Right-side-stretched multifractal spectra indicate small-worldness in networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oświȩcimka, Paweł; Livi, Lorenzo; Drożdż, Stanisław

2018-04-01

Complex network formalism allows to explain the behavior of systems composed by interacting units. Several prototypical network models have been proposed thus far. The small-world model has been introduced to mimic two important features observed in real-world systems: i) local clustering and ii) the possibility to move across a network by means of long-range links that significantly reduce the characteristic path length. A natural question would be whether there exist several ;types; of small-world architectures, giving rise to a continuum of models with properties (partially) shared with other models belonging to different network families. Here, we take advantage of the interplay between network theory and time series analysis and propose to investigate small-world signatures in complex networks by analyzing multifractal characteristics of time series generated from such networks. In particular, we suggest that the degree of right-sided asymmetry of multifractal spectra is linked with the degree of small-worldness present in networks. This claim is supported by numerical simulations performed on several parametric models, including prototypical small-world networks, scale-free, fractal and also real-world networks describing protein molecules. Our results also indicate that right-sided asymmetry emerges with the presence of the following topological properties: low edge density, low average shortest path, and high clustering coefficient.

Neutron diffraction study of the formation of ordered antiphase domains in cubic titanium carbide TiC{sub 0.60}

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

Khidirov, I., E-mail: khidirov@inp.uz; Parpiev, A. S.

2013-05-15

A series of superstructural reflections (described within the sp. gr. Fd3m) are found to be split into three symmetric parts in the neutron powder diffraction pattern of titanium carbide TiC{sub 0.60} annealed at a temperature of 600 Degree-Sign C. No splitting of superstructural reflections is observed in the neutron diffraction pattern of TiC{sub 0.60} annealed at relatively high temperatures (780 Degree-Sign C). This phenomenon can be explained by that fact that the ordering of carbon atoms at relatively high temperatures (780 Degree-Sign C) is accompanied by the formation of randomly oriented rather large antiphase domains (APDs) (450 A). At relativelymore » low temperatures (600 Degree-Sign C), stacking faults arise in the arrangement of partially ordered carbon atoms. In this case, relatively small ordered APDs (290 A) are formed, along with disordered ones.« less

An Evaluation of the Network Efficiency Required in Order to Support Multicast and Synchronous Distributed Learning Network Traffic

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-09-01

This restriction limits the deployment to small and medium sized enterprises. The Internet cannot universally use DVMRP for this reason. In addition...20503. 1. AGENCY USE ONLY (Leave blank) 2. REPORT DATE September 2003 3. REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED Master’s Thesis 4. TITLE... University , 1996 Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE from

Experimental Studies on Wave Interactions of Partially Perforated Wall under Obliquely Incident Waves

PubMed Central

Lee, Jong-In; Kim, Young-Taek; Shin, Sungwon

2014-01-01

This study presents wave height distribution in terms of stem wave evolution phenomena on partially perforated wall structures through three-dimensional laboratory experiments. The plain and partially perforated walls were tested to understand their effects on the stem wave evolution under the monochromatic and random wave cases with the various wave conditions, incident angle (from 10 to 40 degrees), and configurations of front and side walls. The partially perforated wall reduced the relative wave heights more effectively compared to the plain wall structure. Partially perforated walls with side walls showed a better performance in terms of wave height reduction compared to the structure without the side wall. Moreover, the relative wave heights along the wall were relatively small when the relative chamber width is large, within the range of the chamber width in this study. The wave spectra showed a frequency dependency of the wave energy dissipation. In most cases, the existence of side wall is a more important factor than the porosity of the front wall in terms of the wave height reduction even if the partially perforated wall was still effective compared to the plain wall. PMID:25254260

Experimental studies on wave interactions of partially perforated wall under obliquely incident waves.

PubMed

Lee, Jong-In; Kim, Young-Taek; Shin, Sungwon

2014-01-01

This study presents wave height distribution in terms of stem wave evolution phenomena on partially perforated wall structures through three-dimensional laboratory experiments. The plain and partially perforated walls were tested to understand their effects on the stem wave evolution under the monochromatic and random wave cases with the various wave conditions, incident angle (from 10 to 40 degrees), and configurations of front and side walls. The partially perforated wall reduced the relative wave heights more effectively compared to the plain wall structure. Partially perforated walls with side walls showed a better performance in terms of wave height reduction compared to the structure without the side wall. Moreover, the relative wave heights along the wall were relatively small when the relative chamber width is large, within the range of the chamber width in this study. The wave spectra showed a frequency dependency of the wave energy dissipation. In most cases, the existence of side wall is a more important factor than the porosity of the front wall in terms of the wave height reduction even if the partially perforated wall was still effective compared to the plain wall.

Synchronization versus decoherence of neutrino oscillations at intermediate densities

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

Raffelt, Georg G.; Tamborra, Irene

2010-12-15

We study collective oscillations of a two-flavor neutrino system with arbitrary but fixed density. In the vacuum limit, modes with different energies quickly dephase (kinematical decoherence), whereas in the limit of infinite density they lock to each other (synchronization). For intermediate densities, we find different classes of solutions. There is always a phase transition in the sense of partial synchronization occurring only above a density threshold. For small mixing angles, partial or complete decoherence can be induced by a parametric resonance, introducing a new time scale to the problem, the final outcome depending on the spectrum and mixing angle. Wemore » derive an analytic relation that allows us to calculate the late-time degree of coherence based on the spectrum alone.« less

Development and Application of Optimization Techniques for Composite Laminates.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-09-01

Institute of Technolgy Air University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science by Gerald V. Flanagan, S.B. Lt. USAF...global minima [9]. An informal definition of convexity is that any two points in the space can be connected by a straight line which does not pass out of...question. A quick look at gradient information suggests that too few angles (2 for example) will make the laminate sensitive to small changes in

Using Neutron Radiography to Quantify Water Transport and the Degree of Saturation in Entrained Air Cement Based Mortar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lucero, Catherine L.; Bentz, Dale P.; Hussey, Daniel S.; Jacobson, David L.; Weiss, W. Jason

Air entrainment is commonly added to concrete to help in reducing the potential for freeze thaw damage. It is hypothesized that the entrained air voids remain unsaturated or partially saturated long after the smaller pores fill with water. Small gel and capillary pores in the cement matrix fill quickly on exposure to water, but larger pores (entrapped and entrained air voids) require longer times or other methods to achieve saturation. As such, it is important to quantitatively determine the water content and degree of saturation in air entrained cementitious materials. In order to further investigate properties of cement-based mortar, a model based on Beer's Law has been developed to interpret neutron radiographs. This model is a powerful tool for analyzing images acquired from neutron radiography. A mortar with a known volume of aggregate, water to cement ratio and degree of hydration can be imaged and the degree of saturation can be estimated.

Electronic Structure of Small Lanthanide Containing Molecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kafader, Jared O.; Ray, Manisha; Topolski, Josey E.; Chick Jarrold, Caroline

2016-06-01

Lanthanide-based materials have unusual electronic properties because of the high number of electronic degrees of freedom arising from partial occupation of 4f orbitals, which make these materials optimal for their utilization in many applications including electronics and catalysis. Electronic spectroscopy of small lanthanide molecules helps us understand the role of these 4f electrons, which are generally considered core-like because of orbital contraction, but are energetically similar to valence electrons. The spectroscopy of small lanthanide-containing molecules is relatively unexplored and to broaden this understanding we have completed the characterization of small cerium, praseodymium, and europium molecules using photoelectron spectroscopy coupled with DFT calculations. The characterization of PrO, EuH, EuO/EuOH, and CexOy molecules have allowed for the determination of their electron affinity, the assignment of numerous anion to neutral state transitions, modeling of anion/neutral structures and electron orbital occupation.

A small molecule chemical chaperone optimizes its unfolded state contraction and denaturant like properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Sunny; Sarkar, Suparna; Paul, Simanta Sarani; Roy, Syamal; Chattopadhyay, Krishnananda

2013-12-01

Protein aggregation is believed to occur through the formation of misfolded conformations. It is expected that, in order to minimize aggregation, an effective small molecule chaperone would destabilize these intermediates. To study the mechanism of a chemical chaperone, we have designed a series of mutant proteins in which a tryptophan residue experiences different local environments and solvent exposures. We show that these mutants correspond to a series of conformationally altered proteins with varying degree of misfolding stress and aggregation propensities. Using arginine as a model small molecule, we show that a combination of unfolded state contraction and denaturant like properties results in selective targeting and destabilization of the partially folded proteins. In comparison, the effect of arginine towards the folded like control mutant, which is not aggregation prone, is significantly less. Other small molecules, lacking either of the above two properties, do not offer any specificity towards the misfolded proteins.

Evolution of cooperation with shared costs and benefits

PubMed Central

Brown, Joel S; Vincent, Thomas L

2008-01-01

The quest to determine how cooperation evolves can be based on evolutionary game theory, in spite of the fact that evolutionarily stable strategies (ESS) for most non-zero-sum games are not cooperative. We analyse the evolution of cooperation for a family of evolutionary games involving shared costs and benefits with a continuum of strategies from non-cooperation to total cooperation. This cost–benefit game allows the cooperator to share in the benefit of a cooperative act, and the recipient to be burdened with a share of the cooperator's cost. The cost–benefit game encompasses the Prisoner's Dilemma, Snowdrift game and Partial Altruism. The models produce ESS solutions of total cooperation, partial cooperation, non-cooperation and coexistence between cooperation and non-cooperation. Cooperation emerges from an interplay between the nonlinearities in the cost and benefit functions. If benefits increase at a decelerating rate and costs increase at an accelerating rate with the degree of cooperation, then the ESS has an intermediate level of cooperation. The game also exhibits non-ESS points such as unstable minima, convergent-stable minima and unstable maxima. The emergence of cooperative behaviour in this game represents enlightened self-interest, whereas non-cooperative solutions illustrate the Tragedy of the Commons. Games having either a stable maximum or a stable minimum have the property that small changes in the incentive structure (model parameter values) or culture (starting frequencies of strategies) result in correspondingly small changes in the degree of cooperation. Conversely, with unstable maxima or unstable minima, small changes in the incentive structure or culture can result in a switch from non-cooperation to total cooperation (and vice versa). These solutions identify when human or animal societies have the potential for cooperation and whether cooperation is robust or fragile. PMID:18495622

Effectiveness of Nissen fundoplication versus anterior and posterior partial fundoplications for treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux disease: a systematic review protocol.

PubMed

Marshall-Webb, Matthew; Peters, Micah D J; Bright, Tim; Watson, David I

2018-05-01

The objective of this review is to determine the relative effectiveness of Nissen fundoplication compared to anterior and posterior partial fundoplication in controlling the symptoms of gastro-esophageal reflux disease and reducing their side effect profile in adults.The specific questions posed by this review are: what is the effectiveness of Nissen fundoplication in comparison to anterior partial fundoplication (90 degree, 120 degree and 180 degree) and posterior 270 degree fundoplication in terms of symptom control of gastro-esophageal reflux disease, and what are the side effects of these surgical interventions?

An Investigation of the Low-speed Stability and Control Characteristics of Swept-forward and Swept-back Wing in the Ames 40- by 80-foot Wind Tunnel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mccormack, Gerald M; Stevens, Victor I , Jr

1947-01-01

An investigation has been made at large scale of the characteristics of highly swept wings. Data were obtained at several angles of sideslip on wings having angles of sweep of plus or minus 45 degrees, plus or minus 30 degrees, and 0 degrees. The airfoil sections of the wings varied from approximately NACA 0015 at the root to NACA 23009 at the tip. Each wing was investigated with flaps under flection, partial-span split flaps deflected 60 degrees, full-span split flaps defected 60 degrees and split-flap-type ailerons deflected plus or minus 15 degrees. Values of maximum lift were obtained at Reynolds numbers raging from 5.7 to 9.2 times 10 to the 6th power. In this report the summarized results are compared with the predictions made by use of the simplified theory for the effect of sweep and with existing small-scale data. The basic wind-tunnel results from which these summary data were taken are included in an appendix. The primary problems accompanying the use of weep as revealed by this investigation are the loss in maximum lift, the high effective dihedral, and the sharp reduction in lateral-control effectiveness. In general, simple theory enables good predictions to be made of the gross effects of sweep but further refinements are necessary to obtain the accuracy required for design purposes. In cases where comparisons can be made, the indications are that, as sweep increases, scale effects diminish and large-scale results approach small-scale results.

INTERDISCIPLINARY PHYSICS AND RELATED AREAS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: Influence of Blurred Ways on Pattern Recognition of a Scale-Free Hopfield Neural Network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Wen-Li

2010-01-01

We investigate the influence of blurred ways on pattern recognition of a Barabási-Albert scale-free Hopfield neural network (SFHN) with a small amount of errors. Pattern recognition is an important function of information processing in brain. Due to heterogeneous degree of scale-free network, different blurred ways have different influences on pattern recognition with same errors. Simulation shows that among partial recognition, the larger loading ratio (the number of patterns to average degree P/langlekrangle) is, the smaller the overlap of SFHN is. The influence of directed (large) way is largest and the directed (small) way is smallest while random way is intermediate between them. Under the ratio of the numbers of stored patterns to the size of the network P/N is less than 0. 1 conditions, there are three families curves of the overlap corresponding to directed (small), random and directed (large) blurred ways of patterns and these curves are not associated with the size of network and the number of patterns. This phenomenon only occurs in the SFHN. These conclusions are benefit for understanding the relation between neural network structure and brain function.

Maternal body mass index and risk of obstetric anal sphincter injury.

PubMed

Blomberg, Marie

2014-01-01

To estimate the association between maternal obesity and risk of three different degrees of severity of obstetric anal sphincter injury. The study population consisted of 436,482 primiparous women with singleton term vaginal cephalic births between 1998 and 2011 identified in the Swedish Medical Birth Registry. Women were grouped into six categories of BMI. BMI 18.5-24.9 was set as reference. Primary outcome was third-degree perineal laceration, partial or total, and fourth-degree perineal laceration. Adjustments were made for year of delivery, maternal age, fetal head position at delivery, infant birth weight and instrumental delivery. The overall prevalence of third- or four-degree anal sphincter injury was 6.6% (partial anal sphincter injury 4.6%, total anal sphincter injury 1.2%, unclassified as either partial and total 0.2%, or fourth degree lacerations 0.6%). The risk for a partial, total, or a fourth-degree anal sphincter injury decreased with increasing maternal BMI most pronounced for total anal sphincter injury where the risk among morbidly obese women was half that of normal weight women, OR 0.47 95% CI 0.28-0.78. Obese women had a favourable outcome compared to normal weight women concerning serious pelvic floor damages at birth.

48 CFR 52.219-7 - Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Clauses 52.219-7 Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside. As prescribed in 19.508(d), insert the following clause: Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (JUN 2003) (a) Definitions. Small business..., and qualified as a small business under the size standards in this solicitation. (b) General. (1) A...

48 CFR 52.219-7 - Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... Clauses 52.219-7 Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside. As prescribed in 19.508(d), insert the following clause: Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (JUN 2003) (a) Definitions. Small business..., and qualified as a small business under the size standards in this solicitation. (b) General. (1) A...

48 CFR 52.219-7 - Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... Clauses 52.219-7 Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside. As prescribed in 19.508(d), insert the following clause: Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (JUN 2003) (a) Definitions. Small business..., and qualified as a small business under the size standards in this solicitation. (b) General. (1) A...

48 CFR 52.219-7 - Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... Clauses 52.219-7 Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside. As prescribed in 19.508(d), insert the following clause: Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (JUN 2003) (a) Definitions. Small business..., and qualified as a small business under the size standards in this solicitation. (b) General. (1) A...

48 CFR 52.219-7 - Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... Clauses 52.219-7 Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside. As prescribed in 19.508(d), insert the following clause: Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (JUN 2003) (a) Definitions. Small business..., and qualified as a small business under the size standards in this solicitation. (b) General. (1) A...

Karst landforms revealed at various scales using LiDAR and UAV in semi-arid Brazil: Consideration on karstification processes and methodological constraints

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silva, Orildo L.; Bezerra, Francisco H. R.; Maia, Rubson P.; Cazarin, Caroline L.

2017-10-01

This paper analyzes different types of karst landforms and their relationships with fracture systems, sedimentary bedding, and fluvial processes. We mapped karst features in the Cretaceous carbonates of the Jandaíra Formation in the Potiguar Basin, Brazil. We used high-resolution digital elevation models acquired using LiDAR and aerial orthophotographs acquired using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). We grouped and described karst evolution according to scale and degree of karstification. These degrees of karst evolution are coeval. Fractures are opened by dissolution, forming vertical fluid conduits, whereas coeval dissolution occurs along horizontal layers. This conduit system acts as pathways for water flow. The enlargement of conduits contributes to the collapse of blocks in sinkholes and expansion of caves during an intermediate degree of karstification. Propagation of dissolution can cause the coalescence of sinkholes and the capture of small streams. Fluvial processes dominate karst dissolution at an advanced degree of karstification. Comparisons with previously published ground-penetrating radar (GPR), borehole and seismic surveys in sedimentary basins indicate that these structures can be partially preserved during burial.

Multi-fluid Approach to High-frequency Waves in Plasmas. II. Small-amplitude Regime in Partially Ionized Media

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

Martínez-Gómez, David; Soler, Roberto; Terradas, Jaume, E-mail: david.martinez@uib.es

2017-03-01

The presence of neutral species in a plasma has been shown to greatly affect the properties of magnetohydrodynamic waves. For instance, the interaction between ions and neutrals through momentum transfer collisions causes the damping of Alfvén waves and alters their oscillation frequency and phase speed. When the collision frequencies are larger than the frequency of the waves, single-fluid magnetohydrodynamic approximations can accurately describe the effects of partial ionization, since there is a strong coupling between the various species. However, at higher frequencies, the single-fluid models are not applicable and more complex approaches are required. Here, we use a five-fluid modelmore » with three ionized and two neutral components, which takes into consideration Hall’s current and Ohm’s diffusion in addition to the friction due to collisions between different species. We apply our model to plasmas composed of hydrogen and helium, and allow the ionization degree to be arbitrary. By analyzing the corresponding dispersion relation and numerical simulations, we study the properties of small-amplitude perturbations. We discuss the effect of momentum transfer collisions on the ion-cyclotron resonances and compare the importance of magnetic resistivity, and ion–neutral and ion–ion collisions on the wave damping at various frequency ranges. Applications to partially ionized plasmas of the solar atmosphere are performed.« less

Method for continuous synthesis of metal oxide powders

DOEpatents

Berry, David A.; Haynes, Daniel J.; Shekhawat, Dushyant; Smith, Mark W.

2015-09-08

A method for the rapid and continuous production of crystalline mixed-metal oxides from a precursor solution comprised of a polymerizing agent, chelated metal ions, and a solvent. The method discharges solution droplets of less than 500 .mu.m diameter using an atomizing or spray-type process into a reactor having multiple temperature zones. Rapid evaporation occurs in a first zone, followed by mixed-metal organic foam formation in a second zone, followed by amorphous and partially crystalline oxide precursor formation in a third zone, followed by formation of the substantially crystalline mixed-metal oxide in a fourth zone. The method operates in a continuous rather than batch manner and the use of small droplets as the starting material for the temperature-based process allows relatively high temperature processing. In a particular embodiment, the first zone operates at 100-300.degree. C., the second zone operates at 300-700.degree. C., and the third operates at 700-1000.degree. C., and fourth zone operates at at least 700.degree. C. The resulting crystalline mixed-metal oxides display a high degree of crystallinity and sphericity with typical diameters on the order of 50 .mu.m or less.

Thermodynamics of alpha-Cyclodextrin-p-Nitrophenyl Glycoside Complexes. A Simple System To Understand the Energetics of Carbohydrate Interactions in Water.

PubMed

Junquera, Elena; Laynez, José; Menéndez, Margarita; Sharma, Sunil; Penadés, Soledad

1996-10-04

Thermodynamic studies of the binding of a series of p-nitrophenyl glycosides (PNPGly) of varying stereochemistry to alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD) were performed at three different temperatures (25, 35, and 42 degrees C) using a microcalorimetric technique. The system p-nitrophenol (PNP) at pH = 3 and alpha-CD was also studied for the sake of comparison. All these complexes were found to be enthalpy driven with a favorable enthalpic term clearly dominant over an unfavorable entropic term. A clear enthalpy-entropy compensation effect was observed at all the temperatures, with a slope close to unity (alpha = 1.02) and an intercept TDeltaS degrees (o) = 2.91 kcal mol(-)(1). This thermodynamic pattern is in agreement with those usually found for lectin-carbohydrate associations and for the binding processes of several host-guest systems. This pattern is explained in terms of the contribution of primarily two driving forces: the van der Waals interactions between the host and the guest, and the solvation/desolvation processes which accompany the association reaction. The presence of the carbohydrate molecule in the PNP ring causes a slight destabilization of the complex at 25 degrees C with respect to the alpha-CD-PNP (pH = 3) complex, although a different behavior has been observed depending on the axial/equatorial configuration of the glycoside and the temperature. This behavior is modulated by the stereochemistry of the glycoside. Differences were observed between the deoxy-derivatives (LAra and LFuc) and those derivatives with a hydroxymethyl group (Glc, Gal, Man). DeltaC(p) degrees values were obtained from the dependency of DeltaH degrees on temperature (=( partial differentialDeltaH degrees / partial differentialT)(p)). These values are small and negative except for alphaMan complex. For the latter complex, discrepancy between the calorimetric and the calculated van't Hoff enthalpies was observed. Parallels are drawn between the thermodynamics of our model and those proposed for carbohydrate-protein associations.

Characteristic hydrolyzing of megalosaccharide by human salivary α-amylase and small intestinal enzymes, and its bioavailability in healthy subjects.

PubMed

Nakamura, Sadako; Takami, Masayuki; Tanabe, Kenichi; Oku, Tsuneyuki

2014-09-01

The digestibility of Megalosaccharide® (newly developed carbohydrate comprising α-1,4-glucosaccharide) was investigated in vitro and in vivo. Isomaltosyl-megalosaccharide® (IMS) and nigerosyl-megalosaccharide® (NMS) contain 20% and 50% of the megalosaccharide fraction (degree of polymerization (DP) 10-35), respectively. IMS was hydrolyzed readily by α-amylase to oligosaccharides (DP ≤ 7), and a small amount of glucose was produced from oligosaccharides by small intestinal enzymes (SIEs). NMS was partially hydrolyzed by α-amylase to oligosaccharides, and a small amount of glucose produced by SIEs. When IMS and NMS were treated by SIEs after treatment with human saliva α-amylase for a few minutes, IMS and NMS were hydrolyzed readily to glucose. Plasma levels of glucose and insulin upon ingestion of 50 g of IMS or NMS were elevated the same as those for 50 g of glucose, and breath hydrogen was not excreted. These results suggest that IMS and NMS are digestible carbohydrates.

Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy: Superiority over laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

PubMed

Shiroki, Ryoichi; Fukami, Naohiko; Fukaya, Kosuke; Kusaka, Mamoru; Natsume, Takahiro; Ichihara, Takashi; Toyama, Hiroshi

2016-02-01

Nephron-sparing surgery has been proven to positively impact the postoperative quality of life for the treatment of small renal tumors, possibly leading to functional improvements. Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is still one of the most demanding procedures in urological surgery. Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy sometimes results in extended warm ischemic time and severe complications, such as open conversion, postoperative hemorrhage and urine leakage. Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy exploits the advantages offered by the da Vinci Surgical System to laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, equipped with 3-D vision and a better degree in the freedom of surgical instruments. The introduction of the da Vinci Surgical System made nephron-sparing surgery, specifically robot-assisted partial nephrectomy, safe with promising results, leading to the shortening of warm ischemic time and a reduction in perioperative complications. Even for complex and challenging tumors, robotic assistance is expected to provide the benefit of minimally-invasive surgery with safe and satisfactory renal function. Warm ischemic time is the modifiable factor during robot-assisted partial nephrectomy to affect postoperative kidney function. We analyzed the predictive factors for extended warm ischemic time from our robot-assisted partial nephrectomy series. The surface area of the tumor attached to the kidney parenchyma was shown to significantly affect the extended warm ischemic time during robot-assisted partial nephrectomy. In cases with tumor-attached surface area more than 15 cm(2) , we should consider switching robot-assisted partial nephrectomy to open partial nephrectomy under cold ischemia if it is imperative. In Japan, a nationwide prospective study has been carried out to show the superiority of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy to laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in improving warm ischemic time and complications. By facilitating robotic technology, robot-assisted partial nephrectomy will be more frequently carried out as a safe, effective and minimally-invasive nephron-sparing surgery procedure. © 2015 The Japanese Urological Association.

Maternal Body Mass Index and Risk of Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Objective. To estimate the association between maternal obesity and risk of three different degrees of severity of obstetric anal sphincter injury. Methods. The study population consisted of 436,482 primiparous women with singleton term vaginal cephalic births between 1998 and 2011 identified in the Swedish Medical Birth Registry. Women were grouped into six categories of BMI. BMI 18.5–24.9 was set as reference. Primary outcome was third-degree perineal laceration, partial or total, and fourth-degree perineal laceration. Adjustments were made for year of delivery, maternal age, fetal head position at delivery, infant birth weight and instrumental delivery. Results. The overall prevalence of third- or four-degree anal sphincter injury was 6.6% (partial anal sphincter injury 4.6%, total anal sphincter injury 1.2%, unclassified as either partial and total 0.2%, or fourth degree lacerations 0.6%). The risk for a partial, total, or a fourth-degree anal sphincter injury decreased with increasing maternal BMI most pronounced for total anal sphincter injury where the risk among morbidly obese women was half that of normal weight women, OR 0.47 95% CI 0.28–0.78. Conclusion. Obese women had a favourable outcome compared to normal weight women concerning serious pelvic floor damages at birth. PMID:24839604

Lu-Hf AND Sm-Nd EVOLUTION IN LUNAR MARE BASALTS.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Unruh, D.M.; Stille, P.; Patchett, P.J.; Tatsumoto, M.

1984-01-01

Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd data for mare basalts combined with Rb-Sr and total REE data taken from the literature suggest that the mare basalts were derived by small ( less than equivalent to 10%) degrees of partial melting of cumulate sources, but that the magma ocean from which these sources formed was light REE and hf-enriched. Calculated source compositions range from lherzolite to olivine websterite. Nonmodal melting of small amounts of ilmenite ( less than equivalent to 3%) in the sources seems to be required by the Lu/Hf data. A comparison of the Hf and Nd isotopic characteristics between the mare basalts and terrestrial oceanic basalts reveals that the epsilon Hf/ epsilon Nd ratios in low-Ti mare basalts are much higher than in terrestrial ocean basalts.

Flame Movement and Pressure Development in an Engine Cylinder

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marvin, Charles F , Jr; Best, Robert D

1932-01-01

This investigation describes a visual method for making stroboscopic observations, through a large number of small windows, of the spread of flame throughout the combustion chamber of a gasoline engine. Data, secured by this method on a small engine burning gaseous fuels, are given to show the effects of mixture ratio, spark advance, engine speed, charge density, degree of dilution, compression ratio, and fuel composition on flame movement in the cylinder. Partial indicator diagrams showing pressure development during the combustion period are included. Although present knowledge is not sufficient to permit qualitative evaluation of the separate effects on flame movement of chemical reaction velocity, thermal expansion of burned gases, resonance, turbulence, and piston movement, the qualitative influence of certain of these factors on some of the diagrams is indicated.

Erlotinib as a single agent in select subsets of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

PubMed

Carrión, Ramón Pérez; Gracián, Antonio Cubillo; Hernandez, Pedro Salinas

2007-07-01

Erlotinib is an orally active inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor that is effective for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients with a poor performance status (PS) of 2 constitute up to 40% of advanced NSCLC. This group of patients have a lower life expectancy and are thought to have a greater degree of treatment-related toxicity. The clinical benefit on 238 patients with poor PS included in an open-label, nonrandomized, phase II trial of erlotinib in advanced/metastatic NSCLC was 57.58% defined as complete response plus partial response plus stable disease. Median time to progression was 2.9 months. This review will summarize available data about erlotinib on patients with a PS of 2.

Plasma catalytic reforming of methane

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

Bromberg, L.; Cohn, D.R.; Rabinovich, A.

1998-08-01

Thermal plasma technology can be efficiently used in the production of hydrogen and hydrogen-rich gases from methane and a variety of fuels. This paper describes progress in plasma reforming experiments and calculations of high temperature conversion of methane using heterogeneous processes. The thermal plasma is a highly energetic state of matter that is characterized by extremely high temperatures (several thousand degrees Celsius) and high degree of dissociation and substantial degree of ionization. The high temperatures accelerate the reactions involved in the reforming process. Hydrogen-rich gas (50% H{sub 2}, 17% CO and 33% N{sub 2}, for partial oxidation/water shifting) can bemore » efficiently made in compact plasma reformers. Experiments have been carried out in a small device (2--3 kW) and without the use of efficient heat regeneration. For partial oxidation/water shifting, it was determined that the specific energy consumption in the plasma reforming processes is 16 MJ/kg H{sub 2} with high conversion efficiencies. Larger plasmatrons, better reactor thermal insulation, efficient heat regeneration and improved plasma catalysis could also play a major role in specific energy consumption reduction and increasing the methane conversion. A system has been demonstrated for hydrogen production with low CO content ({approximately} 1.5%) with power densities of {approximately} 30 kW (H{sub 2} HHV)/liter of reactor, or {approximately} 10 m{sup 3}/hr H{sub 2} per liter of reactor. Power density should further increase with increased power and improved design.« less

Global expression for representing cohesive-energy curves. II

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schlosser, Herbert; Ferrante, John

1993-01-01

Schlosser et al. (1991) showed that the R dependence of the cohesive energy of partially ionic solids may be characterized by a two-term energy relationship consisting of a Coulomb term arising from the charge transfer, delta-Z, and a scaled universal energy function, E*(a *), which accounts for the partially covalent character of the bond and for repulsion between the atomic cores for small R; a* is a scaled length. In the paper by Schlosser et al., the normalized cohesive-energy curves of NaCl-structure alkali-halide crystals were generated with this expression. In this paper we generate the cohesive-energy curves of several families of partially ionic solids with different crystal structures and differing degrees of ionicity. These include the CsCl-structure Cs halides, and the Tl and Ag halides, which have weaker ionic bonding than the alkali halides, and which have the CsCl and NaCl structures, respectively. The cohesive-energy-curve parameters are then used to generate theoretical isothermal compression curves for the Li, Na, K, Cs, and Ag halides. We find good agreement with the available experimental compression data.

Partial synchronization in networks of non-linearly coupled oscillators: The Deserter Hubs Model

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

Freitas, Celso, E-mail: cbnfreitas@gmail.com; Macau, Elbert, E-mail: elbert.macau@inpe.br; Pikovsky, Arkady, E-mail: pikovsky@uni-potsdam.de

2015-04-15

We study the Deserter Hubs Model: a Kuramoto-like model of coupled identical phase oscillators on a network, where attractive and repulsive couplings are balanced dynamically due to nonlinearity of interactions. Under weak force, an oscillator tends to follow the phase of its neighbors, but if an oscillator is compelled to follow its peers by a sufficient large number of cohesive neighbors, then it actually starts to act in the opposite manner, i.e., in anti-phase with the majority. Analytic results yield that if the repulsion parameter is small enough in comparison with the degree of the maximum hub, then the fullmore » synchronization state is locally stable. Numerical experiments are performed to explore the model beyond this threshold, where the overall cohesion is lost. We report in detail partially synchronous dynamical regimes, like stationary phase-locking, multistability, periodic and chaotic states. Via statistical analysis of different network organizations like tree, scale-free, and random ones, we found a measure allowing one to predict relative abundance of partially synchronous stationary states in comparison to time-dependent ones.« less

Factors affecting viability and growth in HeLa 229 cells of Chlamydia sp. strain TWAR.

PubMed Central

Kuo, C C; Grayston, J T

1988-01-01

Two prototype isolates (TW-183 and AR-39) of Chlamydia sp. strain TWAR were used to study factors affecting growth of this organism in HeLa 229 cells. The results showed that an incubation temperature of 35 degrees C was better than one of 37 degrees C for growth. The burst size after 3 days of incubation at 35 degrees C was found to be small (13 to 52), which partially explains the difficulty of serial passage in cell culture. Application of a higher centrifugal force (1,700 X g versus 900 X g) at the time of inoculation enhanced growth 2.2 to 3.6 times. Infectivity was enhanced by treatment of cells with DEAE-dextran (2.4 times) or poly-L-lysine (1.6 times), but not with Polybrene or polyethylene glycol. The viability of the TWAR organism in chlamydia transport medium SPG was also studied. It was shown that the organism was rapidly inactivated at room temperature (22 degrees C); only 1% remained viable after storage for 24 h. The viability was preserved at 4 degrees C, and 70% remained viable after storage for 24 h. Freezing at -75 degrees C inactivated 23% of the organisms when the organisms were frozen within 4 h after harvesting and stored at 4 degrees C before freezing. PMID:3384906

Piloting a Polychotomous Partial-Credit Scoring Procedure in a Multiple-Choice Test

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tsopanoglou, Antonios; Ypsilandis, George S.; Mouti, Anna

2014-01-01

Multiple-choice (MC) tests are frequently used to measure language competence because they are quick, economical and straightforward to score. While degrees of correctness have been investigated for partially correct responses in combined-response MC tests, degrees of incorrectness in distractors and the role they play in determining the…

Accurate Measurement of Small Airways on Low-Dose Thoracic CT Scans in Smokers

PubMed Central

Conradi, Susan H.; Atkinson, Jeffrey J.; Zheng, Jie; Schechtman, Kenneth B.; Senior, Robert M.; Gierada, David S.

2013-01-01

Background: Partial volume averaging and tilt relative to the scan plane on transverse images limit the accuracy of airway wall thickness measurements on CT scan, confounding assessment of the relationship between airway remodeling and clinical status in COPD. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of partial volume averaging and tilt corrections on airway wall thickness measurement accuracy and on relationships between airway wall thickening and clinical status in COPD. Methods: Airway wall thickness measurements in 80 heavy smokers were obtained on transverse images from low-dose CT scan using the open-source program Airway Inspector. Measurements were corrected for partial volume averaging and tilt effects using an attenuation- and geometry-based algorithm and compared with functional status. Results: The algorithm reduced wall thickness measurements of smaller airways to a greater degree than larger airways, increasing the overall range. When restricted to analyses of airways with an inner diameter < 3.0 mm, for a theoretical airway of 2.0 mm inner diameter, the wall thickness decreased from 1.07 ± 0.07 to 0.29 ± 0.10 mm, and the square root of the wall area decreased from 3.34 ± 0.15 to 1.58 ± 0.29 mm, comparable to histologic measurement studies. Corrected measurements had higher correlation with FEV1, differed more between BMI, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity (BODE) index scores, and explained a greater proportion of FEV1 variability in multivariate models. Conclusions: Correcting for partial volume averaging improves accuracy of airway wall thickness estimation, allowing direct measurement of the small airways to better define their role in COPD. PMID:23172175

Differential Curing In Fiber/Resin Laminates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Webster, Charles N.

1989-01-01

Modified layup schedule counteracts tendency toward delamination. Improved manufacturing process resembles conventional process, except prepregs partially cured laid on mold in sequence in degree of partial cure decreases from mold side to bag side. Degree of partial cure of each layer at time of layup selected by controlling storage and partial-curing temperatures of prepreg according to Arrhenius equation for rate of gel of resin as function of temperature and time from moment of mixing. Differential advancement of cure in layers made large enough to offset effect of advance bag-side heating in oven or autoclave. Technique helps prevent entrapment of volatile materials during manufacturing of fiber/resin laminates.

Application of modified R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score system in evaluating the retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy for T1 renal cell carcinoma.

PubMed

Wang, Qinzhang; Qian, Biao; Li, Qiang; Ni, Zhao; Li, Yinglong; Wang, Xinmin

2015-01-01

This study aims to investigate the application of the modified R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score system in evaluating the operation difficulty of retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy in T1 renal cell carcinoma patients. A total of 52 patients with T1 renal cell carcinoma were enrolled. They all had retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy. Their clinical data was retrospectively analyzed. R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score system was modified based on the features of retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy. The specificity, sensitivity and Youden index were compared between R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score system and the modified R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score system. The effect of the modified R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score system on perioperative outcomes was analyzed. Three degrees of operation difficulty were defined by the modified R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score system, which included the low, medium and high degree of operation difficulty. The specificity, sensitivity and Youden index of the modified R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score system were better than those of the original R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score system. Compared with low degree of operation difficulty, patients with medium and high degree of operation difficulty had significantly higher levels of operative time, warm ischemia time, and intraoperative blood loss (P < 0.05). And, the levels of operative time, warm ischemia time, and intraoperative blood loss in patients with high degree were significantly higher than those in patients with medium degree (P < 0.05). The modified R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score system has a good effect in evaluating the operation difficulty of retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy.

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

Alekseev, A E; Potapov, V T; Gorshkov, B G

We report the results of studying statistical properties of the intensity of partially polarised coherent light backscattered by a single mode optical fibre. An expression is derived for the deviation of the backscattered light intensity depending on the scattering region length, the degree of the light source coherence and the degree of scattered light polarisation. It is shown that the backscattered light in a fibre scattered-light interferometer is partially polarised with the polarisation degree P = 1/3 in the case of external perturbations of the interferometer fibre. (scattering of light)

Terror and Reprisal - An Ethical Perspective.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-03-19

partial fulfillment of the requirements for LL.5 the degree of Master of Arts in Philosophy . LA.C-31 I .o.. r.’ 17-m SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF THIS...Chapel Hill in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Philosophy . i9. KEY WORDS (Continue on reverse aide if...for the degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Philosophy . Chapel Hill 1985 Aoceessio For NTI: & DTTC ’P [l r j-’ :t- ./’ 1 . :Iid/3r - -1 ILIi

Stakeholder consultation on tracking in UK veterinary degrees: part 1.

PubMed

Crowther, E; Hughes, K; Handel, I; Whittington, R; Pryce, M; Warman, S; Rhind, S; Baillie, S

2014-07-26

There is on-going debate regarding whether veterinary students should focus on one (or a small number of) species during their undergraduate training (ie, track). The aims of this study were to: evaluate UK stakeholders' opinion on partial tracking (whereby students continue to qualify able to practise in all species) and full tracking (students qualify in a limited number of species necessitating restricted registration); and evaluate students' career aspirations in relation to the UK veterinary profession's employment profile. This paper presents the quantitative results of surveys completed by practitioners, students and university staff. The majority of respondents (69.4 per cent) disagreed or strongly disagreed with full tracking, however, there was widespread support for partial tracking (79.0 per cent agreed or strongly agreed). Students favoured partial tracking more so than practitioners (P<0.001). Univariate analysis of demographic factors did not identify differences in opinion regarding tracking within stakeholder groups. Students' knowledge of the UK veterinary employment profile appeared accurate. However, their career aspiration changed with year of the course, and only final year students' intentions were aligned with the profession's current profile. Qualitative data from these surveys are presented in a second paper and include the advantages, disadvantages and implications of partial and full tracking. British Veterinary Association.

Inertial Navigation System/Doppler Velocity Log (INS/DVL) Fusion with Partial DVL Measurements

PubMed Central

Tal, Asaf; Klein, Itzik; Katz, Reuven

2017-01-01

The Technion autonomous underwater vehicle (TAUV) is an ongoing project aiming to develop and produce a small AUV to carry on research missions, including payload dropping, and to demonstrate acoustic communication. Its navigation system is based on an inertial navigation system (INS) aided by a Doppler velocity log (DVL), magnetometer, and pressure sensor (PS). In many INSs, such as the one used in TAUV, only the velocity vector (provided by the DVL) can be used for aiding the INS, i.e., enabling only a loosely coupled integration approach. In cases of partial DVL measurements, such as failure to maintain bottom lock, the DVL cannot estimate the vehicle velocity. Thus, in partial DVL situations no velocity data can be integrated into the TAUV INS, and as a result its navigation solution will drift in time. To circumvent that problem, we propose a DVL-based vehicle velocity solution using the measured partial raw data of the DVL and additional information, thereby deriving an extended loosely coupled (ELC) approach. The implementation of the ELC approach requires only software modification. In addition, we present the TAUV six degrees of freedom (6DOF) simulation that includes all functional subsystems. Using this simulation, the proposed approach is evaluated and the benefit of using it is shown. PMID:28241410

Inertial Navigation System/Doppler Velocity Log (INS/DVL) Fusion with Partial DVL Measurements.

PubMed

Tal, Asaf; Klein, Itzik; Katz, Reuven

2017-02-22

The Technion autonomous underwater vehicle (TAUV) is an ongoing project aiming to develop and produce a small AUV to carry on research missions, including payload dropping, and to demonstrate acoustic communication. Its navigation system is based on an inertial navigation system (INS) aided by a Doppler velocity log (DVL), magnetometer, and pressure sensor (PS). In many INSs, such as the one used in TAUV, only the velocity vector (provided by the DVL) can be used for aiding the INS, i.e., enabling only a loosely coupled integration approach. In cases of partial DVL measurements, such as failure to maintain bottom lock, the DVL cannot estimate the vehicle velocity. Thus, in partial DVL situations no velocity data can be integrated into the TAUV INS, and as a result its navigation solution will drift in time. To circumvent that problem, we propose a DVL-based vehicle velocity solution using the measured partial raw data of the DVL and additional information, thereby deriving an extended loosely coupled (ELC) approach. The implementation of the ELC approach requires only software modification. In addition, we present the TAUV six degrees of freedom (6DOF) simulation that includes all functional subsystems. Using this simulation, the proposed approach is evaluated and the benefit of using it is shown.

Compositional variations and tectonic settings of podiform chromitites and associated ultramafic rocks of the Neoproterozoic ophiolite at Wadi Al Hwanet, northwestern Saudi Arabia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmed, Ahmed Hassan; Harbi, Hesham M.; Habtoor, Abdelmonem M.

2012-08-01

Wadi Al Hwanet area in NW of Saudi Arabia is part of the Jebel Ess ophiolite constituting the northeastern part of the ˜700 Ma Yanbu-Sol Hamed-Onib-Allaqi-Heiani suture of the northern Arabian-Nubian Shield. The mantle section of Wadi Al Hwanet ophiolite consists mainly of voluminous harzburgites overlain by thick, massive transition-zone dunites, and small-scale chromitite pods. The harzburgites and massive dunites are exceptionally fresh; primary magmatic textures and silicate minerals are still preserved. Two modes of podiform chromitites exist; small lensoidal pods (group I), and relatively large dike-like pods (group II). Geochemically, the former chromitite type contains chromian spinels with high Cr# (0.79-0.81) and displays a PGE-poor character, with steep negatively-sloped PGE distribution patterns, whereas the latter chromitite type contains chromian spinels with relatively lower Cr# (0.61-0.71) and is PGE-rich (up to 1000 ppb), with positively-sloped PGE distribution patterns. The group II chromitites have much higher sulfide content than the group I suite. Parental melt compositions, in equilibrium with podiform chromitites, vary in Al2O3, FeO*/MgO and TiO2 contents from group I to group II chromitites, although both of them are in the range of the boninitic melts. The differences in the chromitites chemistry are most probably due to variable degrees of partial melting of the involved melts. Two stages of a magmatic activity were inferred for the chromitites genesis. The group I chromitites, of high Cr# of chromian spinels and PGE-poor negatively-sloped patterns, were precipitated in the first stage from a boninitic melt produced by a high degree of partial melting at a supra-subduction zone setting. The second chromitite-forming stage involves a relatively low degree of partial melting under high activities of sulfur and oxygen to produce the group II chromitites with enrichment in sulfides and PGE contents, possibly in a supra-subduction zone setting. In contrast to the chromitites, the harzburgites have low PGE contents, with characteristic unfractionated patterns, and low Cr# (0.46-0.57) of the chromian spinels suggesting mantle residues after low degrees of mantle melting beneath a mid-ocean ridge setting. Together with the entire plotting within the olivine-spinel mantle array, the similarity of olivine and spinel chemistry of dunites with those of harzburgites suggests a replacement origin for the dunites by the consumption of pyroxenes. It is likely that Wadi Al Hwanet mantle section was initially derived from a mid-ocean ridge environment and modified later, under a supra-subduction zone regime, to form podiform chromitites.

Depth dose and off-axis characteristics of TLD in therapeutic pion beams.

PubMed

Hogstrom, K R; Irifune, T

1980-07-01

The thermoluminescent (TL) response of LiF (TLD-100, TLD-600, TLD-700) and Li2B4O7 (TLD-800) has been measured as a function of depth and off-axis position in a therapeutic negative-pion beam in order to evaluate their usefulness in pion radiotherapy. TLD-100, TLD-600, and TLD-800 have been shown to be of little use as in vivo dosemeters because the neutron kerma relative to that in tissue changes grossly with depth. The neutron source comes primarily from pion absorption in the lead-alloy collimator. The 200 degrees C TLD-700 response agrees well with the depth dose spectra, except for small changes due to the varying linear energy transfer (LET) distributions. This variation can be partially accounted for by incorporating the known LET response of LiF. The 260 degrees C peak of TLD-700 has been found to be approximately four times more sensitive than the 200 degrees C peak to high LET dose. Using a simple model of the LET responses, the measured 200 degrees C and 260 degrees C peaks predict total dose within +/- 4% and high LET dose within +/- 50%, therefore indicating TLD-700 to be a good in vivo dosemeter for total dose but only an indicator of high LET dose.

Gender role across development in adults with 46,XY disorders of sex development including perineoscrotal hypospadias and small phallus raised male or female.

PubMed

Pappas, Kara B; Wisniewski, Amy B; Migeon, Claude J

2008-07-01

Self-rated degree of femininity and masculinity across development were evaluated for 40 adults affected by 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSDs) who presented at birth with a small phallus and perineoscrotal hypospadias, raised either male (n = 22) or female (n = 18). Most participants were confirmed or presumed to be affected by partial androgen insensitivity syndrome (n = 14), partial gonadal dysgenesis (n = 11), or were considered to have a poorly defined case of 46,XY DSD including ambiguous external genitalia (n = 15). Participants retrospectively evaluated their degree of masculinity and femininity during their childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and in the past 12 months of filling out a questionnaire pertaining to their psychosexual development. Participants raised male reported more masculinity than those raised female due to an increase in masculinization during adolescence and adulthood. Participants raised male also reported less femininity than those raised female throughout development. Participants raised female reported more femininity than those raised male due to an increase in feminization during adolescence and adulthood. Participants raised female also reported less masculinity than those raised male throughout development. These data support the proposition that some aspects of gender role (GR), such as masculinity and femininity, are capable of proceeding along female- or male-typic patterns depending on sex of rearing among individuals affected by specific types of 46,XY DSD. Furthermore, regardless of male or female rearing, GR increasingly corresponds with assigned sex as individuals proceed through sexual maturity and into adulthood. These results are consistent with the idea that socialization/learning contributes to GR development in humans in addition to data from others demonstrating endocrine influences.

Lacosamide cardiac safety: clinical trials in patients with partial-onset seizures.

PubMed

Rudd, G D; Haverkamp, W; Mason, J W; Wenger, T; Jay, G; Hebert, D; Doty, P; Horstmann, R

2015-11-01

To evaluate the cardiac safety of adjunctive lacosamide in a large pool of adults with partial-onset seizures (POS). Post-randomization changes from baseline for electrocardiographic (ECG) measurements, diagnostic findings, and relevant adverse events (AEs) were compared for pooled data from three randomized, placebo-controlled trials of adjunctive lacosamide for the treatment of POS. Lacosamide did not prolong the QTc interval or affect heart rate as determined by an analysis of data from patients randomized to lacosamide 200, 400, or 600 mg/day (n = 944) compared with placebo (n = 364). After 12-week maintenance treatment, mean changes from baseline for QRS duration were similar between the placebo and lacosamide 200 and 400 mg/day groups (0.0, -0.2, and 0.4 ms), but slightly increased for lacosamide 600 mg/day (2.3 ms). A small, dose-related mean increase in PR interval was observed (-0.3, 1.4, 4.4, and 6.6 ms for the placebo and lacosamide 200, 400, and 600 mg/day groups, respectively). First-degree atrioventricular (AV) block was reported as a non-serious AE in 0.0%, 0.7%, 0.2%, and 0.5% of patients in the same respective groups. Second- or higher degree AV block was not observed. There was no evidence of a PR-interval-related pharmacodynamic interaction of lacosamide with either carbamazepine or lamotrigine. Evaluation of the pooled cardiac safety data from patients with POS showed that adjunctive lacosamide at the maximum recommended dose (400 mg/day) was not clearly associated with any cardiac effect other than a small, dose-related increase in PR interval that had no evident symptomatic consequence. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

In situ synthesis of luminescent carbon nanoparticles toward target bioimaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharker, Shazid Md.; Kim, Sung Min; Lee, Jung Eun; Jeong, Ji Hoon; in, Insik; Lee, Kang Dea; Lee, Haeshin; Park, Sung Young

2015-03-01

This paper describes the in situ synthesis of single fluorescence carbon nanoparticles (FCNs) for target bioimaging applications derived from biocompatible hyaluronic acid (HA) without using common conjugation processes. FCNs formed via the dehydration of hyaluronic acid, which were obtained by carbonizing HA, and partially carbonized HA fluorescence carbon nanoparticles (HA-FCNs), formed by a lower degree of carbonization, show good aqueous solubility, small particle size (<20 nm) and different fluorescence intensities with a red shift. After confirming the cytotoxicity of HA-FCNs and FCNs, we carried out in vitro and in vivo bioimaging studies where HA-FCNs themselves functioned as single particle triggers in target imaging. The converted nanocrystal carbon particles from HA provide outstanding features for in vitro and in vivo new targeted delivery and diagnostic tools.This paper describes the in situ synthesis of single fluorescence carbon nanoparticles (FCNs) for target bioimaging applications derived from biocompatible hyaluronic acid (HA) without using common conjugation processes. FCNs formed via the dehydration of hyaluronic acid, which were obtained by carbonizing HA, and partially carbonized HA fluorescence carbon nanoparticles (HA-FCNs), formed by a lower degree of carbonization, show good aqueous solubility, small particle size (<20 nm) and different fluorescence intensities with a red shift. After confirming the cytotoxicity of HA-FCNs and FCNs, we carried out in vitro and in vivo bioimaging studies where HA-FCNs themselves functioned as single particle triggers in target imaging. The converted nanocrystal carbon particles from HA provide outstanding features for in vitro and in vivo new targeted delivery and diagnostic tools. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c4nr07422j

Foreign nationals who receive science or engineering Ph.D.`s from US universities: Stay rates and characteristics of stayers

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

Finn, M.G.; Pennington, L.A.; Anderson, K.H.

1995-04-01

This report studies the behavior of foreign nationals who received Ph.D. degrees in science or engineering from US universities during the period 1984--1990. It addresses two distinct questions: What proportion of foreign students stay to work in the United States after graduation; and do foreign students who leave the United States differ from those who stay? Descriptive statistics are provided to answer the first question. These estimates of stay rates have small margins of error because they were produced from the tax payment records of the Social Security Administration. The estimates of stay rates in also provide a partial answermore » to the second question as well as we are able to provide stay rates for different degree fields and different countries of citizenship, thereby identifying country-specific and field-specific differences in stay rates.« less

Thermally Reduced Graphene Oxide Electrochemically Activated by Bis-Spiro Quaternary Alkyl Ammonium for Capacitors.

PubMed

He, Tieshi; Meng, Xiangling; Nie, Junping; Tong, Yujin; Cai, Kedi

2016-06-08

Thermally reduced graphene oxide (RGO) electrochemically activated by a quaternary alkyl ammonium-based organic electrolytes/activated carbon (AC) electrode asymmetric capacitor is proposed. The electrochemical activation process includes adsorption of anions into the pores of AC in the positive electrode and the interlayer intercalation of cations into RGO in the negative electrode under high potential (4.0 V). The EA process of RGO by quaternary alkyl ammonium was investigated by X-ray diffraction and electrochemical measurements, and the effects of cation size and structure were extensively evaluated. Intercalation by quaternary alkyl ammonium demonstrates a small degree of expansion of the whole crystal lattice (d002) and a large degree of expansion of the partial crystal lattice (d002) of RGO. RGO electrochemically activated by bis-spiro quaternary alkyl ammonium in propylene carbonate/AC asymmetric capacitor exhibits good activated efficiency, high specific capacity, and stable cyclability.

The effect of box preparation on the strength of glass fiber-reinforced composite inlay-retained fixed partial dentures.

PubMed

Ozcan, Mutlu; Breuklander, Marijn H; Vallittu, Pekka K

2005-04-01

Nonstandardized box dimensions for inlay-retained fixed partial dentures (FPDs) may result in uneven distribution of the forces on the connector region of such restorations. The objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of box dimensions on the initial and final failure strength of inlay-retained fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) FPDs. Twenty-one inlay-retained FPDs were prepared using FRC (everStick) frameworks with unidirectional fiber reinforcement between mandibular first premolars and first molars. Boxes were prepared using conventional inlay burs (Cerinlay), and small and large ultrasonic tips (SONICSYS approx). Box dimensions were measured after preparation with a digital micrometer. All restorations were subjected to thermal cycling (6000 cycles, 5 degrees C-55 degrees C). Fracture testing was performed in a universal testing machine (1 mm/min). Acoustic emission signals were monitored during loading of the specimens. Initial and final fracture strength values (2-way ANOVA, Bonferroni post hoc tests, alpha =.05) and failure types (Fisher exact test) were statistically compared for each group. Significant differences (P =.0146 and P =.0086) were observed between the groups in the dimensions of the boxes prepared using conventional burs buccolingually (2.8-3.0 mm in molars, 3.1-4.3 mm in premolars) and the small size (2.5-2.9, 2.9-3.8 mm) or large size (2.6-3.8, 3.2-4.9 mm) ultrasonic tips for the premolars and the molars, respectively. No significant differences were found at the initial and final failures between the conventionally prepared group (842 +/- 267 N, 1161 +/- 428 N) and those prepared with either small (1088 +/- 381 N, 1320 +/- 380 N) or large ultrasonic tips (1070 +/- 280 N, 1557 +/- 321 N), respectively. The failure analysis demonstrated no significant difference in failure types but predominant delamination of the veneering resin (85%) in all experimental groups. According to acoustic emission tests, a higher energy level was required for final failure of the FRC FPDs with boxes finished using small ultrasonic tips. Standardized box dimensions showed no significant effect on fracture strength at either initial or final failure of the fiber-reinforced FPDs. The FRC FPDs with boxes refined with small ultrasonic burs required a greater energy level before failure. The type of failure observed after the fracture tests was primarily delamination of the veneering resin.

Current research on ARO-positron emission tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jan, Meei-Ling; Liang, Hsing C.; Huang, Shin W.; Shyu, Chuen-Shing; Tang, Jiy-Shan; Liu, Hong-Chih; Pei, Cheng-Chih; Yeh, Ching-Kai

2000-06-01

We are presently constructing `AROPET', a rotating PET scanner for imaging small animals. The design of the system has flexible geometry, using four detectors. Each detector is made of a position-sensitive PMTs (Hamamatsu R3941) coupled with 18 X 16 small individual BGO scintillator crystals of dimension 2.6 X 2.6 X 25 mm3. Animals can be imaged in two modes. One is similar to a gamma camera in which the detectors are stationary and a 2D planar projection imaging is obtained. This mode is used for initial characterization of the bio-distribution of tracers. In the other mode the detectors are rotated through 90 degree(s), and the diameter can be adjusted between 22 cm - 40 cm. This mode resembles a conventional 3D PET scan using a partial detector ring. Thirty-one tomographic images can be obtained after rebinning and reconstruction. The field of view is 51.3 mm (transaxial) by 45.6 mm (axial). The spatial resolution of the planar projection mode, and the results of the planar image of a phantom and the dynamical images of the bio-distribution of F18-FDG in a mouse are discussed.

Hakumyi Crater from LAMO

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-07-20

This close-up view of Hakumyi crater, as seen by NASA's Dawn spacecraft, provides insight into the origin of the small crater and lobe-shaped flow next to its southern rim. The sharp edges of these features indicate they are relatively recent with respect to the more subdued Hakumyi, which is 43 miles (70 kilometers) wide. The lobate flow ends in a tongue-shaped deposit. A more discrete feature slightly west (left) of the large lobe-shaped flow suggests an ancient or partially developed lobe. These kinds of flow features, which typically are found at high latitudes on Ceres, are expressions of what is termed "mass wasting," meaning the downslope movement of material. This process is initiated by slumping or detachment of material from crater rims. Here the process seems to have been triggered by small craters whose remnant shapes can be discerned at the top of each flow. Dawn took this image from its low-altitude mapping orbit, or LAMO, at a distance of about 240 miles (385 kilometers) above the surface. The center coordinates of this image are 52 degrees North latitude and 26 degrees east longitude. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA21414

Partially coherent polarized atmospheric transmission characteristics and application technology research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, Qiang; Gao, Duorui; Liu, Zhi; Chen, Chunyi; Lou, Yan; Jiang, Huilin

2014-11-01

Based on partially coherent polarized light transmission characteristics of the atmosphere, an intensity expression of completely coherent flashing light is derived from Andrews scale modulation method. According to the generalized Huygens-Fresnel principle and Rytov theory, the phase fluctuation structure function is obtained on condition that the refractive index profile in the atmosphere meet Von Karman spectrum, then get the arrival Angle fluctuation variance. Through the RMS beam width of gaussian beams in turbulent atmosphere, deviation angle formula of fully coherent gaussian beams in turbulence atmosphere is attained, then get the RMS beam width of partially coherent and derivation angle expression of GSM beam in turbulent atmosphere. Combined with transmission properties of radial polarized laser beam, cross spectral density matrix of partially coherent radially polarized light can be gained by using generalized huygens-fresnel principle. And light intensity and polarization after transmission can be known according to the unity of coherence and polarization theory. On the basis of the analysis model and numerical simulation, the simulation results show that: the light spot caused by atmospheric turbulence of partially coherent polarization will be superior to completely polarized light.Taking advantage of this feature, designed a new wireless suppression technology of atmospheric turbulence, that is the optimization criterion of initial degree of coherent light beam. The optimal initial degree of coherent light beam will change along with the change of atmospheric turbulence conditions,make control the beam's initial degree of coherence to realize the initial degree of coherence of light beam in real time and dynamic control. A spatial phase screen before emission aperture of fully coherent light is to generate the partially coherent light, liquid crystal spatial light modulator is is a preferable way to realize the dynamic random phase. Finally look future of the application research of partially coherent light.

Behavior of implanted hydrogen in thermally stimulated blistering in silicon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aleksandrov, P. A.; Baranova, E. K.; Baranova, I. V.; Budaragin, V. V.; Litvinov, V. L.

2003-11-01

The processes of accumulation of ion implanted hydrogen in blisters in silicon and its release during the thermal treatment from 350 to 1020degreesC have been studied by optical techniques. It was established that accumulation of gaseous hydrogen inside blisters takes place at temperatures lower than similar to450-500degreesC and is accompanied by the growth of blister thickness and deformation of their caps. At higher temperatures the gaseous hydrogen goes out of the cavities dissolving in silicon. Due to the internal pressure dropping the elastically deformed top layer partially relaxes and the blister thickness decreases. Etching of the surface layer reveals the agglomerations of small voids (<0.3 mm) located in the place of blisters approximately at their depth. Proceeding from the fact that the processes in blistering are similar to those in ion cut, the following conclusions with respect to the latter were drawn. The exfoliation processes themselves occur at temperatures lower than similar to500degreesC. The exfoliation efficiency particularly at the higher temperatures is essentially dependent on the heating rate.

Low-Degree Partial Melting Experiments of CR and H Chondrite Compositions: Implications for Asteroidal Magmatism Recorded in GRA 06128 and GRA 06129 T

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Usui, T.; Jones, John H.; Mittlefehldt, D. W.

2010-01-01

Studies of differentiated meteorites have revealed a diversity of differentiation processes on their parental asteroids; these differentiation mechanisms range from whole-scale melting to partial melting without the core formation [e.g., 1]. Recently discovered paired achondrites GRA 06128 and GRA 06129 (hereafter referred to as GRA) represent unique asteroidal magmatic processes. These meteorites are characterized by high abundances of sodic plagioclase and alkali-rich whole-rock compositions, implying that they could originate from a low-degree partial melt from a volatile-rich oxidized asteroid [e.g., 2, 3, 4]. These conditions are consistent with the high abundances of highly siderophile elements, suggesting that their parent asteroid did not segregate a metallic core [2]. In this study, we test the hypothesis that low-degree partial melts of chondritic precursors under oxidizing conditions can explain the whole-rock and mineral chemistry of GRA based on melting experiments of synthesized CR- and H-chondrite compositions.

Crystallographic texture in oxide-dispersion-strengthened alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whittenberger, J. D.

1982-01-01

Crystallographic and elastic moduli data are presented which document the degree of texture in several oxide dispersion-strengthened (ODS) nickel-base alloys. The existence of strong crystallographic textures in such multicrystalline alloys is considered important, since the small angle grain boundaries may be partially responsible for creep threshold stresses. Gleiter (1979) has shown that ideal, low energy boundaries will act as vacancy sources only when the applied stress is greater than a threshold stress, while large angle grain boundaries will emit vacancies at all stress levels. The continued operation of a net vacancy in an ODS alloy must be avoided, since it will lead to a localized disruption of the microstructure.

Arthroscopic repair of partial-thickness and small full-thickness rotator cuff tears: tendon quality as a prognostic factor for repair integrity.

PubMed

Chung, Seok Won; Kim, Jae Yoon; Yoon, Jong Pil; Lyu, Seong Hwa; Rhee, Sung Min; Oh, Se Bong

2015-03-01

The healing failure rate is high for partial-thickness or small full-thickness rotator cuff tears. To retrospectively evaluate and compare outcomes after arthroscopic repair of high-grade partial-thickness and small full-thickness rotator cuff tears and factors affecting rotator cuff healing. Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Included in the study were 55 consecutive patients (mean age, 57.9 ± 7.2 years) who underwent arthroscopic repair for high-grade partial-thickness (n = 34) and small full-thickness (n = 21) rotator cuff tears. The study patients also underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) preoperatively and computed tomography arthrography (CTA) at least 6 months postoperatively, and their functional outcomes were evaluated preoperatively and at the last follow-up (>24 months). All partial-thickness tears were repaired after being converted to full-thickness tears; thus, the repair process was almost the same as for small full-thickness tears. The tendinosis of the torn tendon was graded from the MRI images using a 4-point scale, and the reliabilities were assessed. The outcomes between high-grade partial-thickness tears that were converted to small full-thickness tears and initially small full-thickness tears were compared, and factors affecting outcomes were evaluated. The inter- and intraobserver reliabilities of the tendinosis grade were good (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.706 and 0.777, respectively). Failure to heal as determined by CTA was observed in 12 patients with a high-grade partial-thickness tear (35.3%; complete failure in 4 and partial failure in 8) and in 3 patients with a small full-thickness tear (14.3%; complete failure in 1 and partial failure in 2). The patients with high-grade partial-thickness rotator cuff tears showed a higher tendinosis grade than did those with small full-thickness tears (P = .014), and the severity of the tendinosis was related to the failure to heal (P = .037). Tears with a higher tendinosis grade showed a 7.64-times higher failure rate (95% CI, 1.43-36.04) than did those with a lower tendinosis grade (P = .013). All functional outcome scores improved after surgery (all P < .001); however, there was no difference between groups. The high-grade partial-thickness rotator cuff tears showed more severe tendinosis compared with the small full-thickness tears in this study. Contrary to previous impressions that tear size or fatty infiltration is the factor that most influences healing, tendinosis severity assessed by preoperative MRI was the only factor associated with failure to heal, given the numbers available for analysis, in patients with partial-thickness and small full-thickness rotator cuff tears. Surgeons should pay more attention to tendon quality during repair surgery or rehabilitation in smaller rotator cuff tears, especially in high-grade partial-thickness tears with severe tendinosis. © 2014 The Author(s).

Local geology controlled the feasibility of vitrifying Iron Age buildings.

PubMed

Wadsworth, Fabian B; Heap, Michael J; Damby, David E; Hess, Kai-Uwe; Najorka, Jens; Vasseur, Jérémie; Fahrner, Dominik; Dingwell, Donald B

2017-01-12

During European prehistory, hilltop enclosures made from polydisperse particle-and-block stone walling were exposed to temperatures sufficient to partially melt the constituent stonework, leading to the preservation of glassy walls called 'vitrified forts'. During vitrification, the granular wall rocks partially melt, sinter viscously and densify, reducing inter-particle porosity. This process is strongly dependent on the solidus temperature, the particle sizes, the temperature-dependence of the viscosity of the evolving liquid phase, as well as the distribution and longevity of heat. Examination of the sintering behaviour of 45 European examples reveals that it is the raw building material that governs the vitrification efficiency. As Iron Age forts were commonly constructed from local stone, we conclude that local geology directly influenced the degree to which buildings were vitrified in the Iron Age. Additionally, we find that vitrification is accompanied by a bulk material strengthening of the aggregates of small sizes, and a partial weakening of larger blocks. We discuss these findings in the context of the debate surrounding the motive of the wall-builders. We conclude that if wall stability by bulk strengthening was the desired effect, then vitrification represents an Iron Age technology that failed to be effective in regions of refractory local geology.

Thermophilic treatment of acidified and partially acidified wastewater using an anaerobic submerged MBR: Factors affecting long-term operational flux.

PubMed

Jeison, D; van Lier, J B

2007-09-01

The long-term operation of two thermophilic anaerobic submerged membrane bioreactors (AnSMBRs) was studied using acidified and partially acidified synthetic wastewaters. In both reactors, cake formation was identified as the key factor governing critical flux. Even though cake formation was observed to be mostly reversible, particle deposition proceeds fast once the critical flux is exceeded. Very little irreversible fouling was observed during long-term operation, irrespective of the substrate. Critical flux values at the end of the reactors operation were 7 and 3L/m(2)h for the AnSMBRs fed with acidified and partially acidified wastewaters, respectively, at a gas superficial velocity of 70m/h. Small particle size was identified as the responsible parameter for the low observed critical flux values. The degree of wastewater acidification significantly affected the physical properties of the sludge, determining the attainable flux. Based on the fluxes observed in this research, the membrane costs would be in the range of 0.5euro/m(3) of treated wastewater. Gas sparging was ineffective in increasing the critical flux values. However, preliminary tests showed that cross-flow operation may be a feasible alternative to reduce particle deposition.

Development of Partially-Coherent Wavefront Propagation Simulation Methods for 3rd and 4th Generation Synchrotron Radiation Sources.

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

Chubar O.; Berman, L; Chu, Y.S.

2012-04-04

Partially-coherent wavefront propagation calculations have proven to be feasible and very beneficial in the design of beamlines for 3rd and 4th generation Synchrotron Radiation (SR) sources. These types of calculations use the framework of classical electrodynamics for the description, on the same accuracy level, of the emission by relativistic electrons moving in magnetic fields of accelerators, and the propagation of the emitted radiation wavefronts through beamline optical elements. This enables accurate prediction of performance characteristics for beamlines exploiting high SR brightness and/or high spectral flux. Detailed analysis of radiation degree of coherence, offered by the partially-coherent wavefront propagation method, ismore » of paramount importance for modern storage-ring based SR sources, which, thanks to extremely small sub-nanometer-level electron beam emittances, produce substantial portions of coherent flux in X-ray spectral range. We describe the general approach to partially-coherent SR wavefront propagation simulations and present examples of such simulations performed using 'Synchrotron Radiation Workshop' (SRW) code for the parameters of hard X-ray undulator based beamlines at the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II), Brookhaven National Laboratory. These examples illustrate general characteristics of partially-coherent undulator radiation beams in low-emittance SR sources, and demonstrate advantages of applying high-accuracy physical-optics simulations to the optimization and performance prediction of X-ray optical beamlines in these new sources.« less

Strategic Decision to Utilize Abu Ghraib

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-22

manuscript is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Master of Strategic Studies Degree. The views expressed in this student academic...submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Master of Strategic Studies Degree. The U.S. Army War College is accredited by the Commission...operations. Endnotes 1 Catharine MacKinnon, ― Feminism Unmodified: Discourses on Life and Law,‖ 1987, http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes

Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd evolution in lunar mare basalts

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

Unruh, D.M.; Stille, P.; Patchett, P.J.

1984-02-15

Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd data for mare basalts combined with Rb-Sr and total REE data taken from the literature suggest that the mare basalts were derived by small (< or =10%) degrees of partial melting of cumulate sources, but that the magma ocean from which these sources formed was light REE and Hf-enriched. Calculated source compositions range fromm lherzolite to olivine websterite. Nonmodal melting of small amounts of ilmenite (< or =3%) in the sources seems to be required by the Lu/Hf data. A comparison of the Hf and Nd isotopic characteristics between the mare basalts and terrestrial oceanic basalts revealsmore » that the epsilonHf/epsilonNd ratios of low-Ti mare basalts are much higher than in terrestrial oceanic basalts. The results are qualitatively consistent with the hypothesis that terrestrial basalt sources are partial melt residues whereas mare basalt sources are cumulates. Alternatively, the results may imply that the terrestrial mantle has evolved in two (or more) stages of evolution, and that the net effect was depletion of the mantle during the first approx.1-3 b.y. followed by enrichment during the last 1-2 b.y.; or simply that there is a difference in Lu-Hf crystal-liquid partitioning (relative to Sm-Nd) between the lunar and terrestrial mantles.« less

Surface segregation in a binary mixture of ionic liquids: Comparison between high-resolution RBS measurements and moleculardynamics simulations.

PubMed

Nakajima, Kaoru; Nakanishi, Shunto; Chval, Zdeněk; Lísal, Martin; Kimura, Kenji

2016-11-14

Surface structure of equimolar mixture of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([C 2 C 1 Im][Tf 2 N]) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([C 2 C 1 Im][BF 4 ]) is studied using high-resolution Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (HRBS) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Both HRBS and MD simulations show enrichment of [Tf 2 N] in the first molecular layer although the degree of enrichment observed by HRBS is more pronounced than that predicted by the MD simulation. In the subsurface region, MD simulation shows a small depletion of [Tf 2 N] while HRBS shows a small enrichment here. This discrepancy is partially attributed to the artifact of the MD simulations. Since the number of each ion is fixed in a finite-size simulation box, surface enrichment of particular ion results in its artificial depletion in the subsurface region.

Surface segregation in a binary mixture of ionic liquids: Comparison between high-resolution RBS measurements and molecular dynamics simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakajima, Kaoru; Nakanishi, Shunto; Chval, Zdeněk; Lísal, Martin; Kimura, Kenji

2016-11-01

Surface structure of equimolar mixture of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([C2C1Im][Tf2N]) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([C2C1Im][BF4]) is studied using high-resolution Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (HRBS) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Both HRBS and MD simulations show enrichment of [Tf2N] in the first molecular layer although the degree of enrichment observed by HRBS is more pronounced than that predicted by the MD simulation. In the subsurface region, MD simulation shows a small depletion of [Tf2N] while HRBS shows a small enrichment here. This discrepancy is partially attributed to the artifact of the MD simulations. Since the number of each ion is fixed in a finite-size simulation box, surface enrichment of particular ion results in its artificial depletion in the subsurface region.

Period-doubling reconstructions of semiconductor partial dislocations

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

Park, Ji -Sang; Huang, Bing; Wei, Su -Huai

2015-09-18

Atomic-scale understanding and control of dislocation cores is of great technological importance, because they act as recombination centers for charge carriers in optoelectronic devices. Using hybrid density-functional calculations, we present period-doubling reconstructions of a 90 degrees partial dislocation in GaAs, for which the periodicity of like-atom dimers along the dislocation line varies from one to two, to four dimers. The electronic properties of a dislocation change drastically with each period doubling. The dimers in the single-period dislocation are able to interact, to form a dispersive one-dimensional band with deep-gap states. However, the inter-dimer interaction for the double-period dislocation becomes significantlymore » reduced; hence, it is free of mid-gap states. The Ga core undergoes a further period-doubling transition to a quadruple-period reconstruction induced by the formation of small hole polarons. In conclusion, the competition between these dislocation phases suggests a new passivation strategy via population manipulation of the detrimental single-period phase.« less

The Natural History of Neoplasia

PubMed Central

Pitot, Henry C.

1977-01-01

The stages of initiation and promotion in the natural history of epidermal carcinogenesis have been known for many years. Recently, experimental systems other than skin have been shown to exhibit similar, if not completely analogous, stages in the natural history of neoplasia. In particular, the demonstration by Peraino and his associates that phenobarbital may enhance the production of hepatomas by a relatively subcarcinogenic dose of acetylaminofluorene was one of the first demonstrations of stages occurring in an extraepidermal neoplasm. Studies reported in this paper have demonstrated that administration of phenobarbital (0.05% in the diet) for 6 months following a single dose of diethylnitrosamine (5 to 10 mg/kg) given within 24 hours after partial hepatectomy resulted in a marked increase in the number of enzyme-altered foci in the liver as well as in the production of hepatocellular carcinomas. This was compared to animals receiving only a single dose of diethylnitrosamine following partial hepatectomy with no further treatment, in which only a relatively small number of foci were evident in the absence of phenobarbital feeding. Using three different enzyme markers, a distinct degree of phenotypic heterogeneity of the enzyme-altered foci in liver was demonstrated. These studies have shown that liver carcinogensis can be readily divided into two stages: a) initiation by a single dose of diethylnitrosamine following partial hepatectomy and b) promotion by the continuous feeding of phenobarbital. Furthermore, the immediate progeny of the initiated cells, the enzyme-altered focus, may be recognized by suitable microscopic means prior to the formation of gross lesions as required in the skin system. These initiated cell populations exhibit a degree of biochemical heterogeneity which reflects that seen in fully developed hepatic neoplasms, suggesting that promotion and progression in this system does not significantly alter the basic biochemical characteristics of the initiated cell. PMID:21565

In situ repair of partial articular surface lesions of the supraspinatus tendon.

PubMed

Paim, Arildo Eustáquio

2017-01-01

To demonstrate the in situ repair technique of high-degree partial-thickness articular surface lesions of the supraspinatus tendon (SS). The procedure consists of the arthroscopic surgical repair of these lesions, without the need to complete the lesion, as occurs in traditional classical technique. A small incision is made in the longitudinal direction of the intact bursal fibers and where bone fixation anchors are introduced, which makes the procedure easier. These anchors are transferred to the tendon and thus enable the repair of the lesion. 48 shoulders were operated in the period 2010-2015. The minimum follow-up was 12 months and maximum 60 months. Ages ranged from 38 years to 75 years (mean 54 years). They were indicated for the repair of high-degree symptomatic lesions and at least 30% intact superior bursal fibers of good quality. Patients were evaluated according to the UCLA criteria, the results were: 69% excellent, 17% good, 7% fair, and 7% poor. Fair results occurred in three patients with associated symptoms of polyarthralgia who remained with residual pain. Three patients developed postoperative joint stiffness (7%). The procedure under study is safe and easy to reproduce. It shows high rates of positive results (86%). The opening made in the bursal side of the SS tendon allowed the arthroscope to remain in the subacromial space, making it easier to perform surgery.

Partial molar volumes of proteins: amino acid side-chain contributions derived from the partial molar volumes of some tripeptides over the temperature range 10-90 degrees C.

PubMed

Häckel, M; Hinz, H J; Hedwig, G R

1999-11-15

The partial molar volumes of tripeptides of sequence glycyl-X-glycine, where X is one of the amino acids alanine, leucine, threonine, glutamine, phenylalanine, histidine, cysteine, proline, glutamic acid, and arginine, have been determined in aqueous solution over the temperature range 10-90 degrees C using differential scanning densitometry . These data, together with those reported previously, have been used to derive the partial molar volumes of the side-chains of all 20 amino acids. The side-chain volumes are critically compared with literature values derived using partial molar volumes for alternative model compounds. The new amino acid side-chain volumes, along with that for the backbone glycyl group, were used to calculate the partial specific volumes of several proteins in aqueous solution. The results obtained are compared with those observed experimentally. The new side-chain volumes have also been used to re-determine residue volume changes upon protein folding.

Propagation of a partially coherent hollow vortex Gaussian beam through a paraxial ABCD optical system in turbulent atmosphere.

PubMed

Zhou, Guoquan; Cai, Yangjian; Chu, Xiuxiang

2012-04-23

The propagation of a partially coherent hollow vortex Gaussian beam through a paraxial ABCD optical system in turbulent atmosphere has been investigated. The analytical expressions for the average intensity and the degree of the polarization of a partially coherent hollow vortex Gaussian beam through a paraxial ABCD optical system are derived in turbulent atmosphere, respectively. The average intensity distribution and the degree of the polarization of a partially coherent hollow vortex Gaussian beam in turbulent atmosphere are numerically demonstrated. The influences of the beam parameters, the topological charge, the transverse coherent lengths, and the structure constant of the atmospheric turbulence on the propagation of a partially coherent hollow vortex Gaussian beam in turbulent atmosphere are also examined in detail. This research is beneficial to the practical applications in free-space optical communications and the remote sensing of the dark hollow beams. © 2012 Optical Society of America

13 CFR 121.412 - What are the size procedures for partial small business set-asides?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... Requirements for Government Procurement § 121.412 What are the size procedures for partial small business set... portion of a procurement, and is not required to qualify as a small business for the unrestricted portion. ...

SU-F-T-537: Prone Breast Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation Using Non-Coplanar Volumetric Arc Therapy

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

Beninati, G; Barbiere, J; Godfrey, L

2016-06-15

Purpose: To demonstrate that Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) can be an alternative technique to Brachytherapy Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI) for treating large breasted women. The non-coplanar VMAT technique uses a commercially available couch and a small number of angles. This technique with the patient in the prone position can reduce high skin and critical structure doses in large breasted women, which are usually associated with Brachytherapy APBI. Methods: Philips Pinnacle treatment planning system with Smart Arc was used to plan a left sided laterally located excision cavity on a standard prone breast patient setup. Three thirty-degree arcs enteredmore » from the lateral side at respective couch angles of 345, 0, and 15 degrees. A fourth thirty degree arc beam entered from the medial side at a couch angle of 0 degrees. The arcs were selected to avoid critical structures as much as possible. A test run was then performed to verify that the beams did not collide with the patient nor support structures. NSABP B-39/RTOG 0413 protocol guidelines were used for dose prescription, normal tissue, and target definition. Results: Dose Volume Histogram analysis indicated that all parameters were equal or better than RTOG recommendations. Of particular note regarding the plan quality:1.(a) For a prescribed dose of 3850cGy the PTV-EVAL target volume receiving 100 percent of the dose(V100) was 93; protocol recommendation is V90 > 90 percent. (b) Maximum dose was 110 percent versus the allowed 120 percent .2. Uninvolved percentage of normal breast V100 and V50 were 17 and 47 versus allowed 35 and 60 percent respectively.3. For the skin, V100 was 5.7cc and the max dose to 0.1 cc was 4190cGy. Conclusion: Prone Breast non-coplanar VMAT APBI can achieve better skin cosmesis and lower critical structure doses than Brachytherapy APBI.« less

Distributed Turboelectric Propulsion for Hybrid Wing Body Aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kim, Hyun Dae; Brown, Gerald V.; Felder, James L.

2008-01-01

Meeting future goals for aircraft and air traffic system performance will require new airframes with more highly integrated propulsion. Previous studies have evaluated hybrid wing body (HWB) configurations with various numbers of engines and with increasing degrees of propulsion-airframe integration. A recently published configuration with 12 small engines partially embedded in a HWB aircraft, reviewed herein, serves as the airframe baseline for the new concept aircraft that is the subject of this paper. To achieve high cruise efficiency, a high lift-to-drag ratio HWB was adopted as the baseline airframe along with boundary layer ingestion inlets and distributed thrust nozzles to fill in the wakes generated by the vehicle. The distributed powered-lift propulsion concept for the baseline vehicle used a simple, high-lift-capable internally blown flap or jet flap system with a number of small high bypass ratio turbofan engines in the airframe. In that concept, the engine flow path from the inlet to the nozzle is direct and does not involve complicated internal ducts through the airframe to redistribute the engine flow. In addition, partially embedded engines, distributed along the upper surface of the HWB airframe, provide noise reduction through airframe shielding and promote jet flow mixing with the ambient airflow. To improve performance and to reduce noise and environmental impact even further, a drastic change in the propulsion system is proposed in this paper. The new concept adopts the previous baseline cruise-efficient short take-off and landing (CESTOL) airframe but employs a number of superconducting motors to drive the distributed fans rather than using many small conventional engines. The power to drive these electric fans is generated by two remotely located gas-turbine-driven superconducting generators. This arrangement allows many small partially embedded fans while retaining the superior efficiency of large core engines, which are physically separated but connected through electric power lines to the fans. This paper presents a brief description of the earlier CESTOL vehicle concept and the newly proposed electrically driven fan concept vehicle, using the previous CESTOL vehicle as a baseline.

Intradiscal pressure study of percutaneous disc decompression with nucleoplasty in human cadavers.

PubMed

Chen, Yung C; Lee, Sang-heon; Chen, Darwin

2003-04-01

Intradiscal pressure was measured after percutaneous disc decompression by nucleoplasty in human cadavers with different degrees of disc degeneration. To assess intradiscal pressure change after disc decompression, and to analyze the influence of degeneration on the intradiscal pressure change. Partial removal of the nucleus has been shown to decompress herniated discs, relieving pressure on nerve roots and, in some cases, offering relief from disc pain. Nucleoplasty, a new minimally invasive procedure using patented Coblation technology, combines coagulation and ablation for partial removal of the nucleus. Coblated channels remove the tissue volume and may decrease the disc pressure. Three fresh human cadaver spinal specimens (T8-L5; age, 54-84 years; mean age, 70.7 years) were used in this investigation. The intradiscal pressure was measured at three points: before treatment, after each channel was created, and after treatment using a 25-guage 6-inch needle connected to a Merit Medical Systems Intellisystem Inflation Monitor. The needles were calibrated initially to approximately 30 pounds per square inch. For the control, the change in disc pressure was recorded by the same procedure without using Coblation energy. To evaluate the effectiveness of nucleoplasty, disc pressure changes were compared between treatment with and without Coblation energy. Intradiscal pressure was markedly reduced in the younger, healthy disc cadaver. In the older, degenerative disc cadavers, the change in intradiscal pressure after nucleoplasty was very small. There was an inverse correlation between the degree of disc degeneration and the change in intradiscal pressure. Pressure reduction through nucleoplasty is highly dependent on the degree of spine degeneration. Nucleoplasty markedly reduced intradiscal pressure in nondegenerative discs, but had a negligible effect on highly degenerative discs.

Medicolegal aspects of the Thai Airbus crash near Kathmandu, Nepal: findings of the investigating pathologists.

PubMed

Fernando, R; Vanezis, P

1998-06-01

A Thai Airbus, carrying 99 passengers and 14 crew members, traveling from Bangkok to Kathmandu, hit a mountain and crashed several minutes before landing. There were no survivors. Recovered human remains, none of which was easily identifiable, varied in size from a small piece of muscle to mutilated bodies. Of the 97 fragments, only 15 were sufficiently intact (albeit, only partially) to be designated as "bodies." Of the fragments and "bodies," only 11 were positively identified. Causes of death, although all traumatic, could not be stated accurately due to the degree of disintegration. Identification of human remains in these circumstances is a major problem for the pathologist.

Thermodynamic confinement and alpha-helix persistence length in poly(gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate)-b-poly(dimethyl siloxane)-b-poly(gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate) triblock copolymers.

PubMed

Papadopoulos, P; Floudas, G; Schnell, I; Lieberwirth, I; Nguyen, T Q; Klok, H-A

2006-02-01

The structure and the associated dynamics of a series of poly(gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate)-b-poly(dimethyl siloxane)-b-poly(gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate) (PBLG-b-PDMS-b-PBLG) triblock copolymers were investigated using small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering, NMR, transmission electron microscopy, and dielectric spectroscopy, respectively. The structural analysis revealed phase separation in the case of the longer blocks with defected alpha-helical segments embedded within the block copolymer nanodomains. The alpha-helical persistence length was found to depend on the degree of segregation; thermodynamic confinement and chain stretching results in the partial annihilation of helical defects.

48 CFR 19.502-3 - Partial set-asides.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... non-set-aside part of the acquisition shall have first priority with respect to negotiations for the... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Partial set-asides. 19.502... SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS Set-Asides for Small Business 19.502-3 Partial set-asides. (a...

The Weathering of Antarctic Meteorites: Climatic Controls on Weathering Rates and Implications for Meteorite Accumulation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Benoit, P. H.; Akridge, J. M. C.; Sears, D. W. G.; Bland, P. A.

1995-01-01

Weathering of meteorites includes a variety of chemical and mineralogical changes, including conversion of metal to iron oxides, or rust. Other changes include the devitrification of glass, especially in fusion crust. On a longer time scale, major minerals such as olivine, pyroxene, and feldspar are partially or wholly converted to various phyllosilicates. The degree of weathering of meteorite finds is often noted using a qualitative system based on visual inspection of hand specimens. Several quantitative weathering classification systems have been proposed or are currently under development. Wlotzka has proposed a classification system based on mineralogical changes observed in polished sections and Mossbauer properties of meteorite powders have also been used. In the current paper, we discuss induced thermoluminescence (TL) as an indicator of degree of weathering of individual meteorites. The quantitative measures of weathering, including induced TL, suffer from one major flaw, namely that their results only apply to small portions of the meteorite.

Effects of partial time delays on phase synchronization in Watts-Strogatz small-world neuronal networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Xiaojuan; Perc, Matjaž; Kurths, Jürgen

2017-05-01

In this paper, we study effects of partial time delays on phase synchronization in Watts-Strogatz small-world neuronal networks. Our focus is on the impact of two parameters, namely the time delay τ and the probability of partial time delay pdelay, whereby the latter determines the probability with which a connection between two neurons is delayed. Our research reveals that partial time delays significantly affect phase synchronization in this system. In particular, partial time delays can either enhance or decrease phase synchronization and induce synchronization transitions with changes in the mean firing rate of neurons, as well as induce switching between synchronized neurons with period-1 firing to synchronized neurons with period-2 firing. Moreover, in comparison to a neuronal network where all connections are delayed, we show that small partial time delay probabilities have especially different influences on phase synchronization of neuronal networks.

Effects of partial time delays on phase synchronization in Watts-Strogatz small-world neuronal networks.

PubMed

Sun, Xiaojuan; Perc, Matjaž; Kurths, Jürgen

2017-05-01

In this paper, we study effects of partial time delays on phase synchronization in Watts-Strogatz small-world neuronal networks. Our focus is on the impact of two parameters, namely the time delay τ and the probability of partial time delay p delay , whereby the latter determines the probability with which a connection between two neurons is delayed. Our research reveals that partial time delays significantly affect phase synchronization in this system. In particular, partial time delays can either enhance or decrease phase synchronization and induce synchronization transitions with changes in the mean firing rate of neurons, as well as induce switching between synchronized neurons with period-1 firing to synchronized neurons with period-2 firing. Moreover, in comparison to a neuronal network where all connections are delayed, we show that small partial time delay probabilities have especially different influences on phase synchronization of neuronal networks.

Evolved Rocks in Ocean Islands Formed by Melting of Metasomatized Mantle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ashwal, L. D.; Torsvik, T. H.; Horvath, P.; Harris, C.; Webb, S. J.; Werner, S. C.; Corfu, F.

2015-12-01

Evolved rocks like trachyte occur as minor components of many plume-related basaltic ocean islands (e.g. Hawaii, Gran Canaria, Azores, Réunion), and are typically interpreted as products of extreme fractional crystallization from broadly basaltic magmas. Trachytes from Mauritius (Indian Ocean) suggest otherwise. Here, 6.8 Ma nepheline-bearing trachytes (SiO2 ~63%, Na2O + K2O ~12%) are enriched in all incompatible elements except Ba, Sr and Eu, which show prominent negative anomalies. Initial eNd values cluster at 4.03 ± 0.15 (n = 13), near the lower end of the range for Mauritian basalts (eNd = 3.70 - 5.75), but initial Sr is highly variable (ISr = 0.70408 - 0.71034) suggesting secondary deuteric alteration. Fractional crystallization models starting with a basaltic parent fail, because when plagioclase joins olivine in the crystallizing assemblage, residual liquids become depleted in Al2O3, produce no nepheline, and do not approach trachytic compositions. Mauritian basalts and trachytes do not fall near the ends of known miscibility gaps, eliminating liquid immiscibility processes. Partial melting of extant gabbroic bodies, either from the oceanic crust or from Réunion plume-related magmas should yield quartz-saturated melts different from the critically undersaturated Mauritian trachytes. A remaining possibility is that the trachytes represent direct, small-degree partial melts of fertile, perhaps metasomatized mantle. This is supported by the presence of trachytic glasses in many mantle xenoliths, and experimental results show that low-degree trachytic melts can be produced from mantle peridotites even under anhydrous conditions. If some feldspar is left behind as a residual phase, this would account for the negative Ba, Sr and Eu anomalies observed in Mauritian trachytes. Two trachyte samples that are less depleted in these elements contain xenocrysts of anorthoclase, Al-rich cpx and Cl-rich kaersutite that are out of equilibrium with host trachyte magmas; these may represent fragments of a refertilized mantle source. A model of direct, low-degree partial melting of metasomatized mantle may apply to other worldwide examples of evolved rocks in ocean islands.

[Temperature compensation for portable Vis/NIR spectrometer measurement of apple fruit soluble solids contents].

PubMed

Wang, Jia-hua; Qi, Shu-ye; Tang, Zhi-hui; Jia, Shou-xing; Li, Yong-yu

2012-05-01

Visible (Vis)/near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has been used successfully to measure soluble solids content (SSC) in fruit. However, for practical implementation, the NIR technique needs to be able to compensate for fruit temperature fluctuations, as it was observed that the sample temperature affects the NIR spectrum. A portable Vis/NIR spectrometer was used to collect diffused transmittance spectra of apples at different temperatures (0-30 degrees C). The spectral data of apple at 20 degrees C was used to develop a norm partial least squares (PLS) model. Slope/bias technique was found to well suits to control the accuracy of the calibration model for SSC concerning temperature fluctuations. The correctional PLS models were used to predict the SSC of apple at 0, 10 and 30 degrees C, respectively. The correctional method was found to perform well with Q values of 0.810, 0.822 and 0.802, respectively. When no precautions are taken, the Q value on the SSC may be as small as 0.525-0.680. The results obtained highlight the potential of portable Vis/NIR instruments for assessing internal quality of fruits on site under varying weather conditions.

Gasification of high ash, high ash fusion temperature bituminous coals

DOEpatents

Liu, Guohai; Vimalchand, Pannalal; Peng, WanWang

2015-11-13

This invention relates to gasification of high ash bituminous coals that have high ash fusion temperatures. The ash content can be in 15 to 45 weight percent range and ash fusion temperatures can be in 1150.degree. C. to 1500.degree. C. range as well as in excess of 1500.degree. C. In a preferred embodiment, such coals are dealt with a two stage gasification process--a relatively low temperature primary gasification step in a circulating fluidized bed transport gasifier followed by a high temperature partial oxidation step of residual char carbon and small quantities of tar. The system to process such coals further includes an internally circulating fluidized bed to effectively cool the high temperature syngas with the aid of an inert media and without the syngas contacting the heat transfer surfaces. A cyclone downstream of the syngas cooler, operating at relatively low temperatures, effectively reduces loading to a dust filtration unit. Nearly dust- and tar-free syngas for chemicals production or power generation and with over 90%, and preferably over about 98%, overall carbon conversion can be achieved with the preferred process, apparatus and methods outlined in this invention.

L-asparaginase activity in Aeromonas sp. isolated from freshwater mussel.

PubMed

Pattnaik, S; Kabi, R; Janaki Ram, K; Bhanot, K K

2000-11-01

Aeromonas sp. from Lamellidens marginalis produced L-asparaginase when grown at 37 degrees C. The optimum enzyme activity was at pH 9 when temperature was 45 degrees C. Half-life of partially purified enzyme at 50 degrees C and 55 degrees C was 35 and 20 min, respectively. Activation and deactivation energies of partially purified enzyme were 17.48 and 24.86 kcal mol-1 respectively. The enzyme exhibited a Km (L-asparagine) value of 4.9 x 10(-6) mol l-1 and a Vmax of 9.803 IU ml-1. Three metal ions inhibited the enzyme activity at 10-20 mumol l-1 concentrations. Catalytic activity was also inhibited by EDTA, iodoacetic acid, parachloromercuribenzoic acid and phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride at 0.1 mumol l-1.

Role of P-450 aromatase in sex determination of the diamondback terrapin, Malaclemys terrapin.

PubMed

Jeyasuria, P; Roosenburg, W M; Place, A R

1994-09-15

Sex determination in the diamondback terrapin, Malaclemys terrapin, is temperature-dependent. Eggs incubated at 31 degrees C, and above, hatch in approximately 45 days as females. Eggs incubated below 27 degrees C hatch in about 60 days as males. Sex is not reversible after hatching. Nest temperatures in the wild can be as low as 20 degrees C and as high as 37 degrees C with as much as a 10 degrees C diel cycle. The shortest incubation time measured in nature was 56 days and the longest approaching 120 days. Nests in our study site produced predominantly (> 95%) male hatchlings. Treatment of developing embryos with estrogen produces females at male producing temperatures while treatment with fadrozole (a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor) induces partial male-like gonads. Treatment with a steroidal aromatase inhibitor (4-hydroxyandrostenedione, 4-OHA) had no effect on sex determination. Both fadrozole and 4-OHA are potent competitive inhibitors (Ki approximately 40-50 nM) for terrapin in vitro aromatase activity. These findings are consistent with aromatase expression being a key step in sex determination of terrapins. We have cloned a partial single copy P-450 aromatase from the terrapin using a cDNA library constructed from ovarian mRNA. This partial clone is highly homologous to other vertebrate aromatases.

Joining of alumina via copper/niobium/copper interlayers

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

Marks, Robert A.; Chapman, Daniel R.; Danielson, David T.

2000-03-15

Alumina has been joined at 1150 degrees C and 1400 degrees C using multilayer copper/niobium/copper interlayers. Four-point bend strengths are sensitive to processing temperature, bonding pressure, and furnace environment (ambient oxygen partial pressure). Under optimum conditions, joints with reproducibly high room temperature strengths (approximately equal 240 plus/minus 20 MPa) can be produced; most failures occur within the ceramic. Joints made with sapphire show that during bonding an initially continuous copper film undergoes a morphological instability, resulting in the formation of isolated copper-rich droplets/particles at the sapphire/interlayer interface, and extensive regions of direct bonding between sapphire and niobium. For optimized aluminamore » bonds, bend tests at 800 degrees C-1100 degrees C indicate significant strength is retained; even at the highest test temperature, ceramic failure is observed. Post-bonding anneals at 1000 degrees C in vacuum or in gettered argon were used to assess joint stability and to probe the effect of ambient oxygen partial pressure on joint characteristics. Annealing in vacuum for up to 200 h causes no significant decrease in room temperature bend strength or change in fracture path. With increasing anneal time in a lower oxygen partial pressure environment, the fracture strength decreases only slightly, but the fracture path shifts from the ceramic to the interface.« less

Robustness, Death of Spiral Wave in the Network of Neurons under Partial Ion Channel Block

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Jun; Huang, Long; Wang, Chun-Ni; Pu, Zhong-Sheng

2013-02-01

The development of spiral wave in a two-dimensional square array due to partial ion channel block (Potassium, Sodium) is investigated, the dynamics of the node is described by Hodgkin—Huxley neuron and these neurons are coupled with nearest neighbor connection. The parameter ratio xNa (and xK), which defines the ratio of working ion channel number of sodium (potassium) to the total ion channel number of sodium (and potassium), is used to measure the shift conductance induced by channel block. The distribution of statistical variable R in the two-parameter phase space (parameter ratio vs. poisoning area) is extensively calculated to mark the parameter region for transition of spiral wave induced by partial ion channel block, the area with smaller factors of synchronization R is associated the parameter region that spiral wave keeps alive and robust to the channel poisoning. Spiral wave keeps alive when the poisoned area (potassium or sodium) and degree of intoxication are small, distinct transition (death, several spiral waves coexist or multi-arm spiral wave emergence) occurs under moderate ratio xNa (and xK) when the size of blocked area exceeds certain thresholds. Breakup of spiral wave occurs and multi-arm of spiral waves are observed when the channel noise is considered.

Sun-Direction Estimation Using a Partially Underdetermined Set of Coarse Sun Sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Keefe, Stephen A.; Schaub, Hanspeter

2015-09-01

A comparison of different methods to estimate the sun-direction vector using a partially underdetermined set of cosine-type coarse sun sensors (CSS), while simultaneously controlling the attitude towards a power-positive orientation, is presented. CSS are commonly used in performing power-positive sun-pointing and are attractive due to their relative inexpensiveness, small size, and reduced power consumption. For this study only CSS and rate gyro measurements are available, and the sensor configuration does not provide global triple coverage required for a unique sun-direction calculation. The methods investigated include a vector average method, a combination of least squares and minimum norm criteria, and an extended Kalman filter approach. All cases are formulated such that precise ground calibration of the CSS is not required. Despite significant biases in the state dynamics and measurement models, Monte Carlo simulations show that an extended Kalman filter approach, despite the underdetermined sensor coverage, can provide degree-level accuracy of the sun-direction vector both with and without a control algorithm running simultaneously. If no rate gyro measurements are available, and rates are partially estimated from CSS, the EKF performance degrades as expected, but is still able to achieve better than 10∘ accuracy using only CSS measurements.

Local geology controlled the feasibility of vitrifying Iron Age buildings

USGS Publications Warehouse

Fabian B Wadsworth,; Michael J Heap,; Damby, David; Kai-Uwe Hess,; Jens Najorka,; Jérémie Vasseur,; Dominik Fahrner,; Donald B Dingwell,

2017-01-01

During European prehistory, hilltop enclosures made from polydisperse particle-and-block stone walling were exposed to temperatures sufficient to partially melt the constituent stonework, leading to the preservation of glassy walls called ‘vitrified forts’. During vitrification, the granular wall rocks partially melt, sinter viscously and densify, reducing inter-particle porosity. This process is strongly dependent on the solidus temperature, the particle sizes, the temperature-dependence of the viscosity of the evolving liquid phase, as well as the distribution and longevity of heat. Examination of the sintering behaviour of 45 European examples reveals that it is the raw building material that governs the vitrification efficiency. As Iron Age forts were commonly constructed from local stone, we conclude that local geology directly influenced the degree to which buildings were vitrified in the Iron Age. Additionally, we find that vitrification is accompanied by a bulk material strengthening of the aggregates of small sizes, and a partial weakening of larger blocks. We discuss these findings in the context of the debate surrounding the motive of the wall-builders. We conclude that if wall stability by bulk strengthening was the desired effect, then vitrification represents an Iron Age technology that failed to be effective in regions of refractory local geology.

75 FR 25844 - Class Deviation From FAR 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-10

... Small Business Set-Aside AGENCY: Defense Logistics Agency, DoD. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This is to...) regarding partial small business set-asides for Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), Defense Energy Support Center (DESC) bulk fuels solicitations and resulting contract awards. DLA is requesting Department of...

Observations of Martian surface winds at the Viking Lander 1 site

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

Murphy, J.R.; Leovy, C.B.; Tillman, J.E.

1990-08-30

Partial failure of the wind instrumentation on the Viking Lander 1 (VL1) in the Martian subtropics (22.5{degree}N) has limited previous analyses of meteorological data for this site. The authors describe a method for reconstructing surface winds using data from the partially failed sensor and present and analyze a time series of wind, pressure, and temperature at the site covering 350 Mars days (sols). At the beginning of the mission during early summer, winds were controlled by regional topography, but they soon underwent a transition to a regime controlled by the Hadley circulation. Diurnal and semidiurnal wind oscillations and synoptic variationsmore » have been analyzed and compared with the corresponding variations at the Viking Lander 2 middle latitude site (48{degree}N). Diurnal wind oscillations were controlled primarily by regional topography and boundary layer forcing, although a global mode may have been influencing them during two brief episodes. Semidiurnal wind oscillations were controlled by the westward propagating semidiurnal tide from sol 210 onward. Comparison of the synoptic variations at the two sites suggests that the same eastward propagating wave trains were present at both sites, at least following the first 1977 great dust storm, but discordant inferred zonal wave numbers and phase speeds at the two sites cast doubt on the zonal wave numbers deduced from analyses of combined wind and pressure data, particularly at the VL1 site where the signal to noise ratio of the dominant synoptic waves is relatively small.« less

Partial inertia induces additional phase transition in the majority vote model.

PubMed

Harunari, Pedro E; de Oliveira, M M; Fiore, C E

2017-10-01

Explosive (i.e., discontinuous) transitions have aroused great interest by manifesting in distinct systems, such as synchronization in coupled oscillators, percolation regime, absorbing phase transitions, and more recently, the majority-vote model with inertia. In the latter, the model rules are slightly modified by the inclusion of a term depending on the local spin (an inertial term). In such a case, Chen et al. [Phys Rev. E 95, 042304 (2017)2470-004510.1103/PhysRevE.95.042304] have found that relevant inertia changes the nature of the phase transition in complex networks, from continuous to discontinuous. Here we give a further step by embedding inertia only in vertices with degree larger than a threshold value 〈k〉k^{*}, 〈k〉 being the mean system degree and k^{*} the fraction restriction. Our results, from mean-field analysis and extensive numerical simulations, reveal that an explosive transition is presented in both homogeneous and heterogeneous structures for small and intermediate k^{*}'s. Otherwise, a large restriction can sustain a discontinuous transition only in the heterogeneous case. This shares some similarities with recent results for the Kuramoto model [Phys. Rev. E 91, 022818 (2015)PLEEE81539-375510.1103/PhysRevE.91.022818]. Surprisingly, intermediate restriction and large inertia are responsible for the emergence of an extra phase, in which the system is partially synchronized and the classification of phase transition depends on the inertia and the lattice topology. In this case, the system exhibits two phase transitions.

Propagation of partially coherent controllable dark hollow beams with various symmetries in turbulent atmosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Haiyan; Li, Xiangyin

2010-01-01

Normalized intensity distribution, the complex degree of coherence and power in the bucket for partially coherent controllable dark hollow beams (DHBs) with various symmetries propagating in atmospheric turbulence are derived using tensor method and investigated in detail. Analytical results show that, after sufficient propagation distance, partially coherent DHBs with various symmetries eventually become circular Gaussian beam (without dark hollow) in turbulent atmosphere, which is different from its propagation properties in free space. The partially coherent DHBs return to a circular Gaussian beam rapidly for stronger turbulence, higher coherence, lower beam order, smaller p or smaller beam waist width. Another interesting observation is that the profile of the complex degree of coherence attains a similar profile to that of the average intensity of the related beam propagating in a turbulent atmosphere. Besides the laser power focusablity of DHBs are better than that of Gaussian beam propagating in turbulent atmosphere.

Detection of partial-thickness tears in ligaments and tendons by Stokes-polarimetry imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Jihoon; John, Raheel; Walsh, Joseph T.

2008-02-01

A Stokes polarimetry imaging (SPI) system utilizes an algorithm developed to construct degree of polarization (DoP) image maps from linearly polarized light illumination. Partial-thickness tears of turkey tendons were imaged by the SPI system in order to examine the feasibility of the system to detect partial-thickness rotator cuff tear or general tendon pathology. The rotating incident polarization angle (IPA) for the linearly polarized light provides a way to analyze different tissue types which may be sensitive to IPA variations. Degree of linear polarization (DoLP) images revealed collagen fiber structure, related to partial-thickness tears, better than standard intensity images. DoLP images also revealed structural changes in tears that are related to the tendon load. DoLP images with red-wavelength-filtered incident light may show tears and related organization of collagen fiber structure at a greater depth from the tendon surface. Degree of circular polarization (DoCP) images exhibited well the horizontal fiber orientation that is not parallel to the vertically aligned collagen fibers of the tendon. The SPI system's DOLP images reveal alterations in tendons and ligaments, which have a tissue matrix consisting largely of collagen, better than intensity images. All polarized images showed modulated intensity as the IPA was varied. The optimal detection of the partial-thickness tendon tears at a certain IPA was observed. The SPI system with varying IPA and spectral information can improve the detection of partial-thickness rotator cuff tears by higher visibility of fiber orientations and thereby improve diagnosis and treatment of tendon related injuries.

Robust Statistical Fusion of Image Labels

PubMed Central

Landman, Bennett A.; Asman, Andrew J.; Scoggins, Andrew G.; Bogovic, John A.; Xing, Fangxu; Prince, Jerry L.

2011-01-01

Image labeling and parcellation (i.e. assigning structure to a collection of voxels) are critical tasks for the assessment of volumetric and morphometric features in medical imaging data. The process of image labeling is inherently error prone as images are corrupted by noise and artifacts. Even expert interpretations are subject to subjectivity and the precision of the individual raters. Hence, all labels must be considered imperfect with some degree of inherent variability. One may seek multiple independent assessments to both reduce this variability and quantify the degree of uncertainty. Existing techniques have exploited maximum a posteriori statistics to combine data from multiple raters and simultaneously estimate rater reliabilities. Although quite successful, wide-scale application has been hampered by unstable estimation with practical datasets, for example, with label sets with small or thin objects to be labeled or with partial or limited datasets. As well, these approaches have required each rater to generate a complete dataset, which is often impossible given both human foibles and the typical turnover rate of raters in a research or clinical environment. Herein, we propose a robust approach to improve estimation performance with small anatomical structures, allow for missing data, account for repeated label sets, and utilize training/catch trial data. With this approach, numerous raters can label small, overlapping portions of a large dataset, and rater heterogeneity can be robustly controlled while simultaneously estimating a single, reliable label set and characterizing uncertainty. The proposed approach enables many individuals to collaborate in the construction of large datasets for labeling tasks (e.g., human parallel processing) and reduces the otherwise detrimental impact of rater unavailability. PMID:22010145

Beyond heat baths II: framework for generalized thermodynamic resource theories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yunger Halpern, Nicole

2018-03-01

Thermodynamics, which describes vast systems, has been reconciled with small scales, relevant to single-molecule experiments, in resource theories. Resource theories have been used to model exchanges of energy and information. Recently, particle exchanges were modeled; and an umbrella family of thermodynamic resource theories was proposed to model diverse baths, interactions, and free energies. This paper motivates and details the family’s structure and prospective applications. How to model electrochemical, gravitational, magnetic, and other thermodynamic systems is explained. Szilárd’s engine and Landauer’s Principle are generalized, as resourcefulness is shown to be convertible not only between information and gravitational energy, but also among diverse degrees of freedom. Extensive variables are associated with quantum operators that might fail to commute, introducing extra nonclassicality into thermodynamic resource theories. An early version of this paper partially motivated the later development of noncommutative thermalization. This generalization expands the theories’ potential for modeling realistic systems with which small-scale statistical mechanics might be tested experimentally.

Structural and optical properties of glancing angle deposited TiO2 nanowires array.

PubMed

Chinnamuthu, P; Mondal, A; Singh, N K; Dhar, J C; Das, S K; Chattopadhyay, K K

2012-08-01

TiO2 nanowires (NWs) have been synthesized by glancing angle deposition technique using e-beam evaporator. The average length 490 nm and diameter 80 nm of NWs were examined by field emission-scanning electron microscopy. Transmission electron microscopy emphasized that the NWs were widely dispersed at the top. X-ray diffraction has been carried out on the TiO2 thin film (TF) and NW array. A small blue shift of 0.03 eV was observed in Photoluminescence (PL) main band emission for TiO2 NW as compared to TiO2 TF. The high temperature annealing at 980 degrees C partially removed the oxygen vacancy from the sample, which was investigated by PL and optical absorption measurements.

Charge Yield at Low Electric Fields: Considerations for Bipolar Integrated Circuits

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnston, A. H.; Swimm, R. T.; Thorbourn, D. O.

2013-01-01

A significant reduction in total dose damage is observed when bipolar integrated circuits are irradiated at low temperature. This can be partially explained by the Onsager theory of recombination, which predicts a strong temperature dependence for charge yield under low-field conditions. Reduced damage occurs for biased as well as unbiased devices because the weak fringing field in thick bipolar oxides only affects charge yield near the Si/SiO2 interface, a relatively small fraction of the total oxide thickness. Lowering the temperature of bipolar ICs - either continuously, or for time periods when they are exposed to high radiation levels - provides an additional degree of freedom to improve total dose performance of bipolar circuits, particularly in space applications.

Popularity and user diversity of online objects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jia-Hua; Guo, Qiang; Yang, Kai; Zhang, Yi-Lu; Han, Jingti; Liu, Jian-Guo

2016-11-01

The popularity has been widely used to describe the object property of online user-object bipartite networks regardless of the user characteristics. In this paper, we introduce a measurement namely user diversity to measure diversity of users who select or rate one type of objects by using the information entropy. We empirically calculate the user diversity of objects with specific degree for both MovieLens and Diggs data sets. The results indicate that more types of users select normal-degree objects than those who select large-degree and small-degree objects. Furthermore, small-degree objects are usually selected by large-degree users while large-degree objects are usually selected by small-degree users. Moreover, we define 15% objects of smallest degrees as unpopular objects and 10% ones of largest degrees as popular objects. The timestamp is introduced to help further analyze the evolution of user diversity of popular objects and unpopular objects. The dynamic analysis shows that as objects become popular gradually, they are more likely accepted by small-degree users but lose attention among the large-degree users.

Evaluation of partial coherence correction in X-ray ptychography

DOE PAGES

Burdet, Nicolas; Shi, Xiaowen; Parks, Daniel; ...

2015-02-23

Coherent X-ray Diffraction Imaging (CDI) and X-ray ptychography both heavily rely on the high degree of spatial coherence of the X-ray illumination for sufficient experimental data quality for reconstruction convergence. Nevertheless, the majority of the available synchrotron undulator sources have a limited degree of partial coherence, leading to reduced data quality and a lower speckle contrast in the coherent diffraction patterns. It is still an open question whether experimentalists should compromise the coherence properties of an X-ray source in exchange for a higher flux density at a sample, especially when some materials of scientific interest are relatively weak scatterers. Amore » previous study has suggested that in CDI, the best strategy for the study of strong phase objects is to maintain a high degree of coherence of the illuminating X-rays because of the broadening of solution space resulting from the strong phase structures. In this article, we demonstrate the first systematic analysis of the effectiveness of partial coherence correction in ptychography as a function of the coherence properties, degree of complexity of illumination (degree of phase diversity of the probe) and sample phase complexity. We have also performed analysis of how well ptychographic algorithms refine X-ray probe and complex coherence functions when those variables are unknown at the start of reconstructions, for noise-free simulated data, in the case of both real-valued and highly-complex objects.« less

Hydrological balance and water transport processes of partially sealed soils

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Timm, Anne; Wessolek, Gerd

2017-04-01

With increased urbanisation, soil sealing and its drastic effects on hydrological processes have received a lot of attention. Based on safety concerns, there has been a clear focus on urban drainage and prevention of urban floods caused by storm water events. For this reason, any kind of sealing is often seen as impermeable runoff generator that prevents infiltration and evaporation. While many hydrological models, especially storm water models, have been developed, there are only a handful of empirical studies actually measuring the hydrological balance of (partially) sealed surfaces. These challenge the general assumption of negligible infiltration and evaporation and show that these processes take place even for severe sealing such as asphalt. Depending on the material, infiltration from partially sealed surfaces can be equal to that of vegetated ones. Therefore, more detailed knowledge is needed to improve our understanding and models. In Berlin, two partially sealed weighable lysimeters were equipped with multiple temperature and soil moisture sensors in order to study their hydrological balance, as well as water and heat transport processes within the soil profile. This combination of methods affirms previous observations and offers new insights into altered hydrological processes of partially sealed surfaces at a small temporal scale. It could be verified that not all precipitation is transformed into runoff. Even for a relatively high sealing degree of concrete slabs with narrow seams, evaporation and infiltration may exceed runoff. Due to the lack of plant roots, the hydrological balance is mostly governed by precipitation events and evaporation generally occurs directly after rainfall. However, both surfaces allow for upward water transport from the upper underlying soil layers, sometimes resulting in relatively low evaporation rates on days without precipitation. The individual response of the surfaces differs considerably, which illustrates how important process orientated studies for different types of sealing material are.

MAPP (Monitoring Academic Progress Policy): Providing Advising Direction Through the Use of a Degree Auditing System.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Severy, Lawrence J.; Slinger, Peter J.

1996-01-01

Describes a computerized partial degree auditing system, MAPP (Monitoring Academic Progress Policy), developed at the University of Florida to monitor students' progress into appropriate majors and apply institutional policy concerning degrees. The system generates letters directing students to advisors when needed. Discusses advantages for…

Self-imaging of partially coherent light in graded-index media.

PubMed

Ponomarenko, Sergey A

2015-02-15

We demonstrate that partially coherent light beams of arbitrary intensity and spectral degree of coherence profiles can self-image in linear graded-index media. The results can be applicable to imaging with noisy spatial or temporal light sources.

The role of silver in the processing and properties of Bi-2212

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

Lang, T.; Heeb, B.; Buhl, D.

1994-12-31

The influence of the silver content and the oxygen partial pressure on the solidus temperature and the weight loss during melting of Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 1}Cu{sub 2}O{sub x} has been examined by means of DTA and TGA. By decreasing the oxygen partial pressure the solidus is lowered (e.g. {triangle}T=59{degrees}C by decreasing pO{sub 2} from 1 atm to 0.001 atm) and the weight loss is increased. The addition of silver causes two effects: (a) the solidus is further decreased (e.g. 2wt% Ag lower T{sub solidus} by up to 25{degrees}C, depending on the oxygen partial pressure), (b) the weight loss during meltingmore » is reduced. Thick films (10-20 {mu}m in thickness) with 0 and 5 wt% silver and bulk samples with 0 and 2.7 wt% silver were melt processed in flowing oxygen on a silver substrate in the DTA, allowing the observation of the melting process and a good temperature control. The critical current densities are vigorously dependent on the maximum processing temperature. The highest j{sub c} in thick films (8000 A/cm{sup 2} at 77 K, O T) was reached by melting 7{degrees}C above the solidus temperature. The silver addition shows no significant effect on the processing parameters or the superconducting properties. The highest j{sub c} for bulk samples (1 mm in thickness) was obtained by partial melting at 900{degrees}C or 880{degrees}C, depending on the silver content of the powder (0 or 2.7 wt%). The j{sub c} of the samples is slightly enhanced from 1800 A/cm{sup 2} (at 77 K, O T) to 2000 A/cm{sup 2} by the silver addition. To be able to reach at least 80% of the maximum critical current density, the temperature has to be controlled in a window of 5{degrees}C for thick films and 17{degrees}C for bulk samples.« less

Experimental generation of partially coherent beams with different complex degrees of coherence.

PubMed

Wang, Fei; Liu, Xianlong; Yuan, Yangsheng; Cai, Yangjian

2013-06-01

We established an experimental setup for generating partially coherent beams with different complex degrees of coherence, and we report experimental generation of an elliptical Gaussian Schell-model (GSM) beam and a Laguerre-GSM beam for the first time. It has been demonstrated experimentally that an elliptical GSM beam and a Laguerre-GSM beam produce an elliptical beam spot and a dark hollow beam spot in the focal plane (or in the far field), respectively, which agrees with theoretical predictions. Our results are useful for beam shaping and particle trapping.

The relative degree enhancement problem for MIMO nonlinear systems

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

Schoenwald, D.A.; Oezguener, Ue.

1995-07-01

The authors present a result for linearizing a nonlinear MIMO system by employing partial feedback - feedback at all but one input-output channel such that the SISO feedback linearization problem is solvable at the remaining input-output channel. The partial feedback effectively enhances the relative degree at the open input-output channel provided the feedback functions are chosen to satisfy relative degree requirements. The method is useful for nonlinear systems that are not feedback linearizable in a MIMO sense. Several examples are presented to show how these feedback functions can be computed. This strategy can be combined with decentralized observers for amore » completely decentralized feedback linearization result for at least one input-output channel.« less

Respiratory properties of blood and arterial blood gases in the tegu lizard: effects of temperature and hypercapnia.

PubMed

Wood, S C; Glass, M L; Andersen, N A; Heisler, N

1987-01-01

The effects of body temperature and hypercapnia (7% inspired CO2) on arterial blood gases, plasma pH, and the characteristics of the blood oxygen dissociation curve were determined in Tegu lizards (Tupinambis nigropunctatus). Arterial pH fell from 7.59 to 7.50 when body temperature was increased from 25 to 35 degrees C. The pH/temperature coefficient (delta pH/delta t = -0.009 U/degrees C) was half of that predicted on the basis of 'constant relative alkalinity' and the alphastat hypothesis. The fall in plasma pH resulted from a decrease in plasma [HCO3-], and a rise in plasma Pco2. The O2 affinity of Tegu blood, expressed by the partial pressure at half saturation (P50), decreased with temperature in vitro from 42.3 to 49.6 torr at pH 7.4. The apparent enthalpy (delta H = -3.1 kcal/mol) is about 1/4 of that of human blood. In vivo, the arterial blood oxygen saturation decreased from 89% at 25 degrees to 82% at 35 degrees C. Arterial Po2 increased from 61 to 71 torr as expected from the right-shift of the oxygen dissociation curve. During environmental hypercapnia (7% CO2, 21% O2, 72% N2 inspired concentrations), arterial pH decreased to 7.28. Arterial O2 saturation remained constant and arterial Po2 increased from 61 to 85 torr due to the right-shift of the oxygen dissociation curve. The comparatively small effect of changes in temperature on the oxygen affinity of Tegu blood (directly according to the delta H value, and indirectly via changes in blood pH) results in a relatively small right shift of the oxygen dissociation curve, and accordingly in relatively high arterial and tissue Po2 values also at higher temperatures.

An Evaluation of Quantitative Methods of Determining the Degree of Melting Experienced by a Chondrule

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nettles, J. W.; Lofgren, G. E.; Carlson, W. D.; McSween, H. Y., Jr.

2004-01-01

Many workers have considered the degree to which partial melting occurred in chondrules they have studied, and this has led to attempts to find reliable methods of determining the degree of melting. At least two quantitative methods have been used in the literature: a convolution index (CVI), which is a ratio of the perimeter of the chondrule as seen in thin section divided by the perimeter of a circle with the same area as the chondrule, and nominal grain size (NGS), which is the inverse square root of the number density of olivines and pyroxenes in a chondrule (again, as seen in thin section). We have evaluated both nominal grain size and convolution index as melting indicators. Nominal grain size was measured on the results of a set of dynamic crystallization experiments previously described, where aliquots of LEW97008(L3.4) were heated to peak temperatures of 1250, 1350, 1370, and 1450 C, representing varying degrees of partial melting of the starting material. Nominal grain size numbers should correlate with peak temperature (and therefore degree of partial melting) if it is a good melting indicator. The convolution index is not directly testable with these experiments because the experiments do not actually create chondrules (and therefore they have no outline on which to measure a CVI). Thus we had no means to directly test how well the CVI predicted different degrees of melting. Therefore, we discuss the use of the CVI measurement and support the discussion with X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) data.

Highly Siderophile Element Abundances in Martian Meteorites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, J. H.; Neal, C. R.; Ely, J. C.

2001-01-01

Critical evaluation of new and literature data for highly siderophile elements (HSE) in Martian (SNC) meteorites allows several first order conclusions to be drawn. (i) Re concentrations in SNC meteorites are nearly constant (within a factor of two) and do not correlate with rock type. Exceptions to this rule are Chassigny and Dar al Gani (DaG) 476, both of which are inferred to have experienced terrestrial Re contamination. (ii) Fractionations between Rh and Pd are small. Excluding Shergotty, the Rh/Pd ratio of the SNC suite is 0.22\\pm0.05. (iii) Os and Ir contents vary by about four orders of magnitude; and positive correlations with MgO, Cr, and Ni suggest that these variations are not controlled by sulfide fractionation. A possible exception is the orthopyroxenite ALH84001, whose HSE's (including Ni, which is compatible in opx) are very low. (iv) Zagami, Shergotty, and Nakhla have nearly identical HSE signatures. Shergotty and Zagami have experienced assimilation-fractional crystallization (AFC) and have "crustal" Sr and Nd isotopic signatures. Conversely, the Nakhla parent was a small degree partial melt of a depleted mantle that interacted little with the Martian crust. These observations suggest that "evolved" HSE signatures can be produced by either fractional crystallization or small degrees of partial melting. (v) Chassigny and other mafic SNC's have HSE signatures that are very distinct from those of Nakhla-Zagami-Shergotty. The HSE elemental ratios of mafic SNC's approach chondritic, implying that the Martian mantle has nearly chondritic relative abundances of the HSE's. (vi) This chondritic HSE signature is observed in SNC's of various ages, suggesting that this is an ancient feature that has not evolved over time. (vii) No correlation is observed between HSE's and signatures of crustal contamination (e.g., Sr isotopes), indicating that the HSE signatures of the SNC suite are not derived from the crust. (vii) The Ru/Pd for the SNC suite ratio is about 0.5 chondritic. We attribute this depletion of Ru to the presence of spinel in the SNC source regions. (viii) Assignment of this depletion of Ru to spinel seems to also imply that spinel is not the cause of Os and Ir fractionations, requiring some other mafic phase to account for the observed variations. -----.

Early postoperative cartilage evaluation by magnetic resonance imaging using T2 mapping after arthroscopic partial medial meniscectomy.

PubMed

Kato, Kammei; Arai, Yuji; Ikoma, Kazuya; Nakagawa, Shuji; Inoue, Hiroaki; Kan, Hiroyuki; Matsuki, Tomohiro; Fujiwara, Hiroyoshi; Kubo, Toshikazu

2015-12-01

This study was performed to quantitatively evaluate postoperative changes in cartilage by T2 mapping after arthroscopic partial medial meniscectomy. The study enrolled 17 patients with 20 knees that underwent arthroscopic partial medial meniscectomy. MRI was performed preoperatively and at six months postoperatively, with subjects evaluated by T2 mapping of the central part of the medial condyle of the femur in the sagittal plane. Regions of interest (ROIs) were set at 10 points between the point of intersection of the anatomical axis of the femur and the articular surface of the medial condyle and posterior area approximately 90 degrees to the anatomical axis. Pre- and postoperative T2 values at each ROI were evaluated. Postoperative T2 values were significantly longer than preoperative values at approximately 20, 30, 40, and 50 degrees to the anatomical axis of the femur. The maximum change between pre- and postoperative T2 values was +6.65% at 30 degrees to the anatomical axis. Mechanical stress at positions approximately 20, 30, 40, and 50 degrees relative to the anatomical axis of the femur increased soon after arthroscopic medial meniscectomy. These findings indicate the start of degeneration, via disorganization of collagen arrays, of the articular cartilage and increased water content. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Propagation of radially polarized multi-cosine Gaussian Schell-model beams in non-Kolmogorov turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Miaomiao; Zhao, Daomu; Li, Xinzhong; Wang, Jingge

2018-01-01

Recently, we introduced a new class of radially polarized beams with multi-cosine Gaussian Schell-model(MCGSM) correlation function based on the partially coherent theory (Tang et al., 2017). In this manuscript, we extend the work to study the statistical properties such as the spectral density, the degree of coherence, the degree of polarization, and the state of polarization of the beam propagating in isotropic turbulence with a non-Kolmogorov power spectrum. Analytical formulas for the cross-spectral density matrix elements of a radially polarized MCGSM beam in non-Kolmogorov turbulence are derived. Numerical results show that lattice-like intensity pattern of the beam, which keeps propagation-invariant in free space, is destroyed by the turbulence when it passes at sufficiently large distances from the source. It is also shown that the polarization properties are mainly affected by the source correlation functions, and change in the turbulent statistics plays a relatively small effect. In addition, the polarization state exhibits self-splitting property and each beamlet evolves into radially polarized structure upon propagation.

Formation of apatitic calcium phosphates in a Na-K-phosphate solution of pH 7.4.

PubMed

Tas, A C; Aldinger, F

2005-02-01

Poorly crystalline, apatitic calcium phosphate powders have been synthesized by slowly adding a Na- and K-containing reference phosphate solution with a pH value of 7.4 to an aqueous calcium nitrate solution at 37 degrees C. Nano-particulated apatitic powders obtained were shown to contain small amounts of Na and K, which render them more similar in chemical composition to that of the bone mineral. Precipitated and dried powders were found to exhibit self-hardening cement properties when kneaded in a mortar with a sodium citrate- and sodium phosphate-containing starter solution. The same phosphate solution used in powder synthesis was found to be able to partially convert natural, white and translucent marble pieces of calcite (CaCO3) into calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite upon aging the samples in that solution for 3 days at 60 degrees C. Sample characterization was performed by using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, and simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis.

Novel molecular approach to define pest species status and tritrophic interactions from historical Bemisia specimens.

PubMed

Tay, W T; Elfekih, S; Polaszek, A; Court, L N; Evans, G A; Gordon, K H J; De Barro, P J

2017-03-27

Museum specimens represent valuable genomic resources for understanding host-endosymbiont/parasitoid evolutionary relationships, resolving species complexes and nomenclatural problems. However, museum collections suffer DNA degradation, making them challenging for molecular-based studies. Here, the mitogenomes of a single 1912 Sri Lankan Bemisia emiliae cotype puparium, and of a 1942 Japanese Bemisia puparium are characterised using a Next-Generation Sequencing approach. Whiteflies are small sap-sucking insects including B. tabaci pest species complex. Bemisia emiliae's draft mitogenome showed a high degree of homology with published B. tabaci mitogenomes, and exhibited 98-100% partial mitochondrial DNA Cytochrome Oxidase I (mtCOI) gene identity with the B. tabaci species known as Asia II-7. The partial mtCOI gene of the Japanese specimen shared 99% sequence identity with the Bemisia 'JpL' genetic group. Metagenomic analysis identified bacterial sequences in both Bemisia specimens, while hymenopteran sequences were also identified in the Japanese Bemisia puparium, including complete mtCOI and rRNA genes, and various partial mtDNA genes. At 88-90% mtCOI sequence identity to Aphelinidae wasps, we concluded that the 1942 Bemisia nymph was parasitized by an Eretmocerus parasitoid wasp. Our approach enables the characterisation of genomes and associated metagenomic communities of museum specimens using 1.5 ng gDNA, and to infer historical tritrophic relationships in Bemisia whiteflies.

Partial Verbal Redundancy in Multimedia Presentations for Writing Strategy Instruction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Roscoe, Rod D.; Jacovina, Matthew E.; Harry, Danielle; Russell, Devin G.; McNamara, Danielle S.

2015-01-01

Multimedia instructional materials require learners to select, organize, and integrate information across multiple modalities. To facilitate these comprehension processes, a variety of multimedia design principles have been proposed. This study further explores the redundancy principle by manipulating the degree of partial redundancy between…

Loss of preservative from a tuberculin solution in rubber stoppered vials fastened with different seals.

PubMed

Held, H R; Landi, S

1985-07-01

A tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) solution containing 0.3% phenol as a preservative was dispensed in glass vials closed with rubber stoppers fastened in three different ways, namely with Tear-off seals, Flip-off seals and partial seals. After various times of storage at 5 degrees C and 37 degrees C, the phenol content in the tuberculin solution was determined. It was found that the Flip-off seals allowed the phenol to escape at a faster rate than the Tear-off seals and that vials closed with partial seals showed the highest loss of phenol. Although these losses were much more pronounced at 37 degrees C than at 5 degrees C, the phenol content at the latter temperature was, over a period of three years, within the limits of acceptability for tuberculin products capped with Tear-off or Flip-off seals. A loss of phenol also occurred from tuberculin solution stored at -28 degrees C in vials capped with either Tear-off or partial seals. In addition to the Tear-off and Flip-off seals other seals such as the "controlled score' Flip-off seal and the Alcoa Steri-Twist cap were evaluated for their imperviousness to air. Except for the Alcoa Steri-Twist cap none of the seals we have investigated were air tight and hence entirely satisfactory to prevent losses of phenol by evaporation from tuberculin products.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Clinical outcome of trans-sacral interbody fusion after partial reduction for high-grade l5-s1 spondylolisthesis.

PubMed

Smith, J A; Deviren, V; Berven, S; Kleinstueck, F; Bradford, D S

2001-10-15

A clinical retrospective study was conducted. To evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcome of reduction followed by trans-sacral interbody fusion for high-grade spondylolisthesis. In situ posterior interbody fusion with fibula allograft has improved the fusion rates for patients with high-grade spondylolisthesis. The use of this technique in conjunction with partial reduction has not been reported. Nine consecutive patients underwent treatment of high-grade (Grade 3 or 4) spondylolisthesis with partial reduction followed by posterior interbody fusion using cortical allograft. The average age at the time of surgery was 27 years (range, 8-51 years), and the average follow-up period was 43 months (range, 24-72 months). Before surgery, eight patients had low back pain, seven patients had radiating leg pain, and five patients had hamstring tightness. The average grade of spondylolisthesis by Meyerding grading was 3.9 (range, 3-5). Charts and radiographs were evaluated, and outcomes were collected by use of the modified SRS outcomes instrument. Radiographic indexes demonstrated significant improvement with partial reduction and fusion. The slip angle, as measured from the inferior endplate of L5, improved from 41.2 degrees (range, 24-82 degrees ) before surgery to 21 degrees (range, 5-40 degrees ) after surgery. All the patients were extremely or somewhat satisfied with surgery. The two patients who underwent this operation without initial instrumentation experienced fractures of their interbody grafts. Both of these patients underwent repair of the pseudarthrosis with placement of trans-sacral pedicle screw instrumentation and subsequent fusion. Partial reduction followed by posterior interbody fusion is an effective technique for the management of high-grade spondylolisthesis in pediatric and adult patient populations, as assessed by radiographic and clinical criteria. Pedicle screw instrumentation with the sacral screws capturing L5 is recommended when this technique is used for the treatment of high-grade spondylolisthesis. According to the clinical and radiographic results from this study, partial reduction and posterior fibula interbody fusion supplemented with pedicle screw instrumentation is an effective technique for select patients with high-grade spondylolisthesis at L5-S1.

Parsing partial molar volumes of small molecules: a molecular dynamics study.

PubMed

Patel, Nisha; Dubins, David N; Pomès, Régis; Chalikian, Tigran V

2011-04-28

We used molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in conjunction with the Kirkwood-Buff theory to compute the partial molar volumes for a number of small solutes of various chemical natures. We repeated our computations using modified pair potentials, first, in the absence of the Coulombic term and, second, in the absence of the Coulombic and the attractive Lennard-Jones terms. Comparison of our results with experimental data and the volumetric results of Monte Carlo simulation with hard sphere potentials and scaled particle theory-based computations led us to conclude that, for small solutes, the partial molar volume computed with the Lennard-Jones potential in the absence of the Coulombic term nearly coincides with the cavity volume. On the other hand, MD simulations carried out with the pair interaction potentials containing only the repulsive Lennard-Jones term produce unrealistically large partial molar volumes of solutes that are close to their excluded volumes. Our simulation results are in good agreement with the reported schemes for parsing partial molar volume data on small solutes. In particular, our determined interaction volumes() and the thickness of the thermal volume for individual compounds are in good agreement with empirical estimates. This work is the first computational study that supports and lends credence to the practical algorithms of parsing partial molar volume data that are currently in use for molecular interpretations of volumetric data.

Isolation and characterization of cDNAs encoding wheat 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase.

PubMed Central

Aoyagi, K; Beyou, A; Moon, K; Fang, L; Ulrich, T

1993-01-01

The enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR, EC 1.1.1.34) is a key enzyme in the isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway. We have isolated partial cDNAs from wheat (Triticum aestivum) using the polymerase chain reaction. Comparison of deduced amino acid sequences of these cDNAs shows that they represent a small family of genes that share a high degree of sequence homology among themselves as well as among genes from other organisms including tomato, Arabidopsis, hamster, human, Drosophila, and yeast. Southern blot analysis reveals the presence of at least four genes. Our results concerning the tissue-specific expression as well as developmental regulation of these HMGR cDNAs highlight the important role of this enzyme in the growth and development of wheat. PMID:8108513

Core formation in the Moon: The mystery of the excess depletion of Mo, W and P

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Newsom, H. E.; Maehr, S. A.

1993-01-01

We have evaluated siderophile element depletion models for the Moon in light of our improved statistical treatment of siderophile element abundance data and new information on the physics of core formation. If core formation occurred in the Moon at the large degrees of partial melting necessary for metal segregation, according to recent estimates, then a significant inconsistency (not seen in the eucrite parent body) exists in the depletion of the incompatible siderophile elements Mo, W, and P, compared to other siderophile elements in the Moon. The siderophile data, with the exception of Mo, are most consistent with terrestrial initial siderophile abundances and segregation of a very small core in the Moon. Our improved abundance estimates and possible explanations for these discrepancies are discussed.

In situ synthesis of luminescent carbon nanoparticles toward target bioimaging.

PubMed

Sharker, Shazid Md; Kim, Sung Min; Lee, Jung Eun; Jeong, Ji Hoon; In, Insik; Lee, Kang Dea; Lee, Haeshin; Park, Sung Young

2015-03-12

This paper describes the in situ synthesis of single fluorescence carbon nanoparticles (FCNs) for target bioimaging applications derived from biocompatible hyaluronic acid (HA) without using common conjugation processes. FCNs formed via the dehydration of hyaluronic acid, which were obtained by carbonizing HA, and partially carbonized HA fluorescence carbon nanoparticles (HA-FCNs), formed by a lower degree of carbonization, show good aqueous solubility, small particle size (<20 nm) and different fluorescence intensities with a red shift. After confirming the cytotoxicity of HA-FCNs and FCNs, we carried out in vitro and in vivo bioimaging studies where HA-FCNs themselves functioned as single particle triggers in target imaging. The converted nanocrystal carbon particles from HA provide outstanding features for in vitro and in vivo new targeted delivery and diagnostic tools.

High-temperature zirconia insulation and method for making same

DOEpatents

Wrenn, Jr., George E.; Holcombe, Jr., Cressie E.; Lewis, Jr., John

1988-01-01

The present invention is directed to a highly pure, partially stabilized, fibrous zirconia composite for use as thermal insulation in environments where temperatures up to about 2000.degree. C. are utilized. The composite of the present invention is fabricated into any suitable configuration such as a cone, cylinder, dome or the like by vacuum molding an aqueous slurry of partially stabilized zirconia fibers into a desired configuration on a suitably shaped mandrel. The molded fibers are infiltrated with zirconyl nitrate and the resulting structure is then dried to form a rigid structure which may be removed and placed in a furnace. The structure is then heated in air to a temperature of about 600.degree. C. for driving off the nitrate from the structure and for oxidizing the zirconyl ion to zirconia. Thereafter, the structure is heated to about 950.degree. to 1,250.degree. C. to fuse the zirconia fibers at their nexi in a matrix of zirconia. The composite produced by the present invention is self-supporting and can be readily machined to desired final dimensions. Additional heating to about 1800.degree. to 2000.degree. C. further improves structural rigidity.

The influence of metabolic heat production on body temperature of a small lizard, Anolis carolinensis.

PubMed

Brown, Richard P; Au, Timothy

2009-06-01

Little is known about the impact of increased metabolism on body temperatures of small ectotherms. We found that postprandial metabolic rates of 5 g Anolis carolinensis lizards were elevated by factorial increases of 2.3+/-1.0 (mean+/-S.E.) at 26 degrees C and 3.8+/-2.1 at 30 degrees C over their fasting rates. Cloacal body temperatures exceeded environmental temperatures by a small amount in fasted individuals (26 degrees C: 0.3+/-0.02 degrees C, 30 degrees C: 0.3+/-0.02 degrees C), and by a significantly larger amount in fed individuals (26 degrees C: 1.0+/-0.06 degrees C, 30 degrees C: 0.8+/-0.08 degrees C). We conclude that an increased metabolic rate due to specific dynamic action leads to a small but significant elevation of body temperature in this species. Comparisons with thermal increments reported for a large (750 g) varanid lizard suggest that body size has only a minor influence on body-air temperature differentials of ectotherms. This is consistent with theoretical predictions. Finally, endogenous heat production could help elevate body temperatures in the wild and therefore play a minor role in thermoregulation.

Propagation and coherence properties of higher order partially coherent dark hollow beams in turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eyyuboğlu, Halil Tanyer

2008-02-01

We formulate and evaluate in terms of graphical outputs, source and receiver plane expressions, the complex degree of coherence, beam size variation and power in bucket performance for higher order partially coherent dark hollow beams propagating in turbulent atmosphere. Our formulation is able to cover square, rectangular, circular, elliptical geometries for dark hollow and flat-topped beams in one single expression. From the graphical outputs of the receiver plane, it is observed that higher order partially coherent dark hollow beams will initially develop an outer ring around a central lobe, but will eventually evolve towards a Gaussian shape as the propagation distance is extended. It is further observed that stronger turbulence levels and greater partial coherence have similar effects on beam profile. During propagation, modulus of complex degree of coherence of partially coherent dark hollow beams appears to rise above that of the source plane values, reaching as high as near unity. Beam size analysis shows that, among the types examined, (nearly) flat-topped beam experiences the least beam expansion. Power in bucket analysis indicates that lowest order square fully coherent dark beam offers the best power capturing.

United States Marine Corps Reserve Prior Service Recruiting: A Future Command for Partially Manning the Reserves

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-06-14

month, blackjack award, slugger award, heavy hitter award, centurion, and recruiter of the year.” Marine Corps recruiting duty is very similar to a...UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE PRIOR SERVICE RECRUITING: A FUTURE COMMAND FOR PARTIALLY MANNING THE RESERVES A thesis...presented to the Faculty of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree MASTER OF

Enterpreneurship/Small Business Degree Programs at Community Colleges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maidment, Fred

2007-01-01

Associate degree programs at community colleges in small business/entrepreneurship were examined in this article. The study examined the community college programs in entrepreneurship and small business related, small business administration and entrepreneurship listed in "Perterson's Guide to Two-Year Colleges" (Oram, 2005). Current catalogs…

Cleavage capability of water buffalo follicular oocytes classified by cumulus cells and fertilized in vitro.

PubMed

Suzuki, T; Singla, S K; Sujata, J; Madan, M L

1991-06-01

Water buffalo (Murrah) oocytes were collected from ovaries obtained from the slaughter house. They were classified according to the character of the cumulus cells under a stereomicroscope, and cultured in 25 mM Hepes buffered Tissue Culture Medium-199 (TCM-199) supplemented with 5% estrous water buffalo serum in an atmosphere containing 5% CO2 in air at 39 degrees C. After 20-24 hr of in vitro maturation, the oocytes were fertilized using capacitated sperm obtained from 4 different bulls. For cleavage the oocytes were cultured at 39 degrees C in TCM-199 supplemented with 1% estrous water buffalo serum and in an atmosphere containing 5% CO2 in air. The good oocytes, with compact and dense cumulus cells cleaved significantly higher (p less than 0.01, 67.3%), than those of fair. partially naked oocytes with thin cumulus layers (27.5%, 25/91) or small remnants of cumulus cells and poor naked oocytes (3/100). A substantial variation cumulus layers (27.5% 25/91) or small remnants of cumulus cells and poor naked oocytes (3/100). A substantial variation in fertilization and developmental rates (16.0% to 43.8%) was observed among 4 different bulls. Late non-surgically into 14 buffalo recipients on day 6 or 7 of their estrous cycle. One recipient was diagnosed to be pregnant by rectal palpation on day 60 and confirmed to be so on day 90 post-estrus.

Stakeholder consultation on tracking in UK veterinary degrees: part 2.

PubMed

Crowther, E; Hughes, K; Handel, I; Whittington, R; Pryce, M; Warman, S; Rhind, S; Baillie, S

2014-07-26

There is ongoing debate in the profession as to whether veterinary students should focus on one (or a small number of) species during their undergraduate training (ie, track). This paper presents the qualitative data from surveys evaluating UK stakeholder opinion on introducing partial tracking (whereby students continue to qualify able to practise in all species) and full tracking (students qualify in a limited number of species with restricted registration). Surveys were distributed to practitioners, students and university staff; 1061 responses were completed. Thematic framework analysis was conducted on the free-text responses; responses were coded to a hierarchical framework developed inductively from the data. Six major themes were identified: choice, flexibility, competency and knowledge, stakeholder implications, specialisation and 'what is a vet?'. The majority of the themes related to both full and partial tracking, usually being more pronounced in full tracking. The theme 'choice' is particularly important in light of the study's quantitative findings on students' awareness of the profession and their career aspirations (presented in a previous paper); should tracking be implemented, veterinary schools will need to take a proactive role in educating and assisting students while making career choices. British Veterinary Association.

The e[sup [minus

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

Holroyd, R.A.; Schwarz, H.A.; Stradowska, E.

The rate constants for attachment of excess electrons to 1,3-butadiene (k[sub a]) and detachment from the butadiene anion (k[sub d]) in n-hexane are reported. The equilibrium constant, K[sub eq] = k[sub a]/k[sub d], increases rapidly with pressure and decreases as the temperature increases. At -7[degree]C attachment is observed at 1 bar. At high pressures the attachment rate is diffusion controlled. The activation energy for detachment is about 21 kcal/mol; detachment is facilitated by the large entropy of activation. The reaction volumes for attachment range from -181 cm[sup 3]/mol at 400 bar to-122 cm[sup 3]/mol at 1500 bar and are largelymore » attributed to the electrostriction volume of the butadiene anion ([Delta][bar V][sub el]). Values of [Delta][bar V][sub el] calculated by a model, which includes a glassy shell of solvent molecules around the ion, are in agreement with experimental reaction volumes. The analysis indicates the partial molar volume of the electron in hexane is small and probably negative. It is shown that the entropies of reaction are closely related to the partial molar volumes of reaction. 22 refs., 5 figs., 5 tabs.« less

The effect of frequency-dependent microphone directionality on horizontal localization performance in hearing-aid users.

PubMed

Keidser, Gitte; O'Brien, Anna; Hain, Jens-Uwe; McLelland, Margot; Yeend, Ingrid

2009-11-01

Frequency-dependent microphone directionality alters the spectral shape of sound as a function of arrival azimuth. The influence of this on horizontal-plane localization performance was investigated. Using a 360 degrees loudspeaker array and five stimuli with different spectral characteristics, localization performance was measured on 21 hearing-impaired listeners when wearing no hearing aids and aided with no directionality, partial (from 1 and 2 kHz) directionality, and full directionality. The test schemes were also evaluated in everyday life. Without hearing aids, localization accuracy was significantly poorer than normative data. Due to inaudibility of high-frequency energy, front/back reversals were prominent. Front/back reversals remained prominent when aided with omnidirectional microphones. For stimuli with low-frequency emphasis, directionality had no further effect on localization. For stimuli with sufficient mid- and high-frequency information, full directionality had a small positive effect on front/back localization but a negative effect on left/right localization. Partial directionality further improved front/back localization and had no significant effect on left/right localization. The field test revealed no significant effects. The alternative spectral cues provided by frequency-dependent directionality improve front/back localization in hearing-aid users.

Experimental feedback linearisation of a vibrating system with a non-smooth nonlinearity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lisitano, D.; Jiffri, S.; Bonisoli, E.; Mottershead, J. E.

2018-03-01

Input-output partial feedback linearisation is demonstrated experimentally for the first time on a system with non-smooth nonlinearity, a laboratory three degrees of freedom lumped mass system with a piecewise-linear spring. The output degree of freedom is located away from the nonlinearity so that the partial feedback linearisation possesses nonlinear internal dynamics. The dynamic behaviour of the linearised part is specified by eigenvalue assignment and an investigation of the zero dynamics is carried out to confirm stability of the overall system. A tuned numerical model is developed for use in the controller and to produce numerical outputs for comparison with experimental closed-loop results. A new limitation of the feedback linearisation method is discovered in the case of lumped mass systems - that the input and output must share the same degrees of freedom.

Experimental assessment of disinfection procedures for eradication of Aspergillus fumigatus in food.

PubMed

Gangneux, Jean-Pierre; Noussair, Latifa; Bouakline, Adel; Roux, Nicole; Lacroix, Claire; Derouin, Francis

2004-10-01

Aspergillus fumigatus spores in food may represent an infectious risk for neutropenic patients. We examined the efficiency of disinfection procedures applicable to foods for eradication of A fumigatus. Boiling and microwave treatment fully decontaminated an experimental spore suspension and naturally contaminated liquid foods (reconstituted dried food, herbal tea). Full decontamination of experimentally contaminated surfaces was only obtained with 70% ethanol or heating at 220 degrees C for 15 minutes. Pepper was decontaminated when heated for 15 minutes at 220 degrees C but not by microwaving. Fruit skin was partially decontaminated by 70% ethanol. We conclude that A fumigatus spores can be eradicated from food by heating to a temperature of at least 100 degrees C. When foods cannot be exposed to high temperature or microwaving, ethanol only partially reduces the level of surface contamination.

Catalytic two-stage coal hydrogenation process using extinction recycle of heavy liquid fraction

DOEpatents

MacArthur, James B.; Comolli, Alfred G.; McLean, Joseph B.

1989-01-01

A process for catalytic two-stage hydrogenation and liquefaction of coal with selective extinction recycle of all heavy liquid fractions boiling above a distillation cut point of about 600.degree.-750.degree. F. to produce increased yields of low-boiling hydrocarbon liquid and gas products. In the process, the particulate coal feed is slurried with a process-derived liquid solvent normally boiling above about 650.degree. F. and fed into a first stage catalytic reaction zone operated at conditions which promote controlled rate liquefaction of the coal, while simultaneously hydrogenating the hydrocarbon recycle oils. The first stage reactor is maintained at 710.degree.-800.degree. F. temperature, 1000-4000 psig hydrogen partial pressure, and 10-90 lb/hr per ft.sup.3 catalyst space velocity. Partially hydrogenated material withdrawn from the first stage reaction zone is passed directly to the second stage catalytic reaction zone maintained at 760.degree.-860.degree. F. temperature for further hydrogenation and hydroconversion reactions. A 600.degree.-750.degree. F..sup.+ fraction containing 0-20 W % unreacted coal and ash solids is recycled to the coal slurrying step. If desired, the cut point lower boiling fraction can be further catalytically hydrotreated. By this process, the coal feed is successively catalytically hydrogenated and hydroconverted at selected conditions, to provide significantly increased yields of desirable low-boiling hydrocarbon liquid products and minimal production of hydrocarbon gases, and no net production of undesirable heavy oils and residuum materials.

Education and National Scale: The World of Small States.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brock, Colin

1988-01-01

Analyzes smallness of national scale, types and degrees of isolation, and degrees of dependence as factors influencing the establishment of education in small states. Notes that the context created by these three circumstances makes dependency inevitable. Examines regionalism as a possible solution to the educational problems of small nations. (KO)

Mutilation of the uvula among Bedouins of the South Sinai.

PubMed

Nathan, H; Hershkovitz, I; Arensburg, B; Kobyliansky, Y; Goldschmidt-Nathan, M

1982-07-01

Mutilation of the uvula, as practiced by various tribes of Bedouins in the South Sinai, was discovered while carrying out anthropological studies in the area. Partial or total amputation of the uvula is performed on both boys and girls during the first or second year of life, as a ritual custom. Anatomical changes in the soft palate due to the uvulectomy in 115 subjects are described. The remnant of the uvula (scar) was classified according to size as: very large, large, medium, small, trace or none. A notch or kind of cleft of the palate, as a result of the uvulectomy, was considered the most extreme degree of extirpation. The majority (47%) were of small size and a notch was found in 9.6%. Changes in shape and symmetry of the arches of the palate as a result of the uvulectomy are also described. These changes are explained on the basis of the anatomical structure of the palate and uvula. The possible effects of the uvulectomy on health in general and on speech in particular are discussed.

High-Degree Neurons Feed Cortical Computations

PubMed Central

Timme, Nicholas M.; Ito, Shinya; Shimono, Masanori; Yeh, Fang-Chin; Litke, Alan M.; Beggs, John M.

2016-01-01

Recent work has shown that functional connectivity among cortical neurons is highly varied, with a small percentage of neurons having many more connections than others. Also, recent theoretical developments now make it possible to quantify how neurons modify information from the connections they receive. Therefore, it is now possible to investigate how information modification, or computation, depends on the number of connections a neuron receives (in-degree) or sends out (out-degree). To do this, we recorded the simultaneous spiking activity of hundreds of neurons in cortico-hippocampal slice cultures using a high-density 512-electrode array. This preparation and recording method combination produced large numbers of neurons recorded at temporal and spatial resolutions that are not currently available in any in vivo recording system. We utilized transfer entropy (a well-established method for detecting linear and nonlinear interactions in time series) and the partial information decomposition (a powerful, recently developed tool for dissecting multivariate information processing into distinct parts) to quantify computation between neurons where information flows converged. We found that computations did not occur equally in all neurons throughout the networks. Surprisingly, neurons that computed large amounts of information tended to receive connections from high out-degree neurons. However, the in-degree of a neuron was not related to the amount of information it computed. To gain insight into these findings, we developed a simple feedforward network model. We found that a degree-modified Hebbian wiring rule best reproduced the pattern of computation and degree correlation results seen in the real data. Interestingly, this rule also maximized signal propagation in the presence of network-wide correlations, suggesting a mechanism by which cortex could deal with common random background input. These are the first results to show that the extent to which a neuron modifies incoming information streams depends on its topological location in the surrounding functional network. PMID:27159884

Experimental study: Underwater propagation of polarized flat top partially coherent laser beams with a varying degree of spatial coherence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Avramov-Zamurovic, S.; Nelson, C.

2018-10-01

We report on experiments where spatially partially coherent laser beams with flat top intensity profiles were propagated underwater. Two scenarios were explored: still water and mechanically moved entrained salt scatterers. Gaussian, fully spatially coherent beams, and Multi-Gaussian Schell model beams with varying degrees of spatial coherence were used in the experiments. The main objective of our study was the exploration of the scintillation performance of scalar beams, with both vertical and horizontal polarizations, and the comparison with electromagnetic beams that have a randomly varying polarization. The results from our investigation show up to a 50% scintillation index reduction for the case with electromagnetic beams. In addition, we observed that the fully coherent beam performance deteriorates significantly relative to the spatially partially coherent beams when the conditions become more complex, changing from still water conditions to the propagation through mechanically moved entrained salt scatterers.

System and method for producing metallic iron nodules

DOEpatents

Bleifuss, Rodney L [Grand Rapids, MN; Englund, David J [Bovey, MN; Iwasaki, Iwao [Grand Rapids, MN; Lindgren, Andrew J [Grand Rapids, MN; Kiesel, Richard F [Hibbing, MN

2011-09-20

A method for producing metallic iron nodules by assembling a shielding entry system to introduce coarse carbonaceous material greater than 6 mesh in to the furnace atmosphere at location(s) where the temperature of the furnace atmosphere adjacent at least partially reduced reducible iron bearing material is between about 2200 and 2650.degree. F. (1200 and 1450.degree. C.), the shielding entry system adapted to inhibit emission of infrared radiation from the furnace atmosphere and seal the furnace atmosphere from exterior atmosphere while introducing coarse carbonaceous material greater than 6 mesh into the furnace to be distributed over the at least partially reduced reducible iron bearing material, and heating the covered at least partially reduced reducible iron bearing material in a fusion atmosphere to assist in fusion and inhibit reoxidation of the reduced material during fusion to assist in fusion and inhibit reoxidation of the reduced material in forming metallic iron nodules.

Method for forming bismuth-based superconducting ceramics

DOEpatents

Maroni, Victor A.; Merchant, Nazarali N.; Parrella, Ronald D.

2005-05-17

A method for reducing the concentration of non-superconducting phases during the heat treatment of Pb doped Ag/Bi-2223 composites having Bi-2223 and Bi-2212 superconducting phases is disclosed. A Pb doped Ag/Bi-2223 composite having Bi-2223 and Bi-2212 superconducting phases is heated in an atmosphere having an oxygen partial pressure not less than about 0.04 atmospheres and the temperature is maintained at the lower of a non-superconducting phase take-off temperature and the Bi-2223 superconducting phase grain growth take-off temperature. The oxygen partial pressure is varied and the temperature is varied between about 815.degree. C. and about 835.degree. C. to produce not less than 80 percent conversion to Pb doped Bi-2223 superconducting phase and not greater than about 20 volume percent non-superconducting phases. The oxygen partial pressure is preferably varied between about 0.04 and about 0.21 atmospheres. A product by the method is disclosed.

Compact representations of partially coherent undulator radiation suitable for wave propagation

DOE PAGES

Lindberg, Ryan R.; Kim, Kwang -Je

2015-09-28

Undulator radiation is partially coherent in the transverse plane, with the degree of coherence depending on the ratio of the electron beam phase space area (emittance) to the characteristic radiation wavelength λ. Numerical codes used to predict x-ray beam line performance can typically only propagate coherent fields from the source to the image plane. We investigate methods for representing partially coherent undulator radiation using a suitably chosen set of coherent fields that can be used in standard wave propagation codes, and discuss such “coherent mode expansions” for arbitrary degrees of coherence. In the limit when the electron beam emittance alongmore » at least one direction is much larger than λ the coherent modes are orthogonal and therefore compact; when the emittance approaches λ in both planes we discuss an economical method of defining the relevant coherent fields that samples the electron beam phase space using low-discrepancy sequences.« less

Diprosopus (partially duplicated head) associated with anencephaly: a case report.

PubMed

al Muti Zaitoun, A; Chang, J; Booker, M

1999-01-01

Craniofacial duplication (diprosopus) is a rare form of conjoined twin. A 16 year old mother with a twin pregnancy delivered one normally formed baby boy and one diprosopus male. The malformed baby was 33 weeks of gestation with a single trunk, normal limbs and various degrees of facial duplication. Of the following structures there were two of each: noses, eyes, ears (and one dimple), mouths, tongues and, with bilateral central cleft lips and cleft palates. This was associated with holoprosencephaly and craniorachischisis. Internal organs showed no duplication. There were multiple congenital anomalies including diaphragmatic hernia, small lungs, two lobes of the right lung, ventricular septal defect, small adrenal gland and small left kidney with short ureter. The body also had a short neck, small chest cavities and kyphosis. X-ray revealed duplication of the vertebral column. The case presented here represents a type II of diprosopia of Rating (1933) and is the least common type reported. We also reviewed 22 recently reported cases of diprosopus. In addition to facial duplication, anencephaly, neural tube defect and cardiac malformations represent the more common congenital abnormalities associated with diprosopus. The pathogenesis of diprosopus is not well understood. Factors that play a role in diprosopus are probably similar to those factors (genetic, environmental and abnormal placental circulation) which affect monozoygotic twins as observed in this case report. Early ultrasonography diagnosis of diprosopus permits one to consider a vaginal therapeutic abortion.

Response of Partially Saturated Non-cohesive Soils

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Świdziński, Waldemar; Mierczyński, Jacek; Mikos, Agata

2017-12-01

This paper analyses and discusses experimental results of undrained triaxial tests. The tests were performed on non-cohesive partially saturated soil samples subjected to monotonic and cyclic loading. The tests were aimed at determining the influence of saturation degree on soil's undrained response (shear strength, excess pore pressure generation). The saturation of samples was monitored by checking Skempton's parameter B. Additionally, seismic P-wave velocity measurements were carried out on samples characterized by various degrees of saturation. The tests clearly showed that liquefaction may also take place in non-cohesive soils that are not fully saturated and that the liquefaction potential of such soils strongly depends on the B parameter.

Improving the developability profile of pyrrolidine progesterone receptor partial agonists

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

Kallander, Lara S.; Washburn, David G.; Hoang, Tram H.

2010-09-17

The previously reported pyrrolidine class of progesterone receptor partial agonists demonstrated excellent potency but suffered from serious liabilities including hERG blockade and high volume of distribution in the rat. The basic pyrrolidine amine was intentionally converted to a sulfonamide, carbamate, or amide to address these liabilities. The evaluation of the degree of partial agonism for these non-basic pyrrolidine derivatives and demonstration of their efficacy in an in vivo model of endometriosis is disclosed herein.

Partially coherent axiconic surface plasmon polariton fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yahong; Norrman, Andreas; Ponomarenko, Sergey A.; Friberg, Ari T.

2018-04-01

We introduce a class of structured polychromatic surface electromagnetic fields, reminiscent of conventional optical axicon fields, through a judicious superposition of partially correlated surface plasmon polaritons. We show that such partially coherent axiconic surface plasmon polariton fields are structurally stable and statistically highly versatile with regard to spectral density, polarization state, energy flow, and degree of coherence. These fields can be created by plasmon coherence engineering and may prove instrumental broadly in surface physics and in various nanophotonics applications.

Partial growth plate closure: apex view on bone scan

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

Howman-Giles, R.; Trochei, M.; Yeates, K.

1985-01-01

A new technique of using /sup 99m/Tc bone scan to assess partial closure of the growth plate is described. The site and degree of osseous fusion can be obtained by using the apex view. The technique has the potential of assessing serially the growth of a plate before and after surgery.

Method for hydrocracking a heavy polynuclear hydrocarbonaceous feedstock in the presence of a molten metal halide catalyst

DOEpatents

Gorin, Everett

1981-01-01

A method for hydrocracking a heavy polynuclear hydrocarbonaceous feedstock to produce lighter hydrocarbon fuels by contacting the feedstock with hydrogen in the presence of a molten metal halide catalyst, the method comprising: mixing the feedstock with a heavy naphtha fraction which has an initial boiling point from about 100.degree. to about 160.degree. C. with a boiling point difference between the initial boiling point and the final boiling point of no more than about 50.degree. C. to produce a mixture; thereafter contacting the mixture with partially spent molten metal halide and hydrogen under temperature and pressure conditions so that the temperature is near the critical temperature of the heavy naphtha fraction; separating at least a portion of the heavy naphtha fraction and lighter hydrocarbon fuels from the partially spent molten metal halide, unreacted feedstock and reaction products; thereafter contacting the partially spent molten metal halide, unreacted feedstock and reaction products with hydrogen and fresh molten metal halide in a hydrocracking zone to produce additional lighter hydrocarbon fuels and separating at least a major portion of the lighter hydrocarbon fuels from the spent molten metal halide.

[Skull base meningiomas: a predictive system to know the extent of their surgical resection and patient outcome].

PubMed

Morales, F; Maillo, A; Díaz-Alvarez, A; Merino, M; Muñoz-Herrera, A; Hernández, J; Santamarta, D

2005-12-01

The aim of this study was to build a preoperative predictive system which could provide reliable information about: 1 degrees which skull base meningiomas can be total or partially removed, and 2 degrees their surgical outcome. Patient histories and imaging data were reviewed retrospectively from 85 consecutive skull base meningiomas patients who underwent surgery from 1990 and 2002. From the preoperative data, nine variables were selected for conventional statistical analysis as regards their relationship with: 1 degrees total vs partial tumor resection and 2 degrees with patients outcome according to the degree of tumour removal. From the nine variables analysed only two had a statistical association with the type of tumour resection performed (total vs partial) and the patient outcome: 1) arteries encasement and 2) cranial nerves involvement. Upon correlating these two variables with the type of tumour resection performed (total vs partial) and with the Karnofsky'scale to evaluate patients surgical outcome, the following grading groups were identified: Grade I: skull base meningiomas which did not involve cranial nerves or artery or only encased one artery or one cranial nerve. In these cases the incidence of gross tumour resection was 98.3% (p< 0.0001) and the perspective to reach 70 points in the Karnofsky'scale was of 96.5% ( p=0.001). Grade II: skull base meningiomas which involved one cranial nerve and encased, at least, two main cerebral arteries. In these cases, the frequency of total resection, decreased to 83.3% (p<0.0001) and the probability to reach 70 points in the Karnofsky'scale was 70.6% (p=0.001). Grade III: skull base meningiomas which involved two or more cranial nerves and encased several arteries In this group, the frequency of a total resection was of 42.9% (p<0.0001) and the probability of reaching 70 points in the Karnofsky'scale was only 60% (p=0.001). We propose a preoperative grading system for skull base meningiomas that helps predicting both whether total or partial tumor removal will be achieved during surgery and the immediate postsurgical outcome of the patient. In applying this predictive system we will be able to reduce surgical morbidity, to advance the possibility of a radiosurgical treatment and give a more precise information to the patients and their families about our surgical decision-making process.

Comparison of immersion ultrasound, partial coherence interferometry, and low coherence reflectometry for ocular biometry in cataract patients.

PubMed

Montés-Micó, Robert; Carones, Francesco; Buttacchio, Antonietta; Ferrer-Blasco, Teresa; Madrid-Costa, David

2011-09-01

To compare ocular biometry parameters measured with immersion ultrasound, partial coherence interferometry, and low coherence reflectometry in cataract patients. Measurements of axial length and anterior chamber depth were analyzed and compared using immersion ultrasound, partial coherence interferometry, and low coherence reflectometry. Keratometry (K), flattest axis, and white-to-white measurements were compared between partial coherence interferometry and low coherence reflectometry. Seventy-eight cataract (LOCS II range: 1 to 3) eyes of 45 patients aged between 42 and 90 years were evaluated. A subanalysis as a function of cataract degree was done for axial length and anterior chamber depth between techniques. No statistically significant differences were noted for the study cohort or within each cataract degree among the three techniques for axial length and anterior chamber depth (P>.05, ANOVA test). Measurements between techniques were highly correlated for axial length (R=0.99) and anterior chamber depth (R=0.90 to 0.96) for all methods. Keratometry, flattest axis, and white-to-white measurements were comparable (paired t test, P>.1) and correlated well between partial coherence interferometry and low coherence reflectometry (K1 [R=0.95), K2 [R=0.97], flattest axis [R=0.95], and white-to-white [R=0.92]). Immersion ultrasound, partial coherence interferometry, and low coherence reflectometry provided comparable ocular biometry measurements in cataractous eyes. Copyright 2011, SLACK Incorporated.

Impact of partial nitritation degree and C/N ratio on simultaneous Sludge Fermentation, Denitrification and Anammox process.

PubMed

Wang, Bo; Peng, Yongzhen; Guo, Yuanyuan; Yuan, Yue; Zhao, Mengyue; Wang, Shuying

2016-11-01

This study presents a novel process (i.e. PN/SFDA) to remove nitrogen from low C/N domestic wastewater. The process mainly involves two reactors, a pre-Sequencing Batch Reactor for partial nitritation (termed as PN-SBR) and an anoxic reactor for integrated Denitrification and Anammox with carbon sources produced from Sludge Fermentation (termed as SFDA). During long-term Runs, NO2(-)/NH4(+) ratio (i.e. NO2(-)-N/NH4(+)-N calculated by mole) in the PN-SBR effluent was gradually increased from 0.2 to 37 by extending aerobic duration, meaning that partial nitritation turning to full nitritation could be achieved. Impact of partial nitritation degree on SFDA process was investigated and the result showed that, NO2(-)/NH4(+) ratios between 2 and 10 were appropriate for the co-existence of denitrification and anammox together in the SFDA reactor, and denitrification instead of anammox contributed greater for nitrogen removal. Further batch tests indicated that anammox collaborated well with denitrification at low C/N (1.0 in this study). Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Measurement of high-degree solar oscillation frequencies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bachmann, K. T.; Duvall, T. L., Jr.; Harvey, J. W.; Hill, F.

1995-01-01

We present m-averaged solar p- and f-mode oscillation frequencies over the frequency range nu greater than 1.8 and less than 5.0 mHz and the spherical harmonic degree range l greater than or equal to 100 and less than or equal to 1200 from full-disk, 1000 x 1024 pixel, Ca II intensity images collected 1993 June 22-25 with a temporal cadence of 60 s. We itemize the sources and magnitudes of statistical and systematic uncertainties and of small frequency corrections, and we show that our frequencies represent an improvement in accuracy and coverage over previous measurements. Our frequencies agree at the 2 micro Hz level with Mount Wilson frequencies determined for l less than or equal to 600 from full-disk images, and we find systematic offsets of 10-20 micro Hz with respect to frequencies measured from Big Bear and La Palma observations. We give evidence that these latter offsets are indicative of spatial scaling uncertainties associated with the analysis of partial-disk images. In comparison with theory, our p-mode frequencies agree within 10 micro Hz of frequencies predicted by the Los Alamos model but are as much as 100 micro Hz smaller than frequencies predicted by the Denmark and Yale models at degrees near 1000. We also find systematic differences between our n = 0 frequencies and the frequencies closely agreed upon by all three models.

The System Forsterite-Diopside-Enstatite up to 70 kbar and its Significance to the Genesis of Komatiites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dasgupta, S.; Gupta, A. K.

2011-12-01

Liquidus phase relations in the system forsterite-diopside-enstatite has been made at 70 kbar under anhydrous conditions using a Walker-type multi-anvil high pressure apparatus. Positions of the pseudoeutectic/ invariant, minimum points and amount of solid solutions of appearing phases are summarized in table 1. Comparison of these phase relations with those conducted by previous investigators at lower pressures and temperatures shows that the fosterite-pyroxene liquidus boundary shifts toward forsterite and away from the diopside apex with increasing pressure. Microprobe analyses indicate that the maximum amount of MgSiO3 that can be incorporated in diopside increases with pressure, and at the solidus (70 kbar, 2010°C), it is about 82%. On the basis of EPMA analyses of coexisting liquid and crystalline phases, three-phase triangles have been constructed. It is observed that at 70 kbar, the early partial melt generated from a model peridotite does not precipitate orthopyroxene. If such a melt instead of crystallizing in-situ, ascend to the surface, then the polybaric-polythermal crystallization path should never intersect the liquidus phase field of orthopyroxene, enstatitess may then appear in the solidus as an exsolution product. Our calculation shows that at 31% partial melting of a model mantle, orthopyroxene should appear as a liquidus phase. With further increase in the degree of partial melting (42-60%), proportion of orthopyroxene crystallizing from the melt progressively increases. With reference to the above discussion we propose that the Gorgona komatiites which are primarily orthopyroxene-deficient komatiites, are an outcome of low degree of partial melting, whereas the orthopyroxene-bearing Commondale komatiites of the southern Kaapvaal Craton, South Africa, are the outcome of a larger degree of partial melting, both generated from melting of an anhydrous mantle.

Have the Mexican Drug Cartels Evolved into a Terrorist Insurgency?

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-06-14

Command and General Staff College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree MASTER OF MILITARY ART AND SCIENCE Homeland Security......Director, Graduate Degree Programs Robert F. Baumann, Ph.D. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student author and do not

Linear algebraic theory of partial coherence: discrete fields and measures of partial coherence.

PubMed

Ozaktas, Haldun M; Yüksel, Serdar; Kutay, M Alper

2002-08-01

A linear algebraic theory of partial coherence is presented that allows precise mathematical definitions of concepts such as coherence and incoherence. This not only provides new perspectives and insights but also allows us to employ the conceptual and algebraic tools of linear algebra in applications. We define several scalar measures of the degree of partial coherence of an optical field that are zero for full incoherence and unity for full coherence. The mathematical definitions are related to our physical understanding of the corresponding concepts by considering them in the context of Young's experiment.

46 CFR 171.055 - Intact stability requirements for a monohull sailing vessel or a monohull auxiliary sailing vessel.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... and operation from— (1) 0 to at least 70 degrees of heel for service on protected or partially protected waters; and (2) 0 to at least 90 degrees of heel for service on exposed waters. (d) Each vessel... defined by the equation— HZ=HZA cos2 (T) where— HZ=heeling arm. HZA=heeling arm at 0 degrees of heel. T...

Catalytic two-stage coal hydrogenation and hydroconversion process

DOEpatents

MacArthur, James B.; McLean, Joseph B.; Comolli, Alfred G.

1989-01-01

A process for two-stage catalytic hydrogenation and liquefaction of coal to produce increased yields of low-boiling hydrocarbon liquid and gas products. In the process, the particulate coal is slurried with a process-derived liquid solvent and fed at temperature below about 650.degree. F. into a first stage catalytic reaction zone operated at conditions which promote controlled rate liquefaction of the coal, while simultaneously hydrogenating the hydrocarbon recycle oils at conditions favoring hydrogenation reactions. The first stage reactor is maintained at 650.degree.-800.degree. F. temperature, 1000-4000 psig hydrogen partial pressure, and 10-60 lb coal/hr/ft.sup.3 reactor space velocity. The partially hydrogenated material from the first stage reaction zone is passed directly to the close-coupled second stage catalytic reaction zone maintained at a temperature at least about 25.degree. F. higher than for the first stage reactor and within a range of 750.degree.-875.degree. F. temperature for further hydrogenation and thermal hydroconversion reactions. By this process, the coal feed is successively catalytically hydrogenated and hydroconverted at selected conditions, which results in significantly increased yields of desirable low-boiling hydrocarbon liquid products and minimal production of undesirable residuum and unconverted coal and hydrocarbon gases, with use of less energy to obtain the low molecular weight products, while catalyst life is substantially increased.

CO/sub 2/ fluxes in the tropical Atlantic during FOCAL cruises

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

Andrie, C.; Oudot, C.; Genthon, C.

1986-10-15

CO/sub 2/ partial pressures in the atmosphere and in surface seawater have been measured in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean during Programme Francais Ocean-Climat en Atlantique Equatorial cruises extending from July 1982 to August 1984 along the 4/degree/W, 22/degree/W, and 35/degree/W meridians. Gas transfer coefficients based on recently reported field data combined with information deduced from wind tunnel experiments are used to compute the CO/sub 2/ fluxes. The global mean net flux between 5/degree/N and 5/degree/S is equal to 1.05 mmol m/sup /minus/2/ d/sup /minus/1/ and is from the ocean to the atmosphere. The escape of CO/sub 2/ increases strongly frommore » the east to the west and is always lower in the north than in the south. The importance of wind speed, pCO/sub 2/ in atmosphere, PCO/sub 2/ in surface seawater, and temperature on the flux variability is discussed. The relative influence of the equatorial upwelling on one hand and of the advection and warming of surface waters on the other hand is studied in order to explain high partial pressure in seawater. 59 refs., 15 figs., 5 tabs.« less

Preparation of a non-woven poly(ε-caprolactone) fabric with partially embedded apatite surface for bone tissue engineering applications by partial surface melting of poly(ε-caprolactone) fibers.

PubMed

Kim, In Ae; Rhee, Sang-Hoon

2017-07-01

This article describes a novel method for the preparation of a biodegradable non-woven poly(ε-caprolactone) fabric with a partially embedded apatite surface designed for application as a scaffold material for bone tissue engineering. The non-woven poly(ε-caprolactone) fabric was generated by the electro-spinning technique and then apatite was coated in simulated body fluid after coating the PVA solution containing CaCl 2 ·2H 2 O. The apatite crystals were partially embedded or fully embedded into the thermoplastic poly(ε-caprolactone) fibers by controlling the degree of poly(ε-caprolactone) fiber surface melting in a convection oven. Identical apatite-coated poly(ε-caprolactone) fabric that did not undergo heat-treatment was used as a control. The features of the embedded apatite crystals were evaluated by FE-SEM, AFM, EDS, and XRD. The adhesion strengths of the coated apatite layers and the tensile strengths of the apatite coated fabrics with and without heat-treatment were assessed by the tape-test and a universal testing machine, respectively. The degree of water absorbance was assessed by adding a DMEM droplet onto the fabrics. Moreover, cell penetrability was assessed by seeding preosteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells onto the fabrics and observing the degrees of cell penetration after 1 and 4 weeks by staining nuclei with DAPI. The non-woven poly(ε-caprolactone) fabric with a partially embedded apatite surface showed good water absorbance, cell penetrability, higher apatite adhesion strength, and higher tensile strength compared with the control fabric. These results show that the non-woven poly(ε-caprolactone) fabric with a partially embedded apatite surface is a potential candidate scaffold for bone tissue engineering due to its strong apatite adhesion strength and excellent cell penetrability. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1973-1983, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Research on the Composition and Distribution of Organic Sulfur in Coal.

PubMed

Zhang, Lanjun; Li, Zenghua; Yang, Yongliang; Zhou, Yinbo; Li, Jinhu; Si, Leilei; Kong, Biao

2016-05-13

The structure and distribution of organic sulfur in coals of different rank and different sulfur content were studied by combining mild organic solvent extraction with XPS technology. The XPS results have shown that the distribution of organic sulfur in coal is related to the degree of metamorphism of coal. Namely, thiophenic sulfur content is reduced with decreasing metamorphic degree; sulfonic acid content rises with decreasing metamorphic degree; the contents of sulfate sulfur, sulfoxide and sulfone are rarely related with metamorphic degree. The solvent extraction and GC/MS test results have also shown that the composition and structure of free and soluble organic sulfur small molecules in coal is closely related to the metamorphic degree of coal. The free organic sulfur small molecules in coal of low metamorphic degree are mainly composed of aliphatic sulfides, while those in coal of medium and high metamorphic degree are mainly composed of thiophenes. Besides, the degree of aromatization of organic sulfur small molecules rises with increasing degree of coalification.

Incorporating partially identified sample segments into acreage estimation procedures: Estimates using only observations from the current year

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sielken, R. L., Jr. (Principal Investigator)

1981-01-01

Several methods of estimating individual crop acreages using a mixture of completely identified and partially identified (generic) segments from a single growing year are derived and discussed. A small Monte Carlo study of eight estimators is presented. The relative empirical behavior of these estimators is discussed as are the effects of segment sample size and amount of partial identification. The principle recommendations are (1) to not exclude, but rather incorporate partially identified sample segments into the estimation procedure, (2) try to avoid having a large percentage (say 80%) of only partially identified segments, in the sample, and (3) use the maximum likelihood estimator although the weighted least squares estimator and least squares ratio estimator both perform almost as well. Sets of spring small grains (North Dakota) data were used.

Potentials of radial partially coherent beams in free-space optical communication: a numerical investigation.

PubMed

Wang, Minghao; Yuan, Xiuhua; Ma, Donglin

2017-04-01

Nonuniformly correlated partially coherent beams (PCBs) have extraordinary propagation properties, making it possible to further improve the performance of free-space optical communications. In this paper, a series of PCBs with varying degrees of coherence in the radial direction, academically called radial partially coherent beams (RPCBs), are considered. RPCBs with arbitrary coherence distributions can be created by adjusting the amplitude profile of a spatial modulation function imposed on a uniformly correlated phase screen. Since RPCBs cannot be well characterized by the coherence length, a modulation depth factor is introduced as an indicator of the overall distribution of coherence. By wave optics simulation, free-space and atmospheric propagation properties of RPCBs with (inverse) Gaussian and super-Gaussian coherence distributions are examined in comparison with conventional Gaussian Schell-model beams. Furthermore, the impacts of varying central coherent areas are studied. Simulation results reveal that under comparable overall coherence, beams with a highly coherent core and a less coherent margin exhibit a smaller beam spread and greater on-axis intensity, which is mainly due to the self-focusing phenomenon right after the beam exits the transmitter. Particularly, those RPCBs with super-Gaussian coherence distributions will repeatedly focus during propagation, resulting in even greater intensities. Additionally, RPCBs also have a considerable ability to reduce scintillation. And it is demonstrated that those properties have made RPCBs very effective in improving the mean signal-to-noise ratio of small optical receivers, especially in relatively short, weakly fluctuating links.

Impact of Partial Time Delay on Temporal Dynamics of Watts-Strogatz Small-World Neuronal Networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Hao; Sun, Xiaojuan

2017-06-01

In this paper, we mainly discuss effects of partial time delay on temporal dynamics of Watts-Strogatz (WS) small-world neuronal networks by controlling two parameters. One is the time delay τ and the other is the probability of partial time delay pdelay. Temporal dynamics of WS small-world neuronal networks are discussed with the aid of temporal coherence and mean firing rate. With the obtained simulation results, it is revealed that for small time delay τ, the probability pdelay could weaken temporal coherence and increase mean firing rate of neuronal networks, which indicates that it could improve neuronal firings of the neuronal networks while destroying firing regularity. For large time delay τ, temporal coherence and mean firing rate do not have great changes with respect to pdelay. Time delay τ always has great influence on both temporal coherence and mean firing rate no matter what is the value of pdelay. Moreover, with the analysis of spike trains and histograms of interspike intervals of neurons inside neuronal networks, it is found that the effects of partial time delays on temporal coherence and mean firing rate could be the result of locking between the period of neuronal firing activities and the value of time delay τ. In brief, partial time delay could have great influence on temporal dynamics of the neuronal networks.

Lidar on small UAV for 3D mapping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tulldahl, H. Michael; Larsson, Hâkan

2014-10-01

Small UAV:s (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) are currently in an explosive technical development phase. The performance of UAV-system components such as inertial navigation sensors, propulsion, control processors and algorithms are gradually improving. Simultaneously, lidar technologies are continuously developing in terms of reliability, accuracy, as well as speed of data collection, storage and processing. The lidar development towards miniature systems with high data rates has, together with recent UAV development, a great potential for new three dimensional (3D) mapping capabilities. Compared to lidar mapping from manned full-size aircraft a small unmanned aircraft can be cost efficient over small areas and more flexible for deployment. An advantage with high resolution lidar compared to 3D mapping from passive (multi angle) photogrammetry is the ability to penetrate through vegetation and detect partially obscured targets. Another advantage is the ability to obtain 3D data over the whole survey area, without the limited performance of passive photogrammetry in low contrast areas. The purpose of our work is to demonstrate 3D lidar mapping capability from a small multirotor UAV. We present the first experimental results and the mechanical and electrical integration of the Velodyne HDL-32E lidar on a six-rotor aircraft with a total weight of 7 kg. The rotating lidar is mounted at an angle of 20 degrees from the horizontal plane giving a vertical field-of-view of 10-50 degrees below the horizon in the aircraft forward directions. For absolute positioning of the 3D data, accurate positioning and orientation of the lidar sensor is of high importance. We evaluate the lidar data position accuracy both based on inertial navigation system (INS) data, and on INS data combined with lidar data. The INS sensors consist of accelerometers, gyroscopes, GPS, magnetometers, and a pressure sensor for altimetry. The lidar range resolution and accuracy is documented as well as the capability for target surface reflectivity estimation based on measurements on calibration standards. Initial results of the general mapping capability including the detection through partly obscured environments is demonstrated through field data collection and analysis.

Analysis of localised dose distribution in human body by Monte Carlo code system for photon irradiation.

PubMed

Ohnishi, S; Odano, N; Nariyama, N; Saito, K

2004-01-01

In usual personal dosimetry, whole body irradiation is assumed. However, the opportunity of partial irradiation is increasing and the tendencies of protection quantities caused under those irradiation conditions are different. The code system has been developed and effective dose and organ absorbed doses have been calculated in the case of horizontal narrow photon beam irradiated from various directions at three representative body sections, 40, 50 and 60 cm originating from the top of the head. This work covers 24 beam directions, each 15 degrees angle ranging from 0 degrees to 345 degrees, three energy levels, 45 keV, 90 keV and 1.25 MeV, and three beam diameters of 1, 2 and 4 cm. These results show that the beam injected from diagonally front or other specific direction causes peak dose in the case of partial irradiation.

Polarized vacuum ultraviolet and X-radiation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Samson, J. A. R.

1978-01-01

The most intense source of polarized vacuum UV and X radiation is synchrotron radiation, which exhibits a degree of partially polarized light between about 80-100%. However, the radiation transmitted by vacuum UV monochromators can also be highly polarized. The Seya-Namioka type of monochromator can produce partially polarized radiation between 50-80%. For certain experiments it is necessary to know the degree of polarization of the radiation being used. Also, when synchrotron radiation and a monochromator are combined the polarization characteristic of both should be known in order to make full use of these polarization properties. The polarizing effect of monochromators (i.e., diffraction gratings) have been measured at the Seya angle and at grazing angles for various spectral orders. Experimental evidence is presented which shows that the reciprocity law holds for polarization by reflection where the angle of incidence and diffraction are unequal. These results are reviewed along with the techniques for measuring the degree of polarization.

Electro-physical properties of superconducting ceramic thick film prepared by partial melting method.

PubMed

Lee, Sang Heon

2013-05-01

BiSrCaCuO superconductor thick films were prepared at several curing temperatures, and their electro-physical properties were determined to find an optimum fabrication conditions. Critical temperatures of the superconductors were decreased with increasing melting temperature, which was related to the amount of equilibrium phases of the superconducting materials with temperature. The critical temperature of BiSrCaCuO bulk and thick film superconductors were 107 K and 96 K, respectively. The variation of susceptibility of the superconductor thick film formed at 950 degrees C had multi-step-type curve for 70 G externally applied field, whereas, a superconductor thick film formed at 885 degrees C had a single step-type curve like a bulk BiSrCaCuO ceramic superconductor in the temperature-susceptibility curves. A partial melting at 865 degrees C is one of optimum conditions for making a superconductor thick film with a relatively homogeneous phase.

Effect of polarization on the evolution of electromagnetic hollow Gaussian Schell-model beam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Long, Xuewen; Lu, Keqing; Zhang, Yuhong; Guo, Jianbang; Li, Kehao

2011-02-01

Based on the theory of coherence, an analytical propagation formula for partially polarized and partially coherent hollow Gaussian Schell-model beams (HGSMBs) passing through a paraxial optical system is derived. Furthermore, we show that the degree of polarization of source may affect the evolution of HGSMBs and a tunable dark region may exist. For two special cases of fully coherent and partially coherent δxx = δyy, normalized intensity distributions are independent of the polarization of source.

Fluorinated elastomeric materials

DOEpatents

Lagow, Richard J.; Dumitru, Earl T.

1986-11-04

This invention relates to a method of making perfluorinated elastomeric materials, and to materials made by such methods. In the full synthetic scheme, a partially fluorinated polymeric compound, with moieties to prevent crystallization, is created. It is then crosslinked to a desired degree, then perfluorinated. Various intermediate materials, such as partially fluorinated crosslinked polymers, have useful properties, and are or may become commercially available. One embodiment of this invention therefore relates to perfluorination of a selected partially fluorinated, crosslinked material, which is one step of the full synthetic scheme.

Fluorinated elastomeric materials

DOEpatents

Lagow, Richard J.; Dumitru, Earl T.

1990-02-13

This invention relates to a method of making perfluorinated elastomeric materials, and to materials made by such methods. In the full synthetic scheme, a partially fluorinated polymeric compound, with moieties to prevent crystallization, is created. It is then crosslinked to a desired degree, then perfluorinated. Various intermediate materials, such as partially fluorinated crosslinked polymers, have useful properties, and are or may become commercially available. One embodiment of this invention therefore relates to perfluorination of a selected partially fluorinated, crosslinked material, which is one step of the full synthetic scheme.

Academic Achievement and Behavioral Ratings in Children with Absence and Complex Partial Epilepsy.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Williams, Jane; And Others

1996-01-01

Assessment of 84 children diagnosed with controlled or uncontrolled complex partial or absence seizures but no documented learning or emotional disorders found no influence of seizure type on achievement test scores or behavioral ratings. A main effect was found for degree of control, with poorly controlled seizures correlating with lower reading…

Light enpolarization by disordered media under partial polarized illumination: the role of cross-scattering coefficients.

PubMed

Zerrad, M; Soriano, G; Ghabbach, A; Amra, C

2013-02-11

We show how disordered media allow to increase the local degree of polarization (DOP) of an arbitrary (partial) polarized incident beam. The role of cross-scattering coefficients is emphasized, together with the probability density functions (PDF) of the scattering DOP. The average DOP of scattering is calculated versus the incident illumination DOP.

Clast Size, Void Space, and Degree of Contortion in Spatter Piles at Craters of the Moon, ID. Implications for Eruptions Conditions of Lunar Basalts.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rader, E. L.; Heldmann, J. L.

2016-12-01

Spatter is an explosive volcanic product consisting of partially-molten clasts found predominantly in mafic eruptions. Classification of spatter deposits is currently based on qualitative visual identification, and its presence signifies little more than a near-vent environment. However, the variables that effect spatter morphology (density of clasts, aspect ratio of clasts, rind thickness, etc.) are related to heat transfer from the vent via convection and radiation to the atmosphere and conduction through the spatter pile. Subsequently, the heat flux is proportional to the volume and rate of eruption, as faster and more voluminous eruptions result in a higher degree of welding between clasts. With a quantitative classification scheme, spatter deposits may reveal important eruption conditions such as eruption duration, eruption vigor, and fountain height. These factors are particularly important for non-terrestrial volcanoes whose eruptions have never been observed and whose products will likely be sampled on too small of a scale for more detailed chemical and thermal analysis. This study describes physical aspects of multiple spatter deposits at Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho, and suggests different eruptions conditions will produce quantitatively unique spatter deposits.

Method of manufacture of single phase ceramic superconductors

DOEpatents

Singh, Jitrenda P.; Poeppel, Roger B.; Goretta, Kenneth C.; Chen, Nan

1995-01-01

A ceramic superconductor is produced by close control of oxygen partial pressure during sintering of the material. The resulting microstructure of YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x indicates that sintering kinetics are enhanced at reduced p(O.sub.2) and that because of second phase precipitates, grain growth is prevented. The density of specimens sintered at 910.degree. C. increased from 79 to 94% theoretical when p(O.sub.2) was decreased from 0.1 to 0.0001 MPa. The increase in density with decrease in p(O.sub.2) derives from enhanced sintering kinetics, due to increased defect concentration and decreased activation energy of the rate-controlling species undergoing diffusion. Sintering at 910.degree. C resulted in a fine-grain microstructure, with an average grain size of about 4 .mu.m. Post sintering annealing in a region of stability for the desired phase converts the second phases and limits grain growth. The method of pinning grain boundaries by small scale decompositive products and then annealing to convert its product to the desired phase can be used for other complex asides. Such a microstructure results in reduced microcracking, strengths as high as 230 MPa and high critical current density capacity.

Assessment of first-year post-graduate residents: usefulness of multiple tools.

PubMed

Yang, Ying-Ying; Lee, Fa-Yauh; Hsu, Hui-Chi; Huang, Chin-Chou; Chen, Jaw-Wen; Cheng, Hao-Min; Lee, Wen-Shin; Chuang, Chiao-Lin; Chang, Ching-Chih; Huang, Chia-Chang

2011-12-01

Objective Structural Clinical Examination (OSCE) usually needs a large number of stations with long test time, which usually exceeds the resources available in a medical center. We aimed to determine the reliability of a combination of Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS), Internal Medicine in-Training Examination (IM-ITE(®)) and OSCE, and to verify the correlation between the small-scale OSCE+DOPS+IM-ITE(®)-composited scores and 360-degree evaluation scores of first year post-graduate (PGY(1)) residents. Between 2007 January to 2010 January, two hundred and nine internal medicine PGY1 residents completed DOPS, IM-ITE(®) and small-scale OSCE at our hospital. Faculty members completed 12-item 360-degree evaluation for each of the PGY(1) residents regularly. The small-scale OSCE scores correlated well with the 360-degree evaluation scores (r = 0.37, p < 0.021). Interestingly, the addition of DOPS scores to small-scale OSCE scores [small-scale OSCE+DOPS-composited scores] increased it's correlation with 360-degree evaluation scores of PGY(1) residents (r = 0.72, p < 0.036). Further, combination of IM-ITE(®) score with small-scale OSCE+DOPS scores [small-scale OSCE+DOPS+IM-ITE(®)-composited scores] markedly enhanced their correlation with 360-degree evaluation scores (r = 0.85, p < 0.016). The strong correlations between 360-degree evaluation and small-scale OSCE+DOPS+IM-ITE(®)-composited scores suggested that both methods were measuring the same quality. Our results showed that the small-scale OSCE, when associated with both the DOPS and IM-ITE(®), could be an important assessment method for PGY(1) residents. Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Cartilage degeneration and not age influences the health-related quality of life outcome after partial meniscectomy.

PubMed

Liebensteiner, Michael C; Nogler, Michael; Giesinger, Johannes M; Lechner, Ricarda; Lenze, Florian; Thaler, Martin

2015-01-01

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether inconsistently reported factors influence the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcome of partial meniscectomy. Short Form 36 (SF-36) data on 216 patients were retrospectively analysed for the influence of the factors age, gender and degree of cartilage degeneration. Mixed linear models were applied for univariate and multivariate analyses. All SF-36 scales, including the psychosocial scales, showed a significant improvement from pre- to post-operative (p < 0.001). The factor 'degree of cartilage degeneration' was found to significantly influence post-surgical improvement of the SF-36 'physical component summary' score. Patients with mild cartilage degeneration benefited significantly more from surgery than did patients with advanced cartilage degeneration (p = 0.011). Older patients had significantly lower scores on each subscale, but showed no significant age-time interaction, that is, no association was seen between age and the degree of improvement. No effect was determined for the variable gender. The findings of the current study can be interpreted to show that arthroscopic partial meniscectomy significantly improves HRQOL, even in mental or psychosocial dimensions of HRQOL. Not age but the degree of cartilage degeneration influences the HRQOL gain that can be expected. The factor gender has no effect on HRQOL. The findings of our study influence our daily routine, in that we take the degree of cartilage degeneration and not age as predictive value for the success to be anticipated from the procedure. Concerning the preoperative consenting, it is important to mention that advanced cartilage degeneration is a predictor of a less favourable outcome. IV.

Coal liquefaction process

DOEpatents

Carr, Norman L.; Moon, William G.; Prudich, Michael E.

1983-01-01

A C.sub.5 -900.degree. F. (C.sub.5 -482.degree. C.) liquid yield greater than 50 weight percent MAF feed coal is obtained in a coal liquefaction process wherein a selected combination of higher hydrogen partial pressure, longer slurry residence time and increased recycle ash content of the feed slurry are controlled within defined ranges.

Purification and partial characterization of an exo-polygalacturonase from Paecilomyces variotii liquid cultures.

PubMed

de Lima Damásio, Andre Ricardo; da Silva, Tony Márcio; Maller, Alexandre; Jorge, João Atílio; Terenzi, Hector Francisco; Polizeli, Maria de Lourdes Teixeira de Moraes

2010-03-01

An extracellular polygalacturonase (PG) produced from Paecilomyces variotii was purified to homogeneity through two chromatography steps using DEAE-Fractogel and Sephadex G-100. The molecular weight of P. variotii PG was 77,300 Da by gel filtration and SDS-PAGE. PG had isoelectric point of 4.37 and optimum pH 4.0. PG was very stable from pH 3.0 to 6.0. The extent of hydrolysis of different pectins by the purified enzyme was decreased with an increase in the degree of esterification. PG had no activity toward non-pectic polysaccharides. The apparent K(m) and V(max) values for hydrolyzing sodium polypectate were 1.84 mg/mL and 432 micromol/min/mg, respectively. PG was found to have temperature optimum at 65 degrees Celsius and was totally stable at 45 degrees Celsius for 90 min. Half-life at 55 degrees Celsius was 50.6 min. Almost all the examined metal cations showed partial inhibitory effects under enzymatic activity, except for Na(+1), K(+1), and Co(+2) (1 mM) and Cu(+2) (1 and 10 mM).

Mixed-phase aerosol particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Corti, T.; Krieger, U. K.; Koop, T.; Peter, T.

2003-04-01

Within a liquid aerosol particle a solid phase may coexist with the liquid over a wide range of ambient conditions. The optical properties of such particles are of interest for a number of reasons. They will affect the scattering albedo of atmospheric aerosols, may cause depolarisation in lidar measurements, and potentially open a window for studying the internal morphology and physical properties (e.g. wetting properties, diffusion constants) of composite particles in laboratory experiments. In this contribution, we will present results of experimental and theoretical work on mixed-phase aerosol particles. The optical properties of mixed-phase particles depend on the location of the inclusion in the liquid phase, which is determined by the surface tensions of the involved interfaces. In the case of complete wetting, the energetically favoured position of the inclusion is in the volume of the liquid phase. For partial wetting, a position at the surface of the liquid phase is favoured, with the contact angle between the solid, liquid and air being described by Young's equation. For systems with small contact angles, the difference in energy between an inclusion situated at the droplets surface and in its volume may be so small that the thermal energy kT is sufficient to displace the inclusion from the droplet surface into its volume. The critical contact angle depends on the size of the inclusion and the droplet and ranges from 0.1 to 10 degrees. Examples of mixed-phase aerosol particles are aged soot particles and sea salt particles at low relative humidity. For aged soot, contact angles on sulphuric acid clearly above 10 degrees have been reported, so that soot inclusions are expected to be located at the surface of aerosol particles. For mixed-phase sea salt particles, consisting of a solid NaCl inclusion and an aqueous solution of mainly NaCl and MgCl2, our measurements on macroscopic NaCl crystals show a contact angle clearly below 10 degrees and possibly as low as 0.1 degrees. An experimental method - based on measuring photon count statistics - is developed to distinguish in single levitated aerosol particle whether a solid inclusion is located in the volume of the particle or at its surface.

Evidence for a polar ethane cloud on Titan.

PubMed

Griffith, C A; Penteado, P; Rannou, P; Brown, R; Boudon, V; Baines, K H; Clark, R; Drossart, P; Buratti, B; Nicholson, P; McKay, C P; Coustenis, A; Negrao, A; Jaumann, R

2006-09-15

Spectra from Cassini's Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer reveal the presence of a vast tropospheric cloud on Titan at latitudes 51 degrees to 68 degrees north and all longitudes observed (10 degrees to 190 degrees west). The derived characteristics indicate that this cloud is composed of ethane and forms as a result of stratospheric subsidence and the particularly cool conditions near the moon's north pole. Preferential condensation of ethane, perhaps as ice, at Titan's poles during the winters may partially explain the lack of liquid ethane oceans on Titan's surface at middle and lower latitudes.

Process for production desulfurized of synthesis gas

DOEpatents

Wolfenbarger, James K.; Najjar, Mitri S.

1993-01-01

A process for the partial oxidation of a sulfur- and silicate-containing carbonaceous fuel to produce a synthesis gas with reduced sulfur content which comprises partially oxidizing said fuel at a temperature in the range of 1900.degree.-2600.degree. F. in the presence of a temperature moderator, an oxygen-containing gas and a sulfur capture additive which comprises a calcium-containing compound portion, a sodium-containing compound portion, and a fluoride-containing compound portion to produce a synthesis gas comprising H.sub.2 and CO with a reduced sulfur content and a molten slag which comprises (1) a sulfur-containing sodium-calcium-fluoride silicate phase; and (2) a sodium-calcium sulfide phase.

SU-E-T-187: Feasibility Study of Stereotactic Liver Radiation Therapy Using Multiple Divided Partial Arcs in Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy

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

Lin, Y; Ozawa, S; Tsegmed, U

2014-06-01

Purpose: To verify volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) using flattening filter free (FFF) mode with jaw tracking (JT) feature for single breath hold as long as 15 s per arc in liver stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) against intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) FFF-JT. Methods: Ten hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases were planned with 10 MV FFF using Pinnacle3 treatment planning system which delivered by TrueBeam to administer 48 Gy/ 4 fractions. Eight non-coplanar beams were assigned to IMRT using step-and-shoot technique. For VMAT, two or three non-coplanar partial arcs (up to 180 degrees) were further divided into subarcs with gantrymore » rotation less than 80 degrees to limit delivery time within 15 s. Dose distributions were verified using OCTAVIUS II system and pass rates were evaluated using gamma analysis with criteria of 3%/3 mm at threshold of 5% to the maximum dose. The actual irradiation time was measured. Results: The VMAT-FFF-JT of partial-arcs with sub-divided arcs was able to produce a highly conformal plan as well as IMRT-FFF-JT. Isodose lines and DVH showed slight improvement in dosimetry when JT was employed for both IMRT and VMAT. Consequently, VMAT-FFF-JT was superior in reducing the dose to liver minus gross tumor volume. VMAT-FFF-JT has shorter total treatment time compared with 3D conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) FFF because the gantry was rotated simultaneously with the beam delivery in VMAT. Moreover, due to the small and regular shape of HCC, VMAT-FFF-JT offered less multileaf collimator motion, thus the interplay effect is expected to be reduced. The patient specific QA of IMRT and VMAT acquired the pass rates higher than 90%. Conclusion: VMAT-FFF-JT could be a promising technique for liver SBRT as the sub-divided arcs method was able to accommodate a single breath hold irradiation time of less than 15 s without deterioration of the dose distribution compared with IMRT-FFF-JT.« less

A new method for the determination of very small Γγ partial widths

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cardella, Giuseppe; Acosta, Luis; Auditore, Lucrezia; Camaiani, Alberto; Filippo, Enrico De; Luca, Saverio De; Gelli, Nicla; Gnoffo, Brunilde; Favela, Francisco; Fornal, Bogdan; Lanzalone, Gaetano; Leoni, Silvia; Maiolino, Concetta; Martorana, Nunzia Simona; Nannini, Adriana; Norella, Sebastianella; Pagano, Angelo; Pagano, Emanuele Vincenzo; Papa, Massimo; Pirrone, Sara; Politi, Giuseppe; Porto, Francesco; Quattrocchi, Lucia; Rizzo, Francesca; Russotto, Paolo; Santonocito, Domenico; Trifirò, Antonio; Trimarchì, Marina

2018-01-01

We present a new method for the measurement of very small Γγ partial width that is important for the synthesis of elements in astrophysics. The method is based on the simultaneous detection of scattered beam, residual nucleus and decay γ rays. This method is optimized for the use of the CHIMERA detector at LNS. Experimental details are described.

Asynchronous partial contact motion due to internal resonance in multiple degree-of-freedom rotordynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shaw, A. D.; Champneys, A. R.; Friswell, M. I.

2016-08-01

Sudden onset of violent chattering or whirling rotor-stator contact motion in rotational machines can cause significant damage in many industrial applications. It is shown that internal resonance can lead to the onset of bouncing-type partial contact motion away from primary resonances. These partial contact limit cycles can involve any two modes of an arbitrarily high degree-of-freedom system, and can be seen as an extension of a synchronization condition previously reported for a single disc system. The synchronization formula predicts multiple drivespeeds, corresponding to different forms of mode-locked bouncing orbits. These results are backed up by a brute-force bifurcation analysis which reveals numerical existence of the corresponding family of bouncing orbits at supercritical drivespeeds, provided the damping is sufficiently low. The numerics reveal many overlapping families of solutions, which leads to significant multi-stability of the response at given drive speeds. Further, secondary bifurcations can also occur within each family, altering the nature of the response and ultimately leading to chaos. It is illustrated how stiffness and damping of the stator have a large effect on the number and nature of the partial contact solutions, illustrating the extreme sensitivity that would be observed in practice.

The Mediating Role of Exercise on Relationships Between Fatigue, Sleep Quality, and Quality of Life for Adolescents With Cancer.

PubMed

Wu, Wei-Wen; Jou, Shiann-Tarng; Liang, Shu-Yuan; Tsai, Shao-Yu

2018-02-27

Fatigue and poor sleep are two of the most common and most distressing symptoms for adolescents with cancer. These 2 symptoms concurrently heighten distress, further decreasing quality of life (QoL). The aims of this study were to describe the degree of exercise involvement, fatigue, sleep quality, and QoL among adolescents with cancer and to determine whether exercise mediates the relationships between (a) fatigue and QoL and (b) sleep quality and QoL. A cross-sectional study of 100 participants was conducted. Multiple regression was performed to examine the mediation relationship. Participants in the off-treatment group had a significantly higher degree of exercise involvement, as well as less fatigue, greater sleep quality, and less QoL distress. Exercise partially mediated the adverse effect of fatigue on QoL for adolescents undergoing cancer treatment, accounting for 49.80% of the total variation; exercise partially mediated the adverse effect of poor sleep on QoL for adolescents both in treatment and in survivorship, accounting for 42.06% and 28.71% of the total variations, respectively. Exercise partially mediated the relationship between fatigue and QoL for adolescents in cancer treatment and partially mediated the relationship between sleep quality and QoL both for those in cancer treatment and for those in survivorship. Developing tailored exercise programs based on both treatment status and the degree of fatigue and sleep quality is important. In-service education that enhances nurses' awareness of the importance of exercise in improving adolescents' QoL is recommended.

Neuro-endoscopic management of intraventricular neurocysticercosis (NCC).

PubMed

Husain, M; Jha, D K; Rastogi, M; Husain, N; Gupta, R K

2007-01-01

Various approaches including endoscopy have been used for the treatment of intraventricular and cisternal NCC. We present our technique of Neuro-endoscopic management of intraventricular NCC. Twenty-one cases, 13 females and 8 males (age range 12-50 years; mean, 25.7 years), of intraventricular NCC [lateral (n = 6), third (n = 6), fourth (n = 10) ventricles including a patient with both lateral and third ventricular cysts] producing obstructive hydrocephalus formed the group of study. Gaab Universal Endoscope System along with 4 mm 0 degrees and 30 degrees rigid telescopes were used through a frontal burr-hole for removal of intraventricular including intra-fourth ventricular (n = 10) NCC. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) was done for internal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion. Average follow up was 18 months. Complete (n = 18) or partial (n = 2) removal of NCC was done in 20 patients, while a cyst located at foramen of Monro slipped and migrated to occipital or temporal horn in 1 patient. Thirty-degree 4-mm rigid telescope provided excellent image quality with ability to address even intra-fourth ventricular NCC through the dilated aqueduct using a curved tip catheter. No patient required further surgery for their hydrocephalus. There was no operative complication and post-operative ventriculitis was not seen in any case despite partial removal of NCC. Neuro-endoscopic surgery is an effective treatment modality for patients with intraventricular NCC. It effectively restores CSF flow and is capable of removing cysts completely or partially from accessible locations causing mass effect. Partial removal or rupture of the cyst does not affect the clinical outcome of the patients.

Stokes parameters of phase-locked partially coherent flat-topped array laser beams propagating through turbulent atmosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Golmohammady, Sh; Ghafary, B.

2016-06-01

In this study, generalized Stokes parameters of a phase-locked partially coherent flat-topped array beam based on the extended Huygens-Fresnel principle and the unified theory of coherence and polarization have been reported. Analytical formulas for 2  ×  2 cross-spectral density matrix elements, and consequently Stokes parameters of a phase-locked partially coherent flat-topped array beam propagating through the turbulent atmosphere have been formulated. Effects of many physical attributes such as wavelength, turbulence strength, flatness order and other source parameters on the Stokes parameters, and therefore spectral degree of polarization upon propagation have been studied thoroughly. The behaviour of the spectral degree of coherence of a delineated beam for different source conditions has been investigated. It can be shown that four generalized Stokes parameters increase by raising the flatness order at the same propagation distance. Increasing the number of beams leads to a decrease in the Stokes parameters to zero slowly. The results are of utmost importance for optical communications.

Evaluation of partial beta-adrenoceptor agonist activity.

PubMed

Lipworth, B J; Grove, A

1997-01-01

A partial beta-adrenoceptor (beta-AR) agonist will exhibit opposite agonist and antagonist activity depending on the prevailing degree of adrenergic tone or the presence of a beta-AR agonist with higher intrinsic activity. In vivo partial beta-AR agonist activity will be evident at rest with low endogenous adrenergic tone, as for example with chronotropicity (beta 1/beta 2), inotropicity (beta 1) or peripheral vasodilatation and finger tremor (beta 2). beta-AR blocking drugs which have partial agonist activity may exhibit a better therapeutic profile when used for hypertension because of maintained cardiac output without increased systemic vascular resistance, along with an improved lipid profile. In the presence of raised endogenous adrenergic tone such as exercise or an exogenous full agonist, beta-AR subtype antagonist activity will become evident in terms of effects on exercise induced heart rate (beta 1) and potassium (beta 2) responses. Reduction of exercise heart rate will occur to a lesser degree in the case of a beta-adrenoceptor blocker with partial beta 1-AR agonist activity compared with a beta-adrenoceptor blocker devoid of partial agonist activity. This may result in reduced therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of angina on effort when using beta-AR blocking drugs with partial beta 1-AR agonist activity. Effects on exercise hyperkalaemia are determined by the balance between beta 2-AR partial agonist activity and endogenous adrenergic activity. For predominantly beta 2-AR agonist such as salmeterol and salbutamol, potentiation of exercise hyperkalaemia occurs. For predominantly beta 2-AR antagonists such as carteolol, either potentiation or attenuation of exercise hyperkalaemia occurs at low and high doses respectively. beta 2-AR partial agonist activity may also be expressed as antagonism in the presence of an exogenous full agonist, as for example attenuation of fenoterol induced responses by salmeterol. Studies are required to investigate whether this phenomenon is relevant in the setting of acute severe asthma.

46 CFR 171.052 - Passenger heel requirements for pontoon vessels.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... on exposed or partially protected waters— (i) 10 foot-degrees with a crowding density of 5 square feet per person (2.15 persons per square meter); and (ii) 7 foot-degrees with a crowding density of 2 square feet per person (5.38 persons per square meter); and (2) For operation on protected waters— (i) 5...

46 CFR 171.052 - Passenger heel requirements for pontoon vessels.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... on exposed or partially protected waters— (i) 10 foot-degrees with a crowding density of 5 square feet per person (2.15 persons per square meter); and (ii) 7 foot-degrees with a crowding density of 2 square feet per person (5.38 persons per square meter); and (2) For operation on protected waters— (i) 5...

46 CFR 171.052 - Passenger heel requirements for pontoon vessels.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... on exposed or partially protected waters— (i) 10 foot-degrees with a crowding density of 5 square feet per person (2.15 persons per square meter); and (ii) 7 foot-degrees with a crowding density of 2 square feet per person (5.38 persons per square meter); and (2) For operation on protected waters— (i) 5...

46 CFR 171.052 - Passenger heel requirements for pontoon vessels.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... on exposed or partially protected waters— (i) 10 foot-degrees with a crowding density of 5 square feet per person (2.15 persons per square meter); and (ii) 7 foot-degrees with a crowding density of 2 square feet per person (5.38 persons per square meter); and (2) For operation on protected waters— (i) 5...

Small supernumerary marker chromosome causing partial trisomy 6p in a child with craniosynostosis.

PubMed

Villa, Olaya; Del Campo, Miguel; Salido, Marta; Gener, Blanca; Astier, Laura; Del Valle, Jesús; Gallastegui, Fátima; Pérez-Jurado, Luis A; Solé, Francesc

2007-05-15

We report on a child with a small supernumerary marker chromosome (sSMC) causing partial trisomy 6p. The child showed a phenotype consisting of neonatal craniosynostosis, microcephaly, and borderline developmental delay. By molecular techniques the sSMC has been shown to contain approximately 16 Mb of genomic DNA from 6p21.1 to 6cen, being de novo and of maternal origin.

Electron transfer between cytochrome. alpha. and copper A in cytochrome c oxidase: A perturbed equilibrium study

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

Morgan, J.E.; Li, P.M.; Jang, D.J.

1989-08-22

Intramolecular electron transfer in partially reduced cytochrome c oxidase has been studied by the perturbed equilibrium method. The authors have prepared a three-electron-reduced, CO-inhibited form of the enzyme in which cytochrome a and copper A are partially reduced and in an intramolecular redox equilibrium. When these samples were irradiated with a nitrogen laser to photodissociate the bound CO, changes in absorbance at 598 and 830 nm were observed which were consistent with a fast electron transfer from cytochrome a to copper A. The absorbance changes at 598 nm gave an apparent rate of 17,000 {plus minus} 2,000 s{sup {minus}1} (1more » {sigma}), at pH 7.0 and 25.5{degree}C. These changes were not observed in either the CO mixed-valence or the CO-inhibited fully reduced forms of the enzyme. The rate was fastest at about pH 8.0, falling off toward both lower and higher pHs. There was a small but clear temperature dependence. The process was also observed in the cytochrome c-cytochrome c oxidase high-affinity complex. The electron equilibration measured between cytochrome {alpha} and copper A is far faster than any rate measured or inferred previously for this process.« less

Idiopathic Supraglottic Stenosis Refractory to Multiple Interventions Improved With Serial Office-based Steroid Injections.

PubMed

Hoffman, Matthew R; Mai, Johnny P; Dailey, Seth H

2017-10-30

The objective of this study was to describe a patient with idiopathic supraglottic stenosis who experienced persistent disease despite multiple office-based and operative interventions, whose disease is now better controlled with scheduled serial office-based steroid injections. This is a case report and literature review. A 42-year-old female was referred for worsening supraglottic stenosis despite systemic steroids. She underwent awake tracheotomy. A thorough historical, histologic, and laboratory workup did not reveal an etiology to her stenosis. She later underwent endoscopic partial laryngectomy and was able to be decannulated. She underwent a second endoscopic partial laryngectomy two years later for worsening disease and then was managed over the next seven years with intermittent systemic steroids. Over the last year, she has undergone eight office-based steroid injections with improvement in her degree of stenosis and symptom burden. There are only four prior reported cases of idiopathic supraglottic stenosis, none of which has been managed with serial office-based steroid injections. This case report adds to the small body of literature on the management of this rare disease and proposes a new office-based treatment pathway that may help induce regression of stenosis. Copyright © 2017 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Stable time filtering of strongly unstable spatially extended systems

PubMed Central

Grote, Marcus J.; Majda, Andrew J.

2006-01-01

Many contemporary problems in science involve making predictions based on partial observation of extremely complicated spatially extended systems with many degrees of freedom and with physical instabilities on both large and small scale. Various new ensemble filtering strategies have been developed recently for these applications, and new mathematical issues arise. Because ensembles are extremely expensive to generate, one such issue is whether it is possible under appropriate circumstances to take long time steps in an explicit difference scheme and violate the classical Courant–Friedrichs–Lewy (CFL)-stability condition yet obtain stable accurate filtering by using the observations. These issues are explored here both through elementary mathematical theory, which provides simple guidelines, and the detailed study of a prototype model. The prototype model involves an unstable finite difference scheme for a convection–diffusion equation, and it is demonstrated below that appropriate observations can result in stable accurate filtering of this strongly unstable spatially extended system. PMID:16682626

Stable time filtering of strongly unstable spatially extended systems.

PubMed

Grote, Marcus J; Majda, Andrew J

2006-05-16

Many contemporary problems in science involve making predictions based on partial observation of extremely complicated spatially extended systems with many degrees of freedom and with physical instabilities on both large and small scale. Various new ensemble filtering strategies have been developed recently for these applications, and new mathematical issues arise. Because ensembles are extremely expensive to generate, one such issue is whether it is possible under appropriate circumstances to take long time steps in an explicit difference scheme and violate the classical Courant-Friedrichs-Lewy (CFL)-stability condition yet obtain stable accurate filtering by using the observations. These issues are explored here both through elementary mathematical theory, which provides simple guidelines, and the detailed study of a prototype model. The prototype model involves an unstable finite difference scheme for a convection-diffusion equation, and it is demonstrated below that appropriate observations can result in stable accurate filtering of this strongly unstable spatially extended system.

In vitro studies on the stability in the proximal gastrointestinal tract and bioaccessibility in Caco-2 cells of chlorogenic acids from spent coffee grounds.

PubMed

Monente, Carmen; Ludwig, Iziar A; Stalmach, Angelique; de Peña, Maria Paz; Cid, Concepción; Crozier, Alan

2015-01-01

Spent coffee grounds are a potential commercial source of substantial amounts of chlorogenic acids (CGAs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the stability of spent coffee CGAs using in vitro simulated gastroduodenal digestion and to investigate their potential absorption using an in vitro Caco-2 model of human small intestinal epithelium. During in vitro digestion, lactones were partially degraded while caffeoylquinic and feruloylquinic acids were much more stable. Transport and metabolism studies showed that 1% of the total CGAs were absorbed and transported from the apical to the basolateral side of a Caco-2 cell monolayer after 1 h. Lactones and coumaroylquinic acids showed the rate of highest absorption. Caco-2 cells possessed low metabolic activity. In conclusion, spent coffee extracts contain large amounts of CGAs, which remained bioaccessible across the intestinal barrier, albeit to a relatively low degree.

Effect of Varying the Angle of Attack of the Scales on a Biomimetic Shark Skin Model on Embedded Vortex Formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wheelus, Jennifer; Lang, Amy

2009-11-01

The skin of fast-swimming sharks is proposed to have mechanisms to reduce drag and delay flow separation. The skin of fast-swimming sharks is covered with small denticles, on the order of 0.2 mm, that if bristled create cavities. It has been shown that for an angle of attack of 90 degrees, vortices form within these cavities and impose a partial slip condition at the surface of the cavity. This experiment focuses on smaller angles of attack for denticle bristling, closer to the range thought to be achieved on real shark skin. A 3-D bristled shark skin model with varying angle of attack, embedded below a boundary layer, was used to study the formation of cavity vortices through fluorescent dye visualization and Digital Particle Image Velocimetry (DPIV). The effect of varying angle of attack on vortex formation will be discussed.

Petrogenesis of the Elephant Moraine A79001 meteorite Multiple magma pulses on the shergottite parent body

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcsween, H. Y., Jr.; Jarosewich, E.

1983-01-01

The EETA 79001 achondrite consists of two distinct igneous lithologies joined along a planar, non-brecciated contact. Both are basaltic rocks composed primarily of pigeonite, augite, and maskelynite, but one contains zoned megacrysts of olivine, orthopyroxene, and chromite that represent disaggregated xenoliths of harzburzite. Both lithologies probably formed from successive volcanic flows or multiple injections of magma into a small, shallow chamber. Many similarities between the two virtually synchronous magmas suggest that they are related. Possible mechanisms to explain their differences involve varying degrees of assimilation, fractionation from similar parental magmas, or partial melting of a similar source peridotite; of these, assimilation of the observed megacryst assemblage seems most plausible. However, some isotopic contamination may be required in any of these petrogenetic models. The meteorite has suffered extensive shock metamorphism and localized melting during a large impact event that probably excavated and liberated it from its parent body.

South Georgia Island in the South Atlantic Ocean

NASA Image and Video Library

1974-02-28

SL4-142-4577 (28 Jan. 1974) --- Two large ice islands in the vicinity of South Georgia Island in the South Atlantic Ocean, as photographed from the Skylab space station in Earth orbit by one of the Skylab 4 crewmen. The camera used was a hand-held 70mm Hasselblad, with SO-368 medium-speed Ektachrome. One of the ice islands is partially obscured by clouds. Ice islands were observed as large as 45 by 60 kilometers (27 x 37 miles) and as far north as 45 degrees south latitude. The size and distribution of the "small" icebergs (to a ship they would look very large) can be used to study the local winds and currents. Recent research has suggested the possibility of towing such Antarctic icebergs to selected areas and using them as water supplies. One such iceberg would contain many times the water as in Lake Powell. Photo credit: NASA

Testing of Alternative Materials for Advanced Suit Bladders

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bue, Grant; Orndoff, Evelyne; Makinen, Janice; Tang, Henry

2011-01-01

Several candidate advanced pressure bladder membrane materials have been developed for NASA Johnson Space Center by DSM Biomedical for selective permeability of carbon dioxide and water vapor. These materials were elasthane and two other formulations of thermoplastic polyether polyurethane. Each material was tested in two thicknesses for permeability to carbon dioxide, oxygen and water vapor. Although oxygen leaks through the suit bladder would amount to only about 60 cc/hr in a full size suit, significant amounts of carbon dioxide would not be rejected by the system to justify its use. While the ratio of carbon dioxide to oxygen permeability is about 48 to 1, this is offset by the small partial pressure of carbon dioxide in acceptable breathing atmospheres of the suit. Humidity management remains a possible use of the membranes depending on the degree to which the water permeability is inhibited by cations in the sweat. Tests are underway to explore cation fouling from sweat.

Simultaneous determination of rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide in tablet preparations by multivariate spectrophotometric calibration.

PubMed

Goicoechea, H C; Olivieri, A C

1999-08-01

The use of multivariate spectrophotometric calibration is presented for the simultaneous determination of the active components of tablets used in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. The resolution of ternary mixtures of rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide has been accomplished by using partial least squares (PLS-1) regression analysis. Although the components show an important degree of spectral overlap, they have been simultaneously determined with high accuracy and precision, rapidly and with no need of nonaqueous solvents for dissolving the samples. No interference has been observed from the tablet excipients. A comparison is presented with the related multivariate method of classical least squares (CLS) analysis, which is shown to yield less reliable results due to the severe spectral overlap among the studied compounds. This is highlighted in the case of isoniazid, due to the small absorbances measured for this component.

How the folding rates of two- and multistate proteins depend on the amino acid properties.

PubMed

Huang, Jitao T; Huang, Wei; Huang, Shanran R; Li, Xin

2014-10-01

Proteins fold by either two-state or multistate kinetic mechanism. We observe that amino acids play different roles in different mechanism. Many residues that are easy to form regular secondary structures (α helices, β sheets and turns) can promote the two-state folding reactions of small proteins. Most of hydrophilic residues can speed up the multistate folding reactions of large proteins. Folding rates of large proteins are equally responsive to the flexibility of partial amino acids. Other properties of amino acids (including volume, polarity, accessible surface, exposure degree, isoelectric point, and phase transfer energy) have contributed little to folding kinetics of the proteins. Cysteine is a special residue, it triggers two-state folding reaction and but inhibits multistate folding reaction. These findings not only provide a new insight into protein structure prediction, but also could be used to direct the point mutations that can change folding rate. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Autonomous Sun-Direction Estimation Using Partially Underdetermined Coarse Sun Sensor Configurations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Keefe, Stephen A.

In recent years there has been a significant increase in interest in smaller satellites as lower cost alternatives to traditional satellites, particularly with the rise in popularity of the CubeSat. Due to stringent mass, size, and often budget constraints, these small satellites rely on making the most of inexpensive hardware components and sensors, such as coarse sun sensors (CSS) and magnetometers. More expensive high-accuracy sun sensors often combine multiple measurements, and use specialized electronics, to deterministically solve for the direction of the Sun. Alternatively, cosine-type CSS output a voltage relative to the input light and are attractive due to their very low cost, simplicity to manufacture, small size, and minimal power consumption. This research investigates using coarse sun sensors for performing robust attitude estimation in order to point a spacecraft at the Sun after deployment from a launch vehicle, or following a system fault. As an alternative to using a large number of sensors, this thesis explores sun-direction estimation techniques with low computational costs that function well with underdetermined sets of CSS. Single-point estimators are coupled with simultaneous nonlinear control to achieve sun-pointing within a small percentage of a single orbit despite the partially underdetermined nature of the sensor suite. Leveraging an extensive analysis of the sensor models involved, sequential filtering techniques are shown to be capable of estimating the sun-direction to within a few degrees, with no a priori attitude information and using only CSS, despite the significant noise and biases present in the system. Detailed numerical simulations are used to compare and contrast the performance of the five different estimation techniques, with and without rate gyro measurements, their sensitivity to rate gyro accuracy, and their computation time. One of the key concerns with reducing the number of CSS is sensor degradation and failure. In this thesis, a Modified Rodrigues Parameter based CSS calibration filter suitable for autonomous on-board operation is developed. The sensitivity of this method's accuracy to the available Earth albedo data is evaluated and compared to the required computational effort. The calibration filter is expanded to perform sensor fault detection, and promising results are shown for reduced resolution albedo models. All of the methods discussed provide alternative attitude, determination, and control system algorithms for small satellite missions looking to use inexpensive, small sensors due to size, power, or budget limitations.

Residual monomers and degree of conversion of partially bioresorbable fiber-reinforced composite.

PubMed

Väkiparta, Marju; Puska, Mervi; Vallittu, Pekka K

2006-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the total quantity of residual monomer (bis-phenyl glycidyl dimethacrylate, i.e. Bis-GMA, and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, i.e. TEGDMA), residual monomer release into water and the degree of monomer conversion (DC%) of glass fiber-reinforced composites (FRC) with a partially bioresorbable polymer matrix. Another aim was to find out whether the curing mode affects the quantity of residual monomer and degree of conversion. Glass fibers were preimpregnated with a bioresorbable poly(hydroxyproline) amide and non-resorbable Bis-GMA-TEGDMA resin system. Specimens were immersed in water for 1, 3 or 7 days (37 degrees C) to determine the quantity of leached residual monomers, or in the solvent tetrahydrofuran for 3 days to determine the total quantity of residual monomers by high performance liquid chromatography. DC% was measured by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The quantity of residual monomer of the specimens decreased when the specimens contained glass fibers, and/or poly(hydroxyproline) amide, and/or when it was post-cured. The majority of the residual monomers were leached out during the first 24 h of immersion in water. The DC% of the specimens increased when post-cured. Also glass fibers in the composite increased the DC% in contrast to Bis-GMA-TEGDMA resin only. In conclusion, use of poly(hydroxyproline) amide as a sizing of the glass fibers in FRC does not increase the quantity of residual monomers. These results suggest that this new kind of partially bioresorbable FRC has potential for biomedical applications.

Surgical treatment of a proximal diaphyseal tibial deformity associated with partial caudal and cranial cruciate ligament deficiency and patella baja.

PubMed

Vincenti, S; Knell, S; Pozzi, A

2017-04-01

Caudal cruciate ligament injury can be a complication following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) (Slocum und Slocum, 1993) especially if the post-operative Tibial Plateau Angle (TPA) is less than 5 degree. We describe a case of negative TPA associated with partial cranial and caudal ligament rupture treated with a center of rotation of angulation (CORA) based cranial tibial opening wedge osteotomy and tibial tuberosity transposition. A 13 kg, mixed breed dog was presented for right pelvic limb lameness. Radiographically a bilateral patella baja and a malformed tibia tuberosity along with a bilateral TPA of -8 degree were detected. Arthroscopically a partial rupture of the cranial and caudal cruciate ligaments were found. A cranial tibial opening wedge osteotomy of 23 degree and a fibular ostectomy were performed. The osteotomy was fixed with a 8 holes ALPS 9 (KYON, Switzerland) and a 3-holes 2.0mm UniLock plate (Synthes, Switzerland). Then a proximal tibial tuberosity transposition of 10mm was performed and fixed with a pin and tension band construct. The postoperative TPA was 15 degree. The radiographic controls at 6, 10 weeks, 6 months and 1 year after surgery revealed an unchanged position of the implants and progressive healing of the osteotomies. At the 6 and 12 months recheck evaluation the dog had no evidence of lameness or stifle pain and radiographs revealed complete healing of the osteotomy site and no implant failure. The diaphyseal CORA based osteotomy allowed accurate correction of a proximal tibial deformity associated with negative TPA.

The influence of heat treatments on several types of base-metal removable partial denture alloys.

PubMed

Morris, H F; Asgar, K; Rowe, A P; Nasjleti, C E

1979-04-01

Four removable partial denture alloys, Vitallium (Co-Cr alloy), Dentillium P.D. (Fe-Cr alloy), Durallium L.G. (Co-Cr-Ni alloy), and Ticonium 100 (Ni-Cr alloy), were evaluated in the as-cast condition and after heat treatment for 15 minutes at 1,300 degrees, 1,600 degrees, 1,900 degrees, and 2,200 degrees F followed by quenching in water. The following properties were determined and compared for each alloy at each heat treatment condition: the yield strengths at 0.01%, 0.1%, and 0.2% offsets, the ultimate tensile strength, the percent elongation, the modulus of elasticity, and the Knoop microhardness. The results were statistically analyzed. Photomicrographs were examined for each alloy and test condition. The following conclusions were made: 1. The "highest values" were exhibited by the as-cast alloy. 2. Heat treatment of the partial denture alloys tested resulted in reductions in strength, while the elongations varied. This study demonstrates that, in practice, one should avoid (a) prolonged "heat-soaking" while soldering and (b) grinding or polishing of the casting until the alloy is "red hot". 3. Durallium L.G. was the least affected by the various heat treatment conditions. 4. Conventional reporting of the yield strength at 0.2% offset, the ultimate tensile strength, and percent elongation are not adequate to completely describe and compare the mechanical behavior of alloys. The reporting of the yield strength at 0.01% offset, in addition to the other reported properties, will provide a more complete description of the behavior of the dental alloys.

Ab initio investigation of the thermodynamics of cation distribution and of the electronic and magnetic structures in the LiMn2O4 spinel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santos-Carballal, David; Ngoepe, Phuti E.; de Leeuw, Nora H.

2018-02-01

The spinel-structured lithium manganese oxide (LiMn2O4 ) is a material currently used as cathode for secondary lithium-ion batteries, but whose properties are not yet fully understood. Here, we report a computational investigation of the inversion thermodynamics and electronic behavior of LiMn2O4 derived from spin-polarized density functional theory calculations with a Hubbard Hamiltonian and long-range dispersion corrections (DFT+U-D3). Based on the analysis of the configurational free energy, we have elucidated a partially inverse equilibrium cation distribution for the LiMn2O4 spinel. This equilibrium degree of inversion is rationalized in terms of the crystal field stabilization effects and the difference between the size of the cations. We compare the atomic charges with the oxidation numbers for each degree of inversion. We found segregation of the Mn charge once these ions occupy the tetrahedral and octahedral sites of the spinel. We have obtained the atomic projections of the electronic band structure and density of states, showing that the normal LiMn2O4 has half-metallic properties, while the fully inverse spinel is an insulator. This material is in the ferrimagnetic state for the inverse and partially inverse cation arrangement. The optimized lattice and oxygen parameters, as well as the equilibrium degree of inversion, are in agreement with the available experimental data. The partial equilibrium degree of inversion is important in the interpretation of the lithium ion migration and surface properties of the LiMn2O4 spinel.

Process for production of synthesis gas with reduced sulfur content

DOEpatents

Najjar, Mitri S.; Corbeels, Roger J.; Kokturk, Uygur

1989-01-01

A process for the partial oxidation of a sulfur- and silicate-containing carbonaceous fuel to produce a synthesis gas with reduced sulfur content which comprises partially oxidizing said fuel at a temperature in the range of 1800.degree.-2200.degree. F. in the presence of a temperature moderator, an oxygen-containing gas and a sulfur capture additive which comprises an iron-containing compound portion and a sodium-containing compound portion to produce a synthesis gas comprising H.sub.2 and CO with a reduced sulfur content and a molten slag which comprises (i) a sulfur-containing sodium-iron silicate phase and (ii) a sodium-iron sulfide phase. The sulfur capture additive may optionally comprise a copper-containing compound portion.

Constructing a Watts-Strogatz network from a small-world network with symmetric degree distribution.

PubMed

Menezes, Mozart B C; Kim, Seokjin; Huang, Rongbing

2017-01-01

Though the small-world phenomenon is widespread in many real networks, it is still challenging to replicate a large network at the full scale for further study on its structure and dynamics when sufficient data are not readily available. We propose a method to construct a Watts-Strogatz network using a sample from a small-world network with symmetric degree distribution. Our method yields an estimated degree distribution which fits closely with that of a Watts-Strogatz network and leads into accurate estimates of network metrics such as clustering coefficient and degree of separation. We observe that the accuracy of our method increases as network size increases.

Thermodynamic changes in mechanochemically synthesized magnesium hydride nanoparticles.

PubMed

Paskevicius, Mark; Sheppard, Drew A; Buckley, Craig E

2010-04-14

The thermodynamic properties of magnesium hydride nanoparticles have been investigated by hydrogen decomposition pressure measurements using the Sieverts technique. A mechanochemical method was used to synthesize MgH(2) nanoparticles (down to approximately 7 nm in size) embedded in a LiCl salt matrix. In comparison to bulk MgH(2), the mechanochemically produced MgH(2) with the smallest particle size showed a small but measurable decrease in the decomposition reaction enthalpy (DeltaH decrease of 2.84 kJ/mol H(2) from DeltaH(bulk) = 74.06 +/- 0.42 kJ/mol H(2) to DeltaH(nano) = 71.22 +/- 0.49 kJ/mol H(2)). The reduction in DeltaH matches theoretical predictions and was also coupled with a similar reduction in reaction entropy (DeltaS decrease of 3.8 J/mol H(2)/K from DeltaS(bulk) = 133.4 +/- 0.7 J/mol H(2)/K to DeltaS(nano) = 129.6 +/- 0.8 J/mol H(2)/K). The thermodynamic changes in the MgH(2) nanoparticle system correspond to a drop in the 1 bar hydrogen equilibrium temperature (T(1 bar)) by approximately 6 degrees C to 276.2 +/- 2.4 degrees C in contrast to the bulk MgH(2) system at 281.8 +/- 2.2 degrees C. The reduction in the desorption temperature is less than that expected from theoretical studies due to the decrease in DeltaS that acts to partially counteract the effect from the change in DeltaH.

Biochemical characterisation of an allantoate-degrading enzyme from French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris): the requirement of phenylhydrazine.

PubMed

Raso, María José; Muñoz, Alfonso; Pineda, Manuel; Piedras, Pedro

2007-10-01

In tropical legumes like French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) or soybean (Glycine max), most of the atmospheric nitrogen fixed in nodules is used for synthesis of the ureides allantoin and allantoic acid, the major long distance transport forms of organic nitrogen in these species. The purpose of this investigation was to characterise the allantoate degradation step in Phaseolus vulgaris. The degradation of allantoin, allantoate and ureidoglycolate was determined "in vivo" using small pieces of chopped seedlings. With allantoate and ureidoglycolate as substrates, the determination of the reaction products required the addition of phenylhydrazine to the assay mixture. The protein associated with the allantoate degradation has been partially purified 22-fold by ultracentrifugation and batch separation with DEAE-Sephacel. This enzyme was specific for allantoate and could not use ureidoglycolate as substrate. The activity was completely dependent on phenylhydrazine, which acts as an activator at low concentrations and decreases the affinity of the enzyme for the substrate at higher concentrations. The optimal pH for the activity of the purified protein was 7.0 and the optimal temperature was 37 degrees C. The activity was completely inhibited by EDTA and only manganese partially restored the activity. The level of activity was lower in extracts obtained from leaves and fruits of French bean grown with nitrate than in plants actively fixing nitrogen and, therefore, relying on ureides as nitrogen supply. This is the first time that an allantoate-degrading activity has been partially purified and characterised from a plant extract. The allosteric regulation of the enzyme suggests a critical role in the regulation of ureide degradation.

Asteroidal Differentiation Processes Deduced from Ultramafic Achondrite Ureilite Meteorites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Downes, Hilary; Mittlefehldt, David W.; Hudson, Pierre; Romanek, Christopher S.; Franchi, Ian

2006-01-01

Ureilites are the second largest achondrite group. They are ultramafic achondrites that have experienced igneous processing whilst retaining some degree of nebula-derived chemical heterogeneity. They differ from other achondrites in that they contain abundant carbon and their oxygen isotope compositions are very heterogeneous and similar to those of the carbonaceous chondrite anhydrous mineral line. Their carbonaceous nature and some compositional characteristics indicative of nebular origin suggest that they are primitive materials that form a link between nebular processes and early periods of planetesimal accretion. However, despite numerous studies, the exact origin of ureilites remains unclear. Current opinion is that they represent the residual mantle of an asteroid that underwent silicate and Fe-Ni-S partial melting and melt removal. Recent studies of short-lived chronometers indicate that the parent asteroid of the ureilites differentiated very early in the history of the Solar System. Therefore, they contain important information about processes that formed small rocky planetesimals in the early Solar System. In effect, they form a bridge between nebula processes and differentiation in small planetesimals prior to accretion into larger planets and so a correct interpretation of ureilite petrogenesis is essential for understanding this critical step.

[Clinical observation of icotinib hydrochloride for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer].

PubMed

Li, Xi; Yang, Xin-jie; Sun, Yi-fen; Qin, Na; Lü, Jia-lin; Wu, Yu-hua; Zhang, Hui; Zhang, Quan; Zhang, Shu-cai

2012-08-01

To explore the efficacy and side effects of icotinib hydrochloride in the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The efficacy and side effects of icotinib hydrochloride in treatment of 59 cases with stage IV NSCIC and followed-up from March 2009 to January 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. Twenty seven patients (45.8%) showed partial response (PR), 17 patients (28.8%) achieved SD, and 15 (25.4%) had progressive disease. The objective response rate (ORR) was 45.8% (27/59), and disease control rate (DCR) was 74.6% (44/59). Among the 23 patients with EGFR mutation, ORR was 73.9% (17/23), and DCR was 95.7% (22/23). Thirty six patients (61.0%) achieved remission of symptoms to varying degrees. The main symptoms relieved were cough, asthmatic suffocating, pain and hoarseness. The major adverse events were mild skin rash (35.6%) and diarrhea (15.3%). Others were dry skin, nausea and stomach problems. The efficacy of icotinib hydrochloride were related to the ECOG performance status, smoking history, EGFR mutation and rash significantly (P < 0.05). Monotherapy with icotinib hydrochloride is effective and tolerable for patients with advanced NSCLC, especially with EGFR mutation.

Agricultural Education Including Nature Study and School Gardens. Bulletin, 1907, No. 2. Whole Number 368

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jewell, James Ralph

1908-01-01

This monograph was originally prepared as a thesis for the degree of doctor of philosophy at Clark University, and in its original form was accepted by the faculty of that institution in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree. It presents an unusually comprehensive survey of the provisions for agricultural education and for…

Depth and degree of melting of komatiites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herzberg, Claude

1992-04-01

High pressure melting experiments have permitted new constraints to be placed on the depth and degree of partial melting of komatiites. Komatiites from Gorgona Island were formed by relatively low degrees of pseudoinvariant melting involving L + Ol + Opx + Cpx + Gt on the solidus at 40 kbar, about 130 km depth. Munro-type komatiites were separated from a harzburgite residue (L + Ol + Opx) at pressures that were poorly constrained, but were probably around 50 kbar, about 165 km depth; the degree of partial melting was less than 40 percent. Secular variations in the geochemistry of komatiites could have formed in response to a reduction in the temperature and pressure of melting with time. The 3.5 Ga Barberton komatiites and the 2.7 Ga Munro-type komatiities could have formed in plumes that were hotter than the present-day mantle by 500 deg and 300 deg, respectively. When excess temperatures are this size, melting is deeper and volcanism changes from basaltic to momatiitic. The komatiities from Gorgona Island, which are Mesozoic in age, may be representative of komatiities that are predicted to occur in oceanic plateaus of Cretaceous age throughout the Pacific (Storey et al., 1991).

[Biochemical characterization of fractionated rat liver chromatin in experimental D-hypovitaminosis and after administration of steroidal drugs].

PubMed

Levitskiĭ, E L; Kholodova, Iu D; Gubskiĭ, Iu I; Primak, R G; Chabannyĭ, V N; Kindruk, N L; Mozzhukhina, T G; Lenchevskaia, L K; Mironova, V N; Saad, L M

1993-01-01

Marked changes in the structural and functional characteristics of liver nuclear chromatin fractions are observed under experimental D-hypovitaminosis, which differ in the degree of transcriptional activity. DNA-polymerase activity and activity of the fraction, enriched with RNA-polymerase I, increases in the active fraction. Free radical LPO reactions are modified in the chromatin fraction with low activity and to the less degree in the active one. Disturbances of chromatine structural properties are caused with the change in the protein and lipid components of chromatin. Administration of ecdysterone preparations (separately and together with vitamin D3) has a partial corrective effect on structural and functional organization of nuclear chromatine. At the action of ecdysterone normalization of LPO reactions modified by pathological changes is observed in the chromatin fraction with low activity and to the less degree in the active one. This kind of influence corrects to the less degree chromatin functional activity and quantitative and qualitative modifications of its protein component. Simultaneous influence of ecdysterone and vitamin D3 leads to the partial normalization of the biochemical indices studied (except for those which characterize LPO reactions) mainly in the active chromatin fraction.

Charm degrees of freedom in the quark gluon plasma

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

Mukherjee, Swagato; Petreczky, Peter; Sharma, Sayantan

2016-01-11

The lattice QCD studies on fluctuations and correlations of charm quantum number have established that deconfinement of charm degrees of freedom sets in around the chiral crossover temperature, T c; i.e., charm degrees of freedom carrying fractional baryonic charge start to appear. When we reexamine those same lattice QCD data we show that, in addition to the contributions from quarklike excitations, the partial pressure of charm degrees of freedom may still contain significant contributions from open-charm-meson- and baryonlike excitations associated with integral baryonic charges for temperatures up to 1.2T c. Finally, charm-quark quasiparticles become the dominant degrees of freedom formore » temperatures T>1.2T c.« less

Modeling real shim fields for very high degree (and order) B0 shimming of the human brain at 9.4 T.

PubMed

Chang, Paul; Nassirpour, Sahar; Henning, Anke

2018-01-01

To describe the process of calibrating a B 0 shim system using high-degree (or high order) spherical harmonic models of the measured shim fields, to provide a method that considers amplitude dependency of these models, and to show the advantage of very high-degree B 0 shimming for whole-brain and single-slice applications at 9.4 Tesla (T). An insert shim with up to fourth and partial fifth/sixth degree (order) spherical harmonics was used with a Siemens 9.4T scanner. Each shim field was measured and modeled as input for the shimming algorithm. Optimal shim currents can therefore be calculated in a single iteration. A range of shim currents was used in the modeling to account for possible amplitude nonlinearities. The modeled shim fields were used to compare different degrees of whole-brain B 0 shimming on healthy subjects. The ideal shim fields did not correctly shim the subject brains. However, using the modeled shim fields improved the B 0 homogeneity from 55.1 (second degree) to 44.68 Hz (partial fifth/sixth degree) on the whole brains of 9 healthy volunteers, with a total applied current of 0.77 and 6.8 A, respectively. The necessity of calibrating the shim system was shown. Better B 0 homogeneity drastically reduces signal dropout and distortions for echo-planar imaging, and significantly improves the linewidths of MR spectroscopy imaging. Magn Reson Med 79:529-540, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

Circulatory limits to oxygen supply during an acute temperature increase in the Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha).

PubMed

Clark, Timothy D; Sandblom, Erik; Cox, Georgina K; Hinch, Scott G; Farrell, Anthony P

2008-11-01

This study was undertaken to provide a comprehensive set of data relevant to disclosing the physiological effects and possible oxygen transport limitations in the Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) during an acute temperature change. Fish were instrumented with a blood flow probe around the ventral aorta and catheters in the dorsal aorta and sinus venosus. Water temperature was progressively increased from 13 degrees C in steps of 4 degrees C up to 25 degrees C. Cardiac output increased from 29 to 56 ml.min(-1).kg(-1) between 13 and 25 degrees C through an increase in heart rate (58 to 105 beats/min). Systemic vascular resistance was reduced, causing a stable dorsal aortic blood pressure, yet central venous blood pressure increased significantly at 25 degrees C. Oxygen consumption rate increased from 3.4 to 8.7 mg.min(-1).kg(-1) during the temperature increase, although there were signs of anaerobic respiration at 25 degrees C in the form of increased blood lactate and decreased pH. Arterial oxygen partial pressure was maintained during the heat stress, although venous oxygen partial pressure (Pv(O(2))) and venous oxygen content were significantly reduced. Cardiac arrhythmias were prominent in three of the largest fish (>4 kg) at 25 degrees C. Given the switch to anaerobic metabolism and the observation of cardiac arrhythmias at 25 degrees C, we propose that the cascade of venous oxygen depletion results in a threshold value for Pv(O(2)) of around 1 kPa. At this point, the oxygen supply to systemic and cardiac tissues is compromised, such that the oxygen-deprived and acidotic myocardium becomes arrhythmic, and blood perfusion through the gills and to the tissues becomes compromised.

Relationship of structure and function of the avian respiratory system to disease susceptibility.

PubMed

Fedde, M R

1998-08-01

The avian respiratory system exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide between the gas and the blood utilizing a relatively small, rigid, flow-through lung, and a system of air sacs that act as bellows to move the gas through the lung. Gas movement through the paleopulmonic parabronchi, the main gas exchanging bronchi, in the lung is in the same direction during both inspiration and expiration, i.e., from the mediodorsal secondary bronchi to the medioventral secondary bronchi. During inspiration, acceleration of the gas at the segmentum accelerans of the primary bronchus increases gas velocity so it does not enter the medioventral secondary bronchi. During expiration, airway resistance is increased in he intrapulmonary primary bronchus because of dynamic compression causing gas to enter the mediodorsal secondary bronchi. Reduction in air flow velocity may decrease the efficiency of this aerodynamic valving and thereby decrease the efficiency of gas exchange. The convective gas flow in the avian parabronchus is orientated at a 90 degree angle with respect to the parabronchial blood flow; hence, the cross-current designation of this gas exchanger. With this design, the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood leaving the parabronchus can be higher than that in the gas exiting this structure, giving the avian lung a high gas exchange efficacy. The relationship of the partial pressure of oxygen in the moist inspired gas to that in the blood leaving the lung is dependent on he rate of ventilation. A low ventilation rate may produce a ow oxygen partial pressure in part of the parabronchus, thereby inducing hypoxic vasoconstriction in the pulmonary arterioles supplying this region. Inhaled foreign particles are removed by nasal mucociliary action, by escalator in the trachea, primary bronchi, and secondary bronchi. Small particles that enter parabronchi appear to be phagocytized by the epithelial cells in eh atria and infundibulum. These particles can e transported to interstitial macrophages but the disposition of the particles from this site is unknown. The predominant site of respiratory infections in the caudal air sacs, compared to other parts of the respiratory system, can be explained by the gas flow pathway and the mechanisms present in the parabronchi for particle removal.

Topical oxygen emulsion: a novel wound therapy.

PubMed

Davis, Stephen C; Cazzaniga, Alejandro L; Ricotti, Carlos; Zalesky, Paul; Hsu, Li-Chien; Creech, Jeffrey; Eaglstein, William H; Mertz, Patricia M

2007-10-01

To investigate the use of a topical oxygen emulsion (TOE), consisting of a supersaturated oxygen suspension using perfluorocarbon components, on second-degree burns and partial-thickness wounds. Oxygen is a required substance for various aspects of wound repair, and increased oxygen tension in a wound has been shown to stimulate phagocytosis and to reduce the incidence of wound infection. Second-degree burns and partial-thickness wounds were created on the backs of specific pathogen-free pigs. Wounds were then randomly assigned to 1 of the following treatment groups: TOE, TOE vehicle, or air-exposed control. Wounds were assessed for complete epithelialization using a salt-split technique. The TOE was able to significantly (P = .001) enhance the rate of epithelialization compared with both vehicle and untreated control. These data suggest that topical oxygen may be beneficial for acute and burn wounds. The results obtained from this double-blind, control, in vivo study demonstrate that TOE can significantly enhance the rate of epithelialization of partial-thickness excisional wounds and second-degree burns. These findings could have considerable clinical implications for patients with surgical and burn wounds by providing functional skin at an earlier date to act as a barrier against environmental factors, such as bacteria invasion. Other types of wounds may also benefit from this therapy (eg, chronic wounds and surgical incisions). Additional studies, including clinical studies, are warranted.

Tailorable thiolated trimethyl chitosans for covalently stabilized nanoparticles.

PubMed

Verheul, Rolf J; van der Wal, Steffen; Hennink, Wim E

2010-08-09

A novel four-step method is presented to synthesize partially thiolated trimethylated chitosan (TMC) with a tailorable degree of quaternization and thiolation. First, chitosan was partially N-carboxylated with glyoxylic acid and sodium borohydride. Next, the remaining amines were quantitatively dimethylated with formaldehyde and sodium borohydride and then quaternized with iodomethane in NMP. Subsequently, these partially carboxylated TMCs dissolved in water were reacted with cystamine at pH 5.5 using EDC as coupling agent. After addition of DTT and dialysis, thiolated TMCs were obtained, varying in degree of quaternization (25-54%) and degree of thiolation (5-7%), as determined with (1)H NMR and Ellman's assay. Gel permeation chromatography with light scattering detection indicated limited intermolecular cross-linking. All thiolated TMCs showed rapid oxidation to yield disulfide cross-linked TMC at pH 7.4, while the thiolated polymers were rather stable at pH 4.0. When Calu-3 cells were used, XTT and LDH cell viability tests showed a slight reduction in cytotoxicity for thiolated TMCs as compared to the nonthiolated polymers with similar DQs. Positively charged nanoparticles loaded with fluorescently labeled ovalbumin were made from thiolated TMCs and thiolated hyaluronic acid. The stability of these particles was confirmed in 0.8 M NaCl, in contrast to particles made from nonthiolated polymers that dissociated under these conditions, demonstrating that the particles were held together by intermolecular disulfide bonds.

Coding of level of ambiguity within neural systems mediating choice.

PubMed

Lopez-Paniagua, Dan; Seger, Carol A

2013-01-01

Data from previous neuroimaging studies exploring neural activity associated with uncertainty suggest varying levels of activation associated with changing degrees of uncertainty in neural regions that mediate choice behavior. The present study used a novel task that parametrically controlled the amount of information hidden from the subject; levels of uncertainty ranged from full ambiguity (no information about probability of winning) through multiple levels of partial ambiguity, to a condition of risk only (zero ambiguity with full knowledge of the probability of winning). A parametric analysis compared a linear model in which weighting increased as a function of level of ambiguity, and an inverted-U quadratic models in which partial ambiguity conditions were weighted most heavily. Overall we found that risk and all levels of ambiguity recruited a common "fronto-parietal-striatal" network including regions within the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, intraparietal sulcus, and dorsal striatum. Activation was greatest across these regions and additional anterior and superior prefrontal regions for the quadratic function which most heavily weighs trials with partial ambiguity. These results suggest that the neural regions involved in decision processes do not merely track the absolute degree ambiguity or type of uncertainty (risk vs. ambiguity). Instead, recruitment of prefrontal regions may result from greater degree of difficulty in conditions of partial ambiguity: when information regarding reward probabilities important for decision making is hidden or not easily obtained the subject must engage in a search for tractable information. Additionally, this study identified regions of activity related to the valuation of potential gains associated with stimuli or options (including the orbitofrontal and medial prefrontal cortices and dorsal striatum) and related to winning (including orbitofrontal cortex and ventral striatum).

Coding of level of ambiguity within neural systems mediating choice

PubMed Central

Lopez-Paniagua, Dan; Seger, Carol A.

2013-01-01

Data from previous neuroimaging studies exploring neural activity associated with uncertainty suggest varying levels of activation associated with changing degrees of uncertainty in neural regions that mediate choice behavior. The present study used a novel task that parametrically controlled the amount of information hidden from the subject; levels of uncertainty ranged from full ambiguity (no information about probability of winning) through multiple levels of partial ambiguity, to a condition of risk only (zero ambiguity with full knowledge of the probability of winning). A parametric analysis compared a linear model in which weighting increased as a function of level of ambiguity, and an inverted-U quadratic models in which partial ambiguity conditions were weighted most heavily. Overall we found that risk and all levels of ambiguity recruited a common “fronto—parietal—striatal” network including regions within the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, intraparietal sulcus, and dorsal striatum. Activation was greatest across these regions and additional anterior and superior prefrontal regions for the quadratic function which most heavily weighs trials with partial ambiguity. These results suggest that the neural regions involved in decision processes do not merely track the absolute degree ambiguity or type of uncertainty (risk vs. ambiguity). Instead, recruitment of prefrontal regions may result from greater degree of difficulty in conditions of partial ambiguity: when information regarding reward probabilities important for decision making is hidden or not easily obtained the subject must engage in a search for tractable information. Additionally, this study identified regions of activity related to the valuation of potential gains associated with stimuli or options (including the orbitofrontal and medial prefrontal cortices and dorsal striatum) and related to winning (including orbitofrontal cortex and ventral striatum). PMID:24367286

Second-degree burns with six etiologies treated with autologous noncultured cell-spray grafting.

PubMed

Esteban-Vives, Roger; Choi, Myung S; Young, Matthew T; Over, Patrick; Ziembicki, Jenny; Corcos, Alain; Gerlach, Jörg C

2016-11-01

Partial and deep partial-thickness burn wounds present a difficult diagnosis and prognosis that makes the planning for a conservative treatment versus mesh grafting problematic. A non-invasive treatment strategy avoiding mesh grafting is often chosen by practitioners based on their clinical and empirical evidence. However, a delayed re-epithelialization after conservative treatment may extend the patient's hospitalization period, increase the risk of infection, and lead to poor functional and aesthetic outcome. Early spray grafting, using non-cultured autologous cells, is under discussion for partial and deep partial-thickness wounds to accelerate the re-epithelialization process, reducing the healing time in the hospital, and minimizing complications. To address planning for future clinical studies on this technology, suitable indications will be interesting. We present case information on severe second-degree injuries after gas, chemical, electrical, gasoline, hot water, and tar scalding burns showing one patient per indication. The treatment results with autologous non-cultured cells, support rapid, uncomplicated re-epithelialization with aesthetically and functionally satisfying outcomes. Hospital stays averaged 7.6±1.6 days. Early autologous cell-spray grafting does not preclude or prevent simultaneous or subsequent traditional mesh autografting when indicated on defined areas of full-thickness injury. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

In vitro fertilization of water buffalo follicular oocytes and their ability to cleave in vitro.

PubMed

Suzuki, T; Singla, S K; Sujata, J; Madan, M L

1992-12-01

Water buffalo (Murrah) oocytes were collected from ovaries obtained from a local slaughterhouse. They were classified according to the character of the cumulus cells under a stereomicroscope and then cultured in 25 mM Hepes buffered tissue culture medium-199 (TCM-199) supplemented with 5% estrous water buffalo serum in an atmosphere containing 5% CO2 in air at 39 degrees C. After 20 to 24 hours of in vitro maturation, the oocytes were cultured at 38.5 degrees C in TCM-199 supplemented with 1% estrous water buffalo serum and in an atmosphere containing 5% CO2 in air. Oocytes with compact and dense cumulus cells cleaved significantly further (P<0.01, 67.3%, 33/49) than those with fair, partially denuded oocytes with thin cumulus layers (27.5%, 25/91) or small remnants of cumulus cells and poor naked oocytes (3/100). A substantial variation in fertilization and developmental rates (16.0 to 43.8%) was observed among 4 different bulls. Late morulae were transferred nonsurgically into 14 buffalo recipients on Day 6 or 7 of their estrous cycle. One recipient was diagnosed to be pregnant by palpation per rectum on Day 60 and delivered a calf in October 1991.

DNA strand scission induced by adriamycin and aclacinomycin A.

PubMed

Someya, A; Tanaka, N

1979-08-01

The binding of adriamycin and aclacinomycin A with PM2 DNA, and the consequent cleavage of DNA have been demonstrated by agarose gel electrophoresis, using an ethidium bromide assay. Adriamycin was observed to induce a single strand scission of DNA in the presence of a reducing agent, but aclacinomycin A caused much less degree of DNA breaks. The DNA cleavage was enhanced by Cu2+ and Fe2+, but not significantly by Ni2+, Zn2+, Mg2+ and Ca2+, suggesting that reduction and auto-oxidation of the quinone moiety and H2O2 production participate in the DNA-cutting effect. The DNA degradation was dependent upon concentrations of the anthracyclines and CuCl2. The degree of DNA cleavage at 0.04 mM adriamycin was similar to that at 0.4 mM aclacinomycin A in the presence of 1 mM NADPH and 0.4 mM CuCl2. DNA was degraded to small fragments at 0.4 mM adriamycin and 0.2 mM CuCl2. The anthracycline-induced DNA cleavage was stimulated by H2O2, but partially inhibited by potassium iodide, superoxide dismutase, catalase and nitrogen gas atmosphere. The results suggested that both free radical of anthracycline quinones and hydroxyl radical directly react with DNA strands.

Effect of Varying the Angle of Attack of the Scales on a Biomimetic Shark Skin Model on Embedded Vortex Formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wheelus, Jennifer; Lang, Amy; Bradshaw, Michael; Jones, Emily; Afroz, Farhana; Motta, Philip; Habegger, Maria

2012-11-01

The skin of fast-swimming sharks is proposed to have mechanisms to reduce drag and delay flow separation. The skin of fast-swimming and agile sharks is covered with small teeth-like denticles on the order of 0.2 mm. The shortfin mako is one of the fastest and most agile ocean predators creating the need to minimize its pressure drag by controlling flow separation. Biological studies of the shortfin mako skin have shown the passive bristling angle of their denticles to exceed 50 degrees in areas on the flank corresponding to the locations likely to experience separation first. It has been shown that for an angle of attack of 90 degrees, vortices form within these cavities and impose a partial slip condition at the surface of the cavity. This experiment focuses on smaller angles of attack for denticle bristling, closer to the range thought to be achieved on real shark skin. A 3-D bristled shark skin model with varying angle of attack, embedded below a boundary layer, was used to study the formation of cavity vortices through fluorescent dye visualization and Digital Particle Image Velocimetry (DPIV). The effect of varying angle of attack on vortex formation will be discussed.

Microgravitational effects on chromosome behavior (7-IML-1)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bruschi, Carlo

1992-01-01

The effects of the two major space-related conditions, microgravity and radiation, on the maintenance and transmission of genetic information have been partially documented in many organisms. Specifically, microgravity acts at the chromosomal level, primarily on the structure and segregation of chromosomes, in producing major abberations such as deletions, breaks, nondisjunction, and chromosome loss, and to a lesser degree, cosmic radiation appears to affect the genic level, producing point mutations and DNA damage. To distinguish between the effects from microgravity and from radiation, it is necessary to monitor both mitotic and meiotic genetic damage in the same organism. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is used to monitor at high resolution the frequency of chromosome loss, nondisjunction, intergenic recombination, and gene mutation in mitotic and meiotic cells, to a degree impossible in other organisms. Because the yeast chromosomes are small, sensitive measurements can be made that can be extrapolated to higher organisms and man. The objectives of the research are: (1) to quantitate the effects of microgravity and its synergism with cosmic radiation on chromosomal integrity and transmission during mitosis and meiosis; (2) to discriminate between chromosomal processes sensitive to microgravity and/or radiation during mitosis and meiosis; and (3) to relate these findings to anomalous mitotic mating type switching and ascosporogenesis following meiosis.

Effect of oblique channel on discharge characteristics of 200-W Hall thruster

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Yongjie; Peng, Wuji; Sun, Hezhi; Xu, Yu; Wei, Liqiu; Li, Hong; Zeng, Ming; Wang, Fufeng; Yu, Daren

2017-02-01

In an experiment involving a 200-W Hall thruster, partial ionization occurs in the plume area because of the extrapolation of the magnetic field. To improve the thruster performance, the concept of an oblique channel is proposed for improving the ionization degree in the plume area. Calculations performed using a Particle-in-cell (PIC) simulator and the experimental results both show that an oblique channel structure can reduce the wall loss. Compared with a straight channel under similar conditions of the discharge voltage and current, the ionization degree in the plume area, thrust, specific impulse, propellant utilization, and anode efficiency are improved by ˜20%. The oblique channel is an important design consideration for improving the partial ionization of the plume area in the thruster.

Analyzing the propagation behavior of coherence and polarization degrees of a phase-locked partially coherent radial flat-topped array laser beam in underwater turbulence.

PubMed

Kashani, Fatemeh Dabbagh; Yousefi, Masoud

2016-08-10

In this research, based on an analytical expression for cross-spectral density (CSD) matrix elements, coherence and polarization properties of phase-locked partially coherent flat-topped (PCFT) radial array laser beams propagating through weak oceanic turbulence are analyzed. Spectral degrees of coherence and polarization are analytically calculated using CSD matrix elements. Also, the effective width of spatial degree of coherence (EWSDC) is calculated numerically. The simulation is done by considering the effects of source parameters (such as radius of the array setup's circle, effective width of the spectral degree of coherence, and wavelength) and turbulent ocean factors (such as the rate of dissipation of the turbulent kinetic energy per unit mass of fluid and relative strength of temperature and salinity fluctuations, Kolmogorov micro-scale, and rate of dissipation of the mean squared temperature) in detail. Results indicate that any change in the amount of turbulence factors that increase the turbulence power reduces the EWSDC significantly and causes the reduction in the degree of polarization, and occurs at shorter propagation distances but with smaller magnitudes. In addition, being valid for all conditions, the degradation rate of the EWSDC of Gaussian array beams are more in comparison with the PCFT ones. The simulation and calculation results are shown by graphs.

Method for enhancing the desulfurization of hot coal gas in a fluid-bed coal gasifier

DOEpatents

Grindley, Thomas

1989-01-01

A process and apparatus for providing additional desulfurization of the hot gas produced in a fluid-bed coal gasifier, within the gasifier. A fluid-bed of iron oxide is located inside the gasifier above the gasification bed in a fluid-bed coal gasifier in which in-bed desulfurization by lime/limestone takes place. The product gases leave the gasification bed typically at 1600.degree. to 1800.degree. F. and are partially quenched with water to 1000.degree. to 1200.degree. F. before entering the iron oxide bed. The iron oxide bed provides additional desulfurization beyond that provided by the lime/limestone.

Fasting does not induce gastric emptying in rats.

PubMed

Brito, Marcus Vinicius Henriques; Yasojima, Edson Yuzur; Teixeira, Renan Kleber Costa; Houat, Abdallah de Paula; Yamaki, Vitor Nagai; Costa, Felipe Lobato da Silva

2015-03-01

To evaluate the effect of fasting on gastric emptying in mice. Twenty-eight mice were distributed into three study groups: a normal group (N=4): normal standard animals; a total fasting group (N=12): subjected to food and water deprivation and a partial fasting group (N=12): subjected to food deprivation only. The fasting groups were subdivided into three subgroups of four animals each, according to the date of euthanasia: 24, 48 and 72 hours. Was analyzed: the gastric volume, degree of the gastric wall distention and the presence of food debris in gastrointestinal tract. The mean gastric volume was 1601 mm3 in the normal group, 847 mm3 in total fasting group and 997 mm3 in partial fasting group. There was difference between the fasting groups in any analyzed period (p<0.05). Regarding the presence of food debris in the gastrointestinal tract and the degree of distension of the stomach, there was no difference between the groups that underwent total or partial fasting (p>0.05). Total fasting or only-solids deprivation does not induce gastric emptying in mice.

Negative differential resistance in partially fluorinated graphene films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Antonova, I. V.; Shojaei, S.; Sattari-Esfahlan, S. M.; Kurkina, Irina I.

2017-07-01

Partially fluorinated graphene films were created by chemical functionalization of graphene layers in an aqueous solution of hydrofluoric acid. The formation of graphene islands or graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and a fluorinated graphene network is demonstrated in such films. Negative differential resistance (NDR) resulting from the formation of the potential barrier system in the films was observed for different fluorination degrees of suspension. The origin of the NDR varies with an increase in the fluorination degree of the suspension. Numerical calculations were performed to elucidate the tunneling between adjacent energy levels and creation of NDR. It was found that in the case of films with smaller flake and smaller GQD sizes, multi-peak NDR appears in the I-V curve. We predict that the NDR peak position shifts towards lower voltage with a decrease in the GQD size. Surprisingly, we observed a negative step-like valley for positive biases in the I-V curve of samples. Our findings with detailed analysis shed light on understanding the mechanisms of the NDR phenomenon in a partially fluorinated graphene system.

Cosine-Gaussian Schell-model sources.

PubMed

Mei, Zhangrong; Korotkova, Olga

2013-07-15

We introduce a new class of partially coherent sources of Schell type with cosine-Gaussian spectral degree of coherence and confirm that such sources are physically genuine. Further, we derive the expression for the cross-spectral density function of a beam generated by the novel source propagating in free space and analyze the evolution of the spectral density and the spectral degree of coherence. It is shown that at sufficiently large distances from the source the degree of coherence of the propagating beam assumes Gaussian shape while the spectral density takes on the dark-hollow profile.

Investigation of CNTD Mechanism and its Effect on Microstructural Properties.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-10-01

Equilibrium Degree of Completion of SiCl4 Reduction 31 as a Function of Temperature, Pressure and Degree ofDilution. 9. Equilibrium Degree of Completion...Disproportionation Study with SiCl4 . A) 500/2500X B) 600/3000X 11. Morphology of Deposit Made in the Silicon Halide 39 Disproportionation Study with SiHCl 3. A...at a constant ratio of SiCl4 to NH 3 of 0.2 (except run #29, see Table A-1 Appendix I). The active gas partial pressure was calculated according to the

Intimate relationships and changing patterns of money management at the beginning of the twenty-first century.

PubMed

Vogler, Carolyn; Brockmann, Michaela; Wiggins, Richard D

2006-09-01

Drawing on British data from two annual sweeps of the ISSP eight years apart in 1994 and 2002, for modules focusing on 'Family and Changing Gender Roles', this paper examines the extent to which changes in women's labour market participation, changing ideologies/discourses of gender and changing forms of intimate relationships are affecting the ways in which couples organize household money, and the implications of such changes for recent theories of intimate relationships. The analysis indicates that by 2002, the type of relationship respondents had established, together with their social class position, were both independently related to the ways in which they managed money, after controlling for socio-economic and cultural or discursive factors. Our findings also provide a degree of support for the thesis of a partial decline in the male breadwinner model of gender, as indicated by small declines in the use of the relatively inegalitarian female whole wage and housekeeping allowance systems which were most likely to be used by married couples and cohabiting fathers, expressing relatively traditional ideologies/discourses of breadwinning - and a slight increase in the use of the partial pool, which was most likely to be used by childless cohabiting couples in which male partners expressed less traditional ideologies of breadwinning and women were in middle-class jobs with incomes high enough to facilitate partially separate finances. We also suggest, however, that in so far as cohabiting couples earning different amounts define equality as contributing equally to household expenditure, it is possible that rather than being associated with shifts to greater equality in access to money for personal spending and saving, the partial pool may be associated with marked inequalities, because it may enable gender inequalities generated in the labour market to be more directly transposed into inequalities within households, despite the decline of traditional discourses of male breadwinning and the increasing importance of egalitarian ideologies of co-provisioning.

Failure to phytosanitize ash firewood infested with emerald ash borer in a small dry kiln using ISPM-15 standards.

PubMed

Goebel, P Charles; Bumgardner, Matthew S; Herms, Daniel A; Sabula, Andrew

2010-06-01

Although current USDA-APHIS standards suggest that a core temperature of 71.1 degrees C (160 degrees F) for 75 min is needed to adequately sanitize emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire-infested firewood, it is unclear whether more moderate (and economical) treatment regimes will adequately eradicate emerald ash borer larvae and prepupae from ash firewood. We constructed a small dry kiln in an effort to emulate the type of technology a small- to medium-sized firewood producer might use to examine whether treatments with lower temperature and time regimes successfully eliminate emerald ash borer from both spilt and roundwood firewood. Using white ash (Fraxinus americana L.) firewood collected from a stand with a heavy infestation of emerald ash borer in Delaware, OH, we treated the firewood using the following temperature and time regime: 46 degrees C (114.8 degrees F) for 30 min, 46 degrees C (114.8 degrees F) for 60 min, 56 degrees C (132.8 degrees F) for 30 min, and 56 degrees C (132.8 degrees F) for 60 min. Temperatures were recorded for the outer 2.54-cm (1-in.) of firewood. After treatment, all firewood was placed under mesh netting and emerald ash borer were allowed to develop and emerge under natural conditions. No treatments seemed to be successful at eliminating emerald ash borer larvae and perpupae as all treatments (including two nontreated controls) experienced some emerald ash borer emergence. However, the 56 degrees C (132.8 degrees F) treatments did result in considerably less emerald ash borer emergence than the 46 degrees C (114.8 degrees F) treatments. Further investigation is needed to determine whether longer exposure to the higher temperature (56 degrees C) will successfully sanitize emerald ash borer-infested firewood.

Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: Technical considerations and an update

PubMed Central

Dominguez-Escrig, Jose L; Vasdev, Nikhil; O’Riordon, Anna; Soomro, Naeem

2011-01-01

The widespread use of radiological imaging (ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) has resulted in a steady increase in the incidental diagnosis of small renal masses. While open partial nephrectomy (OPN) remains the reference standard for the management of small renal masses, laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) continues to evolve. LPN is currently advocated to be at par with OPN oncologically. The steep learning curve and technical demand of LPN make it challenging to establish this as a new procedure. We present a detailed up-to-date review on the previous, current and planned technical considerations for the use of LPN, highlighting important surgical techniques, including single-port and robotic surgery, techniques on improving intra-operative haemostasis and the management of complications specific to LPN. PMID:22022109

Influences of periodic mechanical deformation on pinned spiral waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Jiang-Xing; Peng, Liang; Zheng, Qiang; Zhao, Ye-Hua; Ying, He-Ping

2014-09-01

In a generic model of excitable media, we study the behavior of spiral waves interacting with obstacles and their dynamics under the influences of simple periodic mechanical deformation (PMD). Depending on the characteristics of the obstacles, i.e., size and excitability, the rotation of a pinned spiral wave shows different scenarios, e.g., embedding into or anchoring on an obstacle. Three different drift phenomena induced by PMD are observed: scattering on small partial-excitable obstacles, meander-induced unpinning on big partial-excitable obstacles, and drifting around small unexcitable obstacles. Their underlying mechanisms are discussed. The dependence of the threshold amplitude of PMD on the characteristics of the obstacles to successfully remove pinned spiral waves on big partial-excitable obstacles is studied.

[Clinical efficacy of partial resection of puborectalis combined with mutilation of internal anal sphincter in the treatment of puborectalis syndrome with high anal pressure].

PubMed

Ye, Hui; Liu, Weicheng; Qian, Qun; Liu, Zhisu; Jiang, Congqing; Zheng, Keyan; Qin, Qianbo; Ding, Zhao; Gong, Zhilin

2017-03-25

To explore the efficacy of partial resection of puborectalis combined with mutilation of internal anal sphincter(IAS) in the treatment of puborectalis syndrome with high anal pressure. Twenty-five cases of puborectalis syndrome with high anal resting pressure in the preoperative examination received the operation of partial resection of puborectalis combined with mutilation of IAS in Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University between January 2013 and May 2015. The position of puborectalis was confirmed by touching with the exposure under the transfixion device, and a transverse incision was made by electrotome between 3 and 5 o'clock direction of puborectalis, then partial puborectalis was lifted by vessel clamp at 5 o'clock direction, and about 0.5 cm of muscular tissue was resected. Between 8 to 10 o'clock direction of anal tube, about 1 cm length of transverse incision was made by electrotome, then partial IAS was lifted by vessel clamp and cut off. Preoperative and postoperative 3-month anorectal manometry and defecography were carried out. Wexner constipation score and Cleveland Clinic incontinence score were implemented before surgery and 3, 6, 12 months after operation. This study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration number: ChiCTR-ORB-16007695). Of the 25 cases, 18 were male and 7 were female, the average age was 55 years old and the average course of disease was 9 years. Compared with pre-operation, the postoperative 3-month anal resting pressure and maximal squeeze pressure were significantly decreased [(53.56±9.05) mmHg vs. (92.44±7.06) mmHg, (142.80±20.35) mmHg vs. (210.88±20.56) mmHg, respectively, both P=0.000]; anorectal angulation at resting state and forced defecation state increased significantly [(102.32±4.96)degree vs. (95.88±4.01)degree, (117.88±5.95)degree vs. (89.52±3.25)degree, respectively, both P=0.000]. Wexner constipation score of postoperative 3-month, 6-month, 12-month (8.28±3.91, 7.40±3.64 and 8.04±4.74) was significantly lower than the preoperative score (16.00±3.69, all P<0.05), while the score was not significantly different among 3 time points after operation (P>0.05). Cleveland Clinic incontinence score was 0 at postoperative 6 and 12 months, and revealed 20 cases were effective among all the surgical patients(80%). Partial resection of puborectalis combined with mutilation of internal anal sphincter can effectively reduce anal pressure and improve symptoms of outlet obstruction, which is an effective method in the treatment of puborectalis syndrome with high anal pressure.

Place of partial cutting in old-growth stands of the Douglas-fir region.

Treesearch

Leo A. Isaac

1956-01-01

During the early 1930's, as use of the logging truck and tractor increased, a form of partial harvesting mature and overmature virgin stands developed in the Douglas-fir region (2). The cutting pattern varied from taking a few scattered high-grade trees per acre to clear cutting small areas. Partial harvesting caught on quickly because at that time only the high-...

Effects of elevated root zone CO2 and air temperature on photosynthetic gas exchange, nitrate uptake, and total reduced nitrogen content in aeroponically grown lettuce plants.

PubMed

He, Jie; Austin, Paul T; Lee, Sing Kong

2010-09-01

Effects of elevated root zone (RZ) CO(2) and air temperature on photosynthesis, productivity, nitrate (NO(3)(-)), and total reduced nitrogen (N) content in aeroponically grown lettuce plants were studied. Three weeks after transplanting, four different RZ [CO(2)] concentrations [ambient (360 ppm) and elevated concentrations of 2000, 10,000, and 50,000 ppm] were imposed on plants grown at two air temperature regimes of 28 degrees C/22 degrees C (day/night) and 36 degrees C/30 degrees C. Photosynthetic CO(2) assimilation (A) and stomatal conductance (g(s)) increased with increasing photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). When grown at 28 degrees C/22 degrees C, all plants accumulated more biomass than at 36 degrees C/30 degrees C. When measured under a PAR >or=600 micromol m(-2) s(-1), elevated RZ [CO(2)] resulted in significantly higher A, lower g(s), and higher midday leaf relative water content in all plants. Under elevated RZ [CO(2)], the increase of biomass was greater in roots than in shoots, causing a lower shoot/root ratio. The percentage increase in growth under elevated RZ [CO(2)] was greater at 36 degrees C/30 degrees C although the total biomass was higher at 28 degrees C/22 degrees C. NO(3)(-) and total reduced N concentrations of shoot and root were significantly higher in all plants under elevated RZ [CO(2)] than under ambient RZ [CO(2)] of 360 ppm at both temperature regimes. At each RZ [CO(2)], NO(3)(-) and total reduced N concentration of shoots were greater at 28 degrees C/22 degrees C than at 36 degrees C/30 degrees C. At all RZ [CO(2)], roots of plants at 36 degrees C/30 degrees C had significantly higher NO(3)(-) and total reduced N concentrations than at 28 degrees C/22 degrees C. Since increased RZ [CO(2)] caused partial stomatal closure, maximal A and maximal g(s) were negatively correlated, with a unique relationship for each air temperature. However, across all RZ [CO(2)] and temperature treatments, there was a close correlation between maximal A and total shoot reduced N concentration of plants under different RZ [CO(2)], indicating that increased A under elevated RZ [CO(2)] could partially be due to the higher shoot total reduced N.

The influence of anisotropy on the core structure of Shockley partial dislocations within FCC materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szajewski, B. A.; Hunter, A.; Luscher, D. J.; Beyerlein, I. J.

2018-01-01

Both theoretical and numerical models of dislocations often necessitate the assumption of elastic isotropy to retain analytical tractability in addition to reducing computational load. As dislocation based models evolve towards physically realistic material descriptions, the assumption of elastic isotropy becomes increasingly worthy of examination. We present an analytical dislocation model for calculating the full dissociated core structure of dislocations within anisotropic face centered cubic (FCC) crystals as a function of the degree of material elastic anisotropy, two misfit energy densities on the γ-surface ({γ }{{isf}}, {γ }{{usf}}) and the remaining elastic constants. Our solution is independent of any additional features of the γ-surface. Towards this pursuit, we first demonstrate that the dependence of the anisotropic elasticity tensor on the orientation of the dislocation line within the FCC crystalline lattice is small and may be reasonably neglected for typical materials. With this approximation, explicit analytic solutions for the anisotropic elasticity tensor {B} for both nominally edge and screw dislocations within an FCC crystalline lattice are devised, and employed towards defining a set of effective isotropic elastic constants which reproduce fully anisotropic results, however do not retain the bulk modulus. Conversely, Hill averaged elastic constants which both retain the bulk modulus and reasonably approximate the dislocation core structure are employed within subsequent numerical calculations. We examine a wide range of materials within this study, and the features of each partial dislocation core are sufficiently localized that application of discrete linear elasticity accurately describes the separation of each partial dislocation core. In addition, the local features (the partial dislocation core distribution) are well described by a Peierls-Nabarro dislocation model. We develop a model for the displacement profile which depends upon two disparate dislocation length scales which describe the core structure; (i) the equilibrium stacking fault width between two Shockley partial dislocations, R eq and (ii) the maximum slip gradient, χ, of each Shockley partial dislocation. We demonstrate excellent agreement between our own analytic predictions, numerical calculations, and R eq computed directly by both ab-initio and molecular statics methods found elsewhere within the literature. The results suggest that understanding of various plastic mechanisms, e.g., cross-slip and nucleation may be augmented with the inclusion of elastic anisotropy.

Rotator cuff tears in children and adolescents: experience at a large pediatric hospital.

PubMed

Zbojniewicz, Andrew M; Maeder, Matthew E; Emery, Kathleen H; Salisbury, Shelia R

2014-06-01

Prior literature, limited to small case series and case reports, suggests that rotator cuff tears are rare in adolescents. However, we have identified rotator cuff tears in numerous children and adolescents who have undergone shoulder MRI evaluation. The purpose of this study is to describe the prevalence and characteristics of rotator cuff tears in children and adolescents referred for MRI evaluation of the shoulder at a large pediatric hospital and to correlate the presence of rotator cuff tears with concurrent labral pathology, skeletal maturity and patient activity and outcomes. We reviewed reports from 455 consecutive non-contrast MRI and magnetic resonance arthrogram examinations of the shoulder performed during a 2-year period, and following exclusions we yielded 205 examinations in 201 patients (ages 8-18 years; 75 girls, 126 boys). Rotator cuff tears were classified by tendon involved, tear thickness (partial or full), surface and location of tear (when partial) and presence of delamination. We recorded concurrent labral pathology when present. Physeal patency of the proximal humerus was considered open, closing or closed. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate for a relationship between rotator cuff tears and degree of physeal patency. We obtained patient activity at the time of injury, surgical reports and outcomes from clinical records when available. Twenty-five (12.2%) rotator cuff tears were identified in 17 boys and 7 girls (ages 10-18 years; one patient had bilateral tears). The supraspinatus tendon was most frequently involved (56%). There were 2 full-thickness and 23 partial-thickness tears with articular-side partial-thickness tears most frequent (78%). Insertional partial-thickness tears were more common (78%) than critical zone tears (22%) and 10 (43%) partial-thickness tears were delamination tears. Nine (36%) patients with rotator cuff tears had concurrent labral pathology. There was no statistically significant relationship between rotator cuff tears and physeal patency (P > 0.05). Most patients were athletes (76%). Five tears were confirmed at surgery. Poor clinical follow-up limited evaluation of patient outcomes. Rotator cuff tears can be identified during MRI examination of symptomatic child and adolescent shoulders and often consist of tear patterns associated with repetitive microtrauma in overhead athletic activities or with single traumatic events. Rotator cuff tears are seen throughout the range of skeletal maturity, often coexist with labral tears and typically are found in athletes.

Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES): Its Relevance

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-03-24

requirements of the Master of Strategic Studies Degree. The views expressed in this student academic research paper are those of the author and do...State Association of Colleges and Schools, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, (215) 662-5606. The Commission on Higher Education is an...Ronda Urey Project Adviser This SRP is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Master of Strategic Studies Degree. The

Blood coagulation status of small-for-dates and postmature infants.

PubMed Central

Perlman, M; Dvilansky, A

1975-01-01

In a prospective study of blood coagulation status in small-for-dates and postmature infants there was often evidence of intravascular coagulation. Abnormal coagulation findings correlated with the degree of growth retardation and with the degree of postmaturity. Macroscopical placental infarction and neonatal polycythaemia were associated with coagulation abnormalities; asphyxia, however, was not. Intravascular coagulation may be an additional hazard to small-for-dates and postmature infants. PMID:1170815

[Peripheral refraction and retinal contour in children with myopia by results of refractometry and partial coherence interferometry].

PubMed

Tarutta, E P; Milash, S V; Tarasova, N A; Romanova, L I; Markosian, G A; Epishina, M V

2014-01-01

To determine the posterior pole contour of the eye based on the relative peripheral refractive error and relative eye length. A parallel study was performed, which enrolled 38 children (76 eyes) with myopia from -1.25 to -10.82 diopters. The patients underwent peripheral refraction assessment with WR-5100K Binocular Auto Refractometer ("Grand Seiko", Japan) and partial coherence tomography with IOLMaster ("Carl Zeiss", Germany) for the relative eye length in areas located 15 and 30 degrees nasal and temporal from the central fovea along the horizontal meridian. In general, refractometry and interferometry showed high coincidence of defocus signs and values for the areas located 15 and 30 degrees nasal as well as 15 degrees temporal from the fovea. However, in 41% of patients defocus signs determined by the two methods mismatched in one or more areas. Most of the mismatch cases were mild myopia. We suppose that such a mismatch is caused by optical peculiarities of the anterior eye segment that have an impact on refractometry results.

Specific 16S ribosomal RNA targeted oligonucleotide probe against Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus.

PubMed

Mirza, M S; Rademaker, J L; Janse, J D; Akkermans, A D

1993-11-01

In this article we report on the polymerase chain reaction amplification of a partial 16S rRNA gene from the plant pathogenic bacterium Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus. A partial sequence (about 400 base pairs) of the gene was determined that covered two variable regions important for oligonucleotide probe development. A specific 24mer oligonucleotide probe targeted against the V6 region of 16S rRNA was designed. Specificity of the probe was determined using dot blot hybridization. Under stringent conditions (60 degrees C), the probe hybridized with all 16 Cl. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus strains tested. Hybridization did not occur with 32 plant pathogenic and saprophytic bacteria used as controls under the same conditions. Under less stringent conditions (55 degrees C) the related Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. insidiosus, Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis, and Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. tesselarius also showed hybridization. At even lower stringency (40 degrees C), all Cl. michiganensis subspecies tested including Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis showed hybridization signal, suggesting that under these conditions the probe may be used as a species-specific probe for Cl. michiganensis.

Effects of inoculum type and bulk dissolved oxygen concentration on achieving partial nitrification by entrapped-cell-based reactors.

PubMed

Rongsayamanont, Chaiwat; Limpiyakorn, Tawan; Khan, Eakalak

2014-07-01

An entrapment of nitrifiers into gel matrix is employed as a tool to fulfill partial nitrification under non-limiting dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations in bulk solutions. This study aims to clarify which of these two attributes, inoculum type and DO concentration in bulk solutions, is the decisive factor for partial nitrification in an entrapped-cell based system. Four polyvinyl alcohol entrapped inocula were prepared to have different proportions of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) and nitrite-oxidizing activity. At a DO concentration of 3 mg l(-1), the number of active NOB cells in an inoculum was the decisive factor for partial nitrification enhancement. However, when the DO concentration was reduced to 2 mg l(-1), all entrapped cell inocula showed similar degrees of partial nitrification. The results suggested that with the lower bulk DO concentration, the preparation of entrapped cell inocula is not useful as the DO level becomes the decisive factor for achieving partial nitrification. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Molecular pathways in the transformation of model discoidal lipoprotein complexes induced by lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase.

PubMed

Nichols, A V; Blanche, P J; Gong, E L; Shore, V G; Forte, T M

1985-05-17

Incubation (24 h, 37 degrees C) of discoidal complexes of phosphatidylcholine and apolipoprotein A-I (molar ratio 95 +/- 10 egg yolk phosphatidylcholine-apolipoprotein A-I; 10.5 X 4.0 nm, long X short dimension; designated, class 3 complexes) with the ultracentrifugal d greater than 1.21 g/ml fraction transformed the discoidal complexes to a small product with apparent mean hydrated and nonhydrated diameter of 7.8 and 6.6 nm, respectively. Formation of the small product was associated with marked reduction in phosphatidylcholine-apolipoprotein AI molar ratio of the complexes (on average from 95:1 to 45:1). Phospholipase A2 activity of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase participated in the depletion process, as evidenced by production of unesterified fatty acids. In the presence of the d greater than 1.21 g/ml fraction or partially purified lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase and a source of unesterified cholesterol, the small product could be transformed to a core-containing (cholesteryl ester) round product with a hydrated and nonhydrated diameter of 8.6 and 7.5 nm, respectively. By means of cross-linking with dimethylsuberimidate, the protein moiety of the small product was shown to contain primarily two apolipoprotein A-I molecules per particle, while the large product contained three apolipoprotein A-I molecules per particle. The increase in number of apolipoprotein A-I molecules per particle during transformation of the small to the large product appeared to result from fusion of the small particles during core build-up and release of excess apolipoprotein A-I from the fusion product. The results obtained with the model complexes were consistent for the most part with recent observations (Chen, C., Applegate, K., King, W.C., Glomset, J.A., Norum, K.R. and Gjone, E. (1984) J. Lipid Res. 25, 269-282) on the transformation, by lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase, of the small spherical high-density lipoproteins of patients with familial lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency.

Temperature transition of human hemoglobin at body temperature: effects of calcium.

PubMed Central

Kelemen, C; Chien, S; Artmann, G M

2001-01-01

We studied the effects of calcium ion concentration on the temperature dependence of rheological behavior of human red blood cells (RBCs) and concentrated hemoglobin solutions. Our previous study (G. M. Artmann, C. Kelemen, D. Porst, G. Büldt, and S. Chien, 1998, Biophys. J., 75:3179-3183) showed a critical temperature (Tc) of 36.4 +/- 0.3 degrees C at which the RBCs underwent a transition from non-passage to passage through 1.3 microm micropipettes in response to an aspiration pressure of -2.3 kPa. An increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration by using the ionophore A23187 reduced the passability of intact RBCs through small micropipettes above T(c); the micropipette diameter needed for >90% passage increased to 1.7 microm. Viscometry of concentrated hemoglobin solutions (45 and 50 g/dl) showed a sudden viscosity transition at 36 +/- 1 degrees C (Tc(eta)) at all calcium concentrations investigated. Below Tc(eta), the viscosity value of the concentrated hemoglobin solution at 1.8 mM Ca(2+) was higher than that at other concentrations (0.2 microM, 9 mM, and 18 mM). Above Tc(eta), the viscosity was almost Ca2+ independent. At 1.8 mM Ca2+ and 36 +/- 1 degrees C, the activation energy calculated from the viscometry data showed a strong dependence on the hemoglobin concentration. We propose that the transition of rheological behavior is attributable to a high-to-low viscosity transition mediated by a partial release of the hemoglobin-bound water. PMID:11371439

Quadriceps oxygenation during isometric exercise in sailing.

PubMed

Vogiatzis, I; Tzineris, D; Athanasopoulos, D; Georgiadou, O; Geladas, N

2008-01-01

The aim of the present study was to investigate why blood lactate after prolonged quadriceps contraction during hiking is only marginally increased. Eight sailors performed five 3-min hiking bouts interspersed with 5-s recovery periods. Whole body oxygen uptake, heart rate and lactate were recorded, along with continuous-wave near-infrared spectroscopy measures of quadriceps oxygenation. The time for 50% re-oxygenation was also assessed as an indication of the degree of localized oxygen delivery stress. Hiking elicited a significant (p = 0.001) increase in mean (+/- SD) heart rate (124 +/- 10 beats . min (-1)) which was accompanied by a disproportionately low oxygen uptake (12 +/- 2 ml.kg(-1).min(-1)). Lactate was significantly (p = 0.001) increased throughout hiking manoeuvres, though post-exercise it remained low (3.2 +/- 0.9 mmol.l(-1)). During the hiking bouts mean quadriceps oxygenation was significantly (p = 0.001) reduced compared to baseline (by 33 +/- 5%), indicating an imbalance between muscle oxygen accessibility and oxygen demand. During rest intervals quadriceps oxygenation was partially restored. After the end of the final bout the time for 50 % re-oxygenation was only 8 +/- 2 s, whereas recovery of quadriceps oxygenation and oxygen uptake was completed within 3 min. We conclude that the observed low lactate could be attributed to the small oxygen and energy deficits during hiking as the muscles' oxygen accessibility is presumably partially restored during the brief rest intervals.

Use of chitin and chitosan to produce new chitooligosaccharides by chitinase Chit42: enzymatic activity and structural basis of protein specificity.

PubMed

Kidibule, Peter Elias; Santos-Moriano, Paloma; Jiménez-Ortega, Elena; Ramírez-Escudero, Mercedes; Limón, M Carmen; Remacha, Miguel; Plou, Francisco José; Sanz-Aparicio, Julia; Fernández-Lobato, María

2018-03-22

Chitinases are ubiquitous enzymes that have gained a recent biotechnological attention due to their ability to transform biological waste from chitin into valued chito-oligomers with wide agricultural, industrial or medical applications. The biological activity of these molecules is related to their size and acetylation degree. Chitinase Chit42 from Trichoderma harzianum hydrolyses chitin oligomers with a minimal of three N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) units. Gene chit42 was previously characterized, and according to its sequence, the encoded protein included in the structural Glycoside Hydrolase family GH18. Chit42 was expressed in Pichia pastoris using fed-batch fermentation to about 3 g/L. Protein heterologously expressed showed similar biochemical properties to those expressed by the natural producer (42 kDa, optima pH 5.5-6.5 and 30-40 °C). In addition to hydrolyse colloidal chitin, this enzyme released reducing sugars from commercial chitosan of different sizes and acetylation degrees. Chit42 hydrolysed colloidal chitin at least 10-times more efficiently (defined by the k cat /K m ratio) than any of the assayed chitosan. Production of partially acetylated chitooligosaccharides was confirmed in reaction mixtures using HPAEC-PAD chromatography and mass spectrometry. Masses corresponding to (D-glucosamine) 1-8 -GlcNAc were identified from the hydrolysis of different substrates. Crystals from Chit42 were grown and the 3D structure determined at 1.8 Å resolution, showing the expected folding described for other GH18 chitinases, and a characteristic groove shaped substrate-binding site, able to accommodate at least six sugar units. Detailed structural analysis allows depicting the features of the Chit42 specificity, and explains the chemical nature of the partially acetylated molecules obtained from analysed substrates. Chitinase Chit42 was expressed in a heterologous system to levels never before achieved. The enzyme produced small partially acetylated chitooligosaccharides, which have enormous biotechnological potential in medicine and food. Chit42 3D structure was characterized and analysed. Production and understanding of how the enzymes generating bioactive chito-oligomers work is essential for their biotechnological application, and paves the way for future work to take advantage of chitinolytic activities.

Amphibole incongruent melting under Lithospheric Mantle conditions in spinel peridotites from Balaton area, Hungary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ntaflos, Theodoros; Abart, Rainer; Bizimis, Michel

2017-04-01

Pliocene alkali basalts from the western Pannonian Basin carry mantle xenoliths comprising hydrous and anhydrous spinel peridotites. We studied coarse and fine grained fertile to depleted spinel lherzolites, spinel harzubrgites and dunites from Szentbékálla, Balaton, in detail, using XRF, EPMA and LA-ICP-MS and MC-ICP-MS techniques. Pliocene alkali basalts containing mantle xenoliths with three major types of textures are widespread in the studied area: fine-grained primary and secondary equigranular, coarse-grained protogranular and transitional between equigranular and protogranular textures. Melt pockets, are common in the studied xenoliths. The shape of several melt pockets resembles euhedral amphibole. Other samples have thin films of intergranular glass attributed to the host basalt infiltration. Calculations have shown that such xenoliths experienced an up to 2.4% host basalt infiltration. The bulk rock Al2O3 and CaO concentrations vary from 0.75 to 4.1 and from 0.9 to 3.6 wt% respectively, and represent residues after variable degrees of partial melting. Using bulk rock major element abundances, the estimated degree of partial melting ranges from 4 to 20%.. The Primitive Mantle normalized clinopyroxene trace element abundances reveal a complicated evolution of the Lithospheric mantle underneath Balaton, which range from partial melting to modal and cryptic metasomatism. Subduction-related melt/fluids and/or infiltration of percolating undersaturated melts could be account for the metasomatic processes. The radiogenic isotopes of Sr, Nd and Hf in clinopyroxene suggest that this metasomatism was a relatively recent event. Textural evidence suggests that the calcite filling up the vesicles in the melt pockets and in veinlets cross-cutting the constituent minerals is of epigenetic nature and not due to carbonatite metasomatism. Mass balance calculations have shown that the bulk composition of the melt pockets is identical to small amphibole relics found as inclusions in second generation clinopyroxene within the melt pockets. Evidently the melt pockets represent amphibole, which have been incongruently molten. The necessary heat for the amphibole breakdown was derived from the host basalt. The estimated time for diffusive Ca exchange between matrix olivine and olivine overgrowth in contact with the melt pockets is very short, ranging between 21 and 200 days, indicating that amphibole breakdown took place immediately before or during the xenolith entrainment in the alkali basalt.

Electrical conductivity of H2O-NaCl fluids to 10 kbar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sinmyo, R.; Keppler, H.

2016-12-01

Magnetotelluric studies often reveal zones of elevated electrical conductivity in the mantle wedge above subducting slabs, in the deep crust below fold belts, or below active volcanoes. Since both aqueous fluids and hydrous silivate melts may be highly conductive, they may both account for these observations. Distinguishing between these two posssibilities, however, is difficult. One reason for this problem is that while there are very good conductivity data for silicate melts, such data do not exist for aqueous fluids under the relevant conditions of pressure, temperature and solute concentration. Most crustal and mantle fluids likely contain some NaCl, which greatly enhances conductivity due to its partial dissociation into Na+ and Cl-. We therefore studied the electrical conductivity of 0.01, 0.1 and 1 m NaCl solutions in water to 10 kbar and 600 °C. The measurements were carried out in externally-heated diamond cells containing two gaskets separated by an insulating ring of diamond, following a method described by Ni et al. (2014). The two gaskets were used as electrodes and full impedance spectra were measured from 30 Hz to 10 MHz using a Solartron 1260 impedance analyzer. Electrical conductivity was generally found to increase with pressure temperature, and fluid density. The conductivity increase observed upon variation of NaCl concentration from 0.1m to 1m was smaller than from 0.01m to 0.1m, which reflects the reduced degree of dissociation at high NaCl concentration. In general, the data show that already a very small fraction of NaCl-bearing aqueous fluid is sufficient to enhance bulk conductivities to values that would be expected for a high degree of partial melting. Accordingly, aqueous fluids may be distinguished from hydrous melts by comparing magnetotelluric and seismic data. H2O-NaCl fluids may enhance electrical conductivities with little disturbance of vp or vp/vs ratios.

Age-Related Mitochondrial DNA Depletion and the Impact on Pancreatic Beta Cell Function

PubMed Central

Nile, Donna L.; Brown, Audrey E.; Kumaheri, Meutia A.; Blair, Helen R.; Heggie, Alison; Miwa, Satomi; Cree, Lynsey M.; Payne, Brendan; Chinnery, Patrick F.; Brown, Louise; Gunn, David A.; Walker, Mark

2014-01-01

Type 2 diabetes is characterised by an age-related decline in insulin secretion. We previously identified a 50% age-related decline in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number in isolated human islets. The purpose of this study was to mimic this degree of mtDNA depletion in MIN6 cells to determine whether there is a direct impact on insulin secretion. Transcriptional silencing of mitochondrial transcription factor A, TFAM, decreased mtDNA levels by 40% in MIN6 cells. This level of mtDNA depletion significantly decreased mtDNA gene transcription and translation, resulting in reduced mitochondrial respiratory capacity and ATP production. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was impaired following partial mtDNA depletion, but was normalised following treatment with glibenclamide. This confirms that the deficit in the insulin secretory pathway precedes K+ channel closure, indicating that the impact of mtDNA depletion is at the level of mitochondrial respiration. In conclusion, partial mtDNA depletion to a degree comparable to that seen in aged human islets impaired mitochondrial function and directly decreased insulin secretion. Using our model of partial mtDNA depletion following targeted gene silencing of TFAM, we have managed to mimic the degree of mtDNA depletion observed in aged human islets, and have shown how this correlates with impaired insulin secretion. We therefore predict that the age-related mtDNA depletion in human islets is not simply a biomarker of the aging process, but will contribute to the age-related risk of type 2 diabetes. PMID:25532126

Low electrical resistivity associated with plunging of the Nazca flat slab beneath Argentina.

PubMed

Booker, John R; Favetto, Alicia; Pomposiello, M Cristina

2004-05-27

Beneath much of the Andes, oceanic lithosphere descends eastward into the mantle at an angle of about 30 degrees (ref. 1). A partially molten region is thought to form in a wedge between this descending slab and the overlying continental lithosphere as volatiles given off by the slab lower the melting temperature of mantle material. This wedge is the ultimate source for magma erupted at the active volcanoes that characterize the Andean margin. But between 28 degrees and 33 degrees S the subducted Nazca plate appears to be anomalously buoyant, as it levels out at about 100 km depth and extends nearly horizontally under the continent. Above this 'flat slab', volcanic activity in the main Andean Cordillera terminated about 9 million years ago as the flattening slab presumably squeezed out the mantle wedge. But it is unknown where slab volatiles go once this happens, and why the flat slab finally rolls over to descend steeply into the mantle 600 km further eastward. Here we present results from a magnetotelluric profile in central Argentina, from which we infer enhanced electrical conductivity along the eastern side of the plunging slab, indicative of the presence of partial melt. This conductivity structure may imply that partial melting occurs to at least 250 km and perhaps to more than 400 km depth, or that melt is supplied from the 410 km discontinuity, consistent with the transition-zone 'water-filter' model of Bercovici and Karato.

Age-related mitochondrial DNA depletion and the impact on pancreatic Beta cell function.

PubMed

Nile, Donna L; Brown, Audrey E; Kumaheri, Meutia A; Blair, Helen R; Heggie, Alison; Miwa, Satomi; Cree, Lynsey M; Payne, Brendan; Chinnery, Patrick F; Brown, Louise; Gunn, David A; Walker, Mark

2014-01-01

Type 2 diabetes is characterised by an age-related decline in insulin secretion. We previously identified a 50% age-related decline in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number in isolated human islets. The purpose of this study was to mimic this degree of mtDNA depletion in MIN6 cells to determine whether there is a direct impact on insulin secretion. Transcriptional silencing of mitochondrial transcription factor A, TFAM, decreased mtDNA levels by 40% in MIN6 cells. This level of mtDNA depletion significantly decreased mtDNA gene transcription and translation, resulting in reduced mitochondrial respiratory capacity and ATP production. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was impaired following partial mtDNA depletion, but was normalised following treatment with glibenclamide. This confirms that the deficit in the insulin secretory pathway precedes K+ channel closure, indicating that the impact of mtDNA depletion is at the level of mitochondrial respiration. In conclusion, partial mtDNA depletion to a degree comparable to that seen in aged human islets impaired mitochondrial function and directly decreased insulin secretion. Using our model of partial mtDNA depletion following targeted gene silencing of TFAM, we have managed to mimic the degree of mtDNA depletion observed in aged human islets, and have shown how this correlates with impaired insulin secretion. We therefore predict that the age-related mtDNA depletion in human islets is not simply a biomarker of the aging process, but will contribute to the age-related risk of type 2 diabetes.

Using partial site aggregation to reduce bias in random utility travel cost models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lupi, Frank; Feather, Peter M.

1998-12-01

We propose a "partial aggregation" strategy for defining the recreation sites that enter choice sets in random utility models. Under the proposal, the most popular sites and sites that will be the subject of policy analysis enter choice sets as individual sites while remaining sites are aggregated into groups of similar sites. The scheme balances the desire to include all potential substitute sites in the choice sets with practical data and modeling constraints. Unlike fully aggregate models, our analysis and empirical applications suggest that the partial aggregation approach reasonably approximates the results of a disaggregate model. The partial aggregation approach offers all of the data and computational advantages of models with aggregate sites but does not suffer from the same degree of bias as fully aggregate models.

Influence of Abutment Angle on Implant Strain When Supporting a Distal Extension Removable Partial Dental Prosthesis: An In Vitro Study.

PubMed

Hirata, Kiyotaka; Takahashi, Toshihito; Tomita, Akiko; Gonda, Tomoya; Maeda, Yoshinobu

This study evaluated the impact of angled abutments on strain in implants supporting a distal extension removable partial denture. An in vitro model of an implant supporting a distal extension removable partial denture was developed. The implant was positioned with a 17- or 30-degree mesial inclination, with either a healing abutment or a corrective multiunit abutment. Levels of strain under load were compared, and the results were compared using t test (P = .05). Correcting angulation with a multiunit angled abutment significantly decreased strain (P < .05) when compared with a healing abutment. An angled abutment decreased the strain on an inclined implant significantly more than a healing abutment when loaded under a distal extension removable partial denture.

Extrusion of small-diameter, thin-wall tungsten tubing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blankenship, C. P.; Gyorgak, C. A.

1967-01-01

Small-diameter, thin-wall seamless tubing of tungsten has been fabricated in lengths of up to 10 feet by hot extrusion over a floating mandrel. Extrusion of 0.50-inch-diameter tubing over 0.4-inch-diameter mandrels was accomplished at temperatures ranging from 3000 degrees to 4000 degrees F.

Rapid Liver Hypertrophy After Portal Vein Occlusion Correlates with the Degree of Collateralization Between Lobes-a Study in Pigs.

PubMed

Deal, Rebecca; Frederiks, Charles; Williams, Lauren; Olthof, Pim B; Dirscherl, Konstantin; Keutgen, Xavier; Chan, Edie; Deziel, Daniel; Hertl, Martin; Schadde, Erik

2018-02-01

Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) induces more rapid liver growth than portal vein ligation (PVL). Transection of parenchyma in ALPPS may prevent the formation of collaterals between lobes. The aim of this study was to determine if abrogating the formation of collaterals through parenchymal transection impacted growth rate. Twelve Yorkshire Landrace pigs were randomized to undergo ALPPS, PVL, or "partial ALPPS" by varying degrees of parenchymal transection. Hepatic volume was measured after 7 days. Portal blood flow and pressure were measured. Portal vein collaterals were examined from epoxy casts. PVL, ALPPS, and partial ALPPS led to volume increases of the RLL by 15.5% (range 3-22), 64% (range 45-76), and 32% (range 18-77), respectively, with significant differences between PVL and ALPPS/partial ALPPS (p < 0.05). In PVL and partial ALPPS, substantial new portal vein collaterals were found. The number of collaterals correlated inversely with the growth rate (p = 0.039). Portal vein pressure was elevated in all models after ligation suggesting hyperflow to the portal vein-supplied lobe (p < 0.05). These data suggest that liver hypertrophy following PVL is inversely proportional to the development of collaterals. Hypertrophy after ALPPS is likely more rapid due to reduction of collaterals through transection.

Paramagnetic alignment of small grains: A novel method for measuring interstellar magnetic fields

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

Hoang, Thiem; Martin, P. G.; Lazarian, A.

2014-07-20

We present a novel method to measure the strength of interstellar magnetic fields using ultraviolet (UV) polarization of starlight that is in part produced by weakly aligned, small dust grains. We begin with calculating the degrees of the paramagnetic alignment of small (size a ∼ 0.01 μm) and very small (a ∼ 0.001 μm) grains in the interstellar magnetic field due to the Davis-Greenstein relaxation and resonance relaxation. To calculate the degrees of paramagnetic alignment, we use Langevin equations and take into account various interaction processes essential for the rotational dynamics of small grains. We find that the alignment ofmore » small grains is necessary to reproduce the observed polarization in the UV, although the polarization arising from these small grains is negligible at the optical and infrared (IR) wavelengths. Based on fitting theoretical models to observed extinction and polarization curves, we find that the best-fit model for the case with the peak wavelength of polarization λ{sub max} < 0.55 μm requires a higher degree of alignment of small grains than for the typical case with λ{sub max} = 0.55 μm. We interpret the correlation between the systematic increase of the UV polarization relative to maximum polarization (i.e., of p(6 μm{sup –1})/p{sub max}) with λ{sub max}{sup −1} for cases of low λ{sub max} by appealing to the higher degree of alignment of small grains. We utilize the correlation of the paramagnetic alignment of small grains with the magnetic field strength B to suggest a new way to measure B using the observable parameters λ{sub max} and p(6 μm{sup –1})/p{sub max}.« less

Geometric Assortative Growth Model for Small-World Networks

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

It has been shown that both humanly constructed and natural networks are often characterized by small-world phenomenon and assortative mixing. In this paper, we propose a geometrically growing model for small-world networks. The model displays both tunable small-world phenomenon and tunable assortativity. We obtain analytical solutions of relevant topological properties such as order, size, degree distribution, degree correlation, clustering, transitivity, and diameter. It is also worth noting that the model can be viewed as a generalization for an iterative construction of Farey graphs. PMID:24578661

Utility of Gram stain for the microbiological analysis of burn wound surfaces.

PubMed

Elsayed, Sameer; Gregson, Daniel B; Lloyd, Tracie; Crichton, Marilyn; Church, Deirdre L

2003-11-01

Surface swab cultures have attracted attention as a potential alternative to biopsy histology or quantitative culture methods for microbiological burn wound monitoring. To our knowledge, the utility of adding a Gram-stained slide in this context has not been evaluated previously. To determine the degree of correlation of Gram stain with culture for the microbiological analysis of burn wound surfaces. Prospective laboratory analysis. Urban health region/centralized diagnostic microbiology laboratory. Burn patients hospitalized in any Calgary Health Region burn center from November 2000 to September 2001. Gram stain plus culture of burn wound surface swab specimens obtained during routine dressing changes or based on clinical signs of infection. Degree of correlation (complete, high, partial, none), including weighted kappa statistic (kappa(w)), of Gram stain with culture based on quantitative microscopy and degree of culture growth. A total of 375 specimens from 50 burn patients were evaluated. Of these, 239 were negative by culture and Gram stain, 7 were positive by Gram stain only, 89 were positive by culture only, and 40 were positive by both methods. The degree of complete, high, partial, and no correlation of Gram stain with culture was 70.9% (266/375), 1.1% (4/375), 2.4% (9/375), and 25.6% (96/375), respectively. The degree of correlation for all 375 specimens, as expressed by the weighted kappa statistic, was found to be fair (kappa(w) = 0.32).Conclusion.-The Gram stain is not suitable for the microbiological analysis of burn wound surfaces.

Optimization of fermentation conditions for alcohol production.

PubMed

Bowman, L; Geiger, E

1984-12-01

The quantitative effects of carbohydrate levels, degree of initial saccharification, glucoamylase dosage, temperature, and fermentation time were investigated using a Box-Wilson central composite design protocol. With Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 4126, it was found that the use of a partially saccharified starch substrate markedly increased yields and attainable alcohol levels. Balancing the degree of initial saccharification with the level of glucoamylase used to complete hydrolysis was found necessary to obtain optimum yields. The temperature optimum was found to be 36 degrees C. The regression equations obtained were used to model the fermentation in order to determine optimum fermentation conditions.

Analysis of a Proposed Material Handling System Using a Computer Simulation Model.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-06-01

the proposed MMHS were identified to assist the managers of the system in implementation and future planning. * 4 UNCLASSIFIED SRCUllTY CLASSIPICATION...the Degree of Master of Science in Logistics Management By Darwin D. Harp, BSIE GS-11. June 1981 Approved for public release; distribution unlimited...partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE IN LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT DATE: 17 June 1981 (( COMMITECARN ii 67- B I

Family Structure, Psychosocial Factors, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in the NHLBI CARDIA Study

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-11-21

Sciences In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science 2013 UNH’ORMIED SlERVlCES UNIVERSHY OF THE HEAL TH scrnNClES...IF. lEDW ARD HEBERT SCHOOL OF MEDKCJNE GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN nm lBiOMEDICAL SCIENCES AND PUBUC HEAL TH Ph.D. Degrees lnterdisci pl inary...Emerging Infectious Diseases -Molecular & Cell Biology -Neuroscience Departmental -Clinical Psychology -Environmental Health Sciences -Medical

Does pan diameter influence carbon monoxide levels during heating of water to boiling point with a camping stove?

PubMed

Leigh-Smith, Simon; Stevenson, Richard; Watt, Martin; Watt, Ian; McFadyen, Angus; Grant, Stan

2004-01-01

To determine whether pan diameter influences carbon monoxide (CO) concentration during heating of water to boiling point with a camping stove. The hypothesis was that increasing pan diameter increases CO concentration because of greater flame dispersal and a larger flame. This was a randomized, prospective study. A Coleman Dual Fuel 533 stove was used to heat pans of water to boiling point, with CO concentration monitored every 30 seconds for 5 minutes. The stove was inside a partially ventilated 200-L cardboard box model that was inside an environmental chamber at -6 degrees C. Water temperature, water volume, and flame characteristics were all standardized. Ten trials were performed for each of 2 pan diameters (base diameters of 165 mm [small] and 220 mm [large]). There was a significant difference (P = .002) between the pans for CO levels at each measurement interval from 60 seconds onward. These differences were markedly larger after 90 seconds, with a mean difference of 185 ppm (95% CI 115, 276 ppm) for all the results from 120 seconds onwards. This study has shown that there is significantly higher CO production with a large-diameter pan compared with a small-diameter pan. These findings were evident by using a camping stove to heat water to boiling point when a maximum blue flame was present throughout. Thus, in enclosed environments it is recommended that small-diameter pans be used in an attempt to prevent high CO levels.

Analysis of commercial and public bioactivity databases.

PubMed

Tiikkainen, Pekka; Franke, Lutz

2012-02-27

Activity data for small molecules are invaluable in chemoinformatics. Various bioactivity databases exist containing detailed information of target proteins and quantitative binding data for small molecules extracted from journals and patents. In the current work, we have merged several public and commercial bioactivity databases into one bioactivity metabase. The molecular presentation, target information, and activity data of the vendor databases were standardized. The main motivation of the work was to create a single relational database which allows fast and simple data retrieval by in-house scientists. Second, we wanted to know the amount of overlap between databases by commercial and public vendors to see whether the former contain data complementing the latter. Third, we quantified the degree of inconsistency between data sources by comparing data points derived from the same scientific article cited by more than one vendor. We found that each data source contains unique data which is due to different scientific articles cited by the vendors. When comparing data derived from the same article we found that inconsistencies between the vendors are common. In conclusion, using databases of different vendors is still useful since the data overlap is not complete. It should be noted that this can be partially explained by the inconsistencies and errors in the source data.

Prognostic significance of blood coagulation tests in carcinoma of the lung and colon.

PubMed

Wojtukiewicz, M Z; Zacharski, L R; Moritz, T E; Hur, K; Edwards, R L; Rickles, F R

1992-08-01

Blood coagulation test results were collected prospectively in patients with previously untreated, advanced lung or colon cancer who entered into a clinical trial. In patients with colon cancer, reduced survival was associated (in univariate analysis) with higher values obtained at entry to the study for fibrinogen, fibrin(ogen) split products, antiplasmin, and fibrinopeptide A and accelerated euglobulin lysis times. In patients with non-small cell lung cancer, reduced survival was associated (in univariate analysis) with higher fibrinogen and fibrin(ogen) split products, platelet counts and activated partial thromboplastin times. In patients with small cell carcinoma of the lung, only higher activated partial thromboplastin times were associated (in univariate analysis) with reduced survival in patients with disseminated disease. In multivariate analysis, higher activated partial thromboplastin times were a significant independent predictor of survival for patients with non-small cell lung cancer limited to one hemithorax and with disseminated small cell carcinoma of the lung. Fibrin(ogen) split product levels were an independent predictor of survival for patients with disseminated non-small cell lung cancer as were both the fibrinogen and fibrinopeptide A levels for patients with disseminated colon cancer. These results suggest that certain tests of blood coagulation may be indicative of prognosis in lung and colon cancer. The heterogeneity of these results suggests that the mechanism(s), intensity, and pathophysiological significance of coagulation activation in cancer may differ between tumour types.

An Investigation of the Differences and Similarities between Generated Small-World Networks for Right- and Left-Hand Motor Imageries.

PubMed

Zhang, Jiang; Li, Yuyao; Chen, Huafu; Ding, Jurong; Yuan, Zhen

2016-11-04

In this study, small-world network analysis was performed to identify the similarities and differences between functional brain networks for right- and left-hand motor imageries (MIs). First, Pearson correlation coefficients among the nodes within the functional brain networks from healthy subjects were calculated. Then, small-world network indicators, including the clustering coefficient, the average path length, the global efficiency, the local efficiency, the average node degree, and the small-world index, were generated for the functional brain networks during both right- and left-hand MIs. We identified large differences in the small-world network indicators between the functional networks during MI and in the random networks. More importantly, the functional brain networks underlying the right- and left-hand MIs exhibited similar small-world properties in terms of the clustering coefficient, the average path length, the global efficiency, and the local efficiency. By contrast, the right- and left-hand MI brain networks showed differences in small-world characteristics, including indicators such as the average node degree and the small-world index. Interestingly, our findings also suggested that the differences in the activity intensity and range, the average node degree, and the small-world index of brain networks between the right- and left-hand MIs were associated with the asymmetry of brain functions.

Defining degree of aortic occlusion for partial-REBOA: A computed tomography study on large animals.

PubMed

Reva, Viktor A; Matsumura, Yosuke; Samokhvalov, Igor M; Pochtarnik, Alexander A; Zheleznyak, Igor S; Mikhailovskaya, Ekaterina M; Morrison, Jonathan J

2018-04-20

Partial resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (P-REBOA) is a modified REBOA technique designed to help ameliorate ischemia-reperfusion injury. The balloon is partially deflated, allowing a proportion of aortic flow distal to the balloon. The aim of this study is to use an ovine model of haemorrhagic shock to correlate the degree of occlusion to several hemodynamic indices. Six sheep weighing 35-46 kg underwent a controlled venous haemorrhage inside a CT scanner until the systolic arterial pressure (AP) dropped to <90 mmHg. A balloon positioned in an aortic zone I was incrementally filled with 1 mL of saline, with serial measurement of the proximal (carotid artery) and distal (femoral artery) mean APs (MAP) and intra-balloon pressure (IBP), along with CT imaging, following each inflation, until full occlusion was achieved. A diameter of the aorta at zone I was 16.0 (15.7-17.2) mm, with a cross-sectional area of 212 (194-233) mm 2 . Median volume of saline injected into the balloon until total occlusion was 7.0 (6.3-8.5) mL. During gradual balloon inflation, proximal MAP increased and distal MAP decreased proportionate to the degree of occlusion, in a linear fashion (proximal: r 2  = 0.85, p < 0.001; distal: r 2  = 0.95, p < 0.001). The femoral/carotid (F/C) pressure gradient also demonstrated a linear trend (r 2  = 0.90, p < 0.001). The relationship between percentage occlusion and IBP was sigmoid. MAP values became significantly different at 40-49% occlusion and more (p < 0.01). Furthermore, a drop in the distal pulse pressure from 7.0 (5.5-16.5) to 2.0 (1.5-5.0) mmHg was observed at 80% occlusion. All animals had femoral pulse pressure <5 mmHg at 80% of occlusion and more, which also coincided with the observed loss of pulsatility of the femoral wave-form. Serial CT angiography at an ovine model of haemorrhagic shock demonstrates a correlation between the femoral MAP, F/C pressure gradient and degree of zone I P-REBOA during the staged partial aortic occlusion. These parameters should be considered potential parameters to define the degree of P-REBOA during animal research and clinical practice. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Treatment of triangular fibrocartilage complex tear under wrist arthroscopy].

PubMed

Mi, Kun; Liu, Wu; Liu, Pengfei; Feng, Zhibin; Li, Yuwen; Hui, Guisheng

2011-01-01

To evaluate the treatment and effects of wrist arthroscopy in tear of triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC). Between January 2006 and December 2008, 16 patients with tear of TFCC were treated. Of 16 patients, 11 were male and 5 were female with an average age of 32.5 years (range, 25-51 years). Injury was caused by sprain in 12 cases, and by falling in 4 cases. The locations were the left side in 10 cases and the right side in 6 cases. The mean injury duration was 3 months to 6 years and 2 months. The main clinical symptoms included wrist powerlessness and ulnar-sided wrist pain which was aggravated with clench fist and lifting heavy things. The results of the ulnar-sided wrist stress test were positive in 14 cases and negative in 2 cases. The preoperative values of wrist range of motion (ROM) were (45.58 +/- 5.18) degrees at volar flexion, (41.22 +/- 3.83) degrees at dorsal extension, (17.82 +/- 2.48) degrees at radial deviation, (21.35 +/- 4.61) degrees at ulnar deviation, (69.85 +/- 8.36) degrees at pronation, and (70.13 +/- 6.34) degrees at supination. According to Palmer standard, 10 cases of IA were treated with debridement; 3 cases of IB with suture and 1 of them failed and was partially excised; 2 cases of IC with debridement on triangular fibrocartilage disc, ulnolunate ligament, and ulnotriguetrum ligament; and 1 case of ID with trimming plastic operation. All incisions healed by first intention, and no complications of joint infection or neurovascular injury was found. All patients were followed up 14-38 months (mean, 18.5 months). Fifteen patients were restored to normal life and work without ulnar-sided wrist pain. One patient had no pain, but he had wrist powerless. The values of ROM at last follow-up were (50.16 +/- 6.21) degrees at volar flexion, (45.37 +/- 4.65) degrees at dorsal extension, (18.95 +/- 3.56) degrees at radial deviation, (26.28 +/- 5.09) degrees at ulnar deviation, (78.87 +/- 7.69) degrees at pronation, and (76.46 +/- 8.31) degrees at supination; showing significant differences when compared with preoperative values (P < 0.05). According to Green-O'Brien standard, the results were excellent in 9 cases, good in 6 cases, fair in 1 case, and the excellent and good rate was 93.75%. The wrist arthroscopy not only can definitely diagnose tear of TFCC, but also is useful for treatment. In addition, the incision is small and the function is easy to recover, and the occurrence of chronic ulnar-sided wrist pain can be effectively avoided.

Surface texture of Vesta from optical polarimetry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Le Bertre, T.; Zellner, B.

1980-01-01

Polarimetric, photometric, and reflective spectroscopic properties of asteroid 4 Vesta are simulated in the laboratory by a preparation of eucrite Bereba consisting of a broad mixture of particle sizes (mainly greater than 50-micron) mixed and partially coated with particles of size 10 microns and less. Coarse grains are necessary for producing the same albedo and a very fine dust coating is necessary for producing the same polarization inversion angle as observed for Vesta. There are less small grains and fine dust in this sample than in lunar soils. Photometrically, if coating a sphere, this sample shows a constant brightness on the sunward half of the observed hemisphere, the brightness being given on the other half by the Minnaert reciprocity principle. With such a photometric behavior, the global geometric albedo and the sub-earth point geometric albedo differ by no more than 5%. The microscopic phase coefficient is 0.021 magnitude per degree for the sample; the larger value, 0.025, observed telescopically for Vesta, indicates that large-scale roughness is present on this asteroid.

Fire and bones: Bronze Age III in the North-Eastern Iberian Peninsula.

PubMed

Subirà, Maria Eulàlia; Ruiz, Jordi; Guardiola-Bufì, Marina

2011-06-01

Between the third millennium BP and the fifth century AD, there are numerous necropolises that house urns in the Iberian Peninsula. One example is the "Pi de la Lliura" (Vidreres, Girona). However, there is a dearth of research concerning these structures. The "Pi de la Lliura" housed 43 structures, which contained a total of 47 vessels with human remains. Of these 43 structures, 22 were totally or partially excavated at the laboratory. The evidence from the fragments indicates cremation at a temperature of 650-700 degrees C. Part of the cremated corpse was then deposited in an urn. One of the most unique characteristics of the necropolis is the high frequency of individuals younger than 20 years old. The mortality of sub-adults is high in any prehistoric necropolis, but it is even higher in a cremation necropolis. "Pi de la Lliura" is a very small necropolis, where corpses were treated similarly over a short period.

Catalytic nanoporous membranes

DOEpatents

Pellin, Michael J [Naperville, IL; Hryn, John N [Naperville, IL; Elam, Jeffrey W [Elmhurst, IL

2009-12-01

A nanoporous catalytic membrane which displays several unique features including pores which can go through the entire thickness of the membrane. The membrane has a higher catalytic and product selectivity than conventional catalysts. Anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes serve as the catalyst substrate. This substrate is then subjected to Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), which allows the controlled narrowing of the pores from 40 nm to 10 nm in the substrate by deposition of a preparatory material. Subsequent deposition of a catalytic layer on the inner surfaces of the pores reduces pore sizes to less than 10 nm and allows for a higher degree of reaction selectivity. The small pore sizes allow control over which molecules enter the pores, and the flow-through feature can allow for partial oxidation of reactant species as opposed to complete oxidation. A nanoporous separation membrane, produced by ALD is also provided for use in gaseous and liquid separations. The membrane has a high flow rate of material with 100% selectivity.

NASA SBIR product catalog, 1991

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

This catalog is a partial list of products of NASA SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) projects that have advanced to some degree into Phase 3. While most of the products evolved from work conducted during SBIR Phase 1 and 2, a few advanced to commercial status solely from Phase 1 activities. The catalog presents information provided to NASA by SBIR contractors who wished to have their products exhibited at Technology 2001, a NASA-sponsored technology transfer conference held in San Jose, California, on December 4, 5, and 6, 1991. The catalog presents the product information in the following technology areas: computer and communication systems; information processing and AI; robotics and automation; signal and image processing; microelectronics; electronic devices and equipment; microwave electronic devices; optical devices and lasers; advanced materials; materials processing; materials testing and NDE; materials instrumentation; aerodynamics and aircraft; fluid mechanics and measurement; heat transfer devices; refrigeration and cryogenics; energy conversion devices; oceanographic instruments; atmosphere monitoring devices; water management; life science instruments; and spacecraft electromechanical systems.

[Autonomy for financial management in public and private healthcare facilities in Brazil].

PubMed

Santos, Maria Angelica Borges dos; Madeira, Fátima Carvalho; Passos, Sonia Regina Lambert; Bakr, Felipe; Oliveira, Klivia Brayner de; Andreazzi, Marco Antonio Ratzsch de

2014-01-01

Autonomy in financial management is an advantage in public administration. A 2009 National Healthcare Facility Survey showed that 3.9% of Brazil's 52,055 public healthcare facilities had some degree of financial autonomy. Such autonomy was more common in inpatient facilities (17.8%), those managed by State governments (26.3%), and in Southern Brazil (6.6%). Autonomy was mainly partial (for resources in specific areas, relating to small outlays, consumables and capital goods, and outsourced services or personnel). 74.3% of 2,264 public facilities with any financial autonomy were under direct government administration. Financial autonomy in public healthcare facilities appears to be linked to local political decisions and not necessarily to the facility's specific legal and administrative status. However, legal status displays distinct scopes of autonomy - those under direct government administration tend to be less autonomous, and those under private businesses more autonomous; 85.8% of the 45,394 private healthcare facilities reported that they were financially autonomous.

Calculations of separated 3-D flows with a pressure-staggered Navier-Stokes equations solver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kim, S.-W.

1991-01-01

A Navier-Stokes equations solver based on a pressure correction method with a pressure-staggered mesh and calculations of separated three-dimensional flows are presented. It is shown that the velocity pressure decoupling, which occurs when various pressure correction algorithms are used for pressure-staggered meshes, is caused by the ill-conditioned discrete pressure correction equation. The use of a partial differential equation for the incremental pressure eliminates the velocity pressure decoupling mechanism by itself and yields accurate numerical results. Example flows considered are a three-dimensional lid driven cavity flow and a laminar flow through a 90 degree bend square duct. For the lid driven cavity flow, the present numerical results compare more favorably with the measured data than those obtained using a formally third order accurate quadratic upwind interpolation scheme. For the curved duct flow, the present numerical method yields a grid independent solution with a very small number of grid points. The calculated velocity profiles are in good agreement with the measured data.

The Effects of a Change in the Variability of Irrigation Water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lyon, Kenneth S.

1983-10-01

This paper examines the short-run effects upon several variables of an increase in the variability of an input. The measure of an increase in the variability is the "mean preserving spread" suggested by Rothschild and Stiglitz (1970). The variables examined are real income (utility), expected profits, expected output, the quantity used of the controllable input, and the shadow price of the stochastic input. Four striking features of the results follow: (1) The concepts that have been useful in summarizing deterministic comparative static results are nearly absent when an input is stochastic. (2) Most of the signs of the partial derivatives depend upon more than concavity of the utility and production functions. (3) If the utility function is not "too" risk averse, then the risk-neutral results hold for the risk-aversion case. (4) If the production function is Cobb-Douglas, then definite results are achieved if the utility function is linear or if the "degree of risk-aversion" is "small."

Identification of 15 novel partial SHOX deletions and 13 partial duplications, and a review of the literature reveals intron 3 to be a hotspot region.

PubMed

Benito-Sanz, Sara; Belinchon-Martínez, Alberta; Aza-Carmona, Miriam; de la Torre, Carolina; Huber, Celine; González-Casado, Isabel; Ross, Judith L; Thomas, N Simon; Zinn, Andrew R; Cormier-Daire, Valerie; Heath, Karen E

2017-02-01

Short stature homeobox gene (SHOX) is located in the pseudoautosomal region 1 of the sex chromosomes. It encodes a transcription factor implicated in the skeletal growth. Point mutations, deletions or duplications of SHOX or its transcriptional regulatory elements are associated with two skeletal dysplasias, Léri-Weill dyschondrosteosis (LWD) and Langer mesomelic dysplasia (LMD), as well as in a small proportion of idiopathic short stature (ISS) individuals. We have identified a total of 15 partial SHOX deletions and 13 partial SHOX duplications in LWD, LMD and ISS patients referred for routine SHOX diagnostics during a 10 year period (2004-2014). Subsequently, we characterized these alterations using MLPA (multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification assay), fine-tiling array CGH (comparative genomic hybridation) and breakpoint PCR. Nearly half of the alterations have a distal or proximal breakpoint in intron 3. Evaluation of our data and that in the literature reveals that although partial deletions and duplications only account for a small fraction of SHOX alterations, intron 3 appears to be a breakpoint hotspot, with alterations arising by non-allelic homologous recombination, non-homologous end joining or other complex mechanisms.

A homotopy analysis method for the nonlinear partial differential equations arising in engineering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hariharan, G.

2017-05-01

In this article, we have established the homotopy analysis method (HAM) for solving a few partial differential equations arising in engineering. This technique provides the solutions in rapid convergence series with computable terms for the problems with high degree of nonlinear terms appearing in the governing differential equations. The convergence analysis of the proposed method is also discussed. Finally, we have given some illustrative examples to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the proposed method.

Induction heaters used to heat subsurface formations

DOEpatents

Nguyen, Scott Vinh [Houston, TX; Bass, Ronald M [Houston, TX

2012-04-24

A heating system for a subsurface formation includes an elongated electrical conductor located in the subsurface formation. The electrical conductor extends between at least a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact. A ferromagnetic conductor at least partially surrounds and at least partially extends lengthwise around the electrical conductor. The electrical conductor, when energized with time-varying electrical current, induces sufficient electrical current flow in the ferromagnetic conductor such that the ferromagnetic conductor resistively heats to a temperature of at least about 300.degree. C.

Numerical inverse Laplace transformation for determining the system response of linear systems in the time domain

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Friedrich, R.; Drewelow, W.

1978-01-01

An algorithm is described that is based on the method of breaking the Laplace transform down into partial fractions which are then inverse-transformed separately. The sum of the resulting partial functions is the wanted time function. Any problems caused by equation system forms are largely limited by appropriate normalization using an auxiliary parameter. The practical limits of program application are reached when the degree of the denominator of the Laplace transform is seven to eight.

An overview of removable partial overdentures.

PubMed

McDermott, I G; Samant, A

1990-02-01

As an alternative to complete dentures, overdentures are well established as a sound therapeutic modality for patients with terminal dentition. By utilizing natural tooth roots and their periodontal structures to aid in support, overdentures maintain proprioceptive mediation and a mechanism for masticatory force vectors that favor bone retention over bond resorption. The degree of stability enhancement and denture retention from retained roots varies with the design and environment of the prosthesis. This article reviews various aspects of removable partial over-denture use.

[Prelabour uterine torsion complicated by partial abruption and fetal death].

PubMed

Agar, N; Canis, M; Accoceberry, M; Bourdel, N; Lafaye, A-L; Gallot, D

2014-06-01

Uterine torsion is a rare obstetrical complication whose diagnosis remains challenging. We report a case of 180 degrees dextrogyre torsion at 36(+5) weeks of gestation complicated by partial abruption and in utero fetal death. Emergency cesarean section was performed through an unintentional posterior hysterotomy. Literature reports a few similar cases. Vertical hysterotomy should be advised in this context avoiding incision on lateral sides associated with increased risk of vascular or ureteral injury. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

solar thermal power systems advanced solar thermal technology project, advanced subsystems development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1979-01-01

The preliminary design for a prototype small (20 kWe) solar thermal electric generating unit was completed, consisting of several subsystems. The concentrator and the receiver collect solar energy and a thermal buffer storage with a transport system is used to provide a partially smoothed heat input to the Stirling engine. A fossil-fuel combustor is included in the receiver designs to permit operation with partial or no solar insolation (hybrid). The engine converts the heat input into mechanical action that powers a generator. To obtain electric power on a large scale, multiple solar modules will be required to operate in parallel. The small solar electric power plant used as a baseline design will provide electricity at remote sites and small communities.

Effect of nitrogen-containing plasma on adherence, friction, and wear of radiofrequency-sputtered titanium carbide coatings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brainard, W. A.; Wheeler, D. R.

1979-01-01

Friction and wear experiments on 440C steel surfaces that were rf sputtered with titanium carbide when a small percentage of nitrogen was added to the plasma were conducted. Both X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction were used to analyze the resultant coatings. Results indicate that the small partial pressure of nitrogen (approximately 0.5 percent) markedly improves the adherence, friction, and wear properties when compared with coatings applied to sputter-etched surfaces, oxidized surfaces, or in the presence of a small oxygen partial pressure. The improvements are related to the formation of an interface containing a mixture of the nitrides of titanium and iron, which are harder than their corresponding oxides.

Use of partial dissolution techniques in geochemical exploration

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chao, T.T.

1984-01-01

Application of partial dissolution techniques to geochemical exploration has advanced from an early empirical approach to an approach based on sound geochemical principles. This advance assures a prominent future position for the use of these techniques in geochemical exploration for concealed mineral deposits. Partial dissolution techniques are classified as single dissolution or sequential multiple dissolution depending on the number of steps taken in the procedure, or as "nonselective" extraction and as "selective" extraction in terms of the relative specificity of the extraction. The choice of dissolution techniques for use in geochemical exploration is dictated by the geology of the area, the type and degree of weathering, and the expected chemical forms of the ore and of the pathfinding elements. Case histories have illustrated many instances where partial dissolution techniques exhibit advantages over conventional methods of chemical analysis used in geochemical exploration. ?? 1984.

The Effect of Large Melt Fraction on the Deformation Behavior of Peridotite: Implications for the Rheology of Io' Mantle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scott, T.; Kohlstedt, D. L.

2004-01-01

One key constraint needed for refinement of the interior geochemical and geodynamic models of Io is the viscosity of the convecting partially- molten silicate mantle. To date, laboratory studies of partially molten mantle rocks have reached melt fractions up to approx.0.12, a value much smaller than thought to be appropriate for the asthenosphere of Io where the degree of partial melting may be 0.15 0.40 or higher. Therefore, we have performed a series of high temperature, triaxial compressive creep experiments on dry synthetic peridotites in a gas medium apparatus at a confining pressure of 300 MPa and temperatures from 1473 to 1573 K in order to understand the influence of large amounts of melt (0.15 < phi < 0.40) on the rheological behavior of partially molten rocks.

The mineralogical transformation of a polymetallic sulfide ore during partial roasting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Evrard, Louis

2001-12-01

A partial desulfurization roasting process has been tested on a typical copper-zinc sulfide concentrate in a Nichols Herreshoff monohearth pilot furnace. In this process, the sulfur is partially removed and iron, to a certain degree, is preferentially oxidized. The mineralogical characterizations of the reaction products at different residence times enable the recognition of a sequence of reactions and various textural relationships during the roasting. The testing showed that a controlled desulfurization at a temperature as low as 650°C can lead to the decomposition of chalcopyrite, resulting in the formation of discrete particles of Cu2S having a size ranging from five to 20 micrometers or more.

Prediction model of sinoatrial node field potential using high order partial least squares.

PubMed

Feng, Yu; Cao, Hui; Zhang, Yanbin

2015-01-01

High order partial least squares (HOPLS) is a novel data processing method. It is highly suitable for building prediction model which has tensor input and output. The objective of this study is to build a prediction model of the relationship between sinoatrial node field potential and high glucose using HOPLS. The three sub-signals of the sinoatrial node field potential made up the model's input. The concentration and the actuation duration of high glucose made up the model's output. The results showed that on the premise of predicting two dimensional variables, HOPLS had the same predictive ability and a lower dispersion degree compared with partial least squares (PLS).

Tuning and Freezing Disorder in Photonic Crystals using Percolation Lithography.

PubMed

Burgess, Ian B; Abedzadeh, Navid; Kay, Theresa M; Shneidman, Anna V; Cranshaw, Derek J; Lončar, Marko; Aizenberg, Joanna

2016-01-21

Although common in biological systems, synthetic self-assembly routes to complex 3D photonic structures with tailored degrees of disorder remain elusive. Here we show how liquids can be used to finely control disorder in porous 3D photonic crystals, leading to complex and hierarchical geometries. In these optofluidic crystals, dynamically tunable disorder is superimposed onto the periodic optical structure through partial wetting or evaporation. In both cases, macroscopic symmetry breaking is driven by subtle sub-wavelength variations in the pore geometry. These variations direct site-selective infiltration of liquids through capillary interactions. Incorporating cross-linkable resins into our liquids, we developed methods to freeze in place the filling patterns at arbitrary degrees of partial wetting and intermediate stages of drying. These percolation lithography techniques produced permanent photonic structures with adjustable disorder. By coupling strong changes in optical properties to subtle differences in fluid behavior, optofluidic crystals may also prove useful in rapid analysis of liquids.

Spatial two-photon coherence of the entangled field produced by down-conversion using a partially spatially coherent pump beam

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

Jha, Anand Kumar; Boyd, Robert W.

2010-01-15

We study the spatial coherence properties of the entangled two-photon field produced by parametric down-conversion (PDC) when the pump field is, spatially, a partially coherent beam. By explicitly treating the case of a pump beam of the Gaussian Schell-model type, we show that in PDC the spatial coherence properties of the pump field get entirely transferred to the spatial coherence properties of the down-converted two-photon field. As one important consequence of this study, we find that, for two-qubit states based on the position correlations of the two-photon field, the maximum achievable entanglement, as quantified by concurrence, is bounded by themore » degree of spatial coherence of the pump field. These results could be important by providing a means of controlling the entanglement of down-converted photons by tailoring the degree of coherence of the pump field.« less

Chromia refractory brick with carbon treatment

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

Bennett, James P.; Kwong, Kyei-Sing

The disclosure provides a refractory brick system comprising a chromia refractory brick for operation in the slagging environment of an air-cooled gasifier. The chromia refractory brick comprises a ceramically-bonded porous chromia refractory having a porosity greater than 9% and having carbon deposits residing within the pores. The brick may be further comprised of Al.sub.2O.sub.3. The air-cooled gasifier generates a liquefied slag in contact with the refractory brick and generally operates at temperatures between 1250.degree. C. and 1575.degree. C. and pressures between 300 psi to 1000 psi, with oxygen partial pressures generally between 10.sup.-4 and 10.sup.-10 atm. The refractory brick performsmore » without substantial chromium carbide or chromium metal formation in the low oxygen partial pressure environment. The inclusion of carbon without chromium carbide formation provides for significant mitigation of slag penetration and significantly reduced refractory wear.« less

Combining Partial Directed Coherence and Graph Theory to Analyse Effective Brain Networks of Different Mental Tasks.

PubMed

Huang, Dengfeng; Ren, Aifeng; Shang, Jing; Lei, Qiao; Zhang, Yun; Yin, Zhongliang; Li, Jun; von Deneen, Karen M; Huang, Liyu

2016-01-01

The aim of this study is to qualify the network properties of the brain networks between two different mental tasks (play task or rest task) in a healthy population. EEG signals were recorded from 19 healthy subjects when performing different mental tasks. Partial directed coherence (PDC) analysis, based on Granger causality (GC), was used to assess the effective brain networks during the different mental tasks. Moreover, the network measures, including degree, degree distribution, local and global efficiency in delta, theta, alpha, and beta rhythms were calculated and analyzed. The local efficiency is higher in the beta frequency and lower in the theta frequency during play task whereas the global efficiency is higher in the theta frequency and lower in the beta frequency in the rest task. This study reveals the network measures during different mental states and efficiency measures may be used as characteristic quantities for improvement in attentional performance.

Third-degree burn leading to partial foot amputation--why a notebook is no laptop.

PubMed

Paprottka, Felix Julian; Machens, Hans-Günther; Lohmeyer, Jörn Andreas

2012-08-01

So far a few case reports about laptops causing burns have been published. Now for the first time, we report on a case, in which notebook-induced thermal injuries placed in a patient's lap resulted in severe second- and third-degree burns. As a consequence, a partial amputation of the left foot had to be performed. Furthermore, we measured maximum temperatures of 12 popular laptops, which were running full load for 3 h. For this experiment air circulation underneath the device was blocked in order to simulate surrounding conditions, which were present when the patient got injured. Although this setting may be the reason for most of all notebook burns, this kind of test has not been part of any scientific publication until now. Patients with lower extremity sensation, altered consciousness or decreased peripheral sensitivity have a higher risk for thermal injuries. Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Eye shape using partial coherence interferometry, autorefraction, and SD-OCT.

PubMed

Clark, Christopher A; Elsner, Ann E; Konynenbelt, Benjamin J

2015-01-01

Peripheral refraction and retinal shape may influence refractive development. Peripheral refraction has been shown to have a high degree of variability and can take considerable time to perform. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and peripheral axial length measures may be more reliable, assuming that the retinal position is more important than the peripheral optics of the lens/cornea. Seventy-nine subjects' right eyes were imaged for this study (age range, 22 to 34 years; refractive error, -10 to +5.00). Thirty-degree SD-OCT (Spectralis, Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) images were collected in a radial pattern along with peripheral refraction with an autorefractor (Shin-Nippon Autorefractor) and peripheral axial length measurements with partial coherence interferometry (IOLMaster, Zeiss). Statistics were performed using repeated-measures analysis of variance in SPSS (IBM, Armonk, NY), Bland-Altman analyses, and regression. All measures were converted to diopters to allow direct comparison. Spectral domain OCT showed a retinal shape with an increased curvature for myopes compared with emmetropes/hyperopes. This retinal shape change became significant around 5 degrees. The SD-OCT analysis for retinal shape provides a resolution of 0.026 diopters, which is about 10 times more accurate than using autorefraction (AR) or clinical refractive techniques. Bland-Altman analyses suggest that retinal shape measured by SD-OCT and the partial coherence interferometry method were more consistent with one another than either was with AR. With more accurate measures of retinal shape using SD-OCT, consistent differences between emmetropes/hyperopes and myopes were found nearer to the fovea than previously reported. Retinal shape may be influenced by central refractive error, and not merely peripheral optics. Partial coherence interferometry and SD-OCT appear to be more accurate than AR, which may be influenced by other factors such as fixation and accommodation. Autorefraction does measure the optics directly, which may be a strength of that method.

Hemoglobin senses body temperature.

PubMed

Artmann, G M; Digel, Ilya; Zerlin, K F; Maggakis-Kelemen, Ch; Linder, Pt; Porst, D; Kayser, P; Stadler, A M; Dikta, G; Temiz Artmann, A

2009-06-01

When aspirating human red blood cells (RBCs) into 1.3 mum pipettes (DeltaP = -2.3 kPa), a transition from blocking the pipette below a critical temperature T(c) = 36.3 +/- 0.3 degrees C to passing it above the T(c) occurred (micropipette passage transition). With a 1.1 mum pipette no passage was seen which enabled RBC volume measurements also above T(c). With increasing temperature RBCs lost volume significantly faster below than above a T(c) = 36.4 +/- 0.7 (volume transition). Colloid osmotic pressure (COP) measurements of RBCs in autologous plasma (25 degrees C < or = T < or = 39.5 degrees C) showed a T (c) at 37.1 +/- 0.2 degrees C above which the COP rapidly decreased (COP transition). In NMR T(1)-relaxation time measurements, the T(1) of RBCs in autologous plasma changed from a linear (r = 0.99) increment below T(c) = 37 +/- 1 degrees C at a rate of 0.023 s/K into zero slope above T(c) (RBC T(1) transition). An amorphous hemoglobin-water gel formed in the spherical trail, the residual partial sphere of the aspirated RBC. At T(c), a sudden fluidization of the gel occurs. All changes mentioned above happen at a distinct T(c) close to body temperature. The T(c) is moved +0.8 degrees C to higher temperatures when a D(2)O buffer is used. We suggest a mechanism similar to a "glass transition" or a "colloidal phase transition". At T(c), the stabilizing Hb bound water molecules reach a threshold number enabling a partial Hb unfolding. Thus, Hb senses body temperature which must be inscribed in the primary structure of hemoglobin and possibly other proteins.

Temperature and body weight affect fouling of pig pens.

PubMed

Aarnink, A J A; Schrama, J W; Heetkamp, M J W; Stefanowska, J; Huynh, T T T

2006-08-01

Fouling of the solid lying area in pig housing is undesirable for reasons of animal welfare, animal health, environmental pollution, and labor costs. In this study the influence of temperature on the excreting and lying behavior of growing-finishing pigs of different BW (25, 45, 65, 85, or 105 kg) was studied. Ten groups of 5 pigs were placed in partially slatted pens (60% solid concrete, 40% metal-slatted) in climate respiration chambers. After an adaptation period, temperatures were raised daily for 9 d. Results showed that above certain inflection temperatures (IT; mean 22.6 degrees C, SE = 0.78) the number of excretions (relative to the total number of excretions) on the solid floor increased with temperature (mean increase 9.7%/ degrees C, SE = 1.41). Below the IT, the number of excretions on the solid floor was low and not influenced by temperature (mean 13.2%, SE = 3.5). On average, the IT for excretion on the solid floor decreased with increasing BW, from approximately 25 degrees C at 25 kg to 20 degrees C at 100 kg of BW (P < 0.05). Increasing temperature also affected the pattern and postural lying. The temperature at which a maximum number of pigs lay on the slatted floor (i.e., the IT for lying) decreased from approximately 27 degrees C at 25 kg to 23 degrees C at 100 kg of BW (P < 0.001). At increasing temperatures, pigs lay more on their sides and less against other pigs (P < 0.001). Temperature affects lying and excreting behavior of growing-finishing pigs in partially slatted pens. Above certain IT, pen fouling increases linearly with temperature. Inflection temperatures decrease at increasing BW.

Voltage dependent potassium channel remodeling in murine intestinal smooth muscle hypertrophy induced by partial obstruction.

PubMed

Liu, Dong-Hai; Huang, Xu; Guo, Xin; Meng, Xiang-Min; Wu, Yi-Song; Lu, Hong-Li; Zhang, Chun-Mei; Kim, Young-chul; Xu, Wen-Xie

2014-01-01

Partial obstruction of the small intestine causes obvious hypertrophy of smooth muscle cells and motility disorder in the bowel proximate to the obstruction. To identify electric remodeling of hypertrophic smooth muscles in partially obstructed murine small intestine, the patch-clamp and intracellular microelectrode recording methods were used to identify the possible electric remodeling and Western blot, immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation were utilized to examine the channel protein expression and phosphorylation level changes in this research. After 14 days of obstruction, partial obstruction caused obvious smooth muscle hypertrophy in the proximally located intestine. The slow waves of intestinal smooth muscles in the dilated region were significantly suppressed, their amplitude and frequency were reduced, whilst the resting membrane potentials were depolarized compared with normal and sham animals. The current density of voltage dependent potassium channel (KV) was significantly decreased in the hypertrophic smooth muscle cells and the voltage sensitivity of KV activation was altered. The sensitivity of KV currents (IKV) to TEA, a nonselective potassium channel blocker, increased significantly, but the sensitivity of IKv to 4-AP, a KV blocker, stays the same. The protein levels of KV4.3 and KV2.2 were up-regulated in the hypertrophic smooth muscle cell membrane. The serine and threonine phosphorylation levels of KV4.3 and KV2.2 were significantly increased in the hypertrophic smooth muscle cells. Thus this study represents the first identification of KV channel remodeling in murine small intestinal smooth muscle hypertrophy induced by partial obstruction. The enhanced phosphorylations of KV4.3 and KV2.2 may be involved in this process.

Principal Components Constrain Dynamic Pyrometamorphism in a Partially Melted Interplanetary Dust Particle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rietmeijer, F. J. M.

1996-03-01

All interplanetary dust particles [IDPs] that decelerate in the Earth's atmosphere experience flash heating whereby their orbital velocity (km s^-1) is reduced to cm s^-1. Iron-oxide rims that may either be continuous on the particle surface, or discontinuous along its perimeter, occur on many IDPs. It is the most conspicuous mineralogical indicator of dynamic pyrometamorphism and its formation is interpreted as 'intense' IDP heating. It appears that the formation of these magnetite and maghemite rims is intimately linked to the presence of Fe,Ni-sulfides in the pre-entry particle. In this regard chondritic porous (CP) IDP L2011K7 may be an unusual particle. This porous aggregate consists of S-free polyphase units (PUs), nonstoichiometric diopside and Mg-rich wollastonite single-crystals and small, accessory Fe,Ni-sulfide grains. Only a few Fe-oxide nanograins are present along its perimeter. The nonstoichiometry of its Ca,Mg-clinopyroxenes indicates incongruent melting or vaporization that was experimentally determined at 1300 degrees-1400 degrees C. The CP IDP L2011K7 is probably of cometary origin since active comet nuclei are the most likely sources for uncompacted aggregate IDPs whereby their low density (< 1 g cm^-3) enhances atmospheric entry survival of large particles. In addition, the fluffy texture which inhibits chemical exchange among its components further enhances their survival unless compaction occurs during deceleration in the Earth's atmosphere.

Small for Size and Flow (SFSF) syndrome: An alternative description for posthepatectomy liver failure.

PubMed

Golriz, Mohammad; Majlesara, Ali; El Sakka, Saroa; Ashrafi, Maryam; Arwin, Jalal; Fard, Nassim; Raisi, Hanna; Edalatpour, Arman; Mehrabi, Arianeb

2016-06-01

Small for Size Syndrome (SFSS) syndrome is a recognizable clinical syndrome occurring in the presence of a reduced mass of liver, which is insufficient to maintain normal liver function. A definition has yet to be fully clarified, but it is a common clinical syndrome following partial liver transplantation and extended hepatectomy, which is characterized by postoperative liver dysfunction with prolonged cholestasis and coagulopathy, portal hypertension, and ascites. So far, this syndrome has been discussed with focus on the remnant size of the liver after partial liver transplantation or extended hepatectomy. However, the current viewpoints believe that the excessive flow of portal vein for the volume of the liver parenchyma leads to over-pressure, sinusoidal endothelial damages and haemorrhage. The new hypothesis declares that in both extended hepatectomy and partial liver transplantation, progression of Small for Size Syndrome is not determined only by the "size" of the liver graft or remnant, but by the hemodynamic parameters of the hepatic circulation, especially portal vein flow. Therefore, we suggest the term "Small for Size and Flow (SFSF)" for this syndrome. We believe that it is important for liver surgeons to know the pathogenesis and manifestation of this syndrome to react early enough preventing non-reversible tissue damages. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Prospective evaluation of oral gastrografin in postoperative small bowel obstruction.

PubMed

Kapoor, Sorabh; Jain, Gaurav; Sewkani, Ajit; Sharma, Sandesh; Patel, Kailash; Varshney, Subodh

2006-04-01

Orally administered gastrografin has been used for early resolution of postoperative small bowel obstruction (POSBO) and to reduce the need for surgery in various studies. However the studies have reported conflicting results as patients with complete obstruction and equivocal diagnosis of bowel strangulation were also included. We carried out a prospective study to evaluate the efficacy of gastrografin in patients with partial adhesive small bowel obstruction. Patients with suspected strangulation, complete obstruction, obstructed hernia, bowel malignancy, and radiation enteritis were excluded. Sixty-two patients with partial adhesive small bowel obstruction were given an initial trial of conservative management of 48 h. Thirty-eight patients improved within 48 h and the other 24 were given 100 ml of undiluted gastrografin through the nasogastric tube. In 22 patients the contrast reached the colon within 24 h. In the remaining two patients the contrast failed to reach the colon and these underwent surgery. The use of gastrografin avoided surgical intervention in 91.3% (22 of 24) patients who failed conservative management of POSBO. Gastrografin also decreased the overall requirement for surgical management of POSBO from the reported rate of 25 to 30% to 3.2% (2 of 62). Use of gastrografin in patients with partial POSBO helps in resolution of symptoms and avoids the need for surgical management in the majority of patients.

Thermal plasticity of diving behavior, aquatic respiration, and locomotor performance in the Mary River turtle Elusor macrurus.

PubMed

Clark, Natalie J; Gordos, Matthew A; Franklin, Craig E

2008-01-01

Locomotion is a common measure of performance used in studies of thermal acclimation because of its correlation with predator escape and prey capture. However, for sedentary animals such as freshwater turtles, we propose that diving behavior may be a more ecologically relevant measure of performance. Increasing dive duration in hatchling turtles reduces predator exposure and therefore functions as an ecological benefit. Diving behavior is thermally dependent, and in some species of freshwater turtles, it is also reliant on aquatic respiration. This study examined the influence of thermal acclimation on diving behavior, aquatic respiration, and locomotor performance in the endangered, bimodally respiring Mary River turtle Elusor macrurus. Diving behavior was found to partially acclimate at 17 degrees C, with turtles acclimated to a cold temperature (17 degrees C) having a significantly longer dive duration than hatchlings acclimated to a warm temperature (28 degrees C). This increase in dive duration at 17 degrees C was not a result of physiological alterations in metabolic rate but was due instead to an increase in aquatic oxygen consumption. Increasing aquatic oxygen consumption permitted cold-acclimated hatchlings to remain submerged for significantly longer periods, with one turtle undertaking a dive of over 2.5 d. When burst-swimming speed was used as the measure of performance, thermal acclimation was not detected. Overall, E. macrurus demonstrated a partial ability to acclimate to changes in environmental temperature.

On the asymptotic behaviour of 2D stationary Navier-Stokes solutions with symmetry conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Decaster, Agathe; Iftimie, Dragoş

2017-10-01

We consider the 2D stationary incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in ℝ2. Under suitable symmetry, smallness and decay at infinity conditions on the forcing we determine the behaviour at infinity of the solutions. Moreover, when the forcing is small, satisfies suitable symmetry conditions and decays at infinity like a vector field homogeneous of degree -3, we show that there exists a unique small solution whose asymptotic behaviour at infinity is homogeneous of degree -1.

Visual functions and interocular interactions in anisometropic children with and without amblyopia.

PubMed

Lai, Xin Jie; Alexander, Jack; He, Mingguang; Yang, Zhikuan; Suttle, Catherine

2011-08-29

In uncorrected anisometropia, protracted dichoptic stimulation may result in interocular inhibition, which may be a contributing factor in amblyopia development. This study investigates the relationship between interocular interactions and anisometropic amblyopia. Three visual functions (low-contrast acuity, contrast sensitivity, and alignment sensitivity) were measured in the nondominant eye of 44 children aged 5 to 11 years: 10 with normal vision, 17 with anisometropia without amblyopia, and 17 with anisometropic amblyopia. The dominant eye was either fully or partially occluded. The difference in nondominant eye visual function between the full-and partial-occlusion conditions was termed the interaction index. The index of each visual function was compared between subject groups. A higher index indicates stronger inhibition of nondominant eye function with partial occlusion of the dominant eye. Amblyopic children had 6 months of therapy (refractive correction and occlusion), and the reduction in interocular difference in high-contrast acuity was regarded as the treatment outcome. The relationships of the interaction index with the degree of anisometropia, the severity of amblyopia, and the treatment outcomes were examined. The acuity interaction index was significantly higher in anisometropic children with amblyopia than in those without (P = 0.003). It was positively correlated with the degree of anisometropia (r(s) = 0.35, P = 0.042) and the amblyopic treatment outcomes (r(s) = 0.54, P = 0.038). No such difference or association was found between the contrast sensitivity or alignment sensitivity interaction index and anisometropic amblyopia. Interocular interactions are associated with amblyopia, the degree of anisometropia, and amblyopia treatment outcomes, but these associations are visual function dependent.

[X-ray diagnostic of partial intestinal obstruction in small intestine diseases: a glance on the problem of radiologist-gastroenterologist].

PubMed

Levchenko, S V; Kotovshchikova, A A; Orlova, N V

2013-01-01

The article is devoted to special features of X-ray examining of patients suffering from acute abdomen pain and X-ray paradigma of some intestine diseases as a cause of partial bowel obstruction. Own clinical data are presented. Long-term experience of our X-ray department is summarized. The possibilities of X-ray examining of abdomen with and without contrast in patients with partial bowel obstruction are described.

Steady flow rate to a partially penetrating well with seepage face in an unconfined aquifer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Behrooz-Koohenjani, Siavash; Samani, Nozar; Kompani-Zare, Mazda

2011-06-01

The flow rate to fully screened, partially penetrating wells in an unconfined aquifer is numerically simulated using MODFLOW 2000, taking into account the flow from the seepage face and decrease in saturated thickness of the aquifer towards the well. A simple three-step method is developed to find the top of the seepage face and hence the seepage-face length. The method is verified by comparing it with the results of previous predictive methods. The results show that the component of flow through the seepage face can supply a major portion of the total pumping rate. Variations in flow rate as a function of the penetration degree, elevation of the water level in the well and the distance to the far constant head boundary are investigated and expressed in terms of dimensionless curves and equations. These curves and equations can be used to design the degree of penetration for which the allowable steady pumping rate is attained for a given elevation of water level in the well. The designed degree of penetration or flow rate will assure the sustainability of the aquifer storage, and can be used as a management criterion for issuing drilling well permits by groundwater protection authorities.

Functionally graded bioactive glass coating on magnesia partially stabilized zirconia (Mg-PSZ) for enhanced biocompatibility.

PubMed

Rahaman, Mohamed N; Li, Yadong; Bal, B Sonny; Huang, Wenhai

2008-06-01

The coating of magnesia partially stabilized zirconia (Mg-PSZ) with a bioactive glass was investigated for enhancing the bioactivity and bone-bonding ability of Mg-PSZ orthopedic implants. Individual coatings of three different bioactive glasses were prepared by depositing a concentrated suspension of the glass particles on Mg-PSZ substrates, followed by sintering at temperatures between 750 degrees C and 850 degrees C. Two silicate-based glass compositions (designated 13-93 and 6P68), and a borosilicate glass composition (H12) were investigated. The microstructure and adhesive strength of the coatings were characterized, and the in vitro bioactivity of the glasses was compared by measuring their conversion kinetics to hydroxyapatite in an aqueous phosphate solution at 37 degrees C. The 6P68 glass provided the highest adhesive strength (40 +/- 2 MPa) but showed very limited bioactivity, whereas the H12 glass had lower adhesive strength (18 +/- 2 MPa) but the highest bioactivity. A functionally graded coating, consisting of a 6P68 interfacial layer and an H12 surface layer, was developed to provide a coating with high adhesive strength coupled with rapid in vitro bioactivity.

An analysis of mass transportation in Wilmington, Delaware

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1964-06-01

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the University of Delaware in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration. The thesis analyzes mass transportation systems and facilities as they existed in Wi...

Black General Officers: Why We Lack Them

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-22

AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER Colonel Robert M. Mundell Department of Command, Leadership, & Management... Mundell Project Adviser This SRP is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Master of Strategic Studies Degree. The U.S

Constraining lithospheric removal and asthenospheric input to melts in Central Asia: A geochemical study of Triassic to Cretaceous magmatic rocks in the Gobi Altai (Mongolia)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sheldrick, Thomas C.; Barry, Tiffany L.; Van Hinsbergen, Douwe J. J.; Kempton, Pamela D.

2018-01-01

Throughout northeast China, eastern and southern Mongolia, and eastern Russia there is widespread Mesozoic intracontinental magmatism. Extensive studies on the Chinese magmatic rocks have suggested lithospheric mantle removal was a driver of the magmatism. The timing, distribution and potential diachroneity of such lithospheric mantle removal remains poorly constrained. Here, we examine successions of Mesozoic lavas and shallow intrusive volcanic plugs from the Gobi Altai in southern Mongolia that appear to be unrelated to regional, relatively small-scale deformation; at the time of magmatism, the area was 200 km from any active margin, or, after its Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous closure, from the suture of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean. 40Ar/39Ar radiometric age data place magmatic events in the Gobi Altai between 220 to 99.2 Ma. This succession overlaps Chinese successions and therefore provides an opportunity to constrain whether Mesozoic lithosphere removal may provide an explanation for the magmatism here too, and if so, when. We show that Triassic to Lower Cretaceous lavas in the Gobi Altai (from Dulaan Bogd, Noyon Uul, Bulgantiin Uul, Jaran Bogd and Tsagaan Tsav) are all light rare-earth element (LREE) and large-ion lithophile element (LILE)-enriched, with negative Nb and Ta anomalies (Nb/La and Ta/La ≤ 1). Geochemical data suggest that these lavas formed by low degrees of partial melting of a metasomatised lithospheric mantle that may have been modified by melts derived from recycled rutile-bearing eclogite. A gradual reduction in the involvement of garnet in the source of these lavas points towards a shallowing of the depth of melting after 125 Ma. By contrast, geochemical and isotope data from the youngest magmatic rocks in the area - 107-99 Ma old volcanic plugs from Tsost Magmatic Field - have OIB-like trace element patterns and are interpreted to have formed by low degrees of partial melting of a garnet-bearing lherzolite mantle source. These rocks did not undergo significant crustal contamination, and were derived from asthenospheric mantle. The evidence of a gradual shallowing of melting in the Gobi lava provinces, culminating in an asthenospheric source signature in the youngest magmatic rocks is similar to examples from neighboring China, emphasising the wide-scale effect of a regional Mesozoic magmatic event during similar time periods. We suggest that Mongolia underwent lithospheric thinning/delamination during the Mesozoic (between 125 and 107 Ma) with patchy areas thinning sufficiently to enable the generation of relatively small-scale asthenospheric-derived magmatism to predominate in the late Cretaceous.

Partial androgen insensitivity syndrome due to somatic mosaicism of the androgen receptor.

PubMed

Batista, Rafael Loch; Rodrigues, Andresa De Santi; Machado, Aline Zamboni; Nishi, Mirian Yumie; Cunha, Flávia Siqueira; Silva, Rosana Barbosa; Costa, Elaine M F; Mendonca, Berenice B; Domenice, Sorahia

2018-01-26

Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) is the most frequent etiology of 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSDs), and it is an X-linked disorder caused by mutations in the androgen receptor (AR) gene. AIS patients present a broad phenotypic spectrum and individuals with a partial phenotype present with different degrees of undervirilized external genitalia. There are more than 500 different AR gene allelic variants reported to be linked to AIS, but the presence of somatic mosaicisms has been rarely identified. In the presence of a wild-type AR gene, a significant degree of spontaneous virilization at puberty can be observed, and it could influence the gender assignment, genetic counseling and the clinical and psychological management of these patients and the psychosexual outcomes of these patients are not known. In this study, we report two patients with AR allelic variants in heterozygous (c.382G>T and c.1769-1G>C) causing a partial AIS (PAIS) phenotype. The first patient was raised as female and she had undergone a gonadectomy at puberty. In both patients there was congruency between gender of rearing and gender identity and gender role. Somatic mosaicism is rare in AIS and nonsense AR variant allelic can cause partial AIS phenotype in this situation. Despite the risk of virilization and prenatal androgen exposure, the gender identity and gender role was concordant with sex of rearing in both cases. A better testosterone response can be expected in male individuals and this should be considered in the clinical management.

Method for silicon carbide production by reacting silica with hydrocarbon gas

DOEpatents

Glatzmaier, Gregory C.

1994-01-01

A method is described for producing silicon carbide particles using a silicon source material and a hydrocarbon. The method is efficient and is characterized by high yield. Finely divided silicon source material is contacted with hydrocarbon at a temperature of 400.degree. C. to 1000.degree. C. where the hydrocarbon pyrolyzes and coats the particles with carbon. The particles are then heated to 1100.degree. C. to 1600.degree. C. to cause a reaction between the ingredients to form silicon carbide of very small particle size. No grinding of silicon carbide is required to obtain small particles. The method may be carried out as a batch process or as a continuous process.

Mixed anion materials and compounds for novel proton conducting membranes

DOEpatents

Poling, Steven Andrew; Nelson, Carly R.; Martin, Steve W.

2006-09-05

The present invention provides new amorphous or partially crystalline mixed anion chalcogenide compounds for use in proton exchange membranes which are able to operate over a wide variety of temperature ranges, including in the intermediate temperature range of about 100 .degree. C. to 300.degree. C., and new uses for crystalline mixed anion chalcogenide compounds in such proton exchange membranes. In one embodiment, the proton conductivity of the compounds is between about 10.sup.-8 S/cm and 10.sup.-1 S/cm within a temperature range of between about -60 and 300.degree. C. and a relative humidity of less than about 12%..

Perilimbal bevacizumab injection for interface neovascularization after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty.

PubMed

Foroutan, Alireza; Fariba, Beigzadeh; Pejman, Bakhtiari; Mahmoud, Joshaghani; Khalil, Ghasemi Falavarjani; Arash, Ehteshami Afshar; Foroutan, Pooria

2010-11-01

To evaluate the effect of perilimbal bevacizumab injection on neovascularization at the interface of donor and recipient tissues after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK). This interventional case series included 4 patients with interface neovascularization after DALK (3 patients with advanced keratoconus and 1 patient with scarring because of herpetic keratitis). Bevacizumab (2.5 mg/0.1 mL) was injected subconjunctivally near the limbus adjacent to the abnormal blood vessels. Depending on regression of new vessels, injections were repeated. If neovascularization occurred in more than 1 quadrant, injections were administered at 2 sites (2.5 mg for each injection). Total corneal neovascularization, longest neovascular length, and degree of neovascular circumference were evaluated by digital slit lamp corneal photography before injection and 1 week, 1, 3, and 6 months afterward. The mean follow-up period was 14 ± 7.52 months from the first bevacizumab injection. Corneal neovascularization, on average,was 33.70% ± 7.8% (SD) of the total corneal surface before the injections, which decreased to 4.83% ± 3.3% (P = 0.005, t test) at the last follow-up examination. Mean degree of neovascularized circumference decreased from 165 degrees before injection to 77.5 degrees (P = 0.023) at the last follow-up examination. Mean longest neovascularized length decreased from 6.714 mm before injection to 1.497 mm (P = 0.021) at the last follow-up examination. At the end of the study, all patients had clear grafts with no sign of graft failure. Mean best-corrected visual acuity before injection was 20/100, which improved to 20/30 at the last examination. This small case series suggests that perilimbal bevacizumab injection is safe and effective for partial regression of new blood vessels at the interface of donor and recipient tissues after DALK and may effectively prevent graft rejection.

The Use of Mesh Plates for Difficult Fractures of the Patella.

PubMed

Volgas, David; Dreger, Tina K

2017-03-01

Patella fractures present some of the more complicated fracture patterns in orthopaedic trauma care. This is partially due to the small size of the fragments but also the articular nature of each fragment. Fixation methods such as cerclage wiring, excision of smaller fragments, and screw fixation of larger fragments all have their own challenges. Our study examined our Level I trauma center's experience with variable angle locked 2.7 mm titanium plates for treatment of comminuted patella fractures or treatment of patellar nonunion. After Institutional Review Board approval, we used billing records to identify 105 patients who had undergone operative management of a displaced patella fracture between January 2011 and December 2015. We reviewed the radiographs of these patients to identify which patients underwent treatment with a mesh plate. We found 16 patients (6 males and 10 females) who had undergone fixation with a mesh plate; mean age was 47 years. Nine patients underwent primary open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) and seven underwent mesh plate fixation for failed ORIF of a patella fracture. The mean visual analog pain score was 2.75 (range, 0-9). The mean range of motion was 1 degree of extension (range, 0-10 degrees) to 110 degrees of flexion (range, 45-135 degrees). All fractures healed. Five patients required hardware removal for pain. This review illustrates the effectiveness of the locking mesh plate in two challenging clinical scenarios: that of patellar nonunion and comminuted fractures that preclude standard fixation methods. Although multiple options exist for patellar fracture fixation, the titanium mesh locking plate can be an effective option for retaining the patella in the setting of comminution. Further comparative studies should be undertaken to determine which method of treatment may be superior in the treatment of these fractures. Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Computing Protein-Protein Association Affinity with Hybrid Steered Molecular Dynamics.

PubMed

Rodriguez, Roberto A; Yu, Lili; Chen, Liao Y

2015-09-08

Computing protein-protein association affinities is one of the fundamental challenges in computational biophysics/biochemistry. The overwhelming amount of statistics in the phase space of very high dimensions cannot be sufficiently sampled even with today's high-performance computing power. In this article, we extend a potential of mean force (PMF)-based approach, the hybrid steered molecular dynamics (hSMD) approach we developed for ligand-protein binding, to protein-protein association problems. For a protein complex consisting of two protomers, P1 and P2, we choose m (≥3) segments of P1 whose m centers of mass are to be steered in a chosen direction and n (≥3) segments of P2 whose n centers of mass are to be steered in the opposite direction. The coordinates of these m + n centers constitute a phase space of 3(m + n) dimensions (3(m + n)D). All other degrees of freedom of the proteins, ligands, solvents, and solutes are freely subject to the stochastic dynamics of the all-atom model system. Conducting SMD along a line in this phase space, we obtain the 3(m + n)D PMF difference between two chosen states: one single state in the associated state ensemble and one single state in the dissociated state ensemble. This PMF difference is the first of four contributors to the protein-protein association energy. The second contributor is the 3(m + n - 1)D partial partition in the associated state accounting for the rotations and fluctuations of the (m + n - 1) centers while fixing one of the m + n centers of the P1-P2 complex. The two other contributors are the 3(m - 1)D partial partition of P1 and the 3(n - 1)D partial partition of P2 accounting for the rotations and fluctuations of their m - 1 or n - 1 centers while fixing one of the m/n centers of P1/P2 in the dissociated state. Each of these three partial partitions can be factored exactly into a 6D partial partition in multiplication with a remaining factor accounting for the small fluctuations while fixing three of the centers of P1, P2, or the P1-P2 complex, respectively. These small fluctuations can be well-approximated as Gaussian, and every 6D partition can be reduced in an exact manner to three problems of 1D sampling, counting the rotations and fluctuations around one of the centers as being fixed. We implement this hSMD approach to the Ras-RalGDS complex, choosing three centers on RalGDS and three on Ras (m = n = 3). At a computing cost of about 71.6 wall-clock hours using 400 computing cores in parallel, we obtained the association energy, -9.2 ± 1.9 kcal/mol on the basis of CHARMM 36 parameters, which well agrees with the experimental data, -8.4 ± 0.2 kcal/mol.

Ceiling effect of online user interests for the movies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ni, Jing; Zhang, Yi-Lu; Hu, Zhao-Long; Song, Wen-Jun; Hou, Lei; Guo, Qiang; Liu, Jian-Guo

2014-05-01

Online users' collective interests play an important role for analyzing the online social networks and personalized recommendations. In this paper, we introduce the information entropy to measure the diversity of the user interests. We empirically analyze the information entropy of the objects selected by the users with the same degree in both the MovieLens and Netflix datasets. The results show that as the user degree increases, the entropy increases from the lowest value at first to the highest value and then begins to fall, which indicates that the interests of the small-degree and large-degree users are more centralized, while the interests of normal users are more diverse. Furthermore, a null model is proposed to compare with the empirical results. In a null model, we keep the number of users and objects as well as the user degrees unchangeable, but the selection behaviors are totally random in both datasets. Results show that the diversity of the majority of users in the real datasets is higher than that the random case, with the exception of the diversity of only a fraction of small-degree users. That may because new users just like popular objects, while with the increase of the user experiences, they quickly become users of broad interests. Therefore, small-degree users' interests are much easier to predict than the other users', which may shed some light for the cold-start problem.

Peripheral defocus does not necessarily affect central refractive development.

PubMed

Schippert, Ruth; Schaeffel, Frank

2006-10-01

Recent experiments in monkeys suggest that deprivation, imposed only in the periphery of the visual field, can induce foveal myopia. This raises the hypothesis that peripheral refractive errors imposed by the spectacle lens correction could influence foveal refractive development also in humans. We have tested this hypothesis in chicks. Chicks wore either full field spectacle lenses (+6.9 D/-7 D), or lenses with central holes of 4, 6, or 8mm diameter, for 4 days (n=6 for each group). Refractions were measured in the central visual field, and at -45 degrees (temporal) and +45 degrees (nasal), and axial lengths were measured by A-scan ultrasonography. As previously described, full field lenses were largely compensated within 4 days (refraction changes with positive lenses: +4.69+/-1.73 D, negative lenses: -5.98+/-1.78 D, both p<0.001, Dunnett's test, to untreated controls). With holes in the center of the lenses, the central refraction remained emmetropic and there was not even a trend of a shift in refraction (all groups: p>0.5, Dunnetts test). At +/-45 degrees , the lenses were partially compensated despite the 4/6/8mm central holes; positive lenses: +2.63 / +1.44 / +0.43 D, negative lenses: -2.57 / -1.06 / +0.06 D. There is extensive local compensation of imposed refractive errors in chickens. For the tested hole sizes, peripherally imposed defocus did not influence central refractive development. To alter central refractive development, the unobstructed part in the central visual field may have to be quite small (hole sizes smaller than 4mm, with the lenses at a vertex distance of 2-3mm).

A High-Resolution Model of Water Mass Transformation and Transport in the Weddell Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hazel, J.; Stewart, A.

2016-12-01

The ocean circulation around the Antarctic margins has a pronounced impact on the global ocean and climate system. One of these impacts includes closing the global meridional overturning circulation (MOC) via formation of dense Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW), which ventilates a large fraction of the subsurface ocean. AABW is also partially composed of modified Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW), a warm, mid-depth water mass whose transport towards the continent has the potential to induce rapid retreat of marine-terminating glaciers. Previous studies suggest that these water mass exchanges may be strongly influenced by high-frequency processes such as downslope gravity currents, tidal flows, and mesoscale/submesoscale eddy transport. However, evaluating the relative contributions of these processes to near-Antarctic water mass transports is hindered by the region's relatively small scales of motion and the logistical difficulties in taking measurements beneath sea ice.In this study we develop a regional model of the Weddell Sea, the largest established source of AABW. The model is forced by an annually-repeating atmospheric state constructed from the Antarctic Mesoscale Prediction System data and by annually-repeating lateral boundary conditions constructed from the Southern Ocean State Estimate. The model incorporates the full Filchner-Ronne cavity and simulates the thermodynamics and dynamics of sea ice. To analyze the role of high-frequency processes in the transport and transformation of water masses, we compute the model's overturning circulation, water mass transformations, and ice sheet basal melt at model horizontal grid resolutions ranging from 1/2 degree to 1/24 degree. We temporally decompose the high-resolution (1/24 degree) model circulation into components due to mean, eddy and tidal flows and discuss the geographical dependence of these processes and their impact on water mass transformation and transport.

The degree of integration of non-dispensing pharmacists in primary care practice and the impact on health outcomes: A systematic review.

PubMed

Hazen, Ankie C M; de Bont, Antoinette A; Boelman, Lia; Zwart, Dorien L M; de Gier, Johan J; de Wit, Niek J; Bouvy, Marcel L

2018-03-01

A non-dispensing pharmacist conducts clinical pharmacy services aimed at optimizing patients individual pharmacotherapy. Embedding a non-dispensing pharmacist in primary care practice enables collaboration, probably enhancing patient care. The degree of integration of non-dispensing pharmacists into multidisciplinary health care teams varies strongly between settings. The degree of integration may be a determinant for its success. This study investigates how the degree of integration of a non-dispensing pharmacist impacts medication related health outcomes in primary care. In this literature review we searched two electronic databases and the reference list of published literature reviews for studies about clinical pharmacy services performed by non-dispensing pharmacists physically co-located in primary care practice. We assessed the degree of integration via key dimensions of integration based on the conceptual framework of Walshe and Smith. We included English language studies of any design that had a control group or baseline comparison published from 1966 to June 2016. Descriptive statistics were used to correlate the degree of integration to health outcomes. The analysis was stratified for disease-specific and patient-centered clinical pharmacy services. Eighty-nine health outcomes in 60 comparative studies contributed to the analysis. The accumulated evidence from these studies shows no impact of the degree of integration of non-dispensing pharmacists on health outcomes. For disease specific clinical pharmacy services the percentage of improved health outcomes for none, partial and fully integrated NDPs is respectively 75%, 63% and 59%. For patient-centered clinical pharmacy services the percentage of improved health outcomes for none, partial and fully integrated NDPs is respectively 55%, 57% and 70%. Full integration adds value to patient-centered clinical pharmacy services, but not to disease-specific clinical pharmacy services. To obtain maximum benefits of clinical pharmacy services for patients with multiple medications and comorbidities, full integration of non-dispensing pharmacists should be promoted. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Prediction of properties and elemental composition of biomass pyrolysis oils by NMR and partial least squares analysis

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Several partial least squares (PLS) models were created correlating various properties and chemical composition measurements with the 1H and 13C NMR spectra of 73 different of pyrolysis bio-oil samples from various biomass sources (crude and intermediate products), finished oils and small molecule s...

Outcomes of gynecologic oncology patients undergoing gastrografin small bowel follow-through studies.

PubMed

Walters, Christen L; Sutton, Amelia L M; Huddleston-Colburn, Mary Kathryn; Whitworth, Jenny M; Schneider, Kellie E; Straughn, J Michael

2014-01-01

To characterize the outcomes of gynecologic oncology patients undergoing small bowel follow-throughs (SBFTs) with Gastrografin at our institution. We identified all gynecologic oncology patients undergoing an SBFT from January 2004 to December 2009. We characterized the SBFT as normal, delayed transit, partial obstruction, or complete obstruction. Patient outcomes were correlated with the SBFT results. Seventy patients underwent 79 SBFT examinations with Gastrografin to evaluate their bowel dysfunction. The overall rate of operative intervention was 23%. A total of 69% of patients with a complete obstruction underwent surgery as compared to 21% of patients with a partial obstruction (p = 0.002). Return of bowel function was significantly longer in patients with complete obstructions as compared to patients with partial obstructions (48 vs. 8 hours, p = 0.006). Length of stay was longest in patients with complete obstructions. The majority of patients with a complete obstruction on SBFT will require surgical intervention and have a protracted hospital stay. Patients with delayed transit or a partial obstruction on SBFT usually will have resolution of their bowel dysfunction with conservative management.

Patent Foramen Ovale: Association between the Degree of Shunt by Contrast Transesophageal Echocardiography and the Risk of Future Ischemic Neurologic Events

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stone, David A.; Godard, Joel; Godard, Joel; Corretti, mary C.; Kittner, Steven J.; Sample, Cindy; Price, Thomas R.; Plotnick, Gary D.

1996-01-01

This study investigated whether there is an association between the degree of interatrial shunting across a patent foramen ovale, as determined by saline contrast transesophageal echocardiography, and the risk of subsequent systemic embolic events, including stroke. Thirty-four patients found to have patent foramen ovale during transesophageal echocardiography were divided into two groups on the basis of the maximum number of microbubbles in the left heart in any single frame after intravenous saline contrast injection: group 1 (n = 16) with a "large" degree of shunt (220 microbubbles) and group 2 (n = 18) with a "small" degree of shunt (23 but <20 microbubbles). Patients were followed up over a mean period of 21 months for subsequent systemic embolic events, including transient ischemic attack and stroke. Five (31%) of the patients with large shunts had subsequent ischemic neurologic events, whereas none of the patients with small shunts had embolic events (p= 0.03). These events occurred in spite of antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy. We conclude that patients with a large degree of shunt across a patent foramen ovale, as determined by contrast transesophageal echocardiography, are at a significantly higher risk for subsequent adverse neurologic events compared with patients with a small degree of shunt.

Nozzle flow with vibrational nonequilibrium

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heinbockel, J. H.; Landry, J. G.

1995-01-01

This research concerns the modeling and numerical solutions of the coupled system of compressible Navier-Stokes equations in cylindrical coordinates under conditions of equilibrium and nonequilibrium thermodynamics. The problem considered was the modeling of a high temperature diatomic gas N2 flowing through a converging-diverging high expansion nozzle. The problem was modeled in two ways. The first model uses a single temperature with variable specific heats as functions of this temperature. For the second model we assume that the various degrees of freedom all have a Boltzmann distribution and that there is a continuous redistribution of energy among the various degrees of freedom as the gas passes through the nozzle. Each degree of freedom is assumed to have its own temperature and, consequently, each system state can be characterized by these temperatures. This suggests that formulation of a second model with a vibrational degree of freedom along with a rotational-translation degree of freedom, each degree of freedom having its own temperature. Initially the vibrational degree of freedom is excited by heating the gas to a high temperature. As the high temperature gas passes through the nozzle throat there is a sudden drop in temperature along with a relaxation time for the vibrational degree of freedom to achieve equilibrium with the rotational-translation degree of freedom. That is, we assume that the temperature change upon passing through the throat is so great that the changes in the vibrational degree of freedom occur at a much slower pace and consequently lags behind the rotational-translational energy changes. This lag results in a finite relaxation time. In this context the term nonequilibrium is used to denote the fact that the energy content of the various degrees of freedom are characterized by two temperatures. We neglect any chemical reactions which could also add nonequilibrium effects. We develop the energy equations for the nonequilibrium model from first principles. The resulting equations, which model the nozzle flow, can be expressed in various forms. In most forms the resulting equations are coupled systems of nonlinear partial differential equations subject to certain boundary conditions. To solve the resulting coupled system of nonlinear partial differential equations, several numerical techniques were investigated: (1) the explicit MacCormack method, (2) the explicit-implicit MacCormack method, (3) the method of operator splitting, (4) factorization schemes, and (5) the Steger-Warming scheme.

Space Shuttle Radar Images of Terrestrial Impact Structures: SIR-C/X-SAR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McHone, J. F.; Blumberg, D. G.; Greeley, R.; Underwood, J. R., Jr.

1995-09-01

The Spaceborne Radar Laboratory (SRL) orbited Earth in April and October of 1994 operating two imaging radars: X-SAR, an X-band (3 cm lambda) instrument, and the polarimetric SIR-C, a combination L-band/C-band (24 cm and 5.6 cm lambda). More than 150 terrestrial meteorite craters and astroblemes are presently known. Three of these, Wolfe Creek in Australia; Roter Kamm in Namibia; and Zhamanshin in Kazakhstan, were planned targets and were imaged successfully with multiple passes and look directions. Several other impact sites were fortuitously imaged while radar data were being collected for other purposes. These sites include B.P. and Oasis structures in Libya, Aourounga multi-ring feature in Chad, Amguid crater in Algeria, and the Spider astrobleme and Henbury crater field in Australia. Wolfe Creek (19 degrees 10'S; 127 degrees 47'E; 875 m dia) Both the elevated rim and the inner floor of this crater appear as radar bright features. Strong radar returns are due to blocky rubble textures in the rim and desert vegetation within the central bowl. Associated linear sand dunes show differential penetration properties in the various radar wavelengths and polarization. Roter Kamm (27 degrees 46'S; 016 degrees 18'E; 2.5 km dia) This bowl-shaped crater is mostly buried by wind-blown sands. Comparison of differential radar penetration patterns due to changes in wavelength and look direction reveal concealed target rocks and a buried possible ejecta unit. Zhamanshin (48 degrees 24'N; 060 degrees 48'E; 14 km dia) This unusual impact structure, first detected by the presence of glassy impact melt products [1], has very little topographic relief and is nearly invisible on survey-quality radar imagery. Fully processed images, however, enhance subtle vegetation patterns which highlight regional streams. These drainage patterns are now being analyzed in detail to better delineate boundaries and internal structure of this feature. B.P. Structure (25 degrees 19'N; 024 degrees 20'E; 2.8 km dia) Wind-blown sands which cover much of this relatively small feature make it difficult to distinguish from numerous dark sandstone outcrops using only optical images. Radar, however, penetrates the shallow sand mantle to reveal a nearly complete radar-bright bullseye pattern typical of central-uplift style impact structure. Oasis Structure (24 degrees 35'N; 24 degrees 24'E; >11.5 km dia) Oasis astrobleme was originally described as an elevated ring of sandstone some 5.1 km wide in desert sands. Examination of optical satellite images detected subtle concentric patterns more than 11 km across [2]. SIR-C images reveal strong arcuate reflectors buried beneath the sand at an even larger diameter of greater than 17 km. Aurounga (19 degrees 06'N; 019 degrees 15'E; 12.6 km dia) Although this highly circular depression has been noticed in numerous remote sensing studies, eg.[3], it usually has been associated with a large volcanic field and attributed to endogenic forces. Recent reports of shatter cones [4] and microscopic shock metamorphic effects [5] now demonstrate an impact origin. The radar-dark ring is a sand-filled trough which interupts a regional pattern of yardangs, wind-cut parallel ridges and grooves, developed in surrounding sandstones. Amguid (26 degrees 05'N; 004 degrees 23'E; 450 m dia) Situated in elevated rocky highlands [6], the small Amguid crater is nearly overprinted by surrounding radar backscatter. A dry central bowl is partially filled with smoothly surfaced fine-grained playa deposits which absorb radar energy and/or reflect it away from the spacecraft. The result is a distinct radar-dark disk within a bright regional ground clutter. Spider (16 degrees 44'S; 126 degrees 05'E; 13 km dia) Named for a radially splayed fault system in its center, Spider is the exposed root structure of a central-uplift impact feature [7]. Radar slope effects on processed data clearly delineate its size and internal complexity. Henbury craters (24 degrees 35'S; 133 degrees 09'E; largest ca.150 m dia) Although quite small, Henbury crater field [8] appears distinctly radar bright on survey -qualilty imagery. Strong radar backscatter may be due to a combination of impact-disrupted sedimentary horizons and of soil dielectrical properties altered by a significant meteoritic iron content [9]. References: [1] Garvin J. B. and Schnetzler C. C. (1994) GSA Spec. Pap. 293, 249-257. [2] Dietz R. S. and McHone J. F. (1979) Apollo Soyuz Test Proj. Summary Sci. Rept. (2) NASA SP-412, 183-192. [3] Roland N. W. (1976) Geol. Jahrb., Reihe A, 33, 117-131. [4] Becq-Giraudon J. F. et al. (1992) Comptes Rendus de l'Academ. des Sciences, Ser.2, 315, 83-88. [5] Grieve R. A. F. and Therriault A. M. (1995) LPS XXVI, 515-516. [6] Lambert P. et al. (1980) Meteoritics, 15, 157-159. [7] Harms et al. (1980) Nature, 286, 704-706. [8] Milton D. J. (1968) Geol. Surv. Prof. Pap. 599-C, C1-C16. [9] Hodge P. W. and Wright F. W. (1971) JGR, 76, 3880-3895.

Partial rupture of the pectoralis major muscle in athletes.

PubMed

Roi, G S; Respizzi, S; Dworzak, F

1990-02-01

Partial rupture of the pectoralis major muscle is quite a rare event in sports traumatology and information about its treatment is lacking in literature. In this paper the long term effect of conservative non-surgical treatment in two body-builders and one shot-putter is discussed, who reported the partial rupture while performing bench lifts with barbells. Functional recovery was evaluated a few years after the injury (from 4 to 7) with an isokinetic dynamometer (Cybex II, Lumex INC N.Y.), measuring maximal shoulder adduction-abduction torques at different angular speeds (60, 180, and 300 degrees/s). The results were compared with those of five healthy athletes practicing either body-building or weight-lifting. From the present study we conclude the following: the non-invasive treatment of a partial rupture of the pectoralis major muscle may produce almost complete functional recovery; in normal subjects adduction muscles are advantageous in comparison to the abduction ones.

Low temperature time resolved photoluminescence in ordered and disordered Cu2ZnSnS4 single crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raadik, Taavi; Krustok, Jüri; Kauk-Kuusik, M.; Timmo, K.; Grossberg, M.; Ernits, K.; Bleuse, J.

2017-03-01

In this work we performed time-resolved micro-photoluminescence (TRPL) studies of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) single crystals grown in molten KI salt. The order/disorder degree of CZTS was varied by the thermal post treatment temperature. Photoluminescence spectra measured at T=8 K showed an asymmetric band with a peak position of 1.33 eV and 1.27 eV for partially ordered and disordered structures, respectively. Thermal activation energies were found to be ET (PO) =65±9 meV for partially ordered and ET (PD) =27±4 meV for partially disordered. These low activation energy values indicating to the defect cluster recombination model for both partially ordered and disordered structures. TRPL was measured for both crystals and their decay curves were fitted with a stretched exponential function, in order to describe the charge carriers' recombination dynamics at low temperature.

Maxillary overlay removable partial dentures for the restoration of worn teeth.

PubMed

Fonseca, Júlio; Nicolau, Pedro; Daher, Tony

2011-04-01

Prolonged tooth maintenance by a more aged population considerably increases the probability of dentists having to treat patients with high levels of tooth wear. Pathological tooth wear, caused primarily by parafunction, seems to be a growing problem that affects a large number of adult patients. The clinical report presents a case of a partially edentulous patient with an elevated degree of wear in the upper jaw caused by attrition and erosion, rehabilitated with a maxillary overlay removable partial denture (ORPD) consisting of a chrome-cobalt (Cr-Co) framework with anterior acrylic resin veneers, posterior cast overlays, and acrylic resin denture bases. Removable partial prosthesis is a treatment alternative when teeth are found to be severely worn or when the patient needs a simple and economical option. Because economics is a conditional factor of the treatment, the clinician should present different treatment alternatives to the patient, in which the overlay prosthesis can be considered.

Necessary and sufficient conditions for the stability of a sleeping top described by three forms of dynamic equations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ge, Zheng-Ming

2008-04-01

Necessary and sufficient conditions for the stability of a sleeping top described by dynamic equations of six state variables, Euler equations, and Poisson equations, by a two-degree-of-freedom system, Krylov equations, and by a one-degree-of-freedom system, nutation angle equation, is obtained by the Lyapunov direct method, Ge-Liu second instability theorem, an instability theorem, and a Ge-Yao-Chen partial region stability theorem without using the first approximation theory altogether.

Methods for producing silicon carbide fibers

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

Garnier, John E.; Griffith, George W.

Methods of producing silicon carbide fibers. The method comprises reacting a continuous carbon fiber material and a silicon-containing gas in a reaction chamber at a temperature ranging from approximately 1500.degree. C. to approximately 2000.degree. C. A partial pressure of oxygen in the reaction chamber is maintained at less than approximately 1.01.times.10.sup.2 Pascal to produce continuous alpha silicon carbide fibers. Continuous alpha silicon carbide fibers and articles formed from the continuous alpha silicon carbide fibers are also disclosed.

Silicon carbide fibers and articles including same

DOEpatents

Garnier, John E; Griffith, George W

2015-01-27

Methods of producing silicon carbide fibers. The method comprises reacting a continuous carbon fiber material and a silicon-containing gas in a reaction chamber at a temperature ranging from approximately 1500.degree. C. to approximately 2000.degree. C. A partial pressure of oxygen in the reaction chamber is maintained at less than approximately 1.01.times.10.sup.2 Pascal to produce continuous alpha silicon carbide fibers. Continuous alpha silicon carbide fibers and articles formed from the continuous alpha silicon carbide fibers are also disclosed.

Design of a Non-Contact Vibration Measurement and Analysis System for Electronic Board Testing

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-06-01

United States Air Force Academy, 2002 SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF...me with my master’s work. First, I would like to thank the Air Force and Draper Laboratory for the opportunity to complete my master’s degree at MIT...know that you are always welcome wherever the Air Force takes me. I would like to thank my family for helping me fulfill my life long dream of attending

Determination of the size and degree of acetyl substitution of oligosaccharides from Neisseria meningitidis group A by ionspray mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Cescutti, P; Bigio, M; Guarnieri, V

1996-07-16

The capsular polysaccharide produced by Neisseria meningitidis group A has the following structure: [formula: see text] [formula: see text] This polysaccharide was partially hydrolysed with acetic acid, and the oligomers obtained were separated by fast performance liquid chromatography. Six fractions were collected and characterised by ionspray mass spectrometry in the positive ion mode. This soft ionisation technique established the size of the obtained oligosaccharides and the degree of O-acetyl substitution for each fraction.

iss032e025592

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-09-09

ISS032-E-025592 (9 Sept. 2012) --- Partially obstructed by the HTV-3 (H-II Transfer Vehicle) of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Tropical Storm Leslie is clearly seen in the Atlantic Ocean on Sept. 9, 2012, as photographed by one of the Expedition 32 crew members aboard the Cupola of the International Space Station. At the time of the photo Leslie was centered near 33.4 degrees north latitude and 62.1degrees west longitude (approximately 175 miles east-northeast of Bermuda) moving northward at 14

iss032e025610

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-09-09

ISS032-E-025610 (9 Sept. 2012) --- Partially obstructed by two Russian spacecraft in the foreground, Tropical Storm Leslie is clearly seen in the Atlantic Ocean on Sept. 9, 2012, as photographed by one of the Expedition 32 crew members aboard the International Space Station. At the time of the photo, Leslie was centered near 33.4 degrees north latitude and 62.1 degrees west longitude (approximately 175 miles east-northeast of Bermuda) moving northward at 14 miles per hour with winds of 60 miles per hour.

Flyby Characterization of Lower-Degree Spherical Harmonics Around Small Bodies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Takahashi, Yu; Broschart, Stephen; Lantoine, Gregory

2014-01-01

Interest in studying small bodies has grown significantly in the last two decades, and there are a number of past, present, and future missions. These small body missions challenge navigators with significantly different kinds of problems than the planets and moons do. The small bodies' shape is often irregular and their gravitational field significantly weak, which make the designing of a stable orbit a complex dynamical problem. In the initial phase of spacecraft rendezvous with a small body, the determination of the gravitational parameter and lower-degree spherical harmonics are of crucial importance for safe navigation purposes. This motivates studying how well one can determine the total mass and lower-degree spherical harmonics in a relatively short time in the initial phase of the spacecraft rendezvous via flybys. A quick turnaround for the gravity data is of high value since it will facilitate the subsequent mission design of the main scientific observation campaign. We will present how one can approach the problem to determine a desirable flyby geometry for a general small body. We will work in the non-dimensional formulation since it will generalize our results across different size/mass bodies and the rotation rate for a specific combination of gravitational coefficients.

Mapping Watershed Integrity for the Conterminous United States

EPA Science Inventory

Watersheds provide a variety of ecosystem services valued by society. Production of these services is partially a function of the degree to which watersheds are altered by human activities. In a recent manuscript, Flotemersch and others (in preparation), defined watershed integr...

Keeping Floodlight Temperature Low

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kiss, John

1987-01-01

Safety in explosive atmospheres enhanced. Retainer for floodlight designed to undergo relatively small temperature rise. Reaches no more than 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) with lamp operating at about 4,700 degrees F (2,600 degrees C). Satisfies 352 degrees F (188 degrees C) requirement for operation in some explosive atmospheres. Made of thermally conductive metal with coating of material having low thermal absorptivity/emissivity ratio so it conducts heat away from lamp and radiates to surroundings efficiently.

Dual actions for massless, partially-massless and massive gravitons in (A)dS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boulanger, N.; Campoleoni, A.; Cortese, I.

2018-07-01

We provide a unified treatment of electric-magnetic duality, at the action level and with manifest Lorentz invariance, for massive, massless as well as partially-massless gravitons propagating in maximally symmetric spacetimes of any dimension n > 3. For massive and massless fields, we complete previous analyses that use parent-action techniques by giving dual descriptions that enable direct counting of physical degrees of freedom in the flat and massless limit. The same treatment is extended to the partially-massless case, where the duality has been previously discussed in covariant form only at the level of the equations of motion. The nature of the dual graviton is therefore clarified for all values of the mass and of the cosmological constant.

Robot-assisted approach improves surgical outcomes in obese patients undergoing partial nephrectomy.

PubMed

Malkoc, Ercan; Maurice, Matthew J; Kara, Onder; Ramirez, Daniel; Nelson, Ryan J; Caputo, Peter A; Mouracade, Pascal; Stein, Robert; Kaouk, Jihad H

2017-02-01

To assess the impact of approach on surgical outcomes in otherwise healthy obese patients undergoing partial nephrectomy for small renal masses. Using our institutional partial nephrectomy database, we abstracted data on otherwise healthy (Charlson comorbidity score ≤1 and bilateral kidneys), obese patients (body mass index >30 kg/m 2 ) with small renal masses (<4 cm) treated between 2011 and 2015. The primary outcomes were intra-operative transfusion, operating time, length of hospital stay (LOS), and postoperative complications. The association between approach, open (OPN) vs robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN), and outcomes was assessed by univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Covariates included age, gender, obesity severity, tumour size and tumour complexity. Of 237 obese patients undergoing partial nephrectomy, 25% underwent OPN and 75% underwent RAPN. Apart from larger tumour size in the OPN group (2.8 vs 2.5 cm; P = 0.02), there was no significant difference between groups. The rate of intra-operative blood transfusion (1.1 vs 10%; P = 0.01), the median operating time (180 vs 207 min; P < 0.01) and the median ischaemia time (19.5 vs 27 min; P < 0.01) were all greater for OPN. The LOS was significantly shorter for RAPN (3 vs 4 days; P < 0.01). While the overall complication rate was higher for OPN (15.8 vs 31.7%; P < 0.01), major complications were not significantly different (5.6 vs 1.7%; P = 0.20). On multivariable analyses, OPN independently predicted longer operating time, longer length of stay, and more overall complications. At a high-volume centre, the robot-assisted approach offers less blood transfusion, shorter operating time, faster recovery, and fewer peri-operative complications compared with the open approach in obese patients undergoing partial nephrectomy for small renal masses. In this setting, RAPN may be a preferable treatment option. © 2016 The Authors BJU International © 2016 BJU International Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Mesospheric gravity-wave climatology at Adelaide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vincent, R. A.

1986-01-01

The MF Adelaide partial-reflection radar has been operating continuously since November 1983. This has enabled a climatology of gravity-wave activity to be constructed for the mesosphere. The data have been analyzed for a medium-period range of 1 to 8 hr. and a longer period range between 8 and 24 hr. covering the inertio-period waves. The tidal motions have been filtered out prior to analysis. For the data analyses so far (Nov. 1983 to Dec. 1984), a number of interesting features emerged. Firstly, the wave activity at heights above 80 km shows a small seimannual variation with season with the activity being strongest in summer and winter. At heights below 80 km however, there is a similar but more marked variation with the weakest amplitudes occurring at the time of the changeovers in the prevailing circulation. If breaking gravity waves are responsible for much of the turbulence in the mesosphere, then the periods March to April and September to October might also be expected to be periods of weak turbulence. The wave field appears to be partially polarized. The meridional amplitudes are larger than the zonal amplitudes, especially in water. It is found that the degree of polarization is about 15% in summer and 30% in winter. The polarized component is found to propagate in the opposite direction to the background flow in the stratosphere, which suggests that the polarization arises through directional filtering of the waves as they propagate up from below.

Isolated effects of peripheral arm and central body cooling on arm performance.

PubMed

Giesbrecht, G G; Wu, M P; White, M D; Johnston, C E; Bristow, G K

1995-10-01

Whole body cooling impairs manual arm performance. The independent contributions of local (peripheral) and/or whole body (central) cooling are not known. Therefore, a protocol was developed in which the arm and the rest of the body could be independently cooled. Biceps temperature (Tmus), at a depth of 20 mm, and esophageal temperature (Tes) were measured. Six subjects were immersed to the clavicles in a tank (body tank) of water under 3 conditions: 1) cold body-cold arm (CB-CA); 2) warm body-cold arm (WB-CA); and 3) cold body-warm arm (CB-WA). In the latter two conditions, subjects placed their dominant arm in a separate (arm) tank. Water temperature (Tw) in each tank was independently controlled. In conditions requiring cold body and/or cold arm, Tw in the appropriate tanks was 8 degrees C. In conditions requiring warm body and/or warm arm, Tw in the appropriate tanks was adjusted between 29 and 38 degrees C to maintain body/arm temperature at baseline values. A battery of 6 tests, requiring fine or gross motor movements, were performed immediately before immersion and after 15, 45, and 70 minutes of immersion. In CB-CA, Tes decreased from an average of 37.2 to 35.6 degrees C and Tmus decreased from 34.6 to 22.0 degrees C. In WB-CA, Tmus decreased to 18.1 degrees C (Tes = 37.1 degrees C), and in CB-WA, Tes decreased to 35.8 degrees C (Tmus = 34.5 degrees C). By the end of immersion, there were significant decrements (43-85%) in the performance of all tests in CB-CA and WB-CA (p < 0.0002); scores for each test were similar in these two conditions. There was no significant change in scores throughout the CB-WA condition. In both conditions with arm cooling (i.e., WB-CA and CB-CA), Tmus accounted for 85-98% of the variance in all tests. When the core was cooled in the CB-WA condition, Tes was significantly correlated to scores in only two tests (accounted for 90 and 93% of the variance) although the actual effect was small. In the CB-CA condition, partial correlations indicated that Tes accounted for 4-10% of the variance in scores of 4 tests. We conclude that cooling of the body and/or the arm elicits large decrements in finger, hand and arm performance. The decrements are due almost entirely to the local effects of arm tissue cooling.

360 Degrees feedback for emergency physicians in Singapore.

PubMed

Tham, Kum-Ying

2007-08-01

To determine if emergency physicians (EPs) are ready to accept 360 degrees feedback, and agreement between self and colleagues' assessment in a 360 degrees feedback for EPs. Self-administered questionnaire to determine acceptability of 360 degrees feedback (n = 43). Each EP completed the Physician Achievement Review self-assessment and approached five colleagues to complete an assessment for him/her. Thirty-one responded: 77.4% preferred to select their appraisers, 90.3% wanted feedback to be confidential, 58.1% would share feedback with supervisors, but only 35.5% would link feedback to remuneration. Colleagues rated EPs' holistic management, humanistic aspects and patient communication, and professional relationship with colleagues as weak domains, weaknesses which EPs were only partially aware. EPs would accept 360 degrees feedback provided that they selected their appraisers and results were confidential. Colleagues reported that EPs were weak in "soft" and system skills.

Transport equations for partially ionized reactive plasma in magnetic field

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

Zhdanov, V. M.; Stepanenko, A. A.

2016-06-08

Transport equations for partially ionized reactive plasma in magnetic field taking into account the internal degrees of freedom and electronic excitation of plasma particles are derived. As a starting point of analysis the kinetic equation with a binary collision operator written in the Wang-Chang and Uhlenbeck form and with a reactive collision integral allowing for arbitrary chemical reactions is used. The linearized variant of Grad’s moment method is applied to deduce the systems of moment equations for plasma and also full and reduced transport equations for plasma species nonequilibrium parameters.

Lipid oxidation. Part. 1. Effect of free carboxyl group on the decomposition of lipid hydroperoxide.

PubMed

Pokorný, J; Rzepa, J; Janícek, G

1976-01-01

Hydroperoxido butyl oleate was decomposed by heating in excess palmitic acid at 60-120 degrees C. The decomposition followed the kinetics of a first order reaction with formation of both monomeric and oligomeric secondary products. The proportions of oligomers slightly increased with increasing reaction temperature and decreased with increasing concentration of hydroperoxide. The activation energy was 70.4 kJ/mol +/- 4.7 kJ/mol. The decomposition of hydroperoxides proceeded partially by monomolecular cleavage, partially by formation of esters with palmitic acid.

Application of small-diameter FBG sensors for detection of damages in composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okabe, Yoji; Mizutani, Tadahito; Yashiro, Shigeki; Takeda, Nobuo

2001-08-01

Small-diameter fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors have been developed by Hitachi Cable Ltd. and the authors. Since the outside diameter of polyimide coating is 52 micrometers , embedding of the sensors into carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) composites prepregs of 125 micrometers in thickness does not deteriorate the mechanical properties of the composite laminates. In this research, the small-diameter FBG sensor was applied for the detection of transverse cracks in CFRP composites. The FBG sensor was embedded in 0 degree(s) ply of a CFRP cross-ply laminate.

SU-E-QI-11: Measurement of Renal Pyruvate-To-Lactate Exchange with Hyperpolarized 13C MRI

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

Adamson, E; Johnson, K; Fain, S

Purpose: Previous work [1] modeling the metabolic flux between hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate and [1-13C]lactate in magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) experiments failed to account for vascular signal artifacts. Here, we investigate a method to minimize the vascular signal and its impact on the fidelity of metabolic modeling. Methods: MRSI was simulated for renal metabolism in MATLAB both with and without bipolar gradients. The resulting data were fit to a two-site exchange model [1], and the effects of vascular partial volume artifacts on kinetic modeling were assessed. Bipolar gradients were then incorporated into a gradient echo sequence to validate the simulations experimentally.more » The degree of diffusion weighting (b = 32 s/mm{sup 2}) was determined empirically from 1H imaging of murine renal vascular signal. The method was then tested in vivo using MRSI with bipolar gradients following injection of hyperpolarized [1-{sup 13}C]pyruvate (∼80 mM at 20% polarization). Results: In simulations, vascular signal contaminated the renal metabolic signal at resolutions as high as 2 × 2 mm{sup 2} due to partial volume effects. The apparent exchange rate from pyruvate to lactate (k{sub p}) was underestimated in the presence of these artifacts due to contaminating pyruvate signal. Incorporation of bipolar gradients suppressed vascular signal and improved the accuracy of kp estimation. Experimentally, the in vivo results supported the ability of bipolar gradients to suppress vascular signal. The in vivo exchange rate increased, as predicted in simulations, from k{sub p} = 0.012 s-{sup 1} to k{sub p} = 0.020-{sup 1} after vascular signal suppression. Conclusion: We have demonstrated the limited accuracy of the two-site exchange model in the presence of vascular partial volume artifacts. The addition of bipolar gradients suppressed vascular signal and improved model accuracy in simulations. Bipolar gradients largely affected kp estimation in vivo. Currently, slow-flowing spins in small vessels and capillaries are only partially suppressed, so further improvement is possible. Funding support: Seed Grant from the Radiological Society of North America, GE Healthcare, University of Wisconsin Graduate School.« less

48 CFR 19.503 - Setting aside a class of acquisitions for small business.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 19.502-3(a). The determination to make a class small business set-aside shall not depend on the... economic production runs or reasonable lots, in the case of a partial class set-aside. (d) The contracting...

Thermally induced gelling of oil-in-water emulsions comprising partially crystallized droplets: the impact of interfacial crystals.

PubMed

Thivilliers, Florence; Laurichesse, Eric; Saadaoui, Hassan; Leal-Calderon, Fernando; Schmitt, Véronique

2008-12-02

We produced triglyceride-in-water emulsions comprising partially crystallized droplets, stabilized by a mixture of protein and low molecular weight surfactant. The emulsions were emulsified in the melted state of the oil phase and stored at low temperature (4 degrees C) right after fabrication to induce oil crystallization. The systems were then warmed to room temperature for a short period of time and cooled again to 4 degrees C. Owing to this treatment referred to as temperature cycling or "tempering", the initially fluid emulsions turned into hard gels. We followed the bulk rheological properties of the materials during and after tempering. The storage modulus, G', exhibited a dramatic increase when tempering was applied. We showed that the systems evolved following two distinct regimes that depend on the average droplet size and on the surfactant-to-protein molar ratio. Gelling may involve partial coalescence of the droplets, i.e., film rupturing with no further shape relaxation because of the solid nature of the droplets. Alternatively, gelling may occur without film rupturing, and is reminiscent of a jamming transition induced by surface roughness. We discussed the origin of these two mechanisms in terms of the properties (size and protuberance) of the interfacial oil crystals.

Partial oxidation of dimethyl ether using the structured catalyst Rh/Al2O3/Al prepared through the anodic oxidation of aluminum.

PubMed

Yu, B Y; Lee, K H; Kim, K; Byun, D J; Ha, H P; Byun, J Y

2011-07-01

The partial oxidation of dimethyl ether (DME) was investigated using the structured catalyst Rh/Al2O3/Al. The porous Al2O3 layer was synthesized on the aluminum plate through anodic oxidation in an oxalic-acid solution. It was observed that about 20 nm nanopores were well developed in the Al2O3 layer. The thickness of Al2O3 layer can be adjusted by controlling the anodizing time and current density. After pore-widening and hot-water treatment, the Al2O3/Al plate was calcined at 500 degrees C for 3 h. The obtained delta-Al2O3 had a specific surface area of 160 m2/g, making it fit to be used as a catalyst support. A microchannel reactor was designed and fabricated to evaluate the catalytic activity of Rh/Al2O3/Al in the partial oxidation of DME. The structured catalyst showed an 86% maximum hydrogen yield at 450 degrees C. On the other hand, the maximum syngas yield by a pack-bed-type catalyst could be attained by using a more than fivefold Rh amount compared to that used in the structured Rh/Al2O3/Al catalyst.

Small Business Innovations (Robotic Wrist)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

Under a Langley Research Center Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract, Ross-Hime Designs, Inc. Minneapolis, MN, developed the Omni-Wrist actuator, which has a 25-pound capacity, 180 degrees of pitch/yaw, and 360 degrees of roll. Company literature calls it "the first successful singularity-free high-precision (robotic) wrist." Applications include spray painting, sealing, ultrasonic testing, welding and a variety of nuclear industry, aerospace and military uses.

Fluctuating local field method probed for a description of small classical correlated lattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rubtsov, Alexey N.

2018-05-01

Thermal-equilibrated finite classical lattices are considered as a minimal model of the systems showing an interplay between low-energy collective fluctuations and single-site degrees of freedom. Standard local field approach, as well as classical limit of the bosonic DMFT method, do not provide a satisfactory description of Ising and Heisenberg small lattices subjected to an external polarizing field. We show that a dramatic improvement can be achieved within a simple approach, in which the local field appears to be a fluctuating quantity related to the low-energy degree(s) of freedom.

Torsional Split Hopkinson Bar Optimization

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-04-10

EML 4905 Senior Design Project A B.S. THESIS PREPARED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF...fulfillment of the requirements in EML 4511. The contents represent the opinion of the authors and not the Department of Mechanical and Materials

Manual Physical Therapy for Non-Surgical Treatment of Adhesion-Related Small Bowel Obstructions: Two Case Reports

PubMed Central

Rice, Amanda D.; King, Richard; Reed, Evette D’Avy; Patterson, Kimberley; Wurn, Belinda F.; Wurn, Lawrence J.

2013-01-01

Background: Adhesion formation is a widely acknowledged risk following abdominal or pelvic surgery. Adhesions in the abdomen or pelvis can cause or contribute to partial or total small bowel obstruction (SBO). These adhesions deter or prevent the passage of nutrients through the digestive tract, and may bind the bowel to the peritoneum, or other organs. Small bowel obstructions can quickly become life-threatening, requiring immediate surgery to resect the bowel, or lyse any adhesions the surgeon can safely access. Bowel repair is an invasive surgery, with risks including bowel rupture, infection, and peritonitis. An additional risk includes the formation of new adhesions during the healing process, creating the potential for subsequent adhesiolysis or SBO surgeries. Objective: Report the use of manual soft tissue physical therapy for the reversal of adhesion-related partial SBOs, and create an initial inquiry into the possibility of nonsurgical lysis of adhesions. Case Reports: Two patients presenting with SBO symptoms due to abdominal adhesions secondary to abdominal and pelvic surgery were treated with manual soft tissue physical therapy focused on decreasing adhesions. Conclusions: Successful treatment with resolution of symptom presentation of partial SBO and sustained results were observed in both patients treated. PMID:26237678

Pharmacists' Interest in and Commitment to Obtaining an Advanced Pharmacy Degree through Continuing Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Riley, David A.

1986-01-01

Describes results of a survey of all West Virginia pharmacists concerning their views on continuing education and advanced pharmacy degrees. Conclusions indicate a small percentage of pharmacists are interested in a higher degree via continuing education. (Author/CT)

Stochastic partial differential fluid equations as a diffusive limit of deterministic Lagrangian multi-time dynamics.

PubMed

Cotter, C J; Gottwald, G A; Holm, D D

2017-09-01

In Holm (Holm 2015 Proc. R. Soc. A 471 , 20140963. (doi:10.1098/rspa.2014.0963)), stochastic fluid equations were derived by employing a variational principle with an assumed stochastic Lagrangian particle dynamics. Here we show that the same stochastic Lagrangian dynamics naturally arises in a multi-scale decomposition of the deterministic Lagrangian flow map into a slow large-scale mean and a rapidly fluctuating small-scale map. We employ homogenization theory to derive effective slow stochastic particle dynamics for the resolved mean part, thereby obtaining stochastic fluid partial equations in the Eulerian formulation. To justify the application of rigorous homogenization theory, we assume mildly chaotic fast small-scale dynamics, as well as a centring condition. The latter requires that the mean of the fluctuating deviations is small, when pulled back to the mean flow.

Storage behavior and changes in concentrations of abscisic acid and gibberellins during dormancy break and germination in seeds of Phellodendron amurense var. wilsonii (Rutaceae).

PubMed

Chen, Shun-Ying; Chien, Ching-Te; Baskin, Jerry M; Baskin, Carol C

2010-02-01

The medicinal Asian plant genus Phellodendron is known to contain several very important compounds that have biological action. The main purpose of this study was to determine whether seeds of Phellodendron amurense var. wilsonii can be stored and to characterize their dormancy. Seeds of this taxon stored at -20 and -80 degrees C and in liquid nitrogen retained their high germinability, indicating that they have orthodox storage behavior. Intact seeds from freshly collected fruits were dormant and required 12 weeks of cold stratification at 4 degrees C for complete germination. Scarifying the seed coat was partially effective in breaking seed dormancy. Exogenous gibberellins (GA(3), GA(4) and GA(4+7)) promoted germination of scarified seeds, GA(4) and GA(4+7) being more effective than GA(3). Fluridone, an abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis inhibitor, was efficient in breaking dormancy, but it was less effective than GA(4) or GA(4+7) alone. Paclobutrazol, a GA biosynthesis inhibitor, inhibited seed germination, and the inhibitory effect was reversed completely by GA(4) and by GA(4+7). ABA content of seeds subjected to cold stratification or to incubation at 35/10 degrees C, which enhanced seed germination, was reduced about four- to sixfold compared to that of fresh seeds. Higher concentrations of GA(3), GA(4) and GA(7) were detected in nondormant seeds and in seeds with an emerged radicle than in fresh seeds. Present results seem to indicate that dormancy in P. amurense var. wilsonii seeds is imposed partially by the seed coat and partially by high ABA content. ABA content decreased and GA(3), GA(4) and GA(7) content increased during germination.

Relationship Between Column-Density and Surface Mixing Ratio: Statistical Analysis of O3 and NO2 Data from the July 2011 Maryland DISCOVER-AQ Mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Flynn, Clare; Pickering, Kenneth E.; Crawford, James H.; Lamsol, Lok; Krotkov, Nickolay; Herman, Jay; Weinheimer, Andrew; Chen, Gao; Liu, Xiong; Szykman, James;

Débridement of Small Partial-thickness Rotator Cuff Tears in Elite Overhead Throwers

PubMed Central

Dugas, Jeffrey R.; Cain, E. Lyle; McMichael, Christopher S.; Andrews, James R.

2008-01-01

Elite overhead throwing athletes with rotator cuff tears represent a unique group of patients with an ultimate goal of returning to their previous level of competition. We hypothesized débridement of small partial-thickness rotator cuff tears would return the majority of elite overhead throwing athletes to their previous level of competition. Preoperative and intraoperative findings on 82 professional pitchers who had undergone débridement of partial-thickness rotator cuff tears were evaluated using our database. We obtained return to play data on 67 of the 82 players (82%); 51 (76%) were able to return to competitive pitching at the professional level and 37 (55%) were able to return to the same or higher level of competition. Of the 67 patients, 34 pitchers returned a questionnaire with a minimum followup of 18 months (mean 38 months; range 18 to 59 months). SF-12 scores were above average with a mean PSF-12 and MSF-12 of 55.04 and 56.49 respectively. An Athletic Shoulder Outcome Rating Scale score of greater than 60 was found in 76.5% of pitchers. Débridement of small partial-thickness rotator cuff tears allowed a majority of elite overhead throwing athletes to return to competitive pitching, however, returning to their previous level of competition remains a challenge for many of these players. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. PMID:18264849

Underwater partial polarization signatures from the shallow water real-time imaging polarimeter (SHRIMP)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taylor, James S., Jr.; Davis, P. S.; Wolff, Lawrence B.

2003-09-01

Research has shown that naturally occurring light outdoors and underwater is partially linearly polarized. The polarized components can be combined to form an image that describes the polarization of the light in the scene. This image is known as the degree of linear polarization (DOLP) image or partial polarization image. These naturally occurring polarization signatures can provide a diver or an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) with more information to detect, classify, and identify threats such as obstacles and/or mines in the shallow water environment. The SHallow water Real-time IMaging Polarimeter (SHRIMP), recently developed under sponsorship of Dr. Tom Swean at the Office of Naval Research (Code 321OE), can measure underwater partial polarization imagery. This sensor is a passive, three-channel device that simultaneously measures the three components of the Stokes vector needed to determine the partial linear polarization of the scene. The testing of this sensor has been completed and the data has been analyzed. This paper presents performance results from the field-testing and quantifies the gain provided by the partial polarization signature of targets in the Very Shallow Water (VSW) and Surf Zone (SZ) regions.

Partially chaotic orbits in a perturbed cubic force model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muzzio, J. C.

2017-11-01

Three types of orbits are theoretically possible in autonomous Hamiltonian systems with 3 degrees of freedom: fully chaotic (they only obey the energy integral), partially chaotic (they obey an additional isolating integral besides energy) and regular (they obey two isolating integrals besides energy). The existence of partially chaotic orbits has been denied by several authors, however, arguing either that there is a sudden transition from regularity to full chaoticity or that a long enough follow-up of a supposedly partially chaotic orbit would reveal a fully chaotic nature. This situation needs clarification, because partially chaotic orbits might play a significant role in the process of chaotic diffusion. Here we use numerically computed Lyapunov exponents to explore the phase space of a perturbed three-dimensional cubic force toy model, and a generalization of the Poincaré maps to show that partially chaotic orbits are actually present in that model. They turn out to be double orbits joined by a bifurcation zone, which is the most likely source of their chaos, and they are encapsulated in regions of phase space bounded by regular orbits similar to each one of the components of the double orbit.

Perovskite-type oxide thin film integrated fiber optic sensor for high-temperature hydrogen measurement.

PubMed

Tang, Xiling; Remmel, Kurtis; Lan, Xinwei; Deng, Jiangdong; Xiao, Hai; Dong, Junhang

2009-09-15

Small size fiber optic devices integrated with chemically sensitive photonic materials are emerging as a new class of high-performance optical chemical sensor that have the potential to meet many analytical challenges in future clean energy systems and environmental management. Here, we report the integration of a proton conducting perovskite oxide thin film with a long-period fiber grating (LPFG) device for high-temperature in situ measurement of bulk hydrogen in fossil- and biomass-derived syngas. The perovskite-type Sr(Ce(0.8)Zr(0.1))Y(0.1)O(2.95) (SCZY) nanocrystalline thin film is coated on the 125 microm diameter LPFG by a facile polymeric precursor route. This fiber optic sensor (FOS) operates by monitoring the LPFG resonant wavelength (lambda(R)), which is a function of the refractive index of the perovskite oxide overcoat. At high temperature, the types and population of the ionic and electronic defects in the SCZY structure depend on the surrounding hydrogen partial pressure. Thus, varying the H(2) concentration changes the SCZY film refractive index and light absorbing characteristics that in turn shifts the lambda(R) of the LPFG. The SCZY-coated LPFG sensor has been demonstrated for bulk hydrogen measurement at 500 degrees C for its sensitivity, stability/reversibility, and H(2)-selectivity over other relevant small gases including CO, CH(4), CO(2), H(2)O, and H(2)S, etc.

Cold rescue of the thermolabile tailspike intermediate at the junction between productive folding and off-pathway aggregation.

PubMed Central

Betts, S. D.; King, J.

1998-01-01

Off-pathway intermolecular interactions between partially folded polypeptide chains often compete with correct intramolecular interactions, resulting in self-association of folding intermediates into the inclusion body state. Intermediates for both productive folding and off-pathway aggregation of the parallel beta-coil tailspike trimer of phage P22 have been identified in vivo and in vitro using native gel electrophoresis in the cold. Aggregation of folding intermediates was suppressed when refolding was initiated and allowed to proceed for a short period at 0 degrees C prior to warming to 20 degrees C. Yields of refolded tailspike trimers exceeding 80% were obtained using this temperature-shift procedure, first described by Xie and Wetlaufer (1996, Protein Sci 5:517-523). We interpret this as due to stabilization of the thermolabile monomeric intermediate at the junction between productive folding and off-pathway aggregation. Partially folded monomers, a newly identified dimer, and the protrimer folding intermediates were populated in the cold. These species were electrophoretically distinguished from the multimeric intermediates populated on the aggregation pathway. The productive protrimer intermediate is disulfide bonded (Robinson AS, King J, 1997, Nat Struct Biol 4:450-455), while the multimeric aggregation intermediates are not disulfide bonded. The partially folded dimer appears to be a precursor to the disulfide-bonded protrimer. The results support a model in which the junctional partially folded monomeric intermediate acquires resistance to aggregation in the cold by folding further to a conformation that is activated for correct recognition and subunit assembly. PMID:9684883

Hydrodynamics of the Capture Zone of a Partially Penetrating Well in a Confined Aquifer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faybishenko, Boris A.; Javandel, Iraj; Witherspoon, Paul A.

1995-04-01

In the pump and treat approach to the problem of managing a contaminated aquifer, a key problem is to design an effective capture system that collects only the polluted groundwater without allowing any of it to escape. At present, it is customary to design a capture system using fully penetrating withdrawal wells. Very often, however, only part of the vertical thickness of the aquifer is contaminated, so the question may arise whether a more efficient capture system can be achieved using partially penetrating wells. Very little work has been done on the application of partially penetrating wells to this problem. A new semianalytic method that can be used in determining the geometry of the capture zone for steady state flow to a partially penetrating well that is screened from the top (or from the bottom) of a confined aquifer has been developed. By combining the velocity potentials for flow to the well with that for the regional flow field, a three-dimensional velocity potential that can be used in determining the complete geometry of the capture surface has been developed. The results have shown that with a constant pumping rate the maximum horizontal extent of the capture surface at the top (or bottom) of the aquifer increases as the degree of penetration decreases. As one would expect, the maximum vertical extent increases as the depth of penetration increases. Thus, if one knows the actual location of the contaminant plume, an appropriate combination of the degree of penetration and pumping rate can be selected to create an effective capture zone.

Mating competitiveness of male Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes irradiated with a partially or fully sterilizing dose in small and large laboratory cages.

PubMed

Helinski, M E H; Knols, B G J

2008-07-01

Male mating competitiveness is a crucial parameter in many genetic control programs including the sterile insect technique (SIT). We evaluated competitiveness of male Anopheles arabiensis Patton as a function of three experimental variables: (1) small or large cages for mating, (2) the effects of either a partially sterilizing (70 Gy) or fully sterilizing (120 Gy) dose, and (3) pupal or adult irradiation. Irradiated males competed for females with an equal number of unirradiated males. Competitiveness was determined by measuring hatch rates of individually laid egg batches. In small cages, pupal irradiation with the high dose resulted in the lowest competitiveness, whereas adult irradiation with the low dose gave the highest, with the latter males being equal in competitiveness to unirradiated males. In the large cage, reduced competitiveness of males irradiated in the pupal stage was more pronounced compared with the small cage; the males irradiated as adults at both doses performed similarly to unirradiated males. Unexpectedly, males irradiated with the high dose performed better in a large cage than in a small one. A high proportion of intermediate hatch rates was observed for eggs collected in the large cage experiments with males irradiated at the pupal stage. It is concluded that irradiation of adult An. arabiensis with the partially sterilizing dose results in the highest competitiveness for both cage designs. Cage size affected competitiveness for some treatments; therefore, competitiveness determined in laboratory experiments must be confirmed by releases into simulated field conditions. The protocols described are readily transferable to evaluate male competitiveness for other genetic control techniques.

Influence of Hot-Working Conditions on High-Temperature Properties of a Heat-Resistant Alloy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ewing, John F; Freeman, J W

1957-01-01

The relationships between conditions of hot-working and properties at high temperatures and the influence of the hot-working on response to heat treatment were investigated for an alloy containing nominally 20 percent molybdenum, 2 percent tungsten, and 1 percent columbium. Commercially produced bar stock was solution-treated at 2,200 degrees F. to minimize prior-history effects and then rolled at temperatures of 2,200 degrees, 2,100 degrees, 2,000 degrees, 1,800 degrees, and 1,600 degrees F. Working was carried out at constant temperature and with incremental decreases in temperature simulating a falling temperature during hot-working. In addition, a few special repeated cyclic conditions involving a small reduction at high temperature followed by a small reduction at a low temperature were used to study the possibility of inducing very low strengths by the extensive precipitation accompanying such properties. Most of the rolling was done in open passes with a few check tests being made with closed passes. Heat treatments at both 2,050 degrees and 2,200 degrees F. subsequent to working were used to study the influence on response to heat treatment.

U.S. Policy in Pakistan as U.S. Begins to Transition Afghanistan?

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-14

PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER Colonel Robert Mundell ... Mundell Project Adviser This SRP is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Master of Strategic Studies Degree. The U.S

High temperature desulfurization of synthesis gas

DOEpatents

Najjar, Mitri S.; Robin, Allen M.

1989-01-01

The hot process gas stream from the partial oxidation of sulfur-containing heavy liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel and/or sulfur-containing solid carbonaceous fuel comprising gaseous mixtures of H.sub.2 +CO, sulfur-containing gases, entrained particulate carbon, and molten slag is passed through the unobstructed central passage of a radiant cooler where the temperature is reduced to a temperature in the range of about 1800.degree. F. to 1200.degree. F. From about 0 to 95 wt. % of the molten slag and/or entrained material may be removed from the hot process gas stream prior to the radiant cooler with substantially no reduction in temperature of the process gas stream. In the radiant cooler, after substantially all of the molten slag has solidified, the sulfur-containing gases are contacted with a calcium-containing material to produce calcium sulfide. A partially cooled stream of synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas containing entrained calcium sulfide particulate matter, particulate carbon, and solidified slag leaves the radiant cooler containing a greatly reduced amount of sulfur-containing gases.

Tuning and Freezing Disorder in Photonic Crystals using Percolation Lithography

PubMed Central

Burgess, Ian B.; Abedzadeh, Navid; Kay, Theresa M.; Shneidman, Anna V.; Cranshaw, Derek J.; Lončar, Marko; Aizenberg, Joanna

2016-01-01

Although common in biological systems, synthetic self-assembly routes to complex 3D photonic structures with tailored degrees of disorder remain elusive. Here we show how liquids can be used to finely control disorder in porous 3D photonic crystals, leading to complex and hierarchical geometries. In these optofluidic crystals, dynamically tunable disorder is superimposed onto the periodic optical structure through partial wetting or evaporation. In both cases, macroscopic symmetry breaking is driven by subtle sub-wavelength variations in the pore geometry. These variations direct site-selective infiltration of liquids through capillary interactions. Incorporating cross-linkable resins into our liquids, we developed methods to freeze in place the filling patterns at arbitrary degrees of partial wetting and intermediate stages of drying. These percolation lithography techniques produced permanent photonic structures with adjustable disorder. By coupling strong changes in optical properties to subtle differences in fluid behavior, optofluidic crystals may also prove useful in rapid analysis of liquids. PMID:26790372

Entanglement entropy between virtual and real excitations in quantum electrodynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ardenghi, Juan Sebastián

2018-05-01

The aim of this work is to introduce the entanglement entropy of real and virtual excitations of fermion and photon fields. By rewriting the generating functional of quantum electrodynamics theory as an inner product between quantum operators, it is possible to obtain quantum density operators representing the propagation of real and virtual particles. These operators are partial traces, where the degrees of freedom traced out are unobserved excitations. Then the von Neumann definition of entropy can be applied to these quantum operators and in particular, for the partial traces taken over by the internal or external degrees of freedom. A universal behavior is obtained for the entanglement entropy for different quantum fields at zeroth order in the coupling constant. In order to obtain numerical results at different orders in the perturbation expansion, the Bloch-Nordsieck model is considered, where it is shown that for some particular values of the electric charge, the von Neumann entropy increases or decreases with respect to the noninteracting case.

Non-singular spherical harmonic expressions of geomagnetic vector and gradient tensor fields in the local north-oriented reference frame

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Du, J.; Chen, C.; Lesur, V.; Wang, L.

2015-07-01

General expressions of magnetic vector (MV) and magnetic gradient tensor (MGT) in terms of the first- and second-order derivatives of spherical harmonics at different degrees/orders are relatively complicated and singular at the poles. In this paper, we derived alternative non-singular expressions for the MV, the MGT and also the third-order partial derivatives of the magnetic potential field in the local north-oriented reference frame. Using our newly derived formulae, the magnetic potential, vector and gradient tensor fields and also the third-order partial derivatives of the magnetic potential field at an altitude of 300 km are calculated based on a global lithospheric magnetic field model GRIMM_L120 (GFZ Reference Internal Magnetic Model, version 0.0) with spherical harmonic degrees 16-90. The corresponding results at the poles are discussed and the validity of the derived formulas is verified using the Laplace equation of the magnetic potential field.

40 CFR Appendix C to Subpart F of... - Method for Testing Recovery Devices for Use With Small Appliances

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... for Use With Small Appliances C Appendix C to Subpart F of Part 82 Protection of Environment... and Emissions Reduction Pt. 82, Subpt. F, App. C Appendix C to Subpart F of Part 82—Method for Testing... system. II. Test Conditions Tests are to be conducted at 75 degrees F, plus or minus 2 degrees F (23.9 C...

Experimental and theoretical studies of light-to-heat conversion and collective heating effects in metal nanoparticle solutions.

PubMed

Richardson, Hugh H; Carlson, Michael T; Tandler, Peter J; Hernandez, Pedro; Govorov, Alexander O

2009-03-01

We perform a set of experiments on photoheating in a water droplet containing gold nanoparticles (NPs). Using photocalorimetric methods, we determine efficiency of light-to-heat conversion (eta) which turns out to be remarkably close to 1, (0.97 < eta < 1.03). Detailed studies reveal a complex character of heat transfer in an optically stimulated droplet. The main mechanism of equilibration is due to convectional flow. Theoretical modeling is performed to describe thermal effects at both nano- and millimeter scales. Theory shows that the collective photoheating is the main mechanism. For a large concentration of NPs and small laser intensity, an averaged temperature increase (at the millimeter scale) is significant (approximately 7 degrees C), whereas on the nanometer scale the temperature increase at the surface of a single NP is small (approximately 0.02 degrees C). In the opposite regime, that is, a small NP concentration and intense laser irradiation, we find an opposite picture: a temperature increase at the millimeter scale is small (0.1 degrees C) but a local, nanoscale temperature has strong local spikes at the surfaces of NPs (approximately 3 degrees C). These studies are crucial for the understanding of photothermal effects in NPs and for their potential and current applications in nano- and biotechnologies.

Growth Trajectories of Mexican-Origin Adolescent Mothers’ Educational Expectations

PubMed Central

Bravo, Diamond Y.; Toomey, Russell B.; Umaña-Taylor, Adriana J.; Updegraff, Kimberly A.; Jahromi, Laudan B.

2015-01-01

Pregnant and parenting adolescents are at significant risk for educational underachievement. Educational expectations play a critical role for understanding subsequent educational attainment; yet, limited empirical attention has been given to changes in educational expectations across the transition to parenthood among adolescent mothers. This longitudinal study explored stability and change in educational expectations across the transition to parenthood among 191 first-time pregnant Mexican-origin adolescents (Mage = 16.76, SD = .98). The current study also examined how several contextually relevant risk and protective factors were associated with differential patterns of educational trajectories across this transition and subsequent educational attainment. Latent class growth analyses revealed three educational expectation trajectories: low and stable (< high school degree), moderate and increasing (≈ associate degree), and high and increasing (≈ bachelor’s degree). Adolescent mothers in the low and stable group encountered several educational risk factors that partially explained their probability of membership in this trajectory and subsequent lower attainment. Conversely, probability of membership in the high and increasing expectations class was partially explained by adolescents’ on-track school status at the time of pregnancy and their mother figures’ educational expectations for their pregnant daughters. These findings have implications for understanding the malleable factors that help to explain why some adolescent mothers describe consistently high educational expectations and subsequent higher attainment, while others do not. PMID:28392610

Oriented nanometric aggregates of partially inverted zinc ferrite: One-step processing and tunable high-frequency magnetic properties

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

Sai, Ranajit, E-mail: ranajit@ecei.tohoku.ac.jp; Centre for Nano Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore; Endo, Yasushi

2015-05-07

In this work, it is demonstrated that the in situ growth of oriented nanometric aggregates of partially inverted zinc ferrite can potentially pave a way to alter and tune magnetocrystalline anisotropy that, in turn, dictates ferromagnetic resonance frequency (f{sub FMR}) by inducing strain due to aggregation. Furthermore, the influence of interparticle interaction on magnetic properties of the aggregates is investigated. Mono-dispersed zinc ferrite nanoparticles (<5 nm) with various degrees of aggregation were prepared through decomposition of metal-organic compounds of zinc (II) and iron (III) in an alcoholic solution under controlled microwave irradiation, below 200 °C. The nanocrystallites were found to possess highmore » degree of inversion (>0.5). With increasing order of aggregation in the samples, saturation magnetization (at 5 K) is found to decrease from 38 emu/g to 24 emu/g, while coercivity is found to increase gradually by up to 100% (525 Oe to 1040 Oe). Anisotropy-mediated shift of f{sub FMR} has also been measured and discussed. In essence, the result exhibits an easy way to control the magnetic characteristics of nanocrystalline zinc ferrite, boosted with significant degree of inversion, at GHz frequencies.« less

Probing coherence in microcavity frequency combs via optical pulse shaping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferdous, Fahmida; Miao, Houxun; Wang, Pei-Hsun; Leaird, Daniel E.; Srinivasan, Kartik; Chen, Lei; Aksyuk, Vladimir; Weiner, Andrew M.

2012-09-01

Recent investigations of microcavity frequency combs based on cascaded four-wave mixing have revealed a link between the evolution of the optical spectrum and the observed temporal coherence. Here we study a silicon nitride microresonator for which the initial four-wave mixing sidebands are spaced by multiple free spectral ranges (FSRs) from the pump, then fill in to yield a comb with single FSR spacing, resulting in partial coherence. By using a pulse shaper to select and manipulate the phase of various subsets of spectral lines, we are able to probe the structure of the coherence within the partially coherent comb. Our data demonstrate strong variation in the degree of mutual coherence between different groups of lines and provide support for a simple model of partially coherent comb formation.

Partial Thermalization of Correlations in pA and AA collisionss

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gavin, Sean; Moschelli, George; Zin, Christopher

2017-09-01

Correlations born before the onset of hydrodynamic flow can leave observable traces on the final state particles. Measurement of these correlations can yield important information on the isotropization and thermalization process. Starting with Israel-Stewart hydrodynamics and Boltzmann-like kinetic theory in the presence of dynamic Langevin noise, we derive new partial differential equations for two-particle correlation functions. To illustrate how these equations can be used, we study the effect of thermalization on long range correlations. We show quite generally that two particle correlations at early times depend on S, the average probability that a parton suffers no interactions. We extract S from transverse momentum fluctuations measured in Pb+Pb collisions and predict the degree of partial thermalization in pA experiments. NSF-PHY-1207687.

Small, Lightweight Inspection Robot With 12 Degrees Of Freedom

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Thomas S.; Ohm, Timothy R.; Hayati, Samad

1996-01-01

Small serpentine robot weighs only 6 lbs. and has link diameter of 1.5 in. Designed to perform inspections. Multiple degrees of freedom enables it to reach around obstacles and through small openings into simple or complexly shaped confined spaces to positions where difficult or impossible to perform inspections by other means. Fiber-optic borescope incorporated into robot arm, with inspection tip of borescope located at tip of arm. Borescope both conveys light along robot arm to illuminate scene inspected at tip and conveys image of scene back along robot arm to external imaging equipment.

On the role of block copolymer additives for calcium carbonate crystallization: small angle neutron scattering investigation by applying contrast variation.

PubMed

Endo, Hitoshi; Schwahn, Dietmar; Cölfen, Helmut

2004-05-15

The role of the double-hydrophilic block copolymer poly(ethylen glycol)-block-poly(methacrylic acid) (PEG-b-PMAA) on the morphogenesis of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) was studied by applying the contrast variation small angle neutron scattering technique. The morphology and size of CaCO3 crystals is strongly affected by the addition of PEG-b-PMAA. In order to determine the partial scattering functions of the polymer and CaCO3 mineral, we developed both an experimental and theoretical approach with a sophisticated method of their determination from the scattering intensity. Partial scattering functions give detailed information for each component. In particular, the partial scattering function of the polymer, Spp, shows a monotonic slope with Q(-2 to -3) where the scattering vector Q is low (Q < 0.01 Angstrom(-1)), which is a clear evidence that the polymer within the CaCO3 mineral has a mass fractal dimension. The other partial scattering functions reflected the geometry of the CaCO3 particles or the "interaction" of polymer and CaCO3 on a microscopic scale, which leads to a coherent view with Spp.

Hidden physics models: Machine learning of nonlinear partial differential equations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raissi, Maziar; Karniadakis, George Em

2018-03-01

While there is currently a lot of enthusiasm about "big data", useful data is usually "small" and expensive to acquire. In this paper, we present a new paradigm of learning partial differential equations from small data. In particular, we introduce hidden physics models, which are essentially data-efficient learning machines capable of leveraging the underlying laws of physics, expressed by time dependent and nonlinear partial differential equations, to extract patterns from high-dimensional data generated from experiments. The proposed methodology may be applied to the problem of learning, system identification, or data-driven discovery of partial differential equations. Our framework relies on Gaussian processes, a powerful tool for probabilistic inference over functions, that enables us to strike a balance between model complexity and data fitting. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated through a variety of canonical problems, spanning a number of scientific domains, including the Navier-Stokes, Schrödinger, Kuramoto-Sivashinsky, and time dependent linear fractional equations. The methodology provides a promising new direction for harnessing the long-standing developments of classical methods in applied mathematics and mathematical physics to design learning machines with the ability to operate in complex domains without requiring large quantities of data.

Sparse partial least squares regression for simultaneous dimension reduction and variable selection

PubMed Central

Chun, Hyonho; Keleş, Sündüz

2010-01-01

Partial least squares regression has been an alternative to ordinary least squares for handling multicollinearity in several areas of scientific research since the 1960s. It has recently gained much attention in the analysis of high dimensional genomic data. We show that known asymptotic consistency of the partial least squares estimator for a univariate response does not hold with the very large p and small n paradigm. We derive a similar result for a multivariate response regression with partial least squares. We then propose a sparse partial least squares formulation which aims simultaneously to achieve good predictive performance and variable selection by producing sparse linear combinations of the original predictors. We provide an efficient implementation of sparse partial least squares regression and compare it with well-known variable selection and dimension reduction approaches via simulation experiments. We illustrate the practical utility of sparse partial least squares regression in a joint analysis of gene expression and genomewide binding data. PMID:20107611

Comparing Effects of Cluster-Coupled Patterns on Opinion Dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yun; Si, Xia-Meng; Zhang, Yan-Chao

2012-07-01

Community structure is another important feature besides small-world and scale-free property of complex networks. Communities can be coupled through specific fixed links between nodes, or occasional encounter behavior. We introduce a model for opinion evolution with multiple cluster-coupled patterns, in which the interconnectivity denotes the coupled degree of communities by fixed links, and encounter frequency controls the coupled degree of communities by encounter behaviors. Considering the complicated cognitive system of people, the CODA (continuous opinions and discrete actions) update rules are used to mimic how people update their decisions after interacting with someone. It is shown that, large interconnectivity and encounter frequency both can promote consensus, reduce competition between communities and propagate some opinion successfully across the whole population. Encounter frequency is better than interconnectivity at facilitating the consensus of decisions. When the degree of social cohesion is same, small interconnectivity has better effects on lessening the competence between communities than small encounter frequency does, while large encounter frequency can make the greater degree of agreement across the whole populations than large interconnectivity can.

A system for applying rapid warming or cooling stimuli to cells during patch clamp recording or ion imaging.

PubMed

Reid, G; Amuzescu, B; Zech, E; Flonta, M L

2001-10-15

We describe a system for superfusing small groups of cells at a precisely controlled and rapidly adjustable local temperature. Before being applied to the cell or cells under study, solutions are heated or cooled in a chamber of small volume ( approximately 150 microl) and large surface area, sandwiched between four small Peltier elements. The current through the Peltier elements is controlled by a microprocessor using a PID (proportional-integral-derivative) feedback algorithm. The chamber can be heated to at least 60 degrees C and cooled to 0 degrees C, changing its temperature at a maximum rate of about 7 degrees C per second; temperature ramps can be followed under feedback control at up to 4 degrees C per second. Temperature commands can be applied from the digital-to-analogue converter of any laboratory interface or generated digitally by the microprocessor. The peak-to-peak noise contributed by the system does not exceed that contributed by a patch pipette, holder and headstage, making it suitable for single channel as well as whole cell recordings.

Influence of implant inclination associated with mandibular class I removable partial denture.

PubMed

de Freitas Santos, Ciandrus Moraes; Pellizzer, Eduardo Piza; Verri, Fellippo Ramos; de Moraes, Sandra Lúcia Dantas; Falcón-Antenucci, Rosse Mary

2011-03-01

The aim of this study was to use two-dimensional finite element method to evaluate the displacement and stress distribution transmitted by a distal extension removable partial denture (DERPD) associated with an implant placed at different inclinations (0, 5, 15, and 30 degrees) in the second molar region of the edentulous mandible ridge. Six hemimandibular models were created: model A, only with the presence of the natural tooth 33; model B, similar to model A, with the presence of a conventional DERPD replacing the missing teeth; model C, similar to the previous model, with a straight implant (0 degrees) in the distal region of the ridge, under the denture base; model D, similar to model C, with the implant angled at 5 degrees in the mesial direction; model E, similar to model C, with the implant angled at 15 degrees in the mesial direction; and model F, similar to ME, with the implant angled at 30 degrees in the mesial direction. The models were created with the use of the AutoCAD 2000 program (Autodesk, Inc, San Rafael, CA) and processed for finite element analysis by the ANSYS 8.0 program (Swanson Analysis Systems, Houston, PA). The force applied was vertical of 50 N on each cusp tip. The results showed that the introduction of the RPD overloaded the supporting structures of the RPD and that the introduction of the implant helped to relieve the stresses of the mucosa alveolar, cortical bone, and trabecular bone. The best stress distribution occurred in model D with the implant angled at 5 degrees. The use of an implant as a support decreased the displacement of alveolar mucosa for all inclinations simulated. The stress distribution transmitted by the DERPD to the supporting structures was improved by the use of straight or slightly inclined implants. According to the displacement analysis and von Mises stress, it could be expected that straight or slightly inclined implants do not represent biomechanical risks to use.

Correlation-coefficient-based fast template matching through partial elimination.

PubMed

Mahmood, Arif; Khan, Sohaib

2012-04-01

Partial computation elimination techniques are often used for fast template matching. At a particular search location, computations are prematurely terminated as soon as it is found that this location cannot compete with an already known best match location. Due to the nonmonotonic growth pattern of the correlation-based similarity measures, partial computation elimination techniques have been traditionally considered inapplicable to speed up these measures. In this paper, we show that partial elimination techniques may be applied to a correlation coefficient by using a monotonic formulation, and we propose basic-mode and extended-mode partial correlation elimination algorithms for fast template matching. The basic-mode algorithm is more efficient on small template sizes, whereas the extended mode is faster on medium and larger templates. We also propose a strategy to decide which algorithm to use for a given data set. To achieve a high speedup, elimination algorithms require an initial guess of the peak correlation value. We propose two initialization schemes including a coarse-to-fine scheme for larger templates and a two-stage technique for small- and medium-sized templates. Our proposed algorithms are exact, i.e., having exhaustive equivalent accuracy, and are compared with the existing fast techniques using real image data sets on a wide variety of template sizes. While the actual speedups are data dependent, in most cases, our proposed algorithms have been found to be significantly faster than the other algorithms.

Sector (partial) oculo(dermal) melanocytosis in 89 eyes.

PubMed

Shields, Carol L; Qureshi, Anam; Mashayekhi, Arman; Park, Chantel; Sinha, Neelema; Zolotarev, Felina; Shields, Jerry A

2011-12-01

To describe sector (partial) involvement of the uvea with melanocytosis. Noninterventional, retrospective case series. A total of 89 eyes of 86 patients. Review of medical records, color photographs, and ultrasound images. Clinical features and relationship with uveal melanoma. Approximately all patients were Caucasian (n = 83, 97%), and sector melanocytosis involved the right (n = 41, 46%) or left (n = 48, 54%) eye. The involved tissue included iris (n = 58, 65%), choroid (n = 48, 54%), and both iris and choroid (n = 17, 19%). The melanocytosis affected a mean of 6 clock hours of iris and 5 clock hours of choroid. Related melanocytosis involved the sclera (n = 39, 44%), eyelid (n = 4, 4%), temple (n = 4, 4%), scalp (n = 1, 1%), and palate (n = 1, 1%). Uveal melanoma was found at presentation in 7 patients (8%) and was multifocal in 2 of these patients. A comparison of eyes with versus without melanoma revealed clinically significant factors (odds ratio [OR] > 2) of male gender (71% vs. 43% [OR 3.36]); cutaneous/palate melanocytosis (14% vs. 7% [OR 2.11]); scleral melanocytosis heaviest in superior, temporal, or nasal quadrants (57% vs. 29% [OR 2.41, confidence interval, 2.24-3.92]); and any degree of choroidal melanocytosis (86% vs. 70% [OR 2.63]), particularly diffuse choroidal melanocytosis (29% vs. 16% [OR 3.85]). None of these factors reached statistical significance in this small cohort. Over a mean follow-up of 6 years, there was no metastatic event. Ocular melanocytosis can be sectoral (partial), affecting only a mean of 5 to 6 clock hours of the uvea and can manifest melanoma within the melanocytosis region. There were no specific features of melanocytosis statistically related to the presence of melanoma. The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article. Copyright © 2011 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Hand injuries from snow blowers: a report of an epidemic.

PubMed

Tetz, D J; Aghababian, R

1995-01-01

During a record snowfall in Worcester, Massachusetts, 11-13 December 1992, 37 male patients with hand injuries suffered during snow blower operation were seen at three area hospitals. Two previous reports describe 13 patients seen over a 3-year period and 28 patients over a 12-year period. This report describes the largest number of hand injuries from snow blowers that have occurred over a 48-hour period. The snow was unusual because of the high water density in the initial 9 inches (23 cm) that fell at an average temperature of 33 degrees F (0.6 degree C) with the final depth of 30 inches (76 cm), causing the machines to become clogged. Patients admitted to reaching into a running machine in 35/37 (95%) cases, 11/37 (30%) claimed the auger and impeller blades were disengaged, and 2/37 (5%) patients claimed their injuries occurred with the engines turned off. All injuries occurred when the patients placed their hands down the chute, contacting the impeller blades. Injuries involved 32 long, 15 ring, 13 index, and five small fingers and ranged from simple lacerations to partial phalangeal amputations. The majority, 27/37 (73%), were managed in emergency departments without interventions in the operating suites. Infection occurred in one patient who had the lesion repaired in the operating suite. As in previous studies, no differences were found for the variables of snow-blower age, type, or horsepower, or on experience level or age of the operators.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A pharmacological study of the toxin of a Cnidarian, Chironex fleckeri Southcott

PubMed Central

Freeman, Shirley E.; Turner, R. J.

1969-01-01

1. A study has been made of the pharmacological actions of toxic preparations obtained from the box jellyfish Chironex fleckeri Southcott. Two toxin preparations were used. One was a tentacle extract which was partially purified by Sephadex gel filtration; the second was obtained by a process analogous to snake milking, and is probably similar in composition to the material injected into victims. 2. All preparations were extremely toxic; death in animals, following minimally lethal doses, occurred in minutes. Respiratory arrest of central origin appeared to be the terminal event in all species tested. This was accompanied by marked signs of cardiotoxicity. The heart was slowed, irregular, and showed varying degrees of conduction delay. Terminally it showed atrioventricular block. 3. Blood pressure changes were biphasic. An initial rise in carotid pressure was followed by a profound fall; a second rise to an above normal level frequently followed this. These blood pressure oscillations were damped down by prior treatment with hexamethonium but the hypertensive response remained. 4. Blood samples taken before terminal apnoea showed a variable degree of haemolysis and a raised K+ level. 5. Experiments with isolated organ preparations suggested that the toxin had a non-specific lytic effect on cells, but did not contain pharmacologically active substances of small molecular weight such as 5-hydroxytryptamine. 6. It is suggested that the toxin(s) act by altering membrane permeability; the signs at death may reflect the sensitivity of the target organs to such a change. ImagesFIG. 1. PMID:4390195

Thermally induced disintegration of the oligomeric structure of alphaB-crystallin mutant F28S is associated with diminished chaperone activity.

PubMed

Kelley, Patrick B; Abraham, Edathara C

2003-10-01

alphaB-crystallin, a member of the small heat-shock protein (hsp) family of proteins, is able to function as a molecular chaperone by protecting other proteins from stress-induced aggregation by recognizing and binding to partially unfolded species of damaged proteins. The present work has investigated the role of phenylalanine-28 (F28) of the 22RLFDQFF28 region of alphaB-crystallin in maintaining chaperone function and oligomeric structure under physiological condition and under thermal stress. Bovine alphaB-crystallin was cloned for the first time and the cDNA sequence revealed greater than 90% homology to that of human, rat and mouse alphaB-crystallins. F28 was mutated to a serine followed by expression of the mutant F28S and the wild-type alphaB (alphaB-wt) in E. coli and subsequent purification of the protein by size-exclusion chromatography. Secondary and tertiary structure analyses showed some structural changes in the mutant. Chaperone activity and oligomeric size of the mutant was unchanged at 37 degrees C whereas at 58 degrees C the chaperone activity was significantly decreased and the oligomeric size ranged from low molecular weight to high molecular weight showing disintegration of the oligomeric structure. The data support the idea that the participation of large oligomeric structure rather than smaller units is required to have optimal chaperone activity and the hydrophobic F28 residue is needed for maintaining the native oligomeric structure under thermal stress.

Tsugaru Iwaki Skyline, Japan

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-05-03

The Tsugaru Iwaki Skyline is a toll road in northern Japan, which partially ascends Mount Iwaki stratovolcano, and is notable for its steep gradient and 69 hairpin turns. The road ascends 806 meters over an average gradient of 8.66%, with some sections going up to 10%. The Tsugaru Iwaki Skyline has been considered one of the most dangerous mountain roads in the world. (Wikipedia) The image was acquired May 26, 2015, and is located at 40.6 degrees north, 140.3 degrees east. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22385

Reliability analysis of redundant systems. [a method to compute transition probabilities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yeh, H. Y.

1974-01-01

A method is proposed to compute the transition probability (the probability of partial or total failure) of parallel redundant system. The effect of geometry of the system, the direction of load, and the degree of redundancy on the probability of complete survival of parachute-like system are also studied. The results show that the probability of complete survival of three-member parachute-like system is very sensitive to the variation of horizontal angle of the load. However, it becomes very insignificant as the degree of redundancy increases.

Characteristics of a Sealed Internally Balanced Aileron from Tests of a 1/4-Scale Partial-Span Model of the Republic XF-12 Airplane in the Langley 19-Foot Pressure Tunnel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Graham, Robert R.; Martina, Albert P.; Salmi, Reino J.

1946-01-01

This paper presents the results of the aileron investigation and includes rolling-moment, yawing-moment, and aileron hinge-moment coefficients and pressure coefficients across the aileron-balance seal through a range of angle of attack, tab deflection, and aileron deflection with flaps neutral and deflected 20 degrees and 55 degrees. Some of the effects of wing roughness and balance seal leakage on the aileron and tab characteristics are also presented.

Longitudinal polarization periodicity of unpolarized light passing through a double wedge depolarizer.

PubMed

de Sande, Juan Carlos G; Santarsiero, Massimo; Piquero, Gemma; Gori, Franco

2012-12-03

The polarization characteristics of unpolarized light passing through a double wedge depolarizer are studied. It is found that the degree of polarization of the radiation propagating after the depolarizer is uniform across transverse planes after the depolarizer, but it changes from one plane to another in a periodic way giving, at different distances, unpolarized, partially polarized, or even perfectly polarized light. An experiment is performed to confirm this result. Measured values of the Stokes parameters and of the degree of polarization are in complete agreement with the theoretical predictions.

Earth Observation

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-07-15

ISS040-E-065857 (15 July 2014) --- One of the Expedition 40 crew members aboard the International Space Station recorded this colorful image of Aurora Australis on July 15, 2014. Achernar (just to the right of center) is the brightest and most easily recognizable star in this generally southward view. The orbital outpost was flying at an altitude of 225 nautical miles over a nadir point located at 51.6 degrees south latitude and 110.3 degrees east longitude. Two solar array panels are partially visible in an edge-on angle on the right side of the frame.

CO.sub.2 Pretreatment prevents calcium carbonate formation

DOEpatents

Neavel, Richard C.; Brunson, Roy J.; Chaback, Joseph J.

1980-01-01

Scale formation during the liquefaction of lower ranking coals and similar carbonaceous materials is significantly reduced and/or prevented by pretreatment with carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide pretreatment is believed to convert the scale-forming components to the corresponding carbonate prior to liquefaction. The pretreatment is accomplished at a total pressure within the range from about 14 to about 68 atmospheres and a carbon dioxide partial pressure within the range from about 14 to about 34 atmospheres. Temperature during pretreatment will generally be within the range from about 100.degree. to about 200.degree. C.

iss032e025597

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-09-09

ISS032-E-025597 (9 Sept. 2012) --- Partially obstructed by the HTV-3 (H-II Transfer Vehicle) of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Tropical Storm Leslie is clearly seen in the Atlantic Ocean on Sept. 9, 2012, as photographed by one of the Expedition 32 crew members aboard the Cupola of the International Space Station. At the time of the photo Leslie was centered near 33.4 degrees north latitude and 62.1degrees west longitude (approximately 175 miles east-northeast of Bermuda) moving northward at 14 miles per hour with winds of 60 miles per hour.

Fate of TCE in heated Fort Lewis soil.

PubMed

Costanza, Jed; Fletcher, Kelly E; Löffler, Frank E; Pennell, Kurt D

2009-02-01

This study explores the transformation of trichloroethene (TCE) caused by heating contaminated soil and groundwater samples obtained from the East Gate Disposal Yard (EGDY) located in Fort Lewis, WA. After field samples transferring into glass ampules and introducing 1.5 micromol of TCE, the sealed ampules were incubated at temperatures of 25, 50, and 95 degrees C for periods of up to 95.5 days. Although TCE was completely transformed into cis-1,2-dichloroethene (cis-DCE) after 42 days at 25 degrees C by microbial activity, this transformation was not observed at 50 or 95 degrees C. Chloride levels increased after 42 days at 25 degrees C corresponding to the mass of TCE transformed to cis-DCE, were constant at 50 degrees C, and increased at 95 degrees C yielding a TCE degradation half-life of 1.6-1.9 years. These findings indicate that indigenous microbes contribute to the partial dechlorination of TCE to cis-DCE at temperatures of less than 50 degrees C, whereas interphase mass transfer and physical recovery of TCE will predominate over in situ degradation processes at temperatures of greater than 50 degrees C during thermal treatment at the EGDY site.

Efficacy of Effects Based Operations on Maoist COIN Operations in India

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-04-30

14, SUBJECT TERMS 15. NUMBER OF PAGES. 49 Naxalite Insurgency, Effects Based Approach/Effects Based Operations, Counterinsurgency in India 16...MAOIST COIN OPERATIONS IN INDIA SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF MILJTARY STUDIES MAJOR PRAMOD GAHLOT

Concomitant Ordering and Symmetry Lowering

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boo, William O. J.; Mattern, Daniell L.

2008-01-01

Examples of concomitant ordering include magnetic ordering, Jahn-Teller cooperative ordering, electronic ordering, ionic ordering, and ordering of partially-filled sites. Concomitant ordering sets in when a crystal is cooled and always lowers the degree of symmetry of the crystal. Concomitant ordering concepts can also be productively applied to…

Vietnam: A Failure of Strategy and Leadership

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-04-30

AND LEADERSHIP SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF MILITARY STUDIES AUTHOR: MAJOR D. M. CROUSORE, USMC...Q__ Date: ’::?:D l:foell 0<..01~ (/ i Executive Summary Title: VIETNAM: A FAILURE OF STRATEGY AND LEADERSHIP Author: Major D. M

A Taxonomy of Well-Being for Small-Town Elderly: A Case for Rural Diversity.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Scheidt, Rick J.

1984-01-01

Describes the development of a taxonomy of social and psychological well-being for 900 elderly small town residents. Compares the four largest groups (partially engaged, fully engaged, disengaged, and frail) in terms of mental and physical health, contact with others, and activity. (JAC)

13 CFR 107.880 - Assets acquired in liquidation of Portfolio securities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... Portfolio securities. 107.880 Section 107.880 Business Credit and Assistance SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION... liquidation of Portfolio securities. You may acquire assets in full or partial liquidation of a Small Business... assets. You must dispose of assets acquired in liquidation of a Portfolio security within a reasonable...

Marginal ridge fracture resistance, microleakage and pulpal response to glass ionomer/glass cermet partial tunnel restorations.

PubMed

Prabhu, N T; Munshi, A K; Shetty, T R

1997-01-01

Sixty sound premolars which were to be extracted for orthodontic treatment purposes were restored either with glass ionomer cement or glass cermet cements after partial tunnel preparation, and prior to the extraction after a time interval of 30 and 60 days respectively. The teeth were then subjected to marginal ridge fracture resistance, microleakage study using dye penetration and histological evaluation of the pulpal response to these materials. Both the materials exhibited increase in marginal ridge fracture resistance at 60 days, with minimal degree of microleakage and were biologically compatible with the dental pulp.

Kinematic sensitivity of robot manipulators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vuskovic, Marko I.

1989-01-01

Kinematic sensitivity vectors and matrices for open-loop, n degrees-of-freedom manipulators are derived. First-order sensitivity vectors are defined as partial derivatives of the manipulator's position and orientation with respect to its geometrical parameters. The four-parameter kinematic model is considered, as well as the five-parameter model in case of nominally parallel joint axes. Sensitivity vectors are expressed in terms of coordinate axes of manipulator frames. Second-order sensitivity vectors, the partial derivatives of first-order sensitivity vectors, are also considered. It is shown that second-order sensitivity vectors can be expressed as vector products of the first-order sensitivity vectors.

Stochastic partial differential fluid equations as a diffusive limit of deterministic Lagrangian multi-time dynamics

PubMed Central

Cotter, C. J.

2017-01-01

In Holm (Holm 2015 Proc. R. Soc. A 471, 20140963. (doi:10.1098/rspa.2014.0963)), stochastic fluid equations were derived by employing a variational principle with an assumed stochastic Lagrangian particle dynamics. Here we show that the same stochastic Lagrangian dynamics naturally arises in a multi-scale decomposition of the deterministic Lagrangian flow map into a slow large-scale mean and a rapidly fluctuating small-scale map. We employ homogenization theory to derive effective slow stochastic particle dynamics for the resolved mean part, thereby obtaining stochastic fluid partial equations in the Eulerian formulation. To justify the application of rigorous homogenization theory, we assume mildly chaotic fast small-scale dynamics, as well as a centring condition. The latter requires that the mean of the fluctuating deviations is small, when pulled back to the mean flow. PMID:28989316

Model-based approach to partial tracking for musical transcription

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sterian, Andrew; Wakefield, Gregory H.

1998-10-01

We present a new method for musical partial tracking in the context of musical transcription using a time-frequency Kalman filter structure. The filter is based upon a model for the evolution of a partial behavior across a wide range of pitch from four brass instruments. Statistics are computed independently for the partial attributes of frequency and log-power first differences. We present observed power spectral density shapes, total powers, and histograms, as well as least-squares approximations to these. We demonstrate that a Kalman filter tracker using this partial model is capable of tracking partials in music. We discuss how the filter structure naturally provides quality-of-fit information about the data for use in further processing and how this information can be used to perform partial track initiation and termination within a common framework. We propose that a model-based approach to partial tracking is preferable to existing approaches which generally use heuristic rules or birth/death notions over a small time neighborhood. The advantages include better performance in the presence of cluttered data and simplified tracking over missed observations.

A Mechanistic Model of Human Recall of Social Network Structure and Relationship Affect.

PubMed

Omodei, Elisa; Brashears, Matthew E; Arenas, Alex

2017-12-07

The social brain hypothesis argues that the need to deal with social challenges was key to our evolution of high intelligence. Research with non-human primates as well as experimental and fMRI studies in humans produce results consistent with this claim, leading to an estimate that human primary groups should consist of roughly 150 individuals. Gaps between this prediction and empirical observations can be partially accounted for using "compression heuristics", or schemata that simplify the encoding and recall of social information. However, little is known about the specific algorithmic processes used by humans to store and recall social information. We describe a mechanistic model of human network recall and demonstrate its sufficiency for capturing human recall behavior observed in experimental contexts. We find that human recall is predicated on accurate recall of a small number of high degree network nodes and the application of heuristics for both structural and affective information. This provides new insight into human memory, social network evolution, and demonstrates a novel approach to uncovering human cognitive operations.

Should modulation of p50 be a therapeutic target in the critically ill?

PubMed

Srinivasan, Amudan J; Morkane, Clare; Martin, Daniel S; Welsby, Ian J

2017-05-01

A defining feature of human hemoglobin is its oxygen binding affinity, quantified by the partial pressure of oxygen at which hemoglobin is 50% saturated (p50), and the variability of this parameter over a range of physiological and environmental states. Modulation of this property of hemoglobin can directly affect the degree of peripheral oxygen offloading and tissue oxygenation. Areas covered: This review summarizes the role of hemoglobin oxygen affinity in normal and abnormal physiology and discusses the current state of the literature regarding artificial modulation of p50. Hypoxic tumors, sickle cell disease, heart failure, and transfusion medicine are discussed in the context of recent advances in hemoglobin oxygen affinity manipulation. Expert commentary: Of particular clinical interest is the possibility of maintaining adequate end-organ oxygen availability in patients with anemia or compromised cardiac function via an increase in systemic p50. This increase in systemic p50 can be achieved with small molecule drugs or a packed red blood cell unit processing variant called rejuvenation, and human trials are needed to better understand the potential clinical benefits to modulating p50.

Local order and crystallization of dense polydisperse hard spheres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coslovich, Daniele; Ozawa, Misaki; Berthier, Ludovic

2018-04-01

Computer simulations give precious insight into the microscopic behavior of supercooled liquids and glasses, but their typical time scales are orders of magnitude shorter than the experimentally relevant ones. We recently closed this gap for a class of models of size polydisperse fluids, which we successfully equilibrate beyond laboratory time scales by means of the swap Monte Carlo algorithm. In this contribution, we study the interplay between compositional and geometric local orders in a model of polydisperse hard spheres equilibrated with this algorithm. Local compositional order has a weak state dependence, while local geometric order associated to icosahedral arrangements grows more markedly but only at very high density. We quantify the correlation lengths and the degree of sphericity associated to icosahedral structures and compare these results to those for the Wahnström Lennard-Jones mixture. Finally, we analyze the structure of very dense samples that partially crystallized following a pattern incompatible with conventional fractionation scenarios. The crystal structure has the symmetry of aluminum diboride and involves a subset of small and large particles with size ratio approximately equal to 0.5.

Catalytic nanoporous membranes

DOEpatents

Pellin, Michael J; Hryn, John N; Elam, Jeffrey W

2013-08-27

A nanoporous catalytic membrane which displays several unique features Including pores which can go through the entire thickness of the membrane. The membrane has a higher catalytic and product selectivity than conventional catalysts. Anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes serve as the catalyst substrate. This substrate is then subjected to Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), which allows the controlled narrowing of the pores from 40 nm to 10 nm in the substrate by deposition of a preparatory material. Subsequent deposition of a catalytic layer on the inner surfaces of the pores reduces pore sizes to less than 10 nm and allows for a higher degree of reaction selectivity. The small pore sizes allow control over which molecules enter the pores, and the flow-through feature can allow for partial oxidation of reactant species as opposed to complete oxidation. A nanoporous separation membrane, produced by ALD is also provided for use in gaseous and liquid separations. The membrane has a high flow rate of material with 100% selectivity. Also provided is a method for producing a catalytic membrane having flow-through pores and discreet catalytic clusters adhering to the inside surfaces of the pores.

Diffractive phase-shift lithography photomask operating in proximity printing mode.

PubMed

Cirino, Giuseppe A; Mansano, Ronaldo D; Verdonck, Patrick; Cescato, Lucila; Neto, Luiz G

2010-08-02

A phase shift proximity printing lithographic mask is designed, manufactured and tested. Its design is based on a Fresnel computer-generated hologram, employing the scalar diffraction theory. The obtained amplitude and phase distributions were mapped into discrete levels. In addition, a coding scheme using sub-cells structure was employed in order to increase the number of discrete levels, thus increasing the degree of freedom in the resulting mask. The mask is fabricated on a fused silica substrate and an amorphous hydrogenated carbon (a:C-H) thin film which act as amplitude modulation agent. The lithographic image is projected onto a resist coated silicon wafer, placed at a distance of 50 microm behind the mask. The results show a improvement of the achieved resolution--linewidth as good as 1.5 microm--what is impossible to obtain with traditional binary masks in proximity printing mode. Such achieved dimensions can be used in the fabrication of MEMS and MOEMS devices. These results are obtained with a UV laser but also with a small arc lamp light source exploring the partial coherence of this source.

Pattern of explosive reaction between uranium hexafluoride and hydrocarbon oils. Revision 1

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

Rapp, K.E.

Examination of uranium hexafluoride release incidents occurring over the past three decades of ORGDP experience has identified only four which apparently involved an explosion of a container resulting from reaction between uranium hexafluoride and an impurity. These four incidents exhibit a certain degree of commonality. Each has involved: (1) condensed phase uranium hexafluoride, (2) a moderately elevated temperature, (3) a sufficient quantity of uranium hexafluoride for a significant partial pressure to be maintained independently above that which can be consumed by chemical reaction, and (4) an organic liquid (probably hydrocarbon oil) accidentally present in the container as a contaminant. Themore » purpose of this investigative search was to establish some conditional pattern for these four incidents to which their violent consequences could be attributed. Fortunately, the number of such incidents is relatively small, which emphasizes even more pointedly the unfortunate fact that documentation ranges from thorough to very limited. Documented sources of information are given in the bibliography. Copies of those which are not readily available are contained in six appendices. 8 refs.« less

Methods for Generating Complex Networks with Selected Structural Properties for Simulations: A Review and Tutorial for Neuroscientists

PubMed Central

Prettejohn, Brenton J.; Berryman, Matthew J.; McDonnell, Mark D.

2011-01-01

Many simulations of networks in computational neuroscience assume completely homogenous random networks of the Erdös–Rényi type, or regular networks, despite it being recognized for some time that anatomical brain networks are more complex in their connectivity and can, for example, exhibit the “scale-free” and “small-world” properties. We review the most well known algorithms for constructing networks with given non-homogeneous statistical properties and provide simple pseudo-code for reproducing such networks in software simulations. We also review some useful mathematical results and approximations associated with the statistics that describe these network models, including degree distribution, average path length, and clustering coefficient. We demonstrate how such results can be used as partial verification and validation of implementations. Finally, we discuss a sometimes overlooked modeling choice that can be crucially important for the properties of simulated networks: that of network directedness. The most well known network algorithms produce undirected networks, and we emphasize this point by highlighting how simple adaptations can instead produce directed networks. PMID:21441986

Uncued Low SNR Detection with Likelihood from Image Multi Bernoulli Filter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murphy, T.; Holzinger, M.

2016-09-01

Both SSA and SDA necessitate uncued, partially informed detection and orbit determination efforts for small space objects which often produce only low strength electro-optical signatures. General frame to frame detection and tracking of objects includes methods such as moving target indicator, multiple hypothesis testing, direct track-before-detect methods, and random finite set based multiobject tracking. This paper will apply the multi-Bernoilli filter to low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), uncued detection of space objects for space domain awareness applications. The primary novel innovation in this paper is a detailed analysis of the existing state-of-the-art likelihood functions and a likelihood function, based on a binary hypothesis, previously proposed by the authors. The algorithm is tested on electro-optical imagery obtained from a variety of sensors at Georgia Tech, including the GT-SORT 0.5m Raven-class telescope, and a twenty degree field of view high frame rate CMOS sensor. In particular, a data set of an extended pass of the Hitomi Astro-H satellite approximately 3 days after loss of communication and potential break up is examined.

Block Preconditioning to Enable Physics-Compatible Implicit Multifluid Plasma Simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phillips, Edward; Shadid, John; Cyr, Eric; Miller, Sean

2017-10-01

Multifluid plasma simulations involve large systems of partial differential equations in which many time-scales ranging over many orders of magnitude arise. Since the fastest of these time-scales may set a restrictively small time-step limit for explicit methods, the use of implicit or implicit-explicit time integrators can be more tractable for obtaining dynamics at time-scales of interest. Furthermore, to enforce properties such as charge conservation and divergence-free magnetic field, mixed discretizations using volume, nodal, edge-based, and face-based degrees of freedom are often employed in some form. Together with the presence of stiff modes due to integrating over fast time-scales, the mixed discretization makes the required linear solves for implicit methods particularly difficult for black box and monolithic solvers. This work presents a block preconditioning strategy for multifluid plasma systems that segregates the linear system based on discretization type and approximates off-diagonal coupling in block diagonal Schur complement operators. By employing multilevel methods for the block diagonal subsolves, this strategy yields algorithmic and parallel scalability which we demonstrate on a range of problems.

Classical Swine Fever-An Updated Review.

PubMed

Blome, Sandra; Staubach, Christoph; Henke, Julia; Carlson, Jolene; Beer, Martin

2017-04-21

Classical swine fever (CSF) remains one of the most important transboundary viral diseases of swine worldwide. The causative agent is CSF virus, a small, enveloped RNA virus of the genus Pestivirus. Based on partial sequences, three genotypes can be distinguished that do not, however, directly correlate with virulence. Depending on both virus and host factors, a wide range of clinical syndromes can be observed and thus, laboratory confirmation is mandatory. To this means, both direct and indirect methods are utilized with an increasing degree of commercialization. Both infections in domestic pigs and wild boar are of great relevance; and wild boars are a reservoir host transmitting the virus sporadically also to pig farms. Control strategies for epidemic outbreaks in free countries are mainly based on classical intervention measures; i.e., quarantine and strict culling of affected herds. In these countries, vaccination is only an emergency option. However, live vaccines are used for controlling the disease in endemically infected regions in Asia, Eastern Europe, the Americas, and some African countries. Here, we will provide a concise, updated review on virus properties, clinical signs and pathology, epidemiology, pathogenesis and immune responses, diagnosis and vaccination possibilities.

Nutritional and immunisation status, weaning practices and socio-economic conditions of under five children in three villages of Bangladesh.

PubMed

Iqbal Hossain, M; Yasmin, R; Kabir, I

1999-01-01

A total of 479 children aged 6-60 months (male/female, 240/239) were studies during 1991 to 1992. Weight for age, height for age (mean +/- SD) were 72 +/- 11%, 90 +/- 7 and 87 +/- 10% of NCHS median respectively. According to Gomez classification, 96% of children had varying degrees of protein energy malnutrition (PEM) (28.4% mild, 58.2% moderate and 9.2% severe). According to Waterlow classification 84% were stunted(36% mild, 33% moderate and 15% severe) and 67% were wasted (47% mild, 18% moderate and 2% severe). Of all children 368 (77%) received BCG and 439 (82%) received partial or full dose of DPT and Polio vaccines. Among children aged 13-60 months 75% received Measles vaccine. Weaning food was started at (mean +/- SD) 8 +/- 4 months. Low household income, parental illiteracy, small family size (< or = 6), early or late weaning and absence of BCG vaccination were significantly associated with severe PEM. Timely weaning, education and promotion of essential vaccination may reduce childhood malnutrition especially severe PEM.

Evaluation of Helmet Mounted Display Alerting Symbology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

DeMaio, Joe; Rutkowski, Michael (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

Proposed helicopter helmet mounted displays will be used to alert the pilot to a variety of conditions, from threats to equipment problems. The present research was performed under the NASA Safe All-weather Flight Operations Research (SAFOR) program supported by a joint Army/NASA research agreement. The purpose of the research was to examine ways to optimize the alerting effectiveness of helmet display symbology. The research used two approaches to increasing the effectiveness of alerts. One was to increase the ability of the alert to attract attention by using the entire display surface. The other was to include information about the required response in the alert itself. The investigation was conducted using the NASA Ames Research Center's six-degree-of-freedom vertical motion simulator (VMS) with a rotorcraft cockpit. Helmet display symbology was based on the AH-64's pilot night vision system (PNVS), cruise mode symbology. A standardized mission was developed, that consisted of 11 legs. The mission included four tasks, which allowed variation in the frequency of alerts. The general trend in the data points to a small benefit from both the full-screen alert and the partial information alert.

Haptic wearables as sensory replacement, sensory augmentation and trainer - a review.

PubMed

Shull, Peter B; Damian, Dana D

2015-07-20

Sensory impairments decrease quality of life and can slow or hinder rehabilitation. Small, computationally powerful electronics have enabled the recent development of wearable systems aimed to improve function for individuals with sensory impairments. The purpose of this review is to synthesize current haptic wearable research for clinical applications involving sensory impairments. We define haptic wearables as untethered, ungrounded body worn devices that interact with skin directly or through clothing and can be used in natural environments outside a laboratory. Results of this review are categorized by degree of sensory impairment. Total impairment, such as in an amputee, blind, or deaf individual, involves haptics acting as sensory replacement; partial impairment, as is common in rehabilitation, involves haptics as sensory augmentation; and no impairment involves haptics as trainer. This review found that wearable haptic devices improved function for a variety of clinical applications including: rehabilitation, prosthetics, vestibular loss, osteoarthritis, vision loss and hearing loss. Future haptic wearables development should focus on clinical needs, intuitive and multimodal haptic displays, low energy demands, and biomechanical compliance for long-term usage.

Near-IR Polarized Scattered Light Imagery of the DoAr 28 Transitional Disk

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rich, Evan A.; Wisiniewski, John P.; Mayama, Satoshi; Brandt, Timothy D.; Hashimoto, Jun; Kudo, Tomoyuki; Kusakabe, Nobuhiko; Espaillat, Catherine; Serabyn, Eugene; Grady, Carol A.;

Partiality, impartiality and the ethics of triage.

PubMed

Okorie, Ndukaku

2018-06-22

In this paper, I discuss the question of partiality and impartiality in the application of triage. Triage is a process in medical research which recommends that patients should be sorted for treatment according to the degree or severity of their injury. In employing the triage protocol, however, the question of partiality arises because socially vulnerable groups will be neglected since there is the likelihood that the social determinants of a patient's health may diminish her chance of survival. As a process that is based on the severity of a patient's injury, triage will be unfair, and hence negatively partial, to socially vulnerable people. Thus, I aim in this paper to show that the triage protocol fails as an impartial evaluative process because its only aim is to maximize survivability. I contend that: (i) triage would lead to the neglect of the social condition of patients or victims, and (ii) it will only serve the utilitarian purpose of maximization of outcomes which may not be justified in some cases. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Lightweight DC-DC Converter with Partial Power Processing and MPPT for a Solar Powered Aircraft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diab-Marzouk, Ahmad

A lightweight dc-dc partial power processing converter is demonstrated for solar aerospace applications. A system-level model is conceived to determine conformity to payload and target distance objectives, with the Solarship aircraft used as an application example. The concept of partial power processing is utilized to realize a high efficiency lightweight converter that performs Max Peak Power Tracking (MPPT) to transfer power from the aircraft solar array to the high-voltage battery bus. The isolated Cuk is determined to be a suitable converter topology for the application. A small-signal model is derived for control design. The operation of a 400V, 2.7 kW prototype is verified at high frequency (200 kHz), high efficiency (> 98%), small mass (0.604 kg), and uses no electrolytic capacitors. MPPT operation is verified on a 376 V commercial solar installation at The University of Toronto. The prototype serves as an enabling technology for solar aerospace applications.

[A retrospective study on the assessment of dysphagia after partial laryngectomy].

PubMed

Su, T T; Sun, Z F

2017-11-07

Objective: To retrospectively investigate the long-term swallowing function of patients with laryngeal carcinoma, who underwent partial laryngectomy, discuss the effectiveness and reliability of Kubota drinking test in the assessment of patients with dysphagia, who underwent partial laryngectomy, and analyze the influence of different ways of operation on swallowing function. Methods: Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed on 83 patients with laryngeal carcinoma, who underwent partial laryngectomy between September 2012 and August 2015. Questionnaire survey, Kubota drinking test and video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) were conducted for patients during a scheduled interview. Patients were grouped by two ways: the one was whether epiglottis was retained, and the other was whether either arytenoids or both were reserved. The influence of different surgical techniques on swallowing function was analyzed according to the results of Kubota drinking test. The agreement and reliability of Kubota drinking test were statistically analyzed with respect to VFSS treated as the gold standard. SPSS23.0 software was used to analyze the data. Results: Questionnaire results revealed that among 83 patients underwent partial laryngectomy 32.53% suffered from eating disorder, and 43.37% experienced painful swallowing. The incidence of dysphagia was 40.96% according to the results of Kubota drinking test. There was statistical difference between the group with epiglottis remained and that having epiglottis removed in terms of the absence of dysphagia and severity. The statistical values of normal, moderate and severe dysphagia were in the order of 18.160, 7.229, 12.344( P <0.05). Also, statistical difference existed between the groups with either and both arytenoids reserved in terms of the absence of dysphagia as well as that of intermediate severity, and their statistical values were 4.790 and 9.110( P <0.05). A certain degree of agreement and reliability was present between the results of Kubota drinking test and VFSS( Kappa =0.551, r =0.810). Conclusions: It was of considerable significance to reserve epiglottis and arytenoids for the retention of swallowing function for patients post partial laryngectomy. There are certain degree of agreement and reliability between the results of Kubota drinking test and VFSS. The test, therefore, could be used as a tool for screening patients suffering from dysphagia post partial laryngectomy.

Tail-scope: Using friends to estimate heavy tails of degree distributions in large-scale complex networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eom, Young-Ho; Jo, Hang-Hyun

2015-05-01

Many complex networks in natural and social phenomena have often been characterized by heavy-tailed degree distributions. However, due to rapidly growing size of network data and concerns on privacy issues about using these data, it becomes more difficult to analyze complete data sets. Thus, it is crucial to devise effective and efficient estimation methods for heavy tails of degree distributions in large-scale networks only using local information of a small fraction of sampled nodes. Here we propose a tail-scope method based on local observational bias of the friendship paradox. We show that the tail-scope method outperforms the uniform node sampling for estimating heavy tails of degree distributions, while the opposite tendency is observed in the range of small degrees. In order to take advantages of both sampling methods, we devise the hybrid method that successfully recovers the whole range of degree distributions. Our tail-scope method shows how structural heterogeneities of large-scale complex networks can be used to effectively reveal the network structure only with limited local information.

Disaggregated Imaging Spacecraft Constellation Optimization with a Genetic Algorithm

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-03-27

Management Air Force Institute of Technology Air University Air Education and Training Command In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree...distinct mod- ules which, once ‘assembled’ on orbit, deliver the capability of the original monolithic system [5].” Jerry Sellers includes a comic in

Nutrient response of Bacopa monnieri (water hyssop) to varying degrees of soil saturation

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Tissue concentrations of N and P were measured in Bacopa monnieri subjected to four progressive levels of flooding: well-drained Control, Intermittently Flooded, Partially Flooded, and Continuously Flooded. Soil redox potential (Eh) decreased in all flooded treatments at 30 cm depth, becoming anoxic...

Oculometric Screening for Traumatic Brain Injury in Veterans

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-06-01

Durso, F., & Lee, J. (2015). APA handbook of human systems integration . Washington, DC: The American Psychological Association. Brain Injury Association...Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HUMAN SYSTEMS INTEGRATION from the NAVAL POSTGRADUATE...PURPOSE ...................................................................................................3 C. HUMAN SYSTEMS INTEGRATION CONSIDERATIONS

Does Test Item Performance Increase with Test-to-Standards Alignment?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Traynor, Anne

2017-01-01

Variation in test performance among examinees from different regions or national jurisdictions is often partially attributed to differences in the degree of content correspondence between local school or training program curricula, and the test of interest. This posited relationship between test-curriculum correspondence, or "alignment,"…

Maxwell Equations and the Redundant Gauge Degree of Freedom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wong, Chun Wa

2009-01-01

On transformation to the Fourier space (k,[omega]), the partial differential Maxwell equations simplify to algebraic equations, and the Helmholtz theorem of vector calculus reduces to vector algebraic projections. Maxwell equations and their solutions can then be separated readily into longitudinal and transverse components relative to the…

Interlanguage Development and Collocational Clash

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shahheidaripour, Gholamabbass

2000-01-01

Background: Persian English learners committed mistakes and errors which were due to insufficient knowledge of different senses of the words and collocational structures they formed. Purpose: The study reported here was conducted for a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for The Master of Arts degree, School of Graduate…

The Relationship between Principal's Emotional Intelligence Quotient, School Culture, and Student Achievement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Noe, Jeff

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between secondary school principal's emotional intelligence quotient, school culture, and student achievement. Partial correlation was conducted to examine the degree of relationships between principal's emotional intelligence quotient and school culture controlling for the effect of…

Operational Energy/Operational Effectiveness Investigation for Scalable Marine Expeditionary Brigade Forces in Contingency Response Scenarios

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-12-01

Michael Newman , PhD Maysam Sarfaraz Brandon Harwood Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER...Naming Convention .........................................113 Figure 33. HMMWV Parent Squad Properties...Squad Hierarchy ...........................................................................121 Figure 36. QRF Parent Squad Properties CH-53 and MV-22

Meteorological and constituent data for January and February 1981

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1981-01-01

Balloon data consisting of a plot showing the mixing ratio of ozone partial pressure in micromillibors and temperature in degrees centigrade versus pressure altitude in millibars is presented. An accompanying tabulation of meteorological and constituent data is also presented. The total overburden was aquired by Dobson Spectrophotometer 72.

Understanding Nontraditionally Aged College Students: An Exploratory Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wilson, Julie R.

2010-01-01

This dissertation was written in partial fulfillment of the doctoral degree requirements in Counseling Psychology at Capella University. This study was interested in exploring the growing population of nontraditionally aged college students. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that correlated with the academic success of this group…

Rebalance to Asia and the Pacific: Leveraging Vietnam to Counter-Balance China

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-10

Army Command and General Staff College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree MASTER OF MILITARY ART AND SCIENCE Strategic......the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to this study should include the foregoing statement

Analysis of spectral operators in one-dimensional domains

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maday, Y.

1985-01-01

Results are proven concerning certain projection operators on the space of all polynomials of degree less than or equal to N with respect to a class of one-dimensional weighted Sobolev spaces. The results are useful in the theory of the approximation of partial differential equations with spectral methods.

Stories in Different Domains of Child Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gnjatovic, Dragana

2015-01-01

This article is based on the results gained from the research about the perception teachers have about stories. The study was conducted in Sweden and the main purpose was to partially fulfil the requirements for Erasmus Mundus joint degree "International Master of Early Childhood Education and Care". In accordance with previous research…

The effects of stress, anxiety, and outdoor temperature on the frequency and severity of Raynaud's attacks: the Raynaud's Treatment Study.

PubMed

Brown, K M; Middaugh, S J; Haythornthwaite, J A; Bielory, L

2001-04-01

It was expected that stress and anxiety would be related to Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) attack characteristics when mild outdoor temperatures produced partial or no digital vasoconstriction. Hypotheses were that in warmer temperature categories, compared to those below 40 degrees F, higher stress or anxiety would be associated with more frequent, severe, and painful attacks. The Raynaud's Treatment Study recruited 313 participants with primary RP. Outcomes were attack rate, severity, and pain. Predictors were average daily outdoor temperature, stress, anxiety, age, gender, and a stress-by-temperature or an anxiety-by-temperature interaction. Outcomes were tested separately in multiple linear regression models. Stress and anxiety were tested in separate models. Stress was not a significant predictor of RP attack characteristics. Higher anxiety was related to more frequent attacks above 60 degrees F. It was also related to greater attack severity at all temperatures, and to greater pain above 60 degrees F and between 40 degrees and 49.9 degrees F.

Sutureless amniotic membrane transplantation for partial limbal stem cell deficiency.

PubMed

Kheirkhah, Ahmad; Casas, Victoria; Raju, Vadrevu K; Tseng, Scheffer C G

2008-05-01

To evaluate the results of sutureless amniotic membrane (AM) transplantation using fibrin glue for reconstructing corneal surfaces with partial limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). Retrospective noncomparative interventional case series. Eleven eyes of nine patients that had LSCD with 120 degrees to almost 360 degrees of limbal involvement underwent superficial keratectomy to remove the conjunctivalized pannus followed by AM transplantation using fibrin glue. Additional sutureless AM patch (ProKera; Bio-Tissue, Inc, Miami, Florida, USA) was used in seven patients, and mitomycin C was applied on the cornea in four eyes and during fornix reconstruction in seven eyes. The surgery was repeated in three eyes for residual pannus. During a mean follow-up of 14.2 +/- 7.7 months (range, six to 26 months), all eyes maintained a smooth and stable corneal epithelial surface without recurrent erosion or persistent epithelial defect, and showed less stromal cloudiness and vascularization. Best-corrected visual acuity improved in nine eyes (81.8%). Corneal epithelialization proceeded by epithelial growth over AM (n = 4), accompanied by dissolution of AM (n = 4) or a combination of both (n = 3). No complication was noted regarding initial or repeated uses of fibrin glue. AM transplantation using fibrin glue appears to be a safe and effective method of restoring a stable corneal epithelium for cases with partial LSCD. This approach avoids the need of transplanting limbal epithelial stem cells.

Laparoscopic ischemic conditioning of the stomach increases neovascularization of the gastric conduit in patients undergoing esophagectomy for cancer.

PubMed

Pham, Thai H; Melton, Shelby D; McLaren, Patrick J; Mokdad, Ali A; Huerta, Sergio; Wang, David H; Perry, Kyle A; Hardaker, Hope L; Dolan, James P

2017-09-01

Gastric ischemic preconditioning has been proposed to improve blood flow and reduce the incidence of anastomotic complications following esophagectomy with gastric pull-up. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of prolonged ischemic preconditioning on the degree of neovascularization in the distal gastric conduit at the time of esophagectomy. A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database identified 30 patients who underwent esophagectomy. The patients were divided into three groups: control (no preconditioning, n = 9), partial (short gastric vessel ligation only, n = 8), and complete ischemic preconditioning (left and short gastric vessel ligation, n = 13). Microvessel counts were assessed, using immunohistologic analysis to determine the degree of neovascularization at the distal gastric margin. The groups did not differ in age, gender, BMI, pathologic stage, or cancer subtype. Ischemic preconditioning durations were 163 ± 156 days for partial ischemic preconditioning, compared to 95 ± 50 days for complete ischemic preconditioning (P = 0.2). Immunohistologic analysis demonstrated an increase in microvessel counts of 29% following partial ischemic preconditioning (P = 0.3) and 67% after complete ischemic preconditioning (P < 0.0001), compared to controls. Our study indicates that prolonged ischemic preconditioning is safe and does not interfere with subsequent esophagectomy. Complete ischemic preconditioning increased neovascularization in the distal gastric conduit. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-08-08

Partial small business set - aside is a potential consideration   12-month Base plus two options   Synopsis N00604-11-R-3006 on NECO and FedBizOpps...2012 Navy Gold Coast Small Business Procurement Event 8 August 2012 #1 PRIORITY = Operating Forces Support …while ensuring Joint...while ensuring Joint Base Success FedBid.com Reverse Auction Website 8 Small Business Assistance #1 PRIORITY = Operating Forces

Severe psychomotor delay in a severe presentation of cat-eye syndrome.

PubMed

Jedraszak, Guillaume; Receveur, Aline; Andrieux, Joris; Mathieu-Dramard, Michèle; Copin, Henri; Morin, Gilles

2015-01-01

Cat-eye syndrome is a rare genetic syndrome of chromosomal origin. Individuals with cat-eye syndrome are characterized by the presence of preauricular pits and/or tags, anal atresia, and iris coloboma. Many reported cases also presented with variable congenital anomalies and intellectual disability. Most patients diagnosed with CES carry a small supernumerary bisatellited marker chromosome, resulting in partial tetrasomy of 22p-22q11.21. There are two types of small supernumerary marker chromosome, depending on the breakpoint site. In a very small proportion of cases, other cytogenetic anomalies are reportedly associated with the cat-eye syndrome phenotype. Here, we report a patient with cat-eye syndrome caused by a type 1 small supernumerary marker chromosome. The phenotype was atypical and included a severe developmental delay. The use of array comparative genomic hybridization ruled out the involvement of another chromosomal imbalance in the neurological phenotype. In the literature, only a few patients with cat-eye syndrome present with a severe developmental delay, and all of the latter carried an atypical partial trisomy 22 or an uncharacterized small supernumerary marker chromosome. Hence, this is the first report of a severe neurological phenotype in cat-eye syndrome with a typical type 1 small supernumerary marker chromosome. Our observation clearly complicates prognostic assessment, particularly when cat-eye syndrome is diagnosed prenatally.

Antimicrobial activity of clove and cinnamon essential oils against Listeria monocytogenes in pasteurized milk.

PubMed

Cava, R; Nowak, E; Taboada, A; Marin-Iniesta, F

2007-12-01

The antimicrobial activity of essential oils (EOs) of cinnamon bark, cinnamon leaf, and clove against Listeria monocytogenes Scott A were studied in semiskimmed milk incubated at 7 degrees C for 14 days and at 35 degrees C for 24 h. The MIC was 500 ppm for cinnamon bark EO and 3,000 ppm for the cinnamon leaf and clove EOs. These effective concentrations increased to 1,000 ppm for cinnamon bark EO, 3,500 ppm for clove EO, and 4,000 ppm for cinnamon leaf EO when the semiskimmed milk was incubated at 35 degrees C for 24 h. Partial inhibitory concentrations and partial bactericidal concentrations were obtained for all the assayed EOs. The MBC was 3,000 ppm for the cinnamon bark EO, 10,500 ppm for clove EO, and 11,000 ppm for cinnamon leaf EO. The incubation temperature did not affect the MBC of the EOs but slightly increased the MIC at 35 degrees C. The increased activity at the lower temperature could be attributed to the increased membrane fluidity and to the membrane-perturbing action of EOs. The influence of the fat content of milk on the antimicrobial activity of EOs was tested in whole and skimmed milk. In milk samples with higher fat content, the antimicrobial activity of the EOs was reduced. These results indicate the possibility of using these three EOs in milk beverages as natural antimicrobials, especially because milk beverages flavored with cinnamon and clove are consumed worldwide and have been increasing in popularity in recent years.

Assessment of partial coalescence in whippable oil-in-water food emulsions.

PubMed

Petrut, Raul Flaviu; Danthine, Sabine; Blecker, Christophe

2016-03-01

Partial coalescence influences to a great extent the properties of final food products such as ice cream and whipped toppings. In return, the partial coalescence occurrence and development are conditioned, in such systems, by the emulsion's intrinsic properties (e.g. solid fat content, fat crystal shape and size), formulation (e.g. protein content, surfactants presence) and extrinsic factors (e.g. cooling rate, shearing). A set of methods is available for partial coalescence investigation and quantification. These methods are critically reviewed in this paper, balancing the weaknesses of the methods in terms of structure alteration (for turbidity, dye dilution, etc.) and assumptions made for mathematical models (for particle size determination) with their advantages (good repeatability, high sensitivity, etc.). With the methods proposed in literature, the partial coalescence investigations can be conducted quantitatively and/or qualitatively. Good correlation were observed between some of the quantitative methods such as dye dilution, calorimetry, fat particle size; while a poor correlation was found in the case of solvent extraction method with other quantitative methods. The most suitable way for partial coalescence quantification was implied to be the fat particle size method, which would give results with a high degree of confidence if used in combination with a microscopic technique for the confirmation of partial coalescence as the main destabilization mechanism. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Design of a Minimum Surface-Effect Three Degree-of-Freedom Micromanipulator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldfarb, Michael; Speich, John E.

1997-01-01

This paper describes the fundamental physical motivations for small-scale minimum surface-effect design, and presents a three degree-of-freedom micromanipulator design that incorporates a minimum surface-effect approach. The primary focus of the design is the split-tube flexure, a unique small-scale revolute joint that exhibits a considerably larger range of motion and significantly better multi-axis revolute joint characteristics than a conventional flexure. The development of this joint enables the implementation of a small-scale spatially-loaded revolute joint-based manipulator with well-behaved kinematic characteristics and without the backlash and stick-slip behavior that would otherwise prevent precision control

Fixed-focus camera objective for small remote sensing satellites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Topaz, Jeremy M.; Braun, Ofer; Freiman, Dov

1993-09-01

An athermalized objective has been designed for a compact, lightweight push-broom camera which is under development at El-Op Ltd. for use in small remote-sensing satellites. The high performance objective has a fixed focus setting, but maintains focus passively over the full range of temperatures encountered in small satellites. The lens is an F/5.0, 320 mm focal length Tessar type, operating over the range 0.5 - 0.9 micrometers . It has a 16 degree(s) field of view and accommodates various state-of-the-art silicon detector arrays. The design and performance of the objective is described in this paper.

Minimally invasive unicompartmental knee replacement: retrospective clinical and radiographic evaluation of 83 patients.

PubMed

Bruni, Danilo; Iacono, Francesco; Russo, Alessandro; Zaffagnini, Stefano; Marcheggiani Muccioli, Giulio Maria; Bignozzi, Simone; Bragonzoni, Laura; Marcacci, Maurilio

2010-06-01

We performed a retrospective clinical and radiographic evaluation of 83 nonconsecutive patients operated in our institute between February 1996 and March 2003 with a mean follow-up of 60 months to assess the efficiency of unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR) performed with a minimally invasive technique. The aim of this study was to correlate the clinical outcome with the pre- and post-operative alignment and with implant positioning on coronal and sagittal plane. Eighty-three nonconsecutive patients (60 males, 23 females) underwent cemented UKR (De Puy Preservation Uni with all-poly tibial component), for both medial OA (80 patients) and AVN of the medial femoral condyle (3 patients). All patients were available at final follow-up evaluation, and they all presented an evident varus alignment at pre-operative clinical and radiographic evaluation. At radiographic measurement, we considered a knee with femoro-tibial angle (FTA) > 175 degrees as varus knee, 170 degrees < FTA < 175 degrees as normal knee and a knee with a FTA < 170 degrees as a valgus knee. Moreover, we considered a tibial plateau angle (TPA) > 90 degrees for valgus knee and a TPA < 90 degrees for varus knee. According to Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) scoring system, at a mean follow-up of 60 months, 61 (74%) cases were excellent (100-85 points), 15 (18%) cases were good (84-70 points) and 7 cases (8%) had fair results (<70 points). In our series, patients with an excellent clinical result presented a mean varus deformity of 7.2 degrees (3.6 degrees-10.8 degrees) pre-operatively. According to literature, we demonstrated that a small amount of undercorrection with a small amount of residual varus deformity of 3 degrees-5 degrees is the goal to be reached in order to avoid both rapid degeneration of the nonreplaced compartment and the premature loosening of the replaced compartment. We performed a mean axial correction of 5 degrees (SD 3.9 degrees), leaving a mean axial varus deformity of 2.2 degrees in the excellent group. In our series, the group with excellent results also showed a post-operative PTS of 7 degrees (2.4 degrees-11.6 degrees), while mean pre-operative PTS was 6.5 degrees (2.7 degrees-10.3 degrees). In this study, results have shown that minimally invasive UKR producing a small amount of varus undercorrection in selected patients with medial tibio-femoral osteoarthritis or moderate avascular necrosis of the medial femoral condyle provides excellent clinical and functional results. Overcorrection of varus malalignment with a UKR may produce both rapid degeneration of the lateral tibio-femoral compartment and the early failure of the replaced compartment.

Structural and optical characterization of pyrolytic carbon derived from novolac resin.

PubMed

Theodoropoulou, S; Papadimitriou, D; Zoumpoulakis, L; Simitzis, J

2004-07-01

The structural and optical properties of technologically interesting pyrolytic carbons formed from cured novolac resin and cured novolac/biomass composites were studied by X-Ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Raman and Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Pyrolysis of the cured materials took place at temperatures in the range 400-1000 degrees C. The most important weight loss, shrinkage and structural changes of pyrolyzed composites are observed at temperatures up to 600 degrees C due to the olive stone component. In the same temperature range, the changes in pyrolyzed novolac are smaller. The spectroscopic analysis shows that novolac pyrolyzed up to 900 ( degrees )C has less defects and disorder than the composites. However, above 900 ( degrees )C, pyrolyzed novolac becomes more disordered compared to the pyrolyzed composites. It is concluded that partial replacement of novolac by olive stone in the composite materials leads to the formation of a low cost, good quality product.

Catalytic two-stage coal liquefaction process having improved nitrogen removal

DOEpatents

Comolli, Alfred G.

1991-01-01

A process for catalytic multi-stage hydrogenation and liquefaction of coal to produce high yields of low-boiling hydrocarbon liquids containing low concentrations of nitogen compounds. First stage catalytic reaction conditions are 700.degree.-800.degree. F. temperature, 1500-3500 psig hydrogen partial pressure, with the space velocity maintained in a critical range of 10-40 lb coal/hr ft.sup.3 catalyst settled volume. The first stage catalyst has 0.3-1.2 cc/gm total pore volume with at least 25% of the pore volume in pores having diameters of 200-2000 Angstroms. Second stage reaction conditions are 760.degree.-870.degree. F. temperature with space velocity exceeding that in the first stage reactor, so as to achieve increased hydrogenation yield of low-boiling hydrocarbon liquid products having at least 75% removal of nitrogen compounds from the coal-derived liquid products.

Simultaneous bilateral robotic partial nephrectomy: Case report and critical evaluation of the technique.

PubMed

Giberti, Claudio; Gallo, Fabrizio; Schenone, Maurizio; Cortese, Pierluigi

2014-06-16

We report our first simultaneous bilateral robot assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) in order to show and critically discuss the feasibility of this procedure. Materials and methods A 69-year-old male patient visited our department due to incidental finding of bilateral mesorenal small masses (2.5 cm on the right and 3.5 cm on the left) suspicious for malignancy. We started from the right side with patient in flank position. Port placement: 12-mm periumbilical camera port, two 8-mm robotic ports in wide ''V''configuration, additional 12 mm assistant port on the midline between the umbilicus and symphysis pubis. A right unclamping RAPN with sliding clip renorrhaphy was performed. The trocars were removed and the robot undocked. Without interrupting the anesthesiological procedures, the patient was reported in supine position and, after 180 degrees rotation of the surgical bed, was newly placed in contralateral flank position. Using both the previous periumbilical and midline ports, two other 8-mm robotic trocars were placed. The robot was then redocked and RAPN was also performed on the left side using the same previously reported technique. Results Total time: 285 min. Estimated blood losses: 150 cc. Postoperative period: uneventful. Pathological examination: bilateral renal cell carcinoma, negative surgical margins. Conclusions Our experience was encouraging and confirmed the feasibility and safety of this procedure. The planning of our technique was time and cost effective with cosmetic benefit for the patient. However, we think that an appropriate selection of the patients and a skill in robotic renal surgery are advisable before approaching this type of surgery.

Creating Weather System Ensembles Through Synergistic Process Modeling and Machine Learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, B.; Posselt, D. J.; Nguyen, H.; Wu, L.; Su, H.; Braverman, A. J.

2017-12-01

Earth's weather and climate are sensitive to a variety of control factors (e.g., initial state, forcing functions, etc). Characterizing the response of the atmosphere to a change in initial conditions or model forcing is critical for weather forecasting (ensemble prediction) and climate change assessment. Input - response relationships can be quantified by generating an ensemble of multiple (100s to 1000s) realistic realizations of weather and climate states. Atmospheric numerical models generate simulated data through discretized numerical approximation of the partial differential equations (PDEs) governing the underlying physics. However, the computational expense of running high resolution atmospheric state models makes generation of more than a few simulations infeasible. Here, we discuss an experiment wherein we approximate the numerical PDE solver within the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model using neural networks trained on a subset of model run outputs. Once trained, these neural nets can produce large number of realization of weather states from a small number of deterministic simulations with speeds that are orders of magnitude faster than the underlying PDE solver. Our neural network architecture is inspired by the governing partial differential equations. These equations are location-invariant, and consist of first and second derivations. As such, we use a 3x3 lon-lat grid of atmospheric profiles as the predictor in the neural net to provide the network the information necessary to compute the first and second moments. Results indicate that the neural network algorithm can approximate the PDE outputs with high degree of accuracy (less than 1% error), and that this error increases as a function of the prediction time lag.

Polymorphism of ethanol-metabolism genes and alcoholism: correlation of allelic variations with the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic consequences.

PubMed

Chen, Yi-Chyan; Peng, Giia-Sheun; Wang, Ming-Fang; Tsao, Tien-Ping; Yin, Shih-Jiun

2009-03-16

Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) are the principal enzymes responsible for metabolism of ethanol. Both ADH and ALDH exhibit genetic polymorphisms among racial populations. Functional variant alleles ADH1B*2 and ALDH2*2 have been consistently replicated to show protection against developing alcohol dependence. Multiple logistic regression analyses suggest that ADH1B*2 and ALDH2*2 may independently influence the risk for alcoholism. It has been well documented that homozygosity of ALDH2*2 almost fully protects against developing alcoholism and that the heterozygosity only affords a partial protection to varying degrees. Correlations of blood ethanol and acetaldehyde concentrations, cardiovascular hemodynamic responses, and subjective perceptions have been investigated in men with different combinatorial ADH1B and ALDH2 genotypes following challenge with ethanol for a period of 130 min. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic consequences indicate that acetaldehyde, rather than ethanol, is primarily responsible for the observed alcohol sensitivity reactions, suggesting that the full protection by ALDH2*2/*2 can be ascribed to the intense unpleasant physiological and psychological reactions caused by persistently elevated blood acetaldehyde after ingesting a small amount of alcohol and that the partial protection by ALDH2*1/*2 can be attributed to a faster elimination of acetaldehyde and the lower accumulation in circulation. ADH1B polymorphism does not significantly contribute to buildup of the blood acetaldehyde. Physiological tolerance or innate insensitivity to acetaldehyde may be crucial for development of alcohol dependence in alcoholics carrying ALDH2*2.

Abstraction of complex concepts with a refined partial-area taxonomy of SNOMED

PubMed Central

Wang, Yue; Halper, Michael; Wei, Duo; Perl, Yehoshua; Geller, James

2012-01-01

An algorithmically-derived abstraction network, called the partial-area taxonomy, for a SNOMED hierarchy has led to the identification of concepts considered complex. The designation “complex” is arrived at automatically on the basis of structural analyses of overlap among the constituent concept groups of the partial-area taxonomy. Such complex concepts, called overlapping concepts, constitute a tangled portion of a hierarchy and can be obstacles to users trying to gain an understanding of the hierarchy’s content. A new methodology for partitioning the entire collection of overlapping concepts into singly-rooted groups, that are more manageable to work with and comprehend, is presented. Different kinds of overlapping concepts with varying degrees of complexity are identified. This leads to an abstract model of the overlapping concepts called the disjoint partial-area taxonomy, which serves as a vehicle for enhanced, high-level display. The methodology is demonstrated with an application to SNOMED’s Specimen hierarchy. Overall, the resulting disjoint partial-area taxonomy offers a refined view of the hierarchy’s structural organization and conceptual content that can aid users, such as maintenance personnel, working with SNOMED. The utility of the disjoint partial-area taxonomy as the basis for a SNOMED auditing regimen is presented in a companion paper. PMID:21878396

Exploring the binding energy profiles of full agonists, partial agonists, and antagonists of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

PubMed

Tabassum, Nargis; Ma, Qianyun; Wu, Guanzhao; Jiang, Tao; Yu, Rilei

2017-09-01

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) belong to the Cys-loop receptor family and are important drug targets for the treatment of neurological diseases. However, the precise determinants of the binding efficacies of ligands for these receptors are unclear. Therefore, in this study, the binding energy profiles of various ligands (full agonists, partial agonists, and antagonists) were quantified by docking those ligands with structural ensembles of the α7 nAChR exhibiting different degrees of C-loop closure. This approximate treatment of interactions suggested that full agonists, partial agonists, and antagonists of the α7 nAChR possess distinctive binding energy profiles. Results from docking revealed that ligand binding efficacy may be related to the capacity of the ligand to stabilize conformational states with a closed C loop.

Reduction in spread of excitation from current focusing at multiple cochlear locations in cochlear implant users.

PubMed

Padilla, Monica; Landsberger, David M

2016-03-01

Channel interaction from a broad spread of excitation is likely to be a limiting factor in performance by cochlear implant users. Although partial tripolar stimulation has been shown to reduce spread of excitation, the magnitude of the reduction is highly variable across subjects. Because the reduction in spread of excitation is typically only measured at one electrode for a given subject, the degree of variability across cochlear locations is unknown. The first goal of the present study was to determine if the reduction in spread of excitation observed from partial tripolar current focusing systematically varies across the cochlea. The second goal was to measure the variability in reduction of spread of excitation relative to monopolar stimulation across the cochlea. The third goal was to expand upon previous results that suggest that scaling of verbal descriptors can be used to predict the reduction in spread of excitation, by increasing the limited number of sites previously evaluated and verify the relationships remain with the larger dataset. The spread of excitation for monopolar and partial tripolar stimulation was measured at 5 cochlear locations using a psychophysical forward masking task. Results of the present study suggest that although partial tripolar stimulation typically reduces spread of excitation, the degree of reduction in spread of excitation was found to be highly variable and no effect of cochlear location was found. Additionally, subjective scaling of certain verbal descriptors (Clean/Dirty, Pure/Noisy) correlated with the reduction in spread of excitation suggesting sound quality scaling might be used as a quick clinical estimate of channels providing a reduction in spread of excitation. This quick scaling technique might help clinicians determine which patients would be most likely to benefit from a focused strategy. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Reduction in Spread of Excitation from Current Focusing at Multiple Cochlear Locations in Cochlear Implant Users

PubMed Central

Padilla, Monica; Landsberger, David M.

2016-01-01

Channel interaction from a broad spread of excitation is likely to be a limiting factor in performance by cochlear implant users. Although partial tripolar stimulation has been shown to reduce spread of excitation, the magnitude of the reduction is highly variable across subjects. Because the reduction in spread of excitation is typically only measured at one electrode for a given subject, the degree of variability across cochlear locations is unknown. The first goal of the present study was to determine if the reduction in spread of excitation observed from partial tripolar current focusing systematically varies across the cochlea. The second goal was to measure the variability in reduction of spread of excitation relative to monopolar stimulation across the cochlea. The third goal was to expand upon previous results that suggest that scaling of verbal descriptors can be used to predict the reduction in spread of excitation, by increasing the limited number of sites previously evaluated and verify the relationships remain with the larger dataset. The spread of excitation for monopolar and partial tripolar stimulation was measured at 5 cochlear locations using a psychophysical forward masking task. Results of the present study suggest that although partial tripolar stimulation typically reduces spread of excitation, the degree of reduction in spread of excitation was found to be highly variable and no effect of cochlear location was found. Additionally, subjective scaling of certain verbal descriptors (Clean/Dirty, Pure/Noisy) correlated with the reduction in spread of excitation suggesting sound quality scaling might be used as a quick clinical estimate of channels providing a reduction in spread of excitation. This quick scaling technique might help clinicians determine which patients would be most likely to benefit from a focused strategy. PMID:26778546

Partial Reform Equilibrium in Russia: A Case Study of the Political Interests of and in the Russian Gas and Oil Industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Everett, Rabekah

While several theories abound that attempt to explain the obstacles to democracy in Russia, Joel Hellman's partial reform equilibrium model is an institutional theory that illustrates how weak institutions, combined with an instrumentalist cultural approach to the law and authoritarian-minded leadership, allowed the struggle over interests to craft and determine the nature of Russia's political structure. This thesis builds on the work of Hellman by using the partial reform theory to understand the evolution of interest infiltration and their impact on the formation of policies and institutions in favour of the elites or winners from 2004 to the present time period that allow them to wield law as a political weapon. The hypothesis posits that through their vested interests in state politics, the political and economic elites of the oil and gas industry have successfully stalled reform in Russia resulting in partial reform equilibrium. This is illustrated in a case study that was designed to collect the names, backgrounds, and social networks of gas and oil executives in order to determine how many of them have a history of, or are currently working as, ministers in the government or representatives in the Federation Council. The objective being to measure the degree to which gas and oil interests are present in government decision-making and conversely, the degree to which the government is present in the gas and oil industry. The thesis stresses the importance of institutional structure in determining Russia's political evolution, and uses vested interests as a primary source of structural institutional change, while also stressing on the social and international implications of this evolution.

Weighted Lq-estimates for stationary Stokes system with partially BMO coefficients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, Hongjie; Kim, Doyoon

2018-04-01

We prove the unique solvability of solutions in Sobolev spaces to the stationary Stokes system on a bounded Reifenberg flat domain when the coefficients are partially BMO functions, i.e., locally they are merely measurable in one direction and have small mean oscillations in the other directions. Using this result, we establish the unique solvability in Muckenhoupt type weighted Sobolev spaces for the system with partially BMO coefficients on a Reifenberg flat domain. We also present weighted a priori Lq-estimates for the system when the domain is the whole Euclidean space or a half space.

Two Cases of Partial Trisomy 4p and Partial Trisomy 14q

PubMed Central

Kim, Yeo-Hyang; Kim, Heung-Sik; Ryoo, Nam-Hee

2013-01-01

We present clinical and cytogenetic data on 2 cases of partial trisomy 4p and partial trisomy 14q. Both patients had an extra der(14)t(4;14)(p15.31;q12) chromosome due to a 3:1 segregation from a balanced translocation carrier mother. Array analyses indicated that their chromosomal breakpoints were similar, but there was no relationship between the 2 families. Both patients showed prominent growth retardation and psychomotor developmental delay. Other phenotypic manifestations were generally mild and variable; for example, patient 1 had a short palpebral fissure and low-set ears whereas patient 2 had a round face, asymmetric eyes, small ears, a short neck, finger/toe abnormalities, and behavioral problems. PMID:23301226

A small cable tunnel inspection robot design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Xiaolong; Guo, Xiaoxue; Huang, Jiangcheng; Xiao, Jie

2017-04-01

Modern city mainly rely on internal electricity cable tunnel, this can reduce the influence of high voltage over-head lines of urban city appearance and function. In order to reduce the dangers of cable tunnel artificial inspection and high labor intensity, we design a small caterpillar chassis in combination with two degrees of freedom robot with two degrees of freedom camera pan and tilt, used in the cable tunnel inspection work. Caterpillar chassis adopts simple return roller, damping structure. Mechanical arm with three parallel shafts, finish the up and down and rotated action. Two degrees of freedom camera pan and tilt are used to monitor cable tunnel with 360 °no dead angle. It looks simple, practical and efficient.

Generation and emplacement of shear-related highly mobile crustal melts: the synkinematic leucogranites from the Variscan Tormes Dome, Western Spain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

López-Moro, Francisco Javier; López-Plaza, Miguel; Romer, Rolf L.

2012-07-01

The Tormes dome consists of S-type granites that intruded into Ordovician augen gneisses and Neoproterozoic-Lower Cambrian metapelites/metagreywackes at different extents of migmatization. S-type granites are mainly equigranular two-mica granites, occurring as: (1) enclave-laden subvertical feeder dykes, (2) small external sill-like bodies with size and shape relations indicative for self-similar pluton growth, and (3) as large pluton bodies, emplaced at higher levels than the external ones. These magmas were highly mobile as it is inferred from the high contents of fluxing components, the disintegration and alignment of pelitic xenoliths in feeder dykes and at the bottom of some sill-like bodies. Field relations relate this 311 Ma magmatism (U-Pb monazite) to the regional shearing of the D3 Variscan event. Partial melting modeling and the relatively high estimated liquidus temperatures indicate biotite-dehydration partial melting (800-840°C and 400-650 MPa) rather than water-fluxed melting, implying that there was no partial melting triggered by externally derived fluids in the shear zones. Instead, the subvertical shear zones favored extraction of melts that formed during the regional migmatization event around 320 Ma. Nd isotope variation among the granites might reflect disequilibrium partial melting or different protoliths. Mass-balance and trace element partial melting modeling strongly suggest two kinds of fertile crustal protoliths: augen gneisses and metapelites. Slight compositional variation among the leucogranites does not reflect different extent of protolith melting but is related to a small amount of fractional crystallization (<13% for the equigranular granites), which is generally more pronounced in shallower batholitic leucogranites than in the small and homogeneous sill-like bodies. The lower extent of fractional crystallization and the higher-pressure emplacement conditions of the sill-like bodies support a more restricted movement through the crust than for batholitic leucogranites.

13 CFR 125.6 - Prime contractor performance requirements (limitations on subcontracting).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 13 Business Credit and Assistance 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Prime contractor performance requirements (limitations on subcontracting). 125.6 Section 125.6 Business Credit and Assistance SMALL BUSINESS... subcontracting). (a) In order to be awarded a full or partial small business set-aside contract, an 8(a) contract...

Diagnosis and surgical management of abdominal cocoon: results from 12 cases.

PubMed

Liu, Hai-yan; Wang, Yong-sheng; Yang, Wan-guang; Yin, Sheng-lu; Pei, Hui; Sun, Tong-wen; Wang, Lexin

2009-01-01

This study was designed to describe the characteristics, diagnostic and therapeutic methods of abdominal cocoon. Twelve patients with abdominal cocoon were surgically treated. The clinical findings from these patients were analyzed. All patients presented with acute complete intestinal obstruction, and 10 had a previous history of abdominal mass. In nine patients, the whole or part of the small intestines were covered by an ash gray, dense and tough fibrous membrane. The capsule was surgically excised, and the adhesion was released. Partial resection of the small intestines was performed. In the other three patients, the small intestines were only partially covered by a membrane, and there was an extensive adhesion of intestinal tract, forming a large mass which could not be relieved by surgical lysis. Intestinal tube was put in, and fistulation procedures were performed. All patients recovered fully after the surgery. There are four types of surgical findings in abdominal cocoon. The most common type is that the small intestines are fully covered by a thick white membrane, causing intestinal obstruction. Surgical excision of the membrane and the release of adhesion is the treatment of choice.

Transformation to small-cell lung cancer as a mechanism of acquired resistance to crizotinib and alectinib.

PubMed

Miyamoto, Shingo; Ikushima, Soichiro; Ono, Ryu; Awano, Nobuyasu; Kondo, Keisuke; Furuhata, Yoshiaki; Fukumoto, Kento; Kumasaka, Toshio

2016-02-01

A 56-year-old woman, a never-smoker, had postoperative recurrence of anaplastic lymphoma kinase rearranged lung cancer. She achieved a partial response to treatment with an anaplastic lymphoma kinase tyrosine kinase inhibitor, crizotinib. After the tumor regrowth, crizotinib was switched to alectinib; once again a partial response was observed. At the second recurrence, transbronchial needle aspiration of the right paratracheal node was performed, which revealed cytological findings of small-cell carcinoma. While treatment with cisplatin-irinotecan chemotherapy made reduction of some tumor shadows, including the biopsied mediastinal lymph nodes, new, small, nodular shadows, highly suggestive of pulmonary metastases, were detected in both lung fields. This case may show proof of the transformation to small-cell lung cancer as a mechanism of resistance to anaplastic lymphoma kinase tyrosine kinase inhibitors in anaplastic lymphoma kinase rearranged tumor. However, this transformation may also be only one part of the resistance mechanism of the heterogeneous tumor. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Effect of CNC-milling on the marginal and internal fit of dental ceramics: a pilot study.

PubMed

Schaefer, Oliver; Kuepper, Harald; Thompson, Geoffrey A; Cachovan, Georg; Hefti, Arthur F; Guentsch, Arndt

2013-08-01

Machined restorations have been investigated for their preciseness before, while detailed information on the milling-step itself are lacking. Therefore, the aim of this laboratory study was to quantify the effect of a novel milling-procedure on the marginal and internal fit of ceramic restorations. An acrylic model of a lower left first molar was prepared to receive a ceramic partial crown and was duplicated by one step dual viscosity impressions. Gypsum casts were formed and laser-scanned to realize virtual datasets, before restorations were designed, exported (PRE) and machined from lithium disilicate blanks. Crowns were digitized by a structure-light-scanner to obtain post-milling-data (POST). PRE and POST were virtually superimposed on the reference tooth and subjected to computer-aided-inspection. Visual fit-discrepancies were displayed with colors, while root mean square deviations (RMSD) and degrees of similarity (DS) were computed and analysed by t-tests for paired samples (n=5, α=0.05). The milling procedure resulted in a small increase of the marginal and internal fit discrepancies (RMSD mean: 3μm and 6μm, respectively). RMSD differences were not statistically significant (p=0.495 and p=0.160 for marginal and internal fit, respectively). These results were supported by the DS data. The products of digital dental workflows are prone to imprecisions. However, the present findings suggest that differences between computer-aided designed and actually milled restorations are small, especially when compared to typical fit discrepancies observed clinically. Imprecisions introduced by digital design or production processes are small. Copyright © 2013 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The effect of averaging adjacent planes for artifact reduction in matrix inversion tomosynthesis

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

Godfrey, Devon J.; Page McAdams, H.; Dobbins, James T. III

2013-02-15

Purpose: Matrix inversion tomosynthesis (MITS) uses linear systems theory and knowledge of the imaging geometry to remove tomographic blur that is present in conventional backprojection tomosynthesis reconstructions, leaving in-plane detail rendered clearly. The use of partial-pixel interpolation during the backprojection process introduces imprecision in the MITS modeling of tomographic blur, and creates low-contrast artifacts in some MITS planes. This paper examines the use of MITS slabs, created by averaging several adjacent MITS planes, as a method for suppressing partial-pixel artifacts. Methods: Human chest tomosynthesis projection data, acquired as part of an IRB-approved pilot study, were used to generate MITS planes,more » three-plane MITS slabs (MITSa3), five-plane MITS slabs (MITSa5), and seven-plane MITS slabs (MITSa7). These were qualitatively examined for partial-pixel artifacts and the visibility of normal and abnormal anatomy. Additionally, small (5 mm) subtle pulmonary nodules were simulated and digitally superimposed upon human chest tomosynthesis projection images, and their visibility was qualitatively assessed in the different reconstruction techniques. Simulated images of a thin wire were used to generate modulation transfer function (MTF) and slice-sensitivity profile curves for the different MITS and MITS slab techniques, and these were examined for indications of partial-pixel artifacts and frequency response uniformity. Finally, mean-subtracted, exposure-normalized noise power spectra (ENNPS) estimates were computed and compared for MITS and MITS slab reconstructions, generated from 10 sets of tomosynthesis projection data of an acrylic slab. The simulated in-plane MTF response of each technique was also combined with the square root of the ENNPS estimate to yield stochastic signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) information about the different reconstruction techniques. Results: For scan angles of 20 Degree-Sign and 5 mm plane separation, seven MITS planes must be averaged to sufficiently remove partial-pixel artifacts. MITSa7 does appear to subtly reduce the contrast of high-frequency 'edge' information, but the removal of partial-pixel artifacts makes the appearance of low-contrast, fine-detail anatomy even more conspicuous in MITSa7 slices. MITSa7 also appears to render simulated subtle 5 mm pulmonary nodules with greater visibility than MITS alone, in both the open lung and regions overlying the mediastinum. Finally, the MITSa7 technique reduces stochastic image variance, though the in-plane stochastic SNR (for very thin objects which do not span multiple MITS planes) is only improved at spatial frequencies between 0.05 and 0.20 cycles/mm. Conclusions: The MITSa7 method is an improvement over traditional single-plane MITS for thoracic imaging and the pulmonary nodule detection task, and thus the authors plan to use the MITSa7 approach for all future MITS research at the authors' institution.« less

Tibiofemoral contact stress and stress distribution evaluation of total knee arthroplasties.

PubMed

Szivek, J A; Cutignola, L; Volz, R G

1995-08-01

The Fuji film (Itochu, Los Angeles, CA) area analysis technique demonstrates that a more accurate assessment of tibiofemoral contact stresses is possible when the film is used at 37 degrees C and at the upper end of its sensitivity range (in this case, a 2,000-N load). An AMK with a regular and Hylamer-M insert (DePuy, Warsaw, IN), an MG II (Zimmer, Warsaw, IN), an Omnifit (Osteonics, Allendale, NJ), an Ortholoc III (Dow Corning Wright, Midland, MI), a PCA II (Howmedica, Rutherford, NJ), and a PFC (Johnson & Johnson Orthopaedics, Raynham, MA) had average contact stresses that varied only 12% at 60 degrees flexion. At 0 degrees, 15 degrees and 60 degrees flexion, stresses ranged from 13 to 25 MPa. Contact area distribution ratios, which were smaller at 37 degrees C than at 24 degrees C, provide a quantitative means of grouping implants according to the shape of the tibiofemoral contact area. The Omnifit, MG II, PCA II, and PFC had small ratios (symmetric areas). The AMK and Ortholoc III had large ratios (asymmetric contact areas). If the impression is reflective of wear, it would be expected to be focal in knees with small ratios and contact areas, and uniform in knees with large ratios and contact areas, whereas large ratios and small areas would imply a linear wear pattern. Calibrated electrical resistance contact stress measurements indicated that the Fuji film measurements underestimated the magnitude of contact stresses. They also provided a means of quantifying the rate of area increase during initial loading of the knees, with the highest area increase noted for the knee with the roughest insert (Ortholoc III) and the lowest area increase for the knee with the smoothest insert (PCA II).

Stability and stability degree of a cracked flexible rotor supported on journal bearings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meng, Guang; Gasch, Robert

1994-01-01

This paper investigates the stability and the stability degree of a flexible cracked rotor supported on different kinds of journal bearings. It is found that no matter what kind of bearings is used, the unstable zones caused by rotor crack locate always within the speed ratio (2/N) (1 - Delta K(sub xi)/4) is less than Omega is less than 2/N when gravity parameter W(sub R) is greater than 1.0, and locate always within the speed ratio (2 Omega(sub alpha)/N) (1 - Delta K(sub xi)/4) is less than Omega is less than 2 Omega(sub alpha)/N when W(sub R) is less than 0.1, where Delta K(sub xi) is the crack stiffness ratio, N = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ..., and Omega(sub alpha) = ((1 + 2 alpha)/2 alpha)(exp 1/2). When 0.1 is less than W(sub R) is less than 1.0, there is a region where no unstable zones caused by rotor crack exist. Outside the crack ridge zones, the rotor crack has almost no influence on system's stability and stability degree; while within the crack ridge zones, the stability and stability degree depend both on the crack and system's parameters. In some cases, the system may still be stable even when the crack is very large. For small gravity parameter (W(sub R) is less than 0.1), the mass ratio alpha has large influence on the position of unstable region, but its influence on the stability degree is small. The influence of fixed Sommerfeld number S(sub 0) on the crack stability degree is small although S(sub 0) has large influence on the stability degree of uncracked rotor.

Choosing a Research Higher Degree Supervisor: A Framework for Nurses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abigail, Wendy; Hill, Pauline

2015-01-01

Nursing is a relatively new discipline in research with a small number of registered nurses holding a research higher degree (RHD). Entry into RHD study for nurses is often via a less direct route than the traditional bachelor's degree through honours to PhD pathway. The supervisor-candidate relationship is an important factor in RHD completions…

Protograph LDPC Codes with Node Degrees at Least 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Divsalar, Dariush; Jones, Christopher

2006-01-01

In this paper we present protograph codes with a small number of degree-3 nodes and one high degree node. The iterative decoding threshold for proposed rate 1/2 codes are lower, by about 0.2 dB, than the best known irregular LDPC codes with degree at least 3. The main motivation is to gain linear minimum distance to achieve low error floor. Also to construct rate-compatible protograph-based LDPC codes for fixed block length that simultaneously achieves low iterative decoding threshold and linear minimum distance. We start with a rate 1/2 protograph LDPC code with degree-3 nodes and one high degree node. Higher rate codes are obtained by connecting check nodes with degree-2 non-transmitted nodes. This is equivalent to constraint combining in the protograph. The condition where all constraints are combined corresponds to the highest rate code. This constraint must be connected to nodes of degree at least three for the graph to have linear minimum distance. Thus having node degree at least 3 for rate 1/2 guarantees linear minimum distance property to be preserved for higher rates. Through examples we show that the iterative decoding threshold as low as 0.544 dB can be achieved for small protographs with node degrees at least three. A family of low- to high-rate codes with minimum distance linearly increasing in block size and with capacity-approaching performance thresholds is presented. FPGA simulation results for a few example codes show that the proposed codes perform as predicted.

Thermodynamic properties of an extremely rapid protein folding reaction.

PubMed

Schindler, T; Schmid, F X

1996-12-24

The cold-shock protein CspB from Bacillus subtilis is a very small beta-barrel protein, which folds with a time constant of 1 ms (at 25 degrees C) in a U reversible N two-state reaction. To elucidate the energetics of this extremely fast reaction we investigated the folding kinetics of CspB as a function of both temperature and denaturant concentration between 2 and 45 degrees C and between 1 and 8 M urea. Under all these conditions unfolding and refolding were reversible monoexponential reactions. By using transition state theory, data from 327 kinetic curves were jointly analyzed to determine the thermodynamic activation parameters delta H H2O++, delta S H2O++, delta G H2O++, and delta C p H2O++ for unfolding and refolding and their dependences on the urea concentration. 90% of the total change in heat capacity and 96% of the change in the m value (m = d delta G/d[urea]) occur between the unfolded state and the activated state. This suggests that for CspB the activated state of folding is unusually well structured and almost equivalent to the native protein in its interactions with the solvent. As a consequence of this native-like activated state a strong temperature-dependent enthalpy/entropy compensation is observed for the refolding kinetics, and the barrier to refolding shifts from being largely enthalpic at low temperature to largely entropic at high temperature. This shift originates not from the changes in the folding protein chains itself, but from the changes in the protein-solvent interactions. We speculate that the absence of intermediates and the native-like activated state in the folding of CspB are correlated with the small size and the structural type of this protein. The stabilization of a small beta-sheet as in CspB requires extensive non-local interactions, and therefore incomplete sheets are unstable. As a consequence, the critical activated state is reached only very late in folding. The instability of partially folded structure is a means to avoid misfolding prior to the rate-limiting step, and a native-like activated state reduces the risk of non-productive side reactions during the final steps to the native state.

Modeling of ultrasonic processes utilizing a generic software framework

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bruns, P.; Twiefel, J.; Wallaschek, J.

2017-06-01

Modeling of ultrasonic processes is typically characterized by a high degree of complexity. Different domains and size scales must be regarded, so that it is rather difficult to build up a single detailed overall model. Developing partial models is a common approach to overcome this difficulty. In this paper a generic but simple software framework is presented which allows to coupe arbitrary partial models by slave modules with well-defined interfaces and a master module for coordination. Two examples are given to present the developed framework. The first one is the parameterization of a load model for ultrasonically-induced cavitation. The piezoelectric oscillator, its mounting, and the process load are described individually by partial models. These partial models then are coupled using the framework. The load model is composed of spring-damper-elements which are parameterized by experimental results. In the second example, the ideal mounting position for an oscillator utilized in ultrasonic assisted machining of stone is determined. Partial models for the ultrasonic oscillator, its mounting, the simplified contact process, and the workpiece’s material characteristics are presented. For both applications input and output variables are defined to meet the requirements of the framework’s interface.

Intelligent driving in traffic systems with partial lane discipline

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Assadi, Hamid; Emmerich, Heike

2013-04-01

It is a most common notion in traffic theory that driving in lanes and keeping lane changes to a minimum leads to smooth and laminar traffic flow, and hence to increased traffic capacity. On the other hand, there exist persistent vehicular traffic systems that are characterised by habitual disregarding of lane markings, and partial or complete loss of laminar traffic flow. Here, we explore the stability of such systems through a microscopic traffic flow model, where the degree of lane-discipline is taken as a variable, represented by the fraction of drivers that disregard lane markings completely. The results show that lane-free traffic may win over completely ordered traffic at high densities, and that partially ordered traffic leads to the poorest overall flow, while not considering the crash probability. Partial order in a lane-free system is similar to partial disorder in a lane-disciplined system in that both lead to decreased traffic capacity. This could explain the reason why standard enforcement methods, which rely on continuous increase of order, often fail to incur order to lane-free traffic systems. The results also provide an insight into the cooperative phenomena in open systems with self-driven particles.

[Evaluation of the clinical results in patients with symptomatic partial tears of the anterior cruciate ligament diagnosed arthroscopically].

PubMed

Zeman, P; Cibulková, J; Nepraš, P; Koudela, K; Matějka, J

2013-01-01

The study presents a retrospective evaluation of clinical data and arthroscopic findings in a group of our patients with symptomatic knee instability due to a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The group included 31 patients diagnosed with symptomatic partial ACL tears, i.e. an isolated tear of the posterolateral (PL) or the anteromedial (AM) bundle. The patients' average age was 26.5 years. A side-to-side difference in ventral knee laxity was assessed using the anterior drawer test and the Lachman test under general anaesthesia before arthroscopy was commenced; rotational knee laxity was evaluated by the pivot shift test. An objective evaluation of side-to-side ventral laxity differences in both knees was performed on the GNRB® arthrometer with an applied pressure of 134 N and 250 N in the conscious patient. During arthroscopic examination, findings on the two ACL bundles were recorded. All 31 patients were diagnosed with symptomatic partial ACL tears, of them 22 had a PL bundle lesion and nine had an AM bundle tear. All patients with PL bundle lesions only reported problems in association with pivot sports, and all patients with AM bundle tears had problems regardless of any sports activities. In all patients with isolated AM bundle tears, the lesion was located close to its femoral attachment. In the patients with PL bundle tears, femoral location was found in 68% and tibial location in 32% of the patients. In the patients with partial PL bundle lesions, + and ++ results in the pivot shift test were recorded in 32% and 68% of the treated patients, respectively. The Lachman test showed + and ++ results in 71% and 9% of the patients, respectively. The anterior drawer test had negative results in 87% and positive + results in 13% of the patients. The side-to-side difference on the GNRB arthrometer ranged from 0.4 to 2.3 mm at a pressure of 134 N and from 1.2 to 4.2 mm at 250 N in the patients with isolated PL bundle lesions. In the patients with AM bundle lesions, the results were as follows: pivot shift test, 89% negative. 11% positive +; Lachman test, 56% negative, 44% positive +; anterior drawer test, 89% +, 11% ++; GNRB test, 2.2 to 4.4 mm at 134 N, and 4.3 to 7.1 at 250 N. The diagnosis of partial ACL lesions, i.e., isolated tears of the AM or the PL bundle, requires accurate knowledge of knee anatomy and its biomechanics. In accordance with other authors our results showed that an arthroscopic examination of both bundles of the ligament as well as knee laxity evaluation under general anaesthesia are most essential for making the definite diagnosis in partial ACL tears. They also confirmed that, in isolated AM bundle lesions, ventral laxity is present more often particularly at a higher degree of knee flexion while, in PL bundle lesions, rotational laxity is more frequent and ranges from 0 to 30 degrees of knee flexion. To make the definite diagnosis of partial ACL tears, patient medical history, clinical knee examination including instability type and degree assessment under general anaesthesia and, most importantly, arthroscopic findings on both ACL bundles are necessary.

Factors Influencing Army Accessions.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-12-01

partial autocorrelations were examined for significant lags or a recognizable pattern such as a damped exponential or a sine wave. The TSP prugrams...decreasing function indicating nonstation- *arity or a very long sine wave where only a small portion of the wave is plotted. The partial...plot of the raw data appeared (Appendix E-1) to be either the middle of a long sine wave or a linearly decreasing function. This pattern is recognized

Partial molar volume of n-alcohols at infinite dilution in water calculated by means of scaled particle theory.

PubMed

Graziano, Giuseppe

2006-04-07

The partial molar volume of n-alcohols at infinite dilution in water is smaller than the molar volume in the neat liquid phase. It is shown that the formula for the partial molar volume at infinite dilution obtained from the scaled particle theory equation of state for binary hard sphere mixtures is able to reproduce in a satisfactory manner the experimental data over a large temperature range. This finding implies that the packing effects play the fundamental role in determining the partial molar volume at infinite dilution in water also for solutes, such as n-alcohols, forming H bonds with water molecules. Since the packing effects in water are largely related to the small size of its molecules, the latter feature is the ultimate cause of the decrease in partial molar volume associated with the hydrophobic effect.