element includes a stem portion, a deflecting surface portion, and a latch portion. Metal spacer sheets are disposed between the hook sheets and may be varied in thickness and in number to control the density of the hook elements on the broad surface of the first fastener member. The hook and spacer sheets are secured together in stacked relation. A second fastener member has a surface of complementary engaging elements extending along its broad surface which are releasably interengageable with the hook elements of the first fastener member, the deflecting surfaces of the hook elements of the first fastener member tending to deflect hook engaging portions of the second fastener member and the latch portions of the hook elements of the first fastener member engaging portions of the second fastener member in fastening relation.

Uptake, Distribution, and Metabolism of 1-Naphthaleneacetic Acid and Indole-3-Acetic Acid During Callus Initiation From Actinidia deliciosa Tissues.

PubMed

Centeno; Fernández; Feito; Rodríguez

1999-10-01

1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 6-benzyladenine (BA) were required for in vitro callus formation at the basal edge of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa [A. Chev] Liang and Ferguson, cv. Hayward) petioles. The uptake, metabolism, and concentration of NAA and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) content were examined in the explants during the callus initiation period. After 1, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 96 h of culture in the presence of [H(3)]NAA, petioles were divided into apical, middle, and basal portions and analyzed. Except for a high IAA level measured at 12 h, IAA content decreased in tissues during a culture period of 96 h. NAA uptake was higher in petiolar edges than in the middle portion, and NAA was rapidly conjugated with sugars and aspartic acid inside the tissues. The amide conjugation was triggered in apical and basal portions from 12 h and in the middle part from 48 h, with alpha-naphthylacetylaspartic acid being the major metabolite. Free-NAA concentration in cultured petioles achieved an equilibrium with the exogenously applied NAA (0.27 µm) from 12 h, and it remained constant thereafter. The relationships between the role attributed to NAA and BA in the initiation and the maintenance of disorganized growth of callus in kiwifruit cultures are discussed.

Recuperator construction for a gas turbine engine

DOEpatents

Kang, Yungmo; McKeirnan, Jr., Robert D.

2006-12-12

A counter-flow recuperator formed from annular arrays of recuperator core segments. The recuperator core segments are formed from two opposing sheets of fin fold material coined to form a primary surface zone disposed between two flattened manifold zones. Each primary surface zone has undulating corrugations including a uniform, full height central portion and a transition zone disposed between the central portion and one of the manifold zones. Corrugations of the transition zone rise from zero adjacent to the manifold zone and increase along a transition length to full crest height at the central portion. The transition lengths increase in a direction away from an inner edge containing the air inlet so as to equalize air flow to the distal regions of the primary surface zone.

2014 Update of the Pacific Northwest portion of the U.S. National Seismic Hazard Maps

USGS Publications Warehouse

Frankel, Arthur; Chen, Rui; Petersen, Mark; Moschetti, Morgan P.; Sherrod, Brian

2015-01-01

Several aspects of the earthquake characterization were changed for the Pacific Northwest portion of the 2014 update of the national seismic hazard maps, reflecting recent scientific findings. New logic trees were developed for the recurrence parameters of M8-9 earthquakes on the Cascadia subduction zone (CSZ) and for the eastern edge of their rupture zones. These logic trees reflect recent findings of additional M8 CSZ earthquakes using offshore deposits of turbidity flows and onshore tsunami deposits and subsidence. These M8 earthquakes each rupture a portion of the CSZ and occur in the time periods between M9 earthquakes that have an average recurrence interval of about 500 years. The maximum magnitude was increased for deep intraslab earthquakes. An areal source zone to account for the possibility of deep earthquakes under western Oregon was expanded. The western portion of the Tacoma fault was added to the hazard maps.

Effects of suture position on left ventricular fluid mechanics under mitral valve edge-to-edge repair.

PubMed

Du, Dongxing; Jiang, Song; Wang, Ze; Hu, Yingying; He, Zhaoming

2014-01-01

Mitral valve (MV) edge-to-edge repair (ETER) is a surgical procedure for the correction of mitral valve regurgitation by suturing the free edge of the leaflets. The leaflets are often sutured at three different positions: central, lateral and commissural portions. To study the effects of position of suture on left ventricular (LV) fluid mechanics under mitral valve ETER, a parametric model of MV-LV system during diastole was developed. The distribution and development of vortex and atrio-ventricular pressure under different suture position were investigated. Results show that the MV sutured at central and lateral in ETER creates two vortex rings around two jets, compared with single vortex ring around one jet of the MV sutured at commissure. Smaller total orifices lead to a higher pressure difference across the atrio-ventricular leaflets in diastole. The central suture generates smaller wall shear stresses than the lateral suture, while the commissural suture generated the minimum wall shear stresses in ETER.

A modification of the fusion model for log polar coordinates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Griswold, N. C.; Weiman, Carl F. R.

1990-01-01

The fusion mechanism for application in stereo analysis of range restricted the depth of field and therefore required a shift variant mechanism in the peripheral area to find disparity. Misregistration was prevented by restricting the disparity detection range to a neighborhood spanned by the directional edge detection filters. This transformation was essentially accomplished by a nonuniform resampling of the original image in a horizontal direction. While this is easily implemented for digital processing, the approach does not (in the peripheral vision area) model the log-conformal mapping which is known to occur in the human mechanism. This paper therefore modifies the original fusion concept in the peripheral area to include the polar exponential grid-to-log conformal tesselation. Examples of the fusion process resulting in accurate disparity values are given.

Nuclear reactor

DOEpatents

Thomson, Wallace B.

2004-03-16

A nuclear reactor comprising a cylindrical pressure vessel, an elongated annular core centrally disposed within and spaced from the pressure vessel, and a plurality of ducts disposed longitudinally of the pressure vessel about the periphery thereof, said core comprising an annular active portion, an annular reflector just inside the active portion, and an annular reflector just outside the active a portion, said annular active portion comprising rectangular slab, porous fuel elements radially disposed around the inner reflector and extending the length of the active portion, wedge-shaped, porous moderator elements disposed adjacent one face of each fuel element and extending the length of the fuel element, the fuel and moderator elements being oriented so that the fuel elements face each other and the moderator elements do likewise, adjacent moderator elements being spaced to provide air inlet channels, and adjacent fuel elements being spaced to provide air outlet channels which communicate with the interior of the peripheral ducts, and means for introducing air into the air inlet channels which passes through the porous moderator elements and porous fuel elements to the outlet channel.

The role of geometry in nanoscale rectennas for rectification and energy conversion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miskovsky, N. M.; Cutler, P. H.; Mayer, A.; Willis, B. G.; Zimmerman, D. T.; Weisel, G. J.; Chen, James M.; Sullivan, T. E.; Lerner, P. B.

2013-09-01

We have previously presented a method for optical rectification that has been demonstrated both theoretically and experimentally and can be used for the development of a practical rectification and energy conversion device for the electromagnetic spectrum including the visible portion. This technique for optical frequency rectification is based, not on conventional material or temperature asymmetry as used in MIM or Schottky diodes, but on a purely geometric property of the antenna tip or other sharp edges that may be incorporated on patch antennas. This "tip" or edge in conjunction with a collector anode providing connection to the external circuit constitutes a tunnel junction. Because such devices act as both the absorber of the incident radiation and the rectifier, they are referred to as "rectennas." Using current nanofabrication techniques and the selective Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) process, junctions of 1 nm can be fabricated, which allow for rectification of frequencies up to the blue portion of the spectrum (see Section 2).

Aeroacoustic Measurements of a Wing/Slat Model. [Research conducted at the Quiet Flow Facility of the NASA Langley Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mendoza, Jeff M.; Brooks, Thomas F.; Humphreys, William M.

2002-01-01

Aeroacoustic evaluations of high-lift devices have been carried out in the Quiet Flow Facility of the NASA Langley Research Center. The present paper deals with detailed flow and acoustic measurements that have been made to understand, and to possibly predict and reduce, the noise from a wing leading edge slat configuration. The acoustic database is obtained by a moveable Small Aperture Directional Array (SADA) of microphones designed to electronically steer to different portions of models under study. The slat is shown to be a uniform distributed noise source. The data was processed such that spectra and directivity were determined with respect to a one-foot span of slat. The spectra are normalized in various fashions to demonstrate slat noise character. In order to equate portions of the spectra to different slat noise components, trailing edge noise predictions using measured slat boundary layer parameters as inputs are compared to the measured slat noise spectra.

Peripheral choline acetyltransferase in rat skin demonstrated by immunohistochemistry.

PubMed

Hanada, Keiji; Kishimoto, Saburo; Bellier, Jean-Pierre; Kimura, Hiroshi

2013-03-01

Conventional choline acetyltransferase immunohistochemistry has been used widely for visualizing central cholinergic neurons and fibers but not often for labeling peripheral structures, probably because of their poor staining. The recent identification of the peripheral type of choline acetyltransferase (pChAT) has enabled the clear immunohistochemical detection of many known peripheral cholinergic elements. Here, we report the presence of pChAT-immunoreactive nerve fibers in rat skin. Intensely stained nerve fibers were distributed in association with eccrine sweat glands, blood vessels, hair follicles and portions just beneath the epidermis. These results suggest that pChAT-positive nerves participate in the sympathetic cholinergic innervation of eccrine sweat glands. Moreover, pChAT also appears to play a role in cutaneous sensory nerve endings. These findings are supported by the presence of many pChAT-positive neuronal cells in the sympathetic ganglion and dorsal root ganglion. Thus, pChAT immunohistochemistry should provide a novel and unique tool for studying cholinergic nerves in the skin.

Life on the edge for limber pine: Seed dispersal within a peripheral population

Treesearch

Diana F. Tomback; Anna W. Schoettle; Kristen E. Chevalier; Cheri A. Jones

2005-01-01

Interactions within populations at the periphery of a species' range may depart from those in populations more centrally located. Throughout its core range, limber pine (Pinus flexilis, Pinaceae) depends on Clark's nutcrackers (Nucifraga columbiana, Corvidae) for seed dispersal. Nutcrackers, however, rarely visit the Pawnee National Grassland...

Active Tailoring of Lift Distribution to Enhance Cruise Performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Flamm, Jeffrey D. (Technical Monitor); Pfeiffer, Neal J.; Christians, Joel G.

2005-01-01

During Phase I of this project, Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC) has analytically and experimentally evaluated key components of a system that could be implemented for active tailoring of wing lift distribution using low-drag, trailing-edge modifications. Simple systems such as those studied by RAC could be used to enhance the cruise performance of a business jet configuration over a range of typical flight conditions. The trailing-edge modifications focus on simple, deployable mechanisms comprised of extendable small flap panels over portions of the span that could be used to subtly but positively optimize the lift and drag characteristics. The report includes results from low speed wind tunnel testing of the trailing-edge devices, descriptions of potential mechanisms for automation, and an assessment of the technology.

Crop species recognition and mensuration in the Sacramento Valley

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thomson, F. J.

1973-01-01

The goal of the second recognition map was to delineate various crop species in a portion of the Sacramento Valley, and at the same time to determine how accurately each could be classified and measured from ERTS-1 data. The new recognition map, a new and concise display of the old map, and classification and mensuration accuracy data are presented and discussed. The mensuration accuracy, in particular, is affected by the presence of an edge effect one resolution wide surrounding nearly all fields. Points on the edge are misclassified because they contain a mixture of, crop and bare soil. Using a processing technique to estimate the proportions of unresolved objects in this edge region, a much improved mensuration capability will be demonstrated.

[Localizating and Extracting Small Peripheral Nodules of Lung with Simulating 
Radiaotherapy Combining Methylene Blue Staining].

PubMed

Mao, Feng; Zhang, Liang; Gu, Hengle; Zhang, Hui; Lv, Changxing; Shen-Tu, Yang

2016-09-20

With the extensively application of HRCT (high resolution CT) and the popularization of early lung cancer screening, the proportion of small nodullar lung cancer to be operated increases rapidly. Identifying the focus lesions quickly and accurately in operation has shown to be a challenge. We carried out this research trying to make use of and evaluate a new method that localizaes and extracts small peripheral pulmonary nodules by way of simulating radiaotherapy combining methylene blue staining. From February 2012 to January 2015, 97 patients with 100 peripheral pulmonary nodules ≤10 mm in size were simulated puncturing using a radiotherapy planning. When the anaesthesia came into use, methylene blue dye was injected to the virtually identified point corresponding to the surface point, according to the angle and depth previously computed by the radiotherapy planning. The video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) wedge resections of the marked lesions were undertaken and the specimens were sent for frozen pathologic examination. The interval time from anesthesia-completing to puncture and injection, The interval time from methylene blue injection to identifying the stained area and the distances between the centre point of the stains and edge of coloured lesion were recorded. Our preoperative localization procedure was successful in 96 of 100 (96%) nodules. The interval time from anesthesia-completing to puncture and injection of methylene blue were (4.85±1.25) min. The interval time from methylene blue injection to identifying the stained area was (16.36±2.36) min. The distances between the centre point of the stains and edge of coloured lesion were (4.78±2.51) mm. No complication was observed in all participants. The new method of locating peripheral pulmonary nodules by simulating simulating radiaotherapy combining methylene blue staining has a high success rate and no complication for localizing small peripheral pulmonary lesions, avoiding the fear and pain of the patients untaken puncture without anaesthesia reducing radial damage.

Membrane Localization of β-Amyloid 1–42 in Lysosomes

PubMed Central

Liu, Rui-Qin; Zhou, Qing-Hua; Ji, Shang-Rong; Zhou, Qiang; Feng, Du; Wu, Yi; Sui, Sen-Fang

2010-01-01

β-Amyloid peptide (Aβ42) is the core protein of amyloid plaque in Alzheimer disease. The intracellular accumulation of Aβ42 in the endosomal/lysosomal system has been under investigation for many years, but the direct link between Aβ42 accumulation and dysfunction of the endosomal/lysosomal system is still largely unknown. Here, we found that both in vitro and in vivo, a major portion of Aβ42 was tightly inserted into and a small portion peripherally associated with the lysosomal membrane, whereas its soluble portion was minimal. We also found that the Aβ42 molecules inserted into the membrane tended to form multiple oligomeric aggregates, whereas Aβ40 peptides formed only dimers. Neutralizing lysosomal pH in differentiated PC12 cells decreased the lysosomal membrane insertion of Aβ42 and moderated Aβ42-induced lysosomal labilization and cytotoxicity. Our findings, thus, suggest that the membrane-inserted portion of Aβ42 accumulated in lysosomes may destabilize the lysosomal membrane and induce neurotoxicity. PMID:20430896

Heat Transfer to 36.75 and 45 degree Swept Blunt Leading Edges in Free Flight at Mach Numbers from 1.70 to 2.99 and From 2.50 to 4.05

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

ONeal, Robert L.

1960-01-01

A flight investigation has been conducted to study the heat transfer to swept-wing leading edges. A rocket-powered model was used for the investigation and provided data for Mach number ranges of 1.78 to 2.99 and 2.50 to 4.05 with corresponding free-stream Reynolds number per foot ranges of 13.32 x 10(exp 6) to 19.90 x 10(exp 6) and 2.85 x 10(exp 6) to 4.55 x 10(exp 6). The leading edges employed were cylindrically blunted wedges ', three of which were swept 450 with leading-edge diameters of 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 inch and one swept 36-750 with a leading-edge diameter of 1/2 inch. In the high Reynolds number range, measured values of heat transfer were found to be much higher than those predicted by laminar theory and at the larger values of leading-edge diameter were approaching the values predicted by turbulent theory. For the low Reynolds number range a comparison between measured and theoretical heat transfer showed that increasing the leading-edge diameter resulted in turbulent flow on the cylindrical portion of the leading edge.

Rotary seal with enhanced lubrication and contaminant flushing

DOEpatents

Dietle, Lannie L.

2000-01-01

A resilient, ring shaped interference-type hydrodynamic rotary seal having waves on the lubricant side which provide increased film thickness and flushing action by creating contact pressure induced angulated restrictions formed by abrupt restrictive diverters. The angulated restrictions are defined by projecting ridges, corners at the trailing edge of the waves, or simply by use of a converging shape at the trailing edge of the waves which is more abrupt than the gently converging hydrodynamic inlet shape at the leading edge of the waves. The abrupt restrictive diverter performs two functions; a restricting function and a diverting function. The angulated restrictions cause a local film thickness restriction which produces a damming effect preventing a portion of the lubricant from leaking out of the dynamic sealing interface at the trailing edge of the wave, and results in a much thicker lubricant film thickness under the waves. This contributes to more film thickness in the remainder of the dynamic sealing interface toward the environment because film thickness tends to decay gradually rather than abruptly due to the relative stiffness of the seal material. Because of the angle of the abrupt restrictive diverter relative to the relative rotation direction, in conjunction with the restriction or damming effect, a strong diverting action is produced which pumps lubricant across the dynamic sealing interface toward the environment. The lubricant diversion is caused by the component of the rotational velocity tangent to the abrupt restrictive diverter. The component of rotational velocity normal to the abrupt restrictive diverter causes a portion of the lubricant film to be pumped past the abrupt restrictive diverter, thereby assuring adequate lubrication thereof.

Morphological Alterations Within the Peripheral Fixation of the Iris Dilator Muscle in Eyes With Pigmentary Glaucoma

PubMed Central

Flügel-Koch, Cassandra M.; Tektas, Ozan Y.; Kaufman, Paul L.; Paulsen, Friedrich P.; Lütjen-Drecoll, Elke

2014-01-01

Purpose. To analyze the peripheral fixation of the iris dilator muscle in normal eyes and in eyes with pigmentary glaucoma (PG). Methods. Using 63 control eyes (age 18 months–99 years), the peripheral iris dilator was investigated by light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. Development was studied using 18 differently aged fetal eyes stained immunohistochemically against α-smooth muscle (SM) actin. The peripheral iris dilator muscle in PG was analyzed using semithin and ultrathin sections of six glutaraldehyde-fixed eyes from three donors aged 38, 62, and 74 years. Results. In normal eyes, the peripheral end of the iris dilator muscle is arranged in a sphincter-like manner. Arcade-shaped tendinous connections associated with myofibroblasts (iridial strands) anchor the iris dilator within the elastic–fibromuscular ciliary meshwork that also serves as fixation area for the elastic tendons of the inner ciliary muscle portions. The iridial strands are innervated and can adapt their length during accommodation. The PG eyes show incomplete circular bundles and iridial strands that are mainly anchored to the iris stroma and the flexible uveal parts of the trabecular meshwork. Conclusions. The normal anchorage of the peripheral iris dilator and its presumably neuronally regulated length adaptation stabilize the peripheral iris during accommodation. Insufficient fixation in PG could promote posterior bowing of the iris with rubbing against the zonular fibers and pigment liberation from the iris pigmented epithelium. PMID:24938519

Single-scan patient-specific scatter correction in computed tomography using peripheral detection of scatter and compressed sensing scatter retrieval

PubMed Central

Meng, Bowen; Lee, Ho; Xing, Lei; Fahimian, Benjamin P.

2013-01-01

Purpose: X-ray scatter results in a significant degradation of image quality in computed tomography (CT), representing a major limitation in cone-beam CT (CBCT) and large field-of-view diagnostic scanners. In this work, a novel scatter estimation and correction technique is proposed that utilizes peripheral detection of scatter during the patient scan to simultaneously acquire image and patient-specific scatter information in a single scan, and in conjunction with a proposed compressed sensing scatter recovery technique to reconstruct and correct for the patient-specific scatter in the projection space. Methods: The method consists of the detection of patient scatter at the edges of the field of view (FOV) followed by measurement based compressed sensing recovery of the scatter through-out the projection space. In the prototype implementation, the kV x-ray source of the Varian TrueBeam OBI system was blocked at the edges of the projection FOV, and the image detector in the corresponding blocked region was used for scatter detection. The design enables image data acquisition of the projection data on the unblocked central region of and scatter data at the blocked boundary regions. For the initial scatter estimation on the central FOV, a prior consisting of a hybrid scatter model that combines the scatter interpolation method and scatter convolution model is estimated using the acquired scatter distribution on boundary region. With the hybrid scatter estimation model, compressed sensing optimization is performed to generate the scatter map by penalizing the L1 norm of the discrete cosine transform of scatter signal. The estimated scatter is subtracted from the projection data by soft-tuning, and the scatter-corrected CBCT volume is obtained by the conventional Feldkamp-Davis-Kress algorithm. Experimental studies using image quality and anthropomorphic phantoms on a Varian TrueBeam system were carried out to evaluate the performance of the proposed scheme. Results: The scatter shading artifacts were markedly suppressed in the reconstructed images using the proposed method. On the Catphan©504 phantom, the proposed method reduced the error of CT number to 13 Hounsfield units, 10% of that without scatter correction, and increased the image contrast by a factor of 2 in high-contrast regions. On the anthropomorphic phantom, the spatial nonuniformity decreased from 10.8% to 6.8% after correction. Conclusions: A novel scatter correction method, enabling unobstructed acquisition of the high frequency image data and concurrent detection of the patient-specific low frequency scatter data at the edges of the FOV, is proposed and validated in this work. Relative to blocker based techniques, rather than obstructing the central portion of the FOV which degrades and limits the image reconstruction, compressed sensing is used to solve for the scatter from detection of scatter at the periphery of the FOV, enabling for the highest quality reconstruction in the central region and robust patient-specific scatter correction. PMID:23298098

Doppler lidar wind measurement with the edge technique

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Korb, C. Laurence; Gentry, Bruce M.

1992-01-01

The edge technique is a new and powerful method for measuring small frequency shifts. Range resolved lidar measurements of winds can be made with high accuracy and high vertical resolution using the edge technique to measure the Doppler shift of an atmospheric backscattered signal from a pulsed laser. The edge technique can be used at near-infrared or visible wavelengths using well developed solid state lasers and detectors with various edge filters. In the edge technique, the laser frequency is located on the steep slope of the spectral response function of a high resolution optical filter. Due to the steep slope of the edge, very small frequency shifts cause large changes in measured signal. The frequency of the outgoing laser pulse is determined by measuring its location on the edge of the filter. This is accomplished by sending a small portion of the beam to the edge detection setup where the incoming light is split into two channels - an edge filter and an energy monitor channel. The energy monitor signal is used to normalize the edge filter signal for magnitude. The laser return backscattered from the atmosphere is collected by a telescope and directed through the edge detection setup to determine its frequency (location on the edge) in a similar manner for each range element. The Doppler shift, and thus the wind, is determined from a differential measurement of the frequency of the outgoing laser pulse and the frequency of the laser return backscattered from the atmosphere. We have conducted simulations of the performance of an edge lidar system using an injection seeded pulsed Nd:YAG laser at 1.06 microns. The central fringe of a Fabry-Perot etalon is used as a high resolution edge filter to measure the shift of the aerosol return.

Modification of one man life raft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Soter, E. J. (Inventor)

1974-01-01

A one man inflatable life raft is described. The raft has an inflatable tube perimetrically bounding the occupant receiving space with a flexible floor member. A zippered opening in the floor allows entry and facilitates the use of a constant diameter tube. An airtight fabric bulkhead divides the peripheral tube longitudinally into inflatable tube sections, where if either tube section were punctured, the bulkhead would move into the punctured section to substitute for the punctured wall portion and maintain the inflatable volume of the tube. The floor member is attached to the central portion of the tube wall so that either side of the raft can be the up side.

Oscillating-Coolant Heat Exchanger

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scotti, Stephen J.; Blosser, Max L.; Camarda, Charles J.

1992-01-01

Devices useful in situations in which heat pipes inadequate. Conceptual oscillating-coolant heat exchanger (OCHEX) transports heat from its hotter portions to cooler portions. Heat transported by oscillation of single-phase fluid, called primary coolant, in coolant passages. No time-averaged flow in tubes, so either heat removed from end reservoirs on every cycle or heat removed indirectly by cooling sides of channels with another coolant. Devices include leading-edge cooling devices in hypersonic aircraft and "frost-free" heat exchangers. Also used in any situation in which heat pipe used and in other situations in which heat pipes not usable.

College Mental Health at the Cutting Edge?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schwartz, Victor

2013-01-01

As someone who has been involved in college mental health in three different roles, the author would say those who work in this field inhabit a strange space. College mental health centers are generally seen as somewhat peripheral to the core mission of universities by upper administration. Counseling centers do not reside within academic…

High density electrical card connector system

DOEpatents

Haggard, J. Eric; Trotter, Garrett R.

2000-01-01

An electrical circuit board card connection system is disclosed which comprises a wedge-operated locking mechanism disposed along an edge portion of the printed circuit board. An extrusion along the edge of the circuit board mates with an extrusion fixed to the card cage having a plurality of electrical connectors. The connection system allows the connectors to be held away from the circuit board during insertion/extraction and provides a constant mating force once the circuit board is positioned and the wedge inserted. The disclosed connection system is a simple solution to the need for a greater number of electrical signal connections.

75 FR 68688 - Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 757 Airplanes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-09

...We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Model 757 airplanes. This AD requires changing the lower fixed leading edge panel assemblies immediately outboard of the nacelles at slats 4 and 7. This AD results from reports of Model 757 airplanes in service that have drain holes and unsealed panel assemblies in the fixed leading edge adjacent to the inboard end of slats 4 and 7 that are too close to the hot portion of the engines. We are issuing this AD to prevent fuel leaking onto an engine and a consequent fire.

View of crater Posidonius at edge of Sea of Serenity seen by Apollo 15

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1971-01-01

An oblique view of a portion of the large crater Posidonius at the northeastern edge of the Sea of Serenity, as photographed from the Apollo 15 spacecraft in lunar orbit. Posidonius P is in the corner of the picture. The much smaller crater nearby is Posidonius F. The crater inside Posidonius is Posidonius A. Rima Posidonius II extends along inside Posidonius. The diamter of Posidonius is approximately 100 kilometers (about 62 statute miles). Posidonius is partly filled and the rim partly covered with mare material. This view is looking northwestward.

Decontamination apparatus and method

DOEpatents

Oakley, David J.

1987-01-01

A blast head including a plurality of spray nozzles mounted in a chamber for receiving a workpiece. The several spray nozzles concurrently direct a plurality of streams of a pressurized gas and abrasive grit mixture toward a peripheral portion of the workpiece to remove particulates or debris therefrom. An exhaust outlet is formed in the chamber for discharging the particulates and spent grit.

Decontamination apparatus and method

DOEpatents

Oakley, David J.

1987-01-06

A blast head including a plurality of spray nozzles mounted in a chamber for receiving a workpiece. The several spray nozzles concurrently direct a plurality of streams of a pressurized gas and abrasive grit mixture toward a peripheral portion of the workpiece to remove particulates or debris therefrom. An exhaust outlet is formed in the chamber for discharging the particulates and spent grit.

Turbine vane with high temperature capable skins

DOEpatents

Morrison, Jay A [Oviedo, FL

2012-07-10

A turbine vane assembly includes an airfoil extending between an inner shroud and an outer shroud. The airfoil can include a substructure having an outer peripheral surface. At least a portion of the outer peripheral surface is covered by an external skin. The external skin can be made of a high temperature capable material, such as oxide dispersion strengthened alloys, intermetallic alloys, ceramic matrix composites or refractory alloys. The external skin can be formed, and the airfoil can be subsequently bi-cast around or onto the skin. The skin and the substructure can be attached by a plurality of attachment members extending between the skin and the substructure. The skin can be spaced from the outer peripheral surface of the substructure such that a cavity is formed therebetween. Coolant can be supplied to the cavity. Skins can also be applied to the gas path faces of the inner and outer shrouds.

Psychophysiological arousal and inter‐ and intraindividual differences in risk‐sensitive decision making

PubMed Central

Scheibehenne, Benjamin; Clark, Luke

2016-01-01

Abstract The current study assessed peripheral responses during decision making under explicit risk, and tested whether intraindividual variability in choice behavior can be explained by fluctuations in peripheral arousal. Electrodermal activity (EDA) and heart rate (HR) were monitored in healthy volunteers (N = 68) during the Roulette Betting Task. In this task, participants were presented with risky gambles to bet on, with the chances of winning varying across trials. Hierarchical Bayesian analyses demonstrated that EDA and HR acceleration responses during the decision phase were sensitive to the chances of winning. Interindividual differences in this peripheral reactivity during risky decision making were related to trait sensitivity to punishment and trait sensitivity to reward. Moreover, trial‐by‐trial variation in EDA and HR acceleration responses predicted a small portion of intraindividual variability in betting choices. Our results show that psychophysiological responses are sensitive to explicit risk and can help explain intraindividual heterogeneity in choice behavior. PMID:26927730

Study of lee-side flows over conically cambered Delta wings at supersonic speeds, part 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wood, Richard M.; Watson, Carolyn B.

1987-01-01

An experimental investigation was performed in which surface pressure data, flow visualization data, and force and moment data were obtained on four conical delta wing models which differed in leading edge camber only. Wing leading edge camber was achieved through a deflection of the outboard 30% of the local wing semispan of a reference 75 deg swept flat delta wing. The four wing models have leading edge deflection angles delta sub F of 0, 5, 10, and 15 deg measured streamwise. Data for the wings with delta sub F = 10 and 15 deg showed that hinge line separation dominated the lee-side wing loading and prohibited the development of leading edge separation on the deflected portion of wing leading edge. However, data for the wing with delta sub F = 5 deg showed that at an angle of attack of 5 deg, a vortex was positioned on the deflected leading edge with reattachment at the hinge line. Flow visualization results were presented which detail the influence of Mach number, angle of attack, and camber on the lee-side flow characteristics of conically cambered delta wings. Analysis of photographic data identified the existence of 12 distinctive lee-side flow types.

Assessment of AVIRIS data from vegetated sites in the Owens Valley, California

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rock, B. N.; Elvidge, Christopher D.; Defeo, N. J.

1988-01-01

Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) data were acquired from the Bishop, CA area, located at the northern end of the Owens Valley, on July 30, 1987. Radiometrically-corrected AVIRIS data were flat-field corrected, and spectral curves produced and analyzed for pixels taken from both native and cultivated vegetation sites, using the JPS SPAM software program and PC-based spreadsheet programs. Analyses focussed on the chlorophyll well and red edge portions of the spectral curves. Results include the following: AVIRIS spectral data are acquired at sufficient spectral resolution to allow detection of blue shifts of both the chlorophyll well and red edge in moisture-stressed vegetation when compared with non-stressed vegetation; a normalization of selected parameters (chlorophyll well and near infrared shoulder) may be used to emphasize the shift in red edge position; and the presence of the red edge in AVIRIS spectral curves may be useful in detecting small amounts (20 to 30 pct cover) of semi-arid and arid vegetation ground cover. A discussion of possible causes of AVIRIS red edge shifts in respsonse to stress is presented.

Arm and wrist surface potential mapping for wearable ECG rhythm recording devices: a pilot clinical study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lynn, W. D.; Escalona, O. J.; McEneaney, D. J.

2013-06-01

This study addresses an important question in the development of a ECG device that enables long term monitoring of cardiac rhythm. This device would utilise edge sensor technologies for dry, non-irritant skin contact suitable for distal limb application and would be supported by embedded ECG denoising processes. Contemporary ECG databases including those provided by MIT-BIH and Physionet are focused on interpretation of cardiac disease and rhythm tracking. The data is recorded using chest leads as in standard clinical practise. For the development of a peripherally located heart rhythm monitor, such data would be of limited use. To provide a useful database adequate for the development of the above mentioned cardiac monitoring device a unipolar body surface potential map from the left arm and wrist was gathered in 37 volunteer patients and characterized in this study. For this, the reference electrode was placed at the wrist. Bipolar far-field electrogram leads were derived and analysed. Factors such as skin variability, 50Hz noise interference, electrode contact noise, motion artifacts and electromyographic noise, presented a challenge. The objective was quantify the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the far-field locations. Preliminary results reveal that an electrogram indicative of the QRS complex can be recorded on the distal portion of the left arm when denoised using signal averaging techniques.

Multistrand superconductor cable

DOEpatents

Borden, Albert R.

1985-01-01

Improved multistrand Rutherford-type superconductor cable is produced by using strands which are preformed, prior to being wound into the cable, so that each strand has a variable cross section, with successive portions having a substantially round cross section, a transitional oval cross section, a rectangular cross section, a transitional oval cross section, a round cross section and so forth, in repetitive cycles along the length of the strand. The cable is wound and flattened so that the portions of rectangular cross section extend across the two flat sides of the cable at the strand angle. The portions of round cross section are bent at the edges of the flattened cable, so as to extend between the two flat sides. The rectangular portions of the strands slide easily over one another, so as to facilitate flexing and bending of the cable, while also minimizing the possibility of causing damage to the strands by such flexing or bending. Moreover, the improved cable substantially maintains its compactness and cross-sectional shape when the cable is flexed or bent.

Pre-stressed thermal protection systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dunn, T. J. (Inventor)

1984-01-01

A hexagonal protective and high temperature resistant system for the Space Shuttle Orbiter consists of a multiplicity of pockets formed by hexagonally oriented spacer bars secured on the vehicle substructure. A packing of low density insulating batt material 18 in each pocket, and a thin protective panel of laterally resilient advanced carbon-carbon material surmounting the peripherals bars and packing. Each panel has three stepped or offset lips on contiguous edges. At the center of each pocket is a fully insulated stanchion secured to and connecting the substructure and panel for flexing the panel toward the substructure and thereby prestressing the panel and forcing the panel edges firmly against the spacer bars.

Continental-scale assessment of genetic diversity and population structure in quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides)

Treesearch

Colin M. Callahan; Carol A. Rowe; Ronald J. Ryel; John D. Shaw; Michael D. Madritch; Karen E. Mock

2013-01-01

Aspen populations in the south-western portion of the range are consistent with expectations for a historically stable edge, with low within-population diversity, significant geographical population structuring, and little evidence of northward expansion. Structuring within the southwestern cluster may result from distinct gene pools separated during the Pleistocene...

Blade platform seal for ceramic/metal rotor assembly

DOEpatents

Wertz, John L.

1982-01-01

A combination ceramic and metal turbine rotor for use in high temperature gas turbine engines includes a metal rotor disc having a rim with a plurality of circumferentially spaced blade root retention slots therein to receive a plurality of ceramic blades, each including side platform segments thereon and a dovetail configured root slidably received in one of the slots. Adjacent ones of the platform segments including edge portions thereon closely spaced when the blades are assembled to form expansion gaps in an annular flow surface for gas passage through the blades and wherein the assembly further includes a plurality of unitary seal members on the rotor connected to its rim and each including a plurality of spaced, axially extending, flexible fingers that underlie and conform to the edge portions of the platform segments and which are operative at turbine operating temperatures and speeds to distribute loading on the platform segments as the fingers are seated against the underside of the blade platforms to seal the gaps without undesirably stressing thin web ceramic sections of the platform.

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

Hamza, H.

The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is a directorate of LLNL, a DOE Lab, and is home to the world’s largest laser. This laser shoots its 192 beams at a target about the size of a pencil eraser. Within the target are two main chambers; and depending on the type of shot, those chambers need to be pressurized to a certain point at a very low temperature (18 Kelvin). The component used for keeping the hohlraum at its designated pressure is a Laser Entrance Hole (LEH) window, made from a thin (0.5um) polyimide film and an aluminum washer attached with amore » miniscule amount of polymeric adhesive. One issue that has been known to happen is the chambers will leak, at very low rates (5.0E-7 mBar-liter/s and under). At higher pressures significantly larger leak rates have been observed.There are three proposed mechanisms by which the LEH windows are leaking. The first is that there is a small pinhole somewhere in the freestanding film. This is the most unlikely because before any film is shipped from Luxel, it must pass a 50-75 torr room temperature pressure test. The second is a tear in the film at the edge of the washer. This type of damage suggests that the film is under additional stress at this edge portion and/or the edge of the washer itself is what is doing the damage. Lastly, it has been hypothesized that there are small channels under the window that do not get completely filled by the glue and, if they connect to the edge of the freestanding portion of the film, then the pressure can escape through them. These channels were the mechanism being most directly tested over the course of the experiments.« less

Pigment dispersion and chronic intraocular pressure elevation after sulcus placement of 3-piece acrylic intraocular lens.

PubMed

Almond, M Camille; Wu, Michael C; Chen, Philip P

2009-12-01

A 55-year-old man had phacoemulsification and implantation of a 3-piece acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) (AcrySof MA60AC) in the right eye. One month postoperatively, the intraocular pressure (IOP) was 48 mm Hg and peripheral transillumination defects were noted in the iris circumferentially, with the IOL optic edge visible as a silhouette. Gonioscopy showed dense pigmentation of the trabecular meshwork in the right eye, but in the left eye, only mild trabecular meshwork pigment was seen, along with a concave peripheral iris insertion. At 21 months, the right eye required 3 medications for IOP control. While pigment dispersion has been widely reported after placement of 1-piece acrylic IOLs in the ciliary sulcus, we conclude that in susceptible individuals with a concave peripheral iris insertion, pigment dispersion can occur with sulcus placement of a 3-piece acrylic model despite its thinner optic and angulated haptics.

Morphological alterations within the peripheral fixation of the iris dilator muscle in eyes with pigmentary glaucoma.

PubMed

Flügel-Koch, Cassandra M; Tektas, Ozan Y; Kaufman, Paul L; Paulsen, Friedrich P; Lütjen-Drecoll, Elke

2014-06-17

To analyze the peripheral fixation of the iris dilator muscle in normal eyes and in eyes with pigmentary glaucoma (PG). Using 63 control eyes (age 18 months-99 years), the peripheral iris dilator was investigated by light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. Development was studied using 18 differently aged fetal eyes stained immunohistochemically against α-smooth muscle (SM) actin. The peripheral iris dilator muscle in PG was analyzed using semithin and ultrathin sections of six glutaraldehyde-fixed eyes from three donors aged 38, 62, and 74 years. In normal eyes, the peripheral end of the iris dilator muscle is arranged in a sphincter-like manner. Arcade-shaped tendinous connections associated with myofibroblasts (iridial strands) anchor the iris dilator within the elastic-fibromuscular ciliary meshwork that also serves as fixation area for the elastic tendons of the inner ciliary muscle portions. The iridial strands are innervated and can adapt their length during accommodation. The PG eyes show incomplete circular bundles and iridial strands that are mainly anchored to the iris stroma and the flexible uveal parts of the trabecular meshwork. The normal anchorage of the peripheral iris dilator and its presumably neuronally regulated length adaptation stabilize the peripheral iris during accommodation. Insufficient fixation in PG could promote posterior bowing of the iris with rubbing against the zonular fibers and pigment liberation from the iris pigmented epithelium. Copyright 2014 The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc.

Resolution factors in edgeline holography.

PubMed

Trolinger, J D; Gee, T H

1971-06-01

When an in-line Fresnel hologram of an object such as a projectile in flight is made, the reconstruction comprises an image of the outside edge of the object superimposed upon a Fresnel diffraction pattern of the edge and an unmodulated portion of the reconstruction beam. When the reconstructed image is bandpass filtered, the only remaining significant contribution is that of a diffraction pattern which is symmetrical about an edgeline gaussian image of the object. The present paper discusses the application of this type of holography in accurately locating the edge of a large dynamic object, the position of which is not accurately known in any dimension. A theoretical and experimental analysis was performed to study the effects of motion, hologram size, film type, and practical limitations upon the attainable resolution in the reconstructed image. The bandlimiting effect of motion is used to relate the motion effected resolution limit of holography to that of photography. The study shows that an edgeline can be accurately located even at high velocity normal to the edge.

Uranium XAFS analysis of kidney from rats exposed to uranium

PubMed Central

Kitahara, Keisuke; Numako, Chiya; Terada, Yasuko; Nitta, Kiyohumi; Homma-Takeda, Shino

2017-01-01

The kidney is the critical target of uranium exposure because uranium accumulates in the proximal tubules and causes tubular damage, but the chemical nature of uranium in kidney, such as its chemical status in the toxic target site, is poorly understood. Micro-X-ray absorption fine-structure (µXAFS) analysis was used to examine renal thin sections of rats exposed to uranyl acetate. The U L III-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectra of bulk renal specimens obtained at various toxicological phases were similar to that of uranyl acetate: their edge position did not shift compared with that of uranyl acetate (17.175 keV) although the peak widths for some kidney specimens were slightly narrowed. µXAFS measurements of spots of concentrated uranium in the micro-regions of the proximal tubules showed that the edge jump slightly shifted to lower energy. The results suggest that most uranium accumulated in kidney was uranium (VI) but a portion might have been biotransformed in rats exposed to uranyl acetate. PMID:28244440

Uranium XAFS analysis of kidney from rats exposed to uranium.

PubMed

Kitahara, Keisuke; Numako, Chiya; Terada, Yasuko; Nitta, Kiyohumi; Shimada, Yoshiya; Homma-Takeda, Shino

2017-03-01

The kidney is the critical target of uranium exposure because uranium accumulates in the proximal tubules and causes tubular damage, but the chemical nature of uranium in kidney, such as its chemical status in the toxic target site, is poorly understood. Micro-X-ray absorption fine-structure (µXAFS) analysis was used to examine renal thin sections of rats exposed to uranyl acetate. The U L III -edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectra of bulk renal specimens obtained at various toxicological phases were similar to that of uranyl acetate: their edge position did not shift compared with that of uranyl acetate (17.175 keV) although the peak widths for some kidney specimens were slightly narrowed. µXAFS measurements of spots of concentrated uranium in the micro-regions of the proximal tubules showed that the edge jump slightly shifted to lower energy. The results suggest that most uranium accumulated in kidney was uranium (VI) but a portion might have been biotransformed in rats exposed to uranyl acetate.

Adaptive Gaze Strategies for Locomotion with Constricted Visual Field

PubMed Central

Authié, Colas N.; Berthoz, Alain; Sahel, José-Alain; Safran, Avinoam B.

2017-01-01

In retinitis pigmentosa (RP), loss of peripheral visual field accounts for most difficulties encountered in visuo-motor coordination during locomotion. The purpose of this study was to accurately assess the impact of peripheral visual field loss on gaze strategies during locomotion, and identify compensatory mechanisms. Nine RP subjects presenting a central visual field limited to 10–25° in diameter, and nine healthy subjects were asked to walk in one of three directions—straight ahead to a visual target, leftward and rightward through a door frame, with or without obstacle on the way. Whole body kinematics were recorded by motion capture, and gaze direction in space was reconstructed using an eye-tracker. Changes in gaze strategies were identified in RP subjects, including extensive exploration prior to walking, frequent fixations of the ground (even knowing no obstacle was present), of door edges, essentially of the proximal one, of obstacle edge/corner, and alternating door edges fixations when approaching the door. This was associated with more frequent, sometimes larger rapid-eye-movements, larger movements, and forward tilting of the head. Despite the visual handicap, the trajectory geometry was identical between groups, with a small decrease in walking speed in RPs. These findings identify the adaptive changes in sensory-motor coordination, in order to ensure visual awareness of the surrounding, detect changes in spatial configuration, collect information for self-motion, update the postural reference frame, and update egocentric distances to environmental objects. They are of crucial importance for the design of optimized rehabilitation procedures. PMID:28798674

Visualization of defect-induced excitonic properties of the edges and grain boundaries in synthesized monolayer molybdenum disulfide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Newaz, Akm; Yore, A. E.; Miller, A.; Crumrine, W.; Redd, B.; Tuck, J. A.; Wang, Bin; Smithe, K. K. H.; Pop, E.

Understanding nanoscale optical behavior of the edges and grain boundaries of synthetically grown transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) is vital for optimizing their optoelectronic properties. Here we present our experimental work on spatial photoluminescence (PL) scanning of large size (>= 50 μ m) monolayer MoS2 grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using a diffraction limited blue laser beam spot (wavelength 405 nm) with a beam diameter as small as 200 nm allowing us to probe nanoscale excitonic phenomena which was not observed before. We have found several important features: (i) there exists a sub-micron width strip ( 500 nm) along the edges that fluoresces 1000 % brighter than the region far inside; (ii) there is another brighter wide region consisting of parallel fluorescing lines ending at the corners of the zig-zag peripheral edges; (iii) there is a giant blue shifted A-excitonic peak, as large as 120 meV, in the PL spectra from the edges. Using density functional theory calculations, we attribute this giant blue shift to the adsorption of oxygen dimers at the edges, which reduces the excitonic binding energy. Our results offer an attractive route to tailor optical properties at the TMDC edges through defect engineering. AFOSR Grant FA9550-14-1-0251, NSF EFRI 2-DARE Grant 1542883, NSF Graduate Research Fellowship under Grant DGE-114747.

Structural characterization of cup-stacked-type nanofibers with an entirely hollow core

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Endo, M.; Kim, Y. A.; Hayashi, T.; Fukai, Y.; Oshida, K.; Terrones, M.; Yanagisawa, T.; Higaki, S.; Dresselhaus, M. S.

2002-02-01

Straight long carbon nanofibers with a large hollow core obtained by a floating reactant method show a stacking morphology of truncated conical graphene layers, which in turn exhibit a large portion of open edges on the outer surface and also in the inner channels. Through a judicious choice of oxidation conditions, nanofibers with increased active edge sites are obtained without disrupting the fiber's morphology. A graphitization process induces a morphological change from a tubular type to a reversing saw-toothed type and the formation of loops along the inner channel of the nanofibers, accompanied by a decrease in interlayer spacing.

Rapid and accurate peripheral nerve detection using multipoint Raman imaging (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumamoto, Yasuaki; Minamikawa, Takeo; Kawamura, Akinori; Matsumura, Junichi; Tsuda, Yuichiro; Ukon, Juichiro; Harada, Yoshinori; Tanaka, Hideo; Takamatsu, Tetsuro

2017-02-01

Nerve-sparing surgery is essential to avoid functional deficits of the limbs and organs. Raman scattering, a label-free, minimally invasive, and accurate modality, is one of the best candidate technologies to detect nerves for nerve-sparing surgery. However, Raman scattering imaging is too time-consuming to be employed in surgery. Here we present a rapid and accurate nerve visualization method using a multipoint Raman imaging technique that has enabled simultaneous spectra measurement from different locations (n=32) of a sample. Five sec is sufficient for measuring n=32 spectra with good S/N from a given tissue. Principal component regression discriminant analysis discriminated spectra obtained from peripheral nerves (n=863 from n=161 myelinated nerves) and connective tissue (n=828 from n=121 tendons) with sensitivity and specificity of 88.3% and 94.8%, respectively. To compensate the spatial information of a multipoint-Raman-derived tissue discrimination image that is too sparse to visualize nerve arrangement, we used morphological information obtained from a bright-field image. When merged with the sparse tissue discrimination image, a morphological image of a sample shows what portion of Raman measurement points in arbitrary structure is determined as nerve. Setting a nerve detection criterion on the portion of "nerve" points in the structure as 40% or more, myelinated nerves (n=161) and tendons (n=121) were discriminated with sensitivity and specificity of 97.5%. The presented technique utilizing a sparse multipoint Raman image and a bright-field image has enabled rapid, safe, and accurate detection of peripheral nerves.

Plate forming and break down pizza box

DOEpatents

Pantisano, Frank; Devine, Scott M.

1992-01-01

A standard corrugated paper pizza box is provided with slit cuts cut through the top panel of the pizza box in a shape to form four circular serving plates with a beveled raised edge and cross slit cuts through the bottom panel of the pizza box separating the box into four essentially equal portions for easy disposal.

Coupling system to a microsphere cavity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Iltchenko, Vladimir (Inventor)

2004-01-01

At technique for holding a resonator relative to an optical fiber at a specified distance. Structures including a rectangular indentation may be formed in the end of the optical fiber. The resonator may be placed against edges of the structures, to hold a different portion of the resonator spaced from an area where the waveguide modes will emanate.

Leading-edge flow criticality as a governing factor in leading-edge vortex initiation in unsteady airfoil flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramesh, Kiran; Granlund, Kenneth; Ol, Michael V.; Gopalarathnam, Ashok; Edwards, Jack R.

2018-04-01

A leading-edge suction parameter (LESP) that is derived from potential flow theory as a measure of suction at the airfoil leading edge is used to study initiation of leading-edge vortex (LEV) formation in this article. The LESP hypothesis is presented, which states that LEV formation in unsteady flows for specified airfoil shape and Reynolds number occurs at a critical constant value of LESP, regardless of motion kinematics. This hypothesis is tested and validated against a large set of data from CFD and experimental studies of flows with LEV formation. The hypothesis is seen to hold except in cases with slow-rate kinematics which evince significant trailing-edge separation (which refers here to separation leading to reversed flow on the aft portion of the upper surface), thereby establishing the envelope of validity. The implication is that the critical LESP value for an airfoil-Reynolds number combination may be calibrated using CFD or experiment for just one motion and then employed to predict LEV initiation for any other (fast-rate) motion. It is also shown that the LESP concept may be used in an inverse mode to generate motion kinematics that would either prevent LEV formation or trigger the same as per aerodynamic requirements.

Traumatic central retinal artery occlusion with sickle cell trait.

PubMed

Sorr, E M; Goldberg, R E

1975-10-01

An 8-year-old black boy with sickle cell trait struck his left brow and globe on the edge of a table and had immediate blurring of vision. Six days later visual acuity was light projection, and traumatic iritis with secondary glaucoma and perimacular edema were present. Fluorescein angiography indicated obstructed peripheral and perimacular arterioles and dye leakage from the disk.

40 CFR 761.347 - First level sampling-waste from existing piles.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... strength to reach from the top of the marker at the top of the pile to the farthest peripheral edge at the... device marked with zero straight down into the pile until it reaches the bottom of the pile or ground... extraction and analysis. If there is insufficient sample for a 19-liter sample from the composite sample...

How One Word Borrows Another: The Process of Language-Contact in Two Irish-Speaking Communities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

O'Malley-Madec, Mary

2007-01-01

Quantitative and qualitative data from two Irish-speaking communities in Ireland (F, a core community within the heartland of Irish-speaking Galway and B, a peripheral community on the edge of Galway city) are examined in order to investigate the role of location in language contact. The analysis of the observed linguistic outcomes based on…

Population structure and genetic diversity of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) in fragmented landscapes at the northern edge of their range

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bush, K.L.; Dyte, C.K.; Moynahan, B.J.; Aldridge, Cameron L.; Sauls, H.S.; Battazzo, A.M.; Walker, B.L.; Doherty, K.E.; Tack, J.; Carlson, J.; Eslinger, D.; Nicholson, J.; Boyce, M.S.; Naugle, D.E.; Paszkowski, C.A.; Coltman, D.W.

2011-01-01

Range-edge dynamics and anthropogenic fragmentation are expected to impact patterns of genetic diversity, and understanding the influence of both factors is important for effective conservation of threatened wildlife species. To examine these factors, we sampled greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) from a declining, fragmented region at the northern periphery of the species' range and from a stable, contiguous core region. We genotyped 2,519 individuals at 13 microsatellite loci from 104 leks in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Montana, and Wyoming. Birds from northern Montana, Alberta, and Saskatchewan were identified as a single population that exhibited significant isolation by distance, with the Milk River demarcating two subpopulations. Both subpopulations exhibited high genetic diversity with no evidence that peripheral regions were genetically depauperate or highly structured. However, river valleys and a large agricultural region were significant barriers to dispersal. Leks were also composed primarily of non-kin, rejecting the idea that leks form because of male kin association. Northern Montana sage-grouse are maintaining genetic connectivity in fragmented and northern peripheral habitats via dispersal through and around various forms of fragmentation. ?? 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

Effect of dispersal at range edges on the structure of species ranges

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bahn, V.; O'Connor, R.J.; Krohn, W.B.

2006-01-01

Range edges are of particular interest to ecology because they hold key insights into the limits of the realized niche and associated population dynamics. A recent feature of Oikos summarized the state of the art on range edge ecology. While the typical question is what causes range edges, another important question is how range edges influence the distribution of abundances across a species geographic range when dispersal is present. We used a single species population dynamics model on a coupled-lattice to determine the effects of dispersal on peripheral populations as compared to populations at the core of the range. In the absence of resource gradients, the reduced neighborhood and thus lower connectivity or higher isolation among populations at the range edge alone led to significantly lower population sizes in the periphery of the range than in the core. Lower population sizes mean higher extinction risks and lower adaptability at the range edge, which could inhibit or slow range expansions, and thus effectively stabilize range edges. The strength of this effect depended on the potential population growth rate and the maximum dispersal distance. Lower potential population growth rates led to a stronger effect of dispersal resulting in a higher difference in population sizes between the two areas. The differential effect of dispersal on population sizes at the core and periphery of the range in the absence of resource gradients implies that traditional, habitat-based distribution models could result in misleading conclusions about the habitat quality in the periphery. Lower population sizes at the periphery are also relevant to conservation, because habitat removal not only eliminates populations but also creates new edges. Populations bordering these new edges may experience declines, due to their increased isolation. ?? OIKOS.

Variable-geometry turbocharger with asymmetric divided volute for engine exhaust gas pulse optimization

DOEpatents

Serres, Nicolas

2010-11-09

A turbine assembly for a variable-geometry turbocharger includes a turbine housing defining a divided volute having first and second scrolls, wherein the first scroll has a substantially smaller volume than the second scroll. The first scroll feeds exhaust gas to a first portion of a turbine wheel upstream of the throat of the wheel, while the second scroll feeds gas to a second portion of the wheel at least part of which is downstream of the throat. Flow from the second scroll is regulated by a sliding piston. The first scroll can be optimized for low-flow conditions such that the turbocharger can operate effectively like a small fixed-geometry turbocharger when the piston is closed. The turbine housing defines an inlet that is divided by a dividing wall into two portions respectively feeding gas to the two scrolls, a leading edge of the dividing wall being downstream of the inlet mouth.

Mounting clips for panel installation

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

Cavieres, Andres; Al-Haddad, Tristan; Goodman, Joseph

2017-02-14

An exemplary mounting clip for removably attaching panels to a supporting structure comprises a base, spring locking clips, a lateral flange, a lever flange, and a spring bonding pad. The spring locking clips extend upwardly from the base. The lateral flange extends upwardly from a first side of the base. The lateral flange comprises a slot having an opening configured to receive at least a portion of one of the one or more panels. The lever flange extends outwardly from the lateral flange. The spring bonding flange extends downwardly from the lever flange. At least a portion of the firstmore » spring bonding flange comprises a serrated edge for gouging at least a portion of the one or more panels when the one or more panels are attached to the mounting clip to electrically and mechanically couple the one or more panels to the mounting clip.« less

Simulation of router action on a lathe to test the cutting tool performance in edge-trimming of graphite/epoxy composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramulu, M.; Rogers, E.

1994-04-01

The predominant machining application with graphite/epoxy composite materials in aerospace industry is peripheral trimming. The computer numerically controlled (CNC) high speed routers required to do edge trimming work are generally scheduled for production work in industry and are not available for extensive cutter testing. Therefore, an experimental method of simulating the conditions of periphery trim using a lathe is developed in this paper. The validity of the test technique will be demonstrated by conducting carbide tool wear tests under dry cutting conditions. The experimental results will be analyzed to characterize the wear behavior of carbide cutting tools in machining the composite materials.

Amplitude steered array

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dietrich, F. J.; Koloboff, G. J.; Martel, R. J.; Johnson, C. C. (Inventor)

1974-01-01

A spin stabilized satellite has an electronically despun antenna array comprising a multiplicity of peripheral antenna elements. A high gain energy beam is established by connecting a suitable fraction or array of the elements in phase. The beam is steered or caused to scan by switching elements in sequence into one end of the array as elements at the other end of the array are switched out. The switching transients normally associated with such steering are avoided by an amplitude control system. Instead of abruptly switching from one element to the next, a fixed value of power is gradually transferred from the element at the trailing edge of the array to the element next to the leading edge.

Split Venturi, Axially-Rotated Valve

DOEpatents

Walrath, David E.; Lindberg, William R.; Burgess, Robert K.

2000-08-29

The present invention provides an axially-rotated valve which permits increased flow rates and lower pressure drop (characterized by a lower loss coefficient) by using an axial eccentric split venturi with two portions where at least one portion is rotatable with respect to the other portion. The axially-rotated valve typically may be designed to avoid flow separation and/or cavitation at full flow under a variety of conditions. Similarly, the valve is designed, in some embodiments, to produce streamlined flow within the valve. A typical cross section of the eccentric split venturi may be non-axisymmetric such as a semicircular cross section which may assist in both throttling capabilities and in maximum flow capacity using the design of the present invention. Such a design can include applications for freeze resistant axially-rotated valves and may be fully-opened and fully-closed in one-half of a complete rotation. An internal wide radius elbow typically connected to a rotatable portion of the eccentric venturi may assist in directing flow with lower friction losses. A valve actuator may actuate in an axial manner yet be uniquely located outside of the axial flow path to further reduce friction losses. A seal may be used between the two portions that may include a peripheral and diametrical seal in the same plane.

Peripheral neuroblastoma in a young Beagle dog.

PubMed

Matsushima, S; Maruyama, T; Torii, M

1998-01-01

A peripheral neuroblastoma was found in the abdominal cavity of a young male beagle dog. The large tumor mass involved the left kidney and both adrenal glands. Histologically, a major portion of the neoplasm consisted of lobulated sheets of small round cells with hyperchromatic nuclei mixed with polygonal cells and neuropil. Small clusters of polygonal cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm and a trabecular growth pattern were observed adjacent to some of the tumor lobules. Small, round neoplastic cells metastasized to lumbar lymph nodes and also to the adrenal glands. The neoplastic cells were positive for neuron-specific enolase, synaptophysin, and neurofilament protein. Electron micrographs revealed intracytoplasmic dense core granules, microtubules, intermediate filaments, and desmosomes in the cytoplasm of the neoplastic cells.

Hot gas path component trailing edge having near wall cooling features

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

Lacy, Benjamin Paul; Kottilingam, Srikanth Chandrudu; Miranda, Carlos Miguel

A hot gas path component includes a substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface defines an interior space. The outer surface defines a pressure side surface and a suction side surface. The pressure and suction side surfaces are joined together at a leading edge and at a trailing edge. A first cooling passage is formed in the suction side surface of the substrate. It is coupled in flow communication to the interior space. A second cooling passage, separate from the first cooling passage, is formed in the pressure side surface. The second cooling passage ismore » coupled in flow communication to the interior space. A cover is disposed over at least a portion of the first and second cooling passages. The interior space channels a cooling fluid to the first and second cooling passages, which channel the cooling fluid therethrough to remove heat from the component.« less

Holographic studies of shock waves within transonic fan rotors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Benser, W. A.; Bailey, E. E.; Gelder, T. F.

1974-01-01

NASA has funded two separate contracts to apply pulsed laser holographic interferometry to the detection of shock patterns in the outer span regions of high tip speed transonic rotors. The first holographic approach used ruby laser light reflected from a portion of the centerbody just ahead of the rotor. These holograms showed the bow wave patterns upstream of the rotor and the shock patterns just inside the blade row near the tip. The second holographic approach, on a different rotor, used light transmitted diagonally across the inlet annulus past the centerbody. This approach gave a more extensive view of the region bounded by the blade leading and trailing edges, by the part span shroud and by the blade tip. These holograms showed the passage shock emanating from the blade leading edge and a moderately strong conical shock originating at the intersection of the part span shroud leading edge and the blade suction surface.

Wind-tunnel investigation of effects of wing-leading-edge modifications on the high angle-of-attack characteristics of a T-tail low-wing general-aviation aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

White, E. R.

1982-01-01

Exploratory tests have been conducted in the NASA-Langley Research Center's 12-Foot Low-Speed wind Tunnel to evaluate the application of wing-leading-edge devices on the stall-departure and spin resistance characteristics of a 1/6-scale model of a T-tail general-aviation aircraft. The model was force tested with an internal strain-gauge balance to obtain aerodynamic data on the complete configuration and with a separate wing balance to obtain aerodynamic data on the outer portion of the wing. The addition of the outboard leading-edge droop eliminated the abrupt stall of the windtip and maintained or increased the resultant-force coefficient up to about alpha = 32 degrees. This change in slope of the resultant-force coefficient curve with angle of attack has been shown to be important for eliminating autorotation and for providing spin resistance.

Exit chimney joint and method of forming the joint for closed circuit steam cooled gas turbine nozzles

DOEpatents

Burdgick, Steven Sebastian; Burns, James Lee

2002-01-01

A nozzle segment for a gas turbine includes inner and outer band portions and a vane extending between the band portions. The inner and outer band portions are each divided into first and second plenums separated by an impingement plate. Cooling steam is supplied to the first cavity for flow through the apertures to cool the outer nozzle wall. The steam flows through a leading edge cavity in the vane into the first cavity of the inner band portion for flow through apertures of the impingement plate to cool the inner nozzle wall. Spent cooling steam flows through a plurality of cavities in the vane, exiting through an exit chimney in the outer band. The exit chimney is secured at its inner end directly to the nozzle vane wall surrounding the exit cavities, to the margin of the impingement plate at a location intermediate the ends of the exit chimney and to margins of an opening through the cover whereby each joint is externally accessible for joint formation and for subsequent inspection.

MEMBRANE IMMUNOGLOBULINS OF B LYMPHOCYTES

PubMed Central

Fu, S. M.; Kunkel, H. G.

1974-01-01

Hemagglutination and fluorescent antibody studies have provided strong evidence for the unavailability or absence of specific antigenic sites on membrane-bound IgM which are present in serum and intracellular IgM. Antisera specific for different parts of the molecule indicated that a portion but not all of the Fc was involved. Absorption experiments with normal and leukemic viable B lymphocytes failed to remove a population of Fc antibodies found in IgM-specific antisera. Similar findings were made for IgD, the other major membrane immunoglobulin of human peripheral blood B cells. Various interpretations of these observations are discussed. The most likely possibility appears that the C-terminal portion of the heavy chains of the immunoglobulin molecule is buried in the membrane. PMID:4139226

Brushed Vein in 'Rona' on 'Vera Rubin Ridge'

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-02-08

A mineral vein with bright and dark portions dominates this image of a Martian rock target called "Rona," which is near the southern, upper edge of "Vera Rubin Ridge" on Mount Sharp. The Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) camera on NASA's Curiosity Mars rover took this image on Jan. 17, 2018, during the 1,937th Martian day, or sol, of Curiosity's work on Mars. The grayer area in the center is roughly 2 inches by 3 inches (about 5 by 8 centimeters). That area, including a portion of the vein, was brushed with the Curiosity's wire-bristled Dust Removal Tool before the image was taken. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22214

INFLIGHT (CREW ACTIVITY) - STS-2 - OUTER SPACE

NASA Image and Video Library

1981-11-16

S81-39573 (12-14 Nov. 1981) --- This photograph was taken during a two-and a fourth-day stay in Earth orbit by astronauts Joe H. Engle, here shaving, and Richard H. Truly, photographer for this frame. A portion of that time was spent in the living area of middeck portion of the 122-ft-long (37 meters) vehicle as the astronauts ate, slept and took care of hygiene matters here. An onboard fire extinguisher is in upper right corner. Partially out of the frame at right edge is a photograph of George W. S. Abbey, Director of Flight Operations at Johnson Space Center. Engle is attired in an onboard constant wear type garment. Photo credit: NASA

Perceptually aligning apical frequency regions leads to more binaural fusion of speech in a cochlear implant simulation.

PubMed

Staisloff, Hannah E; Lee, Daniel H; Aronoff, Justin M

2016-07-01

For bilateral cochlear implant users, the left and right arrays are typically not physically aligned, resulting in a degradation of binaural fusion, which can be detrimental to binaural abilities. Perceptually aligning the two arrays can be accomplished by disabling electrodes in one ear that do not have a perceptually corresponding electrode in the other side. However, disabling electrodes at the edges of the array will cause compression of the input frequency range into a smaller cochlear extent, which may result in reduced spectral resolution. An alternative approach to overcome this mismatch would be to only align one edge of the array. By aligning either only the apical or basal end of the arrays, fewer electrodes would be disabled, potentially causing less reduction in spectral resolution. The goal of this study was to determine the relative effect of aligning either the basal or apical end of the electrode with regards to binaural fusion. A vocoder was used to simulate cochlear implant listening conditions in normal hearing listeners. Speech signals were vocoded such that the two ears were either predominantly aligned at only the basal or apical end of the simulated arrays. The experiment was then repeated with a spectrally inverted vocoder to determine whether the detrimental effects on fusion were related to the spectral-temporal characteristics of the stimuli or the location in the cochlea where the misalignment occurred. In Experiment 1, aligning the basal portion of the simulated arrays led to significantly less binaural fusion than aligning the apical portions of the simulated array. However, when the input was spectrally inverted, aligning the apical portion of the simulated array led to significantly less binaural fusion than aligning the basal portions of the simulated arrays. These results suggest that, for speech, with its predominantly low frequency spectral-temporal modulations, it is more important to perceptually align the apical portion of the array to better preserve binaural fusion. By partially aligning these arrays, cochlear implant users could potentially increase their ability to fuse speech sounds presented to the two ears while maximizing spectral resolution. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography of white without pressure

PubMed Central

Orlin, Anton; Fatoo, Aalya; Ehrlich, Joshua; D’Amico, Donald J; Chan, RV Paul; Kiss, Szilárd

2013-01-01

Purpose To describe ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography (UWFA) findings in eyes with white without pressure (WWOP) and in eyes without any obvious peripheral chorioretinal disease, and to determine if a difference exists between these two groups. Methods A retrospective review of 379 eyes undergoing diagnostic UWFA using the Optos 200Tx imaging system. Eyes were excluded if the quality of the color photograph or UWFA prevented reliable evaluation. Eyes were also excluded if there was any evidence of peripheral retinal or choroidal disease, which was thought to have an effect on UWFA (eg, peripheral background diabetic or hypertensive retinopathy, vein occlusion, or any other peripheral vascular disorder). Eyes were determined to have WWOP, based on a dilated fundus examination and color fundus photography that contained areas of peripheral retinal whitening consistent with the diagnosis. UWFA was evaluated by trained masked graders, and determined to have or not have peripheral vascular leakage and/or staining. Results Of the 379 eyes evaluated, 45 eyes were included in the study. Twelve eyes were determined to have peripheral WWOP; 33 eyes did not have WWOP on examination or color fundus photography. Three common UWFA peripheral patterns were visualized. Eyes with and without WWOP were grouped into one of three patterns. The majority of eyes without WWOP demonstrated UWFA pattern one (69.7%), while those in the WWOP group demonstrated pattern three (50%). The distribution of UWFA patterns is statistically different between those with and without WWOP (P = 0.002). In eyes without WWOP, in patients with no documented systemic microvascular disease (diabetes, hypertension), 71.4% of eyes had UWFA pattern one while 14.3% had both patterns two and three. Conclusion This study is one of the first to specifically evaluate peripheral vascular leakage/staining in eyes with WWOP as well as in eyes without any obvious peripheral chorioretinal disease. We demonstrate that a significant portion of WWOP eyes exhibit peripheral findings on UWFA (pattern one) compared to eyes without WWOP. Importantly, even in eyes that are apparently unremarkable in the periphery on exam and color photography, UWFA can still show peripheral vascular abnormalities. These results warrant further investigation. PMID:23737658

16. VIEW TO NORTHEAST OF SECONDFLOOR ASSEMBLY AREA FROM NEAR ...

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

16. VIEW TO NORTHEAST OF SECOND-FLOOR ASSEMBLY AREA FROM NEAR SOUTHWEST WEST. NOTE DIFFERENCE IN ROOF STRUCTURE BETWEEN SAWTOOTH SKYLIGHTS OVER MOST OF THE SECOND FLOOR (RIGHT) AND THE PORTION OF THE ROOF RUNNING ALONG THE WEST EDGE OF THE BUILDING (LEFT). - Rosie the Riveter National Historical Park, Ford Assembly Plant, 1400 Harbour Way South, Richmond, Contra Costa County, CA

Sampling and Analysis Plan (SAP) for Assessment of LANL-Derived Residual Radionuclides in Soils within Tract A-16-d for Land Conveyance and Transfer

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

Gillis, Jessica Mcdonnel

2016-02-18

The A-16-D tract consists of the easternmost portion of DP mesa and is bounded on the North by the canyon bottom of DP canyon and on the South by the edge of the initial slope into Los Alamos Canyon (see Figure 1).

Calculations of axisymmetric vortex sheet roll-up using a panel and a filament model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kantelis, J. P.; Widnall, S. E.

1986-01-01

A method for calculating the self-induced motion of a vortex sheet using discrete vortex elements is presented. Vortex panels and vortex filaments are used to simulate two-dimensional and axisymmetric vortex sheet roll-up. A straight forward application using vortex elements to simulate the motion of a disk of vorticity with an elliptic circulation distribution yields unsatisfactroy results where the vortex elements move in a chaotic manner. The difficulty is assumed to be due to the inability of a finite number of discrete vortex elements to model the singularity at the sheet edge and due to large velocity calculation errors which result from uneven sheet stretching. A model of the inner portion of the spiral is introduced to eliminate the difficulty with the sheet edge singularity. The model replaces the outermost portion of the sheet with a single vortex of equivalent circulation and a number of higher order terms which account for the asymmetry of the spiral. The resulting discrete vortex model is applied to both two-dimensional and axisymmetric sheets. The two-dimensional roll-up is compared to the solution for a semi-infinite sheet with good results.

Power turbine ventilation system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wakeman, Thomas G. (Inventor); Brown, Richard W. (Inventor)

1991-01-01

Air control mechanism within a power turbine section of a gas turbine engine. The power turbine section includes a rotor and at least one variable pitch propulsor blade. The propulsor blade is coupled to and extends radially outwardly of the rotor. A first annular fairing is rotatable with the propulsor blade and interposed between the propulsor blade and the rotor. A second fairing is located longitudinally adjacent to the first fairing. The first fairing and the second fairing are differentially rotatable. The air control mechanism includes a platform fixedly coupled to a radially inner end of the propulsor blade. The platform is generally positioned in a first opening and a first fairing. The platform and the first fairing define an outer space. In a first position corresponding with a first propulsor blade pitch, the platform is substantially conformal with the first fairing. In a second position corresponding with the second propulsor blade pitch, an edge portion of the platform is displaced radially outwardly from the first fairing. When the blades are in the second position and rotating about the engine axis, the displacement of the edge portion with respect to the first fairing allows air to flow from the outer space to the annular cavity.

Asymptotic modal analysis and statistical energy analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dowell, Earl H.

1988-01-01

Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) is defined by considering the asymptotic limit of Classical Modal Analysis, an approach called Asymptotic Modal Analysis (AMA). The general approach is described for both structural and acoustical systems. The theoretical foundation is presented for structural systems, and experimental verification is presented for a structural plate responding to a random force. Work accomplished subsequent to the grant initiation focusses on the acoustic response of an interior cavity (i.e., an aircraft or spacecraft fuselage) with a portion of the wall vibrating in a large number of structural modes. First results were presented at the ASME Winter Annual Meeting in December, 1987, and accepted for publication in the Journal of Vibration, Acoustics, Stress and Reliability in Design. It is shown that asymptotically as the number of acoustic modes excited becomes large, the pressure level in the cavity becomes uniform except at the cavity boundaries. However, the mean square pressure at the cavity corner, edge and wall is, respectively, 8, 4, and 2 times the value in the cavity interior. Also it is shown that when the portion of the wall which is vibrating is near a cavity corner or edge, the response is significantly higher.

Wave disc engine apparatus

DOEpatents

Muller, Norbert; Piechna, Janusz; Sun, Guangwei; Parraga, Pablo-Francisco

2018-01-02

A wave disc engine apparatus is provided. A further aspect employs a constricted nozzle in a wave rotor channel. A further aspect provides a sharp bend between an inlet and an outlet in a fluid pathway of a wave rotor, with the bend being spaced away from a peripheral edge of the wave rotor. A radial wave rotor for generating electricity in an automotive vehicle is disclosed in yet another aspect.

Holographic studies of shock waves within transonic fan rotors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Benser, W. A.; Bailey, E. E.; Gelder, T. F.

1973-01-01

Pulsed laser holographic interferometry has been applied to the detection of shock patterns in the outer span regions of high tip speed transonic rotors. The first holographic approach used ruby laser light reflected from a portion of the centerbody just ahead of the rotor. These holograms showed the bow wave patterns upstream of the rotor and the shock patterns just inside the blade row near the tip. Much of the region of interest was in the shadow of the blade leading edge and could not be visualized. The second holographic approach, on a different rotor, used light transmitted diagonally across the inlet annulus past the centerbody. This approach gave a more extensive view of the region bounded by the blade leading and trailing edges, by the part span shroud and by the blade tip. These holograms showed the passage shock emanating from the blade leading edge and a moderately strong conical shock originating at the intersection of the part span shroud leading edge and the blade suction surface. Reasonable details of the shock patterns were obtained from holograms which were made without extensive rig modifications.

Focusing optical waves with a rotationally symmetric sharp-edge aperture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Yanwen; Fu, Shenhe; Li, Zhen; Yin, Hao; Zhou, Jianying; Chen, Zhenqiang

2018-04-01

While there has been various kinds of patterned structures proposed for wave focusing, these patterned structures usually involve complicated lithographic techniques since the element size of the patterned structures should be precisely controlled in microscale or even nanoscale. Here we propose a new and straightforward method for focusing an optical plane wave in free space with a rotationally symmetric sharp-edge aperture. The focusing phenomenon of wave is realized by superposition of a portion of the higher-order symmetric plane waves generated from the sharp edges of the apertures, in contrast to previously focusing techniques which usually depend on a curved phase. We demonstrate both experimentally and theoretically the focusing effect with a series of apertures having different rotational symmetry, and find that the intensity of the hotspots could be controlled by the symmetric strength of the sharp-edge apertures. The presented results would advance the conventional wisdom that light would diffract in all directions and become expanding when it propagates through an aperture. The proposed method is easy to be processed, and might open potential applications in interferometry, image, and superresolution.

Comparison of pencil beam–based homogeneous vs inhomogeneous target dose planning for stereotactic body radiotherapy of peripheral lung tumors through Monte Carlo–based recalculation

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

Ohtakara, Kazuhiro, E-mail: ohtakara@murakami.asahi-u.ac.jp; Hoshi, Hiroaki

2015-10-01

This study was conducted to ascertain whether homogeneous target dose planning is suitable for stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) of peripheral lung cancer under appropriate breath-holding. For 20 peripheral lung tumors, paired dynamic conformal arc plans were generated by only adjusting the leaf margin to the planning target volume (PTV) edge for fulfilling the conditions such that the prescription isodose surface (IDS) encompassing exactly 95% of the PTV (PTV D{sub 95}) corresponds to 95% and 80% IDS, normalized to 100% at the PTV isocenter under a pencil beam (PB) algorithm with radiologic path length correction. These plans were recalculated using themore » x-ray voxel Monte Carlo (XVMC) algorithm under otherwise identical conditions, and then compared. Lesions abutting the parietal pleura or not were defined as edge or island tumors, respectively, and the influences of the target volume and its location relative to the chest wall on the target dose were examined. The median (range) leaf margin required for the 95% and 80% plans was 3.9 mm (1.3 to 5.0) and −1.2 mm (−1.8 to 0.1), respectively. Notably, the latter was significantly correlated negatively with PTV. In the 80% plans, the PTV D{sub 95} was slightly higher under XVMC, whereas the PTV D{sub 98} was significantly lower, irrespective of the dose calculation algorithm used. Other PTV and all gross tumor volume doses were significantly higher, while the lung doses outside the PTV were slightly lower. The target doses increased as a function of PTV and were significantly lower for island tumors than for edge tumors. In conclusion, inhomogeneous target dose planning using smaller leaf margin for a larger tumor volume was deemed suitable in ensuring more sufficient target dose while slightly reducing lung dose. In addition, more inhomogeneous target dose planning using <80% IDS (e.g., 70%) for PTV covering would be preferable for island tumors.« less

Technical Report: Evaluation of peripheral dose for flattening filter free photon beams.

PubMed

Covington, E L; Ritter, T A; Moran, J M; Owrangi, A M; Prisciandaro, J I

2016-08-01

To develop a comprehensive peripheral dose (PD) dataset for the two unflattened beams of nominal energy 6 and 10 MV for use in clinical care. Measurements were made in a 40 × 120 × 20 cm(3) (width × length × depth) stack of solid water using an ionization chamber at varying depths (dmax, 5, and 10 cm), field sizes (3 × 3 to 30 × 30 cm(2)), and distances from the field edge (5-40 cm). The effects of the multileaf collimator (MLC) and collimator rotation were also evaluated for a 10 × 10 cm(2) field. Using the same phantom geometry, the accuracy of the analytic anisotropic algorithm (AAA) and Acuros dose calculation algorithm was assessed and compared to the measured values. The PDs for both the 6 flattening filter free (FFF) and 10 FFF photon beams were found to decrease with increasing distance from the radiation field edge and the decreasing field size. The measured PD was observed to be higher for the 6 FFF than for the 10 FFF for all field sizes and depths. The impact of collimator rotation was not found to be clinically significant when used in conjunction with MLCs. AAA and Acuros algorithms both underestimated the PD with average errors of -13.6% and -7.8%, respectively, for all field sizes and depths at distances of 5 and 10 cm from the field edge, but the average error was found to increase to nearly -69% at greater distances. Given the known inaccuracies of peripheral dose calculations, this comprehensive dataset can be used to estimate the out-of-field dose to regions of interest such as organs at risk, electronic implantable devices, and a fetus. While the impact of collimator rotation was not found to significantly decrease PD when used in conjunction with MLCs, results are expected to be machine model and beam energy dependent. It is not recommended to use a treatment planning system to estimate PD due to the underestimation of the out-of-field dose and the inability to calculate dose at extended distances due to the limits of the dose calculation matrix.

Spectral characterization of forest damage occurring on Whiteface Mountain, NY - Studies with the Fluorescence Line Imager (FLI) and ground-based spectrometers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rock, B. N.; Moss, D. M.; Miller, J. R.; Freemantle, J. R.; Boyer, M. G.

1990-01-01

Ground-based spectral characteristics of fir wave damage and an analysis of calibrated FLI data acquired along the same fir wave utilized for the in situ measurements are presented. Derivative curve data were produced from both in situ and FLI reflectance measurements for the red edge spectral region for birch and for various portions of a fir wave. The results suggested that with proper atmospheric correction of airborne imaging spectrometer data sets, the derivative curve approach will provide an accurate means of assessing red edge parameters, and that such data will permit identification of specific types of forest damage on the basis of spectral fine features.

Earth observations taken from Space Shuttle Columbia during STS-78 mission

NASA Image and Video Library

1996-06-28

STS078-760-010 (20 June - 7 July 1996) --- As photographed with color infrared film by the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia, the capital of the United States of America (the right of center) is located at the head of the navigable portion of the Potomac River. The Potomac separates the capital from Virginia to the southwest. It covers an area of 68-square-mile (177-square-kilometers). Andrews Air Force Base is seen east southwest of Washington D.C. at the right edge of the photo. Dulles International Airport is located west of the city on the left edge of the photo. Green vegetation shows up as red in the color infrared image.

Fuel cell stack with internal manifolds for reactant gases

DOEpatents

Schnacke, Arthur W.

1985-01-01

A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of plate-like fuel cells arranged along an axis generally parallel to cell thickness with electrically conductive separator plates between each pair of cells. A plurality of axial manifolds are provided at opposite sides of the stack in outer marginal portions beyond the edges of electrodes and electrolyte tiles. Sealing rings prevent cross-leakage of oxidant fuel gases through use of pairs of outwardly extending lips from opposite tile surfaces bonded to first and second electrode frames respectively. The frames provide transition between electrode edges and manifold perimeters. The pairs of extension lips are sealingly bonded together through an electrically insulative sealing ring with wedge shaped fastening members.

Fuel cell stack with internal manifolds for reactant gases

DOEpatents

Schnacke, A.W.

1983-10-12

A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of plate-like fuel cells arranged along an axis generally parallel to cell thickness with electrically conductive separator plates between each pair of cells. A plurality of axial manifolds are provided at opposite sides of the stack in outer marginal portions beyond the edges of electrodes and electrolyte tiles. Sealing rings prevent cross-leakage of oxidant fuel gases through use of pairs of outwardly extending lips from opposite tile surfaces bonded to first and second electrode frames respectively. The frames provide transition between electrode edges and manifold perimeters. The pairs of extension lips are sealingly bonded together through an electrically insulative sealing ring with wedge shaped fastening members.

The Reconstruction and Failure Analysis of the Space Shuttle Columbia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Russell, Richard; Mayeaux, Brian; McDanels, Steven; Piascik, Robert; Sjaj. Samdee[; Jerman, Greg; Collins, Thomas; Woodworth, Warren

2009-01-01

Several days following the Columbia accident a team formed and began planning for the reconstruction of Columbia. A hangar at the Kennedy Space Center was selected for this effort due to it's size, available technical workforce and materials science laboratories and access to the vehicle ground processing infrastructure. The Reconstruction team established processes for receiving, handling, decontamination, tracking, identifying, cleaning and assessment of the debris. Initially, a 2-dimensional reconstruction of the Orbiter outer mold line was developed. As the investigation progressed fixtures which allowed a 3-dimensional reconstruction of the forward portions of the left wing's leading edge was developed. To support the reconstructions and forensic analyses a Materials and Processes (M&P) 'team was formed. This M&P team established processes for recording factual observations, debris cleaning, and engineering analysis. Fracture surfaces and thermal effects of selected airframe debris were assessed, and process flows for both nondestructive and destructive sampling and evaluation of debris were developed. The Team also assessed left hand airframe components that were believed to be associated with a structural breach of Columbia. A major portion of this analysis was evaluation of metallic deposits were prevalent on left wing leading edge components. Extensive evaluation of the visual, metallurgical and chemical nature of the deposits provided conclusions that were consistent with the visual assessments and interpretations of the NASA lead teams and the findings of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board. Analytical data collected by the M&P Team showed that a significant thermal event occurred at the left wing leading edge in the proximity of LH RCC Panels 8-9, and a correlation was formed between the deposits and overheating in these areas to the wing leading edge components. The analysis of deposits also showed exposure to temperatures in excess of 1649 C (3200 F), which would severely degrade support structure, tiles, and RCC panel materials. The integrated failure analysis of wing leading edge debris and deposits strongly supported the hypothesis that a breach occurred at LH RCC Panel 8.

Flow Split Venturi, Axially-Rotated Valve

DOEpatents

Walrath, David E.; Lindberg, William R.; Burgess, Robert K.; LaBelle, James

2000-02-22

The present invention provides an axially-rotated valve which permits increased flow rates and lower pressure drop (characterized by a lower loss coefficient) by using an axial eccentric split venturi with two portions where at least one portion is rotatable with respect to the other portion. The axially-rotated valve typically may be designed to avoid flow separation and/or cavitation at full flow under a variety of conditions. Similarly, the valve is designed, in some embodiments, to produce streamlined flow within the valve. An axially aligned outlet may also increase the flow efficiency. A typical cross section of the eccentric split venturi may be non-axisymmetric such as a semicircular cross section which may assist in both throttling capabilities and in maximum flow capacity using the design of the present invention. Such a design can include applications for freeze resistant axially-rotated valves and may be fully-opened and fully-closed in one-half of a complete rotation. An internal wide radius elbow typically connected to a rotatable portion of the eccentric venturi may assist in directing flow with lower friction losses. A valve actuator may actuate in an axial manner yet be uniquely located outside of the axial flow path to further reduce friction losses. A seal may be used between the two portions that may include a peripheral and diametrical seal in the same plane. A seal separator may increase the useful life of the seal between the fixed and rotatable portions.

Semiconductor structures having electrically insulating and conducting portions formed from an AlSb-alloy layer

DOEpatents

Spahn, O.B.; Lear, K.L.

1998-03-10

The semiconductor structure comprises a plurality of semiconductor layers formed on a substrate including at least one layer of a III-V compound semiconductor alloy comprising aluminum (Al) and antimony (Sb), with at least a part of the AlSb-alloy layer being chemically converted by an oxidation process to form superposed electrically insulating and electrically conducting portions. The electrically insulating portion formed from the AlSb-alloy layer comprises an oxide of aluminum (e.g., Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}), while the electrically conducting portion comprises Sb. A lateral oxidation process allows formation of the superposed insulating and conducting portions below monocrystalline semiconductor layers for forming many different types of semiconductor structures having particular utility for optoelectronic devices such as light-emitting diodes, edge-emitting lasers, vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, photodetectors and optical modulators (waveguide and surface normal), and for electronic devices such as heterojunction bipolar transistors, field-effect transistors and quantum-effect devices. The invention is expected to be particularly useful for forming light-emitting devices for use in the 1.3--1.6 {mu}m wavelength range, with the AlSb-alloy layer acting to define an active region of the device and to effectively channel an electrical current therein for efficient light generation. 10 figs.

Semiconductor structures having electrically insulating and conducting portions formed from an AlSb-alloy layer

DOEpatents

Spahn, Olga B.; Lear, Kevin L.

1998-01-01

A semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure comprises a plurality of semiconductor layers formed on a substrate including at least one layer of a III-V compound semiconductor alloy comprising aluminum (Al) and antimony (Sb), with at least a part of the AlSb-alloy layer being chemically converted by an oxidation process to form superposed electrically insulating and electrically conducting portions. The electrically insulating portion formed from the AlSb-alloy layer comprises an oxide of aluminum (e.g. Al.sub.2 O.sub.3), while the electrically conducting portion comprises Sb. A lateral oxidation process allows formation of the superposed insulating and conducting portions below monocrystalline semiconductor layers for forming many different types of semiconductor structures having particular utility for optoelectronic devices such as light-emitting diodes, edge-emitting lasers, vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, photodetectors and optical modulators (waveguide and surface normal), and for electronic devices such as heterojunction bipolar transistors, field-effect transistors and quantum-effect devices. The invention is expected to be particularly useful for forming light-emitting devices for use in the 1.3-1.6 .mu.m wavelength range, with the AlSb-alloy layer acting to define an active region of the device and to effectively channel an electrical current therein for efficient light generation.

Edge and area effects on the occurrence of migrant forest songbirds

USGS Publications Warehouse

Parker, T.H.; Stansberry, B.M.; Becker, C.D.; Gipson, P.S.

2005-01-01

Concerns about forest fragmentation and its conservation implications have motivated numerous studies that investigate the influence of forest patch area and forest edge on songbird distribution patterns. The generalized effects of forest patch size and forest edge on animal distributions is still debatable because forest patch size and forest edge are often confounded and because of an incomplete synthesis of available data. To fill a portion of this gap, we incorporated all available published data (33 papers) in meta-analyses of forest edge and area effects on site occupancy patterns for 26 Neotropical migrant forest-nesting songbirds in eastern North America. All reported area effects are confounded or potentially confounded by edge effects, and we refer to these as "confounded" studies. The converse, however, is not true and most reported edge effects are independent of patch area. When considering only nonconfounded studies of edge effects, only 1 of 17 species showed significant edge avoidance and 3 had significant affinity for edges. In confounded studies, 12 of 22 species showed significant avoidance of small patches and edges, and 1 had an affinity for small patches and edges. Furthermore, average effect sizes averaged across studies or species tended to be higher for confounded studies than for edge studies. We discuss three possible reasons for differences in results between these two groups of studies. First, studies of edge effects tended to be carried out in landscapes with greater forest cover than studies of confounded effects; among confounded effects studies, as forest cover increased, we observed a nonsignificant trend towards decreasing strength of small patch or edge avoidance effects. Thus, the weaker effects in edge studies may be due to the fact that these studies were conducted in forest-dominated landscapes. Second, we may have detected strong effects only in confounded studies because area effects are much stronger than edge effects on bird occurrence, and area effects drive the results in confounded studies. Third, edge and area effects may interact in such a way that edge effects become more important as forest patch size decreases; thus, both edge and area effects are responsible for results in confounded studies. These three explanations cannot be adequately separated with existing data. Regardless, it is clear that fragmentation of forests into small patches is detrimental to many migrant songbird species. ??2005 Society for Conservation Biology.

Effect of Full-Chord Porosity on Aerodynamic Characteristics of the NACA 0012 Airfoil

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mineck, Raymond E.; Hartwich, Peter M.

1996-01-01

A test was conducted on a model of the NACA 0012 airfoil section with a solid upper surface or a porous upper surface with a cavity beneath for passive venting. The purposes of the test were to investigate the aerodynamic characteristics of an airfoil with full-chord porosity and to assess the ability of porosity to provide a multipoint or self-adaptive design. The tests were conducted in the Langley 8-Foot Transonic Pressure Tunnel over a Mach number range from 0.50 to 0.82 at chord Reynolds numbers of 2 x 10(exp 6), 4 x 10(exp 6), and 6 x 10(exp 6). The angle of attack was varied from -1 deg to 6 deg. At the lower Mach numbers, porosity leads to a dependence of the drag on the normal force. At subcritical conditions, porosity tends to flatten the pressure distribution, which reduces the suction peak near the leading edge and increases the suction over the middle of the chord. At supercritical conditions, the compression region on the porous upper surface is spread over a longer portion of the chord. In all cases, the pressure coefficient in the cavity beneath the porous surface is fairly constant with a very small increase over the rear portion. For the porous upper surface, the trailing edge pressure coefficients exhibit a creep at the lower section normal force coefficients, which suggests that the boundary layer on the rear portion of the airfoil is significantly thickening with increasing normal force coefficient.

Tibiofemoral contact mechanics after serial medial meniscectomies in the human cadaveric knee.

PubMed

Lee, Stephen J; Aadalen, Kirk J; Malaviya, Prasanna; Lorenz, Eric P; Hayden, Jennifer K; Farr, Jack; Kang, Richard W; Cole, Brian J

2006-08-01

There is no consensus regarding the extent of meniscectomy leading to deleterious effects on tibiofemoral contact mechanics. The meniscus aids in optimizing tibiofemoral contact mechanics, increasing contact area, and decreasing contact stress. Controlled laboratory study. Twelve fresh-frozen human cadaveric knees each underwent 15 separate testing conditions-5 serial 20-mm posterior medial meniscectomy conditions (intact, 50% radial width, 75% radial width, segmental, and total meniscectomy) at 3 flexion angles (0 degrees , 30 degrees , and 60 degrees )-under an 1800-N axial load. Tekscan sensors were used to measure total force and medial force, contact area, mean contact stress, and peak contact stress. All posterior medial meniscectomy conditions resulted in significantly decreased contact areas and increased mean and peak contact stresses compared with the intact state (P < .05). The changes in contact mechanics after segmental and total posterior medial meniscectomies were not statistically different (P > .05). Incremental changes in contact area and mean contact stress increased as more peripheral portions of the medial meniscus were removed, whereas peak contact stresses exhibited similar incremental changes throughout all meniscectomy conditions. The meniscus is a crucial load-bearing structure, optimizing contact area and minimizing contact stress. Loss of hoop tension (ie, segmental meniscectomy) is equivalent to total meniscectomy in load-bearing terms. The peripheral portion of the medial meniscus provides a greater contribution to increasing contact areas and decreasing mean contact stresses than does the central portion, whereas peak contact stresses increase proportionally to the amount of meniscus removed. Because the degree of meniscectomy leading to clinically significant outcomes is unknown, a prudent strategy is to preserve the greatest amount of meniscus possible.

The Relationship of Reduced Peripheral Nerve Function and Diabetes With Physical Performance in Older White and Black Adults

PubMed Central

Strotmeyer, Elsa S.; de Rekeneire, Nathalie; Schwartz, Ann V.; Faulkner, Kimberly A.; Resnick, Helaine E.; Goodpaster, Bret H.; Shorr, Ronald I.; Vinik, Aaron I.; Harris, Tamara B.; Newman, Anne B.

2008-01-01

OBJECTIVE—Poor peripheral nerve function is prevalent in diabetes and older populations, and it has great potential to contribute to poor physical performance. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Cross-sectional analyses were done for the Health, Aging, and Body Composition (Health ABC) Study participants (n = 2,364; 48% men; 38% black; aged 73–82 years). Sensory and motor peripheral nerve function in legs/feet was assessed by 10- and 1.4-g monofilament perception, vibration detection, and peroneal motor nerve conduction amplitude and velocity. The Health ABC lower-extremity performance battery was a supplemented version of the Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly battery (chair stands, standing balance, and 6-m walk), adding increased stand duration, single foot stand, and narrow walk. RESULTS—Diabetic participants had fewer chair stands (0.34 vs. 0.36 stands/s), shorter standing balance time (0.69 vs. 0.75 ratio), slower usual walking speed (1.11 vs. 1.14 m/s), slower narrow walking speed (0.80 vs. 0.90 m/s), and lower performance battery score (6.43 vs. 6.93) (all P < 0.05). Peripheral nerve function was associated with each physical performance measure independently. After addition of peripheral nerve function in fully adjusted models, diabetes remained significantly related to a lower performance battery score and slower narrow walking speed but not to chair stands, standing balance, or usual walking speed. CONCLUSIONS—Poor peripheral nerve function accounts for a portion of worse physical performance in diabetes and may be directly associated with physical performance in older diabetic and nondiabetic adults. The impact of peripheral nerve function on incident disability should be evaluated in older adults. PMID:18535192

Solar cell modules with improved backskin and methods for forming same

DOEpatents

Hanoka, Jack I.

1998-04-21

A laminated solar cell module with a backskin layer that reduces the materials and labor required during the manufacturing process. The solar cell module includes a rigid front support layer formed of light transmitting material having first and second surfaces. A transparent encapsulant layer has a first surface disposed adjacent the second surface of the front support layer. A plurality of interconnected solar cells have a first surface disposed adjacent a second surface of the transparent encapsulant layer. The backskin layer is formed of a thermoplastic olefin, which includes first ionomer, a second ionomer, glass fiber, and carbon black. A first surface of the backskin layer is disposed adjacent a second surface of the interconnected solar cells. The transparent encapsulant layer and the backskin layer, in combination, encapsulate the interconnected solar cells. An end portion of the backskin layer can be wrapped around the edge of the module for contacting the first surface of the front support layer to form an edge seal. A laminated solar cell module with a backskin layer that reduces the materials and labor required during the manufacturing process. The solar cell module includes a rigid front support layer formed of light transmitting material having first and second surfaces. A transparent encapsulant layer has a first surface disposed adjacent the second surface of the front support layer. A plurality of interconnected solar cells have a first surface disposed adjacent a second surface of the transparent encapsulant layer. The backskin layer is formed of a thermoplastic olefin, which includes first ionomer, a second ionomer, glass fiber, and carbon black. A first surface of the backskin layer is disposed adjacent a second surface of the interconnected solar cells. The transparent encapsulant layer and the backskin layer, in combination, encapsulate the interconnected solar cells. An end portion of the backskin layer can be wrapped around the edge of the module for contacting the first surface of the front support layer to form an edge seal.

Topographic, latitudinal and climatic distribution of Pinus coulteri: geographic range limits are not at the edge of the climate envelope

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chardon, Nathalie I.; Cornwell, William K.; Flint, Lorraine E.; Flint, Alan L.; Ackerly, David D.

2015-01-01

With changing climate, many species are projected to move poleward or to higher elevations to track suitable climates. The prediction that species will move poleward assumes that geographically marginal populations are at the edge of the species' climatic range. We studied Pinus coulteri from the center to the northern (poleward) edge of its range, and examined three scenarios regarding the relationship between the geographic and climatic margins of a species' range. We used herbarium and iNaturalist.org records to identify P. coulteri sites, generated a species distribution model based on temperature, precipitation, climatic water deficit, and actual evapotranspiration, and projected suitability under future climate scenarios. In fourteen populations from the central to northern portions of the range, we conducted field studies and recorded elevation, slope and aspect (to estimate solar insolation) to examine relationships between local and regional distributions. We found that northern populations of P. coulteri do not occupy the cold or wet edge of the species' climatic range; mid-latitude, high elevation populations occupy the cold margin. Aspect and insolation of P. coulteri populations changed significantly across latitudes and elevations. Unexpectedly, northern, low-elevation stands occupy north-facing aspects and receive low insolation, while central, high-elevation stands grow on more south-facing aspects that receive higher insolation. Modeled future climate suitability is projected to be highest in the central, high elevation portion of the species range, and in low-lying coastal regions under some scenarios, with declining suitability in northern areas under most future scenarios. For P. coulteri, the lack of high elevation habitat combined with a major dispersal barrier may limit northward movement in response to a warming climate. Our analyses demonstrate the importance of distinguishing geographically vs. climatically marginal populations, and the importance of quantitative analysis of the realized climate space to understand species range limits.

Peripheral Nerve Injury in Developing Rats Reorganizes Representation Pattern in Motor Cortex

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Donoghue, John P.; Sanes, Jerome N.

1987-02-01

We investigated the effect of neonatal nerve lesions on cerebral motor cortex organization by comparing the cortical motor representation of normal adult rats with adult rats that had one forelimb removed on the day of birth. Mapping of cerebral neocortex with electrical stimulation revealed an altered relationship between the motor cortex and the remaining muscles. Whereas distal forelimb movements are normally elicited at the lowest threshold in the motor cortex forelimb area, the same stimuli activated shoulder and trunk muscles in experimental animals. In addition, an expanded cortical representation of intact body parts was present and there was an absence of a distinct portion of motor cortex. These data demonstrate that representation patterns in motor cortex can be altered by peripheral nerve injury during development.

Field structure at the ends of a precision superconducting dipole magnet

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

Doinikov, N.I.; Eregin, V.E.; Sychevskii, S.E.

1983-10-01

Results are reported from a numerical simulation of the spatial field of a superconducting dipole magnet with a saddle-shaped winding employed in an accelerating and storage system (ASS). It is shown that the peak field in the winding can be kept to a fixed level and edge nonlinearities of the field can be suppressed by suitably shaping the front portions of the magnet.

Measuring Forest Height and Biomass from Space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Agueh, Temilola Elisabeth Fato

2013-01-01

Talk about doing earth science at NASA and how what we do is focus on the biosphere- that is the living portion of the earth.In particular, we are interested in looking at forests-quantifying deforestation, regrowth, change in general and helping develop new cutting-edge technologies and instruments to be able to measure these changes in land use, land cover and quality more accurately.

Starclose SE® hemostasis after 6F direct antegrade superficial femoral artery access distal to the femoral head for peripheral endovascular procedures in obese patients.

PubMed

Spiliopoulos, Stavros; Kitrou, Panagiotis; Christeas, Nikolaos; Karnabatidis, Dimitris

2016-01-01

Direct superficial femoral artery (SFA) antegrade puncture is a valid alternative to common femoral artery (CFA) access for peripheral vascular interventions. Data investigating vascular closure device (VCD) hemostasis of distant SFA 6F access are limited. We aimed to investigate the safety and effectiveness of the Starclose SE® VCD for hemostasis, following direct 6F antegrade SFA access distal to the femoral head. This prospective, single-center study included patients who were not suitable for CFA puncture and were scheduled to undergo peripheral endovascular interventions using direct antegrade SFA 6F access, at least 2 cm below the inferior edge of femoral head. Hemostasis was obtained with the Starclose SE® VCD (Abbott Laboratories). Primary endpoints were successful hemostasis rate and periprocedural (30-day) major complication rate. Secondary endpoint was the rate of minor complications. Clinical and Doppler ultrasound follow-up was performed at discharge and at one month. Between September 2014 and August 2015, a total of 30 patients (21 male; 70.0%) with a mean body mass index of 41.2 kg/m2 were enrolled. Mean age was 72±9 years (range, 67-88 years). Most patients suffered from critical limb ischemia (87.1%) and diabetes (61.3%). Calcifications were present in eight cases (26.6%). Reason for direct SFA puncture was obesity (100%). Successful hemostasis was achieved in 100% of the cases. No major complications were noted after one-month follow-up. Minor complications included two <5 cm hematomas (6.6%) not necessitating treatment. In this prospective study, Starclose SE® VCD was safe and effective for hemostasis of antegrade direct SFA puncture. Uncomplicated hemostasis was achieved even in cases of puncturing 2 to 7 cm below the inferior edge of the femoral head.

Thriving at the limit: Differential reproductive performance in range-edge populations of a Mediterranean sclerophyll (Olea europaea)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Granado-Yela, Carlos; Balaguer, Luis; García-Verdugo, Carlos; Carrillo, Katty; Méndez, Marcos

2013-10-01

Peripheral populations are often lumped together on the assumption of thriving in marginal habitats where reproductive performance is compromised. We have tested this hypothesis in peripheral populations of wild olive tree (Olea europaea L.) presumably limited by different factors at the westernmost limit of the species range. Additionally, we hypothesized that differences in reproductive outcome among populations are better explained by site-specific environmental conditions (PAR, soil water, soil nutrients, air humidity and air temperature) than by differences in phenotypic traits (tree size and leaf traits). To test these hypotheses, we assessed the number of flowering trees, the flowering intensity, fruit set and seed viability in eight populations for three consecutive years. Our findings provided sufficient evidence to reject the first hypothesis. Peripheral populations that occur under oceanic conditions, resembling the Tertiary subtropical climate, consistently presented higher values for all components of reproductive performance than those at the thermal and rainfall tolerance limits. In support of our second hypothesis, the variation in reproductive performance among populations was primarily accounted for by local environmental conditions. Leaf traits, however, also explained reproductive variation but to a lesser extent. Finally, we found that small changes in tree size may cause large differences in reproductive performance. This close relationship between tree size and reproductive performance suggests that any impact on population size structure would likely jeopardize persistence and expansion at the range edge. Our results suggest that reproductive performance of wild olive trees was not shaped by the population geographic position within the species range, but by the interaction between local environment, as the main driver, and individual phenotypic traits.

Shingle assembly with support bracket

DOEpatents

Almy, Charles

2007-01-02

A shingle system, mountable to a support surface, includes overlapping shingle assemblies. Each shingle assembly comprises a support bracket, having upper and lower ends, secured to a shingle body. The upper end has an upper support portion, extending away from the shingle body, and an upper support-surface-engaging part, engageable with a support surface so that the upper edge of the shingle body is positionable at a first distance from the support surface to create a first gap therebetween. The lower end has a lower support portion extending away from the lower surface. The support brackets create: (1) a second gap between shingle bodies of the first and second shingle assemblies, and (2) an open region beneath the first shingle assembly fluidly coupling the first and second gaps.

Drum tie-down apparatus

DOEpatents

Morse, H.E.

A drum tie-down apparatus for securing drum-like containers in an upright position to a floor or platform of a transportation vehicle having spaced apart cargo tie-down points. The apparatus comprises a pair of cylindrical, hollow tube segments horizontally oriented and engageable with a drum lid adjacent opposite rim edges, flexible strap segments for connecting upper and lower central portions of the tube segments together across the drum lid and a pair of elongated flexible tie-down segments, one extending horizontally through each of the tube segments, the ends thereof being attached to said spaced apart tie-down points such that end portions of the pair of tie-down segments extend downwardly and radially outwardly from the tube segments to the tie-down points.

Drum tie-down apparatus

DOEpatents

Morse, Harvey E.

1984-01-01

A drum tie-down apparatus for securing drum-like containers in an upright position to a floor or platform of a transportation vehicle having spaced apart cargo tie-down points. The apparatus comprises a pair of cylindrical, hollow tube segments horizontally oriented and engageable with a drum lid adjacent opposite rim edges, flexible strap segments for connecting upper and lower central portions of the tube segments together across the drum lid and a pair of elongated flexible tie-down segments, one extending horizontally through each of the tube segments, the ends thereof being attached to said spaced apart tie-down points such that end portions of the pair of tie-down segments extend downwardly and radially outwardly from the tube segments to the tie-down points.

Frame-mounted wire management device

DOEpatents

Grushkowitz, Tyler; Fischer, Kevin; Danning, Matthew

2016-09-20

A wire management device is disclosed. The device comprises a clip comprising an upper planar member and a lower planar member, each planar member having an inner and outer surface, wherein the inner surface of the upper planar member includes a post extending toward the inner surface of the lower planar member, a stem extending from the outer surface of the lower planar member, the stem including two outwardly-extending flanges, each of the first and second outwardly-extending flanges including an edge portion extending toward the outer surface of the lower planar member, and a transverse passage extending along the outer surface of the lower planar member, the transverse passage extending across the stem, wherein the stem has a recessed portion along the transverse passage.

Waveguide module comprising a first plate with a waveguide channel and a second plate with a raised portion in which a sealing layer is forced into the waveguide channel by the raised portion

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

Strassner, II, Bernd H.; Liedtke, Richard; McDonald, Jacob Jeremiah

The various technologies presented herein relate to utilizing a sealing layer of malleable material to seal gaps, etc., at a joint between edges of a waveguide channel formed in a first plate and a surface of a clamping plate. A compression pad is included in the surface of the clamping plate and is dimensioned such that the upper surface of the pad is less than the area of the waveguide channel opening on the first plate. The sealing layer is placed between the waveguide plate and the clamping plate, and during assembly of the waveguide module, the compression pad deformsmore » a portion of the sealing layer such that it ingresses into the waveguide channel opening. Deformation of the sealing layer results in the gaps, etc., to be filled, improving the operational integrity of the joint.« less

Role of selection and gene flow in population differentiation at the edge vs. interior of the species range differing in climatic conditions.

PubMed

Volis, S; Ormanbekova, D; Shulgina, I

2016-04-01

Evaluating the relative importance of neutral and adaptive processes as determinants of population differentiation across environments is a central theme of evolutionary biology. We applied the QST-FST comparison flanked by a direct test for local adaptation to infer the role of climate-driven selection and gene flow in population differentiation of an annual grass Avena sterilis in two distinct parts of the species range, edge and interior, which represent two globally different climates, desert and Mediterranean. In a multiyear reciprocal transplant experiment, the plants of desert and Mediterranean origin demonstrated home advantage, and population differentiation in several phenotypic traits related to reproduction exceeded neutral predictions, as determined by comparisons of QST values with theoretical FST distributions. Thus, variation in these traits likely resulted from local adaptation to desert and Mediterranean environments. The two separate common garden experiments conducted with different experimental design revealed that two population comparisons, in contrast to multi-population comparisons, are likely to detect population differences in virtually every trait, but many of these differences reflect effects of local rather than regional environment. We detected a general reduction in neutral (SSR) genetic variation but not in adaptive quantitative trait variation in peripheral desert as compared with Mediterranean core populations. On the other hand, the molecular data indicated intensive gene flow from the Mediterranean core towards desert periphery. Although species range position in our study (edge vs. interior) was confounded with climate (desert vs. Mediterranean), the results suggest that the gene flow from the species core does not have negative consequences for either performance of the peripheral plants or their adaptive potential. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Earth observations taken from Space Shuttle Columbia during STS-80 mission

NASA Image and Video Library

1996-11-23

STS080-709-094 (19 Nov.-7 Dec. 1996) --- This is a view of the western portion of the Florida Keys. The view shows the city of Key West, bottom mid-right, with Marathon Key, near top middle left, and the edge of the Straits of Florida, the dark water on the right edge. Clouds form over the cooler waters of the strait. The runways at Boca Chica Key Naval Air Station are seen near Key West. The bottom can be seen clearly in the shallow water, the deeper water has depths of over a half a mile. The thin line of the Overseas Highway can be traced east from Key West. Prior to a hurricane in 1935, this route was a railway line.

A Method for Computing Leading-Edge Loads

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rhode, Richard V; Pearson, Henry A

1933-01-01

In this report a formula is developed that enables the determination of the proper design load for the portion of the wing forward of the front spar. The formula is inherently rational in concept, as it takes into account the most important variables that affect the leading-edge load, although theoretical rigor has been sacrificed for simplicity and ease of application. Some empirical corrections, based on pressure distribution measurements on the PW-9 and M-3 airplanes have been introduced to provide properly for biplanes. Results from the formula check experimental values in a variety of cases with good accuracy in the critical loading conditions. The use of the method for design purposes is therefore felt to be justified and is recommended.

Microfabricated high-bandpass foucault aperture for electron microscopy

DOEpatents

Glaeser, Robert; Cambie, Rossana; Jin, Jian

2014-08-26

A variant of the Foucault (knife-edge) aperture is disclosed that is designed to provide single-sideband (SSB) contrast at low spatial frequencies but retain conventional double-sideband (DSB) contrast at high spatial frequencies in transmission electron microscopy. The aperture includes a plate with an inner open area, a support extending from the plate at an edge of the open area, a half-circle feature mounted on the support and located at the center of the aperture open area. The radius of the half-circle portion of reciprocal space that is blocked by the aperture can be varied to suit the needs of electron microscopy investigation. The aperture is fabricated from conductive material which is preferably non-oxidizing, such as gold, for example.

Reducing flow-induced resonance in a cavity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cattafesta, III, Louis N. (Inventor); Wlezien, Richard W. (Inventor); Won, Chin C. (Inventor); Garg, Sanjay (Inventor)

1998-01-01

A method and system are provided for reducing flow-induced resonance in a structure's cavity. A time-varying disturbance is introduced into the flow along a leading edge of the cavity. The time-varying disturbance can be periodic and can have the same or different frequency of the natural resonant frequency of the cavity. In one embodiment of the system, flaps are mounted flush with the surface of the structure along the cavity's leading edge. A piezoelectric actuator is coupled to each flap and causes a portion of each flap to oscillate into and out of the flow in accordance with the time-varying function. Resonance reduction can be achieved with both open-loop and closed-loop configurations of the system.

Angle stations in or for endless conveyor belts

DOEpatents

Steel, Alan

1987-04-07

In an angle station for an endless conveyor belt, there are presented to each incoming run of the belt stationary curved guide members (18, 19) of the shape of a major segment of a right-circular cylinder and having in the part-cylindrical portion (16 or 17) thereof rectangular openings (15) arranged in parallel and helical paths and through which project small freely-rotatable rollers (14), the continuously-changing segments of the curved surfaces of which projecting through said openings (15) are in attitude to change the direction of travel of the belt (13) through 90.degree. during passage of the belt about the part-cylindrical portion (16 or 17) of the guide member (18 or 19). The rectangular openings (15) are arranged with their longer edges lengthwise of the diagonals representing the mean of the helix but with those of a plurality of the rows nearest to each end of the part-cylindrical portion (16 or 17) slightly out of axial symmetry with said diagonals, being slightly inclined in a direction about the intersections (40) of the diagonals of the main portion of the openings, to provide a "toe-in" attitude in relation to the line of run of the endless conveyor belt.

Shifts in Plant Assemblages Reduce the Richness of Galling Insects Across Edge-Affected Habitats in the Atlantic Forest.

PubMed

Souza, Danielle G; Santos, Jean C; Oliveira, Marcondes A; Tabarelli, Marcelo

2016-10-01

Impacts of habitat loss and fragmentation on specialist herbivores have been rarely addressed. Here we examine the structure of plant and galling insect assemblages in a fragmented landscape of the Atlantic forest to verify a potential impoverishment of these assemblages mediated by edge effects. Saplings and galling insects were recorded once within a 0.1-ha area at habitat level, covering forest interior stands, forest edges, and small fragments. A total of 1,769 saplings from 219 tree species were recorded across all three habitats, with differences in terms of sapling abundance and species richness. Additionally, edge-affected habitats exhibited reduced richness of both host-plant and galling insects at plot and habitat spatial scale. Attack levels also differed among forest types at habitat spatial scale (21.1% of attacked stems in forest interior, 12.4% in small fragments but only 8.5% in forest edges). Plot ordination resulted in three clearly segregated clusters: one formed by forest interior, one by small fragments, and another formed by edge plots. Finally, the indicator species analysis identified seven and one indicator plant species in forest interior and edge-affected habitats, respectively. Consequently, edge effects lead to formation of distinct taxonomic groups and also an impoverished assemblage of plants and galling insects at multiple spatial scales. The results of the present study indicate that fragmentation-related changes in plant assemblages can have a cascade effects on specialist herbivores. Accordingly, hyperfragmented landscapes may not be able to retain an expressive portion of tropical biodiversity. © The Authors 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Converging social classes through humanized urban edges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abuan, M. V.; Galingan, Z. D.

2017-10-01

Urban open spaces are created to be used by people. It is a place of convergence and social activity. However, these places have transformed into places of divergence. When spaces become dehumanized, it separates social classes. As a result, underused spaces contribute to urban decay. Particularly an urban edge, the JP Rizal Makati Waterfront Area is the center of this paper. The JP Rizal Makati Waterfront Area is a waterfront development situated along the banks of one of Metro Manila’s major water thoroughfare --- Pasig River. The park and its physical form, urban design and landscape tend to deteriorate over time --- creating a further division of social convergence. Social hostility, crime, negligent maintenance and poor urban design are contributing factors to this sprawling decay in what used to be spaces of bringing people together. Amidst attempts to beautify and renew this portion of Makati City’s edge, the urban area still remains misspent.This paper attempts to re-humanize the waterfront development. It uses the responsive environment design principles to be able to achieve this goal.

Effect of phosphorus deficiency on spectral reflectance and morphology of soybean plants

USGS Publications Warehouse

Milton, N.M.; Eiswerth, B.A.; Ager, C.M.

1991-01-01

Soybean plants were grown in hydroponic solutions having three concentration levels of phosphorus. Spectral reflectance changes included higher reflectance in the green and yellow portions of the electromagnetic spectrum in phosphorus-deficient plants and a difference in position of the long wavelength edge (the red edge) of the chlorophyll absorption band centered near 0.68 ??m. Plants having the least phosphorus in the growing medium did not show the normal shift of the red edge to longer wavelength which occurs as leaves mature. Shoot and root biomass were significantly lower in the phosphorus-deficient plants. These results are consistent with those obtained when soybean plants are dosed with elevated concentrations of metallic elements. We hypothesize that nutrient imbalances or anomalous metal concentrations in the soil set up physiological conditions at the soil/root interface that are responsible for the reflectance differences observed in laboratory and field studies of plants growing in substrates enriched in metallic elements. ?? 1991.

Effectiveness and tolerability of second-line therapy with vildagliptin versus other oral agents in type 2 diabetes (EDGE): post-hoc subanalysis of the Belgian data.

PubMed

Hoste, J; Daci, E; Mathieu, C

2014-06-01

To assess the efficacy and safety of vildagliptin versus other oral glucose-lowering drugs added to antidiabetic monotherapy in Belgian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, in comparison to the global EDGE study results. This is a pre-specified post-hoc subanalysis of the Belgian patient cohort from a worldwide 1-year observational study that compared the effectiveness and tolerability of vildagliptin to other oral antidiabetic agents in type 2 diabetes patients failing monotherapy with oral glucose-lowering agents (EDGE). A total of 1793 Belgian patients were enrolled. Physicians could add any oral antidiabetic drug and patients entered either into the vildagliptin or the comparator cohort. The primary effectiveness and tolerability endpoint was defined as the proportion of patients having a treatment response (HbA1c reduction from baseline to month 12 endpoint >0·3%) without hypoglycemia, weight gain, peripheral oedema, or gastrointestinal side-effects. In the Belgian population, 37·8% of patients in the vildagliptin group and 32·8% in the comparator group had a decrease in HbA1c of >0·3% without the predefined tolerability issues of hypoglycemia, weight gain, oedema or, gastrointestinal complaints (primary endpoint), resulting in an unadjusted odds ratio of 1·24 (95% CI: 0·96-1·61). Mean HbA1c change from baseline was -0·81% in the vildagliptin cohort and -0·75% in the comparator cohort. Overall, vildagliptin was well tolerated with similarly low incidences of total adverse events (14·9% versus 14·5% in the compactor group) and serious adverse events (2·7% versus 2·5% in the comparator group). In this EDGE subgroup of Belgian patients with type 2 diabetes who do not achieve the glycemic targets with monotherapy, a similar trend as in the global EDGE study was observed. Adding vildagliptin as a second oral glucose-lowering agent resulted in lowering HbA1c to <7% without weight gain, hypoglycemia or peripheral oedema in a higher proportion of patients than comparator oral antidiabetic drugs, with no differences in the reported number of adverse events.

Habitat corridors function as both drift fences and movement conduits for dispersing flies.

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

Fried, Joanna H.; Levey Douglas J.; Hogsette, Jerome A.

2005-03-30

Abstract Corridors connect otherwise isolated habitat patches and can direct movement of animals among such patches. In eight experimental landscapes, we tested two hypotheses of how corridors might affect dispersal behavior. The Traditional Corridor hypothesis posits that animals preferentially leave patches via corridors, following them into adjacent patches. The Drift Fence hypothesis posits that animals dispersing through matrix habitat are diverted into patches with corridors because they follow corridors when encountered. House flies (Musca domestica L.), a species that prefers the habitat of our patches and corridors, were released in a central patch (100•100 m) and recaptured in peripheral patchesmore » that were or were not connected by a corridor. Flies were captured more frequently in connected than unconnected patches, thereby supporting the Traditional Corridor hypothesis. The Drift Fence hypothesis was also supported, as flies were captured more frequently in unconnected patches with blind (dead end) corridors than in unconnected patches of equal area without blind corridors. A second experiment tested whether these results might be dependent on the type of patch-matrix boundary encountered by dispersing flies and whether edge-following behavior might be the mechanism underlying the observed corridor effect in the first experiment. We recorded dispersal patterns of flies released along forest edges with dense undergrowth in the forest (‘‘closed’’ edges) and along edges with little forest understory (‘‘open’’ edges). Flies were less likely to cross and more likely to follow closed edges than open edges, indicating that when patch and corridor edges are pronounced, edge-following behavior of flies may direct them along corridors into connected patches. Because edges in the first experiment were open, these results also suggest that corridor effects for flies in that experiment would have been even stronger if the edges around the source patches and corridors had been more closed. Taken together, our results suggest that corridors can affect dispersal of organisms in unappreciated ways (i.e., as drift fences) and that edge type can alter dispersal behavior.« less

Utilization of mill residues in the timber products mills of the Lakeview Working Circle.

Treesearch

A.C. Knauss

1953-01-01

The manufacture of lumber from logs is always accompanied by the accumulation of wood fiber in the form of sawdust, slabs, edgings, trim, and shavings which is of little commercial value. Sawmills use a portion of this "residual" wood fiber for generating steam with which to run the mill and dry kilns, some is used as a raw material for other industries, but...

Sheet of Plasma

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-08-01

A sheet of plasma blasted out into space from just behind the edge of the sun (July 28, 2017). While some material escaped into space, a portion of it was unable to break the pull of gravity and the magnetic forces nearby and can be seen falling back to the sun. The 3.5 hours of action was captured in a wavelength of extreme ultraviolet light. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA21866

Pulse-like partial ruptures and high-frequency radiation at creeping-locked transition during megathrust earthquakes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michel, Sylvain; Avouac, Jean-Philippe; Lapusta, Nadia; Jiang, Junle

2017-08-01

Megathrust earthquakes tend to be confined to fault areas locked in the interseismic period and often rupture them only partially. For example, during the 2015 M7.8 Gorkha earthquake, Nepal, a slip pulse propagating along strike unzipped the bottom edge of the locked portion of the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT). The lower edge of the rupture produced dominant high-frequency (>1 Hz) radiation of seismic waves. We show that similar partial ruptures occur spontaneously in a simple dynamic model of earthquake sequences. The fault is governed by standard laboratory-based rate-and-state friction with the aging law and contains one homogenous velocity-weakening (VW) region embedded in a velocity-strengthening (VS) area. Our simulations incorporate inertial wave-mediated effects during seismic ruptures (they are thus fully dynamic) and account for all phases of the seismic cycle in a self-consistent way. Earthquakes nucleate at the edge of the VW area and partial ruptures tend to stay confined within this zone of higher prestress, producing pulse-like ruptures that propagate along strike. The amplitude of the high-frequency sources is enhanced in the zone of higher, heterogeneous stress at the edge of the VW area.

Pulse-Like Partial Ruptures and High-Frequency Radiation at Creeping-Locked Transition during Megathrust Earthquakes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michel, S. G. R. M.; Avouac, J. P.; Lapusta, N.; Jiang, J.

2017-12-01

Megathrust earthquakes tend to be confined to fault areas locked in the interseismic period and often rupture them only partially. For example, during the 2015 M7.8 Gorkha earthquake, Nepal, a slip pulse propagating along strike unzipped the bottom edge of the locked portion of the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT). The lower edge of the rupture produced dominant high-frequency (>1 Hz) radiation of seismic waves. We show that similar partial ruptures occur spontaneously in a simple dynamic model of earthquake sequences. The fault is governed by standard laboratory-based rate-and-state friction with the ageing law and contains one homogenous velocity-weakening (VW) region embedded in a velocity-strengthening (VS) area. Our simulations incorporate inertial wave-mediated effects during seismic ruptures (they are thus fully dynamic) and account for all phases of the seismic cycle in a self-consistent way. Earthquakes nucleate at the edge of the VW area and partial ruptures tend to stay confined within this zone of higher prestress, producing pulse-like ruptures that propagate along strike. The amplitude of the high-frequency sources is enhanced in the zone of higher, heterogeneous stress at the edge of the VW area.

Large eddy simulation of trailing edge noise

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keller, Jacob; Nitzkorski, Zane; Mahesh, Krishnan

2015-11-01

Noise generation is an important engineering constraint to many marine vehicles. A significant portion of the noise comes from propellers and rotors, specifically due to flow interactions at the trailing edge. Large eddy simulation is used to investigate the noise produced by a turbulent 45 degree beveled trailing edge and a NACA 0012 airfoil. A porous surface Ffowcs-Williams and Hawkings acoustic analogy is combined with a dynamic endcapping method to compute the sound. This methodology allows for the impact of incident flow noise versus the total noise to be assessed. LES results for the 45 degree beveled trailing edge are compared to experiment at M = 0 . 1 and Rec = 1 . 9 e 6 . The effect of boundary layer thickness on sound production is investigated by computing using both the experimental boundary layer thickness and a thinner boundary layer. Direct numerical simulation results of the NACA 0012 are compared to available data at M = 0 . 4 and Rec = 5 . 0 e 4 for both the hydrodynamic field and the acoustic field. Sound intensities and directivities are investigated and compared. Finally, some of the physical mechanisms of far-field noise generation, common to the two configurations, are discussed. Supported by Office of Naval research.

Treated carbon fibers with improved performance for electrochemical and chemical applications

DOEpatents

Chu, X.; Kinoshita, Kimio

1999-02-23

A treated mesophase carbon fiber is disclosed having a high density of exposed edges on the fiber surface, and a method is described for making such a treated fiber. A carbon electrode is also described which is constructed from such treated mesophase carbon fibers. The resulting electrode, formed from such treated flexible carbon fibers, is characterized by a high density of active sites formed from such exposed edges, low corrosion, and good mechanical strength, and may be fabricated into various shapes. The treated mesophase carbon fibers of the invention are formed by first loading the surface of the mesophase carbon fiber with catalytic metal particles to form catalytic etch sites on a hard carbon shell of the fiber. The carbon fiber is then subject to an etch step wherein portions of the hard carbon shell or skin are selectively removed adjacent the catalytic metal particles adhering to the carbon shell. This exposes the underlying radial edges of the graphite-like layers within the carbon shell of the mesophase carbon fiber, which exposed radial edges then act as active sites of a carbon electrode subsequently formed from the treated mesophase carbon fibers. 14 figs.

Red edge spectral measurements from sugar maple leaves

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vogelmann, J. E.; Rock, B. N.; Moss, D. M.

1993-01-01

Many sugar maple stands in the northeastern United States experienced extensive insect damage during the 1988 growing season. Chlorophyll data and high spectral resolution spectrometer laboratory reflectance data were acquired for multiple collections of single detached sugar maple leaves variously affected by the insect over the 1988 growing season. Reflectance data indicated consistent and diagnostic differences in the red edge portion (680-750 nm) of the spectrum among the various samples and populations of leaves. These included differences in the red edge inflection point (REIP), a ratio of reflectance at 740-720 nm (RE3/RE2), and a ratio of first derivative values at 715-705 nm (D715/D705). All three red edge parameters were highly correlated with variation in total chlorophyll content. Other spectral measures, including the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Simple Vegetation Index Ratio (VI), also varied among populations and over the growing season, but did not correlate well with total chlorophyll content. Leaf stacking studies on light and dark backgrounds indicated REIP, RE3/RE2 and D715/D705 to be much less influenced by differences in green leaf biomass and background condition than either NDVI or VI.

Treated carbon fibers with improved performance for electrochemical and chemical applications

DOEpatents

Chu, Xi; Kinoshita, Kimio

1999-01-01

A treated mesophase carbon fiber is disclosed having a high density of exposed edges on the fiber surface, and a method of making such a treated fiber. A carbon electrode is also described which is constructed from such treated mesophase carbon fibers. The resulting electrode, formed from such treated flexible carbon fibers, is characterized by a high density of active sites formed from such exposed edges, low corrosion, and good mechanical strength, and may be fabricated into various shapes. The treated mesophase carbon fibers of the invention are formed by first loading the surface of the mesophase carbon fiber with catalytic metal particles to form catalytic etch sites on a hard carbon shell of the fiber. The carbon fiber is then subject to an etch step wherein portions of the hard carbon shell or skin are selectively removed adjacent the catalytic metal particles adhering to the carbon shell. This exposes the underlying radial edges of the graphite-like layers within the carbon shell of the mesophase carbon fiber, which exposed radial edges then act as active sites of a carbon electrode subsequently formed from the treated mesophase carbon fibers.

Negative dysphotopsia: A perfect storm.

PubMed

Henderson, Bonnie An; Geneva, Ivayla I

2015-10-01

The objective of this review was to provide a summary of the peer-reviewed literature on the etiologies of negative dysphotopsia that occurs after routine cataract surgery. A search of PubMed, Google Scholar, and Retina Medical identified 59 reports. Negative dysphotopsia has been associated with many types of intraocular lenses (IOLs), including hydrophobic and hydrophilic acrylic, silicone, and 1-piece and 3-piece designs. Proposed etiologies include edge design, edge smoothness, edge thickness, index of refraction of the IOL, pupil size, amount of functional nasal retina, edema from the clear corneal incision, distance between the iris and IOL, amount of pigmentation of the eye, corneal shape, prominent globe and shallow orbit, and interaction between the anterior capsulorhexis and IOL. Treatments include a piggyback IOL, reverse optic capture, dilation of the pupil, constriction of the pupil, neodymium:YAG capsulotomy of the nasal portion of the anterior capsule, IOL exchange with round-edged optics, and time alone. This review summarizes the findings. Dr. Henderson is a consultant to Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Abbott Medical Optics, Inc., Bausch & Lomb, and Genzyme Corp. Neither author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned. Copyright © 2015 ASCRS and ESCRS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Transformation of synaptic vesicle phenotype in the intramedullary axonal arbors of cat spinal motoneurons following peripheral nerve injury.

PubMed

Havton, L A; Kellerth, J O

2001-08-01

Permanent transection of a peripheral motor nerve induces a gradual elimination of whole axon collateral systems in the axotomized spinal motoneurons. There is also an initial concurrent decrease in the amount of recurrent inhibition exerted by these arbors in the spinal cord for up to 6 weeks after the injury, whereas the same reflex action returns to normal by the 12-week postoperative state. The aim of the present investigation was to study the fine structure of the intramedullary axonal arbors of axotomized alpha-motoneurons in the adult cat spinal cord following a permanent peripheral motor nerve lesion. For this purpose, single axotomized alpha-motoneurons were labeled intracellularly with horseradish peroxidase at 12 weeks after permanent transection of their peripheral motor nerve. The intramedullary portions of their motor axon and axon collateral arbors were first reconstructed at the light microscopic level and subsequently studied ultrastructurally. This study shows that the synaptic contacts made by the intramedullary axon collateral arbors of axotomized motoneurons have undergone a change in synaptic vesicle ultrastructure from spherical and clear vesicles to spherical and dense-cored vesicles at 12 weeks after the transection of their peripheral axons. We suggest that the present transformation in synaptic vesicle fine structure may also correspond to a change in the contents of these boutons. This may, in turn, be responsible for the strengthening and recovery of the recurrent inhibitory reflex action exerted by the axotomized spinal motoneurons following a prolonged permanent motor nerve injury.

A Near Perfect Spin Balance (Measurement in Chaos)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Luntz, R. A.

1997-01-01

The stringent spin balance requirements arise from the predecessor of SSMIS, the SSMI. The SSMI sensor spinning portion weighed only 85 pounds and contained 7 channels of radiometric data. The Aerospace Corporation recommended to pass on the same requirements from the smaller SSMI to our larger SSMIS (with slight change for increased weight). The SSMIS spinning portion will weigh about 155 pounds and contain 24 channels of radiometeric data. The SSMIS, on orbit, spins a CCW direction at 31.6 RPM its own drive motor. The packaging of this SSMIS is unique, as it combines three sensor into one unit. This combination allows for concurrently reading data in one beam. The unit will have a polar orbit about 500 miles above the earths surface. One of the primary influences for our receipt of the follow-on contract for the next generation sensor, was the ability to package 24 channels of radiometeric data into about the some volume as its predecessor. The data from SSMIS will be used to measure the following: (1) Ocean surface wind speed, (2) Rain over land an ocean, (3) Cloud water over Ocean, (4) Soil moisture, (5) Ice Concentration, (6) Ice age, (7) Ice Edge and snow edge, (8) Water vapor over Ocean, (9) Surface type, (10) Snow water content, (11) Land surface Temperature, (12) Cloud amount over ocean.

Rangewide landscape genetics of an endemic Pacific northwestern salamander.

PubMed

Trumbo, Daryl R; Spear, Stephen F; Baumsteiger, Jason; Storfer, Andrew

2013-03-01

A species' genetic structure often varies in response to ecological and landscape processes that differ throughout the species' geographic range, yet landscape genetics studies are rarely spatially replicated. The Cope's giant salamander (Dicamptodon copei) is a neotenic, dispersal-limited amphibian with a restricted geographic range in the Pacific northwestern USA. We investigated which landscape factors affect D. copei gene flow in three regions spanning the species' range, which vary in climate, landcover and degree of anthropogenic disturbance. Least cost paths and Circuitscape resistance analyses revealed that gene flow patterns vary across the species' range, with unique combinations of landscape variables affecting gene flow in different regions. Populations in the northern coastal portions of the range had relatively high gene flow, largely facilitated by stream and river networks. Near the southeastern edge of the species' range, gene flow was more restricted overall, with relatively less facilitation by streams and more limitation by heat load index and fragmented forest cover. These results suggested that the landscape is more difficult for individuals to disperse through at the southeastern edge of the species' range, with terrestrial habitat desiccation factors becoming more limiting to gene flow. We suggest that caution be used when attempting to extrapolate landscape genetic models and conservation measures from one portion of a species' range to another. © 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Cetacean high-use habitats of the northeast United States continental shelf

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

Kenney, R.D.; Winn, H.E.

1986-04-01

Results of the Cetacean and Turtle Assessment Program previously demonstrated at a qualitative level that specific areas of the continental shelf waters off the northeastern US coast consistently showed high-density utilization by several cetacean species. They have quantified, on a multispecies basis and with adjustment for level of survey effort, the intensity of habitat use by whales and dolphins, and defined areas of especially high-intensity utilization. The results demonstrate that the area off the northeast US, which is used most intensively as cetacean habitat, is the western margin of the Gulf of Maine, from the Great South Channel to Stellwagenmore » Bank and Jeffreys Ledge. Secondary high-use areas include the continental shelf edge and the region around the eastern end of Georges Bank. High-use areas for piseivorous cetaceans are concentrated mainly in the western Gulf of Maine and secondarily at mid-shelf east of the Chesapeake region, for planktivores in the western Gulf of Maine and the southwestern and eastern portions of Georges Bank, and for teuthivores in the western Gulf of Maine and the southwestern and eastern portions of Georges Bank, and for teuthivores along the edge of the shelf. In general, habitat use by cetaceans is highest in spring and summer, and lowest in fall and winter.« less

Passively cooled direct drive wind turbine

DOEpatents

Costin, Daniel P [Chelsea, VT

2008-03-18

A wind turbine is provided that passively cools an electrical generator. The wind turbine includes a plurality of fins arranged peripherally around a generator house. Each of the fins being oriented at an angle greater than zero degrees to allow parallel flow of air over the fin. The fin is further tapered to allow a constant portion of the fin to extend beyond the air stream boundary layer. Turbulence initiators on the nose cone further enhance heat transfer at the fins.

Computational Study of Axial Fatigue for Peripheral Nitinol Stents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meoli, Alessio; Dordoni, Elena; Petrini, Lorenza; Migliavacca, Francesco; Dubini, Gabriele; Pennati, Giancarlo

2014-07-01

Despite their success as primary treatment for vascular diseases, Nitinol peripheral stents are still affected by complications related to fatigue failure. Hip and knee movements during daily activities produce large and cyclic deformations of the superficial femoral artery, that concomitant to the effects of pulsatile blood pressure, may cause fatigue failure in the stent. Fatigue failure typically occurs in cases of very extended lesions, which often require the use of two or more overlapping stents. In this study, finite element models were used to study the fatigue behavior of Nitinol stents when subjected to cyclic axial compression in different conditions. A specific commercial Nitinol stent was chosen for the analysis and subjected to cyclic axial compression typical of the femoral vascular region. Three different configurations were investigated: stent alone, stent deployed in a tube, and two overlapping stents deployed in a tube. Results confirm that stent oversizing has an influence in determining both the mean and amplitude strains induced in the stent and plays an important role in determining the fatigue response of Nitinol stents. In case of overlapping stents, numerical results suggest higher amplitude strains concentrate in the region close to the overlapping portion where the abrupt change in stiffness causes higher cyclic compression. These findings help to explain the high incidence of stent fractures observed in various clinical trials located close to the overlapping portion.

Fluid lubricated bearing assembly

DOEpatents

Boorse, Henry A.; Boeker, Gilbert F.; Menke, John R.

1976-01-01

1. A support for a loaded rotatable shaft comprising in combination on a housing having a fluid-tight cavity encasing an end portion of said shaft, a thrust bearing near the open end of said cavity for supporting the axial thrust of said shaft, said thrust bearing comprising a thrust plate mounted in said housing and a thrust collar mounted on said shaft, said thrust plate having a central opening the peripheral portion of which is hermetically sealed to said housing at the open end of said cavity, and means for supplying a fluid lubricant to said thrust bearing, said thrust bearing having a lubricant-conducting path connecting said lubricant supplying means with the space between said thrust plate and collar intermediate the peripheries thereof, the surfaces of said plate and collar being constructed and arranged to inhibit radial flow of lubricant and, on rotation of said thrust collar, to draw lubricant through said path between the bearing surfaces and to increase the pressure therebetween and in said cavity and thereby exert a supporting force on said end portion of said shaft.

Retinotopic and temporal organization of the optic nerve and tracts in the adult goldfish.

PubMed

Bunt, S M

1982-04-10

In order to investigate the role of the different factors controlling the pathways and termination sites of growing axons, selected optic fibers were traced from the eye to the tectum in adult goldfish either by filling them with HRP, or by severing a group of fibers and tracing their degeneration in 2 micrometers plastic sections stained with toluidine blue. Some fish received more than one lesion and others received both lesions and HRP applications. Two major rearrangements of the optic fibers were identified, one at the exit from the eye, the other within the optic tracts. Near the eye the optic fibers appear to be guided by the conformation of the underlying tissue planes that they encounter. The most recently added fibers, from the peripheral retina, grow over the vitread surface of the older fibers toward the blood vessel in the center of the optic nerve head. Behind the eye the fibers follow this blood vessel until it leaves the side of the optic nerve, and the fibers from peripheral retina are left as a single group on the ventral edge of the optic nerve cross section. As a consequence of this pattern of fiber growth the fibers form an orderly temporal sequence in the optic nerve, with the oldest fibers from the central retina on one side of the nerve and the youngest from peripheral retina on the other. In addition, the fibers are ordered topographically at right angles to this central-to-peripheral axis, with fibers from ventral retina on each edge of the nerve, dorsal fibers in the center, and nasal and temporal fibers in between. This arrangement of the optic fibers continues with only a little loss of precision up to the optic tracts. A more radical fiber rearrangement, seemingly incompatible with the fibers simply following tissue planes occurs within the optic tracts. Each newly arriving set of fibers grows over the surface of the optic tracts so that the older fibers come to lie deepest in the tracts. This segregation of fibers of different ages ensures that the rearrangement is limited to each layer of fibers. The abrupt reorganization of the fibers occurs as the tracts split around the nucleus rotundus to form the brachia of the optic tracts. The fibers are then arranged with temporal fibers nearest the nucleus rotundus and nasal fibers on the opposite edges of the brachia. From this point the fibers grow out over the tectal surface to their termination sites with only minimal rearrangements. Therefore the optic fiber rearrangements show evidence of several different sorts of constraints acting on the fibers at separate points in the optic pathway, each contributing to the final orderly arrangement of the fibers on the optic tectum.

Metal to ceramic sealed joint

DOEpatents

Lasecki, J.V.; Novak, R.F.; McBride, J.R.

1991-08-27

A metal to ceramic sealed joint which can withstand wide variations in temperature and maintain a good seal is provided for use in a device adapted to withstand thermal cycling from about 20 to about 1000 degrees C. The sealed joint includes a metal member, a ceramic member having an end portion, and an active metal braze forming a joint to seal the metal member to the ceramic member. The joint is positioned remote from the end portion of the ceramic member to avoid stresses at the ends or edges of the ceramic member. The sealed joint is particularly suited for use to form sealed metal to ceramic joints in a thermoelectric generator such as a sodium heat engine where a solid ceramic electrolyte is joined to metal parts in the system. 11 figures.

Both sides of the Atlantic Ocean are visible from Apollo 8 spacecraft

NASA Image and Video Library

1968-12-22

AS08-16-2588 (21-27 Dec. 1968) --- Both sides of the Atlantic Ocean are visible in this view from Apollo 8 spacecraft. (Hold picture with Earth at bottom left). The large, most prominent land mass is the bulge of West Africa. The portion of Africa near the equator is dark and cloudy, but the more northerly portions are clear, showing the prominent cape at Dakar and the Senegal River in Senegal; Cap Blanc; the Adrar Plateau in Mauretania; the wide expanse of desert in Algeria and Spanish Sahara; and the far edge, the Atlas and Anti-Atlas Mountains in Morocco. Clouds cover the eastern coast of South America, southward from Surinam and Guyana to near the city of Salvador, Brazil. The view was photographed following trans-lunar insertion.

Metal to ceramic sealed joint

DOEpatents

Lasecki, John V.; Novak, Robert F.; McBride, James R.

1991-01-01

A metal to ceramic sealed joint which can withstand wide variations in temperature and maintain a good seal is provided for use in a device adapted to withstand thermal cycling from about 20 to about 1000 degrees C. The sealed joint includes a metal member, a ceramic member having an end portion, and an active metal braze forming a joint to seal the metal member to the ceramic member. The joint is positioned remote from the end portion of the ceramic member to avoid stresses at the ends or edges of the ceramic member. The sealed joint is particularly suited for use to form sealed metal to ceramic joints in a thermoelectric generator such as a sodium heat engine where a solid ceramic electrolyte is joined to metal parts in the system.

Hot zone design for controlled growth to mitigate cracking in laser crystal growth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Hui; Zheng, Lili; Fang, Haisheng

2011-03-01

Cracking is a major problem during large diameter crystal growth. The objective of this work is to design an effective hot zone for a controlled growth of Yb:S-FAP [Yb3+:Sr5(PO4)3F] laser crystal by the Czochralski technology and effective cooling that can reduce stress. Theoretical and numerical analyses are performed to study the causes of cracking, mitigate the major cracking, as well as reduce cooling time. In the current system, three locations in the crystal are prone to crack, such as the top shoulder of the crystal, the middle portion above the crucible edge, and the bottom tail portion. Based on numerical simulations, we propose a new hot zone design and cooling procedure to grow and cool large diameter crystal without cracking.

Aerodynamic characteristics of a fixed arrow-wing supersonic cruise aircraft at Mach numbers of 2.30, 2.70, and 2.95. [Langley Unitary Plan wind tunnel tests

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morris, O. A.; Fuller, D. E.; Watson, C. B.

1978-01-01

Tests were conducted in the Langley Unitary Plan wind tunnel at Mach numbers of 2.30. 2.70, and 2.95 to determine the performance, static stability, and control characteristics of a model of a fixed-wing supersonic cruise aircraft with a design Mach Number of 2.70 (SCAT 15-F-9898). The configuration had a 74 deg swept warped wing with a reflexed trailing edge and four engine nacelles mounted below the reflexed portion of the wing. A number of variations in the basic configuration were investigated; they included the effect of wing leading edge radius, the effect of various model components, and the effect of model control deflections.

SIMS chemical analysis of extended impact features from the trailing edge portion of experiment AO187-2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Amari, Sachiko; Foote, John; Simon, Charles; Jessberger, Elmar K.; Lange, Gundolf; Stadermann, Frank; Swan, Pat; Walker, Robert M.; Zinner, Ernst

1992-01-01

One hundred capture cells from the trailing edge, which had lost their cover foils during flight, were optically scanned for extended impact features caused by high velocity projectiles impinging on the cells while the foils were still intact. Of the 53 candidates, 24 impacts were analyzed by secondary ion mass spectroscopy for the chemical composition of the deposits. Projectile material was found in all impacts, and at least 75 percent of them appear to be caused by interplanetary dust particles. Elemental ratios are fractionated, with refractory elements enriched in the impacts relative to interplanetary dust particles collected in the stratosphere. Although this could be due to systematic differences in the compositions, a more likely explanation is volatility fractionation during the impact process.

SAR and passive microwave observations of the Odden during Mizex '87

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sutherland, Laura L.; Shuchman, Robert A.; Gloersen, Per; Johannessen, Johnny A.; Johannessen, Ola M.

1989-01-01

The Odden, a protuberance of sea ice in the Greenland Sea Basin, was studied using the NIMBUS-7 scanning multichannel microwave radiometer (SMMR) satellite and an X-band (3 cm) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) aircraft. The sea ice, meteorological, and oceanographic conditions within the northern portion of the Odden were also studied in March and April 1987. The SMMR data, which were first validated with in situ ship measurements and the SAR data, showed rapid 2-4 day oscillations of the Odden ice edge. The oscillations at 74-75 deg N were several hundred kilometers in extent. The rapid oscillation of the Odden does not appear to be a result of wind-induced ice drift, but rather results from the rapid formation of thin ice off the main ice edge.

Strait of Hormuz

NASA Image and Video Library

1982-07-04

Portions of Oman, The United Arab Emirates and Iran are seen at the Strait of Hormuz (26.0N, 56.0E) in this view. A number of ship wakes can be seen in the area of the strait. Sunglint in the Persian Gulf to the northwest, accentuates the complex currents and oil slicks, seen as dark toned blue streaks on the surface. Qeshm Island, just off the coast of Iran, can be seen on the edge of the photo.

Cooling of Gas Turbines, IV - Calculated Temperature Distribution in the Trailing Part of a Turbine Blade Using Direct Liquid Cooling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, W. Byron; Monroe, William R.

1947-01-01

A theoretical analysis of the temperature distribution through the trailing portion of a blade near the coolant passages of liquid cooled gas turbines was made. The analysis was applied to obtain the hot spot temperatures at the trailing edge and influence of design variables. The effective gas temperature was varied from 2000 degrees to 5000 degrees F in each investigation.

View of the STS 51-L Memorial service on JSC's main mall

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1986-01-01

A wide angle lens was used to capture only a portion of the crowd gathered for memorial services for the seven members of the STS 51-L Challenger crew at JSC. President Ronald Reagan speaks at the lectern at far left edge of the frame. The photographer for the picture was positioned on a large platform erected to accommodate the many members of the news media on hand for the event.

Robust estimation of mammographic breast density: a patient-based approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heese, Harald S.; Erhard, Klaus; Gooßen, Andre; Bulow, Thomas

2012-02-01

Breast density has become an established risk indicator for developing breast cancer. Current clinical practice reflects this by grading mammograms patient-wise as entirely fat, scattered fibroglandular, heterogeneously dense, or extremely dense based on visual perception. Existing (semi-) automated methods work on a per-image basis and mimic clinical practice by calculating an area fraction of fibroglandular tissue (mammographic percent density). We suggest a method that follows clinical practice more strictly by segmenting the fibroglandular tissue portion directly from the joint data of all four available mammographic views (cranio-caudal and medio-lateral oblique, left and right), and by subsequently calculating a consistently patient-based mammographic percent density estimate. In particular, each mammographic view is first processed separately to determine a region of interest (ROI) for segmentation into fibroglandular and adipose tissue. ROI determination includes breast outline detection via edge-based methods, peripheral tissue suppression via geometric breast height modeling, and - for medio-lateral oblique views only - pectoral muscle outline detection based on optimizing a three-parameter analytic curve with respect to local appearance. Intensity harmonization based on separately acquired calibration data is performed with respect to compression height and tube voltage to facilitate joint segmentation of available mammographic views. A Gaussian mixture model (GMM) on the joint histogram data with a posteriori calibration guided plausibility correction is finally employed for tissue separation. The proposed method was tested on patient data from 82 subjects. Results show excellent correlation (r = 0.86) to radiologist's grading with deviations ranging between -28%, (q = 0.025) and +16%, (q = 0.975).

Distribution, Innervation, and Cellular Organization of Taste Buds in the Sea Catfish, Plotosus japonicus.

PubMed

Nakamura, Tatsufumi; Matsuyama, Naoki; Kirino, Masato; Kasai, Masanori; Kiyohara, Sadao; Ikenaga, Takanori

2017-01-01

The gustatory system of the sea catfish Plotosus japonicus, like that of other catfishes, is highly developed. To clarify the details of the morphology of the peripheral gustatory system of Plotosus, we used whole-mount immunohistochemistry to investigate the distribution and innervation of the taste buds within multiple organs including the barbels, oropharyngeal cavity, fins (pectoral, dorsal, and caudal), and trunk. Labeled taste buds could be observed in all the organs examined. The density of the taste buds was higher along the leading edges of the barbels and fins; this likely increases the chance of detecting food. In all the fins, the taste buds were distributed in linear arrays parallel to the fin rays. Labeling of nerve fibers by anti-acetylated tubulin antibody showed that the taste buds within each sensory field are innervated in different ways. In the barbels, large nerve bundles run along the length of the organ, with fascicles branching off to innervate polygonally organized groups of taste buds. In the fins, nerve bundles run along the axis of fin rays to innervate taste buds lying in a line. In each case, small fascicles of fibers branch from large bundles and terminate within the basal portions of the taste buds. Serotonin immunohistochemistry demonstrated that most of the taste buds in all the organs examined contained disk-shaped serotonin-immunopositive cells in their basal region. This indicates a similar organization of the taste buds, in terms of the existence of serotonin-immunopositive basal cells, across the different sensory fields in this species. © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Wavelet-based de-noising algorithm for images acquired with parallel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

PubMed

Delakis, Ioannis; Hammad, Omer; Kitney, Richard I

2007-07-07

Wavelet-based de-noising has been shown to improve image signal-to-noise ratio in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) while maintaining spatial resolution. Wavelet-based de-noising techniques typically implemented in MRI require that noise displays uniform spatial distribution. However, images acquired with parallel MRI have spatially varying noise levels. In this work, a new algorithm for filtering images with parallel MRI is presented. The proposed algorithm extracts the edges from the original image and then generates a noise map from the wavelet coefficients at finer scales. The noise map is zeroed at locations where edges have been detected and directional analysis is also used to calculate noise in regions of low-contrast edges that may not have been detected. The new methodology was applied on phantom and brain images and compared with other applicable de-noising techniques. The performance of the proposed algorithm was shown to be comparable with other techniques in central areas of the images, where noise levels are high. In addition, finer details and edges were maintained in peripheral areas, where noise levels are low. The proposed methodology is fully automated and can be applied on final reconstructed images without requiring sensitivity profiles or noise matrices of the receiver coils, therefore making it suitable for implementation in a clinical MRI setting.

Which type of placenta previa requires blood transfusion more frequently? A new concept of indiscernible edge total previa.

PubMed

Baba, Yosuke; Takahashi, Hironori; Ohkuchi, Akihide; Usui, Rie; Matsubara, Shigeki

2016-11-01

During cesarean section (CS) for placenta previa (PP), the size/area/portion of the lower uterine segment occupied by the placenta may affect the bleeding amount and the subsequent need for a blood transfusion (BT). We propose a new concept, indiscernible edge total PP (IEPP), when vaginal ultrasound does not discern the lower placental edge because the placenta covers the visible lower segment. We characterized IEPP, focusing on its allogeneic BT requirement. We classified PP (n = 307) into four types: marginal, partial, discernible edge total PP (DEPP) and IEPP: internal ostium (os)-placental edge distance measurable or unmeasurable on vaginal ultrasound in DEPP or IEPP, respectively. We determined the clinical characteristics according to the four types; the relationship between the intraoperative blood loss and os-edge distance in DEPP; and risk factors for allogeneic BT. The following were significantly higher/larger in cases of IEPP: previous CS; anterior placentation; lacunae; elective cesarean hysterectomy; intraoperative blood loss; autologous BT; allogeneic BT; intensive care unit admission; and an abnormally invasive placenta (AIP). In DEPP, the os-edge distance was weakly correlated with the bleeding amount (r = 0.214). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that previous CS, lacunae, AIP and IEPP were independent risk factors for allogeneic BT (odds ratios 3.8, 3.1, 13.8 and 4.6, respectively). After excluding patients undergoing hemostatic procedures during CS, IEPP remained the only independent risk factor for allogeneic BT (odds ratio 5.2). The new concept of IEPP may be useful for predicting BT in CS for patients with PP. © 2016 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Light emitting diode package element with internal meniscus for bubble free lens placement

DOEpatents

Tarsa, Eric; Yuan, Thomas C.; Becerra, Maryanne; Yadev, Praveen

2010-09-28

A method for fabricating a light emitting diode (LED) package comprising providing an LED chip and covering at least part of the LED chip with a liquid encapsulant having a radius of curvature. An optical element is provided having a bottom surface with at least a portion having a radius of curvature larger than the liquid encapsulant. The larger radius of curvature portion of the optical element is brought into contact with the liquid encapsulant. The optical element is then moved closer to the LED chip, growing the contact area between said optical element and said liquid encapsulant. The liquid encapsulant is then cured. A light emitting diode comprising a substrate with an LED chip mounted to it. A meniscus ring is on the substrate around the LED chip with the meniscus ring having a meniscus holding feature. An inner encapsulant is provided over the LED chip with the inner encapsulant having a contacting surface on the substrate, with the meniscus holding feature which defines the edge of the contacting surface. An optical element is included having a bottom surface with at least a portion that is concave. The optical element is arranged on the substrate with the concave portion over the LED chip. A contacting encapsulant is included between the inner encapsulant and optical element.

Origins, actions and dynamic expression patterns of the neuropeptide VGF in rat peripheral and central sensory neurones following peripheral nerve injury

PubMed Central

Moss, Andrew; Ingram, Rachel; Koch, Stephanie; Theodorou, Andria; Low, Lucie; Baccei, Mark; Hathway, Gareth J; Costigan, Michael; Salton, Stephen R; Fitzgerald, Maria

2008-01-01

Background The role of the neurotrophin regulated polypeptide, VGF, has been investigated in a rat spared injury model of neuropathic pain. This peptide has been shown to be associated with synaptic strengthening and learning in the hippocampus and while it is known that VGFmRNA is upregulated in dorsal root ganglia following peripheral nerve injury, the role of this VGF peptide in neuropathic pain has yet to be investigated. Results Prolonged upregulation of VGF mRNA and protein was observed in injured dorsal root ganglion neurons, central terminals and their target dorsal horn neurons. Intrathecal application of TLQP-62, the C-terminal active portion of VGF (5–50 nmol) to naïve rats caused a long-lasting mechanical and cold behavioral allodynia. Direct actions of 50 nM TLQP-62 upon dorsal horn neuron excitability was demonstrated in whole cell patch recordings in spinal cord slices and in receptive field analysis in intact, anesthetized rats where significant actions of VGF were upon spontaneous activity and cold evoked responses. Conclusion VGF expression is therefore highly modulated in nociceptive pathways following peripheral nerve injury and can cause dorsal horn cell excitation and behavioral hypersensitivity in naïve animals. Together the results point to a novel and powerful role for VGF in neuropathic pain. PMID:19077191

A Pilot Study of Perceptual-Motor Training for Peripheral Prisms

PubMed Central

Houston, Kevin E.; Bowers, Alex R.; Fu, Xianping; Liu, Rui; Goldstein, Robert B.; Churchill, Jeff; Wiegand, Jean-Paul; Soo, Tim; Tang, Qu; Peli, Eli

2016-01-01

Purpose Peripheral prisms (p-prisms) shift peripheral portions of the visual field of one eye, providing visual field expansion for patients with hemianopia. However, patients rarely show adaption to the shift, incorrectly localizing objects viewed within the p-prisms. A pilot evaluation of a novel computerized perceptual-motor training program aiming to promote p-prism adaption was conducted. Methods Thirteen patients with hemianopia fitted with 57Δ oblique p-prisms completed the training protocol. They attended six 1-hour visits reaching and touching peripheral checkerboard stimuli presented over videos of driving scenes while fixating a central target. Performance was measured at each visit and after 3 months. Results There was a significant reduction in touch error (P = 0.01) for p-prism zone stimuli from pretraining median of 16.6° (IQR 12.1°–19.6°) to 2.7° ( IQR 1.0°–8.5°) at the end of training. P-prism zone reaction times did not change significantly with training (P > 0.05). P-prism zone detection improved significantly (P = 0.01) from a pretraining median 70% (IQR 50%–88%) to 95% at the end of training (IQR 73%–98%). Three months after training improvements had regressed but performance was still better than pretraining. Conclusions Improved pointing accuracy for stimuli detected in prism-expanded vision of patients with hemianopia wearing 57Δ oblique p-prisms is possible and training appears to further improve detection. Translational Relevance This is the first use of this novel software to train adaptation of visual direction in patients with hemianopia wearing peripheral prisms. PMID:26933522

Gas Generator Feedline Orifice Sizing Methodology: Effects of Unsteadiness and Non-Axisymmetric Flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rothermel, Jeffry; West, Jeffrey S.

2011-01-01

Engine LH2 and LO2 gas generator feed assemblies were modeled with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods at 100% rated power level, using on-center square- and round-edge orifices. The purpose of the orifices is to regulate the flow of fuel and oxidizer to the gas generator, enabling optimal power supply to the turbine and pump assemblies. The unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations were solved on unstructured grids at second-order spatial and temporal accuracy. The LO2 model was validated against published experimental data and semi-empirical relationships for thin-plate orifices over a range of Reynolds numbers. Predictions for the LO2 square- and round-edge orifices precisely match experiment and semi-empirical formulas, despite complex feedline geometry whereby a portion of the flow from the engine main feedlines travels at a right-angle through a smaller-diameter pipe containing the orifice. Predictions for LH2 square- and round-edge orifice designs match experiment and semi-empirical formulas to varying degrees depending on the semi-empirical formula being evaluated. LO2 mass flow rate through the square-edge orifice is predicted to be 25 percent less than the flow rate budgeted in the original engine balance, which was subsequently modified. LH2 mass flow rate through the square-edge orifice is predicted to be 5 percent greater than the flow rate budgeted in the engine balance. Since CFD predictions for LO2 and LH2 square-edge orifice pressure loss coefficients, K, both agree with published data, the equation for K has been used to define a procedure for orifice sizing.

Design & fabrication of two seated aircraft with an advanced rotating leading edge wing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al Ahmari, Saeed Abdullah Saeed

The title of this thesis is "Design & Fabrication of two Seated Aircraft with an Advanced Rotating Leading Edge Wing", this gives almost a good description of the work has been done. In this research, the moving surface boundary-layer control (MSBC) concept was investigated and implemented. An experimental model was constructed and tested in wind tunnel to determine the aerodynamic characteristics using the leading edge moving surface of modified semi-symmetric airfoil NACA1214. The moving surface is provided by a high speed rotating cylinder, which replaces the leading edge of the airfoil. The angle of attack, the cylinder surfaces velocity ratio Uc/U, and the flap deflection angle effects on the lift and drag coefficients and the stall angle of attack were investigated. This new technology was applied to a 2-seat light-sport aircraft that is designed and built in the Aerospace Engineering Department at KFUPM. The project team is led by the aerospace department chairman Dr. Ahmed Z. AL-Garni and Dr. Wael G. Abdelrahman and includes graduate and under graduate student. The wing was modified to include a rotating cylinder along the leading edge of the flap portion. This produced very promising results such as the increase of the maximum lift coefficient at Uc/U=3 by 82% when flaps up and 111% when flaps down at 40° and stall was delayed by 8degrees in both cases. The laboratory results also showed that the effective range of the leading-edge rotating cylinder is at low angles of attack which reduce the need for higher angles of attack for STOL aircraft.

A practical use of a 16-gauge peripheral angiocatheter as an aspiration cautery in endoscopic ear surgery.

PubMed

Ozdek, Ali; Keseroglu, Kemal

2014-08-01

To define a technique for the practical use of a 16-gauge peripheral venous catheter as an insulated aspiration cautery in endoscopic ear surgery. Retrospective case review. Tertiary referral center. A 16-gauge intravenous catheter was prepared as a cauterization instrument with aspiration. After simple rearrangement of the exterior plastic portion, it was connected to a suction system. With the help of an unipolar cautery, aspiration of the blood and homeostasis was achieved. Hemorrhage of the external ear canal skin after incision can be easily coagulated with this instrument. During follow-up, there were no wound infection, facial nerve paresis, scar formation, and inadvertent burn of the external canal and auricular skin. With the help of this instrument, bleeding control during incision can be easily maintained. It is a simple, easily prepared, and alternative homeostasis technique in endoscopic ear surgery.

Cytochemical localization of calcium in cap cells of primary roots of Zea mays L

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moore, R.

1985-01-01

The cellular distribution of Ca in caps of primary roots of Zea mays was examined during the onset and early stages of gravicurvature to determine its possible role in root gravitropism. Staining becomes associated with the portion of the cell wall adjacent to the distal end of the cell after five minutes, and persists throughout the onset of gravicurvature. The outermost peripheral cells of roots oriented horizontally and vertically secrete Ca through plasmodesmata-like channels in their cell walls. Data suggest that Ca is not transported laterally through the columella tissue,but rather that the movement of Ca to the lower side of caps of horizontally-oriented roots is at least partially through and/or on the mucilage of the cap, and via an electrochemical gradient. An important role in root gravitropism is indicated for Ca secretion by peripheral cells.

[Radial Approach for Percutaneous Coronary Interventions in Patients With Ischemic Heart Disease: Advantages and Disadvantages, Complications Rate in Comparison With Femoral Approach].

PubMed

Fettser, D V; Batyraliev, T A; Pershukov, I V; Vanyukov, A E; Sidorenko, B A

2017-05-01

During recent 10-15 years, percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) have reached a new level of efficacy and safety. Rate of serious coronary complications has decreased. That to a greater degree exposes the problem of peripheral complications at the site of arterial approach. At the same time portion of patients older than 75 years in the total pool of PCI constantly increases. Number of patients with pronounced obesity also grows each year. Radial approach for PCI allows to substantially decrease rate of peripheral complications at the account of lowered rate of bleedings, and to shorten duration of hospitalization. In this literature review we present results of a number of relevant clinical studies including those which contained groups of elderly patients and of patients with obesity. We also have summarized main advantages and disadvantages of radial approach as compared with femoral approach for coronary angiography and PCI.

Boundary condition for toroidal plasma flow imposed at the separatrix in high confinement JT-60U plasmas with edge localized modes and the physics process in pedestal structure formation

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

Kamiya, K.; Honda, M.; Urano, H.

2014-12-15

Modulation charge eXchange recombination spectroscopy measurements with high spatial and temporal resolution have made the evaluation of the toroidal plasma flow of fully stripped carbon impurity ions (V{sub ϕ}{sup C6+}) in the JT-60U tokamak peripheral region (including, in particular, the separatrix) possible with a better signal-to-noise ratio. By comparing co- and counter-neutral beam injection discharges experimentally, we have identified the boundary condition of V{sub ϕ}{sup C6+} and radial electric field shear (∇E{sub r}) imposed at the separatrix in high confinement (H-mode) plasmas with edge localized modes (ELMs). The V{sub ϕ}{sup C6+} value at the separatrix is not fixed at zeromore » but varies with the momentum input direction. On the other hand, the ∇E{sub r} value is nearly zero (or very weakly positive) at the separatrix. Furthermore, the edge localized mode perturbation does not appear to affect both V{sub ϕ}{sup C6+} and ∇E{sub r} values at the separatrix as strongly as that in the pedestal region. The above experimental findings based on the precise edge measurements have been used to validate a theoretical model and develop a new empirical model. A better understanding of the physical process in the edge transport barrier (ETB) formation due to the sheared E{sub r} formation is also discussed.« less

Cut marks on bone surfaces: influences on variation in the form of traces of ancient behaviour

PubMed Central

Braun, David R.; Pante, Michael; Archer, William

2016-01-01

Although we know that our lineage has been producing sharp-edged tools for over 2.6 Myr, our knowledge of what they were doing with these tools is far less complete. Studies of these sharp-edged stone tools show that they were most probably used as cutting implements. However, the only substantial evidence of this is the presence of cut marks on the bones of animals found in association with stone tools in ancient deposits. Numerous studies have aimed to quantify the frequency and placement of these marks. At present there is little consensus on the meaning of these marks and how the frequency relates to specific behaviours in the past. Here we investigate the possibility that mechanical properties associated with edges of stone tools as well as the properties of bones themselves may contribute to the overall morphology of these marks and ultimately their placement in the archaeological record. Standardized tests of rock mechanics (Young's modulus and Vickers hardness) indicate that the hardness of tool edges significantly affects cut-mark morphology. In addition, we show that indentation hardness of bones also impacts the overall morphology of cut marks. Our results show that rock type and bone portions influence the shape and prevalence of cut marks on animal bones. PMID:27274806

The X-point effects on the peeling-ballooning stability conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Linjin

2017-10-01

Due to the X-point singularity the safety factor tends to infinity as the last closed flux surface is approached. The usual numerical treatment of X-point singularity is to cut off a small fraction of edge region for system stability evaluation or simply use an up-down symmetric equilibrium without X-point included. This type of treatments have been used to make the peeling-ballooning stability diagram. We found that the mode types, peel or ballooning, can vary depending on how much the edge portion is cut off. When the cutting-off leads the edge safety factor (qa) to become close to a mode rational number, the peeling modes dominate; otherwise the ballooning type of modes prevail. The stability condition for peeling modes with qa being close to a rational number is much stringent than that for ballooning type of modes. Because qa tends to infinite near the separatrix, the mode rational surfaces are concentrated in the plasma region and thus the peeling modes are basically excluded. This extrapolation indicates that the stability boundary for high edge current, which is related to the peeling modes, need to be reexamined to take into account the X-point effects. Supported by U. S. Department of Energy, Office of Fusion Energy Science: Grant No. DE-FG02-04ER-54742.

Mud volcanism and morphology of impact craters in Utopia Planitia on Mars: Evidence for the ancient ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ivanov, Mikhail A.; Hiesinger, H.; Erkeling, G.; Reiss, D.

2014-01-01

Results of our detailed geological mapping and interpretation of the nature and relative and absolute model ages of units and structures in the SW portion of Utopia Planitia (20-45°N, 100-120°E) suggest the following. (1) The size-frequency distribution (SFD) of craters that both are buried by materials of the Vastitas Borealis units (VB) and superpose its surface indicate that the absolute model ages of terrain predating the emplacement of the VB is ˜3.7 Ga. (2) Lack of craters that are partly embayed by materials of the VB in the SW portion of Utopia Planitia implies that the emplacement of the VB was faster than the rate of accumulation of impact craters and is consistent with the geologically short time of emplacement of the VB due to catastrophic release of water from outflow channels (e.g., Carr, M.H. [1996]. Water on Mars. Oxford University Press, New York, p. 229). (3) The SFD of craters that superpose the surface of the VB indicates an absolute model age of ˜3.6-3.5 Ga. The absolute model ages of etched flows, which represent the upper stratigraphic limit of the VB, are estimated to be ˜3.5 Ga. (4) The majority of the larger (i.e., >1 km) impact craters show ejecta morphologies (rampart and pancake-like ejecta) that are indicative of the presence of ice/water in the target materials. The distal portions of the pancake-like ejecta are heavily degraded (not due to embayment). This suggests that these craters formed in targets that contained higher abundances of volatiles. (5) The diameter ranges of the craters with either rampart- or pancake-like ejecta are overlapping (from ˜2 to ˜60 km). Craters with pancake-like ejecta are concentrated within the central portion of the Utopia basin (less than ˜1000 km from the basin center) and rampart craters occur at the periphery of the basin. This pattern of the crater spatial distribution suggests that materials within the center of Utopia Planitia contained more ice/water. (6) Etched flows around the central portion of Utopia Planitia were erupted from beneath of the surface of the VB. Their morphology and pattern of degradation, however, are inconsistent with lava and, instead, indicate formation of the flows due to mud volcanism. (7) Etched flows are spatially associated with giant polygons and there is evidence that these features populated the center portion of Utopia Planitia before it was covered by the Elysium-derived units. The outer (southern) edge of the zone of polygonal troughs and etched flows approximately corresponds to the transition from pancake-like ejecta to rampart ejecta. This suggest that the outer edge of the zone of the polygons and flows may outline the deeper portions of the large body (˜2000 km across) of water/ice that likely existed in the center of Utopia Planitia in late Hesperian.

Plating Patches On Heat-Exchanger Jackets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Loureiro, Henry; Kubik, Frank

1989-01-01

Permanent repairs made without welding. Technique used to repair nickel-alloy nozzle jacket of Space Shuttle main engine. Applicable to other metal heat-exchanger jackets with similar configurations. Does not require welding, brazing, soldering, or other operations involving high temperatures and consequent damage to surrounding areas. Portion of jacket around damaged area removed by grinding and polishing out to edges adjacent to tube/jacket braze bonds. Spaces between tubes filled with wax preventing contamination of spaces during subsequent plating.

Facial-zygomatic triangle: a relationship between the extracranial portion of facial nerve and the zygomatic arch.

PubMed

Campero, A; Socolovsky, M; Martins, C; Yasuda, A; Torino, R; Rhoton, A L

2008-03-01

This study was conducted to clarify the relationships between the extracranial portion of the facial nerve (EFN) and the zygomatic arch (ZA). Four cadaveric heads (8 parotid regions), examined under 3-40x magnification, were dissected from lateral to medial to expose the EFN. In a vertical plane just anterior to the tragus, the distance from the superior edge of the ZA to the facial nerve (FN) is, on average, 26.88 mm. The FN then courses superiorly and anteriorly, crossing the ZA 18.65 mm anterior to the tragus on average. Thus, three points can be used to depict a triangle: A, at the level of the anterior border of the tragus, just above the superior edge of the ZA; B, 26 mm below A; and C, 18 mm anterior to A. This so called facial-zygomatic triangle represents the area where surgical dissection can be performed with no risk of damaging the FN. Thus, the closer one stays to the tragus, the lesser the risk of damaging the FN below the ZA. If the incision is carried out on a vertical plane closer to the tragus, the skin can be safely cut up to 2 cm below the ZA. The facial-zygomatic triangle is a very useful superficial landmark to avoid FN damage when working below the ZA.

Retaining latch for a water pit gate

DOEpatents

Beale, A.R.

1997-11-18

A retaining latch is described for use in a hazardous materials storage or handling facility to adjustably retain a water pit gate in a gate frame. A retaining latch is provided comprising a latch plate which is rotatably mounted to each end of the top of the gate and a recessed opening, formed in the gate frame, for engaging an edge of the latch plate. The latch plate is circular in profile with one side cut away or flat, such that the latch plate is D-shaped. The remaining circular edge of the latch plate comprises steps of successively reduced thickness. The stepped edge of the latch plate fits inside a recessed opening formed in the gate frame. As the latch plate is rotated, alternate steps of the latch plate are engaged by the recessed opening. When the latch plate is rotated such that the flat portion of the latch plate faces the recessed opening in the gate frame, there is no connection between the opening and the latch plate and the gate is unlatched from the gate frame. 4 figs.

Solar cell shingle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Forestieri, A. F.; Ratajczak, A. F.; Sidorak, L. G. (Inventor)

1977-01-01

A solar cell shingle was made of an array of solar cells on a lower portion of a substantially rectangular shingle substrate made of fiberglass cloth or the like. The solar cells may be encapsulated in flourinated ethylene propylene or some other weatherproof translucent or transparent encapsulant to form a combined electrical module and a roof shingle. The interconnected solar cells were connected to connectors at the edge of the substrate through a connection to a common electrical bus or busses. An overlap area was arranged to receive the overlap of a cooperating similar shingle so that the cell portion of the cooperating shingle may overlie the overlap area of the roof shingle. Accordingly, the same shingle serves the double function of an ordinary roof shingle which may be applied in the usual way and an array of cooperating solar cells from which electrical energy may be collected.

Molecular simulations of lipid systems: Edge stability and structure in pure and mixed bilayers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Yong

2007-12-01

Understanding the structural, mechanical and dynamical properties of lipid self-assembled systems is fundamental to understand the behavior of the cell membrane. This thesis has investigated the equilibrium properties of lipid systems with edge defects through various molecular simulation techniques. The overall goal of this study is to understand the free energy terms of the edges and to develop efficient methods to sample equilibrium distributions of mixed-lipid systems. In the first main part of my thesis, an atomistic molecular model is used to study lipid ribbon which has two edges on both sides. Details of the edge structures, such as area per lipid and tail torsional statistics are presented. Line tension, calculated from pressure tensor in MD simulation has good agreement with result from other sources. To further investigate edge properties on a longer timescale and larger length scale, we have applied a coarse-grained forcefield on mixed lipid systems and try to interpret the edge fluctuations in terms of free energy parameters such as line tension and bending modulus. We have identified two regimes with quite different edge behavior: a high line tension regime and a low line tension regime. The last part of this thesis focuses on a hybrid Molecular dynamics and Configurational-bias Monte Carlo (MCMD) simulation method in which molecules can change their type by growing and shrinking the terminal acyl united carbon atoms. A two-step extension of the MCMD method has been developed to allow for a larger difference in the components' tail lengths. Results agreed well with previous one-step mutation results for a mixture with a length difference of four carbons. The current method can efficiently sample mixtures with a length difference of eight carbons, with a small portion of lipids of intermediate tail length. Preliminary results are obtained for "bicelle"-type (DMPC/DHPC) ribbons.

Determination of the levitation limits of dust particles within the sheath in complex plasma experiments

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

Douglass, Angela; Land, Victor; Qiao Ke

2012-01-15

Experiments are performed in which dust particles are levitated at varying heights above the powered electrode in a radio frequency plasma discharge by changing the discharge power. The trajectories of particles dropped from the top of the discharge chamber are used to reconstruct the vertical electric force acting on the particles. The resulting data, together with the results from a self-consistent fluid model, are used to determine the lower levitation limit for dust particles in the discharge and the approximate height above the lower electrode where quasineutrality is attained, locating the sheath edge. These results are then compared with currentmore » sheath models. It is also shown that particles levitated within a few electron Debye lengths of the sheath edge are located outside the linearly increasing portion of the electric field.« less

Investigation of HP Turbine Blade Failure in a Military Turbofan Engine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mishra, R. K.; Thomas, Johny; Srinivasan, K.; Nandi, Vaishakhi; Bhatt, R. Raghavendra

2017-04-01

Failure of a high pressure (HP) turbine blade in a military turbofan engine is investigated to determine the root cause of failure. Forensic and metallurgical investigations are carried out on the affected blades. The loss of coating and the presence of heavily oxidized intergranular fracture features including substrate material aging and airfoil curling in the trailing edge of a representative blade indicate that the coating is not providing adequate oxidation protection and the blade material substrate is not suitable for the application at hand. Coating spallation followed by substrate oxidation and aging leading to intergranular cracking and localized trailing edge curling is the root cause of the blade failure. The remaining portion of the blade fracture surface showed ductile overload features in the final failure. The damage observed in downstream components is due to secondary effects.

Apparatus and methods for relieving thermally induced stresses in inner and outer bands of thermally cooled turbine nozzle stages

DOEpatents

Yu, Yufeng Phillip; Itzel, Gary Michael; Correia, Victor H. S.

2002-01-01

To control the temperature mismatch between the inner and outer bands and covers forming plenums with the inner and outer bands on sides thereof remote from the hot gas path, passages extend from the leading edge of the covers in communication with the hot gases of combustion to the trailing edge of the covers in communication with the hot gas flowpath. A mixing chamber is provided in each passage in communication with compressor discharge air for mixing the hot gases of combustion and compressor discharge air for flow through the passage, thereby heating the cover and minimizing the temperature differential between the inner and outer bands and their respective covers. The passages are particularly useful adjacent the welded or brazed joints between the covers and inner band portions.

Mapping of the Resistance of a Superconducting Transition Edge Sensor as a Function of Temperature, Current, and Applied Magnetic Field

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhang, Shou; Eckart, Megan E.; Jaeckel, Felix; Kripps, Kari L.; McCammon, Dan; Zhou, Yu; Morgan, Kelsey M.

2017-01-01

We have measured the resistance R (T, I, B(sub ext) of a superconducting transition edge sensor over the entire transition region on a fine scale, producing a four-dimensional map of the resistance surface. The dimensionless temperature and current sensitivities (alpha equivalence partial derivative log R/partial derivative log T|(sub I) and beta equivalence partial derivative log R/partial derivative log I|(sub T) of the TES resistance have been determined at each point. alpha and beta are closely related to the sensor performance, but show a great deal of complex, large amplitude fine structure over large portions of the surface that is sensitive to the applied magnetic field. We discuss the relation of this structure to the presence of Josephson weak link fringes.

Albuquerque, NM, USA

NASA Image and Video Library

1991-06-14

STS040-614-061 (5-14 June 1991) --- Albuquerque, New Mexico is perched on the edge of the Rio Grande floodplain, which crosses the photograph from upper left to center lower right. The reddish-brown surface of the Albuquerque Basin, a fault-bounded structural basin filled by alluvial fan and lake-bed sediments, is broken by an irregular light-toned rim River along both the Rio Grande and Rio Puerco (lower left). The rim marks the erosional edge of an ancient caliche soil that formed more than a half-million years ago, before the Rio Grande integrated its drainage from basin to basin. The upper right portion of the photograph is dominated by dark tones, representing pinyon/juniper and other timber growing on very old rocks of the Sandia Mountains. Interstate 40 can be seen passing through Sandia Pass which cuts the mountain mass.

CMC vane assembly apparatus and method

DOEpatents

Schiavo, Anthony L; Gonzalez, Malberto F; Huang, Kuangwei; Radonovich, David C

2012-10-23

A metal vane core or strut (64) is formed integrally with an outer backing plate (40). An inner backing plate (38) is formed separately. A spring (74) with holes (75) is installed in a peripheral spring chamber (76) on the strut. Inner and outer CMC shroud covers (46, 48) are formed, cured, then attached to facing surfaces of the inner and outer backing plates (38, 40). A CMC vane airfoil (22) is formed, cured, and slid over the strut (64). The spring (74) urges continuous contact between the strut (64) and airfoil (66), eliminating vibrations while allowing differential expansion. The inner end (88) of the strut is fastened to the inner backing plate (38). A cooling channel (68) in the strut is connected by holes (69) along the leading edge of the strut to peripheral cooling paths (70, 71) around the strut. Coolant flows through and around the strut, including through the spring holes.

SU-E-T-145: Effects of Temporary Tachytherapy Inhibition Magnet On MOSFET Dose Measurements of Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices (CIED) in Radiation Therapy Patients

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

P, Joshi; Salomons, G; Kerr, A

2014-06-01

Purpose: To determine the effects of temporary tachytherapy inhibition magnet on MOSFET dose measurements of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIED) in radiation therapy patients. Methods: Infield and peripheral MOSFET dose measurements with 6MV photon beams were performed to evaluate dose to a CIED in the presence of a doughnut shaped temporary tachytherapy inhibition magnet. Infield measurements were done to quantify the effects of the magnetic field alone and shielding by the magnet. MOSFETs were placed inside a 20×20cm{sup 2} field at a depth of 3cm in the isocentre plane in the presence and absence of the magnet. Peripheral dose measurementsmore » were done to determine the impact of the magnet on dose to the CIED in a clinical setting. These measurements were performed at the centre, under the rim and half way between a 10×10cm{sup 2} field edge and the magnet with MOSFETS placed at the surface, 0.5cm and 1cm depths in the presence and absence of the magnet. Results: Infield measurements showed that effects of magnetic field on the MOSFET readings were within the 2% MOSFET dose measurement uncertainty; a 20% attenuation of dose under the magnet rim was observed. Peripheral dose measurements at the centre of the magnet show an 8% increase in surface dose and a 6% decrease in dose at 1cm depth. Dose under the magnet rim was reduced by approximately 68%, 45% and 25% for MOSFET placed at 0.0, 0.5 and 1.0cm bolus depths, respectively. Conclusions: The magnetic field has an insignificant effect on MOSFET dose measurements. Dose to the central region of CIED represented by centre of the magnet doughnut increases at the surface, and decreases at depths due to low energy scattering contributions from the magnet. Dose under the magnet rim, representing CIED edges, decreased significantly due to shielding.« less

ARC-1985-A86-7001

NASA Image and Video Library

1985-11-28

Range: 72.3 million km. ( 44.9 million miles ) P-29314B/W This Voyager 2 photograph of Uranus shows the planets outermost, or epsilon, ring. This is a computerized summation of six images shot by the narrow angle camera. It is the first photo to show the epsilon ring unblurred by Earth's atmosphere. The Epsilon ring, some 51,200 km. ( 31,800 miles ) from the planets center, is the most prominent of Uranus' nine known rings. Ground based observations of stellar occulations by the rings have determined that the Epsilon ring is eccentric, or elliptical, with its widest portion about 100 km. ( 60 miles ) wide and its narrowest portion about 20 km. (12 miles ). Estimates of the rings brightness suggest that it is also very dark, with a reflectance of only 1 or 2 percent and a probable composition of carbonaceous material similiar to that on dark asteroids and the dark side of Saturn's moon Lapetus. Because the ring is so narrow and dark, at this range, the Voyager camera could not resolve even the widest part, resulting in long exposure times so obtain a good image. six exposures of 11 or 15 second duration were added together by computer to produce this image. In this image, the central portion is greatly overexposed. Various artifacts due to electronic effects and image proccessing can be seen in the central portion of the frame, including the dark image just above the planets image, the diffuse brightening below it and the small, bright projection from the edge of the planet in the upper left. The ring is distinctly less prominent in the lower left portion and more prominent in the upper right. This is in agreement with the predicted locations of the narrow and wide portions of the ring, respectively.

Olivocochlear neuron central anatomy is normal in alpha 9 knockout mice.

PubMed

Brown, M Christian; Vetter, Douglas E

2009-03-01

Olivocochlear (OC) neurons were studied in a transgenic mouse with deletion of the alpha 9 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit. In this alpha 9 knockout mouse, the peripheral effects of OC stimulation are lacking and the peripheral terminals of OC neurons under outer hair cells have abnormal morphology. To account for this mouse's apparently normal hearing, it has been proposed to have central compensation via collateral branches to the cochlear nucleus. We tested this idea by staining OC neurons for acetylcholinesterase and examining their morphology in knockout mice, wild-type mice of the same background strain, and CBA/CaJ mice. Knockout mice had normal OC systems in terms of numbers of OC neurons, dendritic patterns, and numbers of branches to the cochlear nucleus. The branch terminations were mainly to edge regions and to a lesser extent the core of the cochlear nucleus, and were similar among the strains in terms of the distribution and staining density. These data demonstrate that there are no obvious changes in the central morphology of the OC neurons in alpha 9 knockout mice and make less attractive the idea that there is central compensation for deletion of the peripheral receptor in these mice.

Posterior capsule opacification in rabbit eyes implanted with 1-piece and 3-piece hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses.

PubMed

Werner, Liliana; Mamalis, Nick; Izak, Andrea M; Pandey, Suresh K; Davis, Brandon L; Nilson, Chistian D; Weight, Christopher; Apple, David J

2005-04-01

To evaluate the outcome of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) after implantation in rabbit eyes of currently available 3-piece and 1-piece hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) with square optic edges. John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. The 3-piece designs evaluated were the AR40e (Advanced Medical Optics Inc.) and the MA60AC (Alcon, Inc.); the 1-piece designs were the SA60AT and the SA30AT (Alcon, Inc.). Nine lenses of each type were implanted in a randomized manner by the same surgeon in 18 Dutch Belted pigmented rabbits. After a follow-up of 3 weeks, the rabbits were killed and analyses of the enucleated eyes were performed from the posterior or Miyake-Apple view. The intensity of central PCO, peripheral PCO, and Soemmering's ring formation was scored from 0 to 4. The area of Soemmering's ring formation was also scored from 0 to 4 based on the number of quadrants involved. Other parameters analyzed were capsulorhexis coverage of the IOL anterior surface, IOL centration, fixation, and presence of striae. Results from the posterior view were complemented by histopathologic evaluation of the eyes. No statistically significant difference was found between the 4 groups of IOLs in the parameters analyzed from the posterior view. When cell ingrowth occurred with the 1-piece designs, causing peripheral and central PCO formation, it was more likely to start at the optic-haptic junctions, as observed during the clinical follow-up with slitlamp examination and confirmed by gross and histopathologic analyses of the enucleated eyes. The square, truncated optic edge is the most important IOL design feature for PCO prevention. The optic-haptic junctions of the 1-piece designs appear to be sites where the barrier effect of the truncated optic edge is less effective.

Arthroscopic labral repair of the hip, using a through-labral double-stranded single-pass suture technique.

PubMed

Ye, Ken; Singh, Parminder J

2014-10-01

The normal labrum is crucial to the biomechanical function of the hip joint, not only increasing the surface area and depth of the acetabulum but also maintaining a suction seal to assist in normal synovial fluid flow from the peripheral to the central compartment. Simple loop suture repairs of the labrum may evert the labrum, thus losing the optimal seal, as well as causing abrasion of the articular cartilage. Vertical mattress suture and labral base fixation techniques aim to leave the free edge of the labrum intact and undisturbed, therefore improving the contact of the labrum to the femoral head and neck to improve the seal of the acetabulum. We aim to describe a double-stranded single-pass vertical mattress suture technique that may allow greater versatility to the surgeon in repairing thinner labrums while still achieving a free and continuous free edge.

Simulation of spread and control of lesions in brain.

PubMed

Thamattoor Raman, Krishna Mohan

2012-01-01

A simulation model for the spread and control of lesions in the brain is constructed using a planar network (graph) representation for the central nervous system (CNS). The model is inspired by the lesion structures observed in the case of multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic disease of the CNS. The initial lesion site is at the center of a unit square and spreads outwards based on the success rate in damaging edges (axons) of the network. The damaged edges send out alarm signals which, at appropriate intensity levels, generate programmed cell death. Depending on the extent and timing of the programmed cell death, the lesion may get controlled or aggravated akin to the control of wild fires by burning of peripheral vegetation. The parameter phase space of the model shows smooth transition from uncontrolled situation to controlled situation. The simulations show that the model is capable of generating a wide variety of lesion growth and arrest scenarios.

Current drive at plasma densities required for thermonuclear reactors.

PubMed

Cesario, R; Amicucci, L; Cardinali, A; Castaldo, C; Marinucci, M; Panaccione, L; Santini, F; Tudisco, O; Apicella, M L; Calabrò, G; Cianfarani, C; Frigione, D; Galli, A; Mazzitelli, G; Mazzotta, C; Pericoli, V; Schettini, G; Tuccillo, A A

2010-08-10

Progress in thermonuclear fusion energy research based on deuterium plasmas magnetically confined in toroidal tokamak devices requires the development of efficient current drive methods. Previous experiments have shown that plasma current can be driven effectively by externally launched radio frequency power coupled to lower hybrid plasma waves. However, at the high plasma densities required for fusion power plants, the coupled radio frequency power does not penetrate into the plasma core, possibly because of strong wave interactions with the plasma edge. Here we show experiments performed on FTU (Frascati Tokamak Upgrade) based on theoretical predictions that nonlinear interactions diminish when the peripheral plasma electron temperature is high, allowing significant wave penetration at high density. The results show that the coupled radio frequency power can penetrate into high-density plasmas due to weaker plasma edge effects, thus extending the effective range of lower hybrid current drive towards the domain relevant for fusion reactors.

Costa Rica, Central America as seen from STS-60

NASA Image and Video Library

1994-02-09

STS060-85-000AD (3-11 Feb 1994) --- This photograph shows the Central American nations of Nicaragua, Costa Rica and parts of Panama. Lake Nicaragua defines the southern limits of the country of Nicaragua. The cloud-free portion of the photo shows Costa Rica, it's gulf and Peninsula of Nicoya. Agricultural land use is clearly seen around Nicoya and a few islands of tropical forests are seen at the edges. The capital city of San Jose, Costa Rica, is partly cloud-covered in this image.

51F earth observations

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-06-25

51F-42-058 (29 July-6 Aug 1985) --- This excellent view covers portions of Switzerland, France, and Italy. Lac Leman (Lake of Geneva) is at the center. The valley of the Rhone River can be seen from Tyon (lower left edge) upstream to the Swiss town of Brig. Great Alpine peaks including Mount Blanc, Matterhorn, Monte Rosa,Jungfrau, and Finsteraarhorn can be seen. Famous resorts in the photo include Aosta, Chamonix, Monreux, Laussane, Gstaad, Interlaken, Stresa, and Zermatt. The Swiss capital of Bern is at the upper right.

BEAM CONTROL PROBE

DOEpatents

Chesterman, A.W.

1959-03-17

A probe is described for intercepting a desired portion of a beam of charged particles and for indicating the spatial disposition of the beam. The disclosed probe assembly includes a pair of pivotally mounted vanes moveable into a single plane with adjacent edges joining and a calibrated mechanical arrangement for pivoting the vancs apart. When the probe is disposed in the path of a charged particle beam, the vanes may be adjusted according to the beam current received in each vane to ascertain the dimension of the beam.

Public health applications of remote sensing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fuller, C. E.

1972-01-01

Remote infrared and multispectral photography were used to identify coastal salt water-fresh water interfaces conducive to encephalitis vector mosquito breeding in Florida, and to determine the environmental conditions that caused an explosive outbreak of anthrax in Louisiana. Multiband photographic inventories were obtained by simultaneously processing three photographic negatives of the same view which record different wavelength portions of the same light. The process enhances differentiation of vegetative communities and sharply delineates edge effects by assigning false colors to differentiate subtle density differences.

Method of forming a variable width channel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Andrews, James T. (Inventor)

1989-01-01

A method of forming a channel of varying width in a body comprises the steps of forming a plurality of masking elements having an opening therethrough intersecting a plurality of the elements on a surface of the body, partially flowing the elements into the opening to form a masking pattern having a variable width opening therethrough, and removing portions of the exposed body to form the channel with a sidewall having a surface contour corresponding to an edge of the masking pattern.

Closure system

DOEpatents

Hertelendy, N.A.

1987-04-22

A pressure resistant seal for a metallic container is formed between a cylindrical portion having one end open and a cap which seals the open end of the shell. The cap is in the form of a frusto-conical flange which is inserted narrow end first into the open end of the shell and the container is sealed by means of a capping tool which pulls the flange against a die, deforming the flange and forcing the edge of the flange into the wall of the shell. 6 figs.

Closure system

DOEpatents

Hertelendy, Nicholas A [Kennewick, WA

1989-01-01

A pressure resistant seal for a metallic container is formed between a cylindrical portion having one end open and a cap which seals the open end of the shell. The cap is in the form of a frusto-conical flange which is inserted narrow end first into the open end of the shell and the container is sealed by means of a capping tool which pulls the flange against a die, deforming the flange and forcing the edge of the flange into the wall of the shell.

Closure system

DOEpatents

Hertelendy, Nicholas A.

1989-04-04

A pressure resistant seal for a metallic container is formed between a cylindrical portion having one end open and a cap which seals the open end of the shell. The cap is in the form of a frusto-conical flange which is inserted narrow end first into the open end of the shell and the container is sealed by means of a capping tool which pulls the flange against a die, deforming the flange and forcing the edge of the flange into the wall of the shell.

ExFiT Flight Design and Structural Modeling for FalconLAUNCH VIII Sounding Rocket

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-03-01

frequencies of the test specimen. Next, the accelerometers were placed along the trailing edge of both the main wing and winglet sections. In the first...once again used however, the accelerometer originally in the winglet section was moved to the cut out portion of the main wing section. In this test...the part was struck on the joining section of the specimen connecting both main wing and winglet sections. Finally, the ping hammer was loaded with a

The Iodine-Xenon System in Outer and Inner Portions of Chondrules from the Unnamed Antarctic LL3 Chondrite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meshik, A. P.; Pravdivtseva, O. V.; Hohenberg, C. M.; Amelin, Y.

2004-01-01

Alteration processes may affect I-Xe system in unequilibrated ordinary chondrites. It was shown that at the edges, where a contribution is made by matrix material around the rim, *Xe-129/Xe-128 values are generally lower (later apparent ages) than in the main chondrule mass. In this work we attempted to investigate whether thermal metamorphism can affect the I-Xe system in LL3 chondrites which did not experienced aqueous alteration.

Pressure atomizer having multiple orifices and turbulent generation feature

DOEpatents

VanBrocklin, Paul G.; Geiger, Gail E.; Moran, Donald James; Fournier, Stephane

2002-01-01

A pressure atomizer includes a silicon plate having a top surface and a bottom surface. A portion of the top surface defines a turbulent chamber. The turbulent chamber is peripherally bounded by the top surface of the plate. The turbulent chamber is recessed a predetermined depth relative to the top surface. The silicon plate further defines at least one flow orifice. Each flow orifice extends from the bottom surface of the silicon plate to intersect with and open into the turbulent chamber. Each flow orifice is in fluid communication with the turbulent chamber.

Decontamination apparatus and method. [Patent applications

DOEpatents

Oakley, D.J.

1983-12-16

This invention relates generally to the fabrication of fuel pin elements employed in nuclear reactors and, more particularly, to removing radioactive contamination disposed on the exterior of finally assembled fuel pins. A blast head includes a plurality of spray nozzles mounted in a chamber for receiving a workpiece. The several spray nozzles concurrently direct a plurality of streams of a pressurized gas and abrasive grit mixture toward a peripheral portion of the workpiece to remove particulates or debris therefrom. An exhaust outlet is formed in the chamber for discharging the particulates and spent grit.

Investigation of Selectively-Reinforced Metallic Lugs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Farley, Gary L.; Abada, Christopher H.

2007-01-01

An investigation of the effects of material and geometric variables on the response of U-shaped band-reinforced metallic lugs was performed. Variables studied were reinforcement, adhesive and metallic lug mechanical properties, hole diameter, reinforcement and adhesive thickness, and the distance from the hole s center to the end of the lug. Generally, U-shaped band reinforced lugs exhibited superior performance than non-reinforced lugs, that is higher load at the conventional lug design criteria of four percent hole elongation. Depending upon the reinforcement configuration the increase in load may be negligible to 15 or 20 percent. U-shaped band reinforcement increases lug load carrying capability primarily through two mechanisms; increasing the slope of the response curve after the initial knee and restraining overall deformation of the metallic portion of the lug facilitating increased yielding of metallic material between the hole and the edge of the metallic portion of the lug.

Wind turbine rotor aileron

DOEpatents

Coleman, Clint; Kurth, William T.

1994-06-14

A wind turbine has a rotor with at least one blade which has an aileron which is adjusted by an actuator. A hinge has two portions, one for mounting a stationary hinge arm to the blade, the other for coupling to the aileron actuator. Several types of hinges can be used, along with different actuators. The aileron is designed so that it has a constant chord with a number of identical sub-assemblies. The leading edge of the aileron has at least one curved portion so that the aileron does not vent over a certain range of angles, but vents if the position is outside the range. A cyclic actuator can be mounted to the aileron to adjust the position periodically. Generally, the aileron will be adjusted over a range related to the rotational position of the blade. A method for operating the cyclic assembly is also described.

Three-Dimensional Model of Heat and Mass Transfer in Fractured Rocks to Estimate Environmental Conditions Along Heated Drifts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fedors, R. W.; Painter, S. L.

2004-12-01

Temperature gradients along the thermally-perturbed drifts of the potential high-level waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, will drive natural convection and associated heat and mass transfer along drifts. A three-dimensional, dual-permeability, thermohydrological model of heat and mass transfer was used to estimate the magnitude of temperature gradients along a drift. Temperature conditions along heated drifts are needed to support estimates of repository-edge cooling and as input to computational fluid dynamics modeling of in-drift axial convection and the cold-trap process. Assumptions associated with abstracted heat transfer models and two-dimensional thermohydrological models weakly coupled to mountain-scale thermal models can readily be tested using the three-dimensional thermohydrological model. Although computationally expensive, the fully coupled three-dimensional thermohydrological model is able to incorporate lateral heat transfer, including host rock processes of conduction, convection in gas phase, advection in liquid phase, and latent-heat transfer. Results from the three-dimensional thermohydrological model showed that weakly coupling three-dimensional thermal and two-dimensional thermohydrological models lead to underestimates of temperatures and underestimates of temperature gradients over large portions of the drift. The representative host rock thermal conductivity needed for abstracted heat transfer models are overestimated using the weakly coupled models. If axial flow patterns over large portions of drifts are not impeded by the strong cross-sectional flow patterns imparted by the heat rising directly off the waste package, condensation from the cold-trap process will not be limited to the extreme ends of each drift. Based on the three-dimensional thermohydrological model, axial temperature gradients occur sooner over a larger portion of the drift, though high gradients nearest the edge of the potential repository are dampened. This abstract is an independent product of CNWRA and does not necessarily reflect the view or regulatory position of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Introduction beyond a species range: a relationship between population origin, adaptive potential and plant performance.

PubMed

Volis, S; Ormanbekova, D; Yermekbayev, K; Song, M; Shulgina, I

2014-09-01

The adaptive potential of a population defines its importance for species survival in changing environmental conditions such as global climate change. Very few empirical studies have examined adaptive potential across species' ranges, namely, of edge vs core populations, and we are unaware of a study that has tested adaptive potential (namely, variation in adaptive traits) and measured performance of such populations in conditions not currently experienced by the species but expected in the future. Here we report the results of a Triticum dicoccoides population study that employed transplant experiments and analysis of quantitative trait variation. Two populations at the opposite edges of the species range (1) were locally adapted; (2) had lower adaptive potential (inferred from the extent of genetic quantitative trait variation) than the two core populations; and (3) were outperformed by the plants from the core population in the novel environment. The fact that plants from the species arid edge performed worse than plants from the more mesic core in extreme drought conditions beyond the present climatic envelope of the species implies that usage of peripheral populations for conservation purposes must be based on intensive sampling of among-population variation.

Hermetically sealable package for hybrid solid-state electronic devices and the like

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, Wilson N. (Inventor); Gray, Ormal E. (Inventor)

1988-01-01

A light-weight, inexpensively fabricated, hermetically sealable, repairable package for small electronic or electromechanical units, having multiple connections, is described. A molded ring frame of polyamide-imide plastic (Torlon) is attached along one edge to a base plate formed of a highly heat conducting material, such as aluminum or copper. Bores are placed through a base plate within the area of the edge surface of ring frame which result in an attachment of the ring frame to the base plate during molding. Electrical leads are molded into the ring frame. The leads are L-shaped gold-plated copper wires imbedded within widened portions of the side wall of the ring frame. Within the plastic ring frame wall the leads are bent (typically, though not necessarily at 90 deg) so that they project into the interior volume of the ring frame for connection to the solid state devices.

Test particle simulation study of whistler wave packets observed near Comet Giacobini-Zinner

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaya, N.; Matsumoto, H.; Tsurutani, B. T.

1989-01-01

Nonlinear interactions of water group ions with large-amplitude whistler wave packets detected at the leading edge of steepened magnetosonic waves observed near Comet Giacobini-Zinner (GZ) are studied using test particle simulations of water-ion interactions with a model wave based on GZ data. Some of the water ions are found to be decelerated in the steepened portion of the magnetosonic wave to the resonance velocity with the whistler wave packets. Through resonance and related nonlinear interaction with the large-amplitude whistler waves, the water ions become trapped by the packet. An energy balance calculation demonstrates that the trapped ions lose their kinetic energy during the trapped motion in the packet. Thus, the nonlinear trapping motion in the wave structure leads to effective energy transfer from the water group ions to the whistler wave packets in the leading edge of the steepened MHD waves.

Mantle structure beneath the western edge of the Colorado Plateau

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sine, C.R.; Wilson, D.; Gao, W.; Grand, S.P.; Aster, R.; Ni, J.; Baldridge, W.S.

2008-01-01

Teleseismic traveltime data are inverted for mantle Vp and Vs variations beneath a 1400 km long line of broadband seismometers extending from eastern New Mexico to western Utah. The model spans 600 km beneath the moho with resolution of ???50 km. Inversions show a sharp, large-magnitude velocity contrast across the Colorado Plateau-Great Basin transition extending ???200 km below the crust. Also imaged is a fast anomaly 300 to 600 km beneath the NW portion of the array. Very slow velocities beneath the Great Basin imply partial melting and/or anomalously wet mantle. We propose that the sharp contrast in mantle velocities across the western edge of the Plateau corresponds to differential lithospheric modification, during and following Farallon subduction, across a boundary defining the western extent of unmodified Proterozoic mantle lithosphere. The deep fast anomaly corresponds to thickened Farallon plate or detached continental lithosphere at transition zone depths. Copyright 2008 by the American Geophysical Union.

Integral Textile Structure for 3-D CMC Turbine Airfoils

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marshall, David B. (Inventor); Cox, Brian N. (Inventor); Sudre, Olivier H. (Inventor)

2017-01-01

An integral textile structure for 3-D CMC turbine airfoils includes top and bottom walls made from an angle-interlock weave, each of the walls comprising warp and weft fiber tows. The top and bottom walls are merged on a first side parallel to the warp fiber tows into a single wall along a portion of their widths, with the weft fiber tows making up the single wall interlocked through the wall's thickness such that delamination of the wall is inhibited. The single wall suitably forms the trailing edge of an airfoil; the top and bottom walls are preferably joined along a second side opposite the first side and parallel to the radial fiber tows by a continuously curved section in which the weave structure remains continuous with the weave structure in the top and bottom walls, the continuously curved section being the leading edge of the airfoil.

Selectivity and Longevity of Peripheral-Nerve and Machine Interfaces: A Review

PubMed Central

Ghafoor, Usman; Kim, Sohee; Hong, Keum-Shik

2017-01-01

For those individuals with upper-extremity amputation, a daily normal living activity is no longer possible or it requires additional effort and time. With the aim of restoring their sensory and motor functions, theoretical and technological investigations have been carried out in the field of neuroprosthetic systems. For transmission of sensory feedback, several interfacing modalities including indirect (non-invasive), direct-to-peripheral-nerve (invasive), and cortical stimulation have been applied. Peripheral nerve interfaces demonstrate an edge over the cortical interfaces due to the sensitivity in attaining cortical brain signals. The peripheral nerve interfaces are highly dependent on interface designs and are required to be biocompatible with the nerves to achieve prolonged stability and longevity. Another criterion is the selection of nerves that allows minimal invasiveness and damages as well as high selectivity for a large number of nerve fascicles. In this paper, we review the nerve-machine interface modalities noted above with more focus on peripheral nerve interfaces, which are responsible for provision of sensory feedback. The invasive interfaces for recording and stimulation of electro-neurographic signals include intra-fascicular, regenerative-type interfaces that provide multiple contact channels to a group of axons inside the nerve and the extra-neural-cuff-type interfaces that enable interaction with many axons around the periphery of the nerve. Section Current Prosthetic Technology summarizes the advancements made to date in the field of neuroprosthetics toward the achievement of a bidirectional nerve-machine interface with more focus on sensory feedback. In the Discussion section, the authors propose a hybrid interface technique for achieving better selectivity and long-term stability using the available nerve interfacing techniques. PMID:29163122

View of the Skylab 1 space station cluster from the Skylab 2 Command Module

NASA Image and Video Library

1973-05-25

S73-26738 (25 May 1973) --- A close-up view of the Skylab 1 space station cluster can be seen in this reproduction taken from a color television transmission made by a TV camera aboard the Skylab 2 Command Module during its ?fly-around? inspection of the cluster. The numbers across the top of the picture indicate the Skylab 1 ground lapse time. Note the missing portion of the micrometeoroid shield on the Orbital Workshop. The shield area was reported to be solid gold by the Skylab 2 crewmen. A cable appears to be wrapped around the damaged OWS solar array system wing. The crewmen reported that the other OWS solar panel was completely gone, with only tubes and wiring sticking out. One of the discone antennas extends out form the Airlock Module. The Multiple Docking Adapter is in the lower left corner of the picture. A portion of a solar panel on the Apollo Telescope Mount is visible at the bottom and at the left edge. In their ?fly around? inspection the crewmen noted that portions of the micrometeoroid shield had slid back underneath the OWS solar wing. Photo credit: NASA

Process for selectively patterning epitaxial film growth on a semiconductor substrate

DOEpatents

Sheldon, P.; Hayes, R.E.

1984-12-04

Disclosed is a process for selectively patterning epitaxial film growth on a semiconductor substrate. The process includes forming a masking member on the surface of the substrate, the masking member having at least two layers including a first layer disposed on the substrate and the second layer covering the first layer. A window is then opened in a selected portion of the second layer by removing that portion to expose the first layer thereunder. The first layer is then subjected to an etchant introduced through the window to dissolve the first layer a sufficient amount to expose the substrate surface directly beneath the window, the first layer being adapted to preferentially dissolve at a substantially greater rate than the second layer so as to create an overhanging ledge portion with the second layer by undercutting the edges thereof adjacent the window. The epitaxial film is then deposited on the exposed substrate surface directly beneath the window. Finally, an etchant is introduced through the window to dissolve the remainder of the first layer so as to lift-off the second layer and materials deposited thereon to fully expose the balance of the substrate surface.

Process for selectively patterning epitaxial film growth on a semiconductor substrate

DOEpatents

Sheldon, Peter; Hayes, Russell E.

1986-01-01

A process is disclosed for selectively patterning epitaxial film growth on a semiconductor substrate. The process includes forming a masking member on the surface of the substrate, the masking member having at least two layers including a first layer disposed on the substrate and the second layer covering the first layer. A window is then opened in a selected portion of the second layer by removing that portion to expose the first layer thereunder. The first layer is then subjected to an etchant introduced through the window to dissolve a sufficient amount of the first layer to expose the substrate surface directly beneath the window, the first layer being adapted to preferentially dissolve at a substantially greater rate than the second layer so as to create an overhanging ledge portion with the second layer by undercutting the edges thereof adjacent to the window. The epitaxial film is then deposited on the exposed substrate surface directly beneath the window. Finally, an etchant is introduced through the window to dissolve the remainder of the first layer so as to lift-off the second layer and materials deposited thereon to fully expose the balance of the substrate surface.

Defining the lateral edge of the femoroacetabular articulation: correlation analysis between radiographs and computed tomography.

PubMed

Mittal, Ashish; Bomar, James D; Jeffords, Megan E; Huang, Ming-Tung; Wenger, Dennis R; Upasani, Vidyadhar V

2016-10-01

The purpose of this study was to analyze the variation in measuring the lateral center edge angle of Wiberg (LCEA) using the lateral edge of the sourcil (LCEA-S) compared to the lateral edge of the acetabulum (LCEA-E), and to correlate these measurements with three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT)-based analysis of the femoroacetabular articulation. A retrospective analysis was performed on 24 patients (45 hips) treated for hip dysplasia at a single institution. All patients were required to have an anteroposterior (AP) pelvis radiograph and pelvic CT. LCEA-S and LCEA-E measurements were calculated from radiographs. Axial CT images were processed to standardize pelvic orientation and calculate the LCEA at three points (posterior, central, anterior) along the acetabular edge. Correlation analysis was used to evaluate radiographic and CT measures. Eight males and 16 females with an average age of 14.6 years were included. The LCEA-S (16.5° ± 2.0°) was found to be significantly less than the LCEA-E (26.0° ± 2.0°) (p < 0.001). The LCEA-S had the greatest correlation with the central measurement on the 3D-CT (r s = 0.893; p < 0.001). The LCEA-E had the greatest correlation with the anterior measurement on the 3D-CT (r = 0.834; p < 0.001). The LCEA can change significantly depending on the bony landmark used to define the lateral edge of the femoroacetabular articulation. The edge of the sourcil most closely correlates with the central weight-bearing portion of the articular surface on the 3D-CT and should be used to define the LCEA when treating patients with hip dysplasia. Level III, retrospective comparison study.

Dynamics of prolonged salt movement in the Glückstadt Graben (NW Germany) driven by tectonic and sedimentary processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Warsitzka, Michael; Kley, Jonas; Jähne-Klingberg, Fabian; Kukowski, Nina

2017-01-01

The formation of salt structures exerted a major influence on the evolution of subsidence and sedimentation patterns in the Glückstadt Graben, which is part of the Central European Basin System and comprises a post-Permian sediment thickness of up to 11 km. Driven by regional tectonics and differential loading, large salt diapirs, salt walls and salt pillows developed. The resulting salt flow significantly influenced sediment distribution in the peripheral sinks adjacent to the salt structures and overprinted the regional subsidence patterns. In this study, we investigate the geometric and temporal evolution of salt structures and subsidence patterns in the central Glückstadt Graben. Along a key geological cross section, the post-Permian strata were sequentially decompacted and restored in order to reconstruct the subsidence history of minibasins between the salt structures. The structural restoration reveals that subsidence of peripheral sinks and salt structure growth were initiated in Early to Middle Triassic time. From the Late Triassic to the Middle Jurassic, salt movement and salt structure growth never ceased, but were faster during periods of crustal extension. Following a phase from Late Jurassic to the end of the early Late Cretaceous, in which minor salt flow occurred, salt movement was renewed, particularly in the marginal parts of the Glückstadt Graben. Subsidence rates and tectonic subsidence derived from backstripping of 1D profiles reveal that especially the Early Triassic and Middle Keuper times were periods of regional extension. Three specific types of salt structures and adjacent peripheral sinks could be identified: (1) Graben centre salt walls possessing deep secondary peripheral sinks on the sides facing away from the basin centre, (2) platform salt walls, whose main peripheral sinks switched multiple times from one side of the salt wall to the other, and (3) Graben edge pillows, which show only one peripheral sink facing the basin centre.

Spectroscopic and electrochemical behavior of the novel tetra-2-methyl-pyrazinoporphyrazines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pişkin, Mehmet; Öztürk, Naciye; Durmuş, Mahmut

2017-12-01

This study presents the synthesis and characterization of novel metal-free (H2Pc) and metallo porphyrazines (magnesium(II) (MgPz), copper(II) (CuPz), iron(II) (FePz), manganese(II) (MnPz) and nickel(II) (NiPz)) substituted with four 2-methylpyrazine groups on the peripheral positions. The spectroscopic properties of newly synthesized porphyrazines were investigated. The electrochemical behaviors of these porphyrazines were also determined in DMSO solution by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV) methods on edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode (EPPG) electrode.

Reducing Ambiguities in Spectroscopic Factors with Combined Measurements and the 86Kr(d,p) Reaction at 35MeV/u

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walter, D.; Cizewski, J. A.; Baugher, T.; Ratkiewicz, A.; Manning, B.; Lonsdale, S. J.; Burcher, S.; Pain, S. D.; Chipps, K. A.; Nunes, F. M.; Ahn, S.; Baumann, T.; Bazin, D.; Pereira, J.; Williams, S.; Thompson, P.; Cerizza, G.; Thornsberry, C.; Jones, K. L.; Bardayan, D. W.; O'Malley, P. D.; Kozub, R. L.; Ota, S.

2015-10-01

Spectroscopic information for low-lying states above shell closures depends on the shape of the bound-state potential, which greatly affects the extracted spectroscopic factors. To mitigate this uncertainty, Mukhamedzhanov and Nunes have proposed a combined method; the external portion is fixed with a peripheral reaction, and is combined with a higher energy measurement with a larger contribution from the interior. This will constrain the single-particle ANC, and should enable spectroscopic factors to be deduced with uncertainties dominated by cross-section measurements rather than the bound-state potential. Published measurements of 86Kr(d,p) at 5.5 MeV/u were used for the external contribution of this reaction. An ANC analysis shows that the reaction is peripheral at this energy and the ANC has been extracted. At less-peripheral energies, 86Kr(d,p) at 35 MeV/u has been measured in inverse kinematics at the NSCL using the ORRUBA and SIDAR arrays of silicon strip detectors. Results of the ANC analysis and preliminary results from 86Kr(d,p) at 35 MeV/u will be presented. This work is supported in part by the NSF and the U.S. DOE.

Electrical and transcranial magnetic stimulation of the facial nerve: diagnostic relevance in acute isolated facial nerve palsy.

PubMed

Happe, Svenja; Bunten, Sabine

2012-01-01

Unilateral facial weakness is common. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) allows identification of a conduction failure at the level of the canalicular portion of the facial nerve and may help to confirm the diagnosis. We retrospectively analyzed 216 patients with the diagnosis of peripheral facial palsy. The electrophysiological investigations included the blink reflex, preauricular electrical stimulation and the response to TMS at the labyrinthine part of the canalicular proportion of the facial nerve within 3 days after symptom onset. A similar reduction or loss of the TMS amplitude (p < 0.005) of the affected side was seen in each patient group. Of the 216 patients (107 female, mean age 49.7 ± 18.0 years), 193 were diagnosed with Bell's palsy. Test results of the remaining patients led to the diagnosis of infectious [including herpes simplex, varicella zoster infection and borreliosis (n = 13)] and noninfectious [including diabetes and neoplasma (n = 10)] etiology. A conduction block in TMS supports the diagnosis of peripheral facial palsy without being specific for Bell's palsy. These data shed light on the TMS-based diagnosis of peripheral facial palsy, an ability to localize the site of lesion within the Fallopian channel regardless of the underlying pathology. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.

The Role of the Caudal Superior Parietal Lobule in Updating Hand Location in Peripheral Vision: Further Evidence from Optic Ataxia

PubMed Central

Granek, Joshua A.; Pisella, Laure; Blangero, Annabelle; Rossetti, Yves; Sergio, Lauren E.

2012-01-01

Patients with optic ataxia (OA), who are missing the caudal portion of their superior parietal lobule (SPL), have difficulty performing visually-guided reaches towards extra-foveal targets. Such gaze and hand decoupling also occurs in commonly performed non-standard visuomotor transformations such as the use of a computer mouse. In this study, we test two unilateral OA patients in conditions of 1) a change in the physical location of the visual stimulus relative to the plane of the limb movement, 2) a cue that signals a required limb movement 180° opposite to the cued visual target location, or 3) both of these situations combined. In these non-standard visuomotor transformations, the OA deficit is not observed as the well-documented field-dependent misreach. Instead, OA patients make additional eye movements to update hand and goal location during motor execution in order to complete these slow movements. Overall, the OA patients struggled when having to guide centrifugal movements in peripheral vision, even when they were instructed from visual stimuli that could be foveated. We propose that an intact caudal SPL is crucial for any visuomotor control that involves updating ongoing hand location in space without foveating it, i.e. from peripheral vision, proprioceptive or predictive information. PMID:23071599

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

Morishige, Naoyuki; Ko, Ji-Ae, E-mail: jiae0831@yamaguchi-u.ac.jp; Morita, Yukiko

The neural guidance protein semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) is expressed in corneal epithelial cells of the adult rat. We have now further investigated the localization of Sema3A in the normal rat corneal epithelium as well as changes in its expression pattern during wound healing after central corneal epithelial debridement. The expression pattern of Sema3A was compared with that of the tight-junction protein zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), the gap-junction protein connexin43 (Cx43), or the cell proliferation marker Ki67. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that Sema3A was present predominantly in the membrane of basal and wing cells of the intact corneal epithelium. The expression of Sema3Amore » at the basal side of basal cells was increased in the peripheral epithelium compared with that in the central region. Sema3A was detected in all layers at the leading edge of the migrating corneal epithelium at 6 h after central epithelial debridement. The expression of Sema3A was markedly up-regulated in the basal and lateral membranes of columnar basal cells apparent in the thickened, newly healed epithelium at 1 day after debridement, but it had largely returned to the normal pattern at 3 days after debridement. The expression of ZO-1 was restricted to superficial epithelial cells and remained mostly unchanged during the wound healing process. The expression of Cx43 in basal cells was down-regulated at the leading edge of the migrating epithelium but was stable in the remaining portion of the epithelium. Ki67 was not detected in basal cells of the central epithelium at 1 day after epithelial debridement, when Sema3A was prominently expressed. Immunoblot analysis showed that the abundance of Sema3A in the central cornea was increased 1 day after epithelial debridement, whereas that of ZO-1 or Cx43 remained largely unchanged. This increase in Sema3A expression was accompanied by up-regulation of the Sema3A coreceptor neuropilin-1. Our observations have thus shown that the expression of Sema3A is increased markedly in basal cells of the newly healed corneal epithelium, and that this up-regulation of Sema3A is not associated with cell proliferation. They further suggest that Sema3A might play a role in the regulation of corneal epithelial wound healing.« less

Implementation of a Trailing-Edge Flap Analysis Model in the NASA Langley CAMRAD.MOD1/Hires Program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Charles, Bruce

1999-01-01

Continual advances in rotorcraft performance, vibration and acoustic characteristics are being sought by rotary-wing vehicle manufacturers to improve efficiency, handling qualities and community noise acceptance of their products. The rotor system aerodynamic and dynamic behavior are among the key factors which must be addressed to meet the desired goals. Rotor aerodynamicists study how airload redistribution impacts performance and noise, and seek ways to achieve better airload distribution through changes in local aerodynamic response characteristics. One method currently receiving attention is the use of trailing-edge flaps mounted on the rotor blades to provide direct control of a portion of the spanwise lift characteristics. The following work describes the incorporation of a trailing-edge flap model in the CAMRAD.Mod1/FHUS comprehensive rotorcraft analysis code. The CAM-RAD.Mod1/HIRES analysis consists of three separate executable codes. These include the comprehensive trim analysis, CAMRAD.Mod1, the Indicial Post-Processor, IPP, for high resolution airloads, and AIRFOIL, which produces the rotor airfoil tables from input airfoil section characteristics. The modifications made to these components permitting analysis of flapped rotor configurations are documented herein along with user instructions detailing the new input variables and operational notes.

Arthroscopic Anatomy of the Ankle Joint.

PubMed

Ray, Ronald G

2016-10-01

There are a number of variations in the intra-articular anatomy of the ankle which should not be considered pathological under all circumstances. The anteromedial corner of the tibial plafond (between the anterior edge of the tibial plafond and the medial malleolus) can have a notch, void of cartilage and bone. This area can appear degenerative arthroscopically; it is actually a normal variant of the articular surface. The anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITF) can possess a lower, accessory band which can impinge on the anterolateral edge of the talar dome. In some cases it can cause irritation along this area of the talus laterally. If it is creating local irritation it can be removed since it does not provide any additional stabilization to the syndesmosis. There is a beveled region at the anterior leading edge of the lateral and dorsal surfaces of the talus laterally. This triangular region is void of cartilage and subchondral bone. The lack of talar structure in this region allows the lower portion of the AITF ligament to move over the talus during end range dorsiflexion of the ankle, preventing impingement. The variation in talar anatomy for this area should not be considered pathological. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Paradoxical phenomena of the McMurray test. An arthroscopic investigation.

PubMed

Kim, S J; Min, B H; Han, D Y

1996-01-01

We evaluated 200 patients who had a positive McMurray test and found atypical McMurray test results in 24 patients (12%). These patients revealed pain or clicking or both either in the medial compartment of the knee when the leg was internally rotated or in the lateral compartment of the knee when the leg was externally rotated. The authors analyzed these paradoxical findings at arthroscopic examination to identify the relationship between the type of meniscal tear and the direction of leg rotation that elicited the catching and displacement of the torn meniscal portion during the McMurray test. Contrary to conventional McMurray test findings, three different types of meniscal tears were found on the side of the knee where pain or a clicking sound occurred. The three types were 1) anteriorly based posterior oblique tears with anterior displacement of the meniscus, 2) bucket-handle tears in the posterior half of the menisci, and 3) peripheral detachment of discoid menisci in the posterior half of the torn portions.

Reorganization of neural systems mediating peripheral visual selective attention in the deaf: An optical imaging study.

PubMed

Seymour, Jenessa L; Low, Kathy A; Maclin, Edward L; Chiarelli, Antonio M; Mathewson, Kyle E; Fabiani, Monica; Gratton, Gabriele; Dye, Matthew W G

2017-01-01

Theories of brain plasticity propose that, in the absence of input from the preferred sensory modality, some specialized brain areas may be recruited when processing information from other modalities, which may result in improved performance. The Useful Field of View task has previously been used to demonstrate that early deafness positively impacts peripheral visual attention. The current study sought to determine the neural changes associated with those deafness-related enhancements in visual performance. Based on previous findings, we hypothesized that recruitment of posterior portions of Brodmann area 22, a brain region most commonly associated with auditory processing, would be correlated with peripheral selective attention as measured using the Useful Field of View task. We report data from severe to profoundly deaf adults and normal-hearing controls who performed the Useful Field of View task while cortical activity was recorded using the event-related optical signal. Behavioral performance, obtained in a separate session, showed that deaf subjects had lower thresholds (i.e., better performance) on the Useful Field of View task. The event-related optical data indicated greater activity for the deaf adults than for the normal-hearing controls during the task in the posterior portion of Brodmann area 22 in the right hemisphere. Furthermore, the behavioral thresholds correlated significantly with this neural activity. This work provides further support for the hypothesis that cross-modal plasticity in deaf individuals appears in higher-order auditory cortices, whereas no similar evidence was obtained for primary auditory areas. It is also the only neuroimaging study to date that has linked deaf-related changes in the right temporal lobe to visual task performance outside of the imaging environment. The event-related optical signal is a valuable technique for studying cross-modal plasticity in deaf humans. The non-invasive and relatively quiet characteristics of this technique have great potential utility in research with clinical populations such as deaf children and adults who have received cochlear or auditory brainstem implants. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Functionalization of nanocrystalline diamond films with phthalocyanines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petkov, Christo; Reintanz, Philipp M.; Kulisch, Wilhelm; Degenhardt, Anna Katharina; Weidner, Tobias; Baio, Joe E.; Merz, Rolf; Kopnarski, Michael; Siemeling, Ulrich; Reithmaier, Johann Peter; Popov, Cyril

2016-08-01

Phthalocyanine (Pc) derivatives containing different central metal atoms (Mn, Cu, Ti) and different peripheral chains were synthesized and comprehensively characterized. Their interaction with nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) films, as-grown by hot-filament chemical vapor deposition or after their modification with oxygen plasma to exchange the hydrogen termination with oxygen-containing groups, was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy. The elemental composition as determined by XPS showed that the Pc were grafted on both as-grown and O-terminated NCD. Mn, Cu and Ti were detected together with N stemming from the Pc ring and S in case of the Ti-Pc from the peripheral ligands. The results for the elemental surface composition and the detailed study of the N 1s, S 2p and O 1s core spectra revealed that Ti-Pc grafted better on as-grown NCD but Cu-Pc and Mn-Pc on O-terminated films. Samples of Mn-Pc on as-grown and O-terminated NCD were further investigated by NEXAFS spectroscopy. The results showed ordering of the grafted molecules, laying flat on the H-terminated NCD surface while only the macrocycles were oriented parallel to the O-terminated surface with the peripheral chains perpendicular to it.

Response of the Agile Antechinus to Habitat Edge, Configuration and Condition in Fragmented Forest

PubMed Central

Johnstone, Christopher P.; Lill, Alan; Reina, Richard D.

2011-01-01

Habitat fragmentation and degradation seriously threaten native animal communities. We studied the response of a small marsupial, the agile antechinus Antechinus agilis, to several environmental variables in anthropogenically fragmented Eucalyptus forest in south-east Australia. Agile antechinus were captured more in microhabitats dominated by woody debris than in other microhabitats. Relative abundances of both sexes were positively correlated with fragment core area. Male and female mass-size residuals were smaller in larger fragments. A health status indicator, haemoglobin-haematocrit residuals (HHR), did not vary as a function of any environmental variable in females, but male HHR indicated better health where sites' microhabitats were dominated by shrubs, woody debris and trees other than Eucalyptus. Females were trapped less often in edge than interior fragment habitat and their physiological stress level, indicated by the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in peripheral blood, was higher where fragments had a greater proportion of edge habitat. The latter trend was potentially due to lymphopoenia resulting from stress hormone-mediated leukocyte trafficking. Using multiple indicators of population condition and health status facilitates a comprehensive examination of the effects of anthropogenic disturbances, such as habitat fragmentation and degradation, on native vertebrates. Male agile antechinus' health responded negatively to habitat degradation, whilst females responded negatively to the proportion of edge habitat. The health and condition indicators used could be employed to identify conservation strategies that would make habitat fragments less stressful for this or similar native, small mammals. PMID:22076129

Response of the agile antechinus to habitat edge, configuration and condition in fragmented forest.

PubMed

Johnstone, Christopher P; Lill, Alan; Reina, Richard D

2011-01-01

Habitat fragmentation and degradation seriously threaten native animal communities. We studied the response of a small marsupial, the agile antechinus Antechinus agilis, to several environmental variables in anthropogenically fragmented Eucalyptus forest in south-east Australia. Agile antechinus were captured more in microhabitats dominated by woody debris than in other microhabitats. Relative abundances of both sexes were positively correlated with fragment core area. Male and female mass-size residuals were smaller in larger fragments. A health status indicator, haemoglobin-haematocrit residuals (HHR), did not vary as a function of any environmental variable in females, but male HHR indicated better health where sites' microhabitats were dominated by shrubs, woody debris and trees other than Eucalyptus. Females were trapped less often in edge than interior fragment habitat and their physiological stress level, indicated by the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in peripheral blood, was higher where fragments had a greater proportion of edge habitat. The latter trend was potentially due to lymphopoenia resulting from stress hormone-mediated leukocyte trafficking. Using multiple indicators of population condition and health status facilitates a comprehensive examination of the effects of anthropogenic disturbances, such as habitat fragmentation and degradation, on native vertebrates. Male agile antechinus' health responded negatively to habitat degradation, whilst females responded negatively to the proportion of edge habitat. The health and condition indicators used could be employed to identify conservation strategies that would make habitat fragments less stressful for this or similar native, small mammals.

A multisample study of longitudinal changes in brain network architecture in 4-13-year-old children.

PubMed

Wierenga, Lara M; van den Heuvel, Martijn P; Oranje, Bob; Giedd, Jay N; Durston, Sarah; Peper, Jiska S; Brown, Timothy T; Crone, Eveline A

2018-01-01

Recent advances in human neuroimaging research have revealed that white-matter connectivity can be described in terms of an integrated network, which is the basis of the human connectome. However, the developmental changes of this connectome in childhood are not well understood. This study made use of two independent longitudinal diffusion-weighted imaging data sets to characterize developmental changes in the connectome by estimating age-related changes in fractional anisotropy (FA) for reconstructed fibers (edges) between 68 cortical regions. The first sample included 237 diffusion-weighted scans of 146 typically developing children (4-13 years old, 74 females) derived from the Pediatric Longitudinal Imaging, Neurocognition, and Genetics (PLING) study. The second sample included 141 scans of 97 individuals (8-13 years old, 62 females) derived from the BrainTime project. In both data sets, we compared edges that had the most substantial age-related change in FA to edges that showed little change in FA. This allowed us to investigate if developmental changes in white matter reorganize network topology. We observed substantial increases in edges connecting peripheral and a set of highly connected hub regions, referred to as the rich club. Together with the observed topological differences between regions connecting to edges showing the smallest and largest changes in FA, this indicates that changes in white matter affect network organization, such that highly connected regions become even more strongly imbedded in the network. These findings suggest that an important process in brain development involves organizing patterns of inter-regional interactions. Hum Brain Mapp 39:157-170, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Photovoltaic array mounting apparatus, systems, and methods

DOEpatents

West, Jack Raymond; Atchley, Brian; Hudson, Tyrus Hawkes; Johansen, Emil

2015-04-14

A photovoltaic array, including: (a) supports laid out on a surface in rows and columns; (b) photovoltaic modules positioned on top of the supports; and (c) fasteners connecting the photovoltaic modules to the supports, wherein the supports have an upper pedestal surface and a lower pedestal surface such that the photovoltaic modules are positioned at a non-horizontal angle when edges of the photovoltaic modules are positioned on top of the upper and lower pedestal surfaces, and wherein a portion of the fasteners rotate to lock the photovoltaic modules onto the supports.

Photovoltaic array mounting apparatus, systems, and methods

DOEpatents

West, Jack Raymond; Atchley, Brian; Hudson, Tyrus Hawkes; Johansen, Emil

2016-01-05

A photovoltaic array, including: (a) supports laid out on a surface in rows and columns; (b) photovoltaic modules positioned on top of the supports; and (c) fasteners connecting the photovoltaic modules to the supports, wherein the supports have an upper pedestal surface and a lower pedestal surface such that the photovoltaic modules are positioned at a non-horizontal angle when edges of the photovoltaic modules are positioned on top of the upper and lower pedestal surfaces, and wherein a portion of the fasteners rotate to lock the photovoltaic modules onto the supports.

Rayleigh wave effects in an elastic half-space.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aggarwal, H. R.

1972-01-01

Consideration of Rayleigh wave effects in a homogeneous isotropic linearly elastic half-space subject to an impulsive uniform disk pressure loading. An approximate formula is obtained for the Rayleigh wave effects. It is shown that the Rayleigh waves near the center of loading arise from the portion of the dilatational and shear waves moving toward the axis, after they originate at the edge of the load disk. A study is made of the vertical displacement due to Rayleigh waves at points on the axis near the surface of the elastic half-space.

A Mixing Theory for the Interaction between Dissipative Flows and Nearly-Isentropic Streams

DTIC Science & Technology

1952-01-15

mTVEfOBEE? "- - AEROmUT-IG-AL ENGINEERING i^ORAjPORY i January 15j t--:l A- • *-,- ß» -*- •AbiMÖWEEEGEMSHT - a "I- " Es A- major portion...incident oblique shock, airfoil -chord -_- _ ’ - . - - •airf oil thickness at: -trailing edge •t v:il -:na Es : EeynöiJidG number,. &;^e...von Karman momentum integral for the. dissipatiVe flow region,, where.;, however> this internal flow is treated, as quäai- Que ."uiU4euBi!oncUt

Apollo 9 Mission image - S0-65 Multispectral Photography - California and Mexico

NASA Image and Video Library

1969-03-12

AS09-26A-3799A (12 March 1969) --- Color infrared photograph of the Salton Sea and Imperial Valley area of Southern California as seen from the Apollo 9 spacecraft. This picture was taken as a part of the SO-65 Multispectral Terrain Photography Experiment. On the eastern edge of the picture are the Colorado River and a small portion of Arizona. Yuma, Arizona, is at the bottom right corner. The cities of El Centro, California, and Mexicali, Mexico, are at the bottom center.

Temperature Profile of a Stoichiometric CH4/N2O Flame from Laser Excited Fluorescence Measurements on OH,

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-07-01

19 6. Burner Body Temperature at Several Points Below the Edge of the Burner Head............................ 20 7. An Example of Data Used...effects almost certainly influenced the results of Wang and Davis1 who attributed a plot with two straight-line portions to nonequilibrium distributions of...ground state is equilibrated, one has N, Ja (2J"+l)exp(- EN ,, j,,/kT) (2) where EN ,J1 is the ground state energy, k is Boltzmann’s constant and T is the

Visualization of the extra-articular portion of the long head of the biceps tendon during intra-articular shoulder arthroscopy.

PubMed

Festa, Anthony; Allert, Jesse; Issa, Kimona; Tasto, James P; Myer, Jonathan J

2014-11-01

To quantify the amount of the extra-articular long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) seen during intra-articular shoulder arthroscopy by pulling the tendon into the joint with a probe through an anterior portal while viewing through a standard posterior portal. Intra-articular shoulder arthroscopy was performed on 10 forequarter cadaveric specimens. The extra-articular portion of the LHBT was evaluated by pulling the tendon into the joint with an arthroscopic probe inserted through an anterior portal. The tendon was marked at the pulley insertion on the humerus with a vascular clip before and after the tendon was pulled into the joint. An open deltopectoral approach was performed, and the amount of extra-articular tendon visualized was calculated as an absolute amount and in relation to nearby anatomic structures. An additional 1.9 cm (range, 1.4 to 2.6 cm) of extra-articular LHBT was viewed by pulling the tendon into the joint with an arthroscopic probe through an anterior portal during shoulder arthroscopy. This represented 30.8% of the extra-articular portion of the tendon, 47.7% of tendon in the bicipital groove, and 76.3% of the tendon that lies under the area from the pulley insertion to the distal edge of the transverse humeral ligament. During intra-articular shoulder arthroscopy, the extra-articular portion of the LHBT is incompletely visualized by pulling the tendon into the joint with a probe placed through an anterior portal while viewing through a standard posterior portal. An additional extra-articular portion of the LHBT may be viewed by pulling the tendon into the joint with an arthroscopic probe during shoulder arthroscopy. Copyright © 2014 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Tenascin-C in peripheral nerve morphogenesis.

PubMed

Chiquet, M; Wehrle-Haller, B

1994-01-01

The extracellular matrix (ECM) molecule tenascin/cytotactin (TN-C) is expressed at a high level by satellite (glial precursor) cells in developing peripheral nerves of the chick embryo; synthesis of its mRNA peaks at the time period when axonal growth is maximal. When offered as a substrate in vitro, TN-C mediates neurite outgrowth by both motor and sensory neurons. The ability to grow neurites on TN-C is developmentally regulated: sensory neurons from 4-day chick embryos (the stage at which peripheral nerves start to develop) grow immediately and rapidly, whereas neurons from older embryos respond with a long delay. A TN-C domain responsible for this activity is located within the C-terminal (distal) portion of TN-C subunits. Integrin receptors seem to be involved on peripheral neurites because their growth on TN-C is completely blocked by antibodies to beta 1 integrins. In striking contrast to neuronal processes, nerve satellite cells can attach to a TN-C substrate but are completely inhibited in their migratory activity. Artificial substrate borders between tenascin and fibronectin or laminin act as selective barriers that allow neurites to pass while holding up satellite cells. The repulsive action of TN-C on satellite cells is similar to that observed for other cell types and is likely to be mediated by additional TN-C domains. In view of these data, it is surprising that mice seem to develop normally without a functional TN-C gene. TN-C is likely to be redundant, that is, its dual action on cell adhesion is shared by other molecules.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

An in vivo study of tricalcium phosphate and glutaraldehyde crosslinking gelatin conduits in peripheral nerve repair.

PubMed

Chen, Ming-Hong; Chen, Pei-Ru; Chen, Mei-Hsiu; Hsieh, Sung-Tsang; Huang, Jing-Shan; Lin, Feng-Huei

2006-04-01

In order to modulate the mechanical properties of gelatin, we previously developed a biodegradable composite composed by tricalcium phosphate and glutaraldehyde crosslinking gelatin (GTG) feasible for surgical manipulation. In this study, we evaluated the in vivo applications of GTG conduit for peripheral nerve repair. The effect of sciatic nerve reconstruction was compared between resorbable permeable GTG conduits and durable impermeable silicone tubes. Traditional methods of assessing nerve recovery following peripheral nerve repair including histomorphometric and electrophysiologic features were conducted in our study. In addition, autotomy score and sciatic function index (SFI) in walking tract analysis were used as additional parameters for assessing the return of nerve function. Twenty-four weeks after sciatic nerve repair, the GTG conduits were harvested. Microscopically, regeneration of nerves was observed in the cross-section at the mid portion of all implanted GTG conduits. The cross-sectional area of regenerated nerve of the GTG group was significant larger than that of the silicone group. In the compound muscle action potentials (CMAP), the mean recovery index of CMAP amplitude was 0.24 +/- 0.02 for the silicone group, 0.41 +/- 0.07 for the GTG group. The mean SFI increased with time in the GTG group during the evaluation period until 24 weeks. Walking tract analysis showed a higher SFI score in the GTG group at both 12 and 24 weeks. The difference reached a significant level at 24 weeks. Thus, the histomorphometric, electrophysiologic, and functional assessments demonstrate that GTG can be a candidate for peripheral nerve repair.

Spatial Patterns of Variability in Antarctic Surface Temperature: Connections to the Southern Hemisphere Annular Mode and the Southern Oscillation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kwok, Ron; Comiso, Josefino C.; Koblinsky, Chester J. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

The 17-year (1982-1998) trend in surface temperature shows a general cooling over the Antarctic continent, warming of the sea ice zone, with moderate changes over the oceans. Warming of the peripheral seas is associated with negative trends in the regional sea ice extent. Effects of the Southern Hemisphere Annular Mode (SAM) and the extrapolar Southern Oscillation (SO) on surface temperature are quantified through regression analysis. Positive polarities of the SAM are associated with cold anomalies over most of Antarctica, with the most notable exception of the Antarctic Peninsula. Positive temperature anomalies and ice edge retreat in the Pacific sector are associated with El Nino episodes. Over the past two decades, the drift towards high polarity in the SAM and negative polarity in the SO indices couple to produce a spatial pattern with warmer temperatures in the Antarctic Peninsula and peripheral seas, and cooler temperatures over much of East Antarctica.

The effects of equine peripheral blood stem cells on cutaneous wound healing: a clinical evaluation in four horses.

PubMed

Spaas, J H; Broeckx, S; Van de Walle, G R; Polettini, M

2013-04-01

Stem-cell therapy represents a promising strategy for the treatment of challenging pathologies, such as large, infected wounds that are unresponsive to conventional therapies. The present study describes the clinical application of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) for the treatment of four adult Warmblood horses with naturally occurring wounds, which were unresponsive to conventional therapies for at least 3 months. A visual assessment was performed, and a number of wound-healing parameters (granulation tissue, crust formation and scar formation) were evaluated. In all cases, tissue overgrowth was visible within 4 weeks after PBSC injection, followed by the formation of crusts and small scars in the centre of the wound, with hair regeneration at the edges. In conclusion, this is the first report of PBSC therapy of skin wounds in horses, and it produced a positive visual and clinical outcome. © The Author(s) CED © 2013 British Association of Dermatologists.

The AAPM/RSNA physics tutorial for residents: digital fluoroscopy.

PubMed

Pooley, R A; McKinney, J M; Miller, D A

2001-01-01

A digital fluoroscopy system is most commonly configured as a conventional fluoroscopy system (tube, table, image intensifier, video system) in which the analog video signal is converted to and stored as digital data. Other methods of acquiring the digital data (eg, digital or charge-coupled device video and flat-panel detectors) will become more prevalent in the future. Fundamental concepts related to digital imaging in general include binary numbers, pixels, and gray levels. Digital image data allow the convenient use of several image processing techniques including last image hold, gray-scale processing, temporal frame averaging, and edge enhancement. Real-time subtraction of digital fluoroscopic images after injection of contrast material has led to widespread use of digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Additional image processing techniques used with DSA include road mapping, image fade, mask pixel shift, frame summation, and vessel size measurement. Peripheral angiography performed with an automatic moving table allows imaging of the peripheral vasculature with a single contrast material injection.

Specifying peripheral heterochromatin during nuclear lamina reassembly

PubMed Central

Poleshko, Andrey; Katz, Richard A

2014-01-01

A conserved organizational feature of eukaryotic nuclei is the peripheral heterochromatin compartment, which provides a protected area for epigenetically silent genes and gene-poor DNA. In metazoan cells this compartment is associated with the nuclear lamina, the protein meshwork at the inner edge of the nucleus. Heterochromatin-nuclear lamina interactions promote epigenetic gene silencing, which may drive many normal and diseased biological processes. We recently obtained evidence that a previously unstudied human protein, PRR14, participates in the tethering of heterochromatin to the inner nuclear periphery. PRR14 associates with the nuclear lamina and attaches to heterochromatin through its binding partner, heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1). After disassembly early in mitosis, PRR14 reassembles in two steps, first binding to anaphase chromosomes through HP1, followed by association with the nuclear lamina in telophase. PRR14 may thereby play a role in specifying HP1-bound heterochromatin for reattachment to the nuclear lamina at mitotic exit. Here we review the relevant literature, summarize our initial work, and provide additional comments and findings. PMID:24637393

Specifying peripheral heterochromatin during nuclear lamina reassembly.

PubMed

Poleshko, Andrey; Katz, Richard A

2014-01-01

A conserved organizational feature of eukaryotic nuclei is the peripheral heterochromatin compartment, which provides a protected area for epigenetically silent genes and gene-poor DNA. In metazoan cells this compartment is associated with the nuclear lamina, the protein meshwork at the inner edge of the nucleus. Heterochromatin-nuclear lamina interactions promote epigenetic gene silencing, which may drive many normal and diseased biological processes. We recently obtained evidence that a previously unstudied human protein, PRR14, participates in the tethering of heterochromatin to the inner nuclear periphery. PRR14 associates with the nuclear lamina and attaches to heterochromatin through its binding partner, heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1). After disassembly early in mitosis, PRR14 reassembles in two steps, first binding to anaphase chromosomes through HP1, followed by association with the nuclear lamina in telophase. PRR14 may thereby play a role in specifying HP1-bound heterochromatin for reattachment to the nuclear lamina at mitotic exit. Here we review the relevant literature, summarize our initial work, and provide additional comments and findings.

Passenger fluid volumes measured before and after a prolonged commercial jet flight.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, P. C.; Carpentier, W. R.; Driscoll, T. B.; Lapinta, C. K.; Rummel, J. A.; Sawin, C. F.

1972-01-01

Interstitial and intracellular fluid volumes were calculated from measured plasma volume, extracellular volume and total body water of six subjects before and after a 24-hour commercial overseas flight. No change occurred in these spaces or in peripheral hematocrit or total serum protein concentration. The subjective feeling of dehydration and the actual swelling of the lower extremities characteristically found among passengers at the end of a long trip of this type seems to represent a shift in body fluids to the dependent portions of the body rather than water retention or a decrease in the intravascular water volume.

Experimental gastric ulcers induced by immobilization and electric shock of rats and their pharmacotherapy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zabrodin, O. N.

1980-01-01

The mechanism of development of experimental gastric ulcers, induced in rats by combined immobilization and electric shock, was analyzed pharmacologically with peripheral neurotropic agents. It is concluded that: (1) The most marked preventive effect in the development of the experimentally induced gastric ulcers was displayed by agents capable of blocking the ascending activation system of the reticular formation. (2) Sympathetic fibers, which disrupt the trophism of the gastric wall, form the efferent portion of the reflex arc. (3) Gastric secretion does not appear to be the primary cause of ulceration.

New pharmacokinetic methods. III. Two simple test for deep pool effect

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

Browne, T.R.; Greenblatt, D.J.; Schumacher, G.E.

1990-08-01

If a portion of administered drug is distributed into a deep peripheral compartment, the drug's actual elimination half-life during the terminal exponential phase of elimination may be longer than determined by a single dose study or a tracer dose study (deep pool effect). Two simple methods of testing for deep pool effect applicable to drugs with either linear or nonlinear pharmacokinetic properties are described. The methods are illustrated with stable isotope labeled (13C15N2) tracer dose studies of phenytoin. No significant (P less than .05) deep pool effect was detected.

POSSIBILITIES OF SHIELDING OF SENSITIVE PORTIONS OF THE EYE DURING BETA IRRADIATION (Sr$sup 90$) (in German)

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

Vollmar, R.

A small adhesive glass capsule with a removable 0.5-mm thick layer of Pb is used for protection of the sensitive portions of the eye (cornea, lens, etc.) during Sr/sup 90/ BETA irradiation. The capsule need not be fitted optically to the eye surface. Bremstrahlung from the Pb amounts to less than 1% of the 500- r single dose applied during 25 sec with a 40 mC/cm/sup 2/ applicator. Radiation losses between the applicator and the eye surface are minimal. The method has been used to reduce vascular invasion of the cornea and cloudiness of transplants, marginal ulcerations in senile degeneration,more » chronic lymphocytic conjunctival hyperplasia, growing conjunctival nevus in children, and conjunctival melanoma. A combined treatment of the conjunctival bulba and tarsi was used for diseased conditions such as chronic lymphocytic conjunctival hyperplasia or laminar melanosis of the conjunctiva. Large capsules with portions of the edges removed are utilized for segmental irradiation of pterygium to avoid damage and appearance of late radiation effects in other portions of the eye. A large assortment of eye capsules is necessary to provide for the wide variety of sizes of individual conjunctiva. Use of eye capsules avoids damage to the lens that may otherwise receive as much as 10% of the surface beta dosage. This could bring about cataract formation as a later radiation injury. (BBB)« less

Weather Movie, Mars South Polar Region, March-April 2009

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-04-16

This image is from a movie from NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter showing the southern high-latitudes region of Mars from Mar. 19-Apr. 14, 2009, a period when regional dust storms occurred along the retreating edge of carbon-dioxide frost in the seasonal south polar cap. The movie combines hundreds of images from the Mars Color Imager (MARCI) camera on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. In viewing the movie, it helps to understand some of the artifacts produced by the nature of MARCI images when seen in animation. MARCI acquires images in swaths from pole-to-pole during the dayside portion of each orbit. The camera can cover the entire planet in just over 12 orbits, and takes about 1 day to accumulate this coverage. The indiviual swaths are assembled into a mosaic, and that mosaic is shown here wrapped onto a sphere. The blurry portions of the mosaic, seen to be "pinwheeling" around the planet in the movie, are the portions of adjacent images viewing obliquely through the hazy atmosphsere. Portions with sharper-looking details are the central part of an image, viewing more directly downward through less atmosphere than the obliquely viewed portions. MARCI has a 180-degree field of view, and Mars fills about 78 percent of that field of view when the camera is pointed down at the planet. However, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter often is pointed to one side or the other off its orbital track in order to acquire targeted observations by the higher-resolution imaging systems on the spacecraft. When such rolls exceed about 20 degrees, gaps occur in the mosaic of MARCI swaths. Also, dark gaps appear when data are missing, either because of irrecoverable data drops, or because not all the data have yet been transmitted from the spacecraft. It isn't easy to see the actual dust motion in the atmosphere in these images, owing to the apparent motion of these artifacts. However, by concentrating on specific surface features (craters, prominent ice deposits, etc.) and looking for the brownish clouds of dust, it is possible to see where the storms start and how they move around the planet. In additon to tracking the storms, it is also interesting to watch how the seasonal cap shrinks from the beginning to the end of the animation. This shrinkage results from subliming of the carbon-dioxide frost from the surface as the frost absorbs southern hemisphere mid-spring sunlight. The temperature contrast between the warm sunlit ground just north of the cap's edge and the cold carbon-dioxide frost generates strong winds, enhanced by the excess carbon dioxide subliming off the cap. These winds create the conditions that lead to the dust storms. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA11987

Ultrastructure of spermatozoa of the lizard Ameiva ameiva, with considerations on polymorphism within the family Teiidae (Squamata).

PubMed

Giugliano, L G; Teixeira, R D; Colli, G R; Báo, S N

2002-09-01

A detailed description of sperm ultrastructure of the lizard Ameiva ameiva (Teiidae) is provided. Mature spermatozoa are characterized by: a depressed acrosome at the anterior portion; a unilateral ridge at the anterolateral portion; an acrosome vesicle divided into cortex and medulla; medulla divided into two regions with different electron-densities; paracrystalline subacrosomal material with radial organization in transverse section; a pointed prenuclear perforatorium; a stopper-like perforatorium base plate that appears embedded in the subacrosomal material; the presence of an epinuclear lucent zone surrounded by its own membrane; a large nuclear rostrum; round nuclear shoulders; a nuclear space at the nucleus tip; a bilateral stratified laminar structure; a central dense body within the proximal centriole; a short midpiece; an axonemal midpiece axial component; peripheral fibers 3 and 8 grossly enlarged at the anterior portion of axoneme; columnar mitochondria with linear cristae; solid dense bodies arranged as rings or spirals; a triangular-shaped annulus in transverse section; a fibrous sheath into the midpiece; a thin zone of cytoplasm at the anterior portion of the principal piece; and a slight decrease in diameter of the principal piece immediately after the annulus. Comparisons with Cnemidophorus sexlineatus and Micrablepharus maximiliani failed to identify unique sperm ultrastructure traits of Teiidae or Teiioidea (Teiidae + Gymnophthalmidae). High levels of polymorphism between Ameiva and Cnemidophorus, two closely related genera of the family Teiidae, were detected, suggesting that extensive sampling within squamate families is essential if sperm ultrastructure data are to be used in phylogenetic analyses at this taxonomic level. Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Precision control of drying using rhythmic dancing of sessile nanoparticle laden droplets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanyal, Apratim; Basu, Saptarshi; Chowdhuri, Subham; Kabi, Prasenjit; Chaudhuri, Swetaprovo

2014-04-01

This work analyses the unique spatio-temporal alteration of the deposition pattern of evaporating nanoparticle laden droplets resting on a hydrophobic surface through targeted low frequency substrate vibrations. External excitation near the lowest resonant mode (n = 2) of the droplet initially de-pins and then subsequently re-pins the droplet edge creating pseudo-hydrophilicity (low contact angle). Vibration subsequently induces droplet shape oscillations (cyclic elongation and flattening) resulting in strong flow recirculation. This strong radially outward liquid flow augments nanoparticle transport, vaporization, and agglomeration near the pinned edge resulting in much reduced drying time under certain characteristic frequency of oscillations. The resultant deposit exhibits a much flatter structure with sharp, defined peripheral wedge topology as compared to natural drying. Such controlled manipulation of transport enables tailoring of structural and topological morphology of the deposits and offers possible routes towards controlling the formation and drying timescales which are crucial for applications ranging from pharmaceutics to surface patterning.

The Role of Interface Shape on the Impact Characteristics and Cranial Fracture Patterns Using the Immature Porcine Head Model,.

PubMed

Vaughan, Patrick E; Vogelsberg, Caitlin C M; Vollner, Jennifer M; Fenton, Todd W; Haut, Roger C

2016-09-01

The forensic literature suggests that when adolescents fall onto edged and pointed surfaces, depressed fractures can occur at low energy levels. This study documents impact biomechanics and fracture characteristics of infant porcine skulls dropped onto flat, curved, edged, and focal surfaces. Results showed that the energy needed for fracture initiation was nearly four times higher against a flat surface than against the other surfaces. While characteristic measures of fracture such as number and length of fractures did not vary with impact surface shape, the fracture patterns did depend on impact surface shape. While experimental impacts against the flat surface produced linear fractures initiating at sutural boundaries peripheral to the point of impact (POI), more focal impacts produced depressed fractures initiating at the POI. The study supported case-based forensic literature suggesting cranial fracture patterns depend on impact surface shape and that fracture initiation energy is lower for more focal impacts. © 2016 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Bipolar battery with array of sealed cells

DOEpatents

Kaun, Thomas D.; Smaga, John A.

1987-01-01

A lithium alloy/metal sulfide battery as a dipolar battery is disclosed with an array of stacked cells with the anode and cathode electrode materials in each cell sealed in a confining structure and separated from one another except across separator material interposed therebetween. The separator material is contained in a module having separate perforated metallic sheets that sandwich opposite sides of the separator material for the cell and an annular insulating spacer that surrounds the separator material beyond the perforations and is also sandwiched between and sealed to the sheets. The peripheral edges of the sheets project outwardly beyond the spacer, traverse the side edges of the adjacent electrode material to form cup-like electrode holders, and are fused to the adjacent current collector or end face members of the array. Electrolyte is infused into the electrolyte cavity through the perforations of one of the metallic sheets with the perforations also functioning to allow ionic conductance across the separator material between the adjacent electrodes. A gas-tight housing provides an enclosure of the array.

Development of a SMA-Based, Slat-Gap Filler for Airframe Noise Reduction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Turner, Travis L.; Long, David L.

2015-01-01

Noise produced by unsteady flow around aircraft structures, termed airframe noise, is an important source of aircraft noise during the approach and landing phases of flight. Conventional leading-edge-slat devices for high lift on typical transport aircraft are a prominent source of airframe noise. Many concepts for slat noise reduction have been investigated. Slat-cove fillers have emerged as an attractive solution, but they maintain the gap flow, leaving some noise production mechanisms unabated, and thus represent a nonoptimal solution. Drooped-leading-edge (DLE) concepts have been proposed as "optimal" because the gap flow is eliminated. The deployed leading edge device is not distinct and separate from the main wing in DLE concepts and the high-lift performance suffers at high angles of attack (alpha) as a consequence. Elusive high-alpha performance and excessive weight penalty have stymied DLE development. The fact that high-lift performance of DLE systems is only affected at high alpha suggests another concept that simultaneously achieves the high-lift of the baseline airfoil and the noise reduction of DLE concepts. The concept involves utilizing a conventional leading-edge slat device and a deformable structure that is deployed from the leading edge of the main wing and closes the gap between the slat and main wing, termed a slat-gap filler (SGF). The deployable structure consists of a portion of the skin of the main wing and it is driven in conjunction with the slat during deployment and retraction. Benchtop models have been developed to assess the feasibility and to study important parameters. Computational models have assisted in the bench-top model design and provided valuable insight in the parameter space as well as the feasibility.

Leading-edge flow reattachment and the lateral static stability of low-aspect-ratio rectangular wings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Linehan, Thomas; Mohseni, Kamran

2017-11-01

The relationship between lateral static stability derivative, Clβ,lift coefficient, CL, and angle of attack was investigated for rectangular wings of aspect ratio A R =0.75 ,1 ,1.5 , and 3 using Stereo-Digital Particle Image Velocimetry (S-DPIV) and direct force and moment measurements. When the product Cl βA R is plotted with respect to CL, the lateral stability curves of each wing collapse to a single line for CL<0.7 . For CL>0.7 , the linearity and scaling of Clβwith respect to CL is lost. S-DPIV is used to elucidate the flow physics in this nonlinear regime. At α =10∘ , the leading-edge separation region emerges on the leeward portion of the sideslipped wing by means of vortex shedding. For the A R ≤1.5 wings at α >15∘ , the tip vortex downwash is sufficient to restrict the shedding of leading-edge vorticity thereby sustaining the lift of the leading-edge separation region at high angles of attack. Concurrently, the windward tip vortex grows in size and strength with increasing angle of attack, displacing the leading-edge separation region further toward the leeward wing. This reorganization of lift-generating vorticity results in the initial nonlinearities between Cl β and CL at angles of attack for which CL is still increasing. At angles of attack near that of maximum lift for the A R ≤1 wings, the windward tip vortex lifts off the wing, decreasing the lateral static stability of the wing prior to lift stall. For the A R =3 wing at α >10∘ , nonlinear trends in Cl β versus CL occur due to the spanwise evolution of stalled flow.

Continental shelf landscapes of the southeastern United States since the last interglacial

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harris, M. Scott; Sautter, Leslie Reynolds; Johnson, Kacey L.; Luciano, Katherine E.; Sedberry, George R.; Wright, Eric E.; Siuda, Amy N. S.

2013-12-01

The wide, sediment-starved continental shelf and modern coastal areas of the southeastern United States retain well-preserved but scattered remnants of a submerged paleolandscape. This paper presents a conceptual model of stratigraphic deposition and landscape formation since the last interglacial on the continental shelf of South Carolina, with portions of North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida (USA). Data for this study include multibeam bathymetry surveys, sidescan sonar mosaics, high-resolution subbottom profiles, and ground-truth surveys from - 250 m to the modern tidewater region. Four bathymetric zones are recognized with eleven landforms and landform indicators. The described zones range in depths from the modern shoreline, across the shelf, and over the shelf edge to - 250 m MSL. Relative sea level curves are presented for the area and discussed in conjunction with cultural and climatic events. The potential for preservation of Paleoamerican sites is high at the shelf edge between - 130 m and - 45 m, with Archaic and later occupations likely in depths of less than - 25 m. Prominent vantage points for Paleoamericans (> 11 kya) would have existed at the shelf edge, and tidewater resources would have been available nearby for a period of almost 6 ka. Rapid transgression rates (> 60 km/ka) after the sea level rose over the shelf edge make preservation of tidewater sites less likely on the outer and middle shelf. Searches for the earliest Paleoamericans should focus on promontories at the edge of the shelf and along future discoveries of paleoincisions on the shelf. Mapping and delineating this paleolandscape and associated unconsolidated sedimentary deposits interspersed with rocky plains and ledges will continue to be a priority to marine archeologists, coastal managers, fishery scientists, and marine spatial planners over the next several decades.

People efficiently explore the solution space of the computationally intractable traveling salesman problem to find near-optimal tours.

PubMed

Acuña, Daniel E; Parada, Víctor

2010-07-29

Humans need to solve computationally intractable problems such as visual search, categorization, and simultaneous learning and acting, yet an increasing body of evidence suggests that their solutions to instantiations of these problems are near optimal. Computational complexity advances an explanation to this apparent paradox: (1) only a small portion of instances of such problems are actually hard, and (2) successful heuristics exploit structural properties of the typical instance to selectively improve parts that are likely to be sub-optimal. We hypothesize that these two ideas largely account for the good performance of humans on computationally hard problems. We tested part of this hypothesis by studying the solutions of 28 participants to 28 instances of the Euclidean Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP). Participants were provided feedback on the cost of their solutions and were allowed unlimited solution attempts (trials). We found a significant improvement between the first and last trials and that solutions are significantly different from random tours that follow the convex hull and do not have self-crossings. More importantly, we found that participants modified their current better solutions in such a way that edges belonging to the optimal solution ("good" edges) were significantly more likely to stay than other edges ("bad" edges), a hallmark of structural exploitation. We found, however, that more trials harmed the participants' ability to tell good from bad edges, suggesting that after too many trials the participants "ran out of ideas." In sum, we provide the first demonstration of significant performance improvement on the TSP under repetition and feedback and evidence that human problem-solving may exploit the structure of hard problems paralleling behavior of state-of-the-art heuristics.

People Efficiently Explore the Solution Space of the Computationally Intractable Traveling Salesman Problem to Find Near-Optimal Tours

PubMed Central

Acuña, Daniel E.; Parada, Víctor

2010-01-01

Humans need to solve computationally intractable problems such as visual search, categorization, and simultaneous learning and acting, yet an increasing body of evidence suggests that their solutions to instantiations of these problems are near optimal. Computational complexity advances an explanation to this apparent paradox: (1) only a small portion of instances of such problems are actually hard, and (2) successful heuristics exploit structural properties of the typical instance to selectively improve parts that are likely to be sub-optimal. We hypothesize that these two ideas largely account for the good performance of humans on computationally hard problems. We tested part of this hypothesis by studying the solutions of 28 participants to 28 instances of the Euclidean Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP). Participants were provided feedback on the cost of their solutions and were allowed unlimited solution attempts (trials). We found a significant improvement between the first and last trials and that solutions are significantly different from random tours that follow the convex hull and do not have self-crossings. More importantly, we found that participants modified their current better solutions in such a way that edges belonging to the optimal solution (“good” edges) were significantly more likely to stay than other edges (“bad” edges), a hallmark of structural exploitation. We found, however, that more trials harmed the participants' ability to tell good from bad edges, suggesting that after too many trials the participants “ran out of ideas.” In sum, we provide the first demonstration of significant performance improvement on the TSP under repetition and feedback and evidence that human problem-solving may exploit the structure of hard problems paralleling behavior of state-of-the-art heuristics. PMID:20686597

Increased electron temperature turbulence during suppression of edge localized mode by resonant magnetic perturbations in the DIII-D tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sung, C.; Wang, G.; Rhodes, T. L.; Smith, S. P.; Osborne, T. H.; Ono, M.; McKee, G. R.; Yan, Z.; Groebner, R. J.; Davis, E. M.; Zeng, L.; Peebles, W. A.; Evans, T. E.

2017-11-01

The first observation of increased electron temperature turbulence during edge localized mode (ELM) suppression by resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs) is presented. These are long wavelength fluctuations (kθρs ≤ 0.2, where kθ = poloidal wavenumber and ρs = ion sound gyroradius) observed during H-mode plasmas on the DIII-D. This increase occurs only after ELMs are suppressed and are not observed during the initial RMP application. The T˜ e/Te increases ( >60%) are coincident with changes in normalized density and electron temperature gradients in the region from the top of the pedestal outward to the upper portion of the steep edge gradient. Density turbulence (kθρs ≤ 0.4) in this location was also observed to increase only after ELM suppression. These results are significant since they indicate that increased gradient-driven turbulent transport is one possible mechanism to regulate and maintain ELM-free H-mode operation. Investigation of linear stability of drift wave instabilities using the CGYRO code [Candy et al., J. Comput. Phys. 324, 73 (2016)] shows that the dominant mode moves closer to the electron mode branch from the ion mode branch only after ELMs are suppressed, correlated with the increased turbulence. The increased turbulence during ELM suppression, rather than with the initial RMP application, indicates that the often observed RMP induced "density pump-out" cannot be attributed to long wavelength edge turbulence level changes.

Evolutionary dynamics of a rapidly receding southern range boundary in the threatened California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Richmond, Jonathan Q.; Barr, Kelly R.; Backlin, Adam R.; Vandergast, Amy G.; Fisher, Robert N.

2013-01-01

Populations forming the edge of a species range are often imperiled by isolation and low genetic diversity, with proximity to human population centers being a major determinant of edge stability in modern landscapes. Since the 1960s, the California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) has undergone extensive declines in heavily urbanized southern California, where the range edge has rapidly contracted northward while shifting its cardinal orientation to an east-west trending axis. We studied the genetic structure and diversity of these frontline populations, tested for signatures of contemporary disturbance, specifically fire, and attempted to disentangle these signals from demographic events extending deeper into the past. Consistent with the genetic expectations of the ‘abundant-center’ model, we found that diversity, admixture, and opportunity for random mating increases in populations sampled successively further away from the range boundary. Demographic simulations indicate that bottlenecks in peripheral isolates are associated with processes extending tens to a few hundred generations in the past, despite the demographic collapse of some due to recent fire-flood events. While the effects of recent disturbance have left little genetic imprint on these populations, they likely contribute to an extinction debt that will lead to continued range contraction unless management intervenes to stall or reverse the process.

Resonance in fast-wave amplitude in the periphery of cylindrical plasmas and application to edge losses of wave heating power in tokamaks

DOE PAGES

Perkins, R. J.; Hosea, J. C.; Bertelli, N.; ...

2016-07-01

Heating magnetically confined plasmas using waves in the ion-cyclotron range of frequencies typically requires coupling these waves over a steep density gradient. Furthermore, this process has produced an unexpected and deleterious phenomenon on the National Spherical Torus eXperiment (NSTX): a prompt loss of wave power along magnetic field lines in front of the antenna to the divertor. Understanding this loss may be key to achieving effective heating and expanding the operational space of NSTX-Upgrade. Here, we propose that a new type of mode, which conducts a significant fraction of the total wave power in the low-density peripheral plasma, is drivingmore » these losses. We demonstrate the existence of such modes, which are distinct from surface modes and coaxial modes, in a cylindrical cold-plasma model when a half wavelength structure fits into the region outside the core plasma. The latter condition generalizes the previous hypothesis regarding the occurence of the edge losses and may explain why full-wave simulations predict these losses in some cases but not others. If valid, this condition implies that outer gap control is a potential strategy for mitigating the losses in NSTX-Upgrade in addition to raising the magnetic field or influencing the edge density.« less

Adding to the Mercury Speciation Toolbox

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fitts, J. P.; Northrup, P. A.; Chidambaram, D.; Kalb, P. D.

2007-12-01

Mercury was used to separate lithium-6 isotope for weapons production at the Y-12 Plant in Oak Ridge, TN in the 1950s and 1960s. A large portion of the waste Hg entered the environment and continues to move throughout the sub-surface and surface waters in the area. Environmental management of Hg contamination within this complex hydrologic system, where Hg speciation and the mobile fraction have been found to vary widely, will require ongoing characterization and predictive modeling of Hg speciation. State-of-the-art spectroscopic tools that can directly probe Hg speciation in preserved aqueous and sediment samples with greater sensitivity, however, are required to determine rates and mechanisms of biogeochemical reactions. We will present the first results demonstrating the use of x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at the Hg M5 edge (2295 eV) to fingerprint Hg species. Heavy-metal M5 absorption edges can have very sharp features due to local electron transitions, and therefore, we are developing this edge as a tool for quantitative measurement of Hg species. In addition, sulfur speciation using the sulfur K absorption edge, which is at a similar energy (2472 eV), can be measured in the same scan as the Hg M5 edge. Potentially important organic and inorganic sulfur species (sulfide, disulfide, elemental sulfur, sulfite and sulfate) are readily differentiated, and thereby, provides an independent method for monitoring the redox state of the system along with changes in S-Hg bonding. We will also present x-ray microprobe 2-D concentration maps of Hg and other elements at the grain and pore scales to identify its microscopic distribution and chemical associations. When used in combination with established sequential extraction and direct spectroscopic methods, the addition of XAS at the Hg M5 edge should provide a significant advancement in the determination of Hg speciation in complex biogeochemical environments.

Cutting edge: Contact with secondary lymphoid organs drives postthymic T cell maturation.

PubMed

Houston, Evan G; Nechanitzky, Robert; Fink, Pamela J

2008-10-15

T cell development, originally thought to be completed in the thymus, has recently been shown to continue for several weeks in the lymphoid periphery. The forces that drive this peripheral maturation are unclear. The use of mice transgenic for GFP driven by the RAG2 promoter has enabled the ready identification and analysis of recent thymic emigrants. Here, we show that recent thymic emigrant maturation is a progressive process and is promoted by T cell exit from the thymus. Further, we show that this maturation occurs within secondary lymphoid organs and does not require extensive lymphocyte recirculation.

Functional role of NT-3 in synapse regeneration by spiral ganglion neurons on inner hair cells after excitotoxic trauma in vitro

PubMed Central

Wang, Qiong; Green, Steven H.

2011-01-01

Spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) are postsynaptic to hair cells and project to the brainstem. The inner hair cell (IHC) to SGN synapse is susceptible to glutamate excitotoxicity and to acoustic trauma, with potentially adverse consequences to long-term SGN survival. We used a cochlear explant culture from P6 rat pups consisting of a portion of organ of Corti maintained intact with the corresponding portion of spiral ganglion to investigate excitotoxic damage to IHC-SGN synapses in vitro. The normal innervation pattern is preserved in vitro. Brief treatment with NMDA and kainate results in loss of IHC–SGN synapses and degeneration of the distal type 1 SGN peripheral axons, mimicking damage to SGN peripheral axons caused by excitotoxicity or noise in vivo. The number of IHC presynaptic ribbons is not significantly altered. Reinnervation of IHCs occurs and regenerating axons remain restricted to the IHC row. However, the number of postsynaptic densities (PSDs) does not fully recover and not all axons regrow to the IHCs. Addition of either NT-3 or BDNF increases axon growth and synaptogenesis. Selective blockade of endogenous NT-3 signaling with TrkC-IgG reduced regeneration of axons and PSDs, but TrkB-IgG, which blocks BDNF, has no such effect, indicating that endogenous NT-3 is necessary for SGN axon growth and synaptogenesis. Remarkably, TrkC-IgG reduced axon growth and synaptogenesis even in the presence of BDNF, indicating that endogenous NT-3 has a distinctive role, not mimicked by BDNF, in promoting SGN axon growth in the organ of Corti and synaptogenesis on IHCs. PMID:21613508

Radiologic-pathologic correlation of renal cell carcinoma associated with Xp11.2 translocation.

PubMed

Koo, Hyun Jung; Choi, Hyuck Jae; Kim, Mi-hyun; Cho, Kyoung-Sik

2013-09-01

The prognosis of translocation RCCs in adult patients is relatively poor compared to that of other subtypes of RCCs. Although there have been several reports regarding radiologic findings of translocation RCC, studies with histologic correlation could help to understand the imaging features. To explore the correlation between radiologic and pathologic findings in Xp11.2 translocation renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and provide clues for translocation RCC diagnosis. CT scans of six patients (one man and five women; age range, 8-71 years; mean age, 34 years) with histologically-proven Xp11.2 translocation RCCs were retrospectively evaluated in consensus by two radiologists. Tumor size, presence of necrosis, hemorrhage, fat or calcification, enhancement patterns of the tumor, presence of lymphadenopathy, and distant metastases were evaluated. The average size of the tumors was 6 cm (range, 2.7-12 cm). All six tumors appeared as well-defined masses with areas of low attenuation representing hemorrhage or necrosis. Four tumors contained high attenuating solid portions, compared to the surrounding renal cortex seen on unenhanced images, where representing dense cellular component on microscopic examination. Peripheral rim enhancement pattern that correlated with histologic finding of a fibrous capsule was seen in five cases. In two patients who underwent kidney MR, the masses showed low signal intensity on T2-weighted images. One patient had lymphadenopathy. No distant metastasis was noted in any patient. Translocation RCC appeared as a well-defined mass that contain high attenuating solid portions on unenhanced images and low attenuating necrotic or hemorrhagic foci; the tumor also showed gradual peripheral rim enhancement due to a fibrous capsule surrounding the tumor.

Aerial gamma ray and magnetic survey: Powder River R and D Project. Portions of the: Forsyth, Hardin, Montana Quadrangles; Sheridan, Arminto, Wyoming Quadrangles. Final report

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

Not Available

1979-05-01

Thick Phaneorozoic sediments (greater than 17,000 feet) fill the northwest-trending Powder River Basin, which is the dominant tectonic structure in the study area. Lower Tertiary sediments comprise over 90% of the exposed units at the surface of the Basin. Small portions of the Bighorn Uplift, Casper Arch, and Porcupine Dome occupy the western edge of the study area. Numerous small claims and prospects are found in the Pumpkin Buttes - Turnercrest District at the south end of the study area (northeastern Arminto quadrangle). No economic deposits of uranium are known to exist in the area, according to available literature. Interpretationmore » of the radiometric data resulted in 62 statistical uranium anomalies listed for this area. Most anomalies are found in the southern half of the study area within the Tertiary Fort Union and Wasatch Formations. Some are found in Cretaceous sediments in the adjoining uplifts to the west of the Basin.« less

Dynamics of threading dislocations in porous heteroepitaxial GaN films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gutkin, M. Yu.; Rzhavtsev, E. A.

2017-12-01

Behavior of threading dislocations in porous heteroepitaxial gallium nitride (GaN) films has been studied using computer simulation by the two-dimensional discrete dislocation dynamics approach. A computational scheme, where pores are modeled as cross sections of cylindrical cavities, elastically interacting with unidirectional parallel edge dislocations, which imitate threading dislocations, is used. Time dependences of coordinates and velocities of each dislocation from dislocation ensembles under investigation are obtained. Visualization of current structure of dislocation ensemble is performed in the form of a location map of dislocations at any time. It has been shown that the density of appearing dislocation structures significantly depends on the ratio of area of a pore cross section to area of the simulation region. In particular, increasing the portion of pores surface on the layer surface up to 2% should lead to about a 1.5-times decrease of the final density of threading dislocations, and increase of this portion up to 15% should lead to approximately a 4.5-times decrease of it.

Apparatus for electrophoresis separation

DOEpatents

Anderson, Norman L.

1978-01-01

An apparatus is disclosed for simultaneously performing electrophoresis separations on a plurality of slab gels containing samples of protein, protein subunits or nucleic acids. A reservoir of buffer solution is divided into three compartments by two parallel partitions having vertical slots spaced along their length. A sheet of flexible, electrically insulative material is attached to each partition and is provided with vertical slits aligned with the slots. Slab-gel holders are received within the slots with the flexible material folded outwardly as flaps from the slits to overlay portions of the holder surfaces and thereby act as electrical and liquid seals. An elongated, spaghetti-like gel containing a sample of specimen that was previously separated by isoelectric focusing techniques is vertically positioned along a marginal edge portion of the slab gel. On application of an electrical potential between the two outer chambers of buffer solution, a second dimensional electrophoresis separation in accordance with molecular weight occurs as the specimen molecules migrate across the slab gel.

Okavango Delta, Botswana as seen from STS-66 shuttle Atlantis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

This November 1994 view looking south-southeast shows clouds over the Okavango Delta area of northern Botswana. The Okavango is one of the wilder, less spoiled regions of Africa. The Okavango River (lower left of view) brings water from the high, wet plateaus of Angola into the Kalahari Dessert, and enormous inland basin. As a result of a series of small faults (upper center of the view) related to the African Rift System, the river is dammed up in the form of a swampy inland delta. The visual patterns of the area are strongly linear: straight sand dunes occur in many places and can be seen across the bottom portion of the photograph. Numerous brush-fire scars produce a complex, straight-edged pattern over much of the lower portion of this view. Lake Ngami (upper right of view) was once permanently full as late as the middle 1800s. Changes in the climate of the area over the last 100 years has changed the size and shape of the inland delta.

Transitions between central and peripheral vision create spatial/temporal distortions: a hypothesis concerning the perceived break of the curveball.

PubMed

Shapiro, Arthur; Lu, Zhong-Lin; Huang, Chang-Bing; Knight, Emily; Ennis, Robert

2010-10-13

The human visual system does not treat all parts of an image equally: the central segments of an image, which fall on the fovea, are processed with a higher resolution than the segments that fall in the visual periphery. Even though the differences between foveal and peripheral resolution are large, these differences do not usually disrupt our perception of seamless visual space. Here we examine a motion stimulus in which the shift from foveal to peripheral viewing creates a dramatic spatial/temporal discontinuity. The stimulus consists of a descending disk (global motion) with an internal moving grating (local motion). When observers view the disk centrally, they perceive both global and local motion (i.e., observers see the disk's vertical descent and the internal spinning). When observers view the disk peripherally, the internal portion appears stationary, and the disk appears to descend at an angle. The angle of perceived descent increases as the observer views the stimulus from further in the periphery. We examine the first- and second-order information content in the display with the use of a three-dimensional Fourier analysis and show how our results can be used to describe perceived spatial/temporal discontinuities in real-world situations. The perceived shift of the disk's direction in the periphery is consistent with a model in which foveal processing separates first- and second-order motion information while peripheral processing integrates first- and second-order motion information. We argue that the perceived distortion may influence real-world visual observations. To this end, we present a hypothesis and analysis of the perception of the curveball and rising fastball in the sport of baseball. The curveball is a physically measurable phenomenon: the imbalance of forces created by the ball's spin causes the ball to deviate from a straight line and to follow a smooth parabolic path. However, the curveball is also a perceptual puzzle because batters often report that the flight of the ball undergoes a dramatic and nearly discontinuous shift in position as the ball nears home plate. We suggest that the perception of a discontinuous shift in position results from differences between foveal and peripheral processing.

Effect of 900 MHz Electromagnetic Radiation on the Induction of ROS in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells.

PubMed

Kazemi, E; Mortazavi, S M J; Ali-Ghanbari, A; Sharifzadeh, S; Ranjbaran, R; Mostafavi-Pour, Z; Zal, F; Haghani, M

2015-09-01

Despite numerous studies over a decade, it still remains controversial about the biological effects of RF EMF emitted by mobile phone telephony. Here we investigated the effect of 900 MHz GSM on the induction of oxidative stress and the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human mononuclear cells, monocytes and lymphocytes as defence system cells. 6 ml Peripheral Blood samples were obtained from 13 healthy volunteers (21-30 year-old). Each sample was devided into 2 groups: one was exposed RF radiation emitted from a mobile phone simulator for 2 hour and the other used as control group which was not exposed to any fields. After that, mononuclear cells were isolated from peripheral blood by density gradient centrifugation in Ficoll-Paque. The intracellular ROS content in monocytes and lymphocytes was measured by the CM-H2DCFDA fluorescence probe using flowcytometry technique. Our results showed significant increase in  ROS production after exposure in population rich in monocytes. This effect was not significant in population rich in lymphocytes in comparison with non exposed cells. The results obtained in this study clearly showed the oxidative stress induction capability of RF electromagnetic field in the portion of PBMCs mostly in monocytes, like the case of exposure to micro organisms, although the advantages or disadvantages of this effect should be evaluated.

Effect of 900 MHz Electromagnetic Radiation on the Induction of ROS in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

PubMed Central

Kazemi, E.; Mortazavi, S. M. J.; Ali-Ghanbari, A.; Sharifzadeh, S.; Ranjbaran, R.; Mostafavi-pour, Z.; Zal, F.; Haghani, M.

2015-01-01

Background Despite numerous studies over a decade, it still remains controversial about the biological effects of RF EMF emitted by mobile phone telephony. Objective Here we investigated the effect of 900 MHz GSM on the induction of oxidative stress and the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human mononuclear cells, monocytes and lymphocytes as defence system cells. Method 6 ml Peripheral Blood samples were obtained from 13 healthy volunteers (21-30 year-old). Each sample was devided into 2 groups: one was exposed RF radiation emitted from a mobile phone simulator for 2 hour and the other used as control group which was not exposed to any fields. After that, mononuclear cells were isolated from peripheral blood by density gradient centrifugation in Ficoll-Paque. The intracellular ROS content in monocytes and lymphocytes was measured by the CM-H2DCFDA fluorescence probe using flowcytometry technique. Results Our results showed significant increase in  ROS production after exposure in population rich in monocytes. This effect was not significant in population rich in lymphocytes in comparison with non exposed cells. Conclusion The results obtained in this study clearly showed the oxidative stress induction capability of RF electromagnetic field in the portion of PBMCs mostly in monocytes, like the case of exposure to micro organisms, although the advantages or disadvantages of this effect should be evaluated. PMID:26396966

Modulating the Vascular Response to Limb Ischemia Angiogenic and Cell Therapies

PubMed Central

Cooke, John P.; Losordo, Douglas W.

2016-01-01

The age-adjusted prevalence of peripheral arterial disease in the US population has been estimated to approach 12%. The clinical consequences of occlusive peripheral arterial disease include pain on walking (claudication), pain at rest, and loss of tissue integrity in the distal limbs; the latter may ultimately lead to amputation of a portion of the lower extremity. Surgical bypass techniques and percutaneous catheter-based interventions may successfully reperfuse the limbs of certain patients with peripheral arterial disease. In many patients, however, the anatomic extent and distribution of arterial occlusion is too severe to permit relief of pain and healing of ischemic ulcers. No effective medical therapy is available for the treatment of such patients, for many of whom amputation represents the only hope for alleviation of symptoms. The ultimate failure of medical treatment and procedural revascularization in significant numbers of patients has led to attempts to develop alternative therapies for ischemic disease. These strategies include administration of angiogenic cytokines, either as recombinant protein or as gene therapy, and more recently, to investigations of stem/progenitor cell therapy. The purpose of this review is to provide an outline of the preclinical basis for angiogenic and stem cell therapies, review the clinical research that has been done, summarize the lessons learned, identify gaps in knowledge, and suggest a course toward successfully addressing an unmet medical need in a large and growing patient population. PMID:25908729

Health-related quality of life and disability in patients with acute unilateral peripheral vestibular disorders.

PubMed

Petri, Maria; Chirilă, Magdalena; Bolboacă, Sorana D; Cosgarea, Marcel

Health-related quality of life is used to denote that portion of the quality of life that is influenced by the person's health. To compare the health-related quality of life of individuals with vestibular disorders of peripheral origin by analyzing functional, emotional and physical disabilities before and after vestibular treatment. A prospective, non randomized case-controlled study was conduced in the ENT Department, between January 2015 and December 2015. All patients were submitted to customize a 36 item of health survey on quality of life, short form 36 health survey questionnaire (SF-36) and the Dizziness Handicap Inventory for assessing the disability. Individuals were diagnosed with acute unilateral vestibular peripheral disorders classified in 5 groups: vestibular neuritis, Ménière Disease, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, cochlear-vestibular dysfunction (other than Ménière Disease), or other type of acute peripheral vertigo (as vestibular migraine). There was a statistical significant difference for each parameter of Dizziness Handicap Inventory score (the emotional, functional and physical) between the baseline and one month both in men and women, but with any statistical significant difference between 7 days and 14 days. It was found a statistical significant difference for all eight parameters of SF-36 score between the baseline and one month later both in men and women; the exception was the men mental health perception. The correlation between the Dizziness Handicap Inventory and the SF-36 scores according to diagnostics type pointed out that the Spearman's correlation coefficient was moderate correlated with the total scores of these instruments. The Dizziness Handicap Inventory and the SF-36 are useful, proved practical and valid instruments for assessing the impact of dizziness on the quality of life of patients with unilateral peripheral vestibular disorders. Copyright © 2016 Associação Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cérvico-Facial. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

Clinical and Laboratory Evaluation of Peripheral Prism Glasses for Hemianopia

PubMed Central

Giorgi, Robert G.; Woods, Russell L.; Peli, Eli

2008-01-01

Purpose Homonymous hemianopia (the loss of vision on the same side in each eye) impairs the ability to navigate and walk safely. We evaluated peripheral prism glasses as a low vision optical device for hemianopia in an extended wearing trial. Methods Twenty-three patients with complete hemianopia (13 right) with neither visual neglect nor cognitive deficit enrolled in the 5-visit study. To expand the horizontal visual field, patients’ spectacles were fitted with both upper and lower Press-On™ Fresnel prism segments (each 40 prism diopters) across the upper and lower portions of the lens on the hemianopic (“blind”) side. Patients were asked to wear these spectacles as much as possible for the duration of the study, which averaged 9 (range: 5 to 13) weeks. Clinical success (continued wear, indicating perceived overall benefit), visual field expansion, perceived direction and perceived quality of life were measured. Results Clinical Success: 14 of 21 (67%) patients chose to continue to wear the peripheral prism glasses at the end of the study (2 patients did not complete the study for non-vision reasons). At long-term follow-up (8 to 51 months), 5 of 12 (42%) patients reported still wearing the device. Visual Field Expansion: Expansion of about 22 degrees in both the upper and lower quadrants was demonstrated for all patients (binocular perimetry, Goldmann V4e). Perceived Direction: Two patients demonstrated a transient adaptation to the change in visual direction produced by the peripheral prism glasses. Quality of Life: At study end, reduced difficulty noticing obstacles on the hemianopic side was reported. Conclusions The peripheral prism glasses provided reported benefits (usually in obstacle avoidance) to 2/3 of the patients completing the study, a very good success rate for a vision rehabilitation device. Possible reasons for long-term discontinuation and limited adaptation of perceived direction are discussed. PMID:19357552

Efficient dense blur map estimation for automatic 2D-to-3D conversion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vosters, L. P. J.; de Haan, G.

2012-03-01

Focus is an important depth cue for 2D-to-3D conversion of low depth-of-field images and video. However, focus can be only reliably estimated on edges. Therefore, Bea et al. [1] first proposed an optimization based approach to propagate focus to non-edge image portions, for single image focus editing. While their approach produces accurate dense blur maps, the computational complexity and memory requirements for solving the resulting sparse linear system with standard multigrid or (multilevel) preconditioning techniques, are infeasible within the stringent requirements of the consumer electronics and broadcast industry. In this paper we propose fast, efficient, low latency, line scanning based focus propagation, which mitigates the need for complex multigrid or (multilevel) preconditioning techniques. In addition we propose facial blur compensation to compensate for false shading edges that cause incorrect blur estimates in people's faces. In general shading leads to incorrect focus estimates, which may lead to unnatural 3D and visual discomfort. Since visual attention mostly tends to faces, our solution solves the most distracting errors. A subjective assessment by paired comparison on a set of challenging low-depth-of-field images shows that the proposed approach achieves equal 3D image quality as optimization based approaches, and that facial blur compensation results in a significant improvement.

Edge-Driven Block Rotations Interpreted From New GPS Results: Papua New Guinea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wallace, L.

2001-12-01

An ongoing discussion in plate tectonics involves whether microplate motions are driven by plate edge forces or by flow at the base of the lithosphere. We present results from a GPS network of 40 sites spanning much of the mainland of Papua New Guinea (PNG). Most of the sites are concentrated in the region of the active Finisterre arc-continent collision and have been observed on multiple campaigns from 1993-2001. Significant portions of the Ramu-Markham fault are locked, which has implications for seismic hazard assessment in the Markham Valley region. Additionally, we find that out-of-sequence thrusting is important in emplacement of the Finisterre arc terrane onto the PNG mainland. Site velocities derived from these GPS data have helped to delineate the major tectonic blocks in the region. We model site velocities by simultaneously dealing with rigid block rotation and elastic strain. We find that the mainland of PNG consists of four distinct tectonic plates: the Australian, South Bismarck and Woodlark plates (in agreement with previous studies), and a previously unrecognized New Guinea Highlands plate. The relative rotation poles for at least two of these plate pairs plot on their respective boundaries, indicating that microplate motion in PNG may be dominantly edge-driven, as predicted for this region by Schouten and Benes (1993).

Spirit Nears North-Tilting Site for Winter Haven

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2007-01-01

NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit made daily progress in early December 2007 toward the northern edge of a low plateau called 'Home Plate.' The rover's operators selected an area with north-facing slope there (indicated by the blue-outlined rectangle) as a destination where Spirit would have its best chance of surviving low-solar-energy conditions of oncoming Martian winter.

As indicated by the yellow line tracing the path Spirit has driven, the rover was near the western edge of the plateau on Sol (Martian day) 1,390 of the mission (Nov. 30, 2007), but nearing the northern edge by Sol 1,397 (Dec. 8, 2007).

A north-facing slope helps Spirit maximizes electric output from its solar panels during winter months because Spirit is in the southern hemisphere of Mars, so the sun appears only in the northern sky during winter. For the third winter, which will reach its minimum solar-energy days in early June 2008, Spirit faces the challenge of having more dust on its solar panels than it had during its second winter.

The base image for this map is a portion of a color image taken on Jan. 9, 2007, by the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment camera on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.

Predicted Aerodynamic Characteristics of a NACA 0015 Airfoil Having a 25% Integral-Type Trailing Edge Flap

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hassan, Ahmed

1999-01-01

Using the two-dimensional ARC2D Navier-Stokes flow solver analyses were conducted to predict the sectional aerodynamic characteristics of the flapped NACA-0015 airfoil section. To facilitate the analyses and the generation of the computational grids, the airfoil with the deflected trailing edge flap was treated as a single element airfoil with no allowance for a gap between the flap's leading edge and the base of the forward portion of the airfoil. Generation of the O-type computational grids was accomplished using the HYGRID hyperbolic grid generation program. Results were obtained for a wide range of Mach numbers, angles of attack and flap deflections. The predicted sectional lift, drag and pitching moment values for the airfoil were then cast in tabular format (C81) to be used in lifting-line helicopter rotor aerodynamic performance calculations. Similar were also generated for the flap. Mathematical expressions providing the variation of the sectional lift and pitching moment coefficients for the airfoil and for the flap as a function of flap chord length and flap deflection angle were derived within the context of thin airfoil theory. The airfoil's sectional drag coefficient were derived using the ARC2D drag predictions for equivalent two dimensional flow conditions.

Wing-section optimization for supersonic viscous flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Item, Cem C.; Baysal, Oktay (Editor)

1995-01-01

To improve the shape of a supersonic wing, an automated method that also includes higher fidelity to the flow physics is desirable. With this impetus, an aerodynamic optimization methodology incorporating thin-layer Navier-Stokes equations and sensitivity analysis had been previously developed. Prior to embarking upon the wind design task, the present investigation concentrated on testing the feasibility of the methodology, and the identification of adequate problem formulations, by defining two-dimensional, cost-effective test cases. Starting with two distinctly different initial airfoils, two independent shape optimizations resulted in shapes with similar features: slightly cambered, parabolic profiles with sharp leading- and trailing-edges. Secondly, the normal section to the subsonic portion of the leading edge, which had a high normal angle-of-attack, was considered. The optimization resulted in a shape with twist and camber which eliminated the adverse pressure gradient, hence, exploiting the leading-edge thrust. The wing section shapes obtained in all the test cases had the features predicted by previous studies. Therefore, it was concluded that the flowfield analyses and sensitivity coefficients were computed and fed to the present gradient-based optimizer correctly. Also, as a result of the present two-dimensional study, suggestions were made for the problem formulations which should contribute to an effective wing shape optimization.

Nondestructive Testing As a Tool in the Space Shuttle Columbia Accident Investigation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McDanels, Steve

2008-01-01

Nondestructive testing (NDT) played a crucial role in determining the Columbia tragedy's cause. Over 84,000 pieces of debris were recovered; hundreds were subsequently subjected to NDT and materials analysis. Visual NDT of the debris revealed localized areas of damage such as erosion, excessive heating, knife edging and mechanical damage. Three-dimensional reconstructions were made of the left wing leading edge, utilizing a tripod-mounted laser scanning head and focused laser beam, and an advanced topometric optical scanner (ATOS) with digital white light to scan complex-shaped debris, producing monochrome 3-D models. Texture mapping provided a means to capture true colors of the debris and superimpose them on the scanned images. Uniform deposits were found over large portions of debris, obscuring underlying materials. To determine what was beneath, inverse radiography was enlisted. The radiographs guided investigators to where samples should be taken. To ascertain compositions, these samples were subjected to analytical testing, including energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and electron microprobe analysis. This combination of visual evidence, radiography, virtual reconstruction, and materials analysis allowed the forensic scientists to verify that a breach occurred in the leading edge of the left wing, the path the plasma followed, and the sequence of events that led to the loss.

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

Smith, Euan; Kempson, Ivan; Juhasz, Albert L.

The consumption of arsenic (As) contaminated rice is an important exposure route for humans in countries where rice cultivation employs As contaminated irrigation water. Arsenic toxicity and mobility are a function of its chemical-speciation. The distribution and identification of As in the rice plant are hence necessary to determine the uptake, transformation and potential risk posed by As contaminated rice. In this study we report on the distribution and chemical-speciation of As in rice (Oryza sativa Quest) by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) measurements of rice plants grown in As contaminated paddy water. Investigations ofmore » {mu}XRF images from rice tissues found that As was present in all rice tissues, and its presence correlated with the presence of iron at the root surface and copper in the rice leaf. X-ray absorption near edge structure analysis of rice tissues identified that inorganic As was the predominant form of As in all rice tissues studied, and that arsenite became increasingly dominant in the aerial portion of the rice plant.« less

H-alpha images of the Cygnus Loop - A new look at shock-wave dynamics in an old supernova remnant

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fesen, Robert A.; Kwitter, Karen B.; Downes, Ronald A.

1992-01-01

Attention is given to deep H-alpha images of portions of the east, west, and southwest limbs of the Cygnus Loop which illustrate several aspects of shock dynamics in a multiphase interstellar medium. An H-alpha image of the isolated eastern shocked cloud reveals cloud deformation and gas stripping along the cloud's edges, shock front diffraction and reflection around the rear of the cloud, and interior remnant emission due to upstream shock reflection. A faint Balmer-dominated filament is identified 30 arcmin further west of the remnant's bright line of western radiative filaments. This detection indicates a far more westerly intercloud shock front position than previously realized, and resolves the nature of the weak X-ray, optical, and nonthermal radio emission observed west of NGC 6960. Strongly curved Balmer-dominated filaments along the remnant's west and southwest edge may indicate shock diffraction caused by shock wave passage in between clouds.

Welding/sealing glass-enclosed space in a vacuum

DOEpatents

Tracy, C.E.; Benson, D.K.

1996-02-06

A method of welding and sealing the edges of two juxtaposed glass sheets together to seal a vacuum space between the sheets comprises the steps of positioning a radiation absorbent material, such as FeO, VO{sub 2}, or NiO, between the radiation transmissive glass sheets adjacent the edges and then irradiating the absorbent material, preferably with a laser beam, through at least one of the glass sheets. Heat produced by the absorbed radiation in the absorbent material melts glass in the portions of both glass sheets that are adjacent the absorbent material, and the melted glass from both sheets flows together to create the weld when the melted glass cools and hardens. The absorbent material can be dissolved and diffused into the melted glass to the extent that it no longer absorbs enough energy to keep the glass melted, thus, with appropriate proportioning of absorbent material to source energy power and welding heat needed, the process can be made self-stopping. 8 figs.

Welding/sealing glass-enclosed space in a vacuum

DOEpatents

Tracy, C. Edwin; Benson, David K.

1996-01-01

A method of welding and sealing the edges of two juxtaposed glass sheets together to seal a vacuum space between the sheets comprises the steps of positioning a radiation absorbant material, such as FeO, VO.sub.2, or NiO, between the radiation transmissive glass sheets adjacent the edges and then irradiating the absorbant material, preferably with a laser beam, through at least one of the glass sheets. Heat produced by the absorbed radiation in the absorbant material melts glass in the portions of both glass sheets that are adjacent the absorbant material, and the melted glass from both sheets flows together to create the weld when the melted glass cools and hardens. The absorbant material can be dissolved and diffused into the melted glass to the extent that it no longer absorbs enough energy to keep the glass melted, thus, with appropriate proportioning of absorbant material to source energy power and welding heat needed, the process can be made self-stopping.

ARC-1989-A89-7004

NASA Image and Video Library

1989-08-19

Range : 8.6 million kilometers (5.3 million miles) The Voyager took this 61 second exposure through the clear filter with the narrow angle camera of Neptune. The Voyager cameras were programmed to make a systematic search for faint ring arcs and new satellites. The bright upper corner of the image is due to a residual image from a previous long exposure of the planet. The portion of the arc visible here is approximately 35 degrees in longitudinal extent, making it approximately 38,000 kilometers (24,000 miles) in length, and is broken up into three segments separated from each other by approximately 5 degrees. The trailing edge is at the upper right and has an abrupt end while the leading edge seems to fade into the background more gradually. This arc orbits very close to one of the newly discovered Neptune satellites, 1989N4. Close-up studies of this ring arc will be carried out in the coming days which will give higher spatial resolution at different lighting angles. (JPL Ref: P-34617)

Chordwise implementation of pneumatic artificial muscles to actuate a trailing edge flap

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vocke, R. D., III; Kothera, C. S.; Wereley, N. M.

2018-07-01

This work describes the theoretical design and experimental validation of a rotorcraft-specific trailing edge flap powered by pneumatic artificial muscle actuators. The actuators in this work are co-located outboard on the rotor blade with the flap and arranged with a chordwise orientation where diameter and length restrictions can severely limit the operating range of the system. Techniques for addressing this configuration, such as introducing a bias contraction and mechanism optimization, are discussed and a numerical optimization is performed for an actuation system sized for implementation on a medium utility helicopter rotor. The optimized design achieves ±10° of deflection at 1/rev, and maintains at least ±2° half peak-to-peak deflection out to 10/rev, indicating that the system has the actuation authority and bandwidth necessary for both primary control and vibration/noise reduction. Portions of this paper were presented at the AHS 70th Annual Forum, Montréal, Québec, Canada, May 20–22, 2014.

Performance of laminar-flow leading-edge test articles in cloud encounters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, Richard E.; Maddalon, Dal V.; Wagner, Richard D.

1987-01-01

An extensive data bank of concurrent measurements of laminar flow (LF), particle concentration, and aircraft charging state was gathered for the first time. From this data bank, 13 flights in the simulated airline service (SAS) portion were analyzed to date. A total of 6.86 hours of data at one-second resolution were analyzed. An extensive statistical analysis, for both leading-edge test articles, shows that there is a significant effect of cloud and haze particles on the extent of laminar flow obtained. Approximately 93 percent of data points simulating LFC flight were obtained in clear air conditions; approximately 7 percent were obtained in cloud and haze. These percentages are consistent with earlier USAF and NASA estimates and results. The Hall laminar flow loss criteria was verified qualitatively. Larger particles and higher particle concentrations have a more marked effect on LF than do small particles. A particle spectrometer of a charging patch are both acceptable as diagnostic indicators of the presence of particles detrimental to laminar flow.

Wind Tunnel Measured Effects on a Twin-Engine Short-Haul Transport Caused by Simulated Ice Accretions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reehorst, Andrew; Potapczuk, Mark; Ratvasky, Thomas; Laflin, Brenda Gile

1996-01-01

A series of wind tunnel tests were conducted to assess the effects of leading edge ice contamination upon the performance of a short-haul transport. The wind tunnel test was conducted in the NASA Langley 14 by 22 foot facility. The test article was a 1/8 scale twin-engine short-haul jet transport model. Two separate leading edge ice contamination configurations were tested in addition to the uncontaminated baseline configuration. Several aircraft configurations were examined including various flap and slat deflections, with and without landing gear. Data gathered included force measurements via an internal six-component force balance, pressure measurements through 700 electronically scanned wing pressure ports, and wing surface flow visualization measurements. The artificial ice contamination caused significant performance degradation and caused visible changes demonstrated by the flow visualization. The data presented here is just a portion of the data gathered. A more complete data report is planned for publication as a NASA Technical Memorandum and data supplement.

WINGDES2 - WING DESIGN AND ANALYSIS CODE

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carlson, H. W.

1994-01-01

This program provides a wing design algorithm based on modified linear theory which takes into account the effects of attainable leading-edge thrust. A primary objective of the WINGDES2 approach is the generation of a camber surface as mild as possible to produce drag levels comparable to those attainable with full theoretical leading-edge thrust. WINGDES2 provides both an analysis and a design capability and is applicable to both subsonic and supersonic flow. The optimization can be carried out for designated wing portions such as leading and trailing edge areas for the design of mission-adaptive surfaces, or for an entire planform such as a supersonic transport wing. This program replaces an earlier wing design code, LAR-13315, designated WINGDES. WINGDES2 incorporates modifications to improve numerical accuracy and provides additional capabilities. A means of accounting for the presence of interference pressure fields from airplane components other than the wing and a direct process for selection of flap surfaces to approach the performance levels of the optimized wing surfaces are included. An increased storage capacity allows better numerical representation of those configurations that have small chord leading-edge or trailing-edge design areas. WINGDES2 determines an optimum combination of a series of candidate surfaces rather than the more commonly used candidate loadings. The objective of the design is the recovery of unrealized theoretical leading-edge thrust of the input flat surface by shaping of the design surface to create a distributed thrust and thus minimize drag. The input consists of airfoil section thickness data, leading and trailing edge planform geometry, and operational parameters such as Mach number, Reynolds number, and design lift coefficient. Output includes optimized camber surface ordinates, pressure coefficient distributions, and theoretical aerodynamic characteristics. WINGDES2 is written in FORTRAN V for batch execution and has been implemented on a CDC CYBER computer operating under NOS 2.7.1 with a central memory requirement of approximately 344K (octal) of 60 bit words. This program was developed in 1984, and last updated in 1990. CDC and CYBER are trademarks of Control Data Corporation.

[Establishment and Management of Multiple Myeloma Specimen Bank Applied for Molecular Biological Researches].

PubMed

Li, Han-Qing; Mei, Jian-Gang; Cao, Hong-Qin; Shao, Liang-Jing; Zhai, Yong-Ping

2017-12-01

To establish a multiple myeloma specimen bank applied for molecular biological researches and to explore the methods of specimen collection, transportation, storage, quality control and the management of specimen bank. Bone marrow and blood samples were collected from multiple myeloma patients, plasma cell sorting were operated after the separation of mononuclear cells from bone marrow specimens. The plasma cells were divided into 2 parts, one was added with proper amount of TRIzol and then kept in -80 °C refrigerator for subsequent RNA extraction, the other was added with proper amount of calf serum cell frozen liquid and then kept in -80 °C refrigerator for subsequent cryopreservation of DNA extraction after numbered respectively. Serum and plasma were separated from peripheral blood, specimens of serum and plasma were then stored at -80 °C refrigerator after registration. Meantime, the myeloma specimen information management system was established, managed and maintained by specially-assigned persons and continuous modification and improvement in the process of use as to facilitate the rapid collection, management, query of the effective samples and clinical data. A total of 244 portions plasma cells, 564 portions of serum, and 1005 portions of plasma were collected, clinical characters were documented. A multiple myeloma specimen bank have been established initially, which can provide quality samples and related clinical information for molecular biological research on multiple myeloma.

Gamma-oscillations modulated by picture naming and word reading: Intracranial recording in epileptic patients

PubMed Central

Wu, Helen C.; Nagasawa, Tetsuro; Brown, Erik C.; Juhasz, Csaba; Rothermel, Robert; Hoechstetter, Karsten; Shah, Aashit; Mittal, Sandeep; Fuerst, Darren; Sood, Sandeep; Asano, Eishi

2011-01-01

Objective We measured cortical gamma-oscillations in response to visual-language tasks consisting of picture naming and word reading in an effort to better understand human visual-language pathways. Methods We studied six patients with focal epilepsy who underwent extraoperative electrocorticography (ECoG) recording. Patients were asked to overtly name images presented sequentially in the picture naming task and to overtly read written words in the reading task. Results Both tasks commonly elicited gamma-augmentation (maximally at 80–100 Hz) on ECoG in the occipital, inferior-occipital-temporal and inferior-Rolandic areas, bilaterally. Picture naming, compared to reading task, elicited greater gamma-augmentation in portions of pre-motor areas as well as occipital and inferior-occipital-temporal areas, bilaterally. In contrast, word reading elicited greater gamma-augmentation in portions of bilateral occipital, left occipital-temporal and left superior-posterior-parietal areas. Gamma-attenuation was elicited by both tasks in portions of posterior cingulate and ventral premotor-prefrontal areas bilaterally. The number of letters in a presented word was positively correlated to the degree of gamma-augmentation in the medial occipital areas. Conclusions Gamma-augmentation measured on ECoG identified cortical areas commonly and differentially involved in picture naming and reading tasks. Longer words may activate the primary visual cortex for the more peripheral field. Significance The present study increases our understanding of the visual-language pathways. PMID:21498109

Air Pump-Assisted Graft Centration, Graft Edge Unfolding, and Graft Uncreasing in Young Donor Graft Pre-Descemet Endothelial Keratoplasty.

PubMed

Jacob, Soosan; Narasimhan, Smita; Agarwal, Amar; Agarwal, Athiya; A I, Saijimol

2017-08-01

To assess an air pump-assisted technique for graft centration, graft edge unfolding, and graft uncreasing while performing pre-Descemet endothelial keratoplasty (PDEK) using young donor grafts. Continuous pressurized air infusion was used for graft centration, graft edge unfolding, and graft unwrinkling. Ten eyes of 10 patients underwent PDEK with donors aged below 40 years. In all eyes, the donor scrolled into tight scrolls. In all cases, the air pump-assisted technique was effective in positioning and centering the graft accurately and in straightening infolded graft edges and smoothing out graft creases and wrinkles. Endothelial cell loss was 38.6%. Postoperative best-corrected visual acuity at 6 months was 0.66 ± 0.25 in decimal equivalent. Continuous pressurized air infusion acted as a third hand providing a continuous pressure head that supported the graft and prevented graft dislocation as well as anterior chamber collapse during intraocular maneuvering. Adequate maneuvering space was available in all cases, and bleeding, if any, was tamponaded successfully in all cases. Although very young donor grafts may be used for PDEK, they are difficult to center and unroll completely before floating against host stroma. An air pump-assisted technique using continuous pressurized air infusion allows successful final graft positioning even with very young donor corneas. It thus makes surgery easier as several key steps are made easier to handle. It additionally helps in tamponading hemorrhage during peripheral iridectomy, increasing surgical space, preventing fluctuations in the anterior chamber depth, and promoting graft adherence.

FLOURY ENDOSPERM7 encodes a regulator of starch synthesis and amyloplast development essential for peripheral endosperm development in rice

PubMed Central

Zhang, Long; Ren, Yulong; Lu, Bingyue; Yang, Chunyan; Feng, Zhiming; Liu, Zhou; Chen, Jun; Ma, Weiwei; Wang, Ying; Yu, Xiaowen; Wang, Yunlong; Zhang, Wenwei; Wang, Yihua; Liu, Shijia; Wu, Fuqing; Zhang, Xin; Guo, Xiuping; Bao, Yiqun; Jiang, Ling; Wan, Jianmin

2016-01-01

In cereal crops, starch synthesis and storage depend mainly on a specialized class of plastids, termed amyloplasts. Despite the importance of starch, the molecular machinery regulating starch synthesis and amyloplast development remains largely unknown. Here, we report the characterization of the rice (Oryza sativa) floury endosperm7 (flo7) mutant, which develops a floury-white endosperm only in the periphery and not in the inner portion. Consistent with the phenotypic alternation in flo7 endosperm, the flo7 mutant had reduced amylose content and seriously disrupted amylopectin structure only in the peripheral endosperm. Notably, flo7 peripheral endosperm cells showed obvious defects in compound starch grain development. Map-based cloning of FLO7 revealed that it encodes a protein of unknown function. FLO7 harbors an N-terminal transit peptide capable of targeting functional FLO7 fused to green fluorescent protein to amyloplast stroma in developing endosperm cells, and a domain of unknown function 1338 (DUF1338) that is highly conserved in green plants. Furthermore, our combined β-glucuronidase activity and RNA in situ hybridization assays showed that the FLO7 gene was expressed ubiquitously but exhibited a specific expression in the endosperm periphery. Moreover, a set of in vivo experiments demonstrated that the missing 32 aa in the flo7 mutant protein are essential for the stable accumulation of FLO7 in the endosperm. Together, our findings identify FLO7 as a unique plant regulator required for starch synthesis and amyloplast development within the peripheral endosperm and provide new insights into the spatial regulation of endosperm development in rice. PMID:26608643

An autopsy case of minamata disease (methylmercury poisoning)--pathological viewpoints of peripheral nerves.

PubMed

Eto, Komyo; Tokunaga, Hidehiro; Nagashima, Kazuo; Takeuchi, Tadao

2002-01-01

The outbreak of methylmercury poisoning in the geographic areas around Minamata Bay, Kumamoto, Japan in the 1950s has become known as Minamata disease. Based on earlier reports and extensive pathological studies on autopsied cases at the Kumamoto University School of Medicine, destructive lesions in the anterior portion of the calcarine cortex and depletion predominantly of granular cells in the cerebellar cortex came to be recognized as the hallmark and diagnostic yardstick of methylmercury poisoning in humans. As the number of autopsy cases of Minamata disease increased, it became apparent that the cerebral lesion was not restricted to the calcarine cortex but was relatively widespread. Less severe lesions, believed to be responsible for the motor symptoms of Minamata patients, were often found in the precentral, postcentral, and lateral temporal cortices. These patients also frequently presented with signs of sensory neuropathy affecting the distal extremities. Because of few sufficiently comprehensive studies, peripheral nerve degeneration has not been universally accepted as a cause of the sensory disturbances in Minamata patients. The present paper describes both biopsy and autopsy findings of the peripheral nerves in a male fisherman who died at the age of 64 years and showed the characteristic central nervous system lesions of Minamata disease at autopsy. A sural nerve biopsy with electron microscopy performed 1 month prior to his death showed endoneurial fibrosis and regenerated myelin sheaths. At autopsy the dorsal roots and sural nerve showed endoneurial fibrosis, loss of nerve fibers, and presence of Büngner's bands. The spinal cord showed Wallerian degeneration of the fasciculus gracilis (Goll's tract) with relative preservation of neurons in sensory ganglia. These findings support the contention that there is peripheral nerve degeneration in Minamata patients due to toxic injury from methylmercury.

Regulation of TRPV2 by axotomy in sympathetic, but not sensory neurons.

PubMed

Gaudet, Andrew D; Williams, Sarah J; Hwi, Lucy P-R; Ramer, Matt S

2004-08-13

Neuropathic pain results from traumatic or disease-related insults to the nervous system. Mechanisms that have been postulated to underlie peripheral neuropathy commonly implicate afferent neurons that have been damaged but still project centrally to the spinal cord, and/or intact neurons that interact with degenerating distal portions of the injured neurons. One pain state that is observed following peripheral nerve injury in the rat is thermal hyperalgesia. The noxious heat-gated ion channel TRPV1 may be responsible for this increased sensitivity, as it is up-regulated in L4 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons following L5 spinal nerve lesion (SpNL). The TRPV1 homologue TRPV2 (or VRL-1) is another member of the TRPV subfamily of TRP ion channels. TRPV2 is a nonselective cation channel activated by high noxious temperatures (>52 degrees C) and is present in a subset of medium- to large-diameter DRG neurons. To establish whether TRPV2 is endogenous to the spinal cord, we examined its expression in the dorsal horn following rhizotomy. We found no significant decrease in TRPV2 immunoreactivity, suggesting that TRPV2 is endogenous to the spinal cord. In order to determine whether TRPV2, like TRPV1, is regulated by peripheral axotomy, we performed L5 SpNL and characterized TRPV2 distribution in the DRG, spinal cord, brainstem, and sympathetic ganglia. Our results show that peripheral axotomy did not regulate TRPV2 in the DRG, spinal cord, or brainstem; however, TRPV2 was up-regulated in sympathetic postganglionic neurons following injury, suggesting a potential role for TRPV2 in sympathetically mediated neuropathic pain.

2.5-month-old infants' reasoning about when objects should and should not be occluded.

PubMed

Aguiar, A; Baillargeon, R

1999-09-01

The present research examined 2.5-month-old infants' reasoning about occlusion events. Three experiments investigated infants' ability to predict whether an object should remain continuously hidden or become temporarily visible when passing behind an occluder with an opening in its midsection. In Experiment 1, the infants were habituated to a short toy mouse that moved back and forth behind a screen. Next, the infants saw two test events that were identical to the habituation event except that a portion of the screen's midsection was removed to create a large window. In one event (high-window event), the window extended from the screen's upper edge; the mouse was shorter than the bottom of the window and thus did not become visible when passing behind the screen. In the other event (low-window event), the window extended from the screen's lower edge; although the mouse was shorter than the top of the window and hence should have become fully visible when passing behind the screen, it never appeared in the window. The infants tended to look equally at the high- and low-window events, suggesting that they were not surprised when the mouse failed to appear in the low window. However, positive results were obtained in Experiment 2 when the low-window event was modified: a portion of the screen above the window was removed so that the left and right sections of the screen were no longer connected (two-screens event). The infants looked reliably longer at the two-screens than at the high-window event. Together, the results of Experiments 1 and 2 suggested that, at 2.5 months of age, infants possess only very limited expectations about when objects should and should not be occluded. Specifically, infants expect objects (1) to become visible when passing between occluders and (2) to remain hidden when passing behind occluders, irrespective of whether these have openings extending from their upper or lower edges. Experiment 3 provided support for this interpretation. The implications of these findings for models of the origins and development of infants' knowledge about occlusion events are discussed. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

High density printed electrical circuit board card connection system

DOEpatents

Baumbaugh, Alan E.

1997-01-01

A zero insertion/extraction force printed circuit board card connection system comprises a cam-operated locking mechanism disposed along an edge portion of the printed circuit board. The extrusions along the circuit board mate with an extrusion fixed to the card cage having a plurality of electrical connectors. The card connection system allows the connectors to be held away from the circuit board during insertion/extraction and provides a constant mating force once the circuit board is positioned. The card connection system provides a simple solution to the need for a greater number of electrical signal connections.

PLATES WITH OXIDE INSERTS

DOEpatents

West, J.M.; Schumar, J.F.

1958-06-10

Planar-type fuel assemblies for nuclear reactors are described, particularly those comprising fuel in the oxide form such as thoria and urania. The fuel assembly consists of a plurality of parallel spaced fuel plate mennbers having their longitudinal side edges attached to two parallel supporting side plates, thereby providing coolant flow channels between the opposite faces of adjacent fuel plates. The fuel plates are comprised of a plurality of longitudinally extending tubular sections connected by web portions, the tubular sections being filled with a plurality of pellets of the fuel material and the pellets being thermally bonded to the inside of the tubular section by lead.

Varietal Loops

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-09-15

A series of active regions stretched along the right side of the sun exhibited a wide variety of loops cascading above them (Sept. 12-14, 2016). The active region near the center has tightly coiled loops, while the region rotating over the right edge has some elongated and some very stretched loops above it. The loops are actually charged particles spiraling along magnetic field lines, observed here in a wavelength of extreme ultraviolet light. Near the middle of the video the Earth quickly passes in front of a portion of the sun as viewed by SDO. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA16997

Composite prepreg application device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sandusky, Donald A. (Inventor); Marchello, Joseph M. (Inventor)

1995-01-01

A heated shoe and cooled pressure roller assembly for composite prepreg application is provided. The shoe assembly includes a heated forward contact surface having a curved pressure surface. The following cooled roller provides a continuous pressure to the thermoplastic while reducing the temperature to approximately 5 C below glass transition temperature. Electric heating coils inside the forward portion of the shoe heat a thermoplastic workpiece to approximately 100 C above the glass transition. Immediately following the heated contact surface, a cooled roller cools the work. The end sharpened shape of the heated shoe trailing edge tends to prevent slag buildup and maintain a uniform, relaxed stress fabrication.

Perceived spatial displacement of motion-defined contours in peripheral vision.

PubMed

Fan, Zhao; Harris, John

2008-12-01

The perceived displacement of motion-defined contours in peripheral vision was examined in four experiments. In Experiment 1, in line with Ramachandran and Anstis' finding [Ramachandran, V. S., & Anstis, S. M. (1990). Illusory displacement of equiluminous kinetic edges. Perception, 19, 611-616], the border between a field of drifting dots and a static dot pattern was apparently displaced in the same direction as the movement of the dots. When a uniform dark area was substituted for the static dots, a similar displacement was found, but this was smaller and statistically insignificant. In Experiment 2, the border between two fields of dots moving in opposite directions was displaced in the direction of motion of the dots in the more eccentric field, so that the location of a boundary defined by a diverging pattern is perceived as more eccentric, and that defined by a converging as less eccentric. Two explanations for this effect (that the displacement reflects a greater weight given to the more eccentric motion, or that the region containing stronger centripetal motion components expands perceptually into that containing centrifugal motion) were tested in Experiment 3, by varying the velocity of the more eccentric region. The results favoured the explanation based on the expansion of an area in centripetal motion. Experiment 4 showed that the difference in perceived location was unlikely to be due to differences in the discriminability of contours in diverging and converging patterns, and confirmed that this effect is due to a difference between centripetal and centrifugal motion rather than motion components in other directions. Our result provides new evidence for a bias towards centripetal motion in human vision, and suggests that the direction of motion-induced displacement of edges is not always in the direction of an adjacent moving pattern.

Involvement of mTOR-autophagy in the selection of primitive mesenchymal stem cells in chitosan film 3-dimensional culture.

PubMed

Chiu, Hsiao-Ying; Tsay, Yeou-Guang; Hung, Shih-Chieh

2017-08-31

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in conventional monolayer culture are heterogeneous and contain a significant portion of senescent cells. MSCs cultured on chitosan film form 3-dimenional spheres, increase in stemness and differentiation capability; however, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We first demonstrate chitosan film culture induces apoptosis at 2 days, with specificity in late senescent cells. Especially in senescent cells, chitosan film culture activates mTOR, which activates S6K/S6/4E-BP1 to enhance fibronection synthesis and peripheral dead cell attachment, and phosphorylates ULK1 at S757 to further inactivate ULK1, LC3A and autophagy, thereby inducing apoptosis. Combination of chitosan film culture with mTOR inhibition prevents peripheral dead cell attachment, thereby further increasing pluripotent gene expression, in vitro osteogenesis and in vivo bone formation. These data successfully figure out the role of mTOR signaling in chitosan film culture and develop a method by combination of rapamycin treatment for promoting stemness and differentiation capability in MSCs.

Lead isotopes reveal bilateral asymmetry and vertical continuity in the Hawaiian mantle plume.

PubMed

Abouchami, W; Hofmann, A W; Galer, S J G; Frey, F A; Eisele, J; Feigenson, M

2005-04-14

The two parallel chains of Hawaiian volcanoes ('Loa' and 'Kea') are known to have statistically different but overlapping radiogenic isotope characteristics. This has been explained by a model of a concentrically zoned mantle plume, where the Kea chain preferentially samples a more peripheral portion of the plume. Using high-precision lead isotope data for both centrally and peripherally located volcanoes, we show here that the two trends have very little compositional overlap and instead reveal bilateral, non-concentric plume zones, probably derived from the plume source in the mantle. On a smaller scale, along the Kea chain, there are isotopic differences between the youngest lavas from the Mauna Kea and Kilauea volcanoes, but the 550-thousand-year-old Mauna Kea lavas are isotopically identical to Kilauea lavas, consistent with Mauna Kea's position relative to the plume, which was then similar to that of present-day Kilauea. We therefore conclude that narrow (less than 50 kilometres wide) compositional streaks, as well as the larger-scale bilateral zonation, are vertically continuous over tens to hundreds of kilometres within the plume.

Variations in the Sea Ice Edge and the Marginal Ice Zone on Different Spatial Scales as Observed from Different Satellite Sensor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Markus, Thorsten; Henrichs, John

2006-01-01

The Marginal sea Ice Zone (MIZ) and the sea ice edge are the most dynamic areas of the sea ice cover. Knowledge of the sea ice edge location is vital for routing shipping in the polar regions. The ice edge is the location of recurrent plankton blooms, and is the habitat for a number of animals, including several which are under severe ecological threat. Polar lows are known to preferentially form along the sea ice edge because of induced atmospheric baroclinicity, and the ice edge is also the location of both vertical and horizontal ocean currents driven by thermal and salinity gradients. Finally, sea ice is both a driver and indicator of climate change and monitoring the position of the ice edge accurately over long time periods enables assessment of the impact of global and regional warming near the poles. Several sensors are currently in orbit that can monitor the sea ice edge. These sensors, though, have different spatial resolutions, different limitations, and different repeat frequencies. Satellite passive microwave sensors can monitor the ice edge on a daily or even twice-daily basis, albeit with low spatial resolution - 25 km for the Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) or 12.5 km for the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR-E). Although special methods exist that allow the detection of the sea ice edge at a quarter of that nominal resolution (PSSM). Visible and infrared data from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) provide daily coverage at 1 km and 250 m, respectively, but the surface observations me limited to cloud-free periods. The Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) has a resolution of 15 to 30 m but is limited to cloud-free periods as well, and does not provide daily coverage. Imagery from Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) instruments has resolutions of tens of meters to 100 m, and can be used to distinguish open water and sea ice on the basis of surface and volume scattering characteristics. The Canadian RADARSAT C-band SAR provides data that cover the Arctic Ocean and the MIZ every 3 days. A change-point detection approach was utilized to obtain an ice edge estimate from the RADARSAT data The Quickscat scatterometer provides ice edge information with a resolution of a few kilometers on a near-daily basis. During portions of March and April of 2003 a series of aircraft flights were conducted over the ice edge in the Bering Sea carrying the Polarimetric Scanning Radiometer (PSR), which provides spectral coverage identical with the AMSR-E instrument at a resolution of 500 meters. In this study we investigated these different data sets and analyzed differences in their definition of the sea ice edge and the marginal ice zone and how these differences as well as their individual limitations affect the monitoring of the ice edge dynamics. We also examined how the nature of the sea ice edge, including its location, compactness and shape, changes over the seasons. Our approach was based on calculation of distances between ice edges derived from the satellite and aircraft data sets listed above as well as spectral coherence methods and shape parameters such as tortuosity, curvature, and fractional dimension.

Concentric retinitis pigmentosa: clinicopathologic correlations.

PubMed

Milam, A H; De Castro, E B; Smith, J E; Tang, W X; John, S K; Gorin, M B; Stone, E M; Aguirre, G D; Jacobson, S G

2001-10-01

Progressive concentric (centripetal) loss of vision is one pattern of visual field loss in retinitis pigmentosa. This study provides the first clinicopathologic correlations for this form of retinitis pigmentosa. A family with autosomal dominant concentric retinitis pigmentosa was examined clinically and with visual function tests. A post-mortem eye of an affected 94 year old family member was processed for histopathology and immunocytochemistry with retinal cell specific antibodies. Unrelated simplex/multiplex patients with concentric retinitis pigmentosa were also examined. Affected family members of the eye donor and patients from the other families had prominent peripheral pigmentary retinopathy with more normal appearing central retina, good visual acuity, concentric field loss, normal or near normal rod and cone sensitivity within the preserved visual field, and reduced rod and cone electroretinograms. The eye donor, at age 90, had good acuity and function in a central island. Grossly, the central region of the donor retina appeared thinned but otherwise normal, while the far periphery contained heavy bone spicule pigment. Microscopically the central retina showed photoreceptor outer segment shortening and some photoreceptor cell loss. The mid periphery had a sharp line of demarcation where more central photoreceptors were near normal except for very short outer segments and peripheral photoreceptors were absent. Rods and cones showed abrupt loss of outer segments and cell death at this interface. It is concluded that concentric retinitis pigmentosa is a rare but recognizable phenotype with slowly progressive photoreceptor death from the far periphery toward the central retina. The disease is retina-wide but shows regional variation in severity of degeneration; photoreceptor death is severe in the peripheral retina with an abrupt edge between viable and degenerate photoreceptors. Peripheral to central gradients of unknown retinal molecule(s) may be defective or modify photoreceptor degeneration in concentric retinitis pigmentosa.

Weather Movie, Mars South Polar Region, March-April 2009 Close-up View

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-04-16

This image shows the southern high-latitudes region of Mars from March 19 through April 14, 2009, a period when regional dust storms occurred along the retreating edge of carbon-dioxide frost in the seasonal south polar cap. Compared with a full-hemisphere view (see PIA11987), this view shows more details of where the dust clouds formed and how they moved around the planet. The movie combines hundreds of images from the Mars Color Imager (MARCI) camera on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. In viewing the movie, it helps to understand some of the artifacts produced by the nature of MARCI images when seen in animation. MARCI acquires images in swaths from pole-to-pole during the dayside portion of each orbit. The camera can cover the entire planet in just over 12 orbits, and takes about 1 day to accumulate this coverage. The indiviual swaths are assembled into a mosaic, and that mosaic is shown here wrapped onto a sphere. The blurry portions of the mosaic, seen to be "pinwheeling" around the planet in the movie, are the portions of adjacent images viewing obliquely through the hazy atmosphsere. Portions with sharper-looking details are the central part of an image, viewing more directly downward through less atmosphere than the obliquely viewed portions. MARCI has a 180-degree field of view, and Mars fills about 78 percent of that field of view when the camera is pointed down at the planet. However, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter often is pointed to one side or the other off its orbital track in order to acquire targeted observations by the higher-resolution imaging systems on the spacecraft. When such rolls exceed about 20 degrees, gaps occur in the mosaic of MARCI swaths. Also, dark gaps appear when data are missing, either because of irrecoverable data drops, or because not all the data have yet been transmitted from the spacecraft. It isn't easy to see the actual dust motion in the atmosphere in these images, owing to the apparent motion of these artifacts. However, by concentrating on specific surface features (craters, prominent ice deposits, etc.) and looking for the brownish clouds of dust, it is possible to see where the storms start and how they move around the planet. In additon to tracking the storms, it is also interesting to watch how the seasonal cap shrinks from the beginning to the end of the animation. This shrinkage results from subliming of the carbon-dioxide frost from the surface as the frost absorbs southern hemisphere mid-spring sunlight. The temperature contrast between the warm sunlit ground just north of the cap's edge and the cold carbon-dioxide frost generates strong winds, enhanced by the excess carbon dioxide subliming off the cap. These winds create the conditions that lead to the dust storms. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA11988

Management of nontraumatic corneal perforation with tectonic drape patch and cyanoacrylate glue.

PubMed

Khalifa, Yousuf M; Bailony, M Rami; Bloomer, Michele M; Killingsworth, Daniel; Jeng, Bennie H

2010-10-01

To report a case of nontraumatic corneal perforation managed with a tectonic drape patch. Interventional case report. A 60-year-old patient with a corneal scar in his left eye likely secondary to herpes simplex virus interstitial keratitis underwent laser peripheral iridotomy for narrow angles. He developed progressive thinning of the cornea overlying the scar that led to a descemetocele and then ultimately a 1.2- × 1.7-mm perforation. Intraoperatively, several attempts were made to seal the perforation with cyanoacrylate glue, but the wound continued to leak. Sterile plastic drape that was on the surgical field was fashioned into a 2-mm-diameter patch, and the peripheral edge of the tectonic drape patch was glued over the perforation, successfully sealing the cornea. One week later, the drape patch was intact without leak, and a penetrating keratoplasty was carried out without complication. Tectonic drape patch technique for nontraumatic corneal perforations in which there is tissue loss is a viable temporizing option when cyanoacrylate glue alone fails and when there is no corneal tissue or amniotic membrane available to close the wound.

Valve Cap For An Electric Storage Cell

DOEpatents

Verhoog, Roelof; Genton, Alain

2000-04-18

The valve cap for an electric storage cell includes a central annular valve seat (23) and a membrane (5) fixed by its peripheral edge and urged against the seat by a piston (10) bearing thereagainst by means of a spring (12), the rear end of said spring (12) bearing on the endwall (8) of a chamber (20) formed in the cap and containing the piston (10) and the spring. A vent (19) puts the chamber (20) into communication with the atmosphere. A central orifice (26, 28) through the piston (10) and the membrane (5), enables gas from within the cell to escape via the top vent (19) when the valve opens.

Cutting assembly including expanding wall segments of auger

DOEpatents

Treuhaft, Martin B.; Oser, Michael S.

1983-01-01

A mining auger comprises a cutting head carried at one end of a tubular shaft and a plurality of wall segments which in a first position thereof are disposed side by side around said shaft and in a second position thereof are disposed oblique to said shaft. A vane projects outwardly from each wall segment. When the wall segments are in their first position, the vanes together form a substantially continuous helical wall. A cutter is mounted on the peripheral edge of each of the vanes. When the wall segments are in their second position, the cutters on the vanes are disposed radially outward from the perimeter of the cutting head.

Pit Where a Scarp Exposes an Underground Deposit of Martian Ice

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-01-11

At this wedge-shaped pit on Mars, the steep slope (or scarp) at the northern edge (toward the top of the image) exposes a cross-section of a thick sheet of underground water ice. The image is from the High Resolution Imaging Stereo Experiment (HiRISE) camera on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. The gray-scale portions on left and right are from a single waveband in the red-light portion of the visible spectrum. The middle section, in enhanced color, combines data from red, near-infrared and blue-green wavebands. The scene covers an area about three miles (five kilometers) wide. Figure 1 includes a one-kilometer scale bar. One kilometer is about six-tenths of a mile. The ice-exposing scarp at the northern edge of the pit has a steepness of about 45 to 55 degrees, plunging from the relatively level ground outside the pit. The HiRISE observation ESP_022389_1230 was made on May 7, 2011, at 56.6 degrees south latitude, 114.1 degrees east longitude. In January 2018, in the journal Science, researchers reported finding and studying eight such ice-exposing scarps in the middle latitudes of Mars. The presence of vast underground ice deposits in Mars' middle latitudes was known previously. The report of unusual sites where they are exposed provides new information about their depth and layering. It also identifies potential water resources for future Mars missions and possibilities for studying Martian climate history by examining the ice layers holding a record of past climate cycles. The ice may have been deposited as snow when the tilt of Mars' rotation axis was greater than it is now. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22078

Tricuspid annuloplasty with the MC3 ring and septal plication technique.

PubMed

Isomura, Tadashi; Hirota, Masanori; Hoshino, Joji; Fukada, Yasuhisa; Kondo, Taichi; Takahashi, Yu

2015-01-01

Functional tricuspid regurgitation is caused by annular dilation mainly in the posterior annulus. However, ring annuloplasty does not always prevent the recurrence of tricuspid regurgitation due to dilation of the septal annulus. We developed a septal plication technique with a 3-dimensional MC3 ring. Between 2006 and 2011, 76 patients (male/female 30/46; mean age 68 ± 11 years) with functional tricuspid regurgitation received tricuspid ring annuloplasty. After placement of the annular sutures, the 3 commissural ring portions were fixed on the equivalent commissures to plicate the anterior and posterior annulus. The end of the septal ring portion was fixed at the optimal annular position to obtain minimal tricuspid regurgitation. All patients were followed-up for a mean of 47 ± 18 months; the longest duration was 79 months. Although there was no operative death, one patient died of sepsis during hospitalization (hospital mortality 1.3%). After implantation of the MC3 ring (mean size 31.0 ± 3.3 mm), additional edge-to-edge sutures were required for minor leakage in 5 (7%) patients. The degree of tricuspid regurgitation was significantly reduced at discharge (0.5 ± 0.6) and midterm (0.6 ± 0.6) compared to 2.5 ± 0.7 before the operation (p < 0.0001). The surgical durability of the MC3 ring was satisfactory at early and midterm follow-up, suggesting that correct plication of the septal annulus is effective for tricuspid ring annuloplasty with a 3-dimensional MC3 ring. © The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.

Numerical and Permeability Constraints on Simulation of Sill-Driven Hydrothermal Convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carr, P. M.; Cathles, L. M.; Barrie, C. T.; Manhardt, P.

2004-05-01

Volcanic-associated massive sulfide deposits are formed where seawater, heated to ~350oC by subsurface magma intrusions, is quenched by cold water at or near the seafloor. Many VMS districts, like the one at Matagami, Quebec, contain their zinc, lead, and copper in about a dozen discrete ore bodies, with one or two deposits containing more than half of the district's resources. We construct numerical models to investigate the causes of variations in deposit size. These models show that a process which stabilizes the location of hydrothermal venting plumes is required to numerically generate discrete VMS ore bodies by sill-driven hydrothermal convection. This is achieved in our models by increasing rock permeability in a fashion that makes vent plumes more permeable than their surroundings. Maintaining the Courant number ≤1 (so that a thermal anomaly traverses only one grid cell in one timestep of the simulation) is shown to be crucial to numerical convergence. If this rule is violated, visually compelling but incorrect hydrothermal vents result. Small hydrothermal convection cells over the interior of an areally-extensive sill with a tabular edge are smaller than those formed at the sill edge. However, for a sill with the geometry of that at Matagami, numerical simulations indicate that large ore deposits should form near the thickest part of the sill where metals extracted from the underside of the still-hot portions of the sill can optimally contribute. Thus it is essential to construct a model of the entire domain rather than slicing a portion local to the deposition. The numerical models replicate the ten-fold range in deposit size variation, and predict the largest deposits at Matagami will be discovered at 5 to 8 km depth between currently known deposits in the South Flank and Phelps Dodge areas.

Moose habitat in Massachusetts: Assessing use at the southern edge of the range

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wattles, David W.; DeStefano, Stephen

2013-01-01

Moose (Alces alces) have recently re-occupied a portion of their range in the temperate deciduous forest of the northeastern United States after a more than 200 year absence. In southern New England, moose are exposed to a variety of forest types, increasing development, and higher ambient temperatures as compared to other parts of their geographic range. Additionally, large-scale disturbances that shape forest structure and expansive naturally occurring shrub-willow communities used commonly elsewhere are lacking. We used utilization distributions to determine third order habitat selection (selection within the home range) of GPS-collared moose. In central Massachusetts, forests regenerating from logging were the most heavily used cover type in all seasons (48 - 63% of core area use). Habitat use of moose in western Massachusetts varied more seasonally, with regenerating forests used most heavily in summer and fall (57 and 46%, respectively), conifer and mixed forests in winter (47 - 65%), and deciduous forests in spring (41%). This difference in habitat selection reflected the transition from northern forest types to more southern forest types across the state. The intensive use of patches of regenerating forest emphasizes the importance of sustainable forest harvesting to moose. This study provides the first assessment of habitat requirements in this southern portion of moose range and provides insights into re-establishment of moose in unoccupied portions of its historic range in New York and Pennsylvania.

Floating seal system for rotary devices

DOEpatents

Banasiuk, Hubert A.

1983-01-01

This invention relates to a floating seal system for rotary devices to reduce gas leakage around the rotary device in a duct and across the face of the rotary device to an adjacent duct. The peripheral seal bodies are made of resilient material having a generally U-shaped cross section wherein one of the legs is secured to a support member and the other of the legs forms a contacting seal against the rotary device. The legs of the peripheral seal form an extended angle of intersection of about 10.degree. to about 30.degree. in the unloaded condition to provide even sealing forces around the periphery of the rotary device. The peripheral seal extends around the periphery of the support member except where intersected by radial seals which reduce gas leakage across the face of the rotary device and between adjacent duct portions. The radial seal assembly is fabricated from channel bars, the smaller channel bar being secured to the divider of the support member and a larger inverted rigid floating channel bar having its legs freely movable over the legs of the smaller channel bar forming therewith a tubular channel. A resilient flexible tube is positioned within the tubular channel for substantially its full length to reduce gas leakage across the tubular channel. A spacer extends beyond the face of the floating channel near each end of the floating channel a distance to provide desired clearance between the floating channel and the face of the rotary device.

DNA Methylation Analysis of HTR2A Regulatory Region in Leukocytes of Autistic Subjects.

PubMed

Hranilovic, Dubravka; Blazevic, Sofia; Stefulj, Jasminka; Zill, Peter

2016-02-01

Disturbed brain and peripheral serotonin homeostasis is often found in subjects with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The role of the serotonin receptor 2A (HTR2A) in the regulation of central and peripheral serotonin homeostasis, as well as its altered expression in autistic subjects, have implicated the HTR2A gene as a major candidate for the serotonin disturbance seen in autism. Several studies, yielding so far inconclusive results, have attempted to associate autism with a functional SNP -1438 G/A (rs6311) in the HTR2A promoter region, while possible contribution of epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, to HTR2A dysregulation in autism has not yet been investigated. In this study, we compared the mean DNA methylation within the regulatory region of the HTR2A gene between autistic and control subjects. DNA methylation was analysed in peripheral blood leukocytes using bisulfite conversion and sequencing of the HTR2A region containing rs6311 polymorphism. Autistic subjects of rs6311 AG genotype displayed higher mean methylation levels within the analysed region than the corresponding controls (P < 0.05), while there was no statistically significant difference for AA and GG carriers. Our study provides preliminary evidence for increased HTR2A promoter methylation in leukocytes of a portion of adult autistic subjects, indicating that epigenetic mechanisms might contribute to HTR2A dysregulation observed in individuals with ASD. © 2015 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Floating seal system for rotary devices

DOEpatents

Banasiuk, H.A.

1983-08-23

This invention relates to a floating seal system for rotary devices to reduce gas leakage around the rotary device in a duct and across the face of the rotary device to an adjacent duct. The peripheral seal bodies are made of resilient material having a generally U-shaped cross section wherein one of the legs is secured to a support member and the other of the legs forms a contacting seal against the rotary device. The legs of the peripheral seal form an extended angle of intersection of about 10[degree] to about 30[degree] in the unloaded condition to provide even sealing forces around the periphery of the rotary device. The peripheral seal extends around the periphery of the support member except where intersected by radial seals which reduce gas leakage across the face of the rotary device and between adjacent duct portions. The radial seal assembly is fabricated from channel bars, the smaller channel bar being secured to the divider of the support member and a larger inverted rigid floating channel bar having its legs freely movable over the legs of the smaller channel bar forming therewith a tubular channel. A resilient flexible tube is positioned within the tubular channel for substantially its full length to reduce gas leakage across the tubular channel. A spacer extends beyond the face of the floating channel near each end of the floating channel a distance to provide desired clearance between the floating channel and the face of the rotary device. 5 figs.

Ontology-based image navigation: exploring 3.0-T MR neurography of the brachial plexus using AIM and RadLex.

PubMed

Wang, Kenneth C; Salunkhe, Aditya R; Morrison, James J; Lee, Pearlene P; Mejino, José L V; Detwiler, Landon T; Brinkley, James F; Siegel, Eliot L; Rubin, Daniel L; Carrino, John A

2015-01-01

Disorders of the peripheral nervous system have traditionally been evaluated using clinical history, physical examination, and electrodiagnostic testing. In selected cases, imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance (MR) neurography may help further localize or characterize abnormalities associated with peripheral neuropathies, and the clinical importance of such techniques is increasing. However, MR image interpretation with respect to peripheral nerve anatomy and disease often presents a diagnostic challenge because the relevant knowledge base remains relatively specialized. Using the radiology knowledge resource RadLex®, a series of RadLex queries, the Annotation and Image Markup standard for image annotation, and a Web services-based software architecture, the authors developed an application that allows ontology-assisted image navigation. The application provides an image browsing interface, allowing users to visually inspect the imaging appearance of anatomic structures. By interacting directly with the images, users can access additional structure-related information that is derived from RadLex (eg, muscle innervation, muscle attachment sites). These data also serve as conceptual links to navigate from one portion of the imaging atlas to another. With 3.0-T MR neurography of the brachial plexus as the initial area of interest, the resulting application provides support to radiologists in the image interpretation process by allowing efficient exploration of the MR imaging appearance of relevant nerve segments, muscles, bone structures, vascular landmarks, anatomic spaces, and entrapment sites, and the investigation of neuromuscular relationships. RSNA, 2015

Ontology-based Image Navigation: Exploring 3.0-T MR Neurography of the Brachial Plexus Using AIM and RadLex

PubMed Central

Salunkhe, Aditya R.; Morrison, James J.; Lee, Pearlene P.; Mejino, José L. V.; Detwiler, Landon T.; Brinkley, James F.; Siegel, Eliot L.; Rubin, Daniel L.; Carrino, John A.

2015-01-01

Disorders of the peripheral nervous system have traditionally been evaluated using clinical history, physical examination, and electrodiagnostic testing. In selected cases, imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance (MR) neurography may help further localize or characterize abnormalities associated with peripheral neuropathies, and the clinical importance of such techniques is increasing. However, MR image interpretation with respect to peripheral nerve anatomy and disease often presents a diagnostic challenge because the relevant knowledge base remains relatively specialized. Using the radiology knowledge resource RadLex®, a series of RadLex queries, the Annotation and Image Markup standard for image annotation, and a Web services–based software architecture, the authors developed an application that allows ontology-assisted image navigation. The application provides an image browsing interface, allowing users to visually inspect the imaging appearance of anatomic structures. By interacting directly with the images, users can access additional structure-related information that is derived from RadLex (eg, muscle innervation, muscle attachment sites). These data also serve as conceptual links to navigate from one portion of the imaging atlas to another. With 3.0-T MR neurography of the brachial plexus as the initial area of interest, the resulting application provides support to radiologists in the image interpretation process by allowing efficient exploration of the MR imaging appearance of relevant nerve segments, muscles, bone structures, vascular landmarks, anatomic spaces, and entrapment sites, and the investigation of neuromuscular relationships. ©RSNA, 2015 PMID:25590394

Physical and chemical characteristics and development of the Changuinola peat deposit of northwestern Panama

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

Cohen, A.D.; Raymond, R. Jr.; Thayer, G.

1987-08-01

A peat deposit occupying over 80 square kilometers, and averaging 8 meters in thickness, was discovered on the Caribbean coast of northwestern Panama near the town of Changuinola. This deposit occurs inland (behind) the present beach-barrier shoreline. It is thickest in the center and thins toward all edges (as if domed). The surface vegetation in the central regions consists primarily of ombrotrophic plants (especially sedges, grasses, Sphagnum, Sagittaria, and various scattered shrubs). Toward the edges, the deposit has a surface cover of more minerotrophic plants (such as swamp-forest trees, ferns, and palms). Petrographic/botanical analysis of the deposit with depth revealsmore » the presence of five peat types (swamp-forest, sedge-grass-fern, Sagittaria et al., Nymphaea et al., and Rhizophora). Typically peats of the thick, central portions of the deposit are very low in ash and sulfur (less than 2% ash and 0.3% sulfur). Ash contents tend to increase abruptly at the base and more gradually toward the edges of the deposit and sulfur contents increasing gradually toward the ocean and bay. Vertical and lateral variations in botanical, chemical, and physical properties of this deposit can be related to factors that have controlled: (1) the surrounding rocks and water chemistry; (2) the source vegetation; and (3) the environments in which these source ingredients were deposited. 3 refs., 10 figs.« less

X-ray absorption Studies of Zinc species in Centella asiatica

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dehipawala, Sunil; Cheung, Tak; Hogan, Clayton; Agoudavi, Yao; Dehipawala, Sumudu

2013-03-01

Zinc is a very important mineral present in a variety of vegetables. It is an essential element in cellular metabolism and several bodily functions. We used X-ray fluorescence, and X-ray Absorption near Edge structure(XANES) to study the amount of zinc present in several leafy vegetables as well as its chemical environment within the plant. Main absorption edge position of XANES is sensitive to the oxidation state of zinc and is useful when comparing the type of zinc present in different vegetables to the standard zinc present in supplements. Normalized main edge height is proportional to the amount of zinc present in the sample. Several leafy greens were used in this study, such as Spinacia oleracea, Basella alba, Brassica oleracea, Cardiospermum halicacabumand Centella asiatica. All of these plant leaves contained approximately the same amount of zinc in the leaf portion of the plant and a slightly lower amount in the stems, except Centella asiatica. Both leaves and stems of the plant Centella asiatica contained nearly two times the zinc compared to other plants. Further investigation of zinc's chemical environment within Centella asiatica could lead to a much more efficient dietary consumption of zinc. Use of the National Synchrotron Light Source, Brookhaven National Laboratory, was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, under Contract No. DE-AC02-98CH10886

Low Reynolds Number Wing Transients in Rotation and Translation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jones, Anya; Schlueter, Kristy

2012-11-01

The unsteady aerodynamic forces and flow fields generated by a wing undergoing transient motions in both rotation and translation were investigated. An aspect ratio 2 flat plate wing at a 45 deg angle of attack was driven over 84 deg of rotation (3 chord-lengths of travel at 3/4 span) and 3 and 10 chord-lengths of translation in quiescent water at Reynolds numbers between 2,500 and 15,000. Flow visualization on the rotating wing revealed a leading edge vortex that lifted off of the wing surface, but remained in the vicinity of the wing for the duration of the wing stroke. A second spanwise vortex with strong axial flow was also observed. As the tip vortex grew, the leading edge vortex joined the tip vortex in a loop-like structure over the aft half of the wing. Near the leading edge, spanwise flow in the second vortex became entrained in the tip vortex near the corner of the wing. Unsteady force measurements revealed that lift coefficient increased through the constant-velocity portion of the wing stroke. Forces were compared for variations in wing acceleration and Reynolds number for both rotational and translational motions. The effect of tank blockage was investigated by repeating the experiments on multiple wings, varying the distance between the wing tip and tank wall. U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, Summer Faculty Fellowship Program.

On the Use pf Active Flow Control to Trim and Control a Tailles Aircraft Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jentzsch, Marvin

The Stability And Control CONfiguration (SACCON) model represents an emerging trend in airplane design where the classical tube, wing and empennage are replaced by a single tailless configuration. The challenge is to assure that these designs are stable and controllable. Nonlinear aerodynamic behavior is observed on the SACCON at higher incidence angles due to leading edge vortex structures. Active Flow Control (AFC) used in preliminary design represents a promising solution to the longitudinal stability problems and this was demonstrated experimentally on a semi span model. AFC can be used to trim the SACCON in pitch and it alters forces and moments comparable to common control surface deflections. A combination of AFC and control surface deflection may increase the overall efficiency and opens up a variety of maneuvering possibilities. This implies that AFC should be treated concomitantly with other design parameters and should be considered in the preliminary design process already and not as an add-on tool. Integral force and moment data was supplemented by observations using Pressure Sensitive Paint (PSP) and flow visualization. Two arrays of individually controlled sweeping jets, one located along the leading edge and the other along the flap hinge provided the AFC input needed to alter the flow. The array positioned over the flap-hinge of the model was most effective in stabilizing the wing by decreasing the pitching moment at lower and intermediate angles of incidence. This effect was achieved by reducing the spanwise flow on the swept back portion of the wing through jet-entrainment that also affected the leading edge vortex. Leading edge actuation showed some beneficial effects by inhibiting the formation of the leading edge vortex near the wing tip. A preliminary study using suction was carried out. The tests were carried out at Mach numbers smaller than 0.2 and Reynolds numbers based on the root chord of the model that approached 106.

Reference spectra of important adsorbed organic and inorganic phosphate binding forms for soil P speciation using synchrotron-based K-edge XANES spectroscopy.

PubMed

Prietzel, Jörg; Harrington, Gertraud; Häusler, Werner; Heister, Katja; Werner, Florian; Klysubun, Wantana

2016-03-01

Direct speciation of soil phosphorus (P) by linear combination fitting (LCF) of P K-edge XANES spectra requires a standard set of spectra representing all major P species supposed to be present in the investigated soil. Here, available spectra of free- and cation-bound inositol hexakisphosphate (IHP), representing organic P, and of Fe, Al and Ca phosphate minerals are supplemented with spectra of adsorbed P binding forms. First, various soil constituents assumed to be potentially relevant for P sorption were compared with respect to their retention efficiency for orthophosphate and IHP at P levels typical for soils. Then, P K-edge XANES spectra for orthophosphate and IHP retained by the most relevant constituents were acquired. The spectra were compared with each other as well as with spectra of Ca, Al or Fe orthophosphate and IHP precipitates. Orthophosphate and IHP were retained particularly efficiently by ferrihydrite, boehmite, Al-saturated montmorillonite and Al-saturated soil organic matter (SOM), but far less efficiently by hematite, Ca-saturated montmorillonite and Ca-saturated SOM. P retention by dolomite was negligible. Calcite retained a large portion of the applied IHP, but no orthophosphate. The respective P K-edge XANES spectra of orthophosphate and IHP adsorbed to ferrihydrite, boehmite, Al-saturated montmorillonite and Al-saturated SOM differ from each other. They also are different from the spectra of amorphous FePO4, amorphous or crystalline AlPO4, Ca phosphates and free IHP. Inclusion of reference spectra of orthophosphate as well as IHP adsorbed to P-retaining soil minerals in addition to spectra of free or cation-bound IHP, AlPO4, FePO4 and Ca phosphate minerals in linear combination fitting exercises results in improved fit quality and a more realistic soil P speciation. A standard set of P K-edge XANES spectra of the most relevant adsorbed P binding forms in soils is presented.

Edge-closed laminated structures for thin-film heads

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herman, D. A.; Argyle, B. E.; Lee, H.-P.; Trouilloud, P. O.; Petek, B.

1991-04-01

Magnetic film laminations containing nonmagnetic spacers have been explored with the hope of eliminating domain walls to diminish Barkhausen instabilities. Such laminates have limitations however, which originate in their ``edge-curling walls'' (ECWs).1 We have developed a new structure, free of ECWs, in which flux closure at opposing edges occurs via edge-shorting material added to circulate the easy-axis flux of the flat layers. We show experimentally with Kerr-effect imaging that (1) this edge-closed laminated (ECL) structure can support an (ECW-free) ``easy-axis'' (EA) magnetic state under conditions as modeled recently by Slonczewski,2 and (2) that this EA state is quite robust in the face of imperfect structure fabrication. This is, if the imperfections are not too severe, the resultant states depart minimally from the pure EA state and conduct hard-axis-driven flux nearly as well. Flat-film ECL elements in diamond, stripe, and recording-head-yoke shapes, plus experimental heads with ECL top yokes, were fabricated. Our domain images verify some key predictions from Slonczewski's static equilibrium modeling; additional results taken in applied magnetic fields extend the micromagnetic understanding. The sketch shows a typical domain pattem for a yoke-shaped element. The most stable state in the open portion of the yoke is the single domain shown. This remanent pattern was stable in the face of (slowly varying) external fields up to the 150 Oe that could be applied. The pole tip region contained a few 180° walls as indicated. On close inspection, these walls were seen to end in vestigial, nontouching, closure domains as predicted by the model when only partial flux closure occurs via the edge shorting material. The wall spacing in the tip varied somewhat following saturation-demagnetization cycles. The dynamic stability of this EA state was investigated in the experimental heads having ECL top yokes. The pseudodynamic LAMOM technique3 was applied using ``write'' pulsations. The EA state was stable up to twice typical write currents. A movie of dynamic results will be shown.

A serving of blueberry (V. corymbosum) acutely improves peripheral arterial dysfunction in young smokers and non-smokers: two randomized, controlled, crossover pilot studies.

PubMed

Del Bo', Cristian; Deon, Valeria; Campolo, Jonica; Lanti, Claudia; Parolini, Marina; Porrini, Marisa; Klimis-Zacas, Dorothy; Riso, Patrizia

2017-11-15

Several studies have documented the important role of polyphenol-rich foods in the modulation of vascular remodelling and function. This study aimed to evaluate the capacity of a single portion of blueberry (V. corymbosum) to acutely improve peripheral arterial dysfunction in a group of young volunteers. Twenty-four healthy males (12 non-smokers and 12 smokers) were recruited for two different randomized, controlled, crossover pilot acute studies. In the first study, non-smokers were exposed to a control treatment (C; 300 mL of water with sugar) and a blueberry treatment (BB; 300 g of blueberry). In the second study, smokers underwent 3 different protocols: (1) - smoking treatment (S); (2) - control treatment (CS; 300 mL of water with sugar + smoking); (3) - blueberry treatment (BS; 300 g of blueberry + smoking). Each treatment (1 day long) was separated by a one week washout period. Blood pressure, peripheral arterial function (reactive hyperemia index, RHI, a marker of endothelial function) and arterial stiffness (digital augmentation index, dAix and dAix normalized by considering a heart rate of 75 bpm, dAix@75) were measured before and after each treatment. In the first study, the consumption of blueberry and control treatment acutely increased peripheral arterial function in the group of non-smokers. The improvement in RHI was higher and significantly different after blueberry treatment compared to the control treatment (54.8 ± 8.4% BB vs. 28.2 ± 8.3% C; p = 0.01). No effects were observed for markers of arterial stiffness, blood pressure and heart rate. Acute cigarette smoke significantly increased blood pressure and heart rate, while no significant effect was registered in peripheral arterial function and stiffness. The intake of blueberry and control treatment before a cigarette did not counteract the increase in blood pressure and heart rate, while it significantly improved peripheral arterial function. In particular, a significant increase was observed following BS (35.2 ± 7.5% RHI; p = 0.02) and CS treatments (34.6 ± 11.9% RHI; p = 0.02) when compared to only smoking treatment. No difference between BS and CS was detected. In conclusion, the intake of blueberry and control treatments acutely improved peripheral arterial dysfunction both in smoker and in non-smoker subjects. Further studies should be performed to confirm the results obtained and reveal the potential mechanisms of blueberry in the improvement of endothelial function.

γ-oscillations modulated by picture naming and word reading: intracranial recording in epileptic patients.

PubMed

Wu, Helen C; Nagasawa, Tetsuro; Brown, Erik C; Juhasz, Csaba; Rothermel, Robert; Hoechstetter, Karsten; Shah, Aashit; Mittal, Sandeep; Fuerst, Darren; Sood, Sandeep; Asano, Eishi

2011-10-01

We measured cortical gamma-oscillations in response to visual-language tasks consisting of picture naming and word reading in an effort to better understand human visual-language pathways. We studied six patients with focal epilepsy who underwent extraoperative electrocorticography (ECoG) recording. Patients were asked to overtly name images presented sequentially in the picture naming task and to overtly read written words in the reading task. Both tasks commonly elicited gamma-augmentation (maximally at 80-100 Hz) on ECoG in the occipital, inferior-occipital-temporal and inferior-Rolandic areas, bilaterally. Picture naming, compared to reading task, elicited greater gamma-augmentation in portions of pre-motor areas as well as occipital and inferior-occipital-temporal areas, bilaterally. In contrast, word reading elicited greater gamma-augmentation in portions of bilateral occipital, left occipital-temporal and left superior-posterior-parietal areas. Gamma-attenuation was elicited by both tasks in portions of posterior cingulate and ventral premotor-prefrontal areas bilaterally. The number of letters in a presented word was positively correlated to the degree of gamma-augmentation in the medial occipital areas. Gamma-augmentation measured on ECoG identified cortical areas commonly and differentially involved in picture naming and reading tasks. Longer words may activate the primary visual cortex for the more peripheral field. The present study increases our understanding of the visual-language pathways. Copyright © 2011 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Brazilian nut consumption by healthy volunteers improves inflammatory parameters.

PubMed

Colpo, Elisângela; Dalton D A Vilanova, Carlos; Reetz, Luiz Gustavo B; Duarte, Marta M M F; Farias, Iria Luiza G; Meinerz, Daiane F; Mariano, Douglas O C; Vendrusculo, Raquel G; Boligon, Aline A; Dalla Corte, Cristiane L; Wagner, Roger; Athayde, Margareth L; da Rocha, João Batista T

2014-04-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a single dose of Brazil nuts on the inflammatory markers of healthy individuals. A randomized crossover study was conducted with 10 healthy individuals (mean age 24.7 ± 3.4 y). Each individual was tested four times regarding intake of different portions of Brazil nuts: 0, 5, 20 and 50 g. At each testing period, peripheral blood was collected before and at 1, 3, 6, 9, 24, and 48 h after intake of nuts, as well as at 5 and 30 d after intake of various Brazil nut portions. Blood samples were tested for high-sensitivity to C-reactive protein, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interferon (IFN)-γ, aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, albumin, total protein, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, urea, and creatinine. Consumption of nuts did not affect biochemical parameters for liver and kidney function, indicating absence of hepatic and renal toxicity. A single intake of Brazil nuts (20 or 50 g) caused a significant decrease in serum IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ levels (P < 0.05), whereas serum levels of IL-10 were significantly increased (P < 0.05). The results indicate a long-term decrease in inflammatory markers after a single intake of large portions of Brazil nuts in healthy volunteers. Therefore, the long-term effect of regular Brazil nut consumption on inflammatory markers should be better investigated. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Transitions between Central and Peripheral Vision Create Spatial/Temporal Distortions: A Hypothesis Concerning the Perceived Break of the Curveball

PubMed Central

Shapiro, Arthur; Lu, Zhong-Lin; Huang, Chang-Bing; Knight, Emily; Ennis, Robert

2010-01-01

Background The human visual system does not treat all parts of an image equally: the central segments of an image, which fall on the fovea, are processed with a higher resolution than the segments that fall in the visual periphery. Even though the differences between foveal and peripheral resolution are large, these differences do not usually disrupt our perception of seamless visual space. Here we examine a motion stimulus in which the shift from foveal to peripheral viewing creates a dramatic spatial/temporal discontinuity. Methodology/Principal Findings The stimulus consists of a descending disk (global motion) with an internal moving grating (local motion). When observers view the disk centrally, they perceive both global and local motion (i.e., observers see the disk's vertical descent and the internal spinning). When observers view the disk peripherally, the internal portion appears stationary, and the disk appears to descend at an angle. The angle of perceived descent increases as the observer views the stimulus from further in the periphery. We examine the first- and second-order information content in the display with the use of a three-dimensional Fourier analysis and show how our results can be used to describe perceived spatial/temporal discontinuities in real-world situations. Conclusions/Significance The perceived shift of the disk's direction in the periphery is consistent with a model in which foveal processing separates first- and second-order motion information while peripheral processing integrates first- and second-order motion information. We argue that the perceived distortion may influence real-world visual observations. To this end, we present a hypothesis and analysis of the perception of the curveball and rising fastball in the sport of baseball. The curveball is a physically measurable phenomenon: the imbalance of forces created by the ball's spin causes the ball to deviate from a straight line and to follow a smooth parabolic path. However, the curveball is also a perceptual puzzle because batters often report that the flight of the ball undergoes a dramatic and nearly discontinuous shift in position as the ball nears home plate. We suggest that the perception of a discontinuous shift in position results from differences between foveal and peripheral processing. PMID:20967247

Aerial gamma ray and magnetic survey: Powder River II Project, Newcastle Quadrangle, Wyoming. Final report

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

Not Available

1979-04-01

Thick Phanerozoic sediments (greater than 17,000 ft) fill the northwest trending Powder River Basin which is the dominant tectonic structure in the Newcastle quadrangle. Lower Tertiary sediments comprise more than 85% of exposed units at the surface of the Basin. A small portion of the Black Hills Uplift occupies the eastern edge of the quadrangle. Residual magnetics clearly reflect the great depth to crystalline Precambrian basement in the Basin. The Basin/Uplift boundary is not readily observed in the magnetic data. Economic uranium deposits of roll-type configuration are present in the southwest within the Monument Hill-Box Creek District in fluvial sandstonesmore » of the Paleocene Fort Union Formation. Numerous small claims and prospects are found in the Pumpkin Buttes-Turnercrest District in the northwest. Interpretation of the radiometric data resulted in 86 statistical uranium anomalies listed for this quadrangle. Most anomalies are in the eastern-central portion of the map within Tertiary Fort Union and Wasatch Formations. However, several lie in the known uranium districts in the southwest and northwest.« less

A full range detector for the HIRRBS high resolution RBS magnetic spectrometer

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

Skala, Wayne G.; Haberl, Arthur W.; Bakhru, Hassaram

2013-04-19

The UAlbany HIRRBS (High Resolution RBS) system has been updated for better use in rapid analysis. The focal plane detector now covers the full range from U down to O using a linear stepper motor to translate the 1-cm detector across the 30-cm range. Input is implemented with zero-back-angle operation in all cases. The chamber has been modified to allow for quick swapping of sample holders, including a channeling goniometer. A fixed standard surface-barrier detector allows for normal RBS simultaneously with use of the magnetic spectrometer. The user can select a region on the standard spectrum or can select anmore » element edge or an energy point for collection of the expanded spectrum portion. The best resolution currently obtained is about 2-to-3 keV, probably representing the energy width of the incoming beam. Calibration is maintained automatically for any spectrum portion and any beam energy from 1.0 to 3.5 MeV. Element resolving power, sensitivity and depth resolution are shown using several examples. Examples also show the value of simultaneous conventional RBS.« less

Welding torch gas cup extension

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gordon, Stephen S. (Inventor)

1988-01-01

The invention relates to a gas shielded electric arc welding torch having a detachable gas cup extension which may be of any desired configuration or length. The gas cup extension assembly is mounted on a standard electric welding torch gas cup to enable welding in areas with limited access. The gas cup assembly has an upper tubular insert that fits within the gas cup such that its lower portion protrudes thereform and has a lower tubular extension that is screwed into the lower portion. The extension has a rim to define the outer perimeter of the seat edge about its entrance opening so a gasket may be placed to effect an airtight seal between the gas cup and extension. The tubular extension may be made of metal or cermaic material that can be machined. The novelty lies in the use of an extension assembly for a standard gas cup of an electric arc welding torch which extension assembly is detachable permitting the use of a number of extensions which may be of different configurations and materials and yet fit the standard gas cup.

Two-Dimensional Air-Flow Tests of the Effect of ITA Flowliner Slot Modification by Grinding/Polishing on Edge Tone Generation Potential

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sutliff, Daniel L. (Technical Monitor); Walker, Bruce E.

2004-01-01

Hersh Walker Acoustics (HWA) has performed a series of wind tunnel tests to support crack-repair studies for ITA flowliner vent slots. The overall goal of these tests is to determine if slot shape details have a significant influence on the propensity of the flowliner to produce aero-acoustic oscillations that could increase unsteady stresses on the flowliner walls. The test series, conducted using a full-scale two-dimensional model of a six-slot segment of the 38 slot liner, was intended to investigate the effects of altering slot shape by grinding away cracked portions.

Investigation of the Vortex Tab. M.S. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hoffler, K. D.

1985-01-01

An investigation was made into the drag reduction capability of vortex tabs on delta wing vortex flaps. The vortex tab is an up-deflected leading edge portion of the vortex flap. Tab deflection augments vortex suction on the flap, thus improving its thrust, but the tab itself is drag producing. Whether a net improvement in the drag reduction can be obtained with vortex tabs, in comparison with plane vortex flaps of the same total area, was the objective of this investigation. Wind tunnel tests were conducted on two models, and analytical studies were performed on one of them using a free vortex sheet theory.

Composite prepreg application device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sandusky, Donald A. (Inventor); Marchello, Joseph M. (Inventor)

1996-01-01

A heated shoe and cooled pressure roller assembly for composite prepreg application is provided. The shoe assembly includes a heated forward contact surface having a curved pressure surface. The following cooled roller provides a continuous pressure to the thermoplastic while reducing the temperature to approximately 5.degree. C. below glass transition temperature. Electric heating coils inside the forward portion of the shoe heat a thermoplastic workpiece to approximately 100.degree. C. above the glass transition. Immediately following the heated contact surface, a cooled roller cools the work. The end sharpened shape of the heated shoe trailing edge tends to prevent slag buildup and maintain a uniform, relaxed stress fabrication.

Miniature modified Faraday cup for micro electron beams

DOEpatents

Teruya, Alan T.; Elmer, John W.; Palmer, Todd A.; Walton, Chris C.

2008-05-27

A micro beam Faraday cup assembly includes a refractory metal layer with an odd number of thin, radially positioned traces in this refractory metal layer. Some of the radially positioned traces are located at the edge of the micro modified Faraday cup body and some of the radially positioned traces are located in the central portion of the micro modified Faraday cup body. Each set of traces is connected to a separate data acquisition channel to form multiple independent diagnostic networks. The data obtained from the two diagnostic networks are combined and inputted into a computed tomography algorithm to reconstruct the beam shape, size, and power density distribution.

On the physical basis of a theory of human thermoregulation.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Iberall, A. S.; Schindler, A. M.

1973-01-01

Theoretical study of the physical factors which are responsible for thermoregulation in nude resting humans in a physical steady state. The behavior of oxidative metabolism, evaporative and convective thermal fluxes, fluid heat transfer, internal and surface temperatures, and evaporative phase transitions is studied by physiological/physical modeling techniques. The modeling is based on the theories that the body has a vital core with autothermoregulation, that the vital core contracts longitudinally, that the temperature of peripheral regions and extremities decreases towards the ambient, and that a significant portion of the evaporative heat may be lost underneath the skin. A theoretical basis is derived for a consistent modeling of steady-state thermoregulation on the basis of these theories.

CURRENT TRANSFER SYSTEMS

DOEpatents

Watt, D.A.

1956-07-01

A current transfer system is described for transferring current between a rotating member and a co-axial stationary member. The particular area of application for the invention is in connection with homopolar generators where a low voltage and high current are generated. The current tramsfer system of the invention comprises a rotor member and a co-axial stator member wherein one of the members is shaped to provide a circumferential surface concave in section and the other member is shaped to have a peripheral portion in close proximity to the surface, whereby a liquid metal can be stably supported between the two members when they are moving relative to one another to establish an electrical conducting path between the members.

Benjamin Franklin's place in the history of medicine.

PubMed

Huth, E J

2007-12-01

Benjamin Franklin's seemingly endless curiosity and his prolific contributions in diplomacy, politics, literature, and science may well justify calling him the most eminent man in eighteenth-century American life. One portion of these contributions still striking for the insights and productivity it shows was in medicine. He saw the value in inoculation against smallpox. He was aware of the placebo effect. He, in effect, launched the first American medical school. He devised a flexible urethral catheter. He identified lead poisoning as a cause of abdominal pain and peripheral neuropathy. He accurately described psoriasis well before RobertWillan. These contributions in medicine of his time were not then notably influential, but they certainly illustrate the versatility of his intellect.

Cortical metabolic activity matches the pattern of visual suppression in strabismus.

PubMed

Adams, Daniel L; Economides, John R; Sincich, Lawrence C; Horton, Jonathan C

2013-02-27

When an eye becomes deviated in early childhood, a person does not experience double vision, although the globes are aimed at different targets. The extra image is prevented from reaching perception in subjects with alternating exotropia by suppression of each eye's peripheral temporal retina. To test the impact of visual suppression on neuronal activity in primary (striate) visual cortex, the pattern of cytochrome oxidase (CO) staining was examined in four macaques raised with exotropia by disinserting the medial rectus muscles shortly following birth. No ocular dominance columns were visible in opercular cortex, where the central visual field is represented, indicating that signals coming from the central retina in each eye were perceived. However, the border strips at the edges of ocular dominance columns appeared pale, reflecting a loss of activity in binocular cells from disruption of fusion. In calcarine cortex, where the peripheral visual field is represented, there were alternating pale and dark bands resembling ocular dominance columns. To interpret the CO staining pattern, [(3)H]proline was injected into the right eye in two monkeys. In the right calcarine cortex, the pale CO columns matched the labeled proline columns of the right eye. In the left calcarine cortex, the pale CO columns overlapped the unlabeled columns of the left eye in the autoradiograph. Therefore, metabolic activity was reduced in the ipsilateral eye's ocular dominance columns which serve peripheral temporal retina, in a fashion consistent with the topographic organization of suppression scotomas in humans with exotropia.

ERTS-1 image contributes to understanding of geologic structures related to Managua earthquake, 1972

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carter, W. D.; Eaton, G. P.

1973-01-01

ERTS-1 imaged the western portion of Nicaragua on December 24, 1972, one day after the central part of the city of Managua was devastated by a major earthquake which measured 5.6 on the Richter scale. ERTS-1 images reveal sets of lineaments (which may reflect fault systems) along any one of which movement could have taken place. One set includes a line of active volcanoes that parallels the coast and constitutes the southwestern edge of the Nicaraguan Depression, a regional graben which cuts obliquely across the Central American isthmus. This trend is offset approximately 10km in a right lateral geometric sense just west of the city of Managua. A parallel lineament, north of Lake Managua, marks the northeast edge of the graben. A second set, extends northward to northwestward from the mouth of the Rio Grande (Viejo) north of Lake Managua and can be projected southward across the lake to Managua. It is this set along which geometric offset of the volcanic lineament appears to have taken place.

Cooperation and information replication in wireless networks.

PubMed

Poularakis, Konstantinos; Tassiulas, Leandros

2016-03-06

A significant portion of today's network traffic is due to recurring downloads of a few popular contents. It has been observed that replicating the latter in caches installed at network edges-close to users-can drastically reduce network bandwidth usage and improve content access delay. Such caching architectures are gaining increasing interest in recent years as a way of dealing with the explosive traffic growth, fuelled further by the downward slope in storage space price. In this work, we provide an overview of caching with a particular emphasis on emerging network architectures that enable caching at the radio access network. In this context, novel challenges arise due to the broadcast nature of the wireless medium, which allows simultaneously serving multiple users tuned into a multicast stream, and the mobility of the users who may be frequently handed off from one cell tower to another. Existing results indicate that caching at the wireless edge has a great potential in removing bottlenecks on the wired backbone networks. Taking into consideration the schedule of multicast service and mobility profiles is crucial to extract maximum benefit in network performance. © 2016 The Author(s).

Enthalpy relaxation kinetics of Ge20Te(80-y)Sey far-infrared glasses in the glass transition range

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Svoboda, Roman; Málek, Jiří

2016-06-01

Differential scanning calorimetry was used to study enthalpy relaxation kinetics of the Ge20Te(80-y)Sey infrared chalcogenide glasses for the compositional range y = 0-8. The relaxation behaviour was described in terms of the phenomenological Tool-Narayanaswamy-Moynihan (TNM) model. The direct curve-fitting procedure was used to determine the values of TNM parameters. Compositional evolution of the TNM parameters was interpreted with respect to the involved structural entities and their motions. Based on the joint Raman scattering study, the addition of Se leads to increased amount of edge-shared GeTe4-xSex tetrahedra. While the primary structural basis for the relaxation movements appears not to be affected by addition of Se (constant value of non-linearity), changes of the non-exponentiality parameter indicate increased structural variability occurring within the groups of directly interlinked tetrahedra, which were found to carry the main portion of relaxation movements. Increased activation energy was explained by the presence of significantly stronger Ge-Se bonds and increased amount of edge-shared tetrahedra.

Spirit Begins Drive Around Home Plate

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2009-01-01

The hazard avoidance camera on the front of NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit took this image after a drive by Spirit on the 1,829th Martian day, or sol, of Spirit's mission on the surface of Mars (Feb. 24, 2009).

On Sol 1829, Spirit drove 6.29 meters (21 feet) northwestward, away from the northern edge of the low plateau called 'Home Plate.' The track dug by the dragged right-front wheel as the rover drove backward is visible in this image, receding toward the southeast. Rock layers of the northern slope of Home Plate are visible in the upper right portion of the image.

In sols prior to 1829, the rover team had been trying to maneuver Spirit to climb onto the northern edge of Home Plate, ready to drive southward across the top of the plateau toward science destinations south of Home Plate. The Sol 1829 drive was the first move of a revised strategy to circle at least partway around Home Plate on the trek toward the sites south of the plateau.

Loss from harlequin ducks of abdominally implanted radio transmitters equipped with percutaneous antennas

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mulcahy, D.M.; Esler, Daniel N.; Stoskopf, M.K.

1999-01-01

We documented extrusion and loss of abdominally implanted radio transmitters with percutaneous antennas from adult female Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus). Birds were captured during wing molt (late August to mid-September) in 1995-1997. Of 44 Harlequin Ducks implanted with radios and recaptured, 7 (16%) had lost their transmitters and 5 (11%) had radios in the process of extruding. Most (11 of 12) extrusions and losses occurred in birds implanted with radios in 1996 and recaptured in 1997. We suggest that transmitter extrusions and losses were due largely to changes in transmitter design made between 1095 and 1996. Transmitters implanted in 1996 were cylindrical rather than spherical, had a flat end with an abrupt edge, and the lower portion of the antenna was reinforced. Radio losses occurred after the 7-mo monitoring period and caused no apparent harm to the birds. Investigators using implanted radios with percutaneous antennas for long-term projects should be aware of the potential for radio extrusion and should minimize the problem by using transmitters that have no sharp edges and that are wide, rather than narrow.

Dictyostelium mutants lacking the cytoskeletal protein coronin are defective in cytokinesis and cell motility

PubMed Central

1993-01-01

Coronin is an actin-binding protein in Dictyostelium discoideum that is enriched at the leading edge of the cells and in projections of the cell surface called crowns. The polypeptide sequence of coronin is distinguished by its similarities to the beta-subunits of trimeric G proteins (E. L. de Hostos, B. Bradtke, F. Lottspeich, R. Guggenheim, and G. Gerisch, 1991. EMBO (Eur. Mol. Biol. Organ.) J. 10:4097-4104). To elucidate the in vivo function of coronin, null mutants have been generated by gene replacement. The mutant cells lacking coronin grow and migrate more slowly than wild-type cells. When these cor- cells grow in liquid medium they become multinucleate, indicating a role of coronin in cytokinesis. To explore this role, coronin has been localized in mitotic wild-type cells by immunofluorescence labeling. During separation of the daughter cells, coronin is strongly accumulated at their distal portions including the leading edges. This contrasts with the localization of myosin II in the cleavage furrow and suggests that coronin functions independently of the conventional myosin in facilitating cytokinesis. PMID:8380174

Short wavelength turbulence generated by shear in the quiescent H-mode edge on DIII–D [Short wavelength turbulence generated by shear in the QH-mode edge on DIII-D

DOE PAGES

Rost, Jon C.; Porkolab, Miklos; Dorris, James R.; ...

2014-06-17

A region of turbulence with large radial wavenumber (k rρ s > 1) is found in the high-shear portion of the plasma edge in Quiescent H-mode (QH-mode) on DIII{D using the Phase Contrast Imaging (PCI) diagnostic. At its peak outside the minimum of the E r well, the turbulence exhibits large amplitudemore » $$\\tilde{n}$$/n ~ 40%, with large radial wavenumber |$$\\bar{k}$$ r/ $$\\bar{k}$$ θ| ~ 11 and short radial correlation length L r/ρ i ~ 0.2. The turbulence inside the E r well minimum is characterized by the opposite sign in radial wavenumber from that of turbulence outside the minimum, consistent with the expected effects of velocity shear. The PCI diagnostic provides a line-integrated measurement of density uctuations, so data is taken during a scan of plasma position at constant parameters to allow the PCI to sample a range in k r/k θ . Analysis of the Doppler Shift and plasma geometry allows the turbulence to be localized to a narrow region 3 mm inside the last closed flux surface (LCFS), outside the minimum of the E r well. The turbulence amplitude and radial wavenumber and correlation length are determined by fitting the PCI results with a simple non-isotropic turbulence model with two regions of turbulence. Finally, these PCI observations, made in QH-mode, are qualitatively similar to those made in standard ELM-free H-mode and between edge localized modes (ELMs), suggesting a similar role for large k r turbulence there.« less

Effects of a Circulating-water Garment and Forced-air Warming on Body Heat Content and Core Temperature

PubMed Central

Taguchi, Akiko; Ratnaraj, Jebadurai; Kabon, Barbara; Sharma, Neeru; Lenhardt, Rainer; Sessler, Daniel I.

2005-01-01

Background: Forced-air warming is sometimes unable to maintain perioperative normothermia. We therefore compared heat transfer, regional heat distribution, and core rewarming of forced-air warming with a novel circulating-water garment. Methods: Nine volunteers were each evaluated on two randomly ordered study days. They were anesthetized and cooled to a core temperature near 34°C. The volunteers were subsequently warmed for 2.5 hours with either a circulating-water garment or forced-air cover. Overall, heat balance was determined from the difference between cutaneous heat loss (thermal flux transducers) and metabolic heat production (oxygen consumption). Average arm and leg (peripheral) tissue temperatures were determined from 18 intramuscular needle thermocouples, 15 skin thermal flux transducers, and “deep” arm and foot thermometers. Results: Heat production (≈ 60 kcal/h) and loss (≈45 kcal/h) were similar with each treatment before warming. The increase in heat transfer across anterior portions of the skin surface was similar with each warming system (≈65 kcal/h). Forced-air warming had no effect on posterior heat transfer whereas circulating-water transferred 21 ± 9 kcal/h through the posterior skin surface after a half hour of warming. Over 2.5 h, circulating-water thus increased body heat content 56% more than forced air. Core temperatures thus increased faster than with circulating water than forced air, especially during the first hour, with the result that core temperature was 1.1 ± 0.7°C greater after 2.5 h (P < 0.001). Peripheral tissue heat content increased twice as much as core heat content with each device, but the core-to-peripheral tissue temperature gradient remained positive throughout the study. Conclusions: The circulating-water system transferred more heat than forced air, with the difference resulting largely from posterior heating. Circulating water rewarmed patients 0.4°C/h faster than forced air. A substantial peripheral-to-core tissue-temperature gradient with each device indicated that peripheral tissues insulated the core, thus slowing heat transfer. PMID:15114200

Genetics of sweet taste preferences†

PubMed Central

Bachmanov, Alexander A; Bosak, Natalia P; Floriano, Wely B; Inoue, Masashi; Li, Xia; Lin, Cailu; Murovets, Vladimir O; Reed, Danielle R; Zolotarev, Vasily A; Beauchamp, Gary K

2011-01-01

Sweet taste is a powerful factor influencing food acceptance. There is considerable variation in sweet taste perception and preferences within and among species. Although learning and homeostatic mechanisms contribute to this variation in sweet taste, much of it is genetically determined. Recent studies have shown that variation in the T1R genes contributes to within- and between-species differences in sweet taste. In addition, our ongoing studies using the mouse model demonstrate that a significant portion of variation in sweetener preferences depends on genes that are not involved in peripheral taste processing. These genes are likely involved in central mechanisms of sweet taste processing, reward and/or motivation. Genetic variation in sweet taste not only influences food choice and intake, but is also associated with proclivity to drink alcohol. Both peripheral and central mechanisms of sweet taste underlie correlation between sweet-liking and alcohol consumption in animal models and humans. All these data illustrate complex genetics of sweet taste preferences and its impact on human nutrition and health. Identification of genes responsible for within- and between-species variation in sweet taste can provide tools to better control food acceptance in humans and other animals. PMID:21743773

[Comparative analysis of cytogenetic examination of control groups of subjects carried out in different Russian laboratories].

PubMed

Sevan'kaev, A V; Khvostunov, I K; Snigireva, G P; Novitskaia, N N; Antoshchina, M M; Fesenko, E V; Vorobtsova, I E; Neronova, E G; Domracheva, E V; Nugis, V Iu; Govorun, R D; Handogina, E K

2013-01-01

The incidence of unstable chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes from unirradiated control subjects was analyzed using cytogenetic data obtained from 9 cytogenetic laboratories located in Moscow, St.-Petersburg, Obninsk, and Dubna (Russia). The objective of this study was to estimate the level and spectrum of spontaneous chromosome aberrations in human lymphocytes. 1140 blood samples were taken from 1112 subjects (594 men and 546 women) aged 1 to 72. The total metaphase number was 466795. The uniform Giemsa method for peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures was used. After counting 466795 metaphases, 4288 chromosomal aberrations of various types were classified. The most frequent types of aberrations were acentrics and chromatid deletions. They made up 90% of the total number of aberrations. The remaining 10% were exchange aberrations. The number of chromosome exchanges (dicentrics and centric rings) was twice the number of chromatid exchanges. Overall, the portion ofcells with chromosomal or (and) chromatid aberrations was 0.89 +/- 0.01%; the frequency of acentrics was 0.29 +/- 0.01; the frequency of dicentrics was 0.046 +/- 0.003; the frequency of unstable chromosome aberrations was 0.35 +/- 0.01; and the frequency of chromatid aberrations was 0.57 +/- 0.01 per 100 cells.