Motivational Profiles and Motivation for Lifelong Learning of Medical Specialists.

PubMed

van der Burgt, Stéphanie M E; Kusurkar, Rashmi A; Wilschut, Janneke A; Tjin A Tsoi, Sharon L N M; Croiset, Gerda; Peerdeman, Saskia M

2018-05-22

Medical specialists face the challenge of maintaining their knowledge and skills and continuing professional development, that is, lifelong learning. Motivation may play an integral role in many of the challenges facing the physician workforce today including maintenance of a high performance. The aim of this study was to determine whether medical specialists show different motivational profiles and if these profiles predict differences in motivation for lifelong learning. An online questionnaire was sent to every medical specialist working in five hospitals in the Netherlands. The questionnaire included the validated Multidimensional Work Motivation Scale and the Jefferson Scale of Physician Lifelong Learning together with background questions like age, gender, and type of hospital. Respondents were grouped into different motivational profiles by using a two-step clustering approach. Four motivational profiles were identified: (1) HAMC profile (for High Autonomous and Moderate Controlled motivation), (2) MAMC profile (for Moderate Autonomous and Moderate Controlled motivation), (3) MALC profile (for Moderate Autonomous and Low Controlled motivation), and (4) HALC profile (for High Autonomous and Low Controlled motivation). Most of the female specialists that work in an academic hospital and specialists with a surgical specialty were represented in the HALC profile. Four motivational profiles were found among medical specialists, differing in gender, experience and type of specialization. The profiles are based on the combination of autonomous motivation (AM) and controlled motivation (CM) in the specialists. The profiles that have a high score on autonomous motivation have a positive association with lifelong learning.This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives License 4.0 (CCBY-NC-ND), where it is permissible to download and share the work provided it is properly cited. The work cannot be changed in any way or used commercially without permission from the journal.

Fivefold confinement time increase in the Madison Symmetric Torus using inductive poloidal current drive

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

Stoneking, M.R.; Lanier, N.E.; Prager, S.C.

1996-12-01

Current profile control is employed in the Madison Symmetric Torus reversed field pinch to reduce the magnetic fluctuations responsible for anomalous transport. An inductive poloidal electric field pulse is applied in the sense to flatten the parallel current profile, reducing the dynamo fluctuation amplitude required to sustain the equilibrium. This technique demonstrates a substantial reduction in fluctuation amplitude (as much as 50%), and improvement in energy confinement (from 1 ms to 5 ms); a record low fluctuation (0.8%) and record high temperature (615 eV) for this device were observed simultaneously during current drive experiments. Plasma beta increases by 50% andmore » the Ohmic input power is three times lower. Particle confinement improves and plasma impurity contamination is reduced. The results of the transient current drive experiments provide motivation for continuing development of steady-state current profile control strategies for the reversed field pinch.« less

Data Assimilation Experiments Using Quality Controlled AIRS Version 5 Temperature Soundings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Susskind, Joel

2009-01-01

The AIRS Science Team Version 5 retrieval algorithm has been finalized and is now operational at the Goddard DAAC in the processing (and reprocessing) of all AIRS data. The AIRS Science Team Version 5 retrieval algorithm contains a number of significant improvements over Version 4. Two very significant improvements are described briefly below. 1) The AIRS Science Team Radiative Transfer Algorithm (RTA) has now been upgraded to accurately account for effects of non-local thermodynamic equilibrium on the AIRS observations. This allows for use of AIRS observations in the entire 4.3 micron CO2 absorption band in the retrieval algorithm during both day and night. Following theoretical considerations, tropospheric temperature profile information is obtained almost exclusively from clear column radiances in the 4.3 micron CO2 band in the AIRS Version 5 temperature profile retrieval step. These clear column radiances are a derived product that are indicative of radiances AIRS channels would have seen if the field of view were completely clear. Clear column radiances for all channels are determined using tropospheric sounding 15 micron CO2 observations. This approach allows for the generation of accurate values of clear column radiances and T(p) under most cloud conditions. 2) Another very significant improvement in Version 5 is the ability to generate accurate case-by-case, level-by-level error estimates for the atmospheric temperature profile, as well as for channel-by-channel clear column radiances. These error estimates are used for quality control of the retrieved products. Based on error estimate thresholds, each temperature profiles is assigned a characteristic pressure, pg, down to which the profile is characterized as good for use for data assimilation purposes. We have conducted forecast impact experiments assimilating AIRS quality controlled temperature profiles using the NASA GEOS-5 data assimilation system, consisting of the NCEP GSI analysis coupled with the NASA FVGCM, at a spatial resolution of 0.5 deg by 0.5 deg. Assimilation of Quality Controlled AIRS temperature profiles down to pg resulted in significantly improved forecast skill compared to that obtained from experiments when all data used operationally by NCEP, except for AIRS data, is assimilated. These forecasts were also significantly better than to those obtained when AIRS radiances (rather than temperature profiles) are assimilated, which is the way AIRS data is used operationally by NCEP and ECMWF.

Marine geodetic control for geoidal profile mapping across the Puerto Rican Trench

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fubara, D. M.; Mourad, A. G.

1975-01-01

A marine geodetic control was established for the northern end of the geoidal profile mapping experiment across the Puerto Rican Trench by determining the three-dimensional geodetic coordinates of the four ocean-bottom mounted acoustic transponders. The data reduction techniques employed and analytical processes involved are described. Before applying the analytical techniques to the field data, they were tested with simulated data and proven to be effective in theory as well as in practice.

A New Quality Control Method base on IRMCD for Wind Profiler Observation towards Future Assimilation Application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Min; Zhang, Yu

2017-04-01

A wind profiler network with a total of 65 profiling radars was operated by the MOC/CMA in China until July 2015. In this study, a quality control procedure is constructed to incorporate the profiler data from the wind-profiling network into the local data assimilation and forecasting system (BJRUC). The procedure applies a blacklisting check that removes stations with gross errors and an outlier check that rejects data with large deviations from the background. Instead of the bi-weighting method, which has been commonly implemented in outlier elimination for one-dimensional scalar observations, an outlier elimination method is developed based on the iterated reweighted minimum covariance determinant (IRMCD) for multi-variate observations such as wind profiler data. A quality control experiment is separately performed for subsets containing profiler data tagged in parallel with/without rain flags at every 00UTC/12UTC from 20 June to 30 Sep 2015. From the results, we find that with the quality control, the frequency distributions of the differences between the observations and model background become more Gaussian-like and meet the requirements of a Gaussian distribution for data assimilation. Further intensive assessment for each quality control step reveals that the stations rejected by blacklisting contain poor data quality, and the IRMCD rejects outliers in a robust and physically reasonable manner.

Development and evaluation of a profile negotiation process for integrating aircraft and air traffic control automation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Green, Steven M.; Denbraven, Wim; Williams, David H.

1993-01-01

The development and evaluation of the profile negotiation process (PNP), an interactive process between an aircraft and air traffic control (ATC) that integrates airborne and ground-based automation capabilities to determine conflict-free trajectories that are as close to an aircraft's preference as possible, are described. The PNP was evaluated in a real-time simulation experiment conducted jointly by NASA's Ames and Langley Research Centers. The Ames Center/TRACON Automation System (CTAS) was used to support the ATC environment, and the Langley Transport Systems Research Vehicle (TSRV) piloted cab was used to simulate a 4D Flight Management System (FMS) capable aircraft. Both systems were connected in real time by way of voice and data lines; digital datalink communications capability was developed and evaluated as a means of supporting the air/ground exchange of trajectory data. The controllers were able to consistently and effectively negotiate nominally conflict-free vertical profiles with the 4D-equipped aircraft. The actual profiles flown were substantially closer to the aircraft's preference than would have been possible without the PNP. However, there was a strong consensus among the pilots and controllers that the level of automation of the PNP should be increased to make the process more transparent. The experiment demonstrated the importance of an aircraft's ability to accurately execute a negotiated profile as well as the need for digital datalink to support advanced air/ground data communications. The concept of trajectory space is proposed as a comprehensive approach for coupling the processes of trajectory planning and tracking to allow maximum pilot discretion in meeting ATC constraints.

Fast energy spectrum and transverse beam profile monitoring and feedback systems for the SLC linac

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

Soderstrom, E.J.; Abrams, G.S.; Weinstein, A.J.

Fast energy spectrum and transverse beam profile monitoring systems have been tested at the SLC. The signals for each system are derived from digitizations of images on phosphor screens. Individual beam bunch images are digitized in the case of the transverse profile system and synchrotron radiation images produced by wiggler magnets for the energy spectrum. Measurements are taken at two-second intervals. Feedback elements have been installed for future use and consist of rf phase shifters to control energy spectrum and dipole correctors to control the beam launch into the linac affecting the transverse beam profile. Details of these systems, includingmore » hardware, timing, data acquisition, data reduction, measurement accuracy, and operational experience will be presented. 9 refs.« less

Data Assimilation Experiments using Quality Controlled AIRS Version 5 Temperature Soundings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

SUsskind, Joel

2008-01-01

The AIRS Science Team Version 5 retrieval algorithm has been finalized and is now operational at the Goddard DAAC in the processing (and reprocessing) of all AIRS data. The AIRS Science Team Version 5 retrieval algorithm contains two significant improvements over Version 4: 1) Improved physics allows for use of AIRS observations in the entire 4.3 pm C02 absorption band in the retrieval of temperature profile T(p) during both day and night. Tropospheric sounding 15 pm C02 observations are now used primarily in the generation of cloud cleared radiances Ri. This approach allows for the generation of accurate values of Ri and T(p) under most cloud conditions. 2) Another very significant improvement in Version 5 is the ability to generate accurate case-by-case, level-by-level error estimates for the atmospheric temperature profile, as well as for channel-by- channel error estimates for Ri. These error estimates are used for quality control of the retrieved products. We have conducted forecast impact experiments assimilating AIRS temperature profiles with different levels of quality control using the NASA GEOS-5 data assimilation system. Assimilation of quality controlled T(p) resulted in significantly improved forecast skill compared to that obtained from analyses obtained when all data used operationally by NCEP, except for AIRS data, is assimilated. We also conducted an experiment assimilating AIRS radiances uncontaminated by clouds, as done Operationally by ECMWF and NCEP. Forecasts resulting from assimilated AIRS radiances were of poorer quality than those obtained assimilating AIRS temperatures.

Adaptive method for electron bunch profile prediction

DOE PAGES

Scheinker, Alexander; Gessner, Spencer

2015-10-15

We report on an experiment performed at the Facility for Advanced Accelerator Experimental Tests (FACET) at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, in which a new adaptive control algorithm, one with known, bounded update rates, despite operating on analytically unknown cost functions, was utilized in order to provide quasi-real-time bunch property estimates of the electron beam. Multiple parameters, such as arbitrary rf phase settings and other time-varying accelerator properties, were simultaneously tuned in order to match a simulated bunch energy spectrum with a measured energy spectrum. Thus, the simple adaptive scheme was digitally implemented using matlab and the experimental physics and industrialmore » control system. Finally, the main result is a nonintrusive, nondestructive, real-time diagnostic scheme for prediction of bunch profiles, as well as other beam parameters, the precise control of which are important for the plasma wakefield acceleration experiments being explored at FACET.« less

Multichannel microformulators for massively parallel machine learning and automated design of biological experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wikswo, John; Kolli, Aditya; Shankaran, Harish; Wagoner, Matthew; Mettetal, Jerome; Reiserer, Ronald; Gerken, Gregory; Britt, Clayton; Schaffer, David

Genetic, proteomic, and metabolic networks describing biological signaling can have 102 to 103 nodes. Transcriptomics and mass spectrometry can quantify 104 different dynamical experimental variables recorded from in vitro experiments with a time resolution approaching 1 s. It is difficult to infer metabolic and signaling models from such massive data sets, and it is unlikely that causality can be determined simply from observed temporal correlations. There is a need to design and apply specific system perturbations, which will be difficult to perform manually with 10 to 102 externally controlled variables. Machine learning and optimal experimental design can select an experiment that best discriminates between multiple conflicting models, but a remaining problem is to control in real time multiple variables in the form of concentrations of growth factors, toxins, nutrients and other signaling molecules. With time-division multiplexing, a microfluidic MicroFormulator (μF) can create in real time complex mixtures of reagents in volumes suitable for biological experiments. Initial 96-channel μF implementations control the exposure profile of cells in a 96-well plate to different temporal profiles of drugs; future experiments will include challenge compounds. Funded in part by AstraZeneca, NIH/NCATS HHSN271201600009C and UH3TR000491, and VIIBRE.

A fungal mock community control for amplicon sequencing experiments

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Microbial ecology has been profoundly advanced by the ability to profile complex microbial communities by sequencing of marker genes amplified from environmental samples. However, inclusion of appropriate controls is vital to revealing the limitations and biases of this technique. “Mock community” s...

Feedback control of the lower hybrid power deposition profile on Tore Supra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barana, O.; Mazon, D.; Laborde, L.; Turco, F.

2007-07-01

The Tore Supra facility is well suited to study ITER relevant topics such as the real-time control of plasma current and the sustaining of steady-state discharges. This work describes a tool that was recently developed and implemented on Tore Supra to control in real time, by means of the direct knowledge of the suprathermal electron local emission profile, the width of the lower hybrid power deposition profile. This quantity can be considered to some extent equivalent to the width of the plasma current density profile in case of fully non-inductive discharges. This system takes advantage of an accurate hard x-ray diagnostics, of an efficient lower hybrid additional heating and of a reliable real-time communication network. The successful experiments carried out to test the system employed, as actuators, the parallel refractive index n// and the total power PLH. The control of the suprathermal electron local emission profile through n// was also integrated with the feedback control of the total plasma current IP with PLH and of the loop voltage Vloop with the central solenoid flux. These results demonstrate that the system is robust, reliable and able to counterbalance destabilizing events. This tool can be effectively used in the future in fully non-inductive discharges to improve the MHD stability and to maintain internal transport barriers or lower hybrid enhanced performance modes. The real-time control of the lower hybrid power deposition profile could also be used in conjunction with the electron-cyclotron radiofrequency heating for synergy studies.

Computer-Controlled Cylindrical Polishing Process for Development of Grazing Incidence Optics for Hard X-Ray Region

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Khan, Gufran Sayeed; Gubarev, Mikhail; Speegle, Chet; Ramsey, Brian

2010-01-01

The presentation includes grazing incidence X-ray optics, motivation and challenges, mid spatial frequency generation in cylindrical polishing, design considerations for polishing lap, simulation studies and experimental results, future scope, and summary. Topics include current status of replication optics technology, cylindrical polishing process using large size polishing lap, non-conformance of polishin lap to the optics, development of software and polishing machine, deterministic prediction of polishing, polishing experiment under optimum conditions, and polishing experiment based on known error profile. Future plans include determination of non-uniformity in the polishing lap compliance, development of a polishing sequence based on a known error profile of the specimen, software for generating a mandrel polishing sequence, design an development of a flexible polishing lap, and computer controlled localized polishing process.

International Space Station External Contamination Status

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mikatarian, Ron; Soares, Carlos

2000-01-01

PResentation slides examine external contamination requirements; International Space Station (ISS) external contamination sources; ISS external contamination sensitive surfaces; external contamination control; external contamination control for pre-launch verification; flight experiments and observations; the Space Shuttle Orbiter waste water dump, materials outgassing, active vacuum vents; example of molecular column density profile, modeling and analysis tools; sources of outgassing induced contamination analyzed to date, quiescent sources, observations on optical degradation due to induced external contamination in LEO; examples of typical contaminant and depth profiles; and status of the ISS system, material outgassing, thruster plumes, and optical degradation.

Real-time MSE measurements for current profile control on KSTAR.

PubMed

De Bock, M F M; Aussems, D; Huijgen, R; Scheffer, M; Chung, J

2012-10-01

To step up from current day fusion experiments to power producing fusion reactors, it is necessary to control long pulse, burning plasmas. Stability and confinement properties of tokamak fusion reactors are determined by the current or q profile. In order to control the q profile, it is necessary to measure it in real-time. A real-time motional Stark effect diagnostic is being developed at Korean Superconducting Tokamak for Advanced Research for this purpose. This paper focuses on 3 topics important for real-time measurements: minimize the use of ad hoc parameters, minimize external influences and a robust and fast analysis algorithm. Specifically, we have looked into extracting the retardance of the photo-elastic modulators from the signal itself, minimizing the influence of overlapping beam spectra by optimizing the optical filter design and a multi-channel, multiharmonic phase locking algorithm.

Apollo lunar surface experiments package

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

The ALSEP program status and monthly progress are reported. Environmental and quality control tests and test results are described. Details are given on the Apollo 17 Array E, and the lunar seismic profiling, ejecta and meteorites, mass spectrometer, surface gravimeter, and heat flow experiments. Monitoring of the four ALSEP systems on the moon is also described.

Validation of the thermal transport model used for ITER startup scenario predictions with DIII-D experimental data

DOE PAGES

Casper, T. A.; Meyer, W. H.; Jackson, G. L.; ...

2010-12-08

We are exploring characteristics of ITER startup scenarios in similarity experiments conducted on the DIII-D Tokamak. In these experiments, we have validated scenarios for the ITER current ramp up to full current and developed methods to control the plasma parameters to achieve stability. Predictive simulations of ITER startup using 2D free-boundary equilibrium and 1D transport codes rely on accurate estimates of the electron and ion temperature profiles that determine the electrical conductivity and pressure profiles during the current rise. Here we present results of validation studies that apply the transport model used by the ITER team to DIII-D discharge evolutionmore » and comparisons with data from our similarity experiments.« less

Data Transfer Advisor with Transport Profiling Optimization

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

Rao, Nageswara S.; Liu, Qiang; Yun, Daqing

The network infrastructures have been rapidly upgraded in many high-performance networks (HPNs). However, such infrastructure investment has not led to corresponding performance improvement in big data transfer, especially at the application layer, largely due to the complexity of optimizing transport control on end hosts. We design and implement ProbData, a PRofiling Optimization Based DAta Transfer Advisor, to help users determine the most effective data transfer method with the most appropriate control parameter values to achieve the best data transfer performance. ProbData employs a profiling optimization based approach to exploit the optimal operational zone of various data transfer methods in supportmore » of big data transfer in extreme scale scientific applications. We present a theoretical framework of the optimized profiling approach employed in ProbData as wellas its detailed design and implementation. The advising procedure and performance benefits of ProbData are illustrated and evaluated by proof-of-concept experiments in real-life networks.« less

Temperature compensation analysis of liquid lens for variable-focus control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Shu-Jung; Tai, Tsai-Lin; Shen, Chih-Hsiung

2006-01-01

In this work, a fabrication and temperature compensation analysis and electrowetting for the liquid lenses is proposed. The unique capability of controlling the lens profile during the electrowetting fabrication processes is successfully demonstrated for different ambient temperature environment. For a lens fabricated on a hydrophobic Teflon layer, it is found that when the applied voltage is increased, the focal length increases, and the curvature decreases. One challenge for the liquid lens is operating temperature range. Due to the environment temperature change, the ability of controlling the lens profile is analyzed and measured. The description of change in contact angle corresponding to the variation of ambient temperature is derived. Based on this description, we firstly derive the control of voltage vs. temperature for a fixed dioptric power. The control of lens during a focusing action was studied by observation of the image formed by the light through the transparent bottom of ITO glass. Under several conditions of ambient temperature change, capability of controlling the lens profile for a fixed focus is successfully demonstrated by experiments.

Current profile control experiments in EXTRAP T2R

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brunsell, P.; Cecconello, M.; Drake, J.; Franz, P.; Malmberg, J. A.; Marrelli, L.; Martin, P.; Spizzo, G.

2002-11-01

EXTRAP T2R is a high aspect ratio (R=1.24 m, a = 0.183 m) reversed-field pinch device, characterised by a double, thin shell system. The simultaneous presence of many m=1, |n| > 11 tearing modes is responsible for a magnetic field turbulence, which is believed to produce the rather high energy and particle transport that is observed in this type of magnetic configuration. In this paper first results from current profile control experiments (PPCD) in a thin shell device are shown. When an edge poloidal electric field is transiently applied, an increase of the electron temperature and of the electron density is seen, which is consistent with an increase of the thermal content of the plasma. At the same time, the soft x-ray emission, measured with a newly installed miniaturised camera, shows a peaking of the profile in the core. Furthermore, the amplitudes of the m=1 tearing modes are reduced and and the rotation velocities increase during PPCD, which is also consistent with a reduction of magnetic turbulence and a heating of the plasma

Active flow control for a NACA-0012 Profile: Part II

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oualli, H.; Makadem, M.; Ouchene, H.; Ferfouri, A.; Bouabdallah, A.; Gad-El-Hak, M.

2016-11-01

Active flow control is applied to a NACA-0012 profile. The experiments are conducted in a wind tunnel. Using a high-resolution visible-light camera and tomography, flow visualizations are carried out. LES finite-volume 3D code is used to complement the physical experiments. The symmetric wing is clipped into two parts, and those parts extend and retract along the chord according to the same sinusoidal law we optimized last year for the same profile but clipped at an angle of 60 deg, instead of the original 90 deg. The Reynolds number range is extended to 500,000, thus covering the flying regimes of micro-UAVs, UAVs, as well as small aircraft. When the nascent cavity is open and the attack angle is 30 deg, the drag coefficient is increased by 1,300%, as compared to the uncontrolled case. However, when the cavity is covered and Re <=105 , a relatively small frequency, f <= 30 Hz, is required for the drag coefficient to drop to negative values. At the maximum Reynolds number, thrust is generated but only at much higher frequencies, 12 <= f <= 16 kHz.

Image processing and computer controls for video profile diagnostic system in the ground test accelerator (GTA)

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

Wright, R.M.; Zander, M.E.; Brown, S.K.

1992-09-01

This paper describes the application of video image processing to beam profile measurements on the Ground Test Accelerator (GTA). A diagnostic was needed to measure beam profiles in the intermediate matching section (IMS) between the radio-frequency quadrupole (RFQ) and the drift tube linac (DTL). Beam profiles are measured by injecting puffs of gas into the beam. The light emitted from the beam-gas interaction is captured and processed by a video image processing system, generating the beam profile data. A general purpose, modular and flexible video image processing system, imagetool, was used for the GTA image profile measurement. The development ofmore » both software and hardware for imagetool and its integration with the GTA control system (GTACS) will be discussed. The software includes specialized algorithms for analyzing data and calibrating the system. The underlying design philosophy of imagetool was tested by the experience of building and using the system, pointing the way for future improvements. The current status of the system will be illustrated by samples of experimental data.« less

Image processing and computer controls for video profile diagnostic system in the ground test accelerator (GTA)

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

Wright, R.M.; Zander, M.E.; Brown, S.K.

1992-01-01

This paper describes the application of video image processing to beam profile measurements on the Ground Test Accelerator (GTA). A diagnostic was needed to measure beam profiles in the intermediate matching section (IMS) between the radio-frequency quadrupole (RFQ) and the drift tube linac (DTL). Beam profiles are measured by injecting puffs of gas into the beam. The light emitted from the beam-gas interaction is captured and processed by a video image processing system, generating the beam profile data. A general purpose, modular and flexible video image processing system, imagetool, was used for the GTA image profile measurement. The development ofmore » both software and hardware for imagetool and its integration with the GTA control system (GTACS) will be discussed. The software includes specialized algorithms for analyzing data and calibrating the system. The underlying design philosophy of imagetool was tested by the experience of building and using the system, pointing the way for future improvements. The current status of the system will be illustrated by samples of experimental data.« less

Note: Automated electrochemical etching and polishing of silver scanning tunneling microscope tips.

PubMed

Sasaki, Stephen S; Perdue, Shawn M; Rodriguez Perez, Alejandro; Tallarida, Nicholas; Majors, Julia H; Apkarian, V Ara; Lee, Joonhee

2013-09-01

Fabrication of sharp and smooth Ag tips is crucial in optical scanning probe microscope experiments. To ensure reproducible tip profiles, the polishing process is fully automated using a closed-loop laminar flow system to deliver the electrolytic solution to moving electrodes mounted on a motorized translational stage. The repetitive translational motion is controlled precisely on the μm scale with a stepper motor and screw-thread mechanism. The automated setup allows reproducible control over the tip profile and improves smoothness and sharpness of tips (radius 27 ± 18 nm), as measured by ultrafast field emission.

Sound control by temperature gradients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sánchez-Dehesa, José; Angelov, Mitko I.; Cervera, Francisco; Cai, Liang-Wu

2009-11-01

This work reports experiments showing that airborne sound propagation can be controlled by temperature gradients. A system of two heated tubes is here used to demonstrate the collimation and focusing of an ultrasonic beam by the refractive index profile created by the temperature gradients existing around the tubes. Numerical simulations supporting the experimental findings are also reported.

Binocular combination of luminance profiles

PubMed Central

Ding, Jian; Levi, Dennis M.

2017-01-01

We develop and test a new two-dimensional model for binocular combination of the two eyes' luminance profiles. For first-order stimuli, the model assumes that one eye's luminance profile first goes through a luminance compressor, receives gain-control and gain-enhancement from the other eye, and then linearly combines the other eye's output profile. For second-order stimuli, rectification is added in the signal path of the model before the binocular combination site. Both the total contrast and luminance energies, weighted sums over both the space and spatial-frequency domains, were used in the interocular gain-control, while only the total contrast energy was used in the interocular gain-enhancement. To challenge the model, we performed a binocular brightness matching experiment over a large range of background and target luminances. The target stimulus was a dichoptic disc with a sharp edge that has an increment or decrement luminance from its background. The disk's interocular luminance ratio varied from trial to trial. To refine the model we tested three luminance compressors, five nested binocular combination models (including the Ding–Sperling and the DSKL models), and examined the presence or absence of total luminance energy in the model. We found that (1) installing a luminance compressor, either a logarithmic luminance function or luminance gain-control, (2) including both contrast and luminance energies, and (3) adding interocular gain-enhancement (the DSKL model) to a combined model significantly improved its performance. The combined model provides a systematic account of binocular luminance summation over a large range of luminance input levels. It gives a unified explanation of Fechner's paradox observed on a dark background, and a winner-take-all phenomenon observed on a light background. To further test the model, we conducted two additional experiments: luminance summation of discs with asymmetric contour information (Experiment 2), similar to Levelt (1965) and binocular combination of second-order contrast-modulated gratings (Experiment 3). We used the model obtained in Experiment 1 to predict the results of Experiments 2 and 3 and the results of our previous studies. Model simulations further refined the contrast space weight and contrast sensitivity functions that are installed in the model, and provide a reasonable account for rebalancing of imbalanced binocular vision by reducing the mean luminance in the dominant eye. PMID:29098293

CellProfiler Tracer: exploring and validating high-throughput, time-lapse microscopy image data.

PubMed

Bray, Mark-Anthony; Carpenter, Anne E

2015-11-04

Time-lapse analysis of cellular images is an important and growing need in biology. Algorithms for cell tracking are widely available; what researchers have been missing is a single open-source software package to visualize standard tracking output (from software like CellProfiler) in a way that allows convenient assessment of track quality, especially for researchers tuning tracking parameters for high-content time-lapse experiments. This makes quality assessment and algorithm adjustment a substantial challenge, particularly when dealing with hundreds of time-lapse movies collected in a high-throughput manner. We present CellProfiler Tracer, a free and open-source tool that complements the object tracking functionality of the CellProfiler biological image analysis package. Tracer allows multi-parametric morphological data to be visualized on object tracks, providing visualizations that have already been validated within the scientific community for time-lapse experiments, and combining them with simple graph-based measures for highlighting possible tracking artifacts. CellProfiler Tracer is a useful, free tool for inspection and quality control of object tracking data, available from http://www.cellprofiler.org/tracer/.

Steroid profiling in H295R cells to identify chemicals potentially disrupting the production of adrenal steroids.

PubMed

Strajhar, Petra; Tonoli, David; Jeanneret, Fabienne; Imhof, Raphaella M; Malagnino, Vanessa; Patt, Melanie; Kratschmar, Denise V; Boccard, Julien; Rudaz, Serge; Odermatt, Alex

2017-04-15

The validated OECD test guideline 456 based on human adrenal H295R cells promotes measurement of testosterone and estradiol production as read-out to identify potential endocrine disrupting chemicals. This study aimed to establish optimal conditions for using H295R cells to detect chemicals interfering with the production of key adrenal steroids. H295R cells' supernatants were characterized by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based steroid profiling, and the influence of experimental conditions including time and serum content was assessed. Steroid profiles were determined before and after incubation with reference compounds and chemicals to be tested for potential disruption of adrenal steroidogenesis. The H295R cells cultivated according to the OECD test guideline produced progestins, glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids and adrenal androgens but only very low amounts of testosterone. However, testosterone contained in Nu-serum was metabolized during the 48h incubation. Thus, inclusion of positive and negative controls and a steroid profile of the complete medium prior to the experiment (t=0h) was necessary to characterize H295R cells' steroid production and indicate alterations caused by exposure to chemicals. Among the tested chemicals, octyl methoxycinnamate and acetyl tributylcitrate resembled the corticosteroid induction pattern of the positive control torcetrapib. Gene expression analysis revealed that octyl methoxycinnamate and acetyl tributylcitrate enhanced CYP11B2 expression, although less pronounced than torcetrapib. Further experiments need to assess the toxicological relevance of octyl methoxycinnamate- and acetyl tributylcitrate-induced corticosteroid production. In conclusion, the extended profiling and appropriate controls allow detecting chemicals that act on steroidogenesis and provide initial mechanistic evidence for prioritizing chemicals for further investigations. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Unbiased Metabolite Profiling of Schizophrenia Fibroblasts under Stressful Perturbations Reveals Dysregulation of Plasmalogens and Phosphatidylcholines.

PubMed

Huang, Joanne H; Park, Hyoungjun; Iaconelli, Jonathan; Berkovitch, Shaunna S; Watmuff, Bradley; McPhie, Donna; Öngür, Dost; Cohen, Bruce M; Clish, Clary B; Karmacharya, Rakesh

2017-02-03

We undertook an unbiased metabolite profiling of fibroblasts from schizophrenia patients and healthy controls to identify metabolites and pathways that are dysregulated in disease, seeking to gain new insights into the disease biology of schizophrenia and to discover potential disease-related biomarkers. We measured polar and nonpolar metabolites in the fibroblasts under normal conditions and under two stressful physiological perturbations: growth in low-glucose media and exposure to the steroid hormone dexamethasone. We found that metabolites that were significantly different between schizophrenia and control subjects showed separation of the two groups by partial least-squares discriminant analysis methods. This separation between schizophrenia and healthy controls was more robust with metabolites identified under the perturbation conditions. The most significant individual metabolite differences were also found in the perturbation experiments. Metabolites that were significantly different between schizophrenia and healthy controls included a number of plasmalogens and phosphatidylcholines. We present these results in the context of previous reports of metabolic profiling of brain tissue and plasma in schizophrenia. These results show the applicability of metabolite profiling under stressful perturbations to reveal cellular pathways that may be involved in disease biology.

Further experiments for mean velocity profile of pipe flow at high Reynolds number

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Furuichi, N.; Terao, Y.; Wada, Y.; Tsuji, Y.

2018-05-01

This paper reports further experimental results obtained in high Reynolds number actual flow facility in Japan. The experiments were performed in a pipe flow with water, and the friction Reynolds number was varied up to Reτ = 5.3 × 104. This high Reynolds number was achieved by using water as the working fluid and adopting a large-diameter pipe (387 mm) while controlling the flow rate and temperature with high accuracy and precision. The streamwise velocity was measured by laser Doppler velocimetry close to the wall, and the mean velocity profile, called log-law profile U+ = (1/κ) ln(y+) + B, is especially focused. After careful verification of the mean velocity profiles in terms of the flow rate accuracy and an evaluation of the consistency of the present results with those from previously measurements in a smaller pipe (100 mm), it was found that the value of κ asymptotically approaches a constant value of κ = 0.384.

Enhanced reproducibility of L-mode plasma discharges via physics-model-based q-profile feedback control in DIII-D

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schuster, E.; Wehner, W. P.; Barton, J. E.; Boyer, M. D.; Luce, T. C.; Ferron, J. R.; Holcomb, C. T.; Walker, M. L.; Humphreys, D. A.; Solomon, W. M.; Penaflor, B. G.; Johnson, R. D.

2017-11-01

Recent experiments on DIII-D demonstrate the potential of physics-model-based q-profile control to improve reproducibility of plasma discharges. A combined feedforward  +  feedback control scheme is employed to optimize the current ramp-up phase by consistently achieving target q profiles (Target 1: q_min=1.3, q95=4.4 ; Target 2: q_min=1.65, q95=5.0 ; Target 3: q_min=2.1, q95=6.2 ) at prescribed times during the plasma formation phase (Target 1: t=1.5 s; Target 2: t=1.3 s; Target 3: t=1.0 s). At the core of the control scheme is a nonlinear, first-principles-driven, physics-based, control-oriented model of the plasma dynamics valid for low confinement (L-mode) scenarios. To prevent undesired L-H transitions, a constraint on the maximum allowable total auxiliary power is imposed in addition to the maximum powers for the individual heating and current-drive sources. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the combined feedforward  +  feedback control scheme to consistently achieve the desired target profiles at the predefined times. These results also show how the addition of feedback control significantly improves upon the feedforward-only control solution by reducing the matching error and also how the feedback controller is able to reduce the matching error as the constraint on the maximum allowable total auxiliary power is relaxed while keeping the plasma in L-mode.

Adaptive method for electron bunch profile prediction

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

Scheinker, Alexander; Gessner, Spencer

2015-10-01

We report on an experiment performed at the Facility for Advanced Accelerator Experimental Tests (FACET) at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, in which a new adaptive control algorithm, one with known, bounded update rates, despite operating on analytically unknown cost functions, was utilized in order to provide quasi-real-time bunch property estimates of the electron beam. Multiple parameters, such as arbitrary rf phase settings and other time-varying accelerator properties, were simultaneously tuned in order to match a simulated bunch energy spectrum with a measured energy spectrum. The simple adaptive scheme was digitally implemented using matlab and the experimental physics and industrial controlmore » system. The main result is a nonintrusive, nondestructive, real-time diagnostic scheme for prediction of bunch profiles, as well as other beam parameters, the precise control of which are important for the plasma wakefield acceleration experiments being explored at FACET. © 2015 authors. Published by the American Physical Society.« less

Investigation of blown boundary layers with an improved wall jet system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Saripalli, K. R.; Simpson, R. L.

1980-01-01

Measurements were made in a two dimensional incompressible wall jet submerged under a thick upstream boundary layer with a zero pressure gradient and an adverse pressure gradient. The measurements included mean velocity and Reynolds stresses profiles, skin friction, and turbulence spectra. The measurements were confined to practical ratios (less than 2) of the jet velocity to the free stream velocity. The wall jet used in the experiments had an asymmetric velocity profile with a relatively higher concentration of momentum away from the wall. An asymmetric jet velocity profile has distinct advantages over a uniform jet velocity profile, especially in the control of separation. Predictions were made using Irwin's (1974) method for blown boundary layers. The predictions clearly show the difference in flow development between an asymmetric jet velocity profile and a uniform jet velocity profile.

Data Assimilation Experiments using Quality Controlled AIRS Version 5 Temperature Soundings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Susskind, Joel

2008-01-01

The AIRS Science Team Version 5 retrieval algorithm has been finalized and is now operational at the Goddard DAAC in the processing (and reprocessing) of all AlRS data. Version 5 contains accurate case-by-case error estimates for most derived products, which are also used for quality control. We have conducted forecast impact experiments assimilating AlRS quality controlled temperature profiles using the NASA GEOS-5 data assimilation system, consisting of the NCEP GSI analysis coupled with the NASA FVGCM. Assimilation of quality controlled temperature profiles resulted in significantly improved forecast skill in both the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere Extra-Tropics, compared to that obtained from analyses obtained when all data used operationally by NCEP except for AlRS data is assimilated. Experiments using different Quality Control thresholds for assimilation of AlRS temperature retrievals showed that a medium quality control threshold performed better than a tighter threshold, which provided better overall sounding accuracy; or a looser threshold, which provided better spatial coverage of accepted soundings. We are conducting more experiments to further optimize this balance of spatial coverage and sounding accuracy from the data assimilation perspective. In all cases, temperature soundings were assimilated well below cloud level in partially cloudy cases. The positive impact of assimilating AlRS derived atmospheric temperatures all but vanished when only AIRS stratospheric temperatures were assimilated. Forecast skill resulting from assimilation of AlRS radiances uncontaminated by clouds, instead of AlRS temperature soundings, was only slightly better than that resulting from assimilation of only stratospheric AlRS temperatures. This reduction in forecast skill is most likely the result of significant loss of tropospheric information when only AIRS radiances unaffected by clouds are used in the data assimilation process.

EAGLE The controlled source experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maguire, P. K. H.; Eagle Controlled Source Group

2003-04-01

In January 2003, a wide-angle reflection / refraction seismic project was carried out over the north-eastern section of the Main Ethiopian Rift as part of the international EAGLE (Ethiopia Afar Geoscientific Lithospheric Experiment) programme. EAGLE comprises a combination of passive and controlled source seismic experiments to determine the geometry and kinematics of a continental rift immediately prior to break-up, enabling the development of magmatic margin break-up models. A total of ˜900 seismic instruments were deployed along two 450km profiles, one along the axis of the Ethiopian Rift into the south-west corner of Afar; and a second across the rift, extending north and south across the uplifted, flood basalt covered, Ethiopian plateau. The two profiles intersect over the Nazret volcanic segment in the rift. This may be indicative of the transition from continental style rifting in which strain is accommodated on the rift bounding border faults, to a state where strain and magmatism have migrated to a narrow zone within the rift, a necessary pre-cursor to break-up. A further ˜300 instruments were deployed in a 100x100km^2 array around the intersection of the two profiles. A total of 16 borehole and 2 lake shots were fired into the network over a period of four days. The principal objectives of the controlled source project were to examine crustal strain, the distribution of crustal magmatic intrusions, the influence of pre-rift crustal property variations on rift development and also to provide a crustal seismic velocity distribution to improve images of the deep mantle, as well as earthquake locations derived from the EAGLE passive arrays.

Experimental validation of a Lyapunov-based controller for the plasma safety factor and plasma pressure in the TCV tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mavkov, B.; Witrant, E.; Prieur, C.; Maljaars, E.; Felici, F.; Sauter, O.; the TCV-Team

2018-05-01

In this paper, model-based closed-loop algorithms are derived for distributed control of the inverse of the safety factor profile and the plasma pressure parameter β of the TCV tokamak. The simultaneous control of the two plasma quantities is performed by combining two different control methods. The control design of the plasma safety factor is based on an infinite-dimensional setting using Lyapunov analysis for partial differential equations, while the control of the plasma pressure parameter is designed using control techniques for single-input and single-output systems. The performance and robustness of the proposed controller is analyzed in simulations using the fast plasma transport simulator RAPTOR. The control is then implemented and tested in experiments in TCV L-mode discharges using the RAPTOR model predicted estimates for the q-profile. The distributed control in TCV is performed using one co-current and one counter-current electron cyclotron heating actuation.

[The relationship between autonomous motivation and academic adjustment in junior high school students].

PubMed

Nishimura, Takuma; Sakurai, Shigeo

2013-10-01

This study investigated the relationship between autonomous motivation and academic adjustment based on the perspective of self-determination theory. It also examined motivational profiles to reveal individual differences and the characteristic of these profiles for groups with varying levels of autonomous and controlled regulation (autonomous, controlled, high motivation, and low motivation). Data were collected from 442 junior high school students for academic motivation, academic performance, academic competence, meta-cognitive strategy, academic anxiety, apathy, and stress experience. Correlation analyses generally supported the basic hypothesis of self-determination theory that a more autonomous regulation style was strongly related to academic adjustment. The results also showed that persons with a high autonomous regulation and a low controlled regulation style were the most adaptive.

What Controls the Vertical Distribution of Aerosol? Relationships Between Process Sensitivity in HadGEM3-UKCA and Inter-Model Variation from AeroCom Phase II

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kipling, Zak; Stier, Philip; Johnson, Colin E.; Mann, Graham W.; Bellouin, Nicolas; Bauer, Susanne E.; Bergman, Tommi; Chin, Mian; Diehl, Thomas; Ghan, Steven J.;

Retailing and Shopping on the Internet.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rowley, Jennifer

1996-01-01

Internet advertising and commercial activity are increasing. This article examines challenges facing the retail industry on the Internet: location; comparison shopping; security, especially financial transactions; customer base and profile; nature of the shopping experience; and legal and marketplace controls. (PEN)

Impact of CAMEX-4 Data Sets for Hurricane Forecasts using a Global Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kamineni, Rupa; Krishnamurti, T. N.; Pattnaik, S.; Browell, Edward V.; Ismail, Syed; Ferrare, Richard A.

2005-01-01

This study explores the impact on hurricane data assimilation and forecasts from the use of dropsondes and remote-sensed moisture profiles from the airborne Lidar Atmospheric Sensing Experiment (LASE) system. We show that the use of these additional data sets, above those from the conventional world weather watch, has a positive impact on hurricane predictions. The forecast tracks and intensity from the experiments show a marked improvement compared to the control experiment where such data sets were excluded. A study of the moisture budget in these hurricanes showed enhanced evaporation and precipitation over the storm area. This resulted in these data sets making a large impact on the estimate of mass convergence and moisture fluxes, which were much smaller in the control runs. Overall this study points to the importance of high vertical resolution humidity data sets for improved model results. We note that the forecast impact from the moisture profiling data sets for some of the storms is even larger than the impact from the use of dropwindsonde based winds.

EPICS-based control and data acquisition for the APS slope profiler (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sullivan, Joseph; Assoufid, Lahsen; Qian, Jun; Jemian, Peter R.; Mooney, Tim; Rivers, Mark L.; Goetze, Kurt; Sluiter, Ronald L.; Lang, Keenan

2016-09-01

The motion control, data acquisition and analysis system for APS Slope Measuring Profiler was implemented using the Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS). EPICS was designed as a framework with software tools and applications that provide a software infrastructure used in building distributed control systems to operate devices such as particle accelerators, large experiments and major telescopes. EPICS was chosen to implement the APS Slope Measuring Profiler because it is also applicable to single purpose systems. The control and data handling capability available in the EPICS framework provides the basic functionality needed for high precision X-ray mirror measurement. Those built in capabilities include hardware integration of high-performance motion control systems (3-axis gantry and tip-tilt stages), mirror measurement devices (autocollimator, laser spot camera) and temperature sensors. Scanning the mirror and taking measurements was accomplished with an EPICS feature (the sscan record) which synchronizes motor positioning with measurement triggers and data storage. Various mirror scanning modes were automatically configured using EPICS built-in scripting. EPICS tools also provide low-level image processing (areaDetector). Operation screens were created using EPICS-aware GUI screen development tools.

A reliable data collection/control system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maughan, Thom

1988-01-01

The Cal Poly Space Project requires a data collection/control system which must be able to reliably record temperature, pressure and vibration data. It must also schedule the 16 electroplating and 2 immiscible alloy experiments so as to optimize use of the batteries, maintain a safe package temperature profile, and run the experiment during conditions of microgravity (and minimum vibration). This system must operate unattended in the harsh environment of space and consume very little power due to limited battery supply. The design of a system which meets these requirements is addressed.

Theoretical Issues for Plasma Regimes to be Explored by the Ignitor Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cardinali, A.; Coppi, B.; Sonnino, G.

2014-10-01

At present, the Ignitor experiment is the only one designed and planned to approach and explore ignition regimes under controlled DT burning conditions. The machine parameters have been established on the basis of existing knowledge of the confinement properties of high density plasmas. A variety of improved confinement regimes are expected to be accessible by means of the available ICRH heating power in addition to the prevalent programmable Ohmic heating power and relying on the injection of high velocity pellets for density profile control. The relevance of the various known confinement regimes to the objectives of Ignitor is discussed. Among other theoretical efforts, a non-linear thermal energy balance equation is investigated to study the onset of thermonuclear instability in the plasmas expected to be produced in Ignitor. The equation for the temperature profile in the equilibrium state is solved with the resulting profiles in agreement with those obtained by a full transport code and commonly adopted scalings for them. The evolution of the thermonuclear instability that relies on the solution of the time dependent energy balance equation is obtained. Sponsored in part by the U.S. DOE.

Enhanced reproducibility of L-mode plasma discharges via physics-model-based q-profile feedback control in DIII-D

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

Schuster, Eugenio J.; Wehner, William P.; Barton, Joseph E.

Recent experiments on DIII-D demonstrate the potential of physics-model-based q-profile control to improve reproducibility of plasma discharges. A combined feed forward + feedback control scheme is employed to optimize the current ramp-up phase by consistently achieving target q profiles (Target 1: q min = 1.3,q 95 = 4:4; Target 2: q min = 1.65,q 95 = 5.0; Target 3: q min = 2.1,q 95 = 6:2) at prescribed times during the plasma formation phase (Target 1: t = 1.5 s; Target 2: t = 1:3 s; Target 3: t = 1.0 s). At the core of the control scheme ismore » a nonlinear, first-principles-driven, physics-based, control-oriented model of the plasma dynamics valid for low confinement (L-mode) scenarios. To prevent undesired L-H transitions, a constraint on the maximum allowable total auxiliary power is imposed in addition to the maximum powers for the individual heating and current-drive sources. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the combined feed forward + feedback control scheme to consistently achieve the desired target profiles at the predefined times. Here, these results also show how the addition of feedback control significantly improves upon the feed forward only control solution by reducing the matching error and also how the feedback controller is able to reduce the matching error as the constraint on the maximum allowable total auxiliary power is relaxed while keeping the plasma in L-mode.« less

Enhanced reproducibility of L-mode plasma discharges via physics-model-based q-profile feedback control in DIII-D

DOE PAGES

Schuster, Eugenio J.; Wehner, William P.; Barton, Joseph E.; ...

2017-08-09

Recent experiments on DIII-D demonstrate the potential of physics-model-based q-profile control to improve reproducibility of plasma discharges. A combined feed forward + feedback control scheme is employed to optimize the current ramp-up phase by consistently achieving target q profiles (Target 1: q min = 1.3,q 95 = 4:4; Target 2: q min = 1.65,q 95 = 5.0; Target 3: q min = 2.1,q 95 = 6:2) at prescribed times during the plasma formation phase (Target 1: t = 1.5 s; Target 2: t = 1:3 s; Target 3: t = 1.0 s). At the core of the control scheme ismore » a nonlinear, first-principles-driven, physics-based, control-oriented model of the plasma dynamics valid for low confinement (L-mode) scenarios. To prevent undesired L-H transitions, a constraint on the maximum allowable total auxiliary power is imposed in addition to the maximum powers for the individual heating and current-drive sources. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the combined feed forward + feedback control scheme to consistently achieve the desired target profiles at the predefined times. Here, these results also show how the addition of feedback control significantly improves upon the feed forward only control solution by reducing the matching error and also how the feedback controller is able to reduce the matching error as the constraint on the maximum allowable total auxiliary power is relaxed while keeping the plasma in L-mode.« less

EMISSIONS PROFILE CHARACTERIZATION OF LAKE MICHIGAN POLLUTANT SOURCES - PART I

EPA Science Inventory

The southern Lake Michigan aea continues to experience poor air quality despite the implementation of many measures to control particulate matter, ozone and toxic pollutants. Fortunately, the ambient atmosphere holds clues tothese sources and their contributions to urban polluti...

Getting back to nature: a reality check for experiments in controlled environments.

PubMed

Annunziata, Maria Grazia; Apelt, Federico; Carillo, Petronia; Krause, Ursula; Feil, Regina; Mengin, Virginie; Lauxmann, Martin A; Köhl, Karin; Nikoloski, Zoran; Stitt, Mark; Lunn, John E; Raines, Christine

2017-07-20

Irradiance from sunlight changes in a sinusoidal manner during the day, with irregular fluctuations due to clouds, and light-dark shifts at dawn and dusk are gradual. Experiments in controlled environments typically expose plants to constant irradiance during the day and abrupt light-dark transitions. To compare the effects on metabolism of sunlight versus artificial light regimes, Arabidopsis thaliana plants were grown in a naturally illuminated greenhouse around the vernal equinox, and in controlled environment chambers with a 12-h photoperiod and either constant or sinusoidal light profiles, using either white fluorescent tubes or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) tuned to a sunlight-like spectrum as the light source. Rosettes were sampled throughout a 24-h diurnal cycle for metabolite analysis. The diurnal metabolite profiles revealed that carbon and nitrogen metabolism differed significantly between sunlight and artificial light conditions. The variability of sunlight within and between days could be a factor underlying these differences. Pairwise comparisons of the artificial light sources (fluorescent versus LED) or the light profiles (constant versus sinusoidal) showed much smaller differences. The data indicate that energy-efficient LED lighting is an acceptable alternative to fluorescent lights, but results obtained from plants grown with either type of artificial lighting might not be representative of natural conditions. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology.

Installation of automatic control at experimental breeder reactor II

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

Larson, H.A.; Booty, W.F.; Chick, D.R.

1985-08-01

The Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II) has been modified to permit automatic control capability. Necessary mechanical and electrical changes were made on a regular control rod position; motor, gears, and controller were replaced. A digital computer system was installed that has the programming capability for varied power profiles. The modifications permit transient testing at EBR-II. Experiments were run that increased power linearly as much as 4 MW/s (16% of initial power of 25 MW(thermal)/s), held power constant, and decreased power at a rate no slower than the increase rate. Thus the performance of the automatic control algorithm, the mechanical andmore » electrical control equipment, and the qualifications of the driver fuel for future power change experiments were all demonstrated.« less

High performance advanced tokamak regimes in DIII-D for next-step experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Greenfield, C. M.; Murakami, M.; Ferron, J. R.; Wade, M. R.; Luce, T. C.; Petty, C. C.; Menard, J. E.; Petrie, T. W.; Allen, S. L.; Burrell, K. H.; Casper, T. A.; DeBoo, J. C.; Doyle, E. J.; Garofalo, A. M.; Gorelov, I. A.; Groebner, R. J.; Hobirk, J.; Hyatt, A. W.; Jayakumar, R. J.; Kessel, C. E.; La Haye, R. J.; Jackson, G. L.; Lohr, J.; Makowski, M. A.; Pinsker, R. I.; Politzer, P. A.; Prater, R.; Strait, E. J.; Taylor, T. S.; West, W. P.; DIII-D Team

2004-05-01

Advanced Tokamak (AT) research in DIII-D [K. H. Burrell for the DIII-D Team, in Proceedings of the 19th Fusion Energy Conference, Lyon, France, 2002 (International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, 2002) published on CD-ROM] seeks to provide a scientific basis for steady-state high performance operation in future devices. These regimes require high toroidal beta to maximize fusion output and poloidal beta to maximize the self-driven bootstrap current. Achieving these conditions requires integrated, simultaneous control of the current and pressure profiles, and active magnetohydrodynamic stability control. The building blocks for AT operation are in hand. Resistive wall mode stabilization via plasma rotation and active feedback with nonaxisymmetric coils allows routine operation above the no-wall beta limit. Neoclassical tearing modes are stabilized by active feedback control of localized electron cyclotron current drive (ECCD). Plasma shaping and profile control provide further improvements. Under these conditions, bootstrap supplies most of the current. Steady-state operation requires replacing the remaining Ohmic current, mostly located near the half radius, with noninductive external sources. In DIII-D this current is provided by ECCD, and nearly stationary AT discharges have been sustained with little remaining Ohmic current. Fast wave current drive is being developed to control the central magnetic shear. Density control, with divertor cryopumps, of AT discharges with edge localized moding H-mode edges facilitates high current drive efficiency at reactor relevant collisionalities. A sophisticated plasma control system allows integrated control of these elements. Close coupling between modeling and experiment is key to understanding the separate elements, their complex nonlinear interactions, and their integration into self-consistent high performance scenarios. Progress on this development, and its implications for next-step devices, will be illustrated by results of recent experiment and simulation efforts.

EMISSIONS PROFILE CHARACTERIZATION OF LAKE MICHIGAN POLLUTANT SOURCES - PART III

EPA Science Inventory

The southern Lake Michigan aea continues to experience poor air quality despite the implementation of many measures to control particulate matter, ozone and toxic pollutants. Fortunately, the ambient atmosphere holds clues to these sources and their contributions to urban polluti...

EMISSIONS PROFILE CHARACTERIZATION OF LAKE MICHIGAN POLLUTANT SOURCES - PART II

EPA Science Inventory

The southern Lake Michigan area continues to experience poor air quality despite the implementation of many measures to control particulate matter, ozone and toxic pollutants. Fortunately, the ambient atmosphere holds clues to these sources and their contributions to urban pollut...

International Space Station Attitude Control and Energy Storage Experiment: Effects of Flywheel Torque

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roithmayr, Carlos M.

1999-01-01

The Attitude Control and Energy Storage Experiment is currently under development for the International Space Station; two counter-rotating flywheels will be levitated with magnetic bearings and placed in vacuum housings. The primary objective of the experiment is to store and discharge energy, in combination with existing batteries, into the electrical power system. The secondary objective is to use the flywheels to exert torque on the Station; a simple torque profile has been designed so that the Station's Control Moment Gyroscopes will be assisted in maintaining torque equilibrium attitude. Two energy storage contingencies could result in the inadvertent application of torque by the flywheels to the Station: an emergency shutdown of one flywheel rotor while the other remains spinning, and energy storage with only one rotor instead of the counterrotating pair. Analysis of these two contingencies shows that attitude control and the microgravity environment will not be adversely affected.

Error Control with Perfectly Matched Layer or Damping Layer Treatments for Computational Aeroacoustics with Jet Flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goodrich, John W.

2009-01-01

In this paper we show by means of numerical experiments that the error introduced in a numerical domain because of a Perfectly Matched Layer or Damping Layer boundary treatment can be controlled. These experimental demonstrations are for acoustic propagation with the Linearized Euler Equations with both uniform and steady jet flows. The propagating signal is driven by a time harmonic pressure source. Combinations of Perfectly Matched and Damping Layers are used with different damping profiles. These layer and profile combinations allow the relative error introduced by a layer to be kept as small as desired, in principle. Tradeoffs between error and cost are explored.

Development of ion source with a washer gun for pulsed neutral beam injection.

PubMed

Asai, T; Yamaguchi, N; Kajiya, H; Takahashi, T; Imanaka, H; Takase, Y; Ono, Y; Sato, K N

2008-06-01

A new type of economical neutral beam source has been developed by using a single washer gun, pulsed operation, and a simple electrode system. We replaced the conventional hot filaments for arc-discharge-type plasma formation with a single stainless-steel washer gun, eliminating the entire dc power supply for the filaments and the cooling system for the electrodes. Our initial experiments revealed successful beam extraction up to 10 kV and 8.6 A, based on spatial profile measurements of density and temperature in the plasma source. The system also shows the potential to control the beam profile by controlling the plasma parameters in the ion accumulation chamber.

How Patient-Pharmacist Communication Using the Drug Profile Book Relates to Patient's Behavior regarding Its Use.

PubMed

Shoji, Masaki; Iwade, Kentaro; Fujii, Keiko; Hirota, Miyuki; Kanou, Akira; Moriya, Mami; Ishii, Masaki; Shimoji, Shizuka; Onda, Mitsuko; Arakawa, Yukio

2016-01-01

 This survey aimed to examine how patient-pharmacist communication using the drug profile book relates patient's behavior regarding its use. Among patients who visited one of the five pharmacies during the 4 months between July and October of 2013, 245 patients who had been prescribed antihypertensives were asked to complete a questionnaire. Items included patient attributes, whether the patient thought the drug profile book was useful to them ("sense of utility"), whether the patient has ever been questioned by a pharmacist while showing the drug profile book ("experience of being questioned by a pharmacist while showing the drug profile book"), and whether the patient has ever shown the drug profile book to the physician ("experience of showing the drug profile book to the physician"). In addition, pharmacists counted the frequency of patients bringing the drug profile book, and if so, the frequency of the sticker affix during the last 5 visits. 34.3% of responding patients answered that they had the "experience of being questioned while showing the drug profile book". Response rates of "frequency of bringing the drug profile book", "sense of utility", and "experience of showing the drug profile book to the physician" in the group with "experience of being questioned while showing the drug profile book" were significantly higher than those in the group without such experience. This survey indicated that experience of being questioned by a pharmacist while showing the drug profile book related patient's behavior regarding its use.

A neutral-beam profile monitor with a phosphor screen and a high-sensitivity camera for the J-PARC KOTO experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsumura, T.; Kamiji, I.; Nakagiri, K.; Nanjo, H.; Nomura, T.; Sasao, N.; Shinkawa, T.; Shiomi, K.

2018-03-01

We have developed a beam-profile monitor (BPM) system to align the collimators for the neutral beam-line at the Hadron Experimental Facility of J-PARC. The system is composed of a phosphor screen and a CCD camera coupled to an image intensifier mounted on a remote control X- Y stage. The design and detailed performance studies of the BPM are presented. The monitor has a spatial resolution of better than 0.6 mm and a deviation from linearity of less than 1%. These results indicate that the BPM system meets the requirements to define collimator-edge positions for the beam-line tuning. Confirmation using the neutral beam for the KOTO experiment is also presented.

A fungal mock community control for amplicon sequencing experiments

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The field of microbial ecology has been profoundly advanced by the ability to profile the composition of complex microbial communities by means of high throughput amplicon sequencing of marker genes amplified directly from environmental genomic DNA extracts. However, it has become increasingly clear...

What controls the vertical distribution of aerosol? Relationships between process sensitivity in HadGEM3–UKCA and inter-model variation from AeroCom Phase II

DOE PAGES

Kipling, Zak; Stier, Philip; Johnson, Colin E.; ...

2016-02-26

The vertical profile of aerosol is important for its radiative effects, but weakly constrained by observations on the global scale, and highly variable among different models. To investigate the controlling factors in one particular model, we investigate the effects of individual processes in HadGEM3–UKCA and compare the resulting diversity of aerosol vertical profiles with the inter-model diversity from the AeroCom Phase II control experiment. In this way we show that (in this model at least) the vertical profile is controlled by a relatively small number of processes, although these vary among aerosol components and particle sizes. We also show that sufficientlymore » coarse variations in these processes can produce a similar diversity to that among different models in terms of the global-mean profile and, to a lesser extent, the zonal-mean vertical position. However, there are features of certain models' profiles that cannot be reproduced, suggesting the influence of further structural differences between models. In HadGEM3–UKCA, convective transport is found to be very important in controlling the vertical profile of all aerosol components by mass. In-cloud scavenging is very important for all except mineral dust. Growth by condensation is important for sulfate and carbonaceous aerosol (along with aqueous oxidation for the former and ageing by soluble material for the latter). The vertical extent of biomass-burning emissions into the free troposphere is also important for the profile of carbonaceous aerosol. Boundary-layer mixing plays a dominant role for sea salt and mineral dust, which are emitted only from the surface. Dry deposition and below-cloud scavenging are important for the profile of mineral dust only. In this model, the microphysical processes of nucleation, condensation and coagulation dominate the vertical profile of the smallest particles by number (e.g. total CN > 3 nm), while the profiles of larger particles (e.g. CN > 100 nm) are controlled by the same processes as the component mass profiles, plus the size distribution of primary emissions. Here, we also show that the processes that affect the AOD-normalised radiative forcing in the model are predominantly those that affect the vertical mass distribution, in particular convective transport, in-cloud scavenging, aqueous oxidation, ageing and the vertical extent of biomass-burning emissions.« less

Improving Forecast Skill by Assimilation of Quality Controlled AIRS Version 5 Temperature Soundings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Susskind, Joel; Reale, Oreste

2009-01-01

The AIRS Science Team Version 5 retrieval algorithm has been finalized and is now operational at the Goddard DAAC in the processing (and reprocessing) of all AIRS data. The AIRS Science Team Version 5 retrieval algorithm contains two significant improvements over Version 4: 1) Improved physics allows for use of AIRS observations in the entire 4.3 micron CO2 absorption band in the retrieval of temperature profile T(p) during both day and night. Tropospheric sounding 15 micron CO2 observations are now used primarily in the generation of cloud cleared radiances R(sub i). This approach allows for the generation of accurate values of R(sub i) and T(p) under most cloud conditions. 2) Another very significant improvement in Version 5 is the ability to generate accurate case-by-case, level-by-level error estimates for the atmospheric temperature profile, as well as for channel-by-channel error estimates for R(sub i). These error estimates are used for Quality Control of the retrieved products. We have conducted forecast impact experiments assimilating AIRS temperature profiles with different levels of Quality Control using the NASA GEOS-5 data assimilation system. Assimilation of Quality Controlled T(p) resulted in significantly improved forecast skill compared to that obtained from analyses obtained when all data used operationally by NCEP, except for AIRS data, is assimilated. We also conducted an experiment assimilating AIRS radiances uncontaminated by clouds, as done operationally by ECMWF and NCEP. Forecast resulting from assimilated AIRS radiances were of poorer quality than those obtained assimilating AIRS temperatures.

Control of quasi-monoenergetic electron beams from laser-plasma accelerators with adjustable shock density profile

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

Tsai, Hai-En; Swanson, Kelly K.; Barber, Sam K.

The injection physics in a shock-induced density down-ramp injector was characterized, demonstrating precise control of a laser-plasma accelerator (LPA). Using a jet-blade assembly, experiments systematically v aried the shock injector profile, including shock angle, shock position, up-ramp width, and acceleration length. Our work demonstrates that beam energy, energy spread, and pointing can be controlled by adjusting these parameters. As a result, an electron beam that was highly tunable from 25 to 300 MeV with 8% energy spread (ΔE FWHM/E), 1.5 mrad divergence, and 0.35 mrad pointing fluctuation was produced. Particle-in-cell simulation characterized how variation in the shock angle and up-rampmore » width impacted the injection process. This highly controllable LPA represents a suitable, compact electron beam source for LPA applications such as Thomson sources and free-electron lasers.« less

Control of quasi-monoenergetic electron beams from laser-plasma accelerators with adjustable shock density profile

DOE PAGES

Tsai, Hai-En; Swanson, Kelly K.; Barber, Sam K.; ...

2018-04-13

The injection physics in a shock-induced density down-ramp injector was characterized, demonstrating precise control of a laser-plasma accelerator (LPA). Using a jet-blade assembly, experiments systematically v aried the shock injector profile, including shock angle, shock position, up-ramp width, and acceleration length. Our work demonstrates that beam energy, energy spread, and pointing can be controlled by adjusting these parameters. As a result, an electron beam that was highly tunable from 25 to 300 MeV with 8% energy spread (ΔE FWHM/E), 1.5 mrad divergence, and 0.35 mrad pointing fluctuation was produced. Particle-in-cell simulation characterized how variation in the shock angle and up-rampmore » width impacted the injection process. This highly controllable LPA represents a suitable, compact electron beam source for LPA applications such as Thomson sources and free-electron lasers.« less

Control of quasi-monoenergetic electron beams from laser-plasma accelerators with adjustable shock density profile

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsai, Hai-En; Swanson, Kelly K.; Barber, Sam K.; Lehe, Remi; Mao, Hann-Shin; Mittelberger, Daniel E.; Steinke, Sven; Nakamura, Kei; van Tilborg, Jeroen; Schroeder, Carl; Esarey, Eric; Geddes, Cameron G. R.; Leemans, Wim

2018-04-01

The injection physics in a shock-induced density down-ramp injector was characterized, demonstrating precise control of a laser-plasma accelerator (LPA). Using a jet-blade assembly, experiments systematically varied the shock injector profile, including shock angle, shock position, up-ramp width, and acceleration length. Our work demonstrates that beam energy, energy spread, and pointing can be controlled by adjusting these parameters. As a result, an electron beam that was highly tunable from 25 to 300 MeV with 8% energy spread (ΔEFWHM/E), 1.5 mrad divergence, and 0.35 mrad pointing fluctuation was produced. Particle-in-cell simulation characterized how variation in the shock angle and up-ramp width impacted the injection process. This highly controllable LPA represents a suitable, compact electron beam source for LPA applications such as Thomson sources and free-electron lasers.

Use of Quality Controlled AIRS Temperature Soundings to Improve Forecast Skill

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Susskind, Joel; Reale, Oreste; Iredell, Lena

2010-01-01

AIRS was launched on EOS Aqua on May 4, 2002, together with AMSU-A and HSB, to form a next generation polar orbiting infrared and microwave atmospheric sounding system. The primary products of AIRS/AMSU-A are twice daily global fields of atmospheric temperature-humidity profiles, ozone profiles, sea/land surface skin temperature, and cloud related parameters including OLR. Also included are the clear column radiances used to derive these products which are representative of the radiances AIRS would have seen if there were no clouds in the field of view. All products also have error estimates. The sounding goals of AIRS are to produce 1 km tropospheric layer mean temperatures with an rms error of 1K, and layer precipitable water with an rms error of 20 percent, in cases with up to 90 percent effective cloud cover. The products are designed for data assimilation purposes for the improvement of numerical weather prediction, as well as for the study of climate and meteorological processes. With regard to data assimilation, one can use either the products themselves or the clear column radiances from which the products were derived. The AIRS Version 5 retrieval algorithm is now being used operationally at the Goddard DISC in the routine generation of geophysical parameters derived from AIRS/AMSU data. A major innovation in Version 5 is the ability to generate case-by-case level-by-level error estimates for retrieved quantities and clear column radiances, and the use of these error estimates for Quality Control. The temperature profile error estimates are used to determine a case-by-case characteristic pressure pbest, down to which the profile is considered acceptable for data assimilation purposes. The characteristic pressure p(sub best) is determined by comparing the case dependent error estimate (delta)T(p) to the threshold values (Delta)T(p). The AIRS Version 5 data set provides error estimates of T(p) at all levels, and also profile dependent values of pbest based on use of a Standard profile dependent threshold (Delta)T(p). These Standard thresholds were designed as a compromise between optimal use for data assimilation purposes, which requires highest accuracy (tighter Quality Control), and climate purposes, which requires more spatial coverage (looser Quality Control). Subsequent research using Version 5 sounding and error estimates showed that tighter Quality Control performs better for data assimilation proposes, while looser Quality Control better spatial coverage) performs better for climate purposes. We conducted a number of data assimilation experiments using the NASA GEOS-5 Data Assimilation System as a step toward finding an optimum balance of spatial coverage and sounding accuracy with regard to improving forecast skill. The model was run at a horizontal resolution of 0.5 degree latitude x 0.67 degree longitude with 72 vertical levels. These experiments were run during four different seasons, each using a different year. The AIRS temperature profiles were presented to the GEOS-5 analysis as rawinsonde profiles, and the profile error estimates (delta)T(p) were used as the uncertainty for each measurement in the data assimilation process.

An experimental study of adsorption interference in binary mixtures flowing through activated carbon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Madey, R.; Photinos, P. J.

1983-01-01

The isothermal transmission through activated carbon adsorber beds at 25 C of acetaldehyde-propane and acetylene-ethane mixtures in a helium carrier gas was measured. The inlet concentration of each component was in the range between 10 ppm and 500 ppm. The constant inlet volumetric flow rate was controlled at 200 cc (STP)/min in the acetaldehyde-propane experiments and at 50 cc (STP)/min in the acetaldehyde-ethane experiments. Comparison of experimental results with the corresponding single-component experiments under similar conditions reveals interference phenomena between the components of the mixtures as evidenced by changes in both the adsorption capacity and the dispersion number. Propane was found to displace acetaldehyde from the adsorbed state. The outlet concentration profiles of propane in the binary mixtures tend to become more diffuse than the corresponding concentration profiles of the one-component experiments. Similar features were observed with mixtures of acetylene and ethane; however, the displacement of acetylene by ethane is less pronounced.

Nutrient fluxes across sediment-water interface in Bohai Bay Coastal Zone, China.

PubMed

Mu, Di; Yuan, Dekui; Feng, Huan; Xing, Fangwei; Teo, Fang Yenn; Li, Shuangzhao

2017-01-30

Sediment cores and overlying water samples were collected at four sites in Tianjin Coastal Zone, Bohai Bay, to investigate nutrient (N, P and Si) exchanges across the sediment-water interface. The exchange fluxes of each nutrient species were estimated based on the porewater profiles and laboratory incubation experiments. The results showed significant differences between the two methods, which implied that molecular diffusion alone was not the dominant process controlling nutrient exchanges at these sites. The impacts of redox conditions and bioturbation on the nutrient fluxes were confirmed by the laboratory incubation experiments. The results from this study showed that the nutrient fluxes measured directly from the incubation experiment were more reliable than that predicted from the porewater profiles. The possible impacts causing variations in the nutrient fluxes include sewage discharge and land reclamation. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Investigation of remote sensing techniques of measuring soil moisture

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Newton, R. W. (Principal Investigator); Blanchard, A. J.; Nieber, J. L.; Lascano, R.; Tsang, L.; Vanbavel, C. H. M.

1981-01-01

Major activities described include development and evaluation of theoretical models that describe both active and passive microwave sensing of soil moisture, the evaluation of these models for their applicability, the execution of a controlled field experiment during which passive microwave measurements were acquired to validate these models, and evaluation of previously acquired aircraft microwave measurements. The development of a root zone soil water and soil temperature profile model and the calibration and evaluation of gamma ray attenuation probes for measuring soil moisture profiles are considered. The analysis of spatial variability of soil information as related to remote sensing is discussed as well as the implementation of an instrumented field site for acquisition of soil moisture and meteorologic information for use in validating the soil water profile and soil temperature profile models.

Development of orally disintegrating tablets comprising controlled-release multiparticulate beads

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Melperone is an atypical antipsychotic agent that has shown a wide spectrum of neuroleptic properties, particularly effective in the treatment of senile dementia and Parkinson’s-associated psychosis, and is marketed in Europe as an immediate-release (IR) tablet and syrup. An orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) dosage form would be advantageous for patients who experience difficulty in swallowing large tablets or capsules or those who experience dysphagia. Controlled-release (CR) capsule and ODT formulations containing melperone HCl were developed with target in vitro release profiles suitable for a once-daily dosing regimen. Both dosage forms allow for the convenient production of dose-proportional multiple strengths. Two ODT formulations exhibiting fast and medium release profiles and one medium release profile capsule formulation (each 50 mg) were tested in vivo using IR syrup as the reference. The two medium release formulations were shown to be bioequivalent to each other and are suitable for once-daily dosing. Based on the analytical and organoleptic test results, as well as the blend uniformity and in-process compression data at various compression forces using coated beads produced at one-tenth (1/10) commercial scale, both formulations in the form of CR capsules and CR ODTs have shown suitability for progression into further clinical development. PMID:22356215

Active flow control for a NACA-0012 profile

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oualli, H.; Mekadem, M.; Boukrif, M.; Saad, S.; Bouabdallah, A.; Gad-El-Hak, M.

2015-11-01

Active flow control is applied on a NACA-0012 profile. The experiments are carried out in a wind tunnel, and flow visualizations are conducted using high-resolution visible-light and infrared cameras. Numerical LES finite-volume code is used to complement the physical experiments. The symmetric wing is clipped into two parts, and those parts extend and retract along the chord according to the same sinusoidal law we optimized last year for a circular/elliptical cylinder (B. Am. Phys. Soc., vol. 59, no. 20, p. 319, 2014). The Reynolds number varies in the range of 500-100,000, which is typical of UAVs and micro-UAVs. The nascent cavity resulting from the oscillatory motion of the profile segments is kept open allowing the passage of fluid between the intrados and extrados. The pulsatile motion is characterized by an amplitude and frequency, and the airfoil's angle of attack is changed in the range of 0-30 deg. For certain amplitude and frequency, the drag coefficient is increased over the uncontrolled case by a factor of 300. But when the cavity is covered to prevent the flow from passing through the cavity, the drag coefficient becomes negative, and significant thrust is produced. The results are promising to achieve rapid deceleration and acceleration of UAVs.

Illumination Profile & Dispersion Variation Effects on Radial Velocity Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grieves, Nolan; Ge, Jian; Thomas, Neil B.; Ma, Bo; Li, Rui; SDSS-III

2015-01-01

The Multi-object APO Radial-Velocity Exoplanet Large-Area Survey (MARVELS) measures radial velocities using a fiber-fed dispersed fixed-delay interferometer (DFDI) with a moderate dispersion spectrograph. This setup allows a unique insight into the 2D illumination profile from the fiber on to the dispersion grating. Illumination profile investigations show large changes in the profile over time and fiber location. These profile changes are correlated with dispersion changes and long-term radial velocity offsets, a major problem within the MARVELS radial velocity data. Characterizing illumination profiles creates a method to both detect and correct radial velocity offsets, allowing for better planet detection. Here we report our early results from this study including improvement of radial velocity data points from detected giant planet candidates. We also report an illumination profile experiment conducted at the Kitt Peak National Observatory using the EXPERT instrument, which has a DFDI mode similar to MARVELS. Using profile controlling octagonal-shaped fibers, long term offsets over a 3 month time period were reduced from ~50 m/s to within the photon limit of ~4 m/s.

Combined use of autogenic therapy and biofeedback in training effective control of heart rate by humans

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cowings, P. S.

1977-01-01

Experiments were performed on 24 men and women (aged 20-27 yr) in three equal groups who were taught to control their own heart rates by autogenic training and biofeedback under dark and sound-isolated conditions. Group I was parasympathetic dominant, group II was sympathetic dominant, and group III consisted of parasympathetic-dominant subjects and controls who received only biofeedback of their own heart rates. The results corroborate three hypotheses: (1) subjects with para-sympathetic-dominant autonomic profiles perform in a way that is both qualitatively and quantitatively different from subjects with sympathetic-dominant autonomic profiles; (2) tests of interindividual variability yield data relevant to individual performance in visceral learning tasks; and (3) the combined use of autogenic training, biofeedback, and verbal feedback is suitable for conditioning large stable autonomic responses in humans.

Victimization and Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Related Risk Among Transgender Women in India: A Latent Profile Analysis.

PubMed

Willie, Tiara C; Chakrapani, Venkatesan; White Hughto, Jaclyn M; Kershaw, Trace S

2017-12-01

Globally, transgender women (TGW) experience multiple forms of victimization such as violence and discrimination that can place them at risk for poor sexual health. To date, research overlooks the heterogeneity in experiences of victimization among TGW. Furthermore, few studies have examined the association between victimization and sexual risk among TGW in India, despite the high burden of HIV and victimization in this community. Latent profile analysis was performed to identify patterns of victimization in a convenience sample of 299 TGW recruited from nongovernmental organizations across four states in India. Analysis of covariance was performed to examine differences in sexual risk (i.e., alcohol use before sex; inconsistent condom use with a male regular partner, a male causal partner, and a male paying partner; and having multiple sexual partners) between latent profiles. Five distinct profiles of Indian TGW were identified based on the type and severity of victimization: (1) Low victimization, (2) High verbal police victimization, (3) High verbal and physical police victimization, (4) Moderate victimization, and (5) High victimization. While controlling for age, education, income, HIV status, and marital status, results revealed that TGW in the moderate victimization and high victimization profiles had higher sexual risk than TGW in the low victimization and high verbal police victimization profiles. In addition, TGW in high verbal and physical police victimization profile had higher sexual risk than TGW in low victimization profile. These findings underscore the importance of tailoring sexual risk reduction interventions to the specific needs of TGW based on patterns of victimization.

Nestmate recognition in social wasps: manipulation of hydrocarbon profiles induces aggression in the European hornet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruther, Joachim; Sieben, Stefan; Schricker, Burkhard

2002-03-01

The influence of individual cuticular hydrocarbons on nestmate recognition in the European hornet, Vespa crabro L., was investigated. We observed the behavioural response of workers towards differently treated dead conspecifics in a bioassay. Dummies were extracted with dichloromethane and extracts were spiked with microgram amounts of synthetic hydrocarbons naturally occurring on the cuticle of V. crabro. These modified extracts were reapplied to extracted workers that were subsequently tested in the bioassay. Non-spiked nestmate dummies (negative control) and untreated non-nestmate dummies (positive control) were tested in control experiments. The addition of only heneicosane or a mixture of heneicosane, tricosane, and ( Z)-9-tricosene to the extracts led to a significant increase of agonistic behaviour in workers leaving the nest for foraging flights. Returning workers reacted much less aggressively than those leaving. This is one of the first behavioural proofs that manipulation of cuticular hydrocarbon profiles can be perceived by a social insect species. The results support the hypothesis that colony-specific cuticular hydrocarbon profiles are involved in the phenomenon of nestmate recognition among social insects.

Laser safety at high profile projects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barat, K.

2011-03-01

Laser Safety at high profile laser facilities tends to be more controlled than in the standard laser lab found at a research institution. The reason for this is the potential consequences for such facilities from incidents. This ranges from construction accidents, to equipment damage to personnel injuries. No laser user wants to sustain a laser eye injury. Unfortunately, many laser users, most commonly experienced researchers and inexperienced graduate students, do receive laser eye injuries during their careers. . More unforgiveable is the general acceptance of this scenario, as part of the research & development experience. How do senior researchers, safety personnel and management stop this trend? The answer lies in a cultural change that involves institutional training, user mentoring, hazard awareness by users and administrative controls. None of these would inhibit research activities. As a matter of fact, proper implementation of these controls would increase research productivity. This presentation will review and explain the steps needed to steer an institution, research division, group or individual lab towards a culture that should nearly eliminate laser accidents. As well as how high profile facilities try to avoid laser injuries. Using the definition of high profile facility as one who's funding in the million to billions of dollars or Euros and derives form government funding.

Using Cable Television for Library Data Transmission.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Whitaker, Douglas A.

1985-01-01

Discusses information gained from a test of cable data circuits on a Geac bibliographic control system at the Wayne Oakland Library Federation (WOLF) (Michigan). Highlights include an introduction to cable, hardware profile, the WOLF experience, and key questions that will affect the future use of cable for data transmission. (EJS)

Transcript profiling differentiates healthy control, sub-clinical and clinical Johne's disease in dairy cattle

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Johne’s Disease (JD), a ruminant infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), is characterized by a long latent period followed by an aggressive acute phase in which the animal experiences diarrhea and extreme wasting. The absence of symptoms and low levels of ...

Eportfolios in Business Communication Courses as Tools for Employment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Okoro, Ephraim A.; Washington, Melvin C.; Cardon, Peter W.

2011-01-01

Eportfolios are a powerful tool for business students to gain self-awareness and take control of their learning experiences. Ideally, they can be used as online profiles in the job application process, allowing more authenticity, personalization, and completeness than traditional resumes. In our colleges, eportfolios help students reflect on their…

Adjustment of Cell-Type Composition Minimizes Systematic Bias in Blood DNA Methylation Profiles Derived by DNA Collection Protocols

PubMed Central

Shiwa, Yuh; Hachiya, Tsuyoshi; Furukawa, Ryohei; Ohmomo, Hideki; Ono, Kanako; Kudo, Hisaaki; Hata, Jun; Hozawa, Atsushi; Iwasaki, Motoki; Matsuda, Koichi; Minegishi, Naoko; Satoh, Mamoru; Tanno, Kozo; Yamaji, Taiki; Wakai, Kenji; Hitomi, Jiro; Kiyohara, Yutaka; Kubo, Michiaki; Tanaka, Hideo; Tsugane, Shoichiro; Yamamoto, Masayuki; Sobue, Kenji; Shimizu, Atsushi

2016-01-01

Differences in DNA collection protocols may be a potential confounder in epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) using a large number of blood specimens from multiple biobanks and/or cohorts. Here we show that pre-analytical procedures involved in DNA collection can induce systematic bias in the DNA methylation profiles of blood cells that can be adjusted by cell-type composition variables. In Experiment 1, whole blood from 16 volunteers was collected to examine the effect of a 24 h storage period at 4°C on DNA methylation profiles as measured using the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip array. Our statistical analysis showed that the P-value distribution of more than 450,000 CpG sites was similar to the theoretical distribution (in quantile-quantile plot, λ = 1.03) when comparing two control replicates, which was remarkably deviated from the theoretical distribution (λ = 1.50) when comparing control and storage conditions. We then considered cell-type composition as a possible cause of the observed bias in DNA methylation profiles and found that the bias associated with the cold storage condition was largely decreased (λadjusted = 1.14) by taking into account a cell-type composition variable. As such, we compared four respective sample collection protocols used in large-scale Japanese biobanks or cohorts as well as two control replicates. Systematic biases in DNA methylation profiles were observed between control and three of four protocols without adjustment of cell-type composition (λ = 1.12–1.45) and no remarkable biases were seen after adjusting for cell-type composition in all four protocols (λadjusted = 1.00–1.17). These results revealed important implications for comparing DNA methylation profiles between blood specimens from different sources and may lead to discovery of disease-associated DNA methylation markers and the development of DNA methylation profile-based predictive risk models. PMID:26799745

Adjustment of Cell-Type Composition Minimizes Systematic Bias in Blood DNA Methylation Profiles Derived by DNA Collection Protocols.

PubMed

Shiwa, Yuh; Hachiya, Tsuyoshi; Furukawa, Ryohei; Ohmomo, Hideki; Ono, Kanako; Kudo, Hisaaki; Hata, Jun; Hozawa, Atsushi; Iwasaki, Motoki; Matsuda, Koichi; Minegishi, Naoko; Satoh, Mamoru; Tanno, Kozo; Yamaji, Taiki; Wakai, Kenji; Hitomi, Jiro; Kiyohara, Yutaka; Kubo, Michiaki; Tanaka, Hideo; Tsugane, Shoichiro; Yamamoto, Masayuki; Sobue, Kenji; Shimizu, Atsushi

2016-01-01

Differences in DNA collection protocols may be a potential confounder in epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) using a large number of blood specimens from multiple biobanks and/or cohorts. Here we show that pre-analytical procedures involved in DNA collection can induce systematic bias in the DNA methylation profiles of blood cells that can be adjusted by cell-type composition variables. In Experiment 1, whole blood from 16 volunteers was collected to examine the effect of a 24 h storage period at 4°C on DNA methylation profiles as measured using the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip array. Our statistical analysis showed that the P-value distribution of more than 450,000 CpG sites was similar to the theoretical distribution (in quantile-quantile plot, λ = 1.03) when comparing two control replicates, which was remarkably deviated from the theoretical distribution (λ = 1.50) when comparing control and storage conditions. We then considered cell-type composition as a possible cause of the observed bias in DNA methylation profiles and found that the bias associated with the cold storage condition was largely decreased (λ adjusted = 1.14) by taking into account a cell-type composition variable. As such, we compared four respective sample collection protocols used in large-scale Japanese biobanks or cohorts as well as two control replicates. Systematic biases in DNA methylation profiles were observed between control and three of four protocols without adjustment of cell-type composition (λ = 1.12-1.45) and no remarkable biases were seen after adjusting for cell-type composition in all four protocols (λ adjusted = 1.00-1.17). These results revealed important implications for comparing DNA methylation profiles between blood specimens from different sources and may lead to discovery of disease-associated DNA methylation markers and the development of DNA methylation profile-based predictive risk models.

Separating Drought Effects from Roof Artifacts on Ecosystem Processes in a Grassland Drought Experiment

PubMed Central

Vogel, Anja; Fester, Thomas; Eisenhauer, Nico; Scherer-Lorenzen, Michael; Schmid, Bernhard; Weisser, Wolfgang W.; Weigelt, Alexandra

2013-01-01

1 Given the predictions of increased drought probabilities under various climate change scenarios, there have been numerous experimental field studies simulating drought using transparent roofs in different ecosystems and regions. Such roofs may, however, have unknown side effects, called artifacts, on the measured variables potentially confounding the experimental results. A roofed control allows the quantification of potential artifacts, which is lacking in most experiments. 2 We conducted a drought experiment in experimental grasslands to study artifacts of transparent roofs and the resulting effects of artifacts on ecosystems relative to drought on three response variables (aboveground biomass, litter decomposition and plant metabolite profiles). We established three drought treatments, using (1) transparent roofs to exclude rainfall, (2) an unroofed control treatment receiving natural rainfall and (3) a roofed control, nested in the drought treatment but with rain water reapplied according to ambient conditions. 3 Roofs had a slight impact on air (+0.14°C during night) and soil temperatures (−0.45°C on warm days, +0.25°C on cold nights), while photosynthetically active radiation was decreased significantly (−16%). Aboveground plant community biomass was reduced in the drought treatment (−41%), but there was no significant difference between the roofed and unroofed control, i.e., there were no measurable roof artifact effects. 4 Compared to the unroofed control, litter decomposition was decreased significantly both in the drought treatment (−26%) and in the roofed control treatment (−18%), suggesting artifact effects of the transparent roofs. Moreover, aboveground metabolite profiles in the model plant species Medicago x varia were different from the unroofed control in both the drought and roofed control treatments, and roof artifact effects were of comparable magnitude as drought effects. 5 Our results stress the need for roofed control treatments when using transparent roofs for studying drought effects, because roofs can cause significant side effects. PMID:23936480

Diagnostic experiments at a 3 MeV test stand at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (United Kingdom).

PubMed

Gabor, C; Faircloth, D C; Lee, D A; Lawrie, S R; Letchford, A P; Pozimski, J K

2010-02-01

A front end is currently under construction consisting of a H(-) Penning ion source (65 keV, 60 mA), low energy beam transport (LEBT), and radio frequency quadrupole (3 MeV output energy) with a medium energy beam transport suitable for high power proton applications. Diagnostics can be divided either in destructive techniques such as beam profile monitor, pepperpot, slit-slit emittance scanner (preferably used during commissioning) or nondestructive, permanently installed devices such as photodetachment-based techniques. Another way to determine beam distributions is a scintillator with charge-coupled device camera. First experiments have been performed to control the beam injection into the LEBT. The influence of beam parameters such as particle energy and space-charge compensation on the two-dimensional distribution and profiles will be presented.

Use of multivitamin, acidifier and Azolla in the diet of broiler chickens.

PubMed

Islam, M A; Nishibori, M

2017-05-01

The experiments were carried out to measure the effect of multivitamin, acidifier and Azolla on growth performance, profitability and lipid profiles of blood of broiler chickens to produce safe and cost effective broilers. In experiment 1, 240 day-old Cobb-500 broiler chicks were fed diets; D 1 (control), D 2 (D 1 with 1 mL multivitamin/liter water), D 3 (D 1 with 1 mL acidifier/liter water), D 4 (D 1 with 1 mL multivitamin and 2 mL acidifier/liter water) having 3 replications in each, and 20 chicks/replication. In experiment 2, 150 day-old Cobb-500 broiler chicks were fed diets; T 1 (control), T 2 (5% Azolla in the diet), T 3 (7% Azolla in the diet) and T 4 (T 1 with 1 mL multivitamin and 1 mL acidifier/liter water) having 3 replications in each, and 20 chicks/replication in control, and 10 chicks/replication in the remaining dietary treatment groups for 35 days. In experiment 1, the highest live weight was observed in D 4 (p<0.05), however, feed intake was statistically similar between diets (p>0.05). The lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p<0.001) and mortality (p<0.05) were observed in D 2 followed by D 4 , D 1 , and D 3 , respectively. There were no significant differences between diets for feed cost and net profit (p>0.05). However, evidently but not significantly, the highest net profit was obtained in D 2 followed by D 4 , D 1 , and D 3 , respectively. In experiment 2, the highest live weight (p<0.05) and feed intake (p<0.001) were observed in T 4 . Mortality (p<0.01), FCR (p<0.01), feed cost (p<0.05) and net profit (p<0.05) were significantly different among diets. Considering net profit, T 2 was the best performing dietary group followed by T 3 , T 1 , and T 4 , respectively. The lowest lipid profiles were observed in D 3 followed by D 1 , D 4 , and D 2 , respectively (p<0.05). In experiment 2, the lowest total cholesterol, TG, and the highest amount of high density lipoprotein were observed in T 2 , followed by T 3 , T 1 , and T 4 , respectively (p<0.05). Evidently but not significantly, low density lipoprotein was the highest in T 2 followed by T 3 , T 4 , and T 1 , respectively (p>0.05). In conclusion, Azolla and acidifier reduced lipid profiles of broiler chickens. Considering net profit and lipid profiles, 5% Azolla may be the suitable dietary group for producing safe and profitable broilers. However, more studies are needed to confirm this study prior to suggesting using Azolla in the poultry industry.

Shape control of an adaptive wing for transonic drag reduction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Austin, Fred; Van Nostrand, William C.

1995-05-01

Theory and experiments to control the static shape of flexible structures by employing internal translational actuators are summarized and plants to extend the work to adaptive wings are presented. Significant reductions in the shock-induced drag are achievable during transonic- cruise by small adaptive modifications to the wing cross-sectional profile. Actuators are employed as truss elements of active ribs to deform the wing cross section. An adaptive-rib model was constructed, and experiments validated the shape-control theory. Plans for future development under an ARPA/AFWAL contract include payoff assessments of the method on an actual aircraft, the development of inchworm TERFENOL-D actuators, and the development of a method to optimize the wing cross-sectional shapes by direct-drag measurements.

Comparative transcriptomics indicate changes in cell wall organization and stress response in seedlings during spaceflight.

PubMed

Johnson, Christina M; Subramanian, Aswati; Pattathil, Sivakumar; Correll, Melanie J; Kiss, John Z

2017-08-21

Plants will play an important role in the future of space exploration as part of bioregenerative life support. Thus, it is important to understand the effects of microgravity and spaceflight on gene expression in plant development. We analyzed the transcriptome of Arabidopsis thaliana using the Biological Research in Canisters (BRIC) hardware during Space Shuttle mission STS-131. The bioinformatics methods used included RMA (robust multi-array average), MAS5 (Microarray Suite 5.0), and PLIER (probe logarithmic intensity error estimation). Glycome profiling was used to analyze cell wall composition in the samples. In addition, our results were compared to those of two other groups using the same hardware on the same mission (BRIC-16). In our BRIC-16 experiments, we noted expression changes in genes involved in hypoxia and heat shock responses, DNA repair, and cell wall structure between spaceflight samples compared to the ground controls. In addition, glycome profiling supported our expression analyses in that there was a difference in cell wall components between ground control and spaceflight-grown plants. Comparing our studies to those of the other BRIC-16 experiments demonstrated that, even with the same hardware and similar biological materials, differences in results in gene expression were found among these spaceflight experiments. A common theme from our BRIC-16 space experiments and those of the other two groups was the downregulation of water stress response genes in spaceflight. In addition, all three studies found differential regulation of genes associated with cell wall remodeling and stress responses between spaceflight-grown and ground control plants. © 2017 Botanical Society of America.

Near minimum-time maneuvers of the advanced space structures technology research experiment (ASTREX) test article: Theory and experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vadali, Srinivas R.; Carter, Michael T.

1994-01-01

The Phillips Laboratory at the Edwards Air Force Base has developed the Advanced Space Structures Technology Research Experiment (ASTREX) facility to serve as a testbed for demonstrating the applicability of proven theories to the challenges of spacecraft maneuvers and structural control. This report describes the work performed on the ASTREX test article by Texas A&M University under contract NAS119373 as a part of the Control-Structure Interaction (CSI) Guest Investigator Program. The focus of this work is on maneuvering the ASTREX test article with compressed air thrusters that can be throttled, while attenuating structural excitation. The theoretical foundation for designing the near minimum-time thrust commands is based on the generation of smooth, parameterized optimal open-loop control profiles, and the determination of control laws for final position regulation and tracking using Lyapunov stability theory. Details of the theory, mathematical modeling, model updating, and compensation for the presence of 'real world' effects are described and the experimental results are presented. The results show an excellent match between theory and experiments.

Profile negotiation: An air/ground automation integration concept for managing arrival traffic

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, David H.; Arbuckle, P. Douglas; Green, Steven M.; Denbraven, Wim

1993-01-01

NASA Ames Research Center and NASA Langley Research Center conducted a joint simulation study to evaluate a profile negotiation process (PNP) between a time-based air traffic control ATC system and an airplane equipped with a four dimensional flight management system (4D FMS). Prototype procedures were developed to support the functional implementation of this process. The PNP was designed to provide an arrival trajectory solution that satisfies the separation requirements of ATC while remaining as close as possible to the airplane's preferred trajectory. The Transport Systems Research Vehicle cockpit simulator was linked in real-time to the Center/TRACON Automation System (CTAS) for the experiment. Approximately 30 hours of simulation testing were conducted over a three week period. Active airline pilot crews and active Center controller teams participated as test subjects. Results from the experiment indicate the potential for successful incorporation of airplane preferred arrival trajectories in the CTAS automation environment. Controllers were able to consistently and effectively negotiate nominally conflict-free trajectories with pilots flying a 4D-FMS-equipped airplane. The negotiated trajectories were substantially closer to the airplane's preference than would have otherwise been possible without the PNP. Airplane fuel savings relative to baseline CTAS were achieved in the test scenarios. The datalink procedures and clearances developed for this experiment, while providing the necessary functionality, were found to be operationally unacceptable to the pilots. Additional pilot control and understanding of the proposed airplane-preferred trajectory and a simplified clearance procedure were cited as necessary for operational implementation of the concept. From the controllers' perspective, the main concerns were the ability of the 4D airplane to accurately track the negotiated trajectory and the workload required to support the PNP as implemented in this study.

The Impact of Housing Displacement on the Mental Health of Low-Income Parents after Hurricane Katrina

PubMed Central

Fussell, Elizabeth; Lowe, Sarah R.

2014-01-01

Previous studies in the aftermath of natural disasters have demonstrated relationships between four dimensions of displacement – geographic distance from the predisaster community, type of postdisaster housing, number of postdisaster moves, and time spent in temporary housing – and adverse psychological outcomes. However, to date no study has explored how these dimensions operate in tandem. The literature is further limited by a reliance on postdisaster data. We addressed these limitations in a study of low-income parents, predominantly non-Hispanic Black single mothers, who survived Hurricane Katrina and who completed pre and postdisaster assessments (N = 392). Using latent profile analysis, we demonstrate three profiles of displacement experiences within the sample: (1) returned, characterized by return to a predisaster community; (2) relocated, characterized by relocation to a new community, and (3) unstably housed, characterized by long periods in temporary housing and multiple moves. Using regression analyses, we assessed the relationship between displacement profiles and three mental health outcomes (general psychological distress, posttraumatic stress, and perceived stress), controlling for predisaster characteristics and mental health indices and hurricane-related experiences. Relative to participants in the returned profile, those in the relocated profile had significantly higher general psychological distress and perceived stress, and those in the unstably housed profile had significantly higher perceived stress. Based on these results, we suggest interventions and policies that reduce postdisaster housing instability and prioritize mental health services in communities receiving evacuees. PMID:24866205

The impact of housing displacement on the mental health of low-income parents after Hurricane Katrina.

PubMed

Fussell, Elizabeth; Lowe, Sarah R

2014-07-01

Previous studies in the aftermath of natural disasters have demonstrated relationships between four dimensions of displacement - geographic distance from the predisaster community, type of postdisaster housing, number of postdisaster moves, and time spent in temporary housing - and adverse psychological outcomes. However, to date no study has explored how these dimensions operate in tandem. The literature is further limited by a reliance on postdisaster data. We addressed these limitations in a study of low-income parents, predominantly non-Hispanic Black single mothers, who survived Hurricane Katrina and who completed pre and postdisaster assessments (N = 392). Using latent profile analysis, we demonstrated three profiles of displacement experiences within the sample: (1) returned, characterized by return to a predisaster community; (2) relocated, characterized by relocation to a new community, and (3) unstably housed, characterized by long periods in temporary housing and multiple moves. Using regression analyses, we assessed the relationship between displacement profiles and three mental health outcomes (general psychological distress, posttraumatic stress, and perceived stress), controlling for predisaster characteristics and mental health indices and hurricane-related experiences. Relative to participants in the returned profile, those in the relocated profile had significantly higher general psychological distress and perceived stress, and those in the unstably housed profile had significantly higher perceived stress. Based on these results, we suggest interventions and policies that reduce postdisaster housing instability and prioritize mental health services in communities receiving evacuees. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Montreal electronic artificial urinary sphincters: Our futuristic alternatives to the AMS800™.

PubMed

Biardeau, Xavier; Hached, Sami; Loutochin, Oleg; Campeau, Lysanne; Sawan, Mohamad; Corcos, Jacques

2017-10-01

We aimed to present three novel remotely controlled hydromechanical artificial urinary sphincters (AUSs) and report their in-vitro and ex-vivo results. We successively developed three distinct hydromechanical AUSs on the basis of the existing AMS800 ™ device by incorporating an electronic pump. No changes were made to the cuff and balloon. The AUS#1 was designed as an electromagnetically controlled device. The AUS#2 and AUS#3 were conceived as Bluetooth 2.1 remotely controlled and Bluetooth 4.0 remotely-controlled, adaptive devices, respectively. In-vitro experiments profiled occlusive cuff pressure (OCP) during a complete device cycle, with different predetermined OCP. Ex-vivo experiments were performed on a fresh pig bladder with 4 cm cuff placed around the urethra. Leak point pressure with different predetermined OCP values was successively measured during cystometry via a catheter at the bladder dome. Our in-vitro and ex-vivo experiments demonstrated that these three novel AUSs provided stable and predetermined OCP - within the physiological range - and completely deflated the cuff, when required, in a limited time compatible with physiological voiding cycles. Our three novel, remotely controlled AUSs showed promising results that should be confirmed by in-vivo experiments focusing on efficacy and safety.

Preliminary plan for a Shuttle Coherent Atmospheric Lidar Experiment (SCALE)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fitzjarrald, D.; Beranek, R.; Bilbro, J.; Mabry, J.

1985-01-01

A study has been completed to define a Shuttle experiment that solves the most crucial scientific and engineering problems involved in building a satellite Doppler wind profiler for making global wind measurements. The study includes: (1) a laser study to determine the feasibility of using the existing NOAA Windvan laser in the Space Shuttle spacecraft; (2) a preliminary optics and telescope design; (3) an accommodations study including power, weight, thermal, and control system requirements; and (4) a flight trajectory and operations plan designed to accomplish the required scientific and engineering goals. The experiment will provide much-needed data on the global distribution of atmospheric aerosols and demonstrate the technique of making wind measurements from space, including scanning the laser beam and interpreting the data. Engineering accomplishments will include space qualification of the laser, development of signal processing and lag angle compensation hardware and software, and telescope and optics design. All of the results of this limited Spacelab experiment will be directly applicable to a complete satellite wind profiler for the Earth Observation System/Space Station or other free-flying satellite.

Low Contribution of PbO2-Coated Lead Service Lines to Water Lead Contamination at the Tap

EPA Science Inventory

To determine if field experience corroborates that formation of stable PbO2 coatings on lead service lines (LSLs) provides an effective lead contamination control strategy, lead profile sampling was undertaken at eight home kitchen taps in three US cities (Newport, Rhode Island; ...

School-readiness profiles of children with language impairment: linkages to home and classroom experiences.

PubMed

Pentimonti, Jill M; Justice, Laura M; Kaderavek, Joan N

2014-01-01

This study represents an effort to advance our understanding of the nature of school readiness among children with language impairment (LI), a population of children acknowledged to be at risk of poor academic achievement. The academic, social-emotional, and behavioural competencies with which children arrive at kindergarten affect the nature of their future educational experiences, and their overall academic achievement. To examine whether there are reliable profiles that characterize children with LI just prior to kindergarten entrance, and the extent to which profile membership is associated with characteristics of children's homes and preschool experiences. Questions addressed were twofold: (1) To what extent are there reliable profiles of children with LI with respect to their school readiness? (2) To what extent is children's profile membership associated with characteristics of their homes and preschool classrooms? Participants were 136 children with LI from early childhood special education classrooms. We utilized latent class analysis (LCA) to classify individuals into profiles based on individual responses on school readiness measures. We then used multilevel hierarchical generalized linear models to examine the relations between profile membership and children's home/classroom experiences. LCA analyses revealed that a four-profile solution was the most appropriate fit for the data and that classroom experiences were predictive of these profiles, such that children in classrooms with more instructional/emotional support were more likely to be placed in profiles characterized by higher school readiness skills. These results suggest that the school readiness profiles of young children with LI are associated with the quality of children's classroom experiences, and that high-quality classroom experiences can be influential for ensuring that young children with LI arrive in kindergarten ready to learn. © 2014 Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Numerical Experiments in Error Control for Sound Propagation Using a Damping Layer Boundary Treatment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goodrich, John W.

2017-01-01

This paper presents results from numerical experiments for controlling the error caused by a damping layer boundary treatment when simulating the propagation of an acoustic signal from a continuous pressure source. The computations are with the 2D Linearized Euler Equations (LEE) for both a uniform mean flow and a steady parallel jet. The numerical experiments are with algorithms that are third, fifth, seventh and ninth order accurate in space and time. The numerical domain is enclosed in a damping layer boundary treatment. The damping is implemented in a time accurate manner, with simple polynomial damping profiles of second, fourth, sixth and eighth power. At the outer boundaries of the damping layer the propagating solution is uniformly set to zero. The complete boundary treatment is remarkably simple and intrinsically independant from the dimension of the spatial domain. The reported results show the relative effect on the error from the boundary treatment by varying the damping layer width, damping profile power, damping amplitude, propagtion time, grid resolution and algorithm order. The issue that is being addressed is not the accuracy of the numerical solution when compared to a mathematical solution, but the effect of the complete boundary treatment on the numerical solution, and to what degree the error in the numerical solution from the complete boundary treatment can be controlled. We report maximum relative absolute errors from just the boundary treatment that range from O[10-2] to O[10-7].

Lithospheric studies along seismic profile KOKKY, between Gulf of Bothnia and Gulf of Finland, Baltic Shield

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tiira, Timo; Skrzynik, Tymon; Janik, Tomasz; Komminaho, Kari; Väkevä, Sakari; Korja, Annakaisa

2017-04-01

Controlled source seismology is one of the main tools used in Earth imaging, especially when aiming towards the middle and lower crust structures, Moho shape and upper mantle. Data for such studies are acquired during wide-angle reflection and refraction (WARR) profiles, which are hundreds of kilometers long and require strong explosive sources like e.g. TNT. Given the cost of such experiments, difficult logistics, and the strict regulation on experiments involving explosives in the ground, an attempt was made to register quarry blasts along the set profile. Quarries consume tons of explosive material per week and their utility in crustal studies was already tested during HUKKA experiment in 2007. Profile KOKKY begins on the coast of Bothnian Bay and runs south-east towards Sankt Petersburg in Russia. It crosses three main geological units of southern Finland, Pohjanmaa area, Central Finland Granitoid Complex, and Saimaa area, all represented by Late Proterozoic rocks. Two summer acquisition campaigns resulted in nearly 500 km long profile, crossing southern Finland. Numerous explosions from quarries were recorded, resulting in 63 usable seismic sections. Average distance between shots and the profile was 14 km. The velocity model has high P wave velocities across the entire profile. Upper crust, reaching depths of 22 km, is characterized by velocities from 5.9-6.2 km/s near surface down to 6.25-6.4 km/s. Middle crust is thinning from 30 km at NW, down to 14 km in the central part of the profile, thickening again to 20 km at SE, and has uniformed velocities 6.6-6.8 km/s. High, homogeneous velocities in lower crust, up to 7.4 km/s. Layer is thickening from 4 km in SE part of the profile, reaching 18 km in its central part corresponding to CFGC, and then thinning again to about 12 km in NW part. Moho depth varies from 54 km near the Gulf of Bothnia to 63 km in the middle of the profile, and up to 43 km in Saimaa area. Velocities below the crust are 8.2-8.25 km/s. Good quality of the data allowed to compute S velocity model and Vp/Vs ratio. This profile crosses two pre-existing WARR profiles, SVEKA and BALTIC. New model supports previous interpretations. Velocities, depth to the Moho, and other major boundaries are similar in profile crossing points. However, unlike in perpendicular profiles, no elongated and thin low velocity zones were distinguished along the entire profile. This study was a good lesson for future cost effective DSS profiles and points out key issues.

Neonatal hyperglycemia alters the neurochemical profile, dendritic arborization and gene expression in the developing rat hippocampus.

PubMed

Rao, Raghavendra; Nashawaty, Motaz; Fatima, Saher; Ennis, Kathleen; Tkac, Ivan

2018-05-01

Hyperglycemia (blood glucose concentration >150 mg/dL) is common in extremely low gestational age newborns (ELGANs; birth at <28 week gestation). Hyperglycemia increases the risk of brain injury in the neonatal period. The long-term effects are not well understood. In adult rats, hyperglycemia alters hippocampal energy metabolism. The effects of hyperglycemia on the developing hippocampus were studied in rat pups. In Experiment 1, recurrent hyperglycemia of graded severity (moderate hyperglycemia (moderate-HG), mean blood glucose 214.6 ± 11.6 mg/dL; severe hyperglycemia (severe-HG), 338.9 ± 21.7 mg/dL; control, 137.7 ± 2.6 mg/dL) was induced from postnatal day (P) 3 to P12. On P30, the hippocampal neurochemical profile was determined using in vivo 1 H MR spectroscopy. Dendritic arborization in the hippocampal CA1 region was determined using microtubule-associated protein (MAP)-2 immunohistochemistry. In Experiment 2, continuous hyperglycemia (mean blood glucose 275.3 ± 25.8 mg/dL; control, 142.3 ± 2.6 mg/dL) was induced from P2 to P6 by injecting streptozotocin (STZ) on P2. The mRNA expression of glycogen synthase 1 (Gys1), lactate dehydrogenase (Ldh), glucose transporters 1 (Glut1) and 3 (Glut3) and monocarboxylate transporters 1 (Mct1), 2 (Mct2) and 4 (Mct4) in the hippocampus was determined on P6. In Experiment 1, MRS demonstrated lower lactate concentration and glutamate/glutamine (Glu/Gln) ratio in the severe-HG group, compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Phosphocreatine/creatine ratio was higher in both hyperglycemia groups (p < 0.05). MAP-2 histochemistry demonstrated longer apical segment length, indicating abnormal synaptic efficacy in both hyperglycemia groups (p < 0.05). Experiment 2 showed lower Glut1, Gys1 and Mct4 expression and higher Mct1 expression in the hyperglycemia group, relative to the control group (p < 0.05). These results suggest that hyperglycemia alters substrate transport, lactate homeostasis, dendritogenesis and Glu-Gln cycling in the developing hippocampus. Abnormal neurochemical profile and dendritic structure due to hyperglycemia may partially explain the long-term hippocampus-mediated cognitive deficits in human ELGANs. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Distributed Sensing and Shape Control of Piezoelectric Bimorph Mirrors

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

Redmond, James M.; Barney, Patrick S.; Henson, Tammy D.

1999-07-28

As part of a collaborative effort between Sandia National Laboratories and the University of Kentucky to develop a deployable mirror for remote sensing applications, research in shape sensing and control algorithms that leverage the distributed nature of electron gun excitation for piezoelectric bimorph mirrors is summarized. A coarse shape sensing technique is developed that uses reflected light rays from the sample surface to provide discrete slope measurements. Estimates of surface profiles are obtained with a cubic spline curve fitting algorithm. Experiments on a PZT bimorph illustrate appropriate deformation trends as a function of excitation voltage. A parallel effort to effectmore » desired shape changes through electron gun excitation is also summarized. A one dimensional model-based algorithm is developed to correct profile errors in bimorph beams. A more useful two dimensional algorithm is also developed that relies on measured voltage-curvature sensitivities to provide corrective excitation profiles for the top and bottom surfaces of bimorph plates. The two algorithms are illustrated using finite element models of PZT bimorph structures subjected to arbitrary disturbances. Corrective excitation profiles that yield desired parabolic forms are computed, and are shown to provide the necessary corrective action.« less

A Programmable System for Motion Control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nowlin, Brent C.

2003-01-01

The need for improved flow measurements in the flow path of aeronautics testing facilities has led the NASA Glenn Research Center to develop a new motion control system. The new system is programmable, offering a flexibility unheard of in previous systems. The motion control system is PLC-based, which leads to highly accurate positioning ability, as well as reliability. The user interface is a software-based HMI package, which also adds flexibility to the overall system. The system also has the ability to create and execute motion profiles. This paper discusses the system's operation, control implementation, and experiences.

An investigation of the environment surrounding supercell thunderstorms using wind profiler data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thornhill, Kenneth Lee, II

1998-12-01

One of the cornerstones of severe thunderstorm research has been quantifying the relationship between the ambient vertical wind profile and the environment of a supercell thunderstorm. Continual refinement of that understanding will lead to the ability to distinguish between tornadic and non-tornadic supercells. Recently, studies have begun to show the importance of the mid-level winds (about 3-6 km), in addition to the normally analyzed 0-3 km inflow layer winds. The 32 wind profilers of the NOAA Profiler Network provide a new source of wind field data that is of higher temporal and spatial resolution that the normally used radiosonde soundings. Continuous raw wind field data (u, v, and w) is now available every 6 minutes, with a quality controlled hourly averaged wind field data set also available. In this work, a 6-minute quality control algorithm is presented and utilized. This 6-minute quality controlled wind data can be used to calculate predictive parameters such as storm relative environmental helicity, Bulk Richardson Number shear, and positive mean shear, indices that are normally calculated only for the inflow layer. In addition, the time series evolution of the mean midlevel winds and the mean vertical winds can also be examined. This present work concentrates on the 1994 and 1995 spring tornado seasons in the central plains of the United States. Combining the data from the NOAA Profiler Network with the data collected from the Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment, the time series evolution of the several indices mentioned above are examined for the winds above the inflow layer in an attempt to add to the current understanding of the relationship between the vertical wind profile and the environment of tornadic and non-tornadic supercell thunderstorms.

Mangiferin supplementation improves serum lipid profiles in overweight patients with hyperlipidemia: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Na, Lixin; Zhang, Qiao; Jiang, Shuo; Du, Shanshan; Zhang, Wei; Li, Ying; Sun, Changhao; Niu, Yucun

2015-05-19

Our previous studies have shown that mangiferin decreased serum triglycerides and free fatty acids (FFAs) by increasing FFAs oxidation in both animal and cell experiments. This study sought to evaluate the effects of mangiferin on serum lipid profiles in overweight patients with hyperlipidemia. Overweight patients with hyperlipidemia (serum triglyceride ≥ 1.70 mmol/L, and total cholesterol ≥ 5.2 mmol/L) were included in this double-blind randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomly allocated to groups, either receiving mangiferin (150 mg/day) or identical placebo for 12 weeks. The lipid profile and serum levels of mangiferin, glucose, L-carnitine, β-hydroxybutyrate, and acetoacetate were determined at baseline and 12 weeks. A total of 97 participants completed the trial. Compared with the placebo control, mangiferin supplementation significantly decreased the serum levels of triglycerides and FFAs, and insulin resistance index. Mangiferin supplementation also significantly increased the serum levels of mangiferin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, L-carnitine, β-hydroxybutyrate, and acetoacetate, and increased lipoprotein lipase activity. However, there were no differences in the serum levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, serum glucose, and insulin between groups. Mangiferin supplementation could improve serum lipid profiles by reducing serum triglycerides and FFAs in overweight patients with hyperlipidemia, partly due to the promotion of FFAs oxidation.

Mangiferin supplementation improves serum lipid profiles in overweight patients with hyperlipidemia: a double-blind randomized controlled trial

PubMed Central

Na, Lixin; Zhang, Qiao; Jiang, Shuo; Du, Shanshan; Zhang, Wei; Li, Ying; Sun, Changhao; Niu, Yucun

2015-01-01

Our previous studies have shown that mangiferin decreased serum triglycerides and free fatty acids (FFAs) by increasing FFAs oxidation in both animal and cell experiments. This study sought to evaluate the effects of mangiferin on serum lipid profiles in overweight patients with hyperlipidemia. Overweight patients with hyperlipidemia (serum triglyceride ≥ 1.70 mmol/L, and total cholesterol ≥ 5.2 mmol/L) were included in this double-blind randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomly allocated to groups, either receiving mangiferin (150 mg/day) or identical placebo for 12 weeks. The lipid profile and serum levels of mangiferin, glucose, L-carnitine, β-hydroxybutyrate, and acetoacetate were determined at baseline and 12 weeks. A total of 97 participants completed the trial. Compared with the placebo control, mangiferin supplementation significantly decreased the serum levels of triglycerides and FFAs, and insulin resistance index. Mangiferin supplementation also significantly increased the serum levels of mangiferin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, L-carnitine, β-hydroxybutyrate, and acetoacetate, and increased lipoprotein lipase activity. However, there were no differences in the serum levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, serum glucose, and insulin between groups. Mangiferin supplementation could improve serum lipid profiles by reducing serum triglycerides and FFAs in overweight patients with hyperlipidemia, partly due to the promotion of FFAs oxidation. PMID:25989216

Researche of the Earth's crust structure with powerful vibrational controlled sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alekseev, A.; Glinsky, B.; Kovalevsky, V.

2003-04-01

The paper presents the results of experimental researches of the Earth's structure, geodynamic processes and physical phenomena carried out using vibrational sources in Institutes of Siberian Branch RAS. Powerful seismic vibrators are the large mechanical devises and are installed stationary on the vibroseismic test site near Novosibirsk (Russia). The vibro-DSS experiments were carried out on 100 km-long profile from Novosibirsk to Kuzbass region and on 620 km profile between Novosibirsk and Semipalatinsk test site. Specially developed field recording systems based on multichannel three component seismic arrays were used. It allowed us to observe the main crustal waves and waves refracted on Moho boundary. In the experiments on the 620 km profile the comparison of the seismic vibrator and special 100 tons calibration explosion wave fields was made. The possibility to detect small changes of wave velocities by vibroseismic methods were shown in the experiments on the setoff 356 and 430 km, where the relative variations of velocities of seismic waves about 10-5 - 10-6 caused by the Earth's tides deformations of the crust were defined. Some new physical phenomena connected with resonance mechanism of radiation of seismic energy in low-frequency range, the radiation of acoustic waves simultaneously with seismic waves and their interaction on long distances from vibrators were detected.

Analysis and optimization of surface profile correcting mechanism of the pitch lap in large-aperture annular polishing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Huifang; Yang, Minghong; Xu, Xueke; Wu, Lunzhe; Yang, Weiguang; Shao, Jianda

2017-10-01

The surface figure control of the conventional annular polishing system is realized ordinarily by the interaction between the conditioner and the lap. The surface profile of the pitch lap corrected by the marble conditioner has been measured and analyzed as a function of kinematics, loading conditions, and polishing time. The surface profile measuring equipment of the large lap based on laser alignment was developed with the accuracy of about 1μm. The conditioning mechanism of the conditioner is simply determined by the kinematics and fully fitting principle, but the unexpected surface profile deviation of the lap emerged frequently due to numerous influencing factors including the geometrical relationship, the pressure distribution at the conditioner/lap interface. Both factors are quantitatively evaluated and described, and have been combined to develop a spatial and temporal model to simulate the surface profile evolution of pitch lap. The simulations are consistent with the experiments. This study is an important step toward deterministic full-aperture annular polishing, providing a beneficial guidance for the surface profile correction of the pitch lap.

Diagnostics for real-time plasma control in PBX-M

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaita, R.; Batha, S.; Bell, R. E.; Bernabei, S.; Hatcher, R.; Kozub, T.; Kugel, H.; Levinton, F.; Okabayashi, M.; Sesnic, S.; von Goeler, S.; Zolfaghari, A.; PBX-M Group

1995-01-01

An important issue for future tokamaks is real-time plasma control for the avoidance of magnetohydrodynamic instabilities and other applications that require detailed plasma profile and fluctuation data. Although measurements from diagnostics providing this information require significantly more processing than magnetic flux data, recent advancements could make them practical for adjusting operational settings for plasma heating and current drive systems as well as field coil currents. On the Princeton Beta Experiment-Modification (PBX-M), the lower hybrid current drive phasing can be varied during a plasma shot using digitally programmable ferrite phase shifters, and neural beam functions can be fully computer controlled. PBX-M diagnostics that may be used for control purposes include motional Stark-effect polarimetry for magnetic field pitch angle profiles, soft x-ray arrays for plasma position control and the separation of βp from li, hard x-ray detectors for energetic electron distributions, a multichannel electron cyclotron emission radiometer for ballooning mode identification, and passive plate eddy current monitors for kink stabilization. We will describe the present status of these systems on PBX-M, and discuss their suitability for feedback applications.

Mechanical design control and implementation of a new movable intensity profile beamline monitor for the TRIUMF parity experiment 497

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ries, Thomas C.

1995-05-01

Two new movable beam intensity profile monitors have been installed into the TRIUMF Parity Experiment 497 Beamlines. Each unit serves two functions. Firstly, the beam median position, in a plane normal to the beam, is detected by split plate Secondary Emission Monitors. This information is used to lock the beam into the position of the movable monitor to within a few μm's via high band width ferrite core steering magnets operating in tandem in a closed loop servo feedback control system. Secondly, the beam profile and intensity is detected via a multi-wire secondary emission non-movable monitor, where the data provides high precision values regarding centroidal positions and profiles. The centroid position of the beam is statistically determined to an accuracy of ±10 μm from a data record length of 1 second. The design of each device adheres to strict standards of mechanically rigid construction. The split plate SEM accuracy and repeatability is better than 15 μm with an absolute resolution limit of 0.4 μm. Maximum travel is 2 inches in the vertical plane. Since the device is mechanically modular and both degrees of freedom are combined into a single mechanical unit, fast and easy handling is possible for maintenance in radioactive areas. The actuators are dc servo motors with tachometers driven by linear servo power amplifiers. These amplifiers are used in lieu of pulse width modulated amps to eliminate noise produced by the switching circuits. Position sensing is done by variable reluctance type absolute rotary encoders providing 16 bit resolution over the full range of travel. Positioning is done manually using a self centring potentiometer on the control panel that provides a ± velocity command signal to the power amplifiers. This configuration ensures good controllability over a very large range of positioning speeds hence making 0.4 μm incremental positioning possible, as well as, fast relocations over large relative distances. The precision movement and jitter was measured in the laboratory. Examples will be given of the monitor use with beam.

The Mochi LabJet Experiment for Measurements of Canonical Helicity Injection in a Laboratory Astrophysical Jet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

You, Setthivoine; von der Linden, Jens; Sander Lavine, Eric; Carroll, Evan Grant; Card, Alexander; Quinley, Morgan; Azuara-Rosales, Manuel

2018-06-01

The Mochi device is a new pulsed power plasma experiment designed to produce long, collimated, stable, magnetized plasma jets when set up in the LabJet configuration. The LabJet configuration aims to simulate an astrophysical jet in the laboratory by mimicking an accretion disk threaded by a poloidal magnetic field with concentric planar electrodes in front of a solenoidal coil. The unique setup consists of three electrodes, each with azimuthally symmetric gas slits. Two of the electrodes are biased independently with respect to the third electrode to control the radial electric field profile across the poloidal bias magnetic field. This design approximates a shear azimuthal rotation profile in an accretion disk. The azimuthally symmetric gas slits provide a continuously symmetric mass source at the footpoint of the plasma jet, so any azimuthal rotation of the plasma jet is not hindered by a discrete number of gas holes. The initial set of diagnostics consists of current Rogowski coils, voltage probes, magnetic field probe arrays, an interferometer and ion Doppler spectroscopy, supplemented by a fast ion gauge and a retarding grid energy analyzer. The measured parameters of the first plasmas are ∼1022 m‑3, ∼0.4 T, and 5–25 eV, with velocities of ∼20–80 km s‑1. The combination of a controllable electric field profile, a flared poloidal magnetic field, and azimuthally symmetric mass sources in the experiment successfully produces short-lived (∼10 μs, ≳5 Alfvén times) collimated magnetic jets with a ∼10:1 aspect ratio and long-lived (∼100 μs, ≳40 Alfvén times) flow-stabilized, collimated, magnetic jets with a ∼30:1 aspect ratio.

The NATO STO Task Group AVT-201 on Extended Assessment of Stability and Control Prediction Methods for NATO Air Vehicles

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-06-20

concentrated on SACCON. The planform and section profiles were defined in cooperation between DLR and EADS -MAS during the early stages of AVT-161. DLR...however most predictions were made as first-order temporal predictions. Given the highly unsteady flow fields observed by the experiments, unsteady

Full area covered 3D profile measurement of special-shaped optics based on a new prototype non-contact profiler

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Du, Hui-Lin; Zhou, Zhao-Zhong; Sun, Ze-Qing; Ju, Bing-Feng; Xu, Shaoning; Sun, Anyu

2017-06-01

A new prototype non-contact profiler based on surface tracking has been specially developed. Surface tracking is carried out by a specially designed dual stage probe system with the aid of a four-Degree Of Freedom high-precision motion platform. The dual stage probe system keeps a short-range optical probe constantly tracking the surface by a self-developed voice coil motor servo, by which a wide measuring range of up to 10 mm is realized. The system performance evaluation including resolution, repeatability, and scanning speed proved the good capability of the new prototype non-contact profiler. To realize a full area covered 3D profile measurement of special-shaped optics within one scanning procedure, a signal intensity monitor integrated in the surface tracking controller is specially developed. In the experiment, a snip-single-corner-rectangular-shaped freeform surface was successfully measured over full area by the new non-contact profiler. This work provides an effective solution for 3D profile measurement of special-shaped optical surfaces over full reflecting area. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed measuring system is of great significance in quality evaluation of optical surfaces.

Full area covered 3D profile measurement of special-shaped optics based on a new prototype non-contact profiler.

PubMed

Du, Hui-Lin; Zhou, Zhao-Zhong; Sun, Ze-Qing; Ju, Bing-Feng; Xu, Shaoning; Sun, Anyu

2017-06-01

A new prototype non-contact profiler based on surface tracking has been specially developed. Surface tracking is carried out by a specially designed dual stage probe system with the aid of a four-Degree Of Freedom high-precision motion platform. The dual stage probe system keeps a short-range optical probe constantly tracking the surface by a self-developed voice coil motor servo, by which a wide measuring range of up to 10 mm is realized. The system performance evaluation including resolution, repeatability, and scanning speed proved the good capability of the new prototype non-contact profiler. To realize a full area covered 3D profile measurement of special-shaped optics within one scanning procedure, a signal intensity monitor integrated in the surface tracking controller is specially developed. In the experiment, a snip-single-corner-rectangular-shaped freeform surface was successfully measured over full area by the new non-contact profiler. This work provides an effective solution for 3D profile measurement of special-shaped optical surfaces over full reflecting area. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed measuring system is of great significance in quality evaluation of optical surfaces.

Bias in mean velocities and noise in variances and covariances measured using a multistatic acoustic profiler: the Nortek Vectrino Profiler

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thomas, R. E.; Schindfessel, L.; McLelland, S. J.; Creëlle, S.; De Mulder, T.

2017-07-01

This paper compiles the technical characteristics and operating principles of the Nortek Vectrino Profiler and reviews previously reported user experiences. A series of experiments are then presented that investigate instrument behaviour and performance, with a particular focus on variations within the profile. First, controlled tests investigate the sensitivity of acoustic amplitude (and Signal-to-Noise Ratio, SNR) and pulse-to-pulse correlation coefficient, R 2, to seeding concentration and cell geometry. Second, a novel methodology that systematically shifts profiling cells through a single absolute vertical position investigates the sensitivity of mean velocities, SNR and noise to: (a) emitted sound intensity and the presence (or absence) of acoustic seeding; and (b) varying flow rates under ideal acoustic seeding conditions. A new solution is derived to quantify the noise affecting the two perpendicular tristatic systems of the Vectrino Profiler and its contribution to components of the Reynolds stress tensor. Results suggest that for the Vectrino Profiler: 1. optimum acoustic seeding concentrations are ~3000 to 6000 mg L-1 2. mean velocity magnitudes are biased by variable amounts in proximal cells but are consistently underestimated in distal cells; 3. noise varies parabolically with a minimum around the ‘sweet spot’, 50 mm below the transceiver; 4. the receiver beams only intersect at the sweet spot and diverge nearer to and further from the transceiver. This divergence significantly reduces the size of the sampled area away from the sweet spot, reducing data quality; 5. the most reliable velocity data will normally be collected in the region between approximately 43 and 61 mm below the transceiver.

Use of multivitamin, acidifier and Azolla in the diet of broiler chickens

PubMed Central

Islam, M. A.; Nishibori, M.

2017-01-01

Objective The experiments were carried out to measure the effect of multivitamin, acidifier and Azolla on growth performance, profitability and lipid profiles of blood of broiler chickens to produce safe and cost effective broilers. Methods In experiment 1, 240 day-old Cobb-500 broiler chicks were fed diets; D1 (control), D2 (D1 with 1 mL multivitamin/liter water), D3 (D1 with 1 mL acidifier/liter water), D4 (D1 with 1 mL multivitamin and 2 mL acidifier/liter water) having 3 replications in each, and 20 chicks/replication. In experiment 2, 150 day-old Cobb-500 broiler chicks were fed diets; T1 (control), T2 (5% Azolla in the diet), T3 (7% Azolla in the diet) and T4 (T1 with 1 mL multivitamin and 1 mL acidifier/liter water) having 3 replications in each, and 20 chicks/replication in control, and 10 chicks/replication in the remaining dietary treatment groups for 35 days. Results In experiment 1, the highest live weight was observed in D4 (p<0.05), however, feed intake was statistically similar between diets (p>0.05). The lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p<0.001) and mortality (p<0.05) were observed in D2 followed by D4, D1, and D3, respectively. There were no significant differences between diets for feed cost and net profit (p>0.05). However, evidently but not significantly, the highest net profit was obtained in D2 followed by D4, D1, and D3, respectively. In experiment 2, the highest live weight (p<0.05) and feed intake (p<0.001) were observed in T4. Mortality (p<0.01), FCR (p<0.01), feed cost (p<0.05) and net profit (p<0.05) were significantly different among diets. Considering net profit, T2 was the best performing dietary group followed by T3, T1, and T4, respectively. The lowest lipid profiles were observed in D3 followed by D1, D4, and D2, respectively (p<0.05). In experiment 2, the lowest total cholesterol, TG, and the highest amount of high density lipoprotein were observed in T2, followed by T3, T1, and T4, respectively (p<0.05). Evidently but not significantly, low density lipoprotein was the highest in T2 followed by T3, T4, and T1, respectively (p>0.05). Conclusion In conclusion, Azolla and acidifier reduced lipid profiles of broiler chickens. Considering net profit and lipid profiles, 5% Azolla may be the suitable dietary group for producing safe and profitable broilers. However, more studies are needed to confirm this study prior to suggesting using Azolla in the poultry industry. PMID:27507178

Do Children Who Experience Regret Make Better Decisions? A Developmental Study of the Behavioral Consequences of Regret

PubMed Central

O’Connor, Eimear; McCormack, Teresa; Feeney, Aidan

2014-01-01

Although regret is assumed to facilitate good decision making, there is little research directly addressing this assumption. Four experiments (N = 326) examined the relation between children's ability to experience regret and the quality of their subsequent decision making. In Experiment 1 regret and adaptive decision making showed the same developmental profile, with both first appearing at about 7 years. In Experiments 2a and 2b, children aged 6–7 who experienced regret decided adaptively more often than children who did not experience regret, and this held even when controlling for age and verbal ability. Experiment 3 ruled out a memory-based interpretation of these findings. These findings suggest that the experience of regret facilitates children's ability to learn rapidly from bad outcomes. PMID:24773388

Effects of nutritional restriction on metabolic, endocrine, and ovarian function in llamas (Lama glama).

PubMed

Norambuena, M C; Silva, M; Urra, F; Ulloa-Leal, C; Fernández, A; Adams, G P; Huanca, W; Ratto, M H

2013-05-01

The objectives of the study were to determine the effects of nutritional restriction on ovarian function in llamas. Mature female llamas were assigned randomly to a Control group, fed 100% of maintenance energy requirements (MER) (n=8), or a Restricted group (n=8) fed from 70% to 40% of MER until a body condition score of 2.5 was attained. Blood samples were taken every-other-day to determine plasma concentrations of LH, estradiol, leptin and metabolic markers, and follicular dynamics were monitored daily by ultrasonography for 30 days (Experiment 1). Llamas were then treated with GnRH to compare the ovulatory response and corpus luteus (CL) development between groups (Experiment 2). Blood samples were taken to measure LH, leptin, progesterone and metabolic markers and ovarian structures were assessed as in Experiment 1. Llamas in the Restricted group had lower body mass and body condition scores than those in the Control group (P<0.001). Plasma concentrations of cholesterol, non-esterified fatty acids, triglycerides, and urea were higher in the Restricted group (P<0.05) than in the Control group. The day-to-day diameter profiles of the dominant follicles were smaller (P<0.05) in the Restricted group than in the Control group but plasma estradiol concentration did not differ. The ovulation rate and LH secretion in response to GnRH did not differ. Day-to-day profiles of CL diameter, plasma progesterone and leptin concentrations were smaller (P<0.01) in the Restricted group. In conclusion, nutritional restriction in llamas was associated with suppressed follicle and CL development, and lower plasma concentrations of progesterone and leptin. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

STS-107 Flight Day 13 Highlights

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2003-01-01

This video shows the activities of the STS-107 crew on flight day 13 of the Columbia orbiter's final mission. The crew members include: Rick Husband, Commander; William McCool, Pilot; Kalpana Chawla, David Brown, Michael Anderson, Laurel Clark, Mission Specialists; Ilan Ramon, Payload Specialist. The primary activities of flight day 13 are spaceborne experiments, including troubleshooting undertaken by Mission Specialist Chawla on the Water Mist Fire Suppression (MIST) experiment. Chawla performs troubleshooting tasks relayed to her by Mission Control. She shows Mission Control the location of air and water in a transparent hose that is part of the atomizer on the exterior of the combustion module. She also changes the atomizer head. All six Space Technology and Research Students (STARS) experiments are profiled in the video. These experiments are on ants, crystal growth in a chemical garden, fish embryos, carpenter bees, spiders, and silkworms. The video also includes a view of the southeast Texas coast near Houston, and a view of Portugal, Spain, Gibraltar, Morocco, and the Sahara Desert. The video ends with an explanation of roses at Mission Control which commemorate astronauts who have died on missions.

Wnt/beta-Catenin, Foxa2, and CXCR4 Axis Controls Prostate Cancer Progression

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-07-01

NT1 cells that over-expressing Foxa2. The reason we used NT1 cells for the Foxa2 over-expressing experiments is that NT1 is an AR-expressing... cells . We have also established NT1 cells over-expressing a dominant active beta-catenin. We have characterized these cells . Our research found: 1...expression profiles of control NT1 , NT1 /Foxa2, and NT1 /beta-catenin cells Figure 1. We did RT-PCR to examine the expression of key

Gene expression variations during Drosophila metamorphosis in space: The GENE experiment in the Spanish cervantes missions to the ISS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herranz, Raul; Benguria, Alberto; Medina, Javier; Gasset, Gilbert; van Loon, Jack J.; Zaballos, Angel; Marco, Roberto

2005-08-01

The ISS expedition 8, a Soyuz Mission, flew to the International Space Station (ISS) to replace the two- member ISS crew during October 2003. During this crew exchanging flight, the Spanish Cervantes Scientific Mission took place. In it some biological experiments were performed among them three proposed by our Team. The third member of the expedition, the Spanish born ESA astronaut Pedro Duque, returned within the Soyuz 7 capsule carrying the experiment containing transport box after almost 11 days in microgravity. In one of the three experiments, the GENE experiment, we intended to determine how microgravity affects the gene expression pattern of Drosophila with one of the current more powerful technologies , a complete Drosophila melanogaster genome microarray (AffymetrixTM, version 1.0). Due to the constrains in the current ISS experiments, we decided to limit our experiment to the organism rebuilding processes that occurs during Drosophila metamorphosis. In addition to the ISS samples, several control experiments have been performed including a 1g Ground control parallel to the ISS flight samples, a Random Position Machine microgravity simulated control and a parallel Hypergravity (10g) experiment. Extracted RNA from the samples was used to test the differences in gene expression during Drosophila development. A preliminary analysis of the results indicates that around five hundred genes change their expression profiles, many of them belonging to particular ontology classification groups.

A plasma rotation control scheme for NSTX and NSTX-U

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goumiri, Imene

2016-10-01

Plasma rotation has been proven to play a key role in stabilizing large scale instabilities and improving plasma confinement by suppressing micro-turbulence. A model-based feedback system which controls the plasma rotation profile on the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) and its upgrade (NSTX-U) is presented. The first part of this work uses experimental measurements from NSTX as a starting point and models the control of plasma rotation using two different types of actuation: momentum from injected neutral beams and neoclassical toroidal viscosity generated by three-dimensional applied magnetic fields. Whether based on the data-driven model for NSTX or purely predictive modeling for NSTX-U, a reduced order model based feedback controller was designed. Predictive simulations using the TRANSP plasma transport code with the actuator input determined by the controller (controller-in-the-loop) show that the controller drives the plasma's rotation to the desired profiles in less than 100 ms given practical constraints on the actuators and the available real-time rotation measurements. This is the first time that TRANSP has been used as a plasma in simulator in a closed feedback loop test. Another approach to control simultaneously the toroidal rotation profile as well as βN is then shown for NSTX-U. For this case, the neutral beams (actuators) have been augmented in the modeling to match the upgrade version which spread the injection throughout the edge of the plasma. Control robustness in stability and performance has then been tested and used to predict the limits of the resulting controllers when the energy confinement time (τE) and the momentum diffusivity coefficient (χϕ) vary.

Assessment of acute toxicity tests and rhizotron experiments to characterize lethal and sublethal control of soil-based pests.

PubMed

Agatz, Annika; Schumann, Mario M; French, Bryan W; Brown, Colin D; Vidal, Stefan

2018-03-24

Characterizing lethal and sublethal control of soil-based pests with plant protection products is particularly challenging due to the complex and dynamic interplay of the system components. Here, we present two types of studies: acute toxcity experiments (homogenous exposure of individuals in soil) and rhizotron experiments (heterogeneous exposure of individuals in soil) to investigate their ability to strengthen our understanding of mechanisms driving the effectivness of the plant protection product. Experiments were conducted using larvae of the western corn rootworm Diabrotica virgifera LeConte and three pesticide active ingredients: clothianidin (neonicotinoid), chlorpyrifos (organophosphate) and tefluthrin (pyrethroid). The order of compound concentrations needed to invoke a specific effect intensity (EC 50 values) within the acute toxicity tests was chlorpyrifos > tefluthrin > clothianidin. This order changed for the rhizotron experiments because application type, fate and transport of the compounds in the soil profile, and sublethal effects on larvae also influence their effectiveness in controlling larval feeding on corn roots. Beyond the pure measurement of efficacy through observing relative changes in plant injury to control plants, the tests generate mechanistic understanding for drivers of efficacy apart from acute toxicity. The experiments have the potential to enhance efficacy testing and product development, and might be useful tools for assessing resistance development in the future. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

RNAi pathways contribute to developmental history-dependent phenotypic plasticity in C. elegans

PubMed Central

Hall, Sarah E.; Chirn, Gung-Wei; Lau, Nelson C.; Sengupta, Piali

2013-01-01

Early environmental experiences profoundly influence adult phenotypes through complex mechanisms that are poorly understood. We previously showed that adult Caenorhabditis elegans that transiently passed through the stress-induced dauer larval stage (post-dauer adults) exhibit significant changes in gene expression profiles, chromatin states, and life history traits when compared with adults that bypassed the dauer stage (control adults). These wild-type, isogenic animals of equivalent developmental stages exhibit different signatures of molecular marks that reflect their distinct developmental trajectories. To gain insight into the mechanisms that contribute to these developmental history-dependent phenotypes, we profiled small RNAs from post-dauer and control adults by deep sequencing. RNA interference (RNAi) pathways are known to regulate genome-wide gene expression both at the chromatin and post-transcriptional level. By quantifying changes in endogenous small interfering RNA (endo-siRNA) levels in post-dauer as compared with control animals, our analyses identified a subset of genes that are likely targets of developmental history-dependent reprogramming through a complex RNAi-mediated mechanism. Mutations in specific endo-siRNA pathways affect expected gene expression and chromatin state changes for a subset of genes in post-dauer animals, as well as disrupt their increased brood size phenotype. We also find that both chromatin state and endo-siRNA distribution in dauers are unique, and suggest that remodeling in dauers provides a template for the subsequent establishment of adult post-dauer profiles. Our results indicate a role for endo-siRNA pathways as a contributing mechanism to early experience-dependent phenotypic plasticity in adults, and describe how developmental history can program adult physiology and behavior via epigenetic mechanisms. PMID:23329696

Recommendations for Improving Identification and Quantification in Non-Targeted, GC-MS-Based Metabolomic Profiling of Human Plasma

PubMed Central

Wang, Hanghang; Muehlbauer, Michael J.; O’Neal, Sara K.; Newgard, Christopher B.; Hauser, Elizabeth R.; Shah, Svati H.

2017-01-01

The field of metabolomics as applied to human disease and health is rapidly expanding. In recent efforts of metabolomics research, greater emphasis has been placed on quality control and method validation. In this study, we report an experience with quality control and a practical application of method validation. Specifically, we sought to identify and modify steps in gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based, non-targeted metabolomic profiling of human plasma that could influence metabolite identification and quantification. Our experimental design included two studies: (1) a limiting-dilution study, which investigated the effects of dilution on analyte identification and quantification; and (2) a concentration-specific study, which compared the optimal plasma extract volume established in the first study with the volume used in the current institutional protocol. We confirmed that contaminants, concentration, repeatability and intermediate precision are major factors influencing metabolite identification and quantification. In addition, we established methods for improved metabolite identification and quantification, which were summarized to provide recommendations for experimental design of GC-MS-based non-targeted profiling of human plasma. PMID:28841195

Sounding-Diagnosed Convective Environments and Preliminary Energy Budgets Diagnosed during the TRMM Field Campaigns

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Halverson, Jeffrey B.; Roy, Biswadev; O'CStarr, David (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

An overview of mean convective thermodynamic and wind profiles for the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Large Scale Biosphere-Atmosphere Experiment (LBA) and Kwajalein Experiment (KWAJEX) field campaigns will be presented, highlighting the diverse continental and marine tropical environments in which rain clouds and mesoscale convective systems evolved. An assessment of ongoing sounding quality control procedures will be shown. Additionally, we will present preliminary budgets of sensible heat source (Q1) and apparent moisture sink (Q2), which have been diagnosed from the various sounding networks.

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

Goumiri, I. R.; Rowley, C. W.; Sabbagh, S. A.

In this study, a model-based feedback system is presented enabling the simultaneous control of the stored energy through β n and the toroidal rotation profile of the plasma in National Spherical Torus eXperiment Upgrade device. Actuation is obtained using the momentum from six injected neutral beams and the neoclassical toroidal viscosity generated by applying three-dimensional magnetic fields. Based on a model of the momentum diffusion and torque balance, a feedback controller is designed and tested in closed-loop simulations using TRANSP, a time dependent transport analysis code, in predictive mode. Promising results for the ongoing experimental implementation of controllers are obtained.

Flight-test evaluation of STOL control and flight director concepts in a powered-lift aircraft flying curved decelerating approaches

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hindson, W. S.; Hardy, G. H.; Innis, R. C.

1981-01-01

Flight tests were carried out to assess the feasibility of piloted steep curved, and decelerating approach profiles in powered lift STOL aircraft. Several STOL control concepts representative of a variety of aircraft were evaluated in conjunction with suitably designed flight directions. The tests were carried out in a real navigation environment, employed special electronic cockpit displays, and included the development of the performance achieved and the control utilization involved in flying 180 deg turning, descending, and decelerating approach profiles to landing. The results suggest that such moderately complex piloted instrument approaches may indeed be feasible from a pilot acceptance point of view, given an acceptable navigation environment. Systems with the capability of those used in this experiment can provide the potential of achieving instrument operations on curved, descending, and decelerating landing approaches to weather minima corresponding to CTOL Category 2 criteria, while also providing a means of realizing more efficient operations during visual flight conditions.

Digital signaling decouples activation probability and population heterogeneity.

PubMed

Kellogg, Ryan A; Tian, Chengzhe; Lipniacki, Tomasz; Quake, Stephen R; Tay, Savaş

2015-10-21

Digital signaling enhances robustness of cellular decisions in noisy environments, but it is unclear how digital systems transmit temporal information about a stimulus. To understand how temporal input information is encoded and decoded by the NF-κB system, we studied transcription factor dynamics and gene regulation under dose- and duration-modulated inflammatory inputs. Mathematical modeling predicted and microfluidic single-cell experiments confirmed that integral of the stimulus (or area, concentration × duration) controls the fraction of cells that activate NF-κB in the population. However, stimulus temporal profile determined NF-κB dynamics, cell-to-cell variability, and gene expression phenotype. A sustained, weak stimulation lead to heterogeneous activation and delayed timing that is transmitted to gene expression. In contrast, a transient, strong stimulus with the same area caused rapid and uniform dynamics. These results show that digital NF-κB signaling enables multidimensional control of cellular phenotype via input profile, allowing parallel and independent control of single-cell activation probability and population heterogeneity.

Evaluation of inter-day and inter-individual variability of tear peptide/protein profiles by MALDI-TOF MS analyses

PubMed Central

González, Nerea; Iloro, Ibon; Durán, Juan A.; Elortza, Félix

2012-01-01

Purpose To characterize the tear film peptidome and low molecular weight protein profiles of healthy control individuals, and to evaluate changes due to day-to-day and individual variation and tear collection methods, by using solid phase extraction coupled to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) profiling. Methods The tear protein profiles of six healthy volunteers were analyzed over seven days and inter-day and inter-individual variability was evaluated. The bilaterality of tear film and the effect of tear collection methods on protein profiles were also analyzed in some of these patients. MALDI-TOF MS analyses were performed on tear samples purified by using a solid phase extraction (SPE) method based on C18 functionalized magnetic beads for peptide and low molecular weight protein enrichment, focusing spectra acquisition on the 1 to 20 kDa range. Spectra were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) with MultiExperiment Viewer (TMeV) software. Volunteers were examined in terms of tear production status (Schirmer I test), clinical assessment of palpebral lids and meibomian glands, and a subjective OSD questionnaire before tear collection by a glass micro-capillary. Results Analysis of peptides and proteins in the 1–20 kDa range showed no significant inter-day differences in tear samples collected from six healthy individuals during seven days of monitoring, but revealed subtle intrinsic inter-individual differences. Profile analyses of tears collected from the right and left eyes confirmed tear bilaterality in four healthy patients. The addition of physiologic serum for tear sample collection did not affect the peptide and small protein profiles with respect to the number of resolved peaks, but it did reduce the signal intensity of the peaks, and increased variability. Magnetic beads were found to be a suitable method for tear film purification for the profiling study. Conclusions No significant variability in tear peptide and protein profiles below 20 kDa was found in healthy controls over a seven day period, nor in right versus left eye profiles from the same individual. Subtle inter-individual differences can be observed upon tear profiling analysis and confirm intrinsic variability between control subjects. Addition of physiologic serum for tear collection affects the proteome and peptidome in terms of peak intensities, but not in the composition of the profiles themselves. This work shows that MALDI-TOF MS coupled with C18 magnetic beads is an effective and reproducible methodology for tear profiling studies in the clinical monitoring of patients. PMID:22736947

Western Arctic Shelf-Basin Interactions Experiment: Processing and Calibration of Moored Profiler Data from the Beaufort Shelf Edge Mooring Array

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-12-01

EM-CTD and ACM data (MMP only) were extracted from a PC flashcard on the MP controller and converted to ASCII file format. The MP reports engineering...downloaded from the flashcards of the MP instruments and unpacked, we used the processing system developed by John Toole at the Woods Hole Oceanographic

Abnormalities in white matter microstructure associated with chronic ketamine use.

PubMed

Edward Roberts, R; Curran, H Valerie; Friston, Karl J; Morgan, Celia J A

2014-01-01

Ketamine is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist that has been found to induce schizophrenia-type symptoms in humans and is a potent and fast-acting antidepressant. It is also a relatively widespread drug of abuse, particularly in China and the UK. Acute administration has been well characterized, but the effect of extended periods of ketamine use-on brain structure in humans-remains poorly understood. We measured indices of white matter microstructural integrity and connectivity in the brain of 16 ketamine users and 16 poly-drug-using controls, and we used probabilistic tractography to quantify changes in corticosubcortical connectivity associated with ketamine use. We found a reduction in the axial diffusivity profile of white matter in a right hemisphere network of white matter regions in ketamine users compared with controls. Within the ketamine-user group, we found a significant positive association between the connectivity profile between the caudate nucleus and the lateral prefrontal cortex and dissociative experiences. These findings suggest that chronic ketamine use may be associated with widespread disruption of white matter integrity, and white matter pathways between subcortical and prefrontal cortical areas may in part predict individual differences in dissociative experiences due to ketamine use.

Towards an understanding of flows in avalanche transport phenomena

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, Suying; Ramadan, Nikolas; van Compernolle, Bart; Poulos, Matt J.; Morales, George J.

2017-10-01

Recent heat transport experiments conducted in the Large Plasma Device (LAPD) at UCLA, studying avalanche phenomena at steep cross-magnetic field pressure gradients, suggest that flows play a critical role in the evolution of transport phenomena, motivating further characterization. A ring shaped electron beam source injects sub-ionization energy electrons along the strong background magnetic field within a larger quiescent plasma, creating a hollow, high pressure filament. Two distinct regimes are observed as the density decays; the first characterized by multiple small avalanches producing sudden relaxations of the pressure profile which then recovers under continued heating, and the second signaled by a permanent collapse of the density profile after a global avalanche event, then dominated by drift-Alfven waves. The source is modified from previous experiments to gain active control of the flows by controlling the bias between the emitting ring and surrounding carbon masks. The results of flow measurements obtained using a Mach probe and Langmuir/emissive probe are here presented and compared. An analytical model for the behavior of the electron beam source is also in development. Sponsored by NSF Grant 1619505 and by DOE/NSF at BaPSF.

Infrared horizon sensor modeling for attitude determination and control: Analysis and mission experience

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Phenneger, M. C.; Singhal, S. P.; Lee, T. H.; Stengle, T. H.

1985-01-01

The work performed by the Attitude Determination and Control Section at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration/Goddard Space Flight Center in analyzing and evaluating the performance of infrared horizon sensors is presented. The results of studies performed during the 1960s are reviewed; several models for generating the Earth's infrared radiance profiles are presented; and the Horizon Radiance Modeling Utility, the software used to model the horizon sensor optics and electronics processing to computer radiance-dependent attitude errors, is briefly discussed. Also provided is mission experience from 12 spaceflight missions spanning the period from 1973 to 1984 and using a variety of horizon sensing hardware. Recommendations are presented for future directions for the infrared horizon sensing technology.

Effect of pulse temporal shape on optical trapping and impulse transfer using ultrashort pulsed lasers.

PubMed

Shane, Janelle C; Mazilu, Michael; Lee, Woei Ming; Dholakia, Kishan

2010-03-29

We investigate the effects of pulse duration on optical trapping with high repetition rate ultrashort pulsed lasers, through Lorentz-Mie theory, numerical simulation, and experiment. Optical trapping experiments use a 12 femtosecond duration infrared pulsed laser, with the trapping microscope's temporal dispersive effects measured and corrected using the Multiphoton Intrapulse Interference Phase Scan method. We apply pulse shaping to reproducibly stretch pulse duration by 1.5 orders of magnitude and find no material-independent effects of pulse temporal profile on optical trapping of 780nm silica particles, in agreement with our theory and simulation. Using pulse shaping, we control two-photon fluorescence in trapped fluorescent particles, opening the door to other coherent control applications with trapped particles.

Mammalian animal models of psychosexual differentiation: when is 'translation' to the human situation possible?

PubMed

Baum, Michael J

2006-11-01

Clinical investigators have been forced primarily to use experiments of nature (e.g., cloacal exstrophy; androgen insensitivity, congenital adrenal hyperplasia) to assess the contribution of fetal sex hormone exposure to the development of male- and female-typical profiles of gender identity and role behavior as well as sexual orientation. In this review, I summarize the results of numerous correlative as well as mechanistic animal experiments that shed significant light on general neuroendocrine mechanisms controlling the differentiation of neural circuits controlling sexual partner preference (sexual orientation) in mammalian species including man. I also argue, however, that results of animal studies can, at best, provide only indirect insights into the neuroendocrine determinants of human gender identity and role behaviors.

MMPI-2 profiles and illness perception in fibromyalgia syndrome: The role of therapeutic exercise as adapted physical activity.

PubMed

Paolucci, Teresa; Vetrano, Mario; Zangrando, Federico; Vulpiani, Maria Chiara; Grasso, Maria Rosaria; Trifoglio, Domenica; Di Franco, Manuela; Iannuccelli, Cristina; Sorgi, Maria Laura; Reis, Victor; Saraceni, Vincenzo Maria; Guidetti, Laura

2015-01-01

Control of pain management is an important up-stream process in fibromyalgia (FM) mechanisms. To investigate whether adapted physical activity (APA) could change the illness perception in relation to the FM personality profile. Thirty-seven women with FM allocated randomly: 19 treatment group (TG) and 18 control group (CG). Interventions: exercises program included ten sessions, two times for week for one hour each and observation for CG. Scales: Illness Perception Questionnaire-revisited (IPQ-r) for the mental representation of the disease, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory profiles (MMPI-2) for personality tool and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) for function, impact and symptoms. Outcome assessments were performed before rehabilitation treatment (T0) than at the end (T1), and a follow-up 12 weeks after treatment (T2). APA was efficacy to improve FIQ values in TG at T1 and T2 test days (P = 0.014). Changes in IPQ-R values in T2 were not significant. All patients presented a baseline T-score≥65 in at least one of the basic and content MMPI-2 scales (Hy, D, Hs and Hea and Anx). APA was efficacy in FM, but further research to differentiate between illness experience rather than focus ona strict personality profile are necessary.

Profiles of bullying victimization, discrimination, social support, and school safety: Links with Latino/a youth acculturation, gender, depressive symptoms, and cigarette use.

PubMed

Lorenzo-Blanco, Elma I; Unger, Jennifer B; Oshri, Assaf; Baezconde-Garbanati, Lourdes; Soto, Daniel

2016-01-01

Latino/a youth are at risk for symptoms of depression and cigarette smoking but this risk varies by acculturation and gender. To understand why some youth are at greater risk than others, we identified profiles of diverse community experiences (perceived discrimination, bullying victimization, social support, perceived school safety) and examined associations between profiles of community experience and depressive symptoms, cigarette smoking, acculturation, and gender. Data came from Project Red (Reteniendo y Entendiendo Diversidad para Salud), a school-based longitudinal study of acculturation among 1,919 Latino/a adolescents (52% female; 84% 14 years old; 87% U.S. born). Latent profile analysis (LPA) revealed 4 distinct profiles of community experience that varied by gender and acculturation. Boys were overrepresented in profile groups with high perceived discrimination, some bullying, and lack of positive experiences, while girls were overrepresented in groups with high bullying victimization in the absence and presence of other community experiences. Youth low on both U.S. and Latino/a cultural orientation described high perceived discrimination and lacked positive experiences, and were predominantly male. Profiles characterized by high perceived discrimination and /or high bullying victimization in the absence of positive experiences had higher levels of depressive symptoms and higher risk of smoking, relative to the other groups. Findings suggest that acculturation comes with diverse community experiences that vary by gender and relate to smoking and depression risk. Results from this research can inform the development of tailored intervention and prevention strategies to reduce depression and/or smoking for Latino/a youth. (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).

Runaway electron generation and control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Esposito, B.; Boncagni, L.; Buratti, P.; Carnevale, D.; Causa, F.; Gospodarczyk Martin-Solis, M., Jr.; Popovic, Z.; Agostini, M.; Apruzzese, G.; Bin, W.; Cianfarani, C.; De Angelis, R.; Granucci, G.; Grosso, A.; Maddaluno, G.; Marocco, D.; Piergotti, V.; Pensa, A.; Podda, S.; Pucella, G.; Ramogida, G.; Rocchi, G.; Riva, M.; Sibio, A.; Sozzi, C.; Tilia, B.; Tudisco, O.; Valisa, M.; FTU Team

2017-01-01

We present an overview of FTU experiments on runaway electron (RE) generation and control carried out through a comprehensive set of real-time (RT) diagnostics/control systems and newly installed RE diagnostics. An RE imaging spectrometer system detects visible and infrared synchrotron radiation. A Cherenkov probe measures RE escaping the plasma. A gamma camera provides hard x-ray radial profiles from RE bremsstrahlung interactions in the plasma. Experiments on the onset and suppression of RE show that the threshold electric field for RE generation is larger than that expected according to a purely collisional theory, but consistent with an increase due to synchrotron radiation losses. This might imply a lower density to be targeted with massive gas injection for RE suppression in ITER. Experiments on active control of disruption-generated RE have been performed through feedback on poloidal coils by implementing an RT boundary-reconstruction algorithm evaluated on magnetic moments. The results indicate that the slow plasma current ramp-down and the simultaneous reduction of the reference plasma external radius are beneficial in dissipating the RE beam energy and population, leading to reduced RE interactions with plasma facing components. RE active control is therefore suggested as a possible alternative or complementary technique to massive gas injection.

Plasma MRI Experiments at UW-Madison

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flanagan, K.; Clark, M.; Desangles, V.; Siller, R.; Wallace, J.; Weisberg, D.; Forest, C. B.

2015-11-01

Experiments for driving Keplerian-like flow profiles on both the Plasma Couette Experiment Upgrade (PCX-U) and the Wisconsin Plasma Astrophysics Laboratory (WiPAL) user facility are described. Instead of driving flow at the boundaries, as is typical in many liquid metal Couette experiments, a global drive is implemented. A large radial current is drawn across a small axial field generating torque across the whole profile. This global electrically driven flow is capable of producing profiles similar to Keplerian flow. PCX-U has been purposely constructed for MRI experiments, while similar experiments on the WiPAL device show the versatility of the user facility and provide a larger plasma volume. Numerical calculations show the predicted parameter spaces for exciting the MRI in these plasmas and the equilibrium flow profiles expected. In both devices, relevant MRI parameters appear to be within reach of typical operating characteristics.

Profile: a computer program for displaying the geometric relationships of the responses in a factorial design

Treesearch

Stanford L. Arner

1974-01-01

One procedure in analyzing the responses to factors in an experiment is to construct profiles of the means. Profiles are plots of the sample means of each level of one factor at each level of one or more of the other factors in the experiment. The construction of these profiles and tests of hypotheses about the mean responses is called profile analysis. This paper...

Alfven Eigenmode Control in DIII-D

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, W.; Olofsson, E.; Welander, A.; van Zeeland, M.; Collins, C.; Heidbrink, W.

2017-10-01

Alfven eigenmodes (AE) driven by fast ions from neutral beam and ion cyclotron heating are common in present day tokamak plasmas and are expected to be destabilized by alpha particles in future burning plasma experiments. Because these waves have been shown to cause loss and redistribution of fast ions which can impact plasma performance and potentially device integrity, developing control techniques for AEs is of paramount importance. In the DIII-D plasma control system, spectral analysis of real-time ECE data is used as a monitor of AE amplitude, frequency, and location. These values are then used for feedback control of the neutral beam power to control Alfven waves and reduce fast ion loss. This work describes tests of AE control experiments in the current ramp up phase, during which multiple Alfven eigenmodes are typically unstable and fast ion confinement is degraded significantly. Comparisons of neutron emission and confined fast ion profiles with and without active AE control will be made. Work supported by the U.S. Dept. of Energy under Award Number DE-FC02-04ER54698.

Classical confinement and outward convection of impurity ions in the MST RFP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, S. T. A.; Den Hartog, D. J.; Mirnov, V. V.; Caspary, K. J.; Magee, R. M.; Brower, D. L.; Chapman, B. E.; Craig, D.; Ding, W. X.; Eilerman, S.; Fiksel, G.; Lin, L.; Nornberg, M.; Parke, E.; Reusch, J. A.; Sarff, J. S.

2012-05-01

Impurity ion dynamics measured with simultaneously high spatial and temporal resolution reveal classical ion transport in the reversed-field pinch. The boron, carbon, oxygen, and aluminum impurity ion density profiles are obtained in the Madison Symmetric Torus [R. N. Dexter et al., Fusion Technol. 19, 131 (1991)] using a fast, active charge-exchange-recombination-spectroscopy diagnostic. Measurements are made during improved-confinement plasmas obtained using inductive control of tearing instability to mitigate stochastic transport. At the onset of the transition to improved confinement, the impurity ion density profile becomes hollow, with a slow decay in the core region concurrent with an increase in the outer region, implying an outward convection of impurities. Impurity transport from Coulomb collisions in the reversed-field pinch is classical for all collisionality regimes, and analysis shows that the observed hollow profile and outward convection can be explained by the classical temperature screening mechanism. The profile agrees well with classical expectations. Experiments performed with impurity pellet injection provide further evidence for classical impurity ion confinement.

Investigation of the layout and optical proximity correction effects to control the trench etching process on 4H-SiC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kyoung, Sinsu; Jung, Eun-Sik; Sung, Man Young

2017-07-01

Although trench gate and super-junction technology have micro-trench problems when applied to the SiC process due to the material characteristics. In this paper, area effects are analyzed from the test element group with various patterns and optical proximity correction (OPC) methods are proposed and analyzed to reduce micro-trenches in the SiC trench etching process. First, the loading effects were analyzed from pattern samples with various trench widths (Wt). From experiments, the area must limited under a proper size for a uniform etching profile and reduced micro-trenches because a wider area accelerates the etch rate. Second, the area effects were more severely unbalanced at corner patterns because the corner pattern necessarily has an in-corner and out-corner that have different etching areas to each other. We can balance areas using OPC patterns to overcome this. Experiments with OPC represented improved micro-trench profile from when comparing differences of trench depth (Δdt) at out corner and in corner. As a result, the area effects can be used to improve the trench profile with optimized etching process conditions. Therefore, the trench gate and super-junction pillar of the SiC power MOSFET can have an improved uniform profile without micro-trenches using proper design and OPC.[Figure not available: see fulltext.

First Results From the Alcator C-Mod Lower Hybrid Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parker, Ronald; Bernabei, Stefano; Grimes, Montgomery; Hosea, Joel; Johnson, David; Wilson, Randy

2005-10-01

A lower hybrid system operating at 4.6 GHz and capable of 3 MW source power has been installed on Alcator C-Mod. The grill facing the plasma consists of 4 rows of 24 waveguides. Electronic control of the amplitude and phase of the 12 klystrons supplying the RF power enables the launcher's n|| spectrum to be dynamically controlled over a wide range with a time response of 1 ms. Since the deposition of current depends on n|| as well as the temperature profile, the spatial distribution of the driven current can be varied with the same time response. Detection of fast electron Bremsstrahlung is the primary means of monitoring the driven current profile. Initial measurements at the 100 kW power level show that reflection coefficients as low as 7% are obtained at optimal phasing and density at the grill mouth. Comparison of these results with modeling predictions will be presented in a companion paper.

Residential Mobility and Lung Cancer Risk: Data-Driven Exploration Using Internet Sources

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

Yoon, Hong-Jun; Tourassi, Georgia; Xu, Songhua

2015-01-01

Frequent relocation has been linked to health decline, particularly with respect to emotional and psychological wellbeing. In this paper we investigate whether there is an association between frequent relocation and lung cancer risk. For the initial investigation we leverage two online data sources to collect cancer and control subjects using web crawling and tailored text mining. The two data sources share different strengths and weaknesses in terms of the amount of detail, population representation, and sample size. One data source includes online obituaries. The second data source includes augmented LinkedIn profiles. For each data source, the subjects spatiotemporal history ismore » reconstructed from the available information provided in the obituaries and from the education and work experience provided in the LinkedIn profiles. The study shows that lung cancer subjects have higher mobility frequency than the control group. This trend is consistent for both data sources.« less

Method and apparatus for analyzing the fill characteristics of a packaging container

DOEpatents

Rodriguez, J.G.

1998-10-13

A system is described for analyzing the fill characteristics of a container. A container having a filling material therein is positioned adjacent a sound generator. Sound waves from the generator are applied to the container, causing it to vibrate. A vibration detector is used to determine the amount of container vibration. A preferred vibration detector involves a laser vibrometer which applies a reference laser beam to the vibrating container. The reference beam is reflected off of the container to generate a reflected laser beam. The reflected beam experiences a Doppler frequency shift compared with the reference beam which is caused by container vibration. The Doppler shift of the reflected beam is then compared with standardized Doppler shift data from a control container. Repeated Doppler shift measurements may also be undertaken which are converted into a vibration profile that is compared with a standardized vibration profile from a control container. 4 figs.

Gas-phase measurements of combustion interaction with materials for radiation-cooled chambers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barlow, R. S.; Lucht, R. P.; Jassowski, D. M.; Rosenberg, S. D.

1991-01-01

Foil samples of Ir and Pt are exposed to combustion products in a controlled premixed environment at atmospheric pressure. Electrical heating of the foil samples is used to control the surface temperature and to elevate it above the radiative equilibrium temperature within the test apparatus. Profiles of temperature and OH concentration in the boundary layer adjacent to the specimen surface are measured by laser-induced fluorescence. Measured OH concentrations are significantly higher than equilibrium concentrations calculated for the known mixture ratio and the measured temperature profiles. This result indicates that superequilibrium concentrations of H-atoms and O-atoms are also present in the boundary layer, due to partial equilibrium of the rapid binary reactions of the H2/O2 chemical kinetic system. These experiments are conducted as part of a research program to investigate fundamental aspects of the interaction of combustion gases with advanced high-temperature materials for radiation-cooled thrusters.

Method and apparatus for analyzing the fill characteristics of a packaging container

DOEpatents

Rodriguez, Julio G.

1998-01-01

A system for analyzing the fill characteristics of a container. A container having a filling material therein is positioned adjacent a sound generator. Sound waves from the generator are applied to the container, causing it to vibrate. A vibration detector is used to determine the amount of container vibration. A preferred vibration detector involves a laser vibrometer which applies a reference laser beam to the vibrating container. The reference beam is reflected off of the container to generate a reflected laser beam. The reflected beam experiences a Doppler frequency shift compared with the reference beam which is caused by container vibration. The Doppler shift of the reflected beam is then compared with standardized Doppler shift data from a control container. Repeated Doppler shift measurements may also be undertaken which are converted into a vibration profile that is compared with a standardized vibration profile from a control container.

Profiles of Bullying Victimization, Discrimination, Social Support, and School Safety: Links with Latino/a Youth Acculturation, Gender, Depressive Symptoms, and Cigarette Use

PubMed Central

Lorenzo-Blanco, Elma I.; Unger, Jennifer B.; Oshri, Assaf; Baezconde-Garbanati, Lourdes; Soto, Daniel

2016-01-01

Latino/a youth are at risk for symptoms of depression and cigarette smoking but this risk varies by acculturation and gender. To understand why some youth are at greater risk than others, we identified profiles of diverse community experiences (perceived discrimination, bullying victimization, social support, perceived school safety) and examined associations between profiles of community experience and depressive symptoms, cigarette smoking, acculturation, and gender. Data came from Project Red (Reteniendo y Entendiendo Diversidad para Salud), a school-based longitudinal study of acculturation among 1919 Latino/a adolescents (52% female; 84% 14 years old; 87% U.S. born). Latent profile analysis (LPA) revealed four distinct profiles of community experience which varied by gender and acculturation. Boys were overrepresented in profile groups with high perceived discrimination, some bullying, and lack of positive experiences, while girls were overrepresented in groups with high bullying victimization in the absence and presence of other community experiences. Youth low on both U.S. and Latino/a cultural orientation described high perceived discrimination and lacked positive experiences, and were predominantly male. Profiles characterized by high perceived discrimination and/or high bullying victimization in the absence of positive experiences had higher levels of depressive symptoms and higher risk of smoking, relative to the other groups. Findings suggest that acculturation comes with diverse community experiences that vary by gender and relate to smoking and depression risk. Results from this research can inform the development of tailored intervention and prevention strategies to reduce depression and/or smoking for Latino/a youth at risk for depression and/or smoking. PMID:26752445

Active Flow Separation Control of a Stator Vane Using Surface Injection in a Multistage Compressor Experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Culley, Dennis E.; Bright, Michelle M.; Prahst, Patricia S.; Strazisar, Anthony J.

2003-01-01

Micro-flow control actuation embedded in a stator vane was used to successfully control separation and improve near stall performance in a multistage compressor rig at NASA Glenn. Using specially designed stator vanes configured with internal actuation to deliver pulsating air through slots along the suction surface, a research study was performed to identify performance benefits using this microflow control approach. Pressure profiles and unsteady pressure measurements along the blade surface and at the shroud provided a dynamic look at the compressor during microflow air injection. These pressure measurements lead to a tracking algorithm to identify the onset of separation. The testing included steady air injection at various slot locations along the vane. The research also examined the benefit of pulsed injection and actively controlled air injection along the stator vane. Two types of actuation schemes were studied, including an embedded actuator for on-blade control. Successful application of an online detection and flow control scheme will be discussed. Testing showed dramatic performance benefit for flow reattachment and subsequent improvement in diffusion through the use of pulsed controlled injection. The paper will discuss the experimental setup, the blade configurations, and preliminary CFD results which guided the slot location along the blade. The paper will also show the pressure profiles and unsteady pressure measurements used to track flow control enhancement, and will conclude with the tracking algorithm for adjusting the control.

Final Report: Levitated Dipole Experiment

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

Kesner, Jay; Mauel, Michael

2013-03-10

Since the very first experiments with the LDX, research progress was rapid and significant. Initial experiments were conducted with the high-field superconducting coil suspended by three thin rods. These experiments produced long-pulse, quasi-steady-state microwave discharges, lasting more than 10 s, having peak beta values of 20% [Garnier, Phys. Plasmas, v13, p. 056111, 2006]. High-beta, near steady-state discharges have been maintained in LDX for more than 20 seconds, and this capability makes LDX the longest pulse fusion confinement experiment now operating in the U.S. fusion program. In both supported and levitated configurations, detailed measurements are made of discharge evolution, plasma dynamicsmore » and instability, and the roles of gas fueling, microwave power deposition profiles, and plasma boundary shape. High-temperature plasma is created by multifrequency electron cyclotron resonance heating allowing control of heating profiles. Depending upon neutral fueling rates, the LDX discharges contain a fraction of energetic electrons, with mean energies above 50 keV. Depending on whether or not the superconducting dipole is levitated or supported, the peak thermal electron temperature is estimated to exceed 500 eV and peak densities reach 1.0E18 (1/m3). Several significant discoveries resulted from the routine investigation of plasma confinement with a magnetically-levitated dipole. For the first time, toroidal plasma with pressure approaching the pressure of the confining magnetic field was well-confined in steady-state without a toroidal magnetic field. Magnetic levitation proved to be reliable and is now routine. The dipole's cryostat allows up to three hours of "float time" between re-cooling with liquid helium and providing scientists unprecedented access to the physics of magnetizd plasma. Levitation eliminates field-aligned particle sources and sinks and results in a toroidal, magnetically-confined plasma where profiles are determined by cross-field transport. We find levitation causes the central plasma density to increase dramatically and to significantly improve the confinement of thermal plasma [Boxer, Nature-Physics, v8, p. 949, 2010]. Several diagnostic systems have been used to measure plasma fluctuations, and these appear to represent low-frequency convection that may lead to adiabatic heating and strongly peaked pressure profiles. These experiments are remarkable, and the motivate wide-ranging studies of plasma found in space and confined for fusion energy. In the following report, we describe: (i) observations of the centrally-peaked density profile that appears naturally as a consequence of a strong turbulent pinch, (ii) observations of overall density and pressure increases that suggest large improvements to the thermal electron confinement time result occur during levitation, and (iii) the remarkable properties of low-frequency plasma fluctuations that cause magnetized plasma to "self-organize" into well-confined, centrally-peaked profiles that are relative to fusion and to space.« less

Explaining Cold-Pulse Dynamics in Tokamak Plasmas Using Local Turbulent Transport Models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodriguez-Fernandez, P.; White, A. E.; Howard, N. T.; Grierson, B. A.; Staebler, G. M.; Rice, J. E.; Yuan, X.; Cao, N. M.; Creely, A. J.; Greenwald, M. J.; Hubbard, A. E.; Hughes, J. W.; Irby, J. H.; Sciortino, F.

2018-02-01

A long-standing enigma in plasma transport has been resolved by modeling of cold-pulse experiments conducted on the Alcator C-Mod tokamak. Controlled edge cooling of fusion plasmas triggers core electron heating on time scales faster than an energy confinement time, which has long been interpreted as strong evidence of nonlocal transport. This Letter shows that the steady-state profiles, the cold-pulse rise time, and disappearance at higher density as measured in these experiments are successfully captured by a recent local quasilinear turbulent transport model, demonstrating that the existence of nonlocal transport phenomena is not necessary for explaining the behavior and time scales of cold-pulse experiments in tokamak plasmas.

Modeling the MJO rain rates using parameterized large scale dynamics: vertical structure, radiation, and horizontal advection of dry air

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, S.; Sobel, A. H.; Nie, J.

2015-12-01

Two Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) events were observed during October and November 2011 in the equatorial Indian Ocean during the DYNAMO field campaign. Precipitation rates and large-scale vertical motion profiles derived from the DYNAMO northern sounding array are simulated in a small-domain cloud-resolving model using parameterized large-scale dynamics. Three parameterizations of large-scale dynamics --- the conventional weak temperature gradient (WTG) approximation, vertical mode based spectral WTG (SWTG), and damped gravity wave coupling (DGW) --- are employed. The target temperature profiles and radiative heating rates are taken from a control simulation in which the large-scale vertical motion is imposed (rather than directly from observations), and the model itself is significantly modified from that used in previous work. These methodological changes lead to significant improvement in the results.Simulations using all three methods, with imposed time -dependent radiation and horizontal moisture advection, capture the time variations in precipitation associated with the two MJO events well. The three methods produce significant differences in the large-scale vertical motion profile, however. WTG produces the most top-heavy and noisy profiles, while DGW's is smoother with a peak in midlevels. SWTG produces a smooth profile, somewhere between WTG and DGW, and in better agreement with observations than either of the others. Numerical experiments without horizontal advection of moisture suggest that that process significantly reduces the precipitation and suppresses the top-heaviness of large-scale vertical motion during the MJO active phases, while experiments in which the effect of cloud on radiation are disabled indicate that cloud-radiative interaction significantly amplifies the MJO. Experiments in which interactive radiation is used produce poorer agreement with observation than those with imposed time-varying radiative heating. Our results highlight the importance of both horizontal advection of moisture and cloud-radiative feedback to the dynamics of the MJO, as well as to accurate simulation and prediction of it in models.

In-channel Restoration Structures and the Implications on Hyporheic Exchange: a Laboratory Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, B.; Chu, H. H.; Endreny, T. A.

2014-12-01

In-channel structures, i.e. cross-vanes and J-hooks, are commonly installed in river restoration projects to modify the streambed morphology and stream water surface profile, and are known to change hyporhiec exchange flux and habitats for riverine animals. However, few studies have continuous and accurate pre- and post-treatment data to evaluate the impact of these structures on channel hydraulic gradients and morphology. To quantify the effects of in-channel structures, we developed a scaled physical model of a meandering stream with a cross-vane and 6 J-hooks on a mobile-bed river table. Close-range photogrammetry technique was applied to obtain 3-D water and ground surface profiles with sub-millimeter vertical accuracy and horizontal resolution. The experiment was compared with a control experiment without structures while maintaining the same initial conditions of river bed, floodplain and stream flow. Results indicated that the cross-vane caused an average local head loss that represented 16% of the total stream reach head loss, and a 74% increase in channel load in the entire stream reach. Most J-hooks can create stepwise patterns in stream longitudinal profile, and cross-vane can create even more significant ones. Hydraulic gradients across the intra-meander zone also increased with in-channel structures, i.e. from 2.5% to 3.5% at the meander neck. Scour pools developed downstream of the cross-vane, and mostly around the 4 meander apex J-hooks at their hooked tip. Backwater caused by the cross-vane steepened the local water table profile by an additional 4.2%, and was the primary driver of statistically significant hydraulic gradient increase. Reach scale water and streambed surface profiles from our study provided detailed data to improve the understanding of in-channel structure effects, and may serve as reliable data source in computational modeling of hyporheic exchange.

Understanding and predicting profile structure and parametric scaling of intrinsic rotation

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

Wang, W. X.; Grierson, B. A.; Ethier, S.

2017-08-10

This study reports on a recent advance in developing physical understanding and a first-principles-based model for predicting intrinsic rotation profiles in magnetic fusion experiments. It is shown for the first time that turbulent fluctuation-driven residual stress (a non-diffusive component of momentum flux) along with diffusive momentum flux can account for both the shape and magnitude of the observed intrinsic toroidal rotation profile. Both the turbulence intensity gradient and zonal flow E×B shear are identified as major contributors to the generation of the k ∥-asymmetry needed for the residual stress generation. The model predictions of core rotation based on global gyrokineticmore » simulations agree well with the experimental measurements of main ion toroidal rotation for a set of DIII-D ECH discharges. The validated model is further used to investigate the characteristic dependence of residual stress and intrinsic rotation profile structure on the multi-dimensional parametric space covering the turbulence type, q-profile structure, and up-down asymmetry in magnetic geometry with the goal of developing the physics understanding needed for rotation profile control and optimization. It is shown that in the flat-q profile regime, intrinsic rotations driven by ITG and TEM turbulence are in the opposite direction (i.e., intrinsic rotation reverses). The predictive model also produces reversed intrinsic rotation for plasmas with weak and normal shear q-profiles.« less

Multidimensional profiles of health locus of control in Hispanic Americans

PubMed Central

Champagne, Brian R; Fox, Rina S; Mills, Sarah D; Sadler, Georgia Robins; Malcarne, Vanessa L

2016-01-01

Latent profile analysis identified health locus of control profiles among 436 Hispanic Americans who completed the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scales. Results revealed four profiles: Internally Oriented-Weak, -Moderate, -Strong, and Externally Oriented. The profile groups were compared on sociocultural and demographic characteristics, health beliefs and behaviors, and physical and mental health outcomes. The Internally Oriented-Strong group had less cancer fatalism, religiosity, and equity health attributions, and more alcohol consumption than the other three groups; the Externally Oriented group had stronger equity health attributions and less alcohol consumption. Deriving multidimensional health locus of control profiles through latent profile analysis allows examination of the relationships of health locus of control subtypes to health variables. PMID:25855212

Simultaneous feedback control of plasma rotation and stored energy on NSTX-U using neoclassical toroidal viscosity and neutral beam injection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goumiri, I. R.; Rowley, C. W.; Sabbagh, S. A.; Gates, D. A.; Boyer, M. D.; Gerhardt, S. P.; Kolemen, E.; Menard, J. E.

2017-05-01

A model-based feedback system is presented enabling the simultaneous control of the stored energy through βn and the toroidal rotation profile of the plasma in National Spherical Torus eXperiment Upgrade device. Actuation is obtained using the momentum from six injected neutral beams and the neoclassical toroidal viscosity generated by applying three-dimensional magnetic fields. Based on a model of the momentum diffusion and torque balance, a feedback controller is designed and tested in closed-loop simulations using TRANSP, a time dependent transport analysis code, in predictive mode. Promising results for the ongoing experimental implementation of controllers are obtained.

Simultaneous feedback control of plasma rotation and stored energy on NSTX-U using neoclassical toroidal viscosity and neutral beam injection

PubMed Central

Goumiri, I. R.; Sabbagh, S. A.; Boyer, M. D.; Gerhardt, S. P.; Kolemen, E.; Menard, J. E.

2017-01-01

A model-based feedback system is presented enabling the simultaneous control of the stored energy through βn and the toroidal rotation profile of the plasma in National Spherical Torus eXperiment Upgrade device. Actuation is obtained using the momentum from six injected neutral beams and the neoclassical toroidal viscosity generated by applying three-dimensional magnetic fields. Based on a model of the momentum diffusion and torque balance, a feedback controller is designed and tested in closed-loop simulations using TRANSP, a time dependent transport analysis code, in predictive mode. Promising results for the ongoing experimental implementation of controllers are obtained. PMID:28435207

Simultaneous feedback control of plasma rotation and stored energy on NSTX-U using neoclassical toroidal viscosity and neutral beam injection

DOE PAGES

Goumiri, I. R.; Rowley, C. W.; Sabbagh, S. A.; ...

2017-02-23

In this study, a model-based feedback system is presented enabling the simultaneous control of the stored energy through β n and the toroidal rotation profile of the plasma in National Spherical Torus eXperiment Upgrade device. Actuation is obtained using the momentum from six injected neutral beams and the neoclassical toroidal viscosity generated by applying three-dimensional magnetic fields. Based on a model of the momentum diffusion and torque balance, a feedback controller is designed and tested in closed-loop simulations using TRANSP, a time dependent transport analysis code, in predictive mode. Promising results for the ongoing experimental implementation of controllers are obtained.

The Universal Multizone Crystallizator (UMC) Furnace: An International Cooperative Agreement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Watring, D. A.; Su, C.-H.; Gillies, D.; Roosz, T.; Babcsan, N.

1996-01-01

The Universal Multizone Crystallizator (UMC) is a special apparatus for crystal growth under terrestrial and microgravity conditions. The use of twenty-five zones allows the UMC to be used for several normal freezing growth techniques. The thermal profile is electronically translated along the stationary sample by systematically reducing the power to the control zones. Elimination of mechanical translation devices increases the systems reliability while simultaneously reducing the size and weight. This paper addresses the UMC furnace design, sample cartridge and typical thermal profiles and corresponding power requirements necessary for the dynamic gradient freeze crystal growth technique. Results from physical vapor transport and traveling heater method crystal growth experiments are also discussed.

Modeling and control of plasma rotation for NSTX using neoclassical toroidal viscosity and neutral beam injection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goumiri, I. R.; Rowley, C. W.; Sabbagh, S. A.; Gates, D. A.; Gerhardt, S. P.; Boyer, M. D.; Andre, R.; Kolemen, E.; Taira, K.

2016-03-01

A model-based feedback system is presented to control plasma rotation in a magnetically confined toroidal fusion device, to maintain plasma stability for long-pulse operation. This research uses experimental measurements from the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) and is aimed at controlling plasma rotation using two different types of actuation: momentum from injected neutral beams and neoclassical toroidal viscosity generated by three-dimensional applied magnetic fields. Based on the data-driven model obtained, a feedback controller is designed, and predictive simulations using the TRANSP plasma transport code show that the controller is able to attain desired plasma rotation profiles given practical constraints on the actuators and the available measurements of rotation.

Modeling and control of plasma rotation for NSTX using neoclassical toroidal viscosity and neutral beam injection

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

Goumiri, I. R.; Rowley, C. W.; Sabbagh, S. A.

2016-02-19

A model-based feedback system is presented to control plasma rotation in a magnetically confined toroidal fusion device, to maintain plasma stability for long-pulse operation. This research uses experimental measurements from the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) and is aimed at controlling plasma rotation using two different types of actuation: momentum from injected neutral beams and neoclassical toroidal viscosity generated by three-dimensional applied magnetic fields. Based on the data-driven model obtained, a feedback controller is designed, and predictive simulations using the TRANSP plasma transport code show that the controller is able to attain desired plasma rotation profiles given practical constraints onmore » the actuators and the available measurements of rotation.« less

Psychocentricity and participant profiles: implications for lexical processing among multilinguals

PubMed Central

Libben, Gary; Curtiss, Kaitlin; Weber, Silke

2014-01-01

Lexical processing among bilinguals is often affected by complex patterns of individual experience. In this paper we discuss the psychocentric perspective on language representation and processing, which highlights the centrality of individual experience in psycholinguistic experimentation. We discuss applications to the investigation of lexical processing among multilinguals and explore the advantages of using high-density experiments with multilinguals. High density experiments are designed to co-index measures of lexical perception and production, as well as participant profiles. We discuss the challenges associated with the characterization of participant profiles and present a new data visualization technique, that we term Facial Profiles. This technique is based on Chernoff faces developed over 40 years ago. The Facial Profile technique seeks to overcome some of the challenges associated with the use of Chernoff faces, while maintaining the core insight that recoding multivariate data as facial features can engage the human face recognition system and thus enhance our ability to detect and interpret patterns within multivariate datasets. We demonstrate that Facial Profiles can code participant characteristics in lexical processing studies by recoding variables such as reading ability, speaking ability, and listening ability into iconically-related relative sizes of eye, mouth, and ear, respectively. The balance of ability in bilinguals can be captured by creating composite facial profiles or Janus Facial Profiles. We demonstrate the use of Facial Profiles and Janus Facial Profiles in the characterization of participant effects in the study of lexical perception and production. PMID:25071614

Rapid reduction of MORB glass in piston cylinder experiments with graphite capsule - a XANES study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ni, P.; Zhang, Y.; Fiege, A.; Newville, M.; Lanzirotti, A.

2017-12-01

Graphite capsules have been widely used in high-pressure, high-temperature experiments to prevent iron loss from iron-bearing samples. One common uncertainty with this experimental setup is the oxygen fugacity (fO2) inside the capsule imposed by the presence of graphite. As Holloway et al. (1992) pointed out, the use of graphite capsule places an upper limit on the fO2 in the experiment to be below CCO (graphite-CO-CO2 buffer). More recently, Medard et al. (2015) estimated the fO2 for their experiments using Pt-graphite or graphite-only capsules to be CCO-0.8. Despite the improved understanding on the fO2 using graphite capsule, the mechanism and kinetics of fO2 control in graphite capsule is still poorly understood. Such knowledge is especially important to understand whether equilibrium fO2 is reached in the sample when short experiment durations are needed (e.g. for kinetic experiments). In this study, MORB glasses after olivine dissolution (Chen and Zhang 2008) and plagioclase dissolution (Yu et al. 2016) experiments at 0.5 GPa and 1300 ºC with durations ranging from 10 s to 30 min are analyzed by XANES to obtain Fe3+/Fetotal profiles from their contact with the graphite capsule. The results show rapid Fe reduction away from the graphite-melt interface, causing a decrease of Fe3+/Fetotal from 12% to 3%. In a duration of 30 min, the 1200-µm-thick and 2000-µm-diameter basaltic glass reached near equilibrium in its iron oxidation state, with Fe3+/Fetotal ranging from 3% to 4% throughout the run product. The equilibrium Fe3+/Fetotal ratio corresponds to an fO2 of CCO-1.4, which is within error compared to the result in Medard et al. (2015). Even in the shortest experiment with an effective duration of only 10 s, a 60 µm long reduction profile was detected. Such a rapid fO2 change can be explained by rapid H2 diffusion in melt and its reaction with ferric iron: H2+Fe2O3=2FeO+H2O, which is also supported by the H2O concentration profiles measured along the reduction profile. Our results indicate rapid fO2 equilibration in MORB-glass-composition samples during nominally anhydrous graphite capsule experiments at 1300°C, and can be used to guide experimental designs.

Effects of adenosine receptor agonist on the rocuroniuminduced neuromuscular block and sugammadex-induced recovery.

PubMed

Kim, Yong Beom; Lee, Sangseok; Choi, Hey Ran; In, Junyong; Chang, Young Jin; Kim, Ha Jung; Ro, Young Jin; Yang, Hong-Seuk

2018-04-25

Several types of receptors are found at neuromuscular presynaptic membranes. Presynaptic inhibitory A1 and facilitatory A2A receptors mediate different modulatory functions on acetylcholine release. This study investigated whether adenosine A1 receptor agonist contributes to the first twitch tension (T1) of train-of-four (TOF) stimulation depression and TOF fade during rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade, and sugammadex-induced recovery. Phrenic nerve-diaphragm tissues were obtained from 30 adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Each tissue specimen was randomly allocated to either control group or 2-chloroadenosine (CADO, 10 μM) group. One hour of reaction time was allowed before initiating main experimental data collection. Loading and boost doses of rocuronium were sequentially administered until > 95% depression of the T1 was achieved. After confirming that there was no T1 twitch tension response, 15 min of resting time was allowed, after which sugammadex was administered. Recovery profiles (T1, TOF ratio [TOFR], and recovery index) were collected for 1 h and compared between groups. There were statistically significant differences on amount of rocuronium (actually used during experiment), TOFR changes during concentration-response of rocuronium (P = 0.04), and recovery profiles (P < 0.01) of CADO group comparing with the control group. However, at the initial phase of this experiment, dose-response of rocuronium in each group demonstrated no statistically significant differences (P = 0.12). The adenosine A1 receptor agonist (CADO) influenced the TOFR and the recovery profile. After activating adenosine receptor, sugammadex-induced recovery from rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block was delayed.

Direct depth distribution measurement of deuterium in bulk tungsten exposed to high-flux plasma

DOE PAGES

Taylor, Chase N.; Shimada, M.

2017-05-08

Understanding tritium retention and permeation in plasma-facing components is critical for fusion safety and fuel cycle control. Glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GD-OES) is shown to be an effective tool to reveal the depth profile of deuterium in tungsten. Results confirm the detection of deuterium. Furthermore, a ~46 µm depth profile revealed that the deuterium content decreased precipitously in the first 7 µm, and detectable amounts were observed to depths in excess of 20 µm. The large probing depth of GD-OES (up to 100s of µm) enables studies not previously accessible to the more conventional techniques for investigating deuterium retention.more » Of particular applicability is the use of GD-OES to measure the depth profile for experiments where high diffusion is expected: deuterium retention in neutron irradiated materials, and ultra-high deuterium fluences in burning plasma environment.« less

Direct depth distribution measurement of deuterium in bulk tungsten exposed to high-flux plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taylor, C. N.; Shimada, M.

2017-05-01

Understanding tritium retention and permeation in plasma-facing components is critical for fusion safety and fuel cycle control. Glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GD-OES) is shown to be an effective tool to reveal the depth profile of deuterium in tungsten. Results confirm the detection of deuterium. A ˜46 μm depth profile revealed that the deuterium content decreased precipitously in the first 7 μm, and detectable amounts were observed to depths in excess of 20 μm. The large probing depth of GD-OES (up to 100s of μm) enables studies not previously accessible to the more conventional techniques for investigating deuterium retention. Of particular applicability is the use of GD-OES to measure the depth profile for experiments where high deuterium concentration in the bulk material is expected: deuterium retention in neutron irradiated materials, and ultra-high deuterium fluences in burning plasma environment.

MALDI-TOF MS Profiling-Advances in Species Identification of Pests, Parasites, and Vectors.

PubMed

Murugaiyan, Jayaseelan; Roesler, Uwe

2017-01-01

Invertebrate pests and parasites of humans, animals, and plants continue to cause serious diseases and remain as a high treat to agricultural productivity and storage. The rapid and accurate species identification of the pests and parasites are needed for understanding epidemiology, monitoring outbreaks, and designing control measures. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) profiling has emerged as a rapid, cost effective, and high throughput technique of microbial species identification in modern diagnostic laboratories. The development of soft ionization techniques and the release of commercial pattern matching software platforms has resulted in the exponential growth of applications in higher organisms including parasitology. The present review discusses the proof-of-principle experiments and various methods of MALDI MS profiling in rapid species identification of both laboratory and field isolates of pests, parasites and vectors.

Anger profiles in social anxiety disorder.

PubMed

Versella, Mark V; Piccirillo, Marilyn L; Potter, Carrie M; Olino, Thomas M; Heimberg, Richard G

2016-01-01

Individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD) exhibit elevated levels of anger and anger suppression, which are both associated with increased depression, diminished quality of life, and poorer treatment outcomes. However, little is known about how anger experiences differ among individuals with SAD and whether any heterogeneity might relate to negative outcomes. This investigation sought to empirically define anger profiles among 136 treatment-seeking individuals with SAD and to assess their association with distress and impairment. A latent class analysis was conducted utilizing the trait subscales of the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 as indicators of class membership. Analysis revealed four distinct anger profiles, with greatest distress and impairment generally demonstrated by individuals with elevated trait anger, a greater tendency to suppress the expression of anger, and diminished ability to adaptively control their anger expression. These results have implications for tailoring more effective interventions for socially anxious individuals. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

MALDI-TOF MS Profiling-Advances in Species Identification of Pests, Parasites, and Vectors

PubMed Central

Murugaiyan, Jayaseelan; Roesler, Uwe

2017-01-01

Invertebrate pests and parasites of humans, animals, and plants continue to cause serious diseases and remain as a high treat to agricultural productivity and storage. The rapid and accurate species identification of the pests and parasites are needed for understanding epidemiology, monitoring outbreaks, and designing control measures. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) profiling has emerged as a rapid, cost effective, and high throughput technique of microbial species identification in modern diagnostic laboratories. The development of soft ionization techniques and the release of commercial pattern matching software platforms has resulted in the exponential growth of applications in higher organisms including parasitology. The present review discusses the proof-of-principle experiments and various methods of MALDI MS profiling in rapid species identification of both laboratory and field isolates of pests, parasites and vectors. PMID:28555175

Multidimensional profiles of health locus of control in Hispanic Americans.

PubMed

Champagne, Brian R; Fox, Rina S; Mills, Sarah D; Sadler, Georgia Robins; Malcarne, Vanessa L

2016-10-01

Latent profile analysis identified health locus of control profiles among 436 Hispanic Americans who completed the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scales. Results revealed four profiles: Internally Oriented-Weak, -Moderate, -Strong, and Externally Oriented. The profile groups were compared on sociocultural and demographic characteristics, health beliefs and behaviors, and physical and mental health outcomes. The Internally Oriented-Strong group had less cancer fatalism, religiosity, and equity health attributions, and more alcohol consumption than the other three groups; the Externally Oriented group had stronger equity health attributions and less alcohol consumption. Deriving multidimensional health locus of control profiles through latent profile analysis allows examination of the relationships of health locus of control subtypes to health variables. © The Author(s) 2015.

Speech Prosody Across Stimulus Types for Individuals with Parkinson's Disease.

PubMed

K-Y Ma, Joan; Schneider, Christine B; Hoffmann, Rüdiger; Storch, Alexander

2015-01-01

Up to 89% of the individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) experience speech problem over the course of the disease. Speech prosody and intelligibility are two of the most affected areas in hypokinetic dysarthria. However, assessment of these areas could potentially be problematic as speech prosody and intelligibility could be affected by the type of speech materials employed. To comparatively explore the effects of different types of speech stimulus on speech prosody and intelligibility in PD speakers. Speech prosody and intelligibility of two groups of individuals with varying degree of dysarthria resulting from PD was compared to that of a group of control speakers using sentence reading, passage reading and monologue. Acoustic analysis including measures on fundamental frequency (F0), intensity and speech rate was used to form a prosodic profile for each individual. Speech intelligibility was measured for the speakers with dysarthria using direct magnitude estimation. Difference in F0 variability between the speakers with dysarthria and control speakers was only observed in sentence reading task. Difference in the average intensity level was observed for speakers with mild dysarthria to that of the control speakers. Additionally, there were stimulus effect on both intelligibility and prosodic profile. The prosodic profile of PD speakers was different from that of the control speakers in the more structured task, and lower intelligibility was found in less structured task. This highlighted the value of both structured and natural stimulus to evaluate speech production in PD speakers.

Characterization of MicroRNA Expression Profiles and Identification of Potential Biomarkers in Leprosy.

PubMed

Jorge, Karina T O S; Souza, Renan P; Assis, Marieta T A; Araújo, Marcelo G; Locati, Massimo; Jesus, Amélia M R; Dias Baptista, Ida M F; Lima, Cristiano X; Teixeira, Antônio L; Teixeira, Mauro M; Soriani, Frederico M

2017-05-01

Leprosy is an important cause of disability in the developing world. Early diagnosis is essential to allow for cure and to interrupt transmission of this infection. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important factors for host-pathogen interaction and they have been identified as biomarkers for various infectious diseases. The expression profile of 377 microRNAs were analyzed by TaqMan low-density array (TLDA) in skin lesions of tuberculoid and lepromatous leprosy patients as well as skin specimens from healthy controls. In a second step, 16 microRNAs were selected for validation experiments with reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) in skin samples from new individuals. Principal-component analysis followed by logistic regression model and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to evaluate the diagnostic potential of selected miRNAs. Four patterns of differential expression were identified in the TLDA experiment, suggesting a diagnostic potential of miRNAs in leprosy. After validation experiments, a combination of four miRNAs (miR-101, miR-196b, miR-27b, and miR-29c) was revealed as able to discriminate between healthy control and leprosy patients with 80% sensitivity and 91% specificity. This set of miRNAs was also able to discriminate between lepromatous and tuberculoid patients with a sensitivity of 83% and 80% specificity. In this work, it was possible to identify a set of miRNAs with good diagnostic potential for leprosy. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.

Soil moisture profile variability in land-vegetation- atmosphere continuum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Wanru

Soil moisture is of critical importance to the physical processes governing energy and water exchanges at the land-air boundary. With respect to the exchange of water mass, soil moisture controls the response of the land surface to atmospheric forcing and determines the partitioning of precipitation into infiltration and runoff. Meanwhile, the soil acts as a reservoir for the storage of liquid water and slow release of water vapor into the atmosphere. The major motivation of the study is that the soil moisture profile is thought to make a substantial contribution to the climate variability through two-way interactions between the land-surface and the atmosphere in the coupled ocean-atmosphere-land climate system. The characteristics of soil moisture variability with soil depth may be important in affecting the atmosphere. The natural variability of soil moisture profile is demonstrated using observations. The 16-year field observational data of soil moisture with 11-layer (top 2.0 meters) measured soil depths over Illinois are analyzed and used to identify and quantify the soil moisture profile variability, where the atmospheric forcing (precipitation) anomaly propagates down through the land-branch of the hydrological cycle with amplitude damping, phase shift, and increasing persistence. Detailed statistical data analyses, which include application of the periodogram method, the wavelet method and the band-pass filter, are made of the variations of soil moisture profile and concurrently measured precipitation for comparison. Cross-spectral analysis is performed to obtain the coherence pattern and phase correlation of two time series for phase shift and amplitude damping calculation. A composite of the drought events during this time period is analyzed and compared with the normal (non-drought) case. A multi-layer land surface model is applied for modeling the soil moisture profile variability characteristics and investigating the underlying mechanisms. Numerical experiments are conducted to examine the impacts of some potential controlling factors, which include atmospheric forcing (periodic and pulse) at the upper boundary, the initial soil moisture profile, the relative root abundance and the soil texture, on the variability of soil moisture profile and the corresponding evapotranspiration. Similar statistical data analyses are performed for the experimental data. Observations from the First International Satellite Land Surface Climatological Project (ISLSCP) Field Experiment (FIFE) are analyzed and used for the testing of model. The integration of the observational and modeling approaches makes it possible to better understand the mechanisms by which the soil moisture profile variability is generated with phase shift, fluctuation amplitude damping and low-pass frequency filtering with soil depth, to improve the strategies of parameterizations in land surface schemes, and furthermore, to assess its contribution to climate variability.

The DIII-D Plasma Control System as a Scientific Research Tool

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hyatt, A. W.; Ferron, J. R.; Humphreys, D. A.; Leuer, J. A.; Walker, M. L.; Welander, A. S.

2006-10-01

The digital plasma control system (PCS) is an essential element of the DIII-D tokamak as a scientific research instrument, providing experimenters with real-time measurement and control of the plasma equilibrium, heating, current drive, transport, stability, and plasma-wall interactions. A wide range of sensors and actuators allow feedback control not only of global quantities such as discharge shape, plasma energy, and toroidal rotation, but also of non-axisymmetric magnetic fields and features of the internal profiles of temperature and current density. These diverse capabilities of the PCS improve the effectiveness of tokamak operation and enable unique physics experiments. We will present an overview of the PCS and the systems it controls and interacts with, and show examples of various plasma parameters controlled by the PCS and its actuators.

Joint DIII-D/EAST Experiments Toward Steady State AT Demonstration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garofalo, A. M.; Meneghini, O.; Staebler, G. M.; van Zeeland, M. A.; Gong, X.; Ding, S.; Qian, J.; Ren, Q.; Xu, G.; Grierson, B. A.; Solomon, W. M.; Holcomb, C. T.

2015-11-01

Joint DIII-D/EAST experiments on fully noninductive operation at high poloidal beta have demonstrated several attractive features of this regime for a steady-state fusion reactor. Very large bootstrap fraction (>80 %) is desirable because it reduces the demands on external noninductive current drive. High bootstrap fraction with an H-mode edge results in a broad current profile and internal transport barriers (ITBs) at large minor radius, leading to high normalized energy confinement and high MHD stability limits. The ITB radius expands with higher normalized beta, further improving both stability and confinement. Electron density ITB and large Shafranov shift lead to low AE activity in the plasma core and low anomalous fast ion losses. Both the ITB and the current profile show remarkable robustness against perturbations, without external control. Supported by US DOE under DE-FC02-04ER54698, DE-AC02-09CH11466 & DE-AC52-07NA27344 & by NMCFSP under contracts 2015GB102000 and 2015GB110001.

Children Placed In Out-of-Home Care as Midlife Adults: Are They Still Disadvantaged or Have They Caught Up With Their Peers?

PubMed

Brännström, Lars; Vinnerljung, Bo; Forsman, Hilma; Almquist, Ylva B

2017-08-01

International research has consistently reported that children placed in out-of-home care (OHC) have poor outcomes in young adulthood. Yet, little is known about their outcomes in midlife. Using prospective data from a cohort of more than 14,000 Swedes born in 1953, of which nearly 9% have been placed in OHC, this study examines whether there is developmental continuity or discontinuity of disadvantage reaching into middle age in OHC children, compared to same-aged peers. Outcome profiles, here conceptualized as combinations of adverse outcomes related to education, economic hardship, unemployment, and mental health problems, were assessed in 1992-2008 (ages 39-55). Results indicate that having had experience of OHC was associated with 2-fold elevated odds of ending up in the most disadvantaged outcome profile, controlling for observed confounding factors. These findings suggest that experience of OHC is a strong marker for disadvantaged outcomes also in midlife.

Tethered Ozonesonde Measurements During FRAPPE July-August 2014

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oltmans, S. J.; Johnson, B.; Sterling, C. W.; Cullis, P.; Hall, E. G.; Jordan, A. F.; Wendell, J.; Schnell, R. C.; McClure-Begley, A.; Thompson, A. M.

2015-12-01

O3 and temperature profiles were measured from tethered ozonesondes from surface to 400 m above ground level on 9 days during the summer of 2014 Colorado Front Range Air Pollution and Photochemistry Experiment (FRAPPE). The portable tethered ozonesonde system was set up at one of 3 sites located next to a Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment surface monitoring station. The day and site chosen were based on the previous day O3 and weather forecast. Measurements typically began at 8:30 AM and ended at 4:30 PM, averaging 40 profiles in one day. The ozonesonde when sampling at the surface consistently read within 0-3 ppbv of the surface monitor at each of the sites with a typical daytime range of 20-90 ppbv. The hourly values were averaged at 50 meter intervals showing O3 production rates were consistently around 8 ppbv per hour from 50 to 300 meters above ground level. On sunny, light wind days the O3 mixing ratio reached a maximum of 80-90 ppbv between 14:00 and 15:00 local time. The generally constant mixing ratio with height and highest mixing ratios above the surface indicate that photochemical O3 production was taking place throughout the profile. Continuous O3 profiles from a tall tower (5 and 300 m) and daily ozonesondes tracked O3 variability through the experiment. High O3 at each site was associated with different local wind directions. At Ft. Collins winds were generally out of the southeast, at Chatfield from the northeast, and at City Park Golf Course more variable. The tether system was developed at NOAA/ESRL to provide a cost effective method to measure O3 profiles on a continuous basis. The tether system consisted of a deep sea fishing pole, electric motor driving the reel with light-weight fishing line attached to the balloon ozonesonde, a tether control box, and laptop. The in house software package monitored data and controlled the tether speed and turn-around point based on real time GPS altitude from the transmitting radiosonde.

Design and evaluation of a quasi-passive knee exoskeleton for investigation of motor adaptation in lower extremity joints.

PubMed

Shamaei, Kamran; Cenciarini, Massimo; Adams, Albert A; Gregorczyk, Karen N; Schiffman, Jeffrey M; Dollar, Aaron M

2014-06-01

In this study, we describe the mechanical design and control scheme of a quasi-passive knee exoskeleton intended to investigate the biomechanical behavior of the knee joint during interaction with externally applied impedances. As the human knee behaves much like a linear spring during the stance phase of normal walking gait, the exoskeleton implements a spring across the knee in the weight acceptance (WA) phase of the gait while allowing free motion throughout the rest of the gait cycle, accomplished via an electromechanical clutch. The stiffness of the device is able to be varied by swapping springs, and the timing of engagement/disengagement changed to accommodate different loading profiles. After describing the design and control, we validate the mechanical performance and reliability of the exoskeleton through cyclic testing on a mechanical knee simulator. We then describe a preliminary experiment on three healthy adults to evaluate the functionality of the device on both left and right legs. The kinetic and kinematic analyses of these subjects show that the exoskeleton assistance can partially/fully replace the function of the knee joint and obtain nearly invariant moment and angle profiles for the hip and ankle joints, and the overall knee joint and exoskeleton complex under the applied moments of the exoskeleton versus the control condition, implying that the subjects undergo a considerable amount of motor adaptation in their lower extremities to the exoskeletal impedances, and encouraging more in-depth future experiments with the device.

Piloted simulation of an air-ground profile negotiation process in a time-based Air Traffic Control environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, David H.; Green, Steven M.

1993-01-01

Historically, development of airborne flight management systems (FMS) and ground-based air traffic control (ATC) systems has tended to focus on different objectives with little consideration for operational integration. A joint program, between NASA's Ames Research Center (Ames) and Langley Research Center (Langley), is underway to investigate the issues of, and develop systems for, the integration of ATC and airborne automation systems. A simulation study was conducted to evaluate a profile negotiation process (PNP) between the Center/TRACON Automation System (CTAS) and an aircraft equipped with a four-dimensional flight management system (4D FMS). Prototype procedures were developed to support the functional implementation of this process. The PNP was designed to provide an arrival trajectory solution which satisfies the separation requirements of ATC while remaining as close as possible to the aircraft's preferred trajectory. Results from the experiment indicate the potential for successful incorporation of aircraft-preferred arrival trajectories in the CTAS automation environment. Fuel savings on the order of 2 percent to 8 percent, compared to fuel required for the baseline CTAS arrival speed strategy, were achieved in the test scenarios. The data link procedures and clearances developed for this experiment, while providing the necessary functionality, were found to be operationally unacceptable to the pilots. In particular, additional pilot control and understanding of the proposed aircraft-preferred trajectory, and a simplified clearance procedure were cited as necessary for operational implementation of the concept.

Chemometric and biological validation of a capillary electrophoresis metabolomic experiment of Schistosoma mansoni infection in mice.

PubMed

Garcia-Perez, Isabel; Angulo, Santiago; Utzinger, Jürg; Holmes, Elaine; Legido-Quigley, Cristina; Barbas, Coral

2010-07-01

Metabonomic and metabolomic studies are increasingly utilized for biomarker identification in different fields, including biology of infection. The confluence of improved analytical platforms and the availability of powerful multivariate analysis software have rendered the multiparameter profiles generated by these omics platforms a user-friendly alternative to the established analysis methods where the quality and practice of a procedure is well defined. However, unlike traditional assays, validation methods for these new multivariate profiling tools have yet to be established. We propose a validation for models obtained by CE fingerprinting of urine from mice infected with the blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni. We have analysed urine samples from two sets of mice infected in an inter-laboratory experiment where different infection methods and animal husbandry procedures were employed in order to establish the core biological response to a S. mansoni infection. CE data were analysed using principal component analysis. Validation of the scores consisted of permutation scrambling (100 repetitions) and a manual validation method, using a third of the samples (not included in the model) as a test or prediction set. The validation yielded 100% specificity and 100% sensitivity, demonstrating the robustness of these models with respect to deciphering metabolic perturbations in the mouse due to a S. mansoni infection. A total of 20 metabolites across the two experiments were identified that significantly discriminated between S. mansoni-infected and noninfected control samples. Only one of these metabolites, allantoin, was identified as manifesting different behaviour in the two experiments. This study shows the reproducibility of CE-based metabolic profiling methods for disease characterization and screening and highlights the importance of much needed validation strategies in the emerging field of metabolomics.

Strategies for comparing gene expression profiles from different microarray platforms: application to a case-control experiment.

PubMed

Severgnini, Marco; Bicciato, Silvio; Mangano, Eleonora; Scarlatti, Francesca; Mezzelani, Alessandra; Mattioli, Michela; Ghidoni, Riccardo; Peano, Clelia; Bonnal, Raoul; Viti, Federica; Milanesi, Luciano; De Bellis, Gianluca; Battaglia, Cristina

2006-06-01

Meta-analysis of microarray data is increasingly important, considering both the availability of multiple platforms using disparate technologies and the accumulation in public repositories of data sets from different laboratories. We addressed the issue of comparing gene expression profiles from two microarray platforms by devising a standardized investigative strategy. We tested this procedure by studying MDA-MB-231 cells, which undergo apoptosis on treatment with resveratrol. Gene expression profiles were obtained using high-density, short-oligonucleotide, single-color microarray platforms: GeneChip (Affymetrix) and CodeLink (Amersham). Interplatform analyses were carried out on 8414 common transcripts represented on both platforms, as identified by LocusLink ID, representing 70.8% and 88.6% of annotated GeneChip and CodeLink features, respectively. We identified 105 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) on CodeLink and 42 DEGs on GeneChip. Among them, only 9 DEGs were commonly identified by both platforms. Multiple analyses (BLAST alignment of probes with target sequences, gene ontology, literature mining, and quantitative real-time PCR) permitted us to investigate the factors contributing to the generation of platform-dependent results in single-color microarray experiments. An effective approach to cross-platform comparison involves microarrays of similar technologies, samples prepared by identical methods, and a standardized battery of bioinformatic and statistical analyses.

Development and validation of a critical gradient energetic particle driven Alfven eigenmode transport model for DIII-D tilted neutral beam experiments

DOE PAGES

Waltz, Ronald E.; Bass, Eric M.; Heidbrink, William W.; ...

2015-10-30

Recent experiments with the DIII-D tilted neutral beam injection (NBI) varying the beam energetic particle (EP) source profiles have provided strong evidence that unstable Alfven eigenmodes (AE) drive stiff EP transport at a critical EP density gradient. Here the critical gradient is identified by the local AE growth rate being equal to the local ITG/TEM growth rate at the same low toroidal mode number. The growth rates are taken from the gyrokinetic code GYRO. Simulation show that the slowing down beam-like EP distribution has a slightly lower critical gradient than the Maxwellian. The ALPHA EP density transport code, used tomore » validate the model, combines the low-n stiff EP critical density gradient AE mid-core transport with the energy independent high-n ITG/TEM density transport model controling the central core EP density profile. For the on-axis NBI heated DIII-D shot 146102, while the net loss to the edge is small, about half the birth fast ions are transported from the central core r/a < 0.5 and the central density is about half the slowing down density. Lastly, these results are in good agreement with experimental fast ion pressure profiles inferred from MSE constrained EFIT equilibria.« less

Explaining Cold-Pulse Dynamics in Tokamak Plasmas Using Local Turbulent Transport Models

DOE PAGES

Rodriguez-Fernandez, P.; White, A. E.; Howard, N. T.; ...

2018-02-16

A long-standing enigma in plasma transport has been resolved by modeling of cold-pulse experiments conducted on the Alcator C-Mod tokamak. Controlled edge cooling of fusion plasmas triggers core electron heating on time scales faster than an energy confinement time, which has long been interpreted as strong evidence of nonlocal transport. Here, this Letter shows that the steady-state profiles, the cold-pulse rise time, and disappearance at higher density as measured in these experiments are successfully captured by a recent local quasilinear turbulent transport model, demonstrating that the existence of nonlocal transport phenomena is not necessary for explaining the behavior and timemore » scales of cold-pulse experiments in tokamak plasmas.« less

Explaining Cold-Pulse Dynamics in Tokamak Plasmas Using Local Turbulent Transport Models

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

Rodriguez-Fernandez, P.; White, A. E.; Howard, N. T.

A long-standing enigma in plasma transport has been resolved by modeling of cold-pulse experiments conducted on the Alcator C-Mod tokamak. Controlled edge cooling of fusion plasmas triggers core electron heating on time scales faster than an energy confinement time, which has long been interpreted as strong evidence of nonlocal transport. Here, this Letter shows that the steady-state profiles, the cold-pulse rise time, and disappearance at higher density as measured in these experiments are successfully captured by a recent local quasilinear turbulent transport model, demonstrating that the existence of nonlocal transport phenomena is not necessary for explaining the behavior and timemore » scales of cold-pulse experiments in tokamak plasmas.« less

Profile parameters of wheelset detection for high speed freight train

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Kai; Ma, Li; Gao, Xiaorong; Wang, Li

2012-04-01

Because of freight train, in China, transports goods on railway freight line throughout the country, it does not depart from or return to engine shed during a long phase, thus we cannot monitor the quality of wheel set effectively. This paper provides a system which uses leaser and high speed camera, applies no-contact light section technology to get precise wheel set profile parameters. The paper employs clamping-track method to avoid complex railway ballast modification project. And detailed descript an improved image-tracking algorithm to extract central line from profile curve. For getting one pixel width and continuous line of the profile curve, uses local gray maximum points as direction control points to direct tracking direction. The results based on practical experiment show the system adapted to detection environment of high speed and high vibration, and it can effectively detect the wheelset geometric parameters with high accuracy. The system fills the gaps in wheel set detection for freight train in main line and has an enlightening function on monitoring the quality of wheel set.

"Batch" kinetics in flow: online IR analysis and continuous control.

PubMed

Moore, Jason S; Jensen, Klavs F

2014-01-07

Currently, kinetic data is either collected under steady-state conditions in flow or by generating time-series data in batch. Batch experiments are generally considered to be more suitable for the generation of kinetic data because of the ability to collect data from many time points in a single experiment. Now, a method that rapidly generates time-series reaction data from flow reactors by continuously manipulating the flow rate and reaction temperature has been developed. This approach makes use of inline IR analysis and an automated microreactor system, which allowed for rapid and tight control of the operating conditions. The conversion/residence time profiles at several temperatures were used to fit parameters to a kinetic model. This method requires significantly less time and a smaller amount of starting material compared to one-at-a-time flow experiments, and thus allows for the rapid generation of kinetic data. Copyright © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

A new measurement method of profile tolerance for the LAMOST focal plane

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Zengxiang; Jin, Yi; Zhai, Chao; Xing, Xiaozheng

2008-07-01

There were a few methods taken in the profile tolerance measurement of the LAMOST Focal Plane Plate. One of the methods was to use CMM (Coordinate Measurement Machine) to measure the points on the small Focal Plane Plate and calculate the points whether or not in the tolerance zone. In this process there are some small shortcomings. The measuring point positions on the Focal Plane Plate are not the actual installation location of the optical fiber positioning system. In order to eliminate these principle errors, a measuring mandrel is inserted into the unit-holes, and the precision for the mandrel with the hole is controlled in the high level. Then measure the center of the precise target ball which is placed on the measuring mandrel by CMM. At last, fit a sphere surface with the measuring center points of the target ball and analyze the profile tolerance of the Focal Plane Plate. This process will be more in line with the actual installation location of the optical fiber positioning system. When use this method to judge the profile tolerance can provide the reference date for maintaining the ultra error unit-holes on the Focal Plane Plate. But when insert the measuring mandrel into the unit hole, there are manufacturing errors in the measuring mandrel, target ball and assembly errors. All these errors will bring the influence in the measurement. In the paper, an impact evaluation assesses the intermediate process with all these errors through experiments. And the experiment results show that there are little influence when use the target ball and the measuring mandrel in the measurement of the profile tolerance. Instead, there are more advantages than many past use of measuring methods.

Microencapsulation Processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Whateley, T. L.; Poncelet, D.

2005-06-01

Microencapsulation by solvent evaporation is a novel technique to enable the controlled delivery of active materials.The controlled release of drugs, for example, is a key challenge in the pharmaceutical industries. Although proposed several decades ago, it remains largely an empirical laboratory process.The Topical Team has considered its critical points and the work required to produce a more effective technology - better control of the process for industrial production, understanding of the interfacial dynamics, determination of the solvent evaporation profile, and establishment of the relation between polymer/microcapsule structures.The Team has also defined how microgravity experiments could help in better understanding microencapsulation by solvent evaporation, and it has proposed a strategy for a collaborative project on the topic.

Partial gravity reaction experiment sysytem on graund using multi-Copter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hasegawa, Katsuya; Maeda, Naoko

2016-07-01

In order to enable further space exploration into the space, Moon, Mars, and other planets, it is essential to understand the physiological response to low gravity environments. However, We made low gravity environment for studies using the satellite parabolic flight and drop tower. It is very expensive experiment that low gravity physiological response. Because, it requires rockets and airplanes and dedicated Tower, low gravity conditions test have not been conducted sufficiently due to the extraordinary high cost for conducting experiments. The study present is to develop the radio-controlled multicopter system that is used for the controlled falling flight vehicle (not free fall). During the controlled falling, the payload is exposed to a certain level of low gravity. 1) G profile: low gravity from 0 g to 1 g that will last approximately 5seconds, 50 kg. 2) Supply limited imaging techniques, high-speed or normal video and X ray images. 3) Wireless transmission of up to 64 channels of analog and digital signals. This vehicle is designed for experimentation on various model organisms, from cells to animals and plants. The multicopter flight system enables conducting experiments in low gravity conditions with less than 1% of the budget for spaceflight or parabolic flights. Experiment is possible to perform repeated many times in one day. We can expect reproducible results from many repeated trials at the lowest cost.

Data documentation for the bare soil experiment at the University of Arkansas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Waite, W. P.; Scott, H. D. (Principal Investigator); Hancock, G. D.

1980-01-01

The reflectivities of several controlled moisture test plots were investigated. These test plots were of a similar soil texture which was clay loam and were prepared to give a desired initial soil moisture and density profile. Measurements were conducted on the plots as the soil water redistributed for both long term and diurnal cycles. These measurements included reflectivity, gravimetric and volumetric soil moisture, soil moisture potential, and soil temperature.

Clinical profile of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with sodium- glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and experience in real-world clinical practice in Spain.

PubMed

Cuatrecasas, Gabriel; Goñi-Goicoechea, Fernando

2016-11-01

The main aim of the treatment of type 2 diabetes is overall control of cardiovascular risk factors. Almost 50% of patients with type 2 diabetes do not achieve glycaemic targets, and a much higher percentage do not achieve weight and blood pressure targets, despite the therapeutic arsenal that has appeared in the last decade for the treatment of this disease. In addition, antidiabetic secretatogues and insulin are associated with weight gain and an increased risk of hyperglycaemic episodes. Clinical practice guidelines recommend sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) as an alternative in the same therapeutic step as the other options after initiation of metformin therapy. The present study reviews the most appropriate patient profile for SGLT2i therapy, based on their safety and efficacy demonstrated in controlled clinical trials. The article discusses which patients are at risk of experiencing the possible secondary effects due to the mechanism of action of this new therapeutic class, in whom SGLT2i should be used with caution. These considerations on the profile of patients suitable for SGLT2i therapy are contrasted with the results obtained in daily clinical practice, both in retrospective studies from other countries and from real-world experiences in Spain. This article presents a selection of studies performed in distinct centres with a minimum follow-up of 6 months and compares their results with those from clinical trials. SGLT2i are used in clinical practice in any therapeutic step and the efficacy results are very similar to those reported by controlled clinical trials, with a slightly higher proportion of genitourinary infections and a low dropout rate. Half the reported patients are diabetics receiving insulin therapy plus a gliflozin, showing the wide uptake of this therapeutic strategy by clinicians. SGLT2i are especially attractive due to their additional effectiveness in weight and blood pressure control and the possibility of using them in association with other antidiabetic agents or in monotherapy in patients at any stage of type 2 diabetes. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

RNA-seq mixology: designing realistic control experiments to compare protocols and analysis methods

PubMed Central

Holik, Aliaksei Z.; Law, Charity W.; Liu, Ruijie; Wang, Zeya; Wang, Wenyi; Ahn, Jaeil; Asselin-Labat, Marie-Liesse; Smyth, Gordon K.

2017-01-01

Abstract Carefully designed control experiments provide a gold standard for benchmarking different genomics research tools. A shortcoming of many gene expression control studies is that replication involves profiling the same reference RNA sample multiple times. This leads to low, pure technical noise that is atypical of regular studies. To achieve a more realistic noise structure, we generated a RNA-sequencing mixture experiment using two cell lines of the same cancer type. Variability was added by extracting RNA from independent cell cultures and degrading particular samples. The systematic gene expression changes induced by this design allowed benchmarking of different library preparation kits (standard poly-A versus total RNA with Ribozero depletion) and analysis pipelines. Data generated using the total RNA kit had more signal for introns and various RNA classes (ncRNA, snRNA, snoRNA) and less variability after degradation. For differential expression analysis, voom with quality weights marginally outperformed other popular methods, while for differential splicing, DEXSeq was simultaneously the most sensitive and the most inconsistent method. For sample deconvolution analysis, DeMix outperformed IsoPure convincingly. Our RNA-sequencing data set provides a valuable resource for benchmarking different protocols and data pre-processing workflows. The extra noise mimics routine lab experiments more closely, ensuring any conclusions are widely applicable. PMID:27899618

First-Principles-Driven Model-Based Optimal Control of the Current Profile in NSTX-U

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ilhan, Zeki; Barton, Justin; Wehner, William; Schuster, Eugenio; Gates, David; Gerhardt, Stefan; Kolemen, Egemen; Menard, Jonathan

2014-10-01

Regulation in time of the toroidal current profile is one of the main challenges toward the realization of the next-step operational goals for NSTX-U. A nonlinear, control-oriented, physics-based model describing the temporal evolution of the current profile is obtained by combining the magnetic diffusion equation with empirical correlations obtained at NSTX-U for the electron density, electron temperature, and non-inductive current drives. In this work, the proposed model is embedded into the control design process to synthesize a time-variant, linear-quadratic-integral, optimal controller capable of regulating the safety factor profile around a desired target profile while rejecting disturbances. Neutral beam injectors and the total plasma current are used as actuators to shape the current profile. The effectiveness of the proposed controller in regulating the safety factor profile in NSTX-U is demonstrated via closed-loop predictive simulations carried out in PTRANSP. Supported by PPPL.

Grain-based versus alfalfa-based subacute ruminal acidosis induction experiments: Similarities and differences between changes in milk fatty acids.

PubMed

Colman, E; Khafipour, E; Vlaeminck, B; De Baets, B; Plaizier, J C; Fievez, V

2013-07-01

Subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) is one of the most important metabolic disorders, traditionally characterized by low rumen pH, which might be induced by an increase in the dietary proportion of grains as well as by a reduction of structural fiber. Both approaches were used in earlier published experiments in which SARA was induced by replacing part of the ration by a grain mixture or alfalfa hay by alfalfa pellets. The main differences between both experiments were the presence of blood lipopolysaccharide and Escherichia coli and associated effects on the rumen microbial population in the rumen of grain-based induced SARA animals as well as a great amount of quickly fermentable carbohydrates in the grain-based SARA induction experiment. Both induction approaches changed rumen pH although the pH decrease was more substantial in the alfalfa-based SARA induction protocol. The goal of the current analysis was to assess whether both acidosis induction approaches provoked similar shifts in the milk fatty acid (FA) profile. Similar changes of the odd- and branched-chain FA and the C18 biohydrogenation intermediates were observed in the alfalfa-based SARA induction experiment and the grain-based SARA induction experiment, although they were more pronounced in the former. The proportion of trans-10 C18:1 in the last week of the alfalfa-based induction experiment was 6 times higher than the proportion measured during the control week. The main difference between both induction experiments under similar rumen pH changes was the decreasing sum of iso FA during the grain-based SARA induction experiment whereas the sum of iso FA remained stable during the alfalfa-based SARA induction experiment. The cellulolytic bacterial community seemed to be negatively affected by either the presence of E. coli and the associated lipopolysaccharide accumulation in the rumen or by the amount of starch and quickly fermentable carbohydrates in the diet. In general, changes in the milk FA profile were related to changes in rumen pH. Nevertheless, feed characteristics (low in structural fiber vs. high in starch) also affected the milk FA profile and, as such, both effects should be taken into account when subacute acidosis occurs. Copyright © 2013 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Machining Specific Fourier Power Spectrum Profiles into Plastics for High Energy Density Physics Experiments [Machining Specific Fourier Power Spectrum Profiles into Plastics for HEDP Experiments

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

Schmidt, Derek William; Cardenas, Tana; Doss, Forrest W.

In this paper, the High Energy Density Physics program at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) has had a multiyear campaign to verify the predictive capability of the interface evolution of shock propagation through different profiles machined into the face of a plastic package with an iodine-doped plastic center region. These experiments varied the machined surface from a simple sine wave to a double sine wave and finally to a multitude of different profiles with power spectrum ranges and shapes to verify LANL’s simulation capability. The MultiMode-A profiles had a band-pass flat region of the power spectrum, while the MultiMode-B profilemore » had two band-pass flat regions. Another profile of interest was the 1-Peak profile, a band-pass concept with a spike to one side of the power spectrum. All these profiles were machined in flat and tilted orientations of 30 and 60 deg. Tailor-made machining profiles, supplied by experimental physicists, were compared to actual machined surfaces, and Fourier power spectra were compared to see the reproducibility of the machining process over the frequency ranges that physicists require.« less

Machining Specific Fourier Power Spectrum Profiles into Plastics for High Energy Density Physics Experiments [Machining Specific Fourier Power Spectrum Profiles into Plastics for HEDP Experiments

DOE PAGES

Schmidt, Derek William; Cardenas, Tana; Doss, Forrest W.; ...

2018-01-15

In this paper, the High Energy Density Physics program at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) has had a multiyear campaign to verify the predictive capability of the interface evolution of shock propagation through different profiles machined into the face of a plastic package with an iodine-doped plastic center region. These experiments varied the machined surface from a simple sine wave to a double sine wave and finally to a multitude of different profiles with power spectrum ranges and shapes to verify LANL’s simulation capability. The MultiMode-A profiles had a band-pass flat region of the power spectrum, while the MultiMode-B profilemore » had two band-pass flat regions. Another profile of interest was the 1-Peak profile, a band-pass concept with a spike to one side of the power spectrum. All these profiles were machined in flat and tilted orientations of 30 and 60 deg. Tailor-made machining profiles, supplied by experimental physicists, were compared to actual machined surfaces, and Fourier power spectra were compared to see the reproducibility of the machining process over the frequency ranges that physicists require.« less

Five-Factor Model Personality Profiles: The Differences between Alcohol and Opiate Addiction among Females.

PubMed

Raketic, Diana; Barisic, Jasmina V; Svetozarevic, Snezana M; Gazibara, Tatjana; Tepavcevic, Darija Kisic; Milovanovic, Srdjan D

2017-03-01

The prevalence of female alcohol and substance abusers has markedly increased. The main objective of this research was to explore personality profiles among females who had alcohol and opiate dependence. The aim of the study is to analyse if there is differences in personality profiles of females addicted to alcohol and opiates. We hypothesized that there might be significant differences in personality profiles among subgroups of women who present with alcohol and opiate use disorders. Of 157 consecutive women with diagnosis of alcohol/opiate addiction, 62 fulfilled following inclusion criteria: age 19-45 years, abstinence from alcohol and opiates for at least 10 days prior to enrollment. Alcohol-dependent group consisted of 30 females, while opiate-dependent group consisted of 32 females. The control group involved 30 age-matched randomly chosen healthy women. The data were collected using the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R). The multiple stepwise discriminant analysis was used to determine relations between personality traits and the probability of belonging to one of the study groups. Significant differences in the NEO-PI-R scores were observed between groups for all main personality traits except for Openness to Experience. Compared with controls, substance-dependent women scored significantly higher on Neuroticism and lower on Conscientiousness. Opiate-dependent females scored the highest on Neuroticism and on Extraversion and lowest on Agreeableness and on Conscientiousness. Alcohol-dependent females scored higher on Conscientiousness and lower on Neuroticism compared to opiate-dependent women. The results of our study confirmed significant characteristics in personality profiles among females with alcohol and opiate dependence, as well as the difference between these two groups of substance abusers and their healthy controls. The distinct personality characteristics among different groups of substance addicted women should be taken into account when creating the most effective program of prevention and therapeutic approaches in this specific cohort.

Design-for-manufacture of gradient-index optical systems using time-varying boundary condition diffusion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harkrider, Curtis Jason

2000-08-01

The incorporation of gradient-index (GRIN) material into optical systems offers novel and practical solutions to lens design problems. However, widespread use of gradient-index optics has been limited by poor correlation between gradient-index designs and the refractive index profiles produced by ion exchange between glass and molten salt. Previously, a design-for- manufacture model was introduced that connected the design and fabrication processes through use of diffusion modeling linked with lens design software. This project extends the design-for-manufacture model into a time- varying boundary condition (TVBC) diffusion model. TVBC incorporates the time-dependent phenomenon of melt poisoning and introduces a new index profile control method, multiple-step diffusion. The ions displaced from the glass during the ion exchange fabrication process can reduce the total change in refractive index (Δn). Chemical equilibrium is used to model this melt poisoning process. Equilibrium experiments are performed in a titania silicate glass and chemically analyzed. The equilibrium model is fit to ion concentration data that is used to calculate ion exchange boundary conditions. The boundary conditions are changed purposely to control the refractive index profile in multiple-step TVBC diffusion. The glass sample is alternated between ion exchange with a molten salt bath and annealing. The time of each diffusion step can be used to exert control on the index profile. The TVBC computer model is experimentally verified and incorporated into the design- for-manufacture subroutine that runs in lens design software. The TVBC design-for-manufacture model is useful for fabrication-based tolerance analysis of gradient-index lenses and for the design of manufactureable GRIN lenses. Several optical elements are designed and fabricated using multiple-step diffusion, verifying the accuracy of the model. The strength of multiple-step diffusion process lies in its versatility. An axicon, imaging lens, and curved radial lens, all with different index profile requirements, are designed out of a single glass composition.

Static shape control for adaptive wings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Austin, Fred; Rossi, Michael J.; van Nostrand, William; Knowles, Gareth; Jameson, Antony

1994-09-01

A theoretical method was developed and experimentally validated, to control the static shape of flexible structures by employing internal translational actuators. A finite element model of the structure, without the actuators present, is employed to obtain the multiple-input, multiple-output control-system gain matrices for actuator-load control as well as actuator-displacement control. The method is applied to the quasistatic problem of maintaining an optimum-wing cross section during various transonic-cruise flight conditions to obtain significant reductions in the shock-induced drag. Only small, potentially achievable, adaptive modifications to the profile are required. The adaptive-wing concept employs actuators as truss elements of active ribs to reshape the wing cross section by deforming the structure. Finite element analyses of an adaptive-rib model verify the controlled-structure theory. Experiments on the model were conducted, and arbitrarily selected deformed shapes were accurately achieved.

Quantum state and mode profile tomography by the overlap

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tiedau, J.; Shchesnovich, V. S.; Mogilevtsev, D.; Ansari, V.; Harder, G.; Bartley, T. J.; Korolkova, N.; Silberhorn, Ch

2018-03-01

Any measurement scheme involving interference of quantum states of the electromagnetic field necessarily mixes information about the spatiotemporal structure of these fields and quantum states in the recorded data. We show that in this case, a trade-off is possible between extracting information about the quantum states and the structure of the underlying fields, with the modal overlap being either a goal or a convenient tool of the reconstruction. We show that varying quantum states in a controlled way allows one to infer temporal profiles of modes. Vice versa, for the known quantum state of the probe and controlled variable overlap, one can infer the quantum state of the signal. We demonstrate this trade-off by performing an experiment using the simplest on-off detection in an unbalanced weak homodyning scheme. For the single-mode case, we demonstrate experimentally inference of the overlap and a few-photon signal state. Moreover, we show theoretically that the same single-detector scheme is sufficient even for arbitrary multi-mode fields.

The X-31A quasi-tailless flight test results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bosworth, John T.; Stoliker, P. C.

1996-01-01

A quasi-tailless flight investigation was launched using the X-31A enhanced fighter maneuverability airplane. In-flight simulations were used to assess the effect of partial to total vertical tail removal. The rudder control surface was used to cancel the stabilizing effects of the vertical tail, and yaw thrust vector commands were used to restabilize and control the airplane. The quasi-tailless mode was flown supersonically with gentle maneuvering and subsonically in precision approaches and ground attack profiles. Pilot ratings and a full set of flight test measurements were recorded. This report describes the results obtained and emphasizes the lessons learned from the X-31A flight test experiment. Sensor-related issues and their importance to a quasi-tailless simulation and to ultimately controlling a directionally unstable vehicle are assessed. The X-31A quasi-tailless flight test experiment showed that tailless and reduced tail fighter aircraft are definitely feasible. When the capability is designed into the airplane from the beginning, the benefits have the potential to outweigh the added complexity required.

Chemical water shutoff profile research status and development trends

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, L. T.

2017-08-01

Excess water production is now a common problem encountered in almost every water flooding mature oilfield. The exploitation of oil field is faced with great challenge because of the decrease of oil field production. For the development of high water cut rare the status quo chemical water shutoff profile control technology is an important solution to solve this problem. Oilfield chemical water shutoff has important application prospects. This paper analyzes the water shutoff profile control and water shutoff profile control agent currently oilfield applications, moreover the use and development of blocking agent profile technology is to improve reservoir recovery and propose solutions. With the constant increase in water cut, profile technology should be simple, efficient, practical and profile control agent of development should be economic, environmental, and long period

The ALICE Glance Shift Accounting Management System (SAMS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martins Silva, H.; Abreu Da Silva, I.; Ronchetti, F.; Telesca, A.; Maidantchik, C.

2015-12-01

ALICE (A Large Ion Collider Experiment) is an experiment at the CERN LHC (Large Hadron Collider) studying the physics of strongly interacting matter and the quark-gluon plasma. The experiment operation requires a 24 hours a day and 7 days a week shift crew at the experimental site, composed by the ALICE collaboration members. Shift duties are calculated for each institute according to their correlated members. In order to ensure the full coverage of the experiment operation as well as its good quality, the ALICE Shift Accounting Management System (SAMS) is used to manage the shift bookings as well as the needed training. ALICE SAMS is the result of a joint effort between the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and the ALICE Collaboration. The Glance technology, developed by the UFRJ and the ATLAS experiment, sits at the basis of the system as an intermediate layer isolating the particularities of the databases. In this paper, we describe the ALICE SAMS development process and functionalities. The database has been modelled according to the collaboration needs and is fully integrated with the ALICE Collaboration repository to access members information and respectively roles and activities. Run, period and training coordinators can manage their subsystem operation and ensure an efficient personnel management. Members of the ALICE collaboration can book shifts and on-call according to pre-defined rights. ALICE SAMS features a user profile containing all the statistics and user contact information as well as the Institutes profile. Both the user and institute profiles are public (within the scope of the collaboration) and show the credit balance in real time. A shift calendar allows the Run Coordinator to plan data taking periods in terms of which subsystems shifts are enabled or disabled and on-call responsible people and slots. An overview display presents the shift crew present in the control room and allows the Run Coordination team to confirm the presence of both regular and trainees shift personnel, necessary for credit accounting.

Numerical modeling and characterization of blast waves for application in blast-induced mild traumatic brain injury research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phillips, Michael G.

Human exposure to blast waves, including blast-induced traumatic brain injury, is a developing field in medical research. Experiments with explosives have many disadvantages including safety, cost, and required area for trials. Shock tubes provide an alternative method to produce free field blast wave profiles. A compressed nitrogen shock tube experiment instrumented with static and reflective pressure taps is modeled using a numerical simulation. The geometry of the numerical model is simplified and blast wave characteristics are derived based upon static and pressure profiles. The pressure profiles are analyzed along the shock tube centerline and radially away from the tube axis. The blast wave parameters found from the pressure profiles provide guidelines for spatial location of a specimen. The location could be based on multiple parameters and provides a distribution of anticipated pressure profiles experience by the specimen.

Abuse Experiences of Family Members, Child Maltreatment, and the Development of Sex Offending Among Incarcerated Adolescent Males.

PubMed

McCuish, Evan C; Cale, Jesse; Corrado, Raymond R

2017-02-01

Child sexual abuse is considered a risk factor for the development of sexual offending in adolescence. Beyond this, comparisons of the risk factor profiles between adolescent sex offenders (ASOs) and adolescent non-sex offenders (ANSOs) have uncovered minimal differences. However, differences between ASOs and ANSOs in terms of patterns in the abuse histories of their family members have rarely been studied. The aim in the current study was to retrospectively examine histories of abuse among family members of ASOs compared with ANSOs to determine whether and how these were related to youth abuse experiences and sexual offending in adolescence. The current study is based on a sample of 482 incarcerated male adolescents (ASOs = 67, ANSOs = 415). Latent class analysis was conducted to determine multidimensional familial abuse profiles, and a series of logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between family abuse profiles, youth abuse experiences, and adolescent sexual offending. Overall, familial abuse profiles were related to subsequent youth abuse experiences and sexual offending, and these abuse profiles differentiated ASOs and ANSOs.

A Cabled, High Bandwidth Instrument Platform for Continuous Scanning of the Upper Ocean Water Column

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McRae, E.; Delaney, J. R.; Kelly, D.; Daly, K. L.; Luther, D. S.; Harkins, G.; Harrington, M.; McGuire, C.; Tilley, J.; Dosher, J.; Waite, P.; Cram, G.; Kawka, O. E.

2016-02-01

The Cabled Array portion of the National Science Foundation funded Ocean Observatories Initiative is a large scale, high bandwidth and high power subsea science network designed by the University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory. Part of that system is a set of winched profilers which continuously scan the upper 200m of the ocean at their deployment sites. The custom built profilers leverage the Cabled Array's technology for interfacing collections of science instruments and add the ability to run predefined missions and to switch missions or mission parameters on the fly via command from shore. The profilers were designed to operate continuously for up to two years after deployment after which certain wearing components must be replaced. The data from the profiler's science and engineering sensors are streamed to shore via the seafloor network in real time. Data channel capacity from the profilers exceeds 40 Mbps. For profiler safety, mission execution is controlled within the platform. Inputs such as 3D gyro, pressure depth and deployed cable calculations are monitored to assure safe operation during any sea state. The profilers never surface but are designed to approach within 5m of the surface if conditions allow. Substantial engineering effort was focused on reliable cable handling under all ocean conditions. The profilers are currently operated from subsea moorings which also contain sets of fixed science and engineering sensors. The profilers and their associated mooring instrument assemblies are designed for rapid replacement using ROVs. We have operated this system for two years, including one annual maintenance turn and information relative to that experience will be included in the paper.[Image Caption] Cabled Array Shallow Profiler shown in its parking position.

Electron densities in the ionosphere of Mars: A comparison of MARSIS and radio occultation measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vogt, Marissa F.; Withers, Paul; Fallows, Kathryn; Flynn, Casey L.; Andrews, David J.; Duru, Firdevs; Morgan, David D.

2016-10-01

Radio occultation electron densities measurements from the Mariner 9 and Viking spacecraft, which orbited Mars in the 1970s, have recently become available in a digital format. These data are highly complementary to the radio occultation electron density profiles from Mars Global Surveyor, which were restricted in solar zenith angle and altitude. We have compiled data from the Mariner 9, Viking, and Mars Global Surveyor radio occultation experiments for comparison to electron density measurements made by Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding (MARSIS), the topside radar sounder on Mars Express, and MARSIS-based empirical density models. We find that the electron densities measured by radio occultation are in generally good agreement with the MARSIS data and model, especially near the altitude of the peak electron density but that the MARSIS data and model display a larger plasma scale height than the radio occultation profiles at altitudes between the peak density and 200 km. Consequently, the MARSIS-measured and model electron densities are consistently larger than radio occultation densities at altitudes 200-300 km. Finally, we have analyzed transitions in the topside ionosphere, at the boundary between the photochemically controlled and transport-controlled regions, and identified the average transition altitude, or altitude at which a change in scale height occurs. The average transition altitude is 200 km in the Mariner 9 and Viking radio occultation profiles and in profiles of the median MARSIS radar sounding electron densities.

ECR apparatus with magnetic coil for plasma refractive index control

DOEpatents

Berry, L.A.

1994-04-26

The present invention describes a technique to control the radial profile of microwave power in an ECR plasma discharge. In order to provide for a uniform plasma density to a specimen, uniform energy absorption by the plasma is desired. By controlling the radial profile of the microwave power transmitted through the microwave window of a reactor, the profile of the transmitted energy to the plasma can be controlled in order to have uniform energy absorption by the plasma. An advantage of controlling the profile using the window transmission characteristics is that variations to the radial profile of microwave power can be made without changing the microwave coupler or reactor design. 9 figures.

ECR apparatus with magnetic coil for plasma refractive index control

DOEpatents

Berry, Lee A.

1994-01-01

The present invention describes a technique to control the radial profile of microwave power in an ECR plasma discharge. In order to provide for a uniform plasma density to a specimen, uniform energy absorption by the plasma is desired. By controlling the radial profile of the microwave power transmitted through the microwave window of a reactor, the profile of the transmitted energy to the plasma can be controlled in order to have uniform energy absorption by the plasma. An advantage of controlling the profile using the window transmission characteristics is that variations to the radial profile of microwave power can be made without changing the microwave coupler or reactor design.

Ion and Electron Heating Characteristics of Magnetic Re- Connection in Mast Tokamak Merging Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanabe, Hiroshi; Inomoto, Michiaki; Ono, Yasushi; Yamada, Takuma; Imazawa, Ryota; Cheng, Chio-Zong

2016-07-01

We present results of recent studies of high power heating of magnetic reconnection, the fundamental process of several astrophysical events such as solar flare, in the Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak (MAST) - the world largest merging experiment. In addition to the previously reported significant reconnection heating up to ˜1keV [1], detailed local profiles of electron and ion temperature have been measured using a ultra-fine 300 channel Ruby- and a 130 channel YAG-Thomson scattering and a new 32 channel ion Doppler tomography diagnostics [2]. 2D profile measurement of electron temperature revealed highly localized heating structure at the X point with the characteristic scale length of 0.02-0.05m0.3T), a thick layer of closed flux surface surrounding the current sheet sustains the temperature profile for longer time than the electron and ion energy relaxation time ˜4-10ms, finally forming triple peak structures of ion and electron temperatures at the X point and in the downstream. While the peak electron temperature at the X point increases with toroidal field, the bulk electron temperature and the ion temperature in the downstream are unaffected. [1] Y. Ono et.al., Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 54, 124039 (2012) [2] H. Tanabe et. al., Nucl. Fusion 53, 093027 (2013). [3] H. Tanabe et.al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 115, 215004 (2015)

Comparison of OARE Accelerometer Data with Dopant Distribution in Se-Doped GaAs Crystals Grown During USML-1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moskowitz, Milton E.; Bly, Jennifer M.; Matthiesen, David H.

1997-01-01

Experiments were conducted in the crystal growth furnace (CGF) during the first United States Microgravity Laboratory (USML-1), the STS-50 flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia, to determine the segregation behavior of selenium in bulk GaAs in a microgravity environment. After the flight, the selenium-doped GaAs crystals were sectioned, polished, and analyzed to determine the free carrier concentration as a function of position, One of the two crystals initially exhibited an axial concentration profile indicative of diffusion controlled growth, but this profile then changed to that predicted for a complete mixing type growth. An analytical model, proposed by Naumann [R.J. Naumann, J. Crystal Growth 142 (1994) 253], was utilized to predict the maximum allowable microgravity disturbances transverse to the growth direction during the two different translation rates used for each of the experiments. The predicted allowable acceleration levels were 4.86 microgram for the 2.5 micrometers/s furnace translation rate and 38.9 microgram for the 5.0 micrometers/s rate. These predicted values were compared to the Orbital Acceleration Research Experiment (OARE) accelerometer data recorded during the crystal growth periods for these experiments. Based on the analysis of the OARE acceleration data and utilizing the predictions from the analytical model, it is concluded that the change in segregation behavior was not caused by any acceleration events in the microgravity environment.

Antipsychotic profile of cannabidiol and rimonabant in an animal model of emotional context processing in schizophrenia.

PubMed

Levin, Raquel; Almeida, Valeria; Peres, Fernanda Fiel; Calzavara, Mariana Bendlin; da Silva, Neide Derci; Suiama, Mayra Akimi; Niigaki, Suzy Tamie; Zuardi, Antonio Waldo; Hallak, Jaime Eduardo Cecilio; Crippa, Jose Alexandre; Abílio, Vanessa Costhek

2012-01-01

Clinical and neurobiological findings suggest that cannabinoids and their receptors are implicated in schizophrenia. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotomimetic compound of the Cannabis sativa plant, has been reported to have central therapeutic actions, such as antipsychotic and anxiolytic effects. We have recently reported that spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) present a deficit in contextual fear conditioning (CFC) that is specifically ameliorated by antipsychotics and aggravated by proschizophrenia manipulations. These results led us to suggest that the CFC deficit presented by SHR could be used as a model to study emotional processing impairment in schizophrenia. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of CBD and rimonabant (CB1 receptor antagonist) on the contextual fear conditioning in SHR and Wistar rats (WR). Rats were submitted to CFC task after treatment with different doses of CBD (experiment 1) and rimonabant (experiment 2). In experiment 1, SHR showed a decreased freezing response when compared to WR that was attenuated by 1 mg/kg CBD. Moreover, all CBD-treated WR presented a decreased freezing response when compared to control rats. In experiment 2, SHR showed a decreased freezing response when compared to WR that was attenuated by 3 mg/kg rimonabant. Our results suggest a potential therapeutical effect of CBD and rimonabant to treat the emotional processing impairment presented in schizophrenia. In addition, our results reinforce the anxiolytic profile of CBD.

Scrape-off-layer characterization and current-control of kink modes in HBT-EP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brooks, John; Stewart, Ian; Levesque, Jeffrey; Mauel, Mike; Navratil, Gerald

2017-10-01

Scrape-off layer (SOL) currents and their paths through tokamaks are not well understood, but their control may prove crucial to the success of ITER and future fusion energy devices. We extend Columbia University's High Beta Tokamak-Extended Pulse (HBT-EP) experiment and active GPU feedback system to study the SOL and control MHD kink instabilities by actively controlling these currents. First, the radial plasma profiles and the edge structure of kink instabilities are measured with two triple probes. Second, we use active feedback control of a radially adjustable biased electrode to change the rotation and magnitude of slowly growing kink instabilities. By changing the phase between the probe's voltage and the edge instability with active feedback, we study its ability to influence and control plasma MHD structures. This work is in preparation for a planned 2018 multi-electrode SOL control upgrade. Supported by U.S. DOE Grant DE-FG02-86ER53222.

Deconvolution of complex differential scanning calorimetry profiles for protein transitions under kinetic control.

PubMed

Toledo-Núñez, Citlali; Vera-Robles, L Iraís; Arroyo-Maya, Izlia J; Hernández-Arana, Andrés

2016-09-15

A frequent outcome in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments carried out with large proteins is the irreversibility of the observed endothermic effects. In these cases, DSC profiles are analyzed according to methods developed for temperature-induced denaturation transitions occurring under kinetic control. In the one-step irreversible model (native → denatured) the characteristics of the observed single-peaked endotherm depend on the denaturation enthalpy and the temperature dependence of the reaction rate constant, k. Several procedures have been devised to obtain the parameters that determine the variation of k with temperature. Here, we have elaborated on one of these procedures in order to analyze more complex DSC profiles. Synthetic data for a heat capacity curve were generated according to a model with two sequential reactions; the temperature dependence of each of the two rate constants involved was determined, according to the Eyring's equation, by two fixed parameters. It was then shown that our deconvolution procedure, by making use of heat capacity data alone, permits to extract the parameter values that were initially used. Finally, experimental DSC traces showing two and three maxima were analyzed and reproduced with relative success according to two- and four-step sequential models. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Performance Assessment of Model-Based Optimal Feedforward and Feedback Current Profile Control in NSTX-U using the TRANSP Code

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ilhan, Z.; Wehner, W. P.; Schuster, E.; Boyer, M. D.; Gates, D. A.; Gerhardt, S.; Menard, J.

2015-11-01

Active control of the toroidal current density profile is crucial to achieve and maintain high-performance, MHD-stable plasma operation in NSTX-U. A first-principles-driven, control-oriented model describing the temporal evolution of the current profile has been proposed earlier by combining the magnetic diffusion equation with empirical correlations obtained at NSTX-U for the electron density, electron temperature, and non-inductive current drives. A feedforward + feedback control scheme for the requlation of the current profile is constructed by embedding the proposed nonlinear, physics-based model into the control design process. Firstly, nonlinear optimization techniques are used to design feedforward actuator trajectories that steer the plasma to a desired operating state with the objective of supporting the traditional trial-and-error experimental process of advanced scenario planning. Secondly, a feedback control algorithm to track a desired current profile evolution is developed with the goal of adding robustness to the overall control scheme. The effectiveness of the combined feedforward + feedback control algorithm for current profile regulation is tested in predictive simulations carried out in TRANSP. Supported by PPPL.

Model studies of diffusion-controlled (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) HEMA hydrogel membranes for controlled release of proteins

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Appawu, Jennifer A. M.

This thesis project consisted of three main components that were connected by roots in chemical analysis for studies in tissue engineering. The first part focused on characterizing the structural parameters of synthetic cross-linked poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (Poly(HEMA) hydrogel membranes to determine optimal formulations for clinical studies. Poly(HEMA) membranes were loaded with Keratincocyte Growth Factor (KGF) for controlled release studies. Protein loading and release kinetics were determined with fluorescence spectroscopy. The spatial distribution of a protein in the membrane was determined using Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). The last part of the project focused on determining the biological effects of the polymer membranes in-vitro with a model cell line and a pilot in-vivo animal study. Based on the components completed in this project, five chapters are included in this dissertation document and are summarized below. A new protocol was developed using fluorescence spectroscopy that measured the rate of protein diffusion into cross-linked polymer membranes by measuring the change in the fluorescence intensity of the protein solution. This technique was also able to detect a conformational change that occurs within protein when KGF was imbibed within these cross-linked polymer membranes. ToF-SIMS chemical imaging and 3D depth profiling was used to determine the spatial distribution of KGF protein in frozen-hydrated HEMA hydrogel membranes. The 3D depth profiles showed that the KGF protein was aggregated in bright spots that indicated that KGF was not spatially homogenous on the surface and through the depth profiles. 3D depth profiles of the membranes studied at various times during release studies show that areas with aggregated proteins were retained during release, and at times with maximum release. The interpretation of the bright regions is that the KGf protein interacted with the cross-linked network of the hydrogel membranes, making it not available for release. The in-vitro biological experiments with the HaCaT cell line showed that the HEMA hydrogels were capable of sustaining cell viability, proliferation, and adhesion through cell adhesion and wounding experiments. The pilot in-vivo animal study also revealed that KGF protein had retained its pharmacological activity. The study also showed that the KGF protein enhanced the rate of wound closure.

Manometric characterization of rectal dysfunction following radical hysterectomy.

PubMed

Barnes, W; Waggoner, S; Delgado, G; Maher, K; Potkul, R; Barter, J; Benjamin, S

1991-08-01

Bladder dysfunction thought to be due to partial denervation has been described following radical hysterectomy. Some patients experience acute and chronic rectal dysfunction characterized by difficulty with defecation and loss of defecatory urge. To define this abnormality, anorectal pressure profiles were examined in 15 patients with Stage I carcinoma of the cervix before and after radical hysterectomy. Profiles were done using standard anorectal manometry with a water-infused system. In all patients preoperative manometric profiles were normal; postoperative studies were abnormal in all patients. Features seen include altered relaxation of the internal sphincter, increased distension needed to trigger relaxation, and decreased rectal sensation; external sphincters and resting internal sphincters were unchanged. Postoperatively, 12 patients reported problems with rectal function. A physiologic defect is definable in patients undergoing radical hysterectomy; this suggests disruption of the spinal reflex arcs controlling rectal emptying. These physiologic abnormalities correlate with the clinical symptomatology experienced by some patients. Continuing definition and evaluation of management options in this situation should be useful in developing effective therapy for rectal dysfunction following radical hysterectomy.

Real-time metabolome profiling of the metabolic switch between starvation and growth.

PubMed

Link, Hannes; Fuhrer, Tobias; Gerosa, Luca; Zamboni, Nicola; Sauer, Uwe

2015-11-01

Metabolic systems are often the first networks to respond to environmental changes, and the ability to monitor metabolite dynamics is key for understanding these cellular responses. Because monitoring metabolome changes is experimentally tedious and demanding, dynamic data on time scales from seconds to hours are scarce. Here we describe real-time metabolome profiling by direct injection of living bacteria, yeast or mammalian cells into a high-resolution mass spectrometer, which enables automated monitoring of about 300 compounds in 15-30-s cycles over several hours. We observed accumulation of energetically costly biomass metabolites in Escherichia coli in carbon starvation-induced stationary phase, as well as the rapid use of these metabolites upon growth resumption. By combining real-time metabolome profiling with modeling and inhibitor experiments, we obtained evidence for switch-like feedback inhibition in amino acid biosynthesis and for control of substrate availability through the preferential use of the metabolically cheaper one-step salvaging pathway over costly ten-step de novo purine biosynthesis during growth resumption.

Bridgman Growth of GeSi Alloys in a Static Magnetic Field

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Volz, M. P.; Szofran, F. R.; Vujisic, L.; Motakef, S.

1998-01-01

Ge(0.95)Si(0.050 alloy crystals have been grown by the vertical Bridgman technique, both with and without an axial 5 Tesla magnetic field. The crystals were processed in a constant axial thermal gradient and the effects of graphite, hot pressed boron nitride, and pyrolitic boron nitride ampoule materials on interface shapes and macrosegregation profiles were investigated. The sample grown in a graphite ampoule at 5 Tesla exhibited a macroscopic axial concentration profile close to that of complete mixing and strong striation patterns. In samples grown in boron nitride ampoules, both with and without a 5 Tesla magnetic field applied, measured macroscopic axial concentration profiles were intermediate between those expected for a completely mixed melt and diffusion-controlled growth, and striation patterns were also observed. Possible explanations for the apparent inability of the magnetic field to reduce the flow velocities to below the growth velocities are discussed, and results of growth experiments in pyrolitic boron nitride ampoules are also described.

Formulation Effects and the Off-target Transport of Pyrethroid Insecticides from Urban Hard Surfaces

PubMed Central

Jorgenson, Brant C.; Young, Thomas M.

2010-01-01

Controlled rainfall experiments utilizing drop forming rainfall simulators were conducted to study various factors contributing to off-target transport of off-the-shelf formulated pyrethroid insecticides from concrete surfaces. Factors evaluated included active ingredient, product formulation, time between application and rainfall (set time), and rainfall intensity. As much as 60% and as little as 0.8% of pyrethroid applied could be recovered in surface runoff depending primarily on product formulation, and to a lesser extent on product set time. Resulting wash-off profiles during one-hour storm simulations could be categorized based on formulation, with formulations utilizing emulsifying surfactants rather than organic solvents resulting in unique wash-off profiles with overall higher wash-off efficiency. These higher wash-off efficiency profiles were qualitatively replicated by applying formulation-free neat pyrethroid in the presence of independently applied linear alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS) surfactant, suggesting that the surfactant component of some formulated products may be influential in pyrethroid wash-off from urban hard surfaces. PMID:20524665

Profiling optimization for big data transfer over dedicated channels

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

Yun, D.; Wu, Qishi; Rao, Nageswara S

The transfer of big data is increasingly supported by dedicated channels in high-performance networks, where transport protocols play an important role in maximizing applicationlevel throughput and link utilization. The performance of transport protocols largely depend on their control parameter settings, but it is prohibitively time consuming to conduct an exhaustive search in a large parameter space to find the best set of parameter values. We propose FastProf, a stochastic approximation-based transport profiler, to quickly determine the optimal operational zone of a given data transfer protocol/method over dedicated channels. We implement and test the proposed method using both emulations based onmore » real-life performance measurements and experiments over physical connections with short (2 ms) and long (380 ms) delays. Both the emulation and experimental results show that FastProf significantly reduces the profiling overhead while achieving a comparable level of end-to-end throughput performance with the exhaustive search-based approach.« less

Preconception reflections, postconception intentions: the before and after of birth control in Australian adolescent females.

PubMed

Smith, Jennifer Lawson; Skinner, S Rachel; Fenwick, Jennifer

2013-08-01

Background The relationship between pregnancy intentions and contraceptive behaviour is difficult to establish. This study explored the contraceptive histories of teenagers with a recent experience of pregnancy to generate qualitative profiles of pregnancy intentions. Subsequent intentions in relation to birth control were also examined. A purposive sample of female teenagers aged 14-19 years was recruited from various clinical and community-based antenatal and postnatal services and termination services across the Perth metropolitan area. The current analysis was based on a total of 56 semistructured interviews. A two-staged process of thematic analysis was conducted to identify commonalities emerging from the narrative data. Three pregnancy intention profiles were identified: 1) unplanned, unwanted, unlikely; 2) planned, wanted, likely; and 3) unplanned, ambivalent, likely. Each profile represents variation in pathways to pregnancy based on teenagers' accounts of pregnancy desires, personal responsibility over contraceptive use, and perceptions of pregnancy risk. Regardless of the way that pregnancy was resolved (i.e. termination or childbirth), similar postconception intentions surrounding birth control emerged through a shared discourse of pregnancy avoidance across the sample. Exploring adolescents' understandings of the decisions and behaviours that lead to pregnancy will assist in the development of more accurate assessment tools to identify those at risk of unplanned and unwanted pregnancies. Our research also suggests that the provision of contraceptive counselling immediately after conception, followed by ongoing support, may help to maintain strong intentions to delay further pregnancies as identified in our study.

Root traits explain observed tundra vegetation nitrogen uptake patterns: Implications for trait-based land models: Tundra N Uptake Model-Data Comparison

DOE PAGES

Zhu, Qing; Iversen, Colleen M.; Riley, William J.; ...

2016-12-23

Ongoing climate warming will likely perturb vertical distributions of nitrogen availability in tundra soils through enhancing nitrogen mineralization and releasing previously inaccessible nitrogen from frozen permafrost soil. But, arctic tundra responses to such changes are uncertain, because of a lack of vertically explicit nitrogen tracer experiments and untested hypotheses of root nitrogen uptake under the stress of microbial competition implemented in land models. We conducted a vertically explicit 15N tracer experiment for three dominant tundra species to quantify plant N uptake profiles. Then we applied a nutrient competition model (N-COM), which is being integrated into the ACME Land Model, tomore » explain the observations. Observations using an 15N tracer showed that plant N uptake profiles were not consistently related to root biomass density profiles, which challenges the prevailing hypothesis that root density always exerts first-order control on N uptake. By considering essential root traits (e.g., biomass distribution and nutrient uptake kinetics) with an appropriate plant-microbe nutrient competition framework, our model reasonably reproduced the observed patterns of plant N uptake. Additionally, we show that previously applied nutrient competition hypotheses in Earth System Land Models fail to explain the diverse plant N uptake profiles we observed. These results cast doubt on current climate-scale model predictions of arctic plant responses to elevated nitrogen supply under a changing climate and highlight the importance of considering essential root traits in large-scale land models. Finally, we provided suggestions and a short synthesis of data availability for future trait-based land model development.« less

Profiling physical activity motivation based on self-determination theory: a cluster analysis approach.

PubMed

Friederichs, Stijn Ah; Bolman, Catherine; Oenema, Anke; Lechner, Lilian

2015-01-01

In order to promote physical activity uptake and maintenance in individuals who do not comply with physical activity guidelines, it is important to increase our understanding of physical activity motivation among this group. The present study aimed to examine motivational profiles in a large sample of adults who do not comply with physical activity guidelines. The sample for this study consisted of 2473 individuals (31.4% male; age 44.6 ± 12.9). In order to generate motivational profiles based on motivational regulation, a cluster analysis was conducted. One-way analyses of variance were then used to compare the clusters in terms of demographics, physical activity level, motivation to be active and subjective experience while being active. Three motivational clusters were derived based on motivational regulation scores: a low motivation cluster, a controlled motivation cluster and an autonomous motivation cluster. These clusters differed significantly from each other with respect to physical activity behavior, motivation to be active and subjective experience while being active. Overall, the autonomous motivation cluster displayed more favorable characteristics compared to the other two clusters. The results of this study provide additional support for the importance of autonomous motivation in the context of physical activity behavior. The three derived clusters may be relevant in the context of physical activity interventions as individuals within the different clusters might benefit most from different intervention approaches. In addition, this study shows that cluster analysis is a useful method for differentiating between motivational profiles in large groups of individuals who do not comply with physical activity guidelines.

Standardized Profiling of The Membrane-Enriched Proteome of Mouse Dorsal Root Ganglia (DRG) Provides Novel Insights Into Chronic Pain.

PubMed

Rouwette, Tom; Sondermann, Julia; Avenali, Luca; Gomez-Varela, David; Schmidt, Manuela

2016-06-01

Chronic pain is a complex disease with limited treatment options. Several profiling efforts have been employed with the aim to dissect its molecular underpinnings. However, generated results are often inconsistent and nonoverlapping, which is largely because of inherent technical constraints. Emerging data-independent acquisition (DIA)-mass spectrometry (MS) has the potential to provide unbiased, reproducible and quantitative proteome maps - a prerequisite for standardization among experiments. Here, we designed a DIA-based proteomics workflow to profile changes in the abundance of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) proteins in two mouse models of chronic pain, inflammatory and neuropathic. We generated a DRG-specific spectral library containing 3067 DRG proteins, which enables their standardized quantification by means of DIA-MS in any laboratory. Using this resource, we profiled 2526 DRG proteins in each biological replicate of both chronic pain models and respective controls with unprecedented reproducibility. We detected numerous differentially regulated proteins, the majority of which exhibited pain model-specificity. Our approach recapitulates known biology and discovers dozens of proteins that have not been characterized in the somatosensory system before. Functional validation experiments and analysis of mouse pain behaviors demonstrate that indeed meaningful protein alterations were discovered. These results illustrate how the application of DIA-MS can open new avenues to achieve the long-awaited standardization in the molecular dissection of pathologies of the somatosensory system. Therefore, our findings provide a valuable framework to qualitatively extend our understanding of chronic pain and somatosensation. © 2016 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Changes of human serum proteome profile during 7-day “dry” immersion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pakharukova, N. A.; Pastushkova, L. Kh.; Larina, I. M.; Grigoriev, A. I.

2011-05-01

The aim of this study was to characterize changes of serum proteome profile during 7-day "dry" immersion (DI). The experiment with DI consisted of three series: control group without countermeasures (10 men), with using mechanical stimulation (6 men) and low-frequency myostimulation (5 men) as preventive means. Serum samples were fractionated using ClinProt robot (Bruker Daltonics) on magnetic beads (weak cation exchange magnetic beads—MB WCX) prior to mass-spectral profiling. It was obtained 170 peaks after fractionation of serum samples in each group. On 7th immersion day peak areas of fibrinopeptide A ( m/ z=1206; 1464), angiotensin II ( m/ z=1051), high molecular mass kininogen fragment ( m/ z=2133 Da) and C3-fragment of the complement system ( m/ z=1350 Da) were significantly decreased comparing with pre-experimental values of all experimental series. Peak areas of apolipoprotein C III ( m/ z=9419) and C4a fragment of the complement system ( m/ z=3206 Da) were increased. On 7th day of the recovery peak areas of all changed peaks were not close to pre-experimental values. This fact provided evidence of incomplete recovery of an organism after DI. The depth of the alterations had considerable individual variability. Thereby the detected changes of serum proteome profile in the experiment. They indicated a reorganization of the hormonal, immune systems and lipid metabolism. The use of myostimulation and mechanical stimulation as countermeasures partly compensated adverse effects of 7-day dry immersion on the parameters of coagulation system (fibrinopeptide A) and lipid metabolism (apolipoprotein CIII).

Root traits explain observed tundra vegetation nitrogen uptake patterns: Implications for trait-based land models: Tundra N Uptake Model-Data Comparison

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

Zhu, Qing; Iversen, Colleen M.; Riley, William J.

Ongoing climate warming will likely perturb vertical distributions of nitrogen availability in tundra soils through enhancing nitrogen mineralization and releasing previously inaccessible nitrogen from frozen permafrost soil. But, arctic tundra responses to such changes are uncertain, because of a lack of vertically explicit nitrogen tracer experiments and untested hypotheses of root nitrogen uptake under the stress of microbial competition implemented in land models. We conducted a vertically explicit 15N tracer experiment for three dominant tundra species to quantify plant N uptake profiles. Then we applied a nutrient competition model (N-COM), which is being integrated into the ACME Land Model, tomore » explain the observations. Observations using an 15N tracer showed that plant N uptake profiles were not consistently related to root biomass density profiles, which challenges the prevailing hypothesis that root density always exerts first-order control on N uptake. By considering essential root traits (e.g., biomass distribution and nutrient uptake kinetics) with an appropriate plant-microbe nutrient competition framework, our model reasonably reproduced the observed patterns of plant N uptake. Additionally, we show that previously applied nutrient competition hypotheses in Earth System Land Models fail to explain the diverse plant N uptake profiles we observed. These results cast doubt on current climate-scale model predictions of arctic plant responses to elevated nitrogen supply under a changing climate and highlight the importance of considering essential root traits in large-scale land models. Finally, we provided suggestions and a short synthesis of data availability for future trait-based land model development.« less

A low pH does not determine the community dynamics of spontaneously developed backslopped liquid wheat sourdoughs but does influence their metabolite kinetics.

PubMed

Van Kerrebroeck, Simon; Bastos, Francisca Casanova C; Harth, Henning; De Vuyst, Luc

2016-12-19

This study dealt with the influence of a crucial pH value of 4.0 on the microbiota of spontaneously fermented backslopped liquid wheat sourdoughs. Two spontaneously fermented wheat sourdough fermentation experiments were carried out, one without control of the pH and one with the pH kept constant at pH4.0, both during nine backslopping steps. In each case, two additional backslopping steps were carried out, with the pH kept constant at 4.0 and with free pH, respectively. Keeping the pH constant at 4.0 changed the microbial community dynamics and metabolite kinetics of the sourdough fermentations. A slower prevalence of sourdough-specific Kazachstania yeasts occurred. Nevertheless, in both experiments, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lb. plantarum/pentosus/paraplantarum, and Kazachstania exigua/bulderi/barnettii prevailed ultimately. The lactic acid and ethanol concentration profiles were affected positively by keeping the pH constant at a minimum of 4.0 as well as the l- and d-lactic acid ratio profile, a potential biological marker for sourdough stability and maturity. Also, the concentration and diversity of acetate esters and their precursors, in particular isoamyl acetate and isoamyl alcohol, were affected negatively by the pH control, indicating the role of pH stress in the sourdough aroma formation. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Quantitative analysis of comparative genomic hybridization

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

Manoir, S. du; Bentz, M.; Joos, S.

1995-01-01

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) is a new molecular cytogenetic method for the detection of chromosomal imbalances. Following cohybridization of DNA prepared from a sample to be studied and control DNA to normal metaphase spreads, probes are detected via different fluorochromes. The ratio of the test and control fluorescence intensities along a chromosome reflects the relative copy number of segments of a chromosome in the test genome. Quantitative evaluation of CGH experiments is required for the determination of low copy changes, e.g., monosomy or trisomy, and for the definition of the breakpoints involved in unbalanced rearrangements. In this study, a programmore » for quantitation of CGH preparations is presented. This program is based on the extraction of the fluorescence ratio profile along each chromosome, followed by averaging of individual profiles from several metaphase spreads. Objective parameters critical for quantitative evaluations were tested, and the criteria for selection of suitable CGH preparations are described. The granularity of the chromosome painting and the regional inhomogeneity of fluorescence intensities in metaphase spreads proved to be crucial parameters. The coefficient of variation of the ratio value for chromosomes in balanced state (CVBS) provides a general quality criterion for CGH experiments. Different cutoff levels (thresholds) of average fluorescence ratio values were compared for their specificity and sensitivity with regard to the detection of chromosomal imbalances. 27 refs., 15 figs., 1 tab.« less

Modeling the effect of lithium-induced pedestal profiles on scrape-off-layer turbulence and the heat flux width

DOE PAGES

Russell, David A.; D'Ippolito, Daniel A.; Myra, James R.; ...

2015-09-01

The effect of lithium (Li) wall coatings on scrape-off-layer (SOL) turbulence in the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) is modeled with the Lodestar SOLT (“SOL Turbulence”) code. Specifically, the implications for the SOL heat flux width of experimentally observed, Li-induced changes in the pedestal profiles are considered. The SOLT code used in the modeling has been expanded recently to include ion temperature evolution and ion diamagnetic drift effects. This work focuses on two NSTX discharges occurring pre- and with-Li deposition. The simulation density and temperature profiles are constrained, inside the last closed flux surface only, to match those measured inmore » the two experiments, and the resulting drift-interchange-driven turbulence is explored. The effect of Li enters the simulation only through the pedestal profile constraint: Li modifies the experimental density and temperature profiles in the pedestal, and these profiles affect the simulated SOL turbulence. The power entering the SOL measured in the experiments is matched in the simulations by adjusting “free” dissipation parameters (e.g., diffusion coefficients) that are not measured directly in the experiments. With power-matching, (a) the heat flux SOL width is smaller, as observed experimentally by infra-red thermography, and (b) the simulated density fluctuation amplitudes are reduced with Li, as inferred for the experiments as well from reflectometry analysis. The instabilities and saturation mechanisms that underlie the SOLT model equilibria are also discussed.« less

Effect of Stepwise Pressure Change on Porosity Evolution during Directional Solidification in Small Cylindrical Channels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grugel, R.N.; Lee, C.P.; Cox, M.C.; Blandford, B.T.; Anilkumar, A.V.

2008-01-01

Controlled directional solidification experiments were performed in capillary channels, using nitrogen-saturated succinonitrile, to examine the effect of an in-situ stepwise processing pressure increase on an isolated pore evolution. Two experiments were performed using different processing pressure input profiles. The results indicate that a processing pressure increase has a transient effect on pore growth geometry characterized by an initial phase of decreasing pore diameter, followed by a recovery phase of increasing pore diameter. The experimental results also show that processing pressure can be used as a control parameter to either increase or terminate porosity formation. A theoretical model is introduced which indicates that the pore formation process is limited by the diffusion of solute-gas through the melt, and that the observed response toa pressure increase is attributed to the re-equilibration of solute concentration in the melt associated with the increased melt pressure.

Data Retrieved by ARCADE-R2 Experiment On Board the BEXUS-17 Balloon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barbetta, M.; Branz, F.; Carron, A.; Olivieri, L.; Prendin, J.; Sansone, F.; Savioli, L.; Spinello, F.; Francesconi, A.

2015-09-01

The Autonomous Rendezvous, Control And Docking Experiment — Reflight 2 (ARCADE-R2) is a technology demonstrator aiming to prove automatic attitude determination and control, rendezvous and docking capabilities for small scale spacecraft and aircraft. The development of such capabilities could be fundamental to create, in the near future, fleets of cooperative, autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles for mapping, surveillance, inspection and remote observation of hazardous environments; small-class satellites could also benefit from the employment of docking systems to extend and reconfigure their mission profiles. ARCADE-R2 is designed to test these technologies on a stratospheric flight on board the BEXUS-17 balloon, allowing to demonstrate them in a harsh environment subjected to gusty winds and high pressure and temperature variations. In this paper, ARCADE-R2 architecture is introduced and the main results obtained from a stratospheric balloon flight are presented.

Randomized expectancy-enhanced placebo-controlled trial of the impact of Quantum BioEnergetic distant healing and paranormal belief on mood disturbance: a pilot study.

PubMed

Rock, Adam J; Permezel, Fiona E; Storm, Lance

2012-01-01

Previous research has demonstrated the effects of ostensible subtle energy on physical systems and subjective experience. However, one subtle energy technique that has been neglected, despite anecdotal support for its efficacy, is Quantum BioEnergetics (QBE). Furthermore, the influence of paranormal belief and experience (either real belief/experience or suggested belief/experience) on subtle energy effects remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate experimentally the effects of distant QBE healing, and paranormal belief/experience, on mood. A randomized expectancy-enhanced placebo-controlled design was used. Data were collected at the QBE Centre, Melbourne. Participants were students from Deakin University and from the general public. Snowball sampling (ie, word-of-mouth) and convenience sampling using a ballot box placed in the university library. Profile of Mood States-Short Form was used to quantify positive and negative mood states. The QBE condition was associated with (1) significantly less Tension-Anxiety compared with the placebo and control condition; and (2) significantly less Anger-Hostility and Total Mood Disturbance compared with the control condition (but not the placebo condition). Furthermore, there was an interaction of condition and paranormal belief/experience with regard to Depression-Dejection, with believers assigned to the placebo condition scoring lowest on this Mood variable. Findings suggest that the use of QBE by an experienced practitioner reduces mood disturbance. In addition, the placebo condition may have evoked suggestibility effects in believers, which would mean that they may be more likely than nonbelievers to believe that they were receiving healing, thus resulting in lower Depression-Dejection scores. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Optimized ECR plasma apparatus with varied microwave window thickness

DOEpatents

Berry, Lee A.

1995-01-01

The present invention describes a technique to control the radial profile of microwave power in an ECR plasma discharge. In order to provide for a uniform plasma density to a specimen, uniform energy absorption by the plasma is desired. By controlling the radial profile of the microwave power transmitted through the microwave window of a reactor, the profile of the transmitted energy to the plasma can be controlled in order to have uniform energy absorption by the plasma. An advantage of controlling the profile using the window transmission characteristics is that variations to the radial profile of microwave power can be made without changing the microwave coupler or reactor design.

Atypical basic movement kinematics in autism spectrum conditions

PubMed Central

Blakemore, Sarah-Jayne; Press, Clare

2013-01-01

Individuals with autism spectrum conditions have difficulties in understanding and responding appropriately to others. Additionally, they demonstrate impaired perception of biological motion and problems with motor control. Here we investigated whether individuals with autism move with an atypical kinematic profile, which might help to explain perceptual and motor impairments, and in principle may contribute to some of their higher level social problems. We recorded trajectory, velocity, acceleration and jerk while adult participants with autism and a matched control group conducted horizontal sinusoidal arm movements. Additionally, participants with autism took part in a biological motion perception task in which they classified observed movements as ‘natural’ or ‘unnatural’. Results show that individuals with autism moved with atypical kinematics; they did not minimize jerk to the same extent as the matched typical control group, and moved with greater acceleration and velocity. The degree to which kinematics were atypical was correlated with a bias towards perceiving biological motion as ‘unnatural’ and with the severity of autism symptoms as measured by the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. We suggest that fundamental differences in movement kinematics in autism might help to explain their problems with motor control. Additionally, developmental experience of their own atypical kinematic profiles may lead to disrupted perception of others’ actions. PMID:23983031

Floating tablets for controlled release of ofloxacin via compression coating of hydroxypropyl cellulose combined with effervescent agent.

PubMed

Qi, Xiaole; Chen, Haiyan; Rui, Yao; Yang, Fengjiao; Ma, Ning; Wu, Zhenghong

2015-07-15

To prolong the residence time of dosage forms within gastrointestinal trace until all drug released at desired rate was one of the real challenges for oral controlled-release drug delivery system. Herein, we developed a fine floating tablet via compression coating of hydrophilic polymer (hydroxypropyl cellulose) combined with effervescent agent (sodium bicarbonate) to achieve simultaneous control of release rate and location of ofloxacin. Sodium alginate was also added in the coating layer to regulate the drug release rate. The effects of the weight ratio of drug and the viscosity of HPC on the release profile were investigated. The optimized formulations were found to immediately float within 30s and remain lastingly buoyant over a period of 12 h in simulated gastric fluid (SGF, pH 1.2) without pepsin, indicating a satisfactory floating and zero-order drug release profile. In addition, the oral bioavailability experiment in New Zealand rabbits showed that, the relative bioavailability of the ofloxacin after administrated of floating tablets was 172.19%, compared to marketed common release tablets TaiLiBiTuo(®). These results demonstrated that those controlled-released floating tables would be a promising gastro-retentive delivery system for drugs acting in stomach. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Experimental Validation of Motor Primitive-Based Control for Leg Exoskeletons during Continuous Multi-Locomotion Tasks

PubMed Central

Ruiz Garate, Virginia; Parri, Andrea; Yan, Tingfang; Munih, Marko; Molino Lova, Raffaele; Vitiello, Nicola; Ronsse, Renaud

2017-01-01

An emerging approach to design locomotion assistive devices deals with reproducing desirable biological principles of human locomotion. In this paper, we present a bio-inspired controller for locomotion assistive devices based on the concept of motor primitives. The weighted combination of artificial primitives results in a set of virtual muscle stimulations. These stimulations then activate a virtual musculoskeletal model producing reference assistive torque profiles for different locomotion tasks (i.e., walking, ascending stairs, and descending stairs). The paper reports the validation of the controller through a set of experiments conducted with healthy participants. The proposed controller was tested for the first time with a unilateral leg exoskeleton assisting hip, knee, and ankle joints by delivering a fraction of the computed reference torques. Importantly, subjects performed a track involving ground-level walking, ascending stairs, and descending stairs and several transitions between these tasks. These experiments highlighted the capability of the controller to provide relevant assistive torques and to effectively handle transitions between the tasks. Subjects displayed a natural interaction with the device. Moreover, they significantly decreased the time needed to complete the track when the assistance was provided, as compared to wearing the device with no assistance. PMID:28367121

Highly multiplexed targeted proteomics using precise control of peptide retention time.

PubMed

Gallien, Sebastien; Peterman, Scott; Kiyonami, Reiko; Souady, Jamal; Duriez, Elodie; Schoen, Alan; Domon, Bruno

2012-04-01

Large-scale proteomics applications using SRM analysis on triple quadrupole mass spectrometers present new challenges to LC-MS/MS experimental design. Despite the automation of building large-scale LC-SRM methods, the increased numbers of targeted peptides can compromise the balance between sensitivity and selectivity. To facilitate large target numbers, time-scheduled SRM transition acquisition is performed. Previously published results have demonstrated incorporation of a well-characterized set of synthetic peptides enabled chromatographic characterization of the elution profile for most endogenous peptides. We have extended this application of peptide trainer kits to not only build SRM methods but to facilitate real-time elution profile characterization that enables automated adjustment of the scheduled detection windows. Incorporation of dynamic retention time adjustments better facilitate targeted assays lasting several days without the need for constant supervision. This paper provides an overview of how the dynamic retention correction approach identifies and corrects for commonly observed LC variations. This adjustment dramatically improves robustness in targeted discovery experiments as well as routine quantification experiments. © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Inversion algorithms for the microwave remote sensing of soil moisture. Experiments with swept frequency microwaves

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hancock, G. D.; Waite, W. P.

1984-01-01

Two experiments were performed employing swept frequency microwaves for the purpose of investigating the reflectivity from soil volumes containing both discontinuous and continuous changes in subsurface soil moisture content. Discontinuous moisture profiles were artificially created in the laboratory while continuous moisture profiles were induced into the soil of test plots by the environment of an agricultural field. The reflectivity for both the laboratory and field experiments was measured using bi-static reflectometers operated over the frequency ranges of 1.0 to 2.0 GHz and 4.0 to 8.0 GHz. Reflectivity models that considered the discontinuous and continuous moisture profiles within the soil volume were developed and compared with the results of the experiments. This comparison shows good agreement between the smooth surface models and the measurements. In particular the comparison of the smooth surface multi-layer model for continuous moisture profiles and the yield experiment measurements points out the sensitivity of the specular component of the scattered electromagnetic energy to the movement of moisture in the soil.

Update on the DIII-D ECH system: experiments, gyrotrons, advanced diagnostics, and controls

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lohr, John; Brambila, Rigoberto; Cengher, Mirela; Gorelov, Yuri; Grosnickle, William; Moeller, Charles; Ponce, Dan; Torrezan, Antonio; Ives, Lawrence; Reed, Michael; Blank, Monica; Felch, Kevin; Parisuaña, Claudia; LeViness, Alexandra

2017-08-01

The ECH system on DIII-D is continuing to be upgraded, while simultaneously being operated nearly daily for plasma experiments. The latest major hardware addition is a new 117.5 GHz gyrotron, which generated 1.7 MW for short pulses during factory testing. A new gyrotron control system based on Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technology with very high speed system data acquisition has significantly increased the flexibility and reliability of individual gyrotron operation. We have improved the performance of the fast mirror scanning, both by increasing the scan speeds and by adding new algorithms for controlling the aiming using commands generated by the Plasma Control System (PCS). The system is used for transport studies, ELM control, current profile control, non-inductive current generation, suppression of MHD modes, startup assist, plasma density control, and other applications. A program of protective measures, which has been in place for more than two years, has eliminated damage to hardware and diagnostics caused by overdense operation. Other activities not directly related to fusion research have used the ECH system to test components, study methods for improving production of semiconductor junctions and materials, and test the feasibility of using ground based microwave systems to power satellites into orbit.

Comparisons of NIF convergent ablation simulations with radiograph data.

PubMed

Olson, R E; Hicks, D G; Meezan, N B; Koch, J A; Landen, O L

2012-10-01

A technique for comparing simulation results directly with radiograph data from backlit capsule implosion experiments will be discussed. Forward Abel transforms are applied to the kappa*rho profiles of the simulation. These provide the transmission ratio (optical depth) profiles of the simulation. Gaussian and top hat blurs are applied to the simulated transmission ratio profiles in order to account for the motion blurring and imaging slit resolution of the experimental measurement. Comparisons between the simulated transmission ratios and the radiograph data lineouts are iterated until a reasonable backlighter profile is obtained. This backlighter profile is combined with the blurred, simulated transmission ratios to obtain simulated intensity profiles that can be directly compared with the radiograph data. Examples will be shown from recent convergent ablation (backlit implosion) experiments at the NIF.

Study on numerical simulation of asymmetric structure aluminum profile extrusion based on ALE method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Kun; Qu, Yuan; Ding, Siyi; Liu, Changhui; Yang, Fuyong

2018-05-01

Using the HyperXtrude module based on the Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) finite element method, the paper simulates the steady extrusion process of the asymmetric structure aluminum die successfully. A verification experiment is carried out to verify the simulation results. Having obtained and analyzed the stress-strain field, temperature field and extruded velocity of the metal, it confirms that the simulation prediction results and the experimental schemes are consistent. The scheme of the die correction and optimization are discussed at last. By adjusting the bearing length and core thickness, adopting the structure of feeder plate protection, short shunt bridge in the upper die and three-level bonding container in the lower die to control the metal flowing, the qualified aluminum profile can be obtained.

[Arson and pyromania, update 2015].

PubMed

Palix, J

2015-09-16

While the fire constitutes a threat and provokes avoidance by the entire animal world, its control as lighting and maintenance is inseparable from the history of humankind. For 1% of the population that use is turned to harm, repeatedly and without objective reason, responding to the historical definition of pyromania. The profile of arsonists does not appear to be different from that of the general criminal population: alcohol abuse, nicotine, marijuana and antisocial personality do not make fire setters a special case. However positive fire experience lived in childhood, emotional avoidance and expertise in fire settings' control seems to be specific, as recidivism risk below that of the general criminal population.

Effects of Hybrid Flow Control on a Normal Shock Boundary-Layer Interaction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hirt, Stefanie M.; Vyas, Manan A.

2013-01-01

Hybrid flow control, a combination of micro-ramps and steady micro-jets, was experimentally investigated in the 15x15 cm Supersonic Wind Tunnel at the NASA Glenn Research Center. A central composite design of experiments method, was used to develop response surfaces for boundary-layer thickness and reversed-flow thickness, with factor variables of inter-ramp spacing, ramp height and chord length, and flow injection ratio. Boundary-layer measurements and wall static pressure data were used to understand flow separation characteristics. A limited number of profiles were measured in the corners of the tunnel to aid in understanding the three-dimensional characteristics of the flowfield.

Treatment of neuro-ophthalmic sarcoidosis.

PubMed

Frohman, Larry P

2015-03-01

Because of the rarity of neuro-ophthalmic sarcoidosis, there are no therapeutic guidelines based on evidence-based medicine for this disorder. Review of literature combined with personal experience. Corticosteroids are the preferred initial therapy for neuro-ophthalmic sarcoidosis. If patients cannot tolerate the requisite dose of corticosteroid needed to control their disease, or if corticosteroids fail to adequately control the disease process, the choices of a second agent are based on the consideration of rapidity of clinical response and the safety profile. Although methotrexate and mycophenolate mofetil are the medications that are often selected after corticosteroid failure, more rapidly acting agents that have been used are infliximab and intravenous cyclophosphamide.

Controlling Thermal Conduction by Graded Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ji, Qin; Huang, Ji-Ping

2018-04-01

Manipulating thermal conductivities are fundamentally important for controlling the conduction of heat at will. Thermal cloaks and concentrators, which have been extensively studied recently, are actually graded materials designed according to coordinate transformation approaches, and their effective thermal conductivity is equal to that of the host medium outside the cloak or concentrator. Here we attempt to investigate a more general problem: what is the effective thermal conductivity of graded materials? In particular, we perform a first-principles approach to the analytic exact results of effective thermal conductivities of materials possessing either power-law or linear gradation profiles. On the other hand, by solving Laplace’s equation, we derive a differential equation for calculating the effective thermal conductivity of a material whose thermal conductivity varies along the radius with arbitrary gradation profiles. The two methods agree with each other for both external and internal heat sources, as confirmed by simulation and experiment. This work provides different methods for designing new thermal metamaterials (including thermal cloaks and concentrators), in order to control or manipulate the transfer of heat. Support by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No. 11725521, by the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality under Grant No. 16ZR1445100

Vibration isolation analysis of new design OEM damper for malaysia vehicle suspension system featuring MR fluid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Unuh, M. H.; Muhamad, P.; Norfazrina, H. M. Y.; Ismail, M. A.; Tanasta, Z.

2018-01-01

The applications of semi-active damper employing magnetorheological (MR) fluids keep increasing in fulfilling the demand to control undesired vibration effect. The aim of this study is to introduce the new design of damper for Malaysian vehicle model as well to evaluate its effectiveness in promoting comfort. The vibration isolation performance of the OEM damper featuring MR fluid was analysed physically under real road profile excitation experimentally. An experiment using quarter car rig suspension and LMS SCADAS Mobile was conducted to demonstrate the influence of current in controlling the characteristics of MR fluid in alter the damping behaviour under 5 cm bump impact. Subsequently, the displacement values were measured with respect to time. The new design OEM damper featuring MR fluid was validated by comparing the data with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) passive damper results under the same approach of testing. Comparison of numerical data of the new design OEM damper shown that it can reduce the excitation amplitude up to 40% compared to those obtained by OEM passive damper. Finally, the new design OEM damper featuring MR fluid has effectively isolated the disturbance from the road profile and control the output force.

Solute source depletion control of forward and back diffusion through low-permeability zones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Minjune; Annable, Michael D.; Jawitz, James W.

2016-10-01

Solute diffusive exchange between low-permeability aquitards and high-permeability aquifers acts as a significant mediator of long-term contaminant fate. Aquifer contaminants diffuse into aquitards, but as contaminant sources are depleted, aquifer concentrations decline, triggering back diffusion from aquitards. The dynamics of the contaminant source depletion, or the source strength function, controls the timing of the transition of aquitards from sinks to sources. Here, we experimentally evaluate three archetypical transient source depletion models (step-change, linear, and exponential), and we use novel analytical solutions to accurately account for dynamic aquitard-aquifer diffusive transfer. Laboratory diffusion experiments were conducted using a well-controlled flow chamber to assess solute exchange between sand aquifer and kaolinite aquitard layers. Solute concentration profiles in the aquitard were measured in situ using electrical conductivity. Back diffusion was shown to begin earlier and produce larger mass flux for rapidly depleting sources. The analytical models showed very good correspondence with measured aquifer breakthrough curves and aquitard concentration profiles. The modeling approach links source dissolution and back diffusion, enabling assessment of human exposure risk and calculation of the back diffusion initiation time, as well as the resulting plume persistence.

Improved CO sub 2 enhanced oil recovery -- Mobility control by in-situ chemical precipitation

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

Ameri, S.; Aminian, K.; Wasson, J.A.

1991-06-01

The overall objective of this study has been to evaluate the feasibility of chemical precipitation to improve CO{sub 2} sweep efficiency and mobility control. The laboratory experiments have indicated that carbonate precipitation can alter the permeability of the core samples under reservoir conditions. Furthermore, the relative permeability measurements have revealed that precipitation reduces the gas permeability in favor of liquid permeability. This indicates that precipitation is occurring preferentially in the larger pores. Additional experimental work with a series of connected cores have indicated that the permeability profile can be successfully modified. However, Ph control plays a critical role in propagationmore » of the chemical precipitation reaction. A numerical reservoir model has been utilized to evaluate the effects of permeability heterogeneity and permeability modification on the CO{sub 2} sweep efficiency. The computer simulation results indicate that the permeability profile modification can significantly enhance CO{sub 2} vertical and horizontal sweep efficiencies. The scoping studies with the model have further revealed that only a fraction of high permeability zones need to be altered to achieve sweep efficiency enhancement. 64 refs., 30 figs., 16 tabs.« less

Solute source depletion control of forward and back diffusion through low-permeability zones.

PubMed

Yang, Minjune; Annable, Michael D; Jawitz, James W

2016-10-01

Solute diffusive exchange between low-permeability aquitards and high-permeability aquifers acts as a significant mediator of long-term contaminant fate. Aquifer contaminants diffuse into aquitards, but as contaminant sources are depleted, aquifer concentrations decline, triggering back diffusion from aquitards. The dynamics of the contaminant source depletion, or the source strength function, controls the timing of the transition of aquitards from sinks to sources. Here, we experimentally evaluate three archetypical transient source depletion models (step-change, linear, and exponential), and we use novel analytical solutions to accurately account for dynamic aquitard-aquifer diffusive transfer. Laboratory diffusion experiments were conducted using a well-controlled flow chamber to assess solute exchange between sand aquifer and kaolinite aquitard layers. Solute concentration profiles in the aquitard were measured in situ using electrical conductivity. Back diffusion was shown to begin earlier and produce larger mass flux for rapidly depleting sources. The analytical models showed very good correspondence with measured aquifer breakthrough curves and aquitard concentration profiles. The modeling approach links source dissolution and back diffusion, enabling assessment of human exposure risk and calculation of the back diffusion initiation time, as well as the resulting plume persistence. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Observational learning from tool using models by human-reared and mother-reared capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella).

PubMed

Fredman, Tamar; Whiten, Andrew

2008-04-01

Studies of wild capuchins suggest an important role for social learning, but experiments with captive subjects have generally not supported this. Here we report social learning in two quite different populations of capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella). In experiment 1, human-raised monkeys observed a familiar human model open a foraging box using a tool in one of two alternative ways: levering versus poking. In experiment 2, mother-raised monkeys viewed similar techniques demonstrated by monkey models. A control group in each population saw no model. In both experiments, independent coders detected which technique experimental subjects had seen, thus confirming social learning. Further analyses examined fidelity of copying at three levels of resolution. The human-raised monkeys exhibited fidelity at the highest level, the specific tool use technique witnessed. The lever technique was seen only in monkeys exposed to a levering model, by contrast with controls and those witnessing poke. Mother-reared monkeys instead typically ignored the tool and exhibited fidelity at a lower level, tending only to re-create whichever result the model had achieved by either levering or poking. Nevertheless this level of social learning was associated with significantly greater levels of success in monkeys witnessing a model than in controls, an effect absent in the human-reared population. Results in both populations are consistent with a process of canalization of the repertoire in the direction of the approach witnessed, producing a narrower, socially shaped behavioural profile than among controls who saw no model.

Ultrashort polarization-tailored bichromatic fields from a CEP-stable white light supercontinuum.

PubMed

Kerbstadt, Stefanie; Timmer, Daniel; Englert, Lars; Bayer, Tim; Wollenhaupt, Matthias

2017-05-29

We apply ultrafast polarization shaping to an ultrabroadband carrier envelope phase (CEP) stable white light supercontinuum to generate polarization-tailored bichromatic laser fields of low-order frequency ratio. The generation of orthogonal linearly and counter-rotating circularly polarized bichromatic fields is achieved by introducing a composite polarizer in the Fourier plane of a 4 f polarization shaper. The resulting Lissajous- and propeller-type polarization profiles are characterized experimentally by cross-correlation trajectories. The scheme provides full control over all bichromatic parameters and allows for individual spectral phase modulation of both colors. Shaper-based CEP control and the generation of tailored bichromatic fields is demonstrated. These bichromatic CEP-stable polarization-shaped ultrashort laser pulses provide a versatile class of waveforms for coherent control experiments.

The potential benefits of repeated measure experiments for fish disease-challenge host-pathogen investigations.

PubMed

Hall, L Malcolm; Collins, Catherine; Collet, Bertrand

2018-02-02

The utility of molecular response data arising from in-vivo single and repeated measure fish disease-challenge experiments is compared. An in-silico 'experiment' involving the generation of two imaginary immune-molecule quantity response profiles over time for individual animals was carried out. Daily 'observed' molecule quantities were drawn from the 'known' individual response profiles to mimic the results of single and repeated measurement. The results indicate that repeated measure experiments are required to infer individual level response profiles, and that these experiments also provide more accurate summary statistics and data more suited to inferring the dependent ordering of the molecular response. Additionally repeated measure experiments utilise fewer animals than single measure experiments. These results are described alongside a discussion of experimental methodological issues pertinent to the adoption of aquatic animal repeated measure experimental designs. We conclude that investigators need to take particular care when making inferences from single measure experiments and that serious consideration should be given to using repeated measure experiments for in-vivo fish disease-challenge investigations. Crown Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Interpretation of combined wind profiler and aircraft-measured tropospheric winds and clear air turbulence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thomson, D. W.; Syrett, William J.; Fairall, C. W.

1991-01-01

In the first experiment, it was found that wind profilers are far better suited for the detailed examination of jet stream structure than are weather balloons. The combination of good vertical resolution with not previously obtained temporal resolution reveals structural details not seen before. Development of probability-derived shear values appears possible. A good correlation between pilot reports of turbulence and wind shear was found. In the second experiment, hourly measurements of wind speed and direction obtained using two wind profiling Doppler radars during two prolonged jet stream occurrences over western Pennsylvania were analyzed. In particular, the time-variant characteristics of derived shear profiles were examined. Profiler data dropouts were studied in an attempt to determine possible reasons for the apparently reduced performance of profiling radar operating beneath a jet stream. Richardson number and wind shear statistics were examined along with pilot reports of turbulence in the vicinity of the profiler.

A study on characterization of stratospheric aerosol and gas parameters with the spacecraft solar occultation experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chu, W. P.

1977-01-01

Spacecraft remote sensing of stratospheric aerosol and ozone vertical profiles using the solar occultation experiment has been analyzed. A computer algorithm has been developed in which a two step inversion of the simulated data can be performed. The radiometric data are first inverted into a vertical extinction profile using a linear inversion algorithm. Then the multiwavelength extinction profiles are solved with a nonlinear least square algorithm to produce aerosol and ozone vertical profiles. Examples of inversion results are shown illustrating the resolution and noise sensitivity of the inversion algorithms.

Controlling Wavebreaking in a Viscous Fluid Conduit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, Dalton; Maiden, Michelle; Hoefer, Mark

2015-11-01

This poster will present a new technique in the experimental investigation of dispersive hydrodynamics. In shallow water flows, internal ocean waves, superfluids, and optical media, wave breaking can be resolved by a dispersive shock wave (DSW). In this work, an experimental method to control the location of DSW formation (gradient catastrophe) is explained. The central idea is to convert an initial value problem (Riemann problem) into an equivalent boundary value problem. The system to which this technique is applied is a fluid conduit resulting from high viscosity contrast between a buoyant interior and heavier exterior fluid. The conduit cross-sectional area is modeled by a nonlinear, conservative, dispersive, third order partial differential equation. Using this model, the aim is to predict the breaking location of a DSW by controlling one boundary condition. An analytical expression for this boundary condition is derived by solving the dispersionless equation backward in time from the desired step via the method of characteristics. This is used in experiment to generate an injection rate profile for a high precision piston pump. This translates to the desired conduit shape. Varying the jump height and desired breaking location indicates good control of DSW formation. This result can be improved by deriving a conduit profile by numerical simulation of the full model equation. Controlling the breaking location of a DSW allows for the investigation of dynamics independent of the boundary. Support provided by NSF CAREER DMS-1255422 , NSF EXTREEMS.

Designing a Microfluidic Device with Integrated Ratiometric Oxygen Sensors for the Long-Term Control and Monitoring of Chronic and Cyclic Hypoxia

PubMed Central

Grist, Samantha M.; Schmok, Jonathan C.; Liu, Meng-Chi (Andy); Chrostowski, Lukas; Cheung, Karen C.

2015-01-01

Control of oxygen over cell cultures in vitro is a topic of considerable interest, as chronic and cyclic hypoxia can alter cell behaviour. Both static and transient hypoxic levels have been found to affect tumour cell behaviour; it is potentially valuable to include these effects in early, in vitro stages of drug screening. A barrier to their inclusion is that rates of transient hypoxia can be a few cycles/hour, which is difficult to reproduce in traditional in vitro cell culture environments due to long diffusion distances from control gases to the cells. We use a gas-permeable three-layer microfluidic device to achieve spatial and temporal oxygen control with biologically-relevant switching times. We measure the oxygen profiles with integrated, ratiometric optical oxygen sensors, demonstrate sensor and system stability over multi-day experiments, and characterize a pre-bleaching process to improve sensor stability. We show, with both finite-element modelling and experimental data, excellent control over the oxygen levels by the device, independent of fluid flow rate and oxygenation for the operating flow regime. We measure equilibration times of approximately 10 min, generate complex, time-varying oxygen profiles, and study the effects of oxygenated media flow rates on the measured oxygen levels. This device could form a useful tool for future long-term studies of cell behaviour under hypoxia. PMID:26287202

Understanding and Predicting Profile Structure and Parametric Scaling of Intrinsic Rotation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Weixing

2016-10-01

It is shown for the first time that turbulence-driven residual Reynolds stress can account for both the shape and magnitude of the observed intrinsic toroidal rotation profile. Nonlinear, global gyrokinetic simulations using GTS of DIII-D ECH plasmas indicate a substantial ITG fluctuation-induced non-diffusive momentum flux generated around a mid-radius-peaked intrinsic toroidal rotation profile. The non-diffusive momentum flux is dominated by the residual stress with a negligible contribution from the momentum pinch. The residual stress profile shows a robust anti-gradient, dipole structure in a set of ECH discharges with varying ECH power. Such interesting features of non-diffusive momentum fluxes, in connection with edge momentum sources and sinks, are found to be critical to drive the non-monotonic core rotation profiles in the experiments. Both turbulence intensity gradient and zonal flow ExB shear are identified as major contributors to the generation of the k∥-asymmetry needed for the residual stress generation. By balancing the residual stress and the momentum diffusion, a self-organized, steady-state rotation profile is calculated. The predicted core rotation profiles agree well with the experimentally measured main-ion toroidal rotation. The validated model is further used to investigate the characteristic dependence of global rotation profile structure in the multi-dimensional parametric space covering turbulence type, q-profile structure and collisionality with the goal of developing physics understanding needed for rotation profile control and optimization. Interesting results obtained include intrinsic rotation reversal induced by ITG-TEM transition in flat-q profile regime and by change in q-profile from weak to normal shear.. Fluctuation-generated poloidal Reynolds stress is also shown to significantly modify the neoclassical poloidal rotation in a way consistent with experimental observations. Finally, the first-principles-based model is applied to studying the ρ * -scaling and predicting rotations in ITER regime. Work supported by U.S. DOE Contract DE-AC02-09-CH11466.

Laser induced fluorescence measurements of ion velocity and temperature of drift turbulence driven sheared plasma flow in a linear helicon plasma device

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

Chakraborty Thakur, S.; Fedorczak, N.; Manz, P.

2012-08-15

Using laser induced fluorescence (LIF), radial profiles of azimuthal ion fluid velocity and ion temperature are measured in the controlled shear de-correlation experiment (CSDX) linear helicon plasma device. Ion velocities and temperatures are derived from the measured Doppler broadened velocity distribution functions of argon ions. The LIF system employs a portable, high power (>300 mW), narrowband ({approx}1 MHz) tunable diode laser-based system operating at 668.614 nm. Previous studies in CSDX have shown the existence of a radially sheared azimuthal flow as measured with time delay estimation methods and Mach probes. Here, we report the first LIF measurements of sheared plasmamore » fluid flow in CSDX. Above a critical magnetic field, the ion fluid flow profile evolves from radially uniform to peaked on axis with a distinct reversed flow region at the boundary, indicating the development of a sheared azimuthal flow. Simultaneously, the ion temperature also evolves from a radially uniform profile to a profile with a gradient. Measurements in turbulent and coherent drift wave mode dominated plasmas are compared.« less

Expression signature as a biomarker for prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 21.

PubMed

Volk, Marija; Maver, Aleš; Lovrečić, Luca; Juvan, Peter; Peterlin, Borut

2013-01-01

A universal biomarker panel with the potential to predict high-risk pregnancies or adverse pregnancy outcome does not exist. Transcriptome analysis is a powerful tool to capture differentially expressed genes (DEG), which can be used as biomarker-diagnostic-predictive tool for various conditions in prenatal setting. In search of biomarker set for predicting high-risk pregnancies, we performed global expression profiling to find DEG in Ts21. Subsequently, we performed targeted validation and diagnostic performance evaluation on a larger group of case and control samples. Initially, transcriptomic profiles of 10 cultivated amniocyte samples with Ts21 and 9 with normal euploid constitution were determined using expression microarrays. Datasets from Ts21 transcriptomic studies from GEO repository were incorporated. DEG were discovered using linear regression modelling and validated using RT-PCR quantification on an independent sample of 16 cases with Ts21 and 32 controls. The classification performance of Ts21 status based on expression profiling was performed using supervised machine learning algorithm and evaluated using a leave-one-out cross validation approach. Global gene expression profiling has revealed significant expression changes between normal and Ts21 samples, which in combination with data from previously performed Ts21 transcriptomic studies, were used to generate a multi-gene biomarker for Ts21, comprising of 9 gene expression profiles. In addition to biomarker's high performance in discriminating samples from global expression profiling, we were also able to show its discriminatory performance on a larger sample set 2, validated using RT-PCR experiment (AUC=0.97), while its performance on data from previously published studies reached discriminatory AUC values of 1.00. Our results show that transcriptomic changes might potentially be used to discriminate trisomy of chromosome 21 in the prenatal setting. As expressional alterations reflect both, causal and reactive cellular mechanisms, transcriptomic changes may thus have future potential in the diagnosis of a wide array of heterogeneous diseases that result from genetic disturbances.

Thermal Analysis of the NASA Integrated Vehicle Health Monitoring Experiment Technology for X-Vehicles (NITEX)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hegab, Hisham E.

2002-01-01

The purpose of this project was to perform a thermal analysis for the NASA Integrated Vehicle Health Monitoring (IVHM) Technology Experiment for X-vehicles (NITEX). This electronics package monitors vehicle sensor information in flight and downlinks vehicle health summary information via telemetry. The experiment will be tested on the X-34 in an unpressurized compartment, in the vicinity of one of the vehicle's liquid oxygen tanks. The transient temperature profile for the electronics package has been determined using finite element analysis for possible mission profiles that will most likely expose the package to the most extreme hot and cold environmental conditions. From the analyses, it was determined that temperature limits for the electronics would be exceeded for the worst case cold environment mission profile. The finite element model used for the analyses was modified to examine the use of insulation to address this problem. Recommendations for insulating the experiment for the cold environment are presented, and were analyzed to determine their effect on a nominal mission profile.

Thermal Analysis Of The NASA Integrated Vehicle Health Monitoring Experiment Technology For X-Vehicles (NITEX)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hegab, Hisham E.

2001-01-01

The purpose of this project was to perform a thermal analysis for the NASA Integrated Vehicle Health Monitoring (IVHM) Technology Experiment for X-vehicles (NITEX). This electronics package monitors vehicle sensor information in flight and downlinks vehicle health summary information via telemetry. The experiment will be tested on the X-34 in an unpressurized compartment, in the vicinity of one of the vehicle's liquid oxygen tanks. The transient temperature profile for the electronics package has been determined using finite element analysis for possible mission profiles that will most likely expose the package to the most extreme hot and cold environmental conditions. From the analyses, it was determined that temperature limits for the electronics would be exceeded for the worst case cold environment mission profile. The finite element model used for the analyses was modified to examine the use of insulation to address this problem. Recommendations for insulating the experiment for the cold environment are presented, and were analyzed to determine their effect on a nominal mission profile.

The low energy muon beam profile monitor for the muon g-2/EDM experiment at J-PARC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Razuvaev, G. P.; Bae, S.; Choi, H.; Choi, S.; Ko, H. S.; Kim, B.; Kitamura, R.; Mibe, T.; Otani, M.

2017-09-01

The muon g-2/EDM experiment at J-PARC aims to measure the muon anomalous magnetic moment and electric dipole moment with high precision by utilising an ultracold muon beam. The current muon g-2 discrepancy between the Standard Model prediction and the experimental value is about 3.5 standard deviations. This experiment requires a development of the muon LINAC to accelerate thermal muons to the 300 MeV/c momentum. Detectors for beam diagnostics play a key role in such an experiment. The beam profile monitoring system has been designed to measure the profile of the low energy muon beam. It was tested during two beam tests in 2016 at the MLF D2 line at J-PARC. The detector was used with positive muons, Mu-(μ+ e- e-), p and H-, e- and UV light. The system overview and preliminary results are given. Special attention is paid to the spatial resolution of the beam profile monitor and online monitor software used during data taking.

The engineering design of the Tokamak Physics Experiment

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

Schmidt, J.A.

A mission and supporting physics objectives have been developed, which establishes an important role for the Tokamak Physics Experiment (TPX) in developing the physic basis for a future fusion reactor. The design of TPX include advanced physics features, such as shaping and profile control, along with the capability of operating for very long pulses. The development of the superconducting magnets, actively cooled internal hardware, and remote maintenance will be an important technology contribution to future fusion projects, such as ITER. The Conceptual Design and Management Systems for TPX have been developed and reviewed, and the project is beginning Preliminary Design.more » If adequately funded the construction project should be completed in the year 2000.« less

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS): applications in environmental issues

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Couris, Stelios; Hatziapostolou, A.; Anglos, Dmitrios; Mavromanolakis, A.; Fotakis, Costas

1996-11-01

Results are presented from three different applications of laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in problems of environmental interest. In one case, LIBS is applied in the on-line control of the nickel recovery process, by monitoring the nickel content of molten ferronickel slabs, in a laboratory scale experiment. In a second case, LIBS is used in the identification of polymer materials, and on the basis of spectral features, criteria are proposed for the distinction among different types of plastic materials. Also, in preliminary experiments, the use of LIBS with respect to the detection of heavy and toxic metals in paints and the possibility of performing depth profile analysis of multiple paint layers is examined.

Nasal Airway Microbiota Profile and Severe Bronchiolitis in Infants: A Case-control Study.

PubMed

Hasegawa, Kohei; Linnemann, Rachel W; Mansbach, Jonathan M; Ajami, Nadim J; Espinola, Janice A; Petrosino, Joseph F; Piedra, Pedro A; Stevenson, Michelle D; Sullivan, Ashley F; Thompson, Amy D; Camargo, Carlos A

2017-11-01

Little is known about the relationship of airway microbiota with bronchiolitis in infants. We aimed to identify nasal airway microbiota profiles and to determine their association with the likelihood of bronchiolitis in infants. A case-control study was conducted. As a part of a multicenter prospective study, we collected nasal airway samples from 40 infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis. We concurrently enrolled 110 age-matched healthy controls. By applying 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing and an unbiased clustering approach to these 150 nasal samples, we identified microbiota profiles and determined the association of microbiota profiles with likelihood of bronchiolitis. Overall, the median age was 3 months and 56% were male. Unbiased clustering of airway microbiota identified 4 distinct profiles: Moraxella-dominant profile (37%), Corynebacterium/Dolosigranulum-dominant profile (27%), Staphylococcus-dominant profile (15%) and mixed profile (20%). Proportion of bronchiolitis was lowest in infants with Moraxella-dominant profile (14%) and highest in those with Staphylococcus-dominant profile (57%), corresponding to an odds ratio of 7.80 (95% confidence interval, 2.64-24.9; P < 0.001). In the multivariable model, the association between Staphylococcus-dominant profile and greater likelihood of bronchiolitis persisted (odds ratio for comparison with Moraxella-dominant profile, 5.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.26-22.9; P = 0.03). By contrast, Corynebacterium/Dolosigranulum-dominant profile group had low proportion of infants with bronchiolitis (17%); the likelihood of bronchiolitis in this group did not significantly differ from those with Moraxella-dominant profile in both unadjusted and adjusted analyses. In this case-control study, we identified 4 distinct nasal airway microbiota profiles in infants. Moraxella-dominant and Corynebacterium/Dolosigranulum-dominant profiles were associated with low likelihood of bronchiolitis, while Staphylococcus-dominant profile was associated with high likelihood of bronchiolitis.

Motivational profiles of medical students: association with study effort, academic performance and exhaustion.

PubMed

Kusurkar, Rashmi A; Croiset, Gerda; Galindo-Garré, Francisca; Ten Cate, Olle

2013-06-19

Students enter the medical study with internally generated motives like genuine interest (intrinsic motivation) and/or externally generated motives like parental pressure or desire for status or prestige (controlled motivation). According to Self-determination theory (SDT), students could differ in their study effort, academic performance and adjustment to the study depending on the endorsement of intrinsic motivation versus controlled motivation. The objectives of this study were to generate motivational profiles of medical students using combinations of high or low intrinsic and controlled motivation and test whether different motivational profiles are associated with different study outcomes. Participating students (N = 844) from University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands, were classified to different subgroups through K-means cluster analysis using intrinsic and controlled motivation scores. Cluster membership was used as an independent variable to assess differences in study strategies, self-study hours, academic performance and exhaustion from study. Four clusters were obtained: High Intrinsic High Controlled (HIHC), Low Intrinsic High Controlled (LIHC), High Intrinsic Low Controlled (HILC), and Low Intrinsic Low Controlled (LILC). HIHC profile, including the students who are interest + status motivated, constituted 25.2% of the population (N = 213). HILC profile, including interest-motivated students, constituted 26.1% of the population (N = 220). LIHC profile, including status-motivated students, constituted 31.8% of the population (N = 268). LILC profile, including students who have a low-motivation and are neither interest nor status motivated, constituted 16.9% of the population (N = 143). Interest-motivated students (HILC) had significantly more deep study strategy (p < 0.001) and self-study hours (p < 0.05), higher GPAs (p < 0.001) and lower exhaustion (p < 0.001) than status-motivated (LIHC) and low-motivation (LILC) students. The interest-motivated profile of medical students (HILC) is associated with good study hours, deep study strategy, good academic performance and low exhaustion from study. The interest + status motivated profile (HIHC) was also found to be associated with a good learning profile, except that students with this profile showed higher surface strategy. Low-motivation (LILC) and status-motivated profiles (LIHC) were associated with the least desirable learning behaviours.

Optimized ECR plasma apparatus with varied microwave window thickness

DOEpatents

Berry, L.A.

1995-11-14

The present invention describes a technique to control the radial profile of microwave power in an ECR plasma discharge. In order to provide for a uniform plasma density to a specimen, uniform energy absorption by the plasma is desired. By controlling the radial profile of the microwave power transmitted through the microwave window of a reactor, the profile of the transmitted energy to the plasma can be controlled in order to have uniform energy absorption by the plasma. An advantage of controlling the profile using the window transmission characteristics is that variations to the radial profile of microwave power can be made without changing the microwave coupler or reactor design. 9 figs.

Granular flow in a rotating drum: Experiments and theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hung, C. Y.; Stark, C. P.; Capart, H.; Li, L.; Smith, B.; Grinspun, E.

2015-12-01

Erosion at the base of a debris flow fundamentally controls how large the flow will become and how far it will travel. Experimental observations of this important phenomenon are rather limited, and this lack has led theoretical treatments to making ad hoc assumptions about the basal process. In light of this, we carried out a combination of laboratory experiments and theoretical analysis of granular flow in a rotating drum, a canonical example of steady grain motion in which entrainment rates can be precisely controlled. Our main result is that basal sediment is entrained as the velocity profile adjusts to imbalance in the flow of kinetic energy.Our experimental apparatus consisted of a 40cm-diameter drum, 4cm-deep, half-filled with 2.3mm grains. Rotation rates varied from 1-70 rpm. We varied the effective scale by varying effective gravity from 1g to 70g on a geotechnical centrifuge. The field of grain motion was recorded using high-speed video and mapped using particle tracking velocimetry. In tandem we developed a depth-averaged theory using balance equations for mass, momentum and kinetic energy. We assumed a linearized GDR Midi granular rheology [da Cruz, 2005] and a Coulomb friction law along the sidewalls [Jop et al., 2005]. A scaling analysis of our equations yields a dimensionless "entrainment number" En, which neatly parametrizes the flow geometry in the drum for a wide range of variables, e.g., rotation rate and effective gravity. At low En, the flow profile is planar and kinetic energy is balanced locally in the flow layer. At high En, the flow profile is sigmoidal (yin-yang shaped) and the kinetic energy is dominated by longitudinal, streamwise transfer. We observe different scaling behavior under each of these flow regimes, e.g., between En and kinetic energy, surface slope and flow depth. Our theory correctly predicts their scaling exponents and the value of En at which the regime transition takes place. We are also able to make corrections for Coriolis and dilation effects that improve the match between theory and experiment.

Electrokinetic enhancement on phytoremediation in Zn, Pb, Cu and Cd contaminated soil using potato plants.

PubMed

Aboughalma, Hanssan; Bi, Ran; Schlaak, Michael

2008-07-01

The use of a combination of electrokinetic remediation and phytoremediation to decontaminate soil polluted with heavy metals has been demonstrated in a laboratory-scale experiment. Potato tubers were planted in plastic vessels filled with Zn, Pb, Cu and Cd contaminated soil and grown in a greenhouse. Three of these vessels were treated with direct current electric field (DC), three with alternative current (AC) and three remained untreated as control vessels. The soil pH varied from anode to cathode with a minimum of pH 3 near the anode and a maximum of pH 8 near the cathode in the DC treated soil profile. There was an accumulation of Zn, Cu and Cd at about 12 cm distance from anode when soil pH was 5 in the DC treated soil profile. There was no significant metal redistribution and pH variation between anode and cathode in the AC soil profile. The biomass production of the plants was 72% higher under AC treatment and 27% lower under DC treatment compared to the control. Metal accumulation was generally higher in the plant roots treated with electrical fields than the control. The overall metal uptake in plant shoots was lower under DC treatment compared to AC treatment and control, although there was a higher accumulation of Zn and Cu in the plant roots treated with electrical fields. The Zn uptake in plant shoots under AC treatment was higher compared to the control and DC treatment. Zn and Cu accumulation in the plant roots under AC and DC treatment was similar, and both were higher comparing to control. Cd content in plant roots under all three treatments was found to be higher than that in the soil. The Pb accumulation in the roots and the uptake into the shoots was lower compared to its content in the soil.

Music psychopathology. II. Assessment of musical expression.

PubMed

Steinberg, R; Raith, L

1985-01-01

A short polarity profile which was well suited for the assessment of the musical expression of performances recorded from mentally ill patients and controls is described. 9 out of 12 polarities showed sufficient differentiating qualities, ranging from professional to poor amateur performances. Only 3 polarities had to be reformulated. The assessments of the 3 experts had a high interrater reliability and retest stability. The very significant correlation between the results of the experts and 50 independent subjects indicates the validity of the experiment.

User definition and mission requirements for unmanned airborne platforms, revised

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kuhner, M. B.; Mcdowell, J. R.

1979-01-01

The airborne measurement requirements of the scientific and applications experiment user community were assessed with respect to the suitability of proposed strawman airborne platforms. These platforms provide a spectrum of measurement capabilities supporting associated mission tradeoffs such as payload weight, operating altitude, range, duration, flight profile control, deployment flexibility, quick response, and recoverability. The results of the survey are used to examine whether the development of platforms is warranted and to determine platform system requirements as well as research and technology needs.

ARM - Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E): Multi-Frequency Profilers, 449 MHz Profiler(williams-449_prof)

DOE Data Explorer

Williams, Christopher; Jensen, Mike

2012-11-06

This data was collected by the NOAA 449-MHz and 2.8-GHz profilers in support of the Department of Energy (DOE) and NASA sponsored Mid-latitude Continental Convective Cloud Experiment (MC3E). The profiling radars were deployed in Northern Oklahoma at the DOE Atmospheric Radiation Mission (ARM) Southern Great Plans (SGP) Central Facility from 22 April through 6 June 2011. NOAA deployed three instruments: a Parsivel disdrometer, a 2.8-GHz profiler, and a 449-MHz profiler. The parasivel provided surface estimates of the raindrop size distribution and is the reference used to absolutely calibrate the 2.8 GHz profiler. The 2.8-GHz profiler provided unattenuated reflectivity profiles of the precipitation. The 449-MHz profiler provided estimates of the vertical air motion during precipitation from near the surface to just below the freezing level. By using the combination of 2.8-GHz and 449-MHz profiler observations, vertical profiles of raindrop size distributions can be retrieved. The profilers are often reference by their frequency band: the 2.8-GHz profiler operates in the S-band and the 449-MHz profiler operates in the UHF band. The raw observations are available as well as calibrated spectra and moments. This document describes how the instruments were deployed, how the data was collected, and the format of the archived data.

Changes of soil functional diversity induced by the use of different fertilizers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Onica, Bogdan-Mihai; Sandor, Valentina; Brad, Traian; Vidican, Roxana; Sandor, Mignon

2017-04-01

Agricultural practices like fertilization can change the structure and function of soil microbial community. Monitoring and assessing the soil microbiota and its dynamic related to different factors can be a powerful tool for understanding basic and applied ecological contexts. An important tool to assess changes of community level physiological profile is MicroResp, a colorimetric method that uses a 96-well microtitre plate, 16 carbon sources and a detection plate to quantify the respiratory activity of the soil microbial community. The main objective of this work is to assess the changes of the community level physiological profile when different fertilizers were used. In order to achieve this goal, a microcosm experiment was designed and performed under controlled temperature and humidity, and the soil samples were analyzed using the MicroResp technique. The experiment was designed with two types of soil (chernozem and luvisol), four types of fertilizers (mineral fertilizer, mustard as green manure, slurry manure and cattle manure) with three replicates for each and a control. Soil samples analyzed with MicroResp technique were prepared and loaded into the deep-well plates and incubated for six hours at 25 oC with the 15 carbon sources which were used at the concentration of 30 mg g-1 soil H2O, one in each well and water as control. The detection plates were read with a spectrophotometer before and after six hours incubation at a wavelength of 570 nm. Highest respiratory activity between the two types of soil used in experiment was given by the luvisol compared with chernozem. Regarding to the differences between the types of fertilizers, we observed that the highest microbial metabolic activity was given by green manure followed in order by cattle manure, slurry manure, control and mineral fertilizer with the lowest respiratory values. This pattern was same for both soils. However, highest respiratory activity was given by α-ketoglutaric acid, malic acid, oxalic acid, citric acid carbon sources, while the lowest respiratory activity was obtained in case of arginine.

Microwave Temperature Profiler Mounted in a Standard Airborne Research Canister

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mahoney, Michael J.; Denning, Richard F.; Fox, Jack

2009-01-01

Many atmospheric research aircraft use a standard canister design to mount instruments, as this significantly facilitates their electrical and mechanical integration and thereby reduces cost. Based on more than 30 years of airborne science experience with the Microwave Temperature Profiler (MTP), the MTP has been repackaged with state-of-the-art electronics and other design improvements to fly in one of these standard canisters. All of the controlling electronics are integrated on a single 4 5-in. (.10 13- cm) multi-layer PCB (printed circuit board) with surface-mount hardware. Improved circuit design, including a self-calibrating RTD (resistive temperature detector) multiplexer, was implemented in order to reduce the size and mass of the electronics while providing increased capability. A new microcontroller-based temperature controller board was designed, providing better control with fewer components. Five such boards are used to provide local control of the temperature in various areas of the instrument, improving radiometric performance. The new stepper motor has an embedded controller eliminating the need for a separate controller board. The reference target is heated to avoid possible emissivity (and hence calibration) changes due to moisture contamination in humid environments, as well as avoiding issues with ambient targets during ascent and descent. The radiometer is a double-sideband heterodyne receiver tuned sequentially to individual oxygen emission lines near 60 GHz, with the line selection and intermediate frequency bandwidths chosen to accommodate the altitude range of the aircraft and mission.

Autonomous, Controlled, and Amotivated Types of Academic Motivation: A Person-Oriented Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ratelle, Catherine F.; Guay, Frederic; Vallerand, Robert J.; Larose, Simon; Senecal, Caroline

2007-01-01

The authors investigated students' profiles regarding autonomous, controlled, and amotivated regulation and tested whether profile groups differed on some academic adjustment outcomes. Studies 1 and 2 performed on high school students revealed 3 profiles: (a) students with high levels of both controlled motivation and amotivation but low levels of…

Field versus laboratory experiments to evaluate the fate of azoxystrobin in an amended vineyard soil.

PubMed

Herrero-Hernández, E; Marín-Benito, J M; Andrades, M S; Sánchez-Martín, M J; Rodríguez-Cruz, M S

2015-11-01

This study reports the effect that adding spent mushroom substrate (SMS) to a representative vineyard soil from La Rioja region (Spain) has on the behaviour of azoxystrobin in two different environmental scenarios. Field dissipation experiments were conducted on experimental plots amended at rates of 50 and 150 t ha(-1), and similar dissipation experiments were simultaneously conducted in the laboratory to identify differences under controlled conditions. Azoxystrobin dissipation followed biphasic kinetics in both scenarios, although the initial dissipation phase was much faster in the field than in the laboratory experiments, and the half-life (DT50) values obtained in the two experiments were 0.34-46.3 days and 89.2-148 days, respectively. Fungicide residues in the soil profile increased in the SMS amended soil and they were much higher in the top two layers (0-20 cm) than in deeper layers. The persistence of fungicide in the soil profile is consistent with changes in azoxystrobin adsorption by unamended and amended soils over time. Changes in the dehydrogenase activity (DHA) of soils under different treatments assayed in the field and in the laboratory indicated that SMS and the fungicide had a stimulatory effect on soil DHA. The results reveal that the laboratory studies usually reported in the literature to explain the fate of pesticides in amended soils are insufficient to explain azoxystrobin behaviour under real conditions. Field studies are necessary to set up efficient applications of SMS and fungicide, with a view to preventing the possible risk of water contamination. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Use of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry to analyze the molecular profile of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms grown on glass and plastic surfaces.

PubMed

Pereira, Flávio D E S; Bonatto, Cínthia C; Lopes, Cláudio A P; Pereira, Alex L; Silva, Luciano P

2015-09-01

Biofilms are microbial sessile communities attached to surfaces that are known for causing many medical problems. A bacterial biofilm of clinical relevance is formed by the gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa. During the formation of a biofilm, the initial adhesion of the cells is of crucial importance, and the characteristics of the contact surface have great influence on this step. In the present study, we aimed to use matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) profiling as a new methodology to monitor P. aeruginosa biofilm development. Biofilms were grown within polypropylene tubes containing a glass slide, and were harvested after 3, 5, 7, 9, or 12 days of inoculation. Planktonic cells were obtained separately by centrifugation as control. Two independent MALDI-TOF experiments were performed, one by collecting biofilms from both the glass slide and the polypropylene tube internal surface, and the other by acquiring biofilms from these surfaces separately. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to evaluate the morphological progression of the biofilm. The molecular results showed that MALDI profiling is able not only to distinguish between different biofilm stages, but it is also appropriate to indicate when the biofilm cells are released at the dispersion stage, which occurred first on polypropylene surface. Finally, the present study pointed out that MALDI profiling may emerge as a promising tool for the clinical diagnostic and prognostic workup of biofilms formation and control. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Coupled Diffusion and Reaction Processes in Rock Matrices: Impact on Dilute Groundwater Plumes

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-12-28

28 Figure 3.5.6 Plastic dish used for permanganate diffusion experiment ........................................ 32 Figure 3.6.5...Manganese profiles following permanganate experiments ................................... 78 Figure 4.4.4.3 Carbon profiles...Figure A.3 SEM images and EDS spectra of permanganate -reacted surfaces ........................... 107

Brain gene expression during REM sleep depends on prior waking experience.

PubMed

Ribeiro, S; Goyal, V; Mello, C V; Pavlides, C

1999-01-01

In most mammalian species studied, two distinct and successive phases of sleep, slow wave (SW), and rapid eye movement (REM), can be recognized on the basis of their EEG profiles and associated behaviors. Both phases have been implicated in the offline sensorimotor processing of daytime events, but the molecular mechanisms remain elusive. We studied brain expression of the plasticity-associated immediate-early gene (IEG) zif-268 during SW and REM sleep in rats exposed to rich sensorimotor experience in the preceding waking period. Whereas nonexposed controls show generalized zif-268 down-regulation during SW and REM sleep, zif-268 is upregulated during REM sleep in the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus of exposed animals. We suggest that this phenomenon represents a window of increased neuronal plasticity during REM sleep that follows enriched waking experience.

Quality Control of Wind Data from 50-MHz Doppler Radar Wind Profiler

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vacek, Austin

2016-01-01

Upper-level wind profiles obtained from a 50-MHz Doppler Radar Wind Profiler (DRWP) instrument at Kennedy Space Center are incorporated in space launch vehicle design and day-of-launch operations to assess wind effects on the vehicle during ascent. Automated and manual quality control (QC) techniques are implemented to remove spurious data in the upper-level wind profiles caused from atmospheric and non-atmospheric artifacts over the 2010-2012 period of record (POR). By adding the new quality controlled profiles with older profiles from 1997-2009, a robust database will be constructed of upper-level wind characteristics. Statistical analysis will determine the maximum, minimum, and 95th percentile of the wind components from the DRWP profiles over recent POR and compare against the older database. Additionally, this study identifies specific QC flags triggered during the QC process to understand how much data is retained and removed from the profiles.

Quality Control of Wind Data from 50-MHz Doppler Radar Wind Profiler

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vacek, Austin

2015-01-01

Upper-level wind profiles obtained from a 50-MHz Doppler Radar Wind Profiler (DRWP) instrument at Kennedy Space Center are incorporated in space launch vehicle design and day-of-launch operations to assess wind effects on the vehicle during ascent. Automated and manual quality control (QC) techniques are implemented to remove spurious data in the upper-level wind profiles caused from atmospheric and non-atmospheric artifacts over the 2010-2012 period of record (POR). By adding the new quality controlled profiles with older profiles from 1997-2009, a robust database will be constructed of upper-level wind characteristics. Statistical analysis will determine the maximum, minimum, and 95th percentile of the wind components from the DRWP profiles over recent POR and compare against the older database. Additionally, this study identifies specific QC flags triggered during the QC process to understand how much data is retained and removed from the profiles.

A manufacturing error measurement methodology for a rotary vector reducer cycloidal gear based on a gear measuring center

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Tianxing; Zhou, Junxiang; Deng, Xiaozhong; Li, Jubo; Xing, Chunrong; Su, Jianxin; Wang, Huiliang

2018-07-01

A manufacturing error of a cycloidal gear is the key factor affecting the transmission accuracy of a robot rotary vector (RV) reducer. A methodology is proposed to realize the digitized measurement and data processing of the cycloidal gear manufacturing error based on the gear measuring center, which can quickly and accurately measure and evaluate the manufacturing error of the cycloidal gear by using both the whole tooth profile measurement and a single tooth profile measurement. By analyzing the particularity of the cycloidal profile and its effect on the actual meshing characteristics of the RV transmission, the cycloid profile measurement strategy is planned, and the theoretical profile model and error measurement model of cycloid-pin gear transmission are established. Through the digital processing technology, the theoretical trajectory of the probe and the normal vector of the measured point are calculated. By means of precision measurement principle and error compensation theory, a mathematical model for the accurate calculation and data processing of manufacturing error is constructed, and the actual manufacturing error of the cycloidal gear is obtained by the optimization iterative solution. Finally, the measurement experiment of the cycloidal gear tooth profile is carried out on the gear measuring center and the HEXAGON coordinate measuring machine, respectively. The measurement results verify the correctness and validity of the measurement theory and method. This methodology will provide the basis for the accurate evaluation and the effective control of manufacturing precision of the cycloidal gear in a robot RV reducer.

Ray Meta: scalable de novo metagenome assembly and profiling

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Voluminous parallel sequencing datasets, especially metagenomic experiments, require distributed computing for de novo assembly and taxonomic profiling. Ray Meta is a massively distributed metagenome assembler that is coupled with Ray Communities, which profiles microbiomes based on uniquely-colored k-mers. It can accurately assemble and profile a three billion read metagenomic experiment representing 1,000 bacterial genomes of uneven proportions in 15 hours with 1,024 processor cores, using only 1.5 GB per core. The software will facilitate the processing of large and complex datasets, and will help in generating biological insights for specific environments. Ray Meta is open source and available at http://denovoassembler.sf.net. PMID:23259615

First Ionospheric Results From the MAVEN Radio Occultation Science Experiment (ROSE)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Withers, Paul; Felici, M.; Mendillo, M.; Moore, L.; Narvaez, C.; Vogt, M. F.; Jakosky, B. M.

2018-05-01

Radio occultation observations of the ionosphere of Mars can span the full vertical extent of the ionosphere, in contrast to in situ measurements that rarely sample the main region of the ionosphere. However, most existing radio occultation electron density profiles from Mars were acquired without clear context for the solar forcing or magnetospheric conditions, which presents challenges for the interpretation of these profiles. Here we present 48 ionospheric electron density profiles acquired by the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN mission (MAVEN) Radio Occultation Science Experiment (ROSE) from 5 July 2016 to 27 June 2017 at solar zenith angles of 54° to 101°. Latitude coverage is excellent, and comprehensive context for the interpretation of these profiles is provided by other MAVEN instruments. The profiles show a 9-km increase in ionospheric peak altitude in January 2017 that is associated with a lower atmospheric dust storm, variations in electron densities in the M1 layer that cannot be explained by variations in the solar soft X-ray flux, and topside electron densities that are larger in strongly magnetized regions than in weakly magnetized regions. MAVEN Radio Occultation Science Experiment electron density profiles are publicly available on the NASA Planetary Data System.

ARM - Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E): Multi-Frequency Profilers, S-band Radar (williams-s_band)

DOE Data Explorer

Williams, Christopher

2012-11-06

This data was collected by the NOAA 449-MHz and 2.8-GHz profilers in support of the Department of Energy (DOE) and NASA sponsored Mid-latitude Continental Convective Cloud Experiment (MC3E). The profiling radars were deployed in Northern Oklahoma at the DOE Atmospheric Radiation Mission (ARM) Southern Great Plans (SGP) Central Facility from 22 April through 6 June 2011. NOAA deployed three instruments: a Parsivel disdrometer, a 2.8-GHz profiler, and a 449-MHz profiler. The parasivel provided surface estimates of the raindrop size distribution and is the reference used to absolutely calibrate the 2.8 GHz profiler. The 2.8-GHz profiler provided unattenuated reflectivity profiles of the precipitation. The 449-MHz profiler provided estimates of the vertical air motion during precipitation from near the surface to just below the freezing level. By using the combination of 2.8-GHz and 449-MHz profiler observations, vertical profiles of raindrop size distributions can be retrieved. The profilers are often reference by their frequency band: the 2.8-GHz profiler operates in the S-band and the 449-MHz profiler operates in the UHF band. The raw observations are available as well as calibrated spectra and moments. This document describes how the instruments were deployed, how the data was collected, and the format of the archived data.

ARM - Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E): Multi-Frequency Profilers, Surface Meteorology (williams-surfmet)

DOE Data Explorer

Williams, Christopher; Jensen, Mike

2012-11-06

This data was collected by the NOAA 449-MHz and 2.8-GHz profilers in support of the Department of Energy (DOE) and NASA sponsored Mid-latitude Continental Convective Cloud Experiment (MC3E). The profiling radars were deployed in Northern Oklahoma at the DOE Atmospheric Radiation Mission (ARM) Southern Great Plans (SGP) Central Facility from 22 April through 6 June 2011. NOAA deployed three instruments: a Parsivel disdrometer, a 2.8-GHz profiler, and a 449-MHz profiler. The parasivel provided surface estimates of the raindrop size distribution and is the reference used to absolutely calibrate the 2.8 GHz profiler. The 2.8-GHz profiler provided unattenuated reflectivity profiles of the precipitation. The 449-MHz profiler provided estimates of the vertical air motion during precipitation from near the surface to just below the freezing level. By using the combination of 2.8-GHz and 449-MHz profiler observations, vertical profiles of raindrop size distributions can be retrieved. The profilers are often reference by their frequency band: the 2.8-GHz profiler operates in the S-band and the 449-MHz profiler operates in the UHF band. The raw observations are available as well as calibrated spectra and moments. This document describes how the instruments were deployed, how the data was collected, and the format of the archived data.

ARM - Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E): Multi-Frequency Profilers, Parcivel Disdrometer (williams-disdro)

DOE Data Explorer

Williams, Christopher; Jensen, Mike

2012-11-06

This data was collected by the NOAA 449-MHz and 2.8-GHz profilers in support of the Department of Energy (DOE) and NASA sponsored Mid-latitude Continental Convective Cloud Experiment (MC3E). The profiling radars were deployed in Northern Oklahoma at the DOE Atmospheric Radiation Mission (ARM) Southern Great Plans (SGP) Central Facility from 22 April through 6 June 2011. NOAA deployed three instruments: a Parsivel disdrometer, a 2.8-GHz profiler, and a 449-MHz profiler. The parasivel provided surface estimates of the raindrop size distribution and is the reference used to absolutely calibrate the 2.8 GHz profiler. The 2.8-GHz profiler provided unattenuated reflectivity profiles of the precipitation. The 449-MHz profiler provided estimates of the vertical air motion during precipitation from near the surface to just below the freezing level. By using the combination of 2.8-GHz and 449-MHz profiler observations, vertical profiles of raindrop size distributions can be retrieved. The profilers are often reference by their frequency band: the 2.8-GHz profiler operates in the S-band and the 449-MHz profiler operates in the UHF band. The raw observations are available as well as calibrated spectra and moments. This document describes how the instruments were deployed, how the data was collected, and the format of the archived data.

ARM - Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E): Multi-Frequency Profilers, Vertical Air Motion (williams-vertair)

DOE Data Explorer

Williams, Christopher; Jensen, Mike

2012-11-06

This data was collected by the NOAA 449-MHz and 2.8-GHz profilers in support of the Department of Energy (DOE) and NASA sponsored Mid-latitude Continental Convective Cloud Experiment (MC3E). The profiling radars were deployed in Northern Oklahoma at the DOE Atmospheric Radiation Mission (ARM) Southern Great Plans (SGP) Central Facility from 22 April through 6 June 2011. NOAA deployed three instruments: a Parsivel disdrometer, a 2.8-GHz profiler, and a 449-MHz profiler. The parasivel provided surface estimates of the raindrop size distribution and is the reference used to absolutely calibrate the 2.8 GHz profiler. The 2.8-GHz profiler provided unattenuated reflectivity profiles of the precipitation. The 449-MHz profiler provided estimates of the vertical air motion during precipitation from near the surface to just below the freezing level. By using the combination of 2.8-GHz and 449-MHz profiler observations, vertical profiles of raindrop size distributions can be retrieved. The profilers are often reference by their frequency band: the 2.8-GHz profiler operates in the S-band and the 449-MHz profiler operates in the UHF band. The raw observations are available as well as calibrated spectra and moments. This document describes how the instruments were deployed, how the data was collected, and the format of the archived data.

Day-to-day dynamics of experience–cortisol associations in a population-based sample of older adults

PubMed Central

Adam, Emma K.; Hawkley, Louise C.; Kudielka, Brigitte M.; Cacioppo, John T.

2006-01-01

In 156 older adults, day-to-day variations in cortisol diurnal rhythms were predicted from both prior-day and same-day experiences, to examine the temporal ordering of experience–cortisol associations in naturalistic environments. Diary reports of daily psychosocial, emotional, and physical states were completed at bedtime on each of three consecutive days. Salivary cortisol levels were measured at wakeup, 30 min after awakening, and at bedtime each day. Multilevel growth curve modeling was used to estimate diurnal cortisol profiles for each person each day. The parameters defining those profiles (wakeup level, diurnal slope, and cortisol awakening response) were predicted simultaneously from day-before and same-day experiences. Prior-day feelings of loneliness, sadness, threat, and lack of control were associated with a higher cortisol awakening response the next day, but morning awakening responses did not predict experiences of these states later the same day. Same-day, but not prior-day, feelings of tension and anger were associated with flatter diurnal cortisol rhythms, primarily because of their association with higher same-day evening cortisol levels. Although wakeup cortisol levels were not predicted by prior-day levels of fatigue and physical symptoms, low wakeup cortisol predicted higher levels of fatigue and physical symptoms later that day. Results are consistent with a dynamic and transactional function of cortisol as both a transducer of psychosocial and emotional experience into physiological activation and an influence on feelings of energy and physical well-being. PMID:17075058

Transport and Retention of Emulsion Droplets in Sandy Porous Media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Esahani, S. G.; Muller, K.; Chapra, S. C.; Ramsburg, A.

2014-12-01

Emulsions are commonly used as amendments during remediation; yet, the processes controlling the distribution of droplets within the subsurface are not well understood. Given that inadequate spatial and/or temporal delivery of amendments often leads to ineffective treatment, there is a need to better understand emulsion transport. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the transport and retention of emulsion droplets in columns containing Ottawa sands. Breakthrough curves and deposition profiles from these experiments were interrogated using a mathematical model capable of describing attachment, detachment, and straining to begin to elucidate the physical processes controlling delivery. Emulsions were constructed by stabilizing soybean oil droplets within a continuous aqueous phase. Physical properties of the resulting oil-in-water emulsions were favorable for subsurface delivery (nominal properties: 1 g/mL density; 10 cP viscosity; and 1.5 μm droplet d50). Emulsions were introduced to the columns for approximately two pore volumes and followed by an extended flush of background solution. Effluent droplet size distributions did not vary significantly over the course of the experiment and remained similar to those measured for the influent emulsion. Emulsion breakthrough curves exhibited tailing, and deposition profiles were found to be hyper-exponential and unaffected by extended periods of background flow. Depending on emulsion composition and flow characteristics, 10-30% of the injected emulsion was retained on the sand suggesting a non-negligible influence on accessible porosity over the course of the experiment. Experimental results were further interpreted using a droplet transport model that accounts for temporal and spatial variation in porosity due to the retention of the emulsion droplets. At present the model assumes a uniform size distribution of inelastic emulsion droplets which are transported by advection and dispersion, and exchanged with the solid phase through attachment, detachment, and straining processes. Results examine the relative roles of attachment-detachment and straining in reducing the accessible porosity. Evaluation of how the porosity change influences the flow regime for moderately and slightly clogged media is currently under investigation.

Improving GEOS-5 seven day forecast skill by assimilation of quality controlled AIRS temperature profiles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Susskind, J.; Rosenberg, R. I.

2016-12-01

The GEOS-5 Data Assimilation System (DAS) generates a global analysis every six hours by combining the previous six hour forecast for that time period with contemporaneous observations. These observations include in-situ observations as well as those taken by satellite borne instruments, such as AIRS/AMSU on EOS Aqua and CrIS/ATMS on S-NPP. Operational data assimilation methodology assimilates observed channel radiances Ri for IR sounding instruments such as AIRS and CrIS, but only for those channels i in a given scene whose radiances are thought to be unaffected by clouds. A limitation of this approach is that radiances in most tropospheric sounding channels are affected by clouds under partial cloud cover conditions, which occurs most of the time. The AIRS Science Team Version-6 retrieval algorithm generates cloud cleared radiances (CCR's) for each channel in a given scene, which represent the radiances AIRS would have observed if the scene were cloud free, and then uses them to determine quality controlled (QC'd) temperature profiles T(p) under all cloud conditions. There are potential advantages to assimilate either AIRS QC'd CCR's or QC'd T(p) instead of Ri in that the spatial coverage of observations is greater under partial cloud cover. We tested these two alternate data assimilation approaches by running three parallel data assimilation experiments over different time periods using GEOS-5. Experiment 1 assimilated all observations as done operationally, Experiment 2 assimilated QC'd values of AIRS CCRs in place of AIRS radiances, and Experiment 3 assimilated QC'd values of T(p) in place of observed radiances. Assimilation of QC'd AIRS T(p) resulted in significant improvement in seven day forecast skill compared to assimilation of CCR's or assimilation of observed radiances, especially in the Southern Hemisphere Extra-tropics.

LPWA using supersonic gas jet with tailored density profile

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kononenko, O.; Bohlen, S.; Dale, J.; D'Arcy, R.; Dinter, M.; Erbe, J. H.; Indorf, G.; di Lucchio, L.; Goldberg, L.; Gruse, J. N.; Karstensen, S.; Libov, V.; Ludwig, K.; Martinez de La Ossa, A.; Marutzky, F.; Niroula, A.; Osterhoff, J.; Quast, M.; Schaper, L.; Schwinkendorf, J.-P.; Streeter, M.; Tauscher, G.; Weichert, S.; Palmer, C.; Horbatiuk, Taras

2016-10-01

Laser driven plasma wakefield accelerators have been explored as a potential compact, reproducible source of relativistic electron bunches, utilising an electric field of many GV/m. Control over injection of electrons into the wakefield is of crucial importance in producing stable, mono-energetic electron bunches. Density tailoring of the target, to control the acceleration process, can also be used to improve the quality of the bunch. By using gas jets to provide tailored targets it is possible to provide good access for plasma diagnostics while also producing sharp density gradients for density down-ramp injection. OpenFOAM hydrodynamic simulations were used to investigate the possibility of producing tailored density targets in a supersonic gas jet. Particle-in-cell simulations of the resulting density profiles modelled the effect of the tailored density on the properties of the accelerated electron bunch. Here, we present the simulation results together with preliminary experimental measurements of electron and x-ray properties from LPWA experiments using gas jet targets and a 25 TW, 25 fs Ti:Sa laser system at DESY.

Forming three-dimensional closed shapes from two-dimensional soft ribbons by controlled buckling

PubMed Central

Aoki, Michio

2018-01-01

Conventional manufacturing techniques—moulding, machining and casting—exist to produce three-dimensional (3D) shapes. However, these industrial processes are typically geared for mass production and are not directly applicable to residential settings, where inexpensive and versatile tools are desirable. Moreover, those techniques are, in general, not adequate to process soft elastic materials. Here, we introduce a new concept of forming 3D closed hollow shapes from two-dimensional (2D) elastic ribbons by controlled buckling. We numerically and experimentally characterize how the profile and thickness of the ribbon determine its buckled shape. We find a 2D master profile with which various elliptical 3D shapes can be formed. More complex natural and artificial hollow shapes, such as strawberry, hourglass and wheel, can also be achieved via strategic design and pattern engraving on the ribbons. The nonlinear response of the post-buckling regime is rationalized through finite-element analysis, which shows good quantitative agreement with experiments. This robust fabrication should complement conventional techniques and provide a rich arena for future studies on the mechanics and new applications of elastic hollow structures. PMID:29515894

Lower-Stratospheric Control of the Frequency of Sudden Stratospheric Warming Events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martineau, Patrick; Chen, Gang; Son, Seok-Woo; Kim, Joowan

2018-03-01

The sensitivity of stratospheric polar vortex variability to the basic-state stratospheric temperature profile is investigated by performing a parameter sweep experiment with a dry dynamical core general circulation model where the equilibrium temperature profiles in the polar lower and upper stratosphere are systematically varied. It is found that stratospheric variability is more sensitive to the temperature distribution in the lower stratosphere than in the upper stratosphere. In particular, a cold lower stratosphere favors a strong time-mean polar vortex with a large daily variability, promoting frequent sudden stratospheric warming events in the model runs forced with both wavenumber-1 and wavenumber-2 topographies. This sensitivity is explained by the control exerted by the lower-stratospheric basic state onto fluxes of planetary-scale wave activity from the troposphere to the stratosphere, confirming that the lower stratosphere can act like a valve for the upward propagation of wave activity. It is further shown that with optimal model parameters, stratospheric polar vortex climatology and variability mimicking Southern and Northern Hemisphere conditions are obtained with both wavenumber-1 and wavenumber-2 topographies.

Forming three-dimensional closed shapes from two-dimensional soft ribbons by controlled buckling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aoki, Michio; Juang, Jia-Yang

2018-02-01

Conventional manufacturing techniques-moulding, machining and casting-exist to produce three-dimensional (3D) shapes. However, these industrial processes are typically geared for mass production and are not directly applicable to residential settings, where inexpensive and versatile tools are desirable. Moreover, those techniques are, in general, not adequate to process soft elastic materials. Here, we introduce a new concept of forming 3D closed hollow shapes from two-dimensional (2D) elastic ribbons by controlled buckling. We numerically and experimentally characterize how the profile and thickness of the ribbon determine its buckled shape. We find a 2D master profile with which various elliptical 3D shapes can be formed. More complex natural and artificial hollow shapes, such as strawberry, hourglass and wheel, can also be achieved via strategic design and pattern engraving on the ribbons. The nonlinear response of the post-buckling regime is rationalized through finite-element analysis, which shows good quantitative agreement with experiments. This robust fabrication should complement conventional techniques and provide a rich arena for future studies on the mechanics and new applications of elastic hollow structures.

High-pressure and high-temperature neutron reflectometry cell for solid-fluid interface studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, P.; Lerner, A. H.; Taylor, M.; Baldwin, J. K.; Grubbs, R. K.; Majewski, J.; Hickmott, D. D.

2012-07-01

A new high pressure-temperature ( P - T Neutron Reflectometry (NR) cell developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is described that significantly extends the capabilities of solid/fluid interface investigations up to 200MPa ( ensuremath ˜ 30000 psi) and 200 ° C. The cell's simple aluminum construction makes it light and easy to operate while thinned neutron windows allow up to 74% neutron transmission. The wide-open neutron window geometry provides a maximum theoretical ensuremath Qz range of 0.31Å-1. Accurate T and P controls are integrated on the cell's control panel. Built-in powder wells provide the ability to saturate fluids with reactive solids, producing aqueous species and/or decomposing into gaseous phases. The cell is designed for samples up to 50.8mm in diameter and 10.0mm in thickness. An experiment investigating the high P - T corrosion behavior of aluminum on LANL's Surface ProfilE Analysis Reflectometer (SPEAR) is presented, demonstrating the functioning and capability of the cell. Finally, outlooks on high P - T NR applications and perspectives on future research are discussed.

BIOPACK: the ground controlled late access biological research facility.

PubMed

van Loon, Jack J W A

2004-03-01

Future Space Shuttle flights shall be characterized by activities necessary to further build the International Space Station, ISS. During these missions limited resources are available to conduct biological experiments in space. The Shuttles' Middeck is a very suitable place to conduct science during the ISS assembly missions or dedicated science missions. The BIOPACK, which flew its first mission during the STS-107, provides a versatile Middeck Locker based research tool for gravitational biology studies. The core facility occupies the space of only two Middeck Lockers. Experiment temperatures are controlled for bacteria, plant, invertebrate and mammalian cultures. Gravity levels and profiles can be set ranging from 0 to 2.0 x g on three independent centrifuges. This provides the experimenter with a 1.0 x g on-board reference and intermediate hypogravity and hypergravity data points to investigate e.g. threshold levels in biological responses. Temperature sensitive items can be stored in the facilities' -10 degrees C and +4 degrees C stowage areas. During STS-107 the facility also included a small glovebox (GBX) and passive temperature controlled units (PTCU). The GBX provides the experimenter with two extra levels of containment for safe sample handling. This biological research facility is a late access (L-10 hrs) laboratory, which, when reaching orbit, could automatically be starting up reducing important experiment lag-time and valuable crew time. The system is completely telecommanded when needed. During flight system parameters like temperatures, centrifuge speeds, experiment commanding or sensor readouts can be monitored and changed when needed. Although ISS provides a wide range of research facilities there is still need for an STS-based late access facility such as the BIOPACK providing experimenters with a very versatile research cabinet for biological experiments under microgravity and in-flight control conditions.

Laboratory studies of the diagenesis and mobility of 239,240pu and 137Cs in nearshore sediments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sholkovitz, Edward R.; Cochran, J. Kirk; Carey, Anne E.

1983-08-01

Controlled laboratory experiments have been used to study the diagenetic chemistry of 239,240Pu 137Cs, and 55Fe. Experiments using Buzzards Bay sediments in small tanks show that sulfate reduction is accompanied by the production of large pore water concentration gradients of alkalinity, phosphate, ammonia and dissolved organic carbon and the formation of subsurface maxima in Fe and Mn. These pore water profiles demonstrate that bacterially-mediated processes of organic matter degradation and redox reactions can be simulated in the laboratory. A vertical profile of 55Fe in pore waters is reported for the first time: it follows the profile of stable Fe and as such has a large (200 dpm/100 kg) subsurface maximum between 2-4 cm depth. Comparison of 55Fe/Fe ratios in sediments and pore waters shows that there is preferential solubilization of 55Fe over stable Fe. The pore water activities of 239,240Pu show no gradients within the large uncertainties of the counting statistics, but are two to four times higher than Buzzards Bay seawater (0.05 dpm/100 kg). The activity of 137Cs in the pore water profile is constant (40 dpm/100 kg) within the large counting uncertainties and is twice that of Buzzards Bay seawater. Cs-137 does not appear to be involved in diagenetic chemistry but may increase in pore waters as a result of ion exchange reactions. Flux estimates based on the pore water data show that remobilization and transport of 239,240 Pu in coastal sediments are not significant processes while the transport of l37Cs may be.

ARG1 Functions in the Physiological Adaptation of Undifferentiated Plant Cells to Spaceflight

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zupanska, Agata K.; Schultz, Eric R.; Yao, JiQiang; Sng, Natasha J.; Zhou, Mingqi; Callaham, Jordan B.; Ferl, Robert J.; Paul, Anna-Lisa

2017-11-01

Scientific access to spaceflight and especially the International Space Station has revealed that physiological adaptation to spaceflight is accompanied or enabled by changes in gene expression that significantly alter the transcriptome of cells in spaceflight. A wide range of experiments have shown that plant physiological adaptation to spaceflight involves gene expression changes that alter cell wall and other metabolisms. However, while transcriptome profiling aptly illuminates changes in gene expression that accompany spaceflight adaptation, mutation analysis is required to illuminate key elements required for that adaptation. Here we report how transcriptome profiling was used to gain insight into the spaceflight adaptation role of Altered response to gravity 1 (Arg1), a gene known to affect gravity responses in plants on Earth. The study compared expression profiles of cultured lines of Arabidopsis thaliana derived from wild-type (WT) cultivar Col-0 to profiles from a knock-out line deficient in the gene encoding ARG1 (ARG1 KO), both on the ground and in space. The cell lines were launched on SpaceX CRS-2 as part of the Cellular Expression Logic (CEL) experiment of the BRIC-17 spaceflight mission. The cultured cell lines were grown within 60 mm Petri plates in Petri Dish Fixation Units (PDFUs) that were housed within the Biological Research In Canisters (BRIC) hardware. Spaceflight samples were fixed on orbit. Differentially expressed genes were identified between the two environments (spaceflight and comparable ground controls) and the two genotypes (WT and ARG1 KO). Each genotype engaged unique genes during physiological adaptation to the spaceflight environment, with little overlap. Most of the genes altered in expression in spaceflight in WT cells were found to be Arg1-dependent, suggesting a major role for that gene in the physiological adaptation of undifferentiated cells to spaceflight.

Design of a microfluidic system for red blood cell aggregation investigation.

PubMed

Mehri, R; Mavriplis, C; Fenech, M

2014-06-01

The purpose of this paper is to design a microfluidic apparatus capable of providing controlled flow conditions suitable for red blood cell (RBC) aggregation analysis. The linear velocity engendered from the controlled flow provides constant shear rates used to qualitatively analyze RBC aggregates. The design of the apparatus is based on numerical and experimental work. The numerical work consists of 3D numerical simulations performed using a research computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver, Nek5000, while the experiments are conducted using a microparticle image velocimetry system. A Newtonian model is tested numerically and experimentally, then blood is tested experimentally under several conditions (hematocrit, shear rate, and fluid suspension) to be compared to the simulation results. We find that using a velocity ratio of 4 between the two Newtonian fluids, the layer corresponding to blood expands to fill 35% of the channel thickness where the constant shear rate is achieved. For blood experiments, the velocity profile in the blood layer is approximately linear, resulting in the desired controlled conditions for the study of RBC aggregation under several flow scenarios.

Insulin Aspart in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus: 15 Years of Clinical Experience.

PubMed

Hermansen, Kjeld; Bohl, Mette; Schioldan, Anne Grethe

2016-01-01

Limiting excessive postprandial glucose excursions is an important component of good overall glycemic control in diabetes mellitus. Pharmacokinetic studies have shown that insulin aspart, which is structurally identical to regular human insulin except for the replacement of a single proline amino acid with an aspartic acid residue, has a more physiologic time-action profile (i.e., reaches a higher peak and reaches that peak sooner) than regular human insulin. As expected with this improved pharmacokinetic profile, insulin aspart demonstrates a greater glucose-lowering effect compared with regular human insulin. Numerous randomized controlled trials and a meta-analysis have also demonstrated improved postprandial control with insulin aspart compared with regular human insulin in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, as well as efficacy and safety in children, pregnant patients, hospitalized patients, and patients using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. Studies have demonstrated that step-wise addition of insulin aspart is a viable intensification option for patients with type 2 diabetes failing on basal insulin. Insulin aspart has shown a good safety profile, with no evidence of increased receptor binding, mitogenicity, stimulation of anti-insulin antibodies, or hypoglycemia compared with regular human insulin. In one meta-analysis, there was evidence of a lower rate of nocturnal hypoglycemia compared with regular human insulin and, in a trial that specifically included patients with a history of recurrent hypoglycemia, a significantly lower rate of severe hypoglycemic episodes. The next generation of insulin aspart (faster-acting insulin aspart) is being developed with a view to further improving on these pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties.

Online monitoring of coffee roasting by proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS): towards a real-time process control for a consistent roast profile.

PubMed

Wieland, Flurin; Gloess, Alexia N; Keller, Marco; Wetzel, Andreas; Schenker, Stefan; Yeretzian, Chahan

2012-03-01

A real-time automated process control tool for coffee roasting is presented to consistently and accurately achieve a targeted roast degree. It is based on the online monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the off-gas of a drum roaster by proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry at a high time (1 Hz) and mass resolution (5,500 m/Δm at full width at half-maximum) and high sensitivity (better than parts per billion by volume). Forty-two roasting experiments were performed with the drum roaster being operated either on a low, medium or high hot-air inlet temperature (= energy input) and the coffee (Arabica from Antigua, Guatemala) being roasted to low, medium or dark roast degrees. A principal component analysis (PCA) discriminated, for each one of the three hot-air inlet temperatures, the roast degree with a resolution of better than ±1 Colorette. The 3D space of the three first principal components was defined based on 23 mass spectral profiles of VOCs and their roast degree at the end point of roasting. This provided a very detailed picture of the evolution of the roasting process and allowed establishment of a predictive model that projects the online-monitored VOC profile of the roaster off-gas in real time onto the PCA space defined by the calibration process and, ultimately, to control the coffee roasting process so as to achieve a target roast degree and a consistent roasting.

The intra-day dynamics of affect, self-esteem, tiredness, and suicidality in Major Depression.

PubMed

Crowe, Eimear; Daly, Michael; Delaney, Liam; Carroll, Susan; Malone, Kevin M

2018-02-21

Despite growing interest in the temporal dynamics of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), we know little about the intra-day fluctuations of key symptom constructs. In a study of momentary experience, the Experience Sampling Method captured the within-day dynamics of negative affect, positive affect, self-esteem, passive suicidality, and tiredness across clinical MDD (N= 31) and healthy control groups (N= 33). Ten symptom measures were taken per day over 6 days (N= 2231 observations). Daily dynamics were modeled via intra-day time-trends, variability, and instability in symptoms. MDD participants showed significantly increased variability and instability in negative affect, positive affect, self-esteem, and suicidality. Significantly different time-trends were found in positive affect (increased diurnal variation and an inverted U-shaped pattern in MDD, compared to a positive linear trend in controls) and tiredness (decreased diurnal variation in MDD). In the MDD group only, passive suicidality displayed a negative linear trend and self-esteem displayed a quadratic inverted U trend. MDD and control participants thus showed distinct dynamic profiles in all symptoms measured. As well as the overall severity of symptoms, intra-day dynamics appear to define the experience of MDD symptoms. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Metabolic Profiling of Alpine and Ecuadorian Lichens.

PubMed

Mittermeier, Verena K; Schmitt, Nicola; Volk, Lukas P M; Suárez, Juan Pablo; Beck, Andreas; Eisenreich, Wolfgang

2015-10-01

Non-targeted ¹H-NMR methods were used to determine metabolite profiles from crude extracts of Alpine and Ecuadorian lichens collected from their natural habitats. In control experiments, the robustness of metabolite detection and quantification was estimated using replicate measurements of Stereocaulon alpinum extracts. The deviations in the overall metabolite fingerprints were low when analyzing S. alpinum collections from different locations or during different annual and seasonal periods. In contrast, metabolite profiles observed from extracts of different Alpine and Ecuadorian lichens clearly revealed genus- and species-specific profiles. The discriminating functions determining cluster formation in principle component analysis (PCA) were due to differences in the amounts of genus-specific compounds such as sticticin from the Sticta species, but also in the amounts of ubiquitous metabolites, such as sugar alcohols or trehalose. However, varying concentrations of these metabolites from the same lichen species e.g., due to different environmental conditions appeared of minor relevance for the overall cluster formation in PCA. The metabolic clusters matched phylogenetic analyses using nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of lichen mycobionts, as exemplified for the genus Sticta. It can be concluded that NMR-based non-targeted metabolic profiling is a useful tool in the chemo-taxonomy of lichens. The same approach could also facilitate the discovery of novel lichen metabolites on a rapid and systematical basis.

Tractable flux-driven temperature, density, and rotation profile evolution with the quasilinear gyrokinetic transport model QuaLiKiz

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Citrin, J.; Bourdelle, C.; Casson, F. J.; Angioni, C.; Bonanomi, N.; Camenen, Y.; Garbet, X.; Garzotti, L.; Görler, T.; Gürcan, O.; Koechl, F.; Imbeaux, F.; Linder, O.; van de Plassche, K.; Strand, P.; Szepesi, G.; Contributors, JET

2017-12-01

Quasilinear turbulent transport models are a successful tool for prediction of core tokamak plasma profiles in many regimes. Their success hinges on the reproduction of local nonlinear gyrokinetic fluxes. We focus on significant progress in the quasilinear gyrokinetic transport model QuaLiKiz (Bourdelle et al 2016 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 58 014036), which employs an approximated solution of the mode structures to significantly speed up computation time compared to full linear gyrokinetic solvers. Optimisation of the dispersion relation solution algorithm within integrated modelling applications leads to flux calculations × {10}6-7 faster than local nonlinear simulations. This allows tractable simulation of flux-driven dynamic profile evolution including all transport channels: ion and electron heat, main particles, impurities, and momentum. Furthermore, QuaLiKiz now includes the impact of rotation and temperature anisotropy induced poloidal asymmetry on heavy impurity transport, important for W-transport applications. Application within the JETTO integrated modelling code results in 1 s of JET plasma simulation within 10 h using 10 CPUs. Simultaneous predictions of core density, temperature, and toroidal rotation profiles for both JET hybrid and baseline experiments are presented, covering both ion and electron turbulence scales. The simulations are successfully compared to measured profiles, with agreement mostly in the 5%-25% range according to standard figures of merit. QuaLiKiz is now open source and available at www.qualikiz.com.

BMTC: --A Tool for Standardized Tissue Engineering on Ground and in Space ---

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kern, Peter; Kemmerle, Kurt; Jones, David

ESA is developing the BMTC (Biotechnology Mammalian Tissue Culture Facility) as ground demonstrator in order to: • establish a well characterised terrestrial platform for tissue engineer-ing under defined, reproducible conditions • prepare for future tissue engineering experiments in space using proven, well characterised, modular equipment. In the beginning the facility will be dedicated to support research of bone and cartilage growth under controlled mechanical and/or biochemical stimulation. Meanwhile, the industrial BMTC team has finalised the first model. The BMTC is highly automated system which provides standardized experiment hardware for tissue cultivation and stimulation under controlled conditions and the reproducible execution of the experiment according pre-programmed protocols. The BMTC consists of an incubator for the control of the experiment environment. Internally it offers all experiment relevant subsystems: • two Cultivation Units, each with eight Experiment Chamber Modules optical in-situ sensors for pO2 and pH • the Liquid Handling Device for medium exchange and sample taking • the handling devices for the internal transport of the experiment chamber modules to different experiment services • workstations for uni-axial loading of tissue samples; ZETOS (for bone tissue) / CHONDROS (for cartilage tissue) provision of reproducible displacement profiles measurement of the resulting forces computation of the visco-eleastic properties of the samples provision of flow induced shear stress fluorescence microscope • two different reactor types are included in the baseline flat reactor for 2D-and flat 3D-cultures with flow induced shear stress stimulation compatible with microscope cylindrical 3D-reactor for cultivation of vital bone and cartilage samples compatible with un-directional stimulation / analysis by ZETOS / CHONDROS. The modular, flexible design of the system allows the servicing and accommodation of a wide range of other experiment specific reactors. The functional principles and the essential features for controlled experiments will be reported. This facility complements the research done on ground on osteoporosis and the bone and muscle loss during bed rest studies during space flights. It is considered to become a new in-orbit research tool for tissue engineering and the verification of mechanical or pharmaceutical countermeasures.

Residual vibration control based on a global search method in a high-speed white light scanning interferometer.

PubMed

Song, Zhenyuan; Guo, Tong; Fu, Xing; Hu, Xiaotang

2018-05-01

To achieve high-speed measurements using white light scanning interferometers, the scanning devices used need to have high feedback gain in closed-loop operations. However, flexure hinges induce a residual vibration that can cause a misidentification of the fringe order. The reduction of this residual vibration is crucial because the highly nonlinear distortions in interferograms lead to clearly incorrect measured profiles. Input shaping can be used to control the amplitude of the residual vibration. The conventional method uses continuous wavelet transform (CWT) to estimate parameters of the scanning device. Our proposed method extracts equivalent modal parameters using a global search algorithm. Due to its simplicity, ease of implementation, and response speed, this global search method outperforms CWT. The delay time is shortened by searching, because fewer modes are needed for the shaper. The effectiveness of the method has been confirmed by the agreement between simulated shaped responses and experimental displacement information from the capacitive sensor inside the scanning device, and the intensity profiles of the interferometer have been greatly improved. An experiment measuring the surface of a silicon wafer is also presented. The method is shown to be effective at improving the intensity profiles and recovering accurate surface topography. Finally, frequency localizations are found to be almost stable with different proportional gains, but their energy distributions change.

Follow-up study of behavioral development and parenting stress profiles in children with congenital hypothyroidism.

PubMed

Chao, Mei-Chyn; Yang, Pinchen; Hsu, Hsiu-Yi; Jong, Yuh-Jyh

2009-11-01

Recent longitudinal experiences have emphasized that the follow-up of children with treated congenital hypothyroidism (CHT) should not be limited to the cognitive domain. This study attempted to evaluate the emotional-behavioral profiles in children with CHT together with maternal parenting stress profiles. Data for child and family characteristics were collected from 47 families with a 3-12-year-old CHT child diagnosed and treated since the newborn period. Cognitive assessments were performed. The main caregiver completed the following questionnaires: (1) Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, which rated behavioral symptoms in children; (2) Parenting Stress Index, which determined the quality and magnitude of parenting stress experienced by the caregiver; and (3) Symptom Checklist-90-R, which evaluated the psychopathological symptoms of the caregiver. In addition, 31 unaffected siblings were recruited as a comparative control group. The results revealed that children with treated CHT had normal intelligence quotients (mean, 93.6 +/- 16.2) at the time of the study. However, CHT children had more problems in emotional-behavioral domains than sibling controls (p = 0.01). Overall, 29.8% (14/47) of the CHT children had emotional-behavioral problems above the clinical cutoff. In addition, 13% of the caregivers of CHT children had parenting stress above the clinical cutoff. Therefore, professional intervention is warranted in these subgroups of CHT children and parents.

Community level physiological profiles (CLPP), characterization and microbial activity of soil amended with dairy sewage sludge.

PubMed

Frąc, Magdalena; Oszust, Karolina; Lipiec, Jerzy

2012-01-01

The aim of the present work was to assess the influence of organic amendment applications compared to mineral fertilization on soil microbial activity and functional diversity. The field experiment was set up on a soil classified as an Eutric Cambisol developed from loess (South-East Poland). Two doses of both dairy sewage sludge (20 Mg·ha(-1) and 26 Mg·ha(-1)) and of mineral fertilizers containing the same amount of nutrients were applied. The same soil without any amendment was used as a control. The soil under undisturbed native vegetation was also included in the study as a representative background sample. The functional diversity (catabolic potential) was assessed using such indices as Average Well Color Development (AWCD), Richness (R) and Shannon-Weaver index (H). These indices were calculated, following the community level physiological profiling (CLPP) using Biolog Eco Plates. Soil dehydrogenase and respiratory activity were also evaluated. The indices were sensitive enough to reveal changes in community level physiological profiles due to treatment effects. It was shown that dairy sewage amended soil was characterized by greater AWCD, R, H and dehydrogenase and respiratory activity as compared to control or mineral fertilized soil. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to depict the differences of the soil bacterial functional diversity between the treatments.

Community Level Physiological Profiles (CLPP), Characterization and Microbial Activity of Soil Amended with Dairy Sewage Sludge

PubMed Central

Frąc, Magdalena; Oszust, Karolina; Lipiec, Jerzy

2012-01-01

The aim of the present work was to assess the influence of organic amendment applications compared to mineral fertilization on soil microbial activity and functional diversity. The field experiment was set up on a soil classified as an Eutric Cambisol developed from loess (South-East Poland). Two doses of both dairy sewage sludge (20 Mg·ha−1 and 26 Mg·ha−1) and of mineral fertilizers containing the same amount of nutrients were applied. The same soil without any amendment was used as a control. The soil under undisturbed native vegetation was also included in the study as a representative background sample. The functional diversity (catabolic potential) was assessed using such indices as Average Well Color Development (AWCD), Richness (R) and Shannon–Weaver index (H). These indices were calculated, following the community level physiological profiling (CLPP) using Biolog Eco Plates. Soil dehydrogenase and respiratory activity were also evaluated. The indices were sensitive enough to reveal changes in community level physiological profiles due to treatment effects. It was shown that dairy sewage amended soil was characterized by greater AWCD, R, H and dehydrogenase and respiratory activity as compared to control or mineral fertilized soil. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to depict the differences of the soil bacterial functional diversity between the treatments. PMID:22737006

RF slice profile effects in magnetic resonance fingerprinting.

PubMed

Hong, Taehwa; Han, Dongyeob; Kim, Min-Oh; Kim, Dong-Hyun

2017-09-01

The radio frequency (RF) slice profile effects on T1 and T2 estimation in magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) are investigated with respect to time-bandwidth product (TBW), flip angle (FA) level and field inhomogeneities. Signal evolutions are generated incorporating the non-ideal slice selective excitation process using Bloch simulation and matched to the original dictionary with and without the non-ideal slice profile taken into account. For validation, phantom and in vivo experiments are performed at 3T. Both simulations and experiments results show that T1 and T2 error from non-ideal slice profile increases with increasing FA level, off-resonance, and low TBW values. Therefore, RF slice profile effects should be compensated for accurate determination of the MR parameters. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Motivational profiles of medical students: Association with study effort, academic performance and exhaustion

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Students enter the medical study with internally generated motives like genuine interest (intrinsic motivation) and/or externally generated motives like parental pressure or desire for status or prestige (controlled motivation). According to Self-determination theory (SDT), students could differ in their study effort, academic performance and adjustment to the study depending on the endorsement of intrinsic motivation versus controlled motivation. The objectives of this study were to generate motivational profiles of medical students using combinations of high or low intrinsic and controlled motivation and test whether different motivational profiles are associated with different study outcomes. Methods Participating students (N = 844) from University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands, were classified to different subgroups through K-means cluster analysis using intrinsic and controlled motivation scores. Cluster membership was used as an independent variable to assess differences in study strategies, self-study hours, academic performance and exhaustion from study. Results Four clusters were obtained: High Intrinsic High Controlled (HIHC), Low Intrinsic High Controlled (LIHC), High Intrinsic Low Controlled (HILC), and Low Intrinsic Low Controlled (LILC). HIHC profile, including the students who are interest + status motivated, constituted 25.2% of the population (N = 213). HILC profile, including interest-motivated students, constituted 26.1% of the population (N = 220). LIHC profile, including status-motivated students, constituted 31.8% of the population (N = 268). LILC profile, including students who have a low-motivation and are neither interest nor status motivated, constituted 16.9% of the population (N = 143). Interest-motivated students (HILC) had significantly more deep study strategy (p < 0.001) and self-study hours (p < 0.05), higher GPAs (p < 0.001) and lower exhaustion (p < 0.001) than status-motivated (LIHC) and low-motivation (LILC) students. Conclusions The interest-motivated profile of medical students (HILC) is associated with good study hours, deep study strategy, good academic performance and low exhaustion from study. The interest + status motivated profile (HIHC) was also found to be associated with a good learning profile, except that students with this profile showed higher surface strategy. Low-motivation (LILC) and status-motivated profiles (LIHC) were associated with the least desirable learning behaviours. PMID:23782767

Vapour-Phase Processes Control Liquid-Phase Isotope Profiles in Unsaturated Sphagnum Moss

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Edwards, T. W.; Yi, Y.; Price, J. S.; Whittington, P. N.

2009-05-01

Seminal work in the early 1980s clearly established the basis for predicting patterns of heavy-isotope enrichment of pore waters in soils undergoing evaporation. A key feature of the process under steady-state conditions is the development of stable, convex-upward profiles whose shape is controlled by the balance between downward-diffusing heavy isotopologues concentrated by evaporative enrichment at the surface and the upward capillary flow of bulk water that maintains the evaporative flux. We conducted an analogous experiment to probe evaporation processes within 20-cm columns of unsaturated, living and dead (but undecomposed) Sphagnum moss evaporating under controlled conditions, while maintaining a constant water table. The experiment provided striking evidence of the importance of vapour-liquid mass and isotope exchange in the air-filled pores of the Sphagnum columns, as evidenced by the rapid development of hydrologic and isotopic steady-state within hours, rather than days, i.e., an order of magnitude faster than possible by liquid-phase processes alone. This is consistent with the notion that vapour-phase processes effectively "short-circuit" mass and isotope fluxes within the Sphagnum columns, as proposed also in recent characterizations of water dynamics in transpiring leaves. Additionally, advection-diffusion modelling of our results supports independent estimates of the effective liquid-phase diffusivities of the respective heavy water isotopologues, 2.380 x 10-5 cm2 s-1 for 1H1H18O and 2.415 x 10-5 cm2 s-1 for 1H2H16O, which are in notably good agreement with the "default" values that are typically assumed in soil and plant water studies.

Boundary layer ozone - An airborne survey above the Amazon Basin

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gregory, Gerald L.; Browell, Edward V.; Warren, Linda S.

1988-01-01

Ozone data obtained over the forest canopy of the Amazon Basin during July and August 1985 in the course of NASA's Amazon Boundary Layer Experiment 2A are discussed, and ozone profiles obtained during flights from Belem to Tabatinga, Brazil, are analyzed to determine any cross-basin effects. The analyses of ozone data indicate that the mixed layer of the Amazon Basin, for the conditions of undisturbed meteorology and in the absence of biomass burning, is a significant sink for tropospheric ozone. As the coast is approached, marine influences are noted at about 300 km inland, and a transition from a forest-controlled mixed layer to a marine-controlled mixed layer is noted.

Configurations of Adolescents' Peer Experiences: Associations With Parent-Child Relationship Quality and Parental Problem Behavior.

PubMed

Kretschmer, Tina; Sentse, Miranda; Meeus, Wim; Verhulst, Frank C; Veenstra, René; Oldehinkel, Albertine J

2016-09-01

Adolescents' peer experiences embrace behavior, relationship quality, status, and victimization, but studies that account for multiple dimensions are rare. Using latent profile modeling and measures of peer behavior, relationship quality, peer status, and victimization assessed from 1,677 adolescents, four profiles were identified: High Quality, Low Quality, Low Quality Victimized, and Deviant Peers. Multinomial logistic regressions showed that negative parent-child relationships in preadolescence reduced the likelihood of High Quality peer relations in mid-adolescence but only partly differentiated between the other three profiles. Moderation by gender was partly found with girls showing greater sensitivity to parent-child relationship quality with respect to peer experiences. Results underline the multifaceted nature of peer experiences, and practical and theoretical implications are discussed. © 2015 The Authors. Journal of Research on Adolescence © 2015 Society for Research on Adolescence.

A Case Study of White Teacher Candidates' Conceptions of Racial Profiling in Educational Contexts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baggett, Hannah Carson; Simmons, Crystal G.

2017-01-01

This qualitative case study explored how two White teacher candidates understood and conceptualized racial profiling in the wake of Trayvon Martin's murder. The teacher candidates were interviewed about their experiences with profiling in educational contexts. One participant conceptualized racial profiling as intrinsic to her understanding of the…

Oestrus synchronisation and superovulation alter the production and biochemical constituents of ovine cervicovaginal mucus.

PubMed

Maddison, Jessie W; Rickard, Jessica P; Mooney, Ethan; Bernecic, Naomi C; Soleilhavoup, Clement; Tsikis, Guillaume; Druart, Xavier; Leahy, Tamara; de Graaf, Simon P

2016-09-01

Controlled breeding programmes utilising exogenous hormones are common in the Australian sheep industry, however the effects of such programmes on cervicovaginal mucus properties are lacking. As such, the aim of this study was to investigate cervicovaginal (CV) mucus from naturally cycling (NAT), progesterone synchronised (P4), prostaglandin synchronised (PGF2α), and superovulated (SOV) Merino ewes. Experiment 1; volume, colour, spinnbarkeit, chemical profile and protein concentration of mucus (NAT, P4, PGF2α and SOV; n=5 ewes/treatment) during the follicular (5 d) and luteal phases (8 d) was investigated. Experiment 2; in vivo mucus pH and in vitro mucus penetration by frozen-thawed spermatozoa (NAT, P4 and SOV; n=11 ewes/treatment) was investigated over oestrus (2 d) and the mid-luteal phase (pH only, 2 d). Oestrus mucus was more abundant, clearer in colour and less proteinaceous than luteal phase mucus (p<0.05). SOV increased mucus production and protein concentration (p<0.05) while PGF2α reduced mucus volume (p<0.05). Mucus pH (oestrus 6.2-6.5), chemical profile and mucus penetration by sperm were unchanged (p>0.05). Results indicate that exogenous hormones used for controlled breeding affect cervicovaginal mucus production, but few other tested characteristics. Further research is required to explain fertility differences between synchronised and naturally cycling animals following cervical AI. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Pediatric functional constipation gastrointestinal symptom profile compared with healthy controls

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Patient-reported outcomes are necessary to evaluate the gastrointestinal symptom profile of patients with functional constipation. Study objectives were to compare the gastrointestinal symptom profile of pediatric patients with functional constipation with matched healthy controls with the Pediatric...

Racial discrimination experiences and African American youth adjustment: The role of parenting profiles based on racial socialization and involved-vigilant parenting.

PubMed

Varner, Fatima A; Hou, Yang; Hodzic, Tajma; Hurd, Noelle M; Butler-Barnes, Sheretta T; Rowley, Stephanie J

2018-04-01

The purpose of this study was to test whether parenting profiles based on racial socialization and involved-vigilant parenting would compensate for or moderate associations between racial discrimination experiences and academic outcomes and psychological well-being among African American adolescents. Participants were 1,363 African American adolescents (M age = 14.19; 52.3% female) from 3 Midwestern suburban school districts. Latent profile analysis was used to examine whether there were distinct combinations of parenting. The relationships among racial discrimination experiences, parenting profiles, and adjustment were examined using structural equation modeling (SEM). Three distinct parenting profiles were found: moderate positive (n = 767; moderately high involved-vigilant parenting and racial barrier, racial pride, behavioral, and egalitarian messages, and low negative messages), unengaged (n = 351; low racial socialization messages and moderately low involved-vigilant parenting), and high negative parenting (n = 242; high negative messages, moderate other racial socialization messages, and moderately low involved-vigilant parenting). Racial discrimination experiences were negatively associated with youth adjustment. Moderate positive parenting was related to the best academic outcomes and unengaged parenting was associated with more positive academic outcomes than high negative parenting. Moderate positive parenting was associated with better psychological well-being than unengaged or high negative parenting although the benefits were greater for adolescents with fewer racial discrimination experiences. Distinct patterns of racial socialization messages and involved-vigilant parenting contribute to differences in African American youth adjustment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Antiobesity Activities of Methanolic Extracts of Amaranthus dubius, Cucurbita pepo, and Vigna unguiculata in Progesterone-Induced Obese Mice

PubMed Central

Mwenda, Njagi Shadrack; Barasa, Stephen Super; Ngugi, Mathew Piero

2017-01-01

Amaranthus dubius, Vigna unguiculata, and Cucurbita pepo are traditionally used to manage obesity in Kenya but lack scientific validation to support their use. The aim of this study was to determine the antiobesity activity of methanolic leaf extracts of these plants in progesterone-induced obese mice. The activity of the methanolic leaf extracts was orally bioscreened in progesterone-induced obese mice at 200 mg/kg/bw and 400 mg/kg/bw. Body mass index was calculated once per week for four weeks and blood samples were obtained at the end of the experiment for lipid profile analysis. Antiobesity activities of the extracts were compared with the controls. Leaf extracts of A. dubius, C. pepo, and V. unguiculata, at dose concentrations of 200 mg/kgbw and 400 mg/kgbw, showed significant effects on body mass index (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the three extracts on lipid parameter profiles (p > 0.05). The present study showed high food intake in the negative control group as compared with normal control, positive control, and treatment groups. These extracts contained various phytochemicals such as saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and steroids and therefore validate use of aforementioned plants in the suppression of obesity and their use for management of obesity is recommended. PMID:28947909

Lateralized Motor Control Processes Determine Asymmetry of Interlimb Transfer

PubMed Central

Sainburg, Robert L.; Schaefer, Sydney Y.; Yadav, Vivek

2016-01-01

This experiment tested the hypothesis that interlimb transfer of motor performance depends on recruitment of motor control processes that are specialized to the hemisphere contralateral to the arm that is initially trained. Right-handed participants performed a single-joint task, in which reaches were targeted to 4 different distances. While the speed and accuracy was similar for both hands, the underlying control mechanisms used to vary movement speed with distance were systematically different between the arms: The amplitude of the initial acceleration profiles scaled greater with movement speed for the right-dominant arm, while the duration of the initial acceleration profile scaled greater with movement speed for the left-non-dominant arm. These two processes were previously shown to be differentially disrupted by left and right hemisphere damage, respectively. We now hypothesize that task practice with the right arm might reinforce left-hemisphere mechanisms that vary acceleration amplitude with distance, while practice with the left arm might reinforce right-hemisphere mechanisms that vary acceleration duration with distance. We thus predict that following right arm practice, the left arm should show increased contributions of acceleration amplitude to peak velocities, and following left arm practice, the right arm should show increased contributions of acceleration duration to peak velocities. Our findings support these predictions, indicating that asymmetry in interlimb transfer of motor performance, at least in the task used here, depends on recruitment of lateralized motor control processes. PMID:27491479

Determination of accurate vertical atmospheric profiles of extinction and turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hammel, Steve; Campbell, James; Hallenborg, Eric

2017-09-01

Our ability to generate an accurate vertical profile characterizing the atmosphere from the surface to a point above the boundary layer top is quite rudimentary. The region from a land or sea surface to an altitude of 3000 meters is dynamic and particularly important to the performance of many active optical systems. Accurate and agile instruments are necessary to provide measurements in various conditions, and models are needed to provide the framework and predictive capability necessary for system design and optimization. We introduce some of the path characterization instruments and describe the first work to calibrate and validate them. Along with a verification of measurement accuracy, the tests must also establish each instruments performance envelope. Measurement of these profiles in the field is a problem, and we will present a discussion of recent field test activity to address this issue. The Comprehensive Atmospheric Boundary Layer Extinction/Turbulence Resolution Analysis eXperiment (CABLE/TRAX) was conducted late June 2017. There were two distinct objectives for the experiment: 1) a comparison test of various scintillometers and transmissometers on a homogeneous horizontal path; 2) a vertical profile experiment. In this paper we discuss only the vertical profiling effort, and we describe the instruments that generated data for vertical profiles of absorption, scattering, and turbulence. These three profiles are the core requirements for an accurate assessment of laser beam propagation.

Optimization of diclofenac sodium profile from halloysite nanotubules.

PubMed

Krejčová, Kateřina; Deasy, Patrick B; Rabišková, Miloslava

2013-04-01

Halloysite, aluminosilicate clay with the particle shape of multilayered hollow nanotubes, used in various non-medical applications, e.g. in ceramic industry, was discovered for pharmaceutical purposes in recent years. Several drugs of hydrophilic and lipophilic nature have been successfully encapsulated into halloysite tubules in order to modify their dissolution profile. The main goal of this experiment was to optimize the dissolution profile of diclofenac sodium - a drug with problematic solubility - from halloysite tubules using various polymers. Loading of the drug together with povidone or Eudragit® RS did not lead to drug burst effect reduction and its slower dissolution. In the case of povidone, drug improved wettability and solubilization rather than viscosity increasing expectations were observed. Eudragit® RS formed a solid dispersion with diclofenac sodium and thus the solvent/drug solution penetration through the polymer and not the drug solubility was the dissolution rate limiting factor. Reduction of the burst effect and further prolongation of drug release was achieved by coating the drug-loaded halloysite with chitosan. This formulation exhibited a diffusion-controlled prolonged release following Higuchi kinetic model.

Retrieval of NO2 stratospheric profiles from ground-based zenith-sky uv-visible measurements at 60°N

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hendrick, F.; van Roozendael, M.; Lambert, J.-C.; Fayt, C.; Hermans, C.; de Mazière, M.

2003-04-01

Nitrogen dioxide (NO_2) plays an important role in controlling ozone abundances in the stratosphere, either directly through the NOx (NO+NO_2) catalytic cycle, either indirectly by reaction with the radical ClO to form the reservoir species ClONO_2. In this presentation, NO_2 stratospheric profiles are retrieved from ground-based UV-visible NO_2 slant column abundances measured since 1998 at the complementary NDSC station of Harestua (Norway, 60^oN). The retrieval algorithm is based on the Rodgers optimal estimation inversion method and a forward model consisting in the IASB-BIRA stacked box photochemical model PSCBOX coupled to the radiative transfer package UVspec/DISORT. This algorithm has been applied to a set of about 50 sunrises and sunsets for which spatially and temporally coincident NO_2 measurements made by the HALOE (Halogen Occultation Experiment) instrument on board the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) are available. The consistency between retrieved and HALOE profiles is discussed in term of the different seasonal conditions investigated which are spring with and without chlorine activation, summer, and fall.

Towards new strategies to manage livestock reproduction using kisspeptin analogs.

PubMed

Beltramo, M; Decourt, C

2018-05-01

The discovery of the hypothalamic neuropeptide kisspeptin and its receptor (KISS1R) have dramatically improved our knowledge about the central mechanisms controlling reproduction. Kisspeptin neurons could be considered the hub where internal and external information controlling reproduction converge. The information is here elaborated and the command dispatched to GnRH neurons, the final output of the brain system controlling reproduction. Several studies have shown that in mammals administration of kisspeptin could finely modulate many aspects of reproduction from puberty to ovulation. For example in ewes kisspeptin infusion triggered ovulation during the non-breeding season and in prepubertal rat repeated injections advanced puberty onset. However, especially in livestock, the suboptimal pharmacological properties of endogenous kisspeptin, notably it short half-life and consequently its poor pharmacodynamics, fetters its use to experimental setting. To overcome this issue synthetic KISS1R agonists, mainly based on kisspeptin backbone, were created. Their more favorable pharmacological profile, longer half-life and duration of action, allowed to perform promising initial experiments for controlling ovulation and puberty. Additional experiments and further refinement of analogs would still be necessary to exploit fully the potential of targeting the kisspeptin system. Nevertheless, it is already clear that this new strategy may represent a breakthrough in the field of reproduction control. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Loss of control over the ethanol consumption: differential transcriptional regulation in prefrontal cortex.

PubMed

de Paiva Lima, Carolina; da Silva E Silva, Daniel Almeida; Damasceno, Samara; Ribeiro, Andrea Frozino; Rocha, Cristiane S; Berenguer de Matos, Alexandre H; Correia, Diego; Boerngen-Lacerda, Roseli; Brunialti Godard, Ana Lúcia

2017-09-01

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a complex multifactorial disease with heritability of ∼50% and corresponds to the state in which the body triggers a reinforcement or reward compulsive behavior due to ethanol consumption, even when faced with negative consequences. Although several studies have shown the impact of high ethanol intake on the prefrontal cortex (PFC) gene expression, few have addressed the relationship between the patterns of gene expression underlying the compulsive behaviour associated with relapsing. In this study, we used a chronic three-bottle free-choice mouse model to investigate the PFC transcriptome in three different groups of mice drinkers: 'Light drinkers' (preference for water throughout the experiment); 'Heavy drinkers' (preference for ethanol with a non-compulsive intake), and 'Inflexible drinkers' (preference for ethanol with a compulsive drinking component). Our aim was to correlate the intake patterns observed in this model with gene expression changes in the PFC, a brain region critical for the development and maintenance of alcohol addiction. We found that the Camk2a gene showed a downregulated profile only in the Inflexible when compared to the Light drinkers group, the Camk2n1 and Pkp2 genes showed an upregulated profile only in the Inflexible drinkers when compared to the Control group, and the Gja1 gene showed an upregulated profile in the Light and Inflexible drinkers when compared to the Control group. These different transcription patterns have been associated to the presence of alcohol, in the Camk2n1 and Gja1 genes; to the amount of ethanol consumed, in the Camk2a gene; and to the loss of control in the alcohol consumption, in the Pkp2 gene. Here, we provide, for the first time, the potential involvement of the Pkp2 gene in the compulsivity and loss of control over the voluntary ethanol consumption.

The capuchin monkey as a flight candidate

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Winget, C. M.

1977-01-01

The highly evolved nervous system and associated complex behavioral capabilities of the nonhuman primates make them good candidates for certain studies in the space environment since deleterious changes in these more complex aspects of a biological status can only be demonstrated by species which share such highly evolved features with man. Important assets which urge the selection of the capuchin monkey for space experiments include his small size, high intelligence, relative disease resistance, nutritional requirements, and lower volume life support systems. The species is particularly suited for experiments on the nervous system or on process under neural control because of the similarity of capuchin and human blood chemistry profiles and endocrine systems involved in the maintenance of homeostasis and vasomotor tone.

Assimilation of Radio Occultation Data From the Chinese Fengyun Meterological Satellite at GRAPES

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

LIU, Y.

2016-12-01

GNOS (GNSS Occultation Sounder) is a new radio occultation payload onboard the Chinese FY-3 series satellites, which probes the Earth's neutral atmosphere and the ionosphere. GNOS is capable of tracking the signals of both the Beidou (the Chinese navigation satellite system) and the GPS navigation satellite systems. The first FY-3C satellite with GNOS launch on 23 September 2013 successfully, and has more than 500 RO events daily, including approximately 400 GPS and 100 Beidou RO events. In this paper the data quality from FY3C GNOS, including GPS and Beidou radio accultation data, will be presented. The impact experiments of assimilating GNOS radio accultation refractivity profiles in GRAPES (Global and Regional Assimilation Prediction System) a new generation numerical model system of China Meteorological Administration, are also presented. Results show that the lowest probing height of 90% GNOS profile can reach 4KM away from the surface. The bias of GNOS refractivity profiles compared to reanalysis and radiosonde data is greater than those of COSMIC and GRAS, but after data quality control the standard deviation of GNOS refractivity is approximately 2%. The results of the GNOS assimilation experiments show that GNOS data can improve the analysis in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere, particularly in the southern hemisphere and the ocean, which produce the neutral and positive impacts in GRAPES assimilation system. The combined impact of assimilating both GPS and Beidou GNOS radio occultation is greater than assimilating either instrument individually.

Effect of mean diameter and polydispersity of PLG microspheres on drug release: experiment and theory.

PubMed

Berchane, N S; Carson, K H; Rice-Ficht, A C; Andrews, M J

2007-06-07

The need to tailor release rate profiles from polymeric microspheres is a significant problem. Microsphere size, which has a significant effect on drug release rate, can potentially be varied to design a controlled drug delivery system with desired release profile. In this work the effects of microspheres mean diameter, polydispersity, and polymer degradation on drug release rate from poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) microspheres are described. Piroxicam containing PLG microspheres were fabricated at 20% loading, and at three different impeller speeds. A portion of the microspheres was then sieved giving five different size distributions. In vitro release kinetics were determined for each preparation. Based on these experimental results, a suitable mathematical theory has been developed that incorporates the effect of microsphere size distribution and polymer degradation on drug release. We show from in vitro release experiments that microsphere size has a significant effect on drug release rate. The initial release rate decreased with an increase in microsphere size. In addition, the release profile changed from first order to concave-upward (sigmoidal) as the microsphere size was increased. The mathematical model gave a good fit to the experimental release data. For highly polydisperse populations (polydispersity parameter b<3), incorporating the microsphere size distribution into the mathematical model gave a better fit to the experimental results than using the representative mean diameter. The validated mathematical model can be used to predict small-molecule drug release from PLG microsphere populations.

Development and validation of a critical gradient energetic particle driven Alfven eigenmode transport model for DIII-D tilted neutral beam experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Waltz, R. E.; Bass, E. M.; Heidbrink, W. W.; VanZeeland, M. A.

2015-11-01

Recent experiments with the DIII-D tilted neutral beam injection (NBI) varying the beam energetic particle (EP) source profiles have provided strong evidence that unstable Alfven eigenmodes (AE) drive stiff EP transport at a critical EP density gradient [Heidbrink et al 2013 Nucl. Fusion 53 093006]. Here the critical gradient is identified by the local AE growth rate being equal to the local ITG/TEM growth rate at the same low toroidal mode number. The growth rates are taken from the gyrokinetic code GYRO. Simulation show that the slowing down beam-like EP distribution has a slightly lower critical gradient than the Maxwellian. The ALPHA EP density transport code [Waltz and Bass 2014 Nucl. Fusion 54 104006], used to validate the model, combines the low-n stiff EP critical density gradient AE mid-core transport with the Angioni et al (2009 Nucl. Fusion 49 055013) energy independent high-n ITG/TEM density transport model controling the central core EP density profile. For the on-axis NBI heated DIII-D shot 146102, while the net loss to the edge is small, about half the birth fast ions are transported from the central core r/a  <  0.5 and the central density is about half the slowing down density. These results are in good agreement with experimental fast ion pressure profiles inferred from MSE constrained EFIT equilibria.

Identification of a Novel Reference Gene for Apple Transcriptional Profiling under Postharvest Conditions

PubMed Central

Storch, Tatiane Timm; Pegoraro, Camila; Finatto, Taciane; Quecini, Vera; Rombaldi, Cesar Valmor; Girardi, César Luis

2015-01-01

Reverse Transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) is one of the most important techniques for gene expression profiling due to its high sensibility and reproducibility. However, the reliability of the results is highly dependent on data normalization, performed by comparisons between the expression profiles of the genes of interest against those of constitutively expressed, reference genes. Although the technique is widely used in fruit postharvest experiments, the transcription stability of reference genes has not been thoroughly investigated under these experimental conditions. Thus, we have determined the transcriptional profile, under these conditions, of three genes commonly used as reference—ACTIN (MdACT), PROTEIN DISULPHIDE ISOMERASE (MdPDI) and UBIQUITIN-CONJUGATING ENZYME E2 (MdUBC)—along with two novel candidates—HISTONE 1 (MdH1) and NUCLEOSSOME ASSEMBLY 1 PROTEIN (MdNAP1). The expression profile of the genes was investigated throughout five experiments, with three of them encompassing the postharvest period and the other two, consisting of developmental and spatial phases. The transcriptional stability was comparatively investigated using four distinct software packages: BestKeeper, NormFinder, geNorm and DataAssist. Gene ranking results for transcriptional stability were similar for the investigated software packages, with the exception of BestKeeper. The classic reference gene MdUBC ranked among the most stably transcribed in all investigated experimental conditions. Transcript accumulation profiles for the novel reference candidate gene MdH1 were stable throughout the tested conditions, especially in experiments encompassing the postharvest period. Thus, our results present a novel reference gene for postharvest experiments in apple and reinforce the importance of checking the transcription profile of reference genes under the experimental conditions of interest. PMID:25774904

Identification of a novel reference gene for apple transcriptional profiling under postharvest conditions.

PubMed

Storch, Tatiane Timm; Pegoraro, Camila; Finatto, Taciane; Quecini, Vera; Rombaldi, Cesar Valmor; Girardi, César Luis

2015-01-01

Reverse Transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) is one of the most important techniques for gene expression profiling due to its high sensibility and reproducibility. However, the reliability of the results is highly dependent on data normalization, performed by comparisons between the expression profiles of the genes of interest against those of constitutively expressed, reference genes. Although the technique is widely used in fruit postharvest experiments, the transcription stability of reference genes has not been thoroughly investigated under these experimental conditions. Thus, we have determined the transcriptional profile, under these conditions, of three genes commonly used as reference--ACTIN (MdACT), PROTEIN DISULPHIDE ISOMERASE (MdPDI) and UBIQUITIN-CONJUGATING ENZYME E2 (MdUBC)--along with two novel candidates--HISTONE 1 (MdH1) and NUCLEOSSOME ASSEMBLY 1 PROTEIN (MdNAP1). The expression profile of the genes was investigated throughout five experiments, with three of them encompassing the postharvest period and the other two, consisting of developmental and spatial phases. The transcriptional stability was comparatively investigated using four distinct software packages: BestKeeper, NormFinder, geNorm and DataAssist. Gene ranking results for transcriptional stability were similar for the investigated software packages, with the exception of BestKeeper. The classic reference gene MdUBC ranked among the most stably transcribed in all investigated experimental conditions. Transcript accumulation profiles for the novel reference candidate gene MdH1 were stable throughout the tested conditions, especially in experiments encompassing the postharvest period. Thus, our results present a novel reference gene for postharvest experiments in apple and reinforce the importance of checking the transcription profile of reference genes under the experimental conditions of interest.

Method and system for SCR optimization

DOEpatents

Lefebvre, Wesley Curt [Boston, MA; Kohn, Daniel W [Cambridge, MA

2009-03-10

Methods and systems are provided for controlling SCR performance in a boiler. The boiler includes one or more generally cross sectional areas. Each cross sectional area can be characterized by one or more profiles of one or more conditions affecting SCR performance and be associated with one or more adjustable desired profiles of the one or more conditions during the operation of the boiler. The performance of the boiler can be characterized by boiler performance parameters. A system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention can include a controller input for receiving a performance goal for the boiler corresponding to at least one of the boiler performance parameters and for receiving data values corresponding to boiler control variables and to the boiler performance parameters. The boiler control variables include one or more current profiles of the one or more conditions. The system also includes a system model that relates one or more profiles of the one or more conditions in the boiler to the boiler performance parameters. The system also includes an indirect controller that determines one or more desired profiles of the one or more conditions to satisfy the performance goal for the boiler. The indirect controller uses the system model, the received data values and the received performance goal to determine the one or more desired profiles of the one or more conditions. The system model also includes a controller output that outputs the one or more desired profiles of the one or more conditions.

Morning Transition Tracer Experiments in a Deep Narrow Valley.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Whiteman, C. David

1989-07-01

Three sulfur hexafluoride atmospheric tracer experiments were conducted during the post-sunrise temperature inversion breakup period in the deep, narrow Brush Creek Valley of Colorado. Experiments were conducted under clear, undisturbed weather conditions.A continuous elevated tracer plume was produced along the axis of the valley before sunrise and the behavior of the plume during the inversion breakup period was detected down-valley from the release point using an array of radio-controlled sequential bag samplers, a vertical SF6 profiling system carried on a tethered balloon, two portable gas chromatographs operated on a sidewall of the valley, and a continuous real-time SF6 monitor operated from a research aircraft. Supporting meteorological data came primarily from tethered balloon profilers. The nocturnal elevated plume was carried and diffused in down-valley flows. After sunrise, convective boundary layers grew upward from the sunlit valley surfaces, fumigating the elevated plume onto the valley floor and sidewalls. Upslope flow developed in the growing convective boundary layers, carrying fumigated SF6 up the sidewalls and causing a compensating subsidence over the valley center. High post-sunrise SF6 concentrations were experienced on the northeast-facing sidewall of the northwest-southeast oriented valley as a result of cross-valley flow, which developed due to differential solar heating of the sidewalls. Reversal of the down-valley wind system brought air with lower SF6 concentrations into the lower valley.

Athletic performance outcomes following lumbar discectomy in professional basketball players.

PubMed

Anakwenze, Okechukwu A; Namdari, Surena; Auerbach, Joshua D; Baldwin, Keith; Weidner, Zachary D; Lonner, Baron S; Huffman, G R; Sennett, Brian J

2010-04-01

Retrospective case-control study. To quantify the athletic performance profiles after lumbar discectomy (LD) in a cohort of National Basketball Association (NBA) players in comparison with a control group of matched NBA players who did not undergo LD during the same study period. LD provides symptomatic relief and improved functional outcomes in the majority of patients as assessed by validated measures such as Oswestry Disability Index, Visual Analog Scale, and Short Form-36 (SF-36). Among professional athletes, however, the goal of lumbar HNP treated by discectomy is not only to improve functional status but also, ultimately, to return the player to preinjury athletic performance levels. No study to date has compared the athletic performance profiles before and after discectomy in professional athletes. An analysis of NBA games summaries, weekly injury reports, player profiles, and press releases was performed to identify 24 NBA players who underwent LD for symptomatic lumbar HNP between 1991 and 2007. A 1:2 case: control study was performed using players without history of lumbar HNP who were matched for age, position, experience, and body mass index as control subjects (n = 48). Paired t tests were conducted on the following parameters: games played, minutes per game, points per 40 minutes, rebounds per 40 minutes, assists per 40 minutes, steals per 40 minutes, blocks per 40 minutes, and shooting percentage. For each athletic performance outcome, between-group comparisons evaluating preindex to postindex season performance were done (index season = season of surgery). In the LD group, 18 of 24 players (75%) returned to play again in the NBA, compared with 42 of 48 players (88%, P = 0.31) in the control group. One year after surgery, between-group comparisons revealed statistically significant increase in blocked shots per 40 minutes in the LD (0.18) versus control group (-0.33; P = 0.008) and a smaller decrease in rebounds per 40 minutes in the LD (-0.25) versus control group (-1.42; P = 0.049). No other performance variable was found to be significantly different between the study and control group. Compared with a closely matched control cohort, we found that 75% of surgical patients returned to play again in the NBA, compared with 88% in control subjects who did not undergo surgery. For those players who returned, overall athletic performance was slightly improved or no worse than control subjects.

Snowpack Chemistry of Reactive Gases at Station Concordia, Antarctica

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Helmig, Detlev; Mass, Alex; Hueber, Jacques; Fain, Xavier; Dommergue, Aurelien; Barbero, Albane; Savarino, Joel

2013-04-01

During December 2012 a new experiment for the study of snow photochemical processes and surface gas exchange was installed at Dome Concordia, Antarctica. The experiment consists of two sampling manifolds ('snow tower') which facilitate the withdrawal of interstitial firn air from four depths in the snowpack and from above the surface. One of these snow towers can be shaded for investigation of the dependency of snow chemistry on solar radiation. A nearby 12 m meteorological tower facilitates above surface turbulence and trace gas gradient measurements. Temperature profiles and UV and IR light penetration are monitored in the snowpack. Air samples are directed through sampling lines to a nearby underground laboratory that houses the experiment control system and gas monitors. The system is fully automated, sampling gases from the array of inlet ports sequentially, and is intended to be operated continuously for a full annual cycle. The computerized control system can be accessed remotely for data retrieval and quality control and for configuring experimental details. Continuous gas measurements include ozone, nitrogen oxides, methane, carbon monoxide, and gaseous elemental mercury. Whole air samples were sampled on four occasions for volatile organic compound analysis. The objective of this research is the study of the year-round snowpack gas chemistry and its dependency on snowpack and above surface physical and environmental conditions. A particular emphasis will be the investigation of the effects of increased UV radiation during the occurrence of the stratospheric ozone hole. We will present the conceptual design of the experiment and data examples from the first three months of the experiment.

Analysis of High Speed Jets Produced by a Servo Tube Driven Liquid Jet Injector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Portaro, Rocco; Ng, Hoi Dick

2017-11-01

In today's healthcare environment many types of medication must be administered through the use of hypodermic needles. Although this practice has been in use for many years, drawbacks such as accidental needle stick injuries, transmission of deadly viruses and bio-hazardous waste are still present. This study focuses on improving a needle free technology known as liquid jet injection, through the implementation of a linear servo tube actuator for the construction of a fully closed loop liquid jet injection system. This device has the ability to deliver both micro- and macro- molecules, high viscosity fluids whilst providing real time control of the jet pressure profile for accurate depth and dispersion control. The experiments are conducted using a prototype that consists of a 3 kW servo tube actuator, coupled to a specially designed injection head allowing nozzle size and injection volume to be varied. The device is controlled via a high speed servo amplifier and FPGA. The high speed jets emanating from the injector are assessed via high speed photography and through the use of a force transducer. Preliminary results indicate that the system allows for accurate shaping of the jet pressure profile, making it possible to target different tissue depths/types accurately.

A Functional Role of RB-Dependent Pathway in the Control of Quiescence in Adult Epidermal Stem Cells Revealed by Genomic Profiling

PubMed Central

Lorz, Corina; García-Escudero, Ramón; Segrelles, Carmen; Garín, Marina I.; Ariza, José M.; Santos, Mirentxu; Ruiz, Sergio; Lara, María F.; Martínez-Cruz, Ana B.; Costa, Clotilde; Buitrago-Pérez, Águeda; Saiz-Ladera, Cristina; Dueñas, Marta

2010-01-01

Continuous cell renewal in mouse epidermis is at the expense of a pool of pluripotent cells that lie in a well defined niche in the hair follicle known as the bulge. To identify mechanisms controlling hair follicle stem cell homeostasis, we developed a strategy to isolate adult bulge stem cells in mice and to define their transcriptional profile. We observed that a large number of transcripts are underexpressed in hair follicle stem cells when compared to non-stem cells. Importantly, the majority of these downregulated genes are involved in cell cycle. Using bioinformatics tools, we identified the E2F transcription factor family as a potential element involved in the regulation of these transcripts. To determine their functional role, we used engineered mice lacking Rb gene in epidermis, which showed increased expression of most E2F family members and increased E2F transcriptional activity. Experiments designed to analyze epidermal stem cell functionality (i.e.: hair regrowth and wound healing) imply a role of the Rb-E2F axis in the control of stem cell quiescence in epidermis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12015-010-9139-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. PMID:20376578

Low power consumption mini rotary actuator with SMA wires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manfredi, Luigi; Huan, Yu; Cuschieri, Alfred

2017-11-01

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are smart materials widely used as actuators for their high power to weight ratio despite their well-known low energy efficiency and limited mechanical bandwidth. For robotic applications, SMAs exhibit limitations due to high power consumption and limited stroke, varying from 4% to 7% of the total length. Hysteresis, during the contraction and extension cycle, requires a complex control algorithm. On the positive side, the small size and low weight are eminently suited for the design of mini actuators for robotic platforms. This paper describes the design and construction of a light weight and low power consuming mini rotary actuator with on-board contact-less position and force sensors. The design is specifically intended to reduce (i) energy consumption, (ii) dimensions of the sensory system, and (iii) provide a simple control without any need for SMA characterisation. The torque produced is controlled by on-board force sensors. Experiments were performed to investigate the energy consumption and performance (step and sinusoidal angle profiles with a frequency varying from 0.5 to 10 Hz and maximal amplitude of {15}\\circ ). We describe a transient capacitor effect related to the SMA wires during the sinusoidal profile when the active SMA wire is powered and the antagonist one switched-off, resulting in a transient current time varying from 300 to 400 ms.

Experimental and computational models of neurite extension at a choice point in response to controlled diffusive gradients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Catig, G. C.; Figueroa, S.; Moore, M. J.

2015-08-01

Ojective. Axons are guided toward desired targets through a series of choice points that they navigate by sensing cues in the cellular environment. A better understanding of how microenvironmental factors influence neurite growth during development can inform strategies to address nerve injury. Therefore, there is a need for biomimetic models to systematically investigate the influence of guidance cues at such choice points. Approach. We ran an adapted in silico biased turning axon growth model under the influence of nerve growth factor (NGF) and compared the results to corresponding in vitro experiments. We examined if growth simulations were predictive of neurite population behavior at a choice point. We used a biphasic micropatterned hydrogel system consisting of an outer cell restrictive mold that enclosed a bifurcated cell permissive region and placed a well near a bifurcating end to allow proteins to diffuse and form a gradient. Experimental diffusion profiles in these constructs were used to validate a diffusion computational model that utilized experimentally measured diffusion coefficients in hydrogels. The computational diffusion model was then used to establish defined soluble gradients within the permissive region of the hydrogels and maintain the profiles in physiological ranges for an extended period of time. Computational diffusion profiles informed the neurite growth model, which was compared with neurite growth experiments in the bifurcating hydrogel constructs. Main results. Results indicated that when applied to the constrained choice point geometry, the biased turning model predicted experimental behavior closely. Results for both simulated and in vitro neurite growth studies showed a significant chemoattractive response toward the bifurcated end containing an NGF gradient compared to the control, though some neurites were found in the end with no NGF gradient. Significance. The integrated model of neurite growth we describe will allow comparison of experimental studies against growth cone guidance computational models applied to axon pathfinding at choice points.

An Analysis of Gamma-ray Burst Time Profiles from the Burst and Transient Source Experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lestrade, John Patrick

1996-01-01

This proposal requested funding to measure the durations of gamma-ray bursts (GRB) in the 4B catalog as well as to study the structure of GRB time profiles returned by the Burst And Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) on board the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory. The duration (T90) was to be measured using the same techniques and algorithms developed by the principal investigator for the 3B data. The profile structure studies fall into the two categories of variability and fractal analyses.

Profiling Patients' Healthcare Needs to Support Integrated, Person-Centered Models for Long-Term Disease Management (Profile): Research Design.

PubMed

Elissen, Arianne Mj; Hertroijs, Dorijn Fl; Schaper, Nicolaas C; Vrijhoef, Hubertus Jm; Ruwaard, Dirk

2016-04-29

This article presents the design of PROFILe, a study investigating which (bio)medical and non-(bio)medical patient characteristics should guide more tailored chronic care. Based on this insight, the project aims to develop and validate 'patient profiles' that can be used in practice to determine optimal treatment strategies for subgroups of chronically ill with similar healthcare needs and preferences. PROFILe is a practice-based research comprising four phases. The project focuses on patients with type 2 diabetes. During the first study phase, patient profiles are drafted based on a systematic literature research, latent class growth modeling, and expert collaboration. In phase 2, the profiles are validated from a clinical, patient-related and statistical perspective. Phase 3 involves a discrete choice experiment to gain insight into the patient preferences that exist per profile. In phase 4, the results from all analyses are integrated and recommendations formulated on which patient characteristics should guide tailored chronic care. PROFILe is an innovative study which uses a uniquely holistic approach to assess the healthcare needs and preferences of chronically ill. The patient profiles resulting from this project must be tested in practice to investigate the effects of tailored management on patient experience, population health and costs.

Effect of Control Blade History, and Axial Coolant Density and Burnup Profiles on BWR Burnup Credit

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

Marshall, William BJ J

2016-01-01

A technical basis for peak reactivity boiling water reactor (BWR) burnup credit (BUC) methods was recently generated, and the technical basis for extended BWR BUC is now being developed. In this paper, a number of effects related to extended BWR BUC are analyzed, including three major operational effects in BWRs: the coolant density axial distribution, the use of control blades during operation, and the axial burnup profile. Specifically, uniform axial moderator density profiles are analyzed and compared to previous results and an additional temporal fidelity study combing moderator density profiles for three different fuel assemblies is presented. Realistic control blademore » histories and cask criticality results are compared to previously generated constructed control blade histories. Finally, a preliminary study of the axial burnup profile is provided.« less

Direct measurements of safety factor profiles with motional Stark effect for KSTAR tokamak discharges with internal transport barriers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ko, J.; Chung, J.

2017-06-01

The safety factor profile evolutions have been measured from the plasma discharges with the external current drive mechanism such as the multi-ion-source neutral beam injection for the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) for the first time. This measurement has been possible by the newly installed motional Stark effect (MSE) diagnostic system that utilizes the polarized Balmer-alpha emission from the energetic neutral deuterium atoms induced by the Stark effect under the Lorentz electric field. The 25-channel KSTAR MSE diagnostic is based on the conventional photoelastic modulator approach with the spatial and temporal resolutions less than 2 cm (for the most of the channels except 2 to 3 channels inside the magnetic axis) and about 10 ms, respectively. The strong Faraday rotation imposed on the optical elements in the diagnostic system is calibrated out from a separate and well-designed polarization measurement procedure using an in-vessel reference polarizer during the toroidal-field ramp-up phase before the plasma experiment starts. The combination of the non-inductive current drive during the ramp-up and shape control enables the formation of the internal transport barrier where the pitch angle profiles indicate flat or slightly hollow profiles in the safety factor.

Psychodemographic profile of stockpeople working on independent and integrated swine breeding farms in Quebec.

PubMed Central

Ravel, A; D'Allaire, S; Bigras-Poulin, M; Ward, R

1996-01-01

As a part of a larger study, the psychodemographic profile of Quebec pig stockpeople was described based on a sample of 48 persons working on independent farms randomly selected in the Richelieu-Saint-Hyacinthe region, and on a convenience sample of 38 others employed by 5 organizations of integrated swine production chosen among the largest ones in Québec. The 2 groups of stockpeople were described separately because of the differences between the 2 types of production. Demographic data (age, sex, level of education, training and experience in swine production, seniority on the farm) were obtained through a face-to-face interview. The personality profile was assessed using a standard personality test (French translation of the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire). Both the stockpersons on independent farms and those employed by the organizations were more reserved, emotionally stable, serious, conscientious, unsentimental, controlled, introverted, and less anxious than the average person in the general population. However, multivariate analyses revealed some differences between these two groups of stock-persons (P = 0.021) as well as between the employees of the different organizations (P = 0.0038). These differences in personality profiles may reflect differences in working conditions, particularly regarding the human relationships, and in corporate cultures of the organizations. PMID:8904659

Quantitative evaluation of polymer concentration profile during swelling of hydrophilic matrix tablets using 1H NMR and MRI methods.

PubMed

Baumgartner, Sasa; Lahajnar, Gojmir; Sepe, Ana; Kristl, Julijana

2005-02-01

Many pharmaceutical tablets are based on hydrophilic polymers, which, after exposure to water, form a gel layer around the tablet that limits the dissolution and diffusion of the drug and provides a mechanism for controlled drug release. Our aim was to determine the thickness of the swollen gel layer of matrix tablets and to develop a method for calculating the polymer concentration profile across the gel layer. MR imaging has been used to investigate the in situ swelling behaviour of cellulose ether matrix tablets and NMR spectroscopy experiments were performed on homogeneous hydrogels with known polymer concentration. The MRI results show that the thickest gel layer was observed for hydroxyethylcellulose tablets, followed by definitely thinner but almost equal gel layer for hydroxypropylcellulose and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose of both molecular weights. The water proton NMR relaxation parameters were combined with the MRI data to obtain a quantitative description of the swelling process on the basis of the concentrations and mobilities of water and polymer as functions of time and distance. The different concentration profiles observed after the same swelling time are the consequence of the different polymer characteristics. The procedure developed here could be used as a general method for calculating polymer concentration profiles on other similar polymeric systems.

Improved intra-array and interarray normalization of peptide microarray phosphorylation for phosphorylome and kinome profiling by rational selection of relevant spots

PubMed Central

Scholma, Jetse; Fuhler, Gwenny M.; Joore, Jos; Hulsman, Marc; Schivo, Stefano; List, Alan F.; Reinders, Marcel J. T.; Peppelenbosch, Maikel P.; Post, Janine N.

2016-01-01

Massive parallel analysis using array technology has become the mainstay for analysis of genomes and transcriptomes. Analogously, the predominance of phosphorylation as a regulator of cellular metabolism has fostered the development of peptide arrays of kinase consensus substrates that allow the charting of cellular phosphorylation events (often called kinome profiling). However, whereas the bioinformatical framework for expression array analysis is well-developed, no advanced analysis tools are yet available for kinome profiling. Especially intra-array and interarray normalization of peptide array phosphorylation remain problematic, due to the absence of “housekeeping” kinases and the obvious fallacy of the assumption that different experimental conditions should exhibit equal amounts of kinase activity. Here we describe the development of analysis tools that reliably quantify phosphorylation of peptide arrays and that allow normalization of the signals obtained. We provide a method for intraslide gradient correction and spot quality control. We describe a novel interarray normalization procedure, named repetitive signal enhancement, RSE, which provides a mathematical approach to limit the false negative results occuring with the use of other normalization procedures. Using in silico and biological experiments we show that employing such protocols yields superior insight into cellular physiology as compared to classical analysis tools for kinome profiling. PMID:27225531

The Relationships Between ELM Suppression, Pedestal Profiles, and Lithium Wall Coatings in NSTX

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

D.P. Boyle, R. Maingi, P.B. Snyder, J. Manickam, T.H. Osborne, R.E. Bell, B.P. LeBlanc, and the NSTX Team

2012-08-17

Recently in the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX), increasing lithium wall coatings suppressed edge localized modes (ELMs), gradually but not quite monotonically. This work details profile and stability analysis as ELMs disappeared throughout the lithium scan. While the quantity of lithium deposited between discharges did not uniquely determine the presence of ELMs, profile analysis demonstrated that lithium was correlated to wider density and pressure pedestals with peak gradients farther from the separatrix. Moreover, the ELMy and ELM-free discharges were cleanly separated by their density and pedestal widths and peak gradient locations. Ultimately, ELMs were only suppressed when lithium caused themore » density pedestal to widen and shift inward. These changes in the density gradient were directly reflected in the pressure gradient and calculated bootstrap current. This supports the theory that ELMs in NSTX are caused by peeling and/or ballooning modes, as kink/peeling modes are stabilized when the edge current and pressure gradient shift away from the separatrix. Edge stability analysis using ELITE corroborated this picture, as reconstructed equilibria from ELM-free discharges were generally farther from their kink/peeling stability boundaries than ELMy discharges. We conclude that density profile control provided by lithium is the key first step to ELM suppression in NSTX« less

The relationships between edge localized modes suppression, pedestal profiles and lithium wall coatings in NSTX

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

Boyle, D. P.; Maingi, R.; Snyder, P. B.

2011-01-01

Recently in the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX), increasing lithium wall coatings suppressed edge localized modes (ELMs), gradually but not quite monotonically. This work details profile and stability analysis as ELMs disappeared throughout the lithium scan. While the quantity of lithium deposited between discharges did not uniquely determine the presence of ELMs, profile analysis demonstrated that lithium was correlated with wider density and pressure pedestals with peak gradients farther from the separatrix. Moreover, the ELMy and ELM-free discharges were cleanly separated by their density and pedestal widths and peak gradient locations. Ultimately, ELMs were only suppressed when lithium caused themore » density pedestal to widen and shift inward. These changes in the density gradient were directly reflected in the pressure gradient and calculated bootstrap current. This supports the theory that ELMs in NSTX are caused by peeling and/or ballooning modes, as kink/peeling modes are stabilized when the edge current and pressure gradient shift away from the separatrix. Edge stability analysis using ELITE corroborated this picture, as reconstructed equilibria from ELM-free discharges were generally farther from their kink/peeling stability boundaries than ELMy discharges. We conclude that density profile control provided by lithium is the key first step to ELM suppression in NSTX.« less

Suppression of Alfven Modes on the National Spherical Torus Experiment Upgrade with Outboard Beam Injection [Suppression of Alfven Modes on the NSTX-U with Outboard Beam Injection

DOE PAGES

Fredrickson, E. D.; Belova, E. V.; Battaglia, D. J.; ...

2017-06-29

In this paper we present data from experiments on the National Spherical Torus Experiment Upgrade, where it is shown for the first time that small amounts of high pitch-angle beam ions can strongly suppress the counterpropagating global Alfven eigenmodes (GAE). GAE have been implicated in the redistribution of fast ions and modification of the electron power balance in previous experiments on NSTX. The ability to predict the stability of Alfven modes, and developing methods to control them, is important for fusion reactors like the International Tokamak Experimental Reactor, which are heated by a large population of nonthermal, super-Alfvenic ions consistingmore » of fusion generated alpha's and beam ions injected for current profile control. We present a qualitative interpretation of these observations using an analytic model of the Doppler-shifted ion-cyclotron resonance drive responsible for GAE instability which has an important dependence on k(perpendicular to rho L). A quantitative analysis of this data with the HYM stability code predicts both the frequencies and instability of the GAE prior to, and suppression of the GAE after the injection of high pitch-angle beam ions.« less

The Role of Risk: Mentoring Experiences and Outcomes for Youth with Varying Risk Profiles

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Herrera, Carla; DuBois, David L.; Grossman, Jean Baldwin

2013-01-01

"The Role of Risk: Mentoring Experiences and Outcomes for Youth with Varying Risk Profiles" presents findings from the first large-scale study to examine how the levels and types of risk youth face may influence their relationships with program-assigned mentors and the benefits they derive from these relationships. The study looked…

Glycaemic control of diabetic patients in an urban primary health care setting in Sarawak: the Tanah Puteh Health Centre experience.

PubMed

Wong, J S; Rahimah, N

2004-08-01

Achieving glycaemic goals in diabetics has always been a problem, especially in a developing country with inadequate facilities such as in Sarawak in Malaysia. There are no reported studies on the control of diabetes mellitus in a diabetic clinic in the primary health care setting in Sarawak. This paper describes the profile of 1031 patients treated in Klinik Kesihatan Tanah Puteh Health Centre. The mean age was 59 years, the mean BMI 27 kg/m2. There was a female preponderance and mainly type-2 diabetes. Mean HbA1c was 7.4%. Glycaemic control was optimal in 28% (HbA1c <6.5%), fair in 34% (HbA1c 6.5-7.5%) and poor in 38% (HbA1c >7.5%). Reasonable glycaemic control can be achieved in the primary health care setting in Sarawak.

MMPI-2 Profiles in Civilian PTSD: An Examination of Differential Responses between Victims of Crime and Industrial Accidents

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shercliffe, Regan Jeffery; Colotla, Victor

2009-01-01

The authors studied MMPI-2 profiles of workers (N = 83) diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a control group comprising workers with chronic pain (N = 40). Significant differences were seen in profiles between the PTSD groups and the control group, and the authors compared the PTSD profiles according to exposure to two different…

Review of operational aspects of initial experiments utilizing the U.S. MLS. [microwave landing system effectiveness

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walsh, T. M.; Morello, S. A.; Reeder, J. P.

1976-01-01

An exercise to support the Federal Aviation Administration in demonstrating the U.S. candidate for an international microwave landing system (MLS) was conducted by NASA. During this demonstration the MLS was utilized to provide the TCV Boeing 737 research airplane with guidance for automatic control during transition from conventional RNAV to MLS RNAV in curved, descending flight; flare; touchdown; and roll-out. Flight profiles, system configuration, displays, and operating procedures used in the demonstration are described, and preliminary results of flight data analysis are discussed. Recent experiences with manually controlled flight in the NAFEC MLS environment are also discussed. The demonstration shows that in automatic three-dimensional flight, the volumetric signal coverage of the MLS can be exploited to enable a commercial carrier class airplane to perform complex curved, descending paths with precision turns into short final approaches terminating in landing and roll-out, even when subjected to strong and gusty tail and cross wind components and severe wind shear.

Changes in mood status and neurotic levels during a 20-day bed rest

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ishizaki, Yuko; Ishizaki, Tatsuro; Fukuoka, Hideoki; Kim, Chang-Sun; Fujita, Masayo; Maegawa, Yuko; Fujioka, Hiroshi; Katsura, Taisaku; Suzuki, Yoji; Gunji, Atsuaki

2002-04-01

This study evaluated changes of mood status and depressive and neurotic levels in nine young male subjects during a 20-day 6° head-down tilting bed rest and examined whether exercise training modified these changes. Participants were asked to complete psychometrical inventories on before, during, and after the bed rest experiment. Depressive and neurotic levels were enhanced during bed rest period according to the Japanese version of Zung's Self-rating Depression Scale and the Japanese version of the General Health Questionnaire. Mood state "vigor" was impaired and "confusion" was increased during bed rest and recumbent control periods compared to pre-bed rest and ambulatory control periods according to the Japanese version of Profiles of Mood State, whereas the mood "tension-anxiety", "depression-dejection", "anger-hostility" and "fatigue" were relatively stable during experiment. Isometric exercise training did not modify these results. Microgravity, along with confinement to bed and isolation from familiar environments, induced impairment of mental status.

Cyber-physical experiments on the efficiency of swimming protocols

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Nathaniel; Floryan, Daniel; van Buren, Tyler; Smits, Alexander

2016-11-01

We present results from experiments on a biologically inspired cyber-physical system, composed of a two-dimensional heaving and pitching rigid airfoil attached to a six component load cell, mounted to a traverse that can move along a water channel. A feedback controller, influenced by the apparatus of Mackowski and Williamson, introduces the effects of a fictional drag force specified by a virtual body profile and drives the traverse accordingly. Free-swimming protocols using the force-feedback system are compared with similar motions on a motionless traverse. The propulsive efficiency of burst-and-coast kinematics is also considered. Of particular interest are (1) the implementation of the cyber-physical control system with respect to the accessible experimental parameter space, (2) the impact of force-based streamwise actuation on experimental data, and (3) the effects of burst-and-coast motions on propulsive efficiency. The work was supported by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) under MURI Grant N00014-14-1-0533.

Control of buffet onset by plasma-based actuators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vishnyakov, O. I.; Polivanov, P. A.; Budovskiy, A. D.; Sidorenko, A. A.; Maslov, A. A.

2016-10-01

The paper is devoted to the experimental investigations of the influence of electrical discharges which produces local area of unsteady energy deposition and density variations on transonic flow, namely, buffet onset. Experiments are carried out in T-112 wind tunnel in TsAGI using model of rectangular wing with chord of 200 mm and span 599 mm. The profile of the wing is supercritical airfoil P184-15SR with max thickness 15% of chord length. Experiments were carried out in the range of Mach number 0.73÷0.78 for several angles of attack of the model. The flow around the model was studied by schlieren visualization, surface pressure distribution measurements and Pitot measurements in the wake of the wing using wake rake located downstream of the model. The experimentally data obtained show that excitation of plasma actuator based on spark discharge effectively influence on mean flow and characteristics of shock wave oscillations. It was found that control efficiency depends on frequency of discharge.

Overcoming confounded controls in the analysis of gene expression data from microarray experiments.

PubMed

Bhattacharya, Soumyaroop; Long, Dang; Lyons-Weiler, James

2003-01-01

A potential limitation of data from microarray experiments exists when improper control samples are used. In cancer research, comparisons of tumour expression profiles to those from normal samples is challenging due to tissue heterogeneity (mixed cell populations). A specific example exists in a published colon cancer dataset, in which tissue heterogeneity was reported among the normal samples. In this paper, we show how to overcome or avoid the problem of using normal samples that do not derive from the same tissue of origin as the tumour. We advocate an exploratory unsupervised bootstrap analysis that can reveal unexpected and undesired, but strongly supported, clusters of samples that reflect tissue differences instead of tumour versus normal differences. All of the algorithms used in the analysis, including the maximum difference subset algorithm, unsupervised bootstrap analysis, pooled variance t-test for finding differentially expressed genes and the jackknife to reduce false positives, are incorporated into our online Gene Expression Data Analyzer ( http:// bioinformatics.upmc.edu/GE2/GEDA.html ).

A Monte Carlo software for the 1-dimensional simulation of IBIC experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forneris, J.; Jakšić, M.; Pastuović, Ž.; Vittone, E.

2014-08-01

The ion beam induced charge (IBIC) microscopy is a valuable tool for the analysis of the electronic properties of semiconductors. In this work, a recently developed Monte Carlo approach for the simulation of IBIC experiments is presented along with a self-standing software equipped with graphical user interface. The method is based on the probabilistic interpretation of the excess charge carrier continuity equations and it offers to the end-user the full control not only of the physical properties ruling the induced charge formation mechanism (i.e., mobility, lifetime, electrostatics, device's geometry), but also of the relevant experimental conditions (ionization profiles, beam dispersion, electronic noise) affecting the measurement of the IBIC pulses. Moreover, the software implements a novel model for the quantitative evaluation of the radiation damage effects on the charge collection efficiency degradation of ion-beam-irradiated devices. The reliability of the model implementation is then validated against a benchmark IBIC experiment.

The Challenging Experience Questionnaire: Characterization of challenging experiences with psilocybin mushrooms.

PubMed

Barrett, Frederick S; Bradstreet, Matthew P; Leoutsakos, Jeannie-Marie S; Johnson, Matthew W; Griffiths, Roland R

2016-12-01

Acute adverse psychological reactions to classic hallucinogens ("bad trips" or "challenging experiences"), while usually benign with proper screening, preparation, and support in controlled settings, remain a safety concern in uncontrolled settings (such as illicit use contexts). Anecdotal and case reports suggest potential adverse acute symptoms including affective (panic, depressed mood), cognitive (confusion, feelings of losing sanity), and somatic (nausea, heart palpitation) symptoms. Responses to items from several hallucinogen-sensitive questionnaires (Hallucinogen Rating Scale, the States of Consciousness Questionnaire, and the Five-Dimensional Altered States of Consciousness questionnaire) in an Internet survey of challenging experiences with the classic hallucinogen psilocybin were used to construct and validate a Challenging Experience Questionnaire. The stand-alone Challenging Experience Questionnaire was then validated in a separate sample. Seven Challenging Experience Questionnaire factors (grief, fear, death, insanity, isolation, physical distress, and paranoia) provide a phenomenological profile of challenging aspects of experiences with psilocybin. Factor scores were associated with difficulty, meaningfulness, spiritual significance, and change in well-being attributed to the challenging experiences. The factor structure did not differ based on gender or prior struggle with anxiety or depression. The Challenging Experience Questionnaire provides a basis for future investigation of predictors and outcomes of challenging experiences with classic hallucinogens. © The Author(s) 2016.

Dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuator for flow control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Opaits, Dmitry Florievich

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) and magnetohydrodynamic phenomena are being widely studied for aerodynamic applications. The major effects of these phenomena are heating of the gas, body force generation, and enthalpy addition or extraction, [1, 2, 3]. In particular, asymmetric dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuators are known to be effective EHD device in aerodynamic control, [4, 5]. Experiments have demonstrated their effectiveness in separation control, acoustic noise reduction, and other aeronautic applications. In contrast to conventional DBD actuators driven by sinusoidal voltages, we proposed and used a voltage profile consisting of nanosecond pulses superimposed on dc bias voltage. This produces what is essentially a non-self-sustained discharge: the plasma is generated by repetitive short pulses, and the pushing of the gas occurs primarily due to the bias voltage. The advantage of this non-self-sustained discharge is that the parameters of ionizing pulses and the driving bias voltage can be varied independently, which adds flexibility to control and optimization of the actuators performance. Experimental studies were conducted of a flow induced in a quiescent room air by a single DBD actuator. A new approach for non-intrusive diagnostics of plasma actuator induced flows in quiescent gas was proposed, consisting of three elements coupled together: the Schlieren technique, burst mode of plasma actuator operation, and 2-D numerical fluid modeling. During the experiments, it was found that DBD performance is severely limited by surface charge accumulation on the dielectric. Several ways to mitigate the surface charge were found: using a reversing DC bias potential, three-electrode configuration, slightly conductive dielectrics, and semi conductive coatings. Force balance measurements proved the effectiveness of the suggested configurations and advantages of the new voltage profile (pulses+bias) over the traditional sinusoidal one at relatively low voltages. In view of practical applications certain questions have been also addressed, such as electrodynamic effects which accompany scaling of the actuators to real size models, and environmental effects of ozone production by the plasma actuators.

Identity physics experiment on internal transport barriers in JT-60U and JET

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Vries, P. C.; Sakamoto, Y.; Litaudon, X.; Beurskens, M. N. A.; Brix, M.; Crombé, K.; Fujita, T.; Giroud, C.; Hawkes, N. C.; Hayashi, N.; Joffrin, E.; Mantica, P.; Matsunaga, G.; Oyama, N.; Parail, V.; Salmi, A.; Shinohara, K.; Strintzi, D.; Suzuki, T.; Takechi, M.; Takenaga, H.; Tala, T.; Tsalas, M.; Urano, H.; Voitsekhovitch, I.; Yoshida, M.; EFDA contributors, JET; JT-60 Team

2009-12-01

A series of experiments have been carried out in 2008 at JT-60U and JET to find common characteristics and explain differences between internal transport barriers (ITBs). The identity experiments succeeded in matching the profiles of most dimensionless parameters at the time ITBs were triggered. Thereafter the q-profile development deviated due to differences in non-inductive current density profile, affecting the ITB. Furthermore, the ITBs in JET were more strongly influenced by the H-mode pedestal or edge localized modes. It was found to be difficult to match the plasma rotation characteristics in both devices. However, the wide range of Mach numbers obtained in these experiments shows that the rotation has little effect on the triggering of ITBs in plasmas with reversed magnetic shear. On the other hand the toroidal rotation and more specifically the rotational shear had an impact on the subsequent growth and allowed the formation of strong ITBs.

Modeling of material erosion and redeposition for dedicated DiMES experiments on DIII-D

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, R.; Abrams, T.; Chrobak, C. P.; Guo, H. Y.; Snyder, P. B.; Chan, V. S.; Rudakov, D. L.; Stangeby, P. C.; Elder, J. D.; Tskhakaya, D.; Wampler, W. R.; Kirschner, A.; McLean, A. G.

2015-11-01

Erosion and redeposition of plasma facing materials is a key issue for high-power, long pulse tokamak operation. A series of experiments has been carried out on DIII-D in which well-characterized samples of different materials were exposed to divertor plasma using DiMES. Such experiments provide a good benchmark for PMI codes, such as ERO. It was found that the erosion and redeposition are strongly determined by the impurity content in the plasma and sheath properties near the surface. The principal experimental results (net erosion rate and profile, net/gross erosion ratio) are reproduced by ERO simulations to within the uncertainties, indicating that the controlling physics has likely been identified. New techniques suggested by modeling such as external biasing and local gas injection for suppressing material erosion are planned to be tested in DiMES/DIII-D experiments. Work supported by US DOE DE-FC02-04ER54698, DE-AC52-07NA27344, DE-AC04-94AL85000, DE-AC52-07NA27344.

Weighted analysis of paired microarray experiments.

PubMed

Kristiansson, Erik; Sjögren, Anders; Rudemo, Mats; Nerman, Olle

2005-01-01

In microarray experiments quality often varies, for example between samples and between arrays. The need for quality control is therefore strong. A statistical model and a corresponding analysis method is suggested for experiments with pairing, including designs with individuals observed before and after treatment and many experiments with two-colour spotted arrays. The model is of mixed type with some parameters estimated by an empirical Bayes method. Differences in quality are modelled by individual variances and correlations between repetitions. The method is applied to three real and several simulated datasets. Two of the real datasets are of Affymetrix type with patients profiled before and after treatment, and the third dataset is of two-colour spotted cDNA type. In all cases, the patients or arrays had different estimated variances, leading to distinctly unequal weights in the analysis. We suggest also plots which illustrate the variances and correlations that affect the weights computed by our analysis method. For simulated data the improvement relative to previously published methods without weighting is shown to be substantial.

Extending the Measurement Range of AN Optical Surface Profiler.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cochran, Eugene Rowland, III

This dissertation investigates a method for extending the measurement range of an optical surface profiling instrument. The instrument examined in these experiments is a computer -controlled phase-modulated interference microscope. Because of its ability to measure surfaces with a high degree of vertical resolution as well as excellent lateral resolution, this instrument is one of the most favorable candidates for determining the microtopography of optical surfaces. However, the data acquired by the instrument are restricted to a finite lateral and vertical range. To overcome this restriction, the feasibility of a new testing technique is explored. By overlapping a series of collinear profiles the limited field of view of this instrument can be increased and profiles that contain longer surface wavelengths can be examined. This dissertation also presents a method to augment both the vertical and horizontal dynamic range of the surface profiler by combining multiple subapertures and two-wavelength techniques. The theory, algorithms, error sources, and limitations encountered when concatenating a number of profiles are presented. In particular, the effects of accumulated piston and tilt errors on a measurement are explored. Some practical considerations for implementation and integration into an existing system are presented. Experimental findings and results of Monte Carlo simulations are also studied to explain the effects of random noise, lateral position errors, and defocus across the CCD array on measurement results. These results indicate the extent to which the field of view of the profiler may be augmented. A review of current methods of measuring surface topography is included, to provide for a more coherent text, along with a summary of pertinent measurement parameters for surface characterization. This work concludes with recommendations for future work that would make subaperture -testing techniques more reliable for measuring the microsurface structure of a material over an extended region.

Olympic Village thermal energy storage experiment. Final report

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

Fernandes, R.A.; Saylor, C.M.

Four thermal energy storage (TES) systems were operated in identical dormitory-style buildings of the Raybrook Correctional Facility, formerly the housing for the athletes at the 1980 Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid, New York. The objectives of the project were to assess the ability of these TES systems to be controlled so as to modify load profiles favorably, and to assess the ability to maintain comfortable indoor conditions under those control strategies. Accordingly, the test was designed to evaluate the effect on load profiles of appropriate control algorithms for the TES systems, collect comprehensive TES operating data, and identify neededmore » research and development to improve the effectiveness of the TES systems. The four similar dormitory buildings were used to compare electric slab heating on grade, ceramic brick storage heating, pressurized-hot-water heating, and heat pumps with hot-water storage. In a fifth similar building, a conventional (non-TES) forced air electric resistance heat system was used. The four buildings with TES systems also had electric resistance heating for backup. A remote computer-based monitoring and control system was used to implement the control algorithms and to collect data from the site. For a 25% TES saturation of electric heat customers on the NMPC system, production costs were reduced by up to $2,235,000 for the New York Power Pool. The winter peak load was reduced by up to 223 MW. The control schedules developed were successful in reducing on-peak energy consumption while maintaining indoor conditions as close to the comfort level as possible considering the test environment.« less

Final Report: Levitated Dipole Experiment

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

Kesner, Jay; Mauel, Michael

2013-03-10

Since the very first experiments with the LDX, research progress was rapid and significant. Initial experiments were conducted with the high-field superconducting coil suspended by three thin rods. These experiments produced long-pulse, quasi-steady-state microwave discharges, lasting more than 10 s, having peak beta values of 20% [Garnier et al., Physics of Plasmas, 13 (2006) 056111]. High- beta, near steady-state discharges have been maintained in LDX for more than 20 seconds, and this capability made LDX the longest pulse fusion confinement experiment operating in the U.S. fusion program. A significant measure of progress in the LDX research program was the routinemore » investigation of plasma confinement with a magnetically-levitated dipole and the resulting observations of confinement improvement. In both supported and levitated configurations, detailed measurements were made of discharge evolution, plasma dynamics and instability, and the roles of gas fueling, microwave power deposition profiles, and plasma boundary shape. High-temperature plasma was created by multi frequency electron cyclotron resonance heating at 2.45 GHz, 6.4 GHz, 10.5 GHz and 28 GHz allowing control of heating profiles. Depending upon neutral fueling rates, the LDX discharges contain a fraction of energetic electrons, with mean energies above 50 keV. Depending on whether or not the superconducting dipole was levitated or supported, the peak thermal electron temperature was estimated to exceed 500 eV and peak densities to approach 1e18 m -3. We have found that levitation causes a strong inwards density pinch [Boxer et al., Nature Physics, 6 (2010) 207] and we have observed the central plasma density increase dramatically indicating a significant improvement in the confinement of a thermal plasma species.« less

Strategic Control Algorithm Development : Volume 1. Summary.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1974-08-01

Strategic control is an air traffic management concept wherein a central control authority determines, and assigns to each participating airplane, a conflict-free, four-dimensional route-time profile. The route-time profile assignments are long term ...

Male DNA under female fingernails after scratching: transfer and persistence evaluation by RT-PCR analysis and Y-STR typing.

PubMed

Iuvaro, Alessandra; Bini, Carla; Dilloo, Silvia; Sarno, Stefania; Pelotti, Susi

2018-04-17

The collection of biological debris beneath fingernails can be useful in forensic casework when a struggle between the victim and the offender is suspected. In the present study, we set up a controlled scratching experiment in which female volunteers scratched the male volunteers' forearms, simulating a defensive action during an assault. A total of 160 fingernail samples were collected: 80 "control samples" before the scratching, 40 samples immediately after the scratching (t = 0 h), and 40 samples 5 h after the scratching (t = 5 h). The aim was to evaluate, using a real-time PCR approach and Y-STR profiling, the transfer and the persistence of male DNA under female fingernails after scratching. A significant reduction in DNA yield was observed between fingernail samples collected immediately and those collected 5 h after scratching, with a corresponding decrease in Y-STR profile quality. Overall, 38/40 (95%) of the fingernail samples collected immediately (t = 0 h) and 24/40 (60%) of those collected 5 h later (t = 5 h) were suitable for comparison and the scratched male volunteers could not be excluded as donors of the foreign DNA from 37 (92.5%) of the t = 0 h and from 10 (25%) of the t = 5 h profiles. The analysis of male DNA under female fingernails showed that Y-chromosome STR typing may provide extremely valuable genetic information of the male contributor(s), although 5 h after scratching the profile of the scratched male was lost in three-quarters of samples.

Vegetation Impacts on Near Bank Flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hopkinson, L. C.; Wynn, T. M.

2008-12-01

Sediment, a leading cause of water quality impairment, damages aquatic ecosystems and interferes with recreational uses and water treatment processes. A significant sediment source to streams, streambank retreat, has largely been ignored. Vegetation is an important component of stream restoration designs used to control streambank retreat, but vegetation effects on near bank flows need to be quantified. The goal of this research is to evaluate the effects of streambank vegetation on near bank flows and boundary shear stress. A flume experiment was conducted comparing three distinct streambank vegetation types: trees, shrubs, and grass. A second order prototype stream (Tom's Creek in Blacksburg, VA), with individual reaches dominated by the vegetation treatments was modeled using a fixed-bed Froude-scale modeling technique. One model streambank of the prototype stream was constructed for each vegetation type and compared to a bare control (only grain roughness). Simulated vegetation (e.g. woven grass mat and wooden dowels) was attached in locations identified in a field survey. Velocity profiles perpendicular to the flume model boundary will be evaluated along five cross sections for each vegetation treatment. Reynolds, law of the wall, and turbulent kinetic energy shear stresses will be analyzed using velocity measurements made with a three-dimensional acoustic Doppler velocimeter (ADV). Velocity profiles perpendicular to the flume model streambank will also be evaluated. The velocity profiles will be compared among vegetation types to see if profiles are similar along the bank face. This research is intended to improve our understanding of the role of riparian vegetation in stream morphology by evaluating the effects of vegetation on boundary shear stress, providing insight to the type and density of vegetation required for streambank stability. The results will also aide in quantifying sediment inputs from streambanks, providing quantitative information for stream restoration projects and watershed management planning.

Effects of the Communities That Care system on cross-sectional profiles of adolescent substance use and delinquency.

PubMed

Van Horn, M Lee; Fagan, Abigail A; Hawkins, J David; Oesterle, Sabrina

2014-08-01

Adolescent substance use and delinquency are major public health problems. Although community-based prevention strategies have been recommended to produce population-level reductions in rates of substance use and delinquency, few models show evidence of effectiveness. To test the efficacy of a community-based prevention system, Communities That Care (CTC), in reducing community rates of problem behaviors, particularly effects on specific profiles of adolescent substance use and delinquency in eighth- and tenth-graders. Twenty-four communities were randomized to CTC intervention or control groups. Data were collected from 14,099 8th- and 10th-grade students in these communities using anonymous cross-sectional surveys in 2004 and 2010 and analyzed in 2012. Outcomes were four different profiles of self-reported substance use and delinquency in 8th grade and five profiles in 10th grade. In the cross-sectional 2010 data, there was no intervention effect on the probability of experimenting with substances or of substance use coupled with delinquent activities for either grade. However, tenth-graders in intervention communities were significantly less likely to be alcohol users than those in control communities (OR=0.69, CI=0.48, 1.00). Cross-sectional population surveys showed evidence of CTC effects in reducing tenth-grade alcohol users but not experimenters. A community-wide reduction in adolescent alcohol use is important because alcohol is the most commonly used illicit substance during adolescence, and early initiation of alcohol use has been associated with alcohol-related disorders in adulthood. Failure to find hypothesized effects on experimenters qualifies these results. Copyright © 2014 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effects of coarse grain size distribution and fine particle content on pore fluid pressure and shear behavior in experimental debris flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaitna, Roland; Palucis, Marisa C.; Yohannes, Bereket; Hill, Kimberly M.; Dietrich, William E.

2016-02-01

Debris flows are typically a saturated mixture of poorly sorted particles and interstitial fluid, whose density and flow properties depend strongly on the presence of suspended fine sediment. Recent research suggests that grain size distribution (GSD) influences excess pore pressures (i.e., pressure in excess of predicted hydrostatic pressure), which in turn plays a governing role in debris flow behaviors. We report a series of controlled laboratory experiments in a 4 m diameter vertically rotating drum where the coarse particle size distribution and the content of fine particles were varied independently. We measured basal pore fluid pressures, pore fluid pressure profiles (using novel sensor probes), velocity profiles, and longitudinal profiles of the flow height. Excess pore fluid pressure was significant for mixtures with high fines fraction. Such flows exhibited lower values for their bulk flow resistance (as measured by surface slope of the flow), had damped fluctuations of normalized fluid pressure and normal stress, and had velocity profiles where the shear was concentrated at the base of the flow. These effects were most pronounced in flows with a wide coarse GSD distribution. Sustained excess fluid pressure occurred during flow and after cessation of motion. Various mechanisms may cause dilation and contraction of the flows, and we propose that the sustained excess fluid pressures during flow and once the flow has stopped may arise from hindered particle settling and yield strength of the fluid, resulting in transfer of particle weight to the fluid. Thus, debris flow behavior may be strongly influenced by sustained excess fluid pressures controlled by particle settling rates.

Power amplification for petawatt Ti: Sapphire lasers: New strategies for high fluence pumping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Canova, F.; Chambaret, J.-P.

2006-06-01

One of the major bottlenecks when we pump large Ti:Sapphire crystals, to reach Petawatt level laser amplification, is the careful control of the spatial energy distribution of Nd:Glass pump lasers. Commercially available nanosecond Nd:Glass and Nd:YAG lasers exhibit poor spatial profile quality especially in the near and in the intermediate field, which can lead to local hot spots, responsible of damages in crystals, and parasitic transverse lasing enhancement, strongly dependent on the profile of the pump beam . For these reasons, it is mandatory to keep the pump beam intensity profile as flat as possible on the pumped crystal. To guarantee the best pumping conditions we are investigating the combined use of DOE (diffractive optical elements) and optical smoothing techniques. In parallel we are starting a study on laser induced damages mechanisms in crystal. With DOE and microlens arrays we plan to guarantee to the beam a supergaussian shape. Simulation and first experiments with both optical systems show that a flat top spatial profile with less than 10% fluctuations and a 8th order supergaussian is possible with the present technology.Optical smoothing will keep the beam free of hot spots. We especially focused on the smoothing techniques involving optical fibers. This is the first time to our knowledge that this technique is applied to the pumping beams for Ti:Sapphire systems. A deep study of laser-crystal interaction will allow us to fully understand the damages created by hot spots. The knowledge of the phenomena involved in laser damages on Ti:Sapphire is mandatory to control the pumping processes and thresholds. In conclusion, mixing the advantages of these different approaches to overcome this bottleneck will allow us to amplify in a safety way femtosecond laser beams to the Petawatt level using Ti:Sapphire crystals.

Unidirectional Transition Waves in Bistable Lattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nadkarni, Neel; Arrieta, Andres F.; Chong, Christopher; Kochmann, Dennis M.; Daraio, Chiara

2016-06-01

We present a model system for strongly nonlinear transition waves generated in a periodic lattice of bistable members connected by magnetic links. The asymmetry of the on-site energy wells created by the bistable members produces a mechanical diode that supports only unidirectional transition wave propagation with constant wave velocity. We theoretically justify the cause of the unidirectionality of the transition wave and confirm these predictions by experiments and simulations. We further identify how the wave velocity and profile are uniquely linked to the double-well energy landscape, which serves as a blueprint for transition wave control.

Three subgroups of pain profiles identified in 227 women with arthritis: a latent class analysis.

PubMed

de Luca, Katie; Parkinson, Lynne; Downie, Aron; Blyth, Fiona; Byles, Julie

2017-03-01

The objectives were to identify subgroups of women with arthritis based upon the multi-dimensional nature of their pain experience and to compare health and socio-demographic variables between subgroups. A latent class analysis of 227 women with self-reported arthritis was used to identify clusters of women based upon the sensory, affective, and cognitive dimensions of the pain experience. Multivariate multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between cluster membership and health and sociodemographic characteristics. A three-class cluster model was most parsimonious. 39.5 % of women had a unidimensional pain profile; 38.6 % of women had moderate multidimensional pain profile that included additional pain symptomatology such as sensory qualities and pain catastrophizing; and 21.9 % of women had severe multidimensional pain profile that included prominent pain symptomatology such as sensory and affective qualities of pain, pain catastrophizing, and neuropathic pain. Women with severe multidimensional pain profile have a 30.5 % higher risk of poorer quality of life and a 7.3 % higher risk of suffering depression, and women with moderate multidimensional pain profile have a 6.4 % higher risk of poorer quality of life when compared to women with unidimensional pain. This study identified three distinct subgroups of pain profiles in older women with arthritis. Women had very different experiences of pain, and cluster membership impacted significantly on health-related quality of life. These preliminary findings provide a stronger understanding of profiles of pain and may contribute to the development of tailored treatment options in arthritis.

Ultrasound Imaging System Implementation and Ignition Protocol for the Microgravity Smoldering Combustion (MSC) Experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walther, David C.; Anthenien, Ralph A.; Roslon, Mark; Fernandez-Pello, A. Carlos; Urban, David L.

1999-01-01

The Microgravity Smoldering Combustion (MSC) experiment is a study of the smolder characteristics of porous combustible materials in a microgravity environment. The objective of the study is to provide a better understanding of the controlling mechanisms of smolder, both in microgravity and normal earth gravity. Experiments have been conducted aboard the NASA Space Shuttle in the Get Away Special Canister (GAS-CAN), an apparatus requiring completely remote operation. Future GAS-CAN experiments will utilize an ultrasound imaging system (UIS) which has been incorporated into the MSC experimental apparatus. Thermocouples are currently used to measure temperature and reaction front velocities. A less intrusive method is desirable, however, as smolder is a very weak reaction and it has been found that heat transfer along the thermocouple is sufficient to affect the smolder reaction. It is expected that the UIS system will eventually replace the existing array of thermocouples as a non-intrusive technique without compromising data acquisition. The UIS measures line of sight permeability, providing information about the reaction front position and extent. Additionally, the ignition sequence of the MSC experiments has been optimized from previous experiments to provide longer periods of self-supported smolder. An ignition protocol of a fixed power to the igniter for a fixed time is now implemented. This, rather than a controlled temperature profile ignition protocol at the igniter surface, along with the UIS system, will allow for better study of the effect of gravity on a smolder reaction.

Calcium modified edible Canna (Canna edulis L) starch for controlled released matrix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Putri, A. P.; Ridwan, M.; Darmawan, T. A.; Darusman, F.; Gadri, A.

2017-07-01

Canna edulis L starch was modified with calcium chloride in order to form controlled released matrix. Present study aim to analyze modified starch characteristic. Four different formulation of ondansetron granules was used to provide dissolution profile of controlled released, two formula consisted of 15% and 30% modified starch, one formula utilized matrix reference standards and the last granules was negative control. Methocel-hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose was used as controlled released matrix reference standards in the third formula. Calcium starch was synthesized in the presence of sodium hydroxide to form gelatinized mass and calcium chloride as the cross linking agent. Physicochemical and dissolution properties of modified starch for controlled released application were investigated. Modified starch has higher swelling index, water solubility and compressibility index. Three of four different formulation of granules provide dissolution profile of controlled released. The profiles indicate granules which employed calcium Canna edulis L starch as matrix are able to resemble controlled drug released profile of matrix reference, however their bigger detain ability lead to lower bioavailability.

Profiles of Adolescent Religiousness using Latent Profile Analysis: Implications for Psychopathology

PubMed Central

Longo, Gregory S.; Bray, Bethany; Kim-Spoon, Jungmeen

2017-01-01

Prior research has documented robust associations between adolescent religiousness/spirituality (R/S) and psychopathology outcomes including externalizing and internalizing symptomatology, yet no previous studies have examined these associations with adolescent R/S profiles using a person-centered approach. We examined if there are identifiable subgroups characterized by unique multidimensional patterns of R/S experiences and how these experiences may be related to externalizing and internalizing symptomatology. The sample consisted of 220 Appalachian adolescents between 12 and 18 years old who were primarily White and primarily Christian. Latent profile analysis revealed three profiles of adolescent R/S; high religiousness (28.4%), introjectors (47.6%), and low religiousness (24.0%). These profiles were differentially related to internalizing and externalizing symptomatology such that the high religiousness group was significantly lower than the introjectors with respect to internalizing and externalizing symptomatology and lower than the low religiousness group in externalizing symptomatology. Implications and suggestions for future research using person-centered approaches to better understand differential developmental trajectories of religious development are provided. PMID:28220955

Effects of fatty acid oxidation products (green odor) on rumen bacterial populations and lipid metabolism in vitro.

PubMed

Lee, M R F; Huws, S A; Scollan, N D; Dewhurst, R J

2007-08-01

This study investigated the effects of green odor fatty acid oxidation products (FAOP) from cut grass on lipid metabolism and microbial ecology using in vitro incubations of rumen microorganisms. These compounds have antimicrobial roles in plant defense, and we hypothesized that they may influence rumen lipid metabolism. Further, they may partially explain the higher levels of conjugated linoleic acid cis-9, trans-11 in milk from cows grazing pasture. The first of 2 batch culture experiments screened 6 FAOP (1 hydroperoxide, 3 aldehydes, 1 ketone, and 1 alcohol) for effects on lipid profile, and in particular C(18) polyunsaturated fatty acid biohydrogenation. Experiment 2 used the most potent FAOP to determine effects of varying concentrations and identify relationships with effects on microbial ecology. Batch cultures contained anaerobic buffer, rumen liquor, and FAOP to a final concentration of 100 microM for experiment 1. Triplicates for each compound and controls (water addition) were incubated at 39 degrees C for 6 h. The hydroperoxide (1,2-dimethylethyl hydroperoxide, 1,2-DMEH) and the long chain aldehyde (trans-2 decenal) had the largest effects on lipid metabolism with significant increases in C(18:0) and C(18:1) trans and reductions in C(12:0), C(14:0), C(16:0), C(18:1) cis, C(18:2n-6), C(18:3n-3), C(20:0) and total branch and odd chain fatty acids compared with the control. This was associated with significantly higher biohydrogenation of C(18) polyunsaturated fatty acid. In experiment 2, 1,2-DMEH was incubated at 50, 100, and 200 microM for 2, 6, and 24 h. Increasing 1,2-DMEH concentration resulted in a significant linear increase in C(18:1) trans-10, trans-11, conjugated linoleic acid, and C(18:0) and a linear decrease in C(18:2n-6) and C(18:3n-3), although the scale of this response declined with time. Microbial profiling techniques showed that 1,2-DMEH at concentrations of 100 and 200 microM changed the microbial community from as early as 2 h after addition, though microbial biomass remained similar. These preliminary studies have shown that FAOP can alter fatty acid biohydrogenation in the rumen. This change was associated with changes in the microbial population that were detected through DNA and branched- and odd-chain fatty acid profiling approaches.

Dobson spectrophotometer ozone measurements during international ozone rocketsonde intercomparison

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parsons, C. L.

1980-01-01

Measurements of the total ozone content of the atmosphere, made with seven ground based instruments at a site near Wallops Island, Virginia, are discussed in terms for serving as control values with which the rocketborne sensor data products can be compared. These products are profiles of O3 concentration with altitude. By integrating over the range of altitudes from the surface to the rocket apogee and by appropriately estimating the residual ozone amount from apogee to the top of the atmosphere, a total ozone amount can be computed from the profiles that can be directly compared with the ground based instrumentation results. Dobson spectrophotometers were used for two of the ground-based instruments. Preliminary data collected during the IORI from Dobson spectrophotometers 72 and 38 are presented. The agreement between the two and the variability of total ozone overburden through the experiment period are discussed.

Thermal transport dynamics in the quasi-single helicity state

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McKinney, I. J.; Terry, P. W.

2017-06-01

A dynamical model describing oscillations between multiple and single helicity configurations in the quasi-single helicity (QSH) state of the reversed field pinch [P. W. Terry and G. G. Whelan, Plasma Phys. Controlled Fusion 56, 094003 (2014)] is extended to include electron temperature profile dynamics. It is shown that QSH dynamics is linked to the electron temperature profile because the suppression of mode coupling between tearing modes proposed to underlie QSH also suppresses magnetic-fluctuation-induced thermal transport. Above the threshold of dominant-mode shear that marks the transition to QSH, the model produces temperature-gradient steepening in the strong shear region. Oscillations of the dominant and secondary mode amplitudes give rise to oscillations of the temperature gradient. The phasing and amplitude of temperature gradient oscillations relative to those of the dominant mode are in agreement with experiment. This provides further evidence that the model, while heuristic, captures key physical aspects of the QSH state.

Flows and Stratification of an Enclosure Containing Both Localised and Vertically Distributed Sources of Buoyancy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Partridge, Jamie; Linden, Paul

2013-11-01

We examine the flows and stratification established in a naturally ventilated enclosure containing both a localised and vertically distributed source of buoyancy. The enclosure is ventilated through upper and lower openings which connect the space to an external ambient. Small scale laboratory experiments were carried out with water as the working medium and buoyancy being driven directly by temperature differences. A point source plume gave localised heating while the distributed source was driven by a controllable heater mat located in the side wall of the enclosure. The transient temperatures, as well as steady state temperature profiles, were recorded and are reported here. The temperature profiles inside the enclosure were found to be dependent on the effective opening area A*, a combination of the upper and lower openings, and the ratio of buoyancy fluxes from the distributed and localised source Ψ =Bw/Bp . Industrial CASE award with ARUP.

3D printing of gas jet nozzles for laser-plasma accelerators

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

Döpp, A.; Guillaume, E.; Thaury, C.

2016-07-15

Recent results on laser wakefield acceleration in tailored plasma channels have underlined the importance of controlling the density profile of the gas target. In particular, it was reported that the appropriate density tailoring can result in improved injection, acceleration, and collimation of laser-accelerated electron beams. To achieve such profiles, innovative target designs are required. For this purpose, we have reviewed the usage of additive layer manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing, in order to produce gas jet nozzles. Notably we have compared the performance of two industry standard techniques, namely, selective laser sintering (SLS) and stereolithography (SLA). Furthermore we havemore » used the common fused deposition modeling to reproduce basic gas jet designs and used SLA and SLS for more sophisticated nozzle designs. The nozzles are characterized interferometrically and used for electron acceleration experiments with the SALLE JAUNE terawatt laser at Laboratoire d’Optique Appliquée.« less

Scattering engineering in continuously shaped metasurface: An approach for electromagnetic illusion

PubMed Central

Guo, Yinghui; Yan, Lianshan; Pan, Wei; Shao, Liyang

2016-01-01

The control of electromagnetic waves scattering is critical in wireless communications and stealth technology. Discrete metasurfaces not only increase the design and fabrication complex but also cause difficulties in obtaining simultaneous electric and optical functionality. On the other hand, discontinuous phase profiles fostered by discrete systems inevitably introduce phase noises to the scattering fields. Here we propose the principle of a scattering-harness mechanism by utilizing continuous gradient phase stemming from the spin-orbit interaction via sinusoidal metallic strips. Furthermore, by adjusting the amplitude and period of the sinusoidal metallic strip, the scattering characteristics of the underneath object can be greatly changed and thus result in electromagnetic illusion. The proposal is validated by full-wave simulations and experiment characterization in microwave band. Our approach featured by continuous phase profile, polarization independent performance and facile implementation may find widespread applications in electromagnetic wave manipulation. PMID:27439474

Internal structure of copper(II)-phthalocyanine thin films on SiO2/Si substrates investigated by grazing incidence x-ray reflectometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brieva, A. C.; Jenkins, T. E.; Jones, D. G.; Strössner, F.; Evans, D. A.; Clark, G. F.

2006-04-01

The internal structure of copper(II)-phthalocyanine (CuPc) thin films grown on SiO2/Si by organic molecular beam deposition has been studied by grazing incidence x-ray reflectometry (GIXR) and atomic force microscopy. The electronic density profile is consistent with a structure formed by successive monolayers of molecules in the α form with the b axis lying in the substrate surface plane. The authors present an electronic density profile model of CuPc films grown on SiO2/Si. The excellent agreement between the model and experimental data allows postdeposition monitoring of the internal structure of the CuPc films with the nondestructive GIXR technique, providing a tool for accurate control of CuPc growth on silicon-based substrates. In addition, since the experiments have been carried out ex situ, they show that these structures can endure ambient conditions.

Scattering engineering in continuously shaped metasurface: An approach for electromagnetic illusion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Yinghui; Yan, Lianshan; Pan, Wei; Shao, Liyang

2016-07-01

The control of electromagnetic waves scattering is critical in wireless communications and stealth technology. Discrete metasurfaces not only increase the design and fabrication complex but also cause difficulties in obtaining simultaneous electric and optical functionality. On the other hand, discontinuous phase profiles fostered by discrete systems inevitably introduce phase noises to the scattering fields. Here we propose the principle of a scattering-harness mechanism by utilizing continuous gradient phase stemming from the spin-orbit interaction via sinusoidal metallic strips. Furthermore, by adjusting the amplitude and period of the sinusoidal metallic strip, the scattering characteristics of the underneath object can be greatly changed and thus result in electromagnetic illusion. The proposal is validated by full-wave simulations and experiment characterization in microwave band. Our approach featured by continuous phase profile, polarization independent performance and facile implementation may find widespread applications in electromagnetic wave manipulation.

Tyre-road friction coefficient estimation based on tyre sensors and lateral tyre deflection: modelling, simulations and experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hong, Sanghyun; Erdogan, Gurkan; Hedrick, Karl; Borrelli, Francesco

2013-05-01

The estimation of the tyre-road friction coefficient is fundamental for vehicle control systems. Tyre sensors enable the friction coefficient estimation based on signals extracted directly from tyres. This paper presents a tyre-road friction coefficient estimation algorithm based on tyre lateral deflection obtained from lateral acceleration. The lateral acceleration is measured by wireless three-dimensional accelerometers embedded inside the tyres. The proposed algorithm first determines the contact patch using a radial acceleration profile. Then, the portion of the lateral acceleration profile, only inside the tyre-road contact patch, is used to estimate the friction coefficient through a tyre brush model and a simple tyre model. The proposed strategy accounts for orientation-variation of accelerometer body frame during tyre rotation. The effectiveness and performance of the algorithm are demonstrated through finite element model simulations and experimental tests with small tyre slip angles on different road surface conditions.

Mathematical modeling of the burden distribution in the blast furnace shaft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Jong-In; Jung, Hun-Je; Jo, Min-Kyu; Oh, Han-Sang; Han, Jeong-Whan

2011-06-01

Process efficiency in the blast furnace is influenced by the gas flow pattern, which is dictated by the burden profile. Therefore, it is important to control the burden distribution so as to achieve reasonable gas flow in the blast furnace operation. Additionally, the charging pattern selection is important as it affects the burden trajectory and stock profile. For analysis of the burden distribution, a new analysis model was developed by use of the spreadsheet program, Microsoft® Office Excel, based on visual basic. This model is composed of the falling burden trajectory and a stock model. The burden trajectory is determined by the burden type, batch weight, rotating velocity of the chute, tilting angle, and friction coefficient. After falling, stock lines are formed by the angle of repose, which is affected by the burden trajectory and the falling velocity. The mathematical formulas for developing this model were modified by a scaled model experiment and DEM simulation.

Local flow management/profile descent algorithm. Fuel-efficient, time-controlled profiles for the NASA TSRV airplane

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Groce, J. L.; Izumi, K. H.; Markham, C. H.; Schwab, R. W.; Thompson, J. L.

1986-01-01

The Local Flow Management/Profile Descent (LFM/PD) algorithm designed for the NASA Transport System Research Vehicle program is described. The algorithm provides fuel-efficient altitude and airspeed profiles consistent with ATC restrictions in a time-based metering environment over a fixed ground track. The model design constraints include accommodation of both published profile descent procedures and unpublished profile descents, incorporation of fuel efficiency as a flight profile criterion, operation within the performance capabilities of the Boeing 737-100 airplane with JT8D-7 engines, and conformity to standard air traffic navigation and control procedures. Holding and path stretching capabilities are included for long delay situations.

Optimal Decentralized Protocol for Electric Vehicle Charging

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

Gan, LW; Topcu, U; Low, SH

We propose a decentralized algorithm to optimally schedule electric vehicle (EV) charging. The algorithm exploits the elasticity of electric vehicle loads to fill the valleys in electric load profiles. We first formulate the EV charging scheduling problem as an optimal control problem, whose objective is to impose a generalized notion of valley-filling, and study properties of optimal charging profiles. We then give a decentralized algorithm to iteratively solve the optimal control problem. In each iteration, EVs update their charging profiles according to the control signal broadcast by the utility company, and the utility company alters the control signal to guidemore » their updates. The algorithm converges to optimal charging profiles (that are as "flat" as they can possibly be) irrespective of the specifications (e.g., maximum charging rate and deadline) of EVs, even if EVs do not necessarily update their charging profiles in every iteration, and use potentially outdated control signal when they update. Moreover, the algorithm only requires each EV solving its local problem, hence its implementation requires low computation capability. We also extend the algorithm to track a given load profile and to real-time implementation.« less

Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer for aspirin recognition and controlled release

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kan, Xianwen; Geng, Zhirong; Zhao, Yao; Wang, Zhilin; Zhu, Jun-Jie

2009-04-01

Core-shell structural magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (magnetic MIPs) with combined properties of molecular recognition and controlled release were prepared and characterized. Magnetic MIPs were synthesized by the co-polymerization of methacrylic acid (MAA) and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TRIM) around aspirin (ASP) at the surface of double-bond-functionalized Fe3O4 nanoparticles in chloroform. The obtained spherical magnetic MIPs with diameters of about 500 nm had obvious superparamagnetism and could be separated quickly by an external magnetic field. Binding experiments were carried out to evaluate the properties of magnetic MIPs and magnetic non-molecularly imprinted polymers (magnetic NIPs). The results demonstrated that the magnetic MIPs had high adsorption capacity and selectivity to ASP. Moreover, release profiles and release rate of ASP from the ASP-loaded magnetic MIPs indicated that the magnetic MIPs also had potential applications in drug controlled release.

The Role of Risk: Mentoring Experiences and Outcomes for Youth with Varying Risk Profiles. Executive Summary

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Herrera, Carla; DuBois, David L.; Grossman, Jean Baldwin

2013-01-01

"The Role of Risk: Mentoring Experiences and Outcomes for Youth with Varying Risk Profiles" presents findings from the first large-scale study to examine how the levels and types of risk youth face may influence their relationships with program-assigned mentors and the benefits they derive from these relationships. The study looked…

Custom E-Learning Experiences: Working with Profiles for Multiple Content Sources Access and Adaptation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ferretti, Stefano; Roccetti, Marco; Salomoni, Paola; Mirri, Silvia

2009-01-01

It is a common belief that the problem of extracting learners' profiles to be used for delivering custom learning experiences is a closed case. Yet, practical solutions do not completely cope with the complex issue of capturing all the features of users, especially those of heterogeneous learners, who may have special needs or characteristics…

Development of high poloidal beta, steady-state scenario with ITER-like tungsten divertor on EAST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garofalo, A. M.; Gong, X. Z.; Qian, J.; Chen, J.; Li, G.; Li, K.; Li, M. H.; Zhai, X.; Bonoli, P.; Brower, D.; Cao, L.; Cui, L.; Ding, S.; Ding, W. X.; Guo, W.; Holcomb, C.; Huang, J.; Hyatt, A.; Lanctot, M.; Lao, L. L.; Liu, H.; Lyu, B.; McClenaghan, J.; Peysson, Y.; Ren, Q.; Shiraiwa, S.; Solomon, W.; Zang, Q.; Wan, B.

2017-07-01

Recent experiments on EAST have achieved the first long pulse H-mode (61 s) with zero loop voltage and an ITER-like tungsten divertor, and have demonstrated access to broad plasma current profiles by increasing the density in fully-noninductive lower hybrid current-driven discharges. These long pulse discharges reach wall thermal and particle balance, exhibit stationary good confinement (H 98y2 ~ 1.1) with low core electron transport, and are only possible with optimal active cooling of the tungsten armors. In separate experiments, the electron density was systematically varied in order to study its effect on the deposition profile of the external lower hybrid current drive (LHCD), while keeping the plasma in fully-noninductive conditions and with divertor strike points on the tungsten divertor. A broadening of the current profile is found, as indicated by lower values of the internal inductance at higher density. A broad current profile is attractive because, among other reasons, it enables internal transport barriers at large minor radius, leading to improved confinement as shown in companion DIII-D experiments. These experiments strengthen the physics basis for achieving high performance, steady state discharges in future burning plasmas.

Impacts of distinct observations during the 2009 Prince William Sound field experiment: A data assimilation study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Zhijin; Chao, Yi; Farrara, John D.; McWilliams, James C.

2013-07-01

A set of data assimilation experiments, known as Observing System Experiments (OSEs) are performed to assess the relative impacts of different types of observations acquired during the 2009 Prince William Sound Field Experiment. The observations assimilated consist primarily of two types: High Frequency (HF) radar surface velocities and vertical profiles of temperature/salinity (T/S) measured by ships, moorings, an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle and a glider. The impact of all the observations, HF radar surface velocities, and T/S profiles is assessed. Without data assimilation, a frequently occurring cyclonic eddy in the central Sound is overly persistent and intense. The assimilation of the HF radar velocities effectively reduces these biases and improves the representation of the velocities as well as the T/S fields in the Sound. The assimilation of the T/S profiles improves the large scale representation of the temperature/salinity and also the velocity field in the central Sound. The combination of the HF radar surface velocities and sparse T/S profiles results in an observing system capable of representing the circulation in the Sound reliably and thus producing analyses and forecasts with useful skill.

Development of high poloidal beta, steady-state scenario with ITER-like tungsten divertor on EAST

DOE PAGES

Garofalo, Andrea M.; Gong, X. Z.; Qian, J.; ...

2017-06-07

Recent experiments on EAST have achieved the first long pulse H-mode (61 s) with zero loop voltage and an ITER-like tungsten divertor, and have demonstrated access to broad plasma current profiles by increasing the density in fully-noninductive lower hybrid current-driven discharges. These long pulse discharges reach wall thermal and particle balance, exhibit stationary good confinement (H 98y2~1.1) with low core electron transport, and are only possible with optimal active cooling of the tungsten armors. In separate experiments, the electron density was systematically varied in order to study its effect on the deposition profile of the external lower hybrid current drivemore » (LHCD), while keeping the plasma in fully-noninductive conditions and with divertor strike points on the tungsten divertor. A broadening of the current profile is found, as indicated by lower values of the internal inductance at higher density. A broad current profile is attractive because, among other reasons, it enables internal transport barriers at large minor radius, leading to improved confinement as shown in companion DIII-D experiments. These experiments strengthen the physics basis for achieving high performance, steady state discharges in future burning plasmas.« less

Geometry modeling of single track cladding deposited by high power diode laser with rectangular beam spot

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Huaming; Qin, Xunpeng; Huang, Song; Hu, Zeqi; Ni, Mao

2018-01-01

This paper presents an investigation on the relationship between the process parameters and geometrical characteristics of the sectional profile for the single track cladding (STC) deposited by High Power Diode Laser (HPDL) with rectangle beam spot (RBS). To obtain the geometry parameters, namely cladding width Wc and height Hc of the sectional profile, a full factorial design (FFD) of experiment was used to conduct the experiments with a total of 27. The pre-placed powder technique has been employed during laser cladding. The influence of the process parameters including laser power, powder thickness and scanning speed on the Wc and Hc was analyzed in detail. A nonlinear fitting model was used to fit the relationship between the process parameters and geometry parameters. And a circular arc was adopted to describe the geometry profile of the cross-section of STC. The above models were confirmed by all the experiments. The results indicated that the geometrical characteristics of the sectional profile of STC can be described as the circular arc, and the other geometry parameters of the sectional profile can be calculated only using Wc and Hc. Meanwhile, the Wc and Hc can be predicted through the process parameters.

Defense Profiles in Adaptation Process to Sport Competition and Their Relationships with Coping, Stress and Control

PubMed Central

Nicolas, Michel; Martinent, Guillaume; Drapeau, Martin; Chahraoui, Khadija; Vacher, Philippe; de Roten, Yves

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to identify the potentially distinct defense profiles of athletes in order to provide insight into the complex associations that can exist between defenses and other important variables tied to performance in sports (e.g., coping, perceived stress and control) and to further our understanding of the complexity of the adaptation process in sports. Two hundred and ninety-six (N = 296) athletes participated in a naturalistic study that involved a highly stressful situation: a sports competition. Participants were assessed before and after the competition. Hierarchical cluster analysis and a series of MANOVAs with post hoc comparisons indicated two stable defense profiles (high and low defense profiles) of athletes both before and during sport competition. These profiles differed with regards to coping, stress and control. Athletes with high defense profiles reported higher levels of coping strategies, perceived stress and control than athletes with low defense profiles. This study confirmed that defenses are involved in the psychological adaptation process and that research and intervention should not be based only on coping, but rather must include defense mechanisms in order to improve our understanding of psychological adaptation in competitive sports. PMID:29312070

Defense Profiles in Adaptation Process to Sport Competition and Their Relationships with Coping, Stress and Control.

PubMed

Nicolas, Michel; Martinent, Guillaume; Drapeau, Martin; Chahraoui, Khadija; Vacher, Philippe; de Roten, Yves

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to identify the potentially distinct defense profiles of athletes in order to provide insight into the complex associations that can exist between defenses and other important variables tied to performance in sports (e.g., coping, perceived stress and control) and to further our understanding of the complexity of the adaptation process in sports. Two hundred and ninety-six ( N = 296) athletes participated in a naturalistic study that involved a highly stressful situation: a sports competition. Participants were assessed before and after the competition. Hierarchical cluster analysis and a series of MANOVAs with post hoc comparisons indicated two stable defense profiles (high and low defense profiles) of athletes both before and during sport competition. These profiles differed with regards to coping, stress and control. Athletes with high defense profiles reported higher levels of coping strategies, perceived stress and control than athletes with low defense profiles. This study confirmed that defenses are involved in the psychological adaptation process and that research and intervention should not be based only on coping, but rather must include defense mechanisms in order to improve our understanding of psychological adaptation in competitive sports.

Variations in Decision-Making Profiles by Age and Gender: A Cluster-Analytic Approach.

PubMed

Delaney, Rebecca; Strough, JoNell; Parker, Andrew M; de Bruin, Wandi Bruine

2015-10-01

Using cluster-analysis, we investigated whether rational, intuitive, spontaneous, dependent, and avoidant styles of decision making (Scott & Bruce, 1995) combined to form distinct decision-making profiles that differed by age and gender. Self-report survey data were collected from 1,075 members of RAND's American Life Panel (56.2% female, 18-93 years, M age = 53.49). Three decision-making profiles were identified: affective/experiential, independent/self-controlled, and an interpersonally-oriented dependent profile. Older people were less likely to be in the affective/experiential profile and more likely to be in the independent/self-controlled profile. Women were less likely to be in the affective/experiential profile and more likely to be in the interpersonally-oriented dependent profile. Interpersonally-oriented profiles are discussed as an overlooked but important dimension of how people make important decisions.

Multiple Reaction Monitoring Profiling to Assess Compliance with an Almond Consumption Intervention

PubMed Central

Mattes, Richard D

2017-01-01

Abstract Background: Almonds are extremely rich sources of lipids and flavonoids, and their consumption is associated with several health benefits. However, there are no analytical methods available to document compliance with prescribed or self-reported chronic almond consumption. Objective: The aim was to use an analytical approach that identifies metabolic profiles associated with long-term almond consumption to ascertain compliance with prescribed consumption. Methods: A multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)–profiling strategy was designed to isolate metabolic changes in erythrocytes after 12 wk of almond consumption. MRM-profiling data acquisition and analysis involve performing separate discovery and screening steps to detect molecular features related to metabolic changes between experimental groups. Samples used for this research were erythrocytes recovered at baseline, after 12 wk of almond consumption (W12-almond group), and after 12 wk of a nut-free diet (W12-control group). For the MRM-profiling discovery step, representative samples (pools) of erythrocytes from individuals of all groups were interrogated by precursor ion and neutral loss scan experiments on the basis of previous knowledge of chemical functional groups present in the samples. The outputs of the discovery phase were methods used for the MRM-profiling screening phase to interrogate individual samples on the basis of fast-MRM measurements. In addition, we screened the literature for flavonoids identified in almond skins and included them for individual sample screening. Results: Of the 254 m/z values monitored, 5 ratios and combinations of specific ions with receiver operating characteristic curve AUCs >0.89 provided a sensitivity of 74.2% and a specificity of 90% for blind samples presented in the model. Eight of the 31 participants (25.8%) in the W12-almond group and 3 of the 30 (10%) participants in the W12-control group were misclassified by all 5 ratios. Ratios and combinations of specific transitions were mainly related to membrane lipids. Conclusion: The misclassifications observed as a result of ratio performance evaluation may indicate noncompliance as supported by the dietary intake data. The parent trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02360787.

Dietary tartary buckwheat intake attenuates insulin resistance and improves lipid profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Qiu, Ju; Liu, Yanping; Yue, Yanfen; Qin, Yuchang; Li, Zaigui

2016-12-01

Tartary buckwheat (TB) is rich in protein, dietary fiber, and flavonoids and has been reported to affect type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in animal experiments, but limited information on the benefit of TB as a whole food in T2DM patients is available. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that a daily replacement of a portion of the staple food with TB will improve risk factors of T2DM, including fasting glucose, insulin resistance, and lipid profile. In a parallel, randomized, open-label, controlled trial, 165 T2DM patients were randomly assigned to a control diet group (DC group; systematic diet plans and intensive nutritional education) or a TB intervention group (TB group; daily replacement of a portion of staple food with TB food). Blood samples and diet information were collected at baseline and after 4 weeks of intervention. The TB group decreased fasting insulin (2.46-2.39 Ln mU/L), total cholesterol (5.08-4.79 mmol/L), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (3.00-2.80 mmol/L) compared with the DC group at 4 weeks (P<.05). No significant differences in blood glucose or glycated hemoglobin levels were noted between the TB and DC groups. In addition, subgroup analyses based on daily TB intake dose showed a reduction in insulin, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, but also insulin resistance was observed when TB intake dose was greater than 110 g/d. These results support the hypothesis that TB may improve insulin resistance and lipid profile in T2DM patients. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Flow distribution in parallel microfluidic networks and its effect on concentration gradient

PubMed Central

Guermonprez, Cyprien; Michelin, Sébastien; Baroud, Charles N.

2015-01-01

The architecture of microfluidic networks can significantly impact the flow distribution within its different branches and thereby influence tracer transport within the network. In this paper, we study the flow rate distribution within a network of parallel microfluidic channels with a single input and single output, using a combination of theoretical modeling and microfluidic experiments. Within the ladder network, the flow rate distribution follows a U-shaped profile, with the highest flow rate occurring in the initial and final branches. The contrast with the central branches is controlled by a single dimensionless parameter, namely, the ratio of hydrodynamic resistance between the distribution channel and the side branches. This contrast in flow rates decreases when the resistance of the side branches increases relative to the resistance of the distribution channel. When the inlet flow is composed of two parallel streams, one of which transporting a diffusing species, a concentration variation is produced within the side branches of the network. The shape of this concentration gradient is fully determined by two dimensionless parameters: the ratio of resistances, which determines the flow rate distribution, and the Péclet number, which characterizes the relative speed of diffusion and advection. Depending on the values of these two control parameters, different distribution profiles can be obtained ranging from a flat profile to a step distribution of solute, with well-distributed gradients between these two limits. Our experimental results are in agreement with our numerical model predictions, based on a simplified 2D advection-diffusion problem. Finally, two possible applications of this work are presented: the first one combines the present design with self-digitization principle to encapsulate the controlled concentration in nanoliter chambers, while the second one extends the present design to create a continuous concentration gradient within an open flow chamber. PMID:26487905

Geostatistical analysis of centimeter-scale hydraulic conductivity variations at the MADE site

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bohling, Geoffrey C.; Liu, Gaisheng; Knobbe, Steven J.; Reboulet, Edward C.; Hyndman, David W.; Dietrich, Peter; Butler, James J., Jr.

2012-02-01

Spatial variations in hydraulic conductivity (K) provide critical controls on solute transport in the subsurface. Recently, new direct-push tools were developed for high-resolution characterization of K variations in unconsolidated settings. These tools were applied to obtain 58 profiles (vertical resolution of 1.5 cm) from the heavily studied macrodispersion experiment (MADE) site. We compare the data from these 58 profiles with those from the 67 flowmeter profiles that have served as the primary basis for characterizing the heterogeneous aquifer at the site. Overall, the patterns of variation displayed by the two data sets are quite similar, in terms of both large-scale structure and autocorrelation characteristics. The direct-push K values are, on average, roughly a factor of 5 lower than the flowmeter values. This discrepancy appears to be attributable, at least in part, to opposite biases between the two methods, with the current versions of the direct-push tools underestimating K in the highly permeable upper portions of the aquifer and the flowmeter overestimating K in the less permeable lower portions. The vertically averaged K values from a series of direct-push profiles in the vicinity of two pumping tests at the site are consistent with the K estimates from those tests, providing evidence that the direct-push estimates are of a reasonable magnitude. The results of this field demonstration show that direct-push profiling has the potential to characterize highly heterogeneous aquifers with a speed and resolution that has not previously been possible.

Logic gate scanner focus control in high-volume manufacturing using scatterometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dare, Richard J.; Swain, Bryan; Laughery, Michael

2004-05-01

Tool matching and optimal process control are critical requirements for success in semiconductor manufacturing. It is imperative that a tool"s operating conditions are understood and controlled in order to create a process that is repeatable and produces devices within specifications. Likewise, it is important where possible to match multiple systems using some methodology, so that regardless of which tool is used the process remains in control. Agere Systems is currently using Timbre Technologies" Optical Digital Profilometry (ODP) scatterometry for controlling Nikon scanner focus at the most critical lithography layer; logic gate. By adjusting focus settings and verifying the resultant changes in resist profile shape using ODP, it becomes possible to actively control scanner focus to achieve a desired resist profile. Since many critical lithography processes are designed to produce slightly re-entrant resist profiles, this type of focus control is not possible via Critical Dimension Scanning Electron Microscopy (CDSEM) where reentrant profiles cannot be accurately determined. Additionally, the high throughput and non-destructive nature of this measurement technique saves both cycle time and wafer costs compared to cross-section SEM. By implementing an ODP daily process check and after any maintenance on a scanner, Agere successfully enabled focus drift control, i.e. making necessary focus or equipment changes in order to maintain a desired resist profile.

A rocket radiobeacon experiment on the electron concentration profile measurements in the bottomside of the ionosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sinelnikov, V. M.; Lvova, G. P.; Guliaeva, T. L.; Pakhomov, S. V.; Glotov, A. P.

The possibility of measuring the electron density profile in the height interval 70-110 km with a two-frequency coherent transmitter set mounted on a 'small' geophysical rocket of type M-100 is investigated. Results are presented of measurements using the phase Doppler method carried out at middle latitudes in May 1979 and February 1980. Good consistency of the profiles measured for the D and E regions of the ionosphere with those of IRI is not always obtained, even when the correct helio and geophysic conditions of the experiments are given for calculations with IRI.

Multi-energy x-ray imaging and sensing for diagnostic and control of the burning plasma.

PubMed

Stutman, D; Tritz, K; Finkenthal, M

2012-10-01

New diagnostic and sensor designs are needed for future burning plasma (BP) fusion experiments, having good space and time resolution and capable of prolonged operation in the harsh BP environment. We evaluate the potential of multi-energy x-ray imaging with filtered detector arrays for BP diagnostic and control. Experimental studies show that this simple and robust technique enables measuring with good accuracy, speed, and spatial resolution the T(e) profile, impurity content, and MHD activity in a tokamak. Applied to the BP this diagnostic could also serve for non-magnetic sensing of the plasma position, centroid, ELM, and RWM instability. BP compatible x-ray sensors are proposed using "optical array" or "bi-cell" detectors.

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

Prakash, S. Arun; Malathi, V.; Mani Rajan, M. S., E-mail: senthilmanirajanofc@gmail.com

We obtain the bright similariton solutions for generalized inhomogeneous nonlinear Schrödinger equation (GINLSE) which governs the pulse propagation in a tapered graded index diffraction decreasing waveguide (DDW). The exact solutions have been worked out by employing similarity transformations which involve the mapping of the GINLSE to standard NLSE for the certain conditions of the parameters. By making use of the exact analytical solutions, we have investigated the dynamical behavior of optical similariton pairs and have suggested the methods to control them as they propagate through DDW. Moreover, pulse width of similariton is controlled through various profiles. These results are helpfulmore » to understand the similaritons in DDW and can be potentially useful for future experiments in optical communications which involve optical amplifiers and long-haul telecommunication networks.« less

Mapping automotive like controls to a general aviation aircraft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carvalho, Christopher G.

The purpose of this thesis was to develop fly-by-wire control laws enabling a general aviation aircraft to be flown with automotive controls, i.e. a steering wheel and gas/brake pedals. There was a six speed shifter used to change the flight mode of the aircraft. This essentially allows the pilot to have control over different aspects of the flight profile such as climb/descend or cruise. A highway in the sky was used to aid in the navigation since it is not intuitive to people without flight experience how to navigate from the sky or when to climb and descend. Many believe that general aviation could become as widespread as the automobile. Every person could have a personal aircraft at their disposal and it would be as easy to operate as driving an automobile. The goal of this thesis is to fuse the ease of drivability of a car with flight of a small general aviation aircraft. A standard automotive control hardware setup coupled with variably autonomous control laws will allow new pilots to fly a plane as easily as driving a car. The idea is that new pilots will require very little training to become proficient with these controls. Pilots with little time to stay current can maintain their skills simply by driving a car which is typically a daily activity. A human factors study was conducted to determine the feasibility of the applied control techniques. Pilot performance metrics were developed to compare candidates with no aviation background and experienced pilots. After analyzing the relative performance between pilots and non-pilots, it has been determined that the control system is robust and easy to learn. Candidates with no aviation experience whatsoever can learn to fly an aircraft as safely and efficiently as someone with hundreds of hours of flight experience using these controls.

Optimal control of CPR procedure using hemodynamic circulation model

DOEpatents

Lenhart, Suzanne M.; Protopopescu, Vladimir A.; Jung, Eunok

2007-12-25

A method for determining a chest pressure profile for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) includes the steps of representing a hemodynamic circulation model based on a plurality of difference equations for a patient, applying an optimal control (OC) algorithm to the circulation model, and determining a chest pressure profile. The chest pressure profile defines a timing pattern of externally applied pressure to a chest of the patient to maximize blood flow through the patient. A CPR device includes a chest compressor, a controller communicably connected to the chest compressor, and a computer communicably connected to the controller. The computer determines the chest pressure profile by applying an OC algorithm to a hemodynamic circulation model based on the plurality of difference equations.

Estimating drain flow from measured water table depth in layered soils under free and controlled drainage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saadat, Samaneh; Bowling, Laura; Frankenberger, Jane; Kladivko, Eileen

2018-01-01

Long records of continuous drain flow are important for quantifying annual and seasonal changes in the subsurface drainage flow from drained agricultural land. Missing data due to equipment malfunction and other challenges have limited conclusions that can be made about annual flow and thus nutrient loads from field studies, including assessments of the effect of controlled drainage. Water table depth data may be available during gaps in flow data, providing a basis for filling missing drain flow data; therefore, the overall goal of this study was to examine the potential to estimate drain flow using water table observations. The objectives were to evaluate how the shape of the relationship between drain flow and water table height above drain varies depending on the soil hydraulic conductivity profile, to quantify how well the Hooghoudt equation represented the water table-drain flow relationship in five years of measured data at the Davis Purdue Agricultural Center (DPAC), and to determine the impact of controlled drainage on drain flow using the filled dataset. The shape of the drain flow-water table height relationship was found to depend on the selected hydraulic conductivity profile. Estimated drain flow using the Hooghoudt equation with measured water table height for both free draining and controlled periods compared well to observed flow with Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency values above 0.7 and 0.8 for calibration and validation periods, respectively. Using this method, together with linear regression for the remaining gaps, a long-term drain flow record for a controlled drainage experiment at the DPAC was used to evaluate the impacts of controlled drainage on drain flow. In the controlled drainage sites, annual flow was 14-49% lower than free drainage.

Safety and immunogenicity of a modified process hepatitis B vaccine in healthy neonates.

PubMed

Minervini, Gianmaria; McCarson, Barbara J; Reisinger, Keith S; Martin, Jason C; Stek, Jon E; Atkins, Barbara M; Nadig, Karin B; Liska, Vladimir; Schödel, Florian P; Bhuyan, Prakash K

2012-02-14

A manufacturing process using a modified adjuvant was developed to optimize the consistency and immunogenicity for recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (control: RECOMBIVAX-HB™). This modified process hepatitis B vaccine (mpHBV), which was previously shown to have an acceptable safety and immunogenicity profile in young adults, has now been studied in newborn infants. Healthy 1-10-day-old neonates (N=566) received 3 intramuscular doses (5μg hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] per dose) of either mpHBV or control at Day 1, and Months 1 and 6. Serum antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs) was assayed at Month 7 (1 month Postdose 3). Anti-HBs geometric mean titers (GMTs) and seroprotection rates (SPRs) (% of subjects with an anti-HBs titer ≥10mIU/mL) were compared at Month 7. After each dose, injection-site adverse experiences (AEs) and axillary temperatures were recorded for 5 days; systemic AEs were recorded for Days 1-14. Month 7 SPR was 97.9% for the mpHBV group and 98.9% for the control. The GMT was 843.7mIU/mL for the mpHBV group and 670.1mIU/mL for the control. The GMT ratio (mpHBV/control) was 1.26 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.94, 1.69), meeting the prespecified non-inferiority criteria. The percentages of subjects reporting any AE, injection-site AEs, or systemic AEs were similar across the 2 vaccination groups. There were no serious AEs. The safety profile of mpHBV was comparable to that of the control vaccine. The geometric mean antibody titer for mpHBV was higher than control vaccine in this infant population, but the difference did not meet the predefined statistical criterion for superiority. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Should Young Children with Traumatic Brain Injury Be Compared with Community or Orthopedic Control Participants?

PubMed

Beauchamp, Miriam H; Landry-Roy, Catherine; Gravel, Jocelyn; Beaudoin, Cindy; Bernier, Annie

2017-09-01

Pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) research depends on comparisons of profiles and outcomes between brain-injured individuals and groups consisting either of injured controls (e.g., orthopedic injuries, OI) or uninjured, typically developing children recruited from the community (community controls, CC). Children with OI are thought to provide optimal comparisons for individuals with TBI because they share injury-related experiences and pre-morbid characteristics; however, a study by Mathias and colleagues (2013) 1 in adults has called into question the added value of injury control groups in TBI research. The comparability of these control groups has not been established in young children. Seventy-two children with OI and 84 CC aged between 18 and 60 months were compared on a range of demographic variables, developmental and medical history, pre-injury behavioral and adaptive profiles, as well as on measures of adaptive functioning, behavior, family functioning, post-concussive symptoms, and cognition (intellectual functioning, verbal abilities, executive functioning, social cognition) 6 months after the OI. There were no statistically significant differences between the OI and CC groups on any of the variables tested, whether they related to pre-injury or post-injury characteristics. The findings are applicable to studies seeking to identify appropriate control groups in the context of preschool TBI research, and suggest no clear advantage in recruiting OI controls based on the variables studied and the methodology used. However, further work is necessary to verify additional factors and outcomes relevant to pediatric TBI research, as well as to compare outcomes between these two groups at more acute stages (i.e., prior to 6 months post-injury).

Simulated Driving Performance of Adults with ADHD: Comparisons with Alcohol Intoxication

PubMed Central

Weafer, Jessica; Camarillo, Daniel; Fillmore, Mark T.; Milich, Richard; Marczinski, Cecile A.

2015-01-01

Previous research has demonstrated that adults with ADHD are more likely to experience driving-related problems, which suggests that they may exhibit poorer driving performance. However, direct experimental evidence of this hypothesis is limited. The current study involved two experiments that evaluated driving performance in adults with ADHD in terms of the types of driving decrements typically associated with alcohol intoxication. Experiment 1 compared the simulated driving performance of 15 adults with ADHD to 23 adult control participants, who performed the task both while sober and intoxicated. Results showed that sober adults with ADHD exhibited decrements in driving performance compared to sober controls, and that the profile of impairment for the sober ADHD group did in fact resemble that of intoxicated drivers at the BAC level for legally impaired driving in the United States. Driving impairment of the intoxicated individuals was characterized by greater deviation of lane position, faster and more abrupt steering maneuvers, and increased speed variability. Experiment 2 was a dose-challenge study in which 8 adults with ADHD and 8 controls performed the driving simulation task under three doses of alcohol: 0.65 g/kg, 0.45 g/kg, and 0.0 g/kg (placebo). Results showed that driving performance in both groups was impaired in response to alcohol, and that individuals with ADHD exhibited generally poorer driving performance than did controls across all dose conditions. Together the findings provide compelling evidence to suggest that the cognitive and behavioral deficits associated with ADHD might impair driving performance in such a manner as to resemble that of an alcohol intoxicated driver. Moreover, alcohol might impair the performance of drivers with ADHD in an additive fashion that could considerably compromise their driving skill even at blood alcohol concentrations below the legal limit. PMID:18540785

Autonomous Decentralized Voltage Profile Control of Super Distributed Energy System using Multi-agent Technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsuji, Takao; Hara, Ryoichi; Oyama, Tsutomu; Yasuda, Keiichiro

A super distributed energy system is a future energy system in which the large part of its demand is fed by a huge number of distributed generators. At one time some nodes in the super distributed energy system behave as load, however, at other times they behave as generator - the characteristic of each node depends on the customers' decision. In such situation, it is very difficult to regulate voltage profile over the system due to the complexity of power flows. This paper proposes a novel control method of distributed generators that can achieve the autonomous decentralized voltage profile regulation by using multi-agent technology. The proposed multi-agent system employs two types of agent; a control agent and a mobile agent. Control agents generate or consume reactive power to regulate the voltage profile of neighboring nodes and mobile agents transmit the information necessary for VQ-control among the control agents. The proposed control method is tested through numerical simulations.

Comparison of the effects of dietary supplementation of flavonoids on laying hen performance, egg quality and egg nutrient profile.

PubMed

Iskender, H; Yenice, G; Dokumacioglu, E; Kaynar, O; Hayirli, A; Kaya, A

2017-10-01

1. The aim of this experiment was to compare the effects of dietary supplementation of hesperidin, naringin and quercetin on laying hen performance, egg quality and egg yolk lipid and protein profiles. 2. A total of 96 Lohmann White laying hens weighing an average of 1500 g at 28 weeks of age were randomly assigned to a basal diet and the basal diet supplemented (0.5 g/kg) with either hesperidin, naringin or quercetin. Each treatment was replicated in 6 cages in an 8-week experimental period. Data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance. 3. None of the dietary flavonoids affected laying performance and eggshell quality. Hesperidin and quercetin supplementations decreased albumen and yolk indexes. 4. As compared to the control group, egg yolk cholesterol content decreased and egg yolk protein content increased in response to dietary hesperidin and quercetin supplementation. The mean egg yolk cholesterol (mg/g) and protein (g/100 g) contents were 10.08/14.28, 16.12/14.08, 14.75/15.04 and 15.15/14.85 for the control group and groups supplemented with naringin, hesperidin and quercetin, respectively. 5. Egg yolk lipid and protein profiles were variable. 6. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of hesperidin or quercetin could be used in the diets during the early laying period to reduce egg yolk cholesterol and increase egg yolk protein, which may be attractive to consumers.

Towards a new standardized method for circulating miRNAs profiling in clinical studies: Interest of the exogenous normalization to improve miRNA signature accuracy.

PubMed

Vigneron, Nicolas; Meryet-Figuière, Matthieu; Guttin, Audrey; Issartel, Jean-Paul; Lambert, Bernard; Briand, Mélanie; Louis, Marie-Hélène; Vernon, Mégane; Lebailly, Pierre; Lecluse, Yannick; Joly, Florence; Krieger, Sophie; Lheureux, Stéphanie; Clarisse, Bénédicte; Leconte, Alexandra; Gauduchon, Pascal; Poulain, Laurent; Denoyelle, Christophe

2016-08-01

Circulating miRNAs are promising biomarkers in oncology but have not yet been implemented in the clinic given the lack of concordance across studies. In order to increase the cross-studies reliability, we attempted to reduce and to control the circulating miRNA expression variability between patients. First, to maximize profiling signals and to reduce miRNA expression variability, three isolation kits were compared and the NucleoSpin(®) kit provided higher miRNA concentrations than the other widely used kits. Second, to control inter-sample variability during the profiling step, the exogenous miRNAs normalization method commonly used for RT-qPCR validation step was adapted to microarray experiments. Importantly, exogenous miRNAs presented two-fold lower inter-sample variability than the widely used endogenous miR-16-5p reflecting that the latter is subject to both biological and technical variability. Although Caenorhabditis elegans miRNAs isolation yields were heterogeneous, they correlated to each other and to their geometrical mean across samples. The normalization based on the geometrical mean of three exogenous miRNAs increased the correlation up-to 0.97 between the microarrays and individual RT-qPCR steps of circulating miRNAs expression. Overall, this new strategy open new avenue to identify reliable circulating miRNA signatures for translation into clinical practice. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Edge Stability and Performance of the ELM-Free Quiescent H-Mode and the Quiescent Double Barrier Mode on DIII-D

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

West, W P; Burrell, K H; Casper, T A

2004-12-03

The quiescent H (QH) mode, an edge localized mode (ELM)-free, high-confinement mode, combines well with an internal transport barrier to form quiescent double barrier (QDB) stationary state, high performance plasmas. The QH-mode edge pedestal pressure is similar to that seen in ELMing phases of the same discharge, with similar global energy confinement. The pedestal density in early ELMing phases of strongly pumped counter injection discharges drops and a transition to QH-mode occurs, leading to lower calculated edge bootstrap current. Plasmas current ramp experiment and ELITE code modeling of edge stability suggest that QH-modes lie near an edge current stability boundary.more » At high triangularity, QH-mode discharges operate at higher pedestal density and pressure, and have achieved ITER level values of {beta}{sub PED} and {nu}*. The QDB achieves performance of {alpha}{sub N}H{sub 89} {approx} 7 in quasi-stationary conditions for a duration of 10 tE, limited by hardware. Recently we demonstrated stationary state QDB discharges with little change in kinetic and q profiles (q{sub 0} > 1) for 2 s, comparable to ELMing ''hybrid scenarios'', yet without the debilitating effects of ELMs. Plasma profile control tools, including electron cyclotron heating and current drive and neutral beam heating, have been demonstrated to control simultaneously the q profile development, the density peaking, impurity accumulation and plasma beta.« less

An excellent navigation system and experience in craniomaxillofacial navigation surgery: a double-center study

PubMed Central

Dai, Jiewen; Wu, Jinyang; Wang, Xudong; Yang, Xudong; Wu, Yunong; Xu, Bing; Shi, Jun; Yu, Hongbo; Cai, Min; Zhang, Wenbin; Zhang, Lei; Sun, Hao; Shen, Guofang; Zhang, Shilei

2016-01-01

Numerous problems regarding craniomaxillofacial navigation surgery are not well understood. In this study, we performed a double-center clinical study to quantitatively evaluate the characteristics of our navigation system and experience in craniomaxillofacial navigation surgery. Fifty-six patients with craniomaxillofacial disease were included and randomly divided into experimental (using our AccuNavi-A system) and control (using Strker system) groups to compare the surgical effects. The results revealed that the average pre-operative planning time was 32.32 mins vs 29.74 mins between the experimental and control group, respectively (p > 0.05). The average operative time was 295.61 mins vs 233.56 mins (p > 0.05). The point registration orientation accuracy was 0.83 mm vs 0.92 mm. The maximal average preoperative navigation orientation accuracy was 1.03 mm vs 1.17 mm. The maximal average persistent navigation orientation accuracy was 1.15 mm vs 0.09 mm. The maximal average navigation orientation accuracy after registration recovery was 1.15 mm vs 1.39 mm between the experimental and control group. All patients healed, and their function and profile improved. These findings demonstrate that although surgeons should consider the patients’ time and monetary costs, our qualified navigation surgery system and experience could offer an accurate guide during a variety of craniomaxillofacial surgeries. PMID:27305855

A Study on Water Surface Profiles of Rivers with Constriction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qian, Chaochao; Yamada, Tadashi

2013-04-01

Water surface profile of rivers with constrictions is precious in both classic hydraulics and river management practice. This study was conducted to clarify the essences of the water surface profiles. 3 cases of experiments and 1D numerical calculations with different discharges were made in the study and analysis solutions of the non-linear basic equation of surface profile in varied flow without considering friction were derived. The manning's number was kept in the same in each case by using crosspiece roughness. We found a new type of water surface profile of varied flow from the results of 1D numerical calculation and that of experiments and named it as Mc curve because of its mild condition with constriction segment. This kind of curves appears as a nature phenomenon ubiquitously. The process of water surface forming is dynamic and bore occurs at the upper side of constriction during increasing discharge before the surface profile formed. As a theoretical work, 3 analysis solutions were derived included 2 physical-meaning solutions in the study by using Man-Machine system. One of the derived physical-meaning solutions was confirmed that it is validity by comparing to the results of 1D numerical calculation and that of experiments. The solution represents a flow profile from under critical condition at the upper side to super critical condition at the down side of constriction segment. The other derived physical-meaning solution represents a flow profile from super critical condition at the upper side to under critical condition at the down side of constriction segment. These two kinds of flow profiles exist in the nature but no theoretical solution can express the phenomenon. We find the depth distribution only concerned with unit width discharge distribution and critical depth under a constant discharge from the derived solutions. Therefor, the profile can be gained simply and precisely by using the theoretical solutions instead of numerical calculation even in practice.

A measurement of the average longitudinal development profile of cosmic ray air showers between 10 17 and 10 18 eV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abu-Zayyad, T.; Belov, K.; Bird, D. J.; Boyer, J.; Cao, Z.; Catanese, M.; Chen, G. F.; Clay, R. W.; Covault, C. E.; Dai, H. Y.; Dawson, B. R.; Elbert, J. W.; Fick, B. E.; Fortson, L. F.; Fowler, J. W.; Gibbs, K. G.; Glasmacher, M. A. K.; Green, K. D.; Ho, Y.; Huang, A.; Jui, C. C.; Kidd, M. J.; Kieda, D. B.; Knapp, B. C.; Ko, S.; Larsen, C. G.; Lee, W.; Loh, E. C.; Mannel, E. J.; Matthews, J.; Matthews, J. N.; Newport, B. J.; Nitz, D. F.; Ong, R. A.; Simpson, K. M.; Smith, J. D.; Sinclair, D.; Sokolsky, P.; Song, C.; Tang, J. K. K.; Thomas, S. B.; van der Velde, J. C.; Wiencke, L. R.; Wilkinson, C. R.; Yoshida, S.; Zhang, X. Z.

2001-10-01

The average extensive air shower longitudinal development profile is measured. Events between 10 17 and 10 18 eV recorded by the HiRes/MIA hybrid experiment are used for the average profile. Several functional forms are examined using this average profile. The best-fit parameters for the above functions are determined.

Spatial Concentrations of Silicon Atoms in RF Discharges of Silane.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-02-18

regions. These profiles were much more sensitive to plasma chemistry changes than profiles obtained from plasma emission. Experiments with nitrogen...addition demonstrated significant changes in the silicon atom profiles near the sheath boundary. Originator supplied keywords include: rf discharge, silane, plasma chemistry , silicon atom, laser-induced fluorescence.

Dust remobilization in fusion plasmas under steady state conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tolias, P.; Ratynskaia, S.; De Angeli, M.; De Temmerman, G.; Ripamonti, D.; Riva, G.; Bykov, I.; Shalpegin, A.; Vignitchouk, L.; Brochard, F.; Bystrov, K.; Bardin, S.; Litnovsky, A.

2016-02-01

The first combined experimental and theoretical studies of dust remobilization by plasma forces are reported. The main theoretical aspects of remobilization in fusion devices under steady state conditions are analyzed. In particular, the dominant role of adhesive forces is highlighted and generic remobilization conditions—direct lift-up, sliding, rolling—are formulated. A novel experimental technique is proposed, based on controlled adhesion of dust grains on tungsten samples combined with detailed mapping of the dust deposition profile prior and post plasma exposure. Proof-of-principle experiments in the TEXTOR tokamak and the EXTRAP-T2R reversed-field pinch are presented. The versatile environment of the linear device Pilot-PSI allowed for experiments with different magnetic field topologies and varying plasma conditions that were complemented with camera observations.

Additional experiments on flowability improvements of aviation fuels at low temperatures, volume 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stockemer, F. J.; Deane, R. L.

1982-01-01

An investigation was performed to study flow improver additives and scale-model fuel heating systems for use with aviation hydrocarbon fuel at low temperatures. Test were performed in a facility that simulated the heat transfer and temperature profiles anticipated in wing fuel tanks during flight of long-range commercial aircraft. The results are presented of experiments conducted in a test tank simulating a section of an outer wing integral fuel tank approximately full-scale in height, chilled through heat exchange panels bonded to the upper and lower horizontal surfaces. A separate system heated lubricating oil externally by a controllable electric heater, to transfer heat to fuel pumped from the test tank through an oil-to-fuel heat exchanger, and to recirculate the heated fuel back to the test tank.

Application of SPM interferometry in MEMS vibration measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Chaowei; He, Guotian; Xu, Changbiao; Zhao, Lijuan; Hu, Jun

2007-12-01

The resonant frequency measurement of cantilever has an important position in MEMS(Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) research. Meanwhile the SPM interferometry is a high-precision optical measurement technique, which can be used in physical quantity measurement of vibration, displacement, surface profile. Hence, in this paper we propose to apply SPM(SPM) interferometry in measuring the vibration of MEMS cantilever and in the experiment the vibration of MEMS cantilever was driven by light source. Then this kind of vibration was measured in nm precision. Finally the relational characteristics of MEMS cantilever vibration under optical excitation can be gotten and the measurement principle is analyzed. This method eliminates the influence on the measuring precision caused by external interference and light intensity change through feedback control loop. Experiment results prove that this measurement method has a good effect.

The Fecal Microbiota Profile and Bronchiolitis in Infants

PubMed Central

Linnemann, Rachel W.; Mansbach, Jonathan M.; Ajami, Nadim J.; Espinola, Janice A.; Petrosino, Joseph F.; Piedra, Pedro A.; Stevenson, Michelle D.; Sullivan, Ashley F.; Thompson, Amy D.; Camargo, Carlos A.

2016-01-01

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the association of gut microbiota, a potentially modifiable factor, with bronchiolitis in infants. We aimed to determine the association of fecal microbiota with bronchiolitis in infants. METHODS: We conducted a case–control study. As a part of multicenter prospective study, we collected stool samples from 40 infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis. We concurrently enrolled 115 age-matched healthy controls. By applying 16S rRNA gene sequencing and an unbiased clustering approach to these 155 fecal samples, we identified microbiota profiles and determined the association of microbiota profiles with likelihood of bronchiolitis. RESULTS: Overall, the median age was 3 months, 55% were male, and 54% were non-Hispanic white. Unbiased clustering of fecal microbiota identified 4 distinct profiles: Escherichia-dominant profile (30%), Bifidobacterium-dominant profile (21%), Enterobacter/Veillonella-dominant profile (22%), and Bacteroides-dominant profile (28%). The proportion of bronchiolitis was lowest in infants with the Enterobacter/Veillonella-dominant profile (15%) and highest in the Bacteroides-dominant profile (44%), corresponding to an odds ratio of 4.59 (95% confidence interval, 1.58–15.5; P = .008). In the multivariable model, the significant association between the Bacteroides-dominant profile and a greater likelihood of bronchiolitis persisted (odds ratio for comparison with the Enterobacter/Veillonella-dominant profile, 4.24; 95% confidence interval, 1.56–12.0; P = .005). In contrast, the likelihood of bronchiolitis in infants with the Escherichia-dominant or Bifidobacterium-dominant profile was not significantly different compared with those with the Enterobacter/Veillonella-dominant profile. CONCLUSIONS: In this case–control study, we identified 4 distinct fecal microbiota profiles in infants. The Bacteroides-dominant profile was associated with a higher likelihood of bronchiolitis. PMID:27354456

Improving industrial full-scale production of baker's yeast by optimizing aeration control.

PubMed

Blanco, Carlos A; Rayo, Julia; Giralda, José M

2008-01-01

This work analyzes the control of optimum dissolved oxygen of an industrial fed-batch procedure in which baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is grown under aerobic conditions. Sugar oxidative metabolism was controlled by monitoring aeration, molasses flows, and yeast concentration in the propagator along the later stage of the propagation, and keeping pH and temperature under controlled conditions. A large number of fed-batch growth experiments were performed in the tank for a period of 16 h, for each of the 3 manufactured commercial products. For optimization and control of cultivations, the growth and metabolite formation were quantified through measurement of specific growth and ethanol concentration. Data were adjusted to a model of multiple lineal regression, and correlations representing dissolved oxygen as a function of aeration, molasses, yeast concentration in the broth, temperature, and pH were obtained. The actual influence of each variable was consistent with the mathematical model, further justified by significant levels of each variable, and optimum aeration profile during the yeast propagation.

Deducing noninductive current profile from surface voltage evolution

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

Litwin, C.; Wukitch, S.; Hershkowitz, N.

Solving the resistive diffusion equation in the presence of a noninductive current source determines the time-evolution of the surface voltage. By inverting the problem the current drive profile can be determined from the surface voltage evolution. We show that under wide range of conditions the deduced profile is unique. If the conductivity profile is known, this method can be employed to infer the noninductive current profile, and, ipso facto, the profile of the total current. We discuss the application of this method to analyze the Alfven wave current drive experiments in Phaedrus-T.

High-order accurate finite-volume formulations for the pressure gradient force in layered ocean models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Engwirda, Darren; Kelley, Maxwell; Marshall, John

2017-08-01

Discretisation of the horizontal pressure gradient force in layered ocean models is a challenging task, with non-trivial interactions between the thermodynamics of the fluid and the geometry of the layers often leading to numerical difficulties. We present two new finite-volume schemes for the pressure gradient operator designed to address these issues. In each case, the horizontal acceleration is computed as an integration of the contact pressure force that acts along the perimeter of an associated momentum control-volume. A pair of new schemes are developed by exploring different control-volume geometries. Non-linearities in the underlying equation-of-state definitions and thermodynamic profiles are treated using a high-order accurate numerical integration framework, designed to preserve hydrostatic balance in a non-linear manner. Numerical experiments show that the new methods achieve high levels of consistency, maintaining hydrostatic and thermobaric equilibrium in the presence of strongly-sloping layer geometries, non-linear equations-of-state and non-uniform vertical stratification profiles. These results suggest that the new pressure gradient formulations may be appropriate for general circulation models that employ hybrid vertical coordinates and/or terrain-following representations.

Genetic biomarkers for brain hemisphere differentiation in Parkinson's Disease

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hourani, Mou'ath; Mendes, Alexandre; Berretta, Regina; Moscato, Pablo

2007-11-01

This work presents a study on the genetic profile of the left and right hemispheres of the brain of a mouse model of Parkinson's disease (PD). The goal is to characterize, in a genetic basis, PD as a disease that affects these two brain regions in different ways. Using the same whole-genome microarray expression data introduced by Brown et al. (2002) [1], we could find significant differences in the expression of some key genes, well-known to be involved in the mechanisms of dopamine production control and PD. The problem of selecting such genes was modeled as the MIN (α,β)—FEATURE SET problem [2]; a similar approach to that employed previously to find biomarkers for different types of cancer using gene expression microarray data [3]. The Feature Selection method produced a series of genetic signatures for PD, with distinct expression profiles in the Parkinson's model and control mice experiments. In addition, a close examination of the genes composing those signatures shows that many of them belong to genetic pathways or have ontology annotations considered to be involved in the onset and development of PD. Such elements could provide new clues on which mechanisms are implicated in hemisphere differentiation in PD.

Peritoneal fluid modifies the microRNA expression profile in endometrial and endometriotic cells from women with endometriosis.

PubMed

Braza-Boïls, Aitana; Salloum-Asfar, Salam; Marí-Alexandre, Josep; Arroyo, Ana Belén; González-Conejero, Rocío; Barceló-Molina, Moisés; García-Oms, Javier; Vicente, Vicente; Estellés, Amparo; Gilabert-Estellés, Juan; Martínez, Constantino

2015-10-01

Could peritoneal fluid (PF) from patients with endometriosis alter the microRNA (miRNA) expression profile in endometrial and endometriotic cells from patients? PF from patients with endometriosis modifies the miRNA expression profile in endometrial cells from patients. Angiogenesis is a pivotal system in the development of endometriosis, and dysregulated miRNA expression in this disease has been reported. However, to our knowledge, the effect of PF from patients on the miRNA expression profile of patient endometrial cells has not been reported. Moreover, an effect of three miRNAs (miR-16-5p, miR-29c-3p and miR-424-5p) on the regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A mRNA translation in endometrial cells from patients with endometriosis has not been demonstrated. Primary cultures of stromal cells from endometrium from 8 control women (control cells) and 11 patients with endometriosis (eutopic cells) and ovarian endometriomas (ectopic cells) were treated with PF from control women (CPF) and patients (EPF) or not treated (0PF) in order to evaluate the effect of PF on miRNA expression in these cells. MiRNA expression arrays (Affymetrix platform) were prepared from cells (control, eutopic, ectopic) treated with CPF, EPF or 0PF. Results from arrays were validated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in cultures from 8 control endometrium, 11 eutopic endometrium and 11 ovarian endometriomas. Functional experiments were performed in primary cell cultures using mimics for miRNAs miR-16-5p, miR-29c-3p and miR-424-5p to assess their effect as VEGF-A expression regulators. To confirm a repressive action of miR-29c-3p through forming miRNA:VEGFA duplexes, we performed luciferase expression assays. EPF modified the miRNA expression profile in eutopic cells. A total of 267 miRNAs were modified in response to EPF compared with 0PF in eutopic cells. Nine miRNAs (miR-16-5p, miR-21-5p, miR-29c-3p, miR-106b-5p, miR-130a-5p, miR-149-5p, miR-185-5p, miR-195-5p, miR-424-5p) that were differently expressed in response to EPF, and which were potential targets involved in angiogenesis, proteolysis or endometriosis, were validated in further experiments (control = 8, eutopic = 11, ectopic = 11). Except for miR-149-5p, all validated miRNAs showed significantly lower levels (miR-16-5p, miR-106b-5p, miR-130a-5p; miR-195-5p and miR-424-5p, P < 0.05; miR-21-5p, miR-29c-3p and miR-185-5p, P < 0.01) after EPF treatment in primary cell cultures from eutopic endometrium from patients in comparison with 0PF. Transfection of stromal cells with mimics of miRNAs miR-16-5p, miR-29c-3p and miR-424-5p showed a significant down-regulation of VEGF-A protein expression. However, VEGFA mRNA expression after mimic transfection was not significantly modified, indicating the miRNAs inhibited VEGF-A mRNA translation rather than degrading VEGFA mRNA. Luciferase experiments also corroborated VEGF-A as a target gene of miR-29c-3p. The study was performed in an in vitro model of endometriosis using stromal cells. This model is just a representation to try to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of endometriosis. Further studies to identify the pathways involved in this miRNA expression modification in response to PF from patients are needed. This is the first study describing a modified miRNA expression profile in eutopic cells from patients in response to PF from patients. These promising results improve the body of knowledge on endometriosis pathogenesis and could open up new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of endometriosis through the use of miRNAs. This work was supported by research grants by ISCIII and FEDER (PI11/00091, PI11/00566, PI14/01309, PI14/00253 and FI12/00012), RIC (RD12/0042/0029 and RD12/0042/0050), IIS La Fe 2011-211, Prometeo 2011/027 and Contrato Sara Borrell CD13/0005. There are no conflicts of interest to declare. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

High resolution vertical profiles of wind, temperature and humidity obtained by computer processing and digital filtering of radiosonde and radar tracking data from the ITCZ experiment of 1977

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Danielson, E. F.; Hipskind, R. S.; Gaines, S. E.

1980-01-01

Results are presented from computer processing and digital filtering of radiosonde and radar tracking data obtained during the ITCZ experiment when coordinated measurements were taken daily over a 16 day period across the Panama Canal Zone. The temperature relative humidity and wind velocity profiles are discussed.

Variations in Decision-Making Profiles by Age and Gender: A Cluster-Analytic Approach

PubMed Central

Delaney, Rebecca; Strough, JoNell; Parker, Andrew M.; de Bruin, Wandi Bruine

2015-01-01

Using cluster-analysis, we investigated whether rational, intuitive, spontaneous, dependent, and avoidant styles of decision making (Scott & Bruce, 1995) combined to form distinct decision-making profiles that differed by age and gender. Self-report survey data were collected from 1,075 members of RAND’s American Life Panel (56.2% female, 18–93 years, Mage = 53.49). Three decision-making profiles were identified: affective/experiential, independent/self-controlled, and an interpersonally-oriented dependent profile. Older people were less likely to be in the affective/experiential profile and more likely to be in the independent/self-controlled profile. Women were less likely to be in the affective/experiential profile and more likely to be in the interpersonally-oriented dependent profile. Interpersonally-oriented profiles are discussed as an overlooked but important dimension of how people make important decisions. PMID:26005238

A comparative work on vibration control of a quarter car suspension system with two different magneto-rheological dampers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Jhin Ha; Kim, Wan Ho; Shin, Cheol Soo; Choi, Seung-Bok

2017-01-01

This work compares the ride comfort of a passenger vehicle whose suspension system is equipped with two different magneto-rheological (MR) dampers: with and without bypass holes in the piston. In order to achieve this goal, two cylindrical type MR dampers, which otherwise have the same such geometrical dimensions as radius of piston, length of pole and distance between two poles, are designed based on a mathematical model and subsequently manufactured. One of MR dampers is then modified by making bypass holes in the piston bobbin structure to obtain a relatively low slope of damping force in the pre-yield region. The field-dependent damping force characteristics are investigated through both simulation and experiment. After characterizing the field-dependent damping force of the two MR dampers, a quarter car model is established to evaluate the ride comfort. In this work, a simple but very effective sky-hook controller is adopted, and vibration control performance is evaluated under two road profiles: bump and random road excitations. It is demonstrated through simulation and experiment that the MR damper with bypass holes provides better ride comfort to the car so equipped than that without.

A modular suite of hardware enabling spaceflight cell culture research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hoehn, Alexander; Klaus, David M.; Stodieck, Louis S.

2004-01-01

BioServe Space Technologies, a NASA Research Partnership Center (RPC), has developed and operated various middeck payloads launched on 23 shuttle missions since 1991 in support of commercial space biotechnology projects. Modular cell culture systems are contained within the Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus (CGBA) suite of flight-qualified hardware, compatible with Space Shuttle, SPACEHAB, Spacelab and International Space Station (ISS) EXPRESS Rack interfaces. As part of the CGBA family, the Isothermal Containment Module (ICM) incubator provides thermal control, data acquisition and experiment manipulation capabilities, including accelerometer launch detection for automated activation and thermal profiling for culture incubation and sample preservation. The ICM can accommodate up to 8 individually controlled temperature zones. Command and telemetry capabilities allow real-time downlink of data and video permitting remote payload operation and ground control synchronization. Individual cell culture experiments can be accommodated in a variety of devices ranging from 'microgravity test tubes' or standard 100 mm Petri dishes, to complex, fed-batch bioreactors with automated culture feeding, waste removal and multiple sample draws. Up to 3 levels of containment can be achieved for chemical fixative addition, and passive gas exchange can be provided through hydrophobic membranes. Many additional options exist for designing customized hardware depending on specific science requirements.

The Nike Laser Facility and its Capabilities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Serlin, V.; Aglitskiy, Y.; Chan, L. Y.; Karasik, M.; Kehne, D. M.; Oh, J.; Obenschain, S. P.; Weaver, J. L.

2013-10-01

The Nike laser is a 56-beam krypton fluoride (KrF) system that provides 3 to 4 kJ of laser energy on target. The laser uses induced spatial incoherence to achieve highly uniform focal distributions. 44 beams are overlapped onto target with peak intensities up to 1016 W/cm2. The effective time-averaged illumination nonuniformity is < 0 . 2 %. Nike produces highly uniform ablation pressures on target allowing well-controlled experiments at pressures up to 20 Mbar. The other 12 laser beams are used to generate diagnostic x-rays radiographing the primary laser-illuminated target. The facility includes a front end that generates the desired temporal and spatial laser profiles, two electron-beam pumped KrF amplifiers, a computer-controlled optical system, and a vacuum target chamber for experiments. Nike is used to study the physics and technology issues of direct-drive laser fusion, such as, hydrodynamic and laser-plasma instabilities, studies of the response of materials to extreme pressures, and generation of X rays from laser-heated targets. Nike features a computer-controlled data acquisition system, high-speed, high-resolution x-ray and visible imaging systems, x-ray and visible spectrometers, and cryogenic target capability. Work supported by DOE/NNSA.

Pythium invasion of plant-based life support systems: biological control and sources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jenkins, D. G.; Cook, K. L.; Garland, J. L.; Board, K. F.; Sager, J. C. (Principal Investigator)

2000-01-01

Invasion of plant-based life support systems by plant pathogens could cause plant disease and disruption of life support capability. Root rot caused by the fungus, Pythium, was observed during tests of prototype plant growth systems containing wheat at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). We conducted experiments to determine if the presence of complex microbial communities in the plant root zone (rhizosphere) resisted invasion by the Pythium species isolated from the wheat root. Rhizosphere inocula of different complexity (as assayed by community-level physiological profile: CLPP) were developed using a dilution/extinction approach, followed by growth in hydroponic rhizosphere. Pythium growth on wheat roots and concomitant decreases in plant growth were inversely related to the complexity of the inocula during 20-day experiments in static hydroponic systems. Pythium was found on the seeds of several different wheat cultivars used in controlled environmental studies, but it is unclear if the seed-borne fungal strain(s) were identical to the pathogenic strain recovered from the KSC studies. Attempts to control pathogens and their effects in hydroponic life support systems should include early inoculation with complex microbial communities, which is consistent with ecological theory.

Network Supervision of Adult Experience and Learning Dependent Sensory Cortical Plasticity.

PubMed

Blake, David T

2017-06-18

The brain is capable of remodeling throughout life. The sensory cortices provide a useful preparation for studying neuroplasticity both during development and thereafter. In adulthood, sensory cortices change in the cortical area activated by behaviorally relevant stimuli, by the strength of response within that activated area, and by the temporal profiles of those responses. Evidence supports forms of unsupervised, reinforcement, and fully supervised network learning rules. Studies on experience-dependent plasticity have mostly not controlled for learning, and they find support for unsupervised learning mechanisms. Changes occur with greatest ease in neurons containing α-CamKII, which are pyramidal neurons in layers II/III and layers V/VI. These changes use synaptic mechanisms including long term depression. Synaptic strengthening at NMDA-containing synapses does occur, but its weak association with activity suggests other factors also initiate changes. Studies that control learning find support of reinforcement learning rules and limited evidence of other forms of supervised learning. Behaviorally associating a stimulus with reinforcement leads to a strengthening of cortical response strength and enlarging of response area with poor selectivity. Associating a stimulus with omission of reinforcement leads to a selective weakening of responses. In some preparations in which these associations are not as clearly made, neurons with the most informative discharges are relatively stronger after training. Studies analyzing the temporal profile of responses associated with omission of reward, or of plasticity in studies with different discriminanda but statistically matched stimuli, support the existence of limited supervised network learning. © 2017 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 7:977-1008, 2017. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Applications of the LBA-ECO Metadata Warehouse

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilcox, L.; Morrell, A.; Griffith, P. C.

2006-05-01

The LBA-ECO Project Office has developed a system to harvest and warehouse metadata resulting from the Large-Scale Biosphere Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia. The harvested metadata is used to create dynamically generated reports, available at www.lbaeco.org, which facilitate access to LBA-ECO datasets. The reports are generated for specific controlled vocabulary terms (such as an investigation team or a geospatial region), and are cross-linked with one another via these terms. This approach creates a rich contextual framework enabling researchers to find datasets relevant to their research. It maximizes data discovery by association and provides a greater understanding of the scientific and social context of each dataset. For example, our website provides a profile (e.g. participants, abstract(s), study sites, and publications) for each LBA-ECO investigation. Linked from each profile is a list of associated registered dataset titles, each of which link to a dataset profile that describes the metadata in a user-friendly way. The dataset profiles are generated from the harvested metadata, and are cross-linked with associated reports via controlled vocabulary terms such as geospatial region. The region name appears on the dataset profile as a hyperlinked term. When researchers click on this link, they find a list of reports relevant to that region, including a list of dataset titles associated with that region. Each dataset title in this list is hyperlinked to its corresponding dataset profile. Moreover, each dataset profile contains hyperlinks to each associated data file at its home data repository and to publications that have used the dataset. We also use the harvested metadata in administrative applications to assist quality assurance efforts. These include processes to check for broken hyperlinks to data files, automated emails that inform our administrators when critical metadata fields are updated, dynamically generated reports of metadata records that link to datasets with questionable file formats, and dynamically generated region/site coordinate quality assurance reports. These applications are as important as those that facilitate access to information because they help ensure a high standard of quality for the information. This presentation will discuss reports currently in use, provide a technical overview of the system, and discuss plans to extend this system to harvest metadata resulting from the North American Carbon Program by drawing on datasets in many different formats, residing in many thematic data centers and also distributed among hundreds of investigators.

Programmable phase plate for tool modification in laser machining applications

DOEpatents

Thompson Jr., Charles A.; Kartz, Michael W.; Brase, James M.; Pennington, Deanna; Perry, Michael D.

2004-04-06

A system for laser machining includes a laser source for propagating a laser beam toward a target location, and a spatial light modulator having individual controllable elements capable of modifying a phase profile of the laser beam to produce a corresponding irradiance pattern on the target location. The system also includes a controller operably connected to the spatial light modulator for controlling the individual controllable elements. By controlling the individual controllable elements, the phase profile of the laser beam may be modified into a desired phase profile so as to produce a corresponding desired irradiance pattern on the target location capable of performing a machining operation on the target location.

Interferometer Control of Optical Tweezers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Decker, Arthur J.

2002-01-01

This paper discusses progress in using spatial light modulators and interferometry to control the beam profile of an optical tweezers. The approach being developed is to use a spatial light modulator (SLM) to control the phase profile of the tweezers beam and to use a combination of the SLM and interferometry to control the intensity profile. The objective is to perform fine and calculable control of the moments and forces on a tip or tool to be used to manipulate and interrogate nanostructures. The performance of the SLM in generating multiple and independently controllable tweezers beams is also reported. Concurrent supporting research projects are mentioned and include tweezers beam scattering and neural-net processing of the interference patterns for control of the tweezers beams.

Correction to white-johnson, ford, and sellers (2010).

PubMed

2015-01-01

Reports an error in "Parental racial socialization profiles: Association with demographic factors, racial discrimination, childhood socialization, and racial identity" by Rhonda L. White-Johnson, Kahlil R. Ford and Robert M. Sellers (Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 2010[Apr], Vol 16[2], 237-247). In the article, there was an error in the Measures subsection. The following citation should have been included in the third paragraph " Mothers' childhood racial socialization experiences. Prior racial socialization messages were assessed using four items adapted from the Comprehensive Race Socialization Inventory (Lesane- Brown, Brown, Caldwell, & Sellers, 2005)." Additionally, the included reference should have been included in the Reference section. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2010-07475-016.) The authors examined patterns of racial socialization practices in a sample of 212 African American mothers. They investigated the relation between parent profiles of racial socialization messages with child and parent demographic factors and race-related experiences, as well as parent racial identity attitudes. Using latent class analyses, the authors identified 3 patterns of parent-reported racial socialization experiences: multifaceted, low race salience, and unengaged. In general, findings indicate that mothers in the multifaceted profile were more educated, experienced more racial discrimination, and talked about race during their childhood more than mothers in the unengaged profile. The multifaceted profile also differed from the low race salience and unengaged profiles on several racial identity dimensions. Although the patterned approach used in this study lends itself to a more complex study of racial socialization in future research, it also highlights the associations between parent's race-relevant experiences and the messages they communicate to their children about race. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved).

R & D of a Gas-Filled RF Beam Profile Monitor for Intense Neutrino Beam Experiments

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

Yonehara, K.; Backfish, M.; Moretti, A.

We report the R&D of a novel radiation-robust hadron beam profile monitor based on a gas-filled RF cavity for intense neutrino beam experiments. An equivalent RF circuit model was made and simulated to optimize the RF parameter in a wide beam intensity range. As a result, the maximum acceptable beam intensity in the monitor is significantly increased by using a low-quality factor RF cavity. The plan for the demonstration test is set up to prepare for future neutrino beam experiments.

Impacts of distinct observations during the 2009 Prince William Sound field experiment: A data assimilation study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Z.; Chao, Y.; Farrara, J.; McWilliams, J. C.

2012-12-01

A set of data assimilation experiments, known as Observing System Experiments (OSEs), are performed to assess the relative impacts of different types of observations acquired during the 2009 Prince William Sound Field Experiment. The observations assimilated consist primarily of three types: High Frequency (HF) radar surface velocities, vertical profiles of temperature/salinity (T/S) measured by ships, moorings, Autonomous Underwater Vehicles and gliders, and satellite sea surface temperatures (SSTs). The impact of all the observations, HF radar surface velocities, and T/S profiles is assessed. Without data assimilation, a frequently occurring cyclonic eddy in the central Sound is overly persistent and intense. The assimilation of the HF radar velocities effectively reduces these biases and improves the representation of the velocities as well as the T/S fields in the Sound. The assimilation of the T/S profiles improves the large scale representation of the temperature/salinity and also the velocity field in the central Sound. The combination of the HF radar surface velocities and sparse T/S profiles results in an observing system capable of representing the circulation in the Sound reliably and thus producing analyses and forecasts with useful skill. It is suggested that a potentially promising observing network could be based on satellite SSHs and SSTs along with sparse T/S profiles, and future satellite SSHs with wide swath coverage and higher resolution may offer excellent data that will be of great use for predicting the circulation in the Sound.

Wind velocity profile reconstruction from intensity fluctuations of a plane wave propagating in a turbulent atmosphere.

PubMed

Banakh, V A; Marakasov, D A

2007-08-01

Reconstruction of a wind profile based on the statistics of plane-wave intensity fluctuations in a turbulent atmosphere is considered. The algorithm for wind profile retrieval from the spatiotemporal spectrum of plane-wave weak intensity fluctuations is described, and the results of end-to-end computer experiments on wind profiling based on the developed algorithm are presented. It is shown that the reconstructing algorithm allows retrieval of a wind profile from turbulent plane-wave intensity fluctuations with acceptable accuracy.

Australian Infection Control Association members' use of skills and resources that promote evidence-based infection control.

PubMed

Murphy, C L; McLaws, M

2000-04-01

To adopt an evidence-based approach, professionals must be able to access, identify, interpret, and critically appraise best evidence. Critical appraisal requires essential skills, such as computer literacy and an understanding of research principles. These skills also are required for professionals to contribute to evidence. In 1996, members of the Australian Infection Control Association were surveyed to establish a profile including the extent to which they were reading infection control publications, using specific documents for policy and guideline development, developing and undertaking research, publishing research, and using computers. The relationships between demographics, computer use, and research activity were examined. The response rate was 63. 4% (630/993). The study group comprised mostly women (96.1%), and most (66.4%) were older than 40 years of age. Median infection control experience was 4 years (mean, 5.4 years; range, <12 months to 35 years). When developing guidelines and policies (92.7%; 584/630), infection control professionals reviewed State Health Department Infection Control Guidelines and Regulations. Research relating to infection control was undertaken by 21.5% (135/628) of the sample, and 27.6% (37/134) of this group published their research findings. Of the respondents (51.1%; 318/622) who used a computer to undertake infection control tasks, the majority (89.0%) used a personal computer for word processing. Regardless of infection control experience, Australian infection control professionals must be adequately prepared to contribute to, access, appraise, and where appropriate, apply best evidence to their practice. We suggest that computer literacy, an understanding of research principles, and familiarity with infection control literature are three essential skills that infection control professionals must possess and regularly exercise.

A method to identify differential expression profiles of time-course gene data with Fourier transformation.

PubMed

Kim, Jaehee; Ogden, Robert Todd; Kim, Haseong

2013-10-18

Time course gene expression experiments are an increasingly popular method for exploring biological processes. Temporal gene expression profiles provide an important characterization of gene function, as biological systems are both developmental and dynamic. With such data it is possible to study gene expression changes over time and thereby to detect differential genes. Much of the early work on analyzing time series expression data relied on methods developed originally for static data and thus there is a need for improved methodology. Since time series expression is a temporal process, its unique features such as autocorrelation between successive points should be incorporated into the analysis. This work aims to identify genes that show different gene expression profiles across time. We propose a statistical procedure to discover gene groups with similar profiles using a nonparametric representation that accounts for the autocorrelation in the data. In particular, we first represent each profile in terms of a Fourier basis, and then we screen out genes that are not differentially expressed based on the Fourier coefficients. Finally, we cluster the remaining gene profiles using a model-based approach in the Fourier domain. We evaluate the screening results in terms of sensitivity, specificity, FDR and FNR, compare with the Gaussian process regression screening in a simulation study and illustrate the results by application to yeast cell-cycle microarray expression data with alpha-factor synchronization.The key elements of the proposed methodology: (i) representation of gene profiles in the Fourier domain; (ii) automatic screening of genes based on the Fourier coefficients and taking into account autocorrelation in the data, while controlling the false discovery rate (FDR); (iii) model-based clustering of the remaining gene profiles. Using this method, we identified a set of cell-cycle-regulated time-course yeast genes. The proposed method is general and can be potentially used to identify genes which have the same patterns or biological processes, and help facing the present and forthcoming challenges of data analysis in functional genomics.

Exuberant and inhibited children: Person-centered profiles and links to social adjustment.

PubMed

Dollar, Jessica M; Stifter, Cynthia A; Buss, Kristin A

2017-07-01

The current study aimed to substantiate and extend our understanding regarding the existence and developmental pathways of 3 distinct temperament profiles-exuberant, inhibited, and average approach-in a sample of 3.5-year-old children (n = 121). The interactions between temperamental styles and specific types of effortful control, inhibitory control and attentional control, were also examined in predicting kindergarten peer acceptance. Latent profile analysis identified 3 temperamental styles: exuberant, inhibited, and average approach. Support was found for the adaptive role of inhibitory control for exuberant children and attentional control for inhibited children in promoting peer acceptance in kindergarten. These findings add to our current understanding of temperamental profiles by using sophisticated methodology in a slightly older, community sample, as well as the importance of examining specific types of self-regulation to identify which skills lower risk for children of different temperamental styles. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

Emotion Regulation Profiles, Temperament, and Adjustment Problems in Preadolescents

PubMed Central

Zalewski, Maureen; Lengua, Liliana J.; Trancik, Anika; Wilson, Anna C.; Bazinet, Alissa

2014-01-01

The longitudinal relations of emotion regulation profiles to temperament and adjustment in a community sample of preadolescents (N = 196, 8–11 years at Time 1) were investigated using person-oriented latent profile analysis (LPA). Temperament, emotion regulation, and adjustment were measured at 3 different time points, with each time point occurring 1 year apart. LPA identified 5 frustration and 4 anxiety regulation profiles based on children’s physiological, behavioral, and self-reported reactions to emotion-eliciting tasks. The relation of effortful control to conduct problems was mediated by frustration regulation profiles, as was the relation of effortful control to depression. Anxiety regulation profiles did not mediate relations between temperament and adjustment. PMID:21413935

Understanding Biases in Ribosome Profiling Experiments Reveals Signatures of Translation Dynamics in Yeast.

PubMed

Hussmann, Jeffrey A; Patchett, Stephanie; Johnson, Arlen; Sawyer, Sara; Press, William H

2015-12-01

Ribosome profiling produces snapshots of the locations of actively translating ribosomes on messenger RNAs. These snapshots can be used to make inferences about translation dynamics. Recent ribosome profiling studies in yeast, however, have reached contradictory conclusions regarding the average translation rate of each codon. Some experiments have used cycloheximide (CHX) to stabilize ribosomes before measuring their positions, and these studies all counterintuitively report a weak negative correlation between the translation rate of a codon and the abundance of its cognate tRNA. In contrast, some experiments performed without CHX report strong positive correlations. To explain this contradiction, we identify unexpected patterns in ribosome density downstream of each type of codon in experiments that use CHX. These patterns are evidence that elongation continues to occur in the presence of CHX but with dramatically altered codon-specific elongation rates. The measured positions of ribosomes in these experiments therefore do not reflect the amounts of time ribosomes spend at each position in vivo. These results suggest that conclusions from experiments in yeast using CHX may need reexamination. In particular, we show that in all such experiments, codons decoded by less abundant tRNAs were in fact being translated more slowly before the addition of CHX disrupted these dynamics.

Understanding Biases in Ribosome Profiling Experiments Reveals Signatures of Translation Dynamics in Yeast

PubMed Central

Hussmann, Jeffrey A.; Patchett, Stephanie; Johnson, Arlen; Sawyer, Sara; Press, William H.

2015-01-01

Ribosome profiling produces snapshots of the locations of actively translating ribosomes on messenger RNAs. These snapshots can be used to make inferences about translation dynamics. Recent ribosome profiling studies in yeast, however, have reached contradictory conclusions regarding the average translation rate of each codon. Some experiments have used cycloheximide (CHX) to stabilize ribosomes before measuring their positions, and these studies all counterintuitively report a weak negative correlation between the translation rate of a codon and the abundance of its cognate tRNA. In contrast, some experiments performed without CHX report strong positive correlations. To explain this contradiction, we identify unexpected patterns in ribosome density downstream of each type of codon in experiments that use CHX. These patterns are evidence that elongation continues to occur in the presence of CHX but with dramatically altered codon-specific elongation rates. The measured positions of ribosomes in these experiments therefore do not reflect the amounts of time ribosomes spend at each position in vivo. These results suggest that conclusions from experiments in yeast using CHX may need reexamination. In particular, we show that in all such experiments, codons decoded by less abundant tRNAs were in fact being translated more slowly before the addition of CHX disrupted these dynamics. PMID:26656907

World Ocean Database and the Global Temperature and Salinity Profile Program Database: Synthesis of historical and near real-time ocean profile data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boyer, T.; Sun, L.; Locarnini, R. A.; Mishonov, A. V.; Hall, N.; Ouellet, M.

2016-02-01

The World Ocean Database (WOD) contains systematically quality controlled historical and recent ocean profile data (temperature, salinity, oxygen, nutrients, carbon cycle variables, biological variables) ranging from Captain Cooks second voyage (1773) to this year's Argo floats. The US National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) also hosts the Global Temperature and Salinity Profile Program (GTSPP) Continuously Managed Database (CMD) which provides quality controlled near-real time ocean profile data and higher level quality controlled temperature and salinity profiles from 1990 to present. Both databases are used extensively for ocean and climate studies. Synchronization of these two databases will allow easier access and use of comprehensive regional and global ocean profile data sets for ocean and climate studies. Synchronizing consists of two distinct phases: 1) a retrospective comparison of data in WOD and GTSPP to ensure that the most comprehensive and highest quality data set is available to researchers without the need to individually combine and contrast the two datasets and 2) web services to allow the constantly accruing near-real time data in the GTSPP CMD and the continuous addition and quality control of historical data in WOD to be made available to researchers together, seamlessly.

Intelligent control of a smart walker and its performance evaluation.

PubMed

Grondin, Simon L; Li, Qingguo

2013-06-01

Recent technological advances have allowed the development of force-dependent, intelligently controlled smart walkers that are able to provide users with enhanced mobility, support and gait assistance. The purpose of this study was to develop an intelligent rule-based controller for a smart walker to achieve a smooth interaction between the user and the walker. This study developed a rule-based mapping between the interaction force, measured by a load cell attached to the walker handle, and the acceleration of the walker. Ten young, healthy subjects were used to evaluate the performance of the proposed controller compared to a well-known admittance-based control system. There were no significant differences between the two control systems concerning their user experience, velocity profiles or average cost of transportation. However, the admittance-based control system required a 1.2N lower average interaction force to maintain the 1m/s target speed (p = 0.002). Metabolic data also indicated that smart walker-assisted gait could considerably reduce the metabolic demand of walking with a four-legged walker.

Accurate small and wide angle x-ray scattering profiles from atomic models of proteins and nucleic acids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, Hung T.; Pabit, Suzette A.; Meisburger, Steve P.; Pollack, Lois; Case, David A.

2014-12-01

A new method is introduced to compute X-ray solution scattering profiles from atomic models of macromolecules. The three-dimensional version of the Reference Interaction Site Model (RISM) from liquid-state statistical mechanics is employed to compute the solvent distribution around the solute, including both water and ions. X-ray scattering profiles are computed from this distribution together with the solute geometry. We describe an efficient procedure for performing this calculation employing a Lebedev grid for the angular averaging. The intensity profiles (which involve no adjustable parameters) match experiment and molecular dynamics simulations up to wide angle for two proteins (lysozyme and myoglobin) in water, as well as the small-angle profiles for a dozen biomolecules taken from the BioIsis.net database. The RISM model is especially well-suited for studies of nucleic acids in salt solution. Use of fiber-diffraction models for the structure of duplex DNA in solution yields close agreement with the observed scattering profiles in both the small and wide angle scattering (SAXS and WAXS) regimes. In addition, computed profiles of anomalous SAXS signals (for Rb+ and Sr2+) emphasize the ionic contribution to scattering and are in reasonable agreement with experiment. In cases where an absolute calibration of the experimental data at q = 0 is available, one can extract a count of the excess number of waters and ions; computed values depend on the closure that is assumed in the solution of the Ornstein-Zernike equations, with results from the Kovalenko-Hirata closure being closest to experiment for the cases studied here.

Decoding power-spectral profiles from FMRI brain activities during naturalistic auditory experience.

PubMed

Hu, Xintao; Guo, Lei; Han, Junwei; Liu, Tianming

2017-02-01

Recent studies have demonstrated a close relationship between computational acoustic features and neural brain activities, and have largely advanced our understanding of auditory information processing in the human brain. Along this line, we proposed a multidisciplinary study to examine whether power spectral density (PSD) profiles can be decoded from brain activities during naturalistic auditory experience. The study was performed on a high resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) dataset acquired when participants freely listened to the audio-description of the movie "Forrest Gump". Representative PSD profiles existing in the audio-movie were identified by clustering the audio samples according to their PSD descriptors. Support vector machine (SVM) classifiers were trained to differentiate the representative PSD profiles using corresponding fMRI brain activities. Based on PSD profile decoding, we explored how the neural decodability correlated to power intensity and frequency deviants. Our experimental results demonstrated that PSD profiles can be reliably decoded from brain activities. We also suggested a sigmoidal relationship between the neural decodability and power intensity deviants of PSD profiles. Our study in addition substantiates the feasibility and advantage of naturalistic paradigm for studying neural encoding of complex auditory information.

A Pilot Evaluation of Older Adolescents’ Sexual Reference Displays on Facebook

PubMed Central

Moreno, Megan A.; Brockman, Libby; Wasserheit, Judith; Christakis, Dimitri A.

2012-01-01

Many older adolescents display sexual references on their social networking site profiles; this study investigated whether these references were associated with self-reported sexual intention, sexual experience or risky sexual behavior. We identified public Facebook profiles of undergraduate freshmen within one large US university Facebook network. Profile owners who displayed sexual references (Displayers) and did not display references (Non-Displayers) were invited to complete surveys. Surveys measured sexual intention using the Postponing Sexual Involvement (PSI) scale, and sexual experiences. A higher PSI score is inversely related to intention to initiate sexual intercourse. Of the 118 profiles that met inclusion criteria, 85 profile owners completed surveys. Profile owners were mostly female (56.5%) and Caucasian (67.1%). Mean PSI score for Displayers was 6.5+/−1.6, mean PSI score for Non-Displayers was 10.2+/−0.6 (p=0.02). There were no differences between Displayers and Non-Displayers regarding lifetime prevalence of sexual behavior, number of sexual partners or frequency of condom use. Display of sexual references on college freshmen’s Facebook profiles was positively associated with reporting intention to initiate sexual intercourse. Facebook profiles may present an innovative cultural venue to identify adolescents who are considering sexual activity and may benefit from targeted educational messages. PMID:22239559

Profile modification computations for LHCD experiments on PBX-M using the TSC/LSC model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaita, R.; Ignat, D. W.; Jardin, S. C.; Okabayashi, M.; Sun, Y. C.

1996-02-01

The TSC-LSC computational model of the dynamics of lower hybrid current drive has been exercised extensively in comparison with data from a Princeton Beta Experiment-Modification (PBX-M) discharge where the measured q(0) attained values slightly above unity. Several significant, but plausible, assumptions had to be introduced to keep the computation from behaving pathologically over time, producing singular profiles of plasma current density and q. Addition of a heuristic current diffusion estimate, or more exactly, a smoothing of the rf-driven current with a diffusion-like equation, greatly improved the behavior of the computation, and brought theory and measurement into reasonable agreement. The model was then extended to longer pulse lengths and higher powers to investigate performance to be expected in future PBX-M current profile modification experiments.

3D Lagrangian VPM: simulations of the near-wake of an actuator disc and horizontal axis wind turbine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berdowski, T.; Ferreira, C.; Walther, J.

2016-09-01

The application of a 3-dimensional Lagrangian vortex particle method has been assessed for modelling the near-wake of an axisymmetrical actuator disc and 3-bladed horizontal axis wind turbine with prescribed circulation from the MEXICO (Model EXperiments In COntrolled conditions) experiment. The method was developed in the framework of the open- source Parallel Particle-Mesh library for handling the efficient data-parallelism on a CPU (Central Processing Unit) cluster, and utilized a O(N log N)-type fast multipole method for computational acceleration. Simulations with the actuator disc resulted in a wake expansion, velocity deficit profile, and induction factor that showed a close agreement with theoretical, numerical, and experimental results from literature. Also the shear layer expansion was present; the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in the shear layer was triggered due to the round-off limitations of a numerical method, but this instability was delayed to beyond 1 diameter downstream due to the particle smoothing. Simulations with the 3-bladed turbine demonstrated that a purely 3-dimensional flow representation is challenging to model with particles. The manifestation of local complex flow structures of highly stretched vortices made the simulation unstable, but this was successfully counteracted by the application of a particle strength exchange scheme. The axial and radial velocity profile over the near wake have been compared to that of the original MEXICO experiment, which showed close agreement between results.

The Challenging Experience Questionnaire: Characterization of challenging experiences with psilocybin mushrooms

PubMed Central

Barrett, Frederick S.; Bradstreet, Matthew P.; Leoutsakos, Jeannie-Marie S.; Johnson, Matthew W.; Griffiths, Roland R.

2017-01-01

Acute adverse psychological reactions to classic hallucinogens (“bad trips”, or “challenging experiences”), while usually benign with proper screening, preparation, and support in controlled settings, remain a safety concern in uncontrolled settings (such as illicit use contexts). Anecdotal and case reports suggest potential adverse acute symptoms including affective (panic, depressed mood), cognitive (confusion, feelings of losing sanity), and somatic (nausea, heart palpitation) symptoms. Responses to items from several hallucinogen-sensitive questionnaires (Hallucinogen Rating Scale, the States of Consciousness Questionnaire, and the 5-Dimensional Altered States of Consciousness questionnaire) in an internet survey of challenging experiences with the classic hallucinogen psilocybin were used to construct and validate a Challenging Experience Questionnaire (CEQ). The stand-alone CEQ was then validated in a separate sample. Seven CEQ factors (grief, fear, death, insanity, isolation, physical distress, and paranoia) provide a phenomenological profile of challenging aspects of experiences with psilocybin. Factor scores were associated with the difficulty, meaningfulness, spiritual significance, and change in well-being attributed to the challenging experiences. The factor structure did not differ based on gender or prior struggle with anxiety or depression. The CEQ provides a basis for future investigation of predictors and outcomes of challenging experiences with psilocybin, and should be explored as a measure of challenging experiences with the broad class of classic hallucinogens. PMID:27856683

Plasma and erythrocyte phospholipid fatty acid profile in professional basketball and football players.

PubMed

Tepsic, Jasna; Vucic, Vesna; Arsic, Aleksandra; Blazencic-Mladenovic, Vera; Mazic, Sanja; Glibetic, Marija

2009-10-01

The effect of intensive long-term physical activity on phospholipid fatty acid (FA) composition has not been studied thoroughly. We determined plasma and erythrocyte phospholipid FA status of professional basketball and football players. Our results showed differences in plasma FA profile not only between sportsmen and sedentary subjects, but also between two groups of sportsmen. Plasma FA profile in basketball players showed significantly higher proportion of n-6 FA (20:3, 20:4, and 22:4) and total polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) than controls, while football players had higher palmitoleic acid (16:1) than basketball players and controls. Total PUFA and 22:4 were also higher in basketball than in football players. Erythrocyte FA profile showed no differences between football players and controls. However, basketball players had higher proportion of 18:0 than controls, higher saturated FA and lower 18:2 than two other groups, and higher 22:4 than football players. These findings suggest that long-term intensive exercise and type of sport influence FA profile.

Scaled experiments for improving diagnosis of pathological lower-airway obstruction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Chang; Kiger, Ken; Hariprasad, Daniel; Sul, Bora; Wallqvist, Anders; Reifman, Jaques

2017-11-01

Many lung diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are characterized by obstructed airflow, particularly, in the lower airway branches in the lung. Existing diagnostic tools cannot detect some diseases due to a lack of instrumentation capable of resolving the flow in the lower airways. Recent developments in MRI techniques using hyperpolarized 3He now permit measurement of velocity profiles within the trachea. Motivated by these advances, we aim to provide a better understanding of the connection between lower-airway obstruction and velocity profiles within the trachea. Specifically, we asked whether the flow deficits created by lower-airway obstructions could be detected in the trachea to permit diagnosis of the pathology. To test this idea, we used refractive index-matched materials to construct a scaled, patient-specific, transparent lung model, and coupled it to 5 independently controlled piston pumps that could generate arbitrary flow histories (healthy or diseased) for the 5 different lung lobes. Results obtained by stereo PIV within various regions of the airway network will be presented documenting the system performance and examining the detectability of under-performing lobes within the tracheal flow profile. This work supported by the Henry M. Jackson Foundation under award #3270.

Dynamics of intrinsic axial flows in unsheared, uniform magnetic fields

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

Li, J. C.; Diamond, P. H.; Xu, X. Q.

2016-05-15

A simple model for the generation and amplification of intrinsic axial flow in a linear device, controlled shear decorrelation experiment, is proposed. This model proposes and builds upon a novel dynamical symmetry breaking mechanism, using a simple theory of drift wave turbulence in the presence of axial flow shear. This mechanism does not require complex magnetic field structure, such as shear, and thus is also applicable to intrinsic rotation generation in tokamaks at weak or zero magnetic shear, as well as to linear devices. This mechanism is essentially the self-amplification of the mean axial flow profile, i.e., a modulational instability.more » Hence, the flow development is a form of negative viscosity phenomenon. Unlike conventional mechanisms where the residual stress produces an intrinsic torque, in this dynamical symmetry breaking scheme, the residual stress induces a negative increment to the ambient turbulent viscosity. The axial flow shear is then amplified by this negative viscosity increment. The resulting mean axial flow profile is calculated and discussed by analogy with the problem of turbulent pipe flow. For tokamaks, the negative viscosity is not needed to generate intrinsic rotation. However, toroidal rotation profile gradient is enhanced by the negative increment in turbulent viscosity.« less

Self esteem and self agency in first episode psychosis: Ethnic variation and relationship with clinical presentation.

PubMed

Ciufolini, Simone; Morgan, Craig; Morgan, Kevin; Fearon, Paul; Boydell, Jane; Hutchinson, Gerard; Demjaha, Arsjme; Girardi, Paolo; Doody, Gill A; Jones, Peter B; Murray, Robin; Dazzan, Paola

2015-06-30

The impact of self esteem and Locus of Control (LoC) on clinical presentation across different ethnic groups of patients at their first psychotic episode (FEP) remains unknown. We explored these constructs in 257 FEP patients (Black n=95; White British n=119) and 341 controls (Black n=70; White British n=226), and examined their relationship with symptom dimensions and pathways to care. FEP patients presented lower self-esteem and a more external LoC than controls. Lower self esteem was associated with a specific symptoms profile (more manic and less negative symptoms), and with factors predictive of poorer outcome (longer duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) and compulsory mode of admission). A more external LoC was associated with more negative symptoms and an insidious onset. When we explored these constructs across different ethnic groups, we found that Black patients had significantly higher self esteem than White British. This was again associated with specific symptom profiles. While British patients with lower self esteem were more likely to report delusions, hallucinations and negative symptoms, Black patients with a lower self esteem showed less disorganization symptoms. These findings suggest that self esteem and LoC may represent one way in which social experiences and contexts differentially influence vulnerable individuals along the pathway to psychosis. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Analysis of ripening-related gene expression in papaya using an Arabidopsis-based microarray

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a commercially important crop that produces climacteric fruits with a soft and sweet pulp that contain a wide range of health promoting phytochemicals. Despite its importance, little is known about transcriptional modifications during papaya fruit ripening and their control. In this study we report the analysis of ripe papaya transcriptome by using a cross-species (XSpecies) microarray technique based on the phylogenetic proximity between papaya and Arabidopsis thaliana. Results Papaya transcriptome analyses resulted in the identification of 414 ripening-related genes with some having their expression validated by qPCR. The transcription profile was compared with that from ripening tomato and grape. There were many similarities between papaya and tomato especially with respect to the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in primary metabolism, regulation of transcription, biotic and abiotic stress and cell wall metabolism. XSpecies microarray data indicated that transcription factors (TFs) of the MADS-box, NAC and AP2/ERF gene families were involved in the control of papaya ripening and revealed that cell wall-related gene expression in papaya had similarities to the expression profiles seen in Arabidopsis during hypocotyl development. Conclusion The cross-species array experiment identified a ripening-related set of genes in papaya allowing the comparison of transcription control between papaya and other fruit bearing taxa during the ripening process. PMID:23256600

Active flow control for a blunt trailing edge profiled body

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naghib Lahouti, Arash

Flow in the wake of nominally two-dimensional bluff bodies is dominated by vortex shedding, beyond a very small threshold Reynolds number. Vortex shedding poses challenges in the design of structures, due to its adverse effects such as cyclic aerodynamic loads and fatigue. The wake vortices are often accompanied by large- and small-scale secondary instabilities, which manifest as dislocations in the primary wake vortices, and/or pairs of counter-rotating streamwise vortices, depending on the dominant instability mode(s), which in turn depends on the profile geometry and Reynolds number. The secondary instabilities interact with the wake vortices through several mechanisms. Therefore, manipulation of the secondary instabilities can be used as a means to alter the wake vortices, in order to reduce their adverse effects. In the present study, flow in the wake of a blunt trailing edge profiled body, composed of an elliptical leading edge and a rectangular trailing edge, has been studied at Reynolds numbers ranging from Re(d) = 500 to 2150 where d is thickness of the body, to identify the secondary instabilities. Various tools, including numerical simulations, Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF), and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) have been used for this study. Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) has been applied to analyze the velocity field data. The results indicate the existence of small-scale instabilities with a spanwise wavelength of 2.0d to 2.5d in the near wake. The mechanism of the instability is similar to the Mode-A instability of a circular cylinder; however, it displays features that are specific to the blunt trailing edge profiled body. An active three-dimensional flow control mechanism based on the small-scale instabilities has been designed and evaluated. The mechanism comprises a series of trailing edge injection ports, with a spanwise spacing equal to the wavelength of the small-scale instabilities. Following preliminary evaluation of the control mechanism through numerical simulations, and experimental study of the effect of injection flow rate, extensive PIV experiments have been conducted to investigate the effectiveness of the flow control mechanism, and its effects on the wake flow structure, at Reynolds numbers ranging from Re(d ) = 700 to 1980. Measurements have been carried out at multiple spanwise locations, to establish a comprehensive image of the effect of the flow control mechanism on parameters such as drag force, wake width, and formation length. POD analysis and frequency spectrums are used to describe the process by which the mechanism affects the wake parameters and drag force. The results indicate that the flow control mechanism is able to reduce drag force by 10%. It is also shown that the best effectiveness in terms of suppression of the drag component resulting from velocity fluctuations is achieved when the flow control actuation wavelength closely matches the wavelength of the small-scale instabilities. KEYWORDS: Blunt Trailing Edge Profiled Body, Vortex Shedding, Wake Instability, Streamwise Vortex, Flow Control, Drag Reduction, Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF), Flow Visualization, Numerical Simulation

Intestinal Microbiota Ecological Response to Oral Administrations of Hydrogen-Rich Water and Lactulose in Female Piglets Fed a Fusarium Toxin-Contaminated Diet.

PubMed

Zheng, Weijiang; Ji, Xu; Zhang, Qing; Yao, Wen

2018-06-16

The objective of the current experiment was to explore the intestinal microbiota ecological response to oral administrations of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) and lactulose (LAC) in female piglets fed a Fusarium mycotoxin-contaminated diet. A total of 24 individually-housed female piglets (Landrace × large × white; initial average body weight, 7.25 ± 1.02 kg) were randomly assigned to receive four treatments (six pigs/treatment): uncontaminated basal diet (negative control, NC), mycotoxin-contaminated diet (MC), MC diet + HRW (MC + HRW), and MC diet + LAC (MC + LAC) for 25 days. Hydrogen levels in the mucosa of different intestine segments were measured at the end of the experiment. Fecal scoring and diarrhea rate were recorded every day during the whole period of the experiment. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) profiles in the digesta of the foregut and hindgut samples were assayed. The populations of selected bacteria and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profiles of total bacteria and methanogenic Archaea were also evaluated. Results showed that Fusarium mycotoxins not only reduced the hydrogen levels in the caecum but also shifted the SCFAs production, and populations and communities of microbiota. HRW treatment increased the hydrogen levels of the stomach and duodenum. HRW and LAC groups also had higher colon and caecum hydrogen levels than the MC group. Both HRW and LAC protected against the mycotoxin-contaminated diet-induced higher diarrhea rate and lower SCFA production in the digesta of the colon and caecum. In addition, the DGGE profile results indicated that HRW and LAC might shift the pathways of hydrogen-utilization bacteria, and change the diversity of intestine microbiota. Moreover, HRW and LAC administrations reversed the mycotoxin-contaminated diet-induced changing of the populations of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Bifidobacterium in ileum digesta and hydrogen-utilizing bacteria in colon digesta.

Application of Layered Perforation Profile Control Technique to Low Permeable Reservoir

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Sun

2018-01-01

it is difficult to satisfy the demand of profile control of complex well section and multi-layer reservoir by adopting the conventional profile control technology, therefore, a research is conducted on adjusting the injection production profile with layered perforating parameters optimization. i.e. in the case of coproduction for multi-layer, water absorption of each layer is adjusted by adjusting the perforating parameters, thus to balance the injection production profile of the whole well section, and ultimately enhance the oil displacement efficiency of water flooding. By applying the relationship between oil-water phase percolation theory/perforating damage and capacity, a mathematic model of adjusting the injection production profile with layered perforating parameters optimization, besides, perforating parameters optimization software is programmed. Different types of optimization design work are carried out according to different geological conditions and construction purposes by using the perforating optimization design software; furthermore, an application test is done for low permeable reservoir, and the water injection profile tends to be balanced significantly after perforation with optimized parameters, thereby getting a good application effect on site.

Technical and Scientific Evaluation of EM-APEX in Hurricane Frances

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-09-30

as part of the 2004 CBLAST experiment (Figure 1). Four of these initial floats were deployed again in the 2005 EDDIES experiment (NSF) near Bermuda . In... triangles indicate ascending and descending profiles, respectively. Circles indicate 500 mn deep profiles, while the rest are 200 mn deep. The figure shows...times marked with triangles can be used to reconstruct surface wave properties using more sophisticated methods. RESULTS Technical Results. a

Quantum Dot Photonics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kinnischtzke, Laura A.

We report on several experiments using single excitons confined to single semiconductor quantum dots (QDs). Electric and magnetic fields have previously been used as experimental knobs to understand and control individual excitons in single quantum dots. We realize new ways of electric field control by changing materials and device geometry in the first two experiments with strain-based InAs QDs. A standard Schottky diode heterostructure is demonstrated with graphene as the Schottky gate material, and its performance is bench-marked against a diode with a standard gate material, semi-transparent nickel-chromium (NiCr). This change of materials increases the photon collection rate by eliminating absorption in the metallic NiCr layer. A second set of experiments investigates the electric field response of QDs as a possible metrology source. A linear voltage potential drop in a plane near the QDs is used to describe how the spatially varying voltage profile is also imparted on the QDs. We demonstrate a procedure to map this voltage profile as a preliminary route towards a full quantum sensor array. Lastly, InAs QDs are explored as potential spin-photon interfaces. We describe how a magnetic field is used to realize a reversible exchange of information between light and matter, including a discussion of the polarization-dependence of the photoluminesence, and how that can be linked to the spin of a resident electron or hole. We present evidence of this in two wavelength regimes for InAs quantum dots, and discuss how an external magnetic field informs the spin physics of these 2-level systems. This thesis concludes with the discovery of a new class of quantum dots. As-yet unidentified defect states in single layer tungsten diselenide (WSe 2 ) are shown to host quantum light emission. We explore the spatial extent of electron confinement and tentatively identify a radiative lifetime of 1 ns for these single photon emitters.

Poor sleep as a pathophysiological pathway underlying the association between stressful experiences and the diurnal cortisol profile among children and adolescents

PubMed Central

Ly, Jinshia; McGrath, Jennifer J.; Gouin, Jean-Philippe

2017-01-01

Summary Recent evidence suggests that poor sleep is a potential pathway underlying the association between stressful experiences and the diurnal cortisol profile. However, existing findings are largely limited to adults. The present study examines whether poor sleep (duration, quality) mediates the relation between stressful experiences and the diurnal cortisol profile in children and adolescents. Children and adolescents (N = 220, Mage = 12.62) provided six saliva samples over two days to derive cortisol indices (bedtime, AUCAG, AUCTG, slopeMAX). Perceived stress, stressful life events, self-reported sleep duration, and sleep quality were measured. Using bootstrapping analyses, sleep quality mediated the relation between perceived stress and AUCTG (R2 = 0.10, F(7, 212) = 3.55, p = .001; 95% BCI[0.09, 1.15]), as well as the relation between stressful life events and AUCTG (R2 = 0.11, F(7, 212) = 3.69, p = .001; 95% BCI[0.40, 3.82]). These mediation models remained significant after adjusting for sleep duration, suggesting that poor sleep quality underlies the association between stressful experiences and the diurnal cortisol profile in children and adolescents. Longitudinal data combined with objectively-measured sleep is essential to further disentangle the complex association between sleep and stress. PMID:25889840

Ecological assessment of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease using the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test.

PubMed

Bolló-Gasol, S; Piñol-Ripoll, G; Cejudo-Bolivar, J C; Llorente-Vizcaino, A; Peraita-Adrados, H

2014-01-01

The Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT) is a short, ecologically-valid memory test battery that can provide data about a subject's memory function in daily life. We used RBMT to examine daily memory function in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer disease (AD), and in healthy controls. We also evaluated differences between the memory profiles of subjects whose MCI remained stable after 1 year and those with conversion to AD. Sample of 91 subjects older than 60 years: 30 controls, 27 MCI subjects and 34 AD patients. Subjects were assessed using MMSE and RBMT. The 40 men and 51 women in the sample had a mean age of 74.29±6.71 and 5.87±2.93 years of education. For the total profile and screening RBMT scores (P<.001) and total MMSE scores (P<.05), control subjects scored significantly higher than those with MCI, who in turn scored higher than AD patients. In all subtests, the control group (P<.001) and MCI group (P<.05) were distinguishable from the AD group. Prospective, retrospective, and orientation subtests found differences between the MCI and control groups (P<.05). MCI subjects who progressed to AD scored lower at baseline on the total RBMT and MMSE, and on name recall, belongings, story-immediate recall, route-delayed recall, orientation (P<.05), face recognition, story-delayed recall, and messages-delayed recall sections (P<.01). RBMT is an ecologically-valid episodic memory test that can be used to differentiate between controls, MCI subjects, and AD subjects. It can also be used to detect patients with MCI who will experience progression to AD. Copyright © 2012 Sociedad Española de Neurología. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Transition of unsteady velocity profiles with reverse flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Debopam; Arakeri, Jaywant H.

1998-11-01

This paper deals with the stability and transition to turbulence of wall-bounded unsteady velocity profiles with reverse flow. Such flows occur, for example, during unsteady boundary layer separation and in oscillating pipe flow. The main focus is on results from experiments in time-developing flow in a long pipe, which is decelerated rapidly. The flow is generated by the controlled motion of a piston. We obtain analytical solutions for laminar flow in the pipe and in a two-dimensional channel for arbitrary piston motions. By changing the piston speed and the length of piston travel we cover a range of values of Reynolds number and boundary layer thickness. The velocity profiles during the decay of the flow are unsteady with reverse flow near the wall, and are highly unstable due to their inflectional nature. In the pipe, we observe from flow visualization that the flow becomes unstable with the formation of what appears to be a helical vortex. The wavelength of the instability [simeq R: similar, equals]3[delta] where [delta] is the average boundary layer thickness, the average being taken over the time the flow is unstable. The time of formation of the vortices scales with the average convective time scale and is [simeq R: similar, equals]39/([Delta]u/[delta]), where [Delta]u=(umax[minus sign]umin) and umax, umin and [delta] are the maximum velocity, minimum velocity and boundary layer thickness respectively at each instant of time. The time to transition to turbulence is [simeq R: similar, equals]33/([Delta]u/[delta]). Quasi-steady linear stability analysis of the velocity profiles brings out two important results. First that the stability characteristics of velocity profiles with reverse flow near the wall collapse when scaled with the above variables. Second that the wavenumber corresponding to maximum growth does not change much during the instability even though the velocity profile does change substantially. Using the results from the experiments and the stability analysis, we are able to explain many aspects of transition in oscillating pipe flow. We postulate that unsteady boundary layer separation at high Reynolds numbers is probably related to instability of the reverse flow region.

Profiles of childhood adversities in pathological gamblers - A latent class analysis.

PubMed

Lotzin, Annett; Ulas, Mehmet; Buth, Sven; Milin, Sascha; Kalke, Jens; Schäfer, Ingo

2018-06-01

Despite of high rates of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in pathological gamblers, researchers have rarely studied which types of ACEs often co-occur and how these profiles of ACEs are related to current psychopathology. We aimed to identify profiles of ACEs in pathological gamblers and examined how these profiles were related to gambling-related characteristics and current general psychopathology. In 329 current or lifetime pathological gamblers, diagnosed with the Composite Diagnostic Interview for DSM-IV, 10 types of ACEs were measured using the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire. Global psychopathology was assessed using the Symptom Checklist SCL-27. ACE profiles were identified using latent class analysis. Differences between ACE profiles in gambling-related characteristics and global psychopathology were analyzed using MANOVA. We found that four out of five gamblers (n=257, 78.1%) reported at least one ACE. Four distinct ACE profiles were identified: 'Low ACE', 'High ACE', 'Physical and emotional abuse', and 'Neglect'. The number of the fulfilled pathological gambling criteria and the severity of current global psychopathology differed between the ACE profiles: Gamblers with a 'High ACE' profile fulfilled more pathological gambling criteria and showed a more severe current psychopathology than gamblers of the 'Low ACE' profile. Gamblers with a 'Physical and emotional abuse' or an 'Emotion neglect' profile showed an intermediate severity of psychopathology. Our findings indicate that four different ACE profiles can be distinguished in pathological gamblers that differed in their gambling-related characteristics and current psychopathology. Systematic assessment of profiles of ACEs in pathological gamblers may inform about the severity of current global psychopathology that might be important to be addressed in addition to gambling-specific treatment. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Propensity score matching for selection of local areas as controls for evaluation of effects of alcohol policies in case series and quasi case-control designs.

PubMed

de Vocht, F; Campbell, R; Brennan, A; Mooney, J; Angus, C; Hickman, M

2016-03-01

Area-level public health interventions can be difficult to evaluate using natural experiments. We describe the use of propensity score matching (PSM) to select control local authority areas (LAU) to evaluate the public health impact of alcohol policies for (1) prospective evaluation of alcohol policies using area-level data, and (2) a novel two-stage quasi case-control design. Ecological. Alcohol-related indicator data (Local Alcohol Profiles for England, PHE Health Profiles and ONS data) were linked at LAU level. Six LAUs (Blackpool, Bradford, Bristol, Ipswich, Islington, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne) as sample intervention or case areas were matched to two control LAUs each using PSM. For the quasi case-control study a second stage was added aimed at obtaining maximum contrast in outcomes based on propensity scores. Matching was evaluated based on average standardized absolute mean differences (ASAM) and variable-specific P-values after matching. The six LAUs were matched to suitable control areas (with ASAM < 0.20, P-values >0.05 indicating good matching) for a prospective evaluation study that sought areas that were similar at baseline in order to assess whether a change in intervention exposure led to a change in the outcome (alcohol related harm). PSM also generated appropriate matches for a quasi case-control study--whereby the contrast in health outcomes between cases and control areas needed to be optimized in order to assess retrospectively whether differences in intervention exposure were associated with the outcome. The use of PSM for area-level alcohol policy evaluation, but also for other public health interventions, will improve the value of these evaluations by objective and quantitative selection of the most appropriate control areas. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Optimizing phase to enhance optical trap stiffness.

PubMed

Taylor, Michael A

2017-04-03

Phase optimization offers promising capabilities in optical tweezers, allowing huge increases in the applied forces, trap stiff-ness, or measurement sensitivity. One key obstacle to potential applications is the lack of an efficient algorithm to compute an optimized phase profile, with enhanced trapping experiments relying on slow programs that would take up to a week to converge. Here we introduce an algorithm that reduces the wait from days to minutes. We characterize the achievable in-crease in trap stiffness and its dependence on particle size, refractive index, and optical polarization. We further show that phase-only control can achieve almost all of the enhancement possible with full wavefront shaping; for instance phase control allows 62 times higher trap stiffness for 10 μm silica spheres in water, while amplitude control and non-trivial polarization further increase this by 1.26 and 1.01 respectively. This algorithm will facilitate future applications in optical trapping, and more generally in wavefront optimization.

Controller for thermostatically controlled loads

DOEpatents

Lu, Ning; Zhang, Yu; Du, Pengwei; Makarov, Yuri V.

2016-06-07

A system and method of controlling aggregated thermostatically controlled appliances (TCAs) for demand response is disclosed. A targeted load profile is formulated and a forecasted load profile is generated. The TCAs within an "on" or "off" control group are prioritized based on their operating temperatures. The "on" or "off" status of the TCAs is determined. Command signals are sent to turn on or turn off the TCAs.

Exhaled molecular profiles in the assessment of cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary dyskinesia.

PubMed

Paff, T; van der Schee, M P; Daniels, J M A; Pals, G; Postmus, P E; Sterk, P J; Haarman, E G

2013-09-01

Early diagnosis and monitoring of disease activity are essential in cystic fibrosis (CF) and primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). We aimed to establish exhaled molecular profiles as the first step in assessing the potential of breath analysis. Exhaled breath was analyzed by electronic nose in 25 children with CF, 25 with PCD and 23 controls. Principle component reduction and canonical discriminant analysis were used to construct internally cross-validated ROC curves. CF and PCD patients had significantly different breath profiles when compared to healthy controls (CF: sensitivity 84%, specificity 65%; PCD: sensitivity 88%, specificity 52%) and from each other (sensitivity 84%, specificity 60%). Patients with and without exacerbations had significantly different breath profiles (CF: sensitivity 89%, specificity 56%; PCD: sensitivity 100%, specificity 90%). Exhaled molecular profiles significantly differ between patients with CF, PCD and controls. The eNose may have potential in disease monitoring based on the influence of exacerbations on the VOC-profile. Copyright © 2012 European Cystic Fibrosis Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Towards Current Profile Control in ITER: Potential Approaches and Research Needs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schuster, E.; Barton, J. E.; Wehner, W. P.

2014-10-01

Many challenging plasma control problems still need to be addressed in order for the ITER Plasma Control System (PCS) to be able to successfully achieve the ITER project goals. For instance, setting up a suitable toroidal current density profile is key for one possible advanced scenario characterized by noninductive sustainment of the plasma current and steady-state operation. The nonlinearity and high dimensionality exhibited by the plasma demand a model-based current-profile control synthesis procedure that can accommodate this complexity through embedding the known physics within the design. The development of a model capturing the dynamics of the plasma relevant for control design enables not only the design of feedback controllers for regulation or tracking but also the design of optimal feedforward controllers for a systematic model-based approach to scenario planning, the design of state estimators for a reliable real-time reconstruction of the plasma internal profiles based on limited and noisy diagnostics, and the development of a fast predictive simulation code for closed-loop performance evaluation before implementation. Progress towards control-oriented modeling of the current profile evolution and associated control design has been reported following both data-driven and first-principles-driven approaches. An overview of these two approaches will be provided, as well as a discussion on research needs associated with each one of the model applications described above. Supported by the US Department of Energy under DE-SC0001334 and DE-SC0010661.

Multiple Velocity Profile Measurements in Hypersonic Flows using Sequentially-Imaged Fluorescence Tagging

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bathel, Brett F.; Danehy, Paul M.; Inmian, Jennifer A.; Jones, Stephen B.; Ivey, Christopher B.; Goyne, Christopher P.

2010-01-01

Nitric-oxide planar laser-induced fluorescence (NO PLIF) was used to perform velocity measurements in hypersonic flows by generating multiple tagged lines which fluoresce as they convect downstream. For each laser pulse, a single interline, progressive scan intensified CCD camera was used to obtain separate images of the initial undelayed and delayed NO molecules that had been tagged by the laser. The CCD configuration allowed for sub-microsecond acquisition of both images, resulting in sub-microsecond temporal resolution as well as sub-mm spatial resolution (0.5-mm x 0.7-mm). Determination of axial velocity was made by application of a cross-correlation analysis of the horizontal shift of individual tagged lines. Quantification of systematic errors, the contribution of gating/exposure duration errors, and influence of collision rate on fluorescence to temporal uncertainty were made. Quantification of the spatial uncertainty depended upon the analysis technique and signal-to-noise of the acquired profiles. This investigation focused on two hypersonic flow experiments: (1) a reaction control system (RCS) jet on an Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) wind tunnel model and (2) a 10-degree half-angle wedge containing a 2-mm tall, 4-mm wide cylindrical boundary layer trip. The experiments were performed at the NASA Langley Research Center's 31-inch Mach 10 wind tunnel.

Comparative analysis of gene expression profiles of hip articular cartilage between non-traumatic necrosis and osteoarthritis.

PubMed

Wang, Wenyu; Liu, Yang; Hao, Jingcan; Zheng, Shuyu; Wen, Yan; Xiao, Xiao; He, Awen; Fan, Qianrui; Zhang, Feng; Liu, Ruiyu

2016-10-10

Hip cartilage destruction is consistently observed in the non-traumatic osteonecrosis of femoral head (NOFH) and accelerates its bone necrosis. The molecular mechanism underlying the cartilage damage of NOFH remains elusive. In this study, we conducted a systematically comparative study of gene expression profiles between NOFH and osteoarthritis (OA). Hip articular cartilage specimens were collected from 12 NOFH patients and 12 controls with traumatic femoral neck fracture for microarray (n=4) and quantitative real-time PCR validation experiments (n=8). Gene expression profiling of articular cartilage was performed using Agilent Human 4×44K Microarray chip. The accuracy of microarray experiment was further validated by qRT-PCR. Gene expression results of OA hip cartilage were derived from previously published study. Significance Analysis of Microarrays (SAM) software was applied for identifying differently expressed genes. Gene ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis were conducted by Gene Set Enrichment Analysis software and DAVID tool, respectively. Totally, 27 differently expressed genes were identified for NOFH. Comparing the gene expression profiles of NOFH cartilage and OA cartilage detected 8 common differently expressed genes, including COL5A1, OGN, ANGPTL4, CRIP1, NFIL3, METRNL, ID2 and STEAP1. GO comparative analysis identified 10 common significant GO terms, mainly implicated in apoptosis and development process. Pathway comparative analysis observed that ECM-receptor interaction pathway and focal adhesion pathway were enriched in the differently expressed genes of both NOFH and hip OA. In conclusion, we identified a set of differently expressed genes, GO and pathways for NOFH articular destruction, some of which were also involved in the hip OA. Our study results may help to reveal the pathogenetic similarities and differences of cartilage damage of NOFH and hip OA. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

ARG1 Functions in the Physiological Adaptation of Undifferentiated Plant Cells to Spaceflight.

PubMed

Zupanska, Agata K; Schultz, Eric R; Yao, JiQiang; Sng, Natasha J; Zhou, Mingqi; Callaham, Jordan B; Ferl, Robert J; Paul, Anna-Lisa

2017-11-01

Scientific access to spaceflight and especially the International Space Station has revealed that physiological adaptation to spaceflight is accompanied or enabled by changes in gene expression that significantly alter the transcriptome of cells in spaceflight. A wide range of experiments have shown that plant physiological adaptation to spaceflight involves gene expression changes that alter cell wall and other metabolisms. However, while transcriptome profiling aptly illuminates changes in gene expression that accompany spaceflight adaptation, mutation analysis is required to illuminate key elements required for that adaptation. Here we report how transcriptome profiling was used to gain insight into the spaceflight adaptation role of Altered response to gravity 1 (Arg1), a gene known to affect gravity responses in plants on Earth. The study compared expression profiles of cultured lines of Arabidopsis thaliana derived from wild-type (WT) cultivar Col-0 to profiles from a knock-out line deficient in the gene encoding ARG1 (ARG1 KO), both on the ground and in space. The cell lines were launched on SpaceX CRS-2 as part of the Cellular Expression Logic (CEL) experiment of the BRIC-17 spaceflight mission. The cultured cell lines were grown within 60 mm Petri plates in Petri Dish Fixation Units (PDFUs) that were housed within the Biological Research In Canisters (BRIC) hardware. Spaceflight samples were fixed on orbit. Differentially expressed genes were identified between the two environments (spaceflight and comparable ground controls) and the two genotypes (WT and ARG1 KO). Each genotype engaged unique genes during physiological adaptation to the spaceflight environment, with little overlap. Most of the genes altered in expression in spaceflight in WT cells were found to be Arg1-dependent, suggesting a major role for that gene in the physiological adaptation of undifferentiated cells to spaceflight. Key Words: ARG1-Spaceflight-Gene expression-Physiological adaptation-BRIC. Astrobiology 17, 1077-1111.

Off-axis current drive and real-time control of current profile in JT-60U

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suzuki, T.; Ide, S.; Oikawa, T.; Fujita, T.; Ishikawa, M.; Seki, M.; Matsunaga, G.; Hatae, T.; Naito, O.; Hamamatsu, K.; Sueoka, M.; Hosoyama, H.; Nakazato, M.; JT-60 Team

2008-04-01

Aiming at optimization of current profile in high-β plasmas for higher confinement and stability, a real-time control system of the minimum of the safety factor (qmin) using the off-axis current drive has been developed. The off-axis current drive can raise the safety factor in the centre and help to avoid instability that limits the performance of the plasma. The system controls the injection power of lower-hybrid waves, and hence its off-axis driven current in order to control qmin. The real-time control of qmin is demonstrated in a high-β plasma, where qmin follows the temporally changing reference qmin,ref from 1.3 to 1.7. Applying the control to another high-β discharge (βN = 1.7, βp = 1.5) with m/n = 2/1 neo-classical tearing mode (NTM), qmin was raised above 2 and the NTM was suppressed. The stored energy increased by 16% with the NTM suppressed, since the resonant rational surface was eliminated. For the future use for current profile control, current density profile for off-axis neutral beam current drive (NBCD) is for the first time measured, using the motional Stark effect diagnostic. Spatially localized NBCD profile was clearly observed at the normalized minor radius ρ of about 0.6-0.8. The location was also confirmed by multi-chordal neutron emission profile measurement. The total amount of the measured beam driven current was consistent with the theoretical calculation using the ACCOME code. The CD location in the calculation was inward shifted than the measurement.

Plasma Profile Measurements for Laser Fusion Research with the Nike KrF Laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oh, Jaechul; Weaver, J. L.; Serlin, V.; Obenschain, S. P.

2015-11-01

The grid image refractometer of the Nike laser facility (Nike-GIR) has demonstrated the capability of simultaneously measuring electron density (ne) and temperature (Te) profiles of coronal plasma. For laser plasma instability (LPI) research, the first Nike-GIR experiment successfully measured the plasma profiles in density regions up to ne ~ 4 ×1021 cm-3 (22% of the critical density for 248 nm light of Nike) using an ultraviolet probe laser (λp = 263 nm). The probe laser has been recently replaced with a shorter wavelength laser (λp = 213 nm, a 5th harmonic of the Nd:YAG laser) to diagnose a higher density region. The Nike-GIR system is being further extended to measure plasma profiles in the on-going experiment using 135°-separated Nike beam arrays for the cross-beam energy transfer (CBET) studies. We present an overview of the extended Nike-GIR arrangements and a new numerical algorithm to extract self-consistant plasma profiles with the measured quantities. Work supported by DoE/NNSA.

Motivational profiles and their relationships with basic psychological needs, academic performance, study strategies, self-esteem, and vitality in dental students in Chile.

PubMed

Orsini, Cesar A; Binnie, Vivian I; Tricio, Jorge A

2018-01-01

To determine dental students' motivational profiles through a person-centred approach and to analyse the associations with the satisfaction of their basic psychological needs, study strategies, academic performance, self-esteem, and vitality. A total of 924 students from the University of San Sebastian (Chile) participated in this cross-sectional cor¬relational study in spring 2016. Data were collected through 5 self-reported instruments, in addition to students' academic performance. The Cronbach alpha, descriptive statistics, and correla¬tion scores were computed. A k-means cluster analysis with intrinsic and controlled motivation was conducted to identify different mo-tivational profiles. Subsequently, multivariate analysis of covariance controlling for the effects of gender and year of study was carried out to assess differences among the retained motivational profiles and learning variables. All instruments showed acceptable Cronbach alpha scores. A 4-cluster solution was retained for the motivational profile over a 3- or 5-cluster solution. Students' motiva-tional profiles were characterized by different degrees of intrinsic and controlled motivation. The high intrinsic motivation groups showed higher perceptions of their basic psychological, a greater propensity for a deep rather than surface study strategy, better academic performance, and higher scores for self-esteem and vitality than the low intrinsic motivation groups, regardless of the degree of controlled motivation. Students with a high intrinsic motivation profile, regardless of their controlled motivation scores, reported better learning characteristics. Therefore, special attention should be paid to students' motivational profiles, as the quality of motivation might serve as a basis for interventions to support their academic success and well-being.