Sample records for potential temperature range

  1. Determination of Germination Response to Temperature and Water Potential for a Wide Range of Cover Crop Species and Related Functional Groups

    PubMed Central

    Tribouillois, Hélène; Dürr, Carolyne; Demilly, Didier; Wagner, Marie-Hélène; Justes, Eric

    2016-01-01

    A wide range of species can be sown as cover crops during fallow periods to provide various ecosystem services. Plant establishment is a key stage, especially when sowing occurs in summer with high soil temperatures and low water availability. The aim of this study was to determine the response of germination to temperature and water potential for diverse cover crop species. Based on these characteristics, we developed contrasting functional groups that group species with the same germination ability, which may be useful to adapt species choice to climatic sowing conditions. Germination of 36 different species from six botanical families was measured in the laboratory at eight temperatures ranging from 4.5–43°C and at four water potentials. Final germination percentages, germination rate, cardinal temperatures, base temperature and base water potential were calculated for each species. Optimal temperatures varied from 21.3–37.2°C, maximum temperatures at which the species could germinate varied from 27.7–43.0°C and base water potentials varied from -0.1 to -2.6 MPa. Most cover crops were adapted to summer sowing with a relatively high mean optimal temperature for germination, but some Fabaceae species were more sensitive to high temperatures. Species mainly from Poaceae and Brassicaceae were the most resistant to water deficit and germinated under a low base water potential. Species were classified, independent of family, according to their ability to germinate under a range of temperatures and according to their base water potential in order to group species by functional germination groups. These groups may help in choosing the most adapted cover crop species to sow based on climatic conditions in order to favor plant establishment and the services provided by cover crops during fallow periods. Our data can also be useful as germination parameters in crop models to simulate the emergence of cover crops under different pedoclimatic conditions and crop management practices. PMID:27532825

  2. Hydrothermal germination models: Improving experimental efficiency by limiting data collection to the relevant hydrothermal range

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Hydrothermal models used to predict germination response in the field are usually parameterized with data from laboratory experiments that examine the full range of germination response to temperature and water potential. Inclusion of low water potential and high and low-temperature treatments, how...

  3. The potential for climate-driven bathymetric range shifts: sustained temperature and pressure exposures on a marine ectotherm, Palaemonetes varians

    PubMed Central

    Morris, J. P.; Thatje, S.; Cottin, D.; Oliphant, A.; Brown, A.; Shillito, B.; Ravaux, J.; Hauton, C.

    2015-01-01

    Range shifts are of great importance as a response for species facing climate change. In the light of current ocean-surface warming, many studies have focused on the capacity of marine ectotherms to shift their ranges latitudinally. Bathymetric range shifts offer an important alternative, and may be the sole option for species already at high latitudes or those within enclosed seas; yet relevant data are scant. Hydrostatic pressure (HP) and temperature have wide ranging effects on physiology, importantly acting in synergy thermodynamically, and therefore represent key environmental constraints to bathymetric migration. We present data on transcriptional regulation in a shallow-water marine crustacean (Palaemonetes varians) at atmospheric and high HP following 168-h exposures at three temperatures across the organisms’ thermal scope, to establish the potential physiological limit to bathymetric migration by neritic fauna. We observe changes in gene expression indicative of cellular macromolecular damage, disturbances in metabolic pathways and a lack of acclimation after prolonged exposure to high HP. Importantly, these effects are ameliorated (less deleterious) at higher temperatures, and exacerbated at lower temperatures. These data, alongside previously published behavioural and heat-shock analyses, have important implications for our understanding of the potential for climate-driven bathymetric range shifts PMID:26716003

  4. Germination response of Hylocereus setaceus (Salm-Dyck ex DC: ) Ralf Bauer (Cactaceae) seeds to temperature and reduced water potentials.

    PubMed

    Simão, E; Takaki, M; Cardoso, V J M

    2010-02-01

    The germination response of Hylocereus setaceus seeds to isothermic incubation at different water potentials was analysed by using the thermal time and hydrotime models, aiming to describe some germination parameters of the population and to test the validity of the models to describe the response of the seeds to temperature and water potential. Hylocereus setaceus seeds germinated relatively well in a wide range of temperatures and the germination was rate limited from 11 to 20 degrees C interval and beyond 30 degrees C until 40 degrees C, in which the germination rate respectively shifts positively and negatively with temperature. The minimum or base temperature (T(b)) for the germination of H. setaceus was 7 degrees C, and the ceiling temperature varied nearly from 43.5 to 59 degrees C depending on the percent fraction, with median set on 49.8 degrees C. The number of degrees day necessary for 50% of the seeds to germinate in the infra-optimum temperature range was 39.3 degrees C day, whereas at the supra-optimum interval the value of theta = 77 was assumed to be constant throughout. Germination was sensitive to decreasing values of psi in the medium, and both the germinability and the germination rate shift negatively with the reduction of psi, but the rate of reduction changed with temperature. The values of base water potential (psi(b)) shift to zero with increasing temperatures and such variation reflects in the relatively greater effect of low psi on germination in supra optimum range of T. In general, the model described better the germination time courses at lower than at higher water potentials. The analysis also suggest that Tb may not be independent of psi and that psi(b(g)) may change as a function of temperature at the infra-otimum temperature range.

  5. Osmotic potential calculations of inorganic and organic aqueous solutions over wide solute concentration levels and temperatures.

    PubMed

    Cochrane, T T; Cochrane, T A

    2016-01-01

    To demonstrate that the authors' new "aqueous solution vs pure water" equation to calculate osmotic potential may be used to calculate the osmotic potentials of inorganic and organic aqueous solutions over wide ranges of solute concentrations and temperatures. Currently, the osmotic potentials of solutions used for medical purposes are calculated from equations based on the thermodynamics of the gas laws which are only accurate at low temperature and solute concentration levels. Some solutions used in medicine may need their osmotic potentials calculated more accurately to take into account solute concentrations and temperatures. The authors experimented with their new equation for calculating the osmotic potentials of inorganic and organic aqueous solutions up to and beyond body temperatures by adjusting three of its factors; (a) the volume property of pure water, (b) the number of "free" water molecules per unit volume of solution, "Nf," and (c) the "t" factor expressing the cooperative structural relaxation time of pure water at given temperatures. Adequate information on the volume property of pure water at different temperatures is available in the literature. However, as little information on the relative densities of inorganic and organic solutions, respectively, at varying temperatures needed to calculate Nf was available, provisional equations were formulated to approximate values. Those values together with tentative t values for different temperatures chosen from values calculated by different workers were substituted into the authors' equation to demonstrate how osmotic potentials could be estimated over temperatures up to and beyond bodily temperatures. The provisional equations formulated to calculate Nf, the number of free water molecules per unit volume of inorganic and organic solute solutions, respectively, over wide concentration ranges compared well with the calculations of Nf using recorded relative density data at 20 °C. They were subsequently used to estimate Nf values at temperatures up to and excess of body temperatures. Those values, together with t values at temperatures up to and in excess of body temperatures recorded in the literature, were substituted in the authors' equation for the provisional calculation of osmotic potentials. The calculations indicated that solution temperatures and solute concentrations have a marked effect on osmotic potentials. Following work to measure the relative densities of aqueous solutions for the calculation of Nf values and the determination of definitive t values up to and beyond bodily temperatures, the authors' equation would enable the accurate estimations of the osmotic potentials of wide concentrations of aqueous solutions of inorganic and organic solutes over the temperature range. The study illustrates that not only solute concentrations but also temperatures have a marked effect on osmotic potentials, an observation of medical and biological significance.

  6. Stratospheric Horizontal Wavenumber Spectra of Winds, Potential Temperature, and Atmospheric Tracers Observed by High-Altitude Aircraft

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bacmeister, Julio T.; Eckermann, Stephen D.; Newman, Paul A.; Lait, Leslie; Chan, K. R.; Loewenstein, Max; Proffitt, Michael H.; Gary, Bruce L.

    1996-01-01

    Horizontal wavenumber power spectra of vertical and horizontal wind velocities, potential temperatures, and ozone and N(2)O mixing ratios, as measured in the mid-stratosphere during 73 ER-2 flights (altitude approx. 20km) are presented. The velocity and potential temperature spectra in the 100 to 1-km wavelength range deviate significantly from the uniform -5/3 power law expected for the inverse energy-cascade regime of two-dimensional turbulence and also for inertial-range, three-dimensional turbulence. Instead, steeper spectra approximately consistent with a -3 power law are observed at horizontal scales smaller than 3 km for all velocity components as well as potential temperature. Shallower spectra are observed at scales longer than 6 km. For horizontal velocity and potential temperature the spectral indices at longer scales are between -1.5 and -2.0. For vertical velocity the spectrum at longer scales become flat. It is argued that the observed velocity and potential temperature spectra are consistent with gravity waves. At smaller scales, the shapes are also superficially consistent with a Lumley-Shur-Weinstock buoyant subrange of turbulence and/or nonlinear gravity waves. Contemporaneous spectra of ozone and N(sub 2)O mixing ratio in the 100 to 1-km wavelength range do conform to an approximately uniform -5/3 power law. It is argued that this may reflect interactions between gravity wave air-parcel displacements and laminar or filamentary structures in the trace gas mixing ratio field produced by enstropy-cascading two-dimensional turbulence.

  7. Effects of Temperature and X-rays on Plastic Scintillating Fiber and Infrared Optical Fiber.

    PubMed

    Lee, Bongsoo; Shin, Sang Hun; Jang, Kyoung Won; Yoo, Wook Jae

    2015-05-11

    In this study, we have studied the effects of temperature and X-ray energy variations on the light output signals from two different fiber-optic sensors, a fiber-optic dosimeter (FOD) based on a BCF-12 as a plastic scintillating fiber (PSF) and a fiber-optic thermometer (FOT) using a silver halide optical fiber as an infrared optical fiber (IR fiber). During X-ray beam irradiation, the scintillating light and IR signals were measured simultaneously using a dosimeter probe of the FOD and a thermometer probe of the FOT. The probes were placed in a beaker with water on the center of a hotplate, under variation of the tube potential of a digital radiography system or the temperature of the water in the beaker. From the experimental results, in the case of the PSF, the scintillator light output at the given tube potential decreased as the temperature increased in the temperature range from 25 to 60 °C. We demonstrated that commonly used BCF-12 has a significant temperature dependence of -0.263 ± 0.028%/°C in the clinical temperature range. Next, in the case of the IR fiber, the intensity of the IR signal was almost uniform at each temperature regardless of the tube potential range from 50 to 150 kVp. Therefore, we also demonstrated that the X-ray beam with an energy range used in diagnostic radiology does not affect the IR signals transmitted via a silver halide optical fiber.

  8. Effects of Temperature and X-rays on Plastic Scintillating Fiber and Infrared Optical Fiber

    PubMed Central

    Lee, Bongsoo; Shin, Sang Hun; Jang, Kyoung Won; Yoo, Wook Jae

    2015-01-01

    In this study, we have studied the effects of temperature and X-ray energy variations on the light output signals from two different fiber-optic sensors, a fiber-optic dosimeter (FOD) based on a BCF-12 as a plastic scintillating fiber (PSF) and a fiber-optic thermometer (FOT) using a silver halide optical fiber as an infrared optical fiber (IR fiber). During X-ray beam irradiation, the scintillating light and IR signals were measured simultaneously using a dosimeter probe of the FOD and a thermometer probe of the FOT. The probes were placed in a beaker with water on the center of a hotplate, under variation of the tube potential of a digital radiography system or the temperature of the water in the beaker. From the experimental results, in the case of the PSF, the scintillator light output at the given tube potential decreased as the temperature increased in the temperature range from 25 to 60 °C. We demonstrated that commonly used BCF-12 has a significant temperature dependence of −0.263 ± 0.028%/°C in the clinical temperature range. Next, in the case of the IR fiber, the intensity of the IR signal was almost uniform at each temperature regardless of the tube potential range from 50 to 150 kVp. Therefore, we also demonstrated that the X-ray beam with an energy range used in diagnostic radiology does not affect the IR signals transmitted via a silver halide optical fiber. PMID:25970257

  9. Ab initio calculation of finite-temperature charmonium potentials

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Evans, P. W. M.; Allton, C. R.; Skullerud, J.-I.

    2014-04-01

    The interquark potential in charmonium states is calculated in both the zero and nonzero temperature phases from a first-principles lattice QCD calculation. Simulations with two dynamical quark flavors are used with temperatures T in the range 0.4Tc≲T≲1.7Tc, where Tc is the deconfining temperature. The correlators of point-split operators are analyzed to gain spatial information about the charmonium states. A method introduced by the HAL QCD Collaboration and based on the Schrödinger equation is applied to obtain the interquark potential. We find a clear temperature dependence with the central potential agreeing with the Cornell potential in the confined phase and becoming flatter (more screened) as the temperature increases past the deconfining temperature. This is the first time the interquark potential has been calculated for realistic quarks at finite temperature.

  10. Thermodynamics of Quantum Gases for the Entire Range of Temperature

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Biswas, Shyamal; Jana, Debnarayan

    2012-01-01

    We have analytically explored the thermodynamics of free Bose and Fermi gases for the entire range of temperature, and have extended the same for harmonically trapped cases. We have obtained approximate chemical potentials for the quantum gases in closed forms of temperature so that the thermodynamic properties of the quantum gases become…

  11. Wide-Temperature-Range Integrated Operational Amplifier

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mojarradi, Mohammad; Levanas, Greg; Chen, Yuan; Kolawa, Elizabeth; Cozy, Raymond; Blalock, Benjamin; Greenwell, Robert; Terry, Stephen

    2007-01-01

    A document discusses a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) complementary metal oxide/semiconductor (CMOS) integrated- circuit operational amplifier to be replicated and incorporated into sensor and actuator systems of Mars-explorer robots. This amplifier is designed to function at a supply potential less than or equal to 5.5 V, at any temperature from -180 to +120 C. The design is implemented on a commercial radiation-hard SOI CMOS process rated for a supply potential of less than or equal to 3.6 V and temperatures from -55 to +110 C. The design incorporates several innovations to achieve this, the main ones being the following: NMOS transistor channel lengths below 1 m are generally not used because research showed that this change could reduce the adverse effect of hot carrier injection on the lifetimes of transistors at low temperatures. To enable the amplifier to withstand the 5.5-V supply potential, a circuit topology including cascade devices, clamping devices, and dynamic voltage biasing was adopted so that no individual transistor would be exposed to more than 3.6 V. To minimize undesired variations in performance over the temperature range, the transistors in the amplifier are biased by circuitry that maintains a constant inversion coefficient over the temperature range.

  12. Osmotic potential calculations of inorganic and organic aqueous solutions over wide solute concentration levels and temperatures

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

    Cochrane, T. T., E-mail: agteca@hotmail.com; Cochrane, T. A., E-mail: tom.cochrane@canterbury.ac.nz

    Purpose: To demonstrate that the authors’ new “aqueous solution vs pure water” equation to calculate osmotic potential may be used to calculate the osmotic potentials of inorganic and organic aqueous solutions over wide ranges of solute concentrations and temperatures. Currently, the osmotic potentials of solutions used for medical purposes are calculated from equations based on the thermodynamics of the gas laws which are only accurate at low temperature and solute concentration levels. Some solutions used in medicine may need their osmotic potentials calculated more accurately to take into account solute concentrations and temperatures. Methods: The authors experimented with their newmore » equation for calculating the osmotic potentials of inorganic and organic aqueous solutions up to and beyond body temperatures by adjusting three of its factors; (a) the volume property of pure water, (b) the number of “free” water molecules per unit volume of solution, “N{sub f},” and (c) the “t” factor expressing the cooperative structural relaxation time of pure water at given temperatures. Adequate information on the volume property of pure water at different temperatures is available in the literature. However, as little information on the relative densities of inorganic and organic solutions, respectively, at varying temperatures needed to calculate N{sub f} was available, provisional equations were formulated to approximate values. Those values together with tentative t values for different temperatures chosen from values calculated by different workers were substituted into the authors’ equation to demonstrate how osmotic potentials could be estimated over temperatures up to and beyond bodily temperatures. Results: The provisional equations formulated to calculate N{sub f}, the number of free water molecules per unit volume of inorganic and organic solute solutions, respectively, over wide concentration ranges compared well with the calculations of N{sub f} using recorded relative density data at 20 °C. They were subsequently used to estimate N{sub f} values at temperatures up to and excess of body temperatures. Those values, together with t values at temperatures up to and in excess of body temperatures recorded in the literature, were substituted in the authors’ equation for the provisional calculation of osmotic potentials. The calculations indicated that solution temperatures and solute concentrations have a marked effect on osmotic potentials. Conclusions: Following work to measure the relative densities of aqueous solutions for the calculation of N{sub f} values and the determination of definitive t values up to and beyond bodily temperatures, the authors’ equation would enable the accurate estimations of the osmotic potentials of wide concentrations of aqueous solutions of inorganic and organic solutes over the temperature range. The study illustrates that not only solute concentrations but also temperatures have a marked effect on osmotic potentials, an observation of medical and biological significance.« less

  13. Thermal Plasticity of Photosynthesis: the Role of Acclimation in Forest Responses to a Warming Climate

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

    Gunderson, Carla A; O'Hara, Keiran H; Campion, Christina M

    2010-01-01

    The increasing air temperatures central to climate change predictions have the potential to alter forest ecosystem function and structure by exceeding temperatures optimal for carbon gain. Such changes are projected to threaten survival of sensitive species, leading to local extinctions, range migrations, and altered forest composition. This study investigated photosynthetic sensitivity to temperature and the potential for acclimation in relation to the climatic provenance of five species of deciduous trees, Liquidambar styraciflua, Quercus rubra, Quercus falcata, Betula alleghaniensis, and Populus grandidentata. Open-top chambers supplied three levels of warming (+0, +2, and +4 C above ambient) over 3 years, tracking naturalmore » temperature variability. Optimal temperature for CO2 assimilation was strongly correlated with daytime temperature in all treatments, but assimilation rates at those optima were comparable. Adjustment of thermal optima was confirmed in all species, whether temperatures varied with season or treatment, and regardless of climate in the species' range or provenance of the plant material. Temperature optima from 17 to 34 were observed. Across species, acclimation potentials varied from 0.55 C to 1.07 C per degree change in daytime temperature. Responses to the temperature manipulation were not different from the seasonal acclimation observed in mature indigenous trees, suggesting that photosynthetic responses should not be modeled using static temperature functions, but should incorporate an adjustment to account for acclimation. The high degree of homeostasis observed indicates that direct impacts of climatic warming on forest productivity, species survival, and range limits may be less than predicted by existing models.« less

  14. The effects of temperature upon the electrophysiological properties of Tetrahymena pyriformis-NT1.

    PubMed

    Connolly, J G; Brown, I D; Lee, A G; Kerkut, G A

    1985-01-01

    Cells of Tetrahymena pyriformis--NT1 were cultured at 38 degrees C (Tg 38 degrees C) and 20 degrees C (Tg 20 degrees C) and their properties investigated over the range 0-40 degrees C. Tg 20 degrees C cells were viable in the range 3-33 degrees C and changes in their properties were readily reversible between 10 degrees C and 30 degrees C. Tg 38 degrees cells were viable in the range 40-10 degrees C and their property changes were immediately reversible in the range 40-23 degrees C. The I-V relations of Tg 38 degrees C cells showed increased excitability as the cells were cooled from 40 degrees C. At 10 degrees C there was a considerable loss of excitability and slope resistance. Cooling Tg 20 degrees C cells from 20 degrees C gave a similar pattern, although over a narrower temperature range. Warming Tg 20 degrees C Tetrahymena above 20 degrees C led to a progressive loss of excitability and the cells were markedly less viable above 35 degrees C. Within physiological limits the regenerative spike magnitude, repolarization time, time to peak and input resistance increased as temperature was lowered, whereas resting potential was diminished. When compared at their growth temperatures and most intermediate temperatures, the value of the various parameters monitored were generally different for the two cultures. The Q10 value for resting potential changes of Tg 20 degrees C cells about 20 degrees C was 1.20. As in T. vorax this was significantly (P less than 0.01) greater than that predicted for a diffusion potential and suggested that T. pyriformis--NT1 may have an electrogenic pump component in its membrane potential.

  15. Dependence of Coulomb Sum Rule on the Short Range Correlation by Using Av18 Potential

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Modarres, M.; Moeini, H.; Moshfegh, H. R.

    The Coulomb sum rule (CSR) and structure factor are calculated for inelastic electron scattering from nuclear matter at zero and finite temperature in the nonrelativistic limit. The effect of short-range correlation (SRC) is presented by using lowest order constrained variational (LOCV) method and the Argonne Av18 and Δ-Reid soft-core potentials. The effects of different potentials as well as temperature are investigated. It is found that the nonrelativistic version of Bjorken scaling approximately sets in at the momentum transfer of about 1.1 to 1.2 GeV/c and the increase of temperature makes it to decrease. While different potentials do not significantly change CSR, the SRC improves the Coulomb sum rule and we get reasonably close results to both experimental data and others theoretical predictions.

  16. Passive Biobarrier for Treating Co-mingled Perchlorate and RDX in Groundwater at an Active Range

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-05-12

    and Groundwater Temperature ............................. 102 6.1.2 Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP...22 or equivalent). Parameters, including temperature , conductivity, dissolved oxygen , oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), turbidity, and pH were...3% for temperature and specific conductivity, and ᝺% for dissolved oxygen , ORP, and turbidity. When parameters were stable according to the above

  17. Harmful Cyanobacterial Material Production in the North Han River (South Korea): Genetic Potential and Temperature-Dependent Properties.

    PubMed

    Kim, Keonhee; Park, Chaehong; Yoon, Youngdae; Hwang, Soon-Jin

    2018-03-03

    Cyanobacteria synthesize various harmful materials, including off-flavor substances and toxins, that are regarded as potential socio-economic and environmental hazards in freshwater systems, however, their production is still not well understood. In this study, we investigated the potential and properties of harmful materials produced by cyanobacteria, depending on temperature, and undertook a phylogenetic analysis of cyanobacteria present in the North Han River (South Korea). Production potentials were evaluated using gene-specific probes, and the harmful material production properties of strains showing positive potentials were further characterized at different temperatures in the range 15 to 30 °C. We identified six cyanobacterial strains based on 16S rDNA analysis: two morphological types (coiled and straight type) of Dolichospermum circinale, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, Oscillatoria limosa, Planktothricoides raciborskii, Pseudanabaena mucicola , and Microcystis aeruginosa . We confirmed that cyanobacterial strains showing harmful material production potential produced the corresponding harmful material, and their production properties varied with temperature. Total harmful material production was maximal at 20~25 °C, a temperature range optimal for cell growth. However, harmful material productivity was highest at 15 °C. These results indicate that the expression of genes related to synthesis of harmful materials can vary depending on environmental conditions, resulting in variable harmful material production, even within the same cyanobacterial strains.

  18. A near infrared luminescent metal-organic framework for temperature sensing in the physiological range.

    PubMed

    Lian, Xiusheng; Zhao, Dian; Cui, Yuanjing; Yang, Yu; Qian, Guodong

    2015-12-28

    A near infrared pumped luminescent metal-organic framework thermometer Nd(0.577)Yb(0.423)BDC-F4, with near infrared fluorescence and excellent sensitivity in the physiological temperature range (293-313 K), has been first realized, and might be potentially applied for biomedical systems.

  19. Effects of temperature and pressure on thermodynamic properties of Cd0.50 Zn0.50 Se alloy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Aarifeen, Najm ul; Afaq, A.

    2017-09-01

    Thermodynamic properties of \\text{C}{{\\text{d}}0.50} \\text{Z}{{\\text{n}}0.50} Se alloy are studied using quasi harmonic model for pressure range 0-10 GPa and temperature range 0-1000 K. The structural optimization is obtained by self consistent field calculations and full-potential linear muffin-tin orbital method with GGA+U as an exchange correlation functional where U=2.3427 eV is the hubbard potential. The effects of temperature and pressure on the bulk modulus, Helmholtz free energy, internal energy, entropy, Debye temperature, Grüneisen parameter, thermal expansion coefficient and heat capacities of the material are observed and discussed. The bulk modulus, Helmholtz free energy and Debye temperature are found to decrease with increasing temperature while there is an increasing behavior when the pressure rises. Whereas internal energy has increasing trend with rises in temperature and it almost remains insensitive to pressure. The entropy of the system increases (decreases) with a rise of pressure (temperature).

  20. Assessment of empirical potential for MOX nuclear fuels and thermomechanical properties

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Balboa, Hector; Van Brutzel, Laurent; Chartier, Alain; Le Bouar, Yann

    2017-11-01

    We assess five empirical interatomic potentials in the approximation of rigid ions and pair interactions for the (U1-y,Puy)O solid solution. The assessment compares available experimental data and Fink's recommendation with simulations on: the structural, thermodynamics, and mechanical properties over the full range of plutonium composition, from pure UO2 to pure PuO2 and for temperatures ranging from 300 K to the melting point. The best results are obtained by potentials referred as Cooper and Potashnikov potentials. The first one reproduces more accurately recommendations for the thermodynamics and mechanical properties exhibiting ductile-like behaviour during crack propagation, while the second one gives brittle behaviour at low temperature.

  1. Calibration and temperature correction of heat dissipation matric potential sensors

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Flint, A.L.; Campbell, G.S.; Ellett, K.M.; Calissendorff, C.

    2002-01-01

    This paper describes how heat dissipation sensors, used to measure soil water matric potential, were analyzed to develop a normalized calibration equation and a temperature correction method. Inference of soil matric potential depends on a correlation between the variable thermal conductance of the sensor's porous ceramic and matric poten-tial. Although this correlation varies among sensors, we demonstrate a normalizing procedure that produces a single calibration relationship. Using sensors from three sources and different calibration methods, the normalized calibration resulted in a mean absolute error of 23% over a matric potential range of -0.01 to -35 MPa. Because the thermal conductivity of variably saturated porous media is temperature dependent, a temperature correction is required for application of heat dissipation sensors in field soils. A temperature correction procedure is outlined that reduces temperature dependent errors by 10 times, which reduces the matric potential measurement errors by more than 30%. The temperature dependence is well described by a thermal conductivity model that allows for the correction of measurements at any temperature to measurements at the calibration temperature.

  2. Rainfall and temperatures changes have confounding impacts on Phytophthora cinnamomi occurrence risk in the southwestern USA under climate change scenarios.

    PubMed

    Thompson, Sally E; Levin, Simon; Rodriguez-Iturbe, Ignacio

    2014-04-01

    Global change will simultaneously impact many aspects of climate, with the potential to exacerbate the risks posed by plant pathogens to agriculture and the natural environment; yet, most studies that explore climate impacts on plant pathogen ranges consider individual climatic factors separately. In this study, we adopt a stochastic modeling approach to address multiple pathways by which climate can constrain the range of the generalist plant pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi (Pc): through changing winter soil temperatures affecting pathogen survival; spring soil temperatures and thus pathogen metabolic rates; and changing spring soil moisture conditions and thus pathogen growth rates through host root systems. We apply this model to the southwestern USA for contemporary and plausible future climate scenarios and evaluate the changes in the potential range of Pc. The results indicate that the plausible range of this pathogen in the southwestern USA extends over approximately 200,000 km(2) under contemporary conditions. While warming temperatures as projected by the IPCC A2 and B1 emissions scenarios greatly expand the range over which the pathogen can survive winter, projected reductions in spring rainfall reduce its feasible habitat, leading to spatially complex patterns of changing risk. The study demonstrates that temperature and rainfall changes associated with possible climate futures in the southwestern USA have confounding impacts on the range of Pc, suggesting that projections of future pathogen dynamics and ranges should account for multiple pathways of climate-pathogen interaction. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  3. When do Indians feel hot? Internet searches indicate seasonality suppresses adaptation to heat

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Singh, Tanya; Siderius, Christian; Van der Velde, Ype

    2018-05-01

    In a warming world an increasing number of people are being exposed to heat, making a comfortable thermal environment an important need. This study explores the potential of using Regional Internet Search Frequencies (RISF) for air conditioning devices as an indicator for thermal discomfort (i.e. dissatisfaction with the thermal environment) with the aim to quantify the adaptation potential of individuals living across different climate zones and at the high end of the temperature range, in India, where access to health data is limited. We related RISF for the years 2011–2015 to daily daytime outdoor temperature in 17 states and determined at which temperature RISF for air conditioning starts to peak, i.e. crosses a ‘heat threshold’, in each state. Using the spatial variation in heat thresholds, we explored whether people continuously exposed to higher temperatures show a lower response to heat extremes through adaptation (e.g. physiological, behavioural or psychological). State-level heat thresholds ranged from 25.9 °C in Madhya Pradesh to 31.0 °C in Orissa. Local adaptation was found to occur at state level: the higher the average temperature in a state, the higher the heat threshold; and the higher the intra-annual temperature range (warmest minus coldest month) the lower the heat threshold. These results indicate there is potential within India to adapt to warmer temperatures, but that a large intra-annual temperature variability attenuates this potential to adapt to extreme heat. This winter ‘reset’ mechanism should be taken into account when assessing the impact of global warming, with changes in minimum temperatures being an important factor in addition to the change in maximum temperatures itself. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of local heat thresholds and people’s adaptive capacity, which can support the design of local thermal comfort standards and early heat warning systems.

  4. Simulating soybean canopy temperature as affected by weather variables and soil water potential

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Choudhury, B. J.

    1982-01-01

    Hourly weather data for several clear sky days during summer at Phoenix and Baltimore which covered a wide range of variables were used with a plant atmosphere model to simulate soybean (Glycine max L.) leaf water potential, stomatal resistance and canopy temperature at various soil water potentials. The air and dew point temperatures were found to be the significant weather variables affecting the canopy temperatures. Under identical weather conditions, the model gives a lower canopy temperature for a soybean crop with a higher rooting density. A knowledge of crop rooting density, in addition to air and dew point temperatures is needed in interpreting infrared radiometric observations for soil water status. The observed dependence of stomatal resistance on the vapor pressure deficit and soil water potential is fairly well represented. Analysis of the simulated leaf water potentials indicates overestimation, possibly due to differences in the cultivars.

  5. Evaluating the potential energy landscape over single molecules at room temperature with lateral force microscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Weymouth, Alfred J.; Riegel, Elisabeth; Matencio, Sonia; Giessibl, Franz J.

    2018-04-01

    One of the challenges of AFM, in contrast to STM, is that the measured signal includes both long-range and short-range components. The most accurate method for removing long-range components is to measure both on and off an adsorbate and to subtract the difference. This on-off method is challenging at room temperature due to thermal drift. By moving to a non-contact scheme in which the lateral component of the force interaction is probed, the measurement is dominated by short-range interactions. We use frequency-modulation lateral force microscopy to measure individual PTCDA molecules adsorbed on Ag/Si(111)-( √{3 }×√{3 } ). By fitting the data to a model potential, we can extract the depth and width of the potential. When the tip is closer to the sample, a repulsive feature can be observed in the data.

  6. The size prediction of potential inclusions embedded in the sub-surface of fused silica by damage morphology

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gao, Xiang; Qiu, Rong; Wang, Kunpeng; Zhang, Jiangmei; Zhou, Guorui; Yao, Ke; Jiang, Yong; Zhou, Qiang

    2017-04-01

    A model for predicting the size ranges of different potential inclusions initiating damage on the surface of fused silica has been presented. This accounts for the heating of nanometric inclusions whose absorptivity is described based on Mie Theory. The depth profile of impurities has been measured by ICP-OES. By the measured temporal pulse profile on the surface of fused silica, the temperature and thermal stress has been calculated. Furthermore, considering the limit conditions of temperature and thermal stress strength for different damage morphologies, the size range of potential inclusions for fused silica is discussed.

  7. Bed conduction impact on fiber optic distributed temperature sensing water temperature measurements

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    O'Donnell Meininger, T.; Selker, J. S.

    2015-02-01

    Error in distributed temperature sensing (DTS) water temperature measurements may be introduced by contact of the fiber optic cable sensor with bed materials (e.g., seafloor, lakebed, streambed). Heat conduction from the bed materials can affect cable temperature and the resulting DTS measurements. In the Middle Fork John Day River, apparent water temperature measurements were influenced by cable sensor contact with aquatic vegetation and fine sediment bed materials. Affected cable segments measured a diurnal temperature range reduced by 10% and lagged by 20-40 min relative to that of ambient stream temperature. The diurnal temperature range deeper within the vegetation-sediment bed material was reduced 70% and lagged 240 min relative to ambient stream temperature. These site-specific results illustrate the potential magnitude of bed-conduction impacts with buried DTS measurements. Researchers who deploy DTS for water temperature monitoring should understand the importance of the environment into which the cable is placed on the range and phase of temperature measurements.

  8. Astable Oscillator Circuits using Silicon-on-Insulator Timer Chip for Wide Range Temperature Sensing

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Patterson, Richard L.; Culley, Dennis; Hammoud, Ahmad; Elbuluk, Malik

    2008-01-01

    Two astable oscillator circuits were constructed using a new silicon-on-insulator (SOI) 555 timer chip for potential use as a temperature sensor in harsh environments encompassing jet engine and space mission applications. The two circuits, which differed slightly in configuration, were evaluated between -190 and 200 C. The output of each circuit was made to produce a stream of rectangular pulses whose frequency was proportional to the sensed temperature. The preliminary results indicated that both circuits performed relatively well over the entire test temperature range. In addition, after the circuits were subjected to limited thermal cycling over the temperature range of -190 to 200 C, the performance of either circuit did not experience any significant change.

  9. Biogenic Methane Generation Potential in the Eastern Nankai Trough, Japan: Effect of Reaction Temperature and Total Organic Carbon

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Aung, T. T.; Fujii, T.; Amo, M.; Suzuki, K.

    2017-12-01

    Understanding potential of methane flux from the Pleistocene fore-arc basin filled turbiditic sedimentary formation along the eastern Nankai Trough is important in the quantitative assessment of gas hydrate resources. We considered generated methane could exist in sedimentary basin in the forms of three major components, and those are methane in methane hydrate, free gas and methane dissolved in water. Generation of biomethane strongly depends on microbe activity and microbes in turn survive in diverse range of temperature, salinity and pH. This study aims to understand effect of reaction temperature and total organic carbon on generation of biomethane and its components. Biomarker analysis and cultural experiment results of the core samples from the eastern Nankai Trough reveal that methane generation rate gets peak at various temperature ranging12.5°to 35°. Simulation study of biomethane generation was made using commercial basin scale simulator, PetroMod, with different reaction temperature and total organic carbon to predict how these effect on generation of biomethane. Reaction model is set by Gaussian distribution with constant hydrogen index and standard deviation of 1. Series of simulation cases with peak reaction temperature ranging 12.5°to 35° and total organic carbon of 0.6% to 3% were conducted and analyzed. Simulation results show that linear decrease in generation potential while increasing reaction temperature. But decreasing amount becomes larger in the model with higher total organic carbon. At higher reaction temperatures, >30°, extremely low generation potential was found. This is due to the fact that the source formation modeled is less than 1 km in thickness and most of formation do not reach temperature more than 30°. In terms of the components, methane in methane hydrate and free methane increase with increasing TOC. Drastic increase in free methane was observed in the model with 3% of TOC. Methane amount dissolved in water shows almost same for all models.

  10. Technical Note: Bed conduction impact on fiber optic DTS water temperature measurements

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    O'Donnell Meininger, T.; Selker, J. S.

    2014-07-01

    Error in Distributed Temperature Sensor (DTS) water temperature measurements may be introduced by contact of the fiber optic cable sensor with bed materials (e.g., seafloor, lakebed, stream bed). Heat conduction from the bed materials can affect cable temperature and the resulting DTS measurements. In the Middle Fork John Day River, apparent water temperature measurements were influenced by cable sensor contact with aquatic vegetation and fine sediment bed materials. Affected cable segments measured a diurnal temperature range reduced by 10% and lagged by 20-40 min relative to that of ambient stream temperature. The diurnal temperature range deeper within the vegetation-sediment bed material was reduced 70% and lagged 240 min relative to ambient stream temperature. These site-specific results illustrate the potential magnitude of bed-conduction impacts with buried DTS measurements. Researchers who deploy DTS for water temperature monitoring should understand the importance of the environment into which the cable is placed on the range and phase of temperature measurements.

  11. Exploring the Effect of Media, Salinity and Clay on the Thermoelectric Coupling Coefficient in Self-Potential Data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Meyer, C. D.; Revil, A.

    2014-12-01

    Self-potential is a non-invasive, passive geophysical technique with applications ranging from imaging oil and gas reservoirs to identifying preferential flow paths in earthen embankments. Several cross-coupled flow phenomena contribute to self-potential data, and there is a need to further quantify these various sources to enable better resolution and quantification of self-potential models. Very little research has been done to constrain thermoelectric source mechanisms that contribute to self-potential signals. A laboratory experiment has been designed to investigate the thermoelectric coupling coefficient (CTE) that relates the voltage change per degree centigrade (V/°C) in porous media. This study focuses on a sand tank experiment using a saturated silica sand. To isolate the temperature gradient dependence of self-potential measurements, no hydraulic gradient is applied to the tank, eliminating the streaming potential component of source current. Self-potential and temperature data are recorded while reservoirs of hot and cold water are established on opposite ends of the tank in order to generate thermoelectric source currents. Various thermal gradients ranging from 0 °C to 80 °C over 20 cm are examined for various salinities (10-3M- 1M NaCl), sand grain sizes and clay content to investigate influences on CTE. A short-duration contact of non-polarizing (Pb/PbCl) electrodes is implemented to minimize temperature drift of electrodes during the experiment. Surface self-potential and temperature measurements are made in 30 minute intervals. Initial measurements have revealed non-linear effects, including a decreased CTE as temperature gradient bounds approach 0 °C.

  12. Conducting processes in simulated chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy at 20°C-42°C.

    PubMed

    Stephanova, D I; Daskalova, M; Mladenov, M

    2015-03-01

    Decreased conducting processes leading usually to conduction block and increased weakness of limbs during cold (cold paresis) or warmth (heat paresis) have been reported in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). To explore the mechanisms of these symptoms, the effects of temperature (from 20°C to 42°C) on nodal action potentials and their current kinetics in previously simulated case of 70% CIDP are investigated, using our temperature dependent multi-layered model of the myelinated human motor nerve fiber. The results show that potential amplitudes have a bifid form at 20°C. As in the normal case, for the CIDP case, the nodal action potentials are determined mainly by the nodal sodium currents (I Na ) for the temperature range of 20-39°C, as the contribution of nodal fast and slow potassium currents (I Kf and I Ks ) to the total ionic current (Ii) is negligible. Also, the contribution of I Kf and I Ks to the membrane repolarization is enhanced at temperatures higher than 39°C. However, in the temperature range of 20-42°C, all potential parameters in the CIDP case, except for the conduction block during hyperthermia (≥ 40°C) which is again at 45°C, worsen: (i) conduction velocities and potential amplitudes are decreased; (ii) afterpotentials and threshold stimulus currents for the potential generation are increased; (iii) the current kinetics of action potentials is slowed and (iv) the conduction block during hypothermia (≤ 25°C) is at temperatures lower than 20°C. These potential parameters are more altered during hyperthermia and are most altered during hypothermia. The present results suggest that the conducting processes in patients with CIDP are in higher risk during hypothermia than hyperthermia.

  13. Thermal tolerance in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).

    PubMed

    Yeates, Laura C; Houser, Dorian S

    2008-10-01

    Water and air temperature are potentially limiting factors to the pole-ward distributions of coastal bottlenose dolphins. This study assessed the lower critical temperature of captive bottlenose dolphins to air temperature (LCT(a)) and water temperature (LCT(w)) through the use of open flow respirometry. Five dolphins, ranging from 14 to 33 years of age and acclimated to the waters of the southern California coast (14.2-22.5 degrees C), were subjected to water temperatures ranging from 0.2 to 18.0 degrees C. Two of the animals were additionally subjected to air temperatures ranging from -2.4 to 17.8 degrees C while maintaining water temperature approximately 3 degrees C above their individual LCT(w). The LCT(w) ranged from 5.5 to 10.6 degrees C and generally decreased with increasing animal mass; for dolphins in excess of 187 kg, the LCT(w) ranged from 5.5 to 5.7 degrees C. No LCT(a) could be determined across the range of air temperatures tested. Core body temperature remained within the limits of normal body temperatures reported for dolphins but demonstrated a direct relationship to water temperature in three subjects and varied across a range of 1.5 degrees C. Air and water temperature had a minimal synergistic effect on dolphin thermoregulation, i.e. water temperature exerted the predominant impact on thermoregulation. For dolphins in excess of 187 kg, water temperature alone would appear to be insufficient to limit the use of habitat north of current bottlenose dolphin ranges along the coastal United States. However, thermal impacts to smaller dolphins, in particular adolescents, neonates and accompanying females, may work in concert with other factors (e.g. prey distribution, predator avoidance, social interactions) to influence coastal residency patterns and population structure.

  14. Winter range expansion of a hummingbird is associated with urbanization and supplementary feeding

    PubMed Central

    Wood, Eric M.

    2017-01-01

    Anthropogenic changes to the landscape and climate cause novel ecological and evolutionary pressures, leading to potentially dramatic changes in the distribution of biodiversity. Warm winter temperatures can shift species' distributions to regions that were previously uninhabitable. Further, urbanization and supplementary feeding may facilitate range expansions and potentially reduce migration tendency. Here we explore how these factors interact to cause non-uniform effects across a species's range. Using 17 years of data from the citizen science programme Project FeederWatch, we examined the relationships between urbanization, winter temperatures and the availability of supplementary food (i.e. artificial nectar) on the winter range expansion (more than 700 km northward in the past two decades) of Anna's hummingbirds (Calypte anna). We found that Anna's hummingbirds have colonized colder locations over time, were more likely to colonize sites with higher housing density and were more likely to visit feeders in the expanded range compared to the historical range. Additionally, their range expansion mirrored a corresponding increase over time in the tendency of people to provide nectar feeders in the expanded range. This work illustrates how humans may alter the distribution and potentially the migratory behaviour of species through landscape and resource modification. PMID:28381617

  15. Experimental and theoretical kinetics for the H2O+ + H2/D2 → H3O+/H2DO+ + H/D reactions: observation of the rotational effect in the temperature dependence.

    PubMed

    Ard, Shaun G; Li, Anyang; Martinez, Oscar; Shuman, Nicholas S; Viggiano, Albert A; Guo, Hua

    2014-12-11

    Thermal rate coefficients for the title reactions computed using a quasi-classical trajectory method on an accurate global potential energy surface fitted to ∼81,000 high-level ab initio points are compared with experimental values measured between 100 and 600 K using a variable temperature selected ion flow tube instrument. Excellent agreement is found across the entire temperature range, showing a subtle, but unusual temperature dependence of the rate coefficients. For both reactions the temperature dependence has a maximum around 350 K, which is a result of H2O(+) rotations increasing the reactivity, while kinetic energy is decreasing the reactivity. A strong isotope effect is found, although the calculations slightly overestimate the kinetic isotope effect. The good experiment-theory agreement not only validates the accuracy of the potential energy surface but also provides more accurate kinetic data over a large temperature range.

  16. Finite temperature static charge screening in quantum plasmas

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Eliasson, B.; Akbari-Moghanjoughi, M.

    2016-07-01

    The shielding potential around a test charge is calculated, using the linearized quantum hydrodynamic formulation with the statistical pressure and Bohm potential derived from finite temperature kinetic theory, and the temperature effects on the force between ions is assessed. The derived screening potential covers the full range of electron degeneracy in the equation of state of the plasma electrons. An attractive force between shielded ions in an arbitrary degenerate plasma exists below a critical temperature and density. The effect of the temperature on the screening potential profile qualitatively describes the ion-ion bound interaction strength and length variations. This may be used to investigate physical properties of plasmas and in molecular-dynamics simulations of fermion plasma. It is further shown that the Bohm potential including the kinetic corrections has a profound effect on the Thomson scattering cross section in quantum plasmas with arbitrary degeneracy.

  17. CHARLES SHELDON ANTELOPE RANGE AND SHELDON NATIONAL ANTELOPE REFUGE, NEVADA AND OREGON.

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Cathrall, J.B.; Tuchek, E.T.

    1984-01-01

    A mineral survey of the Charles Sheldon Antelope Range and Sheldon National Antelope Refuge, in Humboldt and Washoe Counties, Nevada, and Lake and Harney Counties, Oregon, was conducted. The investigation identified areas of mineral-resource potential within the range and refuge. The range and refuge have areas of substantiated resource potential for precious opal and uranium, a demonstrated resource of decorative building stone, and areas with probable resource potential for mercury and for base- and precious-metal sulfide deposits. Reservoir temperatures, estimated from the analysis of thermal springs, indicate that a probable potential for geothermal resources exists in two areas in the range. No other energy resources were identitied in the area.

  18. Exploring the potential of clumped isotope thermometry on coccolith-rich sediments as a sea surface temperature proxy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Drury, Anna Joy; John, Cédric M.

    2016-10-01

    Understanding past changes in sea surface temperatures (SSTs) is crucial; however, existing proxies for reconstructing past SSTs are hindered by unknown ancient seawater composition (foraminiferal Mg/Ca and δ18O) or reflect subsurface temperatures (TEX86) or have a limited applicable temperature range (U37k'). We examine clumped isotope (Δ47) thermometry to fossil coccolith-rich material as an SST proxy, as clumped isotopes are independent of original seawater composition and applicable to a wide temperature range and coccolithophores are widespread and dissolution resistant. The Δ47-derived temperatures from <63, <20, <10, and 2-5 μm size fractions of two equatorial Pacific late Miocene-early Pliocene sediment samples (c1; c2) range between ˜18 and 29°C, with c1 temperatures consistently above c2. Removing the >63 μm fraction removes most nonmixed layer components; however, the Δ47-derived temperatures display an unexpected slight decreasing trend with decreasing size fraction. This unexpected trend could partly arise because larger coccoliths (5-12 μm) are removed during the size fraction separation process. The c1 and <63 μm c2 Δ47-derived temperatures are comparable to concurrent U37k' SSTs. The <20, <10, and 2-5 μm c2 Δ47-derived temperatures are consistently cooler than expected. The Δ47-U37k' temperature offset is probably caused by abiotic/diagenetic calcite present in the c2 2-5 μm fraction (˜53% by area), which potentially precipitated at bottom water temperatures of ˜6°C. Our results indicate that clumped isotopes on coccolith-rich sediment fractions have potential as an SST proxy, particularly in tropical regions, providing that careful investigation of the appropriate size fraction for the region and time scale is undertaken.

  19. A high-efficiency thermoelectric converter for space applications

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

    Metzger, J.D.; El-Genk, M.S.

    1990-01-01

    This paper presents a concept for using high-temperature superconducting materials in thermoelectric generators (SCTE) to produce electricity at conversion efficiencies approaching 50% of the Carrot efficiency. The SCTE generator is applicable to systems operating in temperature ranges of high-temperature superconducting materials and thus would be a low-grade converter. Operating in cryogenic temperature ranges provides the advantage of inherently increasing the limits of the Carrot efficiency. Potential applications are for systems operating in space where the ambient temperatures are in the cryogenic temperature range. The advantage of using high-temperature superconducting material in a thermoelectric converter is that it would significantly reducemore » or eliminate the Joule heating losses in a thermoelectric element. This paper investigates the system aspects and the material requirements of the SCTE converter concept, and presents a conceptual design and an application for a space power system.« less

  20. A high-efficiency thermoelectric converter for space applications

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

    Metzger, J.D.; El-Genk, M.S.

    1990-12-31

    This paper presents a concept for using high-temperature superconducting materials in thermoelectric generators (SCTE) to produce electricity at conversion efficiencies approaching 50% of the Carrot efficiency. The SCTE generator is applicable to systems operating in temperature ranges of high-temperature superconducting materials and thus would be a low-grade converter. Operating in cryogenic temperature ranges provides the advantage of inherently increasing the limits of the Carrot efficiency. Potential applications are for systems operating in space where the ambient temperatures are in the cryogenic temperature range. The advantage of using high-temperature superconducting material in a thermoelectric converter is that it would significantly reducemore » or eliminate the Joule heating losses in a thermoelectric element. This paper investigates the system aspects and the material requirements of the SCTE converter concept, and presents a conceptual design and an application for a space power system.« less

  1. Microclimate environmental parameters indexed for Sudden Oak death in Georgia and South Carolina

    Treesearch

    Pauline Spaine; William J. Otrosina; Stanley J. Zarnoch; Sharon V. Lumpkin

    2008-01-01

    We monitored Ericaceous habitat in Georgia and South Carolina for temperature, dew point and humidity ranges throughout a two year period. Temperature and humidity data were used to characterize their range in Georgia and South Carolina where potential SOD susceptible hosts occur. This data suggests risk for SOD development may be more widespread in southeastern forest...

  2. Plasma parameters in a multidipole plasma system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ruscanu, D.; Anita, V.; Popa, G.

    Plasma potential and electron number densities and electron temperatures under bi-Maxwellian approximation for electron distribution function of the multidipole argon plasma source system were measured for a gas pressure ranging between 10-4 and 10-3 mbar and an anode-cathode voltage ranging between 40 and 120 V but a constant discharge current intensity. The first group, as ultimate or cold electrons and main electron plasma population, results by trapping of the slow electrons produced by ionisation process due to primary-neutral collisions. The trapping process is produced by potential well due to positive plasma potential with respect to the anode so that electron temperature of the ultimate electrons does not depend on both the gas pressure and discharge voltage. The second group, as secondary or hot electrons, results as degrading process of the primaries and their number density increases while their temperature decreases with the increase of both the gas pressure and discharge voltage.

  3. Thermal energy storage

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Grodzka, P. G.; Picklesimer, E. A.

    1978-01-01

    The general scope of study on thermal energy storage development includes: (1) survey and review possible concepts for storing thermal energy; (2) evaluate the potentials of the surveyed concepts for practical applications in the low and high temperature ranges for thermal control and storage, with particular emphasis on the low temperature range, and designate the most promising concepts; and (3) determine the nature of further studies required to expeditiously convert the most promising concept(s) to practical applications. Cryogenic temperature control by means of energy storage materials was also included.

  4. High Temperature Piezoelectric Drill

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bao, Xiaoqi; Scott, James; Boudreau, Kate; Bar-Cohen, Yoseph; Sherrit, Stewart; Badescu, Mircea; Shrout, Tom; Zhang, Shujun

    2009-01-01

    The current NASA Decadal mission planning effort has identified Venus as a significant scientific target for a surface in-situ sampling/analyzing mission. The Venus environment represents several extremes including high temperature (460 deg C), high pressure (9 MPa), and potentially corrosive (condensed sulfuric acid droplets that adhere to surfaces during entry) environments. This technology challenge requires new rock sampling tools for these extreme conditions. Piezoelectric materials can potentially operate over a wide temperature range. Single crystals, like LiNbO3, have a Curie temperature that is higher than 1000 deg C and the piezoelectric ceramics Bismuth Titanate higher than 600 deg C. A study of the feasibility of producing piezoelectric drills that can operate in the temperature range up to 500 deg C was conducted. The study includes the high temperature properties investigations of engineering materials and piezoelectric ceramics with different formulas and doping. The drilling performances of a prototype Ultrasonic/Sonic Drill/Corer (USDC) using high temperate piezoelectric ceramics and single crystal were tested at temperature up to 500 deg C. The detailed results of our study and a discussion of the future work on performance improvements are presented in this paper.

  5. Graphene: A partially ordered non-periodic solid

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

    Wei, Dongshan; Wang, Feng, E-mail: fengwang@uark.edu

    2014-10-14

    Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to study the structural features of graphene over a wide range of temperatures from 50 to 4000 K using the PPBE-G potential [D. Wei, Y. Song, and F. Wang, J. Chem. Phys. 134, 184704 (2011)]. This potential was developed by force matching the Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) exchange correlation functional and has been validated previously to provide accurate potential energy surface for graphene at temperatures as high as 3000 K. Simulations with the PPBE‑G potential are the best available approximation to a direct Car-Parrinello Molecular Dynamics study of graphene. One advantage of the PBE-G potential is to allowmore » large simulation boxes to be modeled efficiently so that properties showing strong finite size effects can be studied. Our simulation box contains more than 600 000 C atoms and is one of the largest graphene boxes ever modeled. With the PPBE-G potential, the thermal-expansion coefficient is negative up to 4000 K. With a large box and an accurate potential, the critical exponent for the scaling properties associated with the normal-normal and height-height correlation functions was confirmed to be 0.85. This exponent remains constant up to 4000 K suggesting graphene to be in the deeply cooled regime even close to the experimental melting temperature. The reduced peak heights in the radial distribution function of graphene show an inverse power law dependence to distance, which indicates that a macroscopic graphene sheet will lose long-range crystalline order as predicted by the Mermin-Wagner instability. Although graphene loses long-range translational order, it retains long range orientational order as indicated by its orientational correlation function; graphene is thus partially ordered but not periodic.« less

  6. Dusty plasma in a glow discharge in helium in temperature range of 5–300 K

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

    Samoilov, I. S.; Baev, V. P.; Timofeev, A. V., E-mail: timofeevalvl@gmail.com

    2017-03-15

    Dusty plasma structures in glow discharge in helium in the temperature range of 5–300 K are investigated experimentally. We have described the experimental setup that makes it possible to continuously vary the temperature regime. The method for experimental data processing has been described. We have measured interparticle distances in the temperature range of 9–295 K and compared them with the Debye radius. We indicate the ranges of variations in experimental parameters in which plasma–dust structures are formed and various types of their behavior are manifested (rotation, vibrations of structures, formation of vertical linear chains, etc.). The applicability of the Yukawamore » potential to the description of the structural properties of a dusty plasma in the experimental conditions is discussed.« less

  7. Transport properties of N2 gas at cryogenic temperatures. [computation of viscosity and thermal conductivity

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Pearson, W. E.

    1974-01-01

    The viscosity and thermal conductivity of nitrogen gas for the temperature range 5 K - 135 K have been computed from the second Chapman-Enskog approximation. Quantum effects, which become appreciable at the lower temperatures, are included by utilizing collision integrals based on quantum theory. A Lennard-Jones (12-6) potential was assumed. The computations yield viscosities about 20 percent lower than those predicted for the high end of this temperature range by the method of corresponding states, but the agreement is excellent when the computed values are compared with existing experimental data.

  8. Effect of salinity on the upper lethal temperature tolerance of early-juvenile red drum.

    PubMed

    McDonald, Dusty; Bumguardner, Britt; Cason, Paul

    2015-10-01

    Previous work investigating the temperature tolerance of juvenile red drum ranging 18-50mm TL found evidence for positive size dependence (smaller fish less tolerant to higher temperatures) suggesting smaller size classes (<18mm TL) potentially may succumb to extreme summer water temperatures. Here, we explored the upper lethal temperature tolerance (ULT) in smaller-sized red drum which ranged from 10 to 20mm TL across multiple salinities to further understand the thermal limitations of this propagated game fish. In order to investigate the combined effect of temperature and salinity on ULT, temperature trials were conducted under three levels of salinity which commonly occur along the coast of Texas (25, 35, and 45ppt). The rate of temperature increase (+0.25°C/h) was designed to mimic a natural temperature increase of a summer day in Texas. We determined that the lethal temperature at 50% (LT50) did not differ between the three salinities examined statistically; median lethal temperature for individuals exposed to 25ppt ranged from 36.4 to 37.7°C, 35ppt ranged from 36.4 to 37.7°C, and 45ppt ranged from 36.1 to 37.4°C. Further, LT50 data obtained here for early-juvenile red drum did not differ from data of a similar experiment examining 25mm TL sized fish. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  9. Impact of rock mass temperature on potential power and electricity generation in the ORC installation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kaczmarczyk, Michał

    2017-11-01

    The basic source of information for determining the temperature distribution in the rock mass and thus the potential for thermal energy contained in geothermal water conversion to electricity, are: temperature measurements in stable geothermic conditions, temperature measurements in unstable conditions, measurements of maximum temperatures at the bottom of the well. Incorrect temperature estimation can lead to errors during thermodynamic parameters calculation and consequently economic viability of the project. The analysis was performed for the geothermal water temperature range of 86-100°C, for dry working fluid R245fa. As a result of the calculations, the data indicate an increase in geothermal power as the geothermal water temperature increases. At 86°C, the potential power is 817.48 kW, increases to 912.20 kW at 88°C and consequently to 1 493.34 kW at 100°C. These results are not surprising, but show a scale of error in assessing the potential that can result improper interpretation of the rock mass and geothermal waters temperature.

  10. Modeling the Effect of Temperature and Potential on the In Vitro Corrosion Performance of Biomedical Hydroxyapatite Coatings

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Coşkun, M. İbrahim; Karahan, İsmail H.; Yücel, Yasin; Golden, Teresa D.

    2016-10-01

    CoCrMo biomedical alloys were coated with a hydroxyapatite layer to improve biocompatibility and in vitro corrosion performance. A fast electrodeposition process was completed in 5 minutes for the hydroxyapatite coating. Effect of the solution temperature and applied potential on the in vitro corrosion performance of the hydroxyapatite coatings was modeled by response surface methodology (RSM) coupled with central composite design (CCD). A 5-level-2-factor experimental plan designed by CCD was used; the experimental plan contained 13 coating experiments with a temperature range from 283 K to 347 K (10 °C to 74 °C) and potential range from -1.2 to -1.9 V. Corrosion potential ( E corr) of the coatings in a simulated body fluid solution was chosen as response for the model. Predicted and experimental values fitted well with an R 2 value of 0.9481. Response surface plots of the impedance and polarization resistance ( R P) were investigated. Optimized parameters for electrodeposition of hydroxyapatite were determined by RSM as solution temperature of 305.48 K (32.33 °C) and potential of -1.55 V. Hydroxyapatite coatings fabricated at optimized parameters showed excellent crystal formation and high in vitro corrosion resistance.

  11. Polymer Stabilization of Liquid-Crystal Blue Phase II toward Photonic Crystals.

    PubMed

    Jo, Seong-Yong; Jeon, Sung-Wook; Kim, Byeong-Cheon; Bae, Jae-Hyun; Araoka, Fumito; Choi, Suk-Won

    2017-03-15

    The temperature ranges where a pure simple-cubic blue phase (BPII) emerges are quite narrow compared to the body-centered-cubic BP (BPI) such that the polymer stabilization of BPII is much more difficult. Hence, a polymer-stabilized BPII possessing a wide temperature range has been scarcely reported. Here, we fabricate a polymer-stabilized BPII over a temperature range of 50 °C including room temperature. The fabricated polymer-stabilized BPII is confirmed via polarized optical microscopy, Bragg reflection, and Kossel diagram observations. Furthermore, we demonstrate reflective BP liquid-crystal devices utilizing the reflectance-voltage performance as a potential application of the polymer-stabilized BPII. Our work demonstrates the possibility of practical application of the polymer-stabilized BPII to photonic crystals.

  12. Testing a full‐range soil‐water retention function in modeling water potential and temperature

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Andraski, Brian J.; Jacobson, Elizabeth A.

    2000-01-01

    Recent work has emphasized development of full‐range water‐retention functions that are applicable under both wet and dry soil conditions, but evaluation of such functions in numerical modeling has been limited. Here we show that simulations using the Rossi‐Nimmo (RN) full‐range function compared favorably with those using the common Brooks‐Corey function and that the RN function can improve prediction of water potentials in near‐surface soil, particularly under dry conditions. Simulations using the RN function also improved prediction of temperatures throughout the soil profile. Such improvements could be important for calculations of liquid and vapor flow in near‐surface soils and in deep unsaturated zones of arid and semiarid regions.

  13. Molecular dynamics simulation of premelting and melting phase transitions in stoichiometric uranium dioxide

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yakub, Eugene; Ronchi, Claudio; Staicu, Dragos

    2007-09-01

    Results of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of UO2 in a wide temperature range are presented and discussed. A new approach to the calibration of a partly ionic Busing-Ida-type model is proposed. A potential parameter set is obtained reproducing the experimental density of solid UO2 in a wide range of temperatures. A conventional simulation of the high-temperature stoichiometric UO2 on large MD cells, based on a novel fast method of computation of Coulomb forces, reveals characteristic features of a premelting λ transition at a temperature near to that experimentally observed (Tλ=2670K ). A strong deviation from the Arrhenius behavior of the oxygen self-diffusion coefficient was found in the vicinity of the transition point. Predictions for liquid UO2, based on the same potential parameter set, are in good agreement with existing experimental data and theoretical calculations.

  14. The second virial coefficient of bounded Mie potentials

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Heyes, D. M.; Pereira de Vasconcelos, T.

    2017-12-01

    The second virial coefficient (SVC) of bounded generalizations of the Mie m:n potential ϕ (r ) =λ [1 /(aq+rq ) m /q-1 /(aq+rq ) n /q ] , where λ, a, q, m, and n are constants (a ≥ 0), is explored. The particle separation distance is r. This potential could be used as an effective interaction between polymeric dispersed colloidal particles of various degrees of interpenetrability. The SVC is negative for all temperatures for a, greater than a critical value, ac, which coincides with the range of a, where the system is thermodynamically unstable. The Boyle temperature and the temperature at which the SVC is a maximum diverge to +∞ as a → ac from below. Various series expansion expressions for the SVC are derived following on from those derived for the Mie potential itself (i.e., a = 0) in the study of Heyes et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 145, 084505 (2016)]. Formulas based on an expansion of the exponential in the Mayer function definition of the SVC are formally convergent, but pose numerical problems for the useful range of a < 1. High temperature expansion (HTE) formulas extending those in the previous publication are derived, which in contrast converge rapidly for the full a range. The HTE formulas derived in this work could be useful in guiding the choice of nucleation and growth experimental conditions for dispersed soft polymeric particles. Inter alia, the SVC of the inverse power special case of the Bounded Mie potential, i .e ., ϕ (r ) =1 /(aq+rq ) m /q, are also derived.

  15. Study of temperature-growth interactions of entomopathogenic fungi with potential for control of Varroa destructor (Acari: Mesostigmata) using a nonlinear model of poikilotherm development.

    PubMed

    Davidson, G; Phelps, K; Sunderland, K D; Pell, J K; Ball, B V; Shaw, K E; Chandler, D

    2003-01-01

    To investigate the thermal biology of entomopathogenic fungi being examined as potential microbial control agents of Varroa destructor, an ectoparasite of the European honey bee Apis mellifera. Colony extension rates were measured at three temperatures (20, 30 and 35 degrees C) for 41 isolates of entomopathogenic fungi. All of the isolates grew at 20 and 30 degrees C but only 11 isolates grew at 35 degrees C. Twenty-two isolates were then selected on the basis of appreciable growth at 30-35 degrees C (the temperature range found within honey bee colonies) and/or infectivity to V. destructor, and their colony extension rates were measured at 10 temperatures (12.5-35 degrees C). This data were then fitted to Schoolfield et al. [J Theor Biol (1981)88:719-731] re-formulation of the Sharpe and DeMichele [J Theor Biol (1977)64:649-670] model of poikilotherm development. Overall, this model accounted for 87.6-93.9% of the data variance. Eleven isolates exhibited growth above 35 degrees C. The optimum temperatures for extension rate ranged from 22.9 to 31.2 degrees C. Only three isolates exhibited temperature optima above 30 degrees C. The super-optimum temperatures (temperature above the optimum at which the colony extension rate was 10% of the maximum rate) ranged from 31.9 to 43.2 degrees C. The thermal requirements of the isolates examined against V. destructor are well matched to the temperatures in the broodless areas of honey bee colonies, and a proportion of isolates, should also be able to function within drone brood areas. Potential exists for the control of V. destructor with entomopathogenic fungi in honey bee colonies. The methods employed in this study could be utilized in the selection of isolates for microbial control prior to screening for infectivity and could help in predicting the activity of a fungal control agent of V. destructor under fluctuating temperature conditions.

  16. A corresponding-states framework for the description of the Mie family of intermolecular potentials

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ramrattan, N. S.; Avendaño, C.; Müller, E. A.; Galindo, A.

    2015-05-01

    The Mie (λr, λa) intermolecular pair potential has been suggested as an alternative to the traditional Lennard-Jones (12-6) potential for modelling real systems both via simulation and theory as its implementation leads to an accuracy and flexibility in the determination of thermophysical properties that cannot be obtained when potentials of fixed range are considered. An additional advantage of using variable-range potentials is noted in the development of coarse-grained models where, as the superatoms become larger, the effective potentials are seen to become softer. However, the larger number of parameters that characterise the Mie potential (λr, λa, σ, ɛ) can hinder a rational study of the particular effects that each individual parameter have on the observed thermodynamic properties and phase equilibria, and higher degeneracy of models is observed. Here a three-parameter corresponding states model is presented in which a cohesive third parameter α is proposed following a perturbation expansion and assuming a mean-field limit. It is shown that in this approximation the free energy of any two Mie systems sharing the same value of α will be the same. The parameter α is an explicit function of the repulsive and attractive exponents and consequently dictates the form of the intermolecular pair potential. Molecular dynamics simulations of a variety of Mie systems over a range of values of α are carried out and the solid-liquid, liquid-vapour and vapour-solid phase boundaries for the systems considered are presented. Using the simulation data, we confirm that systems of the same α exhibit conformal phase behaviour for the fluid-phase properties as well as for the solid-fluid boundary, although larger differences are noted in the solid region; these can be related to the approximations in the definition of the parameter. Furthermore, it is found that the temperature range over which the vapour-liquid envelope of a given Mie system is stable follows a linear dependency with α when expressed as the ratio of the critical-point temperature to the triple-point temperature. The limit where potentials of the Mie family will not present a stable fluid envelope is predicted in terms of the parameter α and the result is found to be in excellent agreement with previous studies. This unique relation between the fluid range and the cohesive parameter α is shown to be useful to limit the pairs of Mie exponents that can be used in coarse-grained potentials to treat real systems in order to obtain temperature ranges of stability for the fluid envelope consistent with experiment.

  17. Weather Regulates Location, Timing, and Intensity of Dengue Virus Transmission between Humans and Mosquitoes.

    PubMed

    Campbell, Karen M; Haldeman, Kristin; Lehnig, Chris; Munayco, Cesar V; Halsey, Eric S; Laguna-Torres, V Alberto; Yagui, Martín; Morrison, Amy C; Lin, Chii-Dean; Scott, Thomas W

    2015-01-01

    Dengue is one of the most aggressively expanding mosquito-transmitted viruses. The human burden approaches 400 million infections annually. Complex transmission dynamics pose challenges for predicting location, timing, and magnitude of risk; thus, models are needed to guide prevention strategies and policy development locally and globally. Weather regulates transmission-potential via its effects on vector dynamics. An important gap in understanding risk and roadblock in model development is an empirical perspective clarifying how weather impacts transmission in diverse ecological settings. We sought to determine if location, timing, and potential-intensity of transmission are systematically defined by weather. We developed a high-resolution empirical profile of the local weather-disease connection across Peru, a country with considerable ecological diversity. Applying 2-dimensional weather-space that pairs temperature versus humidity, we mapped local transmission-potential in weather-space by week during 1994-2012. A binary classification-tree was developed to test whether weather data could classify 1828 Peruvian districts as positive/negative for transmission and into ranks of transmission-potential with respect to observed disease. We show that transmission-potential is regulated by temperature-humidity coupling, enabling epidemics in a limited area of weather-space. Duration within a specific temperature range defines transmission-potential that is amplified exponentially in higher humidity. Dengue-positive districts were identified by mean temperature >22°C for 7+ weeks and minimum temperature >14°C for 33+ weeks annually with 95% sensitivity and specificity. In elevated-risk locations, seasonal peak-incidence occurred when mean temperature was 26-29°C, coincident with humidity at its local maximum; highest incidence when humidity >80%. We profile transmission-potential in weather-space for temperature-humidity ranging 0-38°C and 5-100% at 1°C x 2% resolution. Local duration in limited areas of temperature-humidity weather-space identifies potential locations, timing, and magnitude of transmission. The weather-space profile of transmission-potential provides needed data that define a systematic and highly-sensitive weather-disease connection, demonstrating separate but coupled roles of temperature and humidity. New insights regarding natural regulation of human-mosquito transmission across diverse ecological settings advance our understanding of risk locally and globally for dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases and support advances in public health policy/operations, providing an evidence-base for modeling, predicting risk, and surveillance-prevention planning.

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

    Filinov, A.V.; Golubnychiy, V.O.; Bonitz, M.

    Extending our previous work [A.V. Filinov et al., J. Phys. A 36, 5957 (2003)], we present a detailed discussion of accuracy and practical applications of finite-temperature pseudopotentials for two-component Coulomb systems. Different pseudopotentials are discussed: (i) the diagonal Kelbg potential, (ii) the off-diagonal Kelbg potential, (iii) the improved diagonal Kelbg potential, (iv) an effective potential obtained with the Feynman-Kleinert variational principle, and (v) the 'exact' quantum pair potential derived from the two-particle density matrix. For the improved diagonal Kelbg potential, a simple temperature-dependent fit is derived which accurately reproduces the 'exact' pair potential in the whole temperature range. The derivedmore » pseudopotentials are then used in path integral Monte Carlo and molecular-dynamics (MD) simulations to obtain thermodynamical properties of strongly coupled hydrogen. It is demonstrated that classical MD simulations with spin-dependent interaction potentials for the electrons allow for an accurate description of the internal energy of hydrogen in the difficult regime of partial ionization down to the temperatures of about 60 000 K. Finally, we point out an interesting relationship between the quantum potentials and the effective potentials used in density-functional theory.« less

  19. A calibration model for screen-caged Peltier thermocouple psychrometers

    Treesearch

    Ray W. Brown; Dale L. Bartos

    1982-01-01

    A calibration model for screen-caged Peltier thermocouple psychrometers was developed that applies to a water potential range of 0 to-80 bars, over a temperature range of 0° to 40° C, and for cooling times of 15 to 60 seconds. In addition, the model corrects for the effects of temperature gradients over zero-offsets from -60 to + 60 microvolts. Complete details of...

  20. The interrelationship between dengue incidence and diurnal ranges of temperature and humidity in a Sri Lankan city and its potential applications

    PubMed Central

    Ehelepola, N. D. B.; Ariyaratne, Kusalika

    2015-01-01

    Background Temperature, humidity, and other weather variables influence dengue transmission. Published studies show how the diurnal fluctuations of temperature around different mean temperatures influence dengue transmission. There are no published studies about the correlation between diurnal range of humidity and dengue transmission. Objective The goals of this study were to determine the correlation between dengue incidence and diurnal fluctuations of temperature and humidity in the Sri Lankan city of Kandy and to explore the possibilities of using that information for better control of dengue. Design We calculated the weekly dengue incidence in Kandy during the period 2003–2012, after collecting data on all of the reported dengue patients and estimated midyear populations. Data on daily maximum and minimum temperatures and night-time and daytime humidity were obtained from two weather stations, averaged, and converted into weekly data. The number of days per week with a diurnal temperature range (DTR) of >10°C and <10°C and the number of days per week with a diurnal humidity range (DHR) of >20 and <15% were calculated. Wavelet time series analysis was performed to determine the correlation between dengue incidence and diurnal ranges of temperature and humidity. Results There were negative correlations between dengue incidence and a DTR >10°C and a DHR >20% with 3.3-week and 4-week lag periods, respectively. Additionally, positive correlations between dengue incidence and a DTR <10°C and a DHR <15% with 3- and 4-week lag periods, respectively, were discovered. Conclusions These findings are consistent with the results of previous entomological studies and theoretical models of DTR and dengue transmission correlation. It is important to conduct similar studies on diurnal fluctuations of humidity in the future. We suggest ways and means to use this information for local dengue control and to mitigate the potential effects of the ongoing global reduction of DTR on dengue incidence. PMID:26632645

  1. Climate matching as a tool for predicting potential North American spread of Brown Treesnakes

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Rodda, Gordon H.; Reed, Robert N.; Jarnevich, Catherine S.; Witmer, G.W.; Pitt, W. C.; Fagerstone, K.A.

    2007-01-01

    Climate matching identifies extralimital destinations that could be colonized by a potential invasive species on the basis of similarity to climates found in the species’ native range. Climate is a proxy for the factors that determine whether a population will reproduce enough to offset mortality. Previous climate matching models (e.g., Genetic Algorithm for Rule-set Prediction [GARP]) for brown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis) were unsatisfactory, perhaps because the models failed to allow different combinations of climate attributes to influence a species’ range limits in different parts of the range. Therefore, we explored the climate space described by bivariate parameters of native range temperature and rainfall, allowing up to two months of aestivation in the warmer portions of the range, or four months of hibernation in temperate climes. We found colonization area to be minimally sensitive to assumptions regarding hibernation temperature thresholds. Although brown treesnakes appear to be limited by dry weather in the interior of Australia, aridity rarely limits potential distribution in most of the world. Potential colonization area in North America is limited primarily by cold. Climatically suitable portions of the United States (US) mainland include the Central Valley of California, mesic patches in the Southwest, and the southeastern coastal plain from Texas to Virginia.

  2. Primary and secondary room temperature molten salt electrochemical cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Reynolds, G. F.; Dymek, C. J., Jr.

    1985-07-01

    Three novel primary cells which use room temperature molten salt electrolytes are examined and found to have high open circuit potentials in the 1.75-2.19 V range, by comparison with the Al/AlCl3-MEICl concentration cell; their cathodes were of FeCl3-MEICl, WCl6-MEICl, and Br2/reticulated vitreous carbon together with Pt. Also, secondary electrochemical cell candidates were examined which combined the reversible Al/AlCl3-MEICl electrode with reversible zinc and cadmium molten salt electrodes to yield open circuit potentials of about 0.7 and 1.0 V, respectively. Room temperature molten salts' half-cell reduction potentials are given.

  3. Electrical characterization of glass, teflon, and tantalum capacitors at high temperatures

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hammoud, A. N.; Baumann, E. D.; Myers, I. T.; Overton, E.

    1991-01-01

    Dielectric materials and electrical components and devices employed in radiation fields and the space environment are often exposed to elevated temperatures among other things. Therefore, these systems must withstand the high temperature exposure while still providing good electrical and other functional properties. Experiments were carried out to evaluate glass, teflon, and tantalum capacitors for potential use in high temperature applications. The capacitors were characterized in terms of their capacitance and dielectric loss as a function of temperature up to 200 C. At a given temperature, these properties were obtained in a frequency range of 50 Hz to 100 kHz. The DC leakage current measurements were also performed in a temperature range from 20 to 200 C. The obtained results are discussed and conclusions are made concerning the suitability of the capacitors investigated for high temperature applications.

  4. Role of larval host plants in the climate-driven range expansion of the butterfly Polygonia c-album.

    PubMed

    Braschler, Brigitte; Hill, Jane K

    2007-05-01

    1. Some species have expanded their ranges during recent climate warming and the availability of breeding habitat and species' dispersal ability are two important factors determining expansions. The exploitation of a wide range of larval host plants should increase an herbivorous insect species' ability to track climate by increasing habitat availability. Therefore we investigated whether the performance of a species on different host plants changed towards its range boundary, and under warmer temperatures. 2. We studied the polyphagous butterfly Polygonia c-album, which is currently expanding its range in Britain and apparently has altered its host plant preference from Humulus lupulus to include other hosts (particularly Ulmus glabra and Urtica dioica). We investigated insect performance (development time, larval growth rate, adult size, survival) and adult flight morphology on these host plants under four rearing temperatures (18-28.5 degrees C) in populations from core and range margin sites. 3. In general, differences between core and margin populations were small compared with effects of rearing temperature and host plant. In terms of insect performance, host plants were generally ranked U. glabra > or = U. dioica > H. lupulus at all temperatures. Adult P. c-album can either enter diapause or develop directly and higher temperatures resulted in more directly developing adults, but lower survival rates (particularly on the original host H. lupulus) and smaller adult size. 4. Adult flight morphology of wild-caught individuals from range margin populations appeared to be related to increased dispersal potential relative to core populations. However, there was no difference in laboratory reared individuals, and conflicting results were obtained for different measures of flight morphology in relation to larval host plant and temperature effects, making conclusions about dispersal potential difficult. 5. Current range expansion of P. c-album is associated with the exploitation of more widespread host plants on which performance is improved. This study demonstrates how polyphagy may enhance the ability of species to track climate change. Our findings suggest that observed differences in climate-driven range shifts of generalist vs. specialist species may increase in the future and are likely to lead to greatly altered community composition.

  5. Atomistic clustering-ordering and high-strain deformation of an Al0.1CrCoFeNi high-entropy alloy

    PubMed Central

    Sharma, Aayush; Singh, Prashant; Johnson, Duane D.; Liaw, Peter K.; Balasubramanian, Ganesh

    2016-01-01

    Computational investigations of structural, chemical, and deformation behavior in high-entropy alloys (HEAs), which possess notable mechanical strength, have been limited due to the absence of applicable force fields. To extend investigations, we propose a set of intermolecular potential parameters for a quinary Al-Cr-Co-Fe-Ni alloy, using the available ternary Embedded Atom Method and Lennard-Jones potential in classical molecular-dynamics simulations. The simulation results are validated by a comparison to first-principles Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker (KKR) - Coherent Potential Approximation (CPA) [KKR-CPA] calculations for the HEA structural properties (lattice constants and bulk moduli), relative stability, pair probabilities, and high-temperature short-range ordering. The simulation (MD)-derived properties are in quantitative agreement with KKR-CPA calculations (first-principles) and experiments. We study AlxCrCoFeNi for Al ranging from 0 ≤ x ≤2 mole fractions, and find that the HEA shows large chemical clustering over a wide temperature range for x < 0.5. At various temperatures high-strain compression promotes atomistic rearrangements in Al0.1CrCoFeNi, resulting in a clustering-to-ordering transition that is absent for tensile loading. Large fluctuations under stress, and at higher temperatures, are attributed to the thermo-plastic instability in Al0.1CrCoFeNi. PMID:27498807

  6. Atomistic clustering-ordering and high-strain deformation of an Al 0.1CrCoFeNi high-entropy alloy

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

    Sharma, Aayush; Singh, Prashant; Johnson, Duane D.

    2016-08-08

    Here, computational investigations of structural, chemical, and deformation behavior in high-entropy alloys (HEAs), which possess notable mechanical strength, have been limited due to the absence of applicable force fields. To extend investigations, we propose a set of intermolecular potential parameters for a quinary Al-Cr-Co-Fe-Ni alloy, using the available ternary Embedded Atom Method and Lennard-Jones potential in classical molecular-dynamics simulations. The simulation results are validated by a comparison to first-principles Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker (KKR) - Coherent Potential Approximation (CPA) [KKR-CPA] calculations for the HEA structural properties (lattice constants and bulk moduli), relative stability, pair probabilities, and high-temperature short-range ordering. The simulation (MD)-derived propertiesmore » are in quantitative agreement with KKR-CPA calculations (first-principles) and experiments. We study Al xCrCoFeNi for Al ranging from 0 ≤ x ≤2 mole fractions, and find that the HEA shows large chemical clustering over a wide temperature range for x < 0.5. At various temperatures high-strain compression promotes atomistic rearrangements in Al 0.1CrCoFeNi, resulting in a clustering-to-ordering transition that is absent for tensile loading. Large fluctuations under stress, and at higher temperatures, are attributed to the thermo-plastic instability in Al 0.1CrCoFeNi.« less

  7. Thermal tolerance during early ontogeny in the common whelk Buccinum undatum (Linnaeus 1785): Bioenergetics, nurse egg partitioning and developmental success

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Smith, Kathryn E.; Thatje, Sven; Hauton, Chris

    2013-05-01

    Temperature is arguably the primary factor affecting development in ectotherms and, as a result, may be the driving force behind setting species' geographic limits. The shallow-water gastropod Buccinum undatum is distributed widely throughout the North Atlantic, with an overall annual thermal range of below zero to above 22 °C. In UK waters this species is a winter spawner. Egg masses are laid and develop when sea temperatures are at their coolest (4 to 10 °C) indicating future climate warming may have the potential to cause range shifts in this species. In order to examine the potential impacts of ocean warming, we investigate the effects of temperature on the early ontogeny of B. undatum across a thermal range of 0 to 22 °C. Each egg mass consists of approximately 100 capsules, in which embryos undergo direct development. Successful development was observed at temperatures ranging from 6 to 18 °C. Rates of development increased with temperature, but the proportion of each egg mass developing successfully decreased at the same time. With increasing temperature, the mean early veliger weight increased, but the number of early veligers developing per capsule decreased, suggesting a negative impact on the number of crawl-away juveniles produced per capsule. Elemental analysis showed both carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) to increase with temperature in early veligers but not in hatching juveniles, indicating greater energy reserves are accumulated during early ontogeny to compensate for the higher energetic demands of development at higher temperature. The developmental plasticity observed in B. undatum suggests this species to be capable of adapting to temperatures above those it currently experiences in nature. B. undatum may possess a thermal resilience to ocean warming at its current upper temperature distribution limit. This thermal resilience, however, may come at the cost of a reduced offspring number.

  8. A surprisingly simple correlation between the classical and quantum structural networks in liquid water

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

    Hamm, Peter; Fanourgakis, George S.; Xantheas, Sotiris S.

    Nuclear quantum effects in liquid water have profound implications for several of its macroscopic properties related to structure, dynamics, spectroscopy and transport. Although several of water’s macroscopic properties can be reproduced by classical descriptions of the nuclei using potentials effectively parameterized for a narrow range of its phase diagram, a proper account of the nuclear quantum effects is required in order to ensure that the underlying molecular interactions are transferable across a wide temperature range covering different regions of that diagram. When performing an analysis of the hydrogen bonded structural networks in liquid water resulting from the classical (class.) andmore » quantum (q.m.) descriptions of the nuclei with the transferable, flexible, polarizable TTM3-F interaction potential, we found that the two results can be superimposed over the temperature range of T=270-350 K using a surprisingly simple, linear scaling of the two temperatures according to T(q.m.)=aT(class)- T , where a=1.2 and T=51 K. The linear scaling and constant shift of the temperature scale can be considered as a generalization of the previously reported temperature shifts (corresponding to structural changes and the melting T) induced by quantum effects in liquid water.« less

  9. Effect of pairwise additivity on finite-temperature behavior of classical ideal gas

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shekaari, Ashkan; Jafari, Mahmoud

    2018-05-01

    Finite-temperature molecular dynamics simulations have been applied to inquire into the effect of pairwise additivity on the behavior of classical ideal gas within the temperature range of T = 250-4000 K via applying a variety of pair potentials and then examining the temperature dependence of a number of thermodynamical properties. Examining the compressibility factor reveals the most deviation from ideal-gas behavior for the Lennard-Jones system mainly due to the presence of both the attractive and repulsive terms. The systems with either attractive or repulsive intermolecular potentials are found to present no resemblance to real gases, but the most similarity to the ideal one as temperature rises.

  10. The search for life on Europa: limiting environmental factors, potential habitats, and Earth analogues.

    PubMed

    Marion, Giles M; Fritsen, Christian H; Eicken, Hajo; Payne, Meredith C

    2003-01-01

    The putative ocean of Europa has focused considerable attention on the potential habitats for life on Europa. By generally clement Earth standards, these Europan habitats are likely to be extreme environments. The objectives of this paper were to examine: (1) the limits for biological activity on Earth with respect to temperature, salinity, acidity, desiccation, radiation, pressure, and time; (2) potential habitats for life on Europa; and (3) Earth analogues and their limitations for Europa. Based on empirical evidence, the limits for biological activity on Earth are: (1) the temperature range is from 253 to 394 K; (2) the salinity range is a(H2O) = 0.6-1.0; (3) the desiccation range is from 60% to 100% relative humidity; (4) the acidity range is from pH 0 to 13; (5) microbes such as Deinococcus are roughly 4,000 times more resistant to ionizing radiation than humans; (6) the range for hydrostatic pressure is from 0 to 1,100 bars; and (7) the maximum time for organisms to survive in the dormant state may be as long as 250 million years. The potential habitats for life on Europa are the ice layer, the brine ocean, and the seafloor environment. The dual stresses of lethal radiation and low temperatures on or near the icy surface of Europa preclude the possibility of biological activity anywhere near the surface. Only at the base of the ice layer could one expect to find the suitable temperatures and liquid water that are necessary for life. An ice layer turnover time of 10 million years is probably rapid enough for preserving in the surface ice layers dormant life forms originating from the ocean. Model simulations demonstrate that hypothetical oceans could exist on Europa that are too cold for biological activity (T < 253 K). These simulations also demonstrate that salinities are high, which would restrict life to extreme halophiles. An acidic ocean (if present) could also potentially limit life. Pressure, per se, is unlikely to directly limit life on Europa. But indirectly, pressure plays an important role in controlling the chemical environments for life. Deep ocean basins such as the Mariana Trench are good analogues for the cold, high-pressure ocean of Europa. Many of the best terrestrial analogues for potential Europan habitats are in the Arctic and Antarctica. The six factors likely to be most important in defining the environments for life on Europa and the focus for future work are liquid water, energy, nutrients, low temperatures, salinity, and high pressures.

  11. Two-Phase Working Fluids for the Temperature Range 50 to 350 C

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Saaski, E. W.; Owzarski, P. C.

    1977-01-01

    The decomposition and corrosion of two-phase heat transfer liquids and metal envelopes have been investigated on the basis of molecular bond strengths and chemical thermodynamics. Potentially stable heat transfer fluids for the temperature range 100 C to 350 C have been identified, and reflux heat pipes tests initiated with 10 fluids and carbon steel and aluminum envelopes to experimentally establish corrosion behavior and noncondensable gas generation rates.

  12. Determining the Intermolecular Potential Energy in a Gas: A Physical Chemistry Experiment

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Olbregts, J.; Walgraeve, J. P.

    1976-01-01

    Describes an experiment in which gas viscosity coefficients over a large temperature range are used to determine the parameters of the intermolecular potential energy and other properties such as virial coefficients. (MLH)

  13. Transport and breakdown analysis for improved figure-of-merit for AlGaN power devices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Coltrin, Michael E.; Kaplar, Robert J.

    2017-02-01

    Mobility and critical electric field for bulk AlxGa1-xN alloys across the full composition range (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) are analyzed to address the potential application of this material system for power electronics. Calculation of the temperature-dependent electron mobility includes the potential limitations due to different scattering mechanisms, including alloy, optical polar phonon, deformation potential, and piezoelectric scattering. The commonly used unipolar figure of merit (appropriate for vertical-device architectures), which increases strongly with increasing mobility and critical electric field, is examined across the alloy composition range to estimate the potential performance in power electronics applications. Alloy scattering is the dominant limitation to mobility and thus also for the unipolar figure of merit. However, at higher alloy compositions, the limitations due to alloy scattering are overcome by increased critical electric field. These trade-offs, and their temperature dependence, are quantified in the analysis.

  14. Finite-density transition line for QCD with 695 MeV dynamical fermions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Greensite, Jeff; Höllwieser, Roman

    2018-06-01

    We apply the relative weights method to SU(3) gauge theory with staggered fermions of mass 695 MeV at a set of temperatures in the range 151 ≤T ≤267 MeV , to obtain an effective Polyakov line action at each temperature. We then apply a mean field method to search for phase transitions in the effective theory at finite densities. The result is a transition line in the plane of temperature and chemical potential, with an end point at high temperature, as expected, but also a second end point at a lower temperature. We cannot rule out the possibilities that a transition line reappears at temperatures lower than the range investigated, or that the second end point is absent for light quarks.

  15. High temperature fluid-bed heat recovery for aluminum melting furnace

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

    None

    1982-12-01

    The objective of the study was to establish whether technical problems would be encountered in increasing the inlet temperature of the fluid bed heat exchanger unit at Alcoa above the 1100/sup 0/F target of the current contract. Specifically, the temperature range of up to, and potentially above, 1600/sup 0/F were investigated to establish the benefits of higher temperature, trade offs required, and plans to achieve that technology goal. The benefits are tabulated and are very significant, particularly at the temperature range of 1600 to 1800/sup 0/F. Relative to 1100/sup 0/F the heat recovery is increased by 24 to 29% atmore » 1600 and 1800/sup 0/F respectively.« less

  16. Central and rear-edge populations can be equally vulnerable to warming

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bennett, Scott; Wernberg, Thomas; Arackal Joy, Bijo; de Bettignies, Thibaut; Campbell, Alexandra H.

    2015-12-01

    Rear (warm) edge populations are often considered more susceptible to warming than central (cool) populations because of the warmer ambient temperatures they experience, but this overlooks the potential for local variation in thermal tolerances. Here we provide conceptual models illustrating how sensitivity to warming is affected throughout a species' geographical range for locally adapted and non-adapted populations. We test these models for a range-contracting seaweed using observations from a marine heatwave and a 12-month experiment, translocating seaweeds among central, present and historic range edge locations. Growth, reproductive development and survivorship display different temperature thresholds among central and rear-edge populations, but share a 2.5 °C anomaly threshold. Range contraction, therefore, reflects variation in local anomalies rather than differences in absolute temperatures. This demonstrates that warming sensitivity can be similar throughout a species geographical range and highlights the importance of incorporating local adaptation and acclimatization into climate change vulnerability assessments.

  17. Survival of charged ρ condensation at high temperature and density

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Hao; Yu, Lang; Huang, Mei

    2016-02-01

    The charged vector ρ mesons in the presence of external magnetic fields at finite temperature T and chemical potential μ have been investigated in the framework of the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model. We compute the masses of charged ρ mesons numerically as a function of the magnetic field for different values of temperature and chemical potential. The self-energy of the ρ meson contains the quark-loop contribution, i.e. the leading order contribution in 1/Nc expansion. The charged ρ meson mass decreases with the magnetic field and drops to zero at a critical magnetic field eBc, which indicates that the charged vector meson condensation, i.e. the electromagnetic superconductor can be induced above the critical magnetic field. Surprisingly, it is found that the charged ρ condensation can even survive at high temperature and density. At zero temperature, the critical magnetic field just increases slightly with the chemical potential, which indicates that charged ρ condensation might occur inside compact stars. At zero density, in the temperature range 0.2-0.5 GeV, the critical magnetic field for charged ρ condensation is in the range of 0.2-0.6 GeV2, which indicates that a high temperature electromagnetic superconductor might be created at LHC. Supported by the NSFC (11275213, 11261130311) (CRC 110 by DFG and NSFC), CAS Key Project (KJCX2-EW-N01), and Youth Innovation Promotion Association of CAS. L.Yu is Partially Supported by China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2014M550841)

  18. Hybrid thermionic-photovoltaic converter

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

    Datas, A.

    2016-04-04

    A conceptual device for the direct conversion of heat into electricity is presented. This concept hybridizes thermionic (TI) and thermophotovoltaic (TPV) energy conversion in a single thermionic-photovoltaic (TIPV) solid-state device. This device transforms into electricity both the electron and photon fluxes emitted by an incandescent surface. This letter presents an idealized analysis of this device in order to determine its theoretical potential. According to this analysis, the key advantage of this converter, with respect to either TPV or TI, is the higher power density in an extended temperature range. For low temperatures, TIPV performs like TPV due to the negligiblemore » electron flux. On the contrary, for high temperatures, TIPV performs like TI due to the great enhancement of the electron flux, which overshadows the photon flux contribution. At the intermediate temperatures, ∼1650 K in the case of this particular study, I show that the power density potential of TIPV converter is twice as great as that of TPV and TI. The greatest impact concerns applications in which the temperature varies in a relatively wide range, for which averaged power density enhancement above 500% is attainable.« less

  19. Distinct aggregation patterns and fluid porous phase in a 2D model for colloids with competitive interactions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bordin, José Rafael

    2018-04-01

    In this paper we explore the self-assembly patterns in a two dimensional colloidal system using extensive Langevin Dynamics simulations. The pair potential proposed to model the competitive interaction have a short range length scale between first neighbors and a second characteristic length scale between third neighbors. We investigate how the temperature and colloidal density will affect the assembled morphologies. The potential shows aggregate patterns similar to observed in previous works, as clusters, stripes and porous phase. Nevertheless, we observe at high densities and temperatures a porous mesophase with a high mobility, which we name fluid porous phase, while at lower temperatures the porous structure is rigid. triangular packing was observed for the colloids and pores in both solid and fluid porous phases. Our results show that the porous structure is well defined for a large range of temperature and density, and that the fluid porous phase is a consequence of the competitive interaction and the random forces from the Langevin Dynamics.

  20. Behavioral thermal tolerances of free-ranging rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus) during the summer foraging season.

    PubMed

    Putman, Breanna J; Clark, Rulon W

    2017-04-01

    Increasing temperature due to climate change is one of the greatest challenges for wildlife worldwide. Behavioral data on free-ranging individuals is necessary to determine at what temperatures animals modify activity as this would determine their capacity to continue to move, forage, and mate under altered thermal regimes. In particular, high temperatures could limit available surface activity time and time spent on fitness-related activities. Conversely, performance, such as feeding rate, can increase with temperature potentially having positive fitness effects. Here, we examine how the hunting behaviors of free-ranging Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus) associate with air temperature and body temperature. We continuously recorded snakes in the field using videography, capturing behaviors rarely considered in past studies such as movements in and out of refuge and strikes on prey. We found that as mean daily air temperature increased, hunting activity and the likelihood of hunting at night decreased, while the number of movements and distance moved per day increased. Snakes typically retreated to refuge before body temperatures reached 31°C. Body temperatures of snakes hunting on the surface were lower compared to temperatures of non-hunting snakes in refuge in the morning, while this relationship was inverted in the afternoon. Snake body size influenced the disparity of these temperatures. Finally, strike initiation and success occurred across a wide range of body temperatures, indicating hunting performance may not be strongly constrained by temperature. These results on the temperatures at which free-ranging rattlesnakes exhibit fitness-related behaviors could be valuable for understanding their vulnerabilities to future climates. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  1. Wide-Range Temperature Sensors with High-Level Pulse Train Output

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hammoud, Ahmad; Patterson, Richard L.

    2009-01-01

    Two types of temperature sensors have been developed for wide-range temperature applications. The two sensors measure temperature in the range of -190 to +200 C and utilize a thin-film platinum RTD (resistance temperature detector) as the temperature-sensing element. Other parts used in the fabrication of these sensors include NPO (negative-positive- zero) type ceramic capacitors for timing, thermally-stable film or wirewound resistors, and high-temperature circuit boards and solder. The first type of temperature sensor is a relaxation oscillator circuit using an SOI (silicon-on-insulator) operational amplifier as a comparator. The output is a pulse train with a period that is roughly proportional to the temperature being measured. The voltage level of the pulse train is high-level, for example 10 V. The high-level output makes the sensor less sensitive to noise or electromagnetic interference. The output can be read by a frequency or period meter and then converted into a temperature reading. The second type of temperature sensor is made up of various types of multivibrator circuits using an SOI type 555 timer and the passive components mentioned above. Three configurations have been developed that were based on the technique of charging and discharging a capacitor through a resistive element to create a train of pulses governed by the capacitor-resistor time constant. Both types of sensors, which operated successfully over the wide temperature range, have potential use in extreme temperature environments including jet engines and space exploration missions.

  2. Pseudo-icosahedral Cr55Al232 -δ as a high-temperature protective material

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rosa, R.; Bhattacharya, S.; Pabla, J.; He, H.; Misuraca, J.; Nakajima, Y.; Bender, A. D.; Antonacci, A. K.; Adrip, W.; McNally, D. E.; Zebro, A.; Kamenov, P.; Geschwind, G.; Ghose, S.; Dooryhee, E.; Ibrahim, A.; Tritt, T. M.; Aronson, M. C.; Simonson, J. W.

    2018-03-01

    We report here a course of basic research into the potential suitability of a pseudo-icosahedral Cr aluminide as a material for high-temperature protective coatings. Cr55Al232 -δ [ δ =2.70 (6 ) ] exhibits high hardness at room temperature as well as low thermal conductivity and excellent oxidation resistance at 973 K, with an oxidation rate comparable to those of softer, denser benchmark materials. The origin of these promising properties can be traced to competing long-range and short-range symmetries within the pseudo-icosahedral crystal structure, suggesting new criteria for future materials research.

  3. Photoluminescence studies of Mn4+ ions in YAlO3 crystals at ambient and high pressure

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhydachevskii, Ya; Galanciak, D.; Kobyakov, S.; Berkowski, M.; Kaminska, A.; Suchocki, A.; Zakharko, Ya; Durygin, A.

    2006-12-01

    Detailed investigations of the photoluminescence properties of Mn4+ (3d3) ions in YAlO3 have been performed in the temperature range 10-600 K. The luminescence of Mn4+ ions due to the ^{2}\\mathrm {E}\\to {}^{4}\\mathrm {A}_{2} transition consists of two zero-phonon lines (R lines) at 691.3 and 692.7 nm, which became visible only at low temperature, and their vibronic sidebands that cover the range of 660-740 nm. The thermal quenching of the luminescence intensity due to the non-radiative decay occurs at temperatures above 420 K. The temperature dependence of the luminescence decay time shows a quasi-linear decrease from τ = 4.9 to 1.6 ms in the temperature range from 90 to 420 K (with a temperature coefficient -0.01 ms K-1) that makes YAlO3:Mn a potentially good phosphor for a fibre optic fluorescence thermometer in this temperature range. The high-pressure low-temperature luminescence measurements in a diamond-anvil cell reveal similar pressure coefficients for Mn4+ and Cr3+ dopant ions in YAlO3, equal to 1.16 cm-1 kbar-1 and 1.08 cm-1 kbar-1, respectively.

  4. Chemical potential dependence of particle ratios within a unified thermal approach

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

    Bashir, I., E-mail: inamhep@gmail.com; Nanda, H.; Uddin, S.

    2016-06-15

    A unified statistical thermal freeze-out model (USTFM) is used to study the chemical potential dependence of identified particle ratios at mid-rapidity in heavy-ion collisions. We successfully reproduce the experimental data ranging from SPS energies to LHC energies, suggesting the statistical nature of the particle production in these collisions and hence the validity of our approach. The behavior of the freeze-out temperature is studied with respect to chemical potential. The freeze-out temperature is found to be universal at the RHIC and LHC and is close to the QCD predicted phase transition temperature, suggesting that the chemical freeze-out occurs soon after themore » hadronization takes place.« less

  5. Relationship among eye temperature measured using digital infrared thermal imaging and vaginal and rectal temperatures in hair sheep and cattle

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI) using a thermal camera has potential to be a useful tool for the production animal industry. Thermography has been used in both humans and a wide range of animal species to measure body temperature as a method to detect injury or inflammation. The objective of...

  6. Aircraft engine sump-fire studies

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Loomis, W. R.

    1976-01-01

    Results of ongoing experimental studies are reported in which a 125-millimeter-diameter-advanced-bearing test rig simulating an engine sump is being used to find the critical range of conditions for fires to occur. Design, material, and operating concepts and techniques are being studied with the objective of minimizing the problem. It has been found that the vapor temperature near a spark ignitor is most important in determining ignition potential. At temperatures producing oil vapor pressures below or much above the calculated flammability limits, fires have not been ignited. But fires have been routinely started within the theoretical flammability range. This indicates that generalizing the sump-fire problem may make it amenable to analysis, with the potential for realistic solutions.

  7. Thermodynamic Properties of Low-Density {}^{132}Xe Gas in the Temperature Range 165-275 K

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Akour, Abdulrahman

    2018-01-01

    The method of static fluctuation approximation was used to calculate selected thermodynamic properties (internal energy, entropy, energy capacity, and pressure) for xenon in a particularly low-temperature range (165-270 K) under different conditions. This integrated microscopic study started from an initial basic assumption as the main input. The basic assumption in this method was to replace the local field operator with its mean value, then numerically solve a closed set of nonlinear equations using an iterative method, considering the Hartree-Fock B2-type dispersion potential as the most appropriate potential for xenon. The results are in very good agreement with those of an ideal gas.

  8. Simulation of climate change effects on streamflow, groundwater, and stream temperature using GSFLOW and SNTEMP in the Black Earth Creek Watershed, Wisconsin

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Hunt, Randall J.; Westenbroek, Stephen M.; Walker, John F.; Selbig, William R.; Regan, R. Steven; Leaf, Andrew T.; Saad, David A.

    2016-08-23

    Potential future changes in air temperature drivers were consistently upward regardless of General Circulation Model and emission scenario selected; thus, simulated stream temperatures are forecast to increase appreciably with future climate. However, the amount of temperature increase was variable. Such uncertainty is reflected in temperature model results, along with uncertainty in the groundwater/surface-water interaction itself. The estimated increase in annual average temperature ranged from approximately 3 to 6 degrees Celsius by 2100 in the upper reaches of Black Earth Creek and 2 to 4 degrees Celsius in reaches farther downstream. As with all forecasts that rely on projections of an unknowable future, the results are best considered to approximate potential outcomes of climate change given the underlying uncertainty.

  9. Edge Singularities and Quasilong-Range Order in Nonequilibrium Steady States.

    PubMed

    De Nardis, Jacopo; Panfil, Miłosz

    2018-05-25

    The singularities of the dynamical response function are one of the most remarkable effects in many-body interacting systems. However in one dimension these divergences only exist strictly at zero temperature, making their observation very difficult in most cold atomic experimental settings. Moreover the presence of a finite temperature destroys another feature of one-dimensional quantum liquids: the real space quasilong-range order in which the spatial correlation functions exhibit power-law decay. We consider a nonequilibrium protocol where two interacting Bose gases are prepared either at different temperatures or chemical potentials and then joined. We show that the nonequilibrium steady state emerging at large times around the junction displays edge singularities in the response function and quasilong-range order.

  10. Edge Singularities and Quasilong-Range Order in Nonequilibrium Steady States

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    De Nardis, Jacopo; Panfil, Miłosz

    2018-05-01

    The singularities of the dynamical response function are one of the most remarkable effects in many-body interacting systems. However in one dimension these divergences only exist strictly at zero temperature, making their observation very difficult in most cold atomic experimental settings. Moreover the presence of a finite temperature destroys another feature of one-dimensional quantum liquids: the real space quasilong-range order in which the spatial correlation functions exhibit power-law decay. We consider a nonequilibrium protocol where two interacting Bose gases are prepared either at different temperatures or chemical potentials and then joined. We show that the nonequilibrium steady state emerging at large times around the junction displays edge singularities in the response function and quasilong-range order.

  11. Two-phase working fluids for the temperature range 100-350 C. [in heat pipes for solar applications

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Saaski, E. W.; Tower, L.

    1977-01-01

    The decomposition and corrosion of two-phase heat transfer liquids and metal envelopes have been investigated on the basis of molecular, bond strengths and chemical thermodynamics. Potentially stable heat transfer fluids for the temperature range 100 to 350 C have been identified, and reflux heat pipe tests initiated with 10 fluids and carbon steel and aluminum envelopes to experimentally establish corrosion behavior and noncondensable gas generation rates.

  12. Water temperature impacts water consumption by range cattle in winter

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Water consumption and DMI have been found to be positively correlated, which may interact with ingestion of cold water or grazed frozen forage due to transitory reductions in temperature of ruminal contents. The hypothesis underpinning the study explores the potential that cows provided warm drinkin...

  13. Temperature dependence of dissociative electron attachment to bromo-chlorotoluene isomers: Competition between detachment of Cl- and Br-

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mahmoodi-Darian, Masoomeh; Huber, Stefan E.; Mauracher, Andreas; Probst, Michael; Denifl, Stephan; Scheier, Paul; Märk, Tilmann D.

    2018-02-01

    Dissociative electron attachment to three isomers of bromo-chlorotoluene was investigated in the electron energy range from 0 to 2 eV for gas temperatures in the range of 392-520 K using a crossed electron-molecular beam apparatus with a temperature regulated effusive molecular beam source. For all three molecules, both Cl- and Br- are formed. The ion yields of both halogenides show a pronounced temperature effect. In the case of Cl- and Br-, the influence of the gas temperature can be observed at the threshold peak close to 0 eV. The population of molecules that have some of their out-of-plane modes excited varies strongly in the temperature range investigated, indicating that such vibrations might play a role in the energy transfer towards bond breaking. Potential energy curves for the abstraction of Cl- and Br- were calculated and extrapolated into the metastable domain. The barriers in the diabatic curves approximated in this way agree well with the ones derived from the temperature dependence observed in the experiments.

  14. Characterization of polybenzimidazole (PBI) film at high temperatures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hammoud, Ahmad N.; Suthar, J. L.

    1992-04-01

    Polybenzimidazole, a linear thermoplastic polymer with excellent thermal stability and strength retention over a wide range of temperatures, was evaluated for its potential use as the main dielectric in high temperature capacitors. The film was characterized in terms of its dielectric properties in a frequency range of 50 Hz to 100 kilo-Hz. These properties, which include the dielectric constant and dielectric loss, were also obtained in a temperature range from 20 C to 300 C with an electrical stress of 60 Hz, 50 V/mil present. The alternating and direct current breakdown voltages of silicone oil impregnated films as a function of temperature were also determined. The results obtained indicate that while the film remained relatively stable up to 200 C, it exhibited an increase in its dielectric properties as the temperature was raised to 300 C. It was also found that conditioning of the film by heat treatment at 60 C for six hours tended to improve its dielectric and breakdown properties. The results are discussed and conclusions made concerning the suitability of the film as a high temperature capacitor dielectric.

  15. Characterization of polybenzimidazole (PBI) film at high temperatures

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hammoud, Ahmad N.; Suthar, J. L.

    1992-01-01

    Polybenzimidazole, a linear thermoplastic polymer with excellent thermal stability and strength retention over a wide range of temperatures, was evaluated for its potential use as the main dielectric in high temperature capacitors. The film was characterized in terms of its dielectric properties in a frequency range of 50 Hz to 100 kilo-Hz. These properties, which include the dielectric constant and dielectric loss, were also obtained in a temperature range from 20 C to 300 C with an electrical stress of 60 Hz, 50 V/mil present. The alternating and direct current breakdown voltages of silicone oil impregnated films as a function of temperature were also determined. The results obtained indicate that while the film remained relatively stable up to 200 C, it exhibited an increase in its dielectric properties as the temperature was raised to 300 C. It was also found that conditioning of the film by heat treatment at 60 C for six hours tended to improve its dielectric and breakdown properties. The results are discussed and conclusions made concerning the suitability of the film as a high temperature capacitor dielectric.

  16. Features of high-temperature electroluminescence in an LED n-GaSb/n-InGaAsSb/p-AlGaAsSb heterostructure with high potential barriers

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

    Danilov, L. V., E-mail: danleon84@mail.ru; Petukhov, A. A.; Mikhailova, M. P.

    2016-06-15

    The electroluminescent properties of a light-emitting diode n-GaSb/n-InGaAsSb/p-AlGaAsSb heterostructure with high potential barriers are studied in the temperature range of 290–470 K. An atypical temperature increase in the power of the long-wavelength luminescence band with an energy of 0.3 eV is experimentally observed. As the temperature increases to 470 K, the optical radiation power increases by a factor of 1.5–2. To explain the extraordinary temperature dependence of the radiation power, the recombination and carrier transport processes are theoretically analyzed in the heterostructure under study.

  17. Weather Regulates Location, Timing, and Intensity of Dengue Virus Transmission between Humans and Mosquitoes

    PubMed Central

    Campbell, Karen M.; Haldeman, Kristin; Lehnig, Chris; Munayco, Cesar V.; Halsey, Eric S.; Laguna-Torres, V. Alberto; Yagui, Martín; Morrison, Amy C.; Lin, Chii-Dean; Scott, Thomas W.

    2015-01-01

    Background Dengue is one of the most aggressively expanding mosquito-transmitted viruses. The human burden approaches 400 million infections annually. Complex transmission dynamics pose challenges for predicting location, timing, and magnitude of risk; thus, models are needed to guide prevention strategies and policy development locally and globally. Weather regulates transmission-potential via its effects on vector dynamics. An important gap in understanding risk and roadblock in model development is an empirical perspective clarifying how weather impacts transmission in diverse ecological settings. We sought to determine if location, timing, and potential-intensity of transmission are systematically defined by weather. Methodology/Principal Findings We developed a high-resolution empirical profile of the local weather-disease connection across Peru, a country with considerable ecological diversity. Applying 2-dimensional weather-space that pairs temperature versus humidity, we mapped local transmission-potential in weather-space by week during 1994-2012. A binary classification-tree was developed to test whether weather data could classify 1828 Peruvian districts as positive/negative for transmission and into ranks of transmission-potential with respect to observed disease. We show that transmission-potential is regulated by temperature-humidity coupling, enabling epidemics in a limited area of weather-space. Duration within a specific temperature range defines transmission-potential that is amplified exponentially in higher humidity. Dengue-positive districts were identified by mean temperature >22°C for 7+ weeks and minimum temperature >14°C for 33+ weeks annually with 95% sensitivity and specificity. In elevated-risk locations, seasonal peak-incidence occurred when mean temperature was 26-29°C, coincident with humidity at its local maximum; highest incidence when humidity >80%. We profile transmission-potential in weather-space for temperature-humidity ranging 0-38°C and 5-100% at 1°C x 2% resolution. Conclusions/Significance Local duration in limited areas of temperature-humidity weather-space identifies potential locations, timing, and magnitude of transmission. The weather-space profile of transmission-potential provides needed data that define a systematic and highly-sensitive weather-disease connection, demonstrating separate but coupled roles of temperature and humidity. New insights regarding natural regulation of human-mosquito transmission across diverse ecological settings advance our understanding of risk locally and globally for dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases and support advances in public health policy/operations, providing an evidence-base for modeling, predicting risk, and surveillance-prevention planning. PMID:26222979

  18. Resonance charge transfer, transport cross sections, and collision integrals for N(+)(3P)-N(4S0) and O(+)(4S0)-O(3P) interactions

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stallcop, James R.; Partridge, Harry; Levin, Eugene

    1991-01-01

    N2(+) and O2(+) potential energy curves have been constructed by combining measured data with the results from electronic structure calculations. These potential curves have been employed to determine accurate charge exchange cross sections, transport cross sections, and collision integrals for ground state N(+)-N and O(+)-O interactions. The cross sections have been calculated from a semiclassical approximation to the scattering using a computer code that fits a spline curve through the discrete potential data and incorporates the proper long-range behavior of the interactions forces. The collision integrals are tabulated for a broad range of temperatures 250-100,000 K and are intended to reduce the uncertainty in the values of the transport properties of nonequilibrium air, particularly at high temperatures.

  19. Phenological shifts conserve thermal niches in North American birds and reshape expectations for climate-driven range shifts.

    PubMed

    Socolar, Jacob B; Epanchin, Peter N; Beissinger, Steven R; Tingley, Morgan W

    2017-12-05

    Species respond to climate change in two dominant ways: range shifts in latitude or elevation and phenological shifts of life-history events. Range shifts are widely viewed as the principal mechanism for thermal niche tracking, and phenological shifts in birds and other consumers are widely understood as the principal mechanism for tracking temporal peaks in biotic resources. However, phenological and range shifts each present simultaneous opportunities for temperature and resource tracking, although the possible role for phenological shifts in thermal niche tracking has been widely overlooked. Using a canonical dataset of Californian bird surveys and a detectability-based approach for quantifying phenological signal, we show that Californian bird communities advanced their breeding phenology by 5-12 d over the last century. This phenological shift might track shifting resource peaks, but it also reduces average temperatures during nesting by over 1 °C, approximately the same magnitude that average temperatures have warmed over the same period. We further show that early-summer temperature anomalies are correlated with nest success in a continental-scale database of bird nests, suggesting avian thermal niches might be broadly limited by temperatures during nesting. These findings outline an adaptation surface where geographic range and breeding phenology respond jointly to constraints imposed by temperature and resource phenology. By stabilizing temperatures during nesting, phenological shifts might mitigate the need for range shifts. Global change ecology will benefit from further exploring phenological adjustment as a potential mechanism for thermal niche tracking and vice versa.

  20. Thermal energy storage. [by means of chemical reactions

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Grodzka, P. G.

    1975-01-01

    The principles involved in thermal energy storage by sensible heat, chemical potential energy, and latent heat of fusion are examined for the purpose of evolving selection criteria for material candidates in the low ( 0 C) and high ( 100 C) temperature ranges. The examination identifies some unresolved theoretical considerations and permits a preliminary formulation of an energy storage theory. A number of candidates in the low and high temperature ranges are presented along with a rating of candidates or potential candidates. A few interesting candidates in the 0 to 100 C region are also included. It is concluded that storage by means of reactions whose reversibility can be controlled either by product removal or by catalytic means appear to offer appreciable advantages over storage with reactions whose reversability cannot be controlled. Among such advantages are listed higher heat storage capacities and more favorable options regarding temperatures of collection, storage, and delivery. Among the disadvantages are lower storage efficiencies.

  1. An empirical potential for simulating vacancy clusters in tungsten.

    PubMed

    Mason, D R; Nguyen-Manh, D; Becquart, C S

    2017-12-20

    We present an empirical interatomic potential for tungsten, particularly well suited for simulations of vacancy-type defects. We compare energies and structures of vacancy clusters generated with the empirical potential with an extensive new database of values computed using density functional theory, and show that the new potential predicts low-energy defect structures and formation energies with high accuracy. A significant difference to other popular embedded-atom empirical potentials for tungsten is the correct prediction of surface energies. Interstitial properties and short-range pairwise behaviour remain similar to the Ackford-Thetford potential on which it is based, making this potential well-suited to simulations of microstructural evolution following irradiation damage cascades. Using atomistic kinetic Monte Carlo simulations, we predict vacancy cluster dissociation in the range 1100-1300 K, the temperature range generally associated with stage IV recovery.

  2. A heterogeneous thermal environment enables remarkable behavioral thermoregulation in Uta stansburiana

    PubMed Central

    Goller, Maria; Goller, Franz; French, Susannah S

    2014-01-01

    Ectotherms can attain preferred body temperatures by selecting specific temperature microhabitats within a varied thermal environment. The side-blotched lizard, Uta stansburiana may employ microhabitat selection to thermoregulate behaviorally. It is unknown to what degree habitat structural complexity provides thermal microhabitats for thermoregulation. Thermal microhabitat structure, lizard temperature, and substrate preference were simultaneously evaluated using thermal imaging. A broad range of microhabitat temperatures was available (mean range of 11°C within 1–2 m2) while mean lizard temperature was between 36°C and 38°C. Lizards selected sites that differed significantly from the mean environmental temperature, indicating behavioral thermoregulation, and maintained a temperature significantly above that of their perch (mean difference of 2.6°C). Uta's thermoregulatory potential within a complex thermal microhabitat structure suggests that a warming trend may prove advantageous, rather than detrimental for this population. PMID:25535549

  3. Thermodynamic framework for compact q-Gaussian distributions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Souza, Andre M. C.; Andrade, Roberto F. S.; Nobre, Fernando D.; Curado, Evaldo M. F.

    2018-02-01

    Recent works have associated systems of particles, characterized by short-range repulsive interactions and evolving under overdamped motion, to a nonlinear Fokker-Planck equation within the class of nonextensive statistical mechanics, with a nonlinear diffusion contribution whose exponent is given by ν = 2 - q. The particular case ν = 2 applies to interacting vortices in type-II superconductors, whereas ν > 2 covers systems of particles characterized by short-range power-law interactions, where correlations among particles are taken into account. In the former case, several studies presented a consistent thermodynamic framework based on the definition of an effective temperature θ (presenting experimental values much higher than typical room temperatures T, so that thermal noise could be neglected), conjugated to a generalized entropy sν (with ν = 2). Herein, the whole thermodynamic scheme is revisited and extended to systems of particles interacting repulsively, through short-ranged potentials, described by an entropy sν, with ν > 1, covering the ν = 2 (vortices in type-II superconductors) and ν > 2 (short-range power-law interactions) physical examples. One basic requirement concerns a cutoff in the equilibrium distribution Peq(x) , approached due to a confining external harmonic potential, ϕ(x) = αx2 / 2 (α > 0). The main results achieved are: (a) The definition of an effective temperature θ conjugated to the entropy sν; (b) The construction of a Carnot cycle, whose efficiency is shown to be η = 1 -(θ2 /θ1) , where θ1 and θ2 are the effective temperatures associated with two isothermal transformations, with θ1 >θ2; (c) Thermodynamic potentials, Maxwell relations, and response functions. The present thermodynamic framework, for a system of interacting particles under the above-mentioned conditions, and associated to an entropy sν, with ν > 1, certainly enlarges the possibility of experimental verifications.

  4. A luminescent Lanthanide-free MOF nanohybrid for highly sensitive ratiometric temperature sensing in physiological range.

    PubMed

    Zhou, You; Zhang, Denan; Zeng, Jin; Gan, Ning; Cuan, Jing

    2018-05-01

    Luminescent MOF materials with tunable emissions and energy/charge transfer processes have been extensively explored as ratiometric temperature sensors. However, most of the ratiometric MOF thermometers reported thus far are based on the MOFs containing photoactive lanthanides, which are potentially facing cost issue and serious supply shortage. Here, we present a ratiometric luminescent thermometer based on a dual-emitting lanthanide-free MOF hybrid, which is developed by encapsulation of a fluorescent dye into a robust nanocrystalline zirconium-based MOF through a one-pot synthesis approach. The structure and morphology of the hybrid product was characterized by Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), N 2 adsorption-desorption measurement and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The pore confinement effect well isolates the guest dye molecules and therefore suppresses the nonradiative energy transfer process between dye molecules. The incorporated dye emission is mainly sensitized by the organic linkers within MOF through fluorescence resonance energy transfer. The ratiometric luminescence of the MOF hybrid shows a significant response to temperature due to the thermal-related back energy transfer process from dye molecules and organic linkers, thus can be exploited for self-calibrated temperature sensing. The maximum thermometric sensitivity is 1.19% °C -1 in the physiological temperature range, which is among the highest for the ratiomtric MOF thermometers that operating in 25-45°C. The temperature resolution is better than 0.1°C over the entire operative range (20-60°C). By integrating the advantages of excellent stability, nanoscale nature, and high sensitivity and precision in the physiological temperature range, this dye@MOF hybrid might have potential application in biomedical diagnosis. What' more, this work has expanded the possibility of non-lanthanide luminescent MOF materials for the development of ratiometric temperature sensors. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  5. Bio-syngas production from agro-industrial biomass residues by steam gasification.

    PubMed

    Pacioni, Tatiana Ramos; Soares, Diniara; Domenico, Michele Di; Rosa, Maria Fernanda; Moreira, Regina de Fátima Peralta Muniz; José, Humberto Jorge

    2016-12-01

    This study evaluated the steam gasification potential of three residues from Brazilian agro-industry by assessing their reaction kinetics and syngas production at temperatures from 650 to 850°C and a steam partial pressure range of 0.05 to 0.3bar. The transition temperature between kinetic control and diffusion control regimes was identified. Prior to the gasification tests, the raw biomasses, namely apple pomace, spent coffee grounds and sawdust, were pyrolyzed in a fixed-bed quartz tubular reactor under controlled conditions. Gasification tests were performed isothermally in a magnetic suspension thermobalance and the reaction products were analyzed by a gas chromatograph with TCD/FID detectors. According to the characterization results, the samples presented higher carbon and lower volatile matter contents than the biomasses. Nevertheless, all of the materials had high calorific value. Syngas production was influenced by both temperature and steam partial pressure. Higher concentrations of H 2 and CO were found in the conversion range of 50-80% and higher concentrations of CO 2 in conversions around 10%, for all the gasified biochars. The H 2 /CO decreased with increasing temperature, mainly in kinetic control regime, in the lower temperature range. The results indicate the gasification potential of Brazilian biomass residues and are an initial and important step in the development of gasification processes in Brazil. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  6. The impact of temperature on the bionomics of Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti, with special reference to the cool geographic range margins.

    PubMed

    Eisen, Lars; Monaghan, Andrew J; Lozano-Fuentes, Saul; Steinhoff, Daniel F; Hayden, Mary H; Bieringer, Paul E

    2014-05-01

    The mosquito Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (L.), which occurs widely in the subtropics and tropics, is the primary urban vector of dengue and yellow fever viruses, and an important vector of chikungunya virus. There is substantial interest in how climate change may impact the bionomics and pathogen transmission potential of this mosquito. This Forum article focuses specifically on the effects of temperature on the bionomics of Ae. aegypti, with special emphasis on the cool geographic range margins where future rising temperatures could facilitate population growth. Key aims are to: 1) broadly define intra-annual (seasonal) patterns of occurrence and abundance of Ae. aegypti, and their relation to climate conditions; 2) synthesize the existing quantitative knowledge of how temperature impacts the bionomics of different life stages of Ae. aegypti; 3) better define the temperature ranges for which existing population dynamics models for Ae. aegypti are likely to produce robust predictions; 4) explore potential impacts of climate warming on human risk for exposure to Ae. aegypti at its cool range margins; and 5) identify knowledge or data gaps that hinder our ability to predict risk of human exposure to Ae. aegypti at the cool margins of its geographic range now and in the future. We first outline basic scenarios for intra-annual occurrence and abundance patterns for Ae. aegypti, and then show that these scenarios segregate with regard to climate conditions in selected cities where they occur. We then review how near-constant and intentionally fluctuating temperatures impact development times and survival of eggs and immatures. A subset of data, generated in controlled experimental studies, from the published literature is used to plot development rates and survival of eggs, larvae, and pupae in relation to water temperature. The general shape of the relationship between water temperature and development rate is similar for eggs, larvae, and pupae. Once the lower developmental zero temperature (10-14 degrees C) is exceeded, there is a near-linear relationship up to 30 degrees C. Above this temperature, the development rate is relatively stable or even decreases slightly before falling dramatically near the upper developmental zero temperature, which occurs at -38-42 degrees C. Based on life stage-specific linear relationships between water temperature and development rate in the 15-28 degrees C range, the lower developmental zero temperature is estimated to be 14.0 degrees C for eggs, 11.8 degrees C for larvae, and 10.3 degrees C for pupae. We further conclude that available population dynamics models for Ae. aegypti, such as CIMSiM and Skeeter Buster, likely produce robust predictions based on water temperatures in the 16-35 degrees C range, which includes the geographic areas where Ae. aegypti and its associated pathogens present the greatest threat to human health, but that they may be less reliable in cool range margins where water temperatures regularly fall below 15 degrees C. Finally, we identify knowledge or data gaps that hinder our ability to predict risk of human exposure to Ae. aegypti at the cool margins of its range, now and in the future, based on impacts on mosquito population dynamics of temperature and other important factors, such as water nutrient content, larval density, presence of biological competitors, and human behavior.

  7. Influence of temperature fluctuations during cryopreservation on vital parameters, differentiation potential, and transgene expression of placental multipotent stromal cells.

    PubMed

    Pogozhykh, Denys; Pogozhykh, Olena; Prokopyuk, Volodymyr; Kuleshova, Larisa; Goltsev, Anatoliy; Blasczyk, Rainer; Mueller, Thomas

    2017-03-11

    Successful implementation of rapidly advancing regenerative medicine approaches has led to high demand for readily available cellular suspensions. In particular, multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) of placental origin have shown therapeutic efficiency in the treatment of numerous pathologies of varied etiology. Up to now, cryopreservation is the only effective way to preserve the viability and unique properties of such cells in the long term. However, practical biobanking is often associated with repeated temperature fluctuations or interruption of a cold chain due to various technical, transportation, and stocking events. While biochemical processes are expected to be suspended during cryopreservation, such temperature fluctuations may lead to accumulation of stress as well as to periodic release of water fractions in the samples, possibly leading to damage during long-term storage. In this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of changes in cell survival, vital parameters, and differentiation potential, as well as transgene expression of placental MSCs after temperature fluctuations within the liquid nitrogen steam storage, mimicking long-term preservation in practical biobanking, transportation, and temporal storage. It was shown that viability and metabolic parameters of placental MSCs did not significantly differ after temperature fluctuations in the range from -196 °C to -100 °C in less than 20 cycles in comparison to constant temperature storage. However, increasing the temperature range to -80 °C as well as increasing the number of cycles leads to significant lowering of these parameters after thawing. The number of apoptotic changes increases depending on the number of cycles of temperature fluctuations. Besides, adhesive properties of the cells after thawing are significantly compromised in the samples subjected to temperature fluctuations during storage. Differentiation potential of placental MSCs was not compromised after cryopreservation with constant end temperatures or with temperature fluctuations. However, regulation of various genes after cryopreservation procedures significantly varies. Interestingly, transgene expression was not compromised in any of the studied samples. Alterations in structural and functional parameters of placental MSCs after long-term preservation should be considered in practical biobanking due to potential temperature fluctuations in samples. At the same time, differentiation potential and transgene expression are not compromised during studied storage conditions, while variation in gene regulation is observed.

  8. Organismal climatology: analyzing environmental variability at scales relevant to physiological stress.

    PubMed

    Helmuth, Brian; Broitman, Bernardo R; Yamane, Lauren; Gilman, Sarah E; Mach, Katharine; Mislan, K A S; Denny, Mark W

    2010-03-15

    Predicting when, where and with what magnitude climate change is likely to affect the fitness, abundance and distribution of organisms and the functioning of ecosystems has emerged as a high priority for scientists and resource managers. However, even in cases where we have detailed knowledge of current species' range boundaries, we often do not understand what, if any, aspects of weather and climate act to set these limits. This shortcoming significantly curtails our capacity to predict potential future range shifts in response to climate change, especially since the factors that set range boundaries under those novel conditions may be different from those that set limits today. We quantitatively examine a nine-year time series of temperature records relevant to the body temperatures of intertidal mussels as measured using biomimetic sensors. Specifically, we explore how a 'climatology' of body temperatures, as opposed to long-term records of habitat-level parameters such as air and water temperatures, can be used to extrapolate meaningful spatial and temporal patterns of physiological stress. Using different metrics that correspond to various aspects of physiological stress (seasonal means, cumulative temperature and the return time of extremes) we show that these potential environmental stressors do not always occur in synchrony with one another. Our analysis also shows that patterns of animal temperature are not well correlated with simple, commonly used metrics such as air temperature. Detailed physiological studies can provide guidance to predicting the effects of global climate change on natural ecosystems but only if we concomitantly record, archive and model environmental signals at appropriate scales.

  9. Low Temperature Plasma: A Novel Focal Therapy for Localized Prostate Cancer?

    PubMed Central

    Hirst, Adam M.; Frame, Fiona M.; Maitland, Norman J.; O'Connell, Deborah

    2014-01-01

    Despite considerable advances in recent years for the focal treatment of localized prostate cancer, high recurrence rates and detrimental side effects are still a cause for concern. In this review, we compare current focal therapies to a potentially novel approach for the treatment of early onset prostate cancer: low temperature plasma. The rapidly evolving plasma technology has the potential to deliver a wide range of promising medical applications via the delivery of plasma-induced reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Studies assessing the effect of low temperature plasma on cell lines and xenografts have demonstrated DNA damage leading to apoptosis and reduction in cell viability. However, there have been no studies on prostate cancer, which is an obvious candidate for this novel therapy. We present here the potential of low temperature plasma as a focal therapy for prostate cancer. PMID:24738076

  10. Low temperature plasma: a novel focal therapy for localized prostate cancer?

    PubMed

    Hirst, Adam M; Frame, Fiona M; Maitland, Norman J; O'Connell, Deborah

    2014-01-01

    Despite considerable advances in recent years for the focal treatment of localized prostate cancer, high recurrence rates and detrimental side effects are still a cause for concern. In this review, we compare current focal therapies to a potentially novel approach for the treatment of early onset prostate cancer: low temperature plasma. The rapidly evolving plasma technology has the potential to deliver a wide range of promising medical applications via the delivery of plasma-induced reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Studies assessing the effect of low temperature plasma on cell lines and xenografts have demonstrated DNA damage leading to apoptosis and reduction in cell viability. However, there have been no studies on prostate cancer, which is an obvious candidate for this novel therapy. We present here the potential of low temperature plasma as a focal therapy for prostate cancer.

  11. Organic Electrochemistry in Aluminum Chloride Melts.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1976-08-15

    establishing a new, room temperature molten salt system. The low temperature fused salt was prepared by combining aluminum...narrow (600 mY) potential range. Organic electrosynthesis was conducted in a 50-50 by volume molten salt - benzene solution. This mixed solvent...room temperature molten salt system, namely a 67:33 mole percent aluminum chloride: ethylpyridinium bromide melt and in a 50-50 by volume solution of the

  12. Conformational analysis and global warming potentials of 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol from absorption spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Godin, Paul J.; Le Bris, Karine; Strong, Kimberly

    2017-12-01

    Absorption cross-sections of 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) were derived from Fourier transform infrared spectra recorded from 530 to 3400 cm-1 with a resolution of 0.1 cm-1 over a temperature range of 300-362 K. These results were compared to previously published experimental measurements made at room temperature and to a theoretical spectrum from density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Good agreement is found between the experimentally derived results, DFT calculations, and previously published data. The only temperature dependence observed was in the amplitude of some of the absorption peaks due to the changing ratio of the stable conformations of HFIP. This temperature dependence does not result in a significant trend in integrated band strength as a function of temperature. The average value for integrated band strength is found to be (2.649 ± 0.065)x10-16 cm molecule-1 for HFIP over the spectral range of 595 to 3010 cm-1. Radiative efficiency (RE) and the global warming potential (GWP) for HFIP were also derived. A RE of 0.293 ± 0.059 Wm-2ppbv-1 is derived, which leads to a GWP100 of 188 in the range of 530 to 3000 cm-1. The DFT calculation is linearly adjusted to match the experimental spectrum. Using this adjusted DFT spectrum to expand the range below 530 to 0 cm-1 , increases the RE to 0.317 ± 0.063 Wm-2ppbv-1 and the GWP100 to 203.

  13. An integrate-over-temperature approach for enhanced sampling.

    PubMed

    Gao, Yi Qin

    2008-02-14

    A simple method is introduced to achieve efficient random walking in the energy space in molecular dynamics simulations which thus enhances the sampling over a large energy range. The approach is closely related to multicanonical and replica exchange simulation methods in that it allows configurations of the system to be sampled in a wide energy range by making use of Boltzmann distribution functions at multiple temperatures. A biased potential is quickly generated using this method and is then used in accelerated molecular dynamics simulations.

  14. Hotter nests produce hatchling lizards with lower thermal tolerance.

    PubMed

    Dayananda, Buddhi; Murray, Brad R; Webb, Jonathan K

    2017-06-15

    In many regions, the frequency and duration of summer heatwaves is predicted to increase in future. Hotter summers could result in higher temperatures inside lizard nests, potentially exposing embryos to thermally stressful conditions during development. Potentially, developmentally plastic shifts in thermal tolerance could allow lizards to adapt to climate warming. To determine how higher nest temperatures affect the thermal tolerance of hatchling geckos, we incubated eggs of the rock-dwelling velvet gecko, Amalosia lesueurii , at two fluctuating temperature regimes to mimic current nest temperatures (mean 23.2°C, range 10-33°C, 'cold') and future nest temperatures (mean 27.0°C, range 14-37°C, 'hot'). Hatchlings from the hot incubation group hatched 27 days earlier and had a lower critical thermal maximum (CT max 38.7°C) and a higher critical thermal minimum (CT min 6.2°C) than hatchlings from cold incubation group (40.2 and 5.7°C, respectively). In the field, hatchlings typically settle under rocks near communal nests. During the hatching period, rock temperatures ranged from 13 to 59°C, and regularly exceeded the CT max of both hot- and cold-incubated hatchlings. Because rock temperatures were so high, the heat tolerance of lizards had little effect on their ability to exploit rocks as retreat sites. Instead, the timing of hatching dictated whether lizards could exploit rocks as retreat sites; that is, cold-incubated lizards that hatched later encountered less thermally stressful environments than earlier hatching hot-incubated lizards. In conclusion, we found no evidence that CT max can shift upwards in response to higher incubation temperatures, suggesting that hotter summers may increase the vulnerability of lizards to climate warming. © 2017. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

  15. Properties of Extruded PS-212 Type Self-Lubricating Materials

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Waters, W. J.; Sliney, H. E.; Soltis, R. F.

    1993-01-01

    Research has been underway at the NASA Lewis Research Center since the 1960's to develop high temperature, self-lubricating materials. The bulk of the research has been done in-house by a team of researchers from the Materials Division. A series of self-lubricating solid material systems has been developed over the years. One of the most promising is the composite material system referred to as PS-212 or PM-212. This material is a powder metallurgy product composed of metal bonded chromium carbide and two solid lubricating materials known to be self-lubricating over a wide temperature range. NASA feels this material has a wide potential in industrial applications. Simplified processing of this material would enhance its commercial potential. Processing changes have the potential to reduce processing costs, but tribological and physical properties must not be adversely affected. Extrusion processing has been employed in this investigation as a consolidation process for PM-212/PS-212. It has been successful in that high density bars of EX-212 (extruded PM-212) can readily be fabricated. Friction and strength data indicate these properties have been maintained or improved over the P.M. version. A range of extrusion temperatures have been investigated and tensile, friction, wear, and microstructural data have been obtained. Results indicate extrusion temperatures are not critical from a densification standpoint, but other properties are temperature dependent.

  16. Seasonal Temperature Estimates From Late Holocene Barents Sea cod Otoliths: Problems and Potential

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Andersson, C.; Folkvord, A.; Geffen, A.; Høie, H.

    2008-12-01

    Realistic models of climate change require accurate data of past seasonal temperature regimes. In many marine settings this is difficult to achieve using the marine sedimentary record. This study tests the feasibility to use archaeological cod otoliths to reconstruct changes in the seasonal temperature cycle in the Barents Sea. Potentially, stable oxygen isotope records from cod otoliths could be used to produce records of Holocene temperature change on a seasonal time scale. Human settlements along the coast of northern Norway have exploited the cod (Gadus morhua) population of the Barents Sea from the earliest occupation, through the middle ages, to the present day. A pilot project has been carried out in Bergen to exploit the availability of a collection of cod otoliths from archeological excavations that is housed by the Bergen Museum. Cod otoliths from archaeological excavations in northern Norway, 26 specimens from from Måsøy (Finnmark) and 17 specimens from Vanna (Troms), were selected for this study. These specimens were AMS radiocarbon dated and the ages are spanning approximately 1400 to 1780 AD. Most of the otoliths are from cod that were captured during the Little Ice Age. Seasonal growth patterns were identifiable in the archeological otoliths, comparable to those in modern otoliths. Micromilling was used to sample for stable oxygen isotopes over a 2-year growth period in each of a total of 43 fossil cod otoliths. There are large differences in the temperature ranges experienced by the fish over the 2-year period analyzed. For the Måsøy specimens the temperature range experienced by the fish is between 2.7 to 9.9 °C. The Vanna cod experienced temperature ranges between 1.7 to 7.2 °C. The maximum temperature ranges for both Vanna and Måsøy specimens are higher than the seasonal instrumental measurements for the 0-200 m depth interval in the Kola section in the Barents Sea. The cod otoliths in our study have not yet been divided into different age groups, which is necessary in order to be able to interpret the calculated temperature ranges because the annual temperature cycles experienced by fish at different ages are different. Another problem that needs to address is the annual migration of cod of northern Norway. It is known that both mature and immature cod undertake long seasonal migrations.

  17. Kynol/Nomex Fabrics for Fire Retardant Shipboard Utility Uniforms

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1988-06-01

    changes shade permanentlj" from grey to black. The activation temperature of each set ranged from 220 F to 2800F in increments of 100F. The response of the...temperature value. When a tape reaches its activation temperature it changes shade permanent l from grey to black. The activation temperature of each...are normally only available in their natural gold color, to a suitable blue shade . g. Potential cost of Kynol/Nomex uniforms versus the FRT cotton

  18. A computerized test system for thermal-mechanical fatigue crack growth

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Marchand, N.; Pelloux, R. M.

    1986-01-01

    A computerized testing system to measure fatigue crack growth under thermal-mechanical fatigue conditions is described. Built around a servohydraulic machine, the system is capable of a push-pull test under stress-controlled or strain-controlled conditions in the temperature range of 25 to 1050 C. Temperature and mechanical strain are independently controlled by the closed-loop system to simulate the complex inservice strain-temperature relationship. A d-c electrical potential method is used to measure crack growth rates. The correction procedure of the potential signal to take into account powerline and RF-induced noises and thermal changes is described. It is shown that the potential drop technique can be used for physical mechanism studies and for modelling crack tip processes.

  19. Pseudo-icosahedral Cr 55 Al 232 - δ as a high-temperature protective material

    DOE PAGES

    Rosa, R.; Bhattacharya, S.; Pabla, J.; ...

    2018-03-19

    In this paper, we report here a course of basic research into the potential suitability of a pseudo-icosahedral Cr aluminide as a material for high temperature protective coatings. Cr 55Al 232-δ [δ = 2.70(6)] exhibits high hardness at room temperature as well as low thermal conductivity and excellent oxidation resistance at 973 K, with an oxidation rate comparable to those of softer, denser benchmark materials. Lastly, the origin of these promising properties can be traced to competing long-range and short-range symmetries within the pseudo-icosahedral crystal structure, suggesting new criteria for future materials research.

  20. Pseudo-icosahedral Cr 55 Al 232 - δ as a high-temperature protective material

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

    Rosa, R.; Bhattacharya, S.; Pabla, J.

    In this paper, we report here a course of basic research into the potential suitability of a pseudo-icosahedral Cr aluminide as a material for high temperature protective coatings. Cr 55Al 232-δ [δ = 2.70(6)] exhibits high hardness at room temperature as well as low thermal conductivity and excellent oxidation resistance at 973 K, with an oxidation rate comparable to those of softer, denser benchmark materials. Lastly, the origin of these promising properties can be traced to competing long-range and short-range symmetries within the pseudo-icosahedral crystal structure, suggesting new criteria for future materials research.

  1. The Charging of Dust Grains in the Inner Heliosheath

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Avinash, K.; Slavin, J.; Zank, G. P.; Frisch, P.

    2008-12-01

    Equilibrium electric charge and surface potential on a dust grain in the heliosheath are calculated. The grain is charged due to heliosheath plasma flux, photo electrons flux, secondary electron emission flux and transmission flux. Realistically, the heliosheath plasma consists of solar electrons, solar wind ions [SWI] and pick up ions [PUI]. These species interact differently with TS and thus have different characteristics down stream in the heliosheath. The PUI suffer multiple reflections at TS and are accelerated to high energies in the range of ~ 106 K. The solar electrons, on the other hand, are heated adiabatically through the TS and have temperature in the range ~ 5x105 K. The SWI may have a smaller temperature typically in the range 1-5x104 K The density of electrons could be in the range ~5 x 10-4 cm-3, while the ratio of PUI to SWI density could range from 0.1 to 0.5. Taking into account these parameters, grain charging due to different plasma species and other fluxes mentioned earlier, is calculated. Our results show that (a) surface potential is very sensitive to electron temp. It goes through a maxima and for realistic values close to or less than 5x105 K it can be as big as 26V which is twice the value calculated by Kimura and Mann1. This may have implications for electrostatic disruption and the size distribution of dust particles in the heliosheath. With PUI density the surface potential increases about 10 to 20 %. Though temperature of PUI is significantly larger than that of electrons, it is not large enough to make up for the mass ratio of electrons to protons. On account small temperature and electron/proton mass ratio, the effect of SWI on dust charge is very weak. (1) H. Kimura and I. Mann, Ap.J. 499, 454 (1998).

  2. Towards universal potentials for (H2)2 and isotopic variants: post-Born-Oppenheimer contributions.

    PubMed

    Diniz, Leonardo G; Mohallem, José R

    2008-06-07

    Adiabatic corrections are evaluated for the interaction of two hydrogen molecules (H(2))(2) and isotopic variants. Their contribution to the cluster formation amount up to 10% of the interaction energy. Added to the best ab initio Born-Oppenheimer isotropic potential, they correct especially its short range repulsive part. Calculations of second virial coefficients are improved in general, with an impressive agreement with experiments for gaseous D(2) in a large range of temperatures. The potentials are available in both analytical and numerical forms.

  3. Calculations of rate constants for the three-body recombination of H2 in the presence of H2

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Schwenke, David W.

    1988-01-01

    A new global potential energy hypersurface for H2 + H2 is constructed and quasiclassical trajectory calculations performed using the resonance complex theory and energy transfer mechanism to estimate the rate of three body recombination over the temperature range 100 to 5000 K. The new potential is a faithful representation of ab initio electron structure calculations, is unchanged under the operation of exchanging H atoms, and reproduces the accurate H3 potential as one H atom is pulled away. Included in the fitting procedure are geometries expected to be important when one H2 is near or above the dissociation limit. The dynamics calculations explicitly include the motion of all four atoms and are performed efficiently using a vectorized variable-stepsize integrator. The predicted rate constants are approximately a factor of two smaller than experimental estimates over a broad temperature range.

  4. Freeze-out conditions in heavy ion collisions from QCD thermodynamics.

    PubMed

    Bazavov, A; Ding, H-T; Hegde, P; Kaczmarek, O; Karsch, F; Laermann, E; Mukherjee, Swagato; Petreczky, P; Schmidt, C; Smith, D; Soeldner, W; Wagner, M

    2012-11-09

    We present a determination of freeze-out conditions in heavy ion collisions based on ratios of cumulants of net electric charge fluctuations. These ratios can reliably be calculated in lattice QCD for a wide range of chemical potential values by using a next-to-leading order Taylor series expansion around the limit of vanishing baryon, electric charge and strangeness chemical potentials. From a computation of up to fourth order cumulants and charge correlations we first determine the strangeness and electric charge chemical potentials that characterize freeze-out conditions in a heavy ion collision and confirm that in the temperature range 150 MeV ≤ T ≤ 170 MeV the hadron resonance gas model provides good approximations for these parameters that agree with QCD calculations on the 5%-15% level. We then show that a comparison of lattice QCD results for ratios of up to third order cumulants of electric charge fluctuations with experimental results allows us to extract the freeze-out baryon chemical potential and the freeze-out temperature.

  5. Precipitation-Strengthened, High-Temperature, High-Force Shape Memory Alloys

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Noebe, Ronald D.; Draper, Susan L.; Nathal, Michael V.; Crombie, Edwin A.

    2008-01-01

    Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are an enabling component in the development of compact, lightweight, durable, high-force actuation systems particularly for use where hydraulics or electrical motors are not practical. However, commercial shape memory alloys based on NiTi are only suitable for applications near room temperature, due to their relatively low transformation temperatures, while many potential applications require higher temperature capability. Consequently, a family of (Ni,Pt)(sub 1-x)Ti(sub x) shape memory alloys with Ti concentrations ranging from about 15 to 25 at.% have been developed for applications in which there are requirements for SMA actuators to exert high forces at operating temperatures higher than those of conventional binary NiTi SMAs. These alloys can be heat treated in the range of 500 C to produce a series of fine precipitate phases that increase the strength of alloy while maintaining a high transformation temperature, even in Ti-lean compositions.

  6. Asymmetry of projected increases in extreme temperature distributions

    PubMed Central

    Kodra, Evan; Ganguly, Auroop R.

    2014-01-01

    A statistical analysis reveals projections of consistently larger increases in the highest percentiles of summer and winter temperature maxima and minima versus the respective lowest percentiles, resulting in a wider range of temperature extremes in the future. These asymmetric changes in tail distributions of temperature appear robust when explored through 14 CMIP5 climate models and three reanalysis datasets. Asymmetry of projected increases in temperature extremes generalizes widely. Magnitude of the projected asymmetry depends significantly on region, season, land-ocean contrast, and climate model variability as well as whether the extremes of consideration are seasonal minima or maxima events. An assessment of potential physical mechanisms provides support for asymmetric tail increases and hence wider temperature extremes ranges, especially for northern winter extremes. These results offer statistically grounded perspectives on projected changes in the IPCC-recommended extremes indices relevant for impacts and adaptation studies. PMID:25073751

  7. The Role of Snow Thickness over Arctic Winter Sea Ice in the Survival and Dispersal of Brine-Derived Microbes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Deming, J. W.; Ewert, M.; Bowman, J. S.

    2013-12-01

    The brines of polar winter sea ice are inhabited by significant densities of microbes (Bacteria and Archaea) that experience a range of extreme conditions depending on location in, and age of, the ice. Newly formed sea ice in winter expels microbes (and organic exudates) onto the surface of the ice, where they can be wicked into frost flowers or into freshly deposited snow, resulting in populations at the ice-air and air-snow interfaces characterized by even more extreme conditions. The influence of snow thickness over the ice on the fate of these microbes, and their potential for dispersal or mediation of exchanges with other components of the ice-snow system, is not well known. Examination of in situ temperature data from the Mass Balance Observatory (MBO) offshore of Barrow, Alaska, during the winter of 2011 allowed recognition of an hierarchy of fluctuation regimes in temperature and (by calculation) brine salinity, where the most stable conditions were encountered within the sea ice and the least stable highest in the snow cover, where temperature fluctuations were significantly more energetic as determined by an analysis of power spectral density. A prior analysis of snow thickness near the MBO had already revealed significant ablation events, potentially associated with bacterial mortality, that would have exposed the saline (microbe-rich) snow layer to wind-based dispersal. To better understand the survival of marine bacteria under these dynamic and extreme conditions, we conducted laboratory experiments with Arctic bacterial isolates, subjecting them to simulations of the freezing regimes documented at the MBS. The impact of the fluctuation regime was shown to be species-specific, with the organism of narrower temperature and salinity growth ranges suffering 30-50% mortality (which could be partially relieved by providing protection against salt-shock). This isolate, the psychrophilic marine bacterium Colwellia psychrerythraea strain 34H (temperature range of -12 to 18°C, salinity range of 20 to 50), was originally isolated from Arctic marine sediments. The other isolate, the psychrotolerant and extremely halophilic bacterium Psychrobacter sp. strain 7E (temperature range of -1 [possibly lower] to 25°C, salinity range of 32 to 125), not only survived the most extreme conditions but demonstrated a potentially effective dispersal strategy of cell fragmentation and miniaturization (resulting in higher cell numbers). This extremophile was isolated from upper winter sea-ice brine in the Beaufort Sea. Bacterial survival and dispersal from sea-ice brines in Arctic winter thus appears to depend on the nature of the organisms involved and on the thickness of snow cover, which determines how dynamic and extreme are the exposure conditions. The observed species-specific reactions to extreme and fluctuating conditions may help to explain the different structures of microbial communities inhabiting the range of environments defined by the ice-snow system and provide model organisms and research directions for future work to evaluate potential activity or exchanges with other components of the system.

  8. The Development of Silicon Carbide Based Hydrogen and Hydrocarbon Sensors

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Liu, Chung-Chiun

    1994-01-01

    Silicon carbide is a high temperature electronic material. Its potential for development of chemical sensors in a high temperature environment has not been explored. The objective of this study is to use silicon carbide as the substrate material for the construction of chemical sensors for high temperature applications. Sensors for the detection of hydrogen and hydrocarbon are developed in this program under the auspices of Lewis Research Center, NASA. Metal-semiconductor or metal-insulator-semiconductor structures are used in this development. Specifically, using palladium-silicon carbide Schottky diodes as gas sensors in the temperature range of 100 to 400 C are designed, fabricated and assessed. The effect of heat treatment on the Pd-SiC Schottky diode is examined. Operation of the sensors at 400 C demonstrate sensitivity of the sensor to hydrogen and hydrocarbons. Substantial progress has been made in this study and we believe that the Pd-SiC Schottky diode has potential as a hydrogen and hydrocarbon sensor over a wide range of temperatures. However, the long term stability and operational life of the sensor need to be assessed. This aspect is an important part of our future continuing investigation.

  9. [Comparison of potential yield and resource utilization efficiency of main food crops in three provinces of Northeast China under climate change].

    PubMed

    Wang, Xiao-yu; Yang, Xiao-guang; Sun, Shuang; Xie, Wen-juan

    2015-10-01

    Based on the daily data of 65 meteorological stations from 1961 to 2010 and the crop phenology data in the potential cultivation zones of thermophilic and chimonophilous crops in Northeast China, the crop potential yields were calculated through step-by-step correction method. The spatio-temporal distribution of the crop potential yields at different levels was analyzed. And then we quantified the limitations of temperature and precipitation on the crop potential yields and compared the differences in the climatic resource utilization efficiency. The results showed that the thermal potential yields of six crops (including maize, rice, spring wheat, sorghum, millet and soybean) during the period 1961-2010 deceased from west to east. The climatic potential yields of the five crops (spring wheat not included) were higher in the south than in the north. The potential yield loss rate due to temperature limitations of the six crops presented a spatial distribution pattern and was higher in the east than in the west. Among the six main crops, the yield potential loss rate due to temperature limitation of the soybean was the highest (51%), and those of the other crops fluctuated within the range of 33%-41%. The potential yield loss rate due to water limitation had an obvious regional difference, and was high in Songnen Plain and Changbai Mountains. The potential yield loss rate of spring wheat was the highest (50%), and those of the other four rainfed crops fluctuated within the range of 8%-10%. The solar energy utilization efficiency of the six main crops ranged from 0.9% to 2.7%, in the order of maize> sorghum>rice>millet>spring wheat>soybean. The precipitation utilization efficiency of the maize, sorghum, spring wheat, millet and soybean under rainfed conditions ranged from 8 to 35 kg . hm-2 . mm-1, in the order of maize>sorghum>spring wheat>millet>soybean. In those areas with lower efficiency of solar energy utilization and precipitation utilization, such as Changbai Mountains and the south of Lesser Khingan Mountains, measures could be taken to increase the efficiency of resource utilization such as rational close-planting, selection of droughtresistant varieties, proper and timely fertilization, farming for soil water storage, optimization of crop layout and so on.

  10. Synthesis and thermoelectric properties of CoP(sub 3)

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Shields, V. B.; Caillet, T.

    2002-01-01

    In an effort to expand the range of operation for highly efficient, segmented thermoelectric unicouples currently being developed at JPL, skutterudite phosphides are being investigated as potential high temperature segments to supplement antimonide segments that limit the use of these unicouples at a hot-side temperature of about 873-973 K.

  11. Differential growth of Legionella pneumophila strains within a range of amoebae at various temperatures associated with in-premise plumbing

    EPA Science Inventory

    The potential effect of in-premise plumbing temperatures (24, 32, 37 and 41 °C) on the growth of five different L. pneumophila strains within free-living amoebae (Acanthamoeba polyphaga, Hartmannella vermiformis and Naegleria fowleri) was examined. Compared to controls only fed E...

  12. The impacts of climate change on the abundance and distribution of the Spotted Wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) in the United States and Canada

    PubMed Central

    Arteca, Ellen M.; Newman, Jonathan A.

    2017-01-01

    D. suzukii is a relatively recent and destructive pest species to the North American soft-skinned fruit industry. Understanding this species’ potential to shift in abundance and range due to changing climate is an important part of an effective mitigation and management strategy. We parameterized a temperature-driven D. suzukii population dynamics model using temperature data derived from several Global Circulation Models (CMIP5) with a range of relative concentration pathway (RCP) predictions. Mean consensus between the models suggest that without adaptation to both higher prolonged temperatures and higher short-term temperature events D. suzukii population levels are likely to drop in currently higher-risk regions. The potential drop in population is evident both as time progresses and as the severity of the RCP scenario increases. Some regions, particularly in northern latitudes, may experience increased populations due to milder winter and more developmentally-ideal summer conditions, but many of these regions are not currently known for soft-skinned fruit production and so the effects of this population increase may not have a significant impact. PMID:28396828

  13. Quantifying the effects of temperature on mosquito and parasite traits that determine the transmission potential of human malaria.

    PubMed

    Shapiro, Lillian L M; Whitehead, Shelley A; Thomas, Matthew B

    2017-10-01

    Malaria transmission is known to be strongly impacted by temperature. The current understanding of how temperature affects mosquito and parasite life history traits derives from a limited number of empirical studies. These studies, some dating back to the early part of last century, are often poorly controlled, have limited replication, explore a narrow range of temperatures, and use a mixture of parasite and mosquito species. Here, we use a single pairing of the Asian mosquito vector, An. stephensi and the human malaria parasite, P. falciparum to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the thermal performance curves of a range of mosquito and parasite traits relevant to transmission. We show that biting rate, adult mortality rate, parasite development rate, and vector competence are temperature sensitive. Importantly, we find qualitative and quantitative differences to the assumed temperature-dependent relationships. To explore the overall implications of temperature for transmission, we first use a standard model of relative vectorial capacity. This approach suggests a temperature optimum for transmission of 29°C, with minimum and maximum temperatures of 12°C and 38°C, respectively. However, the robustness of the vectorial capacity approach is challenged by the fact that the empirical data violate several of the model's simplifying assumptions. Accordingly, we present an alternative model of relative force of infection that better captures the observed biology of the vector-parasite interaction. This model suggests a temperature optimum for transmission of 26°C, with a minimum and maximum of 17°C and 35°C, respectively. The differences between the models lead to potentially divergent predictions for the potential impacts of current and future climate change on malaria transmission. The study provides a framework for more detailed, system-specific studies that are essential to develop an improved understanding on the effects of temperature on malaria transmission.

  14. How to make thermodynamic perturbation theory to be suitable for low temperature?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhou, Shiqi

    2009-02-01

    Low temperature unsuitability is a problem plaguing thermodynamic perturbation theory (TPT) for years. Present investigation indicates that the low temperature predicament can be overcome by employing as reference system a nonhard sphere potential which incorporates one part of the attractive ingredient in a potential function of interest. In combination with a recently proposed TPT [S. Zhou, J. Chem. Phys. 125, 144518 (2006)] based on a λ expansion (λ being coupling parameter), the new perturbation strategy is employed to predict for several model potentials. It is shown that the new perturbation strategy can very accurately predict various thermodynamic properties even if the potential range is extremely short and hence the temperature of interest is very low and current theoretical formalisms seriously deteriorate or critically fail to predict even the existence of the critical point. Extensive comparison with existing liquid state theories and available computer simulation data discloses a superiority of the present TPT to two Ornstein-Zernike-type integral equation theories, i.e., hierarchical reference theory and self-consistent Ornstein-Zernike approximation.

  15. How to make thermodynamic perturbation theory to be suitable for low temperature?

    PubMed

    Zhou, Shiqi

    2009-02-07

    Low temperature unsuitability is a problem plaguing thermodynamic perturbation theory (TPT) for years. Present investigation indicates that the low temperature predicament can be overcome by employing as reference system a nonhard sphere potential which incorporates one part of the attractive ingredient in a potential function of interest. In combination with a recently proposed TPT [S. Zhou, J. Chem. Phys. 125, 144518 (2006)] based on a lambda expansion (lambda being coupling parameter), the new perturbation strategy is employed to predict for several model potentials. It is shown that the new perturbation strategy can very accurately predict various thermodynamic properties even if the potential range is extremely short and hence the temperature of interest is very low and current theoretical formalisms seriously deteriorate or critically fail to predict even the existence of the critical point. Extensive comparison with existing liquid state theories and available computer simulation data discloses a superiority of the present TPT to two Ornstein-Zernike-type integral equation theories, i.e., hierarchical reference theory and self-consistent Ornstein-Zernike approximation.

  16. Low-temperature-active and salt-tolerant β-mannanase from a newly isolated Enterobacter sp. strain N18.

    PubMed

    You, Jia; Liu, Jin-Feng; Yang, Shi-Zhong; Mu, Bo-Zhong

    2016-02-01

    A low-temperature-active and salt-tolerant β-mannanase produced by a novel mannanase-producer, Enterobacter sp. strain N18, was isolated, purified and then evaluated for its potential application as a gel-breaker in relation to viscosity reduction of guar-based hydraulic fracturing fluids used in oil field. The enzyme could lower the viscosity of guar gum solution by more than 95% within 10 min. The purified β-mannanase with molecular mass of 90 kDa displayed high activity in a broad range of pH and temperature: more than 70% of activity was retained in the pH range of 3.0-8.0 with the optimal pH 7.5, about 50% activity at 20°C with the optimal temperature 50°C. Furthermore, the enzyme retained >70% activity in the presence of 0.5-4.0 M NaCl. These properties implied that the enzyme from strain N18 had potential for serving as a gel-breaker for low temperature oil wells and other industrial fields, where chemical gel breakers were inactive due to low temperature. Copyright © 2015 The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  17. Is freezing in the vaccine cold chain an ongoing issue? A literature review.

    PubMed

    Hanson, Celina M; George, Anupa M; Sawadogo, Adama; Schreiber, Benjamin

    2017-04-19

    Vaccine exposure to temperatures below recommended ranges in the cold chain may decrease vaccine potency of freeze-sensitive vaccines leading to a loss of vaccine investments and potentially places children at risk of contracting vaccine preventable illnesses. This literature review is an update to one previously published in 2007 (Matthias et al., 2007), analyzing the prevalence of vaccine exposure to temperatures below recommendations throughout various segments of the cold chain. Overall, 45 studies included in this review assess temperature monitoring, of which 29 specifically assess 'too cold' temperatures. The storage segments alone were evaluated in 41 articles, 15 articles examined the transport segment and 4 studied outreach sessions. The sample size of the studies varied, ranging from one to 103 shipments and from three to 440 storage units. Among reviewed articles, the percentage of vaccine exposure to temperatures below recommended ranges during storage was 33% in wealthier countries and 37.1% in lower income countries. Vaccine exposure to temperatures below recommended ranges occurred during shipments in 38% of studies from higher income countries and 19.3% in lower income countries. This review highlights continuing issues of vaccine exposure to temperatures below recommended ranges during various segments of the cold chain. Studies monitoring the number of events vaccines are exposed to 'too cold' temperatures as well as the duration of these events are needed. Many reviewed studies emphasize the lack of knowledge of health workers regarding freeze damage of vaccines and how this has an effect on temperature monitoring. It is important to address this issue by educating vaccinators and cold chain staff to improve temperature maintenance and supply chain management, which will facilitate the distribution of potent vaccines to children. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

  18. Temperature dependency of state of charge inhomogeneities and their equalization in cylindrical lithium-ion cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Osswald, P. J.; Erhard, S. V.; Rheinfeld, A.; Rieger, B.; Hoster, H. E.; Jossen, A.

    2016-10-01

    The influence of cell temperature on the current density distribution and accompanying inhomogeneities in state of charge (SOC) during cycling is analyzed in this work. To allow for a detailed insight in the electrochemical behavior of the cell, commercially available 26650 cells were modified to allow for measuring local potentials at four different, nearly equidistant positions along the electrodes. As a follow-up to our previous work investigating local potentials within a cell, we apply this method for studying SOC deviations and their sensitivity to cell temperature. The local potential distribution was studied during constant current discharge operations for various current rates and discharge pulses in order to evoke local inhomogeneities for temperatures ranging from 10 °C to 40 °C. Differences in local potentials were considered for estimating local SOC variations within the electrodes. It could be observed that even low currents such as 0.1C can lead to significant inhomogeneities, whereas a higher cell temperature generally results in more pronounced inhomogeneities. A rapid SOC equilibration can be observed if the variation in the SOC distribution corresponds to a considerable potential difference defined by the open circuit voltage of either the positive or negative electrode. With increasing temperature, accelerated equalization effects can be observed.

  19. Effects of Temperature on the Performance and Stability of Recent COTS Silicon Oscillators

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Patterson, Richard L.; Hammoud, Ahmad

    2010-01-01

    Silicon oscillators have lately emerged to serve as potential replacement for crystal and ceramic resonators to provide timing and clock signals in electronic systems. These semiconductor-based devices, including those that are based on MEMS technology, are reported to be resistant to vibration and shock (an important criteria for systems to be deployed in space), immune to EMI, consume very low current, require few or no external components, and cover a wide range of frequency for analog and digital circuits. In this work, the performance of five recently-developed COTS silicon oscillator chips from different manufacturers was determined within a temperature range that extended beyond the individual specified range of operation. In addition, restart capability at extreme temperatures, i.e. power switched on while the device was soaking at extreme (hot or cold) temperature, and the effects of thermal cycling under a wide temperature range on the operation of these silicon oscillators were also investigated. Performance characterization of each oscillator was obtained in terms of its output frequency, duty cycle, rise and fall times, and supply current at specific test temperatures. The five different oscillators tested operated beyond their specified temperature region, with some displaying excellent stability throughout the whole test temperature range. Others experienced some instability at certain temperature test points as evidenced by fluctuation in the output frequency. Recovery from temperature-induced changes took place when excessive temperatures were removed. It should also be pointed out that all oscillators were able to restart at the extreme test temperatures and to withstand the limited thermal cycling without undergoing any significant changes in their characteristics. In addition, no physical damage was observed in the packaging material of any of these silicon oscillators due to extreme temperature exposure and thermal cycling. It is recommended that additional and more comprehensive testing under long term cycling be carried out to fully establish the reliability of these devices and to determine their suitability for use in space exploration missions under extreme temperature conditions.

  20. Asymmetric structured microfiber-based temperature sensor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xian, Pei; Feng, Guoying; Dai, Shenyu; Zhou, Shouhuan

    2017-04-01

    A temperature sensor formed by a cascaded sphere and an abrupt taper, together in a standard single-mode fiber, was developed. The dip of the measured spectrum signal shifted obviously when the surrounding temperature changed. Measurement sensitivity to 18.36 pm/°C was shown with the surrounding temperature ranging from 35°C to 395°C. Due to its compact size and all-fiber configuration, the proposed sensor has the advantages of simplicity and low-cost fabrication, thus the device would find potential applications in sensing fields.

  1. Hierarchical Regularity in Multi-Basin Dynamics on Protein Landscapes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Matsunaga, Yasuhiro; Kostov, Konstatin S.; Komatsuzaki, Tamiki

    2004-04-01

    We analyze time series of potential energy fluctuations and principal components at several temperatures for two kinds of off-lattice 46-bead models that have two distinctive energy landscapes. The less-frustrated "funnel" energy landscape brings about stronger nonstationary behavior of the potential energy fluctuations at the folding temperature than the other, rather frustrated energy landscape at the collapse temperature. By combining principal component analysis with an embedding nonlinear time-series analysis, it is shown that the fast fluctuations with small amplitudes of 70-80% of the principal components cause the time series to become almost "random" in only 100 simulation steps. However, the stochastic feature of the principal components tends to be suppressed through a wide range of degrees of freedom at the transition temperature.

  2. Factors that influence effective perioperative temperature management by anesthesiologists: a qualitative study using the Theoretical Domains Framework.

    PubMed

    Boet, Sylvain; Patey, Andrea M; Baron, Justine S; Mohamed, Karim; Pigford, Ashlee-Ann E; Bryson, Gregory L; Brehaut, Jamie C; Grimshaw, Jeremy M

    2017-06-01

    Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia (IPH) is associated with a range of adverse outcomes. Safe and effective warming techniques exist to prevent IPH; however, IPH remains common. This study aimed to identify factors that anesthesiologists perceive may influence temperature management during the perioperative period. After Research Ethics Board approval, semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff anesthesiologists at a Canadian academic hospital. An interview guide based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) was used to capture 14 theoretical domains that may influence temperature management. The interview transcripts were coded using direct content analysis to generate specific beliefs and to identify relevant TDF domains perceived to influence temperature management behaviour. Data saturation was achieved after 15 interviews. The following nine theoretical domains were identified as relevant to designing an intervention for practices in perioperative temperature management: knowledge, beliefs about capabilities, beliefs about consequences, reinforcement, memory/attention/decision-making, environmental context and resources, social/professional role/identity, social influences, and behavioural regulation. Potential target areas to improve temperature management practices include interventions that address information needs about individual temperature management behaviour as well as patient outcome (feedback), increasing awareness of possible temperature management strategies and guidelines, and a range of equipment and surgical team dynamics that influence temperature management. This study identified several potential target areas for future interventions from nine of the TDF behavioural domains that anesthesiologists perceive to drive their temperature management practices. Future interventions that aim to close the evidence-practice gap in perioperative temperature management may include these targets.

  3. Investigation of TiC C Eutectic and WC C Peritectic High-Temperature Fixed Points

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sasajima, Naohiko; Yamada, Yoshiro

    2008-06-01

    TiC C eutectic (2,761°C) and WC C peritectic (2,749°C) fixed points were investigated to compare their potential as high-temperature thermometric reference points. Two TiC C and three WC C fixed-point cells were constructed, and the melting and freezing plateaux were evaluated by means of radiation thermometry. The repeatability of the TiC C eutectic within a day was 60 mK with a melting range roughly 200 mK. The repeatability of the melting temperature of the WC C peritectic within 1 day was 17 mK with a melting range of ˜70 mK. The repeatability of the freezing temperature of the WC C peritectic was 21 mK with a freezing range less than 20 mK. One of the TiC C cells was constructed from a TiC and graphite powder mixture. The filling showed the reaction with the graphite crucible was suppressed and the ingot contained less voids, although the lack of high-purity TiC powder poses a problem. The WC C cells were easily constructed, like metal carbon eutectic cells, without any evident reaction with the crucible. From these results, it is concluded that the WC C peritectic has more potential than the TiC C eutectic as a high-temperature reference point. The investigation of the purification of the TiC C cell during filling and the plateau observation are also reported.

  4. Modeling Water Temperature in the Yakima River, Washington, from Roza Diversion Dam to Prosser Dam, 2005-06

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Voss, Frank D.; Curran, Christopher A.; Mastin, Mark C.

    2008-01-01

    A mechanistic water-temperature model was constructed by the U.S. Geological Survey for use by the Bureau of Reclamation for studying the effect of potential water management decisions on water temperature in the Yakima River between Roza and Prosser, Washington. Flow and water temperature data for model input were obtained from the Bureau of Reclamation Hydromet database and from measurements collected by the U.S. Geological Survey during field trips in autumn 2005. Shading data for the model were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey in autumn 2006. The model was calibrated with data collected from April 1 through October 31, 2005, and tested with data collected from April 1 through October 31, 2006. Sensitivity analysis results showed that for the parameters tested, daily maximum water temperature was most sensitive to changes in air temperature and solar radiation. Root mean squared error for the five sites used for model calibration ranged from 1.3 to 1.9 degrees Celsius (?C) and mean error ranged from ?1.3 to 1.6?C. The root mean squared error for the five sites used for testing simulation ranged from 1.6 to 2.2?C and mean error ranged from 0.1 to 1.3?C. The accuracy of the stream temperatures estimated by the model is limited by four errors (model error, data error, parameter error, and user error).

  5. NEO Targets for Biological In Situ Resource Utilization

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Grace, J. M.; Ernst, S. M.; Navarrete, J. U.; Gentry, D.

    2014-12-01

    We are investigating a mission architecture concept for low-cost pre-processing of materials on long synodic period asteroids using bioengineered microbes delivered by small spacecraft. Space exploration opportunities, particularly those requiring a human presence, are sharply constrained by the high cost of launching resources such as fuel, construction materials, oxygen, water, and foodstuffs. Near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) have been proposed for supporting a human space presence. However, the combination of high initial investment requirements, delayed potential return, and uncertainty in resource payoff currently prevents their effective utilization.Biomining is the process in which microorganisms perform useful material reduction, sequestration or separation. It is commonly used in terrestrial copper extraction. Compared to physical and chemical methods of extraction it is slow, but very low cost, thus rendering economical even very poor ores. These advantages are potentially extensible to asteroid in situ resource utilization (ISRU).One of the first limiting factors for the use of biology in these environments is temperature. A survey of NEA data was conducted to identify those NEAs whose projected interior temperatures remained within both potential (-5 - 100 ºC) and preferred (15 - 45 ºC) ranges for the minimum projected time per synodic period without exceeding 100 ºC at any point. Approximately 2800 of the 11000 NEAs (25%) are predicted to remain within the potential range for at least 90 days, and 120 (1%) in the preferred range.A second major factor is water availability and stability. We have evaluated a design for a small-spacecraft-based injector which forces low-temperature fluid into the NEA interior, creating potentially habitable microniches. The fluid contains microbes genetically engineered to accelerate the degradation rates of a desired fraction of the native resources, allowing for more efficient material extraction upon a subsequent encounter.

  6. Fiber-Optic Pyrometer with Optically Powered Switch for Temperature Measurements

    PubMed Central

    Pérez-Prieto, Sandra; López-Cardona, Juan D.; Blanco, Enrique; Moreno-López, Jorge

    2018-01-01

    We report the experimental results on a new infrared fiber-optic pyrometer for very localized and high-speed temperature measurements ranging from 170 to 530 °C using low-noise photodetectors and high-gain transimpedance amplifiers with a single gain mode in the whole temperature range. We also report a shutter based on an optical fiber switch which is optically powered to provide a reference signal in an optical fiber pyrometer measuring from 200 to 550 °C. The tests show the potential of remotely powering via optical means a 300 mW power-hungry optical switch at a distance of 100 m, avoiding any electromagnetic interference close to the measuring point. PMID:29415477

  7. Fiber-Optic Pyrometer with Optically Powered Switch for Temperature Measurements.

    PubMed

    Vázquez, Carmen; Pérez-Prieto, Sandra; López-Cardona, Juan D; Tapetado, Alberto; Blanco, Enrique; Moreno-López, Jorge; Montero, David S; Lallana, Pedro C

    2018-02-06

    We report the experimental results on a new infrared fiber-optic pyrometer for very localized and high-speed temperature measurements ranging from 170 to 530 °C using low-noise photodetectors and high-gain transimpedance amplifiers with a single gain mode in the whole temperature range. We also report a shutter based on an optical fiber switch which is optically powered to provide a reference signal in an optical fiber pyrometer measuring from 200 to 550 °C. The tests show the potential of remotely powering via optical means a 300 mW power-hungry optical switch at a distance of 100 m, avoiding any electromagnetic interference close to the measuring point.

  8. Oven controlled N++ [1 0 0] length-extensional mode silicon resonator with frequency stability of 1 ppm over industrial temperature range

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    You, Weilong; Pei, Binbin; Sun, Ke; Zhang, Lei; Yang, Heng; Li, Xinxin

    2017-10-01

    This paper presents an oven controlled N++ [1 0 0] length-extensional mode silicon resonator, with a lookup-table based control algorithm. The temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (TCF) of the N++ doped resonator is nonlinear, and there is a turnover temperature point at which the TCF is equal to zero. The resonator is maintained at the turnover point by Joule heating; this temperature is a little higher than the upper limit of the industrial temperature range. It is demonstrated that the control algorithm based on the thermoresistor on the substrate and the lookup table for heating voltage versus chip temperature is sufficiently accurate to achieve a frequency stability of  ±0.5 ppm over the industrial temperature range. Because only two leads are required for electrical heating and piezoresistive sensing, the power required for heating of this resonator can be potentially lower than that of the oscillators with closed-loop oven control algorithm. It is also shown that the phase noise can be suppressed at the turnover temperature because of the very low value of the TCF, which justifies the usage of the heating voltage as the excitation voltage of the Wheatstone half-bridge.

  9. Piezoelectricity above the Curie temperature? Combining flexoelectricity and functional grading to enable high-temperature electromechanical coupling

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

    Mbarki, R.; Baccam, N.; Dayal, Kaushik

    Most technologically relevant ferroelectrics typically lose piezoelectricity above the Curie temperature. This limits their use to relatively low temperatures. In this Letter, exploiting a combination of flexoelectricity and simple functional grading, we propose a strategy for high-temperature electromechanical coupling in a standard thin film configuration. We use continuum modeling to quantitatively demonstrate the possibility of achieving apparent piezoelectric materials with large and temperature-stable electromechanical coupling across a wide temperature range that extends significantly above the Curie temperature. With Barium and Strontium Titanate, as example materials, a significant electromechanical coupling that is potentially temperature-stable up to 900 °C is possible.

  10. Responses of plant growth and metabolism to environmental variables predicted from laboratory measurements

    Treesearch

    Lee D. Hansen; Bruce N. Smith; Richard S. Criddle; J. N. Church

    2001-01-01

    The Arrhenius activation energies, and therefore temperature coefficients, for rates of catabolic production of ATP and for anabolic use of ATP differ. Because the intracellular concentration of ATP and the phosphorylation potential must be controlled within a narrow range for cell survival, a mechanism must exist to balance these rates during temperature variation in...

  11. Thermal experiments with the Asian bush mosquito (Aedes japonicus japonicus) (Diptera: Culicidae) and implications for its distribution in Germany.

    PubMed

    Reuss, Friederike; Wieser, Andreas; Niamir, Aidin; Bálint, Miklós; Kuch, Ulrich; Pfenninger, Markus; Müller, Ruth

    2018-02-05

    As ectothermic animals, temperature influences insects in almost every aspect. The potential disease spreading Asian bush mosquito (Aedes japonicus japonicus) is native to temperate East Asia but invasive in several parts of the world. We report on the previously poorly understood temperature-dependence of its life history under laboratory conditions to understand invasion processes and to model temperature niches. To evaluate winter survival, eggs were exposed between 1 day and 14 days to low temperatures (5 °C, 0 °C, -5 °C and -9 °C). Hatching success was drastically decreased after exposure to 0 °C and -5 °C, and the minimal hatching success of 0% was reached at -9 °C after two days. We then exposed larvae to 14 temperatures and assessed their life trait parameters. Larval survival to adulthood was only possible between 10 °C and 31 °C. Based on this, we modelled the optimal (25 °C), minimal (7 °C) and maximal (31 °C) temperature for cumulative female survival. The time to adult emergence ranges from 12 days to 58 days depending on temperature. We used an age-at-emergence-temperature model to calculate the number of potential generations per year for the Asian bush mosquito in Germany with an average of 4.72 potential generations. At lower temperatures, individuals grew larger than at higher temperatures with female R1 length ranging from 3.04 ± 0.1 mm at 31 °C to 4.26 ± 0.2 mm at 15 °C. Reduced egg hatch after exposure to sub-zero temperatures prohibits the establishment of the Asian bush mosquito in large parts of Germany. Larval overwintering is not possible at temperature ≤ 5 °C. The many potential generations displayed per year may contribute to the species' invasion success. This study on the thermal ecology of the Asian bush mosquito adds to our knowledge on the temperature dependence of the species and data could be incorporated in epidemiological and population dynamic modelling.

  12. Photoluminescence and compositional-structural properties of ion-beam sputter deposited Er-doped TiO2-xNx films: Their potential as a temperature sensor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Scoca, D.; Morales, M.; Merlo, R.; Alvarez, F.; Zanatta, A. R.

    2015-05-01

    Er-doped TiO2-xNx films were grown by Ar+ ion-beam sputtering a Ti + Er target under different N2 + O2 high-purity atmospheres. The compositional-structural properties of the samples were investigated after thermal annealing the films up to 1000 °C under a flow of oxygen. Sample characterization included x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, grazing incidence x-ray diffraction, Raman scattering, and photoluminescence experiments. According to the experimental data, both composition and atomic structure of the samples were very sensitive to the growth conditions and annealing temperature. In the as-deposited form, the N-rich TiO2-xNx films presented TiN crystallites and no photoluminescence. As the thermal treatments proceed, the films were transformed into TiO2 and Er3+-related light emission were observed in the visible and near-infrared ranges at room-temperature. Whereas the development of TiO2 occurred due to the insertion-diffusion of oxygen in the films, light emission originated because of optical bandgap widening and/or structural-chemical variations in the vicinity of the Er3+ ions. Finally, the photoluminescence results in the visible range suggested the potential of the present samples in producing an optically based temperature sensor in the ˜150-500 K range.

  13. A Brief Review of the Need for Robust Smart Wireless Sensor Systems for Future Propulsion Systems, Distributed Engine Controls, and Propulsion Health Management

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hunter, Gary W.; Behbahani, Alireza

    2012-01-01

    Smart Sensor Systems with wireless capability operational in high temperature, harsh environments are a significant component in enabling future propulsion systems to meet a range of increasingly demanding requirements. These propulsion systems must incorporate technology that will monitor engine component conditions, analyze the incoming data, and modify operating parameters to optimize propulsion system operations. This paper discusses the motivation towards the development of high temperature, smart wireless sensor systems that include sensors, electronics, wireless communication, and power. The challenges associated with the use of traditional wired sensor systems will be reviewed and potential advantages of Smart Sensor Systems will be discussed. A brief review of potential applications for wireless smart sensor networks and their potential impact on propulsion system operation, with emphasis on Distributed Engine Control and Propulsion Health Management, will be given. A specific example related to the development of high temperature Smart Sensor Systems based on silicon carbide electronics will be discussed. It is concluded that the development of a range of robust smart wireless sensor systems are a foundation for future development of intelligent propulsion systems with enhanced capabilities.

  14. An Accurate Temperature Correction Model for Thermocouple Hygrometers 1

    PubMed Central

    Savage, Michael J.; Cass, Alfred; de Jager, James M.

    1982-01-01

    Numerous water relation studies have used thermocouple hygrometers routinely. However, the accurate temperature correction of hygrometer calibration curve slopes seems to have been largely neglected in both psychrometric and dewpoint techniques. In the case of thermocouple psychrometers, two temperature correction models are proposed, each based on measurement of the thermojunction radius and calculation of the theoretical voltage sensitivity to changes in water potential. The first model relies on calibration at a single temperature and the second at two temperatures. Both these models were more accurate than the temperature correction models currently in use for four psychrometers calibrated over a range of temperatures (15-38°C). The model based on calibration at two temperatures is superior to that based on only one calibration. The model proposed for dewpoint hygrometers is similar to that for psychrometers. It is based on the theoretical voltage sensitivity to changes in water potential. Comparison with empirical data from three dewpoint hygrometers calibrated at four different temperatures indicates that these instruments need only be calibrated at, e.g. 25°C, if the calibration slopes are corrected for temperature. PMID:16662241

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

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Murthy, V. Rama

    1992-01-01

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

  16. Single-residue molecular switch for high-temperature dependence of vanilloid receptor TRPV3

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Beiying; Qin, Feng

    2017-01-01

    Thermal transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, a group of ion channels from the transient receptor potential family, play important functions in pain and thermal sensation. These channels are directly activated by temperature and possess strong temperature dependence. Furthermore, their temperature sensitivity can be highly dynamic and use-dependent. For example, the vanilloid receptor transient receptor potential 3 (TRPV3), which has been implicated as a warmth detector, becomes responsive to warm temperatures only after intensive stimulation. Upon initial activation, the channel exhibits a high-temperature threshold in the noxious temperature range above 50 °C. This use dependence of heat sensitivity thus provides a mechanism for sensitization of thermal channels. However, how the channels acquire the use dependence remains unknown. Here, by comparative studies of chimeric channels between use-dependent and use-independent homologs, we have determined the molecular basis that underlies the use dependence of temperature sensitivity of TRPV3. Remarkably, the restoration of a single residue that is apparently missing in the use-dependent homologs could largely eliminate the use dependence of heat sensitivity of TRPV3. The location of the region suggests a mechanism of temperature-dependent gating of thermal TRP channels involving an intracellular region assembled around the TRP domain. PMID:28154143

  17. Estimating future temperature maxima in lakes across the United States using a surrogate modeling approach

    PubMed Central

    Zi, Tan; Schmidt, Michelle; Johnson, Thomas E.; Nover, Daniel M.; Clark, Christopher M.

    2017-01-01

    A warming climate increases thermal inputs to lakes with potential implications for water quality and aquatic ecosystems. In a previous study, we used a dynamic water column temperature and mixing simulation model to simulate chronic (7-day average) maximum temperatures under a range of potential future climate projections at selected sites representative of different U.S. regions. Here, to extend results to lakes where dynamic models have not been developed, we apply a novel machine learning approach that uses Gaussian Process regression to describe the model response surface as a function of simplified lake characteristics (depth, surface area, water clarity) and climate forcing (winter and summer air temperatures and potential evapotranspiration). We use this approach to extrapolate predictions from the simulation model to the statistical sample of U.S. lakes in the National Lakes Assessment (NLA) database. Results provide a national-scale scoping assessment of the potential thermal risk to lake water quality and ecosystems across the U.S. We suggest a small fraction of lakes will experience less risk of summer thermal stress events due to changes in stratification and mixing dynamics, but most will experience increases. The percentage of lakes in the NLA with simulated 7-day average maximum water temperatures in excess of 30°C is projected to increase from less than 2% to approximately 22% by the end of the 21st century, which could significantly reduce the number of lakes that can support cold water fisheries. Site-specific analysis of the full range of factors that influence thermal profiles in individual lakes is needed to develop appropriate adaptation strategies. PMID:29121058

  18. Determination and experimental verification of high-temperature SAW orientations on langatate.

    PubMed

    Davulis, Peter M; da Cunha, Mauricio Pereira

    2012-02-01

    Langatate (LGT) is a member of the langasite family of crystals appropriate for high-temperature frequency control and sensing applications. This paper identifies multiple LGT SAW orientations for use at high temperature, specifically in the 400°C to 900°C range. Orientations with low sensitivity to temperature are desired for frequency control devices and many sensors, conversely large temperature sensitivity is a benefit for temperature sensors. The LGT SAW temperature behavior has been calculated for orientations sweeping the Euler angles (0°, Θ, ψ), (90°, Θ, ψ), and (ψ, 90°, ψ), based on newly identified high-temperature elastic constants and temperature coefficients for this material. The temperature coefficient of delay (TCD) and total frequency change over the temperature range were analyzed from 400°C to 900°C. Multiple SAW orientations were identified with zero-TCD between 400°C and 500°C. Although no orientations that have turn-over temperatures above 500°C were identified, several have low frequency variation with temperature, of the order of -0.8% over the range 400°C to 800°C. Temperature-sensitive orientations with TCD up to 75 ppm/°C at 900°C were identified, with potential for high-temperature sensor applications. The reported predictions are shown to agree with measured behavior of LGT SAW delay lines fabricated along 6 orientations in the (90°, 23°, ψ) plane. In addition, this work demonstrates that concurrently operated LGT SAW devices fabricated on the same wafer provide means of temperature sensing. In particular, the measured frequency difference between delay lines oriented along (90°, 23°, 0°) and (90°, 23°, 48°) has fractional temperature sensitivity that ranges from -172 ppm/°C at 25°C to -205 ppm/°C at 900°C.

  19. Copolymer Networks From Oligo(ε-caprolactone) and n-Butyl Acrylate Enable a Reversible Bidirectional Shape-Memory Effect at Human Body Temperature.

    PubMed

    Saatchi, Mersa; Behl, Marc; Nöchel, Ulrich; Lendlein, Andreas

    2015-05-01

    Exploiting the tremendous potential of the recently discovered reversible bidirectional shape-memory effect (rbSME) for biomedical applications requires switching temperatures in the physiological range. The recent strategy is based on the reduction of the melting temperature range (ΔT m ) of the actuating oligo(ε-caprolactone) (OCL) domains in copolymer networks from OCL and n-butyl acrylate (BA), where the reversible effect can be adjusted to the human body temperature. In addition, it is investigated whether an rbSME in the temperature range close or even above Tm,offset (end of the melting transition) can be obtained. Two series of networks having mixtures of OCLs reveal broad ΔTm s from 2 °C to 50 °C and from -10 °C to 37 °C, respectively. In cyclic, thermomechanical experiments the rbSME can be tailored to display pronounced actuation in a temperature interval between 20 °C and 37 °C. In this way, the application spectrum of the rbSME can be extended to biomedical applications. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  20. Programmable Quantitative DNA Nanothermometers.

    PubMed

    Gareau, David; Desrosiers, Arnaud; Vallée-Bélisle, Alexis

    2016-07-13

    Developing molecules, switches, probes or nanomaterials that are able to respond to specific temperature changes should prove of utility for several applications in nanotechnology. Here, we describe bioinspired strategies to design DNA thermoswitches with programmable linear response ranges that can provide either a precise ultrasensitive response over a desired, small temperature interval (±0.05 °C) or an extended linear response over a wide temperature range (e.g., from 25 to 90 °C). Using structural modifications or inexpensive DNA stabilizers, we show that we can tune the transition midpoints of DNA thermometers from 30 to 85 °C. Using multimeric switch architectures, we are able to create ultrasensitive thermometers that display large quantitative fluorescence gains within small temperature variation (e.g., > 700% over 10 °C). Using a combination of thermoswitches of different stabilities or a mix of stabilizers of various strengths, we can create extended thermometers that respond linearly up to 50 °C in temperature range. Here, we demonstrate the reversibility, robustness, and efficiency of these programmable DNA thermometers by monitoring temperature change inside individual wells during polymerase chain reactions. We discuss the potential applications of these programmable DNA thermoswitches in various nanotechnology fields including cell imaging, nanofluidics, nanomedecine, nanoelectronics, nanomaterial, and synthetic biology.

  1. Increasing sea surface temperature and range shifts of intertidal gastropods along the Iberian Peninsula

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rubal, Marcos; Veiga, Puri; Cacabelos, Eva; Moreira, Juan; Sousa-Pinto, Isabel

    2013-03-01

    There are well-documented changes in abundance and geographical range of intertidal invertebrates related to climate change at north Europe. However, the effect of sea surface warming on intertidal invertebrates has been poorly studied at lower latitudes. Here we analyze potential changes in the abundance patterns and distribution range of rocky intertidal gastropods related to climate change along the Iberian Peninsula. To achieve this aim, the spatial distribution and range of sub-tropical, warm- and cold-water species of intertidal gastropods was explored by a fully hierarchical sampling design considering four different spatial scales, i.e. from region (100 s of km apart) to quadrats (ms apart). Variability on their patterns of abundance was explored by analysis of variance, changes on their distribution ranges were detected by comparing with previous records and their relationship with sea water temperature was explored by rank correlation analyses. Mean values of sea surface temperature along the Iberian coast, between 1949 and 2010, were obtained from in situ data compiled for three different grid squares: south Portugal, north Portugal, and Galicia. Lusitanian species did not show significant correlation with sea water temperature or changes on their distributional range or abundance, along the temperature gradient considered. The sub-tropical species Siphonaria pectinata has, however, increased its distribution range while boreal cold-water species showed the opposite pattern. The latter was more evident for Littorina littorea that was almost absent from the studied rocky shores of the Iberian Peninsula. Sub-tropical and boreal species showed significant but opposite correlation with sea water temperature. We hypothesized that the energetic cost of frequent exposures to sub-lethal temperatures might be responsible for these shifts. Therefore, intertidal gastropods at the Atlantic Iberian Peninsula coast are responding to the effect of global warming as it is happening at higher latitudes. However, the identity of the species showing changes in their range of distribution was different.

  2. Updates to Enhanced Geothermal System Resource Potential Estimate

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

    Augustine, Chad

    The deep EGS electricity generation resource potential estimate maintained by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory was updated using the most recent temperature-at-depth maps available from the Southern Methodist University Geothermal Laboratory. The previous study dates back to 2011 and was developed using the original temperature-at-depth maps showcased in the 2006 MIT Future of Geothermal Energy report. The methodology used to update the deep EGS resource potential is the same as in the previous study and is summarized in the paper. The updated deep EGS resource potential estimate was calculated for depths between 3 and 7 km and is binned inmore » 25 degrees C increments. The updated deep EGS electricity generation resource potential estimate is 4,349 GWe. A comparison of the estimates from the previous and updated studies shows a net increase of 117 GWe in the 3-7 km depth range, due mainly to increases in the underlying temperature-at-depth estimates from the updated maps.« less

  3. Update to Enhanced Geothermal System Resource Potential Estimate: Preprint

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

    Augustine, Chad

    2016-10-01

    The deep EGS electricity generation resource potential estimate maintained by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory was updated using the most recent temperature-at-depth maps available from the Southern Methodist University Geothermal Laboratory. The previous study dates back to 2011 and was developed using the original temperature-at-depth maps showcased in the 2006 MIT Future of Geothermal Energy report. The methodology used to update the deep EGS resource potential is the same as in the previous study and is summarized in the paper. The updated deep EGS resource potential estimate was calculated for depths between 3 and 7 km and is binned inmore » 25 degrees C increments. The updated deep EGS electricity generation resource potential estimate is 4,349 GWe. A comparison of the estimates from the previous and updated studies shows a net increase of 117 GWe in the 3-7 km depth range, due mainly to increases in the underlying temperature-at-depth estimates from the updated maps.« less

  4. Phase I: energy conservation potential of Portland Cement particle size distribution control. Progress report, November 1978-January 1979

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

    Helmuth, R.A.

    1979-03-01

    Progress is reported on the energy conservation potential of Portland cement particle size distribution control. Results of preliminary concrete tests, Series IIIa and Series IIIb, effects of particle size ranges on strength and drying shrinkage, are presented. Series IV, effects of mixing and curing temperature, tests compare the properties of several good particle size controlled cements with normally ground cements at low and high temperatures. The work on the effects of high alkali and high sulfate clinker cements (Series V) has begun.

  5. Ab initio calculation of the shear viscosity of neon in the liquid and hypercritical state over a wide pressure and temperature range

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Eggenberger, Rolf; Gerber, Stefan; Huber, Hanspeter; Searles, Debra; Welker, Marc

    1992-08-01

    The shear viscosity is calculated ab initio for the liquid and hypercritical state, i.e. a previously published potential for Ne 2, obtained from ab initio calculations including electron correlation, is used in classical equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations to obtain the shear viscosity from a Green-Kubo integral. The quality of the results is quite uniform over a large pressure range up to 1000 MPa and a wide temperature range from 26 to 600 K. In most cases the calculated shear viscosity deviates by less than 10% from the experimental value, in general the error being only a few percent.

  6. Has contemporary climate change played a role in population declines of the lizard Ctenophorus decresii from semi-arid Australia?

    PubMed

    Walker, Samantha; Stuart-Fox, Devi; Kearney, Michael R

    2015-12-01

    Whilst contemporary climatic changes are small in magnitude compared to those predicted for the coming decades, they have already been linked to species range shifts and local extinctions. Elucidating the drivers behind species' responses to contemporary climate change will better inform management strategies for vulnerable and pest species alike. A recent proposal to explain worldwide local extinctions in lizards is that increasing maximum temperatures have constrained lizard activity time in the breeding season beyond extinction thresholds. Here we document a significant population decline and potential local extinction at the warm (northern) range margin of the tawny dragon, Ctenophorus decresii, a rock-dwelling lizard from the Flinders Ranges in semi-arid Australia. We developed and tested a biophysical model of tawny dragon thermoregulatory behaviour and drove the model with daily weather data for the period 1990-2009 across the Flinders Ranges. Our results indicate that potential annual activity time has likely increased over this period throughout the historic range, with within-season declines only in the summer months at the northern range limit. However, populations that have declined since 2000 have also likely experienced higher active body temperatures and more stringent retreat-site requirements (deeper crevices) than have regions where the species remains common, during a period of declining rainfall. Our laboratory estimates of thermal preference in this species were insensitive to altered nutritional and hydric state. Thus it is possible that recent population declines are linked to desiccation stress driven by higher body temperatures and declining rainfall. Our study illustrates that simple indices of the impact of climate warming on animals, such as activity restriction, may in fact reflect a variety of potential mechanisms whose ultimate outcome will be contingent on other factors such as water and shelter availability. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Temperature Dependence of the Thermal Conductivity of Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Osman, Mohamed A.; Srivastava, Deepak

    2000-01-01

    The thermal conductivity of several single wall carbon nanotubes (CNT) has been calculated over a temperature range of 100-500 K using molecular dynamics simulations with Tersoff-Brenner potential for C-C interactions. In all cases, starting from similar values at 100K, thermal conductivities show a peaking behavior before falling off at higher temperatures. The peak position shifts to higher temperatures for nanotubes of larger diameter, and no significant dependence on the tube chirality is observed. It is shown that this phenomenon is due to onset of Umklapp scattering, which shifts to higher temperatures for nanotubes of larger diameter.

  8. Identifying potential effects of climate change on the development of water resources in Pinios River Basin, Central Greece

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Arampatzis, G.; Panagopoulos, A.; Pisinaras, V.; Tziritis, E.; Wendland, F.

    2018-05-01

    The aim of the present study is to assess the future spatial and temporal distribution of precipitation and temperature, and relate the corresponding change to water resources' quantitative status in Pinios River Basin (PRB), Thessaly, Greece. For this purpose, data from four Regional Climate Models (RCMs) for the periods 2021-2100 driven by several General Circulation Models (GCMs) were collected and bias-correction was performed based on linear scaling method. The bias-correction was made based on monthly precipitation and temperature data collected for the period 1981-2000 from 57 meteorological stations in total. The results indicate a general trend according to which precipitation is decreasing whilst temperature is increasing to an extent that varies depending on each particular RCM-GCM output. On the average, annual precipitation change for the period 2021-2100 was about - 80 mm, ranging between - 149 and + 35 mm, while the corresponding change for temperature was 2.81 °C, ranging between 1.48 and 3.72 °C. The investigation of potential impacts to the water resources demonstrates that water availability is expected to be significantly decreased in the already water-stressed PRB. The water stresses identified are related to the potential decreasing trend in groundwater recharge and the increasing trend in irrigation demand, which constitutes the major water consumer in PRB.

  9. [Predictions of potential geographical distribution of Alhagi sparsifolia under climate change].

    PubMed

    Yang, Xia; Zheng, Jiang-Hua; Mu, Chen; Lin, Jun

    2017-02-01

    Specific information on geographic distribution of a species is important for its conservation. This study was conducted to determine the potential geographic distribution of Alhagi sparsifolia, which is a plant used in traditional Uighur medicine, and predict how climate change would affect its geographic range. The potential geographic distribution of A. sparsifolia under the current conditions in China was simulated with MaxEnt software based on species presence data at 42 locations and 19 climatic variables. The future distributions of A. sparsifolia were also projected in 2050 and 2070 under the climate change scenarios of RCP2.6 and RCP8.5 described in 5th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).The result showed that mean temperature of the coldest quarter, annual mean temperature, precipitation of the coldest quarter, annual precipitation, precipitation of the wettest month, mean temperature of the wettest quarter and the temperature annual range were the seven climatic factors influencing the geographic distribution of A. sparsifolia under current climate, the suitable habitats are mainly located in the Xinjiang, in the middle and north of Gansu, in the west of Neimeng, in the north of Nei Monggol. From 2050 to 2070, the model simulations indicated that the suitable habitats of A. sparsifolia would decrease under the climate change scenarios of RCP2.6 and scenarios of RCP8.5 on the whole. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

  10. Yttrium orthoaluminate nanoperovskite doped with Tm3+ ions as upconversion optical temperature sensor in the near-infrared region.

    PubMed

    Hernández-Rodriguez, M A; Lozano-Gorrín, A D; Lavín, V; Rodríguez-Mendoza, U R; Martín, I R

    2017-10-30

    The thermal sensing capability of the Tm 3+ -doped yttrium orthoaluminate nanoperovskite in the infrared range, synthetized by a sol-gel method, was studied. The temperature dependence of the infrared upconverted emission bands located at around 705 nm ( 3 F 2,3 → 3 H 6 ) and 800 nm ( 3 H 4 → 3 H 6 ) of YAP: Tm 3+ nanoperovskite under excitation at 1210 nm was analyzed from RT up to 425 K. Calibration of the optical sensor has been made using the fluorescence intensity ratio technique, showing a high sensitivity in the near-infrared compared to other trivalent rare-earth based optical sensors working in the same range. In addition, a second calibration procedure of the YAP: Tm 3+ optical sensor was performed by using the FIR technique on the emission band associated to the 3 H 4 → 3 H 6 transition in the physiological temperature range (293-333 K), showing a very high relative sensitivity compared with other rare-earth based optical temperature sensors working in the physiological range. Moreover, the main advantage compared with other optical sensors is that the excitation source and the upconverted emissions do not overlap, since they lie in different biological windows, thus allowing its potential use as an optical temperature probe in the near-infrared range for biological applications.

  11. Kinetics study of the CN + CH4 hydrogen abstraction reaction based on a new ab initio analytical full-dimensional potential energy surface.

    PubMed

    Espinosa-Garcia, Joaquin; Rangel, Cipriano; Suleimanov, Yury V

    2017-07-26

    We have developed an analytical full-dimensional potential energy surface, named PES-2017, for the gas-phase hydrogen abstraction reaction between the cyano radical and methane. This surface is fitted using high-level ab initio information as input. Using the PES-2017 surface, a kinetics study was performed via two theoretical approaches: variational transition-state theory with multidimensional tunnelling (VTST-MT) and ring polymer molecular dynamics (RPMD). The results are compared with the experimental data. In the whole temperature range analysed, 300-1500 K, both theories agree within a factor of <2, reproducing the experimental behaviour taking into account the experimental uncertainties. At high temperatures, where the recrossing effects dominate and the RPMD theory is exact, both theories differ by a factor of about 20%; while at low temperatures this difference is larger, 45%. Note that in this temperature regime, the tunnelling effect is negligible. The CN + CH 4 /CD 4 kinetic isotope effects are important, reproducing the scarce experimental evidence. The good agreement with the ab initio information used in the fitting process (self-consistency test) and with the kinetic behaviour in a wide temperature range gives confidence and strength to the new surface.

  12. Evidence for organic synthesis in high temperature aqueous media - facts and prognosis

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Simoneit, Bernd R. T.

    1995-01-01

    Hydrothermal systems are common along the active tectonic areas of the earth. Potential sites being studied for organic matter alteration and possible organic synthesis are spreading ridges, off-axis systems, back-arc activity, hot spots, volcanism, and subduction. Organic matter alteration, primarily reductive and generally from immature organic detritus, occurs in these high temperature and rapid fluid flow hydrothermal regimes. Hot circulating water (temperature range - warm to greater than 400 C) is responsible for these molecular alterations, expulsion and migration. Compounds that are obviously synthesized are minor components because they are generally masked by the pyrolysis products formed from contemporary natural organic precursors. The reactivity of organic compounds in hot water (200-350 C) has been studied in autoclaves, and supercritical water as a medium for chemistry has also been evaluated. This high temperature aqueous organic chemistry and the strong reducing conditions of the natural systems suggest this as an important route to produce organic compounds on the primitive earth. Thus a better understanding of the potential syntheses of organic compounds in hydrothermal systems will require investigations of the chemistry of condensation, autocatalysis, catalysis and hydrolysis reactions in aqueous mineral buffered systems over a range of temperatures from warm to greater than 400 C.

  13. Lattice Thermal Conductivity of Ultra High Temperature Ceramics ZrB2 and HfB2 from Atomistic Simulations

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lawson, John W.; Murray, Daw S.; Bauschlicher, Charles W., Jr.

    2011-01-01

    Atomistic Green-Kubo simulations are performed to evaluate the lattice thermal conductivity for single crystals of the ultra high temperature ceramics ZrB2 and HfB2 for a range of temperatures. Recently developed interatomic potentials are used for these simulations. Heat current correlation functions show rapid oscillations which can be identified with mixed metal-Boron optical phonon modes. Agreement with available experimental data is good.

  14. Ultrasensitive, Biocompatible, Self-Calibrating, Multiparametric Temperature Sensors.

    PubMed

    Zhao, Haiguang; Vomiero, Alberto; Rosei, Federico

    2015-11-18

    Core-shell quantum dots serve as self-calibrating, ultrasensitive, multiparametric, near-infrared, and biocompatible temperature sensors. They allow temperature measurement with nanometer accuracy in the range 150-373 K, the broadest ever recorded for a nanothermometer, with sensitivities among the highest ever reported, which makes them essentially unique in the panorama of biocompatible nanothermometers with potential for in vivo biological thermal imaging and/or thermoablative therapy. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  15. Thermomechanical Processing of Structural Steels with Dilute Niobium Additions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cui, Z.; Patel, J.; Palmiere, E. J.

    The recrystallisation behaviour of medium carbon steels with dilute Nb addition was investigated by means of plane strain compression tests and the observation of prior austenite microstructures during different deformation conditions. It was found that complete suppression of recrystallisation did not occur in the deformation temperature range investigated. At lower deformation temperatures, partial recrystallisation occurred in the higher Nb sample. This gives the potential to obtain a full suppression of recrystallisation at lower deformation temperatures.

  16. Liquid crystal 'blue phases' with a wide temperature range.

    PubMed

    Coles, Harry J; Pivnenko, Mikhail N

    2005-08-18

    Liquid crystal 'blue phases' are highly fluid self-assembled three-dimensional cubic defect structures that exist over narrow temperature ranges in highly chiral liquid crystals. The characteristic period of these defects is of the order of the wavelength of visible light, and they give rise to vivid specular reflections that are controllable with external fields. Blue phases may be considered as examples of tuneable photonic crystals with many potential applications. The disadvantage of these materials, as predicted theoretically and proved experimentally, is that they have limited thermal stability: they exist over a small temperature range (0.5-2 degrees C) between isotropic and chiral nematic (N*) thermotropic phases, which limits their practical applicability. Here we report a generic family of liquid crystals that demonstrate an unusually broad body-centred cubic phase (BP I*) from 60 degrees C down to 16 degrees C. We prove this with optical texture analysis, selective reflection spectroscopy, Kössel diagrams and differential scanning calorimetry, and show, using a simple polarizer-free electro-optic cell, that the reflected colour is switched reversibly in applied electric fields over a wide colour range in typically 10 ms. We propose that the unusual behaviour of these blue phase materials is due to their dimeric molecular structure and their very high flexoelectric coefficients. This in turn sets out new theoretical challenges and potentially opens up new photonic applications.

  17. Effects of Lower Drying-Storage Temperature on the Ductility of High-Burnup PWR Cladding

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

    Billone, M. C.; Burtseva, T. A.

    2016-08-30

    The purpose of this research effort is to determine the effects of canister and/or cask drying and storage on radial hydride precipitation in, and potential embrittlement of, high-burnup (HBU) pressurized water reactor (PWR) cladding alloys during cooling for a range of peak drying-storage temperatures (PCT) and hoop stresses. Extensive precipitation of radial hydrides could lower the failure hoop stresses and strains, relative to limits established for as-irradiated cladding from discharged fuel rods stored in pools, at temperatures below the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature (DBTT).

  18. Comparison of interpretation methods of thermocouple psychrometer readouts

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Guz, Łukasz; Majerek, Dariusz; Sobczuk, Henryk; Guz, Ewa; Połednik, Bernard

    2017-07-01

    Thermocouple psychrometers allow to determine the water potential, which can be easily recalculated into relative humidity of air in cavity of porous materials. The available typical measuring range of probe is very narrow. The lower limit of water potential measurements is about -200 kPa. On the other hand, the upper limit is approximately equal to -7000 kPa and depends on many factors. These paper presents a comparison of two interpretation methods of thermocouple microvolt output regarding: i) amplitude of voltage during wet-bulb temperature depression, ii) field under microvolt output curve. Previous results of experiments indicate that there is a robust correlation between water potential and field under microvolt output curve. In order to obtain correct results of water potential, each probe should be calibrated. The range of NaCl salt solutions with molality from 0.75M to 2.25M was used for calibration, which enable to obtain the osmotic potential from -3377 kPa to -10865 kPa. During measurements was applied 5mA heating current over a span 5 s and 5 mA cooling current aver a span 30s. The conducted study proves that using only different interpretation method based on field under microvolt output it is possible to achieve about 1000 kPa wider range of water potential. The average relative mean square error (RMSE) of this interpretation method is 1199 kPa while voltage amplitude based method yields average RMSE equaling 1378 kPa during calibration in temperature not stabilized conditions.

  19. Free cooling phase-diagram of hard-spheres with short- and long-range interactions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gonzalez, S.; Thornton, A. R.; Luding, S.

    2014-10-01

    We study the stability, the clustering and the phase-diagram of free cooling granular gases. The systems consist of mono-disperse particles with additional non-contact (long-range) interactions, and are simulated here by the event-driven molecular dynamics algorithm with discrete (short-range shoulders or wells) potentials (in both 2D and 3D). Astonishingly good agreement is found with a mean field theory, where only the energy dissipation term is modified to account for both repulsive or attractive non-contact interactions. Attractive potentials enhance cooling and structure formation (clustering), whereas repulsive potentials reduce it, as intuition suggests. The system evolution is controlled by a single parameter: the non-contact potential strength scaled by the fluctuation kinetic energy (granular temperature). When this is small, as expected, the classical homogeneous cooling state is found. However, if the effective dissipation is strong enough, structure formation proceeds, before (in the repulsive case) non-contact forces get strong enough to undo the clustering (due to the ongoing dissipation of granular temperature). For both repulsive and attractive potentials, in the homogeneous regime, the cooling shows a universal behaviour when the (inverse) control parameter is used as evolution variable instead of time. The transition to a non-homogeneous regime, as predicted by stability analysis, is affected by both dissipation and potential strength. This can be cast into a phase diagram where the system changes with time, which leaves open many challenges for future research.

  20. Temperature measurements during high flux ion beam irradiations

    DOE PAGES

    Crespillo, Miguel L.; Graham, Joseph T.; Zhang, Yanwen; ...

    2016-02-16

    A systematic study of the ion beam heating effect was performed in a temperature range of –170 to 900 °C using a 10 MeV Au 3+ ion beam and a Yttria stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) sample at a flux of 5.5 × 10 12 cm –2 s –1. Different geometric configurations of beam, sample, thermocouple positioning, and sample holder were compared to understand the heat/charge transport mechanisms responsible for the observed temperature increase. The beam heating exhibited a strong dependence on the background (initial) sample temperature with the largest temperature increases occurring at cryogenic temperatures and decreasing with increasing temperature. Comparisonmore » with numerical calculations suggests that the observed heating effect is, in reality, a predominantly electronic effect and the true temperature rise is small. Furthermore, a simple model was developed to explain this electronic effect in terms of an electrostatic potential that forms during ion irradiation. Such an artificial beam heating effect is potentially problematic in thermostated ion irradiation and ion beamanalysis apparatus, as the operation of temperature feedback systems can be significantly distorted by this effect.« less

  1. Crosslinked polyarylene ether nitrile film as flexible dielectric materials with ultrahigh thermal stability.

    PubMed

    Yang, Ruiqi; Wei, Renbo; Li, Kui; Tong, Lifen; Jia, Kun; Liu, Xiaobo

    2016-11-09

    Dielectric film with ultrahigh thermal stability based on crosslinked polyarylene ether nitrile is prepared and characterized. The film is obtained by solution-casting of polyarylene ether nitrile terminated phthalonitrile (PEN-Ph) combined with post self-crosslinking at high temperature. The film shows a 5% decomposition temperature over 520 °C and a glass transition temperature (T g ) around 386 °C. Stable dielectric constant and low dielectric loss are observed for this film in the frequency range of 100-200 kHz and in the temperature range of 25-300 °C. The temperature coefficient of dielectric constant is less than 0.001 °C -1 even at 400 °C. By cycling heating and cooling up to ten times or heating at 300 °C for 12 h, the film shows good reversibility and robustness of the dielectric properties. This crosslinked PEN film will be a potential candidate as high performance film capacitor electronic devices materials used at high temperature.

  2. Magnetic, structural and magnetocaloric properties of Ni-Si and Ni-Al thermoseeds for self-controlled hyperthermia.

    PubMed

    Pandey, Sudip; Quetz, Abdiel; Aryal, Anil; Dubenko, Igor; Mazumdar, Dipanjan; Stadler, Shane; Ali, Naushad

    2017-11-01

    Self-controlled hyperthermia is a non-invasive technique used to kill or destroy cancer cells while preserving normal surrounding tissues. We have explored bulk magnetic Ni-Si and Ni-Al alloys as a potential thermoseeds. The structural, magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of the samples were investigated, including saturation magnetisation, Curie temperature (T C ), and magnetic and thermal hysteresis, using room temperature X-ray diffraction and magnetometry. The annealing time, temperature and the effects of homogenising the thermoseeds were studied to determine the functional hyperthermia applications. The bulk Ni-Si and Ni-Al binary alloys have Curie temperatures in the desired range, 316 K-319 K (43 °C-46 °C), which is suitable for magnetic hyperthermia applications. We have found that T C strictly follows a linear trend with doping concentration over a wide range of temperature. The magnetic ordering temperature and the magnetic properties can be controlled through substitution in these binary alloys.

  3. Crosslinked polyarylene ether nitrile film as flexible dielectric materials with ultrahigh thermal stability

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yang, Ruiqi; Wei, Renbo; Li, Kui; Tong, Lifen; Jia, Kun; Liu, Xiaobo

    2016-11-01

    Dielectric film with ultrahigh thermal stability based on crosslinked polyarylene ether nitrile is prepared and characterized. The film is obtained by solution-casting of polyarylene ether nitrile terminated phthalonitrile (PEN-Ph) combined with post self-crosslinking at high temperature. The film shows a 5% decomposition temperature over 520 °C and a glass transition temperature (Tg) around 386 °C. Stable dielectric constant and low dielectric loss are observed for this film in the frequency range of 100-200 kHz and in the temperature range of 25-300 °C. The temperature coefficient of dielectric constant is less than 0.001 °C-1 even at 400 °C. By cycling heating and cooling up to ten times or heating at 300 °C for 12 h, the film shows good reversibility and robustness of the dielectric properties. This crosslinked PEN film will be a potential candidate as high performance film capacitor electronic devices materials used at high temperature.

  4. Thermoelectric properties of 2H-CuGaO2 for device applications: A first principle TB-mBJ potential study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bhamu, K. C.; Praveen, C. S.

    2017-12-01

    Here we report the structural, electronic, optical, and thermoelectric properties of delafossite type 2H-CuGaO2 using first principles calculations. The present calculation predict an indirect band gap of 1.20 eV and a direct band gap of 3.48 eV. A detailed analysis of the electronic structure is provided based on atom and orbital projected density of states. Frequency dependent dielectric functions, refractive index, and absorption coefficient as a function of photon energy are discussed. The thermoelectric properties with power factor, and the figure of merit are reported as a function of chemical potential in the region ± 0.195 (μ -EF) eV at constant temperature of 300 and 800 K. The thermoelectric properties shows that 2H-CuGaO2 could be potential candidate for engineering devises operating at high temperature for the chemical potential in the range of ± 0.055 (μ -EF) eV and beyond this range the thermoelectric performance of 2H-CuGaO2 get reduced.

  5. Thermal annealing of radiation damage in CMOS ICs in the temperature range -140 C to +375 C

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Danchenko, V.; Fang, P. H.; Brashears, S. S.

    1982-01-01

    Annealing of radiation damage was investigated in the commercial, Z- and J-processes of the RCA CD4007A ICs in the temperature range from -140 C to +375 C. Tempering curves were analyzed for activation energies of thermal annealing, following irradiation at -140 C. It was found that at -140 C, the radiation-induced shifts in the threshold potentials were similar for all three processes. The radiation hardness of the Z- and J-process is primarily due to rapid annealing of radiation damage at room temperature. In the region -140 to 20 C, no dopant-dependent charge trapping is seen, similar to that observed at higher temperatures. In the unbiased Z-process n-channels, after 1 MeV electron irradiation, considerable negative charge remains in the gate oxide.

  6. Wide-Band Spatially Tunable Photonic Bandgap in Visible Spectral Range and Laser based on a Polymer Stabilized Blue Phase

    PubMed Central

    Lin, Jia-De; Wang, Tsai-Yen; Mo, Ting-Shan; Huang, Shuan-Yu; Lee, Chia-Rong

    2016-01-01

    This work successfully develops a largely-gradient-pitched polymer-stabilized blue phase (PSBP) photonic bandgap (PBG) device with a wide-band spatial tunability in nearly entire visible region within a wide blue phase (BP) temperature range including room temperature. The device is fabricated based on the reverse diffusion of two injected BP-monomer mixtures with a low and a high chiral concentrations and afterwards through UV-curing. This gradient-pitched PSBP can show a rainbow-like reflection appearance in which the peak wavelength of the PBG can be spatially tuned from the blue to the red regions at room temperature. The total tuning spectral range for the cell is as broad as 165 nm and covers almost the entire visible region. Based on the gradient-pitched PSBP, a spatially tunable laser is also demonstrated in this work. The temperature sensitivity of the lasing wavelength for the laser is negatively linear and approximately −0.26 nm/°C. The two devices have a great potential for use in applications of photonic devices and displays because of their multiple advantages, such as wide-band tunability, wide operated temperature range, high stability and reliability, no issue of hysteresis, no need of external controlling sources, and not slow tuning speed (mechanically). PMID:27456475

  7. Geothermal-energy files in computer storage: sites, cities, and industries

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

    O'Dea, P.L.

    1981-12-01

    The site, city, and industrial files are described. The data presented are from the hydrothermal site file containing about three thousand records which describe some of the principal physical features of hydrothermal resources in the United States. Data elements include: latitude, longitude, township, range, section, surface temperature, subsurface temperature, the field potential, and well depth for commercialization. (MHR)

  8. Zr/ZrO2 sensors for in situ measurement of pH in high-temperature and -pressure aqueous solutions.

    PubMed

    Zhang, R H; Zhang, X T; Hu, S M

    2008-04-15

    The aim of this study is to develop new pH sensors that can be used to test and monitor hydrogen ion activity in hydrothermal conditions. A Zr/ZrO2 oxidation electrode is fabricated for in situ pH measurement of high-temperature aqueous solutions. This sensor responds rapidly and precisely to pH over a wide range of temperature and pressure. The Zr/ZrO2 electrode was made by oxidizing zirconium metal wire with Na2CO3 melt, which produced a thin film of ZrO2 on its surface. Thus, an oxidation-reduction electrode was produced. The Zr/ZrO2 electrode has a good electrochemical stability over a wide range of pH in high-temperature aqueous solutions when used with a Ag/AgCl reference electrode. Measurements of the Zr/ZrO2 sensor potential against a Ag/AgCl reference electrode is shown to vary linearly with pH between temperatures 20 and 200 degrees C. The slope of the potential versus pH at high temperature is slightly below the theoretical value indicated by the Nernst equation; such deviation is attributed to the fact that the sensor is not strictly at equilibrium with the solution to be tested in a short period of time. The Zr/ZrO2 sensor can be calibrated over the conditions that exist in the natural deep-seawater. Our studies showed that the Zr/ZrO2 electrode is a suitable pH sensor for the hydrothermal systems at midocean ridge or other geothermal systems with the high-temperature environment. Yttria-stabilized zirconia sensors have also been used to investigate the pH of hydrothermal fluids in hot springs vents at midocean ridge. These sensors, however, are not sensitive below 200 degrees C. Zr/ZrO2 sensors have wider temperature range and can be severed as good alternative sensors for measuring the pH of hydrothermal fluids.

  9. Blue phase liquid crystal: strategies for phase stabilization and device development

    PubMed Central

    Rahman, M D Asiqur; Mohd Said, Suhana; Balamurugan, S

    2015-01-01

    The blue phase liquid crystal (BPLC) is a highly ordered liquid crystal (LC) phase found very close to the LC–isotropic transition. The BPLC has demonstrated potential in next-generation display and photonic technology due to its exceptional properties such as sub-millisecond response time and wide viewing angle. However, BPLC is stable in a very small temperature range (0.5–1 °C) and its driving voltage is very high (∼100 V). To overcome these challenges recent research has focused on solutions which incorporate polymers or nanoparticles into the blue phase to widen the temperature range from around few °C to potentially more than 60 °C. In order to reduce the driving voltage, strategies have been attempted by modifying the device structure by introducing protrusion or corrugated electrodes and vertical field switching mechanism has been proposed. In this paper the effectiveness of the proposed solution will be discussed, in order to assess the potential of BPLC in display technology and beyond. PMID:27877782

  10. An Estimate of Shallow, Low-Temperature Geothermal Resources of the United States

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

    Mullane, Michelle; Gleason, Michael; Reber, Tim

    Low-temperature geothermal resources in the United States potentially hold an enormous quantity of thermal energy, useful for direct use in residential, commercial and industrial applications such as space and water heating, greenhouse warming, pool heating, aquaculture, and low-temperature manufacturing processes. Several studies published over the past 40 years have provided assessments of the resource potential for multiple types of low-temperature geothermal systems (e.g. hydrothermal convection, hydrothermal conduction, and enhanced geothermal systems) with varying temperature ranges and depths. This paper provides a summary and additional analysis of these assessments of shallow (= 3 km), low-temperature (30-150 degrees C) geothermal resources inmore » the United States, suitable for use in direct-use applications. This analysis considers six types of geothermal systems, spanning both hydrothermal and enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). We outline the primary data sources and quantitative parameters used to describe resources in each of these categories, and present summary statistics of the total resources available. In sum, we find that low-temperature hydrothermal resources and EGS resources contain approximately 8 million and 800 million TWh of heat-in-place, respectively. In future work, these resource potential estimates will be used for modeling of the technical and market potential for direct-use geothermal applications for the U.S. Department of Energy's Geothermal Vision Study.« less

  11. An Estimate of Shallow, Low-Temperature Geothermal Resources of the United States: Preprint

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

    Mullane, Michelle; Gleason, Michael; McCabe, Kevin

    Low-temperature geothermal resources in the United States potentially hold an enormous quantity of thermal energy, useful for direct use in residential, commercial and industrial applications such as space and water heating, greenhouse warming, pool heating, aquaculture, and low-temperature manufacturing processes. Several studies published over the past 40 years have provided assessments of the resource potential for multiple types of low-temperature geothermal systems (e.g. hydrothermal convection, hydrothermal conduction, and enhanced geothermal systems) with varying temperature ranges and depths. This paper provides a summary and additional analysis of these assessments of shallow (= 3 km), low-temperature (30-150 degrees C) geothermal resources inmore » the United States, suitable for use in direct-use applications. This analysis considers six types of geothermal systems, spanning both hydrothermal and enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). We outline the primary data sources and quantitative parameters used to describe resources in each of these categories, and present summary statistics of the total resources available. In sum, we find that low-temperature hydrothermal resources and EGS resources contain approximately 8 million and 800 million TWh of heat-in-place, respectively. In future work, these resource potential estimates will be used for modeling of the technical and market potential for direct-use geothermal applications for the U.S. Department of Energy's Geothermal Vision Study.« less

  12. A quantitative study of the clustering of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at high temperatures.

    PubMed

    Totton, Tim S; Misquitta, Alston J; Kraft, Markus

    2012-03-28

    The clustering of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules is investigated in the context of soot particle inception and growth using an isotropic potential developed from the benchmark PAHAP potential. This potential is used to estimate equilibrium constants of dimerisation for five representative PAH molecules based on a statistical mechanics model. Molecular dynamics simulations are also performed to study the clustering of homomolecular systems at a range of temperatures. The results from both sets of calculations demonstrate that at flame temperatures pyrene (C(16)H(10)) dimerisation cannot be a key step in soot particle formation and that much larger molecules (e.g. circumcoronene, C(54)H(18)) are required to form small clusters at flame temperatures. The importance of using accurate descriptions of the intermolecular interactions is demonstrated by comparing results to those calculated with a popular literature potential with an order of magnitude variation in the level of clustering observed. By using an accurate intermolecular potential we are able to show that physical binding of PAH molecules based on van der Waals interactions alone can only be a viable soot inception mechanism if concentrations of large PAH molecules are significantly higher than currently thought.

  13. Temperature Effects on the Magnetization and Magnetoimpedance in Ferromagnetic Glass-Covered microwires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Uddin, A.; Evstigneeva, S. A.; Dzhumazoda, A.; Salem, M. M.; Nematov, M. G.; Adam, A. M.; Panina, LV; Morchenko, A. T.

    2017-11-01

    The effect of temperature on static and dynamic magnetization in Co-based amorphous microwires was investigated with the aim of potential applications in miniature temperature sensors. The wires of two compositions with different magnetostriction and Curie temperature in glass-cover and after removing the glass layer demonstrated very different temperature behaviour of the magnetization loops and magnetoimpedance. The mechanisms of the temperature effects are related to the residual stress distribution due to fast solidification, the difference in thermal expansion coefficient of metal and glass and the proximity to the Curie temperature. The interplay of these factors may result in a very strong temperature dependence of magnetoimpedance in a moderate temperature range (room temperature -373K). Such elements may be incorporated in various composite materials for a local temperature monitoring.

  14. Extreme High and Low Temperature Operation of the Silicon-On-Insulator Type CHT-OPA Operational Amplifier

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Patterson, Richard; Hammoud, Ahmad; Elbuluk, Malik

    2008-01-01

    A new operational amplifier chip based on silicon-on-insulator technology was evaluated for potential use in extreme temperature environments. The CHT-OPA device is a low power, precision operational amplifier with rail-to-rail output swing capability, and it is rated for operation between -55 C and +225 C. A unity gain inverting circuit was constructed utilizing the CHT-OPA chip and a few passive components. The circuit was evaluated in the temperature range from -190 C to +200 C in terms of signal gain and phase shift, and supply current. The investigations were carried out to determine suitability of this device for use in space exploration missions and aeronautic applications under wide temperature incursion. Re-restart capability at extreme temperatures, i.e. power switched on while the device was soaked at extreme temperatures, was also investigated. In addition, the effects of thermal cycling under a wide temperature range on the operation of this high performance amplifier were determined. The results from this work indicate that this silicon-on-insulator amplifier chip maintained very good operation between +200 C and -190 C. The limited thermal cycling had no effect on the performance of the amplifier, and it was able to re-start at both -190 C and +200 C. In addition, no physical degradation or packaging damage was introduced due to either extreme temperature exposure or thermal cycling. The good performance demonstrated by this silicon-on-insulator operational amplifier renders it a potential candidate for use in space exploration missions or other environments under extreme temperatures. Additional and more comprehensive characterization is, however, required to establish the reliability and suitability of such devices for long term use in extreme temperature applications.

  15. Climate change and mosquito-borne disease.

    PubMed Central

    Reiter, P

    2001-01-01

    Global atmospheric temperatures are presently in a warming phase that began 250--300 years ago. Speculations on the potential impact of continued warming on human health often focus on mosquito-borne diseases. Elementary models suggest that higher global temperatures will enhance their transmission rates and extend their geographic ranges. However, the histories of three such diseases--malaria, yellow fever, and dengue--reveal that climate has rarely been the principal determinant of their prevalence or range; human activities and their impact on local ecology have generally been much more significant. It is therefore inappropriate to use climate-based models to predict future prevalence. PMID:11250812

  16. Mars in situ propellants: Carbon monoxide and oxygen ignition experiments

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Linne, Diane L.; Roncace, James; Groth, Mary F.

    1990-01-01

    Carbon monoxide and oxygen were tested in a standard spark-torch igniter to identify the ignition characteristics of this potential Mars in situ propellant combination. The ignition profiles were determined as functions of mixture ratio, amount of hydrogen added to the carbon monoxide, and oxygen inlet temperature. The experiments indicated that the carbon monoxide and oxygen combination must have small amounts of hydrogen present to initiate reaction. Once the reaction was started, the combustion continued without the presence of hydrogen. A mixture ratio range was identified where ignition occurred, and this range varied with the oxygen inlet temperature.

  17. Temperature and pH effect on glucose production from pretreated bagasse by a novel species of Citrobacter and other bacteria.

    PubMed

    Jones, Jamila A D; Kerr, R G; Haltli, B A; Tinto, Winston F

    2018-06-01

    Cellulolytic bacteria that produce cellulases, which are active over a range of pH and temperatures, can be used to catalyze hydrolysis of pretreated lignocellulosic material. This is important in the production of second generation biofuels among other biotechnological applications. In this investigation, bacteria isolated from sugarcane bagasse were identified as strains of Enterobacter xiangfangensis , Serratia rubidaea , Klebsiella pneumoniae and a novel species of Citrobacter designated Citrobacter sp. UWIBGS10. The glucose production potential of these strains was studied on thermally and solvent pretreated sugarcane bagasse. This was performed at 24-hour intervals up to 168 hours in the range of pH 5-9 and temperature range 25-40 °C. Maximal concentrations of glucose for Citrobacter sp. UWIBGS10 occurred at pH 6 and 25 °C. For E. xiangfangensis , S. rubidaea , K. pneumoniae glucose concentrations were consistent across the pH and temperature ranges examined. From these results it could be concluded that the bacteria demonstrated ability for lignocellulolytic hydrolysis for the production of glucose and could be further explored for the characterization of commercial cellulolytic enzymes.

  18. Influence of temperature and the role of chromium on the kinetics of sulfidation of 310 stainless steel

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rao, D. B.; Nelson, H. G.

    1977-01-01

    The sulfidation of 310 stainless steel was studied over the temperature range from 910 K to 1285 K. By adjusting the ratio of hydrogen sulfide, variations in sulfur potential were obtained. The effect of temperature on sulfidation was determined at three different sulfur potentials: 39/sqNm, 0.014/sqNm, and 0.00015/sqNm. All sulfide scales contained one or two surface layers in addition to a subscale. The second outer layer (OL-II), furthest from the alloy, contained primarily Fe-Ni-S. The first outer layer (OL-I), nearest the subscale, contained FE-Cr-S. The subscale consisted of sulfide inclusions in the metal matrix. At a given temperature and sulfur potential, the weight gain data obeyed the parabolic rate law after an initial transient period. The parabolic rate constants obtained at the sulfur potential of 39/sqNm did not show a break when the logarithm of the rate constant was plotted as a function of the inverse of absolute temperature. Sulfidation carried out at sulfur potentials below 0.02/sqNm, however, did show a break at 1145 K, which is termed as the transition temperature. This break was found to be associated with the changes which had occurred in the Fe:Cr ratio of OL-I. Below the transition temperature the activation energy was found to be approximately 125 kj/mole. Above the transition temperature the rate of sulfidation decreased with temperature but dependent on the Fe:Cr ratio in the iron-chromium-sulfide layers of the OL-I. A reaction mechanism consistent with the experimental results has been proposed.

  19. The stability of a crystal with diamond structure for patchy particles with tetrahedral symmetry.

    PubMed

    Noya, Eva G; Vega, Carlos; Doye, Jonathan P K; Louis, Ard A

    2010-06-21

    The phase diagram of model anisotropic particles with four attractive patches in a tetrahedral arrangement has been computed at two different values of the range of the potential, with the aim of investigating the conditions under which a diamond crystal can be formed. We find that the diamond phase is never stable for our longer-ranged potential. At low temperatures and pressures, the fluid freezes into a body-centered-cubic solid that can be viewed as two interpenetrating diamond lattices with a weak interaction between the two sublattices. Upon compression, an orientationally ordered face-centered-cubic crystal becomes more stable than the body-centered-cubic crystal, and at higher temperatures, a plastic face-centered-cubic phase is stabilized by the increased entropy due to orientational disorder. A similar phase diagram is found for the shorter-ranged potential, but at low temperatures and pressures, we also find a region over which the diamond phase is thermodynamically favored over the body-centered-cubic phase. The higher vibrational entropy of the diamond structure with respect to the body-centered-cubic solid explains why it is stable even though the enthalpy of the latter phase is lower. Some preliminary studies on the growth of the diamond structure starting from a crystal seed were performed. Even though the diamond phase is never thermodynamically stable for the longer-ranged model, direct coexistence simulations of the interface between the fluid and the body-centered-cubic crystal and between the fluid and the diamond crystal show that at sufficiently low pressures, it is quite probable that in both cases the solid grows into a diamond crystal, albeit involving some defects. These results highlight the importance of kinetic effects in the formation of diamond crystals in systems of patchy particles.

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

    Pribram-Jones, A.; Burke, K.

    We show that the adiabatic connection formula of ground-state density functional theory relates the correlation energy to a coupling-constant integral over a purely potential contribution, and is widely used to understand and improve approximations. The corresponding formula for thermal density functional theory is cast as an integral over temperatures instead, ranging upward from the system's physical temperature. We also show how to relate different correlation components to each other, either in terms of temperature or coupling-constant integrations. Lastly, we illustrate our results on the uniform electron gas.

  1. Identification and Risk Assessment for Worldwide Invasion and Spread of Tuta absoluta with a Focus on Sub-Saharan Africa: Implications for Phytosanitary Measures and Management

    PubMed Central

    Tonnang, Henri E. Z.; Mohamed, Samira F.; Khamis, Fathiya; Ekesi, Sunday

    2015-01-01

    To support management decisions, molecular characterization of data and geo-reference of incidence records of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) were combined with data on the biology and ecology of the pest to estimate its climatic suitability and potential spread at regional and global scale. A CLIMEX model was developed and used for the global prediction of current and future climate-induced changes in the distributional shifts of T. absoluta. Results revealed that temperature and moisture characterized T. absoluta population growth while the pest ability to survive the cold, hot, wet and dry stress conditions are the primary characteristics defining its range frontiers. Simulated irrigation also played an important role in the model optimization. Model predictions suggest that T. absoluta represents an important threat to Africa, Asia, Australia, Northern Europe, New Zealand, Russian Federation and the United States of America (USA). Under climate change context, future predictions on distribution of T. absoluta indicated that the invasive nature of this pest will result in significant crop losses in certain locations whereas some parts of Africa may witness diminution in ranges. The following scenarios may occur: 1) T. absoluta damage potential may upsurge moderately in areas of Africa where the pest currently exists; 2) a range diminution in temperate to Sahel region with moderate upsurge in damage potential; 3) a range expansion in tropical Africa with reasonable upsurge of damage potential. These possible outcomes could be explained by the fact that the continent is already warm, with the average temperature in majority of localities near the threshold temperatures for optimal development and survival of T. absoluta. Outputs from this study should be useful in helping decision-makers in their assessment of site-specific risks of invasion and spread of T. absoluta with a view to developing appropriate surveillance, phytosanitary measures and management strategies. PMID:26252204

  2. Cluster properties of the one-dimensional lattice gas: the microscopic meaning of grand potential.

    PubMed

    Fronczak, Agata

    2013-02-01

    Using a concrete example, we demonstrate how the combinatorial approach to a general system of particles, which was introduced in detail in an earlier paper [Fronczak, Phys. Rev. E 86, 041139 (2012)], works and where this approach provides a genuine extension of results obtained through more traditional methods of statistical mechanics. We study the cluster properties of a one-dimensional lattice gas with nearest-neighbor interactions. Three cases (the infinite temperature limit, the range of finite temperatures, and the zero temperature limit) are discussed separately, yielding interesting results and providing alternative proof of known results. In particular, the closed-form expression for the grand partition function in the zero temperature limit is obtained, which results in the nonanalytic behavior of the grand potential, in accordance with the Yang-Lee theory.

  3. Temperature dependence of luminescence behavior in Er3+-doped BaY2F8 single crystal

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Shuai; Ruan, Yongfeng; Tsuboi, Taiju; Tong, Hongshuang; Wang, Youfa; Zhang, Shouchao

    2013-12-01

    BaY2F8 single crystals doped with Er3+ ions have been grown by the temperature gradient method. The absorption, excitation and emission spectra for Er3+-doped BaY2F8 crystals were measured at room temperature (297 K) and 12 K. The effect of temperature on the luminescence intensity and effective bandwidth was investigated in the range of 12-297 K. The temperature dependence of the fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) for the 522 nm emission (2H11/2→4I15/2 transition) and the 552 nm emission (4S3/2→4I15/2 transition) was also studied in the range of 12-297 K. Based on the fitting FIR curve, the value of the constant term B (2.25) was obtained. The fitting FIR curve and FIR equation may have a potential application in the temperature measurement. In addition, the up-conversion spectrum at room temperature was recorded under excitation of 980 nm and the up-conversion mechanism was analyzed in detail.

  4. Gas-liquid phase coexistence and crossover behavior of binary ionic fluids with screened Coulomb interactions.

    PubMed

    Patsahan, O

    2014-06-01

    We study the effects of an interaction range on the gas-liquid phase diagram and the crossover behavior of a simple model of ionic fluids: an equimolar binary mixture of equisized hard spheres interacting through screened Coulomb potentials which are repulsive between particles of the same species and attractive between particles of different species. Using the collective variables theory, we find explicit expressions for the relevant coefficients of the effective φ{4} Ginzburg-Landau Hamiltonian in a one-loop approximation. Within the framework of this approximation, we calculate the critical parameters and gas-liquid phase diagrams for varying inverse screening length z. Both the critical temperature scaled by the Yukawa potential contact value and the critical density rapidly decrease with an increase of the interaction range (a decrease of z) and then for z<0.05 they slowly approach the values found for a restricted primitive model (RPM). We find that gas-liquid coexistence region reduces with an increase of z and completely vanishes at z≃2.78. Our results clearly show that an increase in the interaction range leads to a decrease of the crossover temperature. For z≃0.01, the crossover temperature is the same as for the RPM.

  5. Critical current measurements of high-temperature superconducting short samples at a wide range of temperatures and magnetic fields.

    PubMed

    Ma, Hongjun; Liu, Huajun; Liu, Fang; Zhang, Huahui; Ci, Lu; Shi, Yi; Lei, Lei

    2018-01-01

    High-Temperature Superconductors (HTS) are potential materials for high-field magnets, low-loss transmission cables, and Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) due to their high upper critical magnetic field (H c2 ) and critical temperature (T c ). The critical current (I c ) of HTS, which is one of the most important parameters for superconductor application, depends strongly on the magnetic fields and temperatures. A new I c measurement system that can carry out accurate I c measurement for HTS short samples with various temperatures (4.2-80 K), magnetic fields (0-14 T), and angles of the magnetic field (0°-90°) has been developed. The I c measurement system mainly consists of a measurement holder, temperature-control system, background magnet, test cryostat, data acquisition system, and DC power supply. The accuracy of temperature control is better than ±0.1 K over the 20-80 K range and ±0.05 K when measured below 20 K. The maximum current is over 1000 A with a measurement uncertainty of 1%. The system had been successfully used for YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-x (YBCO) tapes I c determination with different temperatures and magnetic fields.

  6. Critical current measurements of high-temperature superconducting short samples at a wide range of temperatures and magnetic fields

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ma, Hongjun; Liu, Huajun; Liu, Fang; Zhang, Huahui; Ci, Lu; Shi, Yi; Lei, Lei

    2018-01-01

    High-Temperature Superconductors (HTS) are potential materials for high-field magnets, low-loss transmission cables, and Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) due to their high upper critical magnetic field (Hc2) and critical temperature (Tc). The critical current (Ic) of HTS, which is one of the most important parameters for superconductor application, depends strongly on the magnetic fields and temperatures. A new Ic measurement system that can carry out accurate Ic measurement for HTS short samples with various temperatures (4.2-80 K), magnetic fields (0-14 T), and angles of the magnetic field (0°-90°) has been developed. The Ic measurement system mainly consists of a measurement holder, temperature-control system, background magnet, test cryostat, data acquisition system, and DC power supply. The accuracy of temperature control is better than ±0.1 K over the 20-80 K range and ±0.05 K when measured below 20 K. The maximum current is over 1000 A with a measurement uncertainty of 1%. The system had been successfully used for YBa2Cu3O7-x(YBCO) tapes Ic determination with different temperatures and magnetic fields.

  7. Theoretical studies of dissociative recombination

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Guberman, S. L.

    1985-01-01

    The calculation of dissociative recombination rates and cross sections over a wide temperature range by theoretical quantum chemical techniques is described. Model calculations on electron capture by diatomic ions are reported which illustrate the dependence of the rates and cross sections on electron energy, electron temperature, and vibrational temperature for three model crossings of neutral and ionic potential curves. It is shown that cross sections for recombination to the lowest vibrational level of the ion can vary by several orders of magnitude depending upon the position of the neutral and ionic potential curve crossing within the turning points of the v = 1 vibrational level. A new approach for calculating electron capture widths is reported. Ab initio calculations are described for recombination of O2(+) leading to excited O atoms.

  8. Temperature Dependence of Thermodynamic Properties of Thallium Chloride and Thallium Bromide

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kavanoz, H. B.

    2015-02-01

    Thermodynamic properties as lattice parameters, thermal expansion, heat capacities Cp and Cv, bulk modulus, and Gruneisen parameter of ionic halides TlCl and TlBr in solid and liquid phases were studied using classical molecular dynamics simulation (MD) with interionic Vashistha-Rahman (VR) model potential. In addition to the static and transport properties which have been previously reported by the author [13], this study further confirms that temperature dependence of the calculated thermophysical properties of TlCl and TlBr are in agreement with the available experimental data at both solid and liquid phases in terms of providing an alternative rigid ion potential. The results give a fairly good description of TlCl and TlBr in the temperature range 10-1000 K.

  9. The impact of seasonality on niche breadth, distribution range and species richness: a theoretical exploration of Janzen's hypothesis.

    PubMed

    Hua, Xia

    2016-07-27

    Being invoked as one of the candidate mechanisms for the latitudinal patterns in biodiversity, Janzen's hypothesis states that the limited seasonal temperature variation in the tropics generates greater temperature stratification across elevations, which makes tropical species adapted to narrower ranges of temperatures and have lower effective dispersal across elevations than species in temperate regions. Numerous empirical studies have documented latitudinal patterns in species elevational ranges and thermal niche breadths that are consistent with the hypothesis, but the theoretical underpinnings remain unclear. This study presents the first mathematical model to examine the evolutionary processes that could back up Janzen's hypothesis and assess the effectiveness of limited seasonal temperature variation to promote speciation along elevation in the tropics. Results suggest that trade-offs in thermal tolerances provide a mechanism for Janzen's hypothesis. Limited seasonal temperature variation promotes gradient speciation not due to the reduction in gene flow that is associated with narrow thermal niche, but due to the pleiotropic effects of more stable divergent selection of thermal tolerance on the evolution of reproductive incompatibility. The proposed modelling approach also provides a potential way to test a speciation model against genetic data. © 2016 The Author(s).

  10. Mesoporous Germanium Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Battery with Exceptional Cycling Stability in Wide Temperature Range.

    PubMed

    Choi, Sinho; Cho, Yoon-Gyo; Kim, Jieun; Choi, Nam-Soon; Song, Hyun-Kon; Wang, Guoxiu; Park, Soojin

    2017-04-01

    Porous structured materials have unique architectures and are promising for lithium-ion batteries to enhance performances. In particular, mesoporous materials have many advantages including a high surface area and large void spaces which can increase reactivity and accessibility of lithium ions. This study reports a synthesis of newly developed mesoporous germanium (Ge) particles prepared by a zincothermic reduction at a mild temperature for high performance lithium-ion batteries which can operate in a wide temperature range. The optimized Ge battery anodes with the mesoporous structure exhibit outstanding electrochemical properties in a wide temperature ranging from -20 to 60 °C. Ge anodes exhibit a stable cycling retention at various temperatures (capacity retention of 99% after 100 cycles at 25 °C, 84% after 300 cycles at 60 °C, and 50% after 50 cycles at -20 °C). Furthermore, full cells consisting of the mesoporous Ge anode and an LiFePO 4 cathode show an excellent cyclability at -20 and 25 °C. Mesoporous Ge materials synthesized by the zincothermic reduction can be potentially applied as high performance anode materials for practical lithium-ion batteries. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  11. Silicon Carbide Nanotube Oxidation at High Temperatures

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ahlborg, Nadia; Zhu, Dongming

    2012-01-01

    Silicon Carbide Nanotubes (SiCNTs) have high mechanical strength and also have many potential functional applications. In this study, SiCNTs were investigated for use in strengthening high temperature silicate and oxide materials for high performance ceramic nanocomposites and environmental barrier coating bond coats. The high · temperature oxidation behavior of the nanotubes was of particular interest. The SiCNTs were synthesized by a direct reactive conversion process of multiwall carbon nanotubes and silicon at high temperature. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to study the oxidation kinetics of SiCNTs at temperatures ranging from 800degC to1300degC. The specific oxidation mechanisms were also investigated.

  12. Thermo physical Properties of Multiferroic Rare Earth Manganite GdMnO3

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Choithrani, Renu; Gaur, N. K.

    2008-04-01

    We have investigated the thermophysical properties of multiferroic rare earth manganite GdMnO3 in the temperature range 15 K⩽T⩽300 K. We have applied interatomic potential to study the Specific heat (C) as a function of temperature. The calculated Specific heat values are closer to the available experimental data. At room temperature, the orthorhombic GdMnO3 phase is indicative of a strong Jahn-Teller distortion. In addition, we have reported the cohesive energy (φ), molecular force constant (f), compressibility (β), Restrahalen frequency (ν0), Debye temperature (ΘD) and Groneisen parameter (γ) at temperature 15 K⩽T⩽300 K.

  13. Thermal growth potential of Atlantic cod by the end of the 21st century.

    PubMed

    Butzin, Martin; Pörtner, Hans-Otto

    2016-12-01

    Ocean warming may lead to smaller body sizes of marine ectotherms, because metabolic rates increase exponentially with temperature while the capacity of the cardiorespiratory system to match enhanced oxygen demands is limited. Here, we explore the impact of rising sea water temperatures on Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), an economically important fish species. We focus on changes in the temperature-dependent growth potential by a transfer function model combining growth observations with climate model ensemble temperatures. Growth potential is expressed in terms of asymptotic body weight and depends on water temperature. We consider changes between the periods 1985-2004 and 2081-2100, assuming that future sea water temperatures will evolve according to climate projections for IPCC AR5 scenario RCP8.5. Our model projects a response of Atlantic cod to future warming, differentiated according to ocean regions, leading to increases of asymptotic weight in the Barents Sea, while weights are projected to decline at the southern margin of the biogeographic range. Southern spawning areas will disappear due to thermal limitation of spawning stages. These projections match the currently observed biogeographic shifts and the temperature- and oxygen-dependent decline in routine aerobic scope at southern distribution limits. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  14. Glass Formation of n-Butanol: Coarse-grained Molecular Dynamics Simulations Using Gay-Berne Potential Model

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xie, Gui-long; Zhang, Yong-hong; Huang, Shi-ping

    2012-04-01

    Using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations based on Gay-Berne potential model, we have simulated the cooling process of liquid n-butanol. A new set of GB parameters are obtained by fitting the results of density functional theory calculations. The simulations are carried out in the range of 290-50 K with temperature decrements of 10 K. The cooling characteristics are determined on the basis of the variations of the density, the potential energy and orientational order parameter with temperature, whose slopes all show discontinuity. Both the radial distribution function curves and the second-rank orientational correlation function curves exhibit splitting in the second peak. Using the discontinuous change of these thermodynamic and structure properties, we obtain the glass transition at an estimate of temperature Tg=120±10 K, which is in good agreement with experimental results 110±1 K.

  15. Regional Extinctions and Quaternary Shifts in the Geographic Range of Lestodelphys halli, the Southernmost Living Marsupial: Clues for Its Conservation.

    PubMed

    Formoso, Anahí E; Martin, Gabriel M; Teta, Pablo; Carbajo, Aníbal E; Sauthier, Daniel E Udrizar; Pardiñas, Ulyses F J

    2015-01-01

    The Patagonian opossum (Lestodelphys halli), the southernmost living marsupial, inhabits dry and open environments, mainly in the Patagonian steppe (between ~32 °S and ~49 °S). Its rich fossil record shows its occurrence further north in Central Argentina during the Quaternary. The paleoenvironmental meaning of the past distribution of L. halli has been mostly addressed in a subjective framework without an explicit connection with the climatic "space" currently occupied by this animal. Here, we assessed the potential distribution of this species and the changes occurred in its geographic range during late Pleistocene-Holocene times and linked the results obtained with conservation issues. To this end, we generated three potential distribution models with fossil records and three with current ones, using MaxEnt software. These models showed a decrease in the suitable habitat conditions for the species, highlighting a range shift from Central-Eastern to South-Western Argentina. Our results support that the presence of L. halli in the Pampean region during the Pleistocene-Holocene can be related to precipitation and temperature variables and that its current presence in Patagonia is more related to temperature and dominant soils. The models obtained suggest that the species has been experiencing a reduction in its geographic range since the middle Holocene, a process that is in accordance with a general increase in moisture and temperature in Central Argentina. Considering the findings of our work and the future scenario of global warming projected for Patagonia, we might expect a harsh impact on the distribution range of this opossum in the near future.

  16. Analysis of trait mean and variability versus temperature in trematode cercariae: is there scope for adaptation to global warming?

    PubMed

    Studer, A; Poulin, R

    2014-05-01

    The potential of species for evolutionary adaptation in the context of global climate change has recently come under scrutiny. Estimates of phenotypic variation in biological traits may prove valuable for identifying species, or groups of species, with greater or lower potential for evolutionary adaptation, as this variation, when heritable, represents the basis for natural selection. Assuming that measures of trait variability reflect the evolutionary potential of these traits, we conducted an analysis across trematode species to determine the potential of these parasites as a group to adapt to increasing temperatures. Firstly, we assessed how the mean number of infective stages (cercariae) emerging from infected snail hosts as well as the survival and infectivity of cercariae are related to temperature. Secondly and importantly in the context of evolutionary potential, we assessed how coefficients of variation for these traits are related to temperature, in both cases controlling for other factors such as habitat, acclimatisation, latitude and type of target host. With increasing temperature, an optimum curve was found for mean output and mean infectivity, and a linear decrease for survival of cercariae. For coefficients of variation, temperature was only an important predictor in the case of cercarial output, where results indicated that there is, however, no evidence for limited trait variation at the higher temperature range. No directional trend was found for either variation of survival or infectivity. These results, characterising general patterns among trematodes, suggest that all three traits considered may have potential to change through adaptive evolution. Copyright © 2014 Australian Society for Parasitology Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  17. Seasonal variation in the biocontrol efficiency of bacterial wilt is driven by temperature-mediated changes in bacterial competitive interactions.

    PubMed

    Wei, Zhong; Huang, Jianfeng; Yang, Tianjie; Jousset, Alexandre; Xu, Yangchun; Shen, Qirong; Friman, Ville-Petri

    2017-10-01

    Microbe-based biocontrol applications hold the potential to become an efficient way to control plant pathogen disease outbreaks in the future. However, their efficiency is still very variable, which could be due to their sensitivity to the abiotic environmental conditions.Here, we assessed how environmental temperature variation correlates with ability of Ralstonia pickettii , an endophytic bacterial biocontrol agent, to suppress the Ralstonia solanacearum pathogen during different tomato crop seasons in China.We found that suppression of the pathogen was highest when the seasonal mean temperatures were around 20 °C and rapidly decreased with increasing mean crop season temperatures. Interestingly, low levels of disease incidence did not correlate with low pathogen or high biocontrol agent absolute densities. Instead, the biocontrol to pathogen density ratio was a more important predictor of disease incidence levels between different crop seasons. To understand this mechanistically, we measured the growth and strength of competition between the biocontrol agent and the pathogen over a naturally occurring temperature gradient in vitro . We found that the biocontrol strain grew relatively faster at low temperature ranges, and the pathogen at high temperature ranges, and that similar to field experiments, pathogen suppression peaked at 20 °C.Together, our results suggest that temperature-mediated changes in the strength of bacterial competition could potentially explain the variable R. solanacearum biocontrol outcomes between different crop seasons in China. Synthesis and applications . Our results suggest that abiotic environmental conditions, such as temperature, can affect the efficacy of biocontrol applications. Thus, in order to develop more consistent biocontrol applications in the future, we might need to find and isolate bacterial strains that can retain their functionality regardless of the changing environmental conditions.

  18. Optical thermal sensor based on cholesteric film refilled with mixture of toluene and ethanol.

    PubMed

    Li, Yong; Liu, Yanjun; Luo, Dan

    2017-10-16

    We demonstrate an optical thermal sensor based on cholesteric film refilled with mixture of toluene and ethanol. The thermal response mechanism is mainly based on the thermal expansion effect induce by toluene, where the ethanol is used for refractive index adjustment to determine the initial refection band position of cholesteric film. The ethanol-toluene mixture was used to adjust the color tunability with the temperature in relation with the habits of people (blue as cold, green as safe and red as hot). A broad temperature range of 86 °C and highly sensitivity of 1.79 nm/ °C are achieved in proposed thermal sensor, where the reflective color red-shifts from blue to red when environmental temperature increases from -6 °C to 80 °C. This battery-free thermal sensor possesses features including simple fabrication, low-cost, and broad temperature sensing range, showing potential application in scientific research and industry.

  19. Three-Body Recombination near a Narrow Feshbach Resonance in Li 6

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Jiaming; Liu, Ji; Luo, Le; Gao, Bo

    2018-05-01

    We experimentally measure and theoretically analyze the three-atom recombination rate, L3, around a narrow s -wave magnetic Feshbach resonance of Li 6 - Li 6 at 543.3 G. By examining both the magnetic field dependence and, especially, the temperature dependence of L3 over a wide range of temperatures from a few μ K to above 200 μ K , we show that three-atom recombination through a narrow resonance follows a universal behavior determined by the long-range van der Waals potential and can be described by a set of rate equations in which three-body recombination proceeds via successive pairwise interactions. We expect the underlying physical picture to be applicable not only to narrow s wave resonances, but also to resonances in nonzero partial waves, and not only at ultracold temperatures, but also at much higher temperatures.

  20. Microfluidic Pumps Containing Teflon [Trademark] AF Diaphragms

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Willis, Peter; White, Victor; Grunthaner, Frank; Ikeda, Mike; Mathies, Richard A.

    2009-01-01

    Microfluidic pumps and valves based on pneumatically actuated diaphragms made of Teflon AF polymers are being developed for incorporation into laboratory-on-a-chip devices that must perform well over temperature ranges wider than those of prior diaphragm-based microfluidic pumps and valves. Other potential applications include implanted biomedical microfluidic devices, wherein the biocompatability of Teflon AF polymers would be highly advantageous. These pumps and valves have been demonstrated to function stably after cycling through temperatures from -125 to 120 C. These pumps and valves are intended to be successors to similar prior pumps and valves containing diaphragms made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) [commonly known as silicone rubber]. The PDMS-containing valves ae designed to function stably only within the temperature range from 5 to 80 C. Undesirably, PDMS membranes are somwehat porous and retain water. PDMS is especially unsuitable for use at temperatures below 0 C because the formation of ice crystals increases porosity and introduces microshear.

  1. Low-Temperature Thermoelectric Properties of Fe2VAl with Partial Cobalt Doping

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Chang; Morelli, Donald T.

    2012-06-01

    Ternary metallic alloy Fe2VAl with a pseudogap in its energy band structure has received intensive scrutiny for potential thermoelectric applications. Due to the sharp change in the density of states profile near the Fermi level, interesting transport properties can be triggered to render possible enhancement in the overall thermoelectric performance. Previously, this full-Heusler-type alloy was partially doped with cobalt at the iron sites to produce a series of compounds with n-type conductivity. Their thermoelectric properties in the temperature range of 300 K to 850 K were reported. In this research, efforts were made to extend the investigation on (Fe1- x Co x )2VAl to the low-temperature range. Alloy samples were prepared by arc-melting and annealing. Seebeck coefficient, electrical resistivity, and thermal conductivity measurements were performed from 80 K to room temperature. The effects of cobalt doping on the material's electronic and thermal properties are discussed.

  2. RT-CW: widely tunable semiconductor THz QCL sources

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Razeghi, M.; Lu, Q. Y.

    2016-09-01

    Distinctive position of Terahertz (THz) frequencies (ν 0.3 -10 THz) in the electromagnetic spectrum with their lower quantum energy compared to IR and higher frequency compared to microwave range allows for many potential applications unique to them. Especially in the security side of the THz sensing applications, the distinct absorption spectra of explosives and related compounds in the range of 0.1-5 THz makes THz technology a competitive technique for detecting hidden explosives. A compact, high power, room temperature continuous wave terahertz source emitting in a wide frequency range will greatly boost the THz applications for the diagnosis and detection of explosives. Here we present a new strong-coupled strain-balanced quantum cascade laser design for efficient THz generation based intracavity DFG. Room temperature continuous wave operation with electrical frequency tuning range of 2.06-4.35 THz is demonstrated.

  3. Fiber‐optic distributed temperature sensing: A new tool for assessment and monitoring of hydrologic processes

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Lane, John W.; Day-Lewis, Frederick D.; Johnson, Carole D.; Dawson, Cian B.; Nelms, David L.; Miller, Cheryl; Wheeler, Jerrod D.; Harvey, Charles F.; Karam, Hanan N.

    2008-01-01

    Fiber‐optic distributed temperature sensing (FO DTS) is an emerging technology for characterizing and monitoring a wide range of important earth processes. FO DTS utilizes laser light to measure temperature along the entire length of standard telecommunications optical fibers. The technology can measure temperature every meter over FO cables up to 30 kilometers (km) long. Commercially available systems can measure fiber temperature as often as 4 times per minute, with thermal precision ranging from 0.1 to 0.01 °C depending on measurement integration time. In 2006, the U.S. Geological Survey initiated a project to demonstrate and evaluate DTS as a technology to support hydrologic studies. This paper demonstrates the potential of the technology to assess and monitor hydrologic processes through case‐study examples of FO DTS monitoring of stream‐aquifer interaction on the Shenandoah River near Locke's Mill, Virginia, and on Fish Creek, near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and estuary‐aquifer interaction on Waquoit Bay, Falmouth, Massachusetts. The ability to continuously observe temperature over large spatial scales with high spatial and temporal resolution provides a new opportunity to observe and monitor a wide range of hydrologic processes with application to other disciplines including hazards, climate‐change, and ecosystem monitoring.

  4. Molecular Dynamic Simulations of Interaction of an AFM Probe with the Surface of an SCN Sample

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bune, Adris; Kaukler, William; Rose, M. Franklin (Technical Monitor)

    2001-01-01

    Molecular dynamic (MD) simulations is conducted in order to estimate forces of probe-substrate interaction in the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). First a review of available molecular dynamic techniques is given. Implementation of MD simulation is based on an object-oriented code developed at the University of Delft. Modeling of the sample material - succinonitrile (SCN) - is based on the Lennard-Jones potentials. For the polystyrene probe an atomic interaction potential is used. Due to object-oriented structure of the code modification of an atomic interaction potential is straight forward. Calculation of melting temperature is used for validation of the code and of the interaction potentials. Various fitting parameters of the probe-substrate interaction potentials are considered, as potentials fitted to certain properties and temperature ranges may not be reliable for the others. This research provides theoretical foundation for an interpretation of actual measurements of an interaction forces using AFM.

  5. Modeling Potential Climatic Treeline of Great Basin Bristlecone Pine in the Snake Mountain Range, Nevada, USA

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bruening, J. M.; Tran, T. J.; Bunn, A. G.; Salzer, M. W.; Weiss, S. B.

    2015-12-01

    Great Basin bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva) is a valuable paleoclimate resource due to the climatic sensitivity of its annually-resolved rings. Recent work has shown that low growing season temperatures limit tree growth at the upper treeline ecotone. The presence of precisely dated remnant wood above modern treeline shows that this ecotone shifts at centennial timescales; in some areas during the Holocene climatic optimum treeline was 100 m higher than at present. A recent model from Paulsen and Körner (2014, doi:10.1007/s00035-014-0124-0) predicts global potential treeline position as a function of climate. The model develops three parameters necessary to sustain a temperature-limited treeline; a growing season longer than 94 days, defined by all days with a mean temperature >0.9 °C, and a mean temperature of 6.4 °C across the entire growing season. While maintaining impressive global accuracy in treeline prediction, these parameters are not specific to the semi-arid Great Basin bristlecone pine treelines in Nevada. In this study, we used 49 temperature sensors arrayed across approximately one square kilometer of complex terrain at treeline on Mount Washington to model temperatures using topographic indices. Results show relatively accurate prediction throughout the growing season (e.g., July average daily temperatures were modeled with an R2 of 0.80 and an RMSE of 0.29 °C). The modeled temperatures enabled calibration of a regional treeline model, yielding different parameters needed to predict potential treeline than the global model. Preliminary results indicate that modern Bristlecone pine treeline on and around Mount Washington occurs in areas with a longer growing season length (~160 days defined by all days with a mean temperature >0.9 °C) and a warmer seasonal mean temperature (~9 °C) than the global average. This work will provide a baseline data set on treeline position in the Snake Range derived only from parameters physiologically relevant to demography, and may assist in understanding climate refugia for this species.

  6. Malaria transmission potential could be reduced with current and future climate change.

    PubMed

    Murdock, C C; Sternberg, E D; Thomas, M B

    2016-06-21

    Several studies suggest the potential for climate change to increase malaria incidence in cooler, marginal transmission environments. However, the effect of increasing temperature in warmer regions where conditions currently support endemic transmission has received less attention. We investigate how increases in temperature from optimal conditions (27 °C to 30 °C and 33 °C) interact with realistic diurnal temperature ranges (DTR: ± 0 °C, 3 °C, and 4.5 °C) to affect the ability of key vector species from Africa and Asia (Anopheles gambiae and An. stephensi) to transmit the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. The effects of increasing temperature and DTR on parasite prevalence, parasite intensity, and mosquito mortality decreased overall vectorial capacity for both mosquito species. Increases of 3 °C from 27 °C reduced vectorial capacity by 51-89% depending on species and DTR, with increases in DTR alone potentially halving transmission. At 33 °C, transmission potential was further reduced for An. stephensi and blocked completely in An. gambiae. These results suggest that small shifts in temperature could play a substantial role in malaria transmission dynamics, yet few empirical or modeling studies consider such effects. They further suggest that rather than increase risk, current and future warming could reduce transmission potential in existing high transmission settings.

  7. Low-temperature microwave characteristics of pseudomorphic In(x)Ga(1-x) As/In(0.52)Al(0.48)As modulation-doped field-effect transistors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lai, R.; Bhattacharya, Pallab K.; Alterovitz, S. A.; Downey, A. N.; Chorey, C.

    1990-12-01

    Low-temperature microwave measurements of both lattice-matched and pseudomorphic In(x)Ga(1-x)As/In(0.48)As (x = 0.53, 0.60, and 0.70) channel MODFETs on InP substrates were carried out in a cryogenic measurement system. The measurements were done in the temperature range of 77 to 300 K and in the frequency range of 0.5 to 11.0 GHz at different bias conditions. The cutoff frequency (fT) for the In(x)Ga(1-x)As/In(0.52)Al(0.48)As MODFETs improved from 22 to 29 GHz, 29 to 38 GHz, and 39 to 51 GHz, for x = 0.53, 0.60, and 0.70, respectively, as the temperature was lowered from 300 to 77 K, which is approximately a 31 percent increase at each composition. No degradations were observed in device performance. These results indicate an excellent potential of the pseudomorphic devices at low temperatures.

  8. Development of Metal-Ceramic Coaxial Cable Fabry-Pérot Interferometric Sensors for High Temperature Monitoring

    PubMed Central

    Trontz, Adam; Cheng, Baokai; Zeng, Shixuan; Xiao, Hai; Dong, Junhang

    2015-01-01

    Metal-ceramic coaxial cable Fabry-Pérot interferometric (MCCC-FPI) sensors have been developed using a stainless steel tube and a stainless steel wire as the outer and inner conductors, respectively; a tubular α-alumina insulator; and a pair of air gaps created in the insulator along the cable to serve as weak reflectors for the transmitting microwave (MW) signal. The MCCC-FPI sensors have been demonstrated for high temperature measurements using MW signals in a frequency range of 2–8 GHz. The temperature measurement is achieved by monitoring the frequency shift (Δƒ) of the MW interferogram reflected from the pair of weak reflectors. The MW sensor exhibited excellent linear dependence of Δƒ on temperature; small measurement deviations (±2.7%); and fast response in a tested range of 200–500 °C. The MCCC has the potential for further developing multipoint FPI sensors in a single-cable to achieve in situ and continuous measurement of spatially distributed temperature in harsh environments. PMID:26404280

  9. Development of Metal-Ceramic Coaxial Cable Fabry-Pérot Interferometric Sensors for High Temperature Monitoring.

    PubMed

    Trontz, Adam; Cheng, Baokai; Zeng, Shixuan; Xiao, Hai; Dong, Junhang

    2015-09-25

    Metal-ceramic coaxial cable Fabry-Pérot interferometric (MCCC-FPI) sensors have been developed using a stainless steel tube and a stainless steel wire as the outer and inner conductors, respectively; a tubular α-alumina insulator; and a pair of air gaps created in the insulator along the cable to serve as weak reflectors for the transmitting microwave (MW) signal. The MCCC-FPI sensors have been demonstrated for high temperature measurements using MW signals in a frequency range of 2-8 GHz. The temperature measurement is achieved by monitoring the frequency shift (Δƒ) of the MW interferogram reflected from the pair of weak reflectors. The MW sensor exhibited excellent linear dependence of Δƒ on temperature; small measurement deviations (±2.7%); and fast response in a tested range of 200-500 °C. The MCCC has the potential for further developing multipoint FPI sensors in a single-cable to achieve in situ and continuous measurement of spatially distributed temperature in harsh environments.

  10. Potential impacts of climate change on infectious diseases in the Arctic.

    PubMed

    Parkinson, Alan J; Butler, Jay C

    2005-12-01

    Climate change could cause changes in the incidence of infectious diseases in Arctic regions. Higher ambient temperatures in the Arctic may result in an increase in some temperature sensitive foodborne diseases such as gastroenteritis, paralytic shellfish poisoning and botulism. An increase in mean temperature may also influence the incidence of infectious diseases of animals that are spread to humans (zoonoses) by changing the population and range of animal hosts and insect vectors. An increase in flooding events may result in outbreaks of waterborne infection, such as Giardia lamblia or Cryptospordium parvum. A change in rodent and fox populations may result in an increase in rabies or echinococcosis. Temperature and humidity influence the distribution and density of many arthropod vectors which in turn may influence the incidence and northern range of vectorborne diseases such as West Nile virus. Recommendations include: the strenghtening of public health systems, disease surveillance coordinated with climate monitoring, and research into the detection, prevention, control and treatment of temperature-sensitive infectious diseases.

  11. An activated energy approach for accelerated testing of the deformation of UHMWPE in artificial joints.

    PubMed

    Galetz, Mathias Christian; Glatzel, Uwe

    2010-05-01

    The deformation behavior of ultrahigh molecular polyethylene (UHMWPE) is studied in the temperature range of 23-80 degrees C. Samples are examined in quasi-static compression, tensile and creep tests to determine the accelerated deformation of UHMWPE at elevated temperatures. The deformation mechanisms under compression load can be described by one strain rate and temperature dependent Eyring process. The activation energy and volume of that process do not change between 23 degrees C and 50 degrees C. This suggests that the deformation mechanism under compression remains stable within this temperature range. Tribological tests are conducted to transfer this activated energy approach to the deformation behavior under loading typical for artificial knee joints. While this approach does not cover the wear mechanisms close to the surface, testing at higher temperatures is shown to have a significant potential to reduce the testing time for lifetime predictions in terms of the macroscopic creep and deformation behavior of artificial joints. Copyright 2010. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  12. Magnetic Properties of Strongly Correlated Hubbard Model and Quantum Spin-One Ferromagnets with Arbitrary Crystal-Field Potential: Linked Cluster Series Expansion Approach

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pan, Kok-Kwei

    We have generalized the linked cluster expansion method to solve more many-body quantum systems, such as quantum spin systems with crystal-field potentials and the Hubbard model. The technique sums up all connected diagrams to a certain order of the perturbative Hamiltonian. The modified multiple-site Wick reduction theorem and the simple tau dependence of the standard basis operators have been used to facilitate the evaluation of the integration procedures in the perturbation expansion. Computational methods are developed to calculate all terms in the series expansion. As a first example, the perturbation series expansion of thermodynamic quantities of the single-band Hubbard model has been obtained using a linked cluster series expansion technique. We have made corrections to all previous results of several papers (up to fourth order). The behaviors of the three dimensional simple cubic and body-centered cubic systems have been discussed from the qualitative analysis of the perturbation series up to fourth order. We have also calculated the sixth-order perturbation series of this model. As a second example, we present the magnetic properties of spin-one Heisenberg model with arbitrary crystal-field potential using a linked cluster series expansion. The calculation of the thermodynamic properties using this method covers the whole range of temperature, in both magnetically ordered and disordered phases. The series for the susceptibility and magnetization have been obtained up to fourth order for this model. The method sums up all perturbation terms to certain order and estimates the result using a well -developed and highly successful extrapolation method (the standard ratio method). The dependence of critical temperature on the crystal-field potential and the magnetization as a function of temperature and crystal-field potential are shown. The critical behaviors at zero temperature are also shown. The range of the crystal-field potential for Ni(2+) compounds is roughly estimated based on this model using known experimental results.

  13. Extended law of corresponding states for protein solutions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Platten, Florian; Valadez-Pérez, Néstor E.; Castañeda-Priego, Ramón; Egelhaaf, Stefan U.

    2015-05-01

    The so-called extended law of corresponding states, as proposed by Noro and Frenkel [J. Chem. Phys. 113, 2941 (2000)], involves a mapping of the phase behaviors of systems with short-range attractive interactions. While it has already extensively been applied to various model potentials, here we test its applicability to protein solutions with their complex interactions. We successfully map their experimentally determined metastable gas-liquid binodals, as available in the literature, to the binodals of short-range square-well fluids, as determined by previous as well as new Monte Carlo simulations. This is achieved by representing the binodals as a function of the temperature scaled with the critical temperature (or as a function of the reduced second virial coefficient) and the concentration scaled by the cube of an effective particle diameter, where the scalings take into account the attractive and repulsive contributions to the interaction potential, respectively. The scaled binodals of the protein solutions coincide with simulation data of the adhesive hard-sphere fluid. Furthermore, once the repulsive contributions are taken into account by the effective particle diameter, the temperature dependence of the reduced second virial coefficients follows a master curve that corresponds to a linear temperature dependence of the depth of the square-well potential. We moreover demonstrate that, based on this approach and cloud-point measurements only, second virial coefficients can be estimated, which we show to agree with values determined by light scattering or by Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO)-based calculations.

  14. Extended law of corresponding states for protein solutions.

    PubMed

    Platten, Florian; Valadez-Pérez, Néstor E; Castañeda-Priego, Ramón; Egelhaaf, Stefan U

    2015-05-07

    The so-called extended law of corresponding states, as proposed by Noro and Frenkel [J. Chem. Phys. 113, 2941 (2000)], involves a mapping of the phase behaviors of systems with short-range attractive interactions. While it has already extensively been applied to various model potentials, here we test its applicability to protein solutions with their complex interactions. We successfully map their experimentally determined metastable gas-liquid binodals, as available in the literature, to the binodals of short-range square-well fluids, as determined by previous as well as new Monte Carlo simulations. This is achieved by representing the binodals as a function of the temperature scaled with the critical temperature (or as a function of the reduced second virial coefficient) and the concentration scaled by the cube of an effective particle diameter, where the scalings take into account the attractive and repulsive contributions to the interaction potential, respectively. The scaled binodals of the protein solutions coincide with simulation data of the adhesive hard-sphere fluid. Furthermore, once the repulsive contributions are taken into account by the effective particle diameter, the temperature dependence of the reduced second virial coefficients follows a master curve that corresponds to a linear temperature dependence of the depth of the square-well potential. We moreover demonstrate that, based on this approach and cloud-point measurements only, second virial coefficients can be estimated, which we show to agree with values determined by light scattering or by Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO)-based calculations.

  15. Study on superconducting state parameters of Cu1-xZrx metallic glasses using model potentials

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jambusarwala, Tasneem S.; Gajjar, P. N.

    2018-05-01

    The superconducting state parameters (SSP) of Cu1-xZrx metallic glasses over the full range of concentration x of Zr have been investigated to study influence of various local pseudopotentials. The study includes the computation of electron-phonon coupling strength (λ), transition temperature (TC), isotope effect exponent (α) and effective interaction strength (N0V) using fourteen different forms of local model potentials. The local field correction function proposed by Taylor (T) is used. The influence of model potential on various parameters is ranging from 6% to 83% for pure Zr and 28% to 84% for pure Cu. The present study confirms that the identification of model potential is vital in studying Superconducting State Parameters.

  16. Hydrothermal frictional strengths of rock and mineral samples relevant to the creeping section of the San Andreas Fault

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Moore, Diane E.; Lockner, David A.; Hickman, Stephen H.

    2016-01-01

    We compare frictional strengths in the temperature range 25–250 °C of fault gouge from SAFOD (CDZ and SDZ) with quartzofeldspathic wall rocks typical of the central creeping section of the San Andreas Fault (Great Valley sequence and Franciscan Complex). The Great Valley and Franciscan samples have coefficients of friction, μ > 0.35 at all experimental conditions. Strength is unchanged between 25° and 150 °C, but μ increases at higher temperatures, exceeding 0.50 at 250 °C. Both samples are velocity strengthening at room temperature but show velocity-weakening behavior beginning at 150 °C and stick-slip motion at 250 °C. These rocks, therefore, have the potential for unstable seismic slip at depth. The CDZ gouge, with a high saponite content, is weak (μ = 0.09–0.17) and velocity strengthening in all experiments, and μ decreases at temperatures above 150 °C. Behavior of the SDZ is intermediate between the CDZ and wall rocks: μ < 0.2 and does not vary with temperature. Although saponite is probably not stable at depths greater than ∼3 km, substitution of the frictionally similar minerals talc and Mg-rich chlorite for saponite at higher temperatures could potentially extend the range of low strength and stable slip down to the base of the seismogenic zone.

  17. GaAs Quantum Dot Thermometry Using Direct Transport and Charge Sensing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Maradan, D.; Casparis, L.; Liu, T.-M.; Biesinger, D. E. F.; Scheller, C. P.; Zumbühl, D. M.; Zimmerman, J. D.; Gossard, A. C.

    2014-06-01

    We present measurements of the electron temperature using gate-defined quantum dots formed in a GaAs 2D electron gas in both direct transport and charge sensing mode. Decent agreement with the refrigerator temperature was observed over a broad range of temperatures down to 10 mK. Upon cooling nuclear demagnetization stages integrated into the sample wires below 1 mK, the device electron temperature saturates, remaining close to 10 mK. The extreme sensitivity of the thermometer to its environment as well as electronic noise complicates temperature measurements but could potentially provide further insight into the device characteristics. We discuss thermal coupling mechanisms, address possible reasons for the temperature saturation and delineate the prospects of further reducing the device electron temperature.

  18. Non-arrhenius behavior in the unfolding of a short, hydrophobic alpha-helix. Complementarity of molecular dynamics and lattice model simulations.

    PubMed

    Collet, Olivier; Chipot, Christophe

    2003-05-28

    The unfolding of the last, C-terminal residue of AcNH(2)-(l-Leu)(11)-NHMe in its alpha-helical form has been investigated by measuring the variation of free energy involved in the alpha(R) to beta conformational transition. These calculations were performed using large-scale molecular dynamics simulations in conjunction with the umbrella sampling method. For different temperatures ranging from 280 to 370 K, the free energy of activation was estimated. Concurrently, unfolding simulations of a homopolypeptide formed by twelve hydrophobic residues were carried out, employing a three-dimensional lattice model description of the peptide, with a temperature-dependent interaction potential. Using a Monte Carlo approach, the lowest free energy conformation, an analogue of a right-handed alpha-helix, was determined in the region where the peptide chain is well ordered. The free energy barrier separating this state from a distinct, compact conformation, analogue to a beta-strand, was determined over a large enough range of temperatures. The results of these molecular dynamics and lattice model simulations are consistent and indicate that the kinetics of the unfolding of a hydrophobic peptide exhibits a non-Arrhenius behavior closely related to the temperature dependence of the hydrophobic effect. These results further illuminate the necessity to include a temperature dependence in potential energy functions designed for coarse-grained models of proteins.

  19. Investigation of Chlorella vulgaris UTEX 265 Cultivation under Light and Low Temperature Stressed Conditions for Lutein Production in Flasks and the Coiled Tree Photo-Bioreactor (CTPBR).

    PubMed

    Gong, Mengyue; Bassi, Amarjeet

    2017-10-01

    Lutein has an increasing share in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical market due to its benefits to eye health. Microalgae may be a potential source for lutein production while the expense limits the commercialization. In this study, a coiled tubular tree photobioreactor (CTPBR) design was investigated for cultivating the cold tolerant microalgae Chlorella vulgaris UTEX 265 under various conditions for lutein production. The influence and interaction of light irradiance strength, lighting cycle, and temperature on microalgae and lutein production efficiency at low temperature range were also studied in flasks via response surface method (RSM). The results demonstrated that 14 h day-light, 120 μmol photons m -2  s -1 , and 10 °C was the optimal condition for algae growth and lutein production at low temperature experimental ranges. C. vulgaris UTEX 265 showed good potential to produce lutein in cold weather, and the optimum lutein production was contrary to the specific lutein content but corresponds to the trend of optimum growth. Additionally, fast growth (μ = 1.50 day -1 ) and good lutein recovery (11.98 mg g -1  day -1 ) in CTPBR were also achieved at the low irradiance stress condition and the low temperature photo-inhibition conditions.

  20. Realizing one-dimensional quantum and high-frequency transport features in aligned single-walled carbon nanotube ropes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ncube, Siphephile; Chimowa, George; Chiguvare, Zivayi; Bhattacharyya, Somnath

    2014-07-01

    The superiority of the electronic transport properties of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) ropes over SWNT mats is verified from low temperature and frequency-dependent transport. The overall change of resistance versus in nanotube mats shows that 3D variable range hopping is the dominant conduction mechanism within the 2-300 K range. The magneto-resistance (MR) is found to be predominantly negative with a parabolic nature, which can also be described by the hopping model. Although the positive upturn of the MR at low temperatures establishes the contribution from quantum interference, the inherent quantum transport in individual tubes is suppressed at elevated temperatures. Therefore, to minimize multi-channel effects from inter-tube interactions and other defects, two-terminal devices were fabricated from aligned SWNT (extracted from a mat) for low temperature transport as well as high-frequency measurements. In contrast to the mat, the aligned ropes exhibit step-like features in the differential conductance within the 80-300 K temperature range. The effects of plasmon propagation, unique to one dimension, were identified in electronic transport as a non-universal power-law dependence of the differential conductance on temperature and source-drain voltage. The complex impedance showed high power transmission capabilities up to 65 GHz as well as oscillations in the frequency range up to 30 GHz. The measurements suggest that aligned SWNT ropes have a realistic potential for high-speed device applications.

  1. Modelling in situ enzyme potential of soils: a tool to predict soil respiration from agricultural fields

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shahbaz Ali, Rana; Poll, Christian; Demyan, Scott; Nkwain Funkuin, Yvonne; Ingwersen, Joachim; Wizemann, Hans-Dieter; Kandeler, Ellen

    2014-05-01

    The fate of soil organic carbon (SOC) is one of the largest uncertainties in predicting future climate and terrestrial ecosystem functions. Extra-cellular enzymes, produced by microorganisms, perform the very first step in SOC degradation and serve as key components in global carbon cycling. Very little information is available about the seasonal variation in the temperature sensitivity of soil enzymes. Here we aim to model in situ enzyme potentials involved in the degradation of either labile or recalcitrant organic compounds to understand the temporal variability of degradation processes. To identify the similarities in seasonal patterns of soil respiration and in situ enzyme potentials, we compared the modelled in situ enzyme activities with weekly measured soil CO2 emissions. Arable soil samples from two different treatments (4 years fallow and currently vegetated plots; treatments represent range of carbon input into soil) were collected every month from April, 2012 to April, 2013, from two different study regions (Kraichgau and Swabian Alb) in Southwest Germany. The vegetation plots were under crop rotation in both study areas. We measured activities of three enzymes including β-glucosidase, xylanase and phenoloxidase at five different temperatures. We also measured soil microbial biomass in form of microbial carbon (Cmic). Land-use and area had significant effects (P < 0.001) on the microbial biomass; fallow plots having less Cmic than vegetation plots. Potential activities of β-glucosidase (P < 0.001) and xylanase (P < 0.01) were significantly higher in the vegetation plots of the Swabian Alb region than in the Kraichgau region. In both study areas, enzyme activities were higher during vegetation period and lower during winter which points to the importance of carbon input and/or temperature and soil moisture. We calculated the temperature sensitivity (Q10) of enzyme activities based on laboratory measurements of enzyme activities at a range of incubation temperatures. Q10 of β-glucosidase activity changed significantly across the year (Q10 values ranges from 1.5 to 2.0 in Kraichgau and 1.6 to 2.1 in Swabian Alb), while for xylanase activity, no significant effects were found (Q10 values ranges from 1.2 to 3.0 in Kraichgau and 1.3 to 3.3 in Swabian Alb) in both study regions. By using laboratory based enzyme activities, calculated Q10 values, and daily soil temperature data, we modelled in situ enzyme potentials in soils for labile and recalcitrant carbon pools for both study regions. We observed an increase in modelled in situ enzyme activities during the summer period and a substantial decrease during winter indicating temperature as a strong controlling factor. A significant higher positive correlation of soil surface CO2 flux with modelled in situ β-glucosidase activity was found in both study regions compared to modelled in situ xylanase activity. These results demonstrate that (1) Q10 values are site and season specific and should be added into carbon models and (2) the indication of the relevance of greater contribution of labile carbon pool to soil CO2 emissions.

  2. Utilization of Satellite Data in Land Surface Hydrology: Sensitivity and Assimilation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lakshmi, Venkataraman; Susskind, Joel

    1999-01-01

    This paper investigates the sensitivity of potential evapotranspiration to input meteorological variables, viz- surface air temperature and surface vapor pressure. The sensitivity studies have been carried out for a wide range of land surface variables such as wind speed, leaf area index and surface temperatures. Errors in the surface air temperature and surface vapor pressure result in errors of different signs in the computed potential evapotranspiration. This result has implications for use of estimated values from satellite data or analysis of surface air temperature and surface vapor pressure in large scale hydrological modeling. The comparison of cumulative potential evapotranspiration estimates using ground observations and satellite observations over Manhattan, Kansas for a period of several months shows very little difference between the two. The cumulative differences between the ground based and satellite based estimates of potential evapotranspiration amounted to less that 20mm over a 18 month period and a percentage difference of 15%. The use of satellite estimates of surface skin temperature in hydrological modeling to update the soil moisture using a physical adjustment concept is studied in detail including the extent of changes in soil moisture resulting from the assimilation of surface skin temperature. The soil moisture of the surface layer is adjusted by 0.9mm over a 10 day period as a result of a 3K difference between the predicted and the observed surface temperature. This is a considerable amount given the fact that the top layer can hold only 5mm of water.

  3. An infrared image based methodology for breast lesions screening

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Morais, K. C. C.; Vargas, J. V. C.; Reisemberger, G. G.; Freitas, F. N. P.; Oliari, S. H.; Brioschi, M. L.; Louveira, M. H.; Spautz, C.; Dias, F. G.; Gasperin, P.; Budel, V. M.; Cordeiro, R. A. G.; Schittini, A. P. P.; Neto, C. D.

    2016-05-01

    The objective of this paper is to evaluate the potential of utilizing a structured methodology for breast lesions screening, based on infrared imaging temperature measurements of a healthy control group to establish expected normality ranges, and of breast cancer patients, previously diagnosed through biopsies of the affected regions. An analysis of the systematic error of the infrared camera skin temperature measurements was conducted in several different regions of the body, by direct comparison to high precision thermistor temperature measurements, showing that infrared camera temperatures are consistently around 2 °C above the thermistor temperatures. Therefore, a method of conjugated gradients is proposed to eliminate the infrared camera direct temperature measurement imprecision, by calculating the temperature difference between two points to cancel out the error. The method takes into account the human body approximate bilateral symmetry, and compares measured dimensionless temperature difference values (Δ θ bar) between two symmetric regions of the patient's breast, that takes into account the breast region, the surrounding ambient and the individual core temperatures, and doing so, the results interpretation for different individuals become simple and non subjective. The range of normal whole breast average dimensionless temperature differences for 101 healthy individuals was determined, and admitting that the breasts temperatures exhibit a unimodal normal distribution, the healthy normal range for each region was considered to be the dimensionless temperature difference plus/minus twice the standard deviation of the measurements, Δ θ bar ‾ + 2σ Δ θ bar ‾ , in order to represent 95% of the population. Forty-seven patients with previously diagnosed breast cancer through biopsies were examined with the method, which was capable of detecting breast abnormalities in 45 cases (96%). Therefore, the conjugated gradients method was considered effective in breast lesions screening through infrared imaging in order to recommend a biopsy, even with the use of a low optical resolution camera (160 × 120 pixels) and a thermal resolution of 0.1 °C, whose results were compared to the results of a higher resolution camera (320 × 240 pixels). The main conclusion is that the results demonstrate that the method has potential for utilization as a noninvasive screening exam for individuals with breast complaints, indicating whether the patient should be submitted to a biopsy or not.

  4. Mineralogy and composition of matrix and chondrule rims in carbonaceous chondrites

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Zolensky, Michael; Barrett, Ruth; Browning, Lauren

    1993-01-01

    The degree of compositional variation of fine-grained minerals displayed by the members within any carbonaceous chondrite group (i.e., CI, CM, CV, CR) is a direct reflection of the range of aqueous alteration assemblages present. Matrix and fine-grained chondrule rims within any particular carbonaceous chondrite are mineralogically nearly identical to one another, but not necessarily similar in bulk elemental composition, even though they have subsequently experienced postaccretional secondary processing (aqueous alteration) under identical conditions. We propose that CO chondrites experienced parent body conditions of low f(O2), low water/rock ratios, and temperatures below 50 C. CR chondrites experienced higher water/rock ratios, potentially higher temperatures (not above 150 C), and a wide range of f(O2). The alteration mineralogy of CV chondrites indicates water/rock ratios at the high end (at least) of the range for CR chondrites, Essebi, and MAC 87300. CM chondrites experienced temperatures below 50 C, low f(O2) and low water/rock ratios, except EET 83334, which probably experienced relatively higher f(O2), and B-7904 and Y-86720, which experienced postalteration temperatures in the range 500-700 C. Most CI chondrites experienced temperatures between 50 and 150 C, relatively high water/rock ratios, and variable f(O2). Y-82162 witnessed postalteration heating, possibly as high as 400 C.

  5. Excellence of numerical differentiation method in calculating the coefficients of high temperature series expansion of the free energy and convergence problem of the expansion

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

    Zhou, S., E-mail: chixiayzsq@yahoo.com; Solana, J. R.

    2014-12-28

    In this paper, it is shown that the numerical differentiation method in performing the coupling parameter series expansion [S. Zhou, J. Chem. Phys. 125, 144518 (2006); AIP Adv. 1, 040703 (2011)] excels at calculating the coefficients a{sub i} of hard sphere high temperature series expansion (HS-HTSE) of the free energy. Both canonical ensemble and isothermal-isobaric ensemble Monte Carlo simulations for fluid interacting through a hard sphere attractive Yukawa (HSAY) potential with extremely short ranges and at very low temperatures are performed, and the resulting two sets of data of thermodynamic properties are in excellent agreement with each other, and wellmore » qualified to be used for assessing convergence of the HS-HTSE for the HSAY fluid. Results of valuation are that (i) by referring to the results of a hard sphere square well fluid [S. Zhou, J. Chem. Phys. 139, 124111 (2013)], it is found that existence of partial sum limit of the high temperature series expansion series and consistency between the limit value and the true solution depend on both the potential shapes and temperatures considered. (ii) For the extremely short range HSAY potential, the HS-HTSE coefficients a{sub i} falls rapidly with the order i, and the HS-HTSE converges from fourth order; however, it does not converge exactly to the true solution at reduced temperatures lower than 0.5, wherein difference between the partial sum limit of the HS-HTSE series and the simulation result tends to become more evident. Something worth mentioning is that before the convergence order is reached, the preceding truncation is always improved by the succeeding one, and the fourth- and higher-order truncations give the most dependable and qualitatively always correct thermodynamic results for the HSAY fluid even at low reduced temperatures to 0.25.« less

  6. Sensitivity of River Runoff in Bhutan to Changes in Precipitation and Temperature

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sonessa, M. Y.; Nijssen, B.; Dorji, C.; Wangmo, D.; Lettenmaier, D. P.; Richey, J. E.

    2013-12-01

    In the past decades there has been increasing concern about the potential effects of climate change on runoff and water resources all over the world under different conditions. Various studies have indicated that climate change will have an impact on runoff and stream flow. Bhutan is one of the countries in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region which shows more warming than the global average. The Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model, a macroscale hydrological model, was used to assess the hydrology of the country and the potential impacts of climate change on water availability. Precipitation and temperature were perturbed to study the runoff sensitivity to temperature and precipitation changes. The VIC model was run at 1/24° latitude-longitude resolution. The modeled mean annual runoff elasticity which measures fractional change in annual runoff divided by fractional change in annual precipitation ranges from 1.08 to 2.16. The elasticity value is lower for higher reference precipitations and vice versa. The runoff sensitivity to temperature represents the percentage change in annual runoff per 1°C change in temperature. Runoff sensitivities are negative and range from -1.36%/°C to -1.70%/°C. Spatially, both greater elasticity and sensitivity occur towards the northern part of the country where elevation is more than 5000 m above sea level. Based on the coupled model inter-comparison project phase five (CMIP5) average model results, both precipitation and temperature are predicted to increase in Bhutan in the 21st century. Annually, P is expected to increase by 0.45 to 8.7% under RCP4.5 emission scenario and 1.95 to 14.26% under RCP8.5 emission. The mean annual temperature increment ranges from +1.1 to +2.6°C under RCP4.5 and +1.2 to +4.5°C under RCP8.5 emission scenario. These changes in precipitation and temperature are expected to result in runoff changes ranging from -1.0 to +14.3% and +2.2 to +23.1% increments under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 emission scenarios, respectively, with the increment getting bigger towards the end of the century. Keywords: Climate change; runoff elasticity; runoff sensitivity; Bhutan.

  7. Reliability of a novel thermal imaging system for temperature assessment of healthy feet.

    PubMed

    Petrova, N L; Whittam, A; MacDonald, A; Ainarkar, S; Donaldson, A N; Bevans, J; Allen, J; Plassmann, P; Kluwe, B; Ring, F; Rogers, L; Simpson, R; Machin, G; Edmonds, M E

    2018-01-01

    Thermal imaging is a useful modality for identifying preulcerative lesions ("hot spots") in diabetic foot patients. Despite its recognised potential, at present, there is no readily available instrument for routine podiatric assessment of patients at risk. To address this need, a novel thermal imaging system was recently developed. This paper reports the reliability of this device for temperature assessment of healthy feet. Plantar skin foot temperatures were measured with the novel thermal imaging device (Diabetic Foot Ulcer Prevention System (DFUPS), constructed by Photometrix Imaging Ltd) and also with a hand-held infrared spot thermometer (Thermofocus® 01500A3, Tecnimed, Italy) after 20 min of barefoot resting with legs supported and extended in 105 subjects (52 males and 53 females; age range 18 to 69 years) as part of a multicentre clinical trial. The temperature differences between the right and left foot at five regions of interest (ROIs), including 1st and 4th toes, 1st, 3rd and 5th metatarsal heads were calculated. The intra-instrument agreement (three repeated measures) and the inter-instrument agreement (hand-held thermometer and thermal imaging device) were quantified using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) and the 95% confidence intervals (CI). Both devices showed almost perfect agreement in replication by instrument. The intra-instrument ICCs for the thermal imaging device at all five ROIs ranged from 0.95 to 0.97 and the intra-instrument ICCs for the hand-held-thermometer ranged from 0.94 to 0.97. There was substantial to perfect inter-instrument agreement between the hand-held thermometer and the thermal imaging device and the ICCs at all five ROIs ranged between 0.94 and 0.97. This study reports the performance of a novel thermal imaging device in the assessment of foot temperatures in healthy volunteers in comparison with a hand-held infrared thermometer. The newly developed thermal imaging device showed very good agreement in repeated temperature assessments at defined ROIs as well as substantial to perfect agreement in temperature assessment with the hand-held infrared thermometer. In addition to the reported non-inferior performance in temperature assessment, the thermal imaging device holds the potential to provide an instantaneous thermal image of all sites of the feet (plantar, dorsal, lateral and medial views). Diabetic Foot Ulcer Prevention System NCT02317835, registered December 10, 2014.

  8. Weather and Climate Indicators for Coffee Rust Disease

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Georgiou, S.; Imbach, P. A.; Avelino, J.; Anzueto, F.; del Carmen Calderón, G.

    2014-12-01

    Coffee rust is a disease that has significant impacts on the livelihoods of those who are dependent on the Central American coffee sector. Our investigation has focussed on the weather and climate indicators that favoured the high incidence of coffee rust disease in Central America in 2012 by assessing daily temperature and precipitation data available from 81 weather stations in the INSIVUMEH and ANACAFE networks located in Guatemala. The temperature data were interpolated to determine the corresponding daily data at 1250 farms located across Guatemala, between 400 and 1800 m elevation. Additionally, CHIRPS five day (pentad) data has been used to assess the anomalies between the 2012 and the climatological average precipitation data at farm locations. The weather conditions in 2012 displayed considerable variations from the climatological data. In general the minimum daily temperatures were higher than the corresponding climatology while the maximum temperatures were lower. As a result, the daily diurnal temperature range was generally lower than the corresponding climatological range, leading to an increased number of days where the temperatures fell within the optimal range for either influencing the susceptibility of the coffee plants to coffee rust development during the dry season, or for the development of lesions on the coffee leaves during the wet season. The coffee rust latency period was probably shortened as a result, and farms at high altitudes were impacted due to these increases in minimum temperature. Factors taken into consideration in developing indicators for coffee rust development include: the diurnal temperature range, altitude, the environmental lapse rate and the phenology. We will present the results of our study and discuss the potential for each of the derived weather and climatological indicators to be used within risk assessments and to eventually be considered for use within an early warning system for coffee rust disease.

  9. Effect of the Potential Shape on the Stochastic Resonance Processes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kenmoé, G. Djuidjé; Ngouongo, Y. J. Wadop; Kofané, T. C.

    2015-10-01

    The stochastic resonance (SR) induced by periodic signal and white noises in a periodic nonsinusoidal potential is investigated. This phenomenon is studied as a function of the friction coefficient as well as the shape of the potential. It is done through an investigation of the hysteresis loop area which is equivalent to the input energy lost by the system to the environment per period of the external force. SR is evident in some range of the shape parameter of the potential, but cannot be observed in the other range. Specially, variation of the shape potential affects significantly and not trivially the heigh of the potential barrier in the Kramers rate as well as the occurrence of SR. The finding results show crucial dependence of the temperature of occurrence of SR on the shape of the potential. It is noted that the maximum of the input energy generally decreases when the friction coefficient is increased.

  10. Theoretical Study on the Dynamics of the Reaction of HNO((1)A') with HO2((2)A″).

    PubMed

    Mousavipour, S Hosein; Asemani, S Somayeh

    2015-06-04

    We used stochastic one-dimensional chemical master equation (CME) simulation to gain insight into the dynamics of the reaction of HNO((1)A') with HO2((2)A″). The reaction takes place over a multiwell, multichannel potential energy surface that is based on the computations at the CBS-QB3 level of theory. The calculated multipath potential energy surface consists of three potential wells and three van der Waals complexes. In solving the master equation, the Lennard-Jones potential is used to model the collision between the collider gases. The fractional population of different intermediates and products in the early stages of the reaction is examined to determine the role of the energized intermediates and van der Waals complexes on the kinetics of the title reaction. The major products of the title reaction at lower temperatures are OH, HNO2, HNOH, and O2(X(3)Σg(-)). The temperature- and pressure-dependence of the reaction over a wide range of temperature (300-3000 K) and pressure (0.1-2000 Torr) are studied. No sign of pressure dependence was being observed for the title reaction over the stated range of pressure. The calculated rate constants from the CME simulation are compared with those obtained from the RRKM-SSA method that is based on strong collision assumption. Our results indicate that the strong collision assumption increases the calculated rate constant for the formation of the main products (HNO2 + OH) by a factor of 2 at 300 K and 1 atm pressure, compared to the results of CME simulation, although the results are in good agreement at higher temperatures.

  11. Crosslinked polyarylene ether nitrile film as flexible dielectric materials with ultrahigh thermal stability

    PubMed Central

    Yang, Ruiqi; Wei, Renbo; Li, Kui; Tong, Lifen; Jia, Kun; Liu, Xiaobo

    2016-01-01

    Dielectric film with ultrahigh thermal stability based on crosslinked polyarylene ether nitrile is prepared and characterized. The film is obtained by solution-casting of polyarylene ether nitrile terminated phthalonitrile (PEN-Ph) combined with post self-crosslinking at high temperature. The film shows a 5% decomposition temperature over 520 °C and a glass transition temperature (Tg) around 386 °C. Stable dielectric constant and low dielectric loss are observed for this film in the frequency range of 100–200 kHz and in the temperature range of 25–300 °C. The temperature coefficient of dielectric constant is less than 0.001 °C−1 even at 400 °C. By cycling heating and cooling up to ten times or heating at 300 °C for 12 h, the film shows good reversibility and robustness of the dielectric properties. This crosslinked PEN film will be a potential candidate as high performance film capacitor electronic devices materials used at high temperature. PMID:27827436

  12. Long-range interacting systems in the unconstrained ensemble.

    PubMed

    Latella, Ivan; Pérez-Madrid, Agustín; Campa, Alessandro; Casetti, Lapo; Ruffo, Stefano

    2017-01-01

    Completely open systems can exchange heat, work, and matter with the environment. While energy, volume, and number of particles fluctuate under completely open conditions, the equilibrium states of the system, if they exist, can be specified using the temperature, pressure, and chemical potential as control parameters. The unconstrained ensemble is the statistical ensemble describing completely open systems and the replica energy is the appropriate free energy for these control parameters from which the thermodynamics must be derived. It turns out that macroscopic systems with short-range interactions cannot attain equilibrium configurations in the unconstrained ensemble, since temperature, pressure, and chemical potential cannot be taken as a set of independent variables in this case. In contrast, we show that systems with long-range interactions can reach states of thermodynamic equilibrium in the unconstrained ensemble. To illustrate this fact, we consider a modification of the Thirring model and compare the unconstrained ensemble with the canonical and grand-canonical ones: The more the ensemble is constrained by fixing the volume or number of particles, the larger the space of parameters defining the equilibrium configurations.

  13. The effect of combination of magnetic field and low temperature on doped quantum wells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    de P. Abreu, E.; Serra, R. M.; Emmel, P. D.

    2001-10-01

    In this work, we study in the optical absorption of lightly doped and compensated GaAs-GaAlAs quantum wells in the presence of applied magnetic field at low temperatures. The maximum values of magnetic field and temperature are chosen to be 10 T and 5 K, respectively. The wave functions and energies of electrons bound to impurities are calculated variationally using hydrogen-like functions. The absorption coefficient is computed through the use of Fermi golden rule and the statistics of this system is made by a self-consistent calculation of the electrostatic potential generated by ionized impurities, while the convergence parameter is the electronic chemical potential. We focus our attention on 1s→2p ± transitions. The results show that the range of frequency absorbed by the system stays unaltered in 1s→2p - transition and changes for the 1s→2p + transition, presenting a shift to higher frequencies as the magnetic field increases. Another important result is the decrease of the absorption coefficient for the lowest part of the frequency range as the temperature decreases, turning the material almost transparent for those frequencies. This kind of information may be useful for further diagnosis of quantum well systems.

  14. Interstitial Photoacoustic Sensor for the Measurement of Tissue Temperature during Interstitial Laser Phototherapy

    PubMed Central

    Li, Zhifang; Chen, Haiyu; Zhou, Feifan; Li, Hui; Chen, Wei R.

    2015-01-01

    Photothermal therapy is an effective means to induce tumor cell death, since tumor tissue is more sensitive to temperature increases than normal tissue. Biological responses depend on tissue temperature; target tissue temperature needs to be precisely measured and controlled to achieve desired thermal effects. In this work, a unique photoacoustic (PA) sensor is proposed for temperature measurement during interstitial laser phototherapy. A continuous-wave laser light and a pulsed laser light, for photothermal irradiation and photoacoustic temperature measurement, respectively, were delivered to the target tissue through a fiber coupler. During laser irradiation, the PA amplitude was measured. The Grüneisen parameter and the bioheat equation were used to determine the temperature in strategic positions in the target tissue. Our results demonstrate that the interstitial PA amplitude is a linear function of temperature in the range of 22 to 55 °C, as confirmed by thermocouple measurement. Furthermore, by choosing appropriate laser parameters, the maximum temperature surrounding the active diffuse fiber tip in tissue can be controlled in the range of 41 to 55 °C. Thus, this sensor could potentially be used for fast, accurate, and convenient three-dimensional temperature measurement, and for real-time feedback and control of interstitial laser phototherapy in cancer treatment. PMID:25756865

  15. Thermal heterogeneity within aqueous materials quantified by 1H NMR spectroscopy: Multiparametric validation in silico and in vitro

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lutz, Norbert W.; Bernard, Monique

    2018-02-01

    We recently suggested a new paradigm for statistical analysis of thermal heterogeneity in (semi-)aqueous materials by 1H NMR spectroscopy, using water as a temperature probe. Here, we present a comprehensive in silico and in vitro validation that demonstrates the ability of this new technique to provide accurate quantitative parameters characterizing the statistical distribution of temperature values in a volume of (semi-)aqueous matter. First, line shape parameters of numerically simulated water 1H NMR spectra are systematically varied to study a range of mathematically well-defined temperature distributions. Then, corresponding models based on measured 1H NMR spectra of agarose gel are analyzed. In addition, dedicated samples based on hydrogels or biological tissue are designed to produce temperature gradients changing over time, and dynamic NMR spectroscopy is employed to analyze the resulting temperature profiles at sub-second temporal resolution. Accuracy and consistency of the previously introduced statistical descriptors of temperature heterogeneity are determined: weighted median and mean temperature, standard deviation, temperature range, temperature mode(s), kurtosis, skewness, entropy, and relative areas under temperature curves. Potential and limitations of this method for quantitative analysis of thermal heterogeneity in (semi-)aqueous materials are discussed in view of prospective applications in materials science as well as biology and medicine.

  16. Hydrology Model Formulation within the Training Range Environmental Evaluation and Characterization System (TREECS)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-02-01

    Potential evapotranspiration is computed using the Thornthwaite Method. Infiltration is computed from a water balance. DISCLAIMER: The contents of...precipitation, rainfall, runoff, evapotranspiration , infiltration, and number of days with rainfall. A hydrology model was developed to estimate...temperatures. Potential evapotranspiration (PET) is computed using the Thornthwaite Method. Actual evapotranspiration (ET) and infiltration are computed from a

  17. Suitable Environmental Ranges for Potential Coral Reef Habitats in the Tropical Ocean

    PubMed Central

    Guan, Yi; Hohn, Sönke; Merico, Agostino

    2015-01-01

    Coral reefs are found within a limited range of environmental conditions or tolerance limits. Estimating these limits is a critical prerequisite for understanding the impacts of climate change on the biogeography of coral reefs. Here we used the diagnostic model ReefHab to determine the current environmental tolerance limits for coral reefs and the global distribution of potential coral reef habitats as a function of six factors: temperature, salinity, nitrate, phosphate, aragonite saturation state, and light. To determine these tolerance limits, we extracted maximum and minimum values of all environmental variables in corresponding locations where coral reefs are present. We found that the global, annually averaged tolerance limits for coral reefs are 21.7—29.6 °C for temperature, 28.7—40.4 psu for salinity, 4.51 μmol L-1 for nitrate, 0.63 μmol L-1 for phosphate, and 2.82 for aragonite saturation state. The averaged minimum light intensity in coral reefs is 450 μmol photons m-2 s-1. The global area of potential reef habitats calculated by the model is 330.5 × 103 km2. Compared with previous studies, the tolerance limits for temperature, salinity, and nutrients have not changed much, whereas the minimum value of aragonite saturation in coral reef waters has decreased from 3.28 to 2.82. The potential reef habitat area calculated with ReefHab is about 121×103 km2 larger than the area estimated from the charted reefs, suggesting that the growth potential of coral reefs is higher than currently observed. PMID:26030287

  18. Suitable environmental ranges for potential coral reef habitats in the tropical ocean.

    PubMed

    Guan, Yi; Hohn, Sönke; Merico, Agostino

    2015-01-01

    Coral reefs are found within a limited range of environmental conditions or tolerance limits. Estimating these limits is a critical prerequisite for understanding the impacts of climate change on the biogeography of coral reefs. Here we used the diagnostic model ReefHab to determine the current environmental tolerance limits for coral reefs and the global distribution of potential coral reef habitats as a function of six factors: temperature, salinity, nitrate, phosphate, aragonite saturation state, and light. To determine these tolerance limits, we extracted maximum and minimum values of all environmental variables in corresponding locations where coral reefs are present. We found that the global, annually averaged tolerance limits for coral reefs are 21.7-29.6 °C for temperature, 28.7-40.4 psu for salinity, 4.51 μmol L-1 for nitrate, 0.63 μmol L-1 for phosphate, and 2.82 for aragonite saturation state. The averaged minimum light intensity in coral reefs is 450 μmol photons m-2 s-1. The global area of potential reef habitats calculated by the model is 330.5 × 103 km2. Compared with previous studies, the tolerance limits for temperature, salinity, and nutrients have not changed much, whereas the minimum value of aragonite saturation in coral reef waters has decreased from 3.28 to 2.82. The potential reef habitat area calculated with ReefHab is about 121×103 km2 larger than the area estimated from the charted reefs, suggesting that the growth potential of coral reefs is higher than currently observed.

  19. Seedling Emergence and Phenotypic Response of Common Bean Germplasm to Different Temperatures under Controlled Conditions and in Open Field.

    PubMed

    De Ron, Antonio M; Rodiño, Ana P; Santalla, Marta; González, Ana M; Lema, María J; Martín, Isaura; Kigel, Jaime

    2016-01-01

    Rapid and uniform seed germination and seedling emergence under diverse environmental conditions is a desirable characteristic for crops. Common bean genotypes (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) differ in their low temperature tolerance regarding growth and yield. Cultivars tolerant to low temperature during the germination and emergence stages and carriers of the grain quality standards demanded by consumers are needed for the success of the bean crop. The objectives of this study were (i) to screen the seedling emergence and the phenotypic response of bean germplasm under a range of temperatures in controlled chamber and field conditions to display stress-tolerant genotypes with good agronomic performances and yield potential, and (ii) to compare the emergence of bean seedlings under controlled environment and in open field conditions to assess the efficiency of genebanks standard germination tests for predicting the performance of the seeds in the field. Three trials were conducted with 28 dry bean genotypes in open field and in growth chamber under low, moderate, and warm temperature. Morpho-agronomic data were used to evaluate the phenotypic performance of the different genotypes. Cool temperatures resulted in a reduction of the rate of emergence in the bean genotypes, however, emergence and early growth of bean could be under different genetic control and these processes need further research to be suitably modeled. Nine groups arose from the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) representing variation in emergence time and proportion of emergence in the controlled chamber and in the open field indicating a trend to lower emergence in large and extra-large seeded genotypes. Screening of seedling emergence and phenotypic response of the bean germplasm under a range of temperatures in controlled growth chambers and under field conditions showed several genotypes, as landraces 272, 501, 593, and the cultivar Borlotto, with stress-tolerance at emergence, and high yield potential that could be valuable genetic material for breeding programs. Additionally, the potential genetic erosion in genebanks was assessed. Regarding bean commercial traits, under low temperature at sowing time seed reached larger size, and crop yield was higher compared to warmer temperatures at the sowing time. Therefore, early sowing of bean is strongly recommended.

  20. Seedling Emergence and Phenotypic Response of Common Bean Germplasm to Different Temperatures under Controlled Conditions and in Open Field

    PubMed Central

    De Ron, Antonio M.; Rodiño, Ana P.; Santalla, Marta; González, Ana M.; Lema, María J.; Martín, Isaura; Kigel, Jaime

    2016-01-01

    Rapid and uniform seed germination and seedling emergence under diverse environmental conditions is a desirable characteristic for crops. Common bean genotypes (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) differ in their low temperature tolerance regarding growth and yield. Cultivars tolerant to low temperature during the germination and emergence stages and carriers of the grain quality standards demanded by consumers are needed for the success of the bean crop. The objectives of this study were (i) to screen the seedling emergence and the phenotypic response of bean germplasm under a range of temperatures in controlled chamber and field conditions to display stress-tolerant genotypes with good agronomic performances and yield potential, and (ii) to compare the emergence of bean seedlings under controlled environment and in open field conditions to assess the efficiency of genebanks standard germination tests for predicting the performance of the seeds in the field. Three trials were conducted with 28 dry bean genotypes in open field and in growth chamber under low, moderate, and warm temperature. Morpho-agronomic data were used to evaluate the phenotypic performance of the different genotypes. Cool temperatures resulted in a reduction of the rate of emergence in the bean genotypes, however, emergence and early growth of bean could be under different genetic control and these processes need further research to be suitably modeled. Nine groups arose from the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) representing variation in emergence time and proportion of emergence in the controlled chamber and in the open field indicating a trend to lower emergence in large and extra-large seeded genotypes. Screening of seedling emergence and phenotypic response of the bean germplasm under a range of temperatures in controlled growth chambers and under field conditions showed several genotypes, as landraces 272, 501, 593, and the cultivar Borlotto, with stress-tolerance at emergence, and high yield potential that could be valuable genetic material for breeding programs. Additionally, the potential genetic erosion in genebanks was assessed. Regarding bean commercial traits, under low temperature at sowing time seed reached larger size, and crop yield was higher compared to warmer temperatures at the sowing time. Therefore, early sowing of bean is strongly recommended. PMID:27532005

  1. Impact of oxygen depletion on planktonic community with emphasis temperature dynamics at aquaculture scale in Blanakan, West Java

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Takarina, Noverita Dian; Wardhana, Wisnu; Soedjiarti, Titi

    2017-05-01

    It is hypothesized that rise in temperature under climate change regimes can cause oxygen depletion and can reduce the diversity and population of plankton and decrease the potential food source for fish in ponds. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the primary factors that can affect the planktonic community with emphasis on temperature rise and oxygen depletion. Sampling was conducted in Blanakan, West Java. Samples were assessed to determine levels of planktonic community and other water quality parameters. DO was monitored in situ along with pH and temperature. Based on the results, the temperature average in ponds was 31.88±1.93 °C and ranged from 29.0 to 35.0 °C. The DO average was 7.63±0.59 mg/l and ranged from 7.0 to 8.5 mg/l. The rise of pond temperature affected slighltyto the DO and had reduced the DO level to the lowest level (7.0-7.2 mg/l) when temperature reached its peak at 32.5-35.0 °C. The results showed that the oxygen depletion will significantly reduce the phytoplankton population (r2=0.54). However, the oxygen depletion did not affect the plankton diversity. The results revealedthe presence of 23 genera of phytoplankton and 18 genera for zooplankton in Blanakan ponds. Nitzchia and Pleurosigma were known as genera that can adapt both in the DOmin and DOmax environment (7.0-8.5 mg/l). At aquaculture scale, temperature has potential to influence oxygen level and affect planktonic community. It is recommended to provide natural shades and develop aeration systems to increase oxygen levels in ponds.

  2. Thermal Rate Coefficients and Kinetic Isotope Effects for the Reaction OH + CH4 → H2O + CH3 on an ab Initio-Based Potential Energy Surface.

    PubMed

    Li, Jun; Guo, Hua

    2018-03-15

    Thermal rate coefficients for the title reaction and its various isotopologues are computed using a tunneling-corrected transition-state theory on a global potential energy surface recently developed by fitting a large number of high-level ab initio points. The calculated rate coefficients are found to agree well with the measured ones in a wide temperature range, validating the accuracy of the potential energy surface. Strong non-Arrhenius effects are found at low temperatures. In addition, the calculations reproduced the primary and secondary kinetic isotope effects. These results confirm the strong influence of tunneling to this heavy-light-heavy hydrogen abstraction reaction.

  3. Constraining the potential temperature of the Archaean mantle: A review of the evidence from komatiites

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nisbet, E. G.; Cheadle, M. J.; Arndt, N. T.; Bickle, M. J.

    1993-09-01

    The maximum potential temperature of the Archaean mantle is poorly known, and is best constrained by the MgO contents of komatiitic liquids, which are directly related to eruptive temperatures. However, most Archaean komatiites are significantly altered and it is difficult to assess the composition of the erupted liquid. Relatively fresh lavas from the SASKMAR suite, Belingwe Greenstone Belt, Zimbabwe (2.7 Ga) include chills of 25.6 wt.% MgO, and olivines ranging to Fo 93.6, implying eruption at around 1520°C. A chill sample from Alexo Township, Ontario (also 2.7 Ga) is 28 wt.% MgO, and associated olivines range to Fo 94.1, implying eruption at 1560°C. However, inferences of erupted liquids containing 32-33 wt.% MgO, from lavas in the Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa (3.45 Ga) and from the Perseverance Complex, Western Australia (2.7 Ga) may be challenged on the grounds that they contain excess (cumulate) olivine, or were enriched in Mg during alteration or metamorphism. Re-interpretation of olivine compositions from these rocks shows that they most likely contained a maximum of 29 wt.% MgO corresponding to an eruption temperature of 1580°C. This composition is the highest liquid MgO content of an erupted lava that can be supported with any confidence. The hottest modern magma, on Gorgona Island (0.155 Ga) contained 18-20% MgO and erupted at circa 1400°C. If 1580°C is taken as the temperature of the most magnesian known eruption, then the source mantle from which the liquids rose would have been at up to 2200°C at pressures of 18 GPa corresponding to a mantle potential temperature of 1900°C. These temperatures are in excess of the mantle temperatures predicted by secular cooling models, and thus komatiites can only be formed in hot rising convective jets in the mantle. This result requires that Archaean mantle jets may have been 300°C hotter than the Archaean ambient mantle temperature. This temperature difference is similar to the 200-300°C temperature difference between present day jets and ambient mantle temperatures. An important subsidiary result of this study is the confirmation that spinifex rocks may be cumulates and do not necessarily represent liquid compositions.

  4. Analysis of magneto-electronic, thermodynamic and thermoelectric properties of ferromagnetic CoFeCrAl alloy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mohiuddin Bhat, Tahir; Gupta, Dinesh C.

    2017-11-01

    The structural stability, electronic, mechanical, thermodynamic and thermoelectric properties of CoFeCrAl have been investigated by modified Beck-Johnson (mBJ) exchange potential. From the optimized calculations, the indirect band gap of 0.65 eV in spin-down was found, which is enhanced than the previously reported data. The material offers the magnetic moment of 2µ B and displays brittle nature with mixed chemical bonding. The thermoelectric properties of the compound in the temperature range 50-550 K have been revealed. Seebeck coefficient at room temperature is  -46 µV K-1 which increases with temperature. At 550 K, the figure-of-merit for n-type compound maximizes up to ~0.41 suggesting a potential thermoelectric material at high temperatures. Meanwhile, quasi-harmonic Debye model was also used to investigate the effect of pressure and temperature on the thermal expansion, Grüneisen parameter and unit cell volume.

  5. Lightweight moving radiators for heat rejection in space

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Knapp, K.

    1981-01-01

    Low temperature droplet stream radiators, using nonmetallic fluids, can be used to radiate large amounts of waste heat from large space facilities. Moving belt radiators are suitable for use on a smaller scale, radiating as few as 10 kW from shuttle related operations. If appropriate seal technology can be developed, moving belt radiators may prove to be important for high temperature systems as well. Droplet stream radiators suitable for operation at peak temperatures near 300 K and 1000 K were studied using both freezing and nonfreezing droplets. Moving belt radiators were also investigated for operation in both temperature ranges. The potential mass and performance characteristics of both concepts were estimated on the basis of parametric variations of analytical point designs. These analyses included all consideration of the equipment required to operate the moving radiator system and take into account the mass of fluid lost by evaporation during mission lifetimes. Preliminary results indicate that low temperature droplet stream radiator appears to offer the greatest potential for improvement over conventional flat plate radiators.

  6. Rotating disk electrode system for elevated pressures and temperatures.

    PubMed

    Fleige, M J; Wiberg, G K H; Arenz, M

    2015-06-01

    We describe the development and test of an elevated pressure and temperature rotating disk electrode (RDE) system that allows measurements under well-defined mass transport conditions. As demonstrated for the oxygen reduction reaction on polycrystalline platinum (Pt) in 0.5M H2SO4, the setup can easily be operated in a pressure range of 1-101 bar oxygen, and temperature of 140 °C. Under such conditions, diffusion limited current densities increase by almost two orders of magnitude as compared to conventional RDE setups allowing, for example, fuel cell catalyst studies under more realistic conditions. Levich plots demonstrate that the mass transport is indeed well-defined, i.e., at low electrode potentials, the measured current densities are fully diffusion controlled, while at higher potentials, a mixed kinetic-diffusion controlled regime is observed. Therefore, the setup opens up a new field for RDE investigations under temperature and current density conditions relevant for low and high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells.

  7. Rotating disk electrode system for elevated pressures and temperatures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fleige, M. J.; Wiberg, G. K. H.; Arenz, M.

    2015-06-01

    We describe the development and test of an elevated pressure and temperature rotating disk electrode (RDE) system that allows measurements under well-defined mass transport conditions. As demonstrated for the oxygen reduction reaction on polycrystalline platinum (Pt) in 0.5M H2SO4, the setup can easily be operated in a pressure range of 1-101 bar oxygen, and temperature of 140 °C. Under such conditions, diffusion limited current densities increase by almost two orders of magnitude as compared to conventional RDE setups allowing, for example, fuel cell catalyst studies under more realistic conditions. Levich plots demonstrate that the mass transport is indeed well-defined, i.e., at low electrode potentials, the measured current densities are fully diffusion controlled, while at higher potentials, a mixed kinetic-diffusion controlled regime is observed. Therefore, the setup opens up a new field for RDE investigations under temperature and current density conditions relevant for low and high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells.

  8. Noninvasive monitoring local variations of fever and edema on human: potential for point-of-care inflammation assessment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Zebin; Li, Xianglin; Li, Ting

    2018-02-01

    Tissue inflammation is often accompanied by fever and edema, which are common and troublesome problems that probably trigger disability, lymphangitis, cosmetic deformity and cellulitis. Here we developed a device, which can measure concentration and temperature variations of water in local human body by extended near infrared spectroscopy in 900 1000 nm wavelength range. An experiment of four steps incremental cycling exercise was designed to change tissue water concentration and temperature of subjects. Body temperature was also estimated by tympanic thermometer and surface thermometer as comparisons during the experiment. In the stage of recovery after exercise, the signal detected by custom device is similar to tympanic thermometer at the beginning, but it is closer to the temperature of surface later. In particular, this signal shows a better linearity, and a significant change when the exercise was suspended. This study demonstrated the potential of optical touch-sensing for inflammation severity monitoring by measuring water concentration and temperature variations in local lesions.

  9. A potential remote sensor of CO in vehicle exhausts using 2.3 µm diode lasers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Jian; Maiorov, Mikhail; Jeffries, Jay B.; Garbuzov, Dmitri Z.; Connolly, John C.; Hanson, Ronald K.

    2000-11-01

    The potential for on-road remote sensing of vehicle exhausts using 2.3 µm diode-laser-absorption-based CO sensors is examined. Using a wavelength-modulation- spectroscopy (WMS) technique, 20 ppm sensitivity with a detection bandwidth of ≃1.5 kHz is demonstrated in laboratory experiments, which implies the ability to monitor CO emissions from even the cleanest combustion-powered vehicles. The influence of the temperature and composition of the exhaust gas on the inferred CO concentration through both linestrength and linewidth is also investigated and we propose a novel approach to reduce these effects to ±3% in the typical exhaust temperature range of 300-700 K. Thus, sensitive and remote measurements of vehicular CO effluent are possible without knowing the exact temperature or composition of the exhaust. This influence of temperature is further exploited to suggest a two-line CO2-absorption thermometry method with a large temperature sensitivity to identify cold-start vehicles.

  10. The coexistence temperature of hydrogen clathrates: A molecular dynamics study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Luis, D. P.; Romero-Ramirez, I. E.; González-Calderón, A.; López-Lemus, J.

    2018-03-01

    Extensive molecular dynamics simulations in the equilibrium isobaric-isothermal (NPT) ensemble were developed to determine the coexistence temperatures of the water hydrogen mixture using the direct coexistence method. The water molecules were modeled using the four-site TIP4P/Ice analytical potential, and the hydrogen molecules were described using a three-site potential. The simulations were performed at different pressures (p = 900, 1500, 3000, and 4000 bars). At each pressure, a series of simulations were developed at different temperatures (from 230 to 270 K). Our results followed a line parallel to the experimental coexistence temperatures and underestimated these temperatures by approximately 25 K in the investigated range. The final configurations could or could not contain a fluid phase depending on the pressure, in accordance with the phase diagram. In addition, we explored the dynamics of the H2 molecules through clathrate hydrate cages and observed different behaviors of the H2 molecules in the small cages and the large cages of the sII structure.

  11. Mantle potential temperature estimates and primary melt compositions of the Low-Ti Emeishan flood basalt

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shellnutt, J. G.; Pham, Thuy T.

    2018-05-01

    The Late Permian Emeishan large igneous province (ELIP) is considered to be one of the best examples of a mantle plume derived large igneous province. One of the primary observations that favour a mantle plume regime is the presence of ultramafic volcanic rocks. The picrites suggest primary mantle melts erupted and that mantle potential temperatures (TP) of the ELIP were > 200oC above ambient mantle conditions. However, they may represent a mixture of liquid and cumulus olivine and pyroxene rather than primary liquids. Consequently, temperature estimates based on the picrite compositions may not be accurate. Here we calculate mantle potential temperature (TP) estimates and primary liquids compositions using PRIMELT3 for the low-Ti (Ti/Y < 500) Emeishan basalt as they represent definite liquid compositions. The calculated TP yield a range from 1400oC to 1550oC, which is consistent with variability across a mantle plume axis. The primary melt compositions of the basalts are mostly picritic. The results of this study indicate that the Emeishan basalt was produced by a high temperature regime and that a few of the ultramafic volcanic rocks may be indicative of primary liquids.

  12. Preliminary assessment of the velocity pump reaction turbine as a geothermal total-flow expander

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Demuth, O. J.

    1984-06-01

    The velocity pump reaction turbine (VPRT) was evaluated as a total flow expander in a geothermal-electric conversion cycle. Values of geofluid effectiveness of VPRT systems were estimated for conditions consisting of: a 360(F) geothermal resource, 60 F wet-bulb ambient temperature, zero and 0.003 mass concentrations of dissolved noncondensible gas in the geofluid, 100 and 120 F condensing temperatures, and engine efficiencies ranging from 0.4 to 1.0. Achievable engine efficiencies were estimated to range from 0.77, with plant geofluid effectiveness values ranging as high as 9.5 watt hr-lbm geofluid for the 360 F resource temperature. This value is competitive with magnitudes of geofluid effectiveness projected for advanced binary plants, and is on the order of 40% higher than estimates for dual-flash steam and other total flow systems reviewed. Because of its potentially high performance and relative simplicity, the VPRT system appears to warrant further investigation toward its use in a well-head geothermal plant.

  13. A real-time Global Warming Index.

    PubMed

    Haustein, K; Allen, M R; Forster, P M; Otto, F E L; Mitchell, D M; Matthews, H D; Frame, D J

    2017-11-13

    We propose a simple real-time index of global human-induced warming and assess its robustness to uncertainties in climate forcing and short-term climate fluctuations. This index provides improved scientific context for temperature stabilisation targets and has the potential to decrease the volatility of climate policy. We quantify uncertainties arising from temperature observations, climate radiative forcings, internal variability and the model response. Our index and the associated rate of human-induced warming is compatible with a range of other more sophisticated methods to estimate the human contribution to observed global temperature change.

  14. High temperature thermoelectric properties of rock-salt structure PbS

    DOE PAGES

    Parker, David S.; Singh, David J.

    2013-12-18

    We present an analysis of the high temperature transport properties of rock-salt structure PbS, a sister compound to the better studied lead chalcogenides PbSe and PbTe. In this study, we find thermopower magnitudes exceeding 200 V/K in a wide doping range for temperatures of 800 K and above. Based on these calculations, and an analysis of recent experimental work we find that this material has a potential for high thermoelectric performance. Also, we find favorable mechanical properties, based on an analysis of published data.

  15. Connection formulas for thermal density functional theory

    DOE PAGES

    Pribram-Jones, A.; Burke, K.

    2016-05-23

    We show that the adiabatic connection formula of ground-state density functional theory relates the correlation energy to a coupling-constant integral over a purely potential contribution, and is widely used to understand and improve approximations. The corresponding formula for thermal density functional theory is cast as an integral over temperatures instead, ranging upward from the system's physical temperature. We also show how to relate different correlation components to each other, either in terms of temperature or coupling-constant integrations. Lastly, we illustrate our results on the uniform electron gas.

  16. Potential profile near singularity point in kinetic Tonks-Langmuir discharges as a function of the ion sources temperature

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

    Kos, L.; Tskhakaya, D. D.; Jelic, N.

    2011-05-15

    A plasma-sheath transition analysis requires a reliable mathematical expression for the plasma potential profile {Phi}(x) near the sheath edge x{sub s} in the limit {epsilon}{identical_to}{lambda}{sub D}/l=0 (where {lambda}{sub D} is the Debye length and l is a proper characteristic length of the discharge). Such expressions have been explicitly calculated for the fluid model and the singular (cold ion source) kinetic model, where exact analytic solutions for plasma equation ({epsilon}=0) are known, but not for the regular (warm ion source) kinetic model, where no analytic solution of the plasma equation has ever been obtained. For the latter case, Riemann [J. Phys.more » D: Appl. Phys. 24, 493 (1991)] only predicted a general formula assuming relatively high ion-source temperatures, i.e., much higher than the plasma-sheath potential drop. Riemann's formula, however, according to him, never was confirmed in explicit solutions of particular models (e.g., that of Bissell and Johnson [Phys. Fluids 30, 779 (1987)] and Scheuer and Emmert [Phys. Fluids 31, 3645 (1988)]) since ''the accuracy of the classical solutions is not sufficient to analyze the sheath vicinity''[Riemann, in Proceedings of the 62nd Annual Gaseous Electronic Conference, APS Meeting Abstracts, Vol. 54 (APS, 2009)]. Therefore, for many years, there has been a need for explicit calculation that might confirm the Riemann's general formula regarding the potential profile at the sheath edge in the cases of regular very warm ion sources. Fortunately, now we are able to achieve a very high accuracy of results [see, e.g., Kos et al., Phys. Plasmas 16, 093503 (2009)]. We perform this task by using both the analytic and the numerical method with explicit Maxwellian and ''water-bag'' ion source velocity distributions. We find the potential profile near the plasma-sheath edge in the whole range of ion source temperatures of general interest to plasma physics, from zero to ''practical infinity.'' While within limits of ''very low'' and ''relatively high'' ion source temperatures, the potential is proportional to the space coordinate powered by rational numbers {alpha}=1/2 and {alpha}=2/3, with medium ion source temperatures. We found {alpha} between these values being a non-rational number strongly dependent on the ion source temperature. The range of the non-rational power-law turns out to be a very narrow one, at the expense of the extension of {alpha}=2/3 region towards unexpectedly low ion source temperatures.« less

  17. The MASCOT Radiometer MARA for the Hayabusa 2 Mission

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Grott, M.; Knollenberg, J.; Borgs, B.; Hänschke, F.; Kessler, E.; Helbert, J.; Maturilli, A.; Müller, N.

    2017-07-01

    The MASCOT radiometer MARA is a multi-spectral instrument which measures net radiative flux in six wavelength bands. MARA uses thermopile sensors as sensing elements, and the net flux between the instrument and the surface in the 18° field of view is determined by evaluating the thermoelectric potential between the sensors' absorbing surface and the thermopile's cold-junction. MARA houses 4 bandpass channels in the spectral range of 5.5-7, 8-9.5, 9.5-11.5, and 13.5-15.5 μm, as well as one long-pass channel, which is sensitive in the >3 μm range. In addition, one channel is similar to that used by the Hayabusa 2 orbiter thermal mapper, which uses a wavelength range of 8-12 μm. The primary science objective of the MARA instrument it the determination of the target asteroid's surface brightness temperature, from which surface thermal inertia can be derived. In addition, the spectral bandpass channels will be used to estimate the spectral slope of the surface in the thermal infrared wavelength range. The instrument has been calibrated using a cavity blackbody, and the temperature uncertainty is 1 K in the long pass channel for target temperatures of >173 K. Measurement uncertainty in the spectral bandpasses is 1 K for target temperatures above 273 K.

  18. High temperature range recuperator. Phase I: materials selection, design optimization, evaluation and thermal testing. Final report, April 1977-May 1978

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

    Power, D V

    1978-06-01

    Initial efforts to develop, test, and evaluate counterflow recuperator designs are reported for the High Temperature Range Recuperator project. Potential materials to withstand glass furnace exhaust environments at temperatures up to 2800/sup 0/F were evaluated on the bases of material properties, fabrication capability, and relative performance in the flue environment of a day tank glass furnace. Polycrystalline alumina (Vistal), reaction sintered silicon carbide (KT and NC 430), chemically vapor deposited silicon carbide (CVD) and sintered alpha silicon carbide proved most satisfactory in the material temperature range of 2300/sup 0/F to 2800/sup 0/F. Relatively pure alumina (AD 998 and AD 94),more » mullite and cordierite were most satisfactory in the material temperature range of 1700/sup 0/F to 2300/sup 0/F. Recuperator designs were evaluated on the bases of cold air flow tests on laboratory models, fabricability, and calculated thermomechanical stress under expected operating conditions. Material strengths are shown to be greater than expected stresses by factors ranging from 2.6 for KT silicon carbide to 16 for cordierite. Recuperator test sections were fabricated from KT silicon carbide and subjected to thermal stress conditions in excess of twice the expected operating conditions with no deterioration or failure evident. A test section was subjected to the thermal shock of instant transfer between room temperature and a 2000/sup 0/F furnace without damage. Economic analysis based on calculated heat transfer indicates a recuperator system of this design and using currently available materials would have a payback period of 2.3 years.« less

  19. The Osmotic Potential of Polyethylene Glycol 6000 1

    PubMed Central

    Michel, Burlyn E.; Kaufmann, Merrill R.

    1973-01-01

    Osmotic potential (ψs) of aqueous solutions of polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG-6000) was curvilinearly related to concentration. At given concentrations, ψs increased linearly with temperature. The effects of concentration and temperature on ψs of PEG-6000 solutions differ from those for most salts and sugars and apparently are related to structural changes in the PEG polymer. Measurements of ψs with thermocouple psychrometers are more negative than those with a vapor pressure osmometer, with the psychrometer probably giving the more nearly correct ψs for bulk solutions. An empirical equation permits calculation of ψs from known concentrations of PEG-6000 over a temperature range of 15 to 35 C. Viscometery and gravimetric analysis are convenient methods by which the concentrations of PEG-6000 solutions may be measured. PMID:16658439

  20. The osmotic potential of polyethylene glycol 6000.

    PubMed

    Michel, B E; Kaufmann, M R

    1973-05-01

    Osmotic potential (psi(s)) of aqueous solutions of polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG-6000) was curvilinearly related to concentration. At given concentrations, psi(s) increased linearly with temperature. The effects of concentration and temperature on psi(s) of PEG-6000 solutions differ from those for most salts and sugars and apparently are related to structural changes in the PEG polymer. Measurements of psi(s) with thermocouple psychrometers are more negative than those with a vapor pressure osmometer, with the psychrometer probably giving the more nearly correct psi(s) for bulk solutions. An empirical equation permits calculation of psi(s) from known concentrations of PEG-6000 over a temperature range of 15 to 35 C. Viscometery and gravimetric analysis are convenient methods by which the concentrations of PEG-6000 solutions may be measured.

  1. Development of polyphenylquinoxaline graphite composites

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Shdo, J. D.

    1976-01-01

    Six polyphenylquinoxalines (PPQ) containing pendant cyano (CN) groups were synthesized. The polymers were characterized in terms of inherent viscosity, glass transition temperature, softening temperature and weight loss due to aging in air at 316 C (600 F). The potential for crosslinking PPQs by trimerization of pendant CN groups was investigated. A polymer derived from 1 mole 3,3,4,4 -tetraaminobenzophenone, .2 mole p-bis(p -cyanophenoxyphenylglyoxalyl)benzene and .8 mole p-bis(phenylglyoxalyl)benzene was selected for more extensive characterization in HM-S graphite fiber-reinforced composites. Mechanical properties were determined using composites made from HM-S fiber and polymer and composites made from HM-S fiber, polymer and a potential CN group trimerization catalyst. Composite mechanical properties, inter-laminar shear strength and flexure properties, were determined over the temperature range of +21 C to 316 C.

  2. Plate tectonics on the terrestrial planets

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    van Thienen, P.; Vlaar, N. J.; van den Berg, A. P.

    2004-05-01

    Plate tectonics is largely controlled by the buoyancy distribution in oceanic lithosphere, which correlates well with the lithospheric age. Buoyancy also depends on compositional layering resulting from pressure release partial melting under mid-ocean ridges, and this process is sensitive to pressure and temperature conditions which vary strongly between the terrestrial planets and also during the secular cooling histories of the planets. In our modelling experiments we have applied a range of values for the gravitational acceleration (representing different terrestrial planets), potential temperatures (representing different times in the history of the planets), and surface temperatures in order to investigate under which conditions plate tectonics is a viable mechanism for the cooling of the terrestrial planets. In our models we include the effects of mantle temperature on the composition and density of melt products and the thickness of the lithosphere. Our results show that the onset time of negative buoyancy for oceanic lithosphere is reasonable (less than a few hundred million years) for potential temperatures below ˜ 1500 ° C for the Earth and ˜ 1450 ° C for Venus. In the reduced gravity field of Mars a much thicker stratification is produced and our model indicates that plate tectonics could only operate on reasonable time scales at a potential mantle temperature below about 1300-1400 °C.

  3. Correlation range in a supercooled liquid via Green-Kubo expression for viscosity, local atomic stresses, and MD simulations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Levashov, Valentin A.; Egami, Takeshi; Morris, James R.

    2009-03-01

    We present a new approach to the issue of correlation range in supercooled liquids based on Green-Kubo expression for viscosity. The integrand of this expression is the average stress-stress autocorrelation function. This correlation function could be rewritten in terms of correlations among local atomic stresses at different times and distances. The features of the autocorrelation function decay with time depend on temperature and correlation range. Through this approach we can study the development of spatial correlation with time, thus directly addressing the question of dynamic heterogeneity. We performed MD simulations on a single component system of particles interacting through short range pair potential. Our results indicate that even above the crossover temperature correlations extend well beyond the nearest neighbors. Surprisingly we found that the system size effects exist even on relatively large systems. We also address the role of diffusion in decay of stress-stress correlation function.

  4. Thermodynamics of the relativistic Fermi gas in D dimensions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sevilla, Francisco J.; Piña, Omar

    2017-09-01

    The influence of spatial dimensionality and particle-antiparticle pair production on the thermodynamic properties of the relativistic Fermi gas, at finite chemical potential, is studied. Resembling a "phase transition", qualitatively different behaviors of the thermodynamic susceptibilities, namely the isothermal compressibility and the specific heat, are markedly observed at different temperature regimes as function of the system dimensionality and of the rest mass of the particles. A minimum in the temperature dependence of the isothermal compressibility marks a characteristic temperature, in the range of tenths of the Fermi temperature, at which the system transit from a "normal" phase, to a phase where the gas compressibility grows as a power law of the temperature.

  5. Chemical thermodynamic representations of and

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

    Besmann, T.M.; Lindemer, T.B.

    1984-01-01

    All available oxygen potential-temperature-composition data for the calcium fluorite-structure phase were retrieved from the literature and utilized in the development of a binary solid solution representation of the phase. The data and phase relations are found to be best described by a solution of (Pu/sub 4/3/O/sub 2/) and (PuO/sub 2/) with a temperature dependent interaction energy. The fluorite-structure is assumed to be represented by a combination of the binaries and , and thus treated as a solution of (Pu/sub 4/3/O/sub 2/), (PuO/sub 2/), (UO/sub 2/), and either (U/sub 2/O/sub 4/./sub 5/) or (U/sub 3/O/sub 7/). The resulting equations wellmore » reproduce the large amount of oxygen potential-temperature-composition data for the mixed oxide system, all of which were also retrieved from the literature. These models are the first that appear to display the appropriate oxygen potential-temperature-composition and phase relation behavior over the entire range of existence for the phases. 39 refs., 10 figs., 3 tabs.« less

  6. A Fully Transparent Flexible Sensor for Cryogenic Temperatures Based on High Strength Metallurgical Graphene

    PubMed Central

    Pawlak, Ryszard; Lebioda, Marcin; Rymaszewski, Jacek; Szymanski, Witold; Kolodziejczyk, Lukasz; Kula, Piotr

    2016-01-01

    Low-temperature electronics operating in below zero temperatures or even below the lower limit of the common −65 to 125 °C temperature range are essential in medical diagnostics, in space exploration and aviation, in processing and storage of food and mainly in scientific research, like superconducting materials engineering and their applications—superconducting magnets, superconducting energy storage, and magnetic levitation systems. Such electronic devices demand special approach to the materials used in passive elements and sensors. The main goal of this work was the implementation of a fully transparent, flexible cryogenic temperature sensor with graphene structures as sensing element. Electrodes were made of transparent ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) or ITO/Ag/ITO conductive layers by laser ablation and finally encapsulated in a polymer coating. A helium closed-cycle cryostat has been used in measurements of the electrical properties of these graphene-based temperature sensors under cryogenic conditions. The sensors were repeatedly cooled from room temperature to cryogenic temperature. Graphene structures were characterized using Raman spectroscopy. The observation of the resistance changes as a function of temperature indicates the potential use of graphene layers in the construction of temperature sensors. The temperature characteristics of the analyzed graphene sensors exhibit no clear anomalies or strong non-linearity in the entire studied temperature range (as compared to the typical carbon sensor). PMID:28036036

  7. A Fully Transparent Flexible Sensor for Cryogenic Temperatures Based on High Strength Metallurgical Graphene.

    PubMed

    Pawlak, Ryszard; Lebioda, Marcin; Rymaszewski, Jacek; Szymanski, Witold; Kolodziejczyk, Lukasz; Kula, Piotr

    2016-12-28

    Low-temperature electronics operating in below zero temperatures or even below the lower limit of the common -65 to 125 °C temperature range are essential in medical diagnostics, in space exploration and aviation, in processing and storage of food and mainly in scientific research, like superconducting materials engineering and their applications-superconducting magnets, superconducting energy storage, and magnetic levitation systems. Such electronic devices demand special approach to the materials used in passive elements and sensors. The main goal of this work was the implementation of a fully transparent, flexible cryogenic temperature sensor with graphene structures as sensing element. Electrodes were made of transparent ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) or ITO/Ag/ITO conductive layers by laser ablation and finally encapsulated in a polymer coating. A helium closed-cycle cryostat has been used in measurements of the electrical properties of these graphene-based temperature sensors under cryogenic conditions. The sensors were repeatedly cooled from room temperature to cryogenic temperature. Graphene structures were characterized using Raman spectroscopy. The observation of the resistance changes as a function of temperature indicates the potential use of graphene layers in the construction of temperature sensors. The temperature characteristics of the analyzed graphene sensors exhibit no clear anomalies or strong non-linearity in the entire studied temperature range (as compared to the typical carbon sensor).

  8. Comparison of the effects of temperature and water potential on seed germination of Fabaceae species from desert and subalpine grassland.

    PubMed

    Hu, Xiao Wen; Fan, Yan; Baskin, Carol C; Baskin, Jerry M; Wang, Yan Rong

    2015-05-01

    Temperature and water potential for germination based on the thermal and hydrotime models have been successfully applied in predicting germination requirements of physiologically dormant seeds as well as nondormant seeds. However, comparative studies of the germination requirements of physically dormant seeds from different ecosystems have not been done. Germination of scarified seeds of four legume species collected from the Qing-Tibetan Plateau and of four collected in the Alax Desert in China was compared over a range of temperatures and water potentials based on thermal time and hydrotime models. Seeds of species from the Qing-Tibetan Plateau had a lower base temperature (T b) and optimal temperature (T o) for germination than those from the Alax Desert. Seeds of the four species from the Qing-Tibetan Plateau germinated to high percentages at 5°C, whereas none of the four desert species did so. Seeds of species from the Alax Desert germinated to a high percentage at 35°C or 40°C, while no seeds of species from the Qing-Tibetan Plateau germinated at 35°C or 40°C. The base median water potential [Ψ b(50)] differed among species but not between the two habitats. The thermal time and hydrotime models accurately predicted the germination time course of scarified seeds of most of the eight species in response to temperature and water potential; thus, they can be useful tools in comparative studies on germination of seeds with physical dormancy. Habitat temperatures but not rainfall is closely related to germination requirements of these species. © 2015 Botanical Society of America, Inc.

  9. Negative thermal expansion and anomalies of heat capacity of LuB 50 at low temperatures

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

    Novikov, V. V.; Zhemoedov, N. A.; Matovnikov, A. V.

    2015-07-20

    Heat capacity and thermal expansion of LuB 50 boride were experimentally studied in the 2–300 K temperature range. The data reveal an anomalous contribution to the heat capacity at low temperatures. The value of this contribution is proportional to the first degree of temperature. It was identified that this anomaly in heat capacity is caused by the effect of disorder in the LuB 50 crystalline structure and it can be described in the soft atomic potential model (SAP). The parameters of the approximation were determined. The temperature dependence of LuB 50 heat capacity in the whole temperature range was approximatedmore » by the sum of SAP contribution, Debye and two Einstein components. The parameters of SAP contribution for LuB 50 were compared to the corresponding values for LuB 66, which was studied earlier. Negative thermal expansion at low temperatures was experimentally observed for LuB 50. The analysis of the experimental temperature dependence for the Gruneisen parameter of LuB 50 suggested that the low-frequency oscillations, described in SAP mode, are responsible for the negative thermal expansion. As a result, the glasslike character of the behavior of LuB 50 thermal characteristics at low temperatures was confirmed.« less

  10. Validation of a rotational coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy model for carbon dioxide using high-resolution detection in the temperature range 294-1143 K.

    PubMed

    Vestin, Fredrik; Nilsson, Kristin; Bengtsson, Per-Erik

    2008-04-10

    Experiments were performed in the temperature range of 294-1143 K in pure CO(2) using high-resolution rotational coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS), in the dual-broadband approach. Experimental single-shot spectra were recorded with high spectral resolution using a single-mode Nd:YAG laser and a relay imaging lens system on the exit of a 1 m spectrometer. A theoretical rotational CARS model for CO(2) was developed for evaluation of the experimental spectra. The evaluated mean temperatures of the recorded single-shot dual-broadband rotational coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (DB-RCARS) spectra using this model showed good agreement with thermocouple temperatures, and the relative standard deviation of evaluated single-shot temperatures was generally 2-3%. Simultaneous thermometry and relative CO(2)/N(2)-concentration measurements were demonstrated in the product gas of premixed laminar CO/air flames at atmospheric pressure. Although the model proved to be accurate for thermometry up to 1143 K, limitations were observed at flame temperatures where temperatures were overestimated and relative CO(2)/N(2) concentrations were underestimated. Potential sources for these discrepancies are discussed.

  11. Development of a temperature-variable magnetic resonance imaging system using a 1.0T yokeless permanent magnet.

    PubMed

    Terada, Y; Tamada, D; Kose, K

    2011-10-01

    A temperature variable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system has been developed using a 1.0 T permanent magnet. A permanent magnet, gradient coils, radiofrequency coil, and shim coil were installed in a temperature variable thermostatic bath. First, the variation in the magnetic field inhomogeneity with temperature was measured. The inhomogeneity has a specific spatial symmetry, which scales linearly with temperature, and a single-channel shim coil was designed to compensate for the inhomogeneity. The inhomogeneity was drastically reduced by shimming over a wide range of temperature from -5°C to 45°C. MR images of an okra pod acquired at different temperatures demonstrated the high potential of the system for visualizing thermally sensitive properties. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. Regional Extinctions and Quaternary Shifts in the Geographic Range of Lestodelphys halli, the Southernmost Living Marsupial: Clues for Its Conservation

    PubMed Central

    Formoso, Anahí E.; Martin, Gabriel M.; Teta, Pablo; Carbajo, Aníbal E.; Sauthier, Daniel E. Udrizar; Pardiñas, Ulyses F. J.

    2015-01-01

    The Patagonian opossum (Lestodelphys halli), the southernmost living marsupial, inhabits dry and open environments, mainly in the Patagonian steppe (between ~32°S and ~49°S). Its rich fossil record shows its occurrence further north in Central Argentina during the Quaternary. The paleoenvironmental meaning of the past distribution of L. halli has been mostly addressed in a subjective framework without an explicit connection with the climatic “space” currently occupied by this animal. Here, we assessed the potential distribution of this species and the changes occurred in its geographic range during late Pleistocene-Holocene times and linked the results obtained with conservation issues. To this end, we generated three potential distribution models with fossil records and three with current ones, using MaxEnt software. These models showed a decrease in the suitable habitat conditions for the species, highlighting a range shift from Central-Eastern to South-Western Argentina. Our results support that the presence of L. halli in the Pampean region during the Pleistocene-Holocene can be related to precipitation and temperature variables and that its current presence in Patagonia is more related to temperature and dominant soils. The models obtained suggest that the species has been experiencing a reduction in its geographic range since the middle Holocene, a process that is in accordance with a general increase in moisture and temperature in Central Argentina. Considering the findings of our work and the future scenario of global warming projected for Patagonia, we might expect a harsh impact on the distribution range of this opossum in the near future. PMID:26203650

  13. Temperature Measurements in the Solar Transition Region Using N III Line Intensity Ratios

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Doron, R.; Doschek, G. A.; Laming, J. M.; Feldman, U.; Bhatia, A. K.

    2003-01-01

    UV emission from B-like N and O ions a rather rare opportunity for recording spectral lines in a narrow wavelength range that can potentially be used to derive temperatures relevant to the solar transition region. In these ions, the line intensity ratios of the type (2s2p(sup 2) - 2p(sup 3)) / (2s(sup 2)2p - 2s2p(sup 2)) are very sensitive to the electron temperature. Additionally, the lines involving the ratios fall within a range of only - 12 A; in N III the lines fall in the 980 - 992 A range and in O IV in the 780 - 791 A range. In this work, we explore the use of these atomic systems, primarily in N III, for temperature diagnostics of the transition region by analyzing UV spectra obtained by the Solar Ultraviolet Measurements of Emitted Radiation (SUMER) spectrometer flown on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO). The N III temperature-sensitive line ratios are measured in more than 60 observations. Most of the measured ratios correspond to temperatures in the range 5.7x10(exp 4) - 6.7x10(exp 4) K. This range is considerably lower than the calculated temperature of maximum abundance of N III, which is approx. 7.6x10(exp 4) K. Detailed analysis of the spectra further indicates that the measured ratios are probably somewhat overestimated due to resonant scattering effects in the 2s(sup 2)2p - 2s2p(sup 2) lines and small blends in the 2s2p(sup 2) - 2p3 lines. Actual lower ratios would only increase the disagreement between the ionization balance calculations and present temperature measurements based on a collisional excitation model. In the case of the O IV spectra, we determined that due to the close proximity in wavelength of the weak line (2s2p(sup 2)-2p3 transitions) to a strong Ne VIII line, sufficiently accurate ratio measurements cannot be obtained. Subject headings: atomic data --- atomic processes --- Sun: transition region --- Sun: U V radiation --- techniques: spectroscopic

  14. Interaction of Ethyl Alcohol Vapor with Sulfuric Acid Solutions

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Leu, Ming-Taun

    2006-01-01

    We investigated the uptake of ethyl alcohol (ethanol) vapor by sulfuric acid solutions over the range approx.40 to approx.80 wt % H2SO4 and temperatures of 193-273 K. Laboratory studies used a fast flow-tube reactor coupled to an electron-impact ionization mass spectrometer for detection of ethanol and reaction products. The uptake coefficients ((gamma)) were measured and found to vary from 0.019 to 0.072, depending upon the acid composition and temperature. At concentrations greater than approx.70 wt % and in dilute solutions colder than 220 K, the values approached approx.0.07. We also determined the effective solubility constant of ethanol in approx.40 wt % H2SO4 in the temperature range 203-223 K. The potential implications to the budget of ethanol in the global troposphere are briefly discussed.

  15. Investigation of Ternary Mixtures Containing 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)azanide, Ethylene Carbonate and Lithium Bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)azanide

    PubMed Central

    Hofmann, Andreas; Migeot, Matthias; Arens, Lukas; Hanemann, Thomas

    2016-01-01

    Temperature-dependent viscosity, conductivity and density data of ternary mixtures containing 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)azanide (EMIM-TFSA), ethylene carbonate (EC), and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)azanide (Li-TFSA) were determined at atmospheric pressure in the temperature range of 20 to 80 °C. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements were performed to characterize phase conditions of the mixtures in a temperature range of −120 to +100 °C. The viscosity data were fitted according to the Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann-Hesse (VFTH) equation and analyzed with the help of the fractional Walden rule. In this study, fundamental physicochemical data about the mixtures are provided and discussed as a basis for structure-property relationship calculations and for potential use of those mixtures as electrolytes for various applications. PMID:27153066

  16. Vectorial capacity of Aedes aegypti: effects of temperature and implications for global dengue epidemic potential.

    PubMed

    Liu-Helmersson, Jing; Stenlund, Hans; Wilder-Smith, Annelies; Rocklöv, Joacim

    2014-01-01

    Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease that occurs mainly in the tropics and subtropics but has a high potential to spread to new areas. Dengue infections are climate sensitive, so it is important to better understand how changing climate factors affect the potential for geographic spread and future dengue epidemics. Vectorial capacity (VC) describes a vector's propensity to transmit dengue taking into account human, virus, and vector interactions. VC is highly temperature dependent, but most dengue models only take mean temperature values into account. Recent evidence shows that diurnal temperature range (DTR) plays an important role in influencing the behavior of the primary dengue vector Aedes aegypti. In this study, we used relative VC to estimate dengue epidemic potential (DEP) based on the temperature and DTR dependence of the parameters of A. aegypti. We found a strong temperature dependence of DEP; it peaked at a mean temperature of 29.3°C when DTR was 0°C and at 20°C when DTR was 20°C. Increasing average temperatures up to 29°C led to an increased DEP, but temperatures above 29°C reduced DEP. In tropical areas where the mean temperatures are close to 29°C, a small DTR increased DEP while a large DTR reduced it. In cold to temperate or extremely hot climates where the mean temperatures are far from 29°C, increasing DTR was associated with increasing DEP. Incorporating these findings using historical and predicted temperature and DTR over a two hundred year period (1901-2099), we found an increasing trend of global DEP in temperate regions. Small increases in DEP were observed over the last 100 years and large increases are expected by the end of this century in temperate Northern Hemisphere regions using climate change projections. These findings illustrate the importance of including DTR when mapping DEP based on VC.

  17. Reliability and mass analysis of dynamic power conversion systems with parallel of standby redundancy

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Juhasz, A. J.; Bloomfield, H. S.

    1985-01-01

    A combinatorial reliability approach is used to identify potential dynamic power conversion systems for space mission applications. A reliability and mass analysis is also performed, specifically for a 100 kWe nuclear Brayton power conversion system with parallel redundancy. Although this study is done for a reactor outlet temperature of 1100K, preliminary system mass estimates are also included for reactor outlet temperatures ranging up to 1500 K.

  18. Partitioning of Calcium Between Liquid Silver and Liquid Iron

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Berg, Martin; Lee, Jaewoo; Sichen, Du

    2018-06-01

    The partitioning of calcium between liquid silver and liquid iron at 1823 K and 1873 K (1550 °C and 1600 °C) was studied experimentally using a closed molybdenum container. The calcium potential in the container was controlled by the composition of the alloys in equilibrium. The results agreed well with previous experimental measurements and indicated that the effect of temperature was not very pronounced in the temperature range studied.

  19. An analytical study of thermal barrier coated first stage blades in a JT9D engine

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sevcik, W. R.; Stoner, B. L.

    1978-01-01

    Steady state and transient heat transfer and structural calculations were completed to determine the coating and base alloy temperatures and strains. Results indicate potential for increased turbine life using thin durable thermal barrier coatings on turbine airfoils due to a significant reduction in blade average and maximum temperatures, and alloy strain range. An intepretation of the analytical results is compared to the experimental engine test data.

  20. Laboratory Spectroscopy of Fluorinated Molecules for Atmospheric Physics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Godin, Paul Joseph

    Temperature-dependent absorption cross-sections are presented for five fluorinated molecules considered to be greenhouse gases due to being radiatively active in the mid-infrared. The molecules studied are perfluorotributylamine (PFTBA), 2,2,3,3,3- pentafluoropropanol (PFPO), 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP), perfluorodecalin (PFDC), and 2H,3H-perfluoropentane (HFC-43-10mee). HFIP is a fluorinated liquid commonly used as a specialty solvent for some polar polymers and in organic synthesis. PFTBA, PFPO, and HFC-43-10mee are commonly used in electronic and industrial applications. PFDC is capable of dissolving large quantities of gases, making it useful for a variety of medical applications. Experimental absorption cross-sections were derived from Fourier transform infrared spectra recorded from 530 to 3400 cm ?1 with a resolution of 0.1 cm ?1 over a temperature range of 298 to 360 K. These results were compared to theoretical density functional theory (DFT) calculations and previously published experimental measurements made at room temperature. Theoretical DFT calculations were performed using the B3LYP method and a minimum basis set of 6-311+G(d,p). The calculations have determined the optimized geometrical configuration, infrared intensities, and wavenumbers of the harmonic frequencies for different ground-state configurations due to the presence of internal rotors. As the population of each configuration changes with temperature, changes in the experimental spectra were used to make accurate band assignments. From these band assignments, the DFT spectra were calibrated to match the experimental spectra, increasing the accuracy of the DFT prediction outside of the experimental range. Using the adjusted DFT-calculated spectra, the wavenumber range was extended beyond the experimental range to calculate radiative efficiencies and global warming potentials. When using only the experimental range, the new values agreed with previously published values. However, when the range was extended using the DFT spectra, the radiative efficiency and global warming potential were increased, suggesting that the current values are underestimating the climate impacts of these species. Additionally, work done on building a multipass White cell is presented. This new system can be used in the future to resolve weak lines to extract line parameters needed for atmospheric trace gas retrievals.

  1. Effect of temperature on the phenology of Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera, Crambidae); simulation and visualization of the potential future distribution of C. partellus in Africa under warmer temperatures through the development of life-table parameters.

    PubMed

    Khadioli, N; Tonnang, Z E H; Muchugu, E; Ong'amo, G; Achia, T; Kipchirchir, I; Kroschel, J; Le Ru, B

    2014-12-01

    Maize (Zea mays) is a major staple food in Africa. However, maize production is severely reduced by damage caused by feeding lepidopteran pests. In East and Southern Africa, Chilo partellus is one of the most damaging cereal stem borers mainly found in the warmer lowland areas. In this study, it was hypothesized that the future distribution and abundance of C. partellus may be affected greatly by the current global warming. The temperature-dependent population growth potential of C. partellus was studied on artificial diet under laboratory conditions at six constant temperatures (15, 18, 20, 25, 28, 30, 32 and 35 °C), relative humidity of 75±5% and a photoperiod of L12:L12 h. Several non-linear models were fitted to the data to model development time, mortality and reproduction of the insect species. Cohort updating algorithm and rate summation approach were stochastically used for simulating age and stage structure populations and generate life-table parameters. For spatial analysis of the pest risk, three generic risk indices (index of establishment, generation number and activity index) were visualized in the geographical information system component of the advanced Insect Life Cycle modeling (ILCYM) software. To predict the future distribution of C. partellus we used the climate change scenario A1B obtained from WorldClim and CCAFS databases. The maps were compared with available data on the current distribution of C. partellus in Kenya. The results show that the development times of the different stages decreased with increasing temperatures ranging from 18 to 35 °C; at the extreme temperatures, 15 and 38 °C, no egg could hatch and no larvae completed development. The study concludes that C. partellus may potentially expands its range into higher altitude areas, highland tropics and moist transitional regions, with the highest maize potential where the species has not been recorded yet. This has serious implication in terms of food security since these areas produce approximately 80% of the total maize in East Africa.

  2. A Geodynamic model for melt generation and evolution of the Mid-Continental Rift

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gunawardana, P. M.; Moucha, R.; Rooney, T. O.; Stein, S.; Stein, C. A.; Hansen, M.

    2017-12-01

    The Mid-Continent Rift System (MCRS) is a 3000-km long failed rift system which formed within the Precambrian continent of Laurentia and nearly split North America apart about 1.1 billion years ago. The MCRS can also be classified as a Large Igneous Province (LIP) made up of two distinct magmatic phases (Stein et al., 2015). The first large scale magmatism is characterized by a large volume of flood basalt that filled a fault controlled basin. The second post-rift phase consists of volcanics and sediment that were deposited in a thermally subsiding basin after faulting ended. This flood basalt filled rift geometry is a special characteristic of the MCRS which is not observed in other presently active or ancient rifts. Hence the MCRS's unusual nature likely reflects the combined effects of rifting and a mantle plume. We investigate this hypothesis with a geodynamic model by fully exploring the parameter space for a range of mantle potential and plume excess temperatures as well as different extension scenarios and lithospheric/plume structure. We quantify the rate and amount of melt generated and compare these with inferred volume and history of magmatic activity. Our model suggests that for an initially thin 100 km continental lithosphere and high mantle potential temperatures above 1453 oC, a plume is not required to generate the inferred volume of flood basalt as long as the lithosphere is thinned rapidly (> 3cm/yr). We note that in this scenario, majority of the melt generation continues for a few million years after the rifting ends. However, for present-day mantle potential temperatures ( 1343 oC) a mantle plume is required with an excess of temperature > 100 oC to generate the required volume of flood basalt. Furthermore, if the initial continental lithosphere thickness is greater than 100 km, the required plume excess temperature to generate enough melt, must be > 200 oC for the range of mantle potential temperatures we explored. References Stein, C.A., Kley, J., Stein, S., Hindle, D., and Keller, G.R., 2015, North America's Midcontinent Rift: When rift met LIP: Geosphere, v. 11, no. 5, p. 1607-1616, doi:10.1130/GES01183.1.

  3. Temperature- and touch-sensitive neurons couple CNG and TRPV channel activities to control heat avoidance in Caenorhabditis elegans.

    PubMed

    Liu, Shu; Schulze, Ekkehard; Baumeister, Ralf

    2012-01-01

    Any organism depends on its ability to sense temperature and avoid noxious heat. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans responds to noxious temperatures exceeding ∼35°C and also senses changes in its environmental temperature in the range between 15 and 25°C. The neural circuits and molecular mechanisms involved in thermotaxis have been successfully studied, whereas details of the thermal avoidance behavior remain elusive. In this work, we investigate neurological and molecular aspects of thermonociception using genetic, cell biological and physiological approaches. We show here that the thermosensory neurons AFD, in addition to sensing temperature within the range within which the animals can thrive, also contribute to the sensation of noxious temperatures resulting in a reflex-like escape reaction. Distinct sets of interneurons are involved in transmitting thermonociception and thermotaxis, respectively. Loss of AFD is partially compensated by the activity of a pair of multidendritic, polymodal neurons, FLP, whereas laser ablation of both types of neurons abrogated the heat response in the head of the animals almost completely. A third pair of heat sensory neurons, PHC, is situated in the tail. We find that the thermal avoidance response requires the cell autonomous function of cGMP dependent Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated (CNG) channels in AFD, and the heat- and capsaicin-sensitive Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid (TRPV) channels in the FLP and PHC sensory neurons. Our results identify distinct thermal responses mediated by a single neuron, but also show that parallel nociceptor circuits and molecules may be used as back-up strategies to guarantee fast and efficient responses to potentially detrimental stimuli.

  4. Molecular dynamics study of thermodynamic scaling of the glass-transition dynamics in ionic liquids over wide temperature and pressure ranges.

    PubMed

    Habasaki, J; Casalini, R; Ngai, K L

    2010-03-25

    Experimentally, superpositioning of dynamic properties such as viscosity, relaxation times, or diffusion coefficients under different conditions of temperature T, pressure P, and volume V by the scaling variable TV(gamma) (where gamma is a material constant) has been reported as a general feature of many kinds of glass-forming materials. In the present work, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been performed to study the scaling of dynamics near the glass-transition regime of ionic liquids. Scaling in the simulated 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium nitrate (EMIM-NO(3)) system has been tested over wide ranges of temperatures and pressures. TV(gamma) scaling of the dynamics is well described by master curves with gamma = 4.0 +/- 0.2 and 3.8 +/- 0.2 for cation and anion, respectively. Structures and Coulombic terms of the corresponding states are found to be quite similar. The temperature and pressure dependence of the pair correlation function show similar trends and therefore can be superpositioned onto the master curve. Although the behaviors with gamma = 4 might be expected from the relation, gamma = n/3, for the dynamics with the soft-core-type potential U = epsilon(sigma/r)(n), with n = 12, pair potentials used in the MD simulation have a more complex form, and not all the repulsive terms can play their roles in the heterogeneous structures determined by ion-ion interactions. Scaling is related to the common part of effective potentials related to the pair correlation functions, including the many-body effect in real space.

  5. The defect chemistry of UO2 ± x from atomistic simulations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cooper, M. W. D.; Murphy, S. T.; Andersson, D. A.

    2018-06-01

    Control of the defect chemistry in UO2 ± x is important for manipulating nuclear fuel properties and fuel performance. For example, the uranium vacancy concentration is critical for fission gas release and sintering, while all oxygen and uranium defects are known to strongly influence thermal conductivity. Here the point defect concentrations in thermal equilibrium are predicted using defect energies from density functional theory (DFT) and vibrational entropies calculated using empirical potentials. Electrons and holes have been treated in a similar fashion to other charged defects allowing for structural relaxation around the localized electronic defects. Predictions are made for the defect concentrations and non-stoichiometry of UO2 ± x as a function of oxygen partial pressure and temperature. If vibrational entropy is omitted, oxygen interstitials are predicted to be the dominant mechanism of excess oxygen accommodation over only a small temperature range (1265 K-1350 K), in contrast to experimental observation. Conversely, if vibrational entropy is included oxygen interstitials dominate from 1165 K to 1680 K (Busker potential) or from 1275 K to 1630 K (CRG potential). Below these temperature ranges, excess oxygen is predicted to be accommodated by uranium vacancies, while above them the system is hypo-stoichiometric with oxygen deficiency accommodated by oxygen vacancies. Our results are discussed in the context of oxygen clustering, formation of U4O9, and issues for fuel behavior. In particular, the variation of the uranium vacancy concentrations as a function of temperature and oxygen partial pressure will underpin future studies into fission gas diffusivity and broaden the understanding of UO2 ± x sintering.

  6. Exciplex vacuum ultraviolet emission spectra of KrAr: Temperature dependence and potentials

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Subtil, J.-L.; Jonin, C.; Laporte, P.; Reininger, R.; Spiegelmann, F.; Gürtler, P.

    1996-11-01

    The temperature dependence of the emissions from the 0+(3P1)and 1(3P2) Kr*Ar exciplex states in the range 85-350 K was studied using time resolved techniques, vacuum ultraviolet synchrotron radiation, and argon samples doped with minimal amounts of krypton. As the temperature is increased, the emission shifts to the blue, its width increases by almost a factor of 2, and the line shape becomes asymmetrical. The experimental line shapes have been simulated by means of Franck-Condon density calculations using the available ground state potential of Aziz and Slaman [Mol. Phys. 58, 679 (1986)] and by modeling the exciplex potentials as Morse curves. The potential parameters for the 0+ and 1 states are re=5.05±0.01 and 5.07±0.01 a0, respectively; De=1150±200 cm-1 and β=1.4±0.1 a0-1 for both states. The latter two values yield ωe=140 cm-1 and ωexe=4.3 cm-1. The energy positions of the exciplexes's wells and their depths are compared with published results.

  7. Defining the temperature range for cooking with extra virgin olive oil using Raman spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ahmad, Naveed; Saleem, M.; Ali, H.; Bilal, M.; Khan, Saranjam; Ullah, Rahat; Ahmed, M.; Mahmood, S.

    2017-09-01

    Using the potential of Raman spectroscopy, new findings regarding the effects of heating on extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) during frying/cooking are presented. A temperature range from 140 to 150 °C has been defined within which EVOO can be used for cooking/frying without much loss of its natural molecular composition. Raman spectra from the EVOO samples were recorded using an excitation laser at 785 nm in the range from 540 to 1800 cm-1. Due to heating, prominent variations in intensity are observed at Raman bands from 540 to 770 cm-1, 790 to 1170 cm-1 and 1267 and 1302 cm-1. The Raman bands at 1267 and 1302 cm-1 represent cis unsaturated fats and their ratio is used to investigate the effects of temperature on the molecular composition of EVOO. In addition, principal component analysis has been applied on all the groups of data to classify the heated EVOO samples at different temperatures and for different times. In addition, it has been found that use of EVOO for frying twice does not have any prominent effect on its molecular composition.

  8. Study of electrical and magnetic properties of RE doped layered cobaltite thin films

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bapna, K.; Choudhary, R. J.; Phase, D. M.; Rawat, R.; Ahuja, B. L.

    2018-05-01

    Thin films of layered perovskites Sr1.5RE0.5CoO4 (RE = La, Gd) were grown on MgO (0 0 1) substrate using pulsed laser ablation method. Structural, electrical and magnetic properties of single phase oriented films were studied. Films reveal semiconducting behavior in the entire measured temperature range. The films show thermally activated behavior at high temperature regime, with a higher value of activation energy for SGCO than that for SLCO. The low temperature behavior is well fitted with 3D-variable range hopping mechanism. Both films showed negative magneto-resistance measured in temperature range of 10-200 K. The value of MR is large for SGCO film as compared to its bulk counterpart as well as SLCO film, suggesting its high potential in the spintronics applications. A pinch-shaped M-H behaviour as observed in both the films, suggests the presence of two-magnetic phases. Occurrence of pinch-shape behaviour is although in line with that of SLCO bulk counterpart, interestingly, it was absent in SGCO polycrystalline powder. It suggests major role of film growth kinetics in modifying the magnetic properties in cobaltites.

  9. Hydrothermal thresholds for seed germination in winter annual forbs from old-field Mediterranean landscapes.

    PubMed

    Frischie, Stephanie; Fernández-Pascual, Eduardo; Gálvez Ramirez, Cándido; Toorop, Peter; Matías González, Hernández; Jiménez-Alfaro, Borja

    2018-05-22

    Under Mediterranean climates with dry-hot summers and cool-wet winters, many forbs with potential for habitat restoration are winter annuals, but there is little information about their germination. We performed laboratory germination experiments on 13 ruderal dicots native to Andalusia (southern Spain). We measured the germination of recently harvested seeds from natural populations across nine temperature treatments (from 5 °C to 35 °C, constant and alternate); two storage periods; and eight water stress treatments (from 0 MPa to -1.0 MPa). We thencalculated the hydrothermal thresholds for seed germination. Final germination ranged from 0-100% and results were mixed in response to temperature. Base temperature was below 6 °C, optimal temperature was around 14 °C and the ceiling temperature around 23 °C. For five species, 10 months of storage improved total germination, indicating a dormancy-breaking effect, but the other species did not respond or had their germination reduced. All species were relatively tolerant to water stress, with base water potential ranging from -0.8 MPa to -1.8 MPa. Our results suggest that hydrothermal germination thresholds, rather than physiological dormancy, are the main drivers of germination phenology in annual forbs from Mediterranean semi-dry environments. The germination of these forb species differs from winter annual grasses, but their seeds are all suitable for being stored before restoration. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

  10. Eocene Paleoclimate: Incredible or Uncredible? Model data syntheses raise questions.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huber, M.

    2012-04-01

    Reconstructions of Eocene paleoclimate have pushed on the boundaries of climate dynamics theory for generations. While significant improvements in theory and models have brought them closer to the proxy data, the data themselves have shifted considerably. Tropical temperatures and greenhouse gas concentrations are now reconstructed to be higher than once thought--in agreement with models--but, many polar temperature reconstructions are even warmer than the eye popping numbers from only a decade ago. These interpretations of subtropical-to-tropical polar conditions once again challenge models and theory. But, the devil, is as always in the details and it is worthwhile to consider the range of potential uncertainties and biases in the paleoclimate record interpretations to evaluate the proposition that models and data may not materially disagree. It is necessary to ask whether current Eocene paleoclimate reconstructions are accurate enough to compellingly argue for a complete failure of climate models and theory. Careful consideration of Eocene model output and proxy data reveals that over most of the Earth the model agrees with the upper range of plausible tropical proxy data and the lower range of plausible high latitude proxy reconstructions. Implications for the sensitivity of global climate to greenhouse gas forcing are drawn for a range of potential Eocene climate scenarios ranging from a literal interpretation of one particular model to a literal interpretation of proxy data. Hope for a middle ground is found.

  11. Spatial variation of corn canopy temperature as dependent upon soil texture and crop rooting characteristics

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Choudhury, B. J.

    1983-01-01

    A soil plant atmosphere model for corn (Zea mays L.) together with the scaling theory for soil hydraulic heterogeneity are used to study the sensitivity of spatial variation of canopy temperature to field averaged soil texture and crop rooting characteristics. The soil plant atmosphere model explicitly solves a continuity equation for water flux resulting from root water uptake, changes in plant water storage and transpirational flux. Dynamical equations for root zone soil water potential and the plant water storage models the progressive drying of soil, and day time dehydration and night time hydration of the crop. The statistic of scaling parameter which describes the spatial variation of soil hydraulic conductivity and matric potential is assumed to be independent of soil texture class. The field averaged soil hydraulic characteristics are chosen to be representative of loamy sand and clay loam soils. Two rooting characteristics are chosen, one shallow and the other deep rooted. The simulation shows that the range of canopy temperatures in the clayey soil is less than 1K, but for the sandy soil the range is about 2.5 and 5.0 K, respectively, for the shallow and deep rooted crops.

  12. Novel applications of ionic liquids in materials processing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Reddy, Ramana G.

    2009-05-01

    Ionic liquids are mixtures of organic and inorganic salts which are liquids at room temperature. Several potential applications of ionic liquids in the field of materials processing are electrowinning and electrodeposition of metals and alloys, electrolysis of active metals at low temperature, liquid-liquid extraction of metals. Results using 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride with AlCl3 at low temperatures yielded high purity aluminium deposits (>99.9% pure) and current efficiencies >98%. Titanium and aluminium were co-deposited with/without the addition of TiCl4 with up to 27 wt% Ti in the deposit with current efficiencies in the range of 78-85 %. Certain ionic liquids are potential replacements for thermal oils and molten salts as heat transfer fluids in solar energy applications due to high thermal stability, very low corrosivity and substantial sensible heat retentivity. The calculated storage densities for several chloride and fluoride ionic liquids are in the range of 160-210 MJ/m3. A 3-D mathematical model was developed to simulate the large scale electrowinning of aluminium. Since ionic liquids processing results in their low energy consumption, low pollutant emissions many more materials processing applications are expected in future.

  13. Large magnetic entropy change in multiferroic HoFeO3 single crystal

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Das, Moumita; Mandal, Prabhat

    2018-04-01

    In this article magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of HoFeO3 single crystal have been investigated by magnetization measurement in the temperature range 6-30K and near spin reorientation transition (TSR) region 45-61K. Remarkably large and reversible magnetic entropy change (-ΔSm) = 27J/kg K, has been observed for a field change of 0-6T near 9.5K due to metamagnetic transition. The value of ΔSm is 6J/kg K at 6T near TSR. This magnetocaloric parameter is larger than previously reported value along [100] crystallographic axis due to its anisotropic nature along different axis. This value is larger than some of the potential magnetic refrigerants in the same temperature range which is not reported previously. The ΔSm is also quite large for a small and moderate field change. For an example the values of ΔSmax are 7 and 12 J/kg K for field change of 2 and 3T. The large value of this magnetocaloric parameter suggests that HoFeO3 could be considered as a potential refrigerant material for low-temperature magnetic refrigeration technology to liquefaction the hydrogen and helium in fuel industry.

  14. Bigheaded carps : a biological synopsis and environmental risk assessment

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Kolar, Cindy S.; Chapman, Duane C.; Courtenay, Walter R.; Housel, Christine M.; Williams, James D.; Jennings, Dawn P.

    2007-01-01

    Includes information on taxonomy and distinguishing characteristics, hybrids, native and introduced ranges, temperature and salinity tolerances, fecundity, sexual maturity and mating behavior, spawning, early development, feeding habits, growth rate and longevity, response to physical stimuli, associated diseases and parasites, human uses, environmental effects, potential range, population control measures. Summarizes United States federal and state regulations, and assesses the risk posed by these species in the United States.

  15. Accuracy and precision of polar lower stratospheric temperatures from reanalyses evaluated from A-Train CALIOP and MLS, COSMIC GPS RO, and the equilibrium thermodynamics of supercooled ternary solutions and ice clouds

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lambert, Alyn; Santee, Michelle L.

    2018-02-01

    We investigate the accuracy and precision of polar lower stratospheric temperatures (100-10 hPa during 2008-2013) reported in several contemporary reanalysis datasets comprising two versions of the Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA and MERRA-2), the Japanese 55-year Reanalysis (JRA-55), the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) interim reanalysis (ERA-I), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (NCEP-CFSR). We also include the Goddard Earth Observing System model version 5.9.1 near-real-time analysis (GEOS-5.9.1). Comparisons of these datasets are made with respect to retrieved temperatures from the Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS), Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate (COSMIC) Global Positioning System (GPS) radio occultation (RO) temperatures, and independent absolute temperature references defined by the equilibrium thermodynamics of supercooled ternary solutions (STSs) and ice clouds. Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) observations of polar stratospheric clouds are used to determine the cloud particle types within the Aura MLS geometric field of view. The thermodynamic calculations for STS and the ice frost point use the colocated MLS gas-phase measurements of HNO3 and H2O. The estimated bias and precision for the STS temperature reference, over the 68 to 21 hPa pressure range, are 0.6-1.5 and 0.3-0.6 K, respectively; for the ice temperature reference, they are 0.4 and 0.3 K, respectively. These uncertainties are smaller than those estimated for the retrieved MLS temperatures and also comparable to GPS RO uncertainties (bias < 0.2 K, precision > 0.7 K) in the same pressure range. We examine a case study of the time-varying temperature structure associated with layered ice clouds formed by orographic gravity waves forced by flow over the Palmer Peninsula and compare how the wave amplitudes are reproduced by each reanalysis dataset. We find that the spatial and temporal distribution of temperatures below the ice frost point, and hence the potential to form ice polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) in model studies driven by the reanalyses, varies significantly because of the underlying differences in the representation of mountain wave activity. High-accuracy COSMIC temperatures are used as a common reference to intercompare the reanalysis temperatures. Over the 68-21 hPa pressure range, the biases of the reanalyses with respect to COSMIC temperatures for both polar regions fall within the narrow range of -0.6 K to +0.5 K. GEOS-5.9.1, MERRA, MERRA-2, and JRA-55 have predominantly cold biases, whereas ERA-I has a predominantly warm bias. NCEP-CFSR has a warm bias in the Arctic but becomes substantially colder in the Antarctic. Reanalysis temperatures are also compared with the PSC reference temperatures. Over the 68-21 hPa pressure range, the reanalysis temperature biases are in the range -1.6 to -0.3 K with standard deviations ˜ 0.6 K for the CALIOP STS reference, and in the range -0.9 to +0.1 K with standard deviations ˜ 0.7 K for the CALIOP ice reference. Comparisons of MLS temperatures with the PSC reference temperatures reveal vertical oscillations in the MLS temperatures and a significant low bias in MLS temperatures of up to 3 K.

  16. Untapped Resources: Biotechnological Potential of Peptides and Secondary Metabolites in Archaea

    PubMed Central

    Charlesworth, James C.; Burns, Brendan P.

    2015-01-01

    Archaea are an understudied domain of life often found in “extreme” environments in terms of temperature, salinity, and a range of other factors. Archaeal proteins, such as a wide range of enzymes, have adapted to function under these extreme conditions, providing biotechnology with interesting activities to exploit. In addition to producing structural and enzymatic proteins, archaea also produce a range of small peptide molecules (such as archaeocins) and other novel secondary metabolites such as those putatively involved in cell communication (acyl homoserine lactones), which can be exploited for biotechnological purposes. Due to the wide array of metabolites produced there is a great deal of biotechnological potential from antimicrobials such as diketopiperazines and archaeocins, as well as roles in the cosmetics and food industry. In this review we will discuss the diversity of small molecules, both peptide and nonpeptide, produced by archaea and their potential biotechnological applications. PMID:26504428

  17. Local thermodynamics and the generalized Gibbs-Duhem equation in systems with long-range interactions.

    PubMed

    Latella, Ivan; Pérez-Madrid, Agustín

    2013-10-01

    The local thermodynamics of a system with long-range interactions in d dimensions is studied using the mean-field approximation. Long-range interactions are introduced through pair interaction potentials that decay as a power law in the interparticle distance. We compute the local entropy, Helmholtz free energy, and grand potential per particle in the microcanonical, canonical, and grand canonical ensembles, respectively. From the local entropy per particle we obtain the local equation of state of the system by using the condition of local thermodynamic equilibrium. This local equation of state has the form of the ideal gas equation of state, but with the density depending on the potential characterizing long-range interactions. By volume integration of the relation between the different thermodynamic potentials at the local level, we find the corresponding equation satisfied by the potentials at the global level. It is shown that the potential energy enters as a thermodynamic variable that modifies the global thermodynamic potentials. As a result, we find a generalized Gibbs-Duhem equation that relates the potential energy to the temperature, pressure, and chemical potential. For the marginal case where the power of the decaying interaction potential is equal to the dimension of the space, the usual Gibbs-Duhem equation is recovered. As examples of the application of this equation, we consider spatially uniform interaction potentials and the self-gravitating gas. We also point out a close relationship with the thermodynamics of small systems.

  18. Structure, dynamics, and thermodynamics of a family of potentials with tunable softness

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shi, Zane; Debenedetti, Pablo G.; Stillinger, Frank H.; Ginart, Paul

    2011-08-01

    We investigate numerically the structure, thermodynamics, and relaxation behavior of a family of (n, 6) Lennard-Jones-like glass-forming binary mixtures interacting via pair potentials with variable softness, fixed well depth, and fixed well depth location. These constraints give rise to progressively more negative attractive tails upon softening, for separations greater than the potential energy minimum. Over the range of conditions examined, we find only modest dependence of structure on softness. In contrast, decreasing the repulsive exponent from n = 12 to n = 7 causes the diffusivity to increase by as much as two orders of magnitude at fixed temperature and density, and produces mechanically stable packings (inherent structures) with cohesive energies that are, on average, ˜1.7 well depths per particle larger than for the corresponding Lennard-Jones (n = 12) case. The softer liquids have markedly higher entropies and lower Kauzmann temperatures than their Lennard-Jones (n = 12) counterparts, and they remain diffusive down to appreciably lower temperatures. We find that softening leads to a modest increase in fragility.

  19. Electrophoretic Study of the SnO2/Aqueous Solution Interface up to 260 degrees C.

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

    Rodriguez-Santiago, V; Fedkin, Mark V.; Wesolowski, David J

    2009-01-01

    An electrophoresis cell developed in our laboratory was utilized to determine the zeta potential at the SnO{sub 2} (cassiterite)/aqueous solution (10{sup -3} mol kg{sup -1} NaCl) interface over the temperature range from 25 to 260 C. Experimental techniques and methods for the calculation of zeta potential at elevated temperature are described. From the obtained zeta potential data as a function of pH, the isoelectric points (IEPs) of SnO{sub 2} were obtained for the first time. From these IEP values, the standard thermodynamic functions were calculated for the protonation-deprotonation equilibrium at the SnO{sub 2} surface, using the 1-pK surface complexation model.more » It was found that the IEP values for SnO{sub 2} decrease with increasing temperature, and this behavior is compared to the predicted values by the multisite complexation (MUSIC) model and other semitheoretical treatments, and were found to be in excellent agreement.« less

  20. The utility of surface temperature measurements for the remote sensing of surface soil water status

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Idso, S. B.; Jackson, R. D.; Reginato, R. J.; Schmugge, T. J.

    1975-01-01

    Experiments carried out on an Avondale loam soil indicated that the thermal inertia concept of soil water content detection is reasonably sound. The volumetric water contents of surface soil layers between 2 and 4 cm thick were found to be linear functions of the amplitude of the diurnal surface soil temperature wave for clear day-night periods. They were also found to be linear functions of the daily maximum value of the surface soil-air-temperature differential. Tests on three additional soils ranging from sandy loam to clay indicated that the relations determined for Avondale loam could not be accurately applied to these other soil types. When the moisture characteristic curves of each soil were used to transform water contents into pressure potentials, however, it was found that soil water pressure potential could be determined without prior knowledge of soil type, and thus its value as a potential soil water status survey tool was significantly enhanced.

  1. Pioneer Venus Orbiter planar retarding potential analyzer plasma experiment

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Knudsen, W. C.; Bakke, J.; Spenner, K.; Novak, V.

    1980-01-01

    The retarding potential analyzer (RPA) on the Pioneer Venus Orbiter Mission measures most of the thermal plasma parameters within and near the Venusian ionosphere. Parameters include total ion concentration, concentrations of the more abundant ions, ion temperatures, ion drift velocity, electron temperature, and low-energy (0-50 eV) electron distribution function. Several functions not previously used in RPA's were developed and incorporated into this instrument to accomplish these measurements on a spinning spacecraft with a small bit rate. The more significant functions include automatic electrometer ranging with background current compensation; digital, quadratic retarding potential step generation for the ion and low-energy electron scans; a current sampling interval of 2 ms throughout all scans; digital logic inflection point detection and data selection; and automatic ram direction detection.

  2. Coherent thermodynamic model for solid, liquid and gas phases of elements and simple compounds in wide ranges of pressure and temperature

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Holzapfel, Wilfried B.

    2018-06-01

    Thermodynamic modeling of fluids (liquids and gases) uses mostly series expansions which diverge at low temperatures and do not fit to the behavior of metastable quenched fluids (amorphous, glass like solids). These divergences are removed in the present approach by the use of reasonable forms for the "cold" potential energy and for the thermal pressure of the fluid system. Both terms are related to the potential energy and to the thermal pressure of the crystalline phase in a coherent way, which leads to simpler and non diverging series expansions for the thermal pressure and thermal energy of the fluid system. Data for solid and fluid argon are used to illustrate the potential of the present approach.

  3. Predicted global warming scenarios impact on the mother plant to alter seed dormancy and germination behaviour in Arabidopsis.

    PubMed

    Huang, Z; Footitt, S; Tang, A; Finch-Savage, W E

    2018-01-01

    Seed characteristics are key components of plant fitness that are influenced by temperature in their maternal environment, and temperature will change with global warming. To study the effect of such temperature changes, Arabidopsis thaliana plants were grown to produce seeds along a uniquely designed polyethylene tunnel having a thermal gradient reflecting local global warming predictions. Plants therefore experienced the same variations in temperature and light conditions but different mean temperatures. A range of seed-related plant fitness estimates were measured. There were dramatic non-linear temperature effects on the germination behaviour in two contrasting ecotypes. Maternal temperatures lower than 15-16 °C resulted in significantly greater primary dormancy. In addition, the impact of nitrate in the growing media on dormancy was shown only by seeds produced below 15-16 °C. However, there were no consistent effects on seed yield, number, or size. Effects on germination behaviour were shown to be a species characteristic responding to temperature and not time of year. Elevating temperature above this critical value during seed development has the potential to dramatically alter the timing of subsequent seed germination and the proportion entering the soil seed bank. This has potential consequences for the whole plant life cycle and species fitness. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  4. Natural CMT2 Variation Is Associated With Genome-Wide Methylation Changes and Temperature Seasonality

    PubMed Central

    Shen, Xia; De Jonge, Jennifer; Forsberg, Simon K. G.; Pettersson, Mats E.; Sheng, Zheya; Hennig, Lars; Carlborg, Örjan

    2014-01-01

    As Arabidopsis thaliana has colonized a wide range of habitats across the world it is an attractive model for studying the genetic mechanisms underlying environmental adaptation. Here, we used public data from two collections of A. thaliana accessions to associate genetic variability at individual loci with differences in climates at the sampling sites. We use a novel method to screen the genome for plastic alleles that tolerate a broader climate range than the major allele. This approach reduces confounding with population structure and increases power compared to standard genome-wide association methods. Sixteen novel loci were found, including an association between Chromomethylase 2 (CMT2) and temperature seasonality where the genome-wide CHH methylation was different for the group of accessions carrying the plastic allele. Cmt2 mutants were shown to be more tolerant to heat-stress, suggesting genetic regulation of epigenetic modifications as a likely mechanism underlying natural adaptation to variable temperatures, potentially through differential allelic plasticity to temperature-stress. PMID:25503602

  5. Silver transfer in proustite Ag{sub 3}AsS{sub 3} at high temperatures: Conductivity and single-crystal X-ray studies

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

    Gagor, Anna; Pawlowski, Antoni; Pietraszko, Adam

    2009-03-15

    Single crystals of proustite Ag{sub 3}AsS{sub 3} have been characterised by impedance spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction in the temperature ranges of 295-543 and 295-695 K, respectively. An analysis of the one-particle potential of silver atoms shows that in the whole measuring temperature range defects in the silver substructure play a major role in the conduction mechanism. Furthermore, the silver transfer is equally probable within silver chains and spirals, as well as between chains and spirals. The trigonal R3c room temperature phase does not change until the decomposition of the crystal. The electric anomaly of the first-order character which appearsmore » near 502 K is related to an increase in the electronic component of the total conductivity resulting from Ag{sub 2}S deposition at the sample surface. - Joint probability density function map of silver atoms at T=695 K.« less

  6. Thermal properties of nuclear matter in a variational framework with relativistic corrections

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zaryouni, S.; Hassani, M.; Moshfegh, H. R.

    2014-01-01

    The properties of hot symmetric nuclear matter for a wide range of densities and temperatures are investigated by employing the AV14 potential within the lowest order constrained variational (LOCV) method with the inclusion of a phenomenological three-body force as well as relativistic corrections. The relativistic corrections of many-body kinetic energies as well as the boot interaction corrections are presented for a wide range of densities and temperatures. The free energy, pressure, incompressibility, and other thermodynamic quantities of symmetric nuclear matter are obtained and discussed. The critical temperature is found, and the liquid-gas phase transition is analyzed both with and without the inclusion of three-body forces and relativistic corrections in the LOCV approach. It is shown that the critical temperature is strongly affected by the three-body forces but does not depend on the relativistic corrections. Finally, the results obtained in the present study are compared with other many-body calculations and experimental predictions.

  7. In vitro pulp chamber temperature rise from irradiation and exotherm of flowable composites.

    PubMed

    Baroudi, Kusai; Silikas, Nick; Watts, David C

    2009-01-01

    The aim of this study was to investigate the pulpal temperature rise induced during the polymerization of flowable and non-flowable composites using light-emitting diode (LED) and halogen (quartz-tungsten-halogen) light-curing units (LCUs). Five flowable and three non-flowable composites were examined. Pulpal temperature changes were recorded over 10 min in a sample primary tooth by a thermocouple. A conventional quartz-tungsten-halogen source and two LEDs, one of which was programmable, were used for light curing the resin composites. Three repetitions per material were made for each LCU. There was a wide range of temperature rises among the materials (P < 0.05). Temperature rises ranged between 1.3 degrees C for Filtek Supreme irradiated by low-power LED and 4.5 degrees C for Grandio Flow irradiated by high-power LED. The highest temperature rises were observed with both the LED high-power and soft-start LCUs. The time to reach the exothermic peak varied significantly between the materials (P < 0.05). Pulpal temperature rise is related to both the radiant energy output from LCUs and the polymerization exotherm of resin composites. A greater potential risk for heat-induced pulp damage might be associated with high-power LED sources. Flowable composites exhibited higher temperature rises than non-flowable materials, because of higher resin contents.

  8. Hierarchical Hopping through Localized States in a Random Potential

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rajan, Harihar; Srivastava, Vipin

    2003-03-01

    Generalisation of Mott's idea on (low - temperature, large-time), Variable-range-hopping is considered to include hopping at some what higher temperature(that do not kill localization). These transitions complement the variable- range-hopping in that they do not conserve energy and occur at relatively lower time scales. The hopper picks the next state in a hierarchical fashion in accordance with certain conditions. The results are found to tie up nicely with an interesting property pertaining to the energy dependence of localized states. Acknowlwdgements: One of us(VS) would like to thank Association of Commonwealth Universities and Leverhulme Trust for financial help and to Sir Sam Edwards for hospitality at Cavendish Laboratory,Cambridge CB3 0HE.

  9. Molecular dynamics simulation of ZnO wurtzite phase under high and low pressures and temperatures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chergui, Y.; Aouaroun, T.; Hadley, M. J.; Belkada, R.; Chemam, R.; Mekki, D. E.

    2017-11-01

    Isothermal and isobaric ensembles behaviours of ZnO wurtzite phase have been investigated, by parallel molecular dynamics method and using Buckingham potential, which contains long-range Coulomb, repulsive exponential, and attractive dispersion terms. To conduct our calculations, we have used dl_poly 4 software, under which the method is implemented. We have examined the influence of the temperature and pressure on molar volume in the ranges of 300-3000 K and 0-200 GPa. Isothermal-isobaric relationships, fluctuations, standard error, equilibrium time, molar volume and its variation versus time are predicted and analyzed. Our results are close to available experimental data and theoretical results.

  10. Determination of Activities of Niobium in Cu-Nb Melts Containing Dilute Nb

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Daya; Yan, Baijun; Sichen, Du

    2015-04-01

    The activity coefficients of niobium in Cu-Nb melts were measured by equilibrating solid NbO2 with liquid copper under controlled oxygen potentials in the temperature range of 1773 K to 1898 K (1500 °C to 1625 °C). Either CO-CO2 gas mixture or H2-CO2 gas mixture was employed to obtain the desired oxygen partial pressures. Cu-Nb system was found to follow Henry's law in the composition range studied. The temperature dependence of Henry's constant in the Cu-Nb melts could be expressed as follows: The partial molar excess Gibbs energy change of niobium in Cu-Nb melts can be expressed as follows:

  11. Lead free dielectric ceramic with stable relative permittivity of 0.90(Na0.50Bi0.50Ti)O3-0.10AgNbO3

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Verma, Anita; Yadav, Arun Kumar; Kumar, Sunil; Sen, Somaditya

    2018-04-01

    Structural, dielectric and ferroelectric properties in perovskite 0.90(Na0.50Bi0.50Ti)03-0.10AgNb03 polycrystalline powders prepared by sol-gel method are discussed. Diffuse phase transition and new type of dielectric anomaly was observed with highly steady capacitive properties in the 135-450 °C temperature range. This compound shows remarkable dielectric with dielectric constant ɛr 1000 with a variation of ± 7% and tan δ = 0.004 0.25 in 135- 450 °C temperature. In addition, it also showed excellent ferroelectric properties with saturation polarization Ps = 13.5 μC/cm2, remnant polarization of Pr = 7.6 μC/cm2 and a low coercive field Ec = 36 kV/cm at room temperature. Stable dielectric constant (ɛr) and low dielectric loss (tan δ) in a wide temperature range observed for the titled composition makes it an interesting candidate for potential use in fast growing "high-temperature electronics" industry applications.

  12. On the main photoelectric characteristics of three-junction InGaP/InGaAs/Ge solar cells in a broad temperature range (–197°C ≤ T ≤ +85°C)

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

    Andreev, V. M.; Malevskiy, D. A.; Pokrovskiy, P. V.

    2016-10-15

    This study is aimed at investigating the main photoelectric characteristics of three-cascade InGaP/InGaAs/Ge photoelectric converters in a broad temperature range (–197°C ≤ T ≤ +85°C). On account of analysis of photosensitivity spectra and optical current–voltage characteristics, such temperature dependences as the open-circuit voltage (V{sub oc}), filling factor of the current–voltage characteristic (FF), and the photoelectric conversion efficiency of solar radiation are determined. Investigations are performed at illumination intensities corresponding to operation under concentrated radiation. Decreased temperatures facilitate the selection of samples with the minimal “parasitic” potential barriers. The influence of excitationtransfer processes from a cascade into a cascade is estimatedmore » by means of secondary luminescent radiation. The highest photoelectric conversion efficiency of 52% is measured at a concentration multiplicity of 100 “suns” and a temperature of–160°C.« less

  13. Development of metal-ceramic coaxial cable Fabry-Pérot interferometric sensors for high temperature monitoring

    DOE PAGES

    Trontz, Adam; Cheng, Baokai; Zeng, Shixuan; ...

    2015-09-25

    Metal-ceramic coaxial cable Fabry-Pérot interferometric (MCCC-FPI) sensors have been developed using a stainless steel tube and a stainless steel wire as the outer and inner conductors, respectively; a tubular α-alumina insulator; and a pair of air gaps created in the insulator along the cable to serve as weak reflectors for the transmitting microwave (MW) signal. The MCCC-FPI sensors have been demonstrated for high temperature measurements using MW signals in a frequency range of 2–8 GHz. The temperature measurement is achieved by monitoring the frequency shift (Δƒ) of the MW interferogram reflected from the pair of weak reflectors. The MW sensormore » exhibited excellent linear dependence of Δƒ on temperature; small measurement deviations (±2.7%); and fast response in a tested range of 200–500 °C. The MCCC has the potential for further developing multipoint FPI sensors in a single-cable to achieve in situ and continuous measurement of spatially distributed temperature in harsh environments.« less

  14. Temperature-dependent physical properties of egg white for HIFU applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Yunbo; Maruvada, Subha; Herman, Bruce A.; Harris, Gerald R.

    2012-10-01

    Because egg white denatures at elevated temperature due to its protein content, it has the potential for use as a blood coagulation surrogate in pre-clinical evaluations of thermal therapy procedures such as high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) surgery. We therefore have measured the relevant physical properties of egg white, including coagulation temperature, frequency-dependent attenuation, sound speed, viscosity, and thermal properties, as a function of temperature (20 - 95°C). Thermal coagulation and attenuation (5-12 MHz) of cow blood, pig blood, and human blood also were assessed and compared with egg white. For a 30 s thermal exposure, both egg white and blood samples started to denature at 65°C and coagulate into an elastic gel at 85°C. The temperature-dependent parameters were found to be similar to that of the blood samples. For example, the attenuation of egg white ranged from 0.23f1.09 to 2.7f0.5 dB/cm over the 20°C - 95°C range. These results suggest that egg white would make a useful blood mimic for bench testing of therapeutic ultrasound devices.

  15. Elastic properties, thermal stability, and thermodynamic parameters of MoAlB

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kota, Sankalp; Agne, Matthias; Zapata-Solvas, Eugenio; Dezellus, Olivier; Lopez, Diego; Gardiola, Bruno; Radovic, Miladin; Barsoum, Michel W.

    2017-04-01

    MoAlB is the first and, so far, the only transition-metal boride that forms alumina when heated in air and is thus potentially useful for high-temperature applications. Herein, the thermal stability in argon and vacuum atmospheres and the thermodynamic parameters of bulk polycrystalline MoAlB were investigated experimentally. At temperatures above 1708 K, in vacuum and inert atmospheres, this compound incongruently melts into the binary MoB and liquid aluminum metal as confirmed by differential thermal analysis, quenching experiments, x-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. Making use of that information together with heat-capacity measurements in the 4-1000-K temperature range—successfully modeled as the sum of lattice, electronic, and dilation contributions—the standard enthalpy, entropy, and free energy of formation are computed and reported for the full temperature range. The standard enthalpy of formation of MoAlB at 298 K was found to be -132 ±3.2 kJ/mol. Lastly, the thermal conductivity values are computed and modeled using a variation of the Slack model in the 300-1600-K temperature range.

  16. Soil-water movement under natural-site and waste-site conditions: A multiple-year field study in the Mojave Desert, Nevada

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Andraski, Brian J.

    1997-01-01

    Soil-water movement under natural-site and simulated waste-site conditions were compared by monitoring four experimental sites in the Mojave Desert, Nevada, during a 5-year period: one vegetated soil profile, one soil profile where vegetation was removed, and two nonvegetated test trenches. Precipitation ranged from 14 to 162 mm/yr. Temporal changes in water content measured by neutron probe were limited to the upper 0.5–1 m; values ranged from 0.01 to 0.19 m3/m3. Water potential and temperature were measured by thermocouple psychrometers; 77% remained operable for ≥4.5 years. For vegetated soil, precipitation that accumulated in the upper 0.75 m of soil was removed by evapotranspiration: water potentials decreased seasonally by 4 to >8 MPa. During 2 years with below-average precipitation, water potentials below the app arent root zone decreased by 2.3 (1.2-m depth) to 0.4 MPa (5-m depth), and the gradients became predominantly upward. Water potentials then rebounded during 2 years with near- and above-average precipitation, and seasonally variant water potential gradients were reestablished above the 4.2-m depth. Under nonvegetated waste-site conditions, data indicated the long-term accumulation and shallow, but continued, penetration of precipitation: water potentials showed moisture penetration to depths of 0.75−1.85 m. The method of simulated-waste drum placement (stacked versus random) and the associated differences in subsidence showed no measurable influence on the water balance of the trenches: subsidence totaled ≤13 mm during the study. Water potentials below the trenches and below the 2-m depth for the nonvegetated soil remained low (≈−5.5 to −7.5 MPa) and indicated the persistence of typically upward driving forces for isothermal water flow. Water fluxes estimated from water potential and temperature data suggested that isothermal liquid, isothermal vapor, and nonisothermal vapor flow need to be considered in the conceptualization of unsaturated flow at the field sites. Below the depth of temporal water content change, the estimated liquid fluxes ranged from 10−10 to 10−15 cm/s, isothermal vapor fluxes ranged from 10−10 to 10−13 cm/s, and the nonisothermal vapor fluxes ranged from 10−8 to 10−10cm/s.

  17. Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Native Plant Distributions in the Falkland Islands

    PubMed Central

    Upson, Rebecca; Williams, Jennifer J.; Wilkinson, Tim P.; Maclean, Ilya M. D.; McAdam, Jim H.; Moat, Justin F.

    2016-01-01

    The Falkland Islands are predicted to experience up to 2.2°C rise in mean annual temperature over the coming century, greater than four times the rate over the last century. Our study investigates likely vulnerabilities of a suite of range-restricted species whose distributions are associated with archipelago-wide climatic variation. We used present day climate maps calibrated using local weather data, 2020–2080 climate predictions from regional climate models, non-climate variables derived from a digital terrain model and a comprehensive database on local plant distributions. Weighted mean ensemble models were produced to assess changes in range sizes and overlaps between the current range and protected areas network. Target species included three globally threatened Falkland endemics, Nassauvia falklandica, Nastanthus falklandicus and Plantago moorei; and two nationally threatened species, Acaena antarctica and Blechnum cordatum. Our research demonstrates that temperature increases predicted for the next century have the potential to significantly alter plant distributions across the Falklands. Upland species, in particular, were found to be highly vulnerable to climate change impacts. No known locations of target upland species or the southwestern species Plantago moorei are predicted to remain environmentally suitable in the face of predicted climate change. We identify potential refugia for these species and associated gaps in the current protected areas network. Species currently restricted to the milder western parts of the archipelago are broadly predicted to expand their ranges under warmer temperatures. Our results emphasise the importance of implementing suitable adaptation strategies to offset climate change impacts, particularly site management. There is an urgent need for long-term monitoring and artificial warming experiments; the results of this study will inform the selection of the most suitable locations for these. Results are also helping inform management recommendations for the Falkland Islands Government who seek to better conserve their biodiversity and meet commitments to multi-lateral environmental agreements. PMID:27880846

  18. Satellite Characterization of Biomass Burning: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscope Study of Combustion Experiments

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Padilla, D.; Steiner, J. C.

    2005-12-01

    Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) examination of the combustion products of selected forest materials using a meeker burner flame at temperatures up to 500 degrees Celsius produces a cluster of broad distinct peaks throughout the 400 to 4000 cm-1 wavenumber interval. Distinct bands bracketed by wavenumbers 400-700, 1500-1700, 2200-2400 and 3300-3600 cm-1 show variable intensity with an average difference between the least absorbing and most strongly absorbing species of approximately fifty percent. Given that spectral band differences of ten percent are within the range of modern satellite spectrometers, these band differences are of potential value for discriminating between fires that are impacting a range of vegetation types. Corresponding scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive micro-chemical (SEM/ED) analysis establishes that the evolved soot particles exhibit a characteristic rounded morphology, are carbon rich and host a wide range of adsorbed elements, including calcium, aluminum, potassium, silicon, sulfur and trace nitrogen. Combustion experiments involving leaves and branches as a subset of the biomass experiments at 200-500 degrees Celsius yield a similar broad background, but with peak shifts for maxima residing at less than 1700 cm-1. Additional peaks appear in the ranges 1438-1444, 875 and 713 cm-1. These peak are of potential use for discriminating between hot and smoldering fires, and between soot and smoke yields from green woods and whole-wood or lumber. The spectral shifts noted for low temperature smoldering conditions are in the vicinity of those cited for green vegetation and may not be resolved by present satellite platforms. Nevertheless, the experimental peak data set is of potential use for discriminating between a conflagration or accentuated fire and one characterized by smoldering at low temperature. SEM/ED analysis of the combusted leaf, branch, bark and various crown assemblages yields comparable morphological and geochemical signatures although potassium and light elements are slightly concentrated in effluent from the leafy matrix.

  19. Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Native Plant Distributions in the Falkland Islands.

    PubMed

    Upson, Rebecca; Williams, Jennifer J; Wilkinson, Tim P; Clubbe, Colin P; Maclean, Ilya M D; McAdam, Jim H; Moat, Justin F

    2016-01-01

    The Falkland Islands are predicted to experience up to 2.2°C rise in mean annual temperature over the coming century, greater than four times the rate over the last century. Our study investigates likely vulnerabilities of a suite of range-restricted species whose distributions are associated with archipelago-wide climatic variation. We used present day climate maps calibrated using local weather data, 2020-2080 climate predictions from regional climate models, non-climate variables derived from a digital terrain model and a comprehensive database on local plant distributions. Weighted mean ensemble models were produced to assess changes in range sizes and overlaps between the current range and protected areas network. Target species included three globally threatened Falkland endemics, Nassauvia falklandica, Nastanthus falklandicus and Plantago moorei; and two nationally threatened species, Acaena antarctica and Blechnum cordatum. Our research demonstrates that temperature increases predicted for the next century have the potential to significantly alter plant distributions across the Falklands. Upland species, in particular, were found to be highly vulnerable to climate change impacts. No known locations of target upland species or the southwestern species Plantago moorei are predicted to remain environmentally suitable in the face of predicted climate change. We identify potential refugia for these species and associated gaps in the current protected areas network. Species currently restricted to the milder western parts of the archipelago are broadly predicted to expand their ranges under warmer temperatures. Our results emphasise the importance of implementing suitable adaptation strategies to offset climate change impacts, particularly site management. There is an urgent need for long-term monitoring and artificial warming experiments; the results of this study will inform the selection of the most suitable locations for these. Results are also helping inform management recommendations for the Falkland Islands Government who seek to better conserve their biodiversity and meet commitments to multi-lateral environmental agreements.

  20. Climate Change Impacts on the Potential Distribution and Abundance of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) With Special Reference to North America and Europe.

    PubMed

    Kistner, Erica Jean

    2017-12-08

    The invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål; Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), has recently emerged as a harmful pest of horticultural crops in North America and Europe. Native to East Asia, this highly polyphagous insect is spreading rapidly worldwide. Climate change will add further complications to managing this species in terms of both geographic distribution and population growth. This study used CLIMEX to compare potential H. halys distribution under recent and future climate models using one emission scenario (A2) with two different global circulation models, CSIRO Mk3.0 and MIROC-H. Simulated changes in seasonal phenology and voltinism were examined. Under the possible future climate scenarios, suitable range in Europe expands northward. In North America, the suitable H. halys range shifts northward into Canada and contracts from its southern temperature range limits in the United States due to increased heat stress. Prolonged periods of warm temperatures resulted in longer H. halys growing seasons. However, future climate scenarios indicated that rising summer temperatures decrease H. halys growth potential compared to recent climatic conditions, which in turn, may reduce mid-summer crop damage. Climate change may increase the number of H. halys generations produced annually, thereby enabling the invasive insect to become multivoltine in the northern latitudes of North America and Europe where it is currently reported to be univoltine. These results indicate prime horticultural production areas in Europe, the northeastern United States, and southeastern Canada are at greatest risk from H. halys under both current and possible future climates. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America 2017. This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US.

  1. Estimate of subsurface formation temperature in the Tarim basin, northwest China

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Shaowen; Lei, Xiao; Feng, Changge; Hao, Chunyan

    2015-04-01

    Subsurface formation temperature in the Tarim basin, the largest sedimentary basin in China, is significant for its hydrocarbon generation, preservation and geothermal energy potential assessment, but till now is not well understood, due to poor data coverage and a lack of highly accurate temperature data. Here, we combined recently acquired steady-state temperature logging data, drill stem test temperature data and measured rock thermal properties, to investigate the geothermal regime, and estimate the formation temperature at specific depths in the range 1000~5000 m in this basin. Results show that the heat flow of the Tarim basin ranges between 26.2 and 66.1 mW/m2, with a mean of 42.5±7.6 mW/m2; geothermal gradient at the depth of 3000 m varies from 14.9 to 30.2 °C/km, with a mean of 20.7±2.9 °C/km. Formation temperature at the depth of 1000 m is estimated to be between 29 °C and 41°C, with a mean of 35°C; whilst the temperature at 2000 m ranges from 46~71°C with an average of 59°C; 63~100°C is for that at the depth of 3000 m, and the mean is 82°C; the temperature at 4000 m varies from 80 to 130°C, with a mean of 105°C; 97~160°C is for the temperature at 5000 m depth. In addition, the general pattern of the subsurface formation temperatures at different depths is basically similar and is characterized by high temperatures in the uplift areas and low temperatures in the sags. Basement structure and lateral variations in thermal properties account for this pattern of the geo-temperature field in the Tarim basin.

  2. Effect of nitrate, organic carbon, and temperature on potential denitrification rates in nitrate-rich riverbed sediments

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Pfenning, K.S.; McMahon, P.B.

    1997-01-01

    A study conducted in 1994 as part of the US Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program, South Platte River Basin investigation, examined the effect of certain environmental factors on potential denitrification rates in nitrate-rich riverbed sediments. The acetylene block technique was used to measure nitrous oxide (N2O) production rates in laboratory incubations of riverbed sediments to evaluate the effect of varying nitrate concentrations, organic carbon concentrations and type, and water temperature on potential denitrification rates. Sediment incubations amended with nitrate, at concentrations ranging from 357 to 2142 ??mol l-1 (as measured in the field), produced no significant increase (P > 0.05) in N2O production rates, indicating that the denitrification potential in these sediments was not nitrate limited. In contrast, incubations amended with acetate as a source of organic carbon, at concentrations ranging from 0 to 624 ??mol l-1, produced significant increases (P < 0.05) in N2O production rates with increased organic carbon concentration, indicating that the denitrification potential in these sediments was organic carbon limited. Furthermore, N2O production rates also were affected by the type of organic carbon available as an electron donor. Acetate and surface-water-derived fulvic acid supported higher N2O production rates than groundwater-derived fulvic acid or sedimentary organic carbon. Lowering incubation temperatures from 22 to 4??C resulted in about a 77% decrease in the N2O production rates. These results help to explain findings from previous studies indicating that only 15-30% of nitrate in groundwater was denitrified before discharging to the South Platte River and that nitrate concentrations in the river generally were higher in winter than in summer.

  3. The influence of chilling requirement on the southern distribution limit of exotic Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) in western North America

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Guilbault, Kimberly R.; Brown, C.S.; Friedman, J.M.; Shafroth, P.B.

    2012-01-01

    Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.), a Eurasian tree now abundant along rivers in western North America, has an apparent southern distribution limit running through southern California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. We used field observations to precisely define this limit in relation to temperature variables. We then investigated whether lack of cold temperatures south of the limit may prevent the accumulation of sufficient chilling, inhibiting dormancy loss of seeds and buds. We found that Russian olive occurrence was more strongly associated with low winter temperatures than with high summer temperatures, and results of controlled seed germination and vegetative bud-break experiments suggest that the chilling requirements for germination and bud-break are partly responsible for the southern range limit. Both seed germination proportion and germination time decreased under conditions simulating those south of the range limit. Similarly, percentage bud break decreased when chilling dropped below values typical of the range limit. In 17–65% of the years from 1980 to 2000, the chilling accumulated at a site near the range limit (El Paso, TX) would lead to a 10% or more decrease in bud-break. The potential decline in growth could have large fitness consequences for Russian olive. If climate change exhibits a warming trend, our results suggest the chilling requirement for bud-break of Russian olive trees will not be met in some years and its southern range limit may retreat northward.

  4. Trends in the short-term release of fission products and actinides to aqueous solution from used CANDU fuels at elevated temperature

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stroes-Gascoyne, S.

    1992-08-01

    A large number of short-term leaching experiments has been performed to determine fission product and actinide release from used CANDU (CANada Deuterium Uranium) fuels and to establish which factors affect release. Results are reported after30 ± 10 d leaching at 100-150°C under oxidizing (air) or reducing (Ar-3% H 2 or Ar) conditions, in various synthetic groundwaters. Cesium-137 release (0.007-6%) was positively correlated with increases in fuel power, leachant temperature and ionic strength. Strontium-90 release (0.0003-0.3%) generally increased with ionic strength, higher temperature and redox conditions. Actinide and Tc concentrations were compared to ranges calculated with a thermodynamic equilibrium model, that accounts for the uncertain geochemical parameters of a nuclear waste vault by calculating concentration ranges based on 40000 hypothetical cases. Experimental U concentrations (10 -8.5 to 10 -3 mol/kg) were higher than the model range, probably because of higher redox potentials in the experiments. Measured Pu concentrations (10 -12.5 to 10 -7 mol/kg) were at the low end of the calculated range. Americium and Cm concentrations (10 -12.5 to 10 -7 and 10 -15 to 10 -9 mol/kg, respectively) were highest under oxidizing conditions and higher temperatures. Technetium-99 concentrations (10 -5.5 to 10 -10.5 mol/kg) covered a much narrower range than calculated by the model.

  5. Suburban heat island effect in groundwater energy utilisation in Nordic climate - case study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Arola, Teppo

    2017-04-01

    We present the preliminary results from the initial thermogeological characterization of Finland's first-ever planned large-scale aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) facility. The site is located in the Asko area (Lahti), at a latitude of 60°59'N. In particular, emphasis is put on the results from an aquifer's pumping test performed in July / August 2016 to investigate the potential implication of suburban heat island (SUHI) effect to ATES system on the naturally cold groundwater area. The site has been under geological investigation since July 2015. At a regional scale, the groundwater's natural temperature is about 5.8- 6°C. However, preliminary measurements during the investigations revealed that local groundwater temperature ranged between 7.5 to 8.7 °C in Asko area. The highest temperature was observed underneath buildings, suggesting that higher-than-average temperature is most likely influenced due to anthropogenic heat flux into the ground. The pumping test was performed for 39 days, of which 28 days with groundwater withdrawal and 11 days of heads recovery. The pumped volumes range from 350 to 540 m3/d leading the total volume of 10400 m3 of groundwater. Groundwater temperatures were continuously measured from pumping test well and two observation piezometers during the entire test. The results indicated that aquifer's temperature remained nearly constant being between 7.4 to 7.9 °C during the test period. Heat pulses with temperature variation of 0.1 to 0.3 °C were observed in the pumping well and nearest monitoring well (19 meters from pumping well) during the pumping test and recovery phase. We estimate that the pulses were due to rapidly changed groundwater flowing conditions and pulse indicate "new groundwater" flow to the well. Overall, the preliminary test suggests that groundwater temperature are expected to remain elevated during the ATES system operation. Elevated temperature due the SUHI effect increases groundwater heating potential significantly. Similarly groundwater cooling potential decrease but groundwater still constitutes an effective cooling energy reservoir because groundwater temperatures remain below air temperatures during the summer and the COP for cooling is extremely high. In Asko site SUHI effect has been recognised from the beginning of the project. Energy and economical calculations are based on anthropogenic influence to ground temperatures. More research, i.e. detailed groundwater thermogeological modelling, is needed to design the multi well ATES system based on elevated groundwater temperatures.

  6. Effect of bath temperature on structure, morphology and thermoelectric properties of CoSb{sub 3} thin films

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

    Yadav, Suchitra, E-mail: suchitrayadav87@gmail.com; Pandya, Dinesh K.; Chaudhary, Sujeet

    2016-05-23

    CoSb{sub 3} thin films are deposited on conducting glass substrates (FTO) by electrodeposition at different bath temperatures (60°C, 70°C and 80°C) and the resulting influence of the bath temperature on the structure, morphology and electrical properties of films is investigated. X-ray diffraction confirms the formation of CoSb{sub 3} phase in the films. Scanning electron microscopy reveals that different morphologies ranging from branched nano-flakes to nano-needles evolve as bath temperature increases. It is concluded that a growth temperature of 80°C is suitable for producing CoSb{sub 3} films with such properties that show potential feasibility for thermoelectric applications.

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

    PubMed

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

    2016-01-01

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

  8. Magnon spin transport driven by the magnon chemical potential in a magnetic insulator

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cornelissen, L. J.; Peters, K. J. H.; Bauer, G. E. W.; Duine, R. A.; van Wees, B. J.

    2016-07-01

    We develop a linear-response transport theory of diffusive spin and heat transport by magnons in magnetic insulators with metallic contacts. The magnons are described by a position-dependent temperature and chemical potential that are governed by diffusion equations with characteristic relaxation lengths. Proceeding from a linearized Boltzmann equation, we derive expressions for length scales and transport coefficients. For yttrium iron garnet (YIG) at room temperature we find that long-range transport is dominated by the magnon chemical potential. We compare the model's results with recent experiments on YIG with Pt contacts [L. J. Cornelissen et al., Nat. Phys. 11, 1022 (2015), 10.1038/nphys3465] and extract a magnon spin conductivity of σm=5 ×105 S/m. Our results for the spin Seebeck coefficient in YIG agree with published experiments. We conclude that the magnon chemical potential is an essential ingredient for energy and spin transport in magnetic insulators.

  9. Variability of Diurnal Temperature Range During Winter Over Western Himalaya: Range- and Altitude-Wise Study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shekhar, M. S.; Devi, Usha; Dash, S. K.; Singh, G. P.; Singh, Amreek

    2018-04-01

    The current trends in diurnal temperature range, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, mean temperature, and sun shine hours over different ranges and altitudes of Western Himalaya during winter have been studied. Analysis of 25 years of data shows an increasing trend in diurnal temperature range over all the ranges and altitudes of Western Himalaya during winter, thereby confirming regional warming of the region due to present climate change and global warming. Statistical studies show significant increasing trend in maximum temperature over all the ranges and altitudes of Western Himalaya. Minimum temperature shows significant decreasing trend over Pir Panjal and Shamshawari range and significant increasing trend over higher altitude of Western Himalaya. Similarly, sunshine hours show significant decreasing trend over Karakoram range. There exists strong positive correlation between diurnal temperature range and maximum temperature for all the ranges and altitudes of Western Himalaya. Strong negative correlation exists between diurnal temperature range and minimum temperature over Shamshawari and Great Himalaya range and lower altitude of Western Himalaya. Sunshine hours show strong positive correlation with diurnal temperature range over Pir Panjal and Great Himalaya range and lower and higher altitudes.

  10. Polymorphic phase transitions and molecular motion in pyridinium chlorochromate

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pajaķ, Z.; Szafrańska, B.; Czarnecki, P.; Mayer, J.; Kozak, A.

    1997-08-01

    DTA, DSC, NMR and dielectric studies have been performed for pyridinium chlorochromate over a wide temperature range. A sequence of four solid-solid phase transitions was discovered. The in-plane complex reorientation of the cation is described by a three-well potential model with two correlation times. At higher temperatures one observes simultaneous cation tumbling and diffusion. Thus existence of a new ionic plastic phase is revealed. The domain structure observed suggests ferroelastic properties of the compound.

  11. Computer-simulation study of a disordered classical spin system in one dimension with long-range anisotropic ferromagnetic interactions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Romano, S.

    1992-01-01

    The present paper considers a classical system, consisting of n-component unit vectors (n=2 or 3), associated with a one-dimensional lattice \\{uk||k∈openZ\\}, and interacting via a translationally invariant pair potential of the long-range, ferromagnetic and anisotropic form W=Wjk=-ɛ||j-k||-2(auj,nuk,n +b tsumλ

  12. Improved analysis techniques for cylindrical and spherical double probes.

    PubMed

    Beal, Brian; Johnson, Lee; Brown, Daniel; Blakely, Joseph; Bromaghim, Daron

    2012-07-01

    A versatile double Langmuir probe technique has been developed by incorporating analytical fits to Laframboise's numerical results for ion current collection by biased electrodes of various sizes relative to the local electron Debye length. Application of these fits to the double probe circuit has produced a set of coupled equations that express the potential of each electrode relative to the plasma potential as well as the resulting probe current as a function of applied probe voltage. These equations can be readily solved via standard numerical techniques in order to determine electron temperature and plasma density from probe current and voltage measurements. Because this method self-consistently accounts for the effects of sheath expansion, it can be readily applied to plasmas with a wide range of densities and low ion temperature (T(i)/T(e) ≪ 1) without requiring probe dimensions to be asymptotically large or small with respect to the electron Debye length. The presented approach has been successfully applied to experimental measurements obtained in the plume of a low-power Hall thruster, which produced a quasineutral, flowing xenon plasma during operation at 200 W on xenon. The measured plasma densities and electron temperatures were in the range of 1 × 10(12)-1 × 10(17) m(-3) and 0.5-5.0 eV, respectively. The estimated measurement uncertainty is +6%∕-34% in density and +∕-30% in electron temperature.

  13. Potential Impacts of Climate Change On Groundwater Recharge and Streamflow In A Central European Low Mountain Range

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Eckhardt, K.; Ulbrich, U.

    General Circulation Model simulations indicate a significant rise of temperature and changes in precipitation over Europe as part of the anthropogenic climate change. In this study, the impacts of climate change on groundwater recharge and streamflow in a central European low mountain range catchment are investigated using a concep- tual ecohydrologic model. Two climate change scenarios are considered, one with low and one with high climate sensitivity. The changes in temperature and precipitation associated with these projections are taken from multi-model estimates and enter the hydrologic model assuming a sinusodial annual cycle of temperature and precipitation changes. The resulting changes in annual mean groundwater recharge and streamflow are rather small, as increased atmospheric CO2 levels reduce stomatal conductance thus counteracting the increase of potential evapotranspiration induced by rising tem- peratures. There are, however, more pronounced changes associated with the mean annual cycle of groundwater recharge and streamflow. Snowmelt at the beginning of spring is reduced. Instead, runoff and hence flood risk in winter increase. In summer, groundwater recharge and streamflow are reduced by up to 50%. This could have neg- ative consequences for water quality, groundwater withdrawals and energy production by water power. Plant growth will be stimulated by the elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration. Due to the temperature rise, the growing season will begin earlier in the year. However, the risk of desiccation injuries increases as well.

  14. Heat Flux Sensor

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1994-01-01

    A heat flux microsensor developed under a NASP Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) has a wide range of potential commercial applications. Vatell Corporation originally designed microsensors for use in very high temperatures. The company then used the technology to develop heat flux sensors to measure the rate of heat energy flowing in and out of a surface as well as readings on the surface temperature. Additional major advantages include response to heat flux in less than 10 microseconds and the ability to withstand temperatures up to 1,200 degrees centigrade. Commercial applications are used in high speed aerodynamics, supersonic combustion, blade cooling, and mass flow measurements, etc.

  15. Analyzing the Coordinated Gene Network Underlying Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination in Reptiles

    PubMed Central

    Shoemaker, Christina M.; Crews, David

    2009-01-01

    Although gonadogenesis has been extensively studied in vertebrates with genetic sex determination, investigations at the molecular level in nontraditional model organisms with temperature-dependent sex determination are a relatively new area of research. Results show that while the key players of the molecular network underlying gonad development appear to be retained, their functions range from conserved to novel roles. In this review, we summarize experiments investigating candidate molecular players underlying temperature-dependent sex determination. We discuss some of the problems encountered unraveling this network, pose potential solutions, and suggest rewarding future directions of research. PMID:19022389

  16. Temperature dependence of the fundamental optical absorption edge in crystals and disordered semiconductors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Grein, C. H.; John, Sajeev

    1989-04-01

    We present a first principles theory of the temperature dependence of the Urbach optical absorption edge in crystals and disordered semiconductors which incorporates the effects of short range correlated static disorder and the non-adiabatic quantum dynamics of the coupled electron-phonon system. At finite temperatures the dominant features of the Urbach tail are accounted for by multiple phonon absorption and emission side bands which accompany the optically induced electronic transition and which provide a dynamic polaronic potential well that localizes the electron. Excellent agreement is found with experimental data on both crystalline and amorphous silicon.

  17. Tunable diode-laser absorption measurements of methane at elevated temperatures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nagali, V.; Chou, S. I.; Baer, D. S.; Hanson, R. K.; Segall, J.

    1996-07-01

    A diode-laser sensor system based on absorption spectroscopy techniques has been developed to monitor CH4 nonintrusively in high-temperature environments. Fundamental spectroscopic parameters, including the line strengths of the transitions in the R(6) manifold of the 2 nu 3 band near 1.646 mu m, have been determined from high-resolution absorption measurements in a heated static cell. In addition, a corrected expression for the CH 4 partition function has been validated experimentally over the temperature range from 400 to 915 K. Potential applications of the diode-laser sensor system include process control, combustion measurements, and atmospheric monitoring.

  18. High-performance solid polymer electrolytes for lithium batteries operational at ambient temperature

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mindemark, Jonas; Sun, Bing; Törmä, Erik; Brandell, Daniel

    2015-12-01

    Incorporation of carbonate repeating units in a poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) backbone used as a host material in solid polymer electrolytes is found to not only suppress crystallinity in the polyester material, but also give higher ionic conductivity in a wide temperature range exceeding the melting point of PCL crystallites. Combined with high cation transference numbers, this electrolyte material has sufficient lithium transport properties to be used in battery cells that are operational at temperatures down to below 23 °C, thus clearly demonstrating the potential of using non-polyether electrolytes in high-performance all-solid lithium polymer batteries.

  19. Electron beam physical vapor deposition of thin ruby films for remote temperature sensing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Wei; Coppens, Zachary J.; Greg Walker, D.; Valentine, Jason G.

    2013-04-01

    Thermographic phosphors (TGPs) possessing temperature-dependent photoluminescence properties have a wide range of uses in thermometry due to their remote access and large temperature sensitivity range. However, in most cases, phosphors are synthesized in powder form, which prevents their use in high resolution micro and nanoscale thermal microscopy. In the present study, we investigate the use of electron beam physical vapor deposition to fabricate thin films of chromium-doped aluminum oxide (Cr-Al2O3, ruby) thermographic phosphors. Although as-deposited films were amorphous and exhibited weak photoluminescence, the films regained the stoichiometry and α-Al2O3 crystal structure of the combustion synthesized source powder after thermal annealing. As a consequence, the annealed films exhibit both strong photoluminescence and a temperature-dependent lifetime that decreases from 2.9 ms at 298 K to 2.1 ms at 370 K. Ruby films were also deposited on multiple substrates. To ensure a continuous film with smooth surface morphology and strong photoluminescence, we use a sapphire substrate, which is thermal expansion coefficient and lattice matched to the film. These thin ruby films can potentially be used as remote temperature sensors for probing the local temperatures of micro and nanoscale structures.

  20. Density measurements of the lithium fluoride/lithium sulfide eutectic at high temperature

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lloyd, Charles L.; Gilbert, James B.

    1994-10-01

    A straightforward and reliable method to determine densities of molten salts at high temperatures was de-veloped by Janz and Lorenz several years ago.[1] This method was followed in order to determine the density of the LiF/Li2S eutectic[2] over the temperature range of 1176 to 1355 K in which the eutectic is liquid. The rel-ative lack of data for this eutectic is surprising given its potential usefulness in the study of advanced batteries'31 and electrowinning of metals from molten sulfides.[41] The method is based on the fact that a solid piece of metal of known volume suspended from a pan balance into a molten salt will weigh less than if it were sus-pended in air at the same temperature. This difference in weight measured in grams will be equal to the buoyant force of the liquid at that temperature. The density of the salt bath can then readily be determined by dividing this difference by the volume of the solid piece of metal that is immersed in the bath. The procedure can be re-peated to give density values over a range of temperatures.

  1. Temperature sensors based on multimode chalcogenide fibre Bragg gratings

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Qian; Zeng, Jianghui; Zhu, Liang; Yang, Dandan; Zhang, Peiqing; Xu, Yinsheng; Wang, Xunsi; Nie, Qiuhua; Dai, Shixun

    2018-04-01

    In this work, a theoretical study was conducted on temperature sensing in Ge-Sb-Se multimode fibre Bragg grating (MM-FBG). The sensing characteristics of the designed MM-FBGs with different fibre parameters and operating wavelengths were calculated using a coupled model method. The temperature sensitivity of this MM-FBG was found to improve significantly by shifting the operating wavelength from telecom range to mid-infrared (MIR) and utilizing the wide transmission range of Ge-Sb-Se glasses. The temperature sensitivity of the proposed Ge-Sb-Se MM-FBG was calculated to be 0.0758 nm/°C at 1550 nm, which is 7.58 times higher than silica FBGs at 1550 nm, and the temperature sensitivity was calculated to be more than 0.16 nm/°C at 3390 nm, which is 2.2 times higher than that at 1550 nm. In addition, the proposed MM-FBGs provided multi-peak information, and the sensitivity of each peak was calculated to be comparable to the single-mode FBG. The proposed Ge-Sb-Se MM-FBG has great potential for temperature sensing in MIR because of its advantages of simple preparation, high coupling efficiency, multi-peak information and wide working window.

  2. Thermometers and thermobarometers in granitic systems

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Anderson, J.L.; Barth, A.P.; Wooden, J.L.; Mazdab, F.; ,

    2008-01-01

    The ability to determine the thermal and barometric history during crystallization and emplacement of granitic plutons has been enhanced by several new calibrations applicable to granitic mineral assemblages. Other existing calibrations for granitic plutons have continued to be popular and fairly robust. Recent advances include the trace element thermometers Ti-in-quartz, Ti-in-zircon, and Zr-in-sphene (titanite), which need to be further evaluated on the roles of reduced activities due to lack of a saturating phase, the effect of pressure dependence (particularly for the Ti-in-zircon thermometer), and how resistive these thermometers are to subsolidus reequilibration. As zircon and sphene are also hosts to radiogenic isotopes, these minerals potentially also provide new insights into the temperature - time history of magmas. When used in conjunction with pressure-sensitive mineral equilibria in the same rocks, a complete assessment of the P-T-t (pressure-temperature-time) path is possible given that the mineralogy of plutons can reflect crystallization over a range of pressure and temperature during ascent and emplacement and that many intrusions are now seen as forming over several millions of years during the protracted history of batholith construction. Accessory mineral saturation thermometers, such as those for zircon, apatite, and allanite, provide a different and powerful perspective, specifically that of the temperature of the onset of crystallization of these minerals, which can allow an estimate of the range of temperature between the liquidus and solidus of a given pluton. In assessment of the depth of crystallization and emplacement of granitic plutons, the Al-in-hornblende remains popular for metaluminous granites when appropriately corrected for temperature. For peraluminous granites, potential new calibrations exist for the assemblages bearing garnet, biotite, plagioclase, muscovite, and quartz. Other thermometers, based on oxygen abundance, and including Fe-Ti oxides, pyroxene, fayalitic olivine, quartz, sphene, and/or biotite, some of which have been recently revised, can provide additional information on temperature and oxygen fugacity. Oxygen fugacity can range over several orders of magnitude in different magmatic systems and can have profound influence on the mineralogy and mineral compositions in granitic magmas. It also forms the foundation of the popular magnetite- versus ilmenite-series granite classification. Copyright ?? Mineralogical Society of America.

  3. Calling behaviour under climate change: geographical and seasonal variation of calling temperatures in ectotherms.

    PubMed

    Llusia, Diego; Márquez, Rafael; Beltrán, Juan F; Benítez, Maribel; do Amaral, José P

    2013-09-01

    Calling behaviour is strongly temperature-dependent and critical for sexual selection and reproduction in a variety of ectothermic taxa, including anuran amphibians, which are the most globally threatened vertebrates. However, few studies have explored how species respond to distinct thermal environments at time of displaying calling behaviour, and thus it is still unknown whether ongoing climate change might compromise the performance of calling activity in ectotherms. Here, we used new audio-trapping techniques (automated sound recording and detection systems) between 2006 and 2009 to examine annual calling temperatures of five temperate anurans and their patterns of geographical and seasonal variation at the thermal extremes of species ranges, providing insights into the thermal breadths of calling activity of species, and the mechanisms that enable ectotherms to adjust to changing thermal environments. All species showed wide thermal breadths during calling behaviour (above 15 °C) and increases in calling temperatures in extremely warm populations and seasons. Thereby, calling temperatures differed both geographically and seasonally, both in terrestrial and aquatic species, and were 8-22 °C below the specific upper critical thermal limits (CTmax ) and strongly associated with the potential temperatures of each thermal environment (operative temperatures during the potential period of breeding). This suggests that calling behaviour in ectotherms may take place at population-specific thermal ranges, diverging when species are subjected to distinct thermal environments, and might imply plasticity of thermal adjustment mechanisms (seasonal and developmental acclimation) that supply species with means of coping with climate change. Furthermore, the thermal thresholds of calling at the onset of the breeding season were dissimilar between conspecific populations, suggesting that other factors besides temperature are needed to trigger the onset of reproduction. Our findings imply that global warming would not directly inhibit calling behaviour in the study species, although might affect other temperature-dependent features of their acoustic communication system. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  4. Potential hydrothermal resource temperatures in the Eastern Snake River Plain, Idaho

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

    Ghanashayam Neupane; Earl D. Mattson; Cody J. Cannon

    The Eastern Snake River Plain (ESRP) in southern Idaho is a region of high heat flow. Sustained volcanic activities in the wake of the passage of the Yellowstone Hotspot have turned this region into an area with great potential for geothermal resources as evidenced by numerous hot springs scattered along the margins of the plain and several hot-water producing wells and hot springs within the plain. Despite these thermal expressions, it is hypothesized that the pervasive presence of an overlying groundwater aquifer in the region effectively masks thermal signatures of deep-seated geothermal resources. The dilution of deeper thermal water andmore » re-equilibration at lower temperature are significant challenges for the evaluation of potential resource areas in the ESRP. Over the past several years, we collected approximately 100 water samples from springs/wells for chemical analysis as well as assembled existing water chemistry data from literature. We applied several geothermometric and geochemical modeling tools to these chemical compositions of ESRP water samples. Geothermometric calculations based on principles of multicomponent equilibrium geothermometry with inverse geochemical modeling capability (e.g., Reservoir Temperature Estimator, RTEst) have been useful for the evaluation of reservoir temperatures. RTEst geothermometric calculations of ESRP thermal water samples indicated numerous potential geothermal areas with elevated reservoir temperatures. Specifically, areas around southern/southwestern side of the Bennett Hills and within the Camas Prairies in the western-northwestern regions of the ESRP and its margins suggest temperatures in the range of 140-200°C. In the northeastern portions of the ESRP, Lidy Hot Springs, Ashton, Newdale, and areas east of Idaho Falls have expected reservoir temperature =140 °C. In the southern ERSP, areas near Buhl and Twin Falls are found to have elevated temperatures as high as 160 °C. These areas are likely to host potentially economic geothermal resources; however, further detailed study is warranted to each site to evaluate hydrothermal suitability for economic use.« less

  5. Both life-history plasticity and local adaptation will shape range-wide responses to climate warming in the tundra plant Silene acaulis.

    PubMed

    Peterson, Megan L; Doak, Daniel F; Morris, William F

    2018-04-01

    Many predictions of how climate change will impact biodiversity have focused on range shifts using species-wide climate tolerances, an approach that ignores the demographic mechanisms that enable species to attain broad geographic distributions. But these mechanisms matter, as responses to climate change could fundamentally differ depending on the contributions of life-history plasticity vs. local adaptation to species-wide climate tolerances. In particular, if local adaptation to climate is strong, populations across a species' range-not only those at the trailing range edge-could decline sharply with global climate change. Indeed, faster rates of climate change in many high latitude regions could combine with local adaptation to generate sharper declines well away from trailing edges. Combining 15 years of demographic data from field populations across North America with growth chamber warming experiments, we show that growth and survival in a widespread tundra plant show compensatory responses to warming throughout the species' latitudinal range, buffering overall performance across a range of temperatures. However, populations also differ in their temperature responses, consistent with adaptation to local climate, especially growing season temperature. In particular, warming begins to negatively impact plant growth at cooler temperatures for plants from colder, northern populations than for those from warmer, southern populations, both in the field and in growth chambers. Furthermore, the individuals and maternal families with the fastest growth also have the lowest water use efficiency at all temperatures, suggesting that a trade-off between growth and water use efficiency could further constrain responses to forecasted warming and drying. Taken together, these results suggest that populations throughout species' ranges could be at risk of decline with continued climate change, and that the focus on trailing edge populations risks overlooking the largest potential impacts of climate change on species' abundance and distribution. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  6. Variable range hopping electric and thermoelectric transport in anisotropic black phosphorus

    DOE PAGES

    Liu, Huili; Sung Choe, Hwan; Chen, Yabin; ...

    2017-09-05

    Black phosphorus (BP) is a layered semiconductor with a high mobility of up to ~1000 cm 2 V -1 s -1 and a narrow bandgap of ~0.3 eV, and shows potential applications in thermoelectrics. In stark contrast to most other layered materials, electrical and thermoelectric properties in the basal plane of BP are highly anisotropic. In order to elucidate the mechanism for such anisotropy, we fabricated BP nanoribbons (~100 nm thick) along the armchair and zigzag directions, and measured the transport properties. It is found that both the electrical conductivity and Seebeck co efficient increase with temperature, a behavior contradictorymore » to that of traditional semiconductors. The three-dimensional variable range hopping model is adopted to analyze this abnormal temperature dependency of electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient. Furthermore, the hopping transport of the BP nanoribbons, attributed to high density of trap states in the samples, provides a fundamental understanding of the anisotropic BP for potential thermoelectric applications.« less

  7. Variable range hopping electric and thermoelectric transport in anisotropic black phosphorus

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

    Liu, Huili; Sung Choe, Hwan; Chen, Yabin

    Black phosphorus (BP) is a layered semiconductor with a high mobility of up to ~1000 cm 2 V -1 s -1 and a narrow bandgap of ~0.3 eV, and shows potential applications in thermoelectrics. In stark contrast to most other layered materials, electrical and thermoelectric properties in the basal plane of BP are highly anisotropic. In order to elucidate the mechanism for such anisotropy, we fabricated BP nanoribbons (~100 nm thick) along the armchair and zigzag directions, and measured the transport properties. It is found that both the electrical conductivity and Seebeck co efficient increase with temperature, a behavior contradictorymore » to that of traditional semiconductors. The three-dimensional variable range hopping model is adopted to analyze this abnormal temperature dependency of electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient. Furthermore, the hopping transport of the BP nanoribbons, attributed to high density of trap states in the samples, provides a fundamental understanding of the anisotropic BP for potential thermoelectric applications.« less

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

    Lingenfelter, A. C., LLNL

    Materials for gas turbine engines are required to meet a wide range of temperature and stress application requirements. These alloys exhibit a combination of creep resistance, creep rupture strength, yield and tensile strength over a wide temperature range, resistance to environmental attack (including oxidation, nitridation, sulphidation and carburization), fatigue and thermal fatigue resistance, metallurgical stability and useful thermal expansion characteristics. These properties are exhibited by a series of solid-solution-strengthened and precipitation-hardened nickel, iron and cobalt alloys. The properties needed to meet the turbine engine requirements have been achieved by specific alloy additions, by heat treatment and by thermal mechanical processing.more » A thorough understanding of the metallurgy and metallurgical processing of these materials is imperative in order to successfully fusion weld them. This same basic understanding is required for repair of a component with the added dimension of the potential effects of thermal cycling and environmental exposure the component will have endured in service. This article will explore the potential problems in joining and repair welding these materials.« less

  9. Electrochemical performance of LiV3O8 micro-rod at various calcination temperatures as cathode materials for lithium ion batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Noerochim, Lukman; Ginanjar, Edith Setia; Susanti, Diah; Prihandoko, Bambang

    2018-04-01

    Lithium vanadium oxide (LiV3O8) has been successfully synthesized by hydrothermal method followed by calcination via the reaction of Lithium hydroxide (LiOH) and ammonium metavanade (NH4VO3). The precursors were heated at hydrothermal at 200 °C and then calcined at different calcination temperature in 400, 450, and 500 °C. The characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) is indicated that LiV3O8 micro-rod have been obtained by this method. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) result showed that redox reaction occur in potential range between 2.42 - 3.57 V for the reduction reaction and oxidation reaction in potential range between 2.01 V-3.69 V. The highest result was obtained for sample 450 °C with specific discharge capacity of 138 mA/g. The result showed that LiV3O8 has a promising candidate as a cathode material for lithium ion batteries.

  10. Rotational Quenching Study in Isovalent H+ + CO and H+ + CS Systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kaur, Rajwant; Dhilip Kumar, T. J.

    2016-06-01

    Cooling and trapping of polar molecules has attracted attention at cold and ultracold temperatures. Extended study of molecular inelastic collision processes of polar interstellar species with proton finds an important astrophysical application to model interstellar medium. Present study includes computation of rate coefficient for molecular rotational quenching process in proton collision with isovalent CO and CS molecules using quantum dynamical close-coupling calculations. Full dimensional ab initio potential energy surfaces have been computed for the ground state for both the systems using internally contracted multireference configuration interaction method and basis sets. Quantum scattering calculations for rotational quenching of isovalent species are studied in the rigid-rotor approximation with CX (X=O, S) bond length fixed at an experimental equilibrium value of 2.138 and 2.900 a.u., respectively. Asymptotic potentials are computed using the dipole and quadrupole moments, and the dipole polarizability components. The resulting long-range potentials with the short-range ab initio interaction potentials have been fitted to study the anisotropy of the rigid-rotor surface using the multipolar expansion coefficients. Rotational quenching cross-section and corresponding rates from j=4 level of CX to lower j' levels have been obtained and found to obey Wigner's threshold law at ultra cold temperatures.

  11. What parts of the US mainland are climatically suitable for invasive alien pythons spreading from Everglades National Park?

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Rodda, G.H.; Jarnevich, C.S.; Reed, R.N.

    2009-01-01

    The Burmese Python (Python molurus bivittatus) is now well established in southern Florida and spreading northward. The factors likely to limit this spread are unknown, but presumably include climate or are correlated with climate. We compiled monthly rainfall and temperature statistics from 149 stations located near the edge of the python's native range in Asia (Pakistan east to China and south to Indonesia). The southern and eastern native range limits extend to saltwater, leaving unresolved the species' climatic tolerances in those areas. The northern and western limits are associated with cold and aridity respectively. We plotted mean monthly rainfall against mean monthly temperature for the 149 native range weather stations to identify the climate conditions inhabited by pythons in their native range, and mapped areas of the coterminous United States with the same climate today and projected for the year 2100. We accounted for both dry-season aestivation and winter hibernation (under two scenarios of hibernation duration). The potential distribution was relatively insensitive to choice of scenario for hibernation duration. US areas climatically matched at present ranged up the coasts and across the south from Delaware to Oregon, and included most of California, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South and North Carolina. By the year 2100, projected areas of potential suitable climate extend northward beyond the current limit to include parts of the states of Washington, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Thus a substantial portion of the mainland US is potentially vulnerable to this ostensibly tropical invader. ?? 2008 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

  12. Effect of annealing on structural changes and oxygen diffusion in amorphous HfO2 using classical molecular dynamics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shen, Wenqing; Kumari, Niru; Gibson, Gary; Jeon, Yoocharn; Henze, Dick; Silverthorn, Sarah; Bash, Cullen; Kumar, Satish

    2018-02-01

    Non-volatile memory is a promising alternative to present memory technologies. Oxygen vacancy diffusion has been widely accepted as one of the reasons for the resistive switching mechanism of transition-metal-oxide based resistive random access memory. In this study, molecular dynamics simulation is applied to investigate the diffusion coefficient and activation energy of oxygen in amorphous hafnia. Two sets of empirical potential, Charge-Optimized Many-Body (COMB) and Morse-BKS (MBKS), were considered to investigate the structural and diffusion properties at different temperatures. COMB predicts the activation energy of 0.53 eV for the temperature range of 1000-2000 K, while MBKS predicts 2.2 eV at high temperature (1600-2000 K) and 0.36 eV at low temperature (1000-1600 K). Structural changes and appearance of nano-crystalline phases with increasing temperature might affect the activation energy of oxygen diffusion predicted by MBKS, which is evident from the change in coordination number distribution and radial distribution function. None of the potentials make predictions that are fully consistent with density functional theory simulations of both the structure and diffusion properties of HfO2. This suggests the necessity of developing a better multi-body potential that considers charge exchange.

  13. Resolving an anomaly in electron temperature measurement using double and triple Langmuir probes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ghosh, Soumen; Barada, K. K.; Chattopadhyay, P. K.; Ghosh, J.; Bora, D.

    2015-02-01

    Langmuir probes with variants such as single, double and triple probes remain the most common method of electron temperature measurement in low-temperature laboratory plasmas. However, proper estimation of electron temperature mainly using triple probe configuration requires the proper choice of compensation factor (W). Determination of the compensating factor is not very straightforward as it depends heavily on plasma floating potential (Vf), electron temperature (Te), the type of gas used for plasma production and the bias voltage applied to probe pins, especially in cases where there are substantial variations in floating potential. In this paper we highlight the anomaly in electron temperature measurement using double and triple Langmuir probe techniques as well as the proper determination of the compensation factor (W) to overcome this anomaly. Experiments are carried out with helicon antenna producing inductive radiofrequency plasmas, where significant variation of floating potential along the axis enables a detailed study of deviations introduced in Te measurements using triple probes compared to double and single probes. It is observed that the bias voltage between the probe pins of the triple probes plays an important role in the accurate determination of the compensating factor (W) and should be in the range (5Vd2 < Vd3 < 10Vd2), where Vd2 and Vd3 are the voltage between floating probe pins 2 and 1 and the bias voltage, respectively.

  14. Low-Noise Amplifier for 100 to 180 GHz

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kangaslahti, Pekka; Pukala, David; Fung, King Man; Gaier, Todd; Mei, Xiaobing; Lai, Richard; Deal, William

    2009-01-01

    A three-stage monolithic millimeter-wave integrated-circuit (MMIC) amplifier designed to exhibit low noise in operation at frequencies from about 100 to somewhat above 180 GHz has been built and tested. This is a prototype of broadband amplifiers that have potential utility in diverse applications, including measurement of atmospheric temperature and humidity and millimeter-wave imaging for inspecting contents of opaque containers. Figure 1 depicts the amplifier as it appears before packaging. Figure 2 presents data from measurements of the performance of the amplifier as packaged in a WR-05 waveguide and tested in the frequency range from about 150 to about 190 GHz. The amplifier exhibited substantial gain throughout this frequency range. Especially notable is the fact that at 165 GHz, the noise figure was found to be 3.7 dB, and the noise temperature was found to be 370 K: This is less than half the noise temperature of the prior state of the art.

  15. Recrystallization kinetics of warm-rolled tungsten in the temperature range 1150-1350 °C

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Alfonso, A.; Juul Jensen, D.; Luo, G.-N.; Pantleon, W.

    2014-12-01

    Pure tungsten is a potential candidate material for the plasma-facing first wall and the divertor of fusion reactors. Both parts have to withstand high temperatures during service. This will alter the microstructure of the material by recovery, recrystallization and grain growth and will cause degradation in material properties as a loss in mechanical strength and embrittlement. The thermal stability of a pure tungsten plate warm-rolled to 67% thickness reduction was investigated by long-term isothermal annealing in the temperature range between 1150 °C and 1350 °C up to 2200 h. Changes in the mechanical properties during annealing are quantified by Vickers hardness measurements. They are described concisely by classical kinetic models for recovery and recrystallization. The observed time spans for recrystallization and the obtained value for the activation energy of the recrystallization process indicate a sufficient thermal stability of the tungsten plate during operation below 1075 °C.

  16. Molecular Dynamics Simulations of the Thermal Conductivity of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Osman, M.; Srivastava, Deepak; Govindan,T. R. (Technical Monitor)

    2000-01-01

    Carbon nanotubes (CNT) have very attractive electronic, mechanical. and thermal properties. Recently, measurements of thermal conductivity in single wall CNT mats showed estimated thermal conductivity magnitudes ranging from 17.5 to 58 W/cm-K at room temperature. which are better than bulk graphite. The cylinderical symmetry of CNT leads to large thermal conductivity along the tube axis, additionally, unlike graphite. CNTs can be made into ropes that can be used as heat conducting pipes for nanoscale applications. The thermal conductivity of several single wall carbon nanotubes has been calculated over temperature range from l00 K to 600 K using non-equilibrium molecular dynamics using Tersoff-Brenner potential for C-C interactions. Thermal conductivity of single wall CNTs shows a peaking behavior as a function of temperature. Dependence of the peak position on the chirality and radius of the tube will be discussed and explained in this presentation.

  17. Rational design of Bacillus stearothermophilus US100 L-arabinose isomerase: potential applications for D-tagatose production.

    PubMed

    Rhimi, Moez; Aghajari, Nushin; Juy, Michel; Chouayekh, Hichem; Maguin, Emmanuelle; Haser, Richard; Bejar, Samir

    2009-05-01

    L-arabinose isomerases catalyze the bioconversion of D-galactose into D-tagatose. With the aim of producing an enzyme optimized for D-tagatose production, three Bacillus stearothermophilus US100 L-arabinose isomerase mutants were constructed, purified and characterized. Our results indicate that mutant Q268K was significantly more acidotolerant and more stable at acidic pH than the wild-type enzyme. The N175H mutant has a broad optimal temperature range from 50 to 65 degrees C. With the aim of constructing an acidotolerant mutant working at relatively low temperatures we generated the Q268K/N175H construct. This double mutant displays an optimal pH in the range 6.0-7.0 and an optimal activity around 50-65 degrees C, temperatures at which the enzyme was stable without addition of metal ions.

  18. Silicon Carbide-Based Hydrogen and Hydrocarbon Gas Detection

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hunter, Gary W.; Neudeck, Philip G.; Chen, Liang-Yu; Knight, D.; Liu, C. C.; Wu, Q. H.R

    1995-01-01

    Hydrogen and hydrocarbon detection in aeronautical applications is important for reasons of safety and emissions control. The use of silicon carbide as a semiconductor in a metal-semiconductor or metal-insulator-semiconductor structure opens opportunities to measure hydrogen and hydrocarbons in high temperature environments beyond the capabilities of silicon-based devices. The purpose of this paper is to explore the response and stability of Pd-SiC Schottky diodes as gas sensors in the temperature range from 100 to 400 C. The effect of heat treating on the diode properties as measured at 100 C is explored. Subsequent operation at 400 C demonstrates the diodes' sensitivity to hydrogen and hydrocarbons. It is concluded that the Pd-SiC Schottky diode has potential as a hydrogen and hydrocarbon sensor over a wide range of temperatures but further studies are necessary to determine the diodes' long term stability.

  19. Temporally increasing spatial synchrony of North American temperature and bird populations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Koenig, Walter D.; Liebhold, Andrew M.

    2016-06-01

    The ecological impacts of modern global climate change are detectable in a wide variety of phenomena, ranging from shifts in species ranges to changes in community composition and human disease dynamics. So far, however, little attention has been given to temporal changes in spatial synchrony--the coincident change in abundance or value across the landscape--despite the importance of environmental synchrony as a driver of population trends and the central role of environmental variability in population rescue and extinction. Here we demonstrate that across North America, spatial synchrony of a significant proportion of 49 widespread North American wintering bird species has increased over the past 50 years--the period encompassing particularly intense anthropogenic effects in climate--paralleling significant increases in spatial synchrony of mean maximum air temperature. These results suggest the potential for increased spatial synchrony in environmental factors to be affecting a wide range of ecological phenomena. These effects are likely to vary, but for North American wildlife species, increased spatial synchrony driven by environmental factors may be the basis for a previously unrecognized threat to their long-term persistence in the form of more synchronized population dynamics reducing the potential for demographic rescue among interacting subpopulations.

  20. The TRPM2 channel: A thermo-sensitive metabolic sensor.

    PubMed

    Kashio, Makiko; Tominaga, Makoto

    2017-09-03

    Living organisms continually experience changes in ambient temperature. To detect such temperature changes for adaptive behavioral responses, we evolved the ability to sense temperature. Thermosensitive transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, so-called thermo-TRPs, are involved in many physiologic functions in diverse organisms and constitute important temperature sensors. One of the important roles of thermo-TRPs is detecting ambient temperature in sensory neurons. Importantly, the functional expression of thermo-TRPs is observed not only in sensory neurons but also in tissues and cells that are not exposed to drastic temperature changes, indicating that thermo-TRPs are involved in many physiologic functions within the body's normal temperature range. Among such thermo-TRPs, this review focuses on one thermo-sensitive metabolic sensor in particular, TRPM2, and summarizes recent progress to clarify the regulatory mechanisms and physiologic functions of TRPM2 at body temperature under various metabolic states.

  1. Ocean warming ameliorates the negative effects of ocean acidification on Paracentrotus lividus larval development and settlement.

    PubMed

    García, Eliseba; Clemente, Sabrina; Hernández, José Carlos

    2015-09-01

    Ocean warming and acidification both impact marine ecosystems. All organisms have a limited body temperature range, outside of which they become functionally constrained. Beyond the absolute extremes of this range, they cannot survive. It is hypothesized that some stressors can present effects that interact with other environmental variables, such as ocean acidification (OA) that have the potential to narrow the thermal range where marine species are functional. An organism's response to ocean acidification can therefore be highly dependent on thermal conditions. This study evaluated the combined effects of predicted ocean warming conditions and acidification, on survival, development, and settlement, of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. Nine combined treatments of temperature (19.0, 20.5 and 22.5 °C) and pH (8.1, 7.7 and 7.4 units) were carried out. All of the conditions tested were either within the current natural ranges of seawater pH and temperature or are within the ranges that have been predicted for the end of the century, in the sampling region (Canary Islands). Our results indicated that the negative effects of low pH on P. lividus larval development and settlement will be mitigated by a rise in seawater temperature, up to a thermotolerance threshold. Larval development and settlement performance of the sea urchin P. lividus was enhanced by a slight increase in temperature, even under lowered pH conditions. However, the species did show negative responses to the levels of ocean warming and acidification that have been predicted for the turn of the century. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  2. STABILIZED TRANSISTOR AMPLIFIER

    DOEpatents

    Noe, J.B.

    1963-05-01

    A temperature stabilized transistor amplifier having a pair of transistors coupled in cascade relation that are capable of providing amplification through a temperature range of - 100 un. Concent 85% F to 400 un. Concent 85% F described. The stabilization of the amplifier is attained by coupling a feedback signal taken from the emitter of second transistor at a junction between two serially arranged biasing resistances in the circuit of the emitter of the second transistor to the base of the first transistor. Thus, a change in the emitter current of the second transistor is automatically corrected by the feedback adjustment of the base-emitter potential of the first transistor and by a corresponding change in the base-emitter potential of the second transistor. (AEC)

  3. Temperature-dependent mechanical properties of single-layer molybdenum disulphide: Molecular dynamics nanoindentation simulations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhao, Junhua; Jiang, Jin-Wu; Rabczuk, Timon

    2013-12-01

    The temperature-dependent mechanical properties of single-layer molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) are obtained using molecular dynamics (MD) nanoindentation simulations. The Young's moduli, maximum load stress, and maximum loading strain decrease with increasing temperature from 4.2 K to 500 K. The obtained Young's moduli are in good agreement with those using our MD uniaxial tension simulations and the available experimental results. The tendency of maximum loading strain with different temperature is opposite with that of metal materials due to the short range Stillinger-Weber potentials in MoS2. Furthermore, the indenter tip radius and fitting strain effect on the mechanical properties are also discussed.

  4. High Temperature Composite Heat Exchangers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Eckel, Andrew J.; Jaskowiak, Martha H.

    2002-01-01

    High temperature composite heat exchangers are an enabling technology for a number of aeropropulsion applications. They offer the potential for mass reductions of greater than fifty percent over traditional metallics designs and enable vehicle and engine designs. Since they offer the ability to operate at significantly higher operating temperatures, they facilitate operation at reduced coolant flows and make possible temporary uncooled operation in temperature regimes, such as experienced during vehicle reentry, where traditional heat exchangers require coolant flow. This reduction in coolant requirements can translate into enhanced range or system payload. A brief review of the approaches and challengers to exploiting this important technology are presented, along with a status of recent government-funded projects.

  5. Properties of charmonia in a hot equilibrated medium

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

    Giannuzzi, Floriana; Mannarelli, Massimo

    2009-09-01

    We investigate the properties of charmonia in a thermal medium, showing that with increasing temperature the decay widths of these mesons behave in a nontrivial way. Our analysis is based on a potential model with interaction potential extracted from thermal lattice QCD calculations of the free-energy of a static quark-antiquark pair. We find that in the crossover region some decay widths are extremely enhanced. In particular, at temperatures T{approx}T{sub c} the decay widths of the J/{psi} that depend on the value of the wave function at the origin are enhanced with respect to the values in vacuum by about amore » factor 2. In the same temperature range the decay width of the process {chi}{sub cJ}{yields}J/{psi}+{gamma} is enhanced by approximately a factor 6 with respect to the value in vacuum. At higher temperatures the charmonia states dissociate and the widths of both decay processes become vanishing small.« less

  6. Tuning magnetic spirals beyond room temperature with chemical disorder

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Morin, Mickaël; Canévet, Emmanuel; Raynaud, Adrien; Bartkowiak, Marek; Sheptyakov, Denis; Ban, Voraksmy; Kenzelmann, Michel; Pomjakushina, Ekaterina; Conder, Kazimierz; Medarde, Marisa

    2016-12-01

    In the past years, magnetism-driven ferroelectricity and gigantic magnetoelectric effects have been reported for a number of frustrated magnets featuring ordered spiral magnetic phases. Such materials are of high-current interest due to their potential for spintronics and low-power magnetoelectric devices. However, their low-magnetic ordering temperatures (typically <100 K) greatly restrict their fields of application. Here we demonstrate that the onset temperature of the spiral phase in the perovskite YBaCuFeO5 can be increased by more than 150 K through a controlled manipulation of the Fe/Cu chemical disorder. Moreover, we show that this novel mechanism can stabilize the magnetic spiral state of YBaCuFeO5 above the symbolic value of 25 °C at zero magnetic field. Our findings demonstrate that the properties of magnetic spirals, including its wavelength and stability range, can be engineered through the control of chemical disorder, offering a great potential for the design of materials with magnetoelectric properties beyond room temperature.

  7. Tuning magnetic spirals beyond room temperature with chemical disorder

    PubMed Central

    Morin, Mickaël; Canévet, Emmanuel; Raynaud, Adrien; Bartkowiak, Marek; Sheptyakov, Denis; Ban, Voraksmy; Kenzelmann, Michel; Pomjakushina, Ekaterina; Conder, Kazimierz; Medarde, Marisa

    2016-01-01

    In the past years, magnetism-driven ferroelectricity and gigantic magnetoelectric effects have been reported for a number of frustrated magnets featuring ordered spiral magnetic phases. Such materials are of high-current interest due to their potential for spintronics and low-power magnetoelectric devices. However, their low-magnetic ordering temperatures (typically <100 K) greatly restrict their fields of application. Here we demonstrate that the onset temperature of the spiral phase in the perovskite YBaCuFeO5 can be increased by more than 150 K through a controlled manipulation of the Fe/Cu chemical disorder. Moreover, we show that this novel mechanism can stabilize the magnetic spiral state of YBaCuFeO5 above the symbolic value of 25 °C at zero magnetic field. Our findings demonstrate that the properties of magnetic spirals, including its wavelength and stability range, can be engineered through the control of chemical disorder, offering a great potential for the design of materials with magnetoelectric properties beyond room temperature. PMID:27982127

  8. Networks with fourfold connectivity in two dimensions.

    PubMed

    Tessier, Frédéric; Boal, David H; Discher, Dennis E

    2003-01-01

    The elastic properties of planar, C4-symmetric networks under stress and at nonzero temperature are determined by simulation and mean field approximations. Attached at fourfold coordinated junction vertices, the networks are self-avoiding in that their elements (or bonds) may not intersect each other. Two different models are considered for the potential energy of the elements: either Hooke's law springs or flexible tethers (square well potential). For certain ranges of stress and temperature, the properties of the networks are captured by one of several models: at large tensions, the networks behave like a uniform system of square plaquettes, while at large compressions or high temperatures, they display many characteristics of an ideal gas. Under less severe conditions, mean field models with more general shapes (parallelograms) reproduce many essential features of both networks. Lastly, the spring network expands without limit at a two-dimensional tension equal to the force constant of the spring; however, it does not appear to collapse under compression, except at zero temperature.

  9. Temperature-Dependent Implicit-Solvent Model of Polyethylene Glycol in Aqueous Solution.

    PubMed

    Chudoba, Richard; Heyda, Jan; Dzubiella, Joachim

    2017-12-12

    A temperature (T)-dependent coarse-grained (CG) Hamiltonian of polyethylene glycol/oxide (PEG/PEO) in aqueous solution is reported to be used in implicit-solvent material models in a wide temperature (i.e., solvent quality) range. The T-dependent nonbonded CG interactions are derived from a combined "bottom-up" and "top-down" approach. The pair potentials calculated from atomistic replica-exchange molecular dynamics simulations in combination with the iterative Boltzmann inversion are postrefined by benchmarking to experimental data of the radius of gyration. For better handling and a fully continuous transferability in T-space, the pair potentials are conveniently truncated and mapped to an analytic formula with three structural parameters expressed as explicit continuous functions of T. It is then demonstrated that this model without further adjustments successfully reproduces other experimentally known key thermodynamic properties of semidilute PEG solutions such as the full equation of state (i.e., T-dependent osmotic pressure) for various chain lengths as well as their cloud point (or collapse) temperature.

  10. A model for predicting Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni growth as a function of temperature

    PubMed Central

    Llorente, Isidre; Montesinos, Emilio; Moragrega, Concepció

    2017-01-01

    A two-step modeling approach was used for predicting the effect of temperature on the growth of Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni, causal agent of bacterial spot disease of stone fruit. The in vitro growth of seven strains was monitored at temperatures from 5 to 35°C with a Bioscreen C system, and a calibrating equation was generated for converting optical densities to viable counts. In primary modeling, Baranyi, Buchanan, and modified Gompertz equations were fitted to viable count growth curves over the entire temperature range. The modified Gompertz model showed the best fit to the data, and it was selected to estimate the bacterial growth parameters at each temperature. Secondary modeling of maximum specific growth rate as a function of temperature was performed by using the Ratkowsky model and its variations. The modified Ratkowsky model showed the best goodness of fit to maximum specific growth rate estimates, and it was validated successfully for the seven strains at four additional temperatures. The model generated in this work will be used for predicting temperature-based Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni growth rate and derived potential daily doublings, and included as the inoculum potential component of a bacterial spot of stone fruit disease forecaster. PMID:28493954

  11. Isolation and characterization of Lactobacillus helveticus DSM 20075 variants with improved autolytic capacity.

    PubMed

    Spus, Maciej; Liu, Hua; Wels, Michiel; Abee, Tjakko; Smid, Eddy J

    2017-01-16

    Lactobacillus helveticus is widely used in dairy fermentations and produces a range of enzymes, which upon cell lysis can be released into the cheese matrix and impact degradation of proteins, peptides and lipids. In our study we set out to explore the potential of Lb. helveticus DSM 20075 for increased autolytic capacity triggered by conditions such as low pH and high salt concentrations encountered in cheese environments. Lb. helveticus DSM 20075 was subjected to varied incubation temperatures (ranging from 37 to 50°C). High-temperature incubation (in the range of 45 to 50°C) allowed us to obtain a collection of six variant strains (V45-V50), which in comparison to the wild-type strain, showed higher growth rates at elevated temperatures (42°C-45°C). Moreover, variant strain V50 showed a 4-fold higher, in comparison to wild type, autolytic capacity in cheese-like conditions. Next, strain V50 was used as an adjunct in lab-scale cheese making trials to measure its impact on aroma formation during ripening. Specifically, in cheeses made with strain V50, the relative abundance of benzaldehyde increased 3-fold compared to cheeses made with the wild-type strain. Analysis of the genome sequence of strain V50 revealed multiple mutations in comparison to the wild-type strain DSM 20075 including a mutation found in a gene coding for a metal ion transporter, which can potentially be linked to intracellular accumulation of Mn 2+ and benzaldehyde formation. The approach of high-temperature incubation can be applied in dairy industry for the selection of (adjunct) cultures targeted at accelerated cheese ripening and aroma formation. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Electrical Performance of a High Temperature 32-I/O HTCC Alumina Package

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Chen, Liang-Yu; Neudeck, Philip G.; Spry, David J.; Beheim, Glenn M.; Hunter, Gary W.

    2016-01-01

    A high temperature co-fired ceramic (HTCC) alumina material was previously electrically tested at temperatures up to 550 C, and demonstrated improved dielectric performance at high temperatures compared with the 96% alumina substrate that we used before, suggesting its potential use for high temperature packaging applications. This paper introduces a prototype 32-I/O (input/output) HTCC alumina package with platinum conductor for 500 C low-power silicon carbide (SiC) integrated circuits. The design and electrical performance of this package including parasitic capacitance and parallel conductance of neighboring I/Os from 100 Hz to 1 MHz in a temperature range from room temperature to 550 C are discussed in detail. The parasitic capacitance and parallel conductance of this package in the entire frequency and temperature ranges measured does not exceed 1.5 pF and 0.05 microsiemens, respectively. SiC integrated circuits using this package and compatible printed circuit board have been successfully tested at 500 C for over 3736 hours continuously, and at 700 C for over 140 hours. Some test examples of SiC integrated circuits with this packaging system are presented. This package is the key to prolonged T greater than or equal to 500 C operational testing of the new generation of SiC high temperature integrated circuits and other devices currently under development at NASA Glenn Research Center.

  13. Geothermal Potential Analysis Using Landsat 8 and Sentinel 2 (Case Study: Mount Ijen)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sukojo, B. M.; Mardiana, R.

    2017-12-01

    Geothermal energy is also a heat energy contained in the earth’s internal. Indonesia has a total geothermal potential of around 27 GWe. The government is eager for the development of geothermal in Indonesia can run well so that geothermal can act as one of the pillars of national energy. However, the geothermal potential has not been fully utilized. One of the geothermal potention is Mount Ijen. Mount Ijen is a strato volcano that has a crater lake with a depth of about 190 m and has a very high degree of acidity and the volume of lake water is very large. With the abundance of potential geothermal potential in Indonesia, it is necessary to have an activity in the form of integrated geoscience studies to be able to maximize the potential content that exists in a geothermal area. One of the studies conducted is to do potential mapping. This research performs image data processing of Landsat 8, Sentinel 2, RBI Map, and preliminary survey data. This research carried out the Vegetation Index, surface temperature and altitude. The equipment used in this research includes image processing software, number processing software, GPS Handheld and Laptop. Surface Temperatures in the Mount Ijen have anomalies with large temperatures ranging between 18° C to 38° C. The best correlation value of altitude and ground surface temperature is -0.89 ie the correlation of January surface temperature. While the correlation value of Landsat 8 and Sentinel 2 vegetation index was 0.81. The land cover confidence matrix scored 80%. Land cover in the research area is dominated by forests by 35% of the research area. There is a potential area of geothermal potential is very high on Mount Ijen with an area of 39.43 hectares located in Wongsorejo District and adjacent to District Sempol.

  14. Ethanol electrooxidation on a carbon-supported Pt catalyst at elevated temperature and pressure: A high-temperature/high-pressure DEMS study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sun, S.; Halseid, M. Chojak; Heinen, M.; Jusys, Z.; Behm, R. J.

    The electrooxidation of ethanol on a Pt/Vulcan catalyst was investigated in model studies by on-line differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) over a wide range of reaction temperatures (23-100 °C). Potentiodynamic and potentiostatic measurements of the Faradaic current and the CO 2 formation rate, performed at 3 bar overpressure under well-defined transport and diffusion conditions reveal significant effects of temperature, potential and ethanol concentration on the total reaction activity and on the selectivity for the pathway toward complete oxidation to CO 2. The latter pathway increasingly prevails at higher temperature, lower concentration and lower potentials (∼90% current efficiency for CO 2 formation at 100 °C, 0.01 M, 0.48 V), while at higher ethanol concentrations (0.1 M), higher potentials or lower temperatures the current efficiency for CO 2 formation drops, reaching values of a few percent at room temperature. These trends result in a significantly higher apparent activation barrier for complete oxidation to CO 2 (68 ± 2 kJ mol -1 at 0.48 V, 0.1 M) compared to that of the overall ethanol oxidation reaction determined from the Faradaic current (42 ± 2 kJ mol -1 at 0.48 V, 0.1 M). The mechanistic implications of these results and the importance of relevant reaction and mass transport conditions in model studies for reaction predictions in fuel cell applications are discussed.

  15. Solubility of methane in water: the significance of the methane-water interaction potential.

    PubMed

    Konrad, Oliver; Lankau, Timm

    2005-12-15

    The influence of the methane-water interaction potential on the value of the Henry constant obtained from molecular dynamics simulations was investigated. The SPC, SPC/E, MSPC/E, and TIP3P potentials were used to describe water and the OPLS-UA and TraPPE potentials for methane. Nonbonding interactions between unlike atoms were calculated both with one of four mixing rules and with our new methane-water interaction potential. The Henry constants obtained from simulations using any of the mixing rules differed significantly from the experimental ones. Good agreement between simulation and experiment was achieved with the new potential over the whole temperature range.

  16. Interatomic potentials for Cd, Zn, and Hg from absorption spectra

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Su, Ching-Hua; Liao, Pok-Kai; Huang, Yu; Liou, Shian-Shyang; Brebrick, R. F.

    1984-07-01

    The absorption coefficient has been measured over a 65 nm range in the red wing of the 213.8 nm line for Zn vapor at 1000 °C. It has also been measured in the blue wing and over a 60 nm range in the red wing of the 228.7 nm line for Cd vapor at five temperatures between 642 and 955 °C and over a 75 nm range in the red wing of the 253.7 nm line for Hg vapor at five temperatures between 460 and 860 °C. These data are analyzed in terms of the statistical theory of broadening. Oscillator strengths of 1.42±0.01 and 1.61±0.06 are obtained for, respectively, the Cd line and the Zn line. Pair potentials for both the ground and lowest excited state are also obtained in all three cases. For Cd this is done assuming no functional form and then assuming Lennard-Jones potentials. Both methods agree and give a ground state minimum of -47.5 meV at 0.482 nm separation and an excited state minimum of -1.06 eV at 0.410 nm. A functional form is required for the less extensive Zn data and the Lennard-Jones form leads to a range of possibilities including ground and excited state minima of -56 meV at 0.400 nm and -1.30 eV at 0.330 nm, respectively, which are in fair agreement with the theoretical calculations. For Hg the experiments indicate a single excited state and a ground state with a minimum of -55 meV. Assuming no functional form for the pair potentials, taking the excited state as doubly degenerate, and assuming the transition probability from the ground to excited state is one-sixth of the free atom value gives points along the ground and excited state potentials that join smoothly with other experimental results and agree well with the calculation of Baylis for the ground state.

  17. Microbial adaptation to temperature increases the vulnerability of carbon stocks in Arctic and Boreal soils to climate change

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Karhu, Kristiina; Auffret, Marc; Dungait, Jennifer; Fraser, Fiona; Hopkins, David; Prosser, James; Singh, Brajesh; Subke, Jens-Arne; Wookey, Philip; Ågren, Göran; Hartley, Iain

    2013-04-01

    There are concerns that global warming may stimulate decomposition rates in soils, leading to a substantial release of CO2 to the atmosphere, and thus accelerating rates of 21st century climate change. However, there is growing recognition that adaptation of soil microbial communities to changes in their prevailing thermal regime may alter the potential rate of carbon release. Critically, recent studies have produced conflicting results in terms of whether adaptation of soil microbial communities to temperature reduces (thermal acclimation) or enhances (enhancement) the direct effects of temperature changes on decomposition rates. This lack of understanding adds considerably to uncertainty in predictions of the magnitude and direction of carbon-cycle feedbacks to climate change. Investigating the impacts of adaptation to temperature is currently only possible in controlled laboratory experiments, in which fluctuations in substrate availability can be minimised. We developed a approach which involves incubating soils at 3°C above mean annual temperature (MAT), until respiration rates stabilise, then cooling by 6°C (MAT -3 °C) and determining the potential for respiration rates to recover during extended exposure to lower temperatures. Our approach avoids the issues associated with substrate depletion in warming studies, but still tests whether adaptation enhances or reduces the direct impact of temperature on microbial activity. In contrast to many other studies, our initial research clearly demonstrated enhancement in Arctic soils. Here we present results from a new project which has extended the approach to soils sampled from contrasting Arctic, Boreal, temperate, Mediterranean and tropical ecosystems. This study represents one of the most extensive investigations undertaken into the potential for thermal acclimation, and/or enhancement, under contrasting environmental conditions. We also attempted to disentangle the mechanisms underlying the observed responses by quantifying changes in microbial biomass, microbial community structure , mass-specific activity, carbon-use efficiency, and the activities of enzymes involved in the break-down of labile versus more recalcitrant compounds. Our results from temperate, Mediterranean and tropical soils generally show little evidence of thermal acclimation, but responses were dependent on soil type and the temperature range investigated; at low temperatures and from organic soils, further evidence for enhancement was produced. The lack of evidence of acclimation suggests that there remains the potential for C losses from soils in temperate and tropical areas as the climate changes. Furthermore, results from incubations from Boreal and Arctic soils showed clear enhancement. This suggests that the long-term effect of warming on soil respiration rates in the Arctic could be larger than predicted based on short-term measurements of temperature sensitivity. Consequently, the substantial stores of carbon present in high-latitude soils may be even more vulnerable to climate warming than previously estimated. We also discuss the potential mechanisms underlying the observed patterns based on the extensive range of microbial assays carried out in this project.

  18. Winds and temperatures of the Arctic middle atmosphere during January measured by Doppler lidar

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hildebrand, Jens; Baumgarten, Gerd; Fiedler, Jens; Lübken, Franz-Josef

    2017-11-01

    We present an extensive data set of simultaneous temperature and wind measurements in the Arctic middle atmosphere. It consists of more than 300 h of Doppler Rayleigh lidar observations obtained during three January seasons (2012, 2014, and 2015) and covers the altitude range from 30 km up to about 85 km. The data set reveals large year-to-year variations in monthly mean temperatures and winds, which in 2012 are affected by a sudden stratospheric warming. The temporal evolution of winds and temperatures after that warming are studied over a period of 2 weeks, showing an elevated stratopause and the reformation of the polar vortex. The monthly mean temperatures and winds are compared to data extracted from the Integrated Forecast System of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and the Horizontal Wind Model (HWM07). Lidar and ECMWF data show good agreement of mean zonal and meridional winds below ≈ 55 km altitude, but we also find mean temperature, zonal wind, and meridional wind differences of up to 20 K, 20 m s-1, and 5 m s-1, respectively. Differences between lidar observations and HWM07 data are up to 30 m s-1. From the fluctuations of temperatures and winds within single nights we extract the potential and kinetic gravity wave energy density (GWED) per unit mass. It shows that the kinetic GWED is typically 5 to 10 times larger than the potential GWED, the total GWED increases with altitude with a scale height of ≈ 16 km. Since temporal fluctuations of winds and temperatures are underestimated in ECMWF, the total GWED is underestimated as well by a factor of 3-10 above 50 km altitude. Similarly, we estimate the energy density per unit mass for large-scale waves (LWED) from the fluctuations of nightly mean temperatures and winds. The total LWED is roughly constant with altitude. The ratio of kinetic to potential LWED varies with altitude over 2 orders of magnitude. LWEDs from ECMWF data show results similar to the lidar data. From the comparison of GWED and LWED, it follows that large-scale waves carry about 2 to 5 times more energy than gravity waves.

  19. Blackbody Cavity for Calibrations at 200 to 273 K

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Howell, Dane; Ryan, Robert; Ryan, Jim; Henderson, Doug; Clayton, Larry

    2004-01-01

    A laboratory blackbody cavity has been designed and built for calibrating infrared radiometers used to measure radiant temperatures in the range from about 200 to about 273 K. In this below-room-temperature range, scattering of background infrared radiation from room-temperature surfaces could, potentially, contribute significantly to the spectral radiance of the blackbody cavity, thereby contributing a significant error to the radiant temperature used as the calibration value. The present blackbody cavity is of an established type in which multiple reflections from a combination of conical and cylindrical black-coated walls are exploited to obtain an effective emissivity greater than the emissivity value of the coating material on a flat exposed surface. The coating material in this case is a flat black paint that has an emissivity of approximately of 0.91 in the thermal spectral range and was selected over other, higher-emissivity materials because of its ability to withstand thermal cycling. We found many black coatings cracked and flaked after thermal cycling due to differences in the coefficient of expansion differences. On the basis of theoretical calculations, the effective emissivity is expected to approach 0.999. The cylindrical/conical shell enclosing the cavity is machined from copper, which is chosen for its high thermal conductivity. In use, the shell is oriented vertically, open end facing up, and inserted in a Dewar flask filled with isopropyl alcohol/dry-ice slush. A flange at the open end of the shell is supported by a thermally insulating ring on the lip of the Dewar flask. The slush cools the shell (and thus the black-body cavity) to the desired temperature. Typically, the slush starts at a temperature of about 194 K. The slush is stirred and warmed by bubbling dry air or nitrogen through it, thereby gradually increasing the temperature through the aforementioned calibration range during an interval of several hours. The temperature of the slush is monitored by use of a precise thermocouple probe.

  20. Influence of Ag, Cd or Pb Addition on Electrical and Dielectric Properties of Bulk Glassy Se-Ge

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    El-Metwally, E. G.; Shakra, A. M.

    2018-05-01

    Bulk glassy samples of Se0.7Ge0.3 and Se0.7Ge0.25 X 0.05 (X = Ag, Cd or Pb) chalcogenide glass have been prepared by melt-quenching method. The studied compositions were examined in powder form by x-ray diffraction analysis. The direct-current (dc) conductivity σ_{{dc}} was measured for bulk samples in the temperature range from 303 K to 433 K, revealing enhancement with temperature for all samples. The results indicate two values of activation energy ( Δ E_{{σ1 }} and Δ E_{{σ2 }} ) due to two conduction mechanisms. Measurements of the alternating-current (ac) conductivity σ_{{ac}} ( ω ) and dielectric properties for bulk samples were carried out in the temperature range from 303 K to 433 K and frequency range from 1 kHz to 1 MHz. The ac conductivity σ_{{ac}} ( ω ) was temperature dependent and proportional to ωS , where S is the frequency exponent, which reduced with rising temperature, and ω is the angular frequency. These results are discussed based on a correlated barrier hopping model. The calculated values of the maximum height of the barrier W_{{M}} for each composition are consistent with carrier hopping over a potential barrier. The density of localized states N( {E_{{F}} } ) at the Fermi level lay in the range from 1019 eV-1 cm-3 to 1020 eV-1 cm-3, and increased with temperature. The dielectric constant ɛ1 ( ω ) and loss ɛ2 ( ω ) increased with temperature but decreased with frequency. The values of σ_{{dc}} , σ_{{ac}} ( ω ) , ɛ1 ( ω ) , and ɛ2 ( ω ) increased with temperature and with addition of Ag, Cd or Pb. The observed increase was greater for Se0.7Ge0.25Pb0.05 than for Se0.7Ge0.25Cd0.05, which was greater than for Se0.7Ge0.25Ag0.05.

  1. Tuning the electrocaloric effect by varying Sr concentration in ferroelectric Ba1 -xSrxTiO3

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lisenkov, S.; Ponomareva, I.

    2018-05-01

    The electrocaloric effect is investigated systematically in Ba1 -xSrxTiO3 ferroelectrics using a semiclassical direct computational approach. The data are reported for the technologically important range of Sr concentrations of 0.0-0.6, electric fields up to 1000 kV/cm, and temperatures ranging from 5 to 600 K. A detailed comparison of computational data with experimental data from the literature reveals semiquantitative agreement and suggests the origin of discrepancies. The electrocaloric change in temperature Δ T shows strong dependence on Sr concentration which offers a way to tune electrocaloric response. In particular, the maximum electrocaloric Δ T is found to decrease with the increase in Sr concentration, whereas the location of the maximum shifts towards lower temperatures following the Curie point of the ferroelectric. Surprisingly, the width of the peak in the dependence of Δ T on the initial temperature is independent of the Sr concentration but shows a strong dependence on the applied electric field. Computational data are used to propose a compositionally graded ferroelectric Ba0.70Sr0.30TiO3/Ba0.55Sr0.45TiO3/Ba0.50Sr0.50TiO3/Ba0.45Sr0.55TiO3 whose Δ T shows almost no temperature dependence in the technologically important range of temperatures and electric fields. Such a desirable feature could potentially lead to the enhancement of relative cooling power.

  2. Axially engineered metal-insulator phase transition by graded doping VO2 nanowires.

    PubMed

    Lee, Sangwook; Cheng, Chun; Guo, Hua; Hippalgaonkar, Kedar; Wang, Kevin; Suh, Joonki; Liu, Kai; Wu, Junqiao

    2013-03-27

    The abrupt first-order metal-insulator phase transition in single-crystal vanadium dioxide nanowires (NWs) is engineered to be a gradual transition by axially grading the doping level of tungsten. We also demonstrate the potential of these NWs for thermal sensing and actuation applications. At room temperature, the graded-doped NWs show metal phase on the tips and insulator phase near the center of the NW, and the metal phase grows progressively toward the center when the temperature rises. As such, each individual NW acts as a microthermometer that can be simply read out with an optical microscope. The NW resistance decreases gradually with the temperature rise, eventually reaching 2 orders of magnitude drop, in stark contrast to the abrupt resistance change in undoped VO2 wires. This novel phase transition yields an extremely high temperature coefficient of resistivity ~10%/K, simultaneously with a very low resistivity down to 0.001 Ω·cm, making these NWs promising infrared sensing materials for uncooled microbolometers. Lastly, they form bimorph thermal actuators that bend with an unusually high curvature, ~900 m(-1)·K(-1) over a wide temperature range (35-80 °C), significantly broadening the response temperature range of previous VO2 bimorph actuators. Given that the phase transition responds to a diverse range of stimuli-heat, electric current, strain, focused light, and electric field-the graded-doped NWs may find wide applications in thermo-opto-electro-mechanical sensing and energy conversion.

  3. Assessment of diagenetic alteration of dinosaur eggshells through petrography and geochemical analysis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Enriquez, M. V.; Eagle, R.; Eiler, J. M.; Tripati, A. K.; Ramirez, P. C.; Loyd, S. J.; Chiappe, L.; Montanari, S.; Norell, M.; Tuetken, T.

    2012-12-01

    Carbonate clumped isotope analysis of fossil eggshells has the potential to constrain both the physiology of extinct animals and, potentially, paleoenvironmental conditions, especially when coupled with isotopic measurements of co-occurring soil carbonates. Eggshell samples from both modern vertebrates and Cretaceous Hadrosaurid, Oviraptorid, Titanosaur, Hypselosaurus, Faveoolithus, dinosaur fossils have been collected from Auca Mahuevo, Argentina and Rousett, France, amongst other locations, for geochemical analysis to determine if isotopic signatures could be used to indicate warm- or cold-bloodedness. In some locations soil carbonates were also analyzed to constrain environmental temperatures. In order to test the validity of the geochemical results, an extensive study was undertaken to establish degree of diagenetic alteration. Petrographic and cathodoluminescence characterization of the eggshells were used to assess diagenetic alteration. An empirical 1-5 point scale was used to assign each sample an alteration level, and the observations were then compared with the geochemical results. Specimens displayed a wide range of alteration states. Some of which were well preserved and others highly altered. Another group seemed to be structural intact and only under cathodoluminescence was alteration clearly observed. In the majority of samples, alteration level was found to be predictably related to geochemical results. From specimens with little evidence for diagenesis, carbonate clumped isotope signatures support high (37-40°C) body temperature for Titanosaurid dinosaurs, but potentially lower body temperatures for other taxa. If these data do, in fact, represent original eggshell growth temperatures, these results support variability in body temperature amongst Cretaceous dinosaurs and potentially are consistent with variations between adult body temperature and size — a characteristic of 'gigantothermy'.

  4. Microcanonical ensemble simulation method applied to discrete potential fluids

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sastre, Francisco; Benavides, Ana Laura; Torres-Arenas, José; Gil-Villegas, Alejandro

    2015-09-01

    In this work we extend the applicability of the microcanonical ensemble simulation method, originally proposed to study the Ising model [A. Hüller and M. Pleimling, Int. J. Mod. Phys. C 13, 947 (2002), 10.1142/S0129183102003693], to the case of simple fluids. An algorithm is developed by measuring the transition rates probabilities between macroscopic states, that has as advantage with respect to conventional Monte Carlo NVT (MC-NVT) simulations that a continuous range of temperatures are covered in a single run. For a given density, this new algorithm provides the inverse temperature, that can be parametrized as a function of the internal energy, and the isochoric heat capacity is then evaluated through a numerical derivative. As an illustrative example we consider a fluid composed of particles interacting via a square-well (SW) pair potential of variable range. Equilibrium internal energies and isochoric heat capacities are obtained with very high accuracy compared with data obtained from MC-NVT simulations. These results are important in the context of the application of the Hüller-Pleimling method to discrete-potential systems, that are based on a generalization of the SW and square-shoulder fluids properties.

  5. High-Temperature Electromechanical Characterization of AlN Single Crystals.

    PubMed

    Kim, Taeyang; Kim, Jinwook; Dalmau, Rafael; Schlesser, Raoul; Preble, Edward; Jiang, Xiaoning

    2015-10-01

    Hexagonal AlN is a non-ferroelectric material and does not have any phase transition up to its melting point (>2000°C), which indicates the potential use of AlN for high-temperature sensing. In this work, the elastic, dielectric, and piezoelectric constants of AlN single crystals were investigated at elevated temperatures up to 1000°C by the resonance method. We used resonators of five different modes to obtain a complete set of material constants of AlN single crystals. The electrical resistivity of AlN at elevated temperature (1000°C) was found to be greater than 5 × 10(10) Ω · cm. The resonance frequency of the resonators, which was mainly determined by the elastic compliances, decreased linearly with increasing temperature, and was characterized by a relatively low temperature coefficient of frequency, in the range of -20 to -36 ppm/°C. For all the investigated resonator modes, the elastic constants and the electromechanical coupling factors exhibited excellent temperature stability, with small variations over the full temperature range, <11.2% and <17%, respectively. Of particular significance is that due to the pyroelectricity of AlN, both the dielectric and the piezoelectric constants had high thermal resistivity even at extreme high temperature (1000°C). Therefore, high electrical resistivity, temperature independence of electromechanical properties, as well as high thermal resistivity of the elastic, dielectric, and piezoelectric properties, suggest that AlN single crystals are a promising candidate for high-temperature piezoelectric sensing applications.

  6. Cardiac function in an endothermic fish: cellular mechanisms for overcoming acute thermal challenges during diving

    PubMed Central

    Shiels, H. A.; Galli, G. L. J.; Block, B. A.

    2015-01-01

    Understanding the physiology of vertebrate thermal tolerance is critical for predicting how animals respond to climate change. Pacific bluefin tuna experience a wide range of ambient sea temperatures and occupy the largest geographical niche of all tunas. Their capacity to endure thermal challenge is due in part to enhanced expression and activity of key proteins involved in cardiac excitation–contraction coupling, which improve cardiomyocyte function and whole animal performance during temperature change. To define the cellular mechanisms that enable bluefin tuna hearts to function during acute temperature change, we investigated the performance of freshly isolated ventricular myocytes using confocal microscopy and electrophysiology. We demonstrate that acute cooling and warming (between 8 and 28°C) modulates the excitability of the cardiomyocyte by altering the action potential (AP) duration and the amplitude and kinetics of the cellular Ca2+ transient. We then explored the interactions between temperature, adrenergic stimulation and contraction frequency, and show that when these stressors are combined in a physiologically relevant way, they alter AP characteristics to stabilize excitation–contraction coupling across an acute 20°C temperature range. This allows the tuna heart to maintain consistent contraction and relaxation cycles during acute thermal challenges. We hypothesize that this cardiac capacity plays a key role in the bluefin tunas' niche expansion across a broad thermal and geographical range. PMID:25540278

  7. Equilibrium freezing of leaf water and extracellular ice formation in Afroalpine 'giant rosette' plants.

    PubMed

    Beck, E; Schulze, E D; Senser, M; Scheibe, R

    1984-09-01

    The water potentials of frozen leaves of Afroalpine plants were measured psychrometrically in the field. Comparison of these potentials with the osmotic potentials of an expressed cellular sap and the water potentials of ice indicated almost ideal freezing behaviour and suggested equilibrium freezing. On the basis of the osmotic potentials of expressed cellular sap, the fractions of frozen cellular water which correspond to the measured water potentials of the frozen leaves could be determined (e.g. 74% at -3.0° C). The freezing points of leaves were found to be in the range between 0° C and -0.5° C, rendering evidence for freezing of almost pure water and thus confirming the conclusions drawn from the water-potential measurements. The leaves proved to be frost resistant down to temperatures between -5° C and -15° C, as depending on the species. They tolerated short supercooling periods which were necessary in order to start ice nucleation. Extracellular ice caps and ice crystals in the intercellular space were observed when cross sections of frozen leaves were investigated microscopically at subfreezing temperatures.

  8. Wide range scaling laws for radiation driven shock speed, wall albedo and ablation parameters for high-Z materials

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mishra, Gaurav; Ghosh, Karabi; Ray, Aditi; Gupta, N. K.

    2018-06-01

    Radiation hydrodynamic (RHD) simulations for four different potential high-Z hohlraum materials, namely Tungsten (W), Gold (Au), Lead (Pb), and Uranium (U) are performed in order to investigate their performance with respect to x-ray absorption, re-emission and ablation properties, when irradiated by constant temperature drives. A universal functional form is derived for estimating time dependent wall albedo for high-Z materials. Among the high-Z materials studied, it is observed that for a fixed simulation time the albedo is maximum for Au below 250 eV, whereas it is maximum for U above 250 eV. New scaling laws for shock speed vs drive temperature, applicable over a wide temperature range of 100 eV to 500 eV, are proposed based on the physics of x-ray driven stationary ablation. The resulting scaling relation for a reference material Aluminium (Al), shows good agreement with that of Kauffman's power law for temperatures ranging from 100 eV to 275 eV. New scaling relations are also obtained for temperature dependent mass ablation rate and ablation pressure, through RHD simulation. Finally, our study reveals that for temperatures above 250 eV, U serves as a better hohlraum material since it offers maximum re-emission for x-rays along with comparable mass ablation rate. Nevertheless, traditional choice, Au works well for temperatures below 250 eV. Besides inertial confinement fusion (ICF), the new scaling relations may find its application in view-factor codes, which generally ignore atomic physics calculations of opacities and emissivities, details of laser-plasma interaction and hydrodynamic motions.

  9. Effect of Carbon-Cycle Uncertainty on Estimates of the 1.5oC Carbon Budget

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mengis, N.; Jalbert, J.; Partanen, A. I.; Matthews, D.

    2017-12-01

    In December 2015, the participants of the COP21 agreed to pursue efforts to limit global temperature increase to 1.5oC relative to the preindustrial level. A robust estimate of the carbon budget for this temperature target is one precondition for well-informed political discussions. These estimates, however, depend on Earth system models and need to account for model inherent uncertainties. Here, we quantify the effect of carbon cycle uncertainty within an intermediate complexity Earth system model. Using an Bayesian inversion approach we obtain a probabilistic estimate for the 1.5oC carbon budget of 66 PgC with a range of 20 to 112 PgC. This estimate is in good agreement with the IPCC's estimate, and additionally provides a probabilistic range accounting for uncertainties in the natural carbon sinks. Furthermore our results suggest, that for a long-term temperature stabilization at 1.5oC, negative fossil fuel emissions in the order of 1 PgC yr-1 would be needed. Two effects cause the fossil fuel emissions during temperature stabilization to turn negative: 1) The reduced uptake potential of the natural carbon sinks, which arises from increasing ocean temperatures, and the fact that the land turns from a net carbon sink to a source. 2) The residual positive anthropogenic forcing in the extended scenario, which remains as high as 2.5 W m-2, until the end of 2200. In contrast to previous studies our results suggest the need for negative fossil fuel emissions for a long term temperature stabilization to compensate for residual anthropogenic forcing and a decreasing natural carbon sink potential.

  10. Thermodynamic constraints on hydrogen generation during serpentinization of ultramafic rocks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    McCollom, Thomas M.; Bach, Wolfgang

    2009-02-01

    In recent years, serpentinized ultramafic rocks have received considerable attention as a source of H 2 for hydrogen-based microbial communities and as a potential environment for the abiotic synthesis of methane and other hydrocarbons within the Earth's crust. Both of these processes rely on the development of strongly reducing conditions and the generation of H 2 during serpentinization, which principally results from reaction of water with ferrous iron-rich minerals contained in ultramafic rocks. In this report, numerical models are used to investigate the potential influence of chemical thermodynamics on H 2 production during serpentinization. The results suggest that thermodynamic constraints on mineral stability and on the distribution of Fe among mineral alteration products as a function of temperature are likely to be major factors controlling the extent of H 2 production. At high temperatures (>˜315 °C), rates of serpentinization reactions are fast, but H 2 concentrations may be limited by the attainment of stable thermodynamic equilibrium between olivine and the aqueous fluid. Conversely, at temperatures below ˜150 °C, H 2 generation is severely limited both by slow reaction kinetics and partitioning of Fe(II) into brucite. At 35 MPa, peak temperatures for H 2 production occur at 200-315 °C, indicating that the most strongly reducing conditions will be attained during alteration within this temperature range. Fluids interacting with peridotite in this temperature range are likely to be the most productive sources of H 2 for biology, and should also produce the most favorable environments for abiotic organic synthesis. The results also suggest that thermodynamic constraints on Fe distribution among mineral alteration products have significant implications for the timing of magnetization of the ocean crust, and for the occurrence of native metal alloys and other trace minerals during serpentinization.

  11. Investigating the potential of Bacillus subtilis alpha-amylase as a pressure-temperature-time indicator for high hydrostatic pressure pasteurization processes.

    PubMed

    Grauwet, Tara; Van der Plancken, Iesel; Vervoort, Liesbeth; Hendrickx, Marc E; Van Loey, Ann

    2009-01-01

    The potential of Bacillus subtilis alpha-amylase (BSA) as a pressure-temperature-time indicator (pTTI) for high pressure pasteurization processing (400-600 MPa; T(i) 10-40 degrees C; 1-15 min) was investigated. A stepwise approach was followed for the development of an enzyme-based, extrinsic, isolated pTTI. First, based on literature data on the pressure stability, BSA was selected as a candidate indicator. Next to the accuracy and ease of the measurement of the indicator's response (residual activity) to the pressure treatment, the storage and handling stability of BSA at atmospheric pressure was verified. Second, the stability of BSA at a constant temperature (T) and time in function of pressure (p) was investigated. Solvent engineering was used to shift the inactivation window of BSA in the processing range of interest. Third, the enzyme (1 g/L BSA-MES 0.05 M pH 5.0) was kinetically calibrated under isobaric-isothermal conditions. Time dependent changes in activity could be modeled best by a first-order model. Except for low pressures and high temperatures, a synergistic effect between pressure and temperature could be observed. Based on the model selected to describe the combined p,T-dependency of the inactivation rate constant, an elliptically shaped isorate contour plot could be constructed, illustrating the processing range where BSA can be used to demonstrate temperature gradients. Fourth, the validity of the kinetic model was tested successfully under dynamic conditions similar to those used in food industry. Finally, the indicator was found suitable to demonstrate nonuniformity in two-sectional planes of a vertical, single vessel system. (c) 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Biotechnol. Prog., 2009.

  12. Temperature- and Touch-Sensitive Neurons Couple CNG and TRPV Channel Activities to Control Heat Avoidance in Caenorhabditis elegans

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Shu; Schulze, Ekkehard; Baumeister, Ralf

    2012-01-01

    Background Any organism depends on its ability to sense temperature and avoid noxious heat. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans responds to noxious temperatures exceeding ∼35°C and also senses changes in its environmental temperature in the range between 15 and 25°C. The neural circuits and molecular mechanisms involved in thermotaxis have been successfully studied, whereas details of the thermal avoidance behavior remain elusive. In this work, we investigate neurological and molecular aspects of thermonociception using genetic, cell biological and physiological approaches. Methodology/Principal Findings We show here that the thermosensory neurons AFD, in addition to sensing temperature within the range within which the animals can thrive, also contribute to the sensation of noxious temperatures resulting in a reflex-like escape reaction. Distinct sets of interneurons are involved in transmitting thermonociception and thermotaxis, respectively. Loss of AFD is partially compensated by the activity of a pair of multidendritic, polymodal neurons, FLP, whereas laser ablation of both types of neurons abrogated the heat response in the head of the animals almost completely. A third pair of heat sensory neurons, PHC, is situated in the tail. We find that the thermal avoidance response requires the cell autonomous function of cGMP dependent Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated (CNG) channels in AFD, and the heat- and capsaicin-sensitive Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid (TRPV) channels in the FLP and PHC sensory neurons. Conclusions/Significance Our results identify distinct thermal responses mediated by a single neuron, but also show that parallel nociceptor circuits and molecules may be used as back-up strategies to guarantee fast and efficient responses to potentially detrimental stimuli. PMID:22448218

  13. Analytical Wave Functions for Ultracold Collisions.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cavagnero, M. J.

    1998-05-01

    Secular perturbation theory of long-range interactions(M. J. Cavagnero, PRA 50) 2841, (1994). has been generalized to yield accurate wave functions for near threshold processes, including low-energy scattering processes of interest at ultracold temperatures. In particular, solutions of Schrödinger's equation have been obtained for motion in the combined r-6, r-8, and r-10 potentials appropriate for describing an utlracold collision of two neutral ground state atoms. Scattering lengths and effective ranges appropriate to such potentials are readily calculated at distances comparable to the LeRoy radius, where exchange forces can be neglected, thereby eliminating the need to integrate Schrödinger's equation to large internuclear distances. Our method yields accurate base pair solutions well beyond the energy range of effective range theories, making possible the application of multichannel quantum defect theory [MQDT] and R-matrix methods to the study of ultracold collisions.

  14. Conformational Entropy from Slowly Relaxing Local Structure Analysis of 15N-H Relaxation in Proteins: Application to Pheromone Binding to MUP-I in the 283-308 K Temperature Range.

    PubMed

    Žídek, Lukáš; Meirovitch, Eva

    2017-09-21

    The slowly relaxing local structure (SRLS) approach is applied to 15 N-H relaxation from the major urinary protein I (MUP-I), and its complex with pheromone 2-sec-butyl-4,5-dihydrothiazol. The objective is to elucidate dynamics, and binding-induced changes in conformational entropy. Experimental data acquired previously in the 283-308 K temperature range are used. The N-H bond is found to reorient globally with correlation time, τ 1,0 , and locally with correlation time, τ 2,0 , where τ 1,0 ≫ τ 2,0 . The local motion is restricted by the potential u = -c 0 2 D 00 2 , where D 00 2 is the Wigner rotation matrix element for L = 2, K = 0, and c 0 2 evaluates the strength of the potential. u yields straightforwardly the order parameter, ⟨D 00 2 ⟩, and the conformational entropy, S k , both given by P eq = exp(-u). The deviation of the local ordering/local diffusion axis from the N-H bond, given by the angle β, is also determined. We find that c 0 2 ≅ 18 ± 4 and τ 2,0 = 0-170 ps for ligand-free MUP-I, whereas c 0 2 ≅ 15 ± 4 and τ 2,0 = 20-270 ps for ligand-bound MUP-I. β is in the 0-10° range. c 0 2 and τ 2,0 decrease, whereas β increases, when the temperature is increased from 283 to 308 K. Thus, SRLS provides physically well-defined structure-related (c 0 2 and ⟨D 00 2 ⟩), motion-related (τ 2,0 ), geometry-related (β), and binding-related (S k ) local parameters, and their temperature-dependences. Intriguingly, upon pheromone binding the conformational entropy of MUP-I decreases at high temperature and increases at low temperature. The very same experimental data were analyzed previously with the model-free (MF) method which yielded "global" (in this context, "relating to the entire 283-308 K range") amplitude (S 2 ) and rate (τ e ) of the local motion, and a phenomenological exchange term (R ex ). S 2 is found to decrease (implying implicitly "global" increase in S k ) upon pheromone binding.

  15. The production of O(1S) from dissociative recombination of O2(+). [in earth upper atmosphere

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Guberman, Steven L.

    1987-01-01

    The first theoretical calculations of the rate coefficient alpha for dissociative recombination of O2(+) leading to O(1S) are reported for a wide range of temperatures. The findings are discussed in terms of the potential energy curves for the ground state of O2(+) and for the dissociative 1Sigma(u) state calculated here. Values of alpha for the equilibrium case in which the electron and vibrational temperatures are identical are shown.

  16. The development of aerospace polyimide adhesives

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    St.clair, A. K.; St.clair, T. L.

    1983-01-01

    Few materials are available which can be used as aerospace adhesives at temperatures in the range of 300 C. The Materials Division at NASA-Langley Research Center developed several high temperature polyimide adhesives to fulfill the stringent needs of current aerospace programs. These adhesives are the result of a decade of basic research studies on the structure property relationships of both linear and addition aromatic polyimides. The development of both in house and commercially available polyimides is reviewed with regards to their potential for use as aerospace adhesives.

  17. Selected meteorological and micrometeorological data for an arid site near Beatty, Nye County, Nevada, calendar year 1992

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Wood, James L.

    1996-01-01

    il-heat-flux data were collected at a study site adjacent to a low-level radioactive-waste burial facility near Beatty, Nevada, for calendar year 1992. Data were collected in support of ongoing studies to estimate the potential for downward movement of radionuclides into the unsaturated sediments beneath waste-burial trenches at the arid facility. Data collected for the whole year include air temperature, relative humidity, vapor pressure, incident solar radiation, windspeed, wind direction, barometric pressure, and precipitation. Net radiation, soil temperature, and soil-heat flux data also were collected for part of the year. The data are summarized in tables and graphs.Instrumentation used at the site is discussed. The discussion includes the type, reported accuracy, and the mounting height of each sensor.During 1992, the hourly and 20-minute mean air temperatures ranged from -8.6 degrees Celsius, in January, to 42.3 degrees Celsius, in July. Hourly and 20-minute mean relative humidity ranged from 2 percent to 100 percent. Hourly and 20-minute mean vapor pressures ranged from 0.07 to 2.47 kilopascals. Daily maximum incident solar radiation values ranged from 115 to 1,021 watts per square meter. Daily maximum net radiation values ranged from 195 to 632 watts per square meter. Daily mean windspeed ranged from 0.6 to 8.1 meters per second. Wind direction was primarily from the northwest in fall, winter, and spring and was from the southeast, southwest, or northwest during the summer. Barometric pressures ranged from 100.16 kilopascals to 103.38 kilopascals. Total precipitation for 1992 was 165.3 millimeters, with more than 50 percent in February and March. Daily mean soil temperatures at a depth from 2 to 6 centimeters ranged from 10.7 to 39.1 degrees Celsius between June and October. Daily mean soil-heat flux at a dep*h of 8 centimeters ranged from -13.4 to 12.2 watts per square meter during the same period.

  18. Fabrication and electrical characterization of Al/diazo compound containing polyoxy chain/p-Si device structure

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Birel, Ozgul; Kavasoglu, Nese; Kavasoglu, A. Sertap; Dincalp, Haluk; Metin, Bengul

    2013-03-01

    Diazo-compounds are important class of chemical compounds in terms of optical and electronic properties which make them potentially attractive for device applications. Diazo compound containing polyoxy chain has been deposited on p-Si. Current-voltage characteristics of Al/diazo compound containing polyoxy chain/p-Si structure present rectifying behaviour. The Schottky barrier height (SBH), diode factor (n), reverse saturation current (Io), interface state density (Nss) of Al/diazo compound containing polyoxy chain/p-Si structure have been calculated from experimental forward bias current-voltage data measured in the temperature range 100-320 K and capacitance-voltage data measured at room temperature and 1 MHz. The calculated values of SBH have ranged from 0.041 and 0.151 eV for the high and low temperature regions. Diode factor values fluctuate between the values 14 and 18 with temperature. Such a high diode factors stem from disordered interface layer in a junction structure as stated by Brötzmann et al. [M. Brötzmann, U. Vetter, H. Hofsäss, J. Appl. Phys. 106 (2009) 063704]. The calculated values of saturation current have ranged from 3×10-11 A to 2.79×10-7 A and interface state density have ranged from 5×1011 eV-1 cm-2 and 4×1013 eV-1 cm-2 as temperature increases. Results show that Al/diazo compound containing polyoxy chain/p-Si structure is a valuable candidate for device applications in terms of low reverse saturation current and low interface state density.

  19. Kinetics and Mechanism of the Oxidation of Cyclic Methylsiloxanes by Hydroxyl Radical in the Gas Phase: An Experimental and Theoretical Study.

    PubMed

    Xiao, Ruiyang; Zammit, Ian; Wei, Zongsu; Hu, Wei-Ping; MacLeod, Matthew; Spinney, Richard

    2015-11-17

    The ubiquitous presence of cyclic volatile methylsiloxanes (cVMS) in the global atmosphere has recently raised environmental concern. In order to assess the persistence and long-range transport potential of cVMS, their second-order rate constants (k) for reactions with hydroxyl radical ((•)OH) in the gas phase are needed. We experimentally and theoretically investigated the kinetics and mechanism of (•)OH oxidation of a series of cVMS, hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane (D3), octamethycyclotetrasiloxane (D4), and decamethycyclopentasiloxane (D5). Experimentally, we measured k values for D3, D4, and D5 with (•)OH in a gas-phase reaction chamber. The Arrhenius activation energies for these reactions in the temperature range from 313 to 353 K were small (-2.92 to 0.79 kcal·mol(-1)), indicating a weak temperature dependence. We also calculated the thermodynamic and kinetic behaviors for reactions at the M06-2X/6-311++G**//M06-2X/6-31+G** level of theory over a wider temperature range of 238-358 K that encompasses temperatures in the troposphere. The calculated Arrhenius activation energies range from -2.71 to -1.64 kcal·mol(-1), also exhibiting weak temperature dependence. The measured k values were approximately an order of magnitude higher than the theoretical values but have the same trend with increasing size of the siloxane ring. The calculated energy barriers for H-atom abstraction at different positions were similar, which provides theoretical support for extrapolating k for other cyclic siloxanes from the number of abstractable hydrogens.

  20. Broadband near-field infrared spectroscopy with a high temperature plasma light source.

    PubMed

    Lahneman, D J; Huffman, T J; Xu, Peng; Wang, S L; Grogan, T; Qazilbash, M M

    2017-08-21

    Scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (S-SNOM) has enormous potential as a spectroscopy tool in the infrared spectral range where it can probe phonon resonances and carrier dynamics at the nanometer lengths scales. However, its applicability is limited by the lack of practical and affordable table-top light sources emitting intense broadband infrared radiation in the 100 cm -1 to 2,500 cm -1 spectral range. This paper introduces a high temperature plasma light source that is both ultra-broadband and has much more radiant power in the infrared spectral range than conventional, table-top thermal light sources such as the globar. We implement this plasma lamp in our near-field optical spectroscopy set up and demonstrate its capability as a broadband infrared nano-spectroscopy light source by obtaining near-field infrared amplitude and phase spectra of the phonon resonances of SiO 2 and SrTiO 3 .

  1. Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect of HoCo3B2 compound

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zheng, X. Q.; Xu, J. W.; Zhang, H.; Zhang, J. Y.; Wang, S. G.; Zhang, Y.; Xu, Z. Y.; Wang, L. C.; Shen, B. G.

    2018-05-01

    A sample of HoCo3B2 compound was synthesized, and the magnetic and MCE properties were investigated. Compound shows a change corresponding to R-R (R = rare earth) sublattice magnetic order transition and the transition temperature is determined to be 11.8 K (TC). The characteristic of Arrott plots with positive slope around TC was observed, indicating a second-order phase transition. Based on isothermal magnetization data, together with Maxwell's relationship, the magnetic entropy change (-ΔSM) was calculated. The maximum -ΔSM reaches 7.8, 12.7 and 14.4 J/kg K for field range of 0-2 T, 0-5 T and 0-7 T, respectively. Accordingly, the value of RC (refrigerant capacity) is 99, 289 and 432 J/kg for above field ranges. The large MCE of HoCo3B2 compound indicates its potential application for magnetic refrigeration in low temperature range.

  2. Structural and Electromagnetic Properties of Ni-Mn-Ga Thin Films Deposited on Si Substrates

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pereira, M. J.; Lourenço, A. A. C. S.; Amaral, V. S.

    2014-07-01

    Ni2MnGa thin films raise great interest due to their properties, which provide them with strong potential for technological applications. Ni2MnGa thin films were prepared by r.f. sputtering deposition on Si substrates at low temperature (400 ºC). Film thicknesses in the range 10-120 nm were obtained. A study of the structural, magnetic and electrical properties of the films is presented. We find that the deposited films show some degree of crystallinity, with coexisting cubic and tetragonal structural phases, the first one being preponderant over the latter, particularly in the thinner films. The films possess soft magnetic properties and their coercivity is thickness dependent in the range 15-200 Oe at 300K. Electrical resistivity measurements signal the structural transition and suggest the occurrence of avalanche and return-point memory effects, in temperature cycling through the magnetic/structural transition range.

  3. Infinite charge mobility in muscovite at 300 K

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Russell, F. Michael; Archilla, Juan F. R.; Frutos, Fabian; Medina-Carrasco, Santiago

    2017-11-01

    Evidence is presented for infinite charge mobility in natural crystals of muscovite mica at room temperature. Muscovite has a basic layered structure containing a flat monatomic sheet of potassium sandwiched between mirror silicate layers. It is an excellent electrical insulator. Studies of defects in muscovite crystals indicated that positive charge could propagate over great distances along atomic chains in the potassium sheets in the absence of an applied electric potential. The charge moved in association with anharmonic lattice excitations that moved at about sonic speed and created by nuclear recoil of the radioactive isotope 40K. This was verified by measuring currents passing through crystals when irradiated with energetic alpha particles at room temperature. The charge propagated more than 1000 times the range of the alpha particles of average energy and 250 times the range of channelling particles of maximum energy. The range is limited only by size of the crystal.

  4. High Temperature Piezoelectric Drill

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bao, Xiaoqi; Bar-Cohen, Yoseph; Sherrit, Stewart; Badescu, Mircea; Shrout, Tom

    2012-01-01

    Venus is one of the planets in the solar systems that are considered for potential future exploration missions. It has extreme environment where the average temperature is 460 deg C and its ambient pressure is about 90 atm. Since the existing actuation technology cannot maintain functionality under the harsh conditions of Venus, it is a challenge to perform sampling and other tasks that require the use of moving parts. Specifically, the currently available electromagnetic actuators are limited in their ability to produce sufficiently high stroke, torque, or force. In contrast, advances in developing electro-mechanical materials (such as piezoelectric and electrostrictive) have enabled potential actuation capabilities that can be used to support such missions. Taking advantage of these materials, we developed a piezoelectric actuated drill that operates at the temperature range up to 500 deg C and the mechanism is based on the Ultrasonic/Sonic Drill/Corer (USDC) configuration. The detailed results of our study are presented in this paper

  5. Conserved charge fluctuations at vanishing and non-vanishing chemical potential

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Karsch, Frithjof

    2017-11-01

    Up to 6th order cumulants of fluctuations of net baryon-number, net electric charge and net strangeness as well as correlations among these conserved charge fluctuations are now being calculated in lattice QCD. These cumulants provide a wealth of information on the properties of strong-interaction matter in the transition region from the low temperature hadronic phase to the quark-gluon plasma phase. They can be used to quantify deviations from hadron resonance gas (HRG) model calculations which frequently are used to determine thermal conditions realized in heavy ion collision experiments. Already some second order cumulants like the correlations between net baryon-number and net strangeness or net electric charge differ significantly at temperatures above 155 MeV in QCD and HRG model calculations. We show that these differences increase at non-zero baryon chemical potential constraining the applicability range of HRG model calculations to even smaller values of the temperature.

  6. Origin of colossal dielectric response in (In + Nb) co-doped TiO2 rutile ceramics: a potential electrothermal material.

    PubMed

    Ke, Shanming; Li, Tao; Ye, Mao; Lin, Peng; Yuan, Wenxiang; Zeng, Xierong; Chen, Lang; Huang, Haitao

    2017-08-31

    (In + Nb) co-doped TiO 2 (TINO) rutile is an emerging material with a colossal dielectric permittivity (CP) and a low dielectric loss over wide temperature and frequency ranges. The electrical inhomogeneous nature of TINO ceramics is demonstrated by direct local current probing with high-resolution conductive atomic force microscopy (cAFM). The CP response in TINO is found to originate from the electron-pinned defect dipole induced conductive cluster effect and the electrode effect. Two types of dielectric relaxations are simultaneously observed due to these two effects. With the given synthesis condition, we found TINO shows a highly leaky feature that impairs its application as a dielectric material. However, the fast-temperature-rising phenomenon found in this work may open a new door for TINO to be applied as a potential electrothermal material with high efficiency, oxidation-proof, high temperature stability, and energy saving.

  7. Modeling energetic and theoretical costs of thermoregulatory strategy.

    PubMed

    Alford, John G; Lutterschmidt, William I

    2012-01-01

    Poikilothermic ectotherms have evolved behaviours that help them maintain or regulate their body temperature (T (b)) around a preferred or 'set point' temperature (T (set)). Thermoregulatory behaviors may range from body positioning to optimize heat gain to shuttling among preferred microhabitats to find appropriate environmental temperatures. We have modelled movement patterns between an active and non-active shuttling behaviour within a habitat (as a biased random walk) to investigate the potential cost of two thermoregulatory strategies. Generally, small-bodied ectotherms actively thermoregulate while large-bodied ectotherms may passively thermoconform to their environment. We were interested in the potential energetic cost for a large-bodied ectotherm if it were forced to actively thermoregulate rather than thermoconform. We therefore modelled movements and the resulting and comparative energetic costs in precisely maintaining a T (set) for a small-bodied versus large-bodied ectotherm to study and evaluate the thermoregulatory strategy.

  8. Dynamics of a molecular glass former: Energy landscapes for diffusion in ortho-terphenyl

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Niblett, S. P.; de Souza, V. K.; Stevenson, J. D.; Wales, D. J.

    2016-07-01

    Relaxation times and transport processes of many glass-forming supercooled liquids exhibit a super-Arrhenius temperature dependence. We examine this phenomenon by computer simulation of the Lewis-Wahnström model for ortho-terphenyl. We propose a microscopic definition for a single-molecule cage-breaking transition and show that, when correlation behaviour is taken into account, these rearrangements are sufficient to reproduce the correct translational diffusion constants over an intermediate temperature range in the supercooled regime. We show that super-Arrhenius behaviour can be attributed to increasing negative correlation in particle movement at lower temperatures and relate this to the cage-breaking description. Finally, we sample the potential energy landscape of the model and show that it displays hierarchical ordering. Substructures in the landscape, which may correspond to metabasins, have boundaries defined by cage-breaking transitions. The cage-breaking formulation provides a direct link between the potential energy landscape and macroscopic diffusion behaviour.

  9. Condensate statistics and thermodynamics of weakly interacting Bose gas: Recursion relation approach

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dorfman, K. E.; Kim, M.; Svidzinsky, A. A.

    2011-03-01

    We study condensate statistics and thermodynamics of weakly interacting Bose gas with a fixed total number N of particles in a cubic box. We find the exact recursion relation for the canonical ensemble partition function. Using this relation, we calculate the distribution function of condensate particles for N=200. We also calculate the distribution function based on multinomial expansion of the characteristic function. Similar to the ideal gas, both approaches give exact statistical moments for all temperatures in the framework of Bogoliubov model. We compare them with the results of unconstraint canonical ensemble quasiparticle formalism and the hybrid master equation approach. The present recursion relation can be used for any external potential and boundary conditions. We investigate the temperature dependence of the first few statistical moments of condensate fluctuations as well as thermodynamic potentials and heat capacity analytically and numerically in the whole temperature range.

  10. Volcanic ash melting under conditions relevant to ash turbine interactions.

    PubMed

    Song, Wenjia; Lavallée, Yan; Hess, Kai-Uwe; Kueppers, Ulrich; Cimarelli, Corrado; Dingwell, Donald B

    2016-03-02

    The ingestion of volcanic ash by jet engines is widely recognized as a potentially fatal hazard for aircraft operation. The high temperatures (1,200-2,000 °C) typical of jet engines exacerbate the impact of ash by provoking its melting and sticking to turbine parts. Estimation of this potential hazard is complicated by the fact that chemical composition, which affects the temperature at which volcanic ash becomes liquid, can vary widely amongst volcanoes. Here, based on experiments, we parameterize ash behaviour and develop a model to predict melting and sticking conditions for its global compositional range. The results of our experiments confirm that the common use of sand or dust proxy is wholly inadequate for the prediction of the behaviour of volcanic ash, leading to overestimates of sticking temperature and thus severe underestimates of the thermal hazard. Our model can be used to assess the deposition probability of volcanic ash in jet engines.

  11. Fiber temperature sensor with nanostructured cladding by TiO2 nanoparticles self-assembled onto a side polished optical fiber

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yang, Bing; Chen, Zhe; Wang, Yiting; Zhang, Jun; Liao, Guozhen; Tian, Zhengwen; Yu, Jianhui; Tang, Jieyuan; Luo, Yunhan; Lu, Huihui

    2015-07-01

    A temperature fiber sensor with nanostructured cladding composed ted by titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles was demonstrated. The nanoparticles self-assembled onto a side polished optical fiber (SPF). The enhancement of interaction between the propagating light and the TiO2 nanoparticles (TN) can be obtained via strong evanescent field of the SPF. The strong light-TN interaction gives rise to temperature sensing with a optical power variation of ~4dB in SPF experimentally for an environment temperature ranging from -7.8°C to 77.6°C. The novel temperature sensor shows a sensitivity of ~0.044 dB/°C. The TN-based fiber-optic temperature sensor is facile to manufactured, compatible with fiber-optic interconnections and high potential in photonics applications.

  12. Shape Memory Alloys for Monitoring Minor Over-Heating/Cooling Based on the Temperature Memory Effect via Differential Scanning Calorimetry: A Review of Recent Progress

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, T. X.; Huang, W. M.

    2017-12-01

    The recent development in the temperature memory effect (TME) via differential scanning calorimetry in shape memory alloys is briefly discussed. This phenomenon was also called the thermal arrest memory effect in the literature. However, these names do not explicitly reveal the potential application of this phenomenon in temperature monitoring. On the other hand, the standard testing process of the TME has great limitation. Hence, it cannot be directly applied for temperature monitoring in most of the real engineering applications in which temperature fluctuation occurs mostly in a random manner within a certain range. However, as shown here, after proper modification, we are able to monitor the maximum or minimum temperature in either over-heating or over-cooling with reasonable accuracy.

  13. Fluorescence measurement of diode (805 nm) laser-induced release of 5,6-CF from DSPC liposomes for monitoring of temperature: an in vivo study in rat liver using indocyanine green potentiation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mordon, Serge R.; Desmettre, Thomas; Devoisselle, Jean-Marie; Soulie-Begu, Sylvie

    1995-05-01

    This in-vivo study examines the validity of fluorescence measurement of laser-induced release of temperature sensitive liposome-encapsulated dye for monitoring of temperature and prediction of tissue thermal damage. It is performed in rat liver after i.v. injection of liposomes loaded with a fluorescent dye and i.v. injection of Indocyanine Green (ICG) for diode laser potentiation. Temperature sensitive liposomes (DSPC: Di- Stearoyl-Phosphatidyl-Choline) are loaded with 5,6-Carboxyfluorescein (5,6-CF). These liposomes (1.5 ml solution) and ICG (1.5 ml solution-5 mg/kg) are injected to adult male wistar rats. Two hours later, the liver is exposed and irradiated with a 0.8 W diode laser using pulses lasting from 1 s to 6 s (fluence ranging from 16 to 98 J/cm+2)). Simultaneously, the fluorescence emission is measured with a fluorescent imaging system. Results show that the fluorescence intensity increases linearly form 18 J/cm2 up to 75 J/cm2. These fluences correspond to surface temperatures between 42°C to 64°C. The measurements appear to be highly reproducible. In this temperature range, the accuracy is +/- 3°C. The maximum intensity is observed immediately after the laser is switched off and a decrease of the fluorescence intensity is observed (27% in 20 minutes) due to the 5.6-CF clearance. However, the ratio (IF/Ibck) remains almost stable over this period of time and the determination of the temperature is still possible with a good accuracy even 20 minutes after laser irradiation. In conclusion, temperature monitoring by using fluorescence measurement of laser-induced release of liposome-encapsulated dye is clearly demonstrated. This procedure could conceivably prove useful for controlling the thermal coagulation of biological tissues.

  14. Influence of Hofmeister ions on the structure of proline-based peptide models: A combined experimental and molecular modeling study

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

    Brohl, Andreas; Albrecht, Benjamin; Zhang, Yong

    Here, the influence of three sodium salts, covering a wide range of the Hofmeister series, on the conformation of three proline-based peptide models in aqueous solution is examined using a combination of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations. The anions preferentially interact with the cis conformers of the peptide models, which is rationalized by the respective electrostatic potential surfaces. These preferred interactions have a strong impact on the thermodynamics of the cis/trans equilibria, leading to a higher population of the cis conformers. In distinct cases, these equilibria are nearly independent of temperature, showing that the salts are alsomore » able to stabilize the conformers over wide temperature ranges.« less

  15. Influence of Hofmeister Ions on the Structure of Proline-Based Peptide Models: A Combined Experimental and Molecular Modeling Study.

    PubMed

    Bröhl, Andreas; Albrecht, Benjamin; Zhang, Yong; Maginn, Edward; Giernoth, Ralf

    2017-03-09

    The influence of three sodium salts, covering a wide range of the Hofmeister series, on the conformation of three proline-based peptide models in aqueous solution is examined using a combination of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations. The anions preferentially interact with the cis conformers of the peptide models, which is rationalized by the respective electrostatic potential surfaces. These preferred interactions have a strong impact on the thermodynamics of the cis/trans equilibria, leading to a higher population of the cis conformers. In distinct cases, these equilibria are nearly independent of temperature, showing that the salts are also able to stabilize the conformers over wide temperature ranges.

  16. Influence of Hofmeister ions on the structure of proline-based peptide models: A combined experimental and molecular modeling study

    DOE PAGES

    Brohl, Andreas; Albrecht, Benjamin; Zhang, Yong; ...

    2017-02-13

    Here, the influence of three sodium salts, covering a wide range of the Hofmeister series, on the conformation of three proline-based peptide models in aqueous solution is examined using a combination of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations. The anions preferentially interact with the cis conformers of the peptide models, which is rationalized by the respective electrostatic potential surfaces. These preferred interactions have a strong impact on the thermodynamics of the cis/trans equilibria, leading to a higher population of the cis conformers. In distinct cases, these equilibria are nearly independent of temperature, showing that the salts are alsomore » able to stabilize the conformers over wide temperature ranges.« less

  17. Effects of ocean warming and acidification on fertilization in the Antarctic echinoid Sterechinus neumayeri across a range of sperm concentrations.

    PubMed

    Ho, M A; Price, C; King, C K; Virtue, P; Byrne, M

    2013-09-01

    The gametes of marine invertebrates are being spawned into an ocean that is simultaneously warming and decreasing in pH. Predicting the potential for interactive effects of these stressors on fertilization is difficult, especially for stenothermal polar invertebrates adapted to fertilization in cold, viscous water and, when decreased sperm availability may be an additional stressor. The impact of increased temperature (2-4 °C above ambient) and decreased pH (0.2-0.4 pH units below ambient) on fertilization in the Antarctic echinoid Sterechinus neumayeri across a range of sperm concentrations was investigated in cross-factorial experiments in context with near future ocean change projections. The high temperature treatment (+4 °C) was also used to assess thermal tolerance. Gametes from multiple males and females in replicate experiments were used to reflect the multiple spawner scenario in nature. For fertilization at low sperm density we tested three hypotheses, 1) increased temperature enhances fertilization success, 2) low pH reduces fertilization and, 3) due to the cold stenothermal physiology of S. neumayeri, temperature would be the more significant stressor. Temperature and sperm levels had a significant effect on fertilization, but decreased pH did not affect fertilization. Warming enhanced fertilization at the lowest sperm concentration tested likely through stimulation of sperm motility and reduced water viscosity. Our results indicate that fertilization in S. neumayeri, even at low sperm levels potentially found in nature, is resilient to near-future ocean warming and acidification. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  18. Impact of Fast Charging on Life of EV Batteries; NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

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

    Neubauer, Jeremy; Wood, Eric; Burton, Evan

    Installation of fast charging infrastructure is considered by many as one of potential solutions to increase the utility and range of electric vehicles (EVs). This is expected to reduce the range anxiety of drivers of EVs and thus increase their market penetration. Level 1 and 2 charging in homes and workplaces is expected to contribute to the majority of miles driven by EVs. However, a small percentage of urban driving and most of inter-city driving could be only achieved by a fast-charging network. DC fast charging at 50 kW, 100 kW, 120 kW compared to level 1 (3.3 kW) andmore » level 2 (6.6 kW) results in high-current charging that can adversely impact the life of the battery. In the last couple of years, we have investigated the impact of higher current rates in batteries and potential of higher temperatures and thus lower service life. Using mathematical models, we investigated the temperature increase of batteries due to higher heat generation during fast charge and have found that this could lead to higher temperatures. We compared our models with data from other national laboratories both for fine-tuning and calibration. We found that the incremental temperature rise of batteries during 1C to 3C fast charging may reduce the practical life of the batteries by less than 10% over 10 to 15 years of vehicle ownership. We also found that thermal management of batteries is needed for fast charging to prevent high temperature excursions leading to unsafe conditions.« less

  19. Investigating factors affecting the body temperature of dogs competing in cross country (canicross) races in the UK.

    PubMed

    Carter, Anne J; Hall, Emily J

    2018-02-01

    Increasing numbers of people are running with their dogs, particularly in harness through the sport canicross. Whilst canicross races are typically held in the winter months, some human centred events are encouraging running with dogs in summer months, potentially putting dogs at risk of heat related injuries, including heatstroke. The aim of this project was to investigate the effects of ambient conditions and running speed on post-race temperature of canicross dogs in the UK, and investigate the potential risk of heatstroke to canicross racing dogs. The effects of canine characteristics (e.g. gender, coat colour) were explored in order to identify factors that could increase the risk of exercise-induced hyperthermia (defined as body temperature exceeding the upper normal limit of 38.8°C).108 dogs were recruited from 10 race days, where ambient conditions ranged from - 5 to 11°C measured as universal thermal comfort index (UTCI). 281 post race tympanic membrane temperatures were recorded, ranging from 37.0-42.5°C. There was a weak correlation between speed and post-race temperature (r = 0.269, P < 0.001). Whilst no correlation between any single environmental factor or UTCI and post-race temperature was found, the proportion of dogs developing exercise-induced hyperthermia during the race increased with UTCI (r = 0.688, P = 0.028). Male dogs (χ(1) = 18.286, P < 0.001), and dark coated dogs (χ(2) = 8.234, P = 0.014), were significantly more likely to finish the race with a temperature exceeding 40.6°C. Prolonged elevati°n of body temperature above this temperature is likely to cause heatstroke. At every race dogs exceeded this critical temperature, with 10.7% (n = 30) of the overall study population exceeding this temperature throughout the study period. The results suggest male dogs, dark coloured dogs, and increased speed of running all increase the risk of heatstroke in racing canicross dogs. Further research is required to investigate the impact of environmental conditions on post-race cooling, to better understand safe running conditions for dogs. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  20. Experimental measurements of thermoelectric and electrochemical potentials in sandstones saturated with NaCl electrolyte

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Leinov, E.; Jackson, M.

    2013-12-01

    Measurements of the self-potential (SP) have been used to characterize subsurface flow in numerous settings, including volcanoes, earthquake zones, and geothermal fields. Thermoelectric (TE) and electrochemical (EC) potentials contribute to the measured SP if gradients in temperature and/or concentration are present, yet few experimental measurements of EC and TE potentials in natural porous media have been reported. Each is the sum of a diffusion and exclusion potential: the former arises when ions of contrasting mobility migrate at different rates down a temperature or concentration gradient; the latter arises when there is a temperature or concentration gradient across an electrically charged porous medium in which co-ions of the same polarity have been excluded from the pore-space. Here we report measurements of the SP arising from temperature or concentration gradients across clean (clay-free) sandstone samples saturated with NaCl electrolyte over the salinity range 5x10-5 to 1M. Electrical potentials are measured using non-polarizing Ag/AgCl electrodes, and temperature or salinity gradients are induced by placing the saturated samples in contact with electrolyte reservoirs of contrasting temperature or concentration. Our experimental methodology accounts for the temperature- and concentration-dependent electrode response. We find that the TE potential responds linearly to the applied temperature difference, allowing a TE potential coupling coefficient to be determined; the value of this decreases as the electrolyte concentration increases, from +0.056mV/K at 10-4 M to -0.126mV/K at 1M. The EC potential increases as the concentration ratio increases, from a minimum of 1.8mV at a salinity ratio of 1.13, to a maximum of 24.8mV at salinity ratio of 102, before decreasing to 19.5mV at salinity ratio of 103. In both cases, at high values of concentration (>0.01M) the measured potential is diffusion dominated, while at lower concentration the exclusion potential is evident. Moreover, the contribution of the exclusion potential increases as the permeability of the rock samples decreases. Our results demonstrate that the relative contribution of exclusion and diffusion potentials, expressed in terms of the macroscopic Hittorf transport number, is the same regardless of whether ion transport is in response to temperature or concentration gradients. Hence, it is possible to predict the contribution of TE potentials from EC potential measurements, and vice-versa. Moreover, it is often not valid to ignore the contribution of exclusion potentials, as has been assumed in previous studies; the relative contribution of exclusion and diffusion potentials depends upon the surface charge, the mobility contrast between the co- and counter ions, and the thickness of the electrical double layer relative to the pore-radius, and is predicted reasonably well by the simple model of Westermann-Clark and Christoforou [1986]. Finally, EC and TE potentials may be large in magnitude and make a significant contribution to the measured SP in many natural settings. Westermann-Clark, G.B. and C.C. Christoforou, (1986), The exclusion-diffusion potential in charged porous membranes, J. Electroanal. Chem. 198, 213-231.

  1. Field emitter displays for future avionics applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jones, Susan K.; Jones, Gary W.; Zimmerman, Steven M.; Blazejewski, Edward R.

    1995-06-01

    Field emitter array-based display technology offers CRT-like characteristics in a thin flat-panel display with many potential applications for vehicle-mounted, crew workstation, and helmet-mounted displays, as well as many other military and commercial applications. In addition to thinness, high brightness, wide viewing angle, wide temperature range, and low weight, field emitter array displays also offer potential advantages such as row-at-a-time matrix addressability and the ability to be segmented.

  2. Demonstration of temperature imaging by H₂O absorption spectroscopy using compressed sensing tomography.

    PubMed

    An, Xinliang; Brittelle, Mack S; Lauzier, Pascal T; Gord, James R; Roy, Sukesh; Chen, Guang-Hong; Sanders, Scott T

    2015-11-01

    This paper introduces temperature imaging by total-variation-based compressed sensing (CS) tomography of H2O vapor absorption spectroscopy. A controlled laboratory setup is used to generate a constant two-dimensional temperature distribution in air (a roughly Gaussian temperature profile with a central temperature of 677 K). A wavelength-tunable laser beam is directed through the known distribution; the beam is translated and rotated using motorized stages to acquire complete absorption spectra in the 1330-1365 nm range at each of 64 beam locations and 60 view angles. Temperature reconstructions are compared to independent thermocouple measurements. Although the distribution studied is approximately axisymmetric, axisymmetry is not assumed and simulations show similar performance for arbitrary temperature distributions. We study the measurement error as a function of number of beams and view angles used in reconstruction to gauge the potential for application of CS in practical test articles where optical access is limited.

  3. Structural characterization of high temperature composites

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mandell, J. F.; Grande, D. H.

    1991-01-01

    Glass, ceramic, and carbon matrix composite materials have emerged in recent years with potential properties and temperature resistance which make them attractive for high temperature applications such as gas turbine engines. At the outset of this study, only flexural tests were available to evaluate brittle matrix composites at temperatures in the 600 to 1000 C range. The results are described of an ongoing effort to develop appropriate tensile, compression, and shear test methods for high temperature use. A tensile test for unidirectional composites was developed and used to evaluate the properties and behavior of ceramic fiber reinforced glass and glass-ceramic matrix composites in air at temperatures up to 1000 C. The results indicate generally efficient fiber reinforcement and tolerance to matrix cracking similar to polymer matrix composites. Limiting properties in these materials may be an inherently very low transverse strain to failure, and high temperature embrittlement due to fiber/matrix interface oxidation.

  4. Advances in processing of NiAl intermetallic alloys and composites for high temperature aerospace applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bochenek, Kamil; Basista, Michal

    2015-11-01

    Over the last few decades intermetallic compounds such as NiAl have been considered as potential high temperature structural materials for aerospace industry. A large number of investigations have been reported describing complex fabrication routes, introducing various reinforcing/alloying elements along with theoretical analyses. These research works were mainly focused on the overcoming of main disadvantage of nickel aluminides that still restricts their application range, i.e. brittleness at room temperature. In this paper we present an overview of research on NiAl processing and indicate methods that are promising in solving the low fracture toughness issue at room temperature. Other material properties relevant for high temperature applications are also addressed. The analysis is primarily done from the perspective of NiAl application in aero engines in temperature regimes from room up to the operating temperature (over 1150 °C) of turbine blades.

  5. Molecular dynamics study about the effect of substrate temperature on a-Si:H structure

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Luo, Yaorong; Gong, Hongyong; Zhou, Naigen; Huang, Haibin; Zhou, Lang

    2018-01-01

    Molecular dynamics simulation of the microstructure of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) thin film with different substrate temperatures has been performed based on the Tersoff potential. The results showed that: the silicon thin film maintained amorphous structure in the substrate temperature range from 200 to 1000 K; high substrate temperature could smooth the surface. The first neighbour Voronoi polyhedron was dominated by the tetrahedron. When the substrate temperature increased, the content of tetrahedrons increased due to the transition from pentahedrons and hexahedrons to tetrahedrons. The change of the second neighbour Voronoi polyhedron could be classified into two cases: one case with low medium coordination number decreased as temperature increased, while the other one with high medium coordination number showed an opposite change tendency. It indicated that the local paracrystalline structure arrangement of the second neighbour atoms had been enhanced as substrate temperature rose.

  6. Prediction of human core body temperature using non-invasive measurement methods.

    PubMed

    Niedermann, Reto; Wyss, Eva; Annaheim, Simon; Psikuta, Agnes; Davey, Sarah; Rossi, René Michel

    2014-01-01

    The measurement of core body temperature is an efficient method for monitoring heat stress amongst workers in hot conditions. However, invasive measurement of core body temperature (e.g. rectal, intestinal, oesophageal temperature) is impractical for such applications. Therefore, the aim of this study was to define relevant non-invasive measures to predict core body temperature under various conditions. We conducted two human subject studies with different experimental protocols, different environmental temperatures (10 °C, 30 °C) and different subjects. In both studies the same non-invasive measurement methods (skin temperature, skin heat flux, heart rate) were applied. A principle component analysis was conducted to extract independent factors, which were then used in a linear regression model. We identified six parameters (three skin temperatures, two skin heat fluxes and heart rate), which were included for the calculation of two factors. The predictive value of these factors for core body temperature was evaluated by a multiple regression analysis. The calculated root mean square deviation (rmsd) was in the range from 0.28 °C to 0.34 °C for all environmental conditions. These errors are similar to previous models using non-invasive measures to predict core body temperature. The results from this study illustrate that multiple physiological parameters (e.g. skin temperature and skin heat fluxes) are needed to predict core body temperature. In addition, the physiological measurements chosen in this study and the algorithm defined in this work are potentially applicable as real-time core body temperature monitoring to assess health risk in broad range of working conditions.

  7. Proposal for Universality in the Viscosity of Metallic Liquids

    DOE PAGES

    Blodgett, M. E.; Egami, Takeshi; Nussinov, Z.; ...

    2015-09-09

    The range of magnitude of the liquid viscosity, η, as a function of temperature is one of the most impressive of any physical property, changing by approximately 17 orders of magnitude from its extrapolated value at infinite temperature (η o) to that at the glass transition temperature, T g. We present experimental measurements of containerlessly processed metallic liquids that suggest that log(η/η o) as a function of T A/T is a potentially universal scaled curve. In stark contrast to previous approaches, the scaling requires only two fitting parameters, which are on average predictable. The temperature T A corresponds to themore » onset of cooperative motion and is strongly correlated with T g, suggesting that the processes underlying the glass transition first appear in the high temperature liquid.« less

  8. Estimation of stream temperature in support of fish production modeling under future climates in the Klamath River Basin

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Flint, Lorraine E.; Flint, Alan L.

    2012-01-01

    Stream temperature estimates under future climatic conditions were needed in support of fish production modeling for evaluation of effects of dam removal in the Klamath River Basin. To allow for the persistence of the Klamath River salmon fishery, an upcoming Secretarial Determination in 2012 will review potential changes in water quality and stream temperature to assess alternative scenarios, including dam removal. Daily stream temperature models were developed by using a regression model approach with simulated net solar radiation, vapor density deficit calculated on the basis of air temperature, and mean daily air temperature. Models were calibrated for 6 streams in the Lower, and 18 streams in the Upper, Klamath Basin by using measured stream temperatures for 1999-2008. The standard error of the y-estimate for the estimation of stream temperature for the 24 streams ranged from 0.36 to 1.64°C, with an average error of 1.12°C for all streams. The regression models were then used with projected air temperatures to estimate future stream temperatures for 2010-99. Although the mean change from the baseline historical period of 1950-99 to the projected future period of 2070-99 is only 1.2°C, it ranges from 3.4°C for the Shasta River to no change for Fall Creek and Trout Creek. Variability is also evident in the future with a mean change in temperature for all streams from the baseline period to the projected period of 2070-99 of only 1°C, while the range in stream temperature change is from 0 to 2.1°C. The baseline period, 1950-99, to which the air temperature projections were corrected, established the starting point for the projected changes in air temperature. The average measured daily air temperature for the calibration period 1999-2008, however, was found to be as much as 2.3°C higher than baseline for some rivers, indicating that warming conditions have already occurred in many areas of the Klamath River Basin, and that the stream temperature projections for the 21st century could be underestimating the actual change.

  9. Spring leaf phenology and the diurnal temperature range in a temperate maple forest.

    PubMed

    Hanes, Jonathan M

    2014-03-01

    Spring leaf phenology in temperate climates is intricately related to numerous aspects of the lower atmosphere [e.g., surface energy balance, carbon flux, humidity, the diurnal temperature range (DTR)]. To further develop and improve the accuracy of ecosystem and climate models, additional investigations of the specific nature of the relationships between spring leaf phenology and various ecosystem and climate processes are required in different environments. This study used visual observations of maple leaf phenology, below-canopy light intensities, and micrometeorological data collected during the spring seasons of 2008, 2009, and 2010 to examine the potential influence of leaf phenology on a seasonal transition in the trend of the DTR. The timing of a reversal in the DTR trend occurred near the time when the leaves were unfolding and expanding. The results suggest that the spring decline in the DTR can be attributed primarily to the effect of canopy closure on daily maximum temperature. These findings improve our understanding of the relationship between leaf phenology and the diurnal temperature range in temperate maple forests during the spring. They also demonstrate the necessity of incorporating accurate phenological data into ecosystem and climate models and warrant a careful examination of the extent to which canopy phenology is currently incorporated into existing models.

  10. Clues to understanding cold sensation: Thermodynamics and electrophysiological analysis of the cold receptor TRPM8

    PubMed Central

    Brauchi, Sebastian; Orio, Patricio; Latorre, Ramon

    2004-01-01

    The cold and menthol receptor, TRPM8, also designated CMR1, is a member of the transient receptor potential (TRP) family of excitatory ion channels. TRPM8 is a channel activated by cold temperatures, voltage, and menthol. In this study, we characterize the cold- and voltage-induced activation of TRPM8 channel in an attempt to identify the temperature- and voltage-dependent components involved in channel activation. Under equilibrium conditions, decreasing temperature has two effects. (i) It shifts the normalized conductance vs. voltage curves toward the left, along the voltage axis. This effect indicates that the degree of order is higher when the channel is in the open configuration. (ii) It increases the maximum channel open probability, suggesting that temperature affects both voltage-dependent and -independent pathways. In the temperature range between 18°C and 25°C, large changes in enthalpy (ΔH = -112 kcal/mol) and entropy (ΔS = -384 cal/mol K) accompany the activation process. The Q10 calculated in the same temperature range is 24. This thermodynamic analysis strongly suggests that the process of opening involves large conformational changes of the channel-forming protein. Therefore, the highly temperature-dependent transition between open and closed configurations is possible because enthalpy and entropy are both large and compensate each other. Our data also demonstrate that temperature and voltage interact allosterically to enhance channel opening. PMID:15492228

  11. Effect of temperature on photosynthesis and growth in marine Synechococcus spp.

    PubMed

    Mackey, Katherine R M; Paytan, Adina; Caldeira, Ken; Grossman, Arthur R; Moran, Dawn; McIlvin, Matthew; Saito, Mak A

    2013-10-01

    In this study, we develop a mechanistic understanding of how temperature affects growth and photosynthesis in 10 geographically and physiologically diverse strains of Synechococcus spp. We found that Synechococcus spp. are able to regulate photochemistry over a range of temperatures by using state transitions and altering the abundance of photosynthetic proteins. These strategies minimize photosystem II (PSII) photodamage by keeping the photosynthetic electron transport chain (ETC), and hence PSII reaction centers, more oxidized. At temperatures that approach the optimal growth temperature of each strain when cellular demand for reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) is greatest, the phycobilisome (PBS) antenna associates with PSII, increasing the flux of electrons into the ETC. By contrast, under low temperature, when slow growth lowers the demand for NADPH and linear ETC declines, the PBS associates with photosystem I. This favors oxidation of PSII and potential increase in cyclic electron flow. For Synechococcus sp. WH8102, growth at higher temperatures led to an increase in the abundance of PBS pigment proteins, as well as higher abundance of subunits of the PSII, photosystem I, and cytochrome b6f complexes. This would allow cells to increase photosynthetic electron flux to meet the metabolic requirement for NADPH during rapid growth. These PBS-based temperature acclimation strategies may underlie the larger geographic range of this group relative to Prochlorococcus spp., which lack a PBS.

  12. Modeling differential growth in switchgrass cultivars across the Central and Southern Great Plains

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) has been recognized as a potential biofuel crop, because it is adapted to a wide range of environmental and climatic conditions. Zones of adaptation for many switchgrass cultivars are well documented and attributed to local adaptation to the temperature and photope...

  13. Potential for adaptation to climate change in a coral reef fish.

    PubMed

    Munday, Philip L; Donelson, Jennifer M; Domingos, Jose A

    2017-01-01

    Predicting the impacts of climate change requires knowledge of the potential to adapt to rising temperatures, which is unknown for most species. Adaptive potential may be especially important in tropical species that have narrow thermal ranges and live close to their thermal optimum. We used the animal model to estimate heritability, genotype by environment interactions and nongenetic maternal components of phenotypic variation in fitness-related traits in the coral reef damselfish, Acanthochromis polyacanthus. Offspring of wild-caught breeding pairs were reared for two generations at current-day and two elevated temperature treatments (+1.5 and +3.0 °C) consistent with climate change projections. Length, weight, body condition and metabolic traits (resting and maximum metabolic rate and net aerobic scope) were measured at four stages of juvenile development. Additive genetic variation was low for length and weight at 0 and 15 days posthatching (dph), but increased significantly at 30 dph. By contrast, nongenetic maternal effects on length, weight and body condition were high at 0 and 15 dph and became weaker at 30 dph. Metabolic traits, including net aerobic scope, exhibited high heritability at 90 dph. Furthermore, significant genotype x environment interactions indicated potential for adaptation of maximum metabolic rate and net aerobic scope at higher temperatures. Net aerobic scope was negatively correlated with weight, indicating that any adaptation of metabolic traits at higher temperatures could be accompanied by a reduction in body size. Finally, estimated breeding values for metabolic traits in F2 offspring were significantly affected by the parental rearing environment. Breeding values at higher temperatures were highest for transgenerationally acclimated fish, suggesting a possible role for epigenetic mechanisms in adaptive responses of metabolic traits. These results indicate a high potential for adaptation of aerobic scope to higher temperatures, which could enable reef fish populations to maintain their performance as ocean temperatures rise. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  14. Indexing of exoplanets in search for potential habitability: application to Mars-like worlds

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kashyap Jagadeesh, Madhu; Gudennavar, Shivappa B.; Doshi, Urmi; Safonova, Margarita

    2017-08-01

    Study of exoplanets is one of the main goals of present research in planetary sciences and astrobiology. Analysis of huge planetary data from space missions such as CoRoT and Kepler is directed ultimately at finding a planet similar to Earth—the Earth's twin, and answering the question of potential exo-habitability. The Earth Similarity Index (ESI) is a first step in this quest, ranging from 1 (Earth) to 0 (totally dissimilar to Earth). It was defined for the four physical parameters of a planet: radius, density, escape velocity and surface temperature. The ESI is further sub-divided into interior ESI (geometrical mean of radius and density) and surface ESI (geometrical mean of escape velocity and surface temperature). The challenge here is to determine which exoplanet parameter(s) is important in finding this similarity; how exactly the individual parameters entering the interior ESI and surface ESI are contributing to the global ESI. Since the surface temperature entering surface ESI is a non-observable quantity, it is difficult to determine its value. Using the known data for the Solar System objects, we established the calibration relation between surface and equilibrium temperatures to devise an effective way to estimate the value of the surface temperature of exoplanets. ESI is a first step in determining potential exo-habitability that may not be very similar to a terrestrial life. A new approach, called Mars Similarity Index (MSI), is introduced to identify planets that may be habitable to the extreme forms of life. MSI is defined in the range between 1 (present Mars) and 0 (dissimilar to present Mars) and uses the same physical parameters as ESI. We are interested in Mars-like planets to search for planets that may host the extreme life forms, such as the ones living in extreme environments on Earth; for example, methane on Mars may be a product of the methane-specific extremophile life form metabolism.

  15. Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni effect on the hemolytic potential of Listeria monocytogenes.

    PubMed

    Sansano, S; Rivas, A; Pina-Pérez, M C; Martinez, A; Rodrigo, D

    2017-06-05

    The effect of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni on the hemolytic potential of Listeria monocytogenes was studied by means of the assessment of the Listeriolysin O (LLO) production. The three factors under study, stevia concentration in the range [0-2.5] % (w/v), incubation temperature (10 and 37°C), and exposure time (0-65h) significantly affected (p≤0.05) the hemolytic activity of L. monocytogenes. Results showed that at the lower incubation temperature the hemolytic potential of the bacterium was significantly reduced, from 100% at 37°C to 8% at 10°C (after 65h of incubation) in unsupplemented substrate (0% stevia). Irrespective of the temperature, 10 or 37°C, supplementation of the medium with stevia at 2.5 % (w/v) reduced the bacterium's hemolytic activity by a maximum of 100%. Furthermore, the time of exposure to 2.5 % (w/v) stevia concentration was also a significant factor reducing the hemolytic capability of L. monocytogenes. The possibility of reducing the pathogenic potential of L. monocytogenes (hemolysis) by exposure to stevia should be confirmed in real food matrices, opening a research niche with a valuable future impact on food safety. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  16. Induced smectic phase in binary mixtures of twist-bend nematogens.

    PubMed

    Knežević, Anamarija; Dokli, Irena; Sapunar, Marin; Šegota, Suzana; Baumeister, Ute; Lesac, Andreja

    2018-01-01

    The investigation of liquid crystal (LC) mixtures is of great interest in tailoring material properties for specific applications. The recent discovery of the twist-bend nematic phase (N TB ) has sparked great interest in the scientific community, not only from a fundamental viewpoint, but also due to its potential for innovative applications. Here we report on the unexpected phase behaviour of a binary mixture of twist-bend nematogens. A binary phase diagram for mixtures of imino-linked cyanobiphenyl (CBI) dimer and imino-linked benzoyloxy-benzylidene (BB) dimer shows two distinct domains. While mixtures containing less than 35 mol % of BB possess a wide temperature range twist-bend nematic phase, the mixtures containing 55-80 mol % of BB exhibit a smectic phase despite that both pure compounds display a Iso-N-N TB -Cr phase sequence. The phase diagram shows that the addition of BB of up to 30 mol % significantly extends the temperature range of the N TB phase, maintaining the temperature range of the nematic phase. The periodicity, obtained by atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging, is in the range of 6-7 nm. The induction of the smectic phase in the mixtures containing 55-80 mol % of BB was confirmed using polarising optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction. The origin of the intercalated smectic phase was unravelled by combined spectroscopic and computational methods and can be traced to conformational disorder of the terminal chains. These results show the importance of understanding the phase behaviour of binary mixtures, not only in targeting a wide temperature range but also in controlling the self-organizing processes.

  17. Decontamination of Explosives-Contaminated Range Scrap Using A Transportable Hot Gas Decontamination (HGD) System: Cost & Performance Report

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2007-01-01

    nonirritating, and a 9-micron diameter fiber nonrespirable, making handling safe and easy. • Basalt Mat, manufactured by BGF Industries (bgf.com). High...temperature mineral wool ( basalt fiber wool) mat blanket good to 1,500oF. Product is still under development as of 2002 but shows promise. 6.3...hazard to range technicians. • The Cerablanket® (manufactured by Thermal Ceramics) contains refractory ceramic fibers , which can potentially cause

  18. QCD equation of state with almost physical quark masses

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cheng, M.; Christ, N. H.; Datta, S.; van der Heide, J.; Jung, C.; Karsch, F.; Kaczmarek, O.; Laermann, E.; Mawhinney, R. D.; Miao, C.; Petreczky, P.; Petrov, K.; Schmidt, C.; Soeldner, W.; Umeda, T.

    2008-01-01

    We present results on the equation of state in QCD with two light quark flavors and a heavier strange quark. Calculations with improved staggered fermions have been performed on lattices with temporal extent Nτ=4 and 6 on a line of constant physics with almost physical quark mass values; the pion mass is about 220 MeV, and the strange quark mass is adjusted to its physical value. High statistics results on large lattices are obtained for bulk thermodynamic observables, i.e. pressure, energy and entropy density, at vanishing quark chemical potential for a wide range of temperatures, 140MeV≤T≤800MeV. We present a detailed discussion of finite cutoff effects which become particularly significant for temperatures larger than about twice the transition temperature. At these high temperatures we also performed calculations of the trace anomaly on lattices with temporal extent Nτ=8. Furthermore, we have performed an extensive analysis of zero temperature observables including the light and strange quark condensates and the static quark potential at zero temperature. These are used to set the temperature scale for thermodynamic observables and to calculate renormalized observables that are sensitive to deconfinement and chiral symmetry restoration and become order parameters in the infinite and zero quark mass limits, respectively.

  19. A temperature rise reduces trial-to-trial variability of locust auditory neuron responses.

    PubMed

    Eberhard, Monika J B; Schleimer, Jan-Hendrik; Schreiber, Susanne; Ronacher, Bernhard

    2015-09-01

    The neurophysiology of ectothermic animals, such as insects, is affected by environmental temperature, as their body temperature fluctuates with ambient conditions. Changes in temperature alter properties of neurons and, consequently, have an impact on the processing of information. Nevertheless, nervous system function is often maintained over a broad temperature range, exhibiting a surprising robustness to variations in temperature. A special problem arises for acoustically communicating insects, as in these animals mate recognition and mate localization typically rely on the decoding of fast amplitude modulations in calling and courtship songs. In the auditory periphery, however, temporal resolution is constrained by intrinsic neuronal noise. Such noise predominantly arises from the stochasticity of ion channel gating and potentially impairs the processing of sensory signals. On the basis of intracellular recordings of locust auditory neurons, we show that intrinsic neuronal variability on the level of spikes is reduced with increasing temperature. We use a detailed mathematical model including stochastic ion channel gating to shed light on the underlying biophysical mechanisms in auditory receptor neurons: because of a redistribution of channel-induced current noise toward higher frequencies and specifics of the temperature dependence of the membrane impedance, membrane potential noise is indeed reduced at higher temperatures. This finding holds under generic conditions and physiologically plausible assumptions on the temperature dependence of the channels' kinetics and peak conductances. We demonstrate that the identified mechanism also can explain the experimentally observed reduction of spike timing variability at higher temperatures. Copyright © 2015 the American Physiological Society.

  20. A temperature rise reduces trial-to-trial variability of locust auditory neuron responses

    PubMed Central

    Schleimer, Jan-Hendrik; Schreiber, Susanne; Ronacher, Bernhard

    2015-01-01

    The neurophysiology of ectothermic animals, such as insects, is affected by environmental temperature, as their body temperature fluctuates with ambient conditions. Changes in temperature alter properties of neurons and, consequently, have an impact on the processing of information. Nevertheless, nervous system function is often maintained over a broad temperature range, exhibiting a surprising robustness to variations in temperature. A special problem arises for acoustically communicating insects, as in these animals mate recognition and mate localization typically rely on the decoding of fast amplitude modulations in calling and courtship songs. In the auditory periphery, however, temporal resolution is constrained by intrinsic neuronal noise. Such noise predominantly arises from the stochasticity of ion channel gating and potentially impairs the processing of sensory signals. On the basis of intracellular recordings of locust auditory neurons, we show that intrinsic neuronal variability on the level of spikes is reduced with increasing temperature. We use a detailed mathematical model including stochastic ion channel gating to shed light on the underlying biophysical mechanisms in auditory receptor neurons: because of a redistribution of channel-induced current noise toward higher frequencies and specifics of the temperature dependence of the membrane impedance, membrane potential noise is indeed reduced at higher temperatures. This finding holds under generic conditions and physiologically plausible assumptions on the temperature dependence of the channels' kinetics and peak conductances. We demonstrate that the identified mechanism also can explain the experimentally observed reduction of spike timing variability at higher temperatures. PMID:26041833

  1. Growth response and acclimation of CO2 exchange characteristics to elevated temperatures in tropical tree seedlings.

    PubMed

    Cheesman, Alexander W; Winter, Klaus

    2013-09-01

    Predictions of how tropical forests will respond to future climate change are constrained by the paucity of data on the performance of tropical species under elevated growth temperatures. In particular, little is known about the potential of tropical species to acclimate physiologically to future increases in temperature. Seedlings of 10 neo-tropical tree species from different functional groups were cultivated in controlled-environment chambers under four day/night temperature regimes between 30/22 °C and 39/31 °C. Under well-watered conditions, all species showed optimal growth at temperatures above those currently found in their native range. While non-pioneer species experienced catastrophic failure or a substantially reduced growth rate under the highest temperature regime employed (i.e. daily average of 35 °C), growth in three lowland pioneers showed only a marginal reduction. In a subsequent experiment, three species (Ficus insipida, Ormosia macrocalyx, and Ochroma pyramidale) were cultivated at two temperatures determined as sub- and superoptimal for growth, but which resulted in similar biomass accumulation despite a 6°C difference in growth temperature. Through reciprocal transfer and temperature adjustment, the role of thermal acclimation in photosynthesis and respiration was investigated. Acclimation potential varied among species, with two distinct patterns of respiration acclimation identified. The study highlights the role of both inherent temperature tolerance and thermal acclimation in determining the ability of tropical tree species to cope with enhanced temperatures.

  2. Optimization of cellulose nanocrystal length and surface charge density through phosphoric acid hydrolysis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vanderfleet, Oriana M.; Osorio, Daniel A.; Cranston, Emily D.

    2017-12-01

    Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are emerging nanomaterials with a large range of potential applications. CNCs are typically produced through acid hydrolysis with sulfuric acid; however, phosphoric acid has the advantage of generating CNCs with higher thermal stability. This paper presents a design of experiments approach to optimize the hydrolysis of CNCs from cotton with phosphoric acid. Hydrolysis time, temperature and acid concentration were varied across nine experiments and a linear least-squares regression analysis was applied to understand the effects of these parameters on CNC properties. In all but one case, rod-shaped nanoparticles with a high degree of crystallinity and thermal stability were produced. A statistical model was generated to predict CNC length, and trends in phosphate content and zeta potential were elucidated. The CNC length could be tuned over a relatively large range (238-475 nm) and the polydispersity could be narrowed most effectively by increasing the hydrolysis temperature and acid concentration. The CNC phosphate content was most affected by hydrolysis temperature and time; however, the charge density and colloidal stability were considered low compared with sulfuric acid hydrolysed CNCs. This study provides insight into weak acid hydrolysis and proposes `design rules' for CNCs with improved size uniformity and charge density. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue `New horizons for cellulose nanotechnology'.

  3. Optimal Electrocatalytic Pd/MWNTs Nanocatalysts toward Formic Acid Oxidation

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Yiran; He, Qingliang; Wei, Huige; Guo, Jiang; Ding, Keqiang; Wang, Qiang; Wang, Zhe; Wei, Suying; Guo, Zhanhu

    2017-01-01

    The operating conditions such as composition of electrolyte and temperature can greatly influence the formic acid (HCOOH) oxidation reaction (FAOR). Palladium decorated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Pd/MWNTs) were successfully synthesized and employed as nanocatalysts to explore the effects of formic acid, sulfuric acid (H2SO4) concentration and temperature on FAOR. Both the hydrogen adsorption in low potential range and the oxidation of poisoning species during the high potential range in cyclic voltammetry were demonstrated to contribute to the enhanced electroactivity of Pd/MWNTs. The as-synthesized Pd/MWNTs gave the best performance under a condition with balanced adsorptions of HCOOH and H2SO4 molecules. The dominant dehydrogenation pathway on Pd/MWNTs can be largely depressed by the increased dehydration pathway, leading to an increased charge transfer resistance (Rct). Increasing HCOOH concentration could directly increase the dehydration process proportion and cause the production of COads species. H2SO4 as donor of H+ greatly facilitated the onset oxidation of HCOOH in the beginning process but it largely depressed the HCOOH oxidation with excess amount of H+. Enhanced ion mobility with increasing the temperature was mainly responsible for the increased current densities, improved tolerance stabilities and reduced Rct values, while dehydration process was also increased simultaneously. PMID:29622817

  4. Global climate impacts of country-level primary carbonaceous aerosol from solid-fuel cookstove emissions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lacey, Forrest; Henze, Daven

    2015-11-01

    Cookstove use is globally one of the largest unregulated anthropogenic sources of primary carbonaceous aerosol. While reducing cookstove emissions through national-scale mitigation efforts has clear benefits for improving indoor and ambient air quality, and significant climate benefits from reduced green-house gas emissions, climate impacts associated with reductions to co-emitted black (BC) and organic carbonaceous aerosol are not well characterized. Here we attribute direct, indirect, semi-direct, and snow/ice albedo radiative forcing (RF) and associated global surface temperature changes to national-scale carbonaceous aerosol cookstove emissions. These results are made possible through the use of adjoint sensitivity modeling to relate direct RF and BC deposition to emissions. Semi- and indirect effects are included via global scaling factors, and bounds on these estimates are drawn from current literature ranges for aerosol RF along with a range of solid fuel emissions characterizations. Absolute regional temperature potentials are used to estimate global surface temperature changes. Bounds are placed on these estimates, drawing from current literature ranges for aerosol RF along with a range of solid fuel emissions characterizations. We estimate a range of 0.16 K warming to 0.28 K cooling with a central estimate of 0.06 K cooling from the removal of cookstove aerosol emissions. At the national emissions scale, countries’ impacts on global climate range from net warming (e.g., Mexico and Brazil) to net cooling, although the range of estimated impacts for all countries span zero given uncertainties in RF estimates and fuel characterization. We identify similarities and differences in the sets of countries with the highest emissions and largest cookstove temperature impacts (China, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal), those with the largest temperature impact per carbon emitted (Kazakhstan, Estonia, and Mongolia), and those that would provide the most efficient cooling from a switch to fuel with a lower BC emission factor (Kazakhstan, Estonia, and Latvia). The results presented here thus provide valuable information for climate impact assessments across a wide range of cookstove initiatives.

  5. Thermodynamics and structural transition of binary atomic Bose-Fermi mixtures in box or harmonic potentials: A path-integral study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, Tom; Chien, Chih-Chun

    2018-03-01

    Experimental realizations of a variety of atomic binary Bose-Fermi mixtures have brought opportunities for studying composite quantum systems with different spin statistics. The binary atomic mixtures can exhibit a structural transition from a mixture into phase separation as the boson-fermion interaction increases. By using a path-integral formalism to evaluate the grand partition function and the thermodynamic grand potential, we obtain the effective potential of binary Bose-Fermi mixtures. Thermodynamic quantities in a broad range of temperatures and interactions are also derived. The structural transition can be identified as a loop of the effective potential curve, and the volume fraction of phase separation can be determined by the lever rule. For 6Li-7Li and 6Li-41K mixtures, we present the phase diagrams of the mixtures in a box potential at zero and finite temperatures. Due to the flexible densities of atomic gases, the construction of phase separation is more complicated when compared to conventional liquid or solid mixtures where the individual densities are fixed. For harmonically trapped mixtures, we use the local density approximation to map out the finite-temperature density profiles and present typical trap structures, including the mixture, partially separated phases, and fully separated phases.

  6. Monitoring of temperature-mediated phase transitions of adipose tissue by combined optical coherence tomography and Abbe refractometry.

    PubMed

    Yanina, Irina Y; Popov, Alexey P; Bykov, Alexander V; Meglinski, Igor V; Tuchin, Valery V

    2018-01-01

    Observation of temperature-mediated phase transitions between lipid components of the adipose tissues has been performed by combined use of the Abbe refractometry and optical coherence tomography. The phase transitions of the lipid components were clearly observed in the range of temperatures from 24°C to 60°C, and assessed by quantitatively monitoring the changes of the refractive index of 1- to 2-mm-thick porcine fat tissue slices. The developed approach has a great potential as an alternative method for obtaining accurate information on the processes occurring during thermal lipolysis. (2018) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).

  7. Structural and elastic properties of InX (X = P, As, Sb) at pressure and room temperature

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pawar, Pooja; Singh, Sadhna

    2018-06-01

    We have investigated the pressure-induced phase transition of InX (X = P, As, Sb) from Zinc-Blende (ZB) to NaCl structure by using realistic interaction potential model involving the effect of temperature. This model consists of Coulomb interaction, three-body interaction and short-range overlap repulsive interaction upto the second nearest neighbor involving temperature. Phase-transition pressure is associated with a sudden collapse in volume, showing the incidence of first-order phase transition. The phase-transition pressure is associated with volume collapses, and the elastic constants obtained from the present model indicate good agreement with the available experimental and theoretical data.

  8. Tunneling of Massive Flux Lines in a High Tc Superconductor at absolute Zero

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Narahari Achar, B. N.; Waleed Gaber, M.

    1997-11-01

    Our previous study(M. W. Gaber and B. N. N. Achar, Phys. Rev. B52, 1314(1995)) of quantum tunneling of damped flux lines of finite mass has been extended over the temperature range from the crossover temperature T0 to T=0 with a view to investigate further the temperature dependence of the tunneling rate found earlier. It has been found that at T=0, for the case of the cubic pinning potential, the action can be evaluated in a closed form for a flux line of finite length. The only non-zero contribution arises from the dissipation term resulting in a finite action.

  9. Planck 2015 results. XV. Gravitational lensing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Planck Collaboration; Ade, P. A. R.; Aghanim, N.; Arnaud, M.; Ashdown, M.; Aumont, J.; Baccigalupi, C.; Banday, A. J.; Barreiro, R. B.; Bartlett, J. G.; Bartolo, N.; Basak, S.; Battaner, E.; Benabed, K.; Benoît, A.; Benoit-Lévy, A.; Bernard, J.-P.; Bersanelli, M.; Bielewicz, P.; Bock, J. J.; Bonaldi, A.; Bonavera, L.; Bond, J. R.; Borrill, J.; Bouchet, F. R.; Boulanger, F.; Bucher, M.; Burigana, C.; Butler, R. C.; Calabrese, E.; Cardoso, J.-F.; Catalano, A.; Challinor, A.; Chamballu, A.; Chiang, H. C.; Christensen, P. R.; Church, S.; Clements, D. L.; Colombi, S.; Colombo, L. P. L.; Combet, C.; Couchot, F.; Coulais, A.; Crill, B. P.; Curto, A.; Cuttaia, F.; Danese, L.; Davies, R. D.; Davis, R. J.; de Bernardis, P.; de Rosa, A.; de Zotti, G.; Delabrouille, J.; Désert, F.-X.; Diego, J. M.; Dole, H.; Donzelli, S.; Doré, O.; Douspis, M.; Ducout, A.; Dunkley, J.; Dupac, X.; Efstathiou, G.; Elsner, F.; Enßlin, T. A.; Eriksen, H. K.; Fergusson, J.; Finelli, F.; Forni, O.; Frailis, M.; Fraisse, A. A.; Franceschi, E.; Frejsel, A.; Galeotta, S.; Galli, S.; Ganga, K.; Giard, M.; Giraud-Héraud, Y.; Gjerløw, E.; González-Nuevo, J.; Górski, K. M.; Gratton, S.; Gregorio, A.; Gruppuso, A.; Gudmundsson, J. E.; Hansen, F. K.; Hanson, D.; Harrison, D. L.; Henrot-Versillé, S.; Hernández-Monteagudo, C.; Herranz, D.; Hildebrandt, S. R.; Hivon, E.; Hobson, M.; Holmes, W. A.; Hornstrup, A.; Hovest, W.; Huffenberger, K. M.; Hurier, G.; Jaffe, A. H.; Jaffe, T. R.; Jones, W. C.; Juvela, M.; Keihänen, E.; Keskitalo, R.; Kisner, T. S.; Kneissl, R.; Knoche, J.; Kunz, M.; Kurki-Suonio, H.; Lagache, G.; Lähteenmäki, A.; Lamarre, J.-M.; Lasenby, A.; Lattanzi, M.; Lawrence, C. R.; Leonardi, R.; Lesgourgues, J.; Levrier, F.; Lewis, A.; Liguori, M.; Lilje, P. B.; Linden-Vørnle, M.; López-Caniego, M.; Lubin, P. M.; Macías-Pérez, J. F.; Maggio, G.; Maino, D.; Mandolesi, N.; Mangilli, A.; Maris, M.; Martin, P. G.; Martínez-González, E.; Masi, S.; Matarrese, S.; McGehee, P.; Meinhold, P. R.; Melchiorri, A.; Mendes, L.; Mennella, A.; Migliaccio, M.; Mitra, S.; Miville-Deschênes, M.-A.; Moneti, A.; Montier, L.; Morgante, G.; Mortlock, D.; Moss, A.; Munshi, D.; Murphy, J. A.; Naselsky, P.; Nati, F.; Natoli, P.; Netterfield, C. B.; Nørgaard-Nielsen, H. U.; Noviello, F.; Novikov, D.; Novikov, I.; Oxborrow, C. A.; Paci, F.; Pagano, L.; Pajot, F.; Paoletti, D.; Pasian, F.; Patanchon, G.; Perdereau, O.; Perotto, L.; Perrotta, F.; Pettorino, V.; Piacentini, F.; Piat, M.; Pierpaoli, E.; Pietrobon, D.; Plaszczynski, S.; Pointecouteau, E.; Polenta, G.; Popa, L.; Pratt, G. W.; Prézeau, G.; Prunet, S.; Puget, J.-L.; Rachen, J. P.; Reach, W. T.; Rebolo, R.; Reinecke, M.; Remazeilles, M.; Renault, C.; Renzi, A.; Ristorcelli, I.; Rocha, G.; Rosset, C.; Rossetti, M.; Roudier, G.; Rowan-Robinson, M.; Rubiño-Martín, J. A.; Rusholme, B.; Sandri, M.; Santos, D.; Savelainen, M.; Savini, G.; Scott, D.; Seiffert, M. D.; Shellard, E. P. S.; Spencer, L. D.; Stolyarov, V.; Stompor, R.; Sudiwala, R.; Sunyaev, R.; Sutton, D.; Suur-Uski, A.-S.; Sygnet, J.-F.; Tauber, J. A.; Terenzi, L.; Toffolatti, L.; Tomasi, M.; Tristram, M.; Tucci, M.; Tuovinen, J.; Valenziano, L.; Valiviita, J.; Van Tent, B.; Vielva, P.; Villa, F.; Wade, L. A.; Wandelt, B. D.; Wehus, I. K.; White, M.; Yvon, D.; Zacchei, A.; Zonca, A.

    2016-09-01

    We present the most significant measurement of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) lensing potential to date (at a level of 40σ), using temperature and polarization data from the Planck 2015 full-mission release. Using a polarization-only estimator, we detect lensing at a significance of 5σ. We cross-check the accuracy of our measurement using the wide frequency coverage and complementarity of the temperature and polarization measurements. Public products based on this measurement include an estimate of the lensing potential over approximately 70% of the sky, an estimate of the lensing potential power spectrum in bandpowers for the multipole range 40 ≤ L ≤ 400, and an associated likelihood for cosmological parameter constraints. We find good agreement between our measurement of the lensing potential power spectrum and that found in the ΛCDM model that best fits the Planck temperature and polarization power spectra. Using the lensing likelihood alone we obtain a percent-level measurement of the parameter combination σ8Ω0.25m = 0.591 ± 0.021. We combine our determination of the lensing potential with the E-mode polarization, also measured by Planck, to generate an estimate of the lensing B-mode. We show that this lensing B-mode estimate is correlated with the B-modes observed directly by Planck at the expected level and with a statistical significance of 10σ, confirming Planck's sensitivity to this known sky signal. We also correlate our lensing potential estimate with the large-scale temperature anisotropies, detecting a cross-correlation at the 3σ level, as expected because of dark energy in the concordance ΛCDM model.

  10. Intermolecular potentials and the accurate prediction of the thermodynamic properties of water

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

    Shvab, I.; Sadus, Richard J., E-mail: rsadus@swin.edu.au

    2013-11-21

    The ability of intermolecular potentials to correctly predict the thermodynamic properties of liquid water at a density of 0.998 g/cm{sup 3} for a wide range of temperatures (298–650 K) and pressures (0.1–700 MPa) is investigated. Molecular dynamics simulations are reported for the pressure, thermal pressure coefficient, thermal expansion coefficient, isothermal and adiabatic compressibilities, isobaric and isochoric heat capacities, and Joule-Thomson coefficient of liquid water using the non-polarizable SPC/E and TIP4P/2005 potentials. The results are compared with both experiment data and results obtained from the ab initio-based Matsuoka-Clementi-Yoshimine non-additive (MCYna) [J. Li, Z. Zhou, and R. J. Sadus, J. Chem. Phys.more » 127, 154509 (2007)] potential, which includes polarization contributions. The data clearly indicate that both the SPC/E and TIP4P/2005 potentials are only in qualitative agreement with experiment, whereas the polarizable MCYna potential predicts some properties within experimental uncertainty. This highlights the importance of polarizability for the accurate prediction of the thermodynamic properties of water, particularly at temperatures beyond 298 K.« less

  11. Evaluation of the sensitivity of the mineralizable pool of soil organic matter to changes in temperature and moisture

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tulina, A. S.; Semenov, V. M.

    2015-08-01

    The sensitivity of the potentially mineralizable pool of soil organic matter (Cpm) to changes in temperature and moisture has been assessed from the temperature coefficient ( Q10) and the moisture coefficient ( W 10), which indicate how much the Cpm size changes, when the temperature changes by 10°C and the soil water content changes by 10 wt %, respectively. Samples of gray forest soil, podzolized chernozem, and dark chestnut soil taken from arable plots have been incubated at 8, 18, and 28°C and humidity of 10, 25, and 40 wt %. From the data on the production of C-CO2 by soil samples during incubation for 150 days, the content of Cpm has been calculated. It has been shown that, on average for the three soils, an increase in temperature accounts for 63% of the rise in the pool of potentially mineralizable organic matter, whereas an increase in moisture accounts for 8% of that rise. The temperature coefficients of the potentially mineralizable pool are 2.71 ± 0.64, 1.27 ± 0.20, and 1.85 ± 0.30 in ranges of 8-18, 18-28, and 8-28°C, respectively; the moisture coefficients are 1.19 ± 0.11, 1.09 ± 0.05, and 1.14 ± 0.06 in ranges of 10-25, 25-40, and 10-40 wt %, respectively. The easily mineralizable fraction (C1, k 1 > 0.1 days-1) of the active pool of soil organic matter is less sensitive to temperature than the hardly mineralizable fraction (C3, 0.01 > k 3 > 0.001 days-1); their Q 10 values are 0.91 ± 0.15 and 2.40 ± 0.31, respectively. On the contrary, the easily mineralizable fraction is more sensitive to moistening than the hardly mineralizable fraction: their W 10 values are 1.22 ± 0.06 and 1.03 ± 0.08, respectively. The intensification of mineralization with rising temperature and water content during a long-term incubation results in the exhausting of the active pool, which reduces the production of CO2 by the soils during the repeated incubation under similar conditions nonlimiting mineralization.

  12. Evaluating the Significance of Paleophylogeographic Species Distribution Models in Reconstructing Quaternary Range-Shifts of Nearctic Chelonians

    PubMed Central

    Flecks, Morris; Ahmadzadeh, Faraham; Dambach, Johannes; Engler, Jan O.; Habel, Jan Christian; Hartmann, Timo; Hörnes, David; Ihlow, Flora; Schidelko, Kathrin; Stiels, Darius; Polly, P. David

    2013-01-01

    The climatic cycles of the Quaternary, during which global mean annual temperatures have regularly changed by 5–10°C, provide a special opportunity for studying the rate, magnitude, and effects of geographic responses to changing climates. During the Quaternary, high- and mid-latitude species were extirpated from regions that were covered by ice or otherwise became unsuitable, persisting in refugial retreats where the environment was compatible with their tolerances. In this study we combine modern geographic range data, phylogeny, Pleistocene paleoclimatic models, and isotopic records of changes in global mean annual temperature, to produce a temporally continuous model of geographic changes in potential habitat for 59 species of North American turtles over the past 320 Ka (three full glacial-interglacial cycles). These paleophylogeographic models indicate the areas where past climates were compatible with the modern ranges of the species and serve as hypotheses for how their geographic ranges would have changed in response to Quaternary climate cycles. We test these hypotheses against physiological, genetic, taxonomic and fossil evidence, and we then use them to measure the effects of Quaternary climate cycles on species distributions. Patterns of range expansion, contraction, and fragmentation in the models are strongly congruent with (i) phylogeographic differentiation; (ii) morphological variation; (iii) physiological tolerances; and (iv) intraspecific genetic variability. Modern species with significant interspecific differentiation have geographic ranges that strongly fluctuated and repeatedly fragmented throughout the Quaternary. Modern species with low genetic diversity have geographic distributions that were highly variable and at times exceedingly small in the past. Our results reveal the potential for paleophylogeographic models to (i) reconstruct past geographic range modifications, (ii) identify geographic processes that result in genetic bottlenecks; and (iii) predict threats due to anthropogenic climate change in the future. PMID:24130664

  13. DC and AC conductivity properties of bovine dentine hydroxyapatite (BDHA)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dumludag, F.; Gunduz, O.; Kılıc, O.; Ekren, N.; Kalkandelen, C.; Ozbek, B.; Oktar, F. N.

    2017-12-01

    Bovine dentine bio-waste may be used as a potential natural source of hydroxyapatite (BDHA), thus extraction of bovine dentin hydroxyapatite (BDHA) from bio-waste is significantly important to fabricate in a simple, economically and environmentally preferable. DC and AC conductivity properties of BDHA were investigated depending on sintering temperature (1000ºC - 1300°C) in air and vacuum (<10-2 mbar) ambient at room temperature. DC conductivity measurements performed between -1 and 1 V. AC conductivity measurements performed in the frequency range of 40 Hz - 100 kHz. DC conductivity results showed that dc conductivity values of the BDHA decrease with increasing sintering temperature in air ambient. It is not observed remarkable/systematic behavior for ac conductivity depending on sintering temperature.

  14. Heat pipe radiator technology for space power systems

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Carlson, A. W.; Gustafson, E.; Ercegovic, B. A.

    1986-01-01

    High-reliability high-performance deployable monogroove and dual-slot heat pipe radiator systems to meet the requirements for electric power in future space missions, such as the 300-kW(e) electric powder demand projected for NASA's Space Station, are discussed. Analytical model trade studies of various configurations show the advantages of the dual-slot heat pipe radiator for high temperature applications as well as its weight reduction potential over the 50-350 F temperature range. The ammonia-aluminum monogroove heat pipe, limited to below-180 F operating temperatures, is under development, and can employ methanol-stainless steel heat pipes to achieve operating temperatures in excess of 300 F. Dual-slot heat pipe configuration proof-of-concept testing was begun in 1985.

  15. Extremely thermophilic microorganisms as metabolic engineering platforms for production of fuels and industrial chemicals.

    PubMed

    Zeldes, Benjamin M; Keller, Matthew W; Loder, Andrew J; Straub, Christopher T; Adams, Michael W W; Kelly, Robert M

    2015-01-01

    Enzymes from extremely thermophilic microorganisms have been of technological interest for some time because of their ability to catalyze reactions of industrial significance at elevated temperatures. Thermophilic enzymes are now routinely produced in recombinant mesophilic hosts for use as discrete biocatalysts. Genome and metagenome sequence data for extreme thermophiles provide useful information for putative biocatalysts for a wide range of biotransformations, albeit involving at most a few enzymatic steps. However, in the past several years, unprecedented progress has been made in establishing molecular genetics tools for extreme thermophiles to the point that the use of these microorganisms as metabolic engineering platforms has become possible. While in its early days, complex metabolic pathways have been altered or engineered into recombinant extreme thermophiles, such that the production of fuels and chemicals at elevated temperatures has become possible. Not only does this expand the thermal range for industrial biotechnology, it also potentially provides biodiverse options for specific biotransformations unique to these microorganisms. The list of extreme thermophiles growing optimally between 70 and 100°C with genetic toolkits currently available includes archaea and bacteria, aerobes and anaerobes, coming from genera such as Caldicellulosiruptor, Sulfolobus, Thermotoga, Thermococcus, and Pyrococcus. These organisms exhibit unusual and potentially useful native metabolic capabilities, including cellulose degradation, metal solubilization, and RuBisCO-free carbon fixation. Those looking to design a thermal bioprocess now have a host of potential candidates to choose from, each with its own advantages and challenges that will influence its appropriateness for specific applications. Here, the issues and opportunities for extremely thermophilic metabolic engineering platforms are considered with an eye toward potential technological advantages for high temperature industrial biotechnology.

  16. Extremely thermophilic microorganisms as metabolic engineering platforms for production of fuels and industrial chemicals

    PubMed Central

    Zeldes, Benjamin M.; Keller, Matthew W.; Loder, Andrew J.; Straub, Christopher T.; Adams, Michael W. W.; Kelly, Robert M.

    2015-01-01

    Enzymes from extremely thermophilic microorganisms have been of technological interest for some time because of their ability to catalyze reactions of industrial significance at elevated temperatures. Thermophilic enzymes are now routinely produced in recombinant mesophilic hosts for use as discrete biocatalysts. Genome and metagenome sequence data for extreme thermophiles provide useful information for putative biocatalysts for a wide range of biotransformations, albeit involving at most a few enzymatic steps. However, in the past several years, unprecedented progress has been made in establishing molecular genetics tools for extreme thermophiles to the point that the use of these microorganisms as metabolic engineering platforms has become possible. While in its early days, complex metabolic pathways have been altered or engineered into recombinant extreme thermophiles, such that the production of fuels and chemicals at elevated temperatures has become possible. Not only does this expand the thermal range for industrial biotechnology, it also potentially provides biodiverse options for specific biotransformations unique to these microorganisms. The list of extreme thermophiles growing optimally between 70 and 100°C with genetic toolkits currently available includes archaea and bacteria, aerobes and anaerobes, coming from genera such as Caldicellulosiruptor, Sulfolobus, Thermotoga, Thermococcus, and Pyrococcus. These organisms exhibit unusual and potentially useful native metabolic capabilities, including cellulose degradation, metal solubilization, and RuBisCO-free carbon fixation. Those looking to design a thermal bioprocess now have a host of potential candidates to choose from, each with its own advantages and challenges that will influence its appropriateness for specific applications. Here, the issues and opportunities for extremely thermophilic metabolic engineering platforms are considered with an eye toward potential technological advantages for high temperature industrial biotechnology. PMID:26594201

  17. Relationships between water temperatures and upstream migration, cold water refuge use, and spawning of adult bull trout from the Lostine River, Oregon, USA

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Howell, P.J.; Dunham, J.B.; Sankovich, P.M.

    2010-01-01

    Understanding thermal habitat use by migratory fish has been limited by difficulties in matching fish locations with water temperatures. To describe spatial and temporal patterns of thermal habitat use by migratory adult bull trout, Salvelinus confluentus, that spawn in the Lostine River, Oregon, we employed a combination of archival temperature tags, radio tags, and thermographs. We also compared temperatures of the tagged fish to ambient water temperatures to determine if the fish were using thermal refuges. The timing and temperatures at which fish moved upstream from overwintering areas to spawning locations varied considerably among individuals. The annual maximum 7-day average daily maximum (7DADM) temperatures of tagged fish were 16-18 ??C and potentially as high as 21 ??C. Maximum 7DADM ambient water temperatures within the range of tagged fish during summer were 18-25 ??C. However, there was no evidence of the tagged fish using localized cold water refuges. Tagged fish appeared to spawn at 7DADM temperatures of 7-14 ??C. Maximum 7DADM temperatures of tagged fish and ambient temperatures at the onset of the spawning period in late August were 11-18 ??C. Water temperatures in most of the upper Lostine River used for spawning and rearing appear to be largely natural since there has been little development, whereas downstream reaches used by migratory bull trout are heavily diverted for irrigation. Although the population effects of these temperatures are unknown, summer temperatures and the higher temperatures observed for spawning fish appear to be at or above the upper range of suitability reported for the species. Published 2009. This article is a US Governmentwork and is in the public domain in the USA.

  18. Evidence for the formation of SiGe nanoparticles in Ge-implanted Si 3N 4

    DOE PAGES

    Mirzaei, S.; Kremer, F.; Feng, R.; ...

    2017-03-14

    SiGe nanoparticles were formed in an amorphous Si 3N 4 matrix by Ge + ion implantation and thermal annealing. The size of the nanoparticles was determined by transmission electron microscopy and their atomic structure by x-ray absorption spectroscopy. Nanoparticles were observed for excess Ge concentrations in the range from 9 to 12 at. % after annealing at temperatures in the range from 700 to 900 °C. The average nanoparticle size increased with excess Ge concentration and annealing temperature and varied from an average diameter of 1.8±0.2 nm for the lowest concentration and annealing temperature to 3.2±0.5 nm for the highestmore » concentration and annealing temperature. Our study demonstrates that the structural properties of embedded SiGe nanoparticles in amorphous Si 3N 4 are sensitive to the implantation and post implantation conditions. Furthermore, we demonstrate that ion implantation is a novel pathway to fabricate and control the SiGe nanoparticle structure and potentially useful for future optoelectronic device applications.« less

  19. The 2017 Plasma Roadmap: Low temperature plasma science and technology

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Adamovich, I.; Baalrud, S. D.; Bogaerts, A.; Bruggeman, P. J.; Cappelli, M.; Colombo, V.; Czarnetzki, U.; Ebert, U.; Eden, J. G.; Favia, P.; Graves, D. B.; Hamaguchi, S.; Hieftje, G.; Hori, M.; Kaganovich, I. D.; Kortshagen, U.; Kushner, M. J.; Mason, N. J.; Mazouffre, S.; Mededovic Thagard, S.; Metelmann, H.-R.; Mizuno, A.; Moreau, E.; Murphy, A. B.; Niemira, B. A.; Oehrlein, G. S.; Petrovic, Z. Lj; Pitchford, L. C.; Pu, Y.-K.; Rauf, S.; Sakai, O.; Samukawa, S.; Starikovskaia, S.; Tennyson, J.; Terashima, K.; Turner, M. M.; van de Sanden, M. C. M.; Vardelle, A.

    2017-08-01

    Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics published the first Plasma Roadmap in 2012 consisting of the individual perspectives of 16 leading experts in the various sub-fields of low temperature plasma science and technology. The 2017 Plasma Roadmap is the first update of a planned series of periodic updates of the Plasma Roadmap. The continuously growing interdisciplinary nature of the low temperature plasma field and its equally broad range of applications are making it increasingly difficult to identify major challenges that encompass all of the many sub-fields and applications. This intellectual diversity is ultimately a strength of the field. The current state of the art for the 19 sub-fields addressed in this roadmap demonstrates the enviable track record of the low temperature plasma field in the development of plasmas as an enabling technology for a vast range of technologies that underpin our modern society. At the same time, the many important scientific and technological challenges shared in this roadmap show that the path forward is not only scientifically rich but has the potential to make wide and far reaching contributions to many societal challenges.

  20. Magnetoabsorption and magnetic hysteresis in Ni ferrite nanoparticles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hernández-Gómez, P.; Muñoz, J. M.; Valente, M. A.; Torres, C.; de Francisco, C.

    2013-01-01

    Nickel ferrite nanoparticles were prepared by a modified sol-gel technique employing coconut oil, and then annealed at different temperatures in 400-1200 °C range. This route of preparation has revealed to be one efficient and cheap technique to obtain high quality nickel ferrite nanosized powder. Sample particles sizes obtained with XRD data and Scherrer's formula lie in 13 nm to 138 nm, with increased size with annealing temperature. Hysteresis loops have been obtained at room temperature with an inductive method. Magnetic field induced microwave absorption in nanoscale ferrites is a recent an active area of research, in order to characterize and explore potential novel applications. In the present work microwave magnetoabsorption data of the annealed nickel ferrite nanoparticles are presented. These data have been obtained with a system based on a network analyzer that operates in the frequency range 0 - 8.5 GHz. At fields up to 400 mT we can observe a peak according to ferromagnetic resonance theory. Sample annealed at higher temperature exhibits different absorption, coercivity and saturation magnetization figures, revealing its multidomain character.

  1. Mesoscale Elucidation of Surface Passivation in the Li-Sulfur Battery Cathode.

    PubMed

    Liu, Zhixiao; Mukherjee, Partha P

    2017-02-15

    The cathode surface passivation caused by Li 2 S precipitation adversely affects the performance of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. Li 2 S precipitation is a complicated mesoscale process involving adsorption, desorption and diffusion kinetics, which are affected profoundly by the reactant concentration and operating temperature. In this work, a mesoscale interfacial model is presented to study the growth of Li 2 S film on carbon cathode surface. Li 2 S film growth experiences nucleation, isolated Li 2 S island growth and island coalescence. The slow adsorption rate at small S 2- concentration inhibits the formation of nucleation seeds and the lateral growth of Li 2 S islands, which deters surface passivation. An appropriate operating temperature, especially in the medium-to-high temperature range, can also defer surface passivation. Fewer Li 2 S nucleation seeds form in such an operating temperature range, thereby facilitating heterogeneous growth and potentially inhibiting the lateral growth of the Li 2 S film, which may ultimately result in reduced surface passivation. The high specific surface area of the cathode microstructure is expected to mitigate the surface passivation.

  2. Thermo-Physical Properties of Intermediate Temperature Heat Pipe Fluids

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Beach, Duane E. (Technical Monitor); Devarakonda, Angirasa; Anderson, William G.

    2005-01-01

    Heat pipes are among the most promising technologies for space radiator systems. The paper reports further evaluation of potential heat pipe fluids in the intermediate temperature range of 400 to 700 K in continuation of two recent reports. More thermo-physical property data are examined. Organic, inorganic, and elemental substances are considered. The evaluation of surface tension and other fluid properties are examined. Halides are evaluated as potential heat pipe fluids. Reliable data are not available for all fluids and further database development is necessary. Many of the fluids considered are promising candidates as heat pipe fluids. Water is promising as a heat pipe fluid up to 500 to 550 K. Life test data for thermo-chemical compatibility are almost non-existent.

  3. Thermo-Physical Properties of Intermediate Temperature Heat Pipe Fluids

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Devarakonda, Angirasa; Anderson, William G.

    2004-01-01

    Heat pipes are among the most promising technologies for space radiator systems. The paper reports further evaluation of potential heat pipe fluids in the intermediate temperature range of 400 to 700 K in continuation of two recent reports. More thermo-physical property data are examined. Organic, inorganic and elemental substances are considered. The evaluation of surface tension and other fluid properties are examined. Halides are evaluated as potential heat pipe fluids. Reliable data are not available for all fluids and further database development in necessary. Many of the fluids considered are promising candidates as heat pipe fluids. Water is promising as a heat pipe fluid up to 500-550 K. Life test data for thermo-chemical compatibility are almost non-existent.

  4. Nonlinear dynamics of the CAM circadian rhythm in response to environmental forcing.

    PubMed

    Hartzell, Samantha; Bartlett, Mark S; Virgin, Lawrence; Porporato, Amilcare

    2015-03-07

    Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) photosynthesis functions as an endogenous circadian rhythm coupled to external environmental forcings of energy and water availability. This paper explores the nonlinear dynamics of a new CAM photosynthesis model (Bartlett et al., 2014) and investigates the responses of CAM plant carbon assimilation to different combinations of environmental conditions. The CAM model (Bartlett et al., 2014) consists of a Calvin cycle typical of C3 plants coupled to an oscillator of the type employed in the Van der Pol and FitzHugh-Nagumo systems. This coupled system is a function of environmental variables including leaf temperature, leaf moisture potential, and irradiance. Here, we explore the qualitative response of the system and the expected carbon assimilation under constant and periodically forced environmental conditions. The model results show how the diurnal evolution of these variables entrains the CAM cycle with prevailing environmental conditions. While constant environmental conditions generate either steady-state or periodically oscillating responses in malic acid uptake and release, forcing the CAM system with periodic daily fluctuations in light exposure and leaf temperature results in quasi-periodicity and possible chaos for certain ranges of these variables. This analysis is a first step in quantifying changes in CAM plant productivity with variables such as the mean temperature, daily temperature range, irradiance, and leaf moisture potential. Results may also be used to inform model parametrization based on the observed fluctuating regime. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. Waste heat generation: A comprehensive review.

    PubMed

    Yeşiller, Nazli; Hanson, James L; Yee, Emma H

    2015-08-01

    A comprehensive review of heat generation in various types of wastes and of the thermal regime of waste containment facilities is provided in this paper. Municipal solid waste (MSW), MSW incineration ash, and mining wastes were included in the analysis. Spatial and temporal variations of waste temperatures, thermal gradients, thermal properties of wastes, average temperature differentials, and heat generation values are provided. Heat generation was influenced by climatic conditions, mean annual earth temperatures, waste temperatures at the time of placement, cover conditions, and inherent heat generation potential of the specific wastes. Time to onset of heat generation varied between months and years, whereas timelines for overall duration of heat generation varied between years and decades. For MSW, measured waste temperatures were as high as 60-90°C and as low as -6°C. MSW incinerator ash temperatures varied between 5 and 87°C. Mining waste temperatures were in the range of -25 to 65°C. In the wastes analyzed, upward heat flow toward the surface was more prominent than downward heat flow toward the subsurface. Thermal gradients generally were higher for MSW and incinerator ash and lower for mining waste. Based on thermal properties, MSW had insulative qualities (low thermal conductivity), while mining wastes typically were relatively conductive (high thermal conductivity) with ash having intermediate qualities. Heat generation values ranged from -8.6 to 83.1MJ/m(3) and from 0.6 to 72.6MJ/m(3) for MSW and mining waste, respectively and was 72.6MJ/m(3) for ash waste. Conductive thermal losses were determined to range from 13 to 1111MJ/m(3)yr. The data and analysis provided in this review paper can be used in the investigation of heat generation and thermal regime of a wide range of wastes and waste containment facilities located in different climatic regions. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  6. Cold-Air-Pool Structure and Evolution in a Mountain Basin: Peter Sinks, Utah

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

    Clements, Craig B.; Whiteman, Charles D.; Horel, John D.

    2003-06-01

    The evolution of potential temperature and wind structure during the buildup of nocturnal cold-air pools was investigated during clear, dry, September nights in Utah's Peter Sinks basin, a 1-km-diameter limestone sinkhole that holds the Utah minimum temperature record of -56 C. The evolution of cold-pool characteristics depended on the strength of prevailing flows above the basin. On an undisturbed day, a 30 C diurnal temperature range and a strong nocturnal potential temperature inversion (22 K in 100 m) were observed in the basin. Initially, downslope flows formed on the basin sidewalls. As a very strong potential temperature jump (17 K)more » developed at the top of the cold pool, however, the winds died within the basin and over the sidewalls. A persistent turbulent sublayer formed below the jump. Turbulent sensible heat flux on the basin floor became negligible shortly after sunset while the basin atmosphere continued to cool. Temperatures over the slopes, except for a 1 to 2-m-deep layer, became warmer than over the basin center at the same altitude. Cooling rates for the entire basin near sunset were comparable to the 90 W m-2 rate of loss of net longwave radiation at the basin floor, but these rates decreased to only a few watts per square meter by sunrise. This paper compares the observed cold-pool buildup in basins with inversion buildup in valleys.« less

  7. Temperature dependence in magnetic particle imaging

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wells, James; Paysen, Hendrik; Kosch, Olaf; Trahms, Lutz; Wiekhorst, Frank

    2018-05-01

    Experimental results are presented demonstrating how temperature can influence the dynamics of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in liquid suspension, when exposed to alternating magnetic fields in the kilohertz frequency range. The measurements used to probe the nanoparticle systems are directly linked to both the emerging biomedical technique of magnetic particle imaging (MPI), and to the recently proposed concept of remote nanoscale thermometry using MNPs under AC field excitation. Here, we report measurements on three common types of MNPs, two of which are currently leading candidates for use as tracers in MPI. Using highly-sensitive magnetic particle spectroscopy (MPS), we demonstrate significant and divergent thermal dependences in several key measures used in the evaluation of MNP dynamics for use in MPI and other applications. The temperature range studied was between 296 and 318 Kelvin, making our findings of particular importance for MPI and other biomedical technologies. Furthermore, we report the detection of the same temperature dependences in measurements conducted using the detection coils within an operational preclinical MPI scanner. This clearly shows the importance of considering temperature during MPI development, and the potential for temperature-resolved MPI using this system. We propose possible physical explanations for the differences in the behaviors observed between the different particle types, and discuss our results in terms of the opportunities and concerns they raise for MPI and other MNP based technologies.

  8. Nanometre-scale thermometry in a living cell

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kucsko, G.; Maurer, P. C.; Yao, N. Y.; Kubo, M.; Noh, H. J.; Lo, P. K.; Park, H.; Lukin, M. D.

    2013-08-01

    Sensitive probing of temperature variations on nanometre scales is an outstanding challenge in many areas of modern science and technology. In particular, a thermometer capable of subdegree temperature resolution over a large range of temperatures as well as integration within a living system could provide a powerful new tool in many areas of biological, physical and chemical research. Possibilities range from the temperature-induced control of gene expression and tumour metabolism to the cell-selective treatment of disease and the study of heat dissipation in integrated circuits. By combining local light-induced heat sources with sensitive nanoscale thermometry, it may also be possible to engineer biological processes at the subcellular level. Here we demonstrate a new approach to nanoscale thermometry that uses coherent manipulation of the electronic spin associated with nitrogen-vacancy colour centres in diamond. Our technique makes it possible to detect temperature variations as small as 1.8 mK (a sensitivity of 9 mK Hz-1/2) in an ultrapure bulk diamond sample. Using nitrogen-vacancy centres in diamond nanocrystals (nanodiamonds), we directly measure the local thermal environment on length scales as short as 200 nanometres. Finally, by introducing both nanodiamonds and gold nanoparticles into a single human embryonic fibroblast, we demonstrate temperature-gradient control and mapping at the subcellular level, enabling unique potential applications in life sciences.

  9. Characterization of thermochromic VO2 (prepared at 250 °C) in a wide temperature range by spectroscopic ellipsometry

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Houska, J.; Kolenaty, D.; Rezek, J.; Vlcek, J.

    2017-11-01

    The paper deals with thermochromic VO2 prepared by reactive high-power impulse magnetron sputtering and characterized by spectroscopic ellipsometry. We focus on the dispersion of optical constants in a wide temperature range and on the transmittance predicted using the optical constants. While the thermochromic behavior of VO2 in itself has been reported previously (particularly above the room temperature, RT), in this paper we present (i) optical properties achieved at a low deposition temperature of 250 °C and without any substrate bias voltage (which dramatically increases the application potential of the coating) and (ii) changes of these properties not only above but also below RT (down to -30 °C). The properties include very low (for VO2) extinction coefficient at RT (0.10 at 550 nm), low transition temperature of around or even below 50 °C (compared to the frequently cited 68 °C) and high modulation of the predicted infrared transmittance (e.g. 39% at -30 °C, 30% at RT and 3.4% above the transition temperature at 2000 nm for a 100 nm thick coating on glass). The results are important for the design of thermochromic coatings, and pathways for their preparation under industry-friendly conditions, for various technological applications.

  10. Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Praseodymium Monopnictides: AN Ultrasonic Study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bhalla, Vyoma; Kumar, Raj; Tripathy, Chinmayee; Singh, Devraj

    2013-09-01

    We have computed ultrasonic attenuation, acoustic coupling constants and ultrasonic velocities of praseodymium monopnictides PrX(X: N, P, As, Sb and Bi) along the <100>, <110>, <111> in the temperature range 100-500 K using higher order elastic constants. The higher order elastic constants are evaluated using Coulomb and Born-Mayer potential with two basic parameters viz. nearest-neighbor distance and hardness parameter in the temperature range of 0-500 K. Several other mechanical and thermal parameters like bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young's modulus, Poisson ratio, anisotropic ratio, tetragonal moduli, Breazeale's nonlinearity parameter and Debye temperature are also calculated. In the present study, the fracture/toughness (B/G) ratio is less than 1.75 which implies that PrX compounds are brittle in nature at room temperature. The chosen material fulfilled Born criterion of mechanical stability. We also found the deviation of Cauchy's relation at higher temperatures. PrN is most stable material as it has highest valued higher order elastic constants as well as the ultrasonic velocity. Further, the lattice thermal conductivity using modified approach of Slack and Berman is determined at room temperature. The ultrasonic attenuation due to phonon-phonon interaction and thermoelastic relaxation mechanisms have been computed using modified Mason's approach. The results with other well-known physical properties are useful for industrial applications.

  11. Structural disorder in the decagonal Al-Co-Ni. I. Patterson analysis of diffuse x-ray scattering data

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

    Kobas, Miroslav; Weber, Thomas; Steurer, Walter

    The three-dimensional (3D) difference Patterson (autocorrelation) function of a disordered quasicrystal (Edagawa phase) has been analyzed. 3D diffuse x-ray diffraction data were collected in situ at 300, 1070, and 1120 K. A method, the punch-and-fill technique, has been developed for separating diffuse scattering and Bragg reflections. Its potential and limits are discussed in detail. The different Patterson maps are interpreted in terms of intercluster correlations as a function of temperature. Both at high and low temperatures, the clusters decorate the vertices of the same quasiperiodic covering. At low temperatures, for the disordered part of the structure, short-range intercluster correlations aremore » present, whereas at higher temperatures, medium-range intercluster correlations are formed. This indicates disorder mainly inside clusters at low temperatures, whereas at higher temperatures disorder takes place inside larger superclusters. Qualitatively, the Patterson maps may be interpreted by intercluster correlations mainly inside pentagonal superclusters below 1120 K, and inside the larger decagonal superclusters at 1120 K. The results of our diffraction study are published in two parts. Part I focuses on the 3D Patterson analysis based on experimental data, Part II reports modeling of structural disorder in decagonal Al-Co-Ni.« less

  12. Chemical compatibility of some ceramic matrix composite structures with fusion reactor helium coolant at high temperatures

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

    Perez, F.J.; Ghoniem, N.M.

    The thermodynamic stability of SiC/SiC composite structures proposed for fusion applications is presented in this paper. Minimization of the free energy for reacting species in the temperature range 773-1273 K is achieved by utilizing the NASA-Lewis Chemical Equilibrium Thermodynamics Code (CET). The chemical stability of the matrix (SiC), as well as several potential fiber coatings are studied. Helium coolant is assumed to contain O{sub 2} and water moisture impurities in the range 100-1000 ppm. The work is applied to recent Magnetic and Inertial Confinement Conceptual designs. The present study indicated that the upper useful temperature limit for SiC/SiC composites, frommore » the standpoint of high-temperature corrosion, will be in the neighborhood of 1273 K. Up to this temperature, corrosion of SiC is shown to be negligible. The main mechanism of weight loss will be by evaporation to the plasma side. The presence of a protective SiO{sub 2} condensed phase is discussed, and is shown to result in further reduction of high-temperature corrosion. The thermodynamic stability of C and BN is shown to be very poor under typical fusion reactor conditions. Further development of chemically stable interface materials is required.« less

  13. Deformation mechanisms of NiAl cyclicly deformed near the brittle-to-ductile transformation temperature

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Antolovich, Stephen D.; Saxena, Ashok; Cullers, Cheryl

    1992-01-01

    One of the ongoing challenges of the aerospace industry is to develop more efficient turbine engines. Greater efficiency entails reduced specific strength and larger temperature gradients, the latter of which means higher operating temperatures and increased thermal conductivity. Continued development of nickel-based superalloys has provided steady increases in engine efficiency and the limits of superalloys have probably not been realized. However, other material systems are under intense investigation for possible use in high temperature engines. Ceramic, intermetallic, and various composite systems are being explored in an effort to exploit the much higher melting temperatures of these systems. NiAl is considered a potential alternative to conventional superalloys due to its excellent oxidation resistance, low density, and high melting temperature. The fact that NiAl is the most common coating for current superalloy turbine blades is a tribute to its oxidation resistance. Its density is one-third that of typical superalloys and in most temperature ranges its thermal conductivity is twice that of common superalloys. Despite these many advantages, NiAl requires more investigation before it is ready to be used in engines. Binary NiAl in general has poor high-temperature strength and low-temperature ductility. On-going research in alloy design continues to make improvements in the high-temperature strength of NiAl. The factors controlling low temperature ductility have been identified in the last few years. Small, but reproducible ductility can now be achieved at room temperature through careful control of chemical purity and processing. But the mechanisms controlling the transition from brittle to ductile behavior are not fully understood. Research in the area of fatigue deformation can aid the development of the NiAl system in two ways. Fatigue properties must be documented and optimized before NiAl can be applied to engineering systems. More importantly though, probing the deformation mechanisms operating in fatigue will lead to a better understanding of NiAl's unique characteristics. Low cycle fatigue properties have been reported on binary NiAl in the past year, yet those studies were limited to two temperature ranges: room temperature and near 1000 K. Eventually, fatigue property data will be needed for a wide range of temperatures and compositions. The intermediate temperature range near the brittle-to-ductile transition was chosen for this study to ascertain whether the sharp change occurring in monotonic behavior also occurs under cyclic conditions. An effort was made to characterize the dislocation structures which evolved during fatigue testing and comment on their role in the deformation process.

  14. Development of Metal Oxide Nanostructure-based Optical Sensors for Fossil Fuel Derived Gases Measurement at High Temperature

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

    Chen, Kevin P.

    2015-02-13

    This final technical report details research works performed supported by a Department of Energy grant (DE-FE0003859), which was awarded under the University Coal Research Program administrated by National Energy Technology Laboratory. This research program studied high temperature fiber sensor for harsh environment applications. It developed two fiber optical sensor platform technology including regenerative fiber Bragg grating sensors and distributed fiber optical sensing based on Rayleigh backscattering optical frequency domain reflectometry. Through the studies of chemical and thermal regenerative techniques for fiber Bragg grating (FBG) fabrication, high-temperature stable FBG sensors were successfully developed and fabricated in air-hole microstructured fibers, high-attenuation fibers,more » rare-earth doped fibers, and standard telecommunication fibers. By optimizing the laser processing and thermal annealing procedures, fiber grating sensors with stable performance up to 1100°C have been developed. Using these temperature-stable FBG gratings as sensor platform, fiber optical flow, temperature, pressure, and chemical sensors have been developed to operate at high temperatures up to 800°C. Through the integration of on-fiber functional coating, the use of application-specific air-hole microstructural fiber, and application of active fiber sensing scheme, distributed fiber sensor for temperature, pressure, flow, liquid level, and chemical sensing have been demonstrated with high spatial resolution (1-cm or better) with wide temperature ranges. These include the demonstration of 1) liquid level sensing from 77K to the room temperature, pressure/temperature sensing from the room temperature to 800C and from the 15psi to 2000 psi, and hydrogen concentration measurement from 0.2% to 10% with temperature ranges from the room temperature to 700°C. Optical sensors developed by this program has broken several technical records including flow sensors with the highest operation temperature up to 750°C, first distributed chemical measurements at the record high temperature up to 700°C, first distributed pressure measurement at the record high temperature up to 800°C, and the fiber laser sensors with the record high operation temperature up to 700°C. The research performed by this program dramatically expand the functionality, adaptability, and applicability of distributed fiber optical sensors with potential applications in a number of high-temperature energy systems such as fossil-fuel power generation, high-temperature fuel cell applications, and potential for nuclear energy systems.« less

  15. Efficient chemical potential evaluation with kinetic Monte Carlo method and non-uniform external potential: Lennard-Jones fluid, liquid, and solid

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ustinov, E. A.

    2017-07-01

    The aim of this paper is to present a method of a direct evaluation of the chemical potential of fluid, liquid, and solid with kinetic Monte Carlo simulation. The method is illustrated with the 12-6 Lennard-Jones (LJ) system over a wide range of density and temperature. A distinctive feature of the methodology used in the present study is imposing an external potential on the elongated simulation box to split the system into two equilibrium phases, one of which is substantially diluted. This technique provides a reliable direct evaluation of the chemical potential of the whole non-uniform system (including that of the uniformly distributed dense phase in the central zone of the box), which, for example, is impossible in simulation of the uniform crystalline phase. The parameters of the vapor-liquid, liquid-solid, and fluid-solid transitions have been reliably determined. The chemical potential and the pressure are defined as thermodynamically consistent functions of density and temperature separately for the liquid and the solid (FCC) phases. It has been shown that in two-phase systems separated by a flat interface, the crystal melting always occurs at equilibrium conditions. It is also proved that in the limit of zero temperature, the specific heat capacity of an LJ crystal at constant volume is exactly 3Rg (where Rg is the gas constant) without resorting to harmonic oscillators.

  16. Temperature dependence of the Urbach optical absorption edge: A theory of multiple phonon absorption and emission sidebands

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Grein, C. H.; John, Sajeev

    1989-01-01

    The optical absorption coefficient for subgap electronic transitions in crystalline and disordered semiconductors is calculated by first-principles means with use of a variational principle based on the Feynman path-integral representation of the transition amplitude. This incorporates the synergetic interplay of static disorder and the nonadiabatic quantum dynamics of the coupled electron-phonon system. Over photon-energy ranges of experimental interest, this method predicts accurate linear exponential Urbach behavior of the absorption coefficient. At finite temperatures the nonlinear electron-phonon interaction gives rise to multiple phonon emission and absorption sidebands which accompany the optically induced electronic transition. These sidebands dominate the absorption in the Urbach regime and account for the temperature dependence of the Urbach slope and energy gap. The physical picture which emerges is that the phonons absorbed from the heat bath are then reemitted into a dynamical polaronlike potential well which localizes the electron. At zero temperature we recover the usual polaron theory. At high temperatures the calculated tail is qualitatively similar to that of a static Gaussian random potential. This leads to a linear relationship between the Urbach slope and the downshift of the extrapolated continuum band edge as well as a temperature-independent Urbach focus. At very low temperatures, deviations from these rules are predicted arising from the true quantum dynamics of the lattice. Excellent agreement is found with experimental data on c-Si, a-Si:H, a-As2Se3, and a-As2S3. Results are compared with a simple physical argument based on the most-probable-potential-well method.

  17. The potential of land management to decrease global warming from climate change

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mayer, A.; Hausfather, Z.; Jones, A. D.; Silver, W. L.

    2016-12-01

    Recent evidence suggests that negative emissions (i.e. sequestration) is critical to slow climate change (IPCC, 2013; Gasser et al, 2015). Agricultural (crop and grazing) lands have the potential to act as a significant carbon sink. These ecosystems cover a significant proportion of the global land surface, and are largely degraded with regard to soil carbon due to previous management practices (Bai et al, 2008). However, few studies have examined the required scale of land management interventions that would be required to make a significant contribution to a portfolio of efforts aimed at limiting anthropogenic influences on global mean temperature. To address this, we modelled the quantitative effect of a range of soil carbon sequestration rates on global temperature to 2100. Results showed that by assuming a baseline emissions scenario outlined in RCP 2.6, the sequestration of an additional 0.7 Pg C per year through improved agricultural land management practices would produce a reduction of 0.1 degrees C from predicted global temperatures by the year 2100. We also compiled previous estimates of global carbon sequestration potential of agricultural soils to compare with our theoretical prediction to determine whether carbon sequestration through existing land management practices has potential to significantly reduce global temperatures. Assuming long-term soil carbon uptake, the combined potential of agricultural land management-based mitigation approaches exceeded 0.25 degrees C warming reduction by the year 2100. However, results were highly sensitive to potential carbon saturation, defined as the maximum threshold for carbon storage in soil. Our results suggest that current land management technologies and available land area exist and could make a measureable impact on warming reduction. Results also highlighted potential carbon saturation as a key gap in knowledge.

  18. A nickel base alloy, NASA WAZ-16, with potential for gas turbine stator vane application

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Waters, W. J.; Freche, J. C.

    1974-01-01

    A nickel-base superalloy based on the nickel-aluminum-tungsten system designated WAZ-16 was developed for high strength in the 1095 C (2000 F) to 1205 C (2200 F) range. Its tensile strength at the latter temperature is approximately 186 MN/m2 (27,000 psi). The combination of properties of the alloy suggest that it has potential as a stator vane material in advanced gas turbine engines.

  19. Impact of temperature on nitrification in biological activated carbon (BAC) filters used for drinking water treatment.

    PubMed

    Andersson, A; Laurent, P; Kihn, A; Prévost, M; Servais, P

    2001-08-01

    The impact of temperature on nitrification in biological granular activated carbon (GAC) filters was evaluated in order to improve the understanding of the nitrification process in drinking water treatment. The study was conducted in a northern climate where very cold water temperatures (below 2 degrees C) prevail for extended periods and rapid shifts of temperature are frequent in the spring and fall. Ammonia removals were monitored and the fixed nitrifying biomass was measured using a method of potential nitrifying activity. The impact of temperature was evaluated on two different filter media: an opened superstructure wood-based activated carbon and a closed superstructure activated carbon-based on bituminous coal. The study was conducted at two levels: pilot scale (first-stage filters) and full-scale (second-stage filters) and the results indicate a strong temperature impact on nitrification activity. Ammonia removal capacities ranged from 40 to 90% in pilot filters, at temperatures above 10 degrees C, while more than 90% ammonia was removed in the full-scale filters for the same temperature range. At moderate temperatures (4-10 degrees C), the first stage pilot filters removed 10-40% of incoming ammonia for both media (opened and closed superstructure). In the full-scale filters, a difference between the two media in nitrification performances was observed at moderate temperatures: the ammonia removal rate in the opened superstructure support (more than 90%) was higher than in the closed superstructure support (45%). At low temperatures (below 4 degrees C) both media performed poorly. Ammonia removal capacities were below 30% in both pilot- and full-scale filters.

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

    Kim, Sun Ung, E-mail: sunung@umich.edu; Monroe, Charles W., E-mail: cwmonroe@umich.edu

    The inverse problem of parameterizing intermolecular potentials given macroscopic transport and thermodynamic data is addressed. Procedures are developed to create arbitrary-precision algorithms for transport collision integrals, using the Lennard-Jones (12–6) potential as an example. Interpolation formulas are produced that compute these collision integrals to four-digit accuracy over the reduced-temperature range 0.3≤T{sup ⁎}≤400, allowing very fast computation. Lennard-Jones parameters for neon, argon, and krypton are determined by simultaneously fitting the observed temperature dependences of their viscosities and second virial coefficients—one of the first times that a thermodynamic and a dynamic property have been used simultaneously for Lennard-Jones parameterization. In addition tomore » matching viscosities and second virial coefficients within the bounds of experimental error, the determined Lennard-Jones parameters are also found to predict the thermal conductivity and self-diffusion coefficient accurately, supporting the value of the Lennard-Jones (12–6) potential for noble-gas transport-property correlation.« less

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