Random walks on cubic lattices with bond disorder

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

Ernst, M.H.; van Velthoven, P.F.J.

1986-12-01

The authors consider diffusive systems with static disorder, such as Lorentz gases, lattice percolation, ants in a labyrinth, termite problems, random resistor networks, etc. In the case of diluted randomness the authors can apply the methods of kinetic theory to obtain systematic expansions of dc and ac transport properties in powers of the impurity concentration c. The method is applied to a hopping model on a d-dimensional cubic lattice having two types of bonds with conductivity sigma and sigma/sub 0/ = 1, with concentrations c and 1-c, respectively. For the square lattice the authors explicitly calculate the diffusion coefficient D(c,sigma)more » as a function of c, to O(c/sup 2/) terms included for different ratios of the bond conductivity sigma. The probability of return at long times is given by P/sub 0/(t) approx. (4..pi..D(c,sigma)t)/sup -d/2/, which is determined by the diffusion coefficient of the disordered system.« less

Influence of Humidity On the Aerosol Scattering Coefficient and Its Effect on the Upwelling Radiance During ACE-2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gasso, S.; Hegg, D. A.; Covert, D. S.; Collins, D.; Noone, K. J.; Oestroem, E.; Schmid, B.; Russell, P. B.; Livingston, J. M.; Durkee, P. A.

2000-01-01

Aerosol scattering coefficients (sigma(sub sp)) have been measured over the ocean at different relative humidities (RH) as a function of altitude in the region surrounding the Canary Islands during the Second Aerosol Characterization Experiment (ACE-2) in June and July 1997. The data were collected by the University of Washington passive humidigraph (UWPH) mounted on the Pelican research aircraft. Concurrently, particle size distributions, absorption coefficients and aerosol optical depth were measured throughout 17 flights. A parameterization of sigma(sub sp) as a function of RH was utilized to assess the impact of aerosol hydration on the upwelling radiance (normalized to the solar constant and cosine of zenith angle). The top of the atmosphere radiance signal was simulated at wavelengths corresponding to visible and near-infrared bands of the EOS (Earth Observing System) AM-1 (Terra) detectors, MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) and MISR (Multi-angle Imaging Spectroradiometer). The UWPH measured sigma(sub sp) at two RHs, one below and the other above ambient conditions. Ambient sigma(sub sp) was obtained by interpolation of these two measurements. The data were stratified in terms of three types of aerosols: Saharan dust, clean marine (marine boundary layer background) and polluted marine aerosols (i.e., two- or one-day old polluted aerosols advected from Europe). An empirical relation for the dependence of sigma(sub sp) on RH, defined by sigma(sub sp)(RH) = k.(1 - RH/100)(sup gamma), was used with the hygroscopic exponent gamma derived from the data. The following gamma values were obtained for the 3 aerosol types: gamma(dust) = 0.23 +/- 0.05, gamma(clean marine) = 0.69 +/- 0.06 and gamma(polluted marine) = 0.57 +/- 0.06. Based on the measured gammas, the above equation was utilized to derive aerosol models with different hygroscopicities. The satellite simulation signal code 6S was used to compute the upwelling radiance corresponding to each of those aerosol models at several ambient humidities. For the prelaunch estimated precision of the sensors and the assumed viewing geometry of the instrument, the simulations suggest that the spectral and angular dependence of the reflectance measured by MISR is not sufficient to distinguish aerosol models with various different combinations of values for dry composition, gamma and ambient RH. A similar behavior is observed for MODIS at visible wavelengths. However, the 2100 nm band of MODIS appears to be able to differentiate between at least same aerosol models with different aerosol hygroscopicity given the MODIS calibration error requirements. This result suggests the possibility of retrieval of aerosol hygroscopicity by MODIS.

Higher-order quantum-chromodynamic corrections to the longitudinal coefficient function in deep-inelastic scattering

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

Sowell, G.A.

1982-01-01

A calculation of nonsinglet longitudinal coefficient function of deep-inelastic scattering through order-g/sup 4/ is presented, using the operator-product expansion and the renormalization group. Both ultraviolet and infrared divergences are regulated with dimensional regularization. The renormalization scheme dependence of the result is discussed along with its phenomenological application in the determination of R = sigma/sub L//sigma/sub T/.

Microwave remote sensing of snowpacks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stiles, W. H.; Ulaby, F. T.

1980-01-01

The interaction mechanisms responsible for the microwave backscattering and emission behavior of snow were investigated, and models were developed relating the backscattering coefficient (sigma) and apparent temperature (T) to the physical parameters of the snowpack. The microwave responses to snow wetness, snow water equivalent, snow surface roughness, and to diurnal variations were investigated. Snow wetness was shown to have an increasing effect with increasing frequency and angle of incidence for both active and passive cases. Increasing snow wetness was observed to decrease the magnitude sigma and increase T. Snow water equivalent was also observed to exhibit a significant influence sigma and T. Snow surface configuration (roughness) was observed to be significant only for wet snow surface conditions. Diurnal variations were as large as 15 dB for sigma at 35 GHz and 120 K for T at 37 GHz. Simple models for sigma and T of a snowpack scene were developed in terms of the most significant ground-truth parameters. The coefficients for these models were then evaluated; the fits to the sigma and T measurements were generally good. Finally, areas of needed additional observations were outlined and experiments were specified to further the understanding of the microwave-snowpack interaction mechanisms.

Probability of fixation under weak selection: a branching process unifying approach.

PubMed

Lambert, Amaury

2006-06-01

We link two-allele population models by Haldane and Fisher with Kimura's diffusion approximations of the Wright-Fisher model, by considering continuous-state branching (CB) processes which are either independent (model I) or conditioned to have constant sum (model II). Recent works by the author allow us to further include logistic density-dependence (model III), which is ubiquitous in ecology. In all models, each allele (mutant or resident) is then characterized by a triple demographic trait: intrinsic growth rate r, reproduction variance sigma and competition sensitivity c. Generally, the fixation probability u of the mutant depends on its initial proportion p, the total initial population size z, and the six demographic traits. Under weak selection, we can linearize u in all models thanks to the same master formula u = p + p(1 - p)[g(r)s(r) + g(sigma)s(sigma) + g(c)s(c)] + o(s(r),s(sigma),s(c), where s(r) = r' - r, s(sigma) = sigma-sigma' and s(c) = c - c' are selection coefficients, and g(r), g(sigma), g(c) are invasibility coefficients (' refers to the mutant traits), which are positive and do not depend on p. In particular, increased reproduction variance is always deleterious. We prove that in all three models g(sigma) = 1/sigma and g(r) = z/sigma for small initial population sizes z. In model II, g(r) = z/sigma for all z, and we display invasion isoclines of the 'mean vs variance' type. A slight departure from the isocline is shown to be more beneficial to alleles with low sigma than with high r. In model III, g(c) increases with z like ln(z)/c, and g(r)(z) converges to a finite limit L > K/sigma, where K = r/c is the carrying capacity. For r > 0 the growth invasibility is above z/sigma when z < K, and below z/sigma when z > K, showing that classical models I and II underestimate the fixation probabilities in growing populations, and overestimate them in declining populations.

Practical recursive solution of degenerate Rayleigh-Schroedinger perturbation theory and application to high-order calculations of the Zeeman effect in hydrogen

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

Silverstone, H.J.; Moats, R.K.

1981-04-01

With the aim of high-order calculations, a new recursive solution for the degenerate Rayleigh-Schroedinger perturbation-theory wave function and energy has been derived. The final formulas, chi/sup (N/)/sub sigma/ = R/sup () -sigma/summation/sup N/-1/sub k/ = 0 H/sup (sigma+1+k/)/sub sigma+1/chi/sup (N/-1-k), E/sup (N/+sigma) = <0Vertical BarH/sup (N/+sigma)/sub sigma+1/Vertical Bar0> + < 0Vertical Barsummation/sup N/-2/sub k/ = 0H/sup (sigma+1+k/)/sub sigma+1/ Vertical Barchi/sup (N/-1-k)>,which involve new Hamiltonian-related operators H/sup (sigma+k/)/sub sigma/ and H/sup( sigma+k/)/sub sigma/, strongly resemble the standard nondegenerate recursive formulas. As an illustration, the perturbed energy coefficients for the 3s-3d/sub 0/ states of hydrogen in the Zeeman effect have been calculatedmore » recursively through 87th order in the square of the magnetic field. Our treatment is compared with that of Hirschfelder and Certain (J. Chem. Phys. 60, 1118 (1974)), and some relative advantages of each are pointed out.« less

Reevaluation of the transition-moment function and Einstein coefficients for the N2(A 3Sigma(u)/+/ - X 1Sigma(g)/+/) transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piper, Lawrence G.

1993-09-01

We have measured the relative intensities of the nitrogen Vegard-Kaplan bands N2(A 3sigma(u)/+/ - X 1Sigma(g)/+/) for transitions covering a range in r centroids between 1.22 and 1.48 A. With this data we constructed a relative electronic transition moment function that diverges significantly from previously reported functions. We place our data on an absolute basis by normalizing our relative function by the experimentally determined Einstein coefficient for the v prime = 0 to v double prime = 6 transition. Combining our normalized data from 1.22 to 1.48 A with absolute transition moment data measured by Shemansky between 1.08 and 1.14 A results in a function covering the range between 1.08 and 1.48 A. The radiative lifetimes calculated from this function are longer than those currently accepted by amounts varying between 25 percent for v prime = 0-50 percent for v prime = 4-6.

Einstein coefficients for rotational lines of the (0,0) band of the NO A2sigma(+)-X2Pi system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reisel, John R.; Carter, Campbell D.; Laurendeau, Normand M.

1992-01-01

A summary of the spectroscopic equations necessary for prediction of the molecular transition energies and the Einstein A and B coefficients for rovibronic lines of the gamma(0,0) band of nitric oxide (NO) is presented. The calculated molecular transition energies are all within 0.57/cm of published experimental values; in addition, over 95 percent of the calculated energies give agreement with measured results within 0.25/cm. Einstein coefficients are calculated from the band A00 value and the known Hoenl-London factors and are tabulated for individual rovibronic transitions in the NO A2sigma(+)-X2Pi(0,0) band.

Optical characterization of the oceanic unicellular cyanobacterium Synechococcus grown under a day-night cycle in natural irradiance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stramski, Dariusz; Shalapyonok, Alexi; Reynolds, Rick A.

1995-01-01

The optical properties of the ocenanic cyanobacterium Synechococcus (clone WH8103) were examined in a nutrient-replete laboratory culture grown under a day-night cycle in natural irradiance. Measurements of the spectral absorption and beam attenuation coefficients, the size distribution of cells in suspension, and microscopic analysis of samples were made at intervals of 2-4 hours for 2 days. These measurements were used to calculate the optical properties at the level of a single 'mean' cell representative of the acutal population, specifically, the optical cross sections for spectral absorption bar-(sigma(sub a)), scattering bar-sigma(sub b))(lambda), and attentuation bar-(sigma(sub c))(lambda). In addition, concurrent determinations of chlorophyll a and particulate organic carbon allowed calculation of the Chl a- and C-specific optical coefficients. The refractive index of cells was derived from the observed data using a theory of light absorption and scattering by homogeneous spheres. Low irradiance because of cloudy skies resulted in slow division rates of cells in the culture. The percentage of dividing cells was unusually high (greater than 30%) throughout the experiment. The optical cross sections varied greatly over a day-night cycle, with a minimum near dawn or midmorning and maximum near dusk. During daylight hours, bar-(sigma(sub b)) and bar-(sigma(sub c)) can increase more than twofold and bar-(sigma(sub a) by as much as 45%. The real part of the refractive index n increaed during the day; changes in n had equal or greater effect than the varying size distribution on changes in bar-(sigma(sub c)) and bar-(sigma(sub b)). The contribution of changes in n to the increase of bar-(sigma(sub c))(660) during daylight hours was 65.7% and 45.1% on day 1 and 2, respectively. During the dark period, when bar-(sigma(sub c))(660) decreased by a factor of 2.9, the effect of decreasing n was dominant (86.3%). With the exception of a few hours during the second light period, the imaginary part of the refractive index n' showed little variation over a day-night cycle, and bar-(sigma(sub a)) was largely controlled by variations in cell size. The real part of the refractive index at lambda = 660 nm was correlated with the intracellular C concentration and the imaginary part at lambda = 678 nm with the intracellular Chl a concentration. The C-specfic attenuation coefficient showed significant diel variability, which has implications for the estimation of oceanic primary production from measurements of diel variability in beam attenuation. This study provides strong evidence that diel variability is an important component of the optical characterization of marine phytoplankton.

Relating the radar backscattering coefficient to leaf-area index

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ulaby, F. T. (Principal Investigator); Allen, C.; Eger, G.; Kanemasu, E.

1983-01-01

The relationship between the radar backscattering coefficient of a vegetation canopy, sigma(0) sub can, and the canopy's leaf area index (LAI) is examined. The relationship is established through the development of a model for corn and sorghum and another for wheat. Both models are extensions of the cloud model of Attema and Ulaby (1978). Analysis of experimental data measured at 8.6, 13.0, 17.0, and 35.6 GHz indicates that most of the temporal variations of sigma(0) sub can can be accounted for through variations in green LAI alone, if the latter is greater than 0.5.

Conversations with Early Leaders of Eta Sigma Gamma

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Clark, Jeffrey K.; Seabert, Denise M.; Goldsmith, Mal

2007-01-01

Anniversaries are often a time to reflect on the past. With that in mind, interviews were conducted with early key leaders of Eta Sigma Gamma to explore their perspectives of the organization's growth and development as well as their hopes for the future of ESG. The individuals interviewed included the surviving founders of Eta Sigma Gamma, the…

The proximal straight tubule (PST) basolateral cell membrane water channel: selectivity characteristics.

PubMed

Gutiérrez, A M; González, E; Echevarría, M; Hernández, C S; Whittembury, G

1995-02-01

Proximal straight tubules (PST) were dissected from rabbit kidneys, held by crimping pipettes in a chamber and bathed in a buffered isosmotic (295 mOsm/kg) solution containing 200 mM mannitol (MBS). Changes in tubule diameter were monitored on line with an inverted microscope, TV camera and image processor. The PST were then challenged for 20 sec with MBS made 35 mOsm/kg hyperosmotic by addition of either NaCl, KCl, mannitol (M), glycerol (G), ethylene glycol (E), glycine (g), urea (U), acetamide (A) or formamide (F). With NaCl, KCl, M, G, E, g, U, and A, tubules shrunk osmometrically within 0.5 sec and remained shrunk for as long as 20 sec without recovering their original volume (sometimes A showed some recovery). PST barely shrunk with F and quickly recovered their original volume. The permeability coefficients were 0 microns/sec (NaCl, M, g, E and U), 1 micron/sec (A), 84 microns/sec (F) and 0.02 micron/sec (G). The reflection coefficients sigma = 1.0 (NaCl, KCl, M, G, E, g and U), 0.95 (A) and 0.62 (F). Similar sigma values were obtained by substituting 200 mOsm/kg M in MBS by either NaCl, KCl, G, E, g, U, a or F. The olive oil/water partition coefficients are 5 (M), 15 (U), 85 (A) and 75 (F) (all x 10(-5)). Thus, part of F permeates the cell membrane through the lipid bilayer. The probing molecules van der Waals diameters are 7.4 x 8.2 x 12.0 (M), 3.6 x 5.2 x 5.4 (U), 3.8 x 5.2 x 5.4 (A) and (3.4 x 4.5 x 5.4 (F) A.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Sv-map between type I and heterotic sigma models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Wei; Fotopoulos, A.; Stieberger, S.; Taylor, T. R.

2018-05-01

The scattering amplitudes of gauge bosons in heterotic and open superstring theories are related by the single-valued projection which yields heterotic amplitudes by selecting a subset of multiple zeta value coefficients in the α‧ (string tension parameter) expansion of open string amplitudes. In the present work, we argue that this relation holds also at the level of low-energy expansions (or individual Feynman diagrams) of the respective effective actions, by investigating the beta functions of two-dimensional sigma models describing world-sheets of open and heterotic strings. We analyze the sigma model Feynman diagrams generating identical effective action terms in both theories and show that the heterotic coefficients are given by the single-valued projection of the open ones. The single-valued projection appears as a result of summing over all radial orderings of heterotic vertices on the complex plane representing string world-sheet.

Soil Moisture Estimate Under Forest Using a Semi-Empirical Model at P-Band

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Truong-Loi, My-Linh; Saatchi, Sassan; Jaruwatanadilok, Sermsak

2013-01-01

Here we present the result of a semi-empirical inversion model for soil moisture retrieval using the three backscattering coefficients: sigma(sub HH), sigma(sub VV) and sigma(sub HV). In this paper we focus on the soil moisture estimate and use the biomass as an ancillary parameter estimated automatically from the algorithm and used as a validation parameter, We will first remind the model analytical formulation. Then we will sow some results obtained with real SAR data and compare them to ground estimates.

Direct Comparison of Brookhaven Reflectivity Measurements with Free-Electron Theory

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

Bane, Karl L.F.

2010-12-13

The reflectivity at normal incidence of copper and aluminum samples was recently measured over a large frequency range at Brookhaven by one of us (JT). Then using the Kramers-Kroning integrals, and assuming the free-electron model of conductivity, the dependence of conductivity on frequency was obtained. The results seemed to suggest, for example, that the dc conductivities of the copper and evaporated aluminum samples are a factor of 3 lower than expected. We propose in this report, instead, directly fitting the free-electron model to the low frequency end of the reflectivity data. This fitting does not depend on the higher frequencymore » results and on Kramers-Kronig integrations, but it does assume that the data at the low frequency end is sufficiently accurate. Note that for our LCLS wakefield studies, it is only over these (relatively) low frequencies that we need to know the electrical properties of the metals. The equations that relate reflectivity R with the free electron parameters dc conductivity {sigma} and relaxation time {tau} are: (1) {tilde {sigma}} = {sigma}/1-ikc{tau}; (2) {tilde n} = {radical} {tilde {epsilon}} = {radical}(1+4{pi}i{tilde k}c/{omega}); and (3) R = |{tilde n}-1/{tilde n} + 1|{sup 2}. The parameters are ac conductivity {tilde {sigma}}, index of refraction {tilde n}, dielectric constant {tilde {epsilon}}, and wave number k = {omega}/c, with {omega} frequency and c the speed of light. In Fig. 1 we show the ideal behavior of R for a reasonably good conducting metal, where {sigma} = 0.12 x 10{sup 17}/s and {tau} = 0.55 x 10{sup -14} s (solid line); these parameters are, respectively, 2% ({sigma}) and 20% ({tau}) of the nominal values for copper. The parameters were chosen so that the important features of R(k) could be seen easily in one plot. We see 3 distinct regions: (1) for low frequencies, k {approx}< 1/c{tau}, R continually decreases, with positive curvature, and with a low frequency asymptote of (1 - {radical}2kc/{pi}{sigma}); (2) for intermediate frequencies the reflectivity is nearly constant, R {approx} (1 - {radical}1/{pi}{sigma}{tau}); (3) for k {approx}> k{sub p} = {radical}4{pi}{sigma}/c{sup 2}{tau}, the plasma frequency of the metal, R quickly drops to zero. The dashed lines in Fig. 1 give the analytic guideposts for the 3 regions. Note that it is only in the first and part of the second region that we can expect the free electron model to have validity in real metals; at higher frequencies the effects of absorption bands and other physics will distort the R(k) curve. In principle, knowing R accurately in the entire 1st region suffices for obtaining the free-electron parameters {sigma} and {tau}; in practice, however, knowing it also in the 2nd region gives us more confidence in the model and especially in the value of {tau}.« less

Measurements of photorefractive and absorptive gratings in GaAs:EL2 and their use in extracting material parameters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rychnovsky, Steve; Gilbreath, G. C.; Zavriyev, A.

1996-10-01

Simultaneous measurements of the photorefractive and the absorptive grating gain components in GaAs:EL2 are made and are shown to display qualitative behavior consistent with linearized solutions of a two-carrier rate equation model. These two components, together with the linear absorption coefficient, permit determination of four independent material parameters, e.g., the ionized and the nonionized EL2 densities, the hole photoionization cross section ( sigma h), and the electro-optic coefficient (r41). Data obtained at optical wavelengths of 0.96 and 1.06 mu m indicate that sigma h and r41 are larger than published values. .

A combinatorial model for the Macdonald polynomials.

PubMed

Haglund, J

2004-11-16

We introduce a polynomial C(mu)[Z; q, t], depending on a set of variables Z = z(1), z(2),..., a partition mu, and two extra parameters q, t. The definition of C(mu) involves a pair of statistics (maj(sigma, mu), inv(sigma, mu)) on words sigma of positive integers, and the coefficients of the z(i) are manifestly in N[q,t]. We conjecture that C(mu)[Z; q, t] is none other than the modified Macdonald polynomial H(mu)[Z; q, t]. We further introduce a general family of polynomials F(T)[Z; q, S], where T is an arbitrary set of squares in the first quadrant of the xy plane, and S is an arbitrary subset of T. The coefficients of the F(T)[Z; q, S] are in N[q], and C(mu)[Z; q, t] is a sum of certain F(T)[Z; q, S] times nonnegative powers of t. We prove F(T)[Z; q, S] is symmetric in the z(i) and satisfies other properties consistent with the conjecture. We also show how the coefficient of a monomial in F(T)[Z; q, S] can be expressed recursively. maple calculations indicate the F(T)[Z; q, S] are Schur-positive, and we present a combinatorial conjecture for their Schur coefficients when the set T is a partition with at most three columns.

Radar return from a continuous vegetation canopy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bush, T. F.; Ulaby, F. T.

1975-01-01

The radar backscatter coefficient, sigma deg, of alfalfa was investigated as a function of both radar parameters and the physical characteristics of the alfalfa canopy. Measurements were acquired with an 8-18 GHz FM-CW mobile radar over an angular range of 0 - 70 deg as measured from nadir. The experimental data indicates that the excursions of sigma deg at nadir cover a range of nearly 18 dB during one complete growing cycle. An empirical model for sigma deg was developed which accounts for its variability in terms of soil moisture, plant moisture and plant height.

Absolute Rovibrational Intensities, Self-Broadening and Self-Shift Coefficients for the X(sup 1) Sigma(+) V=3 (left arrow) V=0 Band (C-12)(O-16)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chackerian, Charles, Jr.; Freedman, R.; Giver, L. P.; Brown, L. R.

2001-01-01

The rotationless transition moment squared for the x(sup 1) sigma (sup +) v=3 (left arrow) v=0 band of CO is measured to be the absolute value of R (sub 3-0) squared = 1.7127(25)x 10(exp -7) Debye squared. This value is about 8.6 percent smaller than the value assumed for HITRAN 2000. The Herman-Wallis intensity factor of this band is F=1+0.01168(11)m+0.0001065(79)m squared. The determination of self-broadening coefficients is improved with the inclusion of line narrowing; self-shifts are also reported.

Rate coefficients for the reactions of C2(a(3)Pi(u)) and C2(X(1)Sigma(g)(+)) with various hydrocarbons (CH4, C2H2, C2H4, C2H6, and C3H8): a gas-phase experimental study over the temperature range 24-300 K.

PubMed

Páramo, Alejandra; Canosa, André; Le Picard, Sébastien D; Sims, Ian R

2008-10-02

The kinetics of reactions of C2(a(3)Pi(u)) and C2(X(1)Sigma(g)(+)) with various hydrocarbons (CH4, C2H2, C2H4, C2H6, and C3H8) have been studied in a uniform supersonic flow expansion over the temperature range 24-300 K. Rate coefficients have been obtained by using the pulsed laser photolysis-laser induced fluorescence technique, where both radicals were produced at the same time but detected separately. The reactivity of the triplet state was found to be significantly lower than that of the singlet ground state for all reactants over the whole temperature range of the study. Whereas C2(X(1)Sigma(g)(+)) reacts with a rate coefficient close to the gas kinetic limit with all hydrocarbons studied apart from CH4, C2(a(3)Pi(u)) appears to be more sensitive to the molecular and electronic structure of the reactant partners. The latter reacts at least one order of magnitude faster with unsaturated hydrocarbons than with alkanes, and the rate coefficients increase very significantly with the size of the alkane. Results are briefly discussed in terms of their potential astrophysical impact.

Sigma metrics as a tool for evaluating the performance of internal quality control in a clinical chemistry laboratory.

PubMed

Kumar, B Vinodh; Mohan, Thuthi

2018-01-01

Six Sigma is one of the most popular quality management system tools employed for process improvement. The Six Sigma methods are usually applied when the outcome of the process can be measured. This study was done to assess the performance of individual biochemical parameters on a Sigma Scale by calculating the sigma metrics for individual parameters and to follow the Westgard guidelines for appropriate Westgard rules and levels of internal quality control (IQC) that needs to be processed to improve target analyte performance based on the sigma metrics. This is a retrospective study, and data required for the study were extracted between July 2015 and June 2016 from a Secondary Care Government Hospital, Chennai. The data obtained for the study are IQC - coefficient of variation percentage and External Quality Assurance Scheme (EQAS) - Bias% for 16 biochemical parameters. For the level 1 IQC, four analytes (alkaline phosphatase, magnesium, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol) showed an ideal performance of ≥6 sigma level, five analytes (urea, total bilirubin, albumin, cholesterol, and potassium) showed an average performance of <3 sigma level and for level 2 IQCs, same four analytes of level 1 showed a performance of ≥6 sigma level, and four analytes (urea, albumin, cholesterol, and potassium) showed an average performance of <3 sigma level. For all analytes <6 sigma level, the quality goal index (QGI) was <0.8 indicating the area requiring improvement to be imprecision except cholesterol whose QGI >1.2 indicated inaccuracy. This study shows that sigma metrics is a good quality tool to assess the analytical performance of a clinical chemistry laboratory. Thus, sigma metric analysis provides a benchmark for the laboratory to design a protocol for IQC, address poor assay performance, and assess the efficiency of existing laboratory processes.

Mapping the Extent and Magnitude of Severe Flooding Induced by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria with Sentinel-1 SAR and InSAR Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, B.; Koirala, R.; Oliver-Cabrera, T.; Wdowinski, S.; Osmanoglu, B.

2017-12-01

Hurricanes can cause winds, rainfall and storm surge, all of which could result in flooding. Between August and September 2017, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria made landfall over Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico causing destruction and damages. Flood mapping is important for water management and to estimate risks and property damage. Though water gauges are able to monitor water levels, they are normally distributed sparsely. To map flooding products of these extreme events, we use Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) observations acquired by the European satellite constellation Sentinel-1. We obtained two acquisitions from before each flooding event, a single acquisition during the hurricane, and two after each event, a total of five acquisitions. We use both amplitude and phase observations to map extent and magnitude of flooding respectively. To map flooding extents, we use amplitude images from before, after and if possible during the hurricane pass. A calibration is used to convert the image raw data to backscatter coefficient, termed sigma nought. We generate a composite of the two image layers using red and green bands to show the change of sigma nought between acquisitions, which directly reflects the extent of flooding. Because inundation can result with either an increase or decrease of sigma nought values depending on the surface scattering characteristics, we map flooded areas in location where sigma nought changes were above a detection threshold. To study magnitude of flooding we study Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) phase changes. Changes in the water level can be detected by the radar when the signal is reflected away from water surface and bounces again by another object (e.g. trees and/or buildings) known as double bounce phase. To generate meaningful interferograms, we compare phase information with the nearest water gauge records to verify our results. Preliminary results show that the three hurricanes caused flooding condition over wide area including both rural and urban areas. The flooding in Everglades National Park in Florida following hurricane Irma covered area 1087.35 km2. Flooding in Puerto Rico main island was limited to low flat areas covering 287.84 km2. Preliminary results of the InSAR analysis shows that flooding magnitude reached in some location level of 1 m.

Modeling the backscattering and transmission properties of vegetation canopies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allen, C. T.; Ulaby, F. T.

1984-01-01

Experimental measurements of canopy attenuation at 10.2 GHz (X-band) for canopies of wheat and soybeans, experimental observations of the effect upon the microwave backscattering coefficient (sigma) of free water in a vegetation canopy, and experimental measurements of sigma (10.2 GHz, 50 deg, VV and VH polarization) of 30 agricultural fields over the growing season of each crop are discussed. The measurements of the canopy attenuation through wheat independently determined the attenuation resulting from the wheat heads and that from the stalks. An experiment conducted to simulate the effects of rain or dew on sigma showed that sigma increases by about 3 dB as a result of spraying a vegetation canopy with water. The temporal observations of sigma for the 30 agricultural fields (10 each of wheat, corn, and soybeans) indicated fields of the same crop type exhibits similar temporal patterns. Models previously reported were tested using these multitemporal sigma data, and a new model for each crop type was developed and tested. The new models proved to be superior to the previous ones.

As-built design specification for the CLASFYG program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Horton, C. L. (Principal Investigator)

1981-01-01

This program produces a file with a Universal-formatted header and data records in a nonstandard format. Trajectory coefficients are calculated from 5 to 8 acquisitions of radiance values in the training field corresponding to an agricultural product. These coefficients are then used to calculate a time of emergence and corresponding trajectory coefficients for each pixel in the test field. The time of emergence, two of the coefficients, and the sigma value for each pixel are written to the file.

Assessment of indoor fine aerosol contributions from environmental tobacco smoke and cooking with a portable nephelometer.

PubMed

Brauer, M; Hirtle, R; Lang, B; Ott, W

2000-01-01

Personal monitoring studies have indicated that environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and cooking are major indoor particulate sources in residential and nonindustrial environments. Continuous monitoring of fine particles improves exposure assessment by characterizing the effect of time-varying indoor sources. We evaluated a portable nephelometer as a continuous monitor of indoor particulate levels. Simultaneous sampling with the nephelometer and PM2.5 impactors was undertaken to determine the relationship between particle light scattering extinction coefficient (sigma(sp)) and particle mass concentration in field and environmental chamber settings. Chamber studies evaluated nephelometer measurements of ETS and particles produced from toasting bread and frying foods. Field measurements were conducted in 20 restaurants and bars with different smoking restrictions, and in five residential kitchens. Additional measurements compared the nephelometer to a different mass measurement method, a piezobalance, in a well-characterized residence where various foods were cooked and ETS was produced. Since the piezobalance provides 2-min average mass concentration measurements, these comparisons tested the ability of the nephelometer to measure transient particle concentration peaks and decay rate curves. We found that sigma(sp) and particle mass were highly correlated (R2 values of 0.63-0.98) over a large concentration range (5-1600 microg/m3) and for different particle sources. Piezobalance and gravimetric comparisons with the nephelometer indicated similar sigma(sp) vs. mass slopes (5.6 and 4.7 m2/g for piezobalance and gravimetric comparisons of ETS, respectively). Somewhat different sigma(sp) vs. particle mass slopes (1.9-5.6 m2/g) were observed for the different particle sources, reflecting the influence of particle composition on light scattering. However, in similar indoor environments, the relationship between particle light scattering and mass concentration was consistent enough to use independent nephelometer measurements as estimates of short-term mass concentrations. A method to use nephelometer measurements to determine particulate source strengths is derived and an example application is described.

Quantitative application of sigma metrics in medical biochemistry.

PubMed

Nanda, Sunil Kumar; Ray, Lopamudra

2013-12-01

Laboratory errors are result of a poorly designed quality system in the laboratory. Six Sigma is an error reduction methodology that has been successfully applied at Motorola and General Electric. Sigma (σ) is the mathematical symbol for standard deviation (SD). Sigma methodology can be applied wherever an outcome of a process has to be measured. A poor outcome is counted as an error or defect. This is quantified as defects per million (DPM). A six sigma process is one in which 99.999666% of the products manufactured are statistically expected to be free of defects. Six sigma concentrates, on regulating a process to 6 SDs, represents 3.4 DPM (defects per million) opportunities. It can be inferred that as sigma increases, the consistency and steadiness of the test improves, thereby reducing the operating costs. We aimed to gauge performance of our laboratory parameters by sigma metrics. Evaluation of sigma metrics in interpretation of parameter performance in clinical biochemistry. The six month internal QC (October 2012 to march 2013) and EQAS (external quality assurance scheme) were extracted for the parameters-Glucose, Urea, Creatinine, Total Bilirubin, Total Protein, Albumin, Uric acid, Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Chloride, SGOT, SGPT and ALP. Coefficient of variance (CV) were calculated from internal QC for these parameters. Percentage bias for these parameters was calculated from the EQAS. Total allowable errors were followed as per Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) guidelines. Sigma metrics were calculated from CV, percentage bias and total allowable error for the above mentioned parameters. For parameters - Total bilirubin, uric acid, SGOT, SGPT and ALP, the sigma values were found to be more than 6. For parameters - glucose, Creatinine, triglycerides, urea, the sigma values were found to be between 3 to 6. For parameters - total protein, albumin, cholesterol and chloride, the sigma values were found to be less than 3. ALP was the best performer when it was gauzed on the sigma scale, with a sigma metrics value of 8.4 and chloride had the least sigma metrics value of 1.4.

Sigma metrics as a tool for evaluating the performance of internal quality control in a clinical chemistry laboratory

PubMed Central

Kumar, B. Vinodh; Mohan, Thuthi

2018-01-01

OBJECTIVE: Six Sigma is one of the most popular quality management system tools employed for process improvement. The Six Sigma methods are usually applied when the outcome of the process can be measured. This study was done to assess the performance of individual biochemical parameters on a Sigma Scale by calculating the sigma metrics for individual parameters and to follow the Westgard guidelines for appropriate Westgard rules and levels of internal quality control (IQC) that needs to be processed to improve target analyte performance based on the sigma metrics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study, and data required for the study were extracted between July 2015 and June 2016 from a Secondary Care Government Hospital, Chennai. The data obtained for the study are IQC - coefficient of variation percentage and External Quality Assurance Scheme (EQAS) - Bias% for 16 biochemical parameters. RESULTS: For the level 1 IQC, four analytes (alkaline phosphatase, magnesium, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol) showed an ideal performance of ≥6 sigma level, five analytes (urea, total bilirubin, albumin, cholesterol, and potassium) showed an average performance of <3 sigma level and for level 2 IQCs, same four analytes of level 1 showed a performance of ≥6 sigma level, and four analytes (urea, albumin, cholesterol, and potassium) showed an average performance of <3 sigma level. For all analytes <6 sigma level, the quality goal index (QGI) was <0.8 indicating the area requiring improvement to be imprecision except cholesterol whose QGI >1.2 indicated inaccuracy. CONCLUSION: This study shows that sigma metrics is a good quality tool to assess the analytical performance of a clinical chemistry laboratory. Thus, sigma metric analysis provides a benchmark for the laboratory to design a protocol for IQC, address poor assay performance, and assess the efficiency of existing laboratory processes. PMID:29692587

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

Renkin, E.M.; Gustafson-Sgro, M.; Sibley, L.

Bovine serum albumin (BSA) labeled with /sup 131/I or /sup 125/I was injected intravenously in pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized rats, and tracer clearances into leg skin and muscles were measured over 30, 60, and 120 min. BSA labeled with the alternate tracer was used as vascular volume reference. Two minutes before injection of the tracer, a ligature was tied around one femoral vein to occlude outflow partially and raise capillary pressure in that leg. The unoccluded leg served as control. Skin and muscles of the occluded leg had variably and substantially higher water contents (delta W) than paired control tissues and slightlymore » but consistently increased albumin clearances (CA). The delta CA/delta W, equivalent to the albumin concentration of capillary filtrate relative to plasma determined by linear regression, were as follows: leg skin 0.004 (95% confidence limits -0.001 to +0.009), muscle biceps femoris 0.005 (0.001-0.010), muscle gastrocnemius 0.011 (0.004-0.019), muscle tibialis anterior 0.016 (0.012-0.021). All these values are significantly less than 0.10, which corresponds to a reflection coefficient for serum albumin (sigma A) of 0.90. Convective coupling of albumin flux to volume flux in skin and muscles of intact, anesthetized rats is low, with sigma AS in the range 0.98 to greater than 0.99.« less

Visualizing global properties of a molecular dynamics trajectory.

PubMed

Zhou, Hao; Li, Shangyang; Makowski, Lee

2016-01-01

Molecular dynamics (MD) trajectories are very large data sets that contain substantial information about the dynamic behavior of a protein. Condensing these data into a form that can provide intuitively useful understanding of the molecular behavior during the trajectory is a substantial challenge that has received relatively little attention. Here, we introduce the sigma-r plot, a plot of the standard deviation of intermolecular distances as a function of that distance. This representation of global dynamics contains within a single, one-dimensional plot, the average range of motion between pairs of atoms within a macromolecule. Comparison of sigma-r plots calculated from 10 ns trajectories of proteins representing the four major SCOP fold classes indicates diversity of dynamic behaviors which are recognizably different among the four classes. Differences in domain structure and molecular weight also produce recognizable features in sigma-r plots, reflective of differences in global dynamics. Plots generated from trajectories with progressively increasing simulation time reflect the increased sampling of the structural ensemble as a function of time. Single amino acid replacements can give rise to changes in global dynamics detectable through comparison of sigma-r plots. Dynamic behavior of substructures can be monitored by careful choice of interatomic vectors included in the calculation. These examples provide demonstrations of the utility of the sigma-r plot to provide a simple measure of the global dynamics of a macromolecule. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A shock-tube measurement of the SiO/E 1 Sigma + - X 1 Sigma +/ transition moment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Park, C.

1978-01-01

The sum of the squares of the electronic transition moments for the (E 1 Sigma +) - (X 1 Sigma +) band system of SiO has been determined from absorption measurements conducted in the reflected-shock region of a shock tube. The test gas produced by shock-heating a mixture of SiCl4, N2O, and Ar, and the spectra were recorded photographically in the 150-230-nm wavelength range. The values of the sum of the squares were determined by comparing the measured absorption spectra with those produced by a line-by-line synthetic spectrum calculation. The value so deduced at an r-centroid value of 3.0 bohr was 0.86 + or - 0.10 atomic unit.

A Parameterized Inversion Model for Soil Moisture and Biomass from Polarimetric Backscattering Coefficients

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Truong-Loi, My-Linh; Saatchi, Sassan; Jaruwatanadilok, Sermsak

2012-01-01

A semi-empirical algorithm for the retrieval of soil moisture, root mean square (RMS) height and biomass from polarimetric SAR data is explained and analyzed in this paper. The algorithm is a simplification of the distorted Born model. It takes into account the physical scattering phenomenon and has three major components: volume, double-bounce and surface. This simplified model uses the three backscattering coefficients ( sigma HH, sigma HV and sigma vv) at low-frequency (P-band). The inversion process uses the Levenberg-Marquardt non-linear least-squares method to estimate the structural parameters. The estimation process is entirely explained in this paper, from initialization of the unknowns to retrievals. A sensitivity analysis is also done where the initial values in the inversion process are varying randomly. The results show that the inversion process is not really sensitive to initial values and a major part of the retrievals has a root-mean-square error lower than 5% for soil moisture, 24 Mg/ha for biomass and 0.49 cm for roughness, considering a soil moisture of 40%, roughness equal to 3cm and biomass varying from 0 to 500 Mg/ha with a mean of 161 Mg/ha

The quality of veterinary in-clinic and reference laboratory biochemical testing.

PubMed

Rishniw, Mark; Pion, Paul D; Maher, Tammy

2012-03-01

Although evaluation of biochemical analytes in blood is common in veterinary practice, studies assessing the global quality of veterinary in-clinic and reference laboratory testing have not been reported. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of biochemical testing in veterinary laboratories using results obtained from analyses of 3 levels of assayed quality control materials over 5 days. Quality was assessed by comparison of calculated total error with quality requirements, determination of sigma metrics, use of a quality goal index to determine factors contributing to poor performance, and agreement between in-clinic and reference laboratory mean results. The suitability of in-clinic and reference laboratory instruments for statistical quality control was determined using adaptations from the computerized program, EZRules3. Reference laboratories were able to achieve desirable quality requirements more frequently than in-clinic laboratories. Across all 3 materials, > 50% of in-clinic analyzers achieved a sigma metric ≥ 6.0 for measurement of 2 analytes, whereas > 50% of reference laboratory analyzers achieved a sigma metric ≥ 6.0 for measurement of 6 analytes. Expanded uncertainty of measurement and ± total allowable error resulted in the highest mean percentages of analytes demonstrating agreement between in-clinic and reference laboratories. Owing to marked variation in bias and coefficient of variation between analyzers of the same and different types, the percentages of analytes suitable for statistical quality control varied widely. These findings reflect the current state-of-the-art with regard to in-clinic and reference laboratory analyzer performance and provide a baseline for future evaluations of the quality of veterinary laboratory testing. © 2012 American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology.

Reference Values for Spirometry Derived Using Lambda, Mu, Sigma (LMS) Method in Korean Adults: in Comparison with Previous References.

PubMed

Jo, Bum Seak; Myong, Jun Pyo; Rhee, Chin Kook; Yoon, Hyoung Kyu; Koo, Jung Wan; Kim, Hyoung Ryoul

2018-01-15

The present study aimed to update the prediction equations for spirometry and their lower limits of normal (LLN) by using the lambda, mu, sigma (LMS) method and to compare the outcomes with the values of previous spirometric reference equations. Spirometric data of 10,249 healthy non-smokers (8,776 females) were extracted from the fourth and fifth versions of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV, 2007-2009; V, 2010-2012). Reference equations were derived using the LMS method which allows modeling skewness (lambda [L]), mean (mu [M]), and coefficient of variation (sigma [S]). The outcome equations were compared with previous reference values. Prediction equations were presented in the following form: predicted value = e{a + b × ln(height) + c × ln(age) + M - spline}. The new predicted values for spirometry and their LLN derived using the LMS method were shown to more accurately reflect transitions in pulmonary function in young adults than previous prediction equations derived using conventional regression analysis in 2013. There were partial discrepancies between the new reference values and the reference values from the Global Lung Function Initiative in 2012. The results should be interpreted with caution for young adults and elderly males, particularly in terms of the LLN for forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity in elderly males. Serial spirometry follow-up, together with correlations with other clinical findings, should be emphasized in evaluating the pulmonary function of individuals. Future studies are needed to improve the accuracy of reference data and to develop continuous reference values for spirometry across all ages. © 2018 The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences.

Topography of Slow Sigma Power during Sleep is Associated with Processing Speed in Preschool Children.

PubMed

Doucette, Margaret R; Kurth, Salome; Chevalier, Nicolas; Munakata, Yuko; LeBourgeois, Monique K

2015-11-04

Cognitive development is influenced by maturational changes in processing speed, a construct reflecting the rapidity of executing cognitive operations. Although cognitive ability and processing speed are linked to spindles and sigma power in the sleep electroencephalogram (EEG), little is known about such associations in early childhood, a time of major neuronal refinement. We calculated EEG power for slow (10-13 Hz) and fast (13.25-17 Hz) sigma power from all-night high-density electroencephalography (EEG) in a cross-sectional sample of healthy preschool children (n = 10, 4.3 ± 1.0 years). Processing speed was assessed as simple reaction time. On average, reaction time was 1409 ± 251 ms; slow sigma power was 4.0 ± 1.5 μV²; and fast sigma power was 0.9 ± 0.2 μV². Both slow and fast sigma power predominated over central areas. Only slow sigma power was correlated with processing speed in a large parietal electrode cluster (p < 0.05, r ranging from -0.6 to -0.8), such that greater power predicted faster reaction time. Our findings indicate regional correlates between sigma power and processing speed that are specific to early childhood and provide novel insights into the neurobiological features of the EEG that may underlie developing cognitive abilities.

Determination of Unfiltered Radiances from the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) Instrument

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Loeb, N. G.; Priestley, K. J.; Kratz, D. P.; Geier, E. B.; Green, R. N.; Wielicki, B. A.; Hinton, P. OR.; Nolan, S. K.

2001-01-01

A new method for determining unfiltered shortwave (SW), longwave (LW) and window (W) radiances from filtered radiances measured by the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) satellite instrument is presented. The method uses theoretically derived regression coefficients between filtered and unfiltered radiances that are a function of viewing geometry, geotype and whether or not cloud is present. Relative errors in insta.ntaneous unfiltered radiances from this method are generally well below 1% for SW radiances (approx. 0.4% 1(sigma) or approx.l W/sq m equivalent flux), < 0.2% for LW radiances (approx. 0.1% 1(sigma) or approx.0.3 W/sq m equivalent flux) and < 0.2% (approx. 0.1% 1(sigma) for window channel radiances.

Vertical eddy diffusion coefficient from the LANDSAT imagery

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Viswanadham, Y. (Principal Investigator); Torsani, J. A.

1982-01-01

Analysis of five stable cases of the smoke plumes that originated in eastern Cabo Frio (22 deg 59'S; 42 deg 02'W), Brazil using LANDSAT imagery is presented for different months and years. From these images the lateral standard deviation (sigma sub y) and the lateral eddy diffusion coefficient (K sub y) are obtained from the formula based on Taylor's theory of diffusion by continuous moment. The rate of kinetic energy dissipation (e) is evaluated from the diffusion parameters sigma sub y and K sub y. Then, the vertical diffusion coefficient (K sub z) is estimated using Weinstock's formulation. These results agree well with the previous experimental values obtained over water surfaces by various workers. Values of e and K sub z show the weaker mixing processes in the marine stable boundary layer. The data sample is apparently to small to include representative active turbulent regions because such regions are so intermittent in time and in space. These results form a data base for use in the development and validation of mesoscale atmospheric diffusion models.

Design and implementation of quadrature bandpass sigma-delta modulator used in low-IF RF receiver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ge, Binjie; Li, Yan; Yu, Hang; Feng, Xiaoxing

2018-05-01

This paper presents the design and implementation of quadrature bandpass sigma-delta modulator. A pole movement method for transforming real sigma-delta modulator to a quadrature one is proposed by detailed study of the relationship of noise-shaping center frequency and integrator pole position in sigma-delta modulator. The proposed modulator uses sampling capacitor sharing switched capacitor integrator, and achieves a very small feedback coefficient by a series capacitor network, and those two techniques can dramatically reduce capacitor area. Quantizer output-dependent dummy capacitor load for reference voltage buffer can compensate signal-dependent noise that is caused by load variation. This paper designs a quadrature bandpass Sigma-Delta modulator for 2.4 GHz low IF receivers that achieve 69 dB SNDR at 1 MHz BW and -1 MHz IF with 48 MHz clock. The chip is fabricated with SMIC 0.18 μm CMOS technology, it achieves a total power current of 2.1 mA, and the chip area is 0.48 mm2. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 61471245, U1201256), the Guangdong Province Foundation (No. 2014B090901031), and the Shenzhen Foundation (Nos. JCYJ20160308095019383, JSGG20150529160945187).

Aerosol Optical Properties at the Lulin Atmospheric Background Station in Taiwan and the Influences of Long-Range Transport of Air Pollutants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hsiao, Ta-Chih; Chen, Wei-Nai; Ye, Wei-Cheng; Lin, Neng-Huei; Tsay, Si-Chee; Lin, Tang-Huang; Lee, Chung-Te; Chuang, Ming-Tung; Pantina, Peter; Wang, Sheng-Hsiang

2016-01-01

The Lulin Atmospheric Background Station (LABS, 23.47 deg. N 120.87 deg. E, 2862 m ASL) in Central Taiwan was constructed in 2006 and is the only high-altitude background station in the western Pacific region for studying the influence of continental outflow. In this study, extensive optical properties of aerosols, including the aerosol light scattering coefficient [Sigma(sub s)] and light absorption coefficient [Sigma(sub a)], were collected from 2013 to 2014. The intensive optical properties, including mass scattering efficiency [Sigma(sub s)], mass absorption efficiency [Sigma(sub a)] single scattering albedo (Omega), scattering Angstrom exponent (A), and backscattering fraction (b), were determined and investigated, and the distinct seasonal cycle was observed. The value of [Alpha(sub a)] began to increase in January and reached a maximum in April; the mean in spring was 5.89 m(exp. 2) g(exp. -1) with a standard deviation (SD) of 4.54 m(exp. 2) g(exp. -1) and a 4.48 m(exp. 2) g(exp. -1) interquartile range (IQR: 2.95-7.43 m(exp. 2) g(exp. -1). The trend was similar in [Sigma(sub a)], with a maximum in March and a monthly mean of 0.84 m(exp. 2) g(exp. -1). The peak values of Omega (Mean = 0.92, SD = 0.03, IQR: 0.90 - 0.93) and A (Mean = 2.22, SD = 0.61, IQR: 2.12 = 2.47) occurred in autumn. These annual patterns of optical properties were associated with different long-range transport patterns of air pollutants such as biomass burning (BB) aerosol in spring and potential anthropogenic emissions in autumn. The optical measurements performed at LABS during spring in 2013 were compared with those simultaneously performed at the Doi Ang Kang Meteorology Station, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand (DAK, 19.93 deg. N, 99.05 deg. E, 1536 m a.s.l.), which is located in the Southeast Asia BB source region. Furthermore, the relationships among [Sigma(sub s)], [Sigma(sub a)], and (b) were used to characterize the potential aerosol types transported to LABS during different seasons, and the data were inspected according to the HYSPLIT 5-day backward trajectories, which differentiate between different regions of air mass origin.

Comparison of radar backscatter from Antarctic and Arctic sea ice

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hosseinmostafa, R.; Lytle, V.

1992-01-01

Two ship-based step-frequency radars, one at C-band (5.3 GHz) and one at Ku-band (13.9 GHz), measured backscatter from ice in the Weddell Sea. Most of the backscatter data were from first-year (FY) and second-year (SY) ice at the ice stations where the ship was stationary and detailed snow and ice characterizations were performed. The presence of a slush layer at the snow-ice interface masks the distinction between FY and SY ice in the Weddell Sea, whereas in the Arctic the separation is quite distinct. The effect of snow-covered ice on backscattering coefficients (sigma0) from the Weddell Sea region indicates that surface scattering is the dominant factor. Measured sigma0 values were compared with Kirchhoff and regression-analysis models. The Weibull power-density function was used to fit the measured backscattering coefficients at 45 deg.

Carotid arterial remodeling: a maladaptive phenomenon in type 2 diabetes but not in impaired glucose metabolism: the Hoorn study.

PubMed

Henry, Ronald M A; Kostense, Piet J; Dekker, Jacqueline M; Nijpels, Giel; Heine, Robert J; Kamp, Otto; Bouter, Lex M; Stehouwer, Coen D A

2004-03-01

Deteriorating glucose tolerance is associated with an increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Arterial remodeling is the change in structural properties through time in response to atherogenic and/or hemodynamic alterations and aims to maintain circumferential wall stress constant (sigma(C)). Arterial remodeling has not been studied in relation to glucose tolerance. The study population consisted of 278 people with normal glucose metabolism, 168 with impaired glucose metabolism, and 301 with type 2 diabetes (DM-2); their mean age was 67.8 years. We assessed carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), interadventitial diameter (IAD), lumen diameter (LD), and sigma(C). After adjustment for age, sex, height, body mass index, and prior CVD, DM-2 was associated with increased IAD, IMT, and sigma(C) but not LD (regression coefficients: 0.24 mm; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.07 to 0.41; 0.050 mm; 95% CI, 0.024 to 0.077; 5.00 kPa; 95% CI, 0.92 to 9.08; and 0.13 mm; 95% CI, -0.03 to 0.29, respectively). After additional adjustment for pulse pressure, the association between DM-2 and IAD disappeared, whereas the association with IMT remained. After adjustment, impaired glucose metabolism was not significantly associated with LD (0.12 mm; 95% CI, -0.06 to 0.33), sigma(C) (0.25 kPa; 95% CI, -4.49 to 4.98), IAD (0.08 mm; 95% CI, -0.11 to 0.27), or IMT (0.029 mm; 95% CI, -0.002 to 0.060). However, the IMT regression coefficient was half that of DM-2. DM-2 is associated with preserved LD at increased IMT, which, however, does not normalize the increased sigma(C). In contrast, impaired glucose metabolism is not associated with changes in LD or IAD, whereas IMT is moderately increased but sigma(C) remains constant. Carotid remodeling in DM-2 thus appears maladaptive, which may explain the increased CVD risk, especially stroke, in DM-2.

Solubilization and characterization of haloperidol-sensitive (+)-( sup 3 H)SKF-10,047 binding sites (sigma sites) from rat liver membranes

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

McCann, D.J.; Su, T.P.

1991-05-01

The zwitterionic detergent 3-((3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylamino)-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS) produced optimal solubilization of (+)-({sup 3}H)SKF-10,047 binding sites from rat liver membranes at a concentration of 0.2%, well below the critical micellular concentration of the detergent. The pharmacological selectivity of the liver (+)-({sup 3}H)SKF-10,047 binding sites corresponds to that of sigma sites from rat and guinea pig brain. When the affinities of 18 different drugs at (+)-({sup 3}H)SKF-10,047 binding sites in membranes and solubilized preparations were compared, a correlation coefficient of 0.99 and a slope of 1.03 were obtained, indicating that the pharmacological selectivity of rat liver sigma sites is retained after solubilization. In addition,more » the binding of 20 nM ({sup 3}H)progesterone to solubilized rat liver preparations was found to exhibit a pharmacological selectivity appropriate for sigma sites. A stimulatory effect of phenytoin on (+)-({sup 3}H)SKF-10,047 binding to sigma sites persisted after solubilization. When the solubilized preparation was subjected to molecular sizing chromatography, a single peak exhibiting specific (+)-({sup 3}H)SKF-10,047 binding was obtained. The binding activity of this peak was stimulated symmetrically when assays were performed in the presence of 300 microM phenytoin. The molecular weight of the CHAPS-solubilized sigma site complex was estimated to be 450,000 daltons. After solubilization with CHAPS, rat liver sigma sites were enriched to 12 pmol/mg of protein. The present results demonstrate a successful solubilization of sigma sites from rat liver membranes and provide direct evidence that the gonadal steroid progesterone binds to sigma sites. The results also suggest that the anticonvulsant phenytoin binds to an associated allosteric site on the sigma site complex.« less

Topography of Slow Sigma Power during Sleep is Associated with Processing Speed in Preschool Children

PubMed Central

Doucette, Margaret R.; Kurth, Salome; Chevalier, Nicolas; Munakata, Yuko; LeBourgeois, Monique K.

2015-01-01

Cognitive development is influenced by maturational changes in processing speed, a construct reflecting the rapidity of executing cognitive operations. Although cognitive ability and processing speed are linked to spindles and sigma power in the sleep electroencephalogram (EEG), little is known about such associations in early childhood, a time of major neuronal refinement. We calculated EEG power for slow (10–13 Hz) and fast (13.25–17 Hz) sigma power from all-night high-density electroencephalography (EEG) in a cross-sectional sample of healthy preschool children (n = 10, 4.3 ± 1.0 years). Processing speed was assessed as simple reaction time. On average, reaction time was 1409 ± 251 ms; slow sigma power was 4.0 ± 1.5 μV2; and fast sigma power was 0.9 ± 0.2 μV2. Both slow and fast sigma power predominated over central areas. Only slow sigma power was correlated with processing speed in a large parietal electrode cluster (p < 0.05, r ranging from −0.6 to −0.8), such that greater power predicted faster reaction time. Our findings indicate regional correlates between sigma power and processing speed that are specific to early childhood and provide novel insights into the neurobiological features of the EEG that may underlie developing cognitive abilities. PMID:26556377

PBDEs, PBBs, and PCNs in three communities of free-ranging killer whales (Orcinus orca) from the northeastern Pacific Ocean.

PubMed

Rayne, Sierra; Ikonomou, Michael G; Ross, Peter S; Ellis, Graeme M; Barrett-Lennard, Lance G

2004-08-15

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), and polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) were quantified in blubber biopsy samples collected from free-ranging male and female killer whales (Orcinus orca) belonging to three distinct communities (southern residents, northern residents, and transients) from the northeastern Pacific Ocean. High concentrations of sigmaPBDE were observed in male southern residents (942+/-582 ng/g Iw), male and female transients (1015+/-605 and 885+/-706 ng/g Iw, respectively), and male and female northern residents (203+/-116 and 415+/-676 ng/g Iw, respectively). Because of large variation within sample groups, sigmaPBDE levels generally did not differ statistically with the exception of male northern residents, which had lower sigmaPBDE concentrations than male southern residents, male transients, and female transients, perhaps reflecting the consumption of less contaminated prey items. Male transient killer whales, which consume high trophic level prey including other cetaceans and occasionally spend time near populated areas, had sigmaPBDE concentrations approximately equal to southern residents. No significant age-related relationships were observed for sigmaPBDE concentrations. sigmaPBDE concentrations were approximately 1-3 orders of magnitude greater than those of sigmaPBB (3.0-31 ng/g Iw) and sigmaPCN (20-167 ng/g Iw) measured in a subset of samples, suggesting that PBDEs may represent a contaminant class of concern in these marine mammals.

Half-collision analysis of far-wing diffuse structure in Cs-Xe

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Exton, R. J.; Hillard, M. E.; Lempert, W. R.

1987-01-01

Laser excitation in the far red wing of the second principal series doublet of Cs mixed with Xe revealed a diffuse structure associated with the 2P(3/2) component. The structure is thought to originate from a reflection type of spectrum between the weakly bound E 2Sigma(1/2) excited state and the X 2Sigma(1/2) repulsive ground state of CsXe.

Absolute Measurements of Field Enhanced Dielectronic Recombination and Electron Impact Excitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Savin, Daniel Wolf

Absolute measurements have been made of the dielectronic recombination (DR) rate coefficient for C^ {3+}, via the 2s-2p core -excitation, in an external electric field of 11.4 +/- 0.9(1sigma) V cm ^{-1}; and of the electron impact excitation (EIE) rate coefficient for C ^{3+}(2s-2p) at energies near threshold. The ion-rest-frame FWHM of the electron energy spread was 1.74 +/- 0.22(1sigma) eV. The measured DR rate, at a mean electron energy of 8.26 +/- 0.07(1sigma ) eV, was (2.76+/- 0.75)times 10^{-10} cm^{3 } s^{-1}. The uncertainty quoted for the DR rate is the total experimental uncertainty at a 1sigma<=vel. The present DR result appears to agree with an intermediate coupling calculation which uses the isolated-resonance, single-configuration approximation. In comparing with theory, a semi-classical formula was used to determine which recombined ions were field-ionized by the 4.65 kV cm^{-1} fields in the final-charge-state analyzer and not detected. A more precise treatment of field-ionization, which includes the lifetime of the high Rydberg C^{2+} ions in the external field and the time evolution and rotation of the fields experienced by the recombined ions, is needed before a definitive comparison between experiment and theory can be made. For the EIE results, at an ion-rest-frame energy of 10.10 eV, the measured rate coefficient was (7.79+/- 2.10)times 10^{ -8} cm^3 s^ {-1}. The measured cross section was (4.15+/- 1.12)times 10^{ -16} cm^2. The uncertainties quoted here represent the total experimental uncertainty at a 90 percent confidence level. Good agreement is found with other measurements. Agreement is not good with Coulomb -Born with exchange and two-state close-coupling calculations which fall outside the 90-percent-confidence uncertainty limits. Agreement is better with a nine-state close-coupling calculation which lies at the extreme of the uncertainty limits. Taking into account previous measurements in C ^{3+} and also a measurement of EIE in Be^+ which lies 19 percent below close-coupling calculations, there is a suggestion that the C^{3+}(2s-2p) EIE rate coefficient may fall slightly below presently accepted values.

Quenching of para-H{sub 2} with an ultracold antihydrogen atom H{sub 1s}

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

Sultanov, Renat A.; Guster, Dennis; Adhikari, Sadhan K.

2010-02-15

In this work we report the results of calculation for quantum-mechanical rotational transitions in molecular hydrogen, H{sub 2}, induced by an ultracold ground-state antihydrogen atom H{sub 1s}. The calculations are accomplished using a nonreactive close-coupling quantum-mechanical approach. The H{sub 2} molecule is treated as a rigid rotor. The total elastic-scattering cross section {sigma}{sub el}({epsilon}) at energy {epsilon}, state-resolved rotational transition cross sections {sigma}{sub jj}{sup '}({epsilon}) between states j and j{sup '}, and corresponding thermal rate coefficients k{sub jj}{sup '}(T) are computed in the temperature range 0.004 K < or approx. T < or approx. 4 K. Satisfactory agreement with othermore » calculations (variational) has been obtained for {sigma}{sub el}({epsilon}).« less

Site term from single-station sigma analysis of S-waves in western Turkey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akyol, Nihal

2018-05-01

The main aim of this study is to obtain site terms from single-station sigma analysis and to compare them with the site functions resulting from different techniques. The dataset consists of 1764 records from 322 micro- and moderate-size local earthquakes recorded by 29 stations in western Turkey. Median models were derived from S-wave Fourier amplitude spectra for selected 22 frequencies, by utilizing the MLR procedure which performs the maximum likelihood (ML) estimation of mixed models where the fixed effects are treated as random (R) effects with infinite variance. At this stage, b (geometrical spreading coefficient) and Q (quality factor) values were decomposed, simultaneously. The residuals of the median models were examined by utilizing the single-station sigma analysis to obtain the site terms of 29 stations. Sigma for the median models is about 0.422 log10 units and decreases to about 0.308, when the site terms from the single-station sigma analysis were considered (27% reduction). The event-corrected within-event standard deviations for each frequency are rather stable, in the range 0.19-0.23 log10 units with an average value of 0.20 (± 0.01). The site terms from single-station sigma analysis were compared with the site function estimates from the horizontal-to-vertical-spectral-ratio (HVSR) and generalized inversion (INV) techniques by Akyol et al. (2013) and Kurtulmuş and Akyol (2015), respectively. Consistency was observed between the single-station sigma site terms and the INV site transfer functions. The results imply that the single-station sigma analysis could separate the site terms with respect to the median models.

Seasonal variations of the microwave scattering properties of deciduous trees as measured in the 1-18 GHz spectral range

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ulaby, F. T. (Principal Investigator); Bush, T.; Metzler, T.; Stiles, H.

1976-01-01

The author has identified the following significant results. Employing two FM-CW radar spectrometers, scattering data were acquired from stands of deciduous trees during the spring and autumn. The data suggest that the trees act as a volume scatter target particularly in the 7-18 GHz region. A comparison of data collected in spring and autumn indicates that the radar scattering coefficient, sigma deg, as measured in spring can be substantially larger (as much as 10 dB) than sigma deg as measured in the autumn.

Measuring the Electro-Optic Coefficients of Bulk-poled Polymers

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-09-01

polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) was produced by CYRO Industries (Acrylite H15) and distributed by AMCO Plastics. All other chemicals were obtained from Sigma...nitrostyryl) benzene) PMMA polymethylmethacrylate RMS root-mean-square ROMP ring-opening metathesis polymer Tg glass transition temperature

Concurrent Solution and Adsorption of Hydrocarbons in Gas Chromatographic Columns Packed with Different Loadings of 3-Methylsydnone on Chromosorb P

PubMed

Castells; Romero; Nardillo

1997-08-01

Thermodynamic properties of solution in 3-methylsydnone (3MS) and of adsorption at the nitrogen/3MS interface were gas chromatographically measured for a group of fifteen hydrocarbons at infinite dilution conditions. Retention volumes were measured at five temperatures within the range 37-52°C in six columns containing different loadings of 3MS on Chromosorb P AW. Partition and adsorption coefficients were calculated and from their temperature dependence the corresponding enthalpies were obtained, although with considerable error; infinite dilution activity coefficients of the hydrocarbons in the bulk and in the surface phases demonstrated a strong correlation. Bulk activity coefficients in 3MS were very much smaller than those previously measured for the same solutes in formamide (FA) and in ethyleneglycol (EG), and were also smaller than what could be predicted on account of 3MS cohesive energy density as estimated from the quotient sigma/v1/3 (sigma, surface tension; v, molar volume). There was not such a large difference between the surface activity coefficients in the three solvents; furthermore, the quotients (surface activity coefficient/bulk activity coefficient) for a given solute in 3MS were twice as large as in FA and about three times larger than in EG. These results make evident the difficulties inherent in the prediction of surface phase properties from those in the bulk and cast doubts on the pertinency of employing the surface tension to compare cohesive energy densities of polar solvents with important chemical differences.

Process for preparing schottky diode contacts with predetermined barrier heights

DOEpatents

Chang, Y. Austin; Jan, Chia-Hong; Chen, Chia-Ping

1996-01-01

A process is provided for producing a Schottky diode having a preselected barrier height .phi..sub.Bn. The substrate is preferably n-GaAs, the metallic contact is derived from a starting alloy of the Formula [.SIGMA.M.sub..delta. ](Al.sub.x Ga.sub.1-x) wherein: .SIGMA.M is a moiety which consists of at least one M, and when more than one M is present, each M is different, M is a Group VIII metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, ruthenium, rhodium, indium and platinum, .delta. is a stoichiometric coefficient whose total value in any given .SIGMA.M moiety is 1, and x is a positive number between 0 and 1 (that is, x ranges from greater than 0 to less than 1). Also, the starting alloy is capable of forming with the substrate a two phase equilibrium reciprocal system of the binary alloy mixture [.SIGMA.M.sub..delta. ]Ga-[.SIGMA.M.sub..delta. ]Al-AlAs-GaAs. When members of an alloy subclass within this Formula are each preliminarily correlated with the barrier height .phi..sub.Bn of a contact producable therewith, then Schottky diodes of predetermined barrier heights are producable by sputtering and annealing. Further provided are the product Schottky diodes that are produced according to this process.

Hemoglobin binding of aromatic amines: molecular dosimetry and quantitative structure-activity relationships for N-oxidation.

PubMed Central

Sabbioni, G

1993-01-01

Aromatic amines are important intermediates in industrial manufacturing. N-Oxidation to N-hydroxyarylamines is a key step in determining the genotoxic properties of aromatic amines. N-Hydroxyarylamines can form adducts with DNA, with tissue proteins, and with the blood proteins albumin and hemoglobin in a dose-dependent manner. The determination of hemoglobin adducts is a useful tool for biomonitoring exposed populations. We have established the hemoglobin binding index (HBI) [(mmole compound/mole hemoglobin)/(mmole compound/kg body weight)] of several aromatic amines in female Wistar rats. Including the values from other researchers obtained in the same rat strain, the logarithm of hemoglobin binding (logHBI) was plotted against the following parameters: the sum of the Hammett constants(sigma sigma = sigma p + sigma m), pKa, logP (octanol/water), the half-wave oxidation potential (E1/2), and the electronic descriptors of the amines and their corresponding nitrenium ions obtained by semi-empirical calculations (MNDO, AMI, and PM3), such as atomic charge densities, energies of the highest occupied molecular orbit and lowest occupied molecular orbit and their coefficients, the bond order of C-N, the dipole moments, and the reaction enthalpy [MNDOHF, AM1HF or PM3HF = Hf(nitrenium) - Hf(amine)]. The correlation coefficients were determined from the plots of all parameters against log HBI for all amines by means of linear regression analysis. The amines were classified in three groups: group 1, all parasubstituted amines (maximum, n = 9); group 2, all amines with halogens (maximun, n = 11); and group 3, all amines with alkyl groups (maximum, n = 13).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) PMID:8319626

Twisting perturbed parafermions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belitsky, A. V.

2017-07-01

The near-collinear expansion of scattering amplitudes in maximally supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory at strong coupling is governed by the dynamics of stings propagating on the five sphere. The pentagon transitions in the operator product expansion which systematize the series get reformulated in terms of matrix elements of branch-point twist operators in the two-dimensional O(6) nonlinear sigma model. The facts that the latter is an asymptotically free field theory and that there exists no local realization of twist fields prevents one from explicit calculation of their scaling dimensions and operator product expansion coefficients. This complication is bypassed making use of the equivalence of the sigma model to the infinite-level limit of WZNW models perturbed by current-current interactions, such that one can use conformal symmetry and conformal perturbation theory for systematic calculations. Presently, to set up the formalism, we consider the O(3) sigma model which is reformulated as perturbed parafermions.

Transformation of measures in infinite-dimensional spaces by the flow induced by a stochastic differential equation

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

Pilipenko, A Yu

2003-04-30

Let {mu} be a Gaussian measure in the space X and H the Cameron-Martin space of the measure {mu}. Consider the stochastic differential equation d{xi}(u,t)=a{sub t}({xi}(u,t))dt+{sigma}{sub n}{sigma}{sub t}{sup n}({xi}(u,t))d{omega}{sub n}(t), t element of [0,T]; {xi}(u,0)=u,; where u element of X, a and {sigma}{sub n} are functions taking values in H, {omega}{sub n}(t), n{>=}1 are independent one-dimensional Wiener processes. Consider the easure-valued random process {mu}{sub t}:={mu}o{xi}( {center_dot} ,t){sup -1}. It is shown that under certain natural conditions on the coefficients of the initial equation the measures {mu}{sub t}({omega}) are equivalent to {mu} for almost all {omega}. Explicit expressions for their Radon-Nikodymmore » densities are obtained.« less

Levitation effect: Distinguishing anomalous from linear regime of guests sorbed in zeolites through the decay of intermediate scattering function and wavevector dependence of self-diffusivity.

PubMed

Ghorai, Pradip Kr; Yashonath, S

2005-03-10

Previous work investigating the dependence of self-diffusivity, D, on the size of the guest diffusing within the porous solid such as zeolite has reported the existence of an anomalous maximum in the diffusion coefficient (J. Phys. Chem. 1994, 98, 6368). Two distinct regimes of dependence of D on sigma(gg), diameter of the guest were reported. D proportional to 1/sigma(gg)2, often referred to as linear regime (LR), is found when sigma(gg) is smaller than sigma(v), the diameter of the void. A maximum in D has been observed when sigma(gg) is comparable to sigma(v) and this regime is referred to as anomalous regime (AR). Here we report the intermediate scattering function for a particle from LR and AR in zeolite faujasite. A particle from LR exhibits a biexponential decay while a particle from AR exhibits a single-exponential decay at small k. Variation with k of the full width at half-maximum of the self-part of the dynamic structure factor is nonmonotonic for a particle in the linear regime. In contrast, this variation is monotonic for a particle in the anomalous regime. These results can be understood in terms of the existence of energetic barrier at the bottleneck, the 12-ring window, in the path of diffusion. They provide additional signatures for the linear regime and anomalous regimes and therefore for levitation effect (LE).

Application of Sigma Metrics and Performance Comparison Between Two Biochemistry Analyser and a Blood Gas Analyser for the Determination of Electrolytes.

PubMed

Ustundag-Budak, Yasemin; Huysal, Kagan

2017-02-01

Electrolytes have a narrow range of biological variation and small changes are clinically significant. It is important to select the best method for clinical decision making and patient monitoring in the emergency room. The sigma metrics model provides an objective method to evaluate the performance of a method. To calculate sigma metrics for electrolytes measured with one arterial blood gas analyser including two auto-analysers that use different technologies. To identify the best approach for electrolyte monitoring in an emergency setting and the context of routine emergency room workflow. The Coefficient of Variation (CV) was determined from Internal Quality Control (IQC). Data was measured from July 2015 to January 2016 for all three analysers. The records of KBUD external quality data (Association of Clinical Biochemists, Istanbul, Turkey) for both Mindray BS-2000M analyser (Mindray, Shenzhen, China) and Architect C16000 (Abbott Diagnostics, Abbott Park, IL) and MLE clinical laboratory evaluation program (Washington, DC, USA) for Radiometer ABL 700 (Radiometer Trading, Copenhagen, Denmark) during the study period were used to determine the bias. The calculated average sigma values for sodium (-1.1), potassium (3.3), and chloride (0.06) were with the Radiometer ABL700. All calculated sigma values were better than the auto-analysers. The sigma values obtained from all analysers suggest that running more controls and increasing the calibration frequency for electrolytes is necessary for quality assurance.

Carbon and oxygen isotope study of the active water-carbonate system in a karstic Mediterranean cave: Implications for paleoclimate research in semiarid regions

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

Bar-Matthews, M.; Ayalon, A.; Halicz, L.

1996-01-01

In a semiarid climatic zone, such as the Eastern Mediterranean region, annual rainfall variations and fractionation processes in the epikarst zone exert a profound influence on the isotopic compositions of waters seeping into a cave. Consequently, the isotopic compositions of speleothems depositing from cave waters may show complex variations that need to be understood if they are to be exploited for paleoclimate studies. This is confirmed by a four-year study of the active carbonate-water system in the Soreq cave (Israel). The {sigma}{sup 18}O (SMOW) values of cave waters range from -6.3 to - 3.5{per_thousand}. The highest {sigma}{sup 18}O values occurmore » at the end of the dry season in waters dripping from stalactites, and reflect evaporation processes in the epikarst zone, whereas the lowest values occur in rapidly dripping (fast-drip) waters at the peak of the rainy seasons. However, even fast-drip waters are about 1.5{per_thousand} heavier than the rainfall above the cave, which is taken to reflect the mixing of fresh with residual evaporated water in the epikarst zone. {sigma}{sup 13}C (PDB) values of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) vary from -15.6 to -5.4{per_thousand}, with fast-drip waters having lower {sigma}{sup 13}C values (mostly-15.6 to -12{per_thousand}) and higher DIC concentrations relative to pool and stalactite-drip water. The los {sigma}{sup 13}C values of fast-drip waters and their supersaturation with respect to calcium carbonate indicates that the seepage waters have dissolved both soil-CO{sub 2} derived from overlying C{sub 3}-type vegetation and marine dolomite host rock. The 10{per_thousand} variation in the {sigma}{sup 13}C values associated with contemporaneous speleothems in order to clarify the effects of degassing from those due to differing vegetation types. 55 refs., 10 figs., 1 tab.« less

Aqueous alkali halide solutions: can osmotic coefficients be explained on the basis of the ionic sizes alone?

PubMed

Kalyuzhnyi, Yu V; Vlachy, Vojko; Dill, Ken A

2010-06-21

We use the AMSA, associative mean spherical theory of associative fluids, to study ion-ion interactions in explicit water. We model water molecules as hard spheres with four off-center square-well sites and ions as charged hard spheres with sticky sites that bind to water molecules or other ions. We consider alkali halide salts. The choice of model parameters is based on two premises: (i) The strength of the interaction between a monovalent ion and a water molecule is inversely proportional to the ionic (crystal) diameter sigma(i). Smaller ions bind to water more strongly than larger ions do, taking into account the asymmetry of the cation-water and anion-water interactions. (ii) The number of contacts an ion can make is proportional to sigma2(i). In short, small ions bind waters strongly, but only a few of them. Large ions bind waters weakly, but many of them. When both a monovalent cation and anion are large, it yields a small osmotic coefficient of the salt, since the water molecules avoid the space in between large ions. On the other hand, salts formed from one small and one large ion remain hydrated and their osmotic coefficient is high. The osmotic coefficients, calculated using this model in combination with the integral equation theory developed for associative fluids, follow the experimental trends, including the unusual behavior of caesium salts.

Microwave remote sensing of Saharan ergs and Amazon vegetation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stephen, Haroon

This dissertation focuses on relating spaceborne microwave data to the geophysical characteristics of the Sahara desert and the Amazon vegetation. Radar and radiometric responses of the Saharan ergs are related to geophysical properties of sand formations and near surface winds. The spatial and temporal variability of the Amazon vegetation is studied using multi-frequency and multi-polarization data. The Sahara desert includes large expanses of sand dunes called ergs that are constantly reshaped by prevailing winds. Radar backscatter (sigma°) measurements observed at various incidence (theta) and azimuth (φ) angles from the NASA Scatterometer (NSCAT), the ERS scatterometer (ESCAT), the SeaWinds scatterometer aboard QuikScat (QSCAT), and the Precipitation Radar (TRMM-PR) aboard the Tropical Rain Monitoring Mission (TRMM) are used to model the sigma° response from sand dunes. Backscatter theta and φ variation depends upon the slopes and orientations of the dune slopes. Sand dunes are modeled as a composite of tilted rough facets, which are characterized by a probability distribution of tilt. The small ripples are modeled as cosinusoidal surface waves that contribute to the return signal at Bragg angles. The sigma° response is high at look angles equal to the mean tilts of the rough facets and is lower elsewhere. The modeled sigma° response is similar to NSCAT and ESCAT observations. sigma° also varies spatially and reflects the spatial inhomogeneity of the sand surface. A model incorporating the sigma° φ-modulation and spatial inhomogeneity is proposed. The maxima of the φ-modulation at theta = 33° reflect the orientation of the slip-sides on the sand surface. These slip-side orientations are consistent with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts wind directions spatially and temporally. Radiometric emissions from the ergs have strong dependence on the surface geometry. The radiometric temperature (Tb) of ergs is modeled as the weighted sum of the Tb from all the composite tilted rough facets. The dual polarization Tb measurements at 19 GHz and 37 GHz from the Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) aboard the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program and the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Microwave Imager are used to analyze the radiometric response of erg surfaces and compared to the model results. It is found that longitudinal and transverse dune fields are differentiable based on their polarization difference (DeltaTb) φ-modulation, which reflects type and orientation of dune facets. DeltaT b measurements at 19 GHz and 37 GHz provide consistent results. In the Amazon, sigma° measurements from Seasat A scatterometer (SASS), ESCAT, NSCAT, QSCAT and TRMM-PR; and Tb measurements from SSM/I are used to study the multi-spectral microwave response of vegetation. sigma° versus theta signatures of data combined from scatterometers and the precipitation radar depend upon vegetation density. The multi-frequency signatures of sigma° and Tb provide unique responses for different vegetation densities. sigma° and Tb spatial inhomogeneity is related to spatial geophysical characteristics. Temporal variability of the Amazon basin is studied using C-band ERS data and a Ku-band time series formed by SASS, NSCAT and QSCAT data. Although the central Amazon forest represents an area of very stable radar backscatter measurements, portions of the southern region exhibit backscatter changes over the past two decades.

Permeability of acetic acid across gel and liquid-crystalline lipid bilayers conforms to free-surface-area theory.

PubMed Central

Xiang, T X; Anderson, B D

1997-01-01

Solubility-diffusion theory, which treats the lipid bilayer membrane as a bulk lipid solvent into which permeants must partition and diffuse across, fails to account for the effects of lipid bilayer chain order on the permeability coefficient of any given permeant. This study addresses the scaling factor that must be applied to predictions from solubility-diffusion theory to correct for chain ordering. The effects of bilayer chemical composition, temperature, and phase structure on the permeability coefficient (Pm) of acetic acid were investigated in large unilamellar vesicles by a combined method of NMR line broadening and dynamic light scattering. Permeability values were obtained in distearoylphosphatidylcholine, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine, and dilauroylphosphatidylcholine bilayers, and their mixtures with cholesterol, at various temperatures both above and below the gel-->liquid-crystalline phase transition temperatures (Tm). A new scaling factor, the permeability decrement f, is introduced to account for the decrease in permeability coefficient from that predicted by solubility-diffusion theory owing to chain ordering in lipid bilayers. Values of f were obtained by division of the observed Pm by the permeability coefficient predicted from a bulk solubility-diffusion model. In liquid-crystalline phases, a strong correlation (r = 0.94) between f and the normalized surface density sigma was obtained: in f = 5.3 - 10.6 sigma. Activation energies (Ea) for the permeability of acetic acid decreased with decreasing phospholipid chain length and correlated with the sensitivity of chain ordering to temperature, [symbol: see text] sigma/[symbol: see text](1/T), as chain length was varied. Pm values decreased abruptly at temperatures below the main phase transition temperatures in pure dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine bilayers (30-60-fold) and below the pretransition in dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine bilayers (8-fold), and the linear relationship between in f and sigma established for liquid-crystalline bilayers was no longer followed. However, in both gel and liquid-crystalline phases in f was found to exhibit an inverse correlation with free surface area (in f = -0.31 - 29.1/af, where af is the average free area (in square angstroms) per lipid molecule). Thus, the lipid bilayer permeability of acetic acid can be predicted from the relevant chain-packing properties in the bilayer (free surface area), regardless of whether chain ordering is varied by changes in temperature, lipid chain length, cholesterol concentration, or bilayer phase structure, provided that temperature effects on permeant dehydration and diffusion and the chain-length effects on bilayer barrier thickness are properly taken into account. PMID:8994607

Preliminary evaluation of the SIR-B response to soil moisture, surface roughness, and crop canopy cover

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dobson, M. C.; Ulaby, F. T.

1986-01-01

Two predawn ascending data-takes by the Shuttle Imaging Radar-B (SIR-B) were used to evaluate the effects of surface roughness, crop canopy, and soil moisture on radar backscatter. The two images, separated by three days, were both obtained at 30-deg local angle of incidence, but with opposite azimuth viewing directions. The imagery was externally calibrated with respect to the radar backscattering coefficient sigma(0) via response to arrays of point and area-extended targets of known radar cross section. Three land-cover classes: (1) corn, (2) corn stubble and plowed bare soil, and (3) disked bare soil, soybeans, soybean stubble, alfalfa, and clover could be readily separated for either observation date on the basis of image tone alone. The dependence of sigma(0) on the surface roughness and canopy brightness inhibits the capability of SIR to globally estimate the near-surface soil moisture from the value of sigma(0) for single date observations, unless the surface roughness or canopy cover conditions are accounted for. However, within given ranges of these conditions, the sigma(0) was found to be highly correlated with the soil moisture.

Multi-channel linear descriptors for event-related EEG collected in brain computer interface.

PubMed

Pei, Xiao-mei; Zheng, Chong-xun; Xu, Jin; Bin, Guang-yu; Wang, Hong-wu

2006-03-01

By three multi-channel linear descriptors, i.e. spatial complexity (omega), field power (sigma) and frequency of field changes (phi), event-related EEG data within 8-30 Hz were investigated during imagination of left or right hand movement. Studies on the event-related EEG data indicate that a two-channel version of omega, sigma and phi could reflect the antagonistic ERD/ERS patterns over contralateral and ipsilateral areas and also characterize different phases of the changing brain states in the event-related paradigm. Based on the selective two-channel linear descriptors, the left and right hand motor imagery tasks are classified to obtain satisfactory results, which testify the validity of the three linear descriptors omega, sigma and phi for characterizing event-related EEG. The preliminary results show that omega, sigma together with phi have good separability for left and right hand motor imagery tasks, which could be considered for classification of two classes of EEG patterns in the application of brain computer interfaces.

Canonical coordinates for partial differential equations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hunt, L. R.; Villarreal, Ramiro

1988-01-01

Necessary and sufficient conditions are found under which operators of the form Sigma (m, j=1) x (2) sub j + X sub O can be made constant coefficient. In addition, necessary and sufficient conditions are derived which classify those linear partial differential operators that can be moved to the Kolmogorov type.

Canonical coordinates for partial differential equations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hunt, L. R.; Villarreal, Ramiro

1987-01-01

Necessary and sufficient conditions are found under which operators of the form Sigma(m, j=1) X(2)sub j + X sub 0 can be made constant coefficient. In addition, necessary and sufficient conditions are derived which classify those linear partial differential operators that can be moved to the Kolmogorov type.

Application of the aberration ring test (ARTEMIS) to determine lens quality and predict its lithographic performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moers, Marco H. P.; van der Laan, Hans; Zellenrath, Mark; de Boeij, Wim; Beaudry, Neil A.; Cummings, Kevin D.; van Zwol, Adriaan; Brecht, Arthur; Willekers, Rob

2001-09-01

ARTEMISTM (Aberration Ring Test Exposed at Multiple Illumination Settings) is a technique to determine in-situ, full-field, low and high order lens aberrations. In this paper we are analyzing the ARTEMISTM data of PAS5500/750TM DUV Step & Scan systems and its use as a lithographic prediction tool. ARTEMISTM is capable of determining Zernike coefficients up to Z25 with a 3(sigma) reproducibility range from 1.5 to 4.5 nm depending on the aberration type. 3D electric field simulations, that take the extended geometry of the phase shift feature into account, have been used for an improved treatment of the extraction of the spherical Zernike coefficients. Knowledge of the extracted Zernike coefficients allows an accurate prediction of the lithographic performance of the scanner system. This ability is demonstrated for a two bar pattern and an isolation pattern. The RMS difference between the ARTEMISTM-based lithographic prediction and the lithographic measurement is 2.5 nm for the two bar pattern and 3 nm for the isolation pattern. The 3(sigma) reproducibility of the prediction for the two bar pattern is 2.5 nm and 1 nm for the isolation pattern. This is better than the reproducibility of the lithographic measurements themselves.

Microscopic study of spin cut-off factors of nuclear level densities

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

Gholami, M.; Kildir, M.; Behkami, A. N.

Level densities and spin cut-off factors have been investigated within the microscopic approach based on the BCS Hamiltonian. In particular, the spin cut-off parameters have been calculated at neutron binding energies over a large range of nuclear mass using the BCS theory. The spin cut-off parameters {sigma}{sup 2}(E) have also been obtained from the Gilbert and Cameron expression and from rigid body calculations. The results were compared with their corresponding macroscopic values. It was found that the values of {sigma}{sup 2}(E) did not increase smoothly with A as expected based on macroscopic theory. Instead, the values of {sigma}{sup 2}(E) showmore » structure reflecting the angular momentum of the shell model orbitals near the Fermi energy.« less

The Measurement of Strong-Interaction Effects in High-Z Sigma Hyperonic Atoms.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phillips, William Clarke

Strong-interaction effects have been observed in the X-ray spectra of atoms formed with Sigma ^- in lead and tungsten. In the experiment, performed at the Alternating Gradient Synchrotron of Brookhaven National Laboratory, negative kaons were brought to rest in a novel laminar target consisting of thin sheets of high-Z material in a liquid hydrogen bath. The geometry of the target was designed to optimize the production of high-Z Sigma^- atoms and the detection of their subsequent de-excitation X rays. A method of identifying the energetic pi^+ from the production reaction K^-+ p toSigma^- +pi^+ resulted in a factor of 15 improvement in the signal-to -noise ratio of the Sigma^- atom X-rays over that of previous experiments. The X-ray spectra were recorded by three high-resolution intrinsic Ge detectors and analyzed for shifts, broadenings, and yield reductions of the final X-ray transitions before absorption of the Sigma^- into the nucleus. A lineshape function which reflected the non-Gaussian response of the X-ray spectroscopy system was developed for this analysis. The results are(UNFORMATTED TABLE OR EQUATION FOLLOWS)eqalign {Sigma^- - W (10to9): varepsilon = 650 +/- 30 eV,&quadGamma = 380 +/- 70 eV,quad %Y = .98 +/- .04cr Sigma^- - Pb (10to9): varepsilon = 510 +/- 50 eV,&quadGamma = 290 +/- 140 eV, quad %Y = .53 +/- .04cr} (TABLE/EQUATION ENDS)where varepsilon = E_{rm meds} - E_{rm calc }, Gamma is the Lorentzian FWHM, and %Y is the ratio (measured yield)/(yield calculated with no strong interaction). Optical model calculations with a = (0.928 + i0.022) fm are able to reproduce all observed effects in the Sigma^--W spectra. Such calculations with a = (0.247 + i0.039) fm reproduce the observed shift and width of the (10to9) transition in Sigma^--Pb, but fail to reproduce the observed yield reduction. It is doubtful if the current status of the theory of Sigma ^--N interactions can explain this discrepancy.

Accurate estimation of sigma(exp 0) using AIRSAR data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Holecz, Francesco; Rignot, Eric

1995-01-01

During recent years signature analysis, classification, and modeling of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data as well as estimation of geophysical parameters from SAR data have received a great deal of interest. An important requirement for the quantitative use of SAR data is the accurate estimation of the backscattering coefficient sigma(exp 0). In terrain with relief variations radar signals are distorted due to the projection of the scene topography into the slant range-Doppler plane. The effect of these variations is to change the physical size of the scattering area, leading to errors in the radar backscatter values and incidence angle. For this reason the local incidence angle, derived from sensor position and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data must always be considered. Especially in the airborne case, the antenna gain pattern can be an additional source of radiometric error, because the radar look angle is not known precisely as a result of the the aircraft motions and the local surface topography. Consequently, radiometric distortions due to the antenna gain pattern must also be corrected for each resolution cell, by taking into account aircraft displacements (position and attitude) and position of the backscatter element, defined by the DEM data. In this paper, a method to derive an accurate estimation of the backscattering coefficient using NASA/JPL AIRSAR data is presented. The results are evaluated in terms of geometric accuracy, radiometric variations of sigma(exp 0), and precision of the estimated forest biomass.

Radiative lifetimes and quenching rate coefficients for directly excited rotational levels of OH/A 2Sigma +, v-prime = 0/

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcdermid, I. S.; Laudenslager, J. B.

1982-01-01

A narrow-bandwidth pulsed dye laser was used to excite OH X 2Pi i radicals to the A 2Sigma(+) state by pumping in the (0, 0) vibrational band around 308 nm. The radiative lifetimes of specific (K-prime, J-prime) rotational levels in v-prime = 0 were measured at low pressures (not greater than 1 mtorr), which yielded a mean lifetime of 0.71 + or - 0.009 microsec (2 sigma). Electronic quenching rate constants for N2, O2, H2O, and H2 were measured for a range of initially excited rotational levels. A strong dependence of this rate constant on the initially excited rotational level was found for N2, and less markedly for O2, with the rate constant tending to increase for the lowest rotational levels K-prime not greater than 3. The implications of these results for the laser-induced fluorescence detection of atmospheric OH are discussed.

Environmental fate and biodegradability of benzene derivatives as studied in a model aquatic ecosystem.

PubMed Central

Lu, P Y; Metcalf, R L

1975-01-01

A model aquatic ecosystem is devised for studying relatively volatile organic compounds and simulating direct discharge of chemical wastes into aquatic ecosystems. Six simple benzene derivatives (aniline, anisole, benzoic acid, chlorobenzene, nitrobenzene, and phthalic anhydride) and other important specialty chemicals: hexachlorobenzene, pentachlorophenol, 2,6-diethylaniline, and 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol were also chosen for study of environmental behavior and fate in the model aquatic ecosystem. Quantitative relationships of the intrinsic molecular properties of the environmental micropollutants with biological responses are established, e.g., water solubility, partition coefficient, pi constant, sigma constant, ecological magnification, biodegradability index, and comparative detoxication mechanisms, respectively. Water solubility, pi constant, and sigma constant are the most significant factors and control the biological responses of the food chain members. Water solubility and pi constant control the degree of bioaccumulation, and sigma constant limits the metabolism of the xenobiotics via microsomal detoxication enzymes. These highly significant correlations should be useful for predicting environmental fate of organic chemicals. PMID:1157796

Observation of chain stretching in Langmuir diblock copolymer monolayers

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

Factor, B.J.; Lee, L.; Kent, M.S.

1993-10-01

We report observations of chain stretching in diblock copolymer monolayers on the surface of a selective solvent. Using neutron reflectivity, we have studied the concentration profile of the submerged block over a large range of surface density [sigma] (chains per area) for two different molecular weights. The observed increase in the layer thickness is weaker than the [sigma][sup 1/3] prediction of mean-field and scaling theories for the limiting behavior, but is in agreement with recent numerical self-consistent-field calculations by Whitmore and Noolandi [Macromolecules 23, 3321 (1990)].

A Simulation Study of Rater Agreement Measures with 2x2 Contingency Tables

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ato, Manuel; Lopez, Juan Jose; Benavente, Ana

2011-01-01

A comparison between six rater agreement measures obtained using three different approaches was achieved by means of a simulation study. Rater coefficients suggested by Bennet's [sigma] (1954), Scott's [pi] (1955), Cohen's [kappa] (1960) and Gwet's [gamma] (2008) were selected to represent the classical, descriptive approach, [alpha] agreement…

Application of Scanning-Imaging X-Ray Microscopy to Fluid Inclusion Candidates in Carbonates of Carbonaceous Chondrites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tsuchiyama, Akira; Nakano, Tsukasa; Miyake, Akira; Akihisa, Takeuchi; Uesugi, Kentaro; Suzuki, Yoshio; Kitayama, Akira; Matsuno, Junya; Zolensky, Michael E.

2016-01-01

In order to search for such fluid inclusions in carbonaceous chondrites, a nondestructive technique using x-ray micro-absorption tomography combined with FIB sampling was developed and applied to a carbonaceous chondrite. They found fluid inclusion candidates in calcite grains, which were formed by aqueous alteration. However, they could not determine whether they are really aqueous fluids or merely voids. Phase and absorption contrast images can be simultaneously obtained in 3D by using scanning-imaging x-ray microscopy (SIXM). In refractive index, n=1-sigma+i(beta), in the real part, 1-sigma is the refractive index with decrement, sigma, which is nearly proportional to the density, and the imaginary part, beta, is the extinction coefficient, which is related to the liner attenuation coefficient, mu. Many phases, including water and organic materials as well as minerals, can be identified by SIXM, and this technique has potential availability for Hayabusa-2 sample analysis too. In this study, we examined quantitative performance of d and m values and the spatial resolution in SIXM by using standard materials, and applied this technique to carbonaceous chondrite samples. We used POM ([CH2O]n), silicon, quartz, forsterite, corundum, magnetite and nickel as standard materials for examining the sigma and mu values. A fluid inclusion in terrestrial quartz and bi-valve shell (Atrina vexillum), which are composed of calcite and organic layers with different thickness, were also used for examining the spatial resolution. The Ivuna (CI) and Sutter's Mill (CM) meteorites were used as carbonaceous chondrite samples. Rod- or cube-shaped samples 20-30 micron in size were extracted by using FIB from cross-sectional surfaces of the standard materials or polished thin sections of the chondrites, which was previously observed with SEM. Then, the sample was attached to a thin W-needle and imaged by SIXM system at beamline BL47XU, SPring-8, Japan. The slice thickness was 109.3 nm and the pixel size was mostly 100 nm.

Experimental studies of Cl-atom reactions at high temperatures: Cl + H{sub 2} {yields} HCl + H from 291 to 1283 K

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

Adusei, G.Y.; Fontijn, A.

1994-12-31

A method is presented for producing Cl atoms for kinetic experiments above 750 K. Combined with a low temperature Cl-atom production technique, rate coefficients for the title reaction have been obtained over a wide temperature range. The Cl atoms were generated by flash photolysis of CCl{sub 4} for the low-temperature measurements and by pulsed laser photolysis of NaCl for the high-temperature measurements. The relative Cl-atom concentrations were monitored by time-resolved resonance fluorescence. The data are well fitted by the expression k{sub 1}(291--1,283 K) = 4.4 {times} 10{sup {minus}11} exp({minus}2568 K/T) cm{sup 3}/molecule, with 2{sigma} precision limits of {+-} 9 {+-}16more » %, depending on temperature, and corresponding 2{sigma} accuracy limits of about {+-} 26 %. There is good agreement between the rate coefficients measured here and those from previous low-temperature studies, leading to the recommendation k{sub 1}(200--1,283 K) = 2.3 {times} 10{sup {minus}16} (T/K){sup 1.63} exp({minus}1592 K/T) cm{sup 3}/molecule s, with a suggested 2{sigma} accuracy limit of {+-}28% for the combined data. A transition state theory calculation base don a semiempirical London-Eyring-Polanyi-Sato (LEPS) potential energy surface gives excellent agreement with the combined experimental results. Extension of their previous recommendation for the reverse reaction to lower temperatures leads to k{sub 2}(200--1,200 K) = 6.6 {times} 10{sup {minus}16} (T/K){sup 1.44} exp({minus}1241 K/T) cm{sup 3}/molecule s, with 2{sigma} accuracy limits within {+-}25 %. There is excellent agreement between the present data and the predicted expression from that reaction and equilibrium data.« less

Soft X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy of High-Abrasion-Furnace Carbon Black

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

Muramatsu, Yasuji; Harada, Ryusuke; Gullikson, Eric M.

2007-02-02

The soft x-ray absorption spectra of high-abrasion-furnace carbon black were measured to obtain local-structure/chemical-states information of the primary particles and/or crystallites. The soft x-ray absorption spectral features of carbon black represent broader {pi}* and {sigma}* peak structures compared to highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). The subtracted spectra between the carbon black and HOPG, (carbon black) - (HOPG), show double-peak structures on both sides of the {pi}* peak. The lower-energy peak, denoted as the 'pre-peak', in the subtracted spectra and the {pi}*/{sigma}* peak intensity ratio in the absorption spectra clearly depend on the specific surface area by nitrogen adsorption (NSA). Therefore,more » it is concluded that the pre-peak intensity and the {pi}*/{sigma}* ratio reflect the local graphitic structure of carbon black.« less

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

Burkert, Andreas; Tremaine, Scott, E-mail: burkert@usm.lmu.d, E-mail: tremaine@ias.ed

Elliptical, lenticular, and early-type spiral galaxies show a remarkably tight power-law correlation between the mass M {sub .} of their central supermassive black hole (SMBH) and the number N {sub GC} of globular clusters (GCs): M{sub .} = m {sub ./*} x N {sup 1.08{+-}0.04} {sub GC} with m{sub ./*} = 1.7 x 10{sup 5} M{sub sun}. Thus, to a good approximation the SMBH mass is the same as the total mass of the GCs. Based on a limited sample of 13 galaxies, this relation appears to be a better predictor of SMBH mass (rms scatter 0.2 dex) than themore » M{sub .}-{sigma} relation between SMBH mass and velocity dispersion {sigma}. The small scatter reflects the fact that galaxies with high GC specific frequency S{sub N} tend to harbor SMBHs that are more massive than expected from the M{sub .}-{sigma} relation.« less

A study of the liquid-vapor phase change of mercury based on irreversible thermodynamics.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adt, R. R., Jr.; Hatsopoulos, G. N.; Bornhorst, W. J.

1972-01-01

The object of this work is to determine the transport coefficients which appear in linear irreversible-thermodynamic rate equations of a phase change. An experiment which involves the steady-state evaporation of mercury was performed to measure the principal transport coefficient appearing in the mass-rate equation and the coupling transport coefficient appearing in both the mass-rate equation and the energy-rate equation. The principal transport coefficient sigma, usually termed the 'condensation' or 'evaporation' coefficient, is found to be approximately 0.9, which is higher than that measured previously in condensation-of-mercury experiments. The experimental value of the coupling coefficient K does not agree with the value predicted from Schrage's kinetic analysis of the phase change. A modified kinetic analysis in which the Onsager reciprocal law and the conservation laws are invoked is presented which removes this discrepancy but which shows that the use of Schrage's equation for predicting mass rates of phase change is a good approximation.

Phosphate glass useful in high energy lasers

DOEpatents

Hayden, Yuiko T.; Guesto-Barnak, Donna

1992-01-01

A low-or no-silica, low- or no-alkali phosphate glass useful as a laser amplifier in a multiple pass, high energy laser system having a high thermal conductivity, K.sub.90.degree. C. >0.85 W/mK, a low coefficient of thermal expansion, .alpha..sub.20.degree.-300.degree. C. <80.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree.C., low emission cross section, .sigma.<2.5.times.10.sup.-20 cm.sup.2, and a high fluorescence lifetime, .tau.>325 .mu.secs at 3 wt. % Nd doping, consisting essentially of (on an oxide composition basis): wherein Ln.sub.2 O.sub.3 is the sum of lanthanide oxides; .SIGMA.R.sub.2 O is <5, R being Li, Na, K, Cs, and Rb; the sum of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and MgO is <24 unless .SIGMA.R.sub.2 O is 0, then the sum of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and MgO is <42; and the ratio of MgO to B.sub.2 O.sub.3 is 0.48-4.20.

Simulation of transformations of thin metal films heated by nanosecond laser pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balandin, V. Yu.; Niedrig, R.; Bostanjoglo, O.

1995-01-01

The ablation of free-standing thin aluminum films by a nanosecond laser pulse was investigated by time-resolved transmission electron microscopy and numerical simulation. It was established that thin film geometry is particularly suited to furnish information on the mechanism of evaporation and the surface tension of the melt. In the case of aluminum the surface tension sigma as function of temperature can be approximated by two linear sections with a coefficient -0.3 x 10(exp -3) N/K m from the melting point 933 K up to 3000 K and -0.02 x 10(exp -3) N/K m above 3000 K, respectively, with sigma(993 K) = 0.9 N/m and sigma(8500 K) = 0. At lower pulse energies the films disintegrated predominantly by thermocapillary flow. Higher pulse energies produced volume evaporation, and a nonmonotonous flow, explained by recoil from evaporating atoms and thermocapillarity. The familiar equations of energy and motion, which presuppose separate and coherent vapor and liquid phases, were not adequate to describe the ablation of the hottest zone. Surface evaporation seemed to be marginal at all laser pulse energies used.

Progress in the determination of the gravitational coefficient of the earth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ries, J. C.; Eanes, R. J.; Shum, C. K.; Watkins, M. M.

1992-01-01

In most of the recent determinations of the geocentric gravitational coefficient (GM) of the earth, the laser ranging data to the Lageos satellite have had the greatest influence on the solution. These data, however, have generally been processed with a small but significant error in one of the range corrections. In a new determination of GM using the corrected center-of-mass offset, a value of 398600.4415 cu km/sq sec (including the mass of the atmosphere) has been obtained, with an estimated uncertainty (1 sigma of 0.0008 cu km/sq sec.

Relativistic tidal properties of neutron stars

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

Damour, Thibault; Nagar, Alessandro; ICRANet, 65122 Pescara

We study the various linear responses of neutron stars to external relativistic tidal fields. We focus on three different tidal responses, associated to three different tidal coefficients: (i) a gravito-electric-type coefficient G{mu}{sub l}=[length]{sup 2l+1} measuring the lth-order mass multipolar moment GM{sub a{sub 1}}{sub ...a{sub I}} induced in a star by an external lth-order gravito-electric tidal field G{sub a{sub 1}}{sub ...a{sub I}}; (ii) a gravito-magnetic-type coefficient G{sigma}{sub l}=[length]{sup 2l+1} measuring the lth spin multipole moment GS{sub a{sub 1}}{sub ...a{sub I}} induced in a star by an external lth-order gravito-magnetic tidal field H{sub a{sub 1}}{sub ...a{sub I}}; and (iii) a dimensionless 'shape'more » Love number h{sub l} measuring the distortion of the shape of the surface of a star by an external lth-order gravito-electric tidal field. All the dimensionless tidal coefficients G{mu}{sub l}/R{sup 2l+1}, G{sigma}{sub l}/R{sup 2l+1}, and h{sub l} (where R is the radius of the star) are found to have a strong sensitivity to the value of the star's 'compactness'c{identical_to}GM/(c{sub 0}{sup 2}R) (where we indicate by c{sub 0} the speed of light). In particular, G{mu}{sub l}/R{sup 2l+1}{approx}k{sub l} is found to strongly decrease, as c increases, down to a zero value as c is formally extended to the 'black hole (BH) limit'c{sup BH}=1/2. The shape Love number h{sub l} is also found to significantly decrease as c increases, though it does not vanish in the formal limit c{yields}c{sup BH}, but is rather found to agree with the recently determined shape Love numbers of black holes. The formal vanishing of {mu}{sub l} and {sigma}{sub l} as c{yields}c{sup BH} is a consequence of the no-hair properties of black holes. This vanishing suggests, but in no way proves, that the effective action describing the gravitational interactions of black holes may not need to be augmented by nonminimal worldline couplings.« less

Surface diffusivity measurements on 8mol.% yttrium oxide-zirconia bicrystals via grain boundary grooving experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nassirou, Maissarath

Thermal grooving at grain boundaries (GBs) is a capillary-driven evolution of surface topography in the region where the grain boundary emerges at a free surface. The study of these topographic changes can provide insight into surface energetics, and in our particular case, the measurement of surface diffusivity. We have measured the surface diffusion coefficient of 8mol% Y 2O3-ZrO2 by studying the formation of thermal grooves. We studied a total of five bicrystals, with well defined orientation relationships; random [110] -60°, random [001] -30°, Sigma13 [001]/{510}, Sigma13 [001]/{320}, Sigma5 [001]/{210}. Our calculations employed the Herring relation (1951), in which the variation in the chemical potential is related to changes in topography. The samples were annealed at 1300°C and 1400°C for various period of time. Atomic Force Microscopy was used to determine the exact geometry of the thermal grooves. A first approach consisted of estimating the diffusion coefficient by using Mullins' equation. yx=0= dsDs1/ 4gb2g s12G 5/4( WkTgs) 1/4t 1/4 Where y(x =0) is the groove depth at the GB triple junction, O is the atomic volume, gs is the surface tension, gb is the grain boundary surface energy, ds is the thickness of the diffusion layer, t is the annealing time, and Ds is the surface diffusion coefficient. In Mullins' derivation, the atomic structure of the surface was ignored and it was assumed that the surface energy is independent of crystallographic orientation. In the case of zirconia, the surface energy is anisotropic. We will describe in this work a new approach to measuring surface diffusivity which accounts for the surface energy anisotropy. The study of these bicrystals will emphasize the effect of grain boundary structure on the surface diffusion coefficient, and it is for that purpose that we selected bicrystals with different tilt axes and angles. The results obtained using the equation set we have developed will be compared to those obtained by Mullins, and we show that the anisotropic groove evolution, even when perfectly symmetrical, is much slower than the corresponding isotropic case.

Uniwavelength lidar sensitivity to spherical aerosol microphysical properties for the interpretation of Lagrangian stratospheric observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jumelet, Julien; David, Christine; Bekki, Slimane; Keckhut, Philippe

2009-01-01

The determination of stratospheric particle microphysical properties from multiwavelength lidar, including Rayleigh and/or Raman detection, has been widely investigated. However, most lidar systems are uniwavelength operating at 532 nm. Although the information content of such lidar data is too limited to allow the retrieval of the full size distribution, the coupling of two or more uniwavelength lidar measurements probing the same moving air parcel may provide some meaningful size information. Within the ORACLE-O3 IPY project, the coordination of several ground-based lidars and the CALIPSO (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation) space-borne lidar is planned during measurement campaigns called MATCH-PSC (Polar Stratospheric Clouds). While probing the same moving air masses, the evolution of the measured backscatter coefficient (BC) should reflect the variation of particles microphysical properties. A sensitivity study of 532 nm lidar particle backscatter to variations of particles size distribution parameters is carried out. For simplicity, the particles are assumed to be spherical (liquid) particles and the size distribution is represented with a unimodal log-normal distribution. Each of the four microphysical parameters (i.e. log-normal size distribution parameters, refractive index) are analysed separately, while the three others are remained set to constant reference values. Overall, the BC behaviour is not affected by the initial values taken as references. The total concentration (N0) is the parameter to which BC is least sensitive, whereas it is most sensitive to the refractive index (m). A 2% variation of m induces a 15% variation of the lidar BC, while the uncertainty on the BC retrieval can also reach 15%. This result underlines the importance of having both an accurate lidar inversion method and a good knowledge of the temperature for size distribution retrieval techniques. The standard deviation ([sigma]) is the second parameter to which BC is most sensitive to. Yet, the impact of m and [sigma] on BC variations is limited by the realistic range of their variations. The mean radius (rm) of the size distribution is thus the key parameter for BC, as it can vary several-fold. BC is most sensitive to the presence of large particles. The sensitivity of BC to rm and [sigma] variations increases when the initial size distributions are characterized by low rm and large [sigma]. This makes lidar more suitable to detect particles growing on background aerosols than on volcanic aerosols.

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

Feoli, A.; Mancini, L., E-mail: feoli@unisannio.i, E-mail: lmancini@physics.unisa.i

We show that the relation between the mass of supermassive black holes located in the center of the host galaxies and the kinetic energy of random motions of the corresponding bulges is a useful tool to study the evolution of galaxies. In the form log{sub 10}(M-dot)=b+m log{sub 10}(M{sub G}sigma{sup 2}/c{sup 2}), the best-fitting results for a sample of 64 galaxies of various morphological types are the slope m = 0.80 +- 0.03 and the normalization b = 4.53 +- 0.13. We note that, in analogy with the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram for stars, each morphological type of galaxy generally occupies a differentmore » area in the M{sub .}-(M{sub G}sigma{sup 2})/c {sup 2} plane. In particular, we find elliptical galaxies in the upper part of the line of best fit, the lenticular galaxies in the middle part, and the late-type galaxies in the lower part, the mass of the central black hole giving an estimate of the age, whereas the kinetic energy of the stellar bulges is directly connected with the temperature of each galactic system. Finally, the values of the linear correlation coefficient, the intrinsic scatter, and the chi{sup 2} obtained by using the M{sub .}-M{sub G}sigma{sup 2} relation are better than the corresponding ones obtained from the M{sub .}-sigma or the M{sub .}-M {sub G} relation.« less

Using wave intensity analysis to determine local reflection coefficient in flexible tubes.

PubMed

Li, Ye; Parker, Kim H; Khir, Ashraf W

2016-09-06

It has been shown that reflected waves affect the shape and magnitude of the arterial pressure waveform, and that reflected waves have physiological and clinical prognostic values. In general the reflection coefficient is defined as the ratio of the energy of the reflected to the incident wave. Since pressure has the units of energy per unit volume, arterial reflection coefficient are traditionally defined as the ratio of reflected to the incident pressure. We demonstrate that this approach maybe prone to inaccuracies when applied locally. One of the main objectives of this work is to examine the possibility of using wave intensity, which has units of energy flux per unit area, to determine the reflection coefficient. We used an in vitro experimental setting with a single inlet tube joined to a second tube with different properties to form a single reflection site. The second tube was long enough to ensure that reflections from its outlet did not obscure the interactions of the initial wave. We generated an approximately half sinusoidal wave at the inlet of the tube and took measurements of pressure and flow along the tube. We calculated the reflection coefficient using wave intensity (R dI and R dI 0.5 ) and wave energy (R I and R I 0.5 ) as well as the measured pressure (R dP ) and compared these results with the reflection coefficient calculated theoretically based on the mechanical properties of the tubes. The experimental results show that the reflection coefficients determined by all the techniques we studied increased or decreased with distance from the reflection site, depending on the type of reflection. In our experiments, R dP , R dI 0.5 and R I 0.5 are the most reliable parameters to measure the mean reflection coefficient, whilst R dI and R I provide the best measure of the local reflection coefficient, closest to the reflection site. Additional work with bifurcations, tapered tubes and in vivo experiments are needed to further understand, validate the method and assess its potential clinical use. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Self-diffusion coefficients and shear viscosity of inverse power fluids: from hard- to soft-spheres.

PubMed

Heyes, D M; Brańka, A C

2008-07-21

Molecular dynamics computer simulation has been used to compute the self-diffusion coefficient, D, and shear viscosity, eta(s), of soft-sphere fluids, in which the particles interact through the soft-sphere or inverse power pair potential, phi(r) = epsilon(sigma/r)(n), where n measures the steepness or stiffness of the potential, and epsilon and sigma are a characteristic energy and distance, respectively. The simulations were carried out on monodisperse systems for a range of n values from the hard-sphere (n --> infinity) limit down to n = 4, and up to densities in excess of the fluid-solid co-existence value. A new analytical procedure is proposed which reproduces the transport coefficients at high densities, and can be used to extrapolate the data to densities higher than accurately accessible by simulation or experiment, and tending to the glass transition. This formula, DX(c-1) proportional, variant A/X + B, where c is an adjustable parameter, and X is either the packing fraction or the pressure, is a development of one proposed by Dymond. In the expression, -A/B is the value of X at the ideal glass transition (i.e., where D and eta(s)(-1) --> 0). Estimated values are presented for the packing fraction and the pressure at the glass transition for n values between the hard and soft particle limits. The above expression is also shown to reproduce the high density viscosity data of supercritical argon, krypton and nitrogen. Fits to the soft-sphere simulation transport coefficients close to solid-fluid co-existence are also made using the analytic form, ln(D) = alpha(X)X, and n-dependence of the alpha(X) is presented (X is either the packing fraction or the pressure).

Performance of a Novel Repositioning Head Frame for Gamma Knife Perfexion and Image-Guided Linac-Based Intracranial Stereotactic Radiotherapy

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

Ruschin, Mark, E-mail: Mark.Ruschin@rmp.uhn.on.c; Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto; Nayebi, Nazanin

2010-09-01

Purpose: To evaluate the geometric positioning and immobilization performance of a vacuum bite-block repositioning head frame (RHF) system for Perfexion (PFX-SRT) and linac-based intracranial image-guided stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT). Methods and Materials: Patients with intracranial tumors received linac-based image-guided SRT using the RHF for setup and immobilization. Three hundred thirty-three fractions of radiation were delivered in 12 patients. The accuracy of the RHF was estimated for linac-based SRT with online cone-beam CT (CBCT) and for PFX-SRT with a repositioning check tool (RCT) and offline CBCT. The RCT's ability to act as a surrogate for anatomic position was estimated through comparison tomore » CBCT image matching. Immobilization performance was evaluated daily with pre- and postdose delivery CBCT scans and RCT measurements. Results: The correlation coefficient between RCT- and CBCT-reported displacements was 0.59, 0.75, 0.79 (Right, Superior, and Anterior, respectively). For image-guided linac-based SRT, the mean three-dimensional (3D) setup error was 0.8 mm with interpatient ({Sigma}) and interfraction ({sigma}) variations of 0.1 and 0.4 mm, respectively. For PFX-SRT, the initial, uncorrected mean 3D positioning displacement in stereotactic coordinates was 2.0 mm, with {Sigma} = 1.1 mm and {sigma} = 0.8 mm. Considering only RCT setups <1mm (PFX action level) the mean 3D positioning displacement reduced to 1.3 mm, with {Sigma} = 0.9 mm and {sigma} = 0.4 mm. The largest contributing systematic uncertainty was in the superior-inferior direction (mean displacement = -0.5 mm; {Sigma} = 0.9 mm). The largest mean rotation was 0.6{sup o} in pitch. The mean 3D intrafraction motion was 0.4 {+-} 0.3 mm. Conclusion: The RHF provides excellent immobilization for intracranial SRT and PFX-SRT. Some small systematic uncertainties in stereotactic positioning exist and must be considered when generating PFX-SRT treatment plans. The RCT provides reasonable surrogacy for internal anatomic displacement.« less

Wear and breakage monitoring of cutting tools by an optical method: theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jianfeng; Zhang, Yongqing; Chen, Fangrong; Tian, Zhiren; Wang, Yao

1996-10-01

An essential part of a machining system in the unmanned flexible manufacturing system, is the ability to automatically change out tools that are worn or damaged. An optoelectronic method for in situ monitoring of the flank wear and breakage of cutting tools is presented. A flank wear estimation system is implemented in a laboratory environment, and its performance is evaluated through turning experiments. The flank wear model parameters that need to be known a priori are determined through several preliminary experiments, or from data available in the literature. The resulting cutting conditions are typical of those used in finishing cutting operations. Through time and amplitude domain analysis of the cutting tool wear states and breakage states, it is found that the original signal digital specificity (sigma) 2x and the self correlation coefficient (rho) (m) can reflect the change regularity of the cutting tool wear and break are determined, but which is not enough due to the complexity of the wear and break procedure of cutting tools. Time series analysis and frequency spectrum analysis will be carried out, which will be described in the later papers.

Tomography using monochromatic thermal neutrons with attenuation and phase contrast

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dubus, Francois; Bonse, Ulrich; Biermann, Theodor; Baron, Matthias; Beckmann, Felix; Zawisky, Michael

2002-01-01

Attenuation-contrast tomography with monochromatic thermal neutrons was developed and operated at guide station S18 of the institute Laue-Langevin in Grenoble. From the S18 spectrum the neutron wavelength (lambda) equals 0.18 nm was selected by employing a fore crystal with the silicon 220 reflection at a Bragg angle (Theta) equals 30 degrees. Projections were registered by a position sensitive detector (PSD) consisting of a neutron-to-visible-light converter coupled to a CCD detector. Neutron tomography and its comparison with X-ray tomography is studied. This is of special interest since the cross section for neutron attenuation ((sigma) atom) and the cross section for neutron phase shift (bc) are isotope specific and, in addition, by no means mostly monotonous functions of atomic number Z as are attenuation coefficient ((mu) x) and atomic scattering amplitude (f) in the case of X-rays. Results obtained with n-attenuation tomography will be presented. Possibilities and the setup of an instrument for neutron phase-contrast tomography based on single-crystal neutron interferometry will be described.

Understanding the power reflection and transmission coefficients of a plane wave at a planar interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ye, Qian; Jiang, Yikun; Lin, Haoze

2017-03-01

In most textbooks, after discussing the partial transmission and reflection of a plane wave at a planar interface, the power (energy) reflection and transmission coefficients are introduced by calculating the normal-to-interface components of the Poynting vectors for the incident, reflected and transmitted waves, separately. Ambiguity arises among students since, for the Poynting vector to be interpreted as the energy flux density, on the incident (reflected) side, the electric and magnetic fields involved must be the total fields, namely, the sum of incident and reflected fields, instead of the partial fields which are just the incident (reflected) fields. The interpretation of the cross product of partial fields as energy flux has not been obviously justified in most textbooks. Besides, the plane wave is actually an idealisation that is only ever found in textbooks, then what do the reflection and transmission coefficients evaluated for a plane wave really mean for a real beam of limited extent? To provide a clearer physical picture, we exemplify a light beam of finite transverse extent by a fundamental Gaussian beam and simulate its reflection and transmission at a planar interface. Due to its finite transverse extent, we can then insert the incident fields or reflected fields as total fields into the expression of the Poynting vector to evaluate the energy flux and then power reflection and transmission coefficients. We demonstrate that the power reflection and transmission coefficients of a beam of finite extent turn out to be the weighted sum of the corresponding coefficients for all constituent plane wave components that form the beam. The power reflection and transmission coefficients of a single plane wave serve, in turn, as the asymptotes for the corresponding coefficients of a light beam as its width expands infinitely.

Transport coefficients of hard-sphere mixtures. II. Diameter ratio 0. 4 and mass ratio 0. 03 at low density

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

Erpenbeck, J.J.

1992-02-15

The transport coefficients of shear viscosity, thermal conductivity, thermal diffusion, and mutual diffusion are estimated for a binary, equimolar mixture of hard spheres having a diameter ratio of 0.4 and a mass ratio of 0.03 at volumes of 5{ital V}{sub 0}, 10{ital V}{sub 0}, and 20{ital V}{sub 0} (where {ital V}{sub 0}=1/2 {radical}2 {ital N} {ital tsum}{sub {ital a}} x{sub {ital a}}{sigma}{sub {ital a}}{sup 3}, {ital x}{sub {ital a}} are mole fractions, {sigma}{sub {ital a}} are diameters, and {ital N} is the number of particles) through Monte Carlo, molecular-dynamics calculations using the Green-Kubo formulas. Calculations are reported for as fewmore » as 108 and as many as 4000 particles, but not for each value of the volume. Both finite-system and long-time-tail corrections are applied to obtain estimates of the transport coefficients in the thermodynamic limit; corrections of both types are found to be small. The results are compared with the predictions of the revised Enskog theory and the linear density corrections to that theory are reported. The mean free time is also computed as a function of density and the linear and quadratic corrections to the Boltzmann theory are estimated. The mean free time is also compared with the expression from the Mansoori-Carnahan-Starling-Leland equation of state.« less

An experimental study of the intersystem crossing and reactions of C2(X1Sigmag+) and C2(a3Pi(u)) with O2 and NO at very low temperature (24-300 K).

PubMed

Páramo, Alejandra; Canosa, André; Le Picard, Sébastien D; Sims, Ian R

2006-03-09

A low-temperature gas-phase kinetics study of the reactions and collisional relaxation processes involving C2(X1Sigma(g)+) and C2(a3Pi(u)) in collision with O2 and NO partners at temperatures from 300 to 24 K is reported. The experiments employed a CRESU (Cinétique de Réaction en Ecoulement Supersonique Uniforme) apparatus to attain low temperatures. The C2 species were created using pulsed laser photolysis at 193 nm of mixtures containing C2Cl4 diluted in N2, Ar, or He carrier gas. C2(X1Sigma(g)+) molecules were detected via pulsed laser-induced fluorescence in the (D1Sigma(u)+ <-- X1Sigma(g)+) system, and C2(a3Pi(u)) molecules were detected via pulsed laser-induced fluorescence in the (d 3Pi(g) <-- a 3Pi(u)) system. Relaxation of 3C2 by intersystem crossing induced by oxygen was measured at temperatures below 200 K, and it was found that this process remains very efficient in the temperature range 50-200 K. Reactivity of C2(X1Sigma(g)+) with oxygen became very inefficient below room temperature. Using these two observations, it was found to be possible to obtain the C2(X1Sigma(g)+) state alone at low temperatures by addition of a suitable concentration of O2 and then study its reactivity with NO without any interference coming from the possible relaxation of C2(a3Pi(u)) to C2(X1Sigma(g)+) induced by this reagent. The rate coefficient for reaction of C2(X1Sigma(g)+) with NO was found to be essentially constant over the temperature range 36-300 K with an average value of (1.6 +/- 0.1) x 10(-10) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1). Reactivity of C2(a3Pi(u)) with NO was found to possess a slight negative temperature dependence over the temperature range 50-300 K, which is in very good agreement with data obtained at higher temperatures.

Characterization of Damage Progression in SCS-6/timetal 21S (0)4 Under Thermomechanical Fatigue Loadings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Castelli, Michael G.

1994-01-01

A detailed experimental investigation was performed at a single maximum cyclic stress (sigma max) level to physically characterize the progression of thermomechanical fatigue (lW) damage in continuously reinforced (0 deg) SCS-6/Timetal 21S, a titanium matrix composite. In-phase (IP) and out of-phase (OP) loadings were investigated at sigma max = 1000 MPa with a temperature cycle from 150 to 6500 C. Damage progression, in terms of macroscopic property degradation, was experimentally quantified through an advanced TMF test methodology which incorporates explicit measurements of the isothermal static moduli at the TMF temperature extremes and the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) as functions of the TMF cycles. Detailed characterization of the physical damage progression at the microstructural level was performed by interrupting multiple TMF tests at various stages of mechanical property degradation and analyzing the microstructure through extensive destructive metallography. Further, the extent of damage was also quantified through residual static strength measurements. Results indicated that damage initiation occurred very early in cyclic life (N less than 0.1Nf) for both the IP and OP TMF loadings. IP TMF damage was found to be dominated by fiber breakage with a physical damage progression in the microstructure which was difficult to quantify. OP TMF loadings produced matrix cracking exclusively associated with surface initiations. Here, damage progression was easily distinguished in terms of both the number of cracks and their relative inward progressions toward the outer fiber rows with increased cycling. The point at which the leading cracks reached the outer fiber rows (when localized fiber/matrix de-bonding and matrix crack bridging occurred) appeared to be reflected in the macroscopic property degradation curves.

A Flexible Parameterization for Shortwave Optical Properties of Ice Crystals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

VanDiedenhoven, Bastiaan; Ackerman, Andrew S.; Cairns, Brian; Fridlind, Ann M.

2014-01-01

A parameterization is presented that provides extinction cross section sigma (sub e), single-scattering albedo omega, and asymmetry parameter (g) of ice crystals for any combination of volume, projected area, aspect ratio, and crystal distortion at any wavelength in the shortwave. Similar to previous parameterizations, the scheme makes use of geometric optics approximations and the observation that optical properties of complex, aggregated ice crystals can be well approximated by those of single hexagonal crystals with varying size, aspect ratio, and distortion levels. In the standard geometric optics implementation used here, sigma (sub e) is always twice the particle projected area. It is shown that omega is largely determined by the newly defined absorption size parameter and the particle aspect ratio. These dependences are parameterized using a combination of exponential, lognormal, and polynomial functions. The variation of (g) with aspect ratio and crystal distortion is parameterized for one reference wavelength using a combination of several polynomials. The dependences of g on refractive index and omega are investigated and factors are determined to scale the parameterized (g) to provide values appropriate for other wavelengths. The parameterization scheme consists of only 88 coefficients. The scheme is tested for a large variety of hexagonal crystals in several wavelength bands from 0.2 to 4 micron, revealing absolute differences with reference calculations of omega and (g) that are both generally below 0.015. Over a large variety of cloud conditions, the resulting root-mean-squared differences with reference calculations of cloud reflectance, transmittance, and absorptance are 1.4%, 1.1%, and 3.4%, respectively. Some practical applications of the parameterization in atmospheric models are highlighted.

High Resolution Topography of Age-Related Changes in Non-Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Electroencephalography

PubMed Central

Sprecher, Kate E.; Riedner, Brady A.; Smith, Richard F.; Tononi, Giulio; Davidson, Richard J.; Benca, Ruth M.

2016-01-01

Sleeping brain activity reflects brain anatomy and physiology. The aim of this study was to use high density (256 channel) electroencephalography (EEG) during sleep to characterize topographic changes in sleep EEG power across normal aging, with high spatial resolution. Sleep was evaluated in 92 healthy adults aged 18–65 years old using full polysomnography and high density EEG. After artifact removal, spectral power density was calculated for standard frequency bands for all channels, averaged across the NREM periods of the first 3 sleep cycles. To quantify topographic changes with age, maps were generated of the Pearson’s coefficient of the correlation between power and age at each electrode. Significant correlations were determined by statistical non-parametric mapping. Absolute slow wave power declined significantly with increasing age across the entire scalp, whereas declines in theta and sigma power were significant only in frontal regions. Power in fast spindle frequencies declined significantly with increasing age frontally, whereas absolute power of slow spindle frequencies showed no significant change with age. When EEG power was normalized across the scalp, a left centro-parietal region showed significantly less age-related decline in power than the rest of the scalp. This partial preservation was particularly significant in the slow wave and sigma bands. The effect of age on sleep EEG varies substantially by region and frequency band. This non-uniformity should inform the design of future investigations of aging and sleep. This study provides normative data on the effect of age on sleep EEG topography, and provides a basis from which to explore the mechanisms of normal aging as well as neurodegenerative disorders for which age is a risk factor. PMID:26901503

Effect of sodium chloride gradients on water flux in rat descending vasa recta.

PubMed

Pallone, T L

1991-01-01

In the hydropenic kidney, volume efflux from descending vasa recta (DVR) occurs despite an intracapillary oncotic pressure that exceeds hydraulic pressure. That finding has been attributed to small solute gradients which may provide an additional osmotic driving force favoring water transport from DVR plasma to the papillary interstitium. To test this hypothesis, axial gradients of NaCl and urea in the papilla were eliminated by administration of furosemide and saline. DVR were then blocked with paraffin and microperfused at 10 nl/min with a buffer containing albumin, fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled dextran (FITC-Dx), 22Na, and NaCl in a concentration of 0 (hypotonic to the interstitium), 161 (isotonic) or 322 mM (hypertonic). Collectate was obtained from the perfused DVR by micropuncture and the collectate-to-perfusate ratios of FITC-Dx and 22Na were measured. A mathematical model was employed to determine DVR permeability (Ps) and reflection coefficient to NaCl (sigma NaCl). The rate of transport of water from the DVR lumen to the papillary interstitium was 2.8 +/- 0.3 (Nv = 22), -0.19 +/- 0.4 (Nv = 15), and -2.3 +/- 0.3 nl/min (Nv = 21) (mean +/- SE) when perfusate NaCl was 0, 161, or 322 mM, respectively (Nv = number of DVR perfused). The collectate-to-perfusate 22Na concentration ratios were 0.34 +/- 0.04, 0.36 +/- 0.04 and 0.37 +/- 0.03 for those groups, respectively. Based on these data, Ps is calculated to be 60.4 x 10(-5) +/- 4.0 x 10(-5) cm/s and sigma NaCl less than 0.05. The results of this study confirm that transcapillary NaCl concentrations gradients induce water movement across the wall of the DVR.

Evaluating Laboratory Performance on Point-of-Care Glucose Testing with Six Sigma Metric for 151 Institutions in China.

PubMed

Fei, Yang; Wang, Wei; He, Falin; Zhong, Kun; Wang, Zhiguo

2015-10-01

The aim of this study was to use Six Sigma(SM) (Motorola Trademark Holdings, Libertyville, IL) techniques to analyze the quality of point-of-care (POC) glucose testing measurements quantitatively and to provide suggestions for improvement. In total, 151 laboratories in China were included in this investigation in 2014. Bias and coefficient of variation were collected from an external quality assessment and an internal quality control program, respectively, for POC glucose testing organized by the National Center for Clinical Laboratories. The σ values and the Quality Goal Index were used to evaluate the performance of POC glucose meters. There were 27, 30, 57, and 37 participants in the groups using Optium Xceed™ (Abbott Diabetes Care, Alameda, CA), Accu-Chek(®) Performa (Roche, Basel, Switzerland), One Touch Ultra(®) (Abbott), and "other" meters, respectively. The median of the absolute value of percentage difference varied among different lots and different groups. Among all the groups, the Abbott One Touch Ultra group had the smallest median of absolute value of percentage difference except for lot 201411, whereas the "other" group had the largest median in all five lots. More than 85% of participate laboratories satisfied the total allowable error (TEa) requirement in International Organization for Standardization standard 15197:2013, and 85.43% (129/151) of laboratories obtained intralaboratory coefficient of variations less than 1/3TEa. However, Six Sigma techniques suggested that 41.72% (63/151) to 65.56% (99/151) of the laboratories needed to improve their POC glucose testing performance, in either precision, trueness, or both. Laboratories should pay more attention on the practice of POC glucose testing and take actions to improve their performance. Only in this way can POC glucose testing really function well in clinical practice.

Study of the H + O + M reaction forming OH{sup *}: Kinetics of OH{sup *} chemiluminescence in hydrogen combustion systems

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

Kathrotia, T.; Riedel, U.; Fikri, M.

The temporal variation of OH{sup *} (A{sup 2}{sigma}{sup +}) chemiluminescence in hydrogen oxidation chemistry has been studied in a shock tube behind reflected shock waves at temperatures of 1400-3300 K and at a pressure of 1 bar. The aim of the present work is to obtain a validated reaction scheme to describe OH{sup *} formation in the H{sub 2}/O{sub 2} system. Temporal OH{sup *} emission profiles and ignition delay times for lean and stoichiometric H{sub 2}/O{sub 2} mixtures diluted in 97-98% argon were obtained from the shock-tube experiments. Based on a literature review for the hydrogen combustion system, the keymore » reaction considered was H + O + M = OH{sup *} + M. The temperature dependence of the measured peak OH{sup *} emission from the shock tube and the peak OH{sup *} concentration from a homogeneous closed reactor model are compared. Based on these results a reaction rate coefficient of k{sub 1} = (1.5 {+-} 0.4) x 10{sup 13} exp(-25 kJ mol{sup -1}/RT) cm{sup 6} mol{sup -2} s{sup -1} was found for the forward reaction which is slightly higher than the rate coefficient suggested by Hidaka et al. (1982). The comparison of measured and simulated absolute concentrations shows good agreement. Additionally, a one-dimensional laminar premixed low-pressure flame calculation was performed for where absolute OH{sup *} concentration measurements have been reported by Smith et al. (2005). The absolute peak OH{sup *} concentration is fairly well reproduced if the above mentioned rate coefficient is used in the simulation. (author)« less

The Effect of the Spin-Forbidden Co((sup 1) Sigma plus) plus O((sup 3) P) Yields CO2 (1 Sigma (sub G) plus) Recombination Reaction on Afterbody Heating of Mars Entry Vehicles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Xu, Lu T.; Jaffe, Richard L.; Schwenke, David W.; Panesi, Marco

2017-01-01

Vibrationally excited CO2, formed by two-body recombination from CO((sup 1) sigma plus) and O((sup 3) P) in the wake behind spacecraft entering the Martian atmosphere reaction, is potentially responsible for the higher than anticipated radiative heating of the backshell, compared to pre-flight predictions. This process involves a spin-forbidden transition of the transient triplet CO2 molecule to the longer-lived singlet. To accurately predict the singlet-triplet transition probability and estimate the thermal rate coefficient of the recombination reaction, ab initio methods were used to compute the first singlet and three lowest triplet CO2 potential energy surfaces and the spin-orbit coupling matrix elements between these states. Analytical fits to these four potential energy surfaces were generated for surface hopping trajectory calculations, using Tully's fewest switches surface hopping algorithm. Preliminary results for the trajectory calculations are presented. The calculated probability of a CO((sup 1) sigma plus) and O((sup 3) P) collision leading to singlet CO2 formation is on the order of 10 (sup -4). The predicted flowfield conditions for various Mars entry scenarios predict temperatures in the range of 1000 degrees Kelvin - 4000 degrees Kelvin and pressures in the range of 300-2500 pascals at the shoulder and in the wake, which is consistent with a heavy-particle collision frequency of 10 (sup 6) to 10 (sup 7) per second. Owing to this low collision frequency, it is likely that CO((sup 1) sigma plus) molecules formed by this mechanism will mostly be frozen in a highly nonequilibrium rovibrational energy state until they relax by photoemission.

Resurgence and dynamics of O(N) and Grassmannian sigma models

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

Dunne, Gerald V.; Unsal, Mithat

Here, we study the non-perturbative dynamics of the two dimensional O( N) and Grassmannian sigma models by using compactification with twisted boundary conditions on R× S 1, semi-classical techniques and resurgence. While the O(N) model has no instantons for N > 3, it has (non-instanton) saddles on R 2, which we call 2d-saddles. On R× S 1, the resurgent relation between perturbation theory and non-perturbative physics is encoded in new saddles, which are associated with the affine root system of the o( N) algebra. These events may be viewed as fractionalizations of the 2d-saddles. The first beta function coefficient, givenmore » by the dual Coxeter number, can then be intepreted as the sum of the multiplicities (dual Kac labels) of these fractionalized objects. Surprisingly, the new saddles in O( N) models in compactified space are in one-to-one correspondence with monopole-instanton saddles in SO( N) gauge theory on R 3×S 1. The Grassmannian sigma models Gr( N, M) have 2d instantons, which fractionalize into N kink-instantons. The small circle dynamics of both sigma models can be described as a dilute gas of the one-events and two-events, bions. One-events are the leading source of a variety of non-perturbative effects, and produce the strong scale of the 2d theory in the compactified theory. We show that in both types of sigma models the neutral bion emulates the role of IR-renormalons. We also study the topological theta angle dependence in both the O(3) model and Gr( N, M), and describe the multi-branched structure of the observables in terms of the theta-angle dependence of the saddle amplitudes, providing a microscopic argument for Haldane’s conjecture.« less

Resurgence and dynamics of O(N) and Grassmannian sigma models

DOE PAGES

Dunne, Gerald V.; Unsal, Mithat

2015-09-29

Here, we study the non-perturbative dynamics of the two dimensional O( N) and Grassmannian sigma models by using compactification with twisted boundary conditions on R× S 1, semi-classical techniques and resurgence. While the O(N) model has no instantons for N > 3, it has (non-instanton) saddles on R 2, which we call 2d-saddles. On R× S 1, the resurgent relation between perturbation theory and non-perturbative physics is encoded in new saddles, which are associated with the affine root system of the o( N) algebra. These events may be viewed as fractionalizations of the 2d-saddles. The first beta function coefficient, givenmore » by the dual Coxeter number, can then be intepreted as the sum of the multiplicities (dual Kac labels) of these fractionalized objects. Surprisingly, the new saddles in O( N) models in compactified space are in one-to-one correspondence with monopole-instanton saddles in SO( N) gauge theory on R 3×S 1. The Grassmannian sigma models Gr( N, M) have 2d instantons, which fractionalize into N kink-instantons. The small circle dynamics of both sigma models can be described as a dilute gas of the one-events and two-events, bions. One-events are the leading source of a variety of non-perturbative effects, and produce the strong scale of the 2d theory in the compactified theory. We show that in both types of sigma models the neutral bion emulates the role of IR-renormalons. We also study the topological theta angle dependence in both the O(3) model and Gr( N, M), and describe the multi-branched structure of the observables in terms of the theta-angle dependence of the saddle amplitudes, providing a microscopic argument for Haldane’s conjecture.« less

Polarization Reversal Over Flooded Regions and Applications to Large-Scale Flood Mapping with Spaceborne Scatterometers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nghiem, Son V.; Liu, W. Timothy; Xie, Xiao-Su

1999-01-01

We present the polarization reversal in backscatter over flooded land regions, and demonstrate for the first time the utility of spaceborne Ku-band scatterometer for large-scale flood mapping. Scatterometer data were collected over the globe by the NASA Scatterometer (NSCAT) operated at 14 GHz on the Japanese ADEOS spacecraft from September 1996 to June 1997. During this time span, several severe floods occurred. Over most land surface, vertical polarization backscatter (Sigma(sub upsilon(upsilon)) is larger than horizontal polarization backscatter (sigma(sub hh)). Such polarization characteristics is reversed and sigma(sub upsilon(upsilon)) is smaller than sigma(sub hh) over flooded regions, except under a dense forest canopy. The total backscatter from the flooded landscape consists of direct backscatter and boundary-interaction backscatter. The direct term is contributed by direct backscattering from objects protruding above the water surface, and by backscattering from waves on the water surface. The boundary-interaction term is contributed by the forward scattering from the protruding objects and then reflected from the water surface, and also by the forward scattering from these objects after the water-surface reflection. Over flooded regions, the boundary-interaction term is dominant at large incidence angles and the strong water-surface reflection is much larger for horizontal polarization than the vertical one due to the Brewster effect in transverse-magnetic waves. These scattering mechanisms cause the polarization reversal over flooded regions. An example obtained with the Analytic Wave Theory is used to illustrate the scattering mechanisms leading to the polarization reversal. We then demonstrate the utility of spaceborne Ku-band scatterometer for large-scale flood mapping. We process NSCAT data to obtain the polarization ratio sigma(sub hh)/sigma(sub upsilon(upsilon)) with colocated data at incidence angles larger than 40 deg. The results over Asian summer monsoon regions in September-October 1996 indicate flooded areas in many countries such as Bangladesh, India, Lao, Vietnam, Cambodia, and China. Reports documented by the United Nation Department of Humanitarian Affairs (now called UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) show loss of many lives and severe flood related damages which affected many million people in the corresponding flooded areas. We also map the NSCAT polarization ratio over the same regions in the "dry season" in January 1997 as a reference to confirm our results. Furthermore, we obtain concurrent ocean wind fields also derived from NSCAT data, and Asia topographic data (USGS GTOPO30) to investigate the flooded area. The results show that winds during summer monsoon season blowing inland, which perplex flood problems. Overlaying the topographic map over NSCAT results reveals an excellent correspondence between the confinement of flooded area within the relevant topographic features, which very well illustrates the value of topographic wetness index. Finally, we discuss the applications of future spaceborne scatterometers, including QuikSCAT and Seawinds, for flood mapping over the globe.

The molecular oxygen dayglow emissions as proxies for atomic oxygen and ozone in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yankovsky, Valentine A.; Manuilova, Rada; Martyshenko, Kseniia

Currently there is no reliable method for remote sensing of altitude profile of the [O( (3) P)] in the daytime mesosphere and lower thermosphere, but atomic oxygen is a key component in the mechanism of the atmosphere cooling by quenching of vibrationally excited CO _{2} molecules and also one of basic quencher of electronically excited components in MLT region. On the other hand, airglow emission in 1.27 mum IR Atm(0 - 0) band from O _{2}(a (1) Delta _{g}, v = 0) has been used as a proxy for [O _{3}] in MLT for over a decade. However, this method is not suitable for detecting of relatively rapid [O _{3}] variations which occur due to the variability of the solar spectrum in the UV range (120 - 320 nm) and other space factors. The reason of above mentioned is the large value of photochemical lifetime of the O _{2}(a (1) Delta _{g}, v = 0) molecule which is within tau _{O2(a)} =3 (.) 10 (2) - 1 (.) 10 (3) s in the mesosphere and reaches 3 (.) 10 (3) s in the lower thermosphere. The aim of this study is revealing of proxies for retrievals of [O( (3) P)] and [O _{3}]. In the framework of developed model of electronic vibrational kinetics of excited products of O _{3} and O _{2} photolysis in MLT of the Earth (model YM-2011) [1] we solved direct problem for the system of 10 kinetic equations for populations of electronically-vibrationally excited levels of oxygen molecule O _{2}(a (1) Delta _{g}, v=0 - 5), O _{2}(b (1) Sigma (+) _{g}, v=0, 1, 2) and excited oxygen atom O( (1) D). In whole, more than 60 aeronomical reactions of photoexcitation and deexcitation, of energy transfer between these excited levels and of quenching of the levels in collisions with O( (3) P), O _{2}, N _{2}, O _{3} and CO _{2} are considered. Sensitivity analysis of obtained solutions showed that emissions in 629 nm band of the O _{2}(b (1) Sigma (+) _{g}, v=2) and 762 nm band of the O _{2}(b (1) Sigma (+) _{g}, v=0) molecules can be effective proxies for atomic oxygen in the altitude range 85 - 120 km (logarithmic sensitivity coefficients of intensities of these emissions to [O( (3) P)] variation are S= -0.90±0.05 and S= -0.5±0.1, consequently). Also sensitivity analysis for all the considered excited oxygen components showed that emissions in 770 nm band of the O _{2}(b (1) Sigma (+) _{g}, v=1) and 1.27 mum band of the O _{2}(a (1) Delta _{g}, v = 0) molecules can be effective proxies for [O _{3}] retrieval in the altitude range 50 - 110 km (sensitivity coefficients to [O _{3}] variations are S=+0.95±0.05 for both emissions). Possible alternative candidates of proxies for [O _{3}] namely (O _{2}(b (1) Sigma (+) _{g}, v=2), O _{2}(b (1) Sigma (+) _{g}, v=0) and O _{2}(a (1) Delta _{g}, v=1 - 5)) have the sensitivity coefficients to [O _{3}] variations which are one - two orders of magnitude smaller. It must be emphasized that photochemical lifetimes of emitting O _{2}(b (1) Sigma (+) _{g}, v) molecules do not exceed tau _{O2(b,v}) =1.0 s below the mesopause and 10 s in the lower thermosphere (upto 120 km), while tau _{O2(a)} =3 (.) 10 (2) - 3 (.) 10 (3) s. Based on the results , we can recommend the new methods of [O( (3) P)] and [O _{3}] retrieval in MLT from the measurements of the intensities of O _{2}(b (1) Sigma (+) _{g}, v) emission bands. The methods is suitable for undisturbed conditions as well as for periodic and non-periodic short perturbations in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere. 1. Yankovsky V. A., Manuilova R. O., Babaev A. S., Feofilov A. G., Kutepov A. A. 2011. Model of electronic-vibrational kinetics of the O _{3} and O _{2} photolysis products in the middle atmosphere: applications to water vapor retrievals from SABER/TIMED 6.3 mum radiance measurements. International Journal of Remote Sensing, V. 33, N. 12, P. 3065-3078.

Quantum chemical study of the mechanism of reaction between NH (X 3sigma-) and H2, H2O, and CO2 under combustion conditions.

PubMed

Mackie, John C; Bacskay, George B

2005-12-29

Reactions of ground-state NH (3sigma-) radicals with H2, H2O, and CO2 have been investigated quantum chemically, whereby the stationary points of the appropriate reaction potential energy surfaces, that is, reactants, products, intermediates, and transition states, have been identified at the G3//B3LYP level of theory. Reaction between NH and H2 takes place via a simple abstraction transition state, and the rate coefficient for this reaction as derived from the quantum chemical calculations, k(NH + H2) = (1.1 x 10(14)) exp(-20.9 kcal mol(-1)/RT) cm3 mol(-1) s(-1) between 1000 and 2000 K, is found to be in good agreement with experiment. For reaction between triplet NH and H2O, no stable intermediates were located on the triplet reaction surface although several stable species were found on the singlet surface. No intersystem crossing seam between triplet NH + H2O and singlet HNO + H2 (the products of lowest energy) was found; hence there is no evidence to support the existence of a low-energy pathway to these products. A rate coefficient of k(NH + H2O) = (6.1 x 10(13)) exp(-32.8 kcal mol(-1)/RT) cm3 mol(-1) s(-1) between 1000 and 2000 K for the reaction NH (3sigma-) + H2O --> NH2 (2B) + OH (2pi) was derived from the quantum chemical results. The reverse rate coefficient, calculated via the equilibrium constant, is in agreement with values used in modeling the thermal de-NO(x) process. For the reaction between triplet NH and CO2, several stable intermediates on both triplet and singlet reaction surfaces were located. Although a pathway from triplet NH + CO2 to singlet HNO + CO involving intersystem crossing in an HN-CO2 adduct was discovered, no pathway of sufficiently low activation energy was discovered to compare with that found in an earlier experiment [Rohrig, M.; Wagner, H. G. Proc. Combust. Inst. 1994, 25, 993.].

Increase in electrocardiographic R-waves after revascularization in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

PubMed

Isobe, Satoshi; Takada, Yasuo; Ando, Akitada; Ohshima, Satoru; Yamada, Kiyoyasu; Nanasato, Mamoru; Unno, Kazumasa; Ogawa, Takuo; Kondo, Takahisa; Izawa, Hideo; Inden, Yasuya; Hirai, Makoto; Murohara, Toyoaki

2006-11-01

The physiological mechanism of the increase in the electrocardiographic (ECG) R-wave voltage after revascularization in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) needs to be elucidated. One hundred and thirty-eight MI patients (83: anterior MI, 45: inferior MI, 10: lateral MI) underwent ECG and echocardiography in both the acute and subacute phases after emergency revascularization, as well as a resting thallium-201/iodine-123 15-p-iodophenyl-3-(R,S)-methyl pentadecanoic acid myocardial scintigraphy in the acute phase. The total sum of the R-wave voltage (SigmaR) was calculated over multiple leads on ECG for each infarcted lesion. Scintigraphic defect on each tracer was expressed as the percentage (%) defect of the total left ventricular (LV) myocardium. The % defect-discordance on both images in the acute phase and the % increase in SigmaR and the absolute increase in LV ejection fraction from the acute to the subacute phase (DeltaEF) were also calculated. The SigmaR in the subacute phase was significantly greater than that in the acute phase (p<0.0001). The % increase in SigmaR significantly correlated with the DeltaEF (r=0.57, p<0.0001). The % increase in SigmaR also correlated with the % defect-discordance (r=0.68, p<0.0001). The increase in the ECG R-wave voltage reflects not only the improvement in myocardial perfusion but also the presence of salvaged myocardium after revascularization in acute MI patients.

Electron impact excitation of H2 - Rydberg band systems and the benchmark dissociative cross section for H Lyman-alpha

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shemansky, D. E.; Hall, D. T.; Ajello, J. M.

1985-01-01

The cross sections sigma R 1 (2p) for excitation of H Ly-alpha emission produced by electron impact on H2 is reexamined. A more accurate estimate for sigma R 1 (2p) is obtained based on Born approximation estimates of the H2 Rydberg system cross sections using measured relative excitation functions. The obtained value is (8.18 + or -1.2) x 10 to the -18th sq cm at 100 eV, a factor of 0.69 below the value universally applied to cross section measurements over the past decade. Cross sections for the H2 Rydberg systems fixed in magnitude by the Born approximation have also been obtained using experimentally determined excitation functions. Accurate analytic expressions for these cross sections allow the direct calculation of rate coefficients.

Loudness growth observed under partially tripolar stimulation: model and data from cochlear implant listeners.

PubMed

Litvak, Leonid M; Spahr, Anthony J; Emadi, Gulam

2007-08-01

Most cochlear implant strategies utilize monopolar stimulation, likely inducing relatively broad activation of the auditory neurons. The spread of activity may be narrowed with a tripolar stimulation scheme, wherein compensating current of opposite polarity is simultaneously delivered to two adjacent electrodes. In this study, a model and cochlear implant subjects were used to examine loudness growth for varying amounts of tripolar compensation, parameterized by a coefficient sigma, ranging from 0 (monopolar) to 1 (full tripolar). In both the model and the subjects, current required for threshold activation could be approximated by I(sigma)=Ithr(0)(1-sigmaK), with fitted constants Ithr(0) and K. Three of the subjects had a "positioner," intended to place their electrode arrays closer to their neural tissue. The values of K were smaller for the positioner users and for a "close" electrode-to-tissue distance in the model. Above threshold, equal-loudness contours for some subjects deviated significantly from a linear scale-up of the threshold approximations. The patterns of deviation were similar to those observed in the model for conditions in which most of the neurons near the center electrode were excited.

Performance analysis of adaptive equalization for coherent acoustic communications in the time-varying ocean environment.

PubMed

Preisig, James C

2005-07-01

Equations are derived for analyzing the performance of channel estimate based equalizers. The performance is characterized in terms of the mean squared soft decision error (sigma2(s)) of each equalizer. This error is decomposed into two components. These are the minimum achievable error (sigma2(0)) and the excess error (sigma2(e)). The former is the soft decision error that would be realized by the equalizer if the filter coefficient calculation were based upon perfect knowledge of the channel impulse response and statistics of the interfering noise field. The latter is the additional soft decision error that is realized due to errors in the estimates of these channel parameters. These expressions accurately predict the equalizer errors observed in the processing of experimental data by a channel estimate based decision feedback equalizer (DFE) and a passive time-reversal equalizer. Further expressions are presented that allow equalizer performance to be predicted given the scattering function of the acoustic channel. The analysis using these expressions yields insights into the features of surface scattering that most significantly impact equalizer performance in shallow water environments and motivates the implementation of a DFE that is robust with respect to channel estimation errors.

Near resonant bubble acoustic cross-section corrections, including examples from oceanography, volcanology, and biomedical ultrasound.

PubMed

Ainslie, Michael A; Leighton, Timothy G

2009-11-01

The scattering cross-section sigma(s) of a gas bubble of equilibrium radius R(0) in liquid can be written in the form sigma(s)=4piR(0) (2)[(omega(1) (2)omega(2)-1)(2)+delta(2)], where omega is the excitation frequency, omega(1) is the resonance frequency, and delta is a frequency-dependent dimensionless damping coefficient. A persistent discrepancy in the frequency dependence of the contribution to delta from radiation damping, denoted delta(rad), is identified and resolved, as follows. Wildt's [Physics of Sound in the Sea (Washington, DC, 1946), Chap. 28] pioneering derivation predicts a linear dependence of delta(rad) on frequency, a result which Medwin [Ultrasonics 15, 7-13 (1977)] reproduces using a different method. Weston [Underwater Acoustics, NATO Advanced Study Institute Series Vol. II, 55-88 (1967)], using ostensibly the same method as Wildt, predicts the opposite relationship, i.e., that delta(rad) is inversely proportional to frequency. Weston's version of the derivation of the scattering cross-section is shown here to be the correct one, thus resolving the discrepancy. Further, a correction to Weston's model is derived that amounts to a shift in the resonance frequency. A new, corrected, expression for the extinction cross-section is also derived. The magnitudes of the corrections are illustrated using examples from oceanography, volcanology, planetary acoustics, neutron spallation, and biomedical ultrasound. The corrections become significant when the bulk modulus of the gas is not negligible relative to that of the surrounding liquid.

MACSIGMA0 - MACINTOSH TOOL FOR ANALYZING JPL AIRSAR, ERS-1, JERS-1, AND MAGELLAN MIDR DATA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Norikane, L.

1994-01-01

MacSigma0 is an interactive tool for the Macintosh which allows you to display and make computations from radar data collected by the following sensors: the JPL AIRSAR, ERS-1, JERS-1, and Magellan. The JPL AIRSAR system is a multi-polarimetric airborne synthetic aperture radar developed and operated by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. It includes the single-frequency L-band sensor mounted on the NASA CV990 aircraft and its replacement, the multi-frequency P-, L-, and C-band sensors mounted on the NASA DC-8. MacSigma0 works with data in the standard JPL AIRSAR output product format, the compressed Stokes matrix format. ERS-1 and JERS-1 are single-frequency, single-polarization spaceborne synthetic aperture radars launched by the European Space Agency and NASDA respectively. To be usable by MacSigma0, The data must have been processed at the Alaska SAR Facility and must be in the "low-resolution" format. Magellan is a spacecraft mission to map the surface of Venus with imaging radar. The project is managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The spacecraft carries a single-frequency, single-polarization synthetic aperture radar. MacSigma0 works with framelets of the standard MIDR CD-ROM data products. MacSigma0 provides four basic functions: synthesis of images (if necessary), statistical analysis of selected areas, analysis of corner reflectors as a calibration measure (if appropriate and possible), and informative mouse tracking. For instance, the JPL AIRSAR data can be used to synthesize a variety of images such as a total power image. The total power image displays the sum of the polarized and unpolarized components of the backscatter for each pixel. Other images which can be synthesized are HH, HV, VV, RL, RR, HHVV*, HHHV*, HVVV*, HHVV* phase and correlation coefficient images. For the complex and phase images, phase is displayed using color and magnitude is displayed using intensity. MacSigma0 can also be used to compute statistics from within a selected area. The statistics computed depend on the image type. For JPL AIRSAR data, the HH, HV, VV, HHVV* phase, and correlation coefficient means and standard deviation measures are calculated. The mean, relative standard deviation, minimum, and maximum values are calculated for all other data types. A histogram of the selected area is also calculated and displayed. The selected area can be rectangular, linear, or polygonal in shape. The user is allowed to select multiple rectangular areas, but not multiple linear or polygonal areas. The statistics and histogram are displayed to the user and can either be printed or saved as a text file. MacSigma0 can also be used to analyze corner reflectors as a measure of the calibration for JPL AIRSAR, ERS-1, and JERS-1 data types. It computes a theoretical radar cross section and the actual radar cross section for a selected trihedral corner reflector. The theoretical cross section, measured cross section, their ratio in dBs, and other information are displayed to the user and can be saved into a text file. For ERS-1, JERS-1, and Magellan data, MacSigma0 simultaneously displays pixel location in data coordinates and in latitude, longitude coordinates. It also displays sigma0, the incidence angle (for Magellan data), the original pixel value (for Magellan data), and the noise power value (for ERS-1 and JERS-1 data). Grey scale computed images can be saved in a byte format (a headerless format which saves the image as a string of byte values) or a PICT format (a standard format readable by other image processing programs for the Macintosh). Images can also be printed. MacSigma0 is written in C-language for use on Macintosh series computers. The minimum configuration requirements for MacSigma0 are System 6.0, Finder 6.1, 1Mb of RAM, and at least a 4-bit color or grey-scale graphics display. MacSigma0 is also System 7 compatible. To compile the source code, Apple's Macintosh Programmers Workbench (MPW) 3.2 and the MPW C language compiler version 3.2 are required. The source code will not compile with a later version of the compiler; however, the compiled application which will run under the minimum hardware configuration is provided on the distribution medium. In addition, the distribution media includes an executable which runs significantly faster but requires a 68881 compatible math coprocessor and a 68020 compatible CPU. Since JPL AIRSAR data files can be very large, it is often desirable to reduce the size of a data file before transferring it to the Macintosh for use in MacSigma0. A small FORTRAN program which can be used for this purpose is included on the distribution media. MacSigma0 will print statistics on any output device which supports QuickDraw, and it will print images on any device which supports QuickDraw or PostScript. The standard distribution medium for MacSigma0 is a set of five 1.4Mb Macintosh format diskettes. This program was developed in 1992 and is a copyrighted work with all copyright vested in NASA. Version 4.2 of MacSigma0 was released in 1993.

Identifying cochlear implant channels with poor electrode-neuron interface: partial tripolar, single-channel thresholds and psychophysical tuning curves.

PubMed

Bierer, Julie Arenberg; Faulkner, Kathleen F

2010-04-01

The goal of this study was to evaluate the ability of a threshold measure, made with a restricted electrode configuration, to identify channels exhibiting relatively poor spatial selectivity. With a restricted electrode configuration, channel-to-channel variability in threshold may reflect variations in the interface between the electrodes and auditory neurons (i.e., nerve survival, electrode placement, and tissue impedance). These variations in the electrode-neuron interface should also be reflected in psychophysical tuning curve (PTC) measurements. Specifically, it is hypothesized that high single-channel thresholds obtained with the spatially focused partial tripolar (pTP) electrode configuration are predictive of wide or tip-shifted PTCs. Data were collected from five cochlear implant listeners implanted with the HiRes90k cochlear implant (Advanced Bionics Corp., Sylmar, CA). Single-channel thresholds and most comfortable listening levels were obtained for stimuli that varied in presumed electrical field size by using the pTP configuration for which a fraction of current (sigma) from a center-active electrode returns through two neighboring electrodes and the remainder through a distant indifferent electrode. Forward-masked PTCs were obtained for channels with the highest, lowest, and median tripolar (sigma = 1 or 0.9) thresholds. The probe channel and level were fixed and presented with either the monopolar (sigma = 0) or a more focused pTP (sigma > or = 0.55) configuration. The masker channel and level were varied, whereas the configuration was fixed to sigma = 0.5. A standard, three-interval, two-alternative forced choice procedure was used for thresholds and masked levels. Single-channel threshold and variability in threshold across channels systematically increased as the compensating current, sigma, increased and the presumed electrical field became more focused. Across subjects, channels with the highest single-channel thresholds, when measured with a narrow, pTP stimulus, had significantly broader PTCs than the lowest threshold channels. In two subjects, the tips of the tuning curves were shifted away from the probe channel. Tuning curves were also wider for the monopolar probes than with pTP probes for both the highest and lowest threshold channels. These results suggest that single-channel thresholds measured with a restricted stimulus can be used to identify cochlear implant channels with poor spatial selectivity. Channels having wide or tip-shifted tuning characteristics would likely not deliver the appropriate spectral information to the intended auditory neurons, leading to suboptimal perception. As a clinical tool, quick identification of impaired channels could lead to patient-specific mapping strategies and result in improved speech and music perception.

Surface reflectance factor retrieval from Thematic Mapper data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Holm, Ronald G.; Jackson, Ray D.; Yuan, Benfan; Moran, M. Susan; Slater, Philip N.

1989-01-01

Based on the absolute radiometric calibration of the TM and the use of a radiative transfer program for atmospheric correction, ground reflectances were retrieved for several fields of crops and bare soil in TM bands 1-4 for six TM scenes acquired over a 12-month period. These reflectances were compared to those measured using ground-based and low-altitude, aircraft-mounted radiometers. When, for four TM acquisitions, the comparison was made between areas that had been carefully selected for their high uniformity, the reflectance factors agreed to + or - 0.01 over the reflectance range 0.02-0.55. When the comparison was made for two of the above acquisitions and two others on different dates, for larger areas not carefully selected to be of uniform reflectance, the reflectance factors agreed to + or - 0.02 (1 sigma RMS), over same reflectance range.

Spatial-temporal patterns of electrocorticographic spectral changes during midazolam sedation

PubMed Central

Nishida, Masaaki; Zestos, Maria M.; Asano, Eishi

2015-01-01

Objective To better understand ‘when’ and ‘where’ wideband electrophysiological signals are altered by sedation. Methods We generated animation movies showing electrocorticography (ECoG) amplitudes at eight spectral frequency bands across 1.0 to 116 Hz, every 0.1 second, on three-dimensional surface images of 10 children who underwent epilepsy surgery. We measured the onset, intensity, and variance of each band amplitude change at given nonepileptic regions separately from those at affected regions. We also determined the presence of differential ECoG changes depending on the brain anatomy. Results Within 20 seconds following injection of midazolam, beta (16–31.5 Hz) and sigma (12–15.5 Hz) activities began to be multifocally augmented with increased variance in amplitude at each site. Beta-sigma augmentation was most prominent within the association neocortex. Augmentation of low-delta activity (1.0–1.5 Hz) was relatively modest and confined to the somatosensory-motor region. Conversely, injection of midazolam induced attenuation of theta (4.0–7.5 Hz) and high-gamma (64–116 Hz) activities. Conclusions Our observations support the notion that augmentation beta-sigma and delta activities reflects cortical deactivation or inactivation, whereas theta and high-gamma activities contribute to maintenance of consciousness. The effects of midazolam on the dynamics of cortical oscillations differed across regions. Significance Sedation, at least partially, reflects a multi-local phenomenon at the cortical level rather than global brain alteration homogeneously driven by the common central control structure. PMID:26613652

Solar activity and oscillation frequency splittings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Woodard, M. F.; Libbrecht, K. G.

1993-01-01

Solar p-mode frequency splittings, parameterized by the coefficients through order N = 12 of a Legendre polynomial expansion of the mode frequencies as a function of m/L, were obtained from an analysis of helioseismology data taken at Big Bear Solar Observatory during the 4 years 1986 and 1988-1990 (approximately solar minimum to maximum). Inversion of the even-index splitting coefficients confirms that there is a significant contribution to the frequency splittings originating near the solar poles. The strength of the polar contribution is anti correlated with the overall level or solar activity in the active latitudes, suggesting a relation to polar faculae. From an analysis of the odd-index splitting coefficients we infer an uppor limit to changes in the solar equatorial near-surface rotatinal velocity of less than 1.9 m/s (3 sigma limit) between solar minimum and maximum.

An analytical two-flow model to simulate the distribution of irradiance in coastal waters with a wind-roughed surface and bottom reflectance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Wei-Ming

1997-06-01

An analytical two-flow model is derived from the radiative transfer equation to simulate the distribution of irradiance in coastal waters with a wind-roughed surface and bottom reflectance. The model utilizes unique boundary conditions, including the surface slope of the downwelling and upwelling irradiance as well as the influence of wind and bottom reflectance on simulated surface reflectance. The developed model provides a simple mathematical concept for understanding the irradiant light flux and associated processes in coastal or fresh water as well as turbid estuarine waters. The model is applied to data from the Banana River and coastal Atlantic Ocean water off the east coast of central Florida, USA. The two-flow irradiance model is capable of simulating realistic above-surface reflectance signatures under wind-roughened air-water surface given realistic input parameters including a specular flux conversion coefficient, absorption coefficient, backscattering coefficient, atmospheric visibility, bottom reflectance, and water depth. The root-mean-squared error of the calculated above-surface reflectances is approximately 3% in the Banana River and is less than 15% in coastal Atlantic Ocean off the east of Florida. Result of the subsurface reflectance sensitivity analysis indicates that the specular conversion coefficient is the most sensitive parameter in the model, followed by the beam attenuation coefficient, absorption coefficient, water depth, backscattering coefficient, specular irradiance, diffuse irradiance, bottom reflectance, and wind speed. On the other hand, result of the above-surface reflectance sensitivity analysis indicates that the wind speed is the most important parameter, followed by bottom reflectance, attenuation coefficient, water depth, conversion coefficient, specular irradiance, downwelling irradiance, absorption coefficient, and backscattering coefficient. Model results depend on the accuracy of these parameters to a large degree and more important the water depth and value of the bottom reflectance. The results of this work indicates little change of subsurface or in-water reflectances, due to variations of wind speed and observation angle. Simulations of the wind effect on the total downwelling irradiance from the two- flow model indicates that the total downwelling irradiance just below a wind-roughened water surface increases to about 1% of the total downwelling irradiance on a calm water surface when the sun is near zenith and increases to about 3% when the sun is near the horizon. This analytically based model, solved or developed utilizing the unique boundary conditions, can be applied to remote sensing of oceanic upper mixed layer dynamics, plant canopies, primary production, and shallow water environments with different bottom type reflectances. Future applications may include determining effects of sediment resuspension of bottom sediments in the bottom boundary layer on remotely sensed data.

Snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) as bioindicators in Canadian areas of concern in the Great Lakes Basin. 1. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polychlorinated biphenyls, and organochlorine pesticides in eggs.

PubMed

De Solla, S R; Fernie, K J; Letcher, R J; Chu, S G; Drouillard, K G; Shahmiri, S

2007-11-01

We examined the concentrations and spatial patterns of congeners of PBDEs, PCBs, and organochlorine pesticides in snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) eggs from Areas of Concern (AOCs) on the Canadian shores of Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence River, and connecting channels. Eggs from Lyons Creek (Niagara River AOC) reflected a local PCB source over a range of 7.5 km (3.2-10.8) from the Welland Canal. PCB contamination in eggs declined with increasing distance from the Welland Canal, whereas the relative contribution of congeners associated with Aroclor 1248/1254 increased with sigma PCB concentrations. Compared to turtle eggs from other sites in Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, eggs from Lyons Creek and Snye Marsh had PCB congener patterns that reflected a strong contribution from Aroclor 1254. PCBs in the eggs were associated with industrial sources and reflected the composition of different Aroclor technical mixtures. Organochlorine pesticides in eggs tended to be highest at Hamilton Harbour and Bay of Quinte AOCs, and were dominated by DDE, sigma chlordane, and mirex. In contrast, PBDE congener patterns in turtle eggs resembled PentaBDE technical formulations regardless of absolute concentrations or location, and were largely associated with urban environments.

Gradient flow of O(N) nonlinear sigma model at large N

DOE PAGES

Aoki, Sinya; Kikuchi, Kengo; Onogi, Tetsuya

2015-04-28

Here, we study the gradient flow equation for the O(N) nonlinear sigma model in two dimensions at large N. We parameterize solution of the field at flow time t in powers of bare fields by introducing the coefficient function X n for the n-th power term (n = 1, 3, ··· ). Reducing the flow equation by keeping only the contributions at leading order in large N, we obtain a set of equations for X n ’s, which can be solved iteratively starting from n = 1. For n = 1 case, we find an explicit form of the exactmore » solution. Using this solution, we show that the two point function at finite flow time t is finite. As an application, we obtain the non-perturbative running coupling defined from the energy density. We also discuss the solution for n = 3 case.« less

A finite-element analysis for steady and oscillatory supersonic flows around complex configurations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morino, L.; Chen, L. T.

1974-01-01

The problem of small perturbation potential supersonic flow around complex configurations is considered. This problem requires the solution of an integral equation relating the values of the potential on the surface of the body to the values of the normal derivative, which is known from the small perturbation boundary conditions. The surface of the body is divided into small (hyperboloidal quadrilateral) surface elements, sigma sub i, which are described in terms of the Cartesian components of the four corner points. The values of the potential (and its normal derivative) within each element is assumed to be constant and equal to its value at the centroid of the element, and this yields a set of linear algebraic equations. The coefficients of the equation are given by source and doublet integrals over the surface elements, sigma sub i. The results obtained using the above formulation are compared with existing analytical and experimental results.

On conjugate gradient type methods and polynomial preconditioners for a class of complex non-Hermitian matrices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Freund, Roland

1988-01-01

Conjugate gradient type methods are considered for the solution of large linear systems Ax = b with complex coefficient matrices of the type A = T + i(sigma)I where T is Hermitian and sigma, a real scalar. Three different conjugate gradient type approaches with iterates defined by a minimal residual property, a Galerkin type condition, and an Euclidian error minimization, respectively, are investigated. In particular, numerically stable implementations based on the ideas behind Paige and Saunder's SYMMLQ and MINRES for real symmetric matrices are proposed. Error bounds for all three methods are derived. It is shown how the special shift structure of A can be preserved by using polynomial preconditioning. Results on the optimal choice of the polynomial preconditioner are given. Also, some numerical experiments for matrices arising from finite difference approximations to the complex Helmholtz equation are reported.

Results of a study on polarization mix selection for the NSCAT scatterometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Long, David G.; Dunbar, R. Scott; Shaffer, Scott; Freilich, Michael H.; Hsiao, S. Vincent

1989-01-01

The NASA scatterometer (NSCAT) is an instrument designed to measure the radar backscatter of the ocean's surface for estimating the near-surface wind velocity. A given resolution element is observed from several different azimuth angles. From these measurements the near-surface vector wind over the ocean may be inferred using a geophysical model function relating the normalized radar backscatter coefficient (sigma0) to the near-surface wind. The results of a study to select a polarization mix for NSCAT using an end-to-end simulation of the NSCAT scatterometer and ground processing of the sigma0 measurements into unambiguous wind fields using a median-filter-based ambiguity-removal algorithm are presented. The system simulation was used to compare the wind measurement accuracy and ambiguity removal skill over a set of realistic mesoscale wind fields for various polarization mixes. Considerations in the analysis and simulation are discussed, and a recommended polarization mix is given.

Influence of diffuse reflectance measurement accuracy on the scattering coefficient in determination of optical properties with integrating sphere optics (a secondary publication).

PubMed

Horibe, Takuro; Ishii, Katsunori; Fukutomi, Daichi; Awazu, Kunio

2015-12-30

An estimation error of the scattering coefficient of hemoglobin in the high absorption wavelength range has been observed in optical property calculations of blood-rich tissues. In this study, the relationship between the accuracy of diffuse reflectance measurement in the integrating sphere and calculated scattering coefficient was evaluated with a system to calculate optical properties combined with an integrating sphere setup and the inverse Monte Carlo simulation. Diffuse reflectance was measured with the integrating sphere using a small incident port diameter and optical properties were calculated. As a result, the estimation error of the scattering coefficient was improved by accurate measurement of diffuse reflectance. In the high absorption wavelength range, the accuracy of diffuse reflectance measurement has an effect on the calculated scattering coefficient.

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

Tsang, David; Gourgouliatos, Konstantinos N., E-mail: dtsang@physics.mcgill.ca, E-mail: kostasg@physics.mcgill.ca

We examine timing noise in both magnetars and regular pulsars, and find that there exists a component of the timing noise ({sigma}{sub TN}) with strong magnetic field dependence ({sigma}{sub TN}{approx}B{sub o}{sup 2}{Omega}T{sup 3/2}) above B{sub o} {approx} 10{sup 12.5} G. The dependence of the timing noise floor on the magnetic field is also reflected in the smallest observable glitch size. We find that magnetospheric torque variation cannot explain this component of timing noise. We calculate the moment of inertia of the magnetic field outside of a neutron star and show that this timing noise component may be due to variationmore » of this moment of inertia, and could be evidence of rapid global magnetospheric variability.« less

Enhancing Teaching Effectiveness by Using the Six-Sigma DMAIC Model

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yu, Kun-Tzu; Ueng, Ren-Gen

2012-01-01

As the competition increases in higher education, how to improve teaching quality to promote educational performance becomes a significant issue. Many higher educational institutions (HEIs) make efforts to establish a feedback system to monitor and reflect the outcomes of teaching evaluations. This study aimed to describe the use of the Six-Sigma…

Stoichiometric network theory for nonequilibrium biochemical systems.

PubMed

Qian, Hong; Beard, Daniel A; Liang, Shou-dan

2003-02-01

We introduce the basic concepts and develop a theory for nonequilibrium steady-state biochemical systems applicable to analyzing large-scale complex isothermal reaction networks. In terms of the stoichiometric matrix, we demonstrate both Kirchhoff's flux law sigma(l)J(l)=0 over a biochemical species, and potential law sigma(l) mu(l)=0 over a reaction loop. They reflect mass and energy conservation, respectively. For each reaction, its steady-state flux J can be decomposed into forward and backward one-way fluxes J = J+ - J-, with chemical potential difference deltamu = RT ln(J-/J+). The product -Jdeltamu gives the isothermal heat dissipation rate, which is necessarily non-negative according to the second law of thermodynamics. The stoichiometric network theory (SNT) embodies all of the relevant fundamental physics. Knowing J and deltamu of a biochemical reaction, a conductance can be computed which directly reflects the level of gene expression for the particular enzyme. For sufficiently small flux a linear relationship between J and deltamu can be established as the linear flux-force relation in irreversible thermodynamics, analogous to Ohm's law in electrical circuits.

Comparison of the magnitude and phase of the reflection coefficient from a smooth water/sand interface with elastic and poroelastic models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Isakson, Marcia; Camin, H. John; Canepa, Gaetano

2005-04-01

The reflection coefficient from a sand/water interface is an important parameter in modeling the acoustics of littoral environments. Many models have been advanced to describe the influence of the sediment parameters and interface roughness parameters on the reflection coefficient. In this study, the magnitude and phase of the reflection coefficient from 30 to 160 kHz is measured in a bistatic experiment on a smoothed water/sand interface at grazing angles from 5 to 75 degrees. The measured complex reflection coefficient is compared with the fluid model, the elastic model and poro-elastic models. Effects of rough surface scattering are investigated using the Bottom Response from Inhomogeneities and Surface using Small Slope Approximation (BoRIS-SSA). Spherical wave effects are modeled using plane wave decomposition. Models are considered for their ability to predict the measured results using realistic parameters. [Work supported by ONR, Ocean Acoustics.

Measurement of DDT fluxes from a historically treated agricultural soil in Canada.

PubMed

Kurt-Karakus, Perihan Binnur; Bidleman, Terry F; Staebler, Ralf M; Jones, Kevin C

2006-08-01

Organocohlorine pesticide (OCP) residues in agricultural soils are of concern due to the uptake of these compounds by crops, accumulation in the foodchain, and reemission from soils to the atmosphere. Although it has been about three decades since DDT was banned for agricultural uses in Canada, residues persist in soils of some agricultural areas. Emission of DDT compounds to the atmosphere from a historically treated field in southern Ontario was determined in fall 2004 and spring 2005. The sigmaDDTs concentration in the high organic matter (71%) soil was 19 +/- 4 microg g(-1) dry weight. Concentration gradients in the air were measured at 5, 20, 72, and 200 cm above soil using glass fiber filter-polyurethane foam cartridges. Air concentrations of sigmaDDTs averaged 5.7 +/- 5.1 ng m(-3) at 5 cm and decreased to 1.3 +/- 0.8 ng m(-3) at 200 cm and were 60-300 times higher than levels measured at a background site 30 km away. Soil-air fugacity fractions, fs/(fs + fa), of p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, and p,p'-DDT ranged from 0.42 to 0.91 using air concentrations measured above the soil and > or = 0.99 using background air concentrations, indicating that the soil was a net source to the background air. Fractionation of DDT compounds during volatilization was predicted using either liquid-phase vapor pressures (PL) or octanol-air partition coefficients (KOA). Relative emissions of p,p'-DDE and p,p'-DDT were better described by PL than KOA, whereas either PL or KOA successfully accounted for the fractionation of p,p'-DDT and o,p'-DDT. Soil-to-air fluxes were calculated from air concentration gradients and turbulent exchange coefficients determined from micrometeorological measurements. Average fluxes of sigmaDDTs were 90 +/- 24 ng m(-2) h(-1) in fall and 660 +/- 370 ng m(-2) h(-1) in spring. Higher soil temperatures in spring accounted for the higher fluxes. A volatilization half-life of approximately 200 y was estimated for sigmaDDT in the upper 5 cm of the soil column, assuming the average flux rate for 12 h d-(1) over 8 months of the year. Thus, in the absence of other dissipation processes, the soil will continue to be a source of atmospheric contamination for a very long time.

Nonlinear sigma models with compact hyperbolic target spaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gubser, Steven; Saleem, Zain H.; Schoenholz, Samuel S.; Stoica, Bogdan; Stokes, James

2016-06-01

We explore the phase structure of nonlinear sigma models with target spaces corresponding to compact quotients of hyperbolic space, focusing on the case of a hyperbolic genus-2 Riemann surface. The continuum theory of these models can be approximated by a lattice spin system which we simulate using Monte Carlo methods. The target space possesses interesting geometric and topological properties which are reflected in novel features of the sigma model. In particular, we observe a topological phase transition at a critical temperature, above which vortices proliferate, reminiscent of the Kosterlitz-Thouless phase transition in the O(2) model [1, 2]. Unlike in the O(2) case, there are many different types of vortices, suggesting a possible analogy to the Hagedorn treatment of statistical mechanics of a proliferating number of hadron species. Below the critical temperature the spins cluster around six special points in the target space known as Weierstrass points. The diversity of compact hyperbolic manifolds suggests that our model is only the simplest example of a broad class of statistical mechanical models whose main features can be understood essentially in geometric terms.

Nonlinear sigma models with compact hyperbolic target spaces

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

Gubser, Steven; Saleem, Zain H.; Schoenholz, Samuel S.

We explore the phase structure of nonlinear sigma models with target spaces corresponding to compact quotients of hyperbolic space, focusing on the case of a hyperbolic genus-2 Riemann surface. The continuum theory of these models can be approximated by a lattice spin system which we simulate using Monte Carlo methods. The target space possesses interesting geometric and topological properties which are reflected in novel features of the sigma model. In particular, we observe a topological phase transition at a critical temperature, above which vortices proliferate, reminiscent of the Kosterlitz-Thouless phase transition in the O(2) model [1, 2]. Unlike in themore » O(2) case, there are many different types of vortices, suggesting a possible analogy to the Hagedorn treatment of statistical mechanics of a proliferating number of hadron species. Below the critical temperature the spins cluster around six special points in the target space known as Weierstrass points. In conclusion, the diversity of compact hyperbolic manifolds suggests that our model is only the simplest example of a broad class of statistical mechanical models whose main features can be understood essentially in geometric terms.« less

Nonlinear sigma models with compact hyperbolic target spaces

DOE PAGES

Gubser, Steven; Saleem, Zain H.; Schoenholz, Samuel S.; ...

2016-06-23

We explore the phase structure of nonlinear sigma models with target spaces corresponding to compact quotients of hyperbolic space, focusing on the case of a hyperbolic genus-2 Riemann surface. The continuum theory of these models can be approximated by a lattice spin system which we simulate using Monte Carlo methods. The target space possesses interesting geometric and topological properties which are reflected in novel features of the sigma model. In particular, we observe a topological phase transition at a critical temperature, above which vortices proliferate, reminiscent of the Kosterlitz-Thouless phase transition in the O(2) model [1, 2]. Unlike in themore » O(2) case, there are many different types of vortices, suggesting a possible analogy to the Hagedorn treatment of statistical mechanics of a proliferating number of hadron species. Below the critical temperature the spins cluster around six special points in the target space known as Weierstrass points. In conclusion, the diversity of compact hyperbolic manifolds suggests that our model is only the simplest example of a broad class of statistical mechanical models whose main features can be understood essentially in geometric terms.« less

MOLECULAR GAS AND STAR FORMATION IN NEARBY DISK GALAXIES

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

Leroy, Adam K.; Munoz-Mateos, Juan-Carlos; Walter, Fabian

2013-08-01

We compare molecular gas traced by {sup 12}CO (2-1) maps from the HERACLES survey, with tracers of the recent star formation rate (SFR) across 30 nearby disk galaxies. We demonstrate a first-order linear correspondence between {Sigma}{sub mol} and {Sigma}{sub SFR} but also find important second-order systematic variations in the apparent molecular gas depletion time, {tau}{sub dep}{sup mol}={Sigma}{sub mol}/{Sigma}{sub SFR}. At the 1 kpc common resolution of HERACLES, CO emission correlates closely with many tracers of the recent SFR. Weighting each line of sight equally, using a fixed {alpha}{sub CO} equivalent to the Milky Way value, our data yield a molecularmore » gas depletion time, {tau}{sub dep}{sup mol}={Sigma}{sub mol}/{Sigma}{sub SFR}{approx}2.2 Gyr with 0.3 dex 1{sigma} scatter, in very good agreement with recent literature data. We apply a forward-modeling approach to constrain the power-law index, N, that relates the SFR surface density and the molecular gas surface density, {Sigma}{sub SFR}{proportional_to}{Sigma}{sub mol}{sup N}. We find N = 1 {+-} 0.15 for our full data set with some scatter from galaxy to galaxy. This also agrees with recent work, but we caution that a power-law treatment oversimplifies the topic given that we observe correlations between {tau}{sub dep}{sup mol} and other local and global quantities. The strongest of these are a decreased {tau}{sub dep}{sup mol} in low-mass, low-metallicity galaxies and a correlation of the kpc-scale {tau}{sub dep}{sup mol} with dust-to-gas ratio, D/G. These correlations can be explained by a CO-to-H{sub 2} conversion factor ({alpha}{sub CO}) that depends on dust shielding, and thus D/G, in the theoretically expected way. This is not a unique interpretation, but external evidence of conversion factor variations makes this the most conservative explanation of the strongest observed {tau}{sub dep}{sup mol} trends. After applying a D/G-dependent {alpha}{sub CO}, some weak correlations between {tau}{sub dep}{sup mol} and local conditions persist. In particular, we observe lower {tau}{sub dep}{sup mol} and enhanced CO excitation associated with nuclear gas concentrations in a subset of our targets. These appear to reflect real enhancements in the rate of star formation per unit gas, and although the distribution of {tau}{sub dep} does not appear bimodal in galaxy centers, {tau}{sub dep} does appear multivalued at fixed {Sigma}{sub H2}, supporting the idea of ''disk'' and ''starburst'' modes driven by other environmental parameters.« less

Influence of a depletion interaction on dynamical heterogeneity in a dense quasi-two-dimensional colloid liquid.

PubMed

Ho, Hau My; Cui, Bianxiao; Repel, Stephen; Lin, Binhua; Rice, Stuart A

2004-11-01

We report the results of digital video microscopy studies of the large particle displacements in a quasi-two-dimensional binary mixture of large (L) and small (S) colloid particles with diameter ratio sigma(L)/sigma(S)=4.65, as a function of the large and small colloid particle densities. As in the case of the one-component quasi-two-dimensional colloid system, the binary mixtures exhibit structural and dynamical heterogeneity. The distribution of large particle displacements over the time scale examined provides evidence for (at least) two different mechanisms of motion, one associated with particles in locally ordered regions and the other associated with particles in locally disordered regions. When rhoL*=Npisigma(L) (2)/4A< or =0.35, the addition of small colloid particles leads to a monotonic decrease in the large particle diffusion coefficient with increasing small particle volume fraction. When rhoL* > or =0.35 the addition of small colloid particles to a dense system of large colloid particles at first leads to an increase in the large particle diffusion coefficient, which is then followed by the expected decrease of the large particle diffusion coefficient with increasing small colloid particle volume fraction. The mode coupling theory of the ideal glass transition in three-dimensional systems makes a qualitative prediction that agrees with the initial increase in the large particle diffusion coefficient with increasing small particle density. Nevertheless, because the structural and dynamical heterogeneities of the quasi-two-dimensional colloid liquid occur within the field of equilibrium states, and the fluctuations generate locally ordered domains rather than just disordered regions of higher and lower density, it is suggested that mode coupling theory does not account for all classes of relevant fluctuations in a quasi-two-dimensional liquid. (c) 2004 American Institute of Physics.

Spectral analysis of difference and differential operators in weighted spaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bichegkuev, M. S.

2013-11-01

This paper is concerned with describing the spectrum of the difference operator \\displaystyle \\mathscr{K}\\colon l_\\alpha^p( Z,X)\\to l_\\alpha^p( Z......athscr{K}x)(n)=Bx(n-1), \\ \\ n\\in{Z}, \\ \\ x\\in l_\\alpha^p( Z,X), with a constant operator coefficient B, which is a bounded linear operator in a Banach space X. It is assumed that \\mathscr{K} acts in the weighted space l_\\alpha^p( Z,X), 1\\leq p\\leq \\infty, of two-sided sequences of vectors from X. The main results are obtained in terms of the spectrum \\sigma(B) of the operator coefficient B and properties of the weight function. Applications to the study of the spectrum of a differential operator with an unbounded operator coefficient (the generator of a strongly continuous semigroup of operators) in weighted function spaces are given. Bibliography: 23 titles.

Quantitative EEG during REM and NREM sleep in combat-exposed veterans with and without Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

PubMed Central

Cohen, Daniel J.; Begley, Amy; Alman, Jennie J.; Cashmere, J. David; Pietrone, Regina N.; Seres, Robert J.; Germain, Anne

2012-01-01

Summary Sleep disturbances are a hallmark feature of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and associated with poor clinical outcomes. Few studies have examined sleep quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG), a technique able to detect subtle differences polysomnography does not capture. We hypothesized greater high-frequency qEEG would reflect “hyperarousal” in in combat veterans with PTSD (n=16) compared to veterans without PTSD (n=13). EEG power in traditional EEG frequency bands was computed for artifact-free sleep epochs across an entire night. Correlations were performed between qEEG and ratings of PTSD symptoms and combat exposure. The groups did not differ significantly in whole night qEEG measures for either REM or NREM. Non-significant medium effect sizes suggest less REM beta (opposite to our hypothesis), less REM and NREM sigma, and more NREM gamma in combat veterans with PTSD. Positive correlations were found between combat exposure and NREM beta (PTSD group only), and REM and NREM sigma (non-PTSD group only). Results did not support global hyperarousal in PTSD as indexed by increased beta qEEG activity. The correlation of sigma activity with combat exposure in those without PTSD, and the non-significant trend towards less sigma activity during both REM and NREM sleep in combat veterans with PTSD suggests that differential information processing during sleep may characterize combat-exposed military veterans with and without PTSD. PMID:22845675

An evaluation of the success of dredging as remediation at a DDT-contaminated site in San Francisco Bay, California, USA.

PubMed

Weston, Donald P; Jarman, Walter M; Cabana, Gilbert; Bacon, Corinne E; Jacobson, Lisa A

2002-10-01

Lauritzen Canal, a portion of San Francisco Bay near Richmond, California, USA, was heavily contaminated with dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and dieldrin as a result of releases from a pesticide-formulating firm. In 1996 and 1997, 82,000 m3 of contaminated sediment was removed from the canal by dredging. This study evaluated the success of the dredging based largely on body burdens of DDT and its metabolites (sigmaDDT) in resident biota, with some data on sediment- and water-contaminant levels and sediment toxicity testing. Sediment disturbance during dredging introduced a pulse of sigmaDDT into the Lauritzen Canal ecosystem, and body burdens of fish and invertebrates increased 2- to 76-fold, depending on the species. Approximately 1 1/2 years after remediation, 11 of 14 indicators showed contamination comparable with or worse than the contamination that existed prior to dredging. Monitoring of mussels up to four years postdredging suggests some modest improvement, although the sigmaDDT body burden of canal mussels remained far above the norm for San Francisco Bay. The elevated sigmaDDT body burdens in biota that persisted for years after remediation reflect recent exposure and are not merely a result of slow metabolic elimination of the sigmaDDT pulse associated with dredging. Sediment sigmaDDT concentrations were low immediately after dredging, but within months, the canal bottom became covered with a veneer of fine sediment as contaminated as that that had been removed. The source of this material has not been conclusively established, but we suspect it came from slumping and erosion from the flanks of the canal beneath docks and around pilings where dredging was not done. In retrospect, either capping in place or more thorough dredging may have been more successful in reducing pesticide exposure of the biota, although there were difficulties associated with both alternatives.

Test of universal rise of hadronic total cross sections based on {pi}p, Kp and pp, pp scatterings

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

Ishida, Muneyuki; Igi, Keiji; Theoretical Physics Laboratory, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198

Recently, there have been several evidences that the hadronic total cross section {sigma}{sub tot} is proportional to Blog{sup 2}s, which is consistent with the Froissart unitarity bound. The COMPETE Collaboration has further assumed {sigma}{sub tot}{approx_equal}Blog{sup 2}(s/s{sub 0})+Z to extend its universal rise with the common values of B and s{sub 0} for all hadronic scatterings to reduce the number of adjustable parameters. It was suggested that the coefficient B was universal in the arguments of the color glass condensate of QCD in recent years. However, there has been no rigorous proof yet based only on QCD. We attempt to investigatemore » the value of B for {pi}{sup {+-}}p, K{sup {+-}}p and pp, pp scatterings, respectively, through the search for the simultaneous best fit to the experimental {sigma}{sub tot} and {rho} ratios at high energies. The {sigma}{sub tot} at the resonance- and intermediate-energy regions has also been exploited as a duality constraint based on the special form of the finite-energy sum rule. We estimate the values of B, s{sub 0}, and Z individually for {pi}{sup {+-}}p, K{sup {+-}}p and pp, pp scatterings without using the universality hypothesis. It turns out that the values of B are mutually consistent within 1 standard deviation. It has to be stressed that we cannot obtain such a definite conclusion without the duality constraint. It is also interesting to note that the values of Z for {pi}p, Kp, and p(p)p approximately satisfy the ratio 2 ratio 2 ratio 3 predicted by the quark model. The obtained value of B for p(p)p is B{sub pp}=0.280{+-}0.015 mb, which predicts {sigma}{sub tot}{sup pp}=108.0{+-}1.9 mb and {rho}{sup pp}=0.131{+-}0.0025 at the LHC energy {radical}(s)=14 TeV.« less

THE VERTICAL MOTIONS OF MONO-ABUNDANCE SUB-POPULATIONS IN THE MILKY WAY DISK

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

Bovy, Jo; Rix, Hans-Walter; Hogg, David W.

2012-08-20

We present the vertical kinematics of stars in the Milky Way's stellar disk inferred from Sloan Digital Sky Survey/Sloan Extension for Galactic Understanding and Exploration (SDSS/SEGUE) G-dwarf data, deriving the vertical velocity dispersion, {sigma}{sub z}, as a function of vertical height |z| and Galactocentric radius R for a set of 'mono-abundance' sub-populations of stars with very similar elemental abundances [{alpha}/Fe] and [Fe/H]. We find that all mono-abundance components exhibit nearly isothermal kinematics in |z|, and a slow outward decrease of the vertical velocity dispersion: {sigma}{sub z}(z, R | [{alpha}/Fe], [Fe/H]) Almost-Equal-To {sigma}{sub z}([{alpha}/Fe], [Fe/H]) Multiplication-Sign exp (- (R - R{submore » 0})/7 kpc). The characteristic velocity dispersions of these components vary from {approx}15 km s{sup -1} for chemically young, metal-rich stars with solar [{alpha}/Fe], to {approx}> 50 km s{sup -1} for metal-poor stars that are strongly [{alpha}/Fe]-enhanced, and hence presumably very old. The mean {sigma}{sub z} gradient (d{sigma}{sub z}/dz) away from the mid-plane is only 0.3 {+-} 0.2 km s{sup -1} kpc{sup -1}. This kinematic simplicity of the mono-abundance components mirrors their geometric simplicity; we have recently found their density distribution to be simple exponentials in both the z- and R-directions. We find a continuum of vertical kinetic temperatures ({proportional_to}{sigma}{sup 2}{sub z}) as a function of ([{alpha}/Fe], [Fe/H]), which contribute to the total stellar surface-mass density approximately as {Sigma}{sub R{sub 0}}({sigma}{sup 2}{sub z}){proportional_to} exp(-{sigma}{sup 2}{sub z}). This and the existence of isothermal mono-abundance populations with intermediate dispersions (30-40 km s{sup -1}) reject the notion of a thin-thick-disk dichotomy. This continuum of disk components, ranging from old, 'hot', and centrally concentrated ones to younger, cooler, and radially extended ones, argues against models where the thicker disk portions arise from massive satellite infall or heating; scenarios where either the oldest disk portion was born hot, or where internal evolution plays a major role, seem the most viable. In addition, the wide range of {sigma}{sub z}([{alpha}/Fe], [Fe/H]) combined with a constant {sigma}{sub z}(z) for each abundance bin provides an independent check on the precision of the SEGUE-derived abundances: {delta}{sub [{alpha}/Fe]} Almost-Equal-To 0.07 dex and {delta}{sub [Fe/H]} Almost-Equal-To 0.15 dex. The slow radial decline of the vertical dispersion presumably reflects the decrease in disk surface-mass density. This measurement constitutes a first step toward a purely dynamical estimate of the mass profile of the stellar and gaseous disk in our Galaxy.« less

A CENSUS OF ROTATION AND VARIABILITY IN L1495: A UNIFORM ANALYSIS OF TRANS-ATLANTIC EXOPLANET SURVEY LIGHT CURVES FOR PRE-MAIN-SEQUENCE STARS IN TAURUS

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

Xiao Hongyu; Covey, Kevin R.; Lloyd, James P.

2012-09-15

We analyze light curves obtained by the Trans-atlantic Exoplanet Survey (TrES) for a field centered on the L1495 dark cloud in Taurus. The Spitzer Taurus Legacy Survey catalog identifies 179 bona fide Taurus members within the TrES field; 48 of the known Taurus members are detected by TrES, as well as 26 candidate members identified by the Spitzer Legacy team. We quantify the variability of each star in our sample using the ratio of the standard deviation of the original light curve ({sigma}{sub orig.}) to the standard deviation of a light curve that has been smoothed by 9 or 1001more » epochs ({sigma}{sub 9} and {sigma}{sub 1001}, respectively). Known Taurus members typically demonstrate ({sigma}{sub orig.}/{sigma}{sub 9}) < 2.0, and ({sigma}{sub orig.}/{sigma}{sub 1001}) < 5, while field stars reveal ({sigma}{sub orig.}/{sigma}{sub 9}) {approx} 3.0 and ({sigma}{sub orig.}/{sigma}{sub 1001}) {approx} 10, as expected for light curves dominated by unstructured white noise. Of the 74 Taurus members/candidates with TrES light curves, we detect significant variability in 49 sources. Adapting a quantitative metric originally developed to assess the reliability of transit detections, we measure the amount of red and white noise in each light curve and identify 18 known or candidate Taurus members with highly significant period measurements. These appear to be the first periods measured for four of these sources (HD 282276, CX Tau, FP Tau, TrES J042423+265008), and in two other cases, the first non-aliased periods (LkCa 21 and DK Tau AB). For the remainder, the TrES measurements typically agree very well ({delta}P < 1%) with previously reported values. Including periods measured at lower confidence for 15 additional sources, we report periods for 11 objects where no previous periods were found, including 8 confirmed Taurus members. We also identify 10 of the 26 candidate Taurus members that demonstrate variability levels consistent with being bona fide T Tauri stars. A Kolomgorov-Smirnov (K-S) test confirms that these new periods confirm the distinction between the rotation period distributions of stars with and without circumstellar disks, with only a 10% probability of the two populations sharing the same parent period distribution. K-S tests do suggest, however, that the updated Taurus period distribution now more closely resembles those measured in other young star-forming clusters (i.e., NGC 2264, NGC 6530, and the ONC). This improved agreement may reflect the exclusion of long rotation periods which are detected in Taurus at lower significance, and which may be beyond the limits of detectability in more distant star-forming regions.« less

The role of the reflection coefficient in precision measurement of ultrasonic attenuation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Generazio, E. R.

1984-01-01

Ultrasonic attenuation measurements using contact, pulse-echo techniques are sensitive to surface roughness and couplant thickness variations. This can reduce considerable inaccuracies in the measurement of the attenuation coefficient for broadband pulses. Inaccuracies arise from variations in the reflection coefficient at the buffer-couplant-sample interface. The reflection coefficient is examined as a function of the surface roughness and corresponding couplant thickness variations. Interrelations with ultrasonic frequency are illustrated. Reliable attenuation measurements are obtained only when the frequency dependence of the reflection coefficient is incorporated in signal analysis. Data are given for nickel 200 samples and a silicon nitride ceramic bar having surface roughness variations in the 0.3 to 3.0 microns range for signal bandwidths in the 50 to 100 MHz range.

Calculation of binary magnetic properties and potential energy curve in xenon dimer: second virial coefficient of (129)Xe nuclear shielding.

PubMed

Hanni, Matti; Lantto, Perttu; Runeberg, Nino; Jokisaari, Jukka; Vaara, Juha

2004-09-22

Quantum chemical calculations of the nuclear shielding tensor, the nuclear quadrupole coupling tensor, and the spin-rotation tensor are reported for the Xe dimer using ab initio quantum chemical methods. The binary chemical shift delta, the anisotropy of the shielding tensor Delta sigma, the nuclear quadrupole coupling tensor component along the internuclear axis chi( parallel ), and the spin-rotation constant C( perpendicular ) are presented as a function of internuclear distance. The basis set superposition error is approximately corrected for by using the counterpoise correction (CP) method. Electron correlation effects are systematically studied via the Hartree-Fock, complete active space self-consistent field, second-order Møller-Plesset many-body perturbation, and coupled-cluster singles and doubles (CCSD) theories, the last one without and with noniterative triples, at the nonrelativistic all-electron level. We also report a high-quality theoretical interatomic potential for the Xe dimer, gained using the relativistic effective potential/core polarization potential scheme. These calculations used valence basis set of cc-pVQZ quality supplemented with a set of midbond functions. The second virial coefficient of Xe nuclear shielding, which is probably the experimentally best-characterized intermolecular interaction effect in nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, is computed as a function of temperature, and compared to experiment and earlier theoretical results. The best results for the second virial coefficient, obtained using the CCSD(CP) binary chemical shift curve and either our best theoretical potential or the empirical potentials from the literature, are in good agreement with experiment. Zero-point vibrational corrections of delta, Delta sigma, chi (parallel), and C (perpendicular) in the nu=0, J=0 rovibrational ground state of the xenon dimer are also reported.

DSD Characteristics of a Mid-Winter Tornadic Storm Using C-Band Polarimetric Radar and Two 2D-Video Disdrometers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thurai, M.; Petersen, W. A.; Carey, L. A.

2010-01-01

Drop size distributions in an evolving tornadic storm are examined using C-band polarimetric radar observations and two 2D-video disdrometers. The E-F2 storm occurred in mid-winter (21 January 2010) in northern Alabama, USA, and caused widespread damage. The evolution of the storm occurred within the C-band radar coverage and moreover, several minutes prior to touch down, the storm passed over a site where several disdrometers including two 2D video disdrometers (2DVD) had been installed. One of the 2DVDs is a low profile unit and the other is a new next generation compact unit currently undergoing performance evaluation. Analyses of the radar data indicate that the main region of precipitation should be treated as a "big-drop" regime case. Even the measured differential reflectivity values (i.e. without attenuation correction) were as high as 6-7 dB within regions of high reflectivity. Standard attenuation-correction methods using differential propagation phase have been "fine tuned" to be applicable to the "big drop" regime. The corrected reflectivity and differential reflectivity data are combined with the co-polar correlation coefficient and specific differential phase to determine the mass-weighted mean diameter, Dm, and the width of the mass spectrum, (sigma)M, as well as the intercept parameter , Nw. Significant areas of high Dm (3-4 mm) were retrieved within the main precipitation areas of the tornadic storm. The "big drop" regime assumption is substantiated by the two sets of 2DVD measurements. The Dm values calculated from 1-minute drop size distributions reached nearly 4 mm, whilst the maximum drop diameters were over 6 mm. The fall velocity measurements from the 2DVD indicate almost all hydrometeors to be fully melted at ground level. Drop shapes for this event are also being investigated from the 2DVD camera data.

Testing the Hypothesis of a Homoscedastic Error Term in Simple, Nonparametric Regression

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wilcox, Rand R.

2006-01-01

Consider the nonparametric regression model Y = m(X)+ [tau](X)[epsilon], where X and [epsilon] are independent random variables, [epsilon] has a median of zero and variance [sigma][squared], [tau] is some unknown function used to model heteroscedasticity, and m(X) is an unknown function reflecting some conditional measure of location associated…

The role of pressure in rubber elasticity.

PubMed

Bower, A F; Weiner, J H

2004-06-22

We describe a series of molecular dynamics computations that reveal an intimate connection at the atomic scale between difference stress (which resists stretches) and pressure (which resists volume changes) in an idealized elastomer, in contrast to the classical theory of rubber elasticity. Our simulations idealize the elastomer as a "pearl necklace," in which the covalent bonds are stiff linear springs, while nonbonded atoms interact through a Lennard-Jones potential with energy epsilon(LJ) and radius sigma(LJ). We calculate the difference stress t(11)-(t(22)+t(33))/2 and mean stress (t(11)+t(22)+t(33))/3 induced by a constant volume extension in the x(1) direction, as a function of temperature T and reduced density rho(*)=Nsigma(IJ) (3)/nu. Here, N is the number of atoms in the simulation cell and nu is the cell volume. Results show that for rho(*)<1, the difference stress is purely entropic and is in good agreement with the classical affine network model of rubber elasticity, which neglects nonbonded interactions. However, data presented by van Krevelen [Properties of Polymers, 3rd ed. (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1990), p. 79] indicate that rubber at standard conditions corresponds to rho(*)=1.2. For rho(*)>1, the system is entropic for kT/epsilon(LJ)>2, but at lower temperatures the difference stress contains an additional energy component, which increases as rho(*) increases and temperature decreases. Finally, the model exhibits a glass transition for rho(*)=1.2 and kT/epsilon(LJ) approximately 2. The atomic-scale processes responsible for generating stress are explored in detail. Simulations demonstrate that the repulsive portion of the Lennard-Jones potential provides a contribution sigma(nbr)>0 to the difference stress, the attractive portion provides sigma(nba) approximately 0, while the covalent bonds provide sigma(b)<0. In contrast, their respective contributions to the mean stress satisfy Pi(nbr)<0, Pi(nba)>0, and Pi(b)<0. Analytical calculations, together with simulations, demonstrate that mean and difference stresses are related by sigma(nbr)=-APi(nbr)P(2)(theta(b)), sigma(b)=BPi(b)P(2)(theta(b)), where P(2)(theta(b)) is a measure of the anisotropy of the orientation of the covalent bonds, and A and B are coefficients that depend weakly on rho(*) and temperature. For high values of rho(*), we find that [sigma(nbr)]>[sigma(b)], and in this regime our model predicts behavior that is in good agreement with experimental data of D.L. Quested et al. [J. Appl. Phys. 52, 5977 (1981)] for the influence of pressure on the difference stress induced by stretching solithane. (c) 2004 American Institute of Physics.

Effect of ion exchange on strength and slow crack growth of a dental porcelain.

PubMed

Rosa, Vinicius; Yoshimura, Humberto N; Pinto, Marcelo M; Fredericci, Catia; Cesar, Paulo F

2009-06-01

To determine the effect of ion exchange on slow crack growth (SCG) parameters (n, stress corrosion susceptibility coefficient, and sigma(f0), scaling parameter) and Weibull parameters (m, Weibull modulus, and sigma(0), characteristic strength) of a dental porcelain. 160 porcelain discs were fabricated according to manufacturer's instructions, polished through 1 microm and divided into two groups: GC (control) and GI (submitted to an ion exchange procedure using a KNO3 paste at 470 degrees C for 15 min). SCG parameters were determined by biaxial flexural strength test in artificial saliva at 37 degrees C using five constant stress rates (n=10). 20 specimens of each group were tested at 1 MPa/s to determine Weibull parameters. The SPT diagram was constructed using the least-squares fit of the strength data versus probability of failure. Mean values of m and sigma(0) (95% confidence interval), n and sigma(f0) (standard deviation) were, respectively: 13.8 (10.1-18.8) and 60.4 (58.5-62.2), 24.1 (2.5) and 58.1 (0.01) for GC and 7.4 (5.3-10.0) and 136.8 (129.1-144.7), 36.7 (7.3) and 127.9 (0.01) for GI. Fracture stresses (MPa) calculated using the SPT diagram for lifetimes of 1 day, 1 year and 10 years (at a 5% failure probability) were, respectively, 31.8, 24.9 and 22.7 for GC and 71.2, 60.6 and 56.9 for GI. For the porcelain tested, the ion exchange process improved strength and resistance to SCG, however, the material's reliability decreased. The predicted fracture stress at 5% failure probability for a lifetime of 10 years was also higher for the ion treated group.

Studies of Rotationally and Vibrationally Inelastic Collisions of NaK with Atomic Perturbers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Richter, Kara M.

This dissertation discusses investigations of vibrationally and rotationally inelastic collisions of NaK with argon, helium and potassium as collision partners. We have investigated collisions of NaK molecules in the 2(A) 1Sigma+, state with argon and helium collision partners in a laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) experiment. The pump laser prepares the molecules in particular ro-vibrational (v, J) levels in the 2(A) 1Sigma+, state. These excited molecules then emit fluorescence as they make transitions back to the ground [2(X)1Sigma +] state, and this fluorescence is collected by a Bomem Fourier-transform spectrometer. Weak collisional satellite lines appear flanking strong, direct lines in the recorded spectra. These satellite lines are due to collisions of the NaK molecule in the 2(A)1Sigma+, state with noble gas and alkali atom perturbers, which carry population to nearby rotational levels [(v, J) →(v, J + DeltaJ)] or to various rotational levels of nearby vibrational levels, [(v, J)→ (v + Deltav, J + DeltaJ)]. Ratios of the intensity of each collisional line to the intensity of the direct line then yields information pertaining to the transfer of population in the collision. Our results show a propensity for DeltaJ = even collisions of NaK with noble gas atoms, which is slightly more pronounced for collisions with helium than with argon. Such a DeltaJ = even propensity was not observed in the vibrationally inelastic collisions. Although it would be desirable to operate in the single collision regime, practical considerations make that difficult to achieve. Therefore, we have developed a method to estimate the effects of multiple collisions on our measured rate coefficients and have obtained approximate corrected values.

Role of the supersymmetric semiclassical approach in barrier penetration and heavy-ion fusion

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

Sil, T.; Dutt, R.; Varshni, Y.P.

1994-11-01

The problem of heavy-ion fusion reactions in the one-dimensional barrier penetration model (BPM) has been reexamined in light of supersymmetry-inspired WKB (SWKB) method. Motivated by our recent work [Phys. Lett. A 184, 209 (1994)] describing the SWKB method for the computation of the transmission coefficient [ital T]([ital E]), we have performed similar calculations for a potential barrier that mimics the proximity potential obtained by fitting experimentally measured fusion cross section [sigma][sub [ital F

Preliminary analysis of the sensitivity of AIRSAR images to soil moisture variations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pardipuram, Rajan; Teng, William L.; Wang, James R.; Engman, Edwin T.

1993-01-01

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images acquired from various sources such as Shuttle Imaging Radar B (SIR-B) and airborne SAR (AIRSAR) have been analyzed for signatures of soil moisture. The SIR-B measurements have shown a strong correlation between measurements of surface soil moisture (0-5 cm) and the radar backscattering coefficient sigma(sup o). The AIRSAR measurements, however, indicated a lower sensitivity. In this study, an attempt has been made to investigate the causes for this reduced sensitivity.

Ab initio studies of dissociative recombination

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Guberman, Steven L.

1989-01-01

Quantum chemical calculations of the dissociative recombination of O2(+) and N2(+) are reported. An approach for calculating autoionization widths from high-principal-quantum-number Rydberg states is summarized, and an example is presented for the lowest dissociative state of O2. For O2(+), the 1Sigma(+)u state is the sole source of O(1S) from the lowest 10 vibrational levels of the ion. Rate coefficients for generating O(1S) and O(1D) at ionospheric temperatures are reported.

The production of O(1S) from dissociative recombination of O2(+). [in earth upper atmosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Guberman, Steven L.

1987-01-01

The first theoretical calculations of the rate coefficient alpha for dissociative recombination of O2(+) leading to O(1S) are reported for a wide range of temperatures. The findings are discussed in terms of the potential energy curves for the ground state of O2(+) and for the dissociative 1Sigma(u) state calculated here. Values of alpha for the equilibrium case in which the electron and vibrational temperatures are identical are shown.

Proposal of biostimulation for hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH)-decontamination and characterization of culturable bacterial community from high-dose point HCH-contaminated soils.

PubMed

Dadhwal, M; Singh, A; Prakash, O; Gupta, S K; Kumari, K; Sharma, P; Jit, S; Verma, M; Holliger, C; Lal, R

2009-02-01

To locate a high-dose point hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH)-contaminated site, to identify HCH-degrading bacteria in it and assay HCH-decontamination by biostimulation. Bacteria were isolated by serial dilution method from HCH-contaminated soil samples collected from areas near an HCH-manufacturing unit and its dumpsite in North India. After confirming the presence of indigenous HCH-degraders (seven of 24 strains), an ex situ biostimulation experiment was conducted. For this, residue levels in soil were diluted by mixing with pristine garden soil and aeration, moisture and nutrients were provided intermittently. This soil was monitored for reduction in Sigma-HCH (sum of alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-HCH) levels and stimulation of HCH-degraders. Experiments were conducted twice, in March-April (c. 75 microg Sigma-HCH g(-1) soil) and October-November 2006 (c. 280 microg Sigma-HCH g(-1) soil) at 26-30 degrees C. Sigma-HCH levels were reduced to <30% of the original in 24 days and <3% in 240 days in the experimental pits. Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis reflected changes in microbial community structure during the course of experiment. Our results show presence of HCH-degrading sphingomonads at a high-dose point HCH-contaminated site and presents biostimulation as an effective approach for its decontamination via aeration, addition of nutrients and moisture, of the indigenous population. The study demonstrates that biostimulation of indigenous HCH-degrading microbial population can be used for decontamination of chronically HCH-contaminated sites.

Quantitative electroencephalography during rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM sleep in combat-exposed veterans with and without post-traumatic stress disorder.

PubMed

Cohen, Daniel J; Begley, Amy; Alman, Jennie J; Cashmere, David J; Pietrone, Regina N; Seres, Robert J; Germain, Anne

2013-02-01

Sleep disturbances are a hallmark feature of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and associated with poor clinical outcomes. Few studies have examined sleep quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG), a technique able to detect subtle differences that polysomnography does not capture. We hypothesized that greater high-frequency qEEG would reflect 'hyperarousal' in combat veterans with PTSD (n = 16) compared to veterans without PTSD (n = 13). EEG power in traditional EEG frequency bands was computed for artifact-free sleep epochs across an entire night. Correlations were performed between qEEG and ratings of PTSD symptoms and combat exposure. The groups did not differ significantly in whole-night qEEG measures for either rapid eye movement (REM) or non-REM (NREM) sleep. Non-significant medium effect sizes suggest less REM beta (opposite to our hypothesis), less REM and NREM sigma and more NREM gamma in combat veterans with PTSD. Positive correlations were found between combat exposure and NREM beta (PTSD group only), and REM and NREM sigma (non-PTSD group only). Results did not support global hyperarousal in PTSD as indexed by increased beta qEEG activity. The correlation of sigma activity with combat exposure in those without PTSD and the non-significant trend towards less sigma activity during both REM and NREM sleep in combat veterans with PTSD suggests that differential information processing during sleep may characterize combat-exposed military veterans with and without PTSD. © 2012 European Sleep Research Society.

Influence of Sn on the thermoelectric properties of (Bi{sub x}Sb{sub 1-x}){sub 2}Te{sub 3} single crystals

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

Kulbachinskii, V.A., E-mail: kulb@mig.phys.msu.ru; Kytin, V.G.; Kudryashov, A.A.

2012-09-15

The influence of tin on the thermoelectric properties of p-(Bi{sub x}Sb{sub 1-x}){sub 2}Te{sub 3} single crystals (x=0; 0.25; 0.5) has been investigated. The temperature dependence of the Seebeck coefficient S, the electrical conductivity {sigma}, the heat conductivity k and the thermoelectric figure of merit of p-(Bi{sub x}Sb{sub 1-x}){sub 2}Te{sub 3} single crystals were measured in the temperature range 7-300 K. By an increase the Sn content, the hole concentration increases in p-(Bi{sub x}Sb{sub 1-x}){sub 2-y}Sn{sub y}Te{sub 3}. The heat conductivity k of the p-(Bi{sub x}Sb{sub 1-x}){sub 2-y}Sn{sub y}Te{sub 3} crystals decreases due to the Sn doping, while the electrical conductivitymore » {sigma} increases in the temperature interval about 200« less

Chemiluminescence of nitric oxide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sharp, W. E.; Rusch, D. W.

1981-01-01

Measurements of the intensities of the delta and gamma bands of nitric oxide in the nighttime terrestrial thermosphere are presented and used to infer the rate coefficient for the transition from the C 2 Pi to the A 2 Sigma + states. The nightglow spectrum was observed between 1900 and 2300 A at a resolution of 15 A by a rocket-borne scanning 1/4-m spectrometer pointing north at an apogee of 150 km. Progressions of the delta, gamma and epsilon bands are identified on the spectra by the construction of synthetic spectra, and the contributions of resonance fluorescence to the total band intensities are calculated. Finally, the ratio of the sum of the gamma bands for v-prime = 0 to the sum of the delta bands for v-prime = 0 is used to derive a branching ratio of 0.21 + or - 0.04 to the A 2 Sigma + state, which yields a probability for the C-A transition of 5.6 + or - 1.5 x to the 6th/sec.

The vanishing limit of the square-well fluid: the adhesive hard-sphere model as a reference system.

PubMed

Largo, J; Miller, M A; Sciortino, F

2008-04-07

We report a simulation study of the gas-liquid critical point for the square-well potential, for values of well width delta as small as 0.005 times the particle diameter sigma. For small delta, the reduced second virial coefficient at the critical point B2*c is found to depend linearly on delta. The observed weak linear dependence is not sufficient to produce any significant observable effect if the critical temperature Tc is estimated via a constant B2*c assumption, due to the highly nonlinear transformation between B2*c and Tc. This explains the previously observed validity of the law of corresponding states. The critical density rho c is also found to be constant when measured in units of the cube of the average distance between two bonded particles (1+0.5 delta)sigma. The possibility of describing the delta-->0 dependence with precise functional forms provides improved accurate estimates of the critical parameters of the adhesive hard-sphere model.

Off-nadir antenna bias correction using Amazon rain forest sigma deg data. [Brazil

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Birrer, I. J.; Bracalente, E. M.; Dome, G. J.; Sweet, J.; Berthold, G.; Moore, R. K. (Principal Investigator)

1981-01-01

The radar response from the Amazon rain forest was studied to determine the suitability of this region for use as a standard target to calibrate a scatterometer like that proposed for the National Ocean Satellite System (NOSS). Backscattering observations made by the SEASAT-1 scatterometer system show the Amazon rain forest to be a homogeneous, azimuthally-isotropic, radar target which is insensitive to polarization. The variation with angle of incidence may be adequately modeled as sigma deg (dB) = alpha theta + beta with typical values for the incidence-angle coefficient from 0.07 dB deg to 0.15 dB/deg. A small diurnal effect occurs, with measurements at sunrise being 0.5 dB to 1 dB higher than the rest of the day. Maximum likelihood estimation algorithms are presented which permit determination of relative bias and true pointing angle for each beam. Specific implementation of these algorithms for the proposed NOSS scatterometer system is also discussed.

The linear -- non-linear frontier for the Goldstone Higgs

DOE PAGES

Gavela, M. B.; Kanshin, K.; Machado, P. A. N.; ...

2016-12-01

The minimalmore » $SO(5)/SO(4)$ sigma model is used as a template for the ultraviolet completion of scenarios in which the Higgs particle is a low-energy remnant of some high-energy dynamics, enjoying a (pseudo) Nambu-Goldstone boson ancestry. Varying the $$\\sigma$$ mass allows to sweep from the perturbative regime to the customary non-linear implementations. The low-energy benchmark effective non-linear Lagrangian for bosons and fermions is obtained, determining as well the operator coefficients including linear corrections. At first order in the latter, three effective bosonic operators emerge which are independent of the explicit soft breaking assumed. The Higgs couplings to vector bosons and fermions turn out to be quite universal: the linear corrections are proportional to the explicit symmetry breaking parameters. Furthermore, we define an effective Yukawa operator which allows a simple parametrization and comparison of different heavy fermion ultraviolet completions. In addition, one particular fermionic completion is explored in detail, obtaining the corresponding leading low-energy fermionic operators.« less

Recent progress in oxide thermoelectric materials: p-type Ca3Co4O9 and n-type SrTiO3(-).

PubMed

Ohta, Hiromichi; Sugiura, Kenji; Koumoto, Kunihito

2008-10-06

Thermoelectric energy conversion technology to convert waste heat into electricity has received much attention. In addition, metal oxides have recently been considered as thermoelectric power generation materials that can operate at high temperatures on the basis of their potential advantages over heavy metallic alloys in chemical and thermal robustness. We have fabricated high-quality epitaxial films composed of oxide thermoelectric materials that are suitable for clarifying the intrinsic "real" properties. This review focuses on the thermoelectric properties of two representative oxide epitaxial films, p-type Ca 3Co 4O 9 and n-type SrTiO 3, which exhibit the best thermoelectric figures of merit, ZT (= S (2)sigma Tkappa (-1), S = Seebeck coefficient, sigma = electrical conductivity, kappa = thermal conductivity, and T = absolute temperature) among oxide thermoelectric materials reported to date. In addition, we introduce the recently discovered giant S of two-dimensional electrons confined within a unit cell layer thickness ( approximately 0.4 nm) of SrTiO 3.

Developmental differences in intra-individual variability in children with ADHD and ASD.

PubMed

van Belle, Janna; van Hulst, Branko M; Durston, Sarah

2015-12-01

Intra-individual variability reflects temporal variation within an individual's performance on a cognitive task. Children with developmental disorders, such as ADHD and ASD show increased levels of intra-individual variability. In typical development, intra-individual variability decreases sharply between the ages 6 and 20. The tight link between intra-individual variability and age has led to the suggestion that it may be marker of neural development. As there is accumulating evidence that ADHD and ASD are characterised by atypical neurodevelopmental trajectories, we set out to explore developmental changes in intra-individual variability in subjects with ADHD and ASD. We used propensity score matching to match a cross-sectional sample of children with ADHD, ASD and control subjects (N = 405, aged 6-19 years old) for age, IQ and gender. We used ex-Gaussian distribution parameters to characterise intra-individual variability on fast responses (sigma) and slow responses (tau). Results showed that there was a similar decrease in mean response times with age across groups, and an interaction between age and group for measures of variability, where there was a much lower rate of change in the variability parameters (sigma and tau) for subjects with ASD compared with the other two groups. Subjects with ADHD had higher intra-individual variability, reflected by both sigma and tau, but the rate of decrease in variability with age was similar to that of the controls. These results suggest that subjects with ADHD, ASD and controls differ in the rate at which intra-individual variability decreases during development, and support the idea that intra-individual variability may be a marker of neural development, mimicking the neurodevelopmental changes in these disorders. © 2015 Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.

Solution structure of biopolymers: a new method of constructing a bead model.

PubMed Central

Banachowicz, E; Gapiński, J; Patkowski, A

2000-01-01

We propose a new, automated method of converting crystallographic data into a bead model used for the calculations of hydrodynamic properties of rigid macromolecules. Two types of molecules are considered: nucleic acids and small proteins. A bead model of short DNA fragments has been constructed in which each nucleotide is represented by two identical, partially overlapping spheres: one for the base and one for the sugar and phosphate group. The optimum radius sigma = 5.0 A was chosen on the basis of a comparison of the calculated translational diffusion coefficients (D(T)) and the rotational relaxation times (tau(R)) with the corresponding experimental data for B-DNA fragments of 8, 12, and 20 basepairs. This value was assumed for the calculation D(T) and tau(R) of tRNA(Phe). Better agreement with the experimental data was achieved for slightly larger sigma = 5.7 A. A similar procedure was applied to small proteins. Bead models were constructed such that each amino acid was represented by a single sphere or a pair of identical, partially overlapping spheres, depending on the amino acid's size. Experimental data of D(T) of small proteins were used to establish the optimum value of sigma = 4.5 A for amino acids. The lack of experimental data on tau(R) for proteins restricted the tests to the translational diffusion properties. PMID:10620274

Crystal Lattice Controlled SiGe Thermoelectric Materials with High Figure of Merit

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kim, Hyun-Jung; Park, Yeonjoon; King, Glen C.; Lee, Kunik; Choi, Sang H.

2010-01-01

Direct energy conversion between thermal and electrical energy, based on thermoelectric (TE) effect, has the potential to recover waste heat and convert it to provide clean electric power. The energy conversion efficiency is related to the thermoelectric figure of merit ZT expressed as ZT=S(exp 2)(sigma)T/Kappa, T is temperature, S is the Seebeck coefficient, sigma is conductance and Kappa is thermal conductivity. For a lower thermal conductivity Kappa and high power factor (S(exp 2)(sigma)), our current strategy is the development of rhombohedrally strained single crystalline SiGe materials that are highly [111]-oriented twinned. The development of a SiGe "twin lattice structure (TLS)" plays a key role in phonon scattering. The TLS increases the electrical conductivity and decreases thermal conductivity due to phonon scattering at stacking faults generated from the 60 X rotated primary twin structure. To develop high performance materials, the substrate temperature, chamber working pressure, and DC sputtering power are controlled for the aligned growth production of SiGe layer and TLS on a c-plane sapphire. Additionally, a new elevated temperature thermoelectric characterization system, that measures the thermal diffusivity and Seebeck effect nondestructively, was developed. The material properties were characterized at various temperatures and optimized process conditions were experimentally determined. The present paper encompasses the technical discussions toward the development of thermoelectric materials and the measurement techniques.

Synthesis and Characterization of Rare-Earth Tellurides and Their Composites For High-Temperature Thermoelectric Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheikh, Dean

Radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) are solid-state energy conversion devices and have been a vital power generation technology for deep space missions conducted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). At the heart of these generators are thermoelectric materials that convert heat given off by a radioisotope decay into electricity through the Seebeck effect. While these systems have demonstrated long-term reliability, the current state-of-practice materials have thermoelectric figures of merit, ZT, near 1, leading to low system level efficiencies of 6.5%. The figure of merit is defined as ZT = sigmaS 2/kappa T where sigma, S, kappa, and T are electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, thermal conductivity, and temperature, respectively. Development of higher ZT materials would enable future NASA missions to perform a greater number of scientific experiments and extend mission lifetimes. Lanthanum telluride (La3-xTe4) is a state-of-the-art n-type high-temperature thermoelectric material, with a ZT of 1.1 at 1275 K. It has been demonstrated that the electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient of this material can be decoupled when nickel inclusions are added to form a composite. This new phenomenon, known as composite assisted funneling of electrons (CAFE), allows for the resistivity of the composite to decrease while leaving the Seebeck coefficient unaffected when 12-15 vol% nickel was incorporated. The initial work presented in this dissertation focused on microstructural modifications to La3-xTe4-Ni composites to attain a better understanding of the CAFE mechanism. This investigation was conducted by varying the size of the nickel particles compared to what were used in the previous composite study. A 60% increase in ZT to a value of 1.9 at 1200 K for the composites with the smallest Ni particle size was obtained due to an increased Seebeck coefficient and decreased thermal conductivity. The next study focused on the extension of the CAFE effect in La 3-xTe4 to use inclusions other than nickel. Cobalt of a similar size to the nickel in the initial La3-xTe4-Ni composite work was used. A series of La3-xTe4-Co composites were synthesized and their thermoelectric properties characterized. A gradual decrease in resistivity was observed above 8 vol% cobalt, suggesting the CAFE mechanism was occurring. An 18% increase to the Seebeck coefficient was observed between 5-8 vol% cobalt, likely due to contamination on the cobalt powder, altering the carrier concentration of the matrix. The increase to the Seebeck coefficient allowed for a ZT of 1.5 at 1225 K to be achieved at 5 vol% cobalt. The final investigation in this dissertation focused on the synthesis and thermoelectric characterization of praseodymium telluride (Pr3-x Te4). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations predicted a large peak in the density of states (DOS) of Pr3-xTe4 at its Fermi level compared to La3-xTe4, due to the 4ƒ electrons of praseodymium. This change in the band structure was predicted to increase the Seebeck coefficient of Pr3-xTe4 over La3-xTe4. A series of Pr3-xTe4 with varying vacancy concentrations were mechanochemically synthesized and characterized. A 25% improvement in the Seebeck coefficient and 25% decrease in the thermal conductivity compared to La3-xTe4 was observed. The thermoelectric properties were found to optimize at a composition of Pr2.74Te4, reaching a ZT of 1.7 at 1200 K.

Analytical study of the reflection and transmission coefficient of the submarine interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Guangli; Hao, Chongtao; Yao, Chen

2018-05-01

The analytical study of the reflection and transmission coefficient of the seafloor interface is essential for the characterization of the ocean bottom in marine seismic exploration. Based on the boundary conditions of the seafloor interface, the analytical expression of the reflection and transmission coefficient at the submarine interface is derived in this study by using the steady-state wave solution of the elastic wave in a homogeneous, isotropic medium. With this analytical expression, the characteristics of the reflection and transmission coefficient at the submarine interface are analysed and discussed using critical angles. The results show that the change in the reflection and transmission coefficient with the incidence angle presents a "segmented" characteristic, in which the critical angle is the dividing point. The amplitude value and phase angle of the coefficient at the submarine interface change dramatically at the critical angle, which is related to the P- and S-wave velocities in the seabed layer. Compared with the stiff seabed, the soft seabed has a larger P-wave critical angle and an absence of the converted S-wave critical angle, owing to the low P- and S-wave velocities in the solid seabed layer. By analysing and discussing the special changes that occur in the coefficient values at the critical angle, the reflection and transmission characteristics of the different incident angles are obtained. Synthetic models of both stiff and soft seafloors are provided in this study to verify the analytical results. Finally, we compared our synthetic results with real data from the Gulf of Mexico, which enabled the validation of our conclusions.

Ethanol exposure in early adolescence inhibits intrinsic neuronal plasticity via sigma-1 receptor activation in hippocampal CA1 neurons

PubMed Central

Sabeti, Jilla

2011-01-01

Background We demonstrated previously that rats exposed to chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) vapors in early adolescence show increased magnitudes of long-term potentiation (LTP) of excitatory transmission when recorded at dendritic synapses in hippocampus. Large amplitude LTP following CIE exposure is mediated by sigma-1 receptors; however, not yet addressed is the role of sigma-1 receptors in modulating the intrinsic properties of neurons to alter their action potential firing during LTP. Methods Activity-induced plasticity of spike firing was investigated using rat hippocampal slice recordings to measure changes in both field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) and population spikes (pop. spikes) concomitantly at dendritic inputs and soma of CA1 pyramidal neurons, respectively. Results We observed unique modifications in plasticity of action potential firing in hippocampal slices from CIE exposed adolescent rats, where the induction of large amplitude LTP by 100 Hz stimulations was accompanied by reduced CA1 neuronal excitability—reflected as decreased pop. spike efficacy and impaired activity-induced fEPSP-to-spike (E-S) potentiation. By contrast, LTP induction in ethanol-naïve control slices resulted in increased spike efficacy and robust E-S potentiation. E-S potentiation impairments emerged at 24 hr after CIE treatment cessation, but not before the alcohol withdrawal period, and were restored with bath-application of the sigma-1 receptor selective antagonist BD1047, but not the NMDA receptor antagonist D-AP5. Further evidence revealed a significantly shortened somatic fEPSP time course in adolescent CIE-withdrawn hippocampal slices during LTP; however, paired-pulse data show no apparent correspondence between E-S dissociation and altered recurrent feedback inhibition. Conclusions Results here suggest that acute withdrawal from adolescent CIE exposure triggers sigma-1 receptors that act to depress the efficacy of excitatory inputs in triggering action potentials during LTP. Such withdrawal-induced depression of E-S plasticity in hippocampus likely entails sigma-1 receptor modulation of one or several voltage-gated ion channels controlling the neuronal input-output dynamics. PMID:21314692

Electrical properties of Pb{sub 1-x}Mn{sub x}Te single crystals with an excess of tellurium

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

Bagieva, G. Z., E-mail: bagieva-gjulandam@rambler.ru; Abdinova, G. D.; Mustafayev, N. B.

2013-03-15

The effect of excess Te atoms (as high as 0.5 at %) and thermal treatment at 473 K for 120 h on the electrical conductivity {sigma}, the thermopower coefficient {alpha}, and the Hall coefficient R of Pb{sub 0.96}Mn{sub 0.04}Te single crystals in the temperature range {approx}77-300 K is investigated. It is shown that excess atoms of tellurium predominantly act as acceptor impurity centers at low concentrations in unannealed samples and form antisite defects at relatively high concentrations (0.05 at % or higher) being located mainly in vacancies of the lead sublattice, and decrease the hole concentration. As a result ofmore » annealing, certain lattice defects (for example, deformational) are healed, and the accommodation process for Te atoms at lead-sublattice vacancies is intensified. These processes substantially affect the values of the electrical parameters, their temperature dependences, as well as the sign of the thermopower and Hall coefficients of the samples.« less

Starspot evolution, differential rotation, and magnetic cycles in the chromospherically active binaries lambda andromedae, sigma Geminorum, II Pegasi, and V711 Tauri

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Henry, Gregory W.; Eaton, Joel A.; Hamer, Jamesia; Hall, Douglas S.

1995-01-01

We have analyzed 15-19 yr of photoelectric photometry, obtained manually and with automated telescopes, of the chromospherically active binaries lambda And, sigma Gem, II Peg, and V711 Tau. These observations let us identify individual dark starspots on the stellar surfaces from periodic dimming of the starlight, follow the evolution of these spots, and search for long-term cyclic changes in the properties of these starspots that might reveal magnetic cycles analogous to the Sun's 11 yr sunspot cycle. We developed a computer code to fit a simple two-spot model to our observed light curves that allows us to extract the most easily determinable and most reliable spot parameters from the light curves, i.e., spot longitudes and radii. We then used these measured properties to identify individual spots and to chart their life histories by constructing migration and amplitude curves. We identified and followed 11 spots in lambda And, 16 in sigma Gem, 12 in II Peg, and 15 in V711 Tau. Lifetimes of individual spots ranged from a few months to longer than 6 yr. Differential rotation coefficients, estimated from the observed range of spot rotation periods for each star and defined by equation (2), were 0.04 for lambda And, 0.038 for sigma Gem, 0.005 for II Peg, and 0.006 for V711 Tau, versus 0.19 for the Sun. We searched for cyclic changes in mean brightness, B-V color index, and spot rotation period as evidence for long-term cycles. Of these, long-term variability in mean brightness appears to offer the best evidence for such cycles in these four stars. Cycles of 11.1 yr for lambda And, 8.5 yr for sigma Gem, 11 yr for II Peg, and 16 yr V711 Tau are implied by these mean brightness changes. Cyclic changes in spot rotation period were found in lambda And and possibly II Peg. Errors in B-V were too large for any long-term changes to be detectable.

Characterizing the reflectivity of handheld display devices.

PubMed

Liu, Peter; Badano, Aldo

2014-08-01

With increased use of handheld and tablet display devices for viewing medical images, methods for consistently measuring reflectivity of the devices are needed. In this note, the authors report on the characterization of diffuse reflections for handheld display devices including mobile phones and tablets using methods recommended by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group 18 (TG18). The authors modified the diffuse reflectance coefficient measurement method outlined in the TG18 report. The authors measured seven handheld display devices (two phones and five tablets) and three workstation displays. The device was attached to a black panel with Velcro. To study the effect of the back surface on the diffuse reflectance coefficient, the authors created Styrofoam masks with different size square openings and placed it in front of the device. Overall, for each display device, measurements of illuminance and reflected luminance on the display screen were taken. The authors measured with no mask, with masks of varying size, and with display-size masks, and calculated the corresponding diffuse reflectance coefficient. For all handhelds, the diffuse reflectance coefficient measured with no back panel were lower than measurements performed with a mask. The authors found an overall increase in reflectivity as the size of the mask decreases. For workstations displays, diffuse reflectance coefficients were higher when no back panel was used, and higher than with masks. In all cases, as luminance increased, illuminance increased, but not at the same rate. Since the size of handheld displays is smaller than that of workstation devices, the TG18 method suffers from a dependency on illumination condition. The authors show that the diffuse reflection coefficients can vary depending on the nature of the back surface of the illuminating box. The variability in the diffuse coefficient can be as large as 20% depending on the size of the mask. For all measurements, both luminance and illuminance increased as the size of the display window decreased. The TG18 method does not account for this variability. The authors conclude that the method requires a definitive description of the back panel used in the light source setup. The methods described in the TG18 document may need to be improved to provide consistent comparisons of desktop monitors, phones, and tablets.

Dielectric characterization of hot-mix asphalt at the smart road using GPR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al-Qadi, Imad L.; Loulizi, A.; Lahouar, S.

2000-04-01

To better interpret collected ground penetrating radar (GPR) data, a project is currently underway at the Virginia Smart Road. Twelve different flexible pavement sections and a continuously reinforced concrete rigid pavement section are incorporated in the road design. Thirty-five copper plates were placed at different layer interfaces throughout the pavement sections. The copper plates serve as a reflecting material and thus allow the determination of layers' dielectric constant over the GPR frequency range. An initial development of a method to calculate the complex dielectric constant of hot-mix asphalt over the frequency range of 750 to 1750 MHz using an air-coupled GPR system is presented. Utilizing GPR data, this method will be used to predict changes of the dielectric properties of the different SuperPaveTM mixes used at the Smart Road over time. The method is based on equating the overall reflection coefficient as obtained from the radar measurements with the calculated reflection coefficient using electromagnetic theory. The measured overall reflection coefficient is obtained by dividing the reflected frequency spectrum over the incident one. The theoretical overall reflection coefficient is obtained using the multiple reflection model. A Gauss-Newton method is then used to solve for the complex dielectric constant.

Transcriptional organization and in vivo role of the Escherichia coli rsd gene, encoding the regulator of RNA polymerase sigma D.

PubMed

Jishage, M; Ishihama, A

1999-06-01

The regulator of sigma D (Rsd) was identified as an RNA polymerase sigma70-associated protein in stationary-phase Escherichia coli with the inhibitory activity of sigma70-dependent transcription in vitro (M. Jishage and A. Ishihama, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95:4953-4958, 1998). Primer extension analysis of rsd mRNA indicated the presence of two promoters, sigmaS-dependent P1 and sigma70-dependent P2 with the gearbox sequence. To get insight into the in vivo role of Rsd, the expression of a reporter gene fused to either the sigma70- or sigmaS-dependent promoter was analyzed in the absence of Rsd or the presence of overexpressed Rsd. In the rsd null mutant, the sigma70- and sigmaS-dependent gene expression was increased or decreased, respectively. On the other hand, the sigma70- or sigmaS-dependent transcription was reduced or enhanced, respectively, after overexpression of Rsd. The repression of the sigmaS-dependent transcription in the rsd mutant is overcome by increased production of the sigmaS subunit. Together these observations support the prediction that Rsd is involved in replacement of the RNA polymerase sigma subunit from sigma70 to sigmaS during the transition from exponential growth to the stationary phase.

Meteorology Associated with Turbulence Encounters During NASA's Fall-2000 Flight Experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hamilton, David W.; Proctor, Fred H.

2002-01-01

Initial flight experiments have been conducted to investigate convectively induced turbulence and to test technologies for its airborne detection. Turbulence encountered during the experiments is described with sources of data measured from in situ sensors, groundbased and airborne Doppler radars, and aircraft video. Turbulence measurements computed from the in situ system were quantified in terms of RMS normal loads (sigma(sub Delta n)), where 0.20 g is less than or equal to sigma(sub Delta n) is less than or equal to 0.30 g is considered moderate and sigma(sub Delta n) is greater than 0.30 g is severe. During two flights, 18 significant turbulence encounters (sigma(sub Delta) is greater than or equal to 0.20 g) occurred in the vicinity of deep convection; 14 moderate and 4 severe. In all cases, the encounters with turbulence occurred along the periphery of cumulus convection. These events were associated with relatively low values of radar reflectivity, i.e. RRF is less than 35 dBz, with most levels being below 20 dBz. The four cases of severe turbulence occurred in precipitation and were centered at the interface between a cumulus updraft turret and a downwind downdraft. Horizontal gradients of vertical velocity at this interface were found to be strongest on the downwind side of the cumulus turrets. Furthermore, the greatest loads to the aircraft occurred while flying along, not orthogonal to, the ambient environmental wind vector. During the two flights, no significant turbulence was encountered in the clear air (visual meteorological conditions), not even in the immediate vicinity of the deep convection.

Behavior of yeast cells in aqueous suspension affected by pulsed electric field.

PubMed

El Zakhem, H; Lanoisellé, J-L; Lebovka, N I; Nonus, M; Vorobiev, E

2006-08-15

This work discusses pulsed electric fields (PEF) induced effects in treatment of aqueous suspensions of concentrated yeast cells (S. cerevisiae). The PEF treatment was done using pulses of near-rectangular shape, electric field strength was within E=2-5 kV/cm and the total time of treatment was t(PEF)=10(-4)-0.1 s. The concentration of aqueous yeast suspensions was in the interval of C(Y)=0-22 (wt%), where 1% concentration corresponds to the cellular density of 2x10(8) cells/mL. Triton X-100 was used for studying non-ionic surfactant additive effects. The electric current peak value I was measured during each pulse application, and from these data the electrical conductivity sigma was estimated. The PEF-induced damage results in increase of sigma with t(PEF) increasing and attains its saturation level sigma approximately sigma(max) at long time of PEF treatment. The value of sigma(max) reflects the efficiency of damage. The reduced efficiency of damage at suspension volume concentration higher than phi(Y) approximately 32 vol% is explained by the percolation phenomenon in the randomly packed suspension of near-spherical cells. The higher cytoplasmic ions leakage was observed in presence of surfactant. Experiments were carried out in the static and continuous flow treatment chambers in order to reveal the effects of mixing in PEF-treatment efficiency. A noticeable aggregation of the yeast cells was observed in the static flow chamber during the PEF treatment, while aggregation was not so pronounced in the continuous flow chamber. The nature of the enhanced aggregation under the PEF treatment was revealed by the zeta-potential measurements: these data demonstrate different zeta-potential signs for alive and dead cells. The effect of the electric field strength on the PEF-induced extraction of the intracellular components of S. cerevisiae is discussed.

Laser marking of contrast images for optical read-out systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yulmetova, O. S.; Tumanova, M. A.

2017-11-01

In the present study the formation of contrast images that provide functionality of optical read-out systems is considered. The image contrast is determined by the difference of reflection coefficients of the beryllium surface covered with titanium nitride film (TiN) formed by physical vapor deposition and the image created on it by laser oxidation. Two ways of contrast variation are studied: by regulating both TiN reflection coefficient during vapor deposition and the reflection coefficient of the image obtained with the laser. The test results show the efficiency of the proposed approach.

APPLICATIONS OF LASERS AND OTHER TOPICS IN QUANTUM ELECTRONICS: Determination of reflection coefficients of mirrors using a mode-locked laser and a dissector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Apolonskiĭ, A. A.; Vinokurov, Nikolai A.; Zinin, É. I.; Ishchenko, P. I.; Kuklin, A. E.; Popik, V. M.; Sokolov, A. S.; Shchebetov, S. D.

1992-09-01

A method is described for determining the reflection coefficients of high-density mirrors, based on the use of a mode-locked laser and a sensitive detector with a fast time resolution. The laser light is transmitted through an optical resonator formed by the investigated mirrors. The measured delay in the decay of a light pulse gives the damping time of the optical resonator. This is related to its Q factor determined by the reflection coefficients of its mirrors.

How the early sporulation sigma factor sigmaF delays the switch to late development in Bacillus subtilis.

PubMed

Karmazyn-Campelli, Céline; Rhayat, Lamya; Carballido-López, Rut; Duperrier, Sandra; Frandsen, Niels; Stragier, Patrick

2008-03-01

Sporulation in Bacillus subtilis is a primitive differentiation process involving two cell types, the forespore and the mother cell. Each cell implements two successive transcription programmes controlled by specific sigma factors. We report that activity of sigma(G), the late forespore sigma factor, is kept in check by Gin, the product of csfB, a gene controlled by sigma(F), the early forespore sigma factor. Gin abolishes sigma(G) transcriptional activity when sigma(G) is artificially synthesized during growth, but has no effect on sigma(F). Gin interacts strongly with sigma(G) but not with sigma(F) in a yeast two-hybrid experiment. The absence of Gin allows sigma(G) to be active during sporulation independently of the mother-cell development to which it is normally coupled. Premature sigma(G) activity leads to the formation of slow-germinating spores, and complete deregulation of sigma(G) synthesis is lethal when combined with gin inactivation. Gin allows sigma(F) to delay the switch to the late forespore transcription programme by preventing sigma(G) to take over before the cell has reached a critical stage of development. A similar strategy, following a completely unrelated route, is used by the mother cell.

High purity silica reflective heat shield development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blome, J. C.; Drennan, D. N.; Schmitt, R. J.

1974-01-01

Measurements were made of reflectance in the vacuum ultraviolet down to 0.15 micron. Scattering coefficients (S) and absorption coefficients (K) were also measured. These coefficients express the optical properties and are used directly in a thermodynamic analysis for sizing a heat shield. The effect of the thin silica melt layer formed during entry was also studied from the standpoint of trapped radiant energy.

Ion conduction mechanisms and thermal properties of hydrated and anhydrous phosphoric acids studied with 1H, 2H, and 31P NMR.

PubMed

Aihara, Yuichi; Sonai, Atsuo; Hattori, Mineyuki; Hayamizu, Kikuko

2006-12-14

To understand the behaviors of phosphoric acids in fuel cells, the ion conduction mechanisms of phosphoric acids in condensed states without free water and in a monomer state with water were studied by measuring the ionic conductivity (sigma) using AC impedance, thermal properties, and self-diffusion coefficients (D) and spin-lattice relaxation times (T1) with multinuclear NMR. The self-diffusion coefficient of the protons (H+ or H3O+), H2O, and H located around the phosphate were always larger than the diffusion coefficients of the phosphates and the disparity increased with increasing phosphate concentration. The diffusion coefficients of the samples containing D2O paralleled those in the protonated samples. Since the 1H NMR T1 values exhibited a minimum with temperature, it was possible to determine the correlation times and they were found to be of nanosecond order for a distance of nanometer order for a flip. The agreement of the ionic conductivities measured directly and those calculated from the diffusion coefficients indicates that the ion conduction obeys the Nernst-Einstein equation in the condensed phosphoric acids. The proton diffusion plays a dominant role in the ion conduction, especially in the condensed phosphoric acids.

Hartman effect and weak measurements that are not really weak

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

Sokolovski, D.; IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Alameda Urquijo, 36-5, Plaza Bizkaia, 48011, Bilbao, Bizkaia; Akhmatskaya, E.

2011-08-15

We show that in wave packet tunneling, localization of the transmitted particle amounts to a quantum measurement of the delay it experiences in the barrier. With no external degree of freedom involved, the envelope of the wave packet plays the role of the initial pointer state. Under tunneling conditions such ''self-measurement'' is necessarily weak, and the Hartman effect just reflects the general tendency of weak values to diverge, as postselection in the final state becomes improbable. We also demonstrate that it is a good precision, or a 'not really weak' quantum measurement: no matter how wide the barrier d, itmore » is possible to transmit a wave packet with a width {sigma} small compared to the observed advancement. As is the case with all weak measurements, the probability of transmission rapidly decreases with the ratio {sigma}/d.« less

A shock-tube determination of the SiO /A 1 Pi - X 1 Sigma +/ transition moment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Park, C.; Arnold, J. O.

1978-01-01

The sum of the squares of the electronic transition moments for the A 1 Pi - X 1 Sigma + band system of SiO has been determined from absorption measurements conducted in the reflected-shock region of a shock tube. The test gas was produced by shock-heating a mixture of N2O, SiCl4, and Ar, and the spectra were recorded photographically in the 260-290-nm wavelength range. The values of the sum as a function of internuclear distance between 2.8 and 3.3 Bohr were determined by comparing the measured absorption spectrum with that produced by a line-by-line synthetic-spectrum calculation which accounted for instrumental broadening. The value of the sum so deduced at an internuclear distance of 3.0 Bohr was 1.0 + or - 0.3 atomic units.

Nonlinear spatial evolution of inviscid instabilities on hypersonic boundary layers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wundrow, David W.

1996-01-01

The spatial development of an initially linear vorticity-mode instability on a compressible flat-plate boundary layer is considered. The analysis is done in the framework of the hypersonic limit where the free-stream Mach number M approaches infinity. Nonlinearity is shown to become important locally, in a thin critical layer, when sigma, the deviation of the phase speed from unity, becomes o(M(exp -8/7)) and the magnitude of the pressure fluctuations becomes 0(sigma(exp 5/2)M(exp 2)). The unsteady flow outside the critical layer takes the form of a linear instability wave but with its amplitude completely determined by the nonlinear flow within the critical layer. The coupled set of equations which govern the critical-layer dynamics reflect a balance between spatial-evolution, (linear and nonlinear) convection and nonlinear vorticity-generation terms. The numerical solution to these equations shows that nonlinear effects produce a dramatic reduction in the instability-wave amplitude.

Investigations of ionospheric sporadic Es layer using oblique sounding method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Minullin, R.

The characteristics of Es layer have been studied using oblique sounding at 28 radiolines at the frequencies of 34 -- 73 MHz at the transmission paths 400 -- 1600 km long during 30 years. Reflections from Es layer with a few hours duration were observed. The amplitude of the reflected signal reached 1000 μ V with the registration threshold 0,1 μ V. The borderlines between reflected and scattered signals were observed as sharp curves in 60 -- 100 s range on the distributions of duration of reflected signals for decameter waves. The duration of continuous Es reflections were decreased upon amplification of oblique sounding frequency. The distributions of duration of reflected signals for meter waves showed sharp curves in the range 200 -- 300 s, representing borderlines between signals reflected from meteoric traces and from Es layer. The filling coefficient for the oblique sounding as well as the Es layer emersion probability for the vertical sounding were shown to undergo daily, seasonal and periodic variations. The daily variations of the filling coefficient of Es signals showed clear-cut maximums at 10 -- 12 and 18 -- 20 hours and minimum at 4 -- 6 hours at all paths in summer time and the maximum at 12 -- 14 hours in winter time. The values of the filling coefficient for Es layer declined with the increase of oblique sounding frequency. The minimal values of the filling coefficient were observed in winter and early spring, while the maximal values were observed from May to August. Provided that the averaged filling coefficient is equal to one in summer, it reaches the level 0,25 in equinox and does not exceed the level 0,12 in winter as evident by the of oblique sounding. The filling coefficient relation to the value of the voltage detection threshold was approximated by power-mode law. The filling coefficients for summer period showed exponential relation with equivalent sounding frequencies. The experimental evidence was generalized in an analytical model. Using this model the averaged Es layer filling coefficients for particular season of the year can be forecasted in case of given sounding frequency, path length, and voltage threshold.

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

Hume, E.E. Jr.

The green line (5577[angstrom]) is a bright, persistent component of the visible airglow produced by an electric quadrupole transition from the meta-stable second excited state ([sup 1]S[sub 0]) to the first excited state ([sup 1]D[sub 2]) of atomic oxygen. In this thesis, production and loss mechanisms important to the F-region dayglow 5577[angstrom] emission are investigated. Four major source reactions need to be incorporated in the modeling of the emission profile, photoelectron impact on atomic oxygen, dissociative recombination of O[sup +][sub 2], quenching of N[sub 2](A[sup 3][Sigma][sub u][sup +]) by atomic oxygen, and photo-dissociation of O[sub 2]. For some of themore » reactions, the properties of the rate coefficients, branching ratios, and cross sections are not well known. Models are used to determine the rate coefficients, branching ratios, and cross sections for these reactions. The impact of photoelectrons on atomic oxygen is the primary source of 5577[angstrom] dayglow emission in the thermosphere. The quenching of N[sub 2](A) by atomic oxygen is an important source of the 5577[angstrom] emission at the peak in the layer. The total quenching rate was determined using a vibrational model and a band model for N[sub 2] to study emissions at 3371[angstrom] from the Atmosphere Explorer satellite. The value of the rate coefficient deduced here agrees well with experimental values by Piper and Caledonia (1981) and Thomas and Kaufman (1985). The effective branching ratio determined by this study tends to support the results from Piper (1982) and De Souza et al. (1985). The effect of the distribution of the vibrational population of the N[sub 2](A[sup 3][Sigma][sub u][sup +]) state on the branching ratio is also discussed. The extension of the dayglow photochemistry into the twilight is also investigated. The model developed for the dayglow can reasonably reproduce the rapidly changing twilight emissions.« less

Chemical and biochemical composition of caviar from different sturgeon species and origins.

PubMed

Wirth, M; Kirschbaum, F; Gessner, J; Krüger, A; Patriche, N; Billard, R

2000-08-01

The chemical and biochemical composition of caviar in 22 specimens of wild caught and of 2 farmed animals were measured. The results include grain size, protein and fat content, fatty acid composition of triglycerides and phospholipids, as well as the concentrations of relevant heavy metals and chlorinated hydrocarbons. The average protein content varied between 26.2 and 31.1% (wet weight) and fat from 10.9 to 19.4% (wet weight) with lowest values for caviar from farmed sturgeon. The triglycerides and phospholipids contained more n-3 fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid than n-6 fatty acids. The copper and zinc concentrations varied between 1.20 and 1.69 and 10.3 and 12.4 mg/kg (wet weight), respectively. These values reflect the elevated requirement of sturgeons for these components. Lead content varied between 0.06 and 0.15 mg/kg (wet weight). The cadmium concentrations were less than 5 micrograms/kg (wet weight) leading to the conclusion that no accumulation took place in the eggs. The concentrations of sigma DDT and sigma PCB were extremely high in caviar from Huso huso compared to the samples of the other species thus reflecting the different food habits leading to increased bio-accumulation.

BOREAS TE-9 In Situ Understory Spectral Reflectance Within the NSA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hall, Forrest G. (Editor); Curd, Shelaine (Editor); Supronowicz, Jan; Edwards, Geoffrey; Viau, Alain; Thomson, Keith

2000-01-01

The Boreal Ecosystem-Atmospheric Study (BOREAS) TE-9 (Terrestrial Ecology) team collected several data sets related to chemical and photosynthetic properties of leaves in boreal forest tree species. Spectral reflection coefficients of the forest understory at the ground level, in three boreal forest sites of Northern Manitoba (56 N latitude and 98 W longitude), were obtained and analyzed in 1994. In particular, angular variation of the reflection coefficients in the old jack pine and young jack pine forests, as well as nadir reflection coefficient in the young aspen forest, were investigated. The complexity of understory composition and the light patterns limited quantitative conclusions; however, a number of interesting trends in the behavior of the measured values can be inferred. In particular, the unique spectral profiles of lichens show very strongly in the old jack pine understory, yet are definitely less conspicuous for young jack pine, and virtually absent in the aspen forest. The angular variation of the reflection coefficient by the young pine understory seems to be significantly toned down by fine-structured branches and their shadows. Our study also indicates how difficult the ground reflection coefficient problem in a forest is, compared to certain previously investigated areas that have a more uniform appearance, such as prairie grassland, bare soil, or agricultural crops. This is due to several factors, generally typical of a forest environment, that may influence the overall understory reflection coefficient, including: (1) a strong diversity of the forest floor due to the presence of dead tree trunks, holes in the ground, patches of different types of vegetation or litter, etc.; (2) pronounced 3-D structures at the ground level, such as shrubs, bushes, and young trees; and (3) an irregular shadow mosaic, which not only varies with the time of the day, causing intensity variations, but likely also effectively modifies the spectrum of the illuminating light and hence the reflection coefficient signal as well The data are stored in tabular ASCII files. The data files are available on a CD-ROM (see document number 20010000884), or from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC).

Reflection of acoustic wave from the elastic seabed with an overlying gassy poroelastic layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Weiyun; Wang, Zhihua; Zhao, Kai; Chen, Guoxing; Li, Xiaojun

2015-10-01

Based on the multiphase poroelasticity theory, the reflection characteristics of an obliquely incident acoustic wave upon a plane interface between overlying water and a gassy marine sediment layer with underlying elastic solid seabed are investigated. The sandwiched gassy layer is modelled as a porous material with finite thickness, which is saturated by two compressible and viscous fluids (liquid and gas). The closed-form expression for the amplitude ratio of the reflected wave, called reflection coefficient, is derived theoretically according to the boundary conditions at the upper and lower interfaces in our proposed model. Using numerical calculation, the influences of layer thickness, incident angle, wave frequency and liquid saturation of sandwiched porous layer on the reflection coefficient are analysed, respectively. It is revealed that the reflection coefficient is closely associated with incident angle and sandwiched layer thickness. Moreover, in different frequency ranges, the dependence of the wave reflection characteristics on moisture (or gas) variations in the intermediate marine sediment layer is distinguishing.

The sigma factors of Bacillus subtilis.

PubMed Central

Haldenwang, W G

1995-01-01

The specificity of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase for target promotes is largely due to the replaceable sigma subunit that it carries. Multiple sigma proteins, each conferring a unique promoter preference on RNA polymerase, are likely to be present in all bacteria; however, their abundance and diversity have been best characterized in Bacillus subtilis, the bacterium in which multiple sigma factors were first discovered. The 10 sigma factors thus far identified in B. subtilis directly contribute to the bacterium's ability to control gene expression. These proteins are not merely necessary for the expression of those operons whose promoters they recognize; in many instances, their appearance within the cell is sufficient to activate these operons. This review describes the discovery of each of the known B. subtilis sigma factors, their characteristics, the regulons they direct, and the complex restrictions placed on their synthesis and activities. These controls include the anticipated transcriptional regulation that modulates the expression of the sigma factor structural genes but, in the case of several of the B. subtilis sigma factors, go beyond this, adding novel posttranslational restraints on sigma factor activity. Two of the sigma factors (sigma E and sigma K) are, for example, synthesized as inactive precursor proteins. Their activities are kept in check by "pro-protein" sequences which are cleaved from the precursor molecules in response to intercellular cues. Other sigma factors (sigma B, sigma F, and sigma G) are inhibited by "anti-sigma factor" proteins that sequester them into complexes which block their ability to form RNA polymerase holoenzymes. The anti-sigma factors are, in turn, opposed by additional proteins which participate in the sigma factors' release. The devices used to control sigma factor activity in B, subtilis may prove to be as widespread as multiple sigma factors themselves, providing ways of coupling sigma factor activation to environmental or physiological signals that cannot be readily joined to other regulatory mechanisms. PMID:7708009

Processing of the mother-cell sigma factor, sigma K, may depend on events occurring in the forespore during Bacillus subtilis development.

PubMed Central

Lu, S; Halberg, R; Kroos, L

1990-01-01

During sporulation of the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis, transcription of genes encoding spore coat proteins in the mother-cell compartment of the sporangium is controlled by RNA polymerase containing the sigma subunit called sigma K. Based on comparison of the N-terminal amino acid sequence of sigma K with the nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding sigma K (sigK), the primary product of sigK was inferred to be a pro-protein (pro-sigma K) with 20 extra amino acids at the N terminus. Using antibodies generated against pro-sigma K, we have detected pro-sigma K beginning at the third hour of sporulation and sigma K beginning about 1 hr later. Even when pro-sigma K is expressed artificially during growth and throughout sporulation, sigma K appears at the normal time and expression of a sigma K-controlled gene occurs normally. These results suggest that pro-sigma K is an inactive precursor that is proteolytically processed to active sigma K in a developmentally regulated fashion. Mutations that block forespore gene expression block accumulation of sigma K but not accumulation of pro-sigma K, suggesting that pro-sigma K processing is a regulatory device that couples the programs of gene expression in the two compartments of the sporangium. We propose that this regulatory device ensures completion of forespore morphogenesis prior to the synthesis in the mother-cell of spore coat proteins that will encase the forespore. Images PMID:2124700

Dynamical systems approach to the study of a sociophysics agent-based model

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

Timpanaro, Andre M.; Prado, Carmen P. C.

2011-03-24

The Sznajd model is a Potts-like model that has been studied in the context of sociophysics [1,2](where spins are interpreted as opinions). In a recent work [3], we generalized the Sznajd model to include assymetric interactions between the spins (interpreted as biases towards opinions) and used dynamical systems techniques to tackle its mean-field version, given by the flow: {eta}{sub {sigma}} = {Sigma}{sub {sigma}}'{sup M} = 1{eta}{sub {sigma}}{eta}{sigma}'({eta}{sub {sigma}}{rho}{sigma}'{yields}{sigma}-{sigma}'{rho}{sigma}{yields}{sigma}').Where hs is the proportion of agents with opinion (spin){sigma}', M is the number of opinions and {sigma}'{yields}{sigma}' is the probability weight for an agent with opinion {sigma} being convinced by another agentmore » with opinion {sigma}'. We made Monte Carlo simulations of the model in a complex network (using Barabasi-Albert networks [4]) and they displayed the same attractors than the mean-field. Using linear stability analysis, we were able to determine the mean-field attractor structure analytically and to show that it has connections with well known graph theory problems (maximal independent sets and positive fluxes in directed graphs). Our dynamical systems approach is quite simple and can be used also in other models, like the voter model.« less

Rsd family proteins make simultaneous interactions with regions 2 and 4 of the primary sigma factor.

PubMed

Yuan, Andy H; Gregory, Brian D; Sharp, Josh S; McCleary, Katherine D; Dove, Simon L; Hochschild, Ann

2008-12-01

Bacterial anti-sigma factors typically regulate sigma factor function by restricting the access of their cognate sigma factors to the RNA polymerase (RNAP) core enzyme. The Escherichia coli Rsd protein forms a complex with the primary sigma factor, sigma(70), inhibits sigma(70)-dependent transcription in vitro, and has been proposed to function as a sigma(70)-specific anti-sigma factor, thereby facilitating the utilization of alternative sigma factors. In prior work, Rsd has been shown to interact with conserved region 4 of sigma(70), but it is not known whether this interaction suffices to account for the regulatory functions of Rsd. Here we show that Rsd and the Rsd orthologue AlgQ, a global regulator of gene expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, interact with conserved region 2 of sigma(70). We show further that Rsd and AlgQ can interact simultaneously with regions 2 and 4 of sigma(70). Our findings establish that the abilities of Rsd and AlgQ to interact with sigma(70) region 2 are important determinants of their in vitro and in vivo activities.

Ultrasonic measurements of the reflection coefficient at a water/polyurethane foam interface.

PubMed

Sagers, Jason D; Haberman, Michael R; Wilson, Preston S

2013-09-01

Measured ultrasonic reflection coefficients as a function of normal incidence angle are reported for several samples of polyurethane foam submerged in a water bath. Three reflection coefficient models are employed as needed in this analysis to approximate the measured data: (1) an infinite plane wave impinging on an elastic halfspace, (2) an infinite plane wave impinging on a single fluid layer overlying a fluid halfspace, and (3) a finite acoustic beam impinging on an elastic halfspace. The compressional wave speed in each sample is calculated by minimizing the sum of squared error (SSE) between the measured and modeled data.

Spectrophotometric Method for Differentiation of Human Skin Melanoma. II. Diagnostic Characteristics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petruk, V. G.; Ivanov, A. P.; Kvaternyuk, S. M.; Barunb, V. V.

2016-05-01

Experimental data on the spectral dependences of the optical diffuse reflection coefficient for skin from different people with melanoma or nevus are presented in the form of the probability density of the diffuse reflection coefficient for the corresponding pigmented lesions. We propose a noninvasive technique for differentiating between malignant and benign tumors, based on measuring the diffuse reflection coefficient for a specific patient and comparing the value obtained with a pre-set threshold. If the experimental result is below the threshold, then it is concluded that the person has melanoma; otherwise, no melanoma is present. As an example, we consider the wavelength 870 nm. We determine the risk of malignant transformation of a nevus (its transition to melanoma) for different measured diffuse reflection coefficients. We have studied the errors in the method, its operating characteristics and probability characteristics as the threshold diffuse reflection coefficient is varied. We find that the diagnostic confidence, sensitivity, specificity, and effectiveness (accuracy) parameters are maximum (>0.82) for a threshold of 0.45-0.47. The operating characteristics for the proposed technique exceed the corresponding parameters for other familiar optical approaches to melanoma diagnosis. Its distinguishing feature is operation at only one wavelength, and consequently implementation of the experimental technique is simplified and made less expensive.

Detecting seismic anisotropy across the 410 km discontinuity through polarity and amplitude variations of the underside reflections

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saki, Morvarid; Thomas, Christine; Merkel, Sebastien; Wookey, James

2017-04-01

We investigate the effect of various types of deformation mechanisms on the reflection coefficients of P and S waves underside reflections off the 410 km discontinuity, to find a diagnostic tool to detect the style of deformation at boundary layers. We calculate the reflection coefficient for P and SH underside reflections depending on the variation in velocity perturbations across the 410 km discontinuity for two deformation scenarios, compression and shear for different azimuths and angles of incidence at the interface. The results show that in the case of an anisotropic olivine layer above an isotropic wadsleyite layer, the P wave reflection coefficient amplitudes are only slightly influenced by the joint effect of angle of incidence and the strength of imposed deformation, without any polarity reversal and for all deformation styles. For the SH wave underside reflections a more complicated behaviour is visible: In compressional deformation, a polarity reversal occurs at distances depending on the incidence angle and the intensity of applied deformation without any azimuthal dependency. However, for shear geometry the azimuth to the direction of deformation appears as an important factor which strongly affects the incidence angle at which the polarity reversal of the reflected S wave occurs. These differences in amplitude and polarity patterns of reflection coefficients of different deformation geometries, especially for S wave at shorter distances allow to detect the style of deformation mechanisms at a boundary layer.

Introduction to Sigma Proteins: Evolution of the Concept of Sigma Receptors.

PubMed

Kim, Felix J

2017-01-01

For over 40 years, scientists have endeavored to understand the so-called sigma receptors. During this time, the concept of sigma receptors has continuously and significantly evolved. With thousands of publications on the subject, these proteins have been implicated in various diseases, disorders, and physiological processes. Nevertheless, we are just beginning to understand what sigma proteins do and how they work. Two subtypes have been identified, Sigma1 and Sigma2. Whereas Sigma1 (also known as sigma-1 receptor, Sig1R, σ1 receptor, and several other names) was cloned over 20 years ago, Sigma2 (sigma-2 receptor, σ2 receptor) was cloned very recently and had remained a pharmacologically defined entity. In this volume, we will focus primarily on Sigma1. We will highlight several key subject areas in which Sigma1 has been well characterized as well as (re)emerging areas of interest. Despite the large number of publications regarding Sigma1, several fundamental questions remain unanswered or only partially answered. Most of what we know about Sigma1 comes from pharmacological studies; however, a clearly defined molecular mechanism of action remains elusive. One concept has become clear; Sigma1 is not a traditional receptor. Sigma1 is now considered a unique pharmacologically regulated integral membrane chaperone or scaffolding protein. A number of landmark discoveries over the past decade have begun to reshape the concept of sigma receptors. With the rapid emergence of new information, development of new tools, and changing conceptual frameworks, the field is poised for a period of accelerated progress.

Diffuse reflectance relations based on diffusion dipole theory for large absorption and reduced scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bremmer, Rolf H.; van Gemert, Martin J. C.; Faber, Dirk J.; van Leeuwen, Ton G.; Aalders, Maurice C. G.

2013-08-01

Diffuse reflectance spectra are used to determine the optical properties of biological samples. In medicine and forensic science, the turbid objects under study often possess large absorption and/or scattering properties. However, data analysis is frequently based on the diffusion approximation to the radiative transfer equation, implying that it is limited to tissues where the reduced scattering coefficient dominates over the absorption coefficient. Nevertheless, up to absorption coefficients of 20 m at reduced scattering coefficients of 1 and 11.5 mm-1, we observed excellent agreement (r2=0.994) between reflectance measurements of phantoms and the diffuse reflectance equation proposed by Zonios et al. [Appl. Opt. 38, 6628-6637 (1999)], derived as an approximation to one of the diffusion dipole equations of Farrell et al. [Med. Phys. 19, 879-888 (1992)]. However, two parameters were fitted to all phantom experiments, including strongly absorbing samples, implying that the reflectance equation differs from diffusion theory. Yet, the exact diffusion dipole approximation at high reduced scattering and absorption also showed agreement with the phantom measurements. The mathematical structure of the diffuse reflectance relation used, derived by Zonios et al. [Appl. Opt. 38, 6628-6637 (1999)], explains this observation. In conclusion, diffuse reflectance relations derived as an approximation to the diffusion dipole theory of Farrell et al. can analyze reflectance ratios accurately, even for much larger absorption than reduced scattering coefficients. This allows calibration of fiber-probe set-ups so that the object's diffuse reflectance can be related to its absorption even when large. These findings will greatly expand the application of diffuse reflection spectroscopy. In medicine, it may allow the use of blue/green wavelengths and measurements on whole blood, and in forensic science, it may allow inclusion of objects such as blood stains and cloth at crime scenes.

KINETIC ENERGY DISTRIBUTION OF H(1s) FROM H{sub 2} X {sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g}-a {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g} EXCITATION AND LIFETIMES AND TRANSITION PROBABILITIES OF a {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g}(v, J)

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

Liu Xianming; Johnson, Paul V.; Malone, Charles P.

Dissociative excitation of molecular hydrogen plays an important role in the heating of outer planet upper thermospheres. This paper addresses the role of one of the triplet states involved in the process. H{sub 2} excited to the a {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g} state, or higher triplet-ungerade states, is dissociated via the a {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g}-b {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub u} continuum. The kinetic energy distribution of H(1s) produced from direct X {sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g}-a {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g}(v, J) excitation by electrons is investigated by an accurate theoretical evaluation of spontaneous transition probabilities ofmore » the a {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g}(v, J)-b {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub u} continuum transition. It is shown that the X {sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g}(0)-a {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g}(v, J) excitation primarily produces H(1s) atoms with kinetic energies lower than 2 eV. In addition to the continuum a {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g}(v, J)-b {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub u} transition probabilities, spontaneous emission lifetimes of the a {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g}(v, J) (v = 0-20, J {<=} 14) levels have been calculated by considering both the a {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g}-b {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub u} and a {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g}-c {sup 3}{Pi} {sub u} transitions. The calculated lifetimes show a moderately strong rotational dependence, and the lifetimes for the J = 0 rotational level of the low v levels agree well with previous calculations and experimental measurements. Calculations of the a {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g}-b {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub u} continuum emission spectra from electron impact X {sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g}-a {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g} excitation are included.« less

Electro-optic study of PZT ferroelectric ceramics using modulation of reflected light

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kniazkov, A. V.

2016-04-01

Electro-optic coefficients of variations in the refractive index of PZT and PLZT ceramic materials induced by ac electric field are estimated using modulation of reflected light. The electro-optic coefficients of PLZT ceramics measured with the aid of conventional birefringence using the phase shift of transmitted radiation and the proposed method of birefringence using the modulation of reflected light are compared.

Spectroradiometric monitoring for open outdoor culturing of algae and cyanobacteria.

PubMed

Reichardt, Thomas A; Collins, Aaron M; McBride, Robert C; Behnke, Craig A; Timlin, Jerilyn A

2014-08-20

We assess the measurement of hyperspectral reflectance for outdoor monitoring of green algae and cyanobacteria cultures with a multichannel, fiber-coupled spectroradiometer. Reflectance data acquired over a 4-week period are interpreted via numerical inversion of a reflectance model, in which the above-water reflectance is expressed as a quadratic function of the single backscattering albedo, which is dependent on the absorption and backscatter coefficients. The absorption coefficient is treated as the sum of component spectra consisting of the cultured species (green algae or cyanobacteria), dissolved organic matter, and water (including the temperature dependence of the water absorption spectrum). The backscatter coefficient is approximated as the scaled Hilbert transform of the culture absorption spectrum with a wavelength-independent vertical offset. Additional terms in the reflectance model account for the pigment fluorescence features and the water-surface reflection of sunlight and skylight. For the green algae and cyanobacteria, the wavelength-independent vertical offset of the backscatter coefficient is found to scale linearly with daily dry weight measurements, providing the capability for a nonsampling measurement of biomass in outdoor ponds. Other fitting parameters in the reflectance model are compared with auxiliary measurements and physics-based calculations. The model-derived magnitudes of sunlight and skylight water-surface reflections compare favorably with Fresnel reflectance calculations, while the model-derived quantum efficiency of Chl-a fluorescence is found to be in agreement with literature values. Finally, the water temperatures derived from the reflectance model exhibit excellent agreement with thermocouple measurements during the morning hours but correspond to significantly elevated temperatures in the afternoon hours.

CLARREO Pathfinder Mission to ISS: Demonstrating Greatly Increased Accuracy for Reflected Solar Space Based Observations: Calibration and Intercalibration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wielicki, B. A.

2016-12-01

The CLARREO (Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity) Pathfinder mission is a new mission started by NASA in 2016. CLARREO Pathfinder will fly a new generation of high accuracy reflected solar spectrometer in orbit on the Inernational Space Station (ISS) to demonstrate the ability to increase accuracy of reflected solar observations from space by a factor of 3 to 20. The spectrometer will use the sun and moon as calibration sources with a baseline objective of 0.3% (1 sigma) reflectance calibration uncertainty for the contiguous spectrum from 350nm to 2300nm, covering over 95% of the Earth's reflected solar spectrum. Spectral sampling is 3nm with resolution of 6nm. The spectrometer is mounted on a 2-axis gimbal enabling a new ability to use the same optical path to view the sun, moon, and Earth. Planned launch is 2020 with at least 1 year on orbit to demonstrate the new capability. The mission will also demonstrate the ability to use the new spectrometer as a reference transfer spectrometer in orbit to achieve intercalibration of reflected solar instruments to within 0.3% (1 sigma) using space, time, spectral, and angle matched observations across the full scan width of remote sensing instruments. Intercalibration to 0.3% will be demonstrated across the full scan width of the NASA CERES broadband radiometer and the NOAA VIIRS imager reflected solar spectral channels. This mission will demonstrate reflected solar intercalibration across the full swath width as opposed to current nadir only intercalibration used by GSICS (Global Space Based InterCalibration System). Intercalibration will include a new capability to determine scan angle dependence of polarization sensitivity of instruments like VIIRS. The high accuracy goals of this mission are driven primarily by the accuracy required to more rapidly and accurately observe climate change signals such as cloud feedback (see Wielicki et al. 2013 Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society). The new high accuracy and intercalibration capability will also be very useful for serving as a reference calibrator for constellations of operational instruments in Geostationary or Low Earth Orbit (e.g. land resource imagers, ocean color, cloud imagers). The higher accuracy will enable operational sensors to more effectively serve as climate change sensors.

Procedures for estimating confidence intervals for selected method performance parameters.

PubMed

McClure, F D; Lee, J K

2001-01-01

Procedures for estimating confidence intervals (CIs) for the repeatability variance (sigmar2), reproducibility variance (sigmaR2 = sigmaL2 + sigmar2), laboratory component (sigmaL2), and their corresponding standard deviations sigmar, sigmaR, and sigmaL, respectively, are presented. In addition, CIs for the ratio of the repeatability component to the reproducibility variance (sigmar2/sigmaR2) and the ratio of the laboratory component to the reproducibility variance (sigmaL2/sigmaR2) are also presented.

Comparison of the Radiative Two-Flux and Diffusion Approximations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spuckler, Charles M.

2006-01-01

Approximate solutions are sometimes used to determine the heat transfer and temperatures in a semitransparent material in which conduction and thermal radiation are acting. A comparison of the Milne-Eddington two-flux approximation and the diffusion approximation for combined conduction and radiation heat transfer in a ceramic material was preformed to determine the accuracy of the diffusion solution. A plane gray semitransparent layer without a substrate and a non-gray semitransparent plane layer on an opaque substrate were considered. For the plane gray layer the material is semitransparent for all wavelengths and the scattering and absorption coefficients do not vary with wavelength. For the non-gray plane layer the material is semitransparent with constant absorption and scattering coefficients up to a specified wavelength. At higher wavelengths the non-gray plane layer is assumed to be opaque. The layers are heated on one side and cooled on the other by diffuse radiation and convection. The scattering and absorption coefficients were varied. The error in the diffusion approximation compared to the Milne-Eddington two flux approximation was obtained as a function of scattering coefficient and absorption coefficient. The percent difference in interface temperatures and heat flux through the layer obtained using the Milne-Eddington two-flux and diffusion approximations are presented as a function of scattering coefficient and absorption coefficient. The largest errors occur for high scattering and low absorption except for the back surface temperature of the plane gray layer where the error is also larger at low scattering and low absorption. It is shown that the accuracy of the diffusion approximation can be improved for some scattering and absorption conditions if a reflectance obtained from a Kubelka-Munk type two flux theory is used instead of a reflection obtained from the Fresnel equation. The Kubelka-Munk reflectance accounts for surface reflection and radiation scattered back by internal scattering sites while the Fresnel reflection only accounts for surface reflections.

Model for the ultrasound reflection from micro-beads and cells distributed in layers on a uniform surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Couture, O.; Cherin, E.; Foster, F. S.

2007-07-01

A model predicting the reflection of ultrasound from multiple layers of small scattering spheres is developed. Predictions of the reflection coefficient, which takes into account the interferences between the different sphere layers, are compared to measurements performed in the 10-80 MHz and 15-35 MHz frequency range with layers of glass beads and spherical acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells, respectively. For both types of scatterers, the reflection coefficient increases as a function of their density on the surface for less than three superimposed layers, at which point it saturates at 0.38 for glass beads and 0.02 for AML cells. Above three layers, oscillations of the reflection coefficient due to constructive or destructive interference between layers are observed experimentally and are accurately predicted by the model. The use of such a model could lead to a better understanding of the structures observed in layered tissue images.

A Computer Aided Broad Band Impedance Matching Technique Using a Comparison Reflectometer. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gordy, R. S.

1972-01-01

An improved broadband impedance matching technique was developed. The technique is capable of resolving points in the waveguide which generate reflected energy. A version of the comparison reflectometer was developed and fabricated to determine the mean amplitude of the reflection coefficient excited at points in the guide as a function of distance, and the complex reflection coefficient of a specific discontinuity in the guide as a function of frequency. An impedance matching computer program was developed which is capable of impedance matching the characteristics of each disturbance independent of other reflections in the guide. The characteristics of four standard matching elements were compiled, and their associated curves of reflection coefficient and shunt susceptance as a function of frequency are presented. It is concluded that an economical, fast, and reliable impedance matching technique has been established which can provide broadband impedance matches.

Faceting of {sigma}3 and {sigma}9 grain boundaries in Cu-Bi alloys

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

Straumal, B.B.; Polyakov, S.A.; Max-Planck-Institut fuer Metallforschung and Institut fuer Metallkunde, Heisenbergstr. 3, 70569 Stuttgart

2005-01-10

The faceting of {sigma}3 and {sigma}9 tilt grain boundaries (GBs) has been studied in bicrystals of pure Cu and Cu-Bi alloys containing 2.5 x 10{sup -3}, 10 x 10{sup -3} and 16 x 10{sup -3} at.% Bi. The {sigma}3(1 0 0), {sigma}9(1 0 0), {sigma}9(-1 1 0), and {sigma}9(-1 2 0) facets and non-CSL {sigma}3 82 deg 9R facet were observed, where {sigma} is the inverse density of coincidence sites. The ratio between GB energy, {sigma}{sub GB}, and surface energy, {sigma}{sub sur}, was measured by atomic force microscopy using the GB thermal-groove method. The GB energy and thermal-groove deepening ratemore » increased slightly between 0 and 10 x 10{sup -3} at.% Bi for all facets studied. However, between 10 x 10{sup -3} and 16 x 10{sup -3} at.% Bi the GB energy increased dramatically [from a factor 2 for the {sigma}9(1 1 0) facet to 15 times larger for the {sigma}3(1 0 0) facet]. The thermal-groove deepening rate also increased by a factor of 10 in this concentration range. This change corresponds well with the GB solidus line (i.e., the formation of a stable layer of a liquid-like GB phase called GB prewetting) observed previously. Wulff diagrams were constructed using measured {sigma}{sub GB}/{sigma}{sub sur} values.« less

Freeze-Dried Carbon Nanotube Aerogels for High-Frequency Absorber Applications.

PubMed

Anoshkin, Ilya V; Campion, James; Lioubtchenko, Dmitri V; Oberhammer, Joachim

2018-06-13

A novel technique for millimeter wave absorber material embedded in a metal waveguide is proposed. The absorber material is a highly porous carbon nanotube (CNT) aerogel prepared by a freeze-drying technique. CNT aerogel structures are shown to be good absorbers with a low reflection coefficient, less than -12 dB at 95 GHz. The reflection coefficient of the novel absorber is 3-4 times lower than that of commercial absorbers with identical geometry. Samples prepared by freeze-drying at -25 °C demonstrate resonance behavior, while those prepared at liquid nitrogen temperature (-196 °C) exhibit a significant decrease in reflection coefficient, with no resonant behavior. CNT absorbers of identical volume based on wet-phase drying preparation show significantly worse performance than the CNT aerogel absorbers prepared by freeze-drying. Treatment of the freeze-dried CNT aerogel with n- and p-dopants (monoethanolamine and iodine vapors, respectively) shows remarkable improvement in the performance of the waveguide embedded absorbers, reducing the reflection coefficient by 2 dB across the band.

The remote sensing of mental stress from the electromagnetic reflection coefficient of human skin in the sub-THz range.

PubMed

Safrai, Eli; Ishai, Paul Ben; Caduff, Andreas; Puzenko, Alexander; Polsman, Alexander; Agranat, Aharon J; Feldman, Yuri

2012-07-01

Recent work has demonstrated that the reflection coefficient of human skin in the frequency range from 95 to 110 GHz (W band) mirrors the temporal relaxation of stress induced by physical exercise. In this work, we extend these findings to show that in the event of a subtle trigger to stress, such as mental activity, a similar picture of response emerges. Furthermore, the findings are extended to cover not only the W band (75-110 GHz), but also the frequency band from 110 to 170 GHz (D band). We demonstrate that mental stress, induced by the Stroop effect and recorded by the galvanic skin response (GSR), can be correlated to the reflection coefficient in the aforementioned frequency bands. Intriguingly, a light physical stress caused by repeated hand gripping clearly showed an elevated stress level in the GSR signal, but was largely unnoted in the reflection coefficient in the D band. The implication of this observation requires further validation. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Spectroradiometric monitoring for open outdoor culturing of algae and cyanobacteria

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

Reichardt, Thomas A.; Collins, Aaron M.; McBride, Robert C.

We assess the measurement of hyperspectral reflectance for the outdoor monitoring of green algae and cyanobacteria cultures with a multi-channel, fiber-coupled spectroradiometer. Reflectance data acquired over a four-week period are interpreted via numerical inversion of a reflectance model, in which the above-water reflectance is expressed as a quadratic function of the single backscattering albedo, dependent on the absorption and backscatter coefficients. The absorption coefficient is treated as the sum of component spectra consisting of the cultured species (green algae or cyanobacteria), dissolved organic matter, and water (including the temperature dependence of the water absorption spectrum). The backscatter coefficient is approximatedmore » as the scaled Hilbert transform of the culture absorption spectrum with a wavelength-independent vertical offset. Additional terms in the reflectance model account for the pigment fluorescence features and the water surface reflection of sunlight and skylight. For both the green algae and cyanobacteria, the wavelength-independent vertical offset of the backscatter coefficient is found to scale linearly with daily dry weight measurements, providing the capability for a non-sampling measurement of biomass in outdoor ponds. Other fitting parameters in the reflectance model are compared to auxiliary measurements and physics-based calculations. The magnitudes of the sunlight and skylight water-surface contributions derived from the reflectance model compare favorably with Fresnel reflectance calculations, while the reflectance-derived quantum efficiency of Chl-a fluorescence is found to be in agreement with literature values. To conlclude, the water temperature derived from the reflectance model exhibits excellent agreement with thermocouple measurements during the morning hours and highlights significantly elevated temperatures in the afternoon hours.« less

Spectroradiometric monitoring for open outdoor culturing of algae and cyanobacteria

DOE PAGES

Reichardt, Thomas A.; Collins, Aaron M.; McBride, Robert C.; ...

2014-08-20

We assess the measurement of hyperspectral reflectance for the outdoor monitoring of green algae and cyanobacteria cultures with a multi-channel, fiber-coupled spectroradiometer. Reflectance data acquired over a four-week period are interpreted via numerical inversion of a reflectance model, in which the above-water reflectance is expressed as a quadratic function of the single backscattering albedo, dependent on the absorption and backscatter coefficients. The absorption coefficient is treated as the sum of component spectra consisting of the cultured species (green algae or cyanobacteria), dissolved organic matter, and water (including the temperature dependence of the water absorption spectrum). The backscatter coefficient is approximatedmore » as the scaled Hilbert transform of the culture absorption spectrum with a wavelength-independent vertical offset. Additional terms in the reflectance model account for the pigment fluorescence features and the water surface reflection of sunlight and skylight. For both the green algae and cyanobacteria, the wavelength-independent vertical offset of the backscatter coefficient is found to scale linearly with daily dry weight measurements, providing the capability for a non-sampling measurement of biomass in outdoor ponds. Other fitting parameters in the reflectance model are compared to auxiliary measurements and physics-based calculations. The magnitudes of the sunlight and skylight water-surface contributions derived from the reflectance model compare favorably with Fresnel reflectance calculations, while the reflectance-derived quantum efficiency of Chl-a fluorescence is found to be in agreement with literature values. To conlclude, the water temperature derived from the reflectance model exhibits excellent agreement with thermocouple measurements during the morning hours and highlights significantly elevated temperatures in the afternoon hours.« less

Techniques for estimating Space Station aerodynamic characteristics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thomas, Richard E.

1993-01-01

A method was devised and calculations were performed to determine the effects of reflected molecules on the aerodynamic force and moment coefficients for a body in free molecule flow. A procedure was developed for determining the velocity and temperature distributions of molecules reflected from a surface of arbitrary momentum and energy accommodation. A system of equations, based on momentum and energy balances for the surface, incident, and reflected molecules, was solved by a numerical optimization technique. The minimization of a 'cost' function, developed from the set of equations, resulted in the determination of the defining properties of the flow reflected from the arbitrary surface. The properties used to define both the incident and reflected flows were: average temperature of the molecules in the flow, angle of the flow with respect to a vector normal to the surface, and the molecular speed ratio. The properties of the reflected flow were used to calculate the contribution of multiply reflected molecules to the force and moments on a test body in the flow. The test configuration consisted of two flat plates joined along one edge at a right angle to each other. When force and moment coefficients of this 90 deg concave wedge were compared to results that did not include multiple reflections, it was found that multiple reflections could nearly double lift and drag coefficients, with nearly a 50 percent increase in pitching moment for cases with specular or nearly specular accommodation. The cases of diffuse or nearly diffuse accommodation often had minor reductions in axial and normal forces when multiple reflections were included. There were several cases of intermediate accommodation where the addition of multiple reflection effects more than tripled the lift coefficient over the convex technique.

Isobaric Inert Gas Counterdiffusion,

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-11-01

solubility coefficient . Helium is 0.006 and nitrogen is about 0.012. Q. Are those lipid solubilities? A. Those are aqueous . Here is theN 2 into helium...was aqueous rather than fat. We did:’t, worry about solubility coefficients , either -- if they play a part, it will only be to make bubbles come more...reflection coefficient , sometimes interpreted as the fraction of the solute molecules which are reflected upon striking the barrier. Assuming that tissue

Structural and High-Temperature Tensile Properties of Special Pitch-Coke Graphites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kotlensky, W. V.; Martens, H. E.

1961-01-01

The room-temperature structural properties and the tensile properties up to 5000 F (275O C) were determined for ten grades of specially prepared petroleum-coke coal-tar-pitch graphites which were graphitized at 5430 F (3000 C). One impregnation with coal-tar pitch increased the bulk density from 1.41 to 1.57 g/cm3 and the maximum strength at 4500 F (2500 C) from 4000 to 5700 psi. None of the processing parameters studied had a marked effect on the closed porosity or the X-ray structure or the per cent graphitization. The coarse-particle filler resulted in the lowest coefficient of thermal expansion and the fine-particle filler in the highest coefficient. A marked improvement in uniformity of tensile strength was observed. A standard-deviation analysis gave a one-sigma value of approximately 150 psi for one of these special grades and values of 340-420 psi for three commercial grades.

Off-nadir antenna bias correction using Amazon rain sigma(0) data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Birrer, I. J.; Dome, G. J.; Sweet, J.; Berthold, G.; Moore, R. K.

1982-01-01

The radar response from the Amazon rain forest was studied to determine the suitability of this region for use as a standard target to calibrate a scatterometer like that proposed for the National Oceanic Satellite System (NOSS). Backscattering observations made by the SEASAT Scatterometer System (SASS) showed the Amazon rain forest to be a homogeneous, azimuthally-isotropic, radar target which was insensitive to polarization. The variation with angle of incidence was adequately modeled as scattering coefficient (dB) = a theta b with typical values for the incidence-angle coefficient from 0.07 to 0.15 dB/deg. A small diurnal effect occurs, with measurements at sunrise being 0.5 dB to 1 dB higher than the rest of the day. Maximum-likelihood estimation algorithms presented here permit determination of relative bias and true pointing angle for each beam. Specific implementation of these algorithms for the proposed NOSS scatterometer system is also discussed.

Aerodynamic coefficient identification package dynamic data accuracy determinations: Lessons learned

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heck, M. L.; Findlay, J. T.; Compton, H. R.

1983-01-01

The errors in the dynamic data output from the Aerodynamic Coefficient Identification Packages (ACIP) flown on Shuttle flights 1, 3, 4, and 5 were determined using the output from the Inertial Measurement Units (IMU). A weighted least-squares batch algorithm was empolyed. Using an averaging technique, signal detection was enhanced; this allowed improved calibration solutions. Global errors as large as 0.04 deg/sec for the ACIP gyros, 30 mg for linear accelerometers, and 0.5 deg/sec squared in the angular accelerometer channels were detected and removed with a combination is bias, scale factor, misalignment, and g-sensitive calibration constants. No attempt was made to minimize local ACIP dynamic data deviations representing sensed high-frequency vibration or instrument noise. Resulting 1sigma calibrated ACIP global accuracies were within 0.003 eg/sec, 1.0 mg, and 0.05 deg/sec squared for the gyros, linear accelerometers, and angular accelerometers, respectively.

Effect of surface deposits on electromagnetic waves propagating in uniform ducts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baumeister, Kenneth J.

1990-01-01

A finite-element Galerkin formulation was used to study the effect of material surface deposits on the reflective characteristics of straight uniform ducts with PEC (perfectly electric conducting) walls. Over a wide frequency range, the effect of both single and multiple surface deposits on the duct reflection coefficient were examined. The power reflection coefficient was found to be significantly increased by the addition of deposits on the wall.

The Burkholderia cepacia rpoE gene is not involved in exopolysaccharide production and onion pathogenicity.

PubMed

Devescovi, Giulia; Venturi, Vittorio

2006-03-01

Burkholderia cepacia was originally described as the causative agent of bacterial rot of onions, and it has now emerged as an important opportunistic pathogen causing severe chronic lung infections in patients having cystic fibrosis. Burkholderia cepacia is now classified into nine very closely related species (previously designated as genomovars), all of which have been isolated from both environmental and clinical sources and are collectively known as the B. cepacia complex. The alternative extracytoplasmic function sigma factor, sigmaE, has been determined in several bacterial species as making substantial contributions to bacterial survival under stress conditions. Here, we report the identification and characterization of the rpoE gene, encoding sigmaE, of B. cepacia. It is highly similar to sigmaE of other bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Studies using an rpoE knockout mutant of B. cepacia revealed that many stress adaptations, including osmotic, oxidative, desiccation, carbon, and nitrogen stress, were independent of sigmaE. Similarly, biofilm formation; production of exopolysaccharides, N-acyl homoserine lactones, and several exoenzymes; and onion pathogenicity were not affected by the absence of sigmaE. In contrast, sigmaE contributed to the adaptation to heat stress and phosphate starvation.

Short communication; Formula for the calculation of ground temperature at 1 M depth in Turkey

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

Tezcan, A.K.

1992-06-01

This paper reports that the formula has been found by using the yearly averages of the temperatures at 1 m depth measured in 193 meteorological stations, distributed all over Turkey. It has thus become possible to determine the regional temperature value at 1 m depth at any point in Turkey, if the latitude, longitude and elevation are known. The values, calculated by the formula, can contribute to geothermal exploration in Turkey by providing values that can be compared with the observed ones, and, by becoming second values for the calculation of geothermal gradients where only single downhole temperatures are available.more » The formula has been evolved by expressing the temperatures as the linear function of latitude (La), longitude (Lo) and elevation (H): T = a + b [center dot] La + c [center dot] Lo + d [center dot] H. The derived four least square equations are a [center dot] n + b [center dot] [Sigma](La) + c [center dot] [Sigma](lo) + d [center dot] [Sigma]H = [Sigma]T a [center dot] [Sigma](La) + b [center dot] [Sigma](La)[sup 2] + c [center dot] [Sigma](La)(Lo) + d [center dot] [Sigma]H(La) =[Sigma]T(La) a [center dot] [Sigma](Lo) + b [center dot] [Sigma](La)(Lo) + c [center dot] [Sigma](Lo)[sup 2] + d [center dot] [Sigma]H(Lo) = [Sigma]T(Lo) a[center dot] [Sigma]H + b [center dot] [Sigma]H(La) + c [center dot] [Sigma](Lo) + d [center dot] [Sigma]H[sup 2] = [Sigma]TH where n is the number of data sets. The calculation of sigma values and the solution of the set of equations have been performed by means of a personal computer. The resulting formula is: T = 57.487 [minus] 1.078 La + 0.102 Lo [minus] 0.00488H where latitude and longitude are expressed in degrees, and elevation in meters. The regional value at Ankara (latitude 39.9[degrees], longitude 32.9[degrees], elevation 894 m) is calculated as 13.5[degrees]C (the measured value at 1 m depth is 14.6[degrees]C) and at Adana.« less

Design of an all-optical fractional-order differentiator with terahertz bandwidth based on a fiber Bragg grating in transmission.

PubMed

Liu, Xin; Shu, Xuewen

2017-08-20

All-optical fractional-order temporal differentiators with bandwidths reaching terahertz (THz) values are demonstrated with transmissive fiber Bragg gratings. Since the designed fractional-order differentiator is a minimum phase function, the reflective phase of the designed function can be chosen arbitrarily. As examples, we first design several 0.5th-order differentiators with bandwidths reaching the THz range for comparison. The reflective phases of the 0.5th-order differentiators are chosen to be linear phase, quadratic phase, cubic phase, and biquadratic phase, respectively. We find that both the maximum coupling coefficient and the spatial resolution of the designed grating increase when the reflective phase varies from quadratic function to cubic function to biquadratic function. Furthermore, when the reflective phase is chosen to be a quadratic function, the obtained grating coupling coefficient and period are more likely to be achieved in practice. Then we design fractional-order differentiators with different orders when the reflective phase is chosen to be a quadratic function. We see that when the designed order of the differentiator increases, the obtained maximum coupling coefficient also increases while the oscillation of the coupling coefficient decreases. Finally, we give the numerical performance of the designed 0.5th-order differentiator by showing its temporal response and calculating its cross-correlation coefficient.

QSAR modeling of flotation collectors using principal components extracted from topological indices.

PubMed

Natarajan, R; Nirdosh, Inderjit; Basak, Subhash C; Mills, Denise R

2002-01-01

Several topological indices were calculated for substituted-cupferrons that were tested as collectors for the froth flotation of uranium. The principal component analysis (PCA) was used for data reduction. Seven principal components (PC) were found to account for 98.6% of the variance among the computed indices. The principal components thus extracted were used in stepwise regression analyses to construct regression models for the prediction of separation efficiencies (Es) of the collectors. A two-parameter model with a correlation coefficient of 0.889 and a three-parameter model with a correlation coefficient of 0.913 were formed. PCs were found to be better than partition coefficient to form regression equations, and inclusion of an electronic parameter such as Hammett sigma or quantum mechanically derived electronic charges on the chelating atoms did not improve the correlation coefficient significantly. The method was extended to model the separation efficiencies of mercaptobenzothiazoles (MBT) and aminothiophenols (ATP) used in the flotation of lead and zinc ores, respectively. Five principal components were found to explain 99% of the data variability in each series. A three-parameter equation with correlation coefficient of 0.985 and a two-parameter equation with correlation coefficient of 0.926 were obtained for MBT and ATP, respectively. The amenability of separation efficiencies of chelating collectors to QSAR modeling using PCs based on topological indices might lead to the selection of collectors for synthesis and testing from a virtual database.

2nd Generation Airborne Precipitation Radar (APR-2)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Durden, S.; Tanelli, S.; Haddad, Z.; Im, E.

2012-01-01

Dual-frequency operation with Ku-band (13.4 GHz) and Ka-band (35.6 GHz). Geometry and frequencies chosen to simulate GPM radar. Measures reflectivity at co- and cross-polarizations, and Doppler. Range resolution is approx. 60 m. Horizontal resolution at surface is approx. 1 km. Reflectivity calibration is within 1.5 dB, based on 10 deg sigmaO at Ku-band and Mie scattering calculations in light rain at Ka-band. LDR measurements are OK to near -20 dB; LDR lower than this is likely contaminated by system cross-polarization isolation. Velocity is motion-corrected total Doppler, including particle fall speed. Aliasing can be seen in some places; can usually be dealiased with an algorithm. .

Application of Sigma Metrics Analysis for the Assessment and Modification of Quality Control Program in the Clinical Chemistry Laboratory of a Tertiary Care Hospital.

PubMed

Iqbal, Sahar; Mustansar, Tazeen

2017-03-01

Sigma is a metric that quantifies the performance of a process as a rate of Defects-Per-Million opportunities. In clinical laboratories, sigma metric analysis is used to assess the performance of laboratory process system. Sigma metric is also used as a quality management strategy for a laboratory process to improve the quality by addressing the errors after identification. The aim of this study is to evaluate the errors in quality control of analytical phase of laboratory system by sigma metric. For this purpose sigma metric analysis was done for analytes using the internal and external quality control as quality indicators. Results of sigma metric analysis were used to identify the gaps and need for modification in the strategy of laboratory quality control procedure. Sigma metric was calculated for quality control program of ten clinical chemistry analytes including glucose, chloride, cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, albumin, direct bilirubin, total bilirubin, protein and creatinine, at two control levels. To calculate the sigma metric imprecision and bias was calculated with internal and external quality control data, respectively. The minimum acceptable performance was considered as 3 sigma. Westgard sigma rules were applied to customize the quality control procedure. Sigma level was found acceptable (≥3) for glucose (L2), cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, direct bilirubin and creatinine at both levels of control. For rest of the analytes sigma metric was found <3. The lowest value for sigma was found for chloride (1.1) at L2. The highest value of sigma was found for creatinine (10.1) at L3. HDL was found with the highest sigma values at both control levels (8.8 and 8.0 at L2 and L3, respectively). We conclude that analytes with the sigma value <3 are required strict monitoring and modification in quality control procedure. In this study application of sigma rules provided us the practical solution for improved and focused design of QC procedure.

Spectrophotometric Method for Differentiation of Human Skin Melanoma. I. Optical Diffuse Reflection Coefficient

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petruk, V. G.; Ivanov, A. P.; Kvaternyuk, S. M.; Barun, V. V.

2016-03-01

We have designed an experimental setup, based on two integrating spheres, that lets us measure the optical diffuse reflectance spectra (diffuse reflection coefficient vs. wavelength) of human skin quickly under clinical conditions in vivo. For the wavelength interval 520-1100 nm, we give the values of the diffuse reflection coefficient for healthy tissue, skin with a benign nevus, and skin with a malignant melanoma for a large group of test subjects. We experimentally established a number of wavelengths in the red-near IR region of the spectrum which can be used for early differential diagnosis of nevi and melanoma in patient cancer screening. According to the Kramer-Welch test, the probability of the diffuse reflection coefficient for skin with melanoma and a nevus having different distributions is >0.94, and at many wavelengths it is >0.999. By solving the inverse problem, we estimated the changes in a number of structural and biophysical parameters of the tissue on going from healthy skin to nevus and melanoma. The results obtained can provide a basis for developing a clinical approach to identifying the risk of malignant transformation of the skin before surgery and histological analysis of the tissue.

Bacterial Sigma Factors and Anti-Sigma Factors: Structure, Function and Distribution

PubMed Central

Paget, Mark S.

2015-01-01

Sigma factors are multi-domain subunits of bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP) that play critical roles in transcription initiation, including the recognition and opening of promoters as well as the initial steps in RNA synthesis. This review focuses on the structure and function of the major sigma-70 class that includes the housekeeping sigma factor (Group 1) that directs the bulk of transcription during active growth, and structurally-related alternative sigma factors (Groups 2–4) that control a wide variety of adaptive responses such as morphological development and the management of stress. A recurring theme in sigma factor control is their sequestration by anti-sigma factors that occlude their RNAP-binding determinants. Sigma factors are then released through a wide variety of mechanisms, often involving branched signal transduction pathways that allow the integration of distinct signals. Three major strategies for sigma release are discussed: regulated proteolysis, partner-switching, and direct sensing by the anti-sigma factor. PMID:26131973

Positive and negative feedback regulatory loops of thiol-oxidative stress response mediated by an unstable isoform of sigmaR in actinomycetes.

PubMed

Kim, Min-Sik; Hahn, Mi-Young; Cho, Yoobok; Cho, Sang-Nae; Roe, Jung-Hye

2009-09-01

Alternate sigma factors provide an effective way of diversifying bacterial gene expression in response to environmental changes. In Streptomyces coelicolor where more than 65 sigma factors are predicted, sigma(R) is the major regulator for response to thiol-oxidative stresses. sigma(R) becomes available when its bound anti-sigma factor RsrA is oxidized at sensitive cysteine thiols to form disulphide bonds. sigma(R) regulon includes genes for itself and multiple thiol-reducing systems, which constitute positive and negative feedback loops respectively. We found that the positive amplification loop involves an isoform of sigma(R) (sigma(R')) with an N-terminal extension of 55 amino acids, produced from an upstream start codon. A major difference between constitutive sigma(R) and inducible sigma(R') is that the latter is markedly unstable (t(1/2) approximately 10 min) compared with the former (> 70 min). The rapid turnover of sigma(R') is partly due to induced ClpP1/P2 proteases from the sigma(R) regulon. This represents a novel way of elaborating positive and negative feedback loops in a control circuit. Similar phenomenon may occur in other actinomycetes that harbour multiple start codons in the sigR homologous gene. We observed that sigH gene, the sigR orthologue in Mycobacterium smegmatis, produces an unstable larger isoform of sigma(H) upon induction by thiol-oxidative stress.

Seismic Rheological Model and Reflection Coefficients of the Brittle-Ductile Transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carcione, José M.; Poletto, Flavio

2013-12-01

It is well established that the upper—cooler—part of the crust is brittle, while deeper zones present ductile behaviour. In some cases, this brittle-ductile transition is a single seismic reflector with an associated reflection coefficient. We first develop a stress-strain relation including the effects of crust anisotropy, seismic attenuation and ductility in which deformation takes place by shear plastic flow. Viscoelastic anisotropy is based on the eigenstrain model and the Zener and Burgers mechanical models are used to model the effects of seismic attenuation, velocity dispersion, and steady-state creep flow, respectively. The stiffness components of the brittle and ductile media depend on stress and temperature through the shear viscosity, which is obtained by the Arrhenius equation and the octahedral stress criterion. The P- and S-wave velocities decrease as depth and temperature increase due to the geothermal gradient, an effect which is more pronounced for shear waves. We then obtain the reflection and transmission coefficients of a single brittle-ductile interface and of a ductile thin layer. The PP scattering coefficient has a Brewster angle (a sign change) in both cases, and there is substantial PS conversion at intermediate angles. The PP coefficient is sensitive to the layer thickness, unlike the SS coefficient. Thick layers have a well-defined Brewster angle and show higher reflection amplitudes. Finally, we compute synthetic seismograms in a homogeneous medium as a function of temperature.

Smooth centile curves for skew and kurtotic data modelled using the Box-Cox power exponential distribution.

PubMed

Rigby, Robert A; Stasinopoulos, D Mikis

2004-10-15

The Box-Cox power exponential (BCPE) distribution, developed in this paper, provides a model for a dependent variable Y exhibiting both skewness and kurtosis (leptokurtosis or platykurtosis). The distribution is defined by a power transformation Y(nu) having a shifted and scaled (truncated) standard power exponential distribution with parameter tau. The distribution has four parameters and is denoted BCPE (mu,sigma,nu,tau). The parameters, mu, sigma, nu and tau, may be interpreted as relating to location (median), scale (approximate coefficient of variation), skewness (transformation to symmetry) and kurtosis (power exponential parameter), respectively. Smooth centile curves are obtained by modelling each of the four parameters of the distribution as a smooth non-parametric function of an explanatory variable. A Fisher scoring algorithm is used to fit the non-parametric model by maximizing a penalized likelihood. The first and expected second and cross derivatives of the likelihood, with respect to mu, sigma, nu and tau, required for the algorithm, are provided. The centiles of the BCPE distribution are easy to calculate, so it is highly suited to centile estimation. This application of the BCPE distribution to smooth centile estimation provides a generalization of the LMS method of the centile estimation to data exhibiting kurtosis (as well as skewness) different from that of a normal distribution and is named here the LMSP method of centile estimation. The LMSP method of centile estimation is applied to modelling the body mass index of Dutch males against age. 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Expression of sigma receptor 1 mRNA and protein in rat retina.

PubMed

Liu, L L; Wang, L; Zhong, Y M; Yang, X L

2010-06-02

Sigma receptor (sigmaR), known as a unique nonopiate, nonphencyclidine brain receptor, can bind diverse classes of psychotropic drugs, neurosteroids and other synthetic compounds, such as (+)pentazocine, etc. Two types of sigmaRs have been identified: sigmaR1 and sigmaR2. In this work, we examined the expression of sigmaR1 in rat retina by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reactive (RT-PCR) analysis and immunofluorescence double labeling. RT-PCR analysis showed that sigmaR1 mRNA was present in rat retina. Furthermore, labeling for sigmaR1 was diffusely distributed in the outer and inner plexiform layers. The sigmaR1-immunoreactivity (IR) was also observed in many cells in the inner nuclear layer and the ganglion cell layer. In the outer retina sigmaR1 was expressed in all horizontal cells labeled by calbindin. In contrast, no sigmaR1-IR was detected in several subtypes of bipolar cells, including rod-dominant ON-type bipolar cells, types 2, 3, 5 and 8 bipolar cells, labeled by protein kinase C (PKC), recoverin and hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated potassium channel 4 (HCN4) respectively. In the inner retina, most of GABAergic amacrine cells, including dopaminergic and cholinergic ones, stained by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) respectively, expressed sigmaR1. Some glycinergic amacrine cells were also labeled by sigmaR1, but glycinergic AII amacrine cells were not labeled. In addition, sigmaR1-IR was seen in almost all somata of the ganglion cells retrogradely labeled by fluorogold. These results suggest that sigmaR1 may have neuromodulatory and neuroprotective roles in the retina. Copyright 2010 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Bacterial two-hybrid analysis of interactions between region 4 of the sigma(70) subunit of RNA polymerase and the transcriptional regulators Rsd from Escherichia coli and AlgQ from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

PubMed

Dove, S L; Hochschild, A

2001-11-01

A number of transcriptional regulators mediate their effects through direct contact with the sigma(70) subunit of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase (RNAP). In particular, several regulators have been shown to contact a C-terminal portion of sigma(70) that harbors conserved region 4. This region of sigma contains a putative helix-turn-helix DNA-binding motif that contacts the -35 element of sigma(70)-dependent promoters directly. Here we report the use of a recently developed bacterial two-hybrid system to study the interaction between the putative anti-sigma factor Rsd and the sigma(70) subunit of E. coli RNAP. Using this system, we found that Rsd can interact with an 86-amino-acid C-terminal fragment of sigma(70) and also that amino acid substitution R596H, within region 4 of sigma(70), weakens this interaction. We demonstrated the specificity of this effect by showing that substitution R596H does not weaken the interaction between sigma and two other regulators shown previously to contact region 4 of sigma(70). We also demonstrated that AlgQ, a homolog of Rsd that positively regulates virulence gene expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, can contact the C-terminal region of the sigma(70) subunit of RNAP from this organism. We found that amino acid substitution R600H in sigma(70) from P. aeruginosa, corresponding to the R596H substitution in E. coli sigma(70), specifically weakens the interaction between AlgQ and sigma(70). Taken together, our findings suggest that Rsd and AlgQ contact similar surfaces of RNAP present in region 4 of sigma(70) and probably regulate gene expression through this contact.

Effect of surface deposits on electromagnetic propagation in uniform ducts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baumeister, Kenneth J.

1991-01-01

A finite-element Galerkin formulation has been used to study the effect of material surface deposits on the reflective characteristics of straight uniform ducts with PEC (perfectly electric conducting) walls. Over a wide frequency range, the effect of both single and multiple dielectric surface deposits on the duct reflection coefficient were examined. The power reflection coefficient was found to be significantly increased by the addition of deposits on the wall.

On the minimum electron transport coefficients in tokamaks in the range of low collision frequencies

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

Merezhkin, V. G.

2009-06-15

There are two close empirical scalings, namely, the T-11 and neo-Alcator ones, that provide correct estimates for the energy confinement time in tokamaks in ohmic heating regimes in the linear part of the dependence {tau}{sub E}(n-bar{sub e}) in the range of low values of n-bar{sub e} and <{nu}{sub e}{sup *}> {<=} 1. The similar character of electron energy confinement in this range, which expands with increasing magnetic field B{sub 0}, has stimulated the search for dimensionless parameters and simple physical models that would explain the experimentally observed dependences {chi}{sub e} {approx} 1/n{sub e} and {tau}{sub Ee} {approx} n-bar{sub e}. Inmore » 1987, T. Okhawa showed that the experimental data were satisfactorily described by the formula {chi}{sub eperpendicular} = (c{sup 2}/{omega}{sub pe}{sup 2}){nu}{sub e}/qR, in deriving of which the random spatial leap along the radius r on the electron trajectory was assumed to be the same as that in the coefficient of the poloidal field diffusion, while the repetition rate of these leaps was assumed to be {nu}{sub e}/qR. In 2004, J. Callen took into account the decrease in the fraction of transient electrons with increasing toroidal ratio {epsilon} = r/R and corrected the coefficient c{sup 2}/{omega}{sub pe}{sup 2} in Okhawa equation by the factor {sigma}{sub ||} {sup Sp}/{sigma}{sub ||}{sup neo}. If one takes into account this correction and assumes that the frequency of the stochastic process is equal to the reciprocal of the half-period of rotation of a trapped electron along its banana trajectory, then the resulting expression for {chi}{sub eperpendicular} will coincide with the T-11 scaling: {chi}{sub e}{sup an} {infinity} {epsilon}{sup 1.75}(T{sub e}/A{sub i}){sup 0.5}/(n{sub e}qR) at Ai = 1. If the same stochastic process also involves ions, it may result in the opening of the orbit of a trapped ion at the distance {approx}(c/{omega}{sub pe})(m{sub i}/m{sub e}){sup 1/4}. In this case, the calculated coefficient of electron and ion diffusion D is close to D{sup an} {approx} {chi}{sub e}{sup an}/2.« less

A Measurement & Analysis Training Solution Supporting CMMI & Six Sigma Transition

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-10-01

product” • Designing an integrated training solution • Illustration(s) © 2004 by Carnegie Mellon University Version 1.0 page 5 Carnegie Mellon S...12207 Score- card EIA 632 ISO 9000 ITIL COBIT PSM GQIM © 2004 by Carnegie Mellon University Version 1.0 page 7 Carnegie Mellon S oftware Engineer ing...several Capability Maturity Models, reflects Crosby’s 5 maturity levels • Focuses on infrastructure and process maturity • Intended for software and

Crystal structure of the Escherichia coli regulator of sigma70, Rsd, in complex with sigma70 domain 4.

PubMed

Patikoglou, Georgia A; Westblade, Lars F; Campbell, Elizabeth A; Lamour, Valérie; Lane, William J; Darst, Seth A

2007-09-21

The Escherichia coli Rsd protein binds tightly and specifically to the RNA polymerase (RNAP) sigma(70) factor. Rsd plays a role in alternative sigma factor-dependent transcription by biasing the competition between sigma(70) and alternative sigma factors for the available core RNAP. Here, we determined the 2.6 A-resolution X-ray crystal structure of Rsd bound to sigma(70) domain 4 (sigma(70)(4)), the primary determinant for Rsd binding within sigma(70). The structure reveals that Rsd binding interferes with the two primary functions of sigma(70)(4), core RNAP binding and promoter -35 element binding. Interestingly, the most highly conserved Rsd residues form a network of interactions through the middle of the Rsd structure that connect the sigma(70)(4)-binding surface with three cavities exposed on distant surfaces of Rsd, suggesting functional coupling between sigma(70)(4) binding and other binding surfaces of Rsd, either for other proteins or for as yet unknown small molecule effectors. These results provide a structural basis for understanding the role of Rsd, as well as its ortholog, AlgQ, a positive regulator of Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence, in transcription regulation.

Post-transcriptional regulation of the Streptomyces coelicolor stress responsive sigma factor, SigH, involves translational control, proteolytic processing, and an anti-sigma factor homolog.

PubMed

Viollier, Patrick H; Weihofen, Andreas; Folcher, Marc; Thompson, Charles J

2003-01-24

The sigH gene encodes a sigma factor whose transcription is controlled by stress regulatory systems and the developmental program in Streptomyces coelicolor. Here, we describe developmentally regulated post-transcriptional control systems for SigH. sigH is expressed as three primary translation products, SigH-sigma(37), SigH-sigma(51), and SigH-sigma(52). In vitro, SigH-sigma(52) was comparable to SigH-sigma(37) in its ability to associate with RNA polymerase core enzyme and specifically initiate transcription in vitro. While SigH-sigma(51/52) were the primary gene products observed throughout early phases of growth, their abundance decreased during later stages in liquid or solid phase cultures while levels of shorter, C-terminally encoded products increased. These included SigH-sigma(37), a product of the downstream translational initiation site, as well as two proteolytic derivatives of SigH-sigma(51/52) (34kDa and 38kDa). Accumulation of SigH-sigma(37) and processing of SigH-sigma(51/52) into these stable 34kDa and 38kDa derivatives correlated with morphological changes on solid medium and physiological maturation in liquid medium. SigH-sigma(51/52) processing did not occur on medium non-permissive for aerial mycelium formation or in one particular developmental mutant (brgA). The proteolytic activity could be detected in vitro using crude extracts of stationary phase cultures, but was absent from exponential phase cultures. prsH, the gene upstream of sigH having sequence similarity to known anti-sigma factors, was able to bind to, and thus presumably inactivate SigH-sigma(52), SigH-sigma(51), and SigH-sigma(37). We have shown elsewhere that prsH was conditionally required for colonial development. Thus, while at least one transcriptional regulator is known to bring about the accumulation of sigH mRNA at different times and different locations in colonies, the post-transcriptional processes described here regulate the activity of different SigH isoforms and program their temporal accumulation pattern, i.e. the elimination of SigH-sigma(51/52) and accumulation of SigH-sigma(37)-like proteins, as a function of development.

Asymmetric fluid criticality. I. Scaling with pressure mixing.

PubMed

Kim, Young C; Fisher, Michael E; Orkoulas, G

2003-06-01

The thermodynamic behavior of a fluid near a vapor-liquid and, hence, asymmetric critical point is discussed within a general "complete" scaling theory incorporating pressure mixing in the nonlinear scaling fields as well as corrections to scaling. This theory allows for a Yang-Yang anomaly in which mu(")(sigma)(T), the second temperature derivative of the chemical potential along the phase boundary, diverges like the specific heat when T-->T(c); it also generates a leading singular term, /t/(2beta), in the coexistence curve diameter, where t[triple bond](T-T(c))/T(c). The behavior of various special loci, such as the critical isochore, the critical isotherm, the k-inflection loci, on which chi((k))[triple bond]chi(rho,T)/rho(k) (with chi=rho(2)k(B)TK(T)) and C((k))(V)[triple bond]C(V)(rho,T)/rho(k) are maximal at fixed T, is carefully elucidated. These results are useful for analyzing simulations and experiments, since particular, nonuniversal values of k specify loci that approach the critical density most rapidly and reflect the pressure-mixing coefficient. Concrete illustrations are presented for the hard-core square-well fluid and for the restricted primitive model electrolyte. For comparison, a discussion of the classical (or Landau) theory is presented briefly and various interesting loci are determined explicitly and illustrated quantitatively for a van der Waals fluid.

Expression, subcellular localization, and regulation of sigma receptor in retinal muller cells.

PubMed

Jiang, Guoliang; Mysona, Barbara; Dun, Ying; Gnana-Prakasam, Jaya P; Pabla, Navjotsin; Li, Weiguo; Dong, Zheng; Ganapathy, Vadivel; Smith, Sylvia B

2006-12-01

Sigma receptors (sigmaRs) are nonopioid, nonphencyclidine binding sites with robust neuroprotective properties. Type 1 sigmaR1 (sigmaR1) is expressed in brain oligodendrocytes, but its expression and binding capacity have not been analyzed in retinal glial cells. This study examined the expression, subcellular localization, binding activity, and regulation of sigmaR1 in retinal Müller cells. Primary mouse Müller cells (MCs) were analyzed by RT-PCR, immunoblotting, and immunocytochemistry for the expression of sigmaR1, and data were compared with those of the rat Müller cell line (rMC-1) and the rat ganglion cell line (RGC-5). Confocal microscopy was used to determine the subcellular sigmaR1 location in primary mouse MCs. Membranes prepared from these cells were used for binding assays with [3H]-pentazocine (PTZ). The kinetics of binding, the ability of various sigmaR1 ligands to compete with sigmaR1 binding, and the effects of donated nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) on binding were examined. sigmaR1 is expressed in primary mouse MCs and is localized to the nuclear and endoplasmic reticulum membranes. Binding assays showed that in primary mouse MCs, rMC-1, and RGC-5, the binding of PTZ was saturable. [3H]-PTZ bound with high affinity in RGC-5 and rMC-1 cells, and the binding was similarly robust in primary mouse MCs. Competition studies showed marked inhibition of [3H]-PTZ binding in the presence of sigmaR1-specific ligands. Incubation of cells with NO and ROS donors markedly increased sigmaR1 binding activity. MCs express sigmaR1 and demonstrate robust sigmaR1 binding activity, which is inhibited by sigmaR1 ligands and is stimulated during oxidative stress. The potential of Müller cells to bind sigmaR1 ligands may prove beneficial in retinal degenerative diseases such as diabetic retinopathy.

Electromagnetic reflection from multi-layered snow models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Linlor, W. I.; Jiracek, G. R.

1975-01-01

The remote sensing of snow-pack characteristics with surface installations or an airborne system could have important applications in water-resource management and flood prediction. To derive some insight into such applications, the electromagnetic response of multilayered snow models is analyzed in this paper. Normally incident plane waves at frequencies ranging from 1 MHz to 10 GHz are assumed, and amplitude reflection coefficients are calculated for models having various snow-layer combinations, including ice layers. Layers are defined by thickness, permittivity, and conductivity; the electrical parameters are constant or prescribed functions of frequency. To illustrate the effect of various layering combinations, results are given in the form of curves of amplitude reflection coefficients versus frequency for a variety of models. Under simplifying assumptions, the snow thickness and effective dielectric constant can be estimated from the variations of reflection coefficient as a function of frequency.

Properties of seismic absorption induced reflections

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Haixia; Gao, Jinghuai; Peng, Jigen

2018-05-01

Seismic reflections at an interface are often regarded as the variation of the acoustic impedance (product of seismic velocity and density) in a medium. In fact, they can also be generated due to the difference in absorption of the seismic energy. In this paper, we investigate the properties of such reflections. Based on the diffusive-viscous wave equation and elastic diffusive-viscous wave equation, we investigate the dependency of the reflection coefficients on frequency, and their variations with incident angles. Numerical results at a boundary due to absorption contrasts are compared with those resulted from acoustic impedance variation. It is found that, the reflection coefficients resulted from absorption depend significantly on the frequency especially at lower frequencies, but vary very slowly at small incident angles. At the higher frequencies, the reflection coefficients of diffusive-viscous wave and elastic diffusive-viscous wave are close to those of acoustic and elastic cases, respectively. On the other hand, the reflections caused by acoustic impedance variation are independent of frequency but vary distinctly with incident angles before the critical angle. We also investigate the difference between the seismograms generated in the two different media. The numerical results show that the amplitudes of these reflected waves are attenuated and their phases are shifted. However, the reflections obtained by acoustic impedance contrast, show no significant amplitude attenuation and phase shift.

Mutational analysis of Escherichia coli heat shock transcription factor sigma 32 reveals similarities with sigma 70 in recognition of the -35 promoter element and differences in promoter DNA melting and -10 recognition.

PubMed

Kourennaia, Olga V; Tsujikawa, Laura; Dehaseth, Pieter L

2005-10-01

Upon the exposure of Escherichia coli to high temperature (heat shock), cellular levels of the transcription factor sigma32 rise greatly, resulting in the increased formation of the sigma32 holoenzyme, which is capable of transcription initiation at heat shock promoters. Higher levels of heat shock proteins render the cell better able to cope with the effects of higher temperatures. To conduct structure-function studies on sigma32 in vivo, we have carried out site-directed mutagenesis and employed a previously developed system involving sigma32 expression from one plasmid and a beta-galactosidase reporter gene driven by the sigma32-dependent groE promoter on another in order to monitor the effects of single amino acid substitutions on sigma32 activity. It was found that the recognition of the -35 region involves similar amino acid residues in regions 4.2 of E. coli sigma32 and sigma70. Three conserved amino acids in region 2.3 of sigma32 were found to be only marginally important in determining activity in vivo. Differences between sigma32 and sigma70 in the effects of mutation in region 2.4 on the activities of the two sigma factors are consistent with the pronounced differences between both the amino acid sequences in this region and the recognized promoter DNA sequences.

An efficient high-frequency analysis of modal reflection and transmission coefficients for a class of waveguide discontinuities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pathak, P. H.; Altintas, A.

1988-01-01

A high-frequency analysis of electromagnetic modal reflection and transmission coefficients is presented for waveguide discontinuities formed by joining different waveguide sections. The analysis uses an extended version of the concept of geometrical theory of diffraction based equivalent edge currents in conjunction with the reciprocity theorem to describe interior scattering effects. If the waveguide modes and their associated modal rays can be found explicitly, general two- and three-dimensional waveguide geometries can be analyzed. Expressions are developed for two-dimensional reflection and transmission coefficients. Numerical results are given for a flanged, semi-infinite parallel plate waveguide and for the junction between two linearly tapered waveguides.

Reflection Coefficients.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Greenslade, Thomas B., Jr.

1994-01-01

Discusses and provides an example of reflectivity approximation to determine whether reflection will occur. Provides a method to show thin-film interference on a projection screen. Also applies the reflectivity concepts to electromagnetic wave systems. (MVL)

Skylab S-193 radar altimeter experiment analyses and results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, G. S. (Editor)

1977-01-01

The design of optimum filtering procedures for geoid recovery is discussed. Statistical error bounds are obtained for pointing angle estimates using average waveform data. A correlation of tracking loop bandwidth with magnitude of pointing error is established. The impact of ocean currents and precipitation on the received power are shown to be measurable effects. For large sea state conditions, measurements of sigma 0 deg indicate a distinct saturation level of about 8 dB. Near-nadir less than 15 deg values of sigma 0 deg are also presented and compared with theoretical models. Examination of Great Salt Lake Desert scattering data leads to rejection of a previously hypothesized specularly reflecting surface. Pulse-to-pulse correlation results are in agreement with quasi-monochromatic optics theoretical predictions and indicate a means for estimating direction of pointing error. Pulse compression techniques for and results of estimating significant waveheight from waveform data are presented and are also shown to be in good agreement with surface truth data. A number of results pertaining to system performance are presented.

Reflection and Transmission Coefficient of Yttrium Iron Garnet Filled Polyvinylidene Fluoride Composite Using Rectangular Waveguide at Microwave Frequencies

PubMed Central

Soleimani, Hassan; Abbas, Zulkifly; Yahya, Noorhana; Shameli, Kamyar; Soleimani, Hojjatollah; Shabanzadeh, Parvaneh

2012-01-01

The sol-gel method was carried out to synthesize nanosized Yttrium Iron Garnet (YIG). The nanomaterials with ferrite structure were heat-treated at different temperatures from 500 to 1000 °C. The phase identification, morphology and functional groups of the prepared samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), respectively. The YIG ferrite nanopowder was composited with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) by a solution casting method. The magnitudes of reflection and transmission coefficients of PVDF/YIG containing 6, 10 and 13% YIG, respectively, were measured using rectangular waveguide in conjunction with a microwave vector network analyzer (VNA) in X-band frequencies. The results indicate that the presence of YIG in polymer composites causes an increase in reflection coefficient and decrease in transmission coefficient of the polymer. PMID:22942718

Acoustic characterization of Thiel liver for magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound treatment.

PubMed

Karakitsios, Ioannis; Joy, Joyce; Mihcin, Senay; Melzer, Andreas

2017-04-01

The purpose of this work was to measure the essential acoustic parameters, i.e., acoustic impedance, reflection coefficient, attenuation coefficient, of Thiel embalmed human and animal liver. The Thiel embalmed tissue can be a promising, pre-clinical model to study liver treatment with Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS). Using a single-element transducer and the contact pulse-echo method, the acoustic parameters, i.e., acoustic impedance, reflection coefficient and attenuation coefficient of Thiel embalmed human and animal liver were measured. The Thiel embalmed livers had higher impedance, similar reflection and lower attenuation compared to the fresh tissue. Embalming liver with Thiel fluid affects its acoustic properties. During MRgFUS sonication of a Thiel organ, more focused ultrasound (FUS) will be backscattered by the organ, and higher acoustic powers are required to reach coagulation levels (temperatures >56 °C).

SigmaS controls multiple pathways associated with intracellular multiplication of Legionella pneumophila.

PubMed

Hovel-Miner, Galadriel; Pampou, Sergey; Faucher, Sebastien P; Clarke, Margaret; Morozova, Irina; Morozov, Pavel; Russo, James J; Shuman, Howard A; Kalachikov, Sergey

2009-04-01

Legionella pneumophila is the causative agent of the severe and potentially fatal pneumonia Legionnaires' disease. L. pneumophila is able to replicate within macrophages and protozoa by establishing a replicative compartment in a process that requires the Icm/Dot type IVB secretion system. The signals and regulatory pathways required for Legionella infection and intracellular replication are poorly understood. Mutation of the rpoS gene, which encodes sigma(S), does not affect growth in rich medium but severely decreases L. pneumophila intracellular multiplication within protozoan hosts. To gain insight into the intracellular multiplication defect of an rpoS mutant, we examined its pattern of gene expression during exponential and postexponential growth. We found that sigma(S) affects distinct groups of genes that contribute to Legionella intracellular multiplication. We demonstrate that rpoS mutants have a functional Icm/Dot system yet are defective for the expression of many genes encoding Icm/Dot-translocated substrates. We also show that sigma(S) affects the transcription of the cpxR and pmrA genes, which encode two-component response regulators that directly affect the transcription of Icm/Dot substrates. Our characterization of the L. pneumophila small RNA csrB homologs, rsmY and rsmZ, introduces a link between sigma(S) and the posttranscriptional regulator CsrA. We analyzed the network of sigma(S)-controlled genes by mutational analysis of transcriptional regulators affected by sigma(S). One of these, encoding the L. pneumophila arginine repressor homolog gene, argR, is required for maximal intracellular growth in amoebae. These data show that sigma(S) is a key regulator of multiple pathways required for L. pneumophila intracellular multiplication.

Variability of the reflectance coefficient of skylight from the ocean surface and its implications to ocean color.

PubMed

Gilerson, Alexander; Carrizo, Carlos; Foster, Robert; Harmel, Tristan

2018-04-16

The value and spectral dependence of the reflectance coefficient (ρ) of skylight from wind-roughened ocean surfaces is critical for determining accurate water leaving radiance and remote sensing reflectances from shipborne, AERONET-Ocean Color and satellite observations. Using a vector radiative transfer code, spectra of the reflectance coefficient and corresponding radiances near the ocean surface and at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) are simulated for a broad range of parameters including flat and windy ocean surfaces with wind speeds up to 15 m/s, aerosol optical thicknesses of 0-1 at 440nm, wavelengths of 400-900 nm, and variable Sun and viewing zenith angles. Results revealed a profound impact of the aerosol load and type on the spectral values of ρ. Such impacts, not included yet in standard processing, may produce significant inaccuracies in the reflectance spectra retrieved from above-water radiometry and satellite observations. Implications for satellite cal/val activities as well as potential changes in measurement and data processing schemes are discussed.

Measurement of anchoring coefficient of homeotropically aligned nematic liquid crystal using a polarizing optical microscope in reflective mode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baek, Sang-In; Kim, Sung-Jo; Kim, Jong-Hyun

2015-09-01

Although the homeotropic alignment of liquid crystals is widely used in LCD TVs, no easy method exists to measure its anchoring coefficient. In this study, we propose an easy and convenient measurement technique in which a polarizing optical microscope is used in the reflective mode with an objective lens having a low depth of focus. All measurements focus on the reflection of light near the interface between the liquid crystal and alignment layer. The change in the reflected light is measured by applying an electric field. We model the response of the director of the liquid crystal to the electric field and, thus, the change in reflectance. By adjusting the extrapolation length in the calculation, we match the experimental and calculated results and obtain the anchoring coefficient. In our experiment, the extrapolation lengths were 0.31 ± 0.04 μm, 0.32 ± 0.08 μm, and 0.23 ± 0.05 μm for lecithin, AL-64168, and SE-5662, respectively.

Grain boundary character, and carbide size and spatial distribution in a ternary nickel alloy

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

Liu, H.; Gao, M.; Harlow, D.G.

1995-06-01

A preliminary investigation of the grain boundary character and its relationship to carbide distribution in a Ni-18Cr-18Fe ternary alloy was conducted. The results showed that there was a strong preference for the formation of {Sigma}3 (44.6%) and twin-related {Sigma}9 and {Sigma}27 CSL boundaries. If the coherent {Sigma}3{sub c} twin and the twin-related boundaries are excluded, then the distribution would consist of nearly 80% random (high angle) boundaries and about 20% CSL (with {Sigma} {<=} 49) boundaries. The size and spacing of grain boundary carbides were influenced by grain boundary {Sigma}; the carbides being smaller and more closely spaced on themore » {Sigma}1, {Sigma}9 and {Sigma}27 boundaries, and none could be resolved on the coherent {Sigma}3 twin boundaries. The results could be understood, in part, in terms of the influence of grain boundary energy, but the understanding is incomplete. Further studies are in progress and will be reported.« less

Analysis of Advanced Thermoelectric Materials and Their Functional Limits

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kim, Hyun Jung

2015-01-01

The world's demand for energy is increasing dramatically, but the best energy conversion systems operate at approximately 30% efficiency. One way to decrease energy loss is in the recovery of waste heat using thermoelectric (TE) generators. A TE generator is device that generates electricity by exploiting heat flow across a thermal gradient. The efficiency of a TE material for power generation and cooling is determined by the dimensionless Figure of Merit (ZT): ZT = S(exp. 2)sigmaT/?: where S is the Seebeck coefficient, sigma is the electrical conductivity, T is the absolute temperature, and ? is the thermal conductivity. The parameters are not physically independent, but intrinsically coupled since they are a function of the transport properties of electrons. Traditional research on TE materials has focused on synthesizing bulk semiconductor-type materials that have low thermal conductivity and high electrical conductivity affording ZT values of 1. The optimization of the s/? ratio is difficult to achieve using current material formats, as these material constants are complementary. Recent areas of research are focusing on using nanostructural artifacts that introduce specific dislocations and boundary conditions that scatter the phonons. This disrupts the physical link between thermal (phonon) and electrical (electron) transport. The result is that ? is decreased without decreasing s. These material formats give ZT values of up to 2 which represent approximately 18% energy gain from waste heat recovery. The next challenge in developing the next generation of TE materials with superior performance is to tailor the interconnected thermoelectric physical parameters of the material system. In order to approach this problem, the fundamental physics of each parameter S, sigma, and ? need to be physically understood in their context of electron/phonon interaction for the construction of new high ZT thermoelectric devices. Is it possible to overcome the physical limit imposed by of the effect of phonon lattice oscillation and energetic electrons towards thermal conductivity? Is the Seebeck coefficient, based on the difference in voltage over temperature gradient ( deltaV/deltaT), an intrinsic parameter of each material? All these parameters were manipulated using nano-bridge and twin-lattice structural concepts at the NASA Langley Research Center. This talk will review the current trend of TE research to optimize the ZT and discuss about new approaches on increasing ZT within functional limits of each parameter.

Transport and first-principles study of novel thermoelectric materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chi, Hang

Thermoelectric materials can recover waste industrial heat and convert it to electricity as well as provide efficient local cooling of electronic devices. The efficiency of such environmentally responsible and exceptionally reliable solid state energy conversion is determined by the dimensionless figure-of-merit ZT = alpha2 sigmaT/kappa, where alpha is the Seebeck coefficient, sigma is the electrical conductivity, kappa is the thermal conductivity, and T is the absolute temperature. The goal of the thesis is to (i) illustrate the physics to achieve high ZT of advanced thermoelectric materials and (ii) explore fundamental structure and transport properties in novel condensed matter systems, via an approach combining comprehensive experimental techniques and state-of-the-art first-principles simulation methods. Thermo-galvanomagnetic transport coefficients are derived from Onsager's reciprocal relations and evaluated via solving Boltzmann transport equation using Fermi-Dirac statistics, under the relaxation time approximation. Such understanding provides insights on enhancing ZT through two physically intuitive and very effective routes: (i) improving power factor PF = alpha2sigma; and (ii) reducing thermal conductivity kappa, as demonstrated in the cases of Mg2Si1-xSnx solid solution and Ge/Te double substituted skutterudites CoSb3(1-x)Ge1.5x Te1.5x, respectively. Motivated by recent theoretical predictions of enhanced thermoelectric performance in highly mismatched alloys, ZnTe:N molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) films deposited on GaAs (100) substrates are carefully examined, which leads to a surprising discovery of significant phonon-drag thermopower (reaching 1-2 mV/K-1) at ~13 K. Further systematic study in Bi2Te3 MBE thin films grown on sapphire (0001) and/or BaF2 (111) substrates, reveal that the peak of phonon drag can be tuned by the choice of substrates with different Debye temperatures. Moreover, the detailed transport and structure studies of Bi2-xTl xTe3 single crystals demonstrate that thallium doping leads to a bulk insulating state for such a topological insulator, which opens an avenue for further investigations of transport phenomena related to surface states. Finally, using the combined theoretical and experimental approaches, a new layered transition metal dichalcogenide type of ground state of Cu 2Se is proposed, which exhibits extraordinary weak anti-localization type of magnetoresistance at liquid helium temperatures.

Syntheses, structures, and vibrational spectroscopy of the two-dimensional iodates Ln(IO{sub 3}){sub 3} and Ln(IO{sub 3}){sub 3}(H{sub 2}O) (Ln =Yb, Lu)

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

Assefa, Zerihun; Ling Jie; Haire, Richard G.

2006-12-15

The reaction of Lu{sup 3+} or Yb{sup 3+} and H{sub 5}IO{sub 6} in aqueous media at 180 {sup o}C leads to the formation of Yb(IO{sub 3}){sub 3}(H{sub 2}O) or Lu(IO{sub 3}){sub 3}(H{sub 2}O), respectively, while the reaction of Yb metal with H{sub 5}IO{sub 6} under similar reaction conditions gives rise to the anhydrous iodate, Yb(IO{sub 3}){sub 3}. Under supercritical conditions Lu{sup 3+} reacts with HIO{sub 3} and KIO{sub 4} to yield the isostructural Lu(IO{sub 3}){sub 3}. The structures have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystallographic data are (MoK{alpha}, {lambda}=0.71073 A): Yb(IO{sub 3}){sub 3}, monoclinic, space group P2{sub 1}/n, a=8.6664(9)more » A, b=5.9904(6) A, c=14.8826(15) A, {beta}=96.931(2){sup o}, V=766.99(13), Z=4, R(F)=4.23% for 114 parameters with 1880 reflections with I>2{sigma}(I); Lu(IO{sub 3}){sub 3}, monoclinic, space group P2{sub 1}/n, a=8.6410(9), b=5.9961(6), c=14.8782(16) A, {beta}=97.028(2){sup o}, V=765.08(14), Z=4, R(F)=2.65% for 119 parameters with 1756 reflections with I>2{sigma}(I); Yb(IO{sub 3}){sub 3}(H{sub 2}O), monoclinic, space group C2/c, a=27.2476(15), b=5.6296(3), c=12.0157(7) A, {beta}=98.636(1){sup o}, V=1822.2(2), Z=8, R(F)=1.51% for 128 parameters with 2250 reflections with I>2{sigma}(I); Lu(IO{sub 3}){sub 3}(H{sub 2}O), monoclinic, space group C2/c, a=27.258(4), b=5.6251(7), c=12.0006(16) A, {beta}=98.704(2){sup o}, V=1818.8(4), Z=8, R(F)=1.98% for 128 parameters with 2242 reflections with I>2{sigma}(I). The f elements in all of the compounds are found in seven-coordinate environments and bridged with monodentate, bidentate, or tridentate iodate anions. Both Lu(IO{sub 3}){sub 3}(H and Yb(IO{sub 3}){sub 3}(H{sub 2}O) display distinctively different vibrational profiles from their respective anhydrous analogs. Hence, the Raman profile can be used as a complementary diagnostic tool to discern the different structural motifs of the compounds. - Graphical abstract: Four new metal iodates, Yb(IO{sub 3}){sub 3}, Lu(IO{sub 3}){sub 3}, Yb(IO{sub 3}){sub 3}(H{sub 2}O), and Lu(IO{sub 3}){sub 3}(H{sub 2}O), have all been isolated as single crystals through the use of hydrothermal reactions. Structural determinations using single-crystal X-ray diffraction have shown that the materials are all alike in that they contain two-dimensional structures. Vibrational profiles for all of the materials have been collected, using Raman spectroscopy, and analyzed.« less

Modeling the variations of reflection coefficient of Earth's lower ionosphere using very low frequency radio wave data by artificial neural network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghanbari, Keyvan; Khakian Ghomi, Mehdi; Mohammadi, Mohammad; Marbouti, Marjan; Tan, Le Minh

2016-08-01

The ionized atmosphere lying from 50 to 600 km above surface, known as ionosphere, contains high amount of electrons and ions. Very Low Frequency (VLF) radio waves with frequencies between 3 and 30 kHz are reflected from the lower ionosphere specifically D-region. A lot of applications in long range communications and navigation systems have been inspired by this characteristic of ionosphere. There are several factors which affect the ionization rate in this region, such as: time of day (presence of sun in the sky), solar zenith angle (seasons) and solar activities. Due to nonlinear response of ionospheric reflection coefficient to these factors, finding an accurate relation between these parameters and reflection coefficient is an arduous task. In order to model these kinds of nonlinear functionalities, some numerical methods are employed. One of these methods is artificial neural network (ANN). In this paper, the VLF radio wave data of 4 sudden ionospheric disturbance (SID) stations are given to a multi-layer perceptron ANN in order to simulate the variations of reflection coefficient of D region ionosphere. After training, validation and testing the ANN, outputs of ANN and observed values are plotted together for 2 random cases of each station. By evaluating the results using 2 parameters of pearson correlation coefficient and root mean square error, a satisfying agreement was found between ANN outputs and real observed data.

Sigma1 Pharmacology in the Context of Cancer.

PubMed

Kim, Felix J; Maher, Christina M

2017-01-01

Sigma1 (also known as sigma-1 receptor, Sig1R, σ1 receptor) is a unique pharmacologically regulated integral membrane chaperone or scaffolding protein. The majority of publications on the subject have focused on the neuropharmacology of Sigma1. However, a number of publications have also suggested a role for Sigma1 in cancer. Although there is currently no clinically used anti-cancer drug that targets Sigma1, a growing body of evidence supports the potential of Sigma1 ligands as therapeutic agents to treat cancer. In preclinical models, compounds with affinity for Sigma1 have been reported to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and survival, cell adhesion and migration, tumor growth, to alleviate cancer-associated pain, and to have immunomodulatory properties. This review will highlight that although the literature supports a role for Sigma1 in cancer, several fundamental questions regarding drug mechanism of action and the physiological relevance of aberrant SIGMAR1 transcript and Sigma1 protein expression in certain cancers remain unanswered or only partially answered. However, emerging lines of evidence suggest that Sigma1 is a component of the cancer cell support machinery, that it facilitates protein interaction networks, that it allosterically modulates the activity of its associated proteins, and that Sigma1 is a selectively multifunctional drug target.

Interpreting spectral unmixing coefficients: From spectral weights to mass fractions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grumpe, Arne; Mengewein, Natascha; Rommel, Daniela; Mall, Urs; Wöhler, Christian

2018-01-01

It is well known that many common planetary minerals exhibit prominent absorption features. Consequently, the analysis of spectral reflectance measurements has become a major tool of remote sensing. Quantifying the mineral abundances, however, is not a trivial task. The interaction between the incident light rays and particulate surfaces, e.g., the lunar regolith, leads to a non-linear relationship between the reflectance spectra of the pure minerals, the so-called ;endmembers;, and the surface's reflectance spectrum. It is, however, possible to transform the non-linear reflectance mixture into a linear mixture of single-scattering albedos of the Hapke model. The abundances obtained by inverting the linear single-scattering albedo mixture may be interpreted as volume fractions which are weighted by the endmember's extinction coefficient. Commonly, identical extinction coefficients are assumed throughout all endmembers and the obtained volume fractions are converted to mass fractions using either measured or assumed densities. In theory, the proposed method may cover different grain sizes if each grain size range of a mineral is treated as a distinct endmember. Here, we present a method to transform the mixing coefficients to mass fractions for arbitrary combinations of extinction coefficients and densities. The required parameters are computed from reflectance measurements of well defined endmember mixtures. Consequently, additional measurements, e.g., the endmember density, are no longer required. We evaluate the method based on laboratory measurements and various results presented in the literature, respectively. It is shown that the procedure transforms the mixing coefficients to mass fractions yielding an accuracy comparable to carefully calibrated laboratory measurements without additional knowledge. For our laboratory measurements, the square root of the mean squared error is less than 4.82 wt%. In addition, the method corrects for systematic effects originating from mixtures of endmembers showing a highly varying albedo, e.g., plagioclase and pyroxene.

Estimation of the absorption coefficients of two-layered media by a simple method using spatially and time-resolved reflectances

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shimada, M.; Sato, C.; Hoshi, Y.; Yamada, Y.

2009-08-01

Our newly developed method using spatially and time-resolved reflectances can easily estimate the absorption coefficients of each layer in a two-layered medium if the thickness of the upper layer and the reduced scattering coefficients of the two layers are known a priori. We experimentally validated this method using phantoms and examined its possibility of estimating the absorption coefficients of the tissues in human heads. In the case of a homogeneous plastic phantom (polyacetal block), the absorption coefficient estimated by our method agreed well with that obtained by a conventional method. Also, in the case of two-layered phantoms, our method successfully estimated the absorption coefficients of the two layers. Furthermore, the absorption coefficients of the extracerebral and cerebral tissue inside human foreheads were estimated under the assumption that the human heads were two-layered media. It was found that the absorption coefficients of the cerebral tissues were larger than those of the extracerebral tissues.

Joint time/frequency-domain inversion of reflection data for seabed geoacoustic profiles and uncertainties.

PubMed

Dettmer, Jan; Dosso, Stan E; Holland, Charles W

2008-03-01

This paper develops a joint time/frequency-domain inversion for high-resolution single-bounce reflection data, with the potential to resolve fine-scale profiles of sediment velocity, density, and attenuation over small seafloor footprints (approximately 100 m). The approach utilizes sequential Bayesian inversion of time- and frequency-domain reflection data, employing ray-tracing inversion for reflection travel times and a layer-packet stripping method for spherical-wave reflection-coefficient inversion. Posterior credibility intervals from the travel-time inversion are passed on as prior information to the reflection-coefficient inversion. Within the reflection-coefficient inversion, parameter information is passed from one layer packet inversion to the next in terms of marginal probability distributions rotated into principal components, providing an efficient approach to (partially) account for multi-dimensional parameter correlations with one-dimensional, numerical distributions. Quantitative geoacoustic parameter uncertainties are provided by a nonlinear Gibbs sampling approach employing full data error covariance estimation (including nonstationary effects) and accounting for possible biases in travel-time picks. Posterior examination of data residuals shows the importance of including data covariance estimates in the inversion. The joint inversion is applied to data collected on the Malta Plateau during the SCARAB98 experiment.

Development and initial test of the University of Wisconsin global isentropic-sigma model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zapotocny, Tom H.; Johnson, Donald R.; Reames, Fred M.

1994-01-01

The description of a global version of the University of Wisconsin (UW) hybrid isentropic-sigma (theta-sigma) model and the results from an initial numerical weather prediction experiment are presented in this paper. The main objectives of this initial test are to (1) discuss theta-sigma model development and computer requirements, (2) demonstrate the ability of the UW theta-sigma model for global numerical weather prediction using realistic orography and parameterized physical processes, and (3) compare the transport of an inert trace constituent against a nominally 'identical' sigma coordinate model. Initial and verifying data for the 5-day simulations presented in this work were supplied by the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS-1) data assimilation system. The time period studied is 1-6 February 1985. This validation experiment demonstrates that the global UW theta-sigma model produces a realistic 5-day simulation of the mass and momentum distributions when compared to both the identical sigma model and GEOS-1 verification. Root-mean-square errors demonstrate that the theta-sigma model is slightly more accurate than the nominally identical sigma model with respect to standard synoptic variables. Of particular importance, the UW theta-sigma model displays a distinct advantage over the conventional sigma model with respect to the prognostic simulation of inert trace constituent transport in amplifying baroclinic waves of the extratropics. This is especially true in the upper troposphere and stratosphere where the spatial integrity and conservation of an inert trace constituent is severely compromised in the sigma model compared to the theta-sigma model.

THE L{proportional_to}{sigma}{sup 8} CORRELATION FOR ELLIPTICAL GALAXIES WITH CORES: RELATION WITH BLACK HOLE MASS

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

Kormendy, John; Bender, Ralf, E-mail: kormendy@astro.as.utexas.edu, E-mail: bender@mpe.mpg.de

We construct the Faber-Jackson correlation between velocity dispersion {sigma} and total galaxy luminosity L{sub V} separately for elliptical galaxies with and without cores. The coreless ellipticals show the well-known, steep relationship dlog {sigma}/dlog L{sub V} = 0.268 or L{sub V} {proportional_to}{sigma}{sup 3.74}. This corresponds to dlog {sigma}/dlog M = 0.203, where M is the stellar mass and we use M/L{proportional_to}L {sup 0.32}. In contrast, the velocity dispersions of core ellipticals increase much more slowly with L{sub V} and M: dlog {sigma}/dlog L{sub V} = 0.120, L{sub V} {proportional_to}{sigma}{sup 8.33}, and dlog {sigma}/dlog M = 0.091. Dissipationless major galaxy mergers aremore » expected to preserve {sigma} according to the simplest virial-theorem arguments. However, numerical simulations show that {sigma} increases slowly in dry major mergers, with dlog {sigma}/dlog M {approx_equal} +0.15. In contrast, minor mergers cause {sigma} to decrease, with dlog {sigma}/dlog M {approx_equal} -0.05. Thus, the observed relation argues for dry major mergers as the dominant growth mode of the most massive ellipticals. This is consistent with what we know about the formation of cores. We know no viable way to explain galaxy cores except through dissipationless mergers of approximately equal-mass galaxies followed by core scouring by binary supermassive black holes. The observed, shallow {sigma}{proportional_to}L{sub V}{sup +0.12} relation for core ellipticals provides further evidence that they formed in dissipationless and predominantly major mergers. Also, it explains the observation that the correlation of supermassive black hole mass with velocity dispersion, M{sub .}{proportional_to}{sigma}{sup 4}, ''saturates'' at high M{sub .} such that M{sub .} becomes almost independent of {sigma}.« less

Quantitative characterization of turbidity by radiative transfer based reflectance imaging

PubMed Central

Tian, Peng; Chen, Cheng; Jin, Jiahong; Hong, Heng; Lu, Jun Q.; Hu, Xin-Hua

2018-01-01

A new and noncontact approach of multispectral reflectance imaging has been developed to inversely determine the absorption coefficient of μa, the scattering coefficient of μs and the anisotropy factor g of a turbid target from one measured reflectance image. The incident beam was profiled with a diffuse reflectance standard for deriving both measured and calculated reflectance images. A GPU implemented Monte Carlo code was developed to determine the parameters with a conjugate gradient descent algorithm and the existence of unique solutions was shown. We noninvasively determined embedded region thickness in heterogeneous targets and estimated in vivo optical parameters of nevi from 4 patients between 500 and 950nm for melanoma diagnosis to demonstrate the potentials of quantitative reflectance imaging. PMID:29760971

Rarefied-continuum gas dynamics transition for SUMS project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cheng, Sin-I

1989-01-01

This program is to develop an analytic method for reducing SUMS data for the determination of the undisturbed atmosphere conditions ahead of the shuttle along its descending trajectory. It is divided into an internal flow problem, an external flow problem and their matching conditions. Since the existing method of Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) failed completely for the internal flow problem, the emphasis is on the internal flow of a highly non-equilibrium, rarefied air through a short tube of a diameter much less than the gaseous mean free path. A two fluid model analysis of this internal flow problem has been developed and studied with typical results illustrated. A computer program for such an analysis and a technical paper published in Lecture Notes in Physics No. 323 (1989) are included as Appendices 3 and 4. A proposal for in situ determination of the surface accommodation coefficients sigma sub t and sigma e is included in Appendix 5 because of their importance in quantitative data reduction. A two fluid formulation for the external flow problem is included as Appendix 6 and a review article for AIAA on Hypersonic propulsion, much dependent on ambient atmospheric density, is also included as Appendix 7.

Papain hydrolysis of X-phenyl-N-methanesulfonyl glycinates: a quantitative structure-activity relationship and molecular graphics analysis.

PubMed

Carotti, A; Smith, R N; Wong, S; Hansch, C; Blaney, J M; Langridge, R

1984-02-15

The hydrolysis of 32 X-phenyl-N-methanesulfonyl glycinates by papain was investigated. It was found that the variation in the Michaelis constants could be rationalized by the following correlation equation: log 1/Km = 0.61 pi '3 + 0.46 MR4 + 0.55 sigma + 2.00 with a correlation coefficient of 0.945. In this expression, pi '3 is the hydrophobic constant for the more lipophilic of the two possible meta substituents, MR4 is the molar refractivity of 4-substituents, and sigma is the Hammett constant summed for all substituents. Using this equation, we designed, synthesized, and successfully predicted Km for a new congener intended to maximize binding (1/Km). The interactions involved in enzyme-substrate binding, as characterized by the correlation equation, are interpreted using a computer-constructed color three-dimensional-graphics molecular model of the enzyme active site. The nonenzymatic hydrolysis (both acid and basic) of phenyl hippurates yield rate constants which are well correlated by Hammett equations; however, log k for both acid and alkaline hydrolysis are not linearly related to log 1/Km or log kcat/Km.

Seasonal Variations of the Earth's Gravitational Field: An Analysis of Atmospheric Pressure, Ocean Tidal, and Surface Water Excitation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dong, D,; Gross, R.S.; Dickey, J.

1996-01-01

Monthly mean gravitational field parameters (denoted here as C(sub even)) that represent linear combinations of the primarily even degree zonal spherical harmonic coefficients of the Earth's gravitational field have been recovered using LAGEOS I data and are compared with those derived from gridded global surface pressure data of the National meteorological center (NMC) spanning 1983-1992. The effect of equilibrium ocean tides and surface water variations are also considered. Atmospheric pressure and surface water fluctuations are shown to be the dominant cause of observed annual C(sub even) variations. Closure with observations is seen at the 1sigma level when atmospheric pressure, ocean tide and surface water effects are include. Equilibrium ocean tides are shown to be the main source of excitation at the semiannual period with closure at the 1sigma level seen when both atmospheric pressure and ocean tide effects are included. The inverted barometer (IB) case is shown to give the best agreement with the observation series. The potential of the observed C(sub even) variations for monitoring mass variations in the polar regions of the Earth and the effect of the land-ocean mask in the IB calculation are discussed.

Analytic model for washout of HCl(g) from dispersing rocket exhaust clouds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pellett, G. L.

1981-01-01

The potential is investigated that precipitation scavenging of HCl from large solid rocket exhaust clouds may result in unacceptably acidic rain in the Cape Canaveral, Florida, area before atmospheric dispersion reduces HCl concentrations to safe limits. Several analytic expressions for HCl(g) and HCl(g + aq) washout are derived; a geometric mean washout coefficient is recommended. A previous HCl washout model is refined and applied to a space shuttle case (70 t HCl exhausted up to 4 km) and eight Titan 3 (60 percent less exhaust) dispersion cases. The vertical column density (sigma) decays were deduced by application of a multilayer Gaussian diffusion model to seven standard meteorological regimes for overland advection. The Titan 3 decays of sigma and initial rain pH differed greatly among regimes; e.g., a range of 2 pH units was spanned at x 100 km downwind and t = 2 hr. Environmentally significant pH's .5 for infrequent exposures were shown possible at X = 50 km and t 5 hr for the two least dispersive Titan 3 cases. Representative examples of downwind rainwater pH and G(X) are analyzed. Factors affecting the validity of the results are discussed.

ERS-1 scatterometer calibration and validation activities at ECMWF. B: From radar backscatter characteristics to wind vector solutions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stoffelen, AD; Anderson, David L. T.; Woiceshyn, Peter M.

1992-01-01

Calibration and validation activities for the ERS-1 scatterometer were carried out at ECMWF (European Center for Medium range Weather Forecast) complementary to the 'Haltenbanken' field campaign off the coast of Norway. At a Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) center a wealth of verifying data is available both in time and space. This data is used to redefine the wind retrieval procedure given the instrumental characteristics. It was found that a maximum likelihood estimation procedure to obtain the coefficients of a reformulated sigma deg to wind relationship should use radar measurements in logarithmic rather than physical space, and use winds as the wind components rather than wind speed and direction. Doing this, a much more accurate transfer function than the one currently operated by ESA was derived. Sigma deg measurement space shows no signature of a separation in an upwind solution cone and a downwind solution cone. As such signature was anticipated in ESA's wind direction ambiguity removal algorithm, reconsideration of the procedure is necessary. Despite the fact that revisions have to be made in the process of wind retrieval; a grid potential is shown for scatterometry in meteorology and climatology.

Hyperspectral diffuse reflectance for determination of the optical properties of milk and fruit and vegetable juices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qin, Jianwei; Lu, Renfu

2005-11-01

Absorption and reduced scattering coefficients are two fundamental optical properties for turbid biological materials. This paper presents the technique and method of using hyperspectral diffuse reflectance for fast determination of the optical properties of fruit and vegetable juices and milks. A hyperspectral imaging system was used to acquire spatially resolved steady-state diffuse reflectance over the spectral region between 530 and 900 nm from a variety of fruit and vegetable juices (citrus, grapefruit, orange, and vegetable) and milks with different fat levels (full, skim and mixed). The system collected diffuse reflectance in the source-detector separation range from 1.1 to 10.0 mm. The hyperspectral reflectance data were analyzed by using a diffusion theory model for semi-infinite homogeneous media. The absorption and reduced scattering coefficients of the fruit and vegetable juices and milks were extracted by inverse algorithms from the scattering profiles for wavelengths of 530-900 nm. Values of the absorption and reduced scattering coefficient at 650 nm were highly correlated to the fat content of the milk samples with the correlation coefficient of 0.990 and 0.989, respectively. The hyperspectral imaging technique can be extended to the measurement of other liquid and solid foods in which light scattering is dominant.

Multilayered models for electromagnetic reflection amplitudes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Linlor, W. I.

1976-01-01

The remote sensing of snowpack characteristics with surface installations or with an airborne system could have important applications in water resource management and flood prediction. To derive some insight into such applications, the electromagnetic response of multilayer snow models is analyzed. Normally incident plane waves are assumed at frequencies ranging from 10 to the 6th power to 10 to the 10th power Hz, and amplitude reflection coefficients are calculated for models having various snow-layer combinations, including ice sheets. Layers are defined by a thickness, permittivity, and conductivity; the electrical parameters are constant or prescribed functions of frequency. To illustrate the effect of various layering combinations, results are given in the form of curves of amplitude reflection coefficients, versus frequency for a variety of models. Under simplifying assumptions, the snow thickness and effective dielectric constant can be estimated from the reflection coefficient variations as a function of frequency.

Virtual Ionosonde Construction by using ITS and IRI-2012 models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kabasakal, Mehmet; Toker, Cenk

2016-07-01

Ionosonde is a kind of radar which is used to examine several properties of the ionosphere, including the electron density and drift velocity. Ionosonde is an expensive device and its installation requires special expertise and a proper area clear of sources of radio interference. In order to overcome the difficulties of installing an ionosonde hardware, the target of this study is to construct a virtual ionosonde based on communication channel models where the model parameters are determined by ray tracing obtained by the PHaRLAP software and the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI-2012) model. Although narrowband high frequency (HF) communication models have been widely used to represent the behaviour of the radio channel, they are applicable to a limited set of actual propagation conditions and wideband models are needed to better understand the HF channel. In 1997, the Institute for Telecommunication Science (ITS) developed a wideband HF ionospheric model, the so-called ITS model, however, it has some restrictions in real life applications. The ITS model parameters are grouped into two parts; the deterministic and the stochastic parameters. The deterministic parameters are the delay time (tau _{c}) of each reflection path based on the penetration frequency (f _{p}), the height (h _{0}) of the maximum electron density and the half thickness (sigma) of the reflective layer. The stochastic parameters, delay spread (sigma _{tau}), delay rise time (sigma _{c}), Doppler spread (sigma _{D}), Doppler shift (f _{s}), are to calculate the impulse response of the channel. These parameters are generally difficult to obtain and are based on the measured data which may not be available in all cases. In order to obtain these parameters, we propose to integrate the PHaRLAP ray tracing toolbox and the IRI-2012 model. When Total Electron Content (TEC) estimates obtained from GNSS measurements are input to IRI-2012, the model generates electron density profiles close to the actual profiles, which are used for ray tracing between the user defined geographical coordinates. Then, ITS model parameters are obtained from both ray tracing and also the IRI-2012 model. Finally, an ionosonde signal waveform is transmitted through the channel obtained from the ITS model to generate the ionogram. As an application, oblique sounding between two points is simulated with ITS channel model. M-sequence, Barker sequence and complementary sequences are used as sounding waveforms. The effects of channel on the oblique ionogram and sounding waveform characteristics are also investigated.

BRIEF COMMUNICATIONS: Q switching of a resonator by the metal-semiconductor phase transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bugaev, A. A.; Zakharchenya, Boris P.; Chudnovskiĭ, F. A.

1981-12-01

An experimental study was made of Q switching in a resonator by a mirror with a nonlinear reflection coefficient. This mirror was an interference reflecting structure containing a vanadium oxide film capable of undergoing a metal-semiconductor transition. The nonlinearity of the reflection coefficient was due to initiation of this phase transition by laser radiation. A determination was made of the parameters of a giant radiation pulse obtained using such a passive switch with a vanadium oxide film.

2060 Chiron - Visual and thermal infrared observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lebofsky, L. A.; Tholen, D. J.; Rieke, G. H.; Lebofsky, M. J.

1984-01-01

Five-color (wavelength = 0.36-0.85 microns) and thermal infrared (wavelength = 22.5 microns) photometric observations of the unusual asteroid 2060 Chiron were made. Between 0.36 and 0.85 microns, Chiron's reflectance spectrum is similar to those of C-class asteroids as well as Saturn's satellite Phoebe. However, the thermal IR measurements imply an albedo greater than 0.05 (i.e., a diameter of less than 250 km at the 2-sigma level) that is probably higher than those of C-class asteroids or Phoebe.

Acoustic parameters inversion and sediment properties in the Yellow River reservoir

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Chang-Zheng; Yang, Yong; Wang, Rui; Yan, Xiao-Fei

2018-03-01

The physical properties of silt in river reservoirs are important to river dynamics. Unfortunately, traditional techniques yield insufficient data. Based on porous media acoustic theory, we invert the acoustic parameters for the top river-bottom sediments. An explicit form of the acoustic reflection coefficient at the water-sediment interface is derived based on Biot's theory. The choice of parameters in the Biot model is discussed and the relation between acoustic and geological parameters is studied, including that between the reflection coefficient and porosity and the attenuation coefficient and permeability. The attenuation coefficient of the sound wave in the sediments is obtained by analyzing the shift of the signal frequency. The acoustic reflection coefficient at the water-sediment interface is extracted from the sonar signal. Thus, an inversion method of the physical parameters of the riverbottom surface sediments is proposed. The results of an experiment at the Sanmenxia reservoir suggest that the estimated grain size is close to the actual data. This demonstrates the ability of the proposed method to determine the physical parameters of sediments and estimate the grain size.

Determination of optical coefficients of biological tissue from a single integrating-sphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Lianshun; Shi, Aijuan; Lu, Hongguang

2012-01-01

The detection of interactions between light and tissue can be used to characterize the optical properties of the tissue. The development is described of a method that determines optical coefficients of biological tissue from a single optical reflectance spectrum measured with an integrating-sphere. The experimental system incorporated a DH-2000 deuterium tungsten halogen light source, a USB4000-VIS-NIR miniature fiber optic spectrometer and an integrating-sphere. Fat emulsion and ink were used to mimic the scattering and absorbing properties of tissue in the tested sample. The measured optical reflectance spectrums with different scattering and absorbing properties were used to train a back-propagation neural network (BPNN). Then the neural network (BPNN) was used to determine the optical coefficients of biological tissue from a single optical reflectance spectrum measured with an integrating-sphere. Tests on tissue-simulation phantoms showed the relative errors of this technique to be 7% for the reduced scattering coefficient and 15% for the absorption coefficients. The optical properties of human skin were also measured in vivo.

Bioaccumulation of organochlorine contaminants in bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) from Barrow, Alaska.

PubMed

Hoekstra, P F; O'Hara, T M; Pallant, S J; Solomon, K R; Muir, D C G

2002-05-01

Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) blubber (n = 72) and liver (n = 23) samples were collected during seven consecutive subsistence harvests (1997-2000) at Barrow, Alaska, to investigate the bioaccumulation of organochlorine contaminants (OCs) by this long-lived mysticete. The rank order of OC group concentrations (geometric mean, wet weight) in bowhead blubber samples were toxaphene (TOX; 455 ng/g) > polychlorinated biphenyls (SigmaPCBs; 410 ng/g) > dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane-related compounds (SigmaDDT; 331 ng/g) >or= hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (SigmaHCHs; 203 ng/g) >or= chlordanes and related isomers (SigmaCHLOR; 183 ng/g) > chlorobenzenes (SigmaCIBz; 106 ng/g). In liver, SigmaHCH (9.5 ng/g; wet weight) was the most abundant SigmaOC group, followed by SigmaPCBs (9.1 ng/g) >or= TOX (8.8 ng/g) > SigmaCHLOR (5.5 ng/g) > SigmaCIBz (4.2 ng/g) >or= SigmaDDT (3.7 ng/g). The dominant analyte in blubber and liver was p,p'-DDE and alpha-HCH, respectively. Total TOX, SigmaPCBs, SigmaDDT, and SigmaCHLOR concentrations in blubber generally increased with age of male whales (as interpreted by body length), but this relationship was not significant for adult female whales. Biomagnification factor (BMF) values (0.1-45.5) for OCs from zooplankton (Calanus sp.) to bowhead whale were consistent with findings for other mysticetes. Tissue-specific differences in OC patterns in blubber and liver may be attributed to variation of tissue composition and the relatively low capacity of this species to biotransform various OCs. Principal component analysis of contaminants levels in bowhead blubber samples suggest that proportions of OCs, such as beta-HCH, fluctuate with seasonal migration of this species between the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas.

Characterization of 4-Nitrophenylpropyl-N-alkylamine Interactions with Sigma Receptors

PubMed Central

Chu, Uyen B.; Hajipour, Abdol R.; Ramachandran, Subramaniam; Ruoho, Arnold E.

2011-01-01

Sigma receptors are small membrane proteins implicated in a number of pathophysiological conditions including drug addiction, psychosis and cancer; thus, small molecule inhibitors of sigma receptors have been proposed as potential pharmacotherapeutics for these diseases. We previously discovered that endogenous monochain N-alkyl sphingolipids including D-erythro-sphingosine, sphinganine, and N,N-dimethyl sphingosine bind to the sigma-1 receptor at physiologically relevant concentrations [Ramachandran et al. 2009 Eur J Pharmacol. 609(1–3):19–26]. Here, we investigated several N-alkylamines of varying chain lengths as sigma receptor ligands. Although the KI values for N-alkylamines were found to be in the micromolar range, when N-3-phenylpropyl and N-3-(4-nitrophenyl)propyl derivatives of butyl- (1a and 1b), heptyl- (2a and 2b), dodecyl- (3a and 3b), and octadecyl-amine (4a and 4b) were evaluated as sigma receptor ligands we found that these compounds exhibited nanomolar affinities with both sigma-1 and sigma-2 receptors. A screen of the high affinity ligands 2a, 2b, 3a and 3b against a variety of other receptors/transporters confirmed these four compounds to be highly selective mixed sigma-1 and sigma-2 ligands. Additionally, in HEK293 cells reconstituted with Kv1.4 potassium channel and the sigma-1 receptor, these derivatives were able to inhibit the outward current from the channel – consistent with sigma receptor modulation. Finally, cytotoxicity assays showed that 2a, 2b, 3a and 3b were highly potent against a number of cancer cell lines, demonstrating their potential utility as mixed sigma-1 and sigma-2 receptor anti-cancer agents. PMID:21790129

A Simple Student Laboratory on Osmotic Flow, Osmotic Pressure, and the Reflection Coefficient.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Feher, Joseph J.; Ford, George D.

1995-01-01

Describes a laboratory exercise containing a practical series of experiments that novice students can perform within two hours. The exercise provides a confirmation of van't Hoff's law while placing more emphasis on osmotic flow than pressure. Students can determine parameters such as the reflection coefficient which stress the interaction of both…

Determination of optical band gap of powder-form nanomaterials with improved accuracy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahsan, Ragib; Khan, Md. Ziaur Rahman; Basith, Mohammed Abdul

2017-10-01

Accurate determination of a material's optical band gap lies in the precise measurement of its absorption coefficients, either from its absorbance via the Beer-Lambert law or diffuse reflectance spectrum via the Kubelka-Munk function. Absorption coefficients of powder-form nanomaterials calculated from absorbance spectrum do not match those calculated from diffuse reflectance spectrum, implying the inaccuracy of the traditional optical band gap measurement method for such samples. We have modified the Beer-Lambert law and the Kubelka-Munk function with proper approximations for powder-form nanomaterials. Applying the modified method for powder-form nanomaterial samples, both absorbance and diffuse reflectance spectra yield exactly the same absorption coefficients and therefore accurately determine the optical band gap.

Studies of the Escherichia coli Rsd-sigma70 complex.

PubMed

Westblade, Lars F; Ilag, Leopold L; Powell, Andrew K; Kolb, Annie; Robinson, Carol V; Busby, Stephen J W

2004-01-16

Escherichia coli Rsd protein was previously identified on the basis of its binding to the RNA polymerase sigma(70) subunit. The Rsd-sigma(70) complex has been studied using different methods. Our data show that Rsd associates with sigma(70) to form a complex with a stoichiometry of 1:1. Alanine scanning and deletion mutagenesis were used to locate regions of sigma(70) that are required for the formation of the Rsd-sigma(70) complex.

Running Head: Implementing Six Sigma Efforts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lindsay, Jamie Eleaitia Mae

2005-01-01

Six Sigma is an organization wide program that provides common set of goals, language, and methodology for improving the overall quality of the processes within the organization (Davis & Heineke 2004). Six Sigma main concern is for the customer. What will the customers want? Need? Six Sigma has a model that helps Sigma get implemented DMAIC model…

Regulation of antimicrobial resistance by extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factors

PubMed Central

Woods, Emily C.; McBride, Shonna M.

2017-01-01

Extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factors are a subfamily of σ70 sigma factors that activate genes involved in stress-response functions. In many bacteria, ECF sigma factors regulate resistance to antimicrobial compounds. This review will summarize the ECF sigma factors that regulate antimicrobial resistance in model organisms and clinically relevant pathogens. PMID:28153747

Radiometric errors in complex Fourier transform spectrometry.

PubMed

Sromovsky, Lawrence A

2003-04-01

A complex spectrum arises from the Fourier transform of an asymmetric interferogram. A rigorous derivation shows that the rms noise in the real part of that spectrum is indeed given by the commonly used relation sigmaR = 2X x NEP/(etaAomega square root(tauN)), where NEP is the delay-independent and uncorrelated detector noise-equivalent power per unit bandwidth, +/- X is the delay range measured with N samples averaging for a time tau per sample, eta is the system optical efficiency, and Aomega is the system throughput. A real spectrum produced by complex calibration with two complex reference spectra [Appl. Opt. 27, 3210 (1988)] has a variance sigmaL2 = sigmaR2 + sigma(c)2 (Lh - Ls)2/(Lh - Lc)2 + sigma(h)2 (Ls - Lc)2/(Lh - Lc)2, valid for sigmaR, sigma(c), and sigma(h) small compared with Lh - Lc, where Ls, Lh, and Lc are scene, hot reference, and cold reference spectra, respectively, and sigma(c) and sigma(h) are the respective combined uncertainties in knowledge and measurement of the hot and cold reference spectra.

Experimental and Coupled-channels Investigation of the Radiative Properties of the N2 c4 (sup 1)Sigma+(sub u) - X (sup 1)Sigma+(sub g) Band System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Xianming; Shemansky, Donald E.; Malone, Charles P.; Johnson, Paul V.; Ajello, Joseph M.; Kanik, Isik; Heays, Alan N.; Lewis, Brenton R.; Gibson, Stephen T.; Stark, Glenn

2008-01-01

The emission properties of the N2 c(sup prime)(sub 4) (sup 1)Sigma+(sub u) - Chi (sup 1)Sigma+(sub g) band system have been investigated in a joint experimental and coupled-channels theoretical study. Relative intensities of the c(sup prime)(sub 4) (sup 1)Sigma+(sub u)(0) - Chi (sup 1)Sigma+(sub g)(v(sub i)) transitions, measured via electron-impact-induced emission spectroscopy, are combined with a coupled-channel Schroedinger equation (CSE) model of the N2 molecule, enabling determination of the diabatic electronic transition moment for the c(sup prime)(sub 4) (sup 1)Sigma+(sub u) - Chi (sup 1)Sigma+(sub g) system as a function of internuclear distance. The CSE probabilities are further verified by comparison with a high-resolution experimental spectrum. Spontaneous transition probabilities of the c(sup prime)(sub 4) (sup 1)Sigma+(sub u) - Chi (sup 1)Sigma+(sub g) modeling atmospheric emission, can now be calculated reliably.

Close encounters of the third-body kind. [intruding bodies in binary star systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davies, M. B.; Benz, W.; Hills, J. G.

1994-01-01

We simulated encounters involving binaries of two eccentricities: e = 0 (i.e., circular binaries) and e = 0.5. In both cases the binary contained a point mass of 1.4 solar masses (i.e., a neutron star) and a 0.8 solar masses main-sequence star modeled as a polytrope. The semimajor axes of both binaries were set to 60 solar radii (0.28 AU). We considered intruders of three masses: 1.4 solar masses (a neutron star), 0.8 solar masses (a main-sequence star or a higher mass white dwarf), and 0.64 solar masses (a more typical mass white dwarf). Our strategy was to perform a large number (40,000) of encounters using a three-body code, then to rerun a small number of cases with a three-dimensional smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) code to determine the importance of hydrodynamical effects. Using the results of the three-body runs, we computed the exchange across sections, sigma(sub ex). From the results of the SPH runs, we computed the cross sections for clean exchange, denoted by sigma(sub cx); the formation of a triple system, denoted by sigma(sub trp); and the formation of a merged binary with an object formed from the merger of two of the stars left in orbit around the third star, denoted by sigma(sub mb). For encounters between either binary and a 1.4 solar masses neutron star, sigma(sub cx) approx. 0.7 sigma(sub ex) and sigma(sub mb) + sigma(sub trp) approx. 0.3 sigma(sub ex). For encounters between either binary and the 0.8 solar masses main-sequence star, sigma(sub cx) approx. 0.50 sigma(sub ex) and sigma(sub mb) + sigma(sub trp) approx. 1.0 sigma(sub ex). If the main sequence star is replaced by a main-sequence star of the same mass, we have sigma(sub cx) approx. 0.5 sigma(sub ex) and sigma(sub mb) + sigma(sub trp) approx. 1.6 sigma(sub ex). Although the exchange cross section is a sensitive function of intruder mass, we see that the cross section to produce merged binaries is roughly independent of intruder mass. The merged binaries produced have semi-major axes much larger than either those of the original binaries or those of binaries produced in clean exchanges. Coupled with their lower kick velocities, received from the encounters, their larger size will enhance their cross section, shortening the waiting time to a subsequent encounter with another single star.

Improving reflectance reconstruction from tristimulus values by adaptively combining colorimetric and reflectance similarities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Bin; Liao, Ningfang; Li, Yasheng; Cheng, Haobo

2017-05-01

The use of spectral reflectance as fundamental color information finds application in diverse fields related to imaging. Many approaches use training sets to train the algorithm used for color classification. In this context, we note that the modification of training sets obviously impacts the accuracy of reflectance reconstruction based on classical reflectance reconstruction methods. Different modifying criteria are not always consistent with each other, since they have different emphases; spectral reflectance similarity focuses on the deviation of reconstructed reflectance, whereas colorimetric similarity emphasizes human perception. We present a method to improve the accuracy of the reconstructed spectral reflectance by adaptively combining colorimetric and spectral reflectance similarities. The different exponential factors of the weighting coefficients were investigated. The spectral reflectance reconstructed by the proposed method exhibits considerable improvements in terms of the root-mean-square error and goodness-of-fit coefficient of the spectral reflectance errors as well as color differences under different illuminants. Our method is applicable to diverse areas such as textiles, printing, art, and other industries.

Scaling, elasticity, and CLPT

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brunelle, Eugene J.

1994-01-01

The first few viewgraphs describe the general solution properties of linear elasticity theory which are given by the following two statements: (1) for stress B.C. on S(sub sigma) and zero displacement B.C. on S(sub u) the altered displacements u(sub i)(*) and the actual stresses tau(sub ij) are elastically dependent on Poisson's ratio nu alone: thus the actual displacements are given by u(sub i) = mu(exp -1)u(sub i)(*); and (2) for zero stress B.C. on S(sub sigma) and displacement B.C. on S(sub u) the actual displacements u(sub i) and the altered stresses tau(sub ij)(*) are elastically dependent on Poisson's ratio nu alone: thus the actual stresses are given by tau(sub ij) = E tau(sub ij)(*). The remaining viewgraphs describe the minimum parameter formulation of the general classical laminate theory plate problem as follows: The general CLT plate problem is expressed as a 3 x 3 system of differential equations in the displacements u, v, and w. The eighteen (six each) A(sub ij), B(sub ij), and D(sub ij) system coefficients are ply-weighted sums of the transformed reduced stiffnesses (bar-Q(sub ij))(sub k); the (bar-Q(sub ij))(sub k) in turn depend on six reduced stiffnesses (Q(sub ij))(sub k) and the material and geometry properties of the k(sup th) layer. This paper develops a method for redefining the system coefficients, the displacement components (u,v,w), and the position components (x,y) such that a minimum parameter formulation is possible. The pivotal steps in this method are (1) the reduction of (bar-Q(sub ij))(sub k) dependencies to just two constants Q(*) = (Q(12) + 2Q(66))/(Q(11)Q(22))(exp 1/2) and F(*) - (Q(22)/Q(11))(exp 1/2) in terms of ply-independent reference values Q(sub ij); (2) the reduction of the remaining portions of the A, B, and D coefficients to nondimensional ply-weighted sums (with 0 to 1 ranges) that are independent of Q(*) and F(*); and (3) the introduction of simple coordinate stretchings for u, v, w and x,y such that the process is neatly completed.

Analysis of sigma receptor (sigmaR1) expression in retinal ganglion cells cultured under hyperglycemic conditions and in diabetic mice.

PubMed

Ola, M Shamsul; Moore, Pamela; Maddox, Dennis; El-Sherbeny, Amira; Huang, Wei; Roon, Penny; Agarwal, Neeraj; Ganapathy, Vadivel; Smith, Sylvia B

2002-11-15

The type 1 sigma receptor (sigmaR1) is a nonopiate and nonphencyclidine binding site that has numerous pharmacological and physiological functions. In some studies, agonists for sigmaR1 have been shown to afford neuroprotection against overstimulation of the NMDA receptor. sigmaR1 expression has been demonstrated recently in retinal ganglion cells (RGC). RGCs undergo apoptosis early in diabetic retinopathy via NMDA receptor overstimulation. In the present study we asked whether RGCs cultured under hyperglycemic conditions and RGCs of diabetic mice continue to express sigmaR1. RGCs were cultured 48 h in RPMI medium containing either 45 mM glucose or 11 mM glucose plus 34 mM mannitol (osmolar control). C57BL/6 mice were made diabetic using streptozotocin. The retina was dissected from normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice 3, 6 and 12 weeks post-onset of diabetes. sigmaR1 was analyzed in cells using semiquantitative RT-PCR and in tissues by semiquantitative RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, Western blot analysis and immunolocalization. The RT-PCR analysis of cultured RGCs showed that sigmaR1 mRNA is expressed under hyperglycemic conditions at levels similar to control cells. Similarly, analysis of retinas of diabetic mice showed no difference in levels of mRNA encoding sigmaR1 compared to retinas of control mice. In situ hybridization analysis showed that expression patterns of sigmaR1 mRNA in the ganglion cell layer were similar between diabetic and control mice. Western blot analysis suggested that levels of sigmaR1 in retina were similar between diabetic and control retinas. Immunohistochemical analysis of sigmaR1 showed a similar pattern of sigmaR1 protein expression between control and diabetic retina. These studies demonstrate that sigmaR1 is expressed under hyperglycemic conditions in vitro and in vivo.

Limitations of quantitative analysis of deep crustal seismic reflection data: Examples from GLIMPCE

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lee, Myung W.; Hutchinson, Deborah R.

1992-01-01

Amplitude preservation in seismic reflection data can be obtained by a relative true amplitude (RTA) processing technique in which the relative strength of reflection amplitudes is preserved vertically as well as horizontally, after compensating for amplitude distortion by near-surface effects and propagation effects. Quantitative analysis of relative true amplitudes of the Great Lakes International Multidisciplinary Program on Crustal Evolution seismic data is hampered by large uncertainties in estimates of the water bottom reflection coefficient and the vertical amplitude correction and by inadequate noise suppression. Processing techniques such as deconvolution, F-K filtering, and migration significantly change the overall shape of amplitude curves and hence calculation of reflection coefficients and average reflectance. Thus lithological interpretation of deep crustal seismic data based on the absolute value of estimated reflection strength alone is meaningless. The relative strength of individual events, however, is preserved on curves generated at different stages in the processing. We suggest that qualitative comparisons of relative strength, if used carefully, provide a meaningful measure of variations in reflectivity. Simple theoretical models indicate that peg-leg multiples rather than water bottom multiples are the most severe source of noise contamination. These multiples are extremely difficult to remove when the water bottom reflection coefficient is large (>0.6), a condition that exists beneath parts of Lake Superior and most of Lake Huron.

Mapping of the Rsd contact site on the sigma 70 subunit of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase.

PubMed

Jishage, M; Dasgupta, D; Ishihama, A

2001-05-01

Rsd (regulator of sigma D) is an anti-sigma factor for the Escherichia coli RNA polymerase sigma(70) subunit. The contact site of Rsd on sigma(70) was analyzed after mapping of the contact-dependent cleavage sites by Rsd-tethered iron-p-bromoacetamidobenzyl EDTA and by analysis of the complex formation between Ala-substituted sigma(70) and Rsd. Results indicate that the Rsd contact site is located downstream of the promoter -35 recognition helix-turn-helix motif within region 4, overlapping with the regions involved in interaction with both core enzyme and sigma(70) contact transcription factors.

LINE ABSORPTION OSCILLATOR STRENGTHS FOR THE c'{sub 4}{sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +}{sub u}(3)-X{sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +}{sub g}(0-5) BANDS IN N{sub 2}

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

Lavin, C.; Velasco, A. M., E-mail: clavin@qf.uva.es

Theoretical absorption oscillator strengths and emission branching ratios for rotational lines of the c'{sub 4}{sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +}{sub u}(3)-X{sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +}{sub g}(0-5) bands of molecular nitrogen are reported. The calculations have been performed with the molecular quantum defect orbital method, which has proved to be reliable in previous studies of rovibronic transitions in diatomic molecules. The strong interaction between c'{sub 4}{sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +}{sub u}(3) and b' {sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +}{sub u}(10) states has been analyzed through an interaction matrix that includes rotational terms. Owing to the perturbation, the c'{sub 4}{sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +}{sub u}(3)-X{sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +}{sub g}(0), c'{sub 4}{sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +}{sub u}(3)-X{sup 1}{Sigma}{supmore » +}{sub g}(1), and c'{sub 4}{sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +}{sub u}(3)-X{sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +}{sub g}(5) bands are not weak, in contrast to what would be expected on the basis of the Franck-Condon principle. Moreover, the intensity distribution of the rotational lines within each of the vibronic bands deviates from considerations based on Hoenl-London factors. In this work, we provide data that may be useful to interpret spectra from atmospheres of the Earth, Titan, and Triton, in which transitions from the c'{sub 4}{sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +}{sub u}(3) level have been detected.« less

[Spectral reflectance characteristics and modeling of typical Takyr Solonetzs water content].

PubMed

Zhang, Jun-hua; Jia, Ke-li

2015-03-01

Based on the analysis of the spectral reflectance of the typical Takyr Solonetzs soil in Ningxia, the relationship of soil water content and spectral reflectance was determined, and a quantitative model for the prediction of soil water content was constructed. The results showed that soil spectral reflectance decreased with the increasing soil water content when it was below the water holding capacity but increased with the increasing soil water content when it was higher than the water holding capacity. Soil water content presented significantly negative correlation with original reflectance (r), smooth reflectance (R), logarithm of reflectance (IgR), and positive correlation with the reciprocal of R and logarithm of reciprocal [lg (1/R)]. The correlation coefficient of soil water content and R in the whole wavelength was 0.0013, 0.0397 higher than r and lgR, respectively. Average correlation coefficient of soil water content with 1/R and [lg (1/R)] at the wavelength of 950-1000 nm was 0.2350 higher than that of 400-950 nm. The relationships of soil water content with the first derivate differential (R') , the first derivate differential of logarithm (lgR)' and the first derivate differential of logarithm of reciprocal [lg(1/R)]' were unstable. Base on the coefficients of r, lg(1/R), R' and (lgR)', different regression models were established to predict soil water content, and the coefficients of determination were 0.7610, 0.8184, 0.8524 and 0.8255, respectively. The determination coefficient for power function model of R'. reached 0.9447, while the fitting degree between the predicted value based on this model and on-site measured value was 0.8279. The model of R' had the highest fitted accuracy, while that of r had the lowest one. The results could provide a scientific basis for soil water content prediction and field irrigation in the Takyr Solonetzs region.

The low-lying {pi}{sigma}* state and its role in the intramolecular charge transfer of aminobenzonitriles and aminobenzethyne

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

Lee, Jae-Kwang; Fujiwara, Takashige; Kofron, William G.

2008-04-28

Electronic absorption spectra of the low-lying {pi}{pi}* and {pi}{sigma}* states of several aminobenzonitriles and 4-dimethylaminobenzethyne have been studied by time-resolved transient absorption and time-dependent density functional theory calculation. In acetonitrile, the lifetime of the {pi}{sigma}*-state absorption is very short (picoseconds or subpicosecond) for molecules that exhibit intramolecular charge transfer (ICT), and very long (nanoseconds) for those that do not. Where direct comparison of the temporal characteristics of the {pi}{sigma}*-state and the ICT-state transients could be made, the formation rate of the ICT state is identical to the decay rate of the {pi}{sigma}* state within the experimental uncertainty. These results aremore » consistent with the {pi}{sigma}*-mediated ICT mechanism, L{sub a} ({pi}{pi}*){yields}{pi}{sigma}*{yields}ICT, in which the decay rate of the {pi}{sigma}* state is determined by the rate of the solvent-controlled {pi}{sigma}*{yields}ICT charge-shift reaction. The {pi}{pi}*{yields}{pi}{sigma}* state crossing does not occur in 3-dimethylaminobenzonitrile or 2-dimethylaminobenzonitrile, as predicted by the calculation, and 4-aminobenzonitrile and 4-dimethylaminobenzethyne does not exhibit the ICT reaction, consistent with the higher energy of the ICT state relative to the {pi}{sigma}* state.« less

HOW UNIVERSAL IS THE {Sigma}{sub SFR}-{Sigma}{sub H{sub 2}} RELATION?

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

Feldmann, R.; Gnedin, N. Y.; Kravtsov, A. V., E-mail: feldmann@fnal.gov

It is a well-established empirical fact that the surface density of the star formation rate, {Sigma}{sub SFR}, strongly correlates with the surface density of molecular hydrogen, {Sigma}{sub H{sub 2}}, at least when averaged over large ({approx}kpc) scales. Much less is known, however, about whether (and how) the {Sigma}{sub SFR}-{Sigma}{sub H{sub 2}} relation depends on environmental parameters, such as the metallicity or the UV radiation field in the interstellar medium (ISM). Furthermore, observations indicate that the scatter in the {Sigma}{sub SFR}-{Sigma}{sub H{sub 2}} relation increases rapidly with decreasing averaging scale. How the scale-dependent scatter is generated and how one recovers amore » tight {approx} kpc scale {Sigma}{sub SFR}-{Sigma}{sub 2} relation in the first place is still largely debated. Here, these questions are explored with hydrodynamical simulations that follow the formation and destruction of H{sub 2}, include radiative transfer of UV radiation, and resolve the ISM on {approx}60 pc scales. We find that within the considered range of H{sub 2} surface densities (10-100 M{sub sun} pc{sup -2}), the {Sigma}{sub SFR}-{Sigma}{sub H{sub 2}} relation is steeper in environments of low-metallicity and/or high-radiation fields (compared to the Galaxy), that the star formation rate (SFR) at a given H{sub 2} surface density is larger, and the scatter is increased. Deviations from a 'universal' {Sigma}{sub SFR}-{Sigma}{sub H{sub 2}} relation should be particularly relevant for high-redshift galaxies or for low-metallicity dwarfs at z {approx} 0. We also find that the use of time-averaged SFRs produces a large, scale-dependent scatter in the {Sigma}{sub SFR}-{Sigma}{sub H{sub 2}} relation. Given the plethora of observational data expected from upcoming surveys such as ALMA, the scale-scatter relation may indeed become a valuable tool for determining the physical mechanisms connecting star formation and H{sub 2} formation.« less

Transition probabilities in OH A 2 sigma + - X 2 pi i: Bands with v prime = 0 and 1, v double prime = 0 to 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Copeland, Richard A.; Jeffries, Jay B.; Crosley, David R.

1986-01-01

Experimental results for relative vibrational band transition probabilities for v prime = 0 and 1, and v double prime = 0 to 4 in the A-X electronic system of OH are presented. The measurements, part of a larger set involving v prime = 0 to 4 and v double prime = 0 to 6, were made using spectrally dispersed laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) in the burnt gases of a flame. These Einstein coefficients will be useful in dynamics experiments for quantitative LIF determinations of OH radical concentrations in high v double prime.

Reconstruction and topological characterization of the sigma factor regulatory network of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

PubMed Central

Chauhan, Rinki; Ravi, Janani; Datta, Pratik; Chen, Tianlong; Schnappinger, Dirk; Bassler, Kevin E.; Balázsi, Gábor; Gennaro, Maria Laura

2016-01-01

Accessory sigma factors, which reprogram RNA polymerase to transcribe specific gene sets, activate bacterial adaptive responses to noxious environments. Here we reconstruct the complete sigma factor regulatory network of the human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis by an integrated approach. The approach combines identification of direct regulatory interactions between M. tuberculosis sigma factors in an E. coli model system, validation of selected links in M. tuberculosis, and extensive literature review. The resulting network comprises 41 direct interactions among all 13 sigma factors. Analysis of network topology reveals (i) a three-tiered hierarchy initiating at master regulators, (ii) high connectivity and (iii) distinct communities containing multiple sigma factors. These topological features are likely associated with multi-layer signal processing and specialized stress responses involving multiple sigma factors. Moreover, the identification of overrepresented network motifs, such as autoregulation and coregulation of sigma and anti-sigma factor pairs, provides structural information that is relevant for studies of network dynamics. PMID:27029515

Mass spectrometry of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase: interactions of the core enzyme with sigma70 and Rsd protein.

PubMed

Ilag, Leopold L; Westblade, Lars F; Deshayes, Caroline; Kolb, Annie; Busby, Stephen J W; Robinson, Carol V

2004-02-01

The E. coli RNA polymerase core enzyme is a multisubunit complex of 388,981 Da. To initiate transcription at promoters, the core enzyme associates with a sigma subunit to form holo RNA polymerase. Here we have used nanoflow electrospray mass spectrometry, coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, to probe the interaction of the RNA polymerase core enzyme with the most abundant sigma factor, sigma70. The results show remarkably well-resolved spectra for both the core and holo RNA polymerases. The regulator of sigma70, Rsd protein, has previously been identified as a protein that binds to free sigma70. We show that Rsd also interacts with core enzyme. In addition, by adding increasing amounts of Rsd, we show that sigma70 is displaced from holo RNA polymerase, resulting in complexes of Rsd with core and sigma70. The results argue for a model in which Rsd not only sequesters sigma70, but is also an effector of core RNA polymerase.

Small-Molecule Sigma1 Modulator Induces Autophagic Degradation of PD-L1.

PubMed

Maher, Christina M; Thomas, Jeffrey D; Haas, Derick A; Longen, Charles G; Oyer, Halley M; Tong, Jane Y; Kim, Felix J

2018-02-01

Emerging evidence suggests that Sigma1 ( SIGMAR1 , also known as sigma-1 receptor) is a unique ligand-regulated integral membrane scaffolding protein that contributes to cellular protein and lipid homeostasis. Previously, we demonstrated that some small-molecule modulators of Sigma1 alter endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated protein homeostasis pathways in cancer cells, including the unfolded protein response and autophagy. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is a type I integral membrane glycoprotein that is cotranslationally inserted into the ER and is processed and transported through the secretory pathway. Once at the surface of cancer cells, PD-L1 acts as a T-cell inhibitory checkpoint molecule and suppresses antitumor immunity. Here, we demonstrate that in Sigma1-expressing triple-negative breast and androgen-independent prostate cancer cells, PD-L1 protein levels were suppressed by RNAi knockdown of Sigma1 and by small-molecule inhibition of Sigma1. Sigma1-mediated action was confirmed by pharmacologic competition between Sigma1-selective inhibitor and activator ligands. When administered alone, the Sigma1 inhibitor decreased cell surface PD-L1 expression and suppressed functional interaction of PD-1 and PD-L1 in a coculture of T cells and cancer cells. Conversely, the Sigma1 activator increased PD-L1 cell surface expression, demonstrating the ability to positively and negatively modulate Sigma1 associated PD-L1 processing. We discovered that the Sigma1 inhibitor induced degradation of PD-L1 via autophagy, by a mechanism distinct from bulk macroautophagy or general ER stress-associated autophagy. Finally, the Sigma1 inhibitor suppressed IFNγ-induced PD-L1. Our data demonstrate that small-molecule Sigma1 modulators can be used to regulate PD-L1 in cancer cells and trigger its degradation by selective autophagy. Implications: Sigma1 modulators sequester and eliminate PD-L1 by autophagy, thus preventing functional PD-L1 expression at the cell surface. This posits Sigma1 modulators as novel therapeutic agents in PD-L1/PD-1 blockade strategies that regulate the tumor immune microenvironment. Visual Overview: http://mcr.aacrjournals.org/content/molcanres/16/2/243/F1.large.jpg Mol Cancer Res; 16(2); 243-55. ©2017 AACR . ©2017 American Association for Cancer Research.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: H2 d3{Pi}u excitation by elec

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, X.; Shemansky, D. E.; Yoshii, J.; Johnson, P. V.; Malone, C. P.; Ajello, J. M.

2016-05-01

Electron-impact excitation of H2 triplet states plays an imp role in the heating of outer planet upper thermospheres. The d3{Pi}u state is the third ungerade triplet state, and the d3{Pi}u-a3{Sigma}g+ emission is the largest cascade channel for the a3{Sigma}g+ state. Accurate energies of the d3{Pi}u-(v, J) levels are calculated from an ab initio potential energy curve. Radiative lifetimes of the d3{Pi}u(v,J) levels are obtained by an accurate evaluation of the d3{Pi}u-a3{Sigma}g+ transition probabilities. The emission yields are determined from experimental lifetimes and calculated radiative lifetimes and are further verified by comparing experimental and synthetic d3{Pi}u-a3{Sigma}g+ spectra at 20eV impact energy. Spectral analysis revealed that multipolar components beyond the dipolar term are required to model the X1{Sigma}g+-d3{Pi}u excitation, and significant cascade excitation occurs at the d3{Pi}u (v=0,1) levels. Kinetic energy (Ek) distributions of H atoms produced via predissociation of the 3{Pi}u state and the d3{Pi}u-a3{Sigma}g+-b3{Sigma}u+ cascade dissociative emission are obtained. Predissociation of the d3{Pi}u state produces H atoms with an average Ek of 2.3+/-0.4 eV/atom, while the Ekdistribution of the d3{Pi}u-a3{Sigma}g+-b3{Sigma}u+ channel is similar to that of the X1{Sigma}g+-a3{Sigma}g+-b3{Sigma}u+ channel and produces H(1s) atoms with an average Ek of 1.15+/-0.05eV/atom. On average, each H2 excited to the d3{Pi}u state in an H2-dominated atmosphere deposits 3.3+/-0.4eV into the atmosphere, while each H2directly excited to the a3{Sigma}g+ state gives 2.2-2.3eV to the atmosphere. The spectral distribution of the calculated a3{Sigma}g+-b3{Sigma}u+ continuum emission due to the X1{Sigma}g+-d3{Pi}u excitation is significantly different from that of direct a3{Sigma}g+ excitation. (2 data files).

Osmotic water transport in aquaporins: evidence for a stochastic mechanism

PubMed Central

Zeuthen, Thomas; Alsterfjord, Magnus; Beitz, Eric; MacAulay, Nanna

2013-01-01

We test a novel, stochastic model of osmotic water transport in aquaporins. A solute molecule present at the pore mouth can either be reflected or permeate the pore. We assume that only reflected solute molecules induce osmotic transport of water through the pore, while permeating solute molecules give rise to no water transport. Accordingly, the rate of water transport is proportional to the reflection coefficient σ, while the solute permeability, PS, is proportional to 1 –σ. The model was tested in aquaporins heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes. A variety of aquaporin channel sizes and geometries were obtained with the two aquaporins AQP1 and AQP9 and mutant versions of these. Osmotic water transport was generated by adding 20 mm of a range of different-sized osmolytes to the outer solution. The osmotic water permeability and the reflection coefficient were measured optically at high resolution and compared to the solute permeability obtained from short-term uptake of radio-labelled solute under isotonic conditions. For each type of aquaporin there was a linear relationship between solute permeability and reflection coefficient, in accordance with the model. We found no evidence for coupling between water and solute fluxes in the pore. In confirmation of molecular dynamic simulations, we conclude that the magnitude of the osmotic water permeability and the reflection coefficient are determined by processes at the arginine selectivity filter located at the outward-facing end of the pore. PMID:23959676

Acoustic Reflection and Transmission of 2-Dimensional Rotors and Stators, Including Mode and Frequency Scattering Effects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hanson, Donald B.

1999-01-01

A reduced order modeling scheme has been developed for the unsteady acoustic and vortical coupling between blade rows of a turbomachine. The essential behavior of the system is governed by modal scattering coefficients (i.e., reflection and transmission coefficients) of the rotor, stator, inlet and nozzle, which are calculated as if they were connected to non-reflecting ducts. The objective of this report is to identify fundamental behavior of these scattering coefficients for a better understanding of the role of blade row reflection and transmission in noise generation. A 2D flat plate unsteady cascade model is used for the analysis with the expectation that the general behavior presented herein will carry over to models that include more realistic flow and geometry. It is shown that stators scatter input waves into many modes at the same frequency whereas rotors scatter on frequency, or harmonic order. Important cases are shown here the rotor reflection coefficient is greater than unity; a mode at blade passing frequency (BPF) traveling from the stator with unit sound power is reflected by the rotor with more than unit power at 2xBPF and 3xBPE Analysis is presented to explain this unexpected phenomenon. Scattering curves are presented in a format chosen for design use and for physical interpretation. To aid in interpretation of the curves, formulas are derived for special condition where waveforms are parallel to perpendicular to the rotor.

Theoretical Study of the B(sup 3) Sigma(sup -, sub u) - X(sup3)Sigma(sub g, sup -) and B"(sup 3)Pi(sub u) - X(sup 3)Sigma(sub g, sup -) Band Systems of S(sub 2)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pradhan, Atul D.; Partridge, Harry; Langhoff, Stephen R. (Technical Monitor)

1995-01-01

Multireference configuration-interaction (MRCI) wavefunctions and potential energy curves have been calculated for the X(sup 3)Sigma(sub g,sup -), B(sup 3)Sigma(sub u, Sup -) and B"(sup 3)Pi((sub u) states of S(sub 2) using correlation consistent Gaussian basis sets. These wavefunctions are utilized to compute the the transition dipole moments of the B(sup 3)Sigma(sub g, sup -) - X(sup 3) Sigma(sub g, sup -) and B"(sup 3)Pi(sub u) - X(sup 3)Sigma(sub g, sup -) systems. Oscillator strengths, transition probabilities, and radiative lifetimes are computed for the X-B system and comparison is made with experimental data.

An evaluation of the rate of absorption of solar radiation in the O2(X3Sigma-g - b1Sigma-g) transition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mlynczak, Martin G.

1993-01-01

The rate at which molecular oxygen absorbs radiation in the O2(X3Sigma-g - b1Sigma-g) transition is calculated using a line-by-line radiative transfer model. This rate is critical to the determination of the population of the O2(b1Sigma-g) state required for studies of the O2(b1Sigma-g - X3Sigma-g) dayglow, the O2(a1Delta-g - X3Sigma-g) dayglow, and possibly the rates of oxidation of H2 and N2O. Previous evaluations of this rate (which is sometimes called the g-factor) have significantly overestimated its value. The rate is tabulated as a function of altitude, pressure, and solar zenith angle.

The Hallucinogen N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) Is an Endogenous Sigma-1 Receptor Regulator

PubMed Central

Fontanilla, Dominique; Johannessen, Molly; Hajipour, Abdol R.; Cozzi, Nicholas V.; Jackson, Meyer B.; Ruoho, Arnold E.

2010-01-01

The sigma-1 receptor is widely distributed in the central nervous system and periphery. Originally mischaracterized as an opioid receptor, the sigma-1 receptor binds a vast number of synthetic compounds but does not bind opioid peptides; it is currently considered an orphan receptor. The sigma-1 receptor pharmacophore includes an alkylamine core, also found in the endogenous compound N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). DMT acts as a hallucinogen, but its receptor target has been unclear. DMT bound to sigma-1 receptors and inhibited voltage-gated sodium ion (Na+) channels in both native cardiac myocytes and heterologous cells that express sigma-1 receptors. DMT induced hypermobility in wild-type mice but not in sigma-1 receptor knockout mice. These biochemical, physiological, and behavioral experiments indicate that DMT is an endogenous agonist for the sigma-1 receptor. PMID:19213917

The hallucinogen N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is an endogenous sigma-1 receptor regulator.

PubMed

Fontanilla, Dominique; Johannessen, Molly; Hajipour, Abdol R; Cozzi, Nicholas V; Jackson, Meyer B; Ruoho, Arnold E

2009-02-13

The sigma-1 receptor is widely distributed in the central nervous system and periphery. Originally mischaracterized as an opioid receptor, the sigma-1 receptor binds a vast number of synthetic compounds but does not bind opioid peptides; it is currently considered an orphan receptor. The sigma-1 receptor pharmacophore includes an alkylamine core, also found in the endogenous compound N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). DMT acts as a hallucinogen, but its receptor target has been unclear. DMT bound to sigma-1 receptors and inhibited voltage-gated sodium ion (Na+) channels in both native cardiac myocytes and heterologous cells that express sigma-1 receptors. DMT induced hypermobility in wild-type mice but not in sigma-1 receptor knockout mice. These biochemical, physiological, and behavioral experiments indicate that DMT is an endogenous agonist for the sigma-1 receptor.

A structural model of anti-anti-[sigma] inhibition by a two-component receiver domain: the PhyR stress response regulator

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

Herrou, Julien; Foreman, Robert; Fiebig, Aretha

2012-05-09

PhyR is a hybrid stress regulator conserved in {alpha}-proteobacteria that contains an N-terminal {sigma}-like (SL) domain and a C-terminal receiver domain. Phosphorylation of the receiver domain is known to promote binding of the SL domain to an anti-{sigma} factor. PhyR thus functions as an anti-anti-{sigma} factor in its phosphorylated state. We present genetic evidence that Caulobacter crescentus PhyR is a phosphorylation-dependent stress regulator that functions in the same pathway as {sigma}{sup T} and its anti-{sigma} factor, NepR. Additionally, we report the X-ray crystal structure of PhyR at 1.25 {angstrom} resolution, which provides insight into the mechanism of anti-anti-{sigma} regulation. Directmore » intramolecular contact between the PhyR receiver and SL domains spans regions {sigma}{sub 2} and {sigma}{sub 4}, likely serving to stabilize the SL domain in a closed conformation. The molecular surface of the receiver domain contacting the SL domain is the structural equivalent of {alpha}4-{beta}5-{alpha}5, which is known to undergo dynamic conformational change upon phosphorylation in a diverse range of receiver proteins. We propose a structural model of PhyR regulation in which receiver phosphorylation destabilizes the intramolecular interaction between SL and receiver domains, thereby permitting regions {sigma}{sub 2} and {sigma}{sub 4} in the SL domain to open about a flexible connector loop and bind anti-{sigma} factor.« less

A structural model of anti-anti-[sigma];#963; inhibition by a two-component receiver domain: the PhyR stress response regulator

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

Herrou, Julien; Foreman, Robert; Fiebig, Aretha

2012-03-30

PhyR is a hybrid stress regulator conserved in {alpha}-proteobacteria that contains an N-terminal {sigma}-like (SL) domain and a C-terminal receiver domain. Phosphorylation of the receiver domain is known to promote binding of the SL domain to an anti-{sigma} factor. PhyR thus functions as an anti-anti-{sigma} factor in its phosphorylated state. We present genetic evidence that Caulobacter crescentus PhyR is a phosphorylation-dependent stress regulator that functions in the same pathway as {sigma}{sup T} and its anti-{sigma} factor, NepR. Additionally, we report the X-ray crystal structure of PhyR at 1.25 {angstrom} resolution, which provides insight into the mechanism of anti-anti-{sigma} regulation. Directmore » intramolecular contact between the PhyR receiver and SL domains spans regions {sigma}{sub 2} and {sigma}{sub 4}, likely serving to stabilize the SL domain in a closed conformation. The molecular surface of the receiver domain contacting the SL domain is the structural equivalent of {alpha}4-{beta}5-{alpha}5, which is known to undergo dynamic conformational change upon phosphorylation in a diverse range of receiver proteins. We propose a structural model of PhyR regulation in which receiver phosphorylation destabilizes the intramolecular interaction between SL and receiver domains, thereby permitting regions {sigma}{sub 2} and {sigma}{sub 4} in the SL domain to open about a flexible connector loop and bind anti-{sigma} factor.« less

Determination of volatile compounds in wine by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection: comparison between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 3sigma approach and Hubaux-Vos calculation of detection limits using ordinary and bivariate least squares.

PubMed

Caruso, Rosario; Scordino, Monica; Traulo, Pasqualino; Gagliano, Giacomo

2012-01-01

A capillary GC-flame ionization detection (FID) method to determine volatile compounds (ethyl acetate, 1,1-diethoxyethane, methyl alcohol, 1-propanol, 2-methyl-1-propanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, 1-butanol, and 2-butanol) in wine was investigated in terms of calculation of detection limits and calibration method. The main objectives were: (1) calculation of regression coefficient parameters by ordinary least-squares (OLS) and bivariate least-squares (BLS) regression models, taking into account errors in both axes; (2) estimation of linear dynamic range (LDR) according to International Conference on Harmonization recommendations; (3) performance evaluation of a method by using three different internal standards (ISs) such as acetonitrile, acetone, and 1-pentanol; (4) evaluation of LODs according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 3sigma approach and the Hubaux-Vos (H-V) method; (5) application of H-V theory to a gas chromatographic analytical method and to a food matrix; and (6) accuracy assessment of the method relative to methyl alcohol content through a Unione Italiana Vini (UIV) interlaboratory proficiency test. Calibration curves calculated via BLS and OLS show similar slopes, while intercepts are closer to zero in the first case, independent of the chosen IS. The studied ISs show a substantially equivalent behavior, even though the IS closer to the analyte retention time seems to be more appropriate in terms of LDR and LOD. Results indicate an underestimation of LODs using the EPA 3sigma approach instead of the more realistic H-V method, both with OLS and BLS regression models. Methanol contents compared with UIV average values indicate recovery between 90 and 110%.

Phosphate glass useful in high energy lasers

DOEpatents

Hayden, Y.T.; Guesto-Barnak, D.

1992-12-22

Disclosed is a low-or no-silica, low- or no-alkali phosphate glass useful as a laser amplifier in a multiple pass, high energy laser system having a high thermal conductivity, K[sub 90 C] >0.85 W/mK, a low coefficient of thermal expansion, [alpha][sub 20-300 C] <80[times]10[sup [minus]7]/C, low emission cross section, [sigma]<2.5[times]10[sup [minus]20] cm[sup 2], and a high fluorescence lifetime, [tau]>325 [mu]secs at 3 wt. % Nd doping, consisting essentially of (on an oxide composition basis): (Mole %) P[sub 2]O[sub 5], (52-72); Al[sub 2]O[sub 3], (0-<20); B[sub 2]O[sub 3], (>0-25); ZnO, (0-31); Li[sub 2]O, (0-5); K[sub 2]O, (0-5); Na[sub 2]O, (0-5); Cs[sub 2]O, (0-5); Rb[sub 2]O, (0-5); MgO, (>0-<30); CaO, (0-20); BaO, (0-20); SrO, (0-<20); Sb[sub 2]O[sub 3], (0-<1); As[sub 2]O[sub 3], (0-<1); Nb[sub 2]O[sub 5], (0-<1); Ln[sub 2]O[sub 3], (up to 6.5); PbO, (0-<5); and SiO[sub 2], (0-3); wherein Ln[sub 2]O[sub 3] is the sum of lanthanide oxides; [Sigma]R[sub 2]O is <5, R being Li, Na, K, Cs, and Rb; the sum of Al[sub 2]O[sub 3] and MgO is <24 unless [Sigma]R[sub 2]O is 0, then the sum of Al[sub 2]O[sub 3] and MgO is <42; and the ratio of MgO to B[sub 2]O[sub 3] is 0.48-4.20. 7 figs.

The nature of the bonding in XCO for X = Fe, Ni, and Cu

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bauschlicher, C. W., Jr.; Bagus, P. S.; Nelin, C. J.; Roos, B. O.

1986-01-01

The bonding in the (5,3)Sigma - and 3Delta states of FeCO, the (3,1)Sigma + , 3Delta, and 3Pi states of NiCO, and the 2Sigma + state of CuCO are analyzed using the constrained-space orbital-variation (CSOV) technique for both (CASSCF) and SCF wave functions. The bonding is discussed in terms of sigma repulsion between the metals 4s and the CO 5-sigma and CO-to-metal sigma donation when there is an empty or partly occupied d-sigma orbital and metal-to-CO 2pi(asterisk) backdonation. The bonding is compared for the different metals and between the different states.

Experimental investigation of the radiation of sound from an unflanged duct and a bellmouth, including the flow effect

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ville, J. M.; Silcox, R. J.

1980-01-01

The radiation of sound from an inlet as a function of flow velocity, frequency, duct mode structure, and inlet geometry was examined by using a spinning mode synthesizer to insure a given space-time structure inside the duct. Measurements of the radiation pattern (amplitude and phase) and of the pressure reflection coefficient were obtained over an azimuthal wave number range of 0 to 6 and a frequency range up to 5000 Hz for an unflanged duct and a bellmouth. The measured radiated field and pressure reflection coefficient without flow for the unflanged duct agree reasonably well with theory. The influence of the inlet contour appears to be very drastic near the cut-on frequency of a mode and reasonable agreement is found between the bellmouth pressure reflection coefficient and a infinite hyperboloidal inlet theory. It is also shown that the flow has a weak effect on the amplitude of the directivity factor but significantly shifts the directivity factor phase. The influence of the flow on the modulus of the pressure reflection coefficient is found to be well described by a theoretical prediction.

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

Patikoglou,G.; Westblade, L.; Campbell, E.

The Escherichia coli Rsd protein binds tightly and specifically to the RNA polymerase (RNAP) {sigma}{sup 70} factor. Rsd plays a role in alternative {sigma} factor-dependent transcription by biasing the competition between {sigma}{sup 70} and alternative {sigma} factors for the available core RNAP. Here, we determined the 2.6 {angstrom}-resolution X-ray crystal structure of Rsd bound to {sigma}{sup 70} domain 4 ({sigma}{sup 70}{sub 4}), the primary determinant for Rsd binding within {sigma}{sup 70}. The structure reveals that Rsd binding interferes with the two primary functions of {sigma}{sup 70}{sub 4}, core RNAP binding and promoter -35 element binding. Interestingly, the most highly conservedmore » Rsd residues form a network of interactions through the middle of the Rsd structure that connect the {sigma}{sup 70}{sub 4}-binding surface with three cavities exposed on distant surfaces of Rsd, suggesting functional coupling between {sigma}{sup 70}{sub 4} binding and other binding surfaces of Rsd, either for other proteins or for as yet unknown small molecule effectors. These results provide a structural basis for understanding the role of Rsd, as well as its ortholog, AlgQ, a positive regulator of Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence, in transcription regulation.« less

Integrating Six Sigma with total quality management: a case example for measuring medication errors.

PubMed

Revere, Lee; Black, Ken

2003-01-01

Six Sigma is a new management philosophy that seeks a nonexistent error rate. It is ripe for healthcare because many healthcare processes require a near-zero tolerance for mistakes. For most organizations, establishing a Six Sigma program requires significant resources and produces considerable stress. However, in healthcare, management can piggyback Six Sigma onto current total quality management (TQM) efforts so that minimal disruption occurs in the organization. Six Sigma is an extension of the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis that is required by JCAHO; it can easily be integrated into existing quality management efforts. Integrating Six Sigma into the existing TQM program facilitates process improvement through detailed data analysis. A drilled-down approach to root-cause analysis greatly enhances the existing TQM approach. Using the Six Sigma metrics, internal project comparisons facilitate resource allocation while external project comparisons allow for benchmarking. Thus, the application of Six Sigma makes TQM efforts more successful. This article presents a framework for including Six Sigma in an organization's TQM plan while providing a concrete example using medication errors. Using the process defined in this article, healthcare executives can integrate Six Sigma into all of their TQM projects.

Mucosal vaccination by adenoviruses displaying reovirus sigma 1

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

Weaver, Eric A.; Camacho, Zenaido T.; Hillestad, Matthew L.

We developed adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) vectors displaying the sigma 1 protein from reovirus as mucosal vaccines. Ad5-sigma retargets to JAM-1 and sialic acid, but has 40-fold reduced gene delivery when compared to Ad5. While weaker at transduction, Ad5-sigma generates stronger T cell responses than Ad5 when used for mucosal immunization. In this work, new Ad5-fiber-sigma vectors were generated by varying the number of fiber β-spiral shaft repeats (R) between the fiber tail and sigma. Increasing chimera length led to decreasing insertion of these proteinsAd5 virions. Ad-R3 and R14 vectors effectively targeted JAM-1 in vitro while R20 did not. Whenmore » wereused to immunize mice by the intranasal route, Ad5-R3-sigma produced higher serum and vaginal antibody responses than Ad5. These data suggest optimized Ad-sigma vectors may be useful vectors for mucosal vaccination. - Highlights: • Constructed adenoviruses (Ads) displaying different reovirus sigma 1 fusion proteins. • Progressively longer chimeras were more poorly encapsidated onto Ad virions. • Ad5-R3-sigma mediated better systemic and mucosal immune responses than Ad5.« less

ABSOLUTE INTEGRAL CROSS SECTIONS AND PRODUCT BRANCHING RATIOS FOR THE VIBRATIONALLY SELECTED ION-MOLECULE REACTIONS: N{sub 2}{sup +}(X {sup 2}{Sigma}{sub g}{sup +}; v {sup +} = 0-2) + CH{sub 4}

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

Xu Yuntao; Chang, Yih Chung; Lu Zhou

Absolute vibrationally selected integral cross sections ({sigma}{sub v+}'s) for the ion-molecule reaction N{sub 2}{sup +}(X {sup 2}{Sigma}{sub g}{sup +}; v {sup +} = 0-2) + CH{sub 4} have been measured by using the newly developed vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) laser pulsed field ionization-photoion (PFI-PI) double-quadrupole-double-octopole ion guide apparatus. By employing a novel electric field pulsing scheme to the VUV laser PFI-PI source, we have been able to prepare reactant N{sub 2}{sup +} ions in single-vibrational quantum states with not only high intensity and high purity but also high kinetic energy resolution, allowing integral cross section measurements to be conducted in themore » center-of-mass kinetic energies (E{sub cm}'s) from 0.05 to 10.00 eV. Three primary product channels corresponding to the formations of CH{sub 3}{sup +}, CH{sub 2}{sup +}, and N{sub 2}H{sup +} were identified. After correcting for the secondary reactions involving CH{sub 3}{sup +} and CH{sub 2}{sup +}, we have determined the {sigma}{sub v+} values of the formation of these primary product ions, {sigma}{sub v+}(CH{sub 3}{sup +}), {sigma}{sub v+}(CH{sub 2}{sup +}), and {sigma}{sub v+}(N{sub 2}H{sup +}), and their branching ratios, [{sigma}{sub v+}(CH{sub 3}{sup +}): {sigma}{sub v+}(CH{sub 2}{sup +}): {sigma}{sub v+}(N{sub 2}H{sup +})]/{sigma}{sub v+}(CH{sub 3}{sup +} + CH{sub 2}{sup +} + N{sub 2}H{sup +}), v {sup +} = 0-2, in the E{sub cm} range of 0.05-10.00 eV, where {sigma}{sub v+}(CH{sub 3}{sup +} + CH{sub 2}{sup +} + N{sub 2}H{sup +}) = {sigma}{sub v+}(CH{sub 3}{sup +}) + {sigma}{sub v+}(CH{sub 2}{sup +}) + {sigma}{sub v+}(N{sub 2}H{sup +}). The branching ratios are found to be nearly independent of the v {sup +} state and E{sub cm}. Complex v {sup +}-state and E{sub cm} dependences for {sigma}{sub v+}(CH{sub 3}{sup +}), {sigma}{sub v+}(CH{sub 2}{sup +}), and {sigma}{sub v+}(N{sub 2}H{sup +}) along with vibrational inhibition for the formation of these product ions are observed. The vibrational effects on the {sigma}{sub v+} values are sufficiently large to warrant the inclusion of the vibrationally excited reactions N{sub 2}{sup +}(X {sup 2}{Sigma}{sub g}{sup +}; v {sup +} {>=} 1) + CH{sub 4} for a more realistic modeling of the ion and neutral densities observed in the atmosphere of Titan. The cross-sectional data obtained in the present study are also useful for benchmarking theoretical calculations on ion-neutral collision dynamics.« less

Determination of acoustic properties of thin polymer films utilizing the frequency dependence of the reflection coefficient of ultrasound.

PubMed

Tohmyoh, Hironori; Sakamoto, Yuhei

2015-11-01

This paper reports on a technique to measure the acoustic properties of a thin polymer film utilizing the frequency dependence of the reflection coefficient of ultrasound reflected back from a system comprising a reflection plate, the film, and a material that covers the film. The frequency components of the echo reflected from the back of the plate, where the film is attached, take their minimum values at the resonant frequency, and from these frequency characteristics, the acoustic impedance, sound velocity, and the density of the film can be determined. We applied this technique to characterize an ion exchange membrane, which has high water absorbability, and successfully determined the acoustic properties of the membrane without getting it wet.

Quantifying Errors in Jet Noise Research Due to Microphone Support Reflection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nallasamy, Nambi; Bridges, James

2002-01-01

The reflection coefficient of a microphone support structure used insist noise testing is documented through tests performed in the anechoic AeroAcoustic Propulsion Laboratory. The tests involve the acquisition of acoustic data from a microphone mounted in the support structure while noise is generated from a known broadband source. The ratio of reflected signal amplitude to the original signal amplitude is determined by performing an auto-correlation function on the data. The documentation of the reflection coefficients is one component of the validation of jet noise data acquired using the given microphone support structure. Finally. two forms of acoustic material were applied to the microphone support structure to determine their effectiveness in reducing reflections which give rise to bias errors in the microphone measurements.

Spectral radiative properties of a living human body

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Terada, N.; Ohnishi, K.; Kobayashi, M.; Kunitomo, T.

1986-09-01

Spectral radiative properties of the human body were studied experimentally in the region from the ultraviolet to the far-infrared to know the thermal response of the human body exposed to solar radiation and infrared radiation. The measuring equipment for reflectance and transmittance of a semitransparent scattering medium was developed and measurement on a living human skin was performed in vivo. The measured parts are forearm, cheek, dorsum hand, hip, and hair. The values obtained by the present study are much different from those of previous in vitro measurements. Fairly large values for hemispherical reflectances are observed in the visible and near-infrared regions but very small values for hemispherical reflectances are observed in the infrared region, below 0.05. By applying the four-flux treatment of radiative transfer, the absorption coefficient and scattering coefficient in the human skin are determined. The scattering coefficient is large in the visible region but negligible in the infrared region. The absorption coefficient is very close to that of water and large in the infrared region.

Method for Calculating the Optical Diffuse Reflection Coefficient for the Ocular Fundus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lisenko, S. A.; Kugeiko, M. M.

2016-07-01

We have developed a method for calculating the optical diffuse reflection coefficient for the ocular fundus, taking into account multiple scattering of light in its layers (retina, epithelium, choroid) and multiple refl ection of light between layers. The method is based on the formulas for optical "combination" of the layers of the medium, in which the optical parameters of the layers (absorption and scattering coefficients) are replaced by some effective values, different for cases of directional and diffuse illumination of the layer. Coefficients relating the effective optical parameters of the layers and the actual values were established based on the results of a Monte Carlo numerical simulation of radiation transport in the medium. We estimate the uncertainties in retrieval of the structural and morphological parameters for the fundus from its diffuse reflectance spectrum using our method. We show that the simulated spectra correspond to the experimental data and that the estimates of the fundus parameters obtained as a result of solving the inverse problem are reasonable.

Methionine-141 directly influences the binding of 4-methylpyrazole in human sigma sigma alcohol dehydrogenase.

PubMed Central

Xie, P. T.; Hurley, T. D.

1999-01-01

Pyrazole and its 4-alkyl substituted derivatives are potent inhibitors for many alcohol dehydrogenases. However, the human sigma sigma isoenzyme exhibits a 580-fold lower affinity for 4-methylpyrazole than does the human beta1beta1 isoenzyme, with which it shares 69% sequence identity. In this study, structural and kinetic studies were utilized in an effort to identify key structural features that affect the binding of 4-methylpyrazole in human alcohol dehydrogenase isoenzymes. We have extended the resolution of the human sigma sigma alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) isoenzyme to 2.5 A resolution. Comparison of this structure to the human beta1beta1 isoenzyme structure indicated that the side-chain position for Met141 in sigma sigma ADH might interfere with 4-methylpyrazole binding. Mutation of Met141 in sigma sigma ADH to Leu (sigma141L) lowers the Ki for 4-methylpyrazole from 350 to 10 microM, while having a much smaller effect on the Ki for pyrazole. Thus, the mutagenesis results show that the residue at position 141, which lines the substrate-binding pocket at a position close to the methyl group of 4-methylpyrazole, directly affects the binding of the inhibitor. To rule out nonspecific structural changes due to the mutation, the X-ray structure of the sigma141L mutant enzyme was determined to 2.4 A resolution. The three-dimensional structure of the mutant enzyme is identical to the wild-type enzyme, with the exception of the residue at position 141. Thus, the differences in 4-methylpyrazole binding between the mutant and wild-type sigma sigma ADH isoenzymes can be completely ascribed to the local changes in the topology of the substrate binding site, and provides an explanation for the class-specific differences in 4-methylpyrazole binding to the human ADH isoenzymes. PMID:10631979

Control of transcription of the Bacillus subtilis spoIIIG gene, which codes for the forespore-specific transcription factor sigma G.

PubMed

Sun, D X; Cabrera-Martinez, R M; Setlow, P

1991-05-01

The Bacillus subtilis spoIIIG gene codes for a sigma factor termed sigma G which directs transcription of genes expressed only in the forespore compartment of the sporulating cell. Use of spoIIIG-lacZ transcriptional fusions showed that spoIIIG is cotranscribed with the spoIIG operon beginning at t0.5-1 of sporulation. However, this large mRNA produced little if any sigma G, and transferring the spoIIIG gene without the spoIIG promoter into the amyE locus resulted in a Spo+ phenotype. Significant translation of spoIIIG began at t2.5-3 with use of an mRNA whose 5' end is just upstream of the spoIIIG coding sequence. Synthesis of this spoIIIG-specific mRNA was not abolished by a deletion in spoIIIG itself. Similar results were obtained when a spoIIIG-lacZ translational fusion lacking the spoIIG promoter was integrated at the amyE locus. These data suggest that synthesis of sigma G is dependent neither on transcription from the spoIIG promoter nor on sigma G itself but can be due to another transcription factor. This transcription factor may be sigma F, the product of the spoIIAC locus, since a spoIIAC mutation blocked spoIIIG expression, and sequences upstream of the 5' end of the spoIIIG-specific mRNA agree well with the recognition sequence for sigma F. RNA polymerase containing sigma F (E sigma F) initiated transcription in vitro on a spoIIIG template at the 5' end found in vivo, as did E sigma G. However, E sigma F showed a greater than 20-fold preference for spoIIIG over a known sigma G-dependent gene compared with the activity of E sigma G.

Ab initio calculation of the electronic structures of the (7)Sigma+ ground and A (7)Pi and a (5)Sigma+ excited states of MnH.

PubMed

Tomonari, Mutsumi; Nagashima, Umpei; Hirano, Tsuneo

2009-04-21

Electronic structures and molecular constants of the ground (7)Sigma(+) and low-lying A (7)Pi and a (5)Sigma(+) electronic excited states of the MnH molecule were studied by multireference single and double excitation configuration interaction (MR-SDCI) with Davidson's correction (+Q) calculations under exact C(infinity v) symmetry using Slater-type basis sets. To correctly describe the (7)Sigma(+) electronic ground state, X (7)Sigma(+), at the MR-SDCI+Q calculation, we employed a large number of reference configurations in terms of the state-averaged complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) orbitals, taking into account the contribution from the B (7)Sigma(+) excited state. The A (7)Pi and a (5)Sigma(+) states can well be described by the MR-SDCI wave functions based on the CASSCF orbitals obtained for the lowest state only. In the MR-SDCI+Q, calculations of the X (7)Sigma(+), A (7)Pi, and a (5)Sigma(+) states required 16, 7, and 17 reference configurations, respectively. Molecular constants, i.e., r(e) and omega(e) of these states and excitation energy from the X (7)Sigma(+) state, obtained at the MR-SDCI+Q level, showed a good agreement with experimental values. The small remaining differences may be accounted for by taking relativistic effects into account.

Does Rapid and Sustained Economic Growth Lead to Convergence in Health Resources: The Case of China From 1980 to 2010.

PubMed

Liang, Di; Zhang, Donglan; Huang, Jiayan; Schweitzer, Stuart

2016-01-01

China's rapid and sustained economic growth offers an opportunity to ask whether the advantages of growth diffuse throughout an economy, or remain localized in areas where the growth has been the greatest. A critical policy area in China has been the health system, and health inequality has become an issue that has led the government to broaden national health insurance programs. This study investigates whether health system resources and performance have converged over the past 30 years across China's 31 provinces. To examine geographic variation of health system resources and performance at the provincial level, we measure the degree of sigma convergence and beta convergence in indicators of health system resources (structure), health services utilization (process), and outcome. All data are from officially published sources: the China Health Statistics Year Book and the China Statistics Year Book. Sigma convergence is found for resource indicators, whereas it is not observed for either process or outcome indicators, indicating that disparities only narrowed in health system resources. Beta convergence is found in most indicators, except for 2 procedure indicators, reflecting that provinces with poorer resources were catching up. Convergence found in this study probably reflects the mixed outcome of government input, and market forces. Thus, left alone, the equitable distribution of health care resources may not occur naturally during a period of economic growth. Governmental and societal efforts are needed to reduce geographic health variation and promote health equity. © The Author(s) 2016.

Reinforcing effects of sigma-receptor agonists in rats trained to self-administer cocaine.

PubMed

Hiranita, Takato; Soto, Paul L; Tanda, Gianluigi; Katz, Jonathan L

2010-02-01

sigma-Receptor (sigmaR) antagonists have been reported to block certain effects of psychostimulant drugs. The present study examined the effects of sigmaR ligands in rats trained to self-administer cocaine (0.032-1.0 mg/kg/inj i.v.) under fixed-ratio 5-response schedules of reinforcement. Maximal rates of responding were maintained by 0.32 mg/kg/inj cocaine, or by the sigmaR agonists, 1,3-di-(2-tolyl)guanidine (DTG; 1.0 mg/kg/inj) or 2-(4-morpholinethyl) 1-phenylcyclohexane-1-carboxylate hydrochloride (PRE-084; 0.32 mg/kg/inj), when substituted for cocaine. Lower response rates were maintained at higher and lower doses of the compounds. No dose of the sigmaR antagonists [N-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-N-methyl-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)ethylamine (BD 1008), N-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-N-methyl-2-(dimethylamino)ethylamine (BD 1047), N-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-4-methylpiperazine (BD 1063)] maintained responding appreciably above levels obtained when responding had no consequences. Presession treatment with sigmaR agonists dose-dependently shifted the cocaine self-administration dose-effect curve leftward. The dopamine-uptake inhibitor, (-)-2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-fluorophenyl)tropane (WIN 35,428), dose-dependently shifted the DTG and PRE-084 self-administration dose-effect curves leftward. Treatment with the sigmaR antagonists dose-dependently decreased response rates maintained by DTG or PRE-084, but did not affect cocaine self-administration. Response rates maintained by maximally effective DTG or PRE-084 doses were decreased by sigmaR antagonists at lower doses than those that decreased response rates maintained by food reinforcement. Although sigmaR antagonists block some cocaine-induced effects, the lack of effect on cocaine self-administration suggests that the primary reinforcing effects of cocaine do not involve direct effects at sigmaRs. However, the self-administration of sigmaR agonists in cocaine-trained subjects, facilitation of cocaine self-administration by sigmaR-agonist pretreatment, and the facilitation of sigmaR-agonist self-administration by WIN 35,428, together suggest enhanced abuse-related effects resulting from concomitant dopaminergically mediated actions and sigmaR-mediated actions of the drugs.

FIBER AND INTEGRATED OPTICS: Reflection of electromagnetic radiation from a multilayer waveguide structure with an absorbing metal layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chernushich, A. P.; Shkerdin, G. N.; Shukin, Yu M.

1992-10-01

The angular distribution of the reflection coefficient of an asymmetric multilayer planar structure containing a thin metal film and a planar optical waveguide has been found by accurate numerical calculations. There are resonances in the reflection coefficient associated with hybrid modes of the structure. The cases of strong and weak coupling of the surface polariton modes with the waveguide modes are discussed. The results of the numerical analysis agree with solutions of Maxwell's equations for a multilayer planar structure.

Coulomb Scattering in the Massless Nelson Model III: Ground State Wave Functions and Non-commutative Recurrence Relations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dybalski, Wojciech; Pizzo, Alessandro

2018-02-01

Let $H_{P,\\sigma}$ be the single-electron fiber Hamiltonians of the massless Nelson model at total momentum $P$ and infrared cut-off $\\sigma>0$. We establish detailed regularity properties of the corresponding $n$-particle ground state wave functions $f^n_{P,\\sigma}$ as functions of $P$ and $\\sigma$. In particular, we show that \\[ |\\partial_{P^j}f^{n}_{P,\\sigma}(k_1,\\ldots, k_n)|, \\ \\ |\\partial_{P^j} \\partial_{P^{j'}} f^{n}_{P,\\sigma}(k_1,\\ldots, k_n)| \\leq \\frac{1}{\\sqrt{n!}} \\frac{(c\\lambda_0)^n}{\\sigma^{\\delta_{\\lambda_0}}} \\prod_{i=1}^n\\frac{ \\chi_{[\\sigma,\\kappa)}(k_i)}{|k_i|^{3/2}}, \\] where $c$ is a numerical constant, $\\lambda_0\\mapsto \\delta_{\\lambda_0}$ is a positive function of the maximal admissible coupling constant which satisfies $\\lim_{\\lambda_0\\to 0}\\delta_{\\lambda_0}=0$ and $\\chi_{[\\sigma,\\kappa)}$ is the (approximate) characteristic function of the energy region between the infrared cut-off $\\sigma$ and the ultraviolet cut-off $\\kappa$. While the analysis of the first derivative is relatively straightforward, the second derivative requires a new strategy. By solving a non-commutative recurrence relation we derive a novel formula for $f^n_{P,\\sigma}$ with improved infrared properties. In this representation $\\partial_{P^{j'}}\\partial_{P^{j}}f^n_{P,\\sigma}$ is amenable to sharp estimates obtained by iterative analytic perturbation theory in part II of this series of papers. The bounds stated above are instrumental for scattering theory of two electrons in the Nelson model, as explained in part I of this series.

A New Global Potential Energy Surface for the Hydroperoxyl Radical, HO2: Reaction Coefficients for H + O2 and Vibrational Splittings for H Atom Transfer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dateo, Christopher E.; Arnold, James O. (Technical Monitor)

1994-01-01

A new analytic global potential energy surface describing the hydroperoxyl radical system H((sup 2)S) + O2(X (sup 3)Sigma((sup -)(sub g))) (reversible reaction) HO2 ((X-tilde) (sup 2)A'') (reversible reaction) O((sup 3)P) + O H (X (sup 2)Pi) has been fitted using the ab initio complete active space SCF (self-consistent-field)/externally contracted configuration interaction (CASSCF/CCI) energy calculations of Walch and Duchovic. Results of quasiclassical trajectory studies to determine the rate coefficients of the forward and reverse reactions at combustion temperatures will be presented. In addition, vibrational energy levels were calculated using the quantum DVR-DGB (discrete variable representation-distributed Gaussian basis) method and the splitting due to H atom migration is investigated. The material of the proposed presentation was reviewed and the technical content will not reveal any information not already in the public domain and will not give any foreign industry or government a competitive advantage.

Observation of the Heavy Baryons Sigma b and Sigma b*.

PubMed

Aaltonen, T; Abulencia, A; Adelman, J; Affolder, T; Akimoto, T; Albrow, M G; Amerio, S; Amidei, D; Anastassov, A; Anikeev, K; Annovi, A; Antos, J; Aoki, M; Apollinari, G; Arisawa, T; Artikov, A; Ashmanskas, W; Attal, A; Aurisano, A; Azfar, F; Azzi-Bacchetta, P; Azzurri, P; Bacchetta, N; Badgett, W; Barbaro-Galtieri, A; Barnes, V E; Barnett, B A; Baroiant, S; Bartsch, V; Bauer, G; Beauchemin, P-H; Bedeschi, F; Behari, S; Bellettini, G; Bellinger, J; Belloni, A; Benjamin, D; Beretvas, A; Beringer, J; Berry, T; Bhatti, A; Binkley, M; Bisello, D; Bizjak, I; Blair, R E; Blocker, C; Blumenfeld, B; Bocci, A; Bodek, A; Boisvert, V; Bolla, G; Bolshov, A; Bortoletto, D; Boudreau, J; Boveia, A; Brau, B; Brigliadori, L; Bromberg, C; Brubaker, E; Budagov, J; Budd, H S; Budd, S; Burkett, K; Busetto, G; Bussey, P; Buzatu, A; Byrum, K L; Cabrera, S; Campanelli, M; Campbell, M; Canelli, F; Canepa, A; Carillo, S; Carlsmith, D; Carosi, R; Carron, S; Casal, B; Casarsa, M; Castro, A; Catastini, P; Cauz, D; Cavalli-Sforza, M; Cerri, A; Cerrito, L; Chang, S H; Chen, Y C; Chertok, M; Chiarelli, G; Chlachidze, G; Chlebana, F; Cho, I; Cho, K; Chokheli, D; Chou, J P; Choudalakis, G; Chuang, S H; Chung, K; Chung, W H; Chung, Y S; Cilijak, M; Ciobanu, C I; Ciocci, M A; Clark, A; Clark, D; Coca, M; Compostella, G; Convery, M E; Conway, J; Cooper, B; Copic, K; Cordelli, M; Cortiana, G; Crescioli, F; Cuenca Almenar, C; Cuevas, J; Culbertson, R; Cully, J C; DaRonco, S; Datta, M; D'Auria, S; Davies, T; Dagenhart, D; de Barbaro, P; De Cecco, S; Deisher, A; De Lentdecker, G; De Lorenzo, G; Dell'Orso, M; Delli Paoli, F; Demortier, L; Deng, J; Deninno, M; De Pedis, D; Derwent, P F; Di Giovanni, G P; Dionisi, C; Di Ruzza, B; Dittmann, J R; D'Onofrio, M; Dörr, C; Donati, S; Dong, P; Donini, J; Dorigo, T; Dube, S; Efron, J; Erbacher, R; Errede, D; Errede, S; Eusebi, R; Fang, H C; Farrington, S; Fedorko, I; Fedorko, W T; Feild, R G; Feindt, M; Fernandez, J P; Field, R; Flanagan, G; Forrest, R; Forrester, S; Franklin, M; Freeman, J C; Furic, I; Gallinaro, M; Galyardt, J; Garcia, J E; Garberson, F; Garfinkel, A F; Gay, C; Gerberich, H; Gerdes, D; Giagu, S; Giannetti, P; Gibson, K; Gimmell, J L; Ginsburg, C; Giokaris, N; Giordani, M; Giromini, P; Giunta, M; Giurgiu, G; Glagolev, V; Glenzinski, D; Gold, M; Goldschmidt, N; Goldstein, J; Golossanov, A; Gomez, G; Gomez-Ceballos, G; Goncharov, M; González, O; Gorelov, I; Goshaw, A T; Goulianos, K; Gresele, A; Grinstein, S; Grosso-Pilcher, C; Grundler, U; Guimaraes da Costa, J; Gunay-Unalan, Z; Haber, C; Hahn, K; Hahn, S R; Halkiadakis, E; Hamilton, A; Han, B-Y; Han, J Y; Handler, R; Happacher, F; Hara, K; Hare, D; Hare, M; Harper, S; Harr, R F; Harris, R M; Hartz, M; Hatakeyama, K; Hauser, J; Hays, C; Heck, M; Heijboer, A; Heinemann, B; Heinrich, J; Henderson, C; Herndon, M; Heuser, J; Hidas, D; Hill, C S; Hirschbuehl, D; Hocker, A; Holloway, A; Hou, S; Houlden, M; Hsu, S-C; Huffman, B T; Hughes, R E; Husemann, U; Huston, J; Incandela, J; Introzzi, G; Iori, M; Ivanov, A; Iyutin, B; James, E; Jang, D; Jayatilaka, B; Jeans, D; Jeon, E J; Jindariani, S; Johnson, W; Jones, M; Joo, K K; Jun, S Y; Jung, J E; Junk, T R; Kamon, T; Karchin, P E; Kato, Y; Kemp, Y; Kephart, R; Kerzel, U; Khotilovich, V; Kilminster, B; Kim, D H; Kim, H S; Kim, J E; Kim, M J; Kim, S B; Kim, S H; Kim, Y K; Kimura, N; Kirsch, L; Klimenko, S; Klute, M; Knuteson, B; Ko, B R; Kondo, K; Kong, D J; Konigsberg, J; Korytov, A; Kotwal, A V; Kraan, A C; Kraus, J; Kreps, M; Kroll, J; Krumnack, N; Kruse, M; Krutelyov, V; Kubo, T; Kuhlmann, S E; Kuhr, T; Kulkarni, N P; Kusakabe, Y; Kwang, S; Laasanen, A T; Lai, S; Lami, S; Lammel, S; Lancaster, M; Lander, R L; Lannon, K; Lath, A; Latino, G; Lazzizzera, I; LeCompte, T; Lee, J; Lee, J; Lee, Y J; Lee, S W; Lefèvre, R; Leonardo, N; Leone, S; Levy, S; Lewis, J D; Lin, C; Lin, C S; Lindgren, M; Lipeles, E; Lister, A; Litvintsev, D O; Liu, T; Lockyer, N S; Loginov, A; Loreti, M; Lu, R-S; Lucchesi, D; Lujan, P; Lukens, P; Lungu, G; Lyons, L; Lys, J; Lysak, R; Lytken, E; Mack, P; MacQueen, D; Madrak, R; Maeshima, K; Makhoul, K; Maki, T; Maksimovic, P; Malde, S; Malik, S; Manca, G; Manousakis, A; Margaroli, F; Marginean, R; Marino, C; Marino, C P; Martin, A; Martin, M; Martin, V; Martínez, M; Martínez-Ballarín, R; Maruyama, T; Mastrandrea, P; Masubuchi, T; Matsunaga, H; Mattson, M E; Mazini, R; Mazzanti, P; McFarland, K S; McIntyre, P; McNulty, R; Mehta, A; Mehtala, P; Menzemer, S; Menzione, A; Merkel, P; Mesropian, C; Messina, A; Miao, T; Miladinovic, N; Miles, J; Miller, R; Mills, C; Milnik, M; Mitra, A; Mitselmakher, G; Miyamoto, A; Moed, S; Moggi, N; Mohr, B; Moon, C S; Moore, R; Morello, M; Movilla Fernandez, P; Mülmenstädt, J; Mukherjee, A; Muller, Th; Mumford, R; Murat, P; Mussini, M; Nachtman, J; Nagano, A; Naganoma, J; Nakamura, K; Nakano, I; Napier, A; Necula, V; Neu, C; Neubauer, M S; Nielsen, J; Nodulman, L; Norniella, O; Nurse, E; Oh, S H; Oh, Y D; Oksuzian, I; Okusawa, T; Oldeman, R; Orava, R; Osterberg, K; Pagliarone, C; Palencia, E; Papadimitriou, V; Papaikonomou, A; Paramonov, A A; Parks, B; Pashapour, S; Patrick, J; Pauletta, G; Paulini, M; Paus, C; Pellett, D E; Penzo, A; Phillips, T J; Piacentino, G; Piedra, J; Pinera, L; Pitts, K; Plager, C; Pondrom, L; Portell, X; Poukhov, O; Pounder, N; Prakoshyn, F; Pronko, A; Proudfoot, J; Ptohos, F; Punzi, G; Pursley, J; Rademacker, J; Rahaman, A; Ramakrishnan, V; Ranjan, N; Redondo, I; Reisert, B; Rekovic, V; Renton, P; Rescigno, M; Richter, S; Rimondi, F; Ristori, L; Robson, A; Rodrigo, T; Rogers, E; Rolli, S; Roser, R; Rossi, M; Rossin, R; Roy, P; Ruiz, A; Russ, J; Rusu, V; Saarikko, H; Safonov, A; Sakumoto, W K; Salamanna, G; Saltó, O; Santi, L; Sarkar, S; Sartori, L; Sato, K; Savard, P; Savoy-Navarro, A; Scheidle, T; Schlabach, P; Schmidt, E E; Schmidt, M A; Schmidt, M P; Schmitt, M; Schwarz, T; Scodellaro, L; Scott, A L; Scribano, A; Scuri, F; Sedov, A; Seidel, S; Seiya, Y; Semenov, A; Sexton-Kennedy, L; Sfyrla, A; Shalhout, S Z; Shapiro, M D; Shears, T; Shepard, P F; Sherman, D; Shimojima, M; Shochet, M; Shon, Y; Shreyber, I; Sidoti, A; Sinervo, P; Sisakyan, A; Slaughter, A J; Slaunwhite, J; Sliwa, K; Smith, J R; Snider, F D; Snihur, R; Soderberg, M; Soha, A; Somalwar, S; Sorin, V; Spalding, J; Spinella, F; Spreitzer, T; Squillacioti, P; Stanitzki, M; Staveris-Polykalas, A; St Denis, R; Stelzer, B; Stelzer-Chilton, O; Stentz, D; Strologas, J; Stuart, D; Suh, J S; Sukhanov, A; Sun, H; Suslov, I; Suzuki, T; Taffard, A; Takashima, R; Takeuchi, Y; Tanaka, R; Tecchio, M; Teng, P K; Terashi, K; Tesarek, R J; Thom, J; Thompson, A S; Thomson, E; Tipton, P; Tiwari, V; Tkaczyk, S; Toback, D; Tokar, S; Tollefson, K; Tomura, T; Tonelli, D; Torre, S; Torretta, D; Tourneur, S; Trischuk, W; Tsuno, S; Tu, Y; Turini, N; Ukegawa, F; Uozumi, S; Vallecorsa, S; van Remortel, N; Varganov, A; Vataga, E; Vazquez, F; Velev, G; Vellidis, C; Veramendi, G; Veszpremi, V; Vidal, M; Vidal, R; Vila, I; Vilar, R; Vine, T; Vogel, M; Vollrath, I; Volobouev, I; Volpi, G; Würthwein, F; Wagner, P; Wagner, R G; Wagner, R L; Wagner, J; Wagner, W; Wallny, R; Wang, S M; Warburton, A; Waters, D; Weinberger, M; Wester, W C; Whitehouse, B; Whiteson, D; Wicklund, A B; Wicklund, E; Williams, G; Williams, H H; Wilson, P; Winer, B L; Wittich, P; Wolbers, S; Wolfe, C; Wright, T; Wu, X; Wynne, S M; Yagil, A; Yamamoto, K; Yamaoka, J; Yamashita, T; Yang, C; Yang, U K; Yang, Y C; Yao, W M; Yeh, G P; Yoh, J; Yorita, K; Yoshida, T; Yu, G B; Yu, I; Yu, S S; Yun, J C; Zanello, L; Zanetti, A; Zaw, I; Zhang, X; Zhou, J; Zucchelli, S

2007-11-16

We report an observation of new bottom baryons produced in pp collisions at the Tevatron. Using 1.1 fb(-1) of data collected by the CDF II detector, we observe four Lambda b 0 pi+/- resonances in the fully reconstructed decay mode Lambda b 0-->Lambda c + pi-, where Lambda c+-->pK* pi+. We interpret these states as the Sigma b(*)+/- baryons and measure the following masses: m Sigma b+=5807.8 -2.2 +2.0(stat.)+/-1.7(syst.) MeV/c2, m Sigma b- =5815.2+/-1.0(stat.)+/-1.7(syst.) MeV/c2, and m(Sigma b*)-m(Sigma b)=21.2-1.9 +2.0(stat.)-0.3+0.4(syst.) MeV/c2.

Mended chiral symmetry and the linear sigma model in one-loop order

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

Scadron, M.D.

1992-02-28

In this paper it is shown that the linear {sigma}-model in one loop order in the chiral limit recovers meson masses m{sub {pi}} = 0, m{sub {sigma}} = 2m{sub qk} (NJL), m {sub {rho}} = {radical}2 g{sub {rho}}f{pi} (KSRF), along with couplings g{sigma}{pi}{pi} = m{sup 2}{sub {sigma}}/2f{pi}, g{rho}{pi}{pi} = g{sub {rho}} (VMD universality) and Weinberg's mended chiral symmetry decay width relation {Gamma}{sub {sigma}} = (9/2){Gamma}{sub {rho}}. The linear {sigma}-model combined quark and meson loops also properly predict the radiative decays {pi}{sup 0} {yields} 2{gamma} {yields} e{nu}{gamma} and {delta}{sup 0} (983) {yields} 2{gamma}.

Effects of sigma-phase formation on some mechanical properties of a wrought nickel-base superalloy (IN-100)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dreshfield, R. L.; Ashbrook, R. L.

1974-01-01

The effect of sigma phase formation on an extruded and forged nickel base superalloy with the composition of the casting alloy IN-100 was studied. By adding only aluminum and titanium to remelt stock, three compositions were produced which had varying propensities for sigma formation. These compositions were given a four step heat treatment and were stress-ruptured or tensile tested. The very sigma prone composition had a shorter rupture life than the sigma-free or moderately sigma prone compositions when tested at 843 and 885 C. Elongation in room temperature tensile tests was considerably lower for the very sigma prone composition than for the other two wrought compositions after prolonged exposure at 732 or 843 C.

Organohalogen concentrations in blood and adipose tissue of Southern Beaufort Sea polar bears.

PubMed

Bentzen, T W; Muir, D C G; Amstrup, S C; O'Hara, T M

2008-11-15

We analyzed 151 organohalogen chemicals (OHCs) in whole blood and subcutaneous fat of 57 polar bears sampled along the Alaskan Beaufort Sea coast in spring, 2003. All major organochlorine pesticides, PCBs, PBDEs and their congeners were assessed. Concentrations of most OHCs continue to be lower among Southern Beaufort Sea polar bears than reported for other populations. Additionally, toxaphenes and related compounds were assessed in adipose tissue, and 8 perflourinated compounds (PFCs) were examined in blood. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) concentrations exceeded those of any other contaminant measured in blood. SigmaChlordane concentrations were higher in females, and both SigmaPCBs and SigmaChlordane concentrations in adipose tissue decreased significantly with age. The rank order of OHC mean concentrations; SigmaPCB>Sigma10PCB>PCB153>SigmaChlordane>Oxychlordane>PCB180>SigmaHCH>beta-HCH>SigmaDDT>p,p-DDE>SigmaPBDE>HCB>Toxaphene was similar for compounds above detection limits in both fat and blood. Although correlation between OHC concentrations in blood and adipose tissue was examined, the predictability of concentrations in one matrix for the other was limited.

Retrieval of background surface reflectance with BRD components from pre-running BRDF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Sungwon; Lee, Kyeong-Sang; Jin, Donghyun; Lee, Darae; Han, Kyung-Soo

2016-10-01

Many countries try to launch satellite to observe the Earth surface. As important of surface remote sensing is increased, the reflectance of surface is a core parameter of the ground climate. But observing the reflectance of surface by satellite have weakness such as temporal resolution and being affected by view or solar angles. The bidirectional effects of the surface reflectance may make many noises to the time series. These noises can lead to make errors when determining surface reflectance. To correct bidirectional error of surface reflectance, using correction model for normalized the sensor data is necessary. A Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) is making accuracy higher method to correct scattering (Isotropic scattering, Geometric scattering, Volumetric scattering). To correct bidirectional error of surface reflectance, BRDF was used in this study. To correct bidirectional error of surface reflectance, we apply Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) to retrieve surface reflectance. And we apply 2 steps for retrieving Background Surface Reflectance (BSR). The first step is retrieving Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution (BRD) coefficients. Before retrieving BSR, we did pre-running BRDF to retrieve BRD coefficients to correct scatterings (Isotropic scattering, Geometric scattering, Volumetric scattering). In pre-running BRDF, we apply BRDF with observed surface reflectance of SPOT/VEGETATION (VGT-S1) and angular data to get BRD coefficients for calculating scattering. After that, we apply BRDF again in the opposite direction with BRD coefficients and angular data to retrieve BSR as a second step. As a result, BSR has very similar reflectance to one of VGT-S1. And reflectance in BSR is shown adequate. The highest reflectance of BSR is not over 0.4μm in blue channel, 0.45μm in red channel, 0.55μm in NIR channel. And for validation we compare reflectance of clear sky pixel from SPOT/VGT status map data. As a result of comparing BSR with VGT-S1, bias is from 0.0116 to 0.0158 and RMSE is from 0.0459 to 0.0545. They are very reasonable results, so we confirm that BSR is similar to VGT-S1. And weakness of this study is missing pixel in BSR which are observed less time to retrieve BRD components. If missing pixels are filled, BSR is better to retrieve surface products with more accuracy. And we think that after filling the missing pixel and being more accurate, it can be useful data to retrieve surface product which made by surface reflectance like cloud masking and retrieving aerosol.

Replacing backscattering with reduced scattering. A better formulation of reflectance function?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piskozub, Jacek; McKee, David; Freda, Wlodzimierz

2014-05-01

Modern reflectance formulas all involve backscattering coefficient divided by absorption coefficient (bb/a). The backscattering (or backward scattering) coefficient describes how much of the incident radiation is scattered at angles between 90 and 180 deg. However, water leaving photons are not necessarily backscattered because it is possible for a variable fraction to exit after multiple forward scattering events. Therefore the whole angular function of scattering probability (phase function) influences the reflectance signal. This is the reason why phase functions of identical backscattering ratio may result in different reflectance values, contrary to the universally used formula. This creates the question whether there may exist a better formula using a parameter better describing phase function shape than backscattering ratio. The asymmetry parameter g (the average scattering cosine) is commonly used to parametrize phase functions. A replacement for backscattering should decrease with increasing g. Therefore, the simplest candidate to replace backscattering has the form of b(1-g), where b is the scattering coefficient. Such a parameter is well known in biomedical optics under the name of reduced scattering (sometimes transport scattering). It has even been used in parametrizing reflectance in (highly turbid) human tissues. However no attempt has been made to check its usefulness in marine optics. We perform Monte Carlo radiative transfer calculations of reflectance for multiple combinations of inherent optical properties, including different phase functions. The results are used to create a new reflectance formula as a function of reduced scattering and absorption and test its robustness to changes in phase function shape compared to the traditional bb/a formula. We discuss its usefulness as well as advantages and disadvantages compared to the traditional formulation.

Under the knife: a national survey of six sigma programs in US healthcare organizations.

PubMed

Feng, Qianmei; Manuel, Chris M

2008-01-01

Medical and policy literature reports many six sigma applications at specific healthcare organizations. However, there is a lack of studies that investigate the broader status of six sigma in US healthcare systems. The purpose of this paper is to present the results from a national survey of six sigma programs in US healthcare organizations. Through the design, distribution, and analysis of a nationwide survey, this paper assesses the implementation of six sigma in healthcare facilities. Two sets of surveys were designed based on whether an organization has adopted six sigma or not. Findings from this paper indicate the common six sigma projects implemented in healthcare organizations, typical implementation durations, cost benefits, and major barriers in implementation, and so on. This paper is limited by the low-response rate owing to time and budget constraints. Through the dissemination of this paper, it is hoped that more organizations will become interested in this subject and participate in future studies. This work is the first study to investigate the implementation status of six sigma in US healthcare systems. It will share experiences amongst six sigma institutions and promote its application in many institutions. The findings will provide instructive information to six sigma practitioners and researchers, and particularly to health care management.

Effect of tree structure on X-band microwave signature of conifers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mougin, Eric; Lopes, Armand; Karam, Mostafa A.; Fung, Adrian K.

1993-01-01

Experimental studies are performed on some coniferous trees (Austrian pine, Nordmann spruce, and Norway spruce) to investigate the relation between the tree architecture and radar signal at X-band. For a single tree, the RCS is measured as a function of the scatterer location at 90 deg incidence. It is found that the main scatterers are the leafy branches and the difference between sigma(vv) and sigma(hh) is significant at the upper portion of the tree. At the lower portion of the tree, sigma(vv) and sigma(hh) have almost the same level. For a group of trees the angular trends of sigma(vv) and sigma(hh) are measured. It is found that the levels of sigma(vv) and sigma(hh) are of the same order, but their angular trends vary from one tree species to the other depending on the tree species structure. The interpretation of these experimental results is carried out with the help of a theoretical model which accounts for the structure of the tree. According to this theoretical study, the major scattering trend is due to the leaves, while the perturbation to the angular trend and the level difference between sigma(vv) and sigma(hh) are due to the branch orientation distributions (i.e., the tree architecture).

Aβ mediates Sigma receptor degradation via CaN/NFAT pathway

PubMed Central

Fang, Min; Zhang, Pei; Zhao, Yanxin; Jin, Aiping; Liu, Xueyuan

2016-01-01

Sigma receptor is an endoplasmic reticulum protein and belongs to non-opioid receptor. Increasing evidence shows that Sigma receptor activation can significantly attenuate AD induced neurological dysfunction and the functional deficiency of Sigma receptor plays an important role in the Aβ induced neuronal loss. This study aimed to investigate the influence of extracellular accumulation of Aβ on the Sigma receptor expression. Our results showed the increase in extracellular Aβ had little influence on the mRNA expression of Sigma receptor, but gradually reduced its protein expression. Co-immunoprecipitation was employed to evaluate the interaction of Sigma receptor with other proteins. Results showed BIP could bind to Sigma receptor to affect the ubiquitination of Sigma receptor. Further investigation showed there was a NFAT binding site at the promoter of BIP. Then, Western blot assay was performed to detect NFAT expression. Results showed extracellular Aβ affected the nuclear translocation of NFAT and the CaN activity of NFAT also increased with the accumulation of extracellular Aβ. In this study, NFAT-BIP luciferase reporter gene system was constructed. Results showed NFAT was able to regulate the transcription of BIP. Thus, we speculate that extracellular Aβ accumulation may activate CaN/NFAT signaling pathway to induce chaperone BIP expression, which results in Sigma receptor ubiquitination and its degradation. PMID:27648137

Comparing Consider-Covariance Analysis with Sigma-Point Consider Filter and Linear-Theory Consider Filter Formulations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lisano, Michael E.

2007-01-01

Recent literature in applied estimation theory reflects growing interest in the sigma-point (also called unscented ) formulation for optimal sequential state estimation, often describing performance comparisons with extended Kalman filters as applied to specific dynamical problems [c.f. 1, 2, 3]. Favorable attributes of sigma-point filters are described as including a lower expected error for nonlinear even non-differentiable dynamical systems, and a straightforward formulation not requiring derivation or implementation of any partial derivative Jacobian matrices. These attributes are particularly attractive, e.g. in terms of enabling simplified code architecture and streamlined testing, in the formulation of estimators for nonlinear spaceflight mechanics systems, such as filter software onboard deep-space robotic spacecraft. As presented in [4], the Sigma-Point Consider Filter (SPCF) algorithm extends the sigma-point filter algorithm to the problem of consider covariance analysis. Considering parameters in a dynamical system, while estimating its state, provides an upper bound on the estimated state covariance, which is viewed as a conservative approach to designing estimators for problems of general guidance, navigation and control. This is because, whether a parameter in the system model is observable or not, error in the knowledge of the value of a non-estimated parameter will increase the actual uncertainty of the estimated state of the system beyond the level formally indicated by the covariance of an estimator that neglects errors or uncertainty in that parameter. The equations for SPCF covariance evolution are obtained in a fashion similar to the derivation approach taken with standard (i.e. linearized or extended) consider parameterized Kalman filters (c.f. [5]). While in [4] the SPCF and linear-theory consider filter (LTCF) were applied to an illustrative linear dynamics/linear measurement problem, in the present work examines the SPCF as applied to nonlinear sequential consider covariance analysis, i.e. in the presence of nonlinear dynamics and nonlinear measurements. A simple SPCF for orbit determination, exemplifying an algorithm hosted in the guidance, navigation and control (GN&C) computer processor of a hypothetical robotic spacecraft, was implemented, and compared with an identically-parameterized (standard) extended, consider-parameterized Kalman filter. The onboard filtering scenario examined is a hypothetical spacecraft orbit about a small natural body with imperfectly-known mass. The formulations, relative complexities, and performances of the filters are compared and discussed.

The Escherichia coli regulator of sigma 70 protein, Rsd, can up-regulate some stress-dependent promoters by sequestering sigma 70.

PubMed

Mitchell, Jennie E; Oshima, Taku; Piper, Sarah E; Webster, Christine L; Westblade, Lars F; Karimova, Gouzel; Ladant, Daniel; Kolb, Annie; Hobman, Jon L; Busby, Stephen J W; Lee, David J

2007-05-01

The Escherichia coli Rsd protein forms complexes with the RNA polymerase sigma(70) factor, but its biological role is not understood. Transcriptome analysis shows that overexpression of Rsd causes increased expression from some promoters whose expression depends on the alternative sigma(38) factor, and this was confirmed by experiments with lac fusions at selected promoters. The LP18 substitution in Rsd increases the Rsd-dependent stimulation of these promoter-lac fusions. Analysis with a bacterial two-hybrid system shows that the LP18 substitution in Rsd increases its interaction with sigma(70). Our experiments support a model in which the role of Rsd is primarily to sequester sigma(70), thereby increasing the levels of RNA polymerase containing the alternative sigma(38) factor.

Active participation of Hsp90 in the biogenesis of the trimeric reovirus cell attachment protein sigma1.

PubMed

Gilmore, R; Coffey, M C; Lee, P W

1998-06-12

The reovirus cell attachment protein, sigma1, is a lollipop-shaped homotrimer with an N-terminal fibrous tail and a C-terminal globular head. Biogenesis of this protein involves two trimerization events: N-terminal trimerization, which occurs cotranslationally and is Hsp70/ATP-independent, and C-terminal trimerization, which occurs posttranslationally and is Hsp70/ATP-dependent. To determine if Hsp90 also plays a role in sigma1 biogenesis, we analyzed sigma1 synthesized in rabbit reticulocyte lysate. Coprecipitation experiments using anti-Hsp90 antibodies revealed that Hsp90 was associated with immature sigma1 trimers (hydra-like intermediates with assembled N termini and unassembled C termini) but not with mature trimers. The use of truncated sigma1 further demonstrated that only the C-terminal half of sigma1 associated with Hsp90. In the presence of the Hsp90 binding drug geldanamycin, N-terminal trimerization proceeded normally, but C-terminal trimerization was blocked. Geldanamycin did not inhibit the association of Hsp90 with sigma 1 but prevented the subsequent release of Hsp90 from the immature sigma1 complex. We also examined the status of p23, an Hsp90-associated cochaperone. Like Hsp90, p23 only associated with immature sigma1 trimers, and this association was mapped to the C-terminal half of sigma1. However, unlike Hsp90, p23 was released from the sigma1 complex upon the addition of geldanamycin. These results highlight an all-or-none concept of chaperone involvement in different oligomerization domains within a single protein and suggest a possible common usage of chaperones in the regulation of general protein folding and of steroid receptor activation.

Defining the disulphide stress response in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2): identification of the sigmaR regulon.

PubMed

Paget, M S; Molle, V; Cohen, G; Aharonowitz, Y; Buttner, M J

2001-11-01

In the Gram-positive, antibiotic-producing bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2), the thiol-disulphide status of the hyphae is controlled by a novel regulatory system consisting of a sigma factor, sigmaR, and its cognate anti-sigma factor, RsrA. Oxidative stress induces intramolecular disulphide bond formation in RsrA, which causes it to lose affinity for sigmaR, thereby releasing sigmaR to activate transcription of the thioredoxin operon, trxBA. Here, we exploit a preliminary consensus sequence for sigmaR target promoters to identify 27 new sigmaR target genes and operons, thereby defining the global response to disulphide stress in this organism. Target genes related to thiol metabolism encode a second thioredoxin (TrxC), a glutaredoxin-like protein and enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of the low-molecular-weight thiol-containing compounds cysteine and molybdopterin. In addition, the level of the major actinomycete thiol buffer, mycothiol, was fourfold lower in a sigR null mutant, although no candidate mycothiol biosynthetic genes were identified among the sigmaR targets. Three sigmaR target genes encode ribosome-associated products (ribosomal subunit L31, ppGpp synthetase and tmRNA), suggesting that the translational machinery is modified by disulphide stress. The product of another sigmaR target gene was found to be a novel RNA polymerase-associated protein, RbpA, suggesting that the transcriptional machinery may also be modified in response to disulphide stress. We present DNA sequence evidence that many of the targets identified in S. coelicolor are also under the control of the sigmaR homologue in the actinomycete pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Redox-dependent changes in RsrA, an anti-sigma factor in Streptomyces coelicolor: zinc release and disulfide bond formation.

PubMed

Bae, Jae-Bum; Park, Joo-Hong; Hahn, Mi-Young; Kim, Min-Sik; Roe, Jung-Hye

2004-01-09

sigmaR is a sigma factor for transcribing genes to defend cells against oxidative stresses in the antibiotic-producing bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor. The availability of sigmaR is regulated by RsrA, an anti-sigma factor, whose sigmaR-binding activity is regulated by redox changes in the environment, via thiol-disulfide exchange. We found that reduced RsrA contains zinc in a stoichiometric amount, whereas oxidized form has very little: 1 mol of zinc per mol of RsrA was released upon oxidation as monitored by a chromogenic Zn-chelator, 4-(2-pyridylazo)-resorcinol (PAR). Measurement of zinc bound in several RsrA mutants of various cysteine and histidine substitutions suggested that C3, H7, C41, and C44 serve as zinc-binding sites. The zinc-binding and sigmaR-binding activities of mutant proteins did not coincide, suggesting that zinc might not be absolutely required for the anti-sigma activity of RsrA. Zn-free apo-RsrA bound sigmaR and inhibited sigmaR-dependent transcription in vitro. Compared with Zn-RsrA, the anti-transcription activity of apo-RsrA was about threefold lower and its sigmaR-binding affinity decreased by about ninefold when measured by surface plasmon resonance analysis. Apo-RsrA was more sensitive to protease, suggesting that zinc allows RsrA to maintain a more compact structure, optimized for binding sigmaR. The cysteine pairs that form disulfide bonds were determined by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, revealing formation of the critical disulfide bond between C11 and one of the essential cysteine residues C41 or 44, most likely C44. An improved model for the mechanism of redox-modulation of RsrA was presented.

Investigations on flexural wave propagation and attenuation in a modified one-dimensional acoustic black hole using a laser excitation technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ji, Hongli; Luo, Jing; Qiu, Jinhao; Cheng, Li

2018-05-01

Acoustic Black Holes (ABHs), as a new type of passive structure for vibration damping enhancement and noise attenuation, have been drawing increasing attentions of many researchers. Due to the difficulty in manufacturing the sharp edges required by the ABH structures, it is important to understand the wave propagation and attenuation process in the presence of damping layers in non-ideal ABHs with a truncated edge. In this paper, an analytical expression of the wave reflection coefficient in a modified one-dimensional ABH is derived and a time-domain experimental method based on a laser excitation technique is used to visualize the wave propagation. In the experimental studies, the flexural waves in the ABH were excited by a scanning pulse laser and measured by a Laser Doppler Vibrometer (LDV). The incident wave and reflected wave were separated from the measured original wave field and the decrease of the wave velocity in the ABH was exhibited. The reflection coefficient was calculated from the ratio of the amplitude of the reflected wave to that of the incident wave for different ABH parameters and different thicknesses of the damping layer. The measured reflection coefficients were used to identify the unknown coefficients in the theoretical formula. The results confirm that there exists an optimal thickness for the damping layer, which leads to the minimum wave reflection. Based on the laser-induced visualization technique and various signal processing and feature extraction methods, the entire process of the wave propagation in a non-ideal one-dimensional ABH structure can be visualized and scrutinized.

Observations of the R reflector and sediment interface reflection at the Shallow Water '06 Central Site.

PubMed

Choi, Jee Woong; Dahl, Peter H; Goff, John A

2008-09-01

Acoustic bottom-interacting measurements from the Shallow Water '06 experiment experiment (frequency range 1-20 kHz) are presented. These are co-located with coring and stratigraphic studies showing a thin (approximately 20 cm) higher sound speed layer overlaying a thicker (approximately 20 m) lower sound speed layer ending at a high-impedance reflector (R reflector). Reflections from the R reflector and analysis of the bottom reflection coefficient magnitude for the upper two sediment layers confirm both these features. Geoacoustic parameters are estimated, dispersion effects addressed, and forward modeling using the parabolic wave equation undertaken. The reflection coefficient measurements suggest a nonlinear attenuation law for the thin layer of sandy sediments.

Modulation of serotonergic neurotransmission by short- and long-term treatments with sigma ligands

PubMed Central

Bermack, J E; Debonnel, G

2001-01-01

Sigma receptors were first described in 1976 as opiate receptors but were later determined to be a distinct class of receptors with two subtypes, sigma1 and sigma2. Although the endogenous ligand is yet to be elucidated, the sigma1 receptor has recently been cloned. Behavioural models used to test potential antidepressants have shown sigma ligands to produce antidepressant effects but their mechanism of action is unknown. The goal of the present study was to assess the effects of various sigma1 ligands on the firing activity of serotonin (5-HT) neurons of the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) using extracellular in vivo recordings in anaesthetized rats. The sigma1 ligands (+)-pentazocine and 4-(N-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)-4-iodobenzamide (4-IBP) (2 mg kg−1 day−1) increased markedly 5-HT firing activity after 2 days of treatment and maintained the same increased firing rate after long-term (21 days) treatments. Furthermore, the increased firing rate produced by 2 and 21 day treatments with (+)-pentazocine was prevented by the co-administration of N,N-dipropyl-2-(4-methoxy-3-(2-phenylethoxy)phenyl)-thylamine (NE-100) (10 mg kg−1 day−1) a selective sigma1 antagonist, confirming the sigma1 receptor's modulation of these effects. In contrast, the sigma1 ligands (+)-N-cyclopropylmethyl-N-methyl-1,4-diphenyl-1-1-ethyl-but-3-en-1-ylamine hydrochloride (JO-1784) and 2-(4-morpholinoethyl 1-phenyl-cyclohexane-1-carboxylate hydrochloride (PRE-084) had no effect. Following a 21-day treatment with (+)-pentazocine there was a marked reduction in the number of neurons found per track. This decrease was not seen after chronic treatment with 4-IBP and may represent a depolarization block. These results suggest a modulation of serotonergic neurotransmission by some sigma receptors and provide a potential mechanism for the ‘antidepressant effects' reported and provide evidence toward sigma1 ligands as potential antidepressants with a rapid onset of action. PMID:11588125

Modulation of serotonergic neurotransmission by short- and long-term treatments with sigma ligands.

PubMed

Bermack, J E; Debonnel, G

2001-10-01

1. Sigma receptors were first described in 1976 as opiate receptors but were later determined to be a distinct class of receptors with two subtypes, sigma(1) and sigma(2). Although the endogenous ligand is yet to be elucidated, the sigma(1) receptor has recently been cloned. 2. Behavioural models used to test potential antidepressants have shown sigma ligands to produce antidepressant effects but their mechanism of action is unknown. 3. The goal of the present study was to assess the effects of various sigma(1) ligands on the firing activity of serotonin (5-HT) neurons of the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) using extracellular in vivo recordings in anaesthetized rats. 4. The sigma(1) ligands (+)-pentazocine and 4-(N-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)-4-iodobenzamide (4-IBP) (2 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) increased markedly 5-HT firing activity after 2 days of treatment and maintained the same increased firing rate after long-term (21 days) treatments. Furthermore, the increased firing rate produced by 2 and 21 day treatments with (+)-pentazocine was prevented by the co-administration of N,N-dipropyl-2-(4-methoxy-3-(2-phenylethoxy)phenyl)-thylamine (NE-100) (10 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) a selective sigma(1) antagonist, confirming the sigma(1) receptor's modulation of these effects. In contrast, the sigma(1) ligands (+)-N-cyclopropylmethyl-N-methyl-1,4-diphenyl-1-1-ethyl-but-3-en-1-ylamine hydrochloride (JO-1784) and 2-(4-morpholinoethyl 1-phenyl-cyclohexane-1-carboxylate hydrochloride (PRE-084) had no effect. 5. Following a 21-day treatment with (+)-pentazocine there was a marked reduction in the number of neurons found per track. This decrease was not seen after chronic treatment with 4-IBP and may represent a depolarization block. 6. These results suggest a modulation of serotonergic neurotransmission by some sigma receptors and provide a potential mechanism for the 'antidepressant effects' reported and provide evidence toward sigma(1) ligands as potential antidepressants with a rapid onset of action.

On Sound Reflection in Superfluid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Melnikovsky, L. A.

2008-02-01

We consider reflection of first and second sound waves by a rigid flat wall in superfluid. A nontrivial dependence of the reflection coefficients on the angle of incidence is obtained. Sound conversion is predicted at slanted incidence.

76 FR 13515 - Medicare Program; Revisions to the Reductions and Increases to Hospitals' FTE Resident Caps for...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-14

..., [Sigma] line 3.08 minus [Sigma] (lines 3.04 + 3.05-applicable section 422 reduction amount). For direct GME, [Sigma] line 3.05 minus [Sigma] (lines 3.01 + 3.02-applicable section 422 reduction amount). (5...

The alternative sigma factor, sigmaS, affects polyhydroxyalkanoate metabolism in Pseudomonas putida.

PubMed

Raiger-Iustman, Laura J; Ruiz, Jimena A

2008-07-01

To determine whether the stationary sigma factor, sigma(S), influences polyhydroxyalkanoate metabolism in Pseudomonas putida KT2440, an rpoS-negative mutant was constructed to evaluate polyhydroxyalkanoate accumulation and expression of a translational fusion to the promoter region of the genes that code for polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase 1 (phaC1) and polyhydroxyalkanoate depolymerase (phaZ). By comparison with the wild-type, the rpoS mutant showed a higher polyhydroxyalkanoate degradation rate and increased expression of the translational fusion during the stationary growth phase. These results suggest that sigma(S) might control the genes involved in polyhydroxyalkanoate metabolism, possibly in an indirect manner. In addition, survival and oxidative stress assays performed under polyhydroxyalkanoate- and nonpolyhydroxyalkanoate- accumulating conditions demonstrated that the accumulated polyhydroxyalkanoate increased the survival and stress tolerance of the rpoS mutant. According to this, polyhydroxyalkanoate accumulation would help cells to overcome the adverse conditions encountered during the stationary phase in the strain that lacks RpoS.

Sigma receptors as potential therapeutic targets for neuroprotection.

PubMed

Nguyen, Linda; Kaushal, Nidhi; Robson, Matthew J; Matsumoto, Rae R

2014-11-15

Sigma receptors comprise a unique family of proteins that have been implicated in the pathophysiology and treatment of many central nervous system disorders, consistent with their high level of expression in the brain and spinal cord. Mounting evidence indicate that targeting sigma receptors may be particularly beneficial in a number of neurodegenerative conditions including Alzheimer׳s disease, Parkinson׳s disease, stroke, methamphetamine neurotoxicity, Huntington׳s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and retinal degeneration. In this perspective, a brief overview is given on sigma receptors, followed by a focus on common mechanisms of neurodegeneration that appear amenable to modulation by sigma receptor ligands to convey neuroprotective effects and/or restorative functions. Within each of the major mechanisms discussed herein, the neuroprotective effects of sigma ligands are summarized, and when known, the specific sigma receptor subtype(s) involved are identified. Together, the literature suggests sigma receptors may provide a novel target for combatting neurodegenerative diseases through both neuronal and glial mechanisms. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Sigma: Strain-level inference of genomes from metagenomic analysis for biosurveillance

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

Ahn, Tae-Hyuk; Chai, Juanjuan; Pan, Chongle

Motivation: Metagenomic sequencing of clinical samples provides a promising technique for direct pathogen detection and characterization in biosurveillance. Taxonomic analysis at the strain level can be used to resolve serotypes of a pathogen in biosurveillance. Sigma was developed for strain-level identification and quantification of pathogens using their reference genomes based on metagenomic analysis. Results: Sigma provides not only accurate strain-level inferences, but also three unique capabilities: (i) Sigma quantifies the statistical uncertainty of its inferences, which includes hypothesis testing of identified genomes and confidence interval estimation of their relative abundances; (ii) Sigma enables strain variant calling by assigning metagenomic readsmore » to their most likely reference genomes; and (iii) Sigma supports parallel computing for fast analysis of large datasets. In conclusion, the algorithm performance was evaluated using simulated mock communities and fecal samples with spike-in pathogen strains. Availability and Implementation: Sigma was implemented in C++ with source codes and binaries freely available at http://sigma.omicsbio.org.« less

Sigma: Strain-level inference of genomes from metagenomic analysis for biosurveillance

DOE PAGES

Ahn, Tae-Hyuk; Chai, Juanjuan; Pan, Chongle

2014-09-29

Motivation: Metagenomic sequencing of clinical samples provides a promising technique for direct pathogen detection and characterization in biosurveillance. Taxonomic analysis at the strain level can be used to resolve serotypes of a pathogen in biosurveillance. Sigma was developed for strain-level identification and quantification of pathogens using their reference genomes based on metagenomic analysis. Results: Sigma provides not only accurate strain-level inferences, but also three unique capabilities: (i) Sigma quantifies the statistical uncertainty of its inferences, which includes hypothesis testing of identified genomes and confidence interval estimation of their relative abundances; (ii) Sigma enables strain variant calling by assigning metagenomic readsmore » to their most likely reference genomes; and (iii) Sigma supports parallel computing for fast analysis of large datasets. In conclusion, the algorithm performance was evaluated using simulated mock communities and fecal samples with spike-in pathogen strains. Availability and Implementation: Sigma was implemented in C++ with source codes and binaries freely available at http://sigma.omicsbio.org.« less

High-frequency response of subwavelength-structured metals in the petahertz domain.

PubMed

Weiner, J; Nunes, Frederico D

2008-12-22

Electromagnetic plane waves, incident on and reflecting from a dielectric-conductor interface, set up a standing wave in the dielectric with the B-field adjacent to the conductor. It is shown here how the harmonic time variation of this B-field induces an E-field and a conduction current J (c) within the skin depth of a real metal; and that at frequencies in the visible and near-infrared range, the imaginary term sigmai of the complex conductivity sigma = sigma(r) + isigma(i) dominates the optical response. Continuity conditions of the E-field through the surface together with the in-quadrature response of the conductivity determine the phase relation between the incident E-M field and J(c). If slits or grooves are milled into the metal surface, a displacement current in the dielectric gap and oscillating charge dipoles at the structure edges are established in quadrature phase with incident field. These dipoles radiate into the aperture and launch surface waves from the edges. They are the principle source of light transmission through the apertures.

Bidirectional reflection functions from surface bump maps

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

Cabral, B.; Max, N.; Springmeyer, R.

1987-04-29

The Torrance-Sparrow model for calculating bidirectional reflection functions contains a geometrical attenuation factor to account for shadowing and occlusions in a hypothetical distribution of grooves on a rough surface. Using an efficient table-based method for determining the shadows and occlusions, we calculate the geometric attenuation factor for surfaces defined by a specific table of bump heights. Diffuse and glossy specular reflection of the environment can be handled in a unified manner by using an integral of the bidirectional reflection function times the environmental illumination, over the hemisphere of solid angle above a surface. We present a method of estimating themore » integral, by expanding the bidirectional reflection coefficient in spherical harmonics, and show how the coefficients in this expansion can be determined efficiently by reorganizing our geometric attenuation calculation.« less

The sigma-2 receptor as a therapeutic target for drug delivery in triple negative breast cancer

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

Makvandi, Mehran; Tilahun, Estifanos D.; Lieberman, Brian P.

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is associated with high relapse rates and increased mortality when compared with other breast cancer subtypes. In contrast to receptor positive breast cancers, there are no approved targeted therapies for TNBC. Identifying biomarkers for TNBC is of high importance for the advancement of patient care. The sigma-2 receptor has been shown to be overexpressed in triple negative breast cancer in vivo and has been characterized as a marker of proliferation. The aim of the present study was to define the sigma-2 receptor as a target for therapeutic drug delivery and biomarker in TNBC. Methods: Three TNBCmore » cell lines were evaluated: MDA-MB-231, HCC1937 and HCC1806. Sigma-2 compounds were tested for pharmacological properties specific to the sigma-2 receptor through competitive inhibition assays. Sigma-2 receptor expression was measured through radioligand receptor saturation studies. Drug sensitivity for taxol was compared to a sigma-2 targeting compound conjugated to a cytotoxic payload, SW IV-134. Cell viability was assessed after treatments for 2 or 48 h. Sigma-2 blockade was assessed to define sigma-2 mediated cytotoxicity of SW IV-134. Caspase 3/7 activation induced by SW IV-134 was measured at corresponding treatment time points. Results: SW IV-134 was the most potent compound tested in two of the three cell lines and was similarly effective in all three. MDA-MB-231 displayed a statistically significant higher sigma-2 receptor expression and also was the most sensitive cell line evaluated to SW IV-134. Conclusion: Targeting the sigma-2 receptor with a cytotoxic payload was effective in all the three cell lines evaluated and provides the proof of concept for future development of a therapeutic platform for the treatment of TNBC. - Highlights: • TNBC cells are sensitive to sigma-2 receptor targeted drug conjugate SW IV-134. • MDA-MB-231 displayed the highest amount of sigma-2 receptors and corresponded well with sensitivity. • The sigma-2 receptor is a potential biomarker in TNBC for prognosis and therapy.« less

INTEGRATED AND FIBER OPTICS: Anomalous reflection of light from the surface of an amplifying corrugated waveguide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Avrutskiĭ, I. A.; Sychugov, V. A.

1989-02-01

The problem of reflection of light from the surface of an amplifying corrugated waveguide is solved. An increase in the waveguide gain increases considerably the reflection coefficient and reduces the spectral width of the reflection peak.

Sigma-1 receptor: the novel intracellular target of neuropsychotherapeutic drugs.

PubMed

Hayashi, Teruo

2015-01-01

Sigma-1 receptor ligands have been long expected to serve as drugs for treatment of human diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders, depression, idiopathic pain, drug abuse, and cancer. Recent research exploring the molecular function of the sigma-1 receptor started unveiling underlying mechanisms of the therapeutic activity of those ligands. Via the molecular chaperone activity, the sigma-1 receptor regulates protein folding/degradation, ER/oxidative stress, and cell survival. The chaperone activity is activated or inhibited by synthetic sigma-1 receptor ligands in an agonist-antagonist manner. Sigma-1 receptors are localized at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes that are physically associated with the mitochondria (MAM: mitochondria-associated ER membrane). In specific types of neurons (e.g., those at the spinal cord), sigma-1 receptors are also clustered at ER membranes that juxtapose postsynaptic plasma membranes. Recent studies indicate that sigma-1 receptors, partly in sake of its unique subcellular localization, regulate the mitochondria function that involves bioenergetics and free radical generation. The sigma-1 receptor may thus provide an intracellular drug target that enables controlling ER stress and free radical generation under pathological conditions. Copyright © 2014 Japanese Pharmacological Society. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparison of x-ray cross sections for diagnostic and therapeutic medical physics.

PubMed

Boone, J M; Chavez, A E

1996-12-01

The purpose of this technical report is to make available an up-to-date source of attenuation coefficient data to the medical physics community, and to compare these data with other more familiar sources. Data files from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (in Livermore, CA) were truncated to match the needs of the medical physics community, and an interpolation routine was written to calculate a continuous set of cross sections spanning energies from 1 keV to 50 MeV. Coefficient data are available for elements Z = 1 through Z = 100. Values for mass attenuation coefficients, mass-energy-transfer coefficients, and mass-energy absorption coefficients are produced by a single computer subroutine. In addition to total interaction cross sections, the cross sections for photoelectric, Rayleigh, Compton, pair, and some triplet interactions are also produced by this single program. The coefficients were compared to the 1970 data of Storm and Israel over the energy interval from 1 to 1000 keV; for elements 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80, the average positive difference between the Storm and Israel coefficients and the coefficients reported here are 1.4%, 2.7%, and 2.6%, for the mass attenuation, mass energy-transfer, and mass-energy absorption coefficients, respectively. The 1969 data compilation of mass attenuation coefficients from McMaster et al. were also compared with the newer LLNL data. Over the energy region from 10 keV to 1000 keV, and from elements Z = 1 to Z = 82 (inclusive), the overall average difference was 1.53% (sigma = 0.85%). While the overall average difference was small, there was larger variation (> 5%) between cross sections for some elements. In addition to coefficient data, other useful data such as the density, atomic weight, K, L1, L2, L3, M, and N edges, and numerous characteristic emission energies are output by the program, depending on a single input variable. The computer source code, written in C, can be accessed and downloaded from the World Wide Web at: http:@www.aip.org/epaps/epaps.html [E-MPHSA-23-1977].

Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) Orbit Estimation Using an Extended Kalman Filter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ward, Douglas T.; Dang, Ket D.; Slojkowski, Steve; Blizzard, Mike; Jenkins, Greg

2007-01-01

Alternatives to the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) orbit estimation procedure were studied to develop a technique that both produces more reliable results and is more amenable to automation than the prior procedure. The Earth Observing System (EOS) Terra mission has TDRS ephemeris prediction 3(sigma) requirements of 75 meters in position and 5.5 millimeters per second in velocity over a 1.5-day prediction span. Meeting these requirements sometimes required reruns of the prior orbit determination (OD) process, with manual editing of tracking data to get an acceptable solution. After a study of the available alternatives, the Flight Dynamics Facility (FDF) began using the Real-Time Orbit Determination (RTOD(Registered TradeMark)) Kalman filter program for operational support of TDRSs in February 2007. This extended Kalman filter (EKF) is used for daily support, including within hours after most thrusting, to estimate the spacecraft position, velocity, and solar radiation coefficient of reflectivity (C(sub R)). The tracking data used are from the Bilateration Ranging Transponder System (BRTS), selected TDRS System (TDRSS) User satellite tracking data, and Telemetry, Tracking, and Command (TT&C) data. Degraded filter results right after maneuvers and some momentum unloads provided incentive for a hybrid OD technique. The results of combining EKF strengths with the Goddard Trajectory Determination System (GTDS) Differential Correction (DC) program batch-least-squares solutions, as recommended in a 2005 paper on the chain-bias technique, are also presented.

Variance and covariance estimates for weaning weight of Senepol cattle.

PubMed

Wright, D W; Johnson, Z B; Brown, C J; Wildeus, S

1991-10-01

Variance and covariance components were estimated for weaning weight from Senepol field data for use in the reduced animal model for a maternally influenced trait. The 4,634 weaning records were used to evaluate 113 sires and 1,406 dams on the island of St. Croix. Estimates of direct additive genetic variance (sigma 2A), maternal additive genetic variance (sigma 2M), covariance between direct and maternal additive genetic effects (sigma AM), permanent maternal environmental variance (sigma 2PE), and residual variance (sigma 2 epsilon) were calculated by equating variances estimated from a sire-dam model and a sire-maternal grandsire model, with and without the inverse of the numerator relationship matrix (A-1), to their expectations. Estimates were sigma 2A, 139.05 and 138.14 kg2; sigma 2M, 307.04 and 288.90 kg2; sigma AM, -117.57 and -103.76 kg2; sigma 2PE, -258.35 and -243.40 kg2; and sigma 2 epsilon, 588.18 and 577.72 kg2 with and without A-1, respectively. Heritability estimates for direct additive (h2A) were .211 and .210 with and without A-1, respectively. Heritability estimates for maternal additive (h2M) were .47 and .44 with and without A-1, respectively. Correlations between direct and maternal (IAM) effects were -.57 and -.52 with and without A-1, respectively.

Model representations for systems of selfadjoint operators satisfying commutation relations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zolotarev, Vladimir A.

2010-12-01

Model representations are constructed for a system \\{B_k\\}_1^n of bounded linear selfadjoint operators in a Hilbert space H such that \\displaystyle \\lbrack B_k,B_s \\rbrack =\\frac i2\\varphi^*R_{k,s}^-\\varphi, \\qquad\\sigma_k\\varphi B_s-\\sigma_s\\varphi B_k=R_{k,s}^+\\varphi, \\displaystyle \\sigma_k\\varphi\\varphi^*\\sigma_s-\\sigma_s\\varphi\\varphi^*\\sigma_k=2iR_{k,s}^-,\\qquad1\\le k, s\\le n, where \\varphi is a linear operator from H into a Hilbert space E and \\{\\sigma_k,R_{k,s}^+/-\\}_1^n are some selfadjoint operators in E. A realization of these models in function spaces on a Riemann surface is found and a full set of invariants for \\{B_k\\}_1^n is described. Bibliography: 11 titles.

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

Widesott, Lamberto; Lomax, Antony J.; Schwarz, Marco

Purpose: To assess the quality of dose distributions in real clinical cases for different dimensions of scanned proton pencil beams. The distance between spots (i.e., the grid of delivery) is optimized for each dimension of the pencil beam. Methods: The authors vary the {sigma} of the initial Gaussian size of the spot, from {sigma}{sub x} = {sigma}{sub y} = 3 mm to {sigma}{sub x} = {sigma}{sub y} = 8 mm, to evaluate the impact of the proton beam size on the quality of intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) plans. The distance between spots, {Delta}x and {Delta}y, is optimized on themore » spot plane, ranging from 4 to 12 mm (i.e., each spot size is coupled with the best spot grid resolution). In our Hyperion treatment planning system (TPS), constrained optimization is applied with respect to the organs at risk (OARs), i.e., the optimization tries to satisfy the dose objectives in the planning target volume (PTV) as long as all planning objectives for the OARs are met. Three-field plans for a nasopharynx case, two-field plans for a prostate case, and two-field plans for a malignant pleural mesothelioma case are considered in our analysis. Results: For the head and neck tumor, the best grids (i.e., distance between spots) are 5, 4, 6, 6, and 8 mm for {sigma} = 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 mm, respectively. {sigma} {<=} 5 mm is required for tumor volumes with low dose and {sigma}{<=} 4 mm for tumor volumes with high dose. For the prostate patient, the best grid is 4, 4, 5, 5, and 5 mm for {sigma} = 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 mm, respectively. Beams with {sigma} > 3 mm did not satisfy our first clinical requirement that 95% of the prescribed dose is delivered to more than 95% of prostate and proximal seminal vesicles PTV. Our second clinical requirement, to cover the distal seminal vesicles PTV, is satisfied for beams as wide as {sigma} = 6 mm. For the mesothelioma case, the low dose PTV prescription is well respected for all values of {sigma}, while there is loss of high dose PTV coverage for {sigma} > 5 mm. The best grids have a spacing of 6, 7, 8, 9, and 12 mm for {sigma} = 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 mm, respectively. Conclusions: The maximum acceptable proton pencil beam {sigma} depends on the volume treated, the protocol of delivery, and optimization of the plan. For the clinical cases, protocol and optimization used in this analysis, acceptable {sigma}s are {<=} 4 mm for the head and neck tumor, {<=} 3 mm for the prostate tumor and {<=} 6 mm for the malignant pleural mesothelioma. One can apply the same procedure used in this analysis when given a ''class'' of patients, a {sigma} and a clinical protocol to determine the optimal grid spacing.« less

Multimodal method for scattering of sound at a sudden area expansion in a duct with subsonic flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kooijman, G.; Testud, P.; Aurégan, Y.; Hirschberg, A.

2008-03-01

The scattering of sound at a sudden area expansion in a duct with subsonic mean flow has been modelled with a multimodal method. Technological applications are for instance internal combustion engine exhaust silencers and silencers in industrial duct systems. Both two-dimensional (2D) rectangular and 2D cylindrical geometry and uniform mean flow as well as non-uniform mean flow profiles are considered. Model results for the scattering of plane waves in case of uniform flow, in which case an infinitely thin shear layer is formed downstream of the area expansion, are compared to results obtained by other models in literature. Generally good agreement is found. Furthermore, model results for the scattering are compared to experimental data found in literature. Also here fairly good correspondence is observed. When employing a turbulent pipe flow profile in the model, instead of a uniform flow profile, the prediction for the downstream transmission- and upstream reflection coefficient is improved. However, worse agreement is observed for the upstream transmission and downstream reflection coefficient. On the contrary, employing a non-uniform jet flow profile, which represents a typical shear layer flow downstream of the expansion, gives worse agreement for the downstream transmission- and the upstream reflection coefficient, whereas prediction for the upstream transmission and downstream reflection coefficient improves.

Including scattering within the room acoustics diffusion model: An analytical approach.

PubMed

Foy, Cédric; Picaut, Judicaël; Valeau, Vincent

2016-10-01

Over the last 20 years, a statistical acoustic model has been developed to predict the reverberant sound field in buildings. This model is based on the assumption that the propagation of the reverberant sound field follows a transport process and, as an approximation, a diffusion process that can be easily solved numerically. This model, initially designed and validated for rooms with purely diffuse reflections, is extended in the present study to mixed reflections, with a proportion of specular and diffuse reflections defined by a scattering coefficient. The proposed mathematical developments lead to an analytical expression of the diffusion constant that is a function of the scattering coefficient, but also on the absorption coefficient of the walls. The results obtained with this extended diffusion model are then compared with the classical diffusion model, as well as with a sound particles tracing approach considering mixed wall reflections. The comparison shows a good agreement for long rooms with uniform low absorption (α = 0.01) and uniform scattering. For a larger absorption (α = 0.1), the agreement is moderate, due to the fact that the proposed expression of the diffusion coefficient does not vary spatially. In addition, the proposed model is for now limited to uniform diffusion and should be extended in the future to more general cases.

Sigma metrics used to assess analytical quality of clinical chemistry assays: importance of the allowable total error (TEa) target.

PubMed

Hens, Koen; Berth, Mario; Armbruster, Dave; Westgard, Sten

2014-07-01

Six Sigma metrics were used to assess the analytical quality of automated clinical chemistry and immunoassay tests in a large Belgian clinical laboratory and to explore the importance of the source used for estimation of the allowable total error. Clinical laboratories are continually challenged to maintain analytical quality. However, it is difficult to measure assay quality objectively and quantitatively. The Sigma metric is a single number that estimates quality based on the traditional parameters used in the clinical laboratory: allowable total error (TEa), precision and bias. In this study, Sigma metrics were calculated for 41 clinical chemistry assays for serum and urine on five ARCHITECT c16000 chemistry analyzers. Controls at two analyte concentrations were tested and Sigma metrics were calculated using three different TEa targets (Ricos biological variability, CLIA, and RiliBÄK). Sigma metrics varied with analyte concentration, the TEa target, and between/among analyzers. Sigma values identified those assays that are analytically robust and require minimal quality control rules and those that exhibit more variability and require more complex rules. The analyzer to analyzer variability was assessed on the basis of Sigma metrics. Six Sigma is a more efficient way to control quality, but the lack of TEa targets for many analytes and the sometimes inconsistent TEa targets from different sources are important variables for the interpretation and the application of Sigma metrics in a routine clinical laboratory. Sigma metrics are a valuable means of comparing the analytical quality of two or more analyzers to ensure the comparability of patient test results.

Efficiencies of Rotational Raman, and Rayleigh Techniques for Laser Remote Sensing of the Atmospheric Temperature

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ivanova, I. D.; Gurdev, L. L.; Mitev, V. M.

1992-01-01

Various lidar methods have been developed for measuring the atmospheric temperature, making use of the temperature dependant characteristics of rotational Raman scattering (RRS) from nitrogen and oxygen, and Rayleigh or Rayleigh-Brillowin scattering (RS or RBS). These methods have various advantages and disadvantages as compared to each other but their potential accuracies are principal characteristics of their efficiency. No systematic attempt has been undertaken so far to compare the efficiences, in the above meaning, of different temperature lidar methods. Two RRS techniques have been compared. Here, we do such a comparison using two methods based on the detection and analysis of RS (RBS) spectra. Four methods are considered here for measuring the atmospheric temperature. One of them (Schwiesow and Lading, 1981) is based on an analysis of the RS linewidth with two Michelson interferometers (MI) in parallel. The second method (Shimisu et al., 1986) employs a high-resolution analysis of the RBS line shape. The third method (Cooney, 1972) employs the temperature dependance of the RRS spectrum envelope. The fourth method (Armstrong, 1974) makes use of a scanning Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) as a comb filter for processing the periodic RRS spectrum of the nitrogen. Let us denote the corresponding errors in measuring the temperature by sigma(sub MI), sigma(sub HR), sigma(sub ENV), and sigma(sub FPI). Let us also define the ratios chi(sub 1) = sigma(sub MI)/sigma(sub ENV), chi(sub 2) = sigma(sub HR)/sigma(sub ENV), and chi(sub 3) = sigma(sub FPI)/sigma(sub ENV) interpreted as relative errors with respect to sigma(sub ENV).

Mutational analysis of RsrA, a zinc-binding anti-sigma factor with a thiol-disulphide redox switch.

PubMed

Paget, M S; Bae, J B; Hahn, M Y; Li, W; Kleanthous, C; Roe, J H; Buttner, M J

2001-02-01

In the Gram-positive bacterium, Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2), expression of the thioredoxin system is modulated by a sigma factor called sigmaR in response to changes in the cytoplasmic thiol-disulphide status, and the activity of sigmaR is controlled post-translationally by an anti-sigma factor, RsrA. In vitro, the anti-sigma factor activity of RsrA, which contains seven cysteines, correlates with its thiol-disulphide redox status. Here, we investigate the function of RsrA in vivo. A constructed rsrA null mutant had very high constitutive levels of disulphide reductase activity and sigmaR-dependent transcription, confirming that RsrA is a negative regulator of sigmaR and a key sensor of thiol-disulphide status. Targeted mutagenesis revealed that three of the seven cysteines in RsrA (C11, C41 and C44) were essential for anti-sigma factor activity and that a mutant RsrA protein containing only these three cysteines was active and still redox sensitive in vivo. We also show that RsrA is a metalloprotein, containing near-stoichiometric amounts of zinc. On the basis of these data, we propose that a thiol-disulphide redox switch is formed between two of C11, C41 and C44, and that all three residues play an essential role in anti-sigma factor activity in their reduced state, perhaps by acting as ligands for zinc. Unexpectedly, rsrA null mutants were blocked in sporulation, probably as a consequence of an increase in the level of free sigmaR.

Incorporating Six Sigma Methodology Training into Chemical Engineering Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dai, Lenore L.

2007-01-01

Six Sigma is a buzz term in today's technology and business world and there has been increasing interest to initiate Six Sigma training in college education. We have successfully incorporated Six Sigma methodology training into a traditional chemical engineering course, Engineering Experimentation, at Texas Tech University. The students have…

Experimental determination of the viscous flow permeability of porous materials by measuring reflected low frequency acoustic waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berbiche, A.; Sadouki, M.; Fellah, Z. E. A.; Ogam, E.; Fellah, M.; Mitri, F. G.; Depollier, C.

2016-01-01

An acoustic reflectivity method is proposed for measuring the permeability or flow resistivity of air-saturated porous materials. In this method, a simplified expression of the reflection coefficient is derived in the Darcy's regime (low frequency range), which does not depend on frequency and porosity. Numerical simulations show that the reflection coefficient of a porous material can be approximated by its simplified expression obtained from its Taylor development to the first order. This approximation is good especially for resistive materials (of low permeability) and for the lower frequencies. The permeability is reconstructed by solving the inverse problem using waves reflected by plastic foam samples, at different frequency bandwidths in the Darcy regime. The proposed method has the advantage of being simple compared to the conventional methods that use experimental reflected data, and is complementary to the transmissivity method, which is more adapted to low resistive materials (high permeability).

Reflection and interference of electromagnetic waves in inhomogeneous media

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Geiger, F. E.; Kyle, H. L.

1973-01-01

Solutions were obtained of the wave equation for a plane horizontally polarized electro-magnetic wave incident on a semi infinite two dimensional inhomogeneous medium. Two problems were considered: An inhomogeneous half space, and an inhomogeneous layer of arbitrary thickness. Solutions of the wave equation were obtained in terms of Hankel functions with complex arguments. Numerical calculations were made of the reflection coefficient R at the interface of the homogeneous medium. The startling results show that the reflection coefficient for a complex dielectric constant with gradient, can be less than that of the same medium with zero gradient.

Polyacetylene, (CH){sub x}, as an Emerging Material for Solar Cell Applications. Final Technical Report, March 19, 1979 - March 18, 1980

DOE R&D Accomplishments Database

Heeger, A. J.; MacDiarmid, A. G.

1980-06-05

Despite great theoretical and technological interest in polyacetylene, (CH){sub x}, the basic features of its band structure have not been unambiguously resolved. Since photoconductivity and optical absorption data have frequently been used to infer information on the band structure of semiconductors, such measurements were carried out on (CH){sub x}. The main results of an extensive study of the photoconductivity (..delta.. sigma{sub ph}) and absorption coefficient (..cap alpha..) in (CH){sub x} are presented. The absence of photoconductivity in cis-(CH){sub x}, despite the similarity in optical properties indicates that ..delta.. sigma/sub ph/ in trans-(CH){sub x} is induced by isomerization. It is found that isomerization generates states deep inside the gap that act as safe traps for minority carriers and thereby enhance the photoconductivity. Compensation of trans-(CH){sub x} with ammonia appears to decrease the number of safe traps, whereas acceptor doping increases their number. Thus, chemical doping can be used to control the photoconductive response. The energy of safe traps inside the gap is independent of the process used to generate them; indicative of an intrinsic localized defect level in trans-(CH){sub x}. A coherent picture based on the soliton model can explain these results, including the safe trapping.

Solid phase selective separation and preconcentration of Cu(II) by Cu(II)-imprinted polymethacrylic microbeads.

PubMed

Dakova, Ivanka; Karadjova, Irina; Ivanov, Ivo; Georgieva, Ventsislava; Evtimova, Bisera; Georgiev, George

2007-02-12

Ion-imprinted polymer (IIP) particles are prepared by copolymerization of methacrylic acid as monomer, trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate as crosslinking agent and 2,2'-azo-bis-isobutyronitrile as initiator in the presence of Cu(II), a Cu(II)-4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol (Cu(II)-PAR) complex, and PAR only. A batch procedure is used for the determination of the characteristics of the Cu(II) solid phase extraction from the IIP produced. The results obtained show that the Cu(II)-PAR IIP has the greatest adsorption capacity (37.4 micromol g(-1) of dry copolymer) among the IIPs investigated. The optimal pH value for the quantitative preconcentration is 7, and full desorption is achieved by 1 M HNO(3). The selectivity coefficients (S(Cu/Me)) for Me=Ni(II), Co(II) are 45.0 and 38.5, respectively. It is established that Cu(II)-PAR IIPs can be used repeatedly without a considerable adsorption capacity loss. The determination of Cu(II) ions in seawater shows that the interfering matrix does not influence the preconcentration and selectivity values of the Cu(II)-PAR IIPs. The detection and quantification limits are 0.001 micromol L(-1) (3sigma) and 0.003 micromol L(-1) (6sigma), respectively.

Switches from pi- to sigma-bonding complexes controlled by gate voltages.

PubMed

Matsui, Eriko; Harnack, Oliver; Matsuzawa, Nobuyuki N; Yasuda, Akio

2005-10-01

A conjugated polymer/metal ion/liquid-crystal molecular system was set between source and drain electrodes with a 100 nm gap. When gate voltage (Vg) increases, the current between source and drain electrodes increases. Infrared spectra show this system to be composed of pi and sigma complexes. At Vg = 0, the pi complex dominates the sigma complex, whereas the sigma complex becomes dominant when Vg is switched on. Calculations found that the pi complex has lower conductivity than the sigma complex.

Interference effects in phased beam tracing using exact half-space solutions.

PubMed

Boucher, Matthew A; Pluymers, Bert; Desmet, Wim

2016-12-01

Geometrical acoustics provides a correct solution to the wave equation for rectangular rooms with rigid boundaries and is an accurate approximation at high frequencies with nearly hard walls. When interference effects are important, phased geometrical acoustics is employed in order to account for phase shifts due to propagation and reflection. Error increases, however, with more absorption, complex impedance values, grazing incidence, smaller volumes and lower frequencies. Replacing the plane wave reflection coefficient with a spherical one reduces the error but results in slower convergence. Frequency-dependent stopping criteria are then applied to avoid calculating higher order reflections for frequencies that have already converged. Exact half-space solutions are used to derive two additional spherical wave reflection coefficients: (i) the Sommerfeld integral, consisting of a plane wave decomposition of a point source and (ii) a line of image sources located at complex coordinates. Phased beam tracing using exact half-space solutions agrees well with the finite element method for rectangular rooms with absorbing boundaries, at low frequencies and for rooms with different aspect ratios. Results are accurate even for long source-to-receiver distances. Finally, the crossover frequency between the plane and spherical wave reflection coefficients is discussed.

Correlation Study of PVDF Membrane Morphology with Protein Adsorption: Quantitative Analysis by FTIR/ATR Technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ideris, N.; Ahmad, A. L.; Ooi, B. S.; Low, S. C.

2018-05-01

Microporous PVDF membranes were used as protein capture matrices in immunoassays. Because the most common labels in immunoassays were detected based on the colour change, an understanding of how protein concentration varies on different PVDF surfaces was needed. Herein, the correlation between the membrane pore size and protein adsorption was systematically investigated. Five different PVDF membrane morphologies were prepared and FTIR/ATR was employed to accurately quantify the surface protein concentration on membranes with small pore sizes. SigmaPlot® was used to find a suitable curve fit for protein adsorption and membrane pore size, with a high correlation coefficient, R2, of 0.9971.

Limits on entanglement from rotationally invariant scattering of spin systems

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

Harshman, N. L.

2006-06-15

This paper investigates the dynamical generation of entanglement in scattering systems, in particular two spin systems that interact via rotationally invariant scattering. The spin degrees of freedom of the in states are assumed to be in unentangled, pure states, as defined by the entropy of entanglement. Because of the restriction of rotationally symmetric interactions, perfectly entangling S matrices, i.e., those that lead to a maximally entangled out state, only exist for a certain class of separable in states. Using Clebsch-Gordan coefficients for the rotation group, the scattering phases that determine the S matrix are determined for the case of spinmore » systems with {sigma}=1/2, 1, and 3/2.« less

First measurements of J/{psi} decays into {sigma}{sup +}{sigma}{sup -} and {xi}{sup 0}{xi}{sup 0}

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

Ablikim, M.; Bai, J. Z.; Bai, Y.

Based on 58x10{sup 6} J/{psi} events collected with the BESII detector at the Beijing Electron-Positron Collider, the baryon pair processes J/{psi}{yields}{sigma}{sup +}{sigma}{sup -} and J/{psi}{yields}{xi}{sup 0}{xi}{sup 0} are observed for the first time. The branching fractions are measured to be B(J/{psi}{yields}{sigma}{sup +}{sigma}{sup -})=(1.50{+-}0.10{+-}0.22)x10{sup -3} and B(J/{psi}{yields}{xi}{sup 0}{xi}{sup 0})=(1.20{+-}0.12{+-}0.21)x10{sup -3}, where the first errors are statistical and the second ones are systematic.

High temperature kinetic study of the reactions H + O2 = OH + O and O + H2 = OH + H in H2/O2 system by shock tube-laser absorption spectroscopy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ryu, Si-Ok; Hwang, Soon Muk; Dewitt, Kenneth J.

1995-01-01

The reactions: (1) H + O2 = OH + O; and (2) O + H2 = OH + H are the most important elementary reactions in gas phase combustion. They are the main chain-branching reaction in the oxidation of H2 and hydrocarbon fuels. In this study, rate coefficients of the reactions and have been measured over a wide range of composition, pressure, density and temperature behind the reflected shock waves. The experiments were performed using the shock tube - laser absorption spectroscopic technique to monitor OH radicals formed in the shock-heated H2/O2/Ar mixtures. The OH radicals were detected using the P(1)(5) line of (0,0) band of the A(exp 2) Sigma(+) from X(exp 2) Pi transition of OH at 310.023 nm (air). The data were analyzed with the aid of computer modeling. In the experiments great care was exercised to obtain high time resolution, linearity and signal-to-noise. The results are well represented by the Arrhenius expressions. The rate coefficient expression for reaction (1) obtained in this study is k(1) = (7.13 +/- 0.31) x 10(exp 13) exp(-6957+/- 30 K/T) cu cm/mol/s (1050 K less than or equal to T less than or equal to 2500 K) and a consensus expression for k(1) from a critical review of the most recent evaluations of k(1) (including our own) is k(1) = 7.82 x 10(exp 13) exp(-7105 K/T) cu cm/mol/s (960 K less than or equal to T less than or equal to 5300 K). The rate coefficient expression of k(2) is given by k(2) = (1.88 +/- 0.07) x 10(exp 14) exp(-6897 +/- 53 K/T) cu cm/mol/s (1424 K less than or equal to T less than or equal to 2427 K). For k(1), the temperature dependent A-factor and the correlation between the values of k(1) and the inverse reactant densities were not found. In the temperature range of this study, non-Arrhenius expression of k(2) which shows the upward curvature was not supported.

Sigma meson in vacuum and nuclear matter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Menchaca-Maciel, M. C.; Morones-Ibarra, J. R.

2013-04-01

We have obtained the value of the interaction constant g σππ that adjusts the values obtained in the E791 Collaboration at Fermilab and BES Collaboration at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider experiments. To get this we have used the concept of critical width to make compatible the parameters obtained from the Breit-Wigner formula and those obtained from the density function. Also, the total width and effective mass modification of the sigma meson in nuclear matter has been studied in the Walecka model, assuming that the sigma couples to a pair of nucleon-antinucleon states and to particle-hole states, including the in-medium effect of sigma-omega mixing. We have considered, for completeness, the coupling of sigma to two virtual pions. We have found that the sigma meson mass decreases with respect to its value in vacuum and that the contribution of the sigma-omega mixing effect on the mass shift is relevant.

Baryon masses and σ terms in SU(3) BChPT×1/N c

DOE PAGES

Fernando, Ishara P.; Alarcon-Soriano, Jose-Manuel; Goity, Jose Luis

2018-04-27

Baryon masses and nucleonmore » $$\\sigma$$ terms are studied with the effective theory that combines the chiral and $$1/N_c$$ expansions for three flavors. In particular the connection between the deviation of the Gell-Mann-Okubo relation and the $$\\sigma$$ term associated with the scalar density $$\\bar u u+\\bar d d-2\\bar s s$$ is emphasized. The latter is at lowest order related to a mass combination whose low value has given rise to a $$\\sigma$$ term puzzle. It is shown that while the nucleon $$\\sigma$$ terms have a well behaved low energy expansion, that mass combination is affected by large higher order corrections non-analytic in quark masses. Lastly, adding to the analysis lattice QCD baryon masses, it is found that $$\\sigma_{\\pi N}=69(10)$$~MeV and $$\\sigma_s$$ has natural magnitude within its relative large uncertainty.« less

The sigma-1 receptor modulates NMDA receptor synaptic transmission and plasticity via SK channels in rat hippocampus.

PubMed

Martina, Marzia; Turcotte, Marie-Eve B; Halman, Samantha; Bergeron, Richard

2007-01-01

The sigma receptor (sigmaR), once considered a subtype of the opioid receptor, is now described as a distinct pharmacological entity. Modulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) functions by sigmaR-1 ligands is well documented; however, its mechanism is not fully understood. Using patch-clamp whole-cell recordings in CA1 pyramidal cells of rat hippocampus and (+)pentazocine, a high-affinity sigmaR-1 agonist, we found that sigmaR-1 activation potentiates NMDAR responses and long-term potentiation (LTP) by preventing a small conductance Ca2+-activated K+ current (SK channels), known to shunt NMDAR responses, to open. Therefore, the block of SK channels and the resulting increased Ca2+ influx through the NMDAR enhances NMDAR responses and LTP. These results emphasize the importance of the sigmaR-1 as postsynaptic regulator of synaptic transmission.

Regions of attraction and ultimate boundedness for linear quadratic regulators with nonlinearities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Joshi, S. M.

1984-01-01

The closed-loop stability of multivariable linear time-invariant systems controlled by optimal linear quadratic (LQ) regulators is investigated for the case when the feedback loops have nonlinearities N(sigma) that violate the standard stability condition, sigma N(sigma) or = 0.5 sigma(2). The violations of the condition are assumed to occur either (1) for values of sigma away from the origin (sigma = 0) or (2) for values of sigma in a neighborhood of the origin. It is proved that there exists a region of attraction for case (1) and a region of ultimate boundedness for case (2), and estimates are obtained for these regions. The results provide methods for selecting the performance function parameters to design LQ regulators with better tolerance to nonlinearities. The results are demonstrated by application to the problem of attitude and vibration control of a large, flexible space antenna in the presence of actuator nonlinearities.

Baryon masses and σ terms in SU(3) BChPT×1/N c

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

Fernando, Ishara P.; Alarcon-Soriano, Jose-Manuel; Goity, Jose Luis

Baryon masses and nucleonmore » $$\\sigma$$ terms are studied with the effective theory that combines the chiral and $$1/N_c$$ expansions for three flavors. In particular the connection between the deviation of the Gell-Mann-Okubo relation and the $$\\sigma$$ term associated with the scalar density $$\\bar u u+\\bar d d-2\\bar s s$$ is emphasized. The latter is at lowest order related to a mass combination whose low value has given rise to a $$\\sigma$$ term puzzle. It is shown that while the nucleon $$\\sigma$$ terms have a well behaved low energy expansion, that mass combination is affected by large higher order corrections non-analytic in quark masses. Lastly, adding to the analysis lattice QCD baryon masses, it is found that $$\\sigma_{\\pi N}=69(10)$$~MeV and $$\\sigma_s$$ has natural magnitude within its relative large uncertainty.« less

Relative intensity calculations for nitrous oxide.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Young, L. D. G.

1972-01-01

A tabulation of calculated rotational line intensities, relative to the integrated intensity of a vibration-rotation band, is given for Sigma-Sigma, Pi-Sigma, Sigma-Pi, Pi-Pi, and Delta-Pi transitions of nitrous oxide. These calculations were made for temperatures of 250 K and 300 K. A summary of band-intensity measurements is also presented.

77 FR 1491 - Sigma Corporation; Analysis of Proposed Consent Order To Aid Public Comment

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-10

... FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION [File No. 101 0080] Sigma Corporation; Analysis of Proposed Consent Order... instructions in the Request for Comment part of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below. Write ``Sigma.... Write ``Sigma, File No. 101 0080'' on your comment. Your comment--including your name and your state...

Use of In Vitro Transcription System for Analysis of Corynebacterium glutamicum Promoters Recognized by Two Sigma Factors.

PubMed

Šilar, Radoslav; Holátko, Jiří; Rucká, Lenka; Rapoport, Andrey; Dostálová, Hana; Kadeřábková, Pavla; Nešvera, Jan; Pátek, Miroslav

2016-09-01

Promoter activities in Corynebacterium glutamicum strains with deletions of genes encoding sigma factors of RNA polymerase suggested that transcription from some promoters is controlled by two sigma factors. To prove that different sigma factors are involved in the recognition of selected Corynebacterium glutamicum promoters, in vitro transcription system was applied. It was found that a typical housekeeping promoter Pper interacts with the alternative sigma factor σ(B) in addition to the primary sigma factor σ(A). On the other way round, the σ(B)-dependent promoter of the pqo gene that is expressed mainly in the stationary growth phase was active also with σ(A). Some promoters of genes involved in stress responses (P1clgR, P2dnaK, and P2dnaJ2) were found to be recognized by two stress-responding sigma factors, σ(H) and σ(E). In vitro transcription system thus proved to be a useful direct technique for demonstrating the overlap of different sigma factors in recognition of individual promoters in C. glutamicum.

Numerical computations on one-dimensional inverse scattering problems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dunn, M. H.; Hariharan, S. I.

1983-01-01

An approximate method to determine the index of refraction of a dielectric obstacle is presented. For simplicity one dimensional models of electromagnetic scattering are treated. The governing equations yield a second order boundary value problem, in which the index of refraction appears as a functional parameter. The availability of reflection coefficients yield two additional boundary conditions. The index of refraction by a k-th order spline which can be written as a linear combination of B-splines is approximated. For N distinct reflection coefficients, the resulting N boundary value problems yield a system of N nonlinear equations in N unknowns which are the coefficients of the B-splines.

An exploratory analysis for Lean and Six Sigma implementation in hospitals: Together is better?

PubMed

Lee, Jung Young; McFadden, Kathleen L; Gowen, Charles R

Despite the increasing interest for Lean and Six Sigma implementations in hospitals, there has been little empirical evidence that goes beyond descriptive case studies to address the current status and the effectiveness of the implementations. The aim of this study was to explore existing patterns of Lean and Six Sigma implementation in U.S. hospitals and compare the performance of the different patterns. We collected data from 215 U.S. hospitals via a survey that includes measurement items developed from related literature. Using the cross-sectional data, we conducted a cluster analysis, followed by t tests, chi-square tests, and regression analyses for cluster verification. The cluster analysis identifies two clusters, a Moderate Six Sigma group and a Lean Six Sigma group. Results show that the Lean Six Sigma group outperforms the Moderate Six Sigma group across many performance dimensions: responsiveness capability, patient safety, and possibly cost saving. In addition, the Lean Six Sigma group tends to be composed of larger, private teaching hospitals located in more urban areas, and they employ more resources for quality improvement. Our research contributes to the quality management literature by supporting the possible complementary relationship between Lean and Six Sigma in hospitals. Our study encourages practitioners and managers to pay more attention to Lean implementation. Although Lean seems to be conducted in a limited fashion in many hospitals, it should be expanded and combined with Six Sigma for better results.

Host control of plasmid replication: requirement for the sigma factor sigma 32 in transcription of mini-F replication initiator gene.

PubMed Central

Wada, C; Imai, M; Yura, T

1987-01-01

Replication of F factor or mini-F plasmid is strongly inhibited in the rpoH (htpR) mutants of Escherichia coli deficient in the sigma factor (sigma 32) known to be required for heat shock gene expression. Transcription of the mini-F repE gene encoding a replication initiator protein (E protein) was examined by operon fusion and by direct determination of repE mRNA. The synthesis rate and the level of repE mRNA were found to increase transiently upon temperature upshift (30 degrees C to 42 degrees C) in wild-type cells but to decrease rapidly in the rpoH mutants. Thus sigma 32 appeared to be directly involved in transcription of repE whose product, E protein, in turn activates DNA replication from the mini-F ori2 region. This scheme of host-controlled plasmid replication is further supported by the analysis of transcription in vitro: RNA synthesis can be initiated from the repE promoter by a minor form of RNA polymerase containing sigma 32 but not by the major polymerase containing the normal sigma factor sigma 70. The sigma 32-mediated transcription from the repE promoter is strongly inhibited by the E protein. We conclude that transcription of the mini-F repE gene is mediated by the host transcription factor sigma 32 and is negatively controlled by its own product. Images PMID:2447584

Inverse regulatory coordination of motility and curli-mediated adhesion in Escherichia coli.

PubMed

Pesavento, Christina; Becker, Gisela; Sommerfeldt, Nicole; Possling, Alexandra; Tschowri, Natalia; Mehlis, Anika; Hengge, Regine

2008-09-01

During the transition from post-exponential to stationary phase, Escherichia coli changes from the motile-planktonic to the adhesive-sedentary "lifestyle." We demonstrate this transition to be controlled by mutual inhibition of the FlhDC/motility and sigma(S)/adhesion control cascades at two distinct hierarchical levels. At the top level, motility gene expression and the general stress response are inversely coordinated by sigma(70)/sigma(FliA)/sigma(S) competition for core RNA polymerase and the FlhDC-controlled FliZ protein acting as a sigma(S) inhibitor. At a lower level, the signaling molecule bis-(3'-5')-cyclic-diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) reduces flagellar activity and stimulates transcription of csgD, which encodes an essential activator of adhesive curli fimbriae expression. This c-di-GMP is antagonistically controlled by sigma(S)-regulated GGDEF proteins (mainly YegE) and YhjH, an EAL protein and c-di-GMP phosphodiesterase under FlhDC/FliA control. The switch from motility-based foraging to the general stress response and curli expression requires sigma(S)-modulated down-regulation of expression of the flagellar regulatory cascade as well as proteolysis of the flagellar master regulator FlhDC. Control of YhjH by FlhDC and of YegE by sigma(S) produces a fine-tuned checkpoint system that "unlocks" curli expression only after down-regulation of flagellar gene expression. In summary, these data reveal the logic and sequence of molecular events underlying the motile-to-adhesive "lifestyle" switch in E. coli.

A Direct Interaction between the Sigma-1 Receptor and the hERG Voltage-gated K+ Channel Revealed by Atomic Force Microscopy and Homogeneous Time-resolved Fluorescence (HTRF®)*

PubMed Central

Balasuriya, Dilshan; D'Sa, Lauren; Talker, Ronel; Dupuis, Elodie; Maurin, Fabrice; Martin, Patrick; Borgese, Franck; Soriani, Olivier; Edwardson, J. Michael

2014-01-01

The sigma-1 receptor is an endoplasmic reticulum chaperone protein, widely expressed in central and peripheral tissues, which can translocate to the plasma membrane and modulate the function of various ion channels. The human ether-à-go-go-related gene encodes hERG, a cardiac voltage-gated K+ channel that is abnormally expressed in many human cancers and is known to interact functionally with the sigma-1 receptor. Our aim was to investigate the nature of the interaction between the sigma-1 receptor and hERG. We show that the two proteins can be co-isolated from a detergent extract of stably transfected HEK-293 cells, consistent with a direct interaction between them. Atomic force microscopy imaging of the isolated protein confirmed the direct binding of the sigma-1 receptor to hERG monomers, dimers, and tetramers. hERG dimers and tetramers became both singly and doubly decorated by sigma-1 receptors; however, hERG monomers were only singly decorated. The distribution of angles between pairs of sigma-1 receptors bound to hERG tetramers had two peaks, at ∼90 and ∼180° in a ratio of ∼2:1, indicating that the sigma-1 receptor interacts with hERG with 4-fold symmetry. Homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence (HTRF®) allowed the detection of the interaction between the sigma-1 receptor and hERG within the plane of the plasma membrane. This interaction was resistant to sigma ligands, but was decreased in response to cholesterol depletion of the membrane. We suggest that the sigma-1 receptor may bind to hERG in the endoplasmic reticulum, aiding its assembly and trafficking to the plasma membrane. PMID:25266722

Application of sigma metrics for the assessment of quality control in clinical chemistry laboratory in Ghana: A pilot study.

PubMed

Afrifa, Justice; Gyekye, Seth A; Owiredu, William K B A; Ephraim, Richard K D; Essien-Baidoo, Samuel; Amoah, Samuel; Simpong, David L; Arthur, Aaron R

2015-01-01

Sigma metrics provide a uniquely defined scale with which we can assess the performance of a laboratory. The objective of this study was to assess the internal quality control (QC) in the clinical chemistry laboratory of the University of Cape Cost Hospital (UCC) using the six sigma metrics application. We used commercial control serum [normal (L1) and pathological (L2)] for validation of quality control. Metabolites (glucose, urea, and creatinine), lipids [triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)], enzymes [alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (AST)], electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride) and total protein were assessed. Between-day imprecision (CVs), inaccuracy (Bias) and sigma values were calculated for each control level. Apart from sodium (2.40%, 3.83%), chloride (2.52% and 2.51%) for both L1 and L2 respectively, and glucose (4.82%), cholesterol (4.86%) for L2, CVs for all other parameters (both L1 and L2) were >5%. Four parameters (HDL-C, urea, creatinine and potassium) achieved sigma levels >1 for both controls. Chloride and sodium achieved sigma levels >1 for L1 but <1 for L2. In contrast, cholesterol, total protein and AST achieved sigma levels <1 for L1 but >1 for L2. Glucose and ALP achieved a sigma level >1 for both control levels whereas TG achieved a sigma level >2 for both control levels. Unsatisfactory sigma levels (<3) where achieved for all parameters using both control levels, this shows instability and low consistency of results. There is the need for detailed assessment of the analytical procedures and the strengthening of the laboratory control systems in order to achieve effective six sigma levels for the laboratory.

Organochlorine contaminant and stable isotope profiles in Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) from the Alaskan and Canadian Arctic.

PubMed

Hoekstra, P F; Braune, B M; O'Hara, T M; Elkin, B; Solomon, K R; Muir, D C G

2003-01-01

Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) is a circumpolar species distributed across northern Canada and Alaska. Arctic fox muscle and liver were collected at Barrow, AK, USA (n=18), Holman, NT, Canada (n=20), and Arviat, NU, Canada (n=20) to elucidate the feeding ecology of this species and relate these findings to body residue patterns of organochlorine contaminants (OCs). Stable carbon (delta 13C) and nitrogen (delta 15N) isotope analyses of Arctic fox muscle indicated that trophic position (estimated by delta 15N) is positively correlated with increasing delta 13C values, suggesting that Arctic fox with a predominantly marine-based foraging strategy occupy a higher trophic level than individuals mostly feeding from a terrestrial-based carbon source. At all sites, the rank order for OC groups in muscle was polychlorinated biphenyls (Sigma PCB) > chlordane-related compounds (Sigma CHLOR) > hexachlorocyclohexane (Sigma HCH) > total toxaphene (TOX) > or = chlorobenzenes (Sigma ClBz) > DDT-related isomers (Sigma DDT). In liver, Sigma CHLOR was the most abundant OC group, followed by Sigma PCB > TOX > Sigma HCH > Sigma ClBz > Sigma DDT. The most abundant OC analytes detected from Arctic fox muscle and liver were oxychlordane, PCB-153, and PCB-180. The comparison of delta 15N with OC concentrations indicated that relative trophic position might not accurately predict OC bioaccumulation in Arctic fox. The bioaccumulation pattern of OCs in the Arctic fox is similar to the polar bear. While Sigma PCB concentrations were highly variable, concentrations in the Arctic fox were generally below those associated with the toxicological endpoints for adverse effects on mammalian reproduction. Further research is required to properly elucidate the potential health impacts to this species from exposure to OCs.

Application of sigma metrics for the assessment of quality control in clinical chemistry laboratory in Ghana: A pilot study

PubMed Central

Afrifa, Justice; Gyekye, Seth A.; Owiredu, William K. B. A.; Ephraim, Richard K. D.; Essien-Baidoo, Samuel; Amoah, Samuel; Simpong, David L.; Arthur, Aaron R.

2015-01-01

Background: Sigma metrics provide a uniquely defined scale with which we can assess the performance of a laboratory. The objective of this study was to assess the internal quality control (QC) in the clinical chemistry laboratory of the University of Cape Cost Hospital (UCC) using the six sigma metrics application. Materials and Methods: We used commercial control serum [normal (L1) and pathological (L2)] for validation of quality control. Metabolites (glucose, urea, and creatinine), lipids [triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)], enzymes [alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (AST)], electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride) and total protein were assessed. Between-day imprecision (CVs), inaccuracy (Bias) and sigma values were calculated for each control level. Results: Apart from sodium (2.40%, 3.83%), chloride (2.52% and 2.51%) for both L1 and L2 respectively, and glucose (4.82%), cholesterol (4.86%) for L2, CVs for all other parameters (both L1 and L2) were >5%. Four parameters (HDL-C, urea, creatinine and potassium) achieved sigma levels >1 for both controls. Chloride and sodium achieved sigma levels >1 for L1 but <1 for L2. In contrast, cholesterol, total protein and AST achieved sigma levels <1 for L1 but >1 for L2. Glucose and ALP achieved a sigma level >1 for both control levels whereas TG achieved a sigma level >2 for both control levels. Conclusion: Unsatisfactory sigma levels (<3) where achieved for all parameters using both control levels, this shows instability and low consistency of results. There is the need for detailed assessment of the analytical procedures and the strengthening of the laboratory control systems in order to achieve effective six sigma levels for the laboratory. PMID:25657495

Interaction of sigma factor sigmaN with Escherichia coli RNA polymerase core enzyme.

PubMed

Scott, D J; Ferguson, A L; Gallegos, M T; Pitt, M; Buck, M; Hoggett, J G

2000-12-01

The equilibrium binding and kinetics of assembly of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RNAP) sigma(N)-holoenzyme has been investigated using biosynthetically labelled 7-azatryptophyl- (7AW)sigma(N). The spectroscopic properties of such 7AW proteins allows their absorbance and fluorescence to be monitored selectively, even in the presence of high concentrations of other tryptophan-containing proteins. The 7AWsigma(N) retained its biological activity in stimulating transcription from sigma(N)-specific promoters, and in in vitro gel electrophoresis assays of binding to core RNAP from Escherichia coli. Furthermore, five Trp-->Ala single mutants of sigma(N) were shown to support growth under conditions of nitrogen limitation, and showed comparable efficiency in activating the sigma(N)-dependent nifH promoter in vivo, indicating that none of the tryptophan residues were essential for activity. The equilibrium binding of 7AWsigma(N) to core RNAP was examined by analytical ultracentrifugation. In sedimentation equilibrium experiments, absorbance data at 315 nm (which reports selectively on the distribution of free and bound 7AWsigma(N)) established that a 1:1 complex was formed, with a dissociation constant lower than 2 microM. The kinetics of the interaction between 7AWsigma(N) and core RNAP was investigated using stopped-flow spectrofluorimetry. A biphasic decrease in fluorescence intensity was observed when samples were excited at 280 nm, whereas only the slower of the two phases was observed at 315 nm. The kinetic data were analysed in terms of a mechanism in which a fast bimolecular association of sigma(N) with core RNAP is followed by a relatively slow isomerization step. The consequences of these findings on the competition between sigma(N) and the major sigma factor, sigma(70), in Escherichia coli are discussed.

Interaction of sigma factor sigmaN with Escherichia coli RNA polymerase core enzyme.

PubMed Central

Scott, D J; Ferguson, A L; Gallegos, M T; Pitt, M; Buck, M; Hoggett, J G

2000-01-01

The equilibrium binding and kinetics of assembly of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RNAP) sigma(N)-holoenzyme has been investigated using biosynthetically labelled 7-azatryptophyl- (7AW)sigma(N). The spectroscopic properties of such 7AW proteins allows their absorbance and fluorescence to be monitored selectively, even in the presence of high concentrations of other tryptophan-containing proteins. The 7AWsigma(N) retained its biological activity in stimulating transcription from sigma(N)-specific promoters, and in in vitro gel electrophoresis assays of binding to core RNAP from Escherichia coli. Furthermore, five Trp-->Ala single mutants of sigma(N) were shown to support growth under conditions of nitrogen limitation, and showed comparable efficiency in activating the sigma(N)-dependent nifH promoter in vivo, indicating that none of the tryptophan residues were essential for activity. The equilibrium binding of 7AWsigma(N) to core RNAP was examined by analytical ultracentrifugation. In sedimentation equilibrium experiments, absorbance data at 315 nm (which reports selectively on the distribution of free and bound 7AWsigma(N)) established that a 1:1 complex was formed, with a dissociation constant lower than 2 microM. The kinetics of the interaction between 7AWsigma(N) and core RNAP was investigated using stopped-flow spectrofluorimetry. A biphasic decrease in fluorescence intensity was observed when samples were excited at 280 nm, whereas only the slower of the two phases was observed at 315 nm. The kinetic data were analysed in terms of a mechanism in which a fast bimolecular association of sigma(N) with core RNAP is followed by a relatively slow isomerization step. The consequences of these findings on the competition between sigma(N) and the major sigma factor, sigma(70), in Escherichia coli are discussed. PMID:11085949

High occupancy of sigma-1 receptors in the human brain after single oral administration of fluvoxamine: a positron emission tomography study using [11C]SA4503.

PubMed

Ishikawa, Masatomo; Ishiwata, Kiichi; Ishii, Kenji; Kimura, Yuichi; Sakata, Muneyuki; Naganawa, Mika; Oda, Keiichi; Miyatake, Ryousuke; Fujisaki, Mihisa; Shimizu, Eiji; Shirayama, Yukihiko; Iyo, Masaomi; Hashimoto, Kenji

2007-10-15

Sigma-1 receptors might be implicated in the pathophysiology of psychiatric diseases, as well as in the mechanisms of action of some selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Among the several SSRIs, fluvoxamine has the highest affinity for sigma-1 receptors (Ki = 36 nM), whereas paroxetine shows low affinity (Ki = 1893 nM). The present study was undertaken to examine whether fluvoxamine binds to sigma-1 receptors in living human brain. A dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) data acquisition using the selective sigma-1 receptor ligand [(11)C]SA4503 was performed with arterial blood sampling to evaluate quantitatively the binding of [(11)C]SA4503 to sigma-1 receptors in 15 healthy male volunteers. Each subject had two PET scans before and after randomly receiving a single dose of either fluvoxamine (50, 100, 150, or 200 mg) or paroxetine (20 mg). The binding potential of [(11)C]SA4503 in 9 regions of the brain was calculated by a 2-tissue 3-compartment model. In addition, we examined the effects of functional polymorphisms of the sigma-1 receptor (SIGMAR1) gene on the binding potential of [(11)C]SA4503. Fluvoxamine bound to sigma-1 receptors in all brain regions in a dose-dependent manner, whereas paroxetine did not bind to sigma-1 receptors. However, there was no association between the SIGMAR1 gene polymorphism GC-241-240TT and binding potential. The study demonstrated that fluvoxamine bound to sigma-1 receptors in living human brain at therapeutic doses. These findings suggest that sigma-1 receptors may play an important role in the mechanism of action of fluvoxamine.

Differential mechanisms of binding of anti-sigma factors Escherichia coli Rsd and bacteriophage T4 AsiA to E. coli RNA polymerase lead to diverse physiological consequences.

PubMed

Sharma, Umender K; Chatterji, Dipankar

2008-05-01

Anti-sigma factors Escherichia coli Rsd and bacteriophage T4 AsiA bind to the essential housekeeping sigma factor, sigma(70), of E. coli. Though both factors are known to interact with the C-terminal region of sigma(70), the physiological consequences of these interactions are very different. This study was undertaken for the purpose of deciphering the mechanisms by which E. coli Rsd and bacteriophage T4 AsiA inhibit or modulate the activity of E. coli RNA polymerase, which leads to the inhibition of E. coli cell growth to different amounts. It was found that AsiA is the more potent inhibitor of in vivo transcription and thus causes higher inhibition of E. coli cell growth. Measurements of affinity constants by surface plasmon resonance experiments showed that Rsd and AsiA bind to sigma(70) with similar affinity. Data obtained from in vivo and in vitro binding experiments clearly demonstrated that the major difference between AsiA and Rsd is the ability of AsiA to form a stable ternary complex with RNA polymerase. The binding patterns of AsiA and Rsd with sigma(70) studied by using the yeast two-hybrid system revealed that region 4 of sigma(70) is involved in binding to both of these anti-sigma factors; however, Rsd interacts with other regions of sigma(70) as well. Taken together, these results suggest that the higher inhibition of E. coli growth by AsiA expression is probably due to the ability of the AsiA protein to trap the holoenzyme RNA polymerase rather than its higher binding affinity to sigma(70).

Guiding inpatient quality improvement: a systematic review of Lean and Six Sigma.

PubMed

Glasgow, Justin M; Scott-Caziewell, Jill R; Kaboli, Peter J

2010-12-01

Two popular quality improvement (QI) approaches in health care are Lean and Six Sigma. Hospitals continue to adopt these QI approaches-or the hybrid Lean Sigma approach-with little knowledge on how well they produce sustainable improvements. A systematic literature review was conducted to determine whether Lean, Six Sigma, or Lean Sigma have been effectively used to create and sustain improvements in the acute care setting. Databases were searched for articles published in the health care, business, and engineering literatures. Study inclusion criteria required identification of a Six Sigma, Lean, or Lean Sigma project; QI efforts focused on hospitalized patients; descriptions of project improvements; and reported results. Depending on the quality of data reported, articles were classified as summary reports, pre-post observational studies, or time-series reports. Database searches identified 539 potential articles. After review of titles, abstracts, and full text, 47 articles met inclusion criteria--10 articles summarized multiple projects, 12 reported Lean projects, 20 reported Six Sigma projects, and 5 reported Lean Sigma projects. Generally, the studies provided limited data, with only 15 articles providing any sort of follow-up data; of the 15, only 3 report a follow-up period greater than two years. Lean, Six Sigma, and Lean Sigma as QI approaches can aid institutions in tackling a wide variety of problems encountered in acute care. However, the true impact of these approaches is difficult to judge, given that the lack of rigorous evaluation or clearly sustained improvements provides little evidence supporting broad adoption. There is still a need for future work that will improve the evidence base for understanding more about QI approaches and how to achieve sustainable improvement.

Looking for a precursor of spontaneous Sleep Slow Oscillations in human sleep: The role of the sigma activity

PubMed Central

Allegrini, Paolo; Bedini, Remo; Bergamasco, Massimo; Laurino, Marco; Sebastiani, Laura; Gemignani, Angelo

2016-01-01

Sleep Slow Oscillations (SSOs), paradigmatic EEG markers of cortical bistability (alternation between cellular downstates and upstates), and sleep spindles, paradigmatic EEG markers of thalamic rhythm, are two hallmarks of sleeping brain. Selective thalamic lesions are reportedly associated to reductions of spindle activity and its spectrum ~14 Hz (sigma), and to alterations of SSO features. This apparent, parallel behavior suggests that thalamo-cortical entrainment favors cortical bistability. Here we investigate temporally-causal associations between thalamic sigma activity and shape, topology, and dynamics of SSOs. We recorded sleep EEG and studied whether spatio-temporal variability of SSO amplitude, negative slope (synchronization in downstate falling) and detection rate are driven by cortical-sigma-activity expression (12–18 Hz), in 3 consecutive 1 s-EEG-epochs preceding each SSO event (Baselines). We analyzed: (i) spatial variability, comparing maps of baseline sigma power and of SSO features, averaged over the first sleep cycle; (ii) event-by-event shape variability, computing for each electrode correlations between baseline sigma power and amplitude/slope of related SSOs; (iii) event-by-event spreading variability, comparing baseline sigma power in electrodes showing an SSO event with the homologous ones, spared by the event. The scalp distribution of baseline sigma power mirrored those of SSO amplitude and slope; event-by-event variability in baseline sigma power was associated with that in SSO amplitude in fronto-central areas; within each SSO event, electrodes involved in cortical bistability presented higher baseline sigma activity than those free of SSO. In conclusion, spatio-temporal variability of thalamocortical entrainment, measured by background sigma activity, is a reliable estimate of the cortical proneness to bistability. PMID:26003553

sigmaR, an RNA polymerase sigma factor that modulates expression of the thioredoxin system in response to oxidative stress in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2).

PubMed Central

Paget, M S; Kang, J G; Roe, J H; Buttner, M J

1998-01-01

We have identified an RNA polymerase sigma factor, sigmaR, that is part of a system that senses and responds to thiol oxidation in the Gram-positive, antibiotic-producing bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2). Deletion of the gene (sigR) encoding sigmaR caused sensitivity to the thiol-specific oxidant diamide and to the redox cycling compounds menadione and plumbagin. This correlated with reduced levels of disulfide reductase activity and an inability to induce this activity on exposure to diamide. The trxBA operon, encoding thioredoxin reductase and thioredoxin, was found to be under the direct control of sigmaR. trxBA is transcribed from two promoters, trxBp1 and trxBp2, separated by 5-6 bp. trxBp1 is transiently induced at least 50-fold in response to diamide treatment in a sigR-dependent manner. Purified sigmaR directed transcription from trxBp1 in vitro, indicating that trxBp1 is a target for sigmaR. Transcription of sigR itself initiates at two promoters, sigRp1 and sigRp2, which are separated by 173 bp. The sigRp2 transcript was undetectable in a sigR-null mutant, and purified sigmaR could direct transcription from sigRp2 in vitro, indicating that sigR is positively autoregulated. Transcription from sigRp2 was also transiently induced (70-fold) following treatment with diamide. We propose a model in which sigmaR induces expression of the thioredoxin system in response to cytoplasmic disulfide bond formation. Upon reestablishment of normal thiol levels, sigmaR activity is switched off, resulting in down-regulation of trxBA and sigR. We present evidence that the sigmaR system also functions in the actinomycete pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis. PMID:9755177

sigmaR, an RNA polymerase sigma factor that modulates expression of the thioredoxin system in response to oxidative stress in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2).

PubMed

Paget, M S; Kang, J G; Roe, J H; Buttner, M J

1998-10-01

We have identified an RNA polymerase sigma factor, sigmaR, that is part of a system that senses and responds to thiol oxidation in the Gram-positive, antibiotic-producing bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2). Deletion of the gene (sigR) encoding sigmaR caused sensitivity to the thiol-specific oxidant diamide and to the redox cycling compounds menadione and plumbagin. This correlated with reduced levels of disulfide reductase activity and an inability to induce this activity on exposure to diamide. The trxBA operon, encoding thioredoxin reductase and thioredoxin, was found to be under the direct control of sigmaR. trxBA is transcribed from two promoters, trxBp1 and trxBp2, separated by 5-6 bp. trxBp1 is transiently induced at least 50-fold in response to diamide treatment in a sigR-dependent manner. Purified sigmaR directed transcription from trxBp1 in vitro, indicating that trxBp1 is a target for sigmaR. Transcription of sigR itself initiates at two promoters, sigRp1 and sigRp2, which are separated by 173 bp. The sigRp2 transcript was undetectable in a sigR-null mutant, and purified sigmaR could direct transcription from sigRp2 in vitro, indicating that sigR is positively autoregulated. Transcription from sigRp2 was also transiently induced (70-fold) following treatment with diamide. We propose a model in which sigmaR induces expression of the thioredoxin system in response to cytoplasmic disulfide bond formation. Upon reestablishment of normal thiol levels, sigmaR activity is switched off, resulting in down-regulation of trxBA and sigR. We present evidence that the sigmaR system also functions in the actinomycete pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Identification of carbohydrate-binding domains in the attachment proteins of type 1 and type 3 reoviruses.

PubMed

Chappell, J D; Duong, J L; Wright, B W; Dermody, T S

2000-09-01

The reovirus attachment protein, sigma1, is responsible for strain-specific patterns of viral tropism in the murine central nervous system and receptor binding on cultured cells. The sigma1 protein consists of a fibrous tail domain proximal to the virion surface and a virion-distal globular head domain. To better understand mechanisms of reovirus attachment to cells, we conducted studies to identify the region of sigma1 that binds cell surface carbohydrate. Chimeric and truncated sigma1 proteins derived from prototype reovirus strains type 1 Lang (T1L) and type 3 Dearing (T3D) were expressed in insect cells by using a baculovirus vector. Assessment of expressed protein susceptibility to proteolytic cleavage, binding to anti-sigma1 antibodies, and oligomerization indicates that the chimeric and truncated sigma1 proteins are properly folded. To assess carbohydrate binding, recombinant sigma1 proteins were tested for the capacity to agglutinate mammalian erythrocytes and to bind sialic acid presented on glycophorin, the cell surface molecule bound by type 3 reovirus on human erythrocytes. Using a panel of two wild-type and ten chimeric and truncated sigma1 proteins, the sialic acid-binding domain of type 3 sigma1 was mapped to a region of sequence proposed to form the more amino terminal of two predicted beta-sheet structures in the tail. This unit corresponds to morphologic region T(iii) observed in computer-processed electron micrographs of sigma1 protein purified from virions. In contrast, the homologous region of T1L sigma1 sequence was not implicated in carbohydrate binding; rather, sequences in the distal portion of the tail known as the neck were required. Results of these studies demonstrate that a functional receptor-binding domain, which uses sialic acid as its ligand, is contained within morphologic region T(iii) of the type 3 sigma1 tail. Furthermore, our findings indicate that T1L and T3D sigma1 proteins contain different arrangements of receptor-binding domains.

Mathematical modeling of reflectance and intrinsic fluorescence for cancer detection in human pancreatic tissue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilson, Robert H.; Chandra, Malavika; Scheiman, James; Simeone, Diane; McKenna, Barbara; Purdy, Julianne; Mycek, Mary-Ann

2009-02-01

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma has a five-year survival rate of only 4%, largely because an effective procedure for early detection has not been developed. In this study, mathematical modeling of reflectance and fluorescence spectra was utilized to quantitatively characterize differences between normal pancreatic tissue, pancreatitis, and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Initial attempts at separating the spectra of different tissue types involved dividing fluorescence by reflectance, and removing absorption artifacts by applying a "reverse Beer-Lambert factor" when the absorption coefficient was modeled as a linear combination of the extinction coefficients of oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin. These procedures demonstrated the need for a more complete mathematical model to quantitatively describe fluorescence and reflectance for minimally-invasive fiber-based optical diagnostics in the pancreas.

Analytical and numerical solution for wave reflection from a porous wave absorber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Magdalena, Ikha; Roque, Marian P.

2018-03-01

In this paper, wave reflection from a porous wave absorber is investigated theoretically and numerically. The equations that we used are based on shallow water type model. Modification of motion inside the absorber is by including linearized friction term in momentum equation and introducing a filtered velocity. Here, an analytical solution for wave reflection coefficient from a porous wave absorber over a flat bottom is derived. Numerically, we solve the equations using the finite volume method on a staggered grid. To validate our numerical model, comparison of the numerical reflection coefficient is made against the analytical solution. Further, we implement our numerical scheme to study the evolution of surface waves pass through a porous absorber over varied bottom topography.

TM surface wave diffraction by a truncated dielectric slab recessed in a perfectly conducting surface. [considering flush mounted space shuttle antenna

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pathak, P. H.; Kouyoumjian, R. G.

1974-01-01

The diffraction of a TM sub o surface wave by a terminated dielectric slab which is flush mounted in a perfectly conducting surface is studied. The incident surface wave gives rise to waves reflected and diffracted by the termination; these reflected and diffracted fields may be expressed in terms of the geometrical theory of diffraction by introducing surface wave reflection and diffraction coefficients which are associated with the termination. In this investigation, the surface wave reflection and diffraction coefficients have been deduced from a formally exact solution to this canonical problem. The solution is obtained by a combination of the generalized scattering matrix technique and function theoretic methods.

Scattering of three-dimensional plane waves in a self-reinforced half-space lying over a triclinic half-space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gupta, Shishir; Pramanik, Abhijit; Smita; Pramanik, Snehamoy

2018-06-01

The phenomenon of plane waves at the intersecting plane of a triclinic half-space and a self-reinforced half-space is discussed with possible applications during wave propagation. Analytical expressions of the phase velocities of reflection and refraction for quasi-compressional and quasi-shear waves under initial stress are discussed carefully. The closest form of amplitude proportions on reflection and refraction factors of three quasi-plane waves are developed mathematically by applying appropriate boundary conditions. Graphics are sketched to exhibit the consequences of initial stress in the three-dimensional plane wave on reflection and refraction coefficients. Some special cases that coincide with the fundamental properties of several layers are designed to express the reflection and refraction coefficients.

Chlorinated hydrocarbon contaminants in polar bears from eastern Russia, North America, Greenland, and Svalbard: Biomonitoring of Arctic pollution

USGS Publications Warehouse

Norstrom, R.J.; Belikov, Stanislav; Born, E.W.; Garner, G.W.; Malone, B.; Olpinski, S.; Ramsay, M.A.; Schliebe, S.; Stirling, I.; Sitshov, M.S.; Taylor, M.K.; Wiig, Øystein

1998-01-01

Adipose tissue samples from polar bears (Ursus maritimus) were obtained by necropsy or biopsy between the spring of 1989 to the spring of 1993 from Wrangel Island in Russia, most of the range of the bear in North America, eastern Greenland, and Svalbard. Samples were divided into 16 regions corresponding as much as possible to known stocks or management zones. Concentrations of dieldrin (DIEL), 4,4'-DDE (DDE), sum of 16 polychlorinated biphenyl congeners (sigma PCB), and sum of 11 chlordane-related compounds and metabolites (sigma CHL) were determined. In order to minimize the effect of age, only data for adults (320 bears age 5 years and older) was used to compare concentrations among regions. Concentrations of sigma PCB were 46% higher in adult males than females, and there was no significant trend with age. Concentrations of sigma CHL were 30% lower in adult males than females. Concentrations of sigma PCB, sigma CHL, and DDE in individual adult female bears were standardized to adult males using factors derived from the least-square means of each sex category, and geometric means of the standardized concentrations on a lipid weight basis were compared among regions. Median geometric mean standardized concentrations (lipid weight basis) and ranges among regions were as follows: sigma PCB, 5,942 (2,763-24,316) micrograms/kg; sigma CHL, 1,952 (727-4,632) micrograms/kg; DDE, 219 (52-560) micrograms/kg; DIEL, 157 (31-335) micrograms/kg. Geometric mean sigma PCB concentrations in bears from Svalbard, East Greenland, and the Arctic Ocean near Prince Patrick Island in Canada were similar (20,256-24,316 micrograms/kg) and significantly higher than most other areas. Atmospheric, oceanic, and ice transport, as well as ecological factors may contribute to these high concentrations of sigma PCB. sigma CHL was more uniformly distributed among regions than the other CHCs. Highest sigma CHL concentrations were found in southeastern Hudson Bay, which also had the highest DDE and DIEL concentrations. In general, concentrations of sigma CHL, DDE, and DIEL were higher in eastern than western regions, suggesting an influence of North American sources. Average sigma PCB concentrations in bears from the Canadian Arctic were similar to those in 1982-84, while average sigma CHL and DDE concentrations were 35-44% lower and DIEL was 90% lower. However, the significance of these temporal trends during the 1980s is not conclusive because of the problems of comparability of data.

Absorption and radiation of nonminimally coupled scalar field from charged BTZ black hole

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Lu; Chen, Juhua; Wang, Yongjiu

2018-06-01

In this paper we investigate the absorption and radiation of nonminimally coupled scalar field from the charged BTZ black hole. We find the analytical expressions for the reflection coefficient, the absorption cross section and the decay rate in strong coupling case. We find that the reflection coefficient is directly governed by Hawking temperature TH, scalar wave frequency ω , Bekenstein-Hawking entropy S_{BH}, angular momentum m and coupling constant ξ.

Finite-floe wave reflection and transmission coefficients from a semi-infinite model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meylan, Michael; Squire, Vernon A.

1993-07-01

A model to describe the reflection and transmission of ocean waves by a single ice floe is developed from the semi-infinite model of Fox and Squire (1990, 1991). This is done by considering the coefficients for the transition from ice to water in the semi-infinite case in terms of those from water to ice. Finite-floe reflection and transmission coefficients, R and T, respectively, are then found as the solution of a set of four simple simultaneous equations. The properties of R and T are investigated, and examples of their absolute values are given for several geometries. |R| compares well with the predictions of a precise model in the case of deep water. These results suggest that the analytical model described has applications to defining the sea state within marginal ice zones, given the floe size and ice thickness distributions and the incoming sea wave spectrum.

Active Control of Fan Noise: Feasibility Study. Volume 5; Numerical Computation of Acoustic Mode Reflection Coefficients for an Unflanged Cylindrical Duct

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kraft, R. E.

1996-01-01

A computational method to predict modal reflection coefficients in cylindrical ducts has been developed based on the work of Homicz, Lordi, and Rehm, which uses the Wiener-Hopf method to account for the boundary conditions at the termination of a thin cylindrical pipe. The purpose of this study is to develop a computational routine to predict the reflection coefficients of higher order acoustic modes impinging on the unflanged termination of a cylindrical duct. This effort was conducted wider Task Order 5 of the NASA Lewis LET Program, Active Noise Control of aircraft Engines: Feasibility Study, and will be used as part of the development of an integrated source noise, acoustic propagation, ANC actuator coupling, and control system algorithm simulation. The reflection coefficient prediction will be incorporated into an existing cylindrical duct modal analysis to account for the reflection of modes from the duct termination. This will provide a more accurate, rapid computation design tool for evaluating the effect of reflected waves on active noise control systems mounted in the duct, as well as providing a tool for the design of acoustic treatment in inlet ducts. As an active noise control system design tool, the method can be used preliminary to more accurate but more numerically intensive acoustic propagation models such as finite element methods. The resulting computer program has been shown to give reasonable results, some examples of which are presented. Reliable data to use for comparison is scarce, so complete checkout is difficult, and further checkout is needed over a wider range of system parameters. In future efforts the method will be adapted as a subroutine to the GEAE segmented cylindrical duct modal analysis program.

Operational excellence (six sigma) philosophy: Application to software quality assurance

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

Lackner, M.

1997-11-01

This report contains viewgraphs on operational excellence philosophy of six sigma applied to software quality assurance. This report outlines the following: goal of six sigma; six sigma tools; manufacturing vs administrative processes; Software quality assurance document inspections; map software quality assurance requirements document; failure mode effects analysis for requirements document; measuring the right response variables; and questions.

Applying Sigma Metrics to Reduce Outliers.

PubMed

Litten, Joseph

2017-03-01

Sigma metrics can be used to predict assay quality, allowing easy comparison of instrument quality and predicting which tests will require minimal quality control (QC) rules to monitor the performance of the method. A Six Sigma QC program can result in fewer controls and fewer QC failures for methods with a sigma metric of 5 or better. The higher the number of methods with a sigma metric of 5 or better, the lower the costs for reagents, supplies, and control material required to monitor the performance of the methods. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cesium frequency standard for lasers at. Sigma. = 1. 06. mu. m

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

Wallmeroth, K.; Letterer, R.

1990-07-15

High-resolution spectra of the {ital X}{sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +}{sub {ital g}}--{ital A}{sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +}{sub {ital u}} band of molecular cesium at {lambda}=1.06 {mu}m have been measured. An absolute wave-number reference table for lasers emitting at {Sigma} = 1.06 {mu}m has been established. The cesium resonances are calibrated with respect to the well-known molecular-iodine absorption lines at {Sigma} = 0.53 {mu}m. An accuracy of 10{sup {minus}7} has been achieved.

Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls levels in human milk from Chelem, Yucatán, México.

PubMed

Rodas-Ortíz, Juan Pablo; Ceja-Moreno, Victor; González-Navarrete, R L; Alvarado-Mejía, Jorge; Rodríguez-Hernández, Marissa E; Gold-Bouchot, Gerardo

2008-03-01

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in human milk from Chelem, Yucatan, Mexico were analyzed. Relatively high levels of p,p'-DDE, gamma-chlordane, beta-hexacyclohexane (beta-HCH) and PCB congeners 170, 28, and 44 were found. Concentration profiles by OCP groups followed the next order: SigmaDDTs > SigmaChlordanes > SigmaHCHs > SigmaChlorobenzenes > SigmaDrins. Total OCPs showed a decreasing tendency with number of births (primipara and multipara and age ranks) but these differences were not significant. SigmaDDT levels were lower than in other studies in Mexico, but 36% of the samples exceeded the JMPR-FAO/WHO acceptable daily intake (ADI). About 60.53% of samples exceeded the ADI value for heptachlors.

Dipole moments and transition probabilities of the a 3Sigma(+)g - b 3Sigma(+)u system of molecular hydrogen

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Guberman, S.; Dalgarno, A.; Posen, A.; Kwok, T. L.

1986-01-01

Multiconfiguration variational calculations of the electronic wave functions of the a 3Sigma(+)g and b 3Sigma(+)u states of molecular hydrogen are presented, and the electric dipole transition moment between them (of interest in connection with stellar atmospheres and the UV spectrum of the Jovian planets) is obtained. The dipole moment is used to calculate the probabilities of radiative transitions from the discrete vibrational levels of the a 3Sigma(+)g state to the vibrational continuum of the repulsive b 3Sigma(+)u state as functions of the wavelength of the emitted photons. The total transition probabilities and radiative lifetimes of the levels v prime = 0-20 are presented.

SeaWinds Scatterometer Wind Vector Retrievals Within Hurricanes Using AMSR and NEXRAD to Perform Corrections for Precipitation Effects: Comparison of AMSR and NEXRAD Retrievals of Rain

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weissman, David E.; Hristova-Veleva, Svetla; Callahan, Philip

2006-01-01

The opportunity provided by satellite scatterometers to measure ocean surface winds in strong storms and hurricanes is diminished by the errors in the received backscatter (SIGMA-0) caused by the attenuation, scattering and surface roughening produced by heavy rain. Providing a good rain correction is a very challenging problem, particularly at Ku band (13.4 GHz) where rain effects are strong. Corrections to the scatterometer measurements of ocean surface winds can be pursued with either of two different methods: empirical or physical modeling. The latter method is employed in this study because of the availability of near simultaneous and collocated measurements provided by the MIDORI-II suite of instruments. The AMSR was designed to measure atmospheric water-related parameters on a spatial scale comparable to the SeaWinds scatterometer. These quantities can be converted into volumetric attenuation and scattering at the Ku-band frequency of SeaWinds. Optimal estimates of the volume backscatter and attenuation require a knowledge of the three dimensional distribution of reflectivity on a scale comparable to that of the precipitation. Studies selected near the US coastline enable the much higher resolution NEXRAD reflectivity measurements evaluate the AMSR estimates. We are also conducting research into the effects of different beam geometries and nonuniform beamfilling of precipitation within the field-of-view of the AMSR and the scatterometer. Furthermore, both AMSR and NEXRAD estimates of atmospheric correction can be used to produce corrected SIGMA-0s, which are then input to the JPL wind retrieval algorithm.

Airborne and ground-based remote sensing for the estimation of evapotranspiration and yield of bean, potato, and sugar beet crops

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jayanthi, Harikishan

The focus of this research was two-fold: (1) extend the reflectance-based crop coefficient approach to non-grain (potato and sugar beet), and vegetable crops (bean), and (2) develop vegetation index (VI)-yield statistical models for potato and sugar beet crops using high-resolution aerial multispectral imagery. Extensive crop biophysical sampling (leaf area index and aboveground dry biomass sampling) and canopy reflectance measurements formed the backbone of developing of canopy reflectance-based crop coefficients for bean, potato, and sugar beet crops in this study. Reflectance-based crop coefficient equations were developed for the study crops cultivated in Kimberly, Idaho, and subsequently used in water availability simulations in the plant root zone during 1998 and 1999 seasons. The simulated soil water profiles were compared with independent measurements of actual soil water profiles in the crop root zone in selected fields. It is concluded that the canopy reflectance-based crop coefficient technique can be successfully extended to non-grain crops as well. While the traditional basal crop coefficients generally expect uniform growth in a region the reflectance-based crop coefficients represent the actual crop growth pattern (in less than ideal water availability conditions) in individual fields. Literature on crop canopy interactions with sunlight states that there is a definite correspondence between leaf area index progression in the season and the final yield. In case of crops like potato and sugar beet, the yield is influenced not only on how early and how quickly the crop establishes its canopy but also on how long the plant stands on the ground in a healthy state. The integrated area under the crop growth curve has shown excellent correlations with hand-dug samples of potato and sugar beet crops in this research. Soil adjusted vegetation index-yield models were developed, and validated using multispectral aerial imagery. Estimated yield images were compared with the actual yields extracted from the ground. The remote sensing-derived yields compared well with the actual yields sampled on the ground. This research has highlighted the importance of the date of spectral emergence, the need to know the duration for which the crops stand on the ground, and the need to identify critical periods of time when multispectral coverages are essential for reliable tuber yield estimation.

The sigmaR regulon of Streptomyces coelicolor A32 reveals a key role in protein quality control during disulphide stress.

PubMed

Kallifidas, Dimitris; Thomas, Derek; Doughty, Phillip; Paget, Mark S B

2010-06-01

Diamide is an artificial disulphide-generating electrophile that mimics an oxidative shift in the cellular thiol-disulphide redox state (disulphide stress). The Gram-positive bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor senses and responds to disulphide stress through the sigma(R)-RsrA system, which comprises an extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factor and a redox-active anti-sigma factor. Known targets that aid in the protection and recovery from disulphide stress include the thioredoxin system and genes involved in producing the major thiol buffer mycothiol. Here we determine the global response to diamide in wild-type and sigR mutant backgrounds to understand the role of sigma(R) in this response and to reveal additional regulatory pathways that allow cells to cope with disulphide stress. In addition to thiol oxidation, diamide was found to cause protein misfolding and aggregation, which elicited the induction of the HspR heat-shock regulon. Although this response is sigma(R)-independent, sigma(R) does directly control Clp and Lon ATP-dependent AAA(+) proteases, which may partly explain the reduced ability of a sigR mutant to resolubilize protein aggregates. sigma(R) also controls msrA and msrB methionine sulphoxide reductase genes, implying that sigma(R)-RsrA is responsible for the maintenance of both cysteine and methionine residues during oxidative stress. This work shows that the sigma(R)-RsrA system plays a more significant role in protein quality control than previously realized, and emphasizes the importance of controlling the cellular thiol-disulphide redox balance.

The SigmaR1 chaperone drives breast and colorectal cancer cell migration by tuning SK3-dependent Ca2+ homeostasis.

PubMed

Gueguinou, M; Crottès, D; Chantôme, A; Rapetti-Mauss, R; Potier-Cartereau, M; Clarysse, L; Girault, A; Fourbon, Y; Jézéquel, P; Guérin-Charbonnel, C; Fromont, G; Martin, P; Pellissier, B; Schiappa, R; Chamorey, E; Mignen, O; Uguen, A; Borgese, F; Vandier, C; Soriani, O

2017-06-22

The remodeling of calcium homeostasis contributes to the cancer hallmarks and the molecular mechanisms involved in calcium channel regulation in tumors remain to be characterized. Here, we report that SigmaR1, a stress-activated chaperone, is required to increase calcium influx by triggering the coupling between SK3, a Ca 2+ -activated K + channel (KCNN3) and the voltage-independent calcium channel Orai1. We show that SigmaR1 physically binds SK3 in BC cells. Inhibition of SigmaR1 activity, either by molecular silencing or by the use of sigma ligand (igmesine), decreased SK3 current and Ca 2+ entry in breast cancer (BC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. Interestingly, SigmaR1 inhibition diminished SK3 and/or Orai1 levels in lipid nanodomains isolated from BC cells. Analyses of tissue microarray from CRC patients showed higher SigmaR1 expression levels in cancer samples and a correlation with tumor grade. Moreover, the exploration of a cohort of 4937 BC patients indicated that high expression of SigmaR1 and Orai1 channels was significantly correlated to a lower overall survival. As the SK3/Orai1 tandem drives invasive process in CRC and bone metastasis progression in BC, our results may inaugurate innovative therapeutic approaches targeting SigmaR1 to control the remodeling of Ca 2+ homeostasis in epithelial cancers.

Lean Six Sigma implementation and organizational culture.

PubMed

Knapp, Susan

2015-01-01

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between four organizational cultural types defined by the Competing Values Framework and three Lean Six Sigma implementation components - management involvement, use of Lean Six Sigma methods and Lean Six Sigma infrastructure. The study involved surveying 446 human resource and quality managers from 223 hospitals located in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and Rhode Island using the Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument. Findings - In total, 104 completed responses were received and analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance. Follow-up analysis of variances showed management support was significant, F(3, 100)=4.89, p < 0.01, η2=1.28; infrastructure was not significant, F(3, 100)=1.55, p=0.21, η2=0.05; and using Lean Six Sigma methods was also not significant, F(3, 100)=1.34, p=0.26, η2=0.04. Post hoc analysis identified group and development cultures having significant interactions with management support. The relationship between organizational culture and Lean Six Sigma in hospitals provides information on how specific cultural characteristics impact the Lean Six Sigma initiative key components. This information assists hospital staff who are considering implementing quality initiatives by providing an understanding of what cultural values correspond to effective Lean Six Sigma implementation. Managers understanding the quality initiative cultural underpinnings, are attentive to the culture-shared values and norm's influence can utilize strategies to better implement Lean Six Sigma.

Determination of absorption coefficient of nanofluids with unknown refractive index from reflection and transmission spectra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Joong Bae; Lee, Seungyoon; Lee, Kyungeun; Lee, Ikjin; Lee, Bong Jae

2018-07-01

It has been shown that the absorption coefficient of a nanofluid can be actively tuned by changing material, size, shape, and concentration of the nanoparticle suspension. In applications of engineered nanofluids for the direct absorption of solar radiation, it is important to experimentally characterize the absorption coefficient of nanofluids in the solar spectrum. If the refractive index of the base fluid (i.e., the solution without nanoparticles) is known a priori, the absorption coefficient of nanofluids can be easily determined from the transmission spectrum. However, if the refractive index of the base fluid is not known, it is not straightforward to extract the absorption coefficient solely from the transmission spectrum. The present work aims to develop an analytical method of determining the absorption coefficient of nanofluids with unknown refractive index by measuring both reflection and transmission spectra. The proposed method will be validated with deionized water, and the effect of measurement uncertainty will be carefully examined. Finally, the general applicability of the proposed method will also be demonstrated for Therminol VP-1 as well as the Therminol VP-1 - graphite nanofluid.

A Framework for Six Sigma Project Selection in Higher Educational Institutions, Using a Weighted Scorecard Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Holmes, Monica C.; Jenicke, Lawrence O.; Hempel, Jessica L.

2015-01-01

Purpose: This paper discusses the importance of the Six Sigma selection process, describes a Six Sigma project in a higher educational institution and presents a weighted scorecard approach for project selection. Design/Methodology/Approach: A case study of the Six Sigma approach being used to improve student support at a university computer help…

An Application of Six Sigma to Reduce Supplier Quality Cost

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gaikwad, Lokpriya Mohanrao; Teli, Shivagond Nagappa; Majali, Vijay Shashikant; Bhushi, Umesh Mahadevappa

2016-01-01

This article presents an application of Six Sigma to reduce supplier quality cost in manufacturing industry. Although there is a wider acceptance of Six Sigma in many organizations today, there is still a lack of in-depth case study of Six Sigma. For the present research the case study methodology was used. The company decided to reduce quality cost and improve selected processes using Six Sigma methodologies. Regarding the fact that there is a lack of case studies dealing with Six Sigma especially in individual manufacturing organization this article could be of great importance also for the practitioners. This paper discusses the quality and productivity improvement in a supplier enterprise through a case study. The paper deals with an application of Six Sigma define-measure-analyze-improve-control methodology in an industry which provides a framework to identify, quantify and eliminate sources of variation in an operational process in question, to optimize the operation variables, improve and sustain performance viz. process yield with well-executed control plans. Six Sigma improves the process performance (process yield) of the critical operational process, leading to better utilization of resources, decreases variations and maintains consistent quality of the process output.

Application of Six Sigma towards improving surgical outcomes.

PubMed

Shukla, P J; Barreto, S G; Nadkarni, M S

2008-01-01

Six Sigma is a 'process excellence' tool targeting continuous improvement achieved by providing a methodology for improving key steps of a process. It is ripe for application into health care since almost all health care processes require a near-zero tolerance for mistakes. The aim of this study is to apply the Six Sigma methodology into a clinical surgical process and to assess the improvement (if any) in the outcomes and patient care. The guiding principles of Six Sigma, namely DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control), were used to analyze the impact of double stapling technique (DST) towards improving sphincter preservation rates for rectal cancer. The analysis using the Six Sigma methodology revealed a Sigma score of 2.10 in relation to successful sphincter preservation. This score demonstrates an improvement over the previous technique (73% over previous 54%). This study represents one of the first clinical applications of Six Sigma in the surgical field. By understanding, accepting, and applying the principles of Six Sigma, we have an opportunity to transfer a very successful management philosophy to facilitate the identification of key steps that can improve outcomes and ultimately patient safety and the quality of surgical care provided.

State selected ion--molecule reactions by a TESICO technique. IV. Relative importance of the two spin-orbit states of Ar/sup +/ in the charge transfer reactions with N/sub 2/ and CO

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

Kato, T.; Tanaka, K.; Koyano, I.

1982-07-01

Charge transfer reactions Ar/sup +/ (/sup 2/P/sub J/)+N/sub 2/..-->..N/sup +//sub 2/+Ar (1) and Ar/sup +/(/sup 2/P/sub J/)+CO..-->..CO/sup +/+Ar (2) have been studied for the two spin-orbit states (J = 3/2 and 1/2) separately using the threshold electron-secondary ion coincidence (TESICO) technique. Relative cross sections for the two states sigma(3/2) and sigma(1/2) have been determined at three collision energies 0.2, 1.4, and 5.8 eV. It has been found that in Reaction (1), sigma(3/2) is larger than sigma (1/2) with ratio sigma(1/2)/sigma(3/2) ranging from 0.5 to 0.8 depending on the collision energy, whereas in Reaction (2), sigma(1/2) is larger than sigma(3/2) withmore » the ratio ranging from 1.2 to 1.6. The implications of these results are discussed with regard to the roles of energy resonance and Franck--Condon factors in charge transfer processes.« less

NONLINEAR OPTICAL PHENOMENA: Self-reflection in a system of excitons and biexcitons in semiconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khadzhi, P. I.; Lyakhomskaya, K. D.

1999-10-01

The characteristic features of the self-reflection of a powerful electromagnetic wave in a system of coherent excitons and biexcitons in semiconductors were investigated as one of the manifestations of the nonlinear optical skin effect. It was found that a monotonically decreasing standing wave with an exponentially falling spatial tail is formed in the surface region of a semiconductor. Under the influence of the field of a powerful pulse, an optically homogeneous medium is converted into one with distributed feedback. The appearance of spatially separated narrow peaks of the refractive index, extinction coefficient, and reflection coefficient is predicted.

Observation of Bs production at the Y(5S) resonance.

PubMed

Bonvicini, G; Cinabro, D; Dubrovin, M; Lincoln, A; Bornheim, A; Pappas, S P; Weinstein, A J; Asner, D M; Edwards, K W; Briere, R A; Chen, G P; Chen, J; Ferguson, T; Tatishvili, G; Vogel, H; Watkins, M E; Rosner, J L; Adam, N E; Alexander, J P; Berkelman, K; Cassel, D G; Crede, V; Duboscq, J E; Ecklund, K M; Ehrlich, R; Fields, L; Gibbons, L; Gittelman, B; Gray, R; Gray, S W; Hartill, D L; Heltsley, B K; Hertz, D; Jones, C D; Kandaswamy, J; Kreinick, D L; Kuznetsov, V E; Mahlke-Krüger, H; Meyer, T O; Onyisi, P U E; Patterson, J R; Peterson, D; Phillips, E A; Pivarski, J; Riley, D; Ryd, A; Sadoff, A J; Schwarthoff, H; Shi, X; Shepherd, M R; Stroiney, S; Sun, W M; Urner, D; Wilksen, T; Weaver, K M; Weinberger, M; Athar, S B; Avery, P; Breva-Newell, L; Patel, R; Potlia, V; Stoeck, H; Yelton, J; Rubin, P; Cawlfield, C; Eisenstein, B I; Gollin, G D; Karliner, I; Kim, D; Lowrey, N; Naik, P; Sedlack, C; Selen, M; White, E J; Williams, J; Wiss, J; Besson, D; Pedlar, T K; Cronin-Hennessy, D; Gao, K Y; Gong, D T; Hietala, J; Kubota, Y; Klein, T; Lang, B W; Li, S Z; Poling, R; Scott, A W; Smith, A; Dobbs, S; Metreveli, Z; Seth, K K; Tomaradze, A; Zweber, P; Ernst, J; Arms, K; Severini, H; Dytman, S A; Love, W; Mehrabyan, S; Mueller, J A; Savinov, V; Li, Z; Lopez, A; Mendez, H; Ramirez, J; Huang, G S; Miller, D H; Pavlunin, V; Sanghi, B; Shipsey, I P J; Adams, G S; Anderson, M; Cummings, J P; Danko, I; Napolitano, J; He, Q; Muramatsu, H; Park, C S; Thorndike, E H; Coan, T E; Gao, Y S; Liu, F; Maravin, Y; Artuso, M; Boulahouache, C; Blusk, S; Butt, J; Dorjkhaidav, O; Li, J; Menaa, N; Mountain, R; Nandakumar, R; Randrianarivony, K; Redjimi, R; Sia, R; Skwarnicki, T; Stone, S; Wang, J C; Zhang, K; Csorna, S E

2006-01-20

Using the CLEO detector at the Cornell Electron Storage Ring, we have observed the Bs meson in e+e- annihilation at the Y(5S) resonance. We find 14 candidates consistent with Bs decays into final states with a J/psi or a Ds(*)- . The probability that we have observed a background fluctuation is less than 8 x 10(-10) . We have established that at the energy of the Y(5S) resonance Bs production proceeds predominantly through the creation of Bs*Bs* pairs. We find sigma(e+e- --> Bs*Bs*) = [0.11(-0.03))(+0.04)(stat) +/- 0.02(syst)]nb , and set the following limits: sigma(e+e- --> BsBs)/ sigma(e+ e- --> Bs*Bs*) <0.16 and [sigma(e+e- --> BsBs*) + sigma(e+e- --> Bs*Bs)]/sigma(e+e- -->Bs*Bs*) < 0.16 (90% C.L.). The mass of the Bs* meson is measured to be M(Bs*) = [5.414+/- 0.001(stat) +/- 0.003(syst)] GeV/c2 .

A clinical and radiostereometric study of the cemented PFC-sigma prosthesis: a 5-year study of 29 cases with a fixed bearing.

PubMed

von Schewelov, Thord; Besjakov, Jack; Sanzén, Lennart; Carlsson, Ake

2009-07-01

The press-fit condylar (PFC) cruciate-retaining total knee prosthesis is well documented in the literature. In 1997, a modification of the femoral component was introduced, and the prosthesis was renamed PFC-Sigma. The alteration may influence the migratory and rotational pattern of the tibial component and thus long-time survival rate. In this radiostereometric analysis, we found that the micromotion of the PFC-Sigma prosthesis differs slightly from the original PFC design, an advantage of the PFC-Sigma prosthesis. The median maximum total point motion at 5 years was 0.64 mm for the PFC-Sigma design and 0.79 mm for the previous version of PFC (P = .9). However, the PFC-Sigma rotated less around the transverse (x) axis than did the PFC (medians, 0.22 mm and 0.48 mm, respectively; P = .04). From the radiostereometric, radiographic, and clinical data, we conclude that the PFC-Sigma knee prosthesis can be used with confidence.

Lean sigma--will it work for healthcare?

PubMed

Bahensky, James A; Roe, Janet; Bolton, Romy

2005-01-01

The manufacturing industry has been using Lean Sigma for years in pursuit of continuous improvement to obtain a competitive advantage. The objectives of these efforts are to use the Lean techniques for reducing cycle times and the Six Sigma concepts for reducing product defects. The Iowa Business Council with several advocates worked with the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics (UIHC) and two other Iowa hospitals to determine whether Lean Sigma is adaptable in healthcare. A team of 15 people at UIHC used the Kaizen Breakthrough Methodology over a five-day period in an aggressive identification and elimination of non-value added activities in Radiology CT scanning. The results exceeded the initial project objectives and indicated that Lean Sigma is applicable in healthcare. Overall, the Lean Sigma project increased revenue by approximately $750,000 per year. The Kaizen process proved to be successful and interesting. Within three days, the team installed new work flow processes. This implementation-oriented approach is what differentiates Lean Sigma from other quality improvement processes.

Induction of a robust immunity response against novel duck reovirus in ducklings using a subunit vaccine of sigma C protein

PubMed Central

Bi, Zhuangli; Zhu, Yingqi; Chen, Zongyan; Li, Chuanfeng; Wang, Yong; Wang, Guijun; Liu, Guangqing

2016-01-01

Novel duck reovirus (NDRV) disease emerged in China in 2011 and continues to cause high morbidity and about 5.0 to 50% mortality in ducklings. Currently there are no approved vaccines for the virus. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a new vaccine created from the baculovirus and sigma C gene against NDRV. In this study, a recombinant baculovirus containing the sigma C gene was constructed, and the purified protein was used as a vaccine candidate in ducklings. The efficacy of sigma C vaccine was estimated according to humoral immune responses, cellular immune response and protection against NDRV challenge. The results showed that sigma C was highly expressed in Sf9 cells. Robust humoral and cellular immune responses were induced in all ducklings immunized with the recombinant sigma C protein. Moreover, 100% protection against lethal challenge with NDRV TH11 strain was observed. Summary, the recombinant sigma C protein could be utilized as a good candidate against NDRV infection. PMID:27974824

Different intracellular distribution of avian reovirus core protein sigmaA in cells of avian and mammalian origin

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

Vazquez-Iglesias, Lorena; Lostale-Seijo, Irene; Martinez-Costas, Jose

2012-10-25

A comparative analysis of the intracellular distribution of avian reovirus (ARV) core protein sigmaA in cells of avian and mammalian origin revealed that, whereas the viral protein accumulates in the cytoplasm and nucleolus of avian cells, most sigmaA concentrates in the nucleoplasm of mammalian cells in tight association with the insoluble nuclear matrix fraction. Our results further showed that sigmaA becomes arrested in the nucleoplasm of mammalian cells via association with mammalian cell-specific factors and that this association prevents nucleolar targeting. Inhibition of RNA polymerase II activity, but not of RNA polymerase I activity, in infected mammalian cells induces nucleus-to-cytoplasmmore » sigmaA translocation through a CRM1- and RanGTP-dependent mechanism, yet a heterokaryon assay suggests that sigmaA does not shuttle between the nucleus and cytoplasm. The scarcity of sigmaA in cytoplasmic viral factories of infected mammalian cells could be one of the factors contributing to limited ARV replication in mammalian cells.« less

Kinetics of O{sub 2}({sup 1{Sigma}}) formation in the reaction O{sub 2}({sup 1{Delta}}) + O{sub 2}({sup 1{Delta}}) {yields} O{sub 2}({sup 1{Sigma}}) + O{sub 2}({sup 3{Sigma}})

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

Zagidullin, M V; Khvatov, N A; Nyagashkin, A Yu

2011-02-28

The dependence of the ratio of specific powers of dimole radiation of singlet oxygen in the 634 nm band and in the b - X band of the O{sub 2}({sup 1{Sigma}}) molecule in the O{sub 2}(X) - O{sub 2}({sup 1{Delta}}) - O{sub 2}({sup 1{Sigma}}) - H{sub 2}O - CO{sub 2} mixture on the CO{sub 2} concentration is measured. As a result, the rate constant of the reaction O{sub 2}({sup 1{Delta}}) + O{sub 2}({sup 1{Delta}}) {yields} O{sub 2}({sup 1{Sigma}}) + O{sub 2}({sup 3{Sigma}}) at the temperature {approx}330 K is found to equal (4.5 {+-} 1.1) 10{sup -17} cm{sup 3} s{sup -1}.more » (active media)« less

Doublet-spacing enhancement caused by {Lambda}N-{Sigma}N coupling in {sub {Lambda}L}i hypernuclear isotopes

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

Umeya, Atsushi; Harada, Toru; Research Center for Physics and Mathematics, Osaka Electro-Communication University, Neyagawa, Osaka 572-8530

2011-03-15

We theoretically investigate energy spacings of doublets in {sub {Lambda}L}i hypernuclear isotopes with A=7-10 in shell-model calculations with a {Lambda}N-{Sigma}N coupling effect. The calculated results show that the energy shifts are {Delta}{epsilon}=0.09-0.28 MeV and the {Sigma}-mixing probabilities are P{sub {Sigma}}=0.10%-0.34% in {Lambda} ground states for the isotopes because of the {Lambda}N-{Sigma}N coupling in the first-order perturbation. It is found that the energy spacing of the doublet is enhanced as a neutron number N increases; the contribution of the {Lambda}N-{Sigma}N coupling interaction is comparable to that of the {Lambda}N interaction in the neutron-rich {Lambda} hypernuclei. The coherent mechanism of this doublet-spacingmore » enhancement is also discussed in terms of Fermi-type and Gamow-Teller-type {Lambda}N-{Sigma}N couplings.« less

Sediment Transport Variability in Global Rivers: Implications for the Interpretation of Paleoclimate Signals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Syvitski, J. P.; Hutton, E. W.

2001-12-01

A new numerical approach (HydroTrend, v.2) allows the daily flux of sediment to be estimated for any river, whether gauged or not. The model can be driven by actual climate measurements (precipitation, temperature) or with statistical estimates of climate (modeled climate, remotely-sensed climate). In both cases, the character (e.g. soil depth, relief, vegetation index) of the drainage terrain is needed to complete the model domain. The HydroTrend approach allows us to examine the effects of climate on the supply of sediment to continental margins, and the nature of supply variability. A new relationship is defined as: $Qs = f (Psi) Qs-bar (Q/Q-bar)c+-σ where Qs-bar is the long-term sediment load, Q-bar is the long-term discharge, c and sigma are mean and standard deviation of the inter-annual variability of the rating coefficient, and Psi captures the measurement errors associated with Q and Qs, and the annual transients, affecting the supply of sediment including sediment and water source, and river (flood wave) dynamics. F = F(Psi, s). Smaller-discharge rivers have larger values of s, and s asymptotes to a small but consistent value for larger-discharge rivers. The coefficient c is directly proportional to the long-term suspended load (Qs-bar) and basin relief (R), and inversely proportional to mean annual temperature (T). sigma is directly proportional to the mean annual discharge. The long-term sediment load is given by: Qs-bar = a R1.5 A0.5 TT $ where a is a global constant, A is basin area; and TT is a function of mean annual temperature. This new approach provides estimates of sediment flux at the dynamic (daily) level and provides us a means to experiment on the sensitivity of marine sedimentary deposits in recording a paleoclimate signal. In addition the method provides us with spatial estimates for the flux of sediment to the coastal zone at the global scale.

The numerical simulation of Lamb wave propagation in laser welding of stainless steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Bo; Liu, Fang; Liu, Chang; Li, Jingming; Zhang, Baojun; Zhou, Qingxiang; Han, Xiaohui; Zhao, Yang

2017-12-01

In order to explore the Lamb wave propagation in laser welding of stainless steel, the numerical simulation is used to show the feature of Lamb wave. In this paper, according to Lamb dispersion equation, excites the Lamb wave on the edge of thin stainless steel plate, and presents the reflection coefficient for quantizing the Lamb wave energy, the results show that the reflection coefficient is increased with the welding width increasing,

The influence of grain boundary geometry on intergranular crack propagation in Ni[sub 3]Al

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

Hui Lin; Pope, D.P.

1993-02-01

The distribution of grain boundary types along intergranular cracks in Ni[sub 3]Al was measured, by [Sigma] value, and compared to the distribution in the bulk, using statistically significant sample sizes. It was found that low angle ([Sigma] 1) and symmetrical [Sigma]3 boundaries (twins) are particularly strong, and all high angle boundaries, independent of their [Sigma] values are weak. In particular, low [Sigma], high angle boundaries, as a group, are also weak. These results are in qualitative agreement with predictions based on the structural unit model and imply that the fracture strength of an intergranularly brittle polycrystalline aggregate can be increasedmore » only by increasing the fraction of low angle and symmetrical [Sigma]3 boundaries.« less

Uncertainty Determination for Aeroheating in Uranus and Saturn Probe Entries by the Monte Carlo Method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Palmer, Grant; Prabhu, Dinesh; Cruden, Brett A.

2013-01-01

The 2013-2022 Decaedal survey for planetary exploration has identified probe missions to Uranus and Saturn as high priorities. This work endeavors to examine the uncertainty for determining aeroheating in such entry environments. Representative entry trajectories are constructed using the TRAJ software. Flowfields at selected points on the trajectories are then computed using the Data Parallel Line Relaxation (DPLR) Computational Fluid Dynamics Code. A Monte Carlo study is performed on the DPLR input parameters to determine the uncertainty in the predicted aeroheating, and correlation coefficients are examined to identify which input parameters show the most influence on the uncertainty. A review of the present best practices for input parameters (e.g. transport coefficient and vibrational relaxation time) is also conducted. It is found that the 2(sigma) - uncertainty for heating on Uranus entry is no more than 2.1%, assuming an equilibrium catalytic wall, with the uncertainty being determined primarily by diffusion and H(sub 2) recombination rate within the boundary layer. However, if the wall is assumed to be partially or non-catalytic, this uncertainty may increase to as large as 18%. The catalytic wall model can contribute over 3x change in heat flux and a 20% variation in film coefficient. Therefore, coupled material response/fluid dynamic models are recommended for this problem. It was also found that much of this variability is artificially suppressed when a constant Schmidt number approach is implemented. Because the boundary layer is reacting, it is necessary to employ self-consistent effective binary diffusion to obtain a correct thermal transport solution. For Saturn entries, the 2(sigma) - uncertainty for convective heating was less than 3.7%. The major uncertainty driver was dependent on shock temperature/velocity, changing from boundary layer thermal conductivity to diffusivity and then to shock layer ionization rate as velocity increases. While radiative heating for Uranus entry was negligible, the nominal solution for Saturn computed up to 20% radiative heating at the highest velocity examined. The radiative heating followed a non-normal distribution, with up to a 3x variation in magnitude. This uncertainty is driven by the H(sub 2) dissociation rate, as H(sub 2) that persists in the hot non-equilibrium zone contributes significantly to radiation.

Factorization and fitting of molecular scattering information

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

Goldflam, R.; Kouri, D.J.; Green, S.

1977-12-15

The factorization of cross sections of various kinds resulting from the infinite order sudden approximation is considered in detail. Unlike the earlier study of Goldflam, Green, and Kouri, we base the present analysis on the factored IOS T-matrix rather than on the S-matrix. This enables us to obtain somewhat simpler expressions. For example, we show that the factored IOS approximation to the Arthurs--Dalgarno T-matrix involves products of dynamical coefficients T/sup L//sub l/ and Percival--Seaton coefficients f/sub L/(jlvertical-barj/sub 0/l/sub 0/vertical-barJ). It is shown that an optical theorem exists for the T/sub l//sup L/ dynamical coefficients of the T-matrix. The differential scatteringmore » amplitudes are shown to factor into dynamical coefficients q/sub L/(chi) times spectroscopic factors that are independent of the dynamics (potential). Then a generalized form of the Parker--Pack result for ..sigma../sub j/(dsigma/dR)(j/sub 0/..-->..j) is derived. It is also shown that the IOS approximation for (dsigma/dR)(j/sub 0/..-->..j) factors into sums of spectroscopic coefficients times the differential cross sections out of j/sub 0/=0. The IOS integral cross sections factor into spectroscopic coefficients times the integral cross sections out of j/sub 0/=0. The factored IOS general phenomenological cross sections are rederived using the T-matrix approach and are shown to equal sums of Percival--Seaton coefficients timesthe inelastic integral cross section out of initial rotor state j/sub 0/ = 0. This suggests that experimental measurements of line shapes and/or NMR spin--lattice relaxation can be used to directly give inelastic state-to-state degeneracy averaged integral cross sections whenever the IOS is a good approximation. Factored IOS expressions for viscosity and diffusion are derived and shown to potentially yield additional information beyond that contained in line shapes.« less

Stagnation point properties for non-continuum gaseous jet impinging at a flat plate surface from a planar exit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cai, Chunpei

2013-10-01

In this paper, we investigate highly rarefied gaseous jet flows out of a planar exit and impinging at a normally set flat plate. Especially, we concentrate on the plate center stagnation point pressure and heat flux coefficients. For a specular reflective plate, the stagnation point pressure coefficient can be represented using two non-dimensional factors: the characteristic gas exit speed ratio S0 and the geometry ratio of H/L, where H is the planar exit semi-height and L is the center-to-center distance from the exit to the plate. For a diffuse reflective plate, the stagnation point pressure and heat flux coefficients involve an extra factor of T0/Tw, i.e., the ratio of exit gas temperature to the plate wall temperature. These results allow us to develop four diagrams, from which we can conveniently obtain the pressure and heat flux coefficients for the stagnation impingement point, at the collisionless flow limit. After normalization with these maximum coefficients, the pressure and heat flux coefficient distributions along the surface essentially degenerate to almost identical curves. As a result, with known plate surface pressure coefficient distributions and these diagrams, we can conveniently construct the heat flux coefficient distributions along the plate surface, and vice versa.

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of indole-based sigma receptor ligands

PubMed Central

Mésangeau, Christophe; Amata, Emanuele; Alsharif, Walid; Seminerio, Michael J.; Robson, Matthew J.; Matsumoto, Rae R.; Poupaert, Jacques H.; McCurdy, Christopher R.

2011-01-01

A series of novel indole-based analogues were prepared and their affinities for sigma receptors were determined using in vitro radioligand binding assays. The results of this study identified several compounds with nanomolar sigma-2 affinity and significant selectivity over sigma-1 receptors. In particular, 2-(4-(3-(4-fluorophenyl)indol-1-yl)butyl)-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (9f) was found to display high affinity at sigma-2 receptors with good selectivity (σ-1/σ-2 = 395). The pharmacological binding profile for this compound was established with other relevant nonsigma sites. PMID:21899931

Sigma Metrics Across the Total Testing Process.

PubMed

Charuruks, Navapun

2017-03-01

Laboratory quality control has been developed for several decades to ensure patients' safety, from a statistical quality control focus on the analytical phase to total laboratory processes. The sigma concept provides a convenient way to quantify the number of errors in extra-analytical and analytical phases through the defect per million and sigma metric equation. Participation in a sigma verification program can be a convenient way to monitor analytical performance continuous quality improvement. Improvement of sigma-scale performance has been shown from our data. New tools and techniques for integration are needed. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Analysis of p21-Activated Kinase Function in Neurofibromatosis Type 2

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-01

6,6′-dithiobis) for 10 min, before stimulation with 10% FCS (PAA, Pasching, Austria), 0.5 μM forskolin (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, USA), 10 nM β1...0.5 μM forskolin (Sigma-Aldrich), 10 nM β1- heregulin144–244 (Genentech), 0.5 mM 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthin (IBMX, Sigma-Aldrich) and 2.5 μg/ml...0.5 μM forskolin (Sigma-Aldrich), 10 nM β1-heregulin144–244 (Genentech), 0.5 mM 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthin and 2.5 μg/ml insulin (both from Sigma

Ground state of excitonic molecules by the Green's-function Monte Carlo method

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

Lee, M.A.; Vashishta, P.; Kalia, R.K.

1983-12-26

The ground-state energy of excitonic molecules is evaluated as a function of the ratio of electron and hole masses, sigma, with use of the Green's-function Monte Carlo method. For all sigma, the Green's-function Monte Carlo energies are significantly lower than the variational estimates and in favorable agreement with experiments. In excitonic rydbergs, the binding energy of the positronium molecule (sigma = 1) is predicted to be -0.06 and for sigma<<1, the Green's-function Monte Carlo energies agree with the ''exact'' limiting behavior, E = -2.346+0.764sigma.

A comprehensive analysis of surface acoustic wave reflections

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Robinson, H.; Hahn, Y.; Gau, J. N.

1989-06-01

A thorough study of the perturbative and variational approaches is carried out for the surface acoustic wave reflection problem. We have shown that the perturbation treatment by Datta and Hunsinger and potentially powerful variational formulation by Chen and Haus [IEEE Trans. Sonics Ultrason. SU-32, 395 (1985)] are mutually consistent. In their common region of validity, these two approaches yield nearly identical results for the reflection coefficients and velocity shifts due to metal finger and groove overlays. Term-by-term comparison of the mass- and stress-loading effects, and also the electric shorting effect, is carried out to provide a coherent picture of the reflection phenomena. The on- and off-resonance behavior of the reflection coefficient can be described correctly using either one of these theories, with proper inclusion of the overlay shape dependence. A new term for electric shorting is derived for groove overlays.

Measurement of thermal neutrons reflection coefficients for two-layer reflectors.

PubMed

Azimkhani, S; Zolfagharpour, F; Ziaie, F

2018-05-01

In this research, thermal neutrons albedo coefficients and relative number of excess counts have been measured experimentally for different thicknesses of two-layer reflectors by using 241 Am-Be neutron source (5.2Ci) and BF 3 detector. Our used reflectors consist of two-layer which are combinations of water, graphite, polyethylene, and lead materials. Experimental results reveal that thermal neutron reflection coefficients slightly increased by addition of the second layer. The maximum value of growth for thermal neutrons albedo is obtained for lead-polyethylene compound (0.72 ± 0.01). Also, there is suitable agreement between the experimental values and simulation results by using MCNPX code. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Enhanced absorption of TM waves in conductive nanoparticles structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mousa, H. M.; Shabat, M. M.; Ouda, A. K.; Schaadt, D. M.

2018-05-01

This paper tackles anti-reflection coating structure for silicon solar cell where conductive nanoparticle (CNP) film is sandwiched between a semi-infinite glass cover and a semi-infinite silicon substrate. The transmission and reflection coefficients are derived by the transfer matrix method and simulated for values of unit cell sizes, gab widths in visible and near-infrared radiation. We also illustrated the dependence of the absorption, transmission and reflection coefficients on several angles of incidence of the transverse magnetic polarized (TM) waves. We found out that reflection decreases by the increase of incident angle to 50∘. If nanoparticles are suitably located and sized at gab width of 3.5 nm, unit cell of 250 nm and CNP layer thickness of 150 nm, the absorptivity of the structure achieves 100%.

Automated system for measurement, collection and processing of hydrometeorological data aboard scientific research vessels of the GUGMS (SIGMA-s)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Borisenkov, Y. P.; Fedorov, O. M.

1974-01-01

A report is made on the automated system known as SIGMA-s for the measurement, collection, and processing of hydrometeorological data aboard scientific research vessels of the Hydrometeorological Service. The various components of the system and the interfacing between them are described, as well as the projects that the system is equipped to handle.

Assessing precision, bias and sigma-metrics of 53 measurands of the Alinity ci system.

PubMed

Westgard, Sten; Petrides, Victoria; Schneider, Sharon; Berman, Marvin; Herzogenrath, Jörg; Orzechowski, Anthony

2017-12-01

Assay performance is dependent on the accuracy and precision of a given method. These attributes can be combined into an analytical Sigma-metric, providing a simple value for laboratorians to use in evaluating a test method's capability to meet its analytical quality requirements. Sigma-metrics were determined for 37 clinical chemistry assays, 13 immunoassays, and 3 ICT methods on the Alinity ci system. Analytical Performance Specifications were defined for the assays, following a rationale of using CLIA goals first, then Ricos Desirable goals when CLIA did not regulate the method, and then other sources if the Ricos Desirable goal was unrealistic. A precision study was conducted at Abbott on each assay using the Alinity ci system following the CLSI EP05-A2 protocol. Bias was estimated following the CLSI EP09-A3 protocol using samples with concentrations spanning the assay's measuring interval tested in duplicate on the Alinity ci system and ARCHITECT c8000 and i2000 SR systems, where testing was also performed at Abbott. Using the regression model, the %bias was estimated at an important medical decisions point. Then the Sigma-metric was estimated for each assay and was plotted on a method decision chart. The Sigma-metric was calculated using the equation: Sigma-metric=(%TEa-|%bias|)/%CV. The Sigma-metrics and Normalized Method Decision charts demonstrate that a majority of the Alinity assays perform at least at five Sigma or higher, at or near critical medical decision levels. More than 90% of the assays performed at Five and Six Sigma. None performed below Three Sigma. Sigma-metrics plotted on Normalized Method Decision charts provide useful evaluations of performance. The majority of Alinity ci system assays had sigma values >5 and thus laboratories can expect excellent or world class performance. Laboratorians can use these tools as aids in choosing high-quality products, further contributing to the delivery of excellent quality healthcare for patients. Copyright © 2017 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Expression pattern of the type 1 sigma receptor in the brain and identity of critical anionic amino acid residues in the ligand-binding domain of the receptor.

PubMed

Seth, P; Ganapathy, M E; Conway, S J; Bridges, C D; Smith, S B; Casellas, P; Ganapathy, V

2001-07-25

The type 1 sigma receptor (sigmaR1) has been shown to participate in a variety of functions in the central nervous system. To identify the specific regions of the brain that are involved in sigmaR1 function, we analyzed the expression pattern of the receptor mRNA in the mouse brain by in situ hybridization. SigmaR1 mRNA was detectable primarily in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and Purkinje cells of cerebellum. To identify the critical anionic amino acid residues in the ligand-binding domain of sigmaR1, we employed two different approaches: chemical modification of anionic amino acid residues and site-directed mutagenesis. Chemical modification of anionic amino acids in sigmaR1 with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide reduced the ligand-binding activity markedly. Since it is known that a splice variant of this receptor which lacks exon 3 does not have the ability to bind sigma ligands, the ligand-binding domain with its critical anionic amino acid residues is likely to be present in or around the region coded by exon 3. Therefore, each of the anionic amino acids in this region was mutated individually and the influence of each mutation on ligand binding was assessed. These studies have identified two anionic amino acids, D126 and E172, that are obligatory for ligand binding. Even though the ligand-binding function was abolished by these two mutations, the expression of these mutants was normal at the protein level. These results show that sigmaR1 is expressed at high levels in specific areas of the brain that are involved in memory, emotion and motor functions. The results also provide important information on the chemical nature of the ligand-binding site of sigmaR1 that may be of use in the design of sigmaR1-specific ligands with potential for modulation of sigmaR1-related brain functions.

AtSIG6 and other members of the sigma gene family jointly but differentially determine plastid target gene expression in Arabidopsis thaliana

PubMed Central

Bock, Sylvia; Ortelt, Jennifer; Link, Gerhard

2014-01-01

Plants contain a nuclear gene family for plastid sigma factors, i.e., proteins that associate with the “bacterial-type” organellar RNA polymerase and confer the ability for correct promoter binding and transcription initiation. Questions that are still unresolved relate to the “division of labor” among members of the sigma family, both in terms of their range of target genes and their temporal and spatial activity during development. Clues to the in vivo role of individual sigma genes have mainly come from studies of sigma knockout lines. Despite its obvious strengths, however, this strategy does not necessarily trace-down causal relationships between mutant phenotype and a single sigma gene, if other family members act in a redundant and/or compensatory manner. We made efforts to reduce the complexity by genetic crosses of Arabidopsis single mutants (with focus on a chlorophyll-deficient sig6 line) to generate double knockout lines. The latter typically had a similar visible phenotype as the parental lines, but tended to be more strongly affected in the transcript patterns of both plastid and sigma genes. Because triple mutants were lethal under our growth conditions, we exploited a strategy of transformation of single and double mutants with RNAi constructs that contained sequences from the unconserved sigma region (UCR). These RNAi/knockout lines phenotypically resembled their parental lines, but were even more strongly affected in their plastid transcript patterns. Expression patterns of sigma genes revealed both similarities and differences compared to the parental lines, with transcripts at reduced or unchanged amounts and others that were found to be present in higher (perhaps compensatory) amounts. Together, our results reveal considerable flexibility of gene activity at the levels of both sigma and plastid gene expression. A (still viable) “basal state” seems to be reached, if 2–3 of the 6 Arabidopsis sigma genes are functionally compromised. PMID:25505479

The effect of the sigma-1 receptor selective compound LS-1-137 on the DOI-induced head twitch response in mice.

PubMed

Malik, Maninder; Rangel-Barajas, Claudia; Mach, Robert H; Luedtke, Robert R

2016-09-01

Several receptor mediated pathways have been shown to modulate the murine head twitch response (HTR). However, the role of sigma receptors in the murine (±)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI)-induced HTR has not been previously investigated. We examined the ability of LS-1-137, a novel sigma-1 vs. sigma-2 receptor selective phenylacetamide, to modulate the DOI-induced HTR in DBA/2J mice. We also assessed the in vivo efficacy of reference sigma-1 receptor antagonists and agonists PRE-084 and PPCC. The effect of the sigma-2 receptor selective antagonist RHM-1-86 was also examined. Rotarod analysis was performed to monitor motor coordination after LS-1-137 administration. Radioligand binding techniques were used to determine the affinity of LS-1-137 at 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors. LS-1-137 and the sigma-1 receptor antagonists haloperidol and BD 1047 were able to attenuate a DOI-induced HTR, indicating that LS-1-137 was acting in vivo as a sigma-1 receptor antagonist. LS-1-137 did not compromise rotarod performance within a dose range capable of attenuating the effects of DOI. Radioligand binding studies indicate that LS-1-137 exhibits low affinity binding at both 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors. Based upon the results from these and our previous studies, LS-1-137 is a neuroprotective agent that attenuates the murine DOI-induced HTR independent of activity at 5-HT2 receptor subtypes, D2-like dopamine receptors, sigma-2 receptors and NMDA receptors. LS-1-137 appears to act as a sigma-1 receptor antagonist to inhibit the DOI-induced HTR. Therefore, the DOI-induced HTR can be used to assess the in vivo efficacy of sigma-1 receptor selective compounds. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Bacillus subtilis sporulation: regulation of gene expression and control of morphogenesis.

PubMed Central

Errington, J

1993-01-01

Bacillus subtilis sporulation is an adaptive response to nutritional stress and involves the differential development of two cells. In the last 10 years or so, virtually all of the regulatory genes controlling sporulation, and many genes directing the structural and morphological changes that accompany sporulation, have been cloned and characterized. This review describes our current knowledge of the program of gene expression during sporulation and summarizes what is known about the functions of the genes that determine the specialized biochemical and morphological properties of sporulating cells. Most steps in the genetic program are controlled by transcription factors that have been characterized in vitro. Two sporulation-specific sigma factors, sigma E and sigma F, appear to segregate at septation, effectively determining the differential development of the mother cell and prespore. Later, each sigma is replaced by a second cell-specific sigma factor, sigma K in the mother cell and sigma G in the prespore. The synthesis of each sigma factor is tightly regulated at both the transcriptional and posttranslational levels. Usually this regulation involves an intercellular interaction that coordinates the developmental programmes of the two cells. At least two other transcription factors fine tune the timing and levels of expression of genes in the sigma E and sigma K regulons. The controlled synthesis of the sigma factors and other transcription factors leads to a spatially and temporally ordered program of gene expression. The gene products made during each successive stage of sporulation help to bring about a sequence of gross morphological changes and biochemical adaptations. The formation of the asymmetric spore septum, engulfment of the prespore by the mother cell, and formation of the spore core, cortex, and coat are described. The importance of these structures in the development of the resistance, dormancy, and germination properties of the spore is assessed. Images PMID:8464402

A contrast between DEMATEL-ANP and ANP methods for six sigma project selection: a case study in healthcare industry.

PubMed

Ortíz, Miguel A; Felizzola, Heriberto A; Nieto Isaza, Santiago

2015-01-01

The project selection process is a crucial step for healthcare organizations at the moment of implementing six sigma programs in both administrative and caring processes. However, six-sigma project selection is often defined as a decision making process with interaction and feedback between criteria; so that it is necessary to explore different methods to help healthcare companies to determine the Six-sigma projects that provide the maximum benefits. This paper describes the application of both ANP (Analytic Network process) and DEMATEL (Decision Making trial and evaluation laboratory)-ANP in a public medical centre to establish the most suitable six sigma project and finally, these methods were compared to evaluate their performance in the decision making process. ANP and DEMATEL-ANP were used to evaluate 6 six sigma project alternatives under an evaluation model composed by 3 strategies, 4 criteria and 15 sub-criteria. Judgement matrixes were completed by the six sigma team whose participants worked in different departments of the medical centre. The improving of care opportunity in obstetric outpatients was elected as the most suitable six sigma project with a score of 0,117 as contribution to the organization goals. DEMATEL-ANP performed better at decision making process since it reduced the error probability due to interactions and feedback. ANP and DEMATEL-ANP effectively supported six sigma project selection processes, helping to create a complete framework that guarantees the prioritization of projects that provide maximum benefits to healthcare organizations. As DEMATEL- ANP performed better, it should be used by practitioners involved in decisions related to the implementation of six sigma programs in healthcare sector accompanied by the adequate identification of the evaluation criteria that support the decision making model. Thus, this comparative study contributes to choosing more effective approaches in this field. Suggestions of further work are also proposed so that these methods can be applied more adequate in six sigma project selection processes in healthcare.

A contrast between DEMATEL-ANP and ANP methods for six sigma project selection: a case study in healthcare industry

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Background The project selection process is a crucial step for healthcare organizations at the moment of implementing six sigma programs in both administrative and caring processes. However, six-sigma project selection is often defined as a decision making process with interaction and feedback between criteria; so that it is necessary to explore different methods to help healthcare companies to determine the Six-sigma projects that provide the maximum benefits. This paper describes the application of both ANP (Analytic Network process) and DEMATEL (Decision Making trial and evaluation laboratory)-ANP in a public medical centre to establish the most suitable six sigma project and finally, these methods were compared to evaluate their performance in the decision making process. Methods ANP and DEMATEL-ANP were used to evaluate 6 six sigma project alternatives under an evaluation model composed by 3 strategies, 4 criteria and 15 sub-criteria. Judgement matrixes were completed by the six sigma team whose participants worked in different departments of the medical centre. Results The improving of care opportunity in obstetric outpatients was elected as the most suitable six sigma project with a score of 0,117 as contribution to the organization goals. DEMATEL-ANP performed better at decision making process since it reduced the error probability due to interactions and feedback. Conclusions ANP and DEMATEL-ANP effectively supported six sigma project selection processes, helping to create a complete framework that guarantees the prioritization of projects that provide maximum benefits to healthcare organizations. As DEMATEL- ANP performed better, it should be used by practitioners involved in decisions related to the implementation of six sigma programs in healthcare sector accompanied by the adequate identification of the evaluation criteria that support the decision making model. Thus, this comparative study contributes to choosing more effective approaches in this field. Suggestions of further work are also proposed so that these methods can be applied more adequate in six sigma project selection processes in healthcare. PMID:26391445

Thermo-labile stability of sigmaH (Spo0H) in temperature-sensitive spo0H mutants of Bacillus subtilis can be suppressed by mutations in RNA polymerase beta subunit.

PubMed

Ohashi, Y; Sugimaru, K; Nanamiya, H; Sebata, T; Asai, K; Yoshikawa, H; Kawamura, F

1999-03-18

We isolated novel temperature-sensitive mutants of spo0H, spo0H1 and spo0H5, having E61K and G30E amino-acid substitutions within the sigmaH protein, respectively, and located in the highly conserved region, "2", among prokaryotic sigma factors that participates in binding to core enzyme of RNA polymerase. These mutants showed a sporulation-deficient phenotype at 43 degrees C. Moreover, we successfully isolated suppressor mutants that were spontaneously generated from the spo0H mutants. Our genetic analysis of these suppressor mutations revealed that the suppressor mutations are within the rpoB gene coding for the beta subunit of RNA polymerase. The mutations caused single amino-acid substitutions, E857A and P1055S, in rpoB18 and rpoB532 mutants that were generated from spo0H1 and spo0H5, respectively. Whereas the sigmaH-dependent expression of a spo0A-bgaB fusion was greatly reduced in both spo0H mutants, their expression was partially restored in the suppressor mutants at 43 degrees C. Western blot analysis showed that the level of sigmaH protein in the wild type increased between T0 and T2 and decreased after T3, while the level of sigmaH protein in spo0H mutants was greatly reduced throughout growth, indicating that the mutant sigmaH proteins were rapidly degraded by some unknown proteolytic enzyme(s). The analysis of the half-life of sigmaH protein showed that the short life of sigmaH in spo0H mutants is prolonged in the suppressor mutants. These findings suggest that, at least to some extent, the process of E-sigmaH formation may be involved in stabilization of sigmaH at the onset of sporulation.

Reflection coefficient of qP, qS and SH at a plane boundary between viscoelastic TTI media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Hongwei; Peng, Suping

2016-01-01

This paper introduces a calculation method for the effective elastic stiffness tensor matrix of the viscous-elastic TTI medium based on the Chapman theory. We then obtain the phase velocity formula and seismic wave polarization formula of the viscous-elastic TTI medium, by solving the Christoffel equation; solve the phase angle of reflection and transmission wave through the numerical method in accordance with the wave slowness ellipsoid; on the basis of this assumption, and assuming that qP, qS and SH waves occurred simultaneously at the viscous-elastic anisotropic interface, establish the sixth-order Zoeppritz equation in accordance with the boundary conditions; establish the models for the upper and lower media which are viscous-elastic HTI, TTI, etc., on the basis of the sixth-order Zoeppritz equation; and study the impact of fracture dip angle, azimuth angle and frequency on the reflection coefficient. From this we obtain the following conclusions: the reflection coefficient can identify the fracture strike and dip when any information pertaining to the media is unknown; dispersion phenomenon is obvious on the axial plane of symmetry and weakened in the plane vertical to the axial plane of symmetry; the vertical-incidence longitudinal wave can stimulate the qS wave when the dip angle is not 0° or 90° under the condition of coincidence between the symmetry planes of the upper and lower media; when the symmetry planes of the upper and lower media do not coincide and the dip angle is not 0° or 90°, then the vertical-incidence qP will stimulate the qS and SH waves at the same time; the dip angle can cause the reflection coefficient curve to have a more obvious dispersion phenomenon, while the included angle between the symmetry planes of the upper and lower media will weaken the dispersion except SH; and the intercept of reflection coefficient is affected by the fracture dip and included angle between the symmetry planes of the upper and lower media.

Conformationally restricted analogs of BD1008 and an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide targeting sigma1 receptors produce anti-cocaine effects in mice.

PubMed

Matsumoto, R R; McCracken, K A; Friedman, M J; Pouw, B; De Costa, B R; Bowen, W D

2001-05-11

Cocaine's ability to interact with sigma receptors suggests that these proteins mediate some of its behavioral effects. Therefore, three novel sigma receptor ligands with antagonist activity were evaluated in Swiss Webster mice: BD1018 (3S-1-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-1,4-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]nonane), BD1063 (1-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-4-methylpiperazine), and LR132 (1R,2S-(+)-cis-N-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)cyclohexylamine). Competition binding assays demonstrated that all three compounds have high affinities for sigma1 receptors. The three compounds vary in their affinities for sigma2 receptors and exhibit negligible affinities for dopamine, opioid, GABA(A) and NMDA receptors. In behavioral studies, pre-treatment of mice with BD1018, BD1063, or LR132 significantly attenuated cocaine-induced convulsions and lethality. Moreover, post-treatment with LR132 prevented cocaine-induced lethality in a significant proportion of animals. In contrast to the protection provided by the putative antagonists, the well-characterized sigma receptor agonist di-o-tolylguanidine (DTG) and the novel sigma receptor agonist BD1031 (3R-1-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-1,4-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]nonane) each worsened the behavioral toxicity of cocaine. At doses where alone, they produced no significant effects on locomotion, BD1018, BD1063 and LR132 significantly attenuated the locomotor stimulatory effects of cocaine. To further validate the hypothesis that the anti-cocaine effects of the novel ligands involved antagonism of sigma receptors, an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide against sigma1 receptors was also shown to significantly attenuate the convulsive and locomotor stimulatory effects of cocaine. Together, the data suggests that functional antagonism of sigma receptors is capable of attenuating a number of cocaine-induced behaviors.

Limitations of the planning organ at risk volume (PRV) concept.

PubMed

Stroom, Joep C; Heijmen, Ben J M

2006-09-01

Previously, we determined a planning target volume (PTV) margin recipe for geometrical errors in radiotherapy equal to M(T) = 2 Sigma + 0.7 sigma, with Sigma and sigma standard deviations describing systematic and random errors, respectively. In this paper, we investigated margins for organs at risk (OAR), yielding the so-called planning organ at risk volume (PRV). For critical organs with a maximum dose (D(max)) constraint, we calculated margins such that D(max) in the PRV is equal to the motion averaged D(max) in the (moving) clinical target volume (CTV). We studied margins for the spinal cord in 10 head-and-neck cases and 10 lung cases, each with two different clinical plans. For critical organs with a dose-volume constraint, we also investigated whether a margin recipe was feasible. For the 20 spinal cords considered, the average margin recipe found was: M(R) = 1.6 Sigma + 0.2 sigma with variations for systematic and random errors of 1.2 Sigma to 1.8 Sigma and -0.2 sigma to 0.6 sigma, respectively. The variations were due to differences in shape and position of the dose distributions with respect to the cords. The recipe also depended significantly on the volume definition of D(max). For critical organs with a dose-volume constraint, the PRV concept appears even less useful because a margin around, e.g., the rectum changes the volume in such a manner that dose-volume constraints stop making sense. The concept of PRV for planning of radiotherapy is of limited use. Therefore, alternative ways should be developed to include geometric uncertainties of OARs in radiotherapy planning.

Local and global gravitational aspects of domain wall space-times

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

Cvetic, M.; Griffies, S.; Soleng, H.H.

1993-09-15

Local and global gravitational effects induced by eternal vacuum domain walls are studied. We concentrate on thin walls between nonequal and nonpositive cosmological constants on each side of the wall. The assumption of homogeneity, isotropy, and geodesic completeness of the space-time intrinsic to the wall as described in the comoving coordinate system and the constraint that the same symmetries hold in hypersurfaces parallel to the wall yield a general [ital Ansatz] for the line element of space-time. We restrict the problem further by demanding that the wall's surface energy density, [sigma], is positive and by requiring that the infinitely thinmore » wall represents a thin-wall limit of kinklike scalar field configuration. These vacuum domain walls fall in three classes depending on the value of their [sigma]: (1) extreme walls with [sigma]=[sigma][sub ext] are planar, static walls corresponding to supersymmetric configurations, (2) nonextreme walls with [sigma]=[sigma][sub non][gt][sigma][sub ext] correspond to expanding bubbles with observers on either side of the wall being [ital inside] the bubble, and (3) ultraextreme walls with [sigma]=[sigma][sub ultra][lt][sigma][sub ext] represent the bubbles of false vacuum decay. On the sides with less negative cosmological constant, the extreme, nonextreme, and ultraextreme walls exhibit no, repulsive, and attractive effective gravitational forces,'' respectively. These gravitational forces'' are global effects not caused by local curvature. Since the nonextreme wall encloses observers on both sides, the supersymmetric system has the lowest gravitational mass accessible to outside observers. It is conjectured that similar positive mass protection occurs in all physical systems and that no finite negative mass object can exist inside the universe.« less

Highly Resolved Studies of Vacuum Ultraviolet Photoionization Dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kakar, Sandeep

We use measurements of dispersed fluorescence from electronically excited photoions to study fundamental aspects of intramolecular dynamics. Our experimental innovations make it possible to obtain highly resolved photoionization data that offer qualitative insights into molecular scattering. In particular, we obtain vibrationally resolved data to probe coupling between the electronic and nuclear degrees of freedom by studying the distribution of vibrational energy among photoions. Vibrationally resolved branching ratios are measured over a broad spectral range of excitation energy and their non-Franck-Condon behavior is used as a tool to investigate two diverse aspects of shape resonant photoionization. First, vibrational branching ratios are obtained for the SiF_4 5a _1^{-1} and CS_2 5sigma_{rm u} ^{-1} photoionization channels to help elucidate the microscopic aspects of shape resonant wavefunction for polyatomic molecules. It is shown that in such molecules the shape resonant wavefunction is not necessarily attributable to a specific bond in the molecule. Second, the multichannel aspect of shape resonant photoionization dynamics, reflected in continuum channel coupling, is investigated by obtaining vibrational branching ratios for the 2 sigma_{rm u}^{ -1} and 4sigma^{ -1} photoionization of the isoelectronic molecules N_2 and CO, respectively. These data indicate that effects of continuum coupling may be widespread. We also present the first set of rotationally resolved data over a wide energy range for the 2 sigma_{rm u}^{ -1} photoionization of N_2. These data probe the partitioning of the angular momentum between the photoelectron and photoion, and highlight the multicenter nature of the molecular potential. These case studies illustrate the utility of dispersed fluorescence measurements as a complement to photoelectron spectroscopy for obtaining highly resolved data for molecular photoionization. These measurements makes it possible to probe intrinsically molecular aspects, such as the vibration and rotation, of photoionization dynamics over an extended spectral range when used in conjunction with synchrotron radiation as the exciting source. Furthermore, the high resolution made possible by this technique provides high selectivity for accessing weaker ionization channels which are the ones strongly affected by resonant activity, and the present study repeatedly stresses the importance of this capability in discovering and deciphering new trends in resonant molecular ionization dynamics.

Mechanistic Implications of the Unique Structural Features and Dimerization of the Cytoplasmic Domain of the Pseudomonas Sigma Regulator, PupR

DOE PAGES

Jensen, Jaime L.; Balbo, Andrea; Neau, David B.; ...

2015-09-29

Gram-negative bacteria tightly regulate intracellular levels of iron, an essential nutrient. To ensure this tight regulation, some outer membrane TonB-dependent transporters (TBDTs) that are responsible for iron import stimulate their own transcription in response to extracellular binding by an iron-laden siderophore. This process is mediated by an inner membrane sigma regulator protein (an anti-sigma factor) that transduces an unknown periplasmic signal from the TBDT to release an intracellular sigma factor from the inner membrane, which ultimately upregulates TBDT transcription. Here we use the Pseudomonas putida ferric-pseudobactin BN7/BN8 sigma regulator, PupR, as a model system to understand the molecular mechanism ofmore » this conserved class of sigma regulators. We have determined the X-ray crystal structure of the cytoplasmic anti-sigma domain (ASD) of PupR to 2.0 Å. Size exclusion chromatography, small angle X-ray scattering, and sedimentation velocity analytical ultracentrifugation, all indicate that in contrast to other ASDs, the PupR-ASD exists as a dimer in solution. Mutagenesis of residues at the dimer interface identified from the crystal structure disrupts dimerization and protein stability, as determined by sedimentation velocity analytical ultracentrifugation and thermal denaturation circular dichroism spectroscopy. Lastly, these combined results suggest that this type of inner membrane sigma regulator may utilize an unusual mechanism to sequester their cognate sigma factors and prevent transcription activation.« less

Constitutive properties of adult mammalian cardiac muscle cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zile, M. R.; Richardson, K.; Cowles, M. K.; Buckley, J. M.; Koide, M.; Cowles, B. A.; Gharpuray, V.; Cooper, G. 4th

1998-01-01

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether changes in the constitutive properties of the cardiac muscle cell play a causative role in the development of diastolic dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cardiocytes from normal and pressure-hypertrophied cats were embedded in an agarose gel, placed on a stretching device, and subjected to a change in stress (sigma), and resultant changes in cell strain (epsilon) were measured. These measurements were used to examine the passive elastic spring, viscous damping, and myofilament activation. The passive elastic spring was assessed in protocol A by increasing the sigma on the agarose gel at a constant rate to define the cardiocyte sigma-versus-epsilon relationship. Viscous damping was assessed in protocol B from the loop area between the cardiocyte sigma-versus-epsilon relationship during an increase and then a decrease in sigma. In both protocols, myofilament activation was minimized by a reduction in [Ca2+]i. Myofilament activation effects were assessed in protocol C by defining cardiocyte sigma versus epsilon during an increase in sigma with physiological [Ca2+]i. In protocol A, the cardiocyte sigma-versus-epsilon relationship was similar in normal and hypertrophied cells. In protocol B, the loop area was greater in hypertrophied than normal cardiocytes. In protocol C, the sigma-versus-epsilon relation in hypertrophied cardiocytes was shifted to the left compared with normal cells. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in viscous damping and myofilament activation in combination may cause pressure-hypertrophied cardiocytes to resist changes in shape during diastole and contribute to diastolic dysfunction.

Mechanistic Implications of the Unique Structural Features and Dimerization of the Cytoplasmic Domain of the Pseudomonas Sigma Regulator, PupR

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

Jensen, Jaime L.; Balbo, Andrea; Neau, David B.

Gram-negative bacteria tightly regulate intracellular levels of iron, an essential nutrient. To ensure this tight regulation, some outer membrane TonB-dependent transporters (TBDTs) that are responsible for iron import stimulate their own transcription in response to extracellular binding by an iron-laden siderophore. This process is mediated by an inner membrane sigma regulator protein (an anti-sigma factor) that transduces an unknown periplasmic signal from the TBDT to release an intracellular sigma factor from the inner membrane, which ultimately upregulates TBDT transcription. Here we use the Pseudomonas putida ferric-pseudobactin BN7/BN8 sigma regulator, PupR, as a model system to understand the molecular mechanism ofmore » this conserved class of sigma regulators. We have determined the X-ray crystal structure of the cytoplasmic anti-sigma domain (ASD) of PupR to 2.0 Å. Size exclusion chromatography, small angle X-ray scattering, and sedimentation velocity analytical ultracentrifugation, all indicate that in contrast to other ASDs, the PupR-ASD exists as a dimer in solution. Mutagenesis of residues at the dimer interface identified from the crystal structure disrupts dimerization and protein stability, as determined by sedimentation velocity analytical ultracentrifugation and thermal denaturation circular dichroism spectroscopy. Lastly, these combined results suggest that this type of inner membrane sigma regulator may utilize an unusual mechanism to sequester their cognate sigma factors and prevent transcription activation.« less

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

Gergely, Laszlo Arpad; Department of Experimental Physics, University of Szeged, Dom ter 9, Szeged 6720; Department of Applied Science, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London SE1 0AA

We give here a new third post-Newtonian (3PN) spin-spin contribution (in the PN parameter {epsilon}) to the accumulated orbital phase of a compact binary, arising from the spin-orbit precessional motion of the spins. In the equal mass case, this contribution vanishes, but Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) sources of merging supermassive binary black holes have typically a mass ratio of 1:10. For such nonequal masses, this 3PN correction is periodic in time, with a period approximately {epsilon}{sup -1} times larger than the period of gravitational waves. We derive a renormalized and simpler expression of the spin-spin coefficient at 2PN, asmore » an average over the time scale of this period of the combined 2PN and 3PN contribution. We also find that for LISA sources the quadrupole-monopole contribution to the phase dominates over the spin-spin contribution, while the self-spin contribution is negligible even for the dominant spin. Finally, we define a renormalized total spin coefficient {sigma} to be employed in the search for gravitational waves emitted by LISA sources.« less

Polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants in eggs may reduce reproductive success of ospreys in Oregon and Washington, USA.

PubMed

Henny, Charles J; Kaiser, James L; Grove, Robert A; Johnson, Branden L; Letcher, Robert J

2009-10-01

Spatial and temporal assessments and reports of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants in birds remain sparse. In the present study, PBDEs were detected in all 120 osprey (Pandion haliaetus) eggs collected. The eggs were collected from nests along the Columbia, Willamette and Yakima rivers of Oregon (OR) and Washington (WA) and in Puget Sound (WA) between 2002 and 2007. PBDE congeners: 17, 28, 47, 49, 66, 85, 99, 100, 138, 153, 154 (possible coelution with brominated biphenyl 153 [BB153]), 183, 190 (detected in one egg), 209 (not detected), and BB101 (only detected in 2006 and 2007) and total-alpha-hexabromocyclododecane (only detected in five eggs) were analyzed for in the egg samples. Eggs from reservoirs in the forested headwaters of the Willamette River (2002) contained the lowest concentrations of SigmaPBDEs (geometric mean [range], 98 [55.2-275] ng/g wet weight [ww]), while those from the middle Willamette River (2006) contained the highest (897 [507-1,880] ng/g ww). Concentrations in eggs from the Columbia River progressively increased downstream from Umatilla, OR (River Mile [RM] 286) to Skamokoa, WA (RM 29), which indicated additive PBDE sources along the river. In general, regardless of the year of egg collection, differences in PBDE concentrations reported in osprey eggs along the three major rivers studied (Columbia, Willamette and Yakima) seem to reflect differences in river flow (dilution effect) and the extent of human population and industry (source inputs) along the rivers. PBDE concentrations increased over time at two locations (Seattle, WA; Columbia River, RM 29-84) where temporal patterns could be evaluated. Only during 2006 (on the middle Willamette River, RM 61-157) and 2007 (on the lower Columbia River, RM 29-84) did SigmaPBDE concentrations in osprey eggs exceed 1,000 ng/g ww with negative relationships indicated at both locations between productivity and SigmaPBDE concentrations in eggs (P = 0.008, P = 0.057). Osprey eggs from Everett, WA contained nearly twice the SigmaPBDE concentration (geometric mean 239 vs. 141 ng/g ww, range 124-384 vs. 22.2-819 ng/g ww, P < or = 0.05) as double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) eggs collected at the same location and time, which is likely due to dietary differences. No significant relationship (all Ps > 0.147) was indicated between PBDE congeners (including SigmaPBDEs) and eggshell thickness at the concentrations observed in this study.

On the possibility of spectroscopic cancer diagnostics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khairullina, Alphiya Y.; Oleinik, Tatiana V.; Korolevich, Alexander N.; Sevkovsky, Yacob I.

1993-07-01

The diffuse reflection and transmission coefficients, other optical parameters of normal and cancer tissues have been investigated in visible and infrared spectra. The optimal spectral range for distinguishing the cancer is found. The spectral absorption coefficients and size of cells parameter determined using our approach are analyzed to be different for normal and pathological tissues. The method is proposed for calculating the diffuse reflectance and transmittance of multiple tissue layers. The investigations have shown that cancer may be distinguished under the layers of skin and normal tissue.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: Absolute Refletivity of Jupiter and Saturn (Mendikoa+ 2017)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mendikoa, I.; Sanchez-Lavega, A.; Perez-Hoyos, S.; Hueso, R.; Rojas, J. F.; Lopez-Santiago, J.

2017-08-01

Overall mean absolute reflectivity I/F of Jupiter and Saturn. Scans at central meridian are given versus latitude from observations at Calar Alto observatory between 2012 and 2016. In addition, Minnaert coefficients (I/F)0 and k are given, determining the I/F variation with the cosines of the incidence and emission angles, where (I/F)0 represents the absolute reflectivity in absence of darkening effects at nadir viewing and k is the limb-darkening coefficient. (12 data files).

Theoretical calculations of the self-reflection coefficients for some species of ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Z. M.; Gou, C.; Hou, Q.

2002-06-01

The bipartition model of ion transport has been applied to study the self-reflection coefficients of some species of ion beams which are normally incident to a surface. The computational results has been compared with the results taken from Eckstein and Biersack and the compilation data given by Thomas, Janev and Smith. It was found that there are in reasonable agreement between the results given by the bipartition model and the results given by Monte Carlo method.

Revisiting the Plane Electromagnetic Wave Transmission and Reflection Coefficients for the Layer with AN Alternating-Sign Disturbance of Relative Dielectric Permittivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Milov, V. R.; Kogan, L. P.; Gorev, P. V.; Kuzmichev, P. N.; Egorova, P. A.

2017-01-01

In this paper, we consider the question of the plane electromagnetic wave incidence at the inhomogeneity with an arbitrary profile of the relative permittivity disturbance. Module estimation of Neumann series remainder is carried out for the field of the wave passing through the nonhomogeneous section. Based on that, the number of summands in the series, required to calculate with a given accuracy, the transmission and reflection coefficients have been determined.

Differential Frequency Hopping (DFH) Modulation for Underwater Acoustic Communications and Networking

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-10-09

trains the coefficients c of a finite impulse response (FIR) filter by gradient descent. The coefficients at iteration k + 1 are computed with the update... absorption . Figure 9 shows the reflection loss as a function of grazing angle for this bottom model. Note that below 30◦ this bottom model predicts...less than 1 dB loss per ray bounce. 11 Figure 9: Jackson bottom reflection loss for sand at 15 kHz Absorption Loss The absorption loss in the medium was

Additional nuclear criticality safety calculations for small-diameter containers

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

Hone, M.J.

This report documents additional criticality safety analysis calculations for small diameter containers, which were originally documented in Reference 1. The results in Reference 1 indicated that some of the small diameter containers did not meet the criteria established for criticality safety at the Portsmouth facility (K{sub eff} +2{sigma}<.95) when modeled under various contingency assumptions of reflection and moderation. The calculations performed in this report reexamine those cases which did not meet the criticality safety criteria. In some cases, unnecessary conservatism is removed, and in other cases mass or assay limits are established for use with the respective containers.

78 FR 39339 - Importer of Controlled Substances; Notice of Registration; SA INTL GMBH C/O., Sigma Aldrich Co., LLC

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-01

... Registration; SA INTL GMBH C/O., Sigma Aldrich Co., LLC By Notice dated March 20, 2013, and published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2013, 78 FR 19015, SA INTL GMBH C/O., Sigma Aldrich Co. LLC., 3500 Dekalb... registration of SA INTL GMBH C/O., Sigma Aldrich Co. LLC., to import the basic classes of controlled substances...

Quantitation of apolipoprotein epsilon gene expression by competitive polymerase chain reaction in a patient with familial apolipoprotein E deficiency.

PubMed

Dobmeyer, J M; Rexin, M; Dobmeyer, T S; Klein, S A; Rossol, R; Feussner, G

1998-06-22

A simple method of obtaining semiquantitative and reliable data on apolipoprotein (apo) sigma gene expression is described. We detected apo sigma specific sequences by reverse transcription (rT)-PCR. For quantitative measurement, an apo sigma DNA standard was produced allowing the development of a competitive PCR-method. The efficiency of RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis was controlled by quantitation of a housekeeping gene (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphatedehydrogenase, G3PDH) in separate reactions. To imitate a defined induction of apo sigma gene expression, serial twofold dilutions of total RNA were reversely transcribed and the respective cDNAs used to perform a competitive apo sigma and G3PDH PCR. The change in apo sigma cDNA and G3PDH cDNA was 1.7-2.3-fold with an expected value of 2.0-fold. Standard deviations in three independently performed experiments were within a range of < 15% of the mean, indicating low intra-assay variation and high reproducibility. To illustrate this method, apo sigma gene expression was measured in a patient with complete lack of functional active apo E in comparison to healthy controls. The method presented here might be valuable in assessment of apo sigma gene expression in human disease.

Sigma receptors: biology and therapeutic potential.

PubMed

Guitart, Xavier; Codony, Xavier; Monroy, Xavier

2004-07-01

More than 20 years after the identification of the sigma receptors as a unique binding site in the brain and in the peripheral organs, several questions regarding this receptor are still open. Only one of the subtypes of the receptor has been cloned to date, but the endogenous ligand still remains unknown, and the possible association of the receptor with a conventional second messenger system is controversial. From the very beginning, the sigma receptors were associated with various central nervous system disorders such as schizophrenia or movement disorders. Today, after hundreds of papers dealing with the importance of sigma receptors in brain function, it is widely accepted that sigma receptors represent a new and different avenue in the possible pharmacological treatment of several brain-related disorders. In this review, what is known about the biology of the sigma receptor regarding its putative structure and its distribution in the central nervous system is summarized first. The role of sigma receptors regulating cellular functions and other neurotransmitter systems is also addressed, as well as a short overview of the possible endogenous ligands. Finally, although no specific sigma ligand has reached the market, different pharmacological approaches to the alleviation and treatment of several central nervous system disorders and deficits, including schizophrenia, pain, memory deficits, etc., are discussed, with an overview of different compounds and their potential therapeutic use.

Elastic-mathematical theory of cells and mitochondria in swelling process. II. Effect of temperature upon modulus of elasticity of membranous material of egg cells of sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, and of oyster, Crassostrea virginica.

PubMed

Mela, M J

1968-01-01

The elastic behavior of the cell wall as a function of the temperature has been studied with particular attention being given to the swelling of egg cells of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus and Crassostrea virginica in different sea water concentrations at different temperatures. It was found that the modulus of elasticity is a nonlinear function of temperature. At about 12-13 degrees C the modulus of elasticity (E) is constant, independent of the stress (sigma) and strain (epsilon(nu)) which exist at the cell wall; the membranous material follows Hooke's law, and E approximately 3 x 10(7) dyn/cm(2) for S. purpuratus and C. virginica. When the temperature is higher or lower than 12-13 degrees C, the modulus of elasticity increases, and the membranous material does not follow Hooke's law, but is almost directly proportional to the stresses existing at the cell wall. On increasing the stress, the function E(sigma) = E(sigma) approaches saturation. The corresponding stress-strain diagrams, sigma = sigma(epsilon(nu)), and the graphs, E(sigma) = E(sigma) and E(sigma) = E(t) are given. The cyto-elastic phenomena at the membrane are discussed.

The Nustar Spectrum of Mrk 335: Extreme Relativistic Effects Within Two Gravitational Radii of the Event Horizon?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parker, M. L.; Wilkins, D. R.; Fabian, A. C.; Grupe, D.; Dauser, T.; Matt, G.; Harrison, F. A.; Brenneman, L.; Boggs, S. E.; Christensen, F. E.;

Interactions of satellite-speed helium atoms with satellite surfaces. 3: Drag coefficients from spatial and energy distributions of reflected helium atoms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sharma, P. K.; Knuth, E. L.

1977-01-01

Spatial and energy distributions of helium atoms scattered from an anodized 1235-0 aluminum surface as well as the tangential and normal momentum accommodation coefficients calculated from these distributions are reported. A procedure for calculating drag coefficients from measured values of spatial and energy distributions is given. The drag coefficient calculated for a 6061 T-6 aluminum sphere is included.

PECHCV, PECHFV, PEFHCV and PEFHFV: A set of atmospheric, primitive equation forecast models for the Northern Hemisphere, volume 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wellck, R. E.; Pearce, M. L.

1976-01-01

As part of the SEASAT program of NASA, a set of four hemispheric, atmospheric prediction models were developed. The models, which use a polar stereographic grid in the horizontal and a sigma coordinate in the vertical, are: (1) PECHCV - five sigma layers and a 63 x 63 horizontal grid, (2) PECHFV - ten sigma layers and a 63 x 63 horizontal grid, (3) PEFHCV - five sigma layers and a 187 x 187 horizontal grid, and (4) PEFHFV - ten sigma layers and a 187 x 187 horizontal grid. The models and associated computer programs are described.

Quality assurance and management in microelectronics companies: ISO 9000 versus Six Sigma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lupan, Razvan; Kobi, Abdessamad; Robledo, Christian; Bacivarov, Ioan; Bacivarov, Angelica

2009-01-01

A strategy for the implementation of the Six Sigma method as an improvement solution for the ISO 9000:2000 Quality Standard is proposed. Our approach is focused on integrating the DMAIC cycle of the Six Sigma method with the PDCA process approach, highly recommended by the standard ISO 9000:2000. The Six Sigma steps applied to each part of the PDCA cycle are presented in detail, giving some tools and training examples. Based on this analysis the authors conclude that applying Six Sigma philosophy to the Quality Standard implementation process is the best way to achieve the optimal results in quality progress and therefore in customers satisfaction.

A new fifth parameter for transverse isotropy III: reflection and transmission coefficients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawakatsu, Hitoshi

2018-04-01

The effect of the newly defined fifth parameter, ηκ, of transverse anisotropy to the reflection and transmission coefficients, especially for P-to-S and S-to-P conversion coefficients, is examined. While ηκ systematically affects the P-to-S and S-to-P conversions, in the incidence angle range of the practical interest of receiver function studies, the effect may be asymmetric in a sense that P-wave receiver function is affected more than S-receiver function in terms of amplitude. This asymmetry may help resolving ηκ via extensive receiver function analysis. It is also found that P-wave anisotropy significantly influences P-to-S and S-to-P conversion coefficients that complicates the interpretation of receiver functions, because, for isotropic media, we typically attribute the primary receiver function signals to S-wave velocity changes but not to P-wave changes.

Hyperspectral absorption and backscattering coefficients of bulk water retrieved from a combination of remote-sensing reflectance and attenuation coefficient.

PubMed

Lin, Junfang; Lee, Zhongping; Ondrusek, Michael; Liu, Xiaohan

2018-01-22

Absorption (a) and backscattering (bb) coefficients play a key role in determining the light field; they also serve as the link between remote sensing and concentrations of optically active water constituents. Here we present an updated scheme to derive hyperspectral a and bb with hyperspectral remote-sensing reflectance (Rrs) and diffuse attenuation coefficient (Kd) as the inputs. Results show that the system works very well from clear open oceans to highly turbid inland waters, with an overall difference less than 25% between these retrievals and those from instrument measurements. This updated scheme advocates the measurement and generation of hyperspectral a and bb from hyperspectral Rrs and Kd, as an independent data source for cross-evaluation of in situ measurements of a and bb and for the development and/or evaluation of remote sensing algorithms for such optical properties.

Effective conductivity of suspensions of hard spheres by Brownian motion simulation

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

Chan Kim, I.; Torquato, S.

1991-02-15

A generalized Brownian motion simulation technique developed by Kim and Torquato (J. Appl. Phys. {bold 68}, 3892 (1990)) is applied to compute exactly'' the effective conductivity {sigma}{sub {ital e}} of heterogeneous media composed of regular and random distributions of hard spheres of conductivity {sigma}{sub 2} in a matrix of conductivity {sigma}{sub 1} for virtually the entire volume fraction range and for several values of the conductivity ratio {alpha}={sigma}{sub 2}/{sigma}{sub 1}, including superconducting spheres ({alpha}={infinity}) and perfectly insulating spheres ({alpha}=0). A key feature of the procedure is the use of {ital first}-{ital passage}-{ital time} equations in the two homogeneous phases andmore » at the two-phase interface. The method is shown to yield {sigma}{sub {ital e}} accurately with a comparatively fast execution time. The microstructure-sensitive analytical approximation of {sigma}{sub {ital e}} for dispersions derived by Torquato (J. Appl. Phys. {bold 58}, 3790 (1985)) is shown to be in excellent agreement with our data for random suspensions for the wide range of conditions reported here.« less

Sigma model Q-balls and Q-stars

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

Verbin, Y.

2007-10-15

A new kind of Q-balls is found: Q-balls in a nonlinear sigma model. Their main properties are presented together with those of their self-gravitating generalization, sigma model Q-stars. A simple special limit of solutions which are bound by gravity alone ('sigma stars') is also discussed briefly. The analysis is based on calculating the mass, global U(1) charge and binding energy for families of solutions parametrized by the central value of the scalar field. Two kinds (differing by the potential term) of the new sigma model Q-balls and Q-stars are analyzed. They are found to share some characteristics while differing inmore » other respects like their properties for weak central scalar fields which depend strongly on the form of the potential term. They are also compared with their ordinary counterparts and although similar in some respects, significant differences are found like the existence of an upper bound on the central scalar field. A special subset of the sigma model Q-stars contains those which do not possess a flat space limit. Their relation with sigma star solutions is discussed.« less

Geographic variation in the relationships of temperature, salinity or sigma sub t versus plant nutrient concentrations in the world ocean. [silicic acid, nitrate, and phosphate concentration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kamykowski, D.; Zentara, S. J.

1985-01-01

A NODC data set representing all regions of the world ocean was analyzed for temperature and sigma-t relationships with nitrate, phosphate or silicic acid. Six cubic regressions were for each ten degree square of latitude and longitude containing adequate data. World maps display the locations that allow the prediction of plant nutrient concentrations from temperature or sigma-t. Geographic coverage improves along the sequence: nitrate, phosphate, and silicic acid and is better for sigma-t than for temperature. Contour maps of the approximate temperature of sigma-t at which these nitrients are no longer measurable in a parcel of water are generated, based on a percentile analysis of the temperature or sigma-t at which less than a selected amount of plant nutrient occurs. Results are stored on magnetic tape in tabular form. The global potential to predict plant nutrient concentrations from remotely sensed temperature of sigma-t and to emphasize the latitudinally and longitudinally changing phytoplankton growth environment in present and past oceans is demonstrated.

Interest and limits of the six sigma methodology in medical laboratory.

PubMed

Scherrer, Florian; Bouilloux, Jean-Pierre; Calendini, Ors'Anton; Chamard, Didier; Cornu, François

2017-02-01

The mandatory accreditation of clinical laboratories in France provides an incentive to develop real tools to measure performance management methods and to optimize the management of internal quality controls. Six sigma methodology is an approach commonly applied to software quality management and discussed in numerous publications. This paper discusses the primary factors that influence the sigma index (the choice of the total allowable error, the approach used to address bias) and compares the performance of different analyzers on the basis of the sigma index. Six sigma strategy can be applied to the policy management of internal quality control in a laboratory and demonstrates through a comparison of four analyzers that there is no single superior analyzer in clinical chemistry. Similar sigma results are obtained using approaches toward bias based on the EQAS or the IQC. The main difficulty in using the six sigma methodology lies in the absence of official guidelines for the definition of the total error acceptable. Despite this drawback, our comparison study suggests that difficulties with defined analytes do not vary with the analyzer used.

Digital phased array beamforming using single-bit delta-sigma conversion with non-uniform oversampling.

PubMed

Kozak, M; Karaman, M

2001-07-01

Digital beamforming based on oversampled delta-sigma (delta sigma) analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion can reduce the overall cost, size, and power consumption of phased array front-end processing. The signal resampling involved in dynamic delta sigma beamforming, however, disrupts synchronization between the modulators and demodulator, causing significant degradation in the signal-to-noise ratio. As a solution to this, we have explored a new digital beamforming approach based on non-uniform oversampling delta sigma A/D conversion. Using this approach, the echo signals received by the transducer array are sampled at time instants determined by the beamforming timing and then digitized by single-bit delta sigma A/D conversion prior to the coherent beam summation. The timing information involves a non-uniform sampling scheme employing different clocks at each array channel. The delta sigma coded beamsums obtained by adding the delayed 1-bit coded RF echo signals are then processed through a decimation filter to produce final beamforming outputs. The performance and validity of the proposed beamforming approach are assessed by means of emulations using experimental raw RF data.

Different intracellular distribution of avian reovirus core protein sigmaA in cells of avian and mammalian origin.

PubMed

Vázquez-Iglesias, Lorena; Lostalé-Seijo, Irene; Martínez-Costas, José; Benavente, Javier

2012-10-25

A comparative analysis of the intracellular distribution of avian reovirus (ARV) core protein sigmaA in cells of avian and mammalian origin revealed that, whereas the viral protein accumulates in the cytoplasm and nucleolus of avian cells, most sigmaA concentrates in the nucleoplasm of mammalian cells in tight association with the insoluble nuclear matrix fraction. Our results further showed that sigmaA becomes arrested in the nucleoplasm of mammalian cells via association with mammalian cell-specific factors and that this association prevents nucleolar targeting. Inhibition of RNA polymerase II activity, but not of RNA polymerase I activity, in infected mammalian cells induces nucleus-to-cytoplasm sigmaA translocation through a CRM1- and RanGTP-dependent mechanism, yet a heterokaryon assay suggests that sigmaA does not shuttle between the nucleus and cytoplasm. The scarcity of sigmaA in cytoplasmic viral factories of infected mammalian cells could be one of the factors contributing to limited ARV replication in mammalian cells. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of normalization reference genes for RT-qPCR analysis of spo0A and four sporulation sigma factor genes in Clostridium botulinum Group I strain ATCC 3502.

PubMed

Kirk, David G; Palonen, Eveliina; Korkeala, Hannu; Lindström, Miia

2014-04-01

Heat-resistant spores of Clostridium botulinum can withstand the pasteurization processes in modern food processing. This poses a risk to food safety as spores may germinate into botulinum neurotoxin-producing vegetative cells. Sporulation in Bacillus subtilis, the model organism for sporulation, is regulated by the transcription factor Spo0A and four alternative sigma factors, SigF, SigE, SigG, and SigK. While the corresponding regulators are found in available genomes of C. botulinum, little is known about their expression. To accurately measure the expression of these genes using quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR (RT-qPCR) during the exponential and stationary growth phases, a suitable normalization reference gene is required. 16S rrn, adK, alaS, era, gluD, gyrA, rpoC, and rpsJ were selected as the candidate reference genes. The most stable candidate reference gene was 16S ribosomal RNA gene (rrn), based on its low coefficient of variation (1.81%) measured during the 18-h study time. Using 16S rrn as the normalization reference gene, the relative expression levels of spo0A, sigF, sigE, sigG, and sigK were measured over 18h. The pattern of expression showed spo0A expression during the logarithmic growth phase, followed by a drop in expression upon entry to the stationary phase. Expression levels of sigF, sigE, and sigG peaked simultaneously at the end of the exponential growth phase. Peak expression of sigK occurred at 18h, however low levels of expression were detected during the exponential phase. These findings suggest these sigma factors play a role in C. botulinum sporulation that is similar, but not equal, to their role in the B. subtilis model. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Occurrence of phthalate esters in water and sediment of urban lakes in a subtropical city, Guangzhou, South China.

PubMed

Zeng, Feng; Cui, Kunyan; Xie, Zhiyong; Liu, Min; Li, Yangjie; Lin, Yujun; Zeng, Zunxiang; Li, Fangbai

2008-04-01

Extensive use of phthalate esters (PAEs) in both industrial processes and consumer products has resulted in the ubiquitous presence of these chemicals in the environment. This study reports the first data on the concentrations of 16 phthalate esters (PAEs) in water and sediments of the urban lakes in Guangzhou City. PAEs were detected in all samples analyzed, mainly originating from urban stormwater runoff, atmospheric deposition, as well as untreated discharge of industrial wastewater and municipal sewage. The Sigma(16)PAEs concentrations in water and sediments ranged from 1.69 to 4.72 microg L(-1) and 2.27 to 74.94 microg g(-1)-dry weight (dw), with the mean concentrations of 2.91 microg L(-1) and 20.85 microg g(-1)-dw, respectively, which indicates that sediment is a significant sink for PAEs. Variability of the Sigma 16PAEs concentrations in water and sediment in the urban lakes was almost consistent. The spatial distribution of PAEs was site-specific. Of the 16 PAEs, DMP, DEP, DnBP, DiBP, DMPP, and DEHP were present in all water and sediment samples. DnBP was abundant in water (53.0-81.2%), while no single dominant congener was found in sediments. The abundances of DiBP were similar to those of DEHP, and DiBP and DEHP collectively accounted for 77.2-97.6% of the Sigma 16PAEs concentrations. Congener specific analysis confirmed that DnBP was a predictive indicator for the dissolved summation operator16 PAEs concentration (correlation coefficient r=0.968, p<0.01), and that DiBP was a predictive indicator for the sediment summation operator16 PAEs concentration (r=0.975, p<0.01). As compared to the results for other studies, the urban lakes of Guangzhou were moderately polluted by PAEs.

The Sleep EEG as a Marker of Intellectual Ability in School Age Children

PubMed Central

Geiger, Anja; Huber, Reto; Kurth, Salomé; Ringli, Maya; Jenni, Oskar G.; Achermann, Peter

2011-01-01

Study Objectives: To investigate the within-subject stability in the sleep EEG and the association between the sleep EEG and intellectual abilities in 9- to 12-year-old children. Design: Intellectual ability (WISC-IV, full scale, fluid, and verbal IQ, working memory, speed of processing) were examined and all-night polysomnography was performed (2 nights per subject). Setting: Sleep laboratory. Participants: Fourteen healthy children (mean age 10.5 ± 1.0 years; 6 girls). Measurements and Results: Spectral analysis was performed on artifact-free NREM sleep epochs (C3/A2). To determine intra-individual stability and inter-individual variability of the sleep EEG, power spectra were used as feature vectors for the estimation of Euclidean distances, and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated for the 2 nights. Sleep spindle peaks were identified for each individual and individual sigma band power was determined. Trait-like aspects of the sleep EEG were observed for sleep stage variables and spectral power. Within-subject distances were smaller than between-subject distances and ICC values ranged from 0.72 to 0.96. Correlations between spectral power in individual frequency bins and intelligence scores revealed clusters of positive associations in the alpha, sigma, and beta range for full scale IQ, fluid IQ, and working memory. Similar to adults, sigma power correlated with full scale (r = 0.67) and fluid IQ (r = 0.65), but not with verbal IQ. Spindle peak frequency was negatively related to full scale IQ (r = −0.56). Conclusions: The sleep EEG during childhood shows high within-subject stability and may be a marker for intellectual ability. Citation: Geiger A; Huber R; Kurth S; Ringli M; Jenni OG; Achermann P. The sleep EEG as a marker of intellectual ability in school age children. SLEEP 2011;34(2):181-189. PMID:21286251